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Faith Baptist Church of Warren 2006
Article I. Membership
Section 1. Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, giving evidence of regeneration and accepting the Statement of Faith and the Covenant held by this church may, upon believer’s immersion, be received into membership by majority vote of the congregation.
Section 2. Members from other churches of the same faith and order may be received by letter from their respective churches. Those applying for membership will meet with two Deacons (or men appointed by the Pastor or Deacons) to give testimony of faith prior to reception into membership.
Section 3. Erased members may, by a majority vote, be restored to membership on confession of their error and by giving evidence of their repentance, and by evidencing their change of heart by consistent attendance for three months.
Article II. Membership Rules
Section 1. Active members: All those who show their interest in the welfare of the church by regular attendance and financial support and those who, because of sickness or infirmities, are unable to attend services or contribute financial support to the work shall be classed as active members.
Section 2. Inactive members: All those who without reasonable excuse do not attend the regular services of the church for a period of six months and all members who fail to communicate with the church for a period of one year may be placed on the inactive list. Inactive members on the inactive list shall automatically become active members upon their resumption of regular attendance and financial support after three months of active participation. Deacons are to annually update the rolls.
Article III. Duties of Members
Section 1. Our responsibility as members should include regular attendance at all services of the church (including the Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper) and Congregational Business Meetings; the daily, systematic reading of the Bible; private and family prayer; personal and public testimony; and diligent seeking to win others to Christ.
Section 2. Because our church depends upon the tithes and offerings of our members, we assert our convictions that proportionate giving is a distinct and positive command in the Scriptures (Malachi 3:8-11) and pledge ourselves to a systematic contribution for the support of the church of such a portion of our income as we believe God requires of us according to the principle laid down in 1 Corinthians 16:2.
Section 3. Deportment: As our church regards the Holy Scriptures to be the final authority for doctrine and practice, it is expected that members of Faith Baptist Church shall turn to the same source as a guide for our daily lives and deportment in this world. Since the world is daily becoming more licentious, it is expected that our members comply with the biblical injunction against immodesty in dress (1 Timothy 2:9). It is likewise expected that our members consider all implications before following the fads of the day (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Peter 1:14, 3:3, and 4:3,4). Our members, when attending the services of the church, are expected to dress modestly, appropriately and in a manner which will not detract attention from the worship of our God (1 Timothy 3:15).
Article IV. Termination of Membership
Section 1. Letters of transfer may be granted any member in good and regular standing. No letter shall be granted except to a designated church of like faith and order. Letters of transfer shall not be granted to members not in good standing or who are under discipline.
Section 2. Certificates of standing may be granted to those members who desire to unite with evangelical churches other than Baptist.
Section 3. Members who are known to be deceased, or who have joined some other church, and those who request that their names be dropped from the membership may be erased from the roll by action of the church.
Section 4. Members may be expelled for disorderly walk by two-thirds vote of the members present. Any disciplinary action shall be followed according to biblical principles as given in Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1,2; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Romans 16:17,18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.
Section 5. Inactive members who prolong their delinquency may be erased from membership. They will be notified by mail and/or visited if the Deacons deem it necessary.
Article V. Officers of this Church
Section 1. The officers of this church, with the exception of the Pastor, shall be elected by the Deacons and shall be as follows: Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and the Trustees (for Trustees, see Article VII, Section 50). These officers shall be elected annually by the Deacons and reported to the church.
Section 2. The Deacons shall be elected for a term of three years. There shall be no less than ten Deacons and preferably, one Deacon for every twenty members.
Section 3. All officers of the church and all officers, teachers, and leaders of the Sunday School, and other positions of leadership shall; (1) be faithful to all public services of the church, (2) be loyal to the church-approved program, and (3) be separate from worldliness. For a man to be considered for the office of Deacon, he shall qualify by the standards of 1 Timothy 3:8-12 and shall have never been divorced.
Section 4. As the need arises, the Pastor may create positions to care for special functions or activities. Persons appointed by the Pastor to these positions shall serve for one year. As the Pastor and Deacons review these positions annually, the Pastor and Deacons may choose to terminate or renew these positions.
