Constitution and By Laws

Valley Church Constitution and Bylaws

PREAMBLE
For the purpose of establishing and maintaining a place for the worship of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, to provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, where the Holy Ghost may be honored according to our distinctive testimony; to assume our share of responsibility and the privilege of propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ by all available means, both at home and in foreign lands; we, whose names appear upon the assembly roster under the above date, do hereby recognize ourselves as a local assembly in fellowship with and part of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, and adopt the following articles of church order and submit ourselves to be governed by them.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this Assembly shall be Valley Church of the Lehigh Valley in the state of Pennsylvania.

ARTICLE II. PREROGATIVES

Section 1

This assembly shall have the right to govern itself according to the standards of the New Testament Scriptures, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, … Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

      Ephesians 4:3, 13.

Section 2

In connection therewith, or incidental thereto, it shall have the right to purchase or acquire by gift, bequest or otherwise, either directly or as trustees, and to own, hold in trust, use, sell, convey, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of any real estate or chattels as may be necessary for the furtherance of its purpose; all in accordance with its constitution and bylaws or as the same may be hereafter modified or amended.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION

This assembly shall voluntarily enter into full cooperative fellowship with assemblies of like precious faith associated in the Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council, the General Council of the Assemblies of God, with headquarters at Springfield, Missouri; and shall share in the privileges and assume the responsibilities enjoined by that affiliation.

ARTICLE IV. TENETS OF FAITH

This assembly shall stand for the Statement of Fundamental Truths as approved by the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

The Scriptures Inspired

The Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:12).

The One True God

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM”, the creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10-11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).

THE ADORABLE GODHEAD

Terms Defined

The terms “Trinity” and “Persons” as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many and lords many”. We, therefore, may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is the One Lord, as a Trinity or as one being of three persons, and still be absolutely Scriptural (examples: Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16-17).

Distinction and Relationship in the Godhead

Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the God head which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but that distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained (Luke 1:25; I Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; II Corinthians 13:14; I John 1:3-4).

Unity of the One Being of Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Accordingly, therefore; there is that in the Son which constitutes Him the Son and not the Father; and there is that in the Holy Ghost which constitutes Him the Holy Ghost and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore, the Father is the Begetter, the Son is the Begotten, and the Holy Ghost is the one proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty and His name one (John 1:18; 15:26; 17:11; 21; Zechariah 14:9).
Identity and Cooperation in the Godhead

The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are never identical as to Person; nor confused as to relation; nor divided in respect to the Godhead; nor opposed as to cooperation. The Son is in the Father and the Father is with the Son, as to fellowship. The Father is not from the Son, but the Son from the Father and the Son proceeding, as to nature, relationship, cooperation and authority. Hence, neither Person is the Godhead; either exists or works separately or independently of the others (John 5:17-30, 32, 37; John 8:17-18).
The Title, Lord Jesus Christ

The appellation, “Lord Jesus Christ” is a proper name. It is never applied, in the Anew Testament, either to the Father or the Holy Ghost. It, therefore, belongs exclusively to the Son of God (Romans 1:1-3, 7; II John 3).
The Lord Jesus Christ, God with us

The Lord Jesus Christ, as to His divine and eternal nature, is the proper and only Begotten of the Father, but as to His human nature, He is the proper Son of Man; who because He is God and man, is “Immanuel”, God with us (Matthew 1:23; I John 4:2, 10, 14; Revelation 1:13, 17).

The Title, Son of God

Since the name “Immanuel” embraces both God and man in the one Person, our Lord Jesus Christ, it follows that the title, Son of God, describes His proper deity, and the title Son of Man, His proper humanity. Therefore, the title, Son of God belongs to the orders of eternity and the title Son of Man to the order of time (Matthew 1:21-23; II John 3; I John 3:8; Hebrews 7:3; 1:1-13).

