This We Believe – New Center Christian Church

The purpose of this church is the salvation of souls, the edification and fellowship of believers around and through the Word of God, the proclamation of the Gospel of the Grace of God to the ends of the earth, the promotion of spiritual worship and Christian training, and the defense of faith once delivered.

Constitution and Bylaws

Adopted April 18, 1984

PREAMBLE

As a testimony of our faith in the Gospel of the Son of God, and to declare our beliefs, purposes, and ambitions as a corporate body, we the members of New Center Christian Church do ordain and adopt the following Covenant and Constitution.

ARTICLE I: NAME

This church shall be known as New Center Christian Church (unaffiliated) of Route 1, Seagrove, North Carolina.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

ARTICLE III: COVENANT

As a bond of unity among us, New Center Christian Church accepts for its members the following covenant:

Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and on profession of our faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We promise that we will watch over and counsel one another in the Spirit of brotherly love, that we will remember one another in our prayers, and that we will aid each other in sickness and distress.
We further agree, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor; and the spreading of the Gospel through all nations.
We further covenant to maintain family and private devotions, to rear our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in our dealings, and faithful in our engagements; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report we will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved us and gave himself for us.
We further agree that upon leaving this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

ARTICLE IV: STATEMENT OF FAITH

New Center Christian Church holds the following statement of faith to be a summary of Christian doctrines expressed in the Word of God:

1. Concerning the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible is its only rule of faith and practice, and, therefore, special emphasis should be placed upon it as the Book of supreme authority and counsel, while the light of nature and works of creation do very far show the existence, power, and glory of God, yet the nature and will of God were never discovered by His works. He therefore graciously condescended to make known to man, through the Holy Bible, His own nature and will and the mystery that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

We believe the Scriptures are given by inspiration of God, and are sufficient for correction and instruction in righteousness, and are designed to make perfect and thoroughly furnish unto all good works.

We believe no rule of faith, other than the sacred Scriptures should be imposed upon the Church.

We believe the Word of God is well adapted to our present state, suited to our comprehensions, and is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our pathway.

We believe the Scriptures were written by holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit; and are designed to give us comfort and hope, and to make us wise unto salvation.

We therefore accept the Bible as the perfect treasure of heavenly and divine instruction and the only authority in spiritual matters. Since it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth for its content, the Bible remains the center of Christian union and the standard by which men will be tried.

2. Concerning God

There is only one living and true God, unchangeable, incomprehensible, who inhabiteth eternity, whose years are throughout all generations, who is from everlasting to everlasting, the Creator of all things, the Preserver of life, only wise, just, holy, full of love, and compassion, gracious, merciful, longsuffering; abundant in goodness and truth; forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin; the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him; yet terrible in His doings; visiting the third and fourth generations of them that hate Him, and taking vengeance upon them that know Him not.

3. Concerning Jesus Christ

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God; full of grace and truth, the Savior of the world, the Word which was in the beginning with God, and was God, and by whom all things were made; who is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person, and who upholds all things by the word of His power, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, God manifest in the flesh, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, one with the Father.

We believe He is the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King; Head of the Church, the Heir of all things, the Judge of the World.

We believe the Lord Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities and with His stripes we are healed; He bore our sins in His own body; He is our Advocate with the Father, and makes reconciliation for sin; He died for our sins, that we might live with Him; through Him we have access to the Father and peace with God; and through His name alone can we be saved.

4. Concerning the Holy Spirit

We believe that the person of the Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes of God and is also co-equal with God. His mission on earth is to convict of sin, magnify the Lord Jesus, regenerate and baptize all believers into the body of Christ, teach, and empower them for fruitful service through His filling.

5. Concerning Man

We believe that man was created an intelligent being, in the image of God and by an act of God, from the dust of the earth and became a living soul when God breathed into him the breath of life. Although created innocent and holy, he fell from this high estate by disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This disobedience rendered Adam and his descendants to a state of depravity and rebellion and thus alienation from God.

6. Concerning Repentance and Faith

God hath particularly enjoined upon all men everywhere to repent, and the Savior hath expressly declared that, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish, but repentance must include conversion, and be connected with faith, in order to be justified.”

The preaching of repentance was the chief business of the apostles when Christ first sent them forth, and it should be the chief business of every Minister of the Gospel now, and also to declare the fact that we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus.

7. Concerning Heaven

We believe that Heaven is a place of eternal joy where God’s children conformed to the image of God’s Son, rest and commune with God and serve Him forever.

8. Concerning Hell

We believe that Hell is a place of literal fire and eternal torment where Christ-rejecters endure the righteous retribution of a Holy and just God forever.

