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Purposes, Basis, Articles of Faith, and Covenant
Of First Baptist Church of Niles, Ohio (as printed in 2021)
The name of this fellowship of Christian believers is The First Baptist Church of Niles, a corporation not for profit in the State of Ohio.
This church is in fellowship with, but is not subservient to, other Baptistic churches, Christian service organizations or associations and mission boards that are in agreement with the Articles of Faith stated hereinafter.
The church may disaffiliate from any of these organizations if ratified by a 2/3 vote of the church membership present and voting.
To practice and promote the teaching and preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto all the world as instructed in .
To declare and practice in daily living Christian graces toward all mankind. ()
To mutually experience encouragement, challenge and growth in Christian grace by interpersonal fellowship, prayer, praise and study of the scripture. (, , ; )
We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, the complete and final revelation of God's will to mankind, the supreme standard of all faith and life. (; ; ; )
We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons; the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit; co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, each with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature or being. (; ; )
The Father is pure spirit. He is Lord of Heaven and earth and possesses all the attributes of Deity: omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, forgiveness and righteousness. He is holy, just, mercy and love. (; ; ; ; , , ; ; ; )
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, participated with the Father in creation. The Father sent Him to dwell in human form among mankind. He was born of a virgin, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. He taught the good news of God's redeeming love. In the Father's name, He forgave the repentant, then gave Himself as the sacrificial lamb to save from the penalty of sin whomsoever will have accepted His Blood offering for their sin. He was tried illegally, crucified, died, but the third day He arose, bodily, from the grave and fellowshipped forty days with the believers and, finally, ascended into heaven with the promise to come again. (; ; ; ; , , ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; )
The Holy Spirit testifies of and glorifies Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the scriptures, convicts mankind of sin and testifies of righteousness and judgement. He regenerates, baptizes, indwells, and seals the believer. He is the believer's comforter, prayer helper, and enables the saints to understand the scriptures. We believe that the sign/revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit have fulfilled their purposes and are not applicable to the work of the Holy Spirit today. (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; )
God called the world and all things in it into being by the power of His Word, creating it in 6 literal 24 hour days. We believe that God created mankind with a free will in the image and likeness of Himself. Further, we believe that mankind was created physically as male and female to complement one the other in the fulfillment of God's command to “be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth,…and have dominion over…every living thing…upon the earth.” In light of God's creative design, we further believe that the Bible teaches that marriage is the joining of one man and one woman, and that sexual intimacy is to be expressed only within the bonds of a Biblically defined marriage. Any other form of marriage or sexual intimacy is immoral and a perversion of God's gracious will. (, ; , , ; , ; , ; ; ; ; ; )
We believe that mankind in his free will disobeyed God and thereby sinned, incurring spiritual death (which is separation from God) and physical death (which is separation of the body to dust). Consequently, all human individuals have a sinful nature and are sinners in thought, word, and deed. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We further believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of the church. (; ; ; ; ; ; )
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe on Him are justified by faith in His shed blood on the cross, and are saved by grace through faith, wholly apart from human merit and works. (; ; ; ; ; )
We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, and thereby become the children of God. (; , ; ; ; ; ; )
We believe in the reality and personality of Satan. He is a created being of great beauty and power, “the prince of this world, the god of the age and the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” He fell through pride, and will be judged and cast into the lake of fire. (; ; ; ; ; ; ; , )
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, His ascension into heaven, His present life there for us as our High Priest and Advocate and His personal, bodily, visible, premillennial return to establish His Kingdom on earth and to reign as the only potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (; ; ; ; )
We believe that at any moment the rapture of the saved may occur, “when the Lord Himself, shall descend from heaven to catch up His people to meet Him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord”. (; ; )
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead. The saved are to be resurrected to a life of eternal glory and bliss in heaven with God, and the unsaved raised to eternal judgment of conscious suffering and woe in the lake of fire. (; ; ; , ; ; ; ; , ; )
We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to be a personal soul winner and to do his utmost to give the gospel of Christ to the whole world. (; ; , ; ; )
We believe that we are called to be a separated people to abide in Christ, to walk in the Spirit and to enjoy victory over the world, the flesh and the Devil. (; ; ; ; ; )
We believe that there are two ordinances of the church.