Transgression of the Doctrine of Christ

Wherefore, it is a transgression of the Doctrine of Christ to say that Jesus Christ derived the title, Son of God, solely from the fact of the incarnation or because of the relation to the economy of redemption. Therefore, to deny that the Father is a real and eternal Father and that the Son is a real and eternal Son, is a denial of the distinction and relationship in the Being of God, a denial of the Father and the Son and a displacement of the truth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (II John 9; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18, 29, 49; I John 2:22-23, 4:1-5; Hebrews 12:2).
Exaltation of Jesus Christ as Lord

The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, having by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; angels and principalities and powers having been made subject unto Him. And having been made both Lord and Christ, He sent the Holy Ghost that we, in the name of Jesus, might bow our knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father until the end, when the Son shall become subject to the Father that God may be all in all (Hebrews 1:3; I Peter 3:22; Acts 2:32-36; Romans 14:11; I Corinthians 15:24-28).

Equal Honor to the Father and to the Son

Wherefore, since the Father has delivered all judgment unto the Son, it is not only the express duty of all in heaven and on earth to bow the knee, but it is an unspeakable joy in the Holy Ghost to ascribe unto the Son all the attributes of Deity and to give Him all the honor and the glory contained in all the names and titles of the Godhead (except those with express relationship). See paragraph b, c and d (I Peter 1:8; Revelation 5:6-14; Philippians 2:8-9; Revelation 7:9-10, 4:8-11).

The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:

His virgin birth (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 25).
His sinless life (Hebrews 7:26; I Peter 2:22).
His miracles (Acts 2:22, 10:38).
His substitutionary work on the cross (I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21).
His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; I Corinthians 15:4).
His exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 1:9, 11; Acts 2:33).

The Fall of Man

Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” However, man, but voluntary transgression, fell and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:26, 27, 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).
The Salvation of Man

Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Conditions to Salvation

Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes as heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:122).
The Evidence of Salvation

The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:12).

The Ordinances of the Church

(a) Baptism in Water
The Ordinances of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4).

(b) Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements – bread and the fruit of the vine – is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:4), a memorial of His suffering and death (I Corinthians 11:26), a prophecy of His second coming (I Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!”

The Baptism in the Holy Ghost

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all the Early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24: 49; Acts 1:4, 8; I Corinthians 12: 1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17, 10:44-46, 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37039; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:20).

The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost

The Baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (I Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.
Sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is evil and a dedication unto God (Romans 12:1-2; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:12). The Scriptures teach a life of “holiness without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). By the power of the Holy Ghost we are able to obey the command: “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16).

Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection and by faith reckoning daily upon the fact of that union and by offering every faculty continually to the dominion of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-11, 13, 8:1-2, 13; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13; I Peter 1:5).

The Church and Its Mission

The Church of the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the General Assembly and Church of the First Born, which are written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:22; Hebrews 12:23).

Since God’s purpose concerning man is to seek and to save that which is lost, to be worshiped by man, and to build a body of believers in the image of His Son, the priority reason-for-being of the Assemblies of God as part of the Church is:
To be an agency of God for evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).
To be a corporate body in which man may worship God (I Corinthians 12:13).
To be a channel of God’s purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12:28, 14:12).

The Assemblies of God exists expressly to give continuing emphasis to this reason-for-being in the New Testament apostolic pattern by teaching and encouraging believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

This experience:

Enables them to evangelize in the power of the Spirit, with accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 4:29-31; Hebrews 2:3-4).
Adds a necessary dimension to worshipful relationship with God (I Corinthians 12, 13 and 14).
Enables them to respond to the full working of the Holy Spirit in expression of fruit and gifts and ministries as in New Testament times for the edifying of the Body of Christ (Galatians 5:22-26; I Corinthians 12:28, 14:12; Ephesians 4:11-12; Colossians 1:29).

The Ministry

A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a twofold purpose:
The evangelization of the world, and
The edifying of the Body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20; Ephesians 4:11-13).

Divine Healing

Divine Healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for, in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).

The Blessed Hope

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church (I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13; I Corinthians 15:51-52).

