a.       We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Author of the Sacred Scriptures.     (Acts 28:25; Eph. 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; I Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:21)

b.       We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration and sanctification, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling equally and permanently every believer, and sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 3:3-8; 14:16,17; Rom 8:9-11; I Cor. 6:11; 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13,14; 4:30)

c.       We believe that the moment any unregenerated person exercises faith in Christ as Savior, he is immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit.     (Rom. 8:9-11; I Cor. 3:16,17; 6:19; Gal. 4:6; I Thes. 4:8)

d.       We believe that the only indispensable evidence of the filling of the Spirit is a consistent consecrated life and walk.     (John 7:38,39; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:16, 17, 22, 23, 25; Eph. 3:16-21; 5:18-20)

e.       We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit today includes glorifying Jesus Christ (not Himself); leading, comforting and guiding the believer; and convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and of judgment.      (John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-11; 13-15; Rom. 8:14,26)

Article IV - Purpose & Objectives

We see everyone partnering in this unique ministry of reconciliation and transformation through disciple making for Christ beginning in Venice to impact the world.

Venice Bible Church  exists to glorify God:

1.  By living lives reconciled to God and transformed in Christ through obedience to scripture and surrender to the Holy Spirit.

2.  By urging and equipping the body to know God and be faithful in loving Him and loving others.

3.  By developing fully devoted disciples of Christ

4.  By proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ both locally and globally

5. By being ever mindful that we are part of God’s Kingdom, and by being diligent to build bridges with other believers wherever possible.

Article V - Organization

Section  1

As an Elder  led church, the administrative control of the church shall be vested in the members of the church acting through an Elder Board .

Section  2 - Ministry Areas

1.      The ministries of the church shall be organized into seven Ministry Areas : Deacon , Missions , Outreach , Adults , Children/Youth , Worship , and Operations Support . 

2.      Each ministry area will have an Elder  Board  member assigned as “overseer” of that ministry. The Senior Pastor  will have “overseer” responsibility for the Worship  and Children/Youth  Ministries.

3.      The “VBC  Elder  Board  Organization  Chart” will be maintained in the policy manual.

Section  3. – Elders

The Elders  shall shepherd and lead the church, teach the Word, encourage those who are hurting, protect the church from false teachers and divisions, and exhort and admonish the church body in sound doctrine. As shepherds, the Elders are to protect, feed, lead, and care for the church and ensure that the church’s purposes and objectives are met.  They shall assist, when called upon, in administering the ordinances and preaching the Word of God.

Qualifications :

1.      A candidate shall satisfy the Biblical qualifications of an Elder  listed in 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and be willing to serve in the manner found in 1 Peter 5:1-3.

2.      In addition to the Biblical qualifications required for an Elder , the prospective Elder shall also have “proven” his abilities in ministry at VBC  as a small group leader, Bible teacher, committee chairman, pastoral staff  member, or any other leadership role in an approved ministry.

3.      Any man aspiring to the office of Elder  at VBC  shall be required to complete the Leadership Training Program .

4.      The candidate must have the ability to defend the doctrine of VBC  and effectively teach the Bible.

5.      The candidate for Elder  shall have been a member in good standing of VBC  for a minimum of three consecutive years.

6.      The candidate must be a full time resident in the area.

Approval :

7.      The candidate shall submit his request for consideration in writing to the Chairman  of the Elder  Board  for review and examination by the Elder Board.

8.      The candidate shall be unanimously approved by the Elder  Board . 

9.      After approval by the Board of Elders  that the candidate is qualified in accordance with (1) through (6) above, the candidate’s name shall be submitted to the congregation for four consecutive weeks prior to a Quarterly Business Meeting .  The candidate’s written testimony and qualifications shall then be made available to the congregation.

10.  A special meeting  shall be held with the candidate and interested members of the congregation to discuss the candidate’s qualifications.

11.  If objections arise regarding the candidate’s qualifications or character, they must be submitted to the Elder  Board  in writing and signed by the party making the objections stating why they do not believe the candidate should be allowed to serve as an Elder.  The Board of Elders shall investigate the objections and determine if the candidate’s name should be withdrawn, and notify the objecting individual of the Elder Board’s decision. Any individual making an objection shall have the right to meet with representatives of the Elder Board.  If the Board of Elders unanimously determines that the objections do not warrant withdrawal of the nomination, the candidate’s name shall remain for the congregation to vote on.

