Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Midway Community Church based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
God
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
The Bible
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
Mankind
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. Through the temptation of Satan, man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherits a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God.
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end.
The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors/elders and deacons. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ, which includes all of the redeemed of all ages, believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
Baptism and The Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Evangelism and Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Last Things
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.
Midway Community Church cooperates with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Baptists are a people of deep beliefs and cherished doctrines. Throughout our history we have been a confessional people, adopting statements of faith as a witness to our beliefs and a pledge of our faithfulness to the doctrines revealed in God's Word.
Our confessions of faith are rooted in historical precedent, as the church in every age has been called upon to define and defend its beliefs.
Baptists are a people of deep beliefs and cherished doctrines. Throughout our history we have been a confessional people, adopting statements of faith as a witness to our beliefs and a pledge of our faithfulness to the doctrines revealed in God's Word.
Our confessions of faith are rooted in historical precedent, as the church in every age has been called upon to define and defend its beliefs.
Constitution of Midway Community Church
PREAMBLE
We, the members of Midway Community Church,
so ordain and establish the following Constitution
to which we voluntarily submit.
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this church shall be “Midway Community Church.” The word “church” as used in this Constitution shall refer to Midway Community Church, whereas the word “Church” shall refer to the Body and Bride of Christ, His worldwide Church.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
Glorify God by Helping People Follow Jesus
Doctrine
The Bible shall be the rule of life for members of the church. The Seventeen Articles of the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention (June 14, 2000), along with doctrinal statements in this constitution, shall guide the practice and programs of the church and its members.
Affiliation
The church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) as a fellowship of autonomous local churches for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission on local, state, national, and international levels. Our affiliation with the SBC is fulfilled through our voluntary financial contributions, our prayers, and our participation in mission activities. Our affiliation with the SBC does not preclude participation with other evangelical ministries if the church deems such participation appropriate.
Church Messengers
Messengers to represent the church at the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention shall be nominated by the Elder Body and approved by the church in conference.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Any person may become a member upon professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and agreeing to promote and practice the doctrines of the church. A member who is at least eighteen (18) years of age may vote in the Annual Meeting and all church Conferences upon completion of the New Member Orientation Class or interview with an Elder and has agreed to responsibilities of a church member here stated and been voted into membership by the church in conference.
Responsibilities of Members
To walk together in Christian love;
To exercise care and watchfulness over one another;
To pray with and for one another;
To be thoughtful and courteous to one another, being slow to take offense and quick to forgive;
To guard the purity, peace, and prosperity of the church, and to promote its usefulness as a witness to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ;
To assist in the work of the church, through the gifts of the Spirit and the God-given talents and experiences of life;
To contribute to the financial support of the church;
To engage in regular personal Bible reading and prayer;
To raise children that have been entrusted to our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;
To walk carefully in the world, being honest in the sight of all men, faithful in engagements, exemplary in conduct, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts;
To endeavor by example, work, prayer, and speech to win others to a saving faith in Jesus Christ;
To purpose that when we remove ourselves from this church, we will unite with some other evangelical church as soon as possible.
Discipline of Members
The purpose of church discipline is to effect the return to a Biblical standard of conduct and doctrine in a member who errs, to maintain purity in the church, and to deter sin. (Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 1 Timothy 5:20) Any member who teaches or insists on holding false doctrine(s), or persists in conduct inconsistent with Biblical teaching, or who persists in disturbing the unity and peace of the church shall be dealt with according to Matthew 18:15-18 as follows:
A member of the church who has knowledge of an erring member’s heresy or misconduct shall warn and correct the erring member in private, seeking his/her repentance and restoration.
If the erring member does not heed this warning, the warning member shall go again to the erring member accompanied the second time by one or two other members as witnesses of the warning and correction, continuing to seek the repentance and restoration of the erring member.
If the erring member still refuses to heed the warning, the warning member and the witnesses shall bring the matter to the attention of the Elder Body. The Elder Body will appoint three representatives to go to the erring member a final time to seek his/her repentance and restoration.
