CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name
ARTICLE I
Name
This church shall be known as First Baptist Church Beaver, Beaver, Ohio, chartered on March 30, 2008, constituted as a church by the Scioto Valley Baptist Association in September, 2008, and incorporated in the State of Ohio on April 22, 2008.
Policy:
ARTICLE II
Character
This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The government of this church shall be vested in the active membership seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches of like faith and order, but is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body. All active members* of the body have equal rights, and are entitled to equal privileges. (*See Article VII herein.)
The government of this church shall be vested in the active membership seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches of like faith and order, but is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body. All active members* of the body have equal rights, and are entitled to equal privileges. (*See Article VII herein.)
ARTICLE Ill
Principles of Faith:
We affirm that the Holy Bible is God's revelation to mankind, and that it is inspired by God, it is without error, it is an accurate record of the history and future of mankind, and that it depicts the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of the Savior of all mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, and is, therefore, the sole basis for our faith.
We affirm that the Holy Bible is God's revelation to mankind, and that it is inspired by God, it is without error, it is an accurate record of the history and future of mankind, and that it depicts the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of the Savior of all mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, and is, therefore, the sole basis for our faith.
Doctrine:
We regard the scriptures of the Holy Bible as authoritative in all matters of faith, practice and principle as stated in The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000, a copy of which is attached to this Constitution and made a part hereof.
We regard the scriptures of the Holy Bible as authoritative in all matters of faith, practice and principle as stated in The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000, a copy of which is attached to this Constitution and made a part hereof.
Ordinances:
The ordinances of this church are baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper.
ARTICLE IV
The ordinances of this church are baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper.
ARTICLE IV
Mission Statement:
To evangelize the lost, love like Jesus loves and minister to the community.
To evangelize the lost, love like Jesus loves and minister to the community.
ARTICLEV
Purpose:
1. To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to communicate the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community and throughout the world.
2. To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership, to experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers, and to help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
3. To be a church that ministers unselfishly to people in the community and the world in Jesus' name.
4. To be a church which is Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality and possessions to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (KJV)
1. To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to communicate the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community and throughout the world.
2. To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership, to experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers, and to help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
3. To be a church that ministers unselfishly to people in the community and the world in Jesus' name.
4. To be a church which is Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality and possessions to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (KJV)
ARTICLE VI
Vision:
Our vision is the communication of the Good News of salvation through
faith in Jesus Christ to all persons as commanded in Romans 1:16-17: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (KJV)
We endeavor to equip and enable each individual for this vision through the provision of opportunities of worship, education, service and fellowship as described in Ephesians 4:11-16: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (KJV)
Further, our vision is to reach beyond ourselves and enable our members to exercise the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (KJV)
Further, our vision is to reach beyond the four corners of the church into all of the world as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (KJV) This is accomplished through such church ministries as Women on Mission, Men's Fellowship, Youth Outreach and the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong and Ray Roberts missionary offerings.
Our vision is the communication of the Good News of salvation through
faith in Jesus Christ to all persons as commanded in Romans 1:16-17: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (KJV)
We endeavor to equip and enable each individual for this vision through the provision of opportunities of worship, education, service and fellowship as described in Ephesians 4:11-16: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (KJV)
Further, our vision is to reach beyond ourselves and enable our members to exercise the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (KJV)
Further, our vision is to reach beyond the four corners of the church into all of the world as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (KJV) This is accomplished through such church ministries as Women on Mission, Men's Fellowship, Youth Outreach and the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong and Ray Roberts missionary offerings.
ARTICLE VII
Membership
Definition:
1. Resident active member - lives in the state of Ohio, has some continuous contact with the church through correspondence, attendance and support
2. Resident non-active - lives in the state of Ohio, does not correspond, attend or support the church (excluding those who physically cannot attend)
3. Non-resident active - lives outside the state of Ohio who keep in touch with the church, support the church in various ways and attend when in the area
4. Non-resident inactive - lives outside the state of Ohio and whom the church has not heard from in over a year
Qualifications:
1. Anyone seeking membership into First Baptist Church Beaver shall be encouraged to complete a new member's class. The membership of this church shall consist of such persons as publicly confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord; and,
a. Are counseled by the Pastor and/or Deacons as to his/her Christian experience.
b. Are accepted under watchcare by majority vote of the active members present and voting at a regularly-scheduled church service.
