From The Williamsburg Baptist Church Constitution
Article 1: Name
This church shall be known as THE WILLIAMSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH, located in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Article 1I: Vision
Our vision is to follow Christ together, worshiping, serving, and extending God’s welcome to all as a beloved community.
Article 1II: Organization & Governance
Williamsburg Baptist Church (WBC) is a Baptist church, holding to the historic Baptist heritage of democracy and the right of the individual, under guidance of the Holy Spirit, to free exercise of conscience and faith within a voluntary association of like-minded believers. It is a fellowship of those who believe that God is revealed supremely in Jesus Christ, and active through the Holy Spirit.
WBC shall therefore be composed of those who upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior signify their wish to unite in fellowship of worship, learning, and the extending of God's love, grace, justice, and peace throughout the earth.
The affairs of WBC shall be the responsibility of all members, who shall discharge this responsibility by democratic action, according to stipulations set forth in the WBC constitution and its accompanying bylaws.
WBC shall therefore be composed of those who upon profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior signify their wish to unite in fellowship of worship, learning, and the extending of God's love, grace, justice, and peace throughout the earth.
The affairs of WBC shall be the responsibility of all members, who shall discharge this responsibility by democratic action, according to stipulations set forth in the WBC constitution and its accompanying bylaws.
Article 1V: Purpose
It shall be the purpose of WBC:
- to promote the individual and corporate worship of God;
- to responsibly teach the Scriptures and Christian tradition, fostering a vital faith that is able to meet the challenges of a changing world;
- to support and nurture one another in Christ-like love and mutual care;
- to bear creative witness, locally and abroad, to restorative justice and the gospel of peace, serving within and beyond our church community for the good of our neighbors
- to preserve the historic, Baptist principles of separation of church and state, priesthood of the believer, soul liberty, and autonomy of the local congregation.
Article V: Membership & Other Affiliations
Membership. Any person aged thirteen or older who has received Christian baptism, is committed to those precepts set forth in the preceding articles, and desires to make WBC their primary church home is eligible for WBC membership. It shall be the policy and practice of WBC to grant membership eligibility without regard to race, nationality, physical condition, gender identity, or affectional orientation.
To become a member, candidates must contact the Pastor or Clerk. Candidates may offer to join by way of a "Statement of Faith and Baptism," or by a “Letter of Transfer” from another Christian congregation. In addition to those who have been baptized as believers by immersion, membership may be granted to those baptized in other Christian traditions.
All new members shall be offered an orientation dealing with Christian faith and practice, Baptist beliefs and polity, the life and work of WBC, and the responsibilities and privileges of membership. The privileges of membership shall include (but not be limited to): voting in WBC business meetings, eligibility for elected WBC leadership positions, pastoral & congregational care, volunteer eligibility, parking privileges, and wedding and funeral privileges.
In rare circumstances, when an individual’s membership constitutes a threat to the overall safety of WBC, the Leadership Council (LC), by unanimous vote of its membership, may revoke, alter, or deny that individual’s membership, or recommend such action to the WBC membership for a two-thirds majority vote.
Friends of WBC. The immediate family of WBC members, as well as any regular attenders who wish to participate regularly in the life and ministry of WBC without all the responsibilities and privileges of membership may become “friends” of WBC. Friendship status may be conferred by the Clerk in consultation with the Pastor or it may be requested by a statement of faith and intent for fellowship. Friends are eligible for all the above membership privileges but are not permitted to vote in business meetings or serve in elected leadership positions.
Inactive List. Members and friends who absent themselves from WBC for twelve consecutive months, and about whom no information can be gained which satisfactorily explains their absence, shall, at the discretion of the Clerk, in consultation with the Pastor and Deacons, be assigned to inactive status and so notified by the Clerk. Members and friends who join another congregation or leave WBC due to a relocation or death may be declared inactive immediately.
Persons listed as inactive shall have no voice in the governance of WBC and shall not be counted in determining the membership of WBC for any purpose. An inactive member may be restored to active membership both by meeting the attendance obligations of an active member and by recommendation of the Pastor or Clerk.
Honorary Members. Outside donors, former members and friends, and all other parties interested in the life and ministry of WBC are eligible for honorary membership. Honorary members are entitled to receive select WBC communications.
To become a member, candidates must contact the Pastor or Clerk. Candidates may offer to join by way of a "Statement of Faith and Baptism," or by a “Letter of Transfer” from another Christian congregation. In addition to those who have been baptized as believers by immersion, membership may be granted to those baptized in other Christian traditions.
All new members shall be offered an orientation dealing with Christian faith and practice, Baptist beliefs and polity, the life and work of WBC, and the responsibilities and privileges of membership. The privileges of membership shall include (but not be limited to): voting in WBC business meetings, eligibility for elected WBC leadership positions, pastoral & congregational care, volunteer eligibility, parking privileges, and wedding and funeral privileges.
In rare circumstances, when an individual’s membership constitutes a threat to the overall safety of WBC, the Leadership Council (LC), by unanimous vote of its membership, may revoke, alter, or deny that individual’s membership, or recommend such action to the WBC membership for a two-thirds majority vote.
Friends of WBC. The immediate family of WBC members, as well as any regular attenders who wish to participate regularly in the life and ministry of WBC without all the responsibilities and privileges of membership may become “friends” of WBC. Friendship status may be conferred by the Clerk in consultation with the Pastor or it may be requested by a statement of faith and intent for fellowship. Friends are eligible for all the above membership privileges but are not permitted to vote in business meetings or serve in elected leadership positions.
Inactive List. Members and friends who absent themselves from WBC for twelve consecutive months, and about whom no information can be gained which satisfactorily explains their absence, shall, at the discretion of the Clerk, in consultation with the Pastor and Deacons, be assigned to inactive status and so notified by the Clerk. Members and friends who join another congregation or leave WBC due to a relocation or death may be declared inactive immediately.
Persons listed as inactive shall have no voice in the governance of WBC and shall not be counted in determining the membership of WBC for any purpose. An inactive member may be restored to active membership both by meeting the attendance obligations of an active member and by recommendation of the Pastor or Clerk.
Honorary Members. Outside donors, former members and friends, and all other parties interested in the life and ministry of WBC are eligible for honorary membership. Honorary members are entitled to receive select WBC communications.