Constitution | Notus Baptist Church

Glorify God through worship and prayer.
Proclaim the Good News concerning Christ at home and abroad.
Provide a center for discipleship by teaching the whole Bible to be lived out by

the whole family and keeping the two New Testament ordinances of Baptism and

the Lord’s Supper.
Maintain a place of worship and Christian fellowship committed to upholding

Biblical Doctrine.

Article III - Doctrinal Statement

The Scriptures
We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible, consisting of the sixty- six books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written; that it was verbally and plenarily inspired by God through spirit-controlled men and, therefore, is infallible and inerrant in all matters of which it speaks. We believe the
Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which
all human conduct, creed and opinions shall be tried.

2. The True God

We believe 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 holi- ness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in unity of the God- head there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

3. The Devil, or Satan

We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire.

4. The Creation

We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by direct creation of God and not by evolution.

5. The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but that he by voluntary transgression, fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, both by constraint, and by choice, and are therefore under just condemnation, without excuse or defense

6. The Virgin Birth

We believe that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit 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.

7. The Atonement for Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, 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 was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, 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 now enthroned in Heaven, a compassionate and an all- sufficient Savior.

8. Justification

We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the believer to be righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ, without consideration of any work of righteousness which we have done, but solely through our faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood.

9. Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God accomplished in a threefold manner; first, an eternal act of God, based upon redemption in Christ, establishing the believer in a position of holiness at the moment he trusts the Savior; second, a continuing process in the saint as the Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life; third, the final accomplishment of this process
at the Lord’s return.

10. Faith and Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace through faith alone, in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins.

11. The Local Church

We believe that a local church, in accord with New Testament practice, is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws and exercising gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word and that its officers, also addressed by various other New Testament terms, are pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right to self-government free from the interferences of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that its 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 each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; and that on all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline, and benevolence, the will of the local church is final.

12. Gender, Sexuality, and Marriage

Gender:

We believe God created two Genders that are identified as Male and Female at or before birth, according to DNA, with immutable biological traits. Thus, we do not acknowledge transgender existence, nor do we condone the performing or receiving of gender reassignment procedures.

Sexuality:

God, who created us Male and Female as described above in point A, approves and blesses the intimate contact between husband and wife. However, any sexual or sensual contact outside the realms of a heterosexual, legal, binding marriage is perverse and displeasing to God, as is any use of pornography.

Marriage:

This church defines marriage as the exclusive covenantal union of one Man and one Woman, as defined in section A, in which such union is a lifetime commitment. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the Word of God.

A. Genesis 2:18, 24-25 3:6 B. Matthew 19:4-6 C. Romans 1:18, 24-29, 32; 3:10-19; 5:12-19; 7:2;

D. 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 7:1-4 E. Ephesians 5:22-33.

Adherence:

Pastors, Staff, and Church Members will NOT perform or officiate a marriage ceremony or celebration, nor will the church building, or property be used contrary to the statements in Section 12 of this Constitution. Furthermore, all Church Members are highly discouraged from participating in ceremonies/events that do not conform to the scriptures and/or the doctrine of this assembly.

13. Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the single immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through Whom we died to sin and rose to a new life; that baptism is to be performed under the authority of the local church; and that it is an essential act of obedience for every believer in Christ. We believe that the Lord’s supper is the commemoration of His death until He returns.

14. The Security of the Saints

We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ.

15. The Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue unrepentant and in unbelief in His sight are wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost in the lake of fire.

16. Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming King of Kings.

17. Israel

We believe in the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people, that she is now dispersed because of her disobedience and rejection of Christ, and that she will be regathered in the Holy Land, and after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ.

