The CONSTITUTION of the MEDORA COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH

Hutchinson, Kansas

ARTICLE 1
NAME, PURPOSE, AND ASSOCIATION OF THE CHURCH

1.1 NAME

The name of this church shall be the MEDORA COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH, hereafter referred to as MCBC.

1.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of this church shall be to promote the evangelism of lost men everywhere, the fellowship of believers in the worship and praise of God, the spiritual growth of the church family, and the testimony of God’s grace in righteous and separate living.

1.3 ASSOCIATIONS

We believe that a New Testament Church must not surrender its sovereignty to any outside association, but may affiliate therewith on the grounds of fellowship.  Therefore, this church may fellowship or sever ties with any group or association it may so desire for any reason.  

ARTICLE 2
STATEMENT OF FAITH

Since, in these latter days, so many have departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons; so many have turned away their ears from the truth and turned unto fables; so many are busily engaged in scattering abroad the seeds of fatal error, directly affecting the honor of our God and the destiny of the souls of men, we feel constrained by fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ to adopt the following doctrinal Statement of Faith.

2.1 THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

We believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures, consisting of 66 books which constitute the Old and New Testaments, the Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, the complete and unalterable special revelation of God, and our final authority.  We believe in the normal, literal, and consistent interpretation of the Scriptures; and a dispensational understanding of God’s progressive revelation (Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21).

2.2 THE GODHEAD

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

2.3 THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life.  He came that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (Luke 1:35; John 1:1, 2, 14).

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice in providing an unlimited atonement for the sins of the whole world and our justification is verified by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24, 25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; 1 John 2:2).

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; 1 John 2:1,2).

2.4 THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who in this present age convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; who regenerates and baptizes into the body of Christ those who believe; and who indwells and seals them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 1:13,14).

We believe the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth and it is the privilege of believers to be filled with and their duty to walk in, the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27).

2.5 THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN

We believe man was created in the image and likeness of God; in Adam’s sins the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and man is totally depraved and unable to remedy his lost condition (Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12).

2.6 SALVATION AND SECURITY

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, being God in the flesh, died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice for all people.  All who trust in His redemptive work on the cross, alone, are saved by grace through faith on the basis of His shed blood, accepted in the beloved, kept by God’s power, and thus secure in Christ forever (John 1:12; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:5, 18, 19).

We believe every saved person possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life are unscriptural (Romans 6:13; 8:12,13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 3:5-9).

We believe it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Romans 13:13,14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-15; 1 Peter 2:13-20).

2.7 THE CHURCH

We believe the Church, which began with the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, is the body and bride of Christ.  It is the spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:13-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:25-27).

We believe the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

2.8 ORDINANCES

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ established two ordinances for the Church in this present age.  These are believer’s water baptism, practiced by immersion, and the Lord’s supper, observed as a memorial of His death (1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Acts 8:12, 35-39; 10:47, 48; 1 Corinthians 1:14).

2.9 MISSIONS

We believe the church was commissioned to be the sending agency, and that Christ commissioned individuals in the church to make disciples from among all nations, to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to teach them to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 20).

2.10 THE MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ gives the Church evangelists and pastor-teachers.  These gifted men are to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:7-14).

We believe the Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts upon believers for Christian service and the edification of the Church (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Peter 4:10, 11).

We believe the church age was initiated through the ministry of the apostles and prophets accompanied by sign gifts to confirm their message.  These sign gifts gradually ceased by the time of the completion of the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:28-31; 13:8-10; 14:1-28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 2:3,4).

We believe God hears and answers prayer in accord with His own will for healing of the sick and afflicted (John 14:13,14; 15:7; 1 John 5:14,15).

2.11 DISPENSATIONALISM

We believe the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations which define man’s responsibility in successive ages.  A dispensation is not a way of salvation, but a divinely ordered stewardship by which God directs man according to His purpose (John 1:17; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:9-18; Galatians 3:13-25; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24,25; Hebrews 7:19; Revelation 20:2-6).

We believe salvation is always by grace through faith regardless of the dispensation in which the believer may have lived.  God’s purpose of salvation by grace through faith alone has always been based upon the substitutionary atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Peter 1:10-12).

