ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose
The name of this organization shall be: Reformata Baptist Church. We are committed to being a Glory of God Centered, Bible saturated, Missions Focused, Holy Spirit empowered body of believers.
ARTICLE II – Mission
Our mission is to teach believers and put into practice what we have learned so that we can go into the community and into the world and share the Gospel with others.
ARTICLE III – BASIC DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
SECTION A. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe in the Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament as verbally inspired by God and inerrant. We believe the 66 books of the Old Testament and the New Testament are God’s complete and sufficient revelation and therefore carry God’s authority for the total well-being of mankind (Psalm 119:97-104; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18 John 5:46-47; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15-16).
SECTION B. GOD
We believe in the only true God (John 17:3), the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). He created all things (Revelation 4:11) and upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He is the God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He (Deuteronomy 32:4) and He shall judge the world (Psalm 9:8). We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Matthew 29:19-20; Acts 4:3-4).
SECTION C. JESUS CHRIST
We believe in the total deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe He is the manifestation of God in the flesh. We believe He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe Him to be true God and true man (John 1:1, 14, 18; John 14:8, 9; I Timothy 3:16).
SECTION D. HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ during this age. He convicts and regenerates the sinner, enabling them to believe on Christ, baptizing the believer into one body of which Christ is the head. He indwells, guides, instructs, fills, comforts, and empowers the believer for godly living and service through individually bestowed spiritual gifts. Reformata Baptist Church does not encourage the use of the ‘sign gifts’. Instead, we choose to emphasize the more excellent way of love and zeal for the more edifying gifts (John 16:8; 13:15; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-12; Romans 8:9-17; 12:4-8; I Corinthians 3:16; 12:4-5, 11-13, 19; Galatians 5:25; Hebrews 4:1-4; II Corinthians 12:12).
SECTION E. MAN
We believe that man, originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, fell from his sinless and happy state when he ate the forbidden fruit. As a result of his disobedience, all are born into this world as sinners, totally depraved and in need of a Savior. (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 1:18, 32).
SECTION F. SALVATION
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice. We believe that all who by faith believe in Him as their personal Savior are justified on the basis of His blood shed on Calvary. They are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become eternally secure as children of God. We believe the Holy Spirit baptizes a person who believes into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation (Romans 8:37-39; II Corinthians 5:21; I Corinthians 12:13).
SECTION G. RESURRECTION
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ, His ascension into heaven, and His present life for us as High Priest and Advocate (Acts 1:3, 9; Hebrews 7:25, 26).
SECTION H. HEAVEN, HELL AND THE RETURN OF CHRIST
We believe in the “blessed hope”: the personal, imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth, to establish His Kingdom’s reign of peace and righteousness. His return has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The saved are raised to eternal, conscious bliss in heaven (Matthew 25:34; John 14:2; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 2:7) the lost are raised to eternal torment in hell in conscious separation from God. (Matthew 8:11; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:49-50; Mark 9:47-48; Luke 12:5; Revelation 21:8).
SECTION I. BAPTISM AND COMMUNION
We believe that Christian baptism is a public declaration of and identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection signified by varying modes of baptism by water. The Lord’s Supper is the commemoration by believers of Christ’s death until He comes and should be preceded by a careful self-examination (Acts 4:13; Romans 6:3-6; I Corinthians 11:20-29).
Reformata Baptist Church does not teach or affirm paedobaptism. However, this is considered a secondary issue and does not exclude from membership those who do.
SECTION J. THE CHURCH
Upon believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, all believers have therefore become part of His body, the church. There is one church universal (invisible), composed of all those who are born again by the Spirit of God. The Scriptures command believers to gather together to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances (baptism and communion), fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world in fulfillment of the command of Christ to make disciples of all believers (Ephesians 5:23; Romans 12:1; Acts 2:42-46; I Corinthians 14:26; Matthew 28:18-20). Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command there is the local expression of the church (visible) – under the watch-care of Elders and other supportive leadership. Its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the one ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ (Ephesians 4:16).
SECTION K. CHRISTIAN LIVING (CONCERNING CONDUCT)
The Bible teaches that all believers are saints, set apart unto God and are thus responsible to live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord (Romans 21:1-2; I Peter 1:14-19; II Timothy 2:19; Titus 2) lest the Word of God be blasphemed (I Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:5). As Christians we should obey the Word of our Lord, seek the things which are above, walk as He walked, and accept as our responsibility the duty and privilege of bearing the Gospel to a lost world (I John 2:3; Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 5:23; Matthew 29:19-20). A victorious and fruitful Christian life is possible only for those who have presented themselves wholly to Christ and walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, which all believers are called to do (Romans 12:1,2; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 6, 7). “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1 “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 “Be not drunk with wine…but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A. NATURE OF MEMBERSHIP
The New Testament clearly indicates that groups of people who were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ identified themselves with and committed themselves to a particular local body. In order to implement the principles of accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the New Testament and practiced in the early churches, Reformata Baptist Church recognizes the need for accountable membership. Membership at Reformata Baptist Church is for all who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and have been baptized.
