CONSTITUTION OF GRAND VIEW BAPTIST
CHURCH, INC.

ARTICLE I. ASSOCIATION
This church shall be an incorporated religious body, society, or association to be known as GRAND VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, INC. and for convenience same shall be referred to as the Church in accordance with The articles of incorporation with the State of Florida
 
ARTICLE II. OBJECTS OF FAITH AND PRACTICE
The New Hampshire Confession of Faith, 1833 version is a statement of the beliefs of the Church. With the prevalence of drug abuse the Church has modified the Confession and The Church Covenant is as follows:
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 Ghost, 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, 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 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 deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger, to abstain from the sale of, and use of, mind altering substances, destructive drugs and/or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; also, to abstain from the use of tobacco products and vapes; 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.
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 III. MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Church shall be composed of Christians, who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, in accordance with the Bible.
A. Becoming a Member – There are two ways to become a member.
1. Upon profession of faith and water baptism and the satisfactory completion of the new member’s class.
2. Upon profession of faith and a letter or transfer from a like faith church and the satisfactory completion of the new member’s class
B. Termination of Membership
1. Death ends membership
2. Transfer of membership to another Bible believing church
3. Personal request to be dismissed
4. Dismissal by vote of the church in line with the terms of church discipline that are in the Bible
a. The pastor and deacons shall take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem redemptively in accord with Matthew 18:12-17. If it becomes necessary for the church to take action to exclude a member, a two-thirds majority of the active church members present and voting is required to dismiss a person from membership.
b. Upon evidence of the excluded person’s repentance and reformation, the church may restore to membership any person previously excluded, upon request of the excluded person and by a two-thirds majority of the active members present and voting.
C. Inactive Membership. A Member is considered Inactive if they have not attended in the past six months. Upon return to the church for two services in a month, they are returned to Active status.
D. Privileges and Responsibilities of Membership. All members have the privilege of serving the Lord and participating in the programs and ministries of the church. All members are expected to attend regularly as they are able and to financially support the local church. Every member is expected to be in comfortable agreement with the purpose, doctrinal and covenantal positions of the church.
E. No member may be part of a society, lodge, club, association, etc. that is contrary to the beliefs of the Word of God such as the Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Klan, etc. This provision may never be changed

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
The Two offices of the church are Pastors and Deacons. The Senior Pastor leads the church.
The qualifications for such offices are found in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1
Pastors and Deacons are to be the husband of one wife, which means they must be male married to a female and may not be divorced and remarried. Death ends the bonds of marriage not divorce.
 
ARTICLE V. PASTOR’S DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the Pastor to take as his example the Good Shepherd and strive to be a good shepherd to the Flock, in accordance with the Word of God. When present, he shall preside as moderator at all business meetings of the Church.
Our Pastor is called by God to be our shepherd and leader, to provide direction, to set the pace, and to lead our church in seeking to fulfill our purpose. In Christ-like manner he is to seek to measure up to those qualities found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. He is to guide and direct associate pastors and other church staff, delegating as he sees fit. He has the authority to hire, retain, discipline and if needed dismiss any church employee. He is an ex-officio member of all committees.
When the church is without a pastor, the nominating committee shall nominate a three or five-member search committee to be elected by the church. The search committee shall prayerfully and carefully select one candidate to present to the church in view of a call, and in a special business conference a three-fourths majority of the members present and voting in favor of the recommendation from the search committee shall constitute a call as pastor. He shall serve as pastor until he resigns, retires, or is dismissed.
The Senior Pastor should be ordained and have a degree from a Conservative Seminary, preferably at least a Master of Divinity. The Seminary preferably will also be a Baptist Seminary and the Pastor should believe and preach the Fundamentals of the Christian Faith, the doctrines of Sovereign Grace and the Baptist Distinctives.
The Pastor is to preach the Word of God. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” – II Timothy 4:2 The Pastor is to give himself to prayer, and to the ministry of the word per Acts 6:4. Through the preaching of the Word of God the Pastor is “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:12

ARTICLE VI. DEACONS
Scriptural and church qualifications. A deacon seeks to measure up to those qualities found in 1 Timothy 3:8-12, he lives a consecrated Christian life, seeks to never bring reproach upon his church or the cause of Christ.
It shall be the duty of the Deacons individually and as a Body to, in all ways possible, render assistance to the Pastor and the Church in spiritual as well as temporal matters, and the Deacons, in the performance of their duties, should recognize that they, both individually and collectively, were the “looked out ones” for “service.”
ARTICLE VII. CORPORATE BODY
WHEREAS, the law and statutes of the State of Florida, as construed by the Supreme Court, provide that religious associations, like the Church, cannot hold property or transact business directly; therefore, for the purpose of conforming to the legal manner of transacting business, in which the Church may become engaged , and for the purpose of handling and holding title to her property, it is hereby provided that the Church has caused a corporation, not for profit, to be created under a State Charter, to act as a medium, trustee, and agency, to hold in trust for the Church, her property, and to put into legal form and effect the will and direction of the Church, as to her temporal business matters.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES
The finances of the Church shall be based on the tithes and offerings as is God’s plan.
ARTICLE IX. MEETINGS AND VOTING
The Church shall meet for worship as desired and shall hold revival meetings as desired. Business meetings shall be held at least once a year and shall be noticed at least a week in advance, special meetings may be held as needed to be called for by Pastor, if there is no Pastor then the Pastoral Staff in cooperation with the Deacons may call a special business meeting with at least a two week notice in advance.
 
ARTICLE X. MISSIONS
This Church may institute, support, maintain, and provide for local, state, home and foreign missions, and for missionaries both home and foreign.
 
ARTICLE XI. PUBLICATIONS
This Church may cause to be published a Website, Digital Media, Church paper, calendar, or reminder, or other publications approved by the Church.

ARTICLE XII. AFFILIATIONS
This Church is a Baptist Church and is not currently affiliated with any other church.
ARTICLE XIII. MARRIAGE
A Marriage is between one man and one woman. Death ends the bonds of marriage and not divorce. A true marriage is performed by a minister under the authority of God. Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:6-9

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting, notice of which business meeting and reason therefore, shall have been given (1) one week preceding the meeting, both through the Bulletin and by announcement from the pulpit.
The requirements for Pastors and Deacons, requirements for marriage may not be amended as God’s Word never changes.