BYLAWS
First Baptist Church
Anderson, South Carolina=
ARTICLE I
Name and Incorporatio=
n
SECTION 1:&nb=
sp;
NAME
&=
nbsp; The
name of this church shall be First Baptist Church of Anderson ("First
Baptist Church").
SECTION 2:&nbs=
p;
LOCATION
= ; &n= bsp; The location and principal office of First Baptist Church shall be 307 South Manning Street in the city of Anderson, South Carolina.
SECTION 3: Incorporation
= ; &n= bsp; First Baptist Church is incorporated under the name of The First Baptist Church at Anderson, South Carolina, but the work and business of the church is carried on, insofar as possible, under the name First Baptist Church of Anderson (t= he "Church").
SECTION 4:&nb=
sp;
Officers of the corporation=
= ; &n= bsp; The officers of the Church are the president, who shall also be the chair of the deacons, vice-president, who shall also be the vice-chair of the deacons, a= nd the secretary, who shall also be the secretary of the deacons.
SECTION 5: TRUSTEES
=
; &n=
bsp; The
trustees ("Trustees") are responsible to the Church for serving as
legal representatives of the Church as they are directed by the Church. This
committee shall be a six (6) member rotating committee with one member being
replaced each year. The Trustees shall hold in trust all Church property. T=
hey
shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property
without the specific vote of the Church. They shall affix their signature to
the legal documents involving the sale, mortgaging, purchase, or rental of
property or any other legal documents where the signatures of the Trustees =
are
required. Other legal documents requiring individual signatures on behalf of
the Church shall be signed by the officers of the Church.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Basic
Documents
The objectives and purposes of this Church shall be such as are usual and commo= n to a Baptist church and shall be more fully expressed in the basic documents of the Church which shall include those listed as follows:
SECTION 1:&nb=
sp;
BYLAWS
&n= bsp; = ; The Bylaws are established to secure the principles of our faith and to govern = this Church in an orderly manner and are adopted by the Church in a business meeting. These Bylaws preserv= e the liberties of each individual Church member and the freedom of action of this congregation in its relationship to other churches. Changes to these Bylaws must follow the procedures established in Article XIII herein.
SECTION 2:&nb=
sp;
STATEMENT OF FAITH
&n= bsp; = ; The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith. The Church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of “The Bapti= st Faith and Message,” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963.
SECTION 3:&nb=
sp;
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
= ; &n= bsp; Our purpose is “To Reflect the Love of Jesus Christ by . . .Loving God through Sincere Worship and Devoted Discipleship. . . Loving Others through Consistent Witness and Compassionate Ministry. . . Loving Life in Christ through Faithful Involvement in the Fellowship of His Church.”
SECTION 4:&nb=
sp;
CHURCH COVENANT
= ; &n= bsp; The covenant of the Church is:
= ; &n= bsp; We, the Members of First Baptist Church of Anderson, having been led by the Holy Spirit to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and to become participant= s in this body of baptized believers, do joyfully and sincerely make this covena= nt together.
= ; &n= bsp; We will express our love for God by worshiping Him, studying and growing in His word, communing with Him in prayer, and giving of our lives and resources to accomplish His mission in this world.
= ; &n= bsp; We will express our love for others by sharing with them the Good News of Jesus Christ, praying for them, and participating in ministries which reflect God’s love for all people.
= ; &n= bsp; We will express our love for the life we experience together in Christ by fait= hfully gathering with our Church family to strengthen and encourage one another, caring for each other in times of joy and sorrow, and seeking always to maintain the health and growth of this congregation.
= ; &n= bsp; Trusting in God’s grace to accomplish these things in and through us, we make = this covenant together. AMEN.