18. The Resurrection; and Personal, Visible, Imminent, Pre-Millenial Return of Christ

A. The Bodily Resurrection:

1. Matthew 28: 6-7 2. Mark 16:6 3. Luke 24:39 4. John 20:27 5. Luke 24:2-6 6. Corinthians 15:4

B. The Ascension:

1. Mark 16:19 2. Luke 24:51 3. Acts 1:9-11 4. Hebrews12:2 5. Revelation 3:21

C. The High Priesthood

1. I Timothy 2:5 2. Hebrews 2:17 3. Acts 1:9-11 4. Hebrews 8:6 5. I John 2:1

D. The Second Coming of Christ

1. The Rapture: The official position of this church as to the time of the rapture is pre-tribulational.

a. His Appearance in the Air:

1. I Corinthians 15:42-44 2. II Thessalonians 4:13-18 3. Titus 2:13

b. Resurrection of the Righteous Dead:

1. I Thessalonians 4:16 2. Revelation 20:6

c. The Change of the Living in Christ:

1. Philippians 3:20-21 2. I Corinthians 15:51-54

2. The Revelation: His Appearance on Earth:

E. The Millennial Reign

1. Psalm 72:8 2. Isaiah 11:4-5 3. Isaiah 32:1 4. I Corinthians 15:25 5. Revelation 20:6 6. Revelation 20:14

F. The Judgment of All Unbelievers

1. Matthew 13: 49-50 2. Revelation 20:11-15

Article IV - Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Holy Spirit, to receive the Lord Jesus as our Savior, and upon profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

1. We shall endeavor, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian life, to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its discipline and doctrines; 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.

2. We shall endeavor to glorify God and be edified in our personal and family lives through worship, prayer, and scripture study, and to bring up our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord; to seek the salvation of our relatives, friends and contacts; to live wisely and carefully in the world and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

3. We shall endeavor, soon after relocating to another area, to unite with another church of like precious faith, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

4. We shall endeavor to follow the Biblical standards for Christian conduct taught explicitly and repeatedly in Scripture. We agree with God that Christians must avoid the deeds of the Flesh, such as those listed in Galatians 5:19-21, and that persons practicing these as a lifestyle shall not inherit the kingdom of God, nor should they be members in the local church. Four distinct areas must be avoided:

A. Immorality, Impurity and Sensuality:
We shall live our lives and endeavor to lead our families in accordance with the Scriptural doctrine of this church noted in Article III, point 12.”
B. Idolatry and Sorcery:
Forbidden in these practices is the worship of any false gods: including the gods of the pseudo-Christian cults. From the original meaning of these terms, (ie. “sorcery” being translated from “pharmakeia”, from which the word “pharmacy” is also derived), we know that God’s Word also forbids the recreational use of drugs, whether they are legal or not.
C. Enmity, Strife, Jealousy, Outbursts of Anger, Disputes, Dissensions, Factions and Envy:
To summarize these, there is to be no behavior which disrupts the harmony among the Christians in the local church.
D. Drunkenness:
A Christian should not be involved in drunkenness. (Galatians 5:21; Proverbs 23:29-35) In the area of the use of alcoholic beverages, we must be sensitive to one another’s convictions and non-offensive to our brothers in Christ. (Romans 14:13-15)

5. Finally, we shall endeavor to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to be courteous in our speech; and to be slow to take offense, but ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the command of our Savior to secure it without delay.

Article V - Church Government

This church acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ as its Savior and the Lord as its only Head; it accepts the Scriptures as its authority in matters of faith, practice and discipline.
The government of this church shall be vested in its own membership. Having a congregational form of government, the majority shall rule. All officers and committees are answerable to the congregation.
This church, while independent of every other ecclesiastical body, recognizes the great principle of Christian fellowship and may cooperate with other Biblically fundamental churches in activities which are in accordance with our Articles of Faith.

Article VI - Membership

1. Membership shall be limited to those who have confessed Christ as Lord and Savior, have been baptized by immersion, and are in substantial agreement with the Doctrinal Statement and Covenant of this church. No person actively affiliated with any lodge or order that has a secret oath shall be admitted to membership. Our stand on this matter shall be explained to any who may desire information as to why we hold this position.

2. Candidates for church membership may be accepted in one of four ways:

A. By letter from a church of like faith, that practices believer’s baptism.

B. By baptism: Upon his testimony that he has been born again, a candidate may be received for baptism, with the understanding that he may be received as a member of the church at baptism.

