CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SAN BERNARDINO,
CALIFORNIA
This constitution, as adopted on this 18th day of February 200I, supersedes all other constitutions and amendments thereto and shall be effective as of the 18th day of February 2001.
PREAMBLE
Jesus Christ has brought into being the Church, which is His Body, and ordained that local assemblies of believers be gathered together as manifestations of His Body in their communities. We, as believers in Christ and members of His Body, have determined to enter into a covenant relationship as a local church, one with another, and establish this constitution as a means of governing and guiding our assembly. This document is not meant to supersede the Bible, which is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice, but rather to provide a structure through which Scriptural precepts, patterns, and practices may be implemented. It is also designed to fulfill the legal requirements of our city, state, and country to be recognized as a legally organized corporation.
ARTICLE 1: CHARACTER AND GOVERNMENT
Section l - Name
The official name of this assembly is
The First Baptist Church of San Bernardino, California.
Section 2 - Seal
The church, for business purposes, shall have a corporate seal, consisting of a circle having within its circumference the words, First Baptist Church of San Bernardino, Incorporated, (Dated) June 14, 1928, California.
Section 3 - Doctrine
The doctrinal position of the church is that which is stated in the document entitled, "What We Teach," as adopted April 17, 1983, which will serve as the official doctrinal statement of the church.
Section 4 - Covenant
A.Contents:
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and on profession of my faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with this local assembly for the body in Christ. I promise that I will watch over and counsel the other members in the spirit of brotherly love, that I will remember them in my prayers, and that I will aid each one in sickness and distress. I will be slow to take offense and always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of my Savior, to secure it without delay.
I further agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk with them 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 give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin, and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nation's.
I further covenant to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate my children; to seek the salvation of my kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in my dealings, faithful in my engagements, and exemplary in my deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause my brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report I will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved me and gave Himself for me. I moreover engage that when I remove from this place, I will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where I can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
B.Adherence:
This covenant is the basis for our relationship with one another as members of this local church, and as such, will be read and signed by all seeking membership in this church.
Section 5 - Polity
Our church is a Baptist church - that is, it aligns itself with those distinctives that have distinguished the Baptist movement from other denominational groups. Chief among these are believers' baptism, regenerate church membership, autonomy of the local church, and the supreme authority of the Bible in all matters of faith and practice. That is not to say that there are no true churches other than Baptist churches, but we have determined that the historic Baptist position is that of the Scriptures. Further, this is and shall be an independent church, free from any specific denominational association or affiliation that would in any way impose an authority upon the church beyond that imposed by the church itself.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this church is to glorify its head, Jesus Christ, through the development of personal and corporate worship, through the strengthening of the families of the congregation in the fulfillment of their God-given responsibilities, through the encouragement of the fellowship of the Body, and through the propagation of the Gospel in our community and in our world.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Qualifications
Those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and have, upon profession of faith, followed the Lord in the ordinance of believer's baptism, are eligible to seek membership in this church.
Section 2 - Admission
The person seeking membership in the church must provide the church with testimony of his/her conversion and baptism by immersion, and accept the covenant of the church as the basis of his union with this church. This testimony and agr be made before the congregation as a whole, before the pastor and deacons, eJ15efore a committee selected for this purpose. A written application for membership may also be made, according to the discretion of the church, pastor, and/or deacon board.
Membership is conferred on an individual of the church who has followed the church's established procedure of application and has been recommended to the church by the pastor and/or deacons by the vote of the congregation, a majority being in the affirmative.
Section 3 - Duties
The membership of the church is expected to uphold and fulfill its covenant responsibilities, and to encourage each other toward such fulfillment.
Section 4 - Privileges..
All members in good standing who are at least eighteen years old may participate in the decision making processes of the church, including the election of officers, voting
on the annual budget, and voting in all regular or special business meeting. They are also'l
eligible for consideration for service as officers, as members of any appointed committees, and for positions of ministry within the church.
A member in good standing is defined as a member who is actively fulfilling his covenant responsibilities, and is manifesting his faithfulness to the church through regular attendance at the appointed services of the church. Any member who fails to attend a service for a period of three months without provision of just cause will not be considered in good standing and will be placed upon the inactive roll of the church by the Deacon Board. Any member under the discipline of the church will not be considered a member in good standing and will lose the privileges of membership, although membership itself is not lost until the process of discipline has been completed and restoration has not been attained.
