第一条: 名称与组织性质

本教会定名奥林匹亚华人基督教会 (中文名)；Olympia Chinese Christian Church （英文名）

本教会系非营利的宗教和信仰团体。

第二条: 地址

4501 19th Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503

第三条: 教义

奥林匹亚华人基督教会相信圣经都是神的默示。耶稣基督是完全的神，也是完全的人，是教会的元首。

第四条: 信仰宣言 

  1. 我们相信神创造宇宙万物，是永恒生命的源头。
  2. 我们相信独一的三一真神，父、子、圣灵三位实为一体，同享全权和荣耀。
  3. 我们相信圣经新旧约是神的话，全本圣经都是受圣灵感动而来。耶稣基督在信仰和生活中有着最高和最终的权威。
  4. 我们相信耶稣基督道成肉身，为童女马利亚从圣灵感孕而生，是真神，也是真人。
  5. 我们相信神照着他自己的形象创造了人，人类因犯罪不仅招致肉体死亡，而且也招来灵魂的死亡—即与神隔离。所有的人生来都有罪性，因而在思想和行为上都是罪人。
  6. 我们相信圣经所说，耶稣基督作赎罪祭为我们的罪而死，所有信他的人因他的宝血而称义。
  7. 我们相信耶稣基督被钉十架受死埋葬，第三天从死里复活升天，相信他升天后在神面前作我们的大祭司和中保。
  8. 我们相信圣灵住在信徒心内作生命改变的工作，给他们引导、启示，力量和能力，使信徒逐渐成圣。
  9. 我们相信凡已经悔改接受耶稣基督为主，借圣灵重生，都是神的儿女。
  10. 我们相信我们救主耶稣基督给我们有福的盼望：他会再来。我们得救的人享受永远的福份，失丧的人永远受惩罚。
  11. 我们相信男女性别是神所创造的，并且相信一男一女的婚姻是神所设立的。
  12. 我们相信基督是教会的头，教会是基督的身体，所有重生的信徒都是这身体的一部份，他们彼此相爱，传扬福音，在基督身体里共同成长。
  13. 我们相信圣餐是为纪念主耶稣所设立的圣礼，圣餐中的饼代表耶稣的身体，杯代表耶稣的宝血，已经接受洗礼的基督徒应按理领受圣餐纪念主的死。
  14. 我们相信洗礼是为基督徒与耶稣基督联合所设立的圣礼，借着洗礼我们与基督同死，同埋葬，同复活，基督徒应按照圣经的教导接受洗礼。

 第五条: 宗旨

  1. 本教会的宗旨是向本地、邻近地区乃至世界各地传讲耶稣基督並祂釘十字架的福音，引人归主。
  2. 本教会教导圣经真理，用神的话装备重生得救的信徒，帮助他们更好地应用圣经真理并活出耶稣基督的生命以彰显神的荣耀。
  3. 本教会培养以神的话为中心、被圣灵充满、有生命质变、乐于服事关怀和宣教佈道并以团队活动为导向的耶稣基督的门徒。

第六条: 教会的管理与权限

为达成教会的宗旨，本教会有权进行以下活动：

  1. 举行常规性聚会，包括主日崇拜、主日学、查经聚会、祷告会等， 并按照教会的宗旨传讲福音，举行定期或不定期的福音聚会及基督教节日聚会，包括感恩节、复活节、圣诞节等特殊聚会。
  2. 差派传道人。
  3. 出版和发行福音文献，在教会网站上登载福音、证道诗歌、见证等方面的文字与音像资料，以及有关聚会的其它各种信息、通知等。
  4. 教堂房地产的买卖以及有关的必要活动。
  5. 接受捐献、设立专项基金。
  6. 在执事会授权下管理教会资金；聘用传道人或其他工作人员。

第七条: 会员

教会会员在涉及需要全体会众通过的事项上有投票权。

成为会员的条件：

  1. 接受本章程第四条 (信仰宣言) 中所列的教义并且遵从本教会的一般准则。
  2. 已经奉圣父、圣子、圣灵的名而接受并完成洗礼。
  3. 年龄在十八岁以上并在过去的一年中定期参加主日崇拜和查经聚会。
  4. 接受并愿意履行按圣经教导在财务上奉献的责任义务。

