Constitution

ARTICLE I - PURPOSE

The purpose of these By-laws is to set forth procedures and principles of operation for Salem New Beginnings Church so that in all things the church glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Qualification for Membership

Membership of Salem New Beginnings Church shall be comprised of individuals:  who have been born-again through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; who subscribe to the Doctrinal Statement described in Article III of the Constitution; who endeavor to walk in newness of life by the work of the Spirit of God and the Word of God; and who are committed to biblical unity in all things.  Members shall support the mission of the church with their prayers, attendance, spiritual gifts and talents, financial resources, and willing service.  Members shall voluntarily relinquish membership if they no longer meet these commitments.

 

Admission into Membership

Application for membership shall be made to the Senior Pastor or any Elder of a Salem New Beginnings Church.  Applicants will be provided a copy of the Doctrinal Statement and the Constitution and By-laws of Salem New Beginnings Church.

 

New member applicants must complete an application that provides a personal testimony of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; evidence of a life in active transformation; and written agreement with the Doctrinal Statement, Constitution, and By-laws of Salem New Beginnings Church.

 

Any existing member, having valid biblical reason for objection to receiving any applicant into membership, shall immediately appear before the Elders of Salem New Beginnings Church and give scriptural reasons for objecting.  The Elders shall consider the validity of these objections.

 

Designation of Membership

Membership shall be vested in Salem New Beginnings Church where the member attends and employs their time, gifts, skills, and financial resources.  

 

Members will be eligible to vote at full church business meetings of Salem New Beginnings Church.

Member Conduct

Membership is not a casual commitment.  Instead, it is a sacred duty to participate fully in the body of Christ.  While it is recognized that biblical transformation is a matter of heart change (Romans 12:1-2), it is also recognized that the natural outflow of walking with Christ has external evidence:

• Active transformation by the Spirit of God through personal and private devotion to Scripture and prayer in a spirit of humility before God (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Colossians 4:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  

• Participation in community with other believers that includes regular attendance in public services of the church (Hebrews 10:25, 1 John 1:7).

• Personal and public testimony of the Gospel before the lost (Romans 10:14-15, 1 Peter 3:15-16).

• Generously giving of time, gifts, skills, and financial resources to further the kingdom of God and this church (Colossians 3:17, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

• Living in biblical unity with all believers and peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:1-6).

• Accepting of the sacred duty as parents to provide Christian instruction for their children (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4).

• Accepting responsibility to remember each other in prayer (Ephesians 6:18), to aid each other in sickness and distress (James 5:15-16), to be courteous in speech (Colossians 4:6), and to be slow to anger (Ephesians 4:29-32).

 

Removal from Membership

Members who no longer meet the qualifications for membership or the commitments of member conduct may voluntarily withdraw their membership by written request delivered to their Senior Pastor or an Elder.  

 

Elders shall further counsel any member for the purpose of restoration when it has been determined that, despite intentional Elder counsel, they no longer meet the qualifications for membership or live in violation of the commitments of membership.  Counsel shall follow the biblical model of repentance and restoration in genuine humility (Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1-3, Ephesians 4:1-2, 1 Timothy 5:19-22, Titus 3:10-11).  Removal shall be considered a final step when it is concluded by the majority of Elders that the individual chooses to continue in an unrepentant manner.

 

Members who cease participation in the life of Salem New Beginnings Church will be removed from the church membership list by the Elders.

 

Any previous member may re-apply for membership at a future time by following the normal application process.

 

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS

 

Public Services

Worship services, Christian education classes, and other ministry activities shall be conducted at times decided by the Salem New Beginnings Church Elders. 
 

Business Meetings - General

Meetings shall be held at times and places likely to be convenient for the great majority of members.  Notice of meetings and agenda shall be broadly disseminated so as to inform every member as can be reasonably expected at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

 

The Chairman of the Elders shall conduct the annual meeting and other business meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.  Motions from the floor on matters not covered by the meeting agenda shall be tabled for consideration at a future meeting.

