Constitution
NAME
The legal name of this organization
shall be
The mission or purpose of this
organization shall be to maintain a church in the Baptist tradition in
order to promote the worship of the One, True and Living God; to preach
and teach the whole counsel of God in the firm belief that sinners will be
saved and believers edified as a result; to observe the ordinances of the
New Testament; to promote fellowship among those of like faith; and to
establish other churches of like faith and order throughout the world.
This purpose shall be accomplished through ministries such as
Sunday Bible school; Sunday morning and evening worship services; midweek
services for prayer, praise and Bible study; other special meetings such
as missions conferences, Bible conferences, evangelistic meetings, and
youth rallies; as well as in other manners consistent with the will of God
as revealed in the New Testament.
ARTICLE
III
AFFILIATIONS
This church shall remain an independent Baptist
church, and shall never be subject to the control, government or
interference of any convention, association, conference or fellowship.
As an independent Baptist church, it may seek fellowship with or
counsel from other churches of like faith and order.
It shall never cooperate; fellowship, or in any way entangle itself
with any apostates or apostasy, or with any group or church which permits
the presence of apostates or apostasy in its midst.
At all times, the church itself shall be the sole judge of the
extent of its fellowship and cooperation with other congregations.
Fellowship or cooperation with other churches shall never be
construed so as to infringe in any way upon the autonomy and prerogatives
of
ARTICLE
IV
MEMBERSHIP
A .
Qualifications
The membership of
B. Questionnaire
Candidates for membership shall be given a questionnaire for membership to be filled out and signed. It should be signed after reading the Constitution, Articles of Faith and Covenant of Faith Independent Baptist Church.
C.
Reception
(1) Experience. All candidates for membership shall be examined by the pastor and deacons concerning their conversion to faith in Christ, baptism, and Christian experience. Upon unanimous vote of the pastor and deacons, the candidate may be presented to the congregation for consideration. New members shall be approved by a majority vote of eligible members present and voting in any business meeting.
(2)
Letter.
(3)
Baptism. Persons
desiring membership with
(4)
Statement. Candidates
for membership shall be received on statement of faith and single
immersion. Upon unanimous vote
of the pastor and deacons, the candidate may be presented to the
congregation for consideration. The
candidate shall be approved by a majority
vote of the members in any business meeting.
(5) Restoration. Members from whom the hand of fellowship has been withdrawn in discipline may be restored to membership in good and regular standing by recommendation of the pastor and deacons and vote of the congregation.
D.
Dismission
(1)
Termination of Membership.
The membership of any member of
(2) Letter. A letter of dismission may be sent by the clerk upon vote of the congregation to any church of like faith and order in behalf of any member in good and regular standing.
(3) Certificate. A certificate of Christian character may be issued by the clerk upon vote of the congregation to any church of evangelical faith but differing order in behalf of any member in good and regular standing.
(4)
Erasure. The
name of any member may be erased from the church roll at his own request,
thus terminating all legal obligations as a member of
(5) Exclusion. The hand of fellowship may be withdrawn from any member after the exercise of scriptural church discipline. All membership privileges shall be immediately suspended in the case of exclusion, and all tokens of Christian fellowship with the excluded member shall immediately cease.
(6) Death. The clerk shall remove from the church roll all names of deceased members.
(7) Inactivity. Any member failing to attend at least one church service or to contribute financially to the church during any six month period shall be placed on the inactive roll by vote of the congregation. Members whose names appear on the inactive roll shall not be regarded as members in good and regular standing and shall exercise none of the privileges of membership. The pastor and deacons shall investigate to determine whether extenuating circumstances are present. If not, the member's name shall be removed automatically from the church's membership rolls at the end of one year. If so, the member may be returned to active status by vote of the congregation upon his own request.
E.
Watchcare Membership
Individuals who are temporarily
residing in the community, and who are already members of a church of like
faith and order with which they do not wish to sever membership, may be
received into watchcare membership. The
procedure for becoming a watchcare member is identical to that for
becoming a member in good and regular standing.
Watchcare members shall exercise all the privileges of membership
except that they may not vote or hold office in the church. Watchcare
membership shall terminate automatically at the end of one year.
F.
