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Pastor: Jim Koerber
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304 West Center Street
Blanchester, Ohio 45107
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First Baptist Church of Blanchester

CONSTITUTION THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, INC

Blanchester, Ohio

History
Constitution
Staff
Gospel

PREAMBLE

Since the Holy Spirit is very partial to good order and system in the church, having said by the pen of the apostle Paul, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Cor. 14:40); and to foster the spirit of harmony and to promote good order in the church, the following constitution and by-laws are formulated and adopted by members of this organization.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this church is First Baptist Church, Inc., of Blanchester, Ohio.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purpose of this church shall be the maintenance of Christian worship and fellowship, the administration of the ordinances of the New Testament, the spiritual care and growth of the members; and the salvation of the lost both at home and abroad. This purpose shall be accomplished through the ministry of the Word of God and in other manners not inconsistent with the will of God as revealed in the New Testament.

ARTICLE III – COVENANT

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

We also engage to maintain family and private 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, drunkenness and excessive anger; to abstain from all activities, habits and lifestyles that dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause a stumbling block to a fellow believer, or hinder the gospel witness; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We encourage each member to revere his or her body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and in so doing abstain from all appearance of evil.

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 – ARTICLES OF FAITH

Section 1 – Of the Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally inspired and the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore, has truth without any admixture of error for its matter. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed, and opinions, shall be tried (I Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21).

Section 2 – Of the True God

We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20:2-3; I Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11).

Section 3 – Of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purpose is fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the New Birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer. (John 14:16-17; Matt. 28:19; Heb. 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Gen. 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; Eph. 1:13-14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Rom. 8:16; Rom. 8:26-27).

Section 4 – Of the Devil, or Satan

We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the unholy god of this age, and the author of all the powers of darkness, and is destined to the judgment of an eternal justice in the lake of fire. (Matt. 4:1-3; II Cor. 4:4, Rev. 20:10).

Section 5 – Of Creation

We accept the Genesis account of creation and believe that man came by direct creation of God and not by evolution. (Genesis chapters 1 and 2, Col. 1:16, 17; John1:3).

Section 6 – Of the Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not only by constraint, but of choice; and therefore under just condemnation without defense or excuse. (Gen. 3:1-6, 24; Rom. 5:19; Rom. 5:12; Rom 5:10-19; Rom. 1:18; Rom. 1:32).

Section 7 – Of the Virgin Birth

We believe that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can ever be born of woman, and that He is both the Son of God and God, the Son. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:4).

Section 8 – Of the Atonement for Sin

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins; that His atonement consisted not in setting us an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust; Christ, the Lord, bearing our sin in His own body on the tree; that having risen from the dead He is enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in very way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior. (Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11, Rom. 3:24; John 3:16; Matt. 18:11; Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14; Isa. 53:4-7; Rom 3:25; I John 4:10; I Cor. 15:3; II Cor. 5:21).

Section 9 – Of Grace in the New Creation

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again; that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and received eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel.; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. (John3:3; II Cor. 5:17; I John 5:1; John 3:6; Acts 16:30-33; II Peter 1:4; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; II Cor.5:19; Col. 2:13; John 3:8.)

Section 10 – Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in His is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life, on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood, His righteousness is imputed to us. (Acts 13:39 Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 5:1)

Section 11 – Of Faith and Salvation

We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. (Acts 16:31.)

Section 12 – Of the Local Church

We believe that a local church is a congregation of immersed believers, associated by covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scripture. We believe that the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have the opportunity. We hold that the local church has the absolute right of self-government free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; that they one and only superintendent is Christ through the Holy Spirit; that it is scriptural of true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel; and that each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of it cooperation; on all matters of membership, of polity, of government, of discipline, of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. (Acts 2:41, 42; I Cor. 11:2; Eph. 1:22, 23; Eph. 4:11; Acts 20:17-28; Eph. 5:23-24; I Tim. 3:1-7; Col. 1:18;Acts 15:13-18.)

Section 13 – Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life, that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He comes, and should be preceded always by solemn self-examination. (Acts 8:26-39; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt 3:16; Col. 2:12; I Cor.11:23-28

Section 14 – Of the Security of the Saints

We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:6; John 10:28, 29; Rom. 8:36-39; Jude 1.)

