Adopted by the elders on March, 2018
"All things should be done decently and in order." - 1 Corinthians 14:40
Since it pleased the Almighty God, by His Holy Spirit, to call certain of His servants to unite here in the winter of 2015-2016 under the name Koinonia 29 Church, for the worship of God and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and He has sustained and prospered this work to the present day;
Whereas we, the elders of Koinonia 29 Reformed Baptist Church, having searched the Scriptures under the guidance of His Spirit, have recognized the need to reconstitute ourselves to more closely conform to His will for the Church in this age and prepare ourselves for greater efforts in His name;
Now therefore we, the members of Koinonia 29 Reformed Baptist Church, do hereby organize ourselves in accord with the Romanian Nonprofit Corporation Act no. 26 and adopt this Constitution as our articles of governance, to be interpreted at all times to reflect the character of and bring glory to Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Holy Bible and articulated in the standards set forth in the Statement of Faith (adopted in March, 2018) and the Church Covenant (adopted in March, 2018) of this church.
The name of this church is Koinonia 29 Reformed Baptist Church
This church exists by the grace of God, for the glory of God, which shall be the ultimate purpose in all its activities.
Ephesians 3:21: „To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”
This church glorifies God by loving Him and obeying His commands through:
Worshipping Him;
Equipping the saints through Bible instruction and study;
Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through preaching and personal evangelism, and any other means consistent with the teachings of Holy Scripture;
Encouraging, supporting, and participating in missions work, local, domestic, and international;
Administering the ordinances of Baptism and Communion;
Encouraging Biblical fellowship among believers;
Serving other individuals, families, and churches by providing for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, in the name of Jesus Christ; and
Calling fellow churches to biblical faithfulness and purity through instruction and encouragement about the nature of the local church.
To qualify for membership in this church, a person must be a believer in Jesus Christ who gives evidence of regeneration, who has been baptized, in obedience to Christ, following his or her regeneration, and who wholeheartedly believes in the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible.
Each member must agree to submit to the teaching of Scripture as expressed in the Statement of Faith, Foundational Doctrines (adopted in March, 2018) and must promise to keep the commitments expressed in the Church Covenant (adopted in March, 2018).
The elders shall be responsible for determining each person’s qualification for membership. In making this determination, they may rely on a person’s profession of faith, or such other evidence, as the elders deem appropriate.
To be admitted into church membership, applicants shall be approved by the elders for admission and accepted by vote of 60% of the members at any regular or special meeting of the members, and shall at that point relinquish their membership in other churches.
In accord with the duties enumerated in the Church Covenant, each member shall be privileged and expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of the church, consistent with God’s leading and with the gifts, time, and material resources each has received from God.
Only those shall be entitled to serve in the ministries of the church who are members of this congregation; non-members may serve on an ad-hoc basis with the approval of the elders. Notwithstanding, non-members may serve the church for purposes of administration and professional consultation.
Under Christ this congregation is governed by its elders and its members, meaning elder led and congregational run. Therefore, it is the privilege and responsibility of members to attend all members’ meetings and vote on the election of officers, on decisions regarding membership status, and on such other matters that may be submitted for a vote.
Specifically, each member has the following responsibilities:
1. Attend Church Fellowship Gatherings Regularly (Heb. 10:24-25)
2. Help Preserve the Gospel (Gal. 1:6)
3. Help Affirm Gospel Citizens (1 Cor. 5:1–13; 2 Cor. 2:6–8, Rom. 12:10-13)
4. Attend Members’ Meetings (Heb. 10:23-25)
5. Contribute financially to the ministry (2 Cor. 8-9)
6. Disciple Other Church Members (Eph. 4:15-16)
7. Share the Gospel with Outsiders (2 Cor. 5:19b-20; Matt. 28:19)
8. Follow Your Leaders (Eph. 4:12; Heb. 13:17)
Students and others temporarily residing in the Oradea area who are members of an Evangelical church may apply for associate membership. Qualifications are identical to those for full membership as set out above, except that home church membership must be retained. A letter of commendation will be sought from the applicant’s home church.
