THE CONSTITUTION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NEOSHO, MISSOURI

Transcription

1 THE CONSTITUTION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NEOSHO, MISSOURI PREAMBLE We the members of First Baptist Church affirm as true and accurate statements of our doctrinal beliefs, the church covenant, in common circulation among Southern Baptist Churches and the current version of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. ARTICLE I NAME AND PURPOSE Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the First Baptist Church of Neosho Missouri, the same being a corporation under the laws of the State of Missouri. Section 2. The purpose of this organization shall be to maintain and promote the principles and practices of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, and to cooperate in the spreading of the Gospel and the kingdom throughout the world as He set forth in Mathew 28: Section 3. This church is affiliated with the Shoal Creek Baptist Association, the Missouri Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Qualifications Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, giving evidence of having been born of the Spirit and holding the views of faith and practice held by this church, may be received for membership. Membership in this church shall consist of persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and who have obeyed him in the scriptural ordinance of baptism. Section 2. Reception Members may be received as follows: A. By public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and acknowledgment of His lordship in baptism. B. By letter of transfer from another Southern Baptist Church. C. On statement of their experience of salvation and their burial with Christ in baptism as determined after consultation with the pastor. If the pastor has no concerns about the statement of the prospective member, he/she will be presented to the church body as a candidate for membership. If the pastor has any concerns about the statement of the prospective member, he will share the findings with two (2) active deacons. If all are in agreement, the prospective member will then be presented to the church body as a candidate for membership. Should there be any disagreement, the pastor will seek guidance from the entire active deacon body. D. By restoration. ARTICLE III GOVERNMENT INCORPORATION Section 1. This church shall be governed by and with the consent to its members, each of whom shall have equal right to voice and vote. 1

2 Section 2. The legal title to the property of this church shall be vested in a board of five (5) directors to be elected as specified in Bylaws, Article III, Section 2. Section 3. In the case of dissolution of the church, all properties land, buildings, furnishings, vehicles would become the properties of the Shoal Creek Baptist Association. ARTICLE IV AMENDMENTS Section 1. The constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting of the church by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting. Public notices, consisting of presenting in writing the proposed amendments and this designated time of voting, shall have been given on the two consecutive Sundays prior to the date of voting. BYLAWS ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Any member, who manifests concern for his or her church through attendance, by contributions or other church contact during the year, shall be considered an active member. Section 2. Any member who is inactive in relation to his or her church obligations for a period of two years or more; and/or whose whereabouts are unknown, shall be removed from the active church roll and cease to be counted as an active member. Before dropping the names of such members from our active roll, their names shall be brought to the attention of the church in regular business meeting. A permanent record shall be maintained of all names removed from the active church roll to an inactive status. ARTICLE II CHURCH STAFF AND DUTIES Section 1. Ministerial Staff (As designated by Personnel Committee and included in job description) A. Pastor It shall be the duty of the pastor to preach at the designated hours of worship on Sunday, to administer the ordinances as taught in the Scriptures, to lead in the regular mid-week meetings and to have general oversight of the spiritual welfare of the membership of the church. He shall represent the church in the reception of new members and shall give the hand of fellowship to those who have been received. He shall serve as ex officio member of all boards, standing committees, and other church organizations and shall act as moderator of all business sessions of the church. a. He shall be recognized as the spiritual leader of the church. The church staff is to cooperate as a team united in their efforts for the good of the church and its evangelistic efforts and programs. b. The ministry is a full-time job, devoted to preaching, teaching, study, prayer, leadership of evangelistic efforts, programs, surveys, church membership and attendance efforts. The pastor is expected to cooperate with and support the Shoal Creek Baptist Association, the Missouri State Convention and the Cooperative Program. He shall lead and support youth evangelism and training, adult ministry, outreach and training, and camps, retreats, and other efforts approved by the church. 2

