1.0 Name
1.1 The name of the church is Faith Christian Community Church (“the church”)
1.2 Faith Christian Community Church is a properly recognized constituent church of The Baptist Union of Victoria. The Baptist Union of Victoria is incorporated under “The Baptist Union Incorporation Act”, 1930 – approved by the Parliament of Victoria on 24 December 1930 – number 3903. This is a perpetual incorporation unless revoked by Parliament.
2.0 Basis of Church Fellowship
2.1 The Church is a body of Christian people who have responded to the Word of Cod and the call of the Holy Spirit and have been united to Jesus Christ and to his people in their own confession of faith and in their Baptism. And is a non-profit organization.
2.2 The Church baptizes professing believers, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as a sign of their salvation and their initiation into the membership of the body of Christ. Baptism is practiced by immersion into water as the form of baptism normative in the New Testament because it portrays “going down” into death with Christ and “coming up” into resurrection with Christ.
2.3 Affirming Baptist understandings of the Gospel, Faith Christian Community Church is a member church of The Baptist Union of Victoria and accepts as expressions of the Christian faith the Doctrinal Basis and Principles and Ideals of the Baptist Faith contained in the Constitution of that Union and printed as Appendices I and II to this Constitution.
2.4 In common with the whole Church, accepts its commission to Faith Christian Community Church participate in Christ’s ministry to all creation, to proclaim and live out the gospel message of reconciliation to God and to one another. All members have been gifted by the Holy Spirit for their part in this ministry and are called to fulfill the meaning of their baptism by exercising their gifts together in nurturing the growth of Christian faith, peace and love.
2.5 Faith Christian Community Church’s mission statement is:
“By faith in God and by His grace we desire to be a church that is united, where every member exist to Reach out to people for Christ, to Grow deeper in our walk with Him, to Fellowship and to Care for one another, aiming high in our Service, Worship and Love for the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul.
3.0 Membership
3.1 The membership of the church consists of people who are personally committed to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and to the mission of the Church.
3.1 FULL MEMBERSHIP: A person is received into the membership of the church by baptism or by the church’s recognition of their prior baptism and upon their presentation to the congregation during the worship service.
3.1.1 Has made their own free decision to commit themselves to Christ and to the church;
3.1.2 Have been attending the church for not less than three months at the time of the application
3.1.3 In addition may also participate in appropriate membership preparation and has read and accepted the church member’s covenant
3.2 ASSOCIATE MEMBER: A person who is: a) Not baptize by means of immersion, b) In Australia on a temporary resident visa, c) In Australia for the purpose of mission related ministry, may be accepted as an Associate Member of the church on the public profession of their faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Associate members are entitled to the full privileges of membership except that they are not eligible to assume any elected position.
3.2.1 Has made their own free decision to commit themselves to Christ and to the church;
3.2.2 Have been attending the church for not less than three months at the time of the application
3.2.3 In addition may also participate in appropriate preparation and has read and accepted the church member’s covenant
3.2.4 If a person seeks to become a member of the church, having been a member of another Christian/Bible believing church, a letter of commendation where applicable should be sought from previous church
3.3 A roll will be kept of the names of the members of the church (“the Membership Roll”).
3.4 A name may be removed from the Membership Roll at any time if the member:
3.4.1 becomes a member of another church or have been attending another church for three 3 months
3.4.2 requests removal from the Membership Roll;
3.4.3 have ceased from attending the church for more than three (3) months
3.4.4 Or dies
3.4.5 has their membership removed by a decision of a church meeting for disciplinary reasons. (Two weeks notice of the date and purpose of that church meeting must have been given to the member concerned).
3.5 The Membership Roll will be revised at each Annual Church Meeting on the basis of a report prepared by the Church Board. Unless the meeting notes that special circumstances apply, the names of members who have not attended the church in the past year will be removed.
(A Membership Roll should reflect the participating membership of a church. However, before recommending anyone’s removal from the list, the leadership team should make reasonable efforts to clarify the reasons for the member’s absence and to enable them to resume participation in the church’s life. The most likely “special circumstances” referred to envisage members who are unable to attend services due to age or infirmity, or members who are engaged in missionary service or other ministry elsewhere, but view the church as a supporting home base.)
4.0 Leadership
4.1 The Church, through the church meeting, has final authority in deciding every matter, which affects the church’s life.
