Constitution and Articles of Association

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 1 CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THIS GRACE BIBLE CHURCHES An Independent, Unincorporated Religious Association Established in the State of Texas PREAMBLE We, the undersigned, being joined together by mutual consent for a common religious and nonprofit purpose, hereby establish THIS GRACE BIBLE CHURCHES, hereinafter referred to as “TGBC,” as an independent and unincorporated religious association. Recognizing Jesus Christ as Head of the Body and acknowledging the Holy Scriptures as our final written authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, ministry, and assembly order, we establish this Constitution and Articles of Association to preserve the doctrine, identity, governance, property, ministry, and continued testimony of This Grace Bible Churches. TGBC exists to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, teach the Word of God rightly divided, edify the Body of Christ, equip believers for the work of ministry, establish assemblies according to the doctrine committed to the Apostle Paul, and advance religious and educational purposes consistent with this Constitution. ARTICLE I NAME The name of this religious association shall be: THIS GRACE BIBLE CHURCHES The association may also identify itself by the abbreviation: TGBC This Grace Bible Churches shall operate as an independent, unincorporated religious association and shall not be construed as a corporation merely by adoption of this Constitution. ARTICLE II NATURE AND IDENTITY This Grace Bible Churches is established as an independent religious body devoted to the preaching, teaching, preservation, and advancement of its biblical faith and doctrine. TGBC is not established as a denomination or as an ecclesiastical subdivision controlled by another church, denomination, convention, association, governmental body, or outside religious authority. TGBC may establish, recognize, fellowship with, or provide spiritual oversight to local assemblies that voluntarily identify with the doctrine and governing principles of This Grace Bible Churches. The spiritual identity and ecclesiastical government of TGBC shall be determined according to this Constitution, its adopted Statement of Faith and Doctrine, and other duly adopted ecclesiastical governing documents.

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 2 ARTICLE III RELIGIOUS AND EXEMPT PURPOSES This Grace Bible Churches is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax law. 1. Preaching and teaching the Word of God. 2. Proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. 3. Teaching salvation by grace through faith. 4. Teaching believers to rightly divide the Word of Truth. 5. Teaching the revelation of the Mystery committed to the Apostle Paul. 6. Teaching concerning the Church, the Body of Christ. 7. Establishing and supporting local Bible assemblies and house assemblies. 8. Training and recognizing qualified Bishops and Deacons. 9. Producing and distributing Bible teaching, religious literature, recorded teaching, electronic publications, and other ministry resources. 10. Conducting Bible studies, meetings, conferences, fellowship gatherings, teaching ministries, and other religious activities. 11. Providing benevolent and charitable assistance consistent with the religious mission of TGBC. 12. Supporting missionary, evangelistic, teaching, and other ministries consistent with TGBC doctrine. No substantial part of the activities of TGBC shall consist of activities inconsistent with its purposes under Section 501(c)(3). ARTICLE IV SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY TGBC believes that God inspired His Word and preserved His Word. The King James Bible, in the text commonly identified with the 1769 standard edition, shall be the Bible used as the final written authority for the doctrine, teaching, preaching, and ecclesiastical determinations of This Grace Bible Churches. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The complete doctrinal positions of TGBC shall be set forth in its separately adopted Statement of Faith and Doctrine and official doctrinal position papers.

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 3 ARTICLE V THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TGBC shall faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Christ for salvation today as declared by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” TGBC teaches salvation by the grace of God through faith, apart from human works as a means of obtaining salvation. ARTICLE VI DISPENSATIONAL DISTINCTIVES TGBC shall teach the Word of God according to the principle of rightly dividing the Word of Truth. TGBC recognizes the distinctive apostleship and ministry of the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles and the revelation of the Mystery concerning the Church, the Body of Christ. TGBC maintains a distinction between God's prophetic program concerning Israel and the revelation of the Mystery concerning the Body of Christ. TGBC shall not teach that the Body of Christ is a continuation or replacement of Israel's prophetic kingdom program. The complete teaching of TGBC concerning these subjects shall be contained in the Statement of Faith and Doctrine and official doctrinal position papers. ARTICLE VII WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER TGBC does not recognize water baptism as a required ordinance for salvation, membership in the Body of Christ, or participation in TGBC fellowship. TGBC likewise does not recognize observance of the Lord's Supper as a required ordinance imposed upon the Body of Christ. These positions shall be understood according to TGBC's Pauline dispensational doctrine and its official doctrinal statements. ARTICLE VIII ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICES The recognized ecclesiastical offices of This Grace Bible Churches shall be: Bishop and Deacon. TGBC shall not establish the office of “Pastor” as a separate ecclesiastical office.