3 c. The pastor shall promote love, harmony and fellowship in the church membership and staff, and adhere to Southern Baptist doctrines and practices under leadership of God and the Holy Spirit. d. In the absence of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons shall act in his place in the performance of such duties to carry on the work of the church. B. Other Ministerial Staff The church may call other ministerial staff, full-time or parttime or any combination of these, as determined necessary by the Personnel Committee for approval by the church. C. Compensation All church staff shall receive salary and/or other benefits, as outlined by the Personnel Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, and approved by the church. It shall be the duty of the Personnel Committee to review all staff salaries, benefits, job descriptions and to make recommendations as to suggested changes yearly. D. Pastor/Ministerial Staff Relationship The relationship between the Pastor and members of the ministerial staff should be harmonious and one of cooperation to correlate the programs of the church. Staff members are under the Lord and the pastor is the senior staff member. Therefore, each member of the ministerial staff is responsible to the pastor for all programs and activities. Any grievances between the pastor and member(s) of the ministerial staff that cannot be resolved are to be taken to the Personnel Committee for arbitration and/or solution. Work schedules should be arrived at by the pastor and the ministerial staff within a time frame agreed to by the Personnel Committee. E. Church Council All members of the ministerial staff shall serve on Church Council and be expected to attend meetings. F. Ministerial Staff Selection All ministerial staff positions, full-time, part-time, temporary or any combination of these, shall be searched out by a Special Search Committee. This committee shall be elected by secret ballot from nominations made from the floor in business session when needed and consist of five (5) members. They shall serve to the end of the task for which they were elected. Tellers appointed by the acting moderator shall count the ballots and assess the willingness to serve of those receiving the most votes. The top five (5) willing to serve shall compose the committee. The committee shall meet as soon as it is expedient and elect from their number a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The committee is to seek out candidates for the position of ministerial staff personnel. They are to observe, interview, and examine the record of the person upon whom the committee feels the Holy Spirit has laid His hands, and to whom He is directing them. They shall satisfy themselves as to that person s genuine Christianity, adherence to Bible doctrine, financial soundness, good home life, discretion, loyalty to the denomination, common sense, and demonstration of professional skills and abilities and consideration should be given to formal education, general knowledge and experience. The committee will confer among themselves and make a proposal to him within the confines of the proposal presented by the Personnel Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee and as approved by the church. If he is receptive and the committee is unanimous in its choice, they will present his name to the church. Once a name has been presented by the committee, no other person shall be considered for the position until the recommendation of the committee has been acted upon a majority vote of not less than eighty-five (85%) percent of church members present and voting. This committee shall be authorized to request the deacon body to form a committee of five members to search out and recommend to the church an interim 3

4 person if, in the judgment of the committee, the best interest of the church would be served. Majority vote is required for accepting an interim person. If a trained Transitional Pastor is called, the search committee will be trained by the Transitional Pastor. Section 2. Non-Ministerial Staff A. The church may hire other church employees as determined necessary to carry out a successful church program. B. The Personnel Committee shall seek out prospective employees, determine their qualifications and present them to the church for approval and for employment. C. A job description, salary, allowances, benefits, and/or vacation time shall be developed for each person by the Personnel Committee with consultation with the Budget and Finance Committee. Each shall be presented to the church for approval. ARTICLE III OFFICERS AND DUTIES Section 1. Deacons A. Numbers The active deacon body shall qualify on the basis of those elected by the church for a term of three (3) years. A deacon may be eligible for reelection to the deacon body at the end of each three year term. When a person who is an ordained deacon joins the membership of the church, consideration will be given to nominate him to the church as a deacon. This new member may be requested to participate for a period of time in the yokefellow program. The deacons will recommend to the church the number of deacons needed to carry out their ministry in the church. If a vacancy occurs, the deacons may nominate a replacement for the remainder of the term or wait until the next election. B. Qualifications The candidate for membership in the active deacon body shall qualify on the basis of 1Timothy 3:8-13 and shall be a practicing tither. The candidate shall cooperate with the pastor, fellow deacons and the entire church. The following additional requirements must also be followed. a. In order to be considered as a Deacon or Yokefellow you must be a member for at least one year. b. Prior to being nominated the person should be questioned to make sure that they meet the qualifications of a yokefellow or a deacon. c. If a person is an ordained deacon in a like-minded Southern Baptist Church they will be considered a candidate for deacon. d. If a person is not an ordained deacon from a like-minded Southern Baptist Church they will be considered a candidate for a yokefellow. C. Method of Election The deacon body will submit nominations for deacons. They may nominate up to twice the number of deacons they deem necessary to serve. Nominations will be printed in the church bulletin for two weeks before their election 4

