Section 1        Legal Declaration and Doctrinal Statement

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be Bethany Bible Church, located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The church is incorporated as a non-profit organization under the statutes of the state of Arizona.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

It shall be the purpose of this church to minister the Word of God for the salvation of souls, the edification and maturity of Christians, the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the promotion of godly living and worship.

ARTICLE III - DOCTRINAL STATEMENT: What We Believe and Teach Authority of This Doctrinal Statement:

This Doctrinal Statement does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The inspired Scriptures themselves are the sole and final source of all that we believe. However, we do believe that the following statement accurately represents the teachings of the Bible on the subjects they address and is therefore binding upon all who serve in leadership and in a teaching capacity at Bethany Bible Church.

1.  The Holy Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God- breathed (Ex. 20:1; Deut. 4:2; Isa. 1:10; Jer. 1:9; Ezek.1:3; Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Peter. 1:20-21; Matt. 5:18; Jn.16:12-13).

2.  The Godhead

We believe that there is one living and triune God, who is an infinite Spirit and the Crea and Supreme ruler of heaven and earth; that He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all honor, glory, confidence and love. The Scriptures teach that all events, both great and small, come about as the result of God's eternal decree. The Lord God rules over heaven and earth with absolute authority, power and control; nothing comes to pass apart from His eternal purpose.

We believe that in the unity of the Godhead that there are three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who are co-equal in power and glory, who have the same attributes and perfections, and who execute distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Ex.10:2; Deut. 6:4; 1 Chron. 29:10-12; Jn.10:30; 1 Cor. 8:6; Matt. 28:18-19; 2 Cor. 3:17; 13:14; 1 Tim. 2:3,5; Titus. 2:13;1 Jn. 5:20; Rev. 4:11.

3.  The Person and Work of Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, the Seed of the woman, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (Lk.1:35; Jn.1:1-2,14).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rom. 3:24-25; Eph.1:7; 1 Pet.1:3-5; 2:24).

We believe that God, by the Lord Jesus Christ’s death, perfectly reconciles the believer, perfectly redeems them, and is perfectly propitious with them (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 5:18; 1 Jn. 2:1-2).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, he fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Act. 1:9-10; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; 1 Jn. 2: l-2).

4.  The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

We believe that God the Holy Spirit is a divine person who was active in the creation, and who, in his relation to the unbelieving world, restrains the evil one until God’s purposes are fulfilled. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment and bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony (Gen. 1:1-3; Matt. 28:19; Mk.1:8; Lk.1:35; 24:49; Jn.1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17,26;16:8-11; Act. 5:30-32; 11:11-16; Rom. 8:14,16,26-27; Eph. 1:13-14; Heb. 9:14).

We believe that He is the divine Teacher who guides believers into all truth, and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Jn.16:13,14; Eph. 5:18; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27).

5.  The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that 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; and that man is totally depraved, and of himself unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:6-7; Jn. 3:18; 1 Cor. 15:22; Rom.3:10, 22-23; 5:6,8,10,12; Eph. 2:1-3,12) and is without excuse or hope apart from the saving grace of God (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5; Rom. 3:20; Rev. 20:11-15).

6.  Election

We believe that God as the sovereign Creator of the universe, before the foundation of the world, chose certain individuals from among the fallen members of Adam's race to be objects of His undeserved favor. This choice was based solely on His own good pleasure and sovereign will and not on the result of anything that man can do or has done. As the sovereign God; He could have chosen to save all mankind or to save none. Instead, He did neither. He was under no obligation to show mercy to any. He chose to save some and exclude others (Deut. 7:7-8; Ps. 65:4; Matt.11:27, 24:22,24,31; Mk.13:20; Lk.18:28-30; Eph.1:4; I Thess.1:4,5; Rom. 8:28-30; 9:13; 21).

7.  Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to people by grace and received by personal faith and repentance for their sins in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Golgotha or Calvary for the forgiveness of sins (Isa. 53:4-6; Jn. 1:12; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet.1:18- 19).

We believe that left to themselves men and women remain in a state of total depravity and are unable of themselves to repent, to believe the gospel, or to receive the gift of salvation offered by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. The saving faith that is essential for people to believe is solely the marvelous work of God (Act. 2:37; Jn. 3:16-17; 6:44; 2 Tim. 2:25).

