The Scriptures
The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as originally given by God; their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
God
One God in three persons, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, co-equal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption.
The Lord Jesus Christ
The essential deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and men; His virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross as the only substitute for sinners; His burial, bodily resurrection and ascension into heaven; His high priestly ministry and personal return.
The Holy Spirit
The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer.
The Devil
The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom.
Humanity
The creation of humanity Male and Female in the image of God; equal in value, complimentary in role. The creation ordinance of marriage, that being the lifelong union of one Man and one Woman (as defined by their sex at birth) the entrance of sin through Adam’s disobedience; the fallen and totally depraved state of all humanity, their subjection to God’s wrath and condemnation; their responsibility to repent and believe the Gospel.
Justification
The justification of the sinner by God’s grace through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ; the eternal security of the believer.
The Church
The local church as a company of baptised believers, gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, fellowship, instruction and evangelism; the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, baptism being the immersion of believers on profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a symbol of their identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.
The Lord’s Supper being a remembrance of Christ until he comes and renewal of commitment to Him.
The offices of elder and deacon.
The gifts of evangelist and pastor-teacher.
The priesthood of all believers and their unity in the Body of Christ; the separation of church and state.
The Future State
The unconditional immortality of the soul.
The resurrection of the body.
The eternal joy in heaven of the believer.
The conscious eternal punishment in hell of those who die impenitent.
Christian Behaviour
The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the Lord and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives; the duty of each church to exercise Godly discipline in a loving and caring fashion.
MEMBERSHIP
A. Conditions of Membership
The Membership shall be composed of those:
(i) Who profess repentance toward God and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
(ii) Who have confessed their faith by submitting to believers’ baptism.
(iii) Who give evidence by their lives to the reality of their profession.
(iv) Who give their consent to the basis of Doctrine and Constitution and Rules of the Church.
B. Obligations of Membership
Members are expected:-
(i) To be present at the Sunday services; at the Lord’s Table; at the Prayer Meetings; all other Special Meetings and all church business meetings unless prevented by a conscientious reason.
(ii) To pray for the Pastor and Office-bearers of the Church and to take part in the work as they shall be able.
(iii) To support the work by regular weekly offerings according as the Lord has prospered them, even when unable to be present at the services.
(iv) To bear on another’s burdens and to avoid any unkind criticism of each other.
(v) To regard as strictly confidential all matters pertaining to the private business of the church.
Applications for Membership
(i) Persons desiring church membership shall receive a copy of the constitution and shall be interviewed by two office-bearers appointed by the elders.
(ii)The church shall be notified at least one week before the reports of the prospective members are presented in order that any questions or queries pertaining to the applicants may be discussed with the elders.
(iii) The office bearers shall report to a church meeting after which the chairman of this meeting shall seek comments and if appropriate, thereafter, ask for a Proposer and Seconder. Acceptance shall then be decided by a majority of members present.
(iv) A member from another Baptist Church will be received into membership on the same basis as all others applying for membership.
Revision of Membership Roll:
(i) The membership roll shall be revised annually.
(ii) If it appears that a member has been absent from the Lord’s Day services for three months or more they shall be visited by representatives from the church whose business it will be to ascertain the reason for their absence. If no justifiable reason is given and, should the person(s) concerned not return before a further two months has expired, their names will be erased from the church roll and their membership cease and they shall be advised therewith.
(iii) Church Business Meetings:
The church shall meet annually to receive reports and transact business. Meetings may be called at other times at the discretion of the Pastor or the Office-bearers. All ordinary business shall be determined by a simple majority, whereas that deemed by the Office-bearers to be special business by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
(iv) The Office-bearers, who shall be members of the church shall consist (normally) of Pastor, Elders and Deacons.
The Pastor’s salary will be reviewed annually and increased as finances permit.
To be eligible for election to the office of Deacon a person must have been in membership of this Baptist Church for at least two years.
To be elected to the office, candidates must have fifty per cent of the votes of those present. Deacons normally to be elected for an agreed specified time, at the Annual Church Business Meeting.
A new elder, normally appointed for life, must be acknowledged by and recommended by the existing elders and approved by a two thirds majority of those present and voting. For a person to qualify for the office of Deacon or Elder they must adhere to the conditions laid down in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
The Secretary and Treasurer as required shall be elected by the church on the nomination of the Office-bearers from amongst their number.
The Secretary shall keep a record of all business meetings and the first business at the annual meeting shall be the reading of the minutes of the previous year.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the presentation of a financial statement at the annual meeting and from time to time as required.
Those holding leadership in all the various organisations within the local church must be church members and those helpers within the organisations must be saved and be approved by and accountable to the oversight.
(v) Discipline:
Should it be alleged that a member is living in a manner not consistent with his or her profession of faith the matter shall normally be investigated by the oversight. Should the allegation be verified and not resolved the church shall be notified so that the appropriate action may be taken. In the case of a private offence between members it is incumbent that the rules laid down by Christ in Matthew 18:15-17 be faithfully observed.
(viii) No alteration can be made to this constitution except by a vote of two-thirds of members present at a special church meeting called for that purpose.
Substatement:
We adhere to the practices outlined in our Child act policy document.