The Millennial Reign of Christ

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth for one thousand years (Zechariah 14:5; Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-14, 20:1-6). This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21-22; Zephaniah 3:19-20; Romans 11:26-27) and the establishment of universal peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Psalms 72:3-8; Micah 4:3-4).

The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works.

Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophets, will be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Matthew 24:46; Mark 9:43-48; Revelation 19:20, 20:11-15, 21:8).
The New Heaven and the New Earth

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness” (II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:22).

ARTICLE V. ORDINANCE

Section 1

The ordinance of Baptism by immersion in water (Matthew 28:19) shall be administered to all those who have     repented of their sins and who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls and who give clear evidence of their salvation (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12).

Section 2

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly as enjoined in the Scriptures (Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26).

ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 Membership Eligibility
Membership in this assembly shall be open to all those who give evidence of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and who voluntarily subscribe to its tenets of faith and agree to be governed by its tenets of faith and agree to be governed by its constitution and bylaws as herein set forth.

Section 2 Voting Membership
All those who meet the Scriptural standards for membership, whose names appeared on the original membership roll of the assembly at the time the assembly was first organized, together with those names which shall be added from time to time, shall constitute the legal voting membership of the assembly, provided they are eighteen years of age or over, that they regularly attend the means of grace and take part in the services, that they are living consistent Christian lives and are in agreement with our distinctive testimony.
Section 3 Junior Membership
There shall be a nonvoting Junior Membership for young people under the age of eighteen years of age who give evidence of the New Birth, having received Christ as personal Savior and who meet the usual qualifications for membership established by this assembly.
Section 4 Inactive Membership
Enrolled members who shall without good cause absent themselves from the services of the assembly for a period of three consecutive months or more, and who cease to contribute of their means to its support, who may be out of harmony with its teachings or its ministries, or who shall be under charges for misconduct, or who may have fallen under condemnation through sinful or worldly practices, shall be considered as inactive members and shall lose their voting privileges until they are restored to the fellowship, their standing to be settled by the definite action of the assembly through its elected offices.

Section 5 Honorary Membership
      Honorary members shall consist of those members who have entered the ministry as District Officers, Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, Religious Educators or those serving in the Armed Forces, which makes it impossible to serve as active members. Honorary membership recognition shall continue as long as the member maintains a consistent Christian life and remains sound in doctrine and maintains a cooperative attitude toward the Home Assembly. Voting privilege may be granted at the discretion of the Assembly.

ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS

Section 1 Officers

      There shall be a Pastor, a secretary and a treasurer. Other officers shall be added as may be needed.

Section 2 Deacons

a. The Board of Deacons consisting of not less than three numbers, including the Pastor, and under the oversight and guidance of the Pastor, shall be responsible for the spiritual management of the assembly. Of this Board of Deacons, one may be the secretary and one the treasurer.

b. The Deacons shall consist of mature men and women, including individuals whose divorce occurred prior to conversion, whose Christian experience and knowledge shall as closely as possible meet the moral character requirements set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Additionally, three months prior to the Annual Business Meeting, individuals divorced after their conversion may request that the Board of Deacons considers the circumstances of their divorce. On a case by case consideration, and by approval of at least a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Deacons, an individual divorced after their conversion will be eligible to have his or her name considered by the Nominating Committee.

c. All matters of church government shall be carried on by the Official Board except in matters affecting the entire body. In such cases, they shall present their recommendations to the church for ratification. Members of the Official Board shall be at least 21 years old and shall have been members of the assembly for at least six months.

d. The Board of Deacons shall constitute the Board of Trustees and shall be custodians of all church property.

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS

Section 1

Meetings for public worship shall be held on each Lord’s Day and during the week as may be provided for under the direction of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons.
Section 2

There shall be an annual meeting of the assembly, at which time, the election of officers shall take place and the report of all officers shall be read. The meeting shall be held in the Spring of each year. The time and place shall be announced by the Pastor. Due notice shall be given on the two Sundays immediately prior to the date of said meeting.

