Constitution
of
Central Baptist Church of Eureka, Inc.
We, the members of the Central Baptist Church, establish this constitution in order to work for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and do hereby band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers under the authority of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches.
This organization shall be known as the Central Baptist Church of Eureka, Inc., Eureka, Missouri.
The purpose of this church shall be the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and His Gospel by following the teachings and practice of the New Testament. This purpose shall be accomplished through prayer, evangelism, discipleship, ministry and worship.
Church Government
This church is an autonomous body, not subject to the direction or control of any other ecclesiastical body; therefore, the government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it, under the leadership of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
All internal groups created and empowered by the church shall report to and be accountable only to the church, pastors, staff, deacons and/or other leadership as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws or otherwise specified by church action.
Denominational Cooperation
This church shall voluntarily cooperate with and support the St. Louis Metropolitan Baptist Association, the Missouri Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. This cooperation does not grant to any of the forenamed entities any authority over this church, nor in any way alter or lessen mission support and cooperative program support or the autonomy and independence of this church.
We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired inerrant Word of God and the basis for our beliefs. This church subscribes to the doctrinal statements of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. We voluntarily unite ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper.
This document is not a creed but has historical significance. We continue to strive to support and observe this covenant as a statement of belief and practice.
Church Covenant
Having been led by the Spirit of God, as we believe, 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, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, doctrines and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry and expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to promote and maintain family and personal devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our family and acquaintances; to walk carefully in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, slander, and excessive anger; to strive to abstain from gambling and the sale and use of intoxicating beverages and illegal drugs; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs, alcohol, gambling and the spread of pornography; 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 and, mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.
Finally, we engage that upon leaving this body, 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.
Dissolution of Church and Disposition of Church Property
In the event of the dissolution of the Central Baptist Church or in the event that the Central Baptist Church ceases to exist as a Missouri Southern Baptist congregation, all property of the Central Baptist Church, real, personal, and mixed of whatsoever kind and wherever located shall be disposed of in the following manner and order:
A. All of the said property shall be transferred to the St. Louis Metropolitan Baptist Association or successor Baptist Association if the St. Louis Metropolitan Baptist Association has merged with another Missouri Southern Baptist Association; if the St. Louis Metropolitan Baptist Association has ceased to exist or has not
merged with another Missouri Southern Baptist Association, then all of the said property shall be transferred to the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
B. Dissolution of the church shall occur if the church by official action votes to dissolve as a church, or upon termination of regular worship services for more than twelve consecutive Sundays. Upon such action, the president or other officer of the corporation, is authorized to sign all necessary documents to convey the property as herein provided.
C. Factors which indicate that the Central Baptist Church has ceased or is ceasing to exist as a Missouri Southern Baptist Congregation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Terminating mission contributions through the Cooperative Program of the Missouri and Southern Baptist Conventions. This is in accordance with the Missouri and Southern Baptist Convention remaining in like faith and following the historical significance, belief and doctrine,
2. Terminating mission contributions to the St. Louis Metropolitan Baptist
Association if the St. Louis Metropolitan Baptist Association has merged with another Missouri Baptist Association,
3. Ceasing to promote special offerings of the Missouri and Southern Baptist Conventions, such as Annie Armstrong Home Missions Offering, Lottie Moon Foreign Missions Offering, and the World Hunger Offering,
4. Ceasing to utilize Southern Baptist literature in church ministries and organizations, unless approved by pastor and/or deacons,
5. Direct or indirect financial support of non-Southern Baptist pastors, evangelists, preachers, home or foreign missionaries, or through budget allotment, unless approved by pastor and/or deacons, and/or
6. Calling as pastor or other ministerial staff persons who are not affiliated with or a member of a Southern Baptist church.
Amendments
This constitution may be amended at a special called business meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting. The amendment must have been submitted in writing at the previous regular business meeting and/or notice is given to all members in two consecutive Sunday Morning Services through the bulletin or announcements.