Constitution

The Wonder Lake Bible Church Constitution defines and formally states our beliefs as a church.

Name of the Church

The Name of this corporation shall be known as the Wonder Lake Bible Church.

Purpose of the Church

The Wonder Lake Bible Church is an Illinois non-profit corporation, which is subject to the control of no other organization outside of its own membership organized exclusively for the following religious purposes:

Worship

Relating to God-especially to teach the nature of true worship and to provide worship services. (Romans 12:1,2; Philippians 4:16; Hebrews 13:15-17; Matthew 6:1-6; Hebrews 10: 19-25)

Outreach

Relating to the world-including evangelism and missions. (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20)

Christian Growth and Sharing

Relating to the Church itself-including Christian education, fellowship, development of spiritual gifts, encouragement, and service. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Training of Leaders

Relating to the future-including teacher and leadership training. (2 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 4:11, 12)

Foundational Doctrines

Scripture

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18)

Trinity

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 4:11; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6)

God the Father

We believe the Father originally manifested Himself to man as the creator of all things who interacts with His world through providence. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. All who follow Christ are spiritually begotten by the Father. We are taught to direct our prayers to the Father through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 32:6; Matthew 5:45; 6:6-15; 1 John 3:1; John 1:14, 18; 5:17-26; 6:37-40; 14:12-16; Ephesians 1:3-6)

Jesus Christ

We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is our High Priest and Advocate, and in the person of the Holy Spirit, He indwells the Believer. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 7; John 1:3-14; Romans 3:24, 25; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Acts 1:9, 10; 1 John 2:1,2)

Holy Spirit

We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict, regenerate, seal, indwell, guide, instruct and empower for life and service. He has given spiritual gifts for the functioning of the Church to each believer. (John 16:8-13; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20-27)

Mankind

We believe man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be gained. (Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:17; 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22; Romans 3:9-23; Ephesians 2:1-3; John 3:36)

Salvation

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe. All who repent of their sin and receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God (Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:4-10; Titus 3:4-7; John 1:12; 3:16-36; 5:24; Romans 5:9, 10; 8:1)

Ordinances

We believe that the Lord’s Supper and water baptism are ordinances to be observed by the Church. They are not, however, to be regarded as means of salvation or prerequisites for church membership. This church shall practice believer’s baptism by immersion. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; 8:12, 35-38; Colossians 2:12; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

The Church

We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ, of which He is Lord and Head, and are commissioned for the God-given task of proclaiming the gospel to every person. Only those who are members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. Every local church has the right, under Christ, to govern its own affairs. (Acts 2:41, 42; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:23,24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 14:27)

Christ’s Return

We believe in the personal, pre-millennial and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (Mark 13:32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 1:7)

Judgment

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord in Heaven, and of the unbeliever to judgment and eternal separation from God in Hell. (Malachi 3:18; Matthew 25:34-41; John 5:28, 29; Revelation 20:4-6; 11-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Property of the Church

The Wonder Lake Bible Church shall have the power to receive, either by gift or purchase, and to hold such real, personal, and/or mixed property as is authorized by the laws of the State of Illinois, which is deemed necessary for the business of the church, and shall have the power to dispose of such property by mortgage, deed, or otherwise. In case of dissolution of the Wonder Lake Bible Church, the General Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, assign the property to a non-profit organization which complies with the foundational doctrine of the Wonder Lake Bible Church and which is designated by a simple majority of the voting membership of the Wonder Lake Bible Church.

Amendments to the Constitution

Changes and amendments to the church constitution shall be made at the annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Such changes and amendments should be submitted to the membership in written form at least four weeks previous to the meeting. Two-thirds of the voting members’ approval will be necessary for changes or amendments. Changes should be initiated following the procedure listed in “Special Congregational Meetings” in the Bylaws.