SECTION 5:
CHURCH OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
&n= bsp; = ; The Church Operations and Procedures Manual (the "Manual") is adopted= by the Church in a business meeting and sets forth the basic philosophy and guiding principles which enable the efficient working of the various parts = of the Church organization under normal circumstances. It shall include specific job descriptions, duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the various leadership positions within the Church--both ministerial and non-ministerial. Staff liaiso= ns will lead their respective committees and teams to prepare a report to the annual business meeting in January which will include any proposed changes = to the Manual. Notice of anticip= ated changes to the Manual shall be made available to the congregation at least = one (1) week prior to the meeting. Changes in the Manual shall require the approval of a majority of the Members present and voting. <= /p>
= ; &n= bsp; In the event of a contradiction or conflict, the Bylaws shall prevail over the Manual, to the extent of such contradiction or conflict, only.
SECTION 6:&nb=
sp;
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
= ; &n= bsp; The Articles of Incorporation is a historical and legal document filed with the Secretary of State of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina. No administrative policies or procedures will be established which will come in conflict with any provisions of the Articles of Incorporation.
=
ARTICLE III
Denominational
Affiliation
= ; The government of this Church is vested in the body of Christian believers who comprise it. The Church is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body but recognizes the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which= are common among Baptist churches. The Church is affiliated with the Saluda Baptist Association, the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
ARTICLE IV
Membership
SECTION 1:
QUALIFICATIONS
= ; &n= bsp; Persons may apply for Membership in the congregation of the Church (the "Membership") at any regular worship service in any one of the following ways:
(A) = By profession of faith in Jesus Christ and for bapt= ism according to the belief and practice of this Church.
(B) = By promise of letter from another Baptist church.
(C) = By statement of prior conversion experience and believer's baptism by immersion.
(D) = Upon profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, = by an individual who asks to be joined to this Church as a Member, but who is physically unable to be baptized by immersion.
(E) In Absentia, if otherwise qualified for Membership in one of the foregoing way= s, for reasons of health, away from t= he community, or other reasons where it is&nb= sp; impossible or impractical to be present.
=
= ; An individual who has applied for Membership in any of the foregoing ways may be presented and, upon approval= of the Church, shall be received as a Member.
SECTION 2:
AFFILIATION BY ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
= ; &n= bsp; Professing Christians who wish to identify with this Church but who do not wish to cha= nge their church Membership or be baptized by immersion may be received = as Associate Members ("Associate Member") by their request and the approval of the Church. An Associate Member will have all the rights and privileges of Membership, except that of voting or as otherwise indicated herein.
SECTION 3:
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
= ; &n= bsp; All new Members should attend “New Member Orientation” as provided = by the Church.
SECTION 4: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
= M= embership shall be terminated in the following ways:=
(A) Death= .
(B) Trans=
fer of
church letter to another Baptist church.
(C) Erasu=
re,
upon becoming affiliated with a church of another faith or denomination.
(D) Upon =
the
written request of a member for the removal of his or her name from the Chu=
rch
roll.
(E) Vote =
of the
Church Membership following the same procedures and requirements set forth =
in
Article XIII for amendments of the Bylaws.=
SECTION 5: ABSENTEE VOTING
= ; &n= bsp; Members of the Church are entitled to vote in all elections and on all questions submitted to the Church, provided the Member is present. In case of a written ballot, Membe= rs may vote by absentee ballot if they cannot attend because of physical incapacit= y or absence from the city. Absent= ee voting is possible only in advance of the meeting at which voting by written ballot is scheduled.
ARTICLE V
Responsiblities and
Privileges of Members
SECTION 1:
RESPONSIBILITIES
= ; It shall be the responsibility of the Members of the Church to:
(A) = Attend the regular meetings of the Church, cultivate personal holiness and family devotions; sustain the public worship of Almig= hty God; encourage the spread of the Gospel to all nations; support ministries = to the needy; provide for the necessary expenditures of the Church; watch over= and encourage one another in the spirit of brotherly love; strive for the growt= h of the whole body in Christian knowledge and holiness; and govern their action, conversation, and hearts by the teaching of God’s Word.
