Constitution of Harvest Baptist Church and Christian School

CONSTITUTION

HARVEST BAPTIST CHURCH and CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

7303 TAYLORS FERRY ROAD

BESSEMER, ALABAMA 35023

That all things may be done decently and in order, according to Scripture, and that we may be able to help each other in our Christian efforts as members of Harvest Baptist Church and Christian school, we adopt these nimne Articles as our Church Constituion:

ARTICLE 1, Name:

This incorporation shall be known as: Harvest Baptist Church and Christian School.

Harvest Baptist Church and Christian School may also be herein referred to as this ministry or this corporation. This ministry was originally organized as and did business as Harvest Baptist Church and assumes all the property rights and responsibilities of the ministry in that name located at 7303 Taylors Ferry Road, Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama.

ARTICLE 2, Purpose:

In obedience to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, this ministry, its board of directors, and other ministers hereby purpose to host regular organized Christian meetings of worship and Biblical education. Specifically, the church purposes:

to provide weekly services of Christian religious teachings from the Holy Bible which are to be freely available to any and all persons who willingly show obedient respect for the practices and lifestyles taught from the Bible.
to administer a program of daily academic instruction for children whose parents and guardians are willing to give their assent and support to the purposes and practices of this ministry.
to provide other occasional services and ministries of Christian worship and Biblical education in its community and surrounding areas as the church may deem fit.

ARTICLE 3, Duration:

This ministry was originally organized in 1978 and did business as “Harvest Baptist Church” continually from that time until the present.

The period of duration of the corporation shall be perpetual.

ARTICLE 4, Members:

This corporation shall have members. The designation of the classes, the manner of election or appointment, and the qualifications and rights of the members of each class shall be set forth in the Constitution and bylaws of the corporation.

This corporation admits participants in agreement with its doctrines of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin.

No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of the corporation set forth in Article 2.

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, after paying or making provision for payment of all its liabilities, the corporation shall distribute all of its remaining tax-exempt assets to such organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, or educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future Federal tax code).

ARTICLE 5, Rights and Authority:

The free exercise of religion, the peaceable assembly of people, religious speech, and speech which may be a grievance against governing bodies is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America and further protected by Sections 3, 4, and 25 of Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Alabama. The King James Version of the Holy Bible, being a well‑established religious text at the times of these protections, may and shall be taught in its entirety as the authoritative Word of God, herein referred to as the Bible. We use only the King James Version as the authoritative English Scriptures. The Bible’s teachings and doctrine may and should be practiced thoroughly by this incorporation and its members. No authority subject to the constitutions of the United States of America or the State of Alabama will have the right to prohibit the Bible’s teachings and practices within those jurisdictions.

ARTICLE 6, Tax‑Exempt Status:

The corporation is organized as a church exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future Federal tax code), including, but not limited to, for such purposes, to exist as a local assembly of Christian believers for worship and fellowship; to serve as an evangelistic and missionary society in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ; to provide a Christian atmosphere and curriculum in which children and young people can receive a Christian education; and to engage in any lawful business for which nonprofit corporations may be incorporated in Alabama under Title 10 A, Chapter 3 of the Code of Alabama that is furtherance of federal tax-exempt purposes.

In the event that any such tax code would redefine any of the purposes stated in article 2 as taxable, this corporation commits to all the purposes stated in article 2. In such an event this ministry will fiscally separate its taxable ministry activities from its tax‑exempt activities as necessary to fulfill its purposes toward Christ and its responsibility toward civil government.

ARTICLE 7, Government

7.1 Major and Legal Business:

The people which meet regularly together as Harvest Baptist Church at the properties overseen by this incorporation and have a well-known profession of faith in Jesus Christ confirmed by public Baptism shall be herein referred to as the church body.

The ministry leadership of the church shall seek and document the consent of the church body by democratic vote before taking any of the following actions:

The appointment or removal of any person from the Biblical offices of pastor, or deacon.
The appointment or removal of any person from the legal offices of director, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, et cetera (AL Code 10A-3-2.08 & 10A-3-2.21).
The sale of any real property.
The mortgage of any real property.
Spending in any 3-month period, more than 40% of the income of the preceding 12 months.
Making any changes to these articles of incorporation or the church constitution.
Any action brought into question by a group of members larger than 20% of the membership.

