1 Association Constitution By-Laws Staff Policies PROPOSED REVISED 09/2018 Date to be Adopted: TBD
2 CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I NAME The name of this Association shall be The St. Clair Baptist Association, Incorporated, herein known as the Association. ARTICLE II PURPOSE The St. Clair Baptist Association exists to encourage, equip, and engage the local church in fulfilling the Great Commission. The Association is a self-governing partnership of autonomous Baptist churches voluntarily cooperating to glorify God in discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and missions. ARTICLE III OBJECTIVES The objective of the Association shall be to: 1) Endeavor to promote a spirit of fellowship among the member churches, 2) Extend the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ through evangelism, 3) Equip congregations to accomplish the Great Commission, 4) Encourage new church starts beginning in St. Clair County, and throughout the world, 5) Enable churches to become more effective in the encouragement and enlistment of others in the work of missions, 6) Embrace the work of the Alabama Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. 7) Enlist every member church to adopt a Budget and give through the Cooperative Program and the Baptist Association as their primary mission work. ARTICLE IV ARTICLES OF FAITH The Articles of Faith adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, entitled Baptist Faith and Message are hereby adopted by this Baptist Association, and shall be the basis of fellowship and cooperation in our relation to each other, with member churches, with Alabama Baptist State Convention, and with the Southern Baptist Convention. ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP Membership shall be open to such Southern Baptist Churches that voluntarily submit to the faith and practice of this Association and who are duly accepted into the fellowship at the Associational annual meeting. The Association may also withdraw fellowship from a church considered to be out of harmony in doctrine or conduct. ARTICLE VI OFFICERS The officers of this Association shall be the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, and Chairman of Trustees. ARTICLE VII RULES OF ORDER Robert s Rules of Order shall be used as the rules of order for the Association. ARTICLE VIII CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
3 The Constitution may be amended by consent of two-thirds of the messengers present at the Associational Meeting, provided that the proposed change was submitted in writing at the previous year s Associational Meeting. ARTICLE IX BY-LAWS 1. The Association shall have By-Laws to aid in carrying out the purpose and objectives of this Association. 2. Amendments to the By-Laws may be made at any regular Executive Committee Meeting, or Annual Meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendments were submitted in writing during a prior Executive Committee Meeting or Annual Meeting of the Association. 3. All officers, elected committee members, employees, elected leaders, and appointments shall be an active member of a church affiliated with the Association.
4 ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP BY-LAWS 1. Churches desiring to affiliate with the Baptist Association must submit a written request to the Executive Committee at least six months before the annual fall meeting of the Association. The candidate church must prove their willingness to cooperate by actively participating in the work and ministry of the Association and financially supporting the work and ministry of the Association and the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention for a period of at least one year under the watch-care of the Association. 2. Churches must obtain watch-care status for one year before being placed under watch-care. After one year from the application for membership, the new church can be placed under watch-care by an action of the Association. In the event the one year period cannot be met before the Associational meeting, then the petitioning church will remain under watch-care of the Association until the following Associational meeting, at which time the Association will vote upon their position. 3. A letter of application for membership should be presented to the Credentials Committee. The Credentials Committee, after thorough investigation and consultation, shall make recommendations to the Administration Team of the Association for approval. Upon approval, the Association shall place the new church under watch-care status. 4. Each member church shall continue to support the St. Clair Baptist Association and Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention during the calendar year, and present the Annual Church Profile not later than the October meeting. Failure to share in the financial support and failure to report such communication after personal contact by the Moderator and Associational Missions Strategist shall cause their membership to be reviewed by the Credentials Committee for appropriate action. 