ASR Constitution

1. PREAMBLE

1.1. Of the Church - We believe that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church (Matt. 16:18). We believe in the communion of saints and in the holy catholic Church. This Church of God purchased with Christ’s blood is manifested in diverse particular congregations in all the earth. It is the duty of each Christian in the holy catholic Church to be committed to and connected with a Biblically ordered particular congregation located in their geographical area. All Saints Reformed Church (ASR) has been so constituted by Christ through His duly ordained representatives as a particular congregation. Because we believe that churches are to be connected with one another through representative presbyters (elders) for the purpose of shepherding, oversight, accountability, and discipline, we are actively seeking membership with a likeminded Presbytery. Our order of our worship follows the biblical pattern of call, confession, consecration through the Word, communion, and a commission to go forth and serve.”

2. CONFESSION

2.1. The Word of God, contained in the 66 books of the Protestant Bible, is our only infallible rule of faith and life. As we believe that Scripture is the ultimate authority, we must avoid any position that impedes the diligent study of the Word or in applying the Word to our own day. Yet, in Scripture, there is abundant proof attesting to the value of the use of creeds, confessions, and catechisms to properly instruct the body of Christ in good and sound doctrine. The officers of ASR sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Christian faith as expressed in the following creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Apart from the exceptions indicated below, we take these as historic, authentic, and reliable summaries of what Scripture, our only infallible rule, teaches. These doctrinal symbols express the system of doctrine contained in the Scriptures. As such, they function in our congregation to indicate the boundaries of orthodoxy for our confession, to remind us of the church militant and triumphant - the pillar and ground of the truth, and they inspire us to a clear grasp and expression of our faith in historically and theologically informed language.

2.2. Apostle’s Creed

2.3. Nicene Creed

2.4. Definition of Chalcedon

2.5. Westminster Confession of Faith & Small Catechism with the following exceptions

2.5.1. Exception 1 - Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant with Man - Paragraph 2 (cf. Chp. 19, para. 1, 6). We would clarify that the “covenant of works” was not meritorious and we deny that any covenant can be kept without faith. Good works, even in this covenant were a result of faith, as illustrated by the Sabbath rest which was Adam’s first full day in the presence of God.

2.5.2. Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day - Paragraph 8. We believe that along with works of piety, necessity, and mercy, the command also calls us to rest our bodies on the Sabbath (Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 16:30; 31:15-17). We do not believe the intention of Scripture was to exclude recreation, especially in the context of the fellowship of God’s people.

2.5.3. Chapter 25: Of the Church - Paragraph 6. Though we believe the Pope of Rome to be anti-Christian, we do not believe him necessarily to be the Anti-Christ, Man of Lawlessness, or Beast of Revelation, etc.

2.5.4. Chapter 27: Of the Sacraments - Paragraph 4. Ministers of the Word should ordinarily lead in the administration of the Sacraments, yet we believe that it is permissible for the sacraments to be administered from the oversight of the session of elders for any officer, elder or deacon, lawfully ordained.

2.5.5. Chapter 29: Of The Lord’s Supper, Paragraph 7 - We would clarify that “worthy receivers” of the Lord’s Supper should include all baptized covenant members who are able to physically eat and drink the elements, including very young children being raised in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. We deny that an artificial standard of age or mental capacity is consistent with the Biblical basis for partaking of the Supper. We defer to the heads of households in discerning the capacity of their young children to partake in the Supper.

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1. Membership is reckoned by household and each household shall be represented by the head of household. A head of household is the husband/father of a family, an independently-living adult, or a wife/mother who is responsible for her family. A household is eligible for membership when the head of that household has been lawfully baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19), does not contradict his profession through his manner of life (Matt 7:22-23) and attends ASR regularly (Heb 10:25). To become a member, an eligible head of household shall meet with at least two elders to confirm their eligibility and willingness to take the membership vows. In the case of a non-believing husband, the wife shall act as the responsible party. She may in that case enroll herself and children, and the husband shall not be a member. This is the ordinary means; there will be extraordinary circumstances that will take wisdom to discern the best options for that particular case.

