STATEMENTS OF OUR FAITH AND BELIEFS WE CHERISH
MCCB, Statements of Faith.
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all-powerful and all-knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him, we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
God the Father
God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, and wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
God the Son
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present
Lord.
Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27;28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11;16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7- 10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination, He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration, He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1;12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14;Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. In the beginning, the man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
B. Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of allsinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer into a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerated person's life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13;Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1- 12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.
God's Purpose of Grace
The election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; -5-24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16;17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2;James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.
The Church
A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors, elders, and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the offices of pastor and elder are limited to men as qualified by Scripture. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1;Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.
Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.
The first day of the week is Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24;20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by the trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31;Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10;4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised, and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.
Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48;16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.
Evangelism and Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14;28:18- 20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3;Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.
Education
Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is, therefore, a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. Moreover, the cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is coordinating with the causes of missions and general benevolence and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of Christian education is necessary for a complete spiritual program for Christ's people. In Christian education, there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never absolute. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the preeminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.
Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11; Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Ephesians4:11-16; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews 5:12-6:3; James 1:5;3:17.
Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.
Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19- 20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
Cooperation
Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1- 10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17;3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18.
The Christian and the Social Order
All Christians are under an obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. To promote these ends, Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.
Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13- 16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.
Peace and War
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. By the spirit and teachings of Christ, they should do all in their power to put an end to war. The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9,38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James4:1-2.
Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, Christians must render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind.
The
state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A
free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right
of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to
form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by
the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
The Family
God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, protect, and lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5;78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3;29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12;Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2Timothy1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
The Constitution
Preamble
We, the members of the Myanmar Christian Church, Baltimore, a congregationally governed body, to promote the work of the Church in the Spirit of Christ, and thus advance His Kingdom, do hereby adopt this Constitution.
Section A:
Name and Affiliation
Article 1
The name of this organization
shall be called the Myanmar Christian Church, Baltimore (Disciples of Christ)
of Maryland Incorporated, a congregation of the Christian Church, Disciples of
Christ, of the United States.
Section B:
Purpose
Article 1
The purpose of this Church
shall be, as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus
Christ and commit them actively to the Church, to help them grow in the
knowledge and grace of Christ. The
Church shall help people to know and do the will of God. It shall share in the individual and group
joys and sorrows of the Congregation and work for the unity of all
Christians. It shall work in the common
task of building the Kingdom of God.
Section C:
Membership
Article 1
The membership of this Church
shall consist of those who are now identified as members of the Congregation
and those who unite with it by confession and baptism or by transfer of
membership. Membership shall be
designated as participating or non-participating. Participating members are those who have been involved in some way in the life of the
Congregation in the previous 12 months.
Those who have been in no way involved in the life of the Congregation
in the previous 12 months shall be regarded as non-participating
members. Voting privileges shall be
accorded to all members. This church is
an “open and affirming” congregation and all people are welcome members regardless
of their gender, race, or sexual orientation. All members are eligible to serve in all
capacities of the church, including, but not limited to, ministry, elder,
deacon, board of directors, or trustee.
Article 2
A membership review shall be conducted annually to update the membership rolls. However, members’ names shall not be removed from the roll except upon evidence of having died or joined another congregation.
Section D: Board of Directors and Their Duties
Article 1
The following Board of Directors shall be elected by the Congregation
at its Annual Business Meeting for a term of two years (except Trustees shall
be elected for three years) or until a successor is elected and assumes
office. Offices shall be assumed at the
beginning of the Church year next following the election.
Article 2
The Board Chair shall
fulfill the usual duties of such office, call and preside at all Regular or Special
Official Board Meetings, and call and preside at all Regular and Special
Business Meetings of the Congregation.
Article 3
The Vice-Chair shall
fulfill the usual duties of such office, and shall call and preside in the
absence of the Board Chair.
Article 4
The Clerk shall keep a
record of all meetings of the Official Board as well as all General Meetings of
the Congregation. The Clerk may be
assigned other special duties.
Article 5
The Treasurer shall
oversee the disbursement of all funds of the Church as designated by the
Official Board, and shall keep track of the financial well-being of the Church;
and, monitor and maintain the budget, and in the event of insufficient funds,
shall seek the guidance and counsel of the Official Board on the disposition of
accounts payable.
Article 6
The Assistant Treasurer
shall serve in the absence of the Treasurer and perform such other duties as needed.
Article 7
The Financial Secretary shall
be responsible to collect and record the offering and all funds received by the
Church and make bank deposits in a timely manner. Ascertain that appropriate giving records are
maintained.
Article 8
The Assistant Financial Secretary
shall serve in the absence of the Financial Secretaries and perform such
other duties as needed.
