THE CONSTITUTION AND
BY-LAWS
for
McBEE BAPTIST CHURCH
McBee, South Carolina
Update, July 2002
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
For the purpose of preserving and making secure the principles of our Faith,
and to the end that this body of believing Christians may be governed in an
orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of Southern Baptist
Churches, for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent on each
individual member of the church, and in order to set forth the relationship
of this body to other Baptist bodies, we do adopt and establish this
Constitution.
We agree to cooperate with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and its
Cooperative Program, as long as it complies with the New Testament
Doctrines. We further agree to cooperate with the Chesterfield Baptist
Association and its Mission Program as long as it complies with the New
Testament Doctrines.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this body shall be the McBee Baptist Church of McBee, South
Carolina.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHURCH"
1. WORSHIP
To maintain service for the purpose of leading persons to experience an
awareness of God, to recognize the majesty and holiness of God, and to
respond to Him in loving obedience.
2. PROCLAIM To
proclaim the Gospel of God's grace at home and abroad to the end that man
may come to know Jesus Christ as Saving Lord.
3. EDUCATE
To provide a continuing program of education and training in all of the
teaching of the Bible and the privileges and responsibilities of membership
in a New Testament Church to the end that Christians may grow in the
Christian graces and may become effective and mature as children of God.
4. MINISTER To seek in
Christian compassion to minister to the physical as well as the spiritual
needs of persons at home and abroad.
5. FELLOWSHIP We
further fellowship together to create an atmosphere where the presence of
the Holy Spirit may work in and through each member.
ARTICLE III
OUR DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
(Also known as Articles
of Faith)
1. THE
SCRIPTURES
We believe in the Holy
Bible (word for word) and plenary (full, entire, complete) inspiration of
the Old and New Testament, that they are the final authority for faith and
life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed.
Ref.: II Tim. 3:15-17;
II Peter 1:20-21; II Peter 3:15-17; Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 16:29-31; John
22:13-15;
2. THE GODHEAD
We believe in one triune
God, the Maker, Preserver, and Ruler of all things, eternally existing in
three persons ---The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit --- co-eternal in
being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, each with
distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence, or
being.
Ref.: Deut. 6:4; Gen.
1:1-31; Gen. 6:3; John 1:1-2; Phil. 2:1-6; John 10:29-31; Matt. 22: 29-32;
Jer.10:10
3. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
We believe that our Lord
Jesus Christ is eternally equal with God; that He became man by the Holy
Spirit and virgin birth; that He lived a sinless life on earth; that His
body was as a satisfactory sacrifice for sinners; that His body was buried
in and arose from Joseph's tomb; that He ascended to Heaven and was
glorified as a man at God's right hand; that He sent the eternal Spirit on
Pentecost to convict the world; to regenerate, indwell, and empower
believers, and to build the church; that He is coming again for His own and
then to set up His Kingdom on earth.
Ref.: Matt. 16:13-17;
John 1:1; I Tim 2:5; Matt. 1:20-23; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 10:11-14; Acts
7:55-56; John 16:7-11; John 3:5; I Cor. 6:19; Phil. 4:13; I Cor. 12:13-14; I
Thess. 4:16-17; Matt. 19:28-30; Matt. 25:31-32; Rev. 19:5
4. THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy
Spirit is a Divine Person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness,
and of judgement; that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, in whom
all believers are baptized into the body of Christ; that He indwells and
seals them unto the day of redemption. We believe that He is the Divine
Teacher and Helper who guides believers into all truth and that it is the
privilege and duty of all saved to be filled (controlled) by the Spirit.
Ref.: John 16:7-15; I
Cor. 12:12-14; II Cor. 1:19-22; Eph. 1:13; John 3:1-8; Roman 8:2; Titus
3:1-5; Eph. 4:30-32
5. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN
Satan is a supernatural
person; the author of sin and the cause of the fall of man, he is the open
and declared enemy of God and Man, and he shall be eternally punished in the
Lake of Fire.
