The Constitution of

Grace Baptist Church

East Flat Rock, North Carolina

Amended December 21, 2014

PREAMBLE

Believing that the Lord Jesus Christ has called our gathering into existence for His name, we, the members of Grace Baptist Church, declare and establish this constitution to preserve the principles of our faith and practice. We mutually agree to be governed by these articles in all issues of our church life. In this document, we affirm the responsibility of each member to the Lord and to the local body of believers.

NAME

This church shall be known as GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, East Flat Rock, Henderson County, North Carolina.

AFFILIATION

This body may voluntarily join other Bible-Believing Groups of like faith in fellowship and/or coordinated ministry, but must remain free from direction by another body or organization.

PURPOSE

Grace Baptist Church exists to proclaim Christ to the world through the ministry of His Word to make and grow His disciples for the glory of God.

In order to accomplish this purpose, we have the following objectives:

  • To encourage each member to submit to the Lordship and control of Jesus Christ;
  • To continually seek relevant methods to contact the lost in our community and communicate their need for the Lord Jesus Christ;
  • To participate in evangelistic endeavors designed to reach uncon­verted members of our nation;
  • To develop and implement more effective ways to evangelize the world;
  • To promote public and private worship of God by each believer;
  • To provide a variety of opportunities for members to share to­gether and strengthen each other in fellowship;
  • To plan small group ministries for teaching the Scriptures and times for general exhortation to obedience to the Word;
  • To implement strategies designed to encourage service to others in and out of the church.

OUR CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, believing the Holy Bible to be the inspired, inerrant Word of God, the source and basis of our belief, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We promise, 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 compassion; to promote its well-being 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 through all nations.

We also promise to maintain family and personal devotions and to educate our children in Christian living; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior; to honor God in our life-style; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to practice wholesome conversation and avoid excessive anger.

We agree to "guard our hearts with all diligence" by avoiding entertainment that involves suggestive or immoral content, by filling our minds with pure and right thoughts and abstaining from all forms of pornography and ungodly literature or "artistic" materials. We will seek to be Christ-like in our behavior and deportment, practicing obedience to Biblical principles and mandates. We will "abstain from fleshly lusts", refusing to practice any kind of sexual immorality, drunkenness or intoxication, or gratification of unbiblical or illicit desires.

We will surrender the control of our bodies to the Holy Spirit and will avoid the sale or use of intoxicating beverages, the abuse of drugs or controlled substances, and will endeavor to "live sensibly, righteously and Godly in the present age".

We further promise to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer, to aid one another 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 teachings of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover promise that when we move to a new area 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.

OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH

We believe that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, that it is absolutely trust­worthy, infallible, and being without error in the original manuscript, and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. Second Peter 1:19-21 and Second Timothy 3:16-17.

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God of the universe, eternally existing in and revealed as three persons in one Godhead — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfec­tion and executing distinct yet harmonious offices in the supreme work of creation and redemption. Genesis 1:1-23; Genesis 3:14-15; John 1:1-3; John 4:24; and John 14:23.

We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in

wisdom, measureless in power. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus Christ. John 1:1-4, 12; John 3:14-17; Acts 4:12; Jeremiah 9:24

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in His life, making atonement for the sin of the world by His death on the cross. We believe in His resurrection, His ascension into Heaven, His high priestly inter­cession for His people, and His personal bodily, visible return to the world according to His promise. John 1:18; John 20:28; John 10:30; John 17:1-26; Luke 1:26-38

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from God to reprove the world of sin, of

righteousness, and of judgment, to regenerate, sanctify, indwell, seal, and comfort those who

believe in Jesus Christ. John 16:7-8; 13-14.

We believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners, but that "God so loved the

world that He gave His only begotten Son, that who­soever believeth in Him should not

perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. We believe, therefore. That those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior will rejoice forever in God's presence and those who refuse to accept Christ as Lord and Savior will be forever separated from God in everlasting fire. John 6:37, 44; Romans 3:9-18; Second Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15.

We believe the church is a living spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and of which all

regenerated people are members. A visible church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, buried with Him in baptism and associated for worship, service, and fellowship. God committed the ordinance of baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper to those visible churches for observation "til He comes". Ephesians 1:17-22; 2:19-22; Colossians 1:12-22.

