Article I — Name

The name of this corporation shall be "Morris County Calvary Bible Chapel, Inc."

Article II — Corporate Purposes

The purpose of this corporation is religious. This includes owning and operating a Christian church whose object shall be to maintain worship, preach and teach Christian doctrine and ethics, spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, advance the cause of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in accordance with the Holy Scriptures. This corporation shall not be operated for a profit and shall  have all of the powers and authorities conferred upon eleemosynary corporations conferred by the State of New Jersey.

Article III — Church Covenant

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have been baptized by immersion in water, we do solemnly covenant together in the presence of God to do the following by the grace of God and to the best of our ability:

1. A.To maintain the church's purposes as stated in the articles of incorporation, which are to evangelize the lost through local, regional, national, and worldwide missions and to edify believers through a strong Bible preaching and teaching ministry and to keep these purposes in a healthy balance: Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; Acts 20:27-32.
   

2. B.To maintain the church's position as a body whose ultimate goal is to bring glory to God (1 Peter 4:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 3:21), whose chief attention is given to Jesus  Christ (Colossians 1:18), and whose doctrine and practice are Bible-based (2 Timothy 1:13).
   

3. C.To maintain the church's doctrinal soundness and purity as well as its pure fundamentalism by affirming and giving special attention to the fundamentals of the historic Christian faith as given in the statement of faith, particularly the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the Bible, God's Word (2 Timothy 3:13-4:4), and by separating religious association from all church and religious organizations, movements, and meetings which deny, distort, or compromise the fundamentals including Roman Catholics, Protestant liberals, the Neo-orthodox, New Evangelicals, Pseudo-fundamentalists, charismatics, cultists, and all other unbiblical groups which may arise (1 Timothy 6:3 and 2 John 10, 11).
   

4. D.To maintain the church's priority for a strong Bible preaching and teaching ministry by recognizing the first and highest priority of the pastoral ministry to be the preparation for messages and preaching of God's Word, with the pastor also giving his other pastoral duties (visiting, administration, etc.) their proper place (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Timothy 4:2).
   

5. E.To maintain the church's spiritual power and fervency through personally and corporately believing in God to work through us (2 Corinthians 3:5), studying and obeying God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15), praying (Ephesians 6:18), worshipping (Revelation 22:9), loving the Lord (Mark 12:30), fearing the Lord (Acts 5:11), and living a holy life, which includes both separation from the world's sinful activities and separation unto God for service (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2).
   

6. F.To maintain the church's biblical leadership structure by submitting to the leadership of the pastor, who is the undershepherd of the flock, and by having deacons who work in cooperation with the pastor (1 Peter 5:2-5; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
   

7. G.To maintain the church's effective functioning by stressing the need for members to carry out their relational responsibilities (See "one another" passages in the New Testament.) and the importance of properly exercising their spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Romans 12:3-8).
   

8. H.To maintain the church's love for people by constantly developing and contributing to an atmosphere of fellowship, encouragement, care, and friendliness (Galatians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 12:25).
   

9. I.To maintain the church's unity by being courteous in speech, being  slow to take offense, refraining from unconstructive criticism, taking constructive criticism only to the proper person (in most cases the pastor or the deacons), being always ready for reconciliation (Ephesians 4:30-5:2; Colossians 4:6; Matthew 18:15-17; Matthew 5:23-24).
   

10. J.To maintain the church's financial freedom by contributing to its ministry in accordance with God's Word and as personally led by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 9:1-15) and by following sensible guidelines in the church's financial matters (building programs, etc.; Luke 14:28).
    

11. K.To maintain the church's alertness to and outspoken confrontation of spiritual, moral, social, and family issues with clear, biblical answers in order to protect believers (Acts 20:27-32) and to act as a preserving force (Matthew 5:13) and an exposing force (Ephesians 5:11).
    

12. L.To maintain the church's purity by exercising the principles of church discipline against persistently sinning members as set forth in the New Testament (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).
    

13. M.To maintain the church's future by calling pastors and staff members, electing deacons, and choosing church leaders who joyfully and wholeheartedly embrace and follow the tenets of this church covenant (Romans 16:17), as well as voting in as new members only those who agree with the church's purposes, covenant, and statement of faith.
    

