Constitution & Policies

PREAMBLE
In order to affirm and preserve the principles of our faith, protect orderly government of our body in a manner consistent with the Scriptures, and for the purpose of preserving the unity of this Church, we do declare and establish this Constitution.

ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this corporation shall be Fellowship Bible Church - Dutch Fork, incorporated under the laws of the State of South Carolina, April 4, 1984.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSES
(Acts 2:42-47)
The purposes for which this Church is established shall be to:

• Worship God through the holiness of our lives and by the corporate expression of our hearts.
• Teach God's Word for the equipping of believers for the work of the ministry.
• Fellowship together through mutual life sharing and mutual ministry to one another to result in the building up of the body of Christ.
• Evangelize by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a way of life with those in our community and by sending missionaries to the world.

ARTICLE III – GOVERNMENT BY ELDERS
Qualifications
An elder must be a man who meets scriptural standards as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-3. To be considered for the office of Elder, one must have demonstrated a pastoral ministry within the Church. He must also have been a member of Fellowship Bible Church - Dutch Fork for at least six months.

Responsibilities

1. The function of an Elder is primarily to minister, and secondarily to rule (1 Peter 5:1-3).
2. The government of this Church shall be vested in its Elders (Acts 20:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; I Timothy 3:1, 2; 1 Peter 5:1-3). The Elders shall with consideration of the needs and desires of the membership have full authority to make all decisions regarding the Church, All Elders shall be involved in the decision-making process. Decisions by the Elders shall be by consensus (Acts 15:25, 28; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Psalm 133).
3. The Elders are responsible to seek (the mind of Christ (Who is the Head of the Church) in all matters through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22, 1 Peter 5:2).
4. An Elder must teach and exhort the Church in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict the truth (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9).
5. The Elders shall provide for the maintenance of church discipline (1 Thessalonians 5:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; Galatians 6:1).
6. The Elders shall participate regularly in prayer for the members of the Church.
7. The Elders shall oversee the finances of the Church and shall report to the Church on all financial matters.

Selection

1. Elders of the Church shall receive their office by appointment (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). The first appointment of Elders shall be by the Steering Committee of Fellowship Bible Church-Dutch Fork. (The Steering Committee is a temporary committee set up for the establishment of Fellowship Bible Church). Thereafter, they shall be appointed by incumbent Elders. The first appointment of Elders shall be exempt from the six-month membership requirement as stated in point A above.
2. Additional Elders shall be appointed as vacancies occur or as the need arises.
3. Each nominated Elder shall be affirmed by the membership as follows:
   1. The members shall indicate by signed ballot willingness or unwillingness to follow the leadership of the nominated Elder (Hebrews 13:17).
   2. If evidence of unwillingness to follow occurs, the incumbent Elders shall determine the validity of the objection(s).
   3. If it is determined by the incumbent Elders that the nominated Elder is unqualified to serve, the nomination shall he set aside.
4. The appointed Elder shall be ordained before the Church by the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 5:22).

Organization
The elders shall select from among themselves a chairman who will preside over all meetings of the Elders and all business meetings of the Church. Additional officers shall be appointed as determined necessary or as required by law.
 
Term

1. The Term of the office of Elder shall be for life or until an Elder leaves this Church or demonstrates conduct that violates the above mentioned qualifications for office. Each individual Elder shall be reviewed every four (4) years by his fellow Elders to determine his desire, qualifications and ability to meet the demands and responsibilities of the office (1 Timothy 3:1-7). The review shall be conducted on or about each fourth anniversary of his ordination.
2. Every fourth year of the term will normally be a sabbatical year.

Leave of Absence
An Elder may, with the advice and consent of his fellow Elders, desire to become inactive for a time to allow for rest and renewal.

Discipline of Elders
Accusations or criticisms of an Elder will be received according to 1 Timothy 5:19-21. If the Elder is guilty of an offense he will be counseled by the other Elders with a view to restoration (Galatians 6:1-2). If the erring Elder continues in the offense he is to be removed from office and disciplined according to Matthew 18:15-17.

The Ministry of Deacons

1. Function: The Deacons are to implement and administer specific, well- defined, ministry functions within the Church under the oversight of the Elders (Acts 6:4).
2. Appointment: Deacons shall be appointed by the Elders and affirmed by the congregation by the same process as used in Elder selection.
3. Qualifications: To qualify as a Deacon one must meet the scriptural standards given in Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
4. Term: Deacons shall serve as long as they are qualified and as long as service is required.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications for Membership
Any person who gives evidence of having received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord, has expressed suitable agreement with the Church's Statement of Faith, Membership Process, and Constitution shall be, upon approval of the Elders, eligible for membership.

Termination

1. Membership is terminated when one or more of the following applies:
   1. A member joins another Church.
   2. A member dies.
   3. It becomes evident that a member has absented himself and has failed to support the Church over a period of time (see 2 below) (Hebrews 10:23-25).
   4. A member persists in public and flagrant sin, false teaching or causes a division (see 3 below) (1 Corinthians 5:1, 9-13; Matthew
   5. 18:15-17).
   6. A member negates one or more of his affirmations in Section A above.
   7. A member requests termination of his membership.
2. Membership is to be reviewed as deemed necessary by the Elders. Those members liable for termination of membership under I.e. above shall be identified. They shall be counseled with a view toward reconciliation with the Church. Those refusing reconciliation shall be removed from membership.
3. If it becomes apparent that a member is persisting in public and flagrant sin, false teaching, or is causing division in the Church he shall be removed from membership only after counseling according to Matthew 18:15-17.

ARTICLE V – VOCATIONAL PASTOR
Relationship to Elders
The Vocational Pastor (Primary) is considered a "Fellow Elder" (1 Peter 5:1- 3). He is accountable to the Elders. His responsibilities are to equip the members for the work of the ministry and to provide ministry support for the Elders (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Selection
The Elders shall with due regard to the needs and the desires of the membership have full authority to make selection of a Vocational Pastor.

Appointment
A Vocational Pastor (Primary) shall be appointed as an Elder upon beginning his ministry at the Church. His subsequent appointment shall be according to Article III, Section E.

ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Regular and special meetings for the accomplishment of the purposes of the Church shall be held by the direction of the Elders.
 
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended in accordance with a consensus of the Elders.

ARTICLE VIII – DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Church shall be given to another eleemosynary corporation (exempt from South Carolina and United States income tax) at the direction of the Elders.