ARTICLE I - NAME
Section l.  The official name of this congregation shall be:  The Evangelical Free Church of Eaton, Colorado.

ARTICLE II - DOCTRINE
Section l.  We believe in the "only true God" (John 17:3) "Father, Son and Holy Ghost," Matthew 28:19.
Section 2.  This congregation acknowledges the Bible - the Old and the New Testaments - to be the Word of God.  We believe in the Bible as the true and infallible guide for faith and doctrine and for living (Ps. 119:105; II Tim. 3:15-17; II Peter 1:19-21, 3:2; Eph. 4:4-6)
(The membership voted, on January 16, 1957, to include the Statement of Faith of The Evangelical Free Church of America.  On June 26, 2008, the National Leadership Convention of the EFCA approved a revision of the 1950 Statement of Faith.  The membership voted, on January 25, 2009, to include that Revised Statement of Faith.)
The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united around these theological convictions:
 
God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
 
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
 
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
 
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
 
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
 
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
 
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
 
Christian Living
8. We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
 
Christ’s Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
 
Response and Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTS
Section 1. The ultimate purpose of this Congregation shall be two-fold:
(1) To make Jesus known among our fellow men according to the teachings and principles of Christ and His Apostles;
       (2) To edify and strengthen the children of God.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.        Anyone desiring to unite with the Church who has accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior shall be recommended by the Elders, Deacons, and Pastoral Staff.  All applicants shall be required to consent to the foregoing Confession of Faith in Article II and may be voted on at any regular or special business meeting.  The applicant shall give a personal testimony to the Deacon Board of his/her acceptance of Christ as Savior and desire to serve Him.  All applicants who have been granted membership shall later be extended the right hand of fellowship at a public worship service and shall be granted all privileges of membership.
Section 2.        No person shall be granted membership in this Congregation against whom any of the members vote.  However, anyone voting negatively must give reasons based upon the Word of God why the applicant should not be received into membership.
Section 3.        All public and private means of grace, such as regular attendance in the services of God's House, daily systematic reading of the Bible, private and family prayer, personal and public testimony, winning others to Christ, and giving systematically and proportionately to the support of the Church shall be urged upon members.
Section 4.        We shall require of each other in our daily walk and conversation loyal observance to all those moral principles and precepts laid down plainly in the Word of God.
Section 5.        Any member who has no contact with the Church either by presence, letter, or verbal greeting for two years shall be contacted by the Church Secretary as to the member’s desire to continue future relationship with the Church.  If there is no response, the Official Board shall determine action to be taken.

ARTICLE V - DISCIPLINE
Section 1.        Any member of the Congregation not found to be living in accordance with the teachings of the Bible shall be disciplined in brotherly love.  If the member continues in his/her erring way or sinfulness, the Congregation after due deliberation shall dismiss the person from membership (Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-13; II Thess. 3:6-15; Gal. 6:1).
Section 2.        Any person so dismissed from membership in this Congregation has no claim whatsoever on any of the property of the Congregation and shall not be allowed to participate in any of the affairs of the Church.
Section 3.        No formal accusation against a pastor of the Church may be made except on the testimony of at least three members in good standing.  If and when three or more members agree upon such accusation, it must be presented to the Official Board who shall consider it.  If the Board deems it necessary, or if the pastor in question so desires, the members of the Official Board shall present the matter to the Congregation for settlement  (I Tim 5:19-20).

ARTICLE VI - THE OFFICIAL BOARD
Section l.         The membership of the Official Board of the Church shall be constituted as follows: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Vice-Secretary, Treasurer, Elders, Deacon Board, Trustee Board, Mission Board Chairman, Christian Education Board Chairman, and the Pastoral Staff.
Section 2.        All officers of the Official Board as herein named shall be members of this Church in good standing, having the respect and confidence of the Church and community.
 
