• The Supremacy of Christ – We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human, the head of the Church, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and life. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior, worthy of all honor, glory, and obedience. (Colossians 1:15-18)

• The Trinity –We believe God is One, the only God, eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each completely and fully God. (Deut. 6:4; John 1:1-14; 2 Cor. 13:14)
  • God the Father –We believe the Father is fully God, and His Fatherhood is eternal and personal. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of all who believe in Christ. (Gen. 1:1; Matt. 6:9; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 4:6)
  • God the Son –We believe Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is fully God and fully man, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless human life, and offered Himself as the perfect, complete sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He physically rose from the dead, demonstrating His victory over sin and death, and ascended to heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. He will one day return to earth to reign over His kingdom as King of Kings. (Matt. 1:18-25; John 1:1-2, 14; 3:16-18; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:20; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:20; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 4:14-15; 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)
  • God the Holy Spirit –We believe the Holy Spirit is equal in deity and person with the Father and the Son. As the living Spirit, He moved the human authors of the Bible to write God’s Word. He convinces the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, performs the miracle of new birth in Christ, and comes to live in every Christian the moment they trust in Jesus Christ. He unites all Christians into the one Body of Christ, providing each of them with power for service, understanding of spiritual truths, and comfort in life’s trials. (Acts 1:8; John 14:26; John 16:13; Genesis 1:2; Rom. 8:26)

• The Authority of Scripture: We believe the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It is the final authority for all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct, sufficient for all aspects of life and godliness. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

• Salvation: We believe salvation is by grace, through faith, in Christ alone. It is a gift of God, not based on human works, secured through Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, resulting in forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• Believer’s Baptism: Believer’s baptism is the voluntary water baptism of a believer as a symbol of our death to sin and resurrection to new life. It shall be the practice of Abiding Love Bible Church to perform immersion baptism. It is a visible public testimony to the atoning work of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer. (Mathew 28:19; Romans 6:1-4; Matthew 3:13-17)

• Discipleship: We believe discipleship is the process of following Jesus, growing in obedience to His commands, and helping others do the same through relational, intentional teaching and modeling of Christian maturity. (Matthew 28:19-20)

• Reconciliation: Abiding Love Bible Church is committed to a culture of reconciliation, where we seek to restore relationships with God and one another through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, humbly pursuing forgiveness, peace, and unity in our community as we follow His example of love. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

• The Church: We believe the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all those who trust in Jesus, called to gather for worship, edification, and the proclamation of the Gospel. The local church is a visible expression of the body of Christ, united in Him. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

• Worship: We believe simply because of who He is, the Lord is worthy of (deserves) all our lives lived in worship, including but not limited to singing. He is worthy of eternal, joy-filled praise, honor and glory. Worship should be orderly, authentic, and should acknowledge the spiritual reality of God’s presence (spirit and truth). Worship, as demonstrated in the bible, is thoughtful, costly, sacrificial, extravagant, shameless, verbal, kinesthetic, from the heart, unified, communal, personal, varied, old and new, and normally a response to revelation. Emotion should be neither avoided nor pursued. Rather enjoying and exalting our risen Lord Jesus Christ should be pursued. Worship is offered in spirit and truth, centered on Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. (John 4:23-24)
• Elder Leadership: We believe the church is to be led by a plurality of qualified men ordained as elders who shepherd the flock, teach sound doctrine, and oversee the spiritual health of the congregation, following the biblical model of servant leadership. Church leaders are servants, appointed by Christ (Ephesians 4) to promote order and biblically sound teaching in the church. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
• Family: We believe the family is God’s design for human relationships, with marriage as a covenant with God and between one man and one woman. Parents are tasked with raising children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
• Prayer: We believe prayer is the privilege and duty of every believer to communicate with God, seeking His will, confessing sins, interceding for others, and expressing thanksgiving and dependence on Him, all through the mediation of Christ and the intercession of the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• Love: We believe love is the required mark of Christians, expressed through sacrificial devotion to God and selfless care for others, fulfilling the greatest commandment and reflecting Christ’s love for His Church. (John 13:34-35)
• Stewardship: We believe all believers are stewards of God’s gifts, including time, talents, and physical resources. We are called to use these faithfully for His Glory, the advancement of His kingdom, and the service of others. (1 Peter 4:10)
• Evangelistic Outreach (Missions): We believe the Church is commissioned to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, making disciples through evangelism and outreach, driven by obedience to Christ’s command and compassion for the lost. (Matthew 28:18-20)

ABIDING LOVE BIBLE CHURCH
CONSTITUTION
(revised August 28, 2025)

ARTICLE I: NAME

The organized name of this congregation is Abiding Love Bible Church, being chartered as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Texas. It shall operate under the name of and be referred to in the remainder of this Constitution and its By-laws as, Abiding Love Bible Church.

