Rules of Decorum of Providence Baptist Church

Article 1st - The Church Shall hold a meeting for business once in each month which shall be opened and closed by public worship and the members present shall form a quorum to transact any business that shall come before them.

Article 2nd - The Pastor or Elder of the Church shall act as Moderator until the Church shall direct otherwise. It shall be his duty to keep good order.

Article 3rd - The Moderator shall invite all Baptists of Sister Churches which are in good standing to seat with us and act in council with us.

Article 4th - The Church shall then open a door for the reception of members.

Article 5th - All difficulties between brother or sister Shall be settled according to the 18th Chapter of Matthew.

Article 6th - After the church be thus organized the references from any former meeting shall be taken up and acted upon.

Article 7th - In the transaction of Business each motion meeting with second shall be acted upon unless withdrawn by the mover.

Article 8th - when a question of debate be before the Church only one member shall speak at a time whose duty it shall be to first to arise and address the moderator.

Article 9th - the member speaking shall not be interrupted provided he attends strictly to the subject before the Church.

Article 10 - any member may have a right to call to order and where that point is disputed the moderator shall decide. Yet if the member should not consider himself out of order he may appeal to the Church.

Article 11 - No member has the right to speak more than three times to the same subject without leave of the Church and if the debate be protracted and the church or individual wish the main question may be introduced in these words shall the main question be taken.

Article 12 - When a question is before the Church for discussion it shall be the duty of each member to give their vote.

Article 13 - In choosing a pastor or other officers of the church, 2/3rds of the votes cast shall Elect. Receiving and dismissing members a unanimous vote shall be had. In other business of the Church a majority shall rule.

Article 14 - No member shall withdraw from the business unnecessary until regularly dismissed.

Article 15 - No member shall address another with any other title but Brother or Sister.

Article 16 - We think it the duty for all the members of the Church to take seats at the Communion Table.

Article 17 - We think it a breach of fellowship for any member of the Church to take the Lord’s supper with any religious sect which is not of our faith and order.

Article 18 - It shall be the duty of the members of the church to meet as near as they can at 11 O’clock AM at regular meetings and Rules of decorum shall be read if called for.

Article 19 - Those members who may violate any of the above rules may be dealt with as the church may think proper.