"Make every thought captive to the Word of God."
2 Corinthians 10: 5

Article I: NAME.

The name of this church shall be Christ Covenant Reformed (PCA).

Article II: PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Church is:

1. To teach the inerrant and infallible Word of the only Living God as revealed in the Old and New Covenants of the Holy Bible.

2. To worship His only Son, Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, Lord and King.

3. To endeavor in the application of the Christian faith as we are enabled and empowered by His Holy Spirit.

4. To faithfully proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Grace and the Glory of Jesus Christ. ²

5. To attend to the spiritual and physical needs of those who by God's providence find need for our fellowship and ministry.

Article III: DENOMINATION.

This Church shall be a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (hereafter designated as PCA) and of that denomination's appropriate Presbytery, as long as scriptural doctrine is upheld.

Article IV: DOCTRINE.

The doctrine of this Church shall be as given in the Scriptures as understood in the Constitution of the PCA, which consists of the Westminster Confession of faith and Catechisms and the Book of Church Order (hereafter designated as BCO).

Article V: GOVERNMENT.

The government shall be as set forth:

1. In the Constitution of the PCA.

2. In these By-laws as herein set forth.

3. In no ways are the By-laws to conflict with or supersede the BCO, but are to guide in local matters only, unless these by-laws conflict with scripture.

Article VI: DISCIPLINE.

The discipline shall be as outlined in the Constitution of the PCA, in accordance with the Gospel of Matthew.

Article VII: BY-LAWS.

Section 1. MEMBERSHIP

1. All persons seeking church membership must be approved in conformity with the BCO. Prospective members must give a satisfactory testimony of acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior; give assurance of a desire to live a consistent Christian life; have received, or give assurance of willingness to receive the Sacrament of water Baptism; give assurance of a willingness to abide by these By-laws as written herein; and show evidence of a satisfactory attitude toward the doctrine of the Church, before acceptance into membership.

2. No person may be a member of this Church who at the same time maintains membership in another Church.

3. Persons can be received into membership upon Confession of faith, Reaffirmation of faith, or a transfer of membership by letter; conditioned upon an oral examination satisfactory to the Church. Such persons shall be publicly welcomed by the congregation of the church at the following Lord's Day morning service or as soon as practical.

4. It shall be within the province of the Church to order a review of the Church membership whenever they deem it necessary, but at least 60 days before the annual Congregational meeting. At this time, members who:

a. manifest inconsistency or flagrant sin in their Christian lives,

b. evidence a wrong attitude toward the Church's doctrine,

c. show indifference toward the life and work of the Church, or

d. habitually absent themselves from the stated services of the Church, especially Communion services,

shall be investigated for the purpose of remedying any weakness in their lives. it shall be within the province of those investigating to recommend to the Church that the person or persons in question be dropped from the membership roll or other suitable actions.

5. Letters transferring membership may be granted by the Church to any evangelical church upon the request of the member, but only when the church to which transfer is desired is stated, and when such request is made by a member in good standing on the active roll of this Church.

6. The name of any person dropped from or added to the membership roll shall be read by the Clerk of the Church at the annual congregational meeting.

Section 2: DEFINITION OF THE CONGREGATION & CORPORATION.

The Congregation and Corporation are composed of the members of the Church and are one in the same.

Section 3: OFFICERS.

The officers of this Church shall include:

a. Elders (Teaching & Ruling - Session)

b. Deacons (Board of Deacons - Diaconate)

c. Trustees (Board of Trustees)

d. Treasurer

SESSION

1. The Session shall consist of the Pastor (Teaching Elder), who shall be Moderator, and up to six Ruling Elders for the first 100 members plus one additional Elder for every 50 members in excess of 100.

2. Duties -- The duties of the Elders are set forth in the BCO. The Session shall meet at least once quarterly to discharge its responsibilities in:

a. the spiritual oversight of the congregation

b. the reception and dismissal of members

c. the review of all activities of the church

d. the oversight of all church organizations

In addition, the Elders are responsible for administering the Lord's Supper, for keeping all necessary church records, and for electing an Elder or Elders as Commissioner(s) to Presbytery and to General Assembly.

If a meeting of the Session becomes necessary in the absence of the Moderator, the Session shall select one of its own number to act as Moderator of said meeting.

3. Clerk of Session -- The Session shall elect its own Clerk. It shall be the duty of the Clerk of Session to act as Secretary of the Congregation as well as of the Session. he shall keep full and accurate minutes of said meetings and shall have custody of all records of the Session and Congregation. The Sessional Record is to be sent to Presbytery for examination once each year.

4. Tenure -- Ruling Elders shall be elected to a three year term. An elder may not serve on the Session for two terms in succession. However, after an interim of one year, he is eligible for reelection.

5. Quorum -- Rules concerning quorum are found in the BCO.

BOARD OF DEACONS

1. The Diaconate shall consist of the Pastor, who shall be an Advisory Member, and up to six Deacons for the first 100 members plus one additional Deacon for every 50 members in excess of 100.

2. Duties -- The duties of the Deacons are set forth in the BCO. The Board of Deacons shall meet at least once quarterly at the call of the Chairman. To relieve the Session of temporal responsibilities, the Deacons may be delegated such duties as:

a. the supervision of ushers

b. appointment of offering stewards

c. provision for transportation and parking

d. visitation of the sick

e. provision of pulpit flowers and church decoration

f. care and preservation of church property

g. other duties deemed necessary by the Session.