(B) = Honor, esteem, and love their pastor ("Pastor") and staff; to pray for them frequently; to be loyal to= and supportive of them; and to uphold the mutual commitments made between the Pastor and congregation in the covenant agreement entered into at the time = of the minister’s call.
(C) = Inform the Church if they have joined another congregation and request a letter of transfer to another Baptist church.
(D) = The Pastor and deacons may investigate and determine whether any Member has failed to comply with this section and make a recommendation as to what action, if any, the Church shall take with regard thereto.
SECTION 2:&nb=
sp;
PRIVILEGES
= ; &n= bsp; All Members of the Church may act and vote upon transactions of Church business, except in matters pertaining to the purchase, sale, or mortgage of property, and borrowing of money, which shall only be voted upon by those Members who= are eighteen (18) years of age or over.
ARTICLE VI
Church Meetings
SECTION 1:
WORSHIP SERVICE
= ; &n= bsp; The Church shall hold regular meetings for the purpose of worship, prayer, teaching, training, and fellowship.&nbs= p; Other meetings of the Church as a whole, or by authorized groups within the Church shall be set according to the needs of the congregation, = or the groups concerned, with the knowledge of the Pastor. Regular Sunday wors= hip services shall be canceled only with the approval of the Church in a busine= ss meeting except in emergencies during which the Pastor and chair of deacons may cancel or change the services as needed.
SECTION 2:
ORDINANCES
(A) = The Lord’s Supper shall be observed at least = once every three (3) months for the benefit of Church Members and other Christia= ns.
(B) = Baptism shall be administered to new Members within= a reasonable length of time after presenting themselves to the Church and sha= ll be administered by the Pastor and/or designated person as an act of worship during any worship service.
SECTION 3:
SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES
= ; &n= bsp; Revival meetings and other special services of worship may be planned by the Pastor, deacons, and/or Church Council as often as they deem advisable.
SECTION 4:
REGULAR AND SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS
(= A) = Church conferences will be scheduled as needed to conduct the Church’s business and to review its progress. At least fo= ur (4) church conferences will be held each year, scheduled as f= ar in advance as practical, but always with at least a two (2) week notice of = the meeting given to the congregation. Quarterly written financial, organizatio= nal, and Membership reports will be made available to the congregation.
(= B) = Special business meetings shall be called by the Pa= stor upon request of the deacons and/or standing committees, by giving at least three (3) days notice and these special meetings shall be held during a reg= ular worship service, except in cases of unforeseen emergency or urgent necessity. Notice shall inclu= de the subject, date, time and location of the meeting and only the subject listed will be discussed.
(= C) = At routine business meetings, the majority vote of = the Members present and voting shall rule.
(= D) = All votes for the call or termination of all ministerial staff shall be by written ballot at a special called business meeting for which at least seven (7) days written notice shall be given the Membership, except where otherwise required by these Bylaws.
(= E) = Procedures shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, most recent edition.
ARTICLE VII
Pastor, Staff, Deacons, and Church Council
SECTION 1:&nb=
sp;
PASTOR
(=
A) =
SELECTION OF PASTOR: When it becomes necessary to call a
Pastor, the congregation shall elect a representative committee of seven (7)
Members who shall be known as the Pastor Search Committee. The subsequent recommendation of t=
he Pastor
Search Committee shall constitute a nomination.
&=
nbsp; The
Pastor Search Committee shall be elected from a list of nominees made by the
congregation. Every Church Member may submit a list of seven (7) or less Ch=
urch
Members as nominees for the committee.&nbs=
p;
A ballot sub-committee of deacons shall be appointed by the deacon
officers. This committee will compile a list of the top fourteen (14) names=
to
be submitted to the Membership for a vote on the final seven (7). This sub-committee shall contact t=
he
fourteen (14) to ascertain if they would be willing to serve on the Pastor
Search Committee if elected. The resulting ballot shall be submitted to the
congregation at the next Sunday morning worship service for election of the
seven (7) by written ballot. The result shall be reported to the congregati=
on
at the next service.
