Walsworth Road Baptist Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

CHURCH CONSTITUTION

1 Name

The Church is known as Walsworth Road Baptist Church . It is situate in Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

2 Purpose

The Church is a charity and its principal purpose is the advancement of the Christian religion.

3 Charitable Status

3.1 The Church is excepted from registration with the Charity Commission because of regulations made under section 3 of the Charities Act 1993

3.2 The Charity or Managing Trustees, as defined by section 97 of the Charities Act 1993, who shall carry out the day-to-day management and administration of the Church, are the Diaconate being the Minister, Deacons, Church Secretary and Church Treasurer (as appointed by the church meeting).

4 Affiliation

4.1 The Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Central Baptist Association.

4.2 The Church will promote, encourage and support the Union, the Association and BMS World Mission through prayer, financial contributions and, where appropriate, by making personnel available from the membership of the Church to support and advance the work of those bodies. When it is able to do so the Church will also support local Baptist and ecumenical gatherings and clusters.

5 Beliefs

5.1 As a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain the Church

subscribes to the Union ’s Declaration of Principle:

That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.

That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried and rose again on the third day’.

That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to take part in the evangelisation of the world

5.2 The doctrines promoted by the Church are the maintenance of the sole authority of the Holy Scriptures in every matter of faith and practice and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures which is evangelical as distinct from the teaching of unitarianism and the Church of Rome

6 Activities

In fulfilling the principal purpose of the Church to advance the Christian faith, the Church will engage in a range of activities, either on its own or with others, including:

Worship and Prayer;

Evangelism and Mission , locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;

Expressing God’s love to the community through the mission of God’s love;

Nurture and growth of Christian disciples;

Training and equipping the congregation for Christian service;

Giving pastoral care;

Supporting charitable social action at home and abroad;

Relating in support and fellowship to other Baptists and other Christians;

Raising finance to further the Purpose by receiving grants, donations and loans.

7 Practices and Procedures

The Church's Practices and Procedures document adopted by the Church in October 1995 (as amended) a copy of which is attached shall be deemed incorporated in and form part of this Church Constitution

8 Belonging (see also Practices and Procedures)

8.1 Responsibilities

8.1.1 The responsibilities of membership include:
Attending worship and participating in Church activities;
Personal prayer and Bible study;
Helping the Church whenever possible by using abilities to advance the Purpose and Vision of the church through its activities. This may mean working behind the scenes on administrative tasks and helping with practical projects.
Attending and participating in regular Church Meetings
Giving regular financial support to the Church in proportion to personal resources and circumstances.

8.1.2 When there are differences that lead to difficulties between members of the Church (and it is recognised that sometimes misunderstandings will arise), each member should try to resolve the difficulty with gentleness and humility following Christian and Biblical principles. It is a matter of great sadness when problems arise and it may be necessary for another wise and experienced member of the Church (or if invited a member of a neighbouring Baptist Church ) to act as mediator or friend to those seeking to achieve reconciliation.

9 Leadership ( see also Practices and Procedures)

Moderator

When there is no appointed Minister, the Church or, if it does not do so, the Association, may appoint a person who is a Church Member or a member of another Baptist Church to be the Moderator who will hold office until a new Minister is appointed or until released or dismissed by the Association.

10 Closure

Subject to the provisions of the Trust Deed, if the Church resolves to close or shall cease to meet for worship for twelve months the assets of the Church after the satisfaction of debts and liabilities shall be applied for charitable purposes as decided by a Special Church Meeting, or, failing decision in that way, as decided by the Association.

11 Constitution

11.1 A copy of this Constitution will be given to every Church Member and to every applicant for membership.

11.2 This Constitution may be altered only by a resolution of a Special Church Meeting and where at least three months’ prior notice of the proposed alteration has been given.

11.3 No alteration may be made which:

is contrary to the terms of any Trusts Deeds affecting the church property;
varies any provisions as to doctrines to be proclaimed by the Church or the qualifications of the Ministers, Deacons or Members;
alters the terms of clause 10;
is not approved in writing by the Holding Trustees of the Church land and buildings;
would cause the Church to cease to be a charity.

Approved by a Special Church Meeting of the Membership on 19 July 2007