We believe that salvation is by God's grace, not of man's works in any way (John 1:12-13; John 6:44; Ephesians 2:8-10). Genuine conversion and regeneration is evidenced by true repentance, faith, submission to God, and growth in obedience to Christ. (Acts 2:38; Second Peter l:3ff; Matthew 28:18-20). God chastens and corrects His children to reprove sin and produce growth in holiness; we are to persevere in faith and good works and "pursue . . . holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:4-12; Second Corinthians 6:14-7:1; First Peter 1:13-16). Within the Church, we are responsible to encourage, exhort, reprove, rebuke, and edify each other in the truth, and in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16; Galatians 6:1)

We believe that each local church is directly responsible to God to obey the dictates of Scripture. Therefore it must be free from obstruction by any ecclesiastical or political authority in the pur­suance of this purpose. The State must refrain from restricting or obstructing the exercise of true faith and the church must promote Biblical ethics and morals in society. (Acts 20:28; Matthew 5:13-16)

We believe that God created man and woman in His own image as two distinct genders. We believe that any form of transgenderism or transvestitism contradicts God’s created order (Gen. 1:26-27; Dt. 22:5). We believe that the institution of marriage was created by God and that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23). We believe that human sexuality is designed by God to be enjoyed within marriage and that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage (Heb. 13:4). We believe that any form of homosexuality, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions (Gen. 19:5, 13; Lev. 18:1-30; Mt. 5:27-28; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; 1 Tim. 1:10).

OUR CONSTITUTION

Article 1: Membership

Section A: Designation

Voting Member: This constitutes a member in good standing who is at least 16 years old and has been formally introduced to the church and accepted by the membership by public vote. A voting member has all the privileges of membership.

Section B: Eligibility for Membership

Any person who has received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and has been baptized by immersion after his conversion, may be voted into the membership of this church.

Section C: Process for Becoming a Member

  1. Any person may apply for membership by speaking with the Pastor or one of the Deacons.
  2. Applicants must meet with the Pastor and Deacons to give their testimony of Salvation and to affirm the Church Covenant and Confession of Faith.
  3. With the recommendation of the Deacons, the final step to become a member is a public testimony of salvation and a majority vote of approval by voting members present at a regular worship service.

Section D: Dismissal of Members

  1. By Letter: Any member in good standing may request a letter of recommendation to another church of like faith and order.
  2. By Abandonment: A member may be dismissed if he has been absent for more than 75% of the church's public services within any three month period. Upon pastoral recommendation his name will be removed from the membership roles at the next business meeting.
  3. By Death: When a member dies his or her name will be removed from the membership role without the need for congregational action.

Section E: Membership Discipline

  1. The church, as the visible body of Christ, has the authority to exercise discipline over any member who is found guilty of any conduct worthy of church discipline so enumerated in I Corinthians 5:11-13 and Matthew 18:15-17.
  2. The Senior Pastor and Deacons will recommend to the church for discipline any member whom the Senior Pastor believes is worthy of church discipline.
  3. A majority vote of the church membership present at the meeting will constitute the recommended member’s being formally disciplined by Grace Baptist Church.
  4. A member will be received back into the membership only after public repentance of sin.

Article 2: Officers

Section A: Senior Pastor

  1. The Senior Pastor shall meet the Biblical qualifications as given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
  2. A Pastor has been called of God and shall serve for an undesignated period of time.
  3. He shall be responsible for the duties of pastor including the preaching, teaching, administering of ordinances, and overseeing all affairs of the church.
  4. He shall be the moderator of all congregational meetings of the church.
  5. He is responsible for the hiring of all church staff. All prospective staff members of the church will be presented to the congregation by the Pastor and Deacons for approval.
  6. For purposes of incorporation, Pastoral Staff shall serve as “Officers” of the Corporation.
  7. In the event of a vacancy, the Deacons will serve as the Pulpit Committee.
  8. A candidate for Senior Pastor must be affirmed by a three-fourths vote at a duly-called Special Business Meeting.

