Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Amended at the annual Business meeting on 12/7/2025 ARTICLE I – Name The legal name of this church shall be the Cannelton Community Baptist Church of 313 Ridge Road, Darlington, PA 16115. The shortened name Cannelton Baptist Church has been commonly used for practical reasons and will continue to be commonly used. The initials of CBC may also be used in reference to the shortened version of the church’s name. Existence statement: The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Article II - Purpose God has chosen a people to be his very own, (Isaiah 43:1-21). They become His through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus which must be received by faith. God’s people live to both glorify and enjoy Him forever. We, at Cannelton Baptist Church, are numbered among those God has chosen. Mission Statement: To cooperate with God in making a people for himself who are righteous, peace-filled, and joy-filled followers of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 14:17). Article III - Policy Its government shall be vested in the body which composes its membership. Article IV – Doctrine The Bible: Everything we believe flows from the Bible because we are convicted of its inspiration, inerrancy and authority as God’s written word, (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God used multiple human authors, over a 1500-year period, superintended by the Holy Spirit to write an objective, propositional revelation which is verbally inspired in every word absolutely inerrant in the original documents, (2 Peter 1:19-21). Historically, the church has formally recognized that the Bible consists of 66 books. It is of infallible divine authority in all 2 matters upon which it touches. It is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises. The Bible is to be “rightly handled”, (2 Timothy 2:15), as there is only one true interpretation and many applications. Copies of the original documents and our English translations such as the KJV, NKJV, NASV, NIV, and the ESV are reliable despite the fallible and errant transmission process over the centuries. The errors in transmission are so minor that the Bible’s teaching was unaffected. Definitions: 1) Superintend: to oversee and direct 2) Objective: things external 3) Propositional: truth claims made linguistically 4) Infallible: incapable of erring 5) Inerrant: free from errors God: The Bible teaches that there is one living and true God, (Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 8:4). He is triune in nature: one in essence, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each equally deserving of worship and obedience, (Matthew 28:19). God is spirit - immaterial and invisible, (John 4:24). He is infinite, unchangeable, and perfect in all his attributes. God is the creator and sovereign ruler over his creation. The Father: He is the person from whom all things come, (1 Corinthians 8:6). Our prayers are to be directed to him, (Matthew 6:9). He adopts us into his family, (Romans 8:15) whereby we acknowledge him as “abba, Father,” (Galatians 4:6). He is a righteous judge, (1 Peter 1:17). The Son: He eternally exists as the only begotten of the Father, (Hebrews 1:5). He was born of a virgin, (Luke 1:30-35). He is truly God and truly man having two natures inseparably united in one person without confusion, mixture, separation or division. Each nature retains its own attributes. He is voluntarily subordinate to the Father, (Philippians 2:6-8). He lived a sinless life, (Hebrews 4:15); was crucified, buried, resurrected, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), ascended, (Ephesians 4:10), and will return in glory and judgment, (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). He is the only mediator between God and man, (1 Timothy 2:5). The Holy Spirit: He eternally proceeds from the Father and Son, (John 15:26). He has sovereign activity in creation, (Genesis 1:2), the incarnation, (Luke 1:35), revelation, (2 Peter 1:21), and 3 salvation. He is a divine agent in regeneration, (John 3:5), and baptism, (Luke 3:16). The Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of believers working sanctification, (Galatians 1618), in their lives. Creation: God created the heavens and the earth, (Genesis 1 & 2), out of nothing, (Hebrews 11:3), by the power of his word, (Psalm 33:6). The entirety of creation belongs to God, (Psalm 89:11), and it displays his glory, (Psalm 19:1-6). God preserves and governs his creation according to his most holy, wise and powerful providence, (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 103:19). Man: God created man in his image. He made them male and female, (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:425). The two genders are equal in value and complementary in design, (1 Timothy 2:815; 1 Peter 3:1-7). They were sinless and friends with God. God gave them dominion over his creation. Adam, our first father, forsook his responsibility and sinned against God, (Genesis 3:16). Adam and his posterity fell into a state of moral corruption and moral inability, (Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 5:12). They were punished with both spiritual and physical death, (Ephesians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:1-4). All mankind is hopelessly lost and in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). Salvation: It is wholly the work of God. Salvation is unmerited, (Deuteronomy 9:6; Ephesian 2:8-9, Romans 6:23). Those whom God elects manifest themselves with faith in Jesus Christ, (Deuteronomy 7:6; Ephesians 1:4-6, Acts 13:48). Jesus Christ provides redemption through his blood shed upon the cross which is received by an obedient faith, (Revelation 1:5, 1 Peter 2:24, Acts 10:43, Ephesians 1:7-10; Romans 3:23-25). The Holy Spirit regenerates the heart making one receptive to the gospel, (John 3:1-8; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Titus 3:4-7). Salvation is exclusively achieved by God through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, (Acts 4:12; John 4:22). There are no other options, (Galatians 1:8-9). God preserves those he saves by maintaining and strengthening their obedience of faith in Christ, (Philippians 1:6; Psalm 37:28). The Law