Constitution &
By-Laws.

Since it pleased Almighty God, by His Holy Spirit, to call His servants to unite in 1948 under the name First Baptist Church of Artesia, for the worship of God and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we, the members of First Baptist Church of Artesia, do hereby organize ourselves in accordance with the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law of the State of California and adopt this Constitution and Bylaws as our single governing document (the “Governing Document”), which constitutes the bylaws of the corporation within the meaning of Cal. Corp. Code § 9150, to be interpreted at all times to reflect the character of and bring glory to Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Holy Bible and articulated in the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant of this church.

1.1 The name of this church is First Baptist Church of Artesia, California (the “Church”).

2.1 — Corporate form.

2.1.1 This Church is incorporated as a nonprofit religious corporation under the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law of California (Cal. Corp. Code § 9110 et seq.).

2.1.2 This Church is organized and shall be operated exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private individual.

2.2 — Board of Directors.

2.2.1 The Board of Directors of this corporation shall be the Pastors of the Church, constituted under Article X. The Pastors exercise the corporate powers of, and manage the affairs of, the corporation, subject to the congregational governance this Governing Document reserves to the membership.

2.2.2 A secretary, treasurer, or CFO may not serve as the president or chair.

2.2.3 — Clerk. The Clerk records the minutes of all members' meetings, renders reports as requested, serves as Secretary of the corporation, ensures current copies of this document are available to members, and maintains the corporate records California law requires. In the Clerk's absence the Pastors may appoint a member to perform these duties.

2.2.4 — Treasurer. The Treasurer, who shall not be an active pastor or paid staff member, ensures that Church funds and securities are properly secured, that full and accurate books are maintained, and that adequate internal controls govern the handling of all funds. The Treasurer serves as Chief Financial Officer, presents regular financial reports at members' meetings, and shall not have sole custody of Church funds.

2.2.5 If at any time no Pastors are serving, the congregation shall elect from the membership, at a members' meeting, at least three (3) interim directors, who shall exercise the corporate powers of the corporation until Pastors are again serving. Interim directors serve one-year terms, may be re-elected, and may be removed with or without cause by the congregation. Service as an interim director does not confer the office of pastor or any pastoral or teaching authority.

2.3 — Principal office. The principal office of the Church is located at 18400 Grayland Avenue, Artesia, California 90701. The congregation may change its location by resolution and shall record the change as California law requires.

2.4 — Records and inspection. The Clerk shall maintain the minutes, membership records, and accounting books and records that the Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law requires. The rights of members and directors to inspect the membership list, accounting books and records, and minutes under Cal. Corp. Code §§ 9511–9513 are recognized, subject to the conditions and limitations California law permits, including protections for the privacy of members and donors, the confidentiality of pastoral counseling, and the integrity of pending matters of church discipline; as § 9512 permits, the board may offer a reasonable alternative to inspection of the membership list.

2.5 — Prior governing documents superseded. This Governing Document supersedes and replaces in their entirety all prior constitutions, bylaws, and amendments of the Church, including the Church Constitution and By-Laws previously in effect and all amendments thereto, together with any church policy to the extent it conflicts with this Governing Document. Actions validly taken, and offices validly filled, under the prior documents remain effective until changed under this Governing Document.

3.1 The foundation of this Church is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20), who guides His church in all affairs through the Holy Scriptures (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:15–17). The purpose of this Church is to glorify God through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 43:7; Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).

3.2 This Church exists by the grace of God and for the glory of God. It glorifies God by:

• loving Him and obeying His commands through worshiping Him;
• equipping the saints through the teaching and study of Scripture;
• proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ through preaching and personal evangelism;
• encouraging and participating in missions, local and worldwide;
• administering the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper;
• encouraging biblical fellowship among believers;
• serving the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others in the name of Christ;
• and calling and equipping fellow churches to biblical faithfulness.

4.1 Statement of Faith. The doctrinal standard and membership confession of this Church is The Baptist Faith and Message (2000). Every member affirms it, and it governs the interpretation of this Governing Document.

