Constitution
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Christ Fellowship Bible Church Constitution ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE This assembly, known as Christ Fellowship Bible Church (CFBC), Fredericksburg, Virginia, establishes this Constitution for the purpose of orderly church administration, to fulfill the call to make and mature disciples by the faithful proclamation of the gospel and the consistent teaching of the Word of God to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). “CFBC exists to love and glorify God and to love the people He has created. We show that love through our commitment to Scripture and prayer; to providing an environment where people can know Jesus Christ, worship, grow, serve and be accountable to God and each other; and by reaching out into our community and world, offering hope in the name of our Savior and Lord.” ARTICLE II: GOVERNMENT Section 1: Spiritual Leadership This church acknowledges only the Lord Jesus Christ as its Head; the Holy Scriptures as the only infallible guide in matters of faith, church order, and discipline; the Holy Spirit as its Teacher; and is neither accountable to nor under the jurisdiction or supervision of any other ecclesiastical body. Section 2: Authority The government of this church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, is vested in the Elders, as specified by this Constitution. The direction of the church as well as the provisions of this Constitution, shall be executed by the Elders. The provisions of Section 1 of this Article shall not be abridged by any vote of the membership. ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139.) We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4.) We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and the use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.) We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.) We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accordance with Scripture or the doctrines of CFBC. We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of CFBC as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to CFBC’s members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by CFBC in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22.) This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of CFBC’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Elders are CFBC’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application. ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION AND CHURCH POSITIONS Section 1: Membership The membership of the church shall consist of those persons who confess their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible (Romans 10:9-10), have been baptized1, subscribe to the authority of the Bible in matters of faith, church order and discipline, and submit to the Doctrinal Statement and Constitution of the church. The minimum voting age in all membership meetings shall be 18 years. Every membership candidate shall meet with at least two Elders to confirm the testimony of the candidate regarding his/her faith in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Instruction shall be held at the discretion of the Elders. Those membership candidates confirmed by the Elders will be presented as new members to the current church membership by the Elders at any regularly called congregational meeting. It is the duty of the membership to live godly lives, to pray for and support the Elders, to use their spiritual gifts as responsible members of the body of Christ, to communicate to the leadership regarding issues which affect the church while submitting to the leadership of the Elders, to search out the Scripture to test the leadership for sound teachings (as did the Bereans, Acts 17:11), and to provide resources (finances, time, and talents) to support the church.
Section 2: Positions The church shall identify three positions within the membership. The church will be led by male members called Elders. Two other positions of service will be recognized within the body. These positions may be filled by male or female members appointed by the Elders. These positions are the positions of Deacon/Deaconess (collectively called Deacons) and Trustees. The Elders and Deacons shall consist of a prudent number of members nominated by current church members and appointed by the Elders. The Trustees shall consist of at least two members recommended by the members, nominated by the Deacons, and appointed by the Elders. The number of Elders and Deacons may be increased or decreased at any time based on need and the recommendation of the Elders. Subsection A.: Qualifications of Elders, Deacons, and Trustees All Elders, Deacons, and Trustees shall be members in good standing of the church. All should be living to the best of their understanding an exemplary and prayerful Christian life, especially as regards loyal obedience to the moral precepts taught in the Word of God for believers. The moral and spiritual qualifications for those who assume positions within the church are contained in the Scriptures, particularly in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9 and Acts 6:3. Candidates for these positions should be nominated and appointed in the light of these God-given requirements. Subsection B.: Duties of Positions 1. Elders It shall be the duty of the Elders to lead and care for the spiritual condition of the church, to guard the purity of doctrine and life of the church, and to supervise church discipline in accordance with the Word of God. Specifically, the Elders shall preach and teach the Word, administer the Lord’s ordinances, act for the church in the reception and dismissal of members, examine all seeking membership into the church, counsel the needy, comfort the afflicted, visit the sick, invite outside speakers, and supervise the operation of the church with its various ministries in matters of faith, doctrinal content, discipline and prayer. The Elders shall meet at least once a month in order to transact the business under their jurisdiction. All business conducted by the Elders will be accomplished on the basis of unanimity. The Elders shall conduct the Annual Membership Meeting and shall communicate with the church regularly about issues under consideration by the Elders. The responsibility for all major ministries and functions within the church will be divided to ensure an Elder is overseeing all areas of the church. 