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St. John Church

"The Church Of The Way"

1. We believe in one God who has been revealed to us as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

2. We believe in the teachings of God as found in the Holy Bible and to use these teachings as the rules we should live by.

3. We believe that all sin started with the corruption of Adam and Eve and that all men must repent of their sins and ask for God’s forgiveness and grace, and be born again.

4. We believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and arose three days later.

5. We believe that all Christians must accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and repent of their sins.

6. We believe that on the appointed day, Jesus will return for the resurrection of the dead, to lay claim to those who are still here and to pass the final judgment on all man kind.

7. We believe that communion is a sacrament of the church, instituted by the Lord, as a remembrance of His death on the cross for our sins.

8. We believe in divine healing and the power of prayer to the Lord and that if it is God’s will you will be healed from all sickness and suffering.

9. The position of the St. John church of Stoutsville, Ohio will be as it is stated in the Bible in Acts II that any speaking in tongues which can not be understood as being in every day language to the people of the church is not in the best interest of preaching the Word of God and will therefore not be permitted in the St. John Church.


The name of this organization shall be St. John Church of Stoutsville, Ohio.


The purpose for forming the corporation is as follows:

The purpose of St. John Church is to glorify God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Also we will work in every way to carry out the commandments of God, promote the teachings and doctrine of spiritual holiness by accepting those members, pastors and evangelists who are filled with the Holy Spirit. We will preach the Word of God, abide by the doctrines and principles of this church and help to spread the Word of God as found in the Holy Bible to the unsaved for their salvation.

The St. John Church is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, education and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distribution to organizations that qualify as exempt organization under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set for tin the purpose clauses hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (A) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (B) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(C)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future Federal Tax Code.


The membership shall consist of those who are identified as members of record of St. John Church as of January 1, 1996, and thereafter, whose lives and testimonies prove they believe in Jesus Christ and have been born again. Those persons whose life and testimony bear the belief in Jesus Christ, have been baptized and born again believing in the sanctification of the soul, and can adhere to the doctrine of St. John Church, may become a member of this church after meeting the following requirements and being accepted by the church membership:

Prospective members are to petition the Chairperson, Worship, Membership and Growth Committee for membership in St. John Church. After review and discussion as to whether the petitioner meets the criteria of the church doctrine and acceptance by this Committee, the prospective member(s) will meet with the Pastor. The Pastor will recommend to the Committee whether the prospective member should be accepted. Once accepted, the Candidates will be notified by the Pastor and a date established for the candidates to appear before the church congregation during the Sunday service. Each Candidate is to answer the following questions:

A. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and do you hereby repent of all your sins and know that you are saved from all these sins by the grace of God?

If so, answer: “I do by the grace of God.”

B. Will you support the doctrine of St. John Church and live your life for the honor and glory of the Lord?

If so, answer: “I do by the grace of God.”

C. Are you willing to be a servant of the Lord by contributing your witness, your time, your support and your tithings to God and St. John Church?

If so, answer: “I do by the grace of God.”

Members of the church will rise and with the applicant(s) facing the congregation, the minister shall say: “Do you the members of St. John Church, enter into a covenant with this child of God and promise to pray for them, to instruct, counsel, and cherish them as members of this church and God’s family in the name of the Lord?

If so, answer: “By the grace of God we will.”

D. Upon completion of the above service, the Pastor will present the new members of St. John Church to the congregation and a certificate of membership. If baptism is performed it too shall be accomplished as appropriate, prior to or during this service. The Pastor will record each new member in the church register.

Children of St. John Church members under the age of 12 years old will have the status as honorary members. Children the age of 12 and above may become full members of St. John Church after furthering their Christian education with study classes guided by the church Pastor or his designate and fulfilling the requirements of this article. Children under the age of eighteen (18) may not hold any church office or vote during church meetings.



Section A: Officers of St. John Church must be active members. Active non-members attending St. John Church may be appointed to committees but the number of non-members per committee shall not exceed two non-members. However, Trustees must be members.

Section B: The officers of St. John Church shall be as follows:

President of the Administration Board Lay Leader Sunday School Superintendent Church Treasurer Chairperson, Church Trustee Chairperson, Missions Committee Chairperson, Worship, Membership and Growth Committee

Section C: Voting members of the Administrative Board will include the following:

President of the Administrative Board Lay Leader Sunday School Superintendent Church Treasurer Chairperson, Trustees Chairperson, Missions Committee Chairperson, Worship, Membership and Growth Committee Administrative Board Members At-large (4 elected)

Note: The President of the Administrative Board will vote only upon a tie.

Other Committees may be formed and may or may not be requested to attend Administrative Board or other committee meetings. Chairpersons of these other committees will not have a vote at Administrative Board Meetings.

