CHURCH CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
So that things may be done decently and in order in accordance with the accepted tenets of other churches of like precious faith, and that we may more readily help each other in our Christian service, we declare and establish this to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
ARTICLE I
NAME, PURPOSE
SECTION 1 - NAME
The name of this body shall be Michael Memorial Baptist Church, Inc., of Gulfport. Its registered office address is 15053 John Clark Road, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503.
SECTION 2 - PURPOSE
The purpose of this Church shall be to carry out the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ; to promote Christian fellowship and discipleship among its members; and to foster and maintain public worship.
ARTICLE II
STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT
SECTION 1 - STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Church subscribes to the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on June 14, 2000.
(A) The Personality of Satan
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and, that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25-41; Rev. 20:10).
(B) Creation
We believe that God created the universe in a six literal, 24 hour period. (Genesis 1-2; Ex. 20:11).
(C) Civil Government
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2) the church; and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13; 1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).
(D) Human Sexuality
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God's gift of sex (Gen. 2:24; Gen 19:5, 13; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6-9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).
(E) Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 2015-18; Luke 1:44).
(F) Missions
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20).
(G) Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We believe that Christians should use scripture found in 1 Cor. as guidelines (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
(H) Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God's wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe once it has been made (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17).
SECTION 2 - AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members.
SECTION 3 - COVENANT
The Church subscribes to the following Church Covenant:
We the members of Michael Memorial Baptist Church, having been called by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, having publicly expressed our profession of faith, and having been scripturally baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We covenant, 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 promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of its ministries, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all the nations.
We covenant to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly into the world in scriptural morality and uprightness; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to shun gossip and unrightous anger; to abstain from the sale and use of any intoxicants; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Gospel of our Savior.
We covenant with 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 sacrificially serve one another; to be slow to take offense, and always ready for reconciliation; and to exercise, when necessary, our scriptural responsibility in church discipline with Christian love to protect the purity of Christ’s church, and to submit to the authority of the church in all these matters.
We further covenant that, when we move from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with another church where we may carry out the spirit of this Covenant and the principles of God's Word.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1
The membership of this Church shall be comprised of persons who have given evidence of regeneration by publicly professing Christ as their Lord and Savior, who have been scripturally baptized by immersion, who have signed the application subscribing to the Covenant and the Constitution of this Church, and who have been received by vote of the Church.
SECTION 2
Members may be received upon public profession of faith in Jesus Christ the Lord as Savior; by transfer of membership from another church of like faith and order; and by statement satisfactory to the church to the effect that they have previously been members of a church of like faith and order.
Membership in this church may be applied for under the following circumstances:
A - Public profession of faith in Jesus Christ the Lord as personal Savior and Lord followed by Scriptural Baptism by immersion.
B - Presentation of, or request for a letter from another Baptist Church of like faith and doctrine that indicates a previous personal experience as in Section 2, Paragraph A above and current membership in that church.
C - Statement of personal Christian experience, regardless of denomination, which complies with Section 2, Paragraph A, and affirmed by interview with a Pastor, minister, or their designee.
D - Request for restoration of membership after being removed from the membership of the church. If the applicant was removed because of previous church discipline, restoration of membership will only follow investigation and approval of the Administrative Board, or a duly appointed Committee of the deacon body, who are charged to determine if repentance and turning from sin have occurred.
All requests for membership shall be made to a Pastor, minister, or Deacon. Upon making such a request, the person shall be given an application for membership, along with a copy of the Statement of Faith, a copy of the Church Covenant, and a copy of the Bylaws. Under circumstances as described in Section 2, Paragraph D, above, the application will be handled as therein described. Under all other circumstances, a Pastor, minister, Deacon, or a designee of a minister shall interview each applicant. Each applicant shall, in writing, affirm and give assent to the Statement of Faith, Church Covenant, and By-Laws.
The applicant for membership may be presented to the congregation for their affirmation at the conclusion of any regularly scheduled service, at the discretion of the interviewer. However, membership is not granted until such time as there has been both the public acceptance of the applicant by the congregation at a regularly scheduled worship service, and there is on file in the church office a signed affirmation consenting to the Statement of Faith, Covenant, and By-Laws of this assembly.
The requirement for an applicant to present themselves to the congregation may be waived when the candidate is hindered by sickness or service in the armed forces and all other requirements have been met. Under such circumstances, the applicant will be presented for congregational affirmation in absentia.
In the event that the individual requesting membership is under the voting age as specified elsewhere in the Church By-Laws, the requirement of signing an affirmation consenting to the Statement of Faith, covenant, and By-Laws of this assembly will be waived until such time as the individual reaches the age for voting on church matters in business meetings.
When the individual reaches the specified age of voting, a signed affirmation statement will be required as specified above prior to any participation of the member in any business meeting, or exercising any of the other rights of Church membership. Should one (1) year pass without a signed affirmation being presented to the church, this will be regarded as voluntary termination by the individual member.
If, upon review of an applicant, the interviewer determines that the applicant does not confess Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, or that there is a lack of evidence of a godly lifestyle, membership shall be denied. This decision shall be reviewed by the Administrative Board, but the decision made by the Board shall be final.
SECTION 3
Termination of Membership
Membership in Michael Memorial Baptist Church is a privilege with responsibilities. Therefore, the church may terminate the membership standing of any person in the church under the following conditions:
A - By death.
B - By transfer of letter to another Baptist church of like faith and doctrine upon written request from that church - to be acted on by the church office.