of God: The moral law perfectly reflects the unchangeable character of God and it is used to measure man’s response to him, (Psalm 19:7-11; James 2:9-10; 1 John 5:3). Church: The church is sacred for it is designed by God and built by Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2:4-6; Matthew 16:18). The substance of the church is people who belong to God, (Malachi 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Each person is purchased with the blood of Christ, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Acts 20:28). The church is organized with Jesus Christ as the head, (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:7-16). It is the primary organization by which saints are sanctified, (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25). The church functions as ambassadors of God to the world, (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Matthew 28:19-20). Death and the Second Coming of Christ: When Christians die they are made 4 perfect in holiness, (Hebrews 12:22-23), and enter immediately into the presence of Christ, (Luke 23:43), which is more glorious and more satisfying than any experience on earth, (Philippians 1:23). Justly, the wrath of God remains on all who deny Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. At death they are punished with eternal fire, (John 3:18, 36; Jude 7; Revelation 20:15). Jesus Christ will return to the earth a second time; – personally, (Acts 1:9-11), visibly, (Mark 14:61-62), physically, (Philippians 3:20-21), and suddenly, (I Thessalonians 5:23), in power and glory, (Luke 21:27). It will be attended with the resurrection, (Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52), the final judgment, (Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11-15), the end of the world, (2 Peter 3:10), and the consummation of God’s kingdom, (Revelation 21:2-4). As a summary of principles for Christian conduct among its members, it adopts the following church covenant commonly accepted by Baptist churches: CHURCH COVENANT 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 Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We 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 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 personal devotions; to teach our children the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our relatives, friends and neighbors; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; being truthful and gracious in our talk, slow to anger; to seek God’s help in abstaining from all drugs, food, drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.” and 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 each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation being mindful of the rules of our Savior. 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 the covenant and the principles of God's Word. Article V – Membership Section 1 - Admission of members. Persons may be received into the membership of the church by any of the following methods, subject in each case to the recommendation of the Official Board and vote of the church: 5 A. BY BAPTISM - Any person who confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and adopts substantially the views of Faith and principles of this church and is baptized may be received in the fellowship of the church. B. BY LETTER - A person who is in substantial accord with the views of faith and the principles of this church may be received by letter from any other church, where the individual had been baptized with believer's baptism. C. BY EXPERIENCE - We accept them on Christian Experience; by this we mean one who was baptized by believer's baptism but due to loss of records or the disbanding of his or her former church there is no account of his or her baptism. D. BY RESTORATION - Any person who has lost his membership for any reason may be restored to membership upon recommendation of the Official Board of the church and vote of the church. *We hold believer’s baptism to be the primary distinctive of our practice of baptism and the mode of immersion to be the secondary distinctive. We will not compromise the distinctive of believer’s baptism. Concerning the mode of immersion: 1) It will be the mode used for all CBC baptismal candidates. 2) Alternate modes will be considered for any baptismal candidates who cannot be immersed for some unforeseen reason, (i.e. medical, etc.). This exception must be approved by the Official Board. 3) We will accept the baptism of those who have been baptized with believer’s baptism regardless of whether the mode used was sprinkling, pouring, or immersion in the case of those who wish to transfer their membership by either letter or experience. Section 2 - Dismissal of members. A. BY DEATH B. BY LETTER – Any member who desires a letter of dismissal to any other church may receive it upon his request and upon the vote of the Official Board. The name of the church to which membership is requested shall be named in the request and the letter shall be sent to the pastor or the clerk of that church. Such letter shall be valid only for six months after its date, unless renewed, and this restriction shall be stated in the letter. Returned letter of acceptance shall be requested from the other church. C. BY EXCLUSION – Should any member become an offense to the church and to its good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, or be consistent breach of his covenant vows, the church may terminate his membership, but only after due notice and a hearing before he Official Board and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such member to repentance and amendment. D. BY SUSPENSION – The Official Board should prepare, from year to year, a list of those members who have for a period of two or more years failed to participate in the service of worship or financial support of the church without valid excuse. If they are satisfied that the persons so described cannot be reclaimed, they shall present to the church a recommendation that these delinquent members be erased from the membership roll. 6 Upon such action being taken by the church, said members shall thereafter cease to be members of this church. Section 3 - A. Section 2, Article C and D shall require the majority vote of the