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CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF Originally adopted November 10, 1951 Translated and revised April 26, 1961, January 13, 1962, December 11, 1977 Adopted Jan 29, 2007 PREAMBLE We, the members of Faith Evangelical Free Church of Moline, in order to carry out more efficiently the commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ to His Church, do ordain and establish the following Constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves:
ARTICLE I - NAME The name of this organization shall be Faith Evangelical Free Church of Moline. ARTICLE II – AUTHORITY AND AFFILIATIONAuthority: The congregation, at its regular and special business meetings, is the legislative and governing body of this organization. The government of this Church is vested in its membership and executed through its Board of Elders. This Church shall provide ByLaws and Policies for its government and they shall not conflict with The Word of God.
Affiliation: This Church shall be affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America through its Great Lakes District Conference. It shall send delegates to their conferences, support their home and foreign missions, and unite in all mutual efforts for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ in the measure that the Church itself may officially decide. The Church is, as the name implies, “Free”; that is, independent, or self-governing.
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE
The purpose of this church shall be as follows:
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To accept an@ Ú
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To Love God (Mark 12:30)
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To Love people (Luke 10:27)
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To win the lost (2 Timothy 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20)
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To build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:11-15)
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To send them to do the same (Matthew 28:19)
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To build, in Christ, a church of Love where believers by working
together for the unity, edification, discipline, and encouragement of believers
that they might grow into our Lord, Jesus Christ’s’ image; (Acts 2:42; Romans
12; Colossians 3:12-15; Ephesians 4:11-16) ARTICLE IV - STATEMENT OF FAITH The Statement of Faith of Faith Evangelical Free Church of
Moline cannot be changed and shall remain as written. We Believe:
1.
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired
Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of
His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for
Christian faith and life. (1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
2.
In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and
eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4;
Matt. 3:16-17, 29:29; 1 John 5:7; 1 Cor. 8:6)
3.
That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived
of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a
sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily
from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on
High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John
1:1, 14; Acts 1:9; 1 Cor. 15:5-8; Heb. 4:14-15)
4.
That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus
Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner,
and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and
service. (John 7:38, 39; 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-11, 13, 14; Romans 8:11)
5.
That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is,
therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation
and spiritual life be obtained. (Gen. 1:26, 27; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12-21)
6.
That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection provide
the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only
such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus become
children of God. (Isaiah 53; John 1:12, 13; 5:24; Romans 5:1, 8, 9; 1 Cor.
15:3-4; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:22)
7.
That water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be
observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be
regarded as means of salvation. ( Matt. 3:15-16; 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
8.
That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through
saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are
united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head. (Matt. 16:16-18;
1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 5:18)
9.
That only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be
eligible for membership in the local church. (Acts 2:41, 47b; 5:14; 6:1-7;
11:24b)
10.
That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and that
every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own
affairs. (Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18b)
11.
In the personal and premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal
life and service of the believer. (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 4:16-18; Titus
2:11-14; Rev. 20:4-6) 12.
In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting
blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting
conscious punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:11-15) ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP The membership of this Church shall be composed of
individuals who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and who give evidence by
their confession and conduct that they are living in fellowship with the Lord
Jesus Christ. ARTICLE VI – PROPERTY This Church shall have the power to receive, either by gift
or purchase, and to hold such real, personal, or mixed (loaned) property as is
authorized by the State of Illinois and is deemed necessary for the business of
the Church, and shall have the power to dispose of such property by mortgage,
deed, or otherwise. All such property shall be held in the name of the Church. In case of a division of the Church, the name and property
of the Church shall belong to those who abide by its Constitution and Bylaws. In case of dissolution of the Church organization, the
property shall be assigned to the Great Lakes District Conference of the
Evangelical Free Church of America, to enable said conference to renew the work
or use the values thereof for further gospel enterprises. The Church shall be
considered dissolved if so decided by the organization, or if the Church has not
held an annual meeting for three years, or when less than 6 members remain. ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS Amendments to this constitution must be submitted to the
members in writing and adopted as a preliminary step at a regular business
meeting of the Church at least three months prior to the Annual Meeting. At the
succeeding meeting, they can be acted upon and must receive the affirmative vote
of two-thirds of the membership present and voting for adoption. ARTICLE VIII – PROVISION FOR
BYLAWS The constitution recognizes the existence and force of its’
Bylaws, a supplemental document providing specific rules, procedures, and
requirements for membership, government and meetings of the Church. Rules and procedures for amendments or additions to the
Bylaws shall be provided for in the Bylaws.
