ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this church shall be the Living Hope Baptist Church of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this non-profit organization is the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, the administration of the ordinances of the New Testament, the spiritual improvement of its members in accordance with the Scriptures, and the spread of the message of Christ to its community and in all the earth, trusting that as the result, sinners shall be saved and believers shall be edified. All ministries of this church including preaching and teaching orally, by literature, tape, other media, family seminars and conferences, education, counseling and pastoral training, youth, and recreation, support of missionaries and training institutions are a part of, under the jurisdiction of, and must fulfill the purpose of this church.
ARTICLE III. DOCTRINE
The doctrine of the church shall be that expressed in the Confession of Faith.
ARTICLE IV. ASSOCIATION OR AFFILIATION
Living Hope Baptist Church is an independent Baptist Church. However, we recognize the blessings and privileges of fellowship with other local bodies of believers of like faith and practice. If at any time the church shall deem it advisable to join a fellowship of churches with like faith, it may do so by a majority vote of all members present (see Article XI Section C on absentee voting) and voting providing the intention of such vote is announced at a previous business meeting and one Sunday morning service prior to the vote. If the church shall deem it advisable to withdraw from a fellowship then the same procedure shall be followed as outlined above in joining a fellowship.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
A. Admission of Members
Any person who professes faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, gives evidence of a change of heart and of having adopted the views of faith and practice held by this church, may, upon recommendation of the elders, be baptized and received by a majority vote of the church into the membership. Persons who have been already immersed as a testimony of their faith in Christ's redeeming work and who adopt the views of faith and practice of this church, may, upon recommendation of the elders, be received upon majority vote of the church.
In any case, it shall be required of one seeking membership that he shall meet with the elders to relate his or her personal testimony before recommendation for membership. It shall be permissible for each elder to bring his wife should the applicant be female. If the applicant is a member of another church, a letter shall be sent to that church informing them of the member's decision to unite with this church. It shall also be required that each person desiring membership shall attend:
Membership Class
Baptism Class (for those being baptized)
Be welcomed into the church body (majority vote as indicated above)
B. Associate Membership
1. Associate membership may be granted to temporary residents who retain membership in a church of like faith and practice, such as students, teachers, retirees, military personnel, missionaries, etc. who are living in our area for only part of the year. They will be received in the same manner as regular members (See A above). As associate members they will come under the watch care of the church while residing in the area.
2. Associate membership will be granted to those under the age of eighteen (18) years. Upon turning eighteen (18) the associate member will be granted full membership after meeting with the elders for recommendation to the church.
3. An associate member shall not be entitled to hold any office or vote in church matters.
C. Duties of Members
The duties of members are set forth in general terms in the church Confession of Faith.
Membership in a local church as expressed in the New Testament is deeply significant. Our Lord Jesus Christ deserves the very best use of the gifts He has entrusted to us. All happenings of life work for the express purpose of making us more like Christ in our daily lives as we already are on the account books of heaven. Members, therefore, are expected to be growing in the likeness of the character qualities of Christ in thought, attitude, speech, and action, and abstaining from all appearance of evil in word and deed. Members shall be expected to lovingly respect and cooperate with the elders and officers of the church for the advancement of the work and to faithfully attend the services of the church. Likewise, they are expected to agree with and abide by the Confession of Faith, Constitution and by-laws of the church.
D. Dismissal of Members
Letters of dismissal may be granted any member in good and regular standing. Such letters must be addressed to some particular church of the same faith and order and sent to the pastor or clerk of the church and are thereby removed from our rolls.
Members desiring to unite with a church not of our faith and order but fundamental in faith and practice, may be given a certificate of Christian character and standing to date, and are thereby removed from our rolls.
Special exceptions are sometimes granted on a case-by-case basis. This may include a senior saint who has moved to another area and is no longer able to attend or to children whose parents no longer attend our services and are thereby removed form our rolls.
Members absenting themselves from the regular services of the church for a period of one year shall have automatically excluded themselves from membership in this church. Exceptions to this rule shall apply in cases of illness or infirmity, missionary and Christian service, absence due to military service, and temporary employment not involving a permanent relocation. Such exceptions shall be granted by the elders.
E. Discipline and Suspension of Members
1. Discipline Committee
The elders shall constitute the discipline committee of the church and have sole charge in determining covenant violations and discipline
2. Restoration or Discipline of Members
(a) Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another (1 John 3:16; John 13:34, 35). When a member becomes knowledgeable of an offense of the magnitude to hinder spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go alone to the offending party only after self-examination and rectification (Matthew 7:3) always in a spirit of humility and with a goal of restoration (Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians 6:1). As specified in our covenant, each member is to endeavor to make reconciliation quickly (Matthew 5:23-25a; Ephesians 4:29-32).
