Constitution
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF
EMMANUEL BIBLE CHURCH
OF THAYNE, WYOMING
ADOPTED
12/15/1982
REVISED
8/6/1997
REVISED
6/17/2012
REVISED
1/29/2023
PREAMBLE
We establish the following Articles to which we voluntarily submit ourselves and thereby unite ourselves together into a church body named Emmanuel Bible Church of Thayne, Wyoming.
ARTICLE I THE CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led by the Holy Spirit of God to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and on profession of faith, and accepting the Holy Scriptures as rule of our faith and life, and recognizing the privilege and duty of uniting ourselves for Christian fellowship, the enjoyment of His Kingdom in this world; we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant and agree to associate ourselves as members of the body of Christ.
We promise, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to forsake the ways of sin and walk together in Christian love and in paths of righteousness.
We further promise to watch over one another in brotherly love (1 Peter 1:22); to remember one another in prayer (James 5:16); to cultivate Christian empathy in feeling and courtesy in speech (Ephesians 2:15); to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it in due time.
We promise also that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of the covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
ARTICLE II DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
SECTION 1 SCRIPTURES
We believe in the plenary-verbal (all words completely inspired) inspiration of the original manuscripts only. We believe the Bible is inspired of God, is the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, and is the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (I Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 3:13; II Peter 1:2-21).
SECTION 2 GODHEAD
We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—and these three are one God, having the same nature, attributes and perfections, and worthy of the same worship, trust and obedience. (Matthew 28: 19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 15:3-9; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
SECTION 3 JESUS CHRIST
We believe Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin (Mary), and is true God and true Man. We believe in the deity of Christ, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His shed blood and His vicarious and reconciling death upon the cross. We further believe in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father as the believers’ High Priest and advocate, and in His personal return to take the Church to heaven. (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:2; 20-31; I Corinthians 15:3-9; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
SECTION 4 THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convince men of Christ’s payment for man’s sin. We believe the Holy Spirit is the third member of the Godhead. He convicts men of sin and regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior. He gives gifts for service to each believer “as He wills” (I Corinthians 12:11), and He fills those yielded to God. Some gifts were for a sign such as speaking in tongues and healing and were temporary and have ceased (I Corinthians 13:8), after the establishment of the New Testament Church. The indwelling Holy Spirit enables the believer for sanctification and service. (John 16:7-15, 3:3-5; I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, 12:12-13; II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:1-2; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).
SECTION 5 MAN
We believe 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. Therefore, because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature, and the total depravity of natural man, we believe it is absolutely necessary that man be born again (personal acceptance of Christ in complete reliance upon Him for salvation). (Genesis 1:26-27; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3-16, 14:6; Romans 1:18-32, 3:23, 6:23, 8:7-8).
SECTION 6 SALVATION
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 in the grounds of His shed blood. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God. We believe that salvation is an irrevocable covenant which God makes with the individual believer, and that once bestowed, it is never withdrawn. A believer, who fails to live in fellowship with God may be disciplined in the life, even to the extent of being taken from this life, as God’s means of restoration to fellowship with Himself. (John 10:28-29; I Corinthians 11:30-32; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; Hebrews 12:5-11; I John 1:8-10; I Corinthians 3:11-15).
SECTION 7 THE CHURCH
We believe in the one true Church, a living organism, called in the Bible the Body and Bride of Christ, a mystery in ages past but now made known in the New Testament and all who have been born again by saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are members of that Church of which Christ is the head and the only foundation. We believe, moreover, that the Great Commission given to the disciples is the Great Commission of the Church today. The local church is the manifestation of the universal Church on the local level and is to be self-governing. (Matthew 16:18, 28:19; Mark 16:15; I Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 5:25-32).
