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Government

Lionheart Fellowship’s form of governmental structure is the scriptural form of elders. There is a senior elder or set man who is the general overseer of all ministry functions and events. There will be other Spirit appointed elders who will be added as necessarily determined by Body growth and need. The elders have oversight of church ministries, finances, functions, and discipline.

By-Laws for Lionheart Ministries

Article 1, Tenets of Faith

This corporation and all of its associated churches shall accept the Holy Scriptures as the revealed will of God, the all sufficient rule of faith and practice, and for the purpose of maintaining general unity adopts the following tenets of faith as its scriptural basis of belief.

1. The Scriptures Inspired
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1Thess. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:21)

2. One True God
The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 43: 10-11; Matt. 28: 19; Luke 3:22).

3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
The Scriptures and the Lord Jesus Himself declare Christ to be one in essence with the eternal Father (John 10:30; 14:9). He is the eternal Son of God, The Scripture declares:

a) His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)
b) His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22)
c) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)
d) His substitutionary work on the Cross ( 1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5 :21)
e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:39)
f) His exaltation to the Father's right hand (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Phil.2:9-11; Heb. 1:3)

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4. The Fall of Man
Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let Us make man in our image after Our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is eternal separation from God (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:12-19).

5. The Salvation of Man
Man's only hope for salvation is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7).

a) Conditions for Salvation:
Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life (Luke 24:27; John 3:33; Rom. 10:13-15; Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).
b) The Evidence of Salvation:
The inward evidence of salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24; Titus 2:12).

6. Ordinances of the Churches

a) Baptism in Water
The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded in the Scripture. All who repent and believe on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have also been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. It is according to the Scripture, a spiritual circumcision of heart takes place (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47-48; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:11-12).
b) Holy Communion
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements - bread and the fruit of the vine - is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:4); a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Cor. 11:26); and a prophecy of His second coming (1Cor. 11:26); and is enjoined on all believers "till He comes."

7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early church. With it come the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8; 1 Cor. 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9).

With the baptism in the Holy Spirit come such experiences as a new language of the Spirit referred to as tongues (1 Cor. 14:14-15), an over flowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Heb. 12:28), and intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, His word and the lost (Mark 16:20).

There is only one baptism in the Holy Spirit, but there can be many subsequent fillings. (Eph 5:18). We must continually be filled with the Spirit to experience His power and fruit in our lives.

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8. The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of the great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the Body of believers and church of the First-born, which are written in heaven (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:22; Heb. 12:23).

9. The Ministry
A divinely called and scriptural ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for a two-fold purpose: 1) the edifying of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16), and, 2) the evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-20).

10. Divine Healing
Divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the Atonement, and is the privilege of all believers (Isa 53:4-5; Matt. 8:16-17; James 5: 14-16).

11. The Second Coming of Christ and the Resurrection of the Dead
The Scriptures set forth the teaching of the bodily resurrection of all who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rom. 8:23; Titus 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:51-52). The Second Coming includes the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on the earth (Zech. 14:5; Matt 24:27; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 19:11-14).

12. The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment at which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the book of life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to everlasting punishment, which is the second death ( Rev. 19:20; 20:11-15; 21:8).

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Article II, Officers of the Churches

There shall be a lead Elder (a set-man), a Council of Elders, and a Secretary -Treasurer. Other officers shall be added as may be directed by the Holy Spirit.

1) The Council of Elders shall consist of men ordained by the Holy Spirit who meet the scriptural criteria of 1 Tim. 3:1-7. The lead Elder shall be appointed by either Apostolic authority, or from among the Council of Elders by unanimous consent. The Lead Elder will not be sought for from outside the local Body or Apostolic authority.

2) The Lead Elder and Council of Elders shall be responsible for:
a) The spiritual and financial management of the churches and ministries
b) All matters of church government and discipline

3) The Council will always, through wisdom, present their decisions before the churches/ministries before implementing them, if the decision has an impact upon the entire Body.

4) The Secretary-Treasurer will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of the business meetings of the Council, and will disburse funds upon direction of the Council.

Article III, Church Meetings

Meetings for public worship shall be held during the week as may be provided for under the direction of the Lead Elder and Council of Elders. The Lead Elder shall have primary responsibility and authority of these schedulings.

There shall be an annual business meeting of each church at which time the report of the various ministries shall be read. The time and place shall be announced by the Lead Elder. Due notice shall be given each member, either by written notice or by announcement two Sundays prior to the date of said meeting.

