CHURCH CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this church is "Black Rock Congregational Church, Fairfield , Connecticut ." Incorporated in the State of Connecticut.

ARTICLE 2. OBJECT

The object of this organization is to provide for: The assembling together of God's children for Bible reading, prayer, worship, and work; the administration of the New Testament ordinances of the Lord's Supper and Baptism; the maintenance of a preaching and teaching ministry of the Word of God and the proclaiming of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ both at home and abroad unto the salvation of souls and the spiritual growth of believers.

ARTICLE 3. DOCTRINAL BASIS

Doctrinally this church shall be based upon the following confession of faith:

1. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. II Timothy 3:16,17; II Peter 1:21.

2. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; John 14, 10, 13, 16-17, 26; II Corinthians 13:14.

3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. Matthew 1:18 ,23; Luke 1:35 ; John 17:11 & 21.

4. We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also that Spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature; and, in the case of those who reach moral responsibility, become sinners in thought, word, and deed. Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7; Jeremiah 17:9; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 3:23, 5:12; Ephesians 2:3

5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. Isaiah 53:6; John 3:16; Romans 5:9, 12, 6:23 ; I Corinthians 15:3, 21; I Peter 2:24

6. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His Ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate. Luke 24:6; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 4:14 , 10:12

7. We believe in "that blessed hope," the personal return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:13; Revelation 1:7

8. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, and, thereby, become children of God. John 1:12-13, 3:3; I Peter 1:23

9. We believe that those who have been born again have everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but are passed from death unto life; and that the Lord Jesus Christ gives unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of God's hand. John 5:24; John 10:28-29

10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost. Matthew 25:46; John 3:36; Romans 14:10; Revelation 20:12, 15

ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP

To be accepted into membership of this church, a person shall be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and shall give evidence by his confession and conduct that he is desirous of living in real fellowship with Him. He shall sign the Confession of Faith and Covenant and shall be duly examined and voted into membership.

ARTICLE 5. COVENANT OF MEMBERSHIP

Desiring fellowship with the members of this church, I now reaffirm my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and acknowledge Him to be the Lord and Master of my life. I covenant and promise by His grace to submit to the practice and discipline of this church body as it seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and I promise to share in its works and support it by attendance, prayer and gifts as the Lord enables and leads me. I further understand that if my views change in such a way as to alter or negate any of the doctrines contained in the Doctrinal Statement of this Church, it is my responsibility to notify the Pastor or the Chairman of the Board of Elders of this change.

ARTICLE 6. GOVERNMENT

The Lord Jesus Christ is recognized as the Head of the Church and the Holy Scriptures the supreme guide. The earthly government of this church is vested in its members who exercise the right of control in all of its affairs, limited only by the constitution and by-laws. This church is free and independent of other churches and ecclesiastical authorities, unaffiliated with any denomination. It will, however, work in harmony with other individuals, churches or organizations of like precious faith.

ARTICLE 7. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended only by a ninety percent affirmative vote of all of its members present and voting and only at an Annual Meeting of the church. No proxy or absentee votes will be honored. The proposed amendment shall be laid before the church in writing on the church bulletin board not less than one month before the time of the proposed action, and read from the pulpit during the worship service the two weeks immediately preceding such meeting.