SECTION 8 END TIME EVENTS AND THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe in the rapture of the Church. The Church Age will end on earth with the catching away of believers of the Church Age to meet Christ in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:31-54). This blessed hope is followed by the great tribulation and then by the return of Christ to the earth to establish His Kingdom for a reign of one thousand years. We believe in the eternal state of punishment for the wicked and the eternal state of blessing for the redeemed. (Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:4-10; Revelation 3:10; Matthew 24:21, 29-30, 25:31; Revelation 2:1-6, 11-15; Matthew 25:46).
SECTION 9 SATAN
We believe in the distinct personality of Satan. He is a fallen angel, is the god of this age, the author of all powers of sin and darkness, and he is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. (II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:17; II Timothy 2:26; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 19:10).
SECTION 10 ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
We believe that baptism is the total immersion of the believer, after conversion, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in testimony of faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Christ, and in confession that the believer is to be dead to sin and risen to newness of life in Christ; and that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death until He comes. (Matthew 28:19-20; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11: 23-26).
SECTION 11 METHOD OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION
We believe in the seven dispensations of time taught in the Bible, but we do not accept the hyper- or ultra – dispensational interpretation.
SECTION 12 SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD
We believe that all Christians have the responsibility to separate from the world unto Christ. Moreover, Emmanuel Bible Church stands opposed to Modernism, the Cults, Secret Societies, politically subversive groups, and any other organization that undermines the gospel. Moreover, we do not support any organization within Christianity that obscures the clear teaching of God’s Word. (II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11,12; I John 2:15-17).
SECTION 13 MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
"We believe that "marriage" was created by God and that it is the joining together of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive covenant relationship as outlined in Scripture. We believe that God intends for sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and woman who are married to one another. We believe that any form of sexual immorality is a sin and is offensive to God. We believe that to preserve the function and integrity of the Church as the Body and Bride of Christ, it is imperative that all persons who are employed or who serve as vocational or lay ministers within this flock adhere to this statement of faith and practice. Failure to do so will result in discipline as outline in these By-laws. We believe that God offers redemption and forgiveness to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We believe that hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are wrong and are not in accord with Scripture or the spirit of this church. (Gen. 2:18-25; Mark 12:24-27; I Cor. 7; I Thess. 4:1-8)
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
A. A candidate for church membership must be born again (John 3:3, 5, 6, 16); confess Jesus Christ as Savior (Romans 10:9-10); must have been baptized (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:35-39); and must uphold the Covenant, Doctrinal Statement and By-Laws of this church. (This church must give thorough instruction on baptism to each candidate for membership).
B. Persons holding memberships of affiliations with organizations such as mentioned in ARTICLE II, Section 12, shall reveal the nature of that affiliation to the Board of Elders.
C. A person desiring membership must be living a consistent Christian manner of life (James 4:4; Titus 2:11-15; John 2:15-17). The Board of Elders shall consider each case on its own merits, basing all decisions on the clear teachings of God’s Word (Romans 12:1-2, 13:14; Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:1-10; Galatians 5:16-26).
SECTION 2 RECEPTION FOR MEMBERSHIP
A. All candidates for membership must appear before the Board of Elders for examination. At least two members of the Board of Elders must be present.
B. All candidates must give clear testimony concerning Christ as their Savior and their profession of faith.
C. All candidates shall be received by the church body with a vote of confidence.
D. Candidates must maintain residency in the Star Valley area.
SECTION 3 DISMISSAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
A. Any member in good standing requesting a letter of dismissal and recommendation to any other evangelical, fundamental church shall be granted such letter upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders.
B. Any member desiring to join a religious body whose articles of faith and standards are unacceptable to this church, or who is found to be unfit for membership pursuant to ARTICLE III, Section 5, shall be given a letter of dismissal without recommendation.
