CONSTITUTION

Art. 1: Name

The name of the Church shall be Chinese Christian Church of Baton Rouge.

Art. 2: Purpose

The purposes of the Church are:

Building up the body of Christ in which all believers can have fellowship and be well equipped to serve the Lord.
Disseminating and holding firmly all truths revealed in the Bible.
Spreading the gospel, with emphasis on leading non-believing Chinese to the Lord.

Art. 3: Faith

The Church firmly believes that the Bible, consisting of 66 books in the old and new testaments, is inspired by God. It is the perfect truth. It is infallible, and is the ultimate basis and authority for doctrine and deed. It is the complete revelation of God’s plan for salvation.
The Church firmly believes that God is holy, righteous, loving, omnipotent, immortal, and everlasting. He is the God in Trinity. He is the creator of the heavens, the earth and all mankind. He is the Father we worship, serve and praise.
The Church firmly believes that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son since the beginning, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. He was sinless, but was crucified and died on the cross to atone for the sins of man. He resurrected on the third day, ascended into heaven and is the high priest and mediator between God and man. He intercedes for us and will descend from heaven to receive the believers.
The Church firmly believes that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, comes to earth to witness for Christ. He abides forever with the believers, helping, teaching and leading them into the truth.
The Church firmly believes that all men are sinners. Christ is the only Savior, and he who believes in Him will be saved. Sins are forgiven through the redemption of Christ's precious blood. And we are justified through His resurrection.
The Church firmly believes all believers are redeemed through Christ's precious blood to God. They should not only be separated from the world and sin, but also strive to be salt and light to the world to bear good witness for the glorification of our God.
The Church firmly believes that the Church is composed of people who are chosen by God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Church is the body of Christ, the house of God and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Church should be sanctified as the pillar of the truth, the illuminating lamp-stand and the glorious testimony of Jesus Christ. All believers should participate in the work and service of the Church.

Art. 4: Ordinances

As stated in the Bible, it is the commandment and the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles that Baptism and the Lord's Supper should be observed by the whole church as a testimony to God and man, and in the remembrance and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Art. 5: Organization

All believers are members of one universal church in spirit, but believers in the same area should be united to form a local church to worship and serve the Lord and to have fellowship together.

He who professes Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and has been baptized can become a member of the Church.
In accordance with Scriptural teachings, the Church needs to have deacons, elected among members, responsible for the operation of the Church. The Church should elect elders in due time to assist church ministry and care of believers.
God also raises all kinds of workers in every church, each with different gifts, to establish the church and edify the believers. The pastor and teachers are the most needed among the workers.

Art. 6: Ministry

The ministry of the Church should abide by Scriptural teachings and examples. The main functions are:

To edify believers
To spread Gospel
To manage Church finances
To provide ministries
To maintain Church buildings
To receive God's workers
To help the needy

Art. 7: Management

The congregation has the responsibility to oversee its pastor(s), elders and deacons. The pastor(s), elders and deacons also have the responsibility of shepherding the flock, admonishing those who err, rebuking those who sin, and excommunicating those who do not repent. (1Th 5:14, 2Th 3:6,15, 1Ti 5:20, 2Ti 3:10,11, 1Co 5:9-11).

