Our Foundation
Our Foundation
Faith Calvary Baptist Church is built on the firm belief that God has redeemed and purchased us through the sacrificial death of Christ and as a result, has placed us on this earth to be God’s servants who offer to this world a FOCUS, FORCE, FAMILY, FOUNDATION, and FUNCTION for living.
Our Goals We at Faith Calvary Baptist Church join together to reach the following goals:
To Evangelize God’s Word to the world. We firmly hold and act on the truth that we have the responsibility, as lights of the world to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We spend our lives in a fashion that shows and brings hope to the world around us. Our mission in life is to be a living testimony and witness of Christ’s transforming power.
To Exalt God’s Presence. We firmly hold and act on the truth that our lives are to the praise and the glory of God’s name (Ephesians 1:6,9,12,14). Our lives are to reflect God’s majestic and glorious grace as it was shown on the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross of Calvary. We believe that our lives are living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1,2). Daily we worship God in our everyday routine tasks. Weekly we worship God in our Sunday Worship Service and in our various interest group fellowships.
To Encourage God’s Family. We firmly hold and act on the truth that each one of us have been placed in the body of Christ, which is the church, that we may all grow in spiritual maturity (Ephesians 2:19; 4:11-14). We are all parts of one body whose heads is Christ (Ephesians 4:15). We hold dearly our fellowship with one another, knowing that it provides us a place where we all belong and a place where we all are blessed.
To Edify God’s people. We firmly hold and act on the truth that each one is a disciple of Christ who must learn to apply God’s Word in our lifetime (Ephesians 4:12-13). We believe that God is in the process of building each of us (Philippians 1:6). He matures us through the ministry of edification by each one. Our church exists to disciple one another into maturity. We seek to serve each other that we may all attain the standard of Jesus Christ.
To Equip believers to show God’s love. We hold and act on the truth that our love for one another roves to the world that God’s love is in us (1 John 4:12-13). We also believe that we should love one another by doing acts of service and not by word only (James 2:14-16; 1 John 3:18). True love requires that we be equipped for the ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
Faith Calvary Baptist Church is built on the firm belief that God has redeemed and purchased us through the sacrificial death of Christ and as a result, has placed us on this earth to be God’s servants who offer to this world a FOCUS, FORCE, FAMILY, FOUNDATION, and FUNCTION for living.
- We believe in God and He loved us so much He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross.
- We believe in Christ as THE hope. He died that we might have life, and have it abundantly.
- We believe the Holy Spirit is in the process of transforming genuine believers to the likeness of Christ.
- We believe the Bible as God’s truth and God’s rule for successful living.
- We believe every Christian has a part in God’s unfolding plan of redemption and thus have the responsibility to be part of that plan.
Our Goals We at Faith Calvary Baptist Church join together to reach the following goals:
To Evangelize God’s Word to the world. We firmly hold and act on the truth that we have the responsibility, as lights of the world to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We spend our lives in a fashion that shows and brings hope to the world around us. Our mission in life is to be a living testimony and witness of Christ’s transforming power.
To Exalt God’s Presence. We firmly hold and act on the truth that our lives are to the praise and the glory of God’s name (Ephesians 1:6,9,12,14). Our lives are to reflect God’s majestic and glorious grace as it was shown on the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross of Calvary. We believe that our lives are living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1,2). Daily we worship God in our everyday routine tasks. Weekly we worship God in our Sunday Worship Service and in our various interest group fellowships.
To Encourage God’s Family. We firmly hold and act on the truth that each one of us have been placed in the body of Christ, which is the church, that we may all grow in spiritual maturity (Ephesians 2:19; 4:11-14). We are all parts of one body whose heads is Christ (Ephesians 4:15). We hold dearly our fellowship with one another, knowing that it provides us a place where we all belong and a place where we all are blessed.
To Edify God’s people. We firmly hold and act on the truth that each one is a disciple of Christ who must learn to apply God’s Word in our lifetime (Ephesians 4:12-13). We believe that God is in the process of building each of us (Philippians 1:6). He matures us through the ministry of edification by each one. Our church exists to disciple one another into maturity. We seek to serve each other that we may all attain the standard of Jesus Christ.
To Equip believers to show God’s love. We hold and act on the truth that our love for one another roves to the world that God’s love is in us (1 John 4:12-13). We also believe that we should love one another by doing acts of service and not by word only (James 2:14-16; 1 John 3:18). True love requires that we be equipped for the ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
Our Constitution & By-Laws
THE PREAMBLE
REPOSING OUR FAITH WHOLLY IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR SALVATION, AND BELIEVING IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY BIBL AS THE PLENARILY AND VERBALLY INSPIRED WORD OF THE LIVING GOD, WE HAVE AFFILIATED OURSELVES WITH ONE ANOTHER AS A BODY OF IMMERSED BELIEVERS, AND WE ADOPT THIS CONSITUTION AS A DECLARATION OF OUR CONVICTIONS SO THAT WE MAY CARRY ON THE LORD’S WORK DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be: FAITH CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, Los Angeles, California. It is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of California.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Our purpose is to glorify God by conducting a Baptist Church in accordance with the Word of God, the articles of faith, the covenant and the constitution of this local church, promoting the worship of our God, edifying believers, teaching the whole counsel of God, administering the ordinances and Biblical discipline, seeking to win the lost to Christ through personal witnessing and the preaching of the gospel carrying on a vigorous missionary program around the world, establishing other Baptist Churches, defending the faith, and maintaining a good testimony for Christ in our community by godliness and good works.
ARTICLE III – ASSOCIATIONS
This church shall be an independent, autonomous church, subject only to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. It has the right to cooperate and associate with other Biblical groups on a voluntary basis. There shall be no cooperation with any group that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy, or that endorses groups that permit the presence of apostates or apostasy.
ARTICLE IV – ARTICLES OF FAITH
Section 1 -THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Scriptures as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is truth without any admixture of error for its matter. We believer that the Bible is the center of true Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
Section 2 -THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite, sovereign Spirit, the Maker and Supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11.
Section 3 -THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctified and helps the believer. The gifts of tongues and healing were “sign gifts” until the Scriptures were completed. The gifts ceased at that time. John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 16, 26, 27; 15:19; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 13:8.
Section 4 -THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe in the personality of Satan, that he was created by God as an angel but through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator, that he became the unholy god of this age and the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10.
Section 5 -THE CREATION
We believe the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God without evolutionary process; that man, — spirit, soul and body – was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race. Genesis 1 and 2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3.
Section 6 -THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of hi Maker, but by voluntary transgression of Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct; and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 3:10- 19; 5:12, 19; 1:18-32.
Section 7 -THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son. Genesis 3:13; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Hebrews 1:8.
Section 8 -SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God who, by appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as martyr, but was voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be s suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior. We believe that repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit; that it is characterized by godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; and that the true repentance is inseparably needed and related to saving faith. We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition to salvation. Johah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Luke 13:1-3; 15:7; Acts 8:22; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 20:21; Acts 16:31.
Section 9 -RESURRECTION AND PRIESTHOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ, in His ascension into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest interceding for us. Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:14; Luke 24:2-6, 51; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; 12:2; 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10.
Section 10 – GRACE AND THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus, that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and received eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel, that it is proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life. John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13.
Section 11 – JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declaires us to be righteous through faith in Jesus Christ; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation of God’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood. Acts 8:22; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Zechariah 13:1.
Section 12 – SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner: first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption, in Christ establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trust the Savior; second, a continuing process in the saint as a the Holy Spirit applies the word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord’s return. Hebrews 10:10-14; 3:1; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23-24; Ephesians 5:27; Jude 24:25; 1 John 3:2; Revelations 22:11.
Section 13 – ADOPTION
We believe that adoption is the gracious act whereby the Father, for the sake of Christ, places the new believer into the honored position of a mature son, in contrast with regeneration whereby the believer receives the nature of God and becomes a child of God. The full benefit of the position accorded by the adoption as the son of God awaits the glorification of the believer at the coming of the Lord. Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 3:1-2.
