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PREAMBLE

We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith, and to govern the body
in an orderly manner.  This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the
freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches.

ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES

Section 1.01 – Name

The name of this church shall be FERRIS HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, Inc.

Section 1.02 – Purpose

Ferris Hill Baptist Church, Inc. is a religious nonprofit organization and is incorporated under Florida Law as
recorded in Official Record Book 49, pages 411 and 412 record of Santa Rosa County, Florida.  This congregation is
organized as a church exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 50l
(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of l986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law)
may include, but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious worship, the
building of churches and her missions, parsonages; the evangelizing of the unsaved by the proclaiming of the Gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ; the educating of believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Holy Bible,
and the maintaining of missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country.

Section 1.03 – Objectives

  1. To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ, with as many people as
    possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
  2. To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding
    in obedience to His leadership.
  3. To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers.
  4. To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
  5. To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus’ name.
  6. To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of
    life, personality and possession to the lordship of Christ.

ARTICLE 2 – STATEMENT OF FAITH AND COVENANT

SECTION 2.01—STATEMENT OF FAITH

The following comprise the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members.

(A) The Holy  Bible.   We believe the Holy Bible of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and
complete inspired Word of God.  The Scriptures are inerrant, infallible and God-breathed and, therefore,
are the final authority for faith and life.  The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament are the
complete and divine revelation of God to Man.  The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their
normal grammatical-historical meaning, and all issues of interpretation and meaning shall be determined by
the pastor (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

(B) Dispensationalism (religious system).  We believe that the Scriptures interpreted in their natural sense reveal divinely determined dispensations, or rules of life, which define man’s responsibilities.  These guidelines are not ways of salvation, but rather are divinely ordered obligations by which God directs man according to His purpose.  Three facets of the religious system are—the law, the church, and the kingdom—are the subjects of detailed revelation in Scripture. (Gen. 1:28; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-25, 27; Rev. 20:2-6)

(C) The Godhead.  We believe in one triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit—each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same
attributes and perfections.  (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 14:10, 26; 2 Cor. 13:14)

(D) The Person and Work of Christ.

  1. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Luke  1:35; John 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8)
  2. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Peter 1:3-5)
  3. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.  (Acts 1:9-10; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2)

(E) The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.

  1. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ at the point of confession, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption.  (John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14)
  2. We believe that He is the divine Teacher who assists believers to understand and appropriate the Scriptures and that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit.  (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 John 2:20, 27)
  3. We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.  God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly in order that they can do the work of the ministry.  (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28; Eph. 4:7-12)

(F) The Total Depravity of Man.  We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God; but that
in Adam’s sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally
depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23; 5:12;
6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19)

(G) Salvation.  We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins.
We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable.  (Matt. 12:31-32; John 1:12;
Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:9)

(H) The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers.

  1. We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever.  (John 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5)
  2. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.  (Rom. 13:13-14; Gal. 5:13; Titus 2:11-15)

(I) The Church

  1. We believe that the local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again baptized persons.  (1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-27)
  2. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.  (Acts 14:27; 20:17, 28-32; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
  3. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control. (Acts 13:1-4; 15:19-31; 20:28; Rom. 16:1, 4; 1 Cor. 3:9, 16; 5:4-7, 13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)
  4. We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age.  (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 8:36-38; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

We believe that when a person who receives Jesus Christ as  Savior by personal faith; and who
indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord, shall be received by baptism.  Baptism shall be by
immersion in water; shall be administered by the pastor or whomever the pastor shall authorize; and
shall be administered  as an act of worship during any worship service except by unusual
circumstances as determined by the pastor. (Matthew 3:11, 13; 28: 19; Acts 2:41; 8:36-37; 19:5; Titus
3:5; Romans 6:3)

We believe that The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby  baptized believers,
through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and
anticipate His second coming.  (Matthew 26: 17-30; Mark 14: 12-26; Luke 22:7-22; 1 Corinthians
11:17-34)

(J) Separation. While we are commanded to engage the world with the Gospel of Christ, we believe that all
the saved should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon their Savior and Lord. God commands
His people to separate from all religious apostasy, all worldly and sinful pleasures, and practices, and to
refrain from all immodest and immoderate appearances (Rom. 12:1-2; 14:13; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-
7:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11)

(K) The Second Advent of Christ. We believe in that blessed hope, the personal, imminent return of Christ,
where Christ will personally and visibly return for His saints, to establish His earthly Messianic Kingdom
which was promised to the nation of Israel.  (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; 1 Thess. 1:10, 4:13-
18; Titus 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6)

(L) The Eternal State.