4.2 Additional affirmed statements. In addition, this Church corporately affirms, as faithful expressions of the biblical convictions summarized in its Statement of Faith:

• the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978), on the nature and authority of Scripture;
• the Danvers Statement (1988), on biblical manhood and womanhood; and
• the Nashville Statement (2017), on marriage, sexuality, and gender.

These statements express the settled convictions and public position of this Church; they shall inform its teaching, ministry, policies, and the interpretation of its governing documents; and they shall be affirmed by all pastors and those who teach on behalf of the Church, as provided in this Governing Document.

4.3 Fixed text. The Church adopts the text of the Statement of Faith and of each affirmed statement as it existed at the time of adoption. Any later revision by an outside body takes effect for this Church only if adopted by the Church under the amendment procedures of Article XVII.

5.1 Every member of this Church affirms and commits to keep the Church Covenant, incorporated into this Governing Document by reference. The Covenant expresses the mutual commitments members make to God and one another, and forms part of the basis on which members consent to the Church's teaching, oversight, and discipline.

5.2 The church covenant is as follows:

Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and 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 and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We promise, 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 attend its gatherings, 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 promise to maintain personal and family devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our family and friends; to walk faithfully in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, slander, and sinful anger; to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; to be zealous in our effort to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further promise to watch over one another in brotherly love; 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 rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We will, when we move from this place, 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.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

6.1 Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of this Church, and He rules primarily through the Scriptures (Col. 1:18).

6.2 The government of this Church is congregational: under Christ, final earthly authority in the affairs of this Church is vested in the assembled congregation of members. Certain fundamental acts are reserved to the congregation as provided in this Governing Document (including Articles VIII, IX, XI, XIII, XVI, and XVII).

6.3 The Church is led by pastors and served by deacons and deaconesses, as provided in this Governing Document.

7.1 This Church recognizes two ordinances instituted by Christ: believer's baptism (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:1–4) and the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:17–34). The pastors shall oversee the administration of both.

8.1 — Qualifications. To qualify for membership, a person must be a believer in Jesus Christ who gives evidence of regeneration, who has been baptized as a believer in obedience to Christ following his or her regeneration, and who wholeheartedly affirms the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible. Each member must affirm the Statement of Faith, must not hold settled convictions contrary to it, and must promise to keep the commitments of the Church Covenant.

8.2 — Admission. The ordinary process for membership is completion of the Church's membership class, an interview with a pastor, recommendation from the Pastors, and recognition by the congregation. Each applicant shall complete and sign the Church's membership application, which shall include the applicant's affirmation of the Statement of Faith, commitment to the Church Covenant, and express written consent to the Church's teaching, oversight, and discipline, including the consents concerning resignation and disclosure stated in §8.5.2. An applicant is received as a member upon the recommendation of the Pastors and a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or special members' meeting. Upon reception, a member shall relinquish membership in any other church.

8.3 — Duties and privileges.

8.3.1 Under Christ this congregation is governed by its members. Each member is expected to participate in the life and ministry of the Church consistent with the gifts, time, and material resources God has given. It is the privilege and responsibility of members to attend members' meetings and to vote on the reception and removal of members, the election of officers, and other matters submitted to the congregation.

8.3.2 Only members may lead in the ministries of the Church; non-members may serve on an ad-hoc basis with the approval of the Pastors. Non-members may be engaged for administration or professional consultation.

8.4 — Church discipline.

8.4.1 Formative discipline is inherent in the ordinary preaching, teaching, and ministry of the Church. Corrective discipline becomes necessary when formative discipline fails through unrepentant sin.

8.4.2 The purposes of discipline are the repentance and restoration of the one disciplined; the instruction and good of the congregation; the purity of the Church; the integrity of its witness; and, supremely, the glory of God.

