Constitution and Bylaws
for the
Iola Missionary Baptist Church
Preamble
We declare and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith, and to govern the body in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches.
I. Name
This body shall be known as Iola Missionary Baptist Church of Iola, Texas.
II. Objectives
To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership.
To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers.
To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus’ name.
To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our Daily Living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.
III. Statement of Faith
The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith. The church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of “The Baptist Faith and Message” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000. We band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the Good News of salvation to lost humankind. The ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
In complement to the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, Iola Missionary Baptist Church believes the following, as its conscientious religious conviction, in regards to marriage and sexuality – Marriage is a biblical institution established by God as described in Genesis 2:15-25 and Matthew 19:4-5. Iola Missionary Baptist Church recognizes that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment. Accordingly, this church’s pastors and staff will not officiate in same-sex unions or same-sex marriages, nor will its property or resources be used for such purposes. Iola Missionary Baptist Church also believes that the Bible teaches that legitimate sexual relations are exercised solely within marriage between a man and woman. Hence, Iola Missionary Baptist Church opposes all forms of sexual immorality, including but not limited to premarital sex, extramarital behavior, homosexual behavior, and pornography.
IV. Relationships
The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligation of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches. Insofar as is practical this church will cooperate with and support the Creath-Brazos Association, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the Southern Baptist Convention.
V. Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord 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, discipline and doctrines, 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 the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; 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 security 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.
VI. In The Case of Dissolution
Upon termination or dissolution of Iola Missionary Baptist Church, any assets lawfully available for distribution shall be distributed to Creath-Brazos Baptist Association.
Bylaws
I. Membership
Section 1. General
This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.
The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.
Section 2. Candidacy
Any person may offer himself as a candidate for membership in this church. Such a candidate shall be presented to the church at any regular church service for membership in any of the following ways:
- By profession of faith and for baptism according to the policies of this church
- By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Baptist Church of like faith and order.
- By restoration upon a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism in a Baptist Church of like faith and order when no letter is obtainable.
Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the Pastor and the deacons for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the church within thirty (30) days. A three-fourths vote of those church members present and voting shall be required to approve such candidates for membership.
Section 3. New Member Orientation
New church members will be expected to participate in the church’s new member orientation plan.
Section 4. Voting Rights of Members
Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present or provision has been made for absentee balloting.
Section 5. Termination of Membership
Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:
- Death;
- Dismission to another Baptist Church of like faith and order, specifically named;
- Exclusion by action of this church.
Section 6. Discipline
- It shall be the basic purpose of the Iola Missionary Baptist Church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor and the deacons are always available for counsel and guidance. Redemption rather than punishment shall be the guideline which governs the attitude of one member toward another.
- Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, every reasonable measure will be taken by the pastor and by the deacons to resolve the problem. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance. Finding that the welfare of the church will be best served by the exclusion of the member, the church may take this action by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a meeting called for this purpose, and the church may proceed to declare the offender to be lo longer in the membership of the church.
- Any person whose membership has been terminated for any condition which has made it necessary for the church to exclude him may, upon his request, be restored to membership by a vote of the church upon evidence of his repentance and reformation.
II. Church Officers
All church officers must be members of this church. The officers of this church shall be as follows:
Section 1. Pastor
- The pastor of this church shall be a regularly ordained minister of the Southern Baptist Denomination.
- The pastor shall act as moderator and shall be ex-officio member of all committees of the church.
- The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament Church. The pastor will lead the congregation, the organizations, and the paid personnel to perform their duties. The pastor is the leader of pastoral ministries in a church. As such he works with the deacons to:
– Lead the church in performing its tasks.
– Lead the church to perform in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application.
– Proclaim the gospel to believers and unbeliever, and
– Minister to the church’s members and other persons in the community. - A pastor shall be chosen and called for an indefinite period of time when a vacancy occurs. His services shall be terminated by his request or that of the church, seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and praying that it might be by mutual consent. When his services are terminated, no less than three (3) weeks notice shall be given.
- The pastor shall be allowed two (2) Sundays per year for rest and vacation.
- The pulpit supply shall be paid by the church in the following instances: vacation, attendance at conventions, and for illness for a period of time determined by the church at the time of illness. The pastor will be expected to pay the pulpit supply when he is away for revivals or for personal business.