Article 9
There shall be three (3) Trustees,
one elected each year, for a term of three (3) years.
Trustees shall act as legal
agents of the Church in all business matters, under the direction of the
Official Board and subject to the approval of the Congregation for real estate
transactions. The affirmative vote of at
least two Trustees shall be required to enact any legal business of the Church. Trustees shall hold legal title to all Church
property and handle all business transactions related thereto; shall supervise
all endowments and trust funds; and, shall perform all duties required by the
laws of the State of Maryland.
Article 10
Other officers may be elected to serve the Congregation yet not be
members of the Official Board. These may
include honorary officers, Church Historians, Elders and Deacons Emeritus, Pastors
Emeritus, and others.
Section E:
Members of the Official Board
Article 1
Board of Directors of the Congregation
named in Section D, Articles 2 through 8 of this Constitution, shall also serve
as members of the Official Board with all privileges and responsibilities
thereto.
Article 2
All Elders and Deacons shall
be members of the Official Board with all privileges and responsibilities
thereto.
Article 3
All chairpersons of
Functional Departments and Standing Committees here indicated shall be members
of the Official Board with all privileges and responsibilities thereto. These are named in Section IV of the By-Laws.
Section F:
Election of Board of Directors, Elders, and Deacons
Article 1
A Nominating Committee is composed
of a minimum of five (5) members and a maximum of seven (7) which will include
at least one (1) member of the Official Board, one (1) Elder, one (1) Deacon,
and two (2) members of the congregation who are not members of the Official
Board, shall be appointed by the Board Chair, approved by the Official Board,
and announced to the Congregation at least eight (8) weeks before the annual
business meeting to nominate Officers, Elders, and Deacons.
Article 2
The Nominating Committee
shall report its nominations to the Official Board at least thirty (30) days
before the Annual Congregational Business Meeting. Upon approval, the Official Board will
recommend nominations to the Congregation at least fourteen (14) days before
the annual business meeting. Nominations
may also be made from the floor.
Article 3
A vote shall be taken in the
Annual Meeting of the Congregation to elect Officers, Elders, and Deacons for
the terms indicated. A simple majority
is required for approval.
Article 4
Vacancies in any office of
the Church shall be filled for the remaining term by the nomination of the Board
Chair of the Official Board in consultation with the Senior Pastor and approved
by the Official Board.
Article 5
Should any members of the
Official Board, or any Trustees, fail, neglect, or refuse to perform the duties
of his/her office as set out in the Constitution and Bylaws, the Official Board
by a majority vote of those present and voting at a regular or special business
meeting of the Official Board, may declare the office vacant and the vacancy
shall be filled as specified in Article 4 of this section.
Section G:
Duties of the Board
Article 1
It shall be the duty of the
Official Board to:
a. Consider and recommend to the Congregation general policies.
b. Transact business for the Church.
c. Administer the program of the Church through the designated
committees, as need dictates.
Article 2
The Official Board shall
perform its duties according to the authority granted in this Constitution and
designated to it by the Congregation. It
shall operate within the laws of the State of Maryland. Reports shall be made regularly to the Congregation.
Section H:
Meetings
Article 1
An Annual Meeting of the Congregation
shall be held at least thirty (30) days before January 1st, Written notice of said
meetings shall be given one week before the meeting by the most efficient and
economical means available, including email and telephone notice to the Congregation,
and shall be announced in Sunday service(s) one week before the meeting.
Article 2
The Budget shall be submitted
for approval at a special called meeting of the Congregation on the 2nd
Sunday of January for the fiscal year beginning in January.
Article 3
Special meetings of the Congregation
and/or the Official Board may be called as needed. They may be called by (1) the Board Chair, (2)
the Vice-Chair, (3) request of the Official Board, (4) written petition of ten
percent (10%) or more of the participating members of the Congregation, (5) the
Senior Pastor.
Article 4
Notice of all regular or special
Congregational Meetings shall be announced at a regular Sunday morning worship
service(s) of the Congregation at least one week in advance of the meeting, and
using the Church newsletter or written notice sent through the most efficient
and economical means available to the congregation, including, but not limited
to telephonic and email notification.
The purpose, date, time, and place of the meeting shall be included in
each notice. In case of emergency, the
officers of the Official Board may take provisional action until a
congregational meeting can be held. If an emergency is declared by the chairperson
of the board of directors, an emergency meeting of the congregation may be held
within one (1) or two (2) days, with Sunday notice given and/or the same
notification procedures as outlined herein.
