In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ to assemble ourselves together in His name as members of His Body, the Church;

And, recognizing our responsibility to preach His Gospel to all men everywhere, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; Teaching them to observe all things He has commanded us,

And, recognizing the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the Holy Bible, as our rule of faith and practice,

We do hereby adopt the following Constitution and Bylaws to guide our worship, work, and order.

1) The name of this organization shall be Parkway House of Prayer, hereinafter called “the church,” or Parkway House of Prayer.

.           2) The principle location of the office is 3230 King Street Roanoke, Virginia 24012.

 

The church history is on file and available upon request.

 We believe in the one living and true God, both holy and loving, eternal, unlimited in power, wisdom, goodness, the Creator and Preserver of all things. Within this unity there are three persons of one essential nature, power and eternity--the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 We believe the Father is the Source of all that exists, whether of matter or spirit. With the Son and the Holy Spirit, He made man in His image. By intention He relates to people as Father, thereby forever declaring His goodwill toward them. In love, He both seeks and receives penitent sinners.

 

 We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, truly God and truly man. He died on the cross and was buried, to be a sacrifice both for original sin and for all human transgressions, and to reconcile us to God. Christ rose bodily from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and there intercedes for us at the Father's right hand until He returns to judge all humanity at the last day.

 We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is of the same essential nature, majesty, and glory, as the Father and the Son, truly and eternally God. He is the Administrator of grace to all mankind, and is particularly the effective Agent in conviction for sin, in regeneration, in sanctification, and in glorification. He is ever present, assuring, preserving, guiding, and enabling the believer.

 We believe that the books of the Old and New Testaments constitute the Holy Scriptures. They are the inspired and infallibly written Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all human authority, and have been transmitted to the present without corruption of any essential doctrine. We believe that they contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man or woman that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. Both in the Old and New Testaments life is offered ultimately through Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and humanity. The New Testament teaches Christians how to fulfill the moral principles of the Old Testament, calling for loving obedience to God made possible by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit.

The canonical books of the Old Testament are:

The canonical books of the New Testament are:

 

 We believe that the two great commandments which require us to love the Lord our God with all the heart, and our neighbors as ourselves, summarize the divine law as it is revealed in the Scriptures. They are the perfect measure and norm of human duty, both for the ordering and directing of families and nations, and all other social bodies, and for individual acts, by which we are required to acknowledge God as our only Supreme Ruler, and all persons as created by Him, equal in all natural rights. Therefore all persons should so order all their individual, social and political acts as to give to God entire and absolute obedience, and to assure to all the enjoyment of every natural right, as well as to promote the fulfillment of each in the possession and exercise of such rights.

 We believe that every person is created in the image of God, that human sexuality reflects that image in terms of intimate love, communication, fellowship, subordination of the self to the larger whole, and fulfillment. God's Word makes use of the marriage relationship as the supreme metaphor for His relationship with His covenant people and for revealing the truth that that relationship is of one God with one people. Therefore God's plan for human sexuality is that it is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the framework of marriage. This is the only relationship which is divinely designed for the birth and rearing of children and is a covenant union made in the sight of God, taking priority over every other human relationship.

 We believe that humanity's creation in the image of God included ability to choose between right and wrong. Thus individuals were made morally responsible for their choices. But since the fall of Adam, people are unable in their own strength to do the right. This is due to original sin, which is not simply the following of Adam's example, but rather the corruption of the nature of each mortal, and is reproduced naturally in Adam's descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from original righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined to evil. They cannot of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God makes possible what humans in self effort cannot do. It is bestowed freely upon all, enabling all who will to turn and be saved.

 We believe that Christ's offering of himself, once and for all, through His sufferings and meritorious death on the cross, provides the perfect redemption and atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. There is no other ground of salvation from sin but that alone. This atonement is sufficient for every individual of Adam's race. It is unconditionally effective in the salvation of those mentally incompetent from birth, of those converted persons who have become mentally incompetent, and of children under the age of accountability. But it is effective for the salvation of those who reach the age of accountability only when they repent and exercise faith in Christ.

 We believe that for men and women to appropriate what God's prevenient grace has made possible, they must voluntarily respond in repentance and faith. The ability comes from God, but the act is the individual’s.

Repentance is prompted by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. It involves a willful change of mind that renounces sin and longs for righteousness, a godly sorrow for and a confession of past sins, proper restitution for wrong doings, and a resolution to reform the life. Repentance is the precondition for saving faith, and without it saving faith is impossible. Faith, in turn, is the only condition of salvation. It begins in the agreement of the mind and the consent of the will to the truth of the gospel, but issues in a complete reliance by the whole person in the saving ability of Jesus Christ and a complete trusting of oneself to Him as Savior and Lord. Saving faith is expressed in a public acknowledgment of His Lordship and an identification with His church.

 We believe that when one repents of personal sin and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, that at the same moment that person is justified, regenerated, adopted into the family of God, and assured of personal salvation through the witness of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby a person is accounted righteous, granted full pardon of all sin, delivered from guilt, completely released from the penalty of sins committed, by the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith alone, not on the basis of works.

