COVENANT OF THE CHURCH HAVING BEEN LED AS WE

2 IMPLEMENTING THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL
SECTION 16 COVENANT OF LIFESTYLE LAST UPDATED
0 BEDFORD BOROUGH ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY COVENANT BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES

11 TITLE BEING A COVENANT KEEPER TEXT GEN 17114
ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION CCPRC1103 UNITED NATIONS CCPRC1103 INTERNATIONAL COVENANT
AN ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY COVENANT BETWEEN NEATH PORT TALBOT

Covenant of the Church

Covenant of the Church

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, solemnly and most joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We purpose, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout the nations.

We also purpose to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, backbiting, and unrighteous anger; to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ, our Savior; and to give Him preeminence in all things.

We further purpose to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord’s return; to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy and in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and being mindful of the rules of our Savior, seek it without delay.

We moreover purpose that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church of like faith and order, where we carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. In the event there is no such church, we shall seek, with the Lord’s help, to establish one.

Preamble

Placing our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, and believing in the teachings of the Scripture as the complete and verbally inspired word of the living God, we have affiliated ourselves with one another as a body of immersed believers, and adopt this constitution as a declaration of our convictions so that we may carry on the Lord’s work decently and in order.

Articles of Association

Article I

Name and Purpose

Section 1

Name

This congregation of believers shall be known as

Lighthouse Baptist Church of Kodiak

Section 2

Purpose

This congregation is organized as a church to evangelize the unsaved by proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; educate believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Holy Scripture. The church may also ordain and license men to the Gospel ministry; maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country; and engage in any other ministry that the Church may decide, from time to time, to pursue in obedience to the will of God.

This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable , religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future Untied States Revenue Law), including but not limited to, for such proposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious worship, the building, maintaining and operating of churches, parsonages, day schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations, rescue missions, print shops, day care centers, camps, nursing homes, missionary activities, Bible Institutes/colleges, and any other ministries that the church may be lead of God to establish.

Article II

Associations

This church shall be an independent, fundamental, autonomous Baptist church, subject only to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. As such, it cannot join anything outside itself. It may cooperate and associate with other Biblical groups of like faith and practice on a voluntary basis only, and for the purposes of fellowship and the promotion of the Gospel only. There shall be no cooperation with any group that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy, or endorses with those that permit the presence of apostates or apostasy. (Apostates or apostasy is defined as those who have forsaken or abandoned the fundamentals of the faith).

Article III

Statement of Faith

This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole source of all we believe. We do believe, however, that the forgoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore is binding upon all members.

Section 1 – Scriptures

1. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are completely free from error, or contradiction, and totally incapable of erring. They are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical and historical meaning, unless the context warrants otherwise.

2. We further believe that the texts which are the providentially preserved copies of the original autographs of the Bible are the Masoretic Hebrew text for the Old Testament, and the Textus Receptus greek text for the New Testament, and that the King James Version of the English Bible is a true and faithful translation of these two texts. Therefore, the King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalms 12:6-7; Deuteronomy 4:12; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelations 22: 18-19).

Section 2 – Dispensationalism

We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations (or ages) which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered periods of time by which God directs man according to his purpose. Three of these dispensations – the Age of Law, the Age of the Church, and the Age of the Kingdom – are subjects of detailed revelation of Scriptures.(Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 9:17; 2 Corinthians 3:9-18; Ephesians 1:10; 3:2-10; Colossians 1:24-25; Revelations 20:2-6).

Section 3 – The True God

We believe in one God, existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each being identical in their nature, power, and glory; each having the same attributes and perfection. We believe in God the Father, perfect in holiness, boundless in love, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. We also believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers payers and that He saves from sin and death for all who come to Him through Jesus Christ, His Son.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:10, 26; Isaiah 6:3;

John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31).

Section 4 – The Person and Work of Christ

1. We believe that 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, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Luke1:35;

John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-8).

2. WE believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitution sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.

(Acts 2:18-36; Romans 3:24-25; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 2:24; Ephesians 1:7).

3. We believe that 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 Jesus Christ is the Supreme Overseer of the Church.(Acts 1:9-10; Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 8:34; I John 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:15, 5:23).

4. We believe that Christ will return personally and visibly, first to receive the believers unto Himself, commonly referred to as the Rapture ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), and then again at the Second Coming, when He will establish His kingdom on earth.

(Matthew 25:31-34).