12.  A candidate must receive two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast to be commissioned as an Elder .

13.  Candidates considered unqualified shall receive notice with specifics from the Elder  Board  and an invitation to meet with the Board for discussion and ministry. Their names shall not go before the Congregation  for approval.

Tenure :

There shall be no numerical limit to the number of qualified men who fill this position. Once a man is commissioned as an Elder , he shall be so recognized by VBC  until such a time as he:

14.  Submits written resignation.

15.  Resigns  his membership from VBC .

16.  Is unable to continue meeting the Biblical qualifications found in 1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-3 as determined by the Elder  Board .

17.  Fails to minister to the body as outlined in the Elder  Job Description contained in the VBC  Policy Manual for a period of 6 months without approval by the Elder Board .

Elder  Board :

18.  The Elder  Board  shall be composed of a minimum of seven (7) elders, a minimum of six approved by VBC  members plus the Senior Pastor . All Elders, except the Senior Pastor , shall serve on the Elder Board for a term of three years with one third of the Elders rotating off each year.  No more than one quarter (25%) of the board may be from the Ministry Staff .

19.  The Senior Pastor  shall be a permanent member of the Elder  Board  without term limits.

20.  At the completion of a three year term an Elder  shall wait at least one year prior to serving again on the Elder Board .

21.  Only Elders  currently serving on the Elder Board  have the authority to vote on matters before the Board. Elders not serving on the Board are considered as “Elders at-large ”.

22.  The Elder  Board  shall elect annually from its members (excluding the Sr. Pastor ) the following officers: Chairman , Vice-Chairman , and Recording Secretary .

23.  As a vacancy on the Elder  Board  occurs, the body of Elders shall appoint an Elder at-large to fill the vacancy.

Elder  Board  Duties :

The Elder  Board ’s responsibility and authority shall include the following:

24.  The spiritual leadership and oversight of the ministries of the church.

25.  The long term spiritual and strategic planning and vision for the church.

26.  The development of leaders within the church.  The Elder  Board  shall work with the Ministry staff to select and equip individuals for the ministries of the church.

27.  The supervision over all legal, administrative (including polices and procedures) and fiscal affairs of the church.  The Elder  Board , as servant leaders, recognizing their accountability to the membership, is empowered to act on these affairs on behalf of the church.

28.  Can serve as an ex-officio , non voting  member, of all other boards and committees of the church, except the Audit Committee .  Each Elder  Board  member shall be assigned overseer responsibility for one of the ministry areas of the church as defined in Article V, section 2.

29.  Periodically reporting on its deliberations and decisions to the membership at the Quarterly Business Meeting s and other times as necessary.

30.  Oversight of relationships with other churches and organizations.

31.  Approve and oversee an annual budget.

Chairman  of the Elder  Board :

The Chairman  of the Elder  Board  shall direct the work of the Elder Board and shall preside at the Congregational Meetings  of the church. The Vice Chairman shall fulfill the duties of the Chairman during his absence. The Chairman shall be responsible to assure that the church is following the By-Laws  and church Policies.

Section  4 - Deacons

 The function of the Deacon  is to assist the Elders  in matters pertaining to the spiritual leadership of the church by assuming responsibility for the service and caring functions of the congregation.

 Deacon  Selection:

1. The Deacons shall present a prospective candidate to the Elder Board for review.

2. The accepted candidate is informed of the request from the Deacons and Elders to prayerfully consider God’s direction and an aspiration to the office of Deacon

3. All candidates shall satisfy the Biblical qualifications for a Deacon listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13

4. Deacon candidates shall also have demonstrated abilities in serving and caring in a compassionate manner, have a heart for the welfare of people, have a commitment to confidentiality and know how to lead a person to salvation through Christ. Deacons also must be able to listen and exercise discernment.