2.12 THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN

We believe Satan is a created being, the author of sin, the tempter in the fall, the declared enemy of God and man, and the god of this age.  He will be eternally punished in the lake of fire  (Job 1:6,7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10).

2.13 THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST

We believe in the personal, imminent, and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones.  We believe that at the end of the seven year tribulation He will return to earth with the saints in power and glory to reign for a thousand years (Zechariah 14:4-11, 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Titus 2:13, Revelation 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).

2.14 THE ETERNAL STATE

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25,26; Revelation 20:5,6,12,13).

We believe the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited and glorified to be forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 20:4-6).

We believe the souls of unbelievers are, at death, absent from the body and in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment and shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 6, 7; Revelation 20:11-15).

2.15 CREATION

We believe the triune God, by a free act and for His own glory, without the use of existing materials or secondary causes, brought into being  —  immediately and instantaneously in six literal days by the word of His mouth — the whole visible and invisible universe (Genesis 1:1-27; Exodus 20:8-11; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 104:25, 26; Isaiah 40:21-31; John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:16,17).

2.16 BIBLICAL SEPARATION AND UNITY

We believe the saved should be separated unto the Lord Jesus Christ, necessitating holy living in all personal and ecclesiastical associations and relationships (Romans 12:1, 2; 14:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; Titus 2:14; James 4:4,5; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:15-17).

2.17 SEXUAL MORALITY

We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2).  

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, fornication, adultery, pornography, etc. are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex.  We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4). 

ARTICLE 3
LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Because God’s Word defines the role of a Local Church body for the purpose of leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-13), care (Acts 20:28), accountability (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5, Hebrews 13:17)  mutual ministry of gifts (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-3) and the sending out of missionaries (Acts 15:22), the following criteria are established for the purpose of governing and qualifying membership in this local church body.

3.1 QUALIFICATIONS

Any person who has accepted Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior, agrees with the doctrinal statement of MCBC, gives assurance of his/her desire to live a consistent Christian life, has received or gives assurance of his/her willingness to receive the ordinances (Article 2 Statement of Faith, 2.8), attends worship services regularly (Hebrews 10:25), and shows evidence of a satisfactory attitude toward the standards of MCBC (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 1Thessalonians 5:12-13), shall be eligible for membership.

Only members having reached the age of 18 years old and older will be eligible and counted towards the quorum for voting privileges.

3.2 PROCEDURES FOR MEMBERSHIP

The Elders will meet with the candidate to discuss issues pertaining to membership before appearing before the Board.  All applicants will appear before the Board to give a testimony of their conversion experience before the application for membership can be approved.

3.3 RESPONSIBILITIES  OF MEMBERS

Uphold, affirm and protect the Gospel, discerning true and false doctrine  (Galatians 1:6-9, Galatians 5, Philippians 1:9-10, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13)
Assemble together (Hebrews 10:25)
Love and care for one another (John 13:34, 1 John 4:7, Philippins 2:3-5)
Submit to the elders (Hebrews 13:17)
Spread The Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20)
Utilize gifts of ministry (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

3.4 DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

The discipline of the members shall be entrusted entirely to the Board and shall be exercised in accordance with the plain teaching of the New Testament (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Matthew 18:15-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15, 1 Timothy 5:17-21).

It shall be the responsibility of the Board to order a review of the membership rolls whenever they deem it necessary.  At this time, members, who seem to manifest inconsistent living, flagrant sin in their lives, a wrong attitude toward the doctrine and work of MCBC, or fail to attend church or communicate with the church leadership for a period of three months shall be evaluated.  The Board may, after honest evaluation, decide either to drop them from the membership rolls or have them placed on a passive roll.

Persons on a passive roll may be restored to full membership by action of the Board.  Persons on a passive roll shall not be entitled to teach, preach, hold office or to vote in church matters until regular membersip is restored by the MCBC Board.  

Persons dropped from the roll of MCBC shall be reported at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Board shall make all decisions regarding the acceptance of and the giving of letters concerning the transfer of membership to another Local Church body.

