CONSTITIUTION & BYLAWS OF THE ORIGINAL STONE ASSOCIATION
Adopted October 16, 1999
Amended October 17, 2015
Amended October 16, 2021
Amended October 14, 2023
Preamble
So that things may be done decently and in order in accordance with the beliefs of various churches of like precious faith, and that we may more readily help each other on our Christian service, we declare and establish this constitution to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1 - NAME
This organization of believers shall be known as the Original Stone Association of the Free Will Christian Baptist Church of Christ.
SECTION 2 - PURPOSE
(A) This congregation is organized as a body of believers exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the measures of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue law), including, but not limited to, for such purposes, the establishing and maintaining of religious worship, the building, maintaining and operating of churches, and any other ministries that the association may be led of God to establish.
(B) The Association shall also ordain and license men to the gospel ministry; evangelize the unsaved by the proclaiming of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; educate believers in a manner consistent with the requirements of Holy Scripture; maintain missionary activities in the United States and any foreign country; and engage in any other ministry that the Association may decide from time to time to pursue in obedience to the will of God.
ARTICLE II
SECTION 1 - STATEMENT OF FAITH
(A) We believe in one eternal God, the creator and upholder of all things in Jesus Christ, his Son, and in the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one (Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; II Corinthians 13:14).
(B) We believe the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice (II Timothy 3: 16-17; II Peter 1: 20-21). The King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the Association.
(C) We believe that man is unable to recover himself from the fallen state that he is in by reason of sin, only by the grace of God through the exercise of faith (Ephesians 2: 1; 2: 5,8; Romans 3: 22-23; I Corinthians 15:22).
(D) We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper and the washing of the saints feet are ordinances of Jesus Christ and that immersion is the only mode of baptism; not putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 13: 12-17; I Corinthians 11:24; I Peter 3:21).
(E)We believe that no minister has the right to administer these ordinances except such as are regularly ordained (I Timothy 1: 6).
(F) We believe in the resurrection of the dead, a general judgment, the punishment of the wicked, and the joys of the righteous are eternal (Daniel 12: 2; John 5: 28-29; II Corinthians 5:10; II Thessalonians 1: 8-9; Romans 6: 23).
(G) We believe according to the scriptures - Paul’s letter to the Hebrews 6: 1-7 and other scriptures; that after a man has been partaker of the Holy Ghost it is possible to fall away and forever be lost.
(H) Membership into the Free Will Christian Baptist Church of Christ is extended to all who have had and whose lives evidence a genuine experience of regeneration through faith in and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior (Acts 2: 46).
(I) We believe that no persons are members of the church of Christ, only those who have the witness within themselves (Romans 8: 14-17).
(J) We believe that all members of the church of Christ have a right to the sacramental table upon the principles of their acceptance with him for Saint Paul says, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (I Corinthians 11:28).
(K) We believe that homosexuality is a sin and shall not be taught or practiced by the churches of this Association (Romans 1: 21-32).
(L) We believe and teach that a woman should not be ordained as a minister or deacon according to scripture that a woman should not teach or usurp authority over the man (I Timothy 2:12).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - QUALIFICATIONS
(A) Membership is extended to churches of like faith and practice, who are willing to adhere to the constitution and bylaws of this Association.
(B) The following steps should be taken when any church desires fellowship with our Association:
1. The quarterly conference or annual association is requested to send the Presbytery Board to examine the church as to character, doctrine and fellowship.
2. If the examination proves satisfactory, the formal organization proceeds as follows:
a. The KJV Bible is presented as the only rule of faith and practice.
b. The Free Will Baptist Church Covennant is adopted.
c. A prayer of consecration is offered.
3. The Committee shall bring the report back to the association body for final resolution.
SECTION 2 - REPRESENTATION
(A) Ministers who are standing members of this Association must be a member of a church of this fellowship and must be ordained.
(B) Deacons are considered standing members of this Association as long as he is in good standing with his local church.
(C) Delegates are to be selected by the local church to represent the church in the quarterly and annual meetings of the Association. Each church represented shall be entitled to two
delegate voters, whose membership does not exceed 50, and one delegate voter for every 25 members there above.
SECTION 3 - DUTIES OF MEMBERSHIP
(A) It is expected that members should support all association activities.
(B) Delegates of the quarterly conference and the annual association have a voice in any business matters and are to be willing to serve on a board or committee if needs be.
ARTICLE IV
DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1 - DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY OF THE ASSOCIATION
(A) The Association occasionally finds itself responsible to exercise its solemn right to discipline its ministers. In such cases the teaching of the Holy Scripture must apply.
1. A written notice of the exact charges should be furnished to the accused and to the presbytery, having been signed by the moderator of the presbytery, at least two weeks in advance of a meeting concerning said charges.
2. Cases involving scriptural or personal offenses are to be handled according to Matthew 18:15-17.
3. The written accusation should be reviewed by the presbytery and if they cannot resolve the matter then it should be presented to the Association for disposition.
