ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
A. Name: this congregation of believers shall be known as Lighthouse Baptist Church of Theodore, Alabama. This church is incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the state of Alabama.
B. Purpose: this congregation is organized as a church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code(IRC) of 1986, for such purposes including, but not limited to, proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; establishing and maintaining religious worship; to provide formal and informal Christian education to all age groups; educating believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Holy Scripture, and maintaining missionary activities in the United States and around the world; and above all, to be a soul-winning church.
C. Objective: The object of this church shall be in accordance with Ephesians 4:12-13.
1. To glorify God in the salvation of souls through the preaching of the crucified, glorified and coming Saviour, Jesus Christ.
2. To promote by every possible scriptural means the worldwide proclamation of the glorious and saving Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
3. To maintain regular services for the promotion of prayer, worship and Bible study.
4. To provide a haven of fellowship for all who have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
5. To instruct its members in the things of God, thus contributing to their spiritual edification and thus encouraging them in holy living.
6. To observe and administer the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.
7. To contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints and to defend it vigorously against every onslaught of the enemy.
II Corinthians 6:14-7:1, II Peter 2.
8. To cooperate with Christian activity functioning in harmony with God’s Holy Word, the Bible.
ARTICLE 2
STATEMENT OF FAITH
A. Authority of Statement of Faith: The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the statement of faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members, staff, and volunteers. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the statement of faith. All activities permitted or performed in any facilities owned, rented, or leased by this church, or engaged in by any member of the church staff (volunteer or paid), and all decisions of the administration of this church shall not conflict with the statement of faith. In all conflicts regarding interpretation of the statement of faith, the pastor and board, on behalf of the church, have the final authority.
B. Statement of Faith
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES:
We believe that the Holy Bible is supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried.
A. By the “Holy Bible” we mean that collection of sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, which not only contains and conveys the Word of God, but IS the very Word of God. We believe that the King James Version is the preserved Word of God for the English-speaking people and is the only acceptable translation to be used in English-speaking services. All doctrine, policies, and foundation for our faith are based on the King James Version.
B. By “inspiration” we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been, or ever will be inspired.
II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Psalm 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 130, 160; Luke 16:31; 24:25-27, 44-45; John 17:17; Proverbs 30:5, 6; Romans 3:4; 15:4; I Peter 1:23; Revelation 22:19; Isaiah 8:20; Ephesians 6:17; John 5:39, 45; 12:48
II. OF THE TRUE GOD:
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the Unity of the Godhead there are three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 15:11, 20:2, 3; Genesis 17: Ephesians 4:6; John 4:24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Psalm 83:18; 90:2; 147:5; Jeremiah 10:10; Revelation 4:11; I Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33; Mark 12:30; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 2:10, 11; 8:6; 12:46; I John 5:7; Acts 5:3, 4; Philippians 2:5, 6; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14
III. OF THE SON OF GOD
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, as no other man was ever, nor can ever be, born of a woman. He is very God, being “God manifest in the flesh.” He lived an absolutely sinless life and, in His death, made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins, dying not as a martyr but as a voluntary substitute in every sinner’s place. He rose from the dead on the third day and ascended bodily into Heaven. He is coming again to rapture His saints, and to set up the throne of David and establish His kingdom. The imminent rapture is personal, pre-tribulation, and pre-millennial.
Isaiah 7:14; I Thessalonians 2:6-8, 4:16; Matthew 1:18-25; 28:6; John 1; 14:3; I Peter 2:22; 3:18; Acts15:16
IV. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father, God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of judgment, and of righteousness; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer.
John 1:33, 3:5, 6; 14:16, 17; 15:26, 16:8-11; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35, 24:49; Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2; II Thessalonians 2:7, 13; Acts 5:30-32; Ephesians 1:13, 14; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts 11:16; John 14:26; 16:13; Romans 8:14, 16; I Peter 1:2; Romans 8:26, 27
V. OF THE DEVIL OR SATAN:
We believe that Satan was once holy and enjoyed heavenly honors, but through pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the militant prince of power of the air, and the unholy of this world. We hold him to be man’s greater tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, the chief power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the anti-Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religions, and the author of all the powers of darkness; destined, however, to final defeat at the hand of God’s own Son, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28: 14-17; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 14:30; I Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:1-3; 13:25; 25:41; 37:39 I Peter 5:8; Luke 22:3-4; II Corinthians 11:13-14; Mark 13:21-22; I John 2:22; 3:8; 4:3; II John 7; Revelation 12:7-10; 13:13,14; 19:11, 16, 20; 20:1-3, 10; II Thessalonians 2:8-11;
VI. OF CREATION:
We believe in the Genesis account of creation (i.e., one day equals 24 hours), and that it is to be accepted literally, and not allegorically or figuratively; that man was created directly in God’s own image and after His own likeness; that man’s creation was not a matter of evolution or evolutionary change of species, or development through interminable periods of time from lower to higher forms; that all animal and vegetable life was created by the direct act of God with His established law that they should bring forth only “after their kind.”
Genesis 1:1, 11, 24, 26-27, 2:21-23; Exodus 20:11; Acts 4:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:3; Revelation 10:6; Romans 1:20; Acts 17:23-26; Jeremiah 10:12; Nehemiah 9:6
VII. OF THE FALL OF MAN:
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s sin, the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved, and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.