ARTICLE 4
CHURCH GOVERNMENT

4.1 THE BOARD

The government of MCBC is vested in its membership and executed through the Board.  The Board shall consist of the Elders and Deacons, all of whom, except the compensated Pastors, shall have been members of MCBC for a period of at least one year before being nominated.  Each member of this Board shall have met and continue to meet the qualifications for each office as outlined in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9.  Each member of this Board shall have been officially elected by the members of MCBC.

The newly approved Board shall meet following the Annual Business Meeting to organize itself.  They shall choose a Chairman (who is also the Church Moderator), Treasurer, and the Clerk from among themselves.  Other offices may be created from time to time as may be deemed necessary.  No person shall hold more than two major offices at one time.

Each Board member’s term of office shall be three years with the terms arranged to end in alternate years and shall begin on their first meeting following the annual meeting. Retiring officers shall hold office until the terms of the newly elected officers begin.  

The Board shall meet regularly at a time agreeable to themselves.  The Clerk will keep records of these meetings, and all regular business meetings.  A Quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board members.

The Board shall provide for all ministries, activities and business matters of MCBC, and is empowered to make any decision pertaining to such.  It shall strive for unanimity in these decisions.  Any decision regarding engaging or dismissing the Pastor, or which jeopardizes the unity and fellowship of MCBC, shall be referred to the membership at a meeting called for this purpose.

The Board shall, when a vacancy occurs in the office of Senior Pastor, act as the pulpit committee and shall continue to function as such until a new Senior Pastor is called.  The Chairman of the Board shall be Chairman of the Pulpit Committee.

4.2  PASTORS

Qualifications and Call

Each shall meet the qualifications of an elder as stated in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1:6-9.  A prospective pastor shall be thoroughly examined, approved, and called by the Board.  The membership shall approve any compensated pastor at a duly called business meeting for that purpose.  A three-fourths (3/4) majority of qualified members present and voting at said meeting shall be required for approval.  Details of the call shall be agreed on by the Board and the Pastor being called.

Tenure

Each Pastor’s call is for an indeterminate period of time and shall continue as long as the relationship is mutually agreeable to both MCBC and the Pastor.  

A Pastor may resign at any time and his duties terminated at a time mutually agreeable to both MCBC and the Pastor.  

Any difficulty arising from unsatisfactory services or a departure from the fundamentals of the Faith as contained in this Constitution shall be investigated by the Board.  The Pastor being investigated may be suspended during this time.  If it is considered by the Board to be necessary, a special business meeting may be called.  If it is the Senior Pastor being considered, the membership shall consider the Board’s findings and decide regarding the dismissal of the Pastor at a duly called meeting for said purpose.  A three-fourths (3/4) majority of the qualified members present and voting is required to dismiss a Senior Pastor.  In such cases, his pastoral duties shall terminate immediately and his salary shall cease within fifteen (15) days from the date of dismissal.

Duties and Privileges

The Pastors shall have general oversight of the spiritual life of the church and shall conscientiously perform such duties as may be arranged between the Board and the Pastorate.  The Senior Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees connected with MCBC or any of its organizations and may call any special business meetings.

ARTICLE 5
MEETINGS

5.1 The Annual Business Meeting shall be held in the month of January, the date to be determined by the Board and announced to the congregation from the pulpit for two (2) Sundays prior to the said meeting.

The Annual Business Meeting shall consist of the minutes of the preceding 

Annual Business Meeting and other business meetings, a treasurer’s report, membership roll report, annual reports, approval of the prepared list of nominees for the coming fiscal year, and other business as may be necessary.

The Board and some other positions of leadership in the church, except for the 

Pastor, shall be appointed by the church in the following manner:

(1) Prior to the Annual Business Meeting, the Board shall solicit from the congregation nominees for offices and leadership positions that need to be filled.

(2) The Board shall then consider these nominees, the qualifications of each nominee, and make appointments for the positions for the coming fiscal year.  After obtaining the nominees consent to fill the office, the list of nominees shall be posted at least two (2) Sundays prior to the Annual Business Meeting.

(3) These nominees shall be submitted to the congregation for their approval at the Annual Business Meeting.