Section 5 – The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent I the new birth through His calling and regenerating; that He baptizes, indwells, seals, guides, teaches and fills the believers. (Matthew 28:18-20; Genesis 1:2; John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 3:16; Ephesians 4:30; John 16:13; 1 John 2:27; Acts 2:4).

Section 6 – The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’ s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19).

Section 7 – Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins. (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Section 8 – The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Romans 8:1, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 1 Peter 1:4-5).
We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Titus2:11-15).

Section 9 – The Church

We believe that s Scriptural church is a visible assembly of baptized (immersed) believer; associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; and that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe that the church was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, and purchased with His own blood for the primary purpose of glorifying God.
We believe it is the task of the church to proclaim the redemptive story to the entire world. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of hierarchy of individuals of organizations ; that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is the Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of this cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, of policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of this church is final, based upon the Word of God. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:1-6; 4:22; 5:23-24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 11:2; Acts 2:41-42; 15:13; 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 8-13; Colossians 1:18).

Section 10 – Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Lord and Savior; and that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God. (Romans 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

Section 11 – The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, imminent return of Christ, who will rapture His Church prior to the seven year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom which was promised to the nation of Israel. (Psalms 89: 3-4; Daniel 2:31-45; Zechariah 14:4-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelations 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).

Section 12 – The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to the judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelations 20:5-6, 12-13).
We believe that 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 to be glorified forever with the Lord. (Luke 23:42; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelations 20:4-6).
We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with the 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 suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment. (Matthew 25:41-46; MK. 9:43-48; 25:41; Revelations 20:10).

Section 13 – The personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is a real and literal fallen angelic being, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall 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).

Section 14 – Creation

We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the gap theory, the Day-Age theory, and Theistic Evolution and any other unscriptural theories or origin. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11).

Section 15 – Civil Government

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: the home, the church and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective, Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 3:13-14).

Section 16 – Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. (Genesis 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).

Section 17 – Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one spouse dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced persons or divorced and remarried persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. (Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6).

Section 18 - Abortion

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of the unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortion of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth control, or the mental well being of the mother are acceptable (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 24:44; 49:1;

Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).

Section 19 – Missions

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us. It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions and missionaries engaged principally in evangelization and establishment of indigenous local churches. They shall be known to be Bible-believing churches in practice and in hearty agreement with our doctrine and practice as represented by the Church Covenant, Constitution, and Articles of Faith. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Section 20 – Lawsuits between Believers

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as ling as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32).

Section 21 – Giving

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and spreading of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offerings once the gift has been made. (Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17).

Article IV

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Qualifications for Membership

Upon a majority vote of the members present at any church service or meeting, membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; who renounce sin, who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe to the statement of faith contained herein; who enter into the church covenant contained herein and upon compliance with any of the following conditions:

By baptism (immersion) as a true believer in Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
By letter of transfer from anther Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, of written statement of good standing form the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by immersion subsequent to a profession of faith.
By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion.
By restoration, if having been removed from membership, upon majority vote of the congregation after confession is made publicly before the church membership of the sin or sins involved.

Section 2 – Duties of a Member

On becoming a member of this church, in addition to the covenant contained in Article IV, section 3, each one further covenants to love, honor, and esteem the Pastor; to pray for him; and to recognize his authority in spiritual affairs of the church; to cherish a brotherly love for all members of the church in prayer, tithes offerings and with other financial support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands to support through a lifestyle affirming the beliefs and practices of the church.

Section 3 – Definition of Membership

1. Active Members- An active member shall be defined as one who is in good standing, that is, faithful in attendance and support of this church and its ministries.

Every member in good standing is expected to be a cheerful contributor to this church regarding his time, talents, and tithes. Only active members shall be entitled to vote, teach Sunday school or hold any office or position elected or appointed in this church.

Members shall not belong to any secret society or any other organization that could bring reproach upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ or hurt the testimony of this church.

2. Removal from Membership- A member shall be removed from membership when they seek membership with another local church. Also, any member who does not attend a church service for a period of six months, without notifying the church, will automatically be taken off of the membership of the church without notification.

Section 4 – Privileges of Membership

This body functions, not as a pure democracy, but as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the Pastor as the undershephard with the counsel of the Deacons. Membership in this church does not afford those individuals with property, contract, or civil rights based on the principals of democratic government. Determinations of internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedure. The pastor shall oversee and / or conduct all aspects of this church. The deacons shall give counsel and assistance to the pastor as requested by him.
Church members eighteen (18) years of age and above shall be entitled to vote on all matters.
Wedding ceremonies will only be performed by Lighthouse Baptist Church and the pastor if:

At least one of the persons requesting marriage is a member in good standing with the church fellowship, and:
Both persons requesting marriage have read and are in complete agreement with the doctrinal statement of Lighthouse Baptist Church.

