Constitution of Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church

General Statement

There are two ordinances of special significance which our Lord has commanded us to observe, namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper. Neither of them has saving merit, nor is receiving them necessary for salvation, nor is any grace automatically imparted to the recipient through the water of baptism or the bread and the cup of the Supper (Acts 8:13, 18-24; 1 Cor. 11:20, 27-30; Lk. 23:32-43). Nevertheless they are means of grace and powerful aids to the faith of believers who properly participate in them. Accordingly our Lord is concerned that they be observed unto edification, in a decent and orderly manner. Therefore, our policy regarding their observance is specified in the following sections.

A. Baptism

Only confessed disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ are proper candidates for baptism, and all such persons should be baptized and joined to a local church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 5:13, 14). Believing that baptism in water is the God-ordained sign of one's personal union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and the door of entrance into the visible community of the people of God, we shall receive into the membership of the church only those who have been baptized as believers "into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). Immersion in water is the biblical mode of baptism, is necessary for its due administration, and is the only mode to be administered by this church.

B. The Lord’s Supper

Whereas baptism is the initiatory ordinance by which one enters the visible church and should be observed only once by each believer, the Lord's Supper should be observed frequently by the assembled church (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:26). Therefore, in virtue of the unity of all the true churches of Christ, which collectively are His body (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 12:27-28; Col. 1:18), and in virtue of our Lord's will that only those who are under the government of His church should be admitted to the privileges of His church (Acts 2:41-42; 1 Cor. 10:16; London Confession 26:12), the elders will faithfully seek to ensure that only true believers who are members in good standing of true churches are admitted to the table. True believers whose church membership involves unusual circumstances may be admitted at the discretion of the elders. This is a most holy ordinance and should be observed with solemn joy (Ps. 2:11-12) and dignity, even though the bread and the cup of the Supper are and remain only symbols of the body and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper shall be held no less than monthly by the church, under normal circumstances.

A. Death

God, in His wisdom, may choose to remove members from us through death. Upon the death of any member, his or her name shall be automatically removed from the church's membership.

B. Transfer of Membership to Another Church

Should a member wish to join another church, he may retain the privileges of membership in this church while pursuing membership elsewhere by initiating a process of transfer.

1. A member not currently subject to the process of formal corrective discipline may initiate a process of transfer by announcing his intentions to the elders.

2. A letter of transfer may be provided at the request of either the departing member or the leadership of the church to which he desires to unite. Such correspondence shall not be generic for any church, but rather shall be directed to the leadership of a specific congregation comprising a true church.

3. As appropriate, the officers and members of this church should remain in regular communication with the transferring member in order to fulfill the mutual obligations outlined in the membership covenant. Likewise, the transferring member should remain in regular communication with the elders and members of this church.

4. A period of one year shall be allowed in which to unite with another church, after which time he must resume full participation in this church or request dismissal. Any extension to this time period must be approved by a vote of the church.

C. Dismissal From Membership

From time to time, occasions will arise which may warrant the termination of church membership, but where transfer or discipline would be inappropriate. In such cases where a member may wish to terminate his fellowship with Lakewood Village Baptist Church for reasons which do not impugn his Christian profession or otherwise warrant formal church discipline, he may be dismissed from the membership of this church. Due to the serious nature of the covenant considerations included in church membership, a member may not be dismissed until after attempts have been made by the elders to recover the individual in question. Furthermore, the church may deem it prudent to publicly state its opposition to and disagreement with the member's reasons for leaving, and to communicate the same to the departing member. Individuals thus dismissed from the membership of Lakewood Village Baptist Church will still be considered by this church to be fellow believers, though perhaps in error. Termination of membership does not give former members license to sow discord or otherwise threaten the peace and unity of this church. Accordingly, if it is established (according to the discretion of the elders) that a former member is behaving divisively, appropriate warnings may be issued to and by the church, in order to preserve the peace and harmony of this and other local churches.

D. Formal Corrective Discipline

Formative discipline in the church is to take place through the normal, ongoing ministry of the word in the life of the church, in biblical pastoral oversight and in the mutual watch-care of one another. In this sense, every member of the church is under its discipline.

Corrective discipline is a rare, but biblically necessary action of the church whereby it excludes from its fellowship those involved in such scandalous conduct that it brings reproach to the name and cause of Christ. Accordingly, corrective discipline must not be exercised carelessly or loosely, nor should it be seen as a substitute for formative discipline, or used as a threat over the heads of God's people.

The purpose of corrective discipline is to therefore maintain the honor of Christ's name in the church, to protect and maintain the purity of the church, and to be the means of restoration, correction and recovery to those under it.

The grounds for corrective church discipline may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

1. Irreconcilable differences over personal offenses (Matthew 18:15-17).

2. Immorality in conduct (1 Corinthians 5:1-13).

3. Divisive teaching and/or behavior (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10-11).

4. Damnable heresy/false doctrine (2 John 10).

5. Disorderly Behavior:

   1. Persistent failure in Christian duty as defined in the Church Covenant (Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15).

   2. Forsaking the assembly by willful neglect (Hebrews 10:23-25). Any member who develops a pattern of neglecting attendance to the stated worship services of the church will be subject to disciplinary action, at the discretion of the elders.