We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that work of the Holy Spirit whereby, when one truly repents and believes, one's moral nature is given a distinctively spiritual life with the capacity for love and obedience. This new life is received by faith in Jesus Christ, it enables the pardoned sinner to serve God with the will and affections of the heart, and by it the regenerate are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate.

We believe that adoption is the act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer becomes a partaker of all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a child of God.

 We believe that although good works cannot save us from our sins or from God's judgment, they are the fruit of faith and follow after regeneration. Therefore they are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and by them a living faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

 We believe that after we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness from which it is impossible to fall. But by the grace of God one who has fallen into sin may by true repentance and faith find forgiveness and restoration.

 We believe that sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is separated from sin unto God and is enabled to love God with all the heart and to walk in all His holy commandments blameless. Sanctification is initiated at the moment of justification and regeneration. From that moment there is a gradual or progressive sanctification as the believer walks with God and daily grows in grace and in a more perfect obedience to God. This prepares for the crisis of entire sanctification which is wrought instantaneously when believers present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, being effected by the baptism with the Holy Spirit who cleanses the heart from all inbred sin. The crisis of entire sanctification perfects the believer in love and empowers that person for effective service. It is followed by lifelong growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The life of holiness continues through faith in the sanctifying blood of Christ and evidences itself by loving obedience to God's revealed will.

 We believe that the Gift of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit himself, and He is to be desired more than the gifts of the Spirit which He in His wise counsel bestows upon individual members of the Church to enable them properly to fulfill their function as members of the body of Christ. The gifts of the Spirit, although not always identifiable with natural abilities, function through them for the edification of the whole church. These gifts are to be exercised in love under the administration of the Lord of the church, not through human volition. The relative value of the gifts of the Spirit is to be tested by their usefulness in the church and not by the ecstasy produced in the ones receiving them.

 We believe that the Christian church is the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ, who is the founder and only Head of the church. The church includes both those believers who have gone to be with the Lord and those who remain on the earth, having renounced the world, the flesh and the devil, and having dedicated themselves to the work which Christ committed unto His church until He comes. The church on earth is to preach the pure Word of God, properly administer the sacraments according to Christ's instructions, and live in obedience to all that Christ commands. A local church is a body of believers formally organized on gospel principles, meeting regularly for the purposes of evangelism, nurture, fellowship and worship. The Parkway House of Prayer is a church consisting of those individuals who, as members of the body of Christ, hold the faith set forth in these Articles of Religion and acknowledge the ecclesiastical authority of the duly elected officials of the Parkway House of Prayer..

 We believe that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are the sacraments of the church commanded by Christ and ordained as a means of grace when received through faith. They are tokens of our profession of Christian faith and signs of God's gracious ministry toward us. By them, He works within us to quicken, strengthen and confirm our faith.

We believe that water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded by our Lord and administered to believers. It is a symbol of the new covenant of grace and signifies acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ. By means of this sacrament, believers declare their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

We believe that the Lord's Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death and of our hope in His victorious return, as well as a sign of the love that Christians have for each other. To such as receive it humbly, with a proper spirit and by faith, the Lord's Supper is made a means through which God communicates grace to the heart.

 We believe that the certainty of the personal and imminent return of Christ inspires holy living and zeal for the evangelization of the world. At His return He will fulfill all prophecies made concerning His final and complete triumph over evil.

 We believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead of all mankind--of the just unto the resurrection of life, and of the unjust unto the resurrection of damnation. The resurrection of the righteous dead will occur at Christ's Second Coming, and the resurrection of the wicked will occur at a later time. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the resurrection of those who are in Christ. The raised body will be a spiritual body, but the person will be whole and identifiable.

 We believe that the Scriptures reveal God as the Judge of all and the acts of His judgment are based on His omniscience and eternal justice. His administration of judgment will culminate in the final meeting of all persons before His throne of great majesty and power, where records will be examined and final rewards and punishments will be administered.

 We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that there is a conscious personal existence after death. The final destiny of each person is determined by God's grace and that person's response, evidenced inevitably by a moral character which results from that individual's personal and volitional choices and not from any arbitrary decree of God. Heaven with its eternal glory and the blessedness of Christ's presence is the final abode of those who choose the salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ, but hell with its everlasting misery and separation from God is the final abode of those who neglect this great salvation.

            The Parkway House of Prayer welcomes all who desire to worship with us, regardless of their spiritual standing, to participate in the general life of our church. We believe it is our responsibility to be a spiritual haven for saints as well as a place of spiritual healing for sinners. It is our hope that, through the grace of God, all who participate in the life of this church will eventually become holy men and women.

However, that there may be a common basis for regulating the affairs of the Church, only those who regularly fellowship with Parkway House of Prayer and who give evidence by life and testimony that they have turned from sin to righteousness, and who can answer affirmatively the qualifying questions contained in the Bylaws (see Bylaws, Article I) may vote in the congregational business meetings of the Church.

            All authority in the church is vested in the congregation duly qualified and assembled according to the Constitution and Bylaws of Parkway House of Prayer.

