Hallmark: the mark of excellence and purity for gold and silver

CHURCH COVENANT
CHURCH CONSTITUTION
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led by ;the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the public confession of our faith, having been immersed 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, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

WE PURPOSE, 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 attend its services regularly; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to give faithfully of time and talent in its activities; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, to support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through out all nations.

WE ALSO purpose to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, backbiting and unrighteous anger; to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ our Savior; and give Him preeminence in all things.

WE FURTHER purpose to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord's return; 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 teachings of our Savior, to seek it without delay.

WE MOREOVER purpose that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's word. In the event there is no such church, we shall seek, with the Lord's help, to establish one.

CHURCH CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE
Trusting by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation, believing in the historical teachings and practices of Baptists and those great distinctive principles for which they have stood; namely:
1. The preeminence of Christ as our divine Lord and Master;
2. The supreme authority of the Bible and its sufficiency as our only rule of faith and practice;
3. A regenerate church membership:
4. The beautiful, symbolic ordinance of believers" baptism by immersion in obedience to the command of Christ:
5. The right of private interpretation of Scripture so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others:
6. Individual responsibility to God:
7. The complete independence of the local church, and congregational government, guaranteeing equal rights to all the will of the church being final in all matters of policy:
8. The absolute separation of church and state:
9. The institution of marriage is between a man and a woman.
We therefore band ourselves together as a body of immersed believers in Jesus Christ and adopt for our government, plan, worship and service the following articles:

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this corporation shall be " The Hallmark Baptist Church of Enid Oklahoma."

ARTICLE II - OBJECT The purpose of this church shall be to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, of public worship of God, schooling, promotion of united prayer, and praise, cultivation of the spiritual life, edification of the saints, promotion of world-wide evangelism, fellowship of true believers and the maintenance of a testimony for fundamental Christianity.

ARTICLE III - DENOMINATIONAL COOPERATION
As a New Testament Church cannot "join" anything outside itself, but only affiliate therewith on the grounds of fellowship, this church shall be known as an INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH with the right to make or break fellowship with any group at any time.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Condition of Membership
a. A personal faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Savior and Lord.
b. Baptism by immersion in water, as a confession of faith in Christ and declaration of purpose to walk in newness of life.
c. Acceptance of the Church Covenant, Constitution and Doctrinal Statement.
d. Conduct befitting a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ by this we mean behavior which becomes a child of God, yielding to the instruction of the Holy Spirit as found in Titus 2:12, "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteous and Godly in this present world," and 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1.

SECTION 2 - RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
a. Candidates for membership may be presented to the church in one of four (4) ways:
(1) by baptism as a believer.
(2) by letter from a church of like faith and order;
(3) by statement of Christian experience having been previously baptized by a church of like faith and order; and
(4) by restoration.
b. Candidates for church membership shall give a personal testimony of their Christian experience and desire to live for Christ in keeping with the convictions of the church in a manner suitable and approved by the pastor and this congregation.

SECTION 3 - DUTIES OF MEMBERS
a. In order that persons applying for church membership may be informed as to the duties of members, the pastor or deacons shall see that candidates have a copy of the Church Covenant, Constitution and Doctrinal Statement.
b. Members in good standing shall strive to keep their Covenant obligations in purity of faith and doctrine.

ARTICLE V - CHURCH ORDINANCES
SECTION 1 - BAPTISM
Those professing faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior shall, by the pastor or some person authorized by the church, be immersed in water in accordance with Scriptural teaching. Immersion shall be a prerequisite to church membership. This church recognizes only "Believers' Baptism" as valid.

