THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE
OAK LAWN BIBLE CHURCH
ARTICLE 8 -
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 9 -
PASTORS AND OFFICERS
ARTICLE 10 -
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PASTORS AND OFFICERS
The name of this church shall be “Oak Lawn
Bible Church.”
Our purpose as a church is to submit to
Christ as Lord, to the glory of the Father, and to make Him known.
We shall seek to accomplish this purpose
through the following objectives:
Evangelism - Our objective is to share Christ as
Savior and proclaim Him as Lord to a lost world. (Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Acts 16:31)
Edification - Our objective is to cultivate spiritual
growth, and to equip people to serve Jesus Christ. (Col 2:6-7; Eph 4:11-12;
2 Pet 3:18)
Exaltation - Our objective is to worship the Father
through our Lord Jesus Christ, in our thoughts, words, and deeds. (Eph
5:18-21; Psalm 100; Psalm 150)
Encouragement - Our objective is to care for and
minister to people’s spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. (Gal 6:10)
Exhortation - Our objective is to urge our church
family to live in obedience to the Word of God.
(Gal 6:1-2; 2 Tim 3:16-17)
We believe God, the
Creator of the heavens, earth, and man, blesses each
individual from conception/fertilization with personality and intrinsic worth,
and the human race is unique and exalted over the animal kingdom. God is the source of absolute truth and
justice, the giver of eternal spiritual moral and social law as exemplified in
the Ten Commandments, for the benefit of mankind. God, who is Spirit, light, and love is the
origin of all love, faith, hope, peace and joy, which is essential for life to
be good. We believe that God has
sufficiently revealed Himself in His creation and in
the human heart, so that man ought to reverence and worship Him, which regard
for God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus Christ is the full revelation of God,
and “The Way” by which one may know, enjoy and glorify
God, now and forever. (Genesis1:1, 26-29;
Psalm 139:13-16; Exodus 20:1-7; I John 4:8-9; Galatians 5:22-23; Romans
1:19-20; Proverbs 1:7; John 1:14, John 14:6)
We believe that “All
scripture is given by inspiration of God”, by which we understand the whole of
the book called the Bible; however, we do not take this statement in the sense
which it is sometimes foolishly said that works of human genius are inspired,
but rather in the sense that the Holy Spirit gave the very words of the sacred
writings to holy men of old; and that His divine inspiration is not in
different degrees, but extends equally and fully to all parts of these writings
- historical, poetical, doctrinal and prophetical- and to the smallest word and
inflection of a word, provided such word was in the original manuscripts. (II
Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; I Corinthians 2:13; Mark 12:26, 36; 13:11: Acts
1:16; Acts 2:4; II Samuel 23:1-2)
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 different offices, yet having
precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and worthy of precisely
the same homage, confidence and obedience.
(Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:3-4; II Corinthians
13:14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6)
We believe that man,
originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, fell from his
high and holy estate by eating the forbidden fruit, and as the consequence of
his disobedience, the threatened penalty of death was then and there inflicted,
so that his moral nature was not only grievously injured by the fall, but he
totally lost all spiritual life, becoming dead in trespasses and sins, and
subject to the power of the devil.
(Genesis 1:26; 2:17; 3:1-24; John 5:40; 6:53; Ephesians 2:1-3; I Timothy
5:6; I John 3:8)
We believe that this
spiritual death, or total corruption of human nature, has been transmitted to
the entire human race of man, the man Christ Jesus only excepted; and hence
that every child of Adam is born into the world with a nature which not only
possesses no spark of divine life, but is essentially and unchangeably bad,
being enmity against God and incapable by any process of
self-improvement or self-will of measuring up to God’s holy standards. (Genesis
6:5; Psalm 14:1-3; 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:6; Romans 5:12-19, Romans 8:6-7)
We believe that,
owing to this universal depravity and death in sin, no one can enter the
Kingdom of God unless born again, and that no degree of reformation- however
great, no attainment in morality - however high, no culture- however
attractive, no humanitarian and philanthropic schemes and societies- however
useful, no baptism or other ordinance- however administered, can help the
sinner take even one step toward heaven.
