What We Believe

The Antioch Church Constitution and Bylaws

Preamble

To uphold and promote the principles of our faith, and to ensure that the congregation located at 762 Antioch Road, New Bern, NC 28560, is managed in an organized and consistent manner in line with our mission to make Jesus famous and advance the Kingdom of God, we hereby establish these bylaws. Upon ratification by the church, these bylaws shall supersede all previous governing documents and regulations.

Article I - Name

Section A

The official name of this organization is The Antioch Church, hereinafter referred to as "the church."

Section B

When abbreviated, the terms "The Antioch Church" or "Antioch Church" shall be considered the official and legal name of the organization in all contexts.

Section C

Whenever the term "church" is used within these Bylaws, amendments, or official documents, it shall refer to the legal designation of this organization as defined herein.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of The Antioch Church is to provide regular opportunities for public worship, uphold the ordinances, doctrines, and ethical principles established in the New Testament, and to actively promote the dissemination of the gospel of Jesus Christ within Craven County and beyond. All groups and activities within the church shall seek to further this mission, foster spiritual growth among believers, and exemplify the teachings and Spirit of Christ so that others may come to know Him. Any actions or activities inconsistent with this mission and purpose should be addressed and aligned accordingly.

Article III - What We Believe

God

There is one and only one living and true God. 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.

References: Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Peter 1:2; II Corinthians 13:14

God the Father

God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of human history according to His gracious purposes. God is truly Father to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

God the Son (Jesus)

Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He honored divine law through His personal obedience and, through His sacrificial death on the cross, made provision for human redemption from sin.

References: Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; I Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He exalts Christ and convict’s individuals of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He enlightens and empowers believers and the church for worship, evangelism, and service.

References: John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; II Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25

The Bible

The Bible is God's Word to humanity, written by approximately 40 human authors over a period of 1,400 to 1,600 years under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. The Bible also reveals God's self-disclosure and His plan of redemption. Because its ultimate author is God, it is trustworthy and free from contradiction or error. We believe that the Bible clearly defines God's design, including the creation of humanity with distinct genders (male and female) as assigned by God before birth, and the institution of marriage as a covenant exclusively between one man and one woman.

References: II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; II Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24

Humanity

Humankind is created by God in His own image, male and female, as the crowning work of His creation. Through free will, Adam and Eve sinned against God, introducing sin into the human race. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image; in that Christ died for man. Therefore, every person, regardless of race, possesses inherent dignity and deserves respect and Christian love.

References: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

Salvation

Salvation encompasses the redemption of the whole person and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who secured eternal redemption through His sacrifice. Broadly, salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

References: Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 10:29; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5

Eternity

Humankind was created with an immortal soul that will exist beyond this life. Our eternal existence will depend on our relationship with God: either separated from Him due to sin, or in eternal fellowship with Him through forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Eternal separation from God is described as Hell, while eternal union with Him is referred to as Heaven. Both Heaven and Hell are real places of everlasting existence.

References: John 3:16; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8; Matthew 2:44, 46

The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of born-again, baptized believers. Gathered in faith and fellowship according to the gospel, they observe Christ’s two ordinances—baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper—and are governed by His commandments. Empowered by His grace, exercised through spiritual gifts, and committed to evangelism, the church actively seeks to extend the reach of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth. In each congregation, members are responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord.

Baptism signifies outwardly the believer’s inner commitment and is a key expression of evangelism and missions.

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church to endeavor to proclaim to make Jesus famous while making disciples of all nations. This includes sharing the Gospel through words and living examples, with the aim of winning the lost to Christ through a Christ-centered lifestyle and other methods aligned with the Gospel.

References: 1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 5:27-32; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:18

Article IV - The Church Covenant

Section A

Having been guided by the Spirit of God to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, and having made a personal profession of faith through baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we now, in the presence of God and this assembly, joyfully and sincerely enter into a covenant with one another as members of the body of Christ.

