Faith Baptist Church Constitution

Table of Contents

ARTICLE I: NAME

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

ARTICLE III: POSITION CONCERNING ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE IV: CONFESSION OF FAITH

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP

Section I: Reception of Members
Section II: An Active Member
Section III: An Inactive Member
Section IV: Discipline of Members

ARTICLE VI: CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

Section I: Staff (Church)
Section II: Finances
Section III: Business Meetings
Section IV: Election of Officers
Section V: Officers of the Church
Section VI: Boards and Committees

ARTICLE VII: LICENSING AND ORDAINOMG TO THE MINISTRY

ARTICLE VIII: POSITION CONCERNING FELLOWSHIP AND ASSOCIATING WITH OTHER INDEPENDENT BAPTIST GROUPS

ARTICLE IX: CHANGING OR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

ARTICLE XI: MORGANTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Section I-II
Section III-IV

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I : Name

The name of this organization will be the Faith Baptist Church, Morgantown, West Virginia. It shall be Independent, Fundamental, Premillennial, and Evangelistic.

ARTICLE II : PURPOSE

The purpose of the Faith Baptist Church shall be:

1. To preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, buried, risen, and coming again.
2. To present the way of salvation in Jesus Christ to the lost.
3. To build up the saints in their faith through regular worship services, prayer services, and Bible study with Christian testimony.
4. To extend this same ministry throughout the world by the prayerful and monetary support of missionaries.

ARTICLE III : POSITION CONCERNING ORGANIZATION

The Faith Baptist Church shall maintain the historical Baptist position of the complete sovereignty and autonomy of the local church. It shall not be influenced by or indebted to any convention or association in any way. We believe that the church and state must be kept separate as having different functions, each fulfilling its duties free from dictation or patronage of the other.

ARTICLE IV : CONFESSION OF FAITH

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the Profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 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 engage, therefore, 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 its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements and exemplary to our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of all alcoholic beverages, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the gospel of the grace of our Savior. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of 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 can carry the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

ARTICLES OF FAITH

GOD

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, the maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20: 2, 3; I Corinthians 8: 6; Revelation 4: 11; Deut. 10: 17)

We believe that Jesus Christ, God’s only Begotten Son was infinite God, co-existent and co-equal with the Father; that He condescended to man but in His incarnation never lost any of His Deity, that he was sinless and is the only Savior of mankind. (John 1: 1-4; John 10:30; Hebrews 1: 1-3)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of Judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (John 14: 15; Matthew 28: 19; Hebrews 9: 14; John 14: 26; Luke 1: 35; Genesis 1: 1-3; John 16: 8-11; Acts 5: 30-32; John 3: 5-6; Ephesians 1: 13; Mark 1: 8; John 1: 22; Acts 11: 16; Luke 24: 49; Romans 8: 16; Romans 8: 26-27)

THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible is inspired and this “Inspiration” is that extraordinary, supernatural influence exerted by the Holy Ghost on the writers of our Sacred Books, by which their words were rendered also the Words of God and, therefore, perfectly infallible. We believe it to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions, shall be tried. (II Timothy 3: 16-17; II Peter 1: 19-21).

SATAN, THE DEVIL

We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the Lake of Fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10).

CREATION

We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by the direct creation of God and not by any process of evolution. (Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2; Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3).

THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by birth, but by choice; and, therefore, under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:19; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:10-19; Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32)

VIRGIN BIRTH

We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:25; John 1:4)

ATONEMENT FOR SIN

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of Grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ, the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead. He is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. (Eph. 2: 8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Philippians 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 3: 25; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 15:3; II Corinthians 4:21)

REGENERATION OR THE NEW BIRTH

We believe that in order to be saved sinners must be born again; that the New Birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life; the free gift of God; that the new creation is wrought in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the Holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John 3: 3; II Corinthians 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3: 6, 7; Acts 16: 30-31; II Peter 1:4; Romans 16:23; Ephesians 2: 1; II Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13; John 3:8)

JUSTIFICATIION

We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification;
(a) That Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, on principles of righteousness.
(b) That it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed to us.

