|
ARTICLE I
ORGANIZATION
Section 1
Corporation
This organization shall be
the corporate body, known as Tabernacle Baptist Church and
is located in the town of Litchfield, Hillsborough County,
New Hampshire.
Section 2
Purpose
A. The purpose
of this organization shall be to preach and teach the
whole counsel of God's Word, reach sinners with the gospel
of Christ, teach and edify believers that they may grow in
grace, administer the ordinances (Baptism and the Lord's
Supper) of the New Testament church, and spread the gospel
at home and abroad.
B. This church
is organized to operate as a Charitable, Religious and
Educational organization as specified in the IRS Code
Section 501 (c) (3). In an effort to facilitate this
purpose the church may maintain and operate a building or
buildings as the cause shall require including parsonages,
schools, chapels, radio stations, television stations,
rescue missions, print shops day-care centers, camps or
nursing homes.
Section 3
Associations
This organization shall not
affiliate with any group or church which is a member of
the National Council of Churches, World Council of
Churches, National Association of Evangelicals, or any
group that is apostate or interferes with the sovereignty
of this local church.
Section 4
Membership
A.
Granting Membership
Any person professing faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as
evidence of regeneration, having been baptized by
immersion in an independent Baptist church, and accepting
the faith and practice of this church, may be received
into active membership. Active membership shall be
granted upon voice approval of those members present.
B.
Removal for Non-attendance
Any individual not attending
a regular worship service of the church in the preceding
six months will have a visit by the Pastor or their
assigned deacon. Based upon that meeting and a review by
the deacon board that person may be taken off the church
roll.
C.
Non-resident
Any person from this church
who is serving as a missionary or evangelist may be kept
on the active list without voting privileges.
D.
Discipline
Any member of the church may
be disciplined by the church. This is to be done using
the procedure of Matthew 18:15-17 and any other Scripture
which covers a particular problem. There shall be a
discipline committee consisting of the Pastor and the
Board of Deacons. All disciplinary action shall be
initiated through this committee. This committee will
investigate the matter, counsel the member as appropriate,
and, if deemed necessary, make a recommendation for
discipline to the church membership. If the Pastor or a
deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall
not sit as a member of the discipline committee. As in 1
Corinthians 6, no non-member shall be present at any
meeting where disciplinary matters are discussed or voted
upon.
E.
Transfer
If a member wishes to
transfer his/her membership to a church of like faith and
practice, a letter of recommendation shall be sent to the
receiving church upon request.
|
