The name of this church shall be Parsons Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio.

   Section 2:  Denominational Affiliation

Parsons Baptist Church shall be voluntarily affiliated with the work of the local, state and national Southern Baptists.  

   Section 3:

Parsons Baptist Church shall be self-governing.  In other words, the government of this church is vested in its membership and is not subject to the governing practices of any other ecclesiastical body.  

   Section 4:

In the event of complete dissolution of the membership, all property of this church will become vested in the Local Association of Southern Baptists.  If the Local Association does not exist, then all property will become vested in the State Convention of Southern Baptists.  Currently, “Metro Columbus Baptist Association” serves as the local association of Southern Baptists.  

   Section 5:  Church Covenant

We have been led by the Spirit of God to joyfully and solemnly enter into a covenant with each other because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

We will strive for the advancement of the kingdom of God by fully and faithfully supporting the ministry of this church.   We choose to abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages because it best preserves and protects the testimony of the church and the individual.  

In all that we do we desire to exercise unconditional love toward one another and thus bring honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   

Parsons Baptist Church, first and foremost, adheres to the essential teachings of the Christian faith.  These are doctrines that provide the foundation for our beliefs and practices.  They are the basis of our unity with other believers both within and outside our local fellowship and Southern Baptist affiliation.  

A brief explanation of the essentials follows:  

• The Authority of Scripture - We recognize that the Bible is God's ultimate revelation about Himself and our world and that it is authoritative in our lives.  God inspired every word and insured that it was recorded without error through His human instruments.  His revelation is fully reliable and trustworthy.  

• The Nature of God – We believe that God is one triune God who is revealed in three persons, namely the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  He is without moral error.  He is the creator and sustainer of all that is.  He is redeemer and judge of all mankind.  

• Humanity – We acknowledge that apart from the redemptive work of Christ, mankind is spiritually dead and eternally separated from God.  There is no capability within man for self redemption.  

• Jesus Christ – We affirm that Jesus Christ is fully God and was fully man during His ministry on earth.  He was born of a virgin and was subject to the vulnerability of the flesh, yet never sinned.  He did not violate His moral law, holy character, or mission.  He sacrificially gave His life to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind.   His sacrifice is totally sufficient to satisfy God's demand for judgment of sin and the exercise of His grace for salvation.  

• Salvation – We believe that the only way anyone can experience the forgiveness of sins, be reconciled with God and enter the Kingdom of Heaven is by turning from sin and trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation.  

• The Church – We believe that the church was established by God for the proclamation of the gospel and propagation of the faith through the lives of believers from one generation to the next.

   Section 2:  Ordinances

While we emphasize membership in the church, we do not place our security in membership of the organization.  We believe our security in found is a relationship with Christ.  

Our requirements for membership indicate how serious we are about God's Word and work in the church.  Who we receive as members is a declaration of our values and  convictions.  

Members of the church are considered representatives of the Kingdom of God.  

How we deal with the active lifestyles of members indicates what we really believe about the holiness and righteousness of God.  In other words, members of a New Testament church who are not accountable with their lives will hinder the health and work of the church.  

What we consider active or involved will affect how we fulfill the mission and vision that we have from God.  

   Section 2:  Biblical Criteria for Membership

Candidates for membership must:   

1. Profess Personal Faith in Christ and
2. Be Baptized by immersion

Good standing with former church; that is, not in disciplinary process and having no unreconciled issues that would cause disruption or division in the church  

   Section 3:  Process for Receiving Members

After meeting the criteria for membership, candidates who are 16 years of age or older are eligible to enter membership with full privileges and responsibilities.  Full membership privileges and responsibilities include participation in the approval process of the church (voting privileges) and holding leadership in ministry.   

Eligible candidates . . .  

Step 1 :  Must complete Membership Orientation
Step 2 :  Must accept and sign the Membership Covenant  
(Note:  Membership Covenant is retained by Members for their benefit.)
Step 3 :  Will be introduced to the church as new members
Step 4 :  Will be added to the Membership Roll  

After meeting the criteria for membership, eligible candidates who are under 16 years of age . . .  

Step 1 :  Will be introduced to the church as new members
Step 2 :  Will be added to the Membership Roll  
Step 3 :  At the age of 16, one is eligible for full membership and can attain such status by completing the “Membership Orientation” and accepting and signing the “Membership Covenant.”

