Constitution
PREAMBLE
We the members of the First Baptist Church of Troy, in order to win men, women, and
children to Christ, to spread the gospel of the grace of God to the ends of the earth, to preserve and
secure the principles of our faith, and to govern this body in an orderly manner for ourselves and for
others who shall hereafter become members of this body, do ordain and establish this Constitution and
By-Laws to which we, as members thereof, agree and voluntarily submit ourselves.
This Constitution and By-Laws will preserve the liberties of each individual member of this
church and the freedom of action of this church in its relation to other churches of the same faith.
children to Christ, to spread the gospel of the grace of God to the ends of the earth, to preserve and
secure the principles of our faith, and to govern this body in an orderly manner for ourselves and for
others who shall hereafter become members of this body, do ordain and establish this Constitution and
By-Laws to which we, as members thereof, agree and voluntarily submit ourselves.
This Constitution and By-Laws will preserve the liberties of each individual member of this
church and the freedom of action of this church in its relation to other churches of the same faith.
I. NAME AND LOCATION
The name of this body shall be First Baptist Church of Troy. The location of this church is 20
Church Avenue, corner of West Main Street and Church Avenue, City of Troy, Bell County, Texas.
Church Avenue, corner of West Main Street and Church Avenue, City of Troy, Bell County, Texas.
II. STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for our statement of faith. This
church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of "The Baptist Faith and Message" as adopted by the
Southern Baptist Convention in 1963*. We band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in
Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind.
*First Baptist Church of Troy also subscribes to the Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of "The Baptist Faith and Message" as adopted by the
Southern Baptist Convention in 1963*. We band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in
Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind.
*First Baptist Church of Troy also subscribes to the Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
III. 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 of 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 spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family private devotions; to religiously educate our church; to
seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in
our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling,
backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage;
to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of pornography; and to be zealous in
our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to consent to the same interest
taken in us by our fellow church members; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in
sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to
be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the examples of our Savior
to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove 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.
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 of 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 spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family private devotions; to religiously educate our church; to
seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in
our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling,
backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage;
to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of pornography; and to be zealous in
our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to consent to the same interest
taken in us by our fellow church members; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in
sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to
be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the examples of our Savior
to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove 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.
IV. OBJECTIVES
A. To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as
many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
B. To be a worshipping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His
person, and responding in obedience to His leadership.
C. To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellowship with man.
D. To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
E. To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in
Jesus' name.
F. To be a church whose purpose is to be Christlike in our daily living by empathizing total
commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the lordship of Christ.
many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
B. To be a worshipping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His
person, and responding in obedience to His leadership.
C. To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellowship with man.
D. To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
E. To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in
Jesus' name.
F. To be a church whose purpose is to be Christlike in our daily living by empathizing total
commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the lordship of Christ.
V. RELATIONSHIPS
The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject
to the control of no other ecclesiastical body. The decision of the church shall be final in all matters
and no appeal can be made to any other ecclesiastical body or civil authority.
This church recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which
are common among Baptist churches. In so far as is practical, this church will cooperate with and
support the Bell County Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas, affiliated
with the Southern Baptist Convention.
By accepting and joining in the fellowship of this church the present and all future pastors,
staff, employees and members accept, adopt and agree to be bound by this Constitution and the ByLaws,
as same may from time to time be amended, and expressly consent to the equal and
corresponding rights in all members of this fellowship.
to the control of no other ecclesiastical body. The decision of the church shall be final in all matters
and no appeal can be made to any other ecclesiastical body or civil authority.
This church recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which
are common among Baptist churches. In so far as is practical, this church will cooperate with and
support the Bell County Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas, affiliated
with the Southern Baptist Convention.
By accepting and joining in the fellowship of this church the present and all future pastors,
staff, employees and members accept, adopt and agree to be bound by this Constitution and the ByLaws,
as same may from time to time be amended, and expressly consent to the equal and
corresponding rights in all members of this fellowship.
VI. NON-PROFIT RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION
This organization is organized and has been and shall forever be operated for the sole purpose
of engaging in religious worship and promoting the spiritual development and well-being of
individuals. It is open to all individuals, of all races, creeds and colors. Its assets are pledged for use
in performing its religious functions. The Church is a wholly non-profit organization, and no private
individual or entity shall ever profit from its assets or gain financial benefits from the Church or its
property. Should this Church ever discontinue its religious function, by dissolution or otherwise, its
assets are to be transferred only to a religious or charitable organization that is fully qualified as an
exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3), Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
of engaging in religious worship and promoting the spiritual development and well-being of
individuals. It is open to all individuals, of all races, creeds and colors. Its assets are pledged for use
in performing its religious functions. The Church is a wholly non-profit organization, and no private
individual or entity shall ever profit from its assets or gain financial benefits from the Church or its
property. Should this Church ever discontinue its religious function, by dissolution or otherwise, its
assets are to be transferred only to a religious or charitable organization that is fully qualified as an
exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3), Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
VII. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Constitution and By-Laws shall become effective from and after the date of its adoption
by two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular or special business
meeting, pursuant to paragraph XI of the By-Laws.
Date adopted: June 4, 1978
Revised: November, 1984
Revised: June, 1995
by two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular or special business
meeting, pursuant to paragraph XI of the By-Laws.
Date adopted: June 4, 1978
Revised: November, 1984
Revised: June, 1995
AFFILIATIONS
First Baptist Church - Troy, TX is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), and holds strongly to The Baptist Faith and Message (2000). In addition many members support and designate their Cooperative Funds through the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC)