BY-LAWS OF CORNER BROOK BAPTIST CHURCH

INTRODUCTION

These By-Laws are made pursuant to the Constitution of Corner Brook Baptist, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador (hereinafter referred to as the “Church”) and are intended as a guide to assist in the overall ministry of the Church.

1.BAPTIST BELIEFS

The Church adheres to the Baptist Distinctives of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. (See Appendix A)

2. CONGREGATIONAL AFFILIATION

The Church will be a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Baptist Association, the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, and affiliated with the Canadian Baptist Ministries Inc., the Baptist World Alliance or successor bodies. This involvement in these organizations may include but not be limited to:

Giving financial support.
Sending delegates to meetings.
Cooperating with processes, policies, and protocols such as: Association Licensing to Minister, Credentialing for Ordination, Regulations Concerning the Ministry, and Pension and Insurances.
Encouraging Church members to be active as volunteers.
Providing expertise and resources.
Promoting events and activities in the Church and community.

3. MISSION

The Church shall have a Mission Statement that complies with the Purpose in Article 2 of the Constitution and is approved by the Congregation.

4. WORSHIP SERVICES AND SMALL GROUPS

The Church shall meet for worship regularly on Sundays. The Lord's Supper shall normally be observed monthly. When a Pastor is not present, a member appointed by the Pastor or Board may preside.

Meetings for Bible study or small groups may be held under the leadership of such persons as approved by the Pastor or Board.

5. CHURCH YEAR

The Church financial year shall be January 1 to December 31.

6. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

Persons who have met the qualifications for membership, as specified in Article 6 of the Constitution, may be welcomed into membership. New members will be admitted after meeting with the Senior Pastor and at least one Board member or designate, to discuss their faith, their personal testimony and commitment to Jesus as Saviour and Lord , and:

Attending a membership class held by the Church, and
Signing the Membership Covenant, and
Following any one of:
1. Believer’s Baptism, as defined in Article 6.3 of the Constitution, or
2. The Church receiving a letter of transfer from another church affiliated with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, or
3. Through recognition of Believer’s Baptism from another church of like Christian faith and order, and
Following a majority vote at a duly called business meeting, and
Public welcome into fellowship during a worship service.

7. MEMBERSHIP RECORDS

A record of all Members of the Church shall be maintained and kept up to date by the Board. The Board shall review and update the membership at least annually to address additions (By-Law 6), removal (By-Law 9) or changes in status between voting and non-voting (By-Law 8).

8. MEMBERS VOTING RESPONSIBILITIES

Members who are unable to attend Church Business meetings, either in person or online, but who wish to retain their membership may be deemed as inactive and placed on the Non-Voting Member category. This category shall include both non-resident members who have moved away from our geographic area as well as local members who for physical, emotional, mental, or other reasons are unable to regularly participate in person and attend business meetings.
Members may be designated as Non-Voting by either:
1. Responding to a contact from the Church and declaring their intentions to stay connected as a Non-Voting Member.
2. A decision of the Board based upon a history of reoccurring non-attendance at corporate worship services, the inability to attend business meetings, or failure to respond to a reasonable and recorded contact from the church to declare their intentions regarding membership.
3. Members may be restored to Voting status by declaring their intention to participate as a Voting Member. This intention must be communicated verbally or in writing to a Board member at least two weeks before a business meeting in order to be able to vote in that meeting.
4. Members who are below the age of 16 shall be temporarily placed in the Non-Voting category until such time that they reach the age of 16 when they will change to Voting Members.

9. REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership may be discontinued in the following circumstances:

Death of member.
A member may request, in writing, to cease to be a member of the Church.
A member may request a letter of transfer to another church affiliated with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada or a denomination partner of the Canadian Baptist Ministries family. A letter of recommendation may given to a non-affiliated church on behalf of a member in good standing.
A member who has not attended Church events for a period of one year or more, who has not supported the church financially, and who has not responded to contacts from the Church to confirm their intentions to return to active membership or to transfer membership may have their name presented to the Board for removal. Before the Board strikes the name, there will be at least two reasonable and recorded attempts to contact and confirm continued membership. The decisions of the Board in this matter will be communicated through the membership list as presented in the Annual Report for final approval by the church.
In the case of serious and unrepentant moral failure, membership may be removed. This will be done by a motion of the Board but only after all steps have been followed in the Peacemaking, Church Discipline, and Restoration Policy.

