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This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law) for such purposes including, but not limited to, the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; the establishing and maintaining of religious worship; the teaching of believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture; the planting and strengthening of local churches in the United States; and the sending and supporting of missionaries internationally to proclaim the Gospel and establish churches.
The government of this church shall be of the elder-led congregational type, with authority vested in its Members. The Members of this church possess the responsibilities to guard its Gospel teaching and to guard one another as Gospel confessors (Matt 16:15-19; 18:15-20). Therefore, Members shall recognize and install Elders who will teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who will lead them to carry out their responsibilities under Christ, who is the Church’s only head.
1. Members will live according to the commitments expressed in the Membership Covenant.
2. Members are expected to gather regularly with this local church and contribute to the church’s life with their God-granted, Spirit-led abilities, time, and material resources.
3. Members will receive the care and oversight of the Elders.
4. Members are expected to attend Members’ Meetings. They have the privilege and responsibility of voting to receive new Members, to affirm Elders and Deacons, and to decide other matters submitted to them by the Elders.
5. As needed, Members will submit themselves to our Lord’s kind corrective of church discipline as exercised by their fellow Members and participate in the discipline of fellow Members (outlined in Article V).
1. An applicant for membership shall participate in orientation, read the governing documents of the church, and submit a membership application to the Elders.
2. Upon receiving the application, the Elders will give notice in at least two Lord’s Day worship services that a candidate is to be considered for membership. A Member who has a concern or objection should voice it privately to an Elder.
3. The Elders shall be responsible for interviewing applicants and recommending them to the Members.
4. An applicant will be received into membership by a vote of the Members and will relinquish their membership in any other church at that time.
a. The Members of this church have willingly submitted themselves in the Membership Covenant to a church discipline process if ever they should continue in sin without biblical repentance.
b. Following a process of church discipline, a Member may be dismissed from church membership, as an act of church discipline, by the vote of least two-thirds of the Members present at a regular or special meeting of the Members.
2. Resignationa. Members are encouraged to speak with an Elder if ever they are considering resigning their membership.
b. Members who resign their membership are expected, per the Membership Covenant, to unite to a new church as soon as possible. Generally, a Member should wait to resign their membership at Heritage until they have become a member at the new church.
c. Resignations must be made in writing to the Elders. In normal circumstances, the Elders will recommend the Members vote to receive the resignation at the next Members’ Meeting, at which point the resignation will be effective. With this vote the Members decide that the individual leaves in good standing, agreeing with the Elders’ judgment that church discipline is not necessary.
d. The Elders may reject a Member’s voluntary resignation if the request occurs while the Member is the subject of pending or active church discipline, or for any other biblical reason.
3. Termination from membership for other reasons may be considered by the Elders and presented to the Members for a vote.Because we desire to glorify God by maintaining the unity and purity of the local body and preserving our faithful witness to the world, we seek to build up believers by deterring sin and to restore offending believers by calling them to repentance (1 Cor 5:6-13; Matt 18:17; 1 Tim 5:20; Gal 6:1).
Our Lord provided a process for church discipline (Matt 18:15-17) when seeking the spiritual restoration of a Christian who is sinning and refusing to turn to Christ. The process moves from private to public and from individual to corporate when the person who has confessed Christ refuses to listen. The process of church discipline at Heritage will be as follows:
1. It is the responsibility of the erring Member to confess his or her sin to the one(s) sinned against and be reconciled to the offended person(s) (Matt 5:24).
2. It is the responsibility of any Member of this church having knowledge of an erring Member’s sin to warn and correct him or her in private, seeking repentance and restoration (Matt 18:15; Gal 6:1).
3. If the erring Member does not heed these warnings, then the warning Member shall request the presence of one or two others and go again to the erring Member, repeatedly if necessary, seeking repentance and restoration (Matt 18:16).
4. If the erring Member does not heed these warnings, then the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Elders. The Elders shall take the case into prayerful consideration and bring the matter before the church so that the body may publicly and corporately call the erring Member to repentance. No action calling for dismissal shall be taken against any Member until the church has first attempted to communicate with him or her in writing, citing the offense and providing an opportunity for the Member to meet with the Elders (Matt 18:17).