(4) If a leadership position becomes vacant before the term expires, the Board may fill the vacancy by appointment.

5.2 Special Business Meetings may be called by the Board when they deem it necessary, providing announcement is made to the congregation from the pulpit two Sundays prior to said meeting.

5.3 A majority vote of the voting members present at any regular or constitutionally called business meeting shall be required to render final decision, except as stated elsewhere in this constitution.  Fifty percent (50%) of the resident members of MCBC shall be present to conduct any business.

5.4 Members may request absentee ballots for any duly called business meeting.  The ballots shall be valid and count toward a quorum if the ballots are received in the church office before the meeting and they are signed.

5.5 For any meeting under this article, the moderator shall determine the rules of procedure according to his sense of fairness and common sense, giving all members a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a matter.  The moderator is the final authority on questions of procedure and agenda items, and his decision is final and controlling.

The moderator, in his sole discretion, shall have full and unilateral authority to require nonmembers to leave the meeting room and to order the immediate removal of any member or other person present who is deemed by the moderator to be disruptive to the proceedings by act or presence.  The moderator shall have full authority to order the removal of all children (ages to be determined by the moderator) if the moderator determines, in his sole discretion, that circumstances so warrant.  If the moderator determines that compliance with his order of removal is unsatisfactory, the moderator may, in his sole discretion, revoke the disruptive person’s right to remain on the premises and treat the person as a trespasser. 

ARTICLE 6
FINANCES

6.1 TREASURER’S DUTIES

(A)  To appoint, subject to Board approval, and be Chairman of the Finance Committee.

(B) To be accountable to the Board for all funds that are received and disbursed.

(C) To have the financial records audited regularly.

6.2 FINANCE COMMITTEE’S DUTIES

(A) To receive and disburse funds for the expenses of MCBC.

(B) To keep an accurate, current record of all money received and disbursed.

1. To prepare monthly and annual financial reports
   
2. To perform other duties as needed or requested by the Board.
   

6.3 POLICIES

The fiscal year begins January 1 and ends December 31.

The Scriptural method of financing the church is through the cheerful giving of God’s people.  This shall be the method whereby MCBC is supported (I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:7).

Finances raised by MCBC or any of its organizations must meet the approval of the Board.  An audit may be conducted at the request of a member.  The Board is authorized to spend up to $5,000 on any one item or invoice without seeking approval of the membership.  The above amount may be exceeded whenever the Board deems that a particular item or invoice is an essential expenditure necessary for the operation of MCBC.  In the event that the above amount is exceeded, the Board shall inform the membership via the church bulletin.

From time to time Medora Community Bible Church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals.  Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature.  All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Board.  No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to MCBC other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the religious, charitable, or educational purposes of MCBC.

ARTICLE 7
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEES AND MINISTRIES

The chairman of all committees and ministries shall be approved by and accountable to the Board.

7.1 MISSIONS BOARD

The Missions Board shall be appointed by and be accountable to the Board to formulate and carry out the missions program of MCBC.  

7.2 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Christian Education Committee shall be appointed by and be accountable to the Board to formulate and carry out the Christian Education program of MCBC.

ARTICLE 8
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any business meeting called for this purpose.  The notice of the proposed amendment must have been given from the pulpit two Sundays prior to the meeting at which action is taken on the amendment.

ARTICLE 9
AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS

No auxiliary organization shall be formed without the approval of the Board.

Such organizations shall not engage in any practices or policy contrary to the general position of MCBC.  The leadership of such organizations shall be approved by the Board and responsible to the Board for all their actions.

Any group or member of MCBC, must have the approval of the Board before extending an invitation to any speaker, singing group, or individual to perform or speak, who is not a member or a regular attender of MCBC.

ARTICLE 10
CHURCH COUNCIL

In the case of grave difficulty within MCBC, a council of pastors and messengers from sister Bible churches may be called.

ARTICLE 11
DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, after paying or making provision for payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall distribute all of its remaining assets to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an organization or organizations exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 501(c)( 3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).  Assets may be distributed only to tax-exempt organizations which are in agreement with the church’s Statement of Faith.