(G) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the Church membership, all contact with him from that point forward must be for the sake of restoration. The breaking of fellowship is for restoration, not retaliation. Family members not associated with the offense or participants in refusal of restoration are not to be held accountable (Matt. 18:17; I Cor. 5:11; II Thess. 3:14-15).

(H) A restoration to membership after disciplinary removal will be subject to the requirements set forth by the Pastor and/or Discipline Committee.

 

SECTION 5 - TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP:

Members, not under the disciplining process of Section 4, may request that letters of transfer be sent to another Church.

 

SECTION 6 - TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:

(A) The membership of any individual member shall be automatically terminated if the member in question has not attended a regular worship service of the Church in the preceding six months. Upon good cause being shown to the Pastor and the Deacons, this provision for termination may be waived in the case of any individual member according to the discretion of the Pastor and the Deacons. 

 

(B) No member of this Church may hold membership in another Church. If any member unites in membership with another Church, that person is automatically removed from the membership of this Church, without notice.

 

(C) A member may resign at any time, but no letter of transfer or written statement of good standing will be issued upon such resignation, except at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons after review of the matter. 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

  

SECTION 1 - CHURCH OFFICERS:

The Church officers are Pastor (see Article V, Section 1) and Deacon (see Article V, Section 2). The respective duties of each Deacon are directed by the Pastor pertaining to ministry. 

 

SECTION 2 - DESIGNATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS:

As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the Church, the Pastor shall serve as president of the corporation. The Pastor and Deacons shall choose from among the Deacons, a secretary of the corporation, a treasurer of the corporation, and the Deacons shall also elect a chairman who will serve as Vice President of the corporation. The Pastor and Deacons shall delegate the position of Church clerk to a qualifying member who shall maintain business records according to Article V Section 2 (D-4).

 

SECTION 3 - ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUANCE IN CORPORATE OFFICE: 

(A) The Church shall not install or retain a corporate officer who fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith. All corporate officers shall affirm their agreement with the Statement of Faith (as set forth in Article II) annually in the presence of each other with a signed statement. 

 

(B) All corporate officers must be approved initially and thereafter annually by the Pastor in order for them to commence or continue in their offices.

 

(C) Only Church members in good standing are eligible for approval or appointment to any corporate office or position. 

 

SECTION 4 - TERMS OF OFFICE:

The length of terms of office shall be as follows: 

 

(A) The relationship between the Pastor and the Church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the giving of a month’s notice, or less by mutual consent. The severance of the relationship between the Pastor and the Church may be considered at any regular Church business meeting, provided notice to that effect shall have been given from the pulpit to the Church two Sundays prior to said regular Church business meeting. A three-fourths majority of the members present and eligible to participate shall be allowed to approve or disapprove the matter. Disciplinary removal of the Pastor from office automatically terminates his membership.

 

(B) The term of service for all corporate offices and positions in the Church, except the Pastor, shall be one year, at the expiration of which they may be removed or re-appointed. 

 

 

SECTION 5 – ANNUAL APPROVAL OF CORPORATE OFFICERS:

The annual approval of corporate officers by the Church membership shall occur during the month of March at the annual Church administration meeting. 

 

 

SECTION 6 - PASTORAL OVERSIGHT OF CHURCH STAFF:

(A) Subject to the approval of the Church membership and on the condition that they shall become a member of the Church upon assuming their duties, the Pastor may hire associates and assistants, to assist the Pastor in carrying out his God-given responsibilities.

 

(B) All Church staff, whether paid or volunteer, shall be under the supervision of the Pastor who has the sole authority to hire, appoint, or dismiss the same. No employee or volunteer shall be hired, appointed, or retained who fails to adhere to or expresses disagreement with the Statement of Faith. The Pastor shall be actively involved as a member of every committee.

 

(C) The Pastor shall serve as the president of the corporation. He shall appoint the members of the various committees at the annual Church administration meeting. He shall publicly inform all newly-elected officers of the particular function and the responsibilities of their respective offices. He shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the Church and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a position. The Pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him according and consistent with the Holy Scriptures.