8.  Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus in Christ forever(Jn. 6:37-40; 10:28-29; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Eph.1:13-14; Heb.13:5-6; 1 Pet.1:5; 1 Jn.5:13).

We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an excuse for sinning (Rom.13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Tit. 2:11-15).

9.  Sanctification

We believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and identified as a saint. This sanctification is initially positional and instantaneous and should not be confused with progressive sanctification. This sanctification has to do with the believer’s standing, not their present walk or condition (Act. 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 2:11; 3:1; 10:10, 14; 13:12; 1 Pet. 1:2).

We believe that there is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. Through obedience to the Word of God, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, and to become more like our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn.17:17, 19; Rom. 6:1-22; 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Thess. 4:3-4; 5:23).

In this respect, we believe that every saved person is involved in a daily conflict: the new creation in Christ doing battle against the flesh, but adequate provision is made for victory through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The struggle nevertheless stays with the believer all through this earthly life and never completely ends. All claims to the eradication of sin (i.e., it’s total elimination) in one’s lifetime is unscriptural. But the Holy Spirit does provide for victory over sin (Gal. 5:16-25; Eph. 4:22-24; Phil. 3:12; Col.3:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 1 Jn. 3:5-9).

10.  Separation

We believe that all Christians should live in such a manner so as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord, and that separation from all religious apostasy and all worldly and sinful pleasures and practices is commanded by God (Rom.12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 1 Thess. 5:22; 2 Tim.3:1-7; 1 Jn 2:15-17; 2 Jn. 9-11).

11.  Missions

We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness by life and by word to the truths of Holy Scriptures, and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind (Matt. 28:18,19; Mk.16:15; Act.1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-20).

12.  Spiritual Gifts

We believe that God gave to His church gifted men to serve as apostles, prophets, evangelists and teaching-shepherds “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” We teach that the New Testament apostles and prophets were unique men by whom God established His church, and through whom He gave the New Testament Scriptures. Further, we teach that apostles and prophets subsequently passed from the scene but those evangelists and teaching-shepherds continue with the ongoing task of equipping the saints (Eph. 2:20; 4:11-13). We teach that every believer is gifted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of edifying the body of Christ,and that spiritual gifts fall into two broad categories:

1)    Temporary “sign gifts” (e.g., speaking in tongues, working of signs, wonders, and miracles), which were manifestations of the Holy Spirit to authenticate the messenger and the gospel message during the foundational period of the church, and which gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority established.

2)    Permanent edifying gifts (e.g., leadership, serving, helps, mercy), which are given to believers to equip them for ministry and for mutual edification (1 Cor. 12:4-11; 13:8-10; 2 Cor.12:12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

13.  The Church

We believe that the church is the body and espoused bride of Christ, and is a spiritual organism into which the born-again believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit. This organism had its beginnings at Pentecost and continues until the rapture. Continuance of the believer in the body of Christ is entirely based on the faithfulness of the Lord and the sealing of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-14; Gal. 3:26- 28;Eph.1:22-23; 2 Cor.1:22).

We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. We also believe that a local church is a congregation of baptized believers who meet together to glorify God through corporate worship; and for joint edification through sound doctrinal instruction, fellowship and prayer, and for witness through godly living, faithfulness to the ministry and ordinances of the church and also through cooperation in the mission of the church to win the lost (Act.9:31; 14:26-28; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit.1:5-11).

We believe that the local church is autonomous and free of any external authority or control (Act. 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom.16:1,4; 1 Cor. 3:9,16; 5:4-7, 13; 11:26; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).

14.  Dispensationalism

We believe that the Scriptures interpreted with a consistent and literal and plenary hermeneutic reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life, which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purposes.

We reject the extreme teaching known as “hyper-dispensationalism” which opposes the Lord’s table and/or water baptism as scriptural means of testimony for the church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Jn.1:17; Act. 2:41-42; 18:8; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph.1:10; Heb. 7:19; Rev.20:2-10).