            Under the congregation, the Church Board, consisting of such persons as are elected according to the Bylaws, shall be the highest authority. The Board shall be responsible for maintaining the doctrines, purposes, policies, and ministries of the Church and may review, revise, or reverse the decisions of any lower committees, officers, or staff members as it deems appropriate.

 

            The Board shall set the fiscal year of the organization.

 

            The Constitution may be altered or amended by two-thirds vote of the entire Church Board and two-thirds vote of the congregation, taken in the above order. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Notice shall be given of proposed amendments at least 30 days in advance of the vote of the congregation and in at least two public services one of which is a regular Sunday service and the substance of the amendment shall be made available to the congregation.

 

 

 

            ARTICLE I. QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING PRIVILEGE

            Those who wish to participate by voice or vote in the congregational business meeting of the Church must be able to answer the following questions in the affirmative:

1)                  Have you been born again?

2)                  Are you currently living a faithful Christian Life?

3)                  Are you in general agreement with the articles of religion found in the Constitution of the Parkway House of Prayer and are you willing to submit to the beliefs of this body in areas of difference?

4)                  Do you support the principles of Christian living as set forth in the by-laws?

5)                  Have you faithfully attended Parkway House of Prayer for at least the last 12 months?

6)                  Do you support Parkway House of Prayer regularly with your prayer, tithes and offerings?

7)                  Are you at least 18 years of age?

The Church Board may approve either, 1) reading the above questions publicly and inviting all who can answer in the affirmative to be seated within the bar, or 2) printing ballots with a blank for a signature and a blank to check “yes” or “no” for each question.

By a two-thirds vote by secret ballot, the Church Board may disqualify anyone from voting if after due examination as set forth in Article III of the Bylaws, the individual is deemed to flagrantly violate any principle set forth in the Constitution or Bylaws.

            The following Biblical principles should serve as a guide to Christian living for those who associate with the Body of Christ here at Parkway House of Prayer.

(1) To reverence the name of God and to honor the Lord's Day by divine worship and spiritual edification, participating in those activities which contribute to the moral and spiritual purposes of this day.

(2) To seek only the leading of the Holy Spirit and to abstain from all forms of spiritism, such as the occult, witchcraft, astrology and other similar practices.

(3) To exercise faithful stewardship through the wise use of their time and material resources, practicing careful self-discipline in order to further the mission of Christ's church (remembering the principle of tithing which is basic to the New Testament standard of stewardship) and to demonstrate compassion to those in need.

(4) To demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from all forms of gambling and by abstaining from using or trafficking (production, sale or purchase) in any substances destructive to their physical, mental and spiritual health, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs (other than proper medical purposes of drugs); and by refraining from membership in secret societies and lodges which are oath bound, believing that the quasi-religious nature of such organizations divides the Christian's loyalty, their secret nature contravenes the Christian's open witness and the secret nature of their oaths is repugnant to the Christian conscience.

Ex. 20:17; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12. Gambling violates the principle of Christian stewardship and the tenth commandment, is harmful to the individual in that it is emotionally addictive, is a poor example to others, and pollutes the moral climate of society.

Prov. 20:1; Rom. 6:12; 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:23; 2 Cor. 7:1 Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:22. Christians are to regard their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. While no "thing" of itself is sinful, the Christian should avoid the use of anything which would not help build the fellowship of the church, would not help the believer to realize his full potential in Christ, or which would enslave him. In the light of the scientific knowledge of our day concerning the actual and potential harm of these substances, total abstinence is more in keeping with these biblical principles than is moderation.

Ex. 20:3; Matt. 5:34-36; John 18:20; Acts 4:12; James 5:12. These prohibitions do not restrict membership in labor, civic or other organizations which do not contradict loyalty to Christ and the Church. When in these relationships Christian principles are violated, members shall be dealt with because of such violations and not because of the membership itself.

(5) To follow the teachings of the Scriptures regarding marriage and divorce. We affirm that sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. We further affirm that heterosexual monogamy is God's plan for marriage, and we regard sexual sin of the spouse, such as adultery, homosexual behavior, bestiality or incest, as the only biblical grounds for considering divorce, and then only when appropriate counseling has failed to restore the relationship.

(6) To preserve the sanctity of the home by honoring Christ in every phase of family life and by demonstrating Christ-like love (always avoiding spousal or child abuse), and by living peacefully with one another, thereby encouraging the nurture and education of the children in the Christian faith so as to bring them early to the saving knowledge of Christ.

(7) To work together for the advancement of God's kingdom and for the mutual edification of fellow believers in holiness, knowledge and love; to walk together in Christian fellowship by giving and receiving counsel with gentleness and affection; by praying for each other; by helping each other in sickness and distress; and by demonstrating love, purity and courtesy to all.

(8). To grow in the knowledge, love and grace of God by participating in public worship, the ministry of the Word of God, the Lord's Supper, family and personal devotions and fasting.