SECTION 2 THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper shall be served to the assembled church by the Deacons on the first Sunday of each month and at the discretion of the Pastor and/or Deacons. Since it is the Lord's Table, none who are Christians shall be barred, but the pastor shall state the Scriptural order each time, which places baptism as a prerequisite to receiving the Lords Supper, and shall explain the meaning of the ordinance. Acts 2:41 & 42; I Corinthians 11:23 - 24. Then the Pastor shall take his place with the assembled Church to be served by the Deacons with the rest of the Church. Acts 6: 2 - 3. the Deacons shall serve each other.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
The officers of the church shall consist of Pastor, Deacon. (Deacons upon election and acceptance of the office are also the trustees of the incorporation.) all of whom, except the Pastor, and charter members, must have been a member of this church for a period of at least one year (this may be temporarily wavered due to lack of qualified members) before being placed in nomination, and their terms of office shall begin on the first of the month following the annual business meeting. Retiring officers shall hold office until the terms of newly elected officers begin. Other minor offices may be created by the church as may be deemed necessary. No person shall hold more than two major offices at one time and no member on the "Inactive membership roll" is eligible to hold office in the church or any of its organizations. All officers, except the Pastor, shall be elected for (1) year. Trustees may be elected from the membership of the Church who is not a Deacon. A Trustee shall be given authority by the Church to perform their duties in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma. Any officer who for a period of three (3) months shall fail to faithfully perform the duties pertaining to his office, thereby automatically vacates said office. The Church has the power, for good and sufficient cause, to remove from office any officer, or committeeman.

SECTION 1 PASTOR
A. The qualifications of a pastor shall be based upon the scriptural instructions of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. A pastor's call shall be based upon those qualifications and acceptance of the Doctrinal Statement without any mental reservation.
B. A pastor shall be elected for an indeterminate term. Notice of the proposed choice of a pastor shall be given from the pulpit for two successive Sundays preceding the election. Voting shall be by ballot and three fourths 3/4 of those present, eligible, and voting, shall be required for election.
C. Privileges of the pastor shall be:
1. He may request a meeting of the church, of any committee or board thereof at such times as experience proves necessary.
2. He may take an annual vacation of 16 days including 3 Sundays with full pay. These 16 days may be taken at his own discretion with proper notification of the Deacon to the board. Other absences are to be approved by the deacon board..
3. He may attend those camps and conferences which are approved by this church as a part of his Christian service without it being considered part of his vacation.
4. Should he so desire, as an extension of the church's evangelistic outreach to a church of like faith and order, to hold no more than two (2) weeks of evangelistic meetings away from home without loss of salary. He must give the Deacon board proper notification, and see to it that the Pulpit is not left unattended.
5. The Pastor shall have a $100.00 petty cash fund , which shall be replenished upon presentation of proper and acceptable receipts to the Deacon board. D. The Pastor's salary, which is to be set by the church, shall be reviewed at least once a year at the Annual Business Meeting.
E. The Pastor shall give the church a notice in writing, not to exceed sixty (60) days and not less than thirty (30) days, of his intention to discontinue as pastor. The church may, by a two thirds (2/3) vote at a specially called business meeting, declare the pulpit vacant, provided a notice of not less than sixty (60) days from the time of this action is given the pastor occupying the pulpit to vacate the same. The only exceptions to the sixty (60) day notice to vacate shall be proven morals charges or extreme doctrinal deviation.

SECTION 2 Deacon:
A. The church shall elect from its membership at its annual business meeting not less than three (3) men and not more than seven (7) men to serve as deacon / trustees, But shall always be an odd number. Acts 6:3.
B. The qualifications for Deacon shall be such as are prescribed and set forth in the New Testament Scriptures. Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3: 8 -13.
C. It shall be the duty of the Deacon to:
1. The Deacon shall elect from their number a Chairman, vice chairman and a secretary. The chairman shall preside at their meetings (and act as moderator of the church in the absence of the pastor) and have general oversight of their work. The vice chairman shall preside in the absence of the chairman. The secretary shall keep a faithful record of any important works, acts, or transactions performed by the body of deacon trustees. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman, or two thirds (2/3) of the full number of deacon trustees. A majority of the full number of deacon shall constitute a quorum. The deacon board shall make a full report of their activities at regularly called Quarterly and Annual Business Meetings or as requested by the church. The deacon board may at their own discretion divide their spiritual and material duties to facilitate their services.
2. Serve the elements of the Lord's table, and call on the Pastor to assist.
3. Assist in the administering of baptism, in the spiritual supervision of the church, carefully examining all candidates for membership, recommending to the church such as they consider eligible for membership, recommending to the church membership other matters of business, visitation and care for the sick and needy members.
4. Have charge of all matters of discipline of members.
5. It shall be the duty of the deacon to care for the property of the church, hold in repair, invest and reserve the same including the hiring and supervising of the custodian, to superintend any improvements that are not intrusted to special committee, and to perform such assigned to them by the church. The deacons are at all times servants of the church and subject to its corporate action.
6. The deacons shall not have authority to sell, lease, give away, or dispose of church property in any manner to exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) in value, nor to mortgage, or encumber the same with debt to exceed the above amount except as the church shall order the same by a corporate act.