Section 5. To assist the Pastor and Deacons in the ministry of Faith Christian School, a School Committee is to be appointed by the Deacons. The School Committee shall consist of six members. Statutory members shall consist of the Pastor, Chairman of the Deacons, and Church Treasurer. The other three members shall be appointed annually. Of the three non-statutory members, at least one is to be a Deacon. The Pastor may assign another member of the pastoral staff of Faith Baptist Church to represent him at any meeting. The School Committee is to appoint a clerk from their own members to record the minutes. The School committee is to report monthly to the Deacons.
Section 6. The responsibilities of the School Committee are to be defined by the Pastor and Deacons of Faith Baptist Church.
Article VI. Duties of Officers
Section 1. The Pastor shall be the Moderator of the church. He may call the Deacons or the church together for special meetings to transact the business of the church; he shall devote his time and energies to the welfare of the church; and he shall affirm the Statement of Faith each year. The Pastor is a voting, ex-officio member of all boards and committees.
Section 2. The Clerk shall keep a complete record of all official acts of the church. He shall affix the church seal to and certify all documents upon the order of the church. He shall keep a complete and accurate registry of the active, inactive, and erased membership.
Section 3. It shall be a duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies from the Deacons. He shall keep an accurate account of all such monies and disburse them only by the approval of the church. He shall give a report of the treasury at the regular business meeting of the church, all of which shall be kept on file. No designated funds shall be diverted from their purpose, except by approval of the designator. Further duties of the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall be defined by the Deacons.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Assistant Treasurer to serve under the direction of the Treasurer in any or all matters pertaining to the Office of Treasurer. If other assistance is called for, the Deacons may appoint additional responsibilities as they deem necessary.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Deacons, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Financial Secretary to receive all offerings, to supervise the counting of money, to keep a record of the same, and to assure that the same is deposited to the accounts of the church.
Section 6. The Pastor and Minister of Education (or if a Minister of Education is not functioning, a member of the Pastor’s Staff) shall have direction of all the Sunday School activities. They may appoint administrative help for one-year terms with the Deacons’ approval.
Section 7. The records of all the officers, boards, and committees shall be delivered to the properly elected successor.
Article VII. Duties of Deacons
Section 1. It shall be a duty of the Deacons to meet once each month. They shall select a Chairman and a Secretary from among their own number. The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes and proceedings of all meetings. The Chairman of the Deacons shall act as Moderator of the church in the absence or removal of the Pastor. The Pastor and Deacons shall constitute a standing committee for the purpose of examining questionable applications for membership and to which all matters of discipline shall be referred. They shall have general supervision of all the departments. It shall be a duty of the Deacons to seek out such members of the church who need pecuniary assistance and to use the alms of the church for their relief, to visit the sick, to provide for the preparation and distribution of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, to have general supervision of the spiritual interest of the church, to provide for the Service of Worship, and to cooperate with and assist the Pastor in the performance of his duties. The Deacons shall have charge of the sale and distribution or all literature or other articles and shall have charge of the library. The Deacons shall prepare a financial recommendation which shall include recommendations as to the financial responsibilities that the church should assume for that year, a statement of fixed responsibilities, modification of existing obligations, and to what extent further obligations should be assumed. This recommendation shall be presented at the July/August Congregational Meeting. The Deacons shall act in an advisory capacity concerning all matters of church business and in the employing and dismissal of staff members. (See Article VII, Section 3)
Section 2. The Deacons will also constitute the Nominating Committee. Consideration will be given to nominations made by any voting member of the congregation in the following manner: The one making the nomination shall first obtain the consent of the one being placed in nomination. He shall also obtain a supporting signature from any other voting member of the congregation. The nomination, consent, and support shall be placed in writing and submitted to the Nominating Committee one month before the election.
Section 3. The calling of additional staff members: When an opening occurs on the staff, or when the need arises to enlarge the pastoral staff, the Pastor shall make his recommendation to the Deacons and, upon 75% approval by the Deacons, the new staff member shall be called. Termination of any staff position (other than that of Pastor, see Article IX, Section 1) may take place upon thirty days written notice by the recommendation of the Pastor and 75% concurrence of the Deacons by a thirty-day notice of the staff member.