C. By experience: When one has been born again and Scripturally baptized he may be accepted into membership of the church by testifying of his salvation experience.

D. By reinstatement upon confession and restoration having previously been suspended from the fellowship by an act of discipline of the church.

3. Each candidate, after having been approved by the Pastor and the Deacons,
shall be recommended for approval by majority vote of the membership at any regular or called meeting of the church.

4. Each candidate, after having been approved, shall be formally welcomed into the fellowship.

5. Inactive members: Any member who has been absent from all regular services of the church for six months, after review by the Pastor and Deacons, may be placed on the inactive list. Inactive members shall not have the privilege of voting.

6. Discipline and Dismissal:

A. The purpose of church discipline shall be:

1. To help errant members recognize and repent of their sins so they may be

restored to fellowship with the Lord and this church. Galatians 6:1

2. To maintain the purity of this church by removing those who are unrepentant

toward their sins. I Corinthians 5:7, 11

3. To discourage others from committing sin. I Timothy 5:20

B. Situations which may require disciplinary action shall be handled by the Pastor and Deacons confidentially. Discipline may include loss of office, placement on the inactive list or recommendation of dismissal from membership.

C. Dismissal from membership shall be by vote of the church.

D. Any member who persistently is absent without cause for a period of one year and is not willing to be restored, shall have his name removed from the church roll. Congregational vote shall be required for such removal. The delinquent shall be notified by letter of such action. Those absent because of illness, military duty, or schooling may be retained if they exhibit an interest in the work of the church . It shall be the duty of the Pastor and the Deacons, working with the Church Clerk, to keep the roll up to date.

E. A member in good standing may be transferred by a letter to a church of like faith or be released upon personal request.

Article VII - Officers

1. The Officers:

The Officers of this church shall be the Pastor, Deacons, Trustees, Clerk, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Primary Sunday School Super- intendent, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Secretary, and Librarian. Other officers may be added as deemed wise.

2. Pastoral Call

A. Pastor may be called by a seventy-five percent vote, or dismissed by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a business meeting called for that purpose, after a public announcement has been made from the pulpit on a Sunday at least three days prior.

B. Upon one month’s notice, or shorter or longer period where both parties are agreed, either the Pastor or the Church may dissolve the pastoral relationship.

C. During a vacancy in the pastorate, the Deacons, together with two members selected by the congregation, shall constitute a Pulpit Committee. They shall be in charge of pulpit supply during a pastoral vacancy. They shall seek out suitable candidates for the pastorate and make recommendations to the Church for action.

D. The call of a Pastor shall be of indefinite duration.

E. No man shall be called to the pastorate who does not subscribe to the Doctrinal statement of the Church and who will not support the Constitution of the Church.

3. Election of Officers

A. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Pastor, two Deacons, two members elected by the congregation at the third quarter business meeting, and may include one member chosen by the Deacons from the Youth Group.

B. Officers shall be elected in the following manner:

Nominating Ballot shall be provided for the members of the church prior to November 1st of each year.
The Nominating Committee shall review the nominations from the congregation and shall nominate at least one eligible person, whose consent has been previously obtained for each office to be filled.
A list of nominees shall be posted by the Nominating Committee at least two weeks before the annual election.
In the month prior to the annual business meeting of the Church, the congregation shall hold its annual election of officers. The vote shall be by secret ballot. All elections shall be determined by the majority vote of the members present and voting. In case of a tie vote, the Chairman shall break the tie.

C. Should a vacancy occur in any office during the year, the Pastor and the Deacons may appoint a member to serve the rest of the term.

D. All officers, committee members, and teachers shall be required to agree annually with the Doctrinal Statement and the Church Covenant. Upon refusal of any officer, committee member, or teacher to agree with these, his position shall automatically be declared vacant.

