Desiring to be in harmony with the Holy Scriptures, we, the Elder Council of Grace Community, hereby identify those matters which relate to our organizational policies and goals. The following is now set forth and agreed to:

1. Identification

We are a community of believers united in our common faith in Jesus Christ. While we come from many varied backgrounds, it is our common background in Adam and our identification with him in his fall, that caused us to be equally unregenerate by nature and by transgression. Christ's death on the cross is the basis for our redemption, and His resurrection Life within us is the basis of our regeneration.

As those redeemed by His blood and regenerated by His Holy Spirit, we recognize our responsibility of "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). We are a part of His Church in Tyler, and our desire and purpose in this regard is to be a supportive and encouraging influence. (I Corinthians 12:12; Philippians 2:3-4)

2. Our Goals and Objectives

Our goal is to be an effective part of Christ's body and to build it up in love and good works, "to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with all fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:10-19).

Our desire is that an effective presentation of the Gospel of God's grace and an opportunity to receive Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior be made to each person touched by Grace Community, and that each person making such a commitment be helped in effective follow-up, enabling him to walk in obedience to Christ, balanced with the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, witnessing, with Christ at the core and thrust of their lives. Some of our specific objectives as a part of a biblical, local church are:

1. To honor the Lord Jesus Christ in all our corporate meetings as well as in our individual lives (Romans 11:36).
   

2. To do all things in dependence on Him so that He might have the pre-eminence (John 15:1-11).
   

3. To honor the authority of the Word of God for our individual lives and functions of Grace Community (II Timothy 3:16,17).
   

4. To discover, develop and use our spiritual gifts (Romans 12:4-6).
   

5. To help church families experience a blessedness in their marriages and provide a godly foundation for many generations (Ephesians 5,6).
   

6. To provide learning centers which help build character, wisdom, and biblical knowledge along with academic and practical skills compatible with successful Christian living (Galatians 3:25-4:7; Proverbs 4:1-9).
   

7. To encourage practical applications of the Scriptures in evangelism, discipleship and missions, as well as body life. (II Timothy 2:2; Matthew 28:19-20; Hebrews 10:24-25).
   

3. Form of Government

Believing that Christ is the head of the Body of Believers, His Church, we function through an Elder Council, which seeks to provide leadership and direction to Grace Community and its ministries. The Elder Council will consist of a minimum of 20 permanent elders. As the fellowship grows and the need arises to seek additional elders, elder candidates must be confirmed by a 90 percent vote of confidence by the membership of Grace Community and will begin service on January 1 following the year of their confirmation.

This Elder Council is vested with the authority to decide all matters pertaining to the functions and ministries of Grace Community, other than those specific decision-making processes listed under "IV Membership." In connection with the decision-making process, the Elder Council shall make and keep a permanent record of all official actions and decisions which it makes. Its members shall also serve as Trustees of all properties owned by Grace Community.

4. Membership

In that we see Grace Community as one part of His Church, our desire is also that each person who comes among us and is truly His child would feel welcome and at home. We cannot exclude those whom He includes. We have certain responsibilities toward those whom God leads our way, and who sense in their hearts that Grace Community is where Christ wants them involved in His Body.

We believe that each person He leads here should also sense personally a corresponding responsibility and will make a special contribution as part of this fellowship. The Membership of Grace Community has the responsibility for 1) the confirmation of Elders, 2) the call of the Senior Pastor, 3) the approval of the annual church budget, 4) approval of all non-budgeted capital expenditures over 2.5% of current budget, and 5) any other issue delegated to the Membership by the Elder Council. The following Community Covenant is a means through which we together can commit ourselves by God's Grace to each other.

A Member's Covenant to Grace Community:

1. To honor the centrality of Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Head of the Church.
   

2. To acknowledge the authority of the Scriptures over one's life and over the direction of Grace Community.
   

3. To be faithful in assembling for worship, for hearing and responding to the Word of God, and for fellowship.
   

4. To be involved regularly in a supportive fellowship.
   

5. To participate in supporting the work of the church as God enables one to do so.
   

6. To share God's leadership in one's life with an Elder or one of the Pastors in the event God should lead one away from Grace Community.
   

Grace Community's Covenant to a Member:

1. To assist each member in finding a brother or sister in the Lord with whom he can meet regularly in fellowship, sharing of the Word, and the sharing of specific needs and prayer requests.
   

2. To provide supportive fellowships where each member can be involved meaningfully in ministry with others in the body of Christ.

3. To provide opportunities for ministry in exercising spiritual gifts and talents.

5. Properties and Finances

We believe God "will supply all our needs" and therefore, in the matter of property and finances, Grace Community will walk by faith as a Body, and build as we are supplied the resources.

6. Staff and Personnel

At Grace Community we desire to follow the biblical truth and pattern that every true believer is a minister and is to be involved in the meeting of others' needs. One of the primary ministries of the staff is to equip the believers "for the work of the ministry."

Other staff functions should be filled by persons employed as the need arises. The employment and the termination of paid employees (with the exception of calling the Senior Pastor) as well as setting salaries rests with the Elder Council. The Elder Council may delegate any responsibility to a specified staff member with appropriate guidelines to follow.

7. Ministries

To carry out Grace Community goals and objectives in an orderly fashion, we are organized into various ministries. The Elder Council oversees all ministries of Grace Community. The Elder Council consists of an Administrative Board and a Shepherding Board, which shall have full authority and responsibility necessary to carry out their ministries consistent with the above stated goals, policies and objectives.

The Administrative Board, consisting of seven members will be chosen from among the Council members and will include the Council Chairman who will serve as Chairman of the Administrative Board. The Senior Pastor and the Administrative Pastor will be permanent members of the Administrative Board.

The Shepherding Board will consist of all elders not serving on the Administrative Board and will be chaired by the Senior Pastor.

Both Boards will insure that the Senior Pastor, as well as the head of each area of ministry, shall keep an official record of meetings, policies and decisions and make periodic reports as required.

8. Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by the Elder Council from time to time as it deems necessary and appropriate. Any changes shall be recorded in a separate document to be kept in the church files with this Constitution.