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CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH COTTONWOOD, CALIFORNIA
Church Organized - April, 1896 Church Incorporated - August, 1949
Revised 11/19/06
Article I – Title
This organization shall be known as “First Baptist Church” of Cottonwood, California.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of this church is “To Share Jesus Christ with Cottonwood and Beyond.” This is accomplished through obedience to Christ’s commission to the church in Matthew 28:19-20:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you, even to the end of the age.”
This commission includes the worshiping and exalting of the Lord: the evangelizing of the lost; and the equipping of the saints for the work of the church.
Article III – Membership
Section 1- Qualifications: The First Baptist Church is composed of all those who have trusted and confessed Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, been Biblically baptized, and have been accepted into membership. The church has the right to refuse membership if the individual presented: a. Does not confess Christ as Savior and Lord. b. Has not been scripturally baptized by immersion. c. Currently exhibits an ungodly, unrepentant lifestyle.
Section 2 – Admission: Persons may be received into membership by one of the following: personal testimony of Christian experience, having been previously baptized by immersion; or by personal testimony and new baptism. In each case the candidate gives evidence of repentance from sin and a change of heart accompanying a Christian lifestyle. They shall be in agreement with this constitution and the articles of faith. Proposed members, upon completion of current membership requirements, shall be approved and recommended for membership by the Elder Board, subject to a confirming vote of the church membership. A quorum of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present shall be necessary to make such action valid.
Section 3 – Removal: Church members may remove themselves from membership in this church by relaying a request to be removed from the church roll. This request must be submitted to the Elder Board either by the individual member or their legal guardian.
Note: It shall be the responsibility of all members to care for those who are noticeably absent from the ministry, worship or fellowship of the church (Hebrews 10:23-25). Attention should be given to them in a spirit of loving concern, and attempts should be made to determine the reasons for their absence. The goal is to restore them into the active ministry and fellowship of the congregation.
Section 4 – Discipline: A member will be brought under church discipline if” 1) they promote false doctrine, 2) they sow seeds of discord and strife within the church life, or 3) they display an ungodly, unrepentant lifestyle. (I Corinthians 3:1-3; 5:1-13; 6:1-11). If found guilty by the Elder Board of the charges made, they may (by a quorum of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present) be prohibited from all rights of membership.
Note: Due notice of the meeting shall have been given to the church in advance, and the accused member shall have had an opportunity to appear on their own behalf. The goal shall always be to encourage the accused toward repentance and reconciliation (if possible) before the church takes action.
Section 5 – Grievances: All cases of grievances between members shall be dealt with in accordance with the rules laid down in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. The steps toward reconciliation are: A) Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, they are to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore Christian harmony. Before they go, they should first examine themselves. When they go, they should go with a spirit of humility and having the goal of restoration.
B) If reconciliation is not reached, a second or third church member is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. This second step should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of humility with a goal of restoration.
C) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsection (A) and (B) have been taken, the Elder Board, as the church representatives biblically responsible for reconciliation, shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the Elder Board, the Board shall recommend to the members of the church that they, after self-examination, make an effort prayerfully to seek that member’s restoration.
D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (A, B, and C) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church. A quorum shall consists of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present at the meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action.
E) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with them from that point forward must be for the sake of restoration (except for family members), in accordance with Matthew 18.
Section 6 – Inactive Status: Those who have not consistently shown an interest in the church shall (on the recommendation of the Elder Board and with church approval) be removed from the membership roll, placed on the inactive membership list, or placed on the membership alumni list. A quorum shall consist of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present shall be necessary to make such action valid. Note: Showing an interest in the church consists of being actively involved in service to the Body with respective gifts and abilities, faithfully attending and financially bringing their tithes and offerings to support the local church, and seeking to evangelize and minister to a lost world. Removing a person from the church membership roll or placing on the inactive list shall occur after having been sent a letter (if an address is known) two weeks prior to Board action. The placing on the alumni list shall occur after the Elder Board is notified of such a request by a former member. Members whose names appear on the inactive membership list or the alumni list are not eligible to participate in a discussion or vote at any congregational meeting. An inactive or alumni member may be restored to the active membership list upon the recommendation of the Elder Board and with the church approval. A quorum of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present shall be necessary to make such action valid. The membership alumni list consists of those who once were members of the church and wish to maintain a historical tie with this church.
