Our Constitution
Constitution
Calgary Grace and Truth Church
Article I. Name
The name of this church shall be Calgary Grace and Truth Church. It is a non-denominational church and is independent in its organization, polity and general structure.
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of this church shall be to bring pleasure to God by making disciples who are committed to obedience to Jesus Christ, loving one another, and penetrating our spheres of influence with the dynamic gospel of Jesus Christ. The church shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members, and any profit or other accretions to the church shall be used solely for its purpose.
Article III. Statement of Faith
1. There is one God, (1) who is infinitely perfect, (2) existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (3)
2. Jesus Christ is true God and true man. (4) He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. (5) He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. (6) He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest. (7) He will come again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace. (8)
3. The Holy Spirit is a divine Person, sent to indwell, (9) guide, teach and empower the believers, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. (10)
4. The Old and New Testaments, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of people. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice. (11)
5. Humankind, originally created in the image and likeness of God, (12) fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All people are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved
only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. (13) The destiny of the impenitent and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment, but that of the believer is everlasting joy and bliss. (14)
6. Salvation has been provided only through Jesus Christ. Those who repent and believe in Him are united with Christ through the Holy Spirit and are thereby regenerated (born again), justified, sanctified and granted the gift of eternal life as adopted children of God. (15)
7. It is the will of God that in union with Christ each believer should be sanctified thoroughly (16) thereby being separated from sin and the world and fully dedicated to God, receiving power for holy living and sacrificial and effective service toward the completion of Christ's commission. (17)
This is accomplished through being filled with the Holy Spirit which is both a distinct event and progressive experience in the life of the believer. (18)
8. The universal Church, of which Christ is the Head, consists of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and commissioned by Christ to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the Gospel to all nations. (19)
The local church, the visible expression of the universal Church, is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together to worship God, to observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, to pray, to be edified through the Word of God, to fellowship, and to testify in word and deed to the good news of salvation both locally and globally. The local church enters into relationships with other like-minded churches for accountability, encouragement and mission. (20)
9. There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; for the former, a resurrection unto life; (21) for the latter, a resurrection unto judgment. (22)
10. The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal and visible . (23) As the believer's blessed hope, this vital truth is an incentive for holy living and sacrificial service toward the completion of Christ's commission. (24)
Article IV. Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. While other modes of believers’ baptism are recognized, baptism by immersion is taught and practiced as the scriptural mode. The Lord’s Supper is administered regularly and offered to all baptized believers.
Article V. Membership
Section 1: Privileges and Qualifications
There shall be a voting membership and such additional types of association as may be defined in the by-laws.
The privileges of membership include eligibility to vote, to be considered for election to serve on the Board and such further privileges as may be specified in the by-laws.
The qualifications for membership include a credible testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ before members of the Board; believer's baptism; a commitment to the Purpose (Article II), and Statement of Faith (Article III) of this church; submission to the discipline procedures of Calgary Grace and Truth Church; and such further qualifications as may be specified in the by-laws.
Members 18 years of age or older shall be qualified to vote in congregational business meetings.
Section 2: Discipline
Discipline is an exercise of that spiritual authority which the Lord Jesus has given to His Church. The purposes of discipline are to maintain the honor of the Redeemer, the purity of the Church, the spiritual benefit of the members and the restoration of the offender. The discipline of a member shall be the responsibility of the Board and shall be in accordance with the Discipline and Restoration Policy for Members of Calgary Grace and Truth Church in the by-laws.
Article VI. Governance
There shall be an annual meeting of the membership to be held as specified in the by-laws. It shall receive reports from the Senior pastor and the Board, financial statements, and shall conduct such other business as may be presented in keeping with the by-laws.
Unless another process for election is stipulated in the by-laws, at the annual meeting the members shall elect a Board from among the voting membership to be responsible for the affairs of the church between annual meetings. The Board is amenable to the membership.
Meetings of the membership may be called by the Board by proper notice to the membership as specified in the by-laws. The pastor or his appointee shall act as the chairperson of meetings of the membership.
Article VII. Board of Elders
Section 1: Composition and Responsibilities
The highest functioning authority of the local church shall be the Board of Elders which may be called by another name and is herein referred to as the Board. Board members shall be elected, and along with the Senior pastor, will provide oversight of the ministry and operation of the church. Criteria for membership on the Board are the biblical qualifications of Elder.
The Board shall serve with the Senior pastor in the oversight of the church. It shall have authority to fill vacancies between annual meetings. It shall hold regular meetings for prayer and business and shall report as the church membership may decide. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the chairperson or upon written request by a majority of its members. All other officers and organizations, except the nominating committee, are amenable to the Board.
Persons shall not vote on any matter which may directly or indirectly result in financial benefit to them, whether such benefit be in the nature of salary or other payment.
An Elder shall be a member in good standing, at least 21 year of age.
Section 2: Officers
The officers of the church shall include, but not be limited to, the chairperson, secretary and treasurer. Additional officers of the church may be designated by the by-laws of the church or laws of the province or territory in which this church is located. They shall be appointed from among the Board members, except in the case of the chairperson, which is filled by the Senior pastor.
Article VIII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this church shall correspond to the calendar year.
Article IX. Property and Record
Section 1: Property
In case of voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the church, by a 2/3 vote at a meeting legally called for that purpose, members can vote to convey and transfer all of its right, title, and interest in and to all of its property, real and personal, including property and funds held by it in trust, to one or more registered non-profit Christian organization(s).
Section 2: Records
The official records of all officers of this church and all its departments are the property of the church. All financial records shall be prepared and maintained according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and shall be subject to an audit, review or other independent evaluation annually as prescribed by the by-laws.
In the event of the death or resignation of an incumbent officer or upon the election or appointment of a successor, the current records of the office shall be returned to the secretary of the Board. All records, other than the current ones, shall be kept in a secure repository designated by the Board.
Article XI. Amendments
Section 1: Amendment to the Constitution
a. Any article or section of this Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members of Calgary Grace and Truth Church present at the annual meeting or specially-called meeting.
b. Written notice of such proposed amendment shall be announced to the membership at least two weeks prior to said meeting.
c. Voting shall be by written ballot.
Effective Date of this Constitution
July 01, 2008
APPENDIX 1
REFERENCES FOR STATEMENT OF FAITH
Isa. 44:6; 45:5-6
Matt. 5:48; Deut. 32:4
Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19
Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 2:14-18; Col. 2:9
Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35
1 Cor. 15:3-5; 1 John 2:2; Acts 13:39
Heb. 4:14-15; 9:24-28
Matt. 25:31-34; Acts 1:11
John 14:16-17
John 16:7-11; 1 Cor. 2:10-12
2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Gen. 1:27
Rom. 8:8; 1 John 2:2
Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thes. 1:7-10
Titus 3:5-7; Acts 2:38; John 1:12; 1 Cor. 6:11
1 Thes. 5:23
Acts 1:8
Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:16-25
Eph. 3:6-12; 1:22-23
Acts 2:41-47; Heb. 10:25; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 11:19-30; 15
1 Cor. 15:20-23
2 Thes. 1:7-10
1 Thes. 4:13-17
1 Cor. 1:7; Titus 2:11-14; Matt. 24:14; 28:18-20