Ref.: Gen. 3:1-15;
Matt. 4:1-11; John 8:41-44; Luke 10:17-20; John 13:2, 27; I Peter 5:8; Rev.
12, 20:7-10; Luke 4:1-13;
6. THE FALL OF MAN
Man was created by the
special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. "So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
(Gen. 1:27). " And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living
soul."(Gen. 2:7). He was created in a state of Holiness under the law of his
Maker, but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of
God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his
posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under
condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual
transgressors.
Ref.: Gen.
1:26-27,2:7,3:4-7; John 1:23 Rom. 5:12, 14, 19, 21,7:23-25, 11:18, 22,
32-33; Gen. 3:22-24; Col. 1:21; Rom. 3:23; I John 1:8; Eph. 2:3
7. HELL
We believe that Hell is
the second death of all mankind who do not believe, fallen angels, demons
and the Devil himself. We believe that Hell as described to us in the
written word to be a lake of fire and brimstone, where the nonbelievers will
be tormented both day and night for eternity.
Ref.: 2 Peter 2:3-5;
Rev. 19:20, 21:8, 20:10-15, 21:8; Luke 16:22-25; Mark 9:48; Matt. 26:24
8. HEAVEN
We believe in a literal
place called Heaven where God's immediate presence is manifested, where the
angels dwell, and where the redeemed shall ultimately dwell, from whence
Christ descended and to which He ascended again, where He maketh
intercession for the saints, and from whence He shall come to judge the
living and dead.
Ref.: Gen. 1:1 Psalm
102:19; Eccl. 5:2; Isa. 66:1; Matt. 22:30; John 14:1-3; John 16:28; Acts
1:10-11; II Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25; I John 2:14; II Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 21:
9. THE ETERNAL STATE
We believe in the bodily
resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life and unsaved to judgment
and everlasting punishment. We believe that the soul in the unbeliever
remains after death, in conscious misery until reunited. They shall appear
at the Great White Throne of judgment and shall be cast into the Lake of
Fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting punishment. We
believe that the soul of the redeemed are, at death, absent from the body
and present with the Lord, where, in conscious bliss, they await the first
resurrection glorified forever with the Lord.
Ref.: John 8:58; Rev.
2; Acts 24:14-16; John 5:28-29; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 23:40-43; II Cor. 5:6-9;
I Thess. 4:14-17; I John 3:1-6
10. THE WAY OF SALVATION
The way of salvation for
sinners is wholly of grace, through Jesus Christ the Son of God, who by the
Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet
without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made
atonement for our sins by his death. Being raised from the dead, he is now
enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in his person the most tender sympathies
with divine perfection, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate
and all-sufficient Savior.
SALVATION involves the
redemption of the whole man, and offered freely to all who accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption
for the believer. In its broadest sense, salvation includes regeneration,
justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation
apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Ref.: I Cor. 15:3-4;
Heb. 7:25; I John 2:1; Rom. 5:1-11; Matt. 27:29-50; Matt.1; 21-25; Luke
1:35, 2:11; Col. 1:20-25.
11. REGENERATION
Regeneration, or the new
birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in
Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through
conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable
experiences of grace.
12. REPENTANCE
Repentance is a genuine
turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and
commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Savior.
13. JUSTIFICATION
Justification is God's
gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all
sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer
unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
14.
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is the
experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to
God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual
maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.
Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate persons life.
Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and
abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus
3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69;
2:28-32; John 1: 11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts
2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25:
5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39, 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30;
6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2-20; 3:13; 5:22I-25;6:15;
Ephesians 1: 7; 2:8-22; 4: 1 1-16, Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; I
Thessalonians 5:23 -24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3;
5:8-9; 9:24-28; II :1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26: 1 Peter 1:2-23; l John
1:6;2:11; Revelation 3:20-21:1-22:5.