Duties and privileges of associate members are the same as for other members except that:
When absent from the Oradea area for extended periods of time they are released from the responsibility to attend our church services;
While they will be encouraged to participate in members’ meetings they will not be eligible to stand for any office or to vote.
Termination of associate membership as a disciplinary measure will be as it is for other members, except that the elders shall notify the pastor or elders of the home church of that termination. Associate membership will normally terminate immediately upon the ending of the period of temporary residence in the Oradea area.
Any member consistently neglectful of his or her duties or guilty of conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be dishonoured, and so opposing the welfare of the church, shall be subject to the admonition of the elders and the discipline of the church, according to the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18: 15–17 and the example of Scripture (1 Cor. 5). Church discipline, then, should ordinarily be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed.
Church discipline can include admonition by the elders and congregation, suspension from Communion for a definite period, deposition from office and, ultimately, excommunication (see Matthew 18: 15–17; 2 Thessalonians 3: 14–15; 1 Timothy 5: 19–20; 1 Corinthians 5: 4–5).
The purpose of such discipline should be for:
the repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth of the individual disciplined (see Proverbs 15: 5; 29: 15; I Corinthians 4: 14; Ephesians 6: 4; I Timothy 3: 4–5; Hebrews 12: 1–11; Psalm 119: 115; 141: 5; Proverbs 17: 10; 25: 12; 27: 5; Ecclesiastes 7: 5; Matthew 7: 26–27; 18: 15–17; Luke 17: 3; Acts 2: 40; I Corinthians 5: 5; Galatians 6: 1–5; II Thessalonians 3: 6, 14–15; I Timothy 1: 20; Titus 1:13–14; James 1: 22);
For the instruction in righteousness and good of other Christians, as an example to them (see Proverbs 13: 20; Romans 15: 14; I Corinthians 5: 11; 15: 33; Colossians 3: 16; I Thessalonians 5: 14 [note this is written to the whole church, not just to leaders]; I Timothy 5: 20; Titus 1: 11; Hebrews 10: 24–32 25)
For the purity of the church as a whole (see I Corinthians 5: 6–7; II Corinthians 13: 10; Ephesians 5: 27; II John 10; Jude 24; Revelation 21: 2)
For the good of our corporate witness to non–Christians/world (see Proverbs 28: 7; Matthew 5: 13–16; John 13: 35; Acts 5: 1–14; Ephesians 5: 11; I Timothy 3: 7; II Peter 2: 2; I John 3: 10)
Supremely for the glory of God by reflecting His holy character (see Deuteronomy 5: 11; I Kings 11: 2; II Chronicles 19: 2; Ezra 6: 21; Nehemiah 9: 2; Isaiah 52: 11; Ezekiel 36: 20; Matthew 5: 16; John 15: 8; 18: 17, 25; Romans 2: 24; 15: 5–6; II Corinthians 6: 14–7: 1; Ephesians 1:4; 5: 27; I Peter 2: 12).
The elders and the congregation shall recognize the termination of a person’s membership following his or her death, and may do so after he or she has voluntarily resigned or joined with another church.
Membership may also be terminated as an act of church discipline (excomunication), ordinarily at the recommendation of the elders upon the vote of 60% of the members present at any regular or special meeting of the members.
The church shall have authority to refuse a member’s voluntary resignation or transfer of membership to another church, either for the purpose of proceeding with a process of church discipline, or for any other biblical reason.
Worship services shall be held each Lord's Day (Sunday), and throughout the week as the church determines.
In every meeting together, members shall act in that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration which is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There shall be a regular members’ meeting at least every third month, at some time apart from a public worship service agreed upon by the membership.
An elder designated by the elders shall preside as moderator at all members’ meetings of the church. The elders shall see that the stated meetings of the church are regularly held and that required reports are submitted to the church by the responsible members.
Provided all constitutional provisions for notification have been met, a quorum shall be understood to be met by those members present (25% of the total member). All votes shall be tallied based on the number of votes cast by members present.
At any regular or special members’ meeting, officers may be elected and positions filled as needed, so long as all relevant constitutional requirements have been met.
Special members’ meetings may be called as required by the elders, or at the written request, submitted to the elders, of five percent of the voting membership. The date, time, and purpose of any special meeting shall be announced at all public services of the church within two weeks preceding the meeting.
