God the Father - We believe that God is the Creator of all mankind, making man His offspring. However, we believe that He is Father only to those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior; that He is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, and measureless in power; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; that He is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and omnibenevolent. Therefore, we believe that He is the object of our worship and praise and that He always acts in moral perfection. (Ps. 65:2; 100:3; 139:1-24; Matt.5:45; John 14:6; Acts 17:26-29; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Jn 2:16; Jas. 3:15-17)

God the Son - We affirm the absolute deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We believe that God the Son is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation; that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; that He is God manifest in the flesh, very God and very man; that He was sent by God the Father for the purpose of being the perfect sinless sacrifice for the sins of mankind; that He died in our stead, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, gaining victory over sin and death. We believe that He is the object of our faith; that He is the only way to the Father; that today He is making intercession for us as our Advocate. We believe in His imminent return and as the church (of which He is the Head), we are looking for His coming in the rapture to claim His own; that He is the King of kings and will rule and reign for 1,000 years upon the earth; that He will judge the evil works of darkness at the end of time. (Isa. 61:3; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1,14; 3:13-17; 14:16; Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 55-57; Col.1:14-18; 1 Thes. 4:13-5:11; 1Tim.2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15)

God the Holy Spirit - We believe the Holy Spirit to be a Divine Person, equal with the Father and the Son and of the same nature; that He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment; that He bears witness to the Truth; that He is the agent of the New Birth; that He baptizes all true believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sanctifying all of them unto the day of redemption; that He endues, guides, teaches and helps believers; and that it is the privilege and obligation of all the saved to be filled (controlled) with the Spirit, the evidences being the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, but not the speaking in tongues or other sign gift manifestations commonly held to by the Charismatic and Pentecostal assemblies. In relation to this evil world, we believe that the Holy Spirit restrains the evil one through the local church until the purposes of God be fulfilled. (Matt. 28:19; John 14:16,17,26; 16:7-15; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 5:2-23; Eph. 2:18, 5:18; 2 Thes. 2:1-12; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:22-23)

Human Sexuality and Marriage - We believe that God created each person as male or female from birth and that these two distinct, immutable, and complementary sexes together reflect the image of God. We reject, therefore, the transgender movement which gives to man the right to assign his/her own gender, thereby nullifying the sovereign choice of their Creator. We believe that marriage was ordained of God and instituted in the Garden of Eden. We believe that marriage is biblically defined as God joining one man and one woman exclusively in a one-flesh union until death parts them. Therefore, we reject any attempt of man to redefine what God has already defined in His Word. We further believe that God has commanded that there be no intimate sexual relations outside of a marriage between a man and a woman, and that God has forbidden adultery, fornication, pornography, homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, pedophilia, and other sinful perversions of God’s order. (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18-25; Ex. 20:14; Lev. 20:10-17; Matt. 5:28; 19:4-6; Rom.1:18-32; 1 Cor. 5: -6:10; 1 Thes. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

Divorce and Remarriage - We believe that marriage as an institution was divinely created, originating in the mind of God and not man. We, therefore, reject the notion that marriage is a social construct and therefore man is able to define it as he wills. Therefore, we believe that all issues related to marriage, divorce and remarriage should be made under the direct guidance of the Word of God. We believe that God’s intent for marriage is permanence, until death parts us. We believe that divorce is a distortion of God’s intention, seeing that marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:25-27). We believe that those who are divorced or have married one who is divorced are disqualified from holding the church office of pastor or deacon. We believe that divorced persons are permitted to hold other positions of service in the church and can be greatly used of God in service to the Lord and the advancement of His cause. (Mal. 2:14-17; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6)

Abortion and Euthanasia - We believe that as man was created in the image of God that all human life is sacred and of inestimable worth from conception through natural death. Therefore, we conclude that abortion constitutes the unjustified, inexcusable taking of unborn human life. Therefore, we reject all teaching that legitimizes abortion for any cause: rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well being of the mother. (Ex. 20:13; Job 3:16; Ps.51:5; 139:1-18; Isa. 44:24; 49:1,5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44)

