City of Zion Beliefs and Bylaws

Article I: Name

The name of this church shall be the City of Zion Church.

Article II: Mission Statement

The Mission of the City of Zion Church is to reach the “unsaved and unchurched” for Jesus Christ. Our goals are to lead them into Christian Discipleship and abundant Christian living, so that they will be equipped to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Article III: Doctrinal Statements

  1. We believe in the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God (II Peter 1:20-21).
  2. We believe in the Triune God, manifested in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Mat 28:19/ Col 2:9).
  3. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the immaculate conception and His virgin birth (Mat 1:18-23/ Col 2:9).
  4. We believe in the substitutionary atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ and justification by faith. We further believe that salvation is a result of the sovereign grace of God, free and apart from any work of man. (Eph 2:8/I Jn 2:1-2).
  5. We believe in the physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, that He ascended bodily into heaven, and that He is now seated at the right hand of the Father. We also believe in His imminent and visible return, along with His Saints (I Cor 15:3-8/I Thes 4:13-18).
  6. We believe in the divine personhood of the Holy Spirit and His present day ministry to Believers, which includes regenerating, indwelling, filling and the sealing of Believers until the day of Christ’s return (Tit 3:4-5/Eph 1:13-14/Eph 5:18).
  7. We believe in the manifestation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We also believe that the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes the Spiritual Gifts to Believers for the purposes of serving others and edifying the Saints (I Cor 12:1-11).
  8. We believe in Holy Communion and Water Baptism by full immersion as the ordinances of the Church. We further believe that these ordinances are to be observed as a public declaration of salvation through Jesus Christ and the commemoration of His death, burial and resurrection (Mat 28:16-20/I Cor 11:23-34).
  9. We believe in the Biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman (Gen 2:22-24/ Mat 19:3-6).

Article IV: Government

  1. In regard to matters of government, polity and discipline, the City of Zion Church is an autonomous, local church.
  2. A Board of Elders shall make all business, fiduciary and ministry decisions affecting the City of Zion Church. All decisions will be decided by unanimous vote when possible. If a unanimous decision can not be reached, the issue will be resolved by majority vote.
  3. An Annual Church Conference shall be held every year to discuss and inform the congregation of all business, fiduciary and ministry decisions made by the Board of Elders.
  4. The Board of Elders shall consist of the Pastor and no fewer than two other Board members. The Senior Pastor shall act as the Chair of the Board of Elders.
  5. Elders may be nominated by the Congregation and/or recommended by existing members of the Board of Elders. Elders must be mature Christians who are currently officers of the church who exhibit leadership qualities as defined in the Scriptures (I Tim 3:1-13/Tit 1:5-9). The existing Board of Elders will vote on the nominee(s). Selection will be determined by majority vote.

Article V: Membership

  1. Members will be received upon a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord and a letter of reference from their previous church if requested.
  2. Membership may be terminated from the City of Zion Church due to excessive absence, transfer to another church, death, or the exercising of church discipline as prescribed by the Scriptures (Mat 18:15-17/I Cor 5:1-5).

Article VI: Officers

  1. The officers of the City of Zion Church shall be as follows:
    • The Senior Pastor
    • Elders (Ordained Clergy)
    • Ministers (Licensed Clergy)
    • Deacons
    • Deaconesses
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
  2. The following procedures apply regarding the licensing and ordination of clergy at the City of Zion Church. Authority to license and ordain clergy at the City of Zion Church rests with the Board of Elders.

A member of City of Zion may be licensed in the Gospel ministry after providing evidence of a Biblical call to the ministry as described in the Scriptures (I Tim 3:1-7/II Tim 4:1-5) and enrolling in a Seminary or Bible College for further training.

A minister may be ordained as an Elder in the Gospel ministry after providing evidence of a Biblical call to ministry as described in the Scriptures (I Tim 3:1-7/II Tim 4:1-5), successfully completing training at a Seminary or Bible College and successfully passing an examination administered by the Senior Pastor.

Deacons and Deaconess will assist the Senior Pastor in serving the needs of the congregation of the City of Zion Church. In order to serve as a Deacon or Deaconess, a member of the church must be approved by the Board of Elders after exhibiting the standard of spiritual maturity and leadership as described in the Scriptures (Acts 6:1-6/I Tim 3:1-13). After receiving training provided by the Senior Pastor and being examined, they may serve as Deacons or Deaconesses.

The Secretary of the City of Zion Church shall serve at the pleasure of the Senior Pastor and Board of Elders. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining all church business records, meeting minutes and legal documents that pertain to the City of Zion Church.

The Treasurer of the City of Zion Church shall serve at the pleasure of the Senior Pastor and Board of Elders. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining all fiduciary records, establishing and implementing the church’s accounting program which includes the collection and deposit of all funds, and provide regular financial reports to the Board of Elders and the congregation.

If it is evident that the relationship between an officer and the church is not beneficial to the church, he or she may be asked to resign or be dismissed by the Board of Elders. Dismissal procedures of a church officer may be initiated by the Board of Elders or by a signed petition by at least 50 percent of the members of the congregation. Dismissal of a church officer requires a majority vote from the Board of Elders.

Article VII: Dissolution

  1. In the event of dissolution, all assets both real and personal shall be distributed to such organizations as are qualified under section 501C (3) of the Internal Revenue code or the corresponding provisions of a future United States Internal revenue Law. Such distribution shall be administered by a special board elected from the congregation at a duly called business meeting.

Article VIII: Amendment of By-Laws

  1. These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote from the Board of Elders. Recommendations may be received from members of the City of Zion Church for vote by the Board of Elders.
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