(Baptist churches acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord of the Church and as ultimate authority in its life. As a local Baptist church, the church meeting is responsible for discerning Christ’s leading and therefore has final decision making power. This is usually referred to as congregational government. The pastor(s) and the leadership team exist to serve and resource the church members.)
4.2 The Pastor(s)
4.2.1 The pastor(s) of the church will be a person or persons whom the church believes to have been called and gifted by the Lord of the Church to fulfill a ministry of pastoral leadership within the church.
4.2.3 The following decisions about a pastor of the church each require a two-thirds majority of members who are present and who vote at a Special Church Meeting:
4.2.3.1 The calling of a pastor.
4.2.3.2 The approval of any extension of term if a pastor has been called for a specific term.
(The church must decide whether a pastor is being called on an open ended basis or for a specific term. This is a separate question from how often a church/pastoral review is conducted. If a pastor is called for a fixed term, then beyond that term, regardless of whether we refer to it as an “extension of term” or a “new term”, the same approval process must be repeated.)
4.2.3.3 The removal of a pastor. A proposal to remove a pastor should not be put to a church meeting before the church has consulted with the Regional Minister of the Baptist Union about the matter.
4.2.4 The Pastor will act as an executive leader of the church ministry operations and accountable to the Leadership Team and the congregation.
4.2.5 Pastor shall be an ‘ex officio’ member of any ministry in the church.
4.3 The Church Board
4.3.1 The Church Board is considered second to the congregation in authority, but as an ‘interim body’ means they have authority only during a convened official meting.
4.3.2 The Church Board under the leadership of the elected chairperson together with the pastor will work harmoniously to promote the spiritual well being of the church.
4.3.3 The Church Board will exercise oversight of those areas of the church’s life and ministry.
4.3.4 The Church Board is accountable to the church
4.3.5 The Church will elect the members of the Church Board for a two-year term except for the pastor.
4.3.6 The Church will elect the members of the Church Board for a two-year term half of the church board should end in alternate years.
4.3.7 To be elected to the Church Board a nominee require a simple majority vote (50% + 1of member who are present) No proxy voting is allowed.
4.3.8 The Board will consist of max 12 members plus the pastor(s)
4.3.9 Anyone who is seeking a church deacon’s position must:
4.3.9.1 Believe that God is calling him/her to the leadership position.
4.3.9.2 Be a full member of the church for at least one(1) year at the time of the election.
4.3.9.3 Be already actively participating in any church ministry.
4.3.9.4 Be at least 18 years of age
4.3.9.5 Be regularly attending the church’s worship service and other activities and program.
4.3.9.6 Fully understand and accept the FCCC Leader’s Covenant
4.3.9.7 Must share the vision and mission of the church.
4.3.10 Any church meeting may decide the number of the church board, with effect from the following Annual Church Meeting. Such a decision shall not shorten the term of any person serving on the church board.
4.3.11 A vacancy on the church board may be filled at any church meeting, with the elected person serving the remainder of the vacated term.
4.3.12 The Church Board will have a regular business meeting at least once a month
4.3.13 The Senior Pastor will be the chairperson of the ‘Church Board’
4.3.14 any 3 of the board can request a meeting at any given time
4.3.15 Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and a Secretary/Administrator will be elected from among the board members themselves.
4.3.16 The Vice-Chairperson will be the officer-in-charge in the absence of the Pastor
4.3.17 The Vice-Chairperson will be the designated official spokesperson of the board concerning church matters and media releases.
4.3.18 The Church Board shall be responsible in ensuring that the budget for the year is drafted and be submitted to BFC for analysis.
4.3.19 The Church Board also ensures that planning and evaluation be conducted at the end of the year.
4.3.20 The Church Secretary/Administrator shall be responsible in all correspondence directed to the church. Provide agendas and minutes for the church leadership and congregation meetings. Maintain the church notice board. Coordinate with the chairman of the Board and Pastor.
4.3.21 Church Board member can only hold one ministry where applicable.
4.3.22 For the purposes of Schedule B of The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930, the leadership team is deemed to be “the deacons”.
4.3.23 Elections for positions for the ‘Church Board’ will be by raising of hands unless otherwise decided by the majority of the church members who is present at the meeting.
4.3.24 A vacancy on the leadership team may be filled at any church meeting, with the elected person serving the remainder of the vacated term.
