Irvine Community Church

This Church shall be named Irvine Community Church (ICC).   ICC shall be an independent nondenominational church.

 

A.    We believe the Bible is the verbal (in its words, thoughts, and concepts), plenary (in its entirety), inspired (God-breathed, God-delivered), Word of God and that it is infallible (perfect truth) and inerrant (without error) in the original languages of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

 

B.    We believe the Bible is the complete (nothing may be added to or subtracted from it) and final arbiter of all truth.  

 

C.    We believe in the holy triune God and in the unity of the Godhead.   We believe the Godhead consists of three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity—God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.   We believe the Godhead eternally exists in these three Persons and the three Persons are one God having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections and are worthy of all worship, faith, and obedience.  
Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 48:12-16; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; John 10:30; John 15:26; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14

 

D.    We believe in God the Father, the first Person of the Godhead, who is the author and designer of creation, salvation, and every spiritual blessing.  
Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 1:3-6

 

E.    We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second Person of the Godhead, in His virgin birth, and in His incarnation (His coming to earth in human flesh).  
Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-33; John 1:1-5, 14; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 2:8-9

 

F.    We believe in the substitutionary sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ through His death on the cross (His shed blood) which is the only foundation and means of eternal salvation.   This death is meaningless without the bodily resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (see section II.G).
Isaiah 53; Romans 5:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:12-17; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22; Revelation 1:5

 

G.    We believe in the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His ascension in that body to the right hand of God the Father.  
Acts 1:9-11; Acts 7:56; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 1:3

 

H.    We believe all people are sinners and are under God's just condemnation.   The only way for sinners to receive the benefits purchased by the death of Christ (see section II.F) is to repent and come by God's grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, trusting Jesus as their only means of salvation.  
John 3:16; Acts 3:19; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23

 

I.     We believe the Lord Jesus Christ will come again for His Church, at which time those who are believers shall be transformed into bodies like unto the Lord's glorious body.  
Luke 12:40; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:1-3

 

J.     We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, and in His work of conviction of sin, His work of salvation, and His indwelling in the believer to teach the believer God's truth, to give the believer victory over sin, and to empower the believer for service.  
John 14:16-17; John 16:7-11; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9-13; Ephesians 1:13

 

K.    We believe in the eternal bodily and spiritual salvation of all believers and the eternal bodily and spiritual condemnation of all non-believers.  
Matthew 25:46; John 3:18; John 10:27-29; Romans 8:37-39; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 9:27

 

L.    We believe our chief ministry is to glorify God (see section III.B.1).   We are to proclaim the Gospel of saving grace and to disciple Christians in the faith.   We believe God's people should live holy lives that are pleasing to God and should abstain from every form of evil.  
Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:32; Acts 1:8; Romans 14:7-19; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Peter 2:11.

 

M.   We believe all believers and only believers should be baptized to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and in obedience to Christ’s command.   We believe however, that baptism is neither a condition of salvation, nor a requirement for fellowship with other believers, and does not confer special grace.  
Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12

 

N.    We believe all Christians are to observe the Lord's Supper as a remembrance of Christ's sacrificial death, until Christ returns.   Furthermore, we believe participation in the Lord's Supper does not bring special grace from God.  
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

 

A.    The objectives of ICC are:

1.     To glorify God;

2.     To promote spiritual growth;

3.     To be faithful stewards of all that God entrusts to us; and

4.     To proclaim the faith locally and throughout the world.

B.    The objectives of ICC shall be fulfilled through the following Ministries:

1.     Glorify God through worshipping Him in Spirit and truth—as in the following ways:  

a.   Praise;   Psalm 50:23; Philippians 4:8; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 19:5

b.   Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs;   Ephesians 5:19

c.   Prayer (individual and corporate);   John 14:13; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

d.   Public reading and study of the Word of God (individually and corporately);
1 Timothy 4:6, 13; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:15, 16

e.   Participation in the ordinances of communion and baptism.
Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

2.     Discipleship, facilitating spiritual growth consistent with the Great Commission, through the following methods:   Matthew 28:18-20

a.   Encouraging Christ-like growth;   Ephesians 4:13,15; Hebrews 5:13-6:1; 2 Peter 3:11, 14, 18

b.   Equipping members for ministry;   Ephesians 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

c.   Ensuring Scriptural accuracy of all ICC programs.   Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 1:20, 21

