ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1.01—NAME
This congregation of believers shall be known as the Crossroads Baptist Church.
SECTION 1.02—PURPOSE
This congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable,
religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any
future United States Revenue Law), including, but not limited to, for such
purposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious worship, the building
of churches, parsonages, schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations,
rescue missions, print shops, daycare centers, and camps; the evangelizing of
the unsaved by the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; the
educating of believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy
Scripture, both in Sunday and weekday schools of Christian education; and the
maintaining of missionary activities in the United States and any foreign
country.
ARTICLE 2 – STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT
SECTION 2.01—STATEMENT OF FAITH
The following comprise the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members.
(A) The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament
to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are
inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore, are the final authority
for faith and life. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the
complete and divine revelation of God to Man. The Scriptures shall be
interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and the
pastor shall determine all issues of interpretation and meaning. The King James
Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the
church. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)
(B) Dispensationalism. We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their
natural, literal sense reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of
life, which define man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These
dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered
stewardships by which God directs man according to His purpose. Three of these
dispensations—the law, the church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed
revelation in Scripture. (Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25;
Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6)
(C) The Godhead. We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three
persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in
nature, coequal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and
perfections. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:10, 26)
(D) The Person and Work of Christ.
1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man,
without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of
the virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life, in order that He might reveal God
and redeem sinful men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor.
5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ
accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative,
vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure
by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom.
3:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted
at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of
Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom.
8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)
(E) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin,
of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in
regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and
sealing them unto the day of redemption. (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor.
12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14)
2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand
and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the
saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
3. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every
believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip
believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.
(Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12)
4. We believe that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in
tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never
the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit, and
that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits the
consummation of our salvation in the resurrection, though God frequently
chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (1 Cor. 1:22;
13:8; 14:21-22)
(F) The Total Depravity of Man. We believe that man was created in the image
and likeness of God; but that in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a
sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved and, of
himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23;
5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)
(G) Salvation. We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by
grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious
blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe that all
sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable. (John 1:12; Eph.
1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Matt. 12:31-32; 1 John 1:9)
(H) The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.
1. We believe that all the redeemed, once
saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John
6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)
2. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance
of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly
forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom.
13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)
(I) The Church
1. We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride
of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons. (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor.
11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27)
2. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is
clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. (Acts 14:27; 20:17,
28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
3. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external
authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9,
16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)
4. We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural
ordinances of obedience for the church in this age. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts
2:41-42; 18:18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
(J) Separation. We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as
not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands His people to
separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures,
practices, and associations, and to refrain from all immodest and immoderate
appearances, piercings, and bodily markings. (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1;
2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11; Lev. 19:28; 1 Cor. 6:19-20)
(K) The Second Advent of Christ. We believe in that blessed hope, the personal,
imminent return of Christ Who will rapture His church prior to the seven-year
tribulation period. We also believe in the Second Advent of Christ, which at
the end of the Tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His
saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom, which was promised to the
nation of Israel. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; 1
Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)
(L) The Eternal State.
1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life,
and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:46; John
5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)
2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the
body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the first
resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever
with the Lord. (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17;
Rev. 20:4-6)
3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious
punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when with soul and body
reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be
cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting
conscious punishment and torment. (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26;
2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)
(M) The Personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a person, the author of
sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of
God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire. (Job
1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)
(N) Creation. We believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour
periods. We reject evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic
Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin. (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)
(O) Civil Government. We believe that God has ordained and created all
authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home, 2) the church,
and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all
(including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by
His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and
balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has
the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are
equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of
responsibility under God. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet.
2:13-14)
(P) Human Sexuality.
1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be
engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any
form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest,
fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of
sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s
gender by surgery or appearance. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev.
18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)
2. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and
one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Rom . 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)
(Q) Family Relationships
1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God
but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and
women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home,
and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly,
only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28;
Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution
of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church.
The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as
the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the
Lord. Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral
values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate
discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction. (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12;
Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; I Cor.
7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; I Pet. 3:1-7)
(R) Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids
divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and
remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication.
Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions
of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they
may not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt.
19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)
(S) Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the
unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified,
unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any
teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects,
gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well
being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps. 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24;
49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)
(T) Love. We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only
toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and
those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously,
gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the
taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving
personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to
abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in
such sinful actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Rom.
12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John
3:17-18)
(U) Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from
bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve
personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary
to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a
Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance
company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander. (1 Cor.
