Lakeview Bible Church Draft: April 9, 2011
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
LAKEVIEW BIBLE CHURCH
THE UNDERSIGNED, being the officers of the corporation, hereby submit Restated/Amended Articles to be known as the constitution duly adopted by the congregation.
Article1–Name
This church duly incorporated in the State of Idaho, a non profit corporation, shall remain: Lakeview Bible Church, Nampa, Idaho.
Article 2 –Affiliation
This self governing church is affiliated with the conference of Fellowship of Evangelical Churches.
Article 3 –Purpose
Section 1 – Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to honor and glorify God in word and deed.
Section 2 – Mission
Our mission is to share the gospel that people would come to know Jesus Christ and to encourage a devoted relationship with Jesus Christ.
Section 3 – Belief Statement
We believe...
1.
In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: All three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are eternal in being, identical in essence, equal in power and glory, and have the same attributes and perfections. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1)
2.
That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life on earth, and died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins, in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of God the Father, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; Acts 1:9-10; Romans 3:24-25; 4:25; 8:34; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 2:9; 7:25; 9:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:1-2)
3.
That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age, to convict men of sin, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. (John 16:8-11, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
4.
Lakeview Bible Church
That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin. As a result, we are born into sin and are therefore lost, and only by repenting of one’s sin and placing one’s faith in Christ and through the regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be received. (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:22-23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12) Draft: April 9, 2011
5.
That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only basis for justification and salvation for all who repent and believe, and only those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are born of the Holy Spirit, and become children of God. (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
6.
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the only inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God¬-breathed. (Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
7.
That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church until the return of Christ. They are not to be regarded as a means of salvation. Anyone wishing to participate in baptism or the Lord’s Supper must profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
8.
That the Church is composed of people who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the greater Body of Christ, of which Christ is the Head. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2)
9.
In the literal and imminent return to earth (second coming) of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this truth has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Revelation 3:10; 19:11-16; Acts 1:11b)
10.
In the bodily resurrection of the dead: of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, and the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting separation and punishment. (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-6, 12-13)
Article 3 –Membership
To become a member of this church, a person shall have confessed faith and a commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and a commitment to a consistent Christian life; a commitment to understand Christian doctrine and belief as revealed in the Bible; shall have been baptized as a believer following his or her conversion; and willingly subscribe to this constitution. The elders shall be responsible for determining each person’s qualifications for membership.
Article 4–Leadership and Officers
Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd and sole Head of this church. He communicates His will for the church through His Word, the Bible. He gives additional guidance by means of the specific leading of the Holy Spirit who indwells each true believer. He also shepherds the flock by gifting the church with Elders who are commissioned, under His leadership, to the task of equipping the flock for its full functioning (Ephesians 4:7-16). A Board of Elders shall be composed of any Pastors and Lay Elders affirmed by members of the congregation.
The Chairman of the Board of Elders, elected by the members of the Board, shall also serve as the President. A Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be members in good standing, not the position of Chairman, and affirmed, by the congregation, shall serve in the respective positions. Qualifications, responsibilities, and terms of the respective positions shall be according to the By-Laws. Lakeview Bible Church
Draft: April 9, 2011
Article 5–Amendments
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership either by presence or proxy voting at a duly called and published congregational meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing, and shall have been announced two weeks prior to such a vote. The revised version and any subsequent amendments of this constitution shall be made available to all church members by the Secretary.
Article 6–Adoption and Submission
Lakeview Bible Church is located at 1010 W. Greenhurst Road, Nampa, ID 83686.
The stated articles contained hereinbefore were duly adopted by the congregation at a meeting held on ___________________________________________________.
Affirmed and Submitted this ____ day of _______________ 2011.
___________________________________________________________
________________ Chairman/President
____________________________________________________________
_________________ Secretary