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Constitution and Bylaws

 

Shepherd of Peace
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Powell, Ohio

 

Article I : NAME

 

The name of this congregation shall be

 

SHEPHERD OF PEACE

 

Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Powell, Ohio

 

Article II : ARTICLES OF FAITH

 

Section 1.

 

This congregation accepts and confesses all the canonical books
of the Old and New Testaments as the verbally inspired
and inerrant Word Of God and submits to this Word
as the only infallible authority of all matters of faith and life
(2 Timothy 3:15-17)

 

Section 2.

 

This congregation accepts and confesses all the symbolical books
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church contained in the
Book of Concord of 1580 as true statements of scriptural doctrine.
They are

 

Section 3.

 

This congregation accepts and confesses these symbolical books
without reservation,not insofar as, but because they are the
presentation and explanation of the pure doctrine of the Word of God
and a summary of the faith held by the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

 

Section 4.

 

Hence, no doctrine shall be taught or tolerated in this congregation which is
in anyway at variance with these symbolical books and the Holy Scriptures.

 

Section 5

 

Likewise, all controversies which may arise in this congregation shall
be decided and adjusted according to this norm of doctrine and practice.

 

Article III :PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

 

Section 1

 

The continuing purpose of this congregation, as a fathering of Christians,
is to serve all people in God's world with the gospel of Jesus Christ on the
basis of the Holy Scriptures (Matthew 28:18-20)

 

Sections 2.

 

The primary objectives of this congregation shall be: To proclaim the
law and gospel, to lead sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ
for life and salvation (2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 24:26-28).
To strengthen believers in faith and sanctification through the means of grace
(Romans 10:17). To equip believers as disciples, stewards and witnesses
for sharing the gospel of Jesus with our fellowmen (Ephesians 4:11,12).

 

Article IV : CHURCH AFFILIATION

 

This congregation shall afilliate itself only with a church body that holds to all the
truths of God's Word in doctrine and practice and is bound to the confession
of faith as set forth in Article II, if, and as long as, such a church body exists.

 

Article V : CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1. Classification

 

Baptized members of the congregation are those who have been
baptized into the Christian faith in the name of the Triune God.

 

Communicant members are those baptized souls who confess the chief parts
of Christian doctrine as written in Dr. Luther's Small Catechism and who have
declared their adherence to all the canonical books of the Old and the New
Testaments, without qualification, as the only rule and norm of faith and life.

 

Voting members are those male communicant members
(I Corinthians 14:34; I Timothy 2:12) who have declared their
agreement with this Constitution by their signatures and
who have been accepted by the voters' assemble of the congregation