ARTICLE I. DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

Countryside Christian Church is a Bible believing church with a caring heart. We believe every person can and must be saved by a personal and free decision to respond to the gospel by trusting in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior.

The Bible

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of people and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.  

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10, 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18, 22:29; Luke 21:33, 24:44-46; John 5:39,16:13-15, 17:17; Acts 2:16, 17:11; Romans 15:4, 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2, 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21

Concerning God

We believe in one God who is a personal and eternal Spirit, perfect and unchangeable in all His attributes. This one God eternally exists in three persons, impossible of division but capable of distinction, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All have precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience.

Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Psalm 90:12; Isaiah 45:5-6; Matthew 3:16-17,16:16, 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-14, 10:30, 14:10-11, 16-17; Luke 11:13, 22:70; Acts 5:3-4; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Corinthians 13:1-4; Revelation 1:4-6                  

God the Father

We believe in God the Father as creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power. We marvel and rejoice that He concerns himself mercifully and lovingly in the affairs of mankind; that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves us from sin, its power over our life, and spiritual death. He also takes the fear out of physical death for all who come to Him through faith in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

Genesis 1:1; Psalm 34:6; 147:5; John 1:3, 3:36, 6:27; Romans 1:18-20, 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 15:2-4;

Ephesians 2:4-5; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 1:5; 2:1-2, 4:8; Revelation 3:20; 19:6

God the Son

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins, according to the Scriptures. Furthermore, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father. He is now our high priest and advocate.

Genesis 18:1; Psalms 2:7, 110:1; Isaiah 7:14, 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-23, 3:17, 8:29, 11:27, 14:33, 16:16,27, 17:5, 27, 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1, 3:11, Luke 1:35, 4:41, 22:70, 24:46; , 10:30,38, 11:25-27, 12:44-50, 14:7-11, 16:15-16,28, 17:1-5, 21-22, 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9, 2:22-24, 7:55-56, 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4, 3:23-26, 5:6-21, 8:1-3,34, 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2:2, 8:6, 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20, 3:11, 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22, 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6, 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:14-15, 7:14-28, 9:12-15,24-28, 12:2, 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25. 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9, 3:2, 4:14-15, 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16, 5:9-14, 12:10-11, 13:8, 19:16

God the Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination, He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior and effects the regeneration (new birth) of any person who responds to the Gospel message with repentance and faith. At the moment of regeneration, He baptizes every believer into the body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows spiritual gifts by which believers serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. 

Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 1:18; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; ; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:14,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17

Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but willingly sinned and is, therefore, lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15-25, 3:1-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 2:10, 3:9; Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11;  1 Timothy 2:13-14; John 3:36; Romans 3:23, 5:12-19, 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 1:8; Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9

Salvation

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe; that only through true faith and repentance are we born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become Children of God.

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, who, by His own blood, obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense, salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Jesus Christ. It is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.

Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.

Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. 

Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.

Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the believer’s life.

Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17, 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21, 4:17, 16:21-26, 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69, 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29, 3:3-21,36, 5:24, 10:9,28-29, 15:1-16, 17:17; Acts 2:21, 4:12, 15:11, 16:30-31, 17:30-31, 20:32, 31; Romans 1:16-18, 2:4, 3:23-25, 4:3, 5:8-10, 6:1-23, 8:1-18,29-39, 10:9-10,13, 13:11-14;1 Corinthians 1:18,30,  6:19-20, 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20, 3:13, 5:22-25, 6:15; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-22, 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22, 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3, 5:8-9, 9:24-28 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26;1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20, 21:1-22:5

The Family

We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in a lifetime covenant commitment. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church; providing a man and woman, who are united in marriage, the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to Biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God since both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A husband has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband, even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God, as is her husband, and, thus, equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on Biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. 

Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15-25, 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5, 78:1-8, 127, 128, 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8, 5:15-20, 18:22, 22:6,15, 23:13-1,; 24:3, 14, 24:3, 29:15,17, 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32, 18:2-5, 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7

Sanctity of Human Life

We hold to the sanctity of human life as a gift from God, and we reject abortion. Life and death are in God’s hands. He is the author of life. We believe that life begins at the moment of conception. 

Zechariah 12:1; Jerimiah 1:5; Psalms 139:14; Isaiah 44:2 43:7

God’s Gift of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

We believe sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the marriage relationship. We believe that God has commanded abstinence from any form of sexual/intimate activity between one man and one woman, outside of a marriage. We believe that participation in any activity related to fornication, pornography, homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, and/or adultery is a sinful perversion of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God created human beings as male and female; and therefore, we hold the distinction between the two sexes to be sacred. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to change the appearance of one’s sex by hormones, surgery, or any other means. 

Matthew 19:6, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 7:1-2, 7:5, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Romans 12:1-2; Acts 15:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Genesis 2:24-25

Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism

We believe that the Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation.

Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

Matthew 3:13-17, 26:26-30, 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11, 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22, 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42, 8:35-39, 16:30-33, 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21, 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12

Believer’s Baptism: We believe and teach “believer’s baptism.” We believe a person is commanded to be baptized (immersed in water) only upon placing their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration by which people profess faith in Jesus as the only satisfying ransom for the penalty of their hell-bound souls and then, as an act of obedience, join with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-11).

Infants cannot comprehend this; therefore, we practice and celebrate “believer’s baptism” and do not “baptize” infants. We strongly encourage parents to come forward during our worship service to participate in a child dedication. This means that, after the parents acknowledge their commitment to following Christ and to raising their children in the way of the Lord, they stand in front of the congregation to offer their precious loved ones up before the Lord. A prayer of blessing is spoken, and the congregation pledges its support to the parents and child.

The True Church

We believe that the true church is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head. A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation, each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are Elders and Deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of Elder is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

Matthew 16:15-19, 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47, ,; 6:3-6, 13:1-3, 14:23,27, 15:1-30, 16:5, 20-28; Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 3:16, 5:4-5, 7:17, 9:13-14,  Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:19-22, 3:8-11, 21,  5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14, 3:1-15, 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3, 21:2-3

Christ’s Return

We believe in the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. 

Isaiah 2:4, 11:9; Matthew 16:27, 18:8-9, 19:28, 24:27,30,36,44, 25:31-46, 26:64; Mark 8:38, 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48, 16:19-26, 17:22-37, 21:27-28; John 14:1-3, Acts 1:11, 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5,15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5, 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18, 3:11, 20:1-22:13

Spiritual Gifts

We teach that every follower of Jesus Christ receives at least one spiritual gift, sovereignly given by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). When believers exercise their gifts, they contribute to the working and maturing of the Body of Christ (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 4:1-16). We strongly encourage the discovery and exercise of each believer's gifts.

We recognize that some brothers and sisters in Christ desire to exercise what are commonly known as the revelatory gifts and sign gifts (speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, prophesying, apostleship, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, working miracles, gifts of healing).

We believe these gifts to have been foundational in their purpose (Ephesians 2:20), revelatory in their nature, and confirmatory in their function for the generation of apostolic witnesses (Hebrews 2:1-4).

Our church recognizes the interpretative ambiguity and thus we stop short of saying that these gifts have ceased but do require that if they are employed, it be done in private and not in any of the public gatherings of the Church. In addition, there are some brothers and sisters in Christ who teach that after a person comes to faith in Jesus, they are to then seek to be "baptized in the Spirit." This means that the initial evidence that a person is a true follower of Christ is the “speaking in tongues.” We believe this interpretation to exceed the boundaries of Scripture.

Concerning Last Things

The Intermediate State: At death, the spirits of believers pass immediately into the presence of Christ and remain there in joyful fellowship. The soul is then united with a resurrected body at the Rapture. The souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades. Here they remain until the second resurrection when both body and soul are cast into eternal damnation.