ARTICLE VII MISSION ASSISTANTS
SECTION 3 - STEWARDESS
A. The church may elect from its membership at its Annual Business Meeting one (1) or more ladies as the need arises to serve as Stewardess.
B. The qualifications for Stewardess shall be: (Romans 16: 1 - 2 )
1. A woman twenty - one years of age or over, and giving evidence of spiritual maturity by consistent Christian living in accord with Scriptural example.
2. They are to be vitally concerned with the spiritual welfare of the church and qualified to lead the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
C. It shall be the duty of Stewardess to:
1. Prepare the elements for the Lords Table.
2. A Stewardess is a woman who is called upon to assist the pastor in developing the spiritual life of the women and girls of the church for the best possible Christian service, and to assist the women and girls in preparation for baptismal services.
3. Assist the pastor and deacons in visiting the members, and in the care of the sick, needy and distressed members of the church.

SECTION 4 - THE TREASURER
At each Annual Business Meeting the church shall elect from its membership a treasurer and an assistant treasurer. The treasurer shall receive all moneys of the church, keep a true and fair record of accounts, and make a full report to the church at each Quarterly and Annual Business Meeting and when otherwise directed by the church. All records are to be considered the property of and as belonging to the church and are to be available on demand by the church. The Treasurer shall issue a receipt of value for any property which is donated to the Church.

SECTION 4a. FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The deacon board shall appoint from the membership a Financial Secretary to assist and record all incoming money The Financial Secretary shall keep a duplicate record of all receipts.

SECTION 5 - THE CLERK
The church shall elect from its membership at the Annual Business meeting a clerk for the ensuing year. The clerk shall keep a fair and complete record of all church proceedings, have charge of. The original Church charter and, all records, keep a register of members of the church, write letters of dismissal, give notice of church business meetings, announce the offices to be filled at the Annual Business Meeting and perform such other particular duties as may be prescribed by the church. The clerk shall also see that all important documents are kept in a vault or safety deposit box. All records of the church are the property of The Hallmark Baptist Church.

SECTION 6. - THE CHURCH BIBLE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
The Deacon board shall appoint a Bible School Superintendent. He shall be in charge of the administration and promotion of the Church Bible School and shall work in close cooperation with the pastor. He shall appoint a secretary to assist him and to keep the records of the Bible School. The Bible School Superintendent and Secretary along with the pastor shall form an Executive Committee. The duties of this committee shall be such as pertain to the operation of the school, including the securing of proper teachers for the various classes (see article X, Section 3 ). This committee shall also see to it that all teaching materials are in keeping with the: Bible, Church Covenant, Constitution, and Doctrinal Statement of the church.

ARTICLE VIII - FINANCES
SECTION 1 FISCAL YEAR
The Fiscal year shall begin on January 1st and end on the following December 31st.
SECTION 2 - RAISING OF MONEY
No moneys shall be raised by the church or any auxiliary organization except by free will giving, any moneys raised by the sale of services, or  property which is to benefit any church auxiliary shall not be done in the name of The Hallmark Baptist Church, (such as) individual effort to raise funds in order to attend a church sponsored; camp, trip, etc.
SECTION 3. - FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
No financial obligation shall be placed upon the church either as a mortgage, note or outstanding bill, or in any other form unless money is in hand to meet the same, except as stated in Article VI, section 2, paragraph c, item 6, or by corporate act of the church.

ARTICLE IX - MISSIONS
SECTION 1 - MISSIONARY POLICY
It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions engaged principally to evangelize. They shall be known to be in hearty agreement with our doctrinal statement, both in doctrine and practice, and be Baptist in policy.

