Doctrine
"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." - 2 Timothy 1:13-14
The following is our Church Covenant and Constitution. You can click here to download a PDF version, last revised in 2009.
CHURCH 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 the 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 promise by the aid of the Holy Spirit to forsake the paths of sin, and walk in the ways of holiness all the days of our lives. With this view, we engage to strive together 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 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 throughout all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to educate religiously our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, back-biting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We further engage to walk together in Christian love and watchfulness, giving and receiving admonition with meekness and affection; 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 it 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.
THE CONSTITUTION
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be Covenant Baptist Church of Dayton, Ohio.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this church shall be the carrying out of the great commission given by the Lord Jesus Christ. This constitutes evangelism both home and abroad, the administration of the church ordinances and the development of the spiritual maturing of every believer.
Article III - Character
This church shall be an independent, sovereign, self-governing body of believers, subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body or organization. This church shall maintain a separatist position towards all modernistic and unbiblical organizations and ecclesiastical groups. This church shall, however, recognize and sustain the obligations of mutual co-operation and fellowship amongst Baptist churches of like faith and position.
Article IV - Articles of Faith
1. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible, as originally written, was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and, therefore, has truth without any mixture of error for its matter. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
(A) By "The Holy Bible," we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which as originally written is the complete, sufficient and final Word of God.
(B) By "inspiration," we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be.
John 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21
2. The True God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exod 20:2-3; 1 Cor 8:6; 1 John 5:7; Rev 4:11
(A) God the Father
We believe in the eternal deity of the Father and that, as God, He is to be worshipped; that He was active in the Creation; that prayer is properly addressed to Him; that He is the administrative head of the Trinity; that all good which comes to His children flows from Him; and that He is the final judge of mankind.
Gen 1:1-31; Ps 33:6-9; 68:4; 145:3; Jer 10:10; Isa 42:5; Matt 6:9, 28-30; 7:11; 20:23; 26:39, 42; Mark 13:32; John 4:23-24; 5:36; 1 Cor 15:24; 2 Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3; Jas 1:17; 1 Pet 1:17; 1 John 3:1
(B) God the Son
We believe in both the true deity and the true humanity of Jesus Christ, two distinct natures inseparably joined in one Person, who is both the Son of God and God the Son. We believe that being of one nature with God the Father, He existed with the Father from eternity past; that He was active in the Creation of the universe and that He continues to this day the work of sustaining the universe in its day-to-day operation. We believe that this eternal Son of God became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary, being miraculously conceived there solely by the power of God's Holy Spirit, and that His entire earthly life was free from sin. We believe that since His crucifixion, physical resurrection, and ascension, He sits at the right hand of God and is the Intercessor and Advocate for all Christians.
Ps 110:1; Matt 1:20-23; 17:5; Luke 1:35; 23:33-34; 24:1-8, 50-52; John 1:1-3; 5:17; 10:30-33; 14:8-11; 17:5; Rom 1:3-4; 8:34; Phil 2:7-8; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:2-3; 2:14; 4:15; 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1
(C) God the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.
Gen 1:1-3; Matt 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 24:49; John 1:33, 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 16:7-11; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Rom 8:14-16, 26-27; Eph 1:13-14; Heb 9:14
3. The Devil, or Satan
We believe that Satan is a literal personality; that he was once holy, and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, he fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince of the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world; that he is man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the anti-Christ, and the author of all the powers of darkness; that he is limited in his activity by the wisdom and power of God; that he is destined to final defeat at the hands of God's Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:14-17; Zech 3:1; Matt 4:1-3; 13:25, 37-39; 25:41; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 22:3-4; John 14:30; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Eph 2:2; 1 Thess 3:5; 2 Thess 2:8-11; 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Pet 2:4; 1 John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; 2 John 7; Jude 6; Rev 12:7-10; 13:13-14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:10
4. The Creation
We believe in the Genesis account of creation; that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that the entire universe was spoken into existence by our powerful God; that all animal and vegetable life was made directly by Him, and that His established law was that they should bring forth only "after their kind."
Gen 1:1, 11-12, 24-25; Exod 20:11; Heb 11:3; Rev 10:6
5. The Human Race
We believe that man, created directly by God, is the crown of God's creation, not only because he was made at the end of God's creative activity and was given dominion over the rest of creation, but also because only man was created in God's own image and likeness. We therefore believe in the sacredness of human life from the moment of conception. Thus, we also believe that only God who created man has the authority to decide, in accordance with the principles of His Word, when any given human life shall end.