ARTICLE II: AFFILIATION

Abiding Love Bible Church, for purposes of government and operation, is non-denominational, unaffiliated with any recognized denomination.

ARTICLE III: CONSTITUTION EFFECTIVE

This constitution and its by-laws became effective on August 5, 2025, by approval of the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Any person who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is a member of the Body of Christ. Those members of the Body of Christ who have taken part in believer’s baptism and have shown a commitment to active participation at Abiding Love Bible Church are eligible to participate in the ministries of Abiding Love Bible Church. Members must show their faith in Christ through a commitment to Biblical obedience to Jesus, relational discipleship, reconciliation to one another, spiritual maturing, and submission to elder leadership. Members must agree with the core doctrines of Abiding Love Bible Church.

ARTICLE V: GOVERNMENT

Jesus Christ is the Head of Abiding Love Bible Church. As the Cornerstone and as the Living Word, He has conveyed all that is necessary for purpose, direction and leadership in His Church. As such, the Board of Elders shall be subject to Him in the conduct of their respective leadership roles in Abiding Love Bible Church.

Abiding Love Bible Church is an elder-led church. As directors, officers, and overseers, the Elders have direct responsibility for operations and for the spiritual health of Abiding Love Bible Church and are accountable to one another.

Initial elder board officers are as follows:
David Mervish, President/Chair
Josh Smith, Vice President/Vice Chair
Henry Judah, Treasurer

Corporate offices coincide with elder board offices.
The Board of Elders may increase or decrease in size and composition as deemed appropriate by the Board of Elders.

ARTICLE VI: BUSINESS MEETINGS

Abiding Love Bible Church will conduct an annual meeting in August of each year for the purposes of explaining the vision of the church, elder candidates, discussion of the annual budget, missions and other related church business. Additional meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the Board of Elders. Any number of congregants may, at any time, submit a request to the Board of Elders for additional meetings. All congregational meetings shall be announced at least one week prior to the meeting and published in a recognized publication of Abiding Love Bible Church. The Chairman of the Board of Elders, or designee, shall preside at all congregational meetings.

ARTICLE VII: PROPERTY

The Board of Elders shall have the authority to determine the use of church property.

The congregation shall have, in the corporate name, the right to own, buy, lease, mortgage, and sell property; sue and be sued; and receive title by gift, grant or other conveyance of any property, real or personal. In case of dissolution, all assets remaining after satisfying the debts of Abiding Love Bible Church shall convey to Faith Bible Church of Brazos County, Bryan, Texas.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this constitution or its by-laws may be made by the Board of Elders and announced at a properly called business meeting. The congregation may propose amendments to the Board of Elders at any time. An amendment will become part of the Constitution upon discernment of the elders after thoughtful discernment in relationship with the congregation. Amendments to the constitution will be announced to the congregation in a recognized publication of Abiding Love Bible Church and/or a regular meeting of the church body.

ARTICLE IX: BY-LAWS

A supplement to this constitution, known as the By-Laws, shall contain certain procedural matters not outlined in the articles of the Constitution. Should there be an inconsistency between the Articles of Incorporation, the Constitution, and the By-Laws, the Board of Elders shall have the authority to resolve the inconsistency. When a resolution is found, corrections will be formally made into this constitution and its by-laws and communicated to the congregation.

BY-LAWS

I. Membership

A. Qualification for Membership
Any person who professes acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, has submitted to His Lordship, has experienced believer’s baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, submits to the authority of Scripture, manifests a lifestyle that evidences the Lordship of Jesus Christ, submits to Abiding Love Bible Church’s Constitution, Core Values and Mission, and is willing to support the church in attendance, prayers, and gifts, may become a member.

Persons desiring to affiliate through membership with this church shall give a personal testimony of his or her Christian experience to a member of the Board of Elders.

B. Membership Duties and Responsibilities
It is the duty of members to take an active part in the ministry of the Church for the Glory of God (Romans 12:1-8).

