Of
Burr Oak Baptist Church
(Independent)
*Latest revision May 21, 2023
ARTICLE I. THE NAME
The name of this shall be: THE BURR OAK BAPTIST CHURCH
ARTICLE II. THE OBJECT
The object of this Church is the salvation of souls, the edification of Christians through the teaching of God’s Word, the world-wide proclamation of God’s Saving Grace, expressed in the shed blood and finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, the defense of “The Faith Once Delivered,” and cooperation with Christian activity functioning in harmony with God’s Holy Word - The Bible.
ARTICLE III. DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
1. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word; that it was written by men divinely inspired; that it is inerrant in the original writings, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. 2Pet 1:21; 2Tim 3:1, 17
2. We believe in One God eternally existing in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit; was born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true Man.
4. We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word and deed.
5. We believe that the Lord Jesus died for our sins according to Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of his shed blood.
6. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord; His ascension into heaven; and His present life there for us as High Priest and Advocate.
7. We believe in “that blessed hope”, the personal premillennial and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
8. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
9. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
ARTICLE IV. CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We promise by the aid of the Holy Spirit to forsake the paths of sin, and to walk in the way of holiness all the days of our lives. With this view we engage to strive together for our 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 the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to educate religiously our children, to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance, to work circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, excessive anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
Regarding alcoholic beverages the church holds to this conviction:
“Knowing full well the devastation that can be brought by the abuse of alcoholic beverages we believe that we must be very careful how we approach this issue. We believe that the scriptures not only do not forbid, but allows for guarded* liberty in this issue. We believe that where scripture does not bind conscience (forbid it) then neither can we. We also believe that the issue of Christian liberty is not peripheral but important and something that should be upheld, being careful not to encourage anyone in the use of alcoholic beverages, we will allow for Christian liberty in this area but expect that discretion and concern for weaker brothers or sisters in Christ will guide those who choose to exercise their liberty in this way (Rom 14 & 1Cor 8). So we grant that the guarded* use of alcoholic beverages be allowed, but never encouraged in this congregation.”
*For further explanation of the asterisked term guarded see appendix
We further engage to walk together in Christian love and watchfulness, giving and receiving admonitions with meekness and affection; 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 be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible, unite with some other Church where we may carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principle of God’s Word.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.........Admission - An active member in good standing (see appendix) of this church shall consist of only born-again persons who have been baptized by immersion after conversion and who give assurance of their desire to live a consistent Christian Life and who accept the articles of faith and practice of this Church.
Every candidate for admission to the Church by baptism, experience or letter, shall relate his or her Christian experience to the Board of Deacons who, having satisfied itself that the candidate is eligible for Church membership, shall recommend the same to the Church.
Candidates may be received at any regular meeting of the Church, as well as at any business meeting, by a majority vote. The candidate shall be required to give personal testimony at some public meeting of the Church before vote can be taken.
Section 2.........Dismissal - Any member desiring to change his or her Church membership, shall, upon request, be given a letter stating the facts of membership standing, baptism, etc.
Section 3.........Qualifications and Duties - stated in general terms in the Church covenant.
ARTICLE VI. PASTORS
Section 1.........Calling and Termination - A Pastor may be called upon a majority vote of the congregation, after recommendation by the Pulpit Committee. Pastors shall serve until their pastorate is terminated by resignation, or by request of the congregation. Pastors shall give three months notice before the termination of their service, and, in the event the congregation votes the Pastor’s service be terminated, three months notice shall be given the Pastor, unless other arrangements are made that are mutually agreeable to both the Pastor and the congregation.
Section 2.........His Duties - He shall have general oversight of the spiritual life, regular services and ministration of the sacraments of the Church; shall be ex-officio member of all board and committee meetings connected with Church, unless otherwise directed by this constitution, or ordered by a vote of the Church, and shall conscientiously perform such duties as may be arranged between the Pulpit Committee and himself. If at any time his personal belief, preaching or teaching shall not be in accordance with the doctrinal statement or standard of this Church, his service as Pastor shall be terminated.
