The Covenant Church adheres to the affirmations of the Protestant Reformation regarding the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, as the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct. It has traditionally valued the historic confessions of the Christian church, particularly the Apostle's Creed, while at the same time it has emphasized the sovereignty of the Word over all creedal interpretations. It has especially cherished the pietistic restatement of the doctrine of justification by faith as basic to its dual task of evangelism and Christian nurture, the reality of a fellowship of believers which recognizes but transcends theological differences, and the belief in baptism of infants, in conformity with its principle of freedom it has given room to divergent views. The principle of personal freedom, so highly esteemed by the Covenant, is to be distinguished from the individualism that disregards the centrality of the Word of God and the mutual responsibilities and disciplines of the spiritual community.
This document, that is in harmony with the above preamble, is the constitution and by-laws of The Covenant Church of Easton, CT.
Article I NAME The name of this church is "The Covenant Church of Easton, CT." It is a corporation under the laws of the state of Connecticut. Article II AFFILIATION This church is a member of The Evangelical Covenant Church and its East Coast Conference and is pledged to work in harmony with the denomination and its decisions and to support its program, policies and institutions. Article III CONFESSION OF FAITH This church believes in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, as the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct. Article IV PURPOSE The purpose of this church will be to promote sound Christian life among its members, to administer the Holy sacraments, to win persons to faith in Jesus Christ, to enlarge the witness of the church in the community, and to support the teaching of the Gospel of Christ among all peoples. In order to achieve this purpose, the church, in the unity of the Spirit, will work in harmony with all Christian organizations of like mind and specifically the institutions conducted by The Evangelical Covenant Church and its local regional conference. Article V MEMBERSHIP Membership in this church is open to those who through faith in God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again to a living hope, desire to live a Christian life, have been baptized according to the Scriptures and wish to share in the fellowship and ministry of this church. Article VI CHURCH COUNCIL Section 1. The general administration of the church will be vested in a body known as the Church Council. In circumstances or where law requires action(s) by "trustees", the council will be known as "the Board of Trustees" and the members of it as "trustees". The council will also serve as a Board of Deacons to supervise the spiritual life of the church, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council. Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws. Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article II AFFILIATION This church is a member of The Evangelical Covenant Church and its East Coast Conference and is pledged to work in harmony with the denomination and its decisions and to support its program, policies and institutions. Article III CONFESSION OF FAITH This church believes in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, as the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct. Article IV PURPOSE The purpose of this church will be to promote sound Christian life among its members, to administer the Holy sacraments, to win persons to faith in Jesus Christ, to enlarge the witness of the church in the community, and to support the teaching of the Gospel of Christ among all peoples. In order to achieve this purpose, the church, in the unity of the Spirit, will work in harmony with all Christian organizations of like mind and specifically the institutions conducted by The Evangelical Covenant Church and its local regional conference. Article V MEMBERSHIP Membership in this church is open to those who through faith in God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again to a living hope, desire to live a Christian life, have been baptized according to the Scriptures and wish to share in the fellowship and ministry of this church. Article VI CHURCH COUNCIL Section 1. The general administration of the church will be vested in a body known as the Church Council. In circumstances or where law requires action(s) by "trustees", the council will be known as "the Board of Trustees" and the members of it as "trustees". The council will also serve as a Board of Deacons to supervise the spiritual life of the church, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council. Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws. Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article III CONFESSION OF FAITH This church believes in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, as the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine and conduct. Article IV PURPOSE The purpose of this church will be to promote sound Christian life among its members, to administer the Holy sacraments, to win persons to faith in Jesus Christ, to enlarge the witness of the church in the community, and to support the teaching of the Gospel of Christ among all peoples. In order to achieve this purpose, the church, in the unity of the Spirit, will work in harmony with all Christian organizations of like mind and specifically the institutions conducted by The Evangelical Covenant Church and its local regional conference. Article V MEMBERSHIP Membership in this church is open to those who through faith in God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again to a living hope, desire to live a Christian life, have been baptized according to the Scriptures and wish to share in the fellowship and ministry of this church. Article VI CHURCH COUNCIL Section 1. The general administration of the church will be vested in a body known as the Church Council. In circumstances or where law requires action(s) by "trustees", the council will be known as "the Board of Trustees" and the members of it as "trustees". The council will also serve as a Board of Deacons to supervise the spiritual life of the church, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council. Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws. Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article IV PURPOSE The purpose of this church will be to promote sound Christian life among its members, to administer the Holy sacraments, to win persons to faith in Jesus Christ, to enlarge the witness of the church in the community, and to support the teaching of the Gospel of Christ among all peoples. In order to achieve this purpose, the church, in the unity of the Spirit, will work in harmony with all Christian organizations of like mind and specifically the institutions conducted by The Evangelical Covenant Church and its local regional conference. Article V MEMBERSHIP Membership in this church is open to those who through faith in God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again to a living hope, desire to live a Christian life, have been baptized according to the Scriptures and wish to share in the fellowship and ministry of this church. Article VI CHURCH COUNCIL Section 1. The general administration of the church will be vested in a body known as the Church Council. In circumstances or where law requires action(s) by "trustees", the council will be known as "the Board of Trustees" and the members of it as "trustees". The council will also serve as a Board of Deacons to supervise the spiritual life of the church, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council. Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws. Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article V MEMBERSHIP Membership in this church is open to those who through faith in God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again to a living hope, desire to live a Christian life, have been baptized according to the Scriptures and wish to share in the fellowship and ministry of this church. Article VI CHURCH COUNCIL Section 1. The general administration of the church will be vested in a body known as the Church Council. In circumstances or where law requires action(s) by "trustees", the council will be known as "the Board of Trustees" and the members of it as "trustees". The council will also serve as a Board of Deacons to supervise the spiritual life of the church, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council. Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws. Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article VI CHURCH COUNCIL Section 1. The general administration of the church will be vested in a body known as the Church Council. In circumstances or where law requires action(s) by "trustees", the council will be known as "the Board of Trustees" and the members of it as "trustees". The council will also serve as a Board of Deacons to supervise the spiritual life of the church, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council. Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws. Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Section 2. The council will consist of those members as specified in the by-laws. The senior pastor will be an ex-officio member of the council.
Section 3. The council will organize itself in a manner specified in the by-laws.
Article VIIBUSINESS MEETINGS The annual business meeting and regular business meetings of the church will be held as specified in the by-laws. Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article VIIIPROPERTY In the event of dissolution, the property and all assets of the church will become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and The East Coast Conference. Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
Article IXAMENDMENTS Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. Any proposed written amendment to this constitution must bear the signatures of three (3) members of the church. Such signatures do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the amendment, but simply that the issue merits the consideration of the membership at the appropriate time.
