Bethany Baptist Church Constitution
Revised February 5, 2026
ARTICLE I — Mission
The mission of Bethany Baptist Church (located at 4545 NW Kaiser Rd, Portland, OR 97229), hereinafter referred to as “Bethany,” existing by the sovereign will of God as part of the body of Christ, is to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our neighbors in Bethany and beyond. Bethany exists to:
PROCLAIM the Christ-centered Word of God
BE TRANSFORMED by the life-changing Word of God
MAKE DISCIPLES of Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God
(Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:17, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:12)
ARTICLE II — Incorporation
Bethany is an independent and autonomous Baptist church presently incorporated and shall remain incorporated.
ARTICLE III — Membership
The members of Bethany are all who profess repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, have been baptized upon that profession as prescribed in the Statement of Practices, and are approved by a members’ vote. The members of Bethany consist of its members in good standing. Members shall, with the Holy Spirit’s help, strive to conform to the faith and practices held by this church as set forth in the Statement of Practices and the Statement of Faith.
ARTICLE IV — Governance
Bethany practices congregational rule by the vote of its members, which includes all matters of doctrine and discipline. The members elect elders who exercise leadership and set policy for the church and its membership in accordance with the Constitution, the Statement of Practices, and the Statement of Faith.
ARTICLE V — Elders
The members shall elect elders to oversee and maintain the spiritual health of the church, to manage the affairs of the church, and to serve as officers of the corporation.
ARTICLE VI — Deacons
The members shall elect deacons as needed to carry out the various ministries of Bethany. Their purpose will be to facilitate the ministries of Bethany by coordinating volunteers from within the members.
ARTICLE VII — Member Meetings
Section 1 — Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of Bethany shall begin on July 1 and conclude on June 30 of the following year.
Section 2 — Annual Member Meeting
The annual member meeting shall be held on the last Sunday in June or on such other date as the elders shall determine as set forth in the Statement of Practices. The budget shall be presented for approval at the annual meeting.
Section 3 — Regular and Special Member Meetings
There shall be other regular and special member meetings of Bethany during the year as set forth in the Statement of Practices. The elders and deacons may be elected at any member meeting.
Section 4 — Authority Reserved to Members
At any regular or annual member meeting, any Bethany member shall have the right to present any or all matters, questions, or issues before the members, as set forth in the Statement of Practices.
ARTICLE VIII — Miscellaneous
Section 1 — Statement of Practices
The Statement of Practices shall describe the practical implementation of this Constitution. The Statement of Practices shall be adopted and may be amended only by a vote of at least two-thirds of the voting members present at any member meeting of the church.
Section 2 — Amendment
This Constitution, the Statement of Practices, and the Articles of Incorporation may be amended only by a vote of at least two-thirds of the voting members present at any member meeting. The elders shall submit any proposed amendment to the members in written form at least two months prior to such a meeting.
Section 3 — Document Review
The elders shall be required to examine the Constitution, the Statement of Practices, and the Statement of Faith every five years and, if necessary, shall submit proposed amendments to the voting members for approval at a member meeting.