3.     Stewardship, managing the assets and meeting the needs, both spiritual and temporal, of ICC, by the following means:   Luke 12:42

a.   Ensuring appropriate stewardship of ICC assets;   1 Corinthians 4:2

b.   Encouraging members to appropriately utilize their spiritual gifts, talents, time and treasure;   Matthew 25:23; 1 Peter 4:10

c.   Enabling members to meet necessary temporal needs.   James 2:15, 16

4.     Evangelism, sharing the gospel, both individually and by supporting others, in the following ways:   Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

a.   Training and equipping each member to be prepared to share the gospel;
Colossians 4:5-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15

b.   Through prayer and finances, supporting and sponsoring members of ICC, other Christian organizations, and missionaries who are in agreement with the ICC Statement of Faith (see section II.).

 

A.     Any person seeking membership shall be accepted into active membership after he or she has:

1.     Testified before the Board of Elders of faith in Jesus Christ as his or her own personal Savior and Lord; and

2.     Obeyed the Lord in undergoing believer’s baptism; and

3.     Agreed with the ICC Statement of Faith; and

4.     Agreed to submit to the church discipline and restoration process (see Article VI); and

5.     Been unanimously approved by the Board of Elders; and

6.     Publicly affirm their commitment of membership in an ICC worship service.

B.    Only active members, who are 18 years of age or older, may vote and hold office.  

C.    An active member who has opportunity but who fails to attend any scheduled church service or Bible study of ICC for a period of six months shall be considered an "inactive member", until reinstated by unanimous vote of the Board of Elders.

D.    An active member can resign or transfer their membership through written notice to the elders of their desire to resign or transfer their membership.

 

ICC shall be under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ through Pastor-Elder(s), Elders, and Deacons who function according to Scripture.

A.    Pastor-Elder(s) and Elders:

        The Pastor-Elder(s) and Elders, collectively, shall constitute the Board of Elders.

1.     Qualifications

a.   Pastor-Elder(s) and Elders must meet all the Scriptural requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

b.   Pastor-Elder(s) and Elders must be active members of ICC.

2. Types:

a.   Pastor-Elder(s):   Pastor-Elder(s) shall fulfill the responsibilities, stated in section V.A.3, and have specific responsibility for preaching, baptism, communion, weddings, funerals, and all church services.  

b.   Elders:  Elders shall fulfill the responsibilities stated in section V.A.3.

3. Responsibilities:

a.   Be devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word (preaching, teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness).  
Acts 6:4; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4

b.   Provide biblical counsel and promote the spiritual welfare of ICC.

c.   Oversee all church activities and ministries and ensure they are in accord with the Statement of Faith.   (See section II)

d.   Hear the testimonies of, and approve prospective members, and present them to the church.

e.   Examine men who have been nominated for the office of Elder or Deacon, to verify their qualifications.

f.    The Pastor-Elder(s), Elder(s), and Board of Deacons will jointly prepare the proposed annual budget, for presentation and approval at the Annual Business meeting.   The Pastor-Elder(s) shall delegate to the Board of Deacons the responsibility of preparing those budgetary items concerning staff salaries, staff expenses, and compensation.   The Pastor-Elder(s) may provide the Board of Deacons with pertinent information that would be helpful in preparing budgetary items concerning staff salaries, staff expenses, and compensation.

g.   Have final authority in matters not defined by the ICC Constitution.

4. Election:

a.   Pastor-Elder(s):

 i.   When a vacancy arises in the office of Pastor-Elder, an ad hoc committee of the remaining Elders and Deacons shall examine potential candidates.   The committee shall make a recommendation to ICC.   The candidate may be hired, if approved, by a three-fourths vote of a quorum (see section VIII.D.).

ii.   If the candidate is not approved, the ad hoc committee shall make another recommendation.

b.   Elders:

 i. When the need for the election of an Elder arises, any active, voting member of ICC may recommend to the Board of Elders a prospective candidate(s), after having obtained the candidate's permission.  

 ii. The Board of Elders shall examine men who have been nominated for the office of Elder.   If found qualified, the nominee shall be a candidate.

iii. An Elder-approved biography of the candidate(s) will be provided to the active, voting members of ICC a reasonable time before the election.

iv. An Elder shall be elected by a three-fourths vote of a quorum (see section VIII.D.),and shall serve for a term of three years.

 v. There shall be no limits on consecutive terms.

