THE CONSTITUTION

OF

PARKVIEW BIBLE CHURCH

380 N. 18th STREET
HAMILTON, IL. 62341

CONSTITUTION OF PARK VIEW BIBLE CHURCH

PREAMBLE

So that things may be done decently and in order before God and our fellow man and that we may more readily help each other serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we declare and establish this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

ARTICLE 1

NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1 - NAME

This congregation of believers shall be known as the Park View Bible Church of Hamilton, Illinois.

SECTION 2 - PURPOSE

(A) This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), including, but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious worship, the building, maintaining and operating of churches, and any other ministries that the church may be led of God to establish.

(B) The church shall advance the cause of our Saviour by gathering for the public worship of God; evangelizing the unsaved by proclaiming of the Gospel of Christ; educating believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scriptures, both in Sunday and weekday schools of Christian education; ordain and license men to the Gospel ministry; maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country; and engage in any other ministry that the church may decide, from time to time, to pursues in obedience to the will of God.

ARTICLE II

STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT

SECTION 1 - STATEMENT OF FAITH

THE BIBLE

 We believe the Old and New Testament Scriptures to be the verbal and plenary inspired Word of God; are inerrant in the original writing and are our infallible authority for faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:20, 21; I Corinthians 2:10-13; I Thessalonians 2:13)

THE GODHEAD

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each coeternal in being, coidentical in nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections.

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in the Deity, Virgin Birth and sinless perfection of Jesus Christ. In His incarnation, He was fully God and fully man. He was crucified, was buried and rose again bodily accomplishing our redemption and justification, and ascended to the right of the Father as our High Priest. (John 1:1, 14; 14:9; Matthew 1:23; 1 John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 4:25; 8:34; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 4:14)

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit which includes conviction of sin, regeneration of sinners, the baptizing and sealing into the body of Christ and indwelling of the believer at the time of salvation. (John 16:8; Titus 3:5; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:9)

FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God. But that in Adam's sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Genesis 1:27; Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Psalms 51:5; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:18; Isaiah 59:2)

SALVATION

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received through personal faith and repentance in the Lord Jesus Christ, our substitutionary sacrifice, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins, enabling us to be brought back into a right relationship with God. (John 1:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8, 9; Romans 10:9, 10; Acts 4:12; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:24)

ETERNAL SECURITY

 We believe that all those who have truly accepted Christ as Savior are kept by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (1 Peter 1:5; John 6:39; 10:28, 29; Romans 8:38, 39)

THE ETERNAL STATE OF HEAVEN AND HELL

We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord in heaven. (II Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 20:4-6; Philippians 3:21)

We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne of Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, to suffer conscious punishment and torment forever. (Matthew 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:22, 23; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15)

THE CHURCH

We believe the Church, which is the spiritual body of Christ, who is the Head, is to be organized into self-governing local churches of born-again, baptized believers, united for the purposes of worship, edification, evangelism, fellowship, and administering the two ordinances (water baptism and the Lord's supper). (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:11, 12; Colossians 1:18; 4:15, 16; I Peter 5:1-4; I Corinthians 1:2; 5:4; 12:13; Acts 2:41, 42, 46, 47; 14:27)

SCRIPTURAL ORDINANCES

We believe the only two scriptural ordinances of the Church are water baptism and the Lord's supper. Water baptism by immersion is a public testimony of our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord's supper proclaims and remembers His death “till He comes”. Both ordinances are for believers only. (Mathew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42, 46; I Corinthians 11:23-26)

SEPARATION

We believe all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and that separation from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God. We will not participate in or have any connection with the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, ecumenical or charismatic movements. (Romans 6; 8:5-13; 12:1, 2; 13:12-14; I Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 4:22-24, 27; 5:8-11; Colossians 3:1-10; I Thessalonians 5:22; II Timothy 3:1-5; James 4:4; I Peter 1:14-16; 2:11; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11)

RETURN OF CHRIST

We believe in the personal, imminent return of Christ, who will rapture His Church prior to the seven year tribulation period and in Hs subsequent premillennial visible bodily return to earth with His Saints to establish His Millennial Kingdom. (I Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16, 17; 5:9; Revelation 3:10; 19:11-16; Zechariah 14:4-11)

THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job 1:6, 7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11; 25:41; Revelation 20:10)

CREATION

We believe that God created the universe out of nothing by the word of his mouth in six literal 24 hour periods. (Genesis 1, 2; Exodus 20:11; Psalms 33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3)

ABORTION

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Therefore abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:44)

HUMAN SEXUALITY

We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography is condemned by God as sinful perversions of His creation. (Genesis 2:24; 19:5, 13; Leviticus 18; Matthew 19:4, 5; Romans 1:26-29; I Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4)

DIVORCE AND REMARRAIGE

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses die. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery, except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorce and remarried persons or divorced persons may serve in the church, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor, elder or deacon. (Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:1-3; I Corinthians 7:10-15; I Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer for the profit of all the body of Christ.

