Its members are baptized believers who are united in doctrinal conviction, godly walk, and intend to carry out the church covenant and the purposes for which the local church exists. Those purposes include evangelism at home and around the world, the observance of the ordinances, the building up of the saints, maturing them and equipping them for ministry through fellowship, encouragement, the systematic preaching and teaching of God's Word, and opportunity for ministry. Each congregation, therefore, is the sole decision-making body, and its will is final. It is the privilege of God's people to seek the mind of Christ and then to act accordingly. The pastor is a man called by God who functions as the shepherd of the flock by providing a mature and godly example for them to follow, by faithfully preaching and teaching the Word of God, and by using his overseeing office to alert his people to danger and to give them leadership and direction.
Deacons are men who function as helpers to the pastor.
Their responsibility is to serve and minister within the local church under the direction of the pastoral office. We reject the concept of a plurality of ruling elders.