ARTICLE III - COVENANT

Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, most solemnly and joyfully enter into a covenant with one another, as one body in Christ, to endeavor to please God in every way, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, pursuing a manner of life consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to educate our children in spiritual things; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our participation and exemplary in our behavior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place 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.

ARTICLE IV - STAND ON SEPARATION

When a person receives Christ, the Holy Spirit comes in to dwell, old things are passed away, and all things are become new. Because of this, certain moral changes will take place and the true believer will want to separate himself from worldliness and unto God. At the same time, he is in the world and needs to win the confidence of unbelievers to the end that he may witness to them and win them to Christ. But in doing so, he should not partake of their evil deeds. Each individual believer should follow the direction of the Holy Spirit with regard to his moral conduct. Our moral conduct should be based on biblical principles. We should ask ourselves the following questions relating to a questionable activity:

• Is it for the glory of God? 
(I Corinthians 10:31)
• Can it be considered the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life? 
(I John 2:16)
• Is it injurious to a body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit? (I Corinthians 6:19,20)
• Is it good from the standpoint of my stewardship of time and money? 
(I Corinthians 10:23)

Regarding this area of Christian separation we:

• Realize we are responsible to God alone for our decision and our activity. 
(Romans 14:12)
• Should be careful not to cause a brother to stumble. (Romans 14:21)

We will endeavor to follow the above principles in our daily walk.

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY
Any person who accepted Christ as Savior, has been baptized by immersion subsequent to salvation, gives assurance of his desire to live a consistent Christian life and is in agreement with the Constitution and the doctrinal and moral standards of this church shall be eligible for membership.

SECTION 2 - PROCEDURE IN ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS
A. Each applicant shall receive instructions regarding the doctrinal position and moral standards of this church.

B. Applicants for membership shall appear before at least two Elders. Applicants shall give testimony of their salvation and water baptism by immersion subsequent to salvation. Those applicants who have not been baptized must be baptized in the above manner before acceptance into membership. When the Elders are satisfied that an applicant has met the requirements for membership as provided in Article V, Section 1 of this Constitution, they may recommend such person for membership in this church.

C. The new member shall be publicly welcomed at a regular Lord's Day service and extended the right hand of fellowship.

D. When the applicant is a member of another church, the church clerk of Sunrise Bible Church will notify said church of their membership in this local assembly. This notification will include the request that this person(s) be removed from the membership roll in the other local assembly.

SECTION 3 - VOTING ELIGIBILITY
Upon reaching age 18, members shall be eligible to vote.

SECTION 4 – FELLOWSHIP
As people respond in faith to the Gospel they not only become part of the church, but they are then to join into a local fellowship of believers. The local church exists for the purpose of teaching, fellowship, worship, prayer, encouragement, and praise (Acts 2:42-47). To carry out these purposes an individual member needs to be in regular fellowship with the local body of believers. We encourage our people to be, as much as possible, in regular attendance at the worship services of church.

It is always with regret that we sometimes have to take action to remove a member from the church rolls, but this action is sometimes necessary to keep our church membership rolls current. It is never our desire to remove, but to restore. However, if a member is absent from church services for three months or more, contacts will begin by the elder(s) with the purpose of bringing that member back into fellowship. If continued efforts of this kind are unsuccessful, they may be removed from the membership of this church at the discretion of the Board of Elders. People who move out of the area are encouraged to join a Bible believing church. (see Article III Covenant). These may also be removed from the church rolls after three months, but will be removed earlier if they have joined another church.

SECTION 5 – DISCIPLINE
All members of this church shall be subject to its discipline. It shall be within the province of the Board of Elders to exercise corrective discipline when necessary. It is right and in harmony with the Scriptures to exclude from this fellowship any person who holds false or heretical doctrine; or who lives inconsistently with a Christian profession; or who lives in violation of the law of public morals; or who walks disorderly; or any person who disturbs the unity and peace of this church.

The procedure shall be as follows: The suspected person shall first be interviewed as directed in Matthew 18:15-18. If this does not lead to restoration of fellowship, charges shall be filed with the Board of Elders and the accused shall be summoned in writing to meet with the Board of Elders within one week from the time the charges are served. At this time the accused is entitled to an impartial hearing. If the majority of the Board believes the accused to be guilty, the name of the said person shall be stricken from the roll of the church, and the action read at either a mid-week or Lord's Day service. If requested, the Board of Elders shall be required to show just cause for its action.