5. The Association shall exercise no control over individual churches, nor interfere with their rights; but it may, if requested, act in an advisory capacity to such churches regarding their internal affairs. Any request for assistance must be made in writing to the Moderator or Associational Missions Strategist. ARTICLE II MESSENGERS 1. Messengers to the meetings for this Association shall be elected by each member church on the following basis: Each church shall be entitled to at least two messengers and in addition, one messenger for each fifty members or fraction thereof; and one messenger for having contributed to the Cooperative Program, and one messenger for having contributed to Associational Missions. 2. No church shall be entitled to more than twelve messengers. 3. If the church has not supported the association financially in the previous year, the Association shall not seat messengers from the non-participating church. 4. In the event special meetings are necessary, the messengers to the last preceding meeting shall constitute the membership of the special session, except cases in which the churches certify new messengers. ARTICLE III MEETINGS 1. The Association shall meet annually. The Annual Meeting shall be on a Monday following the fourth Sunday in October at such times and places as determined by the Program Committee and the approved by the Executive Committee. 2. Those qualified churches in attendance from St. Clair Baptist Association churches shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special called meeting of the Association. 3. If the Association shall fail to designate the time or place of the next meeting, or if it becomes necessary to change the time and place of such meeting, the duty of making such designation shall be upon the Executive Committee. 4. A record of the proceedings of each session of the meeting of the Association shall be printed in the St. Clair Baptist Annual each year. The Annual shall be distributed to the individual churches according to the number requested and funds provided for same.
5 5. During the first session of the Associational meeting, the Moderator shall appoint a Parliamentarian who shall serve for the duration of the Meeting. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS 1. Election of Officers a. All officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall serve until their successors are elected. They shall perform the duties and functions as stated in the job description of each office, and in harmony with the current Baptist Faith and Message and Southern Baptist practices. Each officer will begin at the close of the Associational meeting in which they are elected, and as specified below. b. The officers shall not serve as department directors. The officers shall not serve as chairman of committees except for the Moderator as defined in IV, 2-c-(5). Also, the Vice-Moderator as specified in V, 5. c. The Moderator and Vice-Moderator are to be nominated from the floor at the October meeting. The Nominating Committee shall nominate all other volunteer officers. 2. Moderator a. Term of Office The Moderator shall be elected for a term of one year and shall be eligible to succeed himself for the ensuing term only. b. Qualifications - 1) The Moderator should be a person with a deep sense of spiritual values and a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. 2) The Moderator should have a cooperative spirit concerning the work of the Association and the denomination so that he will actively support and promote the work. 3) The Moderator should have a working knowledge of the structure of the Association. 4) The Moderator should be familiar with parliamentary procedure and know 5) the Constitution and By-Laws. c. Responsibilities - 1) The Moderator shall preside at meetings of the St. Clair Baptist Association and its Executive Committee. 2) The Moderator shall be an ex-officio member of the Association s committees and Teams. 3) The Moderator may appoint certain committees as the Association or its Executive Committee deems necessary. 4) The Moderator shall support and promote the work of the Association by whatever means are available to him, and in conjunction with the Associational Missions Strategist, department directors, committees, and Teams. 5) The Moderator shall be the chairman of the Executive Committee. 3. Vice-Moderator a. Term of Office same as for Moderator. b. Qualifications same as for Moderator. c. Responsibilities - 1) The Vice-Moderator shall preside in the absence of the Moderator, or at his request, at meetings of the Association or its Executive Committee. 2) The Vice-Moderator shall be responsible for the introductions to the Association of new pastors and staff members as well as involved lay members. 3) Vice-Moderator shall assume the Moderator's office in the event the office is vacated before the expiration of a term. 4. Clerk a. Qualifications - 1) The Clerk should have an aptitude for keeping and preserving records. 2) The Clerk should have a cooperative spirit concerning the work of the Association and the denomination. 3) The Clerk should be one who has demonstrated to be a faithful steward of responsibilities. b. Responsibilities -
