SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY
Mission Statement: SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will fulfill the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to make disciples of Jesus Christ
throughout the world, teaching those disciples the whole counsel
of God's Word, (1 Timothy 3:16), and exhorting those disciples to
fulfill the two Great Commandments, love the Lord God
with their whole being (Deuteronomy 6:5/Matthew 22:37) and love
their neighbor (Leviticus 19:18/Matthew 22:38).
Constitution
ARTICLE I
Statement of Purpose
Seeking to fulfill the Great Commission by working to:
1. Impact our community with the righteousness and holiness of God.
2. Reveal the glory of God by being a people who love the Lord our God with all
our hearts, with all our souls, with all our minds, and with all our might.
3. Present the Gospel of Jesus Christ through living and verbal witness.
4. Provide opportunity for discovery and study of the whole counsel of Gods Word.
5. Minister to the world in the name of Jesus.
6. Further fulfill the Great Commission through support of Southern Baptist and
other mission work throughout the world.
ARTICLE II
Name and Logo
This body of believers will be known by the name SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY. SHEKINAH
CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will also be known as a Southern Baptist affiliate. SHEKINAH CHURCH of
PAYNE COUNTY will be recognized by a logo consisting of artwork depicting a cross behind the Ark of the
Covenant, both radiating to shekinah glory of God. Written on the side of the ark will be "Praying down
and living out the glory of God!"
ARTICLE III
Statement of Doctrine
God's Word will serve as the foundation and plumb line of our doctrine as agreed upon in the Spirit.
SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will develop and establish a written doctrine for prospective
members to review before acceptance into membership of the church. The Baptist Faith and Message as
revised in 2000 will be used as a generalization of our beliefs.
ARTICLE IV
Leadership and Organization
Pastors, as designated by their spiritual gifts, will lead SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY. One
pastor meeting the qualifications as outlined by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1 - 7 will serve in the office of pastor
by election of the church for a period of one year and will be designated as Senior Elder. All pastors will
be known as elders. A Senior Pastor will be called to serve the church and act as administrator both
spiritually and fiscally.
Deacons will be selected from the membership on an annual basis. Their ministry will be the watch care
ministry of church members. One deacon meeting the qualifications as outlined by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:8 -
13 will be elected to the office of deacon each year and will be designated Senior Deacon.
Three trustees will be elected from the membership for 3 year terms. Terms will be rotational. Their
ministry responsibility will be to dispense any and all legal matters of the church.
The following ministry teams will be established to coordinate the work of the church in every area of
ministry. Each team will have a 4 member pastor-led leadership team that will include three other elected
church members. Other church members will serve on teams based on their spiritual gifts.
1. Administrative Team
Finances (Elders)
Properties
Personnel
Planning & Promotion
2. Education Team
Biblical Principals/Doctrine
Discipleship
Evangelism
Missions
Worship
3. Ministry Team
Children/Family/Youth
Fellowship/Watchcare (Deacons)
Men
Outreach
Women
Business will be conducted as needed with the Senior Pastor serving as moderator. There will be a printed
financial report every quarter. An Annual Meeting will be held during December for the purpose of ministry
reports, annual planning, and celebration of accomplishment. Special business sessions to vote on
constitutional changes must be announced for 2 weeks prior and recommendations must be printed and
available at the time of the first announcement.
ARTICLE V
Membership
Membership in SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY carries the responsibility of faithful stewardship
of time, talents, and possessions. Membership allows a person to vote on matters of business before the
church and to serve in a leadership position. A candidate for church membership must meet the following
criteria:
1. Candidate must make profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and
Savior and commitment to follow Him.
2. Candidate will exercise obedience by believers baptism; i.e. immersion, symboliz-
ing the salvation experiences death, burial and resurrection and also identify-
ing a person as a follower of Jesus Christ.
3. Candidate must study SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY 's doctrinal
statements, constitution, and by-laws. Study must be within six months of re-
quest for membership.
4. Candidate must participate in the life and ministry of SHEKINAH CHURCH of
PAYNE COUNTY for six months.
ARTICLE VI
Finances
SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will operate solely on tithes and offerings. Disbursement of
funds will be as follows:
Ministry and Missions 25 %
Cooperative Program 10 %
Associational Missions 3.5 %
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2.5 %
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering 2.5 %
Edna McMillan State Offering 1.5 %
TUG Ministries 5 %
Senior Pastor 10 %
Operational Costs 40 %
100 %
ARTICLE VII
Constitution and By-Laws
This document, upon approval, will serve as the constitution of SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY.
A 3/4 vote must be cast to approve or change any part of any article herein. Such vote will be made only
at a special business session called for the purpose of amending the constitution.
Church By-Laws on Policies and Procedures will be a separate document. Approval of the By-Laws
must be a 2/3 vote. Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed at any regular business session and
must be approved by a 2/3 vote at the next business session.
Appendix 1: Scriptures regarding Shekinah
Psalm 18:7-15 Matthew 24:44
Exodus 13:21 & 22; 24:16-18 Luke 1:35; 2:9
25:22; 40:34-38 Acts 1:9
Numbers 9:15-23; 10:11-36 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:10
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 Colossians 2:9
Isaiah 6:1-4 Hebrews 12:18-21
Haggai 2:9,21 2 Peter 1:17
Zechariah 2:5 Revelation 21:3
Mission Statement: SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will fulfill the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to make disciples of Jesus Christ
throughout the world, teaching those disciples the whole counsel
of God's Word, (1 Timothy 3:16), and exhorting those disciples to
fulfill the two Great Commandments, love the Lord God
with their whole being (Deuteronomy 6:5/Matthew 22:37) and love
their neighbor (Leviticus 19:18/Matthew 22:38).
