By-Laws
Article IV--Membership
1. Constituency.
The membership of this Church shall consist of born again, water-immersed believers, who cheerfully accept these articles of faith and practice.
2. Candidates.
Persons desiring to unite with this Church shall be examined by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons, or the Board of Deacons when the Church is without a called pastor.
A. As to their assurance of salvation.
B. As to their having received or willingness to receive the ordinances of Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
C. As to their willingness to abide by the constitution, covenant, and doctrinal statement of faith of the Church.
D. As to their willingness to uphold the Church with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service.
3. Admission.
Upon recommendation of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons, or of the Board of Deacons when the Church is without a called pastor, the candidate will be received into the membership of the Church by a majority vote of those members present in any regular church service. Also, members may be received by letters of churches of like faith and order, along with their willingness to abide by the above, after completing the New Member Class.
4. Associate Membership.
Those living in our area for only a portion of the year, and desiring membership with us, but not wishing to disassociate with their home church, may do sob becoming an Associate Member. Associate Members must be received into the Church in the same manner as regular members (see 3. Admission). These members will have the same privileges as the regular membership, with the exception of holding office in the Church.
5. Dismissal.
The Deacons Committee, together with the Pastor, shall be the Discipline Committee of the Church.
It shall be the duty of the Discipline Committee to semi-annually examine the Church roll, and to determine if any member may have become inactive, by no longer upholding the program of the Church, nor attending the services, by being openly inconsistent in their personal living, or by being opposed to the doctrinal position of this Church. In any case where this is found to be true, the committee shall by formal action on its part, place the name of such a member on a “Delinquent List,” and shall institute prayerful and diligent efforts to bring about restoration. If, after at least three months of such prayerful efforts, there shall be no apparent improvement in the situation, the Discipline Committee may at its discretion recommend to the Church that the delinquent member be placed on an “Inactive List.” The only exception to this provision is the delinquent member who opposed the doctrine of this Church, who shall receive the immediate cancellation of their membership. The recommendation shall be carried out if sustained by the majority vote of members present and voting by written ballot at a properly called meeting of the Church, and the delinquent member shall be notified of the action taken.
A member shall be carried on the “Inactive List” for a period of not more than one year, during which time he shall not be considered in “good standing” and shall not be eligible to vote or to hold a Church office. If, during this one-year “probationary” period, the inactive member gives no evidence of desire or willingness to restore himself to active status, his name shall be automatically dropped from the roll. If, however, there shall be manifested on the part of the inactive member a desire and willingness to come back into full fellowship of the Church, he may at any time prior to the expiration of the one-year period be restored to active membership by a majority vote of the members voting and present at a properly called business meeting.
Article V--Officers and Board
The officers of the Church shall consist of Pastor, Deacons, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Clerk, Christian Education Director, and Bible School Secretary, all of whom except the Pastor and Charter members shall have been a member of this Church for a period of at least six (6) months before being placed in nomination; and their terms of office shall begin of the first of the month following the annual meeting. Retiring officers shall hold office until the terms of the newly elected officers begin. Other minor offices may be created from time to time as may be deemed necessary. No person shall hold more than two (2) offices at one time, and no members on the “Inactive List” are eligible to hold offices in the Church or any of the organizations. All offices and teachers must subscribe to the following covenant:
The Official’s Covenant
In assuming this office, I agree to be loyal to the best interest of the Church, to seek its prosperity, and to be subject to its discipline.
Furthermore, I cheerfully accept and subscribe to the following covenant for officers and teachers:
1. All officers must be members of this Church in good standing according to this constitution.
2. All officers and teachers must be in full agreement with the doctrinal position of the Church.
3. All officers and teachers must be in harmony with the administration of the Church as long as that administration is consistent with God’s Word.
4. All officers and teachers are expected to be total abstainers from the use of tobacco in any form, and alcohol or any other drug, with the exception of those prescribed for medical purposes.
5. As the work of the Church is dependent upon prayer, each officer and teacher is expected to conscientiously attend and participate in the regular church services unless providentially hindered.
6. The pastor, all officers of the Church, and all teachers shall be required to subscribe yearly, as soon as possible after the Annual Meeting, to the Articles of Faith and Covenant of this Church. If any officer or teacher refuses to do so, his tenure of office shall immediately and automatically cease.
Section 1--Pastor.
A. The Pastor shall be elected for an indeterminate term. Notice of the proposed choice of Pastor shall be given from the pulpit for two (2) successive Sundays preceding the election. Voting shall be by ballot and two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast shall be required for election. His salary shall be reviewed annually.
B. The Pastor shall give the Church notice in writing not to exceed sixty (60) days and not less than thirty (30) days of his intention to discontinue as Pastor.