We believe that maleness and femaleness is a part of what it means for man to be created in the image of God -- the principle of unity in plurality.
We further believe in the family as the first human institution that God established, and that from the beginning God ordained that a family is formed when a man and a woman come together in marriage, with the presumed purpose of procreation.
We believe that man as originally created was innocent but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless condition, in consequence of which all people are now sinners, by nature and by choice, and are all therefore under just condemnation, without defense or excuse.
Gen 1:26-31; 2:23-24; 3:1-6; 9:5-6; 1 Sam 2:6; Job 14:5; Ps 139:13-16; Jer 1:5; Rom 1:18-20; Rom 3:23; 5:12, 14; 13:3-4
6. Election
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is the most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance, and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
Exod 33:19; Josh 24:3; Ps 4:3-4; 119:173-174; Isa 12:2; Jer 1:3-5; Hos 12:9; Luke 10:42; 18:7-8; John 3:16; 6:37-40; 15:16; Acts 1:24; 13:48-49; 15:14-16; Rom 3:27; 4:16; 8:14-19, 24, 28-30, 33-39; 9:23-24; 10:14-15; 11:4-6, 13-14, 35-36; 1 Cor 1:29; 3:5-7; 4:7; 6:15; 9:22; 15:10; 2 Cor 1:10-11; 13:5; Eph 1:3-4, 11-13, 16, 19; 2:9-10; Phil 3:12; Col 2:2-3; 3:12-13; 1 Thess 1:4, 10; 2:11-14; 2 Tim 1:9; 2:10; Heb 4:11; 10:20-22; 11:24, 27; Jas 1:17-18, 21; 1 Pet 1:1-5; 2:9; 2 Pet 1:10-11; 1 John 3:2; 4:10-13, 19; 5:13; Rev 22:17
7. Atonement for Sin
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; that He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but as a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, the Just dying for the unjust: Christ, the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and that uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
Isa 53:4-7; Matt 18:11; John 3:16; Acts 15:11; Rom 3:24-25; 1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 2:8; Phil 2:7; Heb 2:14; 1 John 4:10
8. The New Birth
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner beyond our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3, 6-8; Acts 16:30-33; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:17, 19; Eph 2:1; Col 2:13; 1 John 5:1; 2 Pet 1:4
9. 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 that His righteousness is imputed to us solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood.
Isa 53:11; Zech 13:1; Acts 13:39; Rom 5:1, 9; Gal 2:16; 3:11
10. Faith and Salvation
We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation.
Acts 16:31; 20:21; Rom 10:13
11. Freeness of Salvation
We believe the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isa 55:1; Mark 1:15; John 3:19; Acts 17:30; Rom 16:26; Rev 22:17
12. The Local Church
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by his word; that its officers are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, 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 it is Scriptural for true churches to co-operate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its co-operation; that on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Matt 16:13-18; Acts 2:41-42; 15:13-18; 20:17-28; 1 Cor 11:2; Eph 1:22-23; 4:11; 5:23-24; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:15
13. Baptism
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem: our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of church relation and to the Lord's supper. We do not recognize as valid any baptism performed under the authority of a church that does not meet the requirements for a New Testament church.
Matt 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39; Rom 6:3-5
14. The Lord's Supper
We believe that the Lord's Supper is the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine, (unfermented juice) in which the members of the church are to commemorate together the death of the Lord Jesus Christ until He come; that it should be preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18; 1 Cor 11:23-26
15. The Security of the Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
2 Kgs 6:16; Job 17:9; Ps 37:24, 28; 73:24; 121:3-5; 125:1-2; 138:8; Jer 32:40; Matt 6:30; Luke 10:42; 22:31-32; John 4:14; 5:24; 6:37-39; 8:31; 10:28-29; 17:12; Rom 8:28, 33-34; 11:29; 1 Cor 1:8-9; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Phil 1:6; 2:12-13; 2 Tim 1:12; 4:18; Heb 3:14; 13:5; 1 Pet 1:4-5; 1 John 2:19, 27-28; 3:9; 4:4; 5:18; Jude 24-25
16. The Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem, while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse, and that this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost.
Gen 18:23; Prov 14:32; Mal 3:18; Matt 25:35-41; Luke 6:25; Rom 6:17-18, 23; 1 John 5:19; Rev 20:11-15; 22:11-12
17. Civil Government
We believe that the civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposes to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.