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 4 Qualifications, recognition, ordination, responsibilities, discipline, and other matters concerning Bishops and Deacons shall be governed by Scripture and by duly adopted TGBC governing documents. ARTICLE IX FOUNDING BISHOP Wesley Scott Ray is hereby recognized as the Founding Bishop of This Grace Bible Churches. The title and office of Founding Bishop are unique to the founder of TGBC. There shall be only one Founding Bishop in the history of This Grace Bible Churches. The Founding Bishop shall serve in that capacity for the duration of his natural life. The Founding Bishop shall not be removed, replaced, voted out of the office of Founding Bishop, or deprived of that title by any Bishop, Deacon, Elder, member, assembly, committee, congregation, or other ecclesiastical body of TGBC. No successor shall inherit the title Founding Bishop. Upon the death of the Founding Bishop, the office and title of Founding Bishop shall permanently cease and shall remain an historical office associated solely with the founding of This Grace Bible Churches. ARTICLE X CIRCLE OF THE ELDERS TGBC shall maintain an ecclesiastical governing body known as the: CIRCLE OF THE ELDERS. The Circle of the Elders shall assist in preserving the doctrine, continuity, order, and integrity of This Grace Bible Churches. Its composition, qualifications, procedures, authority, limitations, voting requirements, vacancies, and other responsibilities shall be established by a separately adopted Circle of the Elders Charter consistent with this Constitution. No act of the Circle of the Elders may abolish the office of Founding Bishop during the Founding Bishop's lifetime or appoint another person to that office. ARTICLE XI SUCCESSION Following the death of the Founding Bishop, there shall be no subsequent Founding Bishop. Thereafter, the principal ecclesiastical overseer of This Grace Bible Churches shall bear the title: OVERSEEING BISHOP. The Overseeing Bishop shall be selected by vote of the Circle of the Elders according to procedures established in the TGBC governing documents. The Overseeing Bishop shall preserve and administer the established doctrine, Constitution, and ecclesiastical order of TGBC but shall not possess the historical title or status of Founding Bishop.