C. The Church may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a regularly called meeting (see Article VIII, Section 3), declare the pulpit vacant, providing a notice of not less than sixty (60) days from the time this action is taken be given the Pastor occupying the pulpit to vacate the same. If for Scriptural reasons immediate dismissal is indicated, one month’s salary will be rendered in lieu of sixty (60) days’ notice.
D. The Pastor shall be the Moderator of the Church and a member ex-officio of the Diaconate and all committees.
E. The Church shall provide the Pastor with a vacation of two (2) weeks the first year, and four (4) weeks each successive year thereafter.
Section 2--Deacons.
A. The Deacons shall be six (6) in number, if possible. Each shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. Two (2) shall go out of office yearly. In case of any vacancy occurring on the Board, the unexpired term shall be filled until the next Annual Meeting by appointment by the Pastor and Deacons. Subparagraph (5) below shall apply, if necessary. No Deacon shall succeed himself unless there are lacking sufficient qualified candidates to fill all vacant offices. Deacons shall be chosen in the following manner:
1. Four weeks previous to the Annual Business Meeting the Pastor shall prepare and submit to each family on the roll a letter stating the Scriptural qualifications for the office of a Deacon.
2. Each voting member shall then prepare a list of those men whom the members believe to be so qualified. Any number of names may be listed.
3. The member shall then sign the list and place it in a locked collection box, located in the Church building, not later than the Wednesday previous to the Annual Business Meeting.
4. The Pastor and Deacons shall then review the nominations and determine the names of the Scripturally qualified candidates appearing the greatest number of times, and offer to the Church two (2) names for each office of Deacon to be filled by election. These men shall be notified of their nomination and shall signify their willingness to serve if elected. There shall be no nominations from the floor. The vote will be by secret ballot.
5. In the event an unexpired term or terms are to be filled, those nominees not elected in the balloting for full-term offices will be candidates for separate election to such unexpired terms; with additional names to be provided from the above lists to assure two (2) candidates for each such unexpired term.
B. The qualifications for Deacon shall be such as prescribed and set forth in the New Testament (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
C. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to:
1. Prepare the elements and table for the Lord’s Supper and assist in serving same.
2. Assist the Pastor in administering baptism, and in the spiritual supervision of the Church, carefully examining all candidates for Church membership, recommending to the Church such as they consider eligible for membership.
3. Assist the Pastor in all matters of discipline of members.
4. The Deacons shall act as Trustees representing the Church as its agents.
5. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to care for the property of the Church; to hold, repair, invest, and preserve the same, including hiring and supervising the janitor; to superintend any improvements that are not entrusted to a special committee; and to perform such business concerns of the Church as shall from time to time be assigned to they by the Church. The Deacons are at all times servants of the Church and subject to its corporate action.
6. The Deacons shall not have authority to sell, lease, give away, or dispose of any property in any manner to exceed $500.00 in value; nor to mortgage or encumber the same with debt, including repairs, to exceed the above amount, except as the Church shall order the same by corporate act.
7. The Board of Deacons shall act as the Pulpit Committee when the office of the Pastor is vacant and shall continue to function until a new Pastor is on the field. The Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall be Chairman of the Pulpit Committee and Moderator of the Church while it is without a Pastor.
Section 3. Treasurer.
The Treasurer may be elected from qualified members of the congregation and shall under the direction of the Board of Deacons receive all monies of the Church from all sources and apply the same as directed by the Church; keep a true and fair record of all accounts; and make a full report to the Church at each Annual Meeting and when otherwise directed by the Church.
Section 4. Clerk.
The Clerk may be elected from qualified members of the congregation and shall under the direction of the Board of Deacons keep a fair and complete record of the proceedings of the Church; have charge of all records belonging to the Church; keep a register of all members of the Church; write letters of transfer or dismissal; give notice of Church business meetings; announce the offices to be filled at an Annual Meeting; and perform such other particular duties as may be prescribed by the Church. He shall also assist the Treasurer in verifying and recording the Church’s income.
Section 5. Christian Education Director.
The choice of a Christian Education Director shall be made at the Annual Business Meeting by the congregation. He shall be in charge of the administration and promotion of the Christian Education Ministries of the Church. These ministries include the Church Bible School for adults and children, commonly referred to as the Sunday School; and the children’s and youth’s ministries of the Church, which include but are not limited to AWANA, Youth Group, Junior Church, and Vacation Bible School. He shall work in close cooperation with the Pastor. As needed, he shall call, by public announcement, a business meeting of the Christian Education staff for the election of other necessary officers for carrying on the Christian Education ministries. These officers, with the Pastor and Christian Education Director, shall form an Executive Committee. The duties of this Committee shall be such as pertain to the operation of the Christian Education Ministries of the Church, including securing proper teachers, leaders, and helpers for the various ministries.
