SCBC Constitution | Sespe Creek Bible Ch

SCBC – Holy Bible, Salvation, Church & Belonging Series

Session 6: CONSTITUTION

The Belief Summary-Common Confession (1 Tim 3:16): Great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

The Christian Mission Statement (1 Tim 1:15): Christ Jesus came into / entered the world to rescue / save sinners, of whom I am chief.

The Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty: Creator of Heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ: his only Son, our Lord,
   Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
   He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
   He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead.
   He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
   From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
- The Father is the Promise Maker. The Son is the Promise. The HS is The Amen!
I believe in the Holy Spirit: the holy catholic church (true church of all ages/times/places), the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
1700 Years ago: The Nicean Creed: HS is adored & glorified (Ps 139:7; Acts 5:1-3; Heb 9; Lk 4; 1 Pet x) The Triune God is GOD – they all are co-equal in being & purpose. The Father calls. The Son Came & will come /. The HS Culminates all things (Regenerates (Ps 104:30; Jn 3:1-15 / Baptizes into Christ (1 Cor 12:12-13; Rom 6:3-5; Col 3:1-4) / Seals (Eph 1:11-14; Rom 8:14-17) / Grows to maturity). And is a person who has a R’ship with us. God’s perfecting presence (John Owen). He perfects in us what God is after He makes us a Christian!
The HS is a person (I / He) as an Advocate / Helper / Effectual Agent. Cf. Rom 8:4-5 Mind).
- Eph 4:30 (grieve a Person) and 1 Thess 5:19 (Quenched).
- Has a will (1 Cor 12:11); can be insulted (Heb 10:29); or Blasphemed (Matt 12:3).
- Is to be obeyed (Acts 5:32).

SCBC Name and Location

The name of this Corporation is Sespe Creek Bible Church. It is a California nonprofit religious Corporation with its principal offices in Fillmore, California.

Purpose

This Corporation is organized for exclusively religious and spiritual purposes (including charitable

and beneficent purposes common to a pastoral church ministry as defined by Scripture). Our commission is summarized in Matthew 28:18–20 and shall be an independent, autonomous and self-governing body of believers.

We will gather together to bring praise, honour and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ by:

Preaching the Gospel of our gracious God, to teach, sing and fellowship around the Holy Bible and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Exhorting one another to live a godly, holy life to please our heavenly Father and be an effective witness to the unconverted.
Supporting biblical evangelism and growth of true Christianity in our community and world.

While maintaining a separatist position towards all modernistic and unbiblical groups, this church will recognize and fellowship with biblically based churches of like faith and practice.

Membership

Active Membership

Active church membership in the Sespe Creek Bible Church shall be open to all persons

who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior and who have been baptized by water immersion in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We all solemnly and joyfully enter into commitment with one another, as we are one body kin Christ, so we shall be one in this local assembly, seeking to walk together in Christian love. We will strive for the growth of this church in all knowledge, holiness, service and comfort, promoting its spirituality and prosperity, attending its services regularly, thus sustaining its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines. We will seek to give it pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin, giving faithfully of time, giftedness and talents in its activities and to give cheerfully in support of the ministry, as God has prospered us, to defray the expenses of the Church, including those members of lesser means as they need help, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all nations by supporting our missions and missionaries alike.

Responsibilities: To seek to exercise your God-given spiritual gifts for the mutual benefit of all the

church body, submit to the loving leadership and rule of the Leadership and to maintain regular private and family devotions being committed to walking circumspectly in the world and being zealous to advance the cause of Jesus Christ, giving Him pre-eminence in all things and praying for one another fervently.

Voting Privileges

Membership in this church shall not vest in any church member or in any proprietary rights in the Corporation but shall only entitle the church member to vote at a meeting of the church members on those matters that the Leadership chooses to submit to the church membership for affirmation. In such cases, voting privileges are restricted to church members who are in good standing, who are not under any disciplinary action, and who have passed their eighteenth (18) birthday. Membership is not assignable or able to vest to anyone.

Applications for Membership

All requests for membership shall be made to a Pastor or Leader. Upon making such a request, the person shall be given an application for membership, along with access to a copy of the Statement of Faith and a copy of the Constitution on SCBC Website.

