Constitution
Preamble
Because
god’s word says, ‘let all things be done decently and in good order,’
organization and government are not to be despised.
Organization is God’s plan. Although
the true Church is a living organism, the visible Church needs to be well
organized.
We,
therefore, the members of the Bethany Center Baptist Church, to give God’s
order and government to a working Church in Bethany Center, do under God adopt
the following articles:
Article
I – Name
The
name of this Church shall be the Bethany Center Baptist Church of Bethany
Center, New York.
Article
II – Purpose
The
object of this Church shall be to maintain public worship, to develop Christian
character, to encourage evangelistic activity, and to share in the extension of
God’s kingdom. We believe that it
is the purpose of God that believers meet together in a local, organized Church
for mutual fellowship and instruction in the word of God for the preaching of
the Gospel and for the observance of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s
Supper.
Article
III – Polity
Recognizing
Jesus Christ as the only head of the Church, this congregation shall seek to
ascertain and to obey the Will of God in all matters, relying on the Spirit’s
guidance. The governing of this Church is vested in its active members,
who exercise the right of full and final control in all its affairs.
While
upholding the autonomy of the local Church, this congregation also acknowledges
the need and responsibility to cooperate with other Churches.
To this end, this Church shall be affiliated with the Genesee Baptist
Association, the American Baptist Churches of New York State, and the American
Baptist Churches of the U.S.A. It
will actively support these bodies until such time as this Article is duly
amended. No such action shall be
taken until a consultation has been held by the Boards of Trustees and Deacons
of this Church with representatives of the Genesee Baptist Association and the
American Baptist Churches of New York State.
Article
IV – Doctrine / Covenant
The
Church accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the authorative
basis for its doctrine and practice,. Its members covenanting as follows:
We
solemnly and humbly offer our time, talents and fortunes; our very lives, to our
Creator-Redeemer; not as payment for our salvation through Christ, but as gifts
of love.
We likewise pledge to one another the vast resources which God entrusts to each of us by His Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up one another in the faith, each of us seeking only to be the loving servant of the other. Amen.
Article
V – Membership
Section
1.
Admission
Any
person who, after suitable instruction by the Board of Deacons or their
designee, is found to be in substantial accord with the doctrine and practice of
this Church may be received into membership in any of the following ways:
subject in each case to the recommendation of the Board of Deacons and the vote
of the Church:
A.
By Baptism – It shall be understood that believer’s baptism by
immersion is the form practiced by this Church, and that it is recommended to
all who seek membership. All
candidates for baptism will be examined by the Board of Deacons for approval.
B.
By Letter – Members from other Churches may be received as members by
presenting letters of commendation from such Churches.
If he has not been baptized by immersion, that form will be recommended
to him, but not required.
C.
By Affirmation of Faith – Any person may be considered for membership
in this Church after publicly professing his faith in God during a regular
Sunday worship service.
All
persons approved for membership shall be received at a worship service, where
the ‘Right Hand of Fellowship’ shall be extended, the covenant shall be
read, and where they shall sign their name to the Membership Roll.
Section
2.
Dismissal
Persons
may be dismissed from membership by any of the following methods and shall be
recorded as such by the Clerk:
A.
By Death
B.
By Letter – Any member in good standing may receive a letter of dismiss
ion and recommendation to any other Christian Church.
This letter shall be granted upon action of the Board of Deacons and
shall be sent by the Clerk directly to the Church to which membership is being
transferred.
C.
BY Exclusion – As described under Duties of the Board of Deacons.
D.
By Default – Should any member unite in membership with another Church
without first obtaining a letter of transfer, he shall automatically be dropped
from membership.
Section
3.
Inactive Members
The
Deacons shall annually caused an examination of the Rolls of Membership to be
made, and shall give a report to the Annual Meeting of the Church.
A member, who has not actively engaged in the support of nor otherwise
shown interest in the Church for a period of one year or more, may be dropped
from active membership by action of the Board of Deacons.
The transfer to the inactive list shall become effective thirty days
after written notice of the proposed transfer has been sent to the member in
question. Such members will forfeit
their voting rights in the Church and shall not hold office. Inactive members may be reinstated upon application to the
Board of Deacons which body has the authority to then reinstate the member based
upon evidence of renewed interest. Members
so affected have the right to appeal and decision to a general Church meeting.
