Our Bylaws

Preamble 

 

For the purpose of preserving and making secure the principles of our faith and to the end that this body be governed in an orderly manner, consistent with the accepted tenets of the 

Southern Baptist Churches (formerly called Missionary Baptist Churches) affiliated with the Baptist State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of the church, and to set forth the relationship of this body to other bodies of the same faith, we do declare and establish these  Bylaws. 

 

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME 

 

This body shall be known as the First Baptist Church of Saluda and is located in Polk County, North Carolina. 

 

 

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE 

 

The purpose of this body shall be to provide regular opportunities for public worship, to sustain the ordinances, doctrines and ethics set forth in the New Testament for the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ; to nurture its members through a program of Christian Education; to channel its offerings to the support of the objects of the Redeemer's Kingdom, and to preach and propagate among all people the gospel of the Revelation of God through Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 

 

 

ARTICLE III. COVENANT  

 

Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and 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 Spirit, we do now in the presence of God 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, doctrines, and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. 

We also engage to maintain family and secret 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; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of pornography; 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 one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; 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 moreover engage 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 IV. FAITH 

 

This church’s doctrine and practice shall be governed by the Scriptures of the Old and New 

Testament.  The Articles of Faith of this church are set forth as ADDENDUM I to these Bylaws. 

 

 

Article V. GOVERNMENT 

 

Section A. Congregational Government. 

The government of this Church shall be congregational in nature, and the final authority for the operation and management of the affairs of this corporation, spiritual and temporal, shall be vested in the membership of the Church, which authority shall be exercised in the manner  set forth in the Bylaws.  Members alone shall have the authority to adopt and amend Bylaws, approve budgets, receive members and govern and conduct the affairs of this Church.  

 

Section B. Affiliation with Associations and Conventions. 

We recognize that there is mutual helpfulness in the association of churches who are in such agreement in faith and practice as to encourage the spirit of fellowship and good will. We also recognize that there have been devised, through the voluntary cooperation of churches of like faith and order, organizations whose purpose it is to implement the missionary, educational, and benevolent interests and obligations of the individual Christian and his church family. 

Believing that the Carolina Association of Baptists, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention are organizations which have as their sole purpose the promotion and support of missions, education, and benevolence of the character and in keeping with the spirit of the these Bylaws and the Articles of Faith of this church, we therefore agree to participate in these organizations through our duly elected messengers and our support of the causes which these organizations represent. 

 

 

ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP 

 

Section A.  Requirements 

The membership of this church shall be composed of persons who have given evidence of regeneration, who have been baptized by immersion, who have subscribed to the covenant and Bylaws of this church, who have completed a membership class, and who have been received by vote of the church. On the recommendation of the Pastor, the Deacons by majority consent may suspend  the requirement for immersion baptism as a condition of membership in cases of physical inability or severe hardship. 

 

Section B. Means of Reception 

 

1.    By Profession of Faith. By believer’s baptism which follows a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, both as Savior and Lord. 

 

2.    By Letter.  A member of another Baptist church of like faith and order may be received by vote of the church upon a letter of dismissal from that church. 

 

3.    By Statement. Anyone who has once been a member of another Baptist church of like faith and order, and in consequence of peculiar circumstances has no regular letter of dismissal, may be received into our fellowship upon a statement satisfactory to the church. 

 

4.    By Statement and Baptism. A member of another Christian denomination may come under the watch-care of this church by a vote of the church body. Upon being immersed the watch-care member shall become a full member of this church without further vote of this body. If the candidate has been previously immersed as a believer, in like manner and faith of the Baptist church, the candidate will not be required to be reimmersed. 

 

5.    Applications for membership under circumstances other than those described in above will be considered first by the pastor and deacons and then sent to the church in conference and the decision of the church will be final in each case. 

 

Section C. Watchcare Members 

Watchcare members shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of members except they shall not have voting rights which are reserved exclusively for full members.  

 

Section D. Procedure  

Any person may present themselves at a regular Church service for membership.  The Pastor may as set forth in these bylaws, call the church into special session and vote on the regular or watchcare membership of the candidate, or the Pastor may acknowledge the desire and postpone the vote until some subsequent meeting.  The Clerk shall record the action of the church and enter into the memnership roll of the church any person’s added as regular or as watchcare members, noting the appropriate membership category.  