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 5 ARTICLE XII LOCAL ASSEMBLIES TGBC may recognize or establish local assemblies, including assemblies meeting in homes, rented facilities, private facilities, or other lawful locations. A local assembly recognized as part of This Grace Bible Churches shall affirm the foundational doctrine and ecclesiastical identity of TGBC. Recognition as a TGBC assembly does not transfer ownership of locally held property to TGBC unless expressly agreed to in a separate written instrument. Additional requirements governing recognition, affiliation, withdrawal, doctrinal accountability, leadership, and use of the TGBC name may be established through a Local Assembly Charter or Affiliation Agreement. ARTICLE XIII RELIGIOUS AUTONOMY TGBC shall govern its internal ecclesiastical affairs according to its sincerely held religious beliefs and governing documents, subject to applicable law. Questions involving doctrine, biblical interpretation, ecclesiastical qualifications, ordination, ministry credentials, church discipline, religious teaching, worship, fellowship, and internal spiritual governance shall be determined through the ecclesiastical processes established by TGBC. Nothing in this Constitution is intended to surrender any religious liberty or ecclesiastical autonomy available to TGBC under applicable federal or state law. ARTICLE XIV PROPERTY AND FINANCES TGBC may receive voluntary gifts, offerings, contributions, grants, bequests, property, and other lawful support in furtherance of its religious and exempt purposes. TGBC may acquire, own, hold, manage, lease, encumber, and dispose of real or personal property as permitted by law. All funds and property belonging to TGBC shall be used in furtherance of its religious, charitable, and educational purposes. No part of the net earnings of TGBC shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any private individual except that TGBC may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments in furtherance of its exempt purposes. Appropriate financial records shall be maintained. ARTICLE XV POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES TGBC shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office in a manner prohibited for an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 6 No substantial part of TGBC's activities shall consist of attempting to influence legislation within the meaning of the limitations applicable to organizations described in Section 501(c)(3). Nothing in this Article shall prevent TGBC from teaching Scripture, addressing moral or religious subjects, educating its assemblies concerning matters affecting its religious mission, or engaging in activities otherwise permitted by applicable law. ARTICLE XVI PRIVATE BENEFIT TGBC is organized and shall be operated for religious, charitable, and educational purposes rather than for the private benefit of its members, Bishops, Deacons, Elders, founders, or other private persons. Nothing herein shall prohibit reasonable compensation for services actually rendered or reimbursement of legitimate expenses incurred on behalf of TGBC. ARTICLE XVII DISSOLUTION Upon the dissolution of This Grace Bible Churches, after payment or adequate provision for all lawful debts and liabilities, all remaining assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax code. Alternatively, such assets may be distributed to the federal government or to a state or local government for a public purpose. No remaining assets shall be distributed to the Founding Bishop, Overseeing Bishop, Bishops, Deacons, Elders, members, their families, or other private individuals except for satisfaction of legitimate obligations existing before dissolution. ARTICLE XVIII GOVERNING DOCUMENTS TGBC may adopt additional governing and ecclesiastical documents consistent with this Constitution, including: 1. Statement of Faith and Doctrine; 2. Bylaws; 3. Circle of the Elders Charter; 4. Founding Bishop and Succession Declaration; 5. Ministerial Credentialing and Ordination Manual; 6. Code of Doctrine and Discipline; 7. Local Assembly Charter; 8. Financial Stewardship Policy; 9. Conflict-of-Interest Policy; and 10. official doctrinal position papers. In the event of a conflict between an administrative policy and this Constitution, this Constitution shall control.

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 7 No subordinate document may alter the foundational identity of TGBC contrary to this Constitution. ARTICLE XIX AMENDMENTS This Constitution may be amended according to procedures established in the Bylaws and other governing documents of TGBC. No amendment may cause TGBC to cease being organized exclusively for purposes permitted under Section 501(c)(3) while TGBC intends to maintain such federal tax-exempt status. No amendment may appoint another person as Founding Bishop or transfer the historical title of Founding Bishop to another person. The doctrinal protections and amendment procedures established in the Bylaws and Statement of Faith shall govern amendments affecting the fundamental doctrine of TGBC. ARTICLE XX CONTINUITY The death, resignation, incapacity, or departure of any member, Bishop, Deacon, Elder, or officer shall not by itself dissolve This Grace Bible Churches. Following the death of the Founding Bishop, TGBC shall continue under its established governing documents and the ecclesiastical oversight structure provided therein. ARTICLE XXI ADOPTION We, the undersigned founding members, being joined together by mutual consent for the religious and nonprofit purposes stated herein, hereby establish THIS GRACE BIBLE CHURCHES as an independent, unincorporated religious association and adopt this Constitution and Articles of Association as its organizing document. This Constitution and Articles of Association is adopted on: Date: ______________________________ at: Tyler, Texas FOUNDING BISHOP Wesley Scott Ray Founding Bishop Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________

This Grace Bible Churches - Constitution and Articles of Association - Page 8 FOUNDING MEMBER Printed Name: ___________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________ FOUNDING MEMBER Printed Name: ___________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________ CERTIFICATION We certify that the foregoing Constitution and Articles of Association constitutes the organizing document adopted by the founding members of This Grace Bible Churches, an independent, unincorporated religious association. Adopted on the date stated above and retained among the permanent records of This Grace Bible Churches.