Section 15 – Of the Righteous and the Wicked

We believe that there is a radical essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death, in the everlasting felicity of the unsaved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. (Mal. 3:18; Gen. 18:23; Rom. 6:17, 18; I John 5:19; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 6:23; Prov. 14:32; Luke 6:25; Matt. 25:34-41; John 8:21.)

Section 16 – Of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming Prince of the Kings of the earth. (Ron. 13:1-7; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21, 22; Acts 23:5; Matt. 22:21; Acts 5:20; Acts 4:19-20; Dan. 3:17, 18.)

Section 17 – Of the Resurrection, Personal, Visible, Premillennial Return of Christ, and Related events.

We believe in the:

  1. Bodily Resurrection. (Matt. 28:6, 7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6)
  2. The Ascension (Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19: Rev. 3:21; Heb. 12:2)
  3. The High Priesthood. (Heb. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 5: 9, 10)
  4. The Second Coming. (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16; James 5:8; Heb. 9:28)
  5. The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead. (1 Thess. 4:13-18; I Cor. 15:42-44; I Cor. 15:52)
  6. The Change of the Living in Christ. (I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21)
  7. The Throne of David. (Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6, 7; Acts 2:29, 30)
  8. The Millennial Reign. (I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; Isa.11:4,5; Rev. 20:14; Rev. 20:6; Psa. 72:8)

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Present Membership

  1. All whose names appear upon the rolls of this church are members, but those upon the “Active” list are considered in good and regular standing. Those whose names appear upon the “Inactive” list have no right of vote and may not be granted a letter of “good and regular standing.”
  2. Members who have violated the church covenant by non-attendance for six months shall be on the “Inactive List.” The deacon board shall care of this matter twice annually. All members to be placed on the “Inactive List” shall be called on by the deacons when possible and contacted my mail if necessary. An inactive member may be placed on the “Active List” by the board of deacons. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the deacons for absence from the area, sickness, or such other causes as can with good conscience justify absence from the services.
  3. Members who have not reached their eighteenth (18) birthday shall not have the right to vote on discipline of members or on the involvements of the church in matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or encumbrance of real estate. The voting age on other church matters is fourteen (14)

Section 2 – Qualifications

  1. Anyone professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior, giving evidence of a change of heart, and declaring himself (or herself) in accord with the principles, practices an doctrines of this church may become a candidate for church membership.
  2. Method: Candidates may become members in one of four ways.
    1. Baptism by Immersion
    2. Letter from some other Baptist church of like faith and order.
    3. Statement of Christian experience (having been previously baptized by immersion but lacking record or proof of same.)
    4. Restoration to membership upon recommendation of the board of deacons to the church.
  3. Procedure: Candidates for church membership shall appear personally before the pastor and deacons who shall pass upon their qualifications and prescribe any restrictions they may deem wise for the church. Having been recommended by the deacons the names shall then be submitted to the church for acceptance by majority vote.

Section 3 – Dismissal of Members

  1. Church letters: Letters of dismissal may be granted any member in good and regular standing. Such letters must be addressed to some particular church of the same faith and order as this. Such letters shall be valid only for six (6) months from date and the member dismissed shall remain subject to the discipline of this church until notification has been received of the acceptance by the church addressed.
  2. Certificate of Standing to Date: Members not in good and regular standing or those desiring to unite with a church not of our conviction and policy may be given a certificate of standing to date.
  3. Erasure: A Member requesting in writing that his name be removed from membership shall be granted that request by the pastor and board of deacons.