ARTICLE VII - QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD AND AUXILIARY BOARDS
Section l.         The Pastoral Staff of the Congregation must be firm believers in the Word of God and adhere to the Constitution.  They shall instruct the Congregation in the beliefs and practices of the Church, and shall be ex-officio members of all auxiliary organizations.
Section 2.         Should any of the pastoral staff resign, he/she shall be required to give three months notice of intention to the Chairman of the Church.  In case the Church should desire a pastor’s resignation, the pastor shall be entitled to three months notice.
Section 3.        Neither this Congregation nor the Official Board or any other agency of the Church shall have authority to call a pastor who will not adhere to this Constitution.
Section 4.        The Chairman shall preside at all business meetings of the Church and the Official Board.  The Chairman shall keep order and see to it that words and behavior of each speaker are in accordance with Christian tact and pertaining to the subject of the meeting.  The Chairman shall also open and close each meeting in a manner becoming a Christian organization.  In the absence of a pastor, the Chairman shall preside at all public services, and should the Chairman be absent, appoint someone to fill that place.  Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conducting of all business.
            Term:  The Chairman shall serve a one-year term with a two-term limit.
Section 5.        The Vice-Chairman shall preside in the absence of the Chairman.
            Term:  The Vice-Chairman shall serve a one-year term with a two-term limit.
Section 6.        The Secretary shall record the minutes of the Quarterly and Annual Business Meetings, other properly called meetings of the Church, keep the minutes of the Official Board Meetings, and serve as Corresponding Secretary.
            Term:  The Secretary shall serve a one-year term with a two-term limit.
Section 7.        The Vice-Secretary shall act in the absence of the Secretary.
            Term:  The Vice-Secretary shall serve a one-year term with a two-term limit.
Section 8.        The Financial Secretary shall receive, itemize, and present all money to the Treasurer.  The Financial Secretary shall be elected by the Church members and be accountable to the Trustee Board.  The Official Board may appoint additional help for the Financial Secretary as needed.
            Term:  The Financial Secretary shall serve a one-year term with no term limit.
Section 9.        The Treasurer shall acknowledge all money received from the Financial Secretary and make disbursements in accordance with the decisions of the Church.  The Treasurer shall keep detailed and accurate account of all receipts and expenditures and give a report of the same at each monthly Official Board Meeting and Quarterly Business Meeting of the Church.  The Treasurer shall be elected by the Church members and be a member of the Official Board and an ex-officio member of the Trustee Board.  The Official Board may appoint or hire a bookkeeper or other personnel to assist the Treasurer.
            Term:  The Treasurer shall serve a one-year term with no term limit.
Section 10.      The Elders and the Deacons shall assist the Pastoral Staff in ministering to the Church.  They shall serve Holy Communion.  They shall visit the poor and sick as their time and strength permit.  In the absence of a pastor, they shall supervise and plan the services of the Church.  In case any member of the Church be accused of ill conduct by any other member, it shall be the duty of the Elders and the Deacon Board to visit this member in order to determine whether or not the accusation be true.  They must use their best effort to correct such matters.
The Deacon Board shall consist of a minimum of four Deacons and four Deaconesses.  Additional Elders, Deacons, and Deaconesses may be added as needed.  After each annual election, the Deacon Board shall meet to elect a chairman and secretary.  The Chairman shall have been a member of the Deacon Board for at least one year.  All Elders and the Deacon Board shall be members of the Official Board; however, the Chairman of the Elders and the Chairman of the Deacon Board or their designees may represent them at the Official Board Meetings.
 
            Term:  Elders shall serve a one-year term with no term limit.
            Term:  Deacon Board members shall serve a three-year term with a two-term limit.
Section 11.      The Trustee Board shall be the custodian of the Church property.  No Board member shall be permitted to transact any business in the name of, or in behalf of the Church except as the business meetings of the Church decide.  The Board shall severally and collectively be responsible to the Church.  
The Trustee Board shall consist of a minimum of six members.  Additional trustees may be added as needed.   After each annual election the Trustee Board shall elect a chairman and secretary.   The Chairman shall have been a member of the Board for at least one year.  All Trustee Board members shall be members of the Official Board; however, the Chairman of the Trustee Board may appoint a designee to represent them at Official Board Meetings.
 
            Term:  Trustee Board members shall serve a three-year term with a two-term limit.
Section 12.      Auditors shall be appointed by the Church Chairman each year.  They shall audit the books of the Financial Secretary and Treasurer.  They shall report at the Annual Business Meeting of the Church.
Section 13.      The Mission Board shall be responsible for the home and foreign missionary activities of the Church, and to receive and dispense all missionary funds of the Church and auxiliary organizations.  All missionary recommendations are to be presented through this Board.
The Mission Board shall consist of a minimum of nine members elected by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting.  The Mission Board officers shall be elected annually by its members.  The Chairman shall have been a member of the Board for at least one year.  The Chairman represents the Mission Board at all Official Board Meetings.
            Term:  Mission Board members shall serve a three-year term with a two-term limit, and when possible, be elected so that one third of their number be elected annually.
Section 14.      The Christian Education Board shall coordinate the educational activities of all auxiliary organizations and recommend to the Church such changes as deemed advisable.  They shall secure such personnel as required for the Christian Education Program of the Church.  In conjunction with organizational heads, they shall select printed curriculum materials and other resources needed.
The Christian Education Board shall consist of a minimum of four members-at-large elected by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting. The Church Chairman, and the Sunday School Superintendents shall also serve on this Board. The Chairman of the Christian Education Board shall be elected annually from the elected members-at-large.  The Chairman shall have been a member of the Board for at least one year and shall represent the Christian Education Board at all Official Board Meetings.
            Term:  Christian Education Board members-at-large shall serve a three-year term with a two-term limit, and be elected so that at least one member is elected annually.
 