 

While all members are encouraged to attend business meetings, only members at least 18 years of age have the right to vote in matters coming before a business meeting.

All matters shall be determined by a simple majority vote, except when otherwise specified by the Constitution or By-laws of Salem New Beginnings Church.

 

Business Meetings – Salem New Beginnings Church

Salem New Beginnings Church shall have an annual business meeting at a time decided by the church Elders normally within 30 days of a new fiscal year.  Other business meetings will be held as determined by the Elders upon the request of Deacons or ministry leaders, or if the congregation submits a request to the Elders in writing, signed by 15% of the membership.

 

33% of voting membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business as presented in the agenda.  A quorum is required to call a congregational meeting to order.  Members must vote in person, which will be counted toward the required quorum for conducting a business meeting.  No business meeting shall last for more than two and one-half hours from the announced time it was to convene.

 

The agenda of the business meeting of Salem New Beginnings Church shall be action items that concern the entire Church Membership including but not limited to:

• Changes to the Constitution or By-laws of Salem New Beginnings Church

• Election of officers of the Corporation

• Confirmation of the consolidated operating budget of Salem New Beginnings Church.

• Election or Affirmation of Elders and Deacons

• Hiring of the Senior Pastor 

• Major ministry direction and decisions

• Acquiring aggregate debt or other financial obligations or payments of $25,000 or greater

• Other matters reasonably affecting the whole Church

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

The officers of Salem New Beginnings Church shall consist of President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

Corporate officers must be elected as required by Ohio Law.  Corporate officers shall be members of the church in good standing who are selected by the Elders with confirmation by members at the annual business meeting. Special elections may be conducted at any time during the year, as necessary, to fill vacancies with standard congregation notifications as outlined in ARTICLE III MEETINGS above.

 

The signature of all three officers (or their designated signers) shall be required to receive by gift, to purchase, to sell, or to mortgage, real property; or to open or close financial or bank accounts.  

 

The signature of one officer (or their designated signer) shall be required for all checks drawn on a bank account in the name of Salem New Beginnings Church.

 

ARTICLE V – Elders

Elders are the leaders of the New Testament church.  The Senior Pastor of Salem New Beginnings Church shall be an Elder.  Additional Elders shall be chosen from among voting members of the Church, and may include other vocational Pastors if deemed appropriate by Salem New Beginnings Church.  

 

Elders must meet the requirements found in Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Acts 20:28-31a, 1 Peter 5:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Timothy 5:17-18).  They shall be men of exemplary Christian character, being examples to the members and attenders in the life of the church and in all areas of Christian living.  

 

An Elder shall be chosen by other Elders and affirmed by Salem New Beginnings Church for service at a business meeting by 75% affirmative vote of those voting.  Elders shall serve three-year terms, after which time they must be re-affirmed by a vote from the Salem New Beginnings Church membership.  The presence or absence of term limits can be decided by Salem New Beginnings Church by a 75% affirmative vote. 

 

Church members may nominate an Elder candidate to any active Elder for consideration.

Elders shall be subject to a self-evaluation followed by evaluation by other Elders at Salem New Beginnings Church on an annual basis.  Elders who no longer meet the requirements found in Scripture or who are no longer able or willing to serve, may resign or be relieved of service by majority Elder decision at any time.

 

The number of Elders shall be determined by Salem New Beginnings Church based on ministry needs.  Elders shall be active leaders of the church and principal voices in accomplishing the mission of the church.  

ARTICLE VI – Senior Pastor

Call

The Senior Pastor shall be called as both Senior Pastor and Elder by Salem New Beginnings Church at a business meeting by 75% affirmative vote.  Salem New Beginnings Church will call a Search Team of at least three and no more than nine members.  The Elders may call upon resources outside the church to assist in the search process.  The Elders have the authority to call an Interim Pastor during a search.

 

Removal

The Senior Pastor may resign at any time; however, absent a resignation, the congregation must vote to remove its Senior Pastor at a business meeting specifically called to remove the Senior Pastor and removal must be approved a 75% majority vote.

