Preamble

Placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for sa1vation believing in the teaching and practices of Baptists and the following distinctive New Testament principles, namely:

1.      The Lordship of Jesus Christ,

2.      The Bible, the sole authority for Faith and practice,

3.      The Sovereign Autonomy of the local church and the free exercise of religion apart from governmental interference.

4.      Spiritually Reborn Active Church membership,

5.      Two church ordinances to observe:

a)      Believer's Baptism by immersion

b)      The Lord's Supper

6.      The Soul Liberty of the Believer,

7.      Progressive Sanctification,

8.      Eternal Security of the Believer,

we therefore band ourselves together as a body of immersed believers in Jesus Christ and adopt, ordain and establish for our government and plan of worship and service the following Declaration of Faith, Covenant, Constitution and By-Laws, and Standing Rules.

DECLARATION OF FAITH

THE BIBLE:

We believe that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" by which we understand the whole Bible is inspired in the sense that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the writings--historical, poetical, doctrinal, and prophetically- as appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that all the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work in His first and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read, or understood, until it leads to Him. We also believe that all the Scriptures were designed for our practical instruction. (Mark 12:26,36; 13: 11; Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Acts 1: 16; 17:23; 18:28; 26:22-23; 28:23; Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 2:13; 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)

THE GODHEAD:

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons-- The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit--and that these three are one God; having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience. (Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1-3;

Rev. 1:4-6)

GOD THE FATHER:

We believe that God the Father is eternal, holy, changeless, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He is also faithful, merciful, loving and infinitely concerned with all men. His works can be seen in creation; calling and caring for Israel; in providing a Redeemer; in His sovereign control of the universe; and in His future fulfilling of all His coming promises. (ps. 90:2; Ps. 36:5-7, Ps. 139; Ps. 19:1; Gen. 12; Acts 15:16-17; Gal. 4:4; Dan. 4:3; 34; Revelation)

GOD THE SON (CHRIST):

We believe that, as provided and proposed by God and as announced in the prophecies of Scripture, the eternal Son of God came into this world that He might manifest God to men, fulfill prophecy, and become the redeemer of the lost world. To this end He was born of the Virgin Mary and received a human body and a sinless human nature. (Luke 1:30-35; John 1: 18,3: 16; Heb. 4: 15)

We believe that, on the human side, He became and remained a perfect man, but sinless

throughout His life; yet He retained His absolute deity, being at the same time very God and very man, and that His earth-life sometimes functioned within the sphere of that which was human and sometimes within the sphere of that which was divine. (Luke 2:40; John 1: 1-2, Phil. 2:5-8)

We believe that in fulfillment of prophecy He came first to Israel as her Messiah-King, and that, being rejected of that nation, He, according to the eternal counsels of God, gave His life as a ransom for all. (John 1: 11; Acts 2:22-24; I Tim. 2:6)

We believe that, in infinite love for the lost, He voluntarily accepted His Father's will and became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb and took away the sin of the world; bearing the holy judgments against sin which the righteousness of God must impose. His death was, therefore, substitutionary in the most absolute sense--the just for the unjust-and by His death He became the Savior of the lost. (John 1:29; Rom. 3:25-26; 2 Cor.

5: 14; Heb. 10:5-14; I Peter 3: 18)

We believe that, according to the Scriptures, He arose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died, and that His resurrection body is the pattern of the body which ultimately will be given to all believers. (John 20:20; Phil. 3:20)

We believe that, on departing from the earth, He was accepted of His Father and that His acceptance is a final assurance to us that His redeeming work was perfectly accomplished. (Heb. 1:3)

We believe that He became Head over all things to the church which is His body, and in this ministry He ceases not to intercede and advocate for the saved. (Eph. 1:22-23; Heb. 7:25; I John 2: 1)

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT:

We believe that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the blessed Trinity, though omnipresent from all eternity, took up His abode in the world in a special sense on the day of Pentecost according to the divine promise; dwells in every believer, by His baptism unites all to Christ in one body; He, as the Indwelling One, is the source of all power and all acceptable worship and service. We believe that He never takes His departure from the church, nor from the feeblest of the saints, but is ever present to testify of Christ, seeking to occupy believers with Christ and not with themselves. We believe that His abode in the world in this special sense will cease when Christ comes to receive His own at the completion of the church. (John 14:16-17; 16:7-15; I Cor. 6:19; Eph. 2:22; 2 Thess. 2:7)

We believe that, in this age, certain well-defined ministries are committed to the Holy Spirit, and that it is the duty of every Christian to understand them and to be adjusted to them in his: own life and experience. These ministries are: the restraining of evil in the world to the measure of the divine will; the convicting of the world respecting sin, righteousness;' and judgment; the regenerating of all believers; the indwelling and anointing. of all who are saved, thereby sealing them unto the day of redemption; the baptizing into the one body of Christ all who are saved; the continued filling for power for teaching, and service of those among the saved who are yielded to Him and who are subject to His will. (John 3:6; 16:7,11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13, Eph. 4:30; 5: 18; 2 Thess.2:7; 1 john 2:20,27)