Exod 18:21-26; 2 Sam 23:3; Dan 2:21; 3:17-18; Matt 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; Rom 13:7
18. The Resurrection, Return of Christ, and Related Events
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, after having risen form the dead literally and bodily, did physically ascend into Heaven to intercede on behalf of His people as our great and faithful High Priest and is seated at the right hand of God. We believe in His own time and in His own way God the Father will send the Lord Jesus Christ -- personally, bodily, visibly, and in glory -- back to earth as promised, that where He is, there we may be also. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the lost to eternal damnation, forever to be separated from God, and we believe in the bodily resurrection of all believers to eternal bliss, forever to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. Those alive in Christ at the Second Coming will be changed in the twinkle of an eye, forever to be with the Lord.
Psa 72:8; Isa 9:6-7; 11:4-5; Matt 28:6-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 1:32; 24:2-6, 39, 51; John 14:3; 20:27; Acts 1:9-11; 2:29-30; 1 Cor 15:4, 25, 42-44, 51-53; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:6; 9:28; 12:2; Jas 5:8; 1 John 2:1; Rev 3:21; 20:6, 14
19. The Grace of Giving
Scriptural giving is one of the fundamentals of the Faith. We are commanded to bring our gifts into the storehouse (common treasury of the church) upon the first day of the week. Under grace, we give, and do not pay, the tithe -- "Abraham gave a tenth part of all" -- "Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils" and this was 400 years before the Law, and is confirmed in the New Testament; Jesus said concerning the tithe, "These ye ought to have done." We are commanded to bring the tithe into the common treasury. In the New Testament it was the common treasury of the church.
Lev 27:30; Mal 3:10; Matt 23:23; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 8:7; Heb 7:2-4
Article V - Membership
Section 1 - Qualifications
Any person in sympathy with the aim and purpose of this church who will put the same into practice, acknowledging Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior; and who has been Scripturally baptized, is entitled to membership in this church.
Section 2 - Duties
All members are expected, first of all, to be faithful in all the spiritual duties essential to the Christian life; second, to attend habitually the service of the church, to give regularly to its charities "as the Lord prospered," and to share in its organized work.
Section 3 - Privileges
All members who are in full fellowship, according to section one and two of this Article, who have reached the age of sixteen, shall be eligible to vote in the transactions of this church, according to Article XII, section 2.
Section 4 - Admission
(A) Each applicant for membership is to be given a copy of the Constitution upon his application for membership, in order that he may examine the faith and practice of said church. Failure to express his intentions of abiding by the Covenant and Constitution will, without further question, disqualify the applicant from membership in said church.
(B) Any person professing saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and giving evidence of a change of heart may be baptized, and then welcomed into the membership of the church.
(C) Members from other Baptist churches of like faith and order may be received by letters of dismissal from their respective churches, coming under the watch care of the church with full voting privileges until arrival of such letter. Any person who has once been a member of a recognized Baptist church, but who in consequence of some peculiar occurrence or circumstances cannot secure a letter of dismissal, may be received into membership after having given a statement of his faith in Jesus Christ.
(D) Each applicant for membership must be presented to the church for consideration, and must be ratified by the unanimous vote of members present. Any dissenting voters and the applicant will meet with the board, after which the board will recommend to the church whether or not the applicant is a proper candidate for membership.
Section 5 - Dismissal
(A) Letters of transfer may be granted to any member in good standing for the purpose of uniting with another New Testament Baptist church, providing the request comes from the church.
(B) The officers shall review the membership at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting. Members who have neglected their responsibility to the church shall be contacted and encouraged to renew their interest in the Lord and His church. Continued indifference will result in the officers recommending to the church that their name be removed from the church roll.
(C) Members of this church involved in public scandal, adultery, drunkenness, robbery, violence, etc., are automatically excluded from membership in this body.
Section 6 - Re-installment
A member suspended according to Section 5-B or 5-C of this Article may be reinstated by a public rededication of their life and by the public affirmation of their willingness to abide by this constitution.
Article VI - Officers
Section 1 - The Officers
(A) The officers of the church shall be: Pastor, Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman and such other officers as from time to time may seem necessary for the welfare of the church.
(B) All officers of the church and all subsidiary organizations including the Sunday School, etc, shall be members of this church in good standing, and shall be required to subscribe to the Articles of faith of the church. Upon refusal of any to subscribe, his office shall be declared vacant.
