The name of this Church shall be "St. Paul Baptist Church," otherwise know as the "St. Paul Church," and incorporated as "St. Paul Baptist Church, Inc" and engage in activities consistent with the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) and organizations established thereby.

"To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:12/NIV).

The St. Paul Baptist Church seeks to be a purpose-driven congregation where members shall (a) worship God freely as prescribed in the Holy Bible, the inspired word of God, through proclamation, prayer, and praise and worship; (b) serve God gladly through an intergenerational ministry to our congregation, community, and region ; (c) grow in God intentionally, diligently studying the word of God, identifying, developing, and using our spiritual gifts, and religiously educating our children, so that the work of God's church will not be left undone in generations to come; (d) go for God obediently, as we engage in evangelism, empowered by the Holy Spirit, winning souls for Christ, and being actively involved in outreach ministry to demonstrate God's love, power, and plan of salvation and (e) strengthen the bonds of fellowship through regular and faithful attendance at worship services and responsible stewardship through the faithful giving of tithes, time, and talent.

1. The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscript, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

2. The Trinity

We believe that there is one loving and true God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that these are equal in every divine perfection and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

3. God The Father

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all that come to Him through Jesus Christ.

4. Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His visible return for His Church.

5. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.

6. Regeneration

We believe that all men are sinners by nature and choice and are therefore under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

7. The Church

We believe in the universal Church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church consisting of a companion of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith, and associated for worship, service, growth, evangelism, and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

8. Christian Conduct

We believe that a Christian should live holy to the glory of God and the well being of his fellowman, that his conduct should be blameless before the world, that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions, and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

9. The Ordinances

We believe that the Lord Jesus has committed two ordinances to the local church, Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe that Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ in commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

10. Religious Liberty

We believe that every human being has direct relations with God and is responsible to God alone in all matters of Faith; that each church is independent and must be free from interference by an ecclesiastical or political authority; that, therefore, church and State must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.

11. Church Cooperation

We believe that local churches can best promote the cause of Jesus Christ by cooperation with one another in a denominational organization. Such organization, whether a regional or district conference, should exist and function by the will of the participating churches. Cooperation in a conference should be on a voluntary basis and may be terminated at any time.

12. The Last Things

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the endless punishment of the wicked.

4. Duties and Responsibilities:

a. Each-Member shall maintain the-obligations of the Church Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, and Church Covenant and adhere to the Church By-Laws.

b. Each Member shall respect each other and the Pastor, and assist him in carrying out the purpose-driven ministries of the church.

c. Each Member shall endeavor to preserve the unity of the church.

d. Each Member shall be regular, faithful and punctual in attendance at Sunday worship, mid-week services, and other such services, and strive to maintain the regular observance of Holy Communion.

e. Each Member shall be regular and punctual in attendance of church family conference. At such meetings, members shall respect the moderator and each other, and shall conduct themselves in a decent and orderly manner (1 Cor.14:40).

f. Each Member shall "study to show (himself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). Such studying shall include participation in Sunday School, weekly Bible Study classes, and daily Bible reading programs, e.g., Lamplights, Footsteps, etc.

g. Each Active Member shall on or before the last Sunday in November of each year, provide the Stewardship Secretary with his or her then present home address and the amount which said member pledges to contribute each Sunday to this church for the period of the coming calendar year according to Malachi 3:10. If any member shall fail to provide said pledge to the church or if said member shall for any period of three (3) consecutive calendar months, during said calendar year, fail to contribute to the church, in accordance with said pledge, the name of such member shall be referred to the Board of Deacons for an investigation, where possible within thirty (30) days, after obtaining such name to ascertain the reason for such delinquency. After prayerful deliberation, the Pastor and the Board of Deacons may place said member on the inactive membership roll, suspend him from membership, remove his name from the membership roll, or excuse such a person from the obligation of the pledge. Immediately upon admission of a new or restored member to the membership in accordance with Article VI hereof, said member shall accept his/her envelopes and make his/her pledge in accordance with the terms hereof for the balance of the then calendar year of the church.

5. Status:

a. Active Member: An Active member is hereby defined to be, among other things, a member who clearly demonstrates a commitment to the Purpose of this church set forth in the Mission Statement in Article II hereof; and is regular and faithful in attendance at worship services and Bible study, engages in the discovery of spiritual gifts, and is actively involved in the ministry of the church and church family conference. An active member shall be expected to attend, participate in and vote (members 18 and older) at church family conferences, and such other rights and privileges extended by the church, including but not limited to, the care, support, comfort, and accountability of a spiritual family, scholarship awards, and the use of the church sanctuary for funerals and weddings at a reduced cost for the facility

b. Inactive Member: An Inactive member is hereby defined to be a member who has been placed on the Inactive Roll, for among other reasons health, breach of his/her membership duties and responsibilities as set forth in Section 4, Section 5(a), and Section 8(a) of this Article. Such Member shall not be provided any reports of the church, nor be permitted to vote in any of the meetings of the church, nor have the normal rights and privileges granted to Active members. An Inactive member may be restored to the Active Roll by showing evidence of rededication and faithfulness and by requesting reinstatement through the Board of Deacons. At the discretion of the Pastor and Board of Deacons, members who are Inactive for health reasons may not be required to show evidence of rededication and faithfulness.