15. THE CHURCH
We believe in the one
true church, the Spiritual body and Bride of Jesus Christ, composed of
believers from Pentecost to the Rapture, into which believers are baptized
in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the local church is an
organization composed of professing, baptizing believers, instituted for the
purpose of worship, service, and fellowship. In matters of administration
and policy, it is self-governing. We believe the only ordained officers of
the local church are Pastor and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and
duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Ref.: Matt. 16:16-18; Acts 2; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:27
16. BAPTISM
Christian baptism is the
immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, And the
Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a
crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial
of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ
Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead.
Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church
membership and the Lord's Supper. In case of severe disability, the deacon
board may approve an alternate means of baptism.
Ref.: Matt. 3:15-17; Mark 1:4; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-4; Col.
2:12; I Peter 3:21
17. THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper is an
ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and
wine, and to be observed by His church till the end of the world. It is in
no sense of a sacrifice, but it is designed to commemorate His death, to
confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge,
and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship.
Ref.: I Cor. 11:23-29; Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke
22:13-20
18. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
The New Testament
teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this
earth. "This same Jesus is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in
like manner as ye have seen him to into heaven." The time of his coming is
not revealed. "Of that day and hour knoweth no one, no, not the angels in
heaven, but my Father only." It is the duty of all believers to live in
readiness for his coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to
all men the reality and the power of their hope in Christ.
Ref.: Titus 2:11-13; Matt. 25:34; Rev. 20; Matt 24:36-47
19. THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
All real believers
endure to the end. Their continuance in well doing is the mark, which
distinguishes them from those who merely profess. A special Providence
cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith.
Ref.: John 1:28-29;
Tim. 2:19; I John 2:19; I Cor. 11-32; Rom. 8:30, 9:11, 16; Rom. 5:9-10;
Matt. 26:70-75; Matt. 7;21-23; John 10:22-30
20. EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
We believe it is the
duty of every Christian and the church to seek to extend the gospel to the
ends of the earth, to constantly seek to win the lost to Christ for the
purpose of calling out a people for His name. This is the prime purpose of
the church for this age.
Ref.: Matt. 4:19; Acts 15:14; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8;
ARTICLE IV
OUR CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we
believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our
Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the
presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter
into a covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by
the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive
for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to
promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances,
discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the
support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor,
and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to
maintain family and secret devotions, to religiously educate our children,
to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk
circumspectly in the world, to be just in our dealing, faithful in our
engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling,
backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of,
intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to
advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to
watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer,
to aid each other in sickness and distress, to cultivate Christian sympathy
in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but
always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to
secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that
when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some
other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the
principles of God's Word.
ARTICLE V
CHARACTER
SECTION I. POLITY The government of this church is vested in the body of
believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other
ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of
mutual counsel and cooperation, which are common among Baptist churches.
SECTION II. DOCTRINE.....This church receives the Scriptures as its
authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian
truth as contained therein is in essential accord with cooperating churches
of the Southern Baptist Convention.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. Officers.
The
officers of this Church shall be a pastor, and other vocational leadership as
needed, deacons, trustees, clerk treasurer, and such other officers as shall be
required for the work of the church in any of its departments of organization.
All of these shall be elected by the church and shall be members in good
standing.
Section 2. Pastor.
Vacancy Occurs-Whenever a vacancy occurs, a pastor shall be called by the church
to serve until the relationship is dissolved to the request of either the pastor
or the church.
Call
Of A Pastor- The call of the pastor shall take place at a meeting especially set
for that purppose of which at least one week's notice has been given the
membership. The election shall be upon the recommendation of a Pastor search
committee appointed to seek out and nominate as pastor a minister of the Gospel
whose Christian character and qualification fit him for the office of pastor of
this church. The committee shall bring only one name at a time for
consideration of the church, and no nomination shall be made except that of the
committee. Election shall be by ballot with an affirmative vote of
three-fourths (3/4 ths) of those present and voting necessary for a call.