10. RESTORATION OF FORMER MEMBERS

Members who have been previously removed for any reason may be restored to membership by following the procedure in By-Law 6.

11. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Church is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, and is accountable to Christ.
The membership of the Church, under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, has ultimate authority in determining and approving the affairs of the Church.
The Board, as referenced in Article 8 of the Constitution, is accountable to the membership. The Board is responsible for all issues of governance, leadership and management of the Church, and other responsibilities as outlined in these By-Laws. The Board is responsible for the oversight and direction of the Senior Pastor. The Board will develop policies and a set of Guiding Principles (see By-Law 12.17), which define the priorities, the operational boundaries, and the organizational accountability of the Senior Pastor.
There will be a Senior Pastor of the Church. The Senior Pastor will be directly accountable to the Board, and is responsible for the spiritual life and leadership of the Church through inspiring the Board, directing the staff, and shepherding the congregation.
There will be other ministerial / pastoral and administrative staff, including paid and unpaid, who will oversee specific ministries and management responsibilities of the Church. Staff members are accountable to the Senior Pastor either directly, or through a supervisory staff person. The staff are responsible for building and serving on ministry teams to help accomplish the goals and objectives assigned.
The congregation (members and adherents) will serve on ministry teams under the direction of a staff person.

12. THE BOARD

The Board will be elected by the Church membership and will have accountability to the congregation for governance and finances.
The Board, on behalf of the Church Membership, will hold the Senior Pastor accountable for carrying out the Purpose of the Church as defined in Article 2 of the Constitution and for acting within the Guiding Principles (By-law 11.3).
The Board will provide support to the Senior Pastor, providing a forum for the Senior Pastor to seek guidance and direction in spiritual matters, and in providing advice, counselling, or other assistance to the Pastor at the Pastor’s request.
The Board members will be the corporate directors of the Church, being accountable to the Church membership.
The Board will be made up of 3 to 7 elected persons drawn from the membership of the Church. In addition, the Senior Pastor will be a member of the Board.
Board members must meet the qualifications of the Newfoundland and Labrador Corporations Act. A person shall be disqualified for serving as a Board member if they:
1. are less than 19 years of age;
2. are mentally incompetent and have been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere;
3. have the status of a bankrupt.
Board members must meet the requirements for deacons as exemplified in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The individual should have a mature, active and growing relationship with Jesus as Saviour and Lord, regularly practice spiritual disciplines and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as exemplified in Galatians 5:22-23.
The Board shall be comprised such that:
1. no paid staff member (other than the Senior Pastor) shall be permitted to be a member of the Board;
2. no two members of the Board shall be related to each other while at the same time residing in the same household;
3. there is no grouping of more than 2 members of the Board who are related to each other; in this context, ‘related’ persons include grandparents, parents, siblings, children, spouse, and siblings of a spouse); and
4. there is no grouping of 50% or more of the Board members who are members of the same extended family (in this context ‘extended family’ includes grandparents, parents, siblings, children, spouses, grandparents of a spouse, parents of a spouse, siblings of a spouse, spouse of a child, and spouse of a grandchild).
In the event that there is a relationship or staffing change that gives rise to a conflict as described in By-Law 12.8, then one or more of the affected Board member(s) will step down from the Board until the conflict is resolved.
In the event a Board member has a conflict of interest regarding an item being discussed, he or she shall declare such to the Board and be excused from that portion of the meeting.
The Senior Pastor, following presentation and discussion, will abstain from participation in the formal approval or voting process with respect to areas under the Senior Pastor’s accountability. Examples where the Senior Pastor would be recused from the approval process include authority limit changes, financial policy, setting of boundaries, discipline, performance reviews, and approvals related to the Senior Pastor directly or to functions under the Senior Pastor’s accountability. The Senior Pastor is, however, a voting Board member for all other areas such as in setting vision, mission, and policy.
Board members will normally be elected for a 4-year term. The start and end years for Board members’ terms shall be set to provide an even replacement rate and continuity of a majority. When necessary, the length of terms may be shortened to preserve the continuity of a majority. After the completion of a term, a member of the Board will not be eligible for re-election for a period of one (1) year. Service for a member of the Board begins on January 1st of the year following election at a business meeting, and ends on December 31st of the retiring year.
In the event of the resignation, death, or dismissal of a member of the Board, the Board may initiate a call for immediate replacement for the remainder of that Board member’s term, or may await the normal vacancy filling process at the next fall business meeting, so long as the minimum Board membership requirements are met. See By-Law 13 for the Board Election process.
The Board shall elect annually a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary.
The Board shall normally meet monthly but, as a minimum, no less than quarterly. Board members will receive regular updates from the Senior Pastor and Chairperson between meetings, in a manner agreed upon by the Board.
Board meetings shall be comprised of a prepared agenda section for all Board members participation followed by an in-camera session for all members except the Senior Pastor. The purpose of the incamera sessions shall be to discuss non-business items related to the Senior Pastor’s performance, remuneration, or topics of a sensitive nature that, for protection or privacy reasons, need to be discussed without the Senior Pastor present.
The Board shall develop and maintain a Guiding Principles document that includes the Mission Principles for the Church, the Accountability Principles for the Board and Board Chair, and the Boundary Principles for the Senior Pastor. The Board will review the Guiding Principles on a regular basis and will revise, as required to meet the Church’s Mission Statement.
The Board will review, and approve annual plan, a Church budget, a year-end financial review, and an annual report as prepared by the Senior Pastor and Staff. The Board will present these, along with any proposed changes to the Constitution, By-Laws, Church Covenant, or Mission Statement to the congregation for their approval.
The Board Chair or delegate Board member will facilitate and moderate all Church business meetings.
The Board shall regularly review and evaluate the ministry staffing needs of the Church and may cause a search committee to be formed (See By-Law 16) to fill any vacancy in the pastoral staff of the Church. Further, at the discretion of the Board, a search committee may be formed to fill non-pastoral vacancies.
The Board is authorized, in emergencies, to approve spending outside the annual budget of funds in compliance with the Emergency Spending Limits, as such limits are approved by the congregation.
The Board may receive communication, in writing, from members of the Church who have questions or concerns. Any correspondence addressed to the Board by a Church member will be circulated within and discussed by the Board at a following meeting. The Board will respond, in writing, to all correspondence from members of the Church.
The Board is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining policies as appropriate, and ensuring compliance.
The Board is delegated and shall be responsible for all other duties not specifically retained by the Church membership.