(b) If reconciliation is not reached, a second member, usually an elder, is to accompany after following the same procedure of self-examination and in a spirit of humility and restoration.
(c) If still unresolved, the elders, as elected representatives biblically responsible for the care of the flock, must hear the matter. If the matter remains unresolved, they must recommend to the church prayerful examination of our own lives, then prayerful effort to restore the offending member, and if still unresolved, the exclusion of such members who refuse to be restored.
No matter or offense may be heard unless previous biblical steps have been followed, except in the case of a public offense, such as Galatians 2:11-15.
No information concerning parties not under discussion may be heard.
No member may be excluded where there is genuine fruit of repentance evidenced.
When the unrepentant offending party is excluded from the membership and the Lord's table, all relationship with him from that point is only for the purpose of restoration (except for family members) (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians. 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:15). The entire church body should recognize a responsibility to "say the same thing" in loving effort to restore the offending one and to maintain the church's testimony and harmony.
The elders are directed to move promptly in the safeguard of the purity and peace of the church when anyone is obstructing the work in any way.
ARTICLE VI. BUSINESS
A. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this church shall be from January 1 through December 31
B. Annual Report
Annual reports will be made available to the congregation through print and or electronic media.
C. Church Business
With the exception of those items mentioned in this constitution requiring a majority vote by the members, church business shall be conducted by the duly elected elders of the church. The Elders shall apply biblical principles and pray earnestly while believing in the guidance of the Holy Spirit to seek a unanimous decision among themselves before proceeding to recommend any action to the church body.
Business meetings may be called at the discretion of the elders. Such meetings shall have previous announcement the Sunday before the date of the meeting.
The clerk and treasurer shall report to the church on a quarterly basis through print and electronic media.
D. Moderator
The Teaching Pastor / Elder shall serve as moderator except when he shall deem advisable to appoint one or when the church is without a Teaching Pastor / Elder, the elders shall elect a moderator.
E. Participation
Only members may participate in any business meeting.
F. Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all cases to which they apply. In exceptions, a majority may establish a rule.
ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS & OTHER OFFICES
A. Teaching Pastor / Elder
The Teaching Pastor / Elder shall be elected at a special or regular meeting of the church (See Article XI Section C on Absentee Voting). Public notice of such action shall have been given from the pulpit one week immediately preceding the date of the meeting, and majority vote of the ballots cast shall be necessary for his election. Only one candidate for Teaching Pastor / Elder may be considered at a time.
The Teaching Pastor / Elder shall continue in office until he resigns, or until the relationship is severed by a majority vote of the members (See article XI section C) at a special meeting called for that purpose in the following manner: the question of severing the pastoral relation may be considered at any regular or special business meeting by the elders or presentation to the elders of a written request for such action, signed by not less than 20% of the members, providing public notice of such meeting for such action shall have been given no less than one week before such meeting, and a majority of the ballots cast shall decide the question. If the Teaching pastoral relationship is severed, four weeks severance shall be given and the elders shall decide who shall fill the pulpit during those four weeks.
In absence of the Teaching Pastor / Elder the elders shall serve as a pulpit committee, and shall elect a moderator for the church.
The Teaching Pastor / Elder shall take oversight willingly, and shall by example, by teaching, and by organization seek to equip the saints for work of ministry as prescribed in Ephesians 4:11-16. He shall be a member of all boards and committees. By his choice, he may not be in attendance.
B. Church Staff Elders
When the services of vocational or non-vocational elders other than the Teaching Pastor / Elder are needed, the members shall hear a recommendation from the elders and may authorize the position and or salary by a majority vote. The elders shall recommend to the church the person to serve as a vocational or non-vocational elder in the position created. Upon the recommendation of the elders, the staff member may be called at a special or regular meeting of the church. Public notice of such meeting shall be given one week prior to the vote and a majority of the ballots cast are necessary for a call. Only one candidate may be considered at a time. Loyalty to the church and its leadership is expected. Each staff member shall understand that continuance of his ministry is subject to the other elders and the following of the guidelines set forth in Article VIII Section A Number 2.
