• We Stand for the authority of the Scriptures.

• We preach salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

• We encourage fellowship and genuine love for one another.

• We provide opportunities for believers to develop and grow in their faith

• For an in-depth look at our beliefs please refer to our Constitution below.

The Constitution of Village Bible Church of Carol Stream Illinois

"Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it...Let all things be done for edification...Let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner" (I Cor. 12:27; 14:16, 40).

Village Bible Church -- A Bible-centered fellowship.
600 North Kuhn Road
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188

PREAMBLE

We, the members of Village Bible Church, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves:

ARTICLE I - NAME

This Church is incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois as "Village Bible Church."

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this Church is to win the lost to Christ; to develop believers spiritually in Christlikeness through the faithful teaching and preaching of God's Word, the Bible; and to meet the full spiritual needs of the community.

ARTICLE III - DOCTRINE

Scripture

We believe that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," both the Old and New Testaments, without error in the original writings; and the divine and final authority for salvation and all Christian faith and life (2 Tim. 3:16).

Trinity

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2).

The Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He was the only sinless one among men. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, was buried and arose bodily from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high and is now interceding for us (John 1:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Holy Spirit

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate, indwell, seal, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:7-14; Eph. 1:13-14).

Man

We believe that man was created in the image of God, but through deliberate disobedience fell into sin and therefore all men became dead in trespasses and sin. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and eternal life be obtained (Gen. 1:26; Rom. 5:12; John 3:3).

Salvation

We believe that our redemption has been accomplished solely by the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made sin for us, dying as our substitute, paying the penalty for our guilt. Only such as receive Jesus Christ personally, by faith, are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God (John 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:24; John 1:12).

We believe that at death a child of God passes immediately into God's presence and there remains in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body, reunited, shall be associated forever with Him in glory (2 Cor. 5:6).

Future Judgment

We believe that those who willfully reject Christ pass immediately after death into a place of conscious misery until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not the be annihilated but to be punished with the everlasting loss of all that gives worth to existence, eternal separation from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power (Rev. 20:11-15).

Second Coming

We believe in the personal, premillennial, and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 4:14-17).

Ordinances

We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation (1 Cor. 11:23-29; Titus 3:5).

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section I

To be eligible for membership in this Church a person must have accepted Christ as his personal Savior, give assurance of his desire to live a consistent Christian life, give assurance of his willingness to abide by the Constitution, show evidence of a satisfactory attitude toward the doctrinal standards of this Church, and subscribe to both statements in letter and in spirit. The person must attend the membership class and complete an application for membership.

Section II

Persons may be received into membership upon confession of faith, or reaffirmation of faith. Persons shall be examined by the membership committee of the Board of Deacons. After approval, they are presented to the membership of the Church at a business meeting of the Church for acceptance. A majority of the members present at a duly called and constituted business meeting shall be required to accept an applicant for membership. The Pastor shall extend the right hand of fellowship at the next reception of new members.

Section III

The membership of this Church shall consist of five categories:

Active

Members 16 years of age and older in active attendance and in good standing.

Nonresident

Members vitally interested in the Church but unable to attend because of distance. They shall have neither voting privilege nor hold any office.

Underage

Members in good standing who are under 16 years of age. They shall have neither voting privilege nor hold any office.

Inactive

Members who have been absent from the Church for six months and who show no interest in the Church. They shall have neither voting privilege nor hold any office.

Associate

Members who are temporary residents in the area such as college students. They shall meet all the regular qualifications for membership. They shall retain membership in their home church. They shall have the same privileges as an Active member to vote and hold elected office.

Section IV

This Church will require of all its members loyal obedience to all those moral precepts spoken of in the Word of God so plainly, that need no definition, and to live as "new creatures" in Christ Jesus. It is also the desire of the Church that its members refrain from questionable practices which might be harmful to themselves or others.

