Charitable objects
THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE CIO IS TO ADVANCE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN UNITED KINGDOM AND OR OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. THE CIO MAY ALSO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND
CARRY OUT OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND/OR OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
IN FULFILLING ITS PURPOSE THE CIO WILL ENGAGE IN A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES EITHER ON ITS OWN OR WITH OTHERS THAT WILL VARY FROM TIME TO TIME WITH ACTIVITIES BEING INITIATED, EXPANDED, OR CLOSED, AS APPROPRIATE.
THE ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO:
• REGULAR PUBLIC WORSHIP,PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY, PREACHING AND TEACHING;
• BAPTISM, AS DESCRIBED IN THE HOLY BIBLE;
• THE COMMUNION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER WHICH SHALL NORMALLY BE OBSERVED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH;
• EVANGELISM AND MISSION, LOCALLY, REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY;
• THE TEACHING,ENCOURAGEMENT, WELCOME AND INCLUSION OF YOUNG PEOPLE;
• NURTURE AND GROWTH OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES;
• EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR CHRISTIAN AND COMMUNITY SERVICE;
• GIVING AND ENCOURAGING PASTORAL CARE;
• SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING CHARITABLE SOCIAL ACTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ABROAD;
• ENCOURAGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND SUPPORTING OTHER CHRISTIANS;
• PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE AFFIRM THE HOLY BIBLE AS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, AND AS THE ONLY BASIS FOR OUR BELIEFS. THE CIO ACCEPTS THE BAPTIST UNION’S DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE: , AS OUR BASIC CHRISTIAN BELIEFS AND
GENERAL STATEMENT OF OUR FAITH: “THAT OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, IS THE SOLE AND ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO FAITH AND PRACTICE, AS
REVEALED IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, AND THAT EACH CHURCH HAS LIBERTY, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO INTERPRET AND ADMINISTER HIS LAWS. THAT CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS THE IMMERSION IN
WATER INTO THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, OF THOSE WHO HAVE PROFESSED REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD AND FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO ‘DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO
THE SCRIPTURES; WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY’. THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY DISCIPLE TO BEAR PERSONAL WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, AND TO TAKE PART IN THE EVANGELISATION OF THE WORLD.”
THIS CIO IS AUTONOMOUS AND MAINTAINS THE RIGHT TO GOVERN ITS OWN AFFAIRS, INDEPENDENT OF ANY DENOMINATIONAL CONTROL. HOWEVER, RECOGNISING THE BENEFITS OF COOPERATION
WITH OTHER CHURCHES IN WORLD MISSIONS, THE CIO IS IN FELLOWSHIP WITH CHURCHES OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE BAPTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN (BAPTIST UNION) AND WILL
PURSUE SUCH RELATIONSHIPS NECESSARY TO FURTHER ITS MISSION. THE CIO WILL NORMALLY PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT AND ADVANCE THE WORK OF THE BAPTIST UNION THROUGH PRAYER, FINANCIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, BY MAKING PERSONNEL AVAILABLE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH. WHEN IT IS ABLE THE CIO WILL ALSO SUPPORT LOCAL BAPTIST AND ECUMENICAL GATHERINGS.
NOTHING IN THIS CONSTITUTION SHALL AUTHORISE AN APPLICATION OF THE PROPERTY OF THE CIO FOR THE PURPOSES WHICH ARE NOT CHARITABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 7 OF THE CHARITIES AND TRUSTEE
INVESTMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005 AND SECTION 2 OF THE CHARITIES ACT (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2008.
