PREAMBLE
So that things may be done decently and in order in accordance with the accepted tenets of other churches of like precious faith, and that we may more readily help each other in our Christian service, we declare and establish this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE, AND CONFERENCE RELATIONSHIP
SECTION 1 – NAME:
This congregation of believers shall be known as the Trinity Mennonite Church.
SECTION 2 – PURPOSE:
(A) This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), including but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining religious worship, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), the building, maintaining and operating of churches, parsonages, schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations, rescue missions, print shops, daycare centers, camps, nursing homes, and cemeteries, and any other ministries that the church may be led of God to establish.
(B) The church shall also ordain and license men to the Gospel ministry; evangelize the unsaved by the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; educate believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture, both in Sunday and weekday schools of Christian Education; maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country; and engage in any other ministry that the church may decide, from time to time, to pursue in obedience to the will of God.
SECTION 3 – CONFERENCE RELATIONSHIP:
Trinity Mennonite Church, as a congregation, is a member of the Conservative Mennonite Conference. As such, it shall relate to the various boards, committees and representatives of the Conference in the ways provided by the Conference organization. The offices of Conservative Mennonite Conference are located in Irwin, Ohio.
ARTICLE II: STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT
SECTION 1 – STATEMENT OF FAITH:
Trinity Mennonite Church adopts as its statement of faith the Conservative Mennonite Statement of Theology. It is available as a separate booklet titled Trinity Mennonite Church Statement Of Faith. It may also be found on the website: http://www.cmcrosedale.org/about-us/statement-of-theology
Trinity Mennonite church is committed to teach and allow open and honest discussion on the subject of non-resistance. We believe the heart of this teaching to be biblically based. However because the finer points surrounding this subject are highly debated and because it is an issue of conscious and not salvation, we do not require members to hold this belief. We believe that members of the body of Christ can extend grace to each other and worship together despite these finer points of debate.
SECTION 2 – AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH:
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP AND COVENANT
SECTION 1 – QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP:
Membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord; who renounce sin; have been baptized in obedience to Jesus’ command; who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who subscribe to the statement of faith; and upon compliance with any one of the following conditions, if applicable:
(A) By letter of transfer from another Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement of good standing from the prior church; or
(B) By restoration, if having been removed from membership, after confession is made publicly before the church membership of the sin or sins involved, and satisfactorily evidencing repentance to the spiritual leadership team of the congregation (pastor and other elders).
SECTION 2 – COVENANT AND DUTIES OF A MEMBER:
Having received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with Trinity Mennonite Church, as one body in Christ.
On becoming a member of this church, each one further covenants to love, honor, and esteem the pastors and the elders; to pray for them; and to recognize their authority in the spiritual affairs of the church; to cherish a brotherly love for all members of the church; to support the church in prayer, tithes, offerings and with other financial support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands to support through a life-style walk affirmation of the beliefs and practices of the church;
We commit ourselves, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to:
- walk together in Christian love
- strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and unity
- contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also commit ourselves to:
- maintain our marriages upon the Word of God and understand the marriage covenant to be a lifetime commitment
- Biblically educate our children
- be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior and to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances and all others
- avoid all backbiting and gossip
- abstain from unwholesome secular activities which undermine principles of integrity and purity
We further commit ourselves to:
- watch over one another in brotherly love
- remember each other in prayer
- aid each other in sickness and distress
- be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure reconciliation without delay.
SECTION 3 – PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP:
This congregation functions, not as a democracy, but as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the elders as under shepherds. Membership in this church does not afford those individuals with any property, contract, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government. Determination of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. Every member is expected to participate in the life and function of the church.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
SECTION 1 – OFFICERS:
For its scriptural officers, the church shall have pastors, elders, and a worship leader. The church shall have a Leadership Team consisting of at least three elders/pastors. Any pastor, having been commissioned by and serving at Trinity Mennonite Church, serves as an equal member, along side the elders on the leadership team.