- When the church is without a pastor, a pulpit committee shall be elected by secret ballot. The five men and two women receiving the largest number of votes shall be elected. The one person receiving the largest number of votes shall be chairman.
- The pulpit committee shall arrange for pulpit supply during such time as the church is without a pastor.
- The committee shall seek out a suitable pastor, and its recommendation will constitute a nomination. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one name at a time. Voting shall be done by secret ballot, an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of those present being necessary to call a pastor. The ballot shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s notice has been given. Information concerning nominee shall be provided when notice of ballot is given.
- Any member has the privilege of making nominations, except that at no time will two names be in nomination at the same time, the same notice shall have been given, and no name shall be placed in nomination without the church having heard that nominee preach.
- The committee shall report regularly to the church, their progress or lack of process in carrying out their duties.
- The necessary expenses incurred by the committee shall be paid by the church.
- The church social committee shall be responsible for the entertainment of all supply preachers.
Pastor’s Job Description
Principle Function
The pastor is responsible to the church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach the biblical revelation, to engage in pastoral care ministries, to provide leadership in all areas of church life, and to act as the administrator of the paid staff.
Qualifications
The qualifications for pastor shall be those found for elder or overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The pastor of this church shall also be an ordained minister of the Southern Baptist Denomination.
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct the worship services; prepare and deliver sermons at all services that include preaching or arrange for someone else to perform this function; coordinate and evaluate congregational services; lead in observance of ordinances.
- Lead the church in an effective ministry of witnessing and caring in the community, and in an effective ministry of caring and spiritual maturing for persons in the church.
- Visit church members, including the homebound or members in the hospital, and prospects for church membership.
- Conduct counseling sessions; conduct funerals; and perform wedding ceremonies.
- Serve as chairman of the Church Council to lead in planning, organizing, directing, coordination, and evaluating the total church ministries.
- Work with deacons, youth minister, church musicians, church officers, and committees as they perform their assigned responsibilities; counsel and assist in training deacons for their ministry responsibilities.
- Act as moderator of church business meetings and be ex-officio member of all committees of the church.
- Cooperate with association, state, and denominational leaders in matters of mutual interest and concern; keep the church informed of denominational development; represent the church in civic matters.
- Serve as administrator of the paid church staff; supervise the work of the staff.
- Recommend and advise in the selection of staff members and in determining their duties.
- Establish and maintain an effective and positive presence in the community.
- Establish and maintain an office schedule at the church so that people may know when they can expect to contact the pastor for various reasons.
Performance Review
A performance review will be conducted by the church’s deacons six months after a new pastor has begun service and at least annually thereafter.
Section 2. Deacons
- In accordance with the meaning of the work and the practice of the New Testament, Deacons are to be servants of the church. The task of the deacon is to serve with the pastor in performing pastoral ministry tasks; proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for the church members and others in the community; lead the church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application; and lead the church in performing its tasks. The guidelines for duty shall be found in Acts 6:1-8.
- The qualifications for deacon shall be those found in Acts 6:1-6, 1 Timothy 3:8-13, and Titus 1:6-9.
- There shall be at least one deacon for every 15 church families.
- Deacon Election
- The church may, at a regular business meeting, suggest by secret ballot to the active deacons those men to be considered for election.
- The active deacons shall recommend to the church those men to be nominated for election, having first investigated their qualifications and willingness to serve.
- Election shall be by secret ballot, three-fourths of those present being necessary for election.
- Deacons joining this church by letter shall be eligible for consideration as active deacons after six months of membership. Their ordination shall be accepted after election to the office in the manner described in (b) and (c) in paragraph 4.
Section 3. Moderator
In the absence of a pastor, the chairman of deacons shall act as moderator. In the absence of both the pastor and the chairman of deacons, the church clerk shall call the meeting to order, and a moderator shall be elected.
Section 4. Clerk
The church-elected clerk of the church shall keep in a suitable book a record of all the actions of the church, except as otherwise herein provided. He is responsible for keeping a register of the name or names of members with dates of admission and dismission together with a record of baptism. He shall issue letters of dismission voted by the church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give legal notice of all meeting where such notice is necessary, as indicated by these bylaws. The church may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a church secretary. All church records are church property and should be filed in the church office when such an office is maintained.