5. Candidates shall have been a member of VBC for a minimum of one year.

6. Candidates will submit to a Deacon training process which includes completing a written application, and personal statement of faith; an interview with existing leaders; acknowledgement of agreement with and ability to explain Venice Bible Church’s doctrinal position listed in Article III; and completion of an in-depth biblical study on Leadership.

7. After completing the above process, a candidate who desires to serve as a Deacon, and meets the qualifications listed for the office of Deacon shall be submitted to the Elder Board for final approval and then presented to the congregation for its approval by ballot. 

Deacon  Tenure :

8.      There shall be no time limits on those persons who fill this position. Once a person is commissioned as a Deacon , he shall be so recognized by VBC  until such time as he:

a.    Submits written resignation from the office of Deacon .

b.    Resigns  membership from VBC .

c.    Is unable to continue meeting the Biblical qualifications and/or the additional qualification as found in Deacon  Selection (2) above.

d.  Demonstrates character or conduct that is detrimental to the effectiveness of Deacon Responsibilities.

Deacon  Team :

9.        The Deacon  Team  shall be comprised of the number of Deacons required to serve the congregation as determined by the Elder  Board .

10.    The Deacon  Team  shall elect annually from its members the following offices Chairman  and Secretary .

Deacon  Duties :

The Deacons  shall perform the service and caring functions of the congregation as follows:

11. The Body Life Treasury.

12. Care and comfort of Widows.

13. Visitation including those who are sick and shut-in.

14. The Usher Ministry .

15. Preparation for Communion Services

16. The Buildings and Grounds belonging to Venice Bible Church .

17. The transportation needs of those without means in the congregation to and from Church services and meetings .

18. Assist the Elders by meeting with and reviewing qualifications for all prospective candidates for baptism and/or persons seeking Membership.

19. Prepare people for Baptism and church Membership .

20. Prepare and maintain church membership roles.

21. Other Special Projects which may arise to assist the ministerial staff and elders in pursuing the mission of the Church. 

Section  5 - Pastors

1.      Senior Pastor : The Senior Pastor , as an Elder  shall preach the Word of God, administer the ordinances, and as an Elder communicate the vision and provide leadership to enable the church to fulfill its purposes and meet its objectives, as defined in the By-Laws .  Organizationally, he shall be responsible to the Elder Board  and shall be accountable for the ministry staff.  He shall be a permanent member of the Elder Board. 

2.      Associate Pastors  and Ministry staff: The Associate Pastors  and Ministry staff shall assist the church in fulfilling its purpose and meeting its objectives, particularly in their areas of assigned responsibility. They shall assist, when called upon, in administering the ordinances and preaching the Word of God. Organizationally, Associate Pastors and Ministry staff shall be directly supervised by the Senior Pastor .  They shall lead those Ministry responsibilities as assigned.

3.      The term “Ministry Staff ” shall include all pastors and other staff members that are assigned to a specific ministry.

Section  6 - Committees

1.      The Elder  Board  shall establish standing committees to facilitate the ministries and the administrative needs of the church, to meet the purposes and objectives of the church. The Elder Board, at its discretion, may appoint ad-hoc committees to assist in fulfilling its responsibility.  These ad-hoc committees shall be established for specific purposes and their members and chairperson are to be selected by the Elder Board. Ad-hoc  committees shall be dissolved upon completion of their work.

2.      Committee  members must be members of VBC . Membership  on these committees must be approved by the Elder  Board . Membership on these committees, excluding pastoral staff , shall not exceed three consecutive years followed by a minimum of one year sabbatical. If a committee member resigns, the Elder Board and Church Clerk  shall be notified.

3.      The Elder  Board  shall assign a Board Elder to be responsible for each of these committees. That Elder or his representative is expected to meet with the committee chairman or to attend the committee meetings and to report committee activity to the Elder Board.

4.      The Elder  Board  and the Senior Pastor  or his Ministry Staff  representative is an ex-officio  member of all committees.

5.      The Standing Committees  shall elect annually from their members a Chairperson  and Secretary  subject to Elder  Board  approval.

6.      Minutes from committee meetings shall be provided to the Elder  Board  and Church Clerk .

7.      The committee chairperson shall be responsible for coordination with the Finance Committee  regarding budgets.

8.      Committees  shall submit written reports to the Church Clerk  prior to the Annual  Business Meeting .  Each report shall detail the committee’s work of the previous year, list the planned projected activities for the following year and list the committee members for the next year.

