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Constitution

Constitution

Of

FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH

PREAMBLE

As a congregation of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, having united in faith and fellowship of His gospel, we declare our acceptance of the Word of God (i.e. the Bible) as our all-sufficient rule of faith and practice. For the purpose of setting forth a clear statement of action in regard to our membership in relation with one another and others of like faith, we prayerfully offer to all believers of like faith the hand of fellowship through membership in this church upon terms and condition set forth in the Word of God and declared in this constitution.

ARTICLE I

NAME/IDENTITY

The name of this church is Friendship Baptist Church, located at 22604 County Rd 3107, Gladewater, TX 75647. This church is affiliated and cooperated with the Gregg County Baptist Association, Southern Baptist General Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

  • To be a diverse body of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit to glorify God and share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community and throughout the world.
  • To provide a place where people can freely worship and experience an awareness of God, recognizing His person and responding in obedience to His leadership.
  • To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
  • To be a church which ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and the world in Jesus’ name.

ARTICLE III

STATEMENT OF FAITH

The statement of faith is an affirmation of what the church believes to be the teaching of Scripture on key doctrinal issues.

This is our beliefs based on the Word of God:

  1. GOD

There is one living and true God, the creator of the universe (Exod. 15:11; Isa. 45:11; Jer. 27:5). He is revealed in the unity of the Godhead as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, who are equal in every divine perfection (Exod. 15:11; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

  1. God the Father is the supreme ruler of the universe. He providentially directs the affairs of history according to the purposes of His grace (Gen. 1; Ps. 104; Heb. 1:1-3).
  1. God the Son is the Savior of the world. Born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:26-35), He declared His deity among men (John 1:14, 18; Matt. 9-6), died (John 1:14, 18; Matt 9:6), died on the cross as the only sacrifice for sin (Phil. 2:6-11), arose bodily from the grave (Luke 24:6-7; 24-26; 1 Cor. 15:3-6), and ascended back to the Father (Acts 1:9-11; Mark 16:19). He is at the right hand of the Father, interceding for believers (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25) until He returns to rapture them from the world (Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16-18).
  2. God the Holy Spirit is the manifest presence of deity. He convicts of sin (John 16:8-11), teaches spiritual truths according to the written Word (John 16:12-15), permanently indwells believers (Acts 5:32; John 14:16-17, 20, 23), and confers on every believer at conversion the ability to render effective spiritual service (1 Peter 4:10-11).
  1. THE SCRIPTURES
  1. The Scriptures are God’s inerrant revelation, complete in the Old and New Testaments, written by divinely inspired men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21). Those men wrote not in words of human wisdom but in words taught by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13).
  1. The Scriptures provide the standard for the believer’s faith and practice (2 Tim. 3:16-17), reveal the principles by which God will judge all (Heb. 4:12; John 12:48), and express the true basis of Christian fellowship (Gal. 1:8-9; 2 John 9-11).
  1. CREATION
  1. The World – God created all things for His own pleasure and glory, as revealed in the biblical account of creation (Gen. 1; Rev 4:11; John 1:2-3; Col. 1:16).
  1. The Angels – God created an innumerable host of spirit beings called angels. Holy angels worship God and execute His will; while fallen angels serve Satan, seeking to hinder God’s purpose (Col. 1:16; Luke 20:35-36; Matt. 22:29-30; Ps. 103:20; Jude 6).
  1. Man – God created man in His own image. As the crowning work of creation, every person is of dignity and worth and merits the respect of all other persons (Ps. 8; Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Matt. 10:28-31).
  1. SATAN

Satan is a person rather that a personification of evil (John 8:44), and he with his demons opposes all that is true and godly by blinding the world to the gospel (2 Cor. 4:3-4), tempting saints to do evil (Eph. 6:11; 1 Peter 5:8), and warring against the Son of God (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 20:1-10).

  1. DEPRAVITY

Although man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26; 2:17), he fell through sin and that image was marred (Rom. 5:12; James 3:9). In his unregenerate state, he is void of spiritual life, is under the influence of the devil, and lacks any power to save himself (Eph. 2:1-3; John 1:13). The sin nature has been transmitted to every member of the human race, the man Jesus Christ alone being excepted (Rom 3:23; 1 Pet. 2:22). Because of the sin nature, man possesses no divine life and is essentially and unchangeably depraved apart from divine grace (Rom. 3:10-19; Jer. 17:9).

