Article I - Name

The name of this incorporated body is Cornerstone Baptist Church of New Albany, Ohio henceforth referred to as CBC.

Article II - Purpose

This church is an organization of baptized believers who have committed themselves to the church and to one another. We meet for the purpose of teaching, fellowship, worship and witness (Acts 2:42-47) with the goal of equipping one another for maturity and ministry (Eph.4:11-16). The content of what is taught is the Bible. The basis for fellowship is a shared faith which is discovered through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The object of worship is the triune God. This worship is expressed corporately through the study of God’s Word, song, prayer, tithes & offerings, the observance of the ordinances and service. The goal of teaching, fellowship and worship is to create a vibrant personal and corporate witness to the world.

Article III - Meetings of the Church

Section 1 - Public Worship

Services will be held each week on Sunday. Services on other days will be scheduled as deemed necessary to fulfill the church’s purpose. The pastor(s) will determine the schedule of services.

Section 2 - Business Meetings

1. Meetings
1. Annual Meeting - The annual meeting will be scheduled no later than the second Sunday in February. The pastor(s) and deacon(s) will set the date of the meeting. A two week notice will be given prior to the meeting. The church bulletin will be the method of serving notice for all business meetings. The fiscal year will be January through December. This meeting will serve the following purposes:
   1. Review of the previous year’s ministries
   2. Presentation of the future year’s goals
   3. Presentation and approval of the annual budget
2. Quarterly Meetings - Quarterly business meetings will be held at any convenient time in April, July or October. One week notice must be given.
3. Special Meetings - A special business meeting may be called at any time. A special business meeting may be called by the Pastoral Team Leader, council of deacons or 20% of the voting membership. One week notice must be given. A written agenda must be submitted to the Pastoral Team Leader at the time of the request. Only matters which appear on the written agenda may be acted upon during a special business meeting. Two weeks notice must be given for calling or dismissal of a pastor.
2. Quorum - Twenty-five percent of the voting membership must be present at a business meeting to constitute a quorum. Voting membership is defined as members 18 years of age or older. There will be no absentee ballots.
3. Procedure
1. The Pastoral Team Leader or his designee will serve as moderator at all business meetings. If the church is without a pastor, the assistant chairman of the council of deacons will serve as moderator. Business matters will be decided by a majority vote of the voting members present.
2. General rules of parliamentary procedure will be followed.
3. A vote of Seventy-five percent (75%) of voting members present is required for:
1. Amending the constitution;
2. Calling or terminating a pastor;
3. Terminating a member by discipline;
4. Purchasing, selling or mortgaging real estate;
5. Dissolving CBC.

Article IV - Membership

Section 1 - Admission to Membership

The following are requirements for membership to CBC:

1. Personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;
2. Believer’s baptism by immersion;
3. Statement of agreement with the church constitution;
4. Interview with representatives from the council of deacons;
5. Recommendation to the church by the pastor(s) and deacon(s).

Section 2 - Responsibilities of Membership

It is the responsibility of every member to:

1. Worship regularly at services;
2. Contribute financially to the operation of the church;
3. Seek to win and disciple others to Christ;
4. Pray for the leadership of the church;
5. Be actively involved in ministry to others through the church;
6. Live in a holy manner consistent with the teachings of Scripture.

Section 3 - Termination of Membership

1. Death
2. Departure
1. Lack of attendance - In the event that a member of CBC is willfully inactive for three consecutive months, the pastor(s) and deacon(s) will initiate contact with the inactive member as outlined in the policy and procedure manual. The primary purpose of this contact is reconciliation of the member to active service. If the member remains inactive for six or more months, their name may be dropped from membership at the next convenient business meeting.
2. Resignation - Upon submitting a written request to the officers of the church, any member may withdraw from the membership of CBC. The membership is informed of the request at the next convenient business meeting and the member’s name is removed.
3. Transfer - A letter of recommendation will be sent to a church of like faith upon the request of a member transferring membership.
3. Discipline
1. Any member whose words or conduct violate the Statement of Faith, church constitution or church covenant is subject to discipline by the church (Matthew 18:15-18; Romans 16:17-20; 1Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; Titus 3:1-11).>/li>
2. The intent of discipline is restoration to the Lord and the fellowship of the church. If the scriptural process to facilitate repentance and restoration of the member is unsuccessful, the pastor(s) and deacon(s) will recommend to the membership that the erring member’s name be removed from the church membership.
3. Any member removed for discipline may be restored to fellowship upon demonstration of true repentance and consistent life change with the recommendation of the pastor(s) and deacon(s) and the affirmation of the voting membership at the next convenient business meeting.

Article V - Officers

Section 1 - Pastors

1. Calling a Pastor - The deacon(s) will recommend a candidate to the membership. Their recommendation will be based upon the candidate’s:
1. Testimony of faith;
2. Call to ministry;
3. Qualifications of a pastor as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1Peter 5:1-4;
4. Demonstration of spiritual gifts in ministry;
5. Full agreement with the church’s statement of faith, constitution and affiliations.

The term of office is indeterminate. A thirty-day notification will be given for resignation.

