New Harvest Baptist Church Doctrinal Statement of Faith and Bylaws

Preamble

Since it pleased Almighty God, by His Holy Spirit, to call certain of His servants to unite here in Caneyville, Kentucky under the name New Harvest Baptist Church of Caneyville, Kentucky, for the worship of God and the spread of the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and He has sustained and prospered this work to the present day; and

Whereas we, the members of New Harvest Baptist Church of Caneyville, Kentucky, having searched the Scriptures under the guidance of His Spirit, have recognized the need to constitute ourselves to more closely conform to His will for the Church in this age.

Now therefore we, the members of New Harvest Baptist Church of Caneyville, Kentucky , do organize ourselves in accord with the Kentucky Nonprofit Corporations Act, and adopt these Bylaws as our articles of governance, to be interpreted at all times to reflect the character of Jesus Christ and bring glory to God, as revealed in the Holy Bible and articulated in the standards set forth in the New Harvest Baptist Church Doctrinal Statement of Faith enumerated in article III.

These Bylaws are the only Bylaws of New Harvest Baptist Church of Caneyville, Kentucky. As of this date 3-27-2024.

Article I. Name

This body shall be known as the New Harvest Baptist Church of Caneyville, Kentucky.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this body will be to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world of people through the maturing Christ-like conduct and faithful witness of its members. A program of education and worship consistent with the Holy Scriptures will be followed under the leadership of the Holy Spirit to enable the members to accomplish this purpose.

Article III. NHBC Doctrinal Statement of Faith

1. The Scriptures:

The Holy Bible was written by men in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without error. They constitute the supreme, final, and sufficient authority for all doctrine and life. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation. The Bible, God’s personal revelation to us, is complete, and we are not to add to nor take away from it.

Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21. Psalm 119:105,160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5; Revelation 22:19) 2

1. Triune God:

There is only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. There is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons; that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption.

A.- God the Father

God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men. He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and is therefore worthy to receive all glory and adoration. He perfectly knows the end from the beginning, sustains and sovereignly rules over all things, and providentially brings about His eternal good purposes to redeem a people for Himself and restore His fallen creation, to the praise of His glorious grace.

Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7. Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2)

B.- God the Son

Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross. He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted and seated at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

Genesis 18:1.; Psalms 2:7.; 110:1.; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16. Isaiah 9:6, John 14:10-30; Romans 1:3-4; Revelation 1:7; 22:20) 3

C.- God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. He unites them to Christ, so that they are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. He indwells, guides, instructs, equips, and sanctifies all who believe in Jesus Christ. At the moment of regeneration, He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.

Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17. II Corinthians 3:17; 3:16; Galatians 5:25)

III. Man:

Man is the special creation of God, made in Gods own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God’s creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. They become transgressors and are under condemnation. God holds man responsible to repent and believe the gospel. Man is completely unable to save himself from his own sinful condition. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11. Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 12; Isaiah 59:1,2)

1. Salvation:

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. All those who are drawn by the Father to Christ will be saved.

1. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. 4

Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.

1. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal, upon principles of His righteousness, of all sinners, who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
2. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.
3. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.

Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5. John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

1. Grace:

All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Those who do not persevere to the end show that they were never genuine believers. All will have to give an account to God for their every thought, word, and deed. The spiritual disciplines, especially bible study, prayer, worship and confession, are a vital means of grace to enable genuine believers to mature and persevere in faith. People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation through Christ. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.

1. The Church:

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is 5

responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/ and deacon. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/ is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.

VII. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.

The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12. Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; I Corinthians 11:23-34)

VIII. The Family:

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship. This is the only legitimate channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.

The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. 6

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; Psalms 127; Psalms 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7. Gen. 1:26-28; Heb. 13:4; Prov. 5:15-19; 1 Cor. 7:2-3, 9; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:18-32; Mk. 10:9; Mal. 3:9)

1. The Kingdom:

The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.

Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.

1. Last Things:

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

Mark 13:32, 2 Peter 3:8-9, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 6:15-17.

1. Evangelism and Missions:

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.

XII. Stewardship:

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their 7

means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.

Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19.

XIII. Religious Liberty:

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.

XIV. The Old Covenant:

The Old Covenant, with the Law of Moses as its core, was revealed to the nation of Israel, promising earthly blessings for obedience, and threatening curses for disobedience. The purpose of the Old Covenant was never to offer eternal life, but rather to govern the life and worship of the Old Testament nation of Israel, to reveal the extent of man’s depravity, and to foreshadow Christ and the New Covenant.