9.      A committee member may be removed by the Elder  Board  for any of the following reasons:

a.       Submits written resignation from the committee.

b.      Resigns  membership from VBC .

c.       Reflects conduct or doctrine opposed to the church’s doctrine and faith.

d.      Is unable or fails to perform the tasks as assigned.

e.       Demonstrates character or conduct that is deemed detrimental to the effectiveness of the committee.

Section  7 - Committees  reporting to the Elder  Board

1.      Leadership Council : This group is an Elder  led council. It shall consist of the leaders of all major committees, small group shepherds, Elders, Deacons , Bible teachers , and Ministry staff. The Elders shall present Elder Board  actions taken since the last meeting and future plans. The council shall advise the Elder Board on concerns, problems and issues related to the church, as well as serve as a consultant to the Elder Board for new ideas and proposed changes. The Elder Board shall use the council to assist in communication to the body.

2.      Deacon  Team : (see section 4)  Deacon Representative shall meet with Elder Board on concerns, problems and issues related to the church as well as serve as a consultant to the Elder Board for new ideas and proposed changes.

3.      Global Mission Team : This committee shall consist of five or more members. It shall direct and administer the missions activities of the church including:

a.       establishing of criteria for giving to mission activities and organizations;

b.      selection of missions to support;

c.       development of long range mission plans;

d.      direction of short term mission programs;

e.       preparation of budgets for giving to missions, under the guidance of the Finance Committee ;

f.        communicate  regularly  the mission vision and mission activities to the church; and

g.       presentation of mission reports at the Annual  Business Meeting .

4    Finance Committee : This committee shall consist of five or more members. The Church Treasurer  is automatically a member of the Finance Committee . An Elder  from the Elder Board  shall serve on the committee and shall be the liaison between the Elder Board and the Finance Committee. This committee shall select a chairman from its members. It shall direct and administer the finance and accounting program of the church, including:

a.      The establishment of policies, procedures, systems and controls over all aspects of finance and accounting including receipts and disbursements of funds.

b.      The preparation of ministry fund budgets.

c.      The preparation of capital budgets.

d.      The systems to control compliance with approved budget.

e.      The preparation of financial reports and financial statements.

f.        The presentation of financial reports at each Quarterly Business Meeting  and the Annual  Business Meeting .

g.      The presentation for approval of the proposed annual budget to the membership.

h.      For the presented budget to be adopted, it must receive at least a 67% majority approval at the annual business meeting.

The Finance Committee  shall develop the annual budget based upon written direction from the Elder  Board  which shall clearly state the ministry direction and priorities for the up-coming budget year. The proposed budget(s) shall be submitted for Elder Board approval or rejection (but not modification) prior to the Finance Committee  presentation to the church membership. Budgets  and revisions to budgets for all church activities must be reviewed by the Finance Committee.

5.      Audit Committee : The Audit Committee  shall consist of at least three members appointed by the Elder  Board . No member shall be appointed that is a member of the Finance Committee  or on the church staff. The Audit Committee shall arrange for the financial records to be reviewed by a qualified CPA or professional audit firm. The level of the review shall be determined by the Audit Committee. The financial records of the church shall be reviewed once per year and at such other times as the Elder Board may direct. Upon completion of the review, the auditor’s written report shall be submitted to the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee and the Elder Board.

6.      Personnel Committee : This committee of at least three members shall advise the Elder  Board  as to appropriate salary and benefit levels and developmental programs for the pastoral staff  and all other employees of the church. At the direction of the Elder Board the committee shall develop, implement and monitor the employee benefit programs. The committee shall also advise the Elder Board on personnel practices and, that the supervisor’s performance appraisals for their individual staff members have been done each year.  This committee should serve as an integral part on any search committee.

7.      By-Law Review Committee : This committee shall consist of at least three members.  Its sole function is to assure that the church is following the By-Laws  and church Policy.  At the direction of the Elder  Board  the committee may undertake the task of revisions to the By-Laws and church Policy.