Section 5 - Discipline
Members engaged in practices that violate the Word of God or the covenant of the church will be considered to fit the description of a brother overcome by a fault and in sin, requiring the steps outlined in Matthew 18. The responsibility for beginning the disciplinary process rests with any member who discovers such a circumstance. For the purposes of our church, the step involving telling it to the church is to be carried out by bringing the matter first to the Pastor, who will then confront the sinning brother on behalf of the church.. Only when all such steps are exhausted without repentance will the matter be brought to the church as a whole for the Body as a whole to seek the brother's restoration. Disfellowshipping involves the loss of membership and requires a unanimous vote of the Deacons. If the sinning brother is a Pastor or Deacon, he may not vote on his own discipline, and he is to be removed from office and rebuked publicly, as is taught in I Timothy 5:19-20.
Section 6 - Dismissal
Those members who, by reason of leaving the community or other acceptable reasons, choose to leave the fellowship of this church may do so by requesting that their name be dropped from the membership of the church. Those uniting with a church of like faith and practice may request a letter of commendation to the new church, which will be granted by a unanimous vote of the Deacons.
Section 7 - Inact9.teyfu!>ll4
The inactive roll will be maintained as a means of drawing attention to those members who have lapsed in their faithfulness in attendance of church services for a period of three months or more. It will be the duty of the Pastor to contact such members to determine the reason for the lapse, and to seek a resolution that will bring the member into active fellowship. At least three personal contacts must be made by the Pastor over the first nine months a person is on the inactive roll, with no more than one of these being a letter. If, after nine months and three or more contacts, the member is still inactive, then he or she will be dropped from the membership rolls by the church clerk at the discretion of the deacons. No person on the inactive roll will have any privileges of membership. To become active again, a member must demonstrate his desire to maintain his covenant obligations to the church and attend at least two services in a four-week period before being moved back to the active membership. Restoration to active membership is done by unanimous vote of the deacons.
Section 8 - Restoration
Any brother under the discipline of the church, who at any point in the discipline process as outlined in Matthew 18, repents of his or her sin and seeks restoration, will be granted immediate restoration and a return to the fellowship of the church. If the matter has come to the point where the entire church is leery of the situation, then a public acknowledgment of his repentance and restoration will be made. If the process has not come to that point, then the matter will be considered closed at whatever stage repentance occurs.
Those who are serving in ministry capacities in the church, whether as Pastors,
officers or as teachers, who are under discipline, lose their position as a result of their lack of qualification at that point. In restoration, they are fully restored to their membership position and privilege, but may not take up their former position of ministry or leadership until sufficient time (as judged by the congregation and the deacons) has elapsed for the person to demonstrate their spiritual fitness for the task.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section 1 - Pastors
Senior Pastor
The pastor of the church shall be an ordained minister in full agreement with the doctrinal statement of the church, and in harmony with the principles outlined in this constitution. He must meet the qualifications of an elder as presented in 1 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1. His role is to serve as the teaching shepherd of the congregation, taking responsibility for the pulpit ministries of the church. He is also to be a man of such character and giftedness as to serve as a spiritual guide and leader to the rest of the church.
As a pastor, he will attend as a non-voting member of the Board of Deacons and will be up for yearly reviews. The pastor will be called according to the following manner. Two deacons, two deaconesses, and three persons from the congregation will serve as the Pastoral Search Committee, seeking potential candidates for the position. A candidate may be presented to the congregation upon the unanimous vote of the Pastoral Search Committee to do so. The candidate shall then be considered by the congregation and voted upon at a specially called business meeting. At the said meeting, a quorum having been established as present, the pastoral candidate may be called by an affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of those voting. The pastor shall be removed for any misconduct that would violate the requirements of the office as outlined in the Scriptures. The requirement of l Timothy 5 for two or more witnesses must be met, and the deacons must vote unanimously to bring the matter before the congregation. A majority vote of the congregation for the recommendation is required for the pastor to be removed, and a quorum must be present at the meeting. Should the pastor decide to resign, he shall provide the church with thirty days' notice. This requirement may be set aside by mutual agreement of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. All salary and benefit arrangements will be outlined in writing prior to voting to call a pastor, having been worked out by the Board of Deacons. This package will be a part of the call extended by the congregation.
