CONSTITUTION

OF

MERIDIAN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH

Wichita, Kansas

 

PREAMBLE

We, the members of Meridian Avenue Baptist Church, in order to provide uniformity in the process of administration of normal business affairs, to promote the general welfare of this church, and to provide an atmosphere of Christian unity and tranquility through its mission and ministries do adopt this as our constitution for guidance and governance of our church.

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

This body shall be known as Meridian Avenue Baptist Church of Wichita, Ks.  Offices are located at 200 N. Meridian Avenue, Wichita, KS 67203.

 

ARTICLE II: INCORPORATION

This church is incorporated as a non-profit religious corporation under regulations found in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.[1]

 

ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe in God the Father who is creator of all things and who is the source of goodness and love. We also believe that God is eternal, infinite, and omnipotent.

  • We believe in Jesus Christ who is the true Son of God the Father who came to earth in the flesh to be our teacher, example, and Savior.
  • We believe Jesus was born of a virgin, through the power of God’s will, that he is fully God and fully man. We also believe that Jesus was crucified unto death on the cross, buried, rose bodily, and was glorified on the third day.
  • We believe in the Holy Spirit, God present with us for guidance, comfort and for spiritual strength.
  • We believe in the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that each have precisely the same nature and attributes. As such, each are equally worthy of worship, obedience, and praise.
  • We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that the Bible is a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ and is the written source for our understanding of the nature of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Bible is without fault or error (in matters of faith and practice) and that the Bible provides guidance on how Christian believers should conduct their lives and prayers, and that it motivates us to live more Godly lives.
  • We at Meridian Avenue Baptist Church believe that the celebration of the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ. We celebrate it monthly with bread and juice symbolizing the body and blood that Christ surrendered for our sins. When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we invite all who are in attendance, and who believe that Jesus Christ is their personal Savior, to observe the Lord’s Supper with us.  The church may elect to celebrate the Lord’s Supper at other times of the year, such as Christmas or Easter.
  • We believe that the church is the assemblage of believers who gather to worship and serve God as we, the church, feel led through our study of the Bible, our personal devotions, and our prayer life as well as through other avenues by which the Holy Spirit may lead. We believe that the church is made up of individuals, each possessing fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts, brought together by the direction of God, baptized upon profession of faith for his purpose among us.  We believe in the priesthood of all believers and that all believers are to proclaim the Good News to a fallen world through our deeds, actions, and spoken words.
  • As an American Baptist congregation, we believe that our church is autonomous and that we, ourselves and as a body of believers, are responsible for our actions. Although autonomous, we participate in the varied functions of the American Baptist Churches, both regional and national, with the full understanding that a larger number of believers can accomplish greater things than a single congregation of believers.

 

ARTICLE IV:  CHURCH COVENANT

We strive to:

  • Use our spiritual gifts and abilities in the ministries of the church.
  • Be accountable to each other in attendance, giving, and prayer.
  • Hold the Bible as our authority for faith and conduct.
  • Follow Christ in our daily lives.
  • Share our joys and concerns with each other.
  • Love one another by helping each other with our common needs.
  • Reach out to others with the love of Christ.

 

ARTICLE V: MISSION STATEMENT

We believe God desires all men, women, boys, and girls to be saved and come to know The Truth (1 Timothy 2: 4).  We believe our stated mission is to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19)

 

ARTICLE VI: AFFILIATION AND RELATIONSHIP

Meridian Avenue Baptist Church shall be affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of the USA, American Baptist Churches of the Central Region, and the Crossroad Area of American Baptist Churches.  This church will not resign or withdraw from any of these bodies except by a duly adopted Amendment of the Constitution of this church.

 

ARTICLE VII: CONSTITUANCY

Members are those received according to the bylaws and accepted by this church.

 

ARTICLE VIII: GOVERNING RULES

This church shall be governed by its bylaws, standing resolutions, and duly adopted policy statements.

 

ARTICLE IX: DISSOLUTION

If it becomes necessary to disband as a church, the following guidelines will apply:

  1. Records will be offered to the Central Region offices of American Baptist Churches for preservation.
  2. Assets sold will be combined with monetary funds to: (a) pay all outstanding obligations of the corporation, including fees and expenses for dissolution, and any legal requirements of any bequeaths; (b) pay commitment within the mission budget.
  3. Any unused monies and the building and property will be donated to the office of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region.

 

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Constitution.  This constitution may be amended at a regular or special business meeting of the church providing a quorum is present and voting.  Before such a vote can be taken, the membership shall be notified by letter of the meeting to act on the proposed amendment at least one (1) month prior to the time of action is to be taken.

 

[1]Nonprofits are not to participate in, nor organize, political activities; They may not endorse candidates or political causes

 Click to download CONSTITUTION PDF