Constitution
of
Chinese
Christian Church of Columbia
South Carolina
ARTICLE I: NAME
The
name of this church shall be the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The
purpose of this church is to glorify God. To this end it exists for: the
worship and service of God; the teaching of His Word; the proclamation of His
saving grace; the building up, fellowship, and discipline of those who believe
the Son; the practice of holiness without which no one shall see God; and the
rendering of compassionate service to all regardless of social class or race.
ARTICLE III: STATEMENT
OF FAITH
We
believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and that they are
inspired of God, inerrant in the original writings, and of supreme and final
authority in faith and life ( II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:21; Psalms 119:89;
John 12:47-48; Rev. 22:19 ).
We
believe in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
coequal and eternal ( Gen. 1:1, 26-27; Isa. 44:6; Matt. 28:19; II Cor.
13:14; Deut. 6:4 ).
We
believe that man was created in the Image of God, that he sinned and thereby
incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death which is separation
from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the
case of those who reach moral responsibility, show themselves to be sinners in
thought, word, and deed ( Gen. 1:27; Rom. 1:18, 3:23, 5:12; Psalms
51:5 ).
We
believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the
Virgin Mary, and is true God and true Man ( Matt. 1:18, 22-23; John 1:14;
Phil. 2:6-7 ).
We
believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice and that all who
believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood ( Rom. 5:8, 6:23;
Eph. 2:8-9 ).
We
believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His Ascension
in the heavens and in His present life there for us as High Priest and
Advocate ( I Cor. 15:1-4; Acts 1:9; Heb. 7:22-25 ).
We
believe in the blessed hope, the personal and visible return of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ to reign ( Acts 1:11; I Thess 3:13, 4:14-17; Rev.
19:7, 20:15 ).
We
believe that all who are born again of the Holy Spirit receive by faith the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thereby become children of God ( John 1:12-13, 3:3, 5,
7 ).
We
believe in the eternal security and everlasting blessedness of the saved, and
the eternal conscious punishment of the lost ( John 3:16-18; I John 5:11-13;
Rev. 20:15; Mark 9:48 ).
We
believe that Christ instituted the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord's Supper,
to be observed until He comes ( Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11:23-26; Matt.
28:19-20 ).
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Membership
in this church shall be based upon an individual personal acceptance of the
Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. Each candidate for membership should be able to
give a testimony of faith in Christ and a desire to live a consistent Christian
life. The candidate should be baptized, if not baptized previously. Such
persons show evidence of a satisfactory attitude toward the doctrinal standards
of this church and its Constitution and be willing to be in submission to the
church. The church through its officers shall examine and receive candidates
for membership upon affirmation of their faith.
ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT
This
church recognizes Jesus Christ as the Head and supreme authority for all its
actions and functions. Under Christ the government of this church shall be
vested in its members acting through an Executive Board which consists of
pastor(s), elders and deacons. In all matters, the goal shall be to function by
consensus of opinion and in unity, seeking to know and follow the mind of
Christ.
ARTICLE VI: AFFILIATION
This
church shall be organizationally unaffiliated with any denomination. However,
fellowship and cooperation with other churches and groups of like faith and
purpose shall be encouraged.
ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION
This
church is organized exclusively for religious, educational, and charitable
purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code. If this organization is ever dissolved, all the assets thereof shall be
transferred to an organization or organizations organized exclusively for
religious, educational, and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section
501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code as it now exists, or as it may be
amended. The provisions of this article shall remain irrevocable.
ARTICLE VIII:
AMENDMENTS
This
Constitution may be amended only by 3/4 of the members present and voting at a
meeting duly called and announced at least 4 weeks before, provided that the
subject for change is announced in writing.
( The latest amendments to the Constitution
were made during the Annual Congregational Meeting on December 4, 1994. )
By-Laws
of
Chinese
Christian Church of Columbia
South Carolina
The by-laws are established in
accordance with the Constitution of the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia
as standards for the administration of the ministry of the church.
ARTICLE I: CHURCH
MEMBERSHIP
1.1 Qualifications
Church
membership is an expression of a believer's loyalty to a church in a particular
locality. A person qualified for membership in the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia must be one who:
(1) confesses Jesus Christ to be his / her Savior
and Lord and has shown satisfactory evidence of the new life in Christ in his /
her daily life;
(2) has been baptized in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit;
(3) has attended the church regularly for the
past 3 months;
(4) is in general agreement with the purpose,
direction, administration, and discipline of the church; and
(5) is of age 16 or older.
