Governing Document order

THIS GRACE BIBLE CHURCHES | PRAECEPTORIUM Edition 2026 10 03 R2 | 13 04 Governing Document order Edition 2026 10 03 R2 | Operative only upon authorized adoption Purpose and supreme written authority This order prevents a form, resolution, policy, or isolated sentence from silently changing TGBC's doctrine or government. The King James Bible remains the supreme written authority for ecclesiastical faith, doctrine, conduct, and order. Civil obligations are evaluated under applicable law; the internal order does not invalidate a civil duty. Order of human instruments The Constitution and Articles of Association are the principal human organizing instrument. Next are the Bylaws, followed by the Statement of Faith and Foundational Doctrine. The PRAECEPTORIUM Charter and Founding Bishop and Succession Declaration implement those instruments. The Credentialing Manual and Discipline Code follow. Local assembly agreements, financial and conflict policies, and supplementary ministry policies implement their assigned subjects. Doctrinal position papers explain adopted doctrine. Resolutions, forms, certificates, minutes, and registers document authorized actions at the administrative level. A doctrinal question must be examined by Scripture and the adopted confession, not resolved merely by ranking documents. An administrative policy cannot redefine foundational doctrine because it appears newer or more specific. Conflicts and amendments Read related instruments together where possible. If a lower instrument conflicts with a higher one, the higher one controls and the incompatible lower provision must be corrected through its proper amendment procedure. An amendment resolution changes a higher document only if it expressly identifies that document and satisfies its own amendment requirements. Every adopted instrument shall have its title, edition, adoption and effective dates, approving authority, and register entry. Preserve superseded versions. Templates remain templates until an actual action is completed and signed; a printed certificate does not establish ordination or membership. Titles and consistent interpretation PRAECEPTORIUM means the internal Circle of bishops and elders. The Founding Bishop is its sole initial member. A deacon does not enter the Circle through ordination, committee service, delegated administration, or a certificate heading identifying the issuing body. Founding Bishop is a lifetime unique historical office. Acting Ecclesiastical Overseer is temporary. Overseeing Bishop is the successor oversight title after the founder's death. No administrative record shall blur these distinctions. Adoption Approved by ________________________ Signature __________________ Date __________ Effective date __________ Register reference __________ Custodian __________________