(9) To preserve the fellowship and witness of the Church with reference to the use of languages. The Parkway House of Prayer Church believes in the miraculous use of languages and the interpretation of languages in its biblical and historical setting. But it is contrary to the Word of God to teach that speaking in an unknown tongue or the gift of tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or of that entire sanctification which the baptism accomplishes; therefore, only a language readily understood by the congregation is to be used in public worship. The Parkway House of Prayer Church believes that the use of an ecstatic prayer language has no clear scriptural sanction, or any pattern of established historical usage in the Church; therefore, the use of such a prayer language shall not be promoted among us.

(10) To do good as much as is possible to all people as God gives opportunity, especially to those in the body of Christ; by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the destitute, by visiting or helping those who are sick or in prison; by instructing, correcting or encouraging them in love.

(11) To respect the inherent individual rights of all persons, regardless of race, color, gender, social or economic status.

(12) To live honestly, be just in all dealings and faithful in all commitments.

            Should any person identified with the fellowship of this Church willfully depart from the scriptural principles set forth in the Articles of the Church and engage in conduct which conflicts with the biblical principles of holiness, one of the pastors shall counsel and pray with the erring individual for the purpose of leading the person to repentance and, ultimately, to full restoration of fellowship. This shall be done in a spirit of humility and gentleness (Galatians 6:1) as well as loving honesty (Ephesians 4:25-27). Should there be no evidence of repentance, the procedures set forth in Matthew 18:16, 17 shall be followed. If after these steps of reproof are taken there is no repentance, the person shall be denied the privilege of voting or holding office.

 

A.                Regular Business Meetings. There shall be an annual business meeting of the congregation for the purpose of: hearing reports of the Senior Pastor, Treasurer, Auditor and other reports as requested by the Senior Pastor or Board; filling vacancies on the Board; acting on recommendations by the Senior Pastor and Board; electing the Senior Pastor when there is a vacancy. It may be chaired by the Senior Pastor or the Vice-Chairman of the Church Board if no Senior Pastor is in place. The date and place shall be set by the Church Board.

B.                 Special Business Meetings. The Senior Pastor may call special business meetings of the congregation at his discretion, or, at the request of a majority of the Board, he must call a meeting to be held within sixty days.

C.                 Notice of Business Meetings. Notice of all business meetings of the congregation shall be by announcement in two regularly scheduled services, at least one of which is on a Sunday, or by printed notice to the congregation and announcement in one regularly scheduled Sunday service.

D.                Quorums. A quorum shall consist of qualified voters present at any regular or special business meeting duly called.

E.                 Order of Business Meetings. The following general order of business is recommended for all regular and special business meetings:

1.                  Scripture reading and prayer

2.                  Minutes of preceding meeting

3.                  Reports

a)      Senior Pastor, b) Treasurer, c) Auditor’s report, d) Other reports as requested by the Senior Pastor or the Board.

4.                  Old and unfinished business

5.                  New business

a)      Elect members of the Board as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws.

b)      Vote on recommendations made by the Senior Pastor and Board.

c)      Elect the Senior Pastor when there is a vacancy.

6.                  Adjournment with prayer

F.                  Decisions. All matters in regular and special business meetings shall be decided by majority vote, unless otherwise specified herein. Election of constitutional officers, amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws, the calling of a Senior Pastor, and all sensitive issues shall be decided by secret ballot.

Decisions should be made after prayer, application of scriptural principles and with the spirit of charity. “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory.” Time for prayer and meditation may often be needed before final decisions are made.

G.                Parliamentary Procedure. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the guide for any parliamentary procedure, which is not specified by the Constitution and Bylaws.

 

 

A.                Leadership Qualifications

1.      Must be living a consistent Christian life.

2.      Must have no broken relationships within the church.

3.      Must be in general agreement with the purposes and doctrines of the Parkway House of Prayer as is outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws and must be willing to submit to the beliefs of this body in areas of difference.

4.      Must be flexible and submissive to authority.

5.      Must have a great desire to make a difference for God and His Kingdom.

6.      Must have respect for and trust in the leaders at Parkway.

7.      Must be willing to be a team player.

8.      Must be a peacemaker and problem solver.

9.      Must be able to hold sensitive matters in confidence.

10. Must be able to agreeably disagree.

11. Must have a passion and love for lost people.

12. Must have a love for your area of ministry.

13. Must be free from addictive habits and behavior.

The following positions constitute a leadership position at Parkway:

1.                  Board Member (Includes treasurer and Secretary)

2.                  Pastoral Staff

3.                  Coordinators

4.                  Christian Education Committee

5.                  Teachers

6.                  Office Staff

            The Church Board shall appoint trustees. The Board of Trustees shall elect one of its members as its chairperson.

            The Board of Trustees shall have and hold in trust for the use and benefit of those associated with the Parkway House of Prayer any and all real property committed to it; shall see that titles are good; that deeds and all written instrumentality’s are in harmony with local laws; that all real property deeds and titles contain the following trust clause: “In trust for the use and benefit of the ministry and individuals associated with the Parkway House of Prayer Church located in Roanoke, Virginia, subject to the regulations and appointments of said church as from time to time legislated and declared.” The Board of Trustees shall see that all deeds and titles are promptly recorded, that abstracts and all other legal papers are properly stored and secured, and shall perform other such duties as are required of them by the Parkway House of Prayer Church Board and congregation.

