CHURCH CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
So that things may be done decently and in order in accordance
with the accepted tenets of other churches of like precious faith, and that we
may more readily help each other in our Christian service, we declare and
establish this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
ARTICLE
I
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION 1 - NAME:
This congregation of believers shall be known as the FIRST
BAPTIST CHURCH OF EASTON PA
SECTION 2 - PURPOSE:
(A) 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, maintaining and operating of churches,
parsonages, schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations, rescue
missions, print shops, day care centers, camps, nursing homes, and cemeteries,
and any other ministries that the Church may be led of God to establish.
(B) The Church shall also ordain and license
men of the Gospel ministry; evangelize the unsaved by the proclaiming of the
Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; educate believers in a manner consistent with
the requirements of Holy Scriptures, both in Sunday and weekday schools of
Christian education; maintain missionary activities in the United States and
any foreign country; and engage in any other ministry that the Church may
decide, from time to time, to pursue in obedience to the will of God.
ARTICLE II
STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT
SECTION 1 - STATEMENT OF FAITH:
(A) The Holy
Scriptures
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
to be the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and
God-breathed, and therefore are the final authority for faith and
life. The sixty-six books of the Old and
New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according
to their normal grammatical-historical meaning.
The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only
translation used by the Church (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm
12:6,7; Prov. 30:5,6).
(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 age of law, the age of the Church, and the age of the
kingdom--are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture (Gen. 1:28; I
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 there is one and only living and true God, an
infinite Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly
glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love.
We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three
persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each co-eternal in being, co-identical
in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and
perfections (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:10,26; Exodus
20:2,3; I Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11; I John 5:7).
(D) The Person and Work
of Christ
(1) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ,
eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been
conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He
might reveal God and redeem sinful men (Isaiah 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; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5).
(3) We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ
ascended to Heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our
High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and
Advocate (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; Rom. 8:34, I John 2:1-2).
(E) The Person and
Work of the Holy Spirit
(1) We believe that the Holy Spirit is a
person Who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and,
that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into
the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption (John
16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12-14; 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 saved to be filled with the Spirit (Eph.
1:17-18; 5:18; I John 2:20,27).
(3) We believe that God is sovereign in the
bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.
God uniquely uses 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; I 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. We believe that 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
(I Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22).
(F) The Total
Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of
God, but that in Adam's sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and
became alienated from God; and, that man is totally depraved, and of himself,
utterly unable to remedy his lost condition (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23;
5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19).
(G) Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by
grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious
blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins (John 1:12;
Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; I Peter 1:18-19).
Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures
to such as believe in Him is justification;
(a) that Justification includes
the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life, on principles of
righteousness (b) that it is bestowed not in
consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely
through faith in the Redeemer's blood, His righteousness is imputed to us (Acts
13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; 5:8; 5:1).
(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; I Cor. 1:4-8; I Peter 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 invisible church,
which is the "body of Christ" and the espoused bride of Christ, is
solely made up of born-again persons (I Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph.
1:22-23; 5:25-27).
(2) We
believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers; associated
by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances
of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and
privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors and
deacons with qualifications, whose claims and duties are clearly defined in the
Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is the faithful
witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the
absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy
of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only superintendent is
Christ through the Holy Spirit; that is scriptural for true churches to
cooperate for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole
judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of
membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will
of the local church is final. (Acts
2:41,42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22,23; Eph. 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; I Tim. 3:17; Col.
1:18; Eph. 5:23,24; Acts 15:13-18).
(3) We
believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly
taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures (Acts 14:27; 20:17,
28-32; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11).
(4) We believe in the autonomy of the local
church free of any external authority or control (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31;
20:28; Rom. 16:1,4; I Cor. 3:9,16; 5:4-7,13; I Peter 5:1-4).
(5) 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; I Cor. 11:23-26).
(J) Separation
We believe that all the saved should live in such a manner as
not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord; and, that separation from all
religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices and
associations is commanded of God (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2
Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).
(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. 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 (Psalm
89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; I Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Rev.
3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6).
(L) The Eternal State
(1) We
believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and
the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment (Matt. 25:46; John
5:28,29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13).
