Church Constitution

Church Constitution and Bylaws

Church Constitution

Preamble

So that things may be done decently and in order and in accordance with the accepted tenets of other churches of like precious faith, and so that we may more readily help each other in our Christian Service, we declare and establish this constitution to the which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

Article I

Name and Purpose

Section 1 - Name

This congregation of believers shall be known as Anchor Baptist Church, currently located at 14704 East Harry Street, Wichita, Kansas.

Section 2 - Purpose

(A) This Congregation is organized as a church exclusively for religious, educational, and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), including, but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing, maintaining and operating of churches, parsonages, schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations, rescue missions, print shops, camps, nursing homes, and cemeteries, and any other ministries that the church may be led of God to establish.

(B) The Church shall also ordain and license men to the Gospel ministry; evangelize the unsaved by the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; educate believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture, both in Sunday and weekday schools of Christian education; maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country; and engage in any other ministry that the church may decide, from time to time, to pursue in obedience to the will of God.

Article II

Statement of Faith and Covenant

Section 1 - Statement of Faith

(A) The Holy Scriptures

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. The King James version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by this church. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21)

(B) Dispensationalism

We believe that the Scriptures, interpreted in their natural, literal sense, reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life, which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these dispensations - the law, the church, and the kingdom - are the subjects of detailed revelation in scripture (Gen. 1:28; I Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; Eph. 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25,27; Rev. 20:26).

We believe in one triune God eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections (Duet. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; John 14:10,26).

(D) The Person and Work of Christ

(1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem Sinful men (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2,14; II Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8).

(2) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5)

(3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of representative, intercessor, and advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24, 7:25; Rom. 8:34; I John 2:1-2).

(E) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

(1) We Believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14).

(2) We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18, 5:18; I John 2:20,27).

(3) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses pastors, teachers, and evangelists to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry (Rom. 12:3-8; I Cor. 12:4-11,28; Eph. 4:7-12).

(4) We believe that the signs of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing (I Cor. 1:22, 13:8, 14:21-22)

(F) The Total Depravity of Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23, 5:12, 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3, 4:17-19).

(G) Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins (John 1:12; Eph. 1:7, 2:8-10; I Pet. 1:18-19).

(H) The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers

(1) We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are secure in Christ forever (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1, 38-39; I Cor 1:4-8; I Pet. 1:4-5).

(2) We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2: 11-15).

(I) The Church

(1) We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again scripturally baptized persons. (I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 11:2; Eph 1:22-23, 5:25-27).

(2) We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27, 20:17,28-32; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).

(3) We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Rom. 16:1,4; I Cor. 3:9,16, 5:4-7,13; I Pet. 5:1-4).

(4) We recognize that baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, for church members only, are the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; I Cor. 11:23-26).

(J) Separation

We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and associations is commanded of God. The definition of worldliness: use of tobacco, alcoholic beverage or attendance in undesirable places (Rom. 12:1-2,14:13; II Cor. 6:14, 7:1; II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; II John 9-11).

(K) The Second Advent of Christ

We believe in that “blessed hope,” the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture all the saved prior to the seven-year tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom, which was promised to the nation of Israel (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10, 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10, 19:11-16, 20:1-6)

(L) The Eternal State

(1) We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29, 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)

(2) We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where, in conscious bliss, they await the first resurrection, when the spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord (Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23, 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6).

(3) We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with the soul and body reunited, they appear at the Great White Throne of Judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke16:19-26; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6:7; Rev. 20:11-15).

(M) The Personality of Satan.

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11, 25:41; Rev. 20:10)

(N) Creation

We believe that God created the universe in six literal 24-hour periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin (Gen. 1&2; Ex. 20:11).

(O) Civil Government

We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: (1) the home; (2) the church; and (3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all, including the authorities themselves, are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective biblically assigned spheres of responsibilities under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; I Pet 2:13-14).

(P) Gender

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male and female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

(Q) Marriage

We believe the term “Marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (I Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage between a man and a woman.

(R) Human Sexuality

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including homosexual behavior, lesbianism, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex and offensive to God (Gen. 2:24, 19:5,13, 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1, 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).

(S) Divorce and Remarriage

We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of adultery. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church, and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of Pastor or deacon (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6).

(T) Abortion

We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well being of the mother are acceptable (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5, 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24, 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).

(U) Statement of Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human Life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)

(v) Missions

We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ, we must use all available means to go to foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20).

