By-Laws

Preamble

We acknowledge and accept the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of Christ as the Anglican Church in North America has received them, and do hereby subscribe without reservation to the Fundamental Declarations of the Anglican Church of North America as set forth in its Constitution (Appendix A) and the Jerusalem Declaration (Appendix B). We affirm and agree that as a member of the Anglican Diocese of Christ Our Hope, our Church shall be subject to the Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Church in North America and the Anglican Diocese of Christ Our Hope. Relationships in the Church will be guided and governed by biblical principles, especially as set forth in Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 6:1-11.

General Provisions

1.1 The name of this corporation is Christ Church, Winston-Salem, Inc., hereinafter referred to as the “Church.”

1.2 The registered office of the Church is 2252 Queen St, NC 27104.

1.3 The fiscal year of the Church shall be a calendar year, beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 each year.

1.4 The Church does, by the adoption of these Bylaws, acknowledge and accept the historic Christian faith, doctrine, discipline and worship of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as set forth in Article I (“Fundamental Declarations of the Province”) of the Constitution of the Anglican Church in North America.

1.5 The Church does, by adoption of these Bylaws state as its primary purpose, “To glorify God and fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission through service, worship, evangelism, education, pastoral care, prayer, and stewardship.”

1.6 These Bylaws were crafted, studied, presented, and adopted with the intent that they be read, interpreted and implemented consistent with both the letter and loving spirit of the Vision, Mission and Values of Christ Church.

Membership

2.1 A “member of the Church” must:

(a) be baptized with water in the Name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

(b) personally request membership,

(d) have completed a membership information class,

(e) agree to and sign the membership covenant (see Appendix A) as elucidated by the Commentary on said covenant, and

(f) renew the membership covenant on an annual basis.

2.2 A “youth member of the Church” must:

(a) be baptized with water in the Name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

(b) personally request membership,

(d) have completed a membership information class,

(e) agree to and sign the membership covenant (see Appendix A) as elucidated by the Commentary on said covenant, and

(f) renew the membership covenant on an annual basis.

(g) Youth members have no vote but are encouraged to attend congregational meetings.

2.3 Membership in the Church shall end as a result of:

(a) failure to renew the membership covenant on an annual basis.

(b) death of the member,

(d) written request of the member,

(e) by any other unambiguous manifestation of his or her intention no longer to participate as a Member of the Church, as determined by the Vestry (hereafter the Vestry) or the Rector or

(f) dismissal through church discipline as described in Matthew 18. “The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful persons, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.” (Article XIX of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion). Thus the Church is a body of Christian believers who hold certain beliefs and standards in common. On occasion, members of the Church may conduct themselves in a manner contrary to Biblical standards and the Church’s corresponding doctrinal and disciplinary formularies. In such case it is the priority of the Church, if possible, to restore such persons into conformity with the fellowship as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. Pursuant to Anglican formularies the discipline of the Church is entrusted to the Diocesan Bishop and to the Rector as his representative. If Biblical discipline is necessary, the Rector has the authority to place individual(s) under church discipline including termination of membership.

Annual Church Meeting

3.1 A meeting of the Church shall be held annually, after notice thereof is given by the Rector or Assistant Clergy or by one of the heads of the Vestry at all public worship services on the two (2) Sundays immediately preceding such Annual Meeting. The Annual Church Meeting will be held at a time and place to be fixed by the Vestry each year. Further, written notice thereof shall be posted in the Church at least two weeks before the Annual Meeting; in lieu of the foregoing written notice, notice of the Annual Church Meeting may be given in any manner and at any time permitted under the laws of this jurisdiction applicable to non-profit corporations and which facilitate apprising the membership of such Annual Meeting. A purpose of the Annual Church Meeting shall be the celebration of the prior year’s ministry, recognition and commissioning of the Vestry and such other appropriate business.

3.2 40% of the Members of the Church shall constitute a quorum.

3.3 At the Annual Church Meeting or any duly called special meeting of the Church, all Members of the Church who are physically present shall be entitled to seat, voice, and vote on all matters that properly come before said meeting for a vote. No absentee voting is permitted.

3.4 Officers of a Church Meeting shall include at least the following:

(a) The Rector shall preside at the annual or any Special Meeting as Chairman. In the case of a vacancy or in the absence of the Rector, then the Senior Warden of the Vestry shall be Chairman. In the case that neither the Rector nor the Senior Warden of the Vestry is present, then the Junior Warden of the Vestry shall be Chairman. If none of these officers is present, the meeting shall elect its own Chairman by simple majority.