4.3.25 Nominations for the leadership team is through the following steps:
Step 1: The person aspiring to be part of the Church Board must submit his/her name by:
Filling up a Selection & Confirmation Form
Reading and affixing his/her signature on the following documents: FCCC Roles & Responsibilities of Church Board (Deacon) & FCCC Leader’s Covenant
Step 2: Choose 2 fellow members of the church to pray with you and affirm your noble desire by signing the Selection & Confirmation Form with you. Then submit the form to the person designated and on the deadline set by the Church Board.
Step 3: The Church Board will arrange an interview with the prospective leader and the senior pastor and/or any of the Church Board member
4. 4 The Budget and Finance Committee
4.4.1 Budget and Finance Committee will be the financial custodian of the church.
4.4.2 Budget and Finance Committee is accountable to the Church Board and the congregation.
4.4.3 The Functions of the Budget and Finance Committee are:
1. Prepare the church’s annual budget to be approve by the church
2. Manage orderly collection, banking and disbursement of church’s fund
3. Provide the church board and the church with a Quarterly and Annual Report and as required by the church board
4. Prepare guidelines for disbursement of funds, decide when or whether or not funds will be released including items covered by the existing policy.
4.4.4 Budget and Finance Committee is composed of at least four (4) members: Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Auditor and a Representative.
4.4.5 The Church Board will elect the Treasurer (from its ranks) and the 3 other posts will be appointed by the Treasurer
4.4.6 The Treasurer will head the Budget and Finance Committee
4.4.7 Any two signatories of the Budget and Finance Committee members are needed to withdraw funds from the church’s bank account. As much as possible the treasurer should be one of the two signatories.
4.4.8 The Treasurer shall ensure that an independent auditor shall be appointed.
5.0 Church Meetings
5.1 Ordinary church meetings to consider the life and ministry of the church must be held Quarterly
5.1 Ordinary church meetings shall normally be called by a decision of the previous meeting. Additional meetings will be called if requested by a pastor, the leadership team or one quarter of the membership of the church.
5.2 Notice of the time, place and major business must be given to members on at least two consecutive Sundays prior to the holding of any church meeting.
5.3 Every church meeting must have an agenda prepared by the Church Secretary/Administrator
5.4 Records of the decisions of all church meetings must be kept and a copy made available to church members at least two Sundays prior to the next meeting.
5.5 The quorum for any church meeting other than a Special Church Meeting shall be one quarter of the membership of the church.
5.5.1 The quorum for any church meeting dealing with matters affecting the doctrinal position of the church or its relationship to the Baptist Union or its constituents shall be seventy five percent of those members eligible to vote on such business
5.6 A simple majority will carry a motion put to a church meeting (50% + 1 Members who are present and voting) unless otherwise provided for in this constitution or unless the meeting decides that a particular decision will require a larger majority.
5.7 All voting is done by simple raising of hands unless otherwise decided by the majority of the church members who is present at the meeting.
5.8 Absentee or proxy voting is not permitted.
5.9 Audited financial statements (for the preceding church year) must be presented to a church meeting in every year. A church meeting in every year must approve a budget prepared by the Budget and Finance Committee for the next church year.
5.10 An Annual Church Meeting must be held each year. Its agenda must include:
5.10.1 A report/presentation by the pastor(s) and by the Church Board;
5.10.2 Church Board & Budget & Finance Committe elections; and
5.10.3 Review of the membership roll.
5.11 The agenda of any church meeting may include:
5.11.1 Report/presentation by any church group;
5.11.2 Report/presentation by any external group working in cooperation with the church;
5.11.3 Other appointments the church meeting decides to make.
5.12 Special Church Meetings are needed to consider any decision regarding the calling extension of term or removal of a pastor or any transaction affecting any land or buildings of the church. Special Church Meetings are governed under different rules set out in Schedule B to the Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930.
6. Church property
6.1 Where church land/’buildings enjoy a rate free status, they are not to be let by the church except in special circumstances recommended by the leadership team and approved by a Special Church Meeting.
6.2 Subject to the direction of a church meeting, the activities of any church group or external group that is using the church’s name, property, buildings or equipment, are subject to the supervision of the leadership team.
6.3 If a church group ceases to function, the church becomes the owner of any property purchased or owned by that group and any money in its possession.
