A Church of the Lord Jesus Christ
Preamble
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we — the founding Members of this body — adopt this Constitution as the governing instrument of our church.
We do so acknowledging that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of His Church (Colossians 1:18). We do so acknowledging that the gifts and the callings of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). We do so seeking to walk in the framework of the New Testament Church — every Saint gifted, every Saint called, the Spiritual Eldership shepherding, the Diaconate serving, the Five-Fold ministering, the Body built up in love, the Kingdom of God advancing.
This Constitution is offered to the Lord and to one another as the rule by which we will govern ourselves under His authority, until He comes.
Part 1 — Name, Status, and Purposes
1.1 Name. The name of the Association is [Church Name] Incorporated ("the Church", "this Association", or "the Body").
1.2 Legal status. The Church is an incorporated association under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) ("the Act"). The Church is also a registered charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth), endorsed for the charitable purpose of the advancement of religion.
1.3 Statement of Purposes. The purposes of the Church are to advance the Christian faith and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in [locality] and beyond, by:
(a) gathering a body of believers for the worship of God, the proclamation of the gospel, the teaching of the scriptures, the breaking of bread, prayer, and fellowship (Acts 2:42);
(b) equipping every Saint of the body for the works of ministry the Lord has prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians 2:10; 4:11–13);
(c) sending the Saints into the world as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and into the work of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20);
(d) caring practically for the household of God and for the wider community in mercy, hospitality, and good works (Galatians 6:10; Matthew 25:31–46);
(e) holding such property and resources as the body may need for the advancement of religion; and
(f) doing all other things consistent with the advancement of religion that the Church considers conducive to the above purposes.
1.4 Headship. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of this Church (Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18). All governance under this Constitution is exercised under His authority and in accordance with His Word.
1.4A Paramountcy of the law. This Constitution operates subject to the Act and to the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth). Where the Act, the Regulations, or a mandatory requirement of the law requires a matter to be decided by the Members, or in a particular manner, or reserves a right to the Members that cannot be excluded, that requirement prevails over any allocation of decision-making in this Constitution or in the Sonrise Revival framework. The allocations of decision-making set out in this Constitution operate within the law, not above it, and are to be read so as to comply with it. Nothing in this Constitution removes or limits a right the law confers on the Members that the law does not permit to be removed or limited.
1.5 Statement of Faith. The Statement of Faith adopted by the Church is set out in Schedule A. Every Member of the Church affirms the Statement of Faith on application for membership.
1.6 Financial year. The financial year of the Church begins on [date] and ends on [date] each year.
Part 2 — Membership
2.1 Eligibility. A person is eligible to be a Member of the Church if they:
(a) profess personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord;
(b) have been baptised, by water and in the Triune Name (Matthew 28:19), or are willing to be so baptised within a reasonable time;
(c) have read and affirm the Statement of Faith set out in Schedule A;
(d) are willing to be discipled and held accountable within the body;
(e) have been received by the Spiritual Eldership following a conversation in which the matters in (a) to (d) have been confirmed; and
(f) have reached the age of 18 years, or where they have reached the age of 16 years, are received as a youth Member with rights and obligations as set out below.
2.2 Application for membership. An applicant for membership shall: (a) submit a written application affirming the matters in clause 2.1; (b) meet with at least two members of the Spiritual Eldership; (c) where the Eldership confirms eligibility, be presented at the next ordinary meeting of the Committee for formal admission to the Members’ Register; and (d) be welcomed by the body at the next gathered meeting of the church following admission.
2.3 Rights of Members. Each Member is entitled to: (a) attend and vote at General Meetings of the Church; (b) stand for and vote in the election of the Committee; (c) participate in the gathered worship, fellowship, and ministry of the Church; (d) receive the pastoral care of the Spiritual Eldership; and (e) such other rights as are conferred by this Constitution or by the Act.