1.2
Responsibilities of Members
Each
member should:
(1) desire to share the responsibility of
maintaining and developing of the church through regular attendance and
frequent prayer, financial giving, and whatever ministries the Lord enables;
(2) maintain a regular daily devotional time in
Bible reading and prayer to seek God's will and blessings both for his / her
individual life and for the church and its leaders;
(3) regularly ask the Lord to help him / her and
all members to grow in obedience in all areas of life, especially in the love
for one another and fulfillment of the Great Commission; and
(4) actively participate in the decision making
process in membership meetings.
1.3 Procedure of
Application for Membership
One
who desires membership in the church must complete an application form from the
church for this purpose. He / she will be interviewed by the pastor
& representatives from the Executive Board. Successful applicants will be
introduced to the congregation within two weeks. Membership privileges will
begin following the introduction.
1.4 Church Discipline
If
the life or conduct of a member is contrary to the Word of God, he / she may be
asked by the pastor and the elders ( or deacons should there be absence of
elders ) for explanation, and disciplinary action in accordance with the
principles set forth in the Bible may be taken.
1.5 Termination
of Membership
A
member may withdraw his / her membership voluntarily by giving notice to the
Executive Board.
If
a member has moved permanently out of this locality, his / her membership will
be terminated. Such person is encouraged to affiliate himself with a church of
like faith and practice in his / her new locality.
If
a member is absent from the worship service of the church for one year in
succession, or has failed to keep up with the membership qualifications, his /
her membership shall be terminated.
1.6 Types of
Church Membership
Church
membership at the Chinese Christian Church
of Columbia shall be
either Full Membership or Associate Membership. Full Membership is given those
who desire membership at the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia.
Associate Membership is reserved for individuals with all of the following
conditions: 1) one who is in Columbia for a short-term, 2) one whose home
church is outside the Columbia Metropolitan area, 3) one whose desire is to be
a member in the ministry of the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia, and 4)
one whose home church does not allow membership in any other church, with the
exception being an Associate Membership. Full Members and Associate Members
have the same membership privileges.
ARTICLE II : ORDINANCES
2.1 Baptism
Baptism
by immersion, or sprinkling, or pouring is recognized as a scriptural ordinance to signify the
union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. However, baptism by
immersion is to be practiced in this church whenever possible. Those who are
baptized in this church and meet the qualifications in Article I.1.1 of the
By-Laws will become members. Those with circumstances that would not allow
participation as a member of the church may receive exemption from membership
as approved by the Executive Board.
2.2 The Lord's
Supper (Communion)
The
ordinance of the Lord's Supper (Communion) shall be observed regularly.
Everyone who is redeemed by the blood of Christ and has received baptism is
welcome, but believers should be advised to participate after self-examination.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
MEETINGS
3.1 Annual
Meeting
A
membership meeting should be conducted on the first or second Sunday of
December every year, to elect officers, to receive ministerial and financial
reports from the boards, and to pray, to seek the will of the Lord and consider
matters concerning the church as a whole, such as the calling of a pastor, the
securing of a new church building, etc.
The
date, the agenda, and the proposals should be announced and posted by the
Executive Board 3 weeks before the meeting. Other proposals and amendments must
be submitted to the Board at least 2 weeks before the meeting by 2 or more
members. These proposals shall be posted by the Board, along with whatever
counter-proposals or amendments the Board may have, at least 1 week before the
meeting.
3.2
Special Meetings
Special
membership meetings may be called by the Executive Board whenever the Board
considers it necessary and should be announced at least 2 weeks before the
meeting. In case of an emergency, the Board may call a meeting in less than 2
weeks.
3.3 Quorum &
Voting
A
Quorum shall be a simple majority of the church membership. If a quorum is not
met, the meeting may adjourn to a stated time at least two weeks later. Notice
of the adjournment shall be announced and posted on the intervening Sunday(s).
If a quorum cannot be met after three trials, the proposal will be dropped.
ARTICLE IV: GOVERNMENT
4.1 Executive Board
The
Executive Board shall consist of the Board of Elders and the Board of Deacons
with one of the lay elders acting as the chairperson. In the absence of elder,
a selected deacon will serve as chairperson. The chairperson will assist the
pastor in planning and execution of church ministries. The chairperson will
also conduct board meetings.
The
Board shall hold monthly meetings for prayer and business, and shall report to
the members of the church annually and at whatever time the need may arise.
The
quorum of the regular monthly Executive Board meeting shall be 75% of active
Board members. The term active Board
members refers to those who were duly elected to serve on the Board and are
expected to be able and willing to continue in their duties as Board members
without impairment. The quorum of any
Executive Board meeting including special meetings called for special
discussions shall also be 75% of active Board members. A special Board meeting requires three (3)
days advanced notice to be legitimate.