FAITH AND SALVATION

We believe that faith, exercised unto repentance; in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only necessary condition of salvation.

THE LOCAL CHURCH

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 its gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, 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 individuals 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; that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation; on all matters of membership, of policy of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Acts 2: 41; I Corinthians 11: 2; Ephesians 1: 22-23; Ephesians 4: 11; Acts 20: 17-28; I Timothy 3: 17; Colossians 1: 18; Ephesians 5: 23-24; Acts 15: 13-18)

BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem of faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, signifying our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, that it is pre-requisite to the privilege of 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. (Acts 8: 26-39; John 3: 23; Romans 6: 3-5; Matthew 13:16; Colossians 2:12; I Corinthians 11: 23-28). Frequency shall be determined by the pastor.

THE SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER (SAINTS)

We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1: 6; John 10: 28-29; Romans 8: 35-59; Jude 1)

RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. (Malachi 3:18; Genesis 18:23; Rom 7:18; I John 5:19; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:23; Pro. 14:32; Luke 6:25; Matthew 23:34-41; John 8:21).

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 conscience and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. (Rom.13:1-7; II Sam. 23:3; Exodus 18:21-22; Acts 23:5; Matthew 22:21; Acts 5: 20; Acts 4:19-20; Daniel 3:17-18)

THE RESURRECTION, PERSONAL, VISIBLE, PREMILLENNIAL RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVEN

1. We believe in the Bodily Resurrection
(Matthew 28:6-7; Luke 24: 39; John 20:27; I Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6)

2. The Ascension
(Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16: 19; Lev. 3: 21; Hebrews 5:9-10)

3. The High Priesthood
(Hebrews 6: 6; I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-10)

4. The Second Coming
(John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; James 5:6; Hebrews 9:28)

5. The Resurrection of the Righteous dead
(I Thess. 4:16-18; I Corinthians 15: 42-44; I Corinthians 15:52)

6. The change of the living in Christ
(I Corinthians 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-21)

7. The Throne of David
(Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:29-30)

8. The Millennial Reign
(I Corinthians 15: 25; Isa. 32: 1; Isa. 11:4-5; Psalms 72: 8; Rev. 20: 14; Rev. 20:6)

IN ADDITION BE IT RESOLVED;

1. That we disapprove of Christians, members of the church, connecting themselves as being needless, profitless, and an offence and grief to many good people and not conducive to piety or Christian usefulness. To do so would disqualify anyone to hold any office or place of influence in the church.

2. That we disapprove of the use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages. The use of same shall disqualify anyone to hold office or place of influence in the church.

3. That we emphatically discountenance and condemn indulgence in any questionable practice such as frequenting theaters, pool rooms, all types of gambling, the dance, and card playing as inconsistent with Christian profession, detrimental to personal piety, and pernicious in its influence and its example to others.

ARTICLE V : MEMBERSHIP

Section I

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS

1. By Statement of Faith: Anyone upon profession of faith in Christ as personal Savior may be received into membership of the church provided he has been baptized by immersion as an expression of his salvation and obedience to Christ.

2. By Letter: Anyone coming from another Baptist Church may be received into membership upon promise of a letter from that church.

3. By Baptism: Anyone upon profession of faith in Christ as personal Savior may be received into the membership of the church after following the Lord in Baptism as an expression of obedience to Christ.

NOTE: The pastor with the deacons shall act as a membership committee and shall examine all candidates for membership according to the above requirements, read to them the Articles of Faith to which they must subscribe after which they shall be presented to the church, then the church shall vote to receive them. After this is done, they shall be given the right hand of fellowship and then shall be full-fledged member with voting privileges. No person coming for membership shall be full-fledged member with voting privileges until after he has been given the right hand of fellowship.

Section II

AN ACTIVE MEMBER

An active member shall be one who has been received into membership of the church and who is a regular attendant to the services of the church. Voting privileges shall be confined to those 16 years and older.