&=
nbsp; The
person receiving the largest vote from the Membership shall serve as chair =
of
the committee and the second largest vote will be the vice-chair.
Any active Member of the Church eighteen (18) years or older will be eligible to serve on this search committee.
The Pastor Search Committee will receive suggestions, resumes, and recommendati= ons concerning possible candidates for Pastor, both from Members of our congregation and from individuals outside the Church as well. It will also = seek names of possible candidates for Pastor from sources of its own selection. = The Pastor Search Committee shall make a status report to the congregation at l= east every sixty (60) days.
The
Pastor Search Committee shall bring for recommendation to the Church only o=
ne
(1) candidate at a time. The nominee shall preach during a Sunday morning
worship service for which at least seven (7) days prior notice has been giv=
en. Prior to the nominee’s s=
ermon,
a called business meeting shall be held at which time the details of a prop=
osed
term of call between the nominee and the congregation will be by the Pastor
Search Committee presented for discussion. Vote upon the proposed terms of =
call
and election of the candidate will take place at a called business meeting
during a morning worship service following the nominee’s sermon. An
affirmative vote of at least seventy-five (75) percent of those present and
voting at that called business meeting shall constitute a call by the congr=
egation. &n=
bsp;
(B) =
; Tenure
of the pastor: The Pastor of the Church shall serve for an
indefinite period of time. The
Pastor’s tenure may be terminated by resignation upon giving at least
thirty (30) days notice of intention to do so, or by retirement, death, or =
by
the request of the Church. If
termination of the Pastor’s tenure is by the request of the Church, it
must be initiated before the deacons with three-fourths of the deacons pres=
ent
voting by written ballot in favor.
It, then, shall be presented to the congregation by a written ballot=
and
it must receive an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present and
voting. This shall be done at=
a
special meeting for which at least two (2) weeks written notice shall be gi=
ven
to all Members. In such cases=
where
the congregation requests the termination of the Pastor, reasonable notice =
will
be given prior to the effective date of termination and cessation of income
from the Church.
(C)&n= bsp; Duties of the Pastor: The Pastor is responsible to the congregation for= the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach the Biblical revelatio= n, to engage in pastoral care ministries, to provide administrative leadership= in all areas of Church life and to act as the chief administrator of the paid staff. The Pastor may delegate supervisory authority over ministerial staff to an administrative minister = or such other full-time minister as from time to time he determines necessary. The Pastor or his designee shall also serve as day to day supervisor of all non-ministerial employees of the Church and shall be responsible for disciplinary duties and responsibilities associated therewith.&nbs= p; The Pastor shall have the right to administer discipline to minister= ial staff members, up to but not including termination, within limitations as established by the Personnel Committee.&nbs= p;
(D) PA= STORAL ADVISORY TEAM: Each year = the chair and chair-elect of the deacons, the chair of the Personnel Committee,= the chair of the Stewardship Committee and one Member of the congregation to be nominated by the Nominating Committee on Committees will serve as the Pasto= ral Advisory Team with the deacon chair serving as chair. The Member of the congregation nom= inated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Membership should ensure age= and gender representation on the Team. This person may be re-elected but serve not more than two consecutive years. In the event of a new Pastor, the chair of the Pastoral Search Committee will serve on the Pastor= al Advisory Team, in place of the Member of the congregation nominated by the Nominating Committee on Committees, and will chair the Pastoral Advisory Te= am for two years. At the beginni= ng of the Pastor's third year, the Member nominated by the Nominating Committee on Committees and elected by the Membership will replace the chair of the Past= or Search Committee as a member of the Team, and the deacon chair will become chair of the Team. The Pastoral Advisory Team will serve the Church and the Pastor in the following manner:
1=
. =
The
Pastoral Advisory Team is to meet monthly with the Pastor, and more often if
requested by the Pastor or the Team chair, to serve as an outlet for the Pa=
stor
in the development and expression of his vision for the leadership of
the Church, and to offer counsel and advice as to all matters of concern
presented by the Pastor to the Pastoral Advisory Team for consideration.