2. Job Description - The pastor(s) serve as the administrators of the church. They are responsible to provide direction and leadership in fulfilling the church’s mission. They are the shepherds of the flock. They provide for their spiritual care and equip them for ministry in and through the church. They shall be considered a part of quorum with the right to vote. They shall have access to all church records and are privileged to attend all meetings. They will receive advance notification of all fellowship and ministry team meetings. They will administer the ordinances and be responsible for the order of public services.
1. Whenever two or more pastors are called to serve the church, one shall be elected as the Pastoral Team Leader. He is an ex-officio member of all boards and committees. In addition to the above duties, he will also moderate all business meetings and serve as chairman of the council of deacons.
2. Other pastors may have a narrower focus of responsibilities as defined by the policy and procedure manual. Nevertheless, while they shall defer to the Pastoral Team Leader’s authority, they will be considered full pastors with an equal calling before God and accorded the same honor due to any pastor.
3. Salary - The pastoral salaries will be reviewed and set annually by the deacon(s). Their recommendation will be submitted to the membership in the annual budget at the annual meeting.
4. Dismissal - A pastor may be dismissed if the discharge of his duties, his conduct or his doctrine is contrary to the constitution, unsatisfactory or unbiblical. Formal accusations must be submitted in writing to the deacon(s). The deacon(s) will not consider any charges unless they are supported by at least two witnesses. If the board determines that the pastor is in error in conduct or doctrine, they may first seek to correct him on a personal level following the pattern in Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1-2. If the error is determined to be egregious, the deacons will bring a recommendation of action to the church.
   A special business meeting must be called to dismiss a pastor. A pastor will be dismissed upon a vote of 75% of the membership present. If dismissed, the pastor must vacate his ministry immediately. The deacon(s) will decide if 30 days compensation will be provided.

Section 2 - Deacons

1. Job Description - The deacon is a servant. He is to assist the pastor(s) in serving the people so the pastor(s) may be dedicated to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1-4). The deacon(s) serve the membership in visitation, administration and edification. They serve through assigned responsibilities from the pastor(s) to facilitate the efficient operation of the church. They must be actively involved in an evangelism / discipleship ministry. The pastor(s) and deacon(s) will serve as the trustees of the corporation. The pastor(s) and deacon(s) comprise the council of deacons with the Pastoral Team Leader as chairman. Two-thirds of the council of deacons will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
2. Qualifications - A deacon is a Spirit-filled believer (Acts 6:5) which is evident by his manner of life (1Timothy 3:8-13). A deacon must display Christian character by meeting the biblical qualification of the office. He must be regular in attendance, consistent in tithing and in full agreement with the church’s constitution, covenant and affiliations.
3. Election - The council of deacons will recommend a candidate to the congregation. Deacons will be elected by a 75% vote of members present. The length of service, terms, number, offices, and duties of the deacons are outlined in the policy and procedure manual.
4. Dismissal - A deacon may be dismissed if the discharge of his duties, his conduct or his doctrine is contrary to the constitution, unsatisfactory or unbiblical. A special business meeting must be called to dismiss a deacon. A deacon will be dismissed upon a vote of 75% of the membership present.
5. Filling of Vacancies - Upon resignation, dismissal, disability or death of a deacon, the vacancy may be filled, provided that there is a suitably qualified man available, by recommendation of the pastor(s) and approval by majority vote of the council of deacons.

Section 3 - Appointed Officers

The following officers will be appointed by the council of deacons, provided that there are suitably qualified individuals available. The qualifications, terms and duties of each are outlined in the policy and procedure manual.

1. Treasurer
2. Financial Secretary
3. Church Clerk
4. Any other officers deemed necessary for the smooth operation of CBC shall be appointed by the council of deacons. The establishment of an additional officer must be approved by the majority vote of the church membership.

Article VI - Ministries and Committees

Section 1 - Pulpit Committee

The Pulpit committee shall function only when the church is without a Pastoral Team Leader. The committee will be formed by the deacon(s). This committee shall elect a chairman. The committee will be responsible to obtain suitable applicants to be considered for candidacy. They will investigate the record of the potential candidate to satisfy themselves and the church as to his fundamental beliefs, qualifications, reputation, family, etc. The committee will interview the potential candidate and, if it is determined that he is both qualified and compatible, he will be scheduled to preach in a Sunday Morning service and presented to the congregation as a potential candidate. The pulpit committee will then determine if the individual will be a candidate. During a second visit, the candidate will be made available to the membership for questioning. Final action for selection of a pastor will follow the guidelines outlined in Article V.

Section 2 - Other Ministries and Committees

Ministries such as choir, youth, singles, etc will be developed as necessary to fulfill the church’s mission. Committees may be established to facilitate these ministries and the efficient operation of the church. The structure and duties of each is outlined in the policy and procedure manual.

Article VII - Amendments and Deletions

This constitution may by be amended, altered or revised at any congregational meeting by a three fourths (75%) vote of the voting members present. Proposed changes shall be submitted in writing to the Pastoral Team Leader and the council of deacons no later than one month prior to the meeting. The congregation shall be notified of the proposed changes at least two weeks prior to the vote.

Article VIII - Dissolution

CBC may be dissolved by a three-fourths (75%) vote of the voting members present at any congregational meeting. A written notice of the proposed dissolution shall be made to the Pastoral Team Leader and the Council of Deacons no less than one month prior to the congregational meeting. The congregation shall be notified of the proposed dissolution at least two weeks prior to the vote.

In the event of dissolution, all debts shall be fully satisfied from the assets of the church. None of the assets shall be divided among the members or other individuals. All remaining assets shall be irrevocably designated to other Baptist non-profit corporations. The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) will receive priority consideration as the sponsoring organization of CBC. These corporations must be in agreement with the letter and spirit of CBC’s constitution. These organizations will be designated by vote prior to the dissolution of the church.