Constitution
ARTICLE I
Statement of Purpose
Seeking to fulfill the Great Commission by working to:
1. Impact our community with the righteousness and holiness of God.
2. Reveal the glory of God by being a people who love the Lord our God with all
our hearts, with all our souls, with all our minds, and with all our might.
3. Present the Gospel of Jesus Christ through living and verbal witness.
4. Provide opportunity for discovery and study of the whole counsel of Gods Word.
5. Minister to the world in the name of Jesus.
6. Further fulfill the Great Commission through support of Southern Baptist and
other mission work throughout the world.
ARTICLE II
Name and Logo
This body of believers will be known by the name SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY. SHEKINAH
CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will also be known as a Southern Baptist affiliate. SHEKINAH CHURCH of
PAYNE COUNTY will be recognized by a logo consisting of artwork depicting a cross behind the Ark of the
Covenant, both radiating to shekinah glory of God. Written on the side of the ark will be "Praying down
and living out the glory of God!"
ARTICLE III
Statement of Doctrine
God's Word will serve as the foundation and plumb line of our doctrine as agreed upon in the Spirit.
SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will develop and establish a written doctrine for prospective
members to review before acceptance into membership of the church. The Baptist Faith and Message as
revised in 2000 will be used as a generalization of our beliefs.
ARTICLE IV
Leadership and Organization
Pastors, as designated by their spiritual gifts, will lead SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY. One
pastor meeting the qualifications as outlined by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1 - 7 will serve in the office of pastor
by election of the church for a period of one year and will be designated as Senior Elder. All pastors will
be known as elders. A Senior Pastor will be called to serve the church and act as administrator both
spiritually and fiscally.
Deacons will be selected from the membership on an annual basis. Their ministry will be the watch care
ministry of church members. One deacon meeting the qualifications as outlined by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:8 -
13 will be elected to the office of deacon each year and will be designated Senior Deacon.
Three trustees will be elected from the membership for 3 year terms. Terms will be rotational. Their
ministry responsibility will be to dispense any and all legal matters of the church.
The following ministry teams will be established to coordinate the work of the church in every area of
ministry. Each team will have a 4 member pastor-led leadership team that will include three other elected
church members. Other church members will serve on teams based on their spiritual gifts.
1. Administrative Team
Finances (Elders)
Properties
Personnel
Planning & Promotion
2. Education Team
Biblical Principals/Doctrine
Discipleship
Evangelism
Missions
Worship
3. Ministry Team
Children/Family/Youth
Fellowship/Watchcare (Deacons)
Men
Outreach
Women
Business will be conducted as needed with the Senior Pastor serving as moderator. There will be a printed
financial report every quarter. An Annual Meeting will be held during December for the purpose of ministry
reports, annual planning, and celebration of accomplishment. Special business sessions to vote on
constitutional changes must be announced for 2 weeks prior and recommendations must be printed and
available at the time of the first announcement.
ARTICLE V
Membership
Membership in SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY carries the responsibility of faithful stewardship
of time, talents, and possessions. Membership allows a person to vote on matters of business before the
church and to serve in a leadership position. A candidate for church membership must meet the following
criteria:
1. Candidate must make profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and
Savior and commitment to follow Him.
2. Candidate will exercise obedience by believers baptism; i.e. immersion, symboliz-
ing the salvation experiences death, burial and resurrection and also identify-
ing a person as a follower of Jesus Christ.
3. Candidate must study SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY 's doctrinal
statements, constitution, and by-laws. Study must be within six months of re-
quest for membership.
4. Candidate must participate in the life and ministry of SHEKINAH CHURCH of
PAYNE COUNTY for six months.
ARTICLE VI
Finances
SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY will operate solely on tithes and offerings. Disbursement of
funds will be as follows:
Ministry and Missions 25 %
Cooperative Program 10 %
Associational Missions 3.5 %
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2.5 %
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering 2.5 %
Edna McMillan State Offering 1.5 %
TUG Ministries 5 %
Senior Pastor 10 %
Operational Costs 40 %
100 %
ARTICLE VII
Constitution and By-Laws
This document, upon approval, will serve as the constitution of SHEKINAH CHURCH of PAYNE COUNTY.
A 3/4 vote must be cast to approve or change any part of any article herein. Such vote will be made only
at a special business session called for the purpose of amending the constitution.
Church By-Laws on Policies and Procedures will be a separate document. Approval of the By-Laws
must be a 2/3 vote. Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed at any regular business session and
must be approved by a 2/3 vote at the next business session.
Appendix 1: Scriptures regarding Shekinah
Psalm 18:7-15 Matthew 24:44
Exodus 13:21 & 22; 24:16-18 Luke 1:35; 2:9
25:22; 40:34-38 Acts 1:9
Numbers 9:15-23; 10:11-36 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:10
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 Colossians 2:9
Isaiah 6:1-4 Hebrews 12:18-21
Haggai 2:9,21 2 Peter 1:17
Zechariah 2:5 Revelation 21:3