Section III

AN INACTIVE MEMBER

An inactive member shall be anyone who does not attend the public services of the church unless providentially hindered for a period of six months. He shall not be eligible to vote on any issue of the church.

An inactive member may be dropped from the membership roll of the church after a period of a year provided he does not attend or support the church during this time, without satisfactory reason. A letter of inquiry will be sent to such a member asking the reason for his lack of interest and soliciting his future support and fellowship before his name is dropped. Members leaving the city for a time who desire their membership retained, should keep in touch with the church as to their whereabouts through correspondence with the pastor, church clerk, or treasurer.

Any person on the inactive list shall be replaced on the active list upon meeting with the pastor or communicating with the church clerk and upon subscribing anew to the church covenant.

Section IV

DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

1. If any member shall be guilty of any offence serious enough for counseling but unworthy of exclusion from the church membership, the offender shall be summoned before the deacon board and pastor (if the party be a woman, the wives of the deacons and wife of the pastor shall be invited) for prayer and deliberation. The offender shall be given a period of three months to satisfy the deacons and pastor of genuine repentance. Should the offender renew his offence, so as to bring reproach upon the church, further disciplinary action may be taken immediately. (Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15-17)

2. Exclusion and Restoration of Members: All cases of disorderly conduct or heretical doctrine so opposed to church life and faith as to destroy the possibilities of fellowship, the procedure shall be as follows:

a. The suspected person shall be interviewed urging repentance. If the suspected person does not repent, the charge shall be put into writing and placed in the hands of the suspected person. He shall be summoned before a closed session of the church (only voting members present). This session shall not be later than two weeks from the time of the summons. If the suspected person does not appear and gives no satisfactory reason, he shall be tried in absentia.

b. The pastor shall conduct the session, assisted by the deacons. After a fair and impartial hearing has been conducted and all of the facts have been ascertained from qualified witnesses, a vote shall be taken and if the majority deems him guilty, the accused party shall be strickened from the membership roll of the church.

c. Should the offending party genuinely repent of the offense, he shall be placed on probation for a period of a year to assure the church of his sincerity after which he may be restored into the full fellowship of the church. This restoration shall be by a majority vote of the church.

ARTICLE VI : CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION

Section I

STAFF (CHURCH)

Members of the church staff shall consist of: pianist, director of music, youth director, director of Christian education, director of evangelism and missions, church secretary, and special talent. The pastor shall have the privilege of selecting the members of this staff with the approval of the deacons. Whenever any of these members shall be full-time and paid workers, their salaries shall be determined by the pastor and board of deacons with the approval of the congregation.

Section II

FINANCES

Tithes and Offerings shall be the means of supporting the church. (I Cor. 16: 2; Malachi 3: 8-11; Matthew 23: 23; Philippians 4: 10-17). All other methods shall be discouraged and no commercial attempt shall be tolerated.

Tithing shall be stressed as the minimum rather than maximum of giving. We feel that the Bible teaches that offerings—given beyond the tithe—as well as the tithe are for Christians in this present dispensation also.

The Church shall operate under one treasury and separate treasuries for organizations of the church shall be discouraged. All disbursements must be authorized by the church.

Section III

BUSINESS MEETINGS

Monthly Business Meetings shall be held—appropriate time shall be selected by the church—each month at which time the minutes shall be read and items of old and new business transacted.

Annual Business Meetings: The fiscal year of the church shall end December 31st. The Annual Business Meeting shall be held within three weeks following the close of the fiscal year. This meeting shall be devoted to the presentation of the church and the election of all officers of the Sunday school and church as well as all organizations of the church. (Revised 4-7-76)

Special Business Meetings: A special business meeting may be called by the pastor for any business that needs attention, public announcement of such a meeting shall be made.

Note: A Quorum consisting of 10% of the active membership, voting age must be present for any business meeting and a majority of votes cast shall be necessary to carry any issue of item of business provided two-thirds of the quorum vote.