We believe that since God is the giver of life that only He has the right to determine the end of life. We recognize that He has granted the authority to government to enact capital punishment for the proven guilt for certain crimes. Yet, we reject the view that man has the right to take innocent life because of physical illness that is viewed as terminal or because a life is viewed as no longer having quality. (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:12; Ps. 139:13-14)

Regeneration - We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is not a process; that in the new birth through the Holy Spirit, the one dead in trespasses and sins is made partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and newness of life. (John 3:1-8; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:1; Col.2:13; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 1:4)

Justification - We believe that justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares us to be righteous through faith in Christ Jesus; that justification includes the pardon of sin and the imputations of God’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not by any work which we have done, but solely through faith in the blood sacrifice of our Redeemer (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:21-4:8; 5:1-9; 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Eph. 1:7).

Sanctification - We believe that sanctification is an act and a process whereby God sets apart all believers unto holiness. He then conforms them to the image of Christ, completing the process of sanctification at the return of Christ for His saints. (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:3-4; 4:11-13; 1 John 3:2)

Two Natures - We believe that man is born with a sinful nature and at the time of his new birth, he receives a righteous nature. These two natures are in constant conflict within every believer. The new nature will be victorious when we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (John 3:1-12; Rom.6:11-14; 7:15-25; 8:1-29; 1 John 4:4)

Glorification - We believe that when Christ comes for the church, all believers will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and will become like Christ at His appearing, and that our corruptible bodies will become incorruptible.  (1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 John 3:2)

Eternal Security - We believe that all the redeemed are saved with an eternal salvation from the moment they believe on Christ, are kept by God’s power, and are thus secure unconditionally in Christ forever. We  believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word; which, however, forbids the use of one’s Christian liberty as an occasion for the flesh. (John 6:37-39; 10:28; Rom.8:38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Gal, 5:18; Phil.1:6; Titus 2:11-15, 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:11-13)

Organism - We believe that the church as an organism is the body and the bride of Christ, is fully composed of all the redeemed. We believe that Christ gave Himself for the church; that He is its only true head. ( 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:20-23; 3:3-11; Col. 1:18)

Organization - We believe that the establishment and the continuation of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. We believe that the church as an organization is an assembly of baptized believers, voluntarily associated by covenant in faith for fellowship, worship and service; that its mission is the spread of the gospel to all men and to earnestly contend for the faith. We believe that its only ordained offices are pastor and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, religious or governmental; and that its only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is Scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the gospel; and that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and methods of its cooperation, having the Scriptures as her final authority for all things related to faith and practice. On all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures is final. (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 3:9-17; 16:19; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:2; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11; Rev. 2:1-3:22)

Baptism - We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; that it takes place after a person has received the free gift of salvation; that it pictures the essential facts in redemption - the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that baptism presents a testimony of what has already taken place in the believer’s heart, is a token reminder that their life is hid in Christ and they are to walk in newness of life, and that it represents the believer identifying with Christ in His Lordship and leadership over all aspects of life. We believe every believer should follow this ordinance as an act of obedience to the Lord, and baptism is a prerequisite for local church membership. (Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 14:25-27; Rom. 6:4; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 26-39)

Lord’s Supper - We believe that the Lord’s Supper commemorates the death of Christ, symbolizing His sacrifice for our sins; that the elements - the bread and juice - are only symbols of His broken body and shed blood, and that our observance is a pictorial testimony of a believer’s fellowship with his Savior and should be preceded by solemn heart-searching and self judgment. (Matt. 26:26-30; 1 Cor. 10:16-21; 11:17-34)

The pastor shall meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:3-9.  He shall not be a member of the World Council of Churches, Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Convention, National Council of Churches, or any other group associated with the Ecumenical Movement.  He shall not be in sympathy with the Neo-Evangelical or Charismatic Movements.