The pastor may require marriage counseling as a prerequisite to performing the ceremony, but that is at the discretion of the pastor.

Section 5 – Disciplining of a member

Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother. Before he goes, he should first examine himself. When he goes, he should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.
If reconciliation is not reached, a second member (the Pastor or a Deacon may be a wise choice of witness in such circumstances) is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. This second step should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.
If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (1) and (2) have been taken, the matter shall go before the church, the church shall recommend to the members that they, after self-examination, make an effort to go to the offending member and seek that member’s restoration.
If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (1), (2) and (3) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a majority vote of the membership present at the meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.
No matter may be heard by the church unless the steps outlined in subsection (1) and (2) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.
If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him from that point forward must be for the sake of the restoration (except family members).

( Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; Titus 3:10-11).

Section 6 – Transfer of Membership

Members, not under the disciplining process of Section 5 may request a letter of transfer to their next church.

Section 7 – Termination of Membership

The membership of any individual member shall automatically be terminated without notice if the member in question has not attended a regular worship service in the preceding six months. Only upon good cause being shown to the Pastor or Deacons in the absence of the Pastor, may this provision for termination be waived.
No member of this church may hold membership in another church. If any member unties in membership with another church, that person is automatically terminated without notice from the membership of this church.
A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the Pastor or Deacon in the absence of the Pastor.
No letter of good and regular standing will be issued to any member on the inactive membership role, except at the discretion of the Pastor or Deacons in the absence of the Pastor.

Article V

Officers

Section 1 – Church Officers

Biblically the church officers are Pastor (see Article VI, Section 1) and Deacon (see Article VI, Section 2)

Section 2 – Designation of Corporate Officers

As an accommodation to the legal relationships outside the church, the Pastor shall serve as President of the corporation; and the Deacons will serve as Trustees. A minister of records (see Article VI, Section 3) shall serve as Secretary of the corporation, and the minister of finance (see Article VI, Section 4) will serve as Treasurer.

Section 3 – Eligibility for Continuance in Office

All officers shall affirm their agreement with the statement of faith annually in the presence of the church.
All church officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the Pastor, or Deacons in the absence of the Pastor in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.
Only church members, in good standing, are eligible for election and appointment to any church office or position.

Section 4 – Terms of Office

The relationship between the Pastor and the Church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The severance of the relationship between pastor and church may be considered at any regular church administration meeting, provided notice to that effect shall have been given from the pulpit to the church two Sundays prior to regular church administrating meeting. A three-fourths majority of the members present and voting shall be required to decide the matter. Disciplinary removal of the Pastor from the office automatically terminates his membership. A restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements of Article IV, Section 1, Item #4.
The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, except he Pastor, shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be reelected or reappointed.
A vacancy occurring in any office, except in the case of the Pastor, may be filled at any regular church administration meeting.
All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly elected or appointed.

Section 5 – Election of Officers

The annual election of officers by the church shall occur during the month of December at the annual administration meeting.

Section 6 – Pastoral Oversight of Officers and Staff

Subject to the approval of the church membership and on the condition that they shall become a member of the church upon assuming their duties, the Pastor may hire associates and assistants to assist the Pastor in carrying out his God-given responsibilities.
All church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under supervision of the Pastor who has the sole authority to hire, appoint or dismiss the same.

Article VI

The Duties of Officers

Section 1 – The Pastor

The Pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the church, act as moderator at all church meetings for the transactions of the church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of the membership.
The Pastor shall publicly inform all newly elected officers of the particular function and responsibilities of their respective offices. He shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the church and perform such duties as generally appertain to such a position. The Pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him.
All appointments for public worship and Bible study and the arrangements thereof including time and place and the use of the property belonging to the church for the purposes other than the stated appointments shall be under the control of the Pastor.

Section 2 – Deacons

Deacons shall assist the Pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the religious services and performing all other work of the church. They shall make provision for the observation of the ordinances of the church. They shall, if requested by the Pastor, consider applications for church membership. They shall in cooperation with the Pastor, distribute the benevolence fund. They shall assist the Pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the church. They shall provide the pulpit supply and act as leaders for the church meetings if the office of the Pastor is vacant. Deacons shall assist the Pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the church’s various ministries as requested by the Pastor.
Deacons shall be trustees of the corporation and shall exercise the following specific powers:

To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on the behalf of the church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the church.
To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the church; to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges.
To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation, if such an action is mandated by a vote of the church membership.