SECTION B. MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT
The effectiveness of joining together will be determined by the level of the commitment we make. In a society where so few make commitments and fewer still keep them, Reformata Baptist Church is seeking a group of people who are determined to know the joy Christ intended for His body, the church. To this end members of Reformata Baptist Church must be willing to live in submission to the doctrinal statement. Further, they must be willing to abide by the entire membership commitment as found in Appendix A.
SECTION C. QUALIFICATIONS, ADMISSION, AND REMOVAL
The Elders will establish the qualifications and administer the procedure for admission of members to the Church. The Elders may suspend, or remove, any member for cause after conducting an appropriate hearing on the matter. The procedure is as follows.
- Persons who have accepted Christ as their Savior, have been baptized by water, desire to live a consistent Christian life based upon Biblical standards, and who abide by the Constitution and agree fully with the doctrinal standards of this church shall be eligible for membership.
- All applicants for membership shall attend a New Members Class, and meet with 2 or more Elders who will hear their testimony. Recommendations for membership are to be made by the Elders at regular meetings.
- The prospective member’s will then be presented to the church and at that time may give a public testimony before the church if they so choose, and then be placed under the watchcare of the church for a period of 1 month. During this period members will be encouraged to clear up any relational or other difficulties which could hinder ministry among us. This is done in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17 so that both the candidate and the Reformata Baptist Church family will benefit.
- At the end of the 1 month period those who remain as candidates will be welcomed into membership on the next Sunday set aside for that purpose.
- A public profession of faith shall then be made by the prospective members in accordance with Appendix A.
Perspective members of Reformata Baptist Church must affirm one of these three Reformed Confessions of Faith.
- 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (Baptist)
- 1658 Savoy Declaration (Congregationalist)
- 1646 Westminster Confession (Presbyterian)
Although Reformata is (Baptistic) in our foundational structure, the Scriptures do not in any way teach us to draw denominational lines of division between our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. i. e the Regenerate.
The above mentioned confessions do set forth a spectrum of allowable variance on the secondary issues of the faith, such as, and for example, baptism. All of these confessions agree on the doctrine of baptism, in that all agree that baptism itself does not bring about the New Birth.
SECTION D. CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Reformata Baptist Church is a body of Christian believers who hold certain beliefs and standards in common. On occasion, members of the Church may conduct themselves in a manner contrary to the Statement of Faith and unworthy of membership at the Church. It will be a high priority for the Church to restore such persons into conformity with the fellowship as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. However, because of God’s holy nature and the believers’ high calling, Scripture teaches and commands personal and ecclesiastical separation from religious apostasy (II John 7-11; Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10), from all worldly and sinful pleasures, practices, and associations (I John 2:15-17; James 4:4; II Timothy 3:1-5), and from professing believers living in willful disobedience to the Word of God (II Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6, 14, 15; I Corinthians 5). This does not include separation from unbelievers who need the Word of God to penetrate their world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “…note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned and avoid them.” Romans 16:17 “… that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” II Thessalonians 3:6 “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him that he may be ashamed.” II Thessalonians 3:14 Should the need for Biblical discipline arise, any such authority will be entrusted to the Elders; they will have the authority to place individual(s) under church discipline (including suspension of membership if necessary). Members will be deemed inactive and removed from the church membership rolls after a period of 1 year of inactivity from the regular worship of God on the Lord’s Day with the assembling together of the fellow saints of Reformata Baptist Church.
SECTION E. CONGREGATIONAL VOTING
We affirm the teachings found in the London Baptist Confession of Faith chapter 26 section 9, that a Pastor, Elders, Deacons “must be chosen by the collective vote of the church itself.” In the appointment of Pastors, Elders, and Deacons, the congregation will be called upon to vote in an orderly manner at a time so appointed and called, having been given advanced notice.
Voting may only be done by the Head of the Household, and not by each individual member of the church.
Only active members of Reformata Baptist Church who are in good standing may vote.
ARTICLE V – CHURCH GOVERNMENT
SECTION A. TWO CHURCH OFFICES
The Biblical teaching on the subject of two church offices, Elders and Deacons, is found in I Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. Though there are three terms used for the offices of the church, i.e. Pastor, Elder, and Deacon, a careful analysis of these terms indicates that Pastor and Elder are used interchangeably, with the Pastor simply being the ‘ruling’ or leading Elder.