If the erring member refuses to heed the warning, the Elder Body will present the case to the church in conference and recommend that the erring member’s membership be terminated. The church shall vote by secret “yes”/”no” ballot and the erring member’s membership shall be terminated upon a 2/3-majority vote. The church will commit to pray for the former member and treat him/her with the courtesy and respect due an unbeliever, with the hope that he/she will turn to Christ.
Termination of Membership
The termination of membership shall be determined in one of four ways:
By physical death;
By transfer - any member in good standing may request a letter of transfer to join with another local body of believers;
By exclusion - any member who habitually forsakes the worship services and other meetings of the church will be excluded from the membership. The Body of Elders shall attempt to contact the member prior to the action to try to encourage the member’s renewed involvement in church life;
By dismissal (see Member Discipline above).
ARTICLE IV
Leadership
Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd of His flock and Head over His Body - the Church. He sent His Spirit to govern His Body in His physical absence and the Spirit governs through the written Word of God and the gifts of grace He bestows upon the members of the Body. He desires all members of His Body to participate in the works of service He has ordained and He has gifted some men in particular to lead each local church to fulfill His purposes. The Word of God provides for the leadership of the local church through the work of two bodies of Godly men: The Elder Body and the Deacon Body.
The Elder Body
The Elder Body is made up of men who have been recognized by the church as men who meet the qualifications of Scripture concerning the office of “overseer,” “elder,” “pastor,” and “ruler.” (See Appendix for Scriptural passages related to the Elder Body.)
Election of Elders
Men shall be nominated for election as Elders before the church in conference by the Elder Body who have:
been recommended by a church member(s) for this service.
served for no less than five years as an elder, deacon, or as pastoral staff in Midway Community Church or other evangelical local church(es);
expressed a desire to so serve; and
been interviewed by the Elder Body to determine their meeting of the scriptural qualifications.
Elections shall be held by the church in conference by secret “yes”/”no” ballot. Men receiving no less than 3/4 “yes” votes shall be ordained as Elders through the laying on of hands by the current Elder Body and corporate prayer of the church. (See Appendix B for the process of selecting the first Elder Body.)
Elder Body Responsibilities
To be devoted to prayer and the study of God’s Word.
To sustain a caring ministry for the flock.
To teach, exhort, correct, and rebuke through the teaching of the Word to classes, small groups, and individuals; as well as through the oversight of others teaching the Word within the church and through the oversight of guest preachers in the absence of the Pastor.
To oversee the affairs of the church through:
Being responsible for the employment, the terms of employment, direction, and termination of employment of pastoral and support staff in accordance with the staff handbook.
Upon the vacancy of the pastoral office, nominating before the church a qualified pastoral candidate to be elected by the church body in Conference.
Approving all subordinate organizations, ministries, and committees of the church.
Approving all leadership of the above (c).
Overseeing the New Member Orientation and recommending candidates for church membership.
Nominating qualified candidates for the Elder and Deacon Bodies before the church body in Conference for election.
To oversee the spiritual accountability and discipline of the Elder Body, Deacon Body, pastoral and support staff, and the church body as a whole.
To lead by Christ-like example through:
the modeling of Biblical character, attitudes, values, and behavior;
providing the opportunity for frequent and ongoing contact with members of the church;
conducting the affairs of the church in an atmosphere of openness, sensitivity, and inclusivity.
Termination of Elders
An Elder’s service on the Elder Body may be terminated in two ways:
He may resign his office if for good and valid reasons he finds he is no longer able to discharge the duties required. Understanding the significance of the task of elder leadership and the continuing responsibilities of the care of his own family and work assignments, an elder may take sabbatical leaves for such length of times as determined by the elder with approval from the Elder Body.
He may be removed from the Elder Body by a 2/3-majority vote of the Elder Body upon his failure to continue to meet the scriptural qualifications or failure to fulfill the responsibilities of an elder.
The Pastoral Office
The Pastor shall be the chairman of the Elder Body and shall devote his full time to the leadership of the church. His duties include those listed above for the Elders as well as the following:
To preach and expound the Scriptures.