C. Age Requirements and Rights of Membership
All members who satisfy these duties and responsibilities and are eighteen (18) years of age or older shall have equal rights under this Constitution. No individual shall have rights of ownership to the Church property, real or personal, since all contributions to this non-profit organization are freely given for the work of the gospel ministry.

Members are expected to conduct their lives according to the standards set forth in Scripture. Those found living/teaching/holding views contrary to biblical teaching and/or the Core Doctrinal statements of Abiding Love Bible Church or who are willfully living a life in violation of Scripture as determined by the elders, and refuses to repent may be subject to removal from active membership until such a time as they repent and are welcomed back to full fellowship by the Board of Elders. The goal of removal from membership is to foster restoration to life of obedience to Jesus, and return to fellowship with the Body of Christ.

D. Member Rights
All members are entitled to a full share in the fellowship and the spiritual blessings of the
Church, and to the services of its ministers, as well as to the Christian sympathy and support of all members.

E. Withdrawal of Membership
Members may submit, in writing, to the elders at any time their intent to withdraw or move their membership.

F. Removal from Active Membership for Lack of Participation.
Any member not actively participating in the life and ministries of Abiding Bible Church may be removed from membership.

II. Believer’s Baptism

Believer’s Baptism is the voluntary water baptism of a believer which demonstrates the believer’s belief in his/her death to sin and resurrection to the new life. It shall be the practice of Abiding Love Bible Church to perform immersion baptism. It is a visible public testimony to the atoning work of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer. (Mathew 28:19; Romans 6:1-4; Matthew 3:13-17). Prospective members baptized as believers prior to joining Abiding Love Bible Church will not be required to receive baptism again.

III. The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial by which we commemorate together as the Body of Christ the redeeming love of Christ expressed to us through His suffering and death until He returns and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. As often as we do it, it is a time for spiritual renewal and for recognition of our unity with Christ and with one another. (Luke 22:17-20; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:23-24)

All persons, members or non-members, who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are invited to observe the Lord’s Supper.

IV. Board of Elders

A. Board of Elders Membership
The Board of Elders will consist of no less than three (3) elders. The elders will increase as necessary under the direction of the elders. The Senior Pastor must be an elder of Abiding Love Bible Church.

B. Elder Qualifications
An elder shall be a member of Abiding Love Bible Church and shall aspire to and seek God’s help in living according to the spiritual qualifications outlined in I Timothy 3:1-7, Philippians 2:4-8, 1 Peter 5:1-3 and Titus 1:5-9 in his life.

C. Board of Elders Organizational Structure
The members of the congregation will have reasonable opportunity to present, in a manner befitting a Christian, support for, or objection to prospective elders.

The Board of Elders will annually select its chairman and other officers as necessary.

Any male member in good standing at Abiding Love Bible Church may apply for candidacy to the Board of Elders by expressing interest to an elder. The applicant must be committed to a lifestyle scripturally required of an elder, as identified in I Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, indicate a commitment to an agreement with the doctrinal statement, core values, mission statement, and constitution of Abiding Love Bible Church, and indicate his willingness to take on responsibility for the spiritual welfare of the Church, together with other elders and the pastoral staff.

Elders may invite male members of the church for elder candidacy consideration.

The Board of Elders will prescribe training for all elder candidates as deemed necessary.
This training will be shaped to meet the needs of the individual candidate and will be directed toward fostering biblical literacy, holding to sound doctrine, following a scriptural lifestyle, and becoming familiar with the responsibilities and functioning of the Board of Elders. This training process will require the elder candidate to attend scheduled elder meetings for one year. At the end of the one-year period, the Board of Elders will evaluate the elder candidate(s); the elder candidate(s) will re-evaluate their commitment to serve as an elder, and the Board of Elders will appoint, subject to the approval of the Board of Elders, the elder candidate(s) to the Board of Elders.

The Board of Elders is a self-governing, self-regulating body accountable to one another. Elders are required to submit to one another and demonstrate biblical submission to the congregation and to Jesus Christ. They are to be held accountable as outlined in the By-Laws.

D. Board of Elders Responsibilities to the Congregation
The Board of Elders shall shepherd the Congregation. The Board of Elders shall seek discernment from the congregation on the following matters: approval of the annual budget, purchase/sale of large capital assets, calling of a Senior Pastor, and removal of an elder(s).