c. Deceased Member: Upon the death of a member said name shall be automatically removed from the membership roll.

d. Associate Member: Such member shall have all the rights and privileges of membership except the right to vote.

e. Life Member: Upon recommendation from the Pastor and Board of Deacons and acceptance by the Church at a church family conference, in very rare cases, a member may be designated a Life member thereby exempting said member from the obligations of an Active member. Such member shall have all the rights and privileges of membership except the right to vote.

6. Status Review:

The Board of Deacons, with the aide of the Trustees, and membership secretary shall routinely review the membership roll and, immediately prior to each church family conference, determine whether each member is adhering to the duty of responsible Stewardship. Any member who has failed to contribute in accordance with said member's commitment shall be investigated by the Board of Deacons for an appropriate recommendation in accordance with Section 4(g) of this Article.

7. Grievances:

In a case of disagreement or dissatisfaction in this church, a member shall be obligated to resolve such matters according to the Holy Scriptures without disrupting the unity of this church. Such member shall be encouraged to:

a. review prayerfully the motives and the overall implication of the disagreement or dissatisfaction.

b. meet with representatives of the Board of Deacons to review the matter. Every effort shall be made to restore harmony, establish necessary lines of communication, and/or achieve a workable compromise consistent with the Covenant obligations (in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17). After exhausting these measures, if a resolution cannot be reached a member shall not engage in conduct that is deemed inappropriate for Christian behavior and disruptive. Said member shall determine whether the failure to reach an amicable resolution will impact said member's ability to maintain the duties and responsibilities of membership. If a negative decision is reached, such member shall notify the Chairman of the Board of Deacons in writing and said member's membership shall automatically terminate.

8. Discipline:

The church shall discipline members whose conduct breaches the duties and responsibilities of membership. The following forms of discipline shall be available:

a. Suspension from church membership for a specified period,

b. Dismissal from church membership.

c. Those provided for in Section 4 of this Article with respect to membership and stewardship responsibilities.

9. Dismissal:

a. A letter of dismissal to another Baptist church shall be granted to an Active member in good standing who desires to unite with such church. Such letter shall be sent to said other Baptist church at its request.

b. A letter of certification of Christian character shall be granted to an Active member in good standing who desires to unite with an evangelical church of another denomination.

c. Whenever a member shall join another church, his membership in this church shall automatically terminate.

d. Dismissal also occurs when a member's name is removed from the roll pursuant to Section 8 of this Article.

It shall be the duty of the Pastor to provide opportunities for the church to engage in worship, service, growth, evangelism, and fellowship. The Pastor, or his designee, will preach during the Sunday worship services; administer the ordinances of the Gospel; preside at church family conferences; teach during mid-week Bible studies; lead other prayer, praise, and worship services; extend the hand of fellowship to new members; provide pastoral counseling; perform wedding ceremonies; officiate at funerals; provide vision casting for the direction of this ministry; function as the President and Chief Executive officer of St. Paul Baptist Church, Inc., and to perform the various other duties usually incumbent upon his office.

2. As the Pastor seeks to perform all of the Scriptural duties of his office, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he shall maintain a close working relationship with the Deacons as a co-laborer and overseer of the flock. The Pastor, with the assistance of the Executive Board and Personnel Committee, shall hire, supervise, develop, and dismiss all paid and volunteer staff, ministerial and nonministerial, including individual contractors. The Pastor shall be an ordained Baptist minister, and both he and his assistants shall be in agreement with the Mission Statement, the Statement of Faith, and the Church Covenant.

3. To call a Pastor to serve this church, a Pulpit Committee of eleven people shall be appointed by the Joint Board and approved by the church. This Pulpit Committee shall consist of four Deacons, three Trustees and four members from the congregation at large. The findings and recommendations of the Pulpit Committee shall be reported to the Joint Board for recommendation to the congregation at a meeting called by the Joint Board. After six (6) months the Pulpit Committee shall serve at the discretion of the Joint Board. In any event, the term of the Pulpit Committee shall not exceed one (1) year from the date of appointment. A two-thirds vote of the Active members present shall be required for the call of a Pastor. A quorum of not less than thirty (30) percent of the Active members of this church shall be required for such meeting.

4. The engagement of a Pastor may be terminated by a two-thirds vote of the active members present at a church family conference called for that purpose by the Joint Board. A quorum of not less than thirty (30) percent of the Active members of this church shall be required for such conference.