The board of directors shall not uphold decisions on the matters listed above, unless they were made in a meeting organized and led by ministry leadership and included a documented democratic vote where a reasonable effort to include all members of the church body willing to participate was made. Attendees must be considered non members and excluded if they:

Openly deny salvation in Christ or the deity of Christ.
Are living openly in those sins which must not be allowed in the church according to 1 Corinthians 5:11 and Ephesians 5:3-5.
Have been unruly, deceptive, et cetera as described in Titus 1:10-11

7.2 Minor Daily Business:

The regular daily administration of this ministry shall be vested in the appointed ministry staff. The senior Pastor, as appointed by the church according to Biblical standards, shall serve as the chief administrator of ministry business. The appointed senior pastor may appoint members of the church to minor titles of leadership as needed. (Titles of pastor, deacon, director, or variations thereof are not minor Titles – see article 7.1). All Pastors, deacons, teachers, workers, staff, etc. must maintain a good Christian testimony in their public and private life. Ministry leaders will teach and encourage members to do the same. (Romans 12:1,2; 14:13, 21‑23; 1 Cor. 6:12, 19, 20; 8:9‑13; 10:23‑31.)

The pastor may delegate routine business decisions and tasks as necessary to the secondary ministry staff, such as deacons, teachers, secretaries, counselors, and maintenance personnel. The pastor and ministry staff may, on occasion, seek the council of the board of directors and/or other mature members of the church to ensure unity in reaching decisions that will best accomplish the purpose of the ministry.

The pastor and ministry staff shall coordinate with the board of directors for

any irregular business which exceeds an expense of 5% of the annual budget,
any business for which the vote of the church body is sought,
entering any legally binding agreement with another party, or
any decision which a member of the board of directors may question.

The pastor and appointed ministry leadership of this church may, on occasion, seek and document the consent of the church body by democratic vote on any action they feel is of importance to the church body.

7.3 Board of Directors:

The final legal authority of this incorporation shall be vested in its board of directors. The board of directors shall legally represent the church to the state of Alabama and ensure that the decisions made by the church are made in obedience to Scripture, the Articles of Incorporation, any others articles of the Church Constitution that may come to exist, and its Bylaws.

The members of the board of directors shall always be individuals selected from the members of the church body, who are mature, vested, pledged to the church covenant (article 8), and in agreement with the Statement of Faith (article 9) and will submit themselves to the church body for appointment and removal from office (see article 7.1).

The board of directors shall ideally always include any pastor(s), associate pastor(s), deacon(s), and may optionally include other well respected leading members of the church as needed to maintain a board of at least five members. In the event that a vacancy occurs leaving fewer than five directors, remaining members of the board of directors will endeavor to fill such vacancy without delay according to Biblical policies and these articles.

The board of directors will ensure that candidates for appointment to the positions of senior pastor (bishop in Scripture) or deacon (or other pastor) meet the Scriptural requirements set forth in Biblical epistles to Timothy and Titus before any appointment to those titles may be made.

7.4 Initial Directors:

The board of directors shall initially consist of the following members effective upon the date of incorporation:

Changes to this list of directors will be recorded and a current roster of directors will be available upon request.

Michael Anthony Wilmoth
as senior pastor,
chairperson of the board,

1011 Kitty Branch Road,
Bessmer, AL
Jared Kenneth Lipskoch
as associate pastor,
member of the board,

7299 Taylors Ferry Road,
Bessmer, AL
Tamara Wynn Wilmoth
as member of the board,

1011 Kitty Branch Road,
Bessmer, AL
Jennifer Wynn Lipskoch
as member of the board,

7299 Taylors Ferry Road
Bessmer, AL
Michael David McCool
as member of the board,

148 Midway Drive
Hueytown, AL
Rebekah Sue Myrick
as member of the board.

6477 Waterworks Road
Mt. Olive, AL

ARTICLE 8, Church Covenant:

We accept and adopt the Church Covenant:

“Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith in him, 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 the 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 and use of intoxicating substances; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

“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 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 Saviour to secure it without delay.