Luke 16:22-23, 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23

The Eternal State: We believe the unsaved dead will be raised and judged and committed to eternal punishment. This is the second resurrection and the Great White Throne Judgment. The saved will enter the new heavens and the new earth to live with Christ eternally. Having fulfilled His redemptive and kingdom missions as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father that the triune God may reign forever with His people. 

Mark 9:43-48; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-4, 22:5, 11

ARTICLE II. MISSION AND PURPOSE

The mission of Countryside Christian Church shall be to seek the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) by winning the lost, building the believer and equipping the worker. This ministry shall include, but not be limited to, preaching, and teaching the Word of God, maintaining public worship services, providing support and education concerning the global missionary endeavor, and carrying on a benevolence ministry. “Doing good to all men…”. (Galatians 6:10)

This church shall administer the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, as set forth in the New Testament.

This church shall seek to honor and to glorify God in all things and to make the salvation of souls the goal of all its activities.

ARTICLE III. AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  By-Law Changes

These by-laws may be altered or amended by two thirds (2/3) vote, provided a quorum of the voting members are present at properly scheduled business meetings. The changes to the by-laws shall have been presented to the congregation, in written form, at least two weeks prior to such meeting.

Section 2.  Emergency by-laws   

Definition: In this section, “emergency" means a catastrophic event that prevents a quorum of the church members from being readily assembled. 

A.    Adoption of emergency by-laws: The Elders and Deacons of Countryside Christian Church may adopt by-laws that are effective only in an emergency. Emergency by-laws are subject to amendment or repeal by the leadership team or by the church membership. Emergency by-laws may provide special procedures necessary for managing the church during the emergency, including any of the following: 

1.    Procedures for calling a meeting of the Church

2.    Quorum requirements for the meeting

3.    Alternative meeting methods such as teleconferencing and video conferencing

4.    Alternative meeting sites

5.    Alternative voting methods such as by telephone, mail, email or drive-through 

6.    Designation of additional or substitute members of the leadership team or ministry leaders

7.    Alternate means, methods and places of worship or gatherings

B.    Effectiveness: Provisions of the regular by-laws that are consistent with the emergency by-laws remain effective during the emergency. The emergency by-laws are not effective after the emergency ends. 

C.   Action taken under emergency by-laws, in good faith and in accordance with the emergency by-laws, binds the church and may not be used to impose liability on the Elders, Deacons or membership.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Qualification of members

The membership of this church shall consist of only those who unite voluntarily in covenant with this church and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Section 2.  Reception of members

The membership of this church shall be comprised of all those who voluntarily enter the Covenant agreed upon by this church (“See Appendix A”).

Section 3.  Grievances

Members having grievances against one another should prayerfully attempt to solve the dispute using the Biblical steps in Matthew 18:15-17. 

No one other than the two persons should be involved in the first step.  Another one or two persons may be involved in the second step. Only after the first two steps have failed, may the matter be brought before the Church for final resolution.

Matthew 5:24   1 Timothy 5:19

Section 4.  Discipline

If a member of this Church is not living in accordance with the teaching of the Bible (i.e., in open sin), as understood and agreed upon by the member of the church, such member shall be admonished by the leadership team, in brotherly love, to live in accordance with the Bible. Should such member continue living in sin, the Church may, upon recommendation of the leadership team, dismiss such person from membership.  If such a person sincerely repents, he or she may be readmitted into membership.

1 Corinthians: 5:1-8, 2 Corinthians 2:1-11, Hebrews 10:24,25

ARTICLE V. STANDING AND PROPERTY RIGHTS

In the event this church should ever dissolve, the title to all property shall be disposed of in accordance with the stipulation of its incorporation (“See Appendix B”).

During the existence of this church, ownership and control of all property shall remain in that part of the congregation which Covenants together as provided in Article IV.

