ARTICLE I
The name of this organization shall be First Baptist Church of New
Lisbon, Wisconsin.
ARTICLE II
FAITH, PURPOSE, AND AFFILIATION
SECTION I: This church declares its faith and purpose embodied in
the following doctrinal statement (all scripture references are to
the King James Version):
Part I: Original doctrinal statement:
1. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally
inspired of God, and inerrant in the original writings, and they are
the supreme and final authority in faith and life (Psalms 12:6 & 7,
II Timothy 3:16).
2. There is one God, eternally existent in three co-equal Persons;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (I John 5:7).
3. Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, became man, begotten by the
Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary, and through eternity
continues to be true God and true man (Matthew 1:20-25, John
1:1-14).
4. Man was created in the image of God; sinned and thereby incurred
both physical and spiritual death; all men are born with a sinful
nature, and consequently become sinners in thought, word, and deed
(Genesis 1:26, Romans 5:12) .
5. The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the
Scriptures, as a substitutionary sacrifice; and all who believe and
receive Him are saved on the grounds of His death and resurrection
(John 1:12, Romans 5:8, Acts 16:31).
6. The crucified body of our Lord was resurrected; He ascended into
Heaven, and lives there, as our High Priest and Advocate before the
Father (I Corinthians 15:4).
7. All who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born of the
Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God (John 1:12). "
8. Those who are born of the Spirit are to live the Christian life
by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit according to the Word of
God (I John 2:9, I Peter 1:18 – 23).
9. The true living Church is composed of all regenerated believers;
and its supreme mission is to fulfill Christ's Great Commission in
preaching the gospel to all people (Matthew 28:18-20).
10. Believers are to observe the ordinances of baptism (by
immersion) and the Lord's Supper, and to unite with evangelical
churches and to continue faithfully in this fellowship for spiritual
improvement and avenues of service (Acts 2:47).
11. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return to earth
personally, bodily, visibly, and gloriously, and all believers
should look for His
Coming, which is the blessed hope of the Church (John 14:2 & 3).
12. The bodies of the dead, both of the just and unjust, will be
resurrected; the saved to enjoy everlasting blessedness, and the
lost to endure everlasting punishment (John 5:22 – 29, Revelation
20:11 – 15).
Part II: Amplified Doctrinal Statement:
Whereas we live in a time of departure from the Word of God, we
herein declare ourselves to be:
Biblical rather than Interdenominational,
Separatistic rather than new evangelical,
Bible-believing rather than liberal,
Autonomous rather than denominationally controlled in church
government,
Premillemal rather than postmillemal or amillenial in eschatology,
Pretribulational rather than posttribulational or midtribulational
in regard to the rapture,
Local church centered rather than ecumenical in policy,
Separated rather than inclusivistic,
Creationist rather than evolutionist (Genesis 1 & 2, Exodus 20:11).
Doctrine:
1. The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the
final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original
manuscripts, infallible, and God-breathed (II Tim. 3:16,17; II Peter
1:20,21; Matt. 5:18; John 16:12,13).
2. The Godhead. We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in
three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--co-eternal in being,
co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the
same attributes and perfections (Ex. 20:2,3; Deut. 6:4; I Cor. 8:6;
II Cor. 13:14).
3. The Person and Work of Christ.
a. 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, in order that He might
reveal God and redeem sinful men (John1:1,2,14; Luke 1:35; I John
5:20).
b. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption
through His death cross on the cross as a representative, vicarious,
substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure
by His literal, physica1 resurrection from dead (Rom. 3:24,25; Eph.
1:7; I Peter 1:3-5; I Peter 2:24).
c. 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; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1,2).
4. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
a. 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 (In. John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; I Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor.
3:6; Eph. 1:13,14).
b. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who guides
believers into truth; and, that it is the privilege and duty of all
the saved to be filled with the Spirit (John 16:13; Eph. 5:18; I
John 2:20,27).
5. 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 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. 3:9-12,23; Rom. 5:12; Eph.
2:1-3,12).
6. 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, who made full satisfaction to the justice of God for the sin
of man by the shedding of His precious blood on Calvary (Acts 4:12;
Acts 16:30-33; Eph. 2:8-10; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:18,19).
7. Eternal Security. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved
are kept saved by God's power and are thus secure in Christ forever
(John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1,38,39; I Cor. 1:4-8; Phil. 1
:6; I Peter 1 :5).