Section 5. Treasurer
The church shall elect annually a church treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, preserve, and pay out, at the discretion of the church, all money, or things of value paid or given to the church, keeping at all times an itemized report of all receipts and disbursements. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to render to the church at each regular business meeting an itemized report of all receipts and disbursements for the proceeding month. The treasurer’s report shall be audited monthly by an auditing committee or public accountant. The treasurer shall be bonded.
Any portion of the treasurer’s record-keeping responsibility may be delegated by the church to the church secretary.
Upon rendering the annual account at the end of each fiscal year, and its acceptance and approval by the church, the records shall be delivered by the treasurer to the church clerk, who shall keep and preserve the account as part of the permanent records of the church.
Maintains records of individual contributions as required by the I.R.S. These records must be kept confidential.
Section 6
Section 7. Trustees
Three trustees elected by the church will hold in trust the church property as provided in the charter of incorporation. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property without specific vote of the church authorizing each action. It shall be the function of the trustees to affix their signatures to legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, or rental of property or other legal documents where the signatures of trustees are required.
III. Committees
Section 1. General
- The pastor will serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
- All church committees shall be recommended by a nominating committee and elected by the church unless otherwise indicated in the description below. The committee members shall serve for one year unless otherwise designated.
- Wherein at all possible, no one should be elected to serve in more than 3 positions.
Baptism Committee
Duties
- The Baptism Committee is elected to assist in preparing for the ordinance of baptism.
- The committee will assist the pastor at baptismal time.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee is responsible for preparing the candidate and the baptistery for the ordinance.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend budget needs for supplies, etc., to the Stewardship Committee for yearly budget.
Membership
- The Baptism Committee shall consist of the deacons and their wives.
Benevolence Committee
Duties
- The Benevolence Committee will primarily be responsible for studying the needs of church families as well as those in the community to which the church should minister, together with the pastor, and decide on the best way to assist those families.
Policy & Procedures
- None defined.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend budget needs to the Stewardship Committee for yearly budget.
Membership
- The committee shall be comprised of four members to be elected by the church.
Guidelines for Action
All benevolence requests are at the discretion of the committee under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These guidelines are presented to aid in the use of designated funds.
Members:
- The committee is authorized to provide help to church members in need to the limits of 100% up to $300.
- Special considerations can be given for church members under extreme circumstances without a church vote.
Non-members:
- For non-church members, the committee is authorized to help those who reside in the 77861 zip code to the limits of 100% up to $200.
- For non-church members, the church in a scheduled business meeting must approve any amounts over the maximum.
Frequency
- Frequency for financial assistance through the committee is set for once every fiscal quarter (every 3 months).
- Assistance is a per household limitation.
Children’s Committee
Duties
- The committee is charged with the responsibility of planning children’s activities that promote Christian love and caring for each child. These activities vary according to the age group and necessity.
- The committee shall plan and carry out activities relating to children and provide necessary resources. Activities will include Children’s Church, Pre-Teen Camp, and socials.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee is to promote attendance at church services as well as social functions.
Budget Responsibilities
- The committee shall recommend an approximate amount to promote Children’s Activities during the year to the Stewardship Committee to be included in the recommended budget.
Membership
- The committee shall consist of four or more members, as needed, to be elected by the church, plus the Wednesday night activities leader(s).
Church Council
Duties
- The primary duty of the council shall be to recommend to the church suggested objectives and church goals; to review and coordinate program plans recommended by church officers, organizations, and committees; to recommend to the church use of leadership, calendar time, and other resources according to program priorities; and to evaluate program achievements in terms of church goals and objectives.
- Discover needs of church and community.
- Present long-range plans to the church.
Policy & Procedures
- Have planning regular meetings regularly – monthly, quarterly, or annually as deemed necessary.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend financial needs to Stewardship Committee.
Membership
- The council, unless otherwise determined by vote of the church shall have as regular members: the Pastor, Music Director, Sunday School Director, Women’s Ministry Director, Men’s Ministry Director, Youth Director, the Chairman of Deacons, all Committee Chairmen, all Sunday School Teachers, the Church Treasurer, the Church Secretary, and the Church Clerk.
Church Social Committee
Duties
- Consult with church leaders to determine the food services needs of the church.
- Consult with church leadership for social activities planned for current year.
Policy & Procedures
- To be developed.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend the food services budget and the purchase of food services equipment.