(b) The Clerk of the Vestry shall be Clerk of any such meeting. In the absence of the Clerk of the Vestry, the Senior Warden shall appoint a Clerk of the meeting. The Clerk of such meeting shall keep the minutes of the meeting.

3.5 Special Meetings of the Church may be called by the Rector, by both heads of the Vestry acting jointly, or by any three (3) other members of the Vestry, or upon the written request of ten percent (10%) of the members of the Church. Notice shall be given as stated in Section 3.1 hereof and shall include the purpose(s) of the Special Meeting. The provisions regarding the qualification of voters for the Annual Church Meeting shall be applicable to any such Special Meeting.

The Vestry

4.1 Duties of the Vestry

(a) Acting as the Board of Directors for the corporation

(b) Approval of Annual Budget and reviews of financial progress

(c) Approval of Staff compensation. In the case of vacancy of the position, the calling of a Rector with approval of our Bishop

(d) Strategic oversight of buildings and land for the implementation of the vision of Christ Church

(e) Maintenance and approval of Christ Church’s Bylaws, policies, and procedures

(f) Encouragement to Rector, Shepherd Team, and Servant Team Leaders

(g) Assistance in major fundraising programs

(h) Approval of designated gifts

4.2 Vestry Appointments and Terms

(a) The Vestry shall consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine members.

(b) The members are chosen through the discernment of the Rector and the members of the current Vestry, not by popular vote. The Covenant Members of the Church express their involvement in the selection process by:

nominating persons prior to the annual meeting (in writing) for Vestry membership who are possessed of the qualifications delineated in Article V,
affirming, by means determined by the Rector and Vestry, that there is no moral impediment to those newly chosen Vestry Members, and
praying for newly chosen Vestry Members during the installation of said persons at the beginning of their terms.

(d) Each member serves a three-year term.

(e) A person cannot serve consecutive terms.

(f) In the year in which the current Rector leaves the parish, the terms of each member are automatically extended for one year in order to provide continuity among the leadership of the church through the time of transition.

(g) The Vestry from its membership will appoint officers consisting at minimum of a Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Clerk. Alternatively, the Treasurer may be appointed an ex officio member of the Vestry with a voice in the meeting but without a vote. If necessary, an Assistant Treasurer and such other officers as the Vestry deems necessary to fulfill the mission and purposes of the Church may be appointed. The position of Junior Warden may be combined with the office of Treasurer or Clerk. The Rector will recommend one person from within the Vestry for the office of Senior Warden with approval of the other members of the Vestry.

4.3 Each member of the Vestry shall be entitled to one vote on matters that come before the body.

4.4 The Rector shall be entitled to one vote only to break a tie on matters which come before the Vestry.

4.5 The Vestry shall meet regularly, as determined by the Vestry.

4.6 Special meetings of the Vestry may be held upon three (3) days’ notice from the Rector; from the heads of the Vestry acting jointly; or from the written request of three (3) members of the Vestry presented to the Rector, or in the vacancy in the office of Rector, to either of the heads of the Vestry; or upon such occasion as eighty percent (80%) of the Vestry shall be present and by three-fourths (3/4) consent to hold such a meeting.

4.7 At all regular or special meetings of the Vestry, unless it be herein otherwise provided, two-thirds (2/3) of the Vestry shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided, however, that a smaller number may meet and adjourn to such other time and place as they may deem advisable until a quorum is obtained.

4.8 The Rector shall preside at all meetings of the Vestry. In the absence of the Rector, the Senior Warden of the Vestry, or in his or her absence, the Junior Warden of the Vestry, shall preside. If the Rector and Senior Warden and Junior Warden of the Vestry shall be absent and extraordinary circumstance exist to necessitate a meeting of the Vestry, then the Vestry, so assembled, may select any other member of the Vestry to preside. If a meeting is held in the absence of the Rector and both of the heads of the Vestry, then any decision made at such meeting must be ratified at a subsequent meeting at which the Rector and either the Senior Warden or Junior Warden of the Vestry are present.

4.9 Deliberative and prayerful discussions are encouraged within the Vestry without rigid resort to parliamentary procedures. However, those rules and procedures contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern, if necessary, in all cases in which they are consistent with these Bylaws or any special rules as may be adopted.