Section IV

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

All officers of the church and Sunday school shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting (by Ballot) with the exception of the Sunday School Superintendent who shall be elected one month prior to the Annual Business Meeting. His name shall be presented by the Nominating Committee.

All candidates for office shall be submitted for approval by the Nominating Committee and there shall be no nominations from the floor.

All officers must be members of the church who have subscribed to the Articles of Faith and the Constitution. All vacancies occurring during the year shall be filled according to Article VI, Section 6 under Advisory Board.

Section V

OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

Pastor: The pastor shall be chosen at a specially announced business meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting. Voting shall be by ballot. His term of office shall be for an indefinite period of time. An announcement of such a meeting shall be made at least one week prior to it.

He shall, by virtue of his office, be ex-efficio member of every board and committee of the church and shall moderate at all Business sessions of the church.

The pastor shall give the church a notice in writing not to exceed sixty (60) days and no less than thirty (30) days of his intention to discontinue as pastor.

The church may by two-thirds vote of the active membership present at a regularly called business meeting, declare the pulpit vacant provided a notice of not less than forty-five (45) days from the time this action is taken be given the pastor occupying the pulpit to vacate the same.

Deacons: There shall be two or more deacons elected by the church who shall hold this office for two years. Their qualifications shall be according to Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3: 8-13. Their duties shall be to assist the pastor in matters of business and discipline as stated in the Church Constitution: visit the members, care for the sick, needy and distressed members using available funds. In case the church is without a pastor, they shall act as the Pulpit Committee. They shall meet monthly preceding the regular monthly business meeting. Candidates for the office of deacons shall be recommended by the board of deacons and pastor.

Trustees: There shall be three or more Trustees who shall be elected for a period of two years. They shall represent the church in all legal matters and shall be responsible for the maintenance of the property. They shall not have the authority to sell, lease, give away, or dispose of in any manner, church property to exceed $75.00 in value; not mortgage or encumber the same with debt only as the church shall authorize.

The Deacon Board, with the approval of the church, may act as Trustees under necessary circumstances.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be elected annually and shall have charge of all the church funds (receipts and disbursements) and shall give a monthly financial report and annual report to the church of all monies. The Treasurer shall submit the books for annual auditing not less than two days before the Annual Business Meeting. There shall be one person at least, other than the treasurer, present at the counting of the church monies.

Assistant Treasurer: Shall be elected annually and shall assist the Treasurer. In the absence of the Treasurer, the assistant shall assume all the duties of the Treasurer.

Church Secretary or Clerk: The church secretary or clerk shall be elected annually and shall keep a record of all the business proceedings of the church and shall keep a register of all members, write letters of dismissal and acceptance, and perform other such duties as prescribed by the church. Any officer of the church or Sunday school (including Sunday school teachers) found to be using his position to undermine the teachings or leadership of the church shall be immediately dismissed.

Sections VI

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Deacon Board: The nature of the Board of Deacons shall be advisory and not dictatorial. They shall choose their own chairman and shall meet monthly with the pastor to discuss matters of the church. They, with the pastor, shall examine all candidates for membership. The chairman of the Board of Deacons shall be vice-moderator of the church.

Advisory Board: The Advisory Board shall consist of the pastor, deacons, and Sunday school Superintendent and shall meet to select candidates to fill any office which may be vacant during the course of the year. Such names shall be presented at the next regular business meeting.

Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee shall consist of the pastor, two deacons whose terms do not expire at the next annual Business meeting, and board of deacons. One month prior to the Annual Business Meeting, they shall present possible candidates for Sunday School Superintendent. The newly elected Superintendent shall then make up the sixth member of the committee. The responsibilities of the Nominating Committee shall be the selection of names for the various offices of the Church and Sunday school for the ensuring year. A list of such names shall be posted at least two weeks before the Annual Business Meeting. Flower Committee: The Flower Committee shall consist of two members (preferably women) elected annually. It shall be the duty of this committee to send flowers to members in the event of death of any member of his immediate family.