BYLAWS
Originally adopted November 10, 1951
Translated and revised April 26, 1961, January 13, 1962,
November 7, 1975, April 30, 1978, August 28, 1988 ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP Any person who confesses faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who has the assurance of salvation, and whose character, conduct, and reputation
is in accord with his or her confession, who subscribes to the Statement of
Faith set forth in the Constitution, who accepts the Constitution and Bylaws of
this organization, and who is willing to support the Church in attendance,
prayers and material means, may become a member of this organization here-in
after referred to as the “Church.” Membership is required for voting, serving in an elected
position, serving in an appointed position, serving as Deacon/Deaconess, for
serving on a search committee, for teaching Sunday Education classes, and
working with club programs. All teachers shall be members. Membership is strongly recommended for serving on other
committees or serving in other areas not prescribed by the Bylaws. The Elder
Board will determine qualifications for all positions. The Pastor and his wife
are considered members upon acceptance into their ministry at Faith Evangelical
Free Church, and as such have full voting rights during the course of their
ministry. Application for membership shall be made to the
Senior Pastor, Chairman of the Church, or any member of the Elder Board.
Applicants shall be given a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church
and shall attend Faith’s membership classes, which provide instruction in church
doctrine and policy under the supervision of the Pastor and the Elder Board. Following such instruction,
applicants shall meet with members of the Elder Board, or their designated
representatives, to give personal testimony of their salvation through faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ and to give evidence of their understanding of submitting
to the Statement of Faith and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Church. Upon recommendation of the
Elder Board, the names of the applicants shall be published for the Church
members for at least two Sundays (at least 14 days). This communication
will request members in the congregation to comment on the candidates offering
scriptural basis for which any candidate should not become a member. Based upon
response to this communication, the Elder Board will vote on the candidate(s) at
any regular, or special, Elder Board meeting. The accepted applicants shall
be publicly welcomed into membership at some subsequent regular worship service
of the Church. Membership is strongly recommended for all regular attenders and
demonstrates commitment to the ministry of the local body of believers. To encourage our young people to take an active
part in Faith Evangelical Free Church, and to foster a spirit of inclusion to
the body of believers at Faith Evangelical Free Church, young people at age 13,
after a period of instruction by the Pastor, and following the requirements as
set forth in the ByLaws of Faith Evangelical Free Church, shall be allowed
non-voting membership status. At age 18, provided the young person is abiding by
the qualifications set forth in Article 1, Section 1 of the Bylaws of the
Church, they shall be afforded full voting rights. Attendance at the services of
the Church, daily reading of the Bible, private and family devotions, personal
and public testimony, and the winning of others to Christ are urged upon each
member. It shall be the sacred duty of parents to provide Christian instruction
for their children. Each member shall consider it a sacred duty and privilege to
make full use of his or her spiritual gifts for the Lord's service whenever the
opportunity affords. Each member is called upon to heed the admonition
of scripture: (Rom. 12:2; 14: 13, 21) The Church membership list
shall be reviewed each year by the Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting.
Members who have moved away from the local area or who have not been in
attendance during the previous year shall be listed as inactive, non-voting
members. This action shall be taken by the Elder Board upon the recommendation
of the Secretary. - Any member who wishes to
withdraw or transfer from the Church shall make a request for withdrawal in writing. If, however, the member should
choose to continue in his or her unrepentant condition, he or she shall be
deprived of membership. This can only be done upon the action of the Elder
Board, as permitted in Article 2, Section 1, item C. Elders. The Elder Board
shall deal in closed session at their discretion based on the nature and
circumstances of each individual case. Any member who has withdrawn or
has been excluded from the Church loses all rights to the Church. The private property of the
individual members of the Church shall be exempt from corporate debt. ARTICLE II – GOVERNMENT The officers of the Church shall be the Senior Pastor,
Chairman, Elders, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and such other officers as
shall be deemed necessary by the Church. Officers are authorized to act on
behalf of the Church when in their designated area of responsibility. All
officers of the Church must be of strong Christian character, having a “good
report” as consistent with biblical principles. Their election and duties are
set in the continuation of this section. 1.