 

Section E. Duties of Members 

In considering the duties involved, members are expected, first of all, to be faithful in all the duties essential to the Christian life; to attend regularly the services of the church; to give regularly and systematically to its support and Kingdom causes; and to share in its organized work. 

Section F. Rights of Members 

 

1.    Voting. In considering the rights involved, members and members only, may act and vote in the transactions of the church. 

 

2.    Holding Office or Position on a Standing Committee. Except as otherwise set forth herein, every member is eligible for consideration by the membership as a candidate for elective offices in the Church except that watchcare members may not serve as Deacons. 

 

3.    Records. Members shall have access to the principal records of the Church including minutes of its governing body and principal financial reports.  However, consistent with Baptist doctrine and practice, these rights shall not include the right to review or inspect individual donor records or personnel files. 

 

Section G. Termination of Membership 

The methods of terminating the membership status of a member shall be as follows 

 

1.    By Letter. Letters of dismissal may be granted to any church of like faith and order for members in good standing. When letters are granted, membership in this church will terminate. 

 

2.    By Joining Another Church. When a member of this church joins another church, membership in this church automatically terminates.  Upon receiving reliable information that a member has joined another church, the clerk shall remove their name from the roll, advise the former member of the action, and notify the church at the next church conference. 

 

3.    By Church Action. The church, after due notice and opportunity for hearing and kindly efforts to make such action unnecessary, may terminate the membership of persons who habitually absent themselves from the services when well and able to attend, or otherwise fail to fulfill the obligations specified in the Church Covenant as determined in  the sole discretion of the congregation. 

 

4.    By Request.  Upon request by member to the pastor or a deacon, that their membership be terminated, the clerk shall immediately remove their name from the roll and advise the church at its next meeting in conference. 

 

Section H. Inactive Roll.   

The membership committee shall not less that biannually review the membership roles of the church, and seek to contact all members who for a period of one year or more have , without good cause, been absent from worship service.  The Membership Committee shall, where possible, encourage such persons to become active in the church fellowship.  In the event that such person(s) do not become active, the Membership Committee shall instruct the Church Clerk to transfer such persons from the active to the inactive membership roll of the church.  Persons on the inactive roll shall not be entitled to vote or hold elective office in the church.  Person(s) may be placed back on the active roll by attending at least one worship service per month for a period of at least three months, and making request to the membership committee to have his/her name re-entered on the active membership roll. The Membership Committee shall, at its next meeting, consider the request, and if the minimum attendance requirements are met, instruct the Church Clerk to transfer the person(s) back to the active membership roll.  After a person(s) is restored to the active membership roll, all tenure requirements for offices within the church shall be effective from the date of reinstatement to the active roll. The responsibility for determining which person(s) shall be on the active and inactive rolls is the responsibility of the Membership Committee, acting on behalf of the church. 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS 

Section A. Worship and Ministry 

This church shall hold regular meetings for worship, teaching, training, and fellowship. The regular worship services of the church shall be held on Sundays and Wednesday evenings, unless otherwise agreed upon by the church. The Lord's Supper shall be observed at least once a quarter at a time approved by the church.  

 

Section B. Business Meetings 

This church shall hold regular business meetings at which time the material and spiritual conditions of the church will be discussed, and plans projected for progress in Kingdom endeavors. 

 

1.    Annual Meeting. The annual meeting for the election of officers shall be held at the church during September at a time set  by the deacons at least two weeks prior to the meeting.  for the election of Church Officers, Standing Committees, Special Committees, and any other offices and committees of the Church. The election of some officers may, at the discretion of the Church or as set forth in these Bylaws be held at some other regular or called meeting. 

 

2.    Regular Business Meetings. The church shall hold regular quarterly business meetings on a Sunday evening in January, April, July, and October on specific dates as set by the congregation, or in absence of such designation, by the deacons with two weeks advance notice.   