A Pastor or Leader will meet with the applicant following receipt of the application. Each applicant shall assent to the Statement of Faith, subscribe to the Constitution, and shall testify publicly before a duly appointed Pastor at a meeting for prospective church members. Any questions about or disagreements with the Statement of Faith or Constitution must be indicated on the membership application. The Leadership will evaluate these questions or disagreements to determine whether the request for membership will be approved.

Admission of Applicants

Applicants admitted to membership shall, if possible, present themselves at a worship service designated by the Pastor-Teacher and the Leadership, at which service such applicants shall publicly affirm their membership commitment and be publicly acknowledged and welcomed as church members.

Denial of Membership

If, upon review of an application for membership or after meeting with a prospective church member, the Leadership determines that the applicant does not confess Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, or that there is a lack of evidence of a godly lifestyle, membership shall be denied. The decision made by the Leadership shall be final and there shall be no appeal to any court from that decision.

Special Meetings

Special meetings of church members may be called at any time by order of the Pastor-Teacher, the Chairperson of the Leadership, or by a quorum of the members of the Leadership. At all meetings of church members, the church members present shall constitute a quorum (usually 75%) for the transaction of business.

Leaders / Leadership

All the activities and affairs of the Church shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Leadership, who are responsible for shepherding and having oversight of the flock. Without prejudice to such general powers, but subject to these same limitations, it is hereby expressly declared that the Leadership shall have the following powers in addition to the other powers enumerated by these Bylaws:

(a) To select, appoint and remove all the officers, agents, pastors, staff, and employees of the Church; prescribe such duties for them consistent with the Scriptures, with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, or with these Bylaws; and fix the terms of their offices and their compensation.

(b) To make such disbursements from the funds and properties of the Church as are required to fulfil the purposes of this Church as are more fully set out in the Articles of Incorporation, thereof and generally to conduct, manage, and control the activities and affairs of the Church and to make such rules and regulations consistent with the Scriptures, with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, or with these Bylaws, as they may deem best.

(d) To establish policies and practices for the church consistent with the purposes of this Church.

(e) To assist the Pastor-Teacher in the administration of the ordinances of baptism and communion. Each serving Leader is authorized to solemnize marriages but only on biblical terms.

(f) To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of the Church and to cause to be executed and delivered, in the corporate name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, or other evidence(s) of debt and securities.

(g) To carry on a business and apply any such profit that results from the business activity

in which it may legally engage.

The authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall not be less than two (2) until changed by an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or by an official constitutional amendment.

Nomination, Selection, and Tenure of Office: Recommendations to fill the office of Leader shall be requested once a year from all church members. Only a current Leader may nominate for another Leadership candidate to be considered. The Leadership shall review all nominations and determine each nominee’s qualifications. A proposed slate of nominees prepared by the nominating committee shall then be submitted to the Leadership, along with any relevant comments. The Leadership may then add to the list of nominees and shall then approve or disapprove each nominee at its sole discretion. The newly selected Leaders shall assume office immediately or may be required to serve a training period of up to six (6) months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Leader may be selected by the Leadership at any time and begin to serve immediately. Provided the Leader meets all biblical requirements for service in that capacity, there are no required, or defined, limits on a Leader's term of office.

Qualifications

Each member of the Leadership must be an active member of this church and possess the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. He shall be:

(a) Blameless as a steward of God; above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6–7)

(b) Husband of one wife; a one-woman man (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)

(d) Sober-minded, prudent (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)

(e) Good behavior; orderly, respectable (1 Timothy 3:2)

(f) Given to hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)

(g) Apt and able to competently teach the Holy Bible and in like manner exhort believers and refute false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9)

(h) Not given to wine (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

(i) Not violent; not pugnacious (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)

(j) Patient, moderate, forbearing, gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)

(k) Not a brawler; uncontentious; not soon angry or quick-tempered (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)

(l) Not covetous; not a lover of money; not greedy of base gain (1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7)

(m) Rules well his own house; his children are faithful, not accused of rebellion to God (1 Timothy 3:4; Tit 1:7)

(n) Not a novice; not a new convert (1 Timothy 3:6)

(o) Has a good report or reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3:7)

(p) Not self-willed (Titus 1:7), but is a lover of good men and things (Titus 1:8)

(r) Just and fair, holy and devout, and also Self-controlled (Titus 1:8).

Resignation

Any Leader may resign effectively upon giving written notice to the Chairperson of the Leadership or the Secretary/Treasurer, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation is to take effect at some future time, a successor may be selected before that time.

