Autumn Ridge Church: Constitution of First Baptist

The name of this corporation shall be First Baptist Church, Rochester, Minnesota. Its location shall be in the City of Rochester, in the County of Olmsted and State of Minnesota.

Article II Purpose and Tax Status

The purpose of this corporation is to be disciples of Jesus Christ who are actively

A. Worshiping in our hearts

B. Working in our church

C. Witnessing in our world

This corporation does hereby accept and come under the provisions of the Minnesota Non-Profit Corporation Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 317, and shall have all of the powers afforded to it by the provisions of said Minnesota Non-Profit Corporation Act and all acts amendatory and supplementary thereof. No part of the properties or income of the corporation shall ever be used or employed for purposes of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the corporation shall not afford pecuniary gain, incidentally or otherwise, to it members.

In the event of the dissolution of this corporation, any assets remaining after payment of all obligations shall be distributed only for one or more of the herein stated purposes or the purposes specified in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code as may be determined by a majority of ballots of voting members cast at a business meeting of the church, notice of which shall be given by at least two weeks printed notice, mailed to all members of the church. In addition, notice may be posted on the bulletin board in the narthex of the church. Provided further, that this meeting must be held prior to the completion of the dissolution of said corporation.

Article III Corporate Seal and Stock

This corporation shall have no capital stock nor shall it have any corporate seal. The duration of this corporation shall be perpetual.

Article IV Real Estate Transactions

No real estate of the corporation may be purchased, sold, mortgaged, or otherwise encumbered including purchase or sale on contract for deed without the consent of a two-thirds majority of ballots of voting members cast at any business meeting of the church, provided a quorum is present and voting. Notice of such action shall be given by at least two weeks printed notice, mailed to all members of the church. In addition, notice may be posted on the bulletin board in the narthex of the church.

Article V Statement of Faith

1. The Word of God

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

2. The Trinity

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in

every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

3. God the Father

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of people, that He hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

4. Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary, atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth.

5. The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and to regenerate, sanctify and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide.

6. Regeneration

We believe that all are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

7. The Church

We believe in the universal church, a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized on a credible profession of faith and associated for worship, work and witness. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

8. Christian Conduct

We believe that all Christians should live for the glory of God and the well being of others, that their conduct should be blameless before the world, that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions and that they should seek to realize for themselves and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

9. The Ordinances

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

10. The Last Things

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal happiness of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

Article VI Relationships

The government of this church is vested in and established by the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes the wisdom of counsel and cooperation among evangelical churches.

Article VII Membership

The membership of this church shall be such persons as are set forth pursuant to the By-Laws of this corporation.

Article VIII Pastors, Officers, and Boards

The pastor, church staff, officers and boards of this corporation shall be such as set forth in the By-Laws of this corporation.

Article IX Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Constitution

A. Proposed amendments to these Articles and Constitution shall be introduced through a formal motion at a special business meeting called at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting and shall be voted upon at the next annual business meeting.

B. Notice of the proposed amendment must be sent to all members at least one month prior to the annual business meeting.

C. The adoption of an amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of votes cast at the annual business meeting, provided a quorum is present and voting.

D. Not withstanding Paragraphs A, B and C above, in the event an amendment to these Articles and Constitution is necessitated to meet the legal requirements of the State of Minnesota and the United States of America to properly carry out the herein stated purposes of the church or to render these Articles acceptable under the laws of the State of Minnesota, these Articles may be amended at any business meeting of the church by a two-thirds majority of votes cast, provided a quorum is present and voting. Notice of such meeting and proposed amendment shall be given by at least two weeks notice sent to all members. In addition, the notice of the meeting will be published in the bulletin at least two times before the meeting date.

Article X Adoption of Articles and Constitution

These Articles and Constitution supersede any and all Articles and Constitution previously adopted by said corporation, effective as of February 15, 2004.