Cornerstone Baptist Church, Ida, MI,

Preamble: We, the members of Cornerstone Baptist Church , Ida, Michigan and a regular and duly announced morning worship service on September 13, 1992, agree to the following constitution prepared by a special study committee authorized by the church, for the purpose of providing guidelines for church growth and development.
Article I: Name: The church shall be known as the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Ida, Michigan.
Article II: Affiliation: The church shall be affiliated with the Southeastern Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, and the Southern Baptist Convention, and shall cooperate in their programs.
Article III: Purpose. Our purpose, as a church, is to love and glorify God. As His children, we desire to love the brethren and to carry out the Great Commission of our Lord, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20., each of us always striving to:
1. be "faithful with the little things" (Lk. 16:11; also Zech. 4:10); and to
2. Continue "steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:12; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1Jn. 1:1-4: 1 Cor. 11:26; Zech 4:6), and to
3. Trust God to add to the church those He saves (Acts 2:47)
Article IV: Membership. All who love the Lord Jesus Christ, confess Him publicly, are baptized, and come before the church seeking membership in agreement with this constitution and By Laws, shall be received into our body. Such acceptance can occur at any regularly scheduled Sunday service with a Motion, Second, and majority vote of approval from the present membership.
Article V: Doctrine. In accordance with the historical Baptist position, the only authority for doctrinal belief shall be the Bible. The church recognizes the doctrinal statement adopted by Southern Baptist Convention in 1963 which is recorded in the Baptist Faith and Message. This is not a binding creed, but a statement that helps describe our beliefs.
Article VI: Conduct The Bible is the final authority in matters of Christian conduct and the church sees Galations 5:13-26 as an excellent, practical summary description of how we should all live and grow in Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Article VII: Government. The government of the church , in accordance with the historical Baptist position, shall be congregational in form, all matters to be decided prayerfully and democratically by vote as described in the By Laws.
Article VIII: Incorporation. The church shall be incorporated according to the laws of the State of Michigan which govern religious bodies.

Cornerstone By-Laws

Fivefold Ministry Emphasis. A Church Council will consist of the Pastor, Discipleship Elder, Worship Elder, Witness Elder, and Prayer Elder. These men are called by God and affirmed by the church to provide direction and suggestion as shepherds, to act as a search committee when necessary, and to make minor decision between business meetings ( with the congregation voting to determine all final decisions). Major areas of oversight are described for each Elder to help provide guidance for the congregation.
1. Pastor/Overseer. Word and prayer, moderator of business meetings, new families, hospital, SBC, secretary, clerk (Acts 6:4; 20:28; Mt. 20:25-28).
2. Doctrine/Discipleship: Sunday School, youth, VBS, stewardship (2 Tim. 2:2)
3. Fellowship/Worship: Music, choir, revival music, specials (Heb. 13:15-16)
4. Breaking of Bread/Witness: Home and foreign missions, door to door, sports, specials (Acts 5:42; 9:31; 1 Cor. 11:26)
5. Prayer/Serving: Prayer Chain, serving ministries, trustees, property, (Zech. 4:6; James 5:16).
Deacons. A small group of deacons will be recommended by the search committee and appointed by the congregation to minister to our congregation's special physical needs. This is not intended as a second overseer body like the elders, but as a ministry work to help us be aware of and meet the physical needs in our body.
Trustees. A small group of trustees will be recommended by the search committee and appointed by the congregation to minister to the physical needs of the building and property.
Business Meetings.
1. An annual business Meeting will be held near the end of the year to praise God, share vision, and determine a faith calendar and faith budget for the coming year. Reports from the Pastor, individual Elders, Clerk and Treasurer will be shared. Recommendations will be received from the Church Council. New Business can be discussed and submitted to the Church Council for further review and action. Old Business.
2. Other business meetings during the year can be called whenever needed by the Pastor and/or Church Council, and will be announced in advance in at least two regularly scheduled services (Sunday Morning, Sunday Evening Worship, and Wednesday night).
3. Any CBS member may recommend the calling of a special business meeting to the Pastor and/or Church Council and can bring new business items to their attention at any time during the year.
Government Checks and Balances.
1. Congregation election of pastor to indefinite call.
2. Congregation election of Church Council Elders to indefinite call.
3. Congregation approval or disapproval of all Church Council recommendations.
4. Congregation approval or disapproval of all ministry assignments.
Selection Procedure for Pastor and Elders
1. The congregation elects the Pastor and Elders by a 75% positive vote to an indefinite term of ministry. A pastor or elder may resign from this leadership position at any time that he feels led by our Lord to do so. If the congregation believes a pastor or elder should resign from their leadership role, such a motion may be made in a business meeting. The church's first action will be to vote by simple majority to either review this matter or to continue without reviewing it. If the church votes to consider the motion, two weeks of prayer, discussion, and study will be given. Then a formal, paper ballot vote will be taken to have the pastor or elder continue or step aside. A 75% positive vote will be necessary to the man to continue in ministry.
2. In the event of a vacancy, for the ministry of Pastor or Elder, the Church Council will serve in the capacity of the Search Committee and will bring one man at a time before the Church for a vote of approval or disapproval. This candidate must be a member in the congregation. All such votes require 75% approval.
3. A simple majority vote will approve all Congregational decision not otherwise stated above.
4. If the Church Council brings a recommendation to the congregation without unanimous agreement among themselves, then all views will be shared before a vote is taken.
5. A Church Clerk and a Church Treasurer will be nominated by the Elders and approved by majority Congregational vote.
6. All New Business is to be presented to the Church Council for prayer action at least 10 days prior to any Church formal vote.
7. Pastor will serve as moderator of all business meetings, except when there is no pastor. At such time, the Elders will nominate, and the Church will approve, and interim moderator until a new pastor is called or until a new interim moderator is elected. All members will follow the direction of the moderator, with the moderator attempting to serve all fairly. Both the moderator and members are encouraged to always respond for the glory of our Lord. If the Pastor resigns, or a no-confidence vote is received against his continuing ministry, he will be given 30 days for the completion of his ministry. Other details will be cared for in a letter of intent from the Church Council to the Pastor.

For the Glory of Our Lord
This document is designed to help us serve our Lord. It may be prayerfully revised according to the above policies and procedures as our Lord provides direction and agreement. Any revision must be agreed upon by 75% of those members present at a meeting called for the specific purpose of revising the Constitution and/or the By-Laws. The proposed, printed revision will be distributed during a regularly scheduled Sunday Morning Worship service, then at least ten days will be granted for prayer and study before a formal vote is taken.