WHAT WE BELIEVE

Constitution Of New Richmond Baptist Church

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptizedevery one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this un-toward generation.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking ofbread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:38-42

New Richmond Baptist Church

1909 Transport Lane
Holland, Mi. 49423
616-546-9142

New Richmond Baptist Church Constitution

PREAMBLE

The bible admonishes us saying,
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”
To this end do we, members of the New Richmond Baptist Church,
solemnly and sincerely set forth the following constitution
by which we willingly and cheerfully agree to be governed.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I – Name:

The name of this church shall be called the NEW RICHMOND BAPTIST CHURCH of Holland, Michigan and shall function as an Independent autonomous body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ARTICLE II – Purpose:

The central purpose of this local church shall be to glorify God through the preaching of the whole council of God, and the presentation of His Son as the only Saviour to a lost and dying world. The believers are to be edified and challenged to serve our Lord Jesus Christ until He comes for His saints.

ARTICLE III – Articles of Faith:

SECTION I – The Holy Scriptures:

We believe that all scripture is given by divine inspiration of God and that this extends fully throughout the Old and New Testaments. They are the final, inerrant and complete revelation of God in the original writings and are the supreme and final authority in faith and practice.
( II Tim. 3:16-17; Jn. 16:12-13; II Peter 1:19- 21; Mk. 12:26, 36)

(AMENDMENT Dated 04-28-24)

The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to man and have been perfectly preserved in the King James Version of the Bible. The Scriptures shall be interpreted according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning. The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by New Richmond Baptist Church throughout its existence. This may not be changed by any future church body.

SECTION II – The God Head: 

We believe in the triune God, eternally existent in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; co-equal, co-identical and co-eternal in being, nature, power and glory; having the same attributes and essence.
( Jn.1:1,14; II Cor. 13:14; Jn. 10:30)

SECTION III – God The Son:

We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, who became flesh without ceasing to be God. He was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

We further believe that His death was representative and substitutionary and that the shedding of His blood purchased fully and forever our redemption. We believe that He was raised from the dead in bodily form and ascended into heaven where He lives to make intercession for us. We believe all that rest their hope of eternal life in His work on the cross alone, shall have forgiveness of all sins and eternal life.
( I Jn. 1:1-3; Lk. 1:35; Phil. 2:6-8; Mt. 1:20-21; Col. 1:14-15; Acts 1:9-11; Heb. 7:22-25; Jn. 1:14; Rom. 5:6-8 )

SECTION IV – God The Holy Spirit:

We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit and the person of the Holy Spirit; that He represents the Lord Jesus in His absence.
( Jn. 16:13-14 )

His work is to fill, empower and place the believer through the act of regeneration, spirit baptism into the body of Christ. The Spirit indwells, seals and keeps those truly born again unto the day of redemption. His work is to convict the ungodly of sin, judgment and the way of righteousness. He further works to enable the believers to live godly lives.
( I Jn. 5:7; Eph. 1:13-14; Jn. 10:10; I Cor. 12:12-14; Phil. 1:6; Gal. 5:22-23; Jn. 16:7-11)

SECTION V – Satan:

We believe Satan was one of God’s highest created beings, that through pride and selfish ambition he fell. He is now the “prince of the air” and the unholy god of this world, he is the enemy of God and Christ, and the accuser of the brethren, he is the author of all false religions, he is destined to final defeat at the hands of Jesus Christ, then he shall be cast into the lake of fire forever.
(Ezek. 28:14-17; Is. 14:12-15; Eph. 2:2; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:10; II Cor. 11:13-15; II Thes. 2:8-11; Rev. 20:10)

SECTION VI – Man:

We believe that man was created by an immediate act of God and not by a process of evolution. He was created in the image and likeness of God, possessing personality and holiness. He was endowed with power of rational and responsible choice in view of moral ends. The purpose of his creation was to glorify God.
( Gen. 1:27; Col. 3:10; Acts 17:24-28)

We believe all men are sinners by nature and are spiritually dead. God has provided a salvation which is wholly of grace through the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross. Human merit can in no wise assist in procuring forgiveness of sin. One who believes in Christ is justified from all sin and all are saved with an eternal salvation.
( Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:23-26; Eph. 2:89; Jn. 10:28-29)