4.10 The organizational meeting of the Vestry shall be convened by the Rector within three (3) weeks of the Annual Church Meeting.

4.11 The Rector shall appoint such other leadership apart from the Vestry as may be warranted to fulfill the vision and purposes of the Church.

4.12 The Vestry may employ such outside assistance as the Treasurer recommends.

4.13 At the close of each fiscal year, the Vestry shall make arrangements to have the Treasurer’s books of account reviewed and/or audited by a Certified Public Accountant or other qualified person or persons.

4.14 The Rector, the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, and members of the Vestry shall have authority to appoint such agents or representatives as may from time to time be deemed advisable to help carry out the responsibilities of the body, or the Vestry may delegate such authority to the Rector alone. The Rector shall have authority to engage and dismiss the services of all members of the Church staff, lay and clerical.

4.15 The Church shall not mortgage, encumber or convey any part of the real estate of this Church without the concurring affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all the members of the Vestry.

4.16 In the case of a vacancy in the office of Rector, the Vestry shall appoint from among its lay members the Senior Warden of the Vestry. In the case that office is vacated, the Vestry may appoint the person to serve until the Rector is appointed and in office.

4.17 Every person elected a Vestry member shall attest, by signing a book kept for that purpose, the following declaration and promise:

“I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ and I do yield my hearty consent to the doctrine set forth in the Constitution of the Anglican Church in North America, and to the discipline and forms of worship of the same as practiced within the Diocese of Christ our Hope. I promise that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Vestry member of this Congregation to the best of my ability.”

4.18 Termination of Vestry Membership. Members of the Vestry shall be expected to attend Vestry meetings regularly. Any member of the Vestry who is absent from four consecutive meetings of the Vestry or attends fewer than 60% of the regular Vestry meetings during any year may be removed from the Vestry by majority vote of all other members of the Vestry or by the Rector at a regular or special meeting, unless excused by the Vestry or Rector for good and sufficient reason. Upon written application to the Vestry, for good and sufficient reason leave of absence may be granted, excusing a member of the Vestry from attending meetings of the Vestry for a specified period of time. Any member of the Vestry who ceases to be a Member of the Church shall be terminated as a member of the Vestry. Any member of the Vestry who notoriously fails to conduct himself or herself in accordance with established Christian principles and ethics in his or her personal, business, or professional life, or whose conduct reflects adversely upon the integrity and character of the other members of the Vestry or of the Church, may be removed from the Vestry by unanimous vote of all other members of the Vestry at a regular or special meeting. Such member of the Vestry shall be given written notice of the general nature of the charges against him or her, at least ten days prior to such meeting.

4:19 Other Lay Leadership Appointments in the Church. From time to time the Rector may appoint lay persons to lead particular ministries and missions of the Church provided that said persons are Covenant Members of Christ Church in good standing and are in agreement with the Purpose, Vision, and Polity of Christ Church. Such ministry and mission leaders serve at the pleasure of the Rector.

Vestry Qualifications

5.1 Qualifications for serving on the Vestry are comparable to the Biblical criteria for an overseer as found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, which make clear that God is interested in character not merely competence. A member of the Vestry must become familiar with these criteria and strive, with God’s help, to live up to that standard. Serving as a member of the Vestry is a noble task and a position in the church that carries great commitment and responsibility from both a visible and spiritual perspective. A qualified person is a Covenant Member of Christ Church in good standing and:

(a) demonstrates a personal commitment to the Core Values of Christ Church (Appendix B),

(b) demonstrates a personal commitment to the Purpose, Vision, and Polity of Christ Church,

The Lord’s Prayer
The Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds
The Ten Commandments
The Sacraments

(d) demonstrates Christian leadership by:

being a member of Christ Church for at least one year, except if the membership of Christ Church drops below thirty (30) persons or by special permission granted by a majority vote of the Vestry,
possessing gifts as a leader that are discerned by the church leadership, and

iii. embraces the qualities of servant leadership as set forth in Mark 10:42-5.