   Section 4:  Expectations of Members

Based on our understanding from scripture, these are the things that we expect to see in the life of a follower of Christ and member of Parsons Baptist Church:  

• Exemplifies an ongoing change in behavior and lifestyle after his experience with Christ.
  2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2; Ephesians 4:17-24  

• Applies God's Word in his life leading to spiritual growth.
  Acts 2:42a; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15 I  

• Faithfully gives tithes and offerings to the work of the church.
  Malachi 3:8-10; Acts 4:32-5:11; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2; 2 Corinthians 9:5-11  

• Participates in the evangelistic efforts of the church.
  Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 14:1-23; Acts 1:8  

• Sacrifices time and effort to build up the body of Christ.
  Luke 14:25-27; Acts 2:45  

• Worships regularly with other believers.
  John 4:23,24; Acts 2:46a,47a; Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 13:15  

• Desires to closely associate with other believers.
  Acts 2:39-47  

• Seeks to “flesh out” his giftedness in works of service and ministry.
  Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:11-16  

• Defends and protects the testimony of the body of Christ.
  Acts 2:44; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 1:27,28; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:7  

• Supports, prays for, and follows the spiritual leaders in the church.
  Hebrews 13:17

Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1,2; James 5:19,20  

We believe that God takes sin seriously because, left unresolved, it negatively affects the body of Christ.  Open and unresolved sin:  

• Hinders the work and activity of the Holy Spirit.
• Breaks fellowship with God and with the family of God.
• Damages the health and growth of believers.
• Destroys the testimony of the church.

   Section 6:  Termination of Membership

Our desire is not to simply eliminate persons from membership.  However, there is a time when we recognize that a person's membership is realistically concluded.  

Active members will be moved to “Former Member” status under the following circumstances:  

1. A person is unresponsive to the process of scriptural church discipline.
2. A person is clearly inactive for 6 months.  
   After the church has made multiple efforts to reconnect with inactive members and there is no response by the member to indicate a desire to fellowship with the church and participate in the work of the church, then we believe it is necessary to move the inactive member to “Former Member” status.  
3. A person joins another church.
4. A person moves out of the area.
5. A person has no known address.
6. A person requests that their membership be released.
7. A person receives their heavenly reward.

• Short-term missions assignment
• Military personnel on temporary assignment
• Students away at college or university
• Shut-ins due to age or health related issues
• Members away from home on temporary work assignment
• Other circumstances that warrant review

   Section 4:  Church Trustees

Trustees, as provided by law and the action of the church, will represent the church in all matters of legal responsibilities.  They have no power except as authorized by the church.  

• The church shall elect four (4) persons who will serve as Church Trustees.   
• Since the role of Trustee is significant, the body should prayerfully consider this position before nominating candidates.   
• Trustees will serve a three year term, and may rotate off of active service during the fourth year.  Should the church continue to desire that service, then inactive Trustees may rotate on to active service.   
• Church Trustees will have the responsibility of having the church's financial records audited each year.

The church will elect a Treasurer annually.  The Treasurer will oversee all financial matters including:

   
• Keeping financial records of all receipts and expenditures current
• Making all payments
• Preparing systematic reports to the church body
• Overseeing contributions record-keeping and counting procedures

1. Leaders of Major Age Level Ministries (i.e. Children's, Youth, Men's, Women's)
2. Small Groups/Sunday Morning Bible Study Team Leader

   Section 2:  Current Ministry Teams

Ministry Teams are created as the need arises.  The church will keep a current list of ministries available with a written purpose and description of each ministry.  

Ministry Teams have the following “ Basic Assumptions :”  

• Teams will be dynamic entities.  In other words, they have the freedom to adjust size or make-up as the circumstances warrant.
• Teams will be representative of the diversity of people who are members of Parsons Baptist Church.
• Teams will be built around the abilities both to lead the church and to meet the objectives before them.
• Teams will be given the task of planning, recommending, and leading in implementation of the objective to which they are charged.
• Teams will have freedom and authority to implement the objectives to which they are assigned.  Teams are accountable to the church as they serve in this capacity.

We submit to God's Word as the final authority for faith and practice in our business meetings.  

• The Senior Pastor is the leader of all business meetings.  In the event that the Senior Pastor is unavailable for a necessary meeting of the church body, the spiritual leaders of the church will appoint the leader of the meeting.  

• “ Regular ” Business meetings are held consistent to the needs of the church.  These meetings are held for the purpose of giving reports of ongoing ministries and teams, discussing possibilities for future ministry, and seeking God in making major decisions that will affect the entirety of the life, health, and growth of the church.  

• “ Special ” Business meetings can be called for the purpose of discussing, reporting, and acting on specific needs in the church.  It is the recommendation that the church be notified of a “special” business meeting at least seven days in advance, unless there are significant circumstances that prevent this possibility.  In such a case, every effort should be made to contact the church about the upcoming meeting so that as many as possible are able to attend.  

• The following items require the approval of the church body: Note :  The approval rate must be at least 80% of the members present at the business meeting.

1. Calling the Senior Pastor or Additional Pastors (or Elders)
2. Annual Budget
3. Special Projects (i.e. Renovation)
4. Sale or Purchase of Real Property