ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP, DISCIPLINE, AND RIGHTS TO INSPECT RECORDS

A. Membership

The membership of this church shall consist of persons who give testimony of regeneration and

have been baptized by immersion and subscribe to the doctrines and practices of this church. They shall be received into the church, at any worship service, under the following

conditions:

1. One may be received as a true believer in Christ Jesus as personal Savior and following

the Lord’s command by being baptized by immersion.

2. One may be received by statement of faith, having been baptized by immersion and

subscribing to the doctrines and practices of this church.

3. One may be received from another Baptist church of like faith upon a letter of dismissal

from that church.

4. One may be received for “watchcare.” “Watchcare” is a special association, allowed by

this church, for persons who are temporarily away from their home church due to such

activities as a temporary job-related duty and attendance at institutions of higher learning.

One may be received for “watchcare” as a non-member, by statement of faith, having been

baptized by immersion and subscribing to the doctrines and practices of this church.

Persons so received shall enjoy all privileges of membership except those of voting and

holding elective office. A separate roll of “watchcare” attendees shall be maintained. This

privilege ceases upon termination of the duty requiring “watchcare” attendees to be away

from their home church.

5. One may be received into this church after going through the church doctrines and after been baptized by immersion.

B. TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

Letters of dismissal may be granted to those desiring to transfer to churches of like faith and order for members in good standing. When letters are granted, membership in this church shall cease.

C. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

1. When a member of this church joins a church of different faith and order, the board of deacons

shall order removal of that individual’s name from the church roll and assure notification be given to the church.

2. Upon notification to the church, a member may resign at any time.

3. When a member of this church joins another church, that member is terminated from

membership upon recommendation of the board of deacons.

4. Membership in this church is automatically terminated at the death of a member.

5. This church has the authority to automatically terminate the membership of a member who has

not attended the services of the church for one year unless that member has shown good cause for such absence to the pastor and board of deacons.

D. DISCIPLINE

Basis: This church shall regard, but not be limited to, as grounds for discipline, the

following:

1. The propagation of heresy (Tit. 3:10).

2. The causing or abetting of factions (Rom. 16:17).

3. The personal slander of a pastor(s) or fellow members (Ja. 3).

4. Any conduct unbecoming a Christian (I Cor. 5).

Procedure: After the principles of Matthew 18 have been followed, the Committee on Discipline

[the pastor(s) and board of deacons] shall make recommendations to the church for disposition of

discipline cases. As a general rule, these cases could result in restoration, suspension of church

privileges, or disfellowship (exclusion). Detailed procedures are set forth here:

1. There shall be a Discipline Committee consisting of the pastor(s) and the board of

deacons. These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations from the

Confession and Practices of Faith and 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.

He shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to the same

discipline.

2. Members are expected to demonstrate 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.

3. If reconciliation is not reached, a second member (either a deacon or a pastor) 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.

4. If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in 2 and 3 have been taken, the

Discipline Committee, as the church representatives biblically responsible for putting down

murmuring, shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the

Discipline Committee, the Committee shall recommend to the members of the church that

they, after self-examination, personally make an effort to go to the offending member and

seek that member’s restoration.

5. If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in paragraphs 2-4 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.

6. No member may be heard by the Discipline Committee or the church unless the steps

outlined in paragraphs 2 and 3 have been taken, except in the case of a public offense.

7. If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all

association with him from that point forward shall be directed towards restoration (family

and business association may cause some exceptions).

E. RIGHTS TO INSPECT RECORDS

A member, upon reasonable notice, may inspect or receive copies of the minutes of church

meetings, the minutes of board meetings, and the financial statements of the church. Any cost of

reproduction may be charged to the requesting member. A member may not, under any

circumstances, inspect or copy any record pertaining to individual contributions to the church,

benevolence received by an individual, or the accounting books and financial records of the church.