  1. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment.  (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28, 29; 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13)
  2. We believe that the souls of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body and present with the Lord, where in conscious bliss they await the second resurrection, when spirit, soul, and body are reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord.  (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:4-6)
  3. We believe that the souls of unbelievers remain, after death, in conscious punishment and torment until the second resurrection, when, with soul and body reunited, they shall appear at the Great White Throne Judgment, and shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment and torment.  (Matt. 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-26; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 20:11-15)

(M)        The Personality of Satan.  We believe that Satan is the chief of demons, the author of sin and the cause of
the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally
punished in the Lake of Fire.  (Job 1:6-7; Isa. 14:12-17; Matt. 4:2-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10)

(N)  Creation.   We  believe that God created the universe in six literal, 24-hour periods.  We reject the
Evolutionary Theory, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory, and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories
of origin.  (Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11)

(O)  Civil Government.  We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic
institutions:  1) the home, 2) the church, and 3) the State.  Every person is subject to these authorities, but
all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word.  God has given
each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding
that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other.  The home, the church, and the State are equal
and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.  (Rom. 13:1-7;
Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14)

(P)  Human Sexuality.

  1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between one man and one woman.  We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.  (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)
  2. We believe that the only Scriptural marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.  (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

(Q)  Family Relationships

  1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church.  The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.  (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 12)
  2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.  The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church.  The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the headship of Christ.  Children are a heritage from the Lord.  Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them, through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.  (Gen. 1:26-28; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; Mk. 10:6-12; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4, Col. 3:18-21; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)

(R)  Divorce and Remarriage.  We believe that God disapproves of and forbids divorce and intends marriage
to last until one of the spouses dies.  Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds
of fornication.  Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service
in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, their consideration for the offices of pastor
or deacon are contingent upon their circumstantial history.  (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1
Tim. 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

(S)  Abortion.  We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human
being.  Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life.  Abortion is murder.
We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection,
birth or population control, or the physical or mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Ps.
51:5; 139:14-16; Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

(T)  Euthanasia.  We believe that the direct taking of an innocent human life is a moral evil, regardless of the
intention.  Life is a gift of God and must be respected from conception until natural death.  Thus we believe
that an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering
constitutes a murder which is contrary to the will of God.  (Ex. 20:13, 23:7; Matt. 5:21; Acts 17:28)

(U)  Love.  We believe that we should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also
toward those who are not believers, those who oppose us, and those who engage in sinful actions. We are to
deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly.  God forbids the stirring up of
strife, the taking of revenge, or the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or
obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for
any person who engages in such sinful actions. (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35;
Rom. 12:9-10; 17-21; 13:8-10; Phil. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18)

(V)  Lawsuits Between Believers.   We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits
against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes.  We believe the church possesses all the
resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members.   We do believe, however, that a
Christian may seek compensation for injuries and damages from another Christian’s insurance company as
long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.  (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph.  4:31-32)

(W)  Missions.  We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all
nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group, and language group
who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to
all nations and not wait for them to come to us.  (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21;
Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20)

(X)  Giving.  We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is
obligated to financially support his local church.  We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis
for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the
support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel.  We believe that a Christian
relinquishes individual rights to direct the use of his tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (Gen.
14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John
3:17)

SECTION 2.02—AUTHORITY OF STATEMENT OF FAITH

This Statement of Faith (Section 2.01), nor the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptist Convention
which this Church endorses, does not exhaust the extent of our faith.  The Bible itself is the sole and final source of
all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching
of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all members.  All literature used in the church shall be in complete
agreement with the Statement of Faith.

SECTION 2.03 – RELATIONSHIPS

The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it.  It is subject to the control of no
other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are
common among Baptist churches.  In so far as is practical, this church will cooperate as a member in good standing
with the Santa Rosa Baptist Association, Florida Baptist Convention, and Southern Baptist Convention.

SECTION 2.04 – CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and on
the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now,
in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into a 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, disciplines, and doctrines; 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 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 in our
engagements and exemplary in our behavior and manners; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our
Savior.

We further engage  to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one
another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be
slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savoir 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 out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

This is a sovereign and democratic Southern Baptist Church under the lordship of Jesus Christ.  The membership
retains unto itself the exclusive rights of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this
church.  The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the
conditions of such membership.