Article IV — Statement of Faith

The Word of God

The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; John 10:36). Inspiration refers to the process whereby God breathed out the words of Holy Scripture by moving holy men of God to speak and/or record His words accurately with the final product being an inerrant Bible in the original manuscripts. The Bible is true not only as it speaks of salvation, but also as it speaks of history, science, and philosophy. It is truth without any mixture of error. It is the sole basis of authority for the believer in faith and practice.

God

God is three Persons, all equal One to the Others, and existing in One Being (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Deuteronomy 6:4). The three Persons of the Godhead are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator of the universe and its inhabitants (Genesis 1:1-2:5). He created the universe and its inhabitants by direct action, the word of His mouth, not by the means espoused by the theories of theistic evolution or evolution. He is eternal, sovereign, holy, just, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, true, merciful, and loving.

God the Father

He is the Father over all creation (Acts 17:29), of the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:22), of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17), and of believers in Christ (Galatians 3:26).

God the Son

The Son of God is the Word (Logos) which was made flesh (John 1:1-14), born of a virgin and conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:16-25).  He is both all God and all man (God — John 1:1, Romans 9:5; Man — Romans 1:3-4; both God and man — John 1:1-14, Romans 9:5). He is the Savior of all those who place

their trust in Him to forgive their sins (John 3:16). He is the Head of the Church, which is His body (Ephesians 4:12; 5:23,30).

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity Who reveals to men their need of Christ as well as reveals Christ Himself to Men (John 16:7-15). He is the One Who moved holy men of old to speak the Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). He baptizes believers into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:11). He fills (Ephesians 5:18), indwells (1 Corinthians 6:19), leads (Romans 8:14), assures (Romans 8:16), and prays for believers (Romans 8:26).

Man

In his original state in the Garden of Eden, man was sinless (Romans 5:12). Through the sin of Adam, man fell from that original state, thus becoming sinful by nature and choice. Man continues today as totally depraved, without any inherent righteousness or the ability to produce such righteousness of himself which could merit God's favor. Man became subject to the curse of sin and its consequences which include spiritual death immediately (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1), suffering (Romans 8:22-23) physical death (Hebrews 9:27), and eventually the second death (Revelation 20:11-15). By faith in Christ alone, man is able to be restored to the original creation of man in part now (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10), and eventually in the whole at the resurrection (Romans 8:19-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:21).

Salvation

Salvation is granted to people by God apart from works and upon the basis of faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Biblical faith involves repentance, having a change of mind toward sin (particularly the sin of rejecting Christ) and the Savior (Luke 24:47; Luke 13:3; Acts 26:20). The natural response of the person who has been truly saved is public confession of Christ (John 4:29; cf. Matthew 10:32,33). Christ is recognized as Lord at the point of salvation (Romans 10:9), but with the allowance of gradual growth in Christ (not to the extreme of "Lordship salvation"). Salvation is by faith alone. Salvation results in a life of good works (Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 3:24). God gives assurance of salvation to the believer (John 10:28-29; 2 Timothy 2:13; 1 John 5:12-13). There is no reason for the believing person to fear the loss of his salvation, for he is secure in Christ. To reject Christ's salvation is to, upon physical death, embrace a literal hell and eventually the lake of fire (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15). Salvation is both initiated by God's calling and received by man's choice.

The Church

The Bible speaks of both the universal (Ephesians 3:19-22; 4:12,15-16; Colossians 1:18) and local church (1 Corinthians 1:3 and others). The universal church is the body of believers saved during New Testament times and is distinct from the nation of Israel. The local church is a group of believers organized for the purposes of edification through preaching, teaching, and fellowship (Ephesians 4:11-13) and evangelism (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

The primary leader of the local church is the pastor whose duties are to feed the "sheep of his flock" (1 Peter 5:2), be an example to the "flock" (I Peter 5:3), and protect his "flock" (people) from false teachers and sinning brethren (Acts 20:28-32; 1 Timothy 4:16). The deacons are to serve with the pastor in leading the church. The ordinances of the church are baptism {performed by the pastor with the new believer by immersion in water for the purpose of obeying the Lord's commandment (Matthew 28:19) and identification with Christ (Romans 6:3-5) and the Lord's Supper (in which the bread and cup are distributed and consumed by obedient believers for the purpose of symbolically commemorating the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and looking forward to the Lord's return—1 Cor. 11:17-34). Neither of the ordinances is a means of saving grace.

