THE CONSTITUTION (DRAFT)

OF RIVER POINTE CHURCH

"Experience the River of God"

Original Constitution drafted by the Overseer Body in January/February, 2004

Preamble:

We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner.  This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches.

Name and Affiliations:

Our congregation was started in June 2003 by several families primarily from the North Channel Area in east Harris County, Texas. River Pointe Church, also called RPC, and was organized on June 15 at the home of Rob and Bev Morris with the first Sunday service taking place on June 22 in a chapel located at 13701 Corpus Christi. Pastoral staff included co-pastors Bob Shirley and Rob Morris, administrator and pastor to women Bev Morris, children’s pastors Tracy and Nathan Gray, nursery coordinator Janice Mattix, and worship associate Nancy Nichols. Abigail Corona joined our staff shortly thereafter as preschool minister. Home groups were begun in July, meeting in various homes in the area during the week. In late July, RPC moved its Sunday services to Judson Robinson Elementary at 12425 Woodforest Blvd, Houston, Texas. The church office was located at 346 Connaught Way.

River Pointe Church is affiliated with Union Baptist Association and the North Channel ROC (Renewing Our Community).

 

Article I Purpose

Article II Statement of Faith

Article III Membership

Article IV Church Government

Article V Fiscal Year & Audits Amendments

Article VI Dissolution

Article VII Constitutional Amendments

Article VIII Ratification

 

 

 

 

Article I Purpose

Section A Purpose or Mission

River Pointe Church is a community of believers committed to passionately pursuing our Lord in all things…

Section B Vision

The vision of River Pointe Church is to be a healthy, authentic and growing community of maturing believers, mobilized to reach unchurched people in the North Channel area, leading those reached in life transformation to full devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ, raising them up as leaders in the Kingdom of God, in the context of close relationships of honesty and integrity.

Section C Core Values

 

Article II Statement of Faith

Section A Essential Beliefs

ABOUT THE CREATOR: God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three personalities are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27;3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST: God is Jesus Christ, the incarnate who came to live as man. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5,14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT: God is the Holy Spirit. He is co-equal with the Father and Jesus Christ. He is alive and at work in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He can provide each Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts. We hold to subsequent powerful experiences with the Holy Spirit distinctive from the salvation experience. We believe that all of the New Testament gifts of the Spirit are as true today as they were when the New Testament was written. As Christians we seek to live under His gracious control and in His power daily. The Holy Spirit can move uniquely and powerfully if allowed. 2 Corinthians 3:16; John 16:7-13, 14:16-18; Acts 1: 8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

ABOUT THE BIBLE: The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors and under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because God inspires it, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5

ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS: People are made in the spiritual image of God and are created with equality in His sight. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2; Galatians 3:28

ABOUT SALVATION: Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

ABOUT ETERNITY: People were created with souls that exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are literal places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

ABOUT THE CHURCH: The church is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ. At the point of salvation, the believer is a member of the Church. Individual congregations are the local expression of Christ’s worldwide body of believers. The local church is a gathering of local believers to worship God and to carry out His purposes here on Earth. The main functions of the church are to worship God, minister to the community, and disciple believers, and share the truth about God’s love for each person. 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 1:15; Acts 14:23; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Ephesians 5:24

 

 

 

Section B Lifestyle Practices

Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following nine practices:

THE BIBLE AS OUR SOLE AUTHORITY

 "The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right." 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?" We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

AUTONOMY OF EACH LOCAL CHURCH

 "Christ is the head of His Body, the church. He is the source of the body's life." Colossians 1:18 (GN)

Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. While recognizing the value of associating and cooperating with other groups of Christians, we believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any denominational control. In relating to other churches, we encourage each congregation to determine its own strategy, structure, and style.

PRIESTHOOD OF EVERY BELIEVER

 "Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God." Revelation 1:6 (GN)
"You are the king's priests. . .God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God."

1 Peter 2:9 (GN)

The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full time" Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that "Every Member is a Minister" by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading and has no need of any other person hearing or deciding God's direction in his/her life.

BAPTISM
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." Colossians 2:12 (GN)

We practice baptism of believers by immersion under water as an act of obedience to Jesus Christ. We recognize that believers also practice other forms of water baptism. Baptism is not required for salvation but is an act of obedience after salvation.

SPIRIT-LED LIVING
(Jesus said) "Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NLT)
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right. (Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 5:18)

TELLING OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God entrusts to us. We practice personally sharing our faith in Christ and inviting others to church.

DISCIPLESHIP
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)

Spiritual growth is vital to believers. An instrumental tool of growth is discipleship, the process of a mature believer pouring his or her life into a less mature believer with the purpose of both growing in Christ-likeness.

OBSERVING THE LORD’S SUPPER

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)

As believers, we are admonished to participate in the observance of the Lord’s Supper as a reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

STEWARDSHIP OF OUR LIVES AND POSSESSIONS

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12: 1 (NIV)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

We practice demonstrating the Lordship of Jesus Christ by being wise managers of all the resources He has entrusted to us. He owns everything and allows us the gift of stewardship.

FELLOWSHIP and ACCOUNTABILITY

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46, 47 (NIV)

The early church truly lived life together and spoke into one another’s lives in the context of authentic relationships. Authenticity involves accountability, the willingness to journey alongside one or more other believers, giving them the platform to speak into one’s life. To help facilitate these relationships, numerous small groups meet in area homes.

 

 

Article III Membership

Those desiring to become members are asked to make the following affirmations, indicating their alignment with River Pointe Church:

____ I have today or in the past placed my faith in Christ for salvation and lordship.

____ I have read and affirm the RPC Essential Beliefs and Lifestyle Practices.

____ Following God’s will, I would like to join with this local fellowship.

____ I pledge to support RPC with my prayers, my presence, my gifts, and my service

.

Upon making the above affirmations, they are considered a member of the church. If they have previously held membership in another church and so request, we will notify the other church of their membership at River Pointe Church.

 

Article IV Church Government

Section A Structure

River Pointe Church shall be guided by the staff, guarded by the overseers, and gifted by the membership. The church overseers are to lead alongside the pastors and ministerial staff in overseeing the administrative and teaching functions of the church. This shall include shaping policy and spiritual leadership. Overseers are to direct or lead (I Timothy 5:17) and are to be the decision-making team of the church.

Section B Pastoral Staff

The pastors are responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church. As spiritual leaders of the church, they shall lead the congregation and church organization in fulfilling the mission of the church.

 

Article V Fiscal Year & Audits

The fiscal year of the church shall begin on July 1st and end on June 31st of each year. The Finance Team holding office during this period shall be responsible for preparing and making available all of the accounting records of the church for the year. The financial records shall be subject to audits as appointed by the overseer body. Please refer to the by-laws for further clarification.

 

  Article VI Dissolution

In the event of dissolution or disassociation of this church, all assets remaining after payment of liabilities shall be disbursed as stated in the by-laws of RPC.

  

Article VII Constitutional Amendments

The constitution may be amended at the initiative of the overseer team. The congregation will be notified of the intent to amend and will receive the published amendments 30 days in advance of any special meeting called for that purpose. During those thirty days all input regarding the amendment should be addressed to the overseer team. After suitable discussion the overseer team will be asked to confirm the amendment(s) to the congregation.

 

Article VIII Ratification

This Constitution and By-laws shall be considered to be ratified when affirmed by the congregation of River Pointe Church.