Duties of Members
Duties of members are outlined in the
church Covenant. Specifically, all persons becoming members of this church
by whatever constitutional method do voluntarily accept the following
responsibilities.
(1) Regarding their personal walk with God, members commit themselves to the faithful study of the Word of God, constancy in prayer, faithfulness in attendance in the church, and consistency in Christian living.
(2) Regarding the testimony of the church, members commit themselves to such deportment in matters of language, habits, entertainment, dress and general appearance as will enhance the testimony of the church at all times. No member of the church shall walk disorderly in immorality, dishonesty or other public scandal.
(3) Regarding the work of the church, members commit themselves to support the church through attendance, prayer, regular financial contributions, and active involvement in the ministry as the Lord provides opportunity, and to uphold the principles outlined in the Covenant, Constitution and Articles of Faith.
(4) Regarding the pastor, members commit themselves to honor, esteem and love him; to pray for him fervently and daily; to submit to him in the scriptural exercise of the authority of his office, to attend constantly upon his ministration, to manifest a tender regard for his reputation and contribute toward his support in proportion to their ability.
(5) Regarding one another, members commit themselves to cultivate and cherish brotherly love toward all other members of the church, and to demonstrate this love by using all appropriate measures to promote their spiritual prosperity.
(6) Regarding those outside of the church, members commit themselves to be exact in fulfilling obligations and performing promises, and, as opportunity and ability permit, to commend to them the Gospel of Christ.
The pastor and deacons shall constitute
a Committee of Discipline. In
the discharge of its duties, the Committee of Discipline shall use
kindness, much grace, consideration and Christian love throughout the
proceedings in every case. Any
individual under consideration of discipline shall be permitted to speak
in his own defense, both before the Committee and before the congregation.
Such defense, however, must precede the vote in which action is
taken.
(1) Suspension of Privileges. If the Disciplinary Committee is aware of conduct on the part of any member which impairs his testimony or usefulness for Christian service, but judges that the church would not be edified by learning of that conduct, the Committee shall have authority to remove that member from any office or position of service in the church. The member may appeal this decision to the congregation, in which case the Disciplinary Committee shall be required to state the reasons for its decision. The decision of the Committee shall be upheld or overruled by a simple majority of the congregation.
(2)
Private Disputes between Members.
In case a private dispute arises between two or more members of the
church, the members shall seek to resolve the dispute according to the
teaching of Matthew 18:15-17.
(3) Accusation of Sin. If any member charges that another member has violated his obligations under the New Testament or under the Covenant and Constitution of this church, such accusation shall be submitted in writing to the Committee of Discipline and signed by the accuser. The accused shall be notified of the charges by two members of the Committee. Should the Committee find the charges substantiated, the accused shall be given opportunity for repentance and restitution, whether the offended parties are individual members or the whole congregation. Refusal or failure on the part of the guilty member shall make mandatory the Committee's recommendation that the church withdraw fellowship from the offending party.
(4) Public Scandal. In the case of public scandal, the Committee of Discipline shall possess the initiative to instigate an enquiry and make a recommendation to the congregation apart from a written accusation from a specific member. In such cases, the subject of the enquiry shall be notified and permitted to offer defense both before the Committee and before the congregation.
(5) Disruption. The Committee of Discipline shall move with promptness and vigor in dealing with any member 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 no group within the church possesses the right to engage in secret or open propaganda, or deliberately to disturb the peace and interrupt the work of the church. When the church has, by regular order and proper vote, determined upon a course of action, that course shall become the duty of every member of the church. If a member cannot conscientiously follow the decision of the church, he is to withdraw quietly and peacefully from the membership of the church. In case he does not, the church shall withdraw fellowship from him upon recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee.
(6) Consequences of Exclusion. The consequences of disciplinary exclusion from fellowship shall extend exactly as far as the privileges of membership and no further. Any member under discipline shall lose the right to vote, teach, speak and hold office within the church, and all demonstrations of Christian fellowship toward him on the part of the church shall cease. The church shall not publish its decisions to discipline members, except that the pastor may respond to enquiries from sister churches of like faith and order with which the excluded member attempts to unite.
(7)
Restoration. If, after the
administration of discipline, an excluded member willingly confesses his
sin and demonstrates appropriate tokens of repentance and restitution, he
shall be restored to the fellowship of the church if he so desires.