We believe in a heaven of eternal bliss for the saved and a hell of eternal suffering for the lost.
( Jn. 14:1-3; Rev. 21:3-4; Rev. 20:11-15 )

We believe that we possess two natures; our own human nature and Christ divine nature. Since our human nature is worthless, we ought not obey it’s suggestions, for it is not trustworthy. The divine nature should control our human nature.
(II Pet. 1:4; Rom. 7:8; Phil. 3:3)

SECTION VII – The Church:

We believe in the true church which began at Pentecost and will continue until the rapture. It is made up of born again believers. Believing in the pre-millennial dispensation looking for the imminent, personal and visible return of Christ to earth. His coming will be for His church and to establish His kingdom as He promised. Each believer upon confession of faith into the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ is baptized once for all into the body of Christ, whereby He imparts to each believer a certain gift or gifts for His service.
( I Thes. 4:16-17; Acts 1:11; II Thes. 2:1-4; 14-17; Jn. 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:38-39; I Cor. 12:11-13)

SECTION VIII – The Ordinances:

We believe that the Lord Jesus established only two ordinances in the church. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe the obedient believer publicly identifies with the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection by immersion in water in the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s supper is open only to believers and is a solemn observation commemorating his death. The emblems of the communion service are not literally the body and blood of Christ. We believe these two ordinances shall be observed and administered until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
( I Cor. 11:23-26; Rom. 6:3-11; Mt. 26:26-29; Mt. 28:19-20 )

SECTION IX – Salvation:

We believe the Holy Scriptures teach that salvation is by grace alone through personal faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing we could do would ever accomplish our salvation. We believe Jesus paid the full penalty for all sin of mankind through the shedding of His blood on the cross of Calvary. We believe all who are baptized into the body of Christ are secure and nothing can separate us from the love of God.
( Eph. 2:8-9; I Pet. 1:18-20, 2:24; Eph. 4:30; Rom. 8:35-39; Jn. 10:25-30 ).

SECTION X – Christian Life and Service:

We believe every true Christian will apply his or her life in service for Jesus Christ. Righteous works cannot ever add to or deliver salvation but are an out growth of our free salvation. We further acknowledge that all true believers should live in separation from all religious apostasy, worldly pleasures and practices that bring reproach on the sinless Savior. We acknowledge that this is our calling and our goal.
(Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 12:1-2; Jn. 17:15-19 ).

(AMENDMENT Dated 4-24-2005)

SECTION XI – Human Sexuality 

The Scriptures declare that God created us male and female. Furthermore, the biblical record shows that sexual union was established exclusively within the context of a male-female relationship (Gen. 2:24), and formalized in the institution of marriage. The partner for man was woman. Together they were to be one flesh. In the New Testament, the oneness of male and female in marriage pictures the relationship between Christ and His church
(Eph. 5:22-23).

1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, and adultery are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
(Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5, 13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom. 1: 26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

2. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining
of one man and one woman.
(Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

BY-LAWS OF NEW RICHMOND BAPTIST CHURCH

ARTICLE I – Qualifications for Membership:

Any candidate who has been born again and baptized ( or willing to follow our Lord in baptism) by immersion and subscribes to this constitution and by-laws may be received into church membership. All candidates shall be required to give satisfactory testimony to salvation through a personal experience in the acceptance of our Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour to the Pastor and / or Board. The Board will then recommend to the church body to accept or reject a candidate by congregational vote.

SECTION I – Responsibilities of Members:

A. Seek the advancement of the church in knowledge, holiness, spirituality, reading of God’s word and prayer. ( Eph. 4; Acts 6:4 )

B. Sustain it’s worship, ordinances, disciplines and doctrines through active participation. ( Heb. 10:25 )

C. Promote their own spiritual growth, Christian education, private and family devotions and domestic worship whenever possible.
( Deut. 11:18-20 )

D. Maintain a pure and meaningful witness to the world through honest, gracious living, abstaining from any appearance of evil, from all activities and habits that could become a stumbling block to his own or another’s faith and spiritual growth.
( Gal. 5&6; I Thes. 5:14-22; II Tim. 2:15 )

E. To show Christian love and concern for all.
( James 2 )

F. To be slow to take offense and always ready for reconciliation before worshipping.
( Mt. 5;24 )

G. To contribute regularly to the total ministry of the church.
( II Cor. 9:7; I Cor. 16:2; Eph. 4 )

H. If a member moves from this vicinity, they should seek out and unite with another church of like faith and practice as soon as possible after moving. 