5. If the erring Member does not repent in response to the church, then the Elders shall recommend to the Members that the erring Member be publicly dismissed from the membership and fellowship of the church (Matt 18:17) by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members present at a regular or special meeting of the Members.
At times, a person’s sin may, due to its public or deliberate nature, reveal quickly and clearly a deep double-mindedness and lack of repentance. In such cases, the private and individual first steps of Matthew 18:15-17 may have already been accomplished. In those instances the church may move quickly to remove the person from membership (1 Cor 5).
If after dismissal the erring party heeds the warning, demonstrates repentance, and personally asks the Elders to be reinstated by the church, then he or she shall be voted upon by the Members to be publicly restored to all the rights, duties, privileges, and responsibilities of membership (2 Cor 2:6-8).
1. The body will regularly meet for corporate worship on the Lord’s Day and for other gatherings for worship, prayer, and fellowship throughout the week as the Elders determine.
2. Baptisms may take place during the corporate worship on the Lord’s Day or at other times at the discretion of the Elders.
3. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly during corporate worship to remember the Lord’s death till He comes and to celebrate the blessings of the New Covenant in His blood. This body welcomes all who follow Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and who are walking in fellowship with Him and His people to join in this remembrance.
1. Members’ Meetings shall be held as the Elders determine.
2. A Staff Elder will be moderator unless an alternate is chosen by the Elders.
3. In all voting matters, twenty-five percent of eligible voting Members shall be considered a minimum for voting.
a. If a Member cannot attend a meeting in which a vote is taken, the Member may vote absentee by casting one vote. Absentee ballots must be submitted to an Elder, in writing, prior to the start of the Member Meeting during which that vote is to occur.
b. When fifty percent or more of eligible voting Members cast their votes, a simple majority shall be required to pass any measure, except when otherwise stated in this document.
c. When fewer than fifty percent of eligible voting Members cast their votes, a two-thirds vote shall be required to pass any measure, except when otherwise stated in this document.
4. Any proposition to be voted upon by the Members shall be posted in writing and announced orally for two services prior to the vote.
5. The moderator shall conduct meetings in accordance with the procedures outlined by the Elders, but shall have freedom to modify the procedures at his discretion based upon his own sense of fairness and what he deems to be in the best interests of the church. The moderator shall give all Members a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a matter.
A. The church is supported by voluntary contributions from its Members who shall give according to their abilities and according to the dictates of their own consciences. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 reveals the heart attitude of joy and generosity that guides a believer’s giving.
B. Other than tithes and offerings, any activity that could produce additional funds for the ministry must be approved by both Elders and Deacons.
C. All contributions, tithes, and offerings will be disbursed on the following basis.
1. Specific recommendations will be formed according to the ministry priorities set by the Elders, with consideration to the spiritual and material needs of the body, the community, and the world.
2. These recommendations will be approved by the Elders, Deacons, and Members through the annual budget process.
D. Records of all financial transactions shall be maintained and kept by an appointed designee, who shall submit a monthly financial report to the Deacons and to the Finance Committee. The report will also be made available to the Members upon request.
E. An annual budget shall be prepared and presented by the Elders and Deacons, and shall be voted on by the Members. The proposed budget shall be available two weeks prior to the vote.
F. The annual budget for the new year shall not exceed the previous year’s unrestricted tithes and offerings.
G. With the exception of benevolence disbursements, each month the Deacons may not disburse more than two percent of the monthly budget (calculated as 1/12 of the annual budget) for a single non-budgeted item, and each month the Deacons may not disburse more than four percent of the monthly budget for all non- budgeted items. Any amounts in excess of these percentages must be presented to the Members for approval.
H. The Elders shall authorize a Deacon Benevolence Committee to evaluate benevolence circumstances and administer funds on an as-needed basis according to guidelines set forth by the Elders.
I. The Elders shall authorize a committee to review and administer the missions allocation of the budget.
J. No Staff Elder may expend more than $500 per month on non-budgeted items.
K. Total actual expenditures must never exceed total budgeted expenditures unless authorized by the Deacons and approved by the Members. If there is an overage in a line item, the overage must be offset by a corresponding decrease in other line items of the budget or through funds exceeding budgeted giving.