If a minority of the membership of this church ever secedes, ownership and control of the property shall remain with the majority, subject to the provisions of these by-laws.

ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT

Government of this church is vested in the membership who exercises the right of control in all matters pertaining to the ministry and business of this church. 

A.   This church shall hold its annual business meeting in December. The fiscal year of this fellowship shall be the calendar year.

B.   Additional business meetings may be held, if deemed necessary by the leadership team or by a majority (51%) of the church membership. Notice of the meeting must be provided, in writing, to members two weeks prior to the business meeting by any of the methods listed below:

1.    Posting in a designated location within the Church

2.    Distributing a hard copy of the notice in Church

3.    E-mail

4.    U.S. Mail

C.   All members in good standing who are eighteen (18) years old or older are eligible to vote.

D.   At any business meeting, at least fifty percent (50%) of the members shall constitute a quorum. A simple majority vote may decide each issue, except where otherwise specified. Although a simple majority vote may decide issues, those present at the meeting will strive for spiritual consensus.

E.   Votes may be taken by written ballot if requested by a member present at the meeting. 

ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS

We teach that there are two Biblically designated offices in the church serving under Christ: Elders and Deacons.  The Elders and Deacons together comprise the Leadership Team at Countryside. 

Section 1.  Elders

A.   At Countryside Christian Church, the Elders are the shepherds of the church (also called bishops, overseers, or pastors in the Scriptures). Elders may serve in a full‑time or part‑time vocational capacity and others are self-supporting. All Elders at Countryside serve as one of a plurality of Elders who are considered co-equals and serve together as under-shepherds of the Lord Jesus Christ in the local church. There is no one Elder called the senior Elder. Only Christ is acknowledged as head of the church. The Elders are jointly responsible for the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, the care and spiritual welfare of the fellowship, and the spiritual leadership and oversight of the church under Christ, the chief Shepherd. Their leadership should be distinguished as pastoral, shared, male, qualified and servant-like. 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17

B.   Qualifications: All Elders shall qualify for the office by meeting the Scriptural standards of 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

C.   Nominations: Elders may be nominated by the other Elder/Shepherds as deemed necessary to support the ministry of the Church. Elders may also be nominated by the membership. Elder nominations received from the church membership will be reviewed by the other Elders to ensure there is consensus on the Scriptural qualifications of the man under consideration. There shall be a maximum of twelve (12) Elders at any given time. 

D.   Calling of an Elder: The Elder shall be called to serve the Church by a two thirds (2/3) vote of those present at the meeting, provided a quorum of the voting members are present at a properly scheduled business meeting   called in accordance with the by-laws. The vote will be by written ballot. We will strive for spiritual consensus. 

E.   Removal/Resignation of an Elder: Any Elder may be removed by a two thirds (2/3) vote of those present at the meeting, provided a quorum of the voting members are present at a properly scheduled business meeting called in accordance with the by-laws. The vote will be by written ballot.  We will strive for spiritual consensus. 

F.    Should an Elder choose to resign for any reason, written notice must be made to the congregation 60 days prior to the effective date of such resignation, unless mutually waived by the Elder and the congregation.

G.   Sabbaticals: Self-supporting Elders may take up to a one-year sabbatical every three years if they choose to do so. Sabbaticals for any Elder financially supported by the church may be recommended for any amount of time, up to one year, by a consensus of the other Elders. In addition, this sabbatical must be approved by a majority of the church membership at a business meeting, where written notice that the sabbatical request will be on the agenda is provided to members (e-mail and/or hardcopy) two weeks prior to the business meeting.

Section 2.  Deacons

The Deacons are the servants of the church. Their ministry is to provide official, responsible care for the physical welfare of members of the church and, thus, relieve the Elders so that they can give priority time and attention to prayer and teaching the Word. Deacons also supervise various ministries within the church.