Section 4 – Church Discipline

  1. Committee of Discipline: The board of deacons, with the pastor, shall constitute the discipline committee of the church.
  2. Discipline of Members:
    1. It is vital to the testimony of this church and the glory of our Lord that the purity of the church be preserved and its peace protected. With these ends in view it shall be the duty of the pastor and deacons to seek diligently to reclaim any member known to be living in disregard of his Biblical and covenant obligations. It is specifically directed that the pastor and deacons move with promptness and vigor in dealing with anyone who is obstructing the work or disturbing the peace of the church by slander, falsehood, gossip, conspiracy or other unfair and unchristian methods. It is recognized that a Baptist church must be a democracy in which the majority shall rule. It is recognized further that while the minority has the right of private opinion in all questions and the right of appeal in any constitutional and proper manner. It shall not have the right to engage in secret or open propaganda or of deliberately disturbing the peace and interrupting the work of the church. It is further recognized that when the church, by regular and proper vote, has determined upon a course of action, that course becomes the program of the church although not necessarily involving every member.
    2. If a member is walking disorderly in conflict with the above principles, or is involved in any know immorality, dishonesty or public scandal, and such member cannot be restored to fellowship through confession and correction of hi sins, he shall be dealt with on the basis of Matthew 18 and I Corinthians5. His case shall be brought before the church by recommendation of pastor and deacons. He shall be given a statement of charges against him, and he shall have the opportunity to present his case before the church. The church may vote to remove him from the membership if the charges and evidence warrant such action. In less serious matters, such a person may be placed under discipline and on the inactive membership list by vote of the church. He shall be restored to active membership only by vole of the church after satisfactory evidence is given of scriptural repentance and confession.
    3. In the event of differences between members it is recommended that they be settled personally in accordance with Matthew 18:15,16.
    4. If a member desires to prefer charges against another member, including violation of covenant obligations or of immoral, improper or unchristian conduct, such charges must be submitted to the pastor and deacons in writing, and must be duly signed by the accuser.
    5. Members shall be dropped from the church roll only upon recommendation of the board of deacons and majority vote of the church.
    6. It is understood that this section shall not be used as an excuse for unnecessary severeness in minor matters, but the pastor and deacons shall always use kindness, consideration and Christian love to determine the cases for discipline and the method of procedure in such cases.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND BOARDS

The officers of the church shall consist of pastor, deacons, trustees, clerk, treasurer, financial secretary, Sunday school superintendent, and elected members of the Board of Christian Education, all or whom, except the pastor, shall have been a member of this church for a period of at least one (1) year before being placed in nomination. Their terms of office shall begin the fist day of the fiscal year. 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) major offices at one time, and no member on the “inactive” list is eligible to hold office in the church or any of its organizations.

Section 1 – Pastor

  1. The pastor must give wholehearted assent to the doctrines of this church as presented and defined in the statement of faith. He is to moderate all business meetings, except where he is personally involved and then the chairman of the board of deacons will moderate.
  2. 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-third (2/3) of the votes cast be required for election. Any request for an absentee ballot shall be submitted to the deacons in writing and be considered by the deacons on an individual basis. The church shall consider but one candidate for the pastorate at one time, passing upon his acceptability or lack of acceptability, before considering another.
  3. The pastor shall give the church advance notice in writing, not more than sixty (60) days or less than thirty (30) days of his intention to discontinue as pastor.
  4. The church may by a majority vote at a specially called meeting declare the pulpit vacant. At the discretion of the church, the pastor shall be given thirty (30) days notice to vacate the pulpit or may be given notice to vacate the pulpit immediately with no severance pay when there is a question of immorality, false doctrine or failure to perform regular duties. Under certain circumstances, the deacons may require that the pastor refrain from public ministry, pending investigation and action by the church.
  5. The pastor shall be given the privilege of being away from regular pulpit ministry no more than two (2) Sundays a year for the purpose of special meetings. Exceptions to this must be granted by the board of deacons.
  6. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees

Section 2 – Deacons

  1. The church may elect from its membership at its annual business meeting nine (9) men to serve as deacons. Their terms shall be for three (3) years and arranged to end alternately. The number of deacons may be increased as deemed advisable by a majority vote of the congregation.
  2. The qualifications for deacon shall be such as are prescribed and set forth in the New Testament (Acts 6:3; I Timothy 3:8-13).
  3. It shall be the duty of the deacons to:
    1. Assist the pastor in serving the Lord’s table.
    2. Assist the pastor in administering baptism.
    3. Assist the pastor in the spiritual supervision of the church.
    4. Carefully examine all candidates for church membership recommending such as they consider eligible to the church membership.
    5. Have charge of all matters of discipline of the church.
  4. The board of deacons shall select a chairman and a secretary. The chairman shall preside over all board meetings; the secretary shall keep a faithful record of all proceedings therof. The Board of deacons shall have the authority to formulate their own rules of procedure. Meetings may be called at the request of the pastor, the chairman, or a majority of the board members. A majority shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3 – Trustees

