Church Constitution
WE, THE MEMBERS OF CASHION FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH , located in Cashion, Oklahoma, hereby declare and establish this Constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern this body of believers in an orderly manner. All activities of the Church are subject to and ultimately guided by our Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit as well as the Holy Bible and further guided by the Certificate of Incorporation and adopted Bylaws. Within the framework of this Constitution, the Church will establish Bylaws to preserve the liberties of each Member and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to the Members, other churches, and local, state, and federal governments.
STATEMENT OF FAITH The Church is an organized body of baptized believers in the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and, while recognizing diversity in methods, united in purpose: to gather in worship; proclaim the truth of the Holy Bible; equip our membership for Christian service, spiritual growth and Christ-like living; and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, making and baptizing disciples in accordance with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Holy Bible. Because the Holy Bible is God’s self-revelation to humanity, we submit ourselves under it completely. All affairs, business, conduct and activity of the Church will be governed by and are subject to the Holy Bible.
The Baptist Faith and Message. We see The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) as an accurate confession of faith based on the Holy Bible. Because of this, we align ourselves with the doctrines set forth in The Baptist Faith and Message (2000), and they shall be used for guidance in the programs and teachings of the Church. It is imperative that all persons employed by the Church in any capacity or who serve as volunteers abide by our doctrinal beliefs and conduct themselves accordingly.
Marriage and Family. The Holy Bible, our statement of faith, and The Baptist Faith and Message (2000), express our fundamental biblical conviction that Christian marriage is, by definition, the spiritual and physical uniting of one man and one woman in an exclusive covenant commitment for their joint lifetime. Christian marriage is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His Church.
ORDINANCES The Church shall observe two ordinances, Baptism and The Lord’s Supper, following the instruction of Our Lord in the Scriptures.
No activity shall occur on the campus that is in conflict with our faith, belief, doctrine, or practice.
COVENANT OF MEMBERS In furtherance of the spirit of unity, oneness and commitment to the Word of God, the Members adopt the following covenant of Members:
Having each been individually led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and, on the profession of our faith in Christ, 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 and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We commit corporately by the aid of the Holy Spirit:
To walk together in Christian love;
To strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort;
To promote the prosperity and spirituality of this Church and its Members;
To sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; and
To be good stewards of our earthly possessions by tithing 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 the United States and all nations.
Individually we commit:
To maintain family and private devotions;
To educate our children in our faith;
To seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;
To walk circumspectly in the world;
To be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; and
To be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior and promote Christian values in our society.
Moreover, we commit that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with another Church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
AMENDMENTS Amendments to this Constitution shall require approval of the Members. Amendments may be proposed and voted on at a special business meeting of the Members, provided each proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous regular or special business meeting. Copies of the proposed amendment shall be furnished or made available at both meetings. Passage of new articles and/or amendments, removal of existing articles and/or amendments, or clarifying statements concerning existing articles and/or amendments require a supermajority (67% plus 1) of the eligible voting members during a special business meeting held following the Sunday morning service. Non-members are asked to leave the sanctuary, a roll call of the members will be taken and a special business meeting will be called to order, co-presided by the Planning committee chairperson and the senior pastor.
Voted on and approved: June 09, 201