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PROVIDENCE REFORMED CHURCH

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE
Since God has ordained the nature, membership, offices and duties of the church in the
Scriptures; since wherever the Word is accurately preached, the sacraments properly
administered and discipline regularly exercised, a true church of Christ exists; and since all
true Christians ought to organize all of life, and especially the local church, according to those
clear principles of Scripture, we hereby organize this local body by this constitution in full
Christian freedom.1

Article I Name

Sec. 1. The name of this church is Providence Reformed Church.

Article II Incorporation

Sec. 1. This church is a non-profit corporation, organized under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code.

Article III Purpose

Sec. 1. The ultimate purpose of the local church is to glorify God by worshiping him together.
Corporate worship is central to the very meaning of the word “church” (ekklesia):
that we are called out of this world into regular assembly to hear his word, observe
the sacraments, exercise discipline, pray and sing God’s praises. Every penultimate
purpose of the local church is subordinate to this ultimate purpose and must not
contradict this chief end of worship. (Mark 12:29-30, Romans 12:1, Hebrews 10:25, 1
Corinthians 10:31)

Sec. 2. The first penultimate purpose of the local church is to disciple the saints in the
whole counsel of God’s word. The central event where this takes place is the
preaching of the word in the Lord’s Day assembly, yet every other event of the
church should be the application of this teaching. Discipleship stands in between
worship and evangelism as a means and an end. Each member is matured and

1 Drafted on June 1, 2017, but in its final form on August 1, 2017,

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trained into a worshiper, and when we evangelize we call sinners to discipleship.

(Matthew 28:20, Ephesians 4:11-16)

Article IV Elements of Corporate Worship

Sec. 1. Corporate worship is defined as the gathering of the whole congregation on the
Lord’s Day, with the elements of the true church regularly performed. While this
Lord’s Day gathering is mandated by Scripture, there are other times where the
congregation is called to gather for worship—yet these should not replace the Lord’s
Day assembly.

Sec. 2. The first element of corporate worship is the preaching of God’s Word: the
form of that preaching being expository of the text of Scripture. Since the Word
creates the invisible church, and since the visible is the imperfect manifestation of
that, it follows that this element is the most foundational and central and to be
observed even where all else fails. (2 Timothy 4:1-2, Acts 6:2-4)

Sec. 3. The second element of corporate worship includes the two sacraments, or ordinances,
which are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Sec. 4. Baptism is defined as a sign from God that signifies the covenant promises of God
and its accomplishment in Christ. This is why there are two forms stressing the
two biblically valid aspects of the gospel. Therefore the form of baptism required
for membership may be by pouring, sprinkling or immersion, and the recipient may
be either a new believer or the children of believers.

Sec. 5. The Lord’s Supper is defined as a sign from God that signifies the broken body
and shed blood of Jesus for his people. It is therefore to be received in faith by
all who would be instructed by the gospel in it, yet all hardened unbelievers are to
be warned against taking it as a superstition.

Article V Membership

Sec. 1. Members shall be defined as those who have made credible profession of faith in Jesus
Christ, have been baptized, and have fulfilled all requirements of the membership
class, made the vow before the congregation, and are not under legitimate church
discipline elsewhere.
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Sec. 2. Each member is expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of
the church, consistent with God’s leading and with the gifts, time, and material
resources each has received from God.

Sec. 3. Members who relinquish their membership shall not be treated as if they are in sin
simply because they are relinquishing their membership. Such members leaving shall
not be subject to unreasonable pursuit or interrogation, and churches shall not be
contacted in order to marginalize those individuals. Only in legitimate
excommunication cases shall churches be contacted where there is a clear and
present danger to those congregations, or in situations in which ongoing pastoral
care may reasonably be aided by such information.

Sec. 4. All who are members in good standing may serve. There will be no caste system in
this church. One must be a r e g u l a r l y a t t e n d i n g member to serve at those
positions specified by the elder-approved policy made for each ministry.
H o w e v e r , n on-members may serve in other positions. Whenever there is any
doubt, elder approval is required.

