"Prunedale Grace Community Church"

750 Paradise Road

Church Bulletin Prunedale Grace Community

"What we Believe"

Article IV--Statement of Faith

The Bible

1. The entire Bible in its original writings is in errant, verbally inspired of God and of plenary authority. 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:21.

The Godhead

2. There is ONE GOD eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4; John 4:24;10:30; Ephesians 4:6.

The Person of Christ.

3. Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. Luke 1:35; Philippians 2:6-9; Romans 1:13,17,18.

The Holy Spirit

4. The Holy Spirit is a Person who convicts the world of sin and who regenerates, baptizes, seals, and indwells upon believing. He enlightens and empowers the saved. John 16:8; Titus 3:5;1Corinthains 12:13; Ephesians 1:13,17,18.

The Nature of Man.

5. All men by nature are dead in trespasses and sins and, therefore, do nothing pleasing to God. (Ephesians 2:2-3; Romans 8:7,8).

Redemption.

6. Man is justified by grace through faith in Christ's blood. Complete salvation is bestowed by God as a free gift apart from man's works. Romans 3:24-28;5:1-9; Ephesians 2:8,9.

Eternal Security.

7. All the saved are eternally secure in Christ. Colossians 2:9; 3:1-4; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:38-39.

The Church

8. In the present dispensation there is only one Bible Church which is called the Body of Christ,having a membership composed of all the saved. 1Corinthains 12:13; Ephesians 1:22,23; 3:6. The historical manifestation of the Body of Christ began with the Apostle Paul before he wrote his first epistle. Thessalonians 2:14-16;cf. Acts 13:45,46; Philippians 1:5,6; 1 Corinthians 12:13,27 cf. Acts 18.

Spiritual Gifts

9. The ministry gifts for the Body of Christ are enumerated in; Ephesians 4:7-11; Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Some of these gifts were permanent in nature and some were to pass away. Some were of the nature of ministers given to the Church and some were individual enablements for spiritual services. Since the New Testament canon was completed through the ministries of Apostles and Prophets, we believe these two offices have been fulfilled and no longer exist. Likewise the sign gifts, such as tongues, miracles and healing which were addressed primarily to the nation Israel 1 Corinthians 14:22 have fulfilled their purpose and have passed away according to; 1Corinthains 13:8-11.

The Believer's Walk

10. By reason of Christ's victory over sin and of His indwelling Spirit, all of the saved may and should experience deliverance from the power of sin by obedience to Romans 6:11 but we deny that man's nature of sin is ever eradicated during this life. Romans 6:6-14; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:37: 2 Corinthians 2:14;10:2-5.

The Lord's Supper

11. The communion of the Lord's Supper as revealed in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 is for members of the Body of Christ to observe as a remembrance "until He comes".

One Baptism

12. All saved persons have been made members of the Body of Christ by one divine baptism. 1 Corinthians 12:13. By that one baptism every member of the Body of Christ is identified with Christ's death, burial and resurrection. In the light of the statement concerning the one baptism in Ephesians 4:5, the statements concerning baptism in Colossians 2:12 and Romans 6:3,4 and Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that "Christ send me not to baptize but to preach the gospel" we conclude that water baptism has no place in God's spiritual program for the Body of Christ in this day of Grace.

Resurrection

13. Jesus Christ was resurrected bodily from the the dead. He showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. He ascended into heaven as the man , Christ Jesus, the one Mediator between God and man, and now exalted at God's right hand He represents the believer in God's presence as Advocate, High Priest and intercessor. Therefore, according to 1 Corinthians 15:21, all men will have a bodily resurrection. Acts 24:15; the saved to everlasting glory and the unsaved to everlasting punishment. Luke 24:39-43; John 5:29; Revelation 20:11-15.  

Rapture and Second Coming

14. The Rapture and Second Coming: He will appear in the air first to receive the Church unto Himself. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20,21- (The rapture) and then come to receive the reign over His Millennial Kingdom. Zechariah 14:4,9; Acts 1:10-11; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:4-6.

Satan

15. Satan is a living, personal, active devil who is the prince of the power of the air. Ephesians 6:12.

Mission

16. The mission and the commission of the Church is to follow the revelation of the Truth given to the apostle Paul by the risen Christ for us. 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1: Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 11:13;15:16; Ephesians 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11; 2:2. That Gospel which Paul calls "my gospel" is God's message for today. Romans 2:16;16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8;Galatians 1:6-9,11;2:2,5-7. We,as Paul, should strive to preach the Gospel in regions beyond where Christ is not yet named. Romans 15 20; 2 Corinthians 10:16. Return

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How we Govern

"Our By-Laws Prunedale Grace Community Church"

Constitution and By laws Preamble:

Grateful to almighty God for the gift of salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and humbly invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit we declare our belief in need of this fellowship of unqualified loyalty to the Gospel of Christ as revealed in the Word of God. Having established a place of worship in this community and showing our desire to foster unity in our fellowship, we do hereby establish the following constitution and by-laws by which we endeavor to function as a church.