Pastoral Associates, Assistants, and Directors of Ministries
The church may seek to hire full and part-time pastoral associates and assistants as needed for the fulfillment of the ministries at First Baptist Church. Any such assistant who will serve in a pastoral capacity must meet the qualifications of a Deacon and will attend as a non-voting member of the Board of Deacons. He will be called in the same manner as the Pastor. In addition, the church may determine to hire directors of ministries that may not require a pastoral director. Such a person must meet the requirements of a Deacon or Deaconess. The board of Deacons will handle their employment.
Section 2 - Deacons and Deaconesses
Deacons
Any scripturally qualified man of the congregation who is a member in good standing, and has been a member of the congregation for at least one year, may be chosen by the church to serve as a Deacon, in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article IV, Section 3. The Deacons will serve together as a Board, and are charged with the maintenance of the ministries and benevolent services of the church, the development of the annual budget, the supervision of all non-pastoral staff, all property management, the stewardship of all financial assets, and the administration of church business. The Deacons, as servants of the church, will assist the pastor in fulfilling whatever ministry of service the church may require, according to their individual spiritual gifts and the call of God. For the purposes of the corporation, this Board will be considered the Board of Directors. At least ¾ of the Deacon Board must agree on all decisions made by the Board.
Deaconesses
Any scripturally qualified woman of the congregation who is a member in good standing and has been a member of the congregation for at least one year, may be chosen by the church to serve as a Deaconess, in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article IV, Section 3. The Deaconesses will serve the church through the administration of benevolent ministries to the needy of the church, through the preparation of the Lord's Table, through assistance in baptismal services, through organizing times of fellowship for the Church, and through the administration of other ministries according to their individual spiritual gifts and the call of God.
Section 3 - Election of Officers
Officers will be elected in the following manner, with the exception of the pastor and pastoral staff, who are chosen according to Article IV, Section 1, A, and B.
Ninety days prior to the annual business meeting, nomination forms will be sent to all members in good standing of the congregation. The members will prayerfully consider the matter and nominate those men and women they feel are qualified to serve as deacons and deaconesses. The names will then be screened by a nominating committee comprised of the pastor, two deacons, and two deaconesses. The committee will eliminate any nominee who fails to meet Scriptural qualifications. The list of nominees approved by the committee will then be given to the Deacons.
Each approved nominee will then be asked if he or she is willing to serve. Those who are unwilling to do so will be removed from consideration. The names of the remaining nominees will be posted on a list for members of the congregation at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting. Any member of the congregation with an objection to a nominee is to contact that nominee, following the pattern of loving confrontation and reconciliation of Matthew 18. If a valid objection is raised, the nominee will be expected to withdraw his or her name. If this does not happen, or the matter is not settled, the objecting member will go to the pastor and deacons with the matter, and if the nominee is found to be unworthy, he or she will be removed from the list. At the annual meeting, each nominee will be voted upon individually, and each requires a¾ vote for acceptance. Officers will serve for a term of one calendar year, beginning January 1, and may be re-nominated and re-elected at the discretion of the congregation.
Section 4 - Appointed Officers
A.Church Clerk
The church clerk shall be appointed by the Board of Deacons for a term of one year. The clerk will record all business of the church, including the minutes of business meetings. The clerk will also maintain the roll for members and the inactive roll. The clerk may be re-appointed to succeeding terms.
B.Church Treasures
The Board of Deacons shall appoint the church treasurer for a term of one year. The treasures shall oversee the depositing of funds and their proper disbursement as set forth in the budget and by the Board of Deacons. The treasures may be appointed to succeeding terms.
C.Church Moderator
The chairman of the Board of Deacons shall serve as the moderator of the church, and shall chair all church business meetings.
ARTICLE V: BUSINESS MEETINGS
I.The Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the church shall be held in the first two week of November. The purpose of the meeting shall be the election of deacons and deaconesses; and the approval of the church budget. Notice of the meeting must be made in the church bulletin and given from the pulpit at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
II.Special Business Meetings
Special business meetings of the church may be called by the deacons of matters requiring church action, including discipline, changes to the budget, and the filling of vacancies on any board of the church. Such meetings must be announced through the bulletin and the pulpit at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.
III.Quorum
For all business of the church, ten percent (10%) of the active membership shall constitute a quorum.
IV. Preparation and Approval of the Budget
·The budget process will begin with the pastor and the Board of Deacons, who will set guidelines concerning financial priorities for the use of the funds of the church, based upon their convictions concerning the will of God for the church in the coming year. The Deacons shall then seek to develop a budget that manifests those priorities and, also, maintains financial responsibility and testimony before the world. The Deacons must then approve this budget proposal.
