ARTICLE ONE – NAME

This organization shall be known as Evansville Bible Church, Inc., incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana (2020). We are a non-denominational, independent Bible church, not directly associated with any specific denomination or group of churches.  

ARTICLE TWO – PURPOSE

  • To worship God the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)
  • To proclaim to the world the gospel of salvation through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross (Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
  • To administer the New Testament ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
  • To equip God’s people for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • To provide spiritual care for each other and promote a spirit of love for the building up of one another in the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 13; Hebrews 10:24; 13:17)

ARTICLE THREE – DISTINCTIVES

  • High view of God and His Word (Isaiah 66:1-2; Psalm 19:7-12)
  • Reformed soteriology (Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • Commitment to expositional preaching (1 Timothy 4:6, 13-16)
  • Purity of doctrine (1 Timothy; 1 Titus 2)
  • Theologically sound worship (John 4:24; Hebrews 13:15)
  • Governed by a plurality of elders (Acts 20:17, 28; Hebrews 13:7)

ARTICLE FOUR – STATEMENT OF FAITH

SECTION 1 – THE SCRIPTURES

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16

We believe all Scripture of the Old and New Testaments to be verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:2) and that they are the supreme and final authority for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).

We believe God in His good providence has faithfully preserved His revelation to man so that today we possess accurate and reliable texts of both testaments (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:24-25).

We believe the meaning of Scripture is determined by a literal, grammatical, and historical method of interpretation under the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:7-15).

SECTION 2 – THE TRINITY

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

We believe the one living and true God exists in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God having precisely the same nature and attributes and are worthy of the same worship, honor, confidence, and obedience (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).  

SECTION 3 – GOD

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4:23-24

God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth (Westminster Shorter Catechism). We believe the Genesis account of creation, that God created all things out of nothing (ex nihilo), that God created the universe in six literal twenty-four-hour days and on the sixth day He created man in His own image. We reject the man-made theories of evolution (Genesis 1-2).  

SECTION 4 – CHRIST

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:15-17

A. His Pre-existence

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is co-eternal in being with the Father and the Holy Spirit from eternity past (John 1:1,14, 17:5; Hebrews 13:8).

B. His Deity

We believe Jesus Christ to be of the same substance or essence, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ has never at any time ceased to be God (John 1:1, 14, 8:58, 10:30, 14:9).

C. His Virgin Birth

We believe Jesus Christ was miraculously conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary with the result that the second person of the triune God was joined to a real human body and nature. We, therefore, believe the virgin birth was the method by which the second person of the Godhead entered into humanity and became the God-man (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35).

D. His Humanity

We believe Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, and that His human nature was genuine and complete. We believe the incarnation forever unites God with humanity in hypostatic union as the God-man, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:2; John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:5-8).

E. His Sinless Character

We believe Jesus Christ in His incarnation was tempted in all things as we are, and was yet without sin. This did not in any way demean His humanity. Sin, being an intrusion upon and not a necessary element of humanity, marred man and brought death. Jesus Christ was perfect humanity without ever experiencing sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).

F. His Death

We believe the death of Jesus Christ was a literal, complete, and final physical death (John 19:30; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:4-5).

G. His Resurrection

We believe in a literal, physical, bodily, and personal resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).

H. His Redemptive Character

We believe the Lord Jesus fully satisfied the justice of God by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself to God on man’s behalf. We believe Christ effectually calls all those for whom He purchased redemption (Romans 3:25-26; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:14-15, 10:10; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

I. His Priestly Ministry

We believe Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of God to intercede on behalf of believers as their High Priest and Advocate. We also believe that as all judgment has been given unto the Son, He as the Judge will evaluate the works of believers at the Bema (Judgment Seat of Christ) and the works of unbelievers at the Great White Throne Judgment (John 5:22, 26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 1:3, 7:25; 1 John 2:1; Revelation 20:11-15).

J. His Return

We believe Jesus Christ will return to the earth and that there are two distinct phases of His coming revealed in Scripture: the rapture of the saints and the revelation of Christ. These two phases are separated by the seven-year tribulation period. We believe the return of Christ for the saints is imminent, literal, bodily, personal, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial (John 14:2-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:8).