Under such circumstances, the church shall forgive the erring
brother swiftly and completely for the sake of Christ, and he shall be
restored to all privileges as a member of the church, subject to Article
IV, section G, paragraph (1) above.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
A.
Voting
All members in good and regular
standing who are fifteen years of age or older, and are present in person,
may vote on all matters of business which are legally and properly presented
at any business meeting, except as otherwise specified in this
Constitution. Specifically,
only members who are eighteen years of age or older may vote on the calling
or dismissing of a pastor, the incurring of indebtedness in excess of
$1,000.00, or the sale or purchase of church property.
A simple majority shall be sufficient to carry all questions except
the amending of this Constitution, the calling or dismissal of a pastor or
discipline of a member, which shall require a three‑quarters
majority.
B.
Quorum
A quorum shall consist of twenty
percent of the voting membership of the church, except in the case of the
calling or dismissal of a pastor, in which case a quorum shall consist of
fifty percent of the voting membership of the church.
No business may be transacted in the absence of a quorum.
C.
Regular Meetings
The church shall hold a regular
business meeting following the Sunday evening service on the third Sunday
of each month.
D.
Special Meetings
Special business meetings may be called
by the pastor or by a simple majority of the deacons.
No notice shall be necessary except in the case of the call or
dismissing of a pastor, the incurring of indebtedness in excess of
$1,000.00, the sale or purchase of property, or questions relating to
fellowship with other churches or groups.
In such cases, notice shall be given to the congregation from the
pulpit on the two Sunday mornings preceding the meeting.
In the case of meetings called to discuss the counseling or
discipline of a member, eligible voting members shall be notified of the
meeting by mail during the week preceding the meeting, but no public
announcement shall be made.
E.
Annual Meeting
The church's fiscal year shall end on
the last day of December. An
annual meeting shall be held following the Sunday evening service on the
third Sunday of January for the election of officers and committees,
adoption of the annual budget, receiving of reports from all
organizations, and transaction of other business.
F.
Decorum and Order
Decorum shall be maintained in all
business meetings in accordance with the principles of the New Testament,
this Constitution and Robert's Rules
of Order. The chair shall
immediately adjourn any meeting upon any display of unruliness.
G.
Congregational Authority
All authority not specifically
delegated elsewhere in this Constitution shall be retained by the
congregation. In disputed
cases, a simple majority vote shall be sufficient to establish the rule.
H.
Rescheduling
Any regular or special business meeting
may be canceled or rescheduled by agreement of the pastor and deacons.
THE PASTOR
A.
Call
(1) Presentation. As often as it becomes necessary to call a pastor, the pulpit committee will contact, hear (if possible), investigate and interview a minister of good report and Baptist convictions. All potential candidates shall be given a copy of the church's Covenant, Constitution and Articles of Faith, and shall indicate in writing their complete, unequivocal acceptance of the Covenant and Constitution and agreement with the Articles of Faith. If all members of the pulpit committee agree that the potential candidate meets the scriptural qualifications of a bishop (1 Tim. 3:1‑7; Titus 1:7‑9), and that the calling of the prospective candidate would be in the best interests of the church, they may present him as a candidate to the church. The pulpit committee shall present only one candidate to the church at a time.
(2) Candidacy. Before any minister may be called as pastor of the church, he shall preach and teach for the adult congregation for its regular Sunday services. If possible, the candidate shall remain in the community for at least two or three days in order that the members might have opportunity to become better acquainted with him. During his candidacy, the candidate and the members of his household shall be hosted at a dinner to which the entire church is invited. During the candidacy, the congregation shall be given opportunity to question the candidate over his Christian experience, call to the ministry, doctrinal convictions and philosophy of ministry.
(3) Meeting and Voting. After a minister has candidated for the position of pastor, the pulpit committee shall schedule a business meeting of the congregation following a Sunday morning service to vote upon the candidate. This meeting shall be announced from the pulpit on at least two separate Sundays, and the voting members of the congregation shall be notified by mail. No discussion of any sort shall be permitted during this meeting; the eligible members of the church shall simply vote on the recommendation of the pulpit committee to call the candidate. A three‑quarters majority of the members present and voting shall be necessary to call a pastor. The candidate shall be notified of the results of the vote immediately after the meeting.