Should the one recommended by the committee fail to receive a three-fourths
vote, the committee will be instructed to seek out another minister and the
meeting shall be adjourned with out debate.
If
the pastor decides to break the relationship, he should give notice of
resignation not less than seven (7)days and not more than forty five (45) days
before its effective date. In the event of unusual circumstances, the pastor
may resign effective immediately at his discretion. When necessity demands,
the Church may, after careful and prayerful consideration, vote on the dismissal
of the pastor.
A
request for a vote to dismiss the pastor must be referred to the deacons. Such
a request must be signed by at least five (5) members (not members of the same
immediate family). After careful consideration, the deacons may call a special
business meeting of the Church for the purpose of a vote on this matter. At
least one (1) week's notice shall be given before such meeting is called. The
meeting shall be publicized as widely as possible among the membership of the
church and the purpose clearly stated. The pastor must be advised and due
notice given. If fifty percent (50%) of the membership present and voting, vote
in favor of dismissal, the pastor, for the benefit of the church and its
ministry would be asked to resign. All duties will cease immediately, two weeks
severance pay will be given, and at least 2 weeks will be given to vacate the
parsonage.
Duty
Of A Pastor-The pastor shall faithfully perform the duties of that office:
preach on the Lords Day, administer the New Testament ordinances, conduct the
Mid-week prayer services, visit the members of the church, especially the sick,
act as moderator at church business meetings, and perform such other duties as
usually pertain to the office, or as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws.
The pastor shall have in charge the welfare and oversight of the church; he
shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, departments and committees;
he may call a special meeting of the deacons or any committee according to
procedures which may be set forth in By-Laws; he shall be in charge, responsible
and accountable for the ministry of the church and shall in cooperation with the
deacons, provide for pulpit supply when he is absent and arrange for workers to
assist in revivals and other special services. The church will allow the pastor
to be away in revival services subject to approval of deacon board.
VICE
MODERATOR
The
chairman of the deacons shall serve as Vice-Moderator of the church. He shall
serve as Moderator of the church in the absence of and/or at the request of the
pastor. In the absence of the Preacher and the Chairman of Deacons then the
Vice-Chairman of Deacons will assume the duties of moderator.
DEACONS
There shall be a total of six Deacons on the active rotating board. Men who
serve as deacons of this church must meet the following qualifications:
1. Church membership in
McBee Baptist Church for two (2) years.
2. Scripture qualifications
as set forth in 1 Timothy 3.
3. At least 18 years of age.
4. Be committed to the Church Covenant.
5. Must be active in the life of the Church
6. Should possess leadership ability.
QUALIFICATIONS
He must measure up to the
qualifications as are stated in I Timothy 3:8-13; .He must have been a member
of McBee Baptist Church for at least two years. He must be committed to the
Church Covenant and he must be active in the life of the Church.
ELECTION
Two qualified Deacons will
be elected every even year. (2000, 2002, etc) They will be nominated with blank
ballots by the church. The two highest from this balloting ( pending the
candidate's acceptance of the nomination ) will be placed in nomination by the
Churches nominating committee. The Church will make its nomination the first
Sunday in August and the election will be the third Sunday in August - along
with the election of other Church Officers.
TERMS OF OFFICE
Every deacon is elected for
life, but each deacon will only serve for six years at a time on the Active
board. When his six years are up, at least on year will have to pass before he
is eligible for re-election to the Active Board.
UNEXPIRED TERM
In the event of death,
disability, transfer or membership, or resignation of a deacon on the Active
Board; if there are as much as two years remaining in his term, a deacon may be
elected (at the next regular election) to serve out the unexpired term. The
deacon or deacon elected to fill such vacancies shall be nominated and elected
as detailed above for regular election. The deacons elected shall draw numbers
to determine who will serve the full terms and the unexpired term or terms.