When a member is found to err in an area for which God directs corrective discipline (as outlined above), the elders shall have the particular responsibility of attempting to effect his restoration. If such attempts fail, he shall be notified in writing of the charges preferred against him, and be invited to publicly answer the charges at a church meeting in which disciplinary action will be considered. If he fails either to attend or satisfactorily answer the charges, he shall be removed from membership by a vote of the church.

Our relationship to those disciplined and excluded from us must be considered in the context of understanding New Testament prescriptives. In some cases, those disciplined are to be considered unsaved (Mt. 18:17). In other cases, those cut off from fellowship were to be still viewed as brethren (2 Thess. 3:14-15). In still other cases, the spiritual state of the offender may not be clear (1 Cor. 5:5). In all cases, the teaching of the Bible is that fellowship is broken, and the former close relationship has been severed.

Accordingly, we are to avoid all unnecessary contact and relationship to those excluded "that they may be ashamed" and seek restoration. However, we must still seek to be cordial with those under discipline, maintaining in some cases even a limited degree of friendship, so that we may perhaps be used of the Lord to restore them to Christ and His church.

Any person who has been excluded from membership, under discipline may be restored to fellowship upon satisfactory evidence of his repentance toward God and this church. Those who for legitimate reasons may not require restoration to membership in this church, may upon satisfactory evidence of their repentance have their discipline removed by a favorable vote of the church. A vote of the church is required for restoration to church membership and/or removal of corrective church discipline.

A. Qualifications

He shall fulfill the requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1-6 and Titus 1:5-9.

B. Selection

1. The elders of this church shall be responsible to secure possible candidates for the pastorate. They shall interview and endeavor to hear them speak prior to recommendation for candidacy. Any member shall be free to recommend possible candidates, but all invitations shall come from the elders alone. Further, the elders alone shall have the responsibility to notify the candidate of the church's decision regarding him. In the event of a vacant pastorate, the deacons shall bear the aforementioned responsibilities. In the further event of a vacant diaconate, a pastoral search committee elected by a vote of the church shall bear these responsibilities.

2. Each candidate shall preach in at least two public church services.

3. An elder shall be elected by a vote of the church, with unanimity regarded as the aim. Notice of this meeting shall be given in at least two regular meetings of the church prior to the election, and be held at least one week following the candidate's appearance.

4. Any man called to the pastorate of this church must be a Baptist who holds tenaciously to the doctrines of God's free and sovereign grace as well as to both scriptural and historical Baptist distinctives.

5. If not already a member of this church, the candidate shall enter into membership automatically upon his appointment as an elder. However, where applicable, his wife and children shall enter membership in accordance with Article Five of this constitution.

C. Duties

The elders shall earnestly endeavor to:

1. Give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

2. Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove; rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.

3. Take heed unto the doctrine, himself, and to this flock over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers.

4. Feed the flock with knowledge and understanding, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but as examples to the flock in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

(Acts 6:4, 20:28; Jer. 3:15; 1 Peter 5:2,3; 1 Tim. 4:12, 16; 2 Tim. 4:2)

A. Qualifications

He shall fulfill the requirements of Acts 6:3 and 1 Tim. 3:8-13. Too much care cannot be taken to secure the right kind of men, considering that the permanent influence of a deacon is scarcely surpassed by that of the pastor.

B. Selection

1. The deacons shall be nominated by the church, then elected by a vote of the church.

   1. Their term of office shall be three years, serving as many consecutive terms as this church may desire.

   2. The number of deacons shall be established according as this church deems needful.

C. Duties

The deacons shall earnestly endeavor to administer the business, practical affairs, physical properties, and charitable ministries of this church so as to relieve the pastor, allowing him to exercise oversight of the flock.

1. The deacons shall each serve as Trustees and shall possess all such legal powers applicable to that designation.

2. The pastor or a deacon shall sign all legal documents.

3. The deacons are authorized to make expenditures without a vote of the church, up to the limit currently stipulated by the church.

4. Two deacons shall count and record the offerings of the church, providing copies of the record to both the pastor and the church treasurer.

5. At a maximum of one year intervals the deacons shall review, and make recommendation to the church regarding, the pastor's salary.

6. The deacons shall assist the pastor in the selection of men as instructors for Bible classes.

7. Should the deacons deem it necessary for the responsible transaction and stewardship of God's business among us, they may delegate to members any duties applicable to a treasurer and/or secretary. In accordance with the congregation-controlled nature of this church, these positions are filled subject to a vote of the church. In accordance with biblical teaching, the performance of the duties therein are under the direct authority and supervision of the deacons.

   1. Qualifications of Treasurer and Secretary

      Must be members of this church, in good standing (i.e., not under church discipline), exhibiting holiness in the life as well as the appropriate skills usually associated with their position.

   2. Selection of Treasurer and Secretary

      Upon selection by the deacons, approval shall consist of a vote of the church. There is no limit on the length of service in these positions.

      1. Treasurer

         1. Maintain an accurate and auditable record of the finances of the church.

         2. Present a written report of receipts and disbursements to each quarterly business meeting of the church, as well as a summary report to the annual business meeting.

         3. Receive and deposit all funds, weekly.

         4. Maintain a detailed record of all individual contributions, and provide a written statement of offerings to each contributor in January following each calendar year.

      2. Secretary

         1. Maintain accurate records of the membership of the church, as well as all baptisms.

         2. Maintain an accurate record of all business proceedings of the church, filing copies in two record books established for that purpose not more than two weeks following their occurrence.

         3. Provide a reasonable amount of typing and office work as requested by the church, pastor, and deacons.