Church Constitution
Article 1 - Name
The name of this church shall be "LONE ROCK BIBLE CHURCH". The organization exists under the provisions of the "Montana Non-Profit Corporation Act" as specified in Sections 35-2-101 through 35-2-1203 inclusive, of the Montana Code Annotated (1985). The place where the principle business of said corporation is to be transacted and its offices kept is in Stevensville, Ravalli County, State of Montana. The corporation shall have and maintain in the State of Montana a registered office and a registered agent as required by the Montana Non-Profit Corporation Act.Article 2 - Purpose
Lone Rock Bible Church is a body of committed Christians who, out of obedience to Christ, are dedicated (1) to worship the living God (John 4:23-24; Matt. 28:18-20: Acts 14:21); (2) to edify the saints for growth, service and stability (I Cor. 14:12; Eph. 4:11-16); and (3) to evangelize the unbelieving by assembling together (Heb. 10:25), training and commissioning for service (Acts 13:1-3), meeting physical and spiritual needs (Acts 4:32-35) and proclaiming biblical truths locally, regionally and world-wide (Matthew 28:18-20)ARTICLE 3. Doctrinal Statement
- Bible
We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God (II Tim. 3:16), without error in the original writings (II Peter 1:20-21), the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of those who believe, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life (II Peter 1:3-4).
- The Godhead
We believe in one God, (Deut. 6:4; I Tim. 2:5) Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (II Cor. 13:14).
- The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man (John 1:14; 8:58; Phil. 2:6-8), having been conceived of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and born of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:31-34). He died on the cross a (better) sacrifice for our sins according to the Scripture (Romans 3:23-25). Further,
- The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John14:26: 16:14), to convict and regenerate the sinner (John 3:5-8; 16:7-1; Titus 3:5-6); to indwell (Rom. 8:9, 11), guide (John 16:13), instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and sacrifice.
- The Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), but fell into sin and is therefore dead in trespasses and sin. (Eph 2:1); only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained (Titus 3:5 & 6)
- Salvation
We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7) and His resurrection (Eph. 2:6) provide the only ground for justification and salvation (Rom. 5:8-11) for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God (John 1:12-13; 3:3). We believe that water baptism (Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 8:36-39) and the Lord's Supper ( I Cor. 11:23-29) are ordinances to be observed by the Church;. They are not, however, to be regarded as means of salvation (Eph. 2:9).
- The Church
We believe that the true Church is composed of all such persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8) are united together in the body of Christ of which He is Head (Rom 8:9;Epheisans 5:23; Col. 1:18; 1 Cor 12:12-31). We believe that only those who are thus members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in this church (Acts 2:47).
- The Second Coming of Christ
We believe in the personal and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 4:13-18). and that this "blessed hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (1 John 2:28-29; Titus 2:13-14).
- The Eternal State
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord (Matthew 25:31-34; Rev. 22:3-5); of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment (II Thess. 1:8-9; Rev. 20:11-15).
- Marriage
We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-33) We believe that marriage is an institution created by God in which one man and one woman commit themselves to each other in covenant for life. (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; Mal. 2:14). We believe that a person’s gender is determined by God as evidenced by their reproductive organs at birth (Gen. 1:27).
- Authority of Doctrinal Statement
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Doctrinal Statement accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Doctrinal Statement.
ARTICLE 4. Membership
The church shall have members. The qualifications, rights, privileges, duties, and classifications of members shall be stated in the church bylaws.Article 5. Government
- Section 1. Standing
This church acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ as its only head (Eph. 5:23; Colossians 1:18) and receives the Bible as the only infallible guide in matters of faith, church order and discipline 2 Tim 3:16-17; (John 8:31; I Tim. 6:3-5), and is amenable to no other ecclesiastical body in matters interfering with church autonomy. As a Rocky Mountain Bible Mission member, Lone Rock Bible Church desires to remain autonomous; any organizational affiliation shall be for purposes of identification and ministry resource, and will exclude any hierarchical governmental influence.
- Section 2. Business Administration
The business administration of this corporation shall be vested in and exercised primarily by the Elders (I Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:7, 17). These shall have authority to conduct, manage and control the business of the corporation, thus overseeing any and all such actions necessary toward executing the purposes of the corporation (I Pet. 5:1-3).
- Section 3. Seal
The seal of the corporation shall consist of a disc, upon the outer edge of which shall be the words, "Lone Rock Bible Church, Stevensville, Montana," and in the center the words "Corporate Seal".