3.2. Membership begins when the covenant membership vows have been taken (Philemon 2; Heb 13:7,17). Children of members do not take separate vows but are considered members upon their baptism. When the head of household represents more than himself, he will also be asked if he speaks on behalf of his household. All members of the household are encouraged to participate in taking membership vows. Upon membership vows being taken, each head of household becomes an elector and is allowed to participate in head of household meetings and elections. The Session oversees a membership list, which must include names, baptisms, and communicant status.

3.3. If any member requests to be released to the care of another Christian church, the elders will normally release him with a blessing. If any member requests to be released because of disciplinary proceedings against him or someone in his household, the elders may delay acting on the request until the disciplinary matter is resolved. If members move from our geographical area, the elders will charge them to find a new church home within six months. The elders may extend this time at their discretion. After this time is expired, the elders will release them from membership.

4. GOVERNMENT

4.1. ASR is united to the body of Christ by one Spirit, one Lord, one God, one faith, and one baptism (Eph 4:4-6). We acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Head of the Church (Eph 5:23). ASR is a formally established Church in the Body of Christ by itself apart from any denominational commitment of which we view as voluntary. In our governance, ASR shall immediately pursue becoming a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) upon the approval of this constitution by the Officer’s Board. and shall be governed locally by elders and deacons.
ASR holds to a strict two office view. We believe the Scriptures and early church history both teach this position. We believe the two offices are elder/bishop/pastor and deacon. We believe in a plurality of both, but especially there must always be a minimum of two elders. We believe the Scriptures teach that different elders are gifted by Christ with different abilities (Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Cor 12:27-28). All the qualifications of a deacon are also the qualifications for an elder. While a deacon may be a deacon for life, it is the natural goal, in our understanding of these offices, for him to move to the office of elder. We value the input of the deacon in all oversight obligations of the session, and therefore many of the meetings shall require the deacon’s participation and this shall be called the officer’s convocation or convocation. Their involvement and participation in these meetings are also necessary for their development as future elders. Some matters require voting by the officer’s convocation.

4.2. For their mutual encouragement, to preserve unity, and for the wisdom gained from an abundance of counselors, the officers shall gather in a formal meeting monthly. 

4.3. Certain decisions of ASR are reserved to the officer’s convocation as represented in a formal meeting and include:

4.3.1. Constitution, Book of Confessions, and Book of Church Order changes

4.3.2. Formal discipline of members

4.3.3. Church officer changes

4.3.4. Membership changes

4.3.5. Budget approval

4.3.6. Church staff additions and changes

4.3.7. Liturgy changes

4.3.8. Church vision approval and review

4.4. Leadership of the officer’s convocation falls to the chairman, who is appointed by two-thirds vote of the officers in a called meeting. The chairman should be uniquely gifted in administration and leadership and will be appointed for a term determined (normally one year, which can be renewed). A secretary shall also be appointed to record minutes.

4.5. The Chairman is accountable for the efficient management of Church business. As such, he is responsible for the following duties: Session Meeting, Session Agenda, and Session Administration

4.6. In all meetings of the Session, each officer has one vote and only ‘active’ officers (i.e. elders and deacons who are currently serving) may vote. The Session will handle all disagreements with charity and a spirit of unity, not airing their differences publicly as this disturbs the peace of the church. Any Session member under discipline will be excluded from voting on matters directly related to the disciplinary issue but may speak in his own defense.

5. ELDERS

5.1. The elders are collectively responsible for ruling / shepherding (1 Pet 5:1-2); equipping (Eph 4:11-12); prayer and fasting (Acts 6:4; 13:1-3); teaching and preaching (1 Tim 5:17); administering baptism and the Lord’s Table (Matt 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26); administering church discipline and restoration (1 Cor 5:1-5) and visiting the sick (Jas 5:14-15). Deacons may also perform the above duties including preaching, teaching, and administering the sacraments in the absence of elders, but under their authority.

