Source: http://www.fbcmonterey.org/constitution-and-by-laws
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 06:11:35+00:00

Document:
The following is the updated First Baptist Church of Monterey Constitution and By-Laws as approved by the congregation during the September 21st, 2014 business meeting.
(1) The name of this church, formally organized May 29, 1910, and duly recorded on September 2, 1911, is the First Baptist Church of Monterey, California (8/2/87). It is a non-profit charitable organization without capital stock, incorporated under the provisions of Title 12, Part 4, Division 1 of the Civil Code of the State of California. This Constitution and By-laws were adopted on August 21, 1968 and revised April 29, 1979, and again June 2, 1995. The present revision was passed September 21, 2014.
(1) The purpose of First Baptist Church of Monterey is to glorify God by knowing Him and leading everyone to salvation and maturity in His Son, Jesus Christ, through the truth of the Word of God by the gracious work of the Holy Spirit.
Section 2. Congregational Affirmation of Faith.
those who repent and forsake sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become new creatures, delivered from condemnation and receive eternal life.
(1) The following covenant constitutes a brief summary of important Biblical principles by which our fellowship of believers shall be guided. It is a Scriptural standard to which we aspire and by which we seek to order our lives as the Lord enables.
(2) Having been led by the Holy Spirit of God to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and having been obedient to Him in believer's baptism as taught in the New Testament, we do now in the presence of God and our fellow believers solemnly enter into this covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
and indulgence in pleasures may be an offense or cast a stumbling block in the path of others, we will voluntarily abstain from these practices in order to maintain a pure witness.
(1) The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but recognizes and sustains obligations of mutual cooperation common among Bible-believing Baptist churches. It also recognizes its obligation to cooperate with churches of other denominations in matters on which it is in agreement.
(1) The membership of this church shall consist of such persons who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, agreed to the preceding Covenant, the views of faith and practice held by this church, and have declared the Lordship of Christ over their lives in a believer's baptism.
(1) Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors and a two-thirds vote of the members present at any church business meeting, persons applying for membership and qualifying under one or more of the following classifications shall be received into the membership of the church.
(1) Those being immersed in water, following a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.
(1) Those transferring membership by letter from another church of like faith and order.
(1) Those, having previously been baptized as a believer, regardless of the mode of baptism, who give satisfactory testimony of Christian experience.
(2) The hand of fellowship shall be extended as soon as possible after the candidate has been voted into the membership of the church.
(1) Those who wish to retain their membership in a home church, may come under the watchcare of this church, and be received on the same basis as regular members, fulfilling the same requirements for membership. They shall exercise all the privileges of regular membership, except that they are not eligible to serve on the Board of Directors, and upon leaving the area, be automatically dropped from the church roll.
(1) Members are expected to be faithful in all spiritual duties essential to the Christian life, to attend the services of the church regularly, to give regularly for its support, and to share in its organized work.
(1) Those who attends the service and contribute to the spiritual and financial needs of the church.
(1) Those who have been absent from the church services for a period of six months without manifesting interest by communication or contribution. The inactive member's name shall be presented to the Board of Directors, who shall, if they feel the facts warrant, place said name on the Inactive List. Before a member is placed on the Inactive List a sixty (60) day notice of the proposed action shall be mailed to the member's last known address. Persons carried on the Inactive List shall have no voting privileges and are subject to erasure according to Section 7c hereof. Inactive members may be reinstated to the active status by the Board upon evidence of rededication and faithfulness.
(2) At least once a year, the Board shall review the membership of the church for the purpose of updating the church rolls in accordance with Section 7. The Board shall present an updated membership roll to the church at annual business meeting.
Biblical standard of doctrine and conduct (Galatians 6:1).
a. Stage One (One-to-one). It shall be the duty of any member of this church who has knowledge of the erring individual’s sin to warn and correct such erring individual in private, seeking his or her repentance and restoration. The offended person is to honestly examine his/her own heart and motives, pray for God’s direction, and then go to the offender with the specific actions or words that violated a specific Scripture, seeking their repentance, reconciliation, and restoration.
b. Stage Two (Two or Three Witnesses). If the offender refuses to repent, the offended person shall again go to the erring individual accompanied by one or two other individuals who shall confirm that the sin has occurred or is continuing to occur. On this second visit, the offender shall be warned that the Board will be informed if there is no genuine repentance.
c. Stage Three (Tell it to the church). If the offender still refuses to repent, then the matter shall be referred to the Board by the witnesses. The Board shall confirm a sin has occurred and that the offending individual is refusing to repent (Matthew 18:15-20 and 1 Timothy 5:19). The Elders will write a letter calling the offending party or parties to repent by stating the sin and the specific Scripture violated and informing them of when and where the church members will be informed if there is no repentance. The congregation will be informed of the individual’s sin at a regularly scheduled worship service in order that the church may call the erring individual to repentance.
d. Stage Four (Treat them as an unbeliever). If the offender refuses to repent after a collective call to repentance by the membership, the offender shall be publicly removed from membership in accordance with Section 7.(c) and not allowed to serve in a ministry at FBCM or share in communion until they repent. The members of the church shall be instructed to treat the individual as if they were an unbeliever while continuing to pray for their repentance or salvation. They are not to be shunned, but as with all unbelievers, there can be no sharing of Christian fellowship or worship (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).
a. When church discipline is needed.
b. What steps will be taken to initiate and carry out church discipline. c. When church discipline has succeeded.
d. Further steps to take when church discipline has not succeeded.