SECTION 3.01—QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration
through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior; who renounce sin; who endeavor to live
a consecrated life wholly unto the Lord; who fully subscribe to the Statement of Faith contained herein; who enter
into the church covenant contained herein; who agree to submit to the authority of the church and its leaders as set
forth herein; and upon compliance with any one of the following conditions:

Candidates may be considered for membership

(A)  By baptism (immersion) as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior;

(B)  By letter of transfer from another Bible-believing church of like faith and practice, or other written statement of
good standing from the prior church if the applicant has been baptized by immersion subsequent to a
profession of faith;

(C)  By testimony of faith, having been baptized by immersion; or

(D)    By restoration, if having been removed from membership, upon majority vote of the congregation after
confession is made publicly before the church membership of the sin or sins involved, and satisfactorily
evidencing repentance to the pastor (or the deacons if the office of pastor is vacant).
Candidates shall be presented for membership at the next regular business meeting following their request for
membership.  A 75 per cent majority of those church members present and voting shall be required to elect such
candidates to membership.  Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the
pastor and the deacons for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the church within thirty days.

SECTION 3.02—DUTIES OF A MEMBER

On becoming a member of this church, in addition to the covenant contained in Section 2.03, each member further
covenants to love, honor, and esteem the pastor; to pray for him; to recognize his authority in spiritual affairs of the
church; to cherish a brotherly love for all members of the church; to support the church in prayer, tithes, offerings
and with other financial support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands, to support through
a lifestyle walk affirming the beliefs and practices of the church.

SECTION 3.03—PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP

(A) Only active members who are physically present at a duly called meeting of the church shall be
entitled to vote.  There shall be no proxy or absentee voting.

(B) This congregation functions not as a pure democracy, but as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus
Christ and the direction of the pastor as the under-shepherd of the church.  Determinations of the internal
affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own
rules and procedures.  The pastor shall oversee and/or conduct all aspects of this church.  The deacons shall
give counsel and assistance to the pastor when appropriate or as requested by him.

(C)   Membership in this church does not afford the members with any property, contractual, or civil rights based
on principles of democratic government.  Although the general public is invited to all of the church’s
worship services, the church property remains private property.  The pastor (or in his absence, an individual
designated by the Church) has the authority to suspend or revoke the right of any person, including a
member, to enter or remain on Church property.  If after being notified of such a suspension or revocation,
the person enters or remains on church property, the person may, at the discretion of the pastor (or in his
absence, an individual designated by the Church), be treated as a trespasser.

(D)   A member may inspect or copy the prepared financial statements of the church and the minutes of the
proceedings of church business meetings, provided he shall have made a written request upon the church
and the church has received the written request at least five business days before the requested inspection
date.

  1. A member may not, under any circumstances, copy any record relating to individual contributions to the church (except their own).
  2. The church may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and material, for copies of any documents provided to the member before releasing the copies to the member.

SECTION 3.05—TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

Members not under the disciplinary process of Section 3.04 may request that letters of transfer be sent to another
church.

SECTION 3.06—TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

(A) No member of this church may hold membership in another church. The membership of any individual
member shall automatically terminate without notice if the member unites in membership with another
church.

(B) A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be
issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the pastor.

SECTION 3.07 – INACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

(A) Members who fail to attend the church for two years, except for the military, homebound, missionary, or
are under watch-care (e.g. college), will be moved to inactive membership status.  Inactive members do not
have voting privileges nor will be considered for leadership positions.  If and when an inactive member
returns to attendance and does so for one month, they shall be returned to active status.  Once an Inactive
member attends upon good cause being shown to the pastor, this provision for inactive status may be
waived in the case of any individual member at the discretion of the pastor.

SECTION 3.04—DISCIPLINE OF A MEMBER

(A) Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another.  When a member
becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go
alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother.  Before he goes, he should first examine
himself.  When he goes, he should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration.

(B) If reconciliation is not reached, a second  active member of the church is to accompany the one
seeking to resolve the matter.  This second step should also be preceded by self-examination and exercised
in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration.

(C)  If the need arises a discipline committee shall be formed consisting of the pastor, deacons and
others designated by pastor.  This committee shall have sole authority in determining deviations
from the Statement of Faith and violations of the church covenant.  If the pastor or a deacon is the
subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the discipline committee.  The
pastor and deacons shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to
the same discipline.

