Freemason Street Baptist Church Governance Structure Vision To be part of Christ s transforming work in us and through us in downtown Norfolk and wherever we are called to be the presence of Christ. Mission Seeking to transform lives by worshiping God, building relationships, developing disciples, and serving our neighbors. Name The name of this church shall be Freemason Street Baptist Church. Governance Freemason Street Baptist Church (FSBC) is an independent ecclesiastic body in the Baptist tradition and is subject to no other religious organization in matters of doctrine, order, and discipline. The authority of the church shall be vested in its Members and the affairs of the church shall be managed under the direction of its Membership, Church Council, Diaconate, and Church Officers. Members Congregation refers to those individuals who enter our doors to worship. Members" are those individuals who have been admitted into the membership of Freemason Street Baptist Church (FSBC) and have been approved by a vote of the Diaconate. Members are expected to support the Mission and Vision of the church, participate in its affairs, and contribute to its fellowship with their time, resources, and mutual care. Members will have the final vote on calling a new pastor, approving the annual budget, electing Council members, Church Officers, Deacons, Trustees, and the Board of the Historic Building Fund, changing the Vision and Mission of the church, and other matters designated as major by the Church Council.
Church Council To serve as stewards of the larger Vision/Mission and to provide agile leadership, coordination, and communications. The Church Council will be made up of the Senior Pastor, the Chair of Missions, the Chair of Christian Formation, the Chair of Worship and Music, the Chair of Congregational Care, the Chair of Administration, the Chair of Communications, the Treasurer, and three At-Large members. At-Large members will serve one-year terms. The Council will meet as often as needed, but at least quarterly and meetings will be open to church members unless otherwise designated. The Church Council will select the Director or Co-Directors of the Council each year from within the Council members. The Council will seek to come to consensus whenever possible. Ministries To accomplish the main work of the church. The four areas of our Mission statement make up the focus of our Ministries: Missions, Christian Formation, Worship and Music, and Congregational Care. Support Ministries of Administration and Communications provide support, communication, and resources. Each Ministry will be led by a Chair elected by the Membership, with the exception of the Congregational Care Ministry, which will be led by the Chair of Deacons. Chairs will serve for a two-year term, with the option of extending for an additional year. Members wishing to bring new ideas or suggestions to Ministries or Support Ministries should contact any member of the Church Council or bring ideas to a Congregational Meeting. Ministries will assess needs, set goals and priorities, and determine ways to meet their goals within the parameters of the annual budget. Missions Ministry coordinates Mission opportunities, seeking quality over quantity missions that invigorate the church and serve the community. Christian Formation Ministry coordinates Christian Education, Stewardship, Discipleship Training, Spiritual Formation, and Children and Youth Programs. Worship and Music Ministry guides support of the worship service and assists staff in planning lay participation, facilitates preparation of the sanctuary for liturgical seasons and special services, and provides logistical support for ushers, greeters, and the flower ministry. Supports the deacons as needed for baptisms, communion,
and offerings. Provides feedback to the Senior Pastor and the Minister of Music. Congregational Care Ministry is led by the Deacons and builds relationships within FSBC by giving guidance and care to members (as well as new members and visitors) and by providing opportunities for fellowship and joy. This ministry oversees the Social Team and handles grief and bereavement, visitation, and prayer. Administration Support Ministry coordinates with support teams, including Personnel, Property, and Finance. In the Administration Ministry the Personnel, Property, and Finance Teams will have Leaders who are appointed by the Church Council. In addition, the Church Council will appoint all members (minimum of three) of the Personnel Team. All these appointed positions should be filled by church members. The Endowment Committee, required by the Endowment Fund Declaration of Trust will be a subset of the Finance Team. Communications Support Ministry is responsible for communications within FSBC (between Church Council, Ministries, and members) as well as the community (church website, social media, and public relations). A Clerk, appointed by the Church Council, will be a member of the Communications Ministry. The court-appointed clerk records Church Council minutes and maintains the Church Calendar. This appointed position should be filled by a church member. Deacons To provide spiritual leadership and congregational care. The Diaconate will elect its own Chair and Vice Chair. The Chair of the Deacons will serve as the Chair of the Congregational Care Ministry. The Diaconate affirms new members and accepts member transfer letters; selects and supports a Pastor Search Committee and presents the Committee s recommendation to the congregation for approval. The Diaconate governs its own operations. Church Officers To fulfill the signatory requirements of financial institutions. The Church Officers will be the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and the Chair of Administration. The Treasurer will serve on the Church Council.
Trustees To provide continuity and legality for the real and personal property of the church. The legal title to all real and personal property of the church shall be vested in the Trustees pursuant to the Virginia Code. The Trustees of the church shall represent the church in matters of legal responsibility regarding such property, but shall act only upon the instructions of the members. The Membership will elect five Trustees who will serve for life, until resignation, or until unable to serve. Congregational Meetings To support the Vision and Mission of the church. Quarterly meetings of the Membership will be held to provide updates from the Ministries and Support Ministries, decisions made by the Church Council, and opportunities to vote, as needed. One of the quarterly meetings will be designated as the Annual Business Meeting in order to approve the budget and elect the Church Council, Church Officers, Deacons, Trustees, and Historical Church Building Fund Board. The Director or designee of the Church Council will moderate Congregational Meetings. Pastors To serve the functions of the church, to counsel and minister to its members, to advise its leaders, and to work for the development of the church and the community. The Membership shall call and elect pastors, upon the recommendation of the Diaconate. Amendments Amendments or alterations to this document may be proposed in writing by any member of the church and presented to the Church Council for deliberation. The Membership shall approve amendments upon the recommendation of the Council.
Covenant The original covenant of Freemason Street Baptist Church, adopted in 1848 We will, as God shall enable us walk together in brotherly love, exercising Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish or entreat one another as occasion may require. We will as far as it be in our power, visit the sick, relieve the distressed, and in our intercourse with the world improve each opportunity that may present itself, to impress upon the minds of those with whom we may be associated, the necessity of practical Godliness, to their present happiness and future salvation and by all other available means seek to spread abroad the truths of our Holy religion. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for purposes of prayer and religious improvements but will constantly and faithfully attend the means of grace, in our own church, every Sabbath, and at all other regular and proper seasons, so far as our Heavenly Father shall enable us, and we mutually promise to use our utmost endeavors to induce those under our care and influence to do likewise. We will not neglect the great duty of prayer for ourselves and others. We will endeavor to bring up such as may be, at any time, under our care, our children and others, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and seek by our pure and lovely example to win an acquaintance and kindred to the Savior, to Holiness and to eternal life. We will constantly seek Divine aid to enable us to live circumspectly and watchfully in the world, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts; remembering always that as each of us had made voluntarily an open profession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the way of His Holy appointment, there is on each of us a special obligation to walk in newness of life. We agree to strive together for the support of a faithful, evangelical ministry among us, and through life, amidst evil report and good report, earnestly and prayerfully seek to live to the benefit of our fellow mortals, and to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.