CONSTITUTION OF CROSS LANES BIBLE CHURCH

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

 

No attempt is made to name "the Church," which in the Scriptures has various names.  All true believers in Christ make up "His Body" on earth.  However, the location of meeting and the home base for activity of this assembly of believers at Cross Lanes, West Virginia, shall be called CROSS LANES BIBLE CHURCH. 

 

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

 

As set forth in the New Testament, the purpose of this assembly shall be:

 

·        The regular maintenance of the public worship of the True and Living God (John 4:23-24).

 

·        The feeding of the flock for the building up of the body of Christ by the teaching of God's Word and the practice of righteousness in daily living (II Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:1-2).

 

·        The promotion of evangelism and discipleship throughout the world in obedience to Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).

 

 

ARTICLE III - DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

 

Believing the Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God and the final source of authority in matters of faith, principle and practice (II Timothy 3:16-17), we abide by the following statements of faith:

 

SECTION 1.  HOLY SCRIPTURES

 

We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (66 books) as verbally inspired of God, inerrant in the original writings, and of supreme and final authority in faith and life (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; John 10:35; Matthew 5:18).

 

SECTION 2.  HOLY TRINITY

 

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, and co-equal in power and glory, all having the same attributes and perfections (Genesis 1:1, 1:26, 11:7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:1-5; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8; I Corinthians 8:6; I John 5:7; Isaiah 45:22).

 

SECTION 3.  JESUS CHRIST

 

We believe that Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, is the only begotten Son of God who, retaining His divine nature became a man. He lived a sinless life so that He might be the perfect Redeemer for mankind.  We believe that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is the true God-Man.  We believe in His vicarious (on behalf of others) and substitutionary (in place of others) atonement for the penalty of man's sin.  We believe in His bodily resurrection for our justification, His ascension into heaven, and His personal, pretribulational and premillennial return.  We believe that Jesus Christ is at the right hand of the Father as the believer's advocate, intercessor, and mediator (John 1:1,14, 3:16; Galatians 4:4; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 1:19; Matthew 1; Luke 2; Philippians 2; I Peter 3:18; I Peter 2:24; I Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:11; I John 2:1).

 

SECTION 4.  HOLY SPIRIT

 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, the third Person of the blessed Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. Relative to the world, the Holy Spirit restrains sin, convicts of sin and reproves of righteousness and judgment (II Thessalonians 2:6-7; John 16:8-11).  Relative to the believer, He regenerates, indwells (I Corinthians 6:19-20), seals (Ephesians 1:13-14), fills (Ephesians 5:18), guides and illuminates (John 14:26), quickens (Romans 8:11), and sanctifies (Titus 3:5-6).

                

SECTION 5.  SATAN

 

We believe that Satan or the Devil is a personal being who is the enemy of God, Christ, the angels, and all mankind (Job 1:6,7; Matthew 4:1-11, 13:19,39; Luke 4:1-13; John 13:2; Acts 5:3; II Corinthians 11:3,14; Revelation 20:10).

 

SECTION 6.  MAN

 

a.       Creation.  We believe that the Scriptures clearly and emphatically show that man was the result of the immediate, special, creative and formative act of God, thus denying any theory of evolution.  He was created in the image of God as a tripartite being with body, soul, and spirit (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27, 2:7; Colossians 1:16, 17; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12).

 

b.       Fall of Man.  We believe that man, in the person of the first Adam, was created in innocence.  But by voluntary transgression he sinned, thus plunging the whole human race into condemnation and death so that all mankind is born in sin and shapen in iniquity. We become practicing sinners with the first expression of personal choice, not only by nature but also by choice, and so we are without excuse before God (Romans 5:10-19; Ephesians 2:1-3; Genesis 3:1-24, 5:1-4).

 

c.        Nature of Sin.  We believe that sin originated in the angelic world through Satan (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19) and, in the human realm, through Adam (I Corinthians 15:21-22).  Sin means to miss the mark or deviate from the norm, and man has deviated from God's norm.  We believe that sin is threefold: an act – the transgression of God's Holy Law (Romans 3:23); a principle -- hostility toward God (Romans 8:7); and a state -- absence of righteousness and holiness (Romans 3:10).

