Multiplying Laborers for the Urban Harvest

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Articles and Bylaws of Your Institute

Article I: Name The organization shall be known as The Urban Ministry Institute of [ your City or Church, State ].

This material was adapted from the Evangelical Training Association’s Developing A Dynamic Bible Institute. Wheaton, Illinois: Evangelical Training Association, 1997, p. 22 Please note: The articles and bylaws are suggestive only, and are not meant in any way to carry the force of a legal document. TUMI has no legal authority over your organization or its operation. These articles are offered only as a pattern for you to follow as informed by the long experience of the Evangelical Training Association. If you decide to establish your Institute formally as a separate entity, please obtain the necessary legal counsel that can help you incorporate your Institute in accordance with the laws of your state.

Article II: Scope These bylaws are designed to govern the affairs of the organization.

Article III: Mission [ Your Institute ] exists as a non-degree granting school of adult education, primarily for lay people, designed to provide advanced training and equipping in biblical and doctrinal studies, ministry skills and leadership skills so they may be prepared to do the “work of the ministry.” Article IV: Doctrinal Statement (We have excerpted the Evangelical Training Association’s doctrinal statement here and inserted World Impact’s Affirmation of Faith Statement.) 1. T here is one living and true God, infinitely perfect in glory, wisdom, holiness, justice, power, and love, one in his essence but eternally existing in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God sovereignly created the world out of nothing, so that his creation, while wholly dependent upon him, neither comprises part of God, nor conditions his essential perfection. 2. T he books which form the canon of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. 3. G od created humankind in his own image, in a state of original righteous- ness, from which humanity subsequently fell by a voluntary revolt, and consequently is guilty, inherently corrupt and subject to divine wrath.

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