(W) Lawsuits Between Believers

We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possess all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (I Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).

(X) Giving

We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor.9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17).

(Y) Family Relationships

We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; I Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundation institution of human society. The Husband is love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle, example, and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12: I Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Heb.13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7)

Section 2 - Authority of Statement of Faith

The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.

Section 3 - Covenant

Having been led as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of our Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We engage to maintain devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from worldly amusements that hinder us from serving God; to be free from all oath-bound secret societies and partnerships with unbelievers; to abstain from the sell or use of illegal narcotic drugs, or intoxicating drink or beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, mindful of the rules of our savior, to secure reconciliation without delay.

We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

Article III

Membership

Section 1 - Qualifications for Membership

Upon a majority vote of the members present at any church service or meeting, membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal savior; who renounce sin; who endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe to the statement of faith contained herein; and who enter into the church covenant contained herein; and upon compliance with any one of the following conditions:

(A) By baptism: immersion as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal savior.

(B) By letter: After meeting with the pastor, any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered, by the authority of a New Testament Baptist Church, by a satisfactory statement of faith in Christ and a letter of recommendation from a sister Baptist church, one of like faith and practice, may be received into membership upon the vote of the church. The letter must come from a church of like faith and practice.

(C) By Testimony: After meeting with the pastor, any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered by authority of a New Testament Baptist Church, and satisfactory statement of faith in Christ, may be received into membership upon the vote of the church.

(D) By restoration: if having been removed from membership, upon a majority vote of the congregation, after confession is made publicly before the church membership of the sin or sins involved, and satisfactorily evidencing repentance to the Pastor, that member may be restored.

Section 2 - Duties of a Member

On becoming a member of this church, in addition to the covenant contained in Article II, Section 3, each one further covenants to love, honor, and esteem the Pastor; to pray for him; and to recognize his authority in spiritual affairs of the church; to support the church in prayer, tithes, offerings, and with other financial support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands, to support through a lifestyle walk, affirmation of the beliefs and practices of the church.

Section 3 - Privileges of Membership

This congregation functions, not as a pure democracy, but as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the pastor as the under shepherd with the counsel of the spiritual members. Membership of this church does not afford those individuals with any property, contract, or civil rights based on the principles of democratic government. Determination of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. The pastor shall oversee and/or conduct all aspects of this church. The deacons shall give counsel and assistance to the pastor as requested by him. The membership of the church has certain limited areas of exercising a vote. Members may not vote to initiate any church action, but rather the vote of a member is to confirm and ratify the direction of the church as determined by the pastor.

Section 4 - Discipline of a Member

(A) There shall be a discipline committee consisting of the pastor and the deacons/trustees. These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the statement of faith and violations of the church covenant. If the pastor or a deacon/trustee is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the discipline committee. He shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to the same discipline. In the event there are no men serving as deacons/trustees, the pastor will present a list of men to the church to serve as the disciplinary committee. The church will then vote whether to ratify.

(B) Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offence of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother. Before he goes, he should first examine himself. When he goes, he should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.

(C) If reconciliation is not reached, a second member, either a deacon or the pastor is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. This second step should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.

(D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, and the matter is not resolved during these actions, the pastor shall recommend to the members of the church that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and seek that member’s restoration.

(E) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B), (C) and (D) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a majority vote of the membership present at the meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.

(F) No matter may be heard by the church membership unless the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.

(G) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him from that point forward must be for the sake of restoration (except for family members).

Section 5 - tRANSFER of MemberSHIP

Members, not under the disciplining process of Section 4, may request that letters of transfer be sent to another church of like faith. Membership may be removed at the member’s request, but no transfer of membership will be granted to a church that is not in agreement with our Biblical views.

Section 6 - TERMINATION of Membership

(A) The membership of any individual member shall be automatically terminated without notice if the member in question has not attended a regular worship service of the church in the preceding six months. Upon good cause being shown to the pastor, (Example: member is absent due to military service, member is absent due to a medical stay in hospital or nursing home), this termination may be waived in case of any individual member at the discretion of the pastor.

(B) No member of this congregation may hold membership in another church. If any member unites in membership with another church, that person is automatically terminated without notice from membership in this church.

(C) A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the pastor.

Article IV

OFFICERS

Section 1 - CHURCH OFFICERS

The church officers are pastor, deacon/trustee, church financial record keeper, church clerk, and church historian. One person may hold two or more offices, except that of the pastor. The pastor, from time to time as he deems appropriate, may appoint other church officers, subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership.

