FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

Faith Baptist Church exists to see the knowledge and love of the glory of God grow in us, increase among us, and spread through us as we faithfully proclaim the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of this organization shall be Faith Baptist Church of Central Florida, Inc.

ARTICLE II
FOUNDATION AND THE MARKS OF THE CHURCH

Jesus Christ, being the head of His church, both established her and is presently building her through the faithful proclamation of God’s word, the administration and participation in His Holy Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the loving practice of church discipline. These elements, which mark the true church, are effective on the basis of Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension, and are given to the church for the perfecting of her faith and holy conduct as means for her strengthening, comfort, and perseverance in hope.

ARTICLE III
AFFILIATIONS

We acknowledge no ecclesiastical authority other than our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23) and who directs the affairs of the local church through elders chosen and ordained according to the precepts of Holy Scripture. The elders themselves at all times and in all their activities stand under the authority of Holy Scripture.

The church may and does cooperate with other like-minded churches in matters of mutual interest and concern. We may seek the assistance and counsel of other churches in matters of special concern to us, but the decision of no other church or group of churches shall be acknowledged as binding on this church.

ARTICLE IV
CONFESSION OF FAITH

We recognize the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God. As such, we submit to the Holy Bible as the only infallible and ultimate authoritative rule for faith and practice. In accordance with this, Faith Baptist Church embraces the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith as an accurate, though not perfect, expression of Biblical doctrine suitable for use in the ministry, governance, and administration of the church. A brief summary of our doctrinal beliefs is contained in the By-Laws. (We embrace the caveats to the confession underscored in A Faith to Confess. The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, Carey Publications Limited (1975).)

ARTICLE V
FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT

Having, as we trust, been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to him, having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.

We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes members of a Christian church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.

We will, as members one of another, consider how we may stimulate one another to love and good deeds, support each other, bearing with one another’s weaknesses, failings and temptations, exercising gentleness, compassion and patience with one another.

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.

We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.

We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.

We will seek, by divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, remembering that we have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life.

We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will 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 to all nations.

We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

We make this covenant in the presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, most humbly entreating the Lord to strengthen us by His Holy Spirit for this end and to bless our desires and endeavors with such success as may bring glory to His Name, enlargement to His kingdom, and mutual edification of His people.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

ARTICLE VI
MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this Church shall consist of persons who confess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who express repentance toward God and give evidence of regeneration by living consistent with their profession, who have been baptized by immersion, who express substantial agreement with the doctrines and aims of this church and are willing to submit to its government, and who have been received into its membership according to the By-Laws of this Church.

ARTICLE VII
OFFICERS

Jesus Christ alone is Head of the Church (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23), and He governs His church through office-bearers whom He appoints and who are endowed by His Spirit with the gifts and graces needed to accomplish their work. The biblical offices of the church are two kinds: Elder (Pastor) and Deacon.

Elders comprise the governing body of the church under the headship of Christ according to the New Testament. The elders are charged with the shepherding and oversight of the assembly (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). They are given to the church “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).

Deacons are responsible to administer the ordinary business, secular affairs, and benevolent concerns of the church so that the elders may devote themselves without distraction to the duties of their office. The deacons must fulfill the duties of their office in cooperation with, and subjection to, the elders.

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Amendments to this Constitution and its Bylaws shall be by formal motion at any business meeting, and shall be effective upon adjournment of the current meeting. Amendments to the Constitution shall require an affirmative vote of a three-fourths majority of the voting members present at the meeting. Amendments to the By-Laws shall require an affirmative vote of a three-fourths majority of votes cast. Due public notice of any proposed amendment shall be given from the pulpit or published in the bulletin four weeks prior to the vote.

The Board of Elders shall review the Constitution annually welcoming input from the congregation, and make recommendations for changes as deemed necessary.