(e) is devoted to daily prayer (especially for the church leadership) and the study of God’s Word,

(f) is devoted to tithing as a minimum standard of giving,

(g) has the time to serve,

(h) participates regularly in worship services and major church functions,

(i) is able to complete the three-year term and attend all Vestry meetings and required training,

(j) understands serving as a Vestry member is his/her primary ministry after his/her family,

(k) is a team player who is willing to put the good of the whole before the individual,

(l) is a Strategic thinker,

(m) seeks to participate in big picture oversight and financial responsibilities,

(n) utilizes his/her specific gifts and abilities for the advancement of the Kingdom, and

(o) agrees to undergo the Avoiding Sexual Misconduct training as required by insurance and the governing ecclesiastical judicatory.

5.2 Vestry Eligibility. Only those Covenant Members of the Congregation who are over 21 years of age and have also been confirmed, or have completed confirmation preparation and are awaiting the rite confirmation at the bishop’s earliest availability, or have been received by a Bishop of the Province or another Province of the Anglican Communion shall be eligible to serve on Vestry.

Unless permitted by written waiver of the Bishop Ordinary or the Diocesan Vestry: (1) spouses and other immediate family members of Vestry members; and (2) paid staff of the Congregation, excepting the Rector, and their spouses and other immediate family members are ineligible to serve on Vestry.

Appointment of a Rector

6.1 The Rector shall be called by God, qualified according to Scripture, ordained as a Presbyter by a Bishop of the Anglican Church in North America in apostolic succession or within another Province of the Anglican Communion, and willing to fulfill this leadership responsibility. The Rector shall adopt the vision and values of the Church. Should the Church find itself without a Rector, the Vestry, or a search team designated by it, shall consider a list of suggested candidates proposed by the overseeing Bishop of the Church. The suggestions of the Bishop are to be considered along with or in addition to any names from the members of the congregation of the Church or other sources. The Vestry may reject all of the suggested names from the Bishop after considering them in good faith; if so and after notifying the Bishop with an explanation of the reason for not pursuing or calling any of the suggested names provided by the Bishop, the Vestry may consider other names. The Rector shall be selected in the following manner: The affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all of the members of the Vestry shall be necessary to make valid the selection of a Rector. Notice of such a regular or special meeting of the Vestry shall be given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. Prior to being issued a call, the candidate for the position of Rector selected by the Vestry must be approved by the Bishop.

6.2 The call of the Rector shall be in writing in a letter of agreement between the Rector and the Vestry and must clearly express the job description and any special conditions together with the understandings as to stipend and benefits, including vacation and other time off. The stipend and benefits may be increased or diminished, as the parties may from time to time agree.

6.3 Upon approval of the Bishop and the issuance of a call by the Vestry Advice the new Rector will be duly instituted as the Priest in Charge of Christ Church according to the rubrics and liturgy of “An Office of Institution of Ministers into Parishes or Churches” as contained in THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER (1928) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America or other liturgy approved by the Diocesan Bishop.

6.4 The Rector by virtue of his office has the exclusive charge and care of all the spiritual concerns, worship, music, and liturgical observances of the church, subject and answerable to the Bishop. The Rector is the ex-officio presiding officer of the Vestry and is entitled to speak and vote on all questions before the Vestry, including matters arising in executive session. The Rector may call meetings of the Vestry and Church as he deems proper. The Rector must call a meeting of the Vestry when requested to do so by a majority of the members thereof.

6.5 The Vestry shall be the agents and legal representatives of the Church in all matters concerning corporate property.

6.6 When, in the judgment of the Bishop of the Church, it shall appear (1) that there are grounds for believing that the relationship between a Rector and a Church is such that it may not be in the best interest of the Church that such person continue to perform such duties, (2) that there may be grounds for believing that the relations between a Rector and a Church are such that the Rector is prevented from performing ecclesiastical and other duties in a manner which is in the best interest of the Church, or (3) other serious dispute or difficulty, then the policies of the Anglican Church in North America for congregational conflict resolution shall be followed.

6.7 During a vacancy in the position of Rector of the Church, the Vestry shall place the ministerial duties appertaining to said position in the hands and under the control of the Bishop until such time as a Rector is selected.

Duties of the Rector

7.1 In accordance with the responsibilities placed upon the Rector by the ordination vows and the rubrics of the Anglican Prayer Book, the Rector, in subordination to the Bishop, shall be responsible for and have charge and care of the spiritual concerns, music, and ritual observances of the Church, and the performance of their duties by all employees of the Church.

7.2 The Rector shall preside at all meetings of the Church and Vestry.

7.3 The Rector shall be responsible for leadership in formation of the vision for the church and its implementation.

7.4 The Rector shall be responsible for the hiring, oversight and retention of any other clergy, the church staff, and the church worship musicians and shall have any terms of such employment reduced to writing.