Section 14 – THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Jude 1.
Section 15 – THE CHURCH
We believe in the unity of all true believers in the Church which is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was established on the day of Pentecost, and that all believers from the day of Pentacost to the Rapture, both Jews and Gentiles, are added to this Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe that this Church is manifested through the local Church, which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; and that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. I believe that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy of individual or organizations; that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the hospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, or policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. Ephesians 3:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18.
Section 16 – BAPTISM and the LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is to be performed under the authority of the local church; and that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is baptism first and then the Lord’s Supper, and that participants in the Lord’s Supper should be immersed believers. Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthias 11:23-28; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42.
Section 17 – SEPARATION
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate entirely from worldiness and ecclesiastical apostasy. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 John 9:11.
Section 18 – CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming King of Kings. Romans 13:1-7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Matthew 22:21; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Acts 5:29; 4:19- 20; Daniel 3:17-18.
Section 19 – ISRAEL
We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people and that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ. Genesis 13:14-17; Romans 11:1-32; Ezekiel 37.
Section 20 – THE RAPTURE AND SUBSEQUENT EVENT
We believe in the dispensational teaching of the Scriptures. We believe in the imminent, premillenial return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death, and shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of tribulation. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51- 54; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10.
Section 21 – THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only who are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in the lake of fire. Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34-41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14-15.
ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
A. This church shall be composed of members who profess to be saved by grace, through faith, and who have been baptized following their confession of faith in Christ by single immersion in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
B. All persons desiring to unite with this church shall meet with the pastor and deacons, and shall give testimony of conversion and Christian experience, and affirm acceptance and adherence to the articles of faith, constitution and covenant of this church.
C. Upon recommendation of the pastor and deacons, candidates shall be presented to the church. A three-fourths vote of members present and voting is required to approve and individual for membership.
D. Members may be received in one of four ways:
1) By baptism following salvation;
2) By letter from a church of like faith and order;
3) By confession of faith (when impossible to secure a church letter)
4) By restoration
Section 2 – DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
A. It is vital to the testimony of this church and the glory of our Lord that the purity of the church be preserved and its peace protected. With these ends in view it shall be the duty of the pastor and deacons to seek diligently to reclaim any member known to be living in disregard of his Biblical and covenant obligations. It is specifically directed that the pastor and deacons move with promptness and vigor in dealing with anyone who is obstructing the work or disturbing the peace of the church by slander, falsehood, gossip, conspiracy or other unfair and unchristian methods. It is recognized that a Baptist church must be a democracy in which majority shall rule. It is recognized further that while the minority has the right to private opinion in all questions and the right of appeal in any constitutional and proper manner, it shall not have the right to engage in secret or open propaganda, or of deliberately disturbing the peace and interrupting the work of the church. It is further recognized that when the church, by regular order and proper vote, has determined upon a course of action, that course becomes the duty of every member of the church. If any member cannot conscientiously follow the decision of the church, he is to quietly and peacefully withdraw from the membership.
B. If a member is walking disorderly in conflict with the above principles, or is involved in any known immorality, dishonesty or public scandal, and such member can not be restored to fellowship through confession and correction of his sins, he shall be dealt with on the basis of Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5. His case shall be brought before the church by recommendation of the pastor and deacons (See H.). He shall be given a statement of the charges against him, and he shall have the opportunity to present his case before the membership if the charges and evidence warrant such action. In less serious matters, such a person may be placed under discipline and on the inactive membership list y vote of the church. He shall be restored to active membership only by vote of the church after satisfactory evidence is given of scriptural repentance and confession.
C. During the last quarter of each year the pastor and deacons shall review the membership roll. Any member habitually absent from the services of the church without due cause, and who is negligent to spiritual duties, shall be removed from active membership by vote of the church, upon the recommendation of the pastor and deacons, and placed on the inactive membership list. The individual shall be informed of this action. This section shall be implemented only after faithful and prayerful efforts to reclaim the member. Restoration to active membership shall be by vote of the church, upon the recommendation of the pastor and deacons, only after there is satisfactory evidence of renewed spiritual walk.
D. No person on the inactive membership list shall be entitled to vote, hold office or teach.
E. The pastor, deacons, and members shall make a sincere effort to reclaim spiritually those on the inactive list. During the last quarter of each year the pastor and deacons shall review the inactive members. After on year of inactive status they shall be recommended to the church to be dropped from membership. A permanent card file of these former members shall be maintained for continued, prayerful effort to reclaim for Christ and the church.
F. In the event of differences between members, it is recommended that they be settled personally in accordance with Matthew 18:15-16.
G. In order to prevent unnecessary public scandal, the pastor and deacons may hear charges, pro and con, in any disciplinary case, if this is mutually satisfactory with the accused and the accuser. If dismissal is recommended by the pastor and deacons, the recommendation must be presented to the church, preferably without details, for final action. The entire matter must be brought before the church at the request of the accused, or of the church. No member may be dismissed except by vote of the church.
H. No non-member shall be permitted in such a church meeting (as witness, defense or otherwise) without permission of simple majority of voting members.
Section 3 – DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS
A. Dismissal shall be by death, letter or exclusion.
B. Any member in good standing may be granted a letter of transfer to any church of like faith and order and upon its request. The letter shall be sent to the church with which the member wishes to unite.
C. A letter of discharge without recommendation may be sent to any other church.
D. No member who has conducted himself in such a manner as to be cited for disciplinary action may be dropped from membership at his own request since such a procedure would remove him from the authority of the church.
Section 4 – ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
A. The church shall vote on each candidate before baptism, to receive him into the membership following baptism.
B. Only active members shall be entitled to vote or hold office.
C. Only active members shall serve as regular teacher in the church, Sunday School or other groups.
D. The church shall conduct regularly, or periodically, according to need, classes for new members. These shall be taught by the pastor or some other competent leader. They shall include instruction on such things as the ordinances church government, responsibilities of church members, stewardship, prayer, Bible reading, witnessing for Christ, basic doctrines (including separation to God from worldliness and apostasy).
E. It shall be deemed proper to receive members or grant letters at any meeting of the church. If disciplinary action is involved, it shall require a special business meeting of the church, the purpose of which shall be announced by letter to the members of voting age at least two weeks in advance.
ARTICLE VI – ORDINANCES
Section 1 – BAPTISM
Those professing faith in Christ shall, upon authorization of the church, be immersed in water by the pastor or someone else appointed by the church. Only those shall be baptized who are being received into the church membership. Immersion as a believer shall be prerequisite to church membership.
Section 2 – THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper shall normally be served to the assembled church by the pastor or some other person authorized by the church, on the first Sunday evening of each month, or at such time as may be decided by pastor and deacons, or by the church. Since it is the Lord’s Table, none that are His shall be barred, by the pastor shall frequently state the scriptural order, which places baptism as a prerequisite to the Lord’s Supper, and shall explain the meaning of the ordinances. The elements shall be unleavened bread and grape juice.
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS AND BOARDS
A. The officers of the church shall be the pastor (or pastors), deacons, secretary, financial secretary, treasurer, and Sunday School Superintendent.
B. No one shall be elected to office who has not been a member of this church for at least one year; except that upon recommendation of pastor and deacons a person may be considered by the church for office after six months of membership.
C. All officers shall be spiritually mature, of unquestioned Christian character, loyal to the Word of God, dedicated and devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the spiritual and materials welfare of this church. They shall also be faithful in attendance and participation, both in regular services and business meetings of the church. Their moral conduct shall be beyond reproach and free of carnal indulgences, such as the use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco in all forms, narcotic drugs and other worldly practices. In the light of 1 Timothy 3, the home and family relationships must be considered as well as individual qualifications.
D. All officers shall normally assume duties on the first of July. Retiring officers shall hold office until the terms of newly elected officers begin.
E. Any officer unable or unwilling to fulfill the duties of his office shall resign. If any officer refuses to subscribe to the articles of faith, the constitution and the church covenant, his resignation shall be requested by the deacons. If it is not received within a reasonable time, the office shall be declared vacant by vote of the church.
