"In Love...

          Developing and Equipping Disciples

                            Of Christ

                                  ..To the Glory of God"

 

Constitution

And

Doctrinal Statement

1010 S. Magnolia Blvd.  Suite E

Magnolia, TX. 77355

281-356-8010

 

Meeting at:

West Montgomery Community

Development Center

31355 Industrial Ln.

Magnolia, TX. 77355

 MAGNOLIA BIBLE CHURCH CONSTITUTION

A.        Membership

1.         A person desiring Membership in this church shall make his request known to an Elder of the church, who shall arrange for an interview.  The interview is to be conducted by an Elder (or his appointee) and either a Servant Leader or a member of the pastoral staff.

2.         A person shall qualify for Membership who:

a.         confesses the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior. (Acts 2:47)

b.         agrees to submit to and support the Elders and Pastors of the church and to be governed by the inerrant, authoritative Word of God, and by the principles of government stated in this Constitution. (2 Thess. 3:14, Heb. 13:17)

c.         commits to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and is willing to serve and give in the Church as a good steward of his time, treasure, and talent.

d.         has already been baptized as a believer or agrees to be baptized at the next available opportunity. (Acts 2:41, 10:47)

e.         agrees with paragraphs A through F of the Doctrinal Statement of the Church. (Gal. 1:9)

f.          has been approved by all of the Elders. (I Cor. 5:10-11, 13)

g.         In the case of a child of a member family, upon turning 18 years old, he/she must meet the above qualifications for membership.

3.         A person may be dismissed from Membership who:

a.         moves away from the area or desires to join another church.

b.         is inactive for a year, failing to attend any of the services.

c.         falls into discord with the ministry of the church.

d.         is engaged in gross immorality, and who continues in such after attempt at restoration by the Elders.  (Mt. 18:15-17, I Cor. 5: 1-13)

Immediate and complete reinstatement is

in order after true repentance and the

offense has been removed.  (2 Cor. 2:5-11)

e.         In case of 3.a, b, or c above, dismissal shall be obtained by unanimous vote of the Elders.  In case of 3.d above, dismissal shall be obtained by unanimous vote of the Elders and agreement by 75% of the Membership.

B.        Church Government

The ultimate authority for the leadership of this church resides in the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ.  For purposes of implementing our Lord's will in the life of this church, the church as a body (the Membership) shall have the responsibility to recognize qualified men in the church as Elders, and to submit to their leadership.  All ministries and activities of the church shall function under the authority of the Elders.

1.         The Membership

a.         The Membership shall meet together (in a properly called business meeting) for the purpose of reviewing and approving the following:

            Matter                        

Approval

1)         Selection of Elder                                    75%

2)         Selection of Senior Pastor                        75%

3)         Amendment to Constitution                    75%

4)         Purchase of Real Property                       51%

5)         Purchase of Other Property

in excess of $50,000  

     51%

6)         Construction of buildings

in excess of $50,000  

      51%

The Membership may also meet to review and provide input, but not approve, any other matter deemed appropriate or advisable by the Elders.

b.         Membership business meetings.  The Senior Pastor, the chairman of the Elders, any 3 Elders, or 25% of the Membership (by written petition) may call a Membership business meeting.

All meetings must be announced at least one week in advance and must include a public announcement in the Sunday morning service or services.  Members in attendance shall constitute a quorum.

The chairman of the Elders or his designate shall chair the Membership business meeting.  The Elders may also use a written ballot or a poll of the Membership in the Sunday morning service/s in lieu of a separate meeting.

2.         Elders

a.         Number:  there shall be a minimum of three (3) Elders, and there may be up to a total of seven (7) Elders.

b.         Selection process.

1)         The Board of Elders will appoint a nominating committee made up of 2 Elders, 2 Servant Leaders, 2 at-large members from the membership and the pastor, to nominate men from among the Membership who meet the qualifications set forth in subparagraph c. below.

2)         A personal interview with the nominee will be held to confirm his qualifications, and to determine if he desires to serve as an elder.

3)         The Board of Elders must unanimously approve the nominees, after which they will be submitted to the Membership for approval.