 

3.    Special Called Meetings.  

a.    At any regular meeting of the Church, the Pastor, or Chair of the Deacons may call for an immediate business conference to act upon certain specific matters of business: those being the reception of members, appointment of messengers to meetings, the granting of letters, and the annual Church letter. 

 

b.    Special business meetings may be called by the pastor or the chairman of the deacons or a majority of the deacons or by any twenty members requesting such in writing at such time as they may be needed, with reasonable notice of the time and place of meeting given to the congregation, and provided the membership is informed of the purpose and the time of the meeting.  No business may be conducted at such a specially called meeting except that business for which it was announced when it was called. 

 

c.. In the event of an emergency, the Pastor or Chair of the Deacons may, with consent of two-thirds of the Deacons call an emergency meeting without full notice to the members. Such notice as is possible will be given to the membership, and action is limited to the items requiring the emergency meeting. Such emergency meetings shall not be subject to the special procedures set forth below. No meeting under this provision may be called in regard to personnel matters. 

 

4.. Other Meetings. Other meetings of the church as a whole or of authorized groups within the church shall be set according to the needs of the congregation. 

 

5.    Presiding Officer. The pastor shall serve as Moderator of the business sessions of the church. In his absence, or upon his request, the chairman of the deacons, or some other person chosen by the church may serve as Moderator. 

 

6.    Quorum. A quorum shall consist of 20  members of the church.  

 

7.    Matters Requiring Special Procedures.  On any motion properly before a business meeting dealing with the purchase or sale of real property, the employment terms or salaries of Church staff, the removal of officers, the modification in the overall budget exceeding $1000, 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 referred to the Deacons or other appropriate committee, who will have up to thirty days to make a non-binding recommendation regarding the proposal.  The congregation may vote upon the motion at the next special or regular business meeting. 

 

8.    Notice.  Except where otherwise required by these bylaws, any requirement of notice for a church conference meeting or item of business to be presented shall be satisfied if announcement is made at a Sunday morning worship service one week in advance of any meeting or action, or notice is provided in any regular or special Church newsletter mailed ten days in advance.  

 

9.    Voting. Except as provided herein, a simple majority of those present and voting  shall be sufficient to pass resolutions or otherwise transact business, engage in programs or embark upon projects.  Voting by proxy or absentee ballot shall not be permitted. Except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws, the moderator in his discretion shall designate the manner of voting, except that the members may by motion made and adopted require a written ballot.  

 

10.    Minutes. The church clerk shall keep minutes of each business meeting and shall record the approximate number present, whether a quorum was present and what actions were taken by the church. The Church  Clerk shall preserve the minutes when approved as part of a permanent Church record. A copy of the minutes of the Church shall be kept at the Church office. 

 

11.    Parliamentary Procedure. In business meetings good parliamentary law shall be followed, using Robert's Rules of Order as a general guide.  The moderator may, absent objection or with the consent of the majority, deviate from such rules in the interests of full discussion and harmony.   Appendix II sets forth the normal business meeting procedures of the church. 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. CHURCH OFFICERS 

 

Section A.     Officers:  

The officers of this church shall be a pastor, and other vocational leadership as needed, deacons,  clerk, treasurer, and such other officers as shall be required for the work of the church in any of its departments or organizations. All of these shall be elected by the church, serve at the pleasure of the church, and shall be members in good standing. 

Section B. Pastor 

1.. Election . Whenever a vacancy occurs, a pastor shall be called by the church to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the pastor or the church. The call of the pastor shall take place at a meeting especially set for that purpose of which at least one week's notice has been given the membership. The election shall be upon the recommendation of a special committee appointed to seek out and nominate as pastor a minister of the gospel whose Christian character and qualifications fit them for the office of pastor of this church. The committee shall bring only one name at a time for consideration of the church, and no nomination shall be made except that of the committee. Election shall be by ballot with an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present and voting necessary for a call. Should the one recommended by the committee fail to receive a three-fourths vote, the committee will be instructed to seek out another minister, and the meeting shall be adjourned without debate. 