We believe that all who have been truly born again by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ are eternally secure. We believe it is the privilege of all such to be assured of their present salvation and eternal security. While the Christian is eternally secure, he is still subject to sin which will break his fellowship with God making confession of sin to Christ a necessity in our daily lives. (; ; ; ; ; ; ; )
We believe the only methods of financing God's Work are tithes and offerings of God's people as set forth in the scriptures. (; ; ; ; )
The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final authority of all that we believe. We believe that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the literal, grammatical, historical interpretation of the Bible and its teachings and, therefore, is binding upon all members of First Baptist Church. We further believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to the Statement of Faith and conduct themselves accordingly.
We believe we have been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, (; ; ) and on the profession of our faith, (; ; ; ) have 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.
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 service; 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 (; )
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to spiritually educate our children (; ; ; ); 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 abstain from the sale and use of illicit drugs and intoxicating beverages and to be zealous in our efforts to promote and encourage Christian living (; ; ).
We further engage 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, courtesy and 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 (; ; ; ).
We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church of like precious faith where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word (; ; ; ).
The qualifiers for membership shall consist of persons:
Who have received and confessed the Lord Jesus Christ, publicly, as their personal Savior and have experienced believers baptism by immersion.
Who are in agreement with the Covenant, Articles of Faith and the governing constitutional provisions of this fellowship.
Persons who qualify as above and persons requesting letters of transmittal from a Baptist Church of like precious faith or persons testifying to Christian experience will be received into membership upon examination and recommendation of the membership committee and approved by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the membership.
Members may be dismissed:
To another Baptist Church of like precious faith by letter of transmittal (requested by the receiving church) following recommendation of the membership committee and approved at any regular or special meeting of the membership.
By periodic review of the membership roster:
Members absent from the regular worship services of First Baptist Church for a period of 6 consecutive months will receive communication (by visit, letter, email or other communication device) to encourage renewed attendance and, if possible, the cause of absence or disinterest. Members absent from the regular worship services of First Baptist Church for 9 consecutive months may be removed from the church membership roster by the membership committee without notice. Membership status may be renewed if the member attends a regular worship service and requests to be re-instated as a member subject to the approval of the membership committee and the Pastor.
By Discipline
Members in willful and flagrant violation of scriptural ethics of Christian character and conduct may be disciplined. This church shall regard as grounds for discipline the following matters:
Propagation of heresy. (; ; )
Causing and abetting discord. ()
Personal slander of the Pastor or fellow members. (; , ; )
Conduct unbecoming a Christian. (; )
The Discipline Committee shall examine each case prayerfully with due regard for extenuating circumstances and shall recommend one of three kinds of action (1) restoration, (2) suspension of church privileges or (3) loss of membership. The accused shall have a right to appear before the committee on discipline with or without witnesses from First Baptist Church and to appear before the church at the time action is taken with or without witnesses from First Baptist Church. A notice period of at least three weeks shall be allowed prior to invoking (2) or (3) above.
All members listed in the membership roster in good standing who are eighteen years of age or over (present at any regular or special meeting of the membership) may vote on any resolution, issue or candidate for office that may be upon the floor for consideration.
Qualifications
Officers (other than indefinite term officers) of this church must be members in good standing for one (1) year and qualify as required for the office.
Scriptural Officers
Pastor (s) shall meet qualifications of and . Deacons: five (5) or more shall comprise the Board of Deacons. Each shall meet the qualifications of .
Other Officers
Trustees, three (3) or more, shall comprise the Board of Trustees. Each shall meet qualifications of .
Sunday School Superintendent and an Assistant Sunday School Superintendent shall meet qualifications of .
Service Officers: Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, Missionary Treasurer, Assistant Missionary Treasurer, Relief (Benevolent) Treasurer and three (3) Auditors. Each shall meet the spirit of the scriptures as set forth in .
Official Board Members: All officers under B and C (1) above plus the clerk, treasurer, financial secretary, missionary treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent (or the assistant to each) shall comprise the Official Board.
The Executive Officer: The Pastor
Terms of Office
Indefinite Terms
a) Pastor (s)
b) Minister of Music
c) Directors of Education/Youth/Visitation, etc.
Three Year Terms
a) Deacons
b) Trustees
N.B. Both offices, a and b, may not be served concurrently by the same individual. Neither officer may serve the office more than three (3) consecutive terms. At least one year must elapse before serving the same office. The terms of office shall be staggered such that the terms of approximately one-third 1/3 of each board shall expire each year.