第八条: 教会执事会

  1. 执事候选人蒙恩得救后的生活需以提摩太前书3：1-13中所列的条件为标准。
  2. 执事候选人必须是教会现任会员，已蒙恩得救至少三年以上，并参与本教会的事奉至少一年。
  3. 执事候选人由现任执事会提名，由执事会票数超过2/3以上成员通过以确认候选人资格。最后执事候选人再由会员大会票数超过2/3以上会员投票通过后当选。
  4. 执事在任职期间不得同时兼任其他基督教机构或其他教会的主要行政领导职务。
  5. 如果执事会成员的行为违背圣经教导、与神的话不符，可由执事会投票表决，票数超过2/3即可将其执事资格取消。
  6. 执事会主席从现任执事会成员中提名，可由执事会投票表决，票数超过2/3即可获选。
  7. 执事会成员（包括主席）任期三年，任期满后可重新参选连任；为确保教会运作的连续性，每次改选后的新成员不得超过半数。
  8. 执事任职期间若因特殊原因不能继续服事，将由现任执事会核准并提名，票数超过2/3既可产生替补人选，继而完成离职执事的任期。
  9. 执事会至少每季度开会一次，由执事会主席召集；有特别需要时，经多数执事会成员提议后可临时召集开会。
  10. 执事会有权负责教堂的管理、处理教会的行政事务以及日常的运作。
  11. 执事会有权决定教会的预算，有责任向教会提交财务报告，以及全权管理教会的指定奉献。
  12. 执事会有责任配合牧师/长老一起寻求教会的属灵方向。
  13. 执事会有权雇用、监督、评估和解雇牧师或工作人员，有权决定他们的薪酬标准。

第九条: 长老会制

  1. 长老的资格：候选人蒙恩得救后的生活需参照圣经提摩太前书3:1-7和提多书1:7-9，具有较全备的圣经真理知识，在本教会有一定的事奉和牧养经历，曾经担任过至少一届本教会的执事。
  2. 长老的职责：按照圣经真理，与牧师共同监督管理教会的属灵事务、引领属灵方向、参与执事会的各项会议，享有与执事同等的表决权，并参与新一届执事会的提名和任命。
  3. 长老的任命：长老由长老会提名， 票数超过2/3即可提交至教会，然后由教会会员表决，票数超过2/3即可获得任命。在没有长老的情况下，长老由当年的执事会提名。
  4. 长老任期四年，可再连任一届。
  5. 长老任职期间，若违反圣经提摩太前书3:1-7并提多书1:7-9，须先自动向长执会辞职，执事会有权免除其长老的职份。

第十条: 牧师及聘牧委员会

  1. 本教会设主任牧师一名。并可根据使用英文以及对青少年牧会的需要设立一名青少年或英文堂牧师。
  2. 应聘者必须经过正规神学训练、在福音派教会牧会两年以上， 并认同本教会的信仰宣言（见本章程第四条）。
  3. 新任牧师采用公开方式招聘； 新任牧师的聘任将由聘牧委员会执行；聘牧委员会应由执事会提名和讨论通过；根据需要聘牧委员会由 7 – 9 名成员组成。
  4. 聘牧委员会应该寻求圣灵引导，从申请人中挑选合格的神的仆人进行面试，并在面试候选人中挑选一位信仰和行为与本章程第四条的信仰宣言以及教会的准则最为相符的牧师候选人推荐给教会会众投票认定。
  5. 候选牧师在经参加会员大会票数超过2/3会员投票通过后， 再由执事会完成聘任程序。
  6. 牧师在任职期间接受执事会每年一次的工作评估。新牧师有12个月的试用期，之后教会和牧师可以单方决定是否续任。
  7. 牧师的工资、休假、福利、参与服事和专业提高的机会由执事会决定，并根据牧师的工作安排每年进行复议。
  8. 牧师如果要辞职，需提前30天向教会执事会提交辞职书。
  9. 牧师可以在任何情况下终止与教会的关系，教会也保留在任何情况下停止牧师任职的权力，。
  10. 牧师的解聘由执事会票数超过2/3成员投票决定。