Section 6. Financial Secretary.
The Financial Secretary may be elected from qualified members of the congregation and shall under the direction of the Board of Deacons keep a true and fair record of all contributions and their sources; and shall annually provide contribution statements to all contributors.
Section 7. Bible School Secretary.
The Bible School Secretary may be elected from qualified members of the congregation and shall under the direction of the Board of Deacons weekly record the attendance and offerings of the Bible School; and shall provide the offerings to the Church Treasurer.
Article VI--Finances.
Section 1. The fiscal year shall begin on December 1st, and end on November 30th.
Section 2. No monies shall be raised by the Church or an auxiliary organization except by free-will giving.
Section 3. No financial obligation shall be placed upon the Church either as a mortgage, note, or outstanding bill, or in any other form, unless money is in hand to meet the same, except as stated in Article V, Section 2, Paragraph C-6, or by corporate act of the Church.
Section 4. Auditing. An Audit Committee selected annually consisting of two (2) members shall carefully examine the records, receipts, and vouchers of the Treasurer for the past fiscal year and report their findings to the Church.
Section 5. Disbursement of Funds. With the exception of a Petty Cash Fund, not to exceed $25.00, all disbursements shall be made by check.
Article VII--Auxiliary Organizations.
Section 1. Church Bible School. This organization shall be considered as the Church studying the Bible; it shall be under the general supervision and control of the Church.
Section 2. Other Organizations. There shall be other such organizations as the most efficient prosecution of our object shall demand, but none shall be started without the approval of the Church. These organizations shall be self-governing but finally subject to the control of the Church through its constitution and voted Church policy.
Section 3. All major officers of auxiliary organizations and all regular teachers in the Bible School must be members of the Church in good and regular standing.
Article VIII--Business Meetings.
Section 1. Devotional Meetings.
A. The Church shall meet regularly each Lord’s Day for worship and the preaching of the Gospel.
B. The Church shall meet for the observance of the Lord’s Supper at least once a month on the Lord’s Day and at such other times as the Church may decide.
C. The Church shall meet at least once a week for prayer, testimony, Bible study, and conference.
D. The Church shall provide for a Sunday School each Lord’s Day for the instruction and study of God’s Word.
E. The Church shall provide for such youth activities as will provide wholesome Christian fellowship and recreation for the youth.
Section 2. Annual Meeting; Quarterly Meetings.
There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Church on the second (2nd) regular mid-week service in December to elect Deacons and other officers and standing committees and to transact any other business. In case of any omission in holding the election as above, the meeting shall be called and held no later than thirty (30) days thereafter. There may also be Quarterly Meetings for receiving reports and conducting any other proper business on the second (2nd) Wednesdays of March, June, and September.
Section 3. Special Business Meetings.
Special Business Meetings may be called at any time, providing public notice be given of the same on the Lord’s Day preceding, except that those for calling or dismissal of a Pastor shall be given public announcements for two (2) preceding Sundays.
Section 4. Board Meetings.
At any properly called meeting, a majority and the Pastor shall constitute a quorum. This provision shall be ratified if the pulpit is vacant or the Pastor is out of the State.
Section 5. Order of Meetings.
In the conduct of business, rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all cases to which they apply. In exceptions, a majority vote shall establish the rule.
Suggested Order of Business for the Annual Meeting:
1. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meetings.
2. Clerk’s Report.
3. Treasurer’s Report.
4. Report of Deacons.
5. Report of Christian Education Director.
6. Report of Standing Committees.
7. Report of Departments of this Church.
8. Election of Deacons and other officers and standing committees.
9. Unfinished business.
10. New business.
11. Annual review of Pastor’s salary.
12. Adjournment.
Article IX--Amendments.
This constitution and By-Laws may be amended at a constitutionally-called business meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the voting members present, providing that such amendment shall have been submitted to the Church Board, in writing, at a previous meeting of the Board.
Article X--Non-Profit Purposes.
Pecuniary profit shall not be considered an object of this local church and no income thereof shall inure to the benefit of any members. In no event shall the assets of this local church, or the value thereof, be distributed to the members. In case of dissolution of the corporation, the assets will, as nearly as practicable, be utilized for the non-profit purposes for which this local church was formed.
Article XI--Ratification.
The ratification of the constitution by members present at the time it was drafted shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution. This was done by a business meeting of the Church by unanimous consent of baptized members present on the 17th day of February in the year of our Lord 1971.
Article XII--Age Requirements.