Section 7 – Voting: The right to vote shall be vested in active members, ages 16 and over.
Article IV – Elder Board
Section 1 – Members: The Elder Board shall consist of salaried pastoral staff and qualified laymen. Non-salaried personnel shall be elected by the church for terms of three years each. There shall be no fewer than three Lay-Elders serving. There will always be one more Lay-Elder than pastors serving at any given time. Any additional number of Elders will be determined by the number of qualified individuals and the needs of the church.
Section 2 – Qualifications: Elder Board members shall be church members in good standing. They shall meet the requirements as found in Scripture (I Timothy 3, Titus 1, I Peter 5), and itemized in the ministry qualifications of the Elder Board. A new Elder will have the opportunity, following their first year, to evaluate if they would like to continue within this ministry.
Note; Their decision to continue serving the church as an Elder should be based on 1) their biblical qualifications, 2) their ability to meet necessary ministry and training requirements, and 3) their personal spiritual calling to serve in this ministry.
Section 3 – Responsibilities: Elder Board members shall tenderly watch over and minister to the spiritual needs of the church body. They shall also be the governing body of the church and the legal trustees of the property of the church. As such, it shall be their duty to oversee the organizing and functioning of all auxiliary organizations; submit each year (at the Annual Church Meeting held in January) a proposed financial budget, subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership; submit each year (at the Annual Church Election Meeting held in April) a slate of church officers, subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership. Also, any purchase or sale of church property will require a recommendation from the Elder Board subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership. The Elder Board shall meet on a regular basis. Note: A quorum for the annual church budget, election of church officers and the purchase or sale of church property shall be 30% of the voting membership, and two-thirds of the voting members present shall be necessary to make such action valid.
Section 4 – Ministries: The Elders may carry out some of their responsibilities through ministry teams or coordinators. They will appoint coordinators and ministry teams as they may deem necessary. These ministry teams/coordinators shall perform tasks specifically granted to them in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of the individual Elder Board member under whom they are serving.
Section 5 – Pastoral Search Ministry Team: This ministry team shall search for and present any pastoral candidate to the Elder Board and ultimately to the church for acceptance. The ministry team shall consist of a least two Elders and two members at large.
Article V – Officers
Section 1 – Church Officers: The officers of this church shall consist of an Elders, Church Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Moderator. The corporate officers of the church will be as follows: President – Senior Pastor/Chairman of the Elder Board, Vice-President – Elder Board Member/Vice-Chairman of the Elder Board, Secretary – Secretary of the Elder Board and Treasurer – Current Church Treasurer.
Section 2 – Pastors: Paid pastors shall be elected for an indefinite term. Their service may be dissolved after two weeks notice. Their call or dismissal shall come before the church at a special church meeting. The notice of such meeting and its purpose shall have been read from the pulpit two Sundays previous. A quorum of 30% of the voting membership, and two-thirds of the voting members present shall be necessary to make such action valid.
Section 3 – Qualifications of Officers: All officers must be active members of this church and be in agreement with the Articles of Faith and this Constitution.
Section 4 – Term of Office: The laymen on the Board of Elders shall serve for a term of three years. All other officers shall be elected for one year each. Serving 7 months or more of an unexpired term will be considered a full year. Successive terms are possible.
Section 5 - Election of Officers: The Elder Board will post a slate of candidates four weeks prior to the Annual Election Church Meeting held in April. Further nominations (in writing) by the congregation may be submitted to the Elder Board no later than three weeks prior to the Annual Church Election Meeting, at which time nominations will close. Vacancies may be filled throughout the year subject to a confirmation vote of the church membership.