We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues (the God given ability to speak a foreign language without learning it), the gift of healing and the working of sign miracles, gradually ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and their authority became established.

Although God did give sign gifts to the early church as a testimony of His power and to authenticate His message through the apostles, they were never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit.

Although God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing, we believe the gift of healing through a particular person has ceased. (Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:4-11, 28; 13:8-13; Ephesians 4:7-12; Mark 16:20; II Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3, 4)

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: (1) the home; (2) the church; (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution as the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 2:13, 14)

SECTION 2 - AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.

SECTION 3 - COVENANT

Having been led, as we believe, by the spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our father, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and encouragement; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to pray for and submit to the loving oversight of its pastor and officers; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin and to sanctify the Lord's day; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be honest, just, and faithful in our dealings; to avoid all gossiping, evil speaking, bitterness and unrighteous anger; to abstain from worldly amusements and fleshly practices which war against the soul such as ungodly movie attendance and video viewing, gambling, rock or any other ungodly music, dancing, immodest dress, the sell or use of tobacco in any form, narcotic drugs, or intoxicating drink as a beverage which are harmful; to be free from all oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers; so that we might not be a stumblingblock to the advancement of our Lord's kingdom. (Romans 6; 8:5-13; 12:1, 2; 13:12-14; I Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19, 20; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 4:22-32; 5:8-11; Colossions 3:1-10; I Thessalonians 5:22; II Timothy 3:1-5; James 4:4; I Peter 1:14-16; 2:11; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11)

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to be kind one to another and slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I - QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

A prospective member shall have faithfully attended this church and shall have read and be in agreement with the church constitution.  A prospective member shall attend two or more membership classes conducted by the pastor concerning their salvation experience, baptism, evidence of Christian walk and willingness to abide by the church constitution.

Upon the pastor's recommendation, the congregation shall vote at a regularly scheduled meeting and upon a two-thirds vote of members present membership shall be extended.

The right hand of fellowship shall be extended to the new member at the next convenient Sunday morning service.

(A) The pastor and his wife shall automatically become members upon taking his duties as pastor.

(B) A person living together with another, outside of the marriage relationship shall not be considered for membership.

SECTION 2 - TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

Request by any member in good standing for a letter of recommendation to transfer their membership to another church of like faith will be considered at a regular church administration meeting. If such a request is approved by majority vote, the secretary shall send a letter of transfer.

SECTION 3 - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

(A) Any member who has been absent from the church services for a period of six months, unless providentially hindered, or who has seemingly set aside its doctrine and spiritual standards, and provided that the pastor and the deacon has called upon or communicated with him/her and a satisfactory response is not made, then upon the two-thirds approval of the congregation, his/her name shall be removed from the membership roll.

(B) Any member of this church who unites in membership with another church shall automatically have their membership in this church terminated.

(C) A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be issued, except at the discretion of the pastor.

SECTION 4 - DICIPLINE OF A MEMBER

(A) When a matter for discipline arises, the pastor shall appoint a discipline committee consisting of the deacon and one member of the congregation who are not of the same immediate household, and the pastor shall be the chairman. The committee shall hear and seek to resolve the matter.

(B) If the pastor or deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, they shall not be on the discipline committee. In such case the one not subject to disciplinary action, pastor or deacon, shall sit as chairman and appoint two members of the congregation.

(C) If the matter is unresolved; such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - CHURCH OFFICERS

The officers of this church shall consist of a pastor, one deacon, secretary, and treasurer.

As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the church, these shall, when authorized by the congregation, act as trustees of the corporation; the pastor as president, the secretary as secretary, the treasurer as treasurer, and deacon as vice-president of the corporation.

One person may hold two or more offices, except that of pastor.

SECTION 2 - PASTOR

TERM: The pastor's term of office is indefinite unless dissolved at the option of either the church or pastor by the giving of one month notice, or less, by mutual consent.