The Senior Pastor shall preach and teach the Word of God, lead the public
services of the Church, and watch over the spiritual welfare of the Church with
the aid of the Elders. His purpose among the believers is to lead them by
discipleship, by instruction from the Word of God, and by an example of faith
and good works. He shall prepare a report at the Annual Meeting as to the work
and condition of the Church. By virtue of his position, he shall have the power
(right) to address and vote in all committees of the Church. 2.
The Senior Pastor shall be chosen by ¾ affirmative vote, taken by
secret ballot of the members of the congregation present and voting at any
regular or special business meeting of the Church. Fifty percent (50%) of the
active membership shall constitute a quorum for the vote regarding the call of
the Senior Pastor. 3.
The resignation / termination of the Senior Pastor can be a very
sensitive matter. It is essential that the Pastor and his family be protected
from personal and professional harm and that the Church body be protected from
divisive situations. These matters must be handled with wisdom, mature love, and
a desire for unity. The full Elder Board will be responsible for
investigating and reviewing termination issues and for recommending an
appropriate course of action, by three-fifths majority of the full Elder
Board, to the congregation. Final approval of any action shall require a
majority vote, taken by secret ballot of the members of the congregation present
and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Church. Fifty percent (50%)
of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for the vote regarding
retention of the Senior Pastor. 4. Termination of the Senior
Pastor’s ministry requires three months notice by the Pastor or by the Church, unless
otherwise by mutual consent. 5.
The Senior Pastor is an Elder. The Chairman shall be elected
for a three-year term, and may serve two successive terms (6 years
consecutively). He is then unable to serve on the Elder Board for at least one
year. He shall preside at all Congregational and Elder Board meetings. In his
absence, he shall appoint another Elder to preside at the meeting. The Chairman
shall be an ex-officio member, (has voting rights), of all boards and Ministry
Teams. The Chairman shall be a member of the Elder Board. In case the Chairman
is unable to serve, the Elders will elect one of their number as Chairman. The
vacant Elder position will be filled by congregational vote. A Board of Elders shall be
elected and form a governing body of the Church, with such individual Elders
overseeing major functional areas of the Church. The Elder Board is the
principal leadership and governing body of the Church, subject to the final
authority of the congregation. Vacant or new Elder positions shall be filled by
congregational approval from qualified candidates recommended by the Nominating
Committee within 30 days of such vacancies. Candidates are to be men with at
least two years membership in the Church as well as having served in some other
capacity demonstrating leadership in Faith Evangelical Free Church of Moline,
such as a chairman of a committee or other similar type of leadership position.
Elders may be dismissed from that office by action of three-fifths majority of
total remaining Elders, or the simple majority of the congregation for reasons
of major Church discipline. The Elder Board shall meet
monthly or whenever called together by the Chairman or the Senior Pastor. Members of this Board, or their
designated representatives shall interview all applicants for membership of the
Church and recommend appropriate candidates to the congregation for membership.
The Elder Board shall deal alone or with the congregation in any church
discipline matters, supervise the spiritual welfare of the Church in general,
submit the annual budget to the congregation for approval, carry out decisions
of the congregation at its’ business meetings, and keep the congregation
informed of all appropriate matters. The Elder Board shall be recognized as the
legally constituted Board to meet the State of Illinois and other regulatory
requirements and be authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Church. The
Elder Board may authorize others to sign documents committing the Church. Individual Elders shall be
elected to their specific areas of ministry responsibility for three-year
terms. Each elder shall be limited to two consecutive terms. As far as
possible, terms will be set so that no more than three elders shall be elected
in any year. After having served as an Elder for two successive terms, the
individual is ineligible to serve on the Elder Board for one year. Elders shall
be responsible for the supervision of the function of ministries and committees
in their designated areas. Specific areas of primary
ministry responsibility for elders are: 1.
Church Chairman - Responsible to preside at all business, special, and
Elder Board meetings to insure the governance of the Church. 2.
Senior Pastor - Responsible for pastoral leadership by proclaiming the
Word of God, by ministering to the needs of persons in the Church and community,
and by nurturing the professional staff. 3.
Worship – Responsible together with the Senior Pastor for oversight and
planning of worship services of the Church. 4.
Evangelism - Responsible for coordination of the evangelism outreach of
the Church. 5.
Visitation/Assimilation - Responsible for the programs that provide
effective visitation of new attendees and visitors and their assimilation to the
Church body. 6.
Caring - Responsible to coordinate the ministries of caring and
fellowship of the Church body, principally through the Flock ministry, and can
also be shared by the Deacon/Deaconesses. 7.