Administer the Ordinances of Believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Perform marriage ceremonies for church members and others in the community at his discretion.
Officiate at funerals of church members and others in the community at his discretion.
Serve as an ex-officio member of all church organizations, ministries, and committees.
Oversee the supervision of all pastoral and support staff.
The Pastor shall be free to accept opportunities to preach the Word to other groups, provided such engagements do not interfere with the work of the church. He will consult with the Elder Body before accepting opportunities that require his absence from the church and its activities. The Elder Body, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Financial Secretary shall keep his compensation (and that of any pastoral or support staff person) in confidence.
Election and Termination of the Pastor
In the event of a vacancy of the pastoral office, the Elder Body will oversee the search process. They will present a candidate to the church in conference after notifying the membership through the mail at least ten days prior to the conference and through the pulpit at least two Sundays prior to the conference. The candidate shall be called as Pastor upon receiving no less than a 3/4 majority of the votes through a secret “yes”/ “no” ballot.
The Pastor shall serve until removed by the Lord through death, through a 3/4 majority secret ballot vote by the church in a special conference called by the Elder Body for the specific purpose of voting on the removal of the Pastor (following the same time guidelines as for the meeting for the calling of a Pastor), or through his resignation.
The Deacon Body
The Deacon Body is made up of men who have been recognized by the church as men who meet the qualifications of Scripture concerning the office of deacon. These men perform functions of service for the church as deemed necessary by the Elder Body. They will be ordained upon their election to the Deacon Body by a 3/4 majority secret “yes/”no” ballot by the church in conference. The Elder Body shall nominate candidates to the church who have been recommended by members and have been interviewed by the Elder Body concerning their qualifications and desire to serve. They shall serve as deacons until they resign, are removed from office by a 2/3 majority vote of the Elder Body after having been found to lack the scriptural qualifications or fulfillment of responsibilities, or they are elected to the Elder Body by the church.
Trustees
The legal officers of the church shall be nominated by the Elder Body from among the Bodies of Elders and Deacons. The officers shall be called Trustees and shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. The Trustees shall serve as the legal officers of the church and shall consist of a moderator, clerk, treasurer, assistant treasurer and property superintendent. The Pastor shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Trustees.
The Moderator shall preside over the Annual Meeting and any other called conferences of the church. He will also prepare the agenda for the Annual Meeting and other conferences in coordination with the pastor and the Elder Body.
The Clerk shall record the minutes of all church conferences, including a record of the names of members with dates of admissions, dismissals, deaths, baptisms, and marriages. He shall give notice of all meetings as directed by this constitution.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds belonging to the church. He shall perform the following duties [unless delegated to the Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, or Chairman of any committee related to the finances of the church (egs. Finance, Counting, Stewardship, etc.)]:
To receive all money or items of value paid to or given the church.
To pay out all bills and benevolences authorized by the church.
To provide for the church an itemized report of the receipts and expenses on a monthly basis.
To provide an annual report within thirty (30) days of the end of the year. This report shall be audited. All financial records shall be open for inspection by any church member with the exception of individual giving receipts (handled confidentially by the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Financial Secretary) and staff compensation (handled confidentially by the Elder Body).
To oversee the preparation and presentation of the annual budget for approval by the membership at the Annual Meeting.
To serve on or be an ex-officio member of any committee related to the finances of the church.
To preside over any conferences in the absence of the Moderator.
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in any and all duties as assigned by the Treasurer.
The Property Superintendent shall be responsible for the oversight of all church properties and shall serve on or be an ex-officio member of all committees relating to the properties of the church (egs. Property, Building & Grounds, Building, Finance, etc.).
ARTICLE V
Business Meetings
The business of the church shall be conducted through two types of meetings:
1) The Annual Meeting
The church will assemble on the first Sunday night in November each year to approve the budget for the coming year, hear reports from any committees, organizations and ministries of the church, elect trustees for the coming year, conduct miscellaneous business as needed, and pray for the church.
2) Special Conferences
The church will assemble for conference upon
The request of the Elder Body
The written request of ten percent of the church members. The request shall be submitted to the Elder Body.