  1. SALVATION
  1. The Meaning of Salvation – Salvation is the gracious work of God whereby He delivers undeserving sinners from sin and its results (Matt 1:21; Eph. 2:8-9). In justification He declares righteous all who put faith in Christ as Savior (Rom 3:20-22), giving them freedom from condemnation, peace with God and full assurance of future glorification (Rom. 3:24:26).
  1. The Way of Salvation – Salvation is based wholly on the grace of God apart from works (Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:9). Anyone who will exercise repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved (Acts 16:30-32; Luke 24:47; Rom. 10:17).
  1. The Provision of Salvation – Christ died for the sins of the whole world (John 1:29; 3:16; 1 John 2:1-2). Through His blood, atonement is made without respect of persons (1 Tim. 2:4-6). All sinners can be saved by this gracious provision
    (Heb. 2:9; John 3:18).
  1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom – God’s sovereignty and man’s freedom are two inseparable factors in the salvation experience (Eph. 2:4-6). The two Bible truths are in no way contradictory in the great salvation so freely provided. God, in His sovereignty purposed, planned, and executed salvation in eternity while man’s freedom enables him to make a personal choice in time, either to receive this salvation and be saved, or to reject it and be damned (Eph. 1:9-12; 1:13-14; John 1:12-13).
  1. SANCIFICATION

All believers are set apart unto God (Heb. 10:12-14) at the time of their regeneration (1 Cor. 6:11). They should grow in grace (2 Pet.1:5-8) by allowing the Holy Spirit to apply God’s Word to their lives (1 Pet. 2:2), conforming them to the principles of divine righteousness (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:3-7) and making them partakers of the holiness of God (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Pet. 1:15-16).

  1. SECURITY

All believers are eternally secure in Jesus Christ (John 10:24-30; Rom. 8:35-39). They are born again (John 3:3-5; 1 John 5:1; 1 Pet. 1:23), made new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Pet. 1:4), and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9; 1 John 4:4), enabling their perseverance in good works (Eph. 2:10). A special providence watches over them (Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13), and they are kept by the power of God (Phil, 1:6; 2:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; Heb. 13:5).

  1. CHURCH
  1. The Nature of the Church – A New Testament Church is a local congregation (Acts 16:5; 1 Cor. 4:17) of baptized believers in Jesus Christ (acts 2:41) who are united by covenant in belief of what God has revealed and in obedience to what He has commanded (Acts 2:41-42).
  1. The Autonomy of the Church – She acknowledges Jesus as her only Head (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18) and the Holy Bible as her only rule of faith and practice (Isa. 8:20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), governing herself by democratic principles (acts 6:1-6; 1 Cor. 5:1-5) under the oversight of her Elders (pastors, overseers, bishops) (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24).
  1. The Perpetuity of the Church – Instituted by Jesus during His personal ministry on earth (Matt. 16-18; Mark 3:13-19; John 1:35-51), true churches have continued to the present and will continue until Jesus returns (Matt 16:18; 28:20).
  1. The Ordinances of the Church – Her two ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer as a confession of his faith in Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4) and is prerequisite to church membership and participation in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42). The Lord’s Supper is the sacred sharing of the bread of communion and the cup of blessing by the assembled church (Acts 20:7) as a memorial to the crucified body and shed blood of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Both ordinances must be administered by the authority of a New Testament church (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
  1. The Officers of the Church – Elders, pastors and deacons are the officers divinely ordained in a New Testament church (Phil. 1:1). Each church may select men of her choice to fill those offices under the leading of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:1-6; 20:17-18) according to the divinely given qualifications (1 Tim 3:1-13).
    1. Pastors (elders, bishops) are authorized to oversee and teach the churches under the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). Each church is responsible to follow them as they follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Thess. 1:6; Heb. 13:17) and to provide a livelihood for them that they might fulfill their ministries (1 Tim 5:17- 18; Phil. 4:15-18). Pastors are equal in the service of God (Matt. 23:8-12).
    1. Deacons (ministers, servants) are servants of the churches and assistants to the pastors, particularly in benevolent ministries. Each church may select her own deacons according to her needs, and no church is bound by the act of another church in that selection (Acts 6:1-6).
  1. The Ministry of the Church – Her mission is evangelizing sinners by preaching the gospel (Matt. 28:19; Luke 24:45-47), baptizing those who believe (acts 2:41; 8:12; 35-38), and maturing them by instruction (Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:42) and discipline (Matt 18:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-5).
  1. The Fellowship of the Church – She is free to associate with true churches in furthering the faith (2 Cor. 11:8; Phil 4:10, 15-16) but is responsible to keep herself from those who hold doctrines or practices contrary to Holy Scripture (Gal. 1:8-9; 1 John 2:19). In association with other churches, each church is equal and is the sole judge of the measure and method of her cooperation (Matt 20:25-28). In all matters of polity and practice, the will of each church is final (Matt 18:18).
  1. CIVIL AUTHORITY