The church faces the particular problems of the growing apostasy and compromise due to the toleration of and cooperation with false teachers by some true Christians. Liberal and Neo-Orthodox leaders are false teachers and are to be withdrawn from by believers (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 John 10-11).

The New Evangelicals disobey the clear teaching of the Bible to break with false teachers and instead cooperate with them. Therefore, New Evangelicals are persistently sinning brethren. Since persistently sinning brethren are to be separated from for the purposes of restoring the sinning brethren and preserving the church, Fundamentalists must separate from New Evangelicals (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).

Last Things

Not all issues concerning the doctrine of future happenings are crystal clear.  What we do know beyond question is that both dead and living believers will be changed into glorified bodies to live in the state of eternal bliss in the presence of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:51-57; I Thessalonians 4:13-18), and that after the world has been thoroughly scourged by a just God (Rev. 4-19), the unbelievers and Satan will be cast into a place called the "lake of fire" to remain eternally (Revelation 20:11-15).

The order of events is most likely as follows:

1. 1.The rapture of the church up to heaven to the judgment seat of Christ for the judging of lives for rewards, not  retribution, and the subsequent "marriage of the Lamb"  (1 Corinthians 3:7-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:1-10)
   

2. 2.The seven year tribulation period upon the earth in which  the Jews through suffering are prepared for the second advent  of their Messiah, Jesus Christ (Revelation 4-19)
   

3. 3.The ending of this seven year period in the Battle of  Armageddon, in which God conquers the nations of the earth and forces of darkness (Revelation 19:1-21)
   

4. 4.The 1,000 year literal reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth (Revelation 20:1-6)
   

5. 5.A final rebellion of Satan and men against God which is put  down and ends in Satan being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 4:1-19:21)
   

6. 6.The Great White Throne Judgment in which God judges sinners and turns them into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15)
   

7. 7.The appearance of a new heaven and new earth and the heavenly city of Jerusalem for the abode of the saved (Revelation 21:1-22:5)
   

Article V — Membership

Section 1: Joining

The membership of Calvary Bible Chapel shall be composed of only those who have been baptized by immersion in water. Any individual desiring to join should:

1. 1.Publicly state desire to join by coming forward at the invitation of any service and asking to apply for membership by:
   

    a.  profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior, having already been baptized by immersion.

    b.  profession of faith as a candidate for baptism.

2. 2.Read the constitution. Anyone wishing to join the church must agree with the church's purposes, covenant, statement of faith, and constitution and bylaws.
   

3. 3.Meet with the pastor and deacons to give evidence of meeting qualifications of membership.  The pastor and deacons will recommend for membership to the church those who fulfill the requirements, and the church will then vote.
   

Section 2: Attendance

Members are expected to attend faithfully the regular services of the Calvary Bible Chapel unless providentially hindered (Hebrews 10:25). Dismissal from church membership due to persistent lack of attendance will be handled according to Article VIII.

Article VI — Pastor, Officers, and Teachers

Section 1: Pastor, officer, and teacher standards

Every officer and teacher must have a testimony that is beyond question. No unfavorable reflection must be brought upon the Lord or the ministry of the Word by an officer or teacher's worldliness.  Therefore, every officer and teacher must pledge to abstain from worldliness in action and attitude, including refraining from drinking alcoholic beverages, using tobacco in any form, taking illegal drugs, listening to rock music, going to the movie theater, gambling, dancing, dressing immodestly, and wearing long hair (men). All officers and teachers are expected to be spiritually minded believers who are faithful in attendance at church meetings unless providentially hindered. If at any time the pastor and deacons determine that an officer or teacher is unfaithful to his responsibilities or is not living up to these standards, they may approach the person about the need to change his behavior. If after a reasonable amount of time for change, the person's actions are still not satisfactory, the person may be removed from office. Of course, any officer or teacher may remove himself from office at any time by serving notice to the deacon board and would be expected to do so if that one could no longer perform his duties or live up to the required standards. However, under normal circumstances an officer or teacher is expected to serve his elected term.

