THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF OAK GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH PREAMBLE We declare and establish this Constitution and By-Laws for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith and for the orderly, democratic government of this body. ARTICLE I: NAME CONSTITUTION This body shall be known as the Oak Grove Baptist Church of Oak Grove, Virginia. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE The primary purpose of this church shall be to promote the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to win the lost to Christ, to strive to develop Christian maturity among its members, and to spread the Divine Truth at home and abroad. ARTICLE III: AFFIRMATION OF FAITH DRAFT Amendments as of January 30, 2011 1. GOD: There is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. a. God the Father: God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men. Gen. 1:1; 2:7; Ex. 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11 ff.; 20:1 ff.; Lev. 22:2; Deut. 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chron. 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isa. 43:3, 15; 64:8; Jer. 10:10; 17:13; Matt. 6:9 ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Rom. 8:14-15; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 4:6; Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7 b. God the Son: Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of the nature of God and of man, and in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will 1
return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord. Gen. 18:1 ff.; Psalm 2:7 ff.; 110:1 ff.; Isa. 7:14, 53:6; Matt. 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16, 27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6, 19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18, 29; 10:30, 38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16, 28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20, 28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5, 20; Rom. 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3, 34; 10:4; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8, 24-28; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Eph.1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Heb. 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15, 24-28; 12:2; l3:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Rev. 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16 c. God the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ, He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. Gen. 1:2; Judg. 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isa. 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matt. 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10, 12; Luke 1:35; 4:1, 18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 38; 4:3l; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17, 39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Rom. 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:19; 1 Tim. 3:16; 4:1; 2 Tim.1:14; 3:16; Heb. 9:8, 14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Rev. 1:10; 22:17 2. SCRIPTURES: We believe that the Holy Bible (both the Old and New Testaments) is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It has God for its author, salvation of man for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. We accept it as our sole authority on matters of faith and practice for the Christian life. Ex. 24:4; Deut. 4:1-2; 17:19; Josh. 8:34; Psalm 19:7-10; 119:11, 89, 105, 140; Isa. 34:16; 40:8; Jer. 15:16; 36; Matt. 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16 ff.; 17:11; Rom. 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21 3. MAN: We believe that man was created by a special act of God, in His image, and is the crowning work of His creation. In the beginning man was just and upright and free from all sin, but through the influence and temptation of Satan, man sinned by disobeying God and thus fell from his original state of innocence, bringing sin into the human race. Thus, man brought upon himself and all future generations a nature inclined to sin, wholly opposed to God and His Law, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become actual transgressors and are under the condemnation of God, and are in need of personal salvation. Gen. 1:26-30; 2:5, 7, 18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalm 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isa. 6:5; Jer. 17:5; Matt.16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6, 12, 19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18, 29; 1 Cor. 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Eph. 2:1-22; Col. 1:21-22; 3:9-11 4. SALVATION: We believe by virtue of the fulfillment of God s Holy Law by His Son, Jesus Christ, and the offering freely made by Christ of His own life as a sacrifice for sin the way of salvation (also referred to as regeneration and the new birth) has been opened and is offered freely to all mankind. Salvation is a work of God s grace whereby believers become new creations in Jesus Christ. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin to which the sinner responds in repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Gen. 3:15; Ex. 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matt. 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22 to 28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14, 29; 3:3-21, 36; 5:24; 10:9, 28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Rom. 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3 ff.; 2
