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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE PLAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE PLAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH
1980
1984


ARTICLE I: NAME
ARTICLE I: NAME


The corporate name of this church shall be the Plain Community church, Star Route, Leavenworth. Washington, set in order under the authority of Jesus Christ as stated in the New Testament. In conduct and practice it is to be scripturally independent as to its faith and government and in cooperative fellowship with bodies of believers who are earnestly contending for the faith.
The corporate name of this church shall be the Plain Community Church, Star Route, Leavenworth, Washington, set in order under the authority of Jesus Christ as stated in the New Testament. This church is to be scripturally independent as to its faith and practice and to be in cooperative fellowship with bodies of believers who are earnestly contending for the faith.




ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE


The purposes of this Church are: to establish and maintain a church for Divine worship in Plain and surrounding communities; to preach, teach, and promulgate the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Bible; to bind together followers of Jesus Christ for the purpose of sharing in the worship of God and making His will dominant in the lives of men. It shall be the purpose of this organization to sponsor only that which is in accordance with the will of God as found in His Word, the Bible, and as set forth in the following "STATEMENT OF FAITH."
By the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we purpose:

1. To glorify God, honoring Him as our sovereign Lord and Savior.

2. To live together in Christian love and unity sharing each other's burdens and joys and submitting to each other out of reverence for Christ.

3. To meditate, pray, study and fast regularly, developing our personal relationships with God and learning to live life from God's perspective in our relationships with others.

4. To bear witness to God's reconciling grace in our lives practically, being slow to take offense and quick to forgive and seek forgiveness.

5. To worship, fellowship, teach, preach, serve and evangelize as the body of Christ, becoming His mature disciples and discipling others to maturity in Him.

6. To assume our responsibilities willingly as servants of God, developing an awareness of ourselves as ministers in the church, in our homes, in our vocations, in our community, in our nation and in our world.

7. To give cheerfully, lovingly, and lavishly of what we are and what we have, recognizing God to be the true owner of our lives and resources and accepting God's commands to love our neighbors and to disciple the nations.

8. To guard the spiritual and scriptural purity and peace of the church, realizing continually our accountability to God and His revealed word, the Bible.

9. To walk wisely in the world, being faithful in our involvements, honest about our performance, and respectful towards our fellowmen.

10. To endeavor always to bring to others an understanding of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, seeking to win them to faith in Him that they might be joined to God and to others as the body of Christ.




ARTICLE III: FAITH
ARTICLE III: FAITH


As a Church we believe:
As a church, we believe:


1. That the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative word of God. II Peter 1:21.
1. God has revealed himself to be the living and true God, perfect in love and righteous in all his ways; one in essence, existing eternally in the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.


2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. I1 Corinthians 13:14.
2. God, who discloses himself to humankind through his creation, has savingly spoken in the words and events of redemptive history. This history is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who is made known to us by the Holy Spirit in sacred Scripture.


3. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to rule over the nations. John 10:30; Matt. 1:18-25; II Cor. 5.21; Acts 4:30; I Peter 1:19; II Cor. 4:14; Acts 1:9; I These. 4:16.
3. Scripture is an essential part and trustworthy record of this divine self-disclosure. All the books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, are the written word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. They are to be interpreted according to their context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the Lord who speaks through them in living power.


4. That man fell through voluntary transgression from a holy and happy state, and is therefore under condemnation of sin; that the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ. Titus 3:5.


5. That in order to be saved, sinners must be born again or regenerated by the Holy Spirit, an absolute essential for personal salvation. John 3:7.
4. God, by his word and for his glory, freely created the world from nothing. He made man and woman in his own image, as the crown of creation, that they might have fellowship with him. Tempted by Satan, they rebelled against God. Being estranged from their Maker, yet responsible to him, they became subject to divine wrath, inwardly depraved, and, apart from grace, incapable of returning to God.