Article
VI
The
Constitution may be amended at any Annual Meeting of the Church by two-thirds
vote of the membership present and voting, notice of such proposed amendment
having been given in writing one month previous to the Annual Meeting.
Such notice shall be posted on the Bulletin Board, and read from the
pulpit for the last two Sundays preceding the Annual Meeting.
By-Laws
Article
I – The Pastor
Section
1.
Election
The
Pastoral Relations Committee shall have the responsibility for seeking suitable
candidates for Pastor and recommending one such candidate at a time to the
Church for its consideration. The
Pastor shall be elected at an Annual or Special Meeting of the Church by an
affirmative vote of three-fourths of the qualified members present and voting.
The
Pastor will be nominated for reelection during each Annual Meeting, at which
time an affirmative majority vote of confidence shall be required to continue
the term.
Section
2.
Duties
The
Pastor shall have spiritual oversight of all the activities of the Church.
He shall faithfully proclaim the gospel, seeking the salvation of the
lost and challenging the saved to greater Christian commitment.
He will minister to the sick, the bereaved, and the needy through
personal visitation as time and strength permit, enlisting the aid of and
cooperating with the Deacons.
He
shall be an ex-officio member of all Boards and Committees, having general
supervision over the total program of the Church.
Section
3.
Termination of Pastoral Relationship
The
term of office may be ended upon thirty days notice by the Pastor or the Church.
In case of action by the Church, such termination shall be voted as a
duly called special meeting or an Annual Meeting by majority vote.
Article
II – Officers
Section
1.
General Provisions
All
officers will be elected at the Annual Meeting by a two-thirds vote of those
qualified members present and voting. Their
terms of office shall be for one year, and they may serve for no more than three
full terms consecutively, again becoming eligible for that office after a period
of one year has elapsed.
Section
2.
Moderator
The
Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Church and all General Board
Meetings. In the absence of the
Pastor, he shall be an ex-officio member of all standing Boards and Committees.
Section
3.
Clerk
The
Clerk shall keep a complete record of all transactions of all Church and General
Board Meetings. He shall keep a
record of the names and addresses of members, with dates and manner of admission
and dismiss ion; a record of baptisms and a list of those inactive or dropped.
He shall issue letters of dismiss ion voted by the Deacons, preserve on
file all official communication and written reports, and assist in preparing
denominational reports. It is the
duty of the Clerk to give notice in accordance with the legal requirements of
all meetings of the Church. Following
each General Board, Annual and Special Meeting, he shall cause a written summary
of the meeting to be presented to the congregation.
Section
4.
Financial Secretary
All
monies received by the Church (but not necessarily its auxiliary organizations)
shall be recorded by the financial secretary in the manner requested by the
Trustees and required for necessary reports.
He is responsible for making regular contribution envelopes available to
the congregation. He shall keep an
account of contributions for all givers of record and / send a financial
statement to those individuals at least yearly.
The
financial secretary shall receive all monies from the persons appointed by the
Trustees to count the offering along with a statement itemizing them.
After recording those funds, he shall cause them to be deposited in the
appropriate bank accounts weekly and shall hand over the deposit receipts to the
Treasurer.
The
Financial Secretary shall provide the Deacons or Trustees information as
requested and send statements to pledging members as directed by the Trustees.
Section
5.
Treasurer
The
Treasurer shall receive a copy of each itemized statement of offerings from the
counters and all deposit receipts from the Financial Secretary.
He shall keep a record of all deposits from the Financial Secretary. He shall keep a record of all deposits, checks, and
withdrawals in an accurate and informative manner, keeping separate entries and
totals for distinct Budget categories and various special funds as directed by
the Trustees.
The
Treasurer shall promptly pay all bills specifically anticipated in the Budget,
unless funds have been depleted for that area.
He will pay all other bills only upon written authorization from the
Board of Trustees. Each week he
shall write a check or checks disbursing the monies designated for benevolent
purposes. He will then forward
these checks to their respective recipients at the appropriate times and shall
complete all reports as requested by those recipients.
The
treasurer is directly answerable to the Board of Trustees to which he shall make
reports upon its request.
Section
6.
Sunday School Superintendent
The
Superintendent shall be the executive head of the Sunday School and Vacation
Bible Church School, following the directives and policies of the Christian
Education Committee of which he is an ex-officio member.
He shall recruit and relieve teachers, supervise their training, and
procure curriculum materials for them, subject to the approval of the Christian
Educational Committee.