8.4.3 Any member consistently neglectful of his or her duties, or whose conduct dishonors the name of Christ and therefore opposes the welfare of the Church, is subject to the admonition of the Pastors and the discipline of the congregation (Matthew 18:15–20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:19). Discipline is ordinarily contemplated only after private admonition has failed. Corrective discipline may include admonition by the Pastors or congregation, removal from office, and removal from membership (excommunication).

8.4.4 Removal from membership as an act of discipline ordinarily includes the recommendation of the Pastors and requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at any regular or special members' meeting.

8.4.5 All discipline shall be conducted in good faith and in a fair and reasonable manner, with disclosure limited to what a legitimate church purpose requires.

8.5 — Termination and resignation.

8.5.1 The Church recognizes termination of membership upon a member's death, transfer to another Gospel-preaching church, or self-professed apostasy. Membership may also be terminated as an act of church discipline (see §8.4.4).

8.5.2 By joining the Church — and as confirmed by the member's signed, written consent in the membership application under §8.2 — each member agrees that the Church may decline to recognize a resignation or transfer submitted after corrective discipline under §8.4 has begun and while it remains pending, so that the disciplinary process may be completed, and that the Church may communicate the fact, status, and biblical basis of the disciplinary matter to the congregation for legitimate church purposes, both before and after any purported resignation, subject to §8.4.5. Members admitted before the adoption of this Governing Document shall be asked to sign the same consent; as to any member who has not signed, the Church shall apply this section only to the extent the law permits.

9.1 — Worship meetings. Worship services shall be held each Lord’s Day, and may be held throughout the week as the church determines.

9.2 — Member’s meetings.

9.2.1 In every meeting together, members shall act in a spirit of mutual trust, openness, and loving consideration which is appropriate within the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9.2.2 A regular members' meeting shall be held at least every other month, at some time apart from a public worship service agreed upon by the membership.

9.2.3 Special members' meetings may be called by the Pastors, or upon written request submitted to the Pastors by five percent (5%) of the voting membership, in which case the Pastors shall call the meeting to be held within thirty (30) days. If no Pastors are serving, the written request shall be submitted to the Clerk, who shall call the meeting to be held within the same period.

9.2.4 The date, time, and purpose of any members' meeting shall be announced at public worship services for at least two (2) weeks before the meeting.

9.2.5 Provided notice requirements are met, the members present constitute a quorum. A minimum 20% of voting members must be present for dismissal of a pastor; removal of a member from membership under §8.4.4; amendment of this document; and any merger, dissolution, or purchase, sale, or encumbrance of the Church's real property. Except where this Governing Document requires a supermajority, a matter passes on a two-thirds vote of members present and voting. Abstentions are not counted as votes cast. Only votes cast by members physically present are counted. Voting by proxy or absentee ballot is not permitted.

9.2.6 A pastor designated by the Pastors shall serve as moderator; in his absence the Pastors shall appoint another pastor. If no pastor is available to serve as moderator, the Clerk shall moderate; in the Clerk's absence, the voting members present shall elect a moderator from among themselves. Meetings shall be conducted according to the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order, except where this document provides otherwise.

9.2.7 At any regular or special members’ meeting, officers may be elected and positions filled as needed, so long as all relevant constitutional requirements are met.

9.2.8 A budget shall be approved by the membership at a members’ meeting (see 13.1.1).

10.1 — Offices and leader subscription.

The biblical offices of this Church are pastors and deacons. The Church also recognizes the administrative offices of clerk and treasurer, and may recognize paid ministerial staff as needed. All officers must be members of this Church before assuming their responsibilities. Every pastor and every person who teaches on behalf of the Church, shall personally affirm the Statement of Faith (BFM 2000) and each of the additional statements affirmed under Article IV, §4.2, and shall not teach contrary to them.

10.2 — Pastors.

10.2.1 Pastors shall satisfy the qualifications for pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. The title of pastor, elder, bishop, overseer, and shepherd all refer to the same office. Consistent with the Church's understanding of 1 Timothy 2:12 and 3:2, only men may serve as pastors.