SECTION B. WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Reformata Baptist Church affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of Elder and Deacon and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men (I Timothy 2:12; I Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women can serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.
ARTICLE VI – ELDERS
SECTION A. GENERAL POWERS
The business, legal, and spiritual matters of the Church will be managed by its Elders. All decisions affecting the overall doctrine, direction, and discipline of the church will be the responsibility of the Elders. The Scriptures are clear that the Elder’s responsibility is the spiritual oversight of the congregation. The Elder’s responsibility can be broken down into three main areas:
- Ensuring that the religious worship of the church remains purely biblical through the:
- Teaching and preaching of the word of God.
- Singing of hymns and spiritual songs.
- Administration of the sacraments.
- Ensuring that the direction of the church remains consistent with the church mission as stated in articles I and II.
- Administering in love and humility the Biblical process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20 and Galatians 6:1-4.
SECTION B. STRUCTURE
The Scriptures teach that a plurality of Elders governed individual New Testament churches (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1). The Scripture does not mention any congregations featuring a stand-alone pastor and leader. A plurality of godly Elders, exercising their individual giftedness, squares with the Scripture’s teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors (Proverbs 11:4; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 24:6.). This truth does not eliminate the possibility and likelihood that one or more Elders will stand out from the others as more public in their ministries or more influential in their workings as Elders. All Elders will have equal authority, but not necessarily equal influence. The Pastor will work in cooperation with the Elders to ensure healthy ministry development and strong accountability. An Elders’ meeting may not be held without a majority of the Elders present and the entirety of the Elders informed. The Elders will consist of the Pastor and additional Elders, who will assume responsibility as agreeable and necessary.
SECTION C. NUMBER AND TENURE
The number of Elders serving is to be a minimum of two (2) and may vary from time to time up to fifteen (15) by resolution of the Elders without amendment of these bylaws. In no case will the number of Elders serving be less than two if at all possible. The term of office for Elders is to be consistent with the fiscal year of the Church. When the need arises for additional Elders, a nominee will be recommended by the existing Elders. In keeping with the clear Biblical injunctions regarding authority structures within the church, only men will be considered for the office of Elder. An in-depth interview will ensue to determine if the nominee is Biblically qualified. The congregation will then be reminded of the Biblical requirement for Elders and given 30 days to speak personally with the nominee if they are aware of any disqualifying characteristics. If the matter remains unresolved, the nominee or church member should approach the Elders and request that their name be withdrawn from consideration. After this, any qualified nominee would then be voted upon by the congregation and elected by at least two-thirds vote.
The Office of Elders is to be composed of the following appointed persons:
- The Reformata Baptist Church Pastor automatically serves as an Elder for as long as he remains faithful to the Church and, because of his public presence and responsibility before the congregation, may be considered “first among equals” as a member of the Elders.
- Likewise, an Elder may serve for as long as he remains faithful to the Church and/or steps down from said office.
SECTION D. QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications for the office of an Elder include that each person must be (Titus 1:6-9):
- Above reproach
- Able to teach
- Husband to one wife
- Not addicted to wine
- Temperate
- Not antagonistic
- Prudent
- Uncontentious
- Respectable
- Free from the love of money
- Hospitable
- Manages own household well
- Not a new convert
SECTION E. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL
An individual’s service as an Elder may be discontinued by his own decision or by a consensus decision of the other Elders. A person leaving the Elders would not preclude his service as a future Elder, subject to the regular selection process.
SECTION F. VACANCIES
Any vacancy occurring in the Elders to be filled by reason of any increase in the number of Elders, members, or resignation or termination of an Elder, is to be filled by the Elders as soon as practical in accordance with Section C. Number and Tenure.
SECTION G. COMPENSATION
Elders will not receive any stated salaries for their services as Elders. Nothing herein contained will be construed to preclude any Elder serving the Church in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation for that service. This Section will not preclude the Pastors receiving compensation as pastors, which will be determined by the remaining Elders.
PASTORS
SECTION A. SELECTION
The Elders shall recommend a qualified candidate to the congregation in accordance with Section C. Number and Tenure. Upon acceptance of the call, the Pastor and his wife shall become members of this church.
SECTION B. TERM
The pastor will serve at will for an indefinite period of time. The Pastor is responsible and accountable in the performance of his duties to the Elders.
SECTION C. DUTIES
The responsibility of the Pastor will be to faithfully preach God’s Word and model the priority of discipleship within the church. He will give oversight and direction to all ministry staff and work with the Elders in carrying out the overall mission of Reformata Baptist Church.