13. ELECTION AND DISMISSAL OF BOARD MEMBERS

To be considered for election as a Board member, an individual must be an active, voting member of the Church for at least one year. An individual who became a member of the church as a new believer must be an active, voting member of the church for at least two years. A board member must be supportive of the ministry philosophy of Corner Brook Baptist Church.
An eligible individual must be nominated by any active voting member at least three months before the upcoming Board elections. Nominations must be in written form and signed by the nominator and the nominee. The nomination must describe how the nominee fulfills a Board member's requirements and desired attributes as described in By-Law 12.
Nominations shall be delivered to the Board Secretary and will be accepted until the nomination deadline, as determined by the Board. The Board Secretary shall inform the Chairperson of the number of nominees for Board positions and initiate the Board Member Certification Process, as described in By-Laws 13.5 and 13.6.
The Board Chairperson or designate will lead the Board Member Certification Process with the participation of at least one current member of the Board plus the Senior Pastor (the Certification Committee).
The Board shall prepare a policy to define the Certification Process. The Board Certification Process shall include the following minimum requirements:
1. an interview during which the nominee should present their personal testimony and how the Lord is leading them to consider this position,
2. a criminal record check, and a reference check,
3. Board training,
4. their signed Board Membership covenant to serve,
5. prayer by the committee to discern whether the candidate is suitable, and
6. a mechanism for feedback to all nominees.
7. If, at the end of the Certification Process, a nominee is deemed by the Certification Committee as suitable to stand for election and wishes to remain as standing for election, then their name will be presented to the congregation for election. The decision of the Certification Committee is final.
In the event that there are fewer nominees than upcoming vacancies, the Board Chairperson shall convene a special Board meeting with the purpose of nominating additional members to present to the Board Certification Committee.
Elections of Board members shall be made at a Congregational Meeting by presenting the nominees who have gone through the Certification Process for election by the congregation. Names of the nominees shall be communicated to the congregation two weeks prior to the election. Voting for Board members shall be by secret ballot.
A Board member may be asked to resign if the Board member:
1. no longer meets the eligibility requirements as stated in By-Law 12, or,
2. is found to be in a situation of ongoing conflict of interest, or
3. is frequently absent from meetings, or
4. is found to be in conflict with Scripture or the Church Covenant, convicted of a criminal offence, or has committed acts of moral or ethical failure.
When attempting to resolve any situation in By-Law 13.8, the Board will ensure that a fair and respectful resolution process is conducted, guided by steps in Matthew 18:15-17a, and as described in the Church's Peacemaking, Church Discipline, and Conflict Resolution Policy.
If a Board member, deemed by the Board to no longer be suitable to serve, as per By-Law 13.8, does not willingly resign, then the Board may elect to pass a motion to have their name presented to the congregation for dismissal from the Board.
A Board member, who is the subject of the motion brought forward by the Board as per Bylaw 13.10, may be dismissed from the Board by a secret ballot vote at a Church Congregational meeting.