For its administrative officers, the church shall have a treasurer, trustees, and at the discretion of the leadership team, a Sunday School superintendent, assistant Sunday School superintendent, youth leaders, and a Bible School (VBS) superintendent. The board of trustees shall consist of a minimum of three members, preferably five, one of which is the church treasurer.
For its non-administrative positions the church may have, at the discretion of the leadership team, a food committee of not less than two persons, a head usher, a librarian, a social events coordinator, and a good cheer hostess.
SECTION 2 – ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE:
(A) All church officers shall affirm their agreement with the statement of faith (as set forth in Article II) annually in the presence of each other.
(B) Only church members are eligible to hold any scriptural or administrative church office.
(C) All church officers must be approved initially, and thereafter annually, by the Leadership Team in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.
(D) Except where prohibited by the TMC Constitution and Covenant, non-members may hold non-administrative positions of service at the discretion of the Leadership Team.
SECTION 3 – TERMS OF OFFICE:
The length of terms of office shall be as follows:
(A) The relationship between the pastor(s), elders and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by giving of at least one month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The severance of the relationship between the pastor(s) or elders and the church may be considered at any church administration meeting provided notice to that effect shall have been given from the pulpit to the church three Sundays prior to said church administration meeting. A three-fourths majority of the members present and voting shall be required to decide the matter. Disciplinary removal of the pastor or an elder from office automatically terminates his church membership, if he is unrepentant. A restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements of Article III, Section I (B).
(B) A vacancy occurring in any office or board, except in the case of the senior pastor, may be filled by the elders.
(C) All appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly appointed.
SECTION 4 – APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS:
(A) Officers to serve in special capacities may be requested by the Leadership Team or Board of Trustees, to serve for a designated period of time. They may be appointed by the Leadership Team.
(B) Sunday School teachers may be recommended by the Sunday School superintendents and submitted to the Leadership Team for approval.
ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1 – THE SENIOR PASTOR:
(A) The senior pastor functions to give both administrative and spiritual oversight to the church.
(B) The senior pastor shall be a member of the Leadership Team and shall preside at all meetings of the Leadership Team. The senior pastor may, at his discretion, appoint a chairman to preside over the meetings.
(C) The senior pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the church, may act as moderator at all church meetings for the transaction of church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of the membership and regular attenders.
(D) The senior pastor shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the church and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a position.
(E) The senior pastor, in conjunction with and agreement with the Leadership Team, shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him. He shall be a member of the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
SECTION 2 – THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
(A) The associate pastor functions to aid the senior pastor in giving both administrative and spiritual oversight to the church.
(B) The associate pastor shall be a member of the Leadership Team and shall preside at all meetings of the Leadership Team in the absence of the senior pastor and/or the chairman.
(C) At the request of, or in the absence of the senior pastor, the associate pastor shall: preach the Gospel and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him; administer the ordinances of the church; act as moderator at church meetings for the transaction of church matters; supervise the teaching ministries of the church; and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of the membership and regular attenders.
(D) In the absence of the senior pastor, the associate pastor shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the church and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a position.
(E) The associate pastor, in conjunction with and agreement with the Leadership Team, shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him. He shall be a member of the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
(F) In the event of sudden tragedy (death, disabling injury, mental incapacitation, etc.) of the senior pastor, the associate pastor will assume the full responsibilities and authority of the senior pastor until the church and the leadership team chooses to install the associate pastor, or another individual, as senior pastor.
SECTION 3 – THE ELDERS:
(A) Candidates for elder shall be chosen by the Leadership Team. The congregation will be given at least a two-week time frame to provide feedback to the Leadership Team regarding candidates. Qualified candidates will then be presented to the congregation upon the recommendation of the Leadership Team. Elders will be formally installed in a commissioning/prayer service, either specially held or during the Sunday morning worship service.