ANGELS FALLEN & UNFALLEN:

We believe that God created an innumerable company of sinless, spiritual beings, known as angels; that one, "Lucifer, son of the morning" the highest in rank then sinned through pride, thereby becoming Satan; that a great company of the angels followed him in his moral fall, some of whom became demons and are active as his agents and associates. in the prosecution of his unholy purposes, while others who fell are "reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day". (Isa. 14:12,17; Ezek. 28:1119; I Tim. 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6)

We believe that Satan is the originator of sin, and that, under the permission of God, he, through subtlety, led our first parents into transgression, thereby accomplishing their moral fall and subjecting them and their posterity to his own power; that he is the enemy of God and the people of God, opposing and exalting himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped; and that he who in the beginning said, "I will be like the most High," in his warfare appears as an angel of light, even counterfeiting the works of God by fostering religious movements and systems of doctrine, which systems in every case are characterized by a denial of the efficacy of the blood of Christ and of salvation by grace alone. (Gen. 3:1-19; Rom 5:12,14; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; 11:13-15; Eph. 6:10-12; 2 Thess.2:4; I Tim. 4:1-3)

We believe that Satan was judged at the cross, though the sentence was not then executed, and that he, a usurper, now rules as the "god of this world" that, at the second coming of Christ, Satan will be bound and cast into the abyss for a thousand years, and after the thousand years he will be loosed for a little season and then "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, "where he shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever". (Col. 2: 15; Rev. 20: 1-3, 10)

We believe that a great company of angels kept their holy estate and are before the throne of God, whence they are sent forth as ministering spirits to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. (Luke 15:10; Eph. 1:21; Heb. 1:14)

We believe that man was made lower than the angels; and that, in His incarnation, Christ took for a little time this lower place that He might lift the believer to His own sphere above the angels. (Heb. 2:6-10)

MAN - CREATED & FALLEN

We believe that man was originally created in the image and after the likeness of God, and that he fell through sin, and, as a consequence of his sin, lost his spiritual life, becoming dead ;in trespasses and sins, and that he became subject to the power of the devil. We also believe that this spiritual death, or total depravity of human nature, has been transmitted to the entire human race of man, the Man Christ Jesus alone being excepted; and hence that every child of Adam is born into the world with a nature which not only possesses no spark of divine life, but is essentially and unchangeably bad apart from divine grace. (Gen. 1:26; 2:17; 6:5; Ps. 14:1-3; 51:5; Jer. 17:9; John 3:6; 5:40; 6:53; Rom. 3: 10-19; 8:6-7; Eph. 2: 1-3; I John 3:8)

SALVATION:

We believe that, owing to universal death through sin, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born from above; and that no degree of reformation however great, no attainments in morality however high, no culture however attractive, no baptism or other ordinance however administered can help the sinner to take even one step toward heaven; but a new nature imparted from above, a new life implanted by the Holy Spirit through the Word, is absolutely essential to salvation, and only those thus saved are sons of God. We believe, also, that our redemption has been accomplished solely by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was made to be sin and was made a curse for us, dying in our room and stead; and that no repentance, no feeling, no faith, no good resolutions, no sincere efforts, no submission to the rules and regulations of any church, nor all the churches that have existed since the days of the Apostles, can add in the very least degree to the value of the blood, or to the merit of the finished work wrought for us by Him who united in His person true and proper deity with perfect and sinless humanity. (Lev. 17: 11; Isa. 64:6; Matt. 26:28; John 3:5, 18; Rom. 5:6-9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3: 13; 6: 15; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 3:4-9; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; I Peter 1:18-19, 23)

We believe that the new birth of the believer comes only through faith in Christ and that repentance is a vital part of believing, and is in no way, in itself, a separate and independent condition of salvation; nor are any other acts, such as confession, baptism, prayer, or faithful service, to be added to believing as a condition of salvation. (John 1:12; 3:16; 18,36; 5:24; 6:29; Acts 13:39; 16:31; Rom. 1:16-17; 3:22, 26; 4:5; 10:4; Gal. 3:22)

We believe that when an unregenerate person exercises that faith in Christ which is illustrated and described as such in the New Testament, he passes immediately out of spiritual death into spiritual life, and from the old creation into the new; being justified from all things, accepted before the Father according as Christ His Son is accepted, loved as Christ is loved, having his place and portion as linked to Him and one with Him forever. Though the saved one may have occasion to grow in the realization of his blessings and to know a fuller measure of divine power through the yielding of his life more fully to God, he is as soon as he is saved, in possession of every spiritual blessing and absolutely complete in Christ, and is, therefore, in no way required by God to seek a so-called "second blessing", or a "second work of grace". (John 5:24; 17:23; Acts 13:39; Rom. 5:1; I Cor. 3:21-23; Eph. 1:3; Col. 2:10; I John 4:17; 5:11-12)