2= . = The Pastoral Advisory Team along with the Pastor is to receive and address matt= ers of concern that a Member may have with respect to the congregation or the ministries and operations of the Church.&n= bsp; The Pastoral Advisory Team is also responsible to share with the Pas= tor any concerns of the congregation which may relate to the effectiveness of h= is ministry, so as to strengthen communication and rapport between the Pastor = and congregation so that they may work together in unity and harmony to advance= the cause of Christ.
3= . = The Pastoral Advisory Team is to be involved in all matters related to personnel issues of the Pastor, including but not limited to (a) the supervision and evaluation of the Pastor in an ongoing process; (b) the scheduling of vacat= ion, leaves of absence and continuing education; and (c) in coordination with the Personnel and Stewardship Committees the administration of (1) modification= of job description subject to the approval of the congregation, (2) the person= al compensation program, (3) the fringe benefit program consistent with Church adopted policies, and (4) the professional support program, all of which is provided to the Pa= stor in the current operating budget. The Pastoral Advisory Team is responsible to interpret to the congre= gation, especially to those who may inquire any aspect of job performance or other issues related to the Pastor.
4= . = Each year the Pastoral Advisory Team will evaluate ministry visions of the Pasto= r, and, as needed, request budget amendments to the Stewardship Committee in support of the vision. Change= s in the pastoral ministry budget or compensation must be approved by the Member= ship in accordance with these Bylaws and the financial policies of the Church.
SECTION 2:&nb=
sp;
MINISTERIAL STAFF
(= A) = The Church shall have the authority, upon majority = vote in special or regular business meeting, and after proper notice, to create, employ or discontinue ministerial staff positions as the business of the Ch= urch may require, and to modify, adapt and determine the compensation and condit= ions of employment relating to staff positions.= Each member of the ministerial staff shall answ= er to and be supervised directly by the Pastor or through his designee. The Pastor or his designee shall h= ave full authority to discipline members of the ministerial staff regarding all matters using the following methods: verbal counseling, written reprimands or suspensions. Recommendations for termination of= staff ministers must be presented to the Personnel Committee, and then taken to t= he Church with the Personnel Committee's own recommendation.
(= B) = All votes for termination shall be by written ballot. A majority of those M= embers attending and voting will determine if the staff minister's employment will= be terminated.
(C) The P= astor or his designee shall have authority to approve or disapprove requests for scheduling of vacation, seminars, conferences, bereavement leave, sick leav= e, or other absences from work, whether paid or unpaid, in accordance with per= sonnel policies. Complete job descri= ptions for all ministerial positions, including the Pastor, shall be adopted by the Personnel Committee, approved by the Church and incorporated into the Manua= l.
(D) In the
event of a ministerial staff vacancy, a search committee of five (5) Church
Members with experience and knowledge of the area of responsibility of the
staff vacancy shall be recommended by the Church Council to the Membership =
at a
regular or special business meeting where additional nominations from the f=
loor
can be made. In the event
additional nominations are made, seconded and approved by a majority of tho=
se
present and voting, a written ballot will be distributed for selecting the =
five
(5) members of the search committee.
In the event no additional nominations are made, ballots will be
distributed for selection of the search committee chair. In either event, the person receiv=
ing
the largest vote will serve as chair with the second largest vote selecting=
the
vice-chair. The Pastor will s=
erve
as ex-officio member of the search committee and offer staff support as
needed. The search committee =
will
present one candidate at a time to the Personnel Committee for approval.