Following this, the proposal is to be presented to the congregation not less than two weeks prior to the annual business meeting. One week prior to the meeting, the deacons will lead an all-church meeting for the purpose of examining the proposed budget, with opportunities for the congregation to suggest changes and adopt amendments to the proposal. Following the meeting, the amended proposal shall be presented at the annual business meeting for a vote. Approval of the budget shall require a 2/3 vote of the members present.
V. Purchase and Sale of Property
For the purchase, sale, or encumbrance of real property, a¾ vote of the members present at a duly called business meeting shall be required. The proposed action shall be announced in the church bulletin and from the pulpit for two weeks prior to the date for the meeting.
VI.Rules of Meetings
Business meetings will be governed, as far as is practical, by the guidelines used in Robert's Rule of Order
VII Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the church shall begin on the first day of January and close on the last day of December.
ARTICLE VI. ORDINATION
A major responsibility of the church and the Pastor(s) is the raising up and the training of men for the ministry. The Pastor shall recommend to the church the ordination of men for the ministry upon completion of the following: 1.) He shall be a member in good standing of this church: 2.) He shall be actively involved in ministry in this church, demonstrating the use and development of his spiritual gifts, and the possession of a servant's heart: 3.) He shall give clear testimony as to his desire for further ministry, and of his call to the ministry: 4.) He shall submit a doctrinal statement for examination, and himself for examination to an ordination council made up of the Deacons of this church, the laymen of this church, and other ministers and laymen from other evangelical churches as called by the pastor or deacons. Upon successful completion of these requirements, he shall be presented to the church for ordination.
ARTICLE VII: PROPERTY RIGHTS
The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious or charitable purposes meeting the requirements for exemption provided by Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and no part of the net income or assets of this organization shall inure to the benefit of any private persons. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision of payment of all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes, and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE VIII: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the active members present and voting at a special business meeting called for that purpose. The church shall be notified in the bulletin and from the pulpit two weeks prior to the meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be posted and available to the membership two weeks prior to the meeting.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SAN BERNARDINO,
CALIFORNIA
This constitution, as adopted on this 18th day of February 200I, supersedes all other constitutions and amendments thereto and shall be effective as of the 18th day of February 2001.
PREAMBLE
Jesus Christ has brought into being the Church, which is His Body, and ordained that local assemblies of believers be gathered together as manifestations of His Body in their communities. We, as believers in Christ and members of His Body, have determined to enter into a covenant relationship as a local church, one with another, and establish this constitution as a means of governing and guiding our assembly. This document is not meant to supersede the Bible, which is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice, but rather to provide a structure through which Scriptural precepts, patterns, and practices may be implemented. It is also designed to fulfill the legal requirements of our city, state, and country to be recognized as a legally organized corporation.
ARTICLE 1: CHARACTER AND GOVERNMENT
Section l - Name
The official name of this assembly is
The First Baptist Church of San Bernardino, California.
Section 2 - Seal
The church, for business purposes, shall have a corporate seal, consisting of a circle having within its circumference the words, First Baptist Church of San Bernardino, Incorporated, (Dated) June 14, 1928, California.
Section 3 - Doctrine
The doctrinal position of the church is that which is stated in the document entitled, "What We Teach," as adopted April 17, 1983, which will serve as the official doctrinal statement of the church.
Section 4 - Covenant
A.Contents:
Having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and on profession of my faith in Him, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I do now most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with this local assembly for the body in Christ. I promise that I will watch over and counsel the other members in the spirit of brotherly love, that I will remember them in my prayers, and that I will aid each one in sickness and distress. I will be slow to take offense and always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of my Savior, to secure it without delay.
I further agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk with them 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 give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin, and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nation's.
I further covenant to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate my children; to seek the salvation of my kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in my dealings, faithful in my engagements, and exemplary in my deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause my brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ; and to strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior, that amidst evil and good report I will humbly and earnestly seek to live to the honor and glory of Him who loved me and gave Himself for me. I moreover engage that when I remove from this place, I will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where I can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
B.Adherence:
This covenant is the basis for our relationship with one another as members of this local church, and as such, will be read and signed by all seeking membership in this church.