QUALIFICATIONS: I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4

DUTIES: (A) The pastor shall preach the gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the church, act as moderator at all church meetings for the transaction of church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church, be in charge of obtaining special speakers and organizing special meetings, with the approval of the congregation, watch over the spiritual interests of the membership and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a position.

(B) All church staff shall be under the supervision of the pastor. The pastor, subject to the approval of the congregation, may make appointments of non-elected positions as necessary from the membership of the church.

SECTION 3 - QUALIFICATION OF OFFICERS

All church officers must be a member in good standing, faithfully attend all church services and be in agreement with the church constitution and covenant.

SECTION 4 - DEACON

TERM: (A) The deacon's term of office shall be as long as he meets the qualifications and is willing to accept the responsibilities.

(B) The deacon must receive an eighty-five percent vote of confidence by secret ballot every two years from the voting members of the congregation at the January administration meeting.

QUALIFICATIONS: I Timothy 3:8-12; Acts 6:3-6

DUTIES: (A) The deacon shall assist the pastor, in such a manner as he shall request, in administering the ministries of the church, shall oversee and help take up the collection of offerings and assist the treasurer in counting the offerings, shall assist in and make provision for the observance of the ordinances of the church, shall oversee any property, building and physical projects approved by the church, shall have charge of the deeds and other valuable papers, shall sign notes and other documents in behalf of the church when authorized to do so by the congregation.

(B) In the absence of the pastor he shall preside over the business sessions and have charge of the administration of the church.

ELECTION: (A) The position of deacon shall be left open until such times as the congregation recognizes a male member in good standing of the church to be capable of meeting the spiritual and moral qualifications.

(B) Any voting member of the Park View Bible Church may submit a ballot with the name of a male member of this church to the pastor if this member meets the qualifications.

(C) A second nomination for the same candidate must be submitted to the pastor by any voting member of the church. This second nomination shall not be from the same immediate household as the first nomination.

(D) The pastor shall meet with the member whose name has been submitted and seconded to present to him the responsibilities of the office, determine his willingness to serve, and receive his consent. If the candidate meets the qualifications, his name shall be submitted to the congregation two weeks prior to a regular business meeting.

(E) An eighty-five percent secret ballot vote is required of voting members present for election to the office of deacon.

SECTION 5 - TREASURER, SECRETARY AND APPOINTED POSITIONS

(A) The term of service for treasurer, secretary and appointed positions in the church shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be re-elected or re-appointed.

(B) The offices of treasurers and secretary will be filled by election at the January administration meeting by secret ballot vote.

(C) A vacancy occurring in the office of treasurer, secretary or any appointed position may be filled at any regular church administration meeting.

DUTIES: TREASURER

The treasurer shall count, with the deacon or alternate, all offerings, shall record all funds contributed to the church, shall disburse the same as ordered by the church and give an annual receipt to individual givers for income tax purposes.

All monies must be deposited in the church bank account by the treasurer, deacon or alternate as soon as possible.

The treasurer shall present a written report of itemized disbursements at the regular church administration meetings and make a general report for the year at the annual church administration meeting.

All expenditures of the church except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements shall be paid by check signed by the treasurer drawn from the account of Park View Bible Church. When the treasurer is unable to do so they may be signed by the deacon or alternate.

DUTIES: SECRETARY

The secretary shall record the minutes of the church administrative meetings, keep a list of members and baptisms, send letters of transfer or dismissal when so ordered by the church, be responsible for documents, records and letters coming into their hands, keep an account of any special events in the life of the church which are of historical interest and attend to any other matter usually designed to this office. All records are to be kept in the church office.

SECTION 6 - RESPOSIBILITIES OF THE CONGREGATION

The membership of this congregation as a whole shall make recommendations, vote on and be responsible for the financial, material and property needs of the church, authorize persons to sign notes and documents on behalf of the church, vote on all missionary support and vote on all matters of the church.

ARTICLE V

DISMISSAL OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - ELECTED OR APPOINTED

Any elected or appointed officer, or teacher, except for the pastor, can be dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the congregation at any regular church administration meeting.

SECTION 2 - PASTOR

(A) A vote of confidence as to the service of the pastor may be taken whenever necessary. The vote shall be by secret ballot with only members present. The result of the balloting shall be kept in confidence by the church membership.

(B) If there is a negative vote of confidence and a vote of dismissal might be considered, a period of two weeks shall be allowed before there is a call for a vote of dismissal. The pastor can be dismissed by a three- quarter vote of the members present at a meeting called for that purpose two weeks in advance.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

SECTION 1 - MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP

(A) The church shall except in unusual cases meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer.