9. Concerning Satan

We believe that Satan, also called the Devil, is a personal being who became the adversary of God through pride and is a deceiver and enemy of men through his lies and subtle wiles. He is the ruler of the anti-God world system & will in God’s time be cast into the Lake of Fire for his eternal doom.

10. Concerning the Church

We believe the Church is composed of all who exercise repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe the Savior came into the world to establish one Church, the members of which belong to various denominations differing widely in doctrine and government, yet they form but one body, of which Christ is the head.

We believe it to be the mission of Christ’s Church to proclaim the gospel to all mankind by exalting the worship of one true .God and laboring under the direction of the Holy Spirit for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the realization of brotherhood.

We believe the Scriptures contain an abundance of indisputable truth sufficient for the moral guidance and spiritual enlightenment of man, and adapted to the comprehension of all.

We believe the following principles serve as the groundwork of the Church:

a. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church.

b. The Holy Bible is a sufficient rule of faith and practice.

c. Christian character is a sufficient test of fellowship and church membership.

d. The right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience is a right and privilege that should be accorded to and exercised by all.

We believe that a local church is an assembly of believers in Christ organized for the purpose of fellowship, worship, and service. As led by the Holy Spirit, the local church is commanded to observe the ordinances, train, edify and instruct its members and evangelize the world.

11. Concerning Baptism

We believe that Christian baptism of a believer is an act of obedience to Jesus’ command, as a testimony of personal faith in His substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection for salvation. By this solemn ordinance we profess to have put on Christ, and so it is a sign of regeneration and remission of sins.

We believe that candidates for church membership should have the right to be baptized, as they may desire, choosing any one of the historic modes. Christian baptism is an act of consecration and witness to the world that the individual has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and Guide.

12. Concerning the Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, instituted the sacrament called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in His Church in perpetual remembrance of Him, showing forth His death till He comes.

We believe this sacrament, which is the communion of the blood and body of Christ, should be given unto, and received by all true followers of our Lord; but everyone should carefully examine himself that he may not eat and drink unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body.

We believe in an open Communion and invite all Christians to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT

The Government of New Center Christian Church is vested in the body of recognized believers who compose it and shall always remain self-governed. It is subject to the jurisdiction of no other ecclesiastical association or convention or Council.

ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP

Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, giving evidence of regeneration, and accepting the Statement of Faith and the Covenant held by New Center Christian Church, may upon baptism be received into its membership.

Members from other churches of the same faith may be received by letter of recommendation and dismission from their respective churches.

Those who have been scripturally baptized and who accept the view of faith and practice as adopted by New Center Christian Church may be received by virtue of their experience or testimony of faith.

ARTICLE VII: CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS

Active Members: All those who show their interest in the welfare of the church and the Kingdom of our Lord by regular attendance and financial support, and those who because of sickness or infirmities are unable to attend services or contribute financial support to the work shall be classed as active members.

Inactive Members: All those who do not attend the regular services of the church for a period of six months may be placed on an inactive list. Any members on the inactive list shall automatically become active members upon their resumption of regular attendance and financial support.

ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF MEMBERS

It is the duty and privilege of each member of the New Center Christian Church:

1. To live a Christian life, developed by Bible study, private devotion, public worship, and Christian service.

2. To attend the stated meetings of the church and to share in all the work of the church by participating in the business of the church, by holding office when elected, and by engaging in services for which their abilities fit them.

3. To enter into the lives of fellow church members through mutual sympathy and helpfulness.

4. To give their money to the support of the church and its enterprises, as the Lord prospers them.

5. To endeavor earnestly to keep peace and unity in the church; to study its interests and work for its success.

6. To pray and sympathize with one another.

ARTICLE IX: DISCIPLINE

This local church has the right and responsibility to discipline its members. When differences arise between members, the principles of Gal. 6:1 and Matt. 18:15-17 for reconciliation are to be employed.

CAUTION should be exercised in receiving accusations against members, and investigations should be conducted with a view to restoration.

The Deacons shall endeavor to remove any offense; if such effort fails they shall report to the church. Should the church vote to consider the complaint (which must be made in writing), it shall appoint a reasonable time and place of hearing. Two Deacons shall inform the person in question of the hearing and furnish him with a copy of the charges.

At such a hearing, the accused may call to his aid any member of the church as counsel.

If he shall not present himself at the given time, the church may proceed in his absence.

The church shall have the right to admonish the offender or declare him to be no longer a member of the church.

All such discipline shall be preceded by much prayer and self-examination, and conducted in Christian kindness and forbearance.

ARTICLE X: MEETINGS

1. Sunday School

Regular Sunday School services shall be held each Sunday morning at 10:00.

2. Worship

Preaching services shall be held at 11:00 following Sunday School on a schedule set at a regular business meeting prior to the end of each year or at a special meeting for that purpose.

3. Prayer Services

Regular prayer services shall be held on a schedule set by the membership.