Membership
- Presently 4 members including chairman, recommended by Nominating Committee for church election.
Church Ushers
Duties
- The ushers are to greet people as they arrive and leave the church, seat people at the proper time, and provide bulletins and/or other materials at the time of seating. The ushers shall be led by an usher chairman to be chosen by the ushers. The ushers will be alert to needs of persons during worship services and will help maintain an order of reverence.
- The ushers will receive the offerings.
Policy & Procedures
- Every church usher shall be selected by the Nominating Committee and elected by the church.
Budget Responsibilities
- Presentation of request for budget allocation, if needed, to Stewardship Committee, prior to adoption of yearly budget.
Membership
- Presently 9 members serving on committee.
Counting Committee
Duties
- The Counting Committee shall be responsible for counting and depositing in the bank all money received through offerings at public worship services. They shall provide for the Treasurer a deposit record, indicating the purpose for which money is given.
Policy & Procedures
- The money shall be counted each Sunday Morning after the Morning Service with the Evening Service offering added to the end of that service.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend budget requirement to Stewardship Committee.
Membership
- The Committee shall consist of at least four members who will be recommended by the Nominating Committee to be elected by the church, with a chairman designated.
Evangelism Committee
Duties
- The Evangelism Committee will assist the pastor in planning and carrying out the evangelistic emphasis of the church, including, but not limited to revivals.
- The committee will provide training opportunities to church members in soul-winning and other forms of personal evangelism.
- The committee is to discover the public-relations needs of the church and choose the best means of communication to persons inside and outside the church.
- The committee is responsible for discovering what needs to be communicated on behalf of the church and for communicating it to the proper audience.
Policy & Procedures
- None defined.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend to the Stewardship Committee required amount, if needed.
Membership
- The committee will be comprised of at least four members to be elected by the church, plus the Sunday School Director, Music Director, and the Chairman of Deacons.
Flower Committee
Duties
- The Flower Committee is responsible for securing, arranging, and disposing of floral arrangements for church services.
- Unless otherwise arranged with another Sunday School Class, Committee, Organization, or Individual, the Flower Committee is responsible for providing flowers/decorations for the tables in the sanctuary each week, as well as for special occasions and holidays.
Policy & Procedures
- The Flower Committee shall be responsible for the ordering of Funeral Sprays for deceased members’ funeral services. The present financial arrangement is $75.00 for these arrangements.
- The committee appreciates and welcomes all those who wish to provide floral arrangements. For another group or individual to take over the responsibility of providing flowers on a given week, the Flower Committee requests notice one week in advance.
Budget Responsibilities
- Since this is a variable amount, the present request for budget approval is $700.00 with the understanding that this item may be used as needed.
- If another group or individual cares to make a designated offering to the Flower Committee it will be greatly appreciated. Donations help make it possible for the committee to have appropriate flowers available for the sanctuary.
Membership
- Members are recommended by the Nominating Committee for election by the church.
Historian
Duties
- To preserve and use the historical records of the church.
Policy & Procedures
- Gather and preserve available church records
- Record full and accurate records for the year
- Help members understand and appreciate their heritage and mission
Budget Responsibilities
- Prepare budget requirement for the year and present it to the Stewardship Committee.
Membership
- A church historian nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the church.
House & Grounds Committee
Duties
- To inspect all church properties periodically and maintain inventory.
- Conduct annual evaluation of space allocations to determine areas needing adjustment and enlargement.
- Recommend rearranging and maximum use of education and activity space; seek new space as needed to provide for continued growth.
- Recommend employment, training, and supervision need of maintenance personnel.
- Assist church in arranging, equipping, and administering worship space.
- Assist church in determining, acquiring, and administering parking space.
- Assist church in recommending and maintaining proper and adequate furnishing for church programs and activities.
- Assist other church committees in responsibilities relating to church property and space.
- Maintain the Church’s vehicles and oversee the use of them.
- See that the Church’s vehicles are services on at least a quarterly basis (oil change, lube job, etc.).
Policy & Procedures
- Develop and recommend policies and procedures about maintenance, insurance, and use of buildings, properties, and space.
- Recommend to church the appointment of a church survey and planning committee when needed and appropriate.
- A list of qualified drivers will be recommended to the church for election and kept on file in the church office.