(4)
Moving Expenses. The church
shall bear all expenses for moving a new pastor and his household to the
community.
B. Term of Office
The pastor shall be elected for no
specified term. The pastor's
term shall end when terminated either by the pastor or the church
according to the provisions of this Constitution.
C.
Duties
(1) Church Duties. The pastor shall be a member of this church. He shall devote himself to prayer, preaching of the Word of God, administering the ordinances of the church, and care of the spiritual needs of the congregation. He or his appointee shall act as moderator in all church business meetings, deacons' meetings and trustees' meetings. He shall be the ex officio chairman of all church organizations and committees. He shall have access to all keys, books and records of the church, its organizations and committees.
(2) Conferences. The church regards it as the pastor's duty to improve himself in ministry, and recognizes that his duties may include ministry to other congregations. Therefore, the pastor shall have two weeks each year to preach or attend special services, conferences, courses of study, or other meetings connected with his ministry. The church shall bear the expense of sending the pastor to one conference annually.
D.
Compensation
(1) Salary and Benefits. The pastor's salary and benefits shall be reviewed by the deacons at least once each year, and a recommendation presented to the congregation. The pastor's salary and benefits for the coming year shall be determined prior to the first of the year.
(2)
Vacation. The pastor shall
be entitled to no less than two weeks of vacation with pay annually after
a full year of ministry within this church.
If he has served five years in vocational Christian ministry, he
shall be entitled to no less than three weeks.
If he has served ten years in vocational Christian ministry, he
shall be entitled to no less than four weeks.
If additional time away from the field becomes necessary, it shall
be arranged between the pastor and the deacons.
E. Pastoral Staff
While this church recognizes that one
pastor is sufficient to meet the requirements of the New Testament, it
also realizes that additional pastors may benefit the ministry of the
church. If the church wishes
to call additional pastoral staff members, they shall be regarded as full
pastor‑bishop‑elders within this congregation, and shall enjoy
the appropriate degree of respect and honor.
(1) Call. The method for calling additional pastoral staff members shall be identical to that for calling a pastor, except that the pastor shall sit as a member of the pulpit committee. No candidate for a pastoral staff position may be presented without the pastor's recommendation.
(2)
Term of Office. Pastoral
staff members shall be elected for no specified term.
Their terms shall end when terminated either by themselves or the
church according to the provisions of this Constitution.
(3)
Duties.
The duties and sphere of activities of pastoral staff members
shall be defined by agreement between the individual staff member and the
pastor of the church. All
pastoral staff members shall be members of this church.
(4)
Authority. While all
pastoral staff members shall be recognized as
pastor‑bishop‑elders within the church, the church shall
always recognize that one pastor must take general oversight of the whole
ministry. When the church
begins to add pastoral staff members, the pastor of the church shall be
known as the Senior Pastor, and all other pastoral staff members shall be
directly accountable to him. Other
pastoral staff members may be ranked (in ascending order) as Assistant
Pastor, Associate Pastor or Co-Pastor, depending upon their effectiveness
in ministry and length of service. In
the absence of the Senior Pastor, the next highest ranking pastoral staff
member shall assume his duties.
(5) Termination. Members of the pastoral staff shall be subject to termination in the same ways as the pastor of the church. The Senior Pastor shall not possess authority to dismiss any member of the pastoral staff apart from action of the congregation.
F. Termination of Pastorate
(1)
Resignation. The pastor shall
present the church with notice in writing of his intention to resign not
less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before he vacates the pastorate.
This time may be shortened or lengthened by agreement between the
pastor and the church.
(2)
Vote of Confidence. If members of
the congregation believe that the pastor has disqualified himself from the
pastorate of this church, a special meeting may be called by a
three‑quarters vote of the deacons, or by at least ten voting
members representing at least five families, for the purpose of taking a
vote of confidence. Notice of
such a meeting shall be given from the pulpit on two successive Sundays
immediately preceding the vote. After
the first announcement, a written statement detailing the charges against
the pastor and the evidence in support of those charges shall be sent by
mail to all members of the congregation of voting age.