Section 2: Pastor

The pastor shall be the chief spiritual leader and administrative officer of the church. He shall hold office at the pleasure of the congregation. He shall oversee all church functions, shall be an ex officio member of every church committee and organization, and shall carry out the purposes and covenant of the church.

The church shall call a pastor in the following manner. The deacons shall select a pulpit committee composed of two men from the deacons, two from the trustees, and two individuals from the congregation. This pulpit committee must be approved by a majority vote of the church present at a regular or special called business meeting. The pulpit committee shall seek the Lord's will by much prayer. The candidate shall give sound evidence of being a God-called man of God who has clear scriptural qualifications. After hearing him preach and interviewing him publicly, the church shall vote on his taking the pastorate. He shall be elected by 75 percent of the congregation present to vote, a quorum, of course, being necessary before voting. The pulpit committee will inform the candidate of the vote, indicating the exact percentage in favor of him if the vote should pass.  Before accepting the call, the candidate must also sense the Lord's leading in the matter. Only one man may be considered at a time. Only when the need occurs and the membership approves the deacon's selection of a pulpit committee shall a pulpit committee act. The pastor may be removed from office by recommendation of a majority of the deacon board and by vote of a majority of the congregation who are present to vote. Two week's notice of a meeting to remove the pastor must be given.

Section 3: Deacons

Deacons must be men who meet the scriptural qualifications for the office as set forth by example in Acts 6:1-7 and by command in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and shall have been active members for at least six months.

Deacons must be "blameless" and the "husband of one wife" and, therefore, not divorced.  Deacons must have positive Christian testimonies in all personal and public matters. Deacons shall be elected at the annual business meeting to serve a one-year term. Nominations for deacons shall be made by the pastor and active deacons to the church congregation at least one week in advance of the annual business meeting.

The Board of Deacons shall carry out such administrative business and spiritual responsibilities as shall from time to time be delegated to the Board of Deacons by the congregation. The general purpose of the deacons is to, as much as possible and practical, relieve the pastor from responsibilities which distract him from giving himself "continually to prayer, and the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4). The pastor is to oversee the work of the deacons and shall be the moderator of their meetings.

Deacons' meetings shall be held monthly (unless there is no business) or whenever there is a need.

Section 4: Trustees

Trustees shall serve as a clearinghouse for all items of business, which are to come before the congregation for final decision and shall carry out such responsibility as shall from time to time be delegated by the congregation.  These men are the officers of the church in legal matters, and they act only by direction of the congregation.

Trustees shall be elected at the annual business meeting to serve a one-year term.

Section 5: Clerk

The clerk (man or woman) shall be elected at the annual business meeting for a one-year term. The clerk shall take minutes and preserve records of the business proceeding of the church. The clerk maintains the record of the church's membership. All names of members are added to or deleted from the church roll at the direction of the church. He shall keep a register of the names of members with dates of admission, dismissal, or death, together with baptisms.

Section 6: Treasurer

The treasurer (man or woman) shall be elected for a one-year term at the annual business meeting. He is responsible to keep an accurate account of all monetary receipts and disbursements. He is to present financial statements at the regular and annual business meetings and at the special called meetings when the reports are needed. Financial records are to be available to the pastor and deacons upon request or by others designated to examine them. The treasurer shall be bonded. The treasurer shall count the offering with the financial secretary.

Section 7: Financial Secretary

The financial secretary (man or woman) shall be elected for a one-year term at the annual business meeting. He is responsible for keeping records of all monetary gifts of members and others that contribute. He shall send to each donor annually, or upon request of the donor, a copy of the record of the person's contributions. Giving records are to be kept strictly confidential by the secretary.

Section 8: Sunday School Superintendent

The Sunday school superintendent (man only) shall be elected at the annual business meeting to serve a term of one year. He shall oversee the Sunday school program by ordering materials, keeping attendance records, checking to see that teachers are on time, directing people to classes, and performing other needed duties. All the duties of the superintendent are to be carried out with the cooperation and approval of the pastor.