4)         In the case of a mission church, acting elders will be designated by the Elders of the mother church or churches, until such time as the mission church is ready to assume full responsibility for its own affairs.

c.         Qualifications for Elders:  Elders shall evidence their qualifications for the office according to the provisions set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9, and must prayerfully desire the office (I Timothy 3:1, I Peter 5:2)

d.         Term:  The term of office of an elder's service on the Elder Board shall be for two years.  An Elder may serve up to three terms, but must be re-appointed in accordance with the selection process referred to in B.2.b above, for each two-year term.  If there is not a sufficient number of qualified men to serve as Elder (to fulfill the requirement for at least 3 Elders), an Elder may succeed himself beyond his maximum of three two-year terms.

e.         Duties:  Elders shall perform the following duties:

1)         Oversee all functions and finances of the church.  Every decision should be the Lord's will, discovered through Scripture and united prayer. (I Timothy 3:4-5, 5:17, Acts 11:30, 20:28, Heb. 13:17, I Peter 5:2)

2)         Lead by example, without lording it over the congregation. (I Peter 5:3)

3)         Be involved in some kind of teaching ministry. (I Timothy 5:2, Titus 1:9)

4)         Guard the purity of doctrine of the church. (Titus 1:9, II Timothy 2:2, Acts 20:28)

5)         Sensitively pastor and care for the flock of God. (I Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28)

6)         Visit and pray for the sick. (James 5:14)

7)         Interpret and apply this Constitution.

8)         Act as Corporate Officers of the church.

f.          Organization of the Elders:

1)         Officers.  The Elders at the first meeting of each fiscal year shall elect a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and a Secretary.  The Chairman does not have authority above the other Elders, but shall be responsible for the organization of elder affairs, for communication with the Servant Leaders and the congregation, and for Membership business meetings.

2)         Meetings.  The Elders shall meet at least once per month.  Special meetings may be called by the Chairman.  A legal meeting shall require the presence of at least 50% of the Elders.  Periodic meetings shall be held with the Servant Leaders.

3)         Decision-making.  All votes in Elder meetings will require a unanimous vote minus one.  However, when a non-unanimous vote is taken, all sides shall have time to express their views, and a season of prayer for guidance on the issue should follow.  Then, either a re-vote may be taken, or the topic may be tabled until the next meeting to allow for further prayer and examination of the issues.  It is believed that Christ intended for unity in His Body, and unity in the church must begin in the attitudes and actions of its leaders.

g.         Removal of Elders.  An elder must continue to meet the biblical qualifications.  Upon failure to do so, the remaining Elders will seek to restore him to a qualified position.  If they are unable to do so, they will ask for his resignation or remove him from office by unanimous vote of the remaining Elders.  (I Timothy 5:19-20)  Elders whose job or family responsibilities keep them from attending at least 75% of the worship services and Elder meetings must step down from service on the Elder Board.  However, Elders whom God calls to serve in ministries that prevent them from active roles on the Board of Elders may be recognized as Advisory Elders for so long as their responsibilities keep them from serving on the Board of Elders.

3.         Servant Leaders.  Those who serve the church in a way that frees the Elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of God's Word (referred to as diakonos in Scripture).  (Acts 6:1-6)

a.         Number.  The Elders may appoint as many Servant Leaders as they deem necessary.  (Acts 6:3)

b.         Selection Process.  The Elders shall develop procedures for the selection of Servant Leaders, involving the Membership in the selection process (in accordance with the Acts 6 model).

c.         Qualifications.  The Servant Leaders shall evidence their qualification for office according to the provisions set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13.  Both men and women may qualify to serve as Servant Leaders.

d.         Term.  Servant Leaders may be appointed for two year terms, and may be re-appointed by the Elders at their discretion.

e.         Duties.  The duties and parameters for financial decisions shall be determined by the Elders.

f.          Organization of the Servant Leaders.

1)         Servant Leaders will not be organized as a Board.

2)         The Elders may appoint Servant Leaders to lead specific committees or teams (e.g. worship service committee, facilities and finance committee, service to the needy committee, etc.)

3)         The Elders will meet regularly with the Servant Leaders for coordination and direction.

            g.         Removal of a Servant Leader

1)         A Servant Leader must continue to meet the biblical qualifications and desire to serve.

2)         Servant Leaders may be removed from service by the unanimous vote of the Board Elders.