(2) We believe that the souls of the
redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where
in conscious bliss they await the first resurrection, when 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 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; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matt.
4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
(N) Creation and Fall
of Man
(1) We believe that God created the universe
in six literal, 24 hour periods. We
reject evolution, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural
theories of origin (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11; Col. 1:16,17; John 1:1-3).
(2) We believe that man was created in
innocence under the law of his Maker, by voluntary transgression fell from his
sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners,
not only by constraint, but by choice, and, therefore, under just condemnation
without defense or excuse (Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:10-19; Rom. 1:18,32).
(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; I Peter
2:13-14; Acts 5:29).
(P) Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual
activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a
woman. We believe that any form of
homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, fornication, adultery and
pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex (Gen. 2:24; 19:5,13;
26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1-8; Heb.
13:4).
(Q) Divorce and
Remarriage
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last
until one of the spouses dies. Divorce
and remarriage is regarded as adultery.
Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions
of service (to be defined by the Pastor and Deacons) in the Church and be
greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the
offices of pastor or deacon (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; I Tim.
3:2,12; Titus 1:6).
(R) 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 mental well-being of the mother is acceptable (Job 3:16;
Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).
(S) 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 lost at home and abroad 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).
(T) 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 (I Cor.
6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
(U) 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 they have been made love
gifts, however, may be designated ( Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37;
I Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; I Tim. 5:17-18; I John 3:17).
SECTION 2 - AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH:
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our
faith. The Bible itself is the sole and
final source of all that we believe. We
do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately
represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all
members.
SECTION 3 - COVENANT:
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to
receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith,
having been baptized in the Name of our Father, and 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; 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 worldly
amusements such as movie attendance, gambling, rock music, and dancing; to be
free from all oath bound secret societies and partnerships with believers or
unbelievers; to abstain from the sale or use of tobacco in any form,
non-prescribed drugs, or 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, to secure reconciliation without delay.
We moreover engage, that when we remove from this place, we
will as soon as possible, unite with some other Church where we can carry out
the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP:
Upon a majority vote of the members present at any Church
service or meeting, membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose
lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and
acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; who renounce sin; who
endeavor to live a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe
to the Statement of Faith contained herein; and who enter into the Church
covenant contained herein; and upon compliance with any one of the following
conditions:
(A) By baptism (immersion) as a true believer
in Christ Jesus as personal Savior;
(B) By letter of transfer from another
Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement
of good standing from the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by
immersion subsequent to a profession of faith;
(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 Deacons if the office of Pastor is vacant).
SECTION 2 - DUTIES OF A MEMBER:
On becoming a member of this Church, in addition to the
covenant contained in Article II, Section 3, each one further covenants to love,
honor, and esteem the Pastor; to pray for him; and to recognize his authority
in spiritual affairs of the Church; to cherish a brotherly love for all members
of the Church; to support the Church in prayer, tithes, offerings and with
other financial support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical
commands to support through a lifestyle, walk and affirmation of the beliefs
and practices of the Church.
SECTION 3 - PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP:
This congregation functions, not as a pure democracy, but as a
body under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the
Pastor as the undershepherd with the counsel of the Deacons. Membership in this Church does not afford
those individuals with any property, contract, or civil rights based on
principles of democratic government.
Determination of the internal affairs of this Church are ecclesiastical
matters and shall be determined exclusively by the Church's own rules and
procedures. The Pastor shall oversee
and/or conduct all aspects of this Church.
The Deacons shall give counsel and assistance to the Pastor as requested
by him. The membership of the Church has
certain limited areas of exercising a vote.
Members may not vote to initiate any Church action, but rather the vote
of a member is to confirm and ratify the direction of the Church as determined
by the Pastor.
BUSINESS (ELIGIBLE VOTERS): Only members in good standing, eighteen
(18) and above years of age, shall be entitled to the right to speak or vote at
any of the church's business meetings.
SECTION 4 - DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER:
(A) There shall be a Discipline Committee
consisting of the Pastor and the Deacons.
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. He 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 (Matt. 18:16-18; Gal. 6:1-4).