Qualifications For Officers

3. Prior to election, each officer of the church shall be required to sign a Covenant of Leadership indicating that said officer will adhere to the qualifications for church leaders as stated below. Each officer shall also signify that said officer is familiar with the duties of the office for which said officer is being considered, as outlined in these Church By-Laws.

4. Each officer of this church shall give unquestioned evidence of:

(a) testimony of conversion to Christian Discipleship,

(b) Willingness to cooperate with the Pastor and church leaders,

(c) commitment to responsible stewardship, e.g., tithing,

(d) agreement with Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, and Church Covenant,

(e) available time needed to serve faithfully.

(f) having been discipled, and being committed to discipling and preparing others for works of ministry.

5. St. Paul's leaders are encouraged to accept their role prayerfully, and should keep in mind the responsibilities of the task of leadership and diligently strive to exemplify the seven "C"s as a way of life. These are: Christian, Competence, Compassion, Commitment, Cooperation, Completion, and Community.

6. Any candidate for a position as an officer must have been an Active member of this church for a minimum of one (1) year.

31. It shall be the duty of the Church Treasurer, in conjunction with the Pastor and the Business Manager, to (a) make such disbursements of monies as shall be duly authorized, in writing, by the Board of Trustees or by the Church; (b) keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements (c) render a report at all Church Family Conferences of such receipts and disbursements since the date of the last report and at the annual conference of the church present a consolidated report showing all receipts disbursements, balances and liabilities of the church for the period of the last fiscal year and (d) such other duties that may be assigned by the Pastor.

35. The Stewardship Secretary is not required to be a Deacon or Trustee.

There shall be an Annual Church Family Conference in March at which the ministry, missions, and financial reports of the previous year shall be presented. The annual budget shall be presented for approval at the December conference. All church Officers shall be elected, confirmed or reconfirmed at the December conference. In the event of a vacancy, however, such can be filled at any Church Family Conference.

2. The Pastor and the Joint Board are authorized to change any date/day of the conference provided for in Section one (1) hereof under appropriate or special circumstances.

3. At any Church Family Conference, only such matters as presented by the Pastor and Joint Board, shall be given consideration, except for special conferences called pursuant to paragraph 7 in this Article. The agenda shall include a provision for the presentation by Active members’ comments from the floor or matters for consideration by the Pastor and Joint Board.

4. The Pastor shall serve as moderator of all Church Family Conferences. If for any reason the Pastor is absent from, or unable or unwilling to serve as moderator of a conference, the chairman of the Board of Deacons or his designee shall serve as moderator. If the matter to be acted upon affects the Pastor's status, then for the purpose of consideration of the matter, the Chairman of the Board of Deacons or his designee shall moderate the matter for which action needs to be taken.

5. The right to attend, participate in, and vote at any Church Family Conference will be limited to Active member as defined in Section 5 of Article VI. Ten percent (lot) of the total Active membership of the church shall constitute a quorum for A Church Family. No Proxies shall be permitted at any Church Family Conferences.

6. Special Church Family Conferences may be held pursuant to two (2) weeks notice provided and announced at the Sunday worship services for the Two (2) Sundays preceding the special conference. The subject matter of the conference must be included in the announcement. Special conferences may be called by the Pastor, Chairman of Deacon Board and Chairman of the Trustee Board provided that all three (3) are informed of the subject matter to be presented at the special conference.

7. Special Church Family Conferences may also be called by written petition of ten (10) percent of the Active members. In such cases twenty (20) percent of the Active members shall be required to constitute a quorum. Such request shall be presented to the Pastor and Joint Board for membership verification and for announcement to the congregation. The written petition must clearly provide the subject matter thereof. In the event the Pastor chooses not to give such notice, following verification of membership status by the Joint Board, the notice must be placed on the church bulletin board and a copy of the request provided to the Membership Secretary. The date for a requested special conference must be within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request. For the two (2) Sundays prior to the date of the meeting, the Church Clerk shall announce at the Sunday worship services, the date, time and subject matter of the special conference.

8. The principles and practices of Christian conduct as set forth in the Bible and empowered by the aide of the Holy Spirit are the primary authority for all church business. Subsequently, the rules contained in the Modern Edition of Robert's Rules of Order, where practical and consistent with both these by-laws and the Bible (e.g., 1 Cor. 14:40), shall be applied at all Church Family Conferences.

The fiscal year of the Church shall extend from January 1st to December 31st of each year.

Indemnification

The church shall indemnify the Pastor, Officers, and other such persons as the Pastor and Executive Board decide for claims, losses, suits, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred by said persons due to claims, losses incurred, suits, damages and expenses incurred arising out of and related to the duties with respect to their positions in furthering the purpose of this Church. Nothing herein shall obligate the church to indemnify anyone under circumstances where the action taken or conduct complained of was ultra vires, i.e., beyond legal power, or against the best interest of the Church.