5. The only Mediator between God and humankind is Christ Jesus our Lord. God's eternal Son, who, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born Of the Virgin Mary. fully shared and fulfilled our humanity in a life of perfect obedience. By his death in our stead, he revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having redeemed us from sin, the third day he rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death and the powers of darkness. He ascended into heaven Where. at God's right hand, he intercedes for his people and rules as Lord
over all.


6. That the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer. James 5:14, 15.
6. The Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the Gospel, renews our hearts. persuading us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord. By the same Spirit we are led to trust in divine mercy, whereby we are forgiven all our sins, justified by faith alone through the merit of Christ our Savior and granted the free gift of eternal life.


7. That sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Heb. 10:10; Rom. 8:9, 10; Heb. 12:14. That Scripture teaches a life of holiness and separation by coming out from the world. II Cor. 6:17, 18. 1 Cor. 6:11.
7. God graciously adopts us into his family and enables us to call him Father. As we are led by the Spirit, we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, freely keeping his commandments and endeavoring so to live in the world that all may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.


8. That the Scripture commands the believer to be "filled with the Spirit“. This promise is fulfilled by God to the believer upon request through faith. Gal. 3:14; Lu. 11:13; Eph. 5:18.
8. God by his word and Spirit creates the one holy catholic and apostolic church, calling sinners out of the whole human race into the fellowship of Christ's body. By the same word and Spirit, he guides and preserves for eternity that new, redeemed humanity, which, being formed in every culture, is spiritually one with the people of God in all ages.


9. In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation. John 5:29.
9. The church is summoned by Christ to offer acceptable worship to God and to serve him by preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations, by tending the flock through the ministry of the word and ordinances and through daily pastoral care, by striving for social justice and by relieving human distress and need.


10. That the gifts and operations of the Spirit should be manifested in the Church today as in the early Church. I Cor. 12, 13, 14.
10. God's redemptive purpose will be consummated by the return of Christ to raise the dead, to judge all people according to the deeds done in the body and to establish his glorious kingdom. The wicked shall be separated from God's presence, but the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with him forever. Then shall the eager expectation of creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new.




ARTICLE IV: ORDINANCES
ARTICLE IV: ORDINANCES


1. We believe in the ordinance of baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and the dedication of the little children shall be observed whenever requested. Rom. 6:5-5; Matt. 19:15-15.
1. We practice the ordinance of believer's baptism by immersion in which we identify with Christ in death to sin, in resurrection to life and in ministry to the world. (Mt. 28:19; Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:l—l4) An act of dedication is observed with small children (1 Sam. l:24-28; Mt. l9:l3-15; Mk. 10:13-16; Lk. 2:22-23).


2. We believe in the monthly observance of the Lord's Supper in which the believers by sacred use of the bread and wine are to commemorate together the suffering and death of Christ and His second coming. I Cor. 11:26.
2. We practice monthly the ordinance of the Lord's Supper (Communion) in which believers, commemorate by the sacred use of bread and wine the suffering and the death of Christ until he comes again. (Lk. 22:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-26).




ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP


1. This Church shall consist of believers in Christ who manifest a changed life. They shall have voluntarily subscribed to the statement of faith herein set forth, shall attend the services regularly, and contribute according to their ability to the support of the church and its ministries.
1. This church shall consist of those who believe in Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. They shall have voluntarily subscribed to the statements of faith and purpose herein set forth, shall attend the services regularly, and contribute according to their ability to the support of the church and its ministries.

2. The membership of the church shall consist of those persons affiliated with us, whose names are written on the membership roll, who are in good standing,who are at least eighteen years of age and who reside in Plain or surrounding communities.

3. Young people between the ages l2 and l8 may become associate members of this church, but are not entitled to legal privileges.

4. Members of the church who shall willingly absent themselves from the regular services for one year shall not be counted in the membership. The personal circumstances of members shall be evaluated prior to adjusting the membership rolls.

5. The membership roll shall be the charge of the pastor and Board of Elders and should any question arise as to the eligibility of persons as members, it should be referred to the aforementioned for settlement.