We believe the church has ‘not’ replaced the nation of Israel, nor has the church become the new spiritual Israel. The foundation for God’s covenant with Israel is everlasting, unconditional, and a permanent inheritance for the Jewish people that will not be broken. The land of Israel is promised to them ‘forever.’ Israel remains the ‘children of the covenant’ and their promised Messiah, Jesus will in the future reign over the house of Jacob and the nations forever. Therefore, we do not believe nor teach any form of: supersessionalism, covenant, fulfillment, dominion theologies and thereby denounce the ‘Christian Nationalist’ movement and all forms of Antisemitism (Gen.12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:18; 17:1-8; 22:16-18; Num. 23:9; Ps. 89:34; Jer. 31:28; 31:31-34; Ezek.36-37; Zech.12:10; 14; Matt 15:24; Lk.1:31-33; Act. 3; Rom. 3:4; 9-11; Js.1:17).

15.  Personality of Satan

We believe that Satan is a person, a spirit-being who is the unholy god of this age, the author of sin and the cause of the fall. As the ruler of the powers of darkness, he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire (Job.1:6-7; Isa.14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10).

16.  Second Advent of Christ

We believe in the “blessed hope” of the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones in the air, and in His subsequent return to the earth, with His saints, to establish His millennial kingdom or world to come (Zech.14:4-21; 1 Cor.15:51-54; 1 Thess.1:10; 4:13-18; Rev. 3:10;19:11-16; 20:1-6).

17.  Eternal State

We believe the New Testament reveals bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46; Jn. 5:28-29; 11:25, 26; Rev. 12-13; 20:5-6).

We believe that the immaterial part of the redeemed is, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (2 Cor.5:8; Phil.1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess.4:16-17; Rev.20:4- 6). Prior to this, we believe all believers must appear at the 'Judgement Seat of Christ’ to account for their lives on earth (2 Cor. 5:10).

We believe the New Testament reveals the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in a separated sate until the second resurrection, when with spirit, soul and body reunited, they shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be confused with annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment (Matt. 25:4-46; Mk.9:43-48; Lk.16:19-26; 2 Thess.1:7-9; Jude 14,15; Rev.19:11-21; 20:11-15).

18.  Ordinances

We believe that two ordinances are significant above any other that Christians are commanded to observe, namely, water baptism and communion. While recognizing that water baptism has no saving merit, it is our conviction that after one is saved, baptism is the next step in order to portray to the church the believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, and to the unbeliever that he is now a believer. It is our conviction that the scriptural method of water baptism is immersion,to be observed once as a sign of identification and as a testimony to newness of life.

We teach that Jesus Christ instituted the communion to remember the blessings from His finished work until He returns, and that it is to be observed as a memorial of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-19; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor.1:13-14; 11:23-33; Col. 2:9-13).

19.  Creation

We believe that God created the universe in six literal 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, The Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11).

20.  Authority

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority, consisting of three basic institutions: the home, the church, and the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom.13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb.13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).

21.  Human Sexuality

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sexual intimacy. We also believe that God condemns and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance (Gen. 2:24; 19:5,13; 26:8-9; Lev.18:1-30; Rom.1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess.4:1-8; Heb.13:4).

22.  Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Remarriage after a divorce is regarded as adultery except when the divorce is granted on the grounds of unrepentant sexual immorality, and/or abandonment of the marriage by an unbelieving spouse (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-12; 1 Cor. 7:12-16).

23.  Abortion

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life, and is therefore murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable (Job. 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa.44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer.1:5; 20:15-18; Luke. 1:44).

24.  Standard of Conduct

We believe that all things must be done decently and in order. Ministry functions and services are private meetings held on private property according to policies and procedures followed by the ministry of Bethany Bible Church and should not be considered open to the discretion of the general public under all circumstances. A member/participant/student of Bethany Bible Church may be dismissed and/or removed from any function of Bethany Bible Church if the demonstrated conduct, or spirit of that person is divisive, blatantly sinful, or reflects personal opposition to this Doctrinal Statement and Church Bylaws, whether on or off Bethany Bible Church property.

This determination will be at the sole discretion of the Bethany Bible Church Elders. Re-admission considerations following dismissal/removal will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Bethany Bible Church Elders (1 Cor. 11:17-22; 14:40; 2 Cor. 2:1-11).