The members will be responsible for investigating the charges and
determining their legitimacy. Any
voting member may request a hearing at which those presenting the
charges shall have opportunity to substantiate the charges, and the pastor
shall have opportunity to respond. In
case such a hearing is held, the meeting for a vote of confidence may not
be held on the same day. No
discussion of any sort shall be permitted during the meeting at which the
vote of confidence is taken; the eligible members shall simply vote on
the question, "Shall the pastor be dismissed?"
A three‑quarters majority of members present and voting shall
be necessary to dismiss the pastor.
If the vote carries, the pastor shall be given no less than 30 days
to conclude his pastoral ministry, except in cases of false teaching,
immorality or public scandal, in which cases the pastor shall be granted
30 days' pay but shall immediately be barred from all functions of the
pastoral office.
ARTICLE
VII
OFFICERS
A. Deacons
(1)
Number. The deacons
shall number not less than three (3) men.
A deacon shall be added for each 50 members after the total
membership of the church has reached 100.
(2)
Qualifications. All
deacons of this church shall meet the qualifications prescribed in the
New Testament (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 3:8‑13).
They shall indicate in writing their complete, unequivocal
acceptance of the church's Constitution and Covenant, and their agreement
with its Articles of Faith.
(3)
Term of Office. After
the first election, all deacons shall be elected to terms of three (3)
years. At the first election, one deacon shall be elected for one year,
one for two years, and one for three years.
Deacons shall take office on the first Sunday of February.
(4)
Election.
Deacons shall be placed in nomination by the nominating
committee, or by members of the congregation in accordance with the
provisions of this Constitution. The
election of deacons shall take place at the church's annual meeting.
In order to be elected as a deacon, the nominee must receive at
least a majority of the votes cast. If
any nominee fails to receive a majority, the vote shall be repeated until
one deacon is elected.
(5)
Duties.
The duties of the deacons shall be to counsel, cooperate with
and assist the pastor and to minister to the spiritual life of the
congregation. Specifically,
they shall interview all applicants for membership; prepare the Lord's
Table; assist candidates for baptism; supervise the visitation of the
members; take note of the needs of the sick, the needy, the widows and the
fatherless. They shall
maintain a benevolent fund for the relief of the needy, to be used at
their discretion. They shall
determine for what purposes other than regular religious and social
gatherings of the church the premises may be used.
The deacons shall appoint a Sunday School Director, a Head Usher
and such other volunteer administrators as become necessary from time to
time. They shall offer counsel
to the congregation in matters pertaining to its financial and social
welfare. They may authorize
such pecuniary obligations against the congregation as they deem wise,
providing that such obligations shall not exceed $250.00.
Amounts exceeding this figure shall be authorized by the
congregation. The deacons
shall present a report of their activities at the church's annual
meetings.
(6)
Organization. At the first
regular meeting following the annual election, the deacons shall elect
from their number a chairman and a secretary.
The chairman shall moderate the meetings in the absence of a
pastor, shall consult with the pastor in planning the agenda for all
regular meetings, and shall inform the pastor of the need for specially
called meetings. The secretary
shall keep a permanent record of all meetings and shall furnish a copy of
the minutes of each meeting to the chairman and the pastor.
(7)
Meetings. Regular meetings
of the deacons shall be held each month.
Special meetings may be called by the pastor, or by the chairman of
the deacons in the absence of a pastor, or by a majority of the deacons in
the absence of a pastor and chairman.
If any deacon shall absent himself from three (3) consecutive
regular meetings without valid reason, his office may be declared vacant
by the church upon recommendation of the deacons.
(8)
Vacancies. Vacancies among
the deacons which occur during a term of office shall be filled by an
appointee of the deacons until the next annual election.
At the next annual election, a deacon shall be chosen by the
congregation to fill the unexpired term.
(9)
Sabbatical. No deacon having served two consecutive terms or six
consecutive years shall be eligible to serve as a deacon without a
one‑year interval.
(10) Deaconesses.
The wives of all married deacons shall serve as deaconesses.
Their duties shall consist of helping to prepare the communion
table, assisting female candidates for baptism, and serving in other areas
of need as determined by the pastor and deacons.
B. Trustees
(1)
Election and Number. The trustees shall consist of a minimum of three active deacons.
They shall be selected by the deacons during their annual
organizational meeting. The
chairman of the trustees shall be appointed by the deacons.