 

2.    Duties. The pastor shall have in charge the welfare and oversight of the church; he shall be ex-officio member of all organizations, departments and committees; he may call a special meeting of the deacons or any committee according to procedures which may be set forth in the By-Laws; he shall conduct religious services on stated and special occasions, administer the ordinances, minister to members of the church and community, and perform other duties that usually pertain to that office; he shall have special charge of the pulpit ministry of the church and shall, in cooperation with the Pulpit Committee or the Deacons, provide for pulpit supply when he is absent and arrange for workers to assist 

in revival meetings and other special services. The pastor shall preside at all meetings of the church except as otherwise provided in the ByLaws. He shall be the administrative head of the church and shall arrange and approve all absences and vacations of all church employees. 

 

3.    Employment Policies. The pastor's salary, annuities, allowances, vacation, and weeks permitted for revivals, plus any other considerations shall be determined prior to the time of the call and shall be continued until changed by a vote of the church. The Church shall annually review such policies. Such policies shall not constitute a contract and are subject to modification by the Church at any time. 

 

4.    Termination. The Pastor is called to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the Pastor or the Church.  

 

a.    Resignation. The Pastor may resign but unless otherwise agreed between the church and pastor, shall provide at least 30 days notice before the termination of his services.  A written resignation or an oral resignation delivered at a Sunday morning service or business meeting of the Church, if without conditions, shall be final and binding.  If any resignation is subject to conditions it shall be effective and binding when accepted by majority ballot vote of the members present and voting at a properly called business meeting. 

 

b.    Removal.  A Pastor may be removed by a majority ballot vote of the members present and voting at a properly called meeting.   Such a vote may be held only at a meeting in regard to which notice has been mailed to all active Church members with a known address of the pending action, and the Pastor is provided an opportunity to be heard. Such a vote may be initiated by the recommendation of the Deacons, by a motion calling for such a vote passed by majority vote at a congregational meeting, or by written petition signed by not less than 20% of the active membership and given to the Deacons or its chair.  In the event of such a petition, the Deacons shall set a time for the vote on the tenure of the pastor to be held in not less than 60 days.  No member-petition based call for a vote on the pastor’s tenure shall be effective if such a petition has been filed and a vote taken within the last 12 months. 

 

 

1)    The officers and the members shall make every effort to follow biblical principles including the process set forth in Matthew 18 in dealing with conflicts regarding pastoral staff.  An effort should be extended to permit reconciliation of conflicts in a manner consistent with our Christian faith and doctrine. 

 

2)    Removal shall be effective immediately upon the adoption of a motion terminating the Pastor, but salary and benefits shall continue for not less than thirty days.  Any resolution to dismiss may also contain recommendations concerning other financial aspects of the termination including severance pay. 

 

Section C. Deacons 

 

1.    Number, Terms and Election.  There shall be six (6) deacons. These shall be elected from among those members who have proven themselves to have scriptural qualifications. Nominees must be at least 21 years old and a member in good standing for at least 24 months prior to the day of election. Deacons shall be elected for a term of three years, with one-third of the number being elected each year. After completion of a full threeyear term, no deacon shall be eligible for re-election until after the lapse of one year. Deacons shall be elected by previously prepared ballots at the morning worship service on the second Sunday in September unless the first Sunday falls on September First in which case election will then be held on the third Sunday. Nominations of persons to be considered shall be made in writing at the morning worship service not less than two weeks and not more than four weeks prior to the election. The names of all persons so nominated, who are deemed scripturally qualified by the active deacon body and are willing to serve, will be placed on the ballot. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected. In the event of a tie there will be a reballoting the following Sunday to decide the tie. The deacons shall elect their chairman annually. 

 

2.    Duties. Deacons shall at all times consider themselves as servants of the church. With the pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to consider and make recommendations to the church in all matters pertaining to its work and progress, including: oversight of the discipline of the church; establish and maintain spiritual fraternal relations with all members of the church; assist the pastor in the observance of the ordinances; have general oversight over the upkeep, repair and use of the church property; and supervise the financial program of the church. They shall arrange for regular meetings and such committees as are necessary to the discharge of their duties. The pastor, or the chairman of the deacons, may call the deacons into special session whenever the need for such arises. 