Section V

The Pastor and the Deacons are to counsel with an individual, whether a member or an attendee who is a believer, who is violating his or her obligation or conducting himself or herself in such a manner as to bring reproach upon the Church. They shall endeavor to restore the individual to effective Christian living according to the attitudes and methods stated in Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1-2. Counseling and disciplining an individual shall be conducted for the purpose of restoring the individual to fellowship with the Lord and in good standing within the Church and shall be done in a loving and caring manner in keeping with the process described in the Guidelines for Discipline in the Church, which Guidelines shall be changed only by vote of the membership as set forth in, Article IX, Sections I and II of this Constitution.

Failing to receive satisfactory evidence of repentance and reformation, the Deacons shall inform the membership, who shall dismiss the offender in love. A three fourths majority of the membership voting for the dismissal of a member at a duly called business meeting, excluding any member abstaining from voting, shall declare the member dismissed from the membership. A duly called business meeting for the purpose of voting on the dismissal of a member is the Annual Meeting (Art.VI, Sec. II), a quarterly business meeting of the Church (Art.VI, Sec. III) or a special business meeting of the Church called by the Board of Deacons (Art.VI, Sec. V). Notice, stating that the dismissal of a member is to be acted upon by the membership at a duly called business meeting, shall be given by the Board of Deacons two weeks in advance thereof, which notice may be a part of or independent from notice, if any, given by the Church Board. The quorum for such meeting, whether a quarterly business meeting or a special business meeting shall be one-fourth of the active voting members.

Section VI

Members are encouraged to be faithful in attendance at the regular services of the Church. Members who have been absent from services for a period of six months and who have evidenced no other interest in the work of the Church shall, upon notice, be placed on the inactive membership list. They may be removed from the membership by a three-fourths majority vote of the Membership Committee.

Inactive members may be returned to active membership by indicating such a desire to the Membership Committee and by attending the Church services.

Section VII

Any member in good standing shall, at his request, be granted a letter of transfer. A letter of transfer shall be issued by the Church Secretary and the Membership Committee notified. Announcement of the transfer shall be made to the membership at the next business meeting of the Church.

ARTICLE V - GOVERNMENT

Section I

The government of this Church is vested in its entire membership, executed through the Church Board.

Section II - Church Officers

1. The Church officers shall consist of the following:
   • Pastor - Church Secretary
   • Assistant Pastor - Sunday School Superintendent
   • Chairman - Financial Secretary
   • Deacons - Church Treasurer
   • Trustees - Director of Music
   • Deaconesses - Chairman of Christian Education Committee
   • Any others necessary to meet the needs of the Church.
2. The qualifications of the Church Officers are as follows:
   1. Public confession of Christ as Savior.
   2. Unreservedly in agreement with our Church Constitution and doctrinal statements.
   3. An Active of Associate member of this Church.
   4. Qualified to govern the "House of God" on scriptural grounds as taught in 1 Tim. 3:8-13 and Titus 1:6-9.
   5. Moral conduct beyond reproach and freedom from carnal indulgence such as intoxicating beverages, tobacco, narcotics and anything else that is harmful and a stumbling block.
   6. Not a member of a secret society.
3. All officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church with the exception of the Pastor and the Assistant Pastor, who are called to serve the Church for an indefinite period of time.
4. The officers shall be elected to a term of one year unless otherwise specified.
5. A majority of votes cast by active or associate voting members shall be required to elect.
6. If there is no qualified candidate to fill an office, the office shall remain vacant.
7. The Church Board shall appoint qualified persons to fill any vacancies for an unexpired term.
8. Officers may not serve more than three successive years in the same office. They may be reelected to an office after an interval of one year.
9. The duties of the Church Officers are as follows:
   1. Pastor
      1. The Pastor shall perform all the scriptural duties of this office and, under guidance of the Holy Spirit, have freedom of the pulpit. The Pastor shall also perform such other duties as shall be delegated by the Board of Deacons and accepted by him.
      2. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees and other organizations of the Church.
      3. In the event of a vacancy in the pastorate, the Board of Deacons shall make recommendations to the membership of the Church. Recommendations shall be made by letter to each member, together with notification of a business meeting to be held not less than two weeks later. Notice of this meeting shall be given in the Church on two Sundays preceding the meeting, and the object of the meeting shall be stated in the notice.
         