 

 

ARTICLE V

QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

SECTION 1 - THE PASTOR:

(A) The Pastor will be required to meet Biblical requirements of the New Testament Church office given in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

 

(B) The Pastor shall preach the Gospel regularly and shall be at liberty to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God as the Lord leads him. He shall administer the ordinances of the Church, act as moderator at all Church meetings for the transaction of Church matters, supervise the teaching ministries of the Church, and tenderly watch over the spiritual interests of the membership.

 

(C) The Pastor shall serve as the president of the corporation. He shall appoint the members of the various committees at the annual Church administration meeting. He shall publicly inform all newly-elected officers of the particular function and the responsibilities of their respective offices. He shall extend the right hand of fellowship to all new members on behalf of the Church and perform such other duties as generally appertain to such a position. The Pastor shall be free to choose the means and methods by which he exercises the ministry that God has given him according and consistent with the Holy Scriptures.

 

SECTION 2 - THE DEACONS:

(A) All Deacons are required to meet the Biblical requirements of the New Testament Church office as given in Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3: 8-13. 

 

(B) The Deacons shall assist the Pastor, in such manner as he shall request, in promoting the spiritual welfare of the Church, in conducting the religious services, and in performing all other work of the Church. They shall make provision for the observance of the ordinances of the Church. They shall, if requested by the Pastor, consider applications for Church membership. They shall, in cooperation with the Pastor, disburse the benevolence fund. They shall assist the Pastor in visitation and all other evangelistic efforts of the Church. They shall provide the pulpit supply and act as leaders for Church meetings if the office of Pastor is vacant. The Deacons shall assist the Pastor in caring for the administrative needs of the Church’s various ministries as requested by the Pastor.

 

(C) Prior to the annual Church administration business meeting, the Deacons shall assemble and elect, from their own number, a chairman, who shall be vice president of the corporation, a treasurer and a secretary, who shall assume the designated responsibilities assigned to each position.

 

(D) The Deacons shall constitute the board of trustees of the corporation. The board of trustees upon authorization by an approval of the members present at a duly called annual Church administrative business meeting, shall exercise only the following specific powers:

 

(1) To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on behalf of the Church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the Church;

 

(2) To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the Church, to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and the use of the Church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the Church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure repayment by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges. (This is in accordance to the approval of the Church body by majority vote and in keeping with the principles of Church leadership as specified within this context.)

 

(3) To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the Church Corporation, if such action is mandated by a vote of the Church membership.

 

SECTION 3 – CHURCH CLERK:

The Church clerk shall oversee the recording and preservation of all Church business meetings. 

 

SECTION 4 – CHURCH TREASURER:

(A) The Treasurer shall account for all funds contributed to the Church. He will be responsible for the handling of the contributions, and the counting and depositing of the same.

 

(B) The Treasurer shall implement and maintain the policies, procedures and personnel as set forth in the Church Finance Manual as approved by the Pastor and Deacons.

 

(C) The Treasurer shall regularly review the financial reports and accountings.

 

(D) The Treasurer shall provide a financial report for the previous fiscal year at the annual Church administration meeting.

 

SECTION 5 - DISMISSAL OF CORPORATE OFFICERS:

Any officer who neglects his duties as outlined in the constitution for a period of three months may be removed from his office at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons, and another may be appointed by the Pastor to serve the unexpired term. 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

 

SECTION 1 - MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP: 

Unless otherwise determined by the Pastor, the Church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed at the Pastor’s discretion through out the year. 

 

SECTION 2 - ANNUAL CHURCH ADMINISTRATION MEETING:

An annual administration meeting of the Church shall be held in March at a Sunday evening Worship Service. The previous year’s annual ministry and financial report and the proposed budget, administration, ministry and business are presented for review and approval.