2.4 Responsibilities of Members. Each Member is expected to: (a) walk faithfully in the gospel and in obedience to the teaching of scripture; (b) participate regularly in the gathered worship and ministry of the Church; (c) give as the Lord leads them in support of the Church’s mission; (d) submit to the spiritual oversight of the Eldership and to the discipline of the Body where appropriate; (e) walk through the Document 3 (The Self-Assessment Guide) and Document 4 (the Spiritual Gifts Assessment) self-assessment process in their own time, at their own pace, with the support of the Eldership and the Body; and (f) walk in such ministry as the Lord gifts and calls them to within the Body or in partnership with the Body.
2.5 Cessation of membership. A Member ceases to be a Member of the Church when they: (a) resign in writing to the Secretary; (b) die; (c) are removed from membership following spiritual discipline as set out in Part 7 below; or (d) have been absent without explanation from the gathered worship of the Church for a period of [12 months], following pastoral conversation with the Eldership.
2.6 Members’ Register. The Secretary, on behalf of the Committee and with the confirmation of the Eldership, shall maintain a Members’ Register in accordance with the Act, recording the name, address, contact details, and date of admission of each Member.
2.7 Membership is voluntary; participation is open to all. Formal Membership is voluntary and is never a condition of belonging to the body. Every Saint walking with the Church is welcome to participate fully in its worship, fellowship, ministry, mission, and pastoral care, to walk the gifts and calling journey, and to share in affirming the annual plan (clause 7.7), whether or not they take up formal Membership. What formal Membership adds is the legal voice: the right to attend and vote at General Meetings on the legal-entity matters reserved to the Members by this Constitution and the Act (clause 7.5) — adopting and altering the Constitution, electing the Committee, receiving the audited financial statements, the calling of pastoral staff where a Members’ vote applies, disposing of significant property, significant borrowing, denominational affiliation, and the winding-up of the Church. The affirmation of the annual plan is not among these; it is open to every contributing Saint under clause 7.7. A Saint who has not taken up Membership carries no legal-entity vote, but loses nothing of their belonging in the body. The Eldership warmly encourages Membership for those who are ready to carry that voice, and warmly welcomes those who are not yet ready to continue walking with the body.
Part 3 — The Spiritual Eldership
3.1 Constitution of the Eldership. The Church shall be spiritually led by a Spiritual Eldership of not fewer than three (3) and not more than nine (9) qualified men, identified, installed, and walking together in accordance with this Part.
3.2 Qualifications. Each Elder shall meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9, including (without limitation): above reproach in character; faithful in marriage where married; temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable; able to teach; not given to drunkenness; not violent; not a lover of money; managing his household well; not a recent convert; with a good reputation among outsiders; holding firmly to the trustworthy message of the gospel.
3.3 Identification. Elders are identified through the process set out in Document 6 (Elder & Deacon Identification) of the Sonrise Revival Series — observation, initial conversation, multi-month testing in service, body input, personal interview, family interview, prayer and fasting, and (where confirmed) public announcement and installation by the laying on of hands.
3.4 Confirmation by the Body. New Elders shall be confirmed before the Body at a General Meeting following installation. The Members shall not vote to elect Elders; the confirmation is a recognition of the Eldership’s discernment, presented to the Body for its acceptance and prayer.
3.5 Functions. The Spiritual Eldership shall:
(a) watch over the souls of the Members and give an account before the Lord for them (Hebrews 13:17);
(b) teach and guard sound doctrine, and address false teaching where it appears (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:1–5);
(c) shepherd the flock by example, not by domination (1 Peter 5:1–4);
(d) pray for the sick and exercise pastoral care (James 5:14);
(e) exercise spiritual discipline as set out in Part 7;
(f) recognise and release Five-Fold Ministry and other gifts of the body in accordance with Document 8 (Five-Fold Ministry) of the Series;
(g) lead the annual planning rhythm in accordance with Document 5 (The Annual Plan) of the Series; and
(h) confirm appointments to the Committee under Part 6.
3.6 Plurality. The Spiritual Eldership operates as a team. No single Elder shall exercise authority above the team. Decisions of the Eldership shall be made in unity following prayer and discussion. Where unity cannot be reached, the matter shall be deferred for further prayer until unity is achieved, or where urgent, decided by majority of the Eldership with the dissent recorded.
