Le Claire Baptist Church Constitution

Transcription

1 Le Claire Baptist Church Constitution

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHURCH COVENANT... 1 BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES... 2 PREAMBLE... 3 ARTICLE I: NAME... 3 ARTICLE II: PURPOSE... 3 ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH... 4 ARTICLE IV: ASSOCIATIONS... 9 ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP... 9 ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS ARTICLE VII: MANNER OF ELECTIONS ARTICLE VIII: AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS ARTICLE X: FINANCES ARTICLE XI: MISSIONS ARTICLE XII: USE OF CHURCH PROPERTY.. 21 ARTICLE XIII: LICENSING & ORDINATION ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS... 22

3 LeClaire Baptist Church CHURCH COVENANT HAVING been led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the public confession of our faith, having been immersed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. WE PURPOSE, 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 attend its services regularly; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; o give faithfully of time and talent in its activities; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations. WE ALSO PURPOSE to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all gossip, backbiting and unrighteous anger; to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ, to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ, our Savior; and to give Him preeminence in all things. WE FURTHER PURPOSE to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord s return; 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 courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and, mindful of the rules of our Savior, to seek it without delay. WE MOREOVER PURPOSE that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God s Word. In the event there is no such church, we shall seek, with the Lord s help, to establish one. 1

4 BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES A Baptist is a person whose beliefs regarding the Bible and its teaching differentiate him from all others. These beliefs are called Baptist Distinctives. Biblical Authority: We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and as such is our only source of authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Autonomy of the Local Church: We believe that the local church should be self-governing (autonomous) and sovereign in itself. It, therefore, should not be controlled by any other board, hierarchical system, or another church. (Acts 6,15; I Timothy 3:15) Priesthood of All Believers: We believe that each believer is a priest and as such may approach God personally any time to pray or worship without the need of a human mediator. (1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6) Transformed Membership: We believe that church members should be individuals who have been transformed by the grace of God into children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:41,47; Romans 1:7) Immersed Membership: We believe that church members should e individuals who have been immersed, after conversion. (Acts 2:41; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:13-16) Separation of Church and State: We believe that the business of government is political, and the business of the church is spiritual. Each should be distinct from the other, organizationally separate from the other, and neither should seek to control the other. (Luke 20:25; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7) Two Officers - Pastor and Deacon: We believe that the pastor is given by God to the local church to feed the flock of God...taking the oversight of it. The deacons are elected by the local church to assist the pastor in the different areas of church responsibilities. (Acts 6:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1Timothy 3; Titus 1:1-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4) Security of the Believer: We believe that the child of God is kept saved by God, and is therefore, eternally secure in Christ. (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12) 2

5 PREAMBLE As a body of immersed believers, we place our faith wholly in the Lord Jesus for our salvation. Having bound ourselves together in fellowship and believing it necessary to govern ourselves in an orderly and efficient manner, we do hereby adopt the provisions of the Church Covenant and Constitution contained in this booklet. ARTICLE I: NAME This organization shall be known as the LeClaire Baptist Church of LeClaire, Iowa. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE The purpose of this organization shall be to establish a Bible-believing testimony in this community to the glory of God through the advancement of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It shall seek to attain this end through: 1. The worship of God, the Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, through the written Word (Philippians 3:3; John 4:23); 2. Preaching the Gospel and seeking to win the lost to Christ (Matthew 28: 18-20); 3. Consistent Christian living by conforming to God s Word (Romans 12: 1-2; I Corinthians 6: 19-20); 4. Personal evangelism (2 Corinthians 5:20); 5. Missionary endeavor (Acts 1:8); 6. Christian education: to teach, exhort, and train to an ever-deepening knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit leads (Titus 2: 1-15; Matthew 20:20; Hebrews 10:25); 7. Administering the ordinances of Baptism and Communion (Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 11: 2-34); and 8. Rendering Christian service (Galatians 6:1-10; Romans 12: 1-21). 3