ARTICLE VI - GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1
This church acknowledges only the Lord Jesus Christ as its head; the Holy Scriptures as the only infallible guide in matters of faith, discipline, and order, and the Holy Spirit as its teacher.

SECTION 2
The government of this church is vested in its membership, executed through the Board of Elders.

SECTION 3
This church shall remain autonomous, independent, and free from any association that carries with it any obligation to succumb to a higher ruling body.

ARTICLE VII – ORGANIZATION

Spiritual leadership is the privilege and responsibility of believers. Persons in leadership positions in this church shall agree to Articles II, III, and IV of this Constitution. Their lives shall be an example to all people of the new life in Jesus Christ and not be a stumbling block to anyone. Since certain practices are harmful to the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, Pastors, Elders and Deacons shall, during their term of service in that leadership role, abstain from the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, addictive drugs, except where prescribed by a physician, and gambling.

In addition to this because of the harmful impact of these substances and behavior, we encourage all believers to abstain from their usage. II Corinthians 5:17; 6:17; Romans 12:1-2; I John 2:15-16; I Thessalonians 5:21-22; I Corinthians 6:19-20

The officers of this church shall be:

• Pastor (s)— Teaching/Leading Elder
• Elders
• Deacons 

The ministries of Church Clerk and Church Treasurer shall be appointed by and fall under the responsibility of the Deacons.

All officers shall be members of this church in good standing and meet the 1 Timothy 3:1-15 qualifications to become an Elder or a Deacon.

Background Checks will be required for all people being considered for Elders and Deacons. Also anyone involved in financial duties will need a credit check. Background checks and credit checks will be paid for by Sunrise Bible Church

SECTION 1 - PASTOR(S) TEACHING/LEADING ELDER
A Pastor or an Associate or Assistant Pastor may be called by vote of the congregation after a recommendation by the Pulpit Committee, provided that the candidate shall receive seventy-five percent (75%) of the vote cast by members who are present. Only such men shall be recommended who can and will conscientiously sign a statement accepting without mental reservation, the Articles of Faith, Covenant and Constitution of this church. The selection of the Pastor shall be voted upon by secret ballot at a meeting of the congregation especially called for that purpose. Notice of such meeting of the congregation shall be given at both services of the church on the two consecutive Lord’s Days preceding the meeting called for such election. After this election, the Pastor-elect shall be installed to the Board of Elders.

The Pastor (s) along with the Board of Elders shall discharge all the functions of the ministry and shall with the prayerful support of the members have control of all the religious meetings and spiritual affairs of the church. If at any time the Pastor’s personal belief, preaching, teaching, or moral conduct shall not be in full accord with the doctrinal standards of this church, the Board of Elders shall follow the Article V, Section 5 procedures.


SECTION 2 - BOARD OF ELDERS
It shall be the duty of the Elders to be diligent and faithful in attendance at their Board meetings and the regular services of the church. They shall be expected to help in the ministry of visitation among the members of the congregation; they shall pray for and encourage the Pastor (s) and assist him in the spiritual oversight of the church.

The Board of Elders shall receive, consider, and dispose of any grievance, suggestions, or recommendation by any member.

When the church is without a Pastor, it shall be the duty of the Elders to supply the pulpit with men whose Christian character and teaching are in accordance with the Articles of Faith and Covenant of this church. When calling a Pastor, the Board of Elders shall act as a Pulpit Committee; at their discretion they may appoint additional members. 

The Elders shall be men in full communion with the church, of mature judgment and unquestioned Christian character, loyal to the Word of God, and devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the spiritual welfare of the church. I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9
An Elder candidate under consideration shall be a member of the church for at least one (1) year and the said candidate will then be prayerfully considered by the Elder Board for Eldership.

The term of an Elder is a lifetime commitment as a ministry of the body of Christ. If an Elder chooses to step down from this commitment, the Board of Elders will accept his decision and announce to the church the changes to the Elder Board.

In selecting men to serve as Deacons, the Elder Board will request from the Sunrise Bible Church Membership any names of such persons as it believes fit for the office of Deacon. The Elders will give a final review of each candidate in light of the Biblical guidelines; and will then give the right hand of fellowship to those brought on to the Deacon Board (Acts 6:1-6).

SECTION 3 - BOARD OF DEACONS
It shall be the duty of the Board of Deacons to conduct the temporal affairs and oversee the business matters of the church in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

The Deacons shall not encumber with loan, or transfer, or sell or purchase any real estate for the church except by the express authorization conveyed through a majority vote of the membership present at a constitutionally called congregational meeting.