(C) If reconciliation is not reached, a
second member, either a deacon or the Pastor is to accompany the one seeking to
resolve the matter. This second step
should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of
humility with the goal of restoration.
(D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in
subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, the Discipline Committee, as the
Church representatives biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, may
hear the matter. If the matter is not
resolved during the hearing or if no hearing has taken place, the Committee
shall recommend to the members of the Church that they, after self-examination,
vote the offending member out of the membership.
(E) 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.
(F) If an unrepentant offending party is
removed from the Church membership, all contact with him from that point
forward must be for the sake of restoration (except family members). (Rom.
16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14,15; I Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:6-11)
SECTION 5 - MEMBERSHIP DISPUTES:
In accord with the principles of I Cor. 6 disputes between
brethren which directly pertain to local church matters shall be mediated
within the church, by the Pastor and Deacons.
The parties involved shall submit to their decision.
SECTION 6 - TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP:
Members, not under the disciplining process of Section 4, may
request that letters of transfer be sent to another church of like faith and
practice.
SECTION 7 - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:
(A) The membership of any individual member
shall be automatically terminated without notice if the member in question has
not attended a regular worship service of the Church in the preceding six
months. Upon good cause being shown to
the Pastor, 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 IV
OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - CHURCH OFFICERS:
The spiritual offices are Pastor and Deacons. (Phil. 1:1; I
Tim. 3:1-13)
Other positions, such as church clerk, treasurer, ushers, etc.
are for the order of good business and shall be filled as needed.
SECTION 2 - ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE:
(A) No person shall be elected to any office
whatsoever, who is unwilling to subscribe wholeheartedly to the Articles of
Faith and the Church Covenant. If any
officer should, during his term of office refuse to do so, his tenure of office
shall immediately and automatically cease, at the recommendation of the
Deacons. No one shall serve as Sunday
School Teacher, Sunday School Class Officer, or as an officer of any unit of
this church, who is not a member in good and regular standing.
(B) Only Church members are eligible for
election or appointment to any Church office or position.
(C) No officer of the church, Sunday School,
Young People's or any subsidiary organization, Sunday School Teacher, song
leader, pianist or organist, choir member, etc. shall be elected or employed
who cannot sincerely testify to and unreservedly subscribe to the following:
(1) Born again and faithfully witnessing to
the lost.
(2) Faithful to services and activities of
the church.
(3) Separation from the world, such as
membership in secret and oath binding organizations and affiliation with
modernistic activities (i.e. Mason’s, K.K.K., etc.).
(4) Abstinence from worldly indulgences,
such as liquor, tobacco, narcotics, etc.
(5) No participation in worldly amusements,
such as movie theaters, pornography, gambling, dancing, public mixed swimming.
(6) Modestly attired at all times. (i.e.
Women no mini skirts, see through or low cut dresses or blouses, etc. I Tim.
2: 9 –10). Women to dress in
feminine attire. Men in masculine attire.
(Dt. 22:5)
SECTION 3 - TERMS OF OFFICE:
The length of
terms of office shall be as follows:
(A) The relationship between the Pastor and
the Church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by
the giving of 90 days notice (Church to Pastor or Pastor to Church), or less by
mutual consent. The severance of the
relationship between the Pastor and the Church may be considered at any regular
Church Business Meeting, provided notice to that effect shall have been given
from the pulpit to the Church one Sunday prior to said regular Church Business
Meeting. A three-fourths majority of the
members present and voting shall be required to decide the matter. 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 Article II, Section 1 (D).
(B) The term of service for deacons will be 3
years. Other positions' term of service
shall be determined by the Pastor and Deacons.
(C) A vacancy occurring in any office, except
in the case of the Pastor, may be filled at any regular Church Business
Meeting.
(D) All elected and appointed officers shall
serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly elected or
appointed.
SECTION 4 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
(A) The annual election of officers by the
Church membership shall occur during the month of December.
(B) The Nominating Committee (consisting of
Pastor and Deacons) shall present a list of nominees submitted by the
congregation, after having been reviewed by the Nominating Committee, for
election. Additional nominations will
not be considered.
