Constitution of the Crossroads Baptist Church

Section C.  Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; 20:31) and that He is eternal (John 1:1,2).  We believe that when Jesus Christ came to take on the form of man (Philippians 2:6-8) that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23).  We believe that He lived a sinless life (II Corinthians 5:21) and that He provided the necessary atonement, vicariously, for our sins by the "sacrifice of Himself" (Isaiah 53:4-6; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Corinthians 15:3).  And most important, we believe that after He died and was buried that "He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:4).

Section D.  Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is God and indwells every believer (I Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9).  We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement (John 16:8); that He is active in the new birth (John 3: 5,6); that He testifies of Christ (John 15:26); that He seals the believer unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30) and that He makes intercession for believers (Romans 8:26).

We believe that man hinders the Holy Spirit in having all of himself, due to sin. Therefore, it is essential for man to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) or controlled by the Spirit by keeping sin confessed and walking in the light (1 John 1:6,7). Being filled with the Spirit is not the same as speaking in tongues, which we believe ceased, along with the other sign gifts, at the completion of the Word of God (I Corinthians 13:8; 13:10).

Section E.  Satan: We believe that Satan is a real and personal being who is void of truth (John 8:44).  We believe also that he is the god of this world (II Corinthians 4:4) who has blinded the eyes of them which believe not (Acts 26:18) and that he is in constant warfare with Christians (Ephesians 6:11,12).

Section G.  Hell: We believe in a literal hell of everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41), everlasting destruction (II Thessalonians 1:9) and everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46).

Section H.  Heaven: We believe in a literal heaven where Jesus is today preparing a place for His believers (John 14:1,2).  We believe that only those who have received Jesus Christ into their hearts will be able to enter into heaven (Matthew 7:13,14).  At the moment of death, believers will be with Jesus Christ in heaven (II Corinthians 5:8).

Section J.  Salvation: We believe that salvation is of the Lord (Philippians 1:6) on the merit of the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24,26).  Salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 6:23) which excludes any possible merit on the basis of works (Ephesians 2:8,9); II Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5).  We believe that the two essential elements of salvation are repentance toward God (Acts 2:38) and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21; Romans 10:9,10).  We also believe that once a person has been saved that there is no chance of his ever going to hell and that he is eternally secure in Christ (John 3:16,36; I John 5:11-13).

Section K.  Church: We believe that the local church is an organized assembly of baptized believers united to fulfill the Great Commission, i.e., evangelizing, baptizing, and teaching (Matthew 28:19,20).

Section L.  Ordinances: The Church has two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Section M.  The Lord's Second Coming: We believe in the imminent, pre-millennial, pre-tribulational, and bodily (Acts 1:11) return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24: 42,44) at which time the true Church will meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior, having professed our faith, and having been baptized, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

It is our conviction that this local church should operate as an entity that is separate from hierarchy or ruling board. Our governing body is our local congregation. Hence, we maintain an "independent" status. We associate with churches that are "fundamentalist" in conviction. That is, they hold to fundamentals of the Christian faith as outlined in our statement of faith. 

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 Scriptural knowledge and holiness; to regularly attend its three weekly services; to submit to its discipline; and to contribute regularly to the support of its ministries.

We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to bring up or children in the Christian way of life; to seek the salvation of our families and friends; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements; to be exemplary in our manner of living; 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 offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule of our Savior, to secure it without delay; to abstain from the sale and use of all drugs and alcoholic beverages.

We also engage to abstain from and be intolerant of the practice of sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We will not engage in nor condone any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, or pornography as they are sinful perversions of God's gift of intimacy in marriage. We will not engage in nor condone any attempt to alter one's gender by surgery or appearance (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8‑9; Lev. 18:1‑30; Rom. 1: 26‑29; I Cor. 5:1; 6:9; I Thess. 4:1‑8; Heb. 13:4). We will promote and acknowledge the joining of one man and one woman as the only legitimate form of marriage (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22‑23).

We also engage that when we move from this place we will promptly unite with a church of like faith and practice. 

Humbly confessing our sins, we pray for grace and strength to keep this covenant in letter and in spirit to the glory of God.

Section A. Reception of Members:

1. Any person who has received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and has been scripturally baptized, can be voted into the membership of this church.

2. Members from other churches of the same faith and order may be received the same way as number one above, and by letters of recommendation from their respective churches.

Section B. Dismissal of Members:

Section A.  Charges may be brought against any member of this church showing evidence of: violating the Church Covenant, violating the Declaration of Faith, or being guilty of any conduct contrary to the principles and practices of this church. Such charges must be made to the Pastor and Deacons in loving concern. The Pastor and Deacons will then make a thorough investigation and every effort will be made according to the Scripture (Matthew 18:15-17) to restore the individual to fellowship.

Section B.  The church may terminate a person's membership only after effort by the Pastor and Deacons to bring about restoration to Christ has failed, and after a notice and opportunity of a hearing has been given.  Exclusion shall be by a two-thirds vote of active members (18 years old or older) present and voting in a properly called business meeting.

Section C.  Members who choose not to attend any of the services for a period of three months are considered inactive. After being contacted by letter, if the situation continues, they will be automatically dropped from the active roll.

Section D.  A member formally accused is automatically released from any office or position, cannot speak at business meetings except at the hearing, and is deprived of his right to vote.

1. The Pastor(s) shall serve for an indefinite period of time.

2. The qualifications of the Pastors are those given in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

3. It shall be the duty of the Pastors to preach the Word and administer the ordinances, to take and have charge of all services, and to watch over all interests of the church.

4. The Pastor(s) shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and organizations.

5. He shall moderate all congregational meetings of the church.

Section B.  Deacons

Section C. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Pastor and ratified by the Deacons, and shall furnish quarterly and annual reports of all income and disbursements.

Section D.  Clerk: The Church Clerk shall be appointed by the Pastor and shall keep a record of all the business proceedings of the church.

Section A.  Auxiliary groups shall be organized at the discretion of the Pastor.

Section B.  All officers of the church organizations shall be members of Crossroads Baptist Church.

Section C.  The Sunday School:

1. The Sunday School Superintendent shall be appointed by the Pastor.

2. Teachers and officers to serve any option of the year shall be appointed by the Pastor and/or Sunday School Superintendent.

3. All teachers must agree to the church's covenant, and must not teach contrary to the covenant and/or the understood convictions publically expressed by the Pastor.

ARTICLE IX. THE SCRIPTURES

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended or revised by a two-thirds majority vote at any regular business meeting on the recommendation of the Deacons, provided two weeks notice of such proposed revision of amendment is given at five regular services.  However, Articles III, V, and IX are not subject to amendment or revision.

In the event of dissolution of this congregation, none of its assets shall go to or for the benefit of any individual or individuals. All assets will go to a non-profit Christian organization that is in agreement with the church's doctrinal position. The organization shall be selected by the congregation at the time of dissolution.