Section 2.           Bylaws of Bethany Bible Church: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

1.  Definition of Membership

The membership of this church shall consist of people who give evidence by profession

and conduct that they have been regenerated by faith in Christ, have been baptized by immersion in water, and agree with the church constitution and doctrinal statement.

a.  Inactive Members: Inactive members are those who without just cause or reason satisfactory to the Board of Elders, shall fail to attend or manifest interest in the church for a period of three months. They shall be placed on the inactive list and lose their benefits of membership (i.e., biblical counseling and training, marriage preparation and vows, funeral and burial presiding, benevolence assistance etc.). At the discretion of the Board of Elders, an active member may be placed on inactive status prior to three months if a situation of concern should warrant such action (i.e., Matt. 18 discipline issue).

The Board of Elders shall make every effort to reestablish the member’s fellowship with the church and may restore an inactive member to active membership whenever he or she shall indicate a desire to be reinstated by his or her regular attendance at church for three full months.

b.  Removal of Members: Members remaining on the inactive list for more than three months, and who have demonstrated no interest in participating in the fellowship of the church, shall be removed from the church membership roll after review by the Board of Elders, and after those members have been officially notified in writing or asked for a transfer to another church.

2.  Reception of Members

Anyone desires membership and declaring themselves in accord with the definition of Membership above (see Article IV,1. a.) may become a candidate for church membership upon written or verbal request to the Board of Elders.

3.  Membership Candidates

Candidates may become members of Bethany Bible Church in the following ways:

a.  Board of Elders’ recommendation.

b.  Baptism verification and completion of a membership class utilizing Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA: “Fundamentals of the Faith.”

c.  Statement of Christian testimony.

d.  Restoration of prior membership

e.  Responsibilities, Privileges and Duties of members in good standing are: Personal Discipleship & Counseling, outreach participation, pre-marital preparation, funeral preparation and assistance, benevolent assistance, baptism, church ordinances and voting.

It will be the responsibility of the Board of Elders to present membership candidates to the members of the congregation, and a vow of affirmation.

4.  Membership Commitment (To be publicly affirmed and by signing of Constitution and Statement of Faith by each new member.)

“Having been born again by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and being justified on the confession of His shed blood, and having confessed my faith before men, I do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this commitment with my fellow members, as a member of the body of Christ. I commit, therefore, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in Christian love; to strive for the advance of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, disciplines and doctrines; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry and the spread of the Gospel to all nations. I also commit to maintain family and personal devotions, to educate my children in God’s Word, and to seek the salvation of my kindred and acquaintances. By the grace and power of God, and as a stranger and pilgrim in this world, I commit to abstain from fleshly lusts and worldly practices that war against the soul; and to forsake all bitterness and wrath, anger, and clamor, and evil speaking; and to be kind to my fellow Christians, tender-hearted, forgiving them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven me. I further commit to watch over my fellow members in brotherly love; to remember them in prayer; and to help aid them in sickness and distress (Rom.12:9-13; Eph. 4:31-32; 1 Pet. 2:10-21).

5.  Withdrawal of Members

Members desiring to unite with another church may be given, upon request, a letter of good standing from the Board of Elders.

6.  Discipline of Members

In the event of defiant (unrepentant) sin on the part of one of its members, the leadership of Bethany Bible Church affirms the principles of church discipline given by our Lord in Matthew 18:15- 20 and other related passages as listed below. The goals of those principles are 1) restoration of the sinning member, and 2) protection of the flock from sin (Matt.18:15-20; Lk. 17:3; 1 Tim. 5:19-21; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; Tit. 3:10).

The steps of church discipline include (Matt.18:15-20):

a.  Step One - Going in private: “If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother” (v.15).

b.  Step Two - Taking one or two witnesses to confirm the facts of the matter: “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed” (v.16).

c.  Step Three - Informing church leadership, who may inform the entire church for the purpose of prayer and ongoing exhortation toward repentance: “If he/she refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church” (v.17a).

d.  Step Four - Remove the unrepentant sinner from the congregation until repentance occurs: “If he/she refuses to listen even to the church, let him/her be to you as a pagan and a tax-gatherer (v.17b) (see also 2 Thess. 3:6 & 1 Cor. 5:5-7, 11).

