Church Membership

The Country Baptist Church

9054 Lake Shore Blvd.

Mentor, Ohio 44060

Church Covenant

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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 Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most joyfully enter a covenant with one another, as one body of 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 comfort, to comfort, to promote its prosperity and spirituality; worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to give it a sacred pre-eminence over all institutions of human origins; 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 Gospels through all nations.

 

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions: to religiously 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 intoxicating drinks as a beverage and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our savior.

 

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 and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule 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, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

 

ARTICLES OF FAITH

ARTICLE I

 

1. We believe the Holy Bible from Genesis 1 and 1 to Revelations 22 and 21 as the infallible word of God, written by inspired men as the Spirit of God directed them. We accept the King James Version only as our authority for church doctrine.

2. We believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and is the son of God. We believe that He was crucified, was buried, and rose on the third day. We believe He ascended into Heaven and is now sitting on the right hand of God making intercessions for His church.

3. We believe the Christ will come again to receive the church as His bride, and the both will stand united with God forevermore.

4. We believe that men and women must be born again and be saved.

5. We believe in baptism by immersion.

6. We believe all “born again” body of believers should complete the commandments of God, which is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

7. We believe the church is a “born again” body of believers with Jesus Christ as the head of the church.

8. We believe that those who accept Christ as his Savior receives the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost at the same time. These three are as one and cannot be separated.

9. We believe and practice the two ordinances of the church, being Baptized and the Lord’s Supper.

10. Communion will be held at the discretion of the Church Board and they will have complete authority and control as to age limit, date, open or closed, etc.

11. We believe that marriage is a covenant between a naturally born man and a naturally born woman.

 

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

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1. Members of the church shall be those who have met the following requirements:

• Anyone may be received into the church by accepting Christ as his/her personal Savior and being baptized by immersion.

• Anyone may be received into the church by his or her profession of faith in Jesus Christ and having been previously baptized by immersion.

• Anyone may be received into the church by letter of recommendation from another church. If former church is another denomination, subject must state plainly his/her desire to belong to the Baptist doctrine, and who shall have met with the church and have been approved by them.

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ARTICLE III

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

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1. A member may request a letter of transfer and, upon approval of the church, a letter of transfer shall be sent to the specified Christian church whereupon his/her membership in this church shall be terminated.

2. Membership may be terminated upon said member’s request.

3. The church shall have authority to terminate the membership of any person at it discretion if such church shall determine the member has failed to keep the commandments of God and the church.

4. Upon death of a member, their membership shall be terminated and transferred to Heaven.

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ARTICLE IV

CHURCH BOARD

 

1. The Church Board will consist of five (5) men including the Pastor and trustees. As the Church grows two (2) more men may be added.

2. Members of the Board will be selected by the church membership. Any dismissal of a Board Member must be determined by majority vote of the Board.

3. The Official Church Board shall establish all policies and program for operations of the Church. It will be responsible for Church property but shall have no power to buy, sell, transfer or mortgage any of such property without a vote of 75% of the Church present at a duly constituted meeting called for action to accomplish such purpose.

4. The Board shall be responsible for the financial budget of the church and for the fund raising necessary to operate the Church. All other monies shall be spent only upon prior Church approval.

5. The Board will have the authority to veto any decision made by the Church which they have determined contrary to the betterment of the spiritual growth and prosperity of the Church.

6. This article shall not be amended.

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ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

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1. All officers of the church shall be elected by vote except for the Deacon.

2. Officers of the church are the following:

3. Pastors, Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday school Teachers, Secretary, and Treasurer. As the church grows the number of the officers may increase.

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PASTOR

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1. The Pastor with the assistance of the Deacons shall be held responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Church. He shall seek to enlist men and women as followers of Christ, preach the Gospel, administer the Sacraments, have under his care all services of public worship, assist in the administering of the activities of the church in cooperation with the church Superintendent and other board and committees in the church. The minister shall be call for an indefinite time by a majority vote of the members present at a duly convened meeting of the members. Such voting shall be by secret ballot. The Pastor shall be elected for an unlimited term of service; the relationship to continue so long as there be mutual satisfaction. If the church desires a new Pastor, the present Pastor shall be given a ninety (90) day written notice, signed by the Church Board and having been voted on and passed by 75% vote of the church. If the pastor desires to terminate his relationship to the Church, he should give the Church a thirty (30) day notice of such action from the pulpit. Selection of the new pastor shall be under the direction of the Church Board, which shall call two (2) pastors of sound doctrine for the Church to hear with one (1) to be elected pastor. Each pastor shall deliver no less than three (3) sermons.