 

3.    Organization.  The deacons shall elect annually their own chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. Deacons shall at all times regard themselves as servants of the church. With the pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to have oversight of the discipline of the church and the establishment and maintenance of spiritual fraternal relations with all members of the church through an organized visitation program and in any other manner as is deemed necessary and desirable. It shall be the duty and the obligation of each deacon to faithfully and spiritually perform each assignment in the work of the Advisory Board and the deacon's program. 

 

4.    Corporate Duties. 

 

a.    Function as Board of Directors.  The currently serving members of the Deacons shall, meeting and acting together, constitute the Board of Directors of the Church. Such Board of Directors shall change by and in the same procedure as for the terms of members of the Deacons so that the Board of Directors shall perpetually be the same as the Deacons. In their capacity as Directors, they shall have the duties and responsibilities attendant to Directors, subject however to the limitations set forth in 

the Charter and Bylaws. The Directors shall not have power, except as expressly authorized by the congregation, to purchase or sell or encumber any real or personal property, to install or remove officers or staff, to amend the bylaws or Charter, or to bind the corporation to any contract. Consistent with our spiritual principles, Baptist polity and long term practice, the congregation as a whole retains the authority to govern the affairs, spiritual and temporal, of the Church.   

 

b.    Corporate Officers. The Chair of the Deacons shall, whenever required by law or practice, serve as the President of the Corporation, having however only such express powers as are granted by the congregation, and having no power absent such express authorization to bind the corporation in any matter or act for it.  In a similar manner and subject to the same limitations, the Vice-Chair of the Deacons shall be authorized to act as the Vice-President. 

 

 

Section C. Clerk 

The clerk shall be elected annually. It shall be his duty to attend or be represented at all church business meetings, to keep an accurate record of all business transactions, to prepare the annual associational letter and to notify all officers, members of committees and messengers of their election or appointment. He shall issue letters of dismissal as authorized by the church, preserve all papers and valuable letters and records that belong to the church, and preserve a true history of the church. It shall also be the duty of the clerk to see that an accurate roll of the church membership is kept with dates and methods of admission and dismissal, change in name, correct mailing addresses and other pertinent information.  The Clerk shall serve as the Secretary of the Corporation. 

 

Section E. Treasurer 

The treasurer shall be elected annually. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, keep in a bank, and disburse by check upon proper authority all money or things of value that are given to the church, and keep at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements; rendering regular account to the church to be preserved by the church clerk. The treasurer's books shall be audited as arranged by the church, and all books, records, and accounts kept by him shall be considered the property of the church. The treasurer shall upon invitation meet with the deacons, and shall be an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee. 

 

 

ARTICLE IX.  OTHER CHURCH OFFICERS 

 

In addition to those named in these Bylaws, other officers of the church shall be a Financial 

Secretary, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Director of Christian Training, President of the Brotherhood, President of the Woman's Missionary Union, Director of Music, Pianist-Organist, and such other officers as may be desired. All officers of the church and its organizations, unless otherwise specified, shall be elected for a term of one year, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. 

 

Section A. Financial Secretary 

The Financial Secretary shall receive the empty offering envelopes after the money has been removed and counted by the proper person; and from these he shall give each contributor individual credit as provided in the record system approved by the church. He shall keep the envelopes for reference as the church directs. He shall keep records of the receipts from envelopes, plate or loose, and miscellaneous or special offerings. The Financial Secretary shall also be responsible for preparing and mailing regular statements to all contributing members as the church directs. 

 

Section B. Sunday School Superintendent. 

The Superintendent of the Sunday School shall have general oversight of the entire school, and shall administer its affairs in cooperation with, and according to, the plans and methods of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, subject to the approval of the local church. He shall acquaint himself with the best methods of religious education and endeavor to adopt them in this school. It shall be his duty to counsel weekly or monthly with his teachers and officers through officers and teachers meetings, in the work of the school, giving advice and receiving suggestions from his co-workers. He shall see that a full and accurate report is made of the work of the Sunday School in the regular business meetings of the church. 

 

Section C. Director of Christian Training. 

