Constitution
Adopted February 1, 1997
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. Qualifications of Membership
Any blood-bought, born-again child of
a. Providing a public confession of faith in Yeshua HaMashiach as Lord and Savior as a new Believer, or by providing a public testimony of a previous salvation experience and evidence of a present sanctified and Torah-pursuant lifestyle; and
b. Publicly immersing themselves in water in the Name of Abba, HaBen, and Ruach HaKodesh, or by providing evidence or testimony of such immersion subsequent to a salvation experience; and
c. Having the content and intent of this Constitution and the congregation’s doctrinal position clearly explained by an Elder of this congregation; and
d. Agreeing to participate in, and be bound by, the responsibilities of membership as described herein.
As “membership” in this congregation provides for no form of participation in any form of democratic process (see Section 3) and no formal roster of membership will be created, any person who feels they meet the above requirements may become a “member” by simply choosing to regularly participate in the activities of this assembly.
Section 2. Responsibilities of Membership
Members of this fellowship mutually agree to fulfill our purpose, responsibilities, and activities as defined herein, and to be bound by the definitions and requirements of this Constitution. Members are not required to totally agree with every tenet or statement of doctrine, but must be in general agreement with the fellowhip’s doctrinal position. Members must understand that our doctrinal position, which guides our every procedure, is established by the Elders’ interpretation of Scripture, and is a matter of neither private nor majority opinion. Any member who performs any ministry within the fellowship that involves either teaching or leadership agrees to do so only within the established boundaries of our stated doctrinal position.
Upon becoming a member of this fellowship, each one further covenants to love, honor, and esteem the Elders; to pray for them, and to recognize their authority in all affairs of the fellowship; to exhibit a brotherly love for all members of the fellowship; to support the fellowship through regular prayer and financial offerings as the Lord enables; and, in accordance with Biblical commands, to support through their lifestyle an affirmation of the beliefs and practices of the fellowship.
Further, we believe that every Believer in Mashiach, at the moment of salvation and regeneration, is endowed by Ruach HaKodesh with one or more spiritual gifts through which to minister to the Body of Mashiach. Therefore, every member of every age is expected to actively minister to this fellowship in the area of his or her gift(s). The Elders will provide the guidance and instruction necessary for each member to discover his or her gift(s), and will provide each member with opportunity for ministry. However, only those persons who have formally become members of this fellowship may serve in any ministry that involves leadership or teaching.
Section 3. Privileges of Membership
We believe that, according to Scripture, Yeshua HaMashiach intends His Miqra to be not a democracy, but a Theocracy under His Personal Headship through the Elders that He has commissioned to lead His people. Membership in this congregation, therefore, does not provide for participation in any form of democratic process, nor does it afford members with any property, contract, or civil rights based on any principles of democratic government. All internal affairs of this congregation are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the congregation’s own rules and procedures as established and interpreted by the Elders.
We also believe that wise leadership needs and listens to wise counsel (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). We understand, however, that wise counsel is to be found only in the Scriptures. Any person who regularly participates in the ministries and activities of this congregation is encouraged to regularly share his/her insights from Scripture with the Elders of this congregation.
Section 4. Termination of Membership
Any member may voluntarily terminate his/her membership at any time by simply ceasing regular participation in the activities of this fellowship or by obtaining membership in some other congregation. Members who thus terminate their membership are requested to notify the Elders of their decision to do so. Any person who is voluntarily absent from the assembly of this congregation for a period of six consecutive weeks without notifying the Elders, in advance, of the reason for such absence, shall be assumed to have voluntarily withdrawn from fellowship and membership.
Any person who finds him/herself holding an irreconcilable difference of opinion with either the doctrinal position, the practices and procedures, or the Elders of the congregation is to quietly separate him/herself from association with this congregation and affiliate with a congregation with which he/she can identify and which he/she can wholeheartedly support.
Any person who is placed under the discipline of the Elders as required by Scripture shall be excluded both from membership in this congregation and from participation in its activities until full restitution has been accomplished according to the Scriptures.
Section 5. Discipline/Reconciliation
Discipline within the Body of Mashiach is a very serious matter and one not to be taken lightly or entered into without extensive and agonizing prayer. However, inasmuch as the Miqra is required by her Lord to remain an example of purity and integrity before the world, He has commanded that there be no sin found within His Bride. Disciplinary action is to be undertaken only as a last resort, and must only and always be conducted with the goal of restoring an erring member to full fellowship.
A. Disciplinary Procedure
The procedure to be followed shall be in accordance with the Lord’s teaching as found in Matthew 18:15-17.
1. All members of this fellowship are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and due concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders the spiritual growth and testimony of another member of the congregation or of the congregation as a whole, he/she is to go alone directly to the offending party and seek to restore his/her brother/sister. Before he/she goes, he/she should first examine him/herself, then go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration. The matter is to be handled with absolute privacy and confidentiality, with due regard for the reputation, feelings, and well-being of the offending party.
2. If reconciliation is not reached, a second attempt should be made to resolve the matter in the presence of two or three witnesses. This second step should also be preceded by self-examination and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration, again with absolute privacy and confidentiality, and with due regard for the reputation, feelings and well-being of the offending party.
3. If the matter is still unresolved after steps 1 and 2 have been taken, the matter is to be brought directly to the attention of the Elders by all persons involved in steps 1 and 2, without involving or informing any other person.
4. At the sole discretion of the Elders, the offending party may be required to appear before the Elders sitting as Beit Din to answer the accusation. If such action is deemed necessary by the Beit Din, all the accusers shall also be present at such appearance.
5. If the matter remains unresolved after steps 1 through 4 have been completed, the member who refuses to repent and be restored is to be expelled from the congregation upon the unanimous decision of the Beit Din, and their decision is to be announced to the congregation. In any event, the decision of the Beit Din must be unanimous and shall be final.
6. If an unrepentant offending party is expelled from the congregation, all contact with him/her from that point forward by the members of this congregation (except for that of family members) must be for the sake of restoration.
B. Reconciliation Procedure
Every effort shall be made at every point in the disciplinary procedure to effect total restoration. If at any point either during or following the procedure, the offending party confesses and repents of his/her wrongdoing and makes an appropriate attempt at restitution with the offended party or parties, the matter shall immediately considered closed and the offending party immediately restored to full fellowship.
In the event that it becomes necessary for any person to be expelled from membership, the Elders shall see that every reasonable effort is made toward total restitution and reconciliation.
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ANXIOUSLY WATCHING FOR MASHIACH’S RETURN,
SPEEDILY AND IN OUR DAY. MARANA, TA!