Section 2 – THE PASTOR
A. A candidate for the pastorate shall be carefully examined by the pulpit committee as to his salvation, doctrine, Christian conduct and call to the ministry. If he has served in other churches, his ministry there should be explored. He shall be required to state his acceptance of and adherence to the articles of faith, the constitution and covenant of the church. Any differences which he holds concerning these documents should be submitted to the pulpit committee in writing. He shall also state in writing any differences which he holds relating to groups and associations with which this church is in fellowship. The pulpit committee shall present only one man at a time for the consideration and vote of the church.
B. A call to a pastor shall be extended at a meeting of the church called for that purpose and announced from the pulpit for two Sundays immediately preceding the date of the meeting. A three-fourths majority vote of the active members of the church shall be necessary for a call. Voting shall be by ballot. A written call and agreement shall be presented to the prospective pastor, giving details of the church-pastoral relationship, including salary, housing and car allowances, health insurance, vacations, etc., after these matters have been discussed with the pastor and approved mutually.
C. The pastor shall continue in office until he resigns or is dismissed by a two-thirds majority of all active members present and voting at a special meeting called for that purpose. Such a meeting shall be announced from the pulpit for two Sundays immediately preceding the date of such a meeting. (See Article II, Section 2, F.)
D. The pastor shall give the church not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days notice of his intention to discontinue as a pastor. The church shall give the pastor not less than sixty days notice of dismissal. If in the judgment of the church, the conduct of the pastor justifies immediate termination of his ministry, the church may declare the pulpit vacant and pay two months salary beyond that date.
E. The pastor shall have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church; he shall preach the gospel, teach the Word and have charge of the services of the church; he shall administer the ordinances and perform the usual duties of Baptist minister.
F. The pastor shall moderate the business session of the church. In his absence, the chairman of the deacons shall call the meeting to order and the church shall elect a moderator. If the pastor is to be under discussion in a business another moderator shall be elected, and the pastor and his family shall withdraw from the meeting.
G. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and boards. He shall also be a member of the church.
H. Other workers, such as a Christian Education director, youth or music director, may be called by the church, but are to be individuals fully approved by the pastor and shall work under his direction.
Section 3 – THE DEACONS
A. The board of deacons shall consist of three men elected by the church for the first three hundred members and two more for the next hundred or fraction thereof. Two shall be elected each year for a term of two years.
B. It shall be the duty of the deacons to assist the pastor in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church; to be his helpers and counselors; to exercise prudent watch care over the church membership; to seek out such members as need alms or help; to visit the sick; to examine with the pastor candidates for church membership; to assist at baptisms; their wives assisting the ladies; and to supervise the preparation and distribution of the Lord’s Supper.
C. They shall appoint a chairman and secretary from their number, keep minutes of their monthly meetings in a permanent record, and report quarterly and annually to the church.
D. They shall constitute the pulpit committee, recommending candidates for the pastorate.
E. They shall appoint ushers to serve at all meetings of the church.
F. They shall administer the deacon’s fund.
G. The deacons shall serve as trustees of this church, representing this corporation as its agent. They shall not have authority to sell, lease, give away or dispose of church property in any manner to exceed $250 in value; nor to mortgage or encumber the same with the debt to exceed the above amount; except as the church shall order the same by corporate act. They shall be responsible for the care and upkeep of the physical properties of the church, including the hiring and supervision of a custodian. All projects involving the expenditure of more than $250 are to be submitted to the church for approval except in routing matters. They shall approve bills before payment is made by the treasurer.
Section 4 – SECRETARY
A. The church secretary shall have charge of the official correspondence and shall keep a record of all business meetings of the church and the advisor council, entering the minutes of the meetings of the two groups in separate books. The secretary shall keep in a bound book a record of membership, of baptisms and reception and dismissal of members. The secretary shall perform such other duties as properly belong to the office, making quarterly and annual reports to the church.
B. The secretary shall provide the financial secretary and the treasurer promptly a transcript of minutes of each church business meeting in which authority is granted for the disbursement or transfer of funds.
C. The secretary shall certify annually to the bank the names of officers who are authorized to have access to the safety deposit boxes and to sign the checks for disbursement of funds.
D. Upon his/her retirement or removal from office, he/she shall deliver to his successor, or the chairman of the board of deacons, all records, files, and/or other papers belonging to the church, and shall present the same with all contents complete to the date of surrender of such documents. Two copies of the records of the church should be kept.
Section 5 – FINANCIAL SECRETARY
A. It shall be the duty of the financial secretary, together with the treasurer, to count and record in a permanent record all monies received in the offerings of the church. This shall be done following each service of the church.
B. Records shall be kept in accordance with written instructions issued by the auditing committee and approved by the advisory council.
C. The chairman or the secretary of the board of deacons shall assume the duties of the financial secretary in the absence of the latter, except that he may not assume the duties of the treasurer as outlined in Section 6 simultaneously.
D. The financial secretary shall, with the treasurer, make quarterly and annual reports to the church.
Section 6 – TREASURER
A. The treasurer shall be responsible for the recording of all financial transactions in permanent records and shall, with the financial secretary, make quarterly and annual reports to the church.
B. The treasurer shall pay the bills of the church after they have been approved by the boards of deacons. He/she shall write, sign, record, and mail all checks. Checks shall be countersigned by a person authorized by the advisory council, other than the financial secretary. The chairman of the deacons shall assume responsibilities of signing checks in the treasurer’s absence, except that he shall not perform the duties of the financial secretary as outlined in Section 5 simultaneously.
C. The treasurer shall be responsible for depositing all funds in the bank, including monies received from organizations within the church or from individuals.
D. The treasurer shall keep the books or record and report the financial transaction in accordance with the written instructions issued by the auditing committee and approved by the advisory council.
E. The treasurer shall keep a record of all monies received and deposited, specifying the distribution into various funds, as indicated by the donors or by special offers.
Section 7 – SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
A. The Superintendent shall have general supervision over the Sunday Bible School, teachers, and officers. He shall carry out the program established by the Christian Education Committee and shall report quarterly and annually to the church.
B. The Christian Education Committee shall appoint all teachers and officers for the Bible School in consultation with the pastor.
Section 8 – ADVISORY COUNCIL
A. The advisory council shall consist of all officers of the church as named in Article VII, Section 1-A.
B. It shall meet at the call of the pastor, or in the absence of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons. The pastor shall be the moderator; the chairman of the deacons shall be the vice moderator.
C. The secretary shall keep the minutes and include a report on the activities of this council in his regular reports to the church.
D. It shall be the duty of this council to prayerfully consider major matters of church business or of policy and to recommend to the church for action such matters as are deemed worthy.
E. It shall be the duty of this council to determine the literature to be used in the educational program of the church. The Christian Education Committee shall make recommendations concerning the literature.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
Section 1 – BUDGET COMMITTEE
A. The budget committee shall consist of two deacons (appointed by the deacons), the financial secretary, the treasurer and one other member of the church to be designated by the council.
B. The duties of the committee shall be to prepare the budget for the ensuing year, for presentation to the church for its approval at the annual meeting.
C. The committee shall function throughout the year to recommend budget revisions to the church as may be deemed necessary.
Section 2 – NOMINATING COMMITTEE
A. This committee shall be composed of at least five members. In April, the Advisory Council shall select one person from each of the following groups to serve on the committee; Deacons, Bible school, Missions Organization, and two from the church at large.
B. The committee shall submit a list of nominees for all offices to be filled. This list shall be posted in the church building at least one Sunday prior to the election. When qualified candidates are available, two or more shall be nominated for each office.
C. Before posting the nominations, the committee shall approach each nominee and secure consent to serve in harmony with the pastor and the constitution of the church, if elected. D. They shall provide ballot forms for the annual election.
E. Members who wish to submit nominations should give their suggestions in writing to the nominating committee to ascertain qualifications under this Section and Article VII, Section 1, B and C. No nominations shall be made from the floor.