Section 5 - Polity
Our church is a Baptist church - that is, it aligns itself with those distinctives that have distinguished the Baptist movement from other denominational groups. Chief among these are believers' baptism, regenerate church membership, autonomy of the local church, and the supreme authority of the Bible in all matters of faith and practice. That is not to say that there are no true churches other than Baptist churches, but we have determined that the historic Baptist position is that of the Scriptures. Further, this is and shall be an independent church, free from any specific denominational association or affiliation that would in any way impose an authority upon the church beyond that imposed by the church itself.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this church is to glorify its head, Jesus Christ, through the development of personal and corporate worship, through the strengthening of the families of the congregation in the fulfillment of their God-given responsibilities, through the encouragement of the fellowship of the Body, and through the propagation of the Gospel in our community and in our world.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 - Qualifications
Those who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and have, upon profession of faith, followed the Lord in the ordinance of believer's baptism, are eligible to seek membership in this church.
Section 2 - Admission
The person seeking membership in the church must provide the church with testimony of his/her conversion and baptism by immersion, and accept the covenant of the church as the basis of his union with this church. This testimony and agr be made before the congregation as a whole, before the pastor and deacons, eJ15efore a committee selected for this purpose. A written application for membership may also be made, according to the discretion of the church, pastor, and/or deacon board.
Membership is conferred on an individual of the church who has followed the church's established procedure of application and has been recommended to the church by the pastor and/or deacons by the vote of the congregation, a majority being in the affirmative.
Section 3 - Duties
The membership of the church is expected to uphold and fulfill its covenant responsibilities, and to encourage each other toward such fulfillment.
Section 4 - Privileges..
All members in good standing who are at least eighteen years old may participate in the decision making processes of the church, including the election of officers, voting
on the annual budget, and voting in all regular or special business meeting. They are also'l
eligible for consideration for service as officers, as members of any appointed committees, and for positions of ministry within the church.
A member in good standing is defined as a member who is actively fulfilling his covenant responsibilities, and is manifesting his faithfulness to the church through regular attendance at the appointed services of the church. Any member who fails to attend a service for a period of three months without provision of just cause will not be considered in good standing and will be placed upon the inactive roll of the church by the Deacon Board. Any member under the discipline of the church will not be considered a member in good standing and will lose the privileges of membership, although membership itself is not lost until the process of discipline has been completed and restoration has not been attained.
Section 5 - Discipline
Members engaged in practices that violate the Word of God or the covenant of the church will be considered to fit the description of a brother overcome by a fault and in sin, requiring the steps outlined in Matthew 18. The responsibility for beginning the disciplinary process rests with any member who discovers such a circumstance. For the purposes of our church, the step involving telling it to the church is to be carried out by bringing the matter first to the Pastor, who will then confront the sinning brother on behalf of the church.. Only when all such steps are exhausted without repentance will the matter be brought to the church as a whole for the Body as a whole to seek the brother's restoration. Disfellowshipping involves the loss of membership and requires a unanimous vote of the Deacons. If the sinning brother is a Pastor or Deacon, he may not vote on his own discipline, and he is to be removed from office and rebuked publicly, as is taught in I Timothy 5:19-20.
Section 6 - Dismissal
Those members who, by reason of leaving the community or other acceptable reasons, choose to leave the fellowship of this church may do so by requesting that their name be dropped from the membership of the church. Those uniting with a church of like faith and practice may request a letter of commendation to the new church, which will be granted by a unanimous vote of the Deacons.
Section 7 - Inact9.teyfu!>ll4
The inactive roll will be maintained as a means of drawing attention to those members who have lapsed in their faithfulness in attendance of church services for a period of three months or more. It will be the duty of the Pastor to contact such members to determine the reason for the lapse, and to seek a resolution that will bring the member into active fellowship. At least three personal contacts must be made by the Pastor over the first nine months a person is on the inactive roll, with no more than one of these being a letter. If, after nine months and three or more contacts, the member is still inactive, then he or she will be dropped from the membership rolls by the church clerk at the discretion of the deacons. No person on the inactive roll will have any privileges of membership. To become active again, a member must demonstrate his desire to maintain his covenant obligations to the church and attend at least two services in a four-week period before being moved back to the active membership. Restoration to active membership is done by unanimous vote of the deacons.
Section 8 - Restoration
Any brother under the discipline of the church, who at any point in the discipline process as outlined in Matthew 18, repents of his or her sin and seeks restoration, will be granted immediate restoration and a return to the fellowship of the church. If the matter has come to the point where the entire church is leery of the situation, then a public acknowledgment of his repentance and restoration will be made. If the process has not come to that point, then the matter will be considered closed at whatever stage repentance occurs.