7.5 The Senior Clergy shall have authority over the usage of all buildings and property of the Church for ministry purposes.

Duties of the Heads of the Vestry

8.1 The Senior Warden and Junior Warden of the Vestry shall supervise the property of the Church and shall offer lay leadership to the Vestry in performance of their respective duties in a satisfactory manner. Among their duties shall be the following:

(a) to see that the Church is kept in good repair, fit for use, and used for the purpose of its consecration;

(b) to provide, at the Church’s expense, the necessary books, bread and wine, vestments, etc. for the due celebration of the Sacred Offices subject to the direction of the Rector;

(d) to maintain order and decorum during the time of Worship Services at the direction of the Rector;

(e) to notify the Bishop or ecclesiastical authority upon the vacancy in the position of Rector, to receive guidance as to the provision for ministerial services during such vacancy, and to take charge of the Parish Register, Church Books, Plate and other movable property; and

(f) to notify the Bishop or ecclesiastical authority upon selection of a new Rector, giving the name of the person so selected and the compensation proposed.

Duties of the Clerk

9.1 The Clerk shall:

(a) keep the Minutes of the Vestry in a permanent form and transit such report to each member of the Vestry as soon as practical after each meeting;

(b) duly notify the members of the Vestry of its regular, special or other meetings for which notice may be required; and

9.2 The Clerk shall act, if present, as Clerk of the Annual Meeting of the Church or any Special Meetings of the Church.

Duties of the Treasurer

10.1 The Treasurer shall maintain or oversee the maintenance of the financial records of the Church in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including but not limited to all sums received from any and all sources as well as all disbursements made for any and all purposes, which records shall always be subject to the inspection of the Vestry or its appointees.

10.2 It is preferred that no checks in the general operating or capital accounts of the Church be signed by the Rector. All checks should be signed by the Treasurer and may be countersigned by such other persons appointed by the Vestry in a duly adopted Resolution and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

10.3 The Treasurer shall pay the Rector and all others who have approved salaries, in convenient installments.

10.4 The Treasurer shall furnish to the Rector, if requested, an accurate list from the ledgers of the Church identifying those persons who are regular contributors to the revenues of the Church.

10.5 The Church shall secure for the Treasurer any Assistant Treasurer, Bookkeeper, and any others charged by the Vestry with the responsibility of handling funds of the Church a surety or fiduciary bond or insurance coverage in the aggregate sum deemed appropriate by the Vestry, which bond or coverage shall be paid from Church funds.

Liability and Indemnification

11.1 Except for responsibility or liability of a member of the Vestry pursuant to any criminal statute or for payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or Federal law, a member of the Vestry shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for any action taken or any failure to take any action unless (a) such member has breached or failed to perform his or her fiduciary duties and (b) the breach or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness.

11.2 Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, including actions by or in the right of the Church, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a member of the Vestry, officer, employee or agent of the Church, or is or was serving at the request of the Church as a member of the Vestry, officer, employee or agent of another entity shall be indemnified by the Church against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or imposed upon him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; provided however, that the Church shall not indemnify any such person where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by the court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, unless such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by the judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the person is not entitled to indemnification under this Section, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

11.3 No amendment or repeal of this Article shall adversely affect any right or protection extended to a member of the Vestry, officer, employee, or agent hereunder for an act or failure to act occurring prior to the time of such amendment or repeal. Each Vestry member, officer, employee and agent shall be deemed to act in such capacity in reliance upon the rights of indemnification, and advancement of expenses hereunder shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Vestry member, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.

Manner of Amendment

12.1 The Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation may be amended in whole or in part if:

(a) the amendment is proposed by the Rector, or the Vestry, or a petition signed by one-third of the active Covenant Members of the Congregation; and

(b) the Vestry votes by a two thirds (2/3) majority to approve the changes in the Bylaws.