No obligation shall be incurred to spend over $2,500 on one item without special vote of the congregation, unless said item already appears in the adopted budget.

The Deacons shall be men in full communion with the church, of mature judgment and unquestioned Christian character, loyal to the Word of God, and devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the spiritual welfare of the church. I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9

A Deacon candidate shall be a member of Sunrise Bible Church for at least one (1) year and be nominated by the Sunrise Bible Church Membership to be approved by the Board of Elders as taught in Acts 6. The term of a Deacon is a lifetime commitment as a ministry of the Body of Christ. 

If a Deacon chooses to step down from this lifetime commitment, the Board of Elders and the Board of Deacons will accept his decision and announce to the church the changes to the Deacon Board. I Timothy 3:8-13; Titus 1:6-9; Acts 6

ARTICLE VIII

SECTION 1-FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall defined as January 1 and close December 31st.


SECTION 2-ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
The Annual Business Meeting of the church shall be in the month of December, with the fiscal year being January 1 - December 31. 

ARTICLE IX - ORDINATION

SECTION 1
The Board of Elders of the church shall have the authority to call an ordaining council for the purpose of examining and ordaining suitable men into the gospel ministry. The Board of Elders is to be charged with the responsibility of accepting only those candidates who have been called of God to the gospel ministry; men who are qualified to do this work, and have the blessing of God upon their ministry.

SECTION 2
The Board of Elders shall have the power to discipline any minister ordained by this church, even to the revocation of the ordination license credentials, who, after a Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20 examination and accounting, is found guilty of heresy or sinful practices clearly forbidden by this Constitution and the Word of God.

ARTICLE X - FINANCES

The work of this church shall be supported by voluntary offerings of the people as the Lord has prospered them.

Before the annual business meeting, the Board of Deacons shall prepare a detailed budget of the proposed expenditures for the coming year and shall submit it to the congregation at least 2-weeks before the annual business meeting for review and subsequent approval.

All donations shall be subject to review at the discretion of the joint board of Elders and Deacons.


ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION

No part of the net earnings of this corporation shall ever benefit any donor, member, director, or officer of the corporation or any private individual and no donor, member, director, officer of the corporation or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets. Upon dissolution, any assets of the corporation must be distributed to one or more organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as one organized exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes. Such a corporation must be in agreement with the letter and spirit of this Constitution.

ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution, except for Article II, may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular congregational meeting or special meeting called for that purpose. Any proposed amendment shall be distributed in written form to the membership at least two weeks prior to such congregational meetings.


ARTICLE XIII—STATEMENT ON 
MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY

“We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman.”

“We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex is sinful and offensive to God.”

“We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.”

“We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)

“We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture or the doctrines of the church.” 


Related Scriptures: Genesis 2:15-25, 19:4-11, 24-25; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 6:9-10, 7:1-16, 18-20; Ephesians 5:22-33; Leviticus 18:22-23; Deuteronomy 22:5, 23:17-18; Judges 19:20-30; 1 Kings 14:24, 15:11-12; 2 Kings 23:7; Romans 1:21-28; 
1 Timothy 1:9-10; Jude 7; John 13:34-35

ARTICLE XIV - STATEMENT ON COVID-19 VACCINATION
 
Section 1 
Religious Exemption from the COVID-19 Vaccination 
"Honor the Lord with your bodies." (lCor. 6:20) 
Some vaccines, like certain COVID-19 vaccines, have not been sufficiently tested and are known to cause harmful side effects for some. 
We believe that the Bible encourages Christians and Jews to abstain from contaminating one's body with substances that may be threatening to one's bodily health. The Old Testament discusses unclean substances. (Isaiah 64:6.) Although the New Testament reveals Christ as the one who cleanses our souls, we still have a responsibility to honor the Lord through our bodies. For example, until long-term research can prove that use of Covid-19 vaccines are safe and efficacious, we consider such vaccines unclean. Furthermore, we believe the use of any vaccination containing cell lines from an aborted fetus, is not only unclean, but is also a gross sin of rebellion against God's providential design.

We further believe that requiring vaccines before one can participate in societal activities unnecessarily divides people who are created in God's image and hinders unity within our communities.

ARTICLE XV - LIMITED PROPERTY
 
Section 1
Limited property use for Sunrise Bible Church (Sunrise Bible Church has the right to refuse access to anyone or any group, for any use).