The choice of trustees shall be ratified by the church within sixty
days after the annual election of officers.
(2)
Duties. It shall be the
duty of the trustees, in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas,
to hold in trust and to exercise supervision and maintenance care over all
the properties of the church. Neither
they nor the deacons shall sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber the real
estate or other property of this church except with the consent of a
majority of the members present and voting at any regular or special
business meeting of the church. The
trustees shall have discretion to employ and supervise custodians to care
for the church's facilities, and they shall specify the duties of all
custodial personnel. The
trustees shall make provision for all needed supplies and repairs,
recommending to the deacons such improvements to the facilities as they
deem wise.
C.
Annual Officers
(1) Offices. The annual officers of this church shall include a general treasurer, a missions treasurer, a clerk, and a financial secretary. No individual may hold more than two of these offices at one time, or more than one of these offices if he is also a deacon.
(2)
Qualifications. All
officers of this church shall be members in good and regular standing
within the congregation. They
shall indicate in writing their complete, unequivocal acceptance of the
church's Constitution and Covenant, and their agreement with its Articles
of Faith.
(3)
Election. All
annual officers of the church shall be placed in nomination by the
nominating committee or by members of the congregation in accordance with
the provisions of this Constitution. The
election of annual officers shall take place at the church's annual
meeting. In order to be
elected as an officer, the nominee must receive at least a majority of the
votes cast. If any nominee
fails to receive a majority, the vote shall be repeated until an officer
is elected.
(4) Term of Office and Vacancies. All officers of the church shall assume their offices on the first Sunday of February. Terms of annual officers shall be limited to one year. In case a vacancy should occur during a term of office, the deacons shall appoint an individual to fill the unexpired term.
(5)
General treasurer. The general treasurer shall be the custodian of all monies belonging to
the church, except missionary funds. He
shall, without special vote or authority, pay out of the church funds
available for the purpose all budgeted items, and shall pay other bills
only after they have been approved by the deacons.
He shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements and shall
present both monthly and annual financial reports.
He shall transfer to the missionary account a proportion of the
general fund offerings to be established by vote of the congregation.
Checks written by the general treasurer must be countersigned by
one other designated member of the congregation.
All monies received shall be counted both by the treasurer and by
the financial secretary.
(6)
Financial secretary. The financial secretary shall keep a record of the names and offerings
of individual donors to the church, and see that each member is supplied
with offering envelopes. He
shall furnish each member with a statement of his individual giving on a
semi-annual basis. He shall
count all offerings with the treasurer, and shall make all deposits and
keep an accurate and permanent record thereof.
(7)
Missions Treasurer. The missions treasurer shall be the custodian of all monies in the
missions account, which is to be maintained separately from the church's
general treasury. He shall,
without special vote or authority, pay out of missions funds all regularly
adopted obligations, but shall disburse other monies only after approval
by the deacons. He shall keep
a record of all receipts and disbursements and shall present monthly and
annual financial reports. Checks
written by the missions treasurer must be countersigned by one other
designated member of the congregation.
(8)
Clerk. The
clerk shall maintain an accurate and permanent record of proceedings of
all regular and special business meetings, keep a registry of the
membership, issue letters of dismission and certificates of Christian
character upon vote of the congregation, be responsible for the records of
the church, and attend to correspondence and other duties as prescribed by
the congregation. The clerk
shall present a membership report at each annual meeting of the church.
ARTICLE
VIII
COMMITTEES
A.
Qualifications of Members
All members of all church committees must be members in good and regular standing of Faith Independent Baptist Church.
B. Standing Committees.
The standing committees of this church shall include the nominating committee, the budget committee, the missions committee, the committee of discipline, the auditing committee, and the pulpit committee.
(1) Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall consist of the pastor and members of the pastoral staff together with all deacons whose terms are not expiring. This committee shall seek counsel from the congregation through an advisory ballot prior to the annual election. It shall carefully consider the individuals whose names are suggested, evaluating their eligibility and qualifications for the offices under consideration. It shall secure the consent of appropriate nominees, and shall prepare an official ballot to be posted in a conspicuous place within the church's building at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting. The posting of this ballot does not preclude nominations from the floor at the annual meeting.