Emergency
Board meetings may be called without advanced notification when there is an
emergency situation. Examples of
emergency situations include high likelihood of severe impairment to church
interest upon inaction, such impairment may include high probability of harm or
danger to life or safety of individuals, or high probability of significant
loss in value or substantial damages to properties, or other significant
adverse events. Emergency meetings can
be held over telephone or other reasonable means of communication.
Quorum
for emergency meeting is either (a) two Board members with one of them being
either a pastor or chairperson of the Board, or (b) if neither a pastor nor
chairperson of the Board is available, the quorum for emergency meeting shall
be three Board members.
Decisions
made during emergency meeting need to be unanimous to be legitimate. Active Board members who did not participate
in the emergency meeting are to be informed about the called emergency meeting
and any decision(s) made, such information may be conveyed by any reasonable
means of communication, e.g. e-mail or telephone, if practically possible,
within a reasonable time period. Decisions
made during emergency meetings are to be ratified during next regular Board
meeting if possible. Decisions made
during emergency meeting may also be modified during subsequent regular Board
meeting as situation changes or there are differing opinions.
Penalty
for abuse of emergency meeting provision shall include removal from Board
membership, while other consequences may also apply. Determination of abuse of emergency meeting
provision may be made by 75% vote of the attendance in a legitimate Board meeting. Such may also decide to impose additional
consequences.
4.2 Board of Elders
The
Board of Elders shall consist of a minimum of two lay elders and the pastor(s).
Elder candidates can be nominated by the Board of Elders or by a church member
together with 4 other members from different households, according to biblical
qualifications. Candidates shall be carefully examined by the Board of Elders
as to their qualifications. Then, candidates are individually confirmed by a
3/4 vote in a membership meeting, provided that the total affirmative votes are
cast by more than 50% of the membership. Elders thus confirmed are ordained by
the pastor(s) and the existing elders to the general overseeing responsibility
of the church.
Elders
are to oversee the congregation and to be responsible for the spiritual nurture
and growth of the flock. They are to be directly involved in the planning of
the direction of the church, and oversee the Board of Deacons in the
administration of church ministries. The Board of Elders shall meet regularly
for the evaluation of church ministries with respect to overall goals and
direction. They are responsible for the determination of membership, and when
necessary, to discipline members for the sake of restoration. They shall also
supervise the final budgeting of the church.
Elders
shall serve in the Board of Elders on a three-year rotational basis. All
inactive elders remain as resource persons to the Board. A special period of
prayer by the whole church shall be conducted before the election of new
elders.
Owing
to ill health, moving out of the locality or other personal reasons, an elder
may resign from active service.
It
shall be within the power of the Board of Elders to recommend to the
congregation to revoke the ordination credentials of any person found guilty of
doctrinal heresy or immoral conduct. Such a recommendation shall be confirmed
by 3/4 votes of a membership meeting.
4.3 Board of Deacons
A
minimum of five deacons are confirmed according to Biblical qualifications to
serve in the Executive Board. They shall be assigned to specific offices in
order to assist the pastor or elder(s) in the administration of church
ministries. The nomination of deacons shall be determined by a Nomination
Committee which consists of the pastor, one elder, one deacon and a church
member representative who is approved by a simple majority in a membership
meeting. Further nomination of deacons from congregation may be submitted by
two or more church members to the Executive Board for examination according to
the same qualifications set forth.
Deacons
are confirmed by 3/4 vote in a membership meeting. Following three consecutive
terms of service (1 year term), a deacon is recommended to rest for one year.
4.4 Pastor
The
pastor is to oversee the complete ministry of the church. He is an ex-officio
member of all Boards and Committees. He must accept the responsibility as from
the Lord to equip the believers through preaching, teaching, training and
shepherding for the work of the Gospel ministry and for the edification and
upbuilding of the Body of Christ. He must meet the qualifications of an Elder
as stated in I Timothy 3:1-7. He shall serve as the chairman of the Board of
Elders. The Executive Board shall provide feedback to the pastor regarding his
ministry every year.
In
case of a vacancy, the Executive Board shall appoint a Pastoral Search
Committee to search for prospective candidates who are called to the ministry,
meet the scriptural qualifications of a teaching elder, and be able to carry
out the stated purpose of the church. The Pastoral Search Committee should
consist of representatives from the present Executive Board and from the
congregation. 1/2 affirmative votes in a membership meeting are required for
this Pastoral Search Committee. The choice of the pastoral candidate should be
confirmed by 3/4 votes in a membership meeting, provided that the total
affirmative votes exceed 50% of the membership. A special period of prayer by
the whole church shall be conducted before that special meeting.
A
renewable contract shall be entered between the pastor and the church
specifying the terms of office for two to five years. The contract shall be
recommended by the Executive Board and confirmed by at least 2/3 affirmative
votes in a membership meeting.