6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32)
(V) Missions. We believe that God has given the
church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there
might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language
group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must
use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to
come to us. (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2
Cor. 5:20)
(W) Giving. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of
God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially.
We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that
every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully
to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of
the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the
use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen. 14:20; Prov.
3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim.
5:17-18; 1 John 3:17)
SECTION 2.02—AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible
itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe,
however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the
teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All
literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement
of Faith.
SECTION 2.03—COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus
Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in
the name of our Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in
the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully
enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in
Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge,
holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain
its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred
preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully
and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the
relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate
our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred, acquaintances, and all
others; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings,
faithful to our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all
tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale or use of
intoxicating drink as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance
the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each
other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate
Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take
offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our
Savior, and to secure reconciliation without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as
possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this
covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 3.01—QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Upon a majority vote of the members present at any church service or meeting,
membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a
genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of the Lord
Jesus Christ as personal Savior; who renounce sin; who endeavor to live a
consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe to the Statement of
Faith contained herein; who enter into the church covenant contained herein;
who agree to submit to the authority of the church and its leaders as set forth
herein; and complete a series of classes concerning the duties and responsibilities
of membership; and upon compliance with any one of the following conditions:
(A) By baptism (immersion) as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal
Savior;
(B) By letter of transfer from another Bible-believing church of like faith and
practice;
(C) By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion; or
(D) By restoration, if having been removed from membership, upon majority vote
of the congregation after confession is made publicly before the church
membership of the sin or sins involved, and satisfactorily evidencing
repentance to the pastor (or the church board if the office of pastor is
vacant).
SECTION 3.02—DUTIES OF A MEMBER
On becoming a member of this church, in addition to the covenant contained in
Article 2, Section 2.03, each one further covenants to love, honor, and esteem
the pastor; to pray for him; to recognize his authority in spiritual affairs of
the church; to cherish a brotherly love for all members of the church; to
faithfully attend worship services unless hindered by work or sickness; to
support the church in prayer, tithes, offerings and with other financial
support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands, to
support through a lifestyle walk affirming the beliefs and practices of the
church.
SECTION 3.03—PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP
(A) Only members who are physically present at a duly called meeting of the
church and are at least sixteen years of age shall be entitled to vote. There
shall be no proxy voting and absentee voting is limited to the following
reasons for members in good standing: (1) serious illness, (2) job schedule.
The eligible membership of the church has certain limited areas to exercise a
vote. Members may not vote to initiate any church action, rather the vote of a
member is to confirm and ratify the direction of the church as determined by
the pastor and the church board.
(B) This congregation functions not as a pure democracy, but as a body under
the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the pastor as the
under-shepherd with the counsel of the church board. Determinations of the
internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be
determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. The pastor
shall oversee and/or conduct all aspects of this church. The church board shall
give counsel and assistance to the pastor as requested by him.
(C) Membership in this church does not afford the members with any property,
contractual, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government.
Although the general public is invited to all of the church’s worship services,
the church property remains private property. The pastor (or in his absence, an
individual designated by the church board) has the authority to suspend or
revoke the right of any person, including a member, to enter or remain on
church property. If after being notified of such a suspension or revocation,
the person enters or remains on church property, the person may, in the
discretion of the pastor (or in his absence, an individual designated by the
church board), be treated as a trespasser.
(D) A member, upon five-business days prior written request made upon the
church, may inspect or copy the prepared financial statements of the church,
the minutes of the proceedings of church meetings, and the minutes of the
proceedings of board meetings.
1. A member may not, under any circumstances, inspect or copy any record
relating to individual contributions to the church, the list of names and
addresses of the church members, or the accounting books and financial records
of the church.
2. The church may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and
material, for copies of any documents provided to the member before releasing
the copies to the member.
SECTION 3.04—DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER
(A) There shall be a discipline committee consisting of the pastor and the
church board. These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical
deviations from the Statement of Faith and violations of the church covenant.
If the pastor or a deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not
sit as a member of the discipline committee. The pastor, deacons, and members
of the church board shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members
and be subject to the same discipline.
(B) Members are expected to demonstrate special
loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense
of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go
alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother. Before he goes,
he should first examine himself. When he goes, he should go with a spirit of
humility and have the goal of restoration.
(C) If reconciliation is not reached, a second member, either a board member or
the pastor, is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. This second
step should also be preceded by self-examination and exercised in a spirit of
humility with the goal of restoration.