(5) This discipline must be initiated with a motive of restoration and must be carried out in a spirit of humility, honesty, and forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-20). When satisfactory evidence of repentance (2 Corinthians 2:6-8) has been demonstrated and the objective of the discipline having been accomplished, the board shall restore the individual to full fellowship/membership and any offended parties will demonstrate forgiveness. If stage three or four has been performed then such restoration will be performed in public at a regularly scheduled worship service.
(6) If a Pastor or other Elder is the subject of a church discipline matter, he shall not be involved in determining the actions to be taken by the Board or the church body; however, he shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to the same discipline. No accusation against an Elder shall be heard unless it is brought by two or more witnesses (1 Timothy 5:17-20). Church discipline of an Elder who persists in sin will also include a public rebuke of the Elder by the other Elders according to 1 Timothy 5:19.
(7) The members of this church, and all other professing Christians who regularly attend or fellowship with this church, agree that appeals of church discipline may be made to the Board using Scripture, but there shall be no appeal to any civil court of law because of any action taken in the process of church discipline, including any public statements to the members of the congregation as part of the disciplinary process or dismissal (1 Corinthians 6:1-7).
(1) All members of the church eighteen (18) years of age or older, who are on the Active List, shall constitute the voting body of the church. Only members on the Active List shall be eligible to hold office in the church.
(2) A member having a grievance may submit the same by letter to the Board of Directors for consideration and adjudication. Any member in good standing has the right to appeal any decision, using Scripture, first to the Board of Directors and if not satisfied, to the church body at any regular or special meeting of the congregation.
(3) Members of this church have no property rights and, upon termination of membership, they shall be entitled to no interest in the assets.
(1) Upon the request of a member in good standing, a letter of dismissal to unite with another Baptist church may be granted. Letters of transfer shall be mailed to the church with which the member wishes to unite.
(1) A person wishing to unite with other than a Baptist church may be furnished with a letter of Christian character and standing, or upon his written request to have his name withdrawn from membership, his request shall be honored and his membership terminated.
(1) It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to seek to reclaim members who disregard Biblical principles and Scriptural standards. When in any case, they are satisfied that the member cannot be reclaimed they shall recommend to the church that the same be removed from the membership of the church.
(2) Additionally, a member who for the space of one year has been on the inactive list should be removed from the membership of the church.
(1) The officers of this church shall at a minimum be a Pastor, a Board of Directors, Deaconesses, a Secretary of the Corporation, a Financial Secretary, and a Treasurer. Additional Officers may include Associate Pastor(s), an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, an Assistant Financial Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer, and a Sunday School Superintendent.
(2) The Board of Directors shall consist of six (6) or more men, in addition to the Pastors. The required number of Board members shall in no way constitute a requirement to place men on the board that are not fully qualified. In the case where God does not provide enough qualified men to serve on the Board, the number may be reduced until such time as God provides the men to serve.
(1) The Pastor shall be a man who is an ordained Baptist minister of conservative convictions freely subscribing to the doctrinal statement of the church. He shall also meet the qualifications of an Elder.
(2) An Associate Pastor shall be a man who likewise freely subscribe to the doctrinal statement of the church and be either an ordained Baptist minister or a candidate seeking ordination in the Baptist ministry. He shall also meet the qualifications of an Elder.
(3) The Elders shall be men qualified per I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, and I Peter 5:1-3.
(4) The Deacons shall be men qualified per I Timothy 3:8-13.
(5) All other officers of the church, Sunday School teachers and sponsors of children’s and youth activities shall be members in good standing in this church unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.
(1) The pastor shall serve for an indeterminate term. He shall be called at a special meeting of the church, on the two-thirds (2/3) recommendation of the Board of Directors, provided notice of same shall have been given from the pulpit at least two Sundays prior thereto. The call of the Pastor shall be determined by ballot. To be declared called, the candidate must receive eighty-five (85) percent of the votes cast.
(2) The pastoral relationship may be terminated upon thirty (30) days notice by the Pastor or sixty (60) days notice by the church. The question of dissolving the pastoral relations may be considered at any business meeting of the church on the two-thirds (2/3) recommendation of the Board of Directors. The pastoral relation shall only be dissolved by an affirmative secret ballot with a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present. Notice shall have been given in the church announcements of the two Sundays preceding the meeting.
(3) The calling of a Pastor or the termination of the