4. Special Services

a. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed at least four times a year. Unless otherwise designated, this observance will be held on the first preaching service of each quarter.

b. Memorial Day will be observed each year on an appropriate Sunday as set by the membership.

5. Business

a. A business meeting shall be held after the last day of October and before the last day of November to elect the necessary church officers and Sunday School teachers for the next year.

b. Minor business such as reception, dismission, or recommendation of members, etc., may be conducted in a regular service.

c. Special business meetings shall be called by the Pastor and/or the Deacons at their discretion.

d. All special business meetings shall be announced two weeks prior to the meeting in all regular services. This requirement may be set aside in emergencies or for necessary expediency.

ARTICLE XI: CHURCH OFFICERS

All church officers and regular teachers must be members of New Center Christian Church and are expected to maintain high spiritual standards. They are to be exemplary in zeal and faithfulness, bearing in mind that the church has entrusted them with responsibility and honor, and that the unchurched and weaker brethren expect much from them due to their position. Any officer who finds he cannot put Christ first in his life, or becomes backslidden to the extent that he is hurting the testimony of the church should resign before he is asked to do so.

1. Pastor

Position and Duties: The Pastor is the overseer of the church, the undershepherd of the flock, and is therefore worthy of his hire and special respect and honor. He is to feed the flock of God, administer the ordinances and do the work of an evangelist. He is therefore the leader of the church under God and .is responsible for all its work and witness. He shall have responsibility for the ministry of the Word in all the services of the Church, and shall conduct personally or through qualified persons the pulpit ministry of the church. He shall be a member of every committee and the moderator of all Church meetings.

Call, Election, and Term of Service: When a vacancy shall occur, the Pulpit Committee shall consider a suitable man for pastor. Any active member may recommend a candidate for pastor to the Pulpit Committee, but only the Pulpit Committee may present a candidate to the Church. No man shall be considered who cannot endorse this constitution. Election by ballot and an affirmative vote of 3/4 of active present members voting shall elect a pastor when the election is held on a regular Sunday morning service and has been announced for two Sundays in advance. The elected Pastor will serve until the relationship is terminated by himself, the church, or by mutual agreement; such termination being preceded by 60 days’ notice or other mutual agreement. The Pastor or Deacons may call for a Vote of Confidence at any time.

Ordination: The Pastor shall be an ordained minister of the gospel, recognized as such by the State of North Carolina, in order to perform certain legal services such as marriage. If the man selected as pastor, meeting the qualifications above, is not an ordained minister he may be ordained through an appropriate ceremony conducted by the Board of Deacons of New Center Christian Church in the presence of the membership at a special service.

2. Deacons

Number, Election and Term of Service: There shall be three Deacons for the first 100 members and one for each additional 100 or major fraction of 100.

To be considered for nomination as a Deacon a person must have demonstrated worthiness by a minimum of two consecutive years of faithful and dedicated service in the membership of New Center Christian Church.

As additional Deacons are needed they shall be nominated by the nominating committee (See Article XIII, item 1.) and elected by a 3/4 affirmative vote at a special business meeting.

Once elected a Deacon may serve for life. A Deacon who wishes to resign or retire may do so by submitting a written request to the church secretary 60 days in advance. A replacement to fill any vacancy should be elected as quickly as deemed appropriate.

Duties: In accordance with the meaning of the word, and the practice of the New Testament, Deacons are to be the servants of the church.

They shall serve as a council of advice and conference with the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the welfare and work of the church. With the Pastor they are to consider and formulate, plans for the constant growth and progress of the church, in the winning of souls, the development of Christians and the furtherance of the Gospel.

In counsel with the Pastor, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and upon Biblical principles, they are to supervise the discipline of the church.

Their special duty is to seek to know the physical needs and spiritual struggles of their brethren and sisters, and to serve the whole church. Relieving and encouraging all who are in need.

They shall make suitable arrangements for, and assist the Pastor in, the administration of the ordinances.

In the absence of the Pastor, one of the Deacons shall preside at all business meetings of the church.

The Deacons shall serve as a general Pulpit Committee. In case of absence or inability of the Pastor, subject to advice from and conference with him, they will provide for pulpit supplies. When the Pastorate is vacant, they shall arrange the interim ministry unless the church votes otherwise.

The Deacons shall serve as a general finance committee, and as such supervise the raising of finances. All major expenditures shall be decided by the church.

3. Trustees

The Trustees shall as provided by law and the action of the church hold in trust the title to all property of the church and shall represent the church in all legal matters. They shall have no power to buy, sell, transfer, mortgage, or lease any church property without the specific authority of a church vote. Trustees shall serve for life or a term set by the vote of the membership of New Center Christian Church. There may be as many as 5 Trustees.