Section B: Deacons

  1. Every deacon shall meet the Biblical qualifications found in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13.
  2. The duties of the deacons shall be to assist the pastor; helping him in visitation, administering of ordinances, and in conjunction with the Trustees, recommending financial guidelines to the church.
  3. The number of deacons shall be determined by the pastor. There shall be a minimum of two deacons provided that there are a sufficient number of biblically qualified candidates.
  4. Deacons shall be selected as follows:
  1. They are first recommended to the other deacons by the pastor.
  2. The recommendation must be unanimously agreed to by the current deacons.
  3. The pastor will privately interview the nominee to confirm his biblical qualifications.
  4. The nominee must be approved by a three-fourths vote at the Annual Business Meeting.
  1. Deacons will serve three-year terms. They may be re-elected to consecutive terms by a three-fourths vote at the Annual Business Meeting.
  2. Deacons may be removed by the recommendation of the pastor with a unanimous vote of the other deacons.
  3. If a deacon is removed or vacates his office during his elected term, the decision to fill the vacancy shall be made by the pastor. If the vacancy is to be filled, a new deacon shall be elected at a duly-called Special Business Meeting to serve out the remainder of the term of the deacon he is replacing.
  4. Deacon meetings may be called by the pastor or by a majority of the deacons. A majority of deacons must be present to conduct business.
  5. For purposes of incorporation, all Deacons shall serve as “Directors” of the Corporation.

Section C: Trustees

  1. Trustees shall be those recommended by the pastor in conjunction with the Deacons and shall be ratified by a three-fourths vote at a business meeting. There shall be a minimum of three Trustees.
  2. The duties of the trustees shall be in accordance with the laws of North Carolina. They will hold, encumber, or transfer real property of the church as directed by the pastor and ratified by the church membership by majority vote in a duly called business meeting.
  3. They shall have care, custody, and control of all properties.
  4. Trustees will serve three-year terms. They may serve consecutive terms upon three-fourths vote at an Annual Business Meeting.
  5. For Purposes of incorporation, all Trustees shall serve as “Directors” of the Corporation.
  6. The pastor and trustees will appoint a treasurer to keep the books of the church. The treasurer shall ensure the safekeeping of all funds of the church.

In case of a deficiency of funds to pay current demands, he shall inform the Board of Trustees and follow its directions in meeting such deficiencies. He shall keep systematic accounts of all funds handled by him and give reports on same as directed by Trustees. He shall preserve all vouchers and records and turn over such accounts, records, and balance of funds to his successor at the end of his term. He may attend Trustee Board meetings if invited and report on financial matters. The Trea­surer's books, with the exception of individual giving records, may be examined by any church member upon application and approval of the Board of Trustees.

 

Article 3: Business Meetings

Section A: There shall be at least one business meeting each year. Advance notice of at least two consecutive Sundays will be given.

Section B: Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor or, in the case of there being no Senior Pastor, by a majority of the deacons. A special meeting to remove the Senior Pastor may be called by a majority of the deacons. Advance notice of at least two consecutive Sundays will be given for all special business meetings.

Section C: Special meetings to remove the senior pastor must have a quorum of at least 70% of the church's voting membership. In all other matters the members in attendance shall constitute a quorum.

Section D: All business meetings will be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order. A member of the church will be appointed by the Pastor and the Trustees to keep the minutes of all business meetings. Members must be present to vote. No absentee ballots shall be accepted.

Article 4: Organizations and Committees

Section A: Auxiliary groups shall be organized at the discretion of the pastor with Deacon’s approval.

Section B: All officers of church organizations shall be members of Grace Baptist Church.

Section C: Sunday School

  1. A Superintendent shall be appointed by the pastor.
  2. Teachers and officers to serve any portion of the year shall be appointed by the pastor and/or Superintendent.
  3. Every teacher serves at the will of the pastor.

Section D: The Senior Pastor shall be a member ex-officio of all church groups or organizations.

Article 5: Standardization

  1. We hereby authorize that the King James Version and other formal equivalence translations of the Bible such as the New King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and the English Standard Version, are to be used as the standard texts from the pulpit, and in every class associated with Grace Baptist Church and its ministries.
  2. We also authorize that all forms of music that dishonors God including but not limited to pop rock, country, R&B, jazz, rap, and folk ballads will not be allowed in any service or function of Grace Baptist Church. This policy also includes Christian Contemporary Music.

Article 6: Amendments

This constitution may be amended or revised by first a recommendation of the deacons and a three-fourth majority vote at any annual business meeting. The Confession of Faith is not subject to revision except as may be required to bring it more in conformity with the Scriptures. Article 1 concerning Membership, and Article 5 concerning Standardization, may be amended only by recommendation by the pastor and unanimous approval by the deacons.

Article 7: Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of this congregation, none of its assets shall go to any member or for the benefit of any individual or organization that is not in agreement with this constitution's doctrinal position as originally given. The organization or individual shall be selected by the congregation at the time of dissolution.