The
Superintendent shall endeavor to involve the whole Church in Christian
Education. He must be in sympathy
with and support the overall program of the Church and denomination.
Section
7.
Head Usher
The
Head Usher shall have the responsibility for the selection of ushers for all
services of the Church and properly instruct them in their duties.
They shall welcome the worshippers and seat them when appropriate, record
the number present, collect the offerings, distribute bulletins and other
materials, adjust ventilation and lights when needed, and be generally
responsible for the maintenance of conditions conducive to worship.
They shall greet strangers, forward their names to the Pastor, and ask
them to sign the Guest Book.
Article
III – Boards and Standing
Committees
Section
1.
General Provisions
Members
of all Boards and Committees will be elected at the Annual Meeting by a
two-thirds vote of those qualified members present and voting.
They shall be limited to two full, consecutive terms and will again
become eligible for that office after a period of one year.
All
Boards and Committees shall meet immediately after election for organization and
shall thereafter hold regular meetings. The
names of Chairpersons and Secretaries are to be reported to the Pastor or
Moderator. A record of all
proceedings shall be kept and summaries made to the General Board and Annual
Meeting. Any non-emergency
decisions of major significance shall be brought before the General Board for
discussion and recommendation. If
that Board so decides, the matter may be submitted to the whole congregation in
a Special or Annual Meeting.
At
any Board or Committee meeting, a majority of members constitutes a quorum,
except a quorum for the General Board shall be eight.
Section
2.
Board of Deacons
The
Board of Deacons shall consist of six Church members, two elected each year for
terms of three years each. It shall
be responsible for spiritual aspects of all Church actions and activities.
It will cooperate with and advise the Pastor in ministering to the
congregation and community.
This
Board shall determine the character of worship services, fill the pulpit in the
absence of the Pastor, and yearly appoint an Organist who may also oversee the
music program. The Deacons shall assist in the administration of the
Ordinances and serve as a parish visitation Committee.
The
Board shall meet with and consider all candidates for Baptism and all applicants
for Church membership, recommending anyone who qualifies.
They shall see to it that appropriate pre-baptismal and pre-membership
instruction is provided. This Board
shall cause a revision of the Church membership list as provided for in Article
5, Section 3., of the Constitution of this Church.
The Board shall be responsible for authorizing the Clerk to write letters
of dismiss ion.
While
maintaining a mood of Christ-like tolerance, the Deacons shall cooperate with
the Pastor to gently admonish members exhibiting unchristian conduct.
In cases where the conduct has become a serious danger to the spiritual
soundness of the Church and the erring member has not responded to the faithful
efforts of the Board of Deacons to effect his repentance, that member will be
subject to exclusion proceedings; otherwise, no action shall be taken.
(Upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons, a person may be dropped
from membership by a two-thirds vote at a duly called special meeting of the
Church). It is the responsibility
of the Board of Deacons to call for this meeting and to notify the accused
member of the time and place at least thirty days before.
The
Board shall select a Committee of its members to explore uses for any Memorial
Funds held by the Church. The Board
of deacons shall be solely responsible for directing the Board of Trustees in
the use of such funds (The Trustees
retain their responsibilities for the details).
The
Deacons Fund shall be administered by the Board to help meet material needs of
individuals in the community. An
account of the fund shall be made at each regular meeting of this Board.
The Deacons shall also appoint a Sunshine Committee from its members to
disburse money from the Sunshine Fund.
Section
3.
Board of Trustees
There
shall be six Trustees, two elected each year for terms of three years each.
The
Board shall hold in trust all property belonging to the Church and shall take
all necessary measures for its protection, management and upkeep.
They shall see that all necessary revenues are raised and shall be
responsible for their efficient disbursement.
It shall transact all legal matters of the Church.
Specifically,
the Board of Trustees shall appoint two persons from its membership or that of
the Deacons to count and record any Church collection.
It shall cause a budget to be prepared and shall present it for amendment
and adoption at each Annual Meeting. The
Board shall determine the use of Church property by outside groups or by any
individuals. It shall annually
appoint a person who will audit the financial records of the Church and make a
report to the Church at the Annual Meeting.
The Chairperson shall immediately report to the Financial Secretary or
Treasurer all decisions affecting them. Should
the Board wish the Treasurer to disburse funds for purposes other than those
stipulated in the budget, or not disburse funds for any purpose that is provided
for in the budget, it shall present the Treasurer with a written statement to
that effect signed by its chairperson and secretary.