Auditing Committee: The Auditing Committee shall consist of the treasurer, assistant, pastor and one deacon. They shall examine all records, receipts, and vouchers of the Treasurer for the past year and report their findings to the church at the Annual Business Meeting.

Financial Committee: The Financial Committee shall consist of the pastor, church treasurer, MCA treasurer, and three deacons, chosen by the pastor and deacons, (showing preference to men demonstrating capabilities in handling money and financial affairs). They shall meet prior to the annual business meeting to arrange a budget for the ensuing year, furthermore, which they shall present or recommend to the church for adoption at the annual business meeting. Revised, 1979

Welfare Committee: The Welfare Committee shall be composed of two deacons and their wives. They shall investigate and direct all local assistance given to the sick and poor. All such assistance shall be done without publicity or embarrassment. This office shall be voted upon annually.

ARTICLE VII : LICENSING AND ORDAINING TO THE MINISTRY

When Spirit-filled men are called of God to proclaiming of the gospel of the Grace of God, such men may be given a license to preach by a two-thirds vote of the church.

Section I

ORDAINING

A candidate may be ordained to the ministry after he has been license to preach for one year and after he has had at least one year’s experience at public preaching. Full-time missionaries and Evangelists may be ordained upon recommendation by the Examining Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Church shall be required for the ordination of any candidate.

ARTICLE VIII : POSITION CONCERNING FELLOWSHIP & ASSOCIATING WITH OTHER INDEPENDENT BAPTIST GROUPS

The Faith Baptist Church may fellowship with any Independent Fundamental Baptist Group (No convention such as the American Baptist of Southern Baptist Convention) upon the discretion and vote of the active membership of the church, providing that fellowship or association is in conformity with the Confession of Faith as set forth in the church constitution. The church may not remain in fellowship with any group that permits and tolerates the presence of modernism or modernists within its ranks. Action to fellowship with or withdraw from shall be by two-thirds vote of the active membership present at any given business meeting provided the business meeting has been announced at least one week before. It must be understood that any association or fellowship is only a spiritual one and the property rights endangered in any way.

ARTICLE IX : CHANGING OR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

This constitution may be revised or amended at any business meeting of the church on the recommendation of the Board of Deacons provided two weeks notice of such proposed revision or amendment shall be given. Amendments must be read from the pulpit and posted in writing. A two-thirds vote is necessary to carry an amendment or revision. A copy of this constitution shall be furnished to every member of the Faith Baptist Church or any person presenting himself as a candidate for membership. All constitutions, by-laws, resolutions and orders, heretofore, passed or adopted which are conflict herewith are hereby rescinded and rejected.

ARTICLE X

In the event that Faith Baptist Church should dissolve, all assets shall be given to another fundamental Christian Church, Mission Board, orphanage, or school at the discretion of the presiding officers and members at the time of dissolution

Section I

Morgantown Christian Academy shall be an integral part of the Faith Baptist Church and, therefore, under the authority and government of said church body.

Section II

Morgantown Christian Academy is formed to facilitate the proper Christian education of the children of our church and is available to other children as a ministry of our church as space allows. We believe that Christian education is not optional, but absolutely necessary for the training of our children, as the Scriptures state, “Train up a child in the way he should go.” This training involves that of the spirit, mind, and body. Believing this, and that the public schools do not provide – Bible standards in morals and ethics; Christian teachers dedicated to helping the child; strict discipline; and respect for God, country, parents and proper authority, we hold the conviction that is both fitting and necessary that we provide a Christian school for our children, God being our helper.

Section III

The pastor of the church shall be the president of the school and the deacons shall approve the budget and examine the financial condition of the school through quarterly financial reports submitted by the school treasurer. In addition, the deacons shall advise in the making of major policies.

The pastor shall be responsible for the spiritual condition of the school.

The principal, hired by the pastor and approved by the deacons, shall be the school administrator, essentially running the school, under the authority of the pastor.

Section IV

The Morgantown Christian Academy admits students of any race, color or national origin to the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other school-administered programs.