Preamble
For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the teachings of the Holy Bible, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this Constitution and By-Laws.
Constitution
Article I - Name and Incorporation
This body shall be known as the New Covenant Church, S.B.C., of Auburn Hills, Michigan. This church is authorized under warrant of the Holy Scriptures, and is incorporated under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Michigan. It shall have no capital stock and is not organized for material or pecuniary profit. The address of the church shall be 4217 N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Article II - Statement of Purpose
The purpose of New Covenant Church is to glorify God by fulfilling the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). New Covenant seeks to challenge our city and surrounding communities to participate in a new way of life by providing opportunities for spiritual, physical, intellectual, social, and cultural development (Luke 2:52). Broadly speaking, this includes (but is not restricted to):
1. Evangelism and missions - to share the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible in our community and throughout the world. (Matthew 28:19-20, John 20:21, Acts 1:8)
2. Discipleship - to help believers develop toward full Christian maturity and train them for effective ministry. We also want to promote personal spiritual growth and discipleship through Bible teaching and personal modeling of Biblical principles. (Ephesians 4:11-16, II Timothy 2:2)
3. Worship - to participate in public worship services together, and to maintain daily time with the Lord. (John 4:24, I Corinthians 1:9)
4. Ministry and service - to serve unselfishly, in Jesus’ name, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those in our church, community, and world. (I Peter 4:10-11, Matthew 25:34-40, I Thessalonians 5:11, Galatians 5:13)
5. Communion - to develop a sense of community which would be accomplished by encouraging, supporting, and praying for each other as members of the family of God; to share our lives together. (I John 1:7, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:23-25, Romans 15:5, John 13:34-35)
Stated briefly, the purpose of New Covenant Church is: To glorify God through leading people to a Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Article III - Statement of Faith
New Covenant Church has adopted as its statement of faith the Baptist Faith and Message, 2000.
Article IV - Affiliation
1. New Covenant is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control. Recognizing the benefits of cooperation with other churches in world missions, the church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention in its national, state, and local expressions.
2. If New Covenant Church should ever merge with another church, all the property and assets of New Covenant Church shall be transferred to the new church. In the event that New Covenant otherwise disbands or simply ceases to exist altogether, all its assets and properties will be transferred to the Baptist State Convention of Michigan.
Article V - Interpretation
Interpretation of the meaning and intent of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be the privilege, but not the prerogative, of the elders and deacons together. Any member dissatisfied with such interpretation, however, shall have the right to appeal to the church in regular business meetings and the decision there reached shall be final and binding.
Article VI - Amendments
This Constitution may be amended in this way only:
1. A church member shall submit to the clerk in writing a proposed amendment at least one week prior to a Family Business meeting, where the amendment proposal will be officially received.
2. A team of members shall be elected to work with the elders in considering this proposal. The team shall not number more than 5 people, or be larger than the number of elders, whichever is greater.
3. The team and the elders shall study the proposal and together decide if it shall be submitted to the Body at a subsequent Family Business Meeting, which shall be at least twenty-eight (28) days after the proposal was originally submitted at the previous Family Business Meeting.
4. The team and the elders shall vote separately on whether to recommend the proposal. A simple majority is necessary in each vote. If the two groups cannot agree on whether to submit the proposal, it shall not be submitted.
5. If the proposal is approved by a majority of both the team and the elders it is then submitted at the next Family Business Meeting to the Body for final consideration. A three quarters (3/4) majority vote is necessary to enact the proposal.
6. If the proposal is approved, it shall take effect immediately, unless otherwise stated in the proposal or Meeting minutes.
Controlled copy: The Controlled Copy of this document will show the date and original signature of the Pastor and Clerk at the time of approval on the front page, and their initials on each succeeding page. All other copies are considered uncontrolled and are for reference use only.