(2) Budget Committee. The budget committee shall consist of the pastor, the general treasurer, the missions treasurer, the financial secretary and three deacons to be chosen by the deacons. This committee shall prepare and recommend to the congregation an annual budget, copies of which shall be distributed to the church at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.
(3)
Missions Committee. The missions committee shall consist of the pastor, the missions
treasurer; one deacon to be chosen by the deacons, a representative from
the women's fellowship to be elected by that fellowship, and a member at
large to be elected in the annual meeting.
This committee shall recommend mission projects, including
missionaries and agencies, for support by the church.
This committee shall also assist with the arrangements for mission
conferences (e.g. selection of speakers, honorariums, etc.).
It shall be the duty of the member at large to maintain the closest
possible contact with all supported missionaries, agencies, and projects,
and to apprise the congregation frequently of the progress and needs of
the church’s missions outreach.
(4) Committee of Discipline. The pastor and deacons shall act as a committee of discipline, the duties of which are outlined under Article IV, Section G.
(5)
Auditing Committee. The auditing committee shall be appointed by the deacons after the
annual meeting each year. It
shall consist of three members who shall examine periodically the records
of the general treasurer, missions treasurer, treasurers of all auxiliary
organizations, the church clerk, and those portions of the financial
secretary's records which do not pertain to individual giving.
It shall report its findings at the annual meeting, and may
recommend at its discretion an outside firm for an audit in whole or in
part of any and all records, such audit to be authorized by vote of the
congregation.
(6) Pulpit Committee. The pulpit committee shall consist of the deacons, advised by members of the pastoral staff. It shall care for the supply of the pulpit in the absence of a pastor or during any illness of the pastor, and shall recommend to the church such candidates as are suitable to fill pastoral positions. The procedure to be followed by the pulpit committee is outlined in Article VI. The pastor shall seek counsel from the pulpit committee in the selection of guest speakers for the church.
C. Special Committees
The pastor and deacons may appoint
special committees from time to time as they deem necessary to advance the
work of the church. All
actions of all committees are subject to review by the congregation.
ARTICLE
IX
FINANCES
A. Receipts
Voluntary tithes, offerings and
contributions shall be the only method of receiving money by the church or
any auxiliary organization. No
entertainments, suppers, bazaars, rummage sales or similar activities
shall be sponsored by the church or any auxiliary organization for any
fund-raising purpose whatever.
B. Special Offerings
With the approval of the pastor and
deacons, special offerings may be received apart from those taken at
regular services.
C. Designated Giving
All funds not otherwise designated
shall be placed in the general treasury of the church.
Neither the general treasurer nor the missions treasurer shall be
authorized to accept funds designated to any individual or project that
has not been approved by vote of the congregation.
ARTICLE
X
STAFF
Non-pastoral staff members (such as
secretaries and custodians) may be employed as necessary by the trustees.
Salary and other conditions of employment shall be specified at the
time of employment and shall be approved by the congregation.
Any alteration in these conditions shall also be approved by the
congregation. All church staff
employees other than pastoral staff members shall be directly accountable
to the chairman of the trustees for the performance of their duties.
All staff persons, full or part time, shall be in agreement with
the church's Covenant, Constitution and Articles of Faith.
ARTICLE
XI
AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
A.
Authorization
Members of Faith Independent Baptist
Church may form auxiliary organizations within the church from time to
time when such organizations are deemed helpful to advance the church's
ministry as defined in the Mission Statement (Article II).
Authorization to form such auxiliary organizations shall be secured
from the pastor and deacons.
B.
Accountability
All organizations, departments, classes
and groups shall be recognized as subservient parts of the church and
shall in no case be considered as separate from the church or operating
apart from the church. Each
auxiliary organization bears the responsibility of exercising care not to
detract from or divide the church body.
Each auxiliary organization is always accountable to the
congregation, and may be modified or abolished by vote of the church.
C.
Bylaws
If an auxiliary organization seeks
funding from the treasury of the church, or if it establishes a separate
treasury for the maintenance of its own work, it shall first present in
writing a plan of organization or set of bylaws for approval by the
congregation. This plan will
be subject to modification by the congregation at any time.
D.