SECTION 3: OTHER CHURCH EMPLOYEES &= nbsp;
= ; &= nbsp; The Pastor and ministerial staff shall be assisted by other salaried employees = to provide secretarial, clerical and janitorial services and such other positi= ons as from time to time are approved by the Personnel Committee. Persons for these positions shall = be selected by the Pastor or his designee.&nb= sp; Job classifications and descriptions other than the Pastor's are the responsibility of the Personnel Committee and shall be placed in the Church files and in the Manual. The = Pastor or his designee shall have full supervisory authority over non-ministerial employees in the same manner as described in Article VII Section 1 (C) of t= hese Bylaws for ministerial staff, and, in addition, shall have authority to terminate non-ministerial employees.
SECTION 4:
STAFF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
=
(A)&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p;
The Church congregation believes that employ=
ees
should be treated fairly and equitably in all aspects of their working
life. Accordingly, should any
employee experience a work-related problem or concern, the employee should
speak to his or her supervisor whose responsibility it is to assist in solv=
ing
the problem. If an issue shou=
ld
arise on which the employee and the supervisor cannot agree, the employee
should follow the appeals process described below. This process shall be used for
disciplinary action and for any situation or problem that needs to be
discussed. Use of the employee
appeals process shall in no way jeopardize the employee's job. &=
nbsp;
(B) Appea=
ls
Process Guidelines: When a
situation occurs which the employee may not view as justified, he or she sh=
ould
begin the appeals process within one (1) week of the decision or action.
1= . = The employee may request a meeting with the supervisor. All pertinent fac= ts must be presented at this meeting. Within five (5) days, the appropriate supervisor will discuss the decision and the reasons for the decision with the employee.
2= . = If the discussion with the supervisor is non-productive, or if the supervisor/employee relationships the source of t= he problem or concern, the employee may address the situation with the Pastor = with the supervisor present.
3. =
;
If the employee is dissatisfied with the
decision reached, the employee may request a meeting with the supervisor, t=
he
Pastor and the Personnel Committee.
If the employee's immediate supervisor is the Pastor, a joint meeting
with the Pastoral Advisory Team may be requested. In either instance, as so=
on as
possible but within thirty (30) calendar days, a decision must be made by t=
he
respective Committee or Team and the appropriate parties notified. In either instance, the decision r=
eached
is final.
(C) Ideally all working
relationships will be such that open and candid communication
between ministerial/non-ministerial staff members will make the grievance
procedure unnecessary.
SECTION 5:&nb=
sp;
DEACONS
(= A) = In accordance with the meaning of the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the Church. The number of deacons [currently = thirty-six (36)] shall be determined by the Church in proportion to its needs and growth. They shall serve for = three (3) years before rotating out of office for a minimum of one (1) year. Deacons shall be elected by the following procedure under the guidance of the Nominating Committee on Deaco= ns.
1= . = Generate a list of potential nominees from nominations submitted by the congregation= at a regular Sunday morning service.
2= . = Review the list with the Pastor for his counsel and advice.
3= . = Contact each nominee to explain the duties and responsibilities of the deacon.
4= . = Determine the willingness of the individual to serve if elected.
5= . = Finalize a list of qualified and committed nominees equal to one-third of the total = number of deacons in addition to any nominees who are needed to fill vacancies.
6= . = The nominee list will then be presented to the Church at a regular business mee= ting for election. Should a Church Member desire to write in one or more nominees, there will be blanks on the ballot equal to the total number of nominees. If any write-in nominee’s vo= te totals exceeds that of a presented nominee, they shall be elected provided = they agree to serve. After serving= a term of three (3) years, no deacon shall be eligible for re-election for at leas= t a one (1) year period, except to fill unexpired terms as specified in subsection = (E) of this section.
(b)&n= bsp; Life Deacon: On unanimous recommendation from the deacons, the Church= may elect those deacons whose long, faithful, and diligent service entitles the= m to Membership as Life Deacons. They may be elected from the active body or from deacons then inactive. Life D= eacons shall not exceed five (5) in number. They shall have the same privileges as active deacons, except they will not hold office. When deacons are elected = Life Deacons, they shall be presented a certificate of award to show appreciation for the fine service they have performed in the Church as deacons. A deacon elected as a Life Deacon from the active body of deacons shall not begin se= rving as a Life Deacon until the active term is ended.