14. BOARD CENSURE AND RECALL

In the event that Church membership has lost confidence in the Board, then a motion of censure may be made at a congregational meeting to call for a review of Board performance. The motion must contain the reason for censure.
If a motion of censure succeeds, the Board will within not less than 14 days and not more than 28 days hold an additional congregational meeting to deal solely with the censure motion. This meeting will provide the Board an opportunity to present its position and an opportunity for the congregation to ask questions.
The meeting will be chaired by an independent representative appointed by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada.
During the meeting the congregation must move a motion which will succeed with a 50% plus one to do one of
1. Support the Board to continue in its current make-up, or
2. Dismiss the Board, or
3. Request an additional meeting within 14 days.

15. THE SENIOR PASTOR

There shall be a Senior Pastor who will lead the Church to accomplish its Purpose (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism) and Mission. The Senior Pastor’s responsibilities will include:
1. Active leadership of Church ministries
2. Leading and managing the staff
3. Participating as an active member of the Board
4. Managing the Church annual budget
5. Managing the Church assets.
A Ministry Job Description, defining the duties and expectations of the Senior Pastor, and consistent with the Constitution, By-Laws, Guiding Principles, and policies shall be prepared by the Board and presented to and reviewed with the Senior Pastor.
The Senior Pastor shall be accountable to the Board and operate within the limits of the Guiding Principles, Ministry Job Description, and annual performance goals.
The Senior Pastor must be ordained (or be committed to undergo the process for credentialing within a time frame as agreed to by the Congregation) with credentials recognized and held with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada or successor body.
The Senior Pastor must act and be in compliance with the Regulations Concerning the Ministry of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada or successor body.
A review of the Senior Pastor’s performance per the stated annual objectives, ministry goals and Guiding Principles shall be completed annually by the Board. The annual review process shall include an assessment of the Senior Pastor’s performance, a review of compensation based on performance and the market, and a feedback process.
In the event of resignation, the Senior Pastor shall tender said resignation to the Board in writing, giving three (3) months notice or as mutually agreed.

16. THE CALL OF THE SENIOR PASTOR

Search Committee shall be called when the Senior Pastor position is vacant.
The Search Committee shall be nominated by the Board and approved at a congregational meeting. The Search Committee will report directly to the congregation.
The Search Committee shall consist of three (3) to five (5) Church members.
The Search Committee will receive from the Board an approved ministry description for the vacant position, and shall institute a search process, led by the direction of the Holy Spirit, to find a suitable candidate that meets the requirements of the position.
The Search Committee will follow guidance for search committees as provided by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada.
Once a candidate has been agreed upon, the Search Committee will notify the Board Chair who shall call a congregational meeting. The Search Committee shall present the recommended candidate and make a motion to extend a call. A minimum of a three-quarter (75%) affirmative vote by secret ballot is required for the call to be extended (see Constitution Article 12.4).
If, for any reason, a call is not made or is not accepted, the committee will return to active search. If the call is accepted the Search Committee will disband.

17. DISMISSAL OF THE SENIOR PASTOR

The Board may initiate the Pastoral Discipline and Restoration process (see By-Law 12.23), if, in the Board’s assessment, the Pastor:
1. fails to deliver on annual performance goals, without satisfactory explanation (see By-Law 15.3), or
2. operates outside of the stated Boundary Principles, or
3. is found to be in conflict with Scripture, the Church Covenant, convicted of a criminal offence,or
4. commits acts of moral or ethical failure.

