Bound to One Another
At New Liberty Baptist, we agree to live together in covenant membership with one another. This covenant is included here, that there may be no doubt of our expectations of one another and any seeking to join our community.
PREAMBLE
For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted beliefs of the Baptist faith, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this constitution.
NAME
This body shall be known as the New Liberty Baptist Church, Pekin, Indiana.
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, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
For the advancement of this church
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.
As Christian Stewards
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.
Alone and at home
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to educate our children religiously; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Before the World
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 of use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.
Toward one another
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 rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay.
When we move
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will 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.
CHARACTER
Section 1. Polity. The authority and government of this Church is vested in the body of baptized believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other group, convention, or association. However, for the purpose of promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ and the growth in grace of its members, it chooses to cooperate voluntarily with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Section 2. Doctrine. This Church receives the Scriptures as its sole authority in matters of faith and practice. Its interpretation of Scripture is to be in essential accord with the usual Baptist beliefs.
BY LAWS
ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Reception of Members.
Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and giving evidence of being a new creature born again of His Spirit, may be received as a candidate for membership in this Church. In order that the candidate might have a full understanding of the Christian Faith and the beliefs of this Church, and in order that the Church might have assurance of the faith and commitment of the candidate, each candidate is requested to do the following.
When the candidate comes forward during the regular time of invitation, the candidate will be met by the Pastor. As the candidate speaks with the Pastor, a Deacon will come and stand with them and then be seated with the candidate. At this time the Deacon will record the name and decision of the candidate. After the procedure outlined in the next section (2) is completed, the Deacon will go with the candidate to one of the Sunday School rooms where he will obtain the rest of the important information concerning the candidate. Also at this time, this constitution and covenant will be given to the candidate and the membership procedure explained.
At the close of the invitation during which the candidate has come forward, the Pastor will present the candidate to the church, specifying the request of the candidate. At this time the candidate will present a confession of faith, either by response to the questions fo the Pastor or in the candidates own words. After all the candidates have been presented, the Church will take the appropriate action and vote on their acceptance as candidates for membership. The vote will be taken on all the candidates at once unless a member requests that they be voted on individually. At the close of the service, the candidates will remain in front of order that those of the congregation, who wish to do so, may express their blessing and joy in the candidate’s decision.
The candidate will meet with the Pastor for an many meetings as necessary to complete instruction in Christian doctrine and the beliefs and covenant of this Church. For those who are awaiting baptism this instruction must be completed before the time for letter or profession, the instruction must be completed before final acceptance s members.
After all the requirements for the Church membership have been fulfilled each candidate will be accepted in to full membership when the hand of fellowship is given by the members of the Church. This time for this service will be set by the Deacons (for those coming by baptism this service will usually be the one which follow the baptism).
Any candidate who has not been baptized by immersion will be received only after such baptism and the fulfillment of all other requirements for membership.
Members from other Baptist Churches of like faith, upon completion of all requirements for membership, may be received by letters of recommendation and dismission from their respective Churches. Full membership will not begin until after the receipt of such letters. (In the event that there is undue delay in the receipt of such letters, upon the recommendation of the Deacons, the hand of fellowship may be extended before the receipt of the letters, but full membership will not begin until the receipt of such letters.)
Any person from another denomination desiring membership will be received upon their confession of faith and upon their acceptance of, and compliance to, the Baptist belief, including believer’s baptism by immersion, and upon their fulfillment of all requirements for church membership.
Excluded members may be restored to membership on confession of their errors, and upon giving evidence of repentance.
Those who have once been members of Baptist churches and in consequence of any peculiar circumstances have no regular letter of dismission may be received in to membership upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ and upon their compliance with the above requirements.
No person shall be received as a member of this church to whose admission any member in good standing should object. But if objection should be raised to the reception of any applicant for membership, investigation and , if possible, for effecting a reconciliation between the member opposing and the one making application for membership, and to report the result back to the Church at its next regular business meeting for such action as may be necessary in the premises. It shall require a two thirds (2/3) vote of all members present and voting to elect.
Section 2. Letters of Dismissal. All proper letters of dismission will be granted by the Church at the regular business meeting. Letters of dismission and a statement of standing will be sent to any Baptist Church of like faith upon request. A statement of standing alone will be sent to a Church of another denomination, upon request.
Section 3. Termination of Membership.
Should a member become an offense to the church and to its good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, or by persistent breach of his covenant vows, or nonsupport of the Church, the Church may terminate his membership, but only after due notice and hearing, and after efforts have been made to bring such member to repentance and amendment. If word of misconduct comes to any member of the Church the following scriptural pattern should be followed. (Matt. 18:15-17)
When a Church member hears of misconduct on the part of another Church member, the member who hears of it should go and speak with the member about whom the report has been made. This should be done individually for several reasons. First, this will allow the report to be investigated without any rumors being passed on. Then if the report proves false the matter need go no further and any harm done by gossip may be quickly rectified. If the report proves to have some foundation and the erring member confesses and makes amendments for the conduct, the matter may stop there.