CHURCH CLERK AND ASSOCIATE CHURCH CLERK
These shall be elected annually. They shall be nominated by the church
Nominating Committee and elected by the Church. It shall be the duty of these
to keep faithful records of the business proceedings of the church meetings, to
keep an accurate and complete roll of the church membership, to keep the church
secretary informed of any and all changes to the membership, to provide a
accurate and maintained copy of all church members in a file for church records,
to conduct all correspondence relative to the church membership, and complete
the annual Associational Church letter and to see that it is properly
transmitted to the Associational Clerk.
CHURCH TREASURER / SECRETARY
The
church treasurer shall be elected annually. He or she shall be nominated by the
church Nominating Committee and shall be elected by the Church. One who has
served previously in this position will be eligible for re-election. It shall
be the duty of the treasurer to receive, keep in a bank and disburse by check
upon proper authority, all money or things of value that are given to the church
in accordance with instructions for the church. He or she shall keep at all
times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursement, rendering an account
quarterly to the church to be preserved by the church clerk. All books, records
and accounts kept by the treasurer shall be property of the church. The
treasurer shall, upon invitation, meet with the deacons on matters concerning
the Budget or any other matter the Deacon Board deems necessary. The Secretary
will receive the empty offering envelopes after the money has been removed and
counted by the Associate Treasurer and will record these amounts on each
individuals Tithe record. The Secretary will be responsible for preparing and
making statements available to contributors.
ASSOCIATE TREASURER / SECRETARY
The
Associate Treasurer will be responsible for keeping the attendance records on
Sunday morning. He or She will also take up and record all Tithes and Offerings
given to the church. The Tithes and Offerings will be counted prior to leaving
the Church on Sunday Morning and the total will be compared to the Deposit slip
the following Sunday from the treasurer. The Associate Treasurer / Secretary in
the absence of the Treasure / Secretary will record all Tithes on each
individuals Tithing report.
TRUSTEES
There shall be four (4) trustees to hold in trust the title to all property of
the church and to represent the church in all matters of legal responsibility
subject to the actions of the church. These individuals shall conduct a regular
review of all church insurance and recommend changes as needed. When a vacancy
occurs in the board of trustees, he or she will be nominated by secret ballot.
Ballots will be passed out and the member with the most votes will be asked to
serve. If the member declines the nomination, then another secret ballot
nomination will be held, until a member accepts. Each member that declines the
nomination will be made known to the congregation. This will eliminate the
member from being elected again.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
The
Music Director, by working thru the pastor, shall be responsible for providing
worshipful music at all services. He or she is to direct the choir or choirs, in
practice and public singings and is to cooperate with the pastor or other
leaders in the selecting of suitable music, and the devising of appropriate
musical programs for all occasions where such services are needed.
ARTICLE II
ELECTION
SECTION 1. ELECTION
All
organizations of the church shall be under church control, all officers being
elected by the church and reported regularly to the church. It is understood
that the pastor is ex-officio head of all the organizations named, and his
leadership is to be recognized in all them. The election of officers will be in
the August business meeting. All officers and members of committees, except
Trustees, Deacons, and salaried employees, shall be elected for a one (1) year
term or until their successors shall be elected. A person must be a member of
this church for one (1) calendar year before he, or she, will be allowed to work
unsupervised with children or teenagers. A person must be a member of this
church for at least six (6) months before he, or she, will be allowed to work
unsupervised in any other office. The nominating committee will assess which
positions these requirements will affect.
SECTION 2. BAPTISM COMMITTEE
This
committee will be composed of two (2) men and two (2) women and shall be
nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the Church. The pastor
shall be responsible for seeing that the Baptismal pool is filled.
SECTION 3. CHILDRENS COMMITTEE
This
committee will consist of the various children's department, Sunday School
teachers and is responsible for planning all children's related activities
throughout the church year. All plans must be brought to the attention of the
Deacons and the Pastor.