Article 5
Any business about the life
of the Congregation may be proposed and discussed at a regular congregational
meeting; however, the business must appear on the agenda for action to be
taken. During a special meeting, only
the business stated in the notice of the meeting and related items may be
brought before the Congregation for discussion and action.
Article 6
Parliamentary Rules of Order
shall govern all business meetings of the Church and the Official Board.
Article 7
A quorum for any properly
called regular or special Congregational Meeting shall be defined as being all
of the members present and voting on the date of such meeting, provided twenty-five
percent (25%) of the Elders, twenty-five percent (25%) of the Deacons, and the Board
Chair or Vice-Chair are also present at such meeting.
Section I:
Mediation
Article 1
All Church-related disputes
that arise between members of the Congregation or staff may, at the discretion
of the Official Board, be referred to a Mediation Committee to resolve the
dispute. If approved, the Board Chair
shall appoint a Mediation Committee.
Section J:
Dissolution/Disassociation
Article 1
Should this Congregation disband,
title to all Church property, personal or real, tangible or intangible, along
with all business and/or legal liabilities, shall automatically vest in the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Maryland immediately upon such
disbanding. Should the Congregation vote
to disassociate from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), all
Church property, personal or real, tangible or intangible, along with all
business and/or legal liabilities, shall remain with the Congregation as a
non-denominational entity or future association with another denomination.
Section K:
Amendments
Article 1
This Constitution may be
amended at any business meeting of the Church by a two-thirds majority of the
members present and voting, provided written copies of the amendment have been
made available to the congregation two (2) weeks before the vote is taken.
Bylaws
I. The Church year shall begin January 1st .
II. The Official Board shall hold its meetings under the provisions of Section 1 of the
Constitution.
A. The Official Board shall hold its regular meetings on the
second Sunday of every month, or another date approved by a quorum majority at
a regular or special called Official Board meeting. The regular board meeting may be continued
until the next Sunday in the event the second Sunday conflicts with a holiday
or other event scheduled by the church.
B. The Official board may hold special meetings as provided in
the Constitution.
C. Twenty-five percent (25%) attendance of the Official Board,
including the board chair or vice-chair, shall constitute a quorum to conduct
business.
D. An agenda for each meeting shall be presented at the
beginning of the meeting. The agenda may
include a devotional and prayer, reading and approval of financial reports,
minister’s reports, unfinished business, new business, and other actions as
seem appropriate.
A. Elders – The determined number will be nominated, each for a three
(3) year term. Selection shall be from
the men and women of the Church who display the qualities and attributes of a
person worthy of the office. In the
event, an elder position becomes vacant before the expiration of the elected
term, the board of directors may appoint a qualified individual to fulfill the
responsibilities of the vacated office for such term as is necessary to insure
that only 1/3 of the elders are elected each year.
B. Deacons – The determined number will be nominated, each for a three (3) year term. Selection shall be from the men and women of the Church who display the qualities and attributes of a person worthy of the office. A Deacon, whose term does not expire in the current year, may be nominated to the Eldership to serve a full three (3) year term. In the event, a deacon position becomes vacant before the expiration of the elected term, the board of directors may appoint a qualified individual to fulfill the responsibilities of the vacated office for such term as necessary to insure that only 1/3 of the deacons are elected each year.
An Elder or Deacon appointed
to fill out an unexpired term may subsequently be nominated to a full three (3)
year term. (See
C. Emeritus - From time to time, the nominating committee may nominate a person as Elder or Deacon Emeritus. They will be persons who have demonstrated faithfulness in service to Myanmar Christian Church, Baltimore over an extended time. Those so honored will be selected after age or illness or other situations have limited their ability to serve on an active basis. If approved by the Official Board and congregation, such persons shall hold the position for life and shall be ex-officio members of the Official Board without a vote.
D. Vacancies in any Church office shall be filled for the unexpired
term by the nomination of the Board Chair of the Official Board, in
consultation with the Senior Pastor, and approved by the Official Board.
A. The Board Chair Person shall select Chairs of the Functional Ministries to be ratified by the Official Board at its January meeting.
B. Each Functional Ministry shall organize itself to conduct the business for which it is responsible. It shall meet regularly to conduct its business and plan its general program in cooperation with other ministries. Each Ministry shall keep the Official Board informed of its progress and needs.
C. An Administrative Cabinet shall be established to coordinate
the various programs of the Church.
Membership shall include Senior Pastor, Board Chair (or representative),
Chair of Elders, Chair of Deacons, Chair of Church Life Committee, and Chair of
Administration Committee. Others may be
invited as the needs of specific projects dictate. As Chief Administrative Officer of the
Church, the Senior Pastor shall convene and preside over cabinet meetings which
shall be quarterly and at such other times as may be necessary to perform its
stated functions.