4. Any disciplinary action must pass by two-thirds majority vote.
(B) This Association shall have the power to act only as an advisory council to give churches advice in matters of difficulty or discipline; to inquire into why the churches neglect to represent in this Association; to exclude any representing member who does not conform to the rules of decorum and shall report their conduct to the church from which they were sent.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
The Original Stone Association shall meet for annual association meeting the Friday and Saturday before the third Sunday in October. There shall also be four Conference Meetings
which shall meet quarterly, the first Friday Night and Saturday of December, March, June, and September.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 - ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Officers of the Association shall consist of a Moderator and Assistant Moderator, each of whom shall be elected at the close of each annual setting. The officers of the Association shall include a clerk, Assistant Clerk and Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected at the opening of the annual association.
SECTION 2 - ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
OFFICERS
Officers of the Conference of the Association shall consist of a Moderator and Assistant Moderator, each of whom shall be elected at the close of the setting to serve at the next setting.
Officers of the conference shall also include a Clerk and Assistant Clerk, each of whom shall be elected at the beginning of the first conference following the annual association. The
Clerk and Assistant Clerk shall serve for the four quarterly conferences. The Treasurer of the Association serves as the Treasurer of the conferences as well.
SECTION 3 - STANDING COMMITTEES
(A) The members of the standing committees may be elected from the ordained authority or other standing or elected delegates.
(B) It shall be the duty of the standing committees to plan a program and supervise its operation in their respective areas of concern. They shall organize themselves and regulate their work as may become necessary and may be found in harmony with the principles and tenets of the Original Stone Association of the Free Will Christian Baptist Church of Christ. Each committee shall draft by-laws to govern their work. These by-laws shall be subject to the approval of the Association.
(C)Association Committee (Trustees)
1. The Association Committee shall be composed of five members. The members of this committee shall be elected for a term of five years, with their office to expire alternately.
2. It shall be the duty of this committee to oversee the upkeep of the associational building and grounds.
(D)Disabled Ministers Fund Committee
1. The Disabled Ministers Fund Committee shall be composed of three members. The members
of this committee shall be elected or re-elected for a term of one year.
2. It shall be the duty of this committee to oversee the care and distribution of the Disabled Ministers Fund.
(E)Home Missions Committee
1. The Home Missions Committee shall be composed of five members. The members of this
committee shall be elected for a terms of five years, with their office to expire alternately.
2. It shall be the duty of this committee to help congregations in need that are a part of this body and to be the missionary arm of this Association.
(F) Associational Promotional Director
1. The Association Promotional Director shall be composed of a Promotional Director and an Assistant Promotional Director. They shall be elected annually of Licensed or Ordained Ministers.
2. It shall be the duty of the Promotional Directors to promote participation in conferences and association and to foster fellowship and good will among the churches.
(G) Executive Committee (Eliminated, see Change Log)
(H) Foreign Missions
1. The Foreign Missions Committee shall be composed of a Director and an Assistant Director. They shall be elected annually.
2. It shall be the duty of this committee to provide an opportunity to participate in Foreign Missions to our Churches.
ARTICLE VII
PRESBYTERY
SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership of the Presbytery shall be composed of ordained ministers and deacons.
2. A Presbytery Committee shall be composed of seven members. The members of this committee shall be elected for a term of seven years, with their office to expire alternately.
SECTION 2 - PURPOSE
The purpose of the Presbytery shall be for the mutual improvement of the ministry, their protection against hostile influences for the maintaining of a clean and pure character among those of the ordained authority. It shall also become the duty of the presbytery to examine all applicants that may come before them at the request of the church for license or ordination and
if found competent shall ordain them or set them apart for the work by prayer and laying on of hands
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCING
This Association shall be financed by the voluntary offerings of its churches and individuals.
ARTICLE IX
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
SECTION 1
This Association recognizes the autonomy of the local church and by scriptural right and authority, the local church is both free and independent, and as such is self-governing; therefore, any attempt to impose upon or invade the congregational privilege of any local assembly shall be unwarranted and illegal.
SECTION 2
The local church is a society of believers in Christ and is a divine institution, Jesus Christ being the head of the Church. As such the local church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulation only as are in accordance with the Holy Scripture and may be necessary to carry into effect the great system of practical Christianity.
SECTION 3
Church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only (Matthew 18: 15-17), and no minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, the propagation of unchristian doctrine, neglect of duty enjoined by the word of God or the rules of the Church.
SECTION 4
The Church has a right to select their leaders and delegates to the annual Association and quarterly Conference.
SECTION 5
It is the duty of each Church to select their officials.
ARTICLE X
RECOMMENDATIONS
SECTION 1
No complaint shall be brought in the Church against transgressing members until the aggrieved party complies with the directions given by our Lord in St. Matthew 18:15-17.
SECTION 2
It shall be the duty of the deacons of the churches to go to the transgressing members, talk to them, admonish them and they shall have until the second church meeting to make reconciliation. It may be the duty of the churches to choose a committee to settle questions of aggrieved causes.
SECTION 3
It shall be the duty of stewards to advise the church to promote means to sustain the church and preachers.
SECTION 4
It shall be the duty of each minister, on receiving members in the church, to ask the following questions:
First, Do you feel that you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Second, Are you a believer with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Third, Are you willing to walk in all his precepts?