8. The Two Natures of the Believer. We believe that every saved
person possesses two natures, with provision made for victory of the
new nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; and,
that all claims to the eradication of the old nature in this life
are unscriptural (Rom. 6:13; Rom. 8:12,13; Gal. 5:16-25; Eph.
4:22-24; Co1.3:10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 3:5-9).
9. Separation. We believe that all the saved should live in such a
manner as not to bring reproach upon their Saviour and Lord; and,
that separation from all religious apostasy, all sinful pleasure,
practices and associations is commanded of God (II Cor. 6:14-7:1;
Ro. 12:1,2; Rom. 14:13; II Tim. 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17).
10. The Church.
a. We believe that the Church, which is the body and the espoused
bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again
persons of the present age (Eph. 1:22,23; 5:25-27; I Cor. 12:12-14;
II Cor. 11:2).
b. We believe that the local church is a congregation of immersed
believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the
Word of God, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His
laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in it by
His Word; that its officers are pastor (bishop, elder overseer) and
deacon; that it has the absolute right of self-government directed
by the Holy Spirit and is answerable only to Christ as its Head; and
that in all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline,
and benevolence, the will of the local church is final (Matt.
18:15-17; I Cor. 1 :2; 6:4; 7:17; 11:16; I Tim. 3:1-15).
11. The Ordinances. We believe that there are two ordinances;
baptism and the Lord's Supper.
a. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water and is properly
called "Believers Baptism". It sets forth in a beautiful and solemn
way our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour, our
identification with Him in His death to sin and resurrection to
newness of life (Acts 8:36-39; Rom. 6:3-5).
b. The Lord's Supper is the celebration of our Lord's death until He
returns for us and is a symbol of our continuing fellowship with
Him. It should be preceded by careful self- examination (I Cor.
11:23-32).
12. Spiritual Gifts. We believe that God is sovereign in the
bestowment of all His gifts, and that there are two categories,
temporary gifts of the early church and the permanent glorifying
gifts:
a. The temporary gifts of the early church as listed in I Cor.
12:8-10, were special gifts of grace which were given to the early
church and were necessary for the commencement (beginning) of the
church's ministry. They were only needed until such time as the
church was firmly established and God's complete revelation was
given. These temporary gifts gradually ceased as the New Testament
Scriptures were completed and their authority became established (I
Cor. 13:8-12).
b. The permanent glorifying gifts as described in Romans 12:3-8,
were given to the body of Christ at the Day of Pentecost and will
continue until Christ comes to rapture His Church. These gifts were
given so that each individual member of the body of Christ could
minister his spiritual gift to the edifying of the entire body (Eph.
4:7,11-16).
13. 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 divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man
according to His purpose. Three of these--the age of law, the age of
the Church (Grace), and the age of the
millennial kingdom--are the subjects of detailed revelation in
Scripture (John 1:17; 1 Cor. 9:17; II Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25;
Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24,25; Heb. 7:19; Rev. 20:2-6).
14.The Personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a fallen
angel, the author of sin and the cause of the fall; 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; Ezek.
28:12-19; Matt. 4:1-3; Rev. 20:10).
15. The Return of Christ. We believe in the bodily, personal,
imminent, pretribulation period to catch away the Church, coming
only into the air; and that He will come at the close of the
tribulation with His Church to judge the nations and set up His
Kingdom (I Thess. 4:13-18; 1:10; 5:9; Zech. 14:4-11; Rev. 19:11-16;
20:1-6).
16. The Eternal State.
a. 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).
b. 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; II
Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; I Thess. 4:16,17).
c. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in
conscious misery 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 (Luke 16:19-26; II Thess.
1:7-9; Jude 6,7; Rev. 20:11-15).
SECTION II: This church shall be affiliated only with such
missionaries and missionary organizations who are willing to
subscribe to the doctrinal statement of this church, for it is not
consistent to promote a missionary ministry that is out of harmony
with the ministry of this local church.
ARTICLE III
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
THE COVENANT
"And they entered in a covenant to seek the Lord God of their
fathers with all their heart and with all their soul" (ll Chron.
15:12).
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 (Matt. 3:13-17; 28:19; Acts 8:38; 8:12; Col.
2:12) 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 do promise by the aid of the Holy Spirit to forsake the paths of
sin, and 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 contribute cheerfully 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 secret devotions; to
religiously educate 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, and exemplary in
our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive
anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a
beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the work 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 in
speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for
reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to seek it
without delay.
We moreover engage that, when we remove form 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.
BY-LAWS
As a means of orderly procedure, the following rules and regulations
are adopted.