I. To evangelize the world with the gospel.
( Mt. 28:18-20 )

SECTION II – Classification of members: 

A. ACTIVE:
A member who regularly attends the services of the church, adheres to the Articles of Faith, and is not under discipline by the church shall be considered active.

B. INACTIVE:
A member who by choice, does not attend services in six months shall be considered inactive and shall have no power to vote or hold office. After twelve months, such a member’s membership status will be determined by congregational vote upon recommendation by the board.
(Heb. 10:25)
( See Suspension of Members Amendment 1)

C. HONORARY:
Any member of long-standing who has served the church faithfully has moved or resigned their position of service due to age or infirmity, the decision to bestow such shall rest upon the congregation, upon the recommendation of the Pastor or board. The purpose of this honorary membership is to maintain a strong identity with the New Richmond Baptist Church for the church body that has gone out from here. Students enrolled in non-local schools and non-resident ministers.
(Heb. 10:25)

SECTION III – Suspension of Members:

A member who disregards Christian obligation by conduct prejudicial to good testimony and contrary to the Articles of Faith shall after failure to repent and reform as out-lined in Matthew 18:15-17, have his church membership withdrawn by church vote upon recommendation of the board. It shall always be the desire of this congregation to restore a member back into a right relationship with our Lord and church body according to ( II Cor. 2:5-11; James 5:19-20)

(AMENDMENT Dated 9-22-2002)

In January of each year, all Inactive members still on the church roll will be mailed a letter by certified mail requesting their desire of membership with this assembly of believers. The letter will instruct them that in order to remain a member of this church they must respond by phone, mail, or electronic mail the 1st Saturday in March of that same year to remain on the membership roll.

Upon certification of their receipt of the letter and no response
these names will be brought before the Church Board in March
to be placed before the church at the Annual 

Business Meeting for removal from the membership of this Assembly.

If a response is received, the Pastor and 1 other Board member
will make a home visit to try to restore them into the fellowship of believers.

If any indication of a desire to remain a part of this fellowship, their name shall not be removed except for a member who disregards Christian obligation by conduct prejudicial to good testimony and contrary to the Articles of Faith shall after failure to repent and reform as out-lined in Matthew 18:15-17
It shall always be the desire of this congregation to
restore a member back into a right relationship
with our Lord and church body according to
( II Cor. 2:5-11; James 5:19-20)

Anyone removed from the membership of this assembly
may upon request and a vote of the church be re-instated as a member

SECTION IV – Privileges of Members:

It shall be the privilege of every active member,
eighteen (18) years of age and above, to vote in the affairs of the Church. 

Each member will be allowed only one (1) vote and must be present to vote. 

There will be no absentee votes, except by approval of the board.

ARTICLE ll – Meetings

The annual meeting will be held the last Sunday of April. Notification of the date will be made two Lord’s Days before. Special business meetings may be called at any time provided public notice be given of the meeting two Lord’s Days preceding.

SECTION I – Business Meetings

A. One third of the active membership shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not reached, a meeting shall be rescheduled the following week. If a quorum is still not reached, the meeting will proceed with those members present.

B. Two-Thirds majority present shall decide matters of;

1. Corporate business (matters pertaining to the purchase or sale of property)

2. Calling or terminating the tenure of a staff member.

3. Amendments to this constitution.

A simple majority vote shall be sufficient to decide any other questions presented at any business meeting. 

C. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings.

ARTICLE III – Officers:

SECTION I – Classification of Officers:

A. Deacons
B. Trustees
C. Clerk
D. Treasurer
E. Teachers
F. Head Usher
G. Sunday School Superintendent

SECTION II – Qualifications of Officers and Teachers

The qualifications for officers and teachers are set fourth in the New Testament,
( I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-6).

A. A man of good moral character.

B. A man that has been proven faithful.

C. The husband of one wife and rules his own house well.

D. Officers are to be active members.

(Amendment 9-22-2002)

E. Has read and agreed with the Christian Leaders Commitments.

(See Commitment Agreement, Separate Document)
(These qualifications apply to both men and women teachers)

SECTION III – Duties of Officers:

A. DEACON
The deacons responsibilities include visitation of
the members and non-members of the assembly.
Caring for the physical needs of the sick and
spiritual interest of the individuals of the assembly,
and supervision of the Lord’s Supper.