7. Policies
The Church may adopt new policies or alter existing policies on various matters for the purpose of governing aspects of the Church’s life and mission, or for the purpose of expressing a collective opinion about something that is happening in the wider Church or society. The adoption of a policy requires the approval of a majority of the members who are present and who vote at a church meeting. Copies of the proposed policy must be made available to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
The following are examples of matters where the formation of policies may be appropriate:
– A church mission statement;
– Rights and responsibilities of members;
-Application for Membership;
-Transfer of Membership;
-Admittance to Membership;
-Membership Covenant;
-Guidelines on Nomination, Resignation, Appointment and Election;
-Leadership Profiles;
-Leadership Covenant;
– Role descriptions for leadership positions;
-Process for exercising church discipline;
– A public statement on racism in society.
8. Alteration to this Constitution
8.1 No proposed alteration to this Constitution can be brought to a church meeting unless notice of the wording of the proposed alteration has been given to members at least four weeks prior to the meeting date. If the church is in debt to the Baptist Union of Victoria, any proposed alteration does not take effect until approved by the Executive Council of The Baptist Union of Victoria.
Appendix I
The Doctrinal Basis
From the Constitution of the Baptist Union of Victoria
1. The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
2. The existence of one God in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3. The deity and incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity.
4. The fallen, sinful and lost estate of all people.
5. The salvation of men and women from the penal consequences and power of sin through the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, His atoning death, His resurrection from the dead, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His unchanging priesthood.
6. The immediate work of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of men and women, in their sanctification, and in their preservation to the heavenly Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
7. The necessity, in order to know salvation, of repentance towards God and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
8. The resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment of all people by the Lord Jesus Christ.
9. The two ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which are of perpetual obligation: Baptism being the immersion of believers upon the profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a symbol of the fellowship of the regenerate in His death, burial and resurrection; the Lord’s Supper being a memorial, until He comes, of the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Appendix II
The Principles and Ideals of the Baptist Faith
From the Constitution of the Baptist Union of Victoria
Whilst holding many phases of Christian Truth in common with other denominations, Baptists place a distinctive emphasis upon the following fundamental principles of the Christian Faith, as revealed in the New Testament.
1. The Child in the Kingdom.
(a) Baptists believe that infants are God’s little ones, whether children of Christian or non-Christian parents, and accept without modification the word of the Lord, “Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”. This Christian view of the child makes the external act of “Infant Baptism” unnecessary.
(b) Baptists approve of the presentation of children to God by parents, if thereby they solemnly undertake to train them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the home and in the Church.
2. The Significance of Conversion.
(a) To all who at the stage of personal responsibility, ignore God’s law, and wander as prodigals from the Father’s Home, Baptists preach the gospel of the Father’s love, and the message of the cross, as the Way of Life. Conversion is acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(b) his acceptance of Christ is a personal and deliberate act, involving the assent of the mind, the decision of the will, and the love of the heart.
(c) This avowal of allegiance to Christ implies a constant endeavour to live a life worthy of, and well-pleasing to Him in all things.
3. The Church – a Spiritual society.
FCCC hold that the Church, as established by the Lord Jesus Christ should consist of persons who have personally and intelligently accepted Him as Saviour and Lord, and pledged themselves to discipleship and service in the Kingdom of God.
4. The Lordship of Christ in the Church.
(a) Baptists hold and teach that Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the Church, and that without any human intervention or ritualistic ceremony.
(b) Therefore, He is the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct, in the life both of the Church and of the individual.
(c) This involves liberty of thought and conscience, and the rights of the Believer and the Church, freed from any ecclesiastical or other external authority, to interpret His mind.
5. The Standard of Belief.
(a) Believing that the voice of the Church is subordinate to the voice of Christ, and that the mind of the Master is the Standard of Christian belief, Baptists do not subscribe to any formal Church Creed lest it hamper the development of Christian thought.
(b) Further, in their interpretation of the Lord’s farewell declaration, “When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into ~ truth”, Baptists accept the principle that God has yet “more light and truth to break forth from His Word”.
(c) Therefore, Baptists claim the personal privilege, and accept the Christian responsibility of courageously thinking God’s thoughts after Him, under the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of Truth.
6. The Ministry of Leadership.
(a) In adopting the Congregational Principles of Church government, with no formal creed, with no external authority, and no defined ecclesiastical policy, and each member having equal rights and responsibilities, the Baptist Church is largely dependent on the reality and vigour of the spiritual life of its individual members.