Section 3 – AUDITING COMMITTEE
A. This committee shall consist of two members appointed by the Advisory Council following the annual election.
B. It shall audit all accounts of the church and its organization and certify same, reporting at the annual election.
C. The auditing committee, subject to the approval of the Advisory Council, shall be responsible for establishing the procedures and methods to be followed by the financial secretary and treasurer in maintaining the financial records.
D. The church may vote to authorize the audit by a professional auditing firm rather than by a
Section 4 – CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
A. The Christian education committee shall consist of the pastor, one deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and two other members of the church. They shall be appointed by the Advisory Council following the annual meeting. The chairman shall be the Sunday School Superintendent.
B. This committee shall supervise and coordinate the general teaching programs of the church in the Sunday School, Bible Training Fellowship, Vacation Bible School and other special teaching programs, and shall make recommendations to the advisory council concerning the literature to be used. The Advisory Council shall make final decision on the literature.
C. It shall constitute a committee for appointing all teachers and officers as applicatable to the various teaching sections of the church, and shall assign rooms to the various groups.
Section 5 – MISSIONS COMMITTEE
A. This committee shall consist of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons, and three other members of the church appointment by the Advisory Council.
B. It shall recommend the missionary projects to the supported by the church and the auxiliary organizations. Suggestions from such organizations may be submitted to the committee for consideration and recommendation.
C. It shall draft an annual missionary budget to be submitted to the budget committee for its action at least three weeks before the annual meeting of the church.
D. It shall sponsor programs for the yearly missions month, when Missions challenge and missionary work and needs are presented to the people of the church to secure prayer and financial support and to challenge believers to get involved in home and foreign missions.
E. It shall maintain contact with missionaries supported by the church, and encourage prayer for the church-wide interest in these and other missionaries.
Section 6 – HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
The chairman of this committee shall be appointed by the Advisory Council and shall be responsible to arrange hospitality for visiting speakers, in consultation with the pastor and is to coordinate the weekly potluck and special fellowship days.
Section 7 – MUSIC COMMITTEE
A. A music committee of three shall be formed with its chairman and members appointed by the Advisory Council.
B. The music committee shall be responsible for the choice of music and arrange special music for church services, in consultation with the pastor. They shall also screen songs and singers and train and help the singers.
Section 8 – BUILDING COMMITTEE
The chairman of this committee is responsible for building acquisition, as needed and its maintenance. The chairman and two other members shall be appointed by the Advisory Council.
Section 9 – FLOWER COMMITTEE
The flower committee shall be responsible for making arrangement for flowers to be purchased or assigned, or sign-up volunteers to bring flowers for church services and special days or events.
Section 10 – ADVERTISING COMMITTEE
This committee shall be in charge of promoting Church services and special events, through the use of public announcements, verbal or written.
Section 11 – ADDITIONAL COMMITTEES
A. Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary or as the need arises and may be appointed by the Advisory Council.
B. All committees shall report quarterly and annually to the church unless otherwise instructed.
ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS
Section 1 – PUBLIC WORSHIP
A. Public Worship services shall be held regularly, morning and evening, on the Lord’s Day. These services shall not normally be given over to anything but prayer and preaching of the Word, with an appropriate musical ministry, geared to the worship of the Lord. Any other special presentation shall be subject to approval by the pastor and deacons. Neither shall they be merged into union services with other denominations.
B. At least once a week there shall be a meeting for prayer and praise.
C. It shall be the practice of this church to observe the Lord’s Supper at least once a month, t which time it may be appropriate that the covenant be read.
Section 2 – BUSINESS MEETINGS
A. The official church year shall begin the 1st day of July and close the 30th of June.
B. The annual meeting shall be held on the first Sunday afternoon after the morning service and/or before the evening service, in the month of July.
C. The quarterly meeting shall be held after the morning worship service or prior to the evening service on the first Sunday of the following month: October, January, April. At this time, written reports shall be read as required by the constitution.
D. The annual election of officers shall be held after the morning worship service or prior to the evening service the first Sunday of July.
E. The day for business meetings may be changed at the discretion of the church.
F. Special business meetings may be cancelled at any time, providing public notice be given of the same on the Sunday preceding; except as otherwise stipulated in this constitution, or required by State law (See Article V, Section 4-F and Article VII, Section 2-C). Special meetings may be called by the pastor, the board of deacons, or any ten unrelated families who are members of the church and request such of the secretary, providing the particular object, or objects, of the meeting are clearly stating the notice, and no more business shall be transaction such a meeting.
G. Only members fourteen years of age and above shall be eligible to vote. Only members eighteen years and above shall be eligible to vote upon corporate matters such as buying, selling or mortgaging or property or the election of trustees.
H. A simple majority (50% =1) shall constitute a quorum.
I. Only members present are entitled to vote in any meeting of this corporation.
Section 3 – RULES OF ORDER
The ordinary rules of deliberative assemblies shall be observed in the transaction of business, as set forth in Parliamentary Law, F. M. Gregg or Robert Rules of Order, revised, Henry M. Roberts.
Section 4 – ORDER OF BUSINESS MEETINGS
This is a suggested order of business meetings.
1. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting
2. Secretary’s report
3. Treasurer’s report
4. Deacon’s report
5. Sunday School Superintendent’s report
6. Advisory Council report
7. Report from other standing committees
8. Election of Officers
9. Unfinished business
10. New business
11. Adjournment
ARTICLE X – CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1 – SUNDAY SCHOOL
A. The purposed of the Sunday School is to win each scholar to the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and to instruct him in the Word and in Christian living, including church attendance, membership and discipleship.
B. All class officers of junior high age and above shall be members of the church.
C. All officers and teachers of the school shall be appointed annually and shall be members of this church in good standing. Anyone whose conduct or teaching is considered injurious to the class, school or church, shall upon recommendation of the superintendent and the Christian Education Committee, be referred to the deacons for necessary action.
D. All teachers and officers must first be approved by the Christian Education Committee. Approval of the literature shall be the responsibility of the Advisory Council.
Section 2 – SUBSIDIARY ORGANIZATIONS
A. No subsidiary organization of the church shall engage in any practice or hold any policy contrary to the general position of the church itself. All officers and regular teachers shall be members of the church.
B. All such organization are self governing but are subject finally to the control of the church in accordance with its constitution and voted church policies.
C. All activities of these subsidiary organization shall be geared to the fulfillment of a three-fold goal of Discipleship:
1. Evangelization or Salvation,
2. Identification or Baptism and Church Membership, and
3. Edification of Christian Maturity.
Finally all activities must be to the glory of God.
ARTICLE XI – MISSIONS
It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions engaged principally in the Discipleship of all nations through Evangelization and the Establishment of Baptist Churches (schools, hospitals and similar ministries must be kept subordinate to the primary objectives). They shall be known to be in hearty agreement with our Confession of Faith, both in doctrine and practice. They shall be Baptist both in name and practice. Christian Schools and social agencies, such home for the aged, children’s homes, etc., shall be considered an appropriate part of the missionary program.
ARTICLE XII – GENERAL
Section 1 – USE OF CHURCH PROPERTY AND NAME
A. Use of the property for other than regularly scheduled meetings shall first be approved by the church.
B. All gatherings off the church property held in the name of the church shall be subject to the approval of the pastor and deacons.
C. No secret society will be permitted to hold services in the church. The funeral or a person so associated may be held in the church if conducted by an approved minister. The society may take charge of the remainder of the service after the body leaves the church.
D. No pastor or pulpit orator will be permitted to preach in the church who fails to confess clearly the fundamentals of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Any visiting speaker must have approval of the pastor and deacons.
Section 2 – CHURCH POLICY
The church polity not treated herein shall be governed by the principles set forth in the New Directory for Baptist Churches by Edward T. Hiscor.
Section 3 – PASTOR’S VACATION AND SALARY
A. The pastor shall have not less than three weeks paid vacation each year. Vacation not taken will be paid on the first month of the following fiscal year.
B. The pastor’s salary shall be reviewed and determined at least once a year, with consideration also being given to the rising cost of living.