5 in the November Business Meeting. Each deacon nominated should receive at least 51% of votes cast in order to be selected. The deacon body will enlist deacon prospects in the yokefellow program. When they have completed their yokefellow training, they may be nominated as deacons. D. Duties It shall be the duty of the deacons to assist the pastor in the administration of the ordinances. They shall counsel and cooperate with the pastor and assist him in the discharge of his duties. In cooperation with the pastor, they shall exercise general spiritual supervision over the whole membership. It shall be their duty to visit the sick, poor and distressed and generally to keep in touch with the church family and to seek to develop the spiritual faith of the members. The deacons will be responsible for preparation of and assisting with Baptisms and Lord s Supper. Section 2. Directors of the Corporation The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of five (5) members, including the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Church Treasurer, and one other member. These officers shall be named by the Nominating Committee, subject to church approval, for a term of one (1) year. A. Election The five (5) Directors of the Corporation shall be nominated by the Nomination Committee and presented to the church to be elected at the regular business meeting in November. B. Vacancies The church membership shall have the right to remove any director at any time by a majority vote at any regular church business meeting. In case of death or other cause of removal of any director, the church may fill the vacancy at any time upon presentation of a candidate by the Nominating Committee. C. Duties The Directors of the Corporation are the legal and corporate representatives of the church. They shall be authorized to sign any papers of legal, financial or documentary significance on behalf of the church for the purpose of executing actions approved by the church in business meetings. They will ensure that these papers are preserved in a safety deposit box. Section 3. Church Officers A. Financial Secretary The financial secretary shall: a. maintain a record of all designated gifts. b. receive all money contributed. c. see that the church secretary receives the individual envelopes for proper recording. d. deposit all money to the proper accounts. e. place all money collected on Sunday morning in the bank bag and locked. Deposit the bag in the Night Depository at the bank. On the day the money is to be counted, sign for and pick up the bank bag. f. be an ex officio member of the Budget and Finance Committee. B. Treasurer The church treasurer shall: a. pay by check all salaries, bills and other obligations relating to the work of the church. b. see that all checks have the require two signatures as required by policy. The following positions shall be authorized to sign church checks; the treasurer, the 5

6 chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, Church Secretary and Church Clerk. c. be the treasurer of the corporation. d. be an ex officio member of the Budget and Finance Committee. C. Clerk The clerk shall: a. keep a correct typewritten record of all church proceedings. b. have general supervision of the church roll and shall keep or cause to be kept a correct list of names and addresses of church membership. c. in cooperation with the church secretary prepare, or cause to be prepared, the annual church letter. d. assure that all minutes and records shall be kept at the church and available for reading by the membership. Permission to remove any minutes from the church shall be granted by the church in regular business session. e. sign church checks when needed. D. Usher The chief usher shall: a. enlist as many ushers as needed. b. be sure that all ushers understand that it shall be the duty of all of the ushers: A. to see that a cordial Christian greeting is given to those attending church services. B. to be alert to discover visitors and prospective members. c. be responsible for providing sufficient ushers to seat the congregation properly at all general church services. d. organize the collection of the offerings. e. as far as possible, make comfortable those who attend. f. investigate and act according to their best judgment concerning anything unusual or disturbing during the services. E. Church Program Organization Directors (CPOD) a. The Nomination Committee shall nominate the directors of all church programs and organizations according to those outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual. b. All church organizations which are now or may hereafter be formed for conducting departmental or auxiliary work, through their officers, report to the church at regular business meeting or at such time as the church designated. c. The CPOD will be elected by the church at a regular business meeting. d. The CPOD will enlist workers for their organization as needed. F. Church Historian The church historian shall: a. The Church Historian shall collect and safe guard church records, make sure that adequate records of current progress are made, maintain a church scrapbook of newspaper clippings pertaining to events, meetings, etc., concerning the church, and help the members of the church appreciate its past. G. Term of Officers a. All elective officers, unless otherwise provided for, shall be elected for one year term running January 1 through December 31 st. b. They shall be chosen by the church and shall hold office until the completion of the designated term or until the election of their successor, whichever is longer. 6