Any such order shall be reported to the General Board.
It shall authorize payments of bills only prior to the purchase of
materials, except in cases of extreme emergency and those specifically covered
by the budget.
The
Board of Trustees is responsible for cleaning schedules, work days,
every-member-canvasses, Church property sign-out sheets, the preparation of
Church renovation proposals, etc.
This
Board will administer all Memorial Funds subject to the written directives of
the Board of Deacons.
Upon
receiving new members, the Board shall review with them such matters as the
financial record-keeping system, the individuals and institutions with which the
Church does business, the plumbing, heating and electrical systems, etc.
Section
4.
Christian Education Committee
The
Christian Education Committee shall consist of five persons; two elected (one
per year) for a term of two years, one person appointed yearly by the Mission
Committee from its membership, a representative from the Youth Fellowship, and
the Sunday School Superintendent.
This
Committee shall develop and implement educational goals and objectives for the
Church. It shall make decisions concerning time schedules,
educational use of building and equipment, the elimination or addition of
classes or functions, community outreach, teacher enlistment and training, and
curriculum evaluation – for the Sunday School, Vacation Church School, Youth
Fellowship, and other such organizations as it may create.
An account of the Committee’s finances shall be made at each Committee
meeting.
The
Christian Education Committee shall support the American Baptist Missions,
Evangelism, and educational programs to the best of its ability.
Section
5.
Missions Committee
The
Missions Committee shall consist of three persons with one elected each year for
a term of three years.
This
Committee shall cooperate with the Christian Education Committee in developing
and carrying out a program of Missions Education.
It shall challenge and enable the congregation to enthusiastically
support American Baptist Missions.
Section
6.
Pastoral Relations Committee
The
Pastoral Relations Committee shall consist of five Church members, three of
which shall be elected (one per year) for terms of three years, one appointed
yearly by the Board of Deacons from its membership, and one appointed yearly by
the Board of Trustees from its membership.
This
Committee shall act as a confidential sounding Board for the Pastor and members
of the congregation. It shall discuss disagreements and potential areas of discord
between the Pastor and the congregation. Together
they shall diligently attempt to rectify such situations, willingly utilizing
the services of the Area Minister when warranted.
The
Pastoral Relations Committee will negotiate with the Pastor all terms and
conditions of employment, recommending such to the Church for approval or
disapproval. Those matters
affecting the Budget shall be forwarded to the Trustees.
When
the occasion demands, this Committee shall carry the full responsibility for
securing suitable pastoral candidates and shall seek the counsel of the Area
Minister in this task. It shall
recommend one candidate at a time to the Church, explaining fully all terms and
conditions of employment tentatively agreed upon.
If the Church extends a call to the candidate, the Committee shall
immediately authorize the Clerk to communicate the call in writing, specifying
such terms, as are conditions of the call.
If the Church rejects a candidate, that decision shall be immediately
communicated to the candidate by the Committee.
In
so far as is possible, the Pastoral Relations Committee, shall make decisions by
the consensus of all members.
Section
7.
Delegates Committee
The
Delegates Committee shall consist of five persons.
Two shall be elected each year for terms commencing in the year they are
elected at the beginning of the Genesee Baptist Association Annual Meeting and
ending at the close of the Genesee Baptist Association Annual Meeting two years
hence. Yearly, the Youth Fellowship
may appoint a representative between the ages of fourteen and eighteen to the
fifth position.
The
members of this Committee shall represent the Church on the Genesee Baptist
Associations Board of Delegates. At
the time of the Annual Meeting of the Association this Committee will consist of
all of its members from the new Committee and those members soon to retire from
it. From this expanded membership the appropriate number of
persons shall be appointed by the Committee as voting representatives to the
Genesee Baptist Association Annual Meeting.
Previous to the Area I Meeting or any other meeting where delegates are
to be sent from the Church, this Committee shall appoint from its membership
those persons who will be acting in that capacity.
Following
each meeting to which its members are delegates, this Committee shall make a
report to the Church of all actions taken and information received which is of
concern to the congregation.
Section
8.
General Board
The
General Board shall consist of the Pastor, all Church officers, standing
Committee members, Trustees, Deacons, and Presidents of auxiliary organizations
such as the Woman’s Council and Youth fellowship.