            A trustee may be removed by a majority vote of the Church Board. A trustee will be appointed for a term of four years. 

A.    Composition. There shall be a Church Board composed of not less than nine members. The following members shall serve as ex-officio voting members of the board: The Senior Pastor, the Administrator of Parkway Christian Academy, and the church treasurer. The congregation shall elect the remaining members. The church treasurer shall be nominated by the church board and elected by the full congregation on an annual basis. 

B.     Qualifications. A member of the Church Board shall be a Christian of spiritual maturity as set forth in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1. He must meet the qualifications listed in the Parkway House of Prayer leadership requirements.

C.     Duties. The Church Board shall determine the policies, assist, guide and evaluate the progress and provide for the leadership of the church and perform all functions necessary to the discharge of this responsibility, including the following:

1)      Provide for the support of the ministries of the church.

2)      It is advisable that the Board and Senior Pastor draw up and agree upon a comprehensive, written agreement for the Senior Pastor detailing duties, responsibilities, authority, benefits and privileges.

3)      Assist the pastors in the ministry of the church, such as, visiting absentees, the sick and the elderly, caring for the needy, winning the lost, praying with seekers at the altar, discipling new believers, and preparing for baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

4)      Consider and act on all matters referred by the pastors.

5)      Consider and act on all matters presented from the floor by any Church Board member.

6)      Receive reports from the pastors, treasurer, and staff members, as the Senior Pastor or Board deems necessary.

7)      Refer any major business of the church to the congregation for final action.

8)      Provide for the proper accounting of finances.

9)      Plan and approve an annual church budget.

D.    Nomination and Election. 

1.      Procedure for nomination by the Board. The Church Board shall nominate all new board members. The Church Board will solicit written recommendations for potential board members 60 days in advance of the July Board meeting.

2.      Meeting with the candidates. The Senior Pastor shall then meet with the nominees and shall remind them of the privileges, qualifications and duties of a Board member. Those who meet the qualifications and who agree to fulfill the obligations of a Board Member shall be presented to the church.

3.      Election procedure. A ballot shall be prepared which shall include all nominees presented by the Church Board. The ballot shall be made available at least two weeks before the annual Church business meeting. The Church Board should endeavor to nominate at least two names per vacancy. The Church Board may choose to place a yes or no option beside each name. In order for a person to be elected they must receive at least a majority vote from the congregation. The Church Board may choose to allow the person receiving the least amount of votes to serve as an alternate board member in case of a vacancy. 

4.      Term of Service. Term of office shall be for three years. If a vacancy occurs before a term expires, the Board shall be responsible to fill the vacancy and the appointee shall fill the unexpired term. After each three-year term a board member shall not be up for re-election for one year. The ex-officio members will be exempted from this rule. Any member of the Church Board may be dismissed by a two-thirds majority of the entire board after he has been dealt with according to Matthew 18:15-17.

E.     Election of Officers. The Board shall elect its own officers annually from within their own number at their first meeting of the year and as needed to fill vacancies. Officers to be elected are Chairman, Vice-chairman, secretary, and any other officers necessary for the expediting of its work.

F.      Duties of Officers.

1.      Chairperson: The Chairperson shall preside at all Board Meetings and shall operate in accordance with the “Chairperson Guidelines” set up by the church board.

2.      Vice-chairperson: The Vice-chairperson shall care for all such responsibilities assigned to him by the Chairperson of the Board. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-chairperson shall preside and shall assume such responsibility as delegated by the Board.

3.      Secretary: The secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Board. The Secretary shall be responsible for all other duties that normally adhere to this office. The Secretary shall also perform such other secretarial duties as assigned by the Chairperson or Church Board. The Secretary shall be the custodian of all Board Meeting records, which are to be kept in the offices of Parkway House of Prayer.

G.    Meetings of the Church Board.

1.      Regular Meetings of the Church Board. The Church Board shall normally meet once each month. 

2.      Special Board Meetings. Special meetings may be provided for by the Board or may be called by the Chairman. The Chairman must call for a special meeting within eight days when asked in writing by a majority of the members of the Board or at the request of the Senior Pastor if he is not serving as the chairman. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairman and presided over by the Chairman or his designated representative.

3.      Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the Board.

4.      Notice of Board Meetings. Regular meetings shall require no special notice. Special meetings shall be announced by notifying, or making a reasonable effort to notify, each board member.

5.      Board Meeting Protocol. Church Board meetings shall normally follow the protocol specified in Article IV above. In case of sensitive issues, strict protocol may be called for.

            All committees shall function only for the duration of their assignment and shall be amenable to the Church Board.

A.    Pulpit Supply Committee. The Church Board may act as the Pulpit Supply Committee. If a special committee is desired, it shall consist of three members elected by the Church Board and shall elect its own chairman. It shall serve only until a Senior Pastor is elected. The Committee shall conduct a search for, and evaluate the qualifications of , pastoral candidates and make appropriate recommendations to the church Board as follows:

1.      Pray for the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

2.      Solicit names of potential candidates.

3.      Investigate and communicate with promising potential candidates.

4.      In consultation with the Church Board it shall arrange guest speaking engagements and interview, as appropriate, for those candidates who appear to meet the desired qualifications.