5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18, 29-39; 10:9-10, 13; 13:11-14; 1 Cor. 1:18, 30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Cor.5:17-20; Gal. 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 1:9-22; 3:1 ff.; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8, 14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6 to 2:11; Rev. 3:20; 21:1 to 22:5. 5. REPENTANCE AND FAITH: We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire person to Him as Savior and Lord. We believe that God is faithful and just to forgive and redeem all who come to Him in genuine repentance and faith, and that they, regardless of creed or race, become the children of God. We further believe that without genuine repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ no sinner can be saved. Matt. 3:2; Luke 13:2,3, 15:21, 18:13; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 8:22, 17:30, 26:20; 1 Chron. 7:14; Is. 55:7; Ezek. 18:21, 18:31; Hosea 14:2; Rom. 5:1, 10:17, 14:23; Heb. 11:1, 11:6; James 2:17; 1 John 5:4; Ep. 6:16; Gal. 3:6; Phil. 3:9; John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 11:25, 12:46, 20:31; Rom 10:9 6. ETERNAL SECURITY: We believe that all people who have truly been born of God enter into the state of eternal security with God, which means that once a person is truly saved, he may through sin get out of fellowship with God, but he will never lose his salvation and his relationship as a child of God. John 3:14, 15, 3:36, 10:28, 29, 11:25, 26, 12:25, 17:3; Matt. 19:16; Mark 10:30; Rom. 5:21, 6:23; Gal. 6:8; Phil 1:21, Luke 16:22; 1 Tim. 6:12; Titus 1:2, 1 John 1:2, 5:11, 5:13, 5:20 7. CHURCH: We believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, is universal in nature and includes all the redeemed of all the ages. We believe that the New Testament Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers, with Christ as its Head and the Holy Spirit as its Guide, who are committed to His teachings, who exercise His gifts, and who seek to extend the good news of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Matt. 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23, 27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11, 21; 5:22-32; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Rev. 2-3; 21:2-3 8. BAPTISM: We believe that all who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord should be baptized. We believe that baptism, according to the Scripture, is rightly administered only by the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience to Christ, and it symbolizes the believer s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Lord, the believer s death to sin, the believer s burial of the old life, and the believer s resurrection to walk in the newness of life. It is an outward expression of an inward experience, and it is in no way a prerequisite to personal salvation. Matt. 28:19, Luke 3:21, 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:23-26, Mark 1:9, 16:16, Acts 2:38, 2:41, 8:38, 9:18, 10:48, 16:33, 18:8, 19:5, 22:16, Rom. 6:3, 1Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21, Matt. 3:13. 9. THE LORD S SUPPER: We believe that the Lord s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread (symbolic of His body which was broken for us) and the fruit of the vine (symbolic of His blood which was shed for us), do remember the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His coming again. Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 10:16, 21; 11:23-29; Col. 2:12. 3
10. THE LORD S DAY: We believe that the Lord s Day is the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, which took place on the first day of the week, and is a Christian institution for regular worship, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Ex. 20:8-11; Matt. 12:1-12; 28:1 ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3, 33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1, 19-28; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 2:16; 3:16; Rev. 1:10 11. THE KINGDOM: We believe that the Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular Kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly, the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the age. Gen. 1:1; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6; Matt. 3:2; 4:8-10, 23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Rom. 5:17; 8:19; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Col.1:13; Heb. 11:10, 16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Rev. 1:6, 9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22 12. LAST THINGS: God in His own time and in His own way will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in power and great glory and will judge all men in righteousness. We believe the Bible teaches two resurrections separated by 1000 years, one for the just and one for the unjust. The just will be resurrected first to stand before Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account of themselves to Him, after which they will dwell forever with the Lord. The unjust will be resurrected to stand before Christ at the Great White Throne of Judgment to hear those final words, Depart from Me, I never knew you, to be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. Isa. 2:4; 11:9; Matt. 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27, 30, 36, 44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40, 48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor.4:5; 15:24-28, 35-58; 2 Cor. 5:10; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:14-18; 5:1 ff.; 2 Thess.1:7 ff.; 2; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7 ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Rev. 1:18; 3:11; 20:1 to 22:13 13.RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: We believe in religious liberty for all men and in the separation of Church and State. Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Matt. 6:6-7, 24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Rom. 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Gal.5:1, 13; Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19 14.FAMILY: God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church, and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel for sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God s image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband 4