SECTION 2 - NOMINATION OF OFFICERS

(A) All candidates for church office shall be nominated by a nominating committee to consist of the pastor, officers of the church, and other representatives to be determined at the pastor’s discretion

(B) The nominee shall be presented to the congregation two weeks prior to the annual administration meeting in November.

Section 3 - DESIGNATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS

As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the church, the pastor shall serve as president of the corporation: the church clerk shall serve as secretary of the corporation, the church financial record keeper shall serve as treasurer and vice president of the corporation (if the church has no deacons).

Section 4 - ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE

(A) All church officers shall affirm their agreement with the statement of faith (as set forth in Article II) annually in the presence of each other.

(B) All church officers must be approved initially by the church majority vote and thereafter by the pastor’s approval, in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.

(D) A person must be a member of Anchor Baptist Church for one (1) year before serving in an elected office.

Section 5 - TERMS OF OFFICE

(A) The relationship between the pastor and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the giving of one month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The severance of the relationship between the pastor and the church by the pastor may be made during any church service or church administrative meeting. The severance of the relationship between the church and the pastor, by the church, may be considered at any regular church administration meeting, providing notice to that effect shall have been given from the pulpit, to the church, two Sundays prior to said regular church administration meeting. A three-fourths majority of the members present and voting shall be required to decide the matter of termination of the pastor by the church’s initiative. Disciplinary removal of the pastor from the office automatically terminates his membership.

(B) The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, except the pastor, shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be re-elected or re-appointed by the pastor.

(C) The term of service for all officers and positions in the church, except in the case of the pastor, may be filled at any regular church administration meeting.

(D) All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly elected or appointed.

Section 6 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

(A) The election of officers by the church membership shall occur at the annual church administration meeting to be held in the month of November with the specific date to be set by the pastor.

(B) Elected officers shall begin their terms of service on January 1 of the following year.

Section 7 - PASTORAL OVERSIGHT OF OFFICERS AND STAFF

(A) Subject to approval by the church membership and on condition that they shall become a member of the church upon assuming their duties, the pastor may hire associates and assistants to assist the pastor in carrying out his God-given responsibilities.

(B) Church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the pastor who has the sole authority to hire, appoint, or dismiss the same.

(C) In the event of a change of pastors, it is not required that the pastoral staff tender their resignation. However, the incoming pastor shall have the liberty to evaluate each staff member and then determine their continual ministry, change of position, or call for their resignation.

(D) In the event that the pastor becomes physically incapable of fulfilling his duties as pastor, the associate pastor shall assume the position of interim pastor, and should that incapacity become permanent, the associate pastor should be the first considered for the position of pastor.

Sec tion 8 - CALLING or electing A PASTOR

(A) The Deacons/trustees shall serve as the pastor search and screening committee. In the event that the church does not have deacons/trustees, the congregation shall elect a group of men to serve as the pastor search and screening committee. This committee shall select pastoral candidates provided there is a seventy-five percent (75%) majority vote. No pastoral candidate shall be presented to the church without the seventy-five percent (75%) majority vote of the pastor search and screening committee.

(B) Any candidate for pastor of this church shall be a man that meets the requirements set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 and be in full agreement with the doctrines, statement of faith, and constitution and by-laws of this church.

(C) Once presented to the church by the pastor search and screening committee, a pastor shall be determined by an eighty-five percent (85%) affirmative vote of the membership at any regular Sunday church service.

Article V

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1 - THE PASTOR

(A) The pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the church, act as moderator at all church meetings for transaction of church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of the membership.

(B) The pastor shall appoint the members of the various committees at the annual church administration meeting. He shall serve as president of the corporation and as the president of all church committees. He shall publicly inform all newly elected officers of the particular function and the responsibilities of their respective offices. He shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the church and perform other duties as generally appertain to such a position. The pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him. The pastor shall decide when the need and number of deacons that are needed to assist him in the administration of the church and the Gospel.

Section 2 - DEACONS/trustees

(A) The deacons/trustees shall assist the pastor, in such a manner, as he shall request, in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the religious services, and in performing all other work of the church. They shall, if requested by the pastor, consider application for church membership. They shall, in cooperation with the pastor, disburse the benevolence fund. They shall assist the pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the church. They shall provide pulpit supply and act as leaders for the church meetings if the office of pastor is vacant. The deacons/trustees shall assist the pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the church’s various ministries as requested by the pastor.