3.7 Stepping down. An Elder may step down from office on giving reasonable written notice to the rest of the Eldership and the Committee. Where an Elder ceases to meet the qualifications of clause 3.2 — through disqualifying conduct, doctrinal drift, or such other reason — the rest of the Eldership shall, with prayer and pastoral care, follow the stepping-down process set out in Document 6 of the Series. The departure of an Elder shall be communicated to the body with honour.
Part 4 — The Diaconate
4.1 Constitution. The Church shall also be served by a Diaconate of qualified Members, both men and women (Romans 16:1; 1 Timothy 3:11), identified and installed in accordance with this Part.
4.2 Qualifications. Each Deacon shall meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:8–13.
4.3 Function. The Diaconate shall attend to the practical needs of the body so that the Eldership may give itself to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1–7). Without limiting that generality, the Diaconate shall: (a) carry the operational and administrative work of the Church under the oversight of the Eldership; (b) lead programs of mercy, hospitality, helps, and giving; (c) walk alongside the Treasurer in the financial administration of the Church; and (d) coordinate the Ministry Works Agreements (Document 5 Template G) by which Members are released into specific ministries.
4.4 Identification. Deacons are identified through the same process as Elders, set out in Document 6 of the Series, with the qualifications and gift profile adjusted to the diaconal role.
Part 5 — The Five-Fold Ministry
5.1 Recognition. The Church recognises the equipping gifts of Ephesians 4:11 — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers — as gifts of the ascended Christ to His Church for the equipping of the saints for works of service and the building up of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–13).
5.2 Not appointed but recognised. The Five-Fold Ministry is received from the Lord. The Spiritual Eldership shall recognise Five-Fold ministers in accordance with the process set out in Document 8 of the Series — observation of fruit, prayer and fasting discernment, trial release, commissioning by laying on of hands, and ongoing accountability. The Church does not vote to appoint Five-Fold Ministers; the Eldership recognises what the Lord has given.
5.3 Itinerancy. Five-Fold Ministry recognised by the Church may be exercised within the body, beyond the body in partnership with other bodies, or in itinerant ministry. The Church shall act as a sending body to those it commissions, with the responsibilities set out in Document 8 Part Seven of the Series.
5.4 Resourcing. The financial resourcing of Five-Fold Ministry — whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary — shall be discerned by the Eldership in prayer and integrated into the Annual Plan, in accordance with Document 8 Part Six of the Series.
Part 6 — The Committee of Management
6.1 Establishment. The Committee of Management ("the Committee") is the body required by the Act and is responsible for the legal, financial, property, and corporate-governance matters of the Church.
6.2 Composition. The Committee shall comprise not fewer than four (4) Members, of whom:
(a) the Chairperson shall be a member of the Spiritual Eldership;
(b) the Treasurer shall be a Deacon with the necessary administrative and financial gifting, as confirmed by the Eldership;
(c) the Secretary shall be a Member nominated by the Committee and confirmed by the Eldership; and
(d) such other Members as the Committee considers necessary, drawn so far as practical from the Eldership and Diaconate.
6.3 Powers. The Committee has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the legal, financial, property, and corporate-governance matters of the Church, including (without limitation): entering contracts, holding bank accounts, employing staff, maintaining the Members’ Register, preparing and approving the financial statements, holding and dealing with property, and complying with the requirements of the Act and the ACNC.
6.4 Election. Members of the Committee shall be elected by the Members at the Annual General Meeting, on nominations approved in advance by the Eldership.
6.5 Tenure. Committee Members serve for a term of [two years] and may be re-elected. The Chairperson and Treasurer terms shall be staggered to ensure continuity.
6.6 Meetings. The Committee shall meet not less than [six times] per year, and at such other times as the work of the Church requires. The quorum is a majority of Committee members.