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I: ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
1. By Baptism--Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
giving evidence of a change of heart and accepting the views of this
church as revealed in its doctrinal statement, may upon baptism, be
received into the membership of this church.
2. By Experience--Persons who have been baptized by immersion, upon
profession of their faith and the acceptance of the views of this
church as revealed in its doctrinal statement, may be received into
the membership of this church.
3. By Restoration--Members of this church whose membership has been
withdrawn, or whose membership has been dropped, may, upon
recommendation of the Board of Deacons, be restored to membership by
vote of the church.
4. The Mode of Procedure--AII applications for admission to
membership shall be made to an examining committee consisting of the
Pastor and Board of Deacons. The recommendation of this committee
will be presented to the church body for final action.
SECTION II: MEMBERSHIP STATUS
1. Junior Membership-- Persons under the age of eighteen, who have
met all other requirements for membership, shall be received as
Junior Members. Only members 18 or older may vote on matters of real
estate or matters of legal nature. Only members 15 or older may vote
on matters of church business. However all members may enter into
discussion at meetings dealing with the business of the church.
2. Active Membership-- The active membership of this church shall
consist of those members who attend services at least once a month.
This does not apply to those who will be spending a number of weeks
away from their home, or 'wintering' somewhere, but it shall be
their responsibility to give written notification to the Deacons
when they will be away for such periods. Only active members shall
have the power to vote in a business meeting of the church. No votes
will be accepted by proxy except for election of officers at a
December or annual meeting.
3. Inactive Membership-- The inactive membership of this church
shall consist of those members who are no longer able to take an
active part in the church activities due to age, health, distance or
some other reason, yet who want to retain their membership in this
church. To maintain this inactive status one must attend, contribute
or communicate at least once during each church year. Inactive
members shall not have the power to vote in a business meeting of
the church.
4. Participation in Church Ministries—No individual will be allowed
to participate in any area of ministry who is not a member in good
standing, or a member in good standing of another church of like
faith and practice. Ministry should include but not be limited to:
choir; special music; Sunday School teacher; participation in
ministries to children and youth; special speaker; missionary
speaker; nursery worker; and etc. A church of like faith and
practice is defined as being a church that holds to a similar
doctrinal statement as found in Article II of FAITH, PURPOSE, AND
AFFILIATION.
SECTION III: DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS
1. Any member who may move to another place to establish permanent
residence is urged, in keeping with the church covenant, to join a
local church in that community.
2. Any member who has no desire to remain on the membership roll and
requests to be dropped shall automatically be removed from the
membership roll.
3. Any member of this church who unites with any other church will
automatically be removed from the membership of this church. Such
persons shall be notified of this action through letter or personal
contact.
4. Any member absent from the church for a period of one year or
more, who does not attend, contribute or communicate at least once
during each church year, shall be removed from membership.
5. Any person who consistently demonstrates attitudes contrary to
the church covenant shall be approached by the pastor or deacons
according to Matt. 18: 15-17. If restoration does not take place,
such member, upon recommendation of the Deacon Board, shall be
dismissed from the membership of the church by a two-thirds majority
of members voting at a regularly called business meeting of the
church. The person in question shall be notified at least one week
in advance of the contemplated action of the church. The dismissed
member shall be notified of the church action. In all matters of
church discipline it shall always be kept in mind that the purpose
of discipline is to maintain the purity of the church's witness in
the community, and to provide for the spiritual good of the person
being disciplined.
ARTICLE II
OFFICERS
SECTION I: ELECTION AND TERM
All officers shall be elected as hereinafter provided and shall
serve for the term specified or until their successors are elected
and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by
appointment of the Deacon Board.
1. The Pastor.
Part I: The Pastor shall be elected by the church membership upon
recommendation of a pulpit committee of three, which the deacons
shall select from their membership. An affirmative vote of
three-fourths of the members present shall be required to elect a
Pastor at a meeting for that purpose after two week's notice by
announcement from the pulpit at two Sunday meetings of the church.
The Pastor's term of office shall be for an indefinite period. In
case of change of relationship, one month's notice shall be given by
the pastor or deacon board, unless by mutual consent or agreement,
such notice shall be waived.
Part II: The Pastor's Duties and Compensation:
The Pastor's duties shall be to have general supervision of the
entire work of the church; he shall be ex-officio member of all
departments, boards, and committees, and may, at his option, convene
the church body, any board or committee or auxiliary organization
for the consideration of business pertaining to the work of the
church, and receive such compensation as may be fixed by order of
the church upon recommendation of the board of deacons.
