Article One
Preamble:
Divine Word Ministries, formed, by Rev. Dr. Karla Potter in order to express more fully the oneness in The Messiah, and to serve His kingdom in this world, hereby adopts this Constitution and Bylaws.
A. Name: The name of this Church is - Divine Word Ministries, Located at 123 Elk Lane Mineral, WA 98355
B. Structure: Divine Word Ministries acknowledges as its sole Head, Yeshua The Messiah, Son of Yahweh and Saviour. It acknowledges as kindred in The Messiah all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of Yahweh in the King James Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith, Yeshua The Messiah and is a Believing nondenominational ministry. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each age group to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in truthfulness of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before Yahweh. In harmony with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Believers, it recognizes: The Sabbath, Baptism and Holy Communion.
Divine Word Ministries is composed of Believers in the Lord Yeshua The Messiah.
Yahweh has established Divine Word Ministries to:
To love and care for each other,
Also to reach people with love like The Messiah,
As well as change lives by making disciples of Yeshua The Messiah.
We will succeed in our ministry because of our great faith in The Messiah, a prayerful obedience to the Holy Spirit, and a steadfast love for all people.
C. Services: Weather permitting, and unless announced otherwise.
1.We will bring in the Sabbath on Friday evening as the bible states.
2. On the Lord’s Day, which is Saturday there will be sermons and prayer.
3. There will be bible studies for children under the leadership of an adult each Lord's Day morning.
More will be added at a later date.
D. Worship. Worship services shall be scheduled and conducted under the supervision of the Reverend / Pastor.
Policies with respect to these meetings shall be as follows:
1.These services shall normally be conducted for all people each Friday evening and Lord's Day morning and sometimes afternoon and evenings.
Exceptions: They may be rescheduled or cancelled by a vote of the congregation or, in emergency situations, upon recommendation of the Reverend in consultation with the chairman of the board.
2. Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated one Saturday per month.
3. Revival. Ministerial staff members and the Deacons with Reverend’s confirmation may schedule revival services.
D. Objective: The objectives of this church shall be to:
1. Be a self-motivated spiritual body empowered by the Holy Spirit to share The Messiah with as many as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world
2. Be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of Yahweh, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership
3. Experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with Yeshua The Messiah and fellow Believers
4, Help people experience a growing knowledge of Yahweh through Bible study.
5. Be a church which ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and the world in Yeshua's name.
6. Be a church whose purpose is to be like The Messiah in our daily living by stressing total commitment to Yeshua The Messiah.
E. Church Covenant:
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of Yahweh to receive the Lord Yeshua The Messiah as our Lord and Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of Yahweh and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in The Messiah.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Believing love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and teaching; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to carry on its worship, ordinances, doctrines, and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also hold to sustain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the faith of Yeshua The Messiah; to seek the salvation of our relatives and acquaintances; to be like The Messiah in the world by being honest in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and commendable in our conduct; and to be passionate in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further hold to the idea of watching over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to develop Believing sympathy in feeling and Believing consideration in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover agree that if we can no longer maintain the spirit of this covenant or when we have moved from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church.
E. Policy And Relationships:
Principles of policy and relationships to be observed by this church are:
1. The government of this church is vested in the body of Believers who compose it. Persons duly received by the members in accordance with the provisions of church Bylaws shall constitute the membership.
Article Two
Doctrinal Statement:
A. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, authoritative, preserved, perfect Word of Yahweh. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” And Psalms 12:6&7 “The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
B. We believe in the eternal Godhead revealed to mankind as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
C. We believe in the deity of the Lord Yeshua The Messiah, in His conception by the Holy Spirit and His birth by the Virgin Mary. In His sinless life, His miracles, His explicit and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension and His personal return in power and glory. Matthews. 1:20-23 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” 2 Corinthians 5:21”For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” ; I Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”; Luke 24:36-40 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them [his] hands and [his] feet.” And last but not least Acts 1:9-11” And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
D. We believe that salvation is wholly of grace, given by Yahweh through repentance of sins and faith in the redemptive work of Yeshua The Messiah. Regeneration is the impartation of divine life effecting a change in the believer's nature, by the movement of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, and they are given a disposition to obey Yahweh. Ephesians. 2:8&9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ; Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”; Romans 5:1-9 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” ; Acts 13:39 “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” ; 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” ; I Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” And lastly Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
E. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells believers, gives power for service and holy living, guides into truth, produces the fruits of a Believer's character and aids the believer in spiritual growth. I John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” ; Romans 8:8-26 “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 ¶Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. 18 ¶For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” ; John 14:26 “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” And finally 2 Timothy 2:21 “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.”