(D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (A) and (B) have been taken,
the discipline committee, shall hear the matter.

(E) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (A), (B), and (D) have been
taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership
of the church upon a majority vote of the membership present at a meeting called for the purpose
of considering disciplinary action.

(F) No matter may be heard by the discipline committee or the church unless the steps outlined in
subsections (A) and (B) have been taken.

(G) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him
from that point forward (except by family members) must be for the sake of restoration.

(J) The procedures provided in this section are based on Matt. 18:15-20; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:1-
13; 2 Cor. 2:1-11; Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6, 10-15; 1 Tim. 5:19-20; and Titus 3:10-11.

ARTICLE 4 – OFFICERS

SECTION 4.01 – CHURCH OFFICERS

The church officers are Pastor, other church staff as needed, Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, and such other officers as
shall be required for the work of the  church in any of its departments or organizations.  All of these shall be
approved by the church and shall be members in good standing.

SECTION 4.02 – DESIGNATION AND POWERS OF CORPORATE OFFICERS

As an accommodation to the legal relationships outside the church, the church shall elect a minimum of four (4)
trustees with one member to serve as the president of the corporation; one member to serve as vice-president of the
corporation; and one member to serve as secretary of the corporation.  The board of trustees shall exercise only the
following specific powers, upon authorization by a majority vote of the members present at a duly called church
administration meeting:

  1. To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on behalf of the church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the church;
  2. To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the church, to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and the use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure repayment by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges; and
  3. To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation.

SECTION 4.03 – ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE

(A) The church shall not install or retain an officer who fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the
Statement of Faith.  All church officers, upon request of the pastor, shall affirm their agreement with the
Statement of Faith (as set forth in Article 2).

(B) All church officers, except for the pastor and staff, must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the
pastor and church in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.

(C) Only active church members are eligible for election or appointment to any church office or position.  They
must, with the exception of the pastor and staff, have been a member for at least one year prior to their
becoming eligible.

(D)   All church officers must regularly and systematically support the financial program of the church by
tithing; must show a willingness to cooperate with all the officers of the church in the execution of its
programs; and must attend regularly the services of the church.

(E)   All Deacons must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, been a member of this church at least one year,
and have agreed to abide by the “Church Deacon Handbook” as maintained in the OPERATING MANUAL
OF THE CHURCH.

SECTION 4.04 – TERMS OF OFFICE

(A) The relationship between the pastor (interim pastor) and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at
the option of either party by the giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual consent.  The calling of a pastor
(interim pastor) or severance of the relationship between the pastor (interim pastor) and the church may be
considered at any regular church business meeting, provided notice to that effect shall have been given from the
pulpit to the church two Sundays prior to the said regular church business meeting.  A three-fourths majority of the
eligible members present and voting shall be required to call a pastor or to sever the relationship between the pastor
and the church.  Disciplinary removal of the pastor (interim pastor) from office automatically terminates his
membership.  A restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements of Section
3.01(D).

(B) The term of service for all offices and positions in the church, except the pastor (interim pastor) and staff,
shall be one year, at the expiration of which the officers may be re-elected or re-appointed.

(C) A vacancy occurring in any office or ministry position, except in the case of the pastor (interim pastor) and
staff, may be filled at any regular church business meeting.

(D) All elected and appointed officers shall serve in their respective offices until their successors are duly
elected or appointed.

(E) Members of the deacons may be removed from office for unbiblical conduct, as determined by the other
deacons and upon a majority vote of the remaining members of the deacons.

SECTION 4.05—ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The annual election of officers by the church membership shall occur during the month of August during the
quarterly church business meeting.

SECTION 4.06—PASTORAL OVERSIGHT OF OFFICERS AND STAFF

(A) Subject to the approval of the church membership and on the condition that they shall become a member of
the church upon assuming their duties, the pastor may hire associates and assistants to assist him in
carrying out his God-given responsibilities.

(B) All church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the pastor.  No employee or
volunteer shall be hired, appointed, or retained who fails to adhere to or expresses  disagreement with the
Statement of Faith.

ARTICLE 5 – DUTIES AND POWERS OF OFFICERS

SECTION 5.01—THE PASTOR (INTERIM PASTOR)

The duties and powers of the interim pastor are recognized as co-equal with that of the pastor and hereafter only the
term “pastor” is stated.

(A) The pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word
of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the church, act as moderator at all
church meetings for the transaction of church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the church,
tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of the membership, and lead the church to engage in a fellowship
of worship, witness, education, ministry and application.

