CONSTITUTION
We affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.
Article I – NAME
The legal name of this organization shall be Resurgence Church S.B.C., Inc. in Evansville, Indiana.
Article II – Mission Statement
Resurgence Church is a missional community pointing the culture to life in Christ.
Article III – Associations
Resurgence Church is affiliated globally with the Southern Baptist Convention and locally with the Southwestern Indiana Southern Baptist Association, which is part of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana. We support them with our prayers and efforts in their missional endeavors.
Article IV – Membership
Section 1- The receiving of members
Paragraph A- Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and coming to full agreement with the practices, doctrines, principles, and mission of Resurgence Church is an eligible candidate for membership in this local Body. Every person seeking membership at Resurgence Church will be required to attend and complete our “Beginnings” class in order to fully understand our core beliefs, values, vision, structure, and doctrine.
Paragraph B- Those persons seeking membership with Resurgence Church may become so in one of four ways:
1) Baptism by immersion.
2) A letter of transfer from a Church of like faith.
3) By testimony of faith in Christ alone (having been previously baptized by immersion).
4) By restoration.Paragraph C- Candidates for membership at Resurgence Church who transfer by letter are required to speak with the pastor concerning:
1) The candidate’s personal testimony concerning their salvation.
2) Any questions concerning the contents of the Articles of Faith of Resurgence Church.
3) Any questions regarding baptism by immersion.Section 2- The rights of members
The voting age of Resurgence Church is 18 years of age.Section 3- The dismissal of members
Members shall be removed by means of:1) Death (automatic)
2) Letter requesting removal
3) Transfer of membership
4) DisciplineA) The matter of discipline concerning members will be in the hands of the Senior Pastor and the Leadership Team. In cases that result in the expulsion of members from fellowship, the Church will decide the final action. Church discipline is designed to produce repentance, restoration, and holy character in the one who has to be disciplined (Matthew 18:15-18).
Article V – Ordinances
Section 1- Baptism
The Senior Pastor, any subordinate pastor, or one who is authorized by the Church shall baptize, by immersion, those individuals who profess saving faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior in accordance with the Scriptures. Immersion shall be a prerequisite to Church membership. This Ordinance has no saving power or “special” grace, but rather serves as our public profession of our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:1-11).Section 2 – Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper shall be made available to the Church, overseen by the Senior Pastor, any subordinate pastor, or one who is authorized by the Church. As the occasion presents itself, deacons will be utilized in administering the elements.
Article VI- Officers and TeamsThe Officers of the Church shall consist of Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor(s), Deacons, Trustees, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Clerk. Officers must be members of the church in full agreement with the Articles of Faith and Constitution of this church. Officers are to be chosen by members of the church who are demonstrating a prayerful and obedient relationship with the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. The moral requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 will be the guidelines for those men who are to be chosen for both Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor(s) offices. The moral requirements of 1 Timothy 3:8-13 will be the guidelines for those men who are to be chosen for the office of Deacon.
Any Officer that is found to be habitually in conflict, morally or spiritually, with the Word of God and the Articles of Faith may be removed by the Leadership Team pending a recommendation from the Senior Pastor and/or Leadership Team. In the event that the removal of an officer is in order, the Leadership Team will make a recommendation to the body for a ¾ majority vote.
Article VI – Leadership
Section 1- The Senior Pastor
Paragraph A- Qualifications for the Senior Pastor
The Senior Pastor must be a male (1 Tim. 2:12) and should be one who has shown evidence of the call of God to shepherd the flock of God. This includes a thorough understanding of the Gospel and its saving power, a belief in the Scriptures as being the inerrant and infallible, completely Holy Spirit inspired Word of Yahweh God as well as those qualities that are in adherence with 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.Paragraph B- The Duties of the Senior Pastor
The Senior Pastor will be the God-appointed, spiritual leader of the church and its chief shepherd, carefully watching over the flock. The preaching/ teaching ministry of God’s Word will be his first priority in order to feed, shepherd, and minister to the flock both in whole and in part. The Senior Pastor will also handle the administration of the ordinances of the local church. He shall be an ex-officio member of all ministry teams within the Church.
Paragraph C- Call for a Senior Pastor
In the absence of a Senior Pastor, the Church shall appoint a Search Team to investigate, interview, pray over, and arrange for a man to fill the office.Notice of the proposed choice of Senior Pastor shall be given during the Sunday worship gathering for two (2) successive Sundays preceding the election. Voting will be done by ballot, and a 3/4 majority vote is required for election. Only one (1) candidate may be considered at a time in order to provide clarity and discernment for those on the Search Team and within the body. The Senior Pastor shall be elected for an indeterminate term.
Paragraph D- Termination of the Senior Pastor1) The Senior Pastor’s term of office is indefinite. A notice of thirty (30) days shall be given by the Senior Pastor or the Church to terminate, with payment and services continuing through this period, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
2) A vote may be taken by the members at any time to terminate the Senior Pastor’s services to the following:
A) A special meeting may be called for that purpose by the Leadership Team.