10.2.2 All pastors are equal in office. Pastors may serve in a staff or lay capacity. Staff titles (senior, associate, assistant pastor) describe function and employment; in terms of spiritual authority there is no distinction among the pastors.

10.2.3 Subject to the will of the congregation, the Pastors provide oversight of the ministry, finances, staff, and resources of the Church; devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word; teach and guard sound doctrine; shepherd the flock; examine and instruct prospective members; examine and recommend candidates for office; oversee the ordinances, worship, missions, and the process of church discipline; and oversee the deacons and all agents and committees; provide oversight to all teaching in the church, keeping in step with the Statement of Faith.

10.2.4 The Pastors may act by consensus. Absent consensus, a majority of the Pastors then serving constitutes a quorum for action, and any action requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Pastors present.

10.2.5 Pastors are recognized through Article XI and set apart as gifts of Christ to the Church. Their recognition shall be reaffirmed by the congregation every three years. A lay pastor who has served two consecutive three-year terms is not eligible for re-election for at least one year. Staff pastors are not subject to term limits or the triennial reaffirmation.

10.2.6 The Pastors shall elect from themselves a chairman, who shall chair pastors' meetings and serve as President of the corporation. In his absence the Pastors shall appoint another pastor. The Pastors shall also elect a pastor to moderate members’ meetings.

10.2.7 A pastor's term ends by resignation, dismissal, or completion of their term. Any two members who believe a pastor should be dismissed shall first express that concern to the Pastors and, only if necessary, to the congregation, following Matthew 18:15–17 and 1 Timothy 5:17–21. A pastor may be dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any special members' meeting.

10.3 — Senior Pastor.

10.3.1 The senior pastor shall be a pastor, particularly gifted and called to the full-time ministry of preaching and teaching, and shall perform the duties of a pastor together with the ordinary duties of the pastoral office. He is not subject to the triennial reaffirmation or pastor term limits.

10.3.2 He shall oversee the preaching of God’s Word and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

10.3.3 He has primary responsibility for the supervision and evaluation of ministerial staff, which may be delegated. In his absence or incapacity, the Pastors assume responsibility for his duties.

10.3.4 In the absence of a senior pastor, the Pastors will form a pulpit committee responsible for recommending a nominee to serve as a senior pastor. If the number of pastors is fewer than five (5), or if persons who are not paid staff of the Church would not otherwise constitute a majority of the committee, the Pastors shall nominate, and the congregation shall elect at a members' meeting, enough additional members of the Church so that the committee numbers at least five (5), is an odd number, and persons who are not paid staff of the Church constitute a majority. If the church has no pastors, the congregation shall nominate and elect, at a members' meeting, an odd number of at least five persons to serve as the pulpit committee. The Committee shall bring to the consideration of the church one man at a time. Election shall be by secret ballot, and an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the voting members present is necessary for a choice.

10.4 — Associate and Assistant Pastors.

10.4.1 Associate Pastors. The Church may call Associate Pastors for pastoral responsibilities expected to be long-term. Each shall meet the qualifications of a pastor, be a pastor, and assist the Senior Pastor; each is not subject to the triennial reaffirmation or pastor term limits. In the Senior Pastor's defined absence (such as sabbatical or illness), the Associate Pastor(s) assume his duties under the Pastors' oversight.

10.4.2 Assistant Pastors. The Church may call Assistant Pastors, from within the congregation, for pastoral responsibilities expected to be shorter-term or defined. Each shall meet the qualifications of a pastor, be a pastor, and, unlike senior and associate pastors, remains subject to the ordinary triennial reaffirmation and pastor term limits. The Pastors shall define an assistant pastor's duties and term.

10.4.3 Pastoral Assistants. The Senior Pastor may engage staff to assist with pastoral ministry, designated pastoral assistants. These are not pastors unless separately nominated by the Pastors and elected by the congregation as pastors. They serve at the direction of the Senior Pastor for renewable one-year terms.