C. Resident members who absent themselves from regular church attendance for one year, and who otherwise manifest indifference to church obligations, may by vote of Emmanuel Bible Church Board of Elders be placed on an inactive list, and shall not have a vote in the affairs of this church. Reasonable effort to contact such individuals shall be made by a representative of the church before the vote is taken. In the event that an inactive member returns to the Church and its work, the Church Board of Elders shall authorize the Clerk to place the member’s name on the active list. Members who cannot attend regularly because of ill health, conflicting duties, or seasonal absences shall not be placed on an inactive list against their wishes, but neither shall they be counted in determining the number of persons needed for a quorum.
SECTION 4 RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
Members in good standing over 21 years of age are entitled to hold office (except office of Elder, which can be held only by members in good standing over 30 years of age). Members in good standing 18 years or older have the right and privilege to vote and participate in all church business, discussions, and transactions. Moreover, recognizing the responsibility of teaching God's Word as a weighty stewardship, we do prescribe that those who teach God's Word at EBC shall have of their own volition submitted themselves before God to embrace the confessional statements of this church as their own standard of faith and conduct and shall have united themselves in membership of this church. Thus, while serving opportunities within this fellowship may be extended to those who have not joined, teaching responsibility shall be limited to those who have. Teaching assignments (both regular and substitute) shall be approved by the Pastor. Guest speakers such as missionaries, evangelists or Bible conference speakers shall be invited and scheduled by the Pastor.
SECTION 5 CHURCH DISCIPLINE
The Board of Elders, together with the pastor, shall constitute a standing committee on discipline. Any member of this church shall be subject to the discipline of this committee. All discipline shall be administered according to the instructions laid down by the Word of God. (I Corinthians 5; Matthew 18:15-20).
A. All discipline must be done in Christian meekness and love with the desire to remove the offense and win the offender (Galatians 6:1; II Timothy 2:25); and yet with a firm and deep sense of responsibility to maintain the honor of Christ’s Name, and the purity of His Church. (I Timothy 4:13-16; II Timothy 4:2-5; Matthew 18:15-20).
B. In such cases where a member’s disorderly conduct or heretical practice is so opposed to the church’s life and faith as to destroy the possibility of fellowship, and reconciliation is not possible, such members may be removed from the membership roll of the church by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Elder Board.
C. The Board of Elders may discipline church officers as well as its own members by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote with all members present.
ARTICLE IV GOVERNMENT
SECTION 1 OFFICE OF ELDER
The Elder Board shall be comprised of not less than three men who satisfy the qualifications for the office of Elder set forth in I Timothy 3: 1–7 and Titus 1: 6–9. Subject to the will of the congregation, the Elders shall oversee the ministry and resources of the church. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6: 1–6 and I Peter 5: 1–4, the Elders shall devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding God’s flock. The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections. These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as Elders. This recognition shall be reaffirmed by the church triennially. The Elders shall take particular responsibility to examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions, oversee the work of the Deacons and appointed church agents and committees, conduct worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion, equip the membership for the work of the ministry, encourage sound doctrine and practice, admonish and correct error, oversee the process of church discipline, coordinate and promote the ministries of the church, and mobilize the church for world missions. Further, the Elders shall seek to ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation, including outside speakers, affirm our fundamental gospel convictions and do not teach our church anything contrary to the Statement of Faith. The Elders may establish ministry positions or committees to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities. The Elders may also propose funding for new paid staff positions. The membership shall approve all candidates to fill the positions of senior and associate pastor. The scope and approval of job descriptions for any staff position shall reside in the hands of those with hiring authority for that position. Each year the Elders, after consultation with the Deacons, the Deaconesses, and the membership, shall present to the church an itemized budget. This budget shall be presented for discussion at a regular or specially called budget meeting and called up for a vote at the members’ meeting. No money shall be solicited by or on behalf of the church or any of its ministries without the approval of the Elders. A quorum of at least 2/3 of the members of the Elder Board is required to vote on official business of Emmanuel Bible Church. When conducting official church business, the Elder Board should strive for unanimity in their decisions. If this is not possible then a majority vote of those present is required for approval unless otherwise noted in the constitution and by-laws. For the purpose of conducting business with federal, state and local governments, the Elder Board shall appoint the senior pastor, chairman of the Elder Board and clerk of the Elder Board to act on behalf of the church.