         The calling of a Pastor shall be done at all times by secret ballot and in accord with Article VI, Section VIII. One candidate shall be voted on at a time. A three-fourths majority vote of the eligible active membership present shall be required before issuing an invitation to a candidate to become a Pastor of the Church. The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite period of time.
      4. The question of dissolving the pastoral relationship may be considered at any time by the Church - (1) on the presentation of the Pastor's resignation, (2) on recommendation of the Board of Deacons, or (3) on petition signed by at least 20% of the eligible active membership. Voting on the question of releasing the Pastor shall be done in all cases by secret ballot in accord with Article VI, Section VIII. Termination of the pastoral relationship shall become effective in not less than 30 days and not to exceed 90 days from the date of release by the vote of the Church.
   2. Assistant Pastor
      1. The Assistant Pastor shall perform all the scriptural duties of the office of Pastor and, under guidance of the Holy Spirit, have freedom of the pulpit when filling the pulpit. In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Pastor, and Assistant Pastor shall fill the duties of the Pastor at the direction of the Board of Deacons. The Assistant Pastor shall also perform such other duties as shall be delegated by the Pastor with the advice and counsel of the Board of Deacons.
      2. The Assistant Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of such boards and committees to which he shall be appointed by the Pastor with the advice and counsel of the Board of Deacons.
      3. In the event of a vacancy in the assistant pastorate, the Board of Deacons shall make recommendations to the membership of the Church. Recommendations shall be made by letter to each member, together with notification of a business meeting to be held not less than two weeks later. Notice of this meeting shall be given in the Church on the two Sundays preceding the meeting, and the object of the meeting shall be stated in the notice.
         The calling of an Assistant Pastor shall be done at all times by secret ballot and in accord with Article VI, Section VIII. One candidate shall be voted on at a time. A three-fourths majority vote of the eligible active membership present shall be required before issuing an invitation to a candidate to become an Assistant Pastor of the Church. The Assistant Pastor shall be called for an indefinite time.
      4. The question of dissolving the assistant pastoral relationship may be considered at any time by the Church - (1) on the presentation of the Assistant Pastor's resignation, (2) on recommendation of the Pastor, (3) on recommendation of the Board of Deacons, or (4) on petition signed by at least 20% of the eligible active membership. Voting on the question of releasing the Assistant Pastor shall be done in all cases by secret ballot in accord with Article VI, Section VIII. Termination of the assistant pastoral relationship shall become effective in not less than 30 days and not to exceed 90 days from the date of release by the vote of the Church.
   3. Deacons
      1. The Board of Deacons shall consist of no less than four nor more than nine members. The number of Deacons can be changed at any regularly-called business meeting of the Church.
      2. The Deacons shall be responsible for coordination of services, ushering, and creation of worshipful atmosphere.
      3. The Deacons shall assist the Pastor in his plans for services and in the spiritual work of the Church, and shall provide supply for the pulpit and mid-week prayer meeting in the Pastor's absence. They shall assist in the administration of the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
      4. Deacons shall serve three-year terms, but not concurrently. No Deacon shall be elected to succeed himself in office unless he has not served a full term.
   4. Trustees
      1. The Board of Trustees shall consist of no less than three nor more than seven members. The number of Trustees can be changed at any regularly-called business meeting of the Church.
      2. The Trustees shall assume full charge of the Church property and be responsible for its care and maintenance in arranging for needed repairs and additions. They shall obtain the approval of the Church Board when repairs or additions total more than $100.
      3. The Trustees shall represent the Church in all legal matters and, when authorized to do so by the congregation as hereinafter provided by Article VIII, may purchase, mortgage, or sell real property of and for the Church.
      4. The Trustees shall appoint a member to be their representative on a Building Committee.
      5. The Trustees shall approve the purchase of all office supplies, maintenance supplies, and equipment. Any expenditure in excess of $100 requires prior approval of the Church Board.
      6. Trustees shall serve three-year terms, but not concurrently. No trustee shall succeed himself in office unless he has not served a full term.
   5. Deaconesses
      1. The Board of Deaconesses shall consist of no less than three nor more than seven members. The number of Deaconesses can be changed at any regularly-called business meeting of the Church.
      2. The Deaconesses shall assist in the spiritual welfare of the Church in whatever way is suitable to carry out these duties, by visitation, by help to the sick and needy, and by other means as needs arise.
      3. The Deaconesses shall assist the Deacons in the preparation of the elements for the service of the Lord's Supper and in the Baptismal Services.
      4. Deaconesses shall serve three-year terms, but not concurrently. No Deaconess shall be elected to succeed herself in office unless she has not served a full term.
   6. Church Secretary
      1. The Church Secretary shall record and maintain the minutes of all business meetings of the congregation and Church Board.
      2. The Church Secretary shall take care of the correspondence in the name of the Church assigned to him/her from time to time.
   7. Sunday School Superintendent
      1. The Sunday School Superintendent shall supervise the work of the Sunday School.
      2. b. The Sunday School Superintendent shall be chairman on the Sunday School Council, composed of Department Superintendents, teachers, and other officers of the Sunday School. He/she shall be responsible to the Christian Education Committee.
      3. The Sunday School Superintendent shall see that all classes are provided with teachers and shall appoint officers needed to carry on the program of this School.
      4. The Sunday School Superintendent shall provide suitable surroundings for the most efficient teaching.
   8. Financial Secretary
      1. The Financial Secretary, with the assistance of one member of the Board of Trustees, shall be responsible for counting all funds received.
      2. The Financial Secretary shall deposit all funds in bank accounts specified by the Church Board.
      3. The Financial Secretary shall keep accurate records of all monies received by the Church in accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures.
      4. The Financial Secretary shall advise the Church Treasurer, by duplicate deposit slips, the amounts deposited.
      5. The Financial Secretary shall make a monthly report to the Church Board and quarterly reports to the Church.
      6. The Financial Secretary shall make records of receipts and deposits available to the Church Board or Auditing Committee upon request.
   9. Church Treasurer
      1. The Church Treasurer shall keep accurate records of funds disbursed.
      2. The Church Treasurer shall make a monthly report to the Church Board and quarterly reports to the Church.
      3. The Church Treasurer shall make records available to the Auditing Committee upon request.
   10. Director of Music
       1. The Director of Music shall be Chairman of the Music Committee and responsible for all music of the Church.
       2. The Director of Music shall work closely with the Pastor in the selection of hymns and choir music, in order to provide a unified service.
       3. The Director of Music shall be responsible for the organization of the Choir(s). The choir membership shall select its officers.
   11. Chairman
       1. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Church Board and the congregation.
       2. The Chairman shall coordinate the business transactions and general work of the Church under the direction of the Church Board.
   12. Chairman of the Christian Education Committee
       1. The Chairman of the Christian Education Committee shall preside over all meetings of the Christian Education Committee.
       2. The Chairman of the Christian Education Committee shall coordinate the education program of the Church with the Board of Deacons and the Church Board.