B) A petition of fifty (50) percent of the membership has been presented to the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team (minus the Senior Pastor) will immediately call a meeting between the petitioners and the Leadership Team before any further action is to be taken. Upon the exchange of information between both parties, the action may proceed forward or be withdrawn.
Such a special meeting shall have a two (2) Sunday, successive announcement during the worship gathering. A 3/4 majority of the members present shall be required to terminate the Senior Pastor’s services.
3) In the event of doctrinal or moral defection, the Senior Pastor’s services may be terminated immediately by unanimous action of the Leadership Team, to be ratified by a vote of the membership.
Section 2- The Associate Pastor(s)
Paragraph A- The Qualifications of an Associate Pastor(s)
The Associate Pastor(s) must be a male (1 Tim. 2:12) and should be one who has shown evidence of the call of God to shepherd the flock of God. This includes a thorough understanding of the Gospel and its saving power, a belief in the Scriptures as being the inerrant and infallible, completely Holy Spirit inspired Word of Yahweh God as well as those qualities that are in adherence with 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. He shall be recognized as the under girding support to the God-appointed leader of the local body.
Paragraph B- The Duties of an Associate Pastor(s)
The Associate Pastor(s), being the under girding support of the Senior Pastor, is commended to the study of God’s Word in order to feed, shepherd, and minister to the flock both in whole and in part. The Associate Pastor(s) will be required to serve on the Leadership Team as well as to preside over a section of the flock concerning spiritual growth, evangelism, ministry, and service; which ever his call and discernment allows.
Paragraph C- The Call for an Associate Pastor(s)In the absence of an Associate Pastor(s), the Church shall appoint a Search Team to investigate, interview, pray over, and arrange for a man to fill the office. The candidate must be approved by the Senior Pastor.
Notice of the proposed choice of Associate Pastor shall be given during the Sunday worship gathering for two (2) successive Sundays preceding the election. Voting will be done by ballot, and a 3/4 majority vote is required for election. Only one (1) candidate may be considered at a time in order to provide clarity and discernment for those on the Search Team and within the body. The Associate Pastor shall be elected for an indeterminate term.
Paragraph D- The Termination of an Associate Pastor(s)
1) The Associate Pastor’s term of office is indefinite. A notice of thirty (30) days shall be given by the Associate Pastor or the Church to terminate, with payment and services continuing through this period, unless otherwise mutually agreed.
2) A vote may be taken by the members at any time to terminate the Associate Pastor’s services to the following:
A) A special meeting may be called for that purpose by the Leadership Team.
B) A petition of fifty (50) percent of the membership has been presented to the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team (minus the Associate Pastor in question) will immediately call a meeting between the petitioners and the Leadership Team before any further action is to be taken. Upon the exchange of information between both parties, the action may proceed forward or be withdrawn.
Such a special meeting shall have a two (2) Sunday, successive announcement during the worship gathering. A 3/4 majority of the members present shall be required to terminate the Associate Pastor’s services.
3) In the event of doctrinal or moral defection, the Associate Pastor’s services may be terminated immediately by unanimous action of the Leadership Team, to be ratified by a vote of the membership.
Section 3- Deacons
Paragraph A- The Church shall elect Deacons as the need arises.
Paragraph B- The qualifications of a Deacon shall be those which are prescribed and set forth in the New Testament in Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Paragraph C- It shall be the duty of the Deacons to:
Assist the Senior Pastor in the spiritual supervision of the Church by relieving him in material aspects so that he may be devoted to prayer and the Word of God (Acts 6:2), assist in the ministries of the church and, in the absence of a Senior Pastor, assist in developing a Search Team for the purpose of obtaining a Senior Pastor.Paragraph D- Deacons will not possess the power of decision-making which would affect the entire body concerning finances, property, or preaching. A deacon is one who is called to serve (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
Section 4- Leadership Team
Paragraph A- The members of the Leadership Team will have the responsibility of working with the Senior Pastor in making decisions and recommendations to the congregation concerning church business. The Leadership Team must be made up of all pastoral staff members and could include some lay people. The Leadership Team does not have the right to hire personnel, borrow money, or make any other major decision that directly affects the direction and future of the church without approaching the church first.
Paragraph B- The Leadership Team will have members that have revealed themselves to be of high character, and these members must have revealed the spiritual gift of leadership. The church will vote on the nominees for the Leadership Team at the annual business meeting, and they will serve for an indefinite period of time. In the event of doctrinal, moral, or ethical defection a member of the Leadership Team may be dismissed by the Senior Pastor and the rest of the Leadership Team, to be ratified by a vote of the membership.
Section 5- Trustees
Paragraph A- The Church shall elect Trustees. They shall serve indefinitely and may be replaced by a majority vote of the membership at a regular or specially called business meeting.
Paragraph B- Duties of the Trustees
1) The Trustees shall make a full report of their activities to the Church as requested by the Church. Their duty should be that of caring for and maintaining all church property.