牧师将按着神给他的恩赐履行以下职责和义务：

  1. 传讲神的话语，负责主日讲台、洗礼、圣餐、祷告会等。
  2. 统筹安排教会聚会及其它与敬拜相关的各项事务，包括主日学、领会、领诗、翻译、诗班等。
  3. 负责安排教会的通讯事务，包括网站、通知、主日程序单、活动宣传单等。
  4. 负责小组长的培训及门徒训练。
  5. 负责安排关怀探访教会成员。
  6. 负责安排社区的福音工作，传扬福音。
  7. 参与执事会的决策，在执事会有投票权 (不包括对牧师的评估、任免、工资调整等）。
  8. 牧师不可同时在另一教会或基督教机构担任领导职务。
  9. 邀请外来讲员和牧师外出讲道应由执事会和牧师共同决定。
  10. 青少年牧师负责青少年的主日崇拜、周五的查经聚会等相关事务，并配合主任牧师参与教会的其他事工。
  11. 牧师自动履行长老的权柄和责任。

第十一条: 教会资产

  1. 根据本章程第六条，教会有权购置房地产用于教会有关事工。
  2. 购堂或改建要在圣灵引导下寻求神的旨意，执事会达成一致意见后，提交会员大会2/3的会员通过而进行。
  3. 本教会如果解散，任何资产都不可归于任何会员，只可转让给宗教、慈善或符合1986条款501(c)(3) 的其他非营利组织。接受的机构由执事会决定。

第十二条: 章程修订

对本章程进行修订应遵循以下准则：

  1. 修订由执事会负责，讨论通过后提交给全体会员。
  2. 修订意见必须由会员大会2/3的会员表决通过。

（完）

Bylaws

Article 1 : Name and Nature of the Organization

The name of this organization shall be Olympia Chinese Christian Church.

This church is a non-profit religious and faith-based organization.

Article 2 : Address

4501 19th Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503

Article 3 : Doctrines

The Olympia Chinese Christian Church believes that all scriptures are inspired by God. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, and is the head of the church.

Article 4 : Declaration of Faith 

  1. We believe that God created the universe and is the fountain of eternal life.
  2. We believe in the one Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are one in nature, sharing in all power and glory.
  3. We believe that the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are the Word of God, and that the entire Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ has the highest and ultimate authority in faith and life.
  4. We believe that Jesus Christ, who became flesh and was conceived from the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary, is true God and true man.
  5. We believe that God created man in His own image, and that humanity, because of sin, not only suffers physical death but also the death of the soul—that is, separation from God. All people are born sinful, and therefore sinners in thoughts and deeds.
  6. We believe what the Bible says: Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice of atonement for our sins, and all who believe in him are justified by his precious blood.
  7. We believe that Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and was buried. He rose from the dead on the third day and ascended to heaven. We believe that after his ascension, he became our high priest and mediator before God.
  8. We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of believers, doing the work of life transformation, giving them guidance, revelation, strength and power, and enabling believers to gradually become sanctified.
  9. We believe that all who have repented, accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord, and been born again by the Holy Spirit are children of God.
  10. We believe that our Savior Jesus Christ gives us blessed hope: He will come again. We who are saved enjoy eternal blessings, while the lost are eternally punished.
  11. We believe that male and female genders were created by God, and that marriage between a man and a woman was ordained by God.
  12. We believe that Christ is the head of the church, the church is the body of Christ, and all born-again believers are part of this body. They love one another, preach the gospel, and grow together in the body of Christ.
  13. We believe that Holy Communion is a sacrament established to commemorate the Lord Jesus. The bread in Holy Communion represents the body of Jesus, and the cup represents the precious blood of Jesus. Christians who have been baptized should rightfully receive Holy Communion to commemorate the death of the Lord.
  14. We believe that baptism is a sacrament established for the union of Christians with Jesus Christ, through which we die with Christ, are buried with Christ, and are resurrected with Christ. Christians should receive baptism in accordance with the teachings of the Bible.