SECTION 5 – THE HOLY SPIRIT

I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

John 16:12-14

A. His Deity

We believe the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, is identical in substance or essence, co-equal in power and glory, and has the same attributes and perfection as God the Father and God the Son (Matthew 28:19; John 15:26, 16:13-14; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

B. His Personality

We believe the Holy Spirit is not just an influence, power, or force, but an eternal person having intellect, emotion, and will (1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 12:11; Ephesians 4:30).

C. His Work

  1. Convicting:  We believe the present ministry of the Holy Spirit is restraining sin in the world and convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7).
  1. Regenerating:  We believe the Spirit is the supernatural agent in the work of regeneration, in which He sovereignly imparts to the soul new spiritual life with new desires for God (John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Titus 3:3).
  1. Indwelling:  We believe the Spirit indwells every believer. This indwelling takes place at the time of salvation. It is God’s pledge guaranteeing the believer’s complete redemption and is permanent in nature (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30).
  1. Baptizing:  We believe the baptism of the Spirit to be the work of the Holy Spirit placing every believer in this present dispensation of the church age into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).
  1. Filling:  We believe that the Spirit fills the believer. The filling is not a second work of grace, a completion of salvation, or a second blessing. It is the believer being controlled by the Spirit through a continually dedicated and dependent life producing a Christ-like character (Galatians 5:16, 22-23; Ephesians 5:18).
  1. Teaching:  We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who guided His apostles into all truth and who teaches all believers and reveals to them the deep things of God (John 14:26, 16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-15; 1 John 2:20, 27).
  1. Spiritual Gifts:  We believe that the Holy Spirit is sovereign in giving spiritual gifts. These gifts are distributed to the church for the building up and good of the body (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 13:8, 14:19). We believe there are three categories of spiritual gifts:  sign, serving, and speaking gifts. The sign gifts served a specific purpose in the first century to authenticate the message of the gospel through the Apostles (2 Corinthians 12:12). Sign gifts, including supernatural miracles and speaking in tongues (supernatural ability to speak in a known language), were limited to the apostolic age. This does not mean that God does not heal in answer to prayer and according to His sovereign will (Acts 2:4-11; 1 Corinthians 14; Hebrews 2:4).

SECTION 6 – SIN

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.

Romans 5:12

A. Man’s Fall

We believe man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Therefore, everyone is born a sinner in both nature and practice. Sin is defined as falling short of God’s righteous standard of holiness or righteousness (Romans 3:23).

Because of sin man is condemned, under judgment, without hope, and utterly helpless to remedy his lost condition. He is totally depraved, which does not mean that man is as bad as he can be, but rather that man is as bad off as he can be. Man possesses no spark of divinity in his natural condition but rather is born spiritually dead and corrupt in every part of his being. He needs to be made alive (born again) by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that comes solely by grace alone through faith alone in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ alone (Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:17-18).

B. Satan

We believe Satan is the author of sin and the deceiver of Eve in the fall. We believe he is the declared enemy of God and man and he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; Revelation 20:10).

SECTION 7 – SALVATION

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

A. By Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Christ Alone

We believe in a “reformed” view of salvation. God has chosen before the foundation of the world all those He would save. Christ came to purchase His chosen people through His redeeming work on the cross.  Salvation is the gift of God, brought to many by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is totally a work of God for man and, therefore, it is apart from any sacraments, ordinances, good works, or human merit (Ephesians 1:3-4; John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

B. Available to All

We believe that this salvation is available to all men, but effective for only those who repent from their sin and turn to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Acts 17:30; Romans 6:23; 1 Timothy 2:3-6).

C. Immediate Justification

We believe man is immediately justified (declared righteous) by God and receives eternal life at the moment of his conversion. In justification the believer’s sins are imputed to Christ and paid for in His substitutionary death, and Christ’s perfect righteousness is imputed to the believer (Romans 3:24-26; 5:1).

D. Sanctification

We believe that biblical sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, the believer is set apart from sin to Christ and has three aspects.

