Constitution of the Cornerstone Baptist Church
St. Joseph, MO
Preamble
We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches.
Article I. Name
This body has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri as Cornerstone Baptist Church, located at 2710 South Belt Highway, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Article II. Purpose
This church exists by the grace of God, for the glory of God, which shall be the ultimate purpose in all its activities. This church glorifies God by loving Him and obeying His commands through: Worshipping Him; Administering the ordinances of baptism and communion; Equipping the saints through Bible instruction and study; Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through preaching and personal evangelism, and any other means consistent with the teachings of Holy Scripture; Encouraging, supporting, and participating in missions work, local, domestic, and international; Encouraging Biblical fellowship among believers; and Serving other individuals, families, and churches by providing for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Article III. Statement of Faith
We affirm the Bible, Old and New Testaments, as the inspired word of God and our ultimate authority for matters of faith and practice. We also affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our church’s doctrinal confession.
Article IV. Church Covenant
Having, as we trust, been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.
We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require.
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others.
We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.
We will rejoice at each others’ happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.
We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.
We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
Article V. Polity and Relationships
Section 1- Polity: Jesus Christ is the head of this church. We are ruled by his authoritative word. The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body. We gladly and mutually submit to one another in Christ as members of this church. We also willingly and gladly submit to the godly leadership of the pastors of this church as those charged by God to shepherd the church.
Section 2- Relationships: This church chooses to be in Gospel fellowship and cooperation with the St. Joseph Baptist Association, the Missouri Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. This fellowship and cooperation is for the glory of God in the advancement of his kingdom and fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Supersedure
This constitution, dated October 30, 2022, supersedes all previous editions.