Section 6 – Duties of Officers:
A) Chairman of the Elder Board: The chairman shall preside at meetings of the Elder Board. The Chairman shall be the president of this Corporation.
B) Vice-Chairman of the board: In the absence of the Chairman of the Elder Board, the Vice-Chairman will assume his responsibilities. In the Absence of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman the Elder Board shall appoint a Board member to act in their place.
C) Church Clerk: The Church Clerk shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of the church congregational meetings. They shall maintain up to date records of the church membership and shall also give a written report (at the Annual Church Meeting) of the status of the church membership rolls in the past year.
D) Church Moderator: The Church Moderator shall preside at all congregational meetings for the transaction of the church. The Church Moderator shall function as the parliamentarian in all meetings where proper church procedures are required. In his absence a temporary moderator may be appointed by the Elder Board.
E) Church Treasurer: The Church Treasurer shall be responsible for the expenditures of all monies. They shall provide a written monthly, quarterly and annual financial report to the Board of Elders.
F) Church Financial Secretary: The Church Financial Secretary shall be responsible for accounts receivable. They shall provide a written report to the Church Treasurer of the weekly deposits. They shall keep a record of all individuals “giving” throughout the year and provide a yearly contribution statement. These records will be held in the strictest confidence, unless otherwise directed by the church. They will assist the Church Treasurer in their absence.
Section 7 - Termination of Officers: Any officer may resign by written notification to the Chairman of the Elder Board. At least a four weeks notice is to be given. Any officer may be dismissed from the ministry position on the basis of negligence to responsibilities, a decline of moral character, or a disagreement with the doctrinal of the Articles of Faith.
Article VI – Salary Pastoral Staff
Section 1 – Number: The church shall have a Senior Pastor and any number of Associates as the church might need.
Section 2 – Designation: When an Elder shall go on paid staff (either part time or full time) he shall be designated as a Pastor.
Section 3 – Calling of Pastors: The Pastoral Search Ministry Team will search for and present any pastoral candidate to the Elder Board and ultimately to the church membership for acceptance. Pastors may come from outside the congregation or from within.
Section 4 – Term of Pastors: Pastors shall serve for an indeterminate term and shall be called by ballot at a special church meeting. The notice of such meeting and its purpose shall have been read from the pulpit two Sundays previous. A quorum of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present at the meeting shall be necessary to make such action valid.
Section 5 – Duties of Pastors: Pastors shall be paid Elders of the church. The Senior Pastor shall be an ordained minister. Associate Pastors shall have a goal of moving to ordination during their tenure on staff. The Senior Pastor shall be the leader of the church, shall preach the Word of God regularly, shall oversee the ordinances, and shall function as the Chairman of the Elder Board. Pastors shall assume the lead and mentor the lay Elders in tenderly watching over the spiritual interest of the church, and organizing and developing its strengths for the best possible ministry. Associate Pastors shall operate under the direction of the Senior Pastor.
Section 6 – Dismissal of Pastors: A Pastor’s ministry may be dissolved after two weeks notice. His dismissal shall come before the church membership at a church meeting; notice of said meeting having been given two weeks prior. A quorum of 30% of the voting membership, and two-thirds of the voting members present, shall be necessary to make such action valid.
Article VII – Meetings
Section 1 - Annual Church Meeting: An Annual Church Meeting shall be held in the month of January of each year. At this meeting the adoption of the church budget for the coming fiscal year (January 1st – December 31st) and presentation of reports of the previous year’s activities shall occur. Other necessary church matters may be addressed.
Section 2 – Annual Church Election Meeting: An Annual Church Election Meeting shall be held in the month of April. At this meeting the election of church officers shall occur. Other necessary church matters may be addressed.
Section 3 – Quarterly Designated Church Meetings: Quarterly Designated Church Meetings shall be held in the month of April, July and October of each year. A presentation of financial reports of the previous quarter’s activity shall occur. Other necessary church matters may be addressed.