SECTION 5 - PASTORAL OVERSIGHT OF OFFICERS AND STAFF:
(A) Subject to 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 authority
to hire, appoint, or dismiss the same.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - THE PASTOR:
(A) The Pastor shall preach the Gospel
regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of
God as the Lord leads him. He shall
administer the ordinances of the Church, act as moderator at all Church
meetings for the transaction of the Church matters, supervise the teaching
ministries of the Church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of
the membership.
(B) The Pastor 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.
SECTION 2 - THE DEACONS:
(A) 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, if requested by the Pastor,
consider applications for Church membership.
They shall, in cooperation with the Pastor, disburse the benevolence
fund. They shall assist the Pastor in
visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the Church. They shall provide the pulpit supply and act
as a Pulpit Committee and act as leaders for Church meetings if the office of
Pastor is vacant. The deacons shall
assist the Pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the Church's
various ministries as requested by the Pastor.
(B) Immediately following the annual Church
Business Meeting, the deacons shall assemble and elect, from their own number,
a chairman.
(C) The deacons shall constitute the trustees
of the Church. The trustees shall
exercise 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 with the approval of the church.
(3) to exercise all powers necessary for the
dissolution of the Church, if such action
is mandated by a vote of the Church membership.
SECTION 3 - CHURCH CLERK:
The church clerk shall keep a record of Church proceedings, of
the membership roll, of all baptisms, of certificates of ordination, licenses
and commissions as directed by the Church, and preserve all documents, papers,
and letters coming into his hands during his term of office. All records are to be kept secure, and
delivered to any successor upon leaving office.
He shall keep an account of any special events in the life of the Church
which are of historical interest and shall give a report at the annual Church
business meeting of the status of the Church membership roll in the past year.
SECTION 4 - TREASURER:
The treasurer shall account for all funds contributed to the
Church and shall disburse the same as ordered by the Church. He shall present a written report of itemized
disbursements each month and make a general report for the year at the annual
Church business meeting. All
expenditures of the Church except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements shall
be paid by check. He shall work with the
Pastor in preparing an annual budget for the Church.
SECTION 5 - HEAD USHER:
The head usher, in cooperation with the Pastor, shall appoint
a sufficient number of assistants to care for the work of ushering and
extending the official hospitality of the Church to its members and visitors.
SECTION 6 - ASSISTANT PASTORS:
Under the direction and guidance of the Pastor, the assistant
pastors of the Church shall assist the Pastor in carrying out the ministries of
the Church.
SECTION 7 - DUTIES OF ALL OFFICERS:
(A) All officers shall prepare a written
report of their work for the annual Church business meeting and shall surrender
any records in their possession to the chairman of deacons 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, other than deacon, who
neglects his duties as outlined in the constitution 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 unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
SECTION 1 - MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP:
Unless otherwise determined by the Pastor, the Church shall
meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening and at least once
during the week for Bible study and prayer.
SECTION 2 - MEETINGS FOR CHURCH BUSINESS:
(A) The Pastor may call a business meeting
anytime he deems it necessary and prudent for the effective and smooth
operation of the Church.
(B) The annual budget shall be presented to
the Church by the deacons and the Pastor, who should comprise the Budget
Committee, for ratification. Changes in
the proposed budget may be suggested by the congregation. However, certain areas, such as salaries and
benefits of church employees, are not subject to change from the floor of the
meeting without first being referred back to the Budget Committee who will
consider any proposed changes and return with a possible amendment.
SECTION 3 - SPECIAL MEETINGS:
(A) The Pastor (or deacons 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 call of a Pastor may be called by the Pulpit Committee
at any regular Church meeting of the Church at least one week in advance. The Pulpit Committee shall be the deacons.
(B) Bible conferences, missionary conferences,
revivals, etc. may be held as the Pastor deems beneficial.
SECTION 4 - FISCAL YEAR:
The fiscal year of the Church shall begin January 1st and end
December 31st.
ARTICLE VII
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
SECTION 1 - PURPOSE:
The Church believes that it is to provide the 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 of education in keeping with the following dictates:
SECTION 2 - 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 non-Church members to participate in
Church educational programs or courses of instruction if he deems it in the
best interest of the Church.