Section B

As members of The Antioch Church, we commit to living in accordance with these biblical principles:

  1. Developing and practicing personal and family spiritual disciplines.
  2. Participating regularly in corporate worship.
  3. Maintaining a lifestyle consistent with Scripture.
  4. Establishing accountable relationships with other believers for discipleship and mutual encouragement.
  5. Preserving unity within the church regarding non-essential beliefs and preferences.
  6. Submitting to the biblical leadership of the church and supporting its leaders through prayer.
  7. Seeking opportunities to serve within the church, utilizing our spiritual gifts.
  8. Contributing generously and consistently to support the church’s mission, reflecting the generosity demonstrated in the gospel.

Section C

This covenant represents our commitment to support one another in love, as instructed in Scripture; to pray for each other in all circumstances; to assist one another in times of sin and distress; to rejoice together in our salvation and spiritual gifts; and to love and serve one another. We agree to be slow to take offense, quick to forgive, and committed to reconciliation, following the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Article V - GOVERNMENT

Section A

The government of this church shall be congregational in nature, and the final authority for the operation and management of the affairs both spiritual and temporal, shall be vested in the membership of the Church, which authority shall be exercised in the manner set forth in the Bylaws.

Section B

This church is self-governing with full and final authority to determine solely within itself all matters related to the life of this church including but not limited to its doctrine, financial affairs, affiliations, ownership and uses of real property, and pastoral leadership.

Section C

Covenant Membership

  1. The members of Antioch Church family shall be composed of persons who have given testimony of regeneration, who have been baptized by immersion as believers in Jesus Christ, who agrees with the Bylaws of this church and who have expressed the desire to enter the family of Antioch Church and participate in the mission to make Jesus famous.
  2. Members (baptized by immersion) of other churches of like faith may be received by the church upon a letter of transfer from that church and a vote of the church family.
  3. In considering the rights involved, only active church family members may participate in church family meetings as well as have a valid vote in the transactions of the church family. An active member for voting purposes will be an individual whose name appears on the active membership roll, which entails attendance of 75% of all corporate gatherings in the last year. Those members who are too physically ill to attend or are active-duty military will be the lone exceptions to this provision.

Termination of Church Family Membership

Church family membership may be terminated in any of the following ways:

  1. Personal request of the member.
  2. Transfer of letter to another church.
  3. When it is verified that the person has united with another church.
  4. Members who for three months do not participate in corporate worship, small groups, or other Antioch ministries will be contacted to understand the reasons for their lack of engagement with the church community. Unless valid reasons are provided, these members will be assigned to an inactive membership status. Members standing as inactive will not be eligible to participate in voting on church matters during quarterly business meetings until their status has been updated too active. A 6-month time frame of attending regular church events will allow an inactive member to be placed back on the active roster.
  5. Removal for cause on Biblical grounds because of church discipline.
  6. Death of member.

Section D - Church Governance

  1. Antioch Church is to be recognized as a Jesus ruled, Pastor and elder guided, and congregationally determined church in accordance with the principles given in the New Testament.
  2. The Directional Board, in cooperation with the Lead Pastor, is responsible for guiding the church in all matters of direction, doctrine, and discipline. The Board is responsible for overseeing and evaluating the direction of all ministries and stewardship of the church. The Board along with the Lead Pastor may recommend to the church family body, the hiring or removal of church staff as necessary. The Board may recommend the establishment of teams and other boards to assist them in any of their duties. The Directional Board will operate on a rolling basis, with each term lasting three years and requiring a minimum one-year interval between terms. The only exception to this schedule is if a suitable, biblically qualified candidate is not available. In such cases, at the discretion of the Lead Pastor, an outgoing Directional Elder may be asked to serve for an additional period of up to one year.
  3. The church family is responsible for carrying out the mission of Antioch Church to Make Jesus famous. They are also responsible for ensuring Antioch Church remains faithful to its mission as given to them by Jesus Christ and to be faithful to biblical doctrines as laid out in the Holy Scriptures. A congregational vote will be required for any of the following decisions: (1) selling or buying real estate, (2) obligating the church family to any debt by borrowing money, (3) approving the call of a new Lead Pastor / Associate Pastor, Worship Leader, Secretary, Sexton, Elder/Deacon, or any other Church staff as becomes necessary, (4) approving the annual operating budget, (5) building projects, (6) making changes to Bylaws. The congregation may also bring any decision of the Directional Board under review by following the procedure established in these Bylaws.