ARTICLE VI: OFFICIAL BOARD


2. The legal membership of the Church shall consist of such persons as are affiliated with us, whose names are written on the membership roll, are in good standing, are at least eighteen years of age, and reside in Plain or surrounding communities.
1. The Board of Elders are guardians who care for the congregation, models who lead the congregation and trustees who exercise the corporate business of the congregation. It is their responsibility to find the mind of the Lord as to the direction and functioning of this church.


5. Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 may become associate members of this Church, but are not permitted legal privileges.
2. Potential Elders will be evaluated in accordance with the qualifications listed in I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus l:5-9 and I Peter 5:1—4. God wants individuals committed to His standards, willing to be conformed to His pattern, and desiring to bring others to maturity in Him. Elders must be members of Plain Community Church.


4. Members of the Church who shall willingly absent themselves from the regular services for one year shall not be counted in the legal membership.
3. The corporate powers, business, and property of the corporation shall be exercised, conducted, and controlled by the Elders, except that the Elders shall not have the right to lease, mortgage, or sell property of the corporation without the approval of a majority of the members given in a regular meeting.


5. The membership roll shall be in charge of the Pastor and Board of Trustees and should any question arise as to the eligibility of persons as members, it should be referred to the aforementioned for settlement.
4. The seven (7) Elders of the corporation shall hold office for two years on a staggered basis. Positions 1,2,3 and 4 will be elected in odd numbered years while positions 5,6 and 7 will be elected in even numbered years. These elections will be held at the annual meeting.


ARTICLE VI: GOVERNMENT
5. Should vacancy occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, it shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Elders at their option, and the appointee shall hold office until a successor is elected at the next annual meeting of members or at the specail meeting called for that purpose.


1. There shall be a Board of Deacons (three) appointed for a year by the Pastor. Acts 6:1-7; I Tim. 3:8-13. They shall be appointed from among the male members of the Church. Their duty shall be to assist the Pastor in the spiritual work of the Church.


2. There shall be a Board of Trustees, consisting of 7 members, and they shall be custodians of the Church property. Any person of lawful age, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Chelan County, Washington, and a member of the corporation may be elected a trustee of the corporation. The Trustees and Deacons should regularly attend the services and must be examples of good works in all things and above reproach both in their own lives and in the lives of their immediate families, and must conform to the standards stipulated by the word of God. The corporate powers, business, and property of the corporation shall be exercised, conducted, and controlled by the Trustees, except that Trustees shall not have the right to lease, mortgage, or sell property of the corporation without the approval of a majority of the members given in regular meeting.
ARTICLE VII: NOMINATING COMMITTEE


3. The seven (7) Trustees of the corporation shall hold office for two years on a staggered basis. Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be elected in even numbered years while positions 5, 6, and 7 will be elected in odd numbered years.
1. Members of this committee shall consist of one board member serving in a position not up for election in the current year, appointed by the pastor, and two members who are not board members, nominated and elected by the membership at the annual meeting.


4. Should a vacancy occur by death, resignation, or otherwise, it shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Trustees at their option, and shall hold office until his successor is elected at the next annual meeting of members or at any special meeting called for that purpose.
2. In September the three-member nominating committee shall begin meeting for the purpose of prayerfully considering and presenting to the membership at the annual meeting in November a slate of qualified people (one individual for each vacant position) willing to serve in the following offices:


5. At the regular meeting in December a three-member nominating committee shall be formed for the purpose of presenting to the membership at the annual meeting in January a slate of qualified people willing to serve in the following offices:
1) Board of Elders
2) Program Commission
3) Missions Commission
4) Building & Grounds Commission


1. Board of Trustees
The nominees should be announced to the congregation at least two Sundays prior to the annual meeting. Additional nominations can be made from the floor at the annual meeting; these nominees should be contacted and their consent received prior to the meeting.
2. Sunday School Superintendent
3. Assistant Sunday School Superintendent
4. Organist
5. Greeting Chairman
6. Music Committee


Members of this committee shall consist of one board member serving in a position not up for election in the current year, appointed by the Pastor, and two members who are not board members and elected by the membership.