6 1) The Clerk shall record and preserve all transactions of the Association and Executive Committee. 2) The Clerk shall procure reports from the member churches of the Association to be used in compiling statistical records for publication in the annual minutes. (Annual) 3) The Clerk in office at the opening of the October meeting shall supervise the preparation, writing, and distribution of the Annual in cooperation with the Associational Missions Strategist. 4) The Clerk shall preside over meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee in 5) the absence of the Moderator and Vice-Moderator. 6) The Clerk in office at the opening of each Associational meeting shall record and report the minutes of that meeting. 5. Treasurer a. Qualifications - 1) The Treasurer should be a person who knows and practices proper business procedures. 2) The Treasurer should be permanently located and well known for the convenience of those who have financial transactions with the Association. 3) The Treasurer should be qualified to be bonded. b. Responsibilities - 1) The Treasurer shall verify all receipts, credits to accounts and deposits of all monies of the Association, keeping accurate records of such transactions. 2) The Treasurer shall pay all authorized bills. 3) The Treasurer shall give regular reports to the Association at the Associational meeting, to the Executive Committee, and to the Stewardship Committee. 4) The Treasurer shall keep on file in the associational office a monthly report of financial transactions. 5) The Financial Secretary - shall receive, properly credit, and deposit all monies of the Association, keeping accurate records of such transactions. 6. Trustees a. Election The Trustees shall consist of three persons who shall serve terms of three years, with one member being elected each year. b. Duties - 1) The Trustees shall be the agents, as required by law, to act for the Association in 2) matters duly appointed by the Association or Executive Committee. They sign all deeds of conveyance, execute all notes, bonds, or mortgages, and intervene in all suits, by authority of the Association. 3) They are responsible for buying and selling all properties as approved by the Association. 4) They are responsible for the upkeep of the Associational properties. The Stewardship Committee must approve Trustee expenditures of over $500.00. 5) The Chairman of the Trustees is an officer of the Association, but the other Trustees are not officers of the Association. c. Meetings, records, and Reports - 1) The Trustees shall meet as often as needed to perform their work. 2) The Trustees shall keep a written record of their actions. 3) The Trustees shall report, when necessary, to the Association and the Executive Committee. ARTICLE V COMMITTEES All standing committees shall be elected on a three-year rotating basis with staggered terms unless otherwise specified. 1. Executive Committee a. It shall consist of - 1) All pastors, or interim pastors, of cooperating churches if they hold membership in said church;
2) One lay-person elected from each church; 3) Officers of the Association; 4) Trustees of the Association; and 5) Committee chairmen, Association Directors and Ministry Directors of the Association. b. The Officers of the Association shall be the officers of the Executive Committee. The Moderator shall serve as chairman. c. The Executive Committee shall meet in the months of February, May, and September on the third Thursday of those months. The chairman may choose to call an additional meeting in the last quarter of the year or call other special sessions, if necessary. d. Members present and voting shall constitute a quorum except when meeting to deal with the purchasing or selling of real or personal property, the borrowing of money, the executing of any deed, mortgage, title, or trust. In such cases, a two-week notice in writing shall be sent to the pastor of each church stating the purpose of such meeting. A quorum shall be reached when thirty percent of member churches are represented. A vote of two-thirds of the quorum shall be considered binding. e. The Executive Committee shall be the administrative and promotional agency for the Association between Associational meetings. 2. Nominating Committee - It shall consist of five members whose duties shall be: a. To meet before the Annual Meeting and at other times to nominate all standing committees; naming a chairperson for each committee except the Annual Meeting Program Committee and Executive Committee. b. To make nominations for all vacancies on committees for the ensuing year. c. To nominate the Ministry Directors at the October meeting of the Association. d. To nominate other ministry leaders as needed and present the complete list to the Annual Meeting. e. To nominate the officers of Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees; and for others not otherwise provided. f. The Moderator and Vice Moderator are to be nominated from the floor at the Annual Meeting. 