7.  Restoration of Members

An individual previously dismissed who has given evidence of genuine repentance may be restored tomembership upon recommendation of the Board of Elders and affirmation by the congregation.

8.  Lawsuits Between Members

Because Scripture prohibits Christians from bringing lawsuits against one another, to resolve personal disputes, members in dispute are called to go to the Elders to discuss and resolve the disputed issue following the teaching and instruction of scripture (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).

ARTICLE V - LEADERSHIP

Membership in Bethany Bible Church is a prerequisite for all leadership positions.

Leadership positions include, but are not limited to: Pastor/Teacher, Sunday School/Bible Study leader; Elder, Deacon, Worship Leader (with additional positions to be added by the Board of Elders as needed).

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

1.  Titles - The officers of Bethany Bible Church shall be Pastor, Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses.

2.  Qualifications of Officers

a.  Pastor

The Pastor, who is also an Elder, must be a man who is exemplary in His walk with the Lord, and who demonstrates a commitment to Shepherding the Flock of God. He must be Elder qualified (as outlined under “b. Elder” below). He must have the requisite spiritual gifts to lead and feed the flock and must be committed to faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word. He shall minister personally and corporately to the spiritual life of the church. He shall be dedicated to teaching the truths of the scriptures in the pulpit ministry, bible studies, and biblical counseling. He shall have a desire for fellowship with the saints, hospitality, evangelism and outreach to the local community and the world. He shall implement spiritual goals and possess a vision for the spiritual life of the church. He is also to be a gatekeeper protecting the sheep from false-teaching and wolves amongst the flock (Isa. 40:11; Jer. 3:15; Ezek. 34:11-16; Mic 6:8; Ps. 23:1-6; Prov. 29:18; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit.1:6-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Jn 10:3; 21:15-17; Act. 2:38; 4:12; 20:29-30).

b.  Elder

An Elder must be self-controlled, not self-willed, and not prone to displays of anger. He must be a one woman man (i.e., completely devoted to the woman who is his wife). He must be serious- minded, behave appropriately toward all people, and he must be hospitable. He must have a thorough understanding of Scripture, have doctrinal stability, and be capable of teaching effectively. He must not be an alcoholic, or violent, or greedy. He must be one who is patient, not quarrelsome, and is not covetous. He must be a good administrator of his own family, with his children being submissive to his authority. He must be just, and must refrain from activities that would hinder his personal relationship to the Lord. He must not be a new believer, and he must have a good reputation among people outside the church (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit.1:6-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Act. 20:28).

c.  Deacon

A Deacon must be serious-minded and must honor his commitments. He must have a reputation for honesty. He must not be an alcoholic and must not be greedy. He must have a clear understanding of the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, and must demonstrate that understanding with a lifestyle consistent with those doctrines. He must be consistently under the leadership of the Holy Spirit with a life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit; and he must have wisdom (Act.6:3; 1 Tim. 3:8-10; Gal. 5:22-23).

d.  Deaconess

A Deaconess must be dignified (i.e., worthy of respect because she knows the importance of living the Christian life, and possesses and manifests a dignity founded on high moral distinctions and seriousness of purpose); not a malicious gossip (i.e., able to keep her counsel and minister with pure motives); temperate (i.e., steadfast, stable, a clear thinker, disciplined and not self-indulgent). and faithful in all things (i.e., has proven faithful in godliness and ministry (1 Tim. 3:11; Rom. 16:1- 2).

3.  Election, Term of Office, and Duties of Pastor

a.  Election

A candidate for Pastor of this church shall be a man. He shall prepare a written statement of his personal testimony and his faith and his adherence to all articles of this church's Constitution. If there are any reservations or disagreements with any article or provision in the church's Constitution, they shall be fully noted and explained in writing and discussed with the Board of Elders. A candidate, having been recommended and affirmed by the Board of Elders, shall be elected to that office by unanimous agreement among the board of Elders and followed by affirmation of the members of the church.

b.  Term of Office

He shall continue in office until he resigns or is dismissed by a unanimous agreement of the Elder Board.

c.  Duties of the Pastor

The Pastor shall operate within the realm of his pastor-teacher gifts. He has authority to preach the Word, set spiritual goals, oversee, warn, and lead by example (1 Tim. 5:17; Act. 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3; Heb.18:7,17; 1 Tim. 3:5; 6:20-21; 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 2:14-25).