Section 4. The staff of the church shall be under the supervision of the Pastor. The School Principal, the Minister of Christian Education, the Youth Pastor, and any Assistant or Associate Pastor shall, when requested by the Pastor or Deacons, give a monthly report to the Deacons but shall not be a voting member of the Deacons.
Section 5. The Trustees shall be composed of at least five Deacons, selected annually by the Deacons. The Trustees shall serve as directed by the Deacons in relation to all matters concerning legal transactions and church properties. The Chairman of the Deacons will act as Chairman of the Trustees; however, the Deacons may choose to elect a Deacon other than their Chairman to serve as Chairman of the Trustees. The Chairman of the Trustees shall be the legal President of the Corporation.
Section 6. A Head Usher will be appointed by the Deacons. The Head Usher will be under the direction of the Deacons.
Section 7. A Music Committee consisting of not more than three will be appointed by the Deacons in the absence of a Minister of Music or Music Director. A Deacon will act as Chairman of the Committee.
Article VIII. Replacement of Deacons
Section 1. If for any reason there is a need for replacement of a Deacon, the following procedure will be used: (1) The person with the most number of votes but who was not elected in the previous election shall be contacted to fill the vacancy; (2) if such is unable to accept the position and there is none other who received votes, then a special election will be required.
Article IX. Term of Office
Section 1. The Pastor shall be elected for an indefinite term which shall terminate upon thirty days written notice by either the Pastor or church. The Pastorate shall terminate immediately upon the Pastor’s refusal to affirm the Statement of Faith as herein set forth.
Section 2. Deacons shall serve a regular term of three years.
Section 3. All other officers shall serve a regular term of one year.
Section 4. All terms of office, except the pastorate, shall terminate May 31.
Article X. Meetings of the Church
Section 1. Meetings.
(a) Sunday Meetings: The church shall meet regularly every Lord’s Day for public worship of Almighty God.
(b) Prayer Meetings: The church shall meet at least once during each week for prayer and thanksgiving.
(c) Lord’s Supper Service: The church shall observe the Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise ordered by the Pastor or Deacons, provided, however, that the Lord’s Supper be observed at least once each month.
(d) Business Meetings: A regular Business Meeting shall be held by the church each month, preferably on the Wednesday following the monthly Deacon’s Meeting.
(e) Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the Moderator, or the Clerk shall call such a meeting on written request signed by not less than twenty-five active members. Notice of such special meetings shall be given from the pulpit on the preceding Lord’s Day.
(1) The church shall be given proper notice at least one Sunday before action can be taken on any project which involves the expenditure of more than $800.00, whenever such expenditure is not clearly provided for in the budget. Each project must by treated in its entirety at one and the same time.
(2) Such notice as outlined above shall be given by the Deacons before the election or dismissal of a Pastor.
Section 2. Quorum: To transact business at any meeting, a quorum shall be fifty active members or twenty-five percent of the last known membership qualified for voting.
Section 3. Voting.
(a) Only active members of the church of 18 years or older are eligible to vote on any church matter.
(b) A voice, rising, or show-of-hands vote is binding, except where otherwise provided for, whenever it is apparent that two-thirds of the members present are voting. If more than one-third of the members present do not signify their vote, then a ballot vote shall be taken. A majority vote shall decide all matters, except the expulsion of members (as outlined in Article IV), the election of a Pastor (which shall be decided by a three-fourths ballot vote of the members present), and the vote to amend the Constitution (which shall be as outlined under Article XV, Section 1).
Section 4. Elections.
(a) The annual election of officers and Deacons shall be held in the month of March. Only active members of the church are eligible to vote. The election shall be by ballot, and those receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
(b) The Pastor shall be elected as provided for in Article IX, Section 1.
Upon removal of a Pastor, the Deacons shall, without any unnecessary delay, confer with possible candidates for the office, and from the candidates so conferred with, the Deacons shall make their recommendation to the church. No election or dismissal of a Pastor shall take place, except at a meeting called for that purpose of which public notice has been given by the Deacons at least two previous Sundays. A three-fourths vote by ballot of the members present shall be necessary for an election of a Pastor, and a simple majority vote of the active members present for his removal, due notice having been given on two previous Sundays.
Article XI. Missionaries
Section 1. All candidates for missionary support will be interviewed by the Pastor and/or Deacons. The missionary candidate shall complete a written questionnaire. The Deacons shall make their recommendation to the church.