(D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections
(B) and (C) have been taken, the discipline committee, as the church
representatives Biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear
the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the
discipline committee, the committee shall recommend to the members of the
church that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to
the offending member and seek that member’s restoration.
(E) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B),
(C), and (D) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored
are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a majority vote of the
membership present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering
disciplinary action.
(F) No matter may be heard by the discipline committee or the church unless the
steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case
of a public offense.
(G) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership,
all contact with him from that point forward (except by family members) must be
for the sake of restoration.
(H) The procedures provided in this section are based on Matt. 18:15-20; Rom.
16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:1-11; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6,
10-15; 1 Tim. 5:19-20; and Titus 3:10-11.
SECTION 3.05—TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP
Members not under the disciplinary process of Section 3.04 may request that
letters of transfer be sent to another church.
SECTION 3.06—TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
(A) The membership of any individual member shall be automatically terminated
without notice if the member in question has not attended a regular worship
service of the church in the preceding four months. Upon good cause being shown
to the pastor, this provision for termination may be waived in the case of any
individual member at the discretion of the pastor.
(B) No member of this church may hold membership in another church. If any
member unites in membership with another church, that person is automatically
terminated without notice from membership in this church.
(C) A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written
statement of good standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the
discretion of the pastor.
ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS
SECTION 4.01—CHURCH OFFICERS
The church officers are pastor (see Article 5, Section 5.01), deacon (see
Article 5, Section 5.02), church board (see Article 5, Section 5.03), church
clerk (see Article 5, Section 5.04), and church treasurer (see Article 5,
Section 5.05). One person may hold two or more offices, except that of pastor.
The pastor, from time to time as he deems appropriate, may appoint other church
officers, subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership.
SECTION 4.02—DESIGNATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS
As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the church, the pastor shall
serve as president of the corporation; the church clerk shall serve as
secretary of the corporation; the church treasurer shall serve as treasurer of
the corporation; and the chairman of the church board shall serve as vice
president of the corporation.
SECTION 4.03—ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE
(A) The church shall not install or retain an officer who fails to adhere to or
expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith. All church officers, upon
request of the pastor, shall affirm their agreement with the Statement of Faith
(as set forth in Article 2).
(B) All church officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by
the pastor in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.
(C) Only church members are eligible for election or appointment to any church
office or position.
SECTION 4.04—TERMS OF OFFICE
(A) The relationship between the pastor and the
church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the
giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The calling of a pastor
or severance of the relationship between the pastor and the church may be
considered at any regular church administration meeting, provided notice to
that effect shall have been given from the pulpit to the church two Sundays
prior to said regular church administration meeting. A three-fourths majority
of the eligible members present and voting shall be required to call a pastor
or to sever the relationship between the pastor and the church. Disciplinary
removal of the pastor from office automatically terminates his membership. A
restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the
requirements of Section 3.01(D).
(B) The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, except the
pastor, shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be re-elected or
re-appointed.
(C) A vacancy occurring in any office or board, except in the case of the
pastor, may be filled at any regular church administration meeting.
(D) All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices
until their successors are duly elected or appointed.
(E) Members of the church board may be removed from office for unbiblical
conduct, as determined by the other board members, upon a majority vote of the
remaining members of the church board.
SECTION 4.05—ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The annual election of officers by the church membership shall occur during the
month of January at the annual church administration meeting.
SECTION 4.06—PASTORAL OVERSIGHT OF OFFICERS AND STAFF
(A) Subject to the approval of the church membership and on the condition that
they shall become a member of the church upon assuming their duties, the pastor
may hire associates and assistants to assist the pastor in carrying out his
God-given responsibilities.
(B) All church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision
of the pastor who has the sole authority to hire, appoint, or dismiss the same.
The church shall not hire, appoint, or retain any employee or volunteer who
fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith.
ARTICLE 5 – DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS
SECTION 5.01—THE PASTOR
(A) The pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to
preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall
administer the ordinances of the church, act as moderator at all church
meetings for the transaction of church matters, supervise the teaching
ministries of the church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of
the membership.
(B) The pastor shall appoint the members of the various committees at the
annual church administration meeting. He shall serve as the president of the
corporation. He shall publicly inform all newly elected officers of the
particular function and the responsibilities of their respective offices. He
shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the
church and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a position.
The pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises
the ministry that God has given him.
(C) All appointments of church meetings for public worship and Bible study and
the arrangements thereof, including time and place and the use of the property
belonging to the church for purposes other than the stated appointments, shall
be under the control of the pastor.
