PREAMBLE:
WHEREAS, it is the express purpose of God our Heavenly Father to call out of the world a saved people who shall contribute to the body of Christ, built and established on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone; and,
WHEREAS, the Covenant Fellowship Partners of the Body of Christ are enjoined to assemble themselves together for worship, fellowship, counsel, and instruction in the Word of God and the work of the ministry and for the exercise of those spiritual gifts and offices provided for in the New Testament, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED: That we recognize ourselves a body of Christian believers working together for the common purpose of spreading the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that under the laws of the State of Virginia we may exercise all the rights and privileges granted to religious bodies.
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this corporation shall be The Open Door Community Church of Stafford, Inc.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of this corporation shall be:
1. To lead people into a deeper knowledge and enjoyment of God (Ps. 16).
2. To establish and oversee places of worship under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Titus 1:5; Ps. 107:3; Acts 2:42, 46, 47; Heb. 10:25).
3. To conduct the work of evangelizing both home and foreign missions in obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15, 16; Luke 24:46, 47; John 20:21).
4. To create departments as may be necessary in order to establish places of worship, to spread the Gospel, (including but not limited to educational, recreational, community, and social services) and to support missionary activity (Acts 6:l-7).
5. To have the right to own, hold in trust, use, possess, sell, convey, mortgage, lease or dispose of such property, real or chattel, as may be needed for the prosecution of its work.
6. To license ministers of the Gospel and be their covering (1 Thess. 5:12; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:4; Heb. 13:17).
ARTICLE III TENETS OF FAITH
The human phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired nor contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full Gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all the truth in the Bible, only that it covers orthodox fundamental matters.
1. WE BELIEVE that only the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, and therefore inerrant, Word of God. It is the final authority for all we believe and how we are to live. Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
2. WE BELIEVE that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that He will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of His name. Psalm 104; Psalm 139; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6.
3. WE BELIEVE that Satan, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God's presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels. Matthew 12:25-29; 25:41; John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10.
4. WE BELIEVE that Adam was originally created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. In consequence of his disobedience, Adam's posterity are born subject to both imputed and inherent sin, and are therefore by nature and choice the children of wrath, justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves or to contribute in any way to their acceptance with God. Genesis 1-3; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3.
5. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that He was conceived and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a penal, substitution sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of His cross He obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints. Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2.
6. WE BELIEVE that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God's sight in order that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3-4; 8:1-17, 31-39; 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 3:3-7; 1 John 1:7,9.
7. WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, in whom also we are sealed for the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit regenerates, forever indwells, and graciously equips the Christian for godly living and service. Subsequent to conversion the Spirit desires to fill, empower, and anoint believers for ministry and witness. We also believe that signs and wonders, as well as all the gifts of the Spirit described in the New Testament, are operative today and are designed to testify to the presence of the kingdom and to empower and edify the church to fulfill its calling and mission. Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; Acts 4:29-30; Romans 8:9; 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 3:1-5; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18.
8. WE BELIEVE that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances of the church to be observed until the time of Christ's return. They are not a means of salvation but are channels of God's sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21.
9. WE BELIEVE that the church is God's primary instrument through which He is fulfilling His redemptive purposes in the earth. To equip the saints for the work of ministry, God has given the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints. We believe that women, no less than men, are called and gifted to proclaim the gospel and do all the works of the kingdom. However, final governmental authority in the church has ideally been entrusted to men. Matthew 16:17-19; Acts 2:17-18,42; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10.
10. WE BELIEVE that God has called the church to preach the gospel to all nations, and especially to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. This ministry is an expression of the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ and is an essential part of the kingdom of God. Isaiah 58:6-12; 61:1; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; 21:1-4; Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:8.
11. WE BELIEVE in the literal second coming of Christ at the end of the age when He will return to the earth personally and visibly to consummate His kingdom. We also believe in and are praying for a great end-time harvest of souls and the emergence of a victorious church that will experience an unprecedented unity, purity, and power in the Holy Spirit. Psalms 2:7-9; 22:27-28; John 14:12; 17:20-26; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 50-58; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 7:9-14.
12. WE BELIEVE that when the Christian dies he/she passes immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. We also believe that when the unbeliever dies he/she is consigned to hell, there to await the Day of Judgment when he/she shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God. Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-22:15.
ARTICLE IV ORDINANCES
1) WATER BAPTISM
The ordinance of water baptism (Matt. 28:19) may be administered by all established places of worship to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls as enjoined in the Scriptures (Ro. 6:3-5; Col.2:12).
2) THE LORD’S SUPPER
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper may be observed regularly by all established places of worship, as enjoined in the Scriptures, (Luke 22:19, 20; 1Cor. 11:23-26).
ARTICLE V ADVISORY COUNCIL
There shall be an advisory council made up of no less than three (3) persons and no more than 5. The council shall be made up of individuals appointed by the board of directors of the corporation (II Timothy 3:16, 17; Acts 15).
1) Purpose
The purpose of the advisory council is to:
Provide a spiritual covering by prayerfully giving necessary aid, comfort, instruction, guidance, protection and correction as well as counsel, wisdom and fellowship to the president (II Timothy 3:16, 17; Acts 15).