Missions - Responsible for the coordination of the overall missions’
activities of the Church. 8.
Christian Education - Responsible for the coordination and support of all
Christian education activities of the Church. 9.
Support - Responsible for the oversight and management of the physical
facilities, financial resources, and stewardship activities of the Church. 10.
Secretary - Responsible for the official record keeping of the Church. 11.
Other ministry responsibility as needed. The Church Treasurer shall be
responsible for maintaining all financial records of the Church and for
providing regular reports on the status of the Church finances including receipt
and disbursement of funds and the protection of Church assets. This is a bonded
position. The Church Treasurer shall be
elected by the congregation for a two-year term and may serve two
successive two-year terms. The Financial Secretary shall be
responsible for maintaining contribution records of those individuals giving
gifts to the Church. The Financial Secretary provides regular reports to the
Church as requested and is a member of the Finance Committee. This is a bonded
position. The Financial Secretary shall be
elected by the congregation for a two-year term, and may serve two successive
two-year terms. Pastoral Staff members shall be
responsible for specialized ministries in support of the Church goals.
Additional staff ministers may be added when the need is determined. The Elder Board must
have a two-thirds majority vote to hire or fire Staff chosen by the Pastor,
and will establish appropriate procedures to identify and recommend candidates.
All Pastoral Staff members will
be responsible to the Senior Pastor. Termination, for cause, of staff
ministers may be done with the approval of at least two-thirds of the Elder
Board. G. Ministry Teams Ministry Teams are organized for
a specific, identified, ministry need in the Church. Ministry Teams are under
the supervision of an Elder. All persons on a ministry team must be believers.
Such teams as are necessary for the proper functioning of the Church shall be
established upon Elder Board recommendation. Ministry Team leaders must be
members of the Church; they are appointed by the Elder Board. No Team Leader shall serve more
than two successive three-year terms on the same team. There must be at least a
one-year break before serving as Team Leader of the same team. Ministry Team members are to be
church members, or regular attendees, selected by the Ministry Team Leader. Team
Leaders must have a strong sense of commitment and responsibility for each team
member, so that any lack of commitment or focus on the ministry team will be
quickly explored and resolved by communication with the Elder who is the
overseer of the Ministry Team. No Ministry Team or organization
shall be formed within, or considered to be a part of, the Church before the
sponsors have submitted their plans to the Elder Board for approval and
sanction. No organization shall be
permitted to function under the name of the Church whose Team Leader is not a
member of the Church. Methods of raising funds shall
be subject to the approval of the Elder Board. The following Ministry
Team Leaders are to be appointed by the Elder Board: 1.
Head Deacon 2.
Special Ministries 3.
Sunday Education 4.
Worship 5.
Weekly Activities 6.
Missions 7.
Maintenance 8.
Stewardship All other Ministry Team
Leaders are appointed by the Elder Board as needed. 1.
Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee is a five
member committee composed of the Senior Pastor, the Church Chairman, the Head Deacon,
and two members elected by the congregation. This committee shall develop a
nomination ballot and is responsible for providing nominees for each elected
position. The qualifications listed in I Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:6-9 shall be
the standard for measuring the qualifications of potential candidates.
This committee shall prayerfully
consider each elected office. These names shall be published at least two weeks before the
annual business meeting. This committee will meet throughout the year and will make
recommendations for filling vacancies which occur periodically. 2.
The Pulpit Committee will consist of at least three members appointed by
the Elder Board for purposes of calling a pastor. This committee shall carefully
investigate all candidates for pastor and shall recommend one candidate at a
time to the church membership at a duly called church membership meeting for
their approval. A ¾ majority of voting members present shall be necessary
to call a pastor and he shall be called to an undesignated term.
3. The Audit Committee made up of two members appointed by
Elder Board, shall have
responsibility to examine the accounts of the treasurer and
financial secretary and report such
examinations to the annual church membership meeting. In addition to those previously
described, congregational approval is required for: 1.
Approving the call of a Senior Pastor. 2.
Approving the election of Church Officers. 3.
Approving the Annual Budget. 4.
Approving borrowing above $2500.00 5.
Approving any capital expenditures not budgeted above $2500.00 6.
Approving changes to the Constitution and Bylaws. 7.
Approving property disposal above $5000.00 per item. Approvals are made by a
two-thirds majority vote of the present and voting members at the regular or
special business meeting of the Church. In addition to those previously
described, Elder Board approval is required for: 1.