One Year Terms
a) Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant Sunday School Superintendent.
N.B. Neither may serve the office more than five (5) consecutive terms. At least one year must elapse before serving same office.
b) Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, Missionary Treasurer, Assistant Missionary Treasurer, Relief (Benevolent) Treasurer and Auditors. Each may succeed to the same office.
The Pastor
In addition to the Biblical and historical duties of the pastor, he shall function as the executive officer of the church, and attend all regular and special business meetings of the membership and its boards.
He may attend the meetings of all committees as an ex-officio officer.
The Pastor shall supervise and direct all persons and functions funded by the church budget.
The Pastor shall preach and teach from the entire Word of God.
He shall be an example of Godliness to the church and community. To the best of his ability, he shall visit the sick, infirm and distressed of the membership.
He shall endeavor to promote the spirit of unity and Christian fellowship by being a Pastor to the entire church membership.
He shall promote the evangelistic and missionary outreach of the church.
He shall not be negligently absent from any of the services of the church or the duties of his office.
He shall not be affiliated with any modernistic ecumenical movement or organization. (; ; ; )
He shall chair all meetings of the membership
Assistant to the Pastor, or Assistant Pastor (if authorized)
This office shall have similar duties as the Office of Pastor or as particular to the assignment as directed by the Pastor pursuant to the Board of Deacons concurrence.
Minister of Music, Christian Education Director, Youth Director, etc. (if authorized)
These officers shall serve purposes as defined by the Board of Deacons under the direction and supervision of the Pastor.
Board of Deacons
1. Organization
a) The Board of Deacons shall organize with offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary by Tuesday following the third Sunday of January.
b) The Board shall establish not less than ten (10) regular meetings per year.
c) Special meetings for routine business may be called by the Chairman or Pastor to follow any worship service. Three members may call a special meeting with a signed petition to each Board member on one week prior notice and stating the business to be considered at the meeting.
d) A quorum shall consist of a majority of the elected members present.
2. Duties of Deacons
a) Spiritual oversight of the church
b) Serve as the Membership Committee and Discipline Committee.
c) Consult with the Pastor (s) concerning requested absences.
d) Prepare and serve communion.
e) Consult with the Pastor on his duties and responsibilities, and assist the Pastor whenever possible.
f) Appoint the Committees under Article VII and the chairman of each committee as required subject to ratification by the membership.
g) Responsible for the church secretarial services.
h) Responsible for Baptismal Services.
i) Authorize payment amount for guest speakers, pulpit supply, secretary substitute and church literature.
j) Report summary of business transacted to membership at each quarterly business meeting.
k) The Chairman of the Board of Deacons will act as chairman of all regular and special meetings of the congregation in the absence of the pastor.
l) Approval of all church literature.
m) Authorize use of physical facilities for worship-related services on recommendation of Pastor.
Board of Trustees
1. Organization
a) The Board of Trustees shall organize with the offices of Chairman, Vice-chairman and Secretary by Wednesday following the third Sunday of January.
b) The Board shall establish not less than ten (10) regular meeting dates per year.
c) Special meetings for routine business may be called by the Chairman or Pastor to follow any worship service. Two members may call a special meeting with a signed petition to each member on one week prior notice stating the business to be considered at the meeting.
d) A quorum shall consist of a majority of the elected members present.
2. Duties of Trustees
a) Care and upkeep of vehicles, equipment items, buildings, premises and appertenances thereto.
b) Legal representatives of the corporation.
c) Maintain an adequate insurance program (buildings, vehicles, liability).
d) Guarantors of the mortgage.
e) Custodian of the deeds, contracts, plans, specification, etc.
f) Responsible for janitorial services.
g) Authorize use of physical facilities, other than for worship services, on recommendation of Pastor.
h) Approve expenditures for budgeted items of physical operation and capital improvements.
i) The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will act as Chairman of all regular and special meetings of the membership in the absence of the pastor and the chairman of the board of Deacons.
j) Report summary of business transacted to membership at each quarterly business meeting.
k) The trustees are prohibited from authorizing the use of any of the physical facilities of the church for any activity that is not in agreement with the Covenant or Statement of Faith of the First Baptist Church of Niles.