In the event of a written request from the members, the elders shall call a special meeting to be held within one month of their receipt of the request.
The Biblical offices in the church are elders and deacons (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3:1-10). In addition, our church recognizes the administrative positions under this constitution of clerk, treasurer and junior elder. All officers must be members of this church prior to assuming their responsibilities.
The elders shall be comprised of not less than two men (plurality of elders) who satisfy the qualifications for the office of elder set forth in I Timothy 3: 1–7 and Titus 1: 6–9. No elder shall hold the office of deacon during his tenure.
The elders shall oversee the ministry and resources of the church. In keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6: 1–6 and 1 Peter 5: 1–4, the elders shall devote their time to prayer, the ministry of the Word (by teaching and encouraging sound doctrine), and shepherding God’s flock (Acts 20:28).
The church shall recognize men gifted and willing to serve in this calling, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections (see Article 6, section 2-3). These men shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church (Eph. 4.8-11; 1 Cor. 12.28) and set apart as elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1.5).
This recognition shall be reaffirmed by the elders and the congregation every 4 years, with the exception of the main elders.
The tenure of a main elder shall be affirmed only by the group of elders every 5 years.
An elder's term of office may be terminated by resignation or by dismissal. Any two members with reason to believe that an elder should be dismissed should express such concern to the elders and, if need be, to the congregation. Any such action shall be done in accordance with the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15–17 and 1 Timothy 5: 17–21. Any of the elders may be dismissed by the vote of 75% of the members at any members’ meeting of the church.
Credință a bisericii, inclusiv Distinctivele teologice. (Tit 1.5-16)
The elders shall take particular responsibility to:
examine and instruct prospective members
examine and recommend all prospective candidates for offices and positions
oversee the work of the deacons and appointed church agents and committees
conduct worship services, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion
equip the membership for the work of the ministry
encourage sound doctrine and practice, admonish and correct error
oversee the process of church discipline
coordinate and promote the ministries of the church
mobilize the church for world missions. The
ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation, including outside speakers, share our Statement of Faith, including the Theological Distinctives. (Titus 1.5-16)
The elders may establish ministry positions or committees to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities. The elders may also propose funding for new paid staff positions. The membership shall approve all candidates to fill the positions of the main elders and junior elders.
The scope and approval of job descriptions for any staff position shall reside in the hands of those with hiring authority for that position. The elders shall have primary responsibility for the employment, supervision and evaluation of staff members. This responsibility may, on a case-by-case basis, be delegated to another staff member.
Each year the elders, after consultation with the deacons, the deaconesses, and the membership, shall present to the church the financial situation of the past year and semnificant decisions (ex. sallaries, rents, main aquisitions) shall be presented and voted upon at the next members meeting (with the exception of urgent situations). No money shall be solicited by or on behalf of the church or any of its ministries without the approval of the elders.
The elders shall elect one of their number to serve as moderator of members’ meetings.
The main elders shall be from the group of elders. They shall perform the duties of an elder described in Section 2, above, and shall be recognized by the church as particularly gifted and called to the full-time ministry of preaching and teaching.
Their call shall not be subject to the reaffirmation every four years but every five years and only by the elders.
They shall preach on the Lord's Day, administer the ordinances of baptism and communion and perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office, or as set forth in the constitution.
In the absence or incapacity of the main elders, the other elders shall assume responsibility for their duties, any of which can be delegated.
The office of deacon is described in I Timothy 3: 8–13 and Acts 6: 1–7. The church shall recognize, in accordance with the constitutional provisions on elections, men and women who are giving of themselves in service to the church, and who possess particular gifts of service. These members shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as deacons and deaconesses. They shall be elected to one term lasting for a maximum of two years and may be elected or affirmed to another term then.
Deacons and deaconesses shall care for the temporal needs of members, attend to the accommodations for public worship, and encourage and support those able to help others and those with gifts of administration.
The deacons and deaconesses shall receive, hold, and disburse a fund for benevolence, reporting on its use to the elders at their request, and reporting to the church its total receipts and total disbursements only.
The deacons and deaconesses, with the agreement of the elders, may establish unpaid administrative positions or committees of members to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities in the church.