(C) = ; duties of Deacons: The deacons are to be exemplary in all duties of Chu= rch Membership; devote themselves to the spiritual welfare of the Members and to their enlistment in active Church services; use all proper efforts to recla= im such Members as may have become remiss in their covenant agreements; pray f= or, cooperate with, and assist the Pastor and the rest of the Church staff in t= he promotion of all the interest of the Church; meet regularly for the consideration of their special duties and the general welfare of the Church; and make such recommendations to the congregation for action as seem to be appropriate. Routine duties i= nclude administering the Lord's Supper, receiving the offering in worship services, serving as outreach visitor to contact those who visit worship services and participating in the Church Family Ministry Plan.
(d)&n= bsp; REMOVING A DEACON: The deacons may recommend that any active deacon be removed for any activity and conduct unbecoming a deacon. This requires a written ballot in the deacons meeting and three-fourths of those voting must favor removal. It would then = be presented to the Church and require a three-fourths written vote for remova= l.
(E) VA=
CANCIES:
In the event of death, removal, resignation, or incapacity to serve, the Ch=
urch
may elect deacons to fill the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled by =
the
Nominating Committee on Deacons subject to a majority vote confirmation by =
the
Membership at a regular business meeting, provided that this committee shal=
l be
permitted to exercise its discretion whether to fill such vacant position p=
rior
to the annual election of deacons.
A deacon elected to fill an unexpired term is eligible for election =
to a
full three (3) year term.
(F)<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> DEACON
OFFICERS: The deacon offi=
cers
shall consist of a chair, a vice-chair who shall serve as chair-elect, a se=
cretary
and such other officers as from time to time shall be designated by the
deacons. The deacon chair sha=
ll
appoint a committee from the group to serve as a deacon officer nominating
committee to make a report no later than the December meeting of the
deacons. The chair shall pres=
ide at
all meetings and shall perform such duties as the deacons may authorize with
these Bylaws and the teachings of the New Testament. The vice-chair shall perform these
duties in the chair's absence. The
secretary shall maintain a record of all meetings.
SECTION 6:&nb= sp; CHURCH COUNCIL
= ; &n= bsp; It shall be the duty of the Church Council to formulate a Church calendar and = to supervise the operation of the calendar. The Church Council shall meet quarterly, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Pastor, and shall = have as its regular voting Members: the Pastor as moderator, the ministerial sta= ff , chair of the deacons, committee chairs, leaders of Church program organizations, and one (1) representative from each of the Continuing Ministries listed in Article X. All matters agreed upon by the Council call= ing for an action which has not already been provided for shall be referred to = the Membership for consideration and action.&n= bsp; The Church Council will recommend from its Members and/or Church Mem= bers a Nominating Committee on Deacons and a Nominating Committee on Committees = to be elected by the Membership. As needed, the Church Council will recommend five (5) Church Members to serve = as a ministerial staff search committee as provided in Article 7 Section 2 (C).<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The voting Membership of the Church Council shall be presented to and elected by the Membership at the January Church business meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
Church Officers
&=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; Church
officers shall include the moderator, who shall be the Pastor. In his absen=
ce,
the chair of deacons will serve. Other Church officers shall include clerk,
treasurer, assistant treasurer, Trustees and corporate officers, whose meth=
od
of selection, qualifications and duties shall be set forth in the Manual.