We believe that, because of the eternal purpose of God towards the objects of His love, because of His freedom to exercise grace toward the meritless on the ground of the propitiatory blood of Christ, because of the very nature of the divine gift of eternal life, because of the" present and unending intercession and advocacy of Christ in heaven, because of the immutability of the unchangeable covenants of God, because of the regenerating, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all who are saved, we and all true believers everywhere, once saved shall be kept saved forever. We believe, however, that God is a holy and righteous Father and that, since He cannot overlook the sin of His children, He will when they persistently sin chasten them and correct them in infinite love; but having undertaken to save them and keep them forever, apart from all human merit, He, who cannot fail, will in the end present every one of them faultless before the presence of His glory and conformed to the image of His Son. (John 5:24; 10:28; 13:1; 14:16-17; 17:11; Rom. 8:29; I Cor. 6:'19; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:1-2; 5:13; Jude 1:24)

We believe it is the privilege, not only of some, but of all who are born again by the Spirit through faith in Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, to be assured of their salvation from the very day they take Him to be their Savior, and that this assurance is not founded upon any fancied discovery of their own worthiness or fitness, but wholly upon the testimony of God in His written Word, exciting within His children filial love, gratitude, and obedience. (Luke 10:20; 21:32; 2 Cor. 5:1,6-8; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 10:22; I John 5:13)

CHRISTIAN LIFE:

We believe that we are called with an holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. But the flesh with its fallen, Adamic nature, which in this life is never eradicated, being with us to the end of our' earthly pilgrimage, needs to be kept by the Spirit constantly in subjection to Christ, or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord. (Rom. 6: 11-13; 8:2,4; 12-13; Gal. 5: 16-23; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 2: 1-10; I Peter 1: 14-16; I John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)

CHRISTIAN SERVICE:

We believe that divine, enabling gifts for service are bestowed by the Spirit upon all who are saved. While there is a diversity of gifts, each believer is energized by the same Spirit and each is called to his own divinely appointed service as the Spirit may will. In the apostolic church there were certain gifted men--apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers-- who ere appointed by God for the perfecting of the saints unto their work of the ministry. We believe also that today some men are especially called of God to be evangelists, pastors and teaches, and that it is to the fulfilling of His will and to His eternal glory that these shall be sustained and encouraged in their service for God. (Rom. 12:6; I Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:11)

We believe that, wholly apart from salvation benefits which are bestowed equally upon all who believe, rewards are promised according to the faithfulness of each believer in his service for his Lord, and that those rewards will be bestowed at the judgment seat of Christ. (I Cor. 3:9-15; 9:18-27; 2 Cor. 5:10)

THE CHURCH:

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all true believers, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government. According to New Testament commandments, Christians are to associate themselves into particular ,societies or churches; and to each of these local churches He has given needful authority for administering that order, discipline, and worship which He has appointed. (Co1. 1: 18; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5)

We believe that a Local Church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers and Elders and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties, are clearly defined in the scriptures. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. We hold that the local Church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individual or organizations; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; the each Local Church is the sole judge of the membership, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the Local Church is final. (Acts 1:8,2:41,42; 20:17-28; I Cor. 11:2; 5:1-6:4; Col. 1: 18; Eph. 5:23,24; I Tim. 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9)

THE ORDINANCES:

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effort in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. That it is pre-requisite to church membership. We believe that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Matt. 28: 19; Acts 10:47-48; 8:26-39; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 28:19; Co1. 2:12; I Cor. 11:23-28)

CIVIL GOVERNMENT:

We believe that civil government is of Divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. (Rom. 13:1-7; n Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21,22; Acts 23:5; 5:20; 4: 19,20; Matt. 22:21; Dan. 3:17,18; I Peter 2: 13-17)

THE LAST THINGS:

We believe in the personal, imminent and pre-millennial coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. (I Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11; Rev. 20:1-6; Titus 2:11-14) In accord with our beliefs we teach the following:

The next great event for the Church in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven 1:5pth His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and that this event is the blessed hope set before us in Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking. (John 14: 1-3; I Cor. 15: 1-52; Phil. 3:20; I Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2: 11-14)

The coming of the Lord for His Church will be followed by the fulfillment of Israel's seventieth week, (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6:1-19:21) during which the church, the body of Christ, will be in heaven. The whole period of Israel's seventieth week will be a time of judgment on the whole earth, at the end of which the times of the Gentiles will be brought to a close. The latter half of this period will be the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer.30:7), which our Lord called the great tribulation (Matt. 24: 15-21). We believe that universal righteousness will not be realized previous to the second coming of Christ, but that the world is day by day ripening for judgment and that the age will end with a fearful apostasy.