 

SECTION 3 - SPECIAL MEETINGS:

(A) The Pastor may call a special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called to the Church from the pulpit at least one Sunday, and not less than one week prior to said meeting. A special meeting may be called by the Deacons in the event the office of the Pastor is vacant, or the Pastor is the subject of possible disciplinary action.

 

(B) A meeting for election of a Pastor may be called by the pulpit committee at any regular Church service with two weeks advanced notification.

 

(C) Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the Pastor deems beneficial.

 

 

SECTION 4 - VOTING:

(A) The system of voting shall be open public response by majority show of hands in approval or disapproval of any proposal and voicing of the Scriptural endorsement of “Amen”.

 

(B) Prior to a business meeting, eligible members of the congregation may present questions or suggestions of business matters to the Deacons for consideration. After review, the Pastor and Deacons may, at their discretion, make a recommendation to the Church. The Church approves or disapproves.

 

(C) A quorum must consist of at least one-third of the Church members in regular attendance, and all votes must be calculated by the majority of eligible voters.

 

(D) Eligible voters are represented by those 18 years and older who regularly attend, and faithfully and consistently manifest the beliefs of Faith Baptist Church. 

 

(E) No voting action or recommendation of action can take place outside of the context of Pastor, Deacon and the Church body. No secret meetings shall be held. No vote can be considered outside of this pre-approved method of practice.

 

(F) The authority to act as representatives of the Church body is granted by the vote of approval to office by the Church. The authority to carry out the actions of the respective offices is therefore given in accordance to the by-laws, Church Constitution and Articles of Faith.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

 

SECTION 1 - PURPOSE:

The Church believes that it is to provide the members’ children with an education, which is based upon and consistent with Biblical teachings. The Church believes that the home and Church are responsible before God for providing a Christian education. To this end, the Church shall engage in ministries in education in keeping with the following dictates:

 

SECTION 2 - CHURCH PARTICIPATION:

All educational programs or courses of instruction formulated and offered by the Church shall be primarily for the benefit of the members of the Church; however, the Pastor may permit non-Church members to participate in Church educational programs or courses of instruction if he deems it in the best interest of the Church. 

 

SECTION 3 - STAFF MEMBERSHIP:

All instructors, teachers, and administrators shall be members of this Church in good standing. This provision shall not apply to visiting missionaries, evangelist, or preachers, engaged for the purpose of delivering sermons, conducting revivals, or other special meetings on a temporary basis complying with Church authority.

 

SECTION 4 - STATEMENT OF FAITH ACCORD:

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be taught and presented in full accord with the Statement of Faith of the Church.

 

SECTION 5 - UNITY:

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted as an integral and inseparable ministry of the Church.

 

SECTION 6 - TEACHING:

All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. Any assertion or belief, which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and distortion of the truth, which will be disclaimed as false. It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole, infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.

 

SECTION 7 - CHRISTIAN WALK:

All administrators, instructors, and teachers shall continue or adopt a life-style consistent with the precepts which they teach, whether in or out of the classroom. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

EXPENDITURES

 

SECTION 1 – AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES

(A) The Church authorizes the Pastor to make purchases beyond those that are either designated, pre-approved or recurring, on behalf of the Church, of up to a pre-approved amount without additional approval and up to a second pre-approved amount with the approval of the majority of serving Deacons and/or trustees. Purchases in excess of the second pre-approved amount must be presented to the Church in a regular business meeting for the approval of the Church. The first and second pre-approved amounts will be approved by the Church membership at the annual administrative business meeting.

 

SECTION 2 - FISCAL YEAR:

The fiscal year of the Church shall begin January 1^st and end December 31^st. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

ORDINATION

 

SECTION 1 - ORDINATION QUALIFICATIONS:

(A) Pastors

Any member of this Church or its mission Churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel.

 

(B) Deacons

Any member of this Church or its mission Churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry and possesses the qualifications stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-12, may be ordained to the office of a Deacon.

 

 

SECTION 2 - ORDINATION PROCEDURE: 

(A) Pastors Ordination Procedure

Upon a conference with the Pastor, and after the Pastor has approved the candidate for ordination, the Pastor shall call a council to examine and pass on the qualification of the candidate. The ordination council shall consist of ordained ministers of like faith and/or Deacons invited to participate in the examination of the candidate.