Fourth, Are you willing to accept the Free Will Baptist Church Covenant?
We take members into the Free Will Christian Baptist Church of Christ by conversion, letter or recommendation. All persons coming into our churches are accepted by the right hand of fellowship.
SECTION 5
It shall be the duty of all persons who become members of the Free Will Baptist Church, who have not been baptized by immersion, and that for the answer of a good conscience, to attend to the ordinance of baptism.
SECTION 6
It shall be the duty of each church to organize a church treasury for the purpose of defraying expenses.
SECTION 7
It shall be the duty of the different church clerks to keep correct minutes of all church meetings in a book provided for that purpose.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
If at any time the Annual Association should deem it necessary to make amendments or alterations to the Constitution or By-Laws, it may be done provided proposed amendment or
alteration be presented in writing to the Body one day in advance and passed by two-thirds majority of said Association.
BY-LAWS
1. Members of the Association Committee and Home Mission Committee once their term has expired cannot serve again on the committee they served for two years.
2. No one can serve on two Standing Committees at the same time.
3. Ministers who are chosen to preach at the Conference are chosen alphabetically provided they are present at two of the three preceding conferences prior to being chosen.
4. To preach at the Association, a minister must be registered on first day of the Association. Preachers that have not preached the previous year would have preference.
5. The quorum of the Presbytery in regular meeting is seven members.
6. At the request of a church, any member of the Presbytery shall have the power to convene a presbytery, consisting of a quorum of at least three members, in a extraordinary session at
any time for the sole purpose of ordaining deacons.
7. No minister shall be ordained to the office of Elder (minister) until having passed a satisfactory examination upon the subject of repentance, faith, justification, the door
into the church, water baptism, the Lord’s Supper, washing of the saints’ feet, transaction of the church business in general, and acceptance of the Free Will Baptist Church Covenant.
8. Anyone who desires the office of Elder (minister) shall take the following steps before presenting himself for ordination. He shall be liberated by his church to hold prayer meeting and comment on the scriptures for one year, at the expiration of twelve months, or any time thereafter, he shall go before a presbytery for examination and if found competent,
they shall issue license for him; after he has his license for one year, he shall go before a presbytery for a second examination and if found worthy, they shall ordain him to the office of Elder (minister). The ordination of a minister is to be done at the Association or Quarterly Conference.
9. It shall be the duty of the presbytery to give a letter of dismission and recommendation to any ordained minister, if in good standing, wishing to leave our Association.
10. It shall be the duty that any minister coming before the presbytery for license or ordination or to have their credentials ratified that they must belong to a Free Will Christian Baptist
Church of Christ of the Stone Association and bring a letter of recommendation from same.
11. Any minister being called from another Association to pastor a church in the Original Stone Association of Free Will Christian Baptist Church of Christ must first come before the
presbytery for examination.
12. It is forbidden that anyone having more than one wife to be ordained for either a minister or a deacon. Also, that if and when any of the present ministers or deacons become the husband of more than one wife or marry a woman with a living husband, his ordination would automatically be annulled.
13. We accept no person into fellowship with our presbytery that teaches, believes in or practices homosexuality. We feel that the E.R.A. is at the heart of this conflict. They should be
rejected according to the Bible: Deuteronomy 27:21; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:21-32; Romans 2:2; I Corinthians 6:9,10,14,19; II Corinthians 3:16-17; Titus 1:15-16. This subject was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 19:4-5. If any member of our presbytery should become guilty of this subject, his credentials shall be annulled.
14. There will be no offerings taken at the Conferences. The voluntary contributions of the churches or individuals are to be given to the Clerk or Treasurer. Any special offerings
are to be done only by approval of the body.
15. If anyone or any church in our Association has joined with any state or national Association and desires to stay there, they will automatically be dropped from our Association.
RULES OF DECORUM
1. The Association shall be composed of the members chosen from the sister churches of the same faith and order.
2. This Association shall be opened by prayer to Almighty God.
3. One of the members of this Association shall be chosen to preside who shall be addressed by the name of Brother Moderator and to him every speech shall be directed, and he shall not have the liberty of discussing any subject unless the chair is filled by someone else.
4. We shall have the liberty of choosing our own Clerk.
5. There shall be an opportunity given to sister churches to petition for membership into this Association.
6. Only one person shall speak at a time and no person shall speak more than three (3) times on the same subject, without leave of the Association.
7. No complaint shall be brought into this Association against transgressing churches until the aggrieved party complies with the direction given by our Lord in St. Matthew 18:15-18.
8. Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consideration of the Association unless withdrawn by those who made it.
9. If the minority are at any time grieved by the majority, they are hereby directed to make the same known immediately to the Association and if satisfaction cannot be obtained, it may
be necessary in that case to call help from other Associations.
10. The meetings of the Association shall be governed by the Rules of Parliamentary Law as set forth in Roberts Rules of Order, except in the case of those rules which are superseded
by some rule of this Association.
11. All business of the Association shall be recorded by the Clerk and before the Association rise the same shall be read and corrected if need be.
12. It shall be the duty of the delegates who have been elected to bring letters to the Clerk of the Annual Association.
Prepared by: Jonathan Baker, Clerk
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