ARTICLE IX
Committees and Minist=
ry
Teams
SECTION 1:&nbs=
p; GENERAL
= ; &n= bsp; The Church shall establish such committees as are required to accomplish its st= ated objectives and purposes including, but not limited to, those listed herein: Benevolence, Building= and Grounds, Child Development Center, Food Service, Personnel, and Stewardship= . Through the Church Council a Nomin= ating Committee on Deacons and a Nominating Committee on Committees will be established annually. Committee description, duties, responsibilities and o= ther applicable details shall be stated in the Committee Section of the Manual.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>
= ; &n= bsp; All committee members, who shall be Members of the Church, shall be elected to serve a three (3) year term and thereafter shall be ineligible for re-elect= ion to the same committee until the lapse of one (1) year, unless special circumstances exist as determined by the Nominating Committee. Each committee shall elect a vice-= chair and a secretary to keep a record of subjects discussed and decisions made t= o be passed down year to year to subsequent committees. The ministerial staff liaison to e= ach committee should take initiatives to keep a file of these actions. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio = member of all committees. The terms = of committee members begin on January 1. Upon enactment of these Bylaws, all present committee members shall = continue to serve until their successors are elected or their terms expire.
SECTION 2: NOMINATING
COMMITTEES
= ; &n= bsp; The Church Council from its own members and/or Church Members will select seven= (7) persons to serve as a Nominating Committee on Deacons and seven (7) persons= as a Nominating Committee on Committees. In the selection process the person receiving the largest number of votes will serve as chair of the respective committee. After election by the Membership, = the Nominating Committee on Committees shall nominate all Church officers, lead= ers of program organizations, Church committee members and chairs at a regular = or special business meeting in the last quarter annually. After election by the Membership, = the Nominating Committee on Deacons will follow the procedure for election of deacons in Article VII Section 5 (A) and (E). The Nominating Committee on Deacon= s and the Nominating Committee on Committees, whose terms of service shall be one= (1) year, shall be elected by the Membership in the first regular business meet= ing of the second quarter of the year.
SECTION 3: <=
/span>MINISTRY
TEAMS
= ; &n= bsp; Ministry teams are developed to provide Members with opportunities to be directly in= volved in ministries based on spiritual giftedness, passion for that ministry and a sense of calling. A team may = have a continuing ministry or be event-centered.&= nbsp; Ministry teams are composed of high school age students through adul= ts who feel led to volunteer or be requested to serve for that ministry. Team members should be enrolled in= some program organization of the Church but are not required to be Church Members.
Ministry Teams are led= by Team Leaders who are enlisted by the appropriate ministerial staff member.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> There is not a specific term lengt= h for team members or leaders. Any Team Leader may attend the meetings of the Chu= rch Council but voting Membership on the Church Council from Ministry Teams is limited to one representative from each of the Continuing Ministries listed= in Article X.
ARTICLE X
Continuing Ministries=
= ; &n= bsp; The Continuing Ministries of the Church include, but are not limited to: Sunday School, Woman's Missionary = Union, Child Development Center, Preschool Ministries, Children's Ministries, Youth Ministries, College Student Ministries, Discipleship Training, Men's Ministries, Missions Ministries, Music Ministries, Recreational Ministries, Senior Adult Ministries and Women's Ministries. All program organizations and Cont= inuing Ministries are to make a report to the Church each quarter.
ARTICLE XI
Church Year and Finan=
cial
Year
&nbs= p; &= nbsp; The Sunday School year shall coincide with the beginning of the public school year. The financial Church ye= ar shall begin the first of January and close the 31st of December.=
A=
RTICLE
XII
<=
u>Review
of Bylaws
<=
u>
= ; &n= bsp; The Church Bylaws shall be reviewed every three (3) years by a committee appoin= ted by the deacon chair, and elected by the Membership for that specific purpos= e. Any changes in the Bylaws must be reported and acted upon as provided in Article XIII.
ARTICLE XIII
Amendments
= ; &= nbsp; Changes in these Bylaws may be made in any regular or special business meeting of t= he Membership as provided in Section 4 of Article VI, provided such an amendme= nt shall have been made available in writing to the Membership at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.
= ; &= nbsp; Amendments to these Bylaws shall require the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the Members present and voting.
Revised:
May 21, 2008
Supersedes Bylaws dated previously