C. Elder Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7 ; Titus 1:5-9)
Praying and studying Scripture – Acts 6:4
Ruling and Leading the church – 1 Tim. 5:17
Managing the church – 1 Tim. 3:4-5
Caring for people in the church – 1 Pet. 5:2-5
Giving account to God for the church – Heb. 13:17
Living exemplary lives – Heb. 13:7
Rightly using the authority God has given them – Acts 20:28
Teaching the Bible correctly – Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2
Preaching – 1 Tim. 5:17
Praying for the sick – James 5:13-15
Teaching sound doctrine and refuting false teaching Titus 1:9
Working hard – 1 Thess. 5:12
Rightly using money and power – 1 Peter. 5:1-3
Protecting the church from false teachers – Acts 20:17-31
Disciplining unrepentant Christians – Matthew 18:15-17
Obeying the secular laws as the legal ruling body of a corporation – Rom. 13:1-7
Developing other leaders and teachers – Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:1-2
D. Deacons
1. Calling of Deacons
Believing that Deacons are called of God for ministry within the local body, this church shall seek to prayerfully recognize those men whom God has called to serve in this capacity. These men shall be brought before the church body by a recommendation from the elders and upon receiving a majority vote of the church by the members at a scheduled meeting, announced one week before the vote, shall serve as a Deacon for life, provided he does not disqualify himself spiritually, (see qualifications), or voluntarily step down. The congregation is encouraged to look for men who are qualified and to make their observations known to the elders. Elders shall evaluate these names and prayerfully consider their eligibility as a deacon. Elders may submit a name or names to the congregation at any time.
2. Deacon Qualifications
Qualifications for Deacons are found in 1 Timothy 3:8-10,12
Reverent: worthy of respect, without any character defect, holy
Not double tongued: sincere, heartfelt, earnest, honest, authentic
Not given to much wine: Without addictions, self controlled
Not greedy for money: Not a lover of money, financially content and upright
Holding the mystery of faith with a pure conscience: Sound biblical theology held with deep conviction
Tested: Proven worthy over time; blameless
Husband of one wife: a one-woman man, sexually pure
Manages his children and household well: Godly husband and father who leads, manages, and provides for his family
Summary: “From these qualifications, we can infer that deacons will generally be handling church money, managing church ministries, and meeting mercy needs, and that they will be privy to the most intimate details of people’s lives. The duties of deacons vary according to the needs of the local church.”
3. Ballots
Elections shall be by ballot and decided by a majority vote after one week notice of such a vote.
4. Elected Deacons are trustees of the corporation.
5. Elected Deacons shall elect from their number a chairman and secretary.
The Teaching Pastor / Elder may serve as moderator of the deacons as he desires. These two positions are to be elected each January, within the body of Deacons at the beginning of the fiscal year of the church. Though permissible, these two positions need not be the same person each year.
6. Elected Deacons shall minister alongside and assist the elders in leading the church in whatever areas are needed within this local body of believers.
E. Other Offices (and their basic job descriptions)
Clerk
The clerk shall be elected annually by the elders, and upon a majority vote of the members, shall keep an accurate record of all church proceedings, sign letters and communications done by the authority of the church, keep a record of the membership showing last known address and date and manner of admission or removal; safeguard all such records and make them available to the elders; and give reports of minutes of church meetings.
Treasurer
A treasurer shall be chosen annually by the elders, and upon a majority vote of the members, shall:
(a) recommend to the elders for their approval those who shall receive, count, and deposit funds. He or she shall supervise their work and all bookkeeping records, and the paying of orders and bills approved by the budget, special church action, or special action of the deacons. No member of the pastoral staff /elders shall be able to sign checks or access money from any account held by the church. This shall be the duty of the Treasurer and at his recommendation members of the elected deacons. Two names (signers) shall be required for the signing of checks, for any business transaction.
(b) Render a current report at regular elders / deacons' meetings and on a quarterly and annual basis for the clerk's records.
Financial Secretary
A financial secretary shall be elected annually by the elders, and upon a majority vote of the members shall:
(a) keep accurate records of giving and provide receipts for income tax records.
(b) assist in counting of monies.
(c) handle information discreetly.
ARTICLE VIII. SERVICE STAFF POSITIONS
Upon creation of service staff positions (Secretarial, custodial, etc..), applicants will be hired by, directly responsible to, and terminated by the elders. Attempts should be made to notify all members of job openings before anyone is recommended. Qualified members of the congregation may submit an application for any open service staff position. Members shall be notified of such positions before the general public is notified.
ARTICLE IX. FINANCES
A. Finance Committee
The elders, church treasurer, and deacons shall correlate estimates of expenditures from various ministries of the church. The committee shall present a proposed budget to the members for approval.