(B) The pastor shall partner with the church to appoint the members of the various committees during a duly
called church business meeting.    He shall publicly inform all newly elected officers of the particular
function and the responsibilities of their respective offices.  He shall extend the right hand of fellowship to
all new members on behalf of the church and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a
position.  The pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that
God has given him.

(C) All appointments and arrangements, including time and place and the use of the property belonging to the
church for purposes, except for the church approved services and meetings, shall be under the control of the
pastor.

(D) He shall abide by the ministry description as outlined in the personnel policy and procedure contained in the
operating manual of the church.

SECTION 5.02—ASSOCIATE PASTORS AND STAFF

(A) Associates and staff assist the Pastor in carrying out his God-given responsibilities.  Their hire is subject to the
approval of the Pastor, Personnel Ministry Team and Church and on the condition that they become a member
of the church upon assuming their duties.

(B) All associates and staff shall have and abide by the ministry description for their position in the Personnel
Policy and Procedures written by the Personnel Ministry Team and contained within the Church Operating
Manual.

(C) All church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the pastor who has authority to
hire, appoint or dismiss the same subject to the approval of the Personnel Ministry Team.

SECTION 5.02—THE DEACONS

(A) The deacons shall assist the pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in promoting the spiritual welfare of
the church, in conducting the religious services.  They shall make provision for the observance of the
ordinances of the church.  They shall assist the pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the
church.  The deacons shall assist the pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the church’s various
ministries as requested by the pastor.  They shall provide the pulpit supply and choose a moderator for
church meetings if the pastor is unavailable or the office of pastor is vacant.

(B) The deacons shall be selected according to the guidelines set forth in the deacon handbook of the Church
Operating Manual and shall abide by the duties written therein.

(C) Immediately following the August  church business meeting, the deacons shall assemble and elect, from
their own number, a chairman, a vice chairman, and a secretary.

SECTION 5.03—THE CHURCH CLERK

The Church Clerk shall:

(A) Certify and keep at the office of the church, the original bylaws or a copy, including all amendments or
alterations to the bylaws;

(B) Sign, certify, or attest documents as may be required by law;

(C) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. (In case of the absence
or disability of the secretary, or his or her refusal or neglect to act, notice may be given and served by the
pastor or by the chairman of the deacons.);

(D) Be custodian of the records of the church, including the membership roll, baptisms, and certificates of
ordination, licenses and commissions;

(E) See that the reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents and records required by law are properly
kept and filed;

(F)    Keep an account of any special events in the life of the church which are of historical interest and give a report
at the annual church administration meeting of the status of the church membership roll in the past year;

(G)   Maintain all records of the church and deliver them to any successor upon leaving office.

SECTION 5.04—THE CHURCH TREASURER

The Church Treasurer shall:

(A) Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the corporation, and deposit all funds in the
name of the church in banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the pastor and
Stewardship Team;

(B) Oversee all contributions, gifts, and donations to the church;

(C) Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the church as may be directed by the pastor, or the budget
adopted by the members of the church at a duly called business meeting, taking proper vouchers for the
disbursements;

(D) Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the church’s properties and business transactions
including account of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, and capital;

(E) Make all expenditures of the church (except miscellaneous petty cash disbursements);

(F) When and as requested, render to the pastor and the church accounts of all his/her transactions as Church
Treasurer and of the financial condition of the church;

(G) Present a written report of itemized disbursements at the regular quarterly church administration meetings and
make a general report for the year at the annual church administration meeting;

(H) Keep all church financial records at the office of the church and deliver them to any successor upon leaving
office; and

(K) Serve as treasurer of the corporation.

SECTION 5.06—DUTIES OF ALL OFFICERS

(A)   At the request of the clerk all officers shall prepare a written report of their work for church business meeting
and shall surrender all records in their possession to the church clerk at the close of their term of office to be
filed as a permanent record of the work of the church.   All records are the property of the church and must be
kept in the church office.
(B) Any officer who neglects his duties as outlined in the bylaws for a period of 6 months may be removed from
his office, at the discretion of the pastor, and another may be appointed by the pastor to serve the un-expired
term.

SECTION 5.07—INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

A special service in which all officers of the church are to be approved and dedicated to their respective offices and
for the ordination of newly elected deacons shall be held at a public church service following their election at the
August quarterly business meeting.