A Sunday School for Bible study and teaching classes, divided into age groups, shall be held each Sunday morning.

(B) Except when circumstances forbid it, the Lord's Supper shall be observed on the first Sunday of each month.

SECTION 2 - MEETINGS FOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

(A) The annual church administration meeting shall be held the third Sunday of January.

(B) A church administration meeting shall be held the third Sunday of every other month, beginning with the annual church administration meeting.

SECTION 3 - SPECIAL MEETINGS

(A) Special church administration meetings may be called by the pastor or deacon after two public announcements are given with at least one being made at a Sunday morning service.

(B) Preaching services and conferences, evangelistic meetings, prayer meetings, Bible studies, missionary conferences, etc. may be held as the pastor deems beneficial with the approval of the congregation.

SECTION 4 - QUORUM AND VOTING

(A) A quorum shall consist of the adult membership present, except where otherwise stated.

(B) Those voting must be members in good standing, at least sixteen years of age.

SECTION 5 - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1 and end December 31.

ARTICLE VII

SECTION 1 - PULPIT COMMITTEE

When a pulpit vacancy occurs, a pulpit committee consisting of the deacon as chairman and two members elected by the congregation shall be formed. The two members elected from the congregation shall be selected at a special meeting called for that purpose. Notice of such meeting and purpose shall be made at a regular Sunday morning worship service immediately preceding such meeting.

Each member of the church present at this meeting shall by secret ballot, list the names of two members they wish as candidates for the pulpit committee. The moderator shall name two persons to tally the votes. The two persons most frequently named shall be placed on the committee.

SECTION 2 - PULPIT COMMITTEE DUTIES

(A) The pulpit committee shall find, screen resumes of, and present qualifications of potential candidates to the congregation. Upon approval of the congregation, they shall contact, interview and arrange for him to preach in view of a call.

(B) Only one candidate at a time shall be presented and voted on before presenting another candidate. This voting shall take place one to fourteen days after presentation of the candidate.

(C) An eighty-five percent vote of members present are required to call a pastor.

ARTICLE VIII

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

SECTION 1 - STRUCTURE

The church Sunday school shall meet each Lord's Day with classes divided in age groups as necessary.

SECTION 2 - TEACHERS

The pastor, subject to the approval of the congregation, shall appoint teachers and supervise the teaching ministries of the church.

The length of teachers' terms shall be one year at which time they may be re-appointed.

A teacher must be a member in good standing who faithfully attends all church services. This shall not apply to visiting missionaries, evangelists or preachers here on a temporary basis.

A teacher must be in agreement with the church constitution and covenant, show qualification of Bible teaching ability and must have a daily walk consistent with the Biblical precepts they teach.

SECTION 3 - CURRICULUM

The curriculum used shall be in full accord with the statement of faith and covenant of the church and examined and approved by the pastor.

ARTICLE  IX

SECTION 1 - FINANCES

We believe the Bible teaches that the proper method of financing the Lord's work is by free-will offerings from consecrated hearts, in systematic, proportionate giving of money. This church will not sponsor the collection of money through bazaars, entertainments, or any like methods.

SECTION 2 - DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS

From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the pastor and congregation. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2.

ARTICLE  X

UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES

Any expenditure in excess of $200 and not authorized in the regular annual budget must be authorized by the congregation. All lesser amounts shall be authorized by the pastor.

ARTICLE  XI

CHURCH PROPERTY AND DISSOLUTION

All property belonging to this church is the property of the church and not of any individual member.

Members severing their connection with the church, for whatsoever reasons, relinquish all claims on its property.

In case of division of the church, the property shall revert to that group that adheres to this Constitution.

The private property of the members of this church shall be absolutely exempt of any and all liabilities for any and all debts and obligations of the church.

Upon the dissolution of the church, the trustees shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the church, dispose of all the assets of the church to such organization or organizations formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify  

as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the trustees shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations which agree with the church's statement of faith.

ARTICLE  XII

TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS

SECTION 1 - PRIVATE INUREMENT

No part of the net earnings of the church shall be for the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that when the occasion calls for it the church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 1, Section 2, hereof.

SECTION 2 - POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

SECTION 3 - RACIAL NONDISCRIMINATION

The church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.

ARTICLE  XIII

AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be revised or amended by an eighty percent vote of the members present and voting at any regular church administration meeting, provided that said revision or amendment has been submitted in writing and announced from the pulpit thirty days before the vote is taken.