ARTICLES VII. OFFICERS
Section 1.........Elders - There shall be as officers of this Church five (5), or more, elders when qualified members are available. The term shall be appointed for life, except for a voluntary resignation or a moral failing causing Church discipline. For a charge to be brought against an Elder there must be evidence presented by more than one witness (1 Tim 5:19). Elders who rotate off the board and meet the qualifications can be considered ex-officio members of the board for tasks such as serving communion, being responsible for a care group, or other responsibilities as the board determines. In doing our diligence to not lift a man to the office of Elder who is a recent convert or in haste, any man being put forth to this position must be an active member in good standing for no less than 2 years (1 Tim 3:6; 5:22). Out of the Eldership one man will be put forth by his peers (the other Elders) as Chairman of the Elders. The role will be for two years, renewable by a vote of the Elders.
Section 2.........Elders Duties & Qualifications - The office of Elder equates to that of a Pastor. Both of these terms are translated from the Greek επισκπης (episkope) meaning Overseer. The elder’s duties will include that of the general oversight of the spiritual life, and teaching, along with the called Pastor. It is a critical leadership role with the primary focus being on the spiritual welfare of the church including ministering the sacraments, visiting the sick and sorrowing, investigating and endeavoring to remedy and spiritual needs of the church. They shall endeavor to faithfully perform all other duties designated by this constitution or pertaining to their office. They shall endeavor by God’s grace to live and serve in full conformity with the standards set forth for their particular office as found in the Word of God, especially I Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9. They shall affect their own organization. Prior to being nominated and upon each term completion the board will assess each Elder according to the above-mentioned requirements in order to ensure a board make up that can affect their own organization.
Section 3.........Deacons - There shall be elected as officers of the Church three or more (3) deacons when qualified members are available. Their tenure of office shall be for as long as the individual meets the Deacon requirements, and he is willing to serve. Deacons who rotate off the board and meet the qualifications can be considered ex-officio members of the board for tasks such as assisting with facilities & campus needs or other responsibilities as the board determines. The deacons shall take care of the physical properties and finances of the Church. They shall be the legal representatives of the organization. The office of Deacon is directly related to its biblical term διακνους (diaknos) which means Servant. It is a broad term meaning to serve in whatever way is needed. It is a critical, serving role covering everything from simple errands to maintaining the physical campus and buildings as their primary focus, while maintaining spiritual level of living as defined in scripture, and giving input on spiritual matters as needed. The qualifications for deacons are the same as those of an elder. Prior to being nominated and upon each term completion the board will assess each deacon according to the above-mentioned verses in order to ensure a board make up that can be effective in serving their own organization. Out of the Deaconship one man will be put forth by his peers (the other Deacons) as Chairman of the Deacons. The role will be for two years, renewable by a vote of the Deacons.
Section 4.........Church Clerk - The Church Clerk shall keep an accurate record of all the congregation, and shall submit these records for approval upon request. The clerk shall be responsible for all Church records, such as Church membership, admissions, dismissions, deaths, dedications, marriages, baptisms and ordinations. This person shall maintain a complete record of all correspondence and other such records as may pertain to the office. The term of office shall be for three (3) years. This is a non-voting office with regard to normal board matters except when the office of Clerk is held by one who is also currently serving as an Elder or Deacon, or in the case of the Pulpit Committee as stated in Article VIII.
.
Section 5.........Treasurer - The treasurer shall have charge of all monies connected with the Church and Sunday School, and be accountable to the Church for all monies received and disbursed. He shall keep a checking account and make out all checks in the name of the church over the signature of the treasurer. All Church officers or the Pastor shall have access to the books at any time. A financial statement showing a true status of all funds for the fiscal year shall be read at the annual meeting, or at any other time designated by the Church. The term of office shall be for three (3) years. This is a non-voting office with regard to normal board matters except when the office of Clerk is held by one who is also currently serving as an Elder or Deacon, or in the case of the Pulpit Committee as stated in Article VIII. The Treasurer will have an individual review of financial records and reports annually, 1-2 months prior to the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLES VIII. PULPIT COMMITTEE (ie. Church Board)
Section 1.........Pulpit Committee - shall consist of the elders, the deacons, the Church treasurer and the Church Clerk. The chairman of the elders shall be the chairman of the pulpit committee.
