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CHURCH GOVERNMENT
Lakeview Bible Church's form of government shall be congregational, all authority being vested in the body of believers of which it is composed. No denomination or association representatives shall ever sit in judgment or counsel over its affairs, except by invitation of the church membership.
The church year shall be on a calendar year basis and the officers shall be elected at the annual meeting to be held on the third Saturday of October unless otherwise specified by the Board. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor, Official Board or by not less than twelve (12) members of the church. In case the meeting is called by members of the church, it must be announced at four (4) regular services of the congregation and the purpose stated, in writing, at each time of announcement.
GOVERNING BODY
1. The Pastor(s)
a. A pastor(s) is to be chosen, called and installed by the fellowship whenever a vacancy occurs, pursuing the following course:
b. The Official Board after carefully and prayerfully considering all suitable, available candidates will submit to the members of the fellowship its recommendation and for the members' confirmation.
c. After prayerful consideration, a pastor may be called upon receiving the vote of 80% of the members present provided at least 33% of those members qualified to vote are present at such meeting.
d. A pastor's term of office shall be indefinite. He shall, by virtue of his office, be a member of or have governing authority over all committees to establish lay leadership. He shall be expected to perform all duties enjoined upon a minister of the Gospel and be an example to the flock.
e. A pastor may be dismissed by a three-fourths majority vote of the Official Board at anytime. Notice must be given one month in advance except in the case of immoral behavior.
f. The pastor, upon resignation, must give at least one month's notice.
2. The Official Board
a. General Powers - The affairs of the fellowship shall be managed by its Official Board in accordance with the authority granted to it by its members
b. Elected Members - Besides the pastor(s), the members of the Official Board shall be male, and at least four (4) in number whose terms shall be for three (3) years as long as there is an adequate pool of eligible men for Board status. Additional members may be elected as the congregation deems necessary. The Official Board shall consist of: Elders, Deacons, and the Pastor(s).
c. The Ministry of Elders and Deacons - The biblical term "Elder," "Bishop," "overseer," "pastor," "shepherd" relate to the same role in the church. (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 5:17 & 22; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; and Titus 1:5-9)
d. Qualifications - Men being sought for the role of Elder or Deacon must exhibit a life focused on the Lordship of Christ as seen in this person's family, in their reputation in the community, in their inner life demonstrating the filling of the Spirit, and in their effective leadership with people by teaching or personal interaction.
- (1) The key difference in qualification between an Elder and Deacon seems to be in the teaching area and exercise of spiritual discipline with the congregation. Elders and Deacons must have strong marriages and the support of their family to carry out their ministry effectively. For this reason, if married, we meet with a prospective nominee and his wife.
e. Elders serve on both the Elder board and Official board as representatives of Jesus Christ. As such, they, along with the Deacons, have the ultimate authority to set the vision and priorities, establish policy, propose constitutional or doctrinal changes and generally oversee all major areas of the church.
f. Elders who have the gift of teaching may be asked to do so.
g. Elders with the gift of evangelism may be asked to serve of overseeing the prayer partner ministry, counsel at altar calls or at other appropriate times.
h. Elders with the gift of administration may be asked to chair a standing committee or other committee.
i. Elders have the ultimate authority for making sure all teaching in the church is biblically based and in harmony with our Doctrinal Statement.
j. The Elder Board shall also handle any business the Official Board would deem unwise to put before the public for discussion. The current elders may choose to involve all past elders in this discussion.
k. The duties of the Official Board shall be to take care of the day-to-day business of running the church. They shall also take care of preliminary work, such as discussing the character and other qualifications of nominees for office before presenting them to the church for election. The Official Board shall also perform other duties including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) All matters pertaining to property, legal and other temporal affairs.
(2) The buying and selling of property shall be presented at a business meeting for action and a majority vote of active members shall authorize such transactions. The Official Board may, at their discretion, make purchases up to, but not more than, five thousand dollars ($5,000). The purchase or sale of real estate may be authorized by a three-fourths majority vote of those present at any business meeting called for that purpose. Prior notice shall be given the membership either by letter or in two worship services. The name of the Chairman of the official Board and/or the Treasurer shall be the official signatures of any and all instruments of conveyances, following official authorization by the membership as aforesaid.
l. Vacancy of any office may be filled by the Official Board with the confirmation of active church members.
m. In all cases of official positions, it must be remembered that the Board member is chosen as a servant not a lord and should serve humbly. No person shall be chosen as a board member for the purpose of making him more faithful; he must be faithful when chosen.
n. Said Board Members are to be men of Christian character, and members of Lakeview Bible Church. After two (2) three (3) year terms there shall be at least a one year sabbatical before being elected to a new term, as long as there is an adequate pool of eligible men.