The Sunday School Superintendents, the Vice Sunday School Superintendent, and the Sunday School Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting.
            Term:  Each shall serve one year with no term limit.
 
ARTICLE VIII - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1.        A two-thirds majority of Church members' votes, cast in a general business meeting, shall be required to call a pastor.
Section 2.         A Nominating Committee shall consist of: a member from each Board, the Church Chairman, the Pastoral staff, and two members-at-large chosen by the Chairman.  The Church Chairman shall chair the Nominating Committee.  This Committee shall be responsible for presenting a ballot of candidates for various offices and boards at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 3.         All officers of the Official Board shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the Church by closed ballot.  If an officer resigns, a successor shall be elected at the following Quarterly Business Meeting.  A simple majority shall be required for election.

ARTICLE IX  - BUSINESS MEETINGS
Section 1.        The Annual Business Meeting shall be held during the latter part of January.  It must be announced in such a way that all members might be reasonably expected to know about it at least a week prior to the time of meeting.
Section 2.        Quarterly Business Meetings shall be held.
Section 3.        Extra business sessions may be called by the Chairman of the Official Board.
Section 4.         The Official Board shall meet before every Quarterly Business Meeting to draw up an agendum of business.
Section 5.        A majority vote of the members present at a properly called meeting is decisive, except where noted in Article VIII-Section 1 and Article XII-Section 1.

ARTICLE X - CHURCH PROPERTY
Section 1.        The members who abide by this Constitution shall have the right to the ownership and control of the property of the Church.
Section 2.        This Congregation or its trustees shall not let the Church building be rented or used for any purpose other than religious work.

ARTICLE XI - AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1.        All auxiliary organizations within the Church shall be subordinate in authority to the Official Board.  No auxiliary organization may be created without the approval of the Board.
Section 2.        All auxiliary organizations must present complete reports of their activities at the Quarterly and Annual Business Meetings of the Church.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1.        Amendments may be made only at the Annual Business Meeting of the Church.  Motions to amend the Constitution must be discussed at a Quarterly Business Meeting at least three months prior to the Annual Business Meeting.  It shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting to amend this Constitution.
Section 2.        Articles II, III and X cannot be annulled or amended.

ARTICLE XIII - CHURCH RIGHTS
Section 1.        In case of dissension, from which may God graciously preserve us, the title to all Church property, real and personal, shall remain with that group abiding by this Constitution.
Section 2.         In case of dissolution of this Church, all property shall go to the Evangelical Free Church of America.
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ADDENDUM TO THE CONSTITUTION
This Constitution was originally in the Swedish language.  In June 1936, Reverend Eric W. Frohman finished translating the Constitution into English.
The Constitution Revision Committee has endeavored to keep the Constitution as close as possible to its original form and only made changes in those Articles and Sections affected by adopted amendments made since 1962.
The Constitution Revision Committee believes the term "religious work" in Article X, Section 2 which cannot be amended, has a different meaning in 1987 than it did when this Constitution was adopted.
In keeping with a motion by Bill Carlson and seconded by Marvin Bay and carried by a vote at the October 1986 Quarterly Business Meeting to aid the Trustee Board in the use of the Church property, we recommend the following;
The two-fold purpose of the Church as given in Article III should be the guide in any decision regarding the rental or use of the church facilities.
We should be mindful of our responsibilities should an emergency occur in the community where shelter is needed.
We caution against the use of the Church for any activity that might affect the tax-exempt status of the Church, or cause division among the members.
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The Constitution/Bylaws Committee made changes to update archaic language to modern usage, allow for future growth, include current practice, eliminate practices no longer in existence, re-organize Articles IV and VII for better order and sequence, but not alter the intent of the original Constitution.  (Approved, by the Membership, on January 28, 2000 at the Annual Business Meeting.)