Section 3

Special business meetings of the assembly may be called when necessary, after proper notice has been given by the Pastor or by the Secretary of the assembly, providing the meeting has been agreed upon by the majority of the Board of Deacons. Special meetings may also be called by petition having been signed by not less than one-third of the active membership of the assembly, the petition to be placed in the hands of the Pastor or the Secretary and announcement made on the two Sundays immediately prior to the date of the meeting.

Section 4 Quorum

No record of any special or regular business meeting of the assembly shall be made unless one-third or more active members shall be present to constitute a quorum.

Section 5

The Board of Deacons, with the Pastor, shall meet monthly for the transaction of routine business for the assembly. Time and place to be announced by the Pastor.

ARTICLE IX. DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1 Sunday School
      There shall be a Sunday School created and conducted as a branch of the church activities.

Section 2 Youth Department
There shall be a Youth Department created under the supervision of the Pastor and the Board, which shall be conducted as a branch of the church activities. Its policies shall be approved by the Pastor and the Board.

Section 3 Other Departments
As the need arises, other departments and committees may be established. Other possible departments to be considered might be: Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Royal Rangers, Missionettes, Day Care Program, Christian Day School, etc.
Section 4 Relationship
      All departments and committees shall be subordinate to the assembly and shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole. They shall be under the general supervision of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons and the Pastor shall be an ex officio member of all committees and departments.

ARTICLE X. FINANCES

All funds for the maintenance of the assembly shall be provided by the voluntary contributions or the tithes and offerings of the members and friends of the organization. Offerings shall be accepted by the assembly at such times and in such ways as agreed upon by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons, and shall be administered by the treasurer under their direction (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; I Corinthians 16:1, 2; II Corinthians 9:6-8).

ARTICLE XI. PROPERTY

All property of the assembly shall be deeded to the assembly and held in its name or if the church is not incorporated, by trustees and their successors in office. No property of the assembly shall be sold, leased or mortgaged or otherwise disposed of without the sane shall have first been recommended by a voice of at least two-thirds of the voting membership who are in attendance at a regular or special meeting of the assembly which has been called for the consideration of the proposal. The Pastor and Secretary of the assembly shall certify in such conveyance, lease or mortgage, that the same has been duly authorized and recommended by a vote of the assembly. Such certification shall be held to be conclusive evidence thereof.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the assembly in attendance at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made at all the services on at least two consecutive Sundays immediately prior to the time of such meeting. Any proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the Board of Deacons, in writing, at least two months prior to the announced business meeting. It shall be understood that this article does not apply to the ARTICLE IV. Tenets of Faith, which stands regardless of majority.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1 Pastor

The Pastor shall be a minister of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in good standing and shall be known to be in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of that body and those of the local assembly.

      The Pastor shall be considered as the spiritual overseer of the assembly and shall direct all of its activities. He shall

be the president of the corporation and shall act as the chairman of the Board of Deacons. He shall be an ex officio member of all committees or departments. He shall provide for all the services of the assembly and shall arrange for all special meetings, conventions or revival crusades. No one shall be invited to speak or preach in the assembly without his approval.
Section 2 Board of Deacons
The Board of Deacons is chosen to serve the church and therefore shall act in an advisory capacity with the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the assembly in its spiritual life and in the ministry of its ordinances. They shall act in the examination of applicants for membership and also in the administration of discipline.
A majority present at any meeting of the Board of Deacons shall constitute a quorum, provided all the members have been notified to be present. In the event the assembly is temporarily without a Pastor, or the Pastor is unable to be present, the Board of Deacons shall be empowered to provide for its own chairman from its membership in order to transact business for the assembly.
Section 3

The Board of Deacons shall be the custodian of all the real property of the assembly. They shall discharge their duties at the regular monthly Board of Deacons meeting.
Section 4 Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the official meetings of the Board of Deacons and of the annual and special business meetings of the assembly. He shall keep a record of the membership of the assembly and perform any other clerical work necessary to the proper discharge of his duties. He shall be the custodian of all legal documents and be in possession of the corporate seal, where the assembly is incorporated.