The Director of Christian Training shall have charge of the activities of the Christian Training program. He shall acquaint himself with the program and methods outlined by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for this organization and shall endeavor to adopt such programs in this church, subject to the approval of the church. He shall see that a full and accurate report is given at the regular business meetings of the church. 

 

Section D.President of the Brotherhood. 

The President of the Brotherhood shall promote the work of the Brotherhood as outlined by the Brotherhood Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, seeking to enlist the men of the church in an active program for Christ. He shall see that a full and accurate report is given at the regular business meetings of the church. 

Section E. President of the Woman's Missionary Union. 

The President of the Woman's Missionary Union shall seek to enlist all the women and Young People of the church in a program of missions, training, giving and activity according to plans promoted by the Woman's Missionary Union, Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. She shall see that a full and accurate report is given at the regular business meetings of the church. 

 

Section F. Music Director. 

The Music Director shall be responsible for providing worshipful music at all services. He is to direct the choir, or choirs, in practice and public singing and is to cooperate with the pastor and other leaders in the selection of suitable music, and the devising of appropriate musical programs for all occasions where such services are needed. 

 

Section G. Pianist-Organist. 

The Pianist-Organist shall play for all public services and shall assist the music director in a suitable program of music for the church. 

 

 

ARTICLE X.  COMMITTEES 

 

Section A. Standing Committees 

The church shall elect such standing and special committees as may be deemed necessary to carry out the various phases of the program of the church efficiently and effectively. 

 

Section B. Composition, Duties and Election of Committees 

The composition, duties and means of election of all committees, standing and special, shall be established by the church and set forth in a Committee Handbook made available to all church members. 

 

 

ARTICLE XI.  CHURCH FINANCES 

 

Section A.  Budget 

A proposed budget shall be prepared by the Finance Committee and submitted to the church for approval at least two months before final congregational action, indicating by items the amount needed and sought for all local and worldwide expense.   

 

Section B.  Procedures 

A development of an appropriate system of accounting and financial procedures that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds shall be the responsibility of the Finance Committee. 

 

Section C.  Expenditures and Receipts of Funds 

 

1.    Authorization for Disbursement. No funds shall be disbursed without the express authorization of the church as provided for in the budget or separate authorization.  

 

2.    Designated Funds. No designated funds shall be received except where the church has approved the receipt of funds for the designated cause. Separate accounting shall be maintained for all designated gifts and funds. 

 

3.    All "Memorial Gifts" shall be monetary. Such gifts will be placed into a separate "Memorial Fund" to be used at the discretion of the church. 

 

 

Section D.  Receipt of Gifts of Property 

 

1.    Approval. The receipt of gifts of real or personal property must be approved by the appropriate authorities.  

 

2.    Church Control. Upon donation to the church of any gift of money or property, the funds or items may be used or disposed of at the sole discretion of the church subject only to any written reservations or designations as to use made at the time of the gift.  

 

 

ARTICLE XII. POLICY MANUAL 

 

The officers shall assure the creation and maintenance of a Policies and Procedures/Operations Manual which shall contain all currently controlling policies and procedures governing any aspect of the church's affairs including policies regarding the handling of funds, use of facilities, use of vehicles of or on behalf of the church, nursery and child care, employment policies, and practices and other policies. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII . GENERAL 

 

Section A. License. 

When a member announces to the church that they feel the call to ministry, the church, by majority vote, may license that person as an acknowledgment of their call to the ministry and encouragement to make preparation for it. The clerk of the church may furnish the member with a copy of the minutes or a certificate of license as their credentials. It is understood that the performance of civil duties by the member shall be governed by state law. 

 

Section B. Ordination. 

In the event this church has been requested to ordain a member who has been called as pastor of a Baptist Church the following procedure shall be followed: The church will express its approval by a vote of three fourths of the members present at any regularly arranged business meeting of the church. Then the church shall invite the Associational Council on Ordinations to examine the candidate concerning their fitness for the ministry. In the event the association has no such council, this church shall invite representatives of neighboring churches to examine the candidate and report to the church. Then, in the event the report of the committee is favorable; the church shall proceed with the ordination. 