The deacons are responsible for all spiritual areas of the church.
The general duties shall be to co-rule with the Pastor/teacher in

overseeing the church as a shepherd does his flock,
endeavoring to ensure the teaching of God’s Word
as set forth in the Articles of Faith of this constitution.
To promote spiritual living by example according to
God’s Word among the church membership.

B. TRUSTEE
Trustees shall hold in trust all properties of the church,
being responsible for their care and maintenance
and for arranging needed repairs, additions and equipment.

C. CLERK
It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep an up-dated accurate record
of the proceedings of the church, membership, insurance records
and documents that pertain to the church.

D. TREASURER
It shall be the duty of the treasurer to deposit all money with the bank.
He shall keep systematic accounts of all money received
and dispersed by him. He shall make a financial statement
at the Annual Business Meeting and every monthly board meeting.

E. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
The superintendent is the general officer responsible to the church
for the care of the youth. He shall oversee the teachers
and their programs and promote biblical teaching and harmony.

F. TEACHERS
Teachers shall instruct their students in biblical truths
in the Word of God and promote spiritual growth.

G. HEAD USHER
It shall be the duty of the head usher to greet and assist
in seating the attendants at all services
and to receive the offerings in each service.
He shall also appoint someone to usher in his absence.

SECTION IV – The Church Board:

The Church Board shall consist of the Pastor(s),
two deacons (if applicable), two trustees and Sunday School Superintendent.
The size of the board will be determined by the size of the congregation.
It shall be the duty of the board, in general to counsel,
cooperate with and aid the Pastor in ministering to
the spiritual life of the church and especially to new members.
They shall deliberate and advise in matters pertaining to
the financial and social welfare of the church.
They shall determine for what purpose,
other than regular religious and social gathering of the church,
the church premises may be used.
The Chairman of the board shall be notified
of pulpit supply in the Pastor’s absence.
Board members shall be faithful, active members
of New Richmond Baptist Church.

A. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Chairman shall be the Associate Pastor (if applicable) or shall be appointed from the board of members and elect it’s own clerk.

B. The Church Board shall be in charge of ordinary maintenance and repair.
They shall have the right, without church vote, to spend upward to the sum of $500.00 on ordinary maintenance and repair. In an extreme emergency, another $1,000.00 may be spent without church vote approval.

All proposals from individuals will go through the board
before being presented to the congregation.

Quorum for the church board shall be two-thirds of it’s members.
Two- thirds majority of the board shall decide matters.
In order to be an active member of the board, the members
must attend (8) meetings during the year.

Resignations of elected officers shall be presented
to the church board in writing at least 30 days prior
to their effective date,
which shall be specified in the letter of resignation.

SECTION V – Term of Officers:

A. DEACON
The term of office shall be for three years in length and so arranged that all terms do not expire at the same time. Re-elections to office is possible by scrutiny and vote of the congregation.

B. TRUSTEES
The term of office shall be for two years in length and so arranged that all terms do not expire at the same time. Re-elections to office is possible by scrutiny and vote of the congregation.

C. CLERK
The term of office shall be for two years.

D. TREASURER
The term of office shall be for three years.

E. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
The term of office shall be for two years.

F. HEAD USHER
The term of office shall be for two years.

All Officers can serve successive terms if re-elected.

 

ARTICLE IV – Elections:

SECTION I – Date:

The annual election of officers shall be held the last Sunday of April at the annual church business meeting.

SECTION II – Election Procedures:

A slate of candidates for office to be filled shall be presented to the church by the church board at least two weeks before the annual election. All elections shall be by written ballot. When there is more than one candidate for an office, the candidate who receives the highest number of votes shall be elected.

 

ARTICLE V – Pastor:

SECTION I – Qualifications for Pastor:

The Pastor shall be an ordained or Licensed minister who is in full agreement with and will abide by this Constitution.

