[January 15, 1995]
Whereas this Church, in its desire for steady growth in spirituality and in numbers, and in its fervent determination to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) of our Lord Jesus Christ, recognizes the great need in these days of evident apostasy of a thorough and complete understanding of principles and policies of the New Testament Church; for the sake of the perpetual unanimity of the Spirit, and that said fervency of determination be not impaired now or later and thus bring reproach upon the name and work of Christ in this place:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Bible Baptist Church of Oak Harbor, Washington, thereby places itself on record as adopting the following altogether Scriptural policy in relation to the Church as a divine institution and its officers and members of the institution:
I. That the Church operate wholly under the guidance of the Holy Bible (the Authorized, King James Version) and the following three instruments:
1. Articles of Faith.................Instrument #I 2. Constitution and By-Laws..........Instrument #II 3. Church Policy.....................Instrument #III
II. That this church is an independent body, and in all matters pertaining to its teaching, affiliations, and policy is sovereign and responsible only to the membership and the Lord Jesus Christ.
III. That the Holy Bible (the Authorized, King James Version) shall never be subjected to ridicule nor brought into disrepute by any pastor, worker, officer, or member of this Church; and those doing so shall be counted enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ; and their relationship with this Church shall be severed (I Corinthians 16:22; Galatians 1:6-9; II Timothy 6:3-5; II John 7- 11).
IV. That all funds and properties of organizations or classes of this Church are automatically the property of the Church, to be used as recommended by the Church or its duly elected officers.
V. That because of the following Scripture references (Acts 20:28; I Thessalonians 5:12-13; I Timothy 3:1-5; I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-4), and because this Church has adopted the Holy Bible (the Authorized, King James Version) as final authority, the members and officers of this Church shall recognize the leadership vested in the Scriptural office of Pastor (also called Elders and Bishops) and shall earnestly pray for and uphold such in the work of the Lord.
VI. That the Deacons shall be counted as Holy Spirit endued servants of the Church according to Acts 6:1-4 where they were chosen by the Church and appointed to their tasks by the leaders, which resulted in the Church being "multiplied greatly." Faithful Deacons are worthy of the honor, respect, and prayers of the Church.
VII. That if or when any officer or worker of this Church shall decide he cannot cooperate, qualify, or perform the duties of his position, he shall so declare himself by either declining to accept the position or resigning from the position in person or writing to the Senior Pastor.
VIII. That if any member of this Church has any cause for complaint of sufficiently serious nature to justify expression, in order to prevent confusion and strife in the Church, such complaint be taken to both the Senior Pastor and Deacons for consideration and action. Should such prove not to produce satisfaction, the said complaint may be appealed to the Church by special meeting within thirty days. Should any member be known to give expression to sentiments or complaints likely to cause division and dissension in the membership, or to impede the progress of the work, such course, if persisted in, shall constitute sufficient grounds for bringing the names of the ones so doing before the Church by the Senior Pastor or Discipline Committee for exclusion from membership.
IX. That upon the recommendation of the Senior Pastor or Discipline Committee, the Church may order the names of members dropped from the active Church roll, whereupon they shall be excluded members of this Church for the following reasons:
A. Holding or teaching doctrines subversive of those held by this Church, whether such teaching is done in this Church's buildings or in some by-the- way class or fellowship.
B. Calling, holding, or participating in secret and unauthorized meetings with members of the Church.
C. Unbridled tongue--vulgar or profane language, backbiting, tale-bearing (does not include the bringing of information to the proper authorities), lying, excessively violent anger, etc.
D. Active opposition to the policy or leadership of the Church, or conduct calculated to cause or to create dissension or division within the Church.
X. That all publicity and advertisements of any and all departments, free or paid, must first receive the approval of a Pastor.
XI. That each officer shall be required to read, either publicly or privately, the paragraphs, articles, resolutions, or the Instruments of this Church and such Scriptures as pertain to the office of position to which he or she has been elected or appointed. This shall be done at least once yearly.
XII. That members who are delinquent for one month shall be investigated and, if delinquency continues, said member shall automatically be placed on the Inactive Roll.
XIII. That this Church authorized and enjoins its Pastors and their appointed helpers to review the work of this Church and its present status as related to this policy, and to bring it into harmony with this policy, both now and from time to time through the years.
XIV. That the Authorized, King James Version of 1611 is the only authorized translation of the Holy Scriptures to be used in the teaching, preaching, and soul winning ministry of this Church.
XV. No substantial part of the activities of the Church shall be the carrying on of political propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation not directly threatening or affecting the faith and practice of the Church. The Church shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. However, the Church reserves the right to publicly or otherwise declare any Biblical principles pertaining to moral, social, and religious matters.