1. The New Covenant:

The New Covenant, established through the person and redemptive work of Christ, provides eternal blessings which are acquired by grace through faith. The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete. God’s final words of revelation, given through Christ and His New Testament apostles and prophets, have become the authority concerning Christian conduct, and the interpretive lens through which the Old Testament must be understood and applied.

By-Laws

Article IV. Covenant

Having 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 of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.

1. We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4:3
2. 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. Heb. 3:12-14, Eph. 4:20-24 8

1. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and

others. Mat.18:20, Heb.10:25, 1Tim.2:1, Eph.6:18.

1. 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. Col. 1:9, 1 Thes. 1:6-8.

1. We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear

each other’s burdens and sorrows. Rom. 12:12-15, 1Cor. 12:26

1. We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,

and remembering that, as we have been pricked by Holy Spirit unto Salvation, 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. Eph. 4:22-25, col. 3:9, Rom. 6:4.

g We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this Church, as we

sustain It’s worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. Phil 1:3-6

1. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the

Church and the spread of the Gospel through all nations. Mal. 3:8-10, Neh. 13:10-13, 2 Cor. 9: 7

1. 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. Eccl. 4:9-10,

Acts 2:42, John1:3-7

Article V. Government

Section 1. Policy:

1. 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, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual

counsel and cooperation, which are common among churches of like faith and order.

1. Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with, and support the association with the

Kentucky Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Section 2. Parliamentary Rules:

ROBERT’ S RULES OF ORDER — REVISED, is adopted as the authority for

parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church.

Section 3. Quorum:

A quorum for all regular a special-called business meetings shall be established as fifty percent (50%) of church membership in-residence.

Section 4. Doctrine: 9

1. Authority:

1) The church accepts the Holy Scripture as its authority in matters of faith and practices.

2) The church subscribes to the New Harvest Baptist Church of Caneyville, Kentucky

Covenant and to the Doctrinal Statement of Faith enumerated in Article III above.

1. Ordinances:

1) The ordinances of the Church are Baptism by Immersion

2) The Lord’s Supper.

Article VI. Membership

Section 1. Qualifications for membership:

1. Any person professing personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and has giving evidence of a

regenerate heart and,

1. adopts the Church Covenant and the Doctrinal Statement of Faith and practice held by

New Harvest Baptist Church and,

1. has followed the lord in baptism by full emersion (Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3,

Matthew3:11) and,

1. provides contact information for the church body with which they have most recently been in

fellowship.

Persons meeting theses qualifications may be admitted into the fellowship and membership of New Harvest Baptist Church.

Section 2. Process of Receiving Members:

1. Any person desiring membership in this Church shall present him/her self before the church at and

regularly scheduled Sunday morning or Bible study meeting and make his/her request known.

1. A person having been presented to this church body for membership shall, upon completing the

New Harvest Baptist Church membership class and receiving an affirmative vote of a majority of

those members present and voting, shall be welcomed into the covenant membership of New

Harvest Baptist Church.

Section 3. Duties of Members:

Members are expected to be faithful in all duties essential to the Christian Life; to attend regularly the services of the Church; to give regularly and systematically to its support and its causes, and to share in its organized work.

Section 4. Rights of Members:

All members are equal in rank and privilege, and only members may act and vote in the transactions of the Church.

Section 5. Discipline:

1. It shall be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure 10

will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor, elders, deacons or other members of the

church are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall

be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.

1. Should any grievance arise among members, the aggrieved member shall follow, in a tender spirit,

shall not be brought before the secular courts of the world.

1. Should any conflict arise among the membership resulting from sinful behavior, the New Harvest

Baptist Church body and leadership will follow the rules given by our Lord in Matthew 18: 15-17;

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to even the church, treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector.” (NIV).

1. In all cases, the proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and

forbearance. Since the Church has the right to accept individuals for membership, it must also

have the freedom to discipline. Therefore, in cases of unrepentant sin, the Church may proceed

to admonish or declare the offender to be no longer in its membership.

Section 6. Reasons for Termination of Membership:

1. The name of a member shall be removed from the rolls upon his/her death.
2. The name of a church member shall be removed from the church roll upon issue of a Letter of

Transfer after receipt of a request for said letter from another Baptist Church of like faith and order.