F. We believe at the return of the Lord Yeshua, the bodies of the righteous dead will be raised and the living Believers will be changed so that both will have literal, spiritual and immortal bodies like unto Yeshua's own glorious body. Romans 8:23 “And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.” ; I Corinthians. 15:1-58 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether [it were] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 12 ¶Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 ¶But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29 ¶Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame. 35 ¶But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh [is] not the same flesh: but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of birds. 40 [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another. 41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory. 42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven. 48 As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 ¶Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. 57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
G. We believe that mankind was an immediate act of Yahweh and not by a process of evolution, that mankind was created in the image and likeness of Yahweh and the purpose of mans' creation is to glorify Yahweh. Genesis 1:1-27 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 ¶And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. 9 ¶And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day. 14 ¶And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. 20 ¶And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. 22And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. 24 ¶And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. 26 ¶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” ; Colossians. 3:10 “And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” And finally Ephesians 1:5&6 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
H. We believe the Biblical teaching concerning the fall of man Genesis 2:16&17 “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”, and that because of this spiritual fall, death passed upon all mankind and sin entered into the world Romans 5:12&13 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” , therefore condemnation rests upon each person who has reached the age and development with which comes accountability before Yahweh and he is forever lost except he be "born again". John 3:1-5 “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Article Three
Ordinances and Practices
A. We believe these ordinances are outward rites appointed by The Messiah to be administered in each Church, NOT as a means of salvation, but as a visible sign of salvation.
B. Baptism:
1. We believe that baptism is for Believers only.
2. Babies will not be baptized, for they are without sin, but dedication services for babies and small children is encouraged.
3. We encourage Believers to follow The Messiah's example of emersion.
C. Communion:
1. All Believers shall be allowed to participate in communion, regardless of church affiliation.
2. All Servers shall be selected by the Reverend / Pastor.
3. Communion will be served at least one Saturday a month at the discretion of the Reverend / Pastor.
D. Anointing:
1. Anointing the sick for healing according to James 5:14 will be observed upon request.
Fellowship:
A. It is important for born again Believers to gather together for fellowship, encouragement and to teach each other.This body of Believers will not join the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches or any ecumenical movement.
Article Five
Membership:
A. To be a member of this church, "Ye must be born again" John 3:7&8 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” And your life is to show the evidence of your new birth. Luke 6:43-48 “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 ¶And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”
B. New members must be in agreement with these by-laws.
C. As followers of Yeshua The Messiah, we are to proclaim the gospel. Help all that need it, disciple new converts and instruct each other in ways of righteousness. Most of all give freely and attempt to have a heart like The Messiah's.
D. When a member has not attended any service for 2 weeks, a member will try to contact them to:
1. Make sure they are all right or if they need prayer.
2. If they are out of fellowship and wish to stay that way, they will be put on an inactive list.
3. If they are "in the world" and do not plan on returning to Divine Word Ministries, they will be notified that they will be dropped from the membership roll.
4. If all means to contact them has been exhausted, they will be put on the inactive list for six months. If no contact is successful after six more months, they are dropped from our membership list.
E. All new members should prayerfully consider and seek water baptism after our Lord's example.
F. Only members in good standing are allowed to vote.
The Rights of Members:
A.To hold office when elected.
B. To suggest to the Official Board ways and means to improve the general program of the church.
C. To the full benefits of Reverend, congregation, baptism, marriage, counseling about personal problems, in times of sickness, etc.
D. To enjoy all the privileges and advantages usually accorded members of a local church according to the Word of Yahweh.
E. Each new member will be eligible to vote. New members must attend six months and be eighteen years old or older before holding an elected office.
F. A church meeting will be held every other month. Unless announced otherwise, the church meeting will be open to anyone interested.
G. Any member may call a meeting with a two-week advance notice from the pulpit.
H. All votes will be carried by a majority of one but can be over ridden by the Reverend / Pastor.
Article Seven
Financial Policy:
A. All receipts shall come from free will offerings and bequeaths of the congregation and friends of the church. As told to us in scriptures, Matthews 21:12 and Mark 11:15 it will be the policy of this church to refuse and discourage any agency of this church from having ice-cream socials, cake sales, auctions, bazaars, suppers, yard sales and other schemes for the purpose of raising money. Some clemency is recognized and needed here and each suggestion will be considered, but the final say is from the Reverend / Pastor. Pledges may be taken for missions, building fund, and other phases of the church program.
B. The Reverend / Pastor or secretary shall handle all of the offerings, which come from the congregation as a whole. The right of some ministries to handle funds received from their own group is recognized. The Reverend / Pastor must first approve each request. The amount received must be reported each week to the person keeping the church records.
C. At least one tenth of the regular income of the church shall be designated for missionary purposes. It is understood, however, that all money received which has been specifically donated for a purpose shall be spent 100% as designated by the donor.
