Cornerstone Bible Church Constitution
CONSTITUTION
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
STATEMENT OF FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP
We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete and final authority for Christian belief and behavior (II Tim. 3:16, 17).
We believe in one God existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; eternal in Being; identical in nature; equal in power and glory; possessing the same attributes and perfections (Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14).
We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is undiminished deity and perfect humanity, united in one Person forever (Jn. 1:14). He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Matt. 1:20, 23). He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice (Rom. 3:23-25; I Pet. 2:24), and rose bodily from the dead, providing assurance of our justification (Rom. 4:25). He then returned to heaven where at the right hand of the Father He is now our High Priest and Advocate (Heb. 7:25; 9:24).
We believe the Holy Spirit ministers to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn.16:14). He performs the work of regeneration (Tit. 3:5), baptizes believers into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13), indwells (I Cor. 6:19), and seals them unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). Believers are to be filled with the Holy Spirit as a means to godly living (Eph. 5:18) and are to serve by exercising the gifts He distributes to build up the church (I Cor. 12:7; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).
We believe that God created angels, some of whom followed Satan in open rebellion against God. Angels serving God sustain a range of ministries under His direction (Heb. 1:14). Satan, a fallen angel, is a real person who is the enemy of God and man (Is. 14:12-20; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 20:10). Though currently active, he is a defeated foe due to the completed work of Christ on the cross (Jn. 12:31; I Jn. 3:8), and is destined for eternal judgment in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). Other fallen angels (demons) serve Satan in the advance of his cause (Eph. 6:11-12).
We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is born totally depraved (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1). Unable to restore himself from his fallen condition, man is in need of regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5). God provides salvation solely by grace through faith in Christ (Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9).
We believe that the Church, the Bride of Christ, is made up of all born-again persons of this age (I Cor. 12:12-13). Local churches are geographical representations of the Body of Christ
(I Cor. 1:2; Rev. 2, 3) and exist to make disciples throughout the world today.
We believe that future events include a return of Jesus Christ for His Church (I Thess. 4:13-18), a period of tribulation on the earth (Rev. 6-19), and the literal return of Christ to this earth to establish His millennial kingdom (Rev. 19-20). Such truth should motivate holiness of life and devotion to service in all believers (II Pet. 3:10-14).
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of believers to everlasting consciousness and joy with the Lord, of unbelievers to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (Jn. 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:11-15).
CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Ministry of Elders
This ministry belongs to its Head, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). We will seek to accomplish His purposes through the ministry of Elders who are responsible for shepherding and overseeing the assembly (I Pet. 5:2). The authority for governing the assembly lies with these men, who are accountable before God for the welfare of the assembly (Heb. 13:17).
Absence of Elders
In the absence of a team of Elders, Deacons shall function with the senior pastor in meeting the needs of the assembly. Should a time exist when no Elders or Deacons exist, decision-making responsibility shall lie with the men of the church, or a group selected from among those men. These men shall then represent the transitional leadership team and shall seek to determine God's direction for the assembly.
Selection of Elders
The authority to appoint men to the office of Elder ultimately rests with the Elders. In the absence of Elders, the functioning leadership team shall bear the responsibility for recognizing and recommending the Elders.
In that the spiritual welfare of the body depends largely on the existence of qualified Elders, diligent attention shall be given to the development and recognition of these men. Men shall serve as Elders based on conspicuous prior evidence of God's call to this ministry as demonstrated by significant and sustained shepherding behavior. Those demonstrating such ministry are then to be examined on the basis of biblical qualifications of Titus 1:6-9 and I Tim. 3:1-7. These qualifications must be carefully observed.
While members of the assembly should not personally recruit men for positions of leadership, they may forward their recommendations for Eldership to the existing Elders who carry out the examination and nomination process.
To assess the extent to which a man's call and ministry are recognized by the church family, the Elders shall seek confirmation by the congregation on behalf of an Elder candidate. Failure by the assembly to support a man's appointment to this ministry shall defer consideration of that individual.
The number of Elders shall be determined by the number clearly called by God and biblically qualified for this task. A man's ministry as an Elder terminates when he dies, leaves the assembly, when he ceases to function as an Elder, or when he is disqualified by virtue of life patterns. (I Tim. 5:19-20 shall be carefully followed in the discipline of an Elder.)
