We the undersigned, desiring to become incorporated under the provisions of Act No. 327 P.A. 1931; do hereby make, execute, and adopt the following Articles of Association to wit:
First, the name assumed by this corporation and by which it shall be known in law, is the Marimont Community Church.
Second, the location of said church or society shall be in the County of Oakland, and State of Michigan.
Third, the time for which said corporation shall be created shall be perpetual.
Fourth, the members of said church or society shall worship and labor together according to the discipline, rules, and usages of historic New Testament churches.
Fifth, this corporation shall proceed under section 179 of the above named act.as prescribed by its By-Laws.
Reception of Members:
Any person, without regard to race, after having attended the Instruction Class, having expressed a desire to conform to the Church Covenant and having received a favorable vote of the Church, may acquire membership in this church as follows:
a. Any person who professes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, gives evidence of a spiritual rebirth, and has received baptism by immersion.
b. Any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered may be received by letter from another church of like faith and practice upon a satisfactory confession of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.
c. Any believer, baptized by immersion who is without church membership, upon a satisfactory confession of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord may be received upon the basis of his Christian experience.
C – OFFICERS
The officers of this church shall consist of a Pastor, a Church Clerk, a Board of Elders, and a Board of Deacons. This church may by vote or resolution provide for other officers and committees for a limited length of time and for special purposes not conflicting with the regular elected officers, board, and ministries provided for in the By-Laws. All officers of the church shall be active members of this church in good and regular standing and shall be elected and hold office for the length of time and in the manner provided for in the By-Laws. Any active member in good and regular standing twenty-one (21) years of age and over shall be eligible to hold office for the length of time and in the manner provided for in the By-Laws. Any office shall become vacant upon termination of active membership in this church of the holder of such office, upon vote of the church, or as provided in the By-Laws.
D – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The duties of the various officers, Board of Elders and Board of Deacons shall be such as are usually recognized by the New Testament Church as duties belonging to those officers and Boards; also, and more specifically, such duties as are provided for in the By-Laws of this church.
E – MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH
The meetings of this church shall be regular stated meetings for worship, business and such other meetings as are usually conducted by churches of like faith and practice; also such as are provided for in the By-Laws or by resolution of the church.
F – VOTING
Only active members of this church shall be entitled to vote on all propositions concerning the church; provided, however, that only members of legal voting age (18) shall be entitled to vote on matters requiring written ballot concerning the transfer or lease of real property, or on those matters which the church, upon recommendation of the Board of Elders shall decide, by previous action, are of such a nature as requires the vote of mature minds.
G – BY-LAWS
This church may adopt such By-Laws as it may see fit which are not in conflict with those Articles of Association, the laws of the State of Michigan, or contrary to the established customs, usages, and traditions of New Testament churches.
H – DEFUNCT
At any time when the active membership of this church shall be reduced to less than nine, by death or otherwise, it shall be deemed to be defunct.
In case this church shall become defunct, all its property, real, personal, and mixed shall be disposed of according to the statutes of the State of Michigan.
I – AMENDMENTS
The Articles of Association may be amended at any regularly scheduled or special business meeting of the church by two-thirds of the active members present, provided:
That notice of the proposed change or changes shall have been distributed in writing to the membership present at least two (2) weeks in advance of the business meeting. Or, that notice of change or changes shall have been read from the pulpit in open meetings two (2) successive Sundays next preceding the business meeting at which proposed change or changes are made. The proposed change or changes shall be presented in writing and voted on by secret ballot.
BY-LAWS
of the MARIMONT COMMUNITY CHURCH
located in Oakland County, Michigan
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ARTICLE I – NAME OF CHURCH
The name of this church shall be the Marimont Community Church, located in Oakland County, Michigan.
ARTICLE II – CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the Christian religion; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossiping, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.