6 ARTICLE III: STATEMENT OF FAITH I. THE SCRIPTURES We believe the Bible as originally written is the infallible Word of God, verbally inspired, that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the Will of God to man; that it should be our sole guide in faith and practice. By inspiration we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Peter 1:21) II. THE TRUE GOD A. THE FATHER We believe there is one, and only one, living God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit equal in every Divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20:2,3; John 4:24; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 4:11) B. THE SON We believe that Jesus is both the Son of God, and God the Son, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit; that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived without sin, died on the cross for our transgressions, arose bodily from the grave and ascended bodily into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25) C. THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe that the Holy Spirit is a Divine person; equal with the Father and the Son, and that His mission is to restrain the evil one until God s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that he regenerates the lost; seals, teaches, guides, intercedes, baptizes, endues and fills the saved. (Matthew 28:19; John 1:33; John 3:5,6; John 14:16, 17; 16: 7-11; Ephesians 1:13; Hebrews 9:14) 4

7 III. THE DEVIL or SATAN We believe that the Devil is a person, and was once glorious and in a holy state, and by disobedience fell and drew after him a host of angels, that he is now the prince and power of the air, and the unholy god of this world system. He is the enemy of God, the accuser of the saints, author of false religions, the power back of the present apostasy, the lord of the anti-christ. That he will be chained in the bottomless pit for one thousand years and then loosed a little season, and finally cast into the lake of fire forever. (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Matthew 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20: 2,3,10) IV. THE CREATION We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, each after its own kind, by direct act and not by the process of evolution. (Genesis 1,2; Colossians 1:16,17; John 1:3) V. THE FALL OF MAN We believe that man in the person of the first Adam, was created in innocence, but by voluntary transgression fell into sin, thus plunging the whole race into condemnation and death, so that now all mankind is born in sin and shaped in iniquity and become practical sinners with first expression of personal choice, not by constraint, but by choice and so without excuse before God. (Genesis 3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:10-19) VI. THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, by the shedding and offering of His blood; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our sin, honored The Divine law by personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement. (John 3:16; Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Hebrews 2:14; 9:12) VII. SALVATION BY GRACE We believe that faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation from sin and that this salvation is wholly by grace; that no works, however good, make that salvation more secure. (Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5-7) 5

8 VIII. JUSTIFICATION We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him, is justification: (a) (b) that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, on the principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer s blood, His righteousness is imputed to us. (Isaiah 53:11; Zechariah 13:1; Acts 13:39; Romans 8:1, 5:1,9) IX. THE NEW BIRTH We believe that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the Divine nature and receives eternal life, the gift of God, and is brought about by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (John 1:12; 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:3) X. THE SECURITY OF THE SAINTS We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God t e Father for Jesus Christ. (John 10:28, 29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; I Peter 1:5; I John 5:12, 13) XI. THE CHURCH A. THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH We believe that the church universal is a New Testament institution; unknown to the Old Testament prophets; established by Jesus Christ, who is sole head; revealed through the holy apostles; empowered and perpetuated by the Holy Spirit; composed of believers in Jesus Christ as Savior, both Jew and Gentile, called out from the world and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It began on the day of Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2 and will be consummated at the coming of Christ in the Rapture. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:8; 2:1-13; 41-47; 15:14; Romans 16:26; 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 1:22,23; 3:21; 5:23-33; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) 6

9 B. THE LOCAL CHURCH We believe the local church is a congregation of immersed believers associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinance of Christ; governed by His laws exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in it by His Word; that its officers are pastors and deacons; that it has the absolute right of self-government directed by the Holy Spirit, and it is answerable only to Christ, and that in all matters of membership, policy, government, discipline and benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:4, 5; 7:17; 11:16; Ephesians 5:23-27; 1 Timothy 3:1-15) XII. ORDINANCES A. BAPTISM We believe that there are two church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water and is properly called Believer s Baptism. It sets forth in a beautiful and solemn way our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our lives of death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. (Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5) B. THE LORD S SUPPER The Lord s Supper is the commemoration of our Lord s death until He come and our continual fellowship with Him, should be preceded by baptism and always by careful self-examination. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32) XIII. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of God, are truly righteous in God s esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and that this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting joy of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. (Malachi 3:18; Matthew 25: 34-41; Luke 6:25; John 8:21; Romans 6:17-23; Hebrews 9:27) 7