5.      Recommend to the Church Board candidates for Senior Pastor.

B.     Nominating Committee. The Church Board may serve as the nominating committee for all church officers and Board members. If a special committee is desired, the Board shall elect said committee.

C.     Finance Committee. The Church Board may serve as the Finance Committee. If a special committee is desired, it shall be composed of the Senior Pastor, the Treasurer, and two or three Board Members.

D.    Audit Review Committee. The Church Board shall appoint an audit review committee, a majority of whom shall not be employees/staff, and/or related by blood or marriage, for the purpose of reviewing the annual audit and reporting its findings to the Board.

E.     Other Committees. Additional committees shall be established as required and their duties defined by the Church Board.

A.    Senior Pastor

1.      Qualifications. In order to fulfill its stated purpose, the Church shall call a Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor shall be a man of true Christian experience and established character. He shall qualify for his office according to the principles of I Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9. He shall support the Articles of Religion and Principles of Christian Living.

2.      Duties and Responsibilities. The Senior Pastor shall be the Spiritual Leader of the church and shall be responsible for all public worship services, teaching and preaching of God’s Word, supervision of the pastoral staff, overseeing the ministries of the church, and, in the event of his absence, shall be responsible for someone to fulfill his duties, with the approval of the Church Board. The general direction and development of the church work shall be under his supervision. By virtue of his office, he shall be an ex-officio voting member of the Church Board and all committees of the Church.

3.      Charges. No accusation shall be brought against the Senior Pastor except on the testimony of at least two members of the congregation in good standing and fellowship with the church (I Timothy 5:19-21). The matter shall then be taken to the Church Board for investigation, admonition, and resolution as stated in Article III of the Bylaws. If still unresolved, the Board or the Senior Pastor may present the matter to the congregation for final decision. This meeting to consider charges against the pastor shall be chaired by the Vice -Chairperson of the Church Board (if the Senior Pastor is the Chairperson of the Church Board), unless the (Vice-Chair) is related by blood or marriage to the Senior Pastor or to those bringing the charges. In this case the Church Board will by secret ballot appoint a special chairperson for this meeting.

4.      Call. In event of a vacancy for the position of Senior Pastor, the Pulpit Supply Committee shall prayerfully select one candidate to present to the Church Board for approval. The approved candidate shall then be presented to the congregation for a vote. A call shall consist of two-thirds vote by the entire Church Board and two-thirds vote by the congregation. The initial call shall be considered a call for two years.

5.      Recall. The elected Senior Pastor shall remain in office as long as the relationship of the pastor and people is mutually agreeable and profitable under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as long as he is re-elected at the end of each call by a majority of the congregational vote. If the Senior Pastor desires to resign, three months’ notice shall be given in writing, unless waived by mutual consent.

B.     Pastoral Staff. The Church Board may employ various associate pastors or assistants as needed. An assistant or associate pastor must be recommended by the Senior Pastor and approved by the Church Board and the full congregation by a majority vote. They shall comprise the pastoral staff and shall be responsible to the Senior Pastor.

The Pastoral Staff shall qualify for their office according to the standards of I Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:5-9. They shall be willing to support the Articles of Religion and Principles of Christian Living as out lined in the Constitution and Bylaws.

The selection, terms of employment, and termination of their ministry shall be determined by the Church Board, upon the recommendation of the Senior Pastor.

C.     General Staff. In order to accomplish the work of the church, other workers may be employed as necessary. 

D.    Position Descriptions. A description of duties and responsibilities shall be prepared for each pastoral and key general staff position. All coordinators will be nominated by the Senior Pastor and approved by the Church Board.

Each coordinator shall have a clearly defined job description.

Each area of ministry shall have a clearly defined purpose and set of goals.

A majority vote of the entire Church Board and a majority vote of the congregation taken in the above order may amend these Bylaws. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Notice shall be given of proposed amendments at least thirty days in advance of the vote of the congregation in at least two public services one of which is a regular Sunday service, and the substance of the amendment made available to the congregation.

 The special directions are expressions by which The Parkway House of Prayer Church seeks to bear witness to contemporary society concerning the Christian life and character required by its Articles of Religion and Principles of Christian Living. 

 The Parkway House of Prayer Church seeks recognition by the society which surrounds it of the authority of Almighty God, and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, in civil, political and temporal as well as spiritual matters, and the transformation of that society into the image of Christ insofar as is possible in this present age. It believes that such a transformation of society shall primarily be accomplished by the divine transformation through faith in Christ of the individuals who compose society, but that Christians ought also to manifest social concern in every manner that is in keeping with their Christian testimony. To this end:

(1) Equal Rights. The Parkway House of Prayer Church upholds the right of all individuals to equal opportunity politically, economically and religiously, and pledges itself to an active effort to bring about the possession of dignity and happiness by all people everywhere.

