We bond ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ and adopt for our government and plan of worship and service the following Articles; and we hereby rescind all previous action contrary thereto.
A. The name of this Church shall be Macarthur Baptist Church, and is an independent, Fundamental Baptist Church.
B. In all matters pertaining to its teaching, affiliation and policy, it is responsible only to Jesus Christ as its head. The sovereignty of the Church resides within the local church.
C. No conformity with any other existing church or body of churches shall necessarily be expected of this church except where in such church or body of churches conform wholly to the Scriptures so as to harmonize with the Word of God.
D. This Church shall operate under the guidance of the following instruments in descending order of authority.
1. The Holy Bible (King James Version)
2. The Articles of Faith
3. The Constitution and By-Laws
4. The Church Minutes
The purpose of this Church shall be as given in Deuteronomy 6:1-12 and Matthew 28-18-20
A. To worship the almighty God
B. To preach and communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as individuals and as a Church, to the salvation of the lost.
C. To teach and instruct believers in all areas of knowledge and wisdom necessary for the development of their lives after the model of Jesus Christ.
D. To promote missionary enterprise at home and abroad.
A. Any person professing Christ as Lord and Saviour being baptized by the authority of this Christ.
B. Any person that has been a member of another church of like faith and doctrine may be received by letter of recommendation and transfer from his previous church.
C. Any person who having been a member at another Church of like faith and doctrine who in consequence of peculiar circumstances has no regular letter of dismissal may be received by giving satisfactory evidence of salvation, Christian conduct and Scriptural faith and baptism.
D. Excluded members may be restored to membership upon public confession that they have sinned against the Lord, and the Church and in repentance seek forgiveness.
E. Any person being accepted for membership by any at B, C and D would require a two thirds vote of all members present.
F. Any person under 18 years of age, who, professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and giving evidence of a change in heart and life, who is unable to obtain parental consent to baptism, may on recommendation of the Pastor be received into membership. Such membership would cease once he attains the age of 18 if he does not follow the Lord in Baptism at the earliest opportunity.
A. A letter of transfer and recommendation will be given to members transferring to another church of like faith and doctrine.
B. Upon death a person name shall be removed from the roll
C. Following the teaching of Matthew 18: 15-17 and Titus 3:10 and upon the recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons the Church may order the names of members to be dropped from the roll for the following reasons :
1. Unchristian conduct of such a nature as to bring ill repute on the name of Christ and His Church.
2. Holding to teaching doctrines subversive to those held by this Church, whether such is done publicly or privately.
3. Active opposition to the policy of leadership of the Church or conduct calculated to cause dissension or division within the Church.
D. Any person who has left the area or has not attended the services for a period of six months are automatically transferred to a non-active membership roll. This roll is to be revised at the Annual Business Meeting of the Church .
The officers of the Church shall consist of the Pastor, Deacons, Trustees, Treasurer and Clerk.
Section I, The Pastor
A. The Pastor shall fullfil the qualification of I Timothy 3. He shall subscribe to and uphold the Article of Faith of this Church without reservation.
B. The Pastor’s tenure of office shall be indefinite. He shall serve so as long as his conduct permits and the Holy Spirit leads.
C. The Pastor is to be an ex-officio member of all meetings and committees of the Church.
D. His resignation
1. Upon resignation, he must give thirty days notice unless a shorter period of time is negotiated with the Church.
2. Upon dismissal of the Pastor, one month’s salary must be given. Any action of dismissal must be initiated in writing with the board of Deacons, who will investigate the reasons and give a two Sunday notice of a specially called business meeting. A three quarter vote of voting members will be required for a dismissal.
E. His call
1. The Deacons shall constitute the Pulpit Committee.
2. The retiring Pastor may assist the Church in looking for a new pastor if the Deacons desire his help. They may also consult any other person they believe can help.
