Guidance for Purpose

 The purpose of Sedgwick FCC is to provide a place for assembling believers in Jesus Christ to worship God according to the teaching of the Bible, to keep the unity of the faith, to practice the precepts and examples of Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament, to sustain its ordinances and doctrines, to build up the body of Christ through preaching, teaching, worship, the use of spiritual gifts in ministry, and proclaiming and living out the Gospel to our community and beyond (Hebrews 10:19-25, Ephesians 4:1-16, Colossians 3:14, Philippians 2:2-3, John 17:21-22)

Guidance for Order

Harmony and unity in the assembled body of believers is based on submission to God’s plan for order and function as put forth in His word. Christ is the head of the universal church (Colossians 1:18). The Bible directs the leadership of local churches to be carried out by elders (Titus 1:5) and deacons (Acts 6:1-6, 1 Timothy 3:13) who meet the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy and Titus. Elders are charged in Scripture to shepherd, oversee, guard, and protect the church from false teachers (1 Peter 5:1-3, Acts 20:17-29). They are also called to teach, exhort, reprove, rebuke, and pray for the flock (2 Timothy 4:2, 2 Timothy 3:16). All elders are equal and will shepherd the church by obedience to Scripture, praying for wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and pursuing unity and harmony.

Deacons are called to ministries of service and enable the church to function administratively (Acts 6:1-6). Sedgwick FCC believers participate in the ministry and function of the local church by using their spiritual gifts to edify the church (Ephesians 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 12), submit to the Lordship of Jesus as head of the church (Ephesians 5:24), submit to the leaders of the church consistent with scripture (Hebrews 13:17), and to pursue harmony and unity through affirmation, support, and prayer.

Guidance for Membership

The Bible is clear that all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation are members of the body of Christ, the church (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

All believers who assemble at Sedgwick FCC are welcomed and exhorted to participate in the ministry of the local church in accordance with their spiritual gifts and calling (1 Timothy 4:14)

Guidance for Partnership

There is biblical guidance for participation of believers in the functions of the church. Acts 6 speaks of that participation in selecting deacons and affirming them. The church “picked out seven men”, the apostles appointed and anointed them, and the process was “pleasing to the people”. Though this was a specific situation, it is biblically reasonable to extend this example of partnership to needs in the body today. While the elders have oversight and accountability in all affairs of the church, the partnership of all members of the body of Christ is scripturally sound and practically wise. The following areas of church life are biblically reasonable to seek affirmation from the body: selection of elders and deacons, budgets, and building projects

Guidance for Affirmation

The affirmation process will be to call the church together, communicate the issue to be affirmed, and then distribute note cards to the assembled believers. Assembled believers will write “I affirm” or “I do not affirm” on the note card and sign their name. This will communicate to the elders the partnership and spirit of the body. The elders will consider the affirmation outcome and communicate the decision to the church. If the elders judge the affirmation to be in question, they will communicate with those who did not affirm to determine the validity of their concerns and whether the recommendation needs to be withdrawn, revised, or implemented. This process is not a voting process, it is a partnership process consistent with God’s word and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is dependent on believers submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, and a commitment to unity.

Elders and deacons must be willing and qualified and will be vetted by the elders and affirmed by the body to serve. Although a fixed number is not critical, a plurality is described in the Bible so a minimum of three elders is desired. Elders have differing gifts, may be paid or non-paid based on their vocational status, but are equal in all respects. The number of deacons will be aligned with service areas of need in the church and will serve under the leadership of the elders.

The church budget will be developed by ministry teams and coordinated with the deacons and treasurers. The elders will oversee and approve the budget and present to the assembled believers to be affirmed and implemented on a calendar year basis.

Building or renovation projects can be recommended to the elders for consideration and should have the affirmation of the church for implementation.

These guidelines constitute the biblical framework for obedience to Hebrews 10:19-25 where we do not neglect assembling together and we encourage one another to love and good works.