D. Special committees or task forces shall be appointed as
needed by the board chair and approved by the official board at the next
regular or special board meeting.
A. Elders - The Elders shall generally be responsible for the
spiritual life and development of the congregation. Each Elder shall hold membership in a
functional ministry, and participate regularly in worship services. Elders shall specifically be available to:
1. Lead the congregation in worship
2.Preside at the Lord’s Table
3.Participate with regular financial contributions
4.Participate in evangelism/personal witness of the Church
5. Assist in the care of the ill and bereaved
6. Be a ready resource for help to functional ministries and
committees
7. Assist the Senior Pastor in pastoral services to those in
need of spiritual counsel
B. Deacons - The Deacons
shall generally be responsible for the maintenance and growth of the
congregation through its members and as a Christian witness to our community
and world. Each deacon shall hold membership in a functional ministry, and
participate regularly in worship services.
The Deacon shall specifically be available to:
1.Serve at the Lord’s Table
2.Greet, make welcome, and otherwise assist those who come to
worship
3. Assist in ministering to the ill and bereaved
4. Participate with regular financial contributions
5. Assist the Senior Pastor in service to visitors and members
of the congregation
6.Be an ambassador for Christ in word and deed
C. Functional Ministries
1.Church Life - This ministry will design and conduct a genuine experience of worship service and enrich personal and family devotional life. The board chair and senior pastor shall be permanent members of this committee. It shall be responsible for the public worship of the Church, pulpit supply, the coordination of communion, baptisms, music, special worship services, and encouragement of the devotional life among individual members and homes of the Church family. In consultation with the Senior Pastor, this ministry shall recommend the hiring of a Music Director for approval by the Official Board. It shall be the duty of this department to develop and encourage an effective program of Christian development for adults, youth, and children. It shall assist the various classes as requested. In consultation with the senior pastor shall recommend the hiring of the Director of Christian Education.
It shall be the purpose of this ministry to
cultivate an evangelistic spirit within the Church family, to create and foster
a world vision within the Church and its auxiliary organizations, and to lead, plan,
and promote definite programs of world concern.
It shall be responsible for sponsoring a year-round program to develop
evangelism in all areas of the Church.
It shall provide a program of outreach education in all departments of
the Church, recommending the annual outreach budget, enlisting support for
outreach causes, caring for general and local benevolence needs not otherwise
provided for, and keeping records of all outreach giving and action in the
Church. It will concern itself with the benevolent and social needs of the
community of Baltimore and cooperate with other churches and local agencies
both locally and worldwide.
It shall be the purpose of this ministry to
maintain the closest possible contact with the entire Church membership to the
end that each member functions effectively in the life of the Church. It should help to develop a spirit of
fellowship and love within the congregation founded on a common love for
Christ. It shall be responsible for
promoting an adequate program of social life for the church and providing
publicity about Church life and activities.
2. Administration. The
board chair and the senior pastor shall be permanent members of this
committee. It shall be the purpose of this ministry to
develop within the membership an understanding of the full meaning of Christian
Stewardship and to direct the financial program of the Church so that it will
supply the financial needs of the Church’s program and provide means of
spiritual enrichment and character development for each one participating. It shall be responsible for keeping alive in
the congregation the realization of its stewardship obligations and
opportunities by promoting stewardship education, assisting in the preparation
of the Church budget, keeping accurate records and encouraging endowments for
future developments for the Church, and providing for an annual audit of
finances.
It shall be the purpose of this ministry to care for all properties of the Church. It shall be responsible, in cooperation with the trustees, for keeping all property and equipment in proper condition, studying needs and making recommendations for improvements, superintending the work of the custodian caring for the grounds, and keeping the properties adequately insured against possible loss or damage.
VI. Standing Committees
A. Personnel Committee - The Board Chair, Clerk, and Treasurer
of the Official Board plus chairs of Church Life and Administration ministries
shall constitute a committee to:
1.Establish working agreements with all staff of the Church
(except the Senior Pastor).
2.Prepare job descriptions detailing all staff
responsibilities
3.Review annually the performance of all staff members
4.Recommend increases in salaries and benefits for each staff
member (including Senior Pastor)
5.Serve to counsel and advise all staff members in personnel
relationships
B. Budget Committee - This committee, consisting of at least
three (3) members, the Treasurer, Chair of the Administrative Committee, and
Chair of the Church Life Committee will be appointed by the Board Chair and
approved by the Official Board by the July Official Board meeting.