 

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS 

 

 

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular business meeting of the church; provided, however, that such amendment, alteration, or repeal must be given to the clerk in writing, and this proposed change shall be presented to the church at least thirty days prior to the time the vote is taken. 

 

A copy of these By-Laws shall at all times be kept by the clerk among his records and another copy shall be kept in the church office, and all amendments to or revisions thereof shall, after passage by the church, be prepared by the clerk and posted in the copies of the Bylaws and made available to the church members generally upon request. 

 

 

Committee Handbook Material 

 

    Section 1.     Number of Committees. 

The church shall elect such standing committees as may be deemed necessary to carry on the various phases of the program of the church efficiently and effectively. In any event, the church shall at all times have the following standing committees: Nominating, Budget and Finance, and Building and Grounds. 

 

    Section 2.     Election of Committees. 

The Nominating Committee shall nominate to the church in its annual business meeting persons to serve for the succeeding year on the standing committees, except the Nominating Committee. The church will then elect the personnel of the several committees. The members of the 

Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the moderator, or nominated by the Nominating Committee, at least three months prior to the annual church business meeting. Upon their election by the church (at the first business meeting following the appointment of the 

Nominating Committee) the Sunday School Superintendent, the Director of Christian Training, the Woman's Missionary Union President, and the Brotherhood President, shall automatically become members of the Nominating Committee. 

 

    Section 3.     Duties of Committees: 

A. Nominating Committee 

 

This committee shall consist of at least five persons plus the four hereinafter designated. Throughout the year, this committee shall have the responsibility of nominating to the church persons to serve in the various capacities and positions of the church and its organizations, and on standing and special committees, vacated from time to time, by removal, death, expiration of term in office, or failure to function. The first report of the new committee each year shall consist of nominations for the office of Sunday School Superintendent, Director of Christian Training, Woman's Missionary Union President, and Brotherhood President. Upon their election these persons shall become members of the Nominating Committee, to assist with the selection of other personnel for the organizations and committees of the church. The report of the committee shall be presented to the church for approval. 

 

B. Budget and Finance Committee 

 

This committee shall be composed of at least five (5) members and may consist of the deacons of the church and/or of persons selected from the membership at large. In any event, at least three deacons shall be members of the committee. This committee shall meet monthly, or at other regular intervals, to consider the financial condition of the church and shall make regular reports of the same to the church in business meetings. This committee shall prepare annually a proposed budget including local expenses, education, missions and benevolences, and shall submit the same to the church in regular business session at least two months prior to the beginning of the fiscal, or budget, year. In preparing the budget the committee shall confer with the head of each organization of the church. Upon adoption, it becomes the duty of the Budget and Finance Committee, together with such others as may be needed, to secure pledges to underwrite the budget and to provide members with envelopes for the paying of pledges. 

 

 

C. Building and Grounds Committee 

 

This committee shall have at least six (6) members and shall consist of both men and women. It shall be the duty of this committee to give attention to and study the condition and state of repair and appearance of the buildings and grounds including the pastorium property, making such repairs and improvements as authorized by the church and included in the church budget. All matters of major repair or improvement and items of equipment shall be referred to the Finance Committee for recommendation to the church. 

The committee shall be responsible for the work of the janitor and all other persons employed in the capacity of caring for the building and grounds. The chairman of the committee shall be responsible for purchasing janitor's supplies. 

The janitor, or janitors, shall be recommended to the church by the Building and Grounds Committee for employment by church action. It shall be the janitor's duty to so care for the physical plant as to contribute helpfully to the comfort and well being of the members at all services. He shall see to the cleanliness, ventilation, and upkeep of the building. He shall see that the grounds are kept in such a way as to be in keeping with what would be expected of the house of God. 

 

Section 4.     Other Standing Committees: Other standing committees such as Auditing, Baptism, Personnel, Missions, Library, Lord's Supper, Stewardship, Christian Life, Music, Nursery, Publicity, Welfare, Ushers, Flower, Decoration, etc., and any additional committees, shall be elected as desired by the church, and serve for the purpose designated. Duties of all committees desired by the church shall be defined and adopted as a part of the By-Laws.