 Article 5 : Purpose

  1. The purpose of this church is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion to the local area, neighboring regions and even the world, leading people to Christ.
  2. Our church teaches biblical truth, equips born-again believers with God’s word, and helps them to better apply biblical truth and live out the life of Jesus Christ to reflect God’s glory.
  3. Our church cultivates disciples of Jesus Christ who are centered on the Word of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, undergo a spiritual transformation, are joyful in serving, caring, and preaching the gospel, and are guided by team activities.

Article 6 : Church Management and Authority

In order to achieve the church’s objectives, this church has the right to carry out the following activities:

  1. Regular gatherings are held, including Sunday worship, Sunday school, Bible study gatherings, and prayer meetings. The church also preaches the gospel in accordance with its mission and holds regular or irregular gospel meetings and Christian holiday meetings, including special meetings for Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas.
  2. Send out missionaries.
  3. Publish and distribute gospel materials, and post written and audio-visual materials such as gospel materials, sermons, and testimonies on the church website, as well as various other information and notifications of meetings.
  4. The buying and selling of church real estate and related necessary matters.
  5. Accept donations and establish special funds.
  6. Manage church funds under the authorization of the Deacon Council; employ preachers or other staff.

Article 7 : Members

Church members have the right to vote on matters that require the approval of the entire congregation.

Requirements for becoming a member:

  1. Accept the doctrines set forth in Article 4 (Declaration of Faith) of the bylaws and follow the general principles of this church.
  2. They have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  3. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have regularly attended Sunday worship and Bible study meetings in the past year.
  4. Accept and be willing to fulfill the responsibility and obligation to make financial offerings in accordance with biblical teachings.

Article 8 : Church Deacon Council

  1. The life after being saved by grace of a deacon candidate must meet the conditions listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
  2. Deacon candidates must be current church members who have been saved by grace for at least three years and have participated in the church’s ministry for at least one year.
  3. Deacon candidates are nominated by the current Deacon Council and confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the council members. Finally, the candidates are elected by a general meeting of members who vote by a two-thirds majority.
  4. Deacons may not concurrently hold principal administrative leadership positions in other Christian organizations or churches during their term of office.
  5. If a member of the Deacon Council behaves in a way that violates biblical teachings or is inconsistent with God’s word, the council may vote to disqualify him from his position. If the votes exceed two-thirds, their status as a deacon can be revoked.
  6. The chairperson of the board is nominated from among the current board members and elected by a vote of the board; a candidate needs more than two-thirds of the votes to be elected.
  7. The term of office for deacons (including the chairperson) is three years, and they may run for re-election after their term expires; to ensure the continuity of church operations, the number of new members after each re-election shall not exceed half.
  8. If a deacon is unable to continue serving due to special reasons during their term of office, the current Deacon Council will approve and nominate a replacement. A replacement can be selected if the number of votes exceeds 2/3, and the term of office of the departing deacon will then be completed.
  9. The council shall meet at least once a quarter, convened by the chairperson of the council; in special circumstances, a meeting may be convened temporarily upon the proposal of a majority of the council members.
  10. The Deacon Council has the authority to manage the church, handle its administrative affairs, and oversee its daily operations.
  11. The Deacon Council has the authority to decide on the church’s budget, is responsible for submitting financial reports to the church, and has full authority to manage the church’s designated offerings.
  12. Deacons have a responsibility to work with pastors/elders to seek the spiritual direction of the church.
  13. The Deacon Council has the power to hire, supervise, evaluate, and dismiss pastors or staff, and has the power to determine their remuneration standards.

Article 9 : Elder System

  1. Qualifications of an elder: Candidates should have a life after being saved by grace, which should meet the conditions of  1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7-9 of the Bible. They should have sound knowledge of biblical truth, have some experience in serving and pastoring in this church, and have served as a deacon in this church for at least one term.
  2. The duties of elders are: to supervise and manage the spiritual affairs of the church together with the pastors in accordance with biblical truth, to guide the spiritual direction, to participate in the various meetings of the Deacon Council, to enjoy the same voting rights as the deacons, and to participate in the nomination and appointment of the new Deacon Council.
  3. Appointment of elders: Elders are nominated by the Elder Council. A nomination requiring more than two-thirds of the votes is submitted to the church, where members vote. A two-thirds majority is required for appointment. In the absence of elders, they are nominated by the deacons of that year.
  4. Elders serve a four-year term and may be re-elected for another term.
  5. If an elder violates the Bible in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7-9 during his term of office, he must first resign from the Elder Council, and the council has the right to remove them from their position as elder.