Section III - The Church Board

1. The Church Board shall consist of the Pastor, the Chairman, the Chairman of the Deacons, the Chairman of the Trustees, the Chairwoman of the Deaconesses, the Church Secretary, the Church Treasurer, the Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, and the Director of Music. They shall elect a Vice-Chairman from among their members. The Chairman shall preside at the Church Board Meetings and Business Meetings.
2. The duties of the Church Board are as follows:
   1. The Church Board shall have supervision over the business transactions and general work of the Church and its organizations.
   2. The Church Board shall have authority to appoint individuals or committees for the transaction of its business.
   3. The Church Board shall have the authority to employ such individuals necessary for the proper functioning of the Church.
   4. The Church Board shall have the authority to call meetings of the membership for the purpose of recommending such actions as call for a vote of the membership, except for matters concerning the disciplining or dismissal of an individual, which meetings shall be called by the Board of Deacons as provided in Article IV, Section V above.
   5. The Church Board shall handle and consider suggestions, recommendations, and grievances, except for matters relating to the counseling or disciplining of a member (see Article IV, Section V) upon the part of any member or organization affiliated with the Church.
   6. The quorum for the Church Board shall be five (5). The deciding factor in any vote taken shall be a majority vote of the members present.
   7. The Church Board shall recommend to the Church at the January Quarterly Meeting a tentative budget to cover all expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year. This budget is to be reviewed and voted on for adoption at the Annual Meeting. The budget may be amended at any Congregational Meeting.
   8. The Church Board shall meet monthly. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman, the Pastor, or by request of at least three members.