Removal of a Leader

Any Leader may be removed from office at any regular or special meeting of the Leadership if he is found to be physically or mentally incapacitated or spiritually unqualified (according to pertinent Scripture, including 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9), after thorough corroborating investigation by the Leadership at the sole discretion of the Leadership), in accord with the procedures prescribed by pertinent Scripture, including Matthew18:15–18 and 1 Timothy 5:19. When a Leader is removed because of sin that is deemed sufficient to disqualify him from shepherding, and if he refuses to repent from that sin, the removal shall be accompanied by a public rebuke, and notice shall be made before the church and the congregation thereof at a regularly scheduled worship service as prescribed in 1 Timothy 5:20.

Place and regularity of Meetings

Any meeting (whether regular, special, or adjourned) of the Leadership of the Church may be held at any place within or without the State of California and may be held by various modes, including video conference, zoom or similar.

Regular meetings of the Leadership shall be held without call or notice bi-monthly, unless otherwise modified by the Leadership. The administrative content of regular meetings shall be open to church members. At its sole discretion, the Leadership may at any time designate a portion of any or all regular meetings as “Leaders only” or “Lay Leaders only,” at which time only the Leaders or Lay Leaders, respectively, may attend and participate.

Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Leadership may be called at any time by order of the Chairman or the Secretary/Treasurer of the Leadership or by a quorum of the members of the Leadership, provided 48 hours’ notice is given. At its sole discretion, the Leadership may at any time designate a portion of any or all special meetings as “Leaders only” or “Lay Leaders only,” at which time only the Leaders or Lay Leaders, respectively, may attend and participate.

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Leadership may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Leadership shall individually or collectively consent in writing to a duly prepared resolution to such action. Such consent or consents shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of the Leadership and shall be documented by attaching the signed resolution with the minutes of proceedings of the Leadership.

Rights of Inspection: Every Leader shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records, and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the Corporation of which such person is a Leader, for a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a Leader.

Decisions of the Leadership

Decisions shall be reached after prayerful consideration by unanimous vote in a spirit of humility, with each Leader regarding one another before himself.

Committees

Committees of the Leadership may be appointed by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Leadership currently serving. Committees shall be composed of two or more members of the Leadership and shall have such powers of the Leadership as may be expressly delegated to it by resolution of the Leadership, except with respect to:

(a) The approval of any action must be approved by the Leadership.

(b) The filling of vacancies on the Leadership or on any committee.

(d) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Leadership which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable.

(e) The appointment of other committees of the Leadership or the Leaders thereof.

(f) The approval of any self-dealing transaction, as such transactions are defined in Section 9243(A) of the California Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law. The Leadership shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of any such committee shall be conducted. In the absence of any such prescription, such committee shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which its proceedings shall be conducted. Unless the Leadership or such committee shall otherwise provide, the regular and special meetings and other actions of any such committee shall be governed by the provision of this provision applicable to meetings and actions of the Leadership. Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of each committee.

Fees and Compensation

Leaders (as such) shall not receive any stated or fixed salary for their services, however, nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Leaders from serving the Church in any other capacity and receiving compensation in that capacity. Any person receiving compensation directly or indirectly from Sespe Creek Bible Church shall not be in a position to determine the nature or amount of said compensation.

Councils and Committees

To promote efficient handling of Leadership matters, the Leadership may appoint various councils and committees from within its membership, the staff, and from the church at large. These councils and committees shall perform tasks solely in accordance with the duties and with powers specifically delegated by the Leadership. The general functions of councils and committees are; a) to bring considered recommendations to the Leadership concerning ministries; and (b) to provide a wider base of counsel to the Leadership having the oversight of specific ministries.

All councils and committees shall exist for the period specified by the Leadership.

Deacons and Deaconesses

The Deacons, if any are appointed, shall consist of church members possessing the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 and shall be nominated annually by members of the church. The

Leadership will compile, review and, at its sole discretion, confirm or disapprove each of the nominations. The Leadership shall post written notice in January of each year of the deacons serving that year. The Deacons shall serve for a term of one (1) year. The Deacons shall assist the Leadership in the shepherding of the saints, assist the Pastor at Communion and baptismal services, aid in the general spiritual care of the church, and perform other duties as assigned by the Leadership. A Deacon shall be a man of dignity, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not fond of sordid gain, holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, first tested and found above reproach.

