November 8th, 2011 Declaration of Establishment
Declaration of Establishment - Forerunner Freedom Church
We, the undersigned assembly of believers (followers of Messiah Yeshua or Jesus Christ), on this 30th day of September in the year of our Lord 2011 (also know as the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Teruah and the 1st day of the Seventh month of the Biblical year 5772), desiring to form a congregation of the Church under the Sovereignty and Government of Messiah Yeshua, hereby declare our establishment according to the following articles:
1. Name
This Church congregation’s name is Forerunner Freedom Church, hereafter referred to as FFC.
2. Definitions
CHURCH: The word “Church” in this document and other Governing Documents is defined as it is used in the Bible (Strong’s number G1577 ekklesia) and also as defined in Black’s Law Dictionary (6th edition), to designate the body of Messiah/Christ, which is the diverse body of all believers doing the work of Messiah/Christ throughout the world. In its most general sense, it is the religious society founded and established by Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), to receive, preserve, and propagate His doctrines and ordinances:
Colossians 1:18 And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He may be pre-eminent in all things.
Acts 16:5 Then indeed the churches were established in the faith and increased in number daily.
Acts 20:28 … the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood.
1 Timothy 3:15 …the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
CONGREGATION: The word “congregation” is used synonymously to designate an assembly of believers. FFC is a congregation of the one true Church.
ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION: FFC is an “establishment of religion” in terms of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
3. Lordship of Messiah Yeshua
Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) is the head of all aspects the Church, having sole and sovereign authority over it:
Eph 5:23 …even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Col 1:18 And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He may be pre-eminent in all things.
Rom 12:5 So we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another.
Eph 1:20-22 which He [God] worked in Christ in raising Him from the dead, and He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, far above all principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this world, but also in the coming age. And He has put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church.
4. Non-Sectarian and Non-Denominational
The FFC name was chosen as a reference, not to create a sect or denomination in any way. FFC is not affiliated with any religious party or denomination, but could be classified as a “Bible Church” because the teaching and practice is based upon the Bible. FFC does not have any organizational ties with other “Bible Church” groups, but recognizes that, spiritually, all believers are part of the one true Church that belongs to Messiah (Rom 16:16) and God (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 10:32; 11:16; 11:22; 15:9; 2Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; 1Thes. 2:14; 2Thes. 1:4; 1Tim. 3:5). The Bible teaches that a Church will not be judged by its name, but by its works (Rev 2-3).
5. Members
The signers of this document are the initial covenant members of FFC. Members may be added or removed in accordance with the Governing Documents and their covenants. As Messiah Yeshua works primarily through men and women by His Spirit, human decision-making power for FFC is established in the members of FFC according to its Governing Documents. Membership in FFC is an agreement to work together as brethren; it is not the same as membership in the Church or in the body of Messiah Yeshua. Specifically, it is possible that a person could become a member of FFC yet without having the spiritual change of heart necessary to be a member of the body of Messiah; and it is readily acknowledged that many members of His true Church may not necessarily become members of FFC.
6. Governing Documents and Apostolic Authority
The primary governing document of FFC is the Holy Bible, and therefore by the authority it gives to His Holy Apostles on this earth as Stewards of the Mysteries of the Kingdom (1 Cor 4:1), let it be known that Apostle Michael Petro has full, unrestricted and final authority in ALL areas of FFC, and is accountable only to God. Additional Governing Documents may be required to cover issues not specifically answered in the Bible and to establish principles and methods specific to FFC. If they exist, these additional Governing Documents of FFC will be maintained by the FFC Scribe.
7. Scope of Powers
FFC, deriving its power from the Almighty Creator God and acting through its members in accordance with its Governing Documents, is authorized to conduct Church functions it determines to be necessary. Such activities include, but are not limited to: conducting Church services and other worship activities; establishing a community living by biblical law, and principles encompassing every aspect of physical and spiritual life; establishing a witness to our local neighbors and all who come to visit; establishing a witness to the world through television, radio, internet, magazines and all other types of media; educating all people in Bible basics; helping them to prepare for ministry within their marriage, family, church and community—including the learning of physical life-sustaining skills; helping and teaching brethren to be fruitful individuals in spite of personal difficulties and limitations; serving as a repository of Bible study literature and to disseminate it as God makes it possible; writing the experiences of the community in word, song and other media; to be an inspiration and an encouragement to others for similar communities and church congregations; opening financial accounts such as bank accounts, brokerage accounts or other investment accounts; the purchase, lease or rental of congregational meeting facilities and work facilities for ministries and living facilities for anyone as deemed necessary; the purchase, lease or rental of necessary equipment, television equipment, computers, musical instruments, vehicles, supplies, implements or tools, and any and all other forms of property both real and personal; the care, remuneration and/or compensation of those laboring for the Church; the distribution of tangible and intangible gifts or benevolent charities; as well as any other necessary and appropriate financial transactions of FFC, acting through its governing body, for the initiation, promotion, expansion and continuation of its activities.
8. Authorization
The written organization and operation of the FFC is hereby petitioned for and authorized by we, the members, attesting by our signatures hereunto:
Apostle Michael Petro
Pastor Jeff Sherk (FFC Scribe)
Pastor John Pfaff
Pastor Joey Marinelli
September 30th, 2011