Section 4 – MONETARY PRINCIPLES
A. The systematic giving of money for the support of the work of the Lord is worship as well as duty. It must be kept on the plane of voluntary, free will offerings, untarnished by any hope of material gain. All members are expected to give regular support to the church and to the advancement of the projects it shall sponsor. In determining the Lord’s portion, we believe and affirm with the Scriptures that the tithe is the Lord’s and must be given back to Him (Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42). All others are offerings and gifts. All these must be given faithfully and cheerfully by each one (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Many can and should give more than the tithes for all we have belongs to Christ (1 Chronicles 29:14, 16; Acts 4:32-35). No money shall be raised for the support of the church and its various ministries by any but the Biblical plan of tithes, offerings and gifts.
B. A statement of each donor’s account shall be given to him at the end of each year by the financial secretary. Numbered envelopes will be provided to enable proper records to be kept.
Section 5 – LEGAL PROVISIONS
A. This church shall have the right to own, buy or sell tangible properties, both real and personal, in its own name and through properly elected offices when authorized by vote of the church.
B. No profit shall ever accrue to the benefit of any individuals from the assets, holding or other transactions in which this corporation may become involved.
C. In the even of the dissolution of this corporation, all of its debts shall be fully satisfied. None of its assets or holdings shall be divided among the members or other individuals, but shall be irrevocably designated by corporate vote prior to dissolution to such other nonprofit religious corporations as we are in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Articles of Faith adopted by this church, and in conformity with the requirements of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954 (Section 501 C-3).
ARTI CLE XIII – AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS
This constitution may be amended, altered or revised at any annual business meeting by a three-fourths vote of all voting members of the church, provided such proposed changes shall have been submitted in writing no later than the April meeting proceeding.
The church may adopt from time to time such by-laws in amplification hereof as may be necessary or desirable, and shall provide therein for amendment of the same.
REPOSING OUR FAITH WHOLLY IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR OUR SALVATION, AND BELIEVING IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY BIBL AS THE PLENARILY AND VERBALLY INSPIRED WORD OF THE LIVING GOD, WE HAVE AFFILIATED OURSELVES WITH ONE ANOTHER AS A BODY OF IMMERSED BELIEVERS, AND WE ADOPT THIS CONSITUTION AS A DECLARATION OF OUR CONVICTIONS SO THAT WE MAY CARRY ON THE LORD’S WORK DECENTLY AND IN ORDER.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be: FAITH CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, Los Angeles, California. It is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of California.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Our purpose is to glorify God by conducting a Baptist Church in accordance with the Word of God, the articles of faith, the covenant and the constitution of this local church, promoting the worship of our God, edifying believers, teaching the whole counsel of God, administering the ordinances and Biblical discipline, seeking to win the lost to Christ through personal witnessing and the preaching of the gospel carrying on a vigorous missionary program around the world, establishing other Baptist Churches, defending the faith, and maintaining a good testimony for Christ in our community by godliness and good works.
ARTICLE III – ASSOCIATIONS
This church shall be an independent, autonomous church, subject only to Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. It has the right to cooperate and associate with other Biblical groups on a voluntary basis. There shall be no cooperation with any group that permits the presence of apostates or apostasy, or that endorses groups that permit the presence of apostates or apostasy.
ARTICLE IV – ARTICLES OF FAITH
Section 1 -THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Scriptures as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is truth without any admixture of error for its matter. We believer that the Bible is the center of true Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
Section 2 -THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite, sovereign Spirit, the Maker and Supreme ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11.
Section 3 -THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctified and helps the believer. The gifts of tongues and healing were “sign gifts” until the Scriptures were completed. The gifts ceased at that time. John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 16, 26, 27; 15:19; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 13:8.
Section 4 -THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe in the personality of Satan, that he was created by God as an angel but through pride and rebellion became the enemy of his Creator, that he became the unholy god of this age and the ruler of all the powers of darkness and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10.
Section 5 -THE CREATION
We believe the Genesis account of creation as being neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God without evolutionary process; that man, — spirit, soul and body – was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race. Genesis 1 and 2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3.
Section 6 -THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of hi Maker, but by voluntary transgression of Adam fell from his sinless and happy state, and all men sinned in him, in consequence of which all men are totally depraved, are partakers of Adam’s fallen nature, and are sinners by nature and by conduct; and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 3:1-6, 24; Romans 3:10- 19; 5:12, 19; 1:18-32.
Section 7 -THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son. Genesis 3:13; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Hebrews 1:8.
Section 8 -SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God who, by appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as martyr, but was voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven and uniting in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfection. He is every way qualified to be s suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior. We believe that repentance is a change of mind and purpose toward God prompted by the Holy Spirit; that it is characterized by godly sorrow for sin as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; and that the true repentance is inseparably needed and related to saving faith. We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition to salvation. Johah 2:9; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; 1 John 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Luke 13:1-3; 15:7; Acts 8:22; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 20:21; Acts 16:31.
Section 9 -RESURRECTION AND PRIESTHOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ, in His ascension into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest interceding for us. Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:14; Luke 24:2-6, 51; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 3:21; Hebrews 8:6; 12:2; 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9-10.
Section 10 – GRACE AND THE NEW BIRTH
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus, that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and received eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about by our sovereign God in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel, that it is proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life. John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 5; John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13.
Section 11 – JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declaires us to be righteous through faith in Jesus Christ; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputation of God’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood. Acts 8:22; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Zechariah 13:1.
Section 12 – SANCTIFICATION
We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner: first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption, in Christ establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trust the Savior; second, a continuing process in the saint as a the Holy Spirit applies the word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process at the Lord’s return. Hebrews 10:10-14; 3:1; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 5:23-24; Ephesians 5:27; Jude 24:25; 1 John 3:2; Revelations 22:11.
Section 13 – ADOPTION
We believe that adoption is the gracious act whereby the Father, for the sake of Christ, places the new believer into the honored position of a mature son, in contrast with regeneration whereby the believer receives the nature of God and becomes a child of God. The full benefit of the position accorded by the adoption as the son of God awaits the glorification of the believer at the coming of the Lord. Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 3:1-2.
Section 14 – THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Jude 1.
Section 15 – THE CHURCH
We believe in the unity of all true believers in the Church which is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was established on the day of Pentecost, and that all believers from the day of Pentacost to the Rapture, both Jews and Gentiles, are added to this Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We believe that this Church is manifested through the local Church, which is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; and that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. I believe that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from interference of any hierarchy of individual or organizations; that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the hospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, or policy, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. Ephesians 3:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18.
Section 16 – BAPTISM and the LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is to be performed under the authority of the local church; and that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is baptism first and then the Lord’s Supper, and that participants in the Lord’s Supper should be immersed believers. Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Corinthias 11:23-28; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42.
Section 17 – SEPARATION
We believe in obedience to the Biblical commands to separate entirely from worldiness and ecclesiastical apostasy. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 John 9:11.
Section 18 – CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming King of Kings. Romans 13:1-7; 2 Samuel 23:3; Matthew 22:21; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Acts 5:29; 4:19- 20; Daniel 3:17-18.
Section 19 – ISRAEL
We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people and that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land and after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ. Genesis 13:14-17; Romans 11:1-32; Ezekiel 37.
Section 20 – THE RAPTURE AND SUBSEQUENT EVENT
We believe in the dispensational teaching of the Scriptures. We believe in the imminent, premillenial return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church, and that at that moment the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies, and the living in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death, and shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of tribulation. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51- 54; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10.
Section 21 – THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only who are justified by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Spirit of God are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in the lake of fire. Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Romans 6:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Romans 7:6; 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25:34-41; John 8:21; Revelation 20:14-15.
ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
A. This church shall be composed of members who profess to be saved by grace, through faith, and who have been baptized following their confession of faith in Christ by single immersion in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
B. All persons desiring to unite with this church shall meet with the pastor and deacons, and shall give testimony of conversion and Christian experience, and affirm acceptance and adherence to the articles of faith, constitution and covenant of this church.
C. Upon recommendation of the pastor and deacons, candidates shall be presented to the church. A three-fourths vote of members present and voting is required to approve and individual for membership.