Responsibility of Elders
The Elders shall actively shepherd the assembly that it might serve God to His glory. The leadership of the assembly (and members as well) should be consciously and consistently submitted to the Lordship of Christ and the authority of the Word of God.
The oversight of Elders shall extend to all ministries and procedures of this local assembly such as membership, missions, finances, discipline, instruction, and the doctrinal protection of the assembly. While they may delegate some of the responsibilities, they remain accountable for overseeing all areas of the church's life.
In matters of discipline, the principles of Matthew 18:15-20 are to be followed in an effort to restore believers violating beliefs and behaviors of the Scriptures. Examples of offenses requiring discipline appear in I Cor. 5:11; 6:9-10; II Cor. 12:20-21; Col. 3:5-6; Gal. 5:19-21. Should attempts to restore a sinning member of the assembly fail, the fellowship of the assembly may be withdrawn and membership and participation in the communion observance suspended.
In wisdom, the Elders shall assess the support and seek the cooperation of the assembly on vital matters such as securing or dismissing the senior pastor, building programs, etc. To this end, meetings of the assembly may be convened and the members informed and polled to assess the heart of the assembly in relation to such issues. Elders are responsible to demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs, attitudes, and concerns of the assembly.
The Elders shall appoint officers for the assembly that are necessary for the proper discharge of basic church functions (such as church treasurer, secretary, etc.).
The Elders of the assembly shall interpret, adapt, and expand this constitution as necessary. Any action that modifies or changes the constitution must be approved at a regular or special called meeting by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the Elders currently in office (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) .
Elders shall see that an outside accountant reviews the church's financial records annually. This review shall follow the fiscal year which shall extend from January 1 to December 31.
Pastoral Ministry
As a general rule, the senior pastor should both qualify for and function as part of the Board. In a balanced relationship, he will serve in a leadership and equipping role to the church family in general and the Elders in particular (cf. Pastoral Epistles and Eph. 4:11-13). He will minister to the Elders, serve as a part of the Board, and also be accountable to it.
Precise procedures for pastoral appointment and dismissal shall be determined by the Elders. Working together, pastors and Elders may recruit staff which will aid the pastors in fulfilling the ministry vision of the assembly. Members of the church's staff may also serve as Elders, depending on qualifications and nature of ministry.
Deacons
In order to assist the Elders in ministering to the church family, Deacons should be selected (Phil. 1:1). The principles and procedures for choosing Deacons will parallel those for appointing Elders. The criteria for the appointment of Deacons (I Tim. 3:8-13) must be carefully followed.
MEMBERSHIP
Elders shall interview prospective members to assess the appropriateness of the candidate's membership in the church family. Qualifications will include a statement of faith in Christ, indication of fundamental agreement with the doctrinal position of the church, agreement not to promote doctrine conflicting with the stated position of this assembly, and willingness to function under the leadership of the church.
Active members shall be those who live locally and who are regularly involved in the ministry and services of the church. Associate members are those who desire fellowship with this body, but because of distance (in the case of missionaries, for example), illness, or other factors are unable to participate actively in the church's ministry. Members must be at least 18 years of age.
Membership may be withdrawn by the Elders for reasons of discipline (in cases of persistent error) or inactivity. The membership rolls shall be kept current by leaders of the assembly.
Persons attending this assembly must understand that formal membership will not be required for the Elders to deal where necessary in church discipline. Regardless of the official membership status of individuals involved, it remains the responsibility of the Elders to protect the assembly from doctrines and behaviors which are a threat to its purity.
ORDINATION
Through procedures established by the Elders of the assembly, this church shall have the authority to ordain its Elders and to license or ordain men for purposes of formal Christian ministry. It likewise carries the authority to revoke such sanctions when the Elders determine that such action is necessary.
DISSOLUTION
In the event this ministry is dissolved, all assets of the church remaining after obligations of the ministry are met shall be given to a doctrinally compatible organization or organizations devoted to advancing the cause of Christ. Members of the assembly shall not personally profit from any such suspension of ministry.