and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents. Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-25; 3:1-20; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 6:4-9; Josh. 24:15; 1 Sam. 1:26-28; Ps. 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Prov. 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Eccl. 4:9-12; 9:9; Mal. 2:14-16; Matt. 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 7:1-16; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; 1 Tim. 5:14; 2 Tim 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Heb. 13:4; 1 Pet. 3:1-7. ARTICLE IV: CHURCH COVENANT Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. We engage, 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 sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and to the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; 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 deportment; We are to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of illegal substances; to abstain from the over indulgence of intoxicating beverages, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We further engage 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; We are to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay. We resolve that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God s Word. ARTICLE V: CHARACTER DRAFT Amendments as of January 30, 2011 1. POLITY: This church is autonomous, and its government is vested in the body of believers who compose it. All final decisions rest in the action of this body as led by the Holy Spirit. This church is not to be controlled by any other ecclesiastical body, but insofar as practical, this church will support the Southern Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, the Baptist General 5
Association of Virginia, the Rappahannock Baptist Association, and other churches of like faith in promoting the Gospel. 2. DOCTRINE: This church accepts the Scriptures as its sole authority in matters of faith and practice. Our doctrinal beliefs are explained in Article III of this Constitution. ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS DRAFT Amendments as of January 30, 2011 1. Motions made and properly seconded to amend the church Constitution shall be postponed for at least twenty eight (28) days before being brought to a final vote. Notification of the actual date must be posted in the church bulletin. During this time the clerk will post the recommendation in writing in the church and provide copies to members as requested. Amendments to the church Constitution shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present. The clerk shall then change the church Constitution according to the action taken. 2. Every year ending in a zero a special committee will be formed for the purpose of reviewing this Constitution. 6
By-Laws ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP 1. GENERAL: The membership of this church shall consist of persons who accept and confess Jesus Christ as Savior and strive to make Him their Lord as they grow in the Spirit and yield themselves to His leadership as Master. a. By profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and subsequent baptism by immersion, physical health permitting. b. By transfer of membership from another Christian church having experienced baptism by immersion. c. By statement of previous profession of faith and subsequent baptism by immersion. 2. NEW MEMBER APPROVAL: All candidates who have met requirements for church membership shall be presented to the church body for approval at a business meeting. A majority vote of those church members present and voting shall be required to elect such candidates to membership. Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the pastor and the deacons for investigation. 3. ORIENTATION: New members shall be given a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws. New church members will be expected to participate in the church s New Member Orientation program administered by the pastor or staff member(s). 4. DUTIES: Active members are expected to be faithful and loyal to their church, setting an example before other Christians by attending services of the church unless providentially hindered. Active members are also expected to regularly support the church with tithes and offerings and share together in the organized work. 5. INACTIVE MEMBERS: At the discretion of the pastor and deacons, members who are absent more than two (2) years may be transferred to an inactive membership list. 6. VOTING RIGHTS: All active members 16 and over have the right to express their voice and vote in church business. If unable to attend the business meeting, they have the right to vote by absentee ballot at their request. The absentee ballot must be delivered to the moderator prior to the meeting. 7. DISCIPLINE: Should any differences arise between members; the aggrieved member shall follow, in a tender spirit, the rules given by our Lord in the 18 th Chapter of Matthew verses 15-20. It shall be the basic purpose of Oak Grove Baptist Church to emphasize to its members that reconciliation rather than division should be the guideline that governs the attitude of one member toward another. Should any case of gross breach of the church covenant, or of public scandal occur, the deacons shall endeavor to resolve the problem. If such effort fails, the deacons shall report the case to the church. The church shall then decide what course of action should be taken. Exclusion of a member for disciplinary action must be by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of members present at a regular business meeting after sincere efforts for reconciliation have been made. 7