Those who are serving in ministry capacities in the church, whether as Pastors,
officers or as teachers, who are under discipline, lose their position as a result of their lack of qualification at that point. In restoration, they are fully restored to their membership position and privilege, but may not take up their former position of ministry or leadership until sufficient time (as judged by the congregation and the deacons) has elapsed for the person to demonstrate their spiritual fitness for the task.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section 1 - Pastors
Senior Pastor
The pastor of the church shall be an ordained minister in full agreement with the doctrinal statement of the church, and in harmony with the principles outlined in this constitution. He must meet the qualifications of an elder as presented in 1 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1. His role is to serve as the teaching shepherd of the congregation, taking responsibility for the pulpit ministries of the church. He is also to be a man of such character and giftedness as to serve as a spiritual guide and leader to the rest of the church.
As a pastor, he will attend as a non-voting member of the Board of Deacons and will be up for yearly reviews. The pastor will be called according to the following manner. Two deacons, two deaconesses, and three persons from the congregation will serve as the Pastoral Search Committee, seeking potential candidates for the position. A candidate may be presented to the congregation upon the unanimous vote of the Pastoral Search Committee to do so. The candidate shall then be considered by the congregation and voted upon at a specially called business meeting. At the said meeting, a quorum having been established as present, the pastoral candidate may be called by an affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of those voting. The pastor shall be removed for any misconduct that would violate the requirements of the office as outlined in the Scriptures. The requirement of l Timothy 5 for two or more witnesses must be met, and the deacons must vote unanimously to bring the matter before the congregation. A majority vote of the congregation for the recommendation is required for the pastor to be removed, and a quorum must be present at the meeting. Should the pastor decide to resign, he shall provide the church with thirty days' notice. This requirement may be set aside by mutual agreement of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons. All salary and benefit arrangements will be outlined in writing prior to voting to call a pastor, having been worked out by the Board of Deacons. This package will be a part of the call extended by the congregation.
Pastoral Associates, Assistants, and Directors of Ministries
The church may seek to hire full and part-time pastoral associates and assistants as needed for the fulfillment of the ministries at First Baptist Church. Any such assistant who will serve in a pastoral capacity must meet the qualifications of a Deacon and will attend as a non-voting member of the Board of Deacons. He will be called in the same manner as the Pastor. In addition, the church may determine to hire directors of ministries that may not require a pastoral director. Such a person must meet the requirements of a Deacon or Deaconess. The board of Deacons will handle their employment.
Section 2 - Deacons and Deaconesses
Deacons
Any scripturally qualified man of the congregation who is a member in good standing, and has been a member of the congregation for at least one year, may be chosen by the church to serve as a Deacon, in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article IV, Section 3. The Deacons will serve together as a Board, and are charged with the maintenance of the ministries and benevolent services of the church, the development of the annual budget, the supervision of all non-pastoral staff, all property management, the stewardship of all financial assets, and the administration of church business. The Deacons, as servants of the church, will assist the pastor in fulfilling whatever ministry of service the church may require, according to their individual spiritual gifts and the call of God. For the purposes of the corporation, this Board will be considered the Board of Directors. At least ¾ of the Deacon Board must agree on all decisions made by the Board.
Deaconesses
Any scripturally qualified woman of the congregation who is a member in good standing and has been a member of the congregation for at least one year, may be chosen by the church to serve as a Deaconess, in accordance with the procedure outlined in Article IV, Section 3. The Deaconesses will serve the church through the administration of benevolent ministries to the needy of the church, through the preparation of the Lord's Table, through assistance in baptismal services, through organizing times of fellowship for the Church, and through the administration of other ministries according to their individual spiritual gifts and the call of God.
Section 3 - Election of Officers
Officers will be elected in the following manner, with the exception of the pastor and pastoral staff, who are chosen according to Article IV, Section 1, A, and B.
Ninety days prior to the annual business meeting, nomination forms will be sent to all members in good standing of the congregation. The members will prayerfully consider the matter and nominate those men and women they feel are qualified to serve as deacons and deaconesses. The names will then be screened by a nominating committee comprised of the pastor, two deacons, and two deaconesses. The committee will eliminate any nominee who fails to meet Scriptural qualifications. The list of nominees approved by the committee will then be given to the Deacons.