No Letter of Transfer will be issued to an individual.

1. The name of a member shall be removed from the church roll upon his/her becoming affiliated with

a Church of another Church body. The Church will, upon request, grant a Letter of Christian

Standing and Church Fellowship.

1. The name of a member shall be removed from the church roll, and retained for record only, upon

his/her request for such action, providing the Church has made every possible effort to persuade

said member to continue in the fellowship.

1. Any member having been identified during the annual review of the church roll, as not having

fulfilled his/her duties as a member for a period of greater than three months shall have their

name removed from the church rolls and retained for record, after all possible efforts have been

made to contact the member and getting no response in return.

1. All cases of unrepentant sin membership shall be terminated.

Section 7. Process of Terminating Membership

a.All requests for termination of membership or action leading thereto shall be voted on at a regular or called business meeting. 11

1. Termination of membership shall require a three-fourths (3/4) majority of those members present

and voting at any regular or special-called business meeting.

1. Upon termination of membership, said member shall be notified, in writing, that his/her name has

been removed from the rolls of the church.

Section 8. Restoration of Membership:

1. Any person whose membership has been terminated under section 5d, may, upon evidence of

repentance, reformation and consultation with elders, request restoration.

1. Any person whose membership has been terminated under the provisions of Section 6e, may,

upon satisfactory explanation of continued absence, request restoration.

1. A member may be restored to fellowship by an affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of

those members present and voting at any regular or called business meeting.

1. Once a member has been restored, they shall be in fellowship with New Harvest Baptist Church for

1 year before they can be chosen for any leadership position.

Article VII. General Church Officers

Section 1. Pastor, Lead Teacher:

The Call

When the need to call a pastor arises, the elder board, at a regular or called business meeting shall bring to the consideration of the Church only one candidate at a time. The vote shall be by paper ballot with ballots collected and counted in the presence of voting members. An affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of those members present and voting shall be necessary to call a pastor.

Duties:

1. The Pastor shall give himself to the ministry of the word, and the pastorship of the congregation.

He shall be dedicated to the welfare and progress of the Church as a whole.

1. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, councils, and groups of the Church.
2. The pastor and elders will be responsible for ensuring that prospective members: Believe in Jesus

Christ, baptism by immersion and eternal Security, are aware of and understand the New Harvest

Baptist bylaws, including the Church Doctrinal Statement of Faith in Article III and the Church

Covenant of New Harvest Baptist Church, prior to asking the church to accept them.

Termination of Pastorate:

1. The pastorate may be ended upon at least a two-week notification on the part of the pastor or

church unless circumstances warrant a shorter or longer period of time.

1. Termination of the pastorate, by the church, shall be voted upon at a regular or called business

Meeting, notices of such meeting and its purpose shall be given from the pulpit three (3) Sundays

prior to a vote taken on the fourth (4th) Sunday by paper ballot. An affirmative vote of seventy-five

percent (75%) of the members present and voting shall be required to terminate the relationship. 12

Section 2. Elders:

Qualifications:

The qualifications for service as an Elder is set forth in 1 Timothy 3: 1-7, Titus 1:5-9 and 1Peter 5:1-4 and shall be bestowed on Elders as demonstrated in Acts 13:1-3

Duties

1. The task of the Elders is to assist the Pastor in performing pastoral responsibilities:
2. They shall be zealous to guard the unity of the Spirit within the Church and in the bonds

of all peace.

1. They shall serve as a council of advice and confer with each other and the pastor in all matters

pertaining to the welfare of the Church. With the Pastor, they are to consider and formulate plans

for the constant effort and progress of the Church in all things pertaining to the saving of souls, the

development of Christians, and the extension of growth of the Kingdom of God.

1. The Elders shall have general charge of the membership roll. They shall annually examine the

Church roll to ensure that the roll is kept up to date and shall assign, when needed, a church

member or clerk to accomplish the task of updating the current membership roll by removing those

who have died or moved. A list shall be compiled of the names removed and the list will be

retained and filed for record.

1. The Elders will be responsible for identifying those members who have not fulfilled their duties as

a member for an extended period of time and make every effort possible to contact those

members prior to removing their names from the rolls.

1. Elders shall affix their signatures to legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, or purchase, or

rental property or other legal documents where signatures of this church are required. They shall

have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any property without a specific vote of the

church authorizing each action.

