The Church shall be known as Sussex Street Baptist Church.

Membership

Membership shall be open to all who profess repentance towards God, who have faith in, and obedience to Christ as Saviour and Lord and whose lives bear evidence of their Christian profession. Members are received after baptism by immersion unless this is not practical for health reasons. Members may also be received by letter of transfer from another Christian Church where they have been in good standing.

Each applicant for membership shall be asked to attend a short course of studies, which shall include a study of the church covenant. The names of those to be interviewed shall be read out at a church meeting. They will then be interviewed by two church members, appointed by the leadership, to enquire into the reality of his or her Christian faith and life. Following the interview, a report shall be given to the elders and deacons. If admission to the membership is agreed, this will be communicated at the next meeting. If any member has an objection, it should be communicated privately to the pastor or one of the elders, otherwise the new member will be welcomed into membership at the next convenient communion service.

A roll of church members shall be maintained by the secretary. This shall be revised annually by the leadership in the light of the church covenant. No name shall be removed from the roll without, if at all possible due notice to and visitation of the person concerned. The church will be advised of any amendments to the roll.

Any member of the church whose conduct is thought to be inconsistent with the Christian profession shall be visited by the leadership and lovingly counselled and, if necessary, cautioned. If such conduct is continued appropriate action will be taken and the matter reported to the church meeting.

Deacons' meetings shall be held monthly and a quorum shall consist of half the Diaconate.

The church shall meet for Christian fellowship, the discussion of important issues and the transaction of the business of the church at least once a quarter. Notice of such ordinary meetings will be given at both services on the preceding Sunday.

A quorum shall consist of 25% of the total membership, excluding those who are residing away from the church.

The Annual Church Meeting shall be held at the beginning of each year at which officers shall be elected and the financial statement presented. The date of the meeting will be announced on the two preceding Sundays and written notification will be given together with a copy of the financial statement, and an agenda.

A Special Church Meeting may be called at the discretion of the pastor, a majority of the elders or deacons or at the written request of 20% of the membership. Such meetings will be announced at both services on the two preceding Sundays and written notification given, with details of the business to be discussed. Decisions on the issues for which a Special Church Meeting is called require two thirds of the votes cast to be in favour.

The pastor shall preside at each meeting unless a majority of the members present shall decide otherwise. In the absence of the pastor, the meeting shall elect a chairman from the leadership.

Meetings and services on church premises shall be held only with the permission of the pastor and elders or deacons and upon such conditions as they may decide.

Unless otherwise stated, decisions at all church meetings shall be by simple majority.
Note: Two thirds of the votes cast must be in favour for:

1. The letting or sale of premises.
2. Raising of money or rebuilding of premises.
3. The purchase or rebuilding of premises.
4. The appointment of a secretary and treasurer.
5. The appointment of deacons.

Items for a church meeting agenda may be submitted in writing to the secretary by a church member, but at least 7 days before the meeting in order to allow sufficient time for them to be considered under 'Any Other Business' at the discretion of the chairman and they shall normally be of only minor importance.

Non members shall be allowed to attend business meetings at the discretion of the leadership.

In considering a call to a pastor, the Area Superintendent may be invited to meet the church or its representatives to advise and make recommendations. In this event he should be acquainted with the Covenant of Membership in order to recommend a man who could in all good conscience endorse it.

When a name is ready to be placed before the church, a Special Church Meeting shall be called. After prayerful consideration, ballot papers available at the meeting shall be completed. If more than two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour of a call to the pastorate the meeting shall call the man in the conviction that the Lord has made His will known to His people.

Termination of the appointment will be subject to the same criteria.

Elders may be appointed to assist in spiritual oversight. The Elderate should be restricted to men according to the scriptural principles governing leadership in I Timothy 2 ¹². They must be baptised members of at least 12 months standing whom the church clearly feel to have the gift and call of God and not merely to fill a vacancy, as it is envisaged that there could be times when the Lord does not seem to have given such men to the church. In considering a call to the Elderate, the membership shall be guided by the scriptural instructions found in 1 Timothy 1 ⁷ and Titus 1 ^5-9.

Names shall first be submitted to the leadership for consideration and, if supported, will then be recommended to and confirmed by the church.

Elders shall be ordained to office by the laying on of hands before the congregation (1Timothy 5 ^17-22). There shall be no time limit to their call to the Elderate but the church shall have the right to dismiss an elder.

Appointment, or termination, of the appointment shall be at a Special Church Meeting and the voting criteria shall be as for pastor.

The maximum number of deacons that can be appointed shall be decided from time to time by the church meeting.

They shall be at least 21 years of age and shall be members of at least 12 months standing. Two thirds of the Diaconate must be baptised members.

Deacons shall serve for a period of 5 years and on retiring shall be eligible for renomination.

Nominations must be made in writing to the secretary with the permission of the member concerned and signed by two church members.

Election shall be by ballot at the Annual Church Meeting as the need arises. The church will be notified of the number of vacancies to be filled and the names of those nominated will be announced on the Sunday preceding the meeting.

In the event of there being more nominations than places available, a preliminary ballot will be held where members may vote for no more candidates than there are places. E.g., If there are 3 candidates for 2 places then each member may vote for only 2 of the 3. Those with the highest number of votes will then stand for election to the office of deacon.

A secretary and a treasurer will be elected at the Annual Church Meeting or at a Special Church Meeting as the need arises from members of the diaconate. If no deacon is able to fulfil the office, the church my elect an officer from the membership, that officer also becoming a deacon if eligible.

Sunday School teachers and other leaders shall be fully committed believers of good spiritual standing in the fellowship acting with the approval of the church leadership.

Finance

The financial year shall end on 31^st December each year. The accounts shall be audited as directed by the diaconate or church meeting and the treasurer shall prepare a financial statement for circulation to members.

Any alterations to the foregoing rules may be made only on notice of motion at a regular church meeting and passed by a majority at the next church meeting.

The Lord's Supper shall normally be administered on the first Sunday evening and third Sunday morning in each month and additionally as the pastor and elders shall feel desirable. The table shall be open to all sincere believers in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Believers Baptism. Those desiring baptism shall apply to the pastor or elders, who shall satisfy themselves as to the sincerity of their beliefs and arrange enquirers' classes where necessary.

Infant Presentation. Requests shall be made to the pastor or elders. The parents of children presented before the Lord must be in regular fellowship with the church.

Marriage. Requests for marriage shall be made to the pastor or elders on the condition that one of the partners is in regular fellowship with the church or that they are a Christian couple known to the leadership of the church.