A new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy
Spirit through the Word, is absolutely essential to salvation. (Isaiah 64:6;
John 3:3-7, Galatians 6:15; Philippians 3:4-9; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; I Peter
1:23; II Peter 2:4)
We believe that our
redemption has been accomplished solely by the shed blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who was made to be sin, and made a curse for us, dying in our place as
our substitute; thus paying the penalty for our guilt. No repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good
resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of
any church, or of all the churches that have existed since the days of the
Apostles, can add in the very least to the value of that precious blood; or to
the merit of that finished work, done for us by Him who united in His person
true and proper deity with perfect and sinless humanity. (Leviticus 17:11;
Matthew 26:28; Romans 5:6-9; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians1:7;
I Peter 1:18,19)
We believe that
Christ, in the fullness of the blessings He has secured by His obedience unto
death, is received by faith alone. We
believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for all mankind, and that
the sufficiency of this atoning sacrifice to accomplish the redemption and
justification of all who trust Him is assured by His literal, physical
resurrection from the dead. The moment
we trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we pass out of death into everlasting
life, being justified from all things, accepted before the Father according to
the measure of Christ’s acceptance, loved as He is loved, and having place and
portion as linked with Him, and one with Him forever. (John 5:24; 17:23;
Acts 13:39; Romans 5:1; I Corinthians 15: 1-4; Ephesians 2: 4-6,13; I John
4:17; 5:11,12)
We believe that it is
the privilege, not only of some, but of all who are born again by the Spirit
through faith in Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, to be assured of their
salvation from the very day they take Him to be their Savior, and even after
death or rapture, for no man can pluck us out of His Hand. This assurance is not founded upon any
fancied discovery of their own worthiness, but wholly upon the testimony of God
in His written Word, exciting within His children, love, gratitude and
obedience.(Luke 10:20, 12:32; John 6:47; 10:28-30; Romans 8:33-39; II
Corinthians 5:1,6-8; II Timothy 1:12, I John 5:13)
We believe that all
the Scriptures- from first to last- center about our Lord Jesus Christ, in His
person and work, in His first and second coming and hence that no chapter of
the Old or New Testament is properly read or understood until it leads to Him;
and moreover, that all the Scriptures from the first to the last, including
every chapter of the Olds and New Testaments, were designated for our practical
instruction. (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2,3; 18:28; 26:22,23; 28:23;
Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11)
We believe that the
Holy Spirit, not as an influence, but as a Divine Person, the source and power
of all acceptable worship and service, is our abiding Comforter and Helper;
that he never takes His departure from the Church, nor from the feeblest of the
saints, but is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy us with
Jesus Himself, and not with ourselves or our experience. (John 7:38,39;
14:16,17; 15:26; 16:13, 14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9, Philippians 3:3)
We believe that the Church,
the Body and Bride of Christ, is composed of all who are born again and united
by the Holy Spirit to the risen and ascended Son of God by the Holy Spirit; and
that by the same Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews
or Gentiles. As members of one another,
we are responsible to keep unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising
above all sectarian prejudices and denominational bigotry, and loving one
another with a pure heart and fervently. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:32-47;
Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:3-10; Colossians 3:14,15)
We believe that the
establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined
in the New Testament Scriptures; that such churches are to be autonomous and
accountable to God; and when led by the Holy Spirit they should submit to the
ordinances of believer’s water baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper are
scriptural means of testimony for the Church Age. (Acts 2:41,42; 13:1-4; 20:17; 28-32; I
Timothy 3:1-3; Titus 1: 5-11, Romans 16: 1,4; I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 28:19,20;
I Corinthians 11:23-26)
We believe that we
are called with a holy calling to walk, not after the fleshly nature, but after
the Spirit, and so live in the Spirit that we shall not fulfill the lusts of
the flesh. The flesh, being still in us
to the end of our earthly pilgrimage, needs to be kept constantly in subjection
to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence to the dishonor of His name.
