Adopted August 6, 1997 

Revised May 8, 2002, September 10, 2003, September 27, 2009, March 16, 2016, July 19, 2023

ARTICLE I – NAME

  • The name of this church shall be the First Baptist Church of Elsberry, Missouri.

ARTICLE II – INCORPORATION

  • This church is a not-for-profit corporation under the charter dated February 3, 1971, by the state of Missouri.

ARTICLE III – CORPORATE OFFICE AND OFFICERS

  • The registered office of the corporation shall be the meeting place of the First Baptist Church, Elsberry, Missouri.
  • The officers of the corporation shall be the elders and deacons of the church.

ARTICLE IV– REGISTERED AGENT

  • The registered agent of the corporation shall be a church elected officer of the corporation.

ARTICLE V – DURATION

  • The duration of this corporation shall be until the return of Christ or unless otherwise dissolved.  

ARTICLE VI – PURPOSE 

First Baptist Church of Elsberry exists…

  • That through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known. – Ephesians 3:10
  • To be a pillar and buttress of the truth upholding the Gospel of grace and the complete revelation of God contained in the Holy Bible. – 1 Timothy 3:15
  • To be a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for His own possession proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. – 1 Peter 2:9
  • To attain the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, not being carried about by every wind of doctrine and human schemes, but growing up in every way into Him who is the Head, into Christ. – Ephesians 4:13-16
  • To live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together with one voice we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6
  • To live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel. – Philippians 1:27-28
  • To acknowledge the universal authority of Jesus by making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all His commandments until the end of the age. – Matthew 28:18-20

ARTICLE VII – CHURCH CONFESSION 

See copy of current confession adopted by the membership in 2015

ARTICLE VIII – CHURCH COVENANT

See copy of current covenant revised and adopted by membership in 2013

Bylaws

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ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP 

SECTION 1.  GENERAL

This is a sovereign and congregational-minded Baptist church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government of all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.

The members reserve the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.  The elder team shall be responsible for determining each person’s qualification for membership before making a recommendation to the members.  Membership is conferred at a regularly scheduled family or members meeting at which point membership in other churches is relinquished by newly affirmed individual.

SECTION 2.  QUALIFICATIONS 

  1. A profession of faith in Jesus Christ accompanied by evidence of regeneration and repentance.
  2. Baptism, following regeneration, as part of a commitment to following Christ. Immersion will be required for membership by persons who were sprinkled with water (or immersed) as infants in other Christian traditions.
  3. A commitment and willingness to submit to the teaching of Scripture as expressed in the confession of faith (indicated through signature).
  4. A promise to keep the commitments expressed in the church covenant (indicated through signature).
  5. Several months of regularly assembling with the church on the Lord’s Day along with participation in a Home Group or Sunday school class.
  6. Completion of the Pathway to Membership class and a membership interview.

SECTION 3.  DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP 

  1. Members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the qualifications of membership and the duties contained in the church covenant.  Each member shall be privileged and expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of the church, consistent with God’s leading and with the gifts, time, and material resources each has received from God.  Only those shall be entitled to serve in the ministries of the church who are members of this congregation; non-members may serve on an ad-hoc basis with the approval of the elders.  Notwithstanding, non-members may serve the church for the purposes of professional services or consultation.
  2. Under Christ this congregation is governed by its members.  Therefore, it is the privilege and responsibility of members to attend all members meetings and vote on the election of officers, on decisions regarding membership status, and on all matters that may be submitted to the church for a vote.

SECTION 4.  CHILDREN OF MEMBERS

  1. Given the nature of the responsibilities and accountability involved with church membership, members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or have graduated from high school.
  2. Minor children of members, as a part of their parents’ household—if they live in their home and are under their authority, are considered part of the church family.  Members should pray for these children along with their parents and assist their parents in nurturing their faith and exhorting them to Godward living.  Upon a child’s eighteenth (18) birthday (or graduation from high school), he or she must individually fulfill all the qualifications for admission to membership of the church to be considered a member. 
  3. Children of members should be baptized prior to participating in the Lord’s Supper.