(B) The deacons/trustees shall constitute the board of trustees of the corporation. The board of trustees shall exercise only the following specific powers:

(1) To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on behalf of the church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the church.

(2) To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the church; to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and the use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness; and to secure repayment by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges.

(3) To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation, if such an action is mandated by a vote of the church membership.

(4) Until the church has grown to the point that there is a need for deacons, or there are no men qualified to serve as deacons, the offices of pastor, the church financial record keeper, and the church historian shall fulfill and execute the duties and offices of the trustees. Other men may be presented to the church at the annual church administration meeting to serve as trustees.

(C) As soon as practical following the annual church administration meeting, the deacons/trustees shall assemble and elect, from their own number, a vice-chairman, the pastor being the chairman, who shall be vice president of the corporation, and a secretary. All meetings shall be conducted with the pastor present. The secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the meetings

Section 3 - THE CHURCH CLERK

The church clerk shall keep a record of church proceedings, of the membership roll, of all baptisms, of certificates of ordination, licenses and commissions as directed by the church, and preserve all documents, papers, and letters coming into his or her hands during his or her term of office. All records are to be kept in the church office, and delivered to their successor upon leaving the office. The church clerk shall give a report at the annual church administration meeting of the status of the membership roll in the past year. The church clerk shall also serve as the secretary of the corporation.

Section 4 - THE CHURCH FINANCIAL RECORD KEEPER

The church financial record keeper shall account for all funds contributed to the church and shall disburse the same as order by the church. He shall present a written report of itemized disbursements at any church administration meeting. All expenditures of the church except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements shall be paid by check. No officer of the church will have the approval to spend over $500.00 at one time, except in the case of equipment repair and building maintenance in which case the amount may exceed $1000.00 but shall not exceed $2500.00, that is not approved in the yearly budget, without the approval of the church by a simple majority vote. After the vote, any item to be paid for that is above $1000.00, and is not approved in the yearly budget program, will require two church officer’s signatures. The church financial officer, with the assistance of the pastor, will prepare and present a budget in the annual administration meeting for the approval of the church membership. The church financial record keeper will serve as the treasurer of the corporation.

Section 5 - ASSOCIATE PASTORS

Under the direction and guidance of the pastor, the associate pastors of the church shall assist the pastor in carrying out the ministries of the church.

Section 6 - Church historian

The church historian shall keep an account of any special event in the life of the church which are of historical interest and shall be appointed by the pastor.

Section 7 - DUTIES OF ALL OFFICERS

(A) All officers shall give a report of their work in the annual church administration meeting and shall surrender any records in their possession to the pastor at the close of their term of office to be filed as a permanent record of the work of the church. All records are the property of the church and must be kept at the church office.

(B) Any officer who neglects his or her duties as outlined in the constitution for a period of three months may be removed from his or her appointed office at the discretion of the pastor and another may be appointed by the pastor to serve the unexpired term.

Article VI

MEETINGS

Section 1 - MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP

Unless otherwise determined by the pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer.

Section 2 - SPECIAL MEETINGS

The pastor (or deacons/trustees if the office of pastor is vacant or the pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary action) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called to the church from the pulpit at least one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting. A meeting for election of a pastor may be called by the pulpit committee at any regular church meeting at least two weeks in advance.

SECTION 3 – FACILITY USE

Purpose statement

The church’s facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of church members. The church desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the body of Christ and to bring God glory. Although the facilities are not generally open to the public, we make our facilities available to approved non-members as a witness to our faith, in a spirit of Christian charity, and as a means of demonstrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice.

But facility use

Section 4 – Annual Church Meeting

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Section 5 - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.

Article VII

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Section 1 - PURPOSE

The church believes that it is to provide the member’s children with an education which is based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The church believes that the home and the church are responsible before God for providing a Christian education. To this end, the church shall engage in ministries in education in keeping with the following dictates:

Section 2 - CHURCH PARTICIPATION

All educational programs or course of instruction formulated and offered by the church shall be primarily for the benefit of the members of the church, however, the pastor may permit non-church members to participate in church educational programs or courses of instruction if he deems it in the best interest of the church.

Section 3 - STAFF MEMBERS

All instructors, teachers, and administrators shall be members of this church. This provision shall not apply to visiting missionaries, evangelists, or preachers engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals, or other special meetings on a temporary basis.

Section 4 - STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be taught and presented in full accord with the statement of faith of this church.

Section 5 - UNITY

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the church.