7 ARTICLES IV SPECIAL COMMITTEES Section 1. Nominating Committee The principle function of the Nominating Committee is to lead in the staffing of all church elected leadership positions filled by volunteers. This committee shall be composed of five (5) members and set up on a rotational system. Two members rotating off 2 out of 3 years and 1 member rotating off one out of three years. The Pastor and deacons working together will present to the church the nominees for the number of vacancies needed to be filled. The church will also be given the opportunity to nominate the number needed for this committee from the floor and will be voted on by the church at the business meeting. Those who receive the most votes to fill the needed vacancies will comprise the five (5) for the Nominating Committee. This committee is to be created no later than the May business meeting. The committee will select a chairman for this committee. The members of this committee will not be eligible to succeed themselves until after being off the committee for one year. Three (3) tellers, appointed by the moderator, shall count the ballots. If no others are nominated by the church from the floor, a vote will be taken at this business meeting. However, if others are nominated by the church, the deacons will assess the willingness of those persons nominated to serve on this committee. The election will take place by ballot at the next business meeting (special or regular). This function can be broken down as follows: A. Select, interview, enlist the Church Program Organization Directors, general Church officers, Committee on Committees, Directors of the Corporation and present their names to the church for election. B. Assist directors and leaders to discover and enlist qualified church members to fill elected positions of leadership in their respective organizations. They should be ready at anytime to assist any director or leader in securing workers. C. Follow the work plan and schedule as outlined in the Policies and Procedures adopted by the church. D. Recommend members to the church for election to fill the vacancy in any church elected position as soon as it occurs. Section 2. Committee on Committees 7

8 This committee shall be composed of five (5) members, one (1) of which shall be an active deacon, elected in August from nominees presented by the Nominating Committee. The committee will be on a rotational system with two members rotating off two out of three years and one member off one out of three years. The members of this committee will not be eligible to succeed themselves until after being off the committee for one year. A. The Committee on Committees shall nominate for church election the chairmen and members of all standing committees not otherwise provided for a term of one (1) year. B. They shall propose for church approval any special committee or act upon authorization of the church in providing any special committee as the need arises. C. This committee may, as the need arises, increase or decrease the number of members on any standing committee, after authorization by the church, at any regular or called business meeting. D. This committee shall follow this work plan and schedule as outlined in Policy and Procedures as adopted by this church. Section 3. Church Council The church council shall be composed of the Pastor, who will serve as chairman, the officers of the active deacon body, chairman of Budget and Finance Committee all members of the CPOD and any other ministerial staff. It shall be the duty of the council to coordinate all church activities, prepare the church calendar, and assist the pastor in directing the evangelistic efforts of the church. The church council shall be responsible for and include long-range Calendaring. The Church Council will develop and present to the church for approval the ministries to make up the CPOD for the upcoming church year. The proposed listing of CPOD will be presented to the church by the May business meeting for approval. Section 4. Ministry Teams Ministry Teams may be formed. New ministries should be doctrinally sound and should not initially add to the church budget. These ministry teams will have a Team Leader and be composed of members who feel led to participate. 8