D. Members may be received in one of four ways:
1) By baptism following salvation;
2) By letter from a church of like faith and order;
3) By confession of faith (when impossible to secure a church letter)
4) By restoration
Section 2 – DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
A. It is vital to the testimony of this church and the glory of our Lord that the purity of the church be preserved and its peace protected. With these ends in view it shall be the duty of the pastor and deacons to seek diligently to reclaim any member known to be living in disregard of his Biblical and covenant obligations. It is specifically directed that the pastor and deacons move with promptness and vigor in dealing with anyone who is obstructing the work or disturbing the peace of the church by slander, falsehood, gossip, conspiracy or other unfair and unchristian methods. It is recognized that a Baptist church must be a democracy in which majority shall rule. It is recognized further that while the minority has the right to private opinion in all questions and the right of appeal in any constitutional and proper manner, it shall not have the right to engage in secret or open propaganda, or of deliberately disturbing the peace and interrupting the work of the church. It is further recognized that when the church, by regular order and proper vote, has determined upon a course of action, that course becomes the duty of every member of the church. If any member cannot conscientiously follow the decision of the church, he is to quietly and peacefully withdraw from the membership.
B. If a member is walking disorderly in conflict with the above principles, or is involved in any known immorality, dishonesty or public scandal, and such member can not be restored to fellowship through confession and correction of his sins, he shall be dealt with on the basis of Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5. His case shall be brought before the church by recommendation of the pastor and deacons (See H.). He shall be given a statement of the charges against him, and he shall have the opportunity to present his case before the membership if the charges and evidence warrant such action. In less serious matters, such a person may be placed under discipline and on the inactive membership list y vote of the church. He shall be restored to active membership only by vote of the church after satisfactory evidence is given of scriptural repentance and confession.
C. During the last quarter of each year the pastor and deacons shall review the membership roll. Any member habitually absent from the services of the church without due cause, and who is negligent to spiritual duties, shall be removed from active membership by vote of the church, upon the recommendation of the pastor and deacons, and placed on the inactive membership list. The individual shall be informed of this action. This section shall be implemented only after faithful and prayerful efforts to reclaim the member. Restoration to active membership shall be by vote of the church, upon the recommendation of the pastor and deacons, only after there is satisfactory evidence of renewed spiritual walk.
D. No person on the inactive membership list shall be entitled to vote, hold office or teach.
E. The pastor, deacons, and members shall make a sincere effort to reclaim spiritually those on the inactive list. During the last quarter of each year the pastor and deacons shall review the inactive members. After on year of inactive status they shall be recommended to the church to be dropped from membership. A permanent card file of these former members shall be maintained for continued, prayerful effort to reclaim for Christ and the church.
F. In the event of differences between members, it is recommended that they be settled personally in accordance with Matthew 18:15-16.
G. In order to prevent unnecessary public scandal, the pastor and deacons may hear charges, pro and con, in any disciplinary case, if this is mutually satisfactory with the accused and the accuser. If dismissal is recommended by the pastor and deacons, the recommendation must be presented to the church, preferably without details, for final action. The entire matter must be brought before the church at the request of the accused, or of the church. No member may be dismissed except by vote of the church.
H. No non-member shall be permitted in such a church meeting (as witness, defense or otherwise) without permission of simple majority of voting members.
Section 3 – DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS
A. Dismissal shall be by death, letter or exclusion.
B. Any member in good standing may be granted a letter of transfer to any church of like faith and order and upon its request. The letter shall be sent to the church with which the member wishes to unite.
C. A letter of discharge without recommendation may be sent to any other church.
D. No member who has conducted himself in such a manner as to be cited for disciplinary action may be dropped from membership at his own request since such a procedure would remove him from the authority of the church.
Section 4 – ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
A. The church shall vote on each candidate before baptism, to receive him into the membership following baptism.
B. Only active members shall be entitled to vote or hold office.
C. Only active members shall serve as regular teacher in the church, Sunday School or other groups.
D. The church shall conduct regularly, or periodically, according to need, classes for new members. These shall be taught by the pastor or some other competent leader. They shall include instruction on such things as the ordinances church government, responsibilities of church members, stewardship, prayer, Bible reading, witnessing for Christ, basic doctrines (including separation to God from worldliness and apostasy).
E. It shall be deemed proper to receive members or grant letters at any meeting of the church. If disciplinary action is involved, it shall require a special business meeting of the church, the purpose of which shall be announced by letter to the members of voting age at least two weeks in advance.
ARTICLE VI – ORDINANCES
Section 1 – BAPTISM
Those professing faith in Christ shall, upon authorization of the church, be immersed in water by the pastor or someone else appointed by the church. Only those shall be baptized who are being received into the church membership. Immersion as a believer shall be prerequisite to church membership.
Section 2 – THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper shall normally be served to the assembled church by the pastor or some other person authorized by the church, on the first Sunday evening of each month, or at such time as may be decided by pastor and deacons, or by the church. Since it is the Lord’s Table, none that are His shall be barred, by the pastor shall frequently state the scriptural order, which places baptism as a prerequisite to the Lord’s Supper, and shall explain the meaning of the ordinances. The elements shall be unleavened bread and grape juice.
ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS AND BOARDS
A. The officers of the church shall be the pastor (or pastors), deacons, secretary, financial secretary, treasurer, and Sunday School Superintendent.
B. No one shall be elected to office who has not been a member of this church for at least one year; except that upon recommendation of pastor and deacons a person may be considered by the church for office after six months of membership.
C. All officers shall be spiritually mature, of unquestioned Christian character, loyal to the Word of God, dedicated and devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the spiritual and materials welfare of this church. They shall also be faithful in attendance and participation, both in regular services and business meetings of the church. Their moral conduct shall be beyond reproach and free of carnal indulgences, such as the use of intoxicating beverages, tobacco in all forms, narcotic drugs and other worldly practices. In the light of 1 Timothy 3, the home and family relationships must be considered as well as individual qualifications.
D. All officers shall normally assume duties on the first of July. Retiring officers shall hold office until the terms of newly elected officers begin.
E. Any officer unable or unwilling to fulfill the duties of his office shall resign. If any officer refuses to subscribe to the articles of faith, the constitution and the church covenant, his resignation shall be requested by the deacons. If it is not received within a reasonable time, the office shall be declared vacant by vote of the church.
Section 2 – THE PASTOR
A. A candidate for the pastorate shall be carefully examined by the pulpit committee as to his salvation, doctrine, Christian conduct and call to the ministry. If he has served in other churches, his ministry there should be explored. He shall be required to state his acceptance of and adherence to the articles of faith, the constitution and covenant of the church. Any differences which he holds concerning these documents should be submitted to the pulpit committee in writing. He shall also state in writing any differences which he holds relating to groups and associations with which this church is in fellowship. The pulpit committee shall present only one man at a time for the consideration and vote of the church.
B. A call to a pastor shall be extended at a meeting of the church called for that purpose and announced from the pulpit for two Sundays immediately preceding the date of the meeting. A three-fourths majority vote of the active members of the church shall be necessary for a call. Voting shall be by ballot. A written call and agreement shall be presented to the prospective pastor, giving details of the church-pastoral relationship, including salary, housing and car allowances, health insurance, vacations, etc., after these matters have been discussed with the pastor and approved mutually.
C. The pastor shall continue in office until he resigns or is dismissed by a two-thirds majority of all active members present and voting at a special meeting called for that purpose. Such a meeting shall be announced from the pulpit for two Sundays immediately preceding the date of such a meeting. (See Article II, Section 2, F.)
D. The pastor shall give the church not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days notice of his intention to discontinue as a pastor. The church shall give the pastor not less than sixty days notice of dismissal. If in the judgment of the church, the conduct of the pastor justifies immediate termination of his ministry, the church may declare the pulpit vacant and pay two months salary beyond that date.
E. The pastor shall have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church; he shall preach the gospel, teach the Word and have charge of the services of the church; he shall administer the ordinances and perform the usual duties of Baptist minister.