4.  Election, Term of Office, and Duties of Elders

a.  Election of Elders

The office of Elder shall be filled as necessary each year from the membership of the church. The Elders shall be nominated in the following manner: each member in good standing may submit to the Pastor and Board of Elders a list of those men whom the member believes to be qualified. The Pastor and Board of Elders will review and examine the candidates and make the appropriate selection. Those approved men should then be presented to the congregation for AFFIRMATION – not ‘election’.

b.  Number and Term of Office for Elders

The Number of Elders will be determined by the needs and desires of the church. Each Elder will ordinarily be elected to serve a three-year term.

c.  Duties of an Elder

Elders are to be examples to the flock and devote themselves “to prayer and the ministry of God’s Word.” They are to guard and shepherd the flock with discernment and diligence, and help give leadership to its various ministry objectives. Elders are to teach the Word, set spiritual goals, oversee, warn, and lead by example. Elders provide oversight and direction for the Deacons and all areas of service in church ministry (Act. 6:4, 20:28; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:2-3; Heb.18:7,17; 1 Tim. 3:5; 6:20-21; 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 2:14-25).

5.  Election, Term of Office, and Duties of Deacons

a.  Election of Deacons

The office of Deacon shall be filled as necessary from the membership and approved by the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders & Deacons shall then review the nominations and present to the church membership the names of spiritually qualified candidates. These men shall then be appointed by a majority vote of qualified voting members of the church.

b.  Number of Deacons and Term of Office

The number of Deacons will be determined by the needs and desires of the church. However, at least one shall be required, provided there is one man who is qualified. Each Deacon will ordinarily be elected to serve a three-year term.

c.  Duties of Deacons

The Deacons shall serve within the realm of their individual spiritual gifts and perform the tasks of the church as entrusted to them by the Board of Elders (Act.6:1-6). Under the direction of the Elders, they shall also serve on the Board of Elders & Deacons.

6.  Election, Term of Office, and Duties of Deaconesses

a.  Election

The office of Deaconess shall be filled as necessary each year from the membership of the church. The Deaconesses shall be nominated in the following manner: Each member in good standing may submit to the Board of Elders, a list of those women who the member believes to be qualified. The

Board of Elders shall then evaluate and select those qualified candidates. These shall then be presented to the membership for affirmation.

b.  Number and Term of Office

The number of Deaconesses will be determined by the needs and desires of the church. Each Deaconess will be elected to serve a three-year term.

c.  Duties of Deaconesses

Deaconesses fill a servant’s role in the church, assisting the Elders in meeting the needs of the flock according to biblical guidelines for women in ministry (e.g., teaching and counseling women, coordinating food preparation for the needy, communion preparation, women’s ministries oversight, children’s ministries). They do not serve on the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE VII - ORDINANCES

1.  Baptism

Anyone professing faith in the Gospel, and desiring baptism, shall be immersed in water by the Pastor or Elder requested by the individual. Immersion shall be a prerequisite for full church membership.

2.  Communion

The Lord’s Table shall normally be served to the assembled church by the Pastor or Elder. Its frequency shall be determined by the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE VIII - FINANCES

1.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall begin every year, January 1, and end the following December 31.

2.  Ministry Fund Raising

It shall be the goal of the Bethany Bible Church to finance all ministries through the free will giving of its congregation. However, there may be situations in which additional fundraising is deemed necessary and appropriate by the Board of Elders. In such cases the Board shall propose the fundraising activity to the congregation. Borrowing money by the use of a bond issue or mortgage, and/or income from rental of church facilities, shall not be interpreted as fundraising. All funds received shall be recorded and accounted for by the treasurer or anyone else designated by the Board of Elders. Recording shall always require at least two members.

3.  Allocation of Funds for Expenses

Money shall be spent in accordance with the determination of the Elder Board.

ARTICLE IX - TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS

1.  Private Inurement

No part of the net earnings of the church shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, officers, or other private people, except that the church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II hereof.