2. Membership of this church shall also include:
a. By giving evidence of a profession of faith in Christ and baptism by immersion into our fellowship.
b. By acceptance of a letter from a like church.
c. By letter from any New Testament Church, provided such a person has been baptized by immersion according to the teaching of the New Testament.
d. By statement of faith of baptism by immersion into another New Testament Church, provided that church no longer exists, or provided a letter cannot be obtained.
a. Are counseled by the Pastor and/or Deacons as to his/her Christian experience.
b. Are accepted under watchcare by majority vote of the active members present and voting at a regularly-scheduled church service.
2. Membership of this church shall also include:
a. By giving evidence of a profession of faith in Christ and baptism by immersion into our fellowship.
b. By acceptance of a letter from a like church.
c. By letter from any New Testament Church, provided such a person has been baptized by immersion according to the teaching of the New Testament.
d. By statement of faith of baptism by immersion into another New Testament Church, provided that church no longer exists, or provided a letter cannot be obtained.
3. We believe the gay and lesbian lifestyle to be incompatible with the teaching of all scripture and therefore membership will not be offered to those persons practicing the homosexual lifestyle.
Responsibilities:
a. Be faithful in all the practices essential to Christian living.
b. Attend faithfully the services of this church.
c. Practice stewardship of time, talent and possessions.
d. Exercise the right to vote, which is a right of all members 16 years of age and older who are in good standing.
e. Share in the various ministries of the church which include:
1. Witnessing for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. Inviting others to attend the worship services.
3. Visiting and encouraging those out of fellowship to commit themselves to God's work and worship.
4. Praying for the entire church membership and program.
5. Serving on the various committees that conduct the business and activities of our church.
b. Attend faithfully the services of this church.
c. Practice stewardship of time, talent and possessions.
d. Exercise the right to vote, which is a right of all members 16 years of age and older who are in good standing.
e. Share in the various ministries of the church which include:
1. Witnessing for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. Inviting others to attend the worship services.
3. Visiting and encouraging those out of fellowship to commit themselves to God's work and worship.
4. Praying for the entire church membership and program.
5. Serving on the various committees that conduct the business and activities of our church.
Terminations and Restoration:
The termination of membership shall be effective on the following conditions:
1. By death.
2. By letter.
a. Any member in good standing who desires a letter of recommendation to any other Baptist Church of like faith and order is entitled to it upon request of that church. All such letters are to be sent only to the requesting church.
b. If a request for letter is received from another church for a member not in good standing, we will notify that church that the name is being removed from our records.
3. Should any member become an offense to the church and its good name by reasons of immoral conduct, unchristian actions, or persistent breach of the church covenant, he/she shall be disciplined by the church following the fulfillment of the Deacons and the Pastor of Matthew 18:15-17: "Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (KJV)
4. The church shall terminate the membership of any member who requests his membership be terminated after an attempt has been made for reconciliation.
1. By death.
2. By letter.
a. Any member in good standing who desires a letter of recommendation to any other Baptist Church of like faith and order is entitled to it upon request of that church. All such letters are to be sent only to the requesting church.
b. If a request for letter is received from another church for a member not in good standing, we will notify that church that the name is being removed from our records.
3. Should any member become an offense to the church and its good name by reasons of immoral conduct, unchristian actions, or persistent breach of the church covenant, he/she shall be disciplined by the church following the fulfillment of the Deacons and the Pastor of Matthew 18:15-17: "Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (KJV)
4. The church shall terminate the membership of any member who requests his membership be terminated after an attempt has been made for reconciliation.
Any person whose membership has been terminated may be restored by majority vote of the church upon satisfactory explanation, upon statement of repentance and reformation, or upon recommendation of the Deacons.