SECTION 4. THE FLOWER COMMITTEE
This
committee will be composed of two (2) members and will be nominated by the
Nominating Committee and elected annually by the church. This committee will
elect their own chairman. The chairman will place all orders for flowers unless
he or she has asked the co-chairman to act in the chairman's absence. In case
of death, flowers will be sent by the church for church members and their
immediate family, which consist of: father or mother, husband or wife, son or
daughter. A standard price will be set by the church.
SECTION 5. HISTORIAN
The
historian will be responsible for recording a continuous narrative account of
worthwhile and interesting events in the church life, and preserve the same in
permanent form. A report on the addition to this account for the past year will
be rendered to the church at its annual business meeting. This person will be
nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the Church.
SECTION 6. BROTHERHOOD DIRECTOR
The
Brotherhood Director will be nominated by the Nominating Committee. This person
will be responsible for planning mission activities, programs, events or
projects for the men and boys of the church.
SECTION 7. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The
Nominating Committee will consist of the Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School
Director, a member of the WMU, a member of the choir, a member of the Young
Adult class, a member from the Senior Adult class, and a member from the Youth
class. They will be elected during the month of June. They will nominate all
church officers and workers, except the pastor and deacons. They will seek to
fill all vacancies if and when they occur during the church year. The Sunday
School Director will serve as the Chairman of the Nominating committee. The
Nominating Committee will serve for one church year.
SECTION 8. SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR
The
Sunday School Director will be the chairman of the Nominating committee and will
lead the Nominating Committee in recommending and nominating persons for all
Sunday School positions. The Sunday School Director will be responsible for
giving a headcount to the Secretary for the ordering of books and supplies. He,
or she, will keep accurate records of Sunday School attendance with the
assistance of the Secretary, recommend to the church financial and physical
needs of the Sunday School, provide quarterly reports to the church, assist
teachers and leaders in developing a reasonable plan for Sunday School related
events and emphases, seek to fill any voids in Sunday School leadership which
may occur during the year, and involve all workers in providing effective Bible
study. This person is also a representative from our church on the Executive
Committee of the Chesterfield Baptist Association and a messenger to the
Biannual Associational meetings.
SECTION 9. USHER CHAIRMAN
The
chairman will be selected by the Nominating Committee and elected by the
church. He/she then should select a committee who shall tend to the seating of
the congregation at all services, provide for their comfort and safety, and
assist the pastor in the service as requested by him.
SECTION 10. WOMENS MISSIONARY UNION
The
WMU Director will be elected annually by the church as presented by the
Nominating Committee. This person is responsible for planning the monthly
missions programs of the church, arrange mission leaders for all age groups, set
church goals for the various weeks of prayer for missions, and arranging for
special mission speakers for the weeks of prayer. She is responsible for
promoting missions training and giving according to the guidelines of the
Southern Baptist Convention.
SECTION 11. YOUTH COMMITTEE
There will be four (4) members including: current youth Sunday School teacher
and three (3) members elected at-large by the church as presented to the church
by the Nominating Committee. This committee will be responsible for planning all
youth activities during the church year. All plans must be brought to the
attention of the Deacons and Pastor.
SECTION 12. VAN COMMITTEE
This
committee will be composed of the Pastor, Deacon and two Custodians.
Drivers: Must be at least
25 years old and have a valid driver's license;be approved by the van committee:
be approved according to the specifications set forth in the insurance policy
covering the van. The driver will be responsible for picking up the van keys,
driving to pick up place, returning the van to normal parking place and
returning the keys to the pastor after locking the van. The driver will also be
responsible for the cleanliness of the interior of the
van.
Van Usage: The van will be
used only by an authorized organization within the church . Insurance
regulations prohibit loaning the van to other churches or organizations.
Requests for use of the van will be made through the Pastor-Deacon committee
preferably a week in advance of the planned trip. Where conflicts occur the van
committee will decide which group has priority. The van will be signed in and
out by Pastor. Trips will be scheduled only when the number of people going will
warrant the use of the van. Six will be considered the minimum number to warrant
the use of the van. Exceptions must be approved by a member of the van
committee. Posted speed limits will be observed on all highways and adjusted
for adverse weather conditions. The van will be returned with a full tank of
gas. ALL SEAT BELTS MUST BE FASTENED WHEN VAN IS IN MOTION.