4.         Pastor(s).

a.         For the edification of the church, God has gifted men as Pastors and/or Teachers (Ephesians 4:11-13), who may give themselves to the full-time service of the church.  It is the responsibility of the Elders to recognize gifted men and thus provide for the edification of the flock (I Timothy 4:14)

b.         Those who labor in the ministry of the church will be financially supported by the income of the church. (I Timothy 5:17, Galatians 6:6, I Cor. 9:8-12)

c.         The Pastor/Teacher(s) will be recognized among the Elders if qualified, or else serve under the Elders.  If an Elder, he shares the overall duties and qualification requirements set forth in Section B.2 above.

d.         Call of a Pastor/Teacher.

1)         He must subscribe to the doctrinal statement of the church and agree to be governed by its Constitution, and must be unanimously approved by the Elders.

2)         At the desire of the Board of Elders, the name of a candidate for Pastor/Teacher will be submitted to the Membership for its deliberation and approval at least two weeks prior to a properly called Membership Business Meeting. 

3)         The dismissal of a Pastor/Teacher can be effected by his resignation or by the consent of the Board of Elders.

C.        Financial Matters

1.         No real property or fixed asset expenditures can be committed for or purchased by the corporation in an amount in excess of $5,000 per annum, non-cumulative, nor any fixed indebtedness incurred without the unanimous approval of the Elders.  No real or personal property can be accepted as a gift to the church without the prior approval of the Elders, unless such property is liquid in nature and has an immediately realizable or ascertainable cash value.

2.         Planned expenditures of the Elders in excess of $20,000 shall be made known to the Membership, at least two weeks prior to commitment.  During this period, the members may raise any objections to the proposed expenditures.  Such objections should be made known to an elder in private.

3.         The title to all real property of the church shall be in the name of the church corporation.  No member or group of members shall have any individual property rights to the assets of the corporation.  In the event that the corporation is dissolved, any assets of the corporation shall be distributed to the organizations being supported by the missionary program of the church at that time.  The share of each organization shall be paid to their mission boards, provided they qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Elders shall determine.

D.        Amendments

The Constitution may be amended by the Board of Elders. Copies of the proposed amendment(s) shall be distributed to the Membership at least two (2) weeks prior to a Membership Business Meeting, called to approve such amendment(s).

E.        Early Church Government

            Until Magnolia Bible Church has at least three (3) Elders, it will function under the authority of the Greater Houston Bible Church Association or the Elders of a church the said Association shall designate.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

A.       The Scriptures

      We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice and is made up of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 17:17, Matthew 5:18).

B.        The Godhead

            We believe in one personal and infinite God eternally existing in three equal persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; who have the same nature and attributes but who are distinct in office and activity.  (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).

C.        The Person and Work of God the Father

            We believe God the Father, with the Son and Holy Spirit, is the Creator of all things.  In His nature He is, among other things, completely holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent, eternal, just and loving.  He is totally sovereign in all that has or shall come to pass.  As such, He is the author of election, through which He chooses a people for Himself.  He was the begetter and sender of His only Son, Jesus Christ.  As the Father of the elect, He is also their provider and disciplinarian.  (Acts 17:29, Romans 11:25-29, 1 John 1:5, John 3:16, Matthew 3:17, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 1:3-6, Matthew 6:30-32, Psalm 139:1-18).

D.        The Person and Work of Christ

            We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God.  He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God to man and redeem sinful man.  We believe that He accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice.  We believe that our redemption and salvation is guaranteed by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead.  (John 1:1, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26, 4:25; Luke 1:35).

            We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, exalted at the right hand of God, where, as High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy for His people.  (Hebrews 1:3, 3:1; 7:23-25; I John 2:1-2).

E.        The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

            We believe that God, the Holy Spirit, is the third person of the trinity, and as such, possesses intellect, emotion and will. He restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin.  He also regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizing them at the moment of salvation into the Church (the Body of Christ), indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows on them spiritual gifts, and empowers those yielded to Him.  It is the Spirit's ministry to lead, instruct, and fill (or control) believers as they are yielded to Him and are steadfast in the study of Scripture and in prayer. (John 16:7-11, 3:8, 14:16-17; I Corinthians 2:10-11; 12:4-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18).

F.         Salvation

            We believe that every man is lost in sin apart from Christ and in need of a Savior.  We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man only through personal faith in Jesus Christ.  We believe that man is justified by grace through faith alone, apart from works.  (Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:23-24).