Annual Budget recommendation. 2.
Expenditures not budgeted up to $2500.00 3.
Borrowing up to $ 2500.00 4.
Property disposal up to $5000.00 ARTICLE III – MEETINGS Section 1 – Scheduling of Meetings A.
Worship Services, Sunday Education Services, and Other Special Services All services shall be conducted
at such times as decided by the Elder Board. The Annual Meeting shall be held
on the last Sunday of January each year, at such time as may be decided by the
Elder Board. At that time annual reports shall be given to the Secretary from
all elected officers and the Senior Pastor at least one week prior to the
meeting. Any other necessary business will be transacted at that time. The
fiscal year shall end on December 31. In addition to the Annual Meeting
of the Church, other business meetings shall be held in order to conduct the
business of the Church on a quarterly basis. These meetings will be held in
April, July, and October. Special business meetings may be
called by the Senior Pastor, Chairman, Elders, or by petition of a
constitutional quorum of active membership of the congregation. Prior to any
consideration of these issues at a congregational meeting, the representative of
the group calling for a special meeting will review the concerns with the Elder
Board to resolve the issues or concerns. If the issues were not resolved, a
congregational meeting would be called. Notices shall be given by
announcement at the regular services of the Church on two Sundays preceding all
business or special meetings (at least 14 calendar days). The Chairman shall conduct the
Annual Meeting and other business meetings in the following order: 1.
Call to order and Prayer 2.
Devotional 3.
Minutes of the previous meeting to be approved 4.
Changes to the Agenda 5.
Election of officers (Annual Meeting) 6.
Reports from the various officers 7.
Reports from committees/ ministry teams on their activities 8.
Undecided, unfinished or tabled business 9.
New Business – from officers, committees, or members 10.
Adjournment and closing prayer Robert’s Rules of Order
(Revised) shall be used as a guide for the conduct of the Annual Meeting
and all business meetings when not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws
of the Church. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the
active membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of
the Church, unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws. A majority shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business of the Elder Board. In the event of a
larger Elder Board, a quorum is sixty percent (60%) of the designated entire
Board. 1.
All members age eighteen (18) years and over shall have the right of a
vote in all matters coming before the business meeting. These individuals are
designated “active, voting” members. 2.
Inactive, non-voting members who wish to be reinstated as active, voting
members must do so in writing to the Secretary and have been in regular
attendance at Church services at least three (3) months prior to the business
meeting. Inactive non-voting members are those who have been designated by the
Elder Board based on absence from attendance for one year or relocation from the
area. All matters will be determined
by a simple majority (one more than one-half of all votes cast) except when
otherwise specified in these Bylaws. C. Absentee Ballots All officers and Elders must be
chosen from the membership of the Church. No officer, Elder, or Ministry
Team Leader of a committee can immediately succeed him or herself after having
served two consecutive terms in the same office. ARTICLE IV – AMENDMENTS These Bylaws may be amended or altered by a two-thirds
majority vote of members present at any regular or special meeting of the
Church, providing notification of the proposed alteration or amendment has been
made to the congregation at least two weeks prior to such a meeting. ARTICLE V - RESOLUTION REGARDING
THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT We believe that the baptism of
the Holy Spirit is the universal spiritual experience of all true Christians,
not a post-conversion experience that is evidenced by speaking in tongues. At
the moment of conversion, the Holy Spirit places the new believer into the
universal church. The believer now has the capacity to be under the Spirit’s
empowerment for character transformation and ministry. Our credentialed ministers of
the gospel and our congregations do not regard as normative* the practice of
“sign gifts” (e.g., tongues, interpretation of tongues, revelatory prophecy,
gifts of healing) and therefore do not practice them in any of our ministries’
gatherings (such as public worship or small groups). Nor do they believe that
the public exercise of these gifts must occur for the growth of the
individual or the church. We may interpret and teach some
passages of Scripture differently from some of our
charismatic brothers and sisters. However, we will seek to foster loving
attitudes and actions toward them. If a brother or sister cannot comply with this request,
he/she shall be admonished in love by the Elder Board to ally himself with a
Christian community that does encourage the public exercise of tongue speaking.
Finally, we resolve that the congregation of Faith Evangelical Free Church shall
work and pray without ceasing to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace.”
* “Normative” is being used
here in the following theological sense: “necessary in order for the local
church or the individual believer to be spiritually healthy.” |