5.2. All officers oversee church administration, including delegating responsibilities such as hiring and firing church staff; defining the responsibilities of church staff; delegating responsibilities to the staff of subordinate ministries; approving the annual budget; and commissioning or licensing ministerial students.

5.3. All elders shall be men, members of ASR, and shall meet the qualifications as identified in Article 6 and as prescribed in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Elders will serve willingly, with humility and sober-mindedness. All elders should walk in good works (Eph 2:10), following the example of the Lord by showing no partiality, executing justice for the fatherless and widow, and loving the sojourner and stranger (Deut 10:17-18). All elders share the same rank and authority without distinction and are equally involved in ruling the church.

5.4. We acknowledge the variety of gifts provided by the Holy Spirit to bless and facilitate the right functioning of the church. As such, we recognize the blessing of having at least one elder dedicated to teaching and preaching (1 Tim 5:17-18). This person’s title shall be pastor. ASR Session shall call a single elder gifted with teaching and preaching and shall designate a single elder as Pastor for this task of maintaining the liturgy, executing the liturgy, and preaching and teaching, but this may be delegated to another elder as needed or in some unusual cases may be designated to a deacon.

5.5. An elder, from another CREC church, may temporarily serve on the ASR Session assuming he meets all other qualifications for elder. Such an elder’s duties, length of service, and authority will be determined by joint agreement with his home session and the ASR Session.

5.6. All faithful elders should be honored for their service, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching and so are worthy of a double honor (1 Tim 5:17-18). Elders whose assigned duties preclude them from providing for their families in the ordinary way will be compensated by the church.

6. DEACONS

6.1. All deacons shall be men, members of ASR, and shall meet the qualifications as identified in Article 6 and as prescribed in 1 Tim 3:8-13. Deacons will serve willingly, with humility and sober-mindedness. All deacons should walk in good works (Eph 2:10), following the example of the Lord by showing no partiality, executing justice for the fatherless and widow, and loving the sojourner and stranger (Deut 10:17-18).

6.2. The deacons will serve under the authority of the Session. The leadership of the deacons falls to the Chairman of the Deacons, who is appointed by unanimous vote of his fellow deacons.

6.3. The deacons are responsible for managing the financial, physical, social, and benevolent functions of the church. Deacons will have unique abilities in service, hospitality, care for the needy, and administration. Their regular duties include:

6.3.1. Managing the church property

6.3.2. Collecting and distributing the church finances

6.3.3. Serving the poor and needy

6.4. The Chairman of the Deacons will provide quarterly reports to the Session on their efforts.

7. OFFICER SELECTION AND REMOVAL

7.1. A man may recommend himself for the office of elder or deacon by his own request (1 Tim 3:1), by church officers. Additionally, an officer(s) may request suggestions from the church from time to time.

7.2. Nominees will be advised that they are being considered for church office and provided the opportunity to consider their interest (1 Tim 3:1) and suitability to serve. Each nominee must meet the qualifications for the office contained in Scripture (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:2-4; 1 Tim. 3:8-13), support the vision and ministry of ASR, and be willing to faithfully serve the ASR’s Parish.

7.3. If a nominee desires to continue in the nomination process, he must notify the elders of his intent and if he has any disagreement or mental reservation about any portion of All Saints Reformed Church’s adopted Confessions and Creeds or Constitution. The Session will determine if those disagreements/reservations prevent the candidate from serving as an officer.

7.4. The Session will consider each nominee for church office with regard to his doctrine and manner of life. All officer nominees (both elders and deacons) must be approved for candidacy by the Session. The session shall call a special meeting for such. An elder candidate, who desires to serve in a role of preaching and teaching, shall be examined in the same way as all other elder candidates, with attention given to their gifting and dedication to teaching and preaching. Candidates for deacon will serve among the deacons for a trial period and determined per candidate (1 Tim 3:10).