Art. 1: Organization

Membership
- All who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior, have been baptized and attend church service regularly, may apply for membership. All members shall abide by the teachings of the Bible and seek spiritual growth through daily devotion, Bible studies and prayers. They shall actively participate in various services and works of the Church and make offerings (not limited to tithe).
Deacons
- Any Church member regularly attending Church meetings, willing to serve God, and having the qualifications stated in the Bible can be nominated by a special nomination committee and elected to office by vote at a General Congregational Meeting for a term of two years. A deacon may be re-elected for one more term. After that, there must be a lapse of at least one year before he or she can be nominated again. Half of the deacons on the Board of Deacons shall be re-elected each year.
Elders
- In the course of church growth, elders can be elected to assist the pastor to nurture the spiritual needs and growth of believers. An elder should be selected among deacons or ex-deacons, preferably excluding women deacons. The election of elders shall be by the recommendation of the Board of Deacons and approved by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Congregational Meeting. The ordination of the elders should be administered by the pastor of the Church or a designated pastor. An elder has a term of three years, and can be re-elected. The dismissal of an elder shall also be by the recommendation of the Board of Deacons and approved by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Congregational Meeting.
Pastor (including Associate Pastors)
- Hiring: The call of the pastor shall be by the recommendation of the Board of Deacons and approved by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Congregational Meeting. Unless mutually agreed upon in advance, there is no specific term for this office. The dismissal of the pastor shall be by the recommendation of the Board of Deacons by a two-thirds majority vote and subsequently passed by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Congregational Meeting.
- Contract-renewal: The Elder and Board of Deacons will decide on the term extension for pastor six months before the term expires. The decision should be made after earnestly seeking God's will and in conjunction with members' input. Should the Board decide unanimously to extend the term, the Board will submit a written offer to the pastor for another fixed or indefinite term. Should unanimous approval not be reached but more than one third (including 1/3) of the Board members agree to the term extension, the Board should call a General Congregation Meeting to vote on the terms of extension. Term extension should be granted subject to the approval of two thirds (including 2/3) majority of attending members. The length of term extension should be decided by the Board. However, if less than two thirds (not including 2/3) of attending members approve, the Board will notify the pastor in writing of the decision to discontinue the contract. Should less than one third of the Board members agree to extend the term, the Board will notify the pastor of the decision to discontinue the contract.
Co-Workers
- In addition to the pastor, deacons and elders, the Board of Deacons can invite some members to be co-workers, to participate in various services and works in the Church. The terms shall be decided by the Board of Deacons.
Treasurer
- The treasurer shall be elected among the deacons, responsible for the financial matters of the Church.
Secretary
- The secretary shall be elected among the deacons, responsible for keeping meeting records, producing income and expense reports, and correspondence.

Art. 2: Board of Deacons

Members
- The Board of Deacons shall be comprised of the pastor, elders and deacons. The number of deacons, of which the women deacons should preferably not exceed one half, shall be decided according to the prevailing need of the Church.
Meetings
- The Board of Deacons shall meet once a month. However, the frequency of the meeting can be changed with the consent of the chairman of the Board and other deacons, according to needs. The chairman of the Board shall be elected by the deacons for a term of one year, and may be re-elected for no more than two terms. The chairman of the Board should not be a woman deacon.
Responsibility
- The Board of Deacons is responsible for the operation, administration, finance and personnel of the Church. Decisions made by the Board can be carried out by one or several individuals. All decisions should be approved by a majority vote. The pastor, elders and deacons carry one vote each. Co-workers invited to attend the meeting may make suggestions, but can not participate in the voting.
Unfinished Terms
- In the event a deacon resigns or is dismissed, his or her unfinished term shall be filled by an alternate, who is recommended by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Deacons and approved by a majority vote at a General Congregational Meeting.

Art. 3: Co-Worker's Meeting

Members
- Church members who are willing to serve can be invited by the Board of Deacons to be members of the Co-Worker's meeting. There is no limit on the number of membership.
Meetings
- Co-worker's meetings are called by the Board of Deacons according to needs. Co-workers may be invited to attend the Board of Deacons meeting, but can not participate in the voting.
Responsibility
- Co-workers shall assist in all aspects of the Church works, such as serving in the Sunday worship as chairman, ushers, interpreter or pianist. Co-workers may also participate in teaching, visitation, evangelism, transportation, hospitality, library and other Church activities or functions.

Art. 4: Nominating Committee

The members of the nominating committee shall include the pastor, two incumbent deacons and four co-workers. The committee shall be formed before the first of November of each year to nominate deacon candidates. The list of candidates should be completed before December 1, and an election shall be held at a General Congregational Meeting before December 31.

Art. 5: General Congregational Meeting

The General Congregational Meeting shall be held at least once a year. The date of the meeting is decided by the Board of Deacons. Attendance by over onehalf of the members shall constitute a quorum for the General Congregational Meeting. The General Congregational Meeting can approve or reject major decisions made by the Board of Deacons

Art. 6: Amendments

The constitution or bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at a General Congregational Meeting, provided the amendments shall be drafted, and duly presented to the Congregation at least twice by the chairman of the Board of Deacons in Sunday Services.