 

Role of the Senior Pastor

The Senior Pastor, in partnership with the Elders, is responsible for the overall leadership and spiritual direction of the church.  The Senior Pastor provides leadership to the Elders, congregation, and staff.  The Senior Pastor is responsible for the operation and ministries of the church.  The Senior Pastor shall engage other Elders, Deacons, staff, and members at large in the operation of the church and the work of the ministry.

 

The Senior Pastor must provide clear leadership in preaching, teaching, prayer, and service, both in words and by example.  The Senior Pastor must have the capacity to equip the church in fulfilling the purpose and mission of the church, recognizing the essential need for ministry partnership with other Elders, ministry leaders and staff.

 

ARTICLE VII – Deacons 

Deacons shall be chosen by Church Elders and affirmed for service by Salem New Beginnings Church at a business meeting. A 75% affirmative vote is required of those church members attending the meeting.  Deacons shall be of exemplary Christian character, being examples to the members and attenders in the life of the church and in all areas of Christian living.  Deacons shall assist the Elders in the ministries of the church (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:8-13).  All Deacons must be chosen from among voting members in good standing at a Member Church.  Deacons shall serve three-year terms, after which time they must be re-affirmed by Salem New Beginnings Church.  The presence or absence of term limits can be decided by Salem New Beginnings Church.  

A Deacon shall be subject to a self-evaluation followed by evaluation by Elders at Salem New Beginnings Church on an annual basis.  Deacons who no longer meet the requirements found in Scripture or who are no longer able or willing to serve may resign or be relieved of service by a majority Elder decision at any time. 

 

The number of Deacons shall be determined by Salem New Beginnings Church based on local ministry needs.  Deacons shall be active leaders of the church and principally focused on service necessary for accomplishing the mission of the church.

 

Church members may nominate a Deacon candidate to any active Elder.

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ARTICLE VIII – Pastoral Staff and Other Employees

The Senior Pastor and Elders of Salem New Beginnings Church shall be responsible for the hiring process utilized for full-time and part-time pastors and other staff.  They may utilize search committees and seek congregational approval of candidates if they deem this to be appropriate on a case by case basis, but they are not required to do so.

 

ARTICLE IX – Reliance on Scripture as the Standard for all Matters of Life

We believe that the Holy Bible sets timeless standards for all matters of life, as more fully described in the Doctrinal Statement of Salem New Beginnings Church. 

 

We believe God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society.  For this reason, we believe that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:6-9, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:31).  Because of this biblical foundation, it is our policy that the facilities of this church may not be used for any function that in any way approves of, solemnizes, supports or allows a same-sex or polygamous union.  It is also the policy of this church that no pastor or member of the church staff or leadership shall officiate at any ceremony designed to solemnize, promote, create, or approve of such a union.  A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by this church only to the extent that it is consistent with this definition of marriage.  

 

Salem New Beginnings Church shall not allow anyone who denies these timeless standards to enter into membership, to lead, or to teach in any ministry of the church.  

 

ARTICLE X - CONFLICT

In order to maintain the integrity of Salem New Beginnings Church, it is agreed in advance by Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Members that if/when an irreconcilable division occurs within the body which threatens its unity and/or existence, the Superintendent, along with other members of the Great Lakes District Board of Directors, has the prerogative of taking the initiative to mediate the situation.

 

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended or altered by a 67% majority vote at any regular or special business meeting of Salem New Beginnings Church, provided notification of the proposed change has been made to the congregation at least two weeks prior to such meeting.

 

ARTICLE XII – STATEMENT OF FAITH 

Salem New Beginnings Church is an affiliate of The Evangelical Free Church of America, an association of autonomous churches, that is united around these theological convictions:

 

God


We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory. 

 

The Bible


We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. 


 

The Human Condition 


We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled, and renewed. 


 

Jesus Christ


We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. 


 

The Work of Christ 


We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation. 


 

The Holy Spirit


We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service. 

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The Church


We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. 


 

Christian Living


We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed. 

 

Christ’s Return


We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission. 


 

Response and Eternal Destiny 


We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.