Rules of Decorum
1. The church shall meet in regular conference each quarter.
2. The pastor shall serve as ex-official moderator, but in case of his absence or disqualification the church shall select a moderator.
3. The deliberations of the church in conference shall be governed by such parliamentary as is customary in such deliberative bodies.
4. Every member shall have the same privilege on the floor, except the right to speak in public on controverted questions, or to originate or second a motion is reserved for the male members to avoid the possibility of controversy or confrontation between male and female members (1 Corinthians 14:34)
5. The regular order of business shall be as follows:
- Devotional services
- Invite visiting brethren to sit with us
- Call for peace and fellowship of the church
- Reading the minutes of previous meeting
- Call for voluntary acknowledgments
- Reports of committees and matters of reference
- Old or unfinished business
- New and miscellaneous business
- Adjournment
6. The church may be called in special conference for the transaction of business that may demand the attention of the church before a regular conference will assemble. Ample notice of such conference must be given.
7. In all matters of church discipline we are governed strictly by the new testament teachings, and any violation of its commandments or the spirit of its commandments may be dealt with, whether such violation is prescribed in our rules of decorum or not.
8. Every member of the church is expected to contribute to the support of the church as God has prospered them. Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:7; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 13:16
9. The church may from time to time adopt such financial plans and systems, as in their opinions, will prove to be in the best interest of the cause, providing no plan shall be adopted that is unscriptural.
10. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed by the church at least once each quarter. The deacons of the church shall make suitable preparations for its observance. Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; John 13:1-4; Acts 2:42- 46; I Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:16-17; 11:20-34.
11. No member of the church should speak evil of another member; and when one hears rumors derogatory to the character of another member, that member should speak to that individual or individuals about it before such rumor circulates further. Ephesians 4:29; Titus 3:2; James 1:26; 4:11; I Peter 3:9.
12. In matters of private offense, the parties at variance must settle their difficulties according to the directions of our Lord as presented in the 18th chapter of Matthew. Where one or both parties refuse to resolve the issue according to these directions, the church may intervene, seeking obedience to the Lord’s commandments. Matthew 18:15-17; 5:23- 24.
13. Since the scripture teaches that the people of God are a separate and peculiar people, we believe that members of the church should not indulge in worldly practices that in no wise glorify God and do very frequently lead to great harm. Any members known to be guilty of these practices or any immoral conduct unbecoming a Christian shall be disciplined for their own good, the good of the church, and for the glory of God. Romans 13:12-14; I Corinthians 10:31.
14. The purpose of church discipline being to restore the erring, to preserve the peace and fellowship of the church, and to promote the glory of God, expulsion from the church should be a last resort after other measures have failed to restore, except in cases of gross and scandalous immoralities when expulsion from the church is the only course authorized by the Word of God. Romans 14:1; 15:1; Galatians 6:1; II Timothy 4:2; I Corinthians 5:11.
15. Charges may be preferred against a member only in regularly scheduled, monthly conference under the call of peace and fellowship of the church and may be preferred by any member who is himself in good standing with the church.
16. A majority vote of the church in conference shall decide all matters of controversy except matters pertaining to the peace and fellowship of the church; in the reception of new members, and in the granting of letters. In such matters a unanimous vote of all the members present shall be required.
17. It is the duty of every member to strive to preserve the unity of the church and to promote the peace and welfare of the church in every way he can; to speak kindly of all other members and to act in a spirit of love. Any member who, by word or deed, causes division and strife in the church, shall be subjected to the disciplines of the church. John 13:34-35; Romans 14:19-21; 16:7; I Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:32; Galatians 5:10.
18. This church shall cooperate with other churches of the same faith and order, in promoting the kingdom of God; at the same time, preserving its own independence.
19. Every member of the church is expected to attend the worship services, the conferences, and other meetings of the church unless he is providentially hindered. Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:1-4
20. Marriage and Divorce: We believe that marriage is divine and sacred. II Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:22-25; Titus 2:4-5; and that the husband or wife cannot be put away except for two causes.
- Unbelievers – I Corinthians 7:12-15
- Fornication – Matthew 5:31-31; 19:9; I Corinthians 7:10-11
21. Exclusion and Restoration: We believe that excluded members, at their own request, should be restored to peace and love and fellowship upon their acknowledgment to the church in a regular business meeting. If, after acknowledgment, their Christian walk does not prove sincerity, their names will again be removed from the church roll. Only after sufficient time has elapsed to prove genuine sincerity will an excluded member be given full rights and privileges in the church. II Corinthians 2:5 & 9.
22. Unity: We feel that all members wishing to join this church shall present letters from other churches of the same faith and order. We feel all New Testament members are of one mind and accord, the essentials of a new Testament church. Members will also be received under watch care until their letter can be secured from other churches of the same faith and order. We feel that six months is ample time to secure a letter, and if it is not presented in this time, they will no longer be regarded a a watch care member. Members received for baptism are required to make a public confession of Godly sorrow for sin, true repentance and regeneration by the Holy Ghost. Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 16:15-18; John 3:1-11. Members may be received by statement from other churches of the same faith and order where the person making the statement can present satisfactory evidence, or reason, as to why they are coming by statement, and not by letter.
23. Inactive Members: When a member is absent for a continuous period of six months, without a satisfactory reason, they will be taken from the active roll of members and placed on an inactive roll. This will be done automatically without further action of the church. The members of the inactive roll will not be allowed to vote in the church business meetings until they have been restored to the active roll of the church This will be done only after their conduct and their walk proves sincerity, true repentance, and then only after acknowledging the same to the church in a regular business meeting.
24. Deacons and Ministers: According to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9, this church will not practice the licensing or ordaining of preachers or deacons with more than one living wife. This will not hinder their witnessing or telling others the Gospel of Christ.