All special conferences will be announced one week prior to the date of the conference through the service announcements and any publication mailed to members.
ARTICLE VI
Property and Assets
The church shall have the power to receive, either by gift or purchase, and so hold such real, personal, or mixed property as it is authorized by the laws of Forsyth County, Georgia and is deemed necessary for the functioning of the church, and shall have the power to dispose of such property by mortgage, bill of sale, deed, or otherwise. All property shall be held in the name of the church.
In the case of division of the church by conflict (from which we pray God by His mercy to preserve us), all property and assets of the church shall belong to those who abide by its constitution.
In case of dissolution of the church, the property and all assets shall be sold, either through private or public sale. From the proceeds, firstly all current and long-term obligations of the church shall be paid. Secondly, all remaining funds shall be distributed to one or more Christian ministries [IRS 501(c) (3)] as the church shall determine. The church shall be considered dissolved if so decided by the church by a 3/4 secret ballot vote of the members in conference, or when the annual meeting has not been held for three consecutive years, or when less than six members remain.
No real property shall be purchased or disposed of without approval of the membership.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
The church will indemnify and hold harmless any and all trustees, elders, deacons, business administrators, and staff personnel for any expenses actually or necessarily incurred in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding against said members. This indemnification shall include attorney fees and shall occur as the expenses are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, on receipt of the members’ promise to repay the amount advanced if proved in court that the members’ conduct involved a deliberate intent to injure the church’s best interests and to cooperate with the officials involved in the action.
ARTICLE VIII
Ratification and Amendments
This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by two-thirds vote. It may be amended by two-thirds vote by the church in conference. Recommended amendments must be submitted to the Elder Body in writing for approval, prior to being presented to the church for vote.
APPENDIX
New Testament References to Local Church Leadership
The Elder Body in Scripture:
The primary leaders of a local church are referred to by the terms of “elder,” “overseer” (also translated “bishop”), “leader” (also translated “ruler”), and “pastor-teacher,” (also translated “shepherd”):
Acts 20:17, 28 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church …Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…
1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…
1 Timothy 3:1-7 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1 Timothy 5:17-19 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
Titus 1:5-9 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Elders are described as a group of men within the local church, not as one pastor serving as a singular leader:
Acts 11:30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Acts 15:2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons . . .
1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 5:1-2 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…
The Deacon Body in Scripture:
Men making up the secondary group of local church leadership are referred to as deacons:
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
1 Timothy 3:8-13 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Acts 6:1-6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
We, the members of Midway Community Church,
so ordain and establish the following Constitution
to which we voluntarily submit.
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this church shall be “Midway Community Church.” The word “church” as used in this Constitution shall refer to Midway Community Church, whereas the word “Church” shall refer to the Body and Bride of Christ, His worldwide Church.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
Glorify God by Helping People Follow Jesus
Doctrine
The Bible shall be the rule of life for members of the church. The Seventeen Articles of the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention (June 14, 2000), along with doctrinal statements in this constitution, shall guide the practice and programs of the church and its members.
Affiliation
The church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) as a fellowship of autonomous local churches for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission on local, state, national, and international levels. Our affiliation with the SBC is fulfilled through our voluntary financial contributions, our prayers, and our participation in mission activities. Our affiliation with the SBC does not preclude participation with other evangelical ministries if the church deems such participation appropriate.
Church Messengers
Messengers to represent the church at the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention shall be nominated by the Elder Body and approved by the church in conference.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Any person may become a member upon professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and agreeing to promote and practice the doctrines of the church. A member who is at least eighteen (18) years of age may vote in the Annual Meeting and all church Conferences upon completion of the New Member Orientation Class or interview with an Elder and has agreed to responsibilities of a church member here stated and been voted into membership by the church in conference.