  1. The believer has been positionally set apart before God the moment he believes (1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:10, 14).
  1. The believer is being set apart or sanctified progressively in his daily walk as he grows in grace toward the likeness of Christ. Progressive sanctification takes place by the power of the Holy Spirit and the continual use of God’s appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, watchfulness, prayer and yielding to the Spirit (John 17:17; Romans 8:13; 2 Peter 3:18; Romans 8:28, 29a; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 4:7b; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 John 3:3; Romans 12:1, 2; Ephesians 4:22, 24).
  1. The believer is to be set apart prospectively from the very presence of sin when his sanctification is completed at the coming of Christ for the church (1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 5:23).

E. Eternally Secure

We believe all who are born again by the Spirit of God are kept by God’s power alone. They are therefore secure in Christ forever, sealed by the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of their inheritance. This eternal salvation rests in the faithfulness of God, not in the faithfulness of man. This preservation of all believers rests upon the finished work of Christ, the promises of God, God’s gracious election before the foundation of the world, and the sovereign predestination of God. Therefore, it is the privilege of the believer to rejoice in the assurance of his salvation through the testimony of God’s Word. While the genuine believer in Christ is eternally secure, God’s Word clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as a license to carry out the desires of the flesh (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 2:1-2; Galatians 5).

SECTION 8 – THE CHURCH

I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:15

A. Defined

We believe the church, the body and bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism and New Testament institution composed of all born-again believers of this present church age. We believe the local church is the visible expression of the “body of Christ,” and that God’s program for this age is to be carried out through the local church, the pillar and support of the truth (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27; 1 Timothy 3:15).

B. Ordinances

We believe our Lord Jesus Christ has left the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to be observed by the church in commemoration of His person and work.

We exhort all who have professed Christ as Savior and Lord to be obedient to Christ’s command to be baptized by immersion in water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We believe that water baptism neither regenerates, cleanses from sin, nor completes a salvation process.  Rather, water baptism is a public testimony to one’s union with the triune God and identification with His people (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-13, 9:18, 19:4; John 1:31; Titus 3:5).

We believe the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord’s death until He returns by the sacred use of bread and juice as the symbols of the price He paid for sinners. This commemoration should always be preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:23-28).

C. Mission

We believe the primary mission of the church is to proclaim the gospel to the nations and equip believers for the work of serving. The church is not a political organization or a social institution. The church is not called to enforce social justice, engage in social activism, or participate in ecumenical movements as God’s agency on earth. Rather, the church is called to worship God in spirit and in truth and serve as the pillar and support of the truth (Ephesians 4:11-12; Matthew 28:19-20; John 4:24; 1 Timothy 3:15).  

D. Responsibility

We believe it is the church’s task to glorify God through:

  1. Regular corporate worship (John 4:24; Hebrews 10:25, 13:15; Colossians 3:16)
  1. Evangelism of the lost (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
  1. Building up believers (Ephesians 4:11-16)
  1. Caring for her members (1 Timothy 5)
  1. Doing good in the world (Galatians 6:10)

E. Separation

We believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace God has granted to us, and because our glorious God is worthy of our total consecration, all believers should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our love to God and not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 1:9-12).

We believe in the separation of the local church from all affiliations and fellowships who deny the fundamentals of the Christian faith (Romans 16:17).

We believe separation from sin is clearly commanded throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness will increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

We believe, though Christians are commanded to be good citizens and obey those placed in authority over us, the church as an institution should be separate from the state (Matthew 22:21).

F. Government

We believe the local New Testament church is autonomous, self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 13:1-3; Titus 1:5).

We believe the local church is to be shepherded and ruled by a plurality of spiritually qualified men known as Elders (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17-20; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-4).  

We believe it is the responsibility of all members to seek to have a spirit of eager cooperation and submission to their leaders (Romans 15:2; Hebrews 13:17).

G. Gender Roles 

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions within the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders in the church. Accordingly, only men will serve as Elders in the church. This is known as the complementarian view of the genders (1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 14:34).