8. TERMINATION: Membership shall be terminated by majority vote during a regular business meeting in the following ways: a. By Personal request b. By transfer of letter to another Baptist church. c. By uniting with a church of another faith. d. By recommendation of a roll purging committee. The termination of membership may be taken only at a regular business meeting and only after a genuine effort has been made to communicate this action to the member. e. Upon the death of a member their name will be removed from the rolls. 9. RESTORATION: Any person whose membership has been terminated for any offense may be restored by majority vote of the church at a regular business meeting upon evidence of his/her repentance and reformation. ARTICLE II: CHURCH OFFICERS DRAFT Amendments as of January 30, 2011 All church officers must be active members of the church, subscribe to Article III the Affirmation of Faith as described in the Church Constitution, and affirm The Baptist Faith and Message (2000). All Pastoral staff and deacons shall be male and have proven to have the spiritual qualifications according to 1 st Timothy 3. The officers of this church shall be as follows: 1. PASTOR: The pastor shall be called based upon the recommendation of the pulpit committee for an indefinite period. His pastorate may be terminated by resignation or dismissal. His call or dismissal requires at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at a meeting for which public notice shall be given at least two Sundays before the date on which the action is taken. The termination of relationship must be given by pastor or church with a 30-day notice unless mutually agreed upon by both parties. Duties are as follows: a. The pastor and the deacons shall be mutually accountable to each other and to the church body. b. The pastor shall have charge of the welfare and oversight of the church. c. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, departments and committees. d. The pastor may call a special meeting of the deacons or any committee according to procedures set forth in the by-laws. e. The pastor shall conduct religious services on stated and special occasions. f. The pastor shall administer the ordinances of the Lord s Supper and Baptism. g. The pastor shall minister to members of the church and community. h. The pastor shall have special charge of the pulpit ministry of the church and shall, in cooperation with the deacons, provide for pulpit supply when he is absent. i. The pastor shall arrange for workers to assist in revival meetings and other special services. j. The pastor shall perform other duties that usually pertain to the office of pastor. 2. YOUTH PASTOR: The youth pastor shall be called by the church based upon the recommendation of a special committee composed of the officers of the youth committee and the officers of the deacon body. The youth pastor shall be voted on at a business meeting for which public notice shall be given at least two Sundays prior to the date of the meeting. The youth pastor s call or dismissal requires at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast. The termination of relationship must be given by the youth pastor or the church with a 30-day notice unless mutually agreed by both parties. In the event the 8
church does not have a youth pastor, all of the youth pastor duties will be the responsibility of the youth committee under the guidance of the pastor. Duties are as follows: a. The youth pastor shall be accountable to the pastor. b. The youth pastor shall work with the pastor and youth committee in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the ongoing ministry for the children and youth of the church. c. The youth pastor shall work with the young people in helping them come to Christ as Savior and aiding them in their spiritual growth and development. d. The youth pastor shall provide a variety of growing opportunities through Bible study, mission projects, worship, recreation, retreats, and other special events. e. The youth pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, departments and committees. f. The youth pastor shall work with the youth committee in planning the budget needs for the youth and children s ministry and presenting those needs to the budget committee annually. g. The youth pastor shall provide counseling to the youth and/or their parents as the need arises. h. The youth pastor shall work with the pastor and youth committee in evaluating the youth and children s ministries on a regular basis. i. The youth pastor shall recognize that his responsibilities are part of a shared ministry that involves relating to the total church ministry and other church staff and workers. j. The youth pastor shall make sure that the youth ministry operates within the guidelines of the church budget. k. The Youth pastor shall assist the pastor in other areas of the church ministry as may be necessary. 2. DEACONS: There shall be at least 9 deacons elected from names of members who have proven to have spiritual qualifications according to 1 st Timothy 3. The deacon body shall serve as a screening committee and present the names of qualified candidates to the church. The term of service shall be indefinite, until resignation, or until dismissal by the church. The election or termination shall be upon recommendation by the deacon body as presented to the church at a regular business meeting at which time a majority vote will be required. Duties shall be as follows: a. The pastor and the deacons shall be mutually accountable. b. The deacons shall be accountable to the church body. c. The deacons shall counsel with the pastor concerning all of the interests of the church, both spiritual and physical. d. The deacons shall work with the pastor in promoting and guarding the unity of the spirit within the church. e. The deacons shall visit the sick and those in distress. f. The deacons shall serve the elements of the Lord s Supper under the supervision of the pastor. g. The deacons shall act as a committee on pulpit supply in case of pastor s unplanned absence. h. The deacons shall meet monthly at such times as they may agree upon and in special session at the call of the chairman or pastor. i. The deacons shall elect a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary annually which are not to serve any more than three (3) consecutive terms. The chairman will serve as presiding officer at the deacons meeting and as vice-moderator of the church at all regular or special business meetings. The vice-chairman of the deacons shall perform all the functions of the chairman in the event of the absence of the chairman. The secretary is to keep complete records of the deacons meeting. 9