 

If the candidate is found worthy of the ordination by the council, the ordination council shall inform the Church of its decision and, upon the approval of the Church, shall ordain the candidate on behalf of the Church.

 

(B) Deacon Ordination Procedure

Upon a conference with the Pastor and after the Pastor and the Church approves the candidate for ordination, the Pastor shall appoint the Deacons and Pastoral staff for the purpose of ordaining the candidate to office.

 

 

SECTION 3 - COMMISSIONING PROCEDURE:

(A) The commissioning of ordained ministers from the membership displaying a particular calling upon their ministry is provided for the purpose of duly empowering said representative with the authority and support of the Church.

 

(B) The commissioning is an official recognition of said missionary, evangelist or Pastor as an outreach ministry of Faith Baptist Church under the same obligations of any other acting agent of said ministry.

 

(C) The Commissioning Service unites the Church family and the minister’s family in union of purpose and commitment, entitling the ministering family to rights and privileges afforded the members and officers of said Church. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

TAX-EXEMPT PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 1 - PRIVATE INUREMENT:

No part of the net earnings of the Church shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Church shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for the services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section 2 hereof.

 

SECTION 2 - DISSOLUTION:

Upon the dissolution of the Church, the Trustees shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all the liabilities of the Church, dispose of all of the assets of the Church to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Trustees shall determine. Assets may be distributed only to organizations, which agree with the Church’s Statement of Faith. 

 

SECTION 3 - RACIAL NONDISCRIMINATION:

The Church shall have a racially nondiscriminatory policy and therefore shall not discriminate against members, applicants, students, and others on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

SECTION 1 - ACTIONS SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION:

The Church shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, including all appeals (other than an action by or in the right of the Church) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a Pastor, Deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the Church, against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding; and if that person acted in good faith and in manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Church and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or on a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Church and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

 

SECTION 2 - EXPENSES SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION:

To the extent that a Pastor, Deacon, officer, employee, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action suit, or proceeding referred to in this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in that action, suit, or proceeding he or she may be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or any, in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding.

 

SECTION 3 - LIMITATIONS OF INDEMNIFICATION:

Any indemnification made under this Article, may be made by the Church only as authorized in the specific case on a determination that indemnification of the Pastor, Deacon, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article. The determination shall be made (a) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of the Pastor and Deacons who were not and are not parties to or threatened with the action, suit or proceeding; (b) if the described quorum is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Deacons so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or (c) by a majority vote of the members of the Church.

 

SECTION 4 -TIMING OF INDEMNIFICATION:

Expenses of each person seeking indemnification under this Article may be paid by the Church as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the Deacons in the specific case, on receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Pastor, Deacon, officer, employee, or agent to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not qualified to be indemnified by the Church.

 

SECTION 5 - EXTENT OF INDEMNIFICATION:

The indemnification provided by this Article shall be deemed to be discretionary unless otherwise required as a matter of law or under any agreement or provided by insurance purchased by the Church, both as to action of each person seeking indemnification under this Article in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding that office, and any continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Pastor, Deacon, officer, employee, or agent and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of that person.

 

SECTION 6 - INSURANCE:

The Church may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Pastor, Deacon, officer, employee, or agent of the Church against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in that capacity, or arising out of his status in that capacity, whether or not the Church would have the power to indemnify him against liability under the provisions of this Article.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS

  

From time to time the Church, in the exercise of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes, may establish various funds to accomplish specific goals. Contributors may suggest uses for their contributions but all suggestions shall be deemed advisory rather than mandatory in nature. All contributions made to specific funds or otherwise designated shall remain subject to the exclusive control and discretion of the Pastor and the Deacons. No fiduciary obligation shall be created by any designated contribution made to the Church other than to use the contribution for the general furtherance of any of the purposes stated in Article I, Section 2.