Each approved nominee will then be asked if he or she is willing to serve. Those who are unwilling to do so will be removed from consideration. The names of the remaining nominees will be posted on a list for members of the congregation at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting. Any member of the congregation with an objection to a nominee is to contact that nominee, following the pattern of loving confrontation and reconciliation of Matthew 18. If a valid objection is raised, the nominee will be expected to withdraw his or her name. If this does not happen, or the matter is not settled, the objecting member will go to the pastor and deacons with the matter, and if the nominee is found to be unworthy, he or she will be removed from the list. At the annual meeting, each nominee will be voted upon individually, and each requires a¾ vote for acceptance. Officers will serve for a term of one calendar year, beginning January 1, and may be re-nominated and re-elected at the discretion of the congregation.
Section 4 - Appointed Officers
A.Church Clerk
The church clerk shall be appointed by the Board of Deacons for a term of one year. The clerk will record all business of the church, including the minutes of business meetings. The clerk will also maintain the roll for members and the inactive roll. The clerk may be re-appointed to succeeding terms.
B.Church Treasures
The Board of Deacons shall appoint the church treasurer for a term of one year. The treasures shall oversee the depositing of funds and their proper disbursement as set forth in the budget and by the Board of Deacons. The treasures may be appointed to succeeding terms.
C.Church Moderator
The chairman of the Board of Deacons shall serve as the moderator of the church, and shall chair all church business meetings.
ARTICLE V: BUSINESS MEETINGS
I.The Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the church shall be held in the first two week of November. The purpose of the meeting shall be the election of deacons and deaconesses; and the approval of the church budget. Notice of the meeting must be made in the church bulletin and given from the pulpit at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
II.Special Business Meetings
Special business meetings of the church may be called by the deacons of matters requiring church action, including discipline, changes to the budget, and the filling of vacancies on any board of the church. Such meetings must be announced through the bulletin and the pulpit at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.
III.Quorum
For all business of the church, ten percent (10%) of the active membership shall constitute a quorum.
IV. Preparation and Approval of the Budget
·The budget process will begin with the pastor and the Board of Deacons, who will set guidelines concerning financial priorities for the use of the funds of the church, based upon their convictions concerning the will of God for the church in the coming year. The Deacons shall then seek to develop a budget that manifests those priorities and, also, maintains financial responsibility and testimony before the world. The Deacons must then approve this budget proposal.
Following this, the proposal is to be presented to the congregation not less than two weeks prior to the annual business meeting. One week prior to the meeting, the deacons will lead an all-church meeting for the purpose of examining the proposed budget, with opportunities for the congregation to suggest changes and adopt amendments to the proposal. Following the meeting, the amended proposal shall be presented at the annual business meeting for a vote. Approval of the budget shall require a 2/3 vote of the members present.
V. Purchase and Sale of Property
For the purchase, sale, or encumbrance of real property, a¾ vote of the members present at a duly called business meeting shall be required. The proposed action shall be announced in the church bulletin and from the pulpit for two weeks prior to the date for the meeting.
VI.Rules of Meetings
Business meetings will be governed, as far as is practical, by the guidelines used in Robert's Rule of Order
VII Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the church shall begin on the first day of January and close on the last day of December.
ARTICLE VI. ORDINATION
A major responsibility of the church and the Pastor(s) is the raising up and the training of men for the ministry. The Pastor shall recommend to the church the ordination of men for the ministry upon completion of the following: 1.) He shall be a member in good standing of this church: 2.) He shall be actively involved in ministry in this church, demonstrating the use and development of his spiritual gifts, and the possession of a servant's heart: 3.) He shall give clear testimony as to his desire for further ministry, and of his call to the ministry: 4.) He shall submit a doctrinal statement for examination, and himself for examination to an ordination council made up of the Deacons of this church, the laymen of this church, and other ministers and laymen from other evangelical churches as called by the pastor or deacons. Upon successful completion of these requirements, he shall be presented to the church for ordination.
ARTICLE VII: PROPERTY RIGHTS
The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious or charitable purposes meeting the requirements for exemption provided by Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and no part of the net income or assets of this organization shall inure to the benefit of any private persons. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision of payment of all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes, and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE VIII: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the active members present and voting at a special business meeting called for that purpose. The church shall be notified in the bulletin and from the pulpit two weeks prior to the meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be posted and available to the membership two weeks prior to the meeting.