 

d.       Human Sexuality. As a wonderful gift from God, sexual intimacy is to be expressed between one man and one woman within the commitment and love of a marital relationship. (Genesis 2:24-25; Proverbs 5:18; I Corinthians 7:5; I Thessalonians 4:3-5: Hebrews 13:4) Therefore, we believe that any other form of sexual intimacy is both immoral and a perversion of God’s perfect gift.  (Leviticus 18:1-30; Proverbs 6:32: I Corinthians 6:18; Romans 1:26-27)

 

SECTION 7.  SALVATION

 

a.        We believe that man is saved by the grace of God through faith in the sacrificial death and blood atonement of Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice.  All who believe in Christ as the Son of God, receive Him as Savior, and confess Him as Lord are justified on the basis of His shed blood (John 1:12; Romans 3:25, 10:9-11; I Corinthians 15:3,4; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9; I Peter 1:18-19; 2:24).

 

b.        We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever.  It is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God's Word. The Scriptures clearly forbid the use of the Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (John 3:16, 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:1,38,39; 13:13-14; I Corinthians 1:4-8; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 1:6; II Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 7:25; I Peter 1:5).

 

SECTION 8.  SECOND COMING

 

We believe in the "Blessed Hope": the personal (bodily and visible), pretribulational, premillennial, and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones; and in His subsequent return to earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-11; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6).

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.  THE ETERNAL STATE

 

a.       We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men: the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Revelation 20:4-6, 12-15; 21:8).

 

b.       We believe that the souls of the redeemed, at death, are absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection (Rapture). Then spirit, soul, and body are reunited to appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ, to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; I Corinthians 3:13-15; II Corinthians 5:8, 10; Philippians 1:23, 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 20:4-6).

 

c.        We believe that the souls of unbelievers, after death, remain in conscious torment until the second resurrection, when the reunited spirit, soul, and body shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the lake of fire – not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting, conscious punishment (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 7; Revelation 20:11-15).

 

SECTION 10.  THE CHURCH

 

a.       Body of Christ.  We believe that the Church, the body and espoused bride of Christ, its Head, is a spiritual organism composed of all believers who have been born again by the Spirit of God and baptized by Him into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23-27).

 

b.       Local Church.  We believe that a local Church is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel.  The local church observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by His laws, and exercises the gifts, rights and privileges invested in it by His Word.  It has the absolute right of self-government by the Holy Spirit.  It is answerable only to Christ.  In all matters of membership, policy, discipline and benevolence, the will of the local church is final (Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-29; II Timothy 3:16,17; Colossians 1:18).

 

c.        Church and State.  We believe that the state has the responsibility to punish evildoers, to praise them that do well, and to protect those under its God-given authority.  We believe that the Church is to be in subjection to the powers of the state in all areas wherein the state's authority is derived from God, as contained in His Word, the Bible.  We believe in the separation of Church and state to the extent that the state shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1; I Peter 2:13-14).

 

d.       Church Ordinances.  We believe that there are two Church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

 

(1)  Baptism.   We believe that the Lord Jesus established the ordinance of baptism as a single immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The purpose of baptism is for believers to give public testimony of their faith in Christ and to identify with Him in obedience of faith.  It sets forth, in a beautiful and solemn way, our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior. Baptism has nothing whatever to do with a person's possessing salvation because we are saved by faith in Christ's finished work of redemption. Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace.  This ordinance shall be administered by the Pastor or another person approved by the Pastor or the Official Board (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19-20; Acts 8:35-38; Romans 6:3-5).

 

(2)  Lord's Supper.  We believe that the Lord Jesus established the Lord's Supper to commemorate His death until he comes again in the joy and fellowship of the future millennial kingdom.  We believe that this ordinance should be observed regularly, preferably on the Lord's Day.  Since it is the Lord's Supper, none who are His shall be prevented from participating; however, the Pastor shall frequently state the scriptural admonitions for participation.  This ordinance shall be administered by the Pastor and Deacons or other persons designated by the Pastor or the Official Board (Matthew 26:26-30; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:23-32).

 

SECTION 11.  SEPARATION AND SERVICE

 

a.       We believe that all the saved should live so as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord.  Separation from all religious apostasy, and all sinful pleasure, practices and associations is commanded by God (Romans 12:1-2, 14:13; II Corinthians 5:17, 6:14, 7:1; II Timothy 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11).

 

b.       We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scriptures; to intercede for others in prayer; and to proclaim the Gospel, insofar as it is possible, to all the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Philippians 1:27; I Thessalonians 5:17; I Timothy 2:1; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:11-20).

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

 

Cross Lanes Bible Church (hereinafter referred to as “CLBC”) is an assembly of conscientious believers who wish to consider this church their spiritual home during their earthly pilgrimage.  Membership is voluntary and has nothing to do with procuring of salvation; rather, the importance of membership is in the practice of frequent and regular fellowship, instruction in the Word, prayer, practical service and responsibility to scriptural discipline (Acts 2:42).