(Romans 8:12,13; 13:14; Galatians 5;16-25; Ephesians
4:22-24; Colossians 3:1-10;
I Peter 1:14-16; I
John 3:5-9)
We believe that
marriage is a divinely instituted unconditional covenant between one man and
one woman; which covenant is to be protected in all love and faithfulness
through all of life; that a Christian is at liberty to marry who he or she
will, “only in the Lord”, i.e., another Christian; and that sexual activity is
to be sanctified as the exclusive expression of love and joy between the
marriage partners. We oppose
homosexuality, adultery, all fornication, and unscriptural divorce. (Genesis 2:18-24; Malachi 2: 14-16; Matthew
19: 6-9; Hebrews 13:4; I Corinthians 6:18; 7:2, 10-16,39;
Romans 1:24-29; Exodus 20:14,17)
We believe that the
souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation do at
death immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss
until the resurrection of the body at His coming, when soul and body reunited
shall be associated with Him forever in glory.
The souls of unbelievers remain after death in conscious misery until
the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the Millennium,
when soul and body reunited will be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be
annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence
of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.
(Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23; II
Thessalonians 1: 7-9; Jude 6,7; Revelation 20:11-15)
We believe that the
world will not be converted during the present dispensation, but is fast
ripening for the tribulation judgment, even as there will be a fearful apostasy
in professing Christendom. We, however,
believe in and are constantly looking for the blessed hope, the personal,
imminent, pre-tribulation coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed
ones, and in His subsequent return to earth with His saints to introduce the
Millennial Age, when Israel shall be restored to its own land, and the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
While we hold to a Pretribulational view of the rapture, we will not
separate fellowship over the timing of Christ’s return. (Luke 12:35-40;
17:26-30; 18:8; Acts 15:14-17; II Thessalonians 2:3-8; II Timothy 3:1-5; Titus
2:11-15, I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Eligibility for
Church membership is extended to any person who has by faith accepted Jesus
Christ as personal Savior, gives assurance of his or her desire to live a
consistent Christian life, and expresses agreement with and willingness to
abide by the Doctrinal Statement and Constitution of this Church. Any believer joining this Church agrees, by
God’s grace to: support this Church with his/her prayers, faithful attendance,
be involved in Christian service, engage in systematic giving, participate in
observing the Lord’s table; and is strongly encouraged to follow our Lord’s instructions
concerning believer’s baptism by immersion. Persons shall be received into
membership upon satisfactory interview by the Elder Board. (Acts 2:40-47; Acts 18;8-11; II
Corinthians 9:6,7; Ephesians 4: 1-16; 6:18; Hebrews 10:23-25)
It shall be within
the providence of the Elders to review the Church membership whenever it deems
it necessary. Members
who seem to manifest inconsistency or flagrant sin in their Christian lives, a
wrong attitude toward the Church doctrinal standards, or indifference toward
the life and work of the Church, shall be investigated for the purpose of
remedying any weakness in their Christian lives. All members of this Church shall be subject
to its discipline, through the Elders.
If remedy fails, the Elders may remove such person(s) from the
membership roll and report to the membership, or place on a passive roll. (Matthew
18:15-18; Galatians 6:1; I Timothy 5:20)
Persons on a passive
roll shall not be entitled to hold office or vote in Church matters. Persons on
a passive roll may be restored to full membership standing by action of the
Elder Board.
The name of any
person removed or resigned from the roll of the Church shall be reported at a
regularly convened membership meeting.
Members must be 18
years or older to vote in Church matters, and at least 21 years old in order to
serve on the Elder Board or Trustee Board.
The government of
this church is vested in its membership, and executed through the Elder Board.
It shall consist of men identified as meeting the scriptural qualifications for
an elder outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:6-9.