2. Church Clerk. The Church Clerk shall be elected annually, shall
make and preserve a record of all church procedures and its
accomplishments; shall make and revise each year a roster of church
members, including dates of admission and severance of membership by
death, dismissal or otherwise, including an inactive membership
list. The clerk shall be custodian of historical documents and
records.
3. Financial Secretary. A Financial Secretary shall be elected
annually. He shall keep an itemized account of money contributed to
current expenses and to missions; and shall send yearly to each
subscriber a statement of the subscriber's personal account and
shall be prepared to give to any subscriber a personal statement at
his request.
4. Missionary Treasurer. A Missionary Treasurer shall be elected
annually. He shall, with the advice of the Deacon Board, receive and
safely keep all missionary monies of the church. He shall keep a
systematic account of all disbursements therefrom, and if required
by the Deacon Board render monthly or quarterly balance statements
and shall make a financial report at the annual meetings of the
church. The Missionary Treasurer shall preserve all vouchers,
records, and balance sheets.
5. Sunday School Superintendent. A Sunday School Superintendent
shall be elected at the December or annual meeting for a period of
one year and shall serve no more than three consecutive years. He
shall have general supervision of the Sunday School and he shall
organize the Sunday School board consisting of all teachers and
officers of the school.
6. Church Usher. A Church Usher shall be elected annually. His
duties will be to cooperate with the Board of Deacons in extending a
social welcome to all church attendants, provide for their
comfortable seating, direct the ventilation, heating and lighting
during meetings, preserve order and attend to emergency needs of the
congregation. He shall select and organize a corp of assistants.
7. Church Treasurer A Church Treasurer shall be elected annually. He
shall, with the advice of the Deacon Board, keep an accurate
accounting of the monies of the church. He shall keep a systematic
account of all disbursements therefrom, and if required by the
Deacon Board render monthly or quarterly financial statements and
shall make a financial report at the annual meetings of the church.
The Church Treasurer shall preserve all vouchers, records, financial
statements and balance sheets.
SECTION II: METHODS OF ELECTION
Election of officers shall be made at either the annual meeting or a
special meeting in December for said purpose, provided the special
meeting is announced 2 Sundays from the pulpit, with absentee
ballots made available for cause for just the election of officers.
ARTICLE III
BOARDS
SECTION I: DEACONS
I. Number and Election
There shall be seven Deacons (Acts 6:1-7), whose nomination and
election shall be based upon spiritual qualifications according to I
Timothy 3:8-13. They shall be elected at the annual or December
meeting of the church, for a term of office of three years, and so
classified that one third shall be elected each year. The Board of
Deacons will handle all financial and spiritual matters of the
church with the assistance of the Pastor(s). They shall meet at
least once per month.
II. Officers
The Board of Deacons shall elect from themselves a chairman. The
Deacons shall, along with the pastor(s), appoint three Deacons as
Trustees for legal purposes, and shall appoint one Deacon as
secretary for the keeping of minutes of every meeting of the Board
of Deacons.
III. Responsibilities of the Deacon Board
1. The Board of Deacons shall ~ the Pastor in sustaining meetings
for public worship and for prayer, consulting with candidates for
church membership, enlisting them for worship, service and giving.
They shall also assist the Pastor(s) in the administration of the
ordinances, inspiring the indifferent, caring for the needy. They
shall see that the pulpit is supplied during vacation periods, or
when the Pastor away for a Sunday, and perform such other duties
as the church may delegate to them.
2. The Deacon Board shall supply the treasury with funds for the
operating expenses of the church and the maintenance of its
properties. It shall provide methods for securing such funds. They
shall make quarterly reports to the church as to the financial
condition of the church for its guidance as to administrative
policies. These reports shall be made by the Church Treasurer. The
Deacon Board has the authority to prepare and recommend to the
church an annual budget at the annual meeting of the church.
3. Committee of Trustees.
The Committee of Trustees within the Board of Deacons shall receive
and hold in trust all church properties, including gifts,
conveyances of real estate, endowment funds and the profits and
earnings thereof and shall have general supervision of its
investment and all legal instruments pertaining thereto. They shall
have custody of all church properties and maintain the same. Plans
for major changes and improvements shall be presented to the church
for final action. Deeds of conveyance and mortgages of church real
estate shall be executed by the Trustees only when and if authorized
so to do by a special meeting of the church called for that purpose
after two weeks notice posted at the church door and announced for
two Sundays from the pulpit and such order duly recorded in the
minutes of the church records.