Sec. 5. “Good standing” with a previous congregation will be defined as any member
who is not currently under l e g i t i m a t e discipline or who has reconciled with
that local body where s u c h l e g i t i m a t e discipline has taken place. However
there may be biblical reasons to have left another church; and that will be judged by
the elders of this church

Sec. 6. Members meetings are for the purpose of fellowship, accountability, vision-
casting and celebration. Since we do not operate by a congregational, but a
presbyterian, polity, there will be no voting at these meetings. The term “members
meetings” (and not “congregational” or “family” meetings) shall be used to refer to
these meetings.

Article VI Polity

Sec. 1. The form of government in this church will be local presbyterian in that it will be
governed by the presbyterian form—that is, a plurality of elders—and its local polity will
not be subject to any ecclesiastical oversight not recognized by Scripture. Though the
elders of this body should humbly seek much pastoral oversight and accountability beyond
themselves, such is not an oversight of ecclesiastical polity with disciplinary powers.

Sec. 2. The freedom of all Christians permits parachurch oversight that stands in between the
universal and local church. However since no such body is recognized by the New
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Testament, there is no such thing as “The Presbyterian Church” or “The Baptist Church,”
etc. There is only the universal church (all Christians through history and across the
world) and the local church (every congregation where the word is preached, sacraments
administered and discipline exercised). Nothing else is legitimately a church; but any third
thing is properly understood to be a parachurch organization, which may or may not
be preferable in particular circumstances.

Sec. 3. The biblical officers of the church will be elders and deacons. However the church is free to
recognize and appoint the administrative positions of clerk, treasurer and certain staff
members as set forth in this Constitution.

Sec. 4. A woman may hold any office or position, including positions of ministry leadership, at PRC
with the exception of elder or deacon.

Article VII Office of Elder

Sec. 1. The office of elder is, in its basic function, a teaching office and therefore the government of
the church is essentially doctrinal in character. As such their reason for being is to set forth
the truth of God’s word in the forms of preaching, teaching, prayer, personal
discipleship, modeling character, congregational singing and in the act of governing itself. All
of these belong to the teaching office of the elder.

Sec. 2. Elders must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled,
respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle,
not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all
dignity keeping his children submissive. He must be already instructing others and able to
refute all of the main errors of our day. (1 Timothy 3:2-7, Titus 1:6-11)

Sec. 3. Elders are all equal in office. There is no biblical distinction between a Senior Pastor and
other pastors, for pastor and elder are used interchangeably, together with shepherd and
overseer. While the distinction based on 1 Timothy 5:17 between teaching and ruling elders
is permissible, such should not be taken to approve of elders not able to teach or judge in
doctrinal matters. Such a distinction between ruling and teaching may apply both to
recognition of gifts and division of labor. However it should not be taken to divide the
church behind two different kinds of vision—a teaching versus a non-teaching vision.

Sec. 4. As it belongs to the basic duty of an elder to sit in session, any elder who is delinquent in this
duty shall come under review for removal from office. Any delinquency consisting in an
average of missing half of the meetings, or three or four consecutively, with the exception of
scheduled leaves of absence with prior notification, shall be considered for review.
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Article VIII Office of Deacon

Sec. 1. Deacons lead in serving the body, freeing up the elders to their ministry of the word and
prayer. While all members should be engaged in service, the diaconate exists to direct that
service, to recruit such servants and to provide feedback to the elders for the purpose
of more effective governing. The office of deacon is subject to the elders in every area
of church life. (Acts 6:1-4)

Sec. 2. Deacons must be men who are honest, self-controlled, and proven for a time in both their
own homes and the church body. Since the texts of Scripture concerning deacons limit
their descriptions to men, the office shall be held solely by men. (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

Sec. 3. Deacons meetings should be held for the purpose of better coordination of service in the
body. An elder may be present to receive immediate feedback as well as to give direction,
though this is not necessary in all cases. Such meetings should occur at least once a month.