Official Board
1. Organization
a) The Official Board shall organize with offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary who is the church clerk by Thursday immediately following the third Sunday of January.
b) The Board shall establish at least quarterly meetings for the week prior to each quarterly business meeting of the membership of the church.
c) Special meetings for routine business may be called by the Pastor or chairman to follow any worship service. Five members may call a special meeting with a signed petition to each member on one week prior notice stating the business to be considered.
d) A quorum will consist of a majority of the members present but with representation from the Deacons, Trustees and annually-elected officers.
2. Duties of the Official Board
a) The Board shall receive reports from the Pastor, Deacons, Trustees and Treasurer. Members may present proposals for the Board to consider and/or refer to other boards/committees or the membership.
b) Recommend to the membership the annual budget. Any departure from the approved budget for an expenditure in excess of $500 must be approved by the membership.
c) Authorize the record keeping systems for the clerk, financial secretary, church treasurer, missionary treasurer and relief treasurer.
d) Designate depositories for church funds annually.
e) Designate the assignment for use of special offering monies.
f) Designate a legal consultant for the church annually.
g) Report a summary of business transacted to the membership at each quarterly business meeting.
Duties
1. Church Clerk
a) Serve as secretary of the Official Board.
b) Serve as secretary at all business meetings of the membership and keep an accurate record thereof.
c) Keep a register of all church members together with their current addresses, the date of their reception and removal and the date of their baptism if baptized in this church.
d) Have charge of communications with respect to membership.
e) Member of membership committee.
2. Church Treasurer
a) Custodian of all funds received from the financial secretary with an accurate recording of same.
b) Disburse monies upon authorization by bank check
c) Report account activities and current balances to Official Board members monthly and to the church membership at each Quarterly Business Meeting.
d) Have books closed for audit at the end of the church year.
3. Assistant Church Treasurer
a) Function with or for the church treasurer as requested or as necessary.
4. Financial Secretary
a) Keep an accurate record of all monies received through the regular and special offerings and incidental gifts to the church.
b) Order and distribute offering envelopes to the membership and others desiring same.
c) Provide annual statements of giving to members and others contributing to the support of the church.
d) Transfer all money received to the church treasurer and report amount of variously designated funds.
5. Assistant Financial Secretary
Function with or for the financial secretary as requested or as necessary.
6. Sunday School Superintendent
a) Exercise leadership of the Sunday School Department with responsibility to the Board of Deacons.
b) Submit an annual budget for the Sunday School operation to the Budget Committee.
c) Appoint clerical workers, department heads and teachers with Board of Deacons approval.
d) Report summary of status of the Sunday School to the Official Board or Board of Deacons as requested and to the membership at the Quarterly Business Meeting
7. Assistant Sunday School Superintendent
a) Function with or for the Sunday School Superintendent as requested or as necessary.
8. Missionary Treasurer
a) Custodian of all funds received from the church treasurer with an accurate record of same.
b) Disburse monies upon authorization by bank check.
c) Report status of missionary funds to the Missionary Committee as required
d) Report summary of account activities to the Official Board or Board of Deacons as requested and to the church membership at each Quarterly Business Meeting.
9. Assistant Missionary Treasurer
a) Function with or for the missionary treasurer as requested or as necessary.
10. Relief (Benevolent) Fund Treasurer
a) Custodian of all monies received for the relief of the membership with an accurate recording of same.
b) Disburse monies as directed by the Relief (Benevolent) Committee.
c) Report status of relief funds as totals only to the Official Board as required and to the membership at the Quarterly Business Meetings.
11. Auditors
a) Examine the record books of each of the treasurers (Church, relief, missionary) and the financial secretary at the end of church year for accuracy and completeness.
b) Recommend to the respective treasurers and to the Official Board improvements that may be worthy of consideration.
c) Submit a report of findings from the audit examination to the membership at the annual meeting.
No elected or appointed officer shall have a conflict of interest on fiscal matters with another officer.
Conflict of interest shall be considered to be members of the same or related households.
Indefinite Term Officers ( Pastor, Ass't Pastor, Directors )
Resignation(s) shall be announced by the respective officer at a Sunday morning worship service. The Official Board will recommend action on the resignation at an announced subsequent meeting of the membership. A majority vote of the members present and voting will be required to accept the resignation.
Resignations of Three Year Term or Annually Elected officers.
Resignations may be submitted in writing by the officer to the Official Board. The Official Board shall recommend appropriate action to the membership at a subsequent business Meeting.