10 XIV. THE RETURN OF CHRIST We believe in the bodily, personal, premillenial return of Christ; that the dead in Christ shall rise first; and that the living saints shall be changed in a moment and taken up to be with the Lord before the tribulation here on earth after which the saints will return with Him to this earth; that He will reign on this earth for one thousand years, during which time the devil will be locked in the bottomless pit; after that the unsaved dead will be r raised from their graves bodily, will have judgment meted out to them according to their records and then be cast into the lake of fire. That this present earth will be destroyed by fire; a new heaven and earth will be made upon which God will dwell with the redeemed for all eternity. That there will be two phases to His second advent; Christ will come in the air for His own in the first phase as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4, then at the second phase He will come to earth with His own. (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:10,11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 19:20: 21) XV. THE RESURRECTION We believe in the resurrection of the bodies of the dead; that church saints will be raised at the Rapture, Old Testament saints and tribulation saints just prior to the Millennial Kingdom and that the wicked dead will be raised at the close of the Millennial Kingdom, and stand in their bodies at the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their final doom. (Daniel 12:1-3; John 5:21-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 7:9-17; 20:1-6; 11-15) XIV. CIVIL GOVERNMENT We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. We believe that civil government and churches (and fellowship of churches) are distinct from each other, must be organizationally separate from each other, and neither must seek to control the other. (Luke 20:25; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17) 8

11 XXVII: DISPENSATIONS We believe that dispensations are not ways of salvation, this has always been by grace through faith but are stewardships by which God administers His purposes on earth through man under varying responsibilities; that changes in dispensational dealings depend upon changed situations in which man is found in relationship to God due to man s failures and God s judgments; that through seven dispensations cover the entire history of mankind (Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Israel, Church, and Kingdom), only three of these are the subject of extended revelation in Scripture; that these three (Israel, Church, Kingdom) are distinct and not to be intermingled or confused. (Genesis 1:26; 3:24; Genesis 3:7,8: 19; Genesis 8:20-11:9; Genesis 11:10; Exodus 19:4; Exodus 19:5; John 19:30; Acts 2:1; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 19:11; 20:15) ARTICLE IV: ASSOCIATIONS A. This church is an independent organization, and is never to be controlled, governed, or owned by any convention or association but with the right to fellowship with those of like faith and practice, as it shall determine and decide for itself. A. This church shall not cooperate with modernism in any form whatsoever. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Galatians 1: 6-9; 1 Timothy 6:3,5 ; 2 John 9-11) A. As a New Testament Church cannot join anything outside itself, but only affiliate therewith on grounds of fellowship, this church declares itself to be in fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and with the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches. ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP The membership of this church shall consist of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, who have been baptized by immersion after conversion and who have given consent to the covenant and constitution. 9

12 I. ADMISSION A. All candidates for church membership are required to attend orientation classes in which the basic Baptist beliefs are expounded as set forth in the constitution of the LeClaire Baptist Church. The number of class sessions shall be at the pastor s discretion. B. Each candidate will then appear before the pastor and board of deacons and relate his Christian experience. Having satisfied themselves that the candidate is eligible for church membership, the deacons shall make recommendation to the church concerning his admission to membership. C. Candidates for membership may be received at any regular service or business meeting of the church by a 2/3 majority vote. II. DISMISSAL A. LETTER 1. A letter of commendation shall be sent to any church for a member in good and regular standing at the church s request. 2. Authorization of letter shall be given by a majority vote of the church, and contents of letter shall be determined by the pastor and board of deacons. B. INACTIVE LIST 1. When any member becomes delinquent for more than six months in his duties to Christ and this church, and all efforts to get a response are unavailing, his name shall be placed on the inactive list. The membership roll will be examined quarterly by the deacon board. 2. All persons whose names are on the inactive list lose their privileges to vote, hold office or participate in the business meetings of the church. These names shall not be counted when tabulating membership for statistical report. 10