If the report proves true and the erring member does not listen and repent, then the investigating member will try once again by taking one or two Deacons along to witness the event.
If the erring member still does not listen, then the matter will be brought before the church. The erring member will be called before the church and if a response is not made or there is no repentance in the face of irrefutable facts, then the erring member’s membership will be terminated.
In any such investigation all members are admonished to act only in a sense of deep Christian love and understanding, confessing in our hearts that we are all sinners who have hope only in the grace of God. Such action as above should be undertaken only if evident damage is being done to the cause of Christ and to the witness of the erring member.
Any person whose membership has been terminated for an offense may be restored by vote of the Church after the excluded member has given testimony before the church concerning repentance and reformation. Such confession and restitution will be done in a regular business meeting with only members of the church present and voting.
ARTICLE II. MEETINGS
The Church shall meet regularly every Lord’s Day for the teaching and training services, and for public worship morning and evening, and on every Wednesday night for Prayer Service. The Lord’s Supper will be observed on the first Sunday of each Quarter beginning in January.
(This article was amended on January 15, 2006 to say:
The Church shall meet regularly every Lord’s Day for the teaching and training services, and for public morning worship. The Lord’s Supper will be observed on the first Sunday of each Quarter beginning in January.
The first Wednesday night in each month shall be the regular Business Meeting.
(This article was removed on January 15, 2006.)
Special business meetings shall be called upon, and only upon, the written and signed request of a majority of the Deacons. Any such called meeting is to be announced by the Pastor, or in his absence by the moderator, or in the absence of both of them, by the Church Clerk. Notice of such special business meetings shall be given publicly from the pulpit at both the morning and evening services on the Lord’s Day preceding such called meeting, and/or by mailed notice to be received by the members prior to the commencement of such called meetings. No other business meetings other than the regular or properly called business meeting shall be binding on the church.
The regular business meeting in November of each year shall be the time set apart for the annual election of officers for the following year.
The regular business meeting in January of each year shall be the time set apart for the adoption of the budget for that year.
ARTICLE III. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS MEETING
The regularly elected Moderator shall preside in all meetings for the transaction of business, or in the event of his absence a temporary Moderator shall be elected who shall preside at said meeting.
Order of Business.
Call to order.
Reading of the minutes of proceedings since and including the previous meeting.
Unfinished business and reports of committees.
Reports of church Officers.
New Business.
Granting letters of dismission.
Consideration of the sick, needy or unemployed.
Adjournment.
ARTICLE IV. THE PASTOR
Section 1. Pastor. The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the “flock”, and as such it devolves upon him to “break the bread of life” to God’s chosen people at both Sunday services and when possible at the mid-week prayer service. It will be his duty to call upon those seeking spiritual help and also visit the sick and distressed and to minister unto their needs. As the “spiritual shepherd” he is to take an active interest in all the movements and inaugurated by the church for the advancement of its interests both spiritually and financially, and is therefore to be considered an ex-officio member of all the committees named or elected by the Church to carry on its work.
Section 2. Evangelistic meetings held by Pastor. The Pastor shall be granted the privilege of holding evangelistic services for a period not to exceed two (2) weeks in each year, and shall furnish a pulpit supply for the time he is absent while holding said services, and shall arrange with the Deacons as to the most suitable time for holding the meetings.
Section 3. Pastor’s vacation. The Pastor will be allowed an annual vacation of two (2)weeks with pay. The time of said vacation shall be arranged with the Deacons.
Section 4. Calling a Pastor. A Pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice shall be given. A pulpit committee shall be appointed by the Church to seek out a suitable Pastor, and their recommendation will constitute a nomination, though any member has the privilege of making other nominations. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the Church only one man at a business meeting. Election shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote of three fourths (3/4) of those present being necessary to a choice. The Pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by mutual consent.
Section 5. Vacating the office of Pastor. There are two ways that the office of Pastor may be vacated. The Pastor himself may resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the Church. The Pastor’s resignation can be requested if so ordered by a simple majority (½ plus 1) of those present at a business meeting and only if the purpose of said business meeting has been announced publicly at both the morning and evening services on the Sunday preceding said meeting. At least thirty (30) days’ notice must be given by the Pastor upon his resignation or by the Church if they request the Pastor’s resignation.
ARTICLE V. THE DEACONS
Section 1. The Deacons. The Deacons shall be concerned with the spiritual, physical, and financial welfare of the church, shall give the Pastor their assistance in all matters of importance to the advancement of the church, and shall assist the Pastor in the observance of the Lord’s Supper. In December of each year the Deacons will prepare the budget to be presented to the Church in the first business meeting of the new year.
Section 2. Meetings. The Deacons shall meet regularly on the Sunday preceding the regular monthly business meeting of the Church, and matters of importance shall be considered by them before being brought before the church for action. One half (1/2) at a regular meeting and a majority of the Deacons at a called meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No called meeting shall be held unless all of the Deacons shall be notified in person by letter or unless said called meeting shall have been announced at the Sunday morning service previous to the called meeting.