6. A majority of the whole number of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE VIII: OFFICERS


7. At their regular meeting after election each year the Board of Truatees shall meet for the purpose of organization and shall elect from its own members a chairman, and a board secretary, which said officers shall be officers of the Board. At this time they shall also elect a church secretary-treasurer, such position to be filled by a member of the Board or, at the Board's option, to be elected from the membership at large.
l. At their first regular meeting after election each year, the Board of Elders shall meet for the purpose of organization and shall elect from its own members a chairman and a board secretary, who shall be officers of the Board. At this time they shall also elect a church secretary-treasurer, such position to be filled by a member of the Board or, at the Board's option, to be elected from the membership at large.


8. Each officer shall hold office for one year and until his successor is elected and qualified. The Board of Trustees shall appoint such other officers or employees as is deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation, except that the Pastor of the Church shall be selected by the Board of Trustees on approval by members. No officer except those appointed by the Board to perform work, labor, and services, and the Pastor, as aforesaid, shall be paid any salary or compensation, except actual expenses incurred in carrying out corporate activities, under the direction of the Board.
2. Each officer shall hold office for one year or until his successor is elected. The Board of Elders shall appoint such other officers or employees as is deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation. No officer except those appointed by the Board to perform work, labor, and services shall be paid any salary or compensation, except actual expenses incurred in carrying out corporate activities, under the direction of the Board.


9. In the event of the death or resignation of any officer or vacancy for any reason, a temporary officer to act in his place shall be appointed by the Board Chairman and at the next meeting of the Board after the annual meeting of members his successor shall be elected.
3. In the event of the death or resignation of any officer or vacancy for any reason, a temporary officer shall be appointed by the Board of Elders and at the next meeting of the Board after the annual meeting of members a successor shall be elected.


4. The Board chairman shall preside at all meetings of members and at all meetings of Elders. The chairman shall execute with the church secretary-treasurer in the name of the corporation all deeds, bonds, contracts, and any and all other instruments authorized by the Board of Elders to be executed.


5. The Board secretary shall keep the minutes of all procedings of the membership and of the Board of Elders and this record shall be preserved for future reference as the property of the Church.


10. The Board Chairman shall preside at all meetings of members and at all meetings of members and at all meetings of Trustees. He shall execute with the secretary-treasurer in the name of the corporation all deeds, bonds, contracts, and any and all other instruments authorized by the Board of Trustees to be executed.
6. The church secretary-treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and report the status of such accounts at the monthly Board of Elders meeting and at the annual membership meeting. The secretary-treasurer shall answer to the Board for the disbursal of all funds and the selection of the proper depository for funds on hand.


11. The Board secretary shall keep the minutes of all proceedings of the membership and of the Board of Trustees, and this record shall be preserved for future reference as the property of the Church.
The secretary-treasurer, along with the Board chairman (see Art. VIII, Sec. #) shall execute all deeds, bonds, contracts and any and all other instruments authorized by the Board of Elders. All correspondence required in connection with church business will be handled by the secretary-treasurer.


12. The church secretary-treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements and report the status of such accounts at the monthly Board of Trustees' meeting and at the annual membership meeting. The secretary-treasuser shall answer to the Board for the disbursal of all funds and the selection of the proper depository for funds on hand.