13 3. Reinstatement to good standing of any person appearing on the inactive list may be made by compliance with customs of the church in attendance, support, and Christian life, by application to the board of deacons and vote of the church. 4. Those on the inactive list who are not reinstated within the period of six months shall, after further efforts to reconcile them, be dropped from the church rolls by recommendation of the deacons and vote of the church. They shall be notified of such action in writing. C. TRANSITIONAL MEMBERSHIP 1. When a member in good standing moves from the area and can not attend services on a regular basis, they will be placed on the Transitional Membership list. 2. All persons who are on the Transitional Membership list will not have the privilege to vote, hold office or participate in the business meetings of the church. Transitional members will not be counted when tabulating membership for statistical report (i.e. quorum, membership numbers, etc.) 3. Transitional members will have up to one year to fulfill the spirit of our church covenant that states: when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God s Word. 4. Those whose names are on the Transitional Membership list for a period of one year shall be dropped from membership. III. DISCIPLINE A. The matter of discipline of the membership shall be in the hands of the deacons assisted by the pastor, but in cases of expulsion from membership, final action must be taken by the church. No member shall be expelled until every effort has been made, including, if physically possible, personal visits to reclaim him (him or her) for Christ and the church. B. No charge against any member or group of members is to be preferred before the church by any individual or group until such charge shall first have been preferred before the board of deacons, who shall look into the matter, confer with the accused and if satisfied that the charges made are true, and if the accused shows no signs of repentance, make recommendation to the church accordingly. 11

14 C. All discipline enacted by the church must conform to the standards of God s Word as found in Matthew 18: 15-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; and Galatians 6:1. D. Disciplined members who have been removed from membership may be restored to membership upon recommendation of the board of deacons and 2/3 majority vote of the church. Dismissed members shall be required to give evidence of honest repentance and to make confession of wrongdoing before the church, where deemed necessary by the board of deacons. IV. STANDING A member shall be considered in good standing when he shall regularly attend this church s services and communion, contribute to the church program in proportion to his ability, and demonstrate in his daily living the Christian way of life. I. THE PASTOR A. HIS QUALIFICATIONS ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS 1.. He should meet the qualifications according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1: He is given of God to the church. And He gave some...pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11, 12. B. HIS CALL 1. The board of deacons shall constitute the pulpit committee of the church. 2. A preliminary investigation shall begin as soon as possible after notice of resignation, removal or death of a pastor. 3. A delegation selected from the pulpit committee may, unannounced, investigate a prospective pastor in his home church and bring back a report to this church. Any prospective pastor not pastoring a church shall be investigated as to his background. 4. A prospective pastor, after investigation, shall meet with the pulpit committee and supply the pulpit of this church for a number of meetings 12

15 specified by the pulpit committee. 5. A special business meeting shall be called by the pulpit committee to consider a call for the prospective pastor. A three-fourths (3/4) majority of the members and the voting by secret ballot is required to call a pastor. 6. To avoid confusion, only one prospective pastor shall be considered at one time. 7. The result of the special business meeting shall be made known to the pastor under consideration as soon as possible after such meeting. If the vote is favorable and if he accepts the call, he shall become pastor and also a member of this church. Details of the call such as salary, housing, car allowance, vacation time, etc., shall be included in a written invitation. C. HIS TENURE 1. He is called for an indeterminate period of time and shall continue as long as the relationship is mutually agreeable to him and/or this church. 2. TERMINATION OF OFFICE: a) BY RESIGNATION The pastor may resign at any time and his duties be terminated thirty days from the date of his resignation or at another time mutually agreeable to both the pastor and the church. b) BY CHURCH ACTION Any difficulty arising from unsatisfactory service shall be investigated by the board of deacons. If it is considered by the deacons to be necessary, a special business meeting shall be called. A 2/3 majority vote of the members present and voting by secret ballot is necessary to dismiss a pastor. In such cases, his pastoral duties shall terminate immediately and his salary shall cease thirty days from the date of dismissal. 3. The pastor s salary, which has been set by the church, shall be reviewed each year by the board of deacons, and recommendation made to the church at the annual business meeting or at any other time deemed advisable. 13