SECTION 9 – MARRIAGE AND THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Genesis 2:22-24

A. Marriage and Human Sexuality

We believe marriage is a monogamous, heterosexual union instituted and ordained by God

(Genesis 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:22-33). As such, it is to be an exclusive covenantal union of one man and one woman as determined by their God-given biological sex at birth for the purpose of a lifetime of mutual commitment and companionship. A civil government’s sanction of a union will only be recognized as a legitimate marriage by Evansville Bible Church to the extent that it is consistent with this biblical standard. We therefore believe and affirm that:

  1. The term “marriage” has only one meaning: It is a union sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive relationship, as delineated in Scripture.
  1. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. 
  1. God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity is to occur outside of marriage.
  1. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, polygamy or any attempt to change one’s gender, or to reject one’s God-assigned, biological gender is sinful and offensive to God.
  1. In order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ and to provide a biblical example to church members and the community, it is imperative that all members or persons employed by Evansville Bible Church in any capacity or who serve as volunteers in any capacity should agree with and abide by this position statement on Marriage and Human Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.
  1. The recognition of same-sex or trans-gendered marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships is prohibited by Scripture. Rather than promoting the family and the common good of a community, the recognition and sanction of same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnerships is detrimental to a society. Such a redefinition of marriage dishonors God, devalues the institution, and confuses the meaning of family and the unique role of both a man and a woman in the nurturing and instruction of children.
  1. God offers redemption and restoration to one’s created identity as male or female to all who confess and forsake their sin and seek forgiveness and mercy through Jesus Christ.

B. Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. This affirmation does not suggest that we oppose capital punishment or just war (Psalm 139; Genesis 9:5-6; Matthew 26:52; Romans 13:1-4).

SECTION 10 – FUTURE EVENTS

Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Titus 2:13

A. The Second Coming of Christ

We believe the second coming of Christ is pre-millennial and will take place in two distinct phases (Revelation 3:10, 19:7-14). The first phase, often called the Rapture, involves the personal, imminent, and pre-tribulational coming of the Lord Jesus for His church. The Rapture of the Church is the believer’s comforting, purifying, and blessed hope and expectancy (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:9-10; 1 John 3:2-3).

The second phase of the second coming of Christ will take place immediately after the tribulation period.  Christ will return to earth with His saints after the seven-year tribulation period in order to establish His millennial kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10: Revelation 19:11-16, 20:1-6).

B. The Eternal State

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men. The saved shall be raised to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:4-15).

We believe the believer at death is absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss he awaits the first resurrection when he will be reunited with his resurrected body to be glorified forever with the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

We believe unbelievers at death go to be in conscious misery until the second resurrection, when they shall be reunited with their resurrected bodies to appear before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment. Unbelievers will not be annihilated, but will suffer everlasting, conscious punishment under the wrath of a holy God (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:11-15).

ARTICLE FIVE – CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE OF MEMBERSHIP

We believe those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately baptized by the Holy Spirit into one spiritual body called the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 20), of which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22). While the Church is a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ (Matthew 16:18) and made up of all believers, Scripture clearly directs believers to become members and serve in a local church (1 Corinthians 12:18-20; Hebrews 10:25). Becoming a member of a local church demonstrates a commitment to God’s plan for His Church. 

SECTION 2 – APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Any person who professes faith in Christ as Savior and Lord and desires to become a member shall notify an Elder or Deacon and will be given an application for membership and the Constitution of Evansville Bible Church.   

The applicant shall then meet with an Elder to testify to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and their understanding of the Constitution of Evansville Bible Church. The applicant shall also commit to attend the Newcomers Class.

SECTION 3 – ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

Applicants for membership shall be announced to the congregation two weeks prior to being received as members. The Board of Elders will then designate a worship service where the applicants will publicly confirm their commitment to Christ and the church and be received as members.