The Council of Elders and the Lead Elder shall meet to transact routine and necessary business on an agreeable date at least once-per-month and at other times deemed necessary by the Council of Elders.

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Article IV, Departments/Ministries

All churches shall authorize the establishment of various departments or ministries, which shall function as branch activities of the churches.

All departments, ministries, leaders, or teachers shall be subordinate to the Council of Elders and shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole. They shall be under the general supervision of the Lead Elder and the Council of Elders, and shall be in agreement with the tenets of faith of this corporation.

Article V, Finances

Each church shall be financed by the Scriptural system of tithes and offerings and its constituents. Offerings shall be accepted by the church at such times and in such ways as agreed upon by the Lead Elder and the Council of Elders. These funds shall be administered by the Secretary-Treasurer or his/her designate under the supervision of the Council of Elders

A financial report shall be given to each church member at the annual business meeting.

The financial report shall be audited by a Certified Public Accountant.

All Salaries shall be set by the Lead Elder and the Council of Elders.

Article VI, Church Property

All property of the individual church shall be added to the individual church and held in its name. No property of each church shall be sold, leased, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of without the same shall be first recommended by the Council of Elders. The Lead Elder and the Secretary-Treasurer of the church shall certify in such conveyance, lease or mortgage, that the same has been duly authorized and recommended by a decision of the Council of Elders. All purchases of real property shall be governed by the same property.

Article VII, Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a unanimous decision of the Council of Elders. All Elders and the Lead Elder must be present for the execution of any amendment or revision. Two weeks prior notice must be given in writing to each Elder and the Lead Elder.

Article VIII, Officer's Requirements

The Lead Elder shall be considered by witness of the Holy Spirit, as the spiritual overseer of the church. He shall consistently submit himself to the counsel and wisdom of the Council of Elders. When and if situations or matters arise that cannot be agreed upon by the Council of Elders according to the Scripture, the Lead Elder shall call for a season of prayer and fasting until matters are settled. The Lead Elder shall act as chairman of business meetings of the Council of Elders. No person shall be invited to speak or preach in the churches without approval by the Lead Elder.

The Council of Elders is chosen by God to serve the local church and theretofore shall act in advisory capacity with the Lead Elder in all matters pertaining to the churches in their spiritual life and in the ministry of its finances and real property. They shall act as an examining committee in the administration of discipline. The Council shall be responsible for the administering of all funds, as directed by the Holy Spirit.

A majority present at any meeting will constitute a quorum, provided all Council members have been notified.

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Article IX, Discipline

All matters of discipline shall come under the supervision of the Lead Elder and the Council of Elders, and their action shall be final unless the disciplined party appeals to the church for a hearing. Such hearing is to be requested through the Lead Elder.

Grounds for instituting New Testament discipline shall be:

1) Unscriptural conduct
2) Doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith
3) Incompetence in office (Lead Elder and Elders, deacons, etc.)
4) Any good and sufficient cause

Addendum to our By-Laws, Article 1, Tenets of Faith, Number 3 –The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ:

3. The Deity and the Humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Scriptures and the Lord Jesus Himself declare Christ to be one in essence with the eternal Father (John 10:30; 14:9). He is the eternal Son of God, The Scripture declares:
a) His virgin birth (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31,35)
b) His sinless life (Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22)
c) His miracles (Acts 2:22; 10:38)
d) His substitutionary work on the Cross ( 1 Cor. 1 5 :3 ; 2 Cor. 5 :2 1 )
e) His bodily resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:39)
f) His exaltation to the Father's right hand (Acts 1:9, 11; 2:33; Phil.2:9-11; Heb. 1:3)

The Scriptures also declare that Jesus was one in essence with human flesh and blood (Heb 2:14, 17).
a) Jesus had a human mind. He learned (Luke 2:52; Mark 13:32; Heb 5:8-9)
b) Jesus had a human soul (Matt 26:38; John 12:27)
c) Jesus had human emotions. He wept (John 11:35), He became troubled (John 12:27), He marveled (Matt 8:10), He was sorrowful (Matt 26:38)
d) Jesus had a human body before and after the resurrection. In His days on earth He hungered (John 4:6), He thirsted, (John 19:28), He tired (John 4:6). Jesus now has a glorified human body (Luke 24:39; Luke 24:42)

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