E. All officers, except the Deacons, Trustees, Librarian and Sunday School Secretaries, shall be elected annually. The Deacons and the Trustees shall serve for three years, and their terms shall be so staggered that approximately the same number be elected each year. No Deacon shall serve more than two terms without a one year sabbatical. Sunday school Secretaries shall serve for two years, with one being elected each year. The librarian shall be appointed by the C.E. committee.

F. No person who is known to be consistently living outside Biblical standards shall be elected to an office or allowed to serve on the educational staff. All officers and educational staff shall be members of the Church, and are expected to support the church with regular attendance.

4. The Duties of the Officers

A. The Pastor:

The Pastor shall have the general supervision of the entire work of the Church and be in charge of the spiritual welfare of the congregation. He shall have in his care the stated services of public worship, faithfully preach the Word of God, and oversee the ordinances--Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. He
shall be expected to visit the sick and sorrowing, to keep in close touch with the members, and try to follow up on such contacts as the Church may have.

He shall be a member of all boards, committees, and organizations of the Church.

He shall, with the cooperation of the Deacons and the membership of the Church, arrange for all evangelistic, missionary, and other special services.

The Pastor shall be entitled to an annual vacation of not less than two weeks with full salary.

The Pastor shall not secure other employment without approval of the Deacons.

B. Deacons:

The Deacons shall assist the Pastor in the administration of the Church. They shall be expected to visit the sick and sorrowing of the membership, to investigate absences and endeavor to remedy any spiritual weakness in the lives of members, and to support the regular services of the Church.

In the absence of Pastoral staff, the Deacons shall assume the responsibilities of the Pastor.

The number of Deacons shall be no less than three men and no more than seven men as qualified according to I Timothy 3:8-13.

They shall appoint a business meeting moderator, a chairman and a secretary from their number. The secretary shall keep minutes of their monthly meetings in a permanent record.

The Deacons and the Trustee Board shall review the Pastor’s salary and recommend change, if advisable, not less than once a year.

The Deaconesses shall be the wives of the Deacons. They shall prepare the communion table, assist in baptism, visit the sick, and encourage new members.

C. Trustees:

The Trustee Board shall consist of three men. One shall be selected as Chairman and shall serve as President of the Corporation. They shall hold the property in trust for the congregation and shall transact all business of the Corporation as directed by vote of the membership. They shall have custody of all Church property and shall see that the same is insured and that the annual filing of the corporation is made to the Secretary of State of the State of Idaho. They shall see to it that the property is maintained and the buildings kept in good repair, and that alterations and additions are made as voted by the membership. The trustees shall supervise the cleanliness of the church buildings and employ a Custodian.

They shall keep minutes, in a permanent record, of their meetings.

They shall not expend more than the amount per expenditure to be determined at the annual business meeting, except in the case of emergency. The Trustees shall assume all ushering responsibilities, to include appointing ushers as needed. One Trustee (or a church member appointed by them) and a church member shall assist in counting of all offerings.

D. The Clerk:

The Clerk shall keep a correct record of all official church business and issue church letters as authorized. Permanent records including accurate record of membership shall be kept.

E. Financial Secretary:

The Financial Secretary shall receive all monies for the Church. He or she shall accurately count and record the same and turn the same over to the Treasurer.

F. Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall receive from the Financial Secretary all funds, and keep an accurate account of funds received and disbursed. He or she shall pay all bills and commitments that have been authorized by the Church or the Trustee Board.

G. Sunday School Superintendent:

The Sunday School Superintendent shall be the general overseer of the activities of the Sunday School and shall work in close cooperation with the Pastor, staff, and teachers of the Sunday School.

H. Assistant Sunday School Superintendent:

In the absence of the Sunday School Superintendent, the Assistant Sunday School Superintendent shall perform all of the duties of the Superintendent. The assistant shall be in charge of ordering the Sunday School materials. The assistant should fill in or appoint someone to fill in for the Primary Superintendent in the event of his/her absence.

I. Primary Sunday School Superintendent:

The Primary Sunday School Super- intendent shall be the general overseer of the Primary Department of the Sunday School, and shall work in close cooperation with the Pastor, the Sunday School Superintendent and the staff.