Section E - Voting

  1. Congregational votes may be held using any means deemed appropriate by the Directional Board to allow maximum congregation participation while ensuring the integrity of the vote. Voting requires individuals to be at least 18 years old and maintain active membership. Any recommendation requiring a church family vote must be communicated to the congregation no less than seven days prior to the vote, during which time, the Directional Board will ensure that opportunities for congregation to ask questions and become educated on the recommendation will be readily available.
  2. Church family/ business meeting will occur quarterly the Wednesday around the 4th Sunday in August, November, February, and May) but may be called at any time by the Lead Pastor or Chairman of the Elder Board after due notice has been given to the membership no less than seven days before the meeting. In unusual circumstances or matters of great urgency, this notice provision shall be waived by unopposed action by the active church family assembled at any regular worship service/prayer service.
  3. In the case that a church member disagrees with a decision of the Directional Board, they should first address the Board in writing to seek resolution. If an agreement cannot be reached, a church family meeting may be called by members to bring any decision of the Directional Board under review by creating a written petition, specifying the issue to be addressed.

Section F - Church Officers

The officers of this church shall be the Lead Pastor, the Next Generation Pastor, the members of the Directional Board, the Trustees, the Church Clerk, and the Church Finance Committee (including Treasurer).

Lead Pastor

  1. The Lead Pastor shall be recognized as the spiritual leader of the church. The Lead Pastor shall be overseer of all worship and any other corporate worship gatherings. He shall lead and oversee the work of the church staff in cooperation with the Directional Board.
  2. Resignation by the Pastor must be given with at least thirty days’ notification unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by both Lead Pastor and church family- seeking to follow the will of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The church may dissolve the senior pastoral relationship by ballot, with a three-fourths vote of the active church family membership present at a meeting, provided notice of such proposed action shall have been given at least two weeks in advance at all weekend worship services.
  3. In the event a lead pastor vacancy occurs, the Directional Board or a transition committee of their choosing, is responsible for recommending a permanent Lead Pastor for the church family. The church shall have an opportunity to hear the recommended candidate on a specific weekend at all weekend worship services. Election shall require an affirmative vote of three-fourths of all present active church family members to constitute a call. Should the one recommended by the team fail to receive a three-fourths vote, the Directional Board and or transition committee will seek out another candidate for Senior Pastor.

Next Generation Pastor

  1. The Next Generation Pastor will support and align with the vision of Antioch Church and mission to Make Jesus Famous. The Next generation Pastor will develop, coordinate, and oversee of all of Antioch Church’s next-generation ministry programs, which ranges from nursery up to college aged students.
  2. Resignation by the Next Generation Pastor must be given with at least thirty days’ notification unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by both him and the church family- goal is to seek to follow the will of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The church may dissolve the next generation pastoral relationship, by ballot, with a three-fourths vote of the active church family membership present at a meeting, provided notice of such proposed action shall have been given at least two weeks in advance at all weekend worship services.
  3. In the event a Next Generation Pastor vacancy occurs, the Lead Pastor, the Directional Board or a transition committee of their choosing, is responsible for recommending a permanent Next Generation Pastor candidate to the church family. The church shall have an opportunity to hear the recommended candidate on a specific weekend at all weekend worship services. Election shall require an affirmative vote of three-fourths of all present church family members to constitute a call. Should the one recommended by the team fail to receive a three-fourths vote, the Lead Pastor, the Directional Board, or a transition committee will seek out another candidate for the Next Generation Pastor