3. Stewardship and Budget Committee It shall consist of five members to plan, supervise, and administer the Associational budget in cooperation with the Treasurer. It shall give attention to a program of financial promotion and development for the Association and the churches. Any proposed expenditures in addition to the approved budget shall have the advice of this committee. 4. Personnel Committee It shall consist of five members to recommend staff policies, salary and benefit schedules, provide job descriptions, and counsel with employees who desire this or with whom it becomes necessary, and concerning the employment of staff, as listed in Article VII - Associational Staff. 5. Annual Meeting Program Committee It shall consist of the Moderator, Vice Moderator, the Music/Worship Director, the pastor or representative of the host church, and the Associational Missions Strategist. This committee shall provide a program. This committee shall submit a program and select persons making reports to the Associational meeting. The Annual Meeting Program Committee shall recommend to the Association such dates, places, and preachers (with alternates) for the next Annual Associational Meeting. The Vice Moderator shall chair this committee. 6. Credentials Committee It shall consist of five members who shall meet with churches making application to join the Association and make recommendations to the Executive Committee. It shall judge the propriety of retaining a church in the Association and make its recommendations to the Association at the Associational meeting after review by the Executive Committee. 7. Building Committee - It shall consist of three members who shall meet to evaluate the needs of the Associational building. It shall receive information and recommendations from the Associational Missions Strategist and the Trustees regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. It shall 7
8 make decisions regarding the maintenance and repair of said property. The chairman shall prepare a written report to the Association for the annual meeting. 8. Evangelism Committee - It shall consist of three members whose duty it shall be to develop and promote an extensive program and attitude of evangelism for the Association and to aid in providing leadership for such training programs and events as may be necessary. 9. Missions Development Committee It shall consist of a chairperson, WMU Director, Men s Ministry Director, and two members at large elected to serve three years one member rotating off each year. When the Association needs a variety of new works, positions may be created, each specializing in a different type of mission works. This committee will study associational demographics, and the associational church needs to discover what missions work is being unmet in the local association. The Missions Development Committee should formulate plans to meet these needs, and lead churches to act. ARTICLE VI - ASSOCIATIONAL MINISTRY DIRECTORS 1. Sunday School Director - The Director shall: a. Plan and conduct a ministry to assist churches in their Sunday School activities. c. Work with the Nominating Committee in selecting Sunday School Ministry workers as needed. d. Provide for the training and guidance of the Sunday School Ministry. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by the Sunday School Ministry and approved by the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Associational Sunday School activities. g. Keep written records of the Associational Sunday School activities. h. Make a written report to the Association at the annual meetings. 2. Vacation Bible School Director - The Director shall: a. Plan and conduct a ministry to assist churches in their Vacation Bible School activities. c. Work with the Nominating Committee in selecting Vacation School Ministry workers as needed. d. Provide for the training and guidance of the Vacation Bible School Ministry. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by the Vacation Bible School Ministry and approved by the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Associational Vacation Bible School activities. g. Keep written records of the Associational Vacation Bible School activities. h. Make a written report to the Association at the annual meetings. 3. Discipleship Director The Director shall: a. Plan and conduct a ministry to assist churches in their Discipleship activities. c. Work with the Nominating Committee in selecting Discipleship Ministry workers as needed. d. Provide for the training and guidance of the Discipleship Ministry. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by the to the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Associational Discipleship activities. g. Keep records of associational discipleship activities. h. Make a written report to the Association at the annual meetings. 4. Music/Worship Director The Director shall: a. Plan and conduct a program to assist churches in their church music activities. c. Provide for training and guidance of the Association Worship/Music ministries. d. Present in writing the budget request to the Stewardship Committee for Association Music/Worship Ministry.