Resignation
of the pastor requires at least a six month notice to the Executive Board,
unless he is asked to resign by the Executive Board and 3/4 votes of all
members due to heretical teaching, or life and testimony contrary to the Word
of God.
The
church may ordain pastor(s) if such a need arises. The candidate(s) must have
served in the church for at least one year and have the recommendation of the
Executive Board and affirmative votes of at least 3/4 of quorum provided that
the total affirmative votes exceed 50% of membership. The Board shall then
invite at least three pastors, one Executive Board representative, and one
congregationally approved church member representative to form an examination
board to examine the candidate's faith and gifts. After the examination board
has given its approval, arrangements for ordination shall be made.
4.5 General Guidelines
In
the event that the number of elders has fallen below the minimum required, or
that the pastor's position is vacant, special committee(s) shall be created by
the Executive Board to temporarily take up the needed responsibilities.
ARTICLE V: OFFICES
& OFFICERS
The
main responsibilities of the various offices are as follows:
5.1
Chairperson
The
chairperson is responsible for convening and presiding over the meetings of the
Executive Board. The individual, together with the Executive Board, will draw
up the agenda for such meetings and co-ordinates the efforts of all the
offices.
5.2
Worship
This
office is responsible for all matters pertaining to Sunday worship such as
music and choir, to prayer meetings, retreats and other special meetings.
5.3
Christian Education
This
office is responsible for all the planning and activities pertaining to
Christian Education, including Nursery, Sunday School, Junior
Church, and Vacation Bible
School.
5.4 Evangelism
This
office is responsible for the planning, education, promotion, training, and
execution of evangelistic efforts, including personal evangelism, evangelistic
meetings, evangelistic literature, etc.
5.5
Missions
This
office is responsible for overseeing all missions efforts, mission conferences,
missions policy, missionary training, missionary support, administration of
missions education, and promotion of missions locally, regionally and
internationally.
5.6
Fellowship
This
office is responsible for overseeing different fellowship groups of the church
( e.g. ladies' fellowship, family fellowship and youth group ).
5.7
Clerk
This
office is responsible for writing the minutes of the general meetings and the
meetings of the Executive Board, keeping the records of the membership of the
whole church, the publication of the church directory, the sending of church
circulars and letters to members notifying them to attend meetings, and the
safekeeping of the relevant documents belonging to the church.
5.8
Treasurer
The
treasurer keeps the accounts of the church, takes care of the offering from the
congregation, publishes monthly statements of income and expenditure and draws
up the church budget. When the year is over, the treasurer must publish a clear
account of the amount of offering and expenditure of the whole year. In the
absence of the treasurer, the clerk will temporarily take up the position. The treasurer may utilize a bookkeeper to
keep books and generate reports. Said
bookkeeper is to be approved by the Board and the bookkeeper is not to have any
access to information or records related to offerings from individuals.
5.9
General Service
This
office supports the work of other offices, supervises meals, provides
maintenance for church possessions other than land and building, prepares venue
for meetings, cleans up venue after meetings and makes necessary purchases for
above purposes.
5.10
Building and Grounds
This
office is responsible for the maintenance of the land and building structure of
the church.
The
officers are to be elected among the members of the Executive Board. An officer
may assume more than one office if needed.
ARTICLE VI: FINANCE
The
church ministry shall be supported by the tithes and the free-will offerings to
the Lord. Regular tithing and cheerful giving as unto the Lord encouraged.
There shall be no solicitation of money from non-believers (Prov. 15:8). God's
work, done in God's way, shall never lack God's supply (2 Cor. 9:8, Phil 4:19).
ARTICLE VII: CHURCH
PROPERTIES
Church
properties include all the real estate and possessions which are legally owned
by the church.
Church
properties shall be used for church purposes and activities, and shall not be
loaned to any person or organization for any other purpose without the approval
of the Executive Board.
Use
of church properties and their maintenance are administered by the departments
of General Service and Building and Grounds.
Any
purchase or sale of church real estate requires a recommendation from the
Executive Board and a 3/4 vote approval in a membership meeting provided that
the total affirmative votes exceed 50% of the membership.
ARTICLE VIII: SPECIAL
PROVISION
The
Executive Board has the final authority to address special situations not
stated in the by-laws.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
TO BY-LAWS
All
proposals are to be posted 2 weeks before the membership meeting for such
purpose. Proposals from church members consisting of at least 3 voting
members from different families should be presented to the Executive Board in
writing 4 weeks before the membership meeting. Any amendment requires a 3/4
vote of approval in a membership meeting.
( The latest amendment to the By-Laws was
made during a Congregational Meeting on December 5, 2004. )