6.7 Conflicts of interest. A Committee Member with a material personal interest in a matter being considered by the Committee shall declare the interest and absent themselves from any vote on the matter, in accordance with the Act.
6.8 Relationship to the Eldership. The Committee handles legal, financial, property, and corporate-governance matters. The Eldership handles spiritual oversight, doctrinal direction, ministry leadership, and church discipline. Where a matter has both legal and spiritual dimensions, the Committee shall consult the Eldership and act in accordance with the Eldership’s spiritual discernment within the legal authority granted by the Act. Nothing in this clause limits the Committee’s statutory duties.
Part 7 — Meetings of the Church and the Committee
7.1 Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held each year within the period required by the Act. The AGM shall include: (a) presentation of the audited financial statements; (b) election of the Committee; (c) presentation of the Annual Prospectus (Document 5 Stage 5) for the year ahead; (d) confirmation of the Eldership and Diaconate as constituted for the year ahead; and (e) such other matters as the Committee or the Eldership shall bring before the Body.
7.2 Special General Meetings. A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee at any time, or on the requisition of [10%] of Members. Special General Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Act.
7.3 Notice. Notice of any General Meeting shall be given to Members in writing not less than [21 days] before the meeting.
7.4 Quorum. The quorum for a General Meeting is the lesser of [25 Members] or [25%] of the membership.
7.5 Voting. Members vote at General Meetings on matters reserved to the Members by this Constitution and the Act, including: election of the Committee; alteration of this Constitution; approval of the audited financial statements; disposal of significant property; and winding up of the Association.
7.6 Spiritual matters not subject to vote. Spiritual matters of the Body — including the recognition and confirmation of Elders, Deacons, and Five-Fold Ministers; the selection of a Pastor (subject to clause 9.9); doctrinal positions; the spiritual oversight of programs; and matters of church discipline — are discerned by the Spiritual Eldership in prayer and confirmed before the Body, and are not subject to a vote of Members under this Part.
7.7 Affirmation of the annual plan by all contributing Saints. The annual plan — the year’s ministry works, budget, and funding ask set out in the Annual Prospectus — is presented at the Annual General Meeting and affirmed by all contributing Saints, that is, every person walking with the Church who is contributing to it through giving, through service, or both, whether or not they are formal Members. This affirmation is a spiritual act of the body’s corporate commitment to the work it will carry together, and is not one of the legal-entity matters reserved to the Members under clause 7.5. The affirmation approves the plan; the actual allocation of what is given is then made by the Eldership down the plan’s published priority order (Document 5, Section 5.9) and is not returned to a vote. The receiving and consideration of the audited financial statements for the year, being reserved by the Act, remains a vote of the Members under clause 7.5.
Part 8 — Dispute Resolution and Discipline
8.1 Matthew 18 pattern. Where any dispute, grievance, or matter of discipline arises between Members or within the Body, the following process shall be followed in order before any formal disciplinary or grievance procedure under the Act is invoked.
8.2 Stage 1 — Direct conversation. A Member with knowledge of the matter shall first speak privately, in love, with the Member concerned (Matthew 18:15). The Eldership shall not be notified at this stage unless the matter involves abuse, safety, or matters required to be reported by law.
8.3 Stage 2 — One or two witnesses. If unresolved at Stage 1, the matter shall be raised in the presence of one or two trusted Members or Elders (Matthew 18:16).
8.4 Stage 3 — The Eldership. If still unresolved, the matter shall be brought to the Eldership, which shall hear, pray, and seek to bring resolution and where necessary repentance and restoration (Galatians 6:1).
8.5 Stage 4 — The Body. Where the Eldership determines the matter must come before the Body, this shall be done in accordance with Matthew 18:17, with discretion and pastoral care.
8.6 Stage 5 — Formal action under the Act. Only where Stages 1 to 4 have been exhausted, or where the conduct involves matters that legally require formal action regardless (including safety of children, abuse, financial misconduct, or matters required to be reported to authorities), shall the formal disciplinary or grievance procedure under the Act be initiated by the Committee, with the Eldership advising throughout.