The period of great tribulation in the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth as He went, in person on the clouds of heaven, and with power and great glory to introduce the millennial age, to bind Satan and place him in the abyss, to lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, to restore Israel to her own land and to give her the realization of God's covenant promises, and to bring the whole world to the knowledge of God. (Deut. 30:1-10; Isa. 11:9, Ezek. 37:21-22; Matt. 24:15-25; 46; Acts 15:16-17; Rom. 8:19-23; 11;25-27; I Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3: 1-5; Rev. 20: 1-3)

THE ETERNAL STATE:

We believe that at death the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ comes for His own, whereupon soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory; but the spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain after death conscious of condemnation and in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. (Luke 16:19-26; 23:42; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23,2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 1:6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)

COVENANT OF FELLOWSHIP

As born-again believers and members of this local church, we agree by the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit:

To walk together in Christian love. (John 13:34-35; I Thess. 4:8-10)

To strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort by promoting its prosperity and spirituality; sustaining its worship, ordinances, discipline and beliefs; giving it proper preeminence over institutions of human origin. (Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:7; I Thess. 5: 11-13)

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 through, missions. (I Cor. 8:12-13; 9:6-7; 16:1-2)

To involve ourselves in family and personal worship. (II Tim. 2:15; 3: 15-17)

To train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, seeking to educate them in accord with biblical truths, realizing that God holds parents responsible for the education of their children. (Eph. 6:4; Duet. 6:1)

To seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances. (Rm. 1: 16-17; Acts 20:20-21)

To walk circumspectly in the world. (I Thess. 4: 12)

To be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment. (I Thess. 4:11-12; 5:15; 1:6-7)

To abstain from anything whi9h is a form of evil or which might cause a fellow believer to stumble. (I Thess. 5:22, I Cor. 8:9; 10:23; 31-32)

To remember each other in prayer, aiding each other in sickness and distress. (Gal. 6:2,10; Eph. 3: 14-19; Phil. 4:14-16)

To cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech. (Eph. 4:25,29; Phil. 4:8)

To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the instruction of our Savior, to secure it without delay. (Eph. 4:31-32; James 1: 19-20; Matt. 5:23-24)

CONSTITUTION 

Article I.

The name of this Organization, a corporation, shall be The First Baptist Church of Hood River, Oregon. The church may establish, from time to time, subsidiary corporations for ministry purposes, which are governed in the manner specified in the By-laws of the Corporation.

(Definition of a subsidiary corporation: A corporation having more than half of its ownership owned by another corporation.)

Article II. Object

The object of this organization shall be:

To provide for the worship of God.                                   -:

To educate its constituency with a Christian view of God and the world.

To teach and preach the Word of God in order to win people to a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

To seek the spiritual improvement of its members.

To administer the ordinances of the New Testament.

To advance the interests of the above Church in its community.

To extend the ministry of the Gospel unto an the earth.

Article III. Membership

The Objective of Membership

Membership is encouraged of all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are fellowshipping at First Baptist Church. Those who already are members here desire to see (non-members) come into agreement with the goals and objectives of FBC, and join in concert with the First Baptist family. This will ensure the non-members God-given gifts, spiritual insight, and Christian growth are maximized in ministry. This will also benefit the non-member with accountability to God's ministry agent in this present age, the Local Church.

Prerequisites to Membership

The membership of this church shall consist of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have been immersed, who have acknowledged agreement with the faith, practice and covenant of this church and have been received into fellowship by regular action of the church. (By-Laws and Standing Rules. Art. A)

Article IV. Officers

The Scriptural officers of this church are Elders and Deacons. Their election, term of

service and succession are determined by the By-Laws. The church shall elect and appoint to the various forms of service as indicated by titles and as defined in the By-Laws and such other members as are deemed advisable. (By-Laws and Standing Rules. Art. B)

Article V. Meetings

Meetings for worship, prayer, praise, instruction, fellowship, business, and special purposes shall be held as set forth in the By-Laws. (See By Laws and Standing Rules Article E)

Article VI. Relationships

Believing in the local church as an autonomous body of believers under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, this church by official action shall determine the maintaining of fraternal fellowship and cooperation with churches of like faith and practice, or with organized groups of Baptists or inter-church relationships when our cardinal beliefs will not be compromised. To such groups this church may send statistical reports and may be represented in their meetings. No financial support is to be given to a work, or workers, whose doctrinal position is not in keeping with the Preamble of this Constitution.

Article VII - Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of members present and voting at any quarterly business meeting provided such amendments have been submitted in writing at the previously regularly scheduled quarterly business meeting. All such proposed amendments shall be reviewed by the Board of Elders prior to the vote of members (Art. J - Amendments; Art. E, Section 3 - Quorum)

BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES

Preamble

These By-Laws and Standing Rules are adopted, ordained, and established for our government and plan of worship and service. No by-law or standing rule which conflicts with the Articles of Incorporation or the Constitution of this church shall be effective. Detailed method of application is embodied in the standing rules.

Article A - Membership

Section 1. Qualifications for Membership

a)      Persons applying for membership must profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and hold to convictions of faith and practice that are in conformity with those of this church which include baptism by immersion and a willingness to yield to the duly called and elected leadership of this church.

Section 2. Manner of Receiving Members

a)      All applications for membership in this church shall be presented to the Board of Elders.

b)      All applicants for admission to membership of this church shall appear before the Board of Elders for consultation and examination.

c)      All applicants, sixteen years and older, shall be presented with a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws. They shall be required to have read it and indicate their willingness to accept the views of faith and practice adopted by this church as written in the Preamble and Declaration of Faith. If the applicant is a child under sixteen years of age, that person, upon reaching the age of sixteen will be required to accept the Constitution and By-Laws.

d)      All applicants shall read and study any material recommended by the Board of Elders.

e)      Applicants may be received:

1)      By letter of transfer. Upon receipt of a letter duly granted, members of other Baptist churches, whose doctrinal position is in agreement with the Preamble of this church, may be received.