Section  8 - Committee  Leadership

1.      All chairmen of committees shall be approved annually by the Elder  Board  prior to the annual meeting.

2.      A chairman may be removed by the Elder  Board  for the following reasons:

a.      Submits written resignation from the committee.

b.      Resigns  membership from VBC .

c.      Reflects conduct or doctrine opposed to the church’s doctrine and faith.

e.      Demonstrates character or conduct that is deemed detrimental to the effectiveness of the committee.

Section  9 - Church Treasurer  

The Church Treasurer  shall be selected by the Elder  Board  prior to the Annual  Business Meeting  and presented for approval by the membership. The Treasurer shall serve for one year and shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing all funds and shall maintain accounts under the direction of the Finance Committee  and the Elder Board.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the true financial status of all funds entrusted to him/her at all times.  The Treasurer shall be a member of the Finance Committee .  It is understood that certain duties may be delegated to office staff of the church as approved by the Finance Committee.

Section  10 - Church Clerk  

The Church Clerk  shall be appointed by the Elder  Board  and shall keep a permanent record of all proceedings of the Elder Board and other church and committee meetings. The Clerk shall see that a permanent record is kept of admissions to membership, current membership status, baptisms, dedications, dismissals, letters of good standing, deaths, marriages, and shall conduct correspondence relating to the official affairs of the Elder Board and church. The Clerk shall see that all policy manuals are maintained and current. Certain duties maybe delegated to office staff as required.

Article VI - Membership

 Section  1. - Procedures for becoming a member :

 Any person who professes faith in Christ as Savior shall become a member of Venice Bible Church  upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders  and Deacons  and a Pastor  according to the following procedures:

1.      Complete application for membership.

2.      Examination by the Pastor (s) and two Deacons  (appointed for this purpose) as to Christian experience and basis of salvation.

3.      Attend the new member class.

4.      Assent to the Statement of Faith and By-Laws  of the church.

Each applicant approved for membership shall then be physically received into the fellowship of the church during Sunday worship. At that time full voting privileges are extended to members 16 years old and older.

 Section  2. - Responsibilities and Rights of Members

 The responsibilities of the members of the church are those set forth in the Scriptures, Statement of Faith and the By-Laws  of the church. They include regular participation in the worship services of the church, Bible study, and small group ministry. They should be faithful stewards of time, talents and possessions in the service of the church according to principles in 1 Cor. 16:2. They should lead a life representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church in the community. Members  should have daily systematic reading of the Bible and have private and family prayer. Members should witness to others about Christ by personal testimony and participate in the church’s plan to help fulfill the Great Commission.

Members  shall have no property rights in the church and upon termination of membership shall be entitled to no rights, title or interest in its assets.

 Section  3. -  Status of Members

The phrase “member eligible to vote” shall mean any person who is 16 year or older and has been received into membership in the church and who has not been placed on the inactive list by the Deacon  Team  or whose membership has not been terminated.

Section  4. - Termination of Membership  

Membership  shall automatically be terminated upon resignation in writing or by transfer of membership to another church.  All written requests shall be submitted to and processed by the Deacon  Team .

It shall be the duty of the Deacon  Team  to examine the membership records annually, and any member who has been absent from the services of the church for a period of twelve months without giving satisfactory reasons for such absence may be removed from the membership roll of the church. A personal contact shall be made by the staff or Deacon before the member’s name is removed. The Deacon Team shall present the names of the members recommended for removal to the Elder  Board  for approval.

Cases of disorderly conduct or heretical doctrine so opposed to the church’s life and faith as to destroy the possibility of fellowship shall be brought to the Elder  Board . If after following the biblical precedence outlined in Matthew chapter 18 without a resolution of the conflict, the Elder Board  recommends a member be removed from the rolls, the Elder Board shall present it to the membership at a regular or special business meeting and a 2/3 approval vote of those present and eligible to vote shall be required.

Article VII - Meetings

Section  1. -  Public Meetings

1.      The church shall meet each Sunday for public worship and the study of God’s word. Any change as recommended by the Elder  Board  is subject to membership approval. The Elder Board may schedule such other public meetings as they may deem necessary.