Genesis. 1:26-27; 3:1-6, 24; Romans 1:18, 20, 28, 32; 3:22-23; 5:12, 19; Ephesians 2:1, 3; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Galatians 3:22
VIII. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH:
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman; and that He is both the Son of God, and God, the Son.
Genesis 31:5: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; Mark 1:1; John 1:14; Psalm 2:7; Galatians 4:4; I John 5:20; I Corinthians 15:47
IX. OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN:
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, that there is “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” who freely took upon Himself “the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting for us an example by His death as martyr, but was the voluntary Sacrifice for the sinner, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord, bearing our sins in His own body on the tree; that, having risen from the dead, He is at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us.
Ephesians 2:8; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24-25; John 3:16; 10:28; Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14; 7:25; 9:12-15; 12:2; Isaiah 53:4-7, 11-12; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; I Peter 2:24; 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3, 20; I John 2:2; 4:10
X. OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION:
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel.
John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6-7; II Corinthians 5:17, 19; Luke 5:27; I John 5:1; Acts 2:41; II Peter 1:4; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; 5:9; Colossians 2:13; Galatians 5:22
XI. OF SALVATION:
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for forgiveness of our sin. We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, can be forgiven. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. We further believe that once a person is saved, he is kept by God’s power and remains secure in Christ forever. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation, through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.
I Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 3:12; I Peter 1:2; Titus 1:1; Romans 8:29-30; John 3:15-16, 18, 36; 6:37; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 2:28; Isaiah 55:7; I Timothy 1:15; I Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:4-5;
XII. OF JUSTIFICATION:
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood is His righteousness imputed to us.
Titus 3:5-7; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Romans 1:17; 4:1-9; 8:1; Hebrews 10:38; Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1
XIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH:
We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our soul by the quickening Spirit of God; thereby, being deeply convicted of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and openly confessing Him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour.
Acts 2:37-38; 20:21; Mark 1:15; Luke 12:18; 18:13; Romans 10:9-11, 13; Psalm 51:1-4, 7; Isaiah 55:6-7
XIV. OF THE CHURCH:
We believe that the church, with Christ as its head, is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; exercising the gifts, rights and privileges in them by His Word; that its offices are Pastors (Elders, Bishops) and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we believe the true mission of the church is found in the Great Commission: first, to make individual disciples; second, to build up the church; third, to teach and instruct as He has commanded. We do not believe in the reversal of this order. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that the one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. On all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final.
Acts 2:41,42; 6:5; 14:23; 15:22-23; 20:17-28; I Corinthians 5:11-13; 6:1-3; 11:2; 12:4, 8-11; 16:1-2; Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:11; 5:23-24; I Timothy 3:8-13; Matthew 28: 19-20; Colossians 1:18; I Peter 5:1-4; Jude 3-4; II Corinthians 8:23-24; Malachi 3:10; Leviticus 27:32
XV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER:
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation and to the Lord’s Supper in which the members of the church or churches of like faith and practice, by the sacred use of bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-39; Matthew 3:6, 16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11: 23-28
XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT:
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Romans 13:7; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; 4:19-20; Matthew 10:28; 22:21; 23:10; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13-14, 17; Daniel 3:17-18; Philippians 2:10,11; Psalm 72:11
XVII. OF THE RESURRECTION AND RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS:
We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection we believe that Christ rose bodily “…the third day according to the Scriptures.”; that He ascended “…to the right hand of the throne of God.”; that He alone is our “merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God.”; That “… this same Jesus which was taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” – bodily, personally and visibly; that the “dead in Christ shall rise first…”; that the living saints “shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” ; that “…the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David…”; and that Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet.
Matthew 24:27, 42; 28:6,7; John 14:3; 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; 15:25, 42-58; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 1:32; 24:2, 4-6, 39, 51; Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11; Revelation 3:21; 20:1-4, 6; Hebrews 2:17; 5:9,10; 8:1, 6; 9:28; 12:2; II Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; I Thessalonians 4:16-17; Philippians 4:20-21; Isaiah 11:4-5; Psalm 72:8;
XVIII. OF MISSIONS:
We believe the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this commission was given to the churches.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 2:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15
XIX. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING:
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to financially support his local church. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made.
Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; I Timothy 15:17-18; I John 3:17
XX. OF MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one legitimate meaning, and that is marriage sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, covenantal union as delineated by Scripture. Marriage ceremonies performed in any facility or space owned, leased, or rented by this church will be only those ceremonies sanctioned by God, joining one man with one woman as their genders were determined by anatomy at birth (and not subject to change). Whenever there is a conflict between the church’s position and any new legal standard for marriage, the church’s statement of faith, doctrines, and biblical positions will govern.
Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-23; Mark 10:6-9; I Corinthians 7:1-9
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage as defined above. We believe that any other type of sexual activity, identity, or expression that lies outside of this definition of marriage, including those that are becoming more accepted in the culture and the courts, are contradictory to God’s natural design and purpose for sexual activity.
Genesis 2:24; 19:5; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4
We believe that God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, unchangeable genders together reflect the image and nature of God, and the rejection of one’s biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
Genesis 1:26-27
XXI. OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS:
1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God, but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ. Children are an heritage from the Lord, and parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.
Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; I Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7
3. We believe that God entrusts parents with responsibility for their children, and church activities and Christian schools by design operate on behalf of the parents. These responsibilities include decisions regarding church attendance, education, healthcare, discipline, and a variety of other life choices. God instructs parents to train their children consistent with their faith.
Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 4:6; 6:6-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 4:20-23; 19:18; 22:6
XXII. OF DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE:
We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Although divorced and remarried persons, or divorced persons, may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they should not be considered for the offices of pastor or deacon.
Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6
XXIII. OF ABORTION:
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable.
Job 3:16; Psalm 51:5; 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44
XXIV. OF EUTHANASIA:
We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the intention. Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death. Thus, we believe that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder contrary to the will of God. We do not believe that discontinuing medical procedures that are extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome is Euthanasia.
Exodus 20:13; 23:7; Matthew 5:21; Acts 17:28
XXV. OF LOVE:
We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10, 17-21; 13:8-10; Philippians 2:2-4; II Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18
XXVI. OF ARBITRATION BETWEEN BELIEVERS:
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company if the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
I Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32; Matthew 18:15-17
XXVII. OF PROTECTION OF CHILDREN:
We believe that children are from the Lord and must be absolutely protected within the church from any form of abuse or molestation. The Church has a zero tolerance for any person, whether paid staff, volunteer, member, or visitor, who abuses or molests a child.
Psalm 127:3-5; Matthew 18:6; 19:14; Mark 10:14
AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
Authority of Statement of Faith: The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible Itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teachings of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature, whether print or electronic, used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith. All activities permitted or performed in any facilities owned, rented, or leased by this church, or engaged in by any member of the church staff (volunteer or paid), and all decisions of the administration of this church shall not conflict with the statement of faith. In all conflicts regarding interpretation of the statement of faith, the pastor and board, on behalf of the church, have the final authority.
CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly most joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, 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 comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; 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 engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage and all products and practices which defile the body, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule of our Saviour to secure it without delay.
We, moreover, engage that when we remove ourselves from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with another church of like faith, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
ARTICLE 3
PREAMBLE
Reposing our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, we believe in the teachings and practices of the Baptists in those great distinctive principles for which they ever stood, namely:
A. The Pre-eminence of Christ as our divine Lord and Master
B. The supreme authority of the Bible and its sufficiency as our rule of faith and practice
C. The right of private interpretation and the competency of the individual soul in direct approach to God
D. The absolute separation of Church and State
E. A regenerate church membership
F. The ordinances of believer’s baptism (immersion) and the Lord’s Supper in obedience to the commands of Christ
G. The complete independence of the local church and its interdependence in associated fellowship with other Baptist churches of like faith
H. The solemn obligation of majority rule, guaranteeing equal rights to all and special privileges to none
I. The spiritual unity of all believers, for which the Master so earnestly prayed
J. A worldwide program of missionary fervor and evangelism in obedience to the final command of the Lord Jesus Christ
ARTICLE 4
MEMBERSHIP
A. Qualifications for Church Membership. Those seeking membership in the Church must:
1. Through their actions, words, lifestyle, and affiliations, evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour.
2. Attend a pre-membership class led by a member of the pastoral staff or appointee in which they will review the church’s statement of faith, bylaws, general practices and policies, and expectations of members.
3. Be interviewed by the pastor, pastoral staff and/or board to ensure they fully subscribe to the statement of faith contained herein and agree to submit to the authority of the church and its leaders.
4. Membership will be granted upon the recommendation of the pastor and a majority vote of the board, and upon compliance with any one of the following conditions:
a. By baptism (immersion) at this local church following a profession of faith as a believer in Christ Jesus as personal Saviour.
b. By letter of transfer from another Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement of good standing from the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by immersion after a profession of faith; or
c. By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion in another Bible-believing church of like faith and practice.
d. By restoration: Any person, having been removed from membership, can be restored upon majority vote of the congregation after confession is made publicly before the church membership of the sin or sins involved, and satisfactorily evidencing repentance to the pastor (or the board of deacons if the office of pastor is vacant.)
B. Privileges of Membership
1. Only members of at least eighteen years of age who are physically present at a duly called meeting of the church shall be entitled to vote. There shall be no proxy or absentee voting. The eligible membership of the church may only exercise voting privileges in those areas that are defined and limited by these bylaws. Members may not vote to initiate any church action; rather the vote of a member is to confirm and ratify the direction of the church as determined by the pastor and the board.
2. This congregation functions not as a pure democracy, but as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the pastor as the under-shepherd with the counsel of the board. Determinations of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. The pastor and board shall oversee and/or conduct all aspects of this church. The board shall give counsel and assistance to the pastor as requested by him.
3. Membership in this church does not afford the members with any property, contractual, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government. Although the public is invited to all the church’s worship services, the church property remains private property. The pastor or individual designated by the board has the authority to suspend or revoke the right of any person, including a member, to enter or remain on church property. If after being notified of such a suspension or revocation, the person enters or remains on church property, the person may, in the discretion of the pastor or person designated by the board, be treated as a trespasser.