The pastor shall be elected for no specific term.  The call of a pastor by the church shall in all cases be by secret ballot and shall require a three-fourths majority of votes cast at a business meeting announced at least two consecutive Sundays previous to the meeting.  Upon his resignation, the pastor shall vacate the pulpit within one month and shall receive at least one month's severance salary, unless requested to remain for an interim period by the deacons.  Should a pastor be dismissed, by a vote of the deacons, because of immorality, doctrinal heresy, or other serious problems, he shall vacate the pulpit immediately and be entitled to no additional salary.   

When a vacancy occurs in the pastorate, the then-serving deacons and at least two members at large, men who are members of the church recommended by the deacons and approved by the general congregation, shall function as a pulpit committee.   At its first meeting, the pulpit committee shall select a chairman and secretary.  In the event a vacancy on the committee occurs, a new member may be selected at the committee’s discretion, following the same process as followed for the initial selection of members at large.  The composition of the committee shall not change with the annual rotation of deacons.  This committee shall seek qualified names of available men to present to the church.  One candidate shall be presented and voted on at a time.  The deacons shall be responsible for pulpit supply during the vacancy. 

A pastor's salary shall be fixed at the time of his election and reviewed annually.  Recommendations regarding increases may occur at any regular business meeting.  The pastor shall receive an annual vacation with pay of two weeks during years one to three of his ministry, three weeks during years four to six, and four weeks beginning with year seven.  The pastor may also be absent at other times with the approval of the church to do evangelistic or Bible Conference work.  The pastor shall consult with the deacons regarding his absence from any regular service of the church.

The pastor shall conduct the public services for the edification of the saints and salvation of sinners, and the general development of the church work shall be under his supervision.  The pastor is to oversee the entire church ministry.  He shall be the ex-officio member of all committees and shall preside at church business meetings.  He may ask the chairman of the deacons or a moderator pro tem to preside when he considers it proper.  He, along with the deacons, is responsible to assure that all church officers, staff members, and Sunday school teachers meet the proper requirements for leadership.  He shall, upon consultation with the deacons, be responsible for choosing evangelists, missionaries, Bible Conference speakers, and others ministering in the church.  He shall, upon conference with the deacons, select needed pulpit supply when he must be absent. 

When it is deemed necessary by the pastor and deacons that the pastoral staff should be expanded, the congregation will vote to establish the new position. When a candidate satisfactory to the pastor has been found, he will be presented to the deacons for evaluation and review and then the congregation for approval to call.  When a staff member is called, he and his wife will immediately be members of the church. All pastoral staff must sign that they are in wholehearted agreement with the Articles of Faith.

The pastor in consultation with the deacons will make all decisions with regards to the dismissal of pastoral staff. In the case of dismissal, salary will continue for 30 days. The pastor and deacons will be responsible to filling all vacancies on the pastoral staff.

There shall be as many deacons as the needs of the church shall require. All deacons must have been a member of Open Door Baptist Church for at least six months and meet the requirements as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-6. Divorced individuals may not serve as a deacon of Open Door Baptist Church.  In addition, wives of deacons shall meet all requirements set forth in 1 Timothy 3 in order for their husbands to serve as a deacon.

 Deacons shall be “chosen out” from among the congregation by consensus election (Acts 6).  After a careful consideration of 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:3, the voting members of the congregation will write the names of those that they believe qualify to serve in this office on a slip of paper.  The selections will be tallied and the current deacons will serve as a screening committee to be certain that the selected candidate’s life is in conformity with the Biblical directives. The man or men who have been nominated by the congregation will be contacted in order to declare their willingness and worthiness to serve. Nominees will be contacted in a manner consistent with the majority votes of the congregation. Those willing to serve will have their names put forth at the next regular business meeting for a confirmational vote of the congregation. After this, the results will be announced to the church at the next regularly scheduled church service.

