First Christian Church Constitution

Johnson City, Texas

PREAMBLE

In order that the witness of this Church may be born and carried out in accordance with Scriptural doctrines; that its worship, teachings, ministry and fellowship may be conducted in harmony with Christian principles; and that its business affairs may be administered in an orderly fashion and in a responsible manner consistent with Biblical teachings, we do adopt and set forth this constitution and its accompanying bylaws.


ARTICLE I - NAME

This organization shall be known as First Christian Church of Johnson City, Texas.


ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of the First Christian Church is:

· To come together as a family;

· To worship and obey the Lord our God completely;

· To equip God’s people, To bring others to Jesus ;

· And to minister to those who need comfort, both near and far.

ARTICLE III - STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived for the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We follow the instruction of the Bible which we consider the written Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.

We believe in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

We believe that all are sinners, and salvation is by God’s grace alone. God is merciful and faithful to His people according to His Covenant promises.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, and that through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection, He atoned for the sins of all who trust in Him. All who believe in Him are declared righteous and are, therefore, in right relationship with God.

We believe that salvation is a gift of God to all who place their faith in His Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus directed new believers to follow that step of faith with water baptism as an outward symbol of their spiritual identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus also directed His followers to participate together in the memorial supper to remember His death until He comes again in glory.

We believe that Jesus Christ will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.

We believe that the resurrected Jesus ascended to Heaven and on the day of Pentecost sent the Holy Spirit to indwell, guide, teach, and empower all who believe. We believe the Holy Spirit equips the saints to fulfill the work of the ministry as described in the scriptures.

ARTICLE IV – FINANCES

We believe that the way an organization handles itself in the financial area is a reflection of its integrity in every area. Luke 16:11 teaches that the person who is untrustworthy in handling money cannot be trusted to handle spiritual riches either. Likewise, if we are trustworthy in the use of monetary riches, then God will be able to entrust spiritual riches and blessings to us as a church (Luke 16:10). The Church is neither a monument to anyone's ego nor a legacy to anyone's memory. The pastor, elders and other members are merely stewards and fellow-servants in the work of the Kingdom.

One of the ways we can discern the Lord's will regarding the continuation of our work is through the financial support He sends (or doesn't send) from His people. Therefore, during lean times we will make our obligations known. We will never resort to what we consider to be disrespectful and dishonorable methods of raising funds, even when the need is serious. Nor will we attempt to motivate giving from a false sense of guilt or compulsion, since this robs God's people of the opportunity to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).

We believe God wishes to use First Christian Church as a financial channel to help needy individuals and to support other evangelical ministries. Therefore, we will not spend money upon nonessential church personnel, programs or facilities.

We will try to remember always that Jesus Christ is our possessor and our dispossessor. He ordained and blessed the establishment of The First Christian Church. It belongs entirely to Him. Therefore, we will cradle it lovingly in our hands, attempting not to crush it through self-centeredness, ignorance or church politics.

ARTICLE V - GOVERNMENT

The government of this church shall be under the Lordship of Christ and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit as exercised through a Board of Elders comprised of those who the Lord has gifted to rule as Elders. The Elders will be assisted in this capacity by various officers, committees and staff as set forth in the bylaws.


ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP

Membership in First Christian Church shall be the means whereby the individual confesses his faith in Jesus Christ, commits himself to this body of believers by accepting the responsibilities which the Scriptures teach rest upon him as a member of Christ's body, and entrusts himself to its spiritual care and counsel. Any individual who makes a genuine profession of faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord may, under the procedures outlined in the bylaws, become a member of First Christian Church.


ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

All changes shall be guided by a desire to reflect Biblical attitudes and principles.

This Constitution may be amended at a regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Board of Elders provided:

1. That notice of the proposed amendment, written in full, has been mailed or otherwise provided individually to all elders, at least two weeks prior to the meeting;

2. That notice of the proposed business has been printed in the Church Bulletin or announced from the pulpit in the Sunday morning worship service on at least two Sundays prior to the meeting;

3. That the affirmative vote for an amendment shall be by a unanimous vote of the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE VIII - OTHER

First Christian Church is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

No part of the net earnings of First Christian Church shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, elders or other private persons, except that First Christian Church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of Section 501(c)(3) purposes. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

First Christian Church shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

The term for which this organization is to exist is perpetual, except that upon dissolution of First Christian Church the Board of Elders shall:

1. pay or make provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of First Christian Church,

2. dispose of all the assets of First Christian Church exclusively for the purposes of the church, and

3. dispose of the church's assets in such a manner, or to organizations which are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or religious purposes, as at the time shall qualify as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of law to organizations with similar purpose.