SECTION 5.02—THE DEACON
The deacons shall assist the pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in
promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the religious
services, and in performing all other work of the church. They shall make
provision for the observance of the ordinances of the church. They shall, in
cooperation with the pastor, disburse the benevolence fund. They shall assist
the pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the church.
SECTION 5.03—THE CHURCH BOARD
(A) The church board shall consist of the pastor, deacons, and the number of
men, members in good standing, as deemed needed by the pastor.
(B) The church board shall act in an advisory capacity to the pastor. If
requested by the pastor, they shall consider applications for church
membership. The church board shall assist the pastor in caring for the
administrative needs of the church’s various ministries as requested by the
pastor. They shall provide the pulpit supply and choose a moderator for church
meetings if the pastor is unavailable or the office of pastor is vacant. Upon
the death, resignation, or dismissal of the pastor, the church board may
appoint a pulpit committee.
(C) Immediately following the annual church administration meeting, the church
board shall assemble and elect, from their own number, a chairman who shall be
vice president of the corporation, a vice chairman, and a secretary.
(D) The church board shall constitute the board of trustees of the corporation.
The board of trustees shall exercise only the following specific powers:
1. To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise
acquire real and personal property on behalf of the church, and to take real
and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the church;
2. To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise
dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and
personal property of the church, to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the
purpose and the use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and
delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes,
bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure repayment
by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges; and
3. To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation
if such action is mandated by a vote of the church membership.
SECTION 5.04—THE CHURCH CLERK
The church clerk shall:
(A) Certify and keep at the office of the church, the original bylaws or a
copy, including all amendments or alterations to the bylaws;
(B) Keep at the place where the bylaws or a copy are kept a record of the
proceedings of meetings of the church board, with the time and place of
holding, the notice of meeting given, the names of these present at the
meetings;
(C) Sign, certify, or attest documents as may be required by law;
(D) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of
these bylaws. (In case of the absence or disability of the secretary, or his or
her refusal or neglect to act, notice may be given and served by the pastor or
by the chairman of the church board.);
(E) Be custodian of the records of the church, including the membership roll,
baptisms, and certificates of ordination, licenses and commissions;
(F) See that the reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents and
records required by law are properly kept and filed;
(G) Exhibit at all reasonable times to proper persons on terms provided by law
the bylaws and minutes of proceedings of the church board or the minutes of the
meetings of the church members;
(H) Keep an account of any special events in the life of the church which are
of historical interest and give a report at the annual church administration
meeting of the status of the church membership roll in the past year;
(I) Keep all records at the office of the church and deliver them to any
successor upon leaving office;
(J) Serve as the secretary of the corporation.
SECTION 5.05—THE CHURCH TREASURER
The church treasurer shall:
(A) Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the
corporation, and deposit all funds in the name of the church in banks, trust
companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the pastor or the
church board;
(B) Receive, and give receipt for all contributions, gifts, and donations to
the church;
(C) Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the church as may be
directed by the pastor, the church board, or the budget adopted by the members
of the church at the annual church administration meeting, taking proper
vouchers for the disbursements;
(D) Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the church’s properties
and business transactions including account of its assets, liabilities,
receipts, disbursements, and capital;
(E) Make all expenditures of the church (except miscellaneous petty cash
disbursements) by check;
(F) When and as requested, render to the pastor and the church board accounts
of all his transactions as minister of finance and of the financial condition
of the church;
(G) Present a written report of itemized disbursements at the regular monthly
church administration meetings and make a general report for the year at the
annual church administration meeting;
(H) Keep all church financial records at the office of the church and deliver
them to any successor upon leaving office;
(I) Serve as treasurer of the corporation.
SECTION 5.06—ASSOCIATE PASTORS
Under the direction and guidance of the pastor, the associate pastor(s) of the
church shall assist the pastor in carrying out the ministries of the church.
SECTION 5.07—DUTIES OF ALL OFFICERS
(A) All officers shall prepare a written report of their work for the annual
church administration meeting and shall surrender any records in their
possession to the minister of records at the close of their term of office to
be filed as a permanent record of the work of the church. All records are the
property of the church and must be kept in the church office.
(B) Any officer who neglects
his duties as outlined in the bylaws for a period of three months may be
removed from his office at the discretion of the pastor, and another may be
appointed by the pastor to serve the un-expired term.
SECTION 5.08—INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
A public installation service in which all newly elected officers of the church
are to be dedicated to their respective offices and the ordination of newly
elected deacons shall be held at a public church service following their
election at the annual church administration meeting.
