CONSTITUTION OF THE TOWN NORTH BIBLE CHURCH OF DALLAS, TEXAS PREAMBLE We, the members of the Town North Bible Church of Dallas, Texas, do ordain and

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1 CONSTITUTION OF THE TOWN NORTH BIBLE CHURCH OF DALLAS, TEXAS PREAMBLE We, the members of the Town North Bible Church of Dallas, Texas, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves: ARTICLE I NAME The name of this church shall be Town North Bible Church of Dallas, Texas. ARTICLE II DOCTRINAL STATEMENT Section 1. The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures to be the verbally inspired Word of God, authoritative, inerrant, infallible and God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Matt. 5:18). Section 2. The Godhead. We believe in one triune God, existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, eternal in being, identical in essence, equal in power and glory and having the same attributes and perfections (Deut. 6:4; 2 Cor. 13:14). Section 3. The Total Depravity of Man. We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, became alienated from God, and is totally unable to regain its former position (Gen. 1:26; 3:1-24; Rom. 3:23; 5:12; Eph. 2:12). Section 4. 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, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God 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 to us by His literal physical resurrection from the dead (John 1:1, 14, 18; Luke 1:35; Rom. 3:24-26; 4:25). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is now in Heaven, exalted to the right hand of God, where as His People s High Priest He fulfills the ministry of intercession and advocacy (Heb. 1:3; 12:2; 3:1; 7:23-25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2). Section 5. The Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. He also in the present age regenerates believers in Christ, baptizes them into the church, the Body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon each one, and fills those yielded to Him (John 15:2-27; 16:7-15; John 3:8; 1 Cor. 12:13; John 14:16; Eph. 4:30; 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 5:18). We believe that some of the special gifts, such as miraculous healings and speaking in tongues, were given to the early church as gifts to authenticate Christ s message of grace through the apostles. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism nor of the filling of the Spirit, and that the total deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the 1

2 resurrection (Acts 4:8, 31; Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 13:8). For the unity of our church, we ask those who desire to fellowship with us to refrain from practicing or teaching a current form of these gifts. Section 6. Salvation. We believe that salvation is a gift of God in grace and is received by man through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 2:8-9; John 1:12; Eph. 1:7). Section 7. Regeneration. We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit, by which a new nature and a spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted, and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus; and without it salvation is impossible (John 3:3-6; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23). Section 8. Sanctification. A. We believe that immediate, positional sanctification is that act of God whereby believers are, at the time of regeneration, eternally set apart as belonging to Him by redemption, thereby being placed in the family of God as children, joint heirs with Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1; Rom. 8:14-17; 1 Cor. 1:2). B. We believe that progressive sanctification is the process by which, according to God s will, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is progressive; that it is begun in regeneration; that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, self-examination, watchfulness and prayer (1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; Prov. 4:18; 1 John 2:29; Phil. 2:12, 13; Eph. 6:18). C. We believe that ultimate sanctification will be the portion of every believer, when finally in the presence of the Lord, complete and entire, with soul and spirit united in the resurrection body, free from every trace or effect of sin and rebellion (1John 3:2; 1 Cor. 15:52-54; Eph. 4:30; Phil. 4:20-21). Section 9. The Eternal Security of the Believer. The salvation of every believer is secure for all eternity from the moment of regeneration. This security is guaranteed by the fact that the life that is imparted is eternal life by the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; John 10:27-30; Eph. 4:30). Section 10. The Church. A. The Body of Christ. All who are truly born-again in this age are baptized by the Spirit of God into the True Church, the Body and Bride of Christ (Eph. 1:2, 23; 5:25-27; I Cor. 12:12-13; Gal. 3:27). B. The Local Church. We believe the Scriptures teach that a local Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel observing the ordinances of Christ and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word (Acts 2:41; 14:27; 20:17; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11; 1 Cor. 11:2). Section 11. Church Ordinances. We believe that the Lord Jesus instituted two ordinances to be observed by all believers until His return: A. Baptism. We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ, into the name of the Father and Son, and Holy Spirit; to 2