(2) Peace. The Parkway House of Prayer Church, knowing that war results in great suffering for the bodies, minds and souls of men and women, staggering economic loss with its legacy of debt for future generations, and the unleashing of the baser passions of life, urges that persons and nations seek by every legitimate means to avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations of the world. The Parkway House of Prayer Church also urges that holy people everywhere pray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail (1 Tim. 2:2), and for the quick return of the Prince of Peace.

(3) Military Service. The Parkway House of Prayer Church teaches respect for properly constituted civil authority and the proper loyalty to one's country. It recognizes the responsibility of the individual to answer the call of government and to enter into military service. However, there are those within the fellowship of The Parkway House of Prayer Church who believe that military service is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that their consciences are violated by being compelled to take part in such. The Parkway House of Prayer Church will therefore lend moral support to any member who asks and claims exemption by legal processes from military service as a sincere conscientious objector and who asks to serve one's country as a noncombatant.

(4) Substance Abuse. The Parkway House of Prayer Church is opposed to the production, sale, purchase and use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics and other harmful drugs, unless for mechanical, chemical or medicinal purposes. The unprescribed use of hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants, and the misuse and abuse of regularly prescribed medicines should be prohibited; only on competent medical advice and under medical supervision should such drugs be used.

(5) Human Sexuality. The Parkway House of Prayer Church abhors the trend to ignore God's laws of chastity and purity, and vigorously opposes public acceptance of sexual promiscuity and all factors and practices which promote it. The Parkway House of Prayer Church maintains a biblical view of human sexuality which makes the sexual experience, within the framework of marriage, a gift of God to be enjoyed as communion of a man and woman, as well as for the purpose of procreation. Sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. The depth of the sinfulness of homosexual practice is recognized, and yet we believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome both the practice of such activity and the perversion leading to its practice.

(6) Divorce and Remarriage. On the basis of a careful study of the Scriptures, The Parkway House of Prayer Church teaches the following with reference to divorce and remarriage after divorce. The Scriptural grounds for divorce are Adultery (Matthew 5:32) and Abandonment. (I Cor. 7) We believe that all avenues of reconciliation should be diligently pursued and that a person is not required to seek a divorce even when adultery has come into the marriage. Reconciliation is always the goal.    

(a) To obtain a divorce on other than scriptural grounds is a sin against God and humanity. Such putting asunder of what God has joined is a direct and deliberate act of disobedience against both the Law and the Gospel. It separates one from God and subjects a member to Church discipline.

(b) However, recognizing the fallen state of humanity, divorce has been recognized in the Scriptures as a valid and permanent dissolution of marriage with all its rights and responsibilities. Divorce is not reversible. There is no way to "restore" a dissolved marriage. The divorced (unmarried) status can be changed only by a new marriage to the same person or another person. No divorced and remarried person has two spouses--only a former spouse and a present spouse, as in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 7.

(c) Divorce, however sinful the act and however serious the consequences, is not "unpardonable." A redeemed sinner or reclaimed backslider is "free" to marry "in the Lord" or to remain unmarried--a eunuch for the kingdom of God's sake. The one exception to this freedom of choice is mentioned by the Apostle Paul. It is a believer who disobeys the commandment of God and puts away a believing spouse. That person must remain unmarried to leave room for reconciliation to the spouse (1 Cor. 7).

(d) The right to remarry in no way excuses the sin of divorce. It only implies that the Church must forgive and restore those whom the Lord forgives and restores. Neither penance nor penalty remains to the truly penitent and restored sinner--or backslider--whatever the traumatic consequences of the sin may be.

(7) Sabbath Principle. We believe that the Sabbath principle is a universal principle, which was established at creation before the O. T. law came into existence. We believe that the fourth commandment is equal to the other nine commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. With the full recognition that the O. T. ceremonial system was set-aside by Jesus we do not believe that Jesus set aside the Sabbath Principle. We understand the Christian Sabbath to be a day of rest and worship to God. (Exodus 20: 8-11) We believe that with three exceptions given by Jesus in the N. T., the Lord’s Day (Sunday), should be set apart as a day of physical rest and as a day devoted to the worship of God.

            The three exceptions to rest and worship on the Christian Sabbath are as follows: 

1.      Deeds of mercy. Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Matthew 12:10

2.      Deeds of necessity. Jesus allowed the disciples to pick corn to eat on the Sabbath. Mark 2:23

3.      Deeds of worship. Jesus taught and instructed on the Sabbath. Mark 6:2

With these exceptions in mind, we realize that certain individuals such as policeman, hospital workers, etc., must at times work on the Sabbath and we encourage those who fellowship with the body of believers here at Parkway to carefully follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit as to what constitutes an exception to the rule of rest and worship on the Sabbath. We believe that the Sabbath is a treasure that if properly observed helps to keep our priorities in the right place as well as preserve our physical bodies.

(8) Religion in Public Life. The Parkway House of Prayer Church, believing that it is possible to allow recognition of God and the invoking of His aid in public functions without violating the Constitution of the United States, advocates the enactment of suitable legislation by the Congress which will strengthen the present provision for the free exercise of religion in national life and allow reference to, or the invoking of the aid of God, in any governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony or institution. The Parkway House of Prayer Church further affirms its belief in the public school's duty to do full justice to the large place of the Judeo-Christian tradition in our American heritage, and its conviction that the Bible is an appropriate book for reading in the public schools and that the right of students to pray should not be abridged.