Section D: Church officers, Administrative Board and committee member vacancies will be filled as soon as possible by vote of the remaining Administrative Board members.

Section E: The election of church officers for the coming 2 years will be conducted during the biannual business meeting held during the month of December of the second year. All church positions, as listed in Section B and C above, must be members in good standing of St. John Church and shall be nominated, in the order listed, by the Administrative Board and voted upon for approval by the majority of its members present.

After the approval vote for the church Trustees, Missions and Worship, Membership and Growth committee members, the Administrative Board members will elect from the list of incumbents the office of Chairperson of each committee. This will complete the selection of automatic members of the Administrative Board. Nominations to complete the Administrative Board can now be held to elect the remaining four (4) at large members. After this vote of approval, the Administrative Board will elect the President of the Administrative Board and the Secretary from the list of incumbent board members. The positions of Financial Secretary and Alternate Secretary will then be elected. Other offices or committees may be elected each year as the board sees as needed.

The terms of office for all newly elected church officials will be for a period of two years and will start on the first day of January after the year of election. During the next regularly scheduled Sunday morning worship service, the results of the voting shall be announced to the congregation.

Section F: Duties and Responsibilities of all boards and committees

a. Each board and committee chairperson will insure that regularly stated meetings are announced in the church bulletin and announced at least two (2) weeks in advance of each meeting. Emergency meetings need not be announced.

b. Each board and committee will prepare a written annual budget that will be presented to the Administrative Board during its December meeting. These budgets will be reviewed, discussed and approved by the Administrative Board and copies presented to the Church Treasurer. During the business year, any committee or board may petition the Administrative Board for additional funds to be added to its budget.

c. Written board and committee meeting minutes will be prepared and presented to the Secretary of the Administrative Board at each quarterly meeting held in March, June, September and December.

d. Keeping within budgets shall be the responsibility of each Chairperson and their committee members. Each committee will designate a secretary or have a person to take meeting notes at each meeting for presentation to the Secretary, Administrative Board at the quarterly meeting.

e. All meetings shall be held in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Committees will have a minimum of one meeting per quarter, with that meeting being scheduled prior to the next quarterly Administrative Board Meeting.

Section G: Duties of the Church Officers shall be as follows:

1. The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the congregation. The Pastor and his immediate family shall be honorary members of St. John Church and given all the benefits, rights, and privileges. He is to preach the Word of God as found in the Holy Bible and lead souls to Christ. He is to allow no one to fill the pulpit or teach a class in his presence or absence that does not or will not abide by the doctrine of this church. He shall be a non-voting member on all church committees.

2. The Lay Leader will assist the Pastor during church services and shall be the spiritual link and liaison between the Pastor and the Administrative Board, the Trustees, the Committees and the congregation. A member of the church will be elected as Assistance Lay Leader. This position will not be as an officer or member of the Administrative Board except in the absence of the Lay Leader.

3. The Sunday School Superintendent will chair the Sunday School Committee, which shall include the teachers, Pastor, Lay Leader, Sunday School Secretary and any other members of the Sunday School at the Superintendent’s request. The Sunday School Secretary will maintain meeting minutes of the Committee Meetings.

a. The Sunday School Superintendent will be responsible for all areas involved in the Sunday School administration.

b. The Sunday School Superintendent will select and order Sunday School literature and other material as determined appropriate. Sunday School teachers may be asked to assist in the selection of material.

c. The Sunday School Superintendent will provide teachers for each Sunday School class.

d. The Sunday School Superintendent will be responsible for coordination with others committees and boards for Sunday School member participation in church activities.

4. The Church Treasurer shall be responsible to the Chairperson of the Trustees and the President of the Administrative Board on behalf of the congregation for the maintenance of a single and sole set of church financial records and the proper authorized disbursement of funds as requested by the chairpersons and President of the Administrative Board. The Church Treasurer, Chairperson of the Trustees and the President of the Administrative Board shall be authorized signatures for all checking, savings and other accounts maintained on behalf of St. John Church. The Chairperson of the Trustees or designated representative shall have emergency authority for directing the disbursement of funds for emergency and safety repairs to St. John Church’s building, services and facilities. Three church officers will audit all Church accounts annually. The audit committee will consist of the President of the Administrative Board, the Chairman of the Trustees and one other church officer. The President of the Administrative Board will report the results of the audit at the next quarterly Administrative Board meeting. Checks in the amount of $1,700 or more must contain two authorized signatures. Congregation members will be elected as Financial Secretary and Alternate Financial Secretary for certifying the counting of weekly tithes. The Financial Secretary and Alternate Financial Secretary are not considered as Board members as a result of being elected to these offices.