3 show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 8:36; Matt. 28:19-20). Any unique cases where immersion is impossible for physical reasons will be given other consideration by the board. B. The Lord s Supper. We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord s Supper is the provision of bread and wine, as symbols of Christ s body and blood, partaken of by the members of the church, following solemn self-examination, in commemoration of the suffering and death of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:23-50). Section 12. The Responsibility of Believers. We believe that all believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, not bringing reproach upon their Lord and Savior, and that separation from worldly pleasures and practices is commanded by God (Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 6:16, 25; 2 Cor. 6:14; 7:1). We believe that it is the obligation of every believer to witness by life and by word to the truths of the Holy Scriptures and to seek to proclaim the gospel to all the world (Acts 1:8). We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to remember the work of the Lord in prayer and to support it with their means as the Lord has prospered them (1 Cor. 16:2). Section 13. The Second Coming of Christ. We believe in the personal, imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His own, the Church, and His subsequent return personally and visibly to the earth to set up His Kingdom and to reign over the earth from the Throne of David (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Zech. 14:4-11; Luke 1:30-33; Acts 15:14-18; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 19:11-16; 20:6). Section 14. The Eternal State. We believe that the souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory; but the souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Rev. 20:11-15). ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Qualification for Membership. Persons desiring to unite with this church by profession of a personal faith in Christ as Savior, or by letter from another church of like faith, or by reaffirmation of faith, shall be examined by a Membership Committee appointed by the Leadership Board as to their Christian experience and the basis of salvation, and shall be required to assent to the doctrinal statement of this church. Persons may be accepted without becoming candidates for baptism if they affirm to the Membership Committee that they were baptized according to the manner and principles set forth in Article II, Section 11. If the individual does not feel that his previous baptism was in accordance therewith, he may be accepted on reaffirmation of 3

4 faith and become a candidate for baptism. There is no time constraint on completion, and each candidate should be instructed on the meaning of the action. Section 2. Receiving Members. Persons may be received into the church fellowship by majority vote of the congregation, upon being presented by the pastor, the chairman of the board, or his designee, subsequent to the examination outlined in Section 1 of this Article. The candidates will be published two weeks prior to presentation for a vote and if anyone has a problem with a candidate s admission into fellowship they may bring their concern to the Membership Committee for resolution. The Pastor or Chairman of the Board shall acquaint the congregation, prior to voting, with the manner in which the candidate for membership is coming by profession of faith, by letter, or by re-affirmation of faith. Section 3. Public Baptism. When persons coming by profession of faith or reaffirmation of faith are voted into fellowship of the church, the Pastor or Chairman of the Board shall arrange for a public baptismal service at the earliest convenient date; this baptism is to be by the Pastor, or by a qualified person designated by the Pastor or the Board. The earliest convenient date is to hold no time constraint on the candidate. The candidate should be constrained by the Holy Spirit that baptism is expected as a normal testimony to the Body. It must not be construed to mean it is an addendum to membership or necessary for salvation. Section 4. Membership Covenant. All persons, before being received into membership of this church, shall be given a copy of the following Membership Covenant and shall be requested to adopt it solemnly as before the Lord, after careful and prayerful consideration thereof: I promise, in dependence upon the grace of God, which helps our infirmities, to attend as diligently as possible in the public worship of God in this church, to be faithful in private devotion, and to strive in all things to honor my Lord and Savior by a walk and manner of life becoming the gospel of Christ. I do hereby pledge sincerely and unreservedly to devote myself to the Lord to be His forever. I do promise to support and sustain the honor and worship of God in this church, in contributing to its support, and of the work it may at any time undertake, according as the Lord has given to me. Section 5. Dismissal of Members. It shall be the duty of the Leadership Board to examine the membership of the church every year, and any members who shall have been absent from the services of the church for a period of six months without giving satisfactory reasons for such absence may be removed from the roll of the church by review of the Leadership Board. Any name may be removed from the roll of this church after due examination by the Pastor and Leadership Board, and subsequent vote of the congregation (Refer to Article VII for guidelines for removal by church discipline). 4

5 ARTICLE IV GOVERNMENT The government of this church, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, is vested in the body of believers who compose it. ARTICLE V ORGANIZATION Section 1. Officers. The officers of this church shall consist of a Pastor, a Board, consisting of elders and deacons (hereinafter referred to as the Leadership Board), a Board of Trustees, a Church Treasurer, and a Board Secretary. Section 2. The Election of Officers. A. The Pastor. In the event of a vacancy in the pulpit of this church, the Leadership Board shall call a congregational meeting to convene at the regular place of worship to elect a Pulpit Committee, representative of the whole congregation. The Chairman of the Board must give public notice of the time, place, and the purpose of the meeting at two regular public meetings at least a week apart, prior to the time of the meeting. The Pulpit Committee shall consist of at least five members. It shall be the duty of the Pulpit Committee to investigate and to bring before the church as candidates such men of God for the purpose of filling the vacancy as they feel is the Will of God. Before their presentation, candidates will study the doctrinal statement and constitution of this church and make known any points, if any, contained herein which they feel they cannot conscientiously and heartily agree to, without mental reservations. When the Committee is ready to make a recommendation it shall notify the Leadership Board, which, if it approves the recommendation, shall instruct the Chairman of the Board to call a congregational meeting. The Chairman of the Board must give public notice of the time, place, and the purpose of the meeting at two regular public meetings, at least a week apart, prior to the time of the meeting. At the congregational meeting, duly called for the purpose, a pastor may be elected by a two-thirds vote of the eligible membership present. During the time the church is without a pastor, it shall be the responsibility of the Leadership Board to arrange a pulpit supply for all regular services. If the pastor shall tender his resignation to the church, the Chairman of the Board shall call a special congregational meeting to consider the resignation. If the resignation is submitted at a stated congregational meeting, the Chairman of the Board shall lead the congregation in consideration of the resignation. If the congregation should desire dismissal of the pastor, the Chairman of the Board, acting with the knowledge of the Leadership Board, shall call a special congregational meeting to consider the matter. The chairman may so act upon receipt of a petition requesting the dismissal if the signatures of fifteen percent of the voting members appear on the petition. The date, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be announced to all members via letter, at least one week prior to the meeting. A two-thirds majority of the voting members present shall be required for 5

