I. NAME
This
Church shall be named Irvine Community Church (ICC).
ICC shall be an independent nondenominational church.
II. STATEMENT
OF FAITH
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.
Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5,6; Colossians 3:16;
1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 22:18,19
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
III. OBJECTIVES
AND MINISTRIES
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:
John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 10:31
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.).
IV. MEMBERSHIP
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.
V.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
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.
VI.
DISCIPLINE
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
VII.
ICC BUDGET
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.
IX.
AMENDMENTS
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.
X.
DISSOLUTION
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.