What we believe

Grace Church for all Nations adheres to the Faith Baptist Message. Below is an excerpt from this declaration of faith.

The Holy Scriptures

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired by God, it is an exposition of the revelation of God to man and a perfect treasure of divine teaching. God is its author, its objective is the salvation of man. Therefore, any writing is totally true and trustworthy.

God

There is only one true and living God. The Eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

God the Father

God as Father reigns with providential care over his universe, his creatures, and the flow of the flow of human history according to the ends of his grace. He is Almighty, Omniscient, All Love, and All Wise. Truly, He is the Father of all who become His children through faith in Jesus Christ.

God the Son

Christ is the eternal Son of God. In his incarnation as Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit, was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly reveals and does the will of God, taking upon Him human nature with its requirements and necessities and identifying itself completely with humanity without committing sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and in his expiatory death on the cross. He has made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to his disciples. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and consume his redeeming mission.

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine ... Through enlightenment, it allows men to understand the truth. He exalts Christ. He convinces men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He cultivates the Christian character, comforts the believers, and grants the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through his church.

Man

Man is the special creation of God, made in his image. In the beginning, man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Only the grace of God can bring man into his holy communion and enable man to attain the goal of God's creation.

Salvation

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered free to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There is no salvation outside of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by marriage in the faith and communion of the gospel; Observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by his laws, the exercise of gifts, and the privileges invested in them by his word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth ... The New Testament also speaks Of the Church as the Body of Christ, which

Includes all redeemed of all ages, believers of every tribe and language, and people and nation.

Baptism and the Last Supper

Christian Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried and risen Savior. The death of the believer in sin, the burial of the life of old, and the resurrection of walking in newness of life in Jesus Christ.

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience by which the members of the church, through the participation of bread and the fruit of the vine, commemorate the death and resurrection of the Lord.

Evangelism and missions

It is the duty and privilege of every disciple of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to strive to make disciples of all nations ... The Lord Jesus Christ commanded the preaching of the Lord, Gospel to all nations.

The family

God ordained the family as the fundamental institution of human society. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman in the commitment of the covenant for life. It is a unique gift from God to reveal the union between Christ and His Church and to provide for man and woman in marriage the framework of intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical norms, And the means for the procreation of the human race. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and an inheritance of the Lord.

GRACE CHURCH FOR ALL NATIONS CONSTITUTION

Preambule

We declare and establish these Bylaws to preserve and perpetuate the principles of our common Christian faith and to govern this body in an orderly and biblical manner. These Bylaws will seek to preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body to accomplish its God-given purpose.

Article I – Name

The name of this church shall be called GRACE CHURCH FOR ALL NATIONS of Raleigh, North Carolina. It is founded on the principles of Baptist faith and composed of persons who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, in the authority of the Holy Scriptures, in the priesthood of the believer, in the competency of the soul in matters of religion, in the autonomy of the local church, in believer’s baptism, in religious liberty and in the separation of church and state.

Article II – Affiliation

This church is independent and not affiliated with any other church. This church agrees to abide by its Bylaws and decisions made by General Assembly.

A. Successor – The General Assembly of this church is designated to receive the church’s property in the event of dissolution in accordance with the church bylaws.

Article III – Purpose

The purpose of this church is as follows:

1. To provide worship experiences for our membership and for the greater Christian Community that celebrate the Lordship of Jesus Christ and encourage the believers.

2. To introduce our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ to as many persons as possible through as many methods as feasible, for the goal of leading them to salvation in Jesus Christ.

3. To educate believers by imparting to them knowledge from the Bible, from church history, denominational literature, in order to help them understand their position as ministers of reconciliation for Jesus Christ.

4. To minister to the church and community by encouraging, helping, loving, establishing friendships, visiting and socializing, and seeking to understand each other.

5. To minister to the physical needs of both church members and community

6. To participate in and support missions of our church and other Baptist bodies as determined by this church.

Article IV – Doctrinal statement

This church believes that the Bible is the only source of authority for all matters of faith and practice. We also subscribe to the doctrinal statements in “THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in (1963 or 2000).

Alternate Doctrinal Statement

We believe in one God, known to us as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We believe that God was in Jesus Christ reconciling the world unto himself. We believe that God through His Spirit guides and empowers our lives.

We believe the Bible is the inspired record of God’s love for mankind and is our guide for salvation and life.

We believe God created us in His own image and made of one blood all nations.

We believe the Church is the body of Christ, one universal fellowship, with many local expressions.

We believe that membership is through faith in the salvation of God in Christ.

We believe that the church is commissioned by God to witness to His love throughout the world.