5.     Assumption of Office:   Elders shall assume office as soon as elected.   If the need arises, and all other Elders approve, an Elder may assume office before election, subject to removal if not elected at the next Congregational Business meeting.   (See section VIII.B.1 & VIII.B.2)

6. Resignation/Removal:

a.   An Elder may resign by submitting his resignation to the remaining Elders.

b.   Elders may be removed from office by the unanimous vote of two or more remaining Elders. If there are fewer than two remaining elders, the deacons must unanimously support this decision.

7.    Ordination and Licensing

Irvine Community Church reserves the right to ordain and license men to the gospel ministry.

a.  Definitions:

 i. Ordination is a recognition of an individual’s call to the gospel ministry. It is a permanent recognition and can only be revoked in the case of an unresolved church discipline issue or failure to maintain the Scriptural requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

ii.   Licensing is a recognition of an individual who is not ordained but has been called to serve in a pastoral capacity. It is only valid for the licensee’s time of membership at ICC or until withdrawn by the Elders.

 b.    Qualifications:

i.   Meet all the Scriptural requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

        ii. Be an active and ministering member of ICC.

c.      Procedure:

i.   Ordination

    a)    The Elders unanimously recommend a candidate for ordination. If a serving elder is recommended for ordination he will abstain from voting.

    b)    The Elders will confer with American Missionary Fellowship or the Independent Fundamental Churches of America to convene an ordination council.

    c)    The Elders must unanimously approve or reject the results of the ordination council.

    d)    The individual being ordained will be presented to the church and commissioned to the gospel ministry through prayer and the laying on of hands.

ii.    Licensing

Licensing will be accomplished by a unanimous vote of the Elders, recorded in the church minutes, that the individual be “Licensed to the gospel ministry.”

B.    Deacons:

The Deacons, collectively, shall constitute the Board of Deacons.

1. Qualifications:

a.   Deacons must meet all the Scriptural requirements of Acts 6:1-3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

b.   Deacons must be active members of ICC.

2. Responsibilities:

a.   Act as authorized agents of ICC to buy, sell, manage, and maintain all ICC property, and enter into or dissolve legal contracts.

b.   The Pastor-Elder(s), Elder(s), & Board of Deacons will jointly prepare the proposed annual budget, for presentation and approval at the Annual Business meeting.   The Board of Deacons is delegated the responsibility of preparing those budgetary items concerning staff salaries, staff expenses, and compensation.   The Board of Deacons shall solicit pertinent information, from the Pastor-Elder(s) and staff, for use in preparing budgetary items concerning staff salaries, staff expenses, and compensation.

c.   Administer the annual budget, manage and maintain ICC finances, and provide monthly and annual financial reports.

d.   Serve the physical needs of ICC and perform other services, which relieve the Elders of work that would keep the Elders from accomplishing their responsibilities.   Acts 6:2-4

e.   Select a Treasurer who will serve for a term of one year.   He shall be supervised by the Board of Deacons and is responsible for accounting for all ICC funds and expending them consistent with the annual budget.   There shall be no limits on consecutive terms for the Treasurer.

f.    Count all contributions received by ICC and turn them over to the Treasurer.

3. Election:

a.   When the need for the election of a Deacon arises, any active, voting member of ICC may recommend to the Board of Elders a prospective candidate.

b.   The Board of Elders shall examine men who have been nominated for the office of Deacon.   If found qualified the nominee shall be a candidate.

c.   An Elder-approved biography of the candidate(s) will be provided to the active, voting members of ICC a reasonable time before the election.           

d.   A Deacon shall be elected by a three-fourths vote of a quorum (see section VIII.D.),and shall serve for a term of three years.

e.   There shall be no limits on consecutive terms.

4.     Assumption of Office:   Deacons shall assume office as soon as elected.   If the need arises, and all other Elders approve, a Deacon may assume office before election, subject to removal if not elected at the next Congregational Business meeting.   (See section VIII.B.1 & VIII.B.2)

5.     Resignation/Removal:

a.   A Deacon may resign by submitting his resignation to the Elders.  

b.   Deacons may be removed from office by the unanimous vote of two or more Elders. If there are fewer than two elders, a unanimous vote of the remaining deacons must confirm this decision.