16 D. HIS DUTIES 1. The pastor s duties shall be in fulfillment of 1 Peter 5: The pastor is ex-officio member (member by virtue of his office) of all boards and committees. 3. The pastor shall act as the moderator of the business meetings except when the board of deacons deems it wise for the chairman of the board to act in such capacity. E. HIS PRIVILEGES 1. He may call for a meeting of the church or any committee or board thereof at such times as experience proves necessary. 2. He may take an annual vacation of four weeks, but not to exceed four Sundays, with full pay. These four weeks may be taken at his own discretion. No unused allotment of vacation time shall be carried over into the next year. Other absences are to be approved by the board of deacons and the church. 3. He may be permitted to serve a reasonable amount of time at camp as approved by the deacon board and the church. 4. He and his wife may be sent by the church with all expenses paid to the annual and state meetings of our association as church finances allow. II. THE DEACONS A. THEIR QUALIFICATIONS 1. The deacons shall meet the New Testament standards as given in 1 Timothy 3: The deacons are chosen by the whole multitude (congregation), Acts 6:5, and are appointed over this business, (Acts 6:3) in order that the spiritual mission of the church, prayer and the ministry of the Word, Acts 6:4, may be kept pre-eminent. 3. The board of deacons shall consist of men who have been members of this church at least one year. 14

17 B. THEIR ELECTION 1. The board of deacons shall consist of members of this church not less than 20 years of age, preferably married men. There shall be five deacons for the first one-hundred and fifty members of the church and one additional deacon for each additional fifty members, not to exceed twelve. 2. The term of office shall be for three years and so arranged as to expire alternately. A deacon serving for two consecutive terms of three years each shall be ineligible for election for at least one year. 3. Vacancies occurring in the deacon s board with an unexpired term of six months or more shall be filled as follows: Two weeks prior to the quarterly business meeting, the pastor and/or board of deacons shall send to the active membership a letter setting forth the scriptural qualifications for the deacon s office and naming the retiring deacon, together with a blank primary ballot to be returned in a way designated by the board. From these nominations a final ballot will be prepared by the board of deacons and presented at the quarterly business meeting to be voted upon. The deacon elected to this vacancy shall hold office for the remaining period of the unexpired term. 4. Election of deacons will be in accord with ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF ELECTIONS. C. THEIR ORGANIZATION 1. The deacons shall select from among themselves annually a chairman, and a secretary, and shall appoint such committees as they deem necessary. 2. There shall be a stated monthly meeting of the deacon board. The election of board officers is to be held the first board meeting of the new fiscal year, which is to precede the annual meeting. 3. The retiring officers shall hold office until the new officers begin their terms on January 1 st. The retiring officers shall be responsible for making their fiscal reports at the annual meeting. 4. The quorum for a meeting the board of deacons shall be a majority of the membership of the deacons. 5. When any member of the board fails to attend consecutive monthly meetings which his office requires him to attend, without adequate notification or explanation, such office shall be considered vacant. This vacancy shall be filled as provided for in ARTICLE VI. 2B

18 D. THEIR DUTIES 1. THAT OF DEACONS The deacons shall constitute the official board of the church. It shall be the duty of the deacons to engage actively in all the spiritual work of the church, seek out such members as need special help and encouragement, visit the sick, distribute the elements of the Lord s Supper and advise and aid the pastor in all matters relating to the spiritual interests of the church. 2. THAT OF THE TRUSTEES a) The deacons shall serve as official trustees of the church and as such shall care for the property of the church; to hold, repair, invest and preserve the same; to superintend any improvements that are not entrusted to a special committee; and to perform such business concerns of the church as shall be from time to time assigned to them by the church. The deacons/trustees are at all times servants of the church and subject to its corporate action. b) The deacons/trustees shall not have any authority to sell, lease, give away, or dispose of in any manner, church property to exceed $ in value. Nor shall they mortgage or encumber the same with debt to exceed the above amount, only as the church shall order the same by corporate act. III. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE A. The finance committee shall consist of the duly elected church treasurer and two deacons appointed annually by the deacon board. B. The finance committee shall meet regularly to review church bills and expenses. The finance committee shall make any appropriate recommendations concerning finances to the deacon board. 16