The Moderator will serve as chairman of this Board and the Clerk shall
act as its secretary.
At
each regular meeting the General Board shall hear reports from all officers,
Boards, Committees, and Auxiliary organizations; summarizing recent actions,
current discussions, and future plans, if any.
This Board shall have general oversight of the work of the Church,
coordinate the activities of the Church, delegate responsibilities, and give
overall direction to the various reporting groups and officers.
The
General Board meetings shall be open to the entire congregation and be held at
7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of every other month, beginning in March.
Further meetings of the Board shall be held as it sees fit or at the
request of any other Board or standing Committee.
This
Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee at its September meeting, a Publicity
Chairman, and may make other such appointments, as it deems necessary.
Any such appointments shall exist for one year unless extended by the
Board. The Board shall temporarily
fill any vacancies until the next Annual meeting.
Article
IV -
Church Meetings
Section
1.
Worship
Public
services shall be held each Lord’s Day as well as at other times as determined
by the Board of Deacons.
Section
2.
Annual Meeting
The
Annual Meeting of the Church shall be held the second Tuesday of January,
beginning at seven o’clock in the evening.
Written annual reports shall be presented by the Pastor, Officers,
Boards, Committees and Auxiliary organizations; elections shall be held; the
budget will be adopted; and other necessary business shall be transacted.
Notice
of this meeting shall be public ally read during at least the two prior
Sunday’s worship services. Prior
to this the Nominating Committee shall post its list of nominees on the Church
Bulletin Board. Nominations may
also be made from the floor.
If
persons cannot be found to fill expired terms, the limitations on terms may be
temporarily set aside by the consent of two-thirds of the qualified members
present and voting.
Section
3.
Special Meetings
Special
business meetings of the Church may be called by the Clerk at the request of the
Pastor, the Board of Deacons, the Board of Trustees, the General members,
provided that notice of the time and purpose of the meeting is publicly read in
at least the two prior Sunday’s worship services.
At
any of the Sunday worship services however, the Church may, without notice, act
upon the reception of members.
Section
4.
Qualifications of Voters
All
matters pertaining to the purchase\, sale, or mortgaging of property shall be
voted on only by members in good standing and who are of legal age.
On all other matters members who are fourteen years of age or older are
entitled to vote. Members who are
on the inactive roll shall not be eligible to vote.
Section
5.
Rules of Order
The
Church, Boards, and Committees, may adopt any special rules of procedure in
their meetings which they may desire, provided such rules are not in conflict
with the foregoing Constitution and By-Laws. The rules contained in Roberts
Rules of Order Revised shall govern the meetings of this Church in all cases to
which they are applicable and not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws
of this Church.
Section
6.
Quorums
Special
and Annual Meetings of the Church must have a quorum of twelve qualified members
in order to transact business. If
the Annual Meeting must be postponed due to the lack of a quorum, or for
inclement weather, etc., it shall be automatically rescheduled for the next
Tuesday.
Article
V - General
Section
1.
Church Year
The
fiscal Year of the Church shall be the calendar year.
Section
2.
Officers and Members of Standing Committees and Boards
Except
for the Pastor, all those elected shall continue to serve until the end of the
meeting at which their successors are elected.
At that time all officers shall immediately turn over all records having
to do with their office to their successors.
All
elected members of Church Boards shall be required to attend at least 60% of all
regular meetings of their Board or Committee during a period of a year.
The respective Boards shall have the power to remove any of their members
who do not comply with this provision. (This
includes members of the General Board). Such action shall be immediately reported to the Moderator
and / or Pastor.
Section
3.
The Will of the Church
The
Will of the Church on any matter, duly expresses by its vote, shall be carried
out by all Committees, Boards, officers, and organizations of the Church.
Section
4.
Amendments to the By-Laws
These
BY-Laws may be amended at any duly called Church meeting by a two-thirds vote of
the qualified voters present and voting, provided the proposed amendment is
posted conspicuously in the Church for one month preceding the date of the
meeting.
Addendum
Constitution and By-Laws of
the…Bethany Center Baptist Church
Under
Article III - Boards and Standing
Committees
Section
8.
General Board
Third
paragraph should read:
The
General Board meetings shall be open to the entire congregation and be held at
7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday in March, June, September, and November.
November being a planning meeting.
Voted
and approved at Annual Meeting on January 23, 1996