2)      By statement of Christian Experience. Persons who have been immersed upon the profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have a credible testimony, and accept the views of faith and practice adopted by this church, may be received.

3)     By restoration. Persons who have been members of this church from whom the hand of fellowship has been withdrawn, or whose membership has lapsed due to dereliction on the individual's part, may upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders and a vote of the church be restored to membership after public testimony.

f)    Names of applicants recommended to the church by the Board of Elders shall be read at any two consecutive Sunday morning and evening services of the church. If no objection to the applicant is received by the Elders within one week after the second week of notice, the applicant will be automatically accepted into membership. No applicant shall be presented to the membership without said recommendation.

Section 3. Duties of Members

It shall be the duties of each member of this church to keep the covenant of obligations set forth in this Constitution and to humbly assist fellow members in keeping theirs; to attend all regular services of the church when possible; to honor and esteem the Elders, to pray for them fervently and daily, to yield to them in the Scriptural exercise of their office; in proportion to ability, to contribute materially to the support of the ministry of this church; to actively seek and develop an active witness as a way of life.

Section 4. Termination of Membership

a)      Letter of transfer. Upon the request of another church of like faith and order, the Member Care Council shall grant a letter of transfer and the FBC body be informed.

b)      Letter of dismissal. Upon request of any member, the Elder Board may grant a letter of dismissal and the church informed.

c)      Others:

1) If a member, resident or non-resident, fails to keep in touch with the church, or neglects the covenant obligations, the church may, after a period of six months, put the individual's name on an inactive list. Twice a year, in December and June, the inactive list will be reviewed by the Member Care Council to determine if a person's name should be permanently removed from the membership roll excepting for reasons of illness, handicap, or temporarily out of town. This requires a two-thirds vote of members voting at a business meeting announced at a regular church meeting one week prior to the vote.

2) Exclusion (See Section 5 - Discipline) Members may be excluded from membership for conduct unbecoming to a Christian, or for any other cause that promotes discord and injures the Unity and effectiveness of the church, by two-thirds vote of members voting at a business meeting. Announcement of such a vote is to be made -one week prior to the vote and the member in consideration is to be notified one week prior to the vote.

                                   3) Death. Upon the death of a member of this church, the                                                individual's name shall be removed from the membership roll.

Section 5. Discipline of Membership

As it is one of the important duties of the Christian church to keep itself pure, it shall be the duty of the Board of Elders to seek to reclaim those members who disregard their covenant obligations. When the Board is satisfied of continued gross misconduct, public or private, such matters shall be dealt with according to New Testament teaching and every effort made to give a fair and impartial hearing to the accused and to win the member or members to renewed Christian living and church relation. If the accused stubbornly persists in un-Christian behavior it shall be the duty of the Board to prefer charges before the church against the one or ones involved and opportunity given to state one's case.

If the member's address is unknown, or if the member has consented to have the hand of fellowship withdrawn, or has definitely informed the Board that he or she does not want a formal trial of the case, the Board shall recommend that the name of the member be removed from the roll and the church shall act immediately upon such recommendation. When the Board prefers charges, the trial shall be conducted in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the New Testament and all possible consideration of the rights of the member and the welfare of the church. (Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:1-6:4, II Cor. 2:1-11)

Section 6. Non-members

We value everyone who attends our regular worship services and other church programs. It is our goal to help people "get to know" God and his love for them, and progressively deepen their relationship with him. We encourage all people who attend to obey the Spirit's prompting to participate or serve on church councils or committees. Non-members may participate as a leader in the church's various ministries, although this will require a meeting with the appropriate church council or the Elder overseeing that ministry. Non-members cannot vote at church business meetings nor can they be elected to an office such as Elder.

Everyone attending church services or participating in church ministries should conduct themselves appropriately in Christian love and humility. To do otherwise brings harm and embarrassment to the body of Christ, and such a person would be subject to church discipline. (See Section 5 - Discipline of membership)

Article B - Officers

Section 1 _Board of Elders

a)      Election and Term of Office. The governing body of this local church corporation shall be known as the Board of Elders and shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than (15) members elected and confirmed at the annual business meeting for the term of three (3) years, excluding those on the Pastoral team. Elders shall be voted on individually and elected by a three-fourths majority of those present and voting. The expiration of the terms of the members of this board shall be staggered so that each year approximately one-third of the members shall be retired and a like number shall be elected to the office of elder, unless qualified person are not available to serve.

All Pastors, officers, councils, committees, subsidiary ministry corporations and Staff shall be responsible to this Board. The Board shall be accountable to the local church. The local church is accountable to its Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.

b)      Biblical Qualifications. Each member of the Board of Elders shall be an active member of this local church and posses the qualifications described in

      I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-7. He shall be:

                     1) Blameless (above reproach) as a steward of God.