 

SECTION 1.  ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

 

a.       Candidates for membership are persons who have been born again by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, who have been scripturally baptized, and who walk in a consistent, godly manner (Article III, Sections 7, 10, 11).

 

b.       A candidate for membership shall meet with the Membership Caring Committee (Article VIII, Section 1). The Membership Caring Committee, being satisfied as to the conversion, baptism, Christian character, and doctrinal position of the candidate, shall cause the candidate’s name to be published at two Sunday meetings of CLBC at least one week apart.  The Membership Caring Committee shall consider any objections that may be raised up to, and including, the date of the last announcement.  If there are no objections, or following the resolutions of any objections, the candidate shall be considered a member.  Voting privileges shall be extended when a member has reached the age of eighteen.

 

c.        The membership list of CLBC will be maintained by the Membership Caring Committee and updated annually.

 

 

SECTION 2.  TRANSFER OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

 

a.       Members, not under the disciplinary process of Section 3, may request that a letter of transfer be sent to another church.  Response to such a request is at the sole discretion of the Membership Caring Committee.  Members may obtain a letter of dismissal at any time.

 

b.       The membership of any individual member may be terminated or placed on inactive status without notice if the member in question has not attended a regularly scheduled worship service of CLBC in the preceding six months.  Upon good cause being shown to the Membership Caring Committee, this provision for the termination may be waived in the case of any individual member at the discretion of the Membership Caring Committee.

 

c.        No member of CLBC may hold membership in another church.  If any member unites in membership with another church, that person is automatically terminated without notice from membership in CLBC.

 

 

SECTION 3.  DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER

 

a.       There shall be a Discipline Committee consisting of the pastor and deacons.  These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the Doctrinal Statement (Article III) and violations of the church covenant.  If the pastor or a deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the Discipline Committee.  The pastor and deacons shall be entitled to the same steps as other CLBC members and be subject to the same discipline. 

 

b.       Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another.  When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, that member is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore their fellow member.  Before going, that member should first examine his or her self.  Then, that member should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.

 

c.        If reconciliation is not reached, a second member, either a deacon or the pastor is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter.  This second step should also be preceded by self-examination and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.

 

d.       If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (b.) and (c.) have been taken, the Discipline Committee, as CLBC representatives biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear the matter.  If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the Discipline Committee, the committee shall recommend to the members of CLBC that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and seek that member’s restoration.

 

e.       If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (b.), (c.), and (d.) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of CLBC upon a majority vote of the membership present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.

 

f.          No matter may be heard by the Discipline Committee or CLBC unless the steps outlined in subsections (b.) and (c.) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.

 

g.       If an unrepentant offending member is removed from CLBC membership, contact with the member from that point forward (except by family members) should be for the sake of restoration.

 

h.        The procedures provided in this section are based on Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17-18; I Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; and Titus 3:10-11.

 

 

ARTICLE V - GOVERNMENT

 

The government of this assembly, known as Cross Lanes Bible Church, is vested in Christ, "the Head of the Church," and (in submission to Him) in the Senior Pastor and the Official Board, in close cooperation with the members of CLBC (Acts 6, I Timothy 3, Titus 1).  The Senior Pastor will hereinafter be indicated by the term “Pastor”.

 

SECTION 1.  CHURCH LEADERSHIP

 

The legal officers of Cross Lanes Bible Church shall consist of a the Pastor, Chairman of the Official Board, Clerk, Treasurer, Trustees, and other officers as may be deemed necessary by the Official Board.   All officers and deacons, except the Pastor and the Pastoral Staff, shall have been members of CLBC for a period of at least six months.

 

SECTION 2.  OFFICIAL BOARD

 

a.       The Official Board of CLBC shall consist of the Pastor, the pastoral staff (Article V, Section 4), Deacons, and Treasurer.  The voting members of this Board shall be the Pastor and Deacons; the remaining members shall have an advisory role. When without a Pastor, the Official Board may appoint an Interim Pastor, who will assume the Pastor’s vote until a new Pastor is installed.  A deacon shall be selected by the Pastor to chair the Official Board or the chairman may be selected by a majority vote of the Official Board.

 

b.       The Official Board, under the direction of the Pastor, shall be responsible for the spiritual leadership of CLBC.  The Official Board is expected to set the example in fostering the spiritual growth of the people and in providing assistance with special material needs within the congregation. 

 

c.        The Official Board, under the direction of the Pastor, will manage the financial and business affairs of CLBC.  The Official Board, after general discussion, may dismiss non-voting members to conduct voting on confidential or personnel matters.