Article VII — Business Meetings

Section 1: General procedure

The business of Calvary Bible Chapel shall be carried out according to the following procedure. Major suggestions or proposals concerning church business must be made first to the board of trustees in person or in writing by a church member. Matters of church business shall be by majority vote of the congregation except where otherwise stated. Areas needing a majority vote include voting in members; acquiring buildings, property, and equipment; electing church officers, approving a budget; supporting a missionary.

Section 2: Regular business meetings

Regular business meetings of the church shall be held in January, April, July, and October unless otherwise voted by the church.  These business meetings shall be announced from the pulpit two Sundays prior to the meetings.

Section 3: Special meetings

Special meetings shall be called for by the pastor or a majority of the deacons. Special meetings may be called at any time provided notice is given two weeks before the special meeting. A two week notice must be given before voting on a pastor's calling or dismissal.

Section 4: Annual Business meeting

The annual business meeting for adopting the proposed budget shall be held during the quarterly meeting in January. The church fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and conclude on December 31.

Section 5: Moderator

The pastor shall moderate all business meetings. In his absence a moderator pro tem may be appointed by the pastor.

Section 6: Quorum

In all business meetings not less than a majority (over 50 percent) of the members shall be considered a quorum.

Section 7: Rescheduling

Meetings may be rescheduled by the pastor or by a majority vote of the congregation.

Section 8: Voting

Only those members 16 years of age or older may vote.

Section 9: Parliamentary procedure

Church business meetings will follow Robert's Rules of Order.

Article VIII — Church Discipline

Section 1: General

The church must properly, lovingly, but firmly exercise church discipline against those members who in the judgment of the pastor and deacons have persisted in sinful behavior. The procedure shall be according to Matthew 18:15-17, allowing reasonable time for repentance after every effort has been made to bring the person to correct the sinful behavior.

Section 2: Pastor

No accusation shall be received against a pastor except by the written testimony of not less than two witnesses submitted to the Board of Deacons.  Should the accusations be true, the pastor shall be admonished in love by the Board of Deacons. If he does not take heed or if the misconduct is considered worthy of dismissal, the Board of Deacons shall refer the matter to the church with their recommendation and the congregation may vote his discharge with some financial consideration (1 Timothy 5:19; Colossians 4:17).

Section 3: Brethren

If a member feels he has been wronged by another member, he should attempt personal correction (Matthew 18:15). If this fails, he should take others with him as witnesses (Matthew 18:16). If this fails, he should bring the matter to the Board of Deacons who shall investigate, and if found warranted , take disciplinary action (Matthew 18:17). If the charges are found unwarranted, the accuser shall be admonished by the Board of Deacons according to Scripture. If an accusation worthy of discipline is brought to the pastor and deacons against a member, the deacons shall investigate and pray for this member, and in love admonish him with the facts. If this trespass is repeated without repentance, he should be brought before the Board of Deacons for further disciplinary action. If he repents, he may be put on probation, but if that be violated he should be dismissed by the Board of Deacons.

Section 4: Dismissal

The following cases are grounds for dismissal: fornication, covetousness, idolatry, railing, drunkenness, extortion (1 Corinthians 5:11), adultery (Romans 13:9), disorderliness (2 Thessalonians 3:6,14), unscriptural teaching (1 Timothy 6:3-5), heresy (Titus 3:10-11), serious violation of the Church Covenant, and such when there is no repentance.

Section 5: Attitude

All disciplinary actions shall be accomplished by the Board of Deacons after prayer in the spirit of meekness, and with the honest hope of gaining the brother (Galatians 6:1). Yet sin or false teaching must not and will not be tolerated.

Article IX — Affiliation

This church is organized as an independent, fundamental Baptist church.  It shall remain independent and shall never be organically joined to any ecclesiastical organization or in any way identified or part of a denomination or association of churches.  This paragraph may not be altered or amended in any way.

Article X — Amendments

Amendments to this constitution shall be made upon recommendation of the deacons and by approval of 75 percent of those church members who are present to vote. Proposed changes must be submitted to church members in writing two weeks prior to the vote.

Article XI — Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of the Morris County Calvary Bible Chapel as a non-profit corporation, first, all of its debts shall be fully satisfied. Then the assets of this church shall be given to one or more non-profit organizations of like faith and practice, which are in agreement with its beliefs and principles, and which would qualify under the provision and regulations of Section 501 c 3 of the 1954 Internal Revenue Code.