These are to be men of proven Christian character, who have given a public
testimony of their faith by submitting to believer’s baptism by immersion, who
make mature decisions on issues of Christian liberty, and who are seeking to
live lives set apart to honor Christ.
The Elder Board
members shall be slated by a nominating committee and elected by a 3/4 vote of
the membership present and voting. This board shall consist of the Senior
Pastor, full-time Assistant Pastor(s), and at least two Lay-Elders for each
Pastor-Elder on the board (not to exceed 12 Lay-Elders.) The Senior Pastor and Assistant
Pastor(s) shall have voting privileges on the Elder Board.
The Elder Board shall
oversee all matters of the church in the spirit of the instruction given them
in 1 Peter 5 by shepherding the flock of God, avoiding “lording” their position
over those entrusted to them, and remaining consistent examples to the flock.
They shall be vested with the executive power of the congregation in its
dealings with pastors, employees, affiliated organizations, branch works and
any outside denominations and organizations. The Senior Pastor and Assistant
Pastor(s) shall have voting privileges on the Elder Board. Pastoral Elders or
employees of the church who serve on the Elder Board shall exempt themselves
from voting on issues where there is a conflict of interest.
The Elder Board shall
give its attention to, have the responsibility for, and exercise the
supervision of the “People Care” of the church. They shall pray for and
seek the salvation of the lost (Mat. 28:19-20, 2 Tim 4:5), see to the
ministry of encouragement to visitors, recruit and interview prospective
members, stimulate the unity of the Church (Eph 4:3; Rom 14:19), serve
the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25);
attend to the sick and sorrowing (James 5:14; James 1:27), and seek to
restore the delinquent and fallen (Gal 6:1-2). They shall have the
authority to receive and remove members from the church roll (see ARTICLE 4 - MEMBERSHIP, Section 2).
The Elder Board shall
give its attention to, have responsibility for, and exercise the supervision of
all the “Programs and Ministries” of the church (Eph 4:11-13). The Programs of the church shall address the
areas of Worship, Mission, and Nurture.
They shall initiate
or approve new ministries and evaluate the effectiveness of existing ministries as wisdom and
the Spirit of God lead; shall monitor all the ministries, knowing their purpose
and function; shall direct, advise, and assist ministry leaders committee
chairmen; and shall hear and prayerfully consider all ministry suggestions and
needs. All ministry leaders and participants shall recognize an
accountability to the Elder Board.
The Elder Board shall
be responsible for the “Personnel” of the Church, establishing needed
committees and appointing committee members, and approving ministry workers and
employed personnel. The exception is that the Pastor(s) are called by the
membership.
The Elder Board shall
be responsible for the “Problems” of the Church. They shall hear any
complaints, inadequacies, and improprieties, responding in the truth of the
Word of God and wisdom as promised by God. (2 Tim 3:16; James 1:5)
The Elder Board shall
be responsible for the “Policies” of the Church concerning the spiritual
matters of the church, establishing and maintaining a policy and practice book
or file. The Elder Board shall also review and approve or disapprove any
trustee policies.
The Elder Board shall
approve the annual proposed budget, any expansion plans, and together with the
Trustee Board recommend these to the members of the church at the Annual
Meeting or a specially called meeting.
The Elder Board shall
hear the recommendations of the Missionary Committee for approval of new
missionary support. The Elder Board shall consider this request from a ministry
and policy view, before submission to the membership for vote.
The Elder Board shall
not transfer, sell or purchase any real estate, nor encumber with loan, except
by express authorization conveyed through a two-thirds vote of the membership present
at a constitutionally called business meeting.
The Elder Board shall
have authority to call congregational meetings for the purpose of informing the
membership, recommending actions, calling for a vote, and/or receiving advice
and instruction from the membership. The Elder Board shall be subject to the
majority vote of the membership.
The Elder Board shall
meet monthly or more often as required. Minutes shall be taken of all meetings.