B. Financing
All contributions given for the day to day operation of the church shall be free-will offerings. Envelopes shall be furnished so that a record can be kept and a statement issued for income tax purposes. For reasons stated herein, there will be no means of raising funds for the day to day operations except by giving. No funds shall be contributed to the church through the sale of any article of merchandise for profit by any organization under the jurisdiction of the church with the exception of such books, literature, and tapes which have for their sole object the dissemination of the fundamentals of the faith. Sale of such books, etc., shall have been approved by the elders. The sale of tickets for any church function shall only be for the cost of financing the same. The raising of money for special activities such as camp, mission trips, and the like shall be reviewed and granted or denied by the elders..
ARTICLE X. REGULATIONS
A. Church Agencies
All organizations and agencies of this church are considered to be responsible to and under the general direction of the church. No organization shall engage in any practice or policy contrary to the position and purpose of this church as stated in the Confession of Faith and Constitution.
B. Eligibility of Leaders
All teachers, sponsors, and officers of organizations shall be members of this church who are in agreement with the Confession of Faith, Covenant, and Constitution, and with evidence by their life a maturity in their walk with Christ.
C. Absentee Voting
Absentee ballots may be requested by members for any vote requiring advance membership notification. Absentee ballots may be signed out from the church office. These ballots must be returned in a signed envelope and be received in the church office or by those conducting the election prior to the vote.
ARTICLE XI. RECOMMENDATIONS
Any recommendation or suggestion considered of special interest to the church shall first be brought to the elders for consideration before being presented to the membership. The elders shall prayerfully consider the recommendation to be sure it is consistent with the purpose of the church. Determining God’s will in the matter shall be of the primary importance.
ARTICLE XII. BUYING, SELLING, MORTGAGING
The officers of this church shall not buy, sell or mortgage property without authorization by a vote at a meeting which has been previously advertised for that purpose no less than one week prior to the vote. A majority vote of the members (Refer to Article X1 Section C Absentee voting) shall be required to carry out such action.
ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION OF CORPORATION
In the event a decision is made to dissolve this corporation known as The Living Hope Baptist Church of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, provision shall be made by majority vote of the members of the church, previous to dissolution of the corporation, to assign all properties to one or more like minded, non-profit organizations, such as churches, missions, schools or associations. None of the assets shall be given to any individual.
ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting (including absentee ballots as in Article XI Section C) providing that notice of the constitutional change shall have been given from the pulpit for one Sunday prior to the vote and the amendment shall have been presented to the church after having been presented to the elders for consideration.
ARTICLE XV. ADOPTION
This constitution was adopted by the Living Hope Baptist Church of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, September, 2011. This constitution amends any previous constitution.
ADDENDUM TO CONSTITUTION
Adopted by the Congregation of Living Hope Baptist Church
January 27, 2016
Policy on Marriage and Human Sexuality
Introduction
This is a policy statement on the beliefs of Living Hope Baptist Church regarding religious beliefs concerning marriage and human sexuality and our policies based upon the necessary application of our faith to life and practice.
What We Believe About Marriage and Human Sexuality
We believe, based on the teaching of the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments, that marriage is an institution ordained by God from the foundation of the world, and intended as a lifelong union of one man and one woman. This idea is supported by the account of creation in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Genesis 1:26-28 provides that God created man in His own image, both male and female. The passage implies that a unity of one man and one woman is in some way necessary to fully represent the image of God in mankind.
Genesis chapter 2 provides a more detailed account in which God created the first man, Adam, and decided that it was not good for him to be alone. (Genesis 2:18). God indicated that He would make “a suitable helper for him.” God brought all of the animals to Adam, but none of them was a suitable helper for him, so God then created Eve, the first woman, from part of Adam himself. God did not create a second man to be Adam’s helpmate, or an assortment of multiple women, but rather one woman. Together they were man and wife and had “no shame” or sin in their union with each other. (Genesis 2:15-25).
Jesus Christ reaffirmed the teaching of the Old Testament when He said, as recorded in Matthew 19:4-6, “Haven’t you read, he replied, that at the beginning the creator made them male and female and said for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
The Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 5:22-32 that marriage is not merely a human institution, but is a special divine metaphor that is supposed to illustrate the union of Christ and the church. For this reason also, only a union between a man and a woman can be a proper marriage because a union between two men, two women, or one man and multiple women or any collection of people could not properly illustrate the relationship between Christ and His church.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 condemns a variety of lifestyles including those associated with adultery, prostitution, and homosexuality. The Bible condemns all forms of sexual immorality and encourages Christians to flee from it because of its destructive effects, and because the body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16 & 6:12-20).