SECTION 4 – VOTING PRIVILEGES

Membership at Evansville Bible Church shall entitle the member to participate in a vote of affirmation at membership meetings called by the Board of Elders. A vote of affirmation by the members is required for the selection of pastors, elders, deacons, and missionaries, matters of church discipline, and approval of fiscal budgets (Article Nine, Section 2 regarding membership involvement in the budgetary process). Affirmation will be determined by a vote of three-fourths of all votes cast. Only members of the church on the day of any meeting who are eighteen (18) years old or over shall be entitled to one vote which shall not be assignable. Church members do not constitute a legislative body and cannot vote on or pass resolutions binding upon the (Church) Corporation, nor shall they have any equity in the real property of the Corporation, or rights to vote on its disposal.

SECTION 5 – REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP

A member of Evansville Bible Church who willfully, without plausible reason or excuse, removes himself from the services of this church shall be removed from the membership at the discretion of the Board of Elders. The church’s membership shall be examined and updated by the Board of Elders as needed.

SECTION 6 – DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

All personal, moral, or doctrinal offenses shall be governed by the procedure of Matthew 18:15-17. When a member becomes knowledgeable of another member’s offense that hinders spiritual growth and the testimony of the church and the offender, he is to go alone to the offending party only after self-examination and in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoring the offender. If the offender refuses to repent, the warning member shall take one or two witnesses with him to warn and correct the person. If the sinning member still refuses to repent, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Elders who shall tell it to the church. If the offending member remains unrepentant after repeated warnings and correction from the Elders and the church, the offending member shall be publicly dismissed from the church.

The above procedure of church discipline must always be done with the goal of restoring the offending member to useful service for Christ. “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1).

SECTION 7 – SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by order of the Board of Elders.

SECTION 8 – QUORUM

The members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the members, whether regular or special. 

ARTICLE SIX – ELDERS

SECTION 1 – POWERS

Subject to limitations of the Articles of the Constitution of Evansville Bible Church and of pertinent restrictions of the Corporations Code of the State of Indiana, all activities and affairs of the Corporation shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Elders who are responsible for shepherding and having oversight of the members. The Board of Elders shall have the following powers in addition to the other powers enumerated in these Articles:

A. To select and remove all officers, staff and employees of the church, prescribe such duties for them, and fix the terms of their offices and their compensation.

B. To establish policies and practices for the church consistent with the purposes as set forth in Article Two.

C. To assist in the administration of the ordinances of baptism and communion.

D. To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of the church.

SECTION 2 – NUMBER

The Board of Elders shall consist of as many men as meet the qualifications as set forth in Article Six, Section 4. If, however, the number of Elders serving is three, all matters brought before the Board of Elders that do not receive a unanimous vote will require the involvement of the available Deacons for their participation in the decision and voting process at the next regular Elder meeting, at which time a three-fourths vote would be required for the matter to be resolved and approved. If at any time the number of Elders serving is less than three, the Deacons will then begin meeting with the Elders and will adhere to the procedures pertaining to the decisions of the Board of Elders as stated in Article Six, Section 10 until a third Elder is ordained.

SECTION 3 – SELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE

The Board of Elders shall evaluate and approve men who desire the office of Elder as the needs of the church and the availability of scripturally qualified men warrant. Church members shall be notified of the name of an approved man at least three weeks prior to the annual or specially-called meeting of church members, where the name of a candidate for the office of Elder shall be presented for members to affirm the decision of the Elders. If the candidate is affirmed, he shall be publicly ordained as soon as possible and then assume his position as Elder of Evansville Bible Church immediately. Each Elder shall serve until the next annual meeting. Prior to the annual meeting, each Elder shall examine his qualifications and desire to serve another year (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22; Titus 1:5; Hebrews 13:17).

SECTION 4 – QUALIFICATlONS

Each Elder must be an active member of Evansville Bible Church and possess the following qualifications as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. 