quorum. The quorum shall be one-third of the church membership. Article VI Church Government The only biblical offices in the church are Elders and Deacons, but final earthly authority is vested in the assembled congregation. As a matter of Christian prudence, we shall temporarily maintain the following: Pastor, Deacons, Moderator, Clerk, Church Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. All of which will make up the Official Board Section I - Pastor/Deacons The pastor shall preach the Gospel, administer the ordinances, watch over the membership, and have in his charge the spiritual welfare of the congregation and the stated services of public worship. He shall be a member of all board and committees of the church and its auxiliary organizations. Deacons shall be selected as follows: The Pastor must seek out and interview biblically qualified men per 1Timothy 3:8-13 and present these men before the church at the annual business meeting, or for a special called business meeting throughout the year as needs arise. Section 2 - Moderator The moderator shall reside at all business meetings of the church and at all meetings of the Official Board. He shall be elected at an annual meeting to serve for two years. Section 3 - Clerk A clerk shall be elected at an annual meeting to serve for two years. He shall keep a complete record of the transaction of all business at the meetings of the church. This shall be read for approval at the next following business meeting. He shall keep a record of the names and addresses of members, with dates and manner of admission and demission; and also a record of baptisms and a list of those suspended. He shall issue letters of demission voted by the Official Board and preserve, on file, all communications and written records. He shall assist in preparing denominational reports. He shall deliver immediately to his successor all books and records for which he has been responsible as clerk. Section 4 - Church Treasurer A church treasurer shall be elected at an annual meeting to serve for two years. He shall have custody of the funds of the church and all deposits made in the name of the church, and all checks drawn by him shall be in the name of the church. He shall keep separate 7 accounts of all funds raised or contributed for particular purposes and no funds shall be disbursed by him except for the purposes for which they were raised or contributed. He shall have custody of the securities, investments, title papers and other valuable documents of the church. He shall be in charge of all receipts and all disbursements. Current expenses can be paid by the Church Treasurers without bringing them before the Official Board, except those in question. Other benevolence funds shall be applied by him in accordance with the church budget and the special purposes for which the same were contributed. He shall present to the church an annual itemized report of receipts and disbursements for the calendar year showing the actual financial condition of the church after having been audited previously by the auditors elected by the church. He shall make such other financial reports as may be desired by the church. He shall deliver immediately to his successor all books and records pertaining to his office. Section 5 - Financial Secretary A financial secretary shall be elected at an annual meeting to serve for two years. It shall be his duty to furnish each member of the church with envelopes for contribution to church expense and benevolence; to keep a record all pledges made; keep a correct account thereof between the church and its members. He shall, at the end of each fiscal year, report to the Official Board an account of the matters pertaining to his office and report to the Official Board names of those members who have failed to make any contributions of record toward church expenses or benevolence. Section 6 - Official Board The Official Board shall be composed of the Church Clerk, the Church Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, and the Deacons. All members of the Official Board shall have the right to discuss matters and vote upon all business brought up before the Board. A. DUTIES OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD - The Moderator or Pastor can call a special meeting of the Official Board at any time. The Official Board should meet at least once a month to conduct business. The Board shall hold in trust all property belonging to the church and shall take all necessary measures for its protection, management and upkeep. It shall determine the use of the church building for all extra or secular purposes, but it shall have no power to buy, mortgage, lease or transfer any property without specific vote of the church authorizing such action. It shall designate the bank where the funds of the church shall be deposited. It shall, when so instructed by the church, secure the services of a caretaker at such salary as is authorized by church and secure from him acceptable service. It shall perform such other duties as are imposed upon it by the church and the state. B. SPECIAL DUTIES OF THE DEACONS; The deacons shall cooperate with the pastor in providing the pulpit supply and the leaders of the prayer meeting in his absence; visit the members; care for the sick, needy and 8 distressed members of the church, using such fellowship funds that are available. The deacons shall promote Christian instruction and ministry to the church membership, provide the Lord's Supper and aid in its administration; and distribute the Deacon Fund. The Deacons shall likewise assist the pastor in the organization and administration of the entire educational program of the church. They shall be responsible for developing and interpreting to the constituency of the church the educational objective or goals, they shall be responsible for studying the educational needs of the church and for making decisions concerning (1) time schedule, (2) educational use of housing and equipment, and (3) the elimination of addition of classes or organizations. They shall be responsible for discovering, enlisting, training, and appointing all church educational workers. They shall be responsible for evaluating and supervising the curriculum of the educational program. They shall be responsible