Section 3 – Church Clerk

The Church Clerk shall:

Certify and keep at the office of the church, the original Covenant, Constitution, and ByLaws or a copy, including all amendment or alteration to them.
Keep at the church office a record of the proceedings of meetings given, and the names of those present at the meetings.
Sign, certify or attest documents as may be required by law.
Be custodian of the records of the church, including the membership roll, baptisms and certificates of ordination, licenses and commissions.
See that all reports, statements, certificates and all other documents and records required are properly kept and filed.
Exhibit at reasonable times to proper persons on terms provided by the Bylaws, minutes and proceedings of church meetings.
Keep an account of any special events in the life of the church which are of historical interest and give a report at the annual administration meeting of the status of the church membership roll in the past year.
Keep all records at the office of the church and deliver them to any successor upon leaving office.
Serve as the secretary of the corporation.

Section 4 – Church Treasurer

The Church Treasurer shall:

Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the church, and deposit all funds in their proper account in the churches bank.
Make monetary deposits every week as soon as possible after the Sunday services.
Receive and give receipt for all contribution, gifts and donations to the church.
Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the church as may be directed by the pastor, deacons, or the budget adopted by the members of the church.
Make all expenditures of the church (except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements) by check.
When and as requested, render to the Pastor or Deacons accounts of all transactions as minister of finance and the financial condition of the church.
Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the church’s properties and business transactions including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements and capital.
Present a written report of itemized disbursements at the regular quarterly administration meetings and make a general report for the year at the annual church administration meeting.
Keep all church financial records at the office of the church and deliver them to any successor upon leaving office.
Serve as treasure of the corporation.

Section 5 – Duties of all Officers

All officers shall prepare a written report of their work for the annual church administration meeting and shall surrender any records in their possession to the minister of records at the close of their term of office to be filed as permanent record of their work of the church. All records are the property of the church and must be kept in the church office.
Any officer who neglects his duty as outlined in the bylaws for a period of two months may be removed by the Pastor (or Deacons in the absence of a Pastor) and another may be appointed to serve the unexpired term.

Section 6 – Installation of Officers

A public installation service in which all newly elected officers of the church are to be dedicated to their respective offices and the ordination of newly elected deacons shall be held at a public church service flowing their election.

Section 7 – The Selection and Installation of a Pastor

In the event of the pastor’s death, disciplinary removal, or resignation the selection of a new pastor is the responsibility for the church in determining God’s will. It is a very important act of the church because its leadership determines so much the course to be taken by the church. A man may be qualified yet not suited to a particular church- a man may be suited, but not qualified. It is not for any individual, committee, board, or denominational headquarters to appoint a pastor. The appointment of a pastor over a church in such a way is a serious violation of the independence of the church.

The pastor is to be God called (1 Timothy 1:12) Spirit led (Acts 20:28) and Church elected (Acts 1:23-26). When a vacancy exists, the following procedures should be adopted:

PRAY- The whole church must pray about such an important matter, not only at the first, but through all stages of the selection of a pastor.

SEEK- The church should seek out possible candidates to fill the pastorate. There are a number of ways this can be done.

The advisement of the retiring pastor. If the previous pastor is leaving the church on mutually agreeable terms, his advice should be sought and seriously considered. After all, he best of all should know the needs of the church.
A pulpit committee. When a vacancy occurs the church may appoint a certain number of members (perhaps 5 or 7, which should include the deacons and other devout members) to undertake the task of locating possible candidates. It should be understood that such a group has no authority except to act on behalf of the church, and for this reason the use of the title “committee” is possibly unwise. Perhaps “Pastoral Search Team” would be better.
The advice of other pastors of other churches of like faith and order may be of help in selecting a new pastor.

CONSIDER- The whole church should have the opportunity to meet and consider all possible candidates for the pastorate. This can effectively be done by a practice sometimes known as “candidating” where the various nominees are given opportunity to preach and answer questions. Care must be taken not to allow this practice to become a “talent contest”.

ELECT- Having considered a qualified candidate, the church then votes to choose its pastor with regard to the church By-Laws voting age, majority percentage needed, and requirements of membership.

CALL- Once the decision has been made the church then officially calls the man to its pastorate. These steps can be noted in the selection of Matthias to the bishopric vacated by Judas in Acts 1:15-26.