The deciding factor in any vote taken in an Elder Board meeting shall be a
majority vote of the members present. A quorum shall consist of fifty percent
of the Elder Board. This board shall elect its chairman from among lay members
of the board. No pastoral staff member or paid employee of Oak Lawn Bible
Church is eligible to serve as chairman of the Elder Board.
The Trustee Board
shall be responsible for the care of the properties and finances of the Church.
The Trustee Board
shall consist of the Senior Pastor, the Clerk, and the Treasurer serving
one year terms to a maximum of three years and as many Trustees as the
Elder Board deems necessary serving rotating three year terms without
succession. The Clerk, Treasurer, and
Trustees shall be slated by a nominating committee and elected by
membership. Members of the Elder Board
may not serve concurrently on the Trustee Board.
The Trustee Board
shall be responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of all properties-
including buildings, grounds, parsonages, vehicles, and equipment. They shall supervise the use of Church
property and equipment, and the purchase of new equipment.
The Trustee Board
shall handle legal matters related to Oak Lawn Bible Church. Authorization for legal assistance must be
approved by the Elder Board.
The Trustee Board
shall have the oversight of the financial matters and records of the Church-
including the following:
A.
Receiving and disbursing funds in accordance with the Annual
Budget.
B.
Reviewing and amending the budget presented by the Budget
Committee, and submitting it to the Elder Board.
C.
Reviewing the monthly financial statements, and reporting
significant variances to the Elder Board with action taken and/or
recommendations to the Elder Board.
The Trustee Board
shall be responsible for the development of any expansion plans. All expansion plans must be approved by the
Elder Board and congregation.
The Trustee Board
shall approve or disapprove the requests of the Missionary Committee for new
appropriations, before such a request goes to the Elder Board and the
congregation.
The Trustee Board
shall meet monthly or more often as required.
Minutes shall be submitted to the Elder Board. The majority vote shall
rule in all decisions. A quorum shall
consist of fifty percent of the Trustee Board.
This Board shall elect its chairman from among its members.
The Deacon Board
shall be responsible for specific ministry tasks identified by the Elder Board
as an area of need. It shall consist of
the chairperson of each committee who shall then be subject to the approval of
the Elder Board. The purpose of this
board is to carry out and coordinate each of their ministries at Oak Lawn Bible
Church. This shall be done in the spirit
of Acts 6-1-6 and each Deacon Board member shall meet the qualifications of 1
Timothy 3:8-13.
A chairperson from
each church committee shall be elected by their committee and submitted to the
Elder Board within 2 months after the Annual Meeting for board approval. The Deacon Board shall then elect a
chairperson and secretary from its lay members and submit their selections to
the Elder Board for approval. The Deacon
Board shall consist of a chairperson from each church committee
designated by the Elder Board to be a part of the Deacon Board; the Senior
Pastor; any Associate Pastor assigned to this committee by the Senior Pastor or
the Elder Board. The Elder Board may
appoint any additional members as appropriate.
The Deacon Board
shall meet at least three (3) times a year in the months of May, September and
January in order to pray for the ministries of the church, coordinate their
ministries with the overall church ministry, discuss cooperation issues where
there may be an overlap with other ministries in the church, and to inform one
another of ministry goals and ideas. The
minutes from the Deacon Board shall be submitted to the Elder Board for review. Any actions recommended by the Deacon
Board must be approved by the Elder Board.
Any vacancy on the
Deacon Board due to the resignation of a committee chairperson shall be filled
by the committee they served on electing a new chairperson and submitting their
name to the Elder Board for approval.
During the months of
January or February the Nominating Committee and its chairman shall be
submitted by the Elder Board to the membership for their approval by vote. This
committee shall consist of six men, including its chairman, to be chosen as
follows: two members from the Elder Board, one member from the Trustee Board,
and three from the membership.
The Nominating Committee, shall place in nomination at the Annual Meeting,
candidates for election to fill vacancies in the elective offices of the
Church. These offices shall be Elders, Trustees, Treasurer, and Clerk. It shall
be within the province of the members of the congregation to accept or reject
in part or in whole the committee’s report by a majority vote. In the event the
report is rejected in part or in whole, or is incomplete as to filling all
positions, this committee shall continue to function, unless otherwise ordered
by the congregation.