A.   Qualifications: Deacons must meet the Scriptural qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

B.   Nominations: Deacons may be nominated by the congregation, reviewed by the Elders, and approved by the congregation, as deemed necessary to support the ministry of the Church.

C.   Deacons shall participate in the ministry of the Church in accordance with their gifting and passion.

D.   Deacons serve at the Corporate officers of the church when required by the articles of incorporation.

E.   Term: One term is three years and after six years it is suggested the Deacon take a one-year sabbatical.

F.    Deacons shall be reaffirmed every three years by the Elders and the congregation.

Removal/Resignation: Elders are responsible for removing Deacons from office should a situation arise in which the Elders determine that scriptural qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 are no longer being met. In the case of a resignation with less than a year remaining of the term, the Deacon’s position may be temporarily filled by an appointment made by the Elders. Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Section 3.  Treasurer

A.   Position: The Treasurer will be a volunteer recommended by the Eldership and affirmed by the church membership. The term shall not exceed two consecutive three-year terms before one year off is required.

B.   Requirements: The Treasurer will have a personal, evident relationship with Jesus Christ and be a member of Countryside Christian Church, remaining a member in good standing throughout the term. In addition, the Treasurer will operate a lifestyle with the highest Christian integrity and be in full agreement with the church’s doctrinal statement. Lastly, the Treasurer will maintain confidentiality and properly understand money management and accountability with a working knowledge of church accounting practices and procedures.

C.   Responsibilities: The Treasurer will serve as Chair of the Financial Committee and manage all financial activities of the Church. In addition, the Treasurer will oversee income and expense processes as well as approve all expenditures.

Section 4.  Financial Secretary

A.   Position: The Financial Secretary will be a volunteer recommended by the Eldership and affirmed by the church membership. The term shall not exceed two consecutive three-year terms before one year off is required.

B.   Requirements: The Financial Secretary will have a personal, evident relationship with Jesus Christ and be a member of the Church, remaining a member in good standing throughout the term. In addition, the Financial Secretary will operate a lifestyle with the highest Christian integrity and be in full agreement with church doctrinal statement. Lastly, the Financial Secretary will maintain confidentiality and properly understand money management and accountability with a working knowledge of accounting practices and procedures.

C.   Responsibilities: The Financial Secretary will serve on the Financial Committee and oversee the management of all monies received.

Section 5.  Financial Committee

A.   The Financial Committee shall consist of the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, and a minimum of two members of the congregation.  Members of the congregation serving on the Financial Committee shall be nominated by the congregation, reviewed by the Elders, and affirmed by the congregation.  The congregation members’ terms shall not exceed two consecutive three-year terms, before one year off is required.

B.   In the case of a resignation with less than a year remaining of the term, the position may be temporarily filled by an appointment made by the Elders. 

C.   The Countryside Christian Church Financial Committee is responsible for the creation, review, and monitoring of the annual budget; capital structure; and fiscal policies and procedures; and making recommendations to church leadership regarding these and other significant financial initiatives. The budget will be approved by church Eldership and the congregation. The Financial Committee will provide a quarterly financial report to the congregation.

Section 6.  Secretary

A.   Selection: The Secretary shall be elected by the church. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all business meetings, execute correspondence, and maintain copies of all appropriate documents.

B.   Term: The Secretary’s term shall not exceed two consecutive three-year terms before one year off is required.

Section 7.  Ministry Coordinators

Congregation members having talents that would be useful in ministry positions (e.g., Children’s Ministry, Hospitality, Global Outreach, etc.) are invited to submit their names to any member of the Leadership Team for consideration. The Leadership Team will select coordinators based on their qualifications.

Note: Anyone not living in accordance with the teaching of the Bible (i.e., in open sin), as understood and taught in the Bible, shall be not be permitted to teach, work, or assist in ministries of the church. Such person should be admonished by the leadership team in brotherly love to live in accordance with the Bible.