A.    Goal:   The goal of discipline is the development of Christ-like character and/or the correction of errant doctrine through loving instruction.  
Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11; Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 7, 11-15; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 28:13

B.    Procedure:   In the event the need for discipline arises for an action or a doctrine which does not follow the Word of God, ICC members shall adhere to the following procedure:

1.     Pray for the offender.   1 John 5:16

2.     Individually reprove the offender.   Matthew 18:15; Matthew 5:23, 24

3.     If the offender refuses to accept private reproof, then counsel with the offender with one or two others present.   Matthew 18:16

4.     If the offender fails to heed individual reproof or collective counseling, bring the matter before the Elders of the church.   Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 6:1

5.     If the offender refuses to listen to the Elders then:

a.   The offender shall be removed from church fellowship.   1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 12, and 13

b.   The Elders shall take the matter to the church and those within the church shall no longer associate with the offender.   2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14

6.    The church reserves the right to completely carry out all five steps of the discipline procedure as outlined above not withstanding the resignation or transfer of membership.

C.    Restoration:

1.     Throughout the procedure the offender is not to be treated as an enemy.   2 Thessalonians 3:15

2.     If the offender repents, forgive and restore the person to church fellowship.   2 Corinthians 2:6-11

 

A.    The membership of ICC has the responsibility to adopt, at an annual business meeting, an annual budget, by a three-fourths vote of a quorum (see section VIII.D.).

B.    If the proposed budget is not adopted, the prior budget shall remain in effect until a new one is adopted.

 

VIII.    CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETINGS

A.    Officiating:

        An Elder or an active, voting member of ICC appointed by the Board of Elders shall officiate at congregational business meetings.

B.    Types:

1.     Annual meeting:   The annual business meeting shall be held in February of each year.

a.   The following business shall be conducted at the annual meeting:

 i. The Board of Elders shall report on the ministries of ICC;

 ii. The Board of Deacons shall report on the completed projects of the previous year and the proposed projects for the coming year.

iii. The Treasurer shall report on the previous year’s budget and then present the proposed budget for the next year.

iv. The active, voting members shall vote on the proposed budget.   (See section VII)

 v. The active, voting members shall vote on any candidates for ICC leadership offices.   (See section V.A. and V.B.)

b.     Any active, voting member may request the Board of Elders to add an item to the agenda a reasonable time prior to the annual meeting.

c.   The Board of Elders may table any agenda item for discussion and/or vote to a future meeting.

2.     Special meetings:

a.   The Board of Elders either recognizing a need, or responding to the request of an active, voting member, may call a special meeting.

b.   Any active, voting member may request the Board of Elders to call a special meeting or to add an item to the agenda a reasonable time prior to any special meeting.

c.   The Board of Elders may table any agenda item for discussion and/or vote to a future meeting.

C.    Notice:

        Any business or special meeting shall be announced during the Sunday services and in the ICC bulletin for at least two weeks prior to the meeting.   The nature of the business to be discussed in the meeting shall be stated in the announcements.

D.    Quorum:

        A quorum shall be defined as fifty per cent, plus one (50% +1) of the active, voting members of ICC.

 

A.    The Board of Elders shall review and approve any proposed amendment to this Constitution.

B.    Following approval, proposed amendment(s) shall be voted on by ICC members and adoption of the amendment shall require a three-fourths vote of a quorum at either the annual or a special meeting.

 

A.    ICC shall be considered to be in a state of dissolution should a three-fourths majority vote of the total active, voting membership pass a resolution to that effect.

B.    If at any time ICC should enter into a state of dissolution, the physical assets of ICC shall become the property of the American Missionary Fellowship of Villanova, Pennsylvania (formerly the American Sunday School Union, the founding body of the church).   If, at that time the American Missionary Fellowship does not exist as a non-denominational religious organization; does not choose to accept the physical assets of ICC; does not choose to establish and/or maintain a non-denominational Christian church utilizing said physical assets; and/or does not adhere to the ICC Statement of Faith, the physical assets of ICC shall be deeded to the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, for the express purpose of establishing and/or maintaining a non-denominational Christian church (as required by the deed of conveyance dated December 21, 1960) that adheres to the ICC Statement of Faith.

C.    If at the time of dissolution, the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, does not exist; does not choose to accept the physical assets of ICC; and/or does not fulfill within two years after dissolution the requirements specified above, the physical assets of ICC shall revert to and become the property of The Irvine Company of Newport Beach, California, according to the deed of conveyance.