Rules of Decorum

Preamble:

From a long series of experiences we, who hope we are, the Church of Christ at Meadow Creek are convinced of the necessity of coming together as often as may be in order to hold conference, and to discharge our duty in watching over each other as Christ hath commanded.

Ordered therefore that the following decorum be a rule for the church to conduct herself by in her future conferences.

We will not forsake the house of God or the assembling of ourselves together.

Nehemiah 10:39 & Hebrews 10:25.

Article 1. The conference shall be composed of the members of this church, together with any members of sister churches that are present in good standing and fellowship of the same faith and order, who have liberty to seats with us but not vote in matters pertaining to this particular church. Acts 4:23 & Acts 15:6.

Article 2. The conference shall be opened and closed with praise to Almighty God.

I Timothy 2:1 & I Thessalonians 5:17-18.

Article 3. One shall be chosen to preside who shall be addressed under the appellation of Brother Moderator and to whom every speech shall be particularly addressed.

I Corinthians 14:26-40.

Article 4. The members’ names being regularly enrolled, shall by the clerk be distinctly called over at least once a year with the church Decorum, Articles of Faith and Covenant read, all or in part, as often as the church may deem expedient.

Acts 1:15.

Article 5. A door shall be published open when thought necessary for the admission of new members into this church; but none shall be admitted but by unanimous consent, and who shall first verbally relate their experience or give an account of the work of God on their souls; and when full satisfaction shall be obtained, the pastor, deacon, or moderator shall manifest the same by giving them the right hand of fellowship thereby receiving them as candidates for baptism, with the understanding that when baptized they will be entitled to all rights and privileges of membership. I Peter 3:15 & Galatians 2:9.

Article 6. No complaint shall be brought into conference against transgressing members respecting trespasses of a private matter until the aggrieved party has complied with the directions given by our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17.

Article 7. Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consideration of the conference unless withdrawn by the member who made it. I Corinthians 14:40.

Article 8. Every query [question] presented shall be thrice read; and before it is received, the moderator shall take a vote, and accordingly as there is a majority for or against debating it, it shall be answered or not, but the querist [member asking the question] may withdraw it at any time – provided also that no indirect query shall be imposed or asked.

Article 9. If the minority shall be grieved at any time at the determination of the majority they are hereby directed to make the same known immediately to the church and if satisfaction cannot be obtained it may be necessary in that case to call for help from sister churches.

Article 10. All the business of the conference shall be recorded by the clerk and before conference closes the same shall be distinctly read and corrected, if need be.

Section 10.01 Any member refusing to attend conference the same is disorder.

Section 10.02 Any member absenting him or herself from conference without leave the same is disorder.

Section 10.03 Any member whispering or laughing in time of public speech the same is disorder.

Section 10.04 If two or more shall speak at one time or any member speak without rising up and addressing the moderator the same is disorder.

Section 10.05 Any member speaking more than three times on one subject without leave obtained, the same is disorder.

Section 10.06 Any member being grieved at anything done in conference and shall hold his or her speech, and shall not let the same be known until conference closes, and shall afterwards speak of the same, as it manifestly tends to confusion, it is hereby deemed disorder.

Section 10.07 Any member speaking or acting in wrath or anger, or in a threatening, degrading manner, as it shames religion, wounds the cause of Christ, and grieves true Christians, it is hereby deemed disorder.

Section 10.08 If the moderator shall neglect to plainly and timely reprove any member transgressing any of these rules, or misbehaving in any manner irreverently in time of conference the same is disorder in him, and himself is for the same liable to be reproved.

Section 10.09 The woman hath not a right by the law of Christ to usurp authority over the man and therefore ought not to speak in the church only in case of conscience sake or in such particular circumstances that the matter of the thing may require it.

Section 10.10 If any member shall absent him or herself from conference as much as three times in succession, except when existing circumstances shall be unfavorable, or shall work undue hardship on such members, shall render to this body the cause of it.

Section 10.11 The moderator shall have the right to give his views on any subject or vote in case of a tie providing he appoints one to sit as moderator while he makes his speech or gives his light on the matter.

Section 10.12 Amendments to these rules may be made at anytime by unanimous vote at two consecutive conference meetings.