Section 3. Election of Deacons. The Deacons shall be elected from among the male lay members of the church in good standing for at least six months, provided they meet the scriptural qualifications and are recommended to the Church by the acting Deacons. The active Board of Deacons shall consist of six (6) members who shall be elected by the Church. One-third (1/3) or two (2) of the number shall be elected each year and shall serve for a term of three years. No member serving a full term of three years shall be eligible for re-election for a period of one year.
This article was amended on January 15, 2006 to say:
The Deacons/Deaconesses shall be elected from among the male or females of the church in good standing for at least 6 months, provided they meet the scriptural qualifications and are recommended to the church by the acting Deacons/Deaconesses. The active Board of Deacons/Deaconesses shall consist of six (6) members who shall be elected by the Church. One-third (1/3) or two (2) of the number shall be elected each year and shall serve for a term of three (3) years. No member serving a full term of three (3) years shall be eligible for re-election for a period of one year.
ARTICLE VI. THE MODERATOR
The moderator shall be elected from among the male members of the church in good standing for at least six months. The moderator this elected shall serve a term of one (1) year and is eligible for re-election.
This article was amended on December 18, 2005 to say:
The moderator shall be elected from among all members of the church in good standing for at least 6 months. The moderator this elected shall serve a term of one (1) year and is eligible for re-election.
ARTICLE VIII. THE TREASURER
Section 1. Duties.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the Church placed to the credit of the Church in the Bank, said Bank to be designated by the Deacons.
Said funds shall only be paid out by the Treasurer by checks or cash as authorized by the Church or by the Deacons.
The Treasurer shall make a monthly report to the church of the receipts and expenditures of the current month, and at the regular business meeting in December he shall make a full and complete report of all his official acts, and rile his vouchers and books with the Deacons to be examined and approved.
The Treasurer shall meet with the Deacons in their monthly meeting if asked by them, and have his books and papers at all times open for their inspection.
Section 2. Election. The Treasurer shall be elected by the Church from among its members. The Treasurer will serve for a term of one year and is eligible for re-election.
ARTICLE IX. THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Duties
The Trustees shall be the legal custodians of all Church property and in the event of the sale or purchase of any real estate for the Church, or in making any loans in behalf of the Church, shall be authorized to sign all deeds, notes and legal papers for the church when so instructed at a regular or duly called special business meeting of the church.
The Trustees are also empowered to employ the janitors and remove them for just cause if necessary.
The Trustees shall be held responsible for the physical condition of all Church property and see that it is kept in proper order.
Section 2. Election
The Board of Trustees shall consist of three members elected annual at the annual election of officers, provided that at the annual election in November, the Trustees shall elect their own Chairman. A Trustee is eligible for re-election.
ARTICLE X. THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. Except as stated herein and otherwise provided, the officers of the Church and its various organizations shall be nominated by a committee composed of the Pastor and three others approved by the Deacons. This committee itself shall be nominated and elected each year in November.
Section 2. The nominations of this committee shall be brought before the Church not later than the first Wednesday night of November of each year. At this meeting further nominations will be accepted from the Church at large. The manner of voting shall be by ballot. All teachers and officers shall take office January 1st.
Section 3. In case of any omission to hold the annual election of officers and teachers as provided above, the said election shall be held at the next business meeting.
Section 4. In case of the death, resignation, or removal of any officer before the annual election, the Nominating Committee shall present a nomination for that office to the Church at the next business meeting to be acted upon.
ARTICLE XI. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The committees of this Church shall be classified as (1) Standing
Committees, and (2) Special Committees. Unless otherwise specified, all committees shall be considered as standing committees. Each committee shall have a chairman and a vice-chairman to be elected by the Church.
Section 2. Members of the standing committees shall be elected for a term of one year, their terms to begin January 1st. They shall be eligible for re-election.
Section 3. Committees elected by the Church for service in matters of a temporary nature shall be designated as special committees and shall be discharged when the service for which they were elected has been completed, or at the will of the Church.
Section 4. The following are designated as standing committees:
Nominating Committee
Social Committee
Pastor’s Dinner Scheduling Committee
ARTICLE XII. SUNDRY RULES
Section 1. All those presented to the Church for election to the membership, the Deaconship, or for call as Pastor, are expected to pledge their allegiance to the letter and spirit of the church Covenant, the Articles of Faith, and these By-laws as adopted and amended by the Church.
Section 2. No public collection of funds apart from the regular offerings of the Church shall be solicited or taken unless such collection shall have been first recommended by the Pastor and the Deacons and approved by the Church.
Section 3. Defeated motions cannot, except by consent of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Church, be renewed in less than three (3) months time.
Section 4. These By-laws shall supersede all By-laws heretofore adopted by the Church.
ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. In order for a proposed amendment to gain the consideration of the church it must be backed and signed by at least five (5) amendments must be considered by the Church.
Section 2. One month’s time and repeated announcement concerning the
amendment must follow the proposal of the amendment before the amendment may be voted on. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting shall be required to change any of the rules and by –laws of the Church.
The above Constitution and Covenant were completed and adopted by the New Liberty Baptist Church in the Business Meeting of May 18, 1960.