                                 I Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6,7

                     2) Husband of one wife (a one-woman man).

                                 I Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6

                     3) Temperate (sober, vigilant).

                                 I Tim. 3:2

                     4) Sober minded (prudent).

                                 I Tim. 3:2,Titus 1:8

                     5) Of good behavior (orderly, respectable).

                                 I Tim. 3:2

                     6) Given to hospitality.

                                 I Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:8

                     7) Apt to teach (able to teach) (He can exhort believers & refute false

                        teaching)

                                 I Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:9

                     8) Not given to wine.

                                 I Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:1

                     9) Not violent (pugnacious).

                                 I Tim 3:3, Titus 1:7

                     10) Patient (moderate, forbearing, gentle).

                                 I Tim. 3:3

                     11) Not a brawler (un-contentious) (not soon angry or quick tempered)

                                 I Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7

12) Not covetous (not a lover of money) (not greedy of base gain). .

            I Tim. 3:3, Titus 1:7

13) Rules well his own house (his children are faithful not accused of rebellion to God).

            I Tim. 3:4, Titus 1:6

14) Not a novice (not a new convert).

            I Tim 3:6

15) Has a good report or reputation with outsiders.

            I Tim. 3:7

16) Not self-willed.

            Titus 1:7

                     17) A lover of good (men and things).

                                 Titus 1:8

                     18) Just (fair).

                                 Titus 1:8

                     19) Holy (devout).

                                 Titus 1:8

                     20) Self-controlled.

                                 Titus 1:8

           Each member of the Board of Elders shall be a believer in and teacher of the Gospel and fundamental teachings of faith as held by this church as stated in the Preamble and Declaration of Faith of the Constitution.

c)      Leadership Gifting - In addition to the qualifications listed under sub-section b, Elder candidates must also exhibit a spiritual gift for administrative leadership (Romans 12:6-8), I Cor 12:28)

1)      Elder candidates should have demonstrated ability to provide leadership for the church. Leadership can be demonstrated in a variety of ways and is not solely a function of being in a position of leadership.

2)      Elder candidates should be able to plan, organize, direct, & manage with diligence the affairs of a council while demonstrating a style that encourages participation by members.

3)      Elder candidates should be able to listen effectively to member concerns and should be able to speak effectively both to individuals and in-group settings.

d)      Duties - The Elders are responsible for shepherding and having oversight over the local church. Specific Biblical directives include:

1)      To rule, govern, direct and administer the work of the church (I Tim. 3:4-5, 5:17; I Thess. 5:12; I Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:7, 17,24)

2)      To care for the church (Acts 20:35; I Tim. 3:5; Luke 10:34-35)

3)      To provide for the discipline of erring members when such is deemed necessary, while striving for reconciliation ( I Thess. 5:12;nThess. 3:14-15; I Tim. 3:4-5)

4)      To teach (I Tim. 3:2, 5: 17; Titus 1:9; Acts 20:28; I peter 5:2-3)

5)      To guard the church from error (Titus 1:9; Acts 20:28)

6)      To exercise general oversight of financial matters of the church and church property (I Tim. 3:3; I Peter 5:2; Acts 11:30)

7)      To be committed to being an elder, recognizing that the work of the office is described as hard, not an easy task. (Acts 20:35;I Thess. 5:12; I Tim. 5:17; I Cor. 15:10; Gal. 4:11)

Specific duties resulting from these directives would include the following:

1)      To establish policies and determine practices for the church in keeping with God's Word and the Church Constitution.

2)      To elect a chairman, vice chairman and secretary-treasurer who also constitute the "Officers" of The First Baptist Church of Hood River" Inc.

3)      To designate a member of the Board of Elders to be moderator of         church business meetings.

4)      To serve as co-chairmen of the various councils.

5)      To appoint church members to co-chairman of various councils and other service positions, e.g. Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent as may be needed by the ministries of the church.

6)      To develop Operating Agreements with subsidiary ministry corporations which specify the specific delegation of authority to carry out the purposes of the ministry and the ongoing relationship that the subsidiaries will have with the church. Such agreements are subject to a confirmation vote of the church only on matters which exceed the authority delegated to the Board of Elders by the church membership.

7)      To hear and consider all reports and recommendations submitted by pastors" councils, committees and staff.

8)      To prepare an annual church budget, including, but not limited to, any salaries of Pastor-Teacher(s) and church support staff as well as missionary and Christian Education commitments. The various councils will provide the Board suggested budgets from which to work in the light of each council's needs and goals. The annual budget shall be posted two weeks prior to the annual meeting and approved by the church at the annual meeting.

9)      To have charge of the property and all temporalities of the church, but they shall not sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber the real estate of other property of the church, and they shall not purchase property or otherwise obligate the church, without consent of two-thirds of the members of the church who are present at a special meeting called for that purpose by public notice given at least two weeks previously.