SECTION 5.  DISCIPLINE 

  1. The threefold purpose of church discipline is to glorify God by 1) maintaining the moral and doctrinal purity of the congregation (1 Corinthians 5:6), 2) deterring believers from sin (1 Timothy 5:20), 3) promoting the spiritual welfare of the offending party by calling him or her to repent and turn to the Lord (Galatians 6:1).
  2. Any member consistently neglectful of his or her duties (as specified in the church covenant) or guilty of conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be dishonored, and so opposing the welfare of the church, shall be subject to the admonition of the elders and the discipline of the church, according to the instruction and example of Scripture.
  3. Church discipline can include admonition by the elders or congregation, suspension from communion for a definite period, deposition from office, and excommunication (see Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5).
  4. In ordinary cases of discipline, according to Matthew 18:15-17, it shall be the duty of any member of this church who has knowledge of the erring member’s misconduct or doctrinal drift 1) to warn and correct them in private, seeking their repentance and restoration. 2) If they do not heed this warning, then the member issuing correction shall return, but accompanied this time by one or two other members who shall confirm that the sin has occurred or is continuing to occur, and/or that the erring individual has been appropriately confronted and has refused to repent. The first and second warnings may occur with no specified interval of time. 3) If the erring member still refuses to receive correction and demonstrate repentance, then the matter shall be brought to the attention of the elders, if it hasn’t already.  If, after a thorough investigation, the elders find there is sufficient evidence that the erring member has sinned or is continuing to sin, that he or she has been appropriately confronted, and that he or she has refused to repent, then 4) the elders shall inform the membership of the church at a “family” or special called meeting that they may collectively call the erring individual to repentance before the next meeting of the membership. If the erring individual demonstrates visible evidence of repentance, then notice of such action may be given at a “family” or special called meeting of the church.  5) If, however, the erring individual does not repent in response to the church in its collective call to repentance, then he or she shall be publicly dismissed from the fellowship and membership of the church.  They shall be welcome to join the church for worship, but shall be regarded as one who does not know the Lord.  If the erring individual, after such dismissal, heeds the warning, demonstrates visible signs of repentance and requests reinstatement before the elders of the church, then the elders shall inform the membership at a “family” or special called meeting and, if all are in agreement that the repentance is observable and genuine, he or she shall be publicly restored to all the rights, duties, privileges, and responsibilities of membership.
  5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the elders in the exercise of their discretion may proceed directly to the third stage of discipline, (i.e. the informing of the church at a “family” or special called meeting in order that the church may call the erring member to repentance) or to the fourth stage of discipline, (i.e. a vote of the membership to dismiss the erring member from the membership of the church) when one or more of the following has occurred:
  1. Where the transgression and the refusal to repent have been public and detrimental to both the purity and witness of the church (1 Cor. 5:1-5);
  2. Where the disciplined party has taught or otherwise disseminated doctrine deemed false or erroneous by the elders, then chosen to disregard the reproof and instruction of the elders (Romans 16:17);
  3. Or where the disciplined party has been warned twice to cease from factious and divisive conduct and has chosen to disregard such warning (Titus 3:10-11).
    1. By agreeing to “participate in the giving and receiving of corrective discipline as the church decides,” as stated in the church covenant, the members of this church agree that there shall be no appeal to any court because of their dismissal or because of the public disclosure to the membership of any comments or actions relevant to the third or fourth stages of church discipline. 
    2. Members, who are under discipline by the church forfeit and waive the right to resign their membership in this church.  Resignation of membership is possible only by members in good standing and not under any disciplinary action of the church.
    3. Members of this church and all other professing Christians who regularly attend this church are not guaranteed confidentiality regarding issues of a sensitive or personal nature which may need to be disclosed to others. This includes, but is not limited to, notification of the authorities if a crime has been committed or if a real threat of someone being endangered exists (Romans 13:1–7), as well as other violations of Scripture that may not result in physical danger.  
  • Separate and apart from the process of church discipline, but subject to the discretion and approval of the elders, a member, non-member regular attendee, or any other individual may be notified that he or she is not to be present upon church property for such a period of time as is deemed necessary for the safety and well-being of others or for the welfare of the church. Such required absence may, but need not, be concurrent with the discipline of that person.

SECTION 6.  TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

  1. The church shall recognize the termination of a person’s membership after he or she has voluntarily resigned, joined with another church or following his or her death.  Membership may also be terminated as an act of church discipline (ordinarily, but not necessarily, at the recommendation of the elders) upon the vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at any “Family” or special called meeting of the members.
  2. The church shall have authority to refuse a member’s voluntary resignation or transfer of membership to another church for the purpose of proceeding with a process of church discipline.
  3. All resignations or transfers of membership by members in good standing shall be made official upon an affirmative vote of the membership at a regularly scheduled Family Meeting.