Directional Board

  1. The Directional Board shall consist of the Lead Pastor, Associate/Next Generation Pastor and no less than three biblically qualified men in total.
  2. New Directional Board members are voted on by the church family because of recommendations from any active church family member and vetting by the Lead Pastor and current Directional Board. The names of new candidates for the Directional Board will be shared with the congregation at least one month prior to a church family vote. If any member of the congregation has cause to believe the candidate is unqualified to serve, they should bring this concern to the attention of the Directional Board during this 30-day period.
  3. The Lead Pastor shall select a chairman of the Board from among the current Directional Board as he sees fit.
  4. In the absence of a Lead Pastor, the Directional Board shall insure that the mission to make Jesus famous continues, by ensuring that the corporate gatherings have sufficient supply. They shall also ensure that the church mission and ministries are kept intact and functioning, and that the attendance and finances are properly promoted while the church is without a Lead Pastor.
  5. The Lead Pastor and the Directional Board shall work with the Chief Financial Officer in managing the financial affairs of the church. They should ensure that an annual budget and an annual ministry report are prepared and made available to the church family.
  6. The Lead Pastor and/or the Directional Board shall make recommendations to the church family as deemed appropriate for the church’s approval that would be voted on by the church congregation of all proposed changes or amendments to these Bylaws.

Trustees

The Trustees shall represent the body of Antioch Church and shall hold in trust all real property, for the benefit and subject to the direction of the church. They shall be the legal representatives of the church as required by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Power is vested in the Trustees to further delegate legal representation of the church regarding execution of contracts in the normal course of business, other than those actions requiring approval by a vote of the congregation. Written consent or signatures by at least two of the Trustees is required to take any action on behalf of the church on all matters requiring a congregational vote. The members of the trustees will be appointed by the church family by a church family vote.

Church Clerk

The Church Clerk shall keep a complete and accurate record of all church business meetings and votes of the church. The Church Clerk is appointed by the church family vote.

Treasurer

The Treasurer or any individual or team that he/she designates to assist him/her, shall receive and deposit in the name of the church in a bank in the State of North Carolina all monies received through all channels, and pay all expenses incurred by the church. The Treasurer shall keep an orderly set of books of all financial transactions, exhibiting with clarity all receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall also be responsible for preparing quarterly, semi-annual or annual Record of Contributions to all contributing members. The Treasurer may designate a team or individuals to assist him/her in any of the above duties as he/she deems necessary. The Treasurer is appointed by the church family vote.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall be established by the church. The primary responsibilities of the finance committee include, but are not limited to: promoting responsible financial stewardship within the congregation; preparing and presenting an annual budget proposal; making the budget accessible to the congregation prior to the business meeting; assisting the treasurer in maintaining accurate financial records; supporting the auditing process as needed; ensuring timely deposits of funds into approved banking institutions; and collaborating with the Pastor and other leaders as necessary to support the effective operation of the church's ministries.

Section G - Rules of Procedure

Moderator

  1. The Lead Pastor or in his absence a member of the Directional Board of his choosing shall preside at all church family/ business meetings.
  2. The Moderator shall preserve order, state and put all questions, take the vote and cast the deciding vote in case of a tie.
  3. In all cases of order, the Moderator shall decide, but an appeal may be made to the church, and a majority of two-thirds may reverse the decision.
  4. All questions/ concerns shall be submitted in writing to the Lead Pastor or any Directional Board member to be decided if it is church family business and should be added to the agenda and brought before the church to be discussed or voted upon.
  5. Any discussion, voting, or any other participation in the church business meeting is reserved for active church members of Antioch Church alone.
  6. Only one church family member shall speak at a time and preference shall be given to the members first on the floor.
  7. Every member wishing to speak shall raise their hand from their seat and respectfully address the Moderator.
  8. No member may speak more than once on the same subject until every member wishing to speak shall have the liberty to do so, nor more than twice without the consent of the church.
  9. All matters of parliamentary procedure not provided for shall be decided in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VI - AMENDMENT

These Bylaws with the exception of Article X may be amended, altered, or repealed by a three-fourths vote of the church members voting, provided that any proposed amendments, alterations or repeals be provided in writing (digital or printed) to the church family at least seven days in advance of the church vote, during which time, the Pastor and the Directional Board will ensure that opportunities for the church family to ask questions and become educated on the recommendation.