3. Chairman - The Board of Deacons shall annually elect its own chairman.

4. Secretary -- The Board of Deacons shall annually elect its own secretary.

5. Tenure -- Rules regarding tenure shall be the same as for Ruling Elders.

6. Quorum -- Rules regarding quorum shall be the same as for the Session.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

As set forth in the BCO 25:6 - 25:8

TREASURER

1. The Treasurer for the Congregation, who does not have to be a member of the Diaconate, shall be elected by the Diaconate. In the absence of a Diaconate or Session, the Treasurer shall be elected by the Congregation.

2. Duties -- The Treasurer of the Congregation shall have custody of all money and securities of the Congregation which shall be deposited in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such bank or banks as the Board of Trustees shall designate. The Treasurer shall report in detail to the Congregation at least once annually the financial status and activities of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall make such other reports as the Board of Trustees or Session may require. The Treasurer may be bonded at the expense of the Congregation.

Section 4: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. Qualifications -- All elected officers must be members in good standing of the Congregation. Candidates for the offices of Ruling Elder and Deacon must be members of a PCA Congregation for at least one year before being elected for these offices. All candidates for the offices of Ruling Elder or Deacon shall be required to complete a course of study in Church Doctrine and discipline before standing for election. The Session has authority to reject, after a fair hearing, any candidate who may be nominated to any office.

2. Nomination -- Nomination of Ruling Elders and Deacons must be made by members of the Congregation in writing at least two months before a congregational meeting in order to permit a class of instruction for all nominees and examination by the Session. The Pastor shall publicly notify the Congregation that nominations are in order.

3. Elections -- Officers shall be elected at the Annual Congregational Meeting. Special elections may be held to fill offices left vacant, with at least two months notice for nomination, instruction and examination.

Section 5: FINANCES

1. This Church shall be supported by tithes, gifts, and offerings.

2. All care and diligence shall be exercised to maintain a balanced budget.

3. All gifts given by this Church must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees and/or Session.

4. No charitable contributions to non-covenant members shall be given in an amount in excess of the available funds in the Deacon's fund.

5. Gifts given to Covenant members in excess of the available funds in the Deacon fund shall be made available from the general fund if approved by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees and/or Session.

Section 6: SERVICES & MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATION

1. Regular worship services shall be:

a. Morning Worship each Lord's Day and/or as stated by the Session

b. Stated Communions of the Lord's Supper shall be held as determined by the Session, but at least once quarterly.

2. The Congregation shall meet at least once annually, the date to be determined by the Session and announced to the congregation at two regular services on two Sundays preceding the meeting.

At the annual meeting the minutes of the preceding annual meeting, the minutes of any called meetings during the year, the reports of the Pastor, the Session, the Deacons, the Treasurer, and by heads of all other organizations of the church shall be read, officers shall be elected, proposed budgets established, and any other necessary business transacted.

3. Special meetings of the Congregation may be called by the Moderator/President upon the written request of ten percent of the Members, or upon written request of any two Elders, provided announcement of such meeting be given at two services of the Church on two Sundays preceding the meeting. This announcement, given time, place and purpose of the meeting must be made from the pulpit and be in the Church bulletin.

4. One-fourth of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at either an annual or a special meeting, providing the meeting has been duly called as stated herewith. Majority vote of the members present decides any business except in the case of amendment or addition to the Constitution or the By-laws which requires a two-thirds majority. The Pastor shall preside as Moderator at all Congregational meetings, except for providential or prudential reasons, when a moderator shall be chosen by the consent of those members present. All meetings shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 7: CALLING A PASTOR

When, through the death, resignation or dismissal of a pastor, the pulpit becomes vacant, the congregation must be called together by the Session to elect a pulpit committee. This committee must be composed of at least one member of the Session, one Deacon, and one member of the Church at large. The responsibility of this committee is to investigate possible candidates for the pastor's office and to recommend to the Congregation those candidates who seem desirable. When the Congregation is prepared to elect a pastor, the Session shall convene it for this purpose. (Detailed procedures for calling a pastor are set forth in the BCO).

Section 8: RATIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION

1. This Constitution and By-Laws shall be effective immediately upon their adoption by members of the Congregation at a properly called meeting.

2. This Constitution and By-Laws shall be printed and be available for distribution to the Congregation.

Section 9: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and its By-Laws shall be amended in the following manner:

1. Presentation: A proposed amendment may be presented at any annual or special Congregational meeting.

2. Approval: Proposed amendment must be approved by a majority vote of the members present.

3. Notification: Proposed amendment must be published in the Church Bulletin for at least two Sundays.

4. Adoption: At least one month, but no more than three months after the presentation and approval of proposed amendment it may be considered for adoption at a properly called Congregational Meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of members present is necessary for adoption.

Section 10: AMENDMENTS to the Constitution and By-Laws:

¹ At two congregational meetings at the beginning of 1995 the following resolution was added so that the session would have more than one ruling elder and that future rotations would be more orderly:

Resolved: That an exception to the three year limit of term for one of the elders be given, to allow a four year term for one time only. This term would begin in January 1996.

² At two congregational meetings in the spring of 1999 the fourth purpose of our congregation was amended to read:

To faithfully proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Grace and the Glory of Jesus Christ.

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