ARTICLE II – CHURCH OFFICERS 

SECTION 1.  GENERAL

Per Article 25 of the church’s confession, “The officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church are pastors or elders, and deacons. They are appointed particularly to oversee what the Lord has ordained, and to execute the powers and duties which the Lord has entrusted to them or to which he calls them.”  In addition, our church recognizes the administrative positions of clerk and treasurer.  All officers must be members of this church for a minimum of one year prior to assuming their responsibilities.

SECTION 2.  ELDERS

  1. The terms “elder,” “pastor/shepherd,” and “overseer/bishop” all refer to one and the same office (Titus 1:5, 7; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Pet. 5:1).  Since all elders occupy the same office, they have equal authority and act as a body (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22-23).  
  2. Elders, as under-shepherds of Christ (1 Pet. 5:1-4), must serve as examples, teach sound doctrine, guard against false doctrine, care for the spiritual well-being of the church, govern the affairs of the church, equip the church for ministry, and raise up future leadership.
  3. The elder team should be composed of spiritually mature men that are fully committed to Christ and His Church as evidenced by their faithful service and financial support as members of this congregation.  Most importantly, these men consistently demonstrate the Christ-like character and conduct required of an elder in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.  The number of non-staff elders shall be greater than or equal to the number of those employed by the church.  No elder shall hold the office of deacon during his service as an elder.  
  4. While we respect and allow for some level of theological diversity within the church on peripheral doctrines, we recognize the importance of maintaining unity within the church as well and especially among its leadership.  To that extent, all current and prospective elders must demonstrate intellectual agreement with the confession of faith of this church.  Any man currently serving as an elder in the church should inform the rest of the elder team if he departs, theologically, from the doctrinal positions articulated in the church’s confession.
  5. The elder team is particularly responsible to examine and instruct prospective members, examine and recommend all prospective candidates for the offices of elder or deacon, oversee the work of the deacons, committees or teams, and employees of the church, to plan the corporate worship gatherings of the church, administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, equip the membership for the work of the ministry and oversee the process of church discipline.  The elder team is also responsible to ensure that all who minister the Word to the congregation (whether in classes, studies, or from the pulpit), including outside speakers, share our fundamental beliefs and theological convictions.
  6. The elder team shall meet, at minimum, each month. In addition, special meetings of the elder team may be convened at the discretion of any elder with reasonable promptness, subject to the adequate notice of such meeting to all elders.  No meeting of the elders shall be convened without the awareness of the whole elder team.  In lieu of a special called meeting, any matter requiring action and the consent of the elders may be permitted if all elder team members consent in writing to the action, including electronic means.  
  7. Upon the recommendation of the elder team, men who appear to demonstrate the character and possess the desire to serve in the office of elder may engage in an intensive period of discipleship training and assessment including assigned reading, group discussion, theological inquiry, ministry evaluation and readiness to serve.  At the completion of this period and upon mutual agreement that it would benefit the church for this man to join the elder team at this time, the aforementioned man will be presented to the membership for their consideration before a vote of the congregation determining whether or not to extend a call to serve as an elder.  Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for office should express such concern to the elders.  Members intending to speak in opposition to a candidate should express their objection to the elders as far in advance as possible.  Upon affirmation by an overwhelming majority of the congregation at a Family Meeting, the candidate will be ordained/installed as an elder with the laying on of hands before the congregation.  All men who are called and set apart as elders shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church.  
  8. In accordance with 1 Timothy 5:17, those elders who rule well and labor at preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor.  Therefore, at least one man from among the elder team will be employed by the church thereby enabling him to give himself more freely to the work at hand.  If no man among the elder team is available to give himself fully to the work of shepherding the flock through financial compensation from the church, the elder team will look outside itself to find a pastoral candidate who is qualified to serve as an elder in the church and who possesses teaching and leadership gifts proportionate to the needs of the congregation.  The elders shall present the candidate before the membership for their consideration providing sufficient notice and opportunity for the members to meet, hear from, and interact with the candidate before a vote of the membership.  No candidate from outside the current elder team will be called to serve and installed as an elder without a three-fourths (75%) affirmative vote of the church’s membership.
  9. The elder team shall have the primary responsibility for establishing ministry positions and proposing the employment of individuals, whether from among the membership or those outside the church, to assist them in fulfilling their duties.  All church employees must be affirmed by a three-fourths (75%) vote of the membership of the church.  They must be in earnest agreement with the church’s confession, be or become members of the church, and promise to keep the church’s covenant.
  10. The men composing the elder team are each expected to keep their charge and serve indefinitely unless otherwise disqualified or unable to fulfill the duties corresponding to their calling.
  11. Any non-staff elder may elect to take a sabbatical from his role as an elder. The sabbatical can be approved by the elder team at any regular or special meeting. The sabbatical shall be for a fixed time which is agreed upon by the elder team and it shall be announced to the church at the Family Meeting of the church.   
  12. Any charge(s) against a (staff or non-staff) elder because of moral impropriety or heterodoxy shall be reported to the elder team by no less than two members in accordance with 1 Timothy 5:19-21.  If the elder team believes the charges are of a substantial nature, they will proceed to investigate them in preparation for subsequent action.
  13. If the accused elder is found guilty on one or more charges, the elder team shall determine the consequences and the appropriate communication to the church (1 Timothy 5:20).
  14. If the accused elder is found not guilty of all charges, the elder team will determine what communication, if any, needs to be made to the congregation as well as, pastorally, what action should be taken with those who brought forth accusations.
  15. An elder who has been removed from office by disciplinary action may, depending on the circumstances and only after evidencing the fruit of repentance over time, be considered by the elder team and the congregation for a return to service in the office of elder, following the selection and affirmation procedures outlined in the bylaws.
  16. If it is decided after a formal evaluation process that either a staff or a non-staff elder is 1) no longer functioning effectively or fruitfully in his role, or 2) is found to no longer qualify for his position because of personal or moral failure, he may be removed from the office of elder.  This change must be recommended by at least half (50%) of the elder team and affirmed by three-fourths (75%) of the membership of the church.