(B) The elders shall function in a supportive role to the pastor(s) and assist in providing spiritual oversight, administrative guidance, and leadership in the congregation.
(C) The elders shall be members of the ministerial team and assist in public worship services and other duties as requested by the pastor(s). They may preach occasionally at the request of the pastor(s).
(D) The elders shall provide counsel and assistance in matters of discipline, membership, and material needs of the members of the congregation and the community.
(E) The elders shall be members in full fellowship with the congregation and their office is not transferable to another congregation in a transfer of membership.
(F) The elder, in conjunction with and agreement with the Leadership Team, shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry God has given him.
(G) In the event of sudden tragedy (death, disabling injury, mental incapacitation, etc.) of the pastor(s), the elder(s) will assume the full responsibilities and authority of the pastor(s) until the church and the leadership team chooses to install a new pastor(s).
SECTION 4 – WORSHIP LEADERS:
(A) The worship leader is chosen by the Leadership Team and functions to provide oversight to the worship ministry of the church.
(B) The worship leader shall be responsible for leading all congregational singing or to designate others to do so if needed.
(C) The worship leader is responsible to choose the music and plan the worship time each Sunday and to coordinate volunteers to assist in accompaniment.
(D) The worship leader is to coordinate the music during times of special meetings other than the regular Sunday service.
SECTION 5 – THE OVERSEER:
(A) The overseer will be chosen by the Leadership Team
(B) The overseer shall be an ordained and experienced minister in the Conservative Mennonite Conference. He does not need to be ordained as a bishop.
(C) The selection of an overseer will be initiated and coordinated with the Executive Committee of the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
(D) The overseer shall be appointed for a specified period of time not less than two years nor more than five years.
(E) The overseer shall assist the congregation in giving vision to its life and ministry.
(F) The overseer shall serve as an advisor to the pastor(s) and the congregation.
(G) The request for an overseer may be made to the Leadership Team by any two members of the congregation.
SECTION 6 – THE TRUSTEES:
(A) All trustees shall be chosen by the Leadership Team, in conjunction with the current trustees, and function to provide for the maintenance and care of the church facilities and to give administrative oversight to the church finances.
(B) The trustees shall designate one of their members to be the contact person to coordinate and schedule the use of church facilities for non-church functions (i.e. any functions not regularly scheduled such as Sunday Morning worship, Wednesday night service, bible studies, etc.).
(C) The trustees shall be the contact persons and be responsible to hold those who borrow church equipment accountable for the prompt return of all loaned equipment.
(D) The trustees shall be responsible for outside grounds maintenance when needed.
(E) The trustees shall have discretion to plan, organize, and solicit volunteers for church work periods for large-scale maintenance needs on the church building.
(F) The trustees shall be responsible to clean and organize equipment following use of church facilities for non-church purposes or to designate others to do so.
SECTION 7 – THE TREASURER:
(A) The treasurer is chosen by the Leadership Team, in conjunction with the trustees, and functions to give administrative oversight to the church finances.
(B) The treasurer shall be a member of the trustees and prepare monthly financial reports to be presented in trustee meetings.
(C) The treasurer shall be given the responsibility to receive congregational funds, deposit congregational funds, and disburse congregational funds at the discretion of the Leadership Team and trustees.
(D) The treasurer shall assist in preparing and planning the annual church budget.
(E) The treasurer shall submit all records for a year-end audit.
SECTION 8 – DUTIES OF ALL OFFICERS:
(A) All officers shall prepare a written report of their work if requested to do so by the leadership team, for the annual church administration meeting and shall surrender any records in their possession to their successor at the end of their term of service, or upon resignation of their official duties, to the leadership team to be filed as a permanent record of the work of the church. All records are the property of the church and must be surrendered when requested to do so.