 

d.       The Official Board shall meet regularly at least every other month.  Special meetings of the Official Board may be called any time by the Pastor, the Chairman of the Official Board, or a majority of the voting members of the Official Board.  A sixty-six percent (66%) majority of the voting members of the Official Board constitutes a quorum at any Official Board Meeting (with the exception of selection of a Pastor per Section 3.d.)  Minutes, excluding personnel matters, shall be made available in a timely manner to CLBC members upon request.

 

e.       Removal of Official Board members.  In the case of accusations against any Official Board member, the remaining members of the Official Board shall convene with the accused at which time the matters involved will be presented and the accused will be given opportunity to answer for himself.  He shall be allowed witnesses of his choice to defend against the accusations brought against him.  If after prayer and consultation a mutual understanding and plan of action cannot be reached regarding the accusation, then the Official Board may remove the accused member by a seventy-five percent (75%) affirmative vote of the entire voting Official Board.  If the Official Board votes to remove a member, that member may, at his choosing, elect to request that his case be presented to the congregation at a duly called special meeting. At that time the congregation may vote to reverse the action of the Official Board.

 

SECTION 3.  THE PASTOR

 

a.      The Pastor shall have the general oversight of the spiritual life, regular services, and ministration of the ordinances of CLBC.  He shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees connected with CLBC or any of its organizations.  He shall conscientiously perform such duties as may be arranged between the membership and himself.

 

b.      The Pastor may choose to delegate responsibility for oversight or performance of specific pastoral functions to the Assistant Pastors.  Therefore, as applicable, responsibilities identified with "the Pastor" in this constitution may be carried out by the Assistant Pastors. 

 

c.      The Scriptures generally use the terms "Pastor," "Bishop," and "Elder" interchangeably for the office of Pastor.  In this constitution, these terms are represented by the single designation of "Pastor" (Acts 20:17-32; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

 

d.      Selection of the Pastor.  When the Church is without a Pastor, the Official Board shall appoint a Pulpit Committee to seek out a candidate for that office.  The Pulpit Committee and the Official Board shall collaborate throughout the process.  The Pulpit Committee shall present its recommendation to the Official Board.  After adequate due process, the Official Board shall vote to recommend the candidate for Pastor to the congregation.  A seventy-five percent (75%) affirmative vote by the Official Board shall be required to recommend the candidate for Pastor to the congregation.  For this vote, a quorum is defined as seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting membership of the Official Board.  Absentee Ballots by voting members of the Official Board shall be allowed for this vote. 

 

Upon recommendation by the Official Board, the candidate shall be invited to be examined by the congregation.  Notification of a special meeting to vote whether to extend a call to the candidate for Pastor shall be made at two Sunday morning services at least one week apart with the last notice occurring one week prior to the day of the meeting.  Voting shall be by secret ballot, and a seventy-five percent (75%) affirmative vote cast by the eligible voting members of the congregation shall be required to extend a call.  The Pastor shall be called for an indeterminate term.

 

e.      Termination of the Pastor's tenure.  The Pastor shall give CLBC a written notice not less than sixty days prior to the date he intends to terminate his tenure with CLBC or the Pastor may be recommended for dismissal by a seventy-five percent (75%) affirmative vote of the entire Official Board.  This recommendation must be announced at two Sunday morning services at least one week apart with the last notice occurring one week prior to the day of the special meeting called to consider this action.  Following a congregational vote to dismiss the Pastor, he shall be given a notice of not less than sixty days (whenever practical).  Actual severance of the relationship may occur at any time within the sixty days as long as an arrangement can be worked out that shall impose no hardship on either the Pastor or CLBC.  

 

SECTION 4.  PASTORAL STAFF

 

a.      The Pastoral Staff shall include, but not be limited to the Pastor, any Assistant Pastors, the Administrator of Cross Lanes Christian School, and other positions as may be deemed necessary by the Official Board. 

 

b.      Candidates for the pastoral staff (except for the Pastor – see Article V, section 3.d) shall be recommended by the Senior Pastor, based on scriptural (Acts 20:17-32; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) and practical qualifications, and invited to be examined by the Official Board and the congregation.  Recommendation by the Official Board to the congregation of a candidate to the pastoral staff must be announced at two Sunday morning services at least one week apart with the last notice occurring one week prior to the day of the special meeting called to consider this action.  Voting shall be by secret ballot, and approved by a majority of affirmative votes cast by the eligible voting members of the congregation shall be required to extend a call.  Pastoral staff shall be called for an indeterminate term.

 

c.      The title of “Pastor” and other pastoral rights and responsibilities shall be conferred by the Official Board.

 

d.      Termination of a Pastoral Staff member.  A Pastoral Staff member may be terminated by a majority vote of the Official Board.