SECTION 3.  DEACONS

    1. The office of deacon is described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-7.  The church shall recognize qualified men who are giving of themselves in service to the church, and who possess particular gifts of service.  These members shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart to serve as deacons.
  • Under the direction and oversight of the elder team, the deacons shall be responsible to attend to the accommodations for corporate worship (including, but not limited to turning on lights, heating or cooling the facility, unlocking doors, and preparing for observance of the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and baptism), the collection, management, and disbursement of the church’s finances (including the preparation of an annual budget with input from the elders to be voted on by the membership), the temporal needs of the members (including, but not limited to following up with homebound members and orchestrating relief of members in distress or need), and the management and care of the church’s property and assets (including but not limited to insurance, repair and maintenance, mowing, snow removal, and necessary updates).  The deacons may delegate tasks to other members or pay for services from those outside the church so long as all the secular or temporal affairs and needs of the church are attended to under their supervision.
  • The office of deacon is not a governing or teaching office; however, a person holding the office of deacon is not prohibited from teaching in the church.  Deacons may teach, preach, lead music, oversee an area of ministry, or perform other duties in proportion to their gifts of service as called upon by the elder team in conjunction with the needs of the church.
  • Based up on the needs of the church and the number of standing deacons, new deacon candidates are nominated by the membership, after careful consideration of the biblical qualifications.  Candidates will be tested according to 1 Timothy 3:10.  After they have successfully completed deacon training, they will be presented to the membership for at least four weeks prior to the Family Meeting.  During this period members will be invited to affirm or express concerns about the qualifications of the candidates.  Any member with reason to believe that a nominated candidate is unqualified for deacon ministry should express such concern to the elder team as far in advance as possible before the relevant Family Meeting.  Otherwise, candidates will be affirmed and subsequently ordained and installed upon an affirmative vote of three-fourths (75%) of the members present at the Family Meeting.
  • Once ordained, deacons may fill their office so long as they remain biblically qualified, submit to the elder team and work to promote unity within the church, desire to continue to serve in such a capacity, and are mentally/physically able to minister to the needs of the church and fulfill the duties of a deacon.
  • Deacons may take a sabbatical from service as needed upon approval of the elder team.