ARTICLE X AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
SECTION 1 - CHURCH BIBLE SCHOOL
This organization shall be considered as the church studying the Bible. It shall be under the general supervision and control of the church.
SECTION 2 - OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
A. There may be such other organizations as the most efficient prosecution of our object shall demand, but none shall be started without the consent of the church.
B. These organizations shall be self governing but finally subject to the control of the church through its Constitution and voted church policy.
C. All youth organizations must have supervision from the adult membership of the church. Such adults must be in good and active standing on the church membership roll.
SECTION 3 - AUXILIARIES AND TEACHERS
All auxiliary organizations and regular teachers in the Church Bible School must be members of the church in good and regular standing, and all teachers and officers must be in agreement with the Church Covenant, Constitution and Doctrinal Statement.

ARTICLE XI - COMMITTEES THE CHURCH SHALL ELECT AT ITS ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING, OR AT SUCH OTHER TIMES AS IT MAY DESIRE, THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES AND OTHERS AS ARE DEEMED NECESSARY
SECTION 1 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE
A. At least four weeks before the Annual Business Meeting, a nominating committee shall be formed from the men of the church. This committee shall be made up of two (2) deacon trustees appointed by the deacon trustee board, the Bible School Superintendent, and two (2) men elected by the congregation (the latter to be optional with the church).
B. This committee shall place in nomination at the annual Business meeting members of the church which it deems qualified to serve for the ensuing term, the offices that become vacant at the time. The names of such nominees shall be posted two weeks before the annual meeting in a conspicuous place in the church building.
C. It is understood that these nominations do not prohibit nominations from the floor of the annual meeting, or place in an unfavorable light members making such nominations.
D. Those who have been so honored by nomination and election shall stand before the church as a whole and accept the office for which they have been elected to serve both God, and their fellow man.
E. This nominating committee shall function in the same manner through the year to fill vacancies, substituting the word "called" for "Annual" in paragraph b.
SECTION 2 - AUDITING
The Deacon board shall bring in an independent, outside Auditor to audit the books before their term in office expired, at the beginning of each year.
SECTION 4 - PULPIT COMMITTEE
A. The Pulpit committee shall be composed of five men elected by the church, two (2) of which are to be from the deacon board.
B. When a vacancy occurs in the office of pastor it shall be the duty of the pulpit committee to bring before the church suitable candidates for the pastorate and care for the entertainment of candidates while they are on the field.
C. When the committee deems wise it shall present to the church as required in article VI, Section 1, paragraph b, the same. Only one candidate is to be considered at one time. It shall continue this procedure until a pastor is chosen.
D. Should the pulpit committee get bogged down and a pastor has not been called within six (6) months, the church may at its discretion declare the committee defunct and elect a new committee.
E. The chairman of the deacon trustee board shall act as moderator of the church in the absence of a pastor.

ARTICLE XII - ORDINATION AND LICENSING
SECTION 1 - LICENSING
A. When a man in this membership is called to the Gospel Ministry and desires to be licensed, he shall make his desire known to the deacon trustee board. If the board is satisfied concerning his salvation, call to the ministry and consistent Christian living, it shall recommend to the church that a license be granted. The church may act upon this recommendation at any business meeting of the church.
B. The duration of this license shall be for one year from the date of issue but may be renewed annually after a review by the Church. No license granted by this church shall be valid after the licensee removes his membership form this church. A license can be annulled or withdrawn at any time should the church in its judgment have sufficient reason for such action.
SECTION 2 - ORDINATION
A. When, in the judgment of the Pastor and deacon trustee board, a man in this membership is called to the Gospel Ministry, it shall be within the power of the board to recommend to the church that a council, composed of a pastor and two messengers from churches of like faith and practice, be called for the purpose of examining the candidate. This examining council shall be called by the church action only.
B. The examining council shall thoroughly examine all applicants for ordination as to their call to the gospel ministry: ability, Christian experience, reputation, character, doctrinal belief and demonstrated efficiency in Christian service. After hearing the recommendation, the church may proceed at its own discretion as to the ordination and time of such.
C. The following shall not be ordained to the gospel ministry by this church: One who cannot conform to the qualifications of a pastor as set forth in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1 6-9.
D. It shall be within the power of the church to discipline, even to revoke the ordination credentials of any minister ordained by this constitution after an impartial examination conducted in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13. The minister under examination, or (a Christian Brother of his choice) shall have the privilege of appealing his case to the congregation within thirty (30) days after the decision and notification. After which the decision of the Church is final.