ARTICLE 6 – MEETINGS
SECTION 6.01—MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP
Unless otherwise determined by the pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday
for public worship both morning and evening and at least once during the week
for Bible study and prayer. The pastor shall determine the frequency of the
Lord’s Supper.
SECTION 6.02—MEETINGS FOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
(A) The annual church administration meeting shall be held on the second (2nd)
Saturday evening of January, and the regular monthly church administration
meetings shall be held on the second (2nd) Sunday of each month, at which time
the regular church administration shall be considered. A quorum shall consist
of the members present.
(B) All church administration meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer
for divine guidance and blessing.
(C) The moderator shall determine the rules of procedure according to his sense
of fairness and common sense, giving all members a reasonable opportunity to be
heard on a matter. The moderator is the final authority on questions of
procedure, and his decision is final and controlling. The following order shall
be observed at the regular church administration meetings:
1. Devotions & prayer
2. Reading of minutes
3. Reception of members
4. Dismissal of members
5. Report of officers
6. Reports of standing committees
7. Reports of special committees
8. Unfinished matters
9. Election of officers
10. New matters
11. Adjournment
12. Benediction
(D) For any meeting under this article, the moderator, in his sole discretion,
shall have full and unilateral authority to require nonmembers to leave the
meeting room and to order the immediate removal of any member or other person
present who is deemed by the moderator to be disruptive to the proceedings by
act or presence. The moderator shall have full authority to order the removal
of all children (ages to be determined by the moderator) if the moderator
determines, in his sole discretion, that circumstances so warrant. If the
moderator determines that compliance with his order of removal is
unsatisfactory, the moderator may, in his sole discretion, revoke the
disruptive person’s right to remain on the premises in accordance with Section
3.03(C) and treat the person as a trespasser.
SECTION 6.03—SPECIAL MEETINGS
(A) The pastor (or chairman of the church board if the office of pastor is
vacant or the pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary action) may call a
special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it
is called to the church from the pulpit at least one Sunday and not less than
one week prior to said meeting. A meeting for the calling of a pastor or the
severance of the relationship between the church and pastor shall be called in
accordance with the provision of Section 4.04(A).
(B) Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the
pastor deems beneficial.
SECTION 6.04—FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.
ARTICLE 7 – MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
SECTION 7.01—PURPOSE
The church believes that it is to provide the members’ children with an
education, which is based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The
church believes that the home and church are responsible before God for
providing a Christian education. To this end, the church shall engage in
ministries in education in keeping with the following dictates.
SECTION 7.02—CHURCH PARTICIPATION
All educational programs or courses of instruction formulated and offered by
the church shall be primarily for the benefit of the members of the church;
however, the pastor may permit nonchurch members to participate in church
educational programs or courses of instruction if he deems it in the best
interest of the church.
SECTION 7.03—STAFF MEMBERSHIP
All instructors, teachers, and administrators shall be members of this church.
This provision shall not apply to visiting missionaries, evangelists, or
preachers engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals,
or other special meetings on a temporary basis.
SECTION 7.04—STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be taught and
presented in full accord with the Statement of Faith of the church. The church
shall not hire, appoint, or retain any employee or volunteer for its
educational programs who fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the
Statement of Faith.
SECTION 7.05—UNITY
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted as an
integral and inseparable ministry of the church.
SECTION 7.06—TEACHING
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted
consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. Any assertion or
belief, which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception
and distortion of the truth, which will be disclaimed as false. It is the
responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of
God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.
SECTION 7.07—CHRISTIAN WALK
All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall continue or adopt a
lifestyle consistent with the precepts which they teach, whether in or out of
the classroom.
ARTICLE 8 – ORDINATION
SECTION 8.01—ORDINATION QUALIFICATIONS
Any member of this church or its mission churches, who gives evidence of a
genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the
qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a
minister of the Gospel.
SECTION 8.02—ORDINATION PROCEDURE
(A) Upon a conference with the pastor and after the pastor has approved the
candidate for ordination, the pastor shall call a council to examine and pass
on the qualification of the candidate. The ordination council shall consist of
ordained ministers of like faith invited to participate in the examination of
the candidate.
(B) If the candidate is found worthy of ordination by the council, the
ordination council may ordain the candidate on behalf of the church.
(C) The pastor shall arrange for the ordination service.
ARTICLE 9 – INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 9.01—ACTIONS SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION
The church may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative,
including all appeals (other than an action by or in the right of the church)
by reason of the fact that the person is or was a pastor, deacon, officer,
employee, or agent of the church, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding; and if that
person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the church and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct
was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement, conviction, or on a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not
act in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the church and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
conduct was unlawful.