(b) This spiritual life is generated by the understanding and inspiration of Christ’s ideals, and by the creation and maintenance of a spiritual atmosphere, in which all that is unworthy dies, and in which Christian life becomes healthy and aggressive.
(c) Baptist ministers accept their office from the Lord of the Church, and while they are “servants of the Church” The Church is not master over them. They are the spiritual leaders in the life and ministry of the church.
(d) Associated with the ministers in the spiritual oversight of the Church are men and women chosen for their Christian gifts and graces, who are called to be examples to the members of the Church, in conduct, zeal, self-denial and generosity
(e) Church officers are appointed as spiritual leaders to work in sympathetic cooperation with the minister and Church members.
(f) The periodic Church Business Meeting is the centre of the Church’s Christian activities, and is the seat of authority in the management of Church business.
7. The Christian significance of Baptism.
(a) Christian Baptism, by which is meant the immersion of believers as instituted by our Lord, is a personal, public confession of the believer’s identification with Christ, and also a means of grace to the Christian.
(b) Baptism is an outward act, which symbolizes, but does not effect regeneration, and salvation is not dependent on it.
(c) Baptism is a glorious privilege and a personal responsibility, and is a help to all believers in reminding them of their spiritual union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection.
8. The Fellowship of the Lord’s Supper.
(a) To Baptists the Church is not so much an organization as a fellowship, effective only as there is spiritual association with the Head of the Church.
(b) The Lord’s Supper is a service of spiritual fellowship whereby, through remembrance of His Life and Death believers may experience in supreme degree the reality and influence of His Presence.
(c) It is an opportunity of entering into close fellowship with the Lord in the Holy of Holies, where there is a rekindling of love and a reconsecration of life to His service.
9. The Church and the Kingdom.
Baptists recognize their responsibility to strive for the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the world and teach that membership in the Church implies service and sacrifice. This involves a stewardship of time, talents and money which aims at being worthy of the Son of God who loved and served humankind, even unto death.
Appendix III
Schedule B to The Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1930
…a plain English summary…
This summary has been prepared by the Union office as a guide to the operation of Schedule B. It is a guide only. We recommend that Schedule B in its original form be read when specific questions arise. If you are in doubt about the meaning of particular provision, please contact the Union office.
The Baptist Union of Victoria (“Union”) holds property on trust for its member churches for the following purposes and subject to the following conditions:
1. To allow the member church concerned (“Church” to build/alter a sanctuary, manse or other buildings/structures as desired by the Church. These buildings are to be used as directed by the Church.
2. Based firmly on the principles of congregational government, the Church has complete discretion to manage its affairs, subject to clause 10 below.
3. The Church is entitled to direct the use of money received by it.
4. A pastor called (including for a new term) to the Church:
4.1 must be Baptize by immersion;
4.2 must be called (including for a new term) by a Special Church Meeting complying with clause 10 below;
4.3 must subscribe to the Doctrinal Basis [reproduced as Appendix I].
And
A pastor removed from the Church must be dismissed by a Special Church Meeting complying with clause 10 below.
5. The Church is entitled to use its property as security to borrow money. The decision to mortgage or otherwise charge the Church property must be made at a special Church meeting complying with clause 10 below.
6. The Church is entitled to:
6.1 create easements over;
6.2 construct roads over;
6.3 sell;
its property. Without the consent of the Executive Council of the Union
(“Executive Council”), the Church may not sell its property at substantially less than current market value.
7. Money received by the Church:
7.1 raised by way of mortgage of Church property;
7.2 derived by sale of Church property;
7.3 received as an insurance payout in relation to Church property must be used for further property purchase or building improvements. Moneys so derived are deposited with the Union in the normal course until the Church directs the use of the money.
8. The Church is entitled to rent Church property on terms decided by a special Church meeting complying with clause 10 below.
9. Where the Union receives money on behalf of the Church, the payee has no further responsibility to follow up the payment.
10. The special Church meetings referred to above:
10.1 may generally be called at any time;
10.2 may be called by the Church leadership;
10.3 must be called upon the written request of at least one-sixth of the members of the Church;
10.4 must be convened by 14 days’ clear notice specifying the time, place and purpose of the meeting
At a special Church meeting:
10.5 persons voting must be over 18 years, must have been members of the Church for at least 6 months, and must have been present at Church for communion at least once in the preceding 6 months; and
10.6 a two-thirds majority vote is required.