10) To contact prospective staff personnel, determine duties, salaries, vacations, and tenure, and to make recommendation to the church to fill any staff vacancy in positions existing or created by the actions of the church. They shall execute the wishes of the church relative to staff personnel who shall directly be responsible to the board for the efficient performance of their duties.

11) To employ one or more custodians from the membership, if possible, and to recommend their salaries, and determine their duties.

12) To be responsible for the designation of a bank for general banking and a depository for securities and other valuables of the church as well as supervising the handling of trust and endowment funds.

13) To acquaint themselves with the laws of the State of Oregon, and other applicable regulations that pertain to churches and see that such laws are faithfully obeyed in all matters affecting the church.

14) To make quarterly and annual reports to the church.

15) To make expenditures on the behalf of the church as follows:

i) Budgeted Line Items

Full authority to spend sums budgeted by the church by line item, subject to a majority vote of the Board, and further subject to the availability of receipts sufficient to fund budgeted expenses.

ii) Restricted Funds (Restricted by the Congregation)

Authority to spend moneys from special funds which have been authorized by the congregation, subject to a limit of $20,000.00 (Twenty-Thousand Dollars) per fund. However, notice to the congregation of at least one (1) week must be given in a regular morning worship service prior to spending the money. The notice must include the details of the expenditure, thus allowing members to review and comment on it. If alternative ideas are received, the Board is expected to respond within the next week to the people offering feedback.

iii) Non-Budgeted Emergencies

Full authority to spend-funds up to $2,500.00 (Twenty-Five Hundred Dollars) for non-budgeted emergencies subject to sufficient funds. This provision is primarily intended to cover emergency repairs to the buildings.

iv) Restricted Funds (Restricted by the Donor)

Donations can be made to purchase non-budget items. However, before funds are deposited or expended, the specific council responsible for the item(s) to be purchased will be required to assess the need, i.e., does the item further council's goals and objectives. The council will inform the Church publicly with notice in the bulletin of the proposed purchase. The council Elder will then bring the recommended item before the Elder Board for final approval or disapproval of the expenditure.

e) Officers of the Board of Elders

1)      Chairman - The Chairman shall preside at all Board meetings which are to be conducted according to scriptural principles such as set forth in Philippians 2:2-8, and Robert's Parliamentary Rules of Order. The Chairman shall, in the absence of the Pastor- Teacher, be responsible for the leadership of the church service. The Chairman serves as the President of The First Baptist Church of Hood River, Oregon.

2)      Vice-Chairman - The Vice-Chairman shall assume all of the above enumerated duties of the Chairman in his the absence. The Vice-Chairman serves as the Vice-President of the- First Baptist Church of Hood River, Inc.

3)      Secretary - The Secretary shall see that the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Elders and the Church are kept and shall attach to said minutes all official, correspondence relating to the Board or Church. He shall be charged with the duty of giving proper notice to the congregation of annual and special meetings. He may join the Church Treasurer in serving as a co-chairman of the Finance and Administrative Council. He will receive correspondence, e.g. legal papers and send all official notices of the church, as well as oversee the keeping of the Church's permanent membership book

f)        Meeting and Quorum

1)      The Board of Elders shall conduct regular meetings at least once a month and special meetings at such other times as called for by the Pastor-Teacher or Chairman of the Board. A majority of the Board membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting church business. The first part of the meetings will be given over to time in God's Word and prayer.

2)      Regular meeting dates of the Board of Elders shall be determined at the first Elder's meeting of each year and be posted as to date, time and place.

3)      Regular meetings of the Board of Elders shall be open to members of the church except when meeting in executive session to discuss personnel matters.

4)      Subsidiary Ministry Corporations will be represented at each public Board of Elders meeting by the Chair or Vice Chair of that Ministry Corporation. The positions will be ex-officio for voting purposes unless that particular individual is also an Elder of the Church.

g) Decisions of the Board of Elders



1)      Decisions shall be reached after prayerful consideration in a spirit of humility, with each Elder respecting the opinions of other members.

a)      It is the goal of the church for the elders to reach decisions by unanimous consent without the need for formal voting.

b)      Sometimes after careful consideration, it is not possible to reach a unanimous vote. In those cases, a majority vote of 80% or more is required to proceed with an action or recommendation to the church.

c)      When a vote is required and has passed by the required 80% mar_ those elders not voting for the majority will make every effort to support the decision of the full board.

2)      Any person receiving compensation directly or indirectly from The First Baptist Church shall not be in a position to determine the nature or amount of said compensation. The remuneration of any Elder shall be determined by the Board and approved by vote of the church. This may be changed at any regular business meeting of the church.

h) Disciplining of Elders

The congregation has the responsibility to discipline an Elder according to the Biblical principles as necessary (I Tim. 5: 19-22)

Section 2. Senior Pastor

a)      Election - The Senior Pastor shall be sought out by the Board of Elders and presented to the church for confirmation 1,)y the members at its annual or at a special business meeting. Such confirmation shall consist of a three-fourths majority of all votes cast. Any meeting concerned with the selection and confirmation of a Senior Pastor must be publicly announced at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

b)      Qualifications - The Senior Pastor shall be a believer in and preacher of the " Gospel and fundamental doctrines of faith as held by this church as stated in the Preamble and Declaration of Faith of the Constitution. The Senior Pastor shall meet the same qualifications as the Elder.