Section 2.........Pulpit Committee Duties - The Pulpit Committee shall be the executive of the congregation in its dealings with the Pastor, or Pastors, employees, affiliated organizations and branch works.
ARTICLE IX. ORDINANCES
Section 1.........The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed at stated times as fixed by vote of the Church.
Section 2.........Baptism by immersion - in water shall be administered to any candidate for membership who has not been previously baptized by immersion.
ARTICLE X. MEETINGS
Section 1.........The Fiscal Year - Shall end on the thirtieth day of April, and the annual meeting shall be held on the third Sunday of May.
Section 2.........Any regular or called meeting of the Church may be constituted a meeting for transacting business, provided notice of said meeting is given at regular services for two (2) preceding Sundays.
Section 3.........The Pulpit Committee - Shall have authority to call a meeting whenever they deem it necessary. A special business meeting may be called at the request of the Pastor, the Chairman of the Pulpit Committee, or by the written request of ten percent (10%) of the voting membership.
Section 4.........Every member in good standing having reached the age of fourteen years shall be eligible to vote. The voting members present at any business meeting called according to Section 3 of Article X shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5.........In the conduct of business meetings, any parliamentary questions not covered by this constitution shall be decided by “Robert Rules of Order.”
ARTICLE XI. ORDINATION
When in the judgment of the Pulpit Committee a man in this membership is called to the Christian ministry, it shall be within the power of the Pulpit Committee to call and conduct a council for ordination, providing such authority is granted by vote of the congregation.
The ordaining council shall thoroughly examine all applicants for Ordination as their call to the ministry, education, Christian experience, separation, character, doctrinal belief, and demonstrated efficiency in Christian service.
THE FOLLOWING SHALL NOT BE ORDAINED TO THE MINISTRY:
1. One who has not served six months as Pastor, assistant Pastor, or in other definite Christian work in such manner as to convey reasonable evidence of God’s call to the ministry.
2. One who is addicted to the use of intoxicating liquor, drugs or tobacco in any form; or who belongs to any secret society, or who brings disrepute upon his ministry through worldly practices and associations. Romans 12:1-2
Note: It shall be within the province of the Pulpit Committee to discipline, even to revoking the ordination credentials of any minister ordained under this constitution if the said ministry is guilty of any of the above practices after an impartial trial conducted in the Spirit of I Corinthians 13
THE MINISTER UNDER TRIAL shall have the privilege of appealing his case to the congregation within sixty days (60) after the decision of the Pulpit Committee.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at any regular, or called, business meeting of the Church, providing the proposed amendments have been read at a previous business meeting and then posted on the bulletin board for at least four (4) Sundays.
ARTICLE XIII. CHURCH BOARD
A. The chairman or secretary should ensure that all meeting minutes are documented. The pastors, elders, deacons and treasurer shall submit an agenda request ahead of each meeting and may ask for items to be added by contacting the secretary or Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board will be an Elder elected by the Elders and Deacons annually.
B. Duties of the Board are as follows:
1. Conduct a meeting once a month or every other month as needed, keeping minutes and actions, being good stewards with kingdom resources.
2. Establish goals aligned with the mission of Burr Oak for the communication of and facilitation of ministry.
3. Determine the salaries of the pastors and any other paid positions. Be accountable and open about church finances with the church body.
4. Approve all major expenditures including but not limited to expenses relating to facilities, properties, mission trips, and benevolent payments.
5. Direct the missionary program of the church. Investigate missionaries and mission boards and approve only missionaries that are in accordance with our church doctrinal standards. Determine the amount of financial support to be provided to each missionary.