Section 5 Treasurer
      The Treasurer shall be entrusted with the finances of the assembly, which may be committed to him. He shall deposit all funds in a responsible bank in the name of the assembly, and shall disburse the same by check, as authorized by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. All checks over $500 shall be countersigned by designated board members or bookkeeper and/or the Pastor. The Treasurer shall keep an itemized account of the receipts and disbursements. He shall make an itemized report at the regular meeting of the Board of Deacons and a summarized report to the assembly at the annual business meeting. His accounts shall be audited under the direction of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE II. ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

Section 1

The Pastor shall be elected to serve for an indefinite period of time. He shall be nominated by the Official Board. The Church Board shall seek the counsel and guidance of the District Superintendent pertaining to the resumes of all pastoral candidates. Election shall be by secret ballot at the annual business meeting of the assembly or at a special business meeting called for that purpose. A two-thirds majority shall be required to constitute an election. As the assembly grows, the Pastor shall have the prerogative to select any associates that may be required, with the consent of the Official Board.
Section 2

The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be elected by the Official Board from within its own membership. Their term of office shall begin at the time of election.
Section 3

The Official Board shall have a minimum of three (3) members, one of which shall be the Pastor. The Official Board members shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee, and shall be confirmed by a majority vote at the annual business meeting of the church. One shall be confirmed to serve for one (1) year; one shall be confirmed to serve for two (2) years, upon the expiration of the term of office, the succeeding members will be confirmed to serve a term of two (2) years each, or until their successor is confirmed.   Elections shall be staggered so there will always be at least one-third of the Board members remaining following the election.
Section 4

A Nominating Committee of five active members shall be chosen by the Pastor and ratified by the Official Board. The Nominating Committee shall consist of two (2) members from the Official Board, two (2) at-large members from the congregation and the Pastor, who shall serve as the chairman. It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to select nominees for the office to be voted upon at the annual church business meeting. The nominees names shall be posted on the bulletin board two Sundays prior to the business meeting.
Section 5 Vacancies

a. The Pastorate.

In the event the Pastor has serious charges preferred against him or his ministry ceases to be effective, or no provision has been made for the termination of his ministry, power is vested in the Board of Deacons to ask for the resignation of the Pastor at any of its regular business meetings. If such resignation is refused, the pastorate shall not be considered vacant until the action of the Board of Deacons has been confirmed by a majority vote of the congregation at a meeting called for that purpose, such meeting to be presided over by the District officiary. When a vacancy in the pastorate shall occur, a supply shall be arranged for by the Board of Deacons until a pastor shall be chosen as prescribed in Section 1. In the case of a pastor’s removal from office, a report of such action shall be made to the District Council office.

b. Other Officers.

      (a) Any office may be declared vacant by an act of a majority of the membership of the Board of Deacons at any regular or special business meeting.

      (b) Ground for such action shall be:

            1. Unscriptural conduct.

            2. Doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith

            3. Incompetency in office.

            4. For any good and sufficient cause.

      (c) Any incumbent under charges shall have opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing of his case before the assembly as he so desires.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 The Standard of Membership

The standard of membership of this assembly shall be:

Evidence of a genuine experience in regeneration – i.e. the new birth (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; I Peter 1:18-25).
Evidence of a consistent Christian life (Romans 6:4, 8:1-4, 13:13-14; Eph. 4:17-32, 5:1,2,15; I John 1:6-7).
To fully subscribe to the tenets of faith as set forth in the Constitutional rules of order adopted by this assembly.
Willingness to contribute regularly as a tither to the support of the assembly.
Section 2 Reception of Members.