Removal from this geographic area or consistently negligent absence shall be considered as a resignation.
The board of Deacons may recommend for just Biblical cause the dismissal of an Indefinite Term Officer. Should such recommendation be made to the membership at a specially called Sunday business meeting, a two - thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present and voting shall be required to approve the recommendation.
The Official Board may recommend for just Biblical cause dismissal of any Three Term officer. Should such recommendation be made to the membership at any business meeting, a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present and voting shall be required to approve the recommendation.
The nominating committee shall present one nominee for each office to be elected. The nominees shall have consented to serve the office if elected.
The report of the nominating committee shall be published in the Church Bulletin at least two weeks before the Annual Meeting and a listing posted in a conspicuous place in the church at the same time.
Suggestions from the congregation for the nomination committee to consider must be submitted no later than the one week prior to the Annual Meeting.
Voting for contested offices shall be by secret ballot.
Candidates for office must receive a majority vote of the membership present and voting to be declared elected to office. Should a nomination not receive a majority vote, the position shall be treated as a vacancy (see Section 2A).
Should vacancies occur in office, the nominating committee shall present one nominee (consenting) for each office to be filled. Such nominations should be presented to the membership within three weeks of the vacancy occurrence.
Suggestions from the congregation for the nomination committee to consider must be submitted one week prior to the meeting.
Voting for contested offices shall be by secret ballot.
Candidates for office must receive a majority vote of the membership present and voting to be declared elected to office. Should a nomination not receive a majority vote, the position shall be treated as a vacancy (see Section 2A).
Nominating
1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of: the Pastor, two Deacons elected by the Board of Deacons, one Trustee elected by the Board of Trustees, one member appointed by the Pastor and two members elected by the membership at the third Quarterly Business Meeting. The members of the committee shall not include the policy - making (Deacons and Trustees) officers eligible for re-election.
2. The committee shall organize at the call of the Pastor (or chairman of Board of Deacons if no Pastor) and have selected a slate of nominees for posting at least two weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
3. The committee shall serve the need of the membership for nominees until the next third Quarterly Business Meeting.
Missionary
1. The Missionary Committee shall consist of: Missionary Treasurer, Asst. Missionary Treasurer, Presidents of the local church missionary fellowships and three members of the church at large appointed by the Board of Deacon.
2. The committee shall promote, supervise and correlate the missionary activities of the church.
3. The committee shall draw up the annual missionary budget of the church subject to the approval of the Board of Deacons.
4. The committee shall direct disbursement of the missionary funds in compliance with the missionary budget.
Music
1. The Music Committee shall consist of: the chorister (minister of music), the accompanists, the president of the choir and two deacons.
2. The committee shall be responsible for the music ministry of the church.
Ushers
1. The Ushers Committee shall consist of a chairman and assistants selected by the chairman and accepted by the Board of Deacons.
2. The ushers shall greet and seat worshippers, serve in the collection of tithes and offerings, assist in maintaining decorum and reverence and manage emergencies that may develop during worship services.
Welcome
1. The Welcome Committee shall consist of a chairman and assistants selected by the chairman and accepted by the Board of Deacons.
2. The committee shall greet worshipers, distribute bulletins and attempt to create a spirit of friendliness at each worship service.
3. The committee shall attempt to inform the pastor of those persons in attendance who may be recognized.
Relief (Benevolent)
1. The Relief Committee shall consist of two deacons, one trustee and the Relief Treasurer.
2. The committee shall be alert to the need for material aid among the membership and others who may attend regularly.
3. All aid shall be in confidence.
Social
1. The Social Committee shall consist of at least three members.
2. The committee shall be responsible for arranging the food service and table decorations at social functions for the entire membership and attending guests.
Christian Service and Flower
1. The Christian Service and Flower Committee shall consist of at least three members.
2. The committee shall arrange to serve the membership at the time of death in a member's immediate family as necessary with the preparation of meals and the provision of food.
3. The committee shall have the responsibility of sending flowers at the time of death of a member of the church or one of the immediate family (father, mother, husband, wife or child).
4. The committee shall obtain and arrange the floral decorations for special occasions as deemed proper.
Christian Education
1. The Christian Education Committee shall consist of one deacon, one trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, and One representative each from Children's Church and youth clubs.