6. All departments organized within the church shall be under the control of the church board.
AMENDMENT #1
According to the scriptural principles set down in IICorinthians 6:14, no unbeliever will be married to a believer in the Burr Oak Baptist Church, and any and all persons requesting permission to be married in the Burr Oak Baptist Church will be required to give testimony concerning the circumstances of their conversion to the Board of Deacons.
AMENDMENT #2
That the Annual Business Meeting be changed from the first Thursday after the first Sunday in May, to the third Sunday in May.
AMENDMENT #3
There will be an annual vote of confidence concerning the Pastor which will be taken by ballot by the official board in the absence of the Pastor. The vote should be taken no later than one month in advance of the Annual Business Meeting. If 50% of the board renders a negative vote, the church will then take a vote of confidence on the Pastor at the Annual Business Meeting. This vote must be announced from the pulpit at least 4 Sundays in advance of the Annual Business Meeting. If the majority of the church renders a negative vote, the Pastor is immediately dismissed with three months pay. Should other circumstances arise during the year concerning dismissal of a Pastor, see Article VI, Sections 1 and 2 of the church constitution.
Appendix
The use of the asterisk * next to the word “guarded” in the 4th paragraph of the church covenant is there to help us to understand that even though we agree that scriptures do not forbid the use of alcoholic beverages, it does qualify how Christians who choose to use it, must do so in a way that “guards” several concerns that scriptures spell out for us. There are several scriptures that we must wrestle with as to what God intends for his church in dealing with this matter. It is primarily these passages that we have closely studied in coming to our present conclusion.
Ø First; the Bible clearly does not prohibit (call it a sin), the appropriate consumption of alcoholic drink.
o Jesus made water into the ”Best Wine” at the marriage supper of Cana of Galilee in John chapter 2. This was not just a “great” grape juice but no doubt a full bodied wine that had alcoholic content.
o Jesus Himself partook of wine.
§ Matt 11:18-19 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
o Paul instructed Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach problems 1Tim 5:23
Ø Second; the Bible makes it abundantly clear that to be drunk (loss of personal control) with intoxicating drink is sinful!
o Rom 13:13 "Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy."
o 1Cor 15:34 "Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning….."
o 1Cor 6:9-11 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Ø Third; the Bible clearly states that the Elders or Overseers are not to be “addicted” to wine, to be recognized in the community as a “great drinker,” or to be out of control when it comes to his consumption of it.
o 1Tim 3:3 "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money."
o Titus 1:7 "For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,"
Ø Fourth; lastly the scriptures make it clear that we have as Christians, and especially leaders within the church, to consider all we do in light of others around us. We are commanded not to cause another brother or sister to “stumble” (fall into sin) by what we do. We are also commanded to be careful around the “weaker” brothers or sisters who’s conscience has not matured to the level of liberty that maybe we have (in regard to eating, drinking, etc.).
o The “weaker” brother or sister mentioned here in Rom 14 and in 1Cor 8 are those brothers or sisters in Christ who had not reached the level of maturity, in regards to Christian liberty, that some of the other believers in the church had.
o Rom 14:13-22 " Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves."
§ In other words, we can participate in that which is fully sanctioned by God, and yet sin if we do so in such a way as to cause another to stumble.
o 1Cor 8:8-13 "But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble."
§ In everything we do we are to consider the needs and the spiritual welfare of others. If drinking truly offends a weaker brother then we should not do so in his presence.
§ This is true not only for alcohol but for many others things we face in our culture such as the TV, or internet that can be abused as well and cause others to stumble.
Ø Finally it needs to be stated that any member (including leaders) who disregard these cautions to be guarded in their exercise of this liberty will be approached by the Pastor and or Elders of the church to seek to remedy the failure.
Active Member Definition
An active member is a member that has attended services 8 out of 12 weeks of a quarter (39 of 52 weeks/yr.). Once 4 consecutive weeks are missed an elder will reach out to investigate reason for absence. After 6 months of consecutive absences, members will be consider in-active. An inactive member relinquishes their right to vote in member meetings until active standing is reestablished. After 1 year of consecutive absences member will be removed from member role. Providing special allowances such as shut-ins, military service, or snowbird members. This is subject to board discretion.