9 e. Promote church participation in Associational Music/Worship activities. f. Provide music personnel for the Annual Meeting of the Association and other associational meetings as requested. g. Keep records of Associational Music/Worship activities. h. Make a regular report to the Executive Committee and annual report to the Association. 5. Woman s Missionary Union Director The WMU Director shall: a. Plan and conduct a program to assist churches in their WMU activities. c. Working with the WMU Nominating Committee, be responsible for presenting the names of the Associational WMU leaders for the approval by the Association. d. Serve as Director of the WMU Council. e. Provide for the training and guidance of the Associational WMU leaders. f. Working with the WMU Finance Committee, be responsible for presenting in writing the budget request recommended by the WMU Council to the Stewardship Committee of the Association. g. Promote church participation in Associational WMU activities. h. Keep written records of Associational WMU activities. i. Make a regular report to the Executive Committee and an annual report to the Association. 6. Men s Ministry Director The Men s Ministry Director shall: a. Plan and conduct a program to assist the churches in their Men s Ministry activities. b. Serve as Director of the Men s Ministry Department. c. Work with the Nominating Committee in selecting Men s Ministry Department workers. d. Provide for the training and guidance of the Men s Ministry Department. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by the Men s Ministry Department to the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Associational Men s Ministry activities. g. Keep records of Associational Men s Ministry activities. h. Make a regular report to the Executive Committee and an annual report to the Association. 7. Disaster Relief Director The Disaster Relief Director shall: a. Plan and coordinate the work of Association Disaster Relief in keeping with the protocols, policies, and procedures outlined in The Disaster Relief Training Manual. c. Recruit and develop qualified leaders and team members from St. Clair Association churches. d. Oversee the purchase, repair, and maintenance of necessary equipment for Disaster Relief ministry. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by the Disaster Relief Team to the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Disaster Relief ministry. g. Keep records of Disaster Relief activities. h. Make a regular report to the Executive Committee and an annual report to the Association. 8. Campus Ministry Director The Campus Ministry Director shall: a. Plan and coordinate the work of Campus Ministry in keeping with the protocols, policies, and procedures outlined by the Campus Ministries leadership of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. c. Recruit and develop qualified leaders and team members from St. Clair Association churches when possible. d. Oversee the purchase, repair, and maintenance of necessary equipment for Campus Ministry. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by Campus Ministry to the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Campus Ministry. g. Keep records of Campus Ministry activities.
10 h. Make a regular report to the Executive Committee and an annual report to the Association. 9. Raceway Ministry Director The Raceway Ministry Director shall: a. Plan and coordinate the work of Raceway Ministry in keeping with the protocols, policies, and procedures outlined by the leadership of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and Alabama Raceway Ministries. c. Recruit and develop qualified leaders and team members from St. Clair Association churches when possible. d. Oversee the purchase, repair, and maintenance of necessary equipment for Raceway Ministry. e. Present in writing the budget request recommended by Raceway Ministry to the Stewardship Committee. f. Promote church participation in Raceway Ministry. g. Keep records of Raceway Ministry activities. h. Make a regular report to the Executive Committee and an annual report to the Association. 10. Historian a. Qualifications The Historian shall: 1) Have a profound appreciation for the impact of Christianity upon history. 2) Express a sensitivity to current events worthy of historical records. 3) Demonstrate an ability to record concisely and interestingly material of historical worth. b. Responsibilities The Historian shall: 1) Gather the record and preserve matters of particular interest to the Association relative to its history. 2) Offer counsel and guidance to the Clerk of the Association in selecting and compiling these materials of historical value to be included in the annual minutes (Annual) of the Association. 3) Call to the attention of the Association the anniversaries or events of particular historical importance to the Association. ARTICLE VII ASSOCIATIONAL STAFF 1. Employment of Staff a. Associational Missions Strategist - 1) The Association shall employ him at the Annual Meeting or Executive Committee Meeting. 