2. Deacons/Deaconess It shall be the duty of the Deacons to have the care of all matters pertaining to the physical properties and finances of the church. They shall decide who is authorized to sign vouchers regarding expenditures from church ministry accounts, and the number of signatures necessary for the authorization of bank checks. They shall also be responsible for such temporal duties as ushering at church services, provisions for widows and orphans, and the provision of every material thing for proper worship. The Deacons operate under the oversight of the Elders. The Deacons shall meet at least once a month in order to transact the business under their jurisdiction. All decisions of the Deacons shall be on the basis of unanimity. 3. Trustees It shall be the duty of the Trustees to hold the title to the church property and to hold the same subject to the uses and benefit of the church. They shall not purchase or dispose of real estate or other disposable assets without first having brought the matter before the Deacons. This being done, they shall be given authority to act as directed for the membership. Subsection C.: Appointment of Elders, Deacons, and Trustees 1. Nominating and Appointment Process for Elders, Deacons, and Trustees Once the membership is notified by the Elders that a need exists for a new Elder, Deacon, or Trustee members shall be given three weeks to prayerfully consider and submit the names of spiritually mature members who are already exhibiting the qualities and the qualifications for the position to the Elders for consideration. The Elders shall interview the candidates and operating on the basis of unanimity select those candidates who are qualified. Those members approved by the Elders will be presented to the congregation at any regularly called meeting of the membership. There are no term limits for positions within the church. Each Elder, Deacon, or Trustee who is faithfully serving in his/her role and who desires to continue shall be allowed to continue to serve based upon the approval of the Elders. This provision allows for the continuation of the service of qualified members to meet the ministry needs of the church. The number of Elders and Deacons is flexible and shall be determined based on the need to optimally meet the changing needs of the ministries of the church. Subsection D.: Resignation or Dismissal of an Appointed Elder, Deacon, or Trustee The resignation of an Elder, Deacon, or Trustee shall be in writing and presented to the Elders. Final action shall be taken at the first meeting of the Elders after notification. If any Elder, Deacon, or Trustee proves to be unfaithful or unfit to scripturally fulfill the duties of his/her office, on the basis of the testimony of at least two witnesses and a hearing by the Elders (other Elders in the case of an Elder), he/she shall be discharged with an appropriate explanation made to the church by the Elders. Section 3: Ministry Leaders The leadership of certain ministries in the church may need to be filled by an individual who is a member but is not an Elder or Deacon. All ministry leaders shall be appointed after agreement regarding the specific ministry need, interview and approval by the Elders and presentation to the membership. All ministry leaders are subject to job performance review at any time by the Elders. Any Ministry leader may be removed for failure to perform the specific ministry duties originally outlined at the time of the establishment of the ministry leadership position, by decision of the Elders, or be removed according to Section 1 of this Article as applied to all of the church membership. Section 4: Support Positions The Treasurer shall be selected from among the Deacons and be responsible for accurate deposit of all church funds and the maintenance of financial records. The Treasurer’s books shall be subject to audit each year under the authority of the Deacons and open for inspection by any church member, upon request. The Treasurer will not be a Trustee. ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Section 1: Annual Meeting The fiscal year of the church shall end on the 31st day of December of each year. The Annual Membership Meeting shall be held no later than the second Sunday of December2 to approve the church’s annual budget, and transact other business. Section 2: Quorum and Conduct No business shall be transacted at any membership meeting unless a quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of at least one-third of the voting membership. The Elders shall preside over all meetings. In the transaction of business, Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used in all cases not covered by this Constitution. Minutes shall be kept by one of the Elders and archived at the church for review by all church members. Section 3: Voting Voting to approve the annual budget shall be by secret ballot, with a simple majority vote of the membership present at the meeting unless otherwise specified. Section 4: Called Meetings A called meeting of the membership for the transaction of business may occur provided that an announcement of the meeting has been given upon a minimum of at least two prior public meetings or a written notice has been provided to the membership by mail in which the purpose of the meeting is stated. Such meetings may be called at any time by the Elders, by the written request of any voting member after approval of the request by the Elders, or in a petition signed by 10% of the members of the church who are eligible to vote, directed to the attention of the Elders. ARTICLE VI: ORDINANCES Section 1: The Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper shall be observed as often as the Elders shall order, and it shall be open to all who know Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Section 2: Baptism Baptism, at the request of each believer, shall be administered by immersion. ARTICLE VII: ORDINATION The Elders shall have the authority to ordain men to the ministry. Only those men who submit to the Doctrinal Statement of Christ Fellowship Bible Church and of unquestionable character as specified by 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9 and Acts 6:3 shall be ordained. ARTICLE VIII: TEACHERS All teachers shall submit themselves to the Constitution and the Doctrinal Statement. ARTICLE IX: MISSIONARIES All missionaries supported through the church shall submit themselves to the official Missions Policy of the church and shall be approved by the Elders. Addition or deletion of specific missionaries will be decided by the Elders based on recommendations from the Deacons. ARTICLE X: CHANGES OR AMENDMENTS Changes or amendments to this Constitution may be made at any meeting of the membership, provided such changes or amendments do not infringe in any way upon the Doctrinal Statement of the church, with such alterations approved by 2/3’s of the voting membership.
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