Human government was instituted by God to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. It is separated from the church, though both church and state exercise complementary ministries for the benefit of society (Matt 22:21).

Christians should submit to the authority of the government under which they live, obeying all laws which do not contradict the laws of God, respecting offices of government, paying taxes, rendering military service, and praying for the welfare of the nation and its leaders (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13; 17; 1 Tim 2:1-2). They should vote, hold office, and exercise influence to direct the nation after the principles of Holy Scripture.

Civil authority is not to interfere in matters of conscience or disturb the institutions of religion (Acts 4:18-20), but it should preserve for every citizen the free exercise of his religious convictions.

Churches should receive no subsidy from the government, but they should be exempt from taxation on property and money used for the common good through worship, education or benevolence.

  1. LAST THINGS
  1. Return – Our risen Lord will return personally in bodily form to receive His redeemed unto Himself. His return is imminent (1 Thess. 4:13-17; Rev. 22:20).
  1. Resurrections – After Jesus returns, all of the dead will be raised bodily, each in his own order: the righteous dead in “the resurrection of life” and the wicked dead in the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:24-39; 1 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20-11:15).
  1. Judgments – Prior to the eternal state, God will judge everyone to confer rewards or to consign punishment (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15).
  1. Eternal States – Heaven is the eternal home of the redeemed (John 14:1-3), who, in their glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-58), will live in the presence of God forever (1 Thess. 4:17) in ultimate blessing (rev. 21, 22). Hell is the place of eternal punishment and suffering (Luke 16:19-31) for the devil, his angels (Matt 25:41), and then unredeemed (Rev. 20:10-15).
  1. FAMILY

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. God has created marriage to be the unity of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime, and it is intended to portray the relationship between Christ and His church, Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord, and parents are to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (Gen, 1:26-28; 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13; Deut. 6:4-9; 1 Cor.11:7-9; Eph. 5:21-6:4; Col. 3:18-19; Tit 2:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).

ARTICLE IV

CHURCH COVENANT

Whereas the statement of faith expresses what the church believes, the covenant expresses how the church desires to behave toward one another. The covenant is as follows:

We Promise to Glorify God in Holiness of Life

  • We will walk in all holiness and humility in order to render our fellowship delightful to God, joyful to ourselves, and lovely to the rest of the Lord’s people.
  • We will live in obedience to the oral precepts of Scripture, while recognizing liberty if Scripture has neither required nor forbidden a practice.
  • We will use all scriptural means of growing in grace including systematic reading of the Scriptures, consistent private and family prayer, and regular participation in the church.

We Promise to Glorify God in the Church

  • We will meet together on the Lord’s Day and at other times, as the Lord shall give opportunity, to serve, savor and glorify God in worship.
  • We will strive together for the truths of the gospel.
  • We will sustain the doctrines of our church in accordance with our statement of faith, and not hold any settled convictions contrary to it.
  • We will keep the unity of the Spirit and avoid causes and causers of undue division.
  • We will contribute, as God shall Bless us, to the support and ministry of our church by systematic and proportionate giving.
  • We will seek the salvation of the lost and hasten the spread of the gospel to all peoples.
  • We will recognize and submit to the discipline and authority of the church.
  • We will pray that the person of God, through His Spirit, would be manifest among us for the glory and increase of His church.
  • We will, if we move from this place, unite with some other church as soon as possible.

We Promise to Glorify God in Our Relationships with One Another

  • In love we will stir up one another to love and good works and not allow a brother or sister to continue in gross sin.
  • In love we will pray for one another.
  • In love we will bear one another’s burdens.
  • In love we will bear with on another’s weaknesses, failings, and infirmities with much tenderness and forgiveness.
  • In love we will speak to and about one another that which edifies.
  • In love we will seek reconciliation when we have wronged or been wronged by another.

