ARTICLE I Name
The name of this church is MILE STRAIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH
ARTICLE II Foundation, Object and Priorities
1. The foundation of this Church is the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3:11), and its code of guidance in all its affairs, the Word of God, and this Church does here affirm its faith that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of Almighty God (Mark 13:31).
2. The object of this Church shall be to worship God according to the teaching of His Word, to practice the precepts and examples of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament, to sustain its ordinances and doctrines and to preach and propagate among all peoples the Gospel of Salvation which is by personal faith on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
3. The priorities of ministry of this Church flow from the vision of God's glory revealed in Jesus Christ. As such, our purpose is to glorify God by reaching the lost for Christ and equipping believers for the work of ministry.
CHURCH COVENANT
1. Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, 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.
2. 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; 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.
3. We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith; 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 deportment, to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to seek God's help in abstaining from all drugs, food, drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another's faith.
4. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another 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 Savior to secure it without delay.
5. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, if possible, unite with a church where we can carry out the articles of this confession and the spirit of this covenant.
ARTICLE III Membership
The membership of this Church shall consist of persons who confess faith on the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior, who give evidence of regeneration by a living consistent with their profession and with the views of faith, doctrine and practice of this Church, who have been baptized by immersion and who have been received into its membership according to the By-Laws of this Church.
ARTICLE IV Leadership and Organization
1. Under the authority of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Congregation of the Church is the final authority within this local Church. This authority is normally exercised through the election of officers to govern the Church. However, the vote of the membership of this Church at a properly called meeting, as provided in the By-Laws, shall be required to effect the following actions:
a. Elect officers of the Church;
b. Discipline members by dismissing them and discipline officers by removing them from office;
c. Approve annual budgets of the Church and any transactions regarding real property;
d. Accept, reject, or otherwise dispose of any matter submitted to the membership of the Church by the Pastors or Deacons;
e. Adopt, amend, or repeal the Constitution or By-Laws of this church;
f. Approve the call of Vocational Pastors.
2. The offices of the Church shall be Pastor and Deacon. The purpose of the officers of the Church is to lovingly govern, care for, and equip the membership to do the work of the ministry.
3. The leadership of the Church shall be vested in the Pastors who are responsible for governing the Church, teaching the Word and tending the flock of God in this Church.
4. Deacons shall assist the Pastors by performing services of advice, administration and implementation.
ARTICLE V The Church Property
1. In the event of a division of this Church, from which may God in His mercy save us, the property of this Church shall belong to that group of such division as represents the largest portion of the Church membership before recognizing a division therein provided such group is loyal to this constitution; otherwise it shall belong to the group remaining loyal to this constitution though it may not be the largest group in such division.
2. Should a condition arise at any time in the future when for any reason, the Church work cannot continue, the Church property shall be transferred to an organization determined by a two-thirds vote of the membership.
3. Should conditions arise where a consolidation with another church of the same denomination be advisable, the Pastors and Deacons shall be authorized by the Church to negotiate the terms of such consolidation in so far as the property of this Church is concerned.
ARTICLE VI Revisions, Additions and Amendments
1. Changes in the constitution may be made at any regular business meeting of Mile Straight Baptist Church provided that notice of the proposed change or amendment be given from the pulpit on at least two Sundays preceding the change or amendment. Amendments to the constitution of Mile Straight Baptist Church can only be accomplished by a two-thirds majority vote of active members present.
2. Article II (1) and VI (2) of this constitution shall not be repealed, amended nor revised.