Article IX Officer Selection

Sec. 1. The selection of officers shall be held at either a regular or special meeting of the elders, and
shall be approved according to the ordinary voting procedure set forth in this Constitution.

Sec. 2. The candidate for the office of elder shall begin an examination process of an ordinary
minimum of one year, once approved by the elders. This means that during the examination,
he will be an elder in training with no voting power.

Sec. 3. The candidacy of any elder will be announced to the church either in the Sunday gathering or
in any of the full members’ meetings throughout the year. This will allow for a full year,
(ordinarily) for any member to examine the candidate, express any concerns, or, if need be,
to bring any accusation of sin before the elders and the body.

Sec. 4. The appointment of any elder by the vote of the elder board will precede a specially called
members’ meeting. In this meeting, any member may give final examination of the candidate,
express any concerns, or, if need be, bring any accusation of sin before the elders and the
body. This may also be a regularly scheduled member’s meeting if it is judged convenient by
the elders. However, we have a process of congregational approbation that demands any
member follow the spirit of Matthew 18:15-18; i. e. any accusation of sin should be made first
in private and with witnesses.

Sec. 5. The candidacy and the selection of any deacon will be decided by the vote of the elders.
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Article X Session Meeting

Sec. 1. The official decision-making body of the church is the elder board. Accordingly it will
be at monthly elder’s meetings where such decisions will be finalized. The plurality of elders
will meet once a month. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority or plurality. Any elders
who cannot attend may participate via the Google Doc. The Google Doc is the ultimate
record of meeting and as such is ongoing. The meeting serves to finalize whatever business
has not been carried forward or which remains to be debated. However, the better use of the
monthly meeting is to chart ahead on the next month’s business so that the constant, live
format of the Doc can keep things at a war-time speed.

Sec. 2. All elder meetings will be run according to a modified form of Robert’s Rules of
Order, consisting in: (1) motion to the next proposal, (2) debate with time limits, (3) motion
to vote, (4) calling of the vote, (5) motion to adjourn at the close of business, (6) a rotation of
moderators to enforce the rules.

Sec. 3. All regularly scheduled session meetings will be open to any member in the
congregation who desires to attend. Such attendance by non-office-holding members may
consist in observing, but not participating in, the session meeting.

Sec. 4. All elder meetings will be recorded on a running Google Doc. There will be a unique
Google Doc for each month’s meeting. The purpose for this separation of months will be to
more easily find individual propositions for general purposes, as well as in the eventuality
that the information in a meeting has to be made public to the congregation as a whole (cf.
VIII.2).

Sec. 5. All decisions of the elder board will be made by voting and all such votes will be
decided by a simple majority. There are to be no exceptions to the simple majority
decision-making process in any area of church life whatsoever. Any one elder may abstain
from any vote according to conscience, but such abstention must be recorded without
exception.

Sec. 6. Any elder may motion for a vote on any issue at any meeting: official or otherwise. This
preserves the integrity of the voting process. If any motion seems to be hasty in the timing
of its proposal, it can easily be voted down for the time being. If this process is not
protected by all the elders as if they were equal, then there is no genuine plurality of
elders. Neither the voting rules themselves, nor the freedom to present a motion can be
overturned, blocked or filibustered without overturning the entire constitutional form of
this church government and therefore this particular church’s existence.
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Sec. 7. If a vote ends in a 1 to 1 tie that the tie shall be broken in favor of the teaching elder,
on whichever side they vote. If it is 1 to 1 between the preaching elder and teaching elder,
then the tie is broken in favor of the preaching elder. If it is 1 to 1 between a teaching (or
preaching) elder and ruling elder, then the tie is broken in favor of the teaching (or
preaching) elder. If it is a tie in greater numbers, any numbers 2 to 2 or greater, the
same principle applies across the board if the full-time teaching or preaching elders are on
one side. If the numbers are greater than there are full-time teaching elders, and a vote ends
in a tie, the vote shall be broken by the simple majority vote of the deacons. If a tie still
persists among the deacons, then the proposition shall be brought to the vote of the entire
congregation.

