CONSTITUTION OF CORNER BROOK BAPTIST CHURCH

Article 1: THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

Corner Brook Baptist Church (hereinafter referred to as the “Church”) belongs to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Head of the Church. Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the members hold in trust resources for use in service of Christ.

Article 2: PURPOSE

The Church exists in the service of Jesus Christ as a body of believers to worship God, to gather together in fellowship and support for its members, to equip people through discipleship for service, to minister to others through service, and to promote the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Church shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members, and any profits or gains to the organization shall be used on promoting its Purpose.

Article 3: STATEMENT OF FAITH

  1. We believe in the one true God, the Creator and Redeemer, eternally existent and known to us in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

  2. We believe in God the Father, whose unconditional, impartial love prepared the way to eternal life for all humanity.

  3. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, fully divine and fully human, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, suffered an atoning death on the cross, was buried, rose from the dead, is alive and will return in power.

  4. We believe in the Holy Spirit whose indwelling presence and transforming power gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient service.

  5. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God. It is the only sufficient standard for matters of faith and practice.

  6. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

  7. We believe God created humanity in his own image, distinct as male and female, and instituted marriage as a covenantal relationship between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

  8. We believe humanity was created sinless. Sin entered the human race by the disobedience of the first man and woman. Through this disobedience, all humanity is born sinful, under the curse of condemnation and death, in need of repentance and forgiveness.

  9. We believe that all who repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, are justified by God’s grace and will be resurrected to eternal life in the presence of God. The unrepentant will be given over to eternal condemnation and eternally separated from God.

  10. We believe Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church:

    1. Baptism: the public immersion of a believer in water.

    2. The Lord’s Supper: as demonstrated by Jesus in Matthew 26:26-30.

Article 4: INCORPORATION

As evidenced by a Certificate of Incorporation dated July 17, 2015, the Church was incorporated as “Corner Brook Baptist Church Incorporated” under The Corporations Act, C-36, Revised Statutes of Newfoundland and Labrador, 1990 as a Part 21 Corporation Without Share Capital, and currently remains in good standing pursuant to the Act.

Article 5: CONGREGATIONAL AFFILIATION

The Church will be a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Baptist Association and the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada or its successor.

Article 6: MEMBERSHIP

  1. Definition: A member is a person who meets the qualifications for becoming a member as specified in Article 6.2. and 6.3, and who has committed, with God’s help, to carry out the Purpose and the Membership Covenant.

  2. Qualifications for Membership: A member must believe in and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. A member must endeavour to adhere to the teachings of Scripture, the Statement of Beliefs, and the Membership Covenant and be a positive witness for Christ.

  3. Believer’s Baptism: A member who meets the qualifications of membership in 6.2 must be baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Note: In some cases, due to health issues or other appropriate reason, baptism by immersion may be substituted with another means of baptism.

  4. Membership Categories:

    1. Voting Member: A Member who holds the corporate voting responsibilities as outlined in Article 7.

    2. Non-Voting Member: A Member who does not hold voting responsibilities or privileges.

  5. Membership Changes: A member’s voting status may be changed between categories, or their membership may be transferred, removed, or reinstated. The process for membership changes is stipulated in the By-Laws.

Article 7: CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

Voting Members will exercise their corporate responsibilities by:

  1. Electing the Board of the Church, as described in Article 8.

  2. Calling the Senior Pastor, as prescribed in the By-Laws, or any member of the leadership staff requiring ordination.

  3. Approving the annual Church budget and emergency spending limits.

  4. Approving the annual Church reports and financial statements.

  5. Approving the appointment of an auditor to complete a financial review.

  6. Approving any changes to the legal name of the church.

  7. Approving any changes to the Church Constitution, Church By-Laws, Statement of Beliefs and Mission.

  8. Approving the borrowing of funds.

  9. Approving the sale of real property or capital assets above the value stipulated in the By-Laws as under the authority limit of the Board.

  10. Attend and participate in Church Business Meetings as outlined in the By-laws.

Article 8: THE BOARD

There shall be a board that is responsible for the ongoing business of the Church, made up of the Senior Pastor and 3 to 7 members of the congregation, which the membership elects. The congregation empowers the Board to undertake on behalf of the Church all powers and responsibilities not retained by the membership specifically. Membership, qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of the Board are outlined in the By-laws.

Article 9: DISSOLUTION

In the event of the Church disbanding, all assets remaining will become the property of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada or its successor.

Article 10: REVISING THE CONSTITUTION

Changes to this Constitution may be made at a business meeting of the Church, providing notice of the proposed changes has been made available 30 days prior to the meeting. Notice shall include written notice posted in visible areas of the church building, and verbal announcements at all corporate worship services held within the notice period, and other electronic forms of communication available to the church.

Article 11: OFFICERS

The Officers authorized to execute legal documents on behalf of the Church or to execute amendments to the Articles of the Church shall be the Board Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Board Secretary.

Article 12: CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETINGS

  1. At least two congregational Business Meetings shall be held annually and chaired by the Board Chairperson or delegated alternate Board member. These meetings shall, as a minimum, include: the presentation and approval of the annual report; the presentation and approval of the annual financial statements, and; the presentation and approval of the annual budget; and the election of new Board members.

  2. The Board may call additional business meetings as they deem to be required.

  3. Notice for Business Meetings including the nature of the business to be discussed must be given at least two weeks in advance, except in the case of constitutional amendments as described in Article 10.

  4. The quorums for congregational Business Meetings are:

    1. 50 percent of Voting Members to vote on motions to amend the Constitution, the call of a pastor, or the purchase or sale of real estate.

    2. 33 percent of Voting Members to amend, delete or add to Church By-Laws;

    3. 20 percent of Voting Members for any other purpose;

    4. A simple majority (50 percent plus 1) shall decide all matters in business meetings except motions to amend the constitution or call of a Senior Pastor, which shall require a 75 percent majority.


Approved March 12, 2025