j. The deacon chairman shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, departments and committees. 4. MODERATOR: The pastor shall serve as moderator at all regular or special business meetings of the church. In his absence, the chairman of the deacons will serve as moderator. In the absence of both the pastor and the chairman of the deacons, the vice-chairman of the deacons shall serve as moderator. 5. CLERK: The clerk shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church annually. Duties shall be as follows: a. The clerk shall serve as secretary for the church business meetings and for the church council, and maintain records pertinent thereto. b. The clerk shall preserve the historically significant church materials. c. The clerk shall keep a register of the names of members, with dates of baptisms, marriages, and deaths. d. The clerk shall maintain an up-to-date record of church policies on such matters as provided by the church, and make this available to any member at a reasonable time. e. The clerk shall update and maintain the Constitution and By-Laws as approved by the church. f. The clerk shall post a copy of the church s business meeting minutes on the bulletin board after each quarterly business meeting. g. The clerk shall prepare and submit a copy of the Annual Clerk s Report to the association. h. The clerk shall serve on the church finance committee. i. The clerk shall serve on the church council. j. The clerk shall update and maintain the church calendars. 6. TREASURER: The treasurer shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church annually. The treasurer s records shall be audited annually by a committee appointed by the nominating committee. Duties shall be as follows: a. The treasurer shall sign all checks authorized by the church b. The treasurer shall keep records of income and expenditures. c. The treasurer shall prepare quarterly and annual financial reports to the congregation. d. The treasurer shall serve on the finance committee. e. The treasurer shall make financial records available to the finance committee or other committees as may be requested. f. The treasurer shall post a copy of the reports on the bulletin board. g. The treasurer shall serve on the church council. h. The treasurer shall be bonded. 7. FINANCIAL SECRETARY: The financial secretary shall be nominated by the nominating committee and be elected by the church annually. Duties shall be as follows: a. The financial secretary shall keep confidential records of all individual tithes and offerings. b. The financial secretary shall be given a copy of all detailed deposit slips by the counting committee. c. The financial secretary shall maintain confidential pledge records. d. The financial secretary shall provide financial records to individuals for their tax purposes. e. The financial secretary shall serve on the church council. 10
f. The financial secretary shall serve on the finance committee 8. TRUSTEES: Trustees shall be elected from the church membership for an indefinite period of service, until resignation, or until dismissal by the church. Duties shall be as follows: a.the number of trustees shall be five (5). b.the trustees shall be certified according to the laws of Virginia, and shall hold in trust legal title to all the property of the church, both real and personal. c.when directed by the church, and not otherwise, the trustees shall have power to sell, convey mortgage, or otherwise encumber and dispose of any property which they hold in trust for the Church. d.the election or dismissal of a trustee shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a business meeting 9. SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR: The Sunday school director shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church annually at the July business meeting. The director is responsible to the pastor for providing leadership in planning, conducting and evaluating the entire Sunday school program. Duties shall be as follows: a. The Sunday school director shall assist the nominating committee in enlisting and selecting qualified teachers and workers for the Sunday school program. b. The Sunday school director shall serve as a resource person to all Sunday school teachers and workers. c. The Sunday school director shall be responsible for the ordering of all Sunday school materials. d. The Sunday school director shall be responsible for maintaining all Sunday school records. e. The Sunday school director shall serve on the church council. f. The Sunday school director shall serve on the church mission committee. g. The elected Sunday school director shall present the slate of Sunday school teachers at the October business meeting for election. 10. BAPTIST MEN S DIRECTOR: The purpose of the Baptist men is to promote missions among the men and youth of the church. The Baptist Men s director shall be nominated from their membership and be a member of the church in good standing. His name shall be presented to the church annually at a business meeting. He shall serve on the church council and mission committee. 