How We Worship

Our Constitution

Table of Contents

  1. Preamble
  2. Article 1—Name and Location
  3. Article 2—Purpose and Organization
  4. Article 3—Statement of Mission
  5. Article 4—Affiliation and Doctrinal Statement
  6. Article 5—Values
  7. Article 6—Church Covenant
  8. Article 7—Ordinations
    1. Section 1—Ordination to the Gospel Ministry
    2. Section 2—Ordination of Deacons
  9. Article 8—Amendments
  10. Article 9—Dissolution

Preamble

We, the members of Hanover Baptist Church, adhering to the teachings of the Bible, establish this constitution for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith and administration.

Article 1—Name and Location

This body of believers shall be organized as a church corporation and be known as Hanover Baptist Church located in King George, Virginia, or whatever other location the board and members determine.

Article 2—Purpose and Organization

Hanover Baptist Church shall exist to provide a fundamental, New Testament, Baptist, dispensational testimony. The church shall meet to worship, serve and observe the ordinances of the Lord, and perform its part in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28). It shall conduct its business according to the congregational government model. The Bible shall be its rule of faith and practice while using Robert’s Rules of Order as a normative guide.

Article 3—Statement of Mission

Hanover Baptist Church is a commissioned body of believers designed to glorify God until our Savior appears.

Article 4—Affiliation and Doctrinal Statement

Hanover Baptist Church is in fellowship with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia and with the Southern Baptist Convention. Hanover Baptist Church takes for its doctrinal statement of belief the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

Article 5—Values

Hanover Baptist Church holds these as our core values:

  • Christianity is not a mediocre religion.
  • Jesus Christ, our loving Lord and Shepherd, is preparing us for, and bringing us to, glory.
  • All men will stand some day before their Sovereign Maker and give account.
  • There is no substitute for a Spirit-led life.
  • A growing relationship and walk with God requires Bible study and purposeful prayer.
  • The sincerity of our love for the Lord is proportional to the way we treat every individual in our church family.
  • Our submission to God is proven by wholeheartedly fulfilling our God-given roles and using our God-given talents with a servant’s heart (no options, choices, or room for question).
  • Evangelism (fired in the furnace of time spent in the presence of the Father) is what sharpens the reality of my faith.
  • The work of God is accomplished at the communication and reception of the Word of God.
  • We will strive to make daily decisions that will bring God the greatest glory.
  • God’s design Christians is incomplete without consistent corporate involvement in worship, prayer, preaching, discipleship, fellowship and observing the ordinances.
  • The Hanover Baptist Church mission outreach is broken into three priority mission fields. First, reach our own children and families with the Word, second, reach our neighbors and King George with the Gospel, and third, train, approve, and send missionaries to evangelize the world.
  • We must follow Jesus as our Master being ever mindful that He never promises to follow us.
  • Our church will seek to maintain multi-generational relevancy, strengthen the family, strive to draw young people into the life of the church, and promote intergenerational ministry.

Article 6—Church Covenant

Having been led by the grace of God through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit to repent of my sins, and in faith turn to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and having given public testimony of this faith through baptism by immersion, I now joyfully and solemnly enter into this covenant with the members of Hanover Baptist Church, by God’s grace

  • I will obey and honor the Bible, God’s inspired Word.
  • I will pursue spiritual maturity in myself and others.
  • I will speak with grace for the purpose of edifying.
  • I will follow the principles of the church doctrinal statement and values; and not allow fleshly passions to rule me.
  • I will practice personal worship and lead my family to worship.
  • I will live each day in expectation of Christ’s return.
  • I will be a good steward in the use of my time, talent, and treasure.
  • I will be a fisher of men seeking the salvation of those within my reach and supporting mission efforts beyond my reach.
  • I will be known for my integrity at home, work, and play.
  • I will commit to the practice of prayer for myself and for others.
  • I will strive to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind; and love my neighbor as myself.
  • I will bring my irreconcilable disputes with other believers to the church body and will abide by its judgment.
  • I will not be addicted to any habit, substance, thought or behavior that dishonors God.
  • I will show respect to all men as bearers of God’s image with an eternal soul.
  • I will not forsake the assembling of believers.
  • I will fill my day with Spirit-led decisions.
  • My consuming purpose is to bring glory to God so that I may hear, “well done thou good and faithful servant.”

I have read and agree to follow and be bound by the Articles, Constitution, and Bylaws including but not limited to those policies dealing with church discipline, conflict resolution and members’ rights and responsibilities.

Article 7—Ordinations

Section 1—Ordination to the Gospel Ministry:

When one indicates to the church that he believes that God has called him to the ministry, that he meets the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and 11, Titus 1:5–9, 1 Peter 5:1–4, and if the church is in agreement with him, it is appropriate for the church to give him its tentative approval by licensing him to serve until he has proven himself qualified for ordination. A request for ordination may come from the candidate himself to the church, or the church he is serving may make the request of him. In accordance with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, only adult men shall be considered for ordination to the gospel ministry.

After the church has received a request for ordination of an acceptable candidate, the church shall authorize the appointment of an ordination council to examine the candidate in order to advise the church regarding the candidate’s fitness for ordination. The ordination council shall consist of all ordained members of the congregation and other ordained men the church may wish to invite from churches of like faith and practice. The council may recommend to the church one of the following actions:

  • Ordination of the candidate.
  • Deferment of the ordination for a stated period.
  • Rejection of the candidate.

If, after the church has received in writing the recommendations of the ordination council, the church approves the candidate for ordination, the ordination services shall be scheduled and the candidate shall be ordained. The ordination of a person to the gospel ministry may be revoked by Hanover Baptist Church at a meeting called for that purpose.

Section 2—Ordination of Deacons:

A deacon, fulfilling the Scriptural requirements set forth in Acts 6:1–7, 1 Timothy 3:8–13, who has not been previously ordained to the deaconate by a Southern Baptist Church shall be ordained by Hanover Baptist Church at such time as he is elected to serve that office. Only adult men may be ordained as deacons. The ordination of a deacon may be revoked by Hanover Baptist Church in a meeting called for that purpose.

Article 8—Amendments

Members of Hanover Baptist Church may propose changes to the constitution that shall be submitted to the Ministry Coordination Team (known legally as the Board of Directors) for consideration and comment. The Ministry Coordinating Team shall present the proposed changes and their comments to the church at an annual meeting. This constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting, provided that the following procedure has been followed:

  • The proposed written amendment has been presented at a previous members' annual meeting.
  • The proposed amendment has been announced to the membership at the previous quarterly meeting before acting on the proposed amendment.
  • The proposed amendment has been announced and copies made available for review, published and posted, on a previous Sunday morning at least four weeks before the vote is taken.

Article 9—Dissolution

In the event that Hanover Baptist Church ceases to exist the assets will be given to a Baptist ministry of like faith and practice and willing to sign the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. The assets will not be given for the enrichment of any individual.

This Constitution was adopted on ___________________ and shall supersede all previous constitutions.