2.      The church shall observe the Ordinance  of the Lord’s Supper at least once in each month.

Section  2. - Congregational Meetings

1.      Any matter of business requiring action by the church membership may be considered and acted upon at any Annual , Quarterly or Special  Business  Meeting  where a quorum of the membership exists.

2.      The Annual  Business Meeting  shall be held on the third Sunday in January unless otherwise indicated by the Elder  Board . The agenda for the Annual Business  Meeting  shall include approval of the annual operating budget, approval of new Elders, Deacons  and church Officers, the listing of the members and chairpersons of all committees. Written one page reports shall be presented prior to the Annual Business Meeting  from all staff, ministries, and committees which shall include goals/objectives accomplished in the past year and goals/objectives for the coming year along with prayer requests. Notice of the Annual Business Meeting and the agenda shall be posted in the church bulletin and given at all regular public meetings for at least one week in advance.

3.      The Quarterly Business Meeting s shall be held the second Sunday of April, July, and October, unless otherwise indicated by the Elder  Board . The agenda for the Quarterly Business  Meeting s shall include updates on the financial condition of the church, other matters requiring approval, Elder’s report, and selected Ministry reports. Special  Business Meetings  may be called at the discretion of the Elder Board, or by petition of one third (1/3) of the voting membership (such meetings to be called at the earliest convenience). Notice of business meetings shall be posted in the church bulletin and given at all regular public meetings for at least one week in advance.

4.      A quorum shall consist of at least 30% of the membership eligible to vote. Members  who are out of the area (50 miles or more) shall not be considered.  The annually updated eligible membership list shall be available prior to the Annual  Business Meeting .

5.      Any member absent from public worship services for three successive months, without good reason, shall lose voting eligibility. Full voting privileges shall be reinstated after the member has returned to fellowship for a period of 60 days.

6.      The approval of Elders , Deacons , and church officers shall be by ballot.  Voting on any matter shall be by ballot upon the request of any member.  Except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws , all matters shall be decided by a 2/3 majority of the eligible members present.

Section  3 - Board and Committee  Meetings

1.      The Elder  Board  and Deacon  Team  shall each meet at least once per month, or more often if the chairpersons deem necessary, for prayer and to ensure their respective duties are being done in an orderly and excellent manner.

2.      The Elder  Board  and Deacon  Team  shall meet together at least once a year or more often if deemed necessary by either of the respective chairpersons.

3.      Leadership Council  shall meet at least quarterly on the first Sunday in January, April, July and October.

4.      All other committees shall meet at least once per quarter.

Section  4 – Required Notification

Certain types of business and spiritually significant transactions are of particular importance to the welfare of the church and warrant special consideration. These items require notification of the membership by at least two weeks in advance of any Business  Meeting  at which a vote shall be taken:

1.      The call or dismissal of a pastor or full time ministry staff person.

2.      The purchase, sale or mortgage of church real property.

3.      Major alterations to church real property.

4.      Revisions and Amendments  to the By-Laws .

5.      Meetings  called for disciplinary action or termination of membership as part of church discipline.

6.      All appeals of decisions of the Elder  Board  on disciplinary action or termination of      membership.

Article VIII – Calling and Terminating a Pastor’s Services

Section  1 - Pulpit Committee .

Section  2

Section  3

Article IX – Amendments

Article X – Rules

Article XI – Special  Provision  Clause

Article XII – Ordination

Section  1. - Procedure

Section  2 - Revocation of Ordination

Article XIII - Character , Government  and Affiliations

For Corporation Purpose:

1.      The government of VBC  is vested in the body of believers who compose its membership.

2.      The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be known herein as the Elder  Board  and its members shall be the directors of the Corporation. The Chairman  of the Elder Board shall be designated President  of the Corporation. The Directors shall elect a Secretary  of the Corporation from among the Directors other than the President of the Corporation. The Treasurer of the church shall be the Treasurer of the Corporation.

3.      The fiscal year  of VBC  shall begin on January 1 and close on December 31.

4.      VBC  shall be subject to no ecclesiastical body.

Designated Funds :

From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals.  Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions, but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature.  All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Elder  Board .  No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the Gospel.