This local church has primarily the following purposes

• To provide for the spiritual growth of believers through worship, teaching, prayer, fellowship and pastoral care.
• To seek earnestly to spread the Gospel of God’s Grace, persuading others to believe in Jesus Christ as their only Saviour and Lord.

The members of this church shall be composed of those who through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are savingly converted to God and who, having been baptised by immersion into the likeness of Christ's death and resurrection, are walking worthy of their Christian profession.

Statement of doctrine

The members are expected to recognise the following basis of doctrine as the rule of the church.

1. The Scriptures

The verbal inspiration and total inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as originally given by God; their sole-sufficiency and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

2. God

One God in three persons, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, coequal, co-eternal, sovereign and active in creation, providence and redemption.

3. The Lord Jesus Christ

The essential deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and men; his virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross as the only substitute for sinners; His burial, bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven; his high priestly ministry and personal return.

4. The Holy Spirit

The work of the Holy Spirit in regenerating the sinner and indwelling, sanctifying and empowering the believer.

5. The Devil

The personality of the devil; his evil activity and final doom.

6. Man

The creation of man in the image of God; the entrance of sin through Adam's disobedience; the fallen and totally depraved state of all men; their subjection to God's wrath and condemnation, their responsibility to repent and believe the Gospel.

7. Justification

The justification of the sinner by God's grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; the eternal security of the believer.

8. The Church

The church, the body of Christ, made up of those drawn from every tribe, language, people and nation throughout history who are added to it by the work of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The scriptural expression of the church in the world as the local company of baptised believers gathered under the headship of Christ for worship, fellowship, instruction and evangelism, in separation from all systems of belief that do not adhere to the Scriptures and are unfaithful to the gospel of salvation by grace alone.

The ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper: baptism being the immersion of believers on profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a symbol of their identification with Him in His death, burial and resurrection; the Lord's supper being a remembrance of Christ until He comes and a renewal of commitment to Him; the offices of elder and deacon; the gifts of evangelist and pastor-teacher; the priesthood of all believers and their unity in the Body of Christ; the separation of church and state.

9. The Future State

The unconditional immortality of the soul; the resurrection of the body; the eternal joy in heaven of the believer; the conscious eternal punishment in hell of those who die impenitent.

10. Christian Behaviour

The responsibility of all believers to obey and serve the Lord and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives; the duty of each church to exercise godly discipline in a loving and caring  manner.

Church Government

Two permanent offices are recognized within the church, that of elder and deacon.                 Acts 14:23: 6:1-6.

Function of elders

The elders are responsible to God for the spiritual life of the church. This involves giving themselves to prayer, teaching God s word and caring for all members.

Qualifications for eldership are set forward in 1Tim.3: l-7 and Tit. 1:5-9. These passages are to be read and explained to the church whenever someone is being considered for eldership.

Function of deacons

To administer the business and practical affairs of the church, in order to relieve the elders from these responsibilities. They are also to assist the elders in whatever secular or spiritual ministry which might benefit the life of the church.

Acts 6:1-6.

Qualifications for deacons are explained in 1 Tim.3:8-13 and this passage is to be explained to the church whenever someone is being considered for the office of deacon.

Appointment of elders and deacons

(See attached paper for appointment process)

Dismissal of elders.

An elder may only be removed from office should he neglect his duties, be guilty of sinful behaviour, fall into doctrinal error or hold views contrary to our basis of doctrine. If an accusation is made against an elder the directions of lTim.5:19-21 are to be followed. This matter to be dealt with at a special business meeting.

All who hold office in the church must hold the basis of doctrine and constitution without reservation. Any who have a teaching function must accept the basis of doctrine and constitution as the rule of the church

Church membership

Shall be open to all who,

•     Profess repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

•     Have been baptised by immersion and whose lives bear evidence of their Christian profession

•     Agree that the truths expressed in the statement of faith shall be the rule of the church

and receive suitable instruction in the church constitution

Interviews for membership shall be arranged by the elders including church members in the process. If considered satisfactory, the applicant shall be received by a vote of the church.

A member of another Baptist church may be received by vote of the church on receipt of a satisfactory letter of commendation and interview.

Church covenant

Recognising our own unworthiness and inability, and in total dependence upon God, we now covenant to; 

• give ourselves first to God and then to this local church.

• That we will endeavour to walk in holiness and brotherly love, being concerned to honour God in our lives and encourage one another to love and good works, to pray for one another and to bear each other burdens.
• That we will at all times be loyal to each other, being patient with one another's weaknesses and failings, seeking to maintain unity and avoid all causes of division.
• That we will endeavour to meet together on Sunday and at all other meetings of the church as we have opportunity, encouraging one another by our attendance
• To support financially as the Lord has prospered us.
• To pray for and encourage the officers of the church in the discharge of their duty.

Any member lapsing from his commitment by being absent from the church meetings over a three month period without satisfactory reason being given to the elders may have his membership suspended or terminated according to the discretion of the elders. This discipline is to be confirmed at a members meeting and the member concerned shall be informed in writing of the church's action.

Discipline of the Church

All members are admitted into the privileges and disciplines of the church.

Heb.l3:l7

In matters of personal offence private reconciliation should first be sought. If this fails, the elders of the church should be consulted and if necessary the matter should be submitted to the judgement of the church itself.

Mt. 18:15-17

Believers should not take one another to the civil law, nor should they disturb the peace of the church over personal disputes.

lCor.6:1-7

All discipline should be exercised with love and patience, the end in view being the repentance and reconciliation of the offender and the purity and blessing of the church.

If any member accepts or propagates heretical doctrines, or in the event of a member being guilty of such open sin as would bring public dishonour to the Gospel he shall be subject to the censure of the fellowship and in the unhappy event of persistent impenitence, to exclusion from membership. The same will apply in the case of any party in a dispute refusing to be reconciled.

lCor.5:13

Church business meetings

The church shall meet at regular intervals to receive reports and to transact business.

• At least 14 days notice is to be given in writing of any church meeting called, except in an emergency.
• No new business is to be introduced without prior notice to the church officers.
• An apology is expected from any member who cannot attend.
• All business meetings are strictly confidential; therefore members are only to discuss business with other church members.

Special business meeting

All members to be given notice two Sundays prior to meeting. Any motion will be carried when a minimum of 70% of the voting membership are present and a 70% majority vote is given

Amendments to Church constitution

All members must be given the proposed amendment in writing at least one month before the meeting.

Any amendment to this constitution will be made when a minimum of 70% of the voting membership are present and a 70% majority vote is given.