Budget Responsibilities
- Prepare recommendations for Stewardship Committee and administer maintenance and van budget on all property, respectively.
Membership
- Five members or more as deemed necessary, recommended by the Nominating Committee for election by church membership, with a designated chairman.
Library Committee
Duties
- The Library Committee shall direct the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the church library.
Policy & Procedures
- The Library Committee shall administer money provided in the church budget and/or money given in memorial for the library.
Budget Responsibilities
- The Library Committee shall recommend the amount required for the operation of Library to the Stewardship Committee yearly.
Membership
- The Library Committee shall be recommended for church election by the Nominating Committee.
Men’s Ministry Committee
Duties
- The Men’s Ministry Committee is to direct the ministries of the church that pertain to men.
- Assist the church in the development of ministries to reach men.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee shall administer money provided in the church budget and give direction to the relevant ministries.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend to Stewardship Committee any needed budget funds.
Membership
- Three members or more as deemed necessary, recommended by the Nominating Committee for election by the church membership.
Missions Committee
Duties
- The Missions Committee seeks to discover possibilities for local mission projects or assist with other mission efforts.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee shares findings with church program organization and serves the church in establishing and conducting such missions projects as may be assigned to it.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend to Stewardship Committee any needed budget funds.
Membership
- Leadership of Mission Organizations in the church and other members as recommended by the Nominating Committee and elected by the church.
Music Committee
Duties
- It shall be the duty of the Music Committee to coordinate the music program of the church.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee shall make decisions on purchase or replacement of supplies, instruments, and upkeep of instruments.
Budget Responsibilities
- The Music Committee shall recommend an amount needed for yearly budget to the Stewardship Committee.
Membership
- Members recommended for church election by the Nominating Committee.
Nominating Committee
Duties
- The Nominating Committee recommends person for all volunteer positions to be elected by the church, including resignations.
Policy & Procedures
- The Nominating Committee shall recommend a Sunday School Director in the June business meeting of each year. When elected, the Sunday School Director shall be the sixth member of this committee.
- Members of the Nominating Committee can nominate members of that committee to elected positions they may be presently serving in, or to newly elected positions in the church being filled for the first time only.
- The Nominating Committee shall deliver its nominations report in the September Business Meeting.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend to Stewardship Committee amount needed, if any.
Membership
- The Nominating Committee shall be made up of five church members nominated from the floor and elected by the church in the April Business Meeting and will serve from May 1 to April 30 of the following year.
Nursery Committee
Duties
- The committee is charged with the responsibility of planning for children from birth through 3 years old.
- The committee shall be responsible for providing paid and volunteer workers for all nursery functions not under the programming and responsibility of other church organizations.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee is to plan for and coordinate the use of space, equipment, furnishings, and supplies needed for nursery age groups.
- The committee shall recommend an appropriate amount to the Stewardship Committee for the payroll of a nursery worker.
Budget Responsibilities
- The committee shall recommend an appropriate amount to cover the nursery during the year to the Stewardship Committed to be included in the recommended budget.
Membership
- The committee shall consist of four or more members needed to be elected by the church.
Stewardship Committee
Duties
- The Stewardship Committee will develop a proposed annual budget to be presented to the church in the December Business Meeting. The Stewardship Committee will administer the church budget throughout the year.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee shall also serve as audit committee furnishing an annual audit report to the church in the February Business Meeting.
Budget Responsibilities
- The Stewardship Committee shall review the budget from the previous year, making adjustment and additions or deductions as deemed necessary, taking into consideration the programs for the ensuing year. The Stewardship Committee will promote Stewardship Education within the church.
Membership
- The committee shall be composed of six members. Two members will rotate off each year and two new ones elected. Members will be elected for 3-year terms. Treasurer to serve as ex-officio member of this committee.
- Chairman of this committee to be a member with only 1 year remaining.
Women’s Ministry Committee
Duties
- The Women’s Ministry Committee is to direct the ministries of the church that pertain to women.
- Assist the church in the development of ministries to reach women.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee shall administer money provide in the church budget and give direction to the relevant ministries.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend to Stewardship Committee any needed budget funds.
Membership
- Five members or more as deemed necessary, recommended by the Nominating Committee for election by the church membership.