(9) Public School Activities. The Parkway House of Prayer Church protests the inclusion of questionable items in the public school curriculum and maintains the right of its members to seek exemption from participation by their children in all matters that are contrary to scriptural doctrines and principles as expressed in the Articles of Religion and Principles of Christian Living of The Parkway House of Prayer Church, without prejudice to academic standing.

(10) Judicial Oaths. The Parkway House of Prayer Church reserves for its members, who feel it necessary, the right to affirm the truth in testimony before the civil and criminal courts rather than to engage in a judicial oath.

(11) Abortion. The Parkway House of Prayer Church seeks to recognize and preserve the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and, thus, is opposed to the use of induced abortion. However, it recognizes that there may be rare pregnancies where there are grave medical conditions threatening the life of the mother, which could raise a serious question about taking the life of the unborn child. In such a case, a decision should be made only after very prayerful consideration following medical and spiritual counseling. The Parkway House of Prayer Church encourages its members to become informed about the abortion issue and to become actively involved locally and nationally in the preparation and passage of appropriate legislation guaranteeing protection of life under law to unborn children.

(12) Use of Leisure Time. The Parkway House of Prayer Church believes that its members should exercise responsible stewardship of their leisure time. This will include careful regulation of the use in the home of mass media, such as current literature, radio and television, guarding the home against the encroachment of evil.

(13) Modesty in Attire. The Parkway House of Prayer Church believes that our people should provide clear testimony to Christian purity and modesty by properly clothing the body and by dressing with Christian simplicity. We also believe that God ordained the sexes to be distinctly different and that men should dress with masculinity in mind and women should dress with femininity in mind.

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 Rites and Ceremonies of Churches. True religion does not consist in any ritual observances such as forms or ceremonies, even of the most excellent kind, be they ever so decent and significant, ever so expressive of inward things. The religion of Christ rises infinitely higher and lies infinitely deeper than all these. Let no one conceive that rites and ceremonies have any intrinsic worth, or that true worship cannot subsist without them. Therefore, it is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike, for they have always been different and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times and customs, provided that nothing be ordained against God's Word.

 Healing. The truth that Jesus is both able and willing to heal the body as well as the human soul, whenever such healing is for His glory, is clearly set forth in God's Word and attested by the experience of many of His people at the present day. Prayer for healing according to the pattern set forth in the Scriptures shall be encouraged.

 Christian Liberty. Christ, through His death on the cross, has freed His followers from sin and from bondage to the law. The Christian is "called unto liberty" (Gal. 5:13), and is not under the law as a means of salvation. He is rather exhorted, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).

This liberty, however, is not to be construed as license (Gal. 5:13). Rather, love for Christ constrains the Christian to live righteously and holy as God demands. By the Spirit of God, His laws are written on the heart (Heb. 8:10). So the Christian resists evil and cleaves to the good, not in order to be saved, but because he has been saved.

Within the bounds of Christian liberty, there will be differences of opinion. In such cases, the believer seeks to avoid offending his brother. The stronger brother is mindful of the opinions of the one with the weaker conscience (1 Cor. 8 and 10), and is careful not to put a stumbling block in his brother's way (1 Cor. 10:24; Gal 5:13). On the other hand, the weak does not criticize the strong (1 Cor. 10:29-30), for the conscience of the weak may need instruction.

The recognition and exercise of that liberty which Christ affords will glorify God and promote the unity of the Church.

 Christian Unity. The Parkway House of Prayer Church is fully committed to that true Christian unity which is based on scriptural truth and the fellowship of the Spirit, and deplores the separation or division of Christian brethren over peripheral and nonessential matters. While The Parkway House of Prayer Church opposes the building of one all-inclusive ecclesiastical organization which regards neither scriptural doctrine nor practice, it welcomes fellowship with those who are committed to the same doctrines and standards of holy living, and cooperation across denominational lines with those who hold the cardinal doctrines of the Christian religion revealed in the Bible.

 Meaning of Stewardship. The Scriptures teach that God is the owner of all persons and all things, that people are His stewards of both life and possessions, that God's ownership and one's stewardship ought to be acknowledged, and that every person shall be held personally accountable to God for the exercise of their stewardship. God, as a God of system and order in all of His ways, has established a system of giving, which acknowledges His ownership and mankind's stewardship. To this end all His children should faithfully tithe and present offerings for the support of the gospel.

 Storehouse Tithing. Storehouse tithing is a scriptural and practical performance of faithfully and regularly placing the tithe into that church to which the member belongs. Therefore, the financing of the church shall be based on the plan of storehouse tithing, and The Parkway House of Prayer Church shall be regarded by all its people as the storehouse. All who are a part of The Parkway House of Prayer Church are urged to contribute faithfully one-tenth of all their increase as a minimum financial obligation to the Lord and freewill offerings in addition as God has prospered them.