4. Secretary

The Secretary shall keep in a suitable book a record of all the actions of the church, except as otherwise provided herein. The Secretary shall keep a register of the names of members with dates of admission, dismission, or death, and a record of baptisms. The Secretary shall issue letters of dismission voted by the church, preserve on file all official communications and written official reports. The Secretary shall take minutes of all church business meetings and Deacons meetings unless otherwise provided for. The church Secretary shall also serve as Sunday School Secretary. The Secretary shall be elected annually.

5. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall receive, preserve, and payout all money, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. An itemized statement shall be prepared for the church members and presented at the regular Deacon’s meeting quarterly. Within 30 days after the end of each year, an annual report itemized in detail shall be presented to the church, having been audited by an auditing committee composed of one active Deacon, one Trustee, and one member at large. All books, records and accounts kept by the Treasurer shall be considered the property of the church and shall be open to inspection at all times by any active member. The Treasurer shall keep a record of individual gifts and give receipts at the end of each year. The Treasurer shall be elected annually.

6. Song Leader

The Song Leader shall lead the public singing. The Song Leader shall work closely with the Pastor to see that appropriate and quality music is provided for the services and shall endeavor to see that the musical part of the services is warm and spiritual and touches the heart without sacrificing dignity. The Song Leader shall be elected annually.

7. Sunday School Superintendent

The Sunday School Superintendent is the director of the Sunday School and is to provide the direction of the school. The Sunday School Superintendent is to see that each class has a teacher each Sunday, that proper equipment and facilities are available, that each pupil is personally involved in .Sunday School and the study of God’s Word, and that proper records are kept. With the Pastor and Deacons, the Sunday School Superintendent chooses the curriculum of study and is responsible for ordering the materials, equipment, and literature helps necessary for the Sunday School study. The Sunday School Superintendent shall especially visit absentees and promote the entire Sunday School program. The Sunday School Superintendent shall be elected annually.

8. Assistant Sunday School Superintendent

The Assistant Sunday School Superintendent shall assist the Superintendent in any and all of his duties. He shall be elected annually.

9. Regular Sunday School Teachers, Assistants, and Substitutes

All Regular Sunday School Teachers, Assistant, and Substitutes must be members of New Center Christian Church and proper examples to their students. Sunday School Teachers and Substitutes for all classes shall be elected annually. All Teachers are expected to visit absentees and prospects and each member of their class at least once a year. Teachers should be accessible to their students prior to and after the services for counseling and should promote extra activities which might enhance the cause of Christ. Teachers are expected to support all the services of the church when not hindered by sickness, infirmities, or public employment. No literature other than the Bible or church approved literature shall be used.

10. Youth Fellowship Counselors

Youth Fellowship Counselors shall be elected annually and shall meet all the requirements of Teachers.

11. Ushers

Ushers shall be elected annually.

12. Pianist

The Pianist shall be elected annually.

13. Other Officers

Other officers may be appointed or elected when needed.

ARTICLE XII: CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS AND OFFICERS

All church organizations shall be under church control, and shall present a financial statement to the Deacons at the close of the year. The Church year shall begin January 1 and end the last day of December. Each organization shall plan its work and elections to coincide. Each office holder shall be a member of New Center Christian Church.

ARTICLE XIII: COMMITTEES

Nominating Committee: A Nominating Committee composed of at least one active Deacon, the Sunday School Superintendent, three other active members of the church appointed by the Deacons, and the Pastor, shall nominate candidates for elected office and annual committees no later than the last day of October for the following church year. The term of this committee shall be for ONE YEAR.

ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

The Constitution and By-Laws of New Center Christian Church may be amended by a 3/4 affirmative vote of the members present at a special business meeting which has been announced at all services for two weeks specifically for that purpose.

AMENDMENT I

Adopted November, 2011

Concerning Article IV, Section 11: Baptism by immersion, as directed by the Scriptures, shall be the only accepted form of baptism.

AMENDMENT II

Adopted November, 2011

Concerning Article VI, Section 2: The number of deacons shall be at the discretion of the membership of the church.

AMENDMENT III

Adopted November, 2014

The Scriptures teach that marriage is between one man and one woman (Leviticus 18:22 KJV; Leviticus 20:13 KJV; Romans 1:21-28 KJV). No church officer or member shall officiate or take part in any wedding ceremony, anniversary, or event; nor shall the church property be used for any wedding ceremony, anniversary, or event other than that of between one man and one woman. No person may be considered for church membership while engaged in any relationship other than that of between one man and one woman.

AMENDMENT IV

Adopted November, 2014

The Authorized King James Version shall be the only Bible sanctioned for use by the members of New Center Christian Church. All preaching, teaching, readings, and all other events — formal or informal shall only use the Authorized King James Version.