(B) Any officer who neglects his or her duties as outlined in the constitution for a period of three months may be removed from office at the discretion of the Leadership Team and another may be appointed by the Leadership Team.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
SECTION 1 – MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP:
Unless otherwise determined by the pastor(s) (or the Leadership Team if the pastor(s) are absent) the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship in the morning and when circumstances permit, each Wednesday evening for prayer and/or Bible study. Except when circumstances forbid it, the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed in the spring, summer, fall and winter of each calendar year. Other regularly scheduled services may be added at the discretion of the Leadership Team.
SECTION 2 – MEETINGS FOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION:
The annual church administration meeting shall be held within the first two weeks of January each year, at which time the regular church administration shall be considered. Notification of any administration meetings shall be made via written notice or announcements at least two weeks prior to such meeting. Matters will be decided by a quorum consisting of three-fourths of the members present at the meeting who are in good standing.
SECTION 3 – SPECIAL MEETINGS:
(A) The pastor(s) (or the elders if the offices of pastor(s) are vacant or are the subject of possible disciplinary action) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called, to the church, from the pulpit, at least one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting.
(B) Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the pastor(s) deem beneficial.
SECTION 4 – FISCAL YEAR:
The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.
ARTICLE VII: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
SECTION 1 – PURPOSE:
The church believes that it is primarily the parents’ responsibility, and secondly, the church’s responsibility, to provide their children with an education which is based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The church believes that the home and the church are responsible before God for providing a Christian education. To this end, the church shall engage in ministries in education in keeping with the following dictates:
SECTION 2 – CHURCH PARTICIPATION:
All programs or courses of instruction formulated and offered by the church shall be primarily for the benefit of the members of the church and church outreach. The pastor(s) may permit non-church members to teach in church educational programs or courses of instruction if he/they deem(s) it in the best interest of the church.
SECTION 3 – STAFF MEMBERSHIP:
All administrators shall be members of this church. This provision shall not apply to visiting missionaries, evangelists or preachers engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals, or other special meetings on temporary basis.
SECTION 4 – STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD:
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be taught in full accord with the statement of faith of the church.
SECTION 5 – TEACHING:
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. Any assertion or belief that conflicts with or questions a Bible truth will be repudiated. It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.
SECTION 6 – CHRISTIAN WALK:
All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall live a life-style consistent with the precepts which they teach, whether in or out of the classroom.
ARTICLE VIII: ORDINATION
SECTION 1 – ORDINATION QUALIFICATIONS:
Any member of this church or its mission churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.
SECTION 2 – ORDINATION PROCEDURE:
(A) Upon discernment of the church of the need for additional ordained church leadership, the senior pastor shall present a request for ordination to the Executive Committee of the Conservative Mennonite Conference for action by the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
(B) Other ministers of like faith shall be invited to participate in the discerning process and shall assist in the ordination of the candidate.
ARTICLE IX: TAX EXEMPT PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 – PRIVATE INUREMENT:
No part of the net earning of the church shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, Leadership Team, Trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payment and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 1, Section 2 hereof.
SECTION 2 – POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT:
No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the church shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501, (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future Unites States Revenue Law).
SECTION 3 – DISSOLUTION:
Upon dissolution of the church, the church trustees shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the church, dispose of all the assets of the church to such organization or organizations formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the trustee members shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations that agree with the church’s statement of faith. Any assets not disposed of as outlined above shall be disposed of by the Court of Common pleas of the city in which the principal office of the church is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
SECTION 4 – RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
The church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.
ARTICLE X: DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Leadership Team and the trustees. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2.
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be revised or amended by the Leadership Team, in conjunction with the trustees, by recommendation to the congregation. After such recommendation, the congregation shall have a period of two weeks to respond and provide feedback regarding the proposed change(s). Upon conclusion of the two week period, based upon congregational feedback, the proposed revisions, or any required additional changes to the proposed revisions, will be adopted upon announcement to the congregation.
ADOPTION
This constitution was adopted by the Leadership Team and Trustees on August 25, 2015.
This constitution and bylaws supersedes any other constitution and/or bylaws of Trinity Mennonite Church.