10.5 — Deacons.

10.5.1 The office of deacon is described in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 and Acts 6:1–6. The Church recognizes qualified men and women who serve the congregation and are set apart as deacons and deaconesses. The number of diaconal positions varies with the needs of the Church.

10.5.2 Deacons and deaconesses exercise a ministry of service, not of spiritual oversight or final financial control, which belong to the Pastors. Their work may include preserving unity, the ministry of mercy to the sick, aged, and sorrowing; the accommodations for public worship and the Lord's Supper; the care of Church property; hospitality.

10.5.3 Deacons shall be elected to one term of three years and may be reelected for one more term. Afterwards, they may only be elected to another term after one year.

11.1 — Principles. Church elections shall be marked by substantial prayer; nominations proceeding with the support of the Pastors; grace, kindness, and honesty toward all candidates; and the spirit of mutual trust and loving consideration appropriate within the body of Christ.

11.2 — Nomination and selection. The Pastors shall present nominees for pastor, deacon, clerk, and treasurer, made known to the congregation at a members’ meeting at least one month before the vote, and shall seek recommendations from the membership. Any member who believes a nominee is unqualified shall express that concern to the Pastors in advance. The moderator shall declare elected each nominee for pastor or deacon receiving two-thirds of votes cast, and each nominee for other offices receiving a simple majority. Abstentions are not votes cast. Persons elected assume office immediately following that members’ meeting unless another date is designated.

11.3 — Calling of pastors. Calling a Senior, Associate, or Assistant Pastor follows the pastor process, with these additions: the Pastors shall encourage feedback from the congregation; the congregation shall have adequate opportunity to assess the candidate's gifts (with particular care for preaching where relevant); the Pastors shall assure the congregation of the candidate's wholehearted assent to the Statement of Faith and the Church Covenant; notice of the nomination shall be given at two Sunday services before the vote. A call is extended upon an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members present, upon which, if not already a member, the candidate becomes a member and a pastor.

12.1 — Ministerial staff. In proposing paid ministerial positions, the Pastors shall present a job description to the congregation. The congregation approves candidates for Senior, Associate, and Assistant Pastor; for other ministerial positions the congregation may approve candidates or delegate approval to the Pastors. Dismissal of a pastor follows Article X.

12.2 — Non-ministerial staff. The Pastors may hire, supervise, and dismiss non-ministerial employees and shall report material staffing decisions to the congregation.

12.3 — Compliance and terms. Employment terms, compensation, and personnel policies shall be set forth in a separate California-compliant employee handbook and individual agreements, not in this Governing Document. The Church shall comply with applicable California and federal law while preserving to the fullest extent permitted by law its religious-liberty rights, including the ministerial exception and its right to require that employees affirm and live consistently with the Statement of Faith, the affirmed statements, and the Church Covenant.

12.4 — Religious character of policies. The Church's policies on marriage, weddings, facility use, human sexuality, gender, and personal conduct — whether adopted in this Governing Document or in separate policies — are adopted as expressions of the sincerely held religious beliefs of this Church, rooted in its Statement of Faith and in the statements affirmed under Article IV, §4.2, and shall be interpreted and applied accordingly.

13.1 — Budget.

13.1.1 The Pastors shall present an annual itemized budget for discussion and adoption by the congregation not more than three months after the start of the fiscal year. Congregational approval shall proceed as a single vote on the budget in its entirety. Until a new budget is adopted, and subject to the Pastors' discretion, expenditures may continue at the prior year's level.

13.1.2 The fiscal year begins September 1st and ends August 31st.

13.1.3 If the number of pastors is fewer than five, or if persons who are not paid staff of the Church would not otherwise constitute a majority, the Pastors shall nominate, and the congregation shall elect at a members' meeting, enough members of the Church to serve with the Pastors as a Finance Committee so that the committee numbers at least five, is an odd number, and persons who are not paid staff of the Church constitute a majority. If no Pastors are serving, the congregation shall nominate and elect, at a members' meeting, an odd number of at least five persons to serve as the Finance Committee. This committee shall draft a budget for approval by the congregation.