L. Outstanding indebtedness shall not exceed two and one- half times the previous fiscal year’s unrestricted tithes and offerings. The church shall have no unsecured debt or revolving line of credit but shall be permitted to utilize a credit card and to engage in normal business activities, provided that no unsecured interest expense is incurred.
1. Definition: Elders are men above reproach who shepherd the flock of God as Christ shepherds His people. They hold firm to God’s Word, exercise oversight, and exemplify godliness (Acts 6:2-4; 14:23; 15:2, 22; 20:17-35; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1-7; 4:14; 5:17, 19; Jas 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1-5).
2. Qualifications: The Elders shall be male, meeting the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6- 9.
3. Duties: The God-given responsibility of the Elders is to bring the Word of God to bear on the life of the congregation, and to that end, they are entrusted with interpreting and applying the Word in submission to the Holy Spirit for the good of the body (Titus 1:9; 1 Pet 5:1-11; Acts 15:2; 20:17-35; 1 Tim 4:14). The HBC Confession of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of church doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Elders of this church shall be the church’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
a. Oversee: Elders create ministry vision, set ministry philosophy, and manage the flock. Managing the flock includes encouraging Members to exercise their gifts and guarding Members from false doctrine, within and without the church (1 Cor 12:4-6; Acts 20:27- 31).
b. Care: Elders are to care for the flock (Acts 14:23; Jas 5:14).
c. Feed and shepherd: Elders are to shepherd or disciple the flock, since the Chief Shepherd has entrusted Elders with His flock (1 Pet 5:2-4).
d. Reconcile: Elders shall be responsible for pursuing Member reconciliation (Matt 18:15- 17; Eph 4:1-3, 32; 1 Cor 6:1-11).
e. Discipline: Elders shall be responsible for carrying out discipline in accordance with Matthew 18:15-20 (see also 1 Cor 5:1-7).
f. Recognize and ordain: Elders shall be responsible for the examination and ordination of men for pastoral ministry. They shall also be responsible for the licensure of men who are not yet ordained.
4. Roles
a. Staff and Lay Elders: The church may employ an Elder to serve in a full- or part-time pastoral capacity (Staff Elder). Or, an Elder may have other employment yet volunteer time to oversee and care for the congregation (Lay Elder).
b. Teaching and Ruling Elders: Per the qualifications and duties listed above, all Elders must be able to give instruction from God’s Word and care for souls. However, according to 1 Timothy 5:17, some may have a more public ministry of preaching and teaching.
c. Each Elder shall have one vote when motions are made in Elders’ meetings.
1. Definition: Deacons are men free from habitual sinful conduct and character flaws causing repeated offenses. They lovingly serve the congregation, as Christ became a servant even to the point of death on a cross (Phil 2:6-8; John 13:12-16; Acts 6:1-6; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8, 10, 12-13).
2. Qualifications: The Deacons shall be male, meeting the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
3. Duties: The God-given responsibility of the Deacons is to serve the congregation, so as to allow the Elders freedom to keep ministry of the Word and prayer a priority (Acts 6:1; John 13:12-16; Gal 2:10; 6:1-2; Jas 1:27; Matt 25:31-46).
a. The Deacons shall model and encourage wise stewardship.
b. The Deacons shall generously minister to the needy and supervise the benevolence funds of the church, aided by the Elders as necessary.
c. The Deacons shall be responsible for the preparation of baptisms and the Lord’s Supper.
d. The Deacons shall be responsible for the maintenance of all church property.
e. The Deacons shall be responsible for the orderly collection and proper disbursement of funds.
1. Elders and Deacons shall be responsible to oversee the serving the Lord’s Supper.
2. In accordance with 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, Elders and Deacons shall be responsible to help in resolving disputes among Members.
3. Elders and Deacons shall be responsible for preparation of the annual budget.
4. Elders and Deacons shall be responsible for the dissolution of the corporation, should the occasion arise, as required under Article X.
