Constitution

The constitution of CrossRoads Church. It states what the church is, what it believes, and how it is ordered. It sits above the policies in this manual: a policy may not contradict it, and it is amended only by a three-quarters vote of the membership under Section VIII below.

The bylaws adopted alongside it are published separately at Bylaws.

Preamble

We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches.

I. Name and Location

This body is known as CrossRoads Church, a Virginia church corporation, and is located at 1127 Surrey Crescent, Norfolk, Virginia, 23508.

II. Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Church is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37) and to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

The Church’s mission is to reach the campus, community, and world with the love of Jesus Christ.

The Church will accomplish its mission through making disciples.

III. Polity and Relationships

The Church is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of denominational control. Recognizing, however, the benefits of cooperation with other churches in the world and local mission, this church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia (BGAV). Other affiliations will be based on Elder approval.

IV. Statement of Faith

God. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. (Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, II Corinthians 13:14)

Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13)

The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. People in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ are to live in holiness and obedience as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Sent by the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s saving work by enlightening the minds of sinners to their need to be saved. He renews and indwells each believer upon salvation, becoming their source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for building up the church. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying the Bible. Appropriated by faith, His power and control empower believers to lead a life of Christ-like character and bear fruit for the Father’s glory. (II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13; 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18)

Man. Man is made in the image of God. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although God designed man to have fellowship with him, man became alienated from God through disobedience. As a result, all human beings are born with a sinful nature and choose to sin against God. Man is incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through his own efforts. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6a, Romans 3:23, Colossians 1:21, Isaiah 59:1-2)

Salvation. Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6; 1:12, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26, Romans 5:1)

Eternal Security. Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security. (John 10:29, II Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14, I Peter 1:3-5)

Eternity. Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God, through forgiveness and salvation. When you die, you will either spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. After death, the soul spends either eternity in Heaven or Hell. (John 3:16, I John 2:25; 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15)

The Bible. The sole basis of our belief is the Bible—the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe Scripture in its entirety originated with God and He revealed it to chosen authors. Scripture speaks with the authority of God while simultaneously reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of these human authors. We hold that the truths of Scripture, in their original manuscripts, are infallible and inerrant; they are the unique and the only authoritative text on all matters of faith and practice. (II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:20-21, II Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105,160, Psalm 12:6, Proverbs 30:5)

The Church. All who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are united with Him as members of His body, the one true church. Scripture teaches believers to gather for worship, prayer, fellowship, and the teaching of the Word; to observe Baptism and Communion as established by Jesus Christ; to offer service to the body through development and use of talents, gifts, and outreach to the world. The local expression of the church is wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command. Cared for and led by Elders and leaders, church members are to work together in love and unity for the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11; Acts 13:1–4; 15:19–31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

Evangelism and Mission. As a response to the grace and mercy that God has showed us, it is only fitting that we obey the command to go and make disciples. If we understand what it means to be human correctly, we know that we have built into us the ability to reflect the very image and nature of God to the world around us. We believe the most effective form of evangelism is tied to reflecting His image and bringing His presence to a broken world. As we earn the right to be heard we dedicate ourselves to proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in order to bring others to faith. As people respond to God’s invitation of relationship, His kingdom is advanced. We believe our witness should be present and influence the campus, the community, and the world. (Matthew 28:20-28; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 3:15; Mark 16:15; Luke 10:5-10).

Marriage. We believe that Marriage unites one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment to each other. Marriage provides for intimate companionship, pure sexual expression, procreation, and reflects the relationship of Christ and the church. A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the church. A wife is commanded to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ. (Genesis 1:28, 2:23-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5).

V. Church Ordinances

Baptism

Baptism is an outward witness of an inward faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Christian baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Jesus. It declares the believer’s faith in and identification with their crucified, buried, and risen Savior. The believer is immersed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; this symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and the burial of their old life. Being raised out of the water, expresses the believer’s resurrection to a new kingdom life in Christ Jesus. Baptism is a visible declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Baptism at CrossRoads is:

• A public profession of faith and a desire to follow Christ
• Done publically before witnesses
• By Immersion in water
• Administered by the Pastor or whomever the elders authorize

Communion

Communion is where the church emphasizes the fellowship we have with God the Father and each other through Jesus. Communion is important because it (1 )reminds us of the dramatic manner of the death of Jesus Christ in our place for our sins, (2) compels believers to examine ourselves and repent of sin before partaking, (3) shows the unity of God’s people around the person and work of Jesus, and (4) anticipates God’s Kingdom coming in its fullness.