The treasurer, who shall not be an active 1 elder, deacon, or paid church staff member, shall ensure that all funds and securities of the church are properly secured in such banks, financial institutions, or depositories as appropriate. The treasurer shall also be responsible for presenting regular reports of the account balances, revenues and expenses of the church at each members’ meeting. The responsibility may be delegated with the approval of the elders.
The treasurer shall also ensure that full and accurate ccounts of receipts and disbursements are kept in books belonging to the church, and that adequate controls are implemented to guarantee that all funds belonging to the church are appropriately handled by any officer, employee, or agent of the church.
The treasurer shall render to the elders annually, or whenever they may require it, an account of all transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the church.
The treasurer shall be nominated by the elders and elected by the congregation to serve an unlimited term (I propose a term of 2 years).
The junior elder position is a position for someone whom the elders feel has the potential to one day be an elder or lead a church and put the perspective candidate in a position of investment and learning.
The responsibilities given to the junior elder will vary depending on the need of the church and what is best situation and environment for the junior elder to grow and learn in. The elders shall define the responsibilities of the junior elder(s).
A junior elder may have certain levels of authority within the church delegated to him by the elders depending upon the responsibilities and tasks given to him by the elders.
They shall serve at the will of the elders for an initial term up to 2 years. After the 2 year term is up the position may be extended by the elders, and a majority vote by the congregation.
The process for church elections shall be interpreted and carried out to fulfil the following principles:
Substantial prayer, both individually and corporately, should be an integral part of the election process
Nominations should proceed with the support of the elders
All candidates for church office should be treated with the grace, kindness, and honesty appropriate in evaluating fellow members;
The election process shall express that spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration that is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The election of officers shall be held at a members’ meeting of the church. Names of nominees to serve as elders, deacons, clerk, treasurer and junior elder shall be presented by the elders at the previous members’ meeting (providing that previous meeting occurred at least 8 weeks prior), and the election shall proceed as directed by the moderator.
The elders should seek recommendations and involvement from the general membership in the nomination process. Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for an office should express such concern to the elders. Members intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the elders as far in advance as possible before the relevant church members’ meeting.
The moderator shall declare elected all men receiving a 75% majority of all votes cast for the office of elder. For all other offices, the moderator shall declare elected all persons receiving a 65% of all votes cast; abstentions will not be considered as votes cast.
The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated.
In the calling of any man to this position, thesame basic process of calling an elder must be followed.
In addition, however, the church must be given adequate opportunity to assess the preaching gifts of any potential main elder and, before being asked to express its judgment, must receive assurance from the elders that, having interviewed the man concerned, they are in no doubt as to his wholehearted assent to the Statement of Faith, including the Theological Distinctives and the Church Covenant.
Notice of the nomination of a man to be elected to membership and called as main eleder / pastor (which shall include, if necessary, election to membership of his wife if he is married) must be given at two Sunday morning services following the nomination, prior to the vote at a members’ meeting.
In the calling of any man to the position of junior elder, the same basic process of calling an elder must be followed. After being nominated, he will be voted upon by the congregation at the next member’s meeting. He will need the majority vote of 75% of the present members.
Believing that God commands Christians to make every effort to live at peace and to resolve disputes with each other in private or within the Christian Church (Matthew 18: 15–20, 1 Corinthians 6:1–8), the church shall require its members to resolve conflict among themselves according to biblically based principles, without reliance on the secular courts.
Consistent with its call to peacemaking, the church shall encourage the use of biblically based principles to resolve disputes between itself and those outside the church, whether Christian or Unchristian and whether individuals or corporate entities.
The Statement of Faith and the Church Covenant may be amended by 75% of votes of the elders and, following that, by 75% of the votes members present and voting at a members’ meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing at the previous members’ meeting (three months back), and shall have been announced from the pulpit at church services two successive Sundays prior to such vote.
This Constitution may be amended by a 75% of votes of the members present and voting at a members’ meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing at the previous members’ meeting, and shall have been announced from the pulpit at church services two successive Sundays prior to such vote.
The revised version of this Constitution shall be made available to all church members by the church leadership.