Soli Deo gloria

Appendix A

ARTICLE I: FUNDAMENTAL DECLARATIONS OF THE PROVINCE OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA

As the Anglican Church in North America (the Province), being a part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ, we believe and confess Jesus Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one comes to the Father but by Him. Therefore, we identify the following seven elements as characteristic of the Anglican Way, and essential for membership:

We confess the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation, and to be the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.
We confess Baptism and the Supper of the Lord to be Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself in the Gospel, and thus to be ministered with unfailing use of His words of institution and of the elements ordained by Him.
We confess the godly historic Episcopate as an inherent part of the apostolic faith and practice, and therefore as integral to the fullness and unity of the Body of Christ.
We confess as proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture the historic faith of the undivided church as declared in the three Catholic Creeds: the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian.
Concerning the seven Councils of the undivided Church, we affirm the teaching of the first four Councils and the Christological clarifications of the fifth, sixth and seventh Councils, in so far as they are agreeable to the Holy Scriptures.
We receive The Book of Common Prayer as set forth by the Church of England in 1662, together with the Ordinal attached to the same, as a standard for Anglican doctrine and discipline, and, with the Books which preceded it, as the standard for the Anglican tradition of worship.
We receive the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1571, taken in their literal and grammatical sense, as expressing the Anglican response to certain doctrinal issues controverted at that time, and as expressing fundamental principles of authentic Anglican belief.

In all these things, the Anglican Church in North America is determined by the help of God to hold and maintain, as the Anglican Way has received them, the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ and to transmit the same, unimpaired, to our posterity.

We seek to be and remain in full communion with all Anglican Churches, Dioceses and Provinces that hold and maintain the Historic Faith, Doctrine, Sacraments and Discipline of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Appendix B

THE JERUSALEM DECLARATION

June 29, 2008

In the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit:

We, the participants in the Global Anglican Future Conference, have met in the land of Jesus’ birth. We express our loyalty as disciples to the King of kings, the Lord Jesus. We joyfully embrace his command to proclaim the reality of his kingdom which he first announced in this land. The gospel of the kingdom is the good news of salvation, liberation and transformation for all. In light of the above, we agree to chart a way forward together that promotes and protects the biblical gospel and mission to the world, solemnly declaring the following tenets of orthodoxy which underpin our Anglican identity.

We rejoice in the gospel of God through which we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because God first loved us, we love him and as believers bring forth fruits of love, ongoing repentance, lively hope and thanksgiving to God in all things.
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God written and to contain all things necessary for salvation. The Bible is to be translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the church’s historic and consensual reading.
We uphold the four Ecumenical Councils and the three historic Creeds as expressing the rule of faith of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We uphold the Thirty-nine Articles as containing the true doctrine of the Church agreeing with God’s Word and as authoritative for Anglicans today.
We gladly proclaim and submit to the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, humanity’s only Saviour from sin, judgement and hell, who lived the life we could not live and died the death that we deserve. By his atoning death and glorious resurrection, he secured the redemption of all who come to him in repentance and faith.
We rejoice in our Anglican sacramental and liturgical heritage as an expression of the gospel, and we uphold the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as a true and authoritative standard of worship and prayer, to be translated and locally adapted for each culture.
We recognise that God has called and gifted bishops, priests and deacons in historic succession to equip all the people of God for their ministry in the world. We uphold the classic Anglican Ordinal as an authoritative standard of clerical orders.
We acknowledge God’s creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain this standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married.
We gladly accept the Great Commission of the risen Lord to make disciples of all nations, to seek those who do not know Christ and to baptise, teach and bring new believers to maturity.
We are mindful of our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation, to uphold and advocate justice in society, and to seek relief and empowerment of the poor and needy.
We are committed to the unity of all those who know and love Christ and to building authentic ecumenical relationships. We recognise the orders and jurisdiction of those Anglicans who uphold orthodox faith and practice, and we encourage them to join us in this declaration.
We celebrate the God-given diversity among us which enriches our global fellowship, and we acknowledge freedom in secondary matters. We pledge to work together to seek the mind of Christ on issues that divide us.
We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord.
We rejoice at the prospect of Jesus’ coming again in glory, and while we await this final event of history, we praise him for the way he builds up his church through his Spirit by miraculously changing lives.

Appendix C

Christ Church Membership Covenant

Membership Covenant

In the Name of God The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit I reaffirm my commitment to Jesus Christ made at my baptism:

With God’s help I will continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

With God’s help I will persevere in resisting evil and whenever I fall into sin, I will repent and turn to the Lord.

With God’s help I will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.

With God’s help I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself.

With God’s help I will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

With God’s help I will reverently and gladly receive the nurture, teaching, and discipline of those ministers of the Church charged with the care of my soul.

