PREAMBLE
With a firm conviction that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and with desire to serve Him best and advance His Kingdom on earth, we declare and establish this Constitution and Bylaws for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner, so as to preserve the liberties of each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other bodies.
ARTICLE I. NAME
This body shall be known as Victory Baptist Church, Inc. of Lexington, Kentucky.
ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF MISSION & PURPOSE
Our mission is to lead all people to know and treasure Jesus above all
things.
Our strategy: We will accomplish this by encouraging and equipping disciples of Jesus who joyfully pursue intimacy with God, imitation of Jesus, interaction with believers and influence in their world. (i4 disciples)
Our core values: As we live out our mission in the world, we want to be people who are…
+ passionate for God
+ Biblically shaped
+ pursuing authentic community
+ compassionate missionaries
+ extending God’s Kingdom borders
+ marked by audacious & joyful faith
ARTICLE III. STATEMENT OF FAITH
This church accepts as its Statement of Faith that which was adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963, known as THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE. (A copy of which is attached).
ARTICLE IV. CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior,
And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
We do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort;
To promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines;
To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the gospel through all nations.
To be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior through the spreading of the gospel through all nations;
We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our family, friends, and acquaintances;
To walk Christ-like in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, exemplary in our conduct; cultivating the "Fruit of the Spirit."
To act in recognition that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit by making choices, which glorify God;
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to preserve the sanctity of human life;
To remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;
To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we move from this place we will, 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.
ARTICLE V. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
Section 1 Authority: This church is authorized under warrant of the Holy Scriptures as its complete authority in all matters of both faith and practice.
Section 2 Government: The government of this church is vested in its membership, under the conscious Lordship of Christ. As a democracy, all members are equal in rank and privilege, and every member in good standing is entitled to vote.
Section 3 Affiliations: This Southern Baptist church 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 Southern Baptist churches. Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the Elkhorn Baptist Association, the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance.
Section 4 Incorporation: This church is incorporated according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as a non-profit corporation. It may hold, purchase, acquire, sell, convey, lease, mortgage, and dispose of properties, both real and personal, tangible and intangible; and it may enter into any legal agreements of contracts, which are in keeping with its purposes.
Section 5 Properties: Should the fellowship of this church become disrupted to the extent of causing a division of the body into two or more groups, all properties of the church shall belong to the group, however small, who adheres to the principles herein stated and embodied in this Constitution.
ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended or changed at a regular business meeting of the church by a three-fourths vote of the members present and voting, provided such amendments have been written and read at a regular business meeting of the church at least 28 days previous and distributed among the membership in printed form. (No exceptions to Article V, Section 1, 2, 5).
(approved by church action 07/21/07)