We Promise to Glorify God in Our Families

  • We who are heads of families will maintain the worship of God in our homes and will instruct those under our care in words and actions.
  • We who are husbands will love and honor our wives.
  • We who are wives will respect and be subject to our husbands.
  • We who are parents will raise up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
  • We who are children will obey our parents.
  • We who are single will not enter into marriage with any that are unbelievers.

This is the covenant we gladly and humbly submit to. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP

At the recommendation of the Elders and then a majority vote from the congregation present, members may be received as follows:

  1. Baptism: Upon profession of faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, one may be accepted as a candidate for baptism and after baptism into full membership.
  2. Letter: Applicant for membership may be received from churches of like faith and order upon promise of a letter. Upon receipt of such letter they will become members in full standing with voting privileges.
  3. Statement: Applicants for membership may be accepted by affirmation of their membership and verification of their good standing in a church of like faith and order, giving satisfactory reason for being unable to receive a letter of recommendation.
  4. Restoration: Repentant members who have been excluded from the church for scriptural reason may be restored to the church upon recommendation of the elders and with a majority vote of the congregation.

Membership may cease or be terminated as follows:

  1. Death
  2. Letter: Upon request, this church will grant letters of recommendation to members in good moral and doctrinal standing to unite with another church of like faith and order.
  3. Church Discipline: Exclusion that is the result of church discipline may be for the following reasons:
  1. Open and gross immorality.
  2. Open and gross opposition to the statement of faith.
  3. Uniting with a church that is not of like faith and order.

It is understood that with regard to exclusion, such action may be taken only after prayerful recommendation of the elders and a majority vote from the congregation. Church discipline shall be exercised only as a last resort and in the spirit of Christian love and meekness. The object of such action is restoration.

Church discipline is based upon the teachings of Jesus Himself in Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, Romans 16:17-18, 1 Timothy 5:19-20.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

The church year shall run from January 1 through December 31.

Regular Meetings: The Church shall meet each Sunday for worship and Bible study as well as other times throughout the week, such as Wednesdays, for training and Bible study.

Special Meetings: Special meetings such as revivals, conferences, concerts, etc., shall be approved by the elders.

Business Meetings: Regular business meetings shall be held Quarterly on the 3rd Wednesday evening of the month.

Special Business Meetings: Such meetings may be called by the elders as deemed necessary. No business may be transacted other than what was previously specified. Special meetings must be announced, along with its purpose, at least one regular meeting in advance.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS, AGENTS, COMMITTEES

The officers of the church are elders (including preaching or senior pastor) and deacons. The agents of the church are church staff, treasurer, and clerk.

  • Pastor/Elder: Since Scripture uses the terms pastor (shepherd), elder, bishop, overseer, etc. interchangeably (Titus 1:5-7; 1 Perter 5:1-2; etc.), all pastors are understood to be elders and all elders are understood to be pastors. They are the undershepherds of the church. As it regards the operations of the church, a pastor shall as act as moderator for all church meetings, and they are ex officio members of all departments and committees. In cases where the pastors are absent, or the moderating pastor wishes to speak to a motion, the church may elect a temporary moderator. As undershepherds they give special attention to the spiritual needs of the members, lead in worship, and administer the ordinances of the church. They shall have supervision of the church staff and office staff. The employment or termination of church or office staff shall be within the purview of the pastors, within the limits of the budget.

Upon the need to replace or add a new pastor, the pastor/elder body shall serve as a committee in order to secure a pastoral candidate to preach in view of a call. The church shall vote as soon as it is convenient. If the recommended pastor receives a 75% vote from those present and voting, a call will be extended. Should the Church lose all of it’s Elders, the Administrative and Ministries Councils shall select three members from each council to serve on a Pastor/Elder search committee in order to secure a pastoral candidate to preach in view of a call. If the recommended Pastor receives a 75% vote from those members present at voting, a call will be extended.

A pastor/elder may be removed from office with a majority vote from the pastor/elder body and a majority vote from the congregation present and voting at any regular or special called business meeting, provided that this has been presented for discussion and consideration at a previous regular church meeting or regular business meeting. The criterion for removal shall be the same as with members or for a neglect of duties.