Article XI Session Record

Sec. 1. All business of the church requiring a decision will be in the form of propositions.
Such propositions will be recorded in the aforementioned Google Docs. The form of each
proposition must include: 1. proposition number, 2. date proposed, 3. the proposition itself,
4. argument on its behalf, 5. vote — consisting in a. vote total and b. each elder’s initial by
their vote — 6. elder debate, 7. deacon feedback, 8. dissenting opinion, and 9. majority
opinion.

Sec. 2. All disagreements between elders, on any matter whatsoever, shall be formulated into
a proposition with a vote registered. All votes, or abstentions, shall be recorded with the
name of the elder next to his vote, or abstention. A disagreement shall be judged necessary
for such record in any case where speech concerning it disrupts order, whether in the
unintentional mishandling of time or in a more diliberate attempt to filibuster. In any case
where an elder requests more time, and another elder disagrees with said time extention, this
is equally a disagreement that must come to immediate vote. To repeat, there are to be no
exceptions to this remedy to any disagreement of any kind.

Sec. 3. No decisions concerning the handling church finances, qualifying or disqualifying

church servants, beginning or ceasing ministries, or any other appointment of persons, may
be made without the official consent of the elder board in the form of the propositional
votes dictated by this Constitution.

Article XII Discipline

Sec. 1. The exercise of church discipline consists in the ongoing work of formative
discipline, to which all members are always subject, and the occasional work of corrective
discipline. It is the latter which may affect membership status.
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Sec. 2. The threshold for corrective discipline consists in insisting and persisting sin, concerning
conduct which dishonors the name of Christ or opposes the welfare of the body - as
enumerated in Matthew 18:15-18, 1 Corinthians 5, Titus 3:10-11, etc. The process for
corrective discipline consists: first, in reproof or warning by any member; second, in the
taking of at least two other members for witness (Matthew 18:15-18).

Sec. 3. The last stage of corrective discipline commonly referred to as “church discipline” should
therefore only be pursued after individual private admonition has failed. If final private
warnings from the elders are not heeded, then we “tell it to the church” (Matthew
18:17). Their church membership will be revoked upon the vote of the elders. Such will be
followed by communicating with the body at a members meeting and an admonition both
to treat the person as an unbeliever where appropriate and to assign particular people in
the body the role of reaching out to the person for the purpose of restoration.

Sec. 4. Scripture recognizes special circumstances - such as gossip, slander, divisiveness, false
teaching - when the nature of the sin directly threatens the very existence of the
church. Titus 3:10-11, for example, provides a more direct solution. Therefore, such a
more immediate excommunication is not guilty of “skipping a step.”

Sec. 5. The purposes of corrective discipline include honoring Christ, obedience to the Word,
the restoration of the individual with the body, his or her own spiritual growth, the
instruction of other believers, the purity of the body itself, and the preservation of the
gospel witness to the world outside. (1 Corinthians 5)

Article XIII Accounts, Assets and Property

Sec. 1. All financial transactions — whether income or expenditures — of this church are to be
submitted to the plurality of elders. There are to be no exceptions.

Sec. 2. Such submission is to be understood as an oversight. That means that there are two basic
ways that the finances are submitted to the elders. An income or expenditure is handled
either by direct vote by the elders, on that item per se, or else it is to be handled by an
appointed person as it has been outlayed in the anual budget, or some other approved
restructuring of the anual budget by the vote of elders. No financial decisions of any kind are
to be made beyond these two methods. There are to be no exceptions.

Sec. 3. All financial records are to be open and accessible to the members of the church. A weekly
report of the total tithes and monthly budget needs are to be made available either through
email or some printed media. More general financial information may be given at
membership meetings.
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Sec. 4. In the event of the dissolution of this corporation, all assets are to be given to the ministry of
the existing elder board’s choosing.

Article XIV Amendments

Sec. 1. This Constitution may be amended by a simple majority of the elders.

Sec. 2.The Statement of Faith may be amended by a simple majority of the elders.