SECTION 3 - STAFF 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 4 - STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD:
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be
taught and presented in full accord with the Statement of Faith of the Church.
SECTION 5 - UNITY:
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be
conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the Church.
SECTION 6 - TEACHING:
All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be
conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. ANY assertion or belief which conflicts with
or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and distortion of the truth
which will be disclaimed as false. It is
the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word
of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.
SECTION 7 - CHRISTIAN WALK:
All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall continue
or adopt a lifestyle consistent with the precepts which they teach, whether in
or out of the classroom.
ARTICLE VIII
UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES
Any expenditure in excess of $200 and not authorized in the
regular annual budget must be authorized by the Pastor (or the Deacons if the
office of Pastor is vacant [in cooperation with the Treasurer]).
ARTICLE IX
ORDINATION
SECTION 1 - ORDINATION QUALIFICATIONS:
Any male member of this Church or its mission churches, who
gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and
possesses the qualifications stated in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus
1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.
SECTION 2 - ORDINATION PROCEDURE:
(A) Upon a conference with the Pastor and
after the 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 the
ordination by the council, the Church may proceed with the ordination of the
candidate.
(C) The Pastor and the chairman of the deacons
shall arrange for the ordination service.
ARTICLE X
TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 - PRIVATE INUREMENT:
No part of the net earnings of the Church shall inure to the
benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other
private persons, except that the Church shall be authorized and empowered to
pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 1, Section 2
hereof.
SECTION 2 - POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT:
No substantial part of the activities of the Church shall be
the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation. The Church shall not
participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of
statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office
(Political Separation).
SECTION 3 - DISSOLUTION:
Upon the dissolution of the Church, the Trustees shall, after
paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the Church,
dispose of all of the assets of the Church to such organization or
organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes as
shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under
Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding
provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Trustees
shall determine. Assets may be
distributed only to organizations which agree with the Church's Statement of
Faith.
SECTION 4 - RACIAL NONDISCRIMINATION:
The Church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and
therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and
others on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.
ARTICLE XI
DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
SECTION 1:
From time to time the Church, in the exercise of its religious,
educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish
specific goals. Contributors may suggest
uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory
rather than mandatory in nature. All
contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain
subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Pastor and the
Deacons. 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
Article 1, Section 2. (Biblically the
tithe should not be designated.)
SECTION 2:
It is understood that all gifts and donations become the
permanent property of First Baptist Church of Easton.
ARTICLE XII
CALLING OF A PASTOR
SECTION 1 - PULPIT
COMMITTEE:
(1) The
deacons holding office at the time of the previous Pastor's departure shall
constitute the pulpit committee. Note:
No new deacons shall be elected while the Pastor's position is empty.
(2) The
pulpit committee shall interview all possible candidates for the office of
Pastor and shall recommend acceptable candidates to the church.
(3) All
candidates must have a unanimous recommendation of the pulpit committee.
SECTION 2 -
CANDIDATES:
(1) Each candidate shall preach a minimum of two Sundays, both
morning and evening services.
(2) Each
candidate must be voted upon before another candidate may be considered.
(3) In
the event a candidate is voted on and fails to receive a sufficient majority of
votes, he may not be considered or voted on again for a minimum of ninety days.
(4) No
candidate, having been turned down twice by the vote of the church shall be
considered again for a minimum of one year.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be revised or amended by a majority vote
of the members present and voting, at any regular Church business 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 and is in
harmony with Biblical principles and the letter and spirit of this Constitution.
ADOPTION
This Constitution was 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 of no less than 20 was present.
This Constitution and By-Laws supersedes any other
constitution and/or by-laws of the First Baptist Church of Easton.
____________________ ____________________________________
Date Church
Clerk
CHURCH BY-LAWS
NUMBER 1:
All appointments for public worship and Bible study and the
arrangements thereof including time and place and the use of the property
belonging to the Church for purposes other than the stated appointments shall
be under the control of the Pastor.
NUMBER 2:
All literature used in the Church shall be in complete
agreement with the Statement of Faith.
The Authorized Version - King James Bible shall be the only Bible used
in any and all ministries of First Baptist Church of Easton.