c)      Duties - The Senior Pastor shall be a voting ex-officio member of the Board of Elders. (See exception Article B,(g), 2) He shall be responsible to the Board of Elders. The Senior Pastor shall arrange for and/or conduct all public and regular services of the church. He, in conjunction with the Board of Elders, shall be responsible for the general oversight of the spiritual welfare of the church. The Senior Pastor shall give himself primarily to the ministry of the Word and prayer (Ephesians 4: 12-16; I Tim. 5: 17).

d)      Termination. The Pastoral relationship may be terminated, by the Senior Pastor or church, with sixty (60) days notice, or sooner, by mutual consent. Church action to terminate the relationship to be preceded by two (2) weeks notice and a vote of three-fourths of the members present at the called, meeting.

Section 3 Other Pastoral Staff

a)      Election - Other pastoral staff as needed by the ministries of the church shall be sought out by the Board of Elders and presented to the church for confirmation by the members at its annual quarterly or at a special-called business meeting. Such confirmation shall consist of a three-fourths majority of all votes cast. Any meeting concerned with the selection and confirmation of a Pastoral staff must be publicly announced at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

b)      Qualifications- Other Pastoral staff members shall be a believer in and teacher of the Gospel and fundamental doctrines of faith as held by this church as stated in the Preamble and Declaration of Faith of the Constitution.

c)      Duties - A position description will be developed for each pastoral staff member which includes the required qua1ifications training & and duties of the position along with the expected hours of work for compensation purposes if paid. Pastoral staff members will receive their day-to-day guidance from the Senior Pastor. Pastoral staff' may be elected as e1ders if so qualified and nominated. They are excluded from voting on the amount of their salary.

d)      Termination - The Pastoral staff relationship may be terminated by the Pastor Staff member or with sixty (60) days notice, or sooner, by mutual consent. Church action to terminate the re1ationship to be preceded by two (2) weeks notice and a vote of three-fourths of the members present at the called meeting.

Section 4. Deacons

a)      Election - The Deacons shall be elected at the annual business meeting for a term of one (1) year.

b)    Qualifications - The Deacons shall consist of members possessing the qualifications described in I Timothy 3:8-13.

c)      Duties - The Deacons shall assist the Elders in the shepherding of the saints and assist the Pastor at the communion and baptismal services. They shall oversee church ushers, greeters at the doors, and will be responsible for the safety and security of church property during the services. They shall aid in the general spiritual and physical care needs of the church, including the assisting in the care of the sick and needy, and perform other duties as determined by the Member Care Council which can include visitation, administering communion to shut-ins, counseling and other such needs as may exist from time to time. A deacon will serve as co-chairman of the Member Care Council. All deacons are members of the Member Care Council.

Article C - Councils, Committees and Stated Positions

Section 1. Purpose

a)      To enable efficient handling of Board matters, the Board of Elders may appoint various councils and committees from within its membership, the staff and from the church-at-large. These councils and committees shall perform tasks in accordance with the duties and with powers specifically delegated by the Board.

b)      The general functions of councils and committees are to conduct the day-today work of the church and to bring considered recommendations to the Board concerning ministries and to provide a wider base of counsel to the Elders having the responsibility of specific ministries.

c)      All committees shall exist for the period specified by the Board.

d)      The various individual positions will be filled by recommendation of the Board of Elders and approval by the church. Length of terms to be included in the job descriptions specified by the Board.

Section 2. Standing Councils

a)      Member Care Council - The Member Care Council shall consist of the Deacons, and Deaconesses and other members wishing to serve in this vital ministry of people care. Overall the council shall plan and carry out activities that encourage togetherness and a genuine mutual sharing in the lives of this local body of believers. This will be accomplished by developing and maintaining fellowship care groups, a church-wide prayer ministry and other activities that encourage and strengthen the body as we walk together in Christian love. The Member Care Council shall prepare a suggested budget for the Board of Elders showing priority and optional items of expense in keeping with the goals of the council.

b)      Great Commission Council - The Great Commission Council shall be responsible for creatively developing ministries within the church body including evangelism, volunteer and church supported missions, and evangelism ministries focused on specific segments of the community. The Great Commission Council shall be responsible for creating ministry opportunities awareness, a missions awareness in the church through education, conferences, correspondence and other creative means. The Great Commission Council shall prepare a suggested budget for the Board of Elders showing priority and optional items of expense in keeping with thee goals of the council.

c)      Discipleship Council - This council is responsible for the development of committed followers of Jesus Christ. This would include developing ministries and Christian educational programs for new Christians and/or new church members, assisting the Member Care Council in developing, leading and maintaining small group ministries within the church, developing prayer ministries within the church, and developing specific programs for all ages and segments of the church community.

In addition, the Discipleship Council shall establish and maintain an interest profile for each member of the congregation. It shall aid members in discerning and developing their spiritual gifts. It shall endeavor to place e