Greater Joy Missionary Baptist Church 322 Anderson Street Post Office Box 1864 Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27802 CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual member and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches. NAME This body shall be known as the Greater Joy Missionary Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, North Carolina located at 322 Anderson Street and cannot be changed unless authorized by President and/or Executive Ministry of Corporation. OBJECTIVES To exalt the Savior in a dynamic unity of fellowship through powerful preaching, joyful and celebrative worship of God, through extraordinary praying, through effective organization of the body, and through consistent living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To equip the saints through preaching, teaching, and training believers to utilize their gifts and skills in ministry to each other and to people of their community and to all the world. To evangelize the sinner through the total penetration of our community and areas of influence with the Good News of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by the total participation of the church in witness BYLAWS
ARTICLE I Membership Section 1 - General Membership shall be open to anyone who professes personal faith in Christ for his/her eternal salvation, and a willingness to understand the basic doctrines of the Word of God, and water baptism (by immersion) after conversion. Section 2 -Candidacy Any person may offer himself as a candidate for membership in this church. All candidates shall be received by the church for membership in any of the following ways: By profession of faith and water baptism By promise of letter from another church By restoration upon a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism from a church when no letter is obtainable. Section 3 - New Member Orientation New members of this church are expected to participate in the church s new member orientation. Section 4 Active Membership Section 5 - Voting Rights Section 6 Inactive Membership Section 7 Termination of Membership Section 8 Resolution of Conflict ARTICLE II CHURCH MEETINGS
Section 1 Business meetings The Pastor shall preside as moderator at all meetings. In his absence, or at his request, the Chair of the Deacons shall so serve or an appointee by the Bishop. In the event neither is available, any other qualified member of the Deacons may be selected prior to the meeting to serve as temporary Moderator by Pastor, however, meetings ca not be called without prior knowledge of the Pastor. Section 5 Matters Requiring Special Procedures On any matter properly brought before a summit meeting dealing with the purchase or sale of real property or the affiliation relationships of the church, where the membership has not been given notice of the general subject and nature of the proposals to be voted upon at such a meeting, any member may, by request at such a meeting, require that the motion be tabled and referred to the Deacons, who will have up to 30 days to make a non-binding recommendation regarding the proposal. Upon their recommendation or the expiration of 30 days, the congregation may vote upon the motion. Section 6 Notice Except in special circumstances any requirement of notice for a meeting or item of business to be presented shall be satisfied if announcement is made at a Sunday morning worship service two weeks in advance of any meeting or action, or notice is provided in any regular or special church newsletter and letter mailed ten days in advance. Section 7 Voting All items of business, unless otherwise provided for herein or by Bishop, shall be approved or disapproved by a majority vote of church members present and voting. Voting by proxy or absentee ballot shall not be permitted. Pastor shall be appointed by the Bishop and presented to the church for Voting. Calling a Pastor quorum shall be 20% of the voting membership. The vote required is 75% of members present and voting. Once quorum is reached a formal contract will be established between the Pastor and the church. The majority of the church s assets quorum shall be 20% of the voting membership. The vote required is 75% of members present and voting. Pastoral Vacancy procedures as established by the Bishop will be followed prior to voting. Section 8 Minutes The church clerk shall keep minutes of each business meeting and shall record the exact number present, whether a quorum was present, and what actions were taken by the church. The minutes of all meetings shall be the property of the church and a copy kept at the church office and available to all members for inspection
ARTICLE III Executive Ministry/Board of Directors Section 1 Appointment and Term The affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Executive Ministry of not less than 5. The members of said ministry shall be appointed by the Bishop. Board of Directors shall serve as support to Executive Ministry. They shall be recommended by Executive Ministry and approved by Bishop. ARTICLE IV CHURCH SERVICES Section 1 - Worship Service The church shall meet every Sunday morning. These services will be open to everyone and shall be conducted under the direction of the Pastor. Section 2 - Church School Church School is to be conducted for all people Section 3 Bible Study A Bible Study is to be conducted for all people and under the direction of the Pastor. Section 4 - Special Services & Revival All church services which are essential to the promotion of the objectives of the church shall be placed on the church calendar and bulletins. The sponsoring committee of the special service may make recommendations for a speaker, but final approval must be made by Pastor. The pastor will be responsible for the church annual revival(s). ARTICLE V Ministries For worship and ministering, the church will provide various ministries and committees.
ARTICLEVI CHURCH OFFICERS AND OTHER STAFF The Church shall have a staff consisting of a Bishop and or Pastor, Deacons, Trustees, and other positions the Bishop/Pastor may so approve. The Executive ministry will establish staff policy and job descriptions and include them in The Church Handbook (to be developed). Section 1 Bishop and/or Pastor Founding Bishop serves as the President of the Corporation for life. He is the spiritual shepherd, evangelistic, and administrative leader of the church (Acts 20:17-28, 1 Peter 5: 1-3). He will lead the church to determine its vision and mission and to strategically move toward the attainment of that mission by using his gifts and skills of proclamation, leadership, and ministry. The Bishop shall give primary attention to the role as spiritual leader of the congregation in partnership with the Deacons. Spiritual leadership involves attention to personal spirituality as a follower of Christ as well as attention to the spiritual needs and spiritual growth of individuals and the church as a whole. At the time of need of a successor, Bishop shall appoint to the church body a Pastor. (See steps for electing the pastor). The pastor s model for leadership shall always be the servant model endorsed and exemplified by Christ himself. Section 2 Deacons Qualifications In accordance with the meaning of the word and the practice of the New Testament, the deacons are to be the servants of the church. They are appointed by the Pastor. The deacons shall be men who are spiritual role models with stable godly homes and shall give evidence of exemplary life styles within the church and within the community at large. They shall give evidence of a spirit of generosity in giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). They shall be committed and consistent tithers who practice storehouse tithing through their local church. (Malachi 3:10; Hebrews 7:8) 1 Timothy 3:8-12 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double tongued, not given too much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.
Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderer, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Section 3 Trustees Responsibilities Trustees are appointed by the Pastor. Trustees shall be selected and elected to hold in trust the church property. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property without specific instructions of the church authorizing each action. Qualifications A trustee needs not only excellent character, with stress on scrupulous honesty, but he needs practicality, thriftiness, financial ability, and good judgment. A working knowledge of law is a great asset. Qualified women provide a new source for board membership. Duties The trustees hold the property of the church. Signatures are required on all deeds, transfers of stock, bank notes, and mortgages, upon authorization of the church. The personal property of the trustees is not accessible or involved, even upon the failure of the church to make good on a financial obligation if the instrument has been properly drawn. The trustees will need to have legal advice whenever a note, mortgage, or other obligation is contracted, to make sure they are not personally liable. The titles of property, stocks and bonds, cash, and other church assets are in their keeping. They receive and disburse negotiable assets for the church. If the church is heir to a legacy, the procedure for receiving it is in the hands of the trustees; they will listen to the reading of the will and protect the rights of the church. When the estate is settled, the proceeds will be added to the other assets being held for the church. The same holds true of current gifts and contributions. The disbursement of funds according to the will of the church will be cared for by the trustees. They will give an account to the church annually, or more often of the property in their keeping. A detailed report of receipts and expenditures, dormant funds, and pieces of real estate will be submitted to the church as required. The ability to make such reports requires the keeping of books and other records. The trustees will endeavor to maintain or improve the property which has been given into their care. If there are trust funds consisting of stocks and bonds, they will keep a careful watch of the record of the companies in which the money is invested and will advise the
church when it seems wise to sell the holding and reinvest it. They will arrange for all minor repairs to the building or buildings and advise the church when a major repair needs to be done. Regular attendees of Sunday School and Bible Study. Section 4 Church Clerk Function The Church Clerk should keep a suitable book of records of all the actions of the church and shall be the custodian of such records. Responsibilities Preserve on file all communications and written official reports. Prepare church bulletins for all church services as designated Make and keep up-to-date record of pastor s calendar and schedule. Maintain church calendar Maintain church mailing list. Maintain church records and files Responsible for maintaining copier and computer equipment He/she is responsible for keeping a register of the names of members, with dates of admission, dismissal, or death together with a record of Baptism. Take minutes at business meeting All other duties deemed necessary by the Pastor Must be a regular attendee of Sunday School and Bible Study Section 5 Financial Secretary Principal Function The financial secretary is responsible for financial transactions of the church and serves as the Secretary of the Corporation. This position is appointed by the Pastor. Responsibilities Post members weekly offering
Check and total all invoices when approved; Inform responsible persons of their budget expenditures. Make a quarterly report to the board members. Prepare and issue checks to employees. Write checks and pay all bills. Sign all checks (in addition to another signature) Make quarterly report at regular business meetings Must be a regular attendee of church and bible study Section 6- Treasurer Function There shall be one treasurer of the Corporation. He/she shall meet with the Deacons, Trustees, and Financial Secretary regularly and shall have his books always open for inspection. Said treasurer must be bonded in such amount as the church shall designate. Position is appointed by the Pastor. Responsibilities The treasurer shall keep separate accounts of all funds contributed for particular purpose. No funds shall be disbursed by the treasurer except for the purpose for which they were raised. All deposits will be made by the treasurer by the end of the day that monies are counted. Treasurer and financial committee shall count all monies and give report to financial secretary. Must be present at the church at least one night a week to sign checks. Must be a regular attendee of Sunday School and Bible Study The term of this office shall be (3) years. Removal of Treasurer can be done by the President of the Corporation. Must ensure that no check in excess of $200.00 without a receipt is issued without the approval of the Board. (Exceptions: Electricity, utility bills, and other routine bills)
Must ensure each check has 2 signatures before depositing. ARTICLE VII AUXILIARY ORGANIZATION No organizations shall be formed or considered a part of the church activities before its sponsors have submitted their plans to the Pastor for sanction, and approval has been granted. ARTICLE VIII CHURCH YEAR The church operates on a calendar year, from January 1 st to December 31 st. ARTICLE IX RULES OF ORDER Roberts Rules of Order, as last revised, shall serve as supporting parliamentary manual for the Bishop and church. ARTICLE X FINANCES Necessary finances for conducting the church, its programs and missionary out-reach, shall be obtained through voluntary tithes and regular offerings as a worship. Additionally, the church may accept gifts, any bequests, grants, property, leases, considerations which may be designated to the church. All said contributions shall be handle in accordance to the direction of church and its leadership. The Board may, at their discretion, take freewill offerings as deemed necessary.
Any proposed entertainment, dinners, musical programs, or any other projects to be held for fund raising will require prior approval of the Pastor. ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS Any article or section of this constitution and bylaws may be amended by vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive members present at any business meeting. Published notice of such amendment must be made available to all voting members at least two weeks prior to said meeting. A copy of the Constitution and Bylaws shall be kept by the church clerk at all times among the clerk s records, and another copy shall be kept in the church office. All amendments to or revisions of thereof shall be prepared and dated by the committee and attached to the copies and made available to the members upon request. No Changes to Name, Charter or any parts of organization can be made without the consent of the Bishop and in his absence the Executive Board. These Constitution and Bylaws have been adopted by the members of Greater Joy Missionary Baptist Church on August 12 th 2008 and shall be effective immediately. Chairman of Deacons Date Witness Date Updated 12/31/2012