5. The Chairperson of the Church Trustees shall be responsible for conducting meetings of the Church Trustees and seeing to it that the church buildings and grounds are kept in a good state of condition and repair. The Church Trustees will be the recipient of all gifts, donations and bequeaths made to the church, and to use these funds in the best interests of the church.

6. The Chairperson of the Missions Committee will be responsible for scheduling and conducting meetings of the Committee and seeing to it that the church actively and aggressively supports the spiritual and financial needs of the community and the various domestic and international missionaries. The Committee will coordinate with the Pastor for the visit and support of Missionaries to St. John Church.

This committee will consist of at least six elected committee members who will be voting members. The Pastor and Lay Leader may also attend as spiritual leaders at these meetings but will be non-voting members.

7. The Chairperson, Worship, Membership and Growth Committee will be responsible for scheduling and conducting the meetings of this Committee and seeing that the church aggressively supports the spiritual needs of the church’s worship, membership and growth. The Worship, Membership and Growth Committee shall be responsible for the administration of new members, coordination and scheduling of revival services, special Sunday Church services such as singers, guest speakers and pastors, and special services for children, parents and the pastor, or other special occasions.

This committee will consist of at least six (but not more than eight) elected committee members. The Pastor and Lay Leader may also attend as spiritual leaders at these meetings but will be non-voting members.



The Pastor: The Pastor’s position shall be voted upon each year during the annual December business meeting by the Administrative Board. The Pastor must notify the Board at this time of his intention. Annually, the Board of Trustee via the Chairman will present to the Administrative Board any and all salary increases, auto expense allowances, or miscellaneous allowance for consideration, discussion and approval at the December Administrative Board Meeting. The pastor is to be paid a stated weekly salary. Anytime a Pastor decides not to continue in their position they will be asked to give notice to the President of the Administrative Board at least thirty (30) days in advance. Such approvals will be effective January 1.



Section A: Church Meetings:

The Church year shall begin January 1 of each year. The biannual business meeting for the year shall be held in December of the second year of office. Quarterly business meetings will then be held throughout the year in the months of March, June, September and December.

Section B: Special Meetings.

The Chairperson of any committee or board may request a special meeting of the Administrative Board, Church Trustees or other committees at any time.

Section C: Voting

Only members of record and honorary members of St. John Church who have passed their eighteenth (18th) birthday may be elected to any church office and have a vote during church meetings.

Section D: Order of Business.

The order of business at Administrative Board meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order as follows:

1. Open with prayer.

2. Reading of the last minutes by the Secretary, Administrative Board.

3. Reports: By Church Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent and the Chairpersons of the Trustees, Missions, and Worship, Membership and Growth Committees.

a. Treasurers shall report at each meeting the receipt of all funds and payment all bills and expenses to the Secretary. Balances for checking, saving and all church investments will be reported at each meeting. The Treasurer’s books will be audited annually in the month of June by the church audit committee prior to the June Administrative Board meeting. The Audit Committee will consist of at least three of the following: The President of the Administrative Board and Chairperson, Board of Trustees, and one other elected church officer. The audit report will be provided to the Secretary, Administrative Board at next meeting.

b. The Sunday School Superintendent and chairpersons of each committee will report on the activities and funds expended since the previous Administrative Board meeting. Committee Meeting Minutes from each shall be provided to the Secretary, Administrative Board at next quarterly Administrative Board meeting.

c. The Sunday School Superintendent; and chairpersons of each committees will present their estimated budgets to the Administrative Board for review and approval at the June meeting.

4. Unfinished/old business

5. New business

6. Applications for membership

7. Pastor’s comments

8. Closing prayer.



Amendments: Any article or paragraph in this doctrine may be amended except Article 1. No amendment shall be passed unless notice has been given the church congregation and the amendment read during the regular church service at least one (1) week prior to the business meeting at which time the proposed amendment must be approved by majority vote by Administrative Board.



Judiciary: Any pastor or church member who does not or will not abide by the articles and doctrines of St. John Church will be asked to appear before the Administrative Board and dealt with according to the Matthew 18:15-17.

This 2008 amendment superseded all previous amendments and is adopted and approved by the Board members to become effective January 1, 2008 by their signatures below.

The following Administrative Board members approved this amendment to the Articles of Incorporation by their signatures on January 6, 2007.

Names:	Signatures
Sondra Boyer	_________________________________
Elaine Poling	_________________________________
Charlene Catlett	_________________________________
Dean Poling	_________________________________
Donna Clark	_________________________________
LeeAnn Herron	_________________________________
Nancy Drum	_________________________________
Don Ramey	_________________________________
Becky Ramey	_________________________________
Richard Catlett	_________________________________

Enclosure: The Doctrine of St. John Church of Stoutsville, Ohio.