Article VII - Church Finances

Section A - Budget

The Finance Committee shall prepare an annual operating budget for approval by the Directional Board and for final approval by the church family by vote in the May Church Family/ Business meeting.

Section B - Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the church shall be July 1st-June 30th.

Section C - Contributions

It shall be the duty of the church family members to contribute regularly for the expenses of the church, and for its ongoing mission to make Jesus famous and promote the Gospel here and throughout the world.

Section D - Solicitation

No person shall solicit or sell to the public in the name of the church or any of its organizations without the express consent of the Antioch Church family.

Article VIII - Discipline of the Church

Method and Spirit- Any member having cause or complaint against another must first seek to remove it as directed in Matthew 18. If this is not sufficient, the complaint shall be brought to the attention and counsel of the Directional Board, which may report its findings and may recommend to the church for appropriate action. All discipline shall be formulated and carried out in the Spirit of Christ with the goal always being reconciliation to the Lord, each other as t the body of Christ.

Article IX - Facility Use Policies

  1. Antioch Church buildings and campus are Smoke, Alcohol, and Drug Free. In NO circumstance are any of the above permitted inside any buildings or on the grounds of the Antioch Church.
  2. Access to Facilities and Equipment- all church facilities must be reserved to be used for any purpose outside of direct church ministry. Facility/equipment usage must be arranged, coordinated and approved accordingly:

Church Facility (Sanctuary and Classrooms), Point of Contact: Church Lead Pastor

Fellowship Hall (Kitchen, Rooms, Hall) Point of Contact: Church Secretary (including Church Lead Pastor, as necessary)

Audio/Visual Equipment (Church and Fellowship Hall)

Point of Contact: Church Lead Pastor

  1. Access to facilities and equipment is limited to church-related activities only. Usage for private (for profit) business related activities is not authorized. Nonprofit and church related activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Receptions, Reunions, Conferences, Showers (wedding/baby) VBS, Ministries, Celebrations, Bible Studies, Church Dinners, Community Outreach, Fund Raisers, Church Family Fellowship.
  2. It is necessary to secure Antioch Church authorized personnel when technical assistance to operate facility equipment.
  3. Approved individuals may be provided keys to gain access as deemed necessary by the Lead Pastor, Head Elder, or Head Trustee. The Church Secretary will maintain a log of authorized “Facility Key Holders”.

Weddings Activities Usage and Fees

  1. Marriage ceremonies at Antioch Church of New Bern are regarded as acts of religious worship based on faith and longstanding tradition. The church prohibits the use of its facilities for same-sex unions or any marriage arrangements that do not involve one man and one woman, along with any related events. Additionally, ordained or licensed ministers of the church are restricted from officiating same-sex unions or any marriage ceremonies outside of the Biblical description and framework given in Genesis 2:24.
  2. The Antioch Church Pastor will approve the usage of the church facilities (church and fellowship hall) for the purposes of wedding ceremonies. Upon confirmation, the Pastor will provide a printed agreement to the wedding party. The agreement will include date, time, fees, as well as points of contact for utilities, sound, and video. Usage of sound and video equipment is confined to Antioch Technicians only (see policy for Multi-Media Equipment). No decorating for such events will take place that will in any way interfere with any regularly scheduled church service.
  3. NO FEE is TO BE assessed for “active attendees” of Antioch Church. ALL OTHERS = $200 non-refundable for church, $100 non-refundable for fellowship hall Total = $300 paid in advance. Fees are paid to the Church Secretary and cover the cost of utilities and miscellaneous cleaning and supplies.