The secretary-treasurer, along with the Board Chairman (see Art. VI, Sec. 10) shall execute all deeds, bonds, contracts and any and all other instruments authorized by the Board of Trustees. All correspondence required in connection with church business will be handled by the secretary-treasurer.
ARTICLE IX: PASTOR


13. There shall be a Pastor who shall have the general oversight and supervision of the work of the Church and all its departments. He shall conduct the services, and shall be member ex-officio of all committees. He shall be in attendance at all business sessions of the Board of Trustees and tender his Pastoral report monthly at these meetings, but shall have no legal authority regarding church properties. He shall preach the gospel regularly, administer the ordinances, supervise the teaching ministry of the church, tenderly watch over its membership and spiritual interests, and organize and develop its strength for the best possible service.
1. There shall be a pastor who shall have the general oversight and supervision of the work of the church and all its departments, and shall be an ex-officio member of all commissions and committees. The pastor shall attend all business sessions of thee board, providing a pastoral report at the monthly meetings. Ihe pastor has no legal authority regarding church properties. The pastor shall conduct services, teach the gospel regularly, administer the ordinances, supervise the teaching ministry of the church. tenderly watch over the congregation and shepherd the people to maturity in ministry as the body of Christ.


2. The pastor shall be elected by the membership for an indefinite term by a two-thirds vote. The candidate for pastor shall be recommended by the Board of Elders to the membership for election.


ARTICLE VII: OFFICIAL MEETINGS
3. The pastor shall be given regular financial support. The amount and manner shall be determined by agreement between the pastor and Board of Elders. The pastor's support shall be reviewed annually by the Board beginning in 0ctober.


1. The annual business meeting of the corporation shall be held the second Tuesday of each January. Notice shall be given two Sundays preceding the time of such meetings.
4. The tenure of office in the pastorate shall perpetuate as the church may choose, or it shall be desquieted by resignation. remesal, death, or disqualification. Power is vested in the Board of Elders to declare the pastorate vacant at any regular meeting, provided the Board shall first have asked for the pastor's resignation and the resignation shall have been refused.


2, Special meetings of the corporation may be called by the Pastor or by the Board of Trustees's chairman.


3. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held the first Monday evening of every month. A majority shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meetings.
ARTICLE X: OFFICIAL MEETINGS


l. The annual business meeting of the corporation shall be held the second Monday of each November. Special meetings of the corporation may be called by the Board of Elders‘ chairman or by the pastor. Notice shall be given at least two consecutive Sundays preceding the time of such meetings.


ARTICLE VIII: VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS
2. Regular meetings of the Board of Elders shall be held the first Monday evening of every month. Special meetings of the Board of Elders may be called by the Board of Elders‘ chairman or by the pastor. A majority shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meetings.


1. The Pastor shall be elected by the membership for an indefinite term by a two-thirds vote. The candidate for Pastor shall be recommended by the Board of Trustees to the membership for election. In case a special meeting shall be called for that purpose, due announcement shall be made at all services on at least two consecutive Sundays prior to the time set for the appointment or special meeting.


2. The tenure of office in the pastorate shall perpetuate as the church may choose, or it shall be disquieted by resignation, removal, death, or disqualification only. Power is vested in the Board of Trustees to declare the pastorate vacant at any regular meeting, provided the Board shall first have asked for the Pastor's resignation and the resignation shall have been refused.
ARTICLE XI: COMMISSIONS


1. The commissions shall serve as channels through which, the organizational efforts of this church are accomplished.


ARTICLE IX: SUNDAY SCHOOL
1) Program Commission shall be responsible for the planning and the supervising of our corporate endeavors which involve this congregation in worship, fellowship, teaching, preaching, service and evangelism. This commission will oversee the work of church agencies such as the Sunday School and Youth groups.


1. There shall be a Sunday School created and conducted as a branch of the Church activities, which shall be under the general oversight of the Pastor.
2) Missions Commission shall be responsible for the planning and the supervising of the missionary program which involves this congregation in fulfillment of our calling in Christ to disciple the nations and to minister to those in distress and need.


2. There shall be a Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent elected at the annual meeting of the Church.
3) Building & Grounds Commission shall be responsible for the development, management and maintenance of the church's facilities and equipment.


2. Commission membership will consist of two Elders appointed by the Board of Elders, two members elected by the membership, those appointed to serve in leadership positions within a commissions area of responsibility and those individuals from the congregation who volunteer to serve on a commission of their choice.