• Communion will be observed the first Sunday of every month or when the Elders feel it is appropriate with the church calendar.

VI. Ordinations

A. Ordination to the Pastorate:

(1) When one indicates to the Elders that he believes that God has called him to the ministry, and if the Elders are in agreement with him, it is appropriate for the Elders to begin the process of ordination. The request for ordination may come from the candidate himself, or recommended by the Elders.

(2) After receiving a proper request for ordination of a candidate, the Elders shall examine the candidate’s fitness for ordination. The ordination council shall consist of ordained members of the congregation and/or other ordained men the Elders may wish to invite. The council may recommend to the Elders:

(a) Ordination of the candidate,

(b) Deferment of the ordination for a stated period, or

(c) Rejection of the candidate. If, after the Elders have received in writing the recommendations of the council, the Elders approve the candidate for ordination, the ordination services shall be scheduled and the candidate shall be ordained.

B. Ordination of Elders:

An Elder who has not been previously ordained to the eldership by the Church shall be ordained at such time as he is elected to serve that office.

C. Selection/Appointment of Other Ministers:

The Elders shall have the right, to select/appoint those called to and serving in ministries other than the pastorate such as ministries of student, children, etc. The selection/appointment of a person to any ministry may be revoked by the Elders in a meeting called for that purpose.

VII. Member’s Covenant

CrossRoads Membership Covenant

Preamble

This covenant is about being a part of family. All members are disciples of Jesus and are unified by their identity in Christ. This unity is expressed in the way we collectively love God, fellow believers, and the world.

Covenant

As a follower of Christ, I believe it is God’s desire for my life to be connected and committed to a local church community. I feel led by God’s spirit to commit myself to CrossRoads Church for the purpose of seeing God’s Kingdom expanded on the campus, community, and the world.

Having been led by God’s Spirit, I desire to unite myself in a covenant relationship with the CrossRoads Church family.

• I agree with CrossRoads doctrinal beliefs, church mission and purpose, and leadership structure and agree to follow the church’s Constitution and Bylaws.
• To continue to grow in my personal relationship with Christ to become a fully devoted follower of Christ.
  • Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, practicing spiritual disciplines
  • Regularly participating in the life of the church by attending weekly services, engaging in biblical community, and serving those outside the church
  • Being equipped by church leaders to serve the church

As a member of CrossRoads Church I commit to advance God’s Kingdom in the following ways:

• By serving in my church community
  • Discovering my gifts and talents
  • Seeking the Holy Spirit and asking “what does God want me to do”?
• Responding to the Spirits call to love and share God’s love with:
  • The Campus
  • My Community
  • The World
• Supporting the ministry of the church
  • Engaging in service opportunities in the church
  • Giving regularly to the church
  • Supporting leaders in the church
• Being diligent to protect the unity and peace of the church
  • Acting in love toward other members
  • Refusing to gossip
  • Dealing with conflict in a biblical way (Matthew 18)
• Living my life in a way that reflects the gospel of Jesus Christ
  • Cultivating a humble heart before the Lord
  • Through my thoughts, attitudes, and behavior
  • Showing both grace and truth to people in my life

VIII. Amendment

Members may propose changes to the Constitution that shall be submitted to the Board for consideration and comment. The Board by three-quarter (3/4) majority approval will present the proposed changes and their comments to the Church at a regular or special Members Meeting. This Constitution may be amended by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of members present and voting, provided that the following has been followed:

• The proposed written amendment has been presented at a previous Members Business Meeting.
• The proposed amendment has been mailed or made available to the membership at least four (4) weeks before the meeting to act on the proposed amendment.
• The proposed amendment has been announced on a previous Sunday morning at least two (2) weeks before the vote is taken.