SECTION 4.  CHURCH CLERK

  1. The church clerk shall be responsible for the recording and processing of all records of the Family Meetings of the church as well as special called meetings of the church.  The clerk shall preserve and properly file all letters, reports, and other denominational reports.
  2. The clerk shall be responsible for keeping an accurate roll of the membership with dates of admissions, dismissals, death or erasures, together with a record of baptisms.
  3. The clerk shall be recommended by the membership upon a vacancy to the position at a regularly scheduled Family Meeting.  The clerk shall serve as secretary of the corporation.

SECTION 5.  CHURCH TREASURER

  1. The treasurer, who shall not be an active elder, deacon, or paid church staff member, shall assist the deacons in their management of the church’s finances, ensuring that all funds and securities of the church are properly secured in such banks, financial institutions, or depositories as appropriate. The treasurer shall also be responsible for presenting regular reports of the account balances, revenues and expenses of the church at each Family Meeting.  The treasurer shall also ensure that full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements are kept in books belonging to the church, and, in conjunction with the deacons, that adequate controls are implemented to guarantee that all funds belonging to the church are appropriately handled by any officer, employee, or agent of the church. The treasurer shall present the book and records to the church for auditing at the close of the calendar year, or at any time requested by the church. 
  2. The treasurer shall send an annual giving report to all contributing members.
  3. The treasurer shall be nominated by the deacons and elected by the congregation to serve as long as it is mutually agreeable.

ARTICLE III – CHURCH MEETINGS 

SECTION 1.  WORSHIP SERVICES

  1. The church shall meet each Lord’s Day for the public reading of Scripture, the preaching of God’s Word, prayer, the singing of “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” for the observance of the Lord’s Supper, and the giving of offerings.
  2. One of the elders, or in the absence of an elder, the chair of the deacons, shall see that everything in the assembly of the church is done properly and in order.
  3. Other meetings which would be profitable for the promotion of the church’s objectives may be held as suggested by the congregation and determined elders.

SECTION 2.  FAMILY MEETINGS

  1. The members of the church shall meet at least every other month, at some time agreed upon by the membership, apart from their public assembly on the Lord’s Day.
  2. All such meetings should be marked by genuine love, honor, humility, and mutual submission, which is fitting and required of those who are members of Christ’s body.
  3. The staff elder or an elder designated by the elder team shall preside over all Family Meetings of the church.  The elders shall work to preserve the peace and unity of the church in these meetings and put an end to any divisiveness or party spirit that should manifest itself in these meetings or in response to them.  
  4. The purpose of the Family Meeting is for the congregation to hear reports from the elders, deacons, church treasurer, church clerk, and any other ministry leaders called upon by the elders; to make any updates to the church’s membership, either through the admission of new members or the dismissal/discipline of current; to adopt an annual budget or decide of any significant financial purchases or commitments; to appoint officers and make any changes or updates to the church’s confession of faith, covenant, or constitution and bylaws. 
  5. Any action recommended by church officers or ministry leaders requiring a vote of the church, after discussion, must receive a motion and a second by another member of the church before being put to a vote of the congregation.  Three-fourths (75%) of the members must be in approval for the motion to carry.

SECTION 3.  SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings may be held as required by the elders to consider matters of a significant nature or those requiring immediate action.  A one-week notice of the subject, date, time, and location must be given for the specially called business meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical.

SECTION 4.  QUORUM

A quorum consists of those that are in attendance at any meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called.  All votes shall be tallied based on the number of votes cast by members present.

ARTICLE IV – GROUPS & COMMITTEES 

  1. Any issue outside the purview of the elder team or deacons which requires more work or research than can be accomplished during a Family Meeting or special called meeting of the members, as well as any task which the elder team or deacons request the assistance of the members on, can result in the formation of a church committee.
  2. A church committee can be composed of elders, deacons, church staff, and the congregation at large.  The committees shall consist of either three to five members with the number of members to be determined by the nominator, be it the elder team, deacons, or the congregation.
  3. They shall be nominated by the elders, deacons, or the church body at a Family Meeting or special called meeting of the membership.  It shall be the responsibility of the nominators to examine the qualifications of each of their nominees and consider the practical experience, emotional stability, and gracious and peaceable attitude in determining his or her suitability for such committee.
  4. All committees shall perform solely those tasks in accordance with the specific goals and powers delegated to them and shall exist no longer than the period of time allotted to them for the completion of their goal.
  5. All committees shall keep an updated record of their progress and report on their progress to the elder team, deacons, or church body throughout the duration of their existence.