6 dismissal. In case of dismissal by vote of the congregation, the pastor shall be paid one month s salary in advance, as of the date of the meeting. B. The Leadership Board. The Leadership Board, which shall be composed of both elders and deacons, shall be elected by the church at the annual congregational meeting for a period of three years. In principle, they will hold office on the board on a rotating basis so that the terms of approximately one-third of the members of the board shall expire each year. Without considering one role as inferior or superior to the other, and while recognizing that their functions may overlap at times, elders and deacons shall be chosen considering the following distinguishing characteristics: Elders should be men of spiritual maturity characterized by the Biblical guidelines found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They should be able to shepherd and handle the Word effectively. Deacons should be characterized by the biblical guidelines found in I Timothy 3:8-13. Without predetermining a specific ratio of elders to deacons, it is desirable to have both multiple elders and multiple deacons. Should there be a vacancy on the board before expiration of a term of office a successor may be elected by the congregation at a stated meeting to fill the unexpired term. The Leadership Board shall consist of at least three men with increases as the congregation deems expedient. The Leadership Board shall elect a Chairman within thirty days after the annual congregational meeting, with the Chairman holding office for one year. The Chairman of the Leadership Board cannot succeed himself in office. Whenever the elders and deacons might meet separately to work on issues limited to their responsibility areas, a Vice Chairman chosen from among the Board will chair the group from which the Chairman has not been elected. C. The Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall be elected by the church at the annual congregational meeting for a period of three years. There will be no rotation of officers. Trustees may be re-elected to the office upon expiration of their term of office. D. The Church Treasurer. The Church Treasurer shall be elected by the Leadership Board from their own number. E. The Board Secretary. The Board Secretary shall be elected by the Leadership Board. The Secretary shall hold office for an indefinite period of time, subject to the approval of the Leadership Board and the Secretary. F. Departmental Workers. The heads of auxiliary organizations of the church shall be elected at the annual meetings, or at any stated meeting, should a vacancy occur. All teachers, counselors, and other workers in places of leadership shall be chosen by departmental leaders, in cooperation with and approval of the Pastor and the Leadership Board. Section 3. The Duty of the Officers. 6

7 A. The Pastor. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to have general oversight of the spiritual life of the church with the elders, to preach the Word, administer the ordinances, and take charge of the pulpit and of all religious services of the church. If at any time the Pastor s personal belief, preaching or teaching, shall not be in accord with the doctrinal statement of this church, his services as Pastor shall be terminated according to the prescribed procedure in this congregation for the dissolution of the pastoral relationship. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees of the church. B. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Leadership Board shall assume the duties of Moderator and preside at all Leadership Board Meetings and Congregational Business Meetings. In the event neither Chairman nor Pastor can preside, the office of Acting Chairman shall devolve upon either the Vice-Chairman of the Leadership Board or a member chosen by the Leadership Board. C. The Leadership Board. 1. The Elders. It shall be the duty of the Elders to give spiritual oversight to the church. They shall be responsible to guard the purity of doctrine, to give spiritual counsel, and to promote the unity of the Body. The Pastor shall be reckoned an elder and the elders shall assist him in counseling the needy, comforting the afflicted, visiting the sick, and in supplying the pulpit of the church in the absence of the Pastor. It shall also be the duty of the elders to supervise the operation of the church with its various organizations. 2. The Deacons. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to give operational oversight to the church. They shall supervise the handling and disbursement of all church funds, and assume the responsibility of maintenance and repair of all church property. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to bring recommendation to the congregation in conjunction with the hiring or dismissal of all paid workers of the church, in close cooperation with the Pastor. D. The Board of Trustees. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to hold the title to the church property, and to hold the same subject to the uses and benefit of the church. They shall not purchase or dispose of real estate or fixed property without first having brought the matter before a regularly called congregational meeting. This being done, they shall be given authority to act as directed by the congregation. E. The Church Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Church Treasurer to handle the funds of the church under the supervision of the Leadership Board, and to prepare and submit monthly and annual financial reports to the congregation. F. The Board Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Board Secretary to conduct the official correspondence on behalf of the Leadership Board and to keep a record of all business transacted at board meetings. The Board Secretary shall keep, or arrange to keep, a role of eligible voters. G. Departmental Workers. The duties of department workers shall be established by the Pastor, the Leadership Board, and heads of departments at the time the auxiliary organization is organized. 7