for co-coordinating and approving the outreach programs of the groups and organizations under their jurisdiction. (Programs of evangelism, home-church, community relationships, and educational programs in cooperation with other churches are included in this responsibility). They shall be responsible for preparing and administering the education budget of the church. Article VII – Standing Committees Section 1 - The Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee shall be selected by the previous Nominating Committee approved by vote of the church at the annual meeting. Those on the Nominating Committee cannot serve 2 years in succession. It shall prepare a list of those qualified to fill the various offices. It shall interview each nominee proposed and ascertain his or her willingness to serve if elected. The committee shall nominate one or more persons for each office to be filled and report the names to the church at least one week before the election is to be held. Section 2 - The Music Committee The Music Committee, appointed by the Official Board, shall serve for one year and shall cooperate with the pastor in the selection of an organist and choir director and in the arrangement of the music of the church services. It shall incur expenses only as authorized by the church. Section 3 - The Ushering Committee The Ushering Committee, consisting of 2, appointed by the Official Board, shall serve for one year and shall be in charge of the ushering organization. They shall attend to the seating of the congregation and to the receiving of the offering, except as otherwise provided. 9 Section 4 - the Auditing Committee The Auditing Committee, appointed by the Official Board, shall audit the financial records of the church at least once a year. Section 5 - Janitors The Janitors appointed by the Official Board, shall serve for one year, and shall be directed by the Official Board as to the duties they are to perform. Article VIII – The Pastorate Section 1 - Calling a Pastor When the pastorate is vacant, the Official Board shall select a representative Pulpit Committee of five members of the church. It shall investigate the merits of each man under consideration in regard to his personal character, education, ministerial record, and preaching ability, in determining his fitness for this pastorate. When a suitable man is found the committee shall recommend him to the church for consideration. The call of a pastor shall come before the church at a regularly called business meeting, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been read from the pulpit for two successive Sundays. A vote of three-fourths of the members present and qualified to vote, provided there be present and voting one-third of the church members, shall be necessary to extend a call. Only one candidate shall be presented to the church at one time. The vote shall be by written ballot. Section 2 - Termination of Pastorate The term of office may be ended upon 90 days’ notice on the part of the pastor or the church. Termination of the office shall be voted on at a regularly called business meeting, notice of such meeting and purpose having been read from the pulpit on two successive Sundays. A vote of the majority of the members present and qualified to vote, provided there be present and voting one-third members, shall make valid termination of said office. Article IX - ELECTIONS Section 1 - Time The annual election of officers shall be held during the annual meeting of the church which shall be held on the first Sunday of December. 10 Section 2 - Qualifications of Voters All matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or mortgaging of property shall be voted on only by members in good standing and who are of legal age. On all other matters not requiring financing, members in good standing are entitled to vote. Section 3 - Procedure At least one week before the election the nominating committee shall present to the church the names of one or more persons for each office to be filled. At the time of the annual meeting it shall be the privilege of any member present and qualified to vote to place in nomination the name of any eligible person who has given his or her consent for any office. A majority of the ballots cast are necessary for the election of any officer. Section 4 - Vacancies The official board is granted authority to appoint an interim member to the Official Board to fill vacancies occurring during the year, for the unexpired term. Article X - Meetings Section 1 - Worship Services Public services shall be held on each Lord's Day at a time fixed by the Official Board. The Youth Fellowships and the Church School shall hold weekly meetings at a time fixed by the Official Board. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the first Sunday each month or at such other times as the Official Board may determine. Occasional religious meetings may be appointed by the pastor at his discretion, by the Official Board or by vote of the church. Section 2 - Business Meetings The annual business meeting shall be held on the first Sunday of December. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be one-fourth of the roll of church members. Special business meetings of the church may be called at any time by the pastor or by the moderator. Notice of such meetings and object for which it is called shall be given from the pulpit at least one week in advance of the date of the meeting. At any of the regular meetings of worship, however, the church may, without notice, ACT upon the reception of members, and upon the appointment of delegates to councils, but not upon extraordinary business. 11 Article XI – Church Year The fiscal year of the church shall be the calendar year. Article XII – Amendments The constitution may be amended at any regular or called business meeting of the church by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. Provided a quorum (one-fourth of the church membership) is present and voting, and that notice of such amendment, stating the proposed change, shall have been given from the pulpit on two successive Sundays. Article XIII During Business Meetings, the Robert's Rules of Order shall be used. Article XIV – Dissolution Clause Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.