The Deaconesses, if any are appointed, shall consist of church members possessing the qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3–5 and shall be nominated annually by members of the church. The Leadership will compile, review and, at its sole discretion, confirm or

disapprove each of the nominations. The Leadership shall post written notice in January of each year of the deaconesses serving that year. The Deaconesses shall serve for a term of one (1) year. They shall prepare the Communion elements, assist the Pastor at baptismal services and in the general spiritual care of the Church, and shall assist in the care of the sick and needy. A Deaconess shall be dignified, not a malicious gossip, temperate, and faithful in all things.

Ushers (Welcomers/Greeters)

The Ushers shall consist of Church members to be nominated annually by members of the

church. The Leadership will compile, review and, at its sole discretion, confirm or

disapprove of each of the nominations. The Leadership shall post written notice in January

of each year of the ushers serving that year. The Ushers shall serve for a term of one (1)

year. They shall act as Church ushers, greeters at the door, church collectors, and assist the Pastor in the services in such matters as he deems necessary. An Usher shall meet the qualifications enumerated for a Deacon.

Vacancies

In the event any of the above-mentioned offices becomes vacant during the period between annual designations, the Leadership may, at its sole discretion, fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.

Officers

The officers of the Church shall be a Chairman and a Secretary/Treasurer. The Church may also have, at the discretion of the Leadership, elected officers as may be appointed in accordance with the special purpose and term provisions shall be chosen annually or as may be required, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Leadership. Each officer shall hold his office until he shall resign, be removed, or become otherwise disqualified to serve, or until his successor shall be elected, qualified and appointed.

Subordinate Officers

The Leadership may appoint, and may empower the Chairman to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these provisions or as the Leadership may from time to time determine.

Any officer may be removed upon disqualification and removal as a Leader by these provisions or by the California Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law. Any officer may resign at any time without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Church under any contract to which the officer is a party, by giving written notice to the Leadership, or to the Chairman, or to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Church. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Vacancies

A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws for regular election or appointment to such office, provided that such vacancies shall be filled as they occur and are not required to be filled on an annual basis.

The Chairman

The Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Church and shall, subject to the control of the Leadership, have general supervision, direction, and control of the activities and officers of the Church. He shall preside at all meetings of the Leadership, which are to be conducted according to the scriptural principles such as set forth in Philippians 2:2–8. He shall be an ex officio member of all the standing committees (if any) and shall have powers/duties as may be prescribed by the Leadership.

Vice-Chairman

In the absence or disability of the Chairman, the Secretary/Treasurer shall perform all the duties of the Chairman, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chairman. That person(s) shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for him by the Leadership or the Constitution.

Secretary/Treasurer

The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, a book of minutes at the principal office or such other place as the Leadership may order, of all meetings of Church members, the Leadership and its committees, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at the meetings, the Leadership and committees’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal office in the State of California the original and a copy of the Church’s Articles and Constitution, as amended to date. The Secretary/Treasurer shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Leadership and any committees thereof required by

the Constitution shall keep the seal of the Church in safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as prescribed by the Leadership. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Church, a Church Membership Register, or a duplicated membership register, showing the names of Church members and their addresses.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall ensure the stewardship of the physical and financial resources of the Church, “taking precaution that no one should discredit us in our administration…for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:20–21). He shall select “men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3) to implement and accomplish this responsibility, as may be required. The Secretary / Treasurer shall ensure that all financial activities and transactions are consistent with the Constitution and the California Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Church. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Leader and by the California Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law.

The Secretary/Treasurer shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Church with such depositories as may be designated by the Leadership. He shall disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the Church as may be

ordered by the Leadership, shall render, or cause to be rendered, to the Chairman and the Leadership, whenever they request it, an account of all the transactions and of the financial condition of the Church, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Leadership. He shall make, or cause to be made, the financial reports at each Leadership or Church member meeting as may be required.

Ordination

Ordination refers to the unanimous recognition by the Leadership of a man’s call to the ministry, preparation as a shepherd, and qualification to serve. Ordination shall be conferred for life, so long as the man continues to manifest the qualifications of the office.

Licensing and Commissioning

The license is issued by the Leadership and is given in recognition of a man’s service in a ministry. Its aim is to allow a man to perform the ecclesiastical duties and functions of the Church. Licenses will be evaluated—and issued or renewed—each year at the sole discretion of the Leadership. Licenses are to be issued only to Church members of Sespe Creek Bible Church.