The Nominating
Committee shall thoroughly investigate the qualifications and capabilities of
every person considered for office. When a majority of the committee agrees to
consider a candidate, the proposed candidate shall be examined in a regularly
called meeting of the committee.
For all candidates, a
member of the committee shall read to the candidate, who is willing to serve
for nomination, the constitutional requirements for the office in question. The
committee shall examine the candidate as to his/her adherence to the Word of
God, his/her demonstrated Christian maturity, his/her agreement with the
doctrinal positions of this church, his/her willingness to follow the constitution
of this church. Each elder or trustee
shall demonstrate his willingness to live in accordance with the standards of a
leader set forth in the Word of God in 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1, and a disciple
of Jesus Christ as set forth in Matt 28:19-20 concerning believer’s baptism by
immersion.
To be placed in
nomination, a candidate must be agreed upon by the committee majority.
The standards for
those who would serve on the Elder Board are to be consistent with those
outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9; Matt 28:19-20; and 1 Peter
5:2-4. The standards for those who serve
on the Trustee Board shall be consistent with 1 Timothy
3:8-13 and Matthew 28:19-20.
1 Tim 3: 1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. (NIV)
Titus 1:6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a
man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and
disobedient. 7 Since an overseer is entrusted with
God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not
given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he
must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled,
upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message
as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and
refute those who oppose it. (NIV)
Matthew 28:19-20 19”Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age."(NIV)
1 Peter 5:2-4 2Be shepherds
of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you
must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for
money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those
entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will
never fade away. (NIV)
The Nominating
Committee shall consider whether or not a candidate for the Elder Board
demonstrates a Christian character that would reflect these biblical
qualifications.
The standards for
those who would serve in other offices of the church shall be consistent with
those outlined for the deaconate in 1 Timothy 3:8-12.
1 Tim 3:8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. (NIV)
In case of vacancies
of offices on the Elder Board, the board shall appoint a Nominating Committee
to submit candidates for unexpired terms to the membership for election; said
committee to be composed and function in accordance with ARTICLE 8 - NOMINATING
COMMITTEE, Section 1. In the event an unexpired term is six months or
less, said vacancy can be filled at the discretion of the Elder Board. The
person filling the unexpired term shall be eligible for congregational vote at
the end of his partial term.
There shall be
elected as Officers of the Church, Elders, a Church Clerk, a Treasurer, and as
many Trustees as the Elder Board deems necessary. The Senior Pastor, pastoral
Elders, and lay-elders shall constitute the Elder Board. The Senior Pastor, Treasurer, Clerk, and
Trustees form the Trustee Board.
The term of office
for the Elders shall be three years, the Trustees
shall be three years, and the Church Clerk and the Treasurer- one year.
A. The Elders, upon completion of full term in office, shall not be eligible for election to the office of Elder or Trustee during the year immediately following the full term.
B.
Any Pastor’s or Officer’s service may be terminated for any cause
at any time by majority vote of the membership after a fair and impartial
hearing conducted under the supervision of the Elder Board, at a closed
membership meeting.
C.
All Officers shall serve until their successors are elected,
except as provided in paragraph “B” of Section 2.
A Pastor or any
assistant or associate Pastor may be called, upon a three-fourths vote of the
congregation, after recommendation by the Elder Board, or by a committee
appointed by the Elder Board and congregation.
Pastors shall serve until their pastorate is terminated by resignation
or by request of the congregation.
Pastors shall give a
minimum of thirty days notice before termination of their services. In the event the congregation votes the
Senior Pastor’s or any assistant or associate Pastor’s service to be terminated
abruptly, the salary shall continue for one month and not to exceed six months,
at the discretion of the Elder Board.