9 ARTICLE V STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1. Personnel Committee This shall be composed of three (3) members, one (1) of which shall be an active deacon. It shall be the duty of this committee to recommend salary and/or other benefits for ministerial staff and non-ministerial staff in accordance with Church Bylaws. This committee will participate with the Senior Pastor in ministerial and non-ministerial yearly evaluations. The Personnel Committee will conduct the Senior Pastor yearly evaluation. This committee will oversee the personnel policy and procedures manual and make changes if warranted. This committee will perform all hiring and handle all dismissals of employment for nonministerial staff when warranted and with cause. Section 2. Budget and Finance Committee This committee shall be composed of six (6) members, nominated by the Committee on Committees, with one (1) being from the active deacon body. The treasurer, bookkeeper and financial secretary shall be non-voting ex officio members. This committee shall provide ways and means of securing money to carry on the work of the church and shall have general supervision over the methods adopted for raising money. The committee shall, in cooperation with the various department heads, recommend to the church a budget in November including salaries of all persons employed by the church, select the bank in which funds of the church shall be deposited, be responsible for the keeping of all accounts of the church and set up proper bookkeeping systems. Accounts shall be kept of individuals and groups making pledges to various objects and contributions received, and books of record shall be kept showing the amounts received and objects to which contributed. This committee shall also see that the accounts of the church are properly audited by competent auditors as authorized by the church. Responsibility shall be monitoring expenditures and note variances from church budget, monitoring utility costs, and monitoring property insurance coverage determine adequate amounts and shop annually for the lowest cost insurance. Section 3. Buildings and Grounds Committee This committee shall be composed of six (6) members. It shall be the duty of this committee to supervise the maintenance and repair of all buildings and equipment, to recommend improvements in equipment and permanent decorations, and to see that the building and ground are kept neat, repaired and attractive as God s house should be. This committee is responsible for training the custodian in operation of heating and air conditioning equipment, proper setting of thermostats, etc. Section 4. Decoration Committee This committee shall be composed of three (3) members. It shall be the duty of this committee to look after the decorating of the church platform, auditorium and vestibule for all regular church services and to supervise the decorations for church occasions. Section 5. Hostess and Kitchen Committee This committee shall be composed of six (6) members. This committee shall work in close cooperation to organize the kitchen for the most effective service for all church dinners and church social functions see that all standards of cleanliness and sanitation are complied with and maintain an adequate supply of dishes, cooking utensils and other necessary equipment in keeping with the financial arrangements and policy of the church. The 9

10 committee shall also select, enlist and supervise workers to care for the setting and decoration of tables and assisting in the serving of food. It shall be its concern to make any meal served as enjoyable and spiritually profitable as possible. The Wednesday night meal coordinator and the Bereavement Committee chair will be included as ex officio members of the Hostess and Kitchen committee to allow for seamless interaction of all three programs and their use of the kitchen. (See Policies and Procedures, Kitchen Section). Section 6. Nursery Correlating Committee This committee shall be composed of the Nursery Coordinator and six (6) members. It shall be the duty of this committee to discuss and recommend nursery policies for presentation to the church, to publicize the policies of the nursery, to consider and recommend the purchase of nursery equipment and supplies, to make recommendations about cleanliness and care of the rooms and equipment, to be responsible for the enlistment or employment of adequate nursery help, and to supervise the method of sanitation and safeguards used in the regular and extended sessions of this department. (See Policies and Procedures, Nursery Section). Section 7. Constitution Committee This committee shall be composed of three (3) members, one (1) of which shall be an active deacon. It shall be the duty of this committee to study the Constitution and recommend necessary changes as the need arises. Section 8. Bus/Van Committee This committee shall be composed of three (3) members. It shall be the duty of this committee to see that the bus is mechanically sound, maintained and insured, to keep a list of eligible drivers, and to report monthly to the church any matter pertaining to effective and efficient use of the bus in relation to the total church program, (See Policies and Procedures, Bus/Van Section). Section 9. Missions Committee The Church Missions Committee shall be composed of six (6) members. The purpose of this committee shall be to assist the church and its organizational leaders by conducting studies of mission needs and recommending plans for mission work in the church and community, by coordinating the mission work of the church, by obtaining and administering resources according to the church policies for the work assigned, and by establishing and maintaining communications with the Associational Missions Committee and other appropriate groups outside the church. Section 10. Bereavement Committee This committee shall be composed of three (3) members. The duty of this committee shall be to provide funeral dinners or food for bereaved families, such provision to be left to the discretion of the committee members. 10