ARTICLE V – CHURCH FINANCES

  1. The fiscal year for the church will be the same as the calendar year.
  2. The deacons, with input from the elders and assistance from the church treasurer, shall prepare annually a comprehensive budget proposal and submit it to the membership for their consideration by the first Sunday in November.  The members can present any questions regarding the proposed budget to the deacons at the November Family Meeting or can seek them out privately.  The church will then call a special meeting of the membership on the second Sunday of December at the conclusion of the Lord’s Day assembly to hear an update from the church treasurer and then vote whether or not to approve the proposed budget.
  3. After the church approves the annual budget, church officers and ministry leaders are authorized to make expenditures from the portion of the budget they are responsible for, permitting funds are available.
  4. Purchases greater than $300, even if within the limits of the church budget, should be presented to the deacons for their approval.  All expenditures not specifically falling within a budget category must receive approval from the deacons, and if significant enough, from the church.
  5. While the deacons are authorized by the members to enter into contracts representing the church and also to make necessary purchases for emergency maintenance and repair of the facility, any significant sales, lease arrangements, or purchases, especially those not accounted for within the church budget, should receive the approval of the membership at a regularly scheduled Family Meeting or duly called special meeting of the members.

ARTICLE VI – CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS

  1. First Baptist Elsberry is an independent, self-governing body, completely free of all outside control.  However, recognizing the value of partnerships for the sake of the Gospel, the church voluntarily affiliates with denominations, networks, missions organizations, and individual churches to accomplish the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).  In addition to that, the church may partner with other churches or organizations from time to time for other causes such as the sanctity of human life and religious liberty. 
  2. All partnerships should be recommended by the elders, and to the degree that they require any financial commitment, approved by the membership of the church.  Under the leadership of the elder team, the church possesses the freedom and authority to bring to conclusion any partnership for either theological or methodological reasons.   

ARTICLE VII – DISPUTE RESOLUTION

  1. Believing that the Bible commands Christians to make every effort to live at peace and to resolve disputes with each other in private or within the church (see, e.g., Matthew 18: 15–20, I Corinthians 6: 1–8), the church shall require its members to resolve conflict among themselves according to biblically based principles (such as mediation or arbitration), without reliance on the secular courts.
  2. However, processes such as these are not a substitute for any disciplinary process set forth in this constitution, and shall in no way affect the authority of the church to investigate reports of misconduct, conduct hearings, administer discipline of members or contact the necessary authorities in criminal matter.

 

ARTICLE VIII – INDEMNIFICATION 

SECTION 1 – MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION

If a legal claim or criminal allegation is made against a person because he or she is or was an officer, employee, or agent of the church, the church shall provide indemnification against liability and costs incurred in defending against the claim if the elders determine that the person acted (a) in good faith, (b) with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a similar position would exercise under similar circumstances, and (c) in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the church and the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

SECTION 2 – PERMISSIVE INDEMNIFICATION

At the discretion of the elders, the church also may indemnify any person who acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the church’s best interest and not unlawful.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

  1. The Confession of Faith and Church Covenant may be amended by a three-quarters (75%) vote of the members present and voting at a Family Meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing no less than four weeks prior to the Family Meeting and shall have been announced during corporate worship two successive Sundays prior to such vote.
  2. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote (66%) of the members present and voting at a Family Meeting, provided the amendment shall have been offered in writing no less than four weeks prior to the Family Meeting and shall have been announced during corporate worship two successive Sundays prior to such vote.
  3. The revised version of this constitution shall be made available to all church members by the church clerk.

ARTICLE X – DISSOLUTION

In the event that the members of the church determine that there is reasonable cause to dissolve the First Baptist Church as a corporate entity, the elders shall call a special members’ meeting as set out in Article 3, Section 3.

After approval of dissolution by the members, all of the corporation’s debts shall be fully satisfied. None of its assets or holdings shall be divided among the members or other individuals, but shall be irrevocably designated, as approved by a simple majority of the members present at a members’ meeting, to one or more religious organizations which meet the qualifications described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and which are in agreement with the letter and spirit of the Statement of Faith. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of exclusively for such exempt purposes by a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the corporation is then located.