With God’s help I will support Christ Church with my prayers, my presence, my gifts, and my service.

I understand that this covenant is to be renewed on an annual basis and that failure to do so is deemed my request to be removed from the membership of Christ Church, Anglican.

Appendix D

Commentary on the Membership Covenant of Christ Church, Anglican

(This commentary is considered the authoritative, but not exhaustive, interpretation of said Membership Covenant.)

In the Name of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…

All that we are, do, and believe as members of Christ Church is to the glory of the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. In keeping with our Anglican heritage, rooted in the apostolic witness, we believe that:

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (Article I of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion)

In affirming this, I state that I believe that the God revealed in Holy Scripture and believed upon by the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church is the only true and living God (Exodus 20:1-3; Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Psalm 115:14-18, John 14:6).

I reaffirm my commitment to Jesus Christ made at my baptism…

This means that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord by faith, trusting in his grace alone for salvation. Faith in Christ is more than mere mental assent or intellectual agreement. Rather, it means that I have renounced the world, the flesh, and the devil and have entrusted my entire existence to, and entered into relationship with, Jesus Christ. (John 1:12-13)

This also indicates that I have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with the means of water and in the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God has acted objectively, sovereignly, and powerfully in my baptism to claim me as his own. I have received the grace poured out on me in baptism by placing my faith in Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-39)

This also means that it is my intention to keep the specific following commitments by remaining in close fellowship with God and trusting him to work powerfully through me. (John 15:5-8)

With God’s help…

This means I understand that I cannot, by my own strength, live the Christian life, but that God must empower me by the Person of his Holy Spirit. (Philippians 4:13) As I submit to God the Holy Spirit who has taken up residence in my life I will grow more and more into the likeness of his Son Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:29)

This also means that I understand that the Christian life is a journey with Jesus. Each day, as I seek to walk with Christ, he guides me deeper into a life-giving, life-transforming relationship with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If I do try to lead the Christian life by my own effort, I will become anxious, discouraged and defeated. (Romans 8:5-8) However, if I submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, I will find strength, encouragement, and joy in the journey. (Galatians 5:16-26)

I may stumble and fall along the way, but Jesus, the Good Shepherd, never gives up on me. If I will listen to his voice, and return to him, he will lift me up, restore me, and set me on the path to greater love and deeper fellowship with God. (Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 15:11-32; Philippians 3:12-14)

I will continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers…

This means that I will seek to read, mark (i.e., give my full attention to), learn, and inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures privately, with my family and Life Group, and as the Scriptures are proclaimed in public worship. The core teachings of the Christian faith are presented in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. Our particular Anglican doctrinal emphases are presented in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. (Acts 2:42)

This also means that I will remain in fellowship with other believers through opportunities presented by worship on the Lord’s Day and by developing relationships with others at Christ Church.

I recognize that the basic unit of nurture and pastoral care in Christ Church is the small group (i.e., Life Group). As a member of Christ Church I know that I am expected to participate in a small group fellowship. (Acts 2:44)

I understand that the Sacrament of Holy Communion, (also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist) is an indispensable and biblical part of Christian worship and discipleship along with the teaching of God’s Word.

As a member of Christ Church I will seek to cultivate a life of prayer. This means I will grow in my ability to pray for Christ Church’s members and leaders, for my family, and for myself. I recognize that I am strongly urged to practice the Anglican way of morning and evening prayer in one of the forms presented in the Book of Common Prayer.

I will persevere in resisting evil and whenever I fall into sin, I will repent and turn to the Lord…

This means that I will “keep short accounts with God.” I will seek to heed the warnings of the Holy Spirit not to sin. When I fall into sin, I will confess it to God, repent, and seek his forgiveness. (1 John 1:9-2:2) I understand that being in community means that my brothers and sisters are responsible to watch over me in love and offer gentle correction and encouragement when I stumble and fall into sin. (Galatians 6:1-2, Colossians 3:16)

I will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ…

This means that I will seek to live a life worthy of the Gospel and that I will pursue personal holiness seeking to perfectly love God and worthily magnify his holy name.[1] (Philippians 1:27; 1 John 2:6)

This means that I will be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in me by sharing my faith in Christ as God enables me and offers opportunity. (1 Peter 3:15)

I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself…

This means that I remember that I am called to live out the example of Christ in seeking not to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:25-28; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:10)

This also means that I will love my brothers and sisters at Christ Church and I will love those who do not yet know Christ. (1 Corinthians 13) I will love my enemies and pray for those who despitefully use me. (Matthew 5:43-48)

When injured by another member (this will inevitably happen), or when I injure another member I will not disengage from Christ Church or bear a grudge or sow dissension. Rather, in obedience to the clear command of Jesus Christ I will seek reconciliation. (Matthew 5:21-26; Matthew 6:14-15) I will speak directly to the leader or member who has injured me and will not speak to anyone else until I have done so. The exception to this is to seek biblical counsel from my priest in how to engage the person who has wronged me.