ARTICLE 6 – MINISTRY TEAMS AND COMMITTEES

SECTION 6.01—SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The church council, at its discretion, and in counsel with the deacons may create special committees to provide the
council with advice and information regarding matters submitted to the committee by the council for consideration.
The committee shall have no authority to act on behalf of the corporation.  The members of the committee shall be
chosen by a majority vote of the church council and shall serve solely at the pleasure of the church council.  The
special committee shall be subject to the control and direction of the church council at all times.

Pastor Search Ministry Team: The Pastor Search Ministry Team, as the need arises, is responsible for seeking out
a pastor for the Church.  The Church shall follow the guidelines set forth in the addendum entitled, “Pastor Search
Policy and Procedures,” set forth in the Church’s Personnel Policy and Procedures and Article 4 (Section 4.04) and
in turn the Pastor Search Ministry Team shall abide by the stated guidelines therein.

SECTION 6.02—STANDING COMMITTEES

The church shall maintain ministries as specified by church policy. All teams and organizations shall consist of church
members only, and shall be appointed by the Church Ministry Council and approved by the church.  Ultimately, the
teams and organizations are accountable to the church and shall report to the church on a regular basis as prescribed by
the church policies and procedures.

A. Church Ministry Council: The Church Ministry Council shall serve the church by leading in planning,
coordinating, conducting, and evaluating the ministries of the church including Policies and Procedures, and
her organizations. This team shall be led by the pastor and shall be composed of the ministerial staff, chairman
of the deacons, chairmen of the standing leadership teams, and any other persons the pastor may deem
necessary.

B. Personnel Ministry Team: The Personnel Ministry Team, through the leadership of the pastor, assists the
church in matters related to employed personnel administration. Its duties are outlined in the Church’s policies
and procedures manual.

C. Stewardship Ministry Team: The Stewardship Ministry Team shall prepare a spending plan that shall be
submitted to the church annually and shall comply with the guidelines outlined in the church’s policies and
procedures manual.

ARTICLE 7 – MEETINGS

SECTION 7.01—MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP

Unless otherwise determined by the pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship and at least once
during the week for Bible study and prayer.  Except when circumstances  prevent it, the ordinance of the Lord’s
Supper shall be observed on a quarterly basis.

SECTION 7.02—SPECIAL MEETINGS

(A) The pastor (or deacons if the office of pastor is vacant or the pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary
action) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called
to the church from the pulpit at least one Sunday and not less than one week prior to said meeting.  A
meeting for the calling of a pastor or the severance of the relationship between the church and pastor shall
be called in accordance with the provision of Section 4.04(A).

(B) Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the pastor deems beneficial.

SECTION 7.03—MEETINGS FOR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

(A) The regular-called business meeting shall be held on a quarterly basis, at which time the regular church
administration shall be considered.  A quorum shall consist of the members present.

(B) All church administration meetings shall be opened and closed  with prayer for divine guidance and
blessing.

(C) “Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised,” is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business
meetings of the church.  The moderator is the final authority on questions of procedure, and his decision is
final and controlling.

(D) For any meeting under this article, the moderator, in his sole discretion, shall have full and unilateral
authority to require nonmembers to leave the meeting room and to order the immediate removal of any
member or other person present who is deemed by the moderator to be disruptive to the proceedings by act
or presence.  The moderator shall have full authority to order the removal of all children (ages to be
determined by the moderator) if the moderator determines, in his sole discretion, that circumstances so
warrant.  If the moderator determines that compliance with his order of removal is unsatisfactory, the
moderator may, in his sole discretion, revoke the disruptive person’s right to remain on the premises in
accordance with Section 3.03(C) and treat the person as a trespasser.

ARTICLE 8 – CHURCH FINANCES

SECTION 8.01 – UNIFIED BUDGET

The Stewardship Ministry Team shall prepare and submit to the church for approval an inclusive budget, indicating
the items, and the amount need for all local and world-wide expenses.  It is understood that the membership of this
church involves financial obligation to support the church and its causes with regular, proportionate gifts (the tithe).
Each new member shall be contacted by a representative of the church and presented offering envelopes and a copy
of the Unified Church Budget.  The church representative will explain/ discuss each item listed in the budget and
answer any questions concerning the church finance policies.

SECTION 8.02 – DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS

From time to time the church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish
various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions, but all suggestions
shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise
designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and  discretion of the pastor and the stewardship ministry
team up to one-thousand dollars.  Any contributions made to specific funds above one thousand dollars shall remain
subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the church.  No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any
designated contribution made to the church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of
the purposes stated in Section 1.02.  All contributions are to abide by the Financial Policies and Procedures as
outlined and maintained in the Operating Manual of the Church.