Conduct: All passengers
will remain seated when the van is in motion. There will be no scuffling or
horse play allowed. There will be no smoking in the van. The driver and/or adult
passengers shall be responsible for proper conduct and necessary discipline.
Servicing and maintenance:
The custodian will be responsible for the proper maintenance and upkeep. The
church will pay for upkeep of the van. The van will be kept at the Pastor's
house. When the Pastor is not available the van will be at one of the van
committees' house. Each group is responsible to pay for gas when they use the
van.
SECTION 15. LORDS SUPPER COMMITTEE
The
Lords Supper Committee will consist of four people. They will be nominated by
the Nominating Committee and elected by the church. These four people will be
responsible for preparing communion at the beginning of each quarter of the
Church year or at any other designated time.
SECTION 16. CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE
The
Christmas Committee is nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the
church. The Chairman of the committee is nominated by the committee at the first
meeting after the church election.
SECTION 17. BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE
This
committee shall consist of 8 people and be nominated by the nominating committee
and elected by the church. It shall be the duty of this committee to give
attention and to study the condition and appearance of the building and grounds
of the church, including the pastorium and other properties. To maintain or
improve as authorized by the church as provided for in the church budget.
Matters of major repairs or improvement shall be referred to the Deacons for
recommendation to the church.
SECTION 18. PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE
Selection:
a) Nominations shall be made
by secret ballot. Five members will be chosen for the committee. If by some
chance there is a tie for the fifth position, both nominees will be asked if
they will serve.
b) The ballots will be
presented with five empty spaces. Each church member may vote for five members
of the church over the age of 18 to serve on the committee.
c) You may vote for any
member, but only one member of a family will serve on the committee. If two or
more members of the same family have majority votes, the member with the most
votes will be asked to serve.
d) The top five nominees
will be asked to serve. If any one of the top five decline the position, then
another nomination meeting will be held to elect someone for that position or
positions. At that time the church will be informed of those who have accepted
and of those who have declined.
e) The active Deacon Board
will be responsible for distributing, collecting, and counting the votes. The
Chairman of the Deacon Board will be responsible for calling the
nominees.
Time:
The nominations will occur
after at least one weeks prior notice has been given to the church.
Chairman:
The Chairman of the Board of
Deacons will hold the first meeting to establish a committee chairman and any
other officers needed.
The charge of this committee is set forth in Article 1,
Section 2.
SECTION 19. ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The
associational committee will be nominated by the nominating committee and
elected by the church. They will attend the associational meetings as scheduled
by the Chesterfield Baptist Association if possible.
SECTION 20. CHURCH CUSTODIAN
The
custodian of the church will be furnished a calendar of the activities of the
church so he will know in advance when the church will need heating and cooling.
He will be responsible for making sure the heating and cooling systems are
turned on or off. He will check to make sure that the church is secure prior to
leaving. This position is nominated by the nominating committee and elected by
the church.
SECTION 21. ORGANIST / PIANIST
The
Pianist / Organist shall play for all public services and shall assist the music
director in a suitable program of music for the church. These positions shall be
nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church.
SECTION 22. HOSTESS COMMITTEE
The
Hostess committee will be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by
the church. Their duties will be performed in accordance with the existing
guidelines of the church.
SECTION 23. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
The
Director and Co-Director are nominated by the nominating committee and elected
by the church. The Director will work in conjunction with the Pastor, and
co-director in the planning of vacation Bible School dates, materials, and
Activities. The Literature must uphold the Southern Baptist beliefs.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1. The membership of this church shall be composed of persons who have
given evidence of regeneration by the Spirit of God, who have been baptized by
immersion, and who have subscribed to the Church Covenant, Articles of Faith and
Constitution of this Church and who have been received into membership by vote
of the Church.