Article I-- Name and Location

1. Name: This church shall be known as the Grace community Church of Prunedale, California.

2. Location: This church shall be located at 750 Paradise Road, Salinas (Prunedale) California.

Article II--Purpose

The purpose of this fellowship is to join believers together in the worship of God and the acknowledgement of the unity He places in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6). In our steadfast purpose to make known the riches of God's grace in Christ to the believer for the edification of the Body of Christ. Consistent with our adherence to the Pauline revelation, we realize the responsibility of proclaiming the ministry of reconciliation to the unsaved to the end that they might be saved (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

Article III--Affiliation

This assembly shall remain self governing at all times recognizing no higher authority other than the Lord Jesus Christ. It shall be affiliated with the Grace Gospel Fellowship for purposes of fellowship and the furtherance of shared doctrinal views. It may affiliate with any other organizations which reflect that same harmony and will recognize this innate autonomy.

Article IV-- Statement of Faith
(see separate statement of faith) Click Here.

Article V--Membership Click Here

1. This church shall receive only such persons as give creditable evidence of their salvation through personal testimony and conduct and through a recognition of a willingness to support the Doctrinal Statement given in Article IV.

2. Any member who conducts himself in a manner not in harmony with Scriptural principles and for which he does not show evidence of repentance after having been interviewed and counseled by the Pastor and one or more Board members shall be removed from membership by the Board of Directors. They shall be notified of such action by a personal visit by the Pastor and at least one Board member.

3. Age of membership shall not be specified.

Article VI--Officers

1. A person must be a member of this church to hold office.

2. The officers of this church shall be the Pastor, the Chairman of the Board, Secretary of the Board, the Treasurer of the church and a Board of Directors to consist of at least six members, but not more than twelve (including President, Secretary and Treasurer).

3. Members of the Board (other than the Pastor) shall be elected for a term of three years. No more than one new board position shall be created annually.

4. Vacancies between elections shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the un-expired term.

5. All officers of the Church shall be elected at the annual meeting for a period of one year; with exception of the Directors as stated above.

6. The Board of Directors shall have jurisdiction over all church property, finances and programs. They shall audit the treasurer's record annually, see that the ushers and janitors are provided. One or more members shall supervise the counting of all moneys and make a record of same before turning it over to the Treasurer or his representative for deposit in the bank.

7. Any decision of the Board of Directors or Pastor may be changed by a two-thirds majority of voting members present at a congregational meeting.

Article VII--Meetings

1. The Board of Directors shall hold a meeting each month. Records shall be kept of each meeting and written summary submitted to the church annually.

2. The fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year as of 1987. The terms of all existing officers shall be lengthened until the close of 1987. The annual meeting shall be held thereafter within 45 days of the fiscal year.

3. A quorum shall consist of at least 50% of our voting membership. Voting members shall be at least 18 years of age and have attended church six months or more.

4. Members shall be considered in active and not entitled to vote if they do not attend the church service for a period of six months unless valid reason has been given to the Board for such absence.

5. No person or group of persons excepting those sponsored by the church shall put on a meeting or entertainment of any kind in this church without first consulting with the Pastor and the Board of Directors and obtaining written prior approval.

6. Thirty days prior to the annual meeting a nominating committee composed of the Pastor and two (2) members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Board Chairman to prepare and submit a list of proposed officers to be voted upon at the annual meeting.

Article VIII--Pastor

1. The Board of Directors shall as a Pulpit Supply Committee, present acceptable candidates to the church. The Pastor shall be elected by ballot by a two-thirds majority of votes cast at a special meeting of the church called for this purpose. The candidate shall be announced for one month in advance and at each regular worship service for one week immediately preceding his visit. The vote upon the candidate shall be taken as soon after his appearance as is practically possible for the benefit of all parties, this church, the candidate and the church which the candidate is serving at the time of candidacy.

2. At least 30 days notice shall precede the resignation by Pastor of our church unless wavered by the consent of the congregation.

3. The Pastor may be dismissed under the following conditions: any grievance or accusation against the Pastor shall be considered by the Board of Directors only if the complaint is received in writing and has support of 2 or 3 witness (1 Timothy 5:19). Should said charge be substantiated or should he be found to err in doctrine or conduct, the Board of Directors shall, in all love and humility admonish him. This failing and he be found unworthy as a minister of the Gospel, he shall be discharged immediately by action of the Board of Directors and shall receive severance pay equal to one month of salary.

4. Pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly, administer the Lord's Supper, act in an advisory capacity in the church and watch over its membership and spiritual interests. He shall be a member of all committees.

5. The Pastor's salary and benefit package shall be agreed upon at the extension of a call. It will be subject to an annual review by the Board. Any changes shall be approved by a majority vote at the annual meeting.

Article IX--Amendments

Amendments of this Constitution or the by-laws of the Constitution may be made at the annual meeting of the congregation provided that a thirty day notice of such alteration has been given at a regular worship service. A vote of two-thirds(2/3) majority shall be required for ratification.

Article X Waiver of Responsibility

No member of the governing board of this church shall bear individual liability on his personal property or that of his family for any corporate decision of this church.

Article XI--Dissolution Clause

In the event of the dissolution of this corporation which is a nonprofit entity, the assets and/or proceeds shall be divided between Grace Gospel Fellowship of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Grace Bible College of Grand Rapids, Michigan both of which are nonprofit organizations. No benefit shall be derived by any individual member of this church. (As revised-annual meeting May, 1987) Rerurn

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