SECTION II – Calling of a Pastor:

No one shall be called to the pastorate of this church except at a meeting called for that purpose. Such a meeting will be announced two Sundays previous of said meeting. The Pastor shall be elected by ballot of the church upon the recommendation of the pulpit committee. This meeting must have a quorum of 51 percent of the church membership and a confirmation vote of 80 percent of the members present to secure the calling of the Pastor. He shall serve in his office until his pastorate is terminated by resignation or by request of the church congregation when either party desires the change.

The qualifications for Pastor/Teacher shall be as set forth in
the scriptures for the Office of Elder.
(I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-6)

Notice of termination shall be in written form 60 days prior any change of Pastor/Teacher office.

 

SECTION III – Duties of Pastor:

The duties of the Pastor shall be to regularly preach the Gospel, administer the ordinances of the church, watch over the members and the spiritual as well as the temporal interest of the church. The Pastor shall be the overseer of this fellowship.
( I Pet. 5:2 ) His ministry shall be to guide the congregation into spiritual maturity and effective service.

As the responsible leader of this church, he shall supervise all departments and member ex-officio of all boards and committees.

 

ARTICLE VI – Missions Support Policy:

SECTION I – Missions Policy:

It shall be the policy of this church to prayerfully and financially support our missions. (Mt. 28:18-20).

Missions support shall be a set amount per month from the general fund.

SECTION II – Qualifications of Missionaries:

Each missionary must be interviewed by the Pastor and the board and approved by the congregation.

When a missionary returns on furlough, he should be scheduled for a speaking engagement to report on his term of service. Communication should be made and kept at least once a month if possible.

(Amendment 9-22-2002)

The Missions Board will review all missionaries and report to the church board with all recommendations. (See Missions Policy, Separate item)

 

ARTICLE VII – Committees

SECTION I – Pulpit Committee:

The church board shall act as or appoint members to the pulpit committee.

 

ARTICLE VIII – Use of Facilities:

(Amendment 9-22-2002)

Use of facilities. The church and its properties should be an example of who we represent. Therefore we agree that at no time should there be any use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs upon the church property. This includes all regular function of the church as well as weddings, receptions, or any other use of the church property.

(Amendment 9-22-2002)

Use of facilities. It has been discussed and agreed that no retail sales shall be conducted in the Sanctuary except for fund raising for the church and or groups or ministries that sell products as part of their ministry. These products also should pertain to their ministry and to the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

ARTICLE IX – Amending the Constitution:

This Constitution may be amended by the church by at least a two-thirds majority vote. The change must have the boards approval before being presented to the congregation.

The New Richmond Baptist Church Constitution

This Constitution was presented and approved
by unanimous congregational vote on

FEBRUARY 23, 1992
And Amended
SEPTEMBER 22, 2002

FROM THE PASTOR

     On June 29th, 1997, the congregation voted in a scheduled meeting to call me as the Pastor/Teacher of New Richmond Baptist Church.

     Upon accepting the call, I began to re-write the constitution word for word as it was written in 1992. This was due to the fact that the original was in such poor condition that it made it impossible to read. Also several members had claimed to have never seen a copy of the constitution. 

     In August of this same year, copies of the re-typed constitution was given to the board to compare to the original for any typographic errors, and returned for correction and publication. Copies were made ready for distribution to all the members in October of 1997.

     It is my sincere hope that each member and prospective member of New Richmond Baptist Church will obtain a copy of this constitution and look it over. In it, we have outlined our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible, God’s Word.

     It is my desire to be sure that each member understands fully our standing as Christians and members of New Richmond Baptist Church. Our purpose should be clear and our fellowship continually sweet in our Lord as we strive to share the Gospel with all who will hear.

In His Service,
Pastor, Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Hebrews 2:12

Senior Pastor and Wife
Dr. Franklin & Devetta Senters

New Richmond Baptist Church
1909 Transport Lane
Holland, MI. 49423
Church Phone: (616) 546-9142
Web Site: www.nrbchurch.com
E-mail: NRBchurch@nrbchurch.com

Service Times

Sunday School
10:00 A.M.
Sunday Morning Worship
11:00 A.M.
Junior Church
11:00 A.M.
Sunday Evening Service
6:00 P.M.

Tuesday Women Of The Word Bible Studies
9:30 A.M.

Monday I.R.O.N. Men’s Bible Studies
9:00 A.M.

Wednesday Adult Bible Studies
6:30 P.M.
Wednesday Master Club & S.W.A.T. Teens
6:30 P.M.