When local Church certification is required for ministry, or where ordination would otherwise

be unnecessary or inappropriate, a person may be commissioned by the Leadership to minister. This commissioning continues as long as the opportunity to minister remains in effect and as long as the person maintains the qualifications for ministry, or until the Leadership in its sole discretion revokes the commissioning.

Marriages and Weddings

All who are ordained, licensed, commissioned or otherwise authorized by this Church to solemnize marriages may do so, in the exercise of religious freedom, but only where the participants are one man and one woman (Gen. 2:21–24; Matt. 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9).

Church facilities may be used for weddings only where both prospective spouses are Church members in good reputable standing; Church facilities are not available to the general public for that purpose.

Election and Duties

While the initial Pastor-Teacher is Mr David Wade, his replacement, should same be occasioned in future, shall be selected and confirmed by the Leadership at its sole discretion. He shall remain in office for an indefinite period of time subject to the following reservations: the Leadership reserves the right to dismiss the Pastor-Teacher upon giving him one month’s written notice of its intention to dismiss. The Pastor-Teacher must give one month’s notice if he intends to resign. The time limit of a Pastor-Teacher’s resignation or dismissal is subject to a lesser time if both the Pastor-Teacher and the Church by mutual agreement provide otherwise.

The Pastor-Teacher shall be an ex officio member of all councils and committees, and he shall be responsible to the Leadership. The Pastor-Teacher shall arrange for and conduct all public and regular services of the Church and shall be responsible for general oversight of the spiritual welfare of the Church. In the absence of the Pastor-Teacher, the Leadership or sole appointed Committee of the Leadership, shall be responsible to arrange for the public and regular services of the Church.

Settlement of Disputes

In any dispute arising between Church members, pastors, or staff pertaining to any matter of spiritual teaching or practices, Church finances, or title to property purchased with Church contributions, the dispute shall be resolved by the Leadership of the Church (or a duly appointed Committee of the Leadership at the sole discretion of the Leadership). A decision shall be reached after prayerful consideration, in a spirit of humility, with each Leader regarding one another before himself and striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1–3).

Endorsement of Documents & Contracts

The Leadership may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Church. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized by the Leadership, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Church by any contract or agreement, or to pledge its credit, or to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount. Subject to the provisions of applicable law, any note, mortgage, evidence of indebtedness, contract, conveyance, or other instrument in writing and any assignment or endorsement thereof executed or entered into between this Church and any other person, when signed jointly by the Chairman and the Secretary/Treasurer of this Church, shall be valid and binding on this Church in the absence of actual knowledge on the part of the counter party or counter parties that the signing officers had no authority to execute the same.

Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

The Chairman or any other officer or officers authorized by the Leadership are each authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of the Church all rights incident to any and all shares of any other Church or corporations standing in the name of the Church. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by any such officer in person or by any other person authorized to do so in proxy or power of attorney duly executed by said officer.

Construction and Definitions

Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions contained in the general provisions of the California Nonprofit Corporation Law and in the California Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law shall govern the construction of this document.

This constitution may be amended, and new and additional provisions may be made from time to time at any time by the Leadership.

Whenever an amendment or new provision is adopted, it shall be copied in the book of minutes with the original provision, in the appropriate place. If any provision is repealed, the fact of repeal with the date of the meeting at which the repeal was enacted or written assent was filed shall be stated in said book.

Receipt, Investment, and Disbursement of Funds

The Church shall receive all monies or other properties transferred to it for the purposes for which the Church was formed. However, nothing contained herein shall require the Leadership to accept or receive any money or property of any kind if it shall determine in its discretion that receipt of such money or property is contrary to the expressed purposes of the Church.

Corporate Records and Reports

The Church shall maintain adequate and correct accounts, books, and records of its business and properties. All such books, records, and accounts shall be kept at its principal place of business in the State of California, as fixed by the Leadership from time to time. Every Leader shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, documents of every kind, and the physical properties of the Church, and also of its subsidiary organizations, if any.

The fiscal year of the Church shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.

Upon dissolution of this Church, the Leadership shall cause the assets herein to be distributed to another Church with purposes similar to that identified in this document.

A registered formal SCBC By-Laws version is available on request. END