Section 4 – Special Church Meeting: Special Church meetings may be called by the Elder Board or a group of twelve or more active voting church members. Public notice shall be given two weeks in advance, stating in general terms the purpose of the meeting.
Section 5 – Meeting of Worship: Unless otherwise determined by the Elder Board, the congregation shall meet each Sunday for public worship. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed at least once a month.
Article VIII – Voting
Section 1 - Quorum and Vote:
Type of Meeting Quorum / Vote Required Annual Church Meetings A quorum shall consist of 30% of the Annual Election Meetings voting membership and two-thirds Church Membership majority of all members present is Pastoral Calling/Dismissal required. Amendment Meeting Discipline of Members
All church officers’ elections, pastoral calling/dismissal, amendments and discipline of members shall be by ballot.
Section 2 - Voting Requirements: All active members, sixteen years of age or over, shall be eligible to vote on church matters.
Section 3 – Congregational Vote: The church congregation will have a direct vote on: a. Pastoral selection and dismissal b. Purchase or sale of property c. Budget approval d. Church Membership Issues e. Elder Board and Church Officers’ selection f. Document revisions and amendments g. Other items presented by the Elder Board
Article IX – Amendments
Any articles or section of the church constitution or bylaws may be altered, amended, or suspended at any designated church meeting. A quorum of 30% of the voting membership and two-thirds of the voting members present, shall be necessary to make such action valid. Written notice of such action must be made available to all active members at least two weeks prior to said meeting.
Article X – Dissolution
Section 1 – Dissolution: Upon the dissolution of the church, the Elder Board shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the church, dispose of all remaining assets of the church to such organizations formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes. They shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Assets may be distributed only to organizations which agree with the church’s Articles of Faith.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
The Articles of Faith do not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible is the sole and final authority of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the following articles accurately represent the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, are binding upon all members.
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible authoritative Word of God. The Bible is our authority for what we believe and what we do. The Bible consists of the 66 books as adopted by the Protestant faith -- Genesis through Revelation. (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21)
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that God, the Father is spirit, and possesses characteristics such as being sovereign, loving, just, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and holy. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 3: 16-17, I Corinthians 12:4-6, John 4:24, Daniel 4:25, I John 4:7-8, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalms 139:1-4, Psalms 139:7-10, Psalms 147:5, Isaiah 6:1-3)
3. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, in His deity, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His substitutionary and atoning death by His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His pre-millennial personal return in power and glory. (John 1:1-5, 14, Luke 1:26-38, Hebrews 4:15, John 2:23, Isaiah 53:1-11, I Corinthians 15:20-23, Acts 1:6-11, I Thessalonians 5:13-18)
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We believe that justification from sins is accomplished by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:1-11, Ephesians 2:8-9)
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe that the Holy Spirit is actively at work to bring about progressive sanctification in the life of believers. We believe that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers for the ministry of the Body of Christ, the church. (John 16:5-16, I Corinthians 12:1-11)
6. We believe in the present high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ, being accomplished, on our behalf, at the very right hand of the Throne on High. (Hebrews 8:1-13)
7. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and they that are lost unto resurrection of eternal damnation. The redeemed of the Lord will receive glorification: the completion of their salvation at this time. (Revelation 20:1-15)
8. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ. We believe in the establishment of a local church as an expression of the universal Body of Christ in a specific place and time. We believe that to accept the Lord Jesus brings about the baptism of believers into the Body of Christ. (Galatians 3:26-29, I Corinthians 12:12-26)
9. We believe that there are two ordinances of church life: Water baptism as a public confession of Jesus as a person’s Lord and Communion as the ongoing public remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of believers. (Luke 12:8-9, Matthew 28:16-20, I Corinthians 11:23-26)
10. We believe in the call of God for all believers to evangelize the world. We believe that God’s desire is for us to begin with local evangelism and expand ever increasingly into the whole world. (Matthew 28:16-20, Romans 10:12-15)
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