ASSISTANT PASTOR

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1. The Pastor shall have complete authority as to the selection and/or the dismissal of the Assistant Pastor. In the absence of the Pastor, the Assistant Pastor will assume the spiritual responsibilities in the continuance of the all church services and/or functions.

 

DEACONS

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1. The Deacon shall be called for an indefinite time by secret ballot.

2. All candidates for Deacon must be a member of the church and will be under surveillance by the Church Board for a minimum of one (1) year. The Board will present the approved candidate before the Church for his acceptance or rejection.

3. It shall be the duty of the Board of Deacons to cooperate with the Pastor in caring for the spiritual life of the Church and the community. The Board shall assist the Pastor in Communion Service and all Church affairs.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

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1. The Sunday School Superintendent under the supervision of the Church shall administer that part of the program of Christian education, which has to do with the Christian school. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the operations of the Christian School and shall determine the school curriculum, test material, and the responsibility for the training and guidance of the Sunday School Teacher.

TEACHERS

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1. The Teachers are under the supervision of the Sunday School Superintendent. Election will be set for a convenient date and time as close as possible to each fiscal year anniversary which is the second Sunday in March.

SECRETARY

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1. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of all proceedings of the meeting of the church members. The Secretary shall keep a register with the addresses of the members of the Church, with dates and modes of their reception and removal; and, a record of baptisms and marriages. The Secretary shall issue letters of transfer under the direction of the church and notify the churches to which they are addressed. The Secretary shall preserve on file all communication and written reports and shall notify all persons elected to offices and committees. The secretary shall give legal notice of all meetings of the   Church when such legal notices are necessary and shall conduct all official correspondence not otherwise provided. The secretary shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by law or an assembly.

TREASURER

 

1. The Treasurer shall be under the direct supervision of the Church Board.

2. The Treasurer shall receive all monies from the collections and contributions to the church.

3. The Treasurer shall deposit such funds in such depository as the official Church Board shall designate.

4. The Treasurer shall pay bills of the Church when properly approved.

5. The Sunday School Treasures report is to be presented to the School Superintendent who will read it aloud weekly between Sunday school and Morning Service.

6. The Treasurer will give the Pastor a financial statement each month itemizing the recording of funds and the disbursement of all church monies.

7. An emergency fund of $100.00 will be available through the Treasurer to any Church Board Member.​

 

BUSINESS MEETINGS

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1. The Country Baptist Church will have annual business meetings. The annual business meeting will be prior to the close of the fiscal year for the election of officers.

2. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting

3. Reading of reports and statements

4. Old business

5. New business

6. The Pastor will be the moderator of all business meetings. In his absence the Assist Pastor will fulfill this duty. In the absence of both, the responsibility will fall on the eldest Deacon of the Church. 

7. Business Meetings will be by verbal announcement from the pulpit for 3 consecutive services prior to the mentioned business meetings. Should an emergency arise, and a business meeting is inevitable, the Church Board shall have the authority to call said meeting.

 

VOTING ELIGIBILITY

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1.  Voting will be limited to a minimum age of eighteen (18) but any married Church member may vote.   

2. Any member who misses six (6) consecutive weeks without just cause would forfeit his/her           right to vote on any given subject brought before the church.

3. Eligibility will be determined by the Church Board.

 

DEFINITIONS

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1. The term “CHURCH” as used in the Constitution, Articles of faith and Regulations, is intended to mean those persons who are members in good standing of the organization, having complies with      the requirements established by Article II above. Ultimate control of the institution resides in the        Church Board.

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AMENDMENTS

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1. The Constitution and Articles of Faith may be amended by favorable vote of three-quarters (75%)        of the Church Members present at a duly constituted meeting called for such purpose, except for 

       Article Four (IV) in its entirety.