All members in good standing age sixteen (16) and over shall be allowed to vote. Officers shall be no less than eighteen (18) years of age. This amendment does not apply to those persons who have joined the membership prior to December 14, 2005.
Missions Policy
(Approved Addition to the By-Laws)
Section 1. Definitions.
Missions refers to the ministry of planting and/or feeding local New Testament Churches. A missionary refers to someone commissioned to plant and/or feed local New Testament Churches. A church-supported missionary refers to a missionary to whom the Church regularly contributes the current support level.
Section 2. Accepting New Missionaries.
1. Any potential church-supported missionary must visit with our Pastor, Deacons, and Church people for a flexible period of time determined in each case by the Pastor and Deacons, or the Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor.
2. Any potential church-supported missionary must write in full the Missionary Questionnaire.
3. All information gathered concerning the potential church-supported missionary will be made available to the congregation before a vote to accept said missionary.
4. Upon the recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons, or the Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor, the potential church-supported missionary will be adopted by three-quarters (¾) majority vote by secret ballot of those active members present in any regular Quarterly or Annual Business Meeting.
5. The newly adopted missionary will automatically receive the current support level, beginning with the quarter in which the congregation adopts him.
Section 3. Maintaining Current Missionaries.
1. The congregation will expect a report from each church-supported missionary at least once per quarter.
2. The Pastor and Deacons, or Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor, will annually review the activities and progress of each of the current church-supported missionaries.
3. The Pastor and Deacons, or Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor, will annually recommend to the congregation a cost-of-living increase for the current support level.
Section 4. Dismissing Current Missionaries.
1. After the receipt of a complaint concerning a missionary, the Pastor and Deacons, or the Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor, may choose to place a missionary on probation. This probation will last as long as the Pastor and Deacons deem it necessary to fully and fairly investigate the facts of the case.
2. Upon the recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons, or the Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor, the probated missionary will be dismissed by a three-quarters (¾) majority vote by secret ballot of those active members present in any regular Quarterly or Annual Business Meeting.
3. After the congregation chooses to dismiss a missionary, the Church Clerk will immediately send a letter of notification to the missionary and/or that agency representing him.
4. The dismissed missionary’s financial support will cease no earlier than six (6) months from the date of the vote to dismiss. The Pastor and Deacons, and/or Deacons alone when the Church is without a called Pastor, may extend the dismissed missionary’s financial support up to a maximum of twelve (12) months from the date of the vote to dismiss.
[Adopted December 1986.]
Church Workers’ Policy
Approved Addition to the By-Laws
1. The Purpose of this Policy.
A. To protect the testimony of the Church.
B. To provide cohesion in church ministries.
C. To encourage Church membership.
2. The Qualifications of Church Officers.
A. The constitutional mandates (Article V) shall apply to “the officers of the Church.” These offices are Pastor; Deacons; Treasurer; Clerk; Christian Education Director; and other offices (such as Financial Secretary and Bible School Secretary).
1. They shall be a Church member for at least six (6) months prior to nomination.
2. They shall hold no more than two (2) offices at one time.
3. They shall not be on the “Inactive List.”
4. They shall subscribe to “The Official’s Covenant.”
5. As partial fulfillment of “the Official’s Covenant,” they shall subscribe yearly to the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant.
3. The Qualifications of Church Workers.
A. Sunday School.
1. All regular and substitute teachers shall be members of the Church for at least three (3) months prior to assuming teaching duties.
2. They shall not be on the “Inactive List.”
3. As partial fulfillment of “The Official’s Covenant,” they shall subscribe yearly to the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant.
4. All regular and substitute teachers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
5. All Church workers are expected to live a consistently godly and spiritual life.
B. Children and Youth Ministries (e.g. AWANA, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, Nursery).
1. All teachers and leaders shall be members of the Church for at least three months.
2. They shall not be on the “Inactive List.”
3. Non-members shall be allowed to assist other workers who are members of the Church. These non-members must be regular attendees of worship meetings of this Church.
4. All teachers and leaders must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
5. All Church workers are expected to live a consistently godly and spiritual life.
C. Pulpit Ministries (e.g., Preacher, Song Leader, Accompanists).
1. All regular pulpit workers shall be members of the Church.
2. They shall not be on the “Inactive List.”
3. Non-members shall be allowed to serve on a temporary basis, if need requires. These non-members must be regular attendees of worship meetings of this Church.
4. Out-of-town pulpit workers (Evangelists, Musicians, Missionaries, e.g.) must be approved by the Deacons in advance.
5. All pulpit workers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
6. All Church workers are expected to live a consistently godly and spiritual life.
[Adopted June 2003]
[Amended June 2006]