18. DEACONS

There will be Deacons called to serve the congregation.
The role of the Deacon will be guided by the example in Acts 6:1-7 wherein the first seven, having the attributes of wisdom, faith and being full of the Spirit, were given the responsibility of serving the needy to free-up the disciples and elders to accomplish their responsibilities.
There will be at least three and not more than seven Deacons, both male and female.
To be eligible to serve as a Deacon, the nominee shall:
1. Be a Voting Member of the Church
2. Meet the requirements as exemplified in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Deacons shall serve for terms of no more than four years, with terms established such that one quarter of the number of Deacons retire each year. After the completion of a term, a Deacon will not be eligible to serve as a Deacon for a period of one year.
Nominations for Deacons shall be made by the Board and presented to the congregation for approval. The Board shall seek input from the congregation and staff to match the spiritual gifts of the nominees to the spiritual needs of the Church.
The role of the Deacon is to be focused on service. Deacons shall assist the Senior Pastor in hands-on ministries such as serving the Lord’s Supper, assisting in baptisms, conducting visitation ministries, mediating conflicts, and interviewing people seeking Church membership.
The Deacons shall elect one of their members annually as their Coordinator to represent their number and to organize the group in service and in preparing reports.
The Deacon Coordinator or designate shall keep the Senior Pastor updated in activities and shall prepare reports for the Senior Pastor for presentation to the Board and to the congregation.
Due to the numerical size of this church at present, the Governing Board shall fulfill the role of deacons. This must be reviewed yearly by the Board to ensure that the church's leadership needs and care of members are being adequately met.

19. PAID STAFF

The Board may authorize the creation or elimination of full time and part time paid staff positions.
Prior to filling any staff position, the Senior Pastor shall seek guidance from the Board regarding the role and the appropriate method for recruitment and hiring. Should the Board determine that the position is of significant nature and responsibility they may elect to call a Search Committee to be formed to fill the position. In that event, the Search Committee process as described in Bylaws 16.2 to 16.7 shall be followed. Alternatively, the Board may determine that the Senior Pastor may recruit and hire the position with the assistance of at least one additional Board member or staff member.
The Senior Pastor must hire within the confines of the approved annual budget, approved annual plan for ministry, and a staffing plan, which has been approved by the Board.
All staff shall have a ministry description that has been approved by the Board.
Prior to terminating any paid staff position, the Senior Pastor shall consult the Board.

20. CHURCH TREASURER

There shall be a Church Treasurer who will be a member of the staff (paid or unpaid) of the Church.
The Treasurer shall be accountable to the Senior Pastor. A ministry description for the Church Treasurer shall be approved by the Board.
The Treasurer shall not be a member of the Board.
The selection of the Treasurer shall be approved by the Board.
The Treasurer shall lead a financial team consisting of members selected by the Treasurer and approved by the Senior Pastor. All such members of the financial team shall be demonstrated good stewards and shall be bound by confidentiality.
The Treasurer shall:
1. Provide updates to the Senior Pastor on the financial position of the Church and make presentations to the Board as requested.
2. Prepare financial updates and budget presentations for the Board’s review and use at congregational business meetings.
All members of the financial team shall hold individuals’ donation information confidential and shall not share with or give access to anyone other than financial team members who need to know for the purposes of entering the data and preparing receipts.

21. CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETINGS

Every member shall have one vote and there shall not be proxy voting.
An Annual General Meeting shall be held in the first quarter of the year for:
1. The approval of annual reports from the preceding year.
2. The approval of the Church’s financial statements for the preceding year.
3. A progress report on the current year's annual plan for ministry.
4. Other items as determined by the Board.
A congregational Business Meeting shall be held in the second half of the calendar yearat which time the election of members to the Board, the budget for the upcoming year, and the annual plan for ministry for the upcoming year are presented in order to make it possible for the Church to begin operating practically on January first (1) of each year.
Additional congregational Business Meetings may be called by the Board on an as-needed basis. Church members may request that additional meetings be called if requested in writing by at least twenty percent (20%) of the members and submitted to the Board Chair.
If a special meeting of the members is requested as per above, the meeting shall be held no later than one month after the day on which the request is submitted to the Board Chair.
A Church Member may request that an agenda item be added to an upcoming Business Meeting. Items for addition to the agenda must be presented to the Board, in writing, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the start of the meeting.
Notice for business meetings will be given by public announcement during a Sunday service, and in writing by announcement in the Church bulletin and/or other electronic means of communication The non-receipt of notice by any member shall not invalidate the proceedings at any business meeting.
Attendance at congregational Business Meetings is limited to members and adherents of the congregation. All members and adherents of the congregation may speak to motions, but only members may move, second or vote on motions. Only members may be present when voting on the admission of new members.
The quorum for a congregational Business Meeting is as outlined in Article 12.4 of the Constitution.
If a quorum of members is not present within one-half hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned to such time and place as a majority of the members shall decide. Notice of the new meeting shall be given in accordance with the bylaw 21.7 and at the adjourned meeting, the members present shall constitute a quorum only for the purpose of dissolving the Church. If a meeting is convened at the request of the members as per by-law 21.4 and a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time appointed for the meeting, it shall be dissolved. The Board will determine if any further action is needed.
The Business Meeting Chairperson shall not normally vote in a verbal or show-of-hands vote but may do so if the chair's vote will change the result of the vote. If there is a tie before the chair votes, the chair may vote in the affirmative, causing the motion to be adopted. If the affirmative exceeds the negative by only one vote, the chair may announce that he or she is voting in the negative, causing the motion to fail by creating a tie. In a secret ballot vote the Chairperson shall always vote.
The Chairperson may, with the consent of the members, adjourn any meeting. No business shall be transacted at the subsequent meeting other than the business left unfinished at the adjourned meeting unless notice of such new business is given to the members.
At any meeting a declaration by the Chair that a resolution has been carried is sufficient unless a poll is demanded by at least three members. If a poll is demanded it shall be held by a show of hands or by secret ballot as the Chair may decide.

