Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
- Section 1. Name - The name of the organization shall be HopePoint Community Church, a corporation of South Carolina.
- Section 2. Purpose - The purpose of this church is to teach believers and reach those who are far from God through biblically guided methods.
Article II: Doctrinal Statement
- Section 1. The Bible - The Bible governs all beliefs and behavior because it has been given by God with a perfect ability to lead man to Himself. (II Timothy 3:15-17)
- Section 2. God - There is one God who makes Himself known to man through the three persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While God fulfills different purposes and reveals different aspects of His personality through these three members of the Trinity, He is always one God and the only God. (Genesis 1: 26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:18; Matthew 1;20-23; 28:16-19; John 10:30; Acts 5:3,4)
- Section 3. Creation - The universe was created by God and presently exists because of His sustaining power. It was damaged by man’s sin and thus contributes to man’s struggle on earth (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1; Hebrews 1:1-3; Genesis 3:17,18; Romans 8:20,21)
- Section 4. Man - Man was created with the ability to recognize that God is infinitely deserving of worship and obedience. Man also possesses the ability to deny God the honor that is due Him. Once the first man turned from God, all men enter this world stained by the effects of sin and therefore participate in actions and attitudes that are hostile to God. (Genesis 1:26; Romans 1:21; 5:12)
- Section 5. Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is the Son of God who has existed in equality with God throughout all eternity. He was born on earth through a virgin. He lived a sinless life. He performed many miracles. At the age of thirty-three He willingly allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross that He might receive God’s judgment for man’s sin. Three days after His death, He was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven as a declaration of His success over sin and His supremacy over the universe. (John 1:1-4; Matthew 1:22,23; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 19:30; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 4:25; I Corinthians 15:3-4)
- Section 6. Salvation - God enters into an eternal relationship with all individuals who place no confidence in their own goodness but place their full trust and hope only in Jesus Christ. Salvation frees the believer from sin’s guilt, sin’s dominance, and eventually sin’s presence. (Ephesians 2:8,9 Matthew 1:21; John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 6:11-17; 8:1; 10:9-11; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:2)
- Section 7. The Holy Spirit - Salvation is made possible by the Holy Spirit who convicts unbelievers of sin and fills all believers with the ability to glorify God through obedience and ministry. (John 16:8; Luke 12:12; Romans 8:9-11; 26,27; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
- Section 8. The Church - Those who are united with Christ are invisibly connected to Christians throughout the world and visibly connected with Christians in a local church. God has designed all believers to fulfill their purpose as they celebrate and serve Him through the church. (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
- Section 9. Last Things - Jesus Christ will one day return to earth at which time He will gather the church to live with Him in heaven. At this time believers will be given their eternal rewards while unbelievers will be sentenced to eternal punishment. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Revelation 20:11-15; I Corinthians 15:51-57)
Article III: Core Values
- Section 1. Worship - Celebrative worship focusing on the greatness of God and His gift of Jesus Christ
- Section 2. Teaching - Challenging teaching shaped by the study of Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s strategy in our culture
- Section 3. Discipleship - Intentional discipleship aimed at purity of character and discovery of purpose
- Section 4. Fellowship - Supportive relationships forming a biblical community of people caring for people
- Section 5. Evangelism - Focused ministry efforts intending to clearly present the gospel among all hearts and nations where Christ is not known
Bylaws
Article I: Membership
- Section 1. Reception - Individuals will be accepted into the membership after they have signed the church covenant and have been approved by the elders of the church.
- Section 2. Dismissal - If a member should align himself with unbiblical beliefs and behavior, and is unresponsive to correction from church leadership, he will be dismissed from membership. He may be readmitted to the church upon his decision to renounce those those beliefs and behavior that are contrary to Scripture.
Article II: Offices
- Section 1. Board of Elders
- Selection - The board of elders will be made up of the pastor and church members appointed by the elders. All selections will be guided by the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7. The first elders of the church will be the founding pastor and those church members he selects. Prior to selection, any church member will have the opportunity to share with the present elder board any concerns about a potential elder.
- Purpose – The primary role of the elders will be to serve as the conscience of the church. They will not coordinate every ministry of the church but will oversee every ministry of the church. Elders are not responsible for the programming of the church but do have final say regarding all programming. The elders will evaluate all that takes place in the church based on the following questions:
- Does it fulfill the church’s mission?
- Does it conform to the church’s values?
- Does it honor the church’s beliefs?
- Does it maximize the church’s resources?
- Section 2. Staff - The purpose of the staff is toprovide direction for the various ministries of the church as well as oversee daily operations. The senior pastor and all staff members will be called by the elders. The staff is required to meet the character guidelines as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. The staff is accountable to the senior pastor as the senior pastor is accountable to the elders. The elders have the authority to dismiss the senior pastor.
- Section 3. Ministry Team Representatives - A ministry team representative (MTR) is a representative from a particular ministry in the church. The purpose of MTR’s is to serve as a channel of communication throughout the church. An MTR meeting is not an official business meeting of the church but a time of open exchange regarding present objectives and future opportunities.
Article III: Government
- Executive authority in spiritual and material matters is invested by the congregation in the board of elders. The board of elders can delegate to individuals or committees the right to transact business or exercise any of their authority. Whenever elder authority is delegated, the specific individual or committee that is appointed is still subject to the guidance and restraint of the elders.
Article IV: Meetings
- The church will regularly meet on Sunday morning. Any additionally scheduled meetings will be announced at least one week in advance.
Article V: Amending the Constitution and Bylaws
- Minor amendments concerning the language (not the meaning) of the constitution and bylaws may be made with a three fourths vote by the elders. Any significant change will require both a three fourths vote of the elders and a simple majority of those church members who participate in that particular vote.