2) The Moderator shall appoint a special Associational Missions Strategist Search Committee to interview the candidate and make a recommendation to the Executive Committee. 3) The AMS Search Committee shall coordinate its work with the Personnel Committee. b. Ministerial Staff - 1) The Executive Committee shall employ the person. 2) The Personnel Committee shall recommend the person after consultation with the Associational Missions Strategist. c. Clerical Staff (Ministry Assistant) The Associational Missions Strategist shall employ the person after consultation with the Personnel Committee. 2. Staff Policies Regarding Weddings a. We believe that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, following biblical principles (Genesis 2:19-24; Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:18-27; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4). b. We believe that God sanctions only the union in marriage of a man to a woman. We do not believe in a union replicating marriage, commonly referred to as a civil union, for anyone. Therefore, the St. Clair Baptist Association recognizes only a wedding compatible with those
standards 1) Due to our belief in the biblical teachings about marriage, same-sex couples will not be married or joined in a union in any facilities or on any properties owned by the St. Clair Baptist Association. 2) Ministers employed by St. Clair Baptist Association will not perform any same-sex marriages or, unions whether on or off associational owned properties. Doing so would be grounds for termination. 3) No civil unions will be performed under any circumstances. c. Personnel Committee should maintain staff policies, salary or benefit schedules, job descriptions, and other related matters concerning the employment of Associational Staff. d. Staff Policies shall be on file at the Associational Office and available upon request. 11
12 STAFF POLICIES I. Associational Missions Strategist 1. Qualifications He must: a. Be a person with a sense of call to mission activity. b. Be a person with deep Christian commitment. c. Possess sufficient formal training to qualify him to perform the duties. d. Hold strong convictions concerning Baptist doctrine and policy. e. Be thoroughly cooperative with the work of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention, and their affiliated bodies. f. Have had sufficient training and experience in management and administration to enable him to plan, establish, coordinate, conduct and evaluate the Association's work. 2. Responsibilities - a. Overall Direction Develop and update the Association's purpose, objectives, goals and action plans in cooperation with the Executive Committee. b. Programs Determine the Association's programs, program services, and administrative services in collaboration with the appropriate committee or department director. c. Promotion Coordinate and promote all Association, State, and Southern Baptist programs, training events, and particular emphases with the appropriate department director or committee. d. Organizations Promote all associational organizations; working through the departments and committees; render what service he can when called upon by these organizations; and assist in the selecting, enlisting, and training of leaders for the Association s departments and committees. e. Evangelism Assist with the promotional phase of evangelism with the Evangelism Director. f. Stewardship Promote all Associational and Convention-wide stewardship movements in cooperation with the Stewardship Director. g. Missions Promote missions in the Association and lead churches to emphasize missions on the local level in collaboration with the Missions Committee, WMU Director and Men s Ministry Director. h. Vacation Bible School Lend assistance when asked by the Sunday School Director. i. Cooperative Program Promote the Cooperative Program in all churches, and enlist the churches to adopt budgets and increase giving to the Cooperative Program through percentages in cooperation with the Stewardship Director. j. Public Relations Use available means to present the Baptist work in a favorable light to promote good public relations. k. Surveys Complete surveys and study the needs for establishing missions and new work in cooperation with the Missions Committee. l. Facilities Secure and administer facilities needed for the performance of the Association's work in collaboration with the Trustees. m. Administration Design and use administrative controls for directing the Association s work in cooperation with the Executive Committee. n. Calendar He shall be responsible for developing the schedule of activities for the associational year. o. Newsletter He shall be responsible for the publication of a monthly newsletter.
