Church Constitution

I. NAME

The name of this organization, a not-for-profit Corporation, shall be the Second Reformed Church of Marion. The principal office shall be located at 3757 Mill Street, Marion, New York 14505, with a mailing address of PO Box 32, Marion NY 14505.

II. STATEMENT OF FAITH

This congregation’s statement of faith shall be the same as that of The Evangelical Free Church of America and its Allegheny District, as adopted by EFCA on September 21, 2021, and also as stated in the By-laws of the Second Reformed Church of Marion.

III. STANDING

This church shall maintain membership with The Evangelical Free Church of America and its branches and with the Allegheny District of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

IV. PURPOSE

Within the greater context of the Church Universal,

Our purpose is to Reflect the Light of Christ to our Community by:
• Loving – God and one another
• Inviting – others to experience Christ
• Gathering – together to worship God and learn His Word
• Honoring – God in all we do
• Training – disciples for ministry

V. MEMBERSHIP

The church shall welcome as members those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior, having been born again, who manifest the fruits of the Spirit in their lives, and who are in agreement with this church’s doctrine and polity.

VI. PROPERTY RIGHTS

Should the membership vote to dissolve the church or cease to function as a church of like faith and practice; or if the membership should dissolve through some disaster, within five (5) years from the time of transfer out of the Reformed Church in America, the property rights shall be assigned to the Rochester Classis of the Reformed Church in America; thereafter, the property shall belong to the congregation and real property may only be purchased or sold by vote of the congregation. If the congregation should dissolve or cease to function as a church, the property rights shall be assigned to the Allegheny District of The Evangelical Free Church of America, as per New York State statute, to renew the work or use the values thereof for further Gospel enterprises.

VII. GOVERNMENT

Ultimate authority rests in Christ, the Head of the Church; and in Scripture, His infallible, inerrant rule of faith and practice. This congregation shall remain free and self-governing, government being vested in its membership. The membership vote to call pastor(s), elect officers to govern according to Scripture as applied in our Statement of Faith, Constitution, Bylaws and Policies of this congregation. While governmental authority resides in the membership, it is expressed primarily through a plurality of installed elders, deacons, and the pastor(s). Together these form the Consistory, which reviews, approves/affirms Biblically qualified leadership to carry out our Lord’s purposes.

VIII. OFFICERS

The officers of this church shall be the Pastor(s), Elders, and Deacons, which comprises the Consistory; and other officers as deemed necessary by the local church.

IX. PROVISION FOR BY-LAWS AND POLICY MANUAL

A supplement to this Constitution known as the By-laws shall embody the stated qualifications for church leaders and officers. The By-laws shall also include officers’ duties, provisions for appointment of additional leaders and teachers, conditions for membership, method by which members are received, along with such other rules and regulations for church activities as needed. A Policy Manual shall be made to cover such items as operational job descriptions for all positions in the church, etc.

X. MEETINGS

The annual congregational meeting is to be held mid-November. Special congregational meetings shall be held as the Consistory deems necessary. Two Sundays’ notice shall be given the congregation before the meeting. No less than 32 members shall be required for a quorum.

XI. AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments must be presented to the membership in writing and posted for at least one month prior to a Congregational meeting. At least a two-thirds majority of the membership is required for passage of the amendment.

Reviewed and amended on October 4.2021