 

SECTION 5.  DEACONS      

 

a.       The Deacons shall be responsible for the serving of the Lord's Supper and for performing other ministries as directed by the Pastoral Staff.

 

b.       A Deacon candidate must meet the scriptural qualifications (I Timothy 3:8-13; Acts 6:3) and be recommended by the Deacon Nominating Committee consisting of the Pastor and others appointed by the Official Board.  Candidates receiving the highest number of votes at the annual business meeting are elected to fill all vacancies.  A full term shall be three years.  If a vacancy is created by a deacon not serving a full term for any reason, that vacancy shall be filled by the first runner-up candidate from the prior election.  A Deacon whose term of office has expired shall not be re-elected for a period of at least one year.

 

c.        There shall be an adequate number of Deacons to perform the functions of the office, but not fewer than six Deacons shall serve on the Official Board.  No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the deacons (or their spouses) may receive full-time compensation from the ministries of Cross Lanes Bible Church.

 

SECTION 6.  TREASURER

 

The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Official Board for a period of one year, the term of office to begin with CLBC fiscal year.  The Treasurer shall be a member of the Finance Committee.  Duties of the Treasurer include the oversight for all funds intended for church support, missions, and CLBC ministries. He shall be responsible for ensuring an accurate accounting of all receipts and disbursements, and the preparation of monthly reports for the Official Board.   He shall also be responsible for an independent Certified Public Account (CPA) financial statement review or audit of the financial records of the church ministries, as may be requested by the Official Board.  The purpose of these efforts is to maintain the confidence of the members and the integrity of the financial records.  When a vacancy does occur the Official Board shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term.  The holder of this office may be reappointed.

 

 

SECTION 7.  TRUSTEES

 

Three Trustees shall be appointed by the Official Board for an indeterminate term of office.  They are responsible for representing the Cross Lanes Bible Church in legal matters with respect to Church properties.  The replacement of Trustees shall be approved by the Official Board and properly recorded with the Kanawha County Clerk.

 

SECTION 8.  CHURCH CLERK

 

The Church Clerk shall be appointed by the Official Board for a period of one year, the term of office to begin with the fiscal year.  Duties of the Clerk are to keep the minutes of the proceedings of CLBC, maintain a register of all members of CLBC, write letters of dismissal and transfer, and perform such other particular duties as may be prescribed by the Official Board.  When a vacancy does occur the Official Board shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term.  The holder of this office may be reappointed.

 

SECTION 9.  AFFIRMATION

 

a.      The positions in Article V shall be filled by members of CLBC and they shall be required to subscribe to the doctrinal statement of this constitution (Article III).  Refusal to do so will cause their tenure to cease.  

 

b.      Any person in a responsible position should abstain from all appearances of evil, holding as their standards of separation I Thessalonians 5:22, II Corinthians 6:14-17 and Colossians 3:17.

 

c.      If any such person demonstrates chronic negligence in fulfilling their official duties, including attending pertinent meetings, their office or position may be considered vacant.  Filling of said vacancy will be at the discretion of the affected leadership. 

 

 

ARTICLE VI - FINANCES

 

SECTION 1.  FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of CLBC shall be set by the Official Board.

 

SECTION 2.  METHODS OF FINANCE

 

The ministries and programs of CLBC shall be supported according to biblical principles.  All methods must be approved by the Official Board as being in harmony with these principles.

 

SECTION 3.  CLBC BUDGET

 

a.       An operating budget shall be prepared each year by the Finance Committee under the direction of the Official Board, and presented to the membership for approval at the Annual Meeting.  The proposed budget will be made available to any CLBC member the two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.  Detailed disclosure of specific line items will be made available to any CLBC member upon their request.

 

b.       The Official Board shall not proceed with any matter involving unbudgeted expenditures beyond a limit set by a congregational vote; or budgeted expenditures exceeding 10% of any budgeted category, without obtaining the approval of the membership. 

 

SECTION 4.  CLCS BUDGET

 

An operating budget shall be prepared each year by the CLCS Board and presented to the CLBC Official Board for approval within the first 90 days of the school year.  The CLCS Board shall not proceed with any matter involving expenditures exceeding 10% of any budgeted category without obtaining the approval of the CLBC Official Board. 

 

 

ARTICLE VII - MISSIONS

 

It shall be the policy of CLBC to support only missionary efforts known to be in hearty agreement with our doctrinal statement, in both philosophy and practice.  A missionary budget shall be prepared each year by the Official Board and presented to the membership for approval at the annual meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES, BOARDS, AND ORGANIZATIONS