Romans 1:18-32 makes it clear that it is not only sinful to engage in homosexual unions, but also to approve of such sins in others or encourage their practice. As a result, in order to maintain our consistent Christian witness, we cannot sanction, approve, or promote in any way adultery, fornication (a sexual relationship between an unmarried man and woman; i.e. “living together”), pornography, pedophilia, polyamory, polygamy, bestiality, or homosexual unions. This is made clear also by countless other verses throughout the Old Testament as well as by these and other passages in the New Testament.
Our church follows what the Bible reveals as the "sure foundation" of the teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles (Matthew 7:24-29 and 1 Corinthians 14:37). The church is called to teach and practice these teachings and is not at liberty to depart from them for a different authority if it is to authentically bear the name "Christian." Though we strive to live peaceably with all people and to obey legitimate government authority, in instances involving matters as foundational as marriage we must ultimately obey God rather than man if the two come into conflict (Acts 4:18-22).
Sexual activities outside of marriage, including but not limited to fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality, pedophilia, polyamory and bestiality are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the church. Lewd conduct, transgender behavior, and the creation or distribution or viewing of pornography are incompatible with God’s intention.
Our Faith Based Policy on Marriage and Human Sexuality
As a result of these above described religious beliefs and our belief in the need for a practice of fidelity to these beliefs, it is our policy that the facilities of this church may not be used for any ceremony that in any way approves of, solemnizes, supports or allows a same-sex union or a polygamist or any union which, in the judgment of the Elders, in some way constitutes child abuse. These facilities shall not be used for any ceremony by a member or non-member who have submitted themselves to a gender change from what was biologically determined through conception and birth by God’s design. It is also the policy of the church that no pastor or member of the church staff shall officiate at any ceremony designed to solemnize, promote, create, or approve of such a union mentioned above. Nor may any member of the church enter into such a union without being subject to church discipline.
A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of marriage found in this Policy Statement.
Living Hope Baptist Church Policy Regarding Sexuality
Recognizing that we all struggle with sin, Living Hope Baptist Church will provide an environment that welcomes people who struggle with sexual sin. We will seek to love all people in Jesus’ name, pointing them towards Christ’s power to forgive and heal. While the Bible teaches that those who engage in sexual sin, sin against their own body we also recognize that sexual sin is not characterized in Scripture as being more severe than other forms of sin. We will seek God to discern ways that we can directly and indirectly minister and share God’s love with those who struggle with every kind of sin. We also recognize that there is a difference between temptation and behavior and while temptation is sometimes unavoidable we are responsible for our behavior.
Church Practices Derived from This Policy
Clergy
Ordained clergy or licensed ministers employed by the church shall affirm the statement of faith on marriage and human sexuality adopted by this church.
Only ordained or duly licensed clergy approved by this church shall officiate at marriage ceremonies conducted on church property.
Clergy employed by the church shall be subject to dismissal and/or loss of ordination for violating this statement of faith on marriage and human sexuality or by officiating at a marriage ceremony that violates the letter or the spirit of this policy.
Applicants for weddings performed by church staff:
Applicants wishing to have a ceremony performed by a member of the clergy employed or clergy or judiciary approved by the church or to use the church facilities for their wedding shall affirm the statement of faith regarding marriage and human sexuality and shall conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith.
Applicants shall participate in premarital counseling by clergy or counselors employed by this church or other persons who, in the sole opinion of the pastoral staff of the church have the appropriate training, experience, and spiritual understanding to provide such counseling. All pastoral staff, counselors or other persons providing premarital counseling shall affirm the statement of faith of this church on marriage and human sexuality.
Use of Facilities:
Any marriage performed on church premises shall be officiated by an ordained or duly licensed member of the clergy. Any officiant not employed by Living Hope Baptist Church shall serve at the discretion of the Elders.
Clergy officiating marriage ceremonies on church premises, whether or not employed by the church, shall affirm their agreement with the statement of faith on marriage and human sexuality adopted by this church and conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith.
Clergy and staff assigned by the church to implement the procedures contained in this Marriage Policy may, in his or her discretion, decline to provide church facilities for, and/or decline to officiate at a ceremony when in his or her judgment, there are significant concerns that one or both of the applicants may not be qualified to enter into the sacred bond of marriage for theological, doctrinal, moral or legal reasons.
Membership, Leadership and Staff:
Every minister, board member, or employee, hired by the church shall affirm their agreement with Living Hope’s statement on marriage and human sexuality and conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith.
The Elders will be asked to affirm their agreement with this policy on marriage and human sexuality and shall conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent therewith.
Church leaders, teachers and members are expected to teach and live In a manner that is consistent with this policy.