Youth Committee
Duties
- The Youth Committee shall direct such youth activities as directed by the church, including youth fellowships after home football games, youth banquets, and cooperate with church organizations in planning and promoting youth activities.
Policy & Procedures
- The committee shall see that the youth activities are organized and functioning throughout the year.
- The committee shall help the youth director with assistance in planning and programming.
Budget Responsibilities
- Budget requests for the year should be prepared and presented to the Stewardship Committee.
Membership
- The Nominating Committee shall recommend for church election members deemed necessary. The Youth Director shall be the chairman of the committee.
Youth Council
Duties
- The Youth Council shall recommend and promote youth social and recreational activities under the general direction of the Youth Committee.
Policy & Procedures
- Cooperate with Youth Director & Youth Committee to promote youth activities.
Budget Responsibilities
- Recommend to the Youth Committee budget needs for the year.
Membership
- The Youth Council shall consist of young people of Junior and Senior High School recommended for church election from the Nominating Committee.
IV. Program Organization
Section 1. General
All organizations of the church shall be under church control, all officers being elected by the church and reporting regularly to the church.
Section 2. Sunday School
There shall be a Sunday School, divided into departments and classes for all ages and conducted under the direction of the Sunday School Director for the study of God’s Word.
The tasks of the Sunday School shall be to teach the biblical revelation; reach persons for Christ and church membership; perform the functions of the church within its constituency; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.
Section 3. Church Training
There shall be a Church Training, divided into departments for all ages and conducted under the direction of a general director. The Church Training shall serve as the training organization of the church.
The tasks of the Church Training shall be to orient new church members; train church members to perform the functions of the church; train church leaders; teach Christian theology, Christian ethics, Christian history, and church policy and organization; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.
Section 4. Women’s Missionary Union
There shall be a Women’s Missionary Union with such officers and organization as needed. The tasks of the Woman’s Missionary Union shall be to teach missions; engage in mission action; support world missions through praying and giving; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.
Section 5. Baptist Men
There shall be a Baptist Men organization with such organization as needed. This program shall be directed by a director who shall be elected by the church. The tasks are to teach missions; engage in mission action; support world missions through praying and giving; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination.
Section 6. Church Music Program
There shall be a Church Music Program under the direction of the Music Director. Such officers and/or organizations shall be included as needed. The music tasks shall be to teach music; train persons to lead singing and play music; provide music in the church and community; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.
V. Ordinances
Section 1. Baptism
A person who receives Jesus Christ by personal faith, who professes Him publicly at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord, shall be received for baptism.
- Baptism shall be by immersion in water.
- Baptism shall be administered by the pastor or whomever the church shall authorize.
- Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service.
- A person professing Christ and failing to be baptized after a reasonable length of time shall be counseled by the pastor and/or deacons. If negative interest is ascertained, he shall be deleted from those awaiting baptism.
Section 2. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming.
- The Lord’s Supper shall be observed quarterly, preferably the first Sunday of the quarter, or as otherwise scheduled.
- The Lord’s Supper shall be observed in the morning or evening worship services.
- The pastor and deacons shall be responsible for the administration of the Lord’s Supper.
- The deacons shall be responsible for the physical preparations of the Lord’s Supper.
VI. Church Meetings
Section 1. Worship Services
The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening for preaching, instruction, evangelism, and for the worship of Almighty God. These meetings will be open for the entire membership of the church and for all people and shall be conducted under the direction of the pastor.
Section 2. Special Services
Revival services and any other church meetings which will be essential in the promotion of the objectives of the church shall be placed on the church calendar.
Section 3. Regular Business Meetings
Regular business meetings shall be held monthly at a regular designated time.
Section 4. Special Business Meetings
A specially called business meeting may be held to consider special matters of significant nature. A one-week notice of the subject, date, time, and location must be given for the specially called business meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical.
Section 5. Quorum
The quorum consists of 5% of the resident membership, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called.
Section 6. Parliamentary Rules
“Robert’s Rules of Orders, Revised” is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church.
VII. Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year of the church shall run from January 1st through December 31st.
VIII. Amendments
Changes in this constitution and bylaws may be made at any regular business meeting of the church, provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous meeting, and copies of the proposed amendment be furnished to each member present. Amendments to the constitution shall be by 3/4 vote of all members of the church present entitled to vote; amendments to the bylaws shall have a concurrence of a majority of the members present and voting.