8 ARTICLE VI CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS Section 1. Annual Meetings. The fiscal year of the church shall end on the thirtieth (30 th ) day of September each year. The annual meeting of the congregation shall be held on a Sunday evening in September, and shall be announced to the congregation at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Section 2. Quarterly Meetings. The church shall hold regular quarterly business meetings on a Sunday night in February, May, August, and November, at which time shall occur the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, and any necessary business. Section 3. The Lord s Supper. The Lord s Supper shall be observed on at least a monthly basis, preferably on the first Sunday of the month. Section 4. Special Called Meetings. Whenever it may seem for the best interest of the church that a congregational meeting should be held, the Pastor or Chairman of the Board shall call such a meeting. While it may, at times, be deemed necessary to call such a meeting without the approval of the Leadership Board, the Pastor shall normally work in cooperation with the Leadership Board on all matters necessitating a called meeting. At any time the Leadership Board shall request such action, the Chairman of the Board shall call a special meeting of the congregation. Section 5. Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business in all congregational meetings shall consist of one-fourth of the members eligible to vote. Section 6. Majority Vote. Once a quorum has been established, the majority vote of eligible members present at congregational meetings shall be final except as herein provided. Section 7. Eligible Voters. All active members present in a stated or called meeting, who are not under church discipline and who have attained unto the age of fourteen years, shall be eligible to vote on any business brought before the congregation. The Board Secretary shall keep or arrange to keep a role of eligible voters. It shall be available to any member of the congregation upon request. Vote by absentee ballot shall be counted only when approved by the congregation at a meeting prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be cast. Section 8. Parliamentary Procedure. In the transaction of business in all congregational meetings, Robert s Rules of Order shall be used in all cases not covered by this constitution. ARTICLE VII CHURCH DISCIPLINE Section 1. When offense is given to a member of the church by the conduct of another and when the offense is personal and known to none other, the offended shall, without consulting or informing any person, seek opportunity to discuss the offense privately with the offender with an honest view to reconcile the difficulty if possible. If satisfaction be given, no complaint shall be given of the offender (Matt. 18:15). 8

9 Section 2. If satisfaction is not given, it shall be the duty of the offended to select one or two other members, choosing those deemed to be best adapted to effect a reconciliation, with whom he shall again discuss the offense with the offending brother. If satisfaction be given, he shall make no further complaint (Matt. 18:16). Section 3. If these efforts fail to secure a reconciliation, it shall be the duty of the offended to lay the matter before the Pastor and the Leadership Board for further action, as detailed in sections 4-10 of this Article. Section 4. If any member of the church shall be publicly guilty of any crime or gross impropriety, it shall be the duty of the member knowing the transgression, to inform him of his intention to lay the matter before the Pastor and the Leadership Board that he may appear in his own defense. Section 5. When common rumor charges a crime or gross impropriety against a member, it shall be the duty of the member hearing it to visit or write the accused, and inform him of the reports; and if he has reason to believe that they are true, to take the most judicious steps to ascertain their correctness, and lay the charge and its evidence before the Pastor and Leadership Board. Section 6. When peculiar circumstances render it impractical to visit or write to the accused, it shall be the duty of the member knowing or hearing of such conduct, to take the most judicious steps to ascertain the truth, and lay the matter before the Pastor and Leadership Board. Section 7. If a member, having erred, shall voluntarily confess it to the church, and manifest repentance, no further proceedings, except in cases of public scandal shall be entertained against him. Section 8. If a charge is brought against an absent member, he shall, if practical, be asked to appear at the next meeting of the church; and no member, if absent, shall be censured or excluded, at the same meeting during which a charge is brought against him. Section 9. Every member against whom a charge of misconduct is made shall have the privilege of speaking in his own defense. Section 10. If a member fails to give satisfaction to the church in relation to charges brought against him, or unreasonably refuses to appear before the church when cited, he shall be excluded (Matt. 18:17-20). ARTICLE VIII ORDINATION As should be normal for a congregation of believers, Spirit-filled men may be called out from among the congregation to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Such men may be given a commission to preach and administer the ordinances of the church through an ordination council composed of the Pastor, the Leadership Board, and other pastors and spiritual men as they may invite to participate, and who are unanimous in their conviction that the candidate has been called of God for the ministry. The ordaining council shall thoroughly examine all applicants for ordination as to their call to the Christian ministry, education, Christian experience, reputation, character, doctrinal belief, and demonstrated effectiveness in Christian service. 9