Officers
All officers within auxiliary
organizations must be members in good and regular standing of Faith
Independent Baptist Church, who are in agreement with the Covenant,
Constitution and Articles of Faith of the church.
ARTICLE
XII
MISSIONS
Faith Independent Baptist Church will
propose to support Baptist missionaries and missions agencies engaged
principally in the work of evangelism and church planting, or in such
subsidiary ministry as contributed to this work.
This church will have a Missions Committee, as outlined under
Article VIII, Committees. The
Missions Committee will follow the guidelines set forth in the Missions
Policy of this church.
ARTICLE
XIII
THE ORDINANCES
A.
Baptism
Those professing faith in Jesus Christ
as personal Savior shall, upon authorization of the church, be immersed in
water by the pastor or some other person appointed by the church.
Immersion as a believer shall be prerequisite to church membership.
B.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper (Communion) shall be
served to the assembled church by the pastor, or by some other person
appointed by the church, assisted by the deacons.
The Lord's Supper shall normally be observed no less than
quarterly, with the scheduling to be left at the discretion of the pastor
and deacons. Since it is the
Lord's Table, none who are His shall be barred, but the pastor shall
frequently state the scriptural order which places baptism as a
prerequisite to communion, and shall explain the meaning of the ordinance.
The pastor shall frequently read the church Covenant during the
Lord's Supper services, with the congregation standing.
ARTICLE
XIV
USE OF THE FACILITIES
A.
Regular Policy
Use of the church's building and
grounds by outside organizations or for other than regularly scheduled
meetings shall first have the approval of the pastor and trustees.
All gatherings off the church property held in the name of the
church shall first have the approval of the pastor and deacons.
B.
Fund Raising
The church's property shall never be
used by any organization, whether inside or outside of the congregation,
for the purpose of raising monies.
C.
Guest Speakers
No pastor or pulpit orator will be
permitted to preach in the church who fails to confess clearly the
fundamentals of the faith once delivered unto the saints.
All visiting speakers for the church and for all auxiliary
organizations must have the approval of the pastor, advised by the
deacons.
D.
Purchase of Literature
No purchasing of Christian literature,
recordings or other products is to take place within the church's
auditorium. Some other area of
the church's facilities may be set aside for this use.
ARTICLE
XV
LICENSING AND ORDINATION
A.
Licensing
(1) Eligibility. Only adult males within the church's membership shall be eligible to be licensed to the gospel ministry.
(2)
Procedure. If
an adult male of the church's membership believes that he is called to the
ministry and wishes to be licensed, he shall make his desire known to the
deacons. The deacons shall
hear him preach, and shall examine him concerning his Christian
experience, biblical qualifications, doctrine and call to the ministry.
If his testimony, ministry and doctrine are in keeping with the
gospel ministry, the deacons shall recommend him to the church for a
license, which shall be granted by vote of the congregation.
(3) Authority and Accountability. The granting of a license shall authorize the licensee to perform all functions of gospel ministry under the authority of this church; it shall not, however, make him a member of the church's pastoral staff. The licensee shall at all times be accountable to the congregation through its pastor for the exercise of his ministry, and the license may be suspended or revoked at any time by vote of the congregation.
(4)
Duration of License. Any license granted by the church shall be valid for one year from the
date of issuance. It may be
renewed by the pastor and deacons. Any
license shall become void immediately if the minister removes his
membership from this congregation.
B.
Ordination
(1)
Eligibility. The
church shall consider no man for ordination who has exercised the
functions of ministry within the congregation for less than six months.
All candidates for ordination shall be adult males in good and
regular standing within the membership of this church.
They shall be in unequivocal agreement with its Covenant,
Constitution and Articles of Faith. They
shall conform visibly to the qualifications for a bishop as set forth in
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6‑9.
(2) Preliminary Action. If a licensed minister within the congregation wishes to pursue ordination, he shall make his desire known to the pastor and deacons. If the pastor and deacons are in agreement, they shall recommend to the congregation that a council be called. The calling of any council must be approved by vote of the church.
(3) Ordination Council. Before any man is considered for ordination by this church, he shall be examined by a council of messengers (both pastors and brethren) from churches of like faith and order which bear the Baptist name. The church shall call for such a council, select appropriate churches, and invite each church to send the pastor and two brethren as m