Chairman - The pastor or any board member may be elected chairman and vice chairman of the official board by the official board members. Other officers shall be recommended by the official board and confirmed by active members.
Vice-Chairman - Shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the Chairman.
Secretary - Shall keep a complete record of all transactions of all business meetings of the fellowship, which shall be properly recorded and read for approval at the next meeting or special meeting, and also of the official board. The secretary shall preserve on file all communications and written official reports and give legal notices of all meetings when such notice is necessary as provided in the constitution.
Treasurer - Shall keep such separate accounts of all money received by the treasurer as the official board shall deem appropriate. The treasurer's books may be audited prior to the annual congregational meeting.
ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP
1. Church Membership - We believe that when one is saved he/she immediately becomes a member of the Body of Christ. But in these days when every kind of Savior-less doctrine is being preached, it is necessary for Christians of like precious faith to covenant themselves together and to work together, combining their talent, money, labors and prayer to sound forth the message of PURE GRACE into the Church, the Body of Christ. We believe that this can best be done by identifying oneself with a group of Christians who stand on the doctrines as set forth in God's message to the Church for this day. It is necessary, therefore, that all applicants joining this church shall be in full agreement with the Doctrinal Statement. Before being received into membership, all applicants are to attend a membership class and will be examined as to doctrinal belief, purpose and character. These members make up the voting congregation.
2. Reception - After careful instruction in the doctrines, mission and vision of Lakeview Bible Church and examination and recommendation by the Official Board or by a Board appointed membership committee, the person(s) desiring membership shall be voted into fellowship by the Official Board. Any person or persons in opposition must show good reason according to the Word of God why membership should not be granted. If the reason is not accepted by three-fourths of the members of the Official Board, the objection shall be overruled.
3. New Members - Applicants for membership in the church, having been duly examined by the Pastor or Official Board, may be received into membership at any regular service.
4. Discipline - All discipline of church members will be in the charge of the Official Board, and only such cases as required excommunication or erasing from the roll will be brought before the Church. A member who is guilty of unbecoming conduct and who has disqualified himself as a member by walking contrary to the provisions of this constitution, shall be visited in Christian love by the pastor and by the Official Board at least three times, after which he may be dismissed from the membership if he or she refuses to turn from the error of their ways. Suspension proceedings shall be within the discretion of the Official Board.
5. Obligations and Privileges - Members will be willing to embrace the following expectations of our church members as part of our congregational life:
a. Assume responsibility for their own spiritual nourishment through personal and corporate Bible study and prayer;
b. Participate in weekly worship services on a regular basis.
c. Support the variety of ministries of Lakeview Bible Church through prayer and a willingness to serve with their spiritual gifts as God leads;
d. Cultivate the unity and peace of the congregation;
e. Respond positively to the leadership of the Pastor(s), Elders and Deacons in matters of church policy and discipline;
f. Contribute financially to our church in a consistent, generous manner;
g. Share their faith personally with others and represent Lakeview Bible Church in a positive and Christ-honoring manner;
h. Active members reaching the age of 18 have the right, and it is their duty, to vote on matters pertaining to the fellowship at all congregational business meetings.
6. Definition of Members - An active member is one who is regular in attendance at the services of this fellowship unless good and sufficient cause is shown for his or her absence.
An inactive member is one who:
1. Has not been in regular attendance for a period of six consecutive months immediately prior to any business meeting and after receipt of the "membership status" letter.
2. Because of school or service is unable to regularly attend the services of this fellowship.
3. Having moved desire to retain their membership until a suitable church can be found in their new locality.
4. Inactive members are considered an important part of the church fellowship but are ineligible to vote at any business meetings until such time as they become active again and are reinstated to active membership.
5. Reinstatement of inactive members to the active rolls shall be done in accordance with both Section 1 - Membership and Section 2 - Reception of Article VI - Membership.
7. Termination of Membership - This fellowship will upon the request of any of its members who are in good standing, issue a letter of dismissal to any other evangelical church organization that is considered sound in the faith by the Official Board.
An inactive member who has not made contact with Lakeview Bible Church for a period of six consecutive months after being placed on the inactive list; or twelve months past their last contact with Lakeview will be removed from the membership list after receipt of the "membership status" letter.
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