(C) There shall be as many deacons as the church deems advisable.
(D) The Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Sunday School Superintendent are entitled to as many assistants as are needed. These assistants shall be appointed by the Deacon Board and then approved by the church.
Section 2 - Qualifications
Any person in sympathy with the aim and purpose of this church, who will put the same into practice, who has been elected to office by a majority vote of the congregation, and who will agree to enter into the covenant which regulates offices held in this church shall be qualified to hold office.
Section 3 - Pastor
(A) The Pastor shall be chosen by the church in a publicly announced business meeting by not less than 85% of the votes cast.
(B) Before he shall be considered as a candidate he shall affirm to the Board of Deacons either in writing or by word of mouth that he affirms the following:
1. The Doctrinal Statement or Articles of Faith of this church.
2. His marital situation fits into the framework of New Testament truth as presented in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
3. That he is a member of a Baptist church completely severed from all forms of liberalism.
4. He shall affirm his willingness to cooperate with the particular affiliations of this church.
(C) It shall be his duty to preach at the services of the church, and to be moderator at church and official business meetings. The Pastor shall be ex-officio a member of all church committees and boards, and counselor with all church officers in their respective positions with the right of choice as to serving on such committees and boards. If he should desire a change of pastorates he shall give the church thirty days notice prior to his leaving the pastorate of this church. Resignations presented to the church are automatically accepted. Should the church desire a severance of pastoral relations after meeting in called business session duly announced from the pulpit at the regular service for two weeks in advance of the said business session, he is to be given thirty days notice fro that session. He may or may not, as he sees fit, remain for that thirty-day period. He is to be paid for this thirty-day period whether he remains or not.
Section 4 - Deacons
(A) The Deacon Board shall consist of as many men as the church deems necessary. They are to be elected at the annual business meeting to serve a one-year term. Period of service to begin May 1 and conclude April 30.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Deacons to visit the sick, to prepare and distribute the elements of the Lord's Supper, to cooperate with the Pastor in the performance of his duties, to serve as Pulpit Supply Committee, and to aid in baptismal services.
(C) At the first monthly board meeting after the annual business meeting the deacons shall elect the following officers from their number to serve for one year: Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman.
(D) Any officer of the church who neglects his duties or who removes his place of residence from Dayton and vicinity so that he cannot do the work required by the church shall by such neglect or removal vacate office and the Deacon Board shall nominate a successor to serve out the unexpired term of said officer. The nomination must undergo approval by the church.
Section 5 - Clerk
(A) There shall be one Clerk.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep an accurate record of the business meetings of the church, to keep an accurate register of the membership of the church, to record the date and manner of admission and dismission of members, and to perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office.
Section 6 - Treasurer
(A) There shall be one Treasurer.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to count the money taken in from the offerings along with the Financial Secretary and to disburse money as the church directs. In event of the Financial Secretary's absence, the Treasurer shall secure one of the deacons to count the offerings with him.
Section 7 - Financial Secretary
(A) There shall be one Financial Secretary.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to assist the Treasurer in counting all offerings, and maintain records of all cash receipts. In event of the Treasurer's absence, the Financial Secretary shall take charge of the offerings and secure one of the deacons to count the offerings with him. The Financial Secretary shall maintain personal accounts and give statements at end of each calendar year. The Financial Secretary shall make a yearly report to the church of all monies received and expenditures, to be given at the annual meeting.
Section 8 - Sunday School Superintendent
(A) There shall be one Sunday School Superintendent.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Sunday School Superintendent to take general charge of all matters pertaining to the Sunday School. He shall strive to make the Sunday School contributory to the building up of the church.
(C) The Superintendent shall appoint all officers and teachers of the Sunday School. The Superintendent's appointments must in turn be subject to the approval of the Deacon Board, to whom he shall be directly responsible.
Section 9 - Chairman
In the absence of the pastor the Chairman shall preside over all meetings and act as the moderator of the church.
Section 10 - Term of Office
(A) The pastor shall be elected for an indefinite term.
(B) The deacons shall be elected for one year, and if they fulfill their office well, they will be automatically re-nominated.
(C) All other officers shall be elected for one year. There is no restriction upon successive holding of office unless otherwise stated.
Article VII - Ordinances
Section 1 - Baptism
The ordinance of baptism shall be administered, as there are qualified candidates.