ARTICLE X: YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY
3. Terms of office for those elected by the membership will be two years on a staggered basis. Should a vacancy occur by death, resignation or otherwise, the Board of Elders will appoint a successor to complete that term of office. Two year terms are also encouraged for those who volunteer to serve.


1. There shall be a Young People‘s Society created under the supervision of the Pastor and conducted as a branch of the Church activities.
4. The commissions are responsible to the church membership in general and the Board of Elders in particular. Reports must be presented at the monthly board meetings.


5. A chairman will be chosen by each commission subject to the approval of the Board of Elders. One of the elders on the commission will present the commission report to the Board.


ARTICLE XI: LADIES GROUP
6. Each commission shall have a regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Special meetings may be called by the chairman as necessary. Three commission members shall constitute a quorum at regular or special meetings.


1. There shall be a Ladies Group created and conducted as a branch of the Church activities, which shall be under the general oversight of the Board.
7. Policies regarding the purpose and function of each commission will be developed and maintained by the commissions subject to the approval of the Board of Elders and the church-membership.




ARTICLE XII: COMMITTEES
ARTICLE XII: APPOINTMENTS


1. The Church organist, a music committee of two members, and a greetings chairman shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Church.


2. Two ushers shall be appointed by the Pastor to serve for one year.
l. The leadership of church agencies such as the Sunday School and youth groups shall be appointed by the Program Commission, with the approval of the Board of Elders, to serve for one year.


2. The church organist and a music committee of two members shall be appointed by the Program Commission, with the approval of the Board Of Elders, to serve for one year.


ARTICLE XIII: FINANCING
3. Ushers shall be appointed by the pastor, with the approval of the Board of Elders, to serve for one year.


1. The Church shall be financed by the scriptural system of tithes and offerings of the members.
4. 3 Deacons (I Timothy 3:8—l3 may be appointed by the Pastor with the approval of the Board of Elders, to serve for one year. They shall assist the pastor in the shepherding work of the church.


2. The Pastor shall be given regular financial support, the amount and manner of which shall be determined by agreement between the Pastor and Board of Trustees.
5. A greetings coordinator, responsible for sending greetings from the congregation to the sick and bereaved, shall be appointed by the Board of Elders to serve for one year.




ARTICLE XIV: DEFUNCTION
ARTICLE XIII: FINANCING


In tne event of the dissolution of the above corporation all of the property and funds of the corporation after the payment of all debts thereof shall be distributed one half to the Slavic Gospel Association Inc., Box 1122 Wheaton, Ill., 60187, and the other half to Christa International, Freemont Ave. No. at 193rd, Seattle, WA, 98133, the same being Christian mission boards.
The church shall be financed by the scriptural system of tithes and offerings.




ARTICLE XV: DISCIPLINE
ARTICLE XIV: DEFUNCTION


1. Personal differences between members of che Church shall be dealt with according to Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1
In the event of the dissolution of the above corporation all of the property and funds of the corporation after the payment of all debts thereof shall be distributed one half to the Slavic Gospel Association Inc., Box 1122, Wheaton, Ill., 60187, and the other half to World Gospel Mission, Box WGM, Marion, Indiana 46952, the same being Christian mission boards.


2. In preferring charges against any member, these charges shall first be presented to the Board of Trustees. They then shall notify the accused of the nature of these charges, and then set a time when these charges shall be heard by the Board of Trustees. The accusers shall be present and face the defendant. If the matter cannot be settled by the Board, they shall be empowered to call a special meeting of the church.


ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS


ARTICLE XVI: AMENDMENTS
The constitution may be changed or amended by ratification of the membership present at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made at least two Sundays preceding the time of such meetings, or all members of the corporation shall have been notified in writing by the secretary of the Board of Elders at least ten days prior thereto.


The constitution may be changed or amended by ratification of the membership present at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made at least two Sundays preceding the time of such meetings, or all members of the corporation shall have been notified in writing by the secretary of the Board of Trustees at least ten days prior thereto.