Article V – Relationships

Grace Church For All Nations, is a Southern Baptist Church and as such we recognize and sustain the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among like- minded churches. Insofar as practical, this church will cooperate with and support the Association (the Southern Baptist Convention).

Article VI – Church Covenant

We, the members of Grace Church For All Nations, having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, do now in the presence of God and this assembly, enter into a covenant with each other, as one body in Christ

We, therefore, agree, by the help of the Holy Spirit and with the Bible, the inspired Word of God as our guide, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church; to promote spirituality; to sustain its worship, and discipline and doctrine; to observe the church ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper as authorized by our local church; to contribute cheerfully and regularly of God’s tithes and offerings to the support of the ministry of our church and to the spread of the gospel to all nations.

We agree to encourage personal and family devotions; to educate our children according to our faith; to seek the salvation of the unbeliever; to be just in our dealings, reliable in our responsibilities, and an example to those around us; to abstain from the use of substances harmful to our bodies; to use our influence to combat the abuse of all such harmful substances; and to work for the advancement of the kingdom of our Savior by witnessing in words and actions.

We agree to walk in Christian harmony and watchfulness, giving and receiving assistance with love and affection; to pray for one another; to help each other in sickness and sorrow; to be slow to get angry; to always be eager for reconciliation, seeking it without delay. We further agree that, when we move from this area, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.

Alternate Covenant

As a fellowship of Christians, we joyfully enter into covenant with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

We promise through the help of God’s Spirit to work together in Christian love for the growth of the church in holiness, in knowledge, and in mission; to sustain its worship and ministries by our participation, to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the financial support of this church and through it to the community and the world.

We further agree to care for each other in joys and in sorrows, to sustain each other through prayer and deeds of kindness.

As individuals we promise to be Christians wherever we are, living according to the ethics of Jesus Christ as determined through public worship and private devotion.

“And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work, to do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Article VII – Church membership

Section 1. Qualifications for membership

This church is comprised of persons who profess a personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, have been baptized by believer’s baptism (immersion) according to the New Testament, and actively follow the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship.

Section 2. Membership

A person shall be considered a member upon approval by the church. A person may be received for membership by any of the following ways:

1. By Profession of Faith – A person who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, gives testimony to that conversion experience, is subsequently baptized by immersion, and affirms the purpose statement and the covenant of this church shall be considered a member of this church with full rights.

2. By Statement – A person who has been scripturally baptized by believer’s baptism (immersion) in a New Testament church but who has no transferable church membership may upon given satisfactory evidence of a personal Christian faith and upon affirming the purpose statement and the covenant of this church be considered a member.

3. By letter – Any person from another may be received as a member upon receipt of letter of good standing and transfer from that church and upon affirmation of the purpose statement and the covenant of this church.

Section 3. New member orientation

New church members will be expected to participate in the church’s new member orientation as developed and implemented by the pastor or the church staff.

Section 4. Rights of Members

Every member of the church is entitled to one vote on all matters requiring a congregational vote, provided the member is present. Proxy voting is prohibited. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.

Section 5. Responsibilities of Members

Every member of the church is expected to be faithful in discipleship, stewardship, and service. Recognizing that Christians are ministers of reconciliation this church expects its

members to be active Christians in the work of the church and in the world. Members are expected to observe our church’s bylaws.

Section 6. Discipline of Members

This church will make every effort to adhere to the principles of church discipline as set forth in Matthew 18:15-17. The guiding motivation behind church discipline is love.

Section 7. Termination of membership

Membership in this church shall be terminated in the following ways: (1) death, (2) transfer by letter to another church, (3) acknowledgment when a member has joined a church of another faith and order and requests such action, (4) resignation, (5) exclusion by action of this church.

Article VIII. CHURCH MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Worship Services

The church shall meet regularly each Sunday for worship, preaching, teaching, evangelism, and fellowship. These services will be open to everyone and shall be conducted under the direction of the pastor. The number and times of services shall be determined by the pastor and the Deacons.

Section 2. Communion

The Lord’s supper shall be observed on every first Sunday of the month as determined by the Pastor and the deacons.

Section 3. Special Events

All church meetings which are essential to the accomplishment of the purposes of this church shall be publicized in advance to the entire church.