8.7 Restoration is the aim. The aim of every stage of this process is restoration of the Member to faithful walking with the Lord and with the Body, and protection of the Body from harm. Sanction is a last resort and is exercised in love.
Part 9 — Financial Matters
9.1 Sources of funds. The Church is funded by the voluntary giving of its Members and of others moved by the Lord to give. The Church may also receive grants, gifts, bequests, and other lawful sources of funds consistent with its purposes.
9.2 Annual Prospectus and base operations. The Committee, with the oversight of the Eldership, shall annually prepare an Annual Prospectus (Document 5 Stage 5) and shall disclose to the Body a Base Operations figure representing the minimum required to sustain the staff, facilities, and core ministry of the Church for the year ahead. The Base Operations figure shall be funded as set out in Document 5 §5.8.
9.3 Disclosure cadence. The Committee shall disclose to the Body, no less frequently than every six weeks, the year-to-date giving status of the Church against the Base Operations target and any additional faith-funded ministry asks. The disclosure shall be in summary form, showing aggregate figures only.
9.4 Anonymous giving. Members shall be invited to give as the Lord leads, anonymously, through the Church’s ordinary channels. The Church shall not track individual giving except as required by law for receipting purposes and where the giver has expressly requested receipts.
9.5 Bank account. The Church shall maintain at least one bank account in its name. All payments require two signatories: at least one Committee Member and at least one of the Treasurer, Chairperson, or Secretary.
9.6 Records and audit. The Committee shall keep proper financial records as required by the Act and the ACNC. The financial statements shall be audited or reviewed annually as required by the Act and the body’s discernment. The Committee shall engage the auditor or reviewer, who shall be independent and appropriately qualified; where the Act requires the Members to appoint the auditor, that requirement prevails. The complete audited financial statements and the auditor’s report shall be made available to Members in full — not in abridged or summary form — no less than two weeks before the meeting at which they are received, together with the Committee’s explanation, with the Eldership and Diaconate, of any matter the audit raises and the steps being taken to address it.
9.7 Ministry Works Agreements. Members released into specific ministries within or beyond the Church shall enter into a Ministry Works Agreement (Document 5 Template G) with the Eldership, articulating scope, time, resources, working relationships, and the voluntary nature of the Saint’s involvement. The Ministry Works Agreement is not an employment contract.
9.8 Employment. The Church may employ staff in accordance with applicable employment law. The terms of employment shall be set out in a written employment contract approved by the Committee, with the spiritual oversight of the Eldership. The selection of operational and administrative staff is made by the Eldership (for fit and oversight) and the Committee (for the employment), and is not a matter for a vote of Members. The calling and release of a Pastor is governed by clause 9.9.
9.9 Calling and release of a Pastor. A Pastor is an Elder who labours in preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17) and is called as Elders are called (Document 6). The selection of the person is the spiritual discernment of the Eldership and is not a matter for a vote of Members, save where sub-clause 9.9(b) applies. The employment of the Pastor — engagement, terms, remuneration, compliance, and any termination — is the responsibility of the Committee under applicable employment law, exercised with the spiritual oversight of the Eldership. The release of a Pastor is an employment matter for the Committee to handle lawfully; where the cause is spiritual, the Eldership discerns that the person should no longer serve and the Committee effects the release in compliance with the law.
9.9(a) Default — affirmation without a separate vote. Unless this Constitution provides otherwise, the Body affirms the Pastor the Eldership has appointed in the same manner it confirms Elders under clause 7.1(d), without a separate ballot — the New Testament pattern of appointment by the leadership, received by the Body (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
9.9(b) Optional — a Members’ vote. A church may instead provide by this Constitution that the calling of a Pastor be affirmed by a vote of Members (the Eldership presenting the person it has discerned), or determined by a vote of Members among candidates the Eldership has vetted, as set out in Document 13 Section 5. Any such vote affirms or selects; it does not replace the Eldership’s discernment or the Committee’s handling of the employment.
