I - PREAMBLE

We declare and establish this constitution for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and so that this body may be governed to assure that according to scripture, “all things be done decently and in order” 1 Corinthians 14:40; These principles and articles are set forth as guidelines to assure that and the Church (body of Christ) be exalted with all God’s omni attributes. We accept the whole Bible, the inspired Word of God, as our authoritative rule of faith and practice, to the end that Christ alone rule and be glorified.

II - Church

This body shall be known as Faith Baptist Church, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the Church) located at 2801 Knollwood Drive, Mobile, AL 36693.

III - Purpose

The purpose of this body is to bring people to Jesus with gratitude (Evangelism) in His family and to develop to be Christ like in their character through growth (Discipleship) and to equip them by grace (Fellowship) in the community of Faith through life giving (Ministry) to the world so God can be glorified (Worship).

IV - Objectives

To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.

To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing his person, and responding in obedience to His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership.

To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers.

To reach the unsaved and to help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.

To be a church which ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and the world in Jesus’ name.

To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.

To meet spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs of all the people we can.

V - Articles of Faith

The Scriptures

The Scriptures of the Holy Bible were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.

The True God

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God – an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections – to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence and being.

The Sabbath

We believe that the Sabbath is the Lord’s Day and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all secular and sinful recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for rest that remains for the people of God.

The Church

We believe that a visible church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinance of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus.

The Ordinances

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ. It is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper. The sacred use of bread and wine are symbols of Jesus body and blood used to commemorate together the dying love of Christ – preceded always by solemn self-examination.

The 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 only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the earth.

The Return of The Lord

We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” The time of his coming is not revealed. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for his coming and by diligence in good works, to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.

VI - Church Membership and Admission

This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.

The membership reserves the right to determine the conditions of such membership. Procedures for admission, dismissal, and transfer shall be as provided by the By-laws of the church.

VII - Administration of Church Affairs

The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. Persons duly received by the members shall constitute the membership (as provided by the By-laws of the church).

Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the association, the state convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

The officers of this church shall be the pastor, deacons, trustees and other officers as provided by the by-laws of the church.

The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church. The pastor will lead the congregation, church ministries, and the church staff to perform their tasks.

The church sitting and acting in a duly called and held conference (business meeting) shall be the final authority in all of its affairs. The Board of Directors will assume action if church is in a non-voting capacity or an extreme emergency.

VIII Church Conference

The church conference (business meeting) shall be held at any specifically scheduled and publicized business meeting of the members of the church. The By-laws of the church shall provide for regularly scheduled meetings, publication of the transactions of business, and for the calling of special meetings called for the transaction of special business. The quorum required for the transaction of business shall be as provided in the by-laws of the church.

IX - By-Laws

By-laws of the church may be adopted by a two-thirds secret vote of those present and absentee ballot in a duly called and held conference. The by-laws may be amended or rescinded by the church sitting in conference as provided in the by-laws.

X - Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution may be made at any regular church conference (business meetings) of the church provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at the meeting and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member present. Amendments to the Constitution shall be by two-thirds vote of church members present and voting, and must also be sustained at the next consecutive business meeting, such vote to be by two-thirds majority of those present and/or absentee ballots.

XI - Elections

The church shall hold elections at such time and in such manner as designated in the by-laws.

All officers shall be elected or appointed in accordance with the by-laws of the church. Vacancies shall be filled as provided in the by-laws.

XII - Church Year

As set out in the by-laws, the church year shall extend from the first day of January for a period of twelve (12) months, and each month period thereafter.

XIII - Discharge of Trustees and Officers

Any trustee, active deacon, ministry leader or committee person may be discharged by a two-third (2/3) secret vote of the church sitting in a duly called and held conference for any cause the church deems advisable; provided, however, any trustee, deacon, ministry leader or committee member shall be given an opportunity to defend himself either before or during such conference. Further details may be set out in the by-laws of the church.