To make themselves available to listen to complaints/accusations against the president of the corporation brought to them unanimously by the official board of directors excluding the president and make a determination.
The council will determine if the president is guilty or innocent and whether to dismiss him/her from office. The advisory council is the only entity that has the authority to dismiss the president from his position if, after being called into function in accordance to section three of this article and after carefully considering all accusations against him, they determine that it is the best course of action for him and the ministry.
In the event of death or resignation of the president and the president does not or refuses to appoint a new president, the board of directors shall call the advisory council into function to serve in an apostolic spiritual authority to seek the face of God and install a new president.
2) Structure
The secretary of the corporation shall be present at all officially called meetings of the advisory council and shall record the proceedings on media such as cassette or CD. The secretary shall also create minutes of the meeting and present them to the advisory council within one week (seven days) that the meeting has come to a close.
Any member of the advisory council may be replaced or removed at any time deemed necessary by the board of directors of the corporation, provided that it not be after the advisory council has been called to officially meet in accordance with section 3 of this article.
The advisory council shall be chaired by the representative appointed by the board of directors.
Future vacancies shall be appointed by the board of directors with the counsel of the remaining members of the advisory council of this corporation.
The representatives of the advisory council shall be made up of current or former ministers of the gospel who have or have had at least five (5) years experience as ministers and have displayed an uncompromising commitment to the Word of God.
A record of the current and past members of the advisory council shall be kept in a log under the custody of the official board of directors. The log shall clearly list the name of the current chairman.
Any successor president to the founding or current president shall keep the advisory council that was in existence at the time he/she became president. He/she may, after a two year period, suggest replacements of no more than one representative per year. He must follow the procedure set forth in section 2 of this article.
3) Quorum
100% of the advisory council must be present to constitute a quorum. The council may only meet if it has been called to do so unanimously by the official board excluding the president.
4) Determinations
Any action taken by the advisory council is valid only if it is unanimous.
5) Power
The advisory council shall have no innate power or authority as a legal organizational entity, except that which is invested in them by these bylaws.
ARTICLE VI FINANCE
The corporation shall be financed by the freewill offerings of members of the body of Christ and friends of the corporation, by the established places of worship, by all other subordinate groups affiliated with The Open Door Community Church and by fund raisers that are recognized by the president and official board (1 Chron. 29:6-9; 2 Chron. 24:10; 31:10).
ARTICLE VII GOVERNMENT
1) OFFICERS
a. There shall be a president.
\b. There shall be an executive vice-president.
c. There shall be a secretary.
d. There shall be a treasurer.
e. Other officers shall be added as needed.
f. The board of directors may remove these offices.
The first officers of this corporation shall be as listed below:
Rev Ronald Thayer, President
Rev John Gandy, Executive Vice-President
Donna Drury, Secretary
Wesley Melson, Treasurer
2) OFFICIAL BOARD
The official board shall consist of the president, executive vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and the three incorporators if any do not serve in the capacity of an officer. The president shall be chairman of the board.
3) COMMITTEES
There shall (as the occasion may demand) be operational committees appointed by the president to serve in the capacity of expediting the work of the ministry.
4) PRESIDENTS
In any established place of worship the president will appoint a pastor to govern the affairs of said place of worship. The appointed pastor will give account to the president of the corporation concerning every aspect of the established place of worship.
ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS
1) MINISTRY MEETINGS
In any established place of worship the appointed president will be responsible for regular ministry services.
2) CORPORATION MEETINGS
A. The corporation year shall coincide with the calendar year beginning on January lst, and running through December 31st.
B. The president will call the following meetings:
1. Official board meeting, for discussion of the direction of the corporation. The board of directors with the president’s approval shall set dates and times for board meetings. A minimum of three officers including the president shall be in attendance for an official board meeting to exist. The board may have invited guests present at any meeting so long as the president has approved it. Meetings may be held by tele-conference or any other method of communication.
2. The secretary, or his/her designee as approved by the president, shall keep an accurate account of the minutes that were discussed at any board meeting. The minutes are then to be submitted at the next board meeting for discussion by the official board. Upon approval, the minutes shall be adopted, and all policy and procedure in them will continue to be enforced.
ARTICLE IX LICENSING
By virtue of their call and being chief stewards of this ministry, the founders Reverend Ronald Lewis Thayer Sr. and Reverend John Gandy or current president of this organization are automatically ordained as ministers of the gospel. All other candidates for licensing or ordination must be of the necessary experience and qualifications, as set forth by the founder or current president and shall have demonstrated their ability to undertake the responsibilities of the Full Gospel ministry. No minister shall be licensed or ordained until he/she shall have been engaged in the active work of the ministry, exhibiting a teachable spirit. Credentials shall be valid only when sealed by the ministry Seal, and shall be renewed annually.
ARTICLE X QUORUM
Two-Thirds of the Officers of the Board must be present at an official board meeting to constitute a quorum. 100% of the board of directors , or the president is the only one, who can call an official board meeting by notifying the board members verbally or in writing with 24 hours notice.
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this constitution may be made by a 66% vote of the official board, including the President’s approval.