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ARTICLE IV - COVENANT:
The Church Covenant is printed elsewhere in this booklet. For the instruction of young people, we simplify the Covenant in the following ten points:
As a young person desiring to join this Church, I promise to do the following things:
To attend the services of the Church. I understand that if I miss all services for a year, my name may be dropped from the roll of the Church.
- To read my Bible and pray so that I may grow as a Christian.
- To help my Church in every way I can including giving offerings if possible.
- To be an example to others by controlling my tongue and temper
- To witness for my Savior and to seek to win others to Him.
- To be slow to get angry and quick to "Make up".
- To stand against intoxicating drinks and other artificial stimulants.
To tell the Church when I move away, and to give my new address.
To join some other Baptist Church when I move away.
To carry out the spirit of this Covenant and the principles of God's Word.
ARTICLE V - PRINCIPLES:
As founders and members of the ________________ Baptist Church, we accept as important the following seven principles.
We believe in the assurance of eternal salvation in Christ our Lord.
We believe in the absolute authority of the Holy Scriptures.
We believe in the primacy, autonomy and authority of the local Church.
We believe in the personal, visible, and sure return of Christ to this earth.
We believe in the separation of Christians from those systems of men which have organized them themselves outside and contrary to the Will of God.
We believe in the separation of the Church and the State.
We believe in the public leadership of men in the Church.
By-Laws
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP:
Section 1. Qualifications. This Church shall receive members in the following ways:
Public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and upon Baptism by immersion.
By letter (a recommendation of fellowship) of transfer from another Baptist Church.
By statement of membership (with a clear testimony of salvation), in a Baptist Church. Note: In each case the individual must assure the Church that their inability to get a letter has a reasonable basis. In case they cannot give this assurance, they must come only on the most solemn rededication of life.
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Section 2. Reception. All prospective members will be congratulated publicly on their coming to the front of Church to unite with the Church by one of the three ways stated above, but they will not be received officially as members until they have:
Received instructions as to this Constitution and By-Laws to
include the doctrinal statement and the Covenant.Agreed to enter into covenant relationship with this church.
Been received by a favorable vote of the Church in a service
following the one in which they came forward.
Section 3. Duties. Members are expected to be faithful in all the duties essential to living a positive life for Jesus Christ. To attend habitually all the services possible. To give regularly for its support and its causes and to share in its organized work. Attendance will evidence participation and fellowship. Failure to attend will signal lagging zeal, limited fellowship and a declining state of spiritual health and will be the cause of serious concern on the part of the pastor, deacons, and other members.
Section 4. Rights. All members shall have the right to act, vote and speak (or have someone speak for them) pertaining to the transactions of the Church.
Section 5. Quorum. For the transaction of business, at least twenty-five (25) per cent of the resident membership of the Church, or a specified number of members shall be present.
Section 6. Termination of Membership. Membership shall cease in the following ways:
At death.
Upon the granting of a letter of transfer to another Baptist Church.
When a member unites with a Church of another denomination.
When a member moves away and has, therefore, been nonresident for a year or in some cases two years (depending on age and maturity) or in the case of service men and others who definitely cannot find a Church of like faith and order.
When a member has not worshipped with the Church for a period of one year, except those who are infirm in health due to illness or old age.
When a member has become a serious offense to the Church and its good name due to immoral and scandalous conduct, or by a near total breach of his covenant vows.
Note: Termination, in regard to items d, e, and f, will come about by action of the Church in any quarterly business meeting or the annual business meeting in January at which time the deacons will have made a report on the fellowship of the Church. Any termination of membership by action of the Church will come about only after deep prayer and where possible after due notice to the delinquent member. This action will be taken
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only after faithful, patient, kind, and loving efforts have been made to
bring the member to repentance and amendment. It is considered that any such
termination of membership is only making official that which exists already
in fact, namely a state of non-fellowship.
Section 7. Restoration. Any person whose membership has been terminated for
any offense may be restored by vote of the Church upon evidence of their
repentance and amendment.
ARTICLE II - CHURCH OFFICERS
Section 1. Pastor. A pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church
whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting called
for that purpose, of which at least one week's notice (public) shall have
been given. A pulpit committee shall be elected by the Church to seek out a
suitable pastor, and their recommendation will constitute a nomination,
although any member of the Church has the privilege of making other
nominations. The pulpit committee shall bring to the consideration of the
Church only one name at a time. Election shall be by secret ballot. The
pastor thus elected will serve for an indefinite time and either he or the
Church may end the relationship upon thirty days (30) notice. The pastor
shall have in charge the welfare and oversight of the Church. He shall be
the preacher on a regular basis and shall be in charge of the pulpit. In all
public services of the Church he will preside.
Section 2. Deacons. There may be three deacons for the first one hundred (100) members or less, and two additional deacons for the next one hundred (100) or major fraction thereof. The first deacon shall be elected for a term of three years. The next man will be elected for two years and the third one for one year. Following this initial arrangement, deacons will be elected for a three year term. Each deacon will therefore, stand election every three years. In this way, one third of the deacons will be elected each year.
Note: The primary duty of the deacons will be to seek to keep the peace and fellowship of the Church. It will be their responsibility to give a report to the Church each January on the membership of the Church. Delinquent members will have been investigated and reported on in this meeting. Deacons will advise the pastor and other members of the Church when called upon, or when, in the opinion of the deacons, there is need for it.
Section 3. Clerk. The clerk shall be elected annually. This individual shall be responsible for keeping a record of all the actions of the Church. Also, a register of the names of members, with dates of admission, dismissal, or death, together with a record of baptisms, shall be kept by the clerk. He shall write for letters of transfer from other Baptist Churches, shall issue letters of dismissal voted by the Church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports and give legal notice of all meetings where such notice