2. The committee shall have the responsibility for recommending programs and materials for the educational programs of the church.
Budget Committee
1. The Budget Committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Official Board, Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Financial Secretary, Church Treasurer and two persons from the Membership elected at large at the third quarterly business meeting.
2. The committee shall post the proposed annual budget at least two Sundays prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
Membership Committee
1. The Membership Committee shall consist of the Board of Deacons and the Church Clerk.
2. The committee, on the basis of the candidate's personal testimony and report, shall make appropriate recommendation for membership, persons who have been baptized by immersion.
3. The committee shall review the Membership Roster annually and make appropriate recommendations to the membership with respect to deletion of inactive members' names.
4. The committee shall make appropriate recommendations to the membership with respect to letters of transmittal to/from Baptist churches of like precious faith.
Discipline Committee
1. The Discipline Committee shall consist of the Board of Deacons.
2. The Committee shall, first, try to affect restoration and, as a last resort, to recommend deletion as under Article IV, Section 3, A, 3.
Pulpit
1. The Pulpit Committee shall consist of the Board of Deacons, one Trustee elected by the Board of Trustees and one member at large elected by the membership.
2. The committee shall investigate candidates to serve the office of Pastor(s) as the office may be vacant and invite candidates to fill the pulpit as supplies or candidates.
3. The committee shall arrange for the membership to meet and interview or interact with a candidate before voting on a candidate.
4. The committee shall arrange for membership voting on a candidate on the Sunday morning following the candidate's visit to the fill the pulpit. The candidate shall be called by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the church members present and voting that Sunday morning.
Other Special Need Committees
The membership may establish ad hoc committees to service particular need as it deems necessary
The regular services of the church shall be Sunday morning and the evening worship, Sunday School and Mid-week prayer meeting.
Routine Business (viz., the receiving and dismissal of members and the appointment of delegates and committee members) may be transacted at any regular service or quarterly business meeting.
Calling or dismissal of Indefinite Term Officers shall be considered at the Sunday Morning regular service.
Special services for evangelization, revival, recognition, mission promotion, commemoration, and fellowship may be initiated by the various boards.
The Annual Business Meeting of the membership shall follow the close of the church fiscal year, December 31, on the second Sunday Evening service of January. Newly elected officers shall assume office one week following the annual meeting.
All officers shall remain in office until successors are elected.
The Quarterly Business Meetings shall be held the third Sunday Evening of April, July and October. If the third Sunday is a holiday then the meeting will be the following Sunday Evening.
Special Meetings
1. Special meetings may be called by the Official Board to consider any matter of business on one Sunday's prior notice printed in the church bulletin. Such meetings shall be during a regular service.
2. Special meetings may be called by the Pastor to consider routine business only by announcement.
3. Special meetings may be called by petition to the Official Board signed by twelve (12) or more members and stating the business to be considered. The Official Board must call a special meeting within two (2) weeks of the receipt of the petition.
A quorum shall consist of twenty five (25) eligible voting members.
First Baptist Church of Niles filed with the Secretary of State, the State of Ohio, for a charter of incorporation on the tenth (10th) day of November, A.D. 1919, #88590.
The purpose of this corporation is to maintain a church organization with the authority, duties, and privileges incidental to a local Baptist church with its own constitution.
The authority to acquire, control, retain, sell, lease, or mortgage property shall rest solely in the hands of First Baptist Church of Niles.
The term "Property" shall be understood to include all land, buildings, portable furniture and equipment, bonds, bequests, money on deposit in banks, or invested, etc. It shall, likewise, include all physical assets acquired by the church subsequent to incorporation. Extensive improvements, transfer, lease, or sale of church property shall be in violation of this constitution except when authorized by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting at a business meeting of the church called for such action after due publicity in the form of Sunday announcements.
Dissolution
Should the church cease to function as a local church corporation, or elects to dissolve, its property as described above, shall after all legal obligations are met, be divided equally among the mission boards whose missionaries the church supports.
The Order of business in all meetings of the membership, its Boards and Committees shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order
This constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of the membership by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been given to the membership at least one month prior.
This constitution, Articles of Faith and Covenant of the First Baptist Church of Niles, Ohio, supersede and replace all previously adopted Constitution, Articles of Faith and Covenants.
This Constitution, Articles of Faith and Covenant have been adopted on January 14, 2015 and take effect on January 15, 2015.