F. The pastor shall moderate the business session of the church. In his absence, the chairman of the deacons shall call the meeting to order and the church shall elect a moderator. If the pastor is to be under discussion in a business another moderator shall be elected, and the pastor and his family shall withdraw from the meeting.
G. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and boards. He shall also be a member of the church.
H. Other workers, such as a Christian Education director, youth or music director, may be called by the church, but are to be individuals fully approved by the pastor and shall work under his direction.
Section 3 – THE DEACONS
A. The board of deacons shall consist of three men elected by the church for the first three hundred members and two more for the next hundred or fraction thereof. Two shall be elected each year for a term of two years.
B. It shall be the duty of the deacons to assist the pastor in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church; to be his helpers and counselors; to exercise prudent watch care over the church membership; to seek out such members as need alms or help; to visit the sick; to examine with the pastor candidates for church membership; to assist at baptisms; their wives assisting the ladies; and to supervise the preparation and distribution of the Lord’s Supper.
C. They shall appoint a chairman and secretary from their number, keep minutes of their monthly meetings in a permanent record, and report quarterly and annually to the church.
D. They shall constitute the pulpit committee, recommending candidates for the pastorate.
E. They shall appoint ushers to serve at all meetings of the church.
F. They shall administer the deacon’s fund.
G. The deacons shall serve as trustees of this church, representing this corporation as its agent. They shall not have authority to sell, lease, give away or dispose of church property in any manner to exceed $250 in value; nor to mortgage or encumber the same with the debt to exceed the above amount; except as the church shall order the same by corporate act. They shall be responsible for the care and upkeep of the physical properties of the church, including the hiring and supervision of a custodian. All projects involving the expenditure of more than $250 are to be submitted to the church for approval except in routing matters. They shall approve bills before payment is made by the treasurer.
Section 4 – SECRETARY
A. The church secretary shall have charge of the official correspondence and shall keep a record of all business meetings of the church and the advisor council, entering the minutes of the meetings of the two groups in separate books. The secretary shall keep in a bound book a record of membership, of baptisms and reception and dismissal of members. The secretary shall perform such other duties as properly belong to the office, making quarterly and annual reports to the church.
B. The secretary shall provide the financial secretary and the treasurer promptly a transcript of minutes of each church business meeting in which authority is granted for the disbursement or transfer of funds.
C. The secretary shall certify annually to the bank the names of officers who are authorized to have access to the safety deposit boxes and to sign the checks for disbursement of funds.
D. Upon his/her retirement or removal from office, he/she shall deliver to his successor, or the chairman of the board of deacons, all records, files, and/or other papers belonging to the church, and shall present the same with all contents complete to the date of surrender of such documents. Two copies of the records of the church should be kept.
Section 5 – FINANCIAL SECRETARY
A. It shall be the duty of the financial secretary, together with the treasurer, to count and record in a permanent record all monies received in the offerings of the church. This shall be done following each service of the church.
B. Records shall be kept in accordance with written instructions issued by the auditing committee and approved by the advisory council.
C. The chairman or the secretary of the board of deacons shall assume the duties of the financial secretary in the absence of the latter, except that he may not assume the duties of the treasurer as outlined in Section 6 simultaneously.
D. The financial secretary shall, with the treasurer, make quarterly and annual reports to the church.
Section 6 – TREASURER
A. The treasurer shall be responsible for the recording of all financial transactions in permanent records and shall, with the financial secretary, make quarterly and annual reports to the church.
B. The treasurer shall pay the bills of the church after they have been approved by the boards of deacons. He/she shall write, sign, record, and mail all checks. Checks shall be countersigned by a person authorized by the advisory council, other than the financial secretary. The chairman of the deacons shall assume responsibilities of signing checks in the treasurer’s absence, except that he shall not perform the duties of the financial secretary as outlined in Section 5 simultaneously.
C. The treasurer shall be responsible for depositing all funds in the bank, including monies received from organizations within the church or from individuals.
D. The treasurer shall keep the books or record and report the financial transaction in accordance with the written instructions issued by the auditing committee and approved by the advisory council.
E. The treasurer shall keep a record of all monies received and deposited, specifying the distribution into various funds, as indicated by the donors or by special offers.
Section 7 – SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
A. The Superintendent shall have general supervision over the Sunday Bible School, teachers, and officers. He shall carry out the program established by the Christian Education Committee and shall report quarterly and annually to the church.
B. The Christian Education Committee shall appoint all teachers and officers for the Bible School in consultation with the pastor.
Section 8 – ADVISORY COUNCIL
A. The advisory council shall consist of all officers of the church as named in Article VII, Section 1-A.
B. It shall meet at the call of the pastor, or in the absence of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons. The pastor shall be the moderator; the chairman of the deacons shall be the vice moderator.
C. The secretary shall keep the minutes and include a report on the activities of this council in his regular reports to the church.
D. It shall be the duty of this council to prayerfully consider major matters of church business or of policy and to recommend to the church for action such matters as are deemed worthy.
E. It shall be the duty of this council to determine the literature to be used in the educational program of the church. The Christian Education Committee shall make recommendations concerning the literature.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
Section 1 – BUDGET COMMITTEE
A. The budget committee shall consist of two deacons (appointed by the deacons), the financial secretary, the treasurer and one other member of the church to be designated by the council.
B. The duties of the committee shall be to prepare the budget for the ensuing year, for presentation to the church for its approval at the annual meeting.
C. The committee shall function throughout the year to recommend budget revisions to the church as may be deemed necessary.
Section 2 – NOMINATING COMMITTEE
A. This committee shall be composed of at least five members. In April, the Advisory Council shall select one person from each of the following groups to serve on the committee; Deacons, Bible school, Missions Organization, and two from the church at large.
B. The committee shall submit a list of nominees for all offices to be filled. This list shall be posted in the church building at least one Sunday prior to the election. When qualified candidates are available, two or more shall be nominated for each office.
C. Before posting the nominations, the committee shall approach each nominee and secure consent to serve in harmony with the pastor and the constitution of the church, if elected. D. They shall provide ballot forms for the annual election.
E. Members who wish to submit nominations should give their suggestions in writing to the nominating committee to ascertain qualifications under this Section and Article VII, Section 1, B and C. No nominations shall be made from the floor.
Section 3 – AUDITING COMMITTEE
A. This committee shall consist of two members appointed by the Advisory Council following the annual election.
B. It shall audit all accounts of the church and its organization and certify same, reporting at the annual election.
C. The auditing committee, subject to the approval of the Advisory Council, shall be responsible for establishing the procedures and methods to be followed by the financial secretary and treasurer in maintaining the financial records.
D. The church may vote to authorize the audit by a professional auditing firm rather than by a
Section 4 – CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
A. The Christian education committee shall consist of the pastor, one deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and two other members of the church. They shall be appointed by the Advisory Council following the annual meeting. The chairman shall be the Sunday School Superintendent.
B. This committee shall supervise and coordinate the general teaching programs of the church in the Sunday School, Bible Training Fellowship, Vacation Bible School and other special teaching programs, and shall make recommendations to the advisory council concerning the literature to be used. The Advisory Council shall make final decision on the literature.
C. It shall constitute a committee for appointing all teachers and officers as applicatable to the various teaching sections of the church, and shall assign rooms to the various groups.
Section 5 – MISSIONS COMMITTEE
A. This committee shall consist of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons, and three other members of the church appointment by the Advisory Council.
B. It shall recommend the missionary projects to the supported by the church and the auxiliary organizations. Suggestions from such organizations may be submitted to the committee for consideration and recommendation.
C. It shall draft an annual missionary budget to be submitted to the budget committee for its action at least three weeks before the annual meeting of the church.
D. It shall sponsor programs for the yearly missions month, when Missions challenge and missionary work and needs are presented to the people of the church to secure prayer and financial support and to challenge believers to get involved in home and foreign missions.
E. It shall maintain contact with missionaries supported by the church, and encourage prayer for the church-wide interest in these and other missionaries.