1.This committee’s singular purpose is to consider the
financial needs of the Church for the coming calendar year.
a. In fulfilling this responsibility, this committee shall
solicit recommendations from functional ministries and standing committees.
b. Members of the congregation shall be invited to make
comments, suggestions, and recommendations.
2.This committee shall submit its proposed budget to the
Official Board at the November Official Board meeting.
A. Fellowship Groups
1.Disciples Men - It shall be the duty of this group to promote work and social projects for the men of the Church to strengthen their commitment to the Church, each other, and the responsibilities God has given them.
2.Disciples Women - It shall be the duty of this group to
promote work and social projects for the women of the Church to strengthen
their commitment to the Church, each other, and the responsibilities God has
given them.
3.Christian Youth Fellowship - It shall be the duty of this
group to promote work and social projects for the youth of the Church. It shall minister to the special needs of
youth and also seek to develop leadership qualities in young people.
B. Auxiliary Groups
1.Special activity groups that serve human needs are
encouraged.
2.Auxiliary groups shall organize and function in a manner
consistent with the constitution and bylaws of the Church.
3.All auxiliary groups will report their activities regularly
to the Official Board.
VIII. The Church Staff
A. Senior Pastor -
This position shall be filled by the congregation in the following manner:
1.The Official Board will appoint a Search Committee upon the
recommendation of the Board Chair. The
committee will consist of between five (5) and nine (9) members. Of the members, at least one (1) shall be an Elder,
at least one (1) shall be a Deacon, and at least two (2) shall be members of
the congregation at large. The Board Chair
may nominate a Chair of the Search Committee, or allow the Search Committee to
select the Chair from among their membership.
Once appointed, the committee shall serve until their task is completed
or until the Official Board either stops the search or chooses to dismiss the
committee for failure to perform their duties.
2.The Search Committee may use the services of the Regional
Ministers for information and counsel concerning prospective candidates.
3.To be considered, a candidate must be ordained, licensed, or
commissioned and have stood within the Myanmar Christian Church, Baltimore.
4.The Search Committee shall recommend a candidate to the
Official Board.
B. Approval - The
candidate shall be approved as follows:
1.The Official Board, at a regular or called meeting, may
approve the Search Committee’s recommendation by at least a two-thirds majority
of those present and voting, a quorum being present. Upon approval, the Official Board shall
recommend calling the prospective pastor to the congregation.
2.The congregation, in a regular or called meeting, may
approve the recommendation of the Official Board by at least a two-thirds
majority of members present and voting, a quorum being present.
C. Call and terms of employment
shall be as follows:
1.An agreement of employment, setting forth the compensation
to be paid, will be provided to the Regional Office, the Pastor, and one copy
retained in the Church office.
2.The term of ministry shall be for an indefinite period and
may be terminated upon a sixty (60) day written notice by either party.
3.Resignation - Should the Senior Pastor resign, he/she shall
submit a written resignation to the Board Chair of the Official Board, who
shall notify the Official Board and the congregation as soon as possible.
D. Dismissal – The procedure
for this action shall be as follows:
1.Any proposal to dismiss the Senior Pastor shall be submitted
in writing to the Board of Elders for consideration.
2.The Board of Elders shall present any approved proposal for
dismissal as a motion at the next meeting of the Official Board. The proposal will include a recommended
termination date, all compensation to be extended to the end of the sixty (60)
day notice.
3.Dismissal by the Official Board will be final upon a
two-thirds majority vote, a quorum being present, except that, said dismissal
may be appealed to the congregation, in which case a two-thirds majority of
members present and voting, in a congregational meeting, a quorum being present,
would be required for reversal.
4.The Senior Pastor’s services may be terminated immediately
for “just cause,” in which case all contractual provisions and compensation
will be extended for sixty (60) days from the date of dismissal.
E. Other Ministers
1.Selection - Other ministerial staff shall be selected by a
majority vote of the Official Board upon recommendation of the search
committee, with the call being extended to the prospective minister(s) by the
Official Board on behalf of the congregation.
2.Terms of Employment - Provisions shall be the same as in
Section VIII C 2.
3.Resignation - Provision shall be the same as in Section VIII
C 3.
4. Dismissal - Provision shall be the same as in Section VIII D
1-4 except that there shall be no provision for appeal to the congregation.
F. Other Employees - The Official Board shall hire all other employees upon recommendation by the appropriate ministry or Church leader. Dismissal shall be by action of the Official Board upon recommendation by the appropriate ministry or Church leader.
IX. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members of the Official Board present and voting in a regular or called meeting, providing that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership of the Official Board at least five (5) days before the vote. Such action must be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of a duly constituted congregational meeting.
David Livingstone Simon May Zo EC