5. For legal purposes the current Elders and Deacons shall be this church’s Board.
1. Lay Elders and Deacons
a. Any Member may recommend men to be considered.
b. Elders and Deacons shall prayerfully develop a ballot of nominees.
i. Elders shall prayerfully develop a ballot of Elder nominees (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; 2 Tim 2:2).
ii. Elders and Deacons shall prayerfully develop a ballot of Deacon nominees.
c. Affirmation: Candidates nominated for Elder and Deacon shall be affirmed for the respective positions by votes cast by eligible Members.
d. Term: The term for Elders and Deacons shall be two years, with the option of being re-affirmed to additional two-year terms.
e. Resignation: An Elder or Deacon who resigns voluntarily may be replaced using the normal process for affirming an Elder or Deacon in this section.
f. Dismissal: Any accusation against an Elder or Deacon shall be established before the Elders by at least two witnesses. Upon investigation of the charge, the Elders shall determine an appropriate course of action. If the Elders believe dismissal is necessary, they shall call a Members’ Meeting. The Elder or Deacon shall be dismissed from all responsibilities according to the voting procedure listed in VI. B. 3.
2. Staff Elder
a. Nomination: The Elders shall prayerfully nominate a candidate for Staff Elder.
b. Candidating: The candidate for Staff Elder shall meet with the Elders and Deacons and shall be heard at a minimum of three congregational gatherings.
c. Affirmation: The candidate for Staff Elder shall be accepted by at least eighty percent of the
votes cast by eligible Members.
d. Resignation: A Staff Elder who resigns may be replaced using the normal process for selecting a Staff Elder as outlined in this section.
e. Dismissal: Any accusation against a Staff Elder shall be established before the Elders by at least two witnesses. Upon investigation of the charge, the Elders shall determine an appropriate course of action. If the Elders believe dismissal is necessary, they shall call a Members’ Meeting. The Staff Elder shall be dismissed from all responsibilities according to the voting procedure listed in VI. B. 3.
The church may indemnify any person who was or is a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding to the full extent allowed under South Carolina state law. This indemnification—whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, including all appeals (other than an action by or in the right of the church)—applies if three conditions are met:
1. The action is by reason of the fact that the person is or was an Elder (Staff or Lay), Deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the church;
2. The person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the church and, with respect to any criminal matters, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; and
3. The lead Staff Elder recommends indemnification and the Elders vote to provide it on behalf of any person. Any determination of good-faith intent shall occur by a majority vote of the Elders and Deacons of the church.
Members of this church agree to submit to binding arbitration any matters within the church that cannot otherwise be resolved and expressly waive any and all rights in law and equity to bring any civil disagreement before a court of law, except that judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof (1 Cor 6:1-8).
Heritage reserves the right to deny use of its assets or property to any person, group, or legal entity for any reason. This includes any activity that is inconsistent with its Confession of Faith or other church policies. For the purposes of this bylaw, the Elders of this church have the final authority to make decisions on the use of Heritage assets or property.
In the event of the dissolution of Heritage Bible Church as a non-profit corporation, the assets of the corporation shall be given and paid over to a non-profit corporation of like faith and practice. Said corporations shall be determined according to the voting procedure listed in VI. B. 3.
A. Notice of dissolution shall be sent in writing to each Member at least fifteen days prior to the scheduled meeting and public notice shall be given at least forty-five days prior to the meeting.
B. All recommendations for recipients of the corporation assets shall be made in writing by a Member of the corporation to the Elders and Deacons no less than thirty days prior to the dissolution meeting. No other recommendations shall be considered.
C. It shall be the duty of the Elders and Deacons to examine all recommendations submitted to them and make their own recommendations to the Members concerning the distribution of the church assets.
D. Said recommendation from the Elders and Deacons shall be made available in writing to the Members fifteen days prior to the dissolution meeting.
E. The decision as to the recipients of the assets of the corporation shall be the mutual consent by secret ballot of the majority of the Members present at the dissolution meeting.
F. The Elders and Deacons, in the stead of the Members of the corporation, shall assume the responsibility of all dissolution proceedings, and shall seek and obtain legal assistance to complete said proceedings.
A. As a working, flexible document, this constitution may be amended, altered, or revised by a two-thirds vote of the eligible Members voting.
B. Amendments to the constitution shall be presented in writing to the Elders and Deacons and, if accepted, shall be presented to the Members for a vote.
Spreading the Unsearchable Riches of Christ
864-292-6100
HBC@HERITAGEBIBLECHURCH.ORG
2005 OLD SPARTANBURG ROAD, GREER, SC 29650