Section 6 – HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
The chairman of this committee shall be appointed by the Advisory Council and shall be responsible to arrange hospitality for visiting speakers, in consultation with the pastor and is to coordinate the weekly potluck and special fellowship days.
Section 7 – MUSIC COMMITTEE
A. A music committee of three shall be formed with its chairman and members appointed by the Advisory Council.
B. The music committee shall be responsible for the choice of music and arrange special music for church services, in consultation with the pastor. They shall also screen songs and singers and train and help the singers.
Section 8 – BUILDING COMMITTEE
The chairman of this committee is responsible for building acquisition, as needed and its maintenance. The chairman and two other members shall be appointed by the Advisory Council.
Section 9 – FLOWER COMMITTEE
The flower committee shall be responsible for making arrangement for flowers to be purchased or assigned, or sign-up volunteers to bring flowers for church services and special days or events.
Section 10 – ADVERTISING COMMITTEE
This committee shall be in charge of promoting Church services and special events, through the use of public announcements, verbal or written.
Section 11 – ADDITIONAL COMMITTEES
A. Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary or as the need arises and may be appointed by the Advisory Council.
B. All committees shall report quarterly and annually to the church unless otherwise instructed.
ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS
Section 1 – PUBLIC WORSHIP
A. Public Worship services shall be held regularly, morning and evening, on the Lord’s Day. These services shall not normally be given over to anything but prayer and preaching of the Word, with an appropriate musical ministry, geared to the worship of the Lord. Any other special presentation shall be subject to approval by the pastor and deacons. Neither shall they be merged into union services with other denominations.
B. At least once a week there shall be a meeting for prayer and praise.
C. It shall be the practice of this church to observe the Lord’s Supper at least once a month, t which time it may be appropriate that the covenant be read.
Section 2 – BUSINESS MEETINGS
A. The official church year shall begin the 1st day of July and close the 30th of June.
B. The annual meeting shall be held on the first Sunday afternoon after the morning service and/or before the evening service, in the month of July.
C. The quarterly meeting shall be held after the morning worship service or prior to the evening service on the first Sunday of the following month: October, January, April. At this time, written reports shall be read as required by the constitution.
D. The annual election of officers shall be held after the morning worship service or prior to the evening service the first Sunday of July.
E. The day for business meetings may be changed at the discretion of the church.
F. Special business meetings may be cancelled at any time, providing public notice be given of the same on the Sunday preceding; except as otherwise stipulated in this constitution, or required by State law (See Article V, Section 4-F and Article VII, Section 2-C). Special meetings may be called by the pastor, the board of deacons, or any ten unrelated families who are members of the church and request such of the secretary, providing the particular object, or objects, of the meeting are clearly stating the notice, and no more business shall be transaction such a meeting.
G. Only members fourteen years of age and above shall be eligible to vote. Only members eighteen years and above shall be eligible to vote upon corporate matters such as buying, selling or mortgaging or property or the election of trustees.
H. A simple majority (50% =1) shall constitute a quorum.
I. Only members present are entitled to vote in any meeting of this corporation.
Section 3 – RULES OF ORDER
The ordinary rules of deliberative assemblies shall be observed in the transaction of business, as set forth in Parliamentary Law, F. M. Gregg or Robert Rules of Order, revised, Henry M. Roberts.
Section 4 – ORDER OF BUSINESS MEETINGS
This is a suggested order of business meetings.
1. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting
2. Secretary’s report
3. Treasurer’s report
4. Deacon’s report
5. Sunday School Superintendent’s report
6. Advisory Council report
7. Report from other standing committees
8. Election of Officers
9. Unfinished business
10. New business
11. Adjournment
ARTICLE X – CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1 – SUNDAY SCHOOL
A. The purposed of the Sunday School is to win each scholar to the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and to instruct him in the Word and in Christian living, including church attendance, membership and discipleship.
B. All class officers of junior high age and above shall be members of the church.
C. All officers and teachers of the school shall be appointed annually and shall be members of this church in good standing. Anyone whose conduct or teaching is considered injurious to the class, school or church, shall upon recommendation of the superintendent and the Christian Education Committee, be referred to the deacons for necessary action.
D. All teachers and officers must first be approved by the Christian Education Committee. Approval of the literature shall be the responsibility of the Advisory Council.
Section 2 – SUBSIDIARY ORGANIZATIONS
A. No subsidiary organization of the church shall engage in any practice or hold any policy contrary to the general position of the church itself. All officers and regular teachers shall be members of the church.
B. All such organization are self governing but are subject finally to the control of the church in accordance with its constitution and voted church policies.
C. All activities of these subsidiary organization shall be geared to the fulfillment of a three-fold goal of Discipleship:
1. Evangelization or Salvation,
2. Identification or Baptism and Church Membership, and
3. Edification of Christian Maturity.
Finally all activities must be to the glory of God.
ARTICLE XI – MISSIONS
It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions engaged principally in the Discipleship of all nations through Evangelization and the Establishment of Baptist Churches (schools, hospitals and similar ministries must be kept subordinate to the primary objectives). They shall be known to be in hearty agreement with our Confession of Faith, both in doctrine and practice. They shall be Baptist both in name and practice. Christian Schools and social agencies, such home for the aged, children’s homes, etc., shall be considered an appropriate part of the missionary program.
ARTICLE XII – GENERAL
Section 1 – USE OF CHURCH PROPERTY AND NAME
A. Use of the property for other than regularly scheduled meetings shall first be approved by the church.
B. All gatherings off the church property held in the name of the church shall be subject to the approval of the pastor and deacons.
C. No secret society will be permitted to hold services in the church. The funeral or a person so associated may be held in the church if conducted by an approved minister. The society may take charge of the remainder of the service after the body leaves the church.
D. No pastor or pulpit orator will be permitted to preach in the church who fails to confess clearly the fundamentals of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Any visiting speaker must have approval of the pastor and deacons.
Section 2 – CHURCH POLICY
The church polity not treated herein shall be governed by the principles set forth in the New Directory for Baptist Churches by Edward T. Hiscor.
Section 3 – PASTOR’S VACATION AND SALARY
A. The pastor shall have not less than three weeks paid vacation each year. Vacation not taken will be paid on the first month of the following fiscal year.
B. The pastor’s salary shall be reviewed and determined at least once a year, with consideration also being given to the rising cost of living.
Section 4 – MONETARY PRINCIPLES
A. The systematic giving of money for the support of the work of the Lord is worship as well as duty. It must be kept on the plane of voluntary, free will offerings, untarnished by any hope of material gain. All members are expected to give regular support to the church and to the advancement of the projects it shall sponsor. In determining the Lord’s portion, we believe and affirm with the Scriptures that the tithe is the Lord’s and must be given back to Him (Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42). All others are offerings and gifts. All these must be given faithfully and cheerfully by each one (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Many can and should give more than the tithes for all we have belongs to Christ (1 Chronicles 29:14, 16; Acts 4:32-35). No money shall be raised for the support of the church and its various ministries by any but the Biblical plan of tithes, offerings and gifts.
B. A statement of each donor’s account shall be given to him at the end of each year by the financial secretary. Numbered envelopes will be provided to enable proper records to be kept.
Section 5 – LEGAL PROVISIONS
A. This church shall have the right to own, buy or sell tangible properties, both real and personal, in its own name and through properly elected offices when authorized by vote of the church.
B. No profit shall ever accrue to the benefit of any individuals from the assets, holding or other transactions in which this corporation may become involved.
C. In the even of the dissolution of this corporation, all of its debts shall be fully satisfied. None of its assets or holdings shall be divided among the members or other individuals, but shall be irrevocably designated by corporate vote prior to dissolution to such other nonprofit religious corporations as we are in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Articles of Faith adopted by this church, and in conformity with the requirements of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954 (Section 501 C-3).
ARTI CLE XIII – AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS
This constitution may be amended, altered or revised at any annual business meeting by a three-fourths vote of all voting members of the church, provided such proposed changes shall have been submitted in writing no later than the April meeting proceeding.
The church may adopt from time to time such by-laws in amplification hereof as may be necessary or desirable, and shall provide therein for amendment of the same.