Part 10 — Property and Assets
10.1 Holding of property. All property of the Church shall be held by the Association in its corporate capacity for the advancement of religion and the other charitable purposes set out in Part 1.
10.2 Disposal. The disposal of significant property shall require: (a) a resolution of the Eldership in support of the disposal; (b) a Special Resolution of Members at a General Meeting; and (c) such consents as may be required by the Act and the ACNC.
10.3 Common seal. The Church shall have a common seal, kept in the custody of the Secretary, and applied to documents only with the authority of the Committee.
10.4 Significant borrowing. Significant borrowing by the Church shall require: (a) a resolution of the Eldership in support of the borrowing; and (b) the affirmation of the body, given either by a Special Resolution of Members at a General Meeting or, at the discretion of the Eldership and Committee having regard to the scale, term, and risk of the borrowing, by an affirmation of all contributing Saints (as defined in clause 7.7) at a General Meeting. In either case the Committee, as the body legally competent to bind the Church, shall formalise the borrowing and ensure compliance with the Act and the ACNC. This clause reflects that the giving of the whole body, Members and non-Members alike, will ultimately retire the debt, while the matters strictly reserved to Members under clause 7.5 remain reserved.
Part 11 — Alteration of Constitution
11.1 Proposed alterations. A proposed alteration to this Constitution shall not be put to a vote of Members at a General Meeting unless the Eldership has first reviewed the proposed alteration and confirmed in writing that the alteration is consistent with the Statement of Faith and the spiritual purposes of the Church.
11.2 Member confirmation. An alteration shall be effective on the passing of a Special Resolution of Members at a General Meeting in accordance with the Act, and the lodging of the altered Constitution with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Part 12 — Dissolution
12.1 Winding up. The Church may be wound up in accordance with the Act, by Special Resolution of Members at a General Meeting and on such other conditions as the Act requires. The Eldership shall first have considered the matter prayerfully and confirmed the resolution before it is put.
12.2 Distribution of surplus property. Upon the winding up or dissolution of the Church, and after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, any property remaining shall not be paid to or distributed among Members, but shall be given or transferred to another body which: (a) has objects similar to those of this Church as set out in Part 1; (b) is registered as a charity under the ACNC Act; (c) is endorsed for the charitable purpose of the advancement of religion; and (d) has rules prohibiting the distribution of income and property among members to the same extent as this Church.
12.3 Identification of receiving body. The body to receive the surplus shall be determined by the Eldership in consultation with the Committee at the time of dissolution, and confirmed by Special Resolution of Members.
Part 13 — General Provisions
13.1 Compliance with the Act. Where this Constitution is silent on a matter required by the Act, the relevant provision of the Model Rules under the Act shall apply by default.
13.2 Inconsistency. Where any provision of this Constitution is inconsistent with the Act, the Act shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
13.3 Notices. A notice required to be given under this Constitution shall be in writing and shall be effectively given by personal delivery, postal mail, or email to the address shown on the Members’ Register.
13.4 Indemnity. The Committee Members are indemnified out of the property of the Church against all liabilities incurred in good faith in the exercise of their duties, to the extent permitted by law.
13.5 Definitions. The terms "Spiritual Eldership", "Diaconate", "Five-Fold Ministry", "Saint", "the Body", and "the Series" have the meanings given in the Sonrise Revival Series of documents.
13.6 Reference to the Series. Where this Constitution refers to a Document of the Sonrise Revival Series, that Document is incorporated by reference as a description of the spiritual processes contemplated, but the legal force of this Constitution does not depend on the Series. The Series may be revised from time to time without amendment to this Constitution.
13.7 Discretion where a matter is unallocated. Where a decision is neither strictly reserved to the Members by the Act (as in clause 7.5) nor clearly allocated by this Constitution, and Scripture affords no fixed precedent, the Spiritual Eldership, in consultation with the Committee, shall determine in prayer and by discernment the appropriate manner in which the decision is to be made — including whether it is affirmed by all contributing Saints or reserved to a vote of Members. This discretion may not be used to remove from the Members any matter the Act reserves to them.