If I believe that the priest in charge has wronged me, I will go directly to him and respectfully speak to him about the matter. I will not speak to anyone else until I have taken this step. The exception to this is if the wrong is of a very serious nature. In such a case I will speak to the Senior Warden (the senior lay person on the Vestry) or the Bishop in order to seek counsel on how to resolve the wrong. (1 Timothy 5:19)

I will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being…

This means I will respect all human life and be an advocate for the sanctity of life as God’s gift. I will recognize that all women and men are created in the image of God and I will treat them in this manner. (Genesis 1:27; Revelation 7:9) I will extend a loving wecome to those who do not know Christ, love him, or live for him when they attend Christ Church’s worship services and other functions.

This means that I will not gossip and will not allow others to bring gossip to me. (Ephesians 4:29-32)

I will reverently and gladly receive the nurture, teaching, and discipline of those ministers of the Church charged with the care of my soul…

This means that I will respect and support the leadership of my bishop, rector, and other clergy and lay leaders given responsibility for the leadership of Christ Church. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17)

This means that I will be teachable. In other words, I will be willing to receive instruction in the Scriptures and the application of sound doctrine to my life by way of those ministers trained in the Word of God and ordained to teach it. I will seek to hold to those teachings that conform to the witness of Scripture and the apostolic tradition of the Church. I will not entertain or seek to spread doctrines that do not have the warrant of Scripture and the apostolic tradition of the Church. (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:3-5; Titus 2:1; 2 John 7-11)

This means that I will submit to the correction and admonition of my rector and other clergy appointed to serve within Christ Church when I fall into sin or engage in activities harmful to the life and unity of the Church. (Matthew 18:15-17; John 20:21-23; Galatians 6:1-2; Hebrews 13:17)

I will support Christ Church with my prayers, my presence, my gifts, and my service…

This means that I will be loyal to and support Christ Church as my home church.

This also means that I will pray for my church, my fellow members, and my leaders.

It also means that I will be diligent and consistent in attending upon the public worship of God at Christ Church unless prevented by employment, illness, or necessary travel. Regular attendance upon the worship of God means that the worship of God on the Lord’s Day is a sacred obligation of every Christian and takes precedence over to all other voluntary activities. (Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:24-25)

This means that I will give sacrificially to God through Christ Church with the tithe as the basic standard of giving. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11) It also means that I will seek to identify and use the spiritual gifts God has given to me for the purpose of building up the Church and expanding his Kingdom. (Romans 12:3-13; 1 Corinthians 12)

Finally this means that I am not merely a spectator or a consumer, but I am actively engaged in serving God through Christ Church.

I understand that this covenant is to be renewed on an annual basis and that failure to do so is deemed my request to be removed from the membership of Christ Church, Anglican.

This means that, if it is my intention to remain a member of Christ Church, I will renew my membership covenant annually, verbally and/or in writing. The Great Vigil of Easter is the primary liturgical occasion for the renewal of my baptismal vows and membership covenant. The official renewal of membership occurs when I sign and date the Covenant Renewal Form issued during the autumn every year at Christ Church.

[1] Cf., the Collect for Purity.

Appendix E

The Core Values of Christ Church

Christ Church, Winston Salem is:

Committed to the sure foundation of classic Christian faith and practice (the Bible, the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and the 39 Articles of Religion of the Church of England).
Committed to Relational Evangelism. Growth comes through initiating and building relationships with people not connected to Christ and his Church.
Committed to making disciples through small groups.
Committed to expectant prayer and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Committed to be a welcoming community that longs to bring others into the family of God.
Committed to authentic, God-centered worship in the Anglican Tradition
Committed to be a missional church expressing the Kingdom of God in the world.
Committed to radical generosity through sacrificial giving of our time, talent, and treasure.

Soli Deo gloria