Section IV - Committees

1. Standing Committees shall be composed of active or associate members of the Church. Committees (except the Membership and Nominating Committees) may include nonmembers. Committee members shall serve a term of one year. The majority of the members on a Committee shall be active and/or associate members of the Church.
2. New standing committees may be created only by amendment of the Constitution according to Article IX.
3. All other committees for special purposes shall be appointed and dismissed as required by the Church Board or at any business meeting of the Church. Such committees may include non members, providing the majority of the committee is composed of active or associate members of the Church.
4. The size of all committees shall be reviewed annually by the Church Board and changed as the need arises.
5. The regular standing committees shall be as follows:

   Finance Committee

   This committee shall be composed of the Church Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, and one member of the Board of Trustees. This committee shall make financial recommendations to the Church and formulate an annual budget.

   Music Committee

   This committee shall be composed of the Director of Music and two other members of the Church appointed by the Music Director. The appointments are to be ratified by the Church Board. The committee shall plan for the best interests of the Church in the development of its music.

   Christian Education Committee

   This committee shall be composed of the Chairman of the Christian Education Committee, the Sunday School Superintendent, one Deacon, Youth Coordinator, Boys' Work Chairman, Girls' Work Chairman, and one woman member of the Sunday School Staff. This committee shall guide the development of the overall educational program of the Church.

   Missionary Committee

   This committee shall be composed of one Deacon, one Deaconess, and one member appointed by the Church Board. This committee shall create methods for stimulating missionary interest and giving.

   Membership Committee

   This committee shall be composed of the Board of Deacons. This committee shall examine applicants for Church membership in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.

   Publicity Committee

   This committee shall be composed of one Church Board member and two members of the Church appointed by the Church Board. This committee shall be responsible for informing the public of Church activities.

   Visitation Committee

   This committee shall be composed of one Deacon, one Deaconess, and one member of the Church appointed by the Church Board. This committee shall be responsible for organizing and carrying out the visitation program of the Church.

   Auditing Committee

   This committee shall be composed of two members of the Church appointed by the Church Board. This committee shall audit the records of the Financial Secretary and the Church Treasurer and report their findings to the Church at the Annual Meeting.

   Nominating Committee

   This committee shall be composed of one Deacon, one Deaconess, one Sunday School representative, and two members of the Church at large elected by the Congregation at the January quarterly business meeting. This committee shall select and nominate candidates for the various positions and offices of the Church organizations to serve during the following year. Consent of all persons nominated shall have been received before their names are presented. They shall report the slate to the congregation in writing two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.

6. Other committees as needed shall be as follows:

   Pulpit Committee

   This committee shall be composed of the Chairman, a Deacon, a Deaconess, and two members of the Church at large, elected by the Congregation. This committee shall be responsible for conducting the pastoral Search and make recommendations to the Board of Deacons (see Article V - Section II, 1, c).

   Boys' Work Committee

   This committee shall be composed of a chairman appointed by the Church Board and two other members of the Church appointed by the chairman of the committee, the appointments to be ratified by the Church Board. This committee shall select, train, and manage the leaders in a program. They shall be responsible to evaluate and administrate week-to-week programs.

   Girls' Work Committee

   This committee shall be composed of a chairman appointed by the Church Board and two other members of the Church appointed by the Chairman of the committee, the appointments to be ratified by the Church Board. This committee shall select, train, and manage the leaders in a program. They shall be responsible to evaluate and administrate week-to-week programs.