Article VII – Meetings

Section 1 – Meetings for Worship

The Church shall meet each Sunday morning for worship and unless otherwise determined by the Pastor, each Sunday evening at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed quarterly.

Section 2 – Meetings for Church Administration

A quarterly church administration meeting shall be held on the first Sunday evening of each quarter, at which the regular church administration shall be considered. A quorum shall consist of the members present, and all Church officers will need to attend (unless providentially hindered). The date for the annual church administration meeting shall be determined at the regular quarter meeting in September of each year.
All church administration meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer for divine guidance and blessing.
The following order shall be observed at the regular church administration meetings:

Devotion and Prayer
Reading of the minutes
Reception of members
Dismissal of members
Report of officers
Unfinished matters
New matters or election of officers
Adjournment
Benediction

Section 3 – Special Meetings

The Pastor (or Deacons if the office of Pastor is vacant or the Pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary action) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such meeting and the purpose for which the meeting is called to the church from the pulpit at least one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting. A meeting for the election of a pastor may be called by the “Pastoral Search Team” at any regular church meeting at least two weeks in advance.
Bible Conferences, Missions Conferences, and Revivals may be held as the Pastor deems beneficial.

Section 4 – Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1^st and end December 31^st.

Article VIII

Ministry of Biblical Education

Section 1 – Purpose

The church believes that it is to provide the members with an education which is based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The church believes that the home and church are responsible before God for providing a Christian education. To this end, the church shall engage in ministries in education in keeping with the following dictates.

Section 2 – Staff Membership

All instructors, teachers and administrators shall be members of this church. This provision shall not apply to visiting missionaries, evangelist or preachers engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals or other special meetings on a temporary basis.

Section 3 – Teaching in Unity of Faith

All education programs and courses of instruction shall be taught and presented in full accord with the statement of faith of the church.
All education programs and courses of instruction shall be conducted as an integral, inseparable ministry of the church.
All educational programs and courses of instruction shall be conducted with the inerrant, infallible Word of God. Any assertion of belief which conflicts with or questions Bible truth will be treated as deception, distortion and disclaimed as false. It is the responsibility of every teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole source of knowledge and wisdom.

Section 4 – Christian Walk

All administrators and teachers shall continue or adopt a life-style consistent with the precepts which they teach, whether in or out of the classroom.

Article IX

Unauthorized Expenditures

Any expenditure in excess of $500.00 must be authorized in a regular or special business meeting.

Article X

Ordinances

Section 1 – Ordination Qualifications

Any member of this church or its mission churches, who give evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.

Section 2- Ordination Procedure

Upon a conference with the Pastor and after the Pastor has approved the candidate for ordination, the Pastor shall call a council to examine and pass on the qualification of the candidate. The ordination council shall consist of ordained ministers of like faith invited to participate in the examination of the candidate.
If the candidate is found worthy of the ordination by the council, the ordination council may ordain the candidate on behalf of the church.
The Pastor and the Deacons shall arrange for the ordination service.

Article XI

Tax-Exempt Provisions

Section 1 – Private Inurement

No part of the net earnings of the church shall inure to be benefit of or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purpose set forth in Article I, Section 2 hereof.

Section 2 – Political Involvement

No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The church shall not participating in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Section 3 – Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the church, the trustees shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the church, dispose of all of the assets of the church to such organizations formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the trustees shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations which agree with the church’s statement of faith.

Section 4 – Racial Nondiscrimination

The church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and thereafter shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students and others on the basis of race, color or national or ethic origin, or interracial marriage.

Section 5 – Limitation of Activities

Notwithstanding any other provision of these ByLaws, the church shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purpose of the purposes stated in Article I, section 2.

Article XII – Amendments

This Constitution and ByLaws may be revised or amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular church administration meeting, provided that said revision or amendment has been submitted in writing and announced from the pulpit fourteen days (14) before the vote is taken.

Adoption

This Constitution and ByLaws was adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the Active members present and voting at a duly called meeting of the Church in which a quorum was present.

This Church Covenant, Constitution, and ByLaws supersede any other Covenant, Constitution and/or ByLaws of Lighthouse Baptist Church and/or any other documents under the former name of Monashka Bay Baptist Church.

ARMED FORCES COMMISSIONER BACKGROUND NORFOLK’S ARMED FORCES COVENANT WAS
ASSUMPTION OF RISK WAIVER OF LIABILITY COVENANT NOT TO
CCPRCGCR36 UNITED NATIONS CCPRCGCR36 INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND

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