A. Eager to serve (1 Timothy 3:1)

B. Blameless and above reproach as a steward of God (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)

C. A husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)

D. Temperate, sober, vigilant (1 Timothy 3:2)

E. Sober-minded, prudent (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)

F. Of good behavior, orderly, respectable (1 Timothy 3:2)

G. Given to hospitality (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

H. Able to teach, exhort believers, and refute false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9)

I. Not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

J. Not violent or pugnacious (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

K. Patient, moderate, forbearing, gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)

L. Not a brawler, uncontentious, not quick tempered (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

M. Not covetous, not a lover of money, not greedy of dishonest gain (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

N. Rules his own house well, children are faithful, not accused of rebellion (1 Timothy 3:4;  Titus1:6).

0. Not a new convert (1 Timothy 3:6)

P. Has a good report or reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7)

Q. Not self-willed (Titus 1:7)

R. A lover of good men and things (Titus 1:8)

S. Just and fair (Titus 1:8)

T. Holy and devout (Titus 1:8)

U. Self-controlled (Titus 1:8)

SECTION 5 – ELDER REAFFIRMATION, REVIEW, CORRECTION, REMOVAL

An Elder may be removed from office if he becomes physically incapacitated, spiritually unqualified, or the remaining Board of Elders establishes that he is unable to serve. An Elder may request to be removed from office temporarily for reasons other than those that would disqualify him, such as a needed rest from responsibilities, a time to evaluate his personal walk and priorities, or a family illness. The process of his reinstatement at a later time will be determined by the Elders in relation to the circumstances and his qualification and desire to serve again.

A. Reaffirmation

Elders shall be reaffirmed as to their qualifications by church members annually at a membership meeting the first Sunday in January.

  1. If an Elder receives less than a 95% vote of reaffirmation, he is to be reinvestigated as to his qualifications.
  1. A reinvestigation of qualification begins with each member who gave a no confidence vote to initiate the following procedure.

a. Talk with the Elder about the reason for no confidence.

b. Bring the matter before the Elders with the accused Elder present to either affirm the reason for no confidence or affirm that the concern has been resolved.

c. If less than two people come forward to meet with the Elders to bring formal charges, then the matter will be dropped.

B. Accusations

Elders may be subject to accusations at any time of the year.

  1. The accusations must be made by at least two people (1 Timothy 5:19).
  1. Those making the accusations should meet first with the Elder in question to express their concerns.
  1. If there is no resolution in private or the matter would disqualify the man from continuing as an Elder, the matter is to be brought before all the Elders for investigation.

C. Annual Review by Other Elders

Each Elder is subject to annual review by the other Elders. Those found negligent or incompetent to carry out their responsibilities may be subject to Correction and/or Removal as outlined in paragraphs D and E below.

D. Correction

If an Elder is accused as in A or B above, the matter shall be investigated by the remaining Elders to seek relevant facts to determine the legitimacy of the accusation.

  1. If the accusation is determined to be false, those making the false accusation shall be rebuked and church disciplined if there is no repentance.
  1. If the accusation is determined to be true, the Elders are to decide if it is a matter of qualification or a matter of correction.

a. Disqualification is required if the Elder no longer meets the character qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, or has seriously neglected his responsibilities, or no longer holds to Evansville Bible Church’s Statement of Faith.

b. Correction would be given for misunderstandings, errors of judgment, or minor matters that do not demonstrate failed character. The Elder should receive this correction with all humility and demonstrate repentance.

E. Removal

An Elder that is found to be disqualified is to be removed as an Elder.

  1. An Elder that in humility recognizes his failure may resign by publicly stating that he is no longer qualified and wishes to work on the areas of failure.
  1. An Elder who continues in sin or refuses the correction given to him shall be rebuked before the congregation and removed as an Elder. An Elder may be removed by unanimous consensus of all the Elders and/or by failure to receive a minimum three-fourths vote of affirmation of the members present at a regular or special church membership meeting.
  1. If the sin continues, the former Elder is to be removed from the membership of the church.

SECTION 6 – REGULAR ELDER MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the Board of Elders shall be held on days mutually agreed to by the Board of Elders.

SECTION 7 – SPECIAL ELDER MEETINGS

Special Elder meetings may be called by the Board of Elders at any time. 

SECTION 8 – QUORUM OF ELDERS

The quorum for Elder meetings shall be a majority of the Elders currently serving. However, when the matter to be considered concerns selecting an elder for member affirmation, dismissing an Elder, incurring debt, or buying or selling real estate, the quorum shall consist of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Board of Elders 

SECTION 9 – ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Elders may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Elders shall individually or collectively consent verbally, electronically, or in written form to such action. Such consent or consents shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Elders.