22. ACCESS TO CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Copies of the Constitution and By-Laws shall be made available on the request of any Member.

APPENDIX A - BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES

Baptists share many beliefs in common with other Christians including belief in one God, the human and divine nature of Jesus Christ, and the significance of his crucifixion and resurrection for salvation. With other Christian churches, they know that hope for the individual, the nation, and the world is found in Jesus Christ and in a personal relationship with Him.

Baptists emerged historically out of a desire to follow New Testament teaching as they understood it. The following beliefs have come to be known as Baptist Distinctives:

The Lordship of Jesus Christ. Baptists believe that Jesus is Lord of both the church and the individual. We believe that it is only through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, burial and resurrection that a person can know salvation or eternal life with God in heaven there aren’t many paths to God, only one. But belief in God means that what a Christian says is also evident in his/her action- every area in the believer’s life and the life of the church is to be subject to the Lord. God is the supreme authority.
The Authority of the Scriptures. Baptists believe the scriptures are inspired by God. They are the only perfect, supreme, infallible and sufficient standard of faith and practice.
The Priesthood of the Believer. Baptists hold that ALL believers share as equals in the church, and, in turn, have a priestly role toward each other. Every member is called to be a minister. Differences in education, wealth, gender and so on do not disqualify a person from service or from serving God through ministry to others.
Soul Liberty. Inherent in the worth of each person is also the ability of the soul to have direct access to God through Jesus Christ. Baptists believe that no group has the right to force others to believe or worship as it does. God has given all people freedom of choice and as such Baptists have championed the cause of religious liberty.
Regenerate Church Membership. To become a Christian requires a personal acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as both Saviour and Lord. You cannot say Christ has saved you from judgment unless you also allow him to control your life as Lord. This act of faith and believer’s baptism must precede membership in the local church.
Baptism. Baptists practice believer’s baptism by immersion. It is one of the first significant acts through which the believer proclaims personal faith in Christ and is initiated into church life and ministry.
Lord’s Supper. Baptists celebrate the Lord’s Supper or Communion commemorating and remembering Christ’s death. Matthew 26:26-30.
Local Church Autonomy. Baptists believe government in a local church is controlled by the principles of the priesthood of believers, the Lordship of Christ, the authority of the Scriptures, and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, present in the lives of congregational members, leads them corporately to discover and obey his mind and will. As a result, it is important that each church verify each potential members statement of faith to make sure that their claim is valid. Each church is competent under Christ to look after its own affairs and has freedom from coercion by other bodies. From their beginning, however, Baptists have consistently recognized the importance of cooperation with churches of “like faith and order.”
The Separation of Church and State. Baptists have championed the right to freedom in spiritual matters under the lordship of Jesus Christ. They believe there must exist a separation between the church and civil governments. There should not be a churchcontrolled state, nor a state-controlled church. God has given legitimate roles to both, but neither is to encroach upon the rights or obligations of the other. They are, however, under obligation to recognize and reinforce each other as each seeks to fulfil its divine function.

09/2011

https://baptist-atlantic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Baptist_Distinctives.pdf

Approved March 13, 2024