  1. The church may elect from its membership seven (7) men at its annual business meeting to serve as trustees. Their term of office shall be three (3) years and arranged to end alternately. This number may be increased as deemed advisable by a majority vote of the congregation.
  2. The board of trustees shall select from within its group a chairman and a secretary. The chairman shall preside over their meetings and have general oversight of their work. The secretary shall keep a faithful record of any important acts or transactions undertaken or authorized by the board. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman or the pastor, or a majority of the board’s membership. A majority shall constitute a quorum. The chairman shall make a full report of the board’s activities to the church at each yearly report meeting or as requested by the church.
  3. It shall by the duty of the trustees 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 them by the church. All individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the church needing the church for special use shall clear it with the trustees to avoid conflict with other activities, individuals, organizations, and groups not affiliated with the church must secure consent of the trustees for such use.
  4. The trustees shall have authority to sell, lease, give away, or dispose of in any manner deemed advisable church property not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) in value, Mortgages or encumbrances in excess of five hundred dollars ($500) shall be presented to the membership of the church for their approval.

Section 4 – Treasurer

  1. At each annual meeting the church shall elect from its membership a treasurer. He shall be responsible to pay all bills and obligations approved by the board of trustees. He shall keep a true and fair record of accounts and make a full report to the church at each yearly report meeting and when otherwise directed by the church.
  2. His books shall be audited once every two years. The books may be audited at any time at the request of the board of trustees or a majority vote of the church. If a new treasurer is elected, the books will be audited before the new treasurer takes office.

Section 5 – Financial Secretary

At each annual meeting the church shall elect from its membership a financial secretary. He shall keep an account of all who contribute and provide each with an annual statement of giving for income tax purposes. He shall be responsible to submit monthly and annual statements of monies received.

Section 6 – Clerk

The church shall elect from its membership at each annual meeting a clerk for the ensuing year. He shall keep a fair and complete record of the proceedings of the church, have charge of all records, keep a register of all members of the church, write letters of dismissal, give notice of church business meetings, and perform such other duties as prescribed by the church.

Section 7 – Bible School Superintendent

The church shall elect from its membership at each annual meeting a Bible School superintendent. The superintendent shall be in charge of the administration and promotion of the Bible school and shall work in close cooperation with the pastor. He shall have the power, by and with the advice and consent of the pastor and the board of deacons, to organize classes, appoint teachers, hold and conduct meetings for the election of Sunday School officers, designate and supervise the duties of the officers, hold and conduct teachers’ meetings, in order to produce the highest type of ministry in the school.

Section 8 – Music Committee

The music committee shall be composed of members as follows: organist, director of the choir, one (1) deacon (chosen by deacons), one (1) choir member (chosen by the choir), and one (1) trustee (chosen by the trustees). This committee will be responsible for the special music of the church services. The committee shall secure an organist and pianist and shall have the care of the musical instruments and music library. The committee shall be governed by the orders of the church and board of deacons.

Section 9 – Head Usher

The deacons shall appoint a head usher who shall have the responsibility to choose a team of ushers from the membership of the church. The head usher shall designate one usher to be his assistant. To the ushers belong the duties of seeing that people entering the church are comfortable seated, giving special attention to strangers, taking up offerings, distributing song books, and looking after the comfort of the congregation.

Section 10 – Missionary Committee

The Missionary Committee shall consist of two (2) members of the board of deacons, two (2) members of the board of trustees and two (2) members of the Ladies’ Missionary Society. The missionary committee shall elect from within its group a chairman and a secretary. The members of the missionary committee shall be selected each year by the group that they represent. The work of the committee is to represent the church in matters related to missionary work and to have jurisdiction over the disbursement of undesignated missions funds (except regular commitments which are voted on by the church) up to one hundred dollars ($100). The committee shall recommend the missionary projects for the church and draft an annual missionary budget to be submitted at the annual meeting of the church.

Section 11 – Advisory Board

The deacons, trustees, Sunday School superintendent, treasurer, clerk, head of music committee, head usher, and chairman of missionary committee shall constitute and form an advisory board. It shall meet at times upon the call of the pastor or one of its members whom it may designate in the absence of the pastor. The church clerk shall keep a record of its proceedings and shall include a report of the activities of this committee with his report to the church. Its duties shall be to consider all major matters of church business or policy and may be recommended to the church through the respective boards such action as it deems worthy. It shall also act as the financial committee of the church.

Section 12 – Pulpit Committee

The advisory board shall, when a vacancy occurs in the office of pastor, appoint a pulpit committee consisting of the chairman of the board of deacons, a deacon, a trustee, and four (4) members at large, all to be ratified by the church. It shall be their responsibility to see that the pulpit is occupied until a new pastor is called. When they deem it wise, they shall present to the church as a regularly called meeting, the name of one candidate and conduct a voting upon the same. They shall continue this procedure until a pastor is chosen. The chairman on the deacons shall be chairman of the pulpit committee and moderator of the church while it is without a pastor.