   Welfare Committee

   This committee shall be composed of one Deacon, one Deaconess, and one member of the Church appointed by the Church Board. This committee shall assist those who are in need as it deems advisable.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

Section I

The regularly-scheduled services of the Church shall be the Sunday School, Sunday morning worship services, Sunday evening worship services, mid-week prayer meeting, and other services as scheduled.

Section II

The fiscal year shall end March 31. The Annual Meeting shall be held in the third week of April and notice of such meeting shall be given at least two weeks in advance.

Section III

The quarterly business meetings of the Church shall be held during January, July, and October, and notice of such meetings shall be given two weeks in advance.

Section IV

The business meetings shall be presidedover by the Chairman of the Church Board.

Section V

Special meetings may be called at any time by order of the Church Board, except for matters concerning the disciplining or dismissal of an individual in which case the meeting shall be called by order of the Board of Deacons as provided in Article IV, Section V above, and notice of such meeting shall be given two weeks in advance, stating the nature of the business to be transacted.

Section VI

Members must be sixteen years of age or older for eligibility in voting in elections and on questions coming before the Congregation.

Section VII

Absentee ballots, for election of officers only, may be granted to active voting members upon request to a committee comprised of the Chairman of the Church Board, Vice Chairman, and Church Secretary. The ballot must be in the Chairman's hand before the meeting where the ballot is to be counted.

Section VIII

One-fourth of the active voting members shall constitute a quorum at any ordinary meeting of the Church.

In the case of special matters such as (1) calling or releasing of the Pastor; (2) affiliation of the Church; (3) consolidation with another church; (4) dissolving of the Church; (5) purchase, mortgage, or sale of real estate; and (6) amendment of the Constitution, the quorum shall consist of fifty-one percent of the active voting membership. A three-fourths majority of members present at the meeting voting in favor of the motion is needed for passage of these special matters. Notice of such meetings shall be given, in writing, to all eligible members two weeks in advance, stating the nature of the business to be transacted.

In the case of a special matter for the dismissal of a member the quorum shall consist of one- fourth of the active voting members of the Church. A three-fourths majority of members present at the meeting, excluding any member abstaining from voting, voting in favor of the motion is needed for the dismissal of a member.

Section IX

Robert's Rules of Order shall be the basis for conducting all business meetings of the Church.

ARTICLE VII - ORDINANCES

Section I - Baptism

Baptism speaks of one's death, burial, and resurrection with the Lord and is an act of identifying one's self with Him. Water baptism, when presented for Bible study, shall be taught in a way that will not cause division among those of this Church having differing convictions. When administered by this Church, baptism shall be by immersion and at such a time as shall be arranged for with the Pastor. Infants will not be baptized but may be dedicated at any of the Church services.

Section II - The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is the remembrance of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It speaks of His broken body and shed blood for the remission of our sins.

All who recognize Christ as Lord and have life in Him through faith in His shed blood are invited to the Lord's Table.

This ordinance shall be observed with regularity at least once per month.

ARTICLE VIII - PROPERTY

Section I

In case of the dissolution of the Church, the property shall be assigned to such other organization(s) as may be determined by the membership of the Church at the time of dissolution and as qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose doctrinal position does not conflict with Article III of this Constitution.

Section II

Neither the Church nor its officers shall have the right to rent or loan its place of assembly for purposes that are contrary to Christian principles and teachings.

Section III

A three-fourths vote of the active voting members of the Church present at a properly-called business meeting shall be necessary to authorize the Trustees to purchase, encumber, or sell any real property for the Church.

Two weeks notice must previously have been given at a regular Church service, or by letter, regarding the contemplated actions.

Section IV

No public meeting, except the regular services of the Church, shall be held in the Church buildings without prior permission of the Pastor and/or the Church Board.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Section I

Any Article of this Constitution, except Article III and Article IX, may be altered or amended by a three-fourths vote of the active voting members present at any properly-called business meeting of the Church.

Section II

The proposed changes shall have been presented at a regular quarterly business meeting for discussion. Each member is to receive, in written form, the proposed changes at least two weeks prior to the next quarterly business meeting, at which time the change will be presented for a vote.