J. Librarian:

The Librarian shall, upon review by the C.E. Committee, be responsible for securing new books and promoting them to the Church. The Librarian shall secure his/her own help as needed.

A representative from each office shall be prepared, at the request of the Deacons, to give a quarterly report.

Article VIII - Meetings

Meetings for teaching, preaching, worship, prayer, and evangelism shall be held regularly.
The Lord’s Supper shall be observed on the first Sunday of each month unless necessary to change, in which event it shall be observed some other Sunday in the month. Baptism shall be administered when candidates are approved.
Quarterly business meetings shall be held the second Sunday evening of April, July, and October.
The annual business meeting of the church shall be held the second Sunday evening of January. Officers shall take office at the beginning of the fiscal year, January 1.
Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor, Deacons, or by ten members, provided that notice has been publicly given at a Sunday service at least three days prior to the meeting.
Twelve active voting members shall be necessary for a quorum. All matters of business shall be decided by a majority of the members present, except where other- wise stated. Voting shall be by show of hands, except where otherwise stated, or where the moderator deems it wise or a member requests a secret ballot. All active members sixteen years of age or older shall have the privilege of voting.

Article IX - Committees

1. Christian Education Committee:

The Pastor, the Sunday School Superintendent, the Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, the Primary Sunday School Superintendent, one Deacon selected by the Deacons, and one member elected by the Church shall comprise the Christian Education Committee. They shall supervise all educational activities such as: Sunday School, Children’s Church, Nursery, Vacation Bible School, all youth ministries, teacher training, etc. They shall select all teachers and youth sponsors. The committee shall work in harmony with the adult classes in the selection of their teachers. This committee shall appoint the Sunday School Program Committee. The Sunday School Superintendent shall be the Chairman of the Christian Education Committee.

2. Miscellaneous Committees:

Appointment of committees for hospitality, flowers, and cards for the sick and bereaved is a function of the Women’s Missionary Fellowship. Committees for decorating the sanctuary and for coordinating social events will be appointed by the Women’s Missionary Fellowship.

3. Music Committee:

The Music Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Pastor. They shall work closely with the Pastor and shall be responsible for all special music, organists, and pianists to assist in the services.

4. Other Committees:

Any other committees deemed necessary shall be elected by the Church or shall be appointed by the Deacons if the Church so desires.

Article X - Policies

1. Financial Policy:

It is the policy of this Church that its support come from the free will offerings of God’s people. Raising funds through sales, promotions, or other means shall not be used. The use of the facilities that call for additional heat, light, or custodial care require that the user pay a fee set by the Trustees.

2. Official Policies:

No individual member or organization of the Church may take on a major project in or on any of the church property without approval of the Deacons and/or the Trustee Board.

Weddings and funerals may be held in the Church subject to the approval of the Pastor, Deacons, and Trustees.

3. Auxiliary Organizations:

All auxiliary organizations may exist only by the approval of the Pastor and the Deacons. The President or Chairman in each case must be a member of the Church. Literature regularly used shall be subject to the approval of the Pastor and Deacons. Meetings of auxiliary organizations may be held at such times as will not conflict with the regular services of the Church.

4. All actions of all Boards, Officers, Committees, and Organizations are subject to review by the whole church body.

Article XI - Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the corporation, any assets of the corporation must be distributed to one or more corporations qualified under section 501 ( c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and determined by a majority vote of a Quorum of the active membership. All such corporations shall hold to a doctrinal position in conformity with that of the church. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall ever go to the benefit of any donor, member, director or officer of the Corporation or any private individual; and no donor, member, director, or officer of the corporation or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets.

Article XII - Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any regular or called meeting of the Church when two weeks notice has been given of such intention.

In case of parliamentary procedures not otherwise provided by this Constitution, the Church shall be guided by the Word of God and by Roberts’ Rules of Order.

Notus Baptist Church Constitution: Including Doctrinal Statement, Covenant, and By-Laws

Article I - Name

Article II - Purpose