SECTION D. QUALIFICATIONS
The qualifications are equivalent to the Biblical qualifications of an Elder.
SECTION E. ADDITIONAL PASTORAL STAFF
Ministry descriptions for the remaining pastoral staff will be established by the Elders in keeping with the giftedness of the individual.
ARTICLE VIII – MINISTRY TEAMS
SECTION A. SPECIAL MINISTRY TEAMS
The Elders will have power to appoint ministry teams for the purpose of conducting certain aspects of church business or ministry not otherwise delegated.
ARTICLE IX – DEACONS
SECTION A. DEACONS
The Bible teaches that Deacons “lead by serving” (Acts 6). The Deacons serve under the authority of the Elders in various capacities within the church.
SECTION B. SELECTION
When the need arises for Deacons, the Elders will recommend a nominee to be suggested by the congregation. Following an independent interview to determine if the nominee is Biblically qualified, the congregation will be reminded of the Biblical requirements for Deacons and given 30 days to speak personally with the nominee if they are aware of any disqualifying characteristics. If the matter remains unresolved, the nominee or church member should approach the Elders and request that their name be withdrawn from consideration. During the review, both the individual and the other Deacons will evaluate his continued service as a Deacon, again considering the Biblical qualifications as well as any personal factors that might affect his service. An individual’s service as a Deacon may be discontinued by his own decision or by the consensus decision of the Elders. Upon their request, the Elders will have the opportunity to participate in the review process. A person leaving the office of Deacon would not preclude his service as a future Deacon, subject to the regular selection process. After this, any qualified nominee would then be voted upon by the congregation and elected by at least a two-thirds vote.
SECTION C. TERM
Since Scripture indicates no fixed term for Deacons, no specific term of office is recommended.
SECTION D. DUTIES
The Deacons, working under the authority of the Elders, will be responsible for the oversight of all financial, benevolent, ordinance, and facility operations of the church.
SECTION E. MEETINGS OF DEACONS
All meetings of the Deacons will be convened with the Elders as called upon to attend.
SECTION G. QUALIFICATIONS FOR DEACONS
The Deacons are to be “able and proved as servants” and should demonstrate the following qualifications (I Timothy 3:8-12):
- Individual of dignity
- Above reproach
- Not double tongued
- First tested as servants
- Not addicted to wine
- Spouses must be faithful
- Dignified
- Temperate
- Not fond of sordid gain
- Holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience
- Husband of one wife
- Manages household well
ARTICLE X – FINANCIAL POLICIES
SECTION A. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Church begins on the first day of January each year.
SECTION B. PROPERTY
The church may receive, accept, buy, own and operate such buildings, real and personal property and equipment as are required or deemed necessary or advantageous in carrying out its purposes as stated in Article I.
SECTION C. DIVISION
In the event the church should divide, from which may the Lord spare us, the property and all funds shall remain with those abiding by this constitution and doctrinal statement who are willing to continue the work for which this church was originally formed.
SECTION D. DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Elders shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, distribute all assets, both real and personal, to an organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, and shall use said assets exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or as the Elders shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the appropriate court of law located in the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
SECTION A.
This constitution may be amended at any regular elder meeting provided written notice is provided to the congregation two weeks prior to the meeting at which the change will be acted upon. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the Elders is required to adopt constitution changes.
SECTION B.
Proposed amendments must be distributed to the membership and posted conspicuously in the church for four Sundays prior to the congregational meeting at which they are to be voted upon.
ARTICLE XII – BY-LAWS
SECTION A.
The secondary rules by which the principles and requirements of this constitution are carried out are known as the by-laws.
SECTION B.
These by-laws may be amended at any regular elders’ meeting provided written notice is provided to the congregation two weeks prior to the meeting at which the change will be acted upon. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the Elders is required to adopt by-law changes.
Appendix A – New Member’s Profession of Faith
Pastor: Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of the Triune God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?
Member: I do.
Pastor: Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
Member: I do.
Pastor: Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice?
Member: I do.
Pastor: Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
Member: I do.
Pastor: Do you promise to support this church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
Member: I do.
Pastor: Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of this church, and promise to study its purity and peace?
Member: I do.
Pastor: Do you covenant this day with the Triune Lord, and with one another in this body, to worship our God, disciple each other in His ways, and outreach to this fallen world, all in accordance with God’s Holy Word?
Member: I do.
Pastor: (To the congregation) Do you covenant this day with the Triune Lord, and with this new member, to worship our God, disciple each other in His ways, and outreach to this fallen world, all in accordance with God’s Holy Word?
Congregation: We do.