ARTICLE XIII - BUSINESS MEETINGS
SECTION 1 - ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETINGS.
A. There shall be an annual business meeting of the church during the first half of January to elect deacon and mission assistants, standing committees and transact other business. In case of any omission in holding the election above, the meeting shall be called and held upon the earliest available date thereafter.
B. There shall be Quarterly Business Meetings of the church. The time to be selected by the board of Deacons. The minutes of the previous meeting shall be read as well as any routine or special business approved between quarters. There shall be a report from the church treasurer and financial secretary as well as a report from the deacon trustees and other committees or groups as requested by the church, and transact other business.
SECTION 2. - SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS
All business meetings of this church, except those held for routine business, shall require for a quorum the presence of at least twenty (20) percent of the members eligible to vote. Eighteen (18) shall be the eligible voting age with the exception of discipline and legal transactions such as real estate transactions and in those events, they must be at least twenty one (21) years of age.
SECTION 3 - DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS
A. Termination of membership shall be by one of the following;
1. By death, automatically;
2. Upon member's written request;
3. Upon notification of joining another church;
4. Through delinquency;
5. Through conduct unbecoming a Christian or breaking covenant with the Church;
6. Out of town members upon failure to communicate with the Church for a period of one year shall automatically be placed on the inactive membership roll.
B. Letters of dismissal may be granted any member in good and regular standing at the request of a particular church of the same faith and order.
C. A member not in good and regular standing or one Desiring to unite with a church not of our faith and order may be given a notice of dismissal. If at all possible, every effort shall be taken to restore such a member in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17.
SECTION 4 - DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
A. The matter of discipline of the membership shall first be brought to the Deacons, and Pastor, but in the case of the disfellowship, final action must be taken by the Church in a special called meeting where only members who are twenty one (21) years of age, or older may attend. All grievances within the membership shall be presented in writing to the Deacon Board and Pastor, to be handled in accordance with Matthew 18:15 - 17.
B. Members failing to support the Church by their attendance within a period of six (6) months without a legitimate reason (such reason to be defined by the Deacons) may be placed on the "inactive membership roll" and so lose their right of franchise. Names continuing on the "inactive membership roll" for another six month (6) may be removed from the church membership in accordance with Matthew 18:15 -17.
SECTION 5 - ORDER OF MEETINGS
A. In the conducting of business should a question of procedure arise, Roberts' Rules of Order shall govern all cases to which they apply. In exceptions, a majority vote shall establish the rule. A suggested order of Business for the annual and quarterly business meetings follows:
1. Reading the approval of minutes of previous meetings.
2. Clerk's report.
3. Report of deacon trustee board.
4. Report of Bible School superintendent.
5. Reports of standing committees (may not be desired at quarterly meetings).
6. Reports of departments of church (may not be desired at quarterly meetings).
7. Election of deacon trustees, other officers, and standing committees for the ensuing year (not applicable to quarterly meetings).
8. Unfinished business.
9. Adjournment.

ARTICLE XIV - DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
SECTION 1 - OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the product of Spirit controlled men, and therefore, is truth without any admixture of error for its matter. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tried. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; and 2 Peter 1:19-21

SECTION 2 - THE TRUE GOD
We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, the maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in offices in the great work of redemption. Exodus 20: 1,2; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11

SECTION 3 - OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world he restrains evil until God's purpose be fulfilled; that he bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. John 14:16,17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 3:5,6; Ephesians 1:13,14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49: Romans 8:14,16,26,27

SECTION 4 - OF THE DEVIL OR SATAN
We believe in the personality of Satan, who was Lucifer, a created angle, and 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. Matthew 4:1-3 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10 Isaiah 14:12-17.

SECTION 5 - OF CREATION
We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by direct creation of God. Genesis 1 & 2; Colossians 1:16 -17; John 1:3

SECTION 6 - OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence, by The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit: but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice, and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. Genesis 3:1-6 Romans 5:10-19 Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32 Genesis 3:24

SECTION 7 - OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost 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. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25 Luke 1:35; John 1:4

SECTION 8 - OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who by the 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, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate and an all sufficient Savior. Ephesians 2:6 Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; John 3:16 Matthew 18:11; Philippians 2:7 Hebrews 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7 Romans 3:25; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 5:21.