As Abiding Love Bible Church is the body of Christ, purchased by His blood, and the larger church body of greater value than any one member, the elders are required to be in close connection with the members of Abiding Love Bible Church. Elders are to be shepherds of Abiding Love Bible Church and maintain an obedience to the Holy Spirit through joint discernment with the congregation. Members have the right to 1) request discipline be applied to an elder, 2) request removal of any or all elders.

E. Elder Duties
The Board of Elders shall:

Oversee all matters (spiritual, financial, operational) pertaining to Abiding Love Bible Church.

Set priorities for the Church ministry in accordance with the core values, mission and vision and use these priorities to guide their development of the annual budget.

Endeavor to ensure that no teaching is inconsistent with Scripture.

Participate in baptismal services, in the Lord’s Supper, in the counseling of inquirers, in the care of the flock, and in safeguarding the doctrines and spiritual welfare of the Church.

Pray for the ministry of Abiding Love Bible Church and for the congregation.

Interview and approve new member candidates.

Establish those commissions, committees, and ministries deemed necessary to fulfill the spiritual mission of the church.

Serve as a council of appeal and determine scriptural appropriateness whenever
members dispute an action taken or a decision made by the ministry staff.

Be available for prayer and anointing for members, as requested.

F. Elder Meetings
The Elder Board shall regularly have monthly meetings at a time and place set by the Chairman of the Board.

Annually, the Board of Elders will elect a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and Treasurer.

Elders may ordain a man in recognition of his individual call to a ministry by discernment of the Board of Elders.

The Board of Elders shall, at least annually, hold a meeting outside of its normal monthly
schedule devoted solely for the purpose of setting goals for the spiritual ministry of Abiding Love Bible Church.

The Board of Elders shall conduct training sessions as necessary for the edification of
current, prospective, and new elders.

G. Elder Discipline and Restoration
If an elder is found to be living in sin or is willfully neglecting his responsibility as an elder, a minimum of two (2) elders will initiate Biblical principles such as: Matthew 18, I Corinthians 5, II Corinthians 2:5-11, Galatians 6:1-2, and I Timothy 5:19-20. This process may involve removal from office. A simple majority of the votes cast by the elders at a business meeting will be required for removal. The goal of removal from leadership is to serve as a warning to other leaders and ultimately to foster restoration to the Body of Christ and the ministry of Jesus.

H. Ordination of Elders
After an elder is appointed for the first time following the approval of this constitution, he will be ordained as an elder by the acting Chairman of the Board of Elders or an elder-approved designee, and other ordained ministers before the Congregation at a regular Sunday worship service. The ordination service will be a presentation of the elder to the Congregation, followed by prayer and a laying on of the hands of ordained elders, the Senior Pastor, and other ordained ministers as the occasion requires. Once ordained, the elder will not need to be re-ordained.

V. Preparation of the Annual Budget

It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Elders to prepare the annual budget. The budget will reflect the priorities established by the Board of Elders necessary to accomplish the mission and vision of Abiding Love Bible Church and be so arranged to delineate the various categories of Church expenditures and the separate expenditures of the various Church organizations. The budget will be prepared and distributed to the Congregation at least one week in advance of the annual congregational meeting. The Board of Elders is committed to operating consistent with the annual budget, however, to provide flexibility, the Board of Elders has authority to make budget transfers within existing budget categories where needed but may not exceed the overall limitation of the annual budget by more than a total of ten percent 10% in any fiscal year; any variance beyond ten percent (10%) requires congregational notification and appropriate discernment.

The official fiscal year of Abiding Love Bible Church shall be from September 1 to August 31.

In acknowledgment that all assets are given by God, through the Congregation, the faithful
stewardship of financial resources is a critical element for Abiding Love Bible Church and, as such, it shall adhere to sound business principles in all its financial affairs, instituting practices such as annual auditing and responsible checks and balances.

VI. Staff

Other members of the staff shall be directly accountable to the Senior Pastor. Recommendations for additions to the staff may be made by the Senior Pastor to the Board of Elders who, upon their agreement, provide an offer to the applicant.

Upon prior approval in the annual budget, the Board of Elders shall negotiate contracts with members of the pastoral staff. Such contracts shall specify conditions of salary, benefits, and other Church related functions as deemed necessary.

Recommendations for dismissal of any staff member may be made by any elder and acted upon by the Board of Elders for final decision.