| Church Government & Leadership |
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CONSTITUTION OF
(with changes adopted May 10, 2010) TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I - NAME AND AFFILIATION The name of this Congregation shall be the First Evangelical Free Church. This church shall be a member of the North Central District Association and shall thereby be affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and shall, whenever possible, send delegates to their conferences, support their home and overseas missions, and unite in all mutual efforts for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ in the measure that the Congregation itself shall decide. ARTICLE II - CONFESSION OF FAITH God 1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. The Bible 2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. The Human Condition 3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God's saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed. Jesus Christ 4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. The Work of Christ 5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. The Holy Spirit 6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. The Church 7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. Christian Living 8. We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God's Word, the Spirit's power, and fervent prayer in Christ's name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ's commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. Christ's Return 9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. Response and Eternal Destiny 10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
ARTICLE III - PURPOSE The purpose of this congregation is to worship God and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, be an effective fellowship of the concerned, lovingly sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all persons. To accomplish this purpose, this congregation shall provide and maintain a place of worship; labor for the salvation of all persons, and for the edification of the believers in faith, hope, and love; preach and teach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; engage in religious, educational, charitable, and benevolent work; and assist in establishing and maintaining missionary work in the United States and other countries. ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP The membership of the church shall consist of persons who profess belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; whose character, conduct and reputation conform therewith; and who will abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of this church. ARTICLE V - CHURCH GOVERNMENT
The church shall function in full compliance with the Articles of Incorporation, this Constitution, and the By-Laws as approved by the voting members.
There shall be no inconsistency between the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, and By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI - PROPERTY The members of this church who are loyal to and abide by this Constitution and the By-Laws of the First Evangelical Free Church have the right to ownership and control of the property of this church. Should any controversy arise as to whether such loyalty exists, the question shall be submitted to the North Central District of the Evangelical Free Church of America. ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be introduced in writing at an Annual Meeting, cannot be finally acted upon until the next Annual Meeting, and must receive the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting before adoption. PREVIOUS VERSIONS |
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| This page last modified on Saturday, December 11, 2010 |
A Thought From God's Word: One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
[Mark 12:28-31]
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