The deacons shall serve on rotating three-year terms. Approximately one-third of the terms shall expire each year. After rotating off as a deacon for a period of at least one year, previous deacons may be elected to serve another term.  Any vacancy occurring during the year shall be filled by an individual recommended by the deacons and approved by the pastor and shall, after being voted on by the church, serve the unexpired term. Any deacon having completed an unexpired term of a previous deacon shall be eligible for election to the next term. 

A quorum shall be a majority of the active deacons.  Any deacon shall be considered inactive and removed from office who is absent from three consecutive regular meetings without just cause.

The deacons shall seek to cooperate with the pastor, helping and advising him in spiritual decisions, administration of the ordinances, and general direction regarding the church ministries. The deacons shall also be considered the Trustees of Open Door Baptist Church, having the responsibility for all legal matters regarding the church. They shall administer the Deacons' Fund for the relief of the needy within the congregation.  The deacons shall prayerfully labor with wayward members and when discipline is demanded shall recommend appropriate action to the church.  They shall seek the spiritual welfare of the church at all times.  The deacons shall elect their chairman and secretary at the first deacons’ meeting called by the pastor following the annual business meeting. The deacons shall review the church roll at the close of each year prior to the annual business meeting and make all necessary changes. The deacons shall assist the pastor and treasurer in establishing an annual church budget to be presented for approval to the congregation at the annual business meeting. The deacons may have the records of the treasurer of Open Door Baptist Church and/or treasurer of all organizations audited at their discretion.  

The treasurer shall be elected annually by members of the congregation upon recommendation of the deacons and pastor. 

The treasurer along with the church’s paid financial secretary serve as the custodians of the church's money. They may, without special vote, pay out of the church's funds amounts within the designated annual budget. They shall keep a full and faithful account of all money received and paid out, specifying the purpose of funds received or paid. They shall be responsible to present quarterly and annual reports to the church and monthly reports to the pastor and deacons. The books shall be reviewed at least once a year by a committee or an outside individual chosen by the deacons. The treasurer shall be responsible to ensure that the weekly offerings are counted and secured after each service. In the event that their is no paid financial secretary, the treasurer shall be responsible to deposit the weekly offerings.

At such time when there is not a paid church secretary, a clerk shall be elected annually by members of the congregation upon recommendation of the deacons and pastor.  Otherwise the church secretary shall assume the duties of the church clerk.

The clerk shall keep an accurate and permanent record of all proceedings of regular and special business meetings and a registry of membership.  The clerk shall issue letters of dismissal and certification of standing as directed by the pastor and deacons and shall assist the pastor with certain official church correspondence and records, including the historical records of the church.

The Sunday School Superintendent shall be a member in good standing of Open Door Baptist Church.  He shall be appointed annually by the deacons and pastor.

He is the active director of the Sunday School.  He is responsible to assist the pastor in selecting and training all teachers.  He shall provide recommendations regarding Sunday School material to the pastor and assist him in selecting, ordering, and distributing curriculum.  He shall maintain all Sunday School attendance records and direct regular teacher meetings.  He shall also assist the pastor in the development of long term plans for future growth.  

The duties of the head usher will be to appoint and direct ushers for every service. He shall appoint an assistant. He will be elected for a term of one year at the annual business meeting.

Members of the church staff may be employed as necessary.  Each worker shall be responsible for the duties assigned by the pastor at the time of his employment.  Each staff member shall receive a written job description prior to his employment.  Salary and vacation arrangements shall be agreed upon by the pastor and deacons at the time of employment.  The pastor shall have the authority to hire and fire all employees of Open Door Baptist Church, upon conferring with the deacons.  All full or part-time staff employees shall be active members of this church and in full agreement with the Constitution and By-Laws of Open Door Baptist Church, including the Covenant and Articles of Faith.

The Budget Committee shall consist of the pastor, treasurer, and the deacons. Prior to the annual meeting in July the budget committee shall prepare a recommended budget for the church that shall be submitted to the church for consideration and adoption for the ensuing year.