4. A member may inspect the prepared annual financial statement of the church and the minutes of the proceedings of church and committee meetings, provided he/she shall have made a written request upon the church stating the precise records requesting to be viewed and the reason for the request, and the church has received the written request at least five business days before the requested inspection date. Requests may be denied if such request is deemed to be frivolous by a majority vote of the church board. Board meeting minutes and discipline committee meetings, as well as other information involving privacy interests such as, but not limited to, donor records, lists of names and addresses of church members, individual benevolence, individual salaries, health information, background checks, and social security numbers, are exempt from this provision and are not subject to inspection without a court order. Members may not copy or take digital images or records of any ministry record without authorization from the pastor or chairman of the board. Members agree that information obtained from any inspection of records will be kept in the strictest confidence.
C. Automatic Termination of Membership
1. The membership of any individual member shall automatically terminate without notice if:
a. The member has not attended a regular worship service of the church in the preceding eight months. This provision may be waived at the discretion of the pastor and the board upon the showing of good cause.
b. The member adopts opinions—verbally, in print, or in any other manner or medium—that are in direct contravention to the church’s statement of faith. Since agreement with the church’s statement of faith is a requirement for membership in this church, the member’s non-conforming statements will be treated by the pastor and the board as the member’s
resignation.
c. The member unites in membership with another church.
d. The member files a lawsuit in violation of the statement of faith.
e. The member dies.
2. For any memberships terminated in accordance with the above provisions, except for memberships terminated under “e” above, the church may send a letter informing the prior member of the termination, but this is not required.
D. Transfer or Resignation of Membership:
1. Members not under the disciplinary process of Article 3, section E, may request a letter of transfer be sent to another church.
2. A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the pastor.
E. Discipline of A Member
1. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders the spiritual growth and testimony of an individual in the local church or the body as a whole, he or she is to go to the offending party and seek to restore the offender. Before going, the confronter should first examine him or herself and go with a spirit of humility and the goal of restoration.
2. If reconciliation is not reached, a second member is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter in going again to the offending party. This second step should also be preceded by self-examination and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.
3. If the matter is still unresolved after taking the steps outlined in subsections (A) and (B), the two members aware of the offense shall, in keeping with Matthew 18, bring the issue before the pastor and the board, who are representatives of the church body.
4. If the pastor and board agree with the member that the offending conduct is of such magnitude that it hinders the spiritual growth and testimony of the member or the body, they shall attempt to meet with the offending brother or sister. If reconciliation is not reached, the pastor and board, as representatives of the church body, shall, upon a majority vote of those present at a meeting of the board, terminate the offending individual’s membership without further notice to him or her. Unless the matter involves an issue of safety or security to the members of the church at large, the specifics of the matter shall not be addressed in a public forum or with the general church membership.
5. The pastor and board shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to the same discipline. If the pastor or a board member is the subject of
a disciplinary matter, he shall not be permitted to vote on his own membership termination.
6. For any memberships terminated in accordance with this provision, the pastor may cause a letter to be written informing the prior member of the termination, although he is not required to do so.
7. The procedures provided in this section are based on:
Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; and Titus 3:10-11.
F. Affiliated Co-Laborer
1. Those desiring fellowship, accountability and opportunities for service with this church on a temporary basis but who maintain membership in a-like body of believers outside this locality may be granted affiliated co-laborer status with this church.
2. The affiliated co-laborer may be eligible to serve in certain capacities determined by the pastor and board and may attend member fellowship events.
3. This affiliation does not, however, grant membership or the rights of membership to the individual(s) so affiliated.
4. Affiliated co-laborers shall not be entitled to hold any office, vote in, or have any say in any church matter, and shall not be counted for quorum purposes.
5. A person wishing to become an affiliated co-laborer with this church must make a request to the pastor or his designee who will determine if affiliated co-laborer status should be granted to the individual.
6. If the pastor or his designee so determines, the person may be granted co-laborer status upon a majority vote of the board.
ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS
A. Designation of Corporate Officers: As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the church, the pastor shall serve as president of the corporation; the chairman of the board shall serve as vice president of the corporation; the church secretary shall serve as secretary of the corporation; and the church treasurer shall serve as treasurer of the corporation.
B. Church Officers: The church officers are pastor, deacon board members, secretary, treasurer, and any other officers the church deems necessary. The church shall have at least three board members.
C. Eligibility For Church Officers
1. The church shall not install or retain an officer who fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the statement of faith set forth in Article 2. All church officers, upon request of the pastor, shall affirm in writing their agreement with the statement of faith.
2. All church officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the pastor to commence or continue in their offices.
3. Only church members who have been a member in good standing for not less than 12 months are eligible for election or appointment to any church office or position. Affiliated co-laborers with this church are not eligible for such election or appointment.
4. Upon termination of membership, any officer of the church shall immediately forfeit his position and return any church property to the church office.
5. To promote a high spiritual standard in the church, all officers, teachers, and committeemen will be expected to attend the regular services of the church faithfully when they are not providentially hindered. Officers of the church and its subsidiaries are to be tithers through the Lighthouse Baptist Church.
D. Election of Church Officers: The annual election of officers, other than the senior and other pastors, by the church membership shall occur during the month of January at the annual church business meeting. Officers of the church must be elected by a majority of the eligible membership present at a regular or special church business meeting. The pastor, from time to time as he deems appropriate, may appoint other church officers, subject to a confirmation vote by a majority of the eligible church membership, present and voting at any regular or special church business meeting. Members may submit to the pastor and the board nominations for corporate officers. The pastor and the board shall then serve as the nominating committee for all general elections of officers.