Persons desiring to become active members of the assembly shall make the fact known to the Pastor, who shall examine the applicant according to the standards of membership.
The Pastor shall present the names of those who apply for membership with his recommendation to the Board of Deacons who shall act on said recommendation and render the final decision. All persons who shall have met the membership requirements and have been passed on favorably shall be received into the assembly publicly at any of the regular Sunday services and their names inscribed on the roster.
Section 3 Discipline

Any member of the assembly who shall willfully absent himself from the regular services for a period of three consecutive months, or who shall be under charges, shall be temporarily suspended from the active voting membership pending investigation and final decision in his case.
Unscriptural conduct or doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith held by this assembly shall be considered sufficient grounds upon which any person may be disqualified as a member (Matt 18:15-18; Romans 16:17-18; I Cor. 5:11; Gas. 1:8-9; Titus 3:1-15).

Section 4

Members in good standing, who may wish to sever their relationship with the assembly or who may desire to be transferred to some other congregation, may apply to the Secretary for a letter, which shall be granted on the approval of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons, said letter to be signed by the Pastor and the Secretary of the assembly.

Section 5

The Pastor and the Board of Deacons shall be authorized to revise the membership roll of the assembly annually and remove from the list of active members all names of those who may have become deceased during the year, together with the names of those who may have withdrawn from the fellowship, or who may have fallen into sin and whose lives may have become inconsistent with the standards and teachings of the assembly. The following rules and instructions shall be observed as occasion may require (Matt 18:15-17; Romans 16:17-18; I Cor. 5:1-5; II Thess. 3:6-15).

If a name is removed for caused, the one whose name is removed shall be notified of the action of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons through the Secretary. If appeal is made to the Board of Deacons for reconsideration of their action, and reinstatement is not granted, the dismissed member may appeal to the congregation. The action of the assembly, by a majority vote, shall be considered final.

ARTICLE IV. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Christian Education Director shall be appointed by the Pastor and ratified by the Board of Deacons. The Pastor and the Christian Education Director shall have the right to appoint all officers, teachers and other workers of the Sunday school, and, in consultation with the workers of the Christian Education Department, determine all policies and programs of the Department.

ARTICLE V. YOUTH MINISTRY

Should a youth organization be created, it shall be under the general supervision of the Pastor. It shall be conducted as a branch of the activities of the assembly and shall have the right to elect its own officers.

ARTICLE VI. PROPERTY RIGHTS

Section 1

All property, real or chattel, shall be taken, held, sold, transferred or conveyed in the corporate name of the assembly, or if the assembly is not incorporated, by trustees and their successors in office.

Section 2

No real or chattel property of the assembly shall be sold, leased, mortgaged or otherwise alienated without the same shall have been authorized by at least two-thirds majority vote of the membership.

Section 3

The Pastor and the Secretary of the assembly shall certify in such conveyance, lease or mortgage, that the same has been duly authorized by the vote of the membership. Such certificates shall be held to be conclusive evidence thereof.

Section 4

In case the church shall be divided by doctrinal views, or for other causes, the members holding to the original tenets of faith, standards and practices, as set forth in the General Council of the Assemblies of God Constitution and Bylaws, regardless of majority, shall retain title of the property.

In the event that this assembly ceases to function as a church body, then the said property, real or chattel, shall revert to the Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council of the Assemblies of God, whose headquarters are located at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council of the Assemblies of God shall have full authority to use or dispose of the property at its discretion. In the event of sale of the property by the Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council of the Assemblies of God, the proceeds derived there from shall be used by the District Council in the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ.

This ARTICLE VI. SECTION 4, PROPERTY RIGHTS is never to be amended without the Pennsylvania-Delaware District of the General Council of the Assemblies of God being represented by its District Superintendent and/or its Secretary/Treasurer and the Sectional Presbyter, at which time, a full hearing must be given and the vote be taken before the membership of the Assembly at a duly announced business meeting.

ARTICLE VII. ORDER OF BUSINESS

The regular order of business for the annual meeting of the assembly shall be as follows:
Devotions
Reading of previous minutes by Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
Unfinished business
Election of officers
New business
Adjournment

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special business meeting of the assembly by a majority vote of the membership present, except for ARTICLE VI, Section 4 of these Bylaws.