MSBC Policy and Procedures 16July2018

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
Morning Star Baptist Church
Gulfport, Mississippi
4) By Letter: Members from other Baptist churches holding the same faith
may be received by letters of recommendation and dismissal from their respective church;
5) Restoration: Excluded members may be restored to membership on
confession of their errors, and giving evidence of repentance (I Corinthians 4:2);
6) Watch Care: A person wanting to retain membership in another church of
like faith, but while residing in this community desires to worship in and minister through
Morning Star Baptist Church of Gulfport may request membership by Watch Care. This
person will have all the rights of membership except voting privileges. Thus, “Watch Care”
means temporarily joining a church because you are unable to attend the church where you
hold your primary membership. The person joining under Watch Care can maintain their
primary church membership, while becoming a part of a local church congregation.
d. This church emphasizes that every reasonable measure shall be taken to assist
a troubled member. The pastor, other members of the ministerial staff, and deacons are
available for counsel and guidance. Biblical standards and Christian concern for redemption
rather than punishment shall guide the attitudes of church members toward one another.
Prior to any disciplinary action, said member shall be called before the pastor and deacons
to be examined regarding any charge of gross immorality, persistent failure to comply with
covenant obligations or overt denial of any part of the doctrinal statement of this church. The
failure of a member to appear when requested shall not serve to stay action of the examining
body. After prayerful consideration, the pastor and deacons will then make recommendations
for appropriate action to the church at either a regular or called business meeting.
e. If any Member fails to abide by the church covenant, the purpose of Morning Star
Baptist Church, the Articles of Faith, and the membership section of the Constitution and
Bylaws, or should such a Member be suspended or expelled (Romans 16:17; Matthew
18:15-19; I Corinthians 6:12) or fails to commune for a three (3) month period of time (I
Corinthians 11:17-3) or fails to financially contribute for a three (3) month period of time
(Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Acts 20:35; Luke 6:38; I Corinthians 16:2, II Corinthians 9:6-
8), shall lose all voting rights and any and all other privileges and all offices bestowed upon
said Member without any action of the congregation. The member shall be moved from the
active (voting) roll to the inactive (non-voting) roll and immediately loses the privileges of
membership, automatically, in this Church.
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Adopted for Implementation by the membership, July 16, 2018