            We believe that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever. (Romans 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-30).

G.        Angels and Satan

            We believe that angels are spiritual beings who were created in a sinless state and that they occupied different orders and ranks.  They presently exist in both fallen and unfallen states; the former includes Satan and his angels.  (Hebrews 1:13-14, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 7:12).

            We believe that Satan, by his own choice the enemy of God and of the people of God, is the originator of sin.  We believe he led our first parents into sin and now rules as the god of this world.  Satan was judged at the cross and ultimately he will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.  (Isaiah 14:12-14, Genesis 3:1-19, Hebrew 2:14, Revelation 20:10).

H.        Creation and the Fall

            We believe that all things in heaven and on earth were created by God and exist by His power and for His glory.  (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16-17).

            We believe that man was created innocent and in the image and likeness of God but that he sinned, bringing both physical and spiritual death to himself and to his posterity.  We believe that man has inherited a sinful nature, is alienated from God, is incapable of redeeming himself, and is in need of salvation.  (Genesis 1:27, 2:17, 3:19; Romans 3:10-12, 5:12, 17-19).

I.          Sanctification

            We believe that sanctification, which is a setting apart of an individual unto God, is positional, progressive, and ultimate:

            Positionally, it is already complete, since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God as Christ is set apart unto God.

            Since the believer retains his sinful nature, however, there is need for progressive sanctification (or spiritual growth) whereby the Christian matures in grace by the power of the Holy Spirit.

            Ultimately that child of God will be sanctified when he is taken to be with Christ and becomes like Him. (John 17:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 5:25-27, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 10:10, 14; 12:23; I John 3:2-3).

J.         The Church

            We believe that the universal church, the Body and Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism, made up of all born-again persons of this age.  We believe that the church began at Pentecost and that a believer is placed into the church by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit.  We believe that the church is distinct from Israel.  (Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; I Corinthians 10:32, 12:12-13; Acts 2:1-4, 11:16-17; Romans 9-11).

                 We believe that the local church may be organized in various ways, but should reflect the principles of: (1) Submission to Jesus Christ as the One head of the Church (2) Leadership by a group of mature and gifted Christians (3) Mutual ministry which involves every member equipped for Christian service and evangelism (4) The authority of God’s Word. 

            The local is church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ who are voluntarily joined together in one locality for the purpose of worship, study of the Word of God, observance of the ordinances, Christian fellowship, prayer and impacting the community and the world with the love of Christ and His

glorious Gospel.  (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; 20:17-28; Romans 12:3-11; Ephesians 1:21-22; 4:11-13; Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

K.        The Ordinances

            We believe that Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper, which are to be observed by believers until He returns.  (Matthew 28:19-20, I Corinthians 11:23-26).

            We believe that by water baptism a believer is publicly identified with his Savior in His death, burial and resurrection, and that immersion is the Scriptural mode.  (Acts 8:36-38)

            We believe that the Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ's death by which He established the New Covenant, the elements being symbols of His body and blood.  Every Christian has a right to partake of the elements of Lord's Supper, but participation should be preceded by solemn self-examination.  (I Corinthians 11:23-24, Luke 22:17-20).

L.        Events of the End Times

1.   The Blessed Hope: We believe in the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to receive to Himself all those, dead or alive, who belong to Him.  This event, the rapture of the Church, is the blessed hope for which we should be constantly looking.  (John 14:1-3, I Corinthians 15:51-52, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Titus 2:11-14).

2.  The Second Advent: After a time of tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to the earth to establish His Millennial Kingdom, during which He will reign, Satan will be bound, Israel will be restored, and the

      earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.  (Isaiah 11:9, Ezekiel 37:21-28, Matthew 24:15-25, 46; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Revelation 20:1-3).

3.   The Eternal State:

                   We believe that the spirits of believers in Jesus Christ in this age pass immediately into His presence at death and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the church.  At that time the spirit and body shall be reunited and shall be associated with Him forever in glory.  We believe that the spirits of unbelievers remain in conscious torment in Hades after death until the final judgement of the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium.  At that time spirit and body shall be reunited and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire to endure eternal destruction and everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord.  (Luke 16:19-26; 20:9-19; 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Revelation 20:11-15).