SECTION 2 OFFICE OF DEACON
The office of Deacon is described in I Timothy 3: 8–13. The church shall recognize, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on membership, men and women who are giving of themselves in service to the church, and who possess particular gifts of service. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6:1-6, these members shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as Deacons and Deaconesses. They shall be appointed annually by the Elder Board. A Deacon’s term in office may be terminated by resignation or by dismissal of a 2/3 vote of the Elder Board. Deacons and Deaconesses shall care for the temporal needs of members, attend to the accommodations for public worship, and encourage and support those able to help others and those with gifts of administration and teaching. The Elders, with assistance from the Deacons and Deaconesses shall receive, hold, and disburse a fund for benevolence, reporting on its use to the Elders at their request, and reporting to the church its total receipts and total disbursements only. The Deacons and Deaconesses, with the agreement of the Elders, may establish unpaid administrative positions or committees of members to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities in the church.
SECTION 3 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Principles
The process for church elections shall be interpreted and carried out to fulfill the following principles: Substantial prayer, both individually and corporately, should be an integral part of the election process; Nominations should proceed with the support of the Elders; All candidates for church office should be treated with the grace, kindness, and honesty appropriate in evaluating fellow members; The election process shall express that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration that is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Process
The election of officers shall be held at a members’ meeting of the church. Names of nominees to serve as Elders, Clerk, or Treasurer shall be presented by the Elders at the previous members’ meeting (providing that previous meeting occurred at least eight weeks prior), and the election shall proceed as directed by the moderator.
The Elders should seek recommendations and involvement from the general membership in the nomination process. Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the Elders. Members intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the Elders as far in advance as possible before the relevant church members’ meeting.
The moderator shall declare elected all men receiving a two-thirds majority of all votes cast for the office of Elder at a regularly scheduled members meeting. For all other offices, the moderator shall declare elected all persons receiving a simple majority of all votes cast; abstentions will not be considered as votes cast.
The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.
SECTION 4 PASTOR
A. The requirements for a pastor shall be according to the Scripture as found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:1-9. The pastor shall be in agreement with the church Covenant, Doctrinal Statement and By-Laws of this church.
B. Upon recommendation of the pulpit committee, this shall be appointed by the Board of Elders and shall have no fewer than three (3) members, composed of individuals from the Elder Board and general church members. The church shall hear only one candidate at a time and shall not invite a second until the first has been disapproved. By vote of the church, the pastor shall be called for an indefinite period of time.
C. Election shall be by quorum (ARTICLE V, Section 5) and an affirmative vote of eighty percent (80%) of those present by ballot at a regular or special business meeting of the church.
D. The pastor is leader of pastoral ministries of the church. As such, he works with the church boards and church staff to:
1. Lead the church in performing its tasks.
2. Lead the church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry and application.
3. Proclaim the Gospel to believers and non-believers.
4. Care for the members of the church and other persons in the community.
A. The Pastor shall give at least thirty (30) days’ notice at such time as he may be terminating his responsibilities as pastor.
B. The dismissal of the pastor shall be as follows:
1. The calling for such a special business meeting shall be upon the recommendation of the Elder Board by a 2/3rd vote of said Board.
2. Public notice of the special meeting shall be given two (2) Sundays in advance from the pulpit.
3. An affirmative vote of eighty percent (80%) of a quorum by secret ballot at a special business meeting of the church shall be required for the pastor to remain in office. An affirmative vote of less than eighty percent (80%) would be grounds for dismissal.
A. The pastor shall be ex-officio member of all boards and committees.
SECTION 5 CHURCH CLERK, TREASURER, FINANCIAL SECRETARY
A. The church shall annually elect, or re-elect, a church clerk, treasurer and financial secretary.
B. The offices of clerk and treasurer may be held by the same person, but the positions of financial secretary and treasurer shall be kept separate.