E. Terms of Service for Officers
1. The relationship between the senior pastor and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The severance of the relationship between the pastor and the church may be considered at any regular or special church business meeting by following the procedures outlined in Article 7, provided notice of the meeting is given from the pulpit to the church two Sundays prior to the meeting. Three quarters (75%) of the eligible members present and voting shall be required to remove the pastor from office. Disciplinary removal of the pastor from office automatically terminates his membership.
2. Any other Board member may be removed from office before his term expires for any reason stated or unstated upon motion by any Board member and an affirmative majority vote of the other Board members at a duly called meeting of the Board. No congregational vote is necessary for Board member removal. This process is intended to protect the personal or private information of any Board member being removed from office.
3. The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, including deacons and other staff members, shall be permanent. The relationship shall be dissolved at the mutual decision of the board and pastor, or for disciplinary purposes from a majority vote of the officers, or for medical, personal, or other reasons that are deemed best for the church body.
4. A vacancy occurring in any office or on the board, except in the case of the pastor, may be filled at any regular church business meeting by a majority vote of eligible members present.
5. All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly elected or appointed, unless removed for disciplinary reasons.
F. Calling a Pastor:
Upon the resignation, death, or dismissal of the pastor, the church shall seek a candidate who subscribes to the statement of faith and bylaw provisions of the church and whose life aligns with the qualifications of a pastor as described in
I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
The church shall abide by the following guidelines for calling a pastor:
1. The board shall select a pulpit committee to consist of all board members and up to five other members elected by a majority vote of the board. The pulpit committee shall interview potential candidates and will only consider men who completely subscribe to the statement of faith and who have read these bylaws.
2. The interview process for selecting a pastoral candidate shall include, at a minimum, the following: a background check, a credit check, a reference check, and the filling out of a detailed application that explains the potential candidate’s philosophy of ministry as well as his positions on issues of doctrinal significance.
3. Upon a majority vote of the pulpit committee, the pulpit committee will formally announce the candidate to the church, after which the candidate must preach at least one regularly scheduled church service and be available for a church-wide question/answer time prior to being voted upon by the church membership.
4. Notice from the pulpit must be given 2 consecutive Sundays prior to a formal candidate’s preaching service(s), and 2 consecutive Sundays prior to the church membership vote.
5. The candidate must be elected as pastor by a three quarters (75%) vote of members present and qualified to vote. This vote shall be taken by written, secret ballot at a meeting at which the candidate is not present. The pulpit committee will only present for consideration to the membership one candidate at a time, and an up or down vote must be cast prior to consideration of other potential candidates.
ARTICLE 6
DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS
A. The Pastor
1. The pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God. He shall administer the ordinances of the church; act as moderator, or appoint a moderator, at all church meetings for the transaction of church matters; supervise the teaching ministries of the church; and watch over the spiritual interests of the membership. In all conflicts regarding interpretation of Scripture, the pastor has the final authority.
2. The pastor shall be responsible for the hired staff of the church and the administration of their daily duties. The pastor has the responsibility of the hiring and termination of all staff. The pastor will follow these duties with the advisement of the board.
3. The pastor and board, on behalf of the church, shall establish committees and appoint the members of the various committees at the annual church business meeting or, in the case of a vacancy or newly created committee, at any duly called special meeting. The pastor shall serve as the president of the corporation. He shall publicly inform all newly elected officers of the functions and responsibilities of their respective offices. He shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the church and shall perform such other duties as generally appertain to the position of pastor. He shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry God has given him.
4. All appointments for public worship and Bible study and the arrangements thereof, including time and place, and the use of the property belonging to the church for any other purposes, are under the control of the pastor, who, with the advice and counsel of the board, shall be able to determine the appropriateness of all property use, as well as persons permitted to use the church property.
5. The pastor shall be responsible to fill the pulpit for each regularly scheduled church service as well as any special services. In the event of his absence, he (or the chairman of the board in the case of a vacancy in the office of pastor or where the pastor is temporarily unable to perform his duties) shall be responsible to invite speakers from within the membership or outside the church to preach in a manner consistent with the beliefs articulated in the statement of faith.
6. The pastor and the board shall be responsible to establish mandatory safety and security procedures for all ministries and programs. There will be a zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse of minors, and any reasonable suspicions of child abuse alleged to be perpetrated by staff, volunteers, members or non-members will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement or child abuse prevention authorities.
The pastor or his designee will be responsible to provide yearly child abuse prevention training for all staff and volunteers.
B. The Board
1. The board shall assist the pastor in promoting the spiritual welfare of the church, in conducting the church services, and in performing all other work of the church. The board is responsible for making preparations to observe church ordinances and shall consider applications for church membership and affiliated co-laborers. The board shall consider benevolence needs, disburse the benevolence fund in cooperation with the pastor, and assist the pastor in all other evangelistic efforts of the church. The board shall assist the pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the church’s various ministries. They shall provide the pulpit supply and choose a moderator for church meetings if the pastor is unavailable, or the office of pastor is vacant. Upon the death, resignation, or dismissal of the pastor, the board may appoint a pulpit committee.
2. Following the annual church business meeting, the board shall assemble and elect, from their own number, a chairman and a secretary for the board.