The Missions Committee shall be appointed by the pastor in consultation with the deacons. The committee will screen all missionary applicants and make recommendations to the church for support and amount. The committee shall aim to correlate all missionary activities and interest of the church. It shall promote missionary education through biblical studies and shall foster the discipleship of the congregation to the end of sending forth laborers into the Lord’s harvest field.

The Auditing Committee shall be appointed by the pastor in consultation with the deacons and shall be responsible to carefully examine the financial records and receipts for all ministries associated with Open Door Baptist Church for the past year and shall report their findings to the church at the annual meeting.

Removal of officers and staff members other than the pastor or a deacon. 

Officers other than the pastor or a deacon may be dismissed by the pastor and deacons. Staff members may be dismissed pursuant to Article VI, Section 6. 

Dismissal from office of a pastor or deacon shall require a three-fourths majority of votes cast at a specially called business meeting.  In the event the deacons determine that the pastor should be asked to leave because of immorality, doctrinal heresy, or other serious problems, the deacons shall have the authority to temporarily require the pastor to vacate the pulpit until such time as the congregation convenes to vote on the dismissal of the pastor.

The regular meetings of the church shall be held Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and a mid-week prayer meeting.  Baptismal services will be held when needed and usually in conjunction with other regular services.

The Lord's Supper shall be commemorated on the first Sunday of each month or at such times as the pastor and the deacons may determine.

Special emphasis meetings such as missionary conferences, Bible conferences, and revival services will be conducted as the pastor senses the Lord ’s leading.

Regular meetings for the transaction of the business of the church shall be held in October, January, and April, the specific times being appointed by the pastor and deacons.

Special meetings may be called by the pastor or upon his approval. Special meetings may be called at any time provided notice is given in a regular service prior to the meeting

The Annual Business Meeting of the church for the  election of officers (other than the pastor) and approval of the budget of the coming year shall be held in July.  The church’s fiscal year shall be from August 1 through July 31.  Upon the closing of the fiscal year, the Treasurer shall produce a year end financial report to be presented to the congregation no later than the next quarterly business meeting.

All business meetings of this church shall require a quorum of eligible voting members. A minimum of twenty-five percent of the active voting members of this church shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. The quorum count thus determined shall stand for all interim meetings until the next quarterly business meeting.

In the conducting of business, the rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall provide any parliamentary procedure not specifically set forth in this constitution. In exceptions, a majority vote shall establish the rule. Matters that need the consent of the church membership, other than the election of officers, may be voted on either by closed ballot or by voice vote.

The suggested order of service for all regular business meetings is as follows

The pastor shall moderate the business meetings of the church or he may choose one of the deacons to be the moderator. In the event that the business specifically relates to the pastor, he shall step down as moderator until the business be resolved.

Lebanon Christian Academy is to operate as a branch of the overall program of Open Door Baptist Church. The school shall be included under the incorporation of the church and shall be consistent in doctrine and practice with the church. The deacons shall serve as the governing board of LCA, maintaining authority on all decisions of personnel and philosophy.

Lebanon Christian Academy will restrict employment of teachers and staff to those that whole-heartedly subscribe to the Articles of Faith of Open Door Baptist Church. Recommendations for employment shall be made by the pastor and/or principal and approved by the school board. All teachers and staff will be members of Open Door Baptist Church unless exempt by board vote for unusual circumstances.

Adoption Swaption operates as a mercy ministry of Open Door Baptist Church seeking to assist families who adopt and foster children in need. The goal of AS is to meet the material needs of these families as a bridge to meet their more important spiritual needs.   The deacons shall serve as the governing board of AS, maintaining authority on all decisions of personnel and philosophy.

Gospel Furthering Fellowship has entered into an accountability partnership with Open Door Baptist Church in order to further the cause of missions. This is done in the spirit that GFF believes that the Bible teaches that the central means by which God works in the world today is the local church. Therefore, Open Door Baptist Church will serve as the missions accountability partner to ensure that GFF remains true to its stated mission. GFF will retain its own board of directors, one of which will be the pastor of ODBC. Both parties retain the rights of autonomy and can remove themselves from the arrangement at any time.