Section 3. Deacons:

Qualifications:

In accordance with the meaning of the Word and the practice of the New Testament, Deacons are

to be servants of the Church. The office of Deacon is described in I Timothy 3: 8-13 and Acts 6: 1-7.

The Church shall recognize, in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws on elections, men

Who are giving of themselves in service to the Church, and who possess particular gifts of service.

These members shall be received as gifts of Christ to His church and set apart as Deacons.

Duties:

1. Deacons shall care for the temporal needs of members, attend to the accommodations for public

worship and encourage and support those able to help others and those with gifts of

administration.

1. They shall hold in trust the property of the church. They shall be responsible for the maintenance

and care of all church property and equipment. They shall employ and supervise the custodial

help. 13

1. Deacons shall be aware of, and administer, acts of benevolence within New Harvest Baptist

Church and the surrounding community, submitting requests for support to the Elders and

congregation, reporting to the Church its total receipts and total disbursements.

1. The Deacons shall meet monthly and provide a report at the regular business meeting.

All voting for Deacons shall be by paper ballot, and these shall be collected and counted in the presence of the congregation.

Section 4. Other Officers:

Election:

Except where otherwise stated, the following officers shall be recommended to the Church for election by the Elder board. Election shall require a simple majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular or called business meeting.

Moderator:

The Moderator shall preside at all Church Business Meetings.

Assistant Moderator:

The Assistant Moderator shall, in the absence of the Moderator, preside over all Church business meetings.

Clerk/Assistant Clerk:

1. The Clerk shall keep accurate minutes of the Business Meetings of the Church.
2. Clerk shall, upon the direction of the Church, handle all correspondence pertaining to the

reception and dismissal of members and other matters which pertain to the office.

1. The Clerk shall observe and properly file all letters, reports and other documents pertaining to the

office.

1. The Clerk shall relinquish all records and books in his/her keeping to his/her successor.
2. In the absence of the Moderator and Assistant Moderator, the Clerk shall call the Church to order

and a Moderator ProTem shall be elected.

1. The Assistant Clerk shall, in the absence of the Clerk, assume the responsibilities of that position

and aid the Clerk in the performance of the duties of that position when necessary.

Treasurer:

1. The Treasurer shall maintain adequate records of all monies received and disbursed, the

disbursements of Church funds to be in keeping with Church policies and procedures.

100. The Treasurer shall ensure that all purchases over $100.00 are approved by the Elder board.
101. The Treasurer shall see that all bills are paid promptly.
102. The Treasurer shall publish a monthly report to be given out at the regular business meeting. 14

Sunday School Superintendent and Assistant:

The Church shall elect a Sunday School Superintendent and an Assistant. They shall be responsible for overseeing the Sunday School Program and conducting the class overview on Sunday mornings. They will ensure Sunday School teachers are present and have all materials required.

Sunday School Secretary and Assistant:

The Church shall elect a Sunday School Secretary and an Assistant. They shall be responsible for ordering and dispensing teaching material, collecting the roll and offering from each class, completing and maintaining all Sunday School records (i.e., enrollment and attendance). They shall prepare and give a monthly Sunday School Report at the regular business meeting.

Music Director and Assistant:

The Church shall elect a Music Director and an Assistant. The Music Director shall oversee the choosing of hymns and lead the singing during worship services. He/she shall organize and conduct the church choir, if applicable, and coordinate all special music and programs within the church.

Youth Director and Assistant:

The Church shall elect a Youth Director and Assistant to fill-in until and assist when a Youth Minister is staffed. The Youth Director shall organize and oversee activities designed to interest all young people of the world and lead them to participate in Church programs with the supreme goal being their eventual salvation.

Article VIII. Church Organization.

Section 1. Worship — Sunday and Wednesday:

The Church shall regularly meet each Sunday morning for Bible study, preaching, instruction, evangelism and for worship of God; and on Sunday afternoon/evenings and Wednesday evenings, when practical, at the discretion of the Elders and church body, for further growth, study and prayer that shall be in accordance with the Scriptures. Additional small groups for Bible studies may be formed at the discretion of the Elder board and church body as interest and/or needs arise. These meetings will be open for the entire membership and prospective members of the Church. They shall be conducted under the direction of the Elder. The above Church activities may be cancelled if circumstances warrant.