p. Inventory He shall maintain an inventory of all equipment belonging to the association and be responsible for such. He shall file with the Treasurer and Chairman of Trustees each year a copy of the inventory. q. Associational Budget Assist the Stewardship Committee in preparing the budget and enlist churches to support it. r. Employees Train and supervise employees of the Association in cooperation with the Personnel Committee. 3. Relationships - a. The Associational Missions Strategist may do no work within the local church except when invited by or under the approval of, the pastor. In case the church does not have a pastor, he may assist the church on the invitation of the church or its pulpit committee. b. As churches may find need of his services, the Associational Missions Strategist may undertake c. the following kinds of services: supply, revivals, study courses, enlargement campaigns, Vacation Bible Schools, surveys, conferences, leadership training and other assistance as needed. d. His relationships with the officers, department directors, and committees of the Association are consultative and advisory in nature. e. He shall endeavor to establish a good rapport with the churches affiliated with the Association. f. He shall maintain a fraternal relationship with the directors of missions and officers of other associations and assist them as reasonably needed and as his responsibilities will allow. g. He shall cooperate with the State Convention and Southern Baptist Convention leadership and encourage cooperation between associational leaders. h. He shall strive to develop and sustain friendly relations with business, civic and other religious groups of the area served by the Association. 4. Personal Privileges, Obligations, and Remunerations - a. Supervision The Director of Mission is employed by the Association and is under the direction of the Executive committee in cooperation with the Personnel Committee. b. Compensation He shall be compensated as to salary, housing and travel expense in a manner commensurate with the responsibilities he carries in accordance with the Association's ability to pay. A cost of living raise should be given each year. Also, the Personnel Committee should consider a merit bonus each year. c. Benefits He shall be granted other benefits as may be agreed upon in such things as holidays, vacations, sick leave, retirement, hospital insurance, expenses to conventions, assemblies, professional development, and other related matters to include the following: observance of all legal holidays (New Year s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, two days at Thanksgiving and two days at Christmas), two weeks of vacation annually during the first five years of employment, three weeks annually during the next five years, and four weeks after that. d. Time Away He shall be allowed to spend two weeks in revivals outside the Association each year; to attend all denominational meetings if they do not conflict with his work in the Association. e. Days Off He shall have a day off each week at his choosing, except Sunday which should be reserved for Associational business. f. Denominational Meetings He shall be allowed to attend all denominational meetings if they do not conflict with his obligations as an associational worker. g. Honorariums He shall not expect pay for promotional services rendered except for evangelistic or stewardship campaigns. He may accept any gifts offered him. h. Tenure of Service The Association will give the Associational Missions Strategist at least sixty day s notice if it desires to discontinue his service. The Associational Missions Strategist shall provide the association with at least thirty day s notice before resigning his work. 13 II. Ministry Assistant 1. Qualifications - This person shall be: a. A person of unquestioned Christian character. b. A person of deep spiritual commitment. c. One who possesses adequate training and experience to qualify them to perform the duties.
2. Responsibilities - a. The Ministry Assistant will perform the work necessary for the orderly operation of the associational office. b. The following examples are typical of work performed: Receive and sort mail. Files mail following established practice. Performs routine typing of correspondence, documents, and reports from rough drafts. Operates office machines such as a computer, copier, and other office equipment. Addresses envelopes. The ministry assistant may do printing for individual churches as time permits. Furnishes information to inquiries regarding programs of the Association. Assists Pastors and other members of the churches, answering questions requiring the application of associational principles to individual case problems. Answers telephone inquiries regarding associational activities and programs. Prepares informational material to be included in newsletters, news releases, and memoranda. Performs other duties as required by the Associational Missions Strategist. 3. Relationships - a. The Ministry Assistant shall work under the direction of the Associational Missions Strategist, and b. he must clear all work to be done by the ministry assistant. c. Whenever any officer, department director or committee has work to be done by the Ministry Assistant, the material to be reproduced or otherwise done, shall be presented to the ministry assistant (in writing, with no letter dictated on the telephone) at least five working days before the finished work is needed. 4. Remuneration - a. The Ministry Assistant shall be compensated in a manner commensurate with the b. responsibility assigned and in accordance with the ability of the Association to pay. c. Vacation shall be two weeks annually for the first five years, three weeks for the next five, and four weeks after that. d. All legal holidays (New Year s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, two days at Thanksgiving and two days at Christmas) shall be given with pay. e. The ministry assistant shall be given five days of sick leave, plus one day for every two months f. employed up to a total of thirty days after which the Personnel Committee will review each case and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee. g. A cost of living raise should be given each year. In addition to this, the Personnel Committee should consider a merit bonus each year. 14