SECTION 10 – DECISIONS OF THE BOARD OF ELDERS

Decisions shall be reached after prayerful consideration by unanimous vote. If a unanimous vote is not obtained and if four or more Elders are serving, the matter shall be deferred until the next regular meeting of the Board of Elders at which time the matter may be presented and decided by a three-fourths vote of the entire Board of Elders. If the number of Elders serving is less than four, the Deacons will be required to participate in the voting process as defined in Article Six, Section 2.

SECTION 11 – FEES AND COMPENSATION

Any person receiving compensation directly or indirectly from Evansville Bible Church shall not be in a position to determine the nature or amount of the compensation.

ARTICLE SEVEN – DEACONS

SECTION 1 – SELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE

The nomination and selection of Deacons shall be done in the same manner as for Elders as set forth in Article Six, Section 3.

SECTION 2 – QUALIFlCATIONS

Deacons shall be church members possessing the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. A Deacon shall be first tested and found to be a man worthy of respect, sincere, not a drunkard, and not pursuing dishonest gain. He shall be a man who holds the truths of the faith with a clear conscience and is found beyond reproach.

SECTION 3 – DUTIES

Deacons shall serve the church body by carrying out the directives of the Elders for the general care and assistance of the church body. They shall assist in shepherding church members, prepare and assist in communion and baptismal services, be responsible for the care and upkeep of church properties, and perform other duties for the benefit of Evansville Bible Church as assigned by the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE EIGHT – PASTOR-TEACHERS

SECTION 1 – SELECTION

The Pastor-Teacher shall be selected by the Board of Elders and confirmed by the members of the church at a special meeting of the members. Such confirmation shall be a three-fourths majority of all votes cast. He shall remain in office for an indefinite period of time subject to the following reservations.

SECTION 2 – DUTIES

The Pastor-Teacher shall be responsible to the Board of Elders. The Pastor-Teacher shall be responsible for the general oversight and spiritual welfare of the church body. His primary focus is studying God’s Word and prayer so he may build up the church body in the faith and the knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).

SECTION 3 – QUALIFICATlONS

The Pastor-Teacher must meet the qualifications of an Elder as set forth in Article Six, Section 4.

SECTION 4 – DISMISSAL

The Elders reserve the right to dismiss the Pastor-Teacher upon giving him one month’s written notice of their intention to dismiss. The Pastor-Teacher must give one month’s notice if he intends to resign. The time limit of a Pastor-Teacher’s dismissal is subject to a lesser time at the discretion of the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE NINE – OTHER MINISTRIES

SECTION 1 – CHURCH SECRETARY

The Church Secretary shall be appointed by the Board of Elders. The Church Secretary shall keep a current record of membership and assist in the general administration of the church.

SECTION 2 – CHURCH TREASURER

The Church Treasurer shall maintain adequate accounts of the assets and business transactions of Evansville Bible Church. These accounts shall be open to inspection or audit by an Elder or a person designated by the Board of Elders.

The Treasurer or his delegate shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of Evansville Bible Church with such deposits as may be designated by the Board of Elders. He shall make the financial reports available upon request or at meetings of the Board of Elders.

The Treasurer shall post the proposed budget 30 (thirty) days prior to the beginning of the upcoming fiscal year. Written comments regarding the budget will be accepted from the membership for 30 days. The written comments or suggestions will be reviewed and implemented by the Board of Elders at their discretion. The final fiscal budget will be presented at an annual meeting for a vote of affirmation as stated in Article Five, Section 4. The Treasurer must meet the qualifications of a Deacon as stated in Article Seven, Section 2.

SECTION 3 – DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Director of Christian Education shall work under the supervision of the Elders in the administration of all educational ministries of Evansville Bible Church, and shall be responsible for the overall direction and supervision of the Sunday School, midweek ministries, special day programs, youth activities and ministries.

SECTION 4 – DIRECTOR OF CHURCH EVANGELISM

The Director of Church Evangelism shall work under the supervision of the Board of Elders, and shall be responsible to develop and promote church evangelism through organized visitation, visitor follow-up, evangelism training, and community outreach programs. 

