our Constitution

 

Preamble

 

We, the members of Limestone Baptist Church of Limestone, Michigan, do hereby declare and establish this Constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner, to maintain the autonomy of this church in freedom of action from and in relation to any other church or organization.

 

Article One

Name

 

This body of assembly shall be known as  Limestone Baptist Church of Limestone, Michigan, located at N2970 State Road 67, Limestone Township, Michigan.

 

 

Article Two

Principles of Faith

We affirm that the Holy Bible is God’s revelation to mankind and that it is inspired by God, complete and without error. It is an accurate record of the history and future of mankind, and that it depicts the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Savior of all mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.

 

We regard the scriptures of the Holy Bible as the authority in all matters of faith, practice, and principle, and as the sole basis of our faith.

 

We further affirm that in all services, studies, memorization, and references that we shall use the King James Version of the Holy Bible as our final authority in all manner of use.

 

The ordinances of the Church are believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper.

 

The Principles of Faith in this Article are more fully presented in our Statement of Faith.

 

 

Article Three

Objectives of Limestone Baptist Church

To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to communicate the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world, which is the Mission of this Church as defined by our Church Covenant.

 

To be a worshipping fellowship, glorifying God, experiencing an awareness of Him, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership. To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers, to help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.

 

To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and the world in Jesus’ name. To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.

 

 

Article Four

Government of the Church

The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who comprise it, owing allegiance only to its head and founder, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Persons duly received by the members shall constitute the membership. These members shall be individuals who have in common with the members their spiritual union with the Lord Jesus Christ and their agreement on our Principles of Faith and our Statement of Faith.  The members of Limestone Baptist Church, so bound together, regard one another as having equal rank and privilege as well as equal responsibility and obligation in fulfilling the purpose of this church as stated in Galatians 3:26-28 and Ephesians 4:15-16.

 

All internal or external groups created and empowered by the church shall report to and be accountable only to the church membership, Pastor and Deacons unless otherwise specified by church action under authority of this Constitution.

At the same time, this body recognizes the rightful place of government and pledges itself to the support of federal, state and local governments in accordance with Romans 13:1-7 and I Peter 2:13-17.

 

Article Five

Relationships

This is a sovereign and democratic Independent Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This membership retains the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church and is free from any and all bonds or ties outside of itself.

 

This Church is not subject to the control of any civil or ecclesiastical body other than itself.

Acts 5:29

 

The Active Membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this Church and the conditions required for such membership.

 

 

Article Six

Sole Authority

There shall be no worship, education, service by members, or fellowship conducted which is in conflict with this Constitution. This Church shall not conduct any business transaction contrary to this Constitution.

 

All rules, regulations, by-laws, and policies previously approved, if any, by this Church, in conflict with this Constitution are each and all hereby repealed, set aside, and superseded.   

This Constitution shall be and is, hereby established as the sole “Constitution” for this Church. No rules, regulations, by-laws, or policies may be established which conflict with this Constitution and the Living Word of God.

 

                                                          

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Article Seven

Amendments 

 

Any amendment to this Constitution may be made at any business meeting of the church provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous business meeting at least two weeks prior and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member at the time the amendments were first presented. 

 

Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be by a seventy-five percent (75%) majority vote from active voting members to pass and will include absentee, electronic, and abstention ballots. 

 

Any and all amendments or changes to this Constitution shall be properly documented, dated, and maintained in the records of this church. 

(Ratified and Amended 10/15/2023)

 

RATIFICATION

This constitution is hereby ordained and established for Limestone Baptist Church of Limestone, Michigan by the affirmative vote of the membership on March 16, 2014.

 

(this document was signed by the 2 Deacons and 2 member witnesses)