info

ROCK CHURCH

Beliefs

ROCK CHURCH CONSTITUTION

Article 1: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

We, the fellowship of believers at Rock Church, unite together with a common purpose to glorify God!

We Glorify God by:

A. Learning for the Glory of God

(Joshua 1:8) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

• Learning about Christ. (Lessons)

• Learning to be Christ-like (commands)

B. Worshipping for the Glory of God

(John 4:24) “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

• Worshipping Privately

• Worshipping Publicly

C. Building Relationships for the Glory of God

(John 13:35) “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one

another."

• Building Relationships in the Home

• Building Relationships in Church

D. Serving for Glory of God

(Ephesians 6:7)

• Serving in the Church

• Serving in the Community

E. Witnessing for the Glory of God

(Acts 1:8) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

• Witnessing Locally

Witnessing Globally

The church is independent, self-supporting, and is not in any way controlled, governed, or owned by any religious denomination. The church is responsible for all matters of leadership, ownership, and administration. The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, and the Metro Columbus Baptists of Ohio which provides cooperation in mission opportunities, legal legitimacy and council, education opportunities and support, as well as an identifiable common doctrine with which we agree.

Article 2: STATEMENT OF BELIEF

A. About The Bible... We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life. 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pt. 1:20, 21; Jn. 8:31, 32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32

B. About The Trinity... We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. Gen. 1:1, 26; Jn. 1:1, 3; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 1:19, 20; Eph. 4:5,6; Rev. 1:5-8: John 10:30

C. About God The Father... We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and spiritual death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. Lk. 10:21, 22; Jn. 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:1, 2; 2:5, 6; Rev. 1:6

D. About Jesus Christ... We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, eternally existing, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. Matt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:26-38; Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Rom. 8:46; 9:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pt. 2:21-23; Jn. 20:30, 31; Matt. 20:28; Eph. 1:4; Acts 1:11; Rom. 5:6-10; Heb. 7:25; 9:28; 1 Tim. 3:16; Cols. 1:16-17; Rev. 13:8

E. About The Holy Spirit... We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal with God the Father and God the Son. He came to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. Jn. 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; Jn. 16:9-14; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Gal. 5:22-26

F. About Salvation... We believe that man was created by God in His own image; that he sinned and thereby incurred physical, spiritual, and eternal death, which is separation from God; that as a consequence, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and are sinners by choice and therefore under condemnation. Salvation is a free gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. We believe that those who repent and trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation and receive eternal life. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. We believe the security of our salvation rests upon the gift that God has given us in the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. Gen. 1:26; 5:2; Gen. 3; Gen. 2:17; 3:19; 2 Thess. 1:9; 1 Jn. 1:9; Jn. 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23; Rom. 5:8; Rom. 10:9-10; Rom. 10:13; Eph. 2:8-9; Jn. 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 8:38-39, 11:29; Eph. 1:13-14

G. About Eternity... We believe man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 2:25; 5:11-13; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:15; 1 Cor. 15:51-57

H. About The Church... We believe in the local church, consisting of a Community of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for learning, worship, relationship, serving and witnessing. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. We believe the church is to be led by Godly, qualified Elders and that the Elders are to be assisted by the Deacons. Eph. 2:19-22; Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:19-21; Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:23-25: 1 Tim. 3:1-16; Acts 6 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

I. About Christian Maturity... We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ. Knowing Christ intimately is the priority around which everything in our life is built. We believe that everyone plays a part in God’s redemption story. You and I are not created where we are and when we are by accident. God has wired each of us for meaningful investment in the community. We must teach our people to be and reproduce spiritually mature zealots for Christ. Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Peter 3:18;1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 12:1-3; Heb. 12:1-2; Jn. 14:15, 23-24; 2 Cor. 9:6-9; 1 Cor. 1:9-10

J. About Church Ordinances... We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of the believer in the water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 11:23-26

K. About Last Things... We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked. Jn. 14:3; Acts 1:11; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Tim. 4:1; Titus 2:13; Matt. 24:32-42; 1 Cor. 15:51-57

L. About Family: We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. The husband and wife are of equal value before God, since both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Genesis 1:27-28

Article 3:CHURCH OFFICERS

A. ELDERS Rock Church is an elder led congregation with the Pastors serving as elders in leadership, along with laymen serving as elders for spiritual council, spiritual and physical matters, and guidance for all matters of concern for the church body. The Senior pastor will lead other pastors and elders in the ministry of the church. Elders will strive to lead the congregation in unity. However if elders cannot find unity of decision concerning doctrinal change, constitutional change or decision of less than $10,000 then the elders may reach or decision 2/3 majority vote. If a decision is brought to the congregation they may reach decision through a 2/3 majority vote.

The number of elders may change but the qualifications will remain as Titus 1:5-9, 1Timothy 3, 5 and 1 Peter 5:1-4 prescribe. Their primary work is to:

protect, care for, feed and lead

the flock, and be an example to them. Elders are not expected to be perfect but they are to be Spirit filled men, men of character, and men who strive after the council of God. When the need arises for additional leaders, the elders will select from the members nominated by the church community.

(1 Timothy 3 1-7) “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

(Titus 1:7-9) “For an overseer,[e] as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound[f] doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

When the appointment of elders is discussed with the church body, any legitimate objection to the proposed candidate should be discussed in private with the appropriate elder or elders. Any legitimate issue or objection will be given due consideration by the elders and acted upon according to the Scriptures. Lay Elders will serve three-year terms and, afterward, must not serve for at least one year before returning to the office. From the elders, three will be chosen to serve as representatives for the incorporated organization of the church.

B. DEACONS: The deacons shall serve the church as directed by the elders of the church. When the need arises for additional leaders, the elders will select from the members nominated by the church community. The number of elders may change but the qualifications will remain as 1 Timohty 3:8-13 Romans 16:1 and Acts 6

(1 Timothy 3:8-13) “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[c] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must[d] be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

C. TREASURER The treasurer must be a person with the of integrity of and elder, above any reproach or questionable conduct. The treasurer is to keep accounting records of receipts and expenditures of the church and provide regular reports to the elders. Budgeting and expenses will be paid with the elder’s approval and under their direction.

D. ASSISTANT TREASURER The assistant treasurer is the alternate (2nd) signature for the church account that will perform the duties of the treasurer in times of need or absence. This person should not be of the same family as the treasurer and should regularly review the church account and help as needed.

E. CLERK This person should likewise be of godly Christian character and their primary responsibility, in accordance with the laws of Ohio, is to keep orderly records of church legal papers, actions, as well as provide the legal signature of verification to church records and office holders.

F. TRUSTEES The trustees are appointed by the elders to serve in the care of the physical property, maintenance and recommendations for the property.

Article 4: CHURCH COMMUNITY

The members of the church consists of believers with a common

belief in our statement of faith and

commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;

who attend with regularity and

systematically support the church with tithes and offerings.

These are those who are qualified to vote on any matter brought to the body by the elders for confirmation and/or decisions.

This Constitution was originally approved and adopted August 1, 2010. We the elders of Rock Church approve and adopt this constitution with amendments on March 23, 2015 and Jan 31, 2016.