CONSTITUTION OF THE GOLDEN RULE DISTRICT MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION PREAMBLE In order to form among ourselves a more perfect union than has hitherto existed among us; to provide a more effective means of promoting the educational and missionary program of the Missionary Baptist churches in the effort to evangelize the world; to enter more fully and enthusiastically into the propagation of the gospel of the Son of God; to ardently strive in the Spirit of Christ to eliminate the schisms, divisions, factional prejudices, and misunderstanding that have so long weakened and divided the Baptist of our region; and, to secure to the Baptist of our region those preservations of principles, doctrines, customs, and practices enunciated in the New Testament Scriptures as interpreted and espoused by the Missionary Baptist churches do formulate and establish this constitution for the GOLDEN RULE DISTRICT MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. ARTICLE I NAME, DURATION, FISCAL YEAR, AND AGENT FOR SERVICE The name of this body shall be The Golden Rule District Missionary Baptist Association, Incorporated. The duration of this corporation shall be perpetual. This association s fiscal year shall commence November 1 and shall end October 31 of each year. The agent for service for this corporation shall be General Secretary of the Golden Rule District Missionary Association, c/o the corporation s headquarters, 4523 W. 12 th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204. ARTICLE II THE LOCATION The Golden Rule District Missionary Baptist Association, whose headquarters shall be at 4523 W. 12 th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, shall be a migratory body holding its meetings at such places and times as may be decided from time to time by a majority vote of the body. The Executive Council (Moderator, General Secretary, Vice-Moderator-at-large, and Treasurer) may call an extra session when deemed necessary. This association s address will remain at the moderator s church if and until a permanent headquarters is established for this body. ARTICLE III PURPOSE This association by united Baptist ministers, Baptist churches, and their various auxiliaries, and such other Baptist organizations as will pledge allegiance to this association, its rules and statement of faith shall endeavor: 1 P a g e - G R D C o n s t i t u t i o n
1. To promote Home and Foreign missions. 2. To encourage and support Christian Education by establishing and maintaining such institutions as the resources of this association will permit. 3. To eliminate, as much as it is possible, divisions and factional groups that divide and hinder the Baptist of this region. 4. To keep a more perfect record of the spiritual and temporal progress of Baptist of our region, State, and Nation. 5. To enter more vigorously and enthusiastically in the propagation of the Gospel of the Son of God. 6. To provide training and technical assistance to pastors and churches. 7. To serve as a resource for doctrinal security, pastoral and ecclesiastical (church) issues; and, 8. To direct a meaningful response to social, economic and political problems. 9. To support religious educational institutions, especially those supported by the Regular Arkansas Baptist Convention, Incorporated, and the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Incorporated. Statement of Faith The Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, May 9, 1963; with article VI being altered beginning with line 9 as follows: (The church is an autonomous body; operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. In such a congregation members are equally responsible. The pastors are divinely appointed by the Holy Spirit to have oversight of the ministries and work of the congregation. Scripturally, deacons are to assist the pastor in the administration and mission of the church. 1. This association shall only recognize men as pastors, preachers, and deacons. ARITCLE IV MEMBERSHIP This association shall be composed of pastors, churches, and their auxiliaries who are in agreement with the principles and purpose of the association, and desire to cooperate with other churches through this body; and who shall conform to the financial and spiritual requirements announced from time to time by this association. Each messenger shall be entitled to one (1) vote (in person) on all matters brought before the association to be acted upon. Golden Rule Baptist Churches are those Baptist churches which adhere to the doctrine and practices enunciated in the New Testament, and as interpreted by the Missionary Baptist Churches. Churches desiring to associate themselves with the Golden Rule District Missionary Baptist Association shall make a written request to the Association 2 P a g e - G R D C o n s t i t u t i o n
Executive Council. Within a reasonable time, the church investigative committee shall inform said church of the findings of the association. Termination of member churches shall be as follows: 1. Any church in good standing who desires a letter of dismissal and recommendation to any other association may receive it upon request and upon the recommendation of the association. 2. Should any church become an offense to the association and to its good name be reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, or by consistent breach of the rules and regulations, the association may terminate its membership, but only after due notice and hearing before the association, and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such a member church to an amendment. ARTICLE V OFFICERS The officers of this association shall be but not limited to Moderator, Vice-Moderator-atlarge, Vice-Moderator, General Secretary, Recording Secretary, Assistant Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer. ARTICLE VI DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 5. The Moderator shall have the oversight of all associational activities, including the auxiliaries, boards, and agencies; he shall enjoy the aid and assistance of the other vice-moderators; he shall preside over the meetings of the association, may preside over the executive board, appoint all committees unless the association shall otherwise determine. He shall serve as lead advisor and ex-officio with all boards, auxiliaries and agencies of the association. The Vice-Moderator-at-large shall serve as the budget director for the association. He shall, along with the financial committee, promote activities for the budget subscription and monitor the financial operations. He may assume the duties of the Moderator in his absence, or when so directed. The Vice-Moderator shall coordinate association operation activities. He shall serve as liaison between the association and its auxiliaries, boards, and agencies as directed by the Moderator and/or association. He may preside in the absence of the Moderator and Vice-Moderator-at-large, and when so directed. The General Secretary shall, under the supervision of the Moderator, perform minor executive and clerical duties. This officer shall receive records of proceedings from auxiliaries and agencies of the association, accept and record all proceedings of the Parent Body, maintain all records for posterity, and prepare all bulletins and programs of the association. The Recording Secretary shall accurately record minutes during annual programs, board meetings, or other meetings as directed by the Moderator. These records shall be periodically delivered to the General Secretary. 3 P a g e - G R D C o n s t i t u t i o n
Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. Section 9. The Assistant Recording Secretary shall assist the Recording Secretary in fulfilling the duties of the office or may from time to time record proceedings in the absence of that office, or as directed. The Corresponding Secretary shall correspond with auxiliaries, boards, agencies, and constituents of the association. This officer may be required to correspond with other bodies and/or persons as directed by the Moderator. The Financial Secretary shall accurately record all financial transactions of the association, make monthly reports, and annual reports of the year s financial activities. The Treasurer shall serve as the chief custodian of all funds of the association, whosoever. This officer shall receive, deposit, and disburse all funds as directed by the association; and may be required to give written reports as directed. This officer shall provide a security bond in an amount equal to, or exceeding the annual budget of the association. ARTICLE VII ELECTION OF OFFICERS Section 5. The officers of this association shall be elected biannually at such time and such manner as may be stated by the bylaws of the Golden Rule District Baptist Association. An officer shall be duly elected who obtains a majority of the qualified votes (present and voting) and shall hold that office until his/her successor has been qualified. Qualified votes shall include those messengers who are registered with their church, whose names appear on the Association s letter, and the same being verified by the credentials committee. Officers shall commence tenure of the office on November 1 of the election year. When and if an officer is unable to complete his/or her term of office, the Moderator shall appoint a replacement who will complete the term of the vacated office. ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE This association shall employ Robert s Rules of Order or any other literary standard of parliamentary law (insomuch as it does not conflict with Biblical belief and practice) on all matters which come before this body for consideration. Each church intending to be eligible to vote shall submit an official Association letter of registration in Associational annual meetings with not more than ten (10) members of its church as official messengers. No church shall be seated which is more than six (6) months behind on financial obligations. 1. Any church suffering financial hardship may be exempt if request is made within a reasonable time to the credentials committee or the executive council. This church(es) must be able to prove beyond doubt its hardship. 2. Hardship is a church s inability to fulfill financial obligation to the association because of a lack of finance available to carry on its own work 4 P a g e - G R D C o n s t i t u t i o n
Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. and existence in its local ministry that has existed over a long period of time. 3. No church of this association shall carry financial delinquency into a new year (that is after December 31.) 4. Only the credentials committee shall determine the hardship of any church and choose to recommend seating or not seating said church upon completion of its investigation. Each church shall seat only ten (10) of its members, (including the pastor) as eligible messengers. Each church shall be seated only upon the recommendation of the credentials committee. No church shall add, delete, or replace a messenger s name on-half (1/2) hour before any vote takes place. Each officer of the association shall be listed as one of the ten messengers for his/her church. Only the ten members listed on the association letter submitted by the churches and are seated by the credentials committee shall be eligible to vote. ARTICLE IX BOARDS, AGENCIES, AND COMMITTEES The association shall establish boards, agencies, committees, and auxiliaries to supervise, pursue, and otherwise carry on the matters of concern for and of the association. The Executive Board of the association shall have power to complete such business of the association the association left unattended, and may act on behalf of the association between sessions. This board shall consist of all the pastors of the association. The Moderator shall serve as chairman. One-half (1/2) of all pastors present will be considered a quorum. The Executive Committee shall be formed to consist of all associational officers and auxiliary heads. The Moderator shall be chairman. This committee shall be called upon at the request of the chairman to handle associational affairs during the calendar year which have been authorized or ordered by the association or executive board. This association shall recognize and authorize the following auxiliaries: 1. Women s Association 2. Congress of Christian Education 3. Laymen s Auxiliary 4. Music Convention 5. Baptist Pastor s and Preacher s Conference and such others as this body may deem necessary. This association will recognize and authorize the following standing committees: 1. The Nominating committee will consist of two (2) representatives of each member church with the approval of said pastors. They shall be activated the week of the annual congress session. This committee shall be appointed by-annually. The Moderator shall appoint the chairman. 5 P a g e - G R D C o n s t i t u t i o n
2. The Time and Place committee shall consist of one (1) representative from each member church with the approval of said pastors. This committee shall be appointed bi-annually. The General Secretary of the association shall serve as chairman. 3. The credentials committee will comprise all finance officers plus three (3) representatives of churches in good standing with the association. The Vice-Moderator-at-large will serve as chairman. This committee shall be appointed annually. They will certify those persons qualified as messengers and are duly seated to attend the business of the association. ARTICLE X MEETINGS This association shall meet annually the week following the second Lord s Day in October each year. Meetings shall be held at such places as the association may determine from time to time. There shall be an Extended Session (Founder s Day) held the first Saturday of the new year following. When January 1 st falls on Saturday, it will be the 2 nd Saturday of the new year. Also there will be a board meeting held the last Saturday in May of each year; and the executive committee may call an extra session should the need arise. ARTICLE XI This constitution may be amended in any annual session of the association upon twothird (2/3) vote of messengers present and voting, provided notice is given to the constituency of the intended change fourteen (14) days prior to the time of voting. Adopted, October 4, 1957 at Woodson, Arkansas Amended, January 3, 1987 at Little Rock, Arkansas Amended, January 4, 1997 at Little Rock, Arkansas 6 P a g e - G R D C o n s t i t u t i o n