Article 10 : Pastors and the Pastoral Appointment Committee

  1. Our church has one head pastor. We may also appoint a youth or English-language service pastor, depending on the need for English language instruction and the requirements for youth pastoral care.
  2. Applicants must have received formal theological training, have served in an evangelical church for more than two years, and agree with the church’s declaration of faith (see Article 4 of this charter).
  3. The recruitment of new pastors will be conducted through an open process; the appointment of new pastors will be carried out by the appointment committee; the appointment committee should be nominated and approved by the Deacon Council; the appointment committee should consist of 7-9 members as needed.
  4. The pastoral appointment committee should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to select qualified servants of God from among the applicants for interviews, and from among the interviewed candidates, select a pastoral candidate whose faith and conduct are most consistent with the faith declaration in Article 4 of the bylaws and the church’s guidelines for recommendation to the church congregation for a vote.
  5. After a candidate pastor is approved by more than two-thirds of the members attending the general meeting, the deacon board completes the appointment process.
  6. Pastors undergo an annual performance evaluation by the Deacon Council during their term of office. New pastors have a 12-month probationary period, after which the church and the pastor can unilaterally decide whether to renew their term.
  7. The pastor’s salary, leaves, benefits, opportunities for ministry and professional development are determined by the Deacon Council and reviewed annually based on the pastor’s work schedule.
  8. If a pastor wants to resign, they must submit a letter of resignation to the church deacon board 30 days in advance.
  9. A pastor may terminate their relationship with the church under any circumstances, and the church reserves the right to terminate a pastor’s   service under any circumstances.
  10. The dismissal of a pastor is decided by a vote of more than two-thirds of the deacons.

The pastor will fulfill the following duties and obligations according to the gifts God has given them:

  1. They preach the word of God and are responsible for the Sunday service pulpit, baptism, the Holy Communion, and prayer meetings, etc.
  2. To coordinate and arrange church gatherings and other worship-related matters, including Sunday school, service leadership, worship leadership, translation service, and choir, etc.
  3. Responsible for arranging church communications, including website, notifications, Sunday service program sheets, and event flyers.
  4. Responsible for training group leaders and disciples.
  5. Responsible for arranging care visits to church members.
  6. Responsible for arranging evangelical work and out reach in the community and preaching the gospel.
  7. They participate in the decision-making of the Deacon Council and have voting rights in the council (excluding the evaluation, appointment, dismissal, and salary adjustment of pastors).
  8. A pastor may not hold a leadership position in another church or Christian organization at the same time.
  9. The decision to invite external speakers and for pastors to preach outside of the church should be made jointly by the Deacon Council and the pastor.
  10. The youth pastor is responsible for matters related to youth Sunday worship, Friday Bible study meetings, etc., and works with the lead pastor in other church ministries.
  11. The pastor automatically assumes the authority and responsibilities of an elder.

Article 11 : Church Assets

  1. According to Article 6 of the bylaws, the church has the right to purchase real estate for church-related ministries.
  2. Purchasing or renovating a church should be done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seeking God’s will. After the deacons reach a consensus, it should be submitted to the general meeting of members for approval by two-thirds of the members.
  3. If this church is dissolved, no assets may be transferred to any member, but only to religious, charitable, or other nonprofit organizations, which  complies with Section 501(c)(3) of 1986. The receiving organization shall be determined by the Deacon Council.

Article 12 : Amendments to the Articles of the Bylaws

Amendments to the bylaws shall follow the following principles:

  1. The revisions are the responsibility of the Deacon Council, and after discussion and approval, they are submitted to all members.
  2. The proposed revisions must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the members at the general meeting.

(The End)