The Senior Pastor
shall have general oversight of the spiritual life, regular services and
ministration of the ordinances of the Church, shall be ex-officio member of all
committee meetings connected with the Church or any of its organizations, and
shall conscientiously perform such duties as may be arranged between the Elder
Board and he. If at any time his
personal belief, preaching or teaching shall not be in full accord with the
doctrinal standard and statement of this Church, his services as Pastor shall
be terminated. (see ARTICLE 9 - PASTORS AND
OFFICERS, Section 2B)
Any assistant
Pastor(s) of this Church shall perform such duties as may be designated by the
Senior Pastor, Elder Board.
Elders shall have the
responsibility for the counsel, teaching and discipline of members as provided
for in the Word of God. They shall seek
to model the Christian life before the Church. They shall see to the
responsibility of the compassionate benevolent care of the widows and the poor. They shall seek to model the Christian life
before the Church.
The Church Clerk
shall keep an accurate record of all congregational business meetings, Trustee
Board meetings, and other meetings as designated by the membership or Elder
Board. The Clerk shall be responsible
for the keeping of a record of the Church membership, deaths, dedications and
baptisms. The Clerk shall have custody
of the Church Seal, official Church documents and records.
In the event that the
Church Clerk is not able to perform his/her duties, or there is a vacancy in
this office, the duties of the Clerk may be taken care of by any qualified
member authorized by the Elder Board.
The Elder Board shall have the authority to appoint a Clerk for the
unexpired term.
The Treasurer is
responsible for the implementation of all financial policies, procedures
and practices for the Oak Lawn Bible Church. The Treasurer is the custodian of all
funds.
The Treasurer is
accountable for the following:
A. Counting
of funds, which will be performed by at least two of the following: Treasurer,
Trustees, Elders, Clerk or those who have been approved by both the Trustee and
Elder boards.
B. Provide
monthly financial reports to the Trustee Board.
C. Contribute
to sound fiscal decisions by providing the Trustee Board advice and guidance in
the interpretation of Church financial trends.
D. Review
and approve monthly bank reconciliations.
E.
Manage the cash needs of
the Church by overseeing the Church’s disbursements.
F. Protect
the properties of the Church by annually procuring cost effective insurance
coverage.
In the event the
Treasurer is not able to perform his/her duties or there is a vacancy in the
office, the duties of Treasurer may be taken care of by any qualified member
authorized by the Elder Board. The Elder
Board shall have the authority to appoint a Treasurer for the unexpired term.
The Church Clerk and
Treasurer shall be people capable of performing the duties of their respective
offices, and their spiritual qualifications shall meet the standards as sets
forth in the doctrinal statement and constitution of the Church.
Within one month
after each Annual Meeting, the Chairman of the Elder Board shall require the
Pastor and all Church officers to sign the doctrinal standards of the Church,
and shall require said signatures to be filed with the Clerk.
The fiscal year of
this Church shall end on the last day of February. The Annual Meeting shall be held during the
month of March, as scheduled by the Elder Board and announced two or more weeks
in advance.
At the Annual
Meeting, the minutes of the preceding Annual Meeting and the report of the
Church Clerk shall be read, the Church’s yearly financial report- including the
proposed budget- will be presented, and the report from the Nominating
Committee submitted to the membership for action. Other business as may be necessary shall also
be transacted.
Any regular or called
meeting of the congregation may be a constituted meeting for the transaction of
business, provided the announcement of said meeting be given from the pulpit at
two regular Church services on the Sunday preceding the meeting, except the Annual
Meeting (see ARTICLE 11 - MEETINGS, Section 1) and amending this Constitution (see ARTICLE 13 - AMENDMENTS). Sunday
morning and evening services and the prayer meeting shall be the regular
meetings of the Church.
The Elder Board shall
call a special congregational business meeting upon the written request of ten
percent of the members with power to vote; said meeting and its purpose to be
announced as provided in ARTICLE 11 - MEETINGS, Section 3 and convened within thirty days after filing request
with the Elder Board.