Section 4. Leadership meeting

Leadership meetings shall be held quarterly. The (pastor or a person elected specifically to serve as moderator) shall serve as moderator of the church. Notice of such meetings shall be given one week prior to the meeting by announcement in the regular service or by other means of communication as deemed appropriate by the Pastor and the Chairman of the deacons. Once the notice of meeting has been given, those members who are presents for

the meeting shall constitute a quorum. Twice a year, the church will hold a special meeting that we call General Assembly (one Sunday in January and one Sunday in June)

Section 5. Special leadership meeting

A special leadership meeting may be called to consider any matter requiring immediate action. Notice of the subject, date, time and location of the meeting must be known by all members of the church at least one week in advance of the meeting. Those authorized to call a special business meeting are as follows:

(1) Pastor, (2) Chairman of Deacons, and (3) Church Council.

Article VIII. ORGANIZATION FOR MINISTRY

Section 1. Ministries

A. Ministries

A ministry is an attempt to accomplish one or more purposes of this church or may be a new endeavor seeking to meet a pressing or newly discovered need. A ministry does not need to be approved by the church to begin but should be presented to the Church Council for approval. Any member or group in this church may start a ministry as God so leads that member or group. However, if church assets or funds are necessary for the starting or continuation of the ministry then church approval is required. Should it be desired that a ministry become an ongoing church program then a proposal to that effect should be made to the Church Council.

B. Evaluation of Ministries

The church Council will annually evaluate all church ministries and make recommendations to the church concerning their contribution and viability to the ongoing work of the church as it seeks to accomplish its purposes.

Section 2. Personnel

All church staff and all persons elected to ministry positions must be members of the church.

A. Pastor

1. The qualifications and responsibilities for the position of Pastor of this church shall be according to the teaching of 1Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy and Ephesians 4:11-16.

2. Election shall be by an affirmative vote of at least ¾ of those members presents at a regular or special meeting of the church. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Only one pastoral candidate is to be presented to the church for consideration at a time.

3. Should the pastor resign, he must give one month’s notice to the church in writing.

4. The church may dismiss a pastor by a ¾ vote of the members present at a special meeting called for that purpose. This action must be initiated by the majority of the Deacons. A minimum of one month’s severance pay will be granted.

5. The Pastor’s Salary and Benefits will be determined by the personnel administration committee and approved by the church and agreed upon by the prospective candidate prior to this call. An annual review of Salary will occur.

6. When a vacancy in the pastorate occurs, a Pastoral Counseling team shall be elected by the church to seek a new pastor. The committee’s recommendation shall constitute a nomination.

B. Clerk

The church clerk, elected by the church annually, shall keep accurate records of all church business, preserve all church documents, and maintain a correct register of the church membership. The church clerk shall be designated as a corporate officer (church secretary) for state legal purposes.

C. Treasurer

The treasurer shall maintain a record of all receipts and expenses, make necessary disbursements promptly, and submit a monthly report of all financial transaction. The Treasurer is also a corporate officer for legal purposes.

D. Deacons

Deacons are to be elected by the church as the church has need according to Acts 6:1-7. Deacons must meet the qualification of Acts 6:3 and 1 Tim 3:8-13. They serve with the pastor in performing pastoral ministry tasks of the church. The Pastor will elect the chairman. The Deacon Chairman will be designated as President of the Corporation for legal purposes.

Alternate Deacon Guidelines

1. Membership. Following the teaching of Paul that in Christ there is neither male nor female, we declare that both adult (18 years old and above) men and women shall be

chosen as deacons. 3 deacons shall be elected annually for a term of 2 years, with ineligibility for reelection for 2 years.

However, we adhere to the belief that once ordained as a deacon, a person is always a deacon.

2. Duties. Service, Caring for the members of the congregation along with the pastor. The deacons shall advise and assist the pastor in all matters relative to the interests of the membership, especially in the observance of the ordinances, Baptism and the Lord’s supper.

E. Church Council

A Church Council shall be comprised of all elected ministerial staff, the chairperson of the deacons, and the directors of all ministry organizations. The Pastor shall serve as chairperson of the Church Council. The Church Council serves as the coordinating body for Planning, Programs, and Promotion of all church ministries.

F. (a) Financial Administration Committee – This committee will consist of a chairman, the church treasurer, a financial secretary of the church. Its task is to prepare an annual budget, monitor financial integrity, promote stewardship, and deal with any special financial matters that arise such as annual audit.

(b) Building and Grounds Committee – This committee shall be responsible for the maintenance of the building and grounds. It shall consist of a chairman and two (2) other members of the congregation.

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

Changes in these bylaws shall be made at any regular meeting of the church, provided each amendment has been presented in writing at the previous meeting, that a written copy of the amendment has been published at least twice in any weekly church publications prior to being voted on and that written copies of the proposed amendment has been made available to all members of the congregation. Amendments to these bylaws shall be ratified by 2/3 vote of all members present and voting.