Responsibilities of Members
To walk together in Christian love;
To exercise care and watchfulness over one another;
To pray with and for one another;
To be thoughtful and courteous to one another, being slow to take offense and quick to forgive;
To guard the purity, peace, and prosperity of the church, and to promote its usefulness as a witness to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ;
To assist in the work of the church, through the gifts of the Spirit and the God-given talents and experiences of life;
To contribute to the financial support of the church;
To engage in regular personal Bible reading and prayer;
To raise children that have been entrusted to our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;
To walk carefully in the world, being honest in the sight of all men, faithful in engagements, exemplary in conduct, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts;
To endeavor by example, work, prayer, and speech to win others to a saving faith in Jesus Christ;
To purpose that when we remove ourselves from this church, we will unite with some other evangelical church as soon as possible.
Discipline of Members
The purpose of church discipline is to effect the return to a Biblical standard of conduct and doctrine in a member who errs, to maintain purity in the church, and to deter sin. (Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 1 Timothy 5:20) Any member who teaches or insists on holding false doctrine(s), or persists in conduct inconsistent with Biblical teaching, or who persists in disturbing the unity and peace of the church shall be dealt with according to Matthew 18:15-18 as follows:
A member of the church who has knowledge of an erring member’s heresy or misconduct shall warn and correct the erring member in private, seeking his/her repentance and restoration.
If the erring member does not heed this warning, the warning member shall go again to the erring member accompanied the second time by one or two other members as witnesses of the warning and correction, continuing to seek the repentance and restoration of the erring member.
If the erring member still refuses to heed the warning, the warning member and the witnesses shall bring the matter to the attention of the Elder Body. The Elder Body will appoint three representatives to go to the erring member a final time to seek his/her repentance and restoration.
If the erring member refuses to heed the warning, the Elder Body will present the case to the church in conference and recommend that the erring member’s membership be terminated. The church shall vote by secret “yes”/”no” ballot and the erring member’s membership shall be terminated upon a 2/3-majority vote. The church will commit to pray for the former member and treat him/her with the courtesy and respect due an unbeliever, with the hope that he/she will turn to Christ.
Termination of Membership
The termination of membership shall be determined in one of four ways:
By physical death;
By transfer - any member in good standing may request a letter of transfer to join with another local body of believers;
By exclusion - any member who habitually forsakes the worship services and other meetings of the church will be excluded from the membership. The Body of Elders shall attempt to contact the member prior to the action to try to encourage the member’s renewed involvement in church life;
By dismissal (see Member Discipline above).
ARTICLE IV
Leadership
Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd of His flock and Head over His Body - the Church. He sent His Spirit to govern His Body in His physical absence and the Spirit governs through the written Word of God and the gifts of grace He bestows upon the members of the Body. He desires all members of His Body to participate in the works of service He has ordained and He has gifted some men in particular to lead each local church to fulfill His purposes. The Word of God provides for the leadership of the local church through the work of two bodies of Godly men: The Elder Body and the Deacon Body.
The Elder Body
The Elder Body is made up of men who have been recognized by the church as men who meet the qualifications of Scripture concerning the office of “overseer,” “elder,” “pastor,” and “ruler.” (See Appendix for Scriptural passages related to the Elder Body.)
Election of Elders
Men shall be nominated for election as Elders before the church in conference by the Elder Body who have:
been recommended by a church member(s) for this service.
served for no less than five years as an elder, deacon, or as pastoral staff in Midway Community Church or other evangelical local church(es);
expressed a desire to so serve; and
been interviewed by the Elder Body to determine their meeting of the scriptural qualifications.
Elections shall be held by the church in conference by secret “yes”/”no” ballot. Men receiving no less than 3/4 “yes” votes shall be ordained as Elders through the laying on of hands by the current Elder Body and corporate prayer of the church. (See Appendix B for the process of selecting the first Elder Body.)
Elder Body Responsibilities
To be devoted to prayer and the study of God’s Word.
To sustain a caring ministry for the flock.
To teach, exhort, correct, and rebuke through the teaching of the Word to classes, small groups, and individuals; as well as through the oversight of others teaching the Word within the church and through the oversight of guest preachers in the absence of the Pastor.
To oversee the affairs of the church through:
Being responsible for the employment, the terms of employment, direction, and termination of employment of pastoral and support staff in accordance with the staff handbook.