2) The Trustees shall have no authority to sell, lease, give away, or dispose of Church property in any manner except as the Church shall order by a corporate act. The Trustees are at all times servants of the Church and subject to corporate action.
Section 6- Treasurer
At each annual business meeting the Church shall elect from its membership a treasurer. He/ She shall receive all moneys of the Church and apply the same as directed by the Church; keep a true and fair record of accounts and make a full report to the Church at each annual meeting and when otherwise directed by the Church. He/ She will be confidential with the giving records of the church body.Section 7- Assistant Treasurer
At each annual business meeting the Church shall elect from its membership an Assistant Treasurer. He/She shall assist the Treasurer in that office and act in his/ her absence.
Section 8- Clerk
The Church shall elect from its membership at each annual business meeting a Clerk for the ensuing year. He/ She shall keep a fair and complete record of the proceedings of the Church, keep minutes of all business meetings, and perform such other particular duties as may be prescribed by the Church.
Section 9- Search Team
In the absence of a Senior Pastor or Associate Pastor, the Church shall appoint a Search Team (See Article VI, Section 1, Paragraph C). This Team will be comprised of five (5) members: three (3) Deacons and/or Leadership Team members, and two (2) laypeople from the membership. All five persons will be chosen by the Leadership Team and the membership.
Article VII- Business Meetings
Section 1- Annual Meeting
There shall be an Annual Business Meeting of the Church on the second Sunday of December to elect officers, approve the next year’s budget, and to transact any other business. In case of any omission in holding the election as above, the meeting shall be called and held upon the earliest date thereafter. A majority vote by members present constitutes as a quorum.Section 2- Semi-Annual Business Meetings
Semi-Annual business meetings will be held on the 2nd Sunday in June. At this business meeting, the minutes of all business transacted since the last reading of the minutes shall be read, and also the Treasurer’s report for the past six (6) months shall be read or handed out. A majority vote by members present constitutes as a quorum.Section 3- Special Business Meetings
Special Business Meetings may be called at any time upon the proper notification of the members. Proper notification will consist of one (1) Sundays announcement. These meetings shall be called by the Senior Pastor or Leadership Team, and should only be called in cases that require immediate attention. However, routine business may be done, when necessary, at any stated meeting of the Church without regard to the above requirements. A majority vote by members present constitutes as a quorum.
Article VIII- Dissolution
No part of net earnings of this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any donor, member, director, or officer of the corporation or to any private individual. Furthermore, no donor, member, director, officer of the corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporation assets. Upon dissolution, any and all assets of the corporation must be distributed to the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana.
Article IX- Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a vote of the members present at the annual business meeting, semi-annual business meeting, or at a specially called business meeting providing that notice of the proposed amendment shall be given through a letter to the membership with a fourteen (14) day notice.
Article X- Validity
This constitution was voted into effect at the business meeting in _______________.
BY-LAWS
Ministry Teams
Members will be grouped into Ministry Teams which will consist of those with like-minded passions. The purpose of ministry teams is to be effective in reaching and serving those of whom the team is passionate for. There will be an assigned leader of each ministry team which will in turn report all activities and concerns to the associate pastor(s). Ministry teams will be responsible for planning activities and projects in order to reach a people group.
Life Groups
Life Group is not just a once a week meeting for an hour to study scripture. Life Group is not a program, it is shared life. Life Group is a place to build honest relationships through learning God’s Word and how to live it, to share joys, and to support each other in the midst of struggle.Life Groups will discuss the sermon or a specific book. They will meet in homes and will consist of prayer, discussion, food, with an open agenda to meet specific needs. Life Groups will have a facilitator to lead discussion. Life Groups will remain at a manageable size so that people still feel connected. They will provide an avenue to build relationships that reach outside of the typical meeting walls. Life Groups will, at the core, be a place to have honest relationship in a true community.
Church Discipline
1) The attitude of the Leadership Team in church discipline:
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Galatians 6:1-3
2) The steps of the Leadership Team in church discipline:
STEP 1- "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. -Matt 18:15
STEP 2- But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. -Matt 18:16
STEP 3- If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. Matt 18:17a
STEP 4- And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. -Matt 18:17bAFFIRMATION- Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. -Matt 18:18
3) The objective of the Leadership Team in church discipline:
a) To restore him/her to a proper fellowship with God and the church.
Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. -2 Cor 2:5-11
b) To remove the leaven, or the corruptive influence, from the congregation.Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. -1 Cor 5:6-8
For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. -Titus 1:10-11
c) To correct doctrinal errors.
Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith -Titus 1:13
d) To prevent the spreading of sin to the other members.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. -Gal 6:1
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. -1 Tim 5:20
Divorced Men Serving as Pastors or Deacons
Those men who have been divorced are not necessarily excluded from the office of pastor or deacon. Each candidate will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will be examined and scrutinized by both the Leadership Team and the Body. A vote of ¾ majority will be required in order to admit that person to the office in question.