11 ARTICLE VI MEETINGS Section 1. Annual Business Meeting The annual business meeting of the church shall be held after the 14 th each year. day of November Section 2. Regular Business Meetings Regular business meetings of the church shall be held after the 14 th day of the month quarterly (February, May, August and November). The time/date of these meetings may be adjusted, with church approval, to meet needs. (See Article X, Section 1 Miscellaneous). Section 3. Special Meetings Special called meetings may be called by the pastor, or in the case of his absence, resignation or refusal to act, the Chairman of the Active Deacon Body shall call such meetings on the request of five (5) members, and notice shall be first publicly given out in the church on the Sunday preceding the meeting. The specific purpose must be clearly stated and the only items of business transacted shall be the items for which the special meeting was called. Section 4. Regular Services The church shall designate services for public worship each Sunday and such meetings as may be deemed beneficial and necessary. Section 5. Lord s Supper The Ordinance of the Lord s Supper shall be observed no less than quarterly by the church. Section 6. Quorum For the transaction of any business at least twenty-five (25) members shall be a quorum. ARTICLE VII MANNER OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS Section 1. Order of Business A. Review of Minutes B. Membership Roll Update 11

12 C. Financial Report D. Organizational Reports E. Committee Reports F. Old Business G. New Business H. Adjournment ARTICLE VIII DISCIPLINE Section 1. The Pastor and three (3) deacons appointed by the Chairman of Deacons or in his absence the Vice Chairman shall constitute the committee on discipline. They shall seek an interview with all members violating their church membership obligations, or conducting themselves in a way and manner so as to bring reproach upon the church, and shall endeavor to restore them to the path of duty. Section 2. In all cases of grievances between members, the offenders shall be dealt with in accordance with the rules laid down in Matthew 18:15-17, and no complaint shall be referred before the church until this course has been pursued. Charges, when made, shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the committee on discipline for such action as deemed proper. Persons accused shall be given an opportunity to be heard in defense, and no member, if absent, shall be censured or excluded at the same meeting at which the charge is preferred against him. ARTICLE IX REPRESENTATION IN ASSOCIATION Section 1. Once each year messengers shall be elected to represent the church in the biannual session of the Shoal Creek Baptist Association, the annual session of the Missouri Baptist Convention, and the annual session of the Southern Baptist Convention. ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS Section 1. At any regular meeting for worship the church may, without special notice, act upon the reception of members, the regular dismissal of members, the appointment of messengers to councils, and such other minor matters as may appear necessary at the moment. Section 2. No paid employee of the church shall be a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the Active Deacon Body, the Personnel Committee or Budget and Finance Committee with the exception of the pastor who shall be an ex officio non-voting member. 12

13 Section 3. If any committee fails to act on a request within thirty (30) days, the request may be brought before the church in regular business meeting. Also, if the person making the request feels the committee s response was in error, he may bring the matter before the church in regular business meeting. Section 4. The church in regular business meeting may review, accept, modify or nullify any action by any standing committee. Section 5. Standing Committee members shall be elected for a term of three (3) years, with one-third (1/3) of each committee rotating off each year. Members of Standing Committees can only serve on one Standing Committee. Members of Standing Committees cannot succeed themselves. Section 6. These Bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the church by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting. Public notices, consisting of presenting in writing the proposed amendments and the designated time of voting, shall have been given on the two consecutive Sundays prior to the date of voting. Section 7. We believe Scripture teaches that marriage is to be exclusively between one man and one woman. Marriages performed by our pastors and other leaders, wedding or receptions held in our facilities or grounds, or those attending events or classes designated for married couples must conform to that Scriptural standard. Section 8. Final authority to cancel church services/activities shall be based on a unified opinion of the Pastor, Chairman of Deacons and the Sunday School Director. Section 9. The organization and training of the security team will be the responsibly of the deacon body. Constitution was amended on 09/17/2014. Several wording changes were made to clarify sentence. Major changes were made to Deacon, Personal and Search Committee Sections. Youth, Music and Family Life Center Committees were removed. Security team and Church Service dismissal was added. Yearly listing of CPOD by Church Council was added. See church minutes for detail changes. Constitution was amended on 07/15/2015 to change business meeting to quarterly, add Church Historian and remove History and Memorial Committees. 13