3. Only a man of like faith and doctrine shall be considered.
4. The candidate will be asked to come and preach, meet with the deaconate for questioning, who
will then recommend the candidate, if suitable, to the Church.
5. A 75% majority vote of active voting members is required for the call of a Pastor at a specially called member’s meeting.
Section II. Deacons
A. Deacons shall be elected as needed on the recommendation of the Pastor.
Their qualification shall be as set forth in I Timothy 3:8-12 and Acts 6:5-7
B. They shall be elected for a two –year period on a rotational process so that one half of the group shall remain in office each year.
C. The Deacons shall help in the administration of the Lord’s Table, help the Pastor in his visitations, aid the Pastor in guarding and fostering the spiritual life of Church and help oversee in maintenance at the Church property.
Section III. Trustees
A. The trustees shall be appointed by the Pastor and Deacons.
B. There shall be three trustees, usually consisting of the Pastor and two Deacons.
C. They shall be empowered to execute the deeds of trust, mortgage liens, promissory notes or other pecuniary obligation, and to transfer, assign and convey all Church property or any part thereof upon the official recorded instruction of the Church.
D. The shall sign all papers with this title, affixing their names and signatures as trustees only and not as individuals.
Section IV. Treasurer
A. The treasurer shall be elected for a one-year term.
B. He is to see that all monies received are counted, deposited and that an accurate record is kept.
C. If deemed necessary, two assistant treasurers may be elected to act as helpers.
Section V. Clerk
A. The Church Clerk shall be elected for a one- year term.
B. The clerk shall keep and accurate record of all Church business. A copy to be signed by the clerk and the Pastor is to be kept in the Church records and those of the Clerk.
C.The clerk is to keep a perpetual record of Church membership; one copy for the Church office and one copy for the records of the Clerk.
Section VI. Staff
a. The Pastor is authorized to acquire by hiring or to discharge by firing paid church personnel.
b. Personnel additions shall be subject to the approval of the Deaconate to be ratified at the next Church business meeting.
c. All salaries shall be reviewed by the Deaconate every six months (February and July)
Section VII.Business Meeting
a. The Annual general business meeting shall be held on the first Wednesday evening in July each year.
b. Other business meetings will be held as necessary by the Pastor and Deacons.
c. Before a business meeting can be called there must be a notice of intent announced from the pulpit on the two consecutive Sundays prior to the meeting.
d. The moderator of the meeting shall be pastor unless he gives permission otherwise.
e. Business pertaining to a change in constitution, sale or purchase of property, call of a pastor and spending of amounts of money in excess of $ 1,000.00 shall be presented two Sunday’s in advance and in written form.
f. No member is permitted to vote who has not attended at least four services in the last two months. This to be at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons.
g. The voting age in all matters shall be 18 years.
h. A quorum shall be consist of 40% of the Active voting membership of the Church.
Article VII. Amendment
a. Amemdments of this constitution and By-Laws must be by a two-thirds vote of a business meeting and notice must be given two Sundays in advance.
b. No amendment or charge can be made to the doctrinal statement of this church, that statement being that which was adopted on the occasion of the organization of this Church.
Article VIII. Property
a. If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Church, there remains any property after the payment of any debts or liabilities, it shall not be paid to or distributed to members of the church but given to non-profit missions projects as shall be determined by the Church members at or before the time of winding up.
b. Church buildings and property shall not be used by any individual or organization except with the permission of the Deaconate.
Article IX. Finance
a. This church shall be supported only by the tithes and offerings of God’s people.
b. The Financial records shall be open to any member of this Church.
c. A financial reports shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.
d. Quarterly reports shall be made available by the treasurer to the members.
e. The Church will not loan money nor consign any note.
f. Each cheque issued by the Church will require two signature.
Article X. Amendment
Section I. Additional Church Officers
As the need arises, the following Church Officer; Associate Pastor, Assistant Pastor, and Youth Pastor, can be called. Their qualifications would be the same as the Pastor, see Article IV, Section I.