SECTION 8.04—FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the church shall begin January 1st and end December 31st.

ARTICLE 9 – MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

SECTION 9.01—PURPOSE

The church believes that it is to provide the members and their families with an education which is based upon and
consistent with Biblical teachings.  The church believes that the home and church are responsible before God for
providing a Christian education.  To this end, the church shall engage in ministries in education in keeping with the
Statement of Faith as outlined in Article 2.

SECTION 9.02—CHURCH PARTICIPATION

All educational programs or courses of instruction formulated and offered by the church shall be primarily for the
benefit of the members of the church; however, the pastor may permit non-church members to participate in church
educational programs or courses of instruction if he deems it in the best interest of the church.

SECTION 9.03—STAFF MEMBERSHIP

All instructors, teachers, and administrators shall be members of this church.   This provision shall not apply to
visiting missionaries, evangelists, or preachers engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals,
or other special meetings on a temporary basis.

SECTION 9.04—STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be taught and presented in full accord with the Statement of
Faith of the church.  The church shall not hire, appoint, or retain any employee or volunteer for its educational
programs who fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith.

SECTION 9.05—UNITY

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the
church.

SECTION 9.06—TEACHING

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant
Word of God.  Any assertion or belief which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and
distortion of the truth which will be disclaimed as false.  It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to
present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.

SECTION 9.07—CHRISTIAN WALK

All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall continue or adopt a  lifestyle consistent with the precepts which
they teach, whether in or out of the classroom.

ARTICLE 10 – ORDINATION

SECTION 10.01—ORDINATION QUALIFICATIONS

Any member of this church or its mission churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of
the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a
minister of the Gospel.

SECTION 10.02—ORDINATION PROCEDURE

(A) Upon a conference with the pastor and after the pastor has  approved the candidate for ordination, the pastor
shall call a council to examine and pass on the qualification of the candidate. The ordination council shall
consist of ordained ministers of like faith invited to participate in the examination of the candidate.

(B) If the candidate is found worthy of ordination by the council, the ordination council may ordain the candidate
on behalf of the church.

(C) The pastor and the chairman of the deacons shall arrange for the ordination service.

ARTICLE 11 – INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 11.01—ACTIONS SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION

The church may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, including
all appeals (other than an action by or in the right of the church) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a
pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the church, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or
proceeding; and if that person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the church and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction, or on a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person
did not act in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the church and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
conduct was unlawful.

SECTION 11.02—EXPENSES SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION

To the extent that a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in
defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in
that action, suit, or proceeding, he or she may be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually
and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding.

SECTION 11.03—LIMITATIONS OF INDEMNIFICATION

Any indemnification made under this Article, may be made by the church only as authorized in the specific case on
a determination that indemnification of the pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances
because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 9.01.  The determination shall be made (a)
by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of the pastor and deacons who were not and are not parties to or
threatened with the action, suit, or proceeding; (b) if the described quorum is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a
quorum of disinterested deacons so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or (c) by a majority
vote of the members of the church.

SECTION 11.04—TIMING OF INDEMNIFICATION

Expenses of each person seeking indemnification under this Article, may be paid by the church as they are incurred,
in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the board of deacons in the
specific case, on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or agent to repay
the amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not qualified to be indemnified by the church.

SECTION 11.05—EXTENT OF INDEMNIFICATION

The indemnification provided by this Article shall be deemed to be discretionary unless otherwise required as a
matter of law or under any agreement or provided by insurance purchased by the church, both as to action of each
person seeking indemnification under this Article in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding that office, and may continue as to a person who has ceased to be a pastor, deacon, officer, employee, or
agent and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of that person.

SECTION 11.06—INSURANCE

The church may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a pastor, deacon, officer,
employee, or agent of the church against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in that capacity, or
arising out of his status in that capacity, whether or not the church would have the power to indemnify him against
liability under the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE 12 – AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be revised or amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular
church administration meeting, provided that said revision or amendment has been submitted in  writing and
announced from the pulpit fourteen (14) days before the vote is taken.

ADOPTION
These bylaws were adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at a duly called
meeting of the church in which a quorum was present.
These bylaws supersede any other bylaws of Ferris Hill Baptist Church, Inc.