SECTION 9 - OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead to trespasses and sin is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; that it proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life. John 3:3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6-7; Acts 16:30-33; II Peter 1:4 Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8; Ephesians 2:5.

SECTION 10 - OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Jesus Christ secured to such as believe in Him is Justification: by grace through faith A That Justification includes the pardon of sin and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to the believer. B that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His righteousness imputed to us. Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11; Zachariah 13:1; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:1, 5:9.

SECTION 11 - OF FAITH AND SALVATION
We believe that repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only requirement for salvation and that water baptism is a believers work of obedience only. Acts 16:31

SECTION 12 - OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by His teachings, and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; that its officers are PASTOR and DEACONS whose qualifications, claims and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Jesus Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and that the one and only superintendent is Jesus 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 of Jesus Christ; that each local church is the soul judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; that on all matters of membership of policy, of government, or discipline, or benevolence, the will of the local church is final. Acts 2:41 - 42 I Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22, 25; Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:17 - 28; I Timothy 3:1 -17; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23-24; Acts 15:13-18.

SECTION 13 - OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior Jesus Christ, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, and that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation. We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He come and should be preceded always by solemn self examination. Acts 8:36, 38, 39; John 3:23; Romans 6:3-5; Matthew 3:16; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11:23-28.

SECTION 14 - OF THE SECURITY OF THE SAINTS
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. Philippians 1: 6; John 19: 28,29; Romans 8: 35 - 39; Jude 1.

SECTION 15 - OF 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 and sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His esteem, while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse, and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. Matthew 3:18; Genesis 18: 23; Romans 6: 17; I John 5:19; Romans 7:6; Romans 6:23; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; Matthew 25: 34-41; John 8: 21.

SECTION 16 - OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society, AND 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 Prince of the Kings of the earth. Romans 13: 17; @ Samuel 23: 3; Exodus 18: 21,22; Acts 32: 5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19; Daniel 3: 17,18.

SECTION 17 - OF THE RESURRECTION, PERSONAL, VISIBLE, PRE MILLENNIAL RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
A. We believe in the bodily Resurrection. Matthew 28: 6,7; Luke 24: 39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:5; Luke 24: 2 - 6
B. The Ascension. Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19;
C. The high Priesthood. Hebrews 8:6; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5: 9, 10.
D. The Second Coming. John 14:3; Acts 1:11; IThessalonians4:16; James 5:8; Hebrews 9:28;
E. The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead. I Thessalonians 4:13 -18; I Corinthians 15:42-44; I Corinthians 15: 51 - 54.
F. The Change of the Living in Christ. I Corinthians 15: 51 - 53; I Thessalonians 4: 13 - 18; Philippians 3: 20 - 21.
G. The throne of David. Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6,7; Acts 2: 29 - 30.
H. The 1000 year Reign of Jesus Christ on earth. I Corinthians 15:25; Isaiah 32:1; Isaiah 11:4,5: Psalms 72:8; Revelation 20:4,6.

ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENTS
This Constitution only may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any Annual, Quarterly, or Called Business Meeting providing that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given from the pulpit, and posted before the church in their regular meeting place for the two (2) Sundays prior to the meeting at which action is desired.

ARTICLE V SECTION 2 THE LORD'S SUPPER:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO READ A.. The Lord's Supper shall be served to the assembled church at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons. Since it is the Lord's Table, none who are Christians shall be barred, but the pastor shall state the Scriptural order each time, which places baptism as a prerequisite to receiving the Lord's Supper, and shall explain the meaning of the ordinance. Acts 2:41 & 42; I Corinthians 11:23-24. Then the Pastor shall take his place with the assembles Church to be served by the Deacons with the rest of the Church. Acts 6:2-3. The Deacons shall serve each other.

ARTICLE VI
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: Delete paragraph two
ARTICLE XI SECTION 1, PARAGRAPH B:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO READ A license can be annulled or withdrawn at any time should the church in its judgement have sufficient reason for such action,
SECTION 2, PARAGRAPH A:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT: To include the word Pastor and Deacon-Trustee Board.