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Preamble

Grace Tabernacle

We, by this constitution, agree to abide by the common beliefs, goals, and commitments contained herein. In faith we believe that this covenant truly represents an operational understanding of the biblical work and witness of our local church, organized October 26, 1947, and incorporated in the state of New Jersey in 1950, and known at that time as The Gospel Tabernacle.

Further, we proclaim that in all matters of discipline, order, and polity, the Word of God shall be our final authority.

Adoption and Amendments

To walk together in Christian love; to strive earnestly for the advancement of His Church, in knowledge and holiness; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations;

To maintain family and private devotions, to biblically educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, back-biting, and excessive anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

To watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling, and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the words of our Savior, to secure it without delay;

And when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this guide and the principles of God’s Word.

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Doctrinal Statement

Authority: We believe and teach that the one supreme authority for the Church is Jesus Christ and that the order, discipline, and worship are appointed through His sovereignty. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are called ELDERS (biblically also referred to as bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers), and DEACONS. Each must attain to the high calling and qualifications of I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; and I Peter 5:1-5.
        We believe and teach that these leaders rule and give example as undershepherds of Christ (I Timothy 5:17-22) and have His authority in directing the Church, and that the congregation is to submit to the leadership of the elders and follow the example of the deacons, unless contrary to scripture.
        We believe and teach that leaders are not "lords over the flock" but leaders from within the family, who must commend themselves to the family, and prove themselves. The officers of the Church must lead and guide in such a way as to carry the whole family of God in a grand spiritual objective and spirit: the worship of God, the spread of the Gospel, and the making of disciples. It is a leadership from within, and therefore a leadership in example and identification with the body.
        We believe and teach the autonomy of our local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). Yet we recognize that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Our local church will be the sole judge of the method and measure of this cooperation, through the elders’ interpretation and application of the scriptures and through the common belief of the members of Grace Tabernacle.

Pastor: While we believe and teach the biblical plurality of elder leadership in the local body, we do recognize the unifying grace and biblical example of one pastor (teaching elder) as the primary overseer. We do therefore commit ourselves to the seeking and maintaining of this one whom we will call our "pastor."
        It shall be the duty of the pastor to preach the whole counsel of God, to administer the ordinances, to preside when present over worship and prayer services, and to tenderly watch over the fold as an "overseer of the flock of God." He shall exercise the duties of a biblical elder and with the other elders be the spiritual leader of the church in matters of doctrine and practice.
        The pastor’s absence from services other than those that are part of his vacation time, or for illness, shall have the prior approval of the elders and deacons.
        The relationship between the pastor and the church shall be for an indefinite period.
It shall be obligatory on the part of the pastor or the church to give one month notice of the termination of this relationship, except upon mutual agreement. In the event that the pastoral relationship is terminated by action instituted by the church body, then the pastor shall be compensated for a period of two weeks or as determined by the membership by vote, and his pastoral duties shall cease immediately upon this action by the membership This action shall be taken only by a vote of three-fourths of the voting members present.

Pulpit Committee: When the office of pastor shall become vacant by death, resignation, or removal, the elders and deacons shall promptly nominate for the pulpit committee at least five members whose lives give evidence of spiritual insight. Notice shall be given by bulletin and pulpit of a special meeting to affirm this committee. Affirmation is by three-fourths of the voting members present, by secret ballot.
        The pulpit committee may seek the counsel of godly men in seeking a new pastor.
        To call a pastor, the pulpit committee must first receive a resume and a statement of doctrinal belief from the prospective candidate. If it is acceptable they will then contact the person to see if he would consider becoming a candidate. The committee must unanimously agree to call the candidate before he is so called. If a favorable reply is received, a copy of the Constitution will be sent to the candidate and a meeting will be set up with the pulpit committee for the purpose of an interview. The candidate shall speak at least twice at a Sunday service. Notice of the service at which the candidate is to speak shall be given by bulletin and pulpit at least one week in advance of the service. There must be opportunity for the candidate to answer questions from the membership at a separate meeting time. In the interim, the candidate may fill the pulpit any time at the invitation of the pulpit committee, but not as an official candidate.
        After examination by the pulpit committee and fulfillment of the Sunday pulpit requirement and if it is agreeable to both the pulpit committee and the candidate, the candidate will be recommended to the congregation for vote.
        Public notice of the meeting in which this vote is to be taken must be given the membership by bulletin and pulpit at least one week in advance. During the meeting, before the vote is taken, the candidate’s statement of doctrinal beliefs will be read.
        No candidate can become the pastor of the church unless three-fourths of the voting members present and voting consent to the call.
        It shall be the prayerful discretion of the pulpit committee and the sending ministry of the Holy Spirit how many candidates shall be considered at one time. In any case, only one may be recommended and presented for vote at any one meeting.
        While the pastoral pulpit is vacant, it shall be the duty of the pulpit committee to see that the pulpit is supplied for regular services.

Elders: It shall be the duty of elders to rule well, interpreting and applying the whole counsel of God, maintaining a watchful eye over the spiritual life of the church, and having general oversight over all the activities of the church in cooperation with the pastor, aiding him in his duties, supplying the pulpit in his absence, and with the pastor, exercising jurisdiction over matters pertaining to church services and organization.
        Appointment to the high calling of elder is by examination and unanimous recommendation of the pastor and other elders only, and by affirmation vote of three-fourths of the voting members present at a regular or special business meeting. Notice shall be given on two successive Sundays by bulletin and pulpit prior to the vote.
        If affirmed, the "elder candidate" shall then exercise his office for one year (let them first be tested) before a second vote is taken to affirm his calling so long as he continues to display all the qualities of that office. The voting process is the same.

Deacons: It shall be the duty of deacons to serve well, to lead by example, and to encourage the flock to fulfill the duties of every loving Christian servant, attending to the needs of the saints and assisting the pastor and elders. Deacons are called to such practical service as visitation, ministry to the sick and shut-ins, relief of the poor, needy, and distressed (deacons’ fund), and attending to prisoners, sojourners, widows, and the elderly. They are to assist the pastor in the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They shall be responsible for the care, custody, and oversight of property and finances of the church, and care and custody of all papers and documents relating to the care, custody and oversight of said property such as leases, deeds, and agreements.
        It shall be the duty of deacons to conduct the general business of the church and to give a report to the congregation at its regular and annual meetings. The deacons shall take all motions to the congregation regarding financial matters such as approval of an annual budget, and approval of single expenditures in excess of $1,000 or $1,000 above a budget item.
        Deacons shall keep a true and faithful account of all church funds, received and paid.
        Deacons receive their authority from the Word of God and from the elders, and are chosen from, and affirmed by, the membership.
        Nominations for deacon shall be received from a consensus of elders and existing deacons, and after examination of the candidate, he is to be presented to the congregation for affirmation which is by three-fourths of the voting members present at any regular or special business meeting. Notice shall be given on two successive Sundays by bulletin and pulpit prior to the vote.
        The deacon’s term of office shall be for one year, but he may serve indefinitely if annually recommended and reaffirmed.
        In the event that there are no deacons or elders presiding this special provision shall take effect:
        Nominations will be taken by private ballot at any regular or special business meeting of the church. Anyone receiving seven or more nominations will be presented to the church in writing at the following service. At a special meeting the congregation will select by prayer and private ballot up to ten names to be voted on as deacon. Any man receiving affirmation by three-fourths of the voting members present shall be, by the grace of God, a deacon.
        This is a special provision. The greatest care, prayer, and discernment shall be exercised in this delicate matter.

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