Upon the vacancy of the pastoral office, nominating before the church a qualified pastoral candidate to be elected by the church body in Conference.
Approving all subordinate organizations, ministries, and committees of the church.
Approving all leadership of the above (c).
Overseeing the New Member Orientation and recommending candidates for church membership.
Nominating qualified candidates for the Elder and Deacon Bodies before the church body in Conference for election.
To oversee the spiritual accountability and discipline of the Elder Body, Deacon Body, pastoral and support staff, and the church body as a whole.
To lead by Christ-like example through:
the modeling of Biblical character, attitudes, values, and behavior;
providing the opportunity for frequent and ongoing contact with members of the church;
conducting the affairs of the church in an atmosphere of openness, sensitivity, and inclusivity.
Termination of Elders
An Elder’s service on the Elder Body may be terminated in two ways:
He may resign his office if for good and valid reasons he finds he is no longer able to discharge the duties required. Understanding the significance of the task of elder leadership and the continuing responsibilities of the care of his own family and work assignments, an elder may take sabbatical leaves for such length of times as determined by the elder with approval from the Elder Body.
He may be removed from the Elder Body by a 2/3-majority vote of the Elder Body upon his failure to continue to meet the scriptural qualifications or failure to fulfill the responsibilities of an elder.
The Pastoral Office
The Pastor shall be the chairman of the Elder Body and shall devote his full time to the leadership of the church. His duties include those listed above for the Elders as well as the following:
To preach and expound the Scriptures.
Administer the Ordinances of Believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Perform marriage ceremonies for church members and others in the community at his discretion.
Officiate at funerals of church members and others in the community at his discretion.
Serve as an ex-officio member of all church organizations, ministries, and committees.
Oversee the supervision of all pastoral and support staff.
The Pastor shall be free to accept opportunities to preach the Word to other groups, provided such engagements do not interfere with the work of the church. He will consult with the Elder Body before accepting opportunities that require his absence from the church and its activities. The Elder Body, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Financial Secretary shall keep his compensation (and that of any pastoral or support staff person) in confidence.
Election and Termination of the Pastor
In the event of a vacancy of the pastoral office, the Elder Body will oversee the search process. They will present a candidate to the church in conference after notifying the membership through the mail at least ten days prior to the conference and through the pulpit at least two Sundays prior to the conference. The candidate shall be called as Pastor upon receiving no less than a 3/4 majority of the votes through a secret “yes”/ “no” ballot.
The Pastor shall serve until removed by the Lord through death, through a 3/4 majority secret ballot vote by the church in a special conference called by the Elder Body for the specific purpose of voting on the removal of the Pastor (following the same time guidelines as for the meeting for the calling of a Pastor), or through his resignation.
The Deacon Body
The Deacon Body is made up of men who have been recognized by the church as men who meet the qualifications of Scripture concerning the office of deacon. These men perform functions of service for the church as deemed necessary by the Elder Body. They will be ordained upon their election to the Deacon Body by a 3/4 majority secret “yes/”no” ballot by the church in conference. The Elder Body shall nominate candidates to the church who have been recommended by members and have been interviewed by the Elder Body concerning their qualifications and desire to serve. They shall serve as deacons until they resign, are removed from office by a 2/3 majority vote of the Elder Body after having been found to lack the scriptural qualifications or fulfillment of responsibilities, or they are elected to the Elder Body by the church.
Trustees
The legal officers of the church shall be nominated by the Elder Body from among the Bodies of Elders and Deacons. The officers shall be called Trustees and shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. The Trustees shall serve as the legal officers of the church and shall consist of a moderator, clerk, treasurer, assistant treasurer and property superintendent. The Pastor shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Trustees.
The Moderator shall preside over the Annual Meeting and any other called conferences of the church. He will also prepare the agenda for the Annual Meeting and other conferences in coordination with the pastor and the Elder Body.