Article Eight
Official Board:
A. Identification of Church Officers.
1. Teacher (Reverend or Pastor)
2. A minimum of 3-5 Elected Elders, Deacons, Ushers are to be selected
1. Have oversight of the spiritual condition of the church.
2. To seek candidates for the position of Reverend in case of death or retirement.
3. To work with the Reverend / Pastor and congregation regarding any disciplinary action necessary.
4. To work with the Reverend / Pastor concerning his sick leave, vacation, speaking engagements and filling the pulpit in his absence.
5. General oversight of Divine Word Ministries.
6. To have a meeting once every other month or when called by the Reverend / Pastor.
Article Nine
Elders:
A. There shall be at least three, or five if desired. Their terms of office shall be arranged so that the term of one member shall expire each year.
B. In case of vacancies by resignation, death or incapacitation, other members shall be elected to fill the term of office. This will be announced two weeks in advance.
C. The Elder shall be a born again Believer, a member, and one who takes an active part at Divine Word Ministries.
D. Elders must be at least twenty-five years of age.
E. The Elders must meet the qualifications in Titus 1:7&8 “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
F. Terms of office shall be three years unless otherwise stated by the Reverend / Pastor.
Article Ten
Deacons:
A. There shall be at least three, or five if desired. Their term of office shall be arranged so that the term of one member shall expire each year.
B. In case of vacancies by resignation, death or incapacitation, other members shall be elected to fill the term of office. This will be announced two weeks in advance.
C. The Deacon shall be a born again Believer, a member, and one who takes an active part at Divine Word Ministries.
D. Terms of office shall be three years unless otherwise stated by the Reverend / Pastor.
E. Deacons must be at least Eighteen years of age.
Article Eleven
Duties of the Deacons:
A. They shall care for all church property. To maintain proper repair and see that nothing improper is done in the church.
B. They shall be empowered to enter into legal contracts involving church property for the purpose of repair or general maintenance; subject to the will of the Reverend or at least two Elders.
C. Permission for the use of the church building and/or property, by any outside group, which includes weddings, unless Reverend gave prior OK.
Article Twelve
Reverend / Pastor
As a disciple of our Lord and Savior Yeshua The Messiah the Reverend / Pastor serves as the spiritual leader and administrative supervisor for the congregation, the church staff, and the several organizational entities responsible for the conduct of any and all outreach programs. The following provisions are established as a basis for the support of the Reverend / Pastor:
Article Thirteen
Duties and Responsibilities of the Reverend / Pastor
1.The Reverend / Pastor is vested with duties and responsibilities as follows:
a. Preparing, scheduling, and conducting appropriate corporate worship services.
b. Taking an active interest in, and providing supervision and guidance for all ministries, programs, and activities, as led by the Spirit.
c. Serving or designating a staff minister or Elder to serve as an over seer of all committees and councils, elected and appointed for the purpose of administering spiritual, educational, musical, administrative, maintenance, and custodial programs and activities of the church.
d. Leading, instructing, and supervising members of the ministerial staff.
e. Serving as moderator for business and Leadership Council meetings in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws.
Article Fourteen
Amendments:
A. Amendments to this Constitution can be proposed by a member, but such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Reverend / Pastor of the Divine Word Ministries at least two months prior to the quarterly meeting to which they are to be presented. Adoption of an amendment to the Constitution shall require the Reverend’s go ahead and a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present and voting and during the next regular meeting of the Elders, an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Elders. If so approved the Elders, if in session, or the Deacons, shall declare the amendment adopted and in force.
B. These by-laws may be amended at any time by a two-thirds vote of the membership present in a business meeting. The proposed amendment must be announced from the pulpit and posted in writing at least four weeks before the business meeting. This will give ample time for prayer and consideration before the vote is taken.
Any member in good standing may propose amendments to the Bylaws of the Divine Word Ministries. Such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Reverend and Elders of the Divine Word Ministries at least two months prior to the quarterly meeting in which they are to be presented. At least two months prior to the meeting of the Elders, and Reverend. Any Bylaw that is conditional upon a Constitutional provision shall not be effective until after the Constitutional provision is authorized and declared in force. Adoption of an amendment to the Bylaws shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present and voting. And it shall be effective upon adoption unless otherwise set forth in the vote.
We know that music pleases Yahweh. It is impossible to categorize all music in one group or the other. Believers today need to use good discernment. Each song must be carefully examined in the light of the Bible. For the bible tells us to make joyful noise unto the Lord. Psalms 66:1 “[[To the chief Musician, A Song [or] Psalm.]] Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:”
There are many different Bible versions on the market today. To lessen the confusion that abounds through so many different versions, here at Divine Word Ministries we will be teaching and preaching from the King James Version
The following are some of the reasons for this:
1. Children will become accustomed to using the King James Version.
2. We believe the King James Version is the true Word of Yahweh.
3. We believe this will help retain unity within the Church.