(the two-thirds rule relates to two-thirds of all those members present and voting. …if the vote is by ballot and invalid votes are cast, the number of invalid votes must still be included in the total number of votes against which the two-thirds requirement is measured.)
11. A minute signed by the chairperson of a Church meeting is sufficient evidence that the minute is an accurate record of a Church decision.
12. In special circumstances of the Church owing money that the Union is liable to pay, the Union may, having given 6 months written notice to the Church, mortgage or sell Church property so as to cover the debt.
13. The beneficial ownership and control of Church property by the Church is not affected per se if the Church moves to another locality.
13A. In relation to the powers vested in the Church by clauses 4,5,7,8 and 13 above, the Church may, at any time, ask Executive Council to stand in the shoes of the Church and be able to exercise those powers in the Church’s stead. Executive Council and the Church may later both determine that those powers will revert back to the Church.
14. If:
14.1 the Church is dissolved;
14.2 the Church is dispersed;
14.3 the membership of the Church is reduced below 6; or
14.4 public worship in the Church sanctuary property stops for six months (not being for building alterations) the Union automatically assumes full control of the Church property.
[At this stage any proceeds of sale of Church property by the Union would be deposited in the Union’s Advancement Fund.]
14A. If the resident membership of the Church is reduced to less than 29 but more than 5, Executive Council may exercise the powers vested in the Church by clauses 4,5,7,8 and 13 above. Executive Council may only exercise this discretion to stand in the shoes of the Church if it has given three months written notice of its intention to the Church and to Assembly. The Executive Council action must also have the endorsement of Assembly. Executive Council and the Church may later agree and both determine that the powers vested in Executive Council will revert back to the Church.
15. If the Church moves to another locality and leases the original Church property, then, until the end of the lease, the clause 14 “trigger” above, relating to the absence of public worship for at least six months, does not apply.
FCCC Membership Covenant
Having been convicted of my sin and born into the Kingdom of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having given witness to my faith through baptism. I hereby covenant under the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit to…
- Strengthen my spiritual life through diligent Bible study and prayer.
Guide and nurture my children (if any) in the faith by personal example and family devotions. - Regard my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and to discipline myself accordingly.
- Cultivate Christian kindness, patience and forgiveness, and to guard one another’s reputation, avoiding all gossip.
- Pray for and encourage one another regularly.
- Care for one another faithfully in times of sickness and distress.
- Give my Church a place in my affections and prayers above other organizations, seeking growth both personally and corporately in knowledge and holiness.
- Attend faithfully the worship and other meetings of my Church and to participate regularly in training opportunities which it provides.
- Give willingly, generously and joyously of my time, talent and money to support and advance the work of the Kingdom of God at home and abroad.
- Seek the salvation of my family, friends, neighbors and others with whom I have contact, and to be an example to them by what I do and say.
- Unite with another Church as soon as possible, where I can carry out the spirit of this Covenant and the principles of God’s Word, if ever God should lead me from this place.
“Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength,
I promise that I will strive to do
whatever he would have me do.”
FCCC Leader’s Covenant
Realizing the high honour accorded me in my election to this office and the tremendous importance thereof; and that my responsibility for conducting my life on the highest possible plane is even greater than ever before because I now hold such an office; and being desirous of making my witness, service and influence count for the greatest possible good I solemnly promise to seek earnestly to make the following statements of purpose effective and real in my life.
- I will endeavor to conduct my life at all times in a manner pleasing to Christ. I will seek to obey God’s teachings in attitude and deed, I will exert all effort to live a godly example to the new believers.
- I will treat others the way I wanted to be treated.
- I will avoid all forms of sexual immorality and sexually provocative situations.
- I will not get drunk and will only drink socially and in moderation.
- I will not participate in any form of gambling, whether for profit, fun, or charity.
I will return to God through the budget of my church, at least a tenth of my income in fulfillment of my financial stewardship obligation. - I will be faithful to all regular services of my church, (Worship, Bible Study, Training and Prayer Meeting) unless unavoidably prevented from doing so.
I will be faithful to all regular and called meetings of the groups with which I serve unless unavoidably hindered. - I will pray faithfully for the Church, pastors, its workers, its staff and its program.
- I will by action, attitude and word seek to promote understanding within the church for the greater effecting of God’s will through us all. I will promote and encourage others to promote the adopted program of my church.
- If, after having accepted this office, I discover for any reason I am unable to render the kind of service required, I will submit my resignation.