The Clerk shall record the minutes of all church conferences, including a record of the names of members with dates of admissions, dismissals, deaths, baptisms, and marriages. He shall give notice of all meetings as directed by this constitution.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds belonging to the church. He shall perform the following duties [unless delegated to the Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, or Chairman of any committee related to the finances of the church (egs. Finance, Counting, Stewardship, etc.)]:
To receive all money or items of value paid to or given the church.
To pay out all bills and benevolences authorized by the church.
To provide for the church an itemized report of the receipts and expenses on a monthly basis.
To provide an annual report within thirty (30) days of the end of the year. This report shall be audited. All financial records shall be open for inspection by any church member with the exception of individual giving receipts (handled confidentially by the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Financial Secretary) and staff compensation (handled confidentially by the Elder Body).
To oversee the preparation and presentation of the annual budget for approval by the membership at the Annual Meeting.
To serve on or be an ex-officio member of any committee related to the finances of the church.
To preside over any conferences in the absence of the Moderator.
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in any and all duties as assigned by the Treasurer.
The Property Superintendent shall be responsible for the oversight of all church properties and shall serve on or be an ex-officio member of all committees relating to the properties of the church (egs. Property, Building & Grounds, Building, Finance, etc.).
ARTICLE V
Business Meetings
The business of the church shall be conducted through two types of meetings:
1) The Annual Meeting
The church will assemble on the first Sunday night in November each year to approve the budget for the coming year, hear reports from any committees, organizations and ministries of the church, elect trustees for the coming year, conduct miscellaneous business as needed, and pray for the church.
2) Special Conferences
The church will assemble for conference upon
The request of the Elder Body
The written request of ten percent of the church members. The request shall be submitted to the Elder Body.
All special conferences will be announced one week prior to the date of the conference through the service announcements and any publication mailed to members.
ARTICLE VI
Property and Assets
The church shall have the power to receive, either by gift or purchase, and so hold such real, personal, or mixed property as it is authorized by the laws of Forsyth County, Georgia and is deemed necessary for the functioning of the church, and shall have the power to dispose of such property by mortgage, bill of sale, deed, or otherwise. All property shall be held in the name of the church.
In the case of division of the church by conflict (from which we pray God by His mercy to preserve us), all property and assets of the church shall belong to those who abide by its constitution.
In case of dissolution of the church, the property and all assets shall be sold, either through private or public sale. From the proceeds, firstly all current and long-term obligations of the church shall be paid. Secondly, all remaining funds shall be distributed to one or more Christian ministries [IRS 501(c) (3)] as the church shall determine. The church shall be considered dissolved if so decided by the church by a 3/4 secret ballot vote of the members in conference, or when the annual meeting has not been held for three consecutive years, or when less than six members remain.
No real property shall be purchased or disposed of without approval of the membership.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
The church will indemnify and hold harmless any and all trustees, elders, deacons, business administrators, and staff personnel for any expenses actually or necessarily incurred in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding against said members. This indemnification shall include attorney fees and shall occur as the expenses are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, on receipt of the members’ promise to repay the amount advanced if proved in court that the members’ conduct involved a deliberate intent to injure the church’s best interests and to cooperate with the officials involved in the action.
ARTICLE VIII
Ratification and Amendments
This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by two-thirds vote. It may be amended by two-thirds vote by the church in conference. Recommended amendments must be submitted to the Elder Body in writing for approval, prior to being presented to the church for vote.
APPENDIX
New Testament References to Local Church Leadership
The Elder Body in Scripture:
The primary leaders of a local church are referred to by the terms of “elder,” “overseer” (also translated “bishop”), “leader” (also translated “ruler”), and “pastor-teacher,” (also translated “shepherd”):
Acts 20:17, 28 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church …Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…
1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers…
1 Timothy 3:1-7 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1 Timothy 5:17-19 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
Titus 1:5-9 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Elders are described as a group of men within the local church, not as one pastor serving as a singular leader:
Acts 11:30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Acts 15:2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons . . .
1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 5:1-2 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…
The Deacon Body in Scripture:
Men making up the secondary group of local church leadership are referred to as deacons:
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
1 Timothy 3:8-13 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Acts 6:1-6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.