19 IV. THE CHURCH CLERK The church clerk shall be elected by ballot vote for a term of one year from among members of this church, not less than twenty years of age, and having been a member for at least one year. A. The clerk shall attend all business meetings possible, and keep an accurate record of the approved minutes of the church. All records of the church are to be considered the property of the church. B. The clerk shall keep a correct and complete mailing list of all members with their proper addresses and write all letters of commendation. V. THE CHURCH TREASURER The church treasurer shall be elected by ballot for a term of one year from among members of this church, not less than twenty years of age, having been a member for at least one year. A. The treasurer shall, as directed by the church or deacon board, make all disbursements paid by check. B. The treasurer shall make a full report to the church at each annual meeting and when otherwise directed by the church. He shall also prepare a quarterly report to be presented to the church at each quarterly business meeting. VI. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY The financial secretary shall be elected by ballot vote for a term of one year from among members of this church, not less than twenty years of age, having been a member for at least one year. A. The financial secretary and the clerk shall receive and count all monies, and then the financial secretary shall deposit these monies in a local bank, and shall forward a copy of the deposit slip to the treasurer. B. The financial secretary shall keep a confidential record of each member s giving when possible and issue statements for tax purposes at the end of the fiscal year, or upon request. 17

20 VII. THE CHILDREN S MINISTRY DIRECTOR The Children s Ministry Director shall be nominated by the pastor and the board of deacons and election by a ballot vote for a term of one year from among the members of this church, not less than twenty years of age, having been a member for at least one year. A. The Children s Ministry Director shall, in cooperation with the pastor and board of deacons, be responsible for the general oversight of all children s ministries (S.S., Kidz Klub, VBS, Children s Church, etc ). B. The Children s Ministry Director, in cooperation with the pastor and board of deacons, shall recruit, train and schedule teachers in all children s ministries. C. The Children s Ministry Director, in cooperation with the pastor and board of deacons, is encouraged to recruit and establish a committee of church members, as needed, to be of assistance with these areas of ministry responsibilities. ARTICLE VII: MANNER OF ELECTIONS I. The nominations for church officers shall be made by primary election which shall be held two weeks before the annual election. The annual election shall be held on the second Wednesday of December. The highest names on the ballot shall be considered nominees to be voted on at the annual election. There shall be no less than two names placed on the ballot for each office whenever possible. II. III. The deacons and pastor shall act as an election board and shall consider the character and qualifications of all nominees according to the requirements as set forth in the church covenant and constitution. Primary election ballots shall be obtained from the church clerk upon request by active voting members of the church. Ballots shall be mailed to absentees upon request. ARTICLE VIII: AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES I. AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS A. There shall be such organizations as the most efficient prosecution of our purpose shall demand, but none shall be started without the consent of the deacon board. These organizations shall be self governing but finally subject to the control of the church through its constitution and voted church policy. B. All organizations are considered part of the church activities, are required to confer with the pastor from time to time regarding plans and activities, and all matters of importance that affect the church shall be submitted to the deacon board for approval. C. All officers of auxiliary organizations and all regular teachers must be members of the church in good and regular standing and cannot be a member of any secret society. 18

21 II. COMMITTEES A. All committees of a permanent nature shall be recommended by the deacon board and approved by the church. B. Other committees shall be formed when deemed necessary, and their duties outlined at that time C. All committees shall be self-governing but finally subject to the control of the church through its constitution and voted church policy. I. MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS A. The church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening. Occasional changes may be made by vote of the church. B. The midweek service of Bible study and prayer shall be held on Wednesday evenings. Occasional changes may be made by vote of the church. C. The ordinance of The Lord s Supper shall be observed at least once a month at a time designated by vote of the church. II. MEETINGS FOR BUSINESS In the conduct of business, rules contained in Robert s Rules of Order shall govern all cases to which they apply. In exceptions, a two-thirds majority vote shall establish the rule. Christian courtesy shall be shown in all deliberations and discussions. Necessary business may be conducted at any regular meeting of the church. A. QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING The quarterly business meeting shall be conducted on the second Sunday PM of April, July, and October. B. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING The annual business meeting shall be conducted on the second Sunday of January unless otherwise announced. 19