Section 2. Any missionary who cannot honestly endorse the position of this church as stated in the Constitution and Articles of Faith will not be considered for support by Faith Baptist Church. From time to time, information questionnaires will be sent to all missionary personnel. Missionaries may be dropped from support if they fail to live up to our stated position.
Section 3. It shall be the intent of this church to give a minimum of ten percent of our budgeted income to designated missionaries and missionary enterprises.Article XII. Departments of the Church
Section 1. The departments of the church shall be the Sunday School; the Christian Day School and the Women’s Fellowship. These departments, and any others which are authorized by the church, shall be subordinate to the Deacons. Note: A President of the Women’s Fellowship will be appointed by the Deacons. She and her helpers shall take care of church dinners for any occasion and other activities (missionary or social) which may be occasionally necessary.
Article XIII. Order of Business
Section 1. The Pastor of the church or, in his absence, the Assistant/ Associate Pastor, or the Chairman of the Deacons (see Article VII, Section 1) shall act as Moderator in all meetings for the transaction of business.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Moderator to keep order, state and explain propositions.
Section 3. He shall cause the meeting to be opened and closed with prayer.
Section 4. He shall call for the business of the church in the following order:
(a) Read the minutes of the previous meeting.
(b) Present candidates for membership.
(c) Receive letters of dismissal from sister churches.
(d) Grant letters of dismissal or certificates of standing to those requesting them.
(e) Hear the reports of Deacons and other unfinished business.
(f) New business.
Section 5. All business proceedings of the church shall be governed by “Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.”
Article XIV. Miscellaneous Policies
Section 1. Elections: The Deacons will function as the Nominating Committee. Elections shall be by ballot, and the ballot counted by tellers appointed by the Chairman. The annual election shall be held in March. The officers-elect shall take office the first day of June.
Section 2. Christian Day School: Faith Baptist Church may own and operate a Christian day school offering child care (commonly called “Day Care”) and kindergarten through grade 12. Admission will not be denied because of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin. This ministry shall be overseen by the Pastor and Deacons. The Pastor shall recommend the Principal who shall be hired by the Deacons. A proposed budget for the school operation shall be submitted to the congregation for ratification in July/August, with the proposed church budget, for the following school year.
Section 3. Showers: Personal showers (bridal or baby) shall not be given in the name of the church, nor as a church-sponsored activity. Church facilities may be made available to individual members who may wish to honor another person with a shower. Permission for use of the fellowship hall and kitchen must be obtained from the Pastor or Deacons.
Section 4. Weddings and receptions: The church is available for the wedding ceremony of both members and nonmembers (nonmembers at the discretion of the Pastor). The church is available for the receptions of members and adherents whose ceremony is performed in the church. It is understood that there is to be no smoking nor consumption of alcoholic beverages in the church nor on the church property. Throwing of rice or confetti is to be kept outside the church building. The enforcement of the above rules shall be the responsibility of the reception hosts and wedding party. All receptions held on Saturday must close and the guests leave at 10:00 p.m. Due to the limited space available, reception guests must be limited to 300. These regulations, plus a schedule of fees for janitorial services and the organist, in written form, shall be given by the Pastor to every couple approaching him to make arrangements for their wedding.
Section 5. Social use of church facilities: Permission to use church facilities for any party or social activity must be obtained through the Pastor or Deacons.
Sections 6. Dissolution clause: No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any donor, director, officer, nor any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of corporate assets. Upon dissolution, any assets of the Corporation must be distributed to one or more organizations of like faith and practice recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as one organized exclusively for religious, charitable, literary, or educational purposes.
Section 7. Non-political activities: No activities or monies of the Corporation shall be used to participate, intervene, or campaign in behalf of any candidate for public office. Note: By this we mean that the church in official session shall not endorse candidates. Furthermore, by this statement we mean that endorsements of candidates shall not be published on official literature of the church. However, this does not mean that individual citizens who are members of this church shall be prohibited from exercising their rights in these areas.
Article XV. Amendments
Section 1. This constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting by a two-thirds vote, provided four weeks notice has been given the church, except the Statement of Faith, which shall be irrevocable.
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Constitution 