“We moreover engage that when we remove from this church, 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 9, Statement of Faith:

1. We believe in the inerrant, verbal, plenary, inspiration of the 66 books of the Bible, and it is the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice. We use only the King James Version as the authoritative English Scriptures. We believe in a literal interpretation of the Scriptures unless otherwise indicated by the context. (2 Tim. 3:16,17; Isa. 8:20; Rev. 22:18,19)

2. We believe there is only one true God, existing in three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co‑equal and co‑eternal, each with distinct personalities, but of one essence. (Matt. 3:16, 17‑28; 18‑20; 1 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:8; Acts 13:2‑4)

3. We believe that Adam was created without sin, but fell by disobedience, carrying the whole race with him into spiritual death and condemnation and the need to be saved. This fallen, totally depraved nature accounts for the sins of men. (Rom. 5:12,19; Mk. 7:21,22)

4. We believe Jesus Christ to be Co‑Creator (Jn. 1:1‑3), the Son of God (Lk. 1:35), and Redeemer (1 Pet. 1:18,19); that He took on humanity through the virgin birth (Matt. 1:22,23; Jn. 1:14), and paid sin’s full penalty vicariously with His Blood that all men might be saved (Eph. 1:7; Isa. 53:5,6), that He was buried and rose again bodily and ascended to the right hand of the Father. (1 Cor. 15:3‑8, Lk. 20:39‑42)

5. We believe in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit which includes conviction of sin (Jn. 16:7‑11), regeneration of sinners (Tit. 3:5), and indwelling believers (1 Cor. 6:19). We believe that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” at Pentecost is set forth in the scriptures in two aspects: the experiential and positional. In the experiential, Christ baptized the disciples with (or in) the Holy Spirit. In the positional, the Holy Spirit baptized the disciples into the Body of Christ (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 2:12). The experiential is that which John the Baptist (Matt. 3:11) and the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:5) had promised and was realized by the waiting disciples in the initial “filling of the Spirit” (Acts 2:1‑4). This is identical with “receiving the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38; Jn. 7:37‑39; Acts 2:32,33). Since Pentecost each new believer shares or participates in this baptism positionally by being incorporated by the Holy Spirit into the “One Body” (1 Cor. 12:27) and experientially by being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). We reject the charismatic movement with its claim of restoration of the sign gifts of 1 Cor. 12 including tongues (1 Cor. 12:8‑12).

6. We believe that a soul is saved when Christ is accepted as personal Lord and Saviour and the Holy Spirit imparts eternal life (Jn. 1:12). This means the repentant and believing sinner is judicially declared righteous before God (Rom. 4:5) and in experience is born again (Jn. 3:3). We believe the good works of a Christian are the results of salvation and contribute nothing toward saving him or keeping him saved (Eph. 2:8‑10).

7. We believe it is the plan of God for each believer to walk after the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of flesh (Gal. 5:16), that there is to be separation unto God and from the world (2 Cor. 6:14‑18). This separation would be evidenced in attitude, conversation, conduct, dress, and habits (1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 14:13; 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Cor. 8:13).

8. We believe in the once for all regeneration and the eternal preservation of the saints (Jn. 10:27‑29; Rom. 8:29,30; 1 Cor. 3:11‑15).

9. We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances of the Church; that baptism consists in immersion to signify Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and the believer’s identification with Him (Col. 2:10‑14), and that the Lord’s Supper is for the saved and that each participant is to examine himself (1 Cor. 11:27‑30).

10. We believe the Church exists universally from Pentecost to the Rapture and is identified in the New Testament as the Body (Eph. 1:22,23), and Bride (Eph. 5:23‑32) of Christ and as the Temple of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:19‑22). We believe that a local Church is a group of believers united for instruction, fellowship, and the spread of the Gospel with worldwide missions receiving equal emphasis with home ministry. We believe the local Church is completely self‑determining and responsible only to Christ, the Head – that it is completely independent with no other person, group, or body outside the local Church having any authority, right of intervention, or control in any form whatsoever (Acts 2:41‑47; 6:1‑7; Rom. 16:1,4,5,16; Acts 1:8).

11. We believe in the premillineal view of Scripture relating to the Return of Christ. We believe in two bodily resurrections, one for the saved and one for the unsaved (Jn. 5:28,29), separated by 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1‑15), and in an endless and literal heaven (Rev. 21,22) for all the redeemed and literal, and endless and conscious punishment for the lost (Mk. 9:43‑48; Rev. 14:1,11).

12. We reject, as unauthoritative, the Revised Standard Version, Good News for Modern Man, and all other perverted translations of the original language such as The Way, The Living Bible, etc. We believe that collaboration or participation with all forms of modernism, whether the National Council of Churches, or otherwise, is wrong and demands separation on our part (2 Jn. 9:11).

13. We reject the Hyper‑Calvinistic teaching that destroys the vision and purpose of the Church as to its duty to bring men to Christ (Jn. 3:16).