Other Worship Services.

Other worship services may be held as recommended by the Elders and approved by the Church.

Section 2. Sunday School:

There shall be, when practical, a Sunday School, divided into departments and classes for all ages and conducted under the direction of the Sunday School Superintendent, for the study of God’s Word. Sunday School is to be conducted on Sunday Morning at a time agreed upon by the Church. The task of the Sunday School shall be to teach the biblical revelation; lead in reaching all prospects for the Church; lead all church members to worship, witness, learn, and minister daily; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church.

Section 3. Youth Ministry: 15

The Youth Ministry shall be under the direction of the Youth Director, until such a time as a Youth Minister is staffed. The Youth Ministry will inaugurate and promote a program of enlistment, worship, and fellowship among the young people of the church and the world.

Section 4. Nursery Ministry:

This Committee shall coordinate the Church’s Nursery activities and help Nursery parents and teachers work together. The Committee assumes the responsibility for seeing that adequate provisions are made for Nursery children each time they are in church. By properly correlating the home and the church, the teaching efforts of both institutions are to be strengthened.

All members desiring to serve in Sunday school Youth Ministries or the nursery shall first submit to a background check procedure determined by the leadership of New Harvest Baptist Church.

Section 5. Business Meetings:

Business will be conducted by the elder board. Regular Business Meetings shall be held at intervals no less than monthly and no greater than quarterly, at the discretion of the church, to be held following Sunday morning services. The agenda for the regular Business Meeting will be announced and/or presented by the Moderator at the Worship Service on the Sunday preceding the scheduled meeting.

Specially called business meetings may be held as needed to consider matters of unusual or significant nature. At least one week’s notice must be given for each specifically called business meeting.

All Business Meetings shall adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order to maintain structure and unity within the Church. Members shall not abuse said Meetings or agendas with disparaging or other unnecessary speech that leads to gossip but shall exhort and encourage one another in Christ. All votes shall be cast by paper ballot.

Section 6. Selection of Officers:

Under the supervision of the Elder board, the congregation will nominate qualified New Harvest Baptist church members to fill Officer positions within this local church body in accordance with scriptural teachings. The Elder board shall elicit impute from program organization leaders, and general officers and will work with the organization leaders to fill vacant positions. No person is contacted, however, until he/she has been approved by Elder board. The Elders will seek overall balance in the Church’s work force and to maintain appropriate standards for Church workers

Section 7. Selection of Officers:

Members of the congregation may submit nominations for Elders to the current Elders.

Anyone nominating someone to be an Elder must have the prior approval and agreement of the person being nominated for Elder and complete a nomination form. Elder nominees shall be reviewed by the Elders. Elder candidates must then be approved by a vote of no less than seventy-five percent of the Elders in attendance at a meeting of the Elders. Such candidates shall then be presented to the Church at a members’ meeting. Approval of Elder candidates shall require the affirmative vote of no less than seventy-five percent of the members in attendance at the members’ meeting. The persons elected shall assume their respective offices upon election, unless another date has been specifically designated. All voting for Elders shall be by paper ballot, and these shall be collected and counted in the presence of the congregation. 16

Section 8. Calling of the Lead Teaching Pastor:

In the calling of any man to be Lead Teaching Pastor, the elder board, at a regular or called business meeting shall bring to the consideration of the Church only one candidate at a time. The church must be given adequate opportunity to assess the preaching gifts of any potential Lead Teaching Pastor and, before being asked to express its judgment, must receive assurance from the Elders that, having interviewed the man concerned, they are in no doubt as to his wholehearted assent to the Church’s Statement of Faith and Church Covenant. Notice of the nomination of a man to be elected to membership and called as Lead Teaching Pastor must be given at two Sunday morning services following the nomination, prior to the vote at a members’ meeting. Approval of Pastoral candidates shall require the affirmative vote of no less than seventy-five percent of the members in attendance at the members’ meeting, and shall be by paper ballot, and these shall be collected and counted in the presence of the congregation., the elder board, at a regular or called business meeting shall bring to the consideration of the Church only one candidate at a time.

Section 9. Calling of Other Pastors and Ministerial Positions:The Lead Teaching Pastor and the Elders shall be responsible for the calling of other pastors and/or ministerial positions. The Elders shall affirm the person’s wholehearted assent to the Church’s Doctrinal Statement of Faith and Church Covenant.