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- Constitution - Waterman Bible Church The name of this church shall be “Waterman Bible Church”. Article II - Purpose The purpose of this church is to bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and membership in God's family, and then to develop them to Christlike maturity, and to equip them for their ministry in the church and for their mission in the world, so that we may all magnify God in our lives. Article III - Statement of Faith (see “What We Believe”) Article IV - Membership Membership in God's family is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Anyone who has accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, has turned 18 years of age, and has attended a membership class at WBC is eligible for membership. After an interview with the Elder Board, said person shall be presented to the congregation to be voted upon. Because joining God's family is a joyful event, the new member shall then be publicly received into membership in the church. Believers transferring from other churches are also expected to attend the WBC membership class before becoming members. This shall enable them to become acquainted with our purpose, goals, vision, doctrinal statement, policies, and procedures. A letter of recommendation from the previous church, addressed to the Elder Board, is encouraged. Periodically, the Elder Board and Pastor shall review the membership roll. Members who are not fulfilling their responsibilities as members, or whose doctrinal position has changed, may disqualify themselves from membership. The complete list of voting members shall be read at each business meeting. New names, as well as names dropped from the list, shall be noted. Those desiring to retain membership at WBC, yet who are living elsewhere (e.g. missionaries, students in college, those serving in the military) may be placed on an associate membership list, understanding that they may not vote or hold office at WBC during this time. Returning to membership status shall be approved by the Board. Discipline… Matthew 18 describes the process (in private, then with one or two others, and if needed, before the church) and goal (complete restoration) of biblical, church discipline. If a member chooses a lifestyle that is not consistent with the example that Christ set, or if a member should hold to beliefs not consistent with God's Word, the principles in Matthew 18 shall be carried out. One who does not listen to the church's rebuke shall be asked to leave the church fellowship and shall forfeit his right to hold church office and other membership privileges. In all cases, the goal of biblical discipline is complete reconciliation through godly sorrow, whereby the church family shall joyfully welcome them into fellowship. Prayer shall always be an integral part of the entire process. Article V - Government The government of this church is vested in its membership, executed through the Elder Board. The Elder Board, consisting of a minimum of three Elders and the Pastoral staff, shall have supervision over all business transactions, ministry decisions, and general work of the church. Other offices may be added or removed as needed, under the supervision of the Board. The Deacon Board (comprised of Deacons and Deaconesses) shall oversee all physical aspects of WBC. This would include, among other responsibilities, caring for and distributing the Deacon's fund, overseeing the Trustees and Hostesses, caring for all aspects relating to financial stewardship (including preparing the annual budget), and overseeing the use of church property. The Deacon Board shall consult and work closely with the Elder Board. Nominations for church officers shall be presented by the nominating committee - consisting of the Pastor, two members of the Elder Board whose terms do not expire, and two members of the church, not on the Elder Board, chosen by the congregation. (The Elder Board may serve as a nominating committee to fill vacancies.) These nominations shall be voted upon at a business meeting. All candidates placed in nomination shall be carefully screened before being voted upon, ensuring that their conduct, speech, and example are glorifying to God and edifying for the church family. Any officer may be asked by the Elder Board to step down at any time in the event that duties are not being fulfilled and/or one is not living a godly life. In an effort to maintain a high standard for those serving in leadership positions, candidates placed in nomination must answer the following questions in the affirmative.
On the first Sunday after January 1, the newly-elected officers shall appear before the assembled congregation. After having been instructed by the Pastor as to their duties and privileges, they shall be installed into their office. Meetings… Regular worship services shall be held on Sundays. Special Congregational Business Meetings may be called by the Pastor or Elder Board at any time upon notice of the subject being given the Sunday service and mid-week service preceding the called meeting. The Annual Business Meeting shall normally be held on the third Sunday of October, while the Quarterly Business Meetings shall normally be held on the third Sunday of January, April, and July. The Chairman of the Elder Board shall act as Chairman of all business meetings, and the voting members present shall constitute a quorum for congregational business meetings. The fiscal year of WBC shall end on September 30th. Article VI - Amendments The constitution may be amended at any Congregational Business Meeting by a two-thirds vote of the ballots cast, with fifty percent of the membership constituting a quorum. The proposed amendment shall be approved by the Elder Board and presented either orally or in printed form to the church at a regular church service at least two weeks before being voted upon. Article VII - Dissolution No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any donor, member, director, or officer of the corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in distribution of any of the corporation assets. Upon dissolution, any assets of the corporation shall be distributed proportionally to the ministry accounts of the missionaries that the church currently supports, according to the financial support level each receives.
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