C - By a church member uniting with a church of different faith and doctrine - to be acted on by the church office.
D - By a member not attending any regular worship service or Sunday School of this church for a period of one
(1) year or more, excepting illness or physical incapacity, and after attempt has been made by regular postal service to notify the member of pending dismissal. A period of no less than ninety (90) days shall intervene between notification and dismissal. A notice of dismissal shall also be sent by regular postal service.
E - By a member becoming an offense to the church and the good name of Jesus Christ by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct as defined by the scriptures and policies of this church, or by persistent breach of the Church Covenant, By-Laws, or Statement of Faith, or by nonsupport of the church, but only after due process of church discipline as described in Article III of the Church By-Laws.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND DUTIES
SECTION 1
The primary officers of this church shall be the Pastor, Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees. The duties of these officers shall be those common to the office, in accordance with the Scriptures, and as specifically outlined in the Personnel Job Descriptions.
SECTION 2
The officers of the church shall include a Sunday School Director, a Discipleship Training Director, a Brotherhood Director, a Woman's Ministry Director, an Awana Director, and such other teachers and workers as may be necessary to promote a well rounded program for the church.
SECTION 3
Election of all officers shall be in accordance with this Constitution and Bylaws.
SECTION 4
All officers and teachers shall be resident members of this church for at least one year (Any exceptions will come under the advisement of the Pastor and Deacons).
SECTION 5
The staff officers of the church shall include the Pastor, Associate Pastor/Administrator, Minister of Music, Minister of Students, and any other ministers that the church may add. They shall serve on the Church Council.
SECTION 6
The Church Council shall be made up of those officers of the church listed in Article IV-Section 2, The Staff Officers listed in Article IV-Section 5, and any others as appointed by the Council.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1
Standing committees deemed necessary to carry on church business shall be elected to such terms as the church shall designate. The names of those to serve on the committees shall be brought before the church by the Nominating Committee in a regular business meeting. If required, additional committees may be established and elected to serve for the time necessary to accomplish their purpose.
SECTION 2
When the church is without a Pastor, a Pulpit Committee consisting of seven (7) members and two (2) alternates shall be nominated by the Deacons and presented to the church for election. This committee shall consist of at least two (2) Deacons and two (2) women.
SECTION 3
All committees, officers, teachers, and workers are elected by the church to serve the best interests of the whole church. Their authority extends only as far as granted by the church. No committee or individual shall make any ruling or initiate any action purporting to be binding upon the membership without the approval of the church in conference. Each committee shall have a job description approved by the church.
SECTION 4
The Pastor or his designee shall be considered an ex-officio member of each committee. He shall be Chairman of the Church Council, which shall be composed of the following members; the Sunday School Director, the Discipleship Training Director, the Brotherhood Director, the Woman's Ministry Director, the Chairman of the Deacons, the Awana Commander, the Adult Director, the Children's Director, the Pre-school Director, the Staff Ministers, and other Staff Members as the Church Council shall from time to time deem necessary.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
SECTION 1
Regular business meetings shall be held once a month. Business meetings shall follow a general structure of Robert's Rules of Order. Business meetings will be conducted from an Agenda.(See attachment A). Any new business will have to be submitted in writing and signed to validate. This shall be turned into the office by the 1st of the month, to be added to the Agenda for the following business meeting. Those members present at a regular business meeting shall constitute a quorum. Those eligible to vote must be at least 18 years of age. A majority vote is defined as any number greater than one half (1/2) of the votes cast. Members must be present in the business meeting to vote.
SECTION 2
Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor, the Chairman of Deacons or by request of not less than five percent (5%) of the resident church members. No special business meeting shall be considered official unless it has been announced in two (2) regular services of the church before the date of the special meeting, in the church newsletter, or by letter to each church family, stating clearly the purpose of the meeting. Those members present at a special business meeting shall constitute a quorum (those eligible to vote must be at least 18 years of age), and a majority of the votes cast shall govern, as provided in this Constitution and Bylaws. Members must be present in the business meeting to vote.
SECTION 3
The Lord's Supper shall be observed bi-monthly, rotating between morning and evening services or more often if deemed appropriate by the Pastor, Deacon body or church body.
SECTION 4
The Pastor or Church Administrator shall act as church moderator at all business meetings. In their absence the Chairman of Deacons or a Parliamentarian Elect shall act in that capacity. A Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the Pastor.
ARTICLE VII
AFFILIATION WITH OTHER BODIES
SECTION 1
Michael Memorial Baptist Church, Inc. of Gulfport, Mississippi shall maintain a posture of friendly and active cooperation with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Baptist Association, the Mississippi Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention for mutual help and benefit and for the propagation of the gospel.
ARTICLE VIII
ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1
This Constitution supersedes all other rules, regulations, charters and articles of incorporation or re-incorporation previously adopted by this Church.
SECTION 2
This Constitution may be amended by the following procedure:
a) Amendments to the Constitution must be presented in writing and signed to validate
to the church in a regular or special business meeting at least four (4) weeks prior to
voting on them.
b) Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of
the total votes cast. Members must be present in the business meeting to vote.
IX
DIRECTORS
The Directors of this Corporation shall be the Church Trustees. Their election shall be as provided in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of Michael Memorial Baptist Church, Inc. of Gulfport, Mississippi, all assets will be transferred to the Mississippi Baptist Convention.
ARTICLE XI
ADOPTION
This corporation accepts and adopts the provisions of Section 79-11-137 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, the Mississippi Non for Profit Corporation Act.