SECTION 9.02—EXPENSES SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION
To the extent that a pastor,
deacon, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in this
Article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in that action, suit, or
proceeding, he or she may be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’
fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action,
suit, or proceeding.
SECTION 9.03—LIMITATIONS OF INDEMNIFICATION
Any indemnification made under this Article, may be made by the church only as
authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of the
pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of
this Article. The determination shall be made (a) by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of the pastor and deacons who were not and are not parties to
or threatened with the action, suit, or proceeding; (b) if the described quorum
is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested deacons so
directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or (c) by a
majority vote of the members of the church.
SECTION 9.04—TIMING OF INDEMNIFICATION
Expenses of each person seeking indemnification under this Article, may be paid
by the church as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the
action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the church board in the specific
case, on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the pastor, deacon,
officer, employee, or agent to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined
that he or she is not qualified to be indemnified by the church.
SECTION 9.05—EXTENT OF INDEMNIFICATION
The indemnification provided by this Article shall be deemed to be
discretionary unless otherwise required as a matter of law or under any
agreement or provided by insurance purchased by the church, both as to action
of each person seeking indemnification under this Article in his official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding that office, and
may continue as to a person who has ceased to be a pastor, deacon, officer,
employee, or agent and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and
administrators of that person.
SECTION 9.06—INSURANCE
The church may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is
or was a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the church against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in that capacity, or arising
out of his status in that capacity, whether or not the church would have the
power to indemnify him against liability under the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE 10 – COMMITTEES
SECTION 10.01—STANDING COMMITTEES
The pastor (or the church board if the office of pastor is vacant) shall
appoint standing committees and designate a chairperson for each standing
committee and, except when otherwise specifically provided in these bylaws,
shall determine the membership of each standing committee. In addition to the
discipline committee, the pastor may appoint other standing committees as he
deems appropriate.
SECTION 10.02—SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The church board, in its discretion, may create special committees to provide
the board with advice and information regarding matters submitted to the
committee by the board for consideration. The committee shall have no authority
to act on behalf of the corporation. The members of the committee shall be
chosen by a majority vote of the church board and shall serve solely at the
pleasure of the church board. The special committee shall be subject to the
control and direction of the church board at all times.
ARTICLE 11 – DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational,
and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific
goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions, but all
suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All
contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain
subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the pastor and the church
board. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution
made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general
furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Section 1.02.
ARTICLE 12 – BINDING ARBITRATION
SECTION 12.01—SUBMISSION TO ARBITRATION
Believing that lawsuits between believers are prohibited by Scripture, all
members of this church agree to submit to binding arbitration any matters which
cannot otherwise be resolved, and expressly waive any and all rights in law and
equity to bringing any civil disagreement before a court of law, except that
judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction thereof.
SECTION 12.02—NOTICE OF ARBITRATION
In the event of any dispute, claim, question, or disagreement arising out of or
relating to these bylaws or any other church matter, the parties shall use
their best efforts to settle such disputes, claims, questions, or disagreement
as befits Christians. To this effect, they shall consult and negotiate with
each other in good faith and, recognizing their mutual interests not to
disgrace the name of Christ, seek to reach a just and equitable solution. If
they do not reach such solution within a period of sixty (60) days, then upon
notice by either party to the other, disputes, claims, questions, or
differences shall be finally settled by arbitration as described in section
13.01, above, and such Procedures for Arbitration as are adopted pursuant to
Section 13.04, below.
SECTION 12.03—LIMITATIONS ON ARBITRATION DECISIONS
(A) Should any dispute involve matters of church discipline, the arbitrators
shall be limited to determining whether the procedures for church discipline as
outlined under Section 3.04, were followed.
(B) Should any dispute involve the removal from office of the pastor or any
church officer, the arbitrators shall be limited to determining whether the
procedures set forth in Section 3.04 were followed.
SECTION 12.04—ARBITRATION PROCEDURES
The Procedures for Arbitration shall be as adopted by the pastor and the church
board.
ARTICLE 13 – AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be revised or amended by a majority vote of the members
present and voting at any regular church administration meeting, provided that
said revision or amendment has been submitted in writing and announced from the
pulpit fourteen (14) days before the vote is taken.
ADOPTION
These bylaws were adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present
and voting at a duly called meeting of the church in which a quorum was present.
These bylaws supersede any other bylaws of the church.
Date
Minister of Records