11. WOMEN S MISSIONARY UNION DIRECTOR: The purpose of the WMU is to organize and promote missions among women, young ladies, and the children of the church. The women s missionary director shall be nominated from their membership and be a member of the church in good standing. Her name shall be presented to the church annually at a business meeting. She shall serve on the church council and mission committee. 12. MUSIC DIRECTOR: The music director shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church annually. Duties shall be as follows: a. The music director shall be responsible for leading the choir in providing worshipful music for all services. b. The music director shall work with the pastor in selecting suitable music for all occasions. c. The music director shall direct congregational singing. 11
d. The music director shall be responsible for coordinating special music. e. The music director shall be responsible for directing or overseeing special musical programs. f. The music director shall serve on the church council. g. The music director shall be a member of the Audio-Visual Committee. 13. CHURCH COUNCIL: The church council shall be composed of the pastor, youth pastor, chairman of the deacons, church clerk, treasurer, financial secretary, music director, Sunday school director, WMU director, Baptist men s director, VBS director, AWANA Commander, and all other standing committee chairpersons. The church council shall be responsible for recommending a yearly church calendar and a yearly budget to the congregation at the business meeting prior to the beginning of the church year. It shall be the responsibility of the church council to review and coordinate all church activities and programs, and to provide communication between committees and church leaders. The church council will strive to set objectives and goals that will best accomplish the purpose and mission of OGBC. Nothing can be acted on by this council, except to recommend to the congregation suggested objectives and church goals. The church council will meet monthly. 14. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR: The VBS director shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church annually. Duties shall be as follows: a. Work with the pastor and volunteer staff to plan and conduct a yearly VBS. b. Develop a planning calendar. c. Enlist department directors and various team leaders. d. Work with the pastor and finance committee to create a budget e. Purchase requested resources and supplies. f. Develop a daily VBS schedule. g. Provide training opportunities for all leaders and workers. h. Serve on the church council and mission committee. DRAFT Amendments as of January 30, 2011 ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES: 1. GENERAL: The purpose of each committee shall be to assist the ministerial staff with ministry, and to connect the congregation to ministry. The church has previously established various committees and may add or delete committees from time to time as needed. The established guidelines and purpose of each committee shall be contained in the OGBC Policies and Procedures Manual: Committees and Descriptions. These shall be followed as long as the committees and their descriptions do not conflict with this constitution and these by-laws. ARTICLE IV: CHURCH MEETINGS: 1. WORSHIP: The church will normally conduct regular Sunday worship services and Wednesday evening services weekly throughout the year and services at such other times as specified by the church. Exceptions will be determined by the pastor or deacons. 2. CHURCH YEAR: The church fiscal year will be from January 1 through December 31. 3. BUSINESS MEETINGS: Regular business meetings of the church will be held at the church on the 2 nd Wednesday of each quarter or monthly if the church decides. Special meetings may be called with 12
notice being given by the pastor or deacons two consecutive Sundays prior to the special meeting. If a member wishes to request a special business meeting, such request must be directed to the pastor or deacons. The pastor or deacons will decide if the request warrants a special meeting. In the case of urgent matters the deacons may recommend a special meeting be called with one week s prior notice. 4. RULES OF ORDER: The conduction of all business sessions of the church shall be according to Robert s Rules of Order, Revised. 5. QUORUM: A quorum shall consist of twenty-five (25) members (see By-Laws: Article 1, Item 6) eligible to vote at any regularly scheduled or properly announced business meeting of the church. The absentee ballots shall not count toward the required quorum. Whenever voting is addressed in these by-laws, the requirement of members voting shall be whatever ratio vote of a quorum present at the time of the vote not the beginning of the meeting. ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS: 1.Motions made and properly seconded to amend the church By-Laws shall be postponed for at least twenty eight (28) days before being brought to a final vote. Notification of the actual date must be posted in the church bulletin. During this time the clerk will post the recommendation in writing in the church and provide copies to members as requested. Amendments to the church By-Laws shall require a twothirds (2/3) vote of members present. The clerk shall then change the church By-Laws according to the action taken. 2. Every year ending in a zero a special committee will be formed for the purpose of reviewing these By- Laws. This constitution was adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at a called meeting of the church in which a quorum was present. This constitution and by-laws supersedes any other constitution and by-laws of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Date Clerk 13