C. The duties of the clerk shall be to keep a correct, legible and permanent record of all business meetings of the church, sign all letters of dismissal, take charge of all church records, and maintain a register in which shall be noted such changes as may occur, such as date of admission of all members, dismissals or deaths, together with a record of all baptisms and marriages. The clerk shall enter upon the records of current events of the church that are likely to be of historical value, thus making the church records a continuous history of the church. In the absence of an elected church clerk the pastor may appoint necessary duties to a church member.
D. The treasurer shall receive and promptly deposit all money received by the church, always keeping an itemized account of all receipts.
E. The financial secretary shall be responsible for all accounts payable. As required the financial secretary shall submit receipts and disbursement reports to the church at regular business meetings.
SECTION 6 PAID STAFF
Staff shall be hired by the Elder Board to serve the congregation as needed. The pastor shall provide for oversight of the staff, and they shall receive from him their delegated tasks. Upon hiring, all staff shall be given a ministry description that shall be updated as needed. Pastoral staff shall be qualified as an Elder (I Timothy 3:1-7). While they may serve as non-voting attendees at Elder Board meetings, they shall not have a vote.
SECTION 7 SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The pastor shall appoint or act as Sunday school superintendent as needed. The Sunday School Department shall consist of the Sunday School Superintendent, the Sunday school teachers and the pastor. They shall be responsible for all activities of the Sunday school, e.g. curriculum, order of service, teacher training, etc. subject to the approval of the Board of Elders.
SECTION 8 MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The Music Department shall consist of the minister of music, song leaders, musicians, choir leaders, and the pastor as needed.
ARTICLE V BUSINESS MEETINGS
SECTION 1
A meeting of the church members shall be held in the Thayne area at a time determined by the Emmanuel Bible Church Elder Board for the purpose of the election of church officers for the following year. The Elder Board shall meet in July of each year to receive reports and for the transaction of other such business as is proper to come before this meeting. The Elder Board shall determine which day to meet.
SECTION 2 SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the church may be held at any time by order of the Elder Board and/or the pastor.
SECTION 3 QUARTERLY MEETINGS
The Emmanuel Bible Church Elder Board shall meet quarterly in January, April, July, and October to receive reports and for the transaction of such other business as is proper to come before these meetings. The day on which the meeting is held shall be determined by the Elder Board.
SECTION 4 ORDINARY BUSINESS
Any ordinary matters of business requiring action by the church may be presented and acted upon at any service or business meeting of the members.
SECTION 5 QUORUM
A quorum shall consist of no less than fifty percent (50%) of the active members and shall include at least two (2) members of the Elder Board at any business meeting of the church. There shall be no voting by proxy.
SECTION 6 PRAYER AT MEETINGS
All meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer.
ARTICLE VI DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
SECTION 1 DIVISION
In case of organic division of the church membership, the church property shall belong to those members who abide by this Constitution and By-Laws.
SECTION 2 DISSOLUTION
Should conditions arise when, for any reason, the church work cannot continue, the church property shall be transferred to a missionary organization or church as designated by the majority of the active membership, or the property sold, and monies rendered to God’s service as the Holy Spirit leads.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
The constitution may be amended providing the proposed amendment is presented to the church in writing two (2) weeks in advance and that it is read when it is presented at a meeting of the church.
SECTION 2
To amend this constitution the vote shall be by a quorum as found in ARTICLE V, Section 5 with a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote.
SECTION 3
To amend any part of ARTICLE II (Doctrinal Statement) the vote shall be by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the necessary quorum.
Four amendments have been ratified since the adoption of this constitution. To make the constitution easier to understand those two amendments have been written into the text rather than being added to the end of the constitution. If you wish to see the original, please contact the church clerk.