SECTION 2. A member of another Southern Baptist Church may be received by a
vote of the Church upon promise of letter of transfer from the church where
membership resides. The applying member will be in a watch care relationship
until letter of transfer is received from the other church.
SECTION 3. Anyone who has once been a member of a Southern Baptist Church and
is not able to promise a letter of transfer may be received into the fellowship
of this church upon statement of faith to the membership by a vote of the Church
and followed by baptism by immersion.
SECTION 4. Applications for membership under circumstances other than those
described in sections1, 2, and 3 will be considered by the Church in conference
and the decision of the Church will be final in each case.
SECTION 5. A letter of transfer to unite with another Southern Baptist Church
may be issued upon request to the church that the member is planning to join,
providing such member is in good standing. All such applications must be passed
upon by the Church in conference.
SECTION 6. The Church after due notice and opportunity for hearing; and every
possible kindly effort to make such action unnecessary (Gal. 6:1); may upon
majority of vote, terminate the membership of a person in this body for the
following reasons:
a) request of member that
his or her membership be terminated
b) uniting with church of
another faith (denomination)
c) persistent immoral and
unchristian conduct, or other failure to fulfill the obligations specified in
the church covenant.
SECTION 7. Should a member fail to attend or otherwise support the Church for
a period of one year; the Church after effort has been made by the deacons,
urging said members' faithfulness to the church, shall be placed upon an
inactive roll, unless providentially hindered, a college student, or a member of
the Armed Forces. Such persons may be returned to active membership upon their
return to the fellowship of the church.
SECTION 8. Non-resident members: Should any member except college students or
Armed Forces become non-resident, we urge that he or she unite with a local
Baptist Church on a promise or letter from this church. In the event that this
request is not complied within one (1) year his or her name shall be placed on
the inactive roll. Such membership may be returned to active membership upon
their return to the fellowship of the church.
SECTION 9. Should a member become an offense to the church for reason of
persistent immoral and unchristian conduct, or other failure to fulfill the
obligations specified in our church covenant, his/her membership may be
terminated. All requests for termination shall be referred to the deacons for
their consideration to determine if a recommendation needs to be brought to the
Church for vote.
RESTORATION---Any person
whose membership has been terminated may be restored by vote of the Church, for
any offense, upon evidence of his repentance and reformation.
ARTICLE IV
GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH
SECTION 1. The Government of the church shall be in the hands of the church
members.
SECTION 2. QUORUM - Fifteen percent (15%) of the active membership roll must
be present to constitute a quorum. (Definition of term "Active Membership"
refer to Article III, section 7 & 8.)
SECTION 3. The church year shall begin September 1 and end August 31. The
financial year shall run the same.
SECTION 4. The regular church conference shall be held Quarterly, the 2nd
Sunday of these months: December, March. June. And September at a stated time
and shall observe the following order of business:
a) reading of minutes
b) report of Officers (SS,
WMU, Men's Ministry, Treasurer)
c) report of committees
d) unfinished business
e) new business
f) granting church letters
g) adjournment
The
granting of church letters may be brought up before the church at any time
service is held. Meetings may be brought up before the church as needed by the
Deacons or by the Pastor.
A
quarterly financial report shall be made available each quarter of the year.
All matters of business except as otherwise provided for herein, shall be
attended to at this time. No special notice of this meeting need be made. It
is a regular and stated meeting of the church. The church business conference
shall be guided by "Robert's Rules of Order" except in cases especially provided
for in this Constitution.
SECTION 5. WHO MAY VOTE
All
active church members will be allowed to vote. Parents will be asked to assist
their children under the age of twelve, so that they may better understand what
is being voted on.
CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION
AND BY-LAWS
The
constitution and by-laws of this church shall not be altered or amended except
by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those active members present at a regular business
meeting of the church, and after at least one (1) weeks notice of such proposed
changes be made. |