Section 6 - TEACHING

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. Any assertion or belief, which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and distortion of the truth, which will be disclaimed as false. It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.

Section 7 - CHRISTIAN WALK

All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall continue or adopt a lifestyle consistent with the precepts which this church teaches, whether in or out of the classroom.

Article VIII

UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES

(A) Any expenditures in excess of $500.00 and not authorized in the regular annual budget must be authorized by the membership by a simple majority vote, at any church service, and may be done without the normal one week required notice, if the motion is approved by the pastor.

(B) In the case of equipment repair and building maintenance the amount may exceed $1000.00 but shall not exceed $2500.00.

Article IX

ORDINATION

SECTION 1 - ORDINATION QUALIFICATIONS

Any male member of this church or its mission churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.

SECTION 2 - ORDINATION PROCEDURE

(A) Upon a conference with the pastor and after the church has approved the candidate for ordination, the pastor shall call a council to examine and pass the qualification of the candidate. The ordination council shall consist of ordained ministers of like faith invited to participate in the examination of the candidate.

(B) If the candidate is found worthy of the ordination by the council, the ordination council may ordain the candidate on behalf of the church.

Article X

TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS

SECTION 1 - PRIVATE INUREMENT

No part of the net earnings of the church shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons.

SECTION 2 - POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing of or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

SECTION 3 - DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the church, the trustees shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all liabilities of the church, dispose of all of the assets of the church to such organization or organizations formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the trustees shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations, which agree with the church’s statement of faith.

SECTION 4 - RACIAL NONDISCRIMINATION

The church shall have a nondiscriminatory policy and therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.

Article XI

DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS

From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the pastor and the deacons/trustees. No fiduciary obligations shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2.

Article XII

MISSIONS POLICY

In compliance with the mandate of the Word of God, Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8, this church shall maintain an outreach to the unsaved both at home and abroad. The mission program will be funded through the process of Faith Promise. Each member is urged to contribute on regular basis to this fund. At least once each year, a Faith Promise Day will be observed in which members are asked to state the amount they plan to contribute to mission during the coming year. Based upon the cumulative total, the pastor and the church financial record keeper will determine a mission’s budget. This budget will be presented to the congregation in the annual church administrative meeting for adoption or amendment.

A missionary may be considered for monthly support from this church with the following provisions:

(1) He and his wife (family) must agree with the statement of faith of this church.

(2) Be recommended and sponsored (have a sending church) by a scriptural, Baptist church.

(3) Be invited by the pastor.

After a missionary has presented his calling to this congregation, he will, upon recommendation of the pastor, be presented in a regular or special meeting of the church for support. The amount will be set at the time of the vote.

The church may elect to contribute a portion or percentage of the general fund receipts to the Faith Promise Missions Fund.

The pastor shall have the authority to speak and contribute on behalf of this church at any regular function of any fellowship he deems to be in accord with the beliefs of this church. However, the contributions will not exceed $500.00.

The mission’s policy of this church shall not be confined to this section, but may, by vote of the congregation, be amended from time to time throughout the year.

Article XIII

AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be revised or amended by a 2/3-majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular church administration meeting, provided that said revision or amendment has been submitted in writing and announced from the pulpit fourteen (14) days before the vote is taken.

CHURCH BY-LAWS

NUMBER 1

Each member of the church shall be entitled to vote on all matters pertaining to the accepting or dismissing of members, disciplining of members, the purchase or sale of real property, any matter of church operations that the pastor deems best that the church vote upon, and the dismissal or calling of a pastor. In such matters, only church members at least 18 years of age, who are in good standing with the church, and have attended at least four regular church services the month preceding the vote shall be entitled to vote.

NUMBER 2

All church administration meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer for divine guidance and blessing.

NUMBER 3

All appointments for public worship and Bible study and the arrangements thereof including time and place and the use of the property belonging to the church for purposes other than the stated appointments shall be under the control of the pastor

NUMBER 4

All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the statement of faith.

NUMBER 5

The following order shall be observed at the regular church administration meetings:

(A) Prayer

(B) Reading of the minutes

(D) Dismissal of members

(E) Reports of officers

(F) Reports of standing committees

(G) Reports of special committees

(H) Unfinished matters

(I) Election of officers

(J) New matters

(K) Adjournment

(L) Benediction

NUMBER 6

These by-laws may be altered, suspended, or amended at a regular church administration meeting by a 2/3 majority vote of the members present and voting.

Revised November 12, 2008