  • Lead Pastor: The lead pastor is equal to the other pastors. He serves the same function as the rest of the pastor/elder body and, yet, is generally regarded as the “first among equals,” since he is the most visible member of the leadership and provides much of the public proclamation.
  • Deacons: Deacons provide a ministry of service to the church. They are qualified men (1 Timothy 3:8-10) who have been set apart to serve. They meet regularly to pray, minister to widows and shut-ins, and prepare and serve the Lord’s Supper.

The deacons are an ordained body. In order to begin the process of being ordained, men from the membership of this church may be set aside by the recommendation of the pastors/elders and by majority vote of the church in a regular meeting by those present and voting.

  • Church Staff: There may be times when an individual is considered a valuable asset to the church in a leadership role and yet is not designated elder but rather church staff.
  • Treasurer: The elders shall appoint a treasurer as its financial agent and can delegate this role to another individual whenever deemed appropriate. The treasurer shall not be an active elder, or paid staff member. The treasurer will ensure 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 Members meeting. These responsibilities may be delegated with the approval of the elders. The treasurer shall also ensure that full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements are kept in financial records belonging to the church and that adequate controls are implemented to guarantee that all funds belonging to the church, and 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’s report and records shall be reviewed quarterly by an independent source and by the Administrative Council.
  • Clerk: The elders shall appoint a clerk as its clerical officer and can delegate this role to another individual whenever deemed appropriate. The clerk shall be responsible for recording the minutes of regular and special Members Meetings; preserving an accurate membership roll, including dates and means of admission and termination, as well as resident and non-resident status; and ensuring that dated copies of the most recent revision of this Constitution and Bylaws are available to the membership.
  • Committees: Only two permanent committees will be appointed by the elder body and they will be called the Administrative Council and the Ministries Council.

The administrative council will be composed of the elders, church treasurer, financial secretary, two male and two female Church members chosen by the elders. The administrative council shall serve as an advisory group to the elders in matters regarding the financial and business matters of the church. The administrative council will write job descriptions for each staff position as needed, including compensation, vacation time, sick leave, and termination procedures. They will also write policy guidelines for the use of Church facilities. The administrative council shall select administrative team leaders to assist in matters pertaining to the care of the church facilities, kitchen workers, counters, insurance, ushers, and other administrative interest. Administrative teams will be formed at the recommendation of the elders, as needed in order to help in certain operations and ministries of the church.

The ministries council will be composed of the elders, one member of the worship team, student leader, children’s leader, women’s ministry leader, one male and one female member of the church. The ministries council shall select ministry team leaders to teach Bible Study classes, VBS workers, missions, prayer ministry, and any other ministries that will help carry out the ministries of Friendship Baptist Church. Some ministry teams will serve for longer than others, depending on the project or need. Ministry teams will be formed at the recommendation of the elders, as needed in order to help in certain operations and ministries of the church.

ARTICLE VIII

POLICY

Weddings: Weddings can be beautiful and fun, but they are also to be sacred. Friendship Baptist Church considers the wedding ceremony to be a worship service, believing that God is the one who takes two independent lives and makes them one. Our facility provides an environment for worship. We will do whatever we can to help you make your wedding service a worshipful and Christ-exalting experience. We will also seek to help you build a marriage that honors God.

Friendship Baptist Church understands marriage to be the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, providing the married couple the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

Friendship Baptist Church host weddings only for members of its church body, and for the children or grandchildren of church members. Specifically, the bride, groom, parent, grandparent, or guardian must be an active member at Friendship Baptist Church. Church attendance alone does not fulfill the requirements of membership. If the bride or groom is not a member of the church, the wedding must be requested by the related church member (i.e., the parent, grandparent, or guardian).

Friendship Baptist Church will only recognize marriages between a biological man and a biological woman. Further, the pastors and staff of Friendship Baptist Church shall only participate in weddings and solemnize marriages between one biological man and one biological woman. Finally, the facilities and property of Friendship Baptist Church shall only host weddings between one biological man and one biological woman. All aspects related to the wedding ceremony and procedures shall be at the discretion of the elder body at Friendship Baptist Church.

Organizations: All organizations of the church are part of the church and are subject to its statement of faith and its jurisdiction. They shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner becoming to our Christian faith and shall be careful not to bring discredit to the church of which they are a part.