A majority vote of
the voting members present at any constitutionally called congregational
business meeting shall be required for the election of officers or to render
final decisions in any matter under consideration, except the transfer, sale or
purchase of real estate, or securing of a loan (see ARTICLE 5 – THE ELDER BOARD, Section 11), the calling of a pastor (see ARTICLE 9 - PASTORS AND
OFFICERS, Section 3) or the amending of this Constitution (see ARTICLE 13 - AMENDMENTS).
The voting members
present at any business meeting called in accordance with the requirements of
the constitution shall be considered a quorum for the transaction of business.
In the conduct of
business meetings, any parliamentary questions not covered by this Constitution
shall be decided by the latest edition of ”Robert’s
Rules of Order”.
When in the judgment
of the Elder Board, a man in this membership is called to the Christian ministry, it shall be within the power of the Elder Board to
call and conduct a Council for Ordination, provided such authority is granted
by vote of the Church.
The Ordaining Council
shall thoroughly examine all applicants for Ordination as to their call to the
Christian ministry, education, Christian experience, reputation, character,
doctrinal belief and demonstrated efficiency in Christian service.
The following shall
not be ordained into the ministry:
A.
One who has not served six months as Pastor, Assistant Pastor or in definite
Christian work in such a manner as to convey reasonable evidence of God’s call
to the ministry.
B. One who does not meet the
scriptural qualifications of an Elder set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
It shall be within
the province of the Elder Board to discipline even to revoking the ordination
credentials of any minister, ordained under this Constitution, if the said
minister is found to no longer evidence the qualifications of an elder after an
impartial hearing in the spirit of I Corinthians 13.
The minister in
question shall have the privilege of appealing his case to the congregation
within sixty days after the decision of the Elder Board.
This Constitution may
be amended by a two-third vote of the voting members present and voting at any
regular or special meeting provided the proposed amendment has been presented
to the congregation at each regular church service for the two Sundays
preceding said meeting, and provided an exact copy of the proposed amendment
has been conspicuously posted in the Church, with copies provided for each
Church Member.
A Sunday School was started in the home of Max Conrad on 54th
Avenue, in Oak Lawn. From 1926, this
continued for three years, until the Sunday School had
outgrown the home. In the fall of 1929,
the Sunday School was moved to a store front at 5137
West 95th Street. Within a
few months, this ministry adopted “The Mission” for its name.
In the Spring of 1934, under the acting pastoral leadership of Mr.
Walter Bach, the Mission became a branch of the Cicero Bible Church. One year later, on May 6, 1935, the Church
organized and became Oak Lawn Bible Church- with a charter membership of
twenty-one persons. The following week
the Church became a member of the Independent Fundamental Churches of
America. Later, on September 22, 1935, Mr.
Bach was ordained to the ministry of our Lord and became the first Pastor called
by Oak Lawn Bible Church.
Three lots of land
had been donated during its first year an in the
summer of 1936, the Church began its first building program. On November 8, 1936, the new building was
officially dedicated to the Lord’s service.
As the work and
ministries grew, so did the congregation.
On September 9, 1953, the members approved the action of the Official
Board to erect an educational addition to the building. This was dedicated on November 11, 1956.
The latest project
was the 400 seat sanctuary and fellowship hall, which was dedicated to the Lord
on May 8, 1987.
The Senior Pastors of
the church have been- Rev. Bach, who served until 1961, Rev. Everett Hovey, who
was installed as Youth Director in 1955 and called as Pastor in 1961, Rev.
Curtis Loux, who served from March of 1964 to January
1978, and Rev. Daniel Lupton, who served from March 1978 until August of
1989. In November of 1989, Rev. Chris Ranley was called and served until November of 1993. Pastor Robert Wheeler was called to Oak Lawn
Bible Church in July of 1994 and currently serves as Senior Pastor.
Faithful to God’s
Word and the Great Commission, OLBC supports 11 missionaries worldwide, even as
it continues locally in worship, nurture and evangelism.