3. The pastor and the board shall constitute the board of directors of the corporation. In addition to the various powers specifically granted the board under these bylaws, the board has authority to exercise the following powers, upon authorization by a majority vote of the eligible members at a duly called business meeting:
a. To purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on behalf of the church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the church.
b. To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the church; to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure
repayment by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges.
c. To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation.
d. To maintain the duties of loyalty to the church, confidentiality of church information, and fiduciary care regarding church finances, and a spiritual duty to pray for and support the church with their time, talents, and treasures.
4. All powers of the board (whether deacons or other appointed group) shall be compatible with the laws of the state of Alabama.
5. The board shall, in conjunction with the pastor, conduct an annual ministry liability and safety review of the following policies and/or topics: child protection, including but not limited to worker screening procedures, child abuse reporting procedures, and worker training on child abuse prevention; building safety; security measures; insurance; financial accountability; transportation; sexual harassment; policies listed in IRS Form 990, including a whistleblower policy, a document retention and destruction policy, and a church financial investment policy (if applicable).
6. Each board member shall review the bylaws annually and shall bring suggested changes to a meeting of the board that has been designated for the purpose of reviewing the bylaws.
C. Secretary:
The church secretary, along with any assistant or co-officer or church clerk, shall:
1. Certify and keep at the office of the church the original bylaws or a copy, including all amendments or alterations to the bylaws; minutes of meetings; the membership roll, baptisms, and records of any special events which are of historical interest to the church; and shall deliver such documents to his or her successor upon leaving office.
2. Maintain and file minutes of all church business and board meetings, including the time and place of holding, the notice given, the names of those present unless a church-wide meeting, and an accurate record of all church business approved at each meeting. A copy of these minutes shall be kept as a permanent record of the church and shall be made available at all reasonable times to proper person on terms provided by law and pursuant to these bylaws.
3. Sign, certify, or attest documents as may be required by law; and see that reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents and records required by law are properly kept and filed.
4. See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. In case of the absence or disability of the secretary, or his or her refusal or neglect to act, notice may be given and served by the pastor or by the chairman of the board.
5. Serve as the secretary of the corporation and be a member in good standing.
D. Treasurer:
The church treasurer, along with any assistant or co-officer, shall:
1. Count, or cause to be counted, along with two other persons so appointed, and record in a permanent record all monies received as church offerings. This shall be done following each church service or day of services.
2. Convey in a timely manner all funds received to the person designated by the board for verification and deposit in the bank, including monies received from outside sources.
3. Maintain a permanent weekly record of individual giving for all donations, offerings, contributions and gifts, and guard the confidentiality of these records. Issue an official receipt to each contributor at the end of the fiscal year.
4. Keep in the church office an accurate and permanent record of all financial transactions of church funds; make reports of itemized disbursements and the financial condition of the church as requested by the pastor and the board, and for annual, quarterly or otherwise special or regular business meetings; and deliver such records to his or her successor upon leaving office.
5. Serve as treasurer of the corporation and be a member in good standing.
E. Duties Of All Officers
1. All officers shall prepare a written report of their work for the annual church business meeting and shall surrender all records in their possession to the church secretary at the close of their term of office to be filed as a permanent record of the work of the church. All records are the property of the church and must be kept in the church office.
2. Any officer who neglects his or her duties as outlined in the bylaws for a period of three months may be removed from office, at the discretion of the pastor, and another may be appointed by the pastor to serve the un-expired term.
ARTICLE 7
CHURCH BUSINESS MEETINGS AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
A. Annual Church Business Meeting
1. The annual church business meeting, for the election of officers and the transaction of other business, shall be held in January. A quorum shall consist of the eligible members present. Public notice of the meeting shall be given from the pulpit for two successive weeks immediately preceding the meeting.
2. The pastor or his designee shall serve as moderator of church business meetings. In the temporary absence of the pastor, or if the office of pastor is vacant, the board chairman or his designee shall serve as moderator. In the event of a conflict of interest, the board may substitute a moderator.
3. The moderator shall determine the rules of procedure according to his sense of fairness and common sense, giving all members a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a matter. The moderator is the final authority on questions of procedure, and his decision is final and controlling.
4. For any meeting under this article, the moderator, in his sole discretion, shall have full and unilateral authority to require nonmembers (or children, if circumstances so warrant) to leave the meeting room and to order the immediate removal of any member or other person present who is deemed by the moderator to be disruptive to the proceedings by act or presence. If the moderator determines that compliance with his order of removal is unsatisfactory, he may, in his sole discretion, revoke the disruptive person’s right to remain on the premises and treat the person as a trespasser.
5. Church business meetings, including the annual church business meeting and special meetings, may be held by electronic video means for the transaction of any business normally conducted during in-person church business meetings. A quorum shall be all eligible voting members attending the virtual meeting, and voting shall be conducted by any means deemed acceptable by the board. Notice of business meetings and other notice required by these bylaws shall be provided by email, the church website, social media site, text message, and/or other methods deemed by the board to be most likely to reach church members at least 2 weeks before the meeting. Such notice satisfies “notice from the pulpit” when that method of notice is otherwise required by these bylaws. Attendance at the meeting without protest shall be deemed waiver of notice.
6. The fiscal year of the church shall begin July 1 and end June 30.
B. Church Special Business Meetings:
The pastor (or the board, if the office of pastor is vacant or if the pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary action) may call a special church business meeting by giving notice from the pulpit to the church of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called at least one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting. A meeting for the calling of a pastor or for the discipline or removal of the pastor shall be called in accordance with the provision of sections 4.05 and 4.06.