7.5. After the Session has had sufficient time to examine the candidate’s fitness for office, a vote will be held by the Session. If the Session agrees the candidate has demonstrated his fitness for office, the officers collectively shall vote to install. 

7.6. If a pastor candidate is approved by the Session, the Session will extend a provisional call for him to be a pastor. His call to be a pastor is finalized only after he is duly approved by the CREC. Following CREC approval, he may be ordained (if necessary) and installed as Pastor.

7.7. Officers may on occasion take a sabbatical from their duties (Gen 2:2-3; Lev 25:1-4; 1 Chron 24; Luke 1:8). If an officer desires such, he will present a letter to the Session indicating the intended sabbatical length and his proposed return date. Officers on sabbatical do not vote. Upon approval of the officer’s sabbatical request, the Session will notify the heads of household.

7.8. Officers may voluntarily resign from their position. If an officer desires to resign, he will present a letter to and meet with the Session. If, after such meeting, the officer remains unchanged in his desire, the Session will notify the heads of household and the presbytery. Resignation will not be a substitute for any appropriate biblical discipline (under Article 9) nor will sabbaticals be granted as a form of discipline.

7.9. Officers may be involuntarily removed from their position if they do not the meet the scriptural qualifications for their position or if they undermine the vision and ministry of All Saints Reformed Church by causing division and sowing discord (1 Cor 1:10-13; Romans 16:17; 2 Tim 2:14; 1 Tim 1:3-4; Pro 20:3). Involuntary removal requires the unanimous consent of the elders (less the officer under consideration). The Session shall establish the specific procedures for judging the removal of the officer on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate to the circumstances and individuals involved. 

8. LORD’S SERVICE

8.1. The Lord’s Service liturgy of ASR is a liturgy of renewing the covenantal relationship between God and His people known as Covenant Renewal Worship. The order of our worship follows the biblical pattern and basic outline of Call, Confession, Consecration, Communion, and Commission (Lev 1:1-9; 9:8-24; Heb 12:28-29). This Service must be followed every Lord’s Day and may be used at other events such as feast days. 

8.2. Worship services shall regularly be held on the Lord’s Day (Sunday). Additional services may be held by approval of the Session. Since the Lord's Supper or Eucharist is our covenantal meal and the time when Christ puts us back together and communes with us after cutting us up with the Word of God as living sacrifices, we celebrate the Supper at every Lord's Day Service as the primary necessary element of the Service and aim, enjoining all baptized members of the covenant to Christ and one another. 

8.3. We believe the Word must always accompany the Sacraments and likewise the Sacraments must always accompany the Word in the context of the Lord’s Service. This is meant for the edification and building up of the Saints. There is not only a renewing of Covenant which occurs in the Lord’s Service, but also a renewing and building up of maturing faith as well. This is primary for the people of God and attendance is required for Church members (Head of households and their family), Hebrews 10. Hebrews 10 is clear that failure of assembling with the Lord’s people as often as they meet is the key reason for apostacy. We understand certain providential hindrances prevent us from attending from time to time; however, it is the duty of every head of household to ensure that faithful attendance and participation from every member’s household is necessary for proper Christian maturity and development. The primary duty of the Session is to love and feed the people of God; therefore, attendance must be managed by the Session.

9. SACRAMENTS

9.1. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, instituted by God, to represent Christ to His people, to confirm our interest in Him and to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the world.

9.2. In particular, the two sacraments of the New Covenant, as established by Christ our Lord in the Gospel, are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (also called Communion). These sacraments are to be dispensed by active officers of the church.

10. BAPTISM

10.1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Covenant instituted by our Lord as a sign and seal of salvation. Water baptism in the Name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, officially admits a person into the Church, testifies of their identification with the Triune God of Scripture, union with Christ, regeneration, forgiveness of sin, consecration to walk in newness of life, and fellowship in the Body of Christ (Matt 28:19, Mark 1:5, 1 Cor 12:13, Col 2:11-12, Gal 3:27, Rom 6:3-5, Titus 3:5).