13.1.4 If a Finance Committee is formed under §13.1.3, the committee shall also serve, until the end of the fiscal year for which its budget is adopted, to assist the Pastors and the Treasurer in monitoring expenditures against the adopted budget. In that role the committee shall review the Church's financial reports, and shall report material variances from the budget to the Pastors and, through the regular financial reports under §13.2, to the congregation. The committee's role is advisory: it shall not have custody of Church funds, authority to approve or direct expenditures, or signing authority, all of which remain governed by §§2.2.4, 13.2, and 13.5.

13.2 — Solicitation and control. No money shall be solicited by or on behalf of the Church or its ministries without the approval of the Pastors or the Finance Committee. Financial oversight resides with the Pastors, subject to congregational adoption of the budget and continued accountability through financial reports in members’ meetings.

13.3 — No private inurement. No part of the net earnings or assets of the Church shall inure to the benefit of any director, officer, member, or private individual, except that the Church may pay reasonable compensation for services and reimburse reasonable expenses.

13.4 — Conflicts of interest and self-dealing. The Pastors shall adopt and follow a written conflict-of-interest policy. No self-dealing transaction (as defined under Cal. Corp. Code § 9243) shall be approved unless it is fair to the Church and approved by the disinterested Pastors after full disclosure, consistent with California law.

13.5 — Internal controls. The Church shall maintain adequate internal financial controls, including segregation of duties in the handling of funds and a requirement of two authorized signatures on all checks. The Pastors shall designate authorized check-signers, none of whom shall sign a check payable to himself or herself.

14.1 — Mandatory indemnification. If a claim is made against a person because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Church, the Church shall indemnify that person against liability and defense costs if the Pastors determine the person acted in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person would exercise, in a manner reasonably believed to be in the Church's best interest, and without reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful — to the fullest extent permitted by Cal. Corp. Code § 9246.

14.2 — Permissive indemnification. At the discretion of the Pastors, and only to the extent permitted by Cal. Corp. Code § 9246, the Church also may indemnify any person described in §14.1 who acted in good faith and reasonably believed that his or her conduct was in the Church's best interest. The Church shall not indemnify any person for conduct the person knew or had reasonable cause to believe was unlawful, or where indemnification would be contrary to law or would jeopardize the Church's exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

14.3 — Procedure. If a quorum of the Pastors (see §10.2.4) is not available for an indemnification determination because of the number of Pastors seeking indemnification, the requisite determination may be made by the membership or by special legal counsel appointed by the membership.

14.4 — Insurance. The Church may purchase and maintain insurance, including directors' and officers' liability insurance, general liability insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance (when applicable), on behalf of any person described in §14.1, to the extent permitted by Cal. Corp. Code § 9246, whether or not the Church would have the power to indemnify the person against that liability. The Church's indemnification obligations are secondary to available insurance and apply only to amounts not paid by collectible insurance.

15.1 This Church is an autonomous, self-governing congregation. It voluntarily cooperates with organizations such as the Association of Churches for Missions and Evangelism, the Southern Baptist Convention, the California Southern Baptist Convention, and the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association.

15.2 Such cooperation is voluntary, financial, or programmatic; it in no way subordinates the government of this Church, under the headship of Jesus Christ.

16.1 Upon dissolution of the Church, after paying or providing for its debts and liabilities, all remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes, holding like biblical convictions, that qualify as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code — as the congregation determines upon the recommendation of the Pastors, consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and California law. No assets shall be distributed to any member, director, or officer.

17.1 — Amendment. This document may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the voting members present and voting at a members' meeting at which the quorum required by §9.2.5 is present, provided the amendment was offered in writing at a prior members' meeting and announced at public worship services on two successive Sundays before the vote.