C. Voting: Voting at any church business meeting is limited to eligible members eighteen years of age and older in good standing with the church who are physically present at the meeting; an exception to this in-person vote requirement exists if the church is meeting electronically as permitted by section 6.01 section E of these bylaws. Absentee voting is not permitted, and any member who is undergoing church discipline at the time of a vote is not permitted to vote. A majority vote of those attending the meeting, whether in person or electronically, will constitute the requisite number of votes for passage of amendments and motions, whether by the board voting at a board meeting or by the members voting in a church business meeting.
D. Motions: Members who desire that a certain motion be made or subject matter be discussed during an annual, regular, or special business meeting must file a written recommendation with the pastor and board two weeks prior to the set meeting, who will then consider the proposal and proceed according to their conscience and what they understand to be in the best interests of the church. All other motions will be presented by the pastor and/or chairman of the board (or other moderator if the office of pastor is vacant) unless the pastor and/or the board has delegated authority to another member and/or officer to raise certain motions. No motions will be made from the floor.
E. Meetings of the Board
1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the board shall be held at such time and place as the board determines.
2. Special Meetings. The pastor or any two board members may call a special meeting of the board at any time, and nothing contained in this article shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time or date when a meeting called by action of the board may be held.
3. Notice of Meetings
a. Requirement of Notice: Notice shall not be required for regularly scheduled meetings of the board unless there has been a change to the time, date, or location of such regularly scheduled meetings, in which case notice shall be given in accordance with this section of the bylaws. Notice shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this section for all special meetings of the board.
b. Method of Notice: Notice shall be sent to each board member for special meetings by means of the secretary’s chosen method of communication, whether by postal mail, phone, or email at each board member’s address or
phone number as it appears in the records of the church or as supplied by the board member to the secretary for the purpose of notice. Notice shall be given by or at the direction of the chairman or the pastor. In the event the pastor or chairman refuses to give notice, any board member may give notice of any meeting. The secretary is responsible to verify that notice is duly provided.
c. Content of Notice: Notice of any special meeting shall state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.
4. Time of Notice: Notice of any special meeting shall be delivered by the person charged with giving notice, not less than two days before the date of the meeting.
5. Waiver of Notice: A board member may waive notice of a meeting of the board by written statement, and attendance by the board member at the meeting without protest shall be deemed waiver of notice.
6. Quorum. A quorum for meetings shall consist of a majority of the board. If a quorum is not attained, then those present shall adjourn the meeting to a new date certain duly noticed to all board members for not more than ten days thereafter, at that later noticed meeting a quorum shall consist of those board members then present.
7. Roles. At every meeting of the board, the chairman, or in his absence, the officer designated by the chairman or in the absence of a designation, the person (who shall be one of the officers, if any is present) chosen by a majority of the board members present, shall act as chairman and/or moderator, and shall conduct the meeting in an orderly manner as determined by the chairman. The secretary of the board shall act as secretary of all meetings and shall take accurate minutes of board meetings and promptly deliver such minutes to the church secretary. In the absence of the board secretary, the chairman may appoint another person to act as board secretary of the meeting.
8. Participation in Meetings. Any one or more board member may participate in a meeting of the board by means of a conference telephone, web-based conference, or similar communications equipment or device, by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participating by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for purposes of determining if a quorum is present.
ARTICLE 8
EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES
A. Purpose: The church believes that the home and church are responsible before God for providing a Christian education. To help fulfill this responsibility of imparting biblical truth and furthering the Great Commission, this church shall establish and maintain an educational program (either a Sunday School and/or a weekday educational program) for the purposes of winning souls to Christ and teaching Bible doctrine, godly worship, and biblical Christian living. To this end, the church shall engage in educational ministries.
B. Church Participation: All educational programs or courses of instruction formulated and offered by the church shall be primarily for the benefit of the members of the church; however, the pastor and board, on behalf of the church, may permit non-church members to participate in church educational programs or courses of instruction if they deem it in the best interests of the church.
C. Agreement with Statement of Faith: All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the church and shall be taught and
presented in full agreement with the statement of faith of the church and the inerrant Word of God. The church shall not hire, appoint, or retain any employee or volunteer for its educational programs who fails to adhere to or who expresses disagreement with the statement of faith or who adopts or lives a lifestyle inconsistent with the beliefs and practices of the statement of the faith, whether in or out of the classroom.
ARTICLE 9
COMMITTEES
A. Committees: The pastor and board, on behalf of the church, may designate or form any committees and may appoint members and/or chairpersons of said committees as considered by the pastor and board to be in the best interests of the church. These committees may be standing or temporary (special) committees.
B. Actions of Committees: Committees have no authority to act on behalf of the corporation. Their primary function is to research and recommend. Committees shall make available upon request all records and materials to the pastor and board, who shall have the right to overrule any plans or decisions made by the committee. Each committee shall have a secretary who keeps and timely submit minutes of each meeting to the pastor and church secretary to be filed with church records. If deemed appropriate by the pastor and board, the committee secretary, in conjunction with the chairman, will submit an annual report to the church of the decisions and plans of the committee.
ARTICLE 10
DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS
From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. If the church receives a designated contribution for these funds or for any other designated purpose, the church will attempt to honor the designation; however, all designated contributions shall be deemed advisory rather than legally
mandatory in nature and shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the pastor and the board. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article 1.
ARTICLE 11
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
A. Purpose:
The purpose of this conflict-of-interest policy is to protect the church’s interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the church or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state or federal laws governing conflicts of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
B. Definitions:
1. Interested Person: Any director, officer, or member of a committee with governing board-delegated powers who has a direct or indirect financial interest.
2. Financial interest: A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
a. An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the church has a transaction or arrangement;
b. A compensation arrangement with the church or with any individual or entity with which the church has a transaction or arrangement; or
c. A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the church is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
d. A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. A person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the board of directors decides that a conflict of interest exists.
3. Compensation: Direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.
4. Board: The board of directors of the church. The pastor and board will determine procedures for determining a possible conflict of interest.
C. Procedures:
1. Duty to Disclose. In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the board and, if applicable, members of committees with governing board-delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
2. Determining whether a Conflict of Interest exists. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, including any presentations by and discussion with the interested person, he or she shall leave the board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest involving the transaction or arrangement is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members (as applicable) shall decide, by a majority vote, if a conflict of interest exists.
3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
a. The chairman of the board shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
b. After exercising due diligence, the board or committee shall determine whether the church can obtain, with reasonable efforts, a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
c. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the board shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the best interests of the church, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination, it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
4. Violations of the Conflict-of-Interest Policy
a. If the board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
b. If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the board determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
5. Records of Proceedings
a. The minutes of the board shall contain the names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the board or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
b. The minutes of the board also shall contain the names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
6. Compensation
a. A voting member of the board or any committee who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the church for services rendered may not vote on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
b. A voting member of the board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the church, either individually or collectively, are not prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
7. Annual Statements: Each director, officer, and member of a committee with governing board-delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person
has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy; has read and understands the policy; has agreed to comply with the policy; and understands the organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption, it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
8. Periodic Reviews: To ensure the organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm's-length bargaining.
b. Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the church’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes, and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit, or an excess benefit transaction.
9. Use of Outside Experts: When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for above, the organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
ARTICLE 12
BINDING CHRISTIAN ARBITRATION
A. Submission To Arbitration: Members of the church must agree to submit to binding Christian arbitration any legal matters within the church that cannot otherwise be resolved, and expressly waive any and all rights in law and equity to bring any civil disagreement before a court of law, except that judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
B. Arbitration Procedures: The procedures for arbitration shall be as adopted by the board. If the board has not adopted procedures, the church will use arbitration procedures provided
by the National Center for Life and Liberty. This arbitration provision is ecclesiastical and faith-based in nature and is intended to operate under the rules and guidelines of this local church. It is not intended to operate under any state or federal guidelines for arbitration.
ARTICLE 13
INDEMNIFICATION
A. Actions subject to indemnification
1. The church may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigated, including all appeals (other than an action by or in the right of the church) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the church, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and/or reasonable incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding: and if that person act ed in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the church and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
2. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or on a plea of nolo conterdere (“I do not wish to contend”)or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that he reasonable believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the church and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
B. Expenses subject to indemnification
To the extent that a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in that action, suit, or proceeding, he or she may be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonable incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding.
C. Limitations of indemnification
Any indemnification made under this article, may be made by the church only as authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of the pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Article 5.
D. Timing of indemnification
Expenses of each person seeking indemnification under this Article may be paid by the church as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the board of deacons in the specific case, so long as the pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent agrees to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not qualified to be indemnified by the church.
E. Extent of indemnification
The indemnification provided by this Article shall be deemed to be discretionary unless otherwise required as a matter of law or under any agreement or provided by insurance purchased by the church, both as to action or each person seeking indemnification under this Article in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding that office, and may continue as to a person who has ceased to be a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administration of that person.
F. Insurance
The church may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the church against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in that capacity, or arising out of his status in that capacity, whether or not the church would have the power to indemnify him against liability under the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE 14
TAX-EXEMPTION PROVISIONS
A. Private Inurement: No part of the net earnings of the church shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I hereof.
B. Political involvement: No substantial part of the activities of the church shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. To the extent prohibited by law, the church shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
C. Dissolution: Upon the dissolution of the church, the board shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the church, dispose of all assets of the church to such organization or organizations formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the board shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to tax-exempt organizations that agree with the church’s statement of faith.
D. Nondiscrimination Policy: The church shall not discriminate against members, applicants for membership, students, or others on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin; however, as a religious institution it reserves the right to deny or terminate employment or to deny or terminate any other status of persons whose lifestyle, words, actions or otherwise do not align with the church’s statement of faith, standard of conduct or other policies of the church. This policy statement is not intended to waive the ministerial exception or any other exception or exemption to federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws or regulations.
E. Limitation Of Activities: Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, the church shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes stated in Article I.
ARTICLE 15
AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be revised or amended by a majority vote of the eligible members present and voting at any regular church business meeting, provided that said revision or amendment is announced from the pulpit for at least two consecutive Sundays, and at least fourteen days before the vote is taken. Proposed amendments or changes must be made available to voting members for review at least one week prior to the meeting at which the vote to amend the bylaws will be taken. Amendments become effective immediately upon a majority vote approving same.