4. Auditing Committee
The Board of Deacons shall appoint an Auditing Committee which, by
order of the Board, shall audit the accounts of the Church Treasurer
at any time deemed advisable by the Board. The Auditing Committee
shall also audit the accounts of all the departments of the church.
5. Emergency Appropriation
The Board of Deacons may make additional appropriations to the
annual budget from time to time if, in their opinion, any emergency
therefore exists.
SECTION II: DEACONESSES
I. Number and Election. There shall be four Deaconesses, elected at
the annual meeting of the church, for a term of office of three
years, and so classified that one-third shall be elected each year.
II. Responsibilities. The Deaconesses shall be responsible for the
preparation of the Lord's Table and shall assist with the Baptismal
services.
ARTICLE IV
STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION I: NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members to be
appointed by the Deacon Board at its regular meeting. This committee
shall prepare and present a list of two nominees for each elective
office. This list of nominees shall be placed upon a printed ballot
and the same posted conspicuously at the church for inspection at
least two weeks before the annual election. Blank spaces shall be
provided on the ballot for the addition of other nominees at the
option of any member. The Pastor shall appoint tellers and be
responsible for the completion of the election.
SECTION II: MUSIC COMMITTEE
This committee shall consist of three members elected annually. This
committee shall have general supervision of the church music, and
with the consent of the Deacon Board may provide a budget therefore.
SECTION III: FLOWER COMMITTEE
This committee shall consist of three members elected annually. This
committee shall provide and arrange appropriate floral decoration
for church services and, with the consent of the Deacon Board, may
provide a budget therefore.
SECTION IV: SOCIAL COMMITTEE
This committee shall consist of four members elected annually. They
shall have general supervision of social activities of the church.
Also they shall arrange for food and housing of guest speakers.
SECTION V: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Committees may be appointed for a special purpose by the Pastor or
any board or standing committee or combination thereof.
SECTION VI: DELEGATES COMMITTEE
Representative delegates to any affiliated organization shall be
elected by the church body according to the number of persons
allowed.
Section VII: Decorating Committee
This committee shall consist of three members elected annually. They
shall be responsible for decorating the church facilities.
NOTE: All committees shall elect a chairperson.
ARTICLE V
AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
Any society or organization, including adult or young people which
has been or shall be formed and connected with this church, shall be
regarded as auxiliary and subsidiary to the main church. Its
election of officers and conduct of its business shall be according
to it own provisions, but its conduct and business shall be reported
at the annual church meeting and be subject to the supervision of
the Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION I: MEETINGS
This church shall maintain meetings for worship each Sunday, a
prayer service each mid-week and an annual business meeting after
the last Sunday in December each year. Other meetings, special or
general, shall be convened as provided in the by-laws or at the
recommendation of the Deacon Board.
SECTION II: QUORUM
A majority of any board or committee shall constitute a quorum.
Twenty five (25) active members shall constitute a quorum at any
church meeting. Such quorum shall have power to vote except on
matters of real estate or legal matters. A quorum with power to vote
on legal or real estate matter shall be those eighteen years of age
or older.
SECTION III: RULES OF PROCEDURE =>.Robert's Rules of Order, Latest
Edition, shall be accepted as authority In all deliberations.
SECTION IV: CALLED MEETING BY MEMBERS
Upon written request by ten members, for a specific purpose
presented to and approved by the Deacon Board, the Pastor shall
convene a church meeting after being announced two Sunday's from the
pulpit.
SECTION V: DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
Any offense charged against any member involving marl turpitude or
private wrong shall first be submitted to the Board of Deacons who
will, by its proper committee, make a preliminary investigation and
seek to arbitrate the offense, but if this is not effective or if
the offense involves turpitude, then by approval of the Board of
Deacons, written charges may be made specifying the offense in
particular and a copy thereof delivered to the offending member with
a time designated therein when he may be heard in his defense. The
member so charged may select his own advocate and present evidence,
and the same shall be heard and determined by the Board of Deacons,
whose vote upon final deliberation shall be final.
SECTION VI: SPECIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
If, for the decision of any question, the church desires the advice
and wisdom of disinterested brethren, it may, by order of the Board
of Deacons, invite members of other Baptist Churches to meet on a
specified day when the matter may be presented and advice received.
SECTION VII: AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of those
present at any regular or specially called meeting for that purpose,
provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall be read from
the pulpit on two Sundays preceding the time of action.