22 C. ANNUAL ELECTION MEETING The annual election meeting in which officers and other elected personnel are elected shall be held on the second Wednesday of December. D. SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS Special business meetings may be called by the pastor, board of deacons, or by written request of any five voting members of the church. The purpose of the meeting shall be announced from the pulpit two public services prior to such meeting. III. QUORUM A quorum of 25% of the active resident membership, 18 years of age and older, shall be required for all business meetings. For the purpose of determining a quorum, those members whose addresses may be other than the LeClaire area, but who attend with regularity, shall be considered in the resident membership. IV. VOTING All matters shall be decided, unless otherwise stated in the constitution, by a simple majority vote of members, 18 years of age and older. A tie vote does not constitute a majority votes. ARTICLE X: FINANCES I.. The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on the following December 31. II. III. IV. No monies shall be raised by the church or any auxiliary organization except by free will giving. No financial obligation shall be placed upon the church, either as a mortgage, note, or outstanding bill, or in any other form unless money is in hand to meet the same, except as stated in ARTICLE VI. IID. 2b An auditing committee of three members shall be appointed by the board of deacons at least three months prior to the annual business meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to audit the books of the church treasurer at the close of the calendar year and present a report of its findings to the church at the annual business meeting. 20

23 ARTICLE XI: MISSIONS It shall be the policy of this church to support only mission boards, Christian schools, and colleges, agencies, and individuals who are in hearty agreement with our statement of faith, both in doctrine and practice ARTICLE XII: USE OF CHURCH PROPERTY The church property may be used for all activities of church life. The church property has been set apart for God s glory and in this sense should be used only for such activities that honor Him and His Word. The church will gladly offer its services for weddings and funerals and other events at the discretion of the deacon board, but no secret society will be permitted to hold services or to perform their rituals on the property I. LICENSING ARTICLE XIII: LICENSING AND ORDINATION A. When a man in this membership is called to the Christian ministry and desires to be licensed, he shall make his desire known to the board of deacons. If the deacon board is satisfied concerning his salvation, call to the ministry, and consistent Christian living, it shall recommend to the church that license be granted. The church may act upon this recommendation at any meeting B. The duration of this license shall be for one year from the date of issue, but may be renewed annually after a review by the deacon board. No license granted by this board shall be valid after the licensee removes his membership from this church. A license can be annulled or withdrawn at any time should the church, in its judgment, have sufficient reason for such action. II. ORDINATION A. When in the judgment of the deacon board, a man in this membership is called to the Christian ministry, it shall be within the power of the deacon board to recommend to the church that a council, composed of the pastor and two messengers from churches of like faith and practice, be called for the purpose of examining the candidate. This examining council shall be called by a church action. 21

24 B. The examining council shall thoroughly examine all applicants for ordination as to their call to the Christian ministry, education, Christian experience, reputation, character, doctrinal belief, and demonstrated efficiency in Christian service. After hearing the recommendation, the church may proceed with ordination at a date as agreed upon by both the church and the candidate. C. The following shall not be ordained to the ministry of this church: 1. One who has not served 6 months as pastor, assistant pastor, or in definite Christian work in such a manner as to convey reasonable evidence of God s call to the ministry. 2. One who cannot conform to the qualifications of a pastor as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9. D. It shall be within the power of the church to discipline, even to revoking the ordination credentials of any minister ordained by this constitution after an impartial trial conducted in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13. The minister under trial shall have the privilege of appealing his case to the congregation within sixty days after the decision. ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION In the event a decision is made to dissolve this corporation known as the LeClaire Baptist Church, provision shall be made by the vote of the church, previous to the dissolution of the corporation to assign all of the assets to one or more fundamental, Bible-believing, Baptist, non-profit organizations, such as churches, missions, schools, or associations. None of the assets shall be given to any individual. ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS Amendments to this constitution may be made at any annual business meeting or a called business meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of members present after weekly notice of the meeting has been given from the pulpit for one month and a copy of the proposed changes has been posted for one month. 22