10.2. Following the Old Covenant pattern of the sacrament of circumcision (Gen. 17, 21), baptism is offered to those professing faith in Christ (Rom. 4:11) and their children (Acts 2:38-39, 1 Cor 7:14, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15), recognizing that all believers are called to honor their baptism by continuing to cling to Christ in faith throughout their lives.

11. LORD’S SUPPER / EUCHARIST

11.1. Lord's Supper (or Communion or Eucharist – Thanksgiving Meal) is a blessed sacrament of the New Testament instituted by our Lord as a sign and seal of His redemptive work. By eating the bread and drinking the cup, believers feed upon Christ, renew their union and communion with Him, acknowledge His redemptive work on their behalf, renew their thankfulness for His saving work, and commune with other believers (Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor 10:14-21; 11:23-26).

11.2. The sacrament of Communion shall be offered at all Covenant Renewal Services. Following the Old Covenant pattern of the sacrament of the Passover (Exodus 12:3-11), we encourage all baptized Christians to come to the Lord's Supper and so commune with Christ and His body (Matt. 19:14). This includes all baptized young children being raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4). All attendees are warned not to come to the Lord’s Supper if they are under church discipline.

12. DISCIPLINE

12.1. The ordinary course of discipline is informal. Members are encouraged to self-discipline, overlooking the failings of others in love (1 Pet 4:8), and encouraging other members to covenant faithfulness (Matt 18:15).

12.2. If informal discipline is not sufficient to correct a member, formal discipline by the Session will be used. Except in cases of scandal requiring immediate attention, formal church discipline will be initiated by a private admonishment by two or three (Matt 18:16), followed by a public admonishment and then suspension from the Supper (2 Thess 3:14-15). Finally, a formal hearing will be conducted which may result in excommunication (Matt 18:17). At any point, formal discipline may be ended when, in the unanimous opinion of the elders, the one under discipline has repented.

12.3. If formal discipline is required, the elders shall establish the specific procedures for all formal discipline on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate to the circumstances and individuals involved.

12.4. If one of the members believes an officer may be unfit for his office, the discipline process detailed above will be followed, with the additional requirement that no charges against an elder will even be considered without two or three witnesses (1 Tim 5:19).

12.5. In the event of excommunication, the individual will be formerly declared separated from the body of Christ and not allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper (Math 18:17, 1 Cor 5:11- 13). The individual should be considered as a lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) and encouraged to repent and return to the body of Christ (2 Cor 2:5-8).

12.6. Excommunication will end when, in the unanimous opinion of the elders, the one under discipline has repented. Confession of this repentance will be read to the congregation on the Lord’s Day, and the elders shall formally announce the end of the discipline and restoration of fellowship with much rejoicing (1 Cor 2:5-11).

13. SUBORDINATE MINISTRIES

13.1. The elders may delegate to an individual or board the executive authority of any subordinate ministry established by the elders. This executive responsibility continues at the pleasure of the elders. In order to dismiss such an individual, or remove someone from such a board, a majority vote of the elders is required.

13.2. If the individual concerned is also an elder, he is excluded from voting on any matters concerning his own case. If separation of a subordinate ministry from All Saints Reformed Church becomes necessary, that action may be authorized by a unanimous vote of the elders.

14. INCORPORATION

14.1. ASR, Covington, LA is currently constituted as a non-profit religious corporation under Louisiana State law. We understand that a day may come when the civil magistrate may impose such restrictions upon us that may require us to renounce such status – especially if they prevent us from preaching the counsel of God or require us to act contrary to the Scriptures.

15. AMENDMENTS

15.1. The ASR Constitution may be amended by the Officers collectively. Changes to the ASR Constitution and the Book of Confessions require a unanimous vote by the Session. Changes to the ASR Book of Church Order (forthcoming) require a two-thirds vote of the Session. Heads of household shall be notified of any planned changes to the ASR’s Constitution, or documents called out as part of the Constitution and their input maybe requested.