Section 13 – Nominating Committee

  1. At least four (4) weeks before the annual meeting, a nominating committee shall be formed. The pastor shall appoint a deacon, trustee, and three (3) members at large, all to be ratified by the board of deacons.
  2. This committee shall place in nomination at the annual meeting members of the church which it deems qualified to fill the offices for the ensuing term that become vacant at this time. The names of such nominees shall be posted two (2) weeks before the annual meeting in a conspicuous place in the church building. Members who wish to submit nominations should give their suggestions, in writing, to the nominating committee at least one week before the annual meeting. This will allow the committee to ascertain qualifications and the nominees’ willingness to serve.
  3. No name shall be presented for vote unless the person involved has consented to serve.

Section 14 – Board of Christian Education

The pastor, Sunday School superintendent, one (1) deacon (appointed by the deacons), one (1) trustee (appointed by the trustees), and two (2) members of the church at large, selected at the annual meeting, shall constitute the Board of Christian Education. The chairman of this committee will be the deacon appointed by the board of deacons. This committee shall have the general supervision of the entire program of education throughout the church, including Sunday School, youth groups, teacher training, junior churches, Vacation Bible School, etc. The function of this committee shall be supervisory and not administrative.

ARTICLE VII – FIANANCES

Section 1 – Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on the following December 31.

Section 2 – Financial Policy

No money shall be raised by the church or an auxiliary organization except by freewill giving.

Section 3 – Financial Obligation

No financial obligation shall be placed upon the church either as a mortgage, note, outstanding bill, or any other form unless money is in hand to meet the same, except as state in Article VII, Section 3, C and D, or by corporate act of the church.

ARTICLE VIII – MISSIONS

Section 1 – Policy of Support

It shall be the policy of this church to support only missions engaged principally in evangelization, with a goal to establish indigenous churches. They shall be known to be in hearty agreement with our confession of faith, both in doctrine and practice.

ARTICLE IX – AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1 – Sunday 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 such other organizations as shall most efficiently fulfill our purpose, but none shall be started without the consent of the board of deacons. These organizations shall be self-governing but always subject to the control of the church through its constitution and voted church policy.

Section 3 – Officers and Teachers

All major officers of auxiliary organizations and all regular teachers in the Sunday Bible School must be members of the church in good and regular standing.

ARTICLE X – BUSINESS MEETINGS

Section 1 – Annual Meeting

There shall be an annual meeting of the church during the first full week of December, to approve the annual budget, to elect officers and to transact any other business. The time of this meeting shall be set up by the pastor and board of deacons. The meeting shall be announced from the pulpit at least two Sundays prior to the meeting.

Section 2 – Regular Meetings

The regular business meeting of the church shall be held following the first Sunday evening service of each quarter. Officers of the church shall report at this meeting. Notice of a regular business meeting shall be given from the pulpit.

Section 3 – Special Business Meetings

Special business meetings may be called by the board of deacons or pastor at any time provided public notice be given of the same on the Lord’s day preceding. Routine business may be conducted, when necessary, at any state meeting of the church without regard to the above requirement.

Section 4 – Order of Meetings

  1. 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 so long as there is no violation of the constitution.
  2. A suggested order of business for the annual meeting follows:
    1. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting.
    2. Presentation of annual reports from officers and committees.
    3. Presentation and approval of annual budget.
    4. Election of officers.
    5. Unfinished business.
    6. New business.
    7. Adjournment.

Section 5 – Elections

All elections shall be by ballot and decision reached by simple majority unless specified herein. The election of officers for the church and Sunday School shall be held at the annual business meeting. The officers shall assume their responsibility the first day of the fiscal year.

Section 6 – Quorum

Twenty percent (20%) of the members in good and regular standing shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special business meeting.

Section 7 – Amendment

This Constitution may be amended by a two-third (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any business meeting. The proposed Constitutional change shall be posted in the church and notice given from the pulpit for two Sundays prior to the meeting.

Section 8 – Yearly Report Meeting

There shall be a yearly report meeting of the church during the fourth full week of January to receive the annual reports of the church and to transact any other business.

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