2.  Political Involvement

No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

3.  Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the church, the Board of Elders shall, after paying or making

provision for payment of all liabilities of the church, dispose of all of the assets of the church to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal

Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Elders shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations that agree with the church’s doctrinal statement.

4.  Racial Nondiscrimination

The church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.

5.  Designated Contributions

From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their Contributions, but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Pastor and the Board of Elders. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article II hereof.

ARTICLE X - BUSINESS MEETINGS

1.  Regular Business Meetings

Business meetings will be held whenever the Elder Board or Pastor deems necessary to

consider emergency non-budgetary expenses or any other item that requires immediate attention.

However, at least one annual meeting will be held each year. All suggestions by members in good standing must be considered and responded to by the Elder Board in a timely fashion.

2.  Quorum

Fifty percent plus 1of active members in good standing present shall constitute a quorum for a regular business meeting. (apart from Article VI, 3. a. [electing a new Pastor] and Article XIV (changes to the Constitution & Bylaws).

3.  Conduct of Business

In the conduct of business, rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order may govern all cases when they apply.

4.  General Order of Business

a.  Prayer and pertinent scripture reading

b.  Reading of minutes of previous meeting

c.  Reports and announcements

d.  Unfinished business

e.  New business - as included in the agenda one week prior to the meeting

5.  Annual Business Meeting

The annual business meeting will be held within the last eight weeks of the calendar year to transact other church business.

6.  Voting Process

The privilege of voting on business matters of the church will be granted to members who are in good standing and who are at least 18 years old. Members in good standing who are unable to attend a meeting at which a vote is scheduled (due to illness or other just cause or reason), may submit an absentee ballot on or before the date and time of the vote.

7.  Board Meetings

The Boards of Elders & Deacons shall meet regularly as often as the Board members deem necessary.

ARTICLE XI - COMMITTEES and MISSIONARIES

1.  Participants:

A member of Elder Board needs to provide overside of every committee.

2.  The Missions Committee

a.  The Missions Committee shall be composed, if possible, of at least three members with one being a member of The Elder Board.

b.  The Missions Committee will determine and recommend specific missions or missionaries for support by the church. The Board of Elders will develop written guidelines and appointments for this committee.

The Mission’s Committee is a vital element of the ministry of the church to enable the church to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt.28:18-20) Elements of responsibilities for the Missions Committee may include the following:

a.  Communication with, and prayer for all Bethany Bible Church missionaries monthly.

b.  Communication of Missionary needs and prayer requests with the congregations.

c.  Interviews, examination, and vetting for prospective Bethany Bible Church missionaries.

d.  Recommendations of missionary support to the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE XII - ORDINATION AND LICENSING

It will hereafter be normal church procedure to ordain and license men for church ministry in recognition and approval of these men and their spiritual gifts. The ordination and licensing will be done through the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE XIII – MINISTRY SERVANTS

Ministry Servants provide ministry services for the church at the request of the Elders of BBC and are considered self-employed independent contractors. Any level of compensation paid by BBC for services would be an agreed amount between the BBC elders and the Ministry Servant. BBC will issue a 1099-NEC annually for all payments and compensation that exceed $600 per year. Statement of Faith: Arizona religious organizations may require ministry servants to sign and adhere to a statement of faith, particularly for roles aligned with the church’s mission. Religious Accommodations: Despite exemptions, churches must still accommodate any ministry “undue servants" sincerely held religious beliefs (e.g., dress, grooming, scheduling) unless it creates an "undue hardship". Ministers & Compensation: "Ministers of the Gospel" may be eligible for tax-free housing allowances and are typically classified as self-employed for Social Security/Medicare taxes, and any applicable state and federal income tax. Compliance with Other Laws: Churches are generally not exempt from other employment laws, such as child labor laws, and must handle issues like sexual misconduct, defamation, and duty of care (e.g., abuse reporting).

ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS

At any annual business meeting, regular meeting, or meeting called for the purposes of this Constitution may be amended or altered by a unanimous vote of the Elders and affirmation of all members. The membership will have been given two weeks’ advance notice of any proposed amendment(s).

AUTHORITY TO GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Shall be deemed by the Church Government and ‘not’ the State Government.