SECTION 5 – DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS

The Director of Missions shall work under the supervision of the Board of Elders in developing and implementing a missions strategy in obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). He shall be responsible to keep Evansville Bible Church missions-minded (e.g. schedule special reports, videos, speakers, prayer times). He shall suggest missionary agencies, personnel, and programs to the Board of Elders for consideration and approval. He shall also be responsible to oversee missions’ ministries such as hospitality for visiting missionaries, correspondence with missionaries, and missionary conferences. 

Missionaries to be considered for support must meet the approval of the Board of Elders. It shall be the policy of Evansville Bible Church to support only mission ministries and missionaries engaged in evangelism and the establishment of biblical evangelical churches. They shall agree with Evansville Bible Church’s doctrinal statement. Such missionaries approved by the Board of Elders will be submitted to church members for a vote of affirmation as stated in Article Five, Section 4. Any action to discontinue support of a missionary or missions ministry will be left to the discretion of the Board of Elders.

SECTION 6 – DIRECTOR OF CHURCH MUSIC

The Director of Church Music will work under the guidance and supervision of the Board of Elders in leading the music ministry at Evansville Bible Church. He will be responsible for selecting, coordinating, and overseeing the music for worship services.

SECTION 7 – DIRECTOR OF YOUTH

The Director of Youth shall be accountable to the Director of Christian Education and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the Elders in building godly character into the lives of young people through their mental, spiritual, social, and service development (Luke 2:52). He shall instruct and train young people to do the work of ministry by providing Biblical teaching and ministry opportunities. He shall cultivate a God-centered focus in the youth with the goal of building them up in Christ (Colossians 1:28).

SECTION 8 – HEAD USHER

The head usher will work under the supervision of the Board of Elders to assist and direct people before, during, and following services at Evansville Bible Church. He shall provide for the safety and security of the church property during the services. The head usher must meet the qualifications of a Deacon as set forth in Article Seven, Section 2.

SECTION 9 – USHERS

Ushers shall be accountable to the Head Usher and assist him in fulfilling his duties as he requests.

ARTICLE TEN – OTHER COMMITTEES

To maintain efficient handling of the work in general of Evansville Bible Church, the Board of Elders may appoint various committees from within its members. These committees shall perform tasks solely in accordance with the duties and powers specifically delegated by the Board of Elders. All committees and organizations within or identified with the church, such as men’s and ladies’ groups, Bible studies, small groups, sports activities, music groups and other such groups, are subject to this Constitution and the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE ELEVEN – MEETINGS

All meetings concerning the members of Evansville Bible Church shall be called at the discretion of the Elders. These meetings shall be announced no less than two weeks prior to the called meetings. Any matters that are not covered by this Constitution shall be subject to Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE TWELVE – LICENSING AND ORDINATION

The license for pastoral ministry shall be issued by the Board of Elders and is given in recognition of a man’s call to that ministry. Its aim is to allow a man to perform all of the ecclesiastical duties and functions of the church and indicates that he meets the qualification of being a “clergyman” in the eyes of the State. 

Ordination refers to the recognition by the Board of Elders of a man’s call to the ministry and qualification to serve at Evansville Bible Church. 

ARTICLE THIRTEEN – DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of this Corporation, the Board of Elders shall cause the assets of Evansville Bible Church to be distributed to another corporation with purposes similar to those identified in Article Two of the Constitution, which states the purposes of the church.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN – AMENDMENTS

Articles of the Constitution of Evansville Bible Church may be amended or added by the Board of Elders in the exercise of the power granted to the Board of Elders in this Constitution. Any changes made to the Constitution must be presented to the members of Evansville Bible Church for a vote of affirmation consistent with member voting privileges as described in Article Five, Section 4.

*Portions of this Constitution and Statement of Faith have been borrowed from Faith Bible Church of Evansville, IN; Plainfield Bible Church of Plainfield, IN; Faith Church of Lafayette, IN.  For a thorough doctrinal statement, see https://www.gracechurch.org/about/doctrinal-statement.