Section 2 - The Lord's Supper
The ordinance of the Lord's Supper shall be observed at least once each quarter. The deacons shall set this date during their monthly meeting.
Article VIII - Meetings
Section 1 - Worship
Unless otherwise provided, the church shall meet each Sunday for worship and evangelistic effort both morning and evening and at least once during the week for prayer. Other meetings shall be planned as desired.
Section 2 - Business Meetings
(A) The annual business meeting shall be held in the month of April.
(B) At this meeting shall be the election of officers. Officers and committees and the heads of all the departments shall make reports of the year's work and submit them in writing for adoption and entry on the church records. Other business affecting the coming year's ministry of the church shall be acted upon as the church may direct.
Section 3 - Special Business Meetings
A special meeting may be called by the Pastor, or by the Board of Deacons, but such meeting shall require a previous announcement at a regular devotional service of the church at least one day in advance of the special meeting.
Section 4 - Miscellaneous
(A) No business meeting may be called in the absence of the pastor, except by mutual consent of pastor and deacons.
(B) All business which is to be brought up from the floor must first be made known to the pastor and deacons at least two days prior to the business meeting. At the discretion of moderator or officers present this rule may be waived. All regular business meetings of the church shall be held in the place where the church is regularly meeting.
Section 5 - Deacons' Meetings
Whenever possible, the deacons shall endeavor to meet at least once each month to consider the work of the church.
Article IX - Elections
Section 1 - Officers
In case of the death or resignation of the pastor, his successor shall be called at a special meeting of the church, of which a one week's notice has been given. The pulpit committee through its chairman shall make the nomination of the candidate, and after proper discussion the church shall proceed to vote by ballot.
Section 2 - Voting
(A) All elections shall be by ballot, other voting at the will of the church.
(B) Members of the church in full fellowship, according to Article V, Sections One and Two, are eligible to vote when they reach the age of sixteen.
(C) In all ordinary matters each member shall be entitled to vote at the age of sixteen. But in the dismissal of members, in the call and dismissal of a pastor, in the purchase and sale of property, in call cases of discipline and in amending of these articles, only members eighteen years of age or older shall be eligible to vote.
(D) A majority vote of all members present is sufficient to pass any motion pertaining to regular items of business.
Article X - Quorum
Those members in good standing that are present at a duly called business meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Article XI - Financial Policy
Section 1 - Source of Support
(A) The operating expense money shall be raised in public services by receiving the tithes and offerings of God's people.
(B) All special solicitation for funds shall be sanctioned by and under the direction of the Deacon Board.
Section 2 - Designation of Funds
Believing that the Word of God gives definite teaching concerning the tithes and offerings of God's people, the position of this church shall be that the members shall bring their tithes and offerings unto the Lord in the offerings of the church. Malachi 3:10 instructs us to bring our tithes and offerings into the storehouse. Furthermore, believing that these tithes and offerings are given to the Lord, and the Lord's only ordained institution for carrying on His work on the earth is the church, we shall subscribe to the following:
1. All monies received by this church shall be designated and dispersed as the church authorizes.
2. The church shall receive no designated offerings other than for those persons and projects authorized by the church.
3. This church is designated scripturally as one body in Christ. It shall be the duty of this one body to be a faithful steward unto the Lord.
Article XII - New Organizations
No new church organizations, such as an auxiliary or an extra church society, shall be formed without a written presentation of its purposes to the Deacon Board, whose sanction must be secured before said organization may use the church name or property.
Articles XIII - Amendments
(A) These articles may be changed or amended at any regular business meeting provided that written notice of such change shall have been proposed and read at a regular business meeting of the church at least one month previous, and provided that such alteration shall not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation of this church.
(B) Two-thirds vote of the members present shall be required to adopt any amendment.
BY-LAWS
1. The pastor shall moderate all business meetings, except in matters pertaining to him, at which time the Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall serve in that capacity.
2. A majority vote shall be required in the transaction of all business except where otherwise designated.
3. "Hiscox New Dictionary for Baptist Churches" shall be considered the standard procedure in business meetings and matters of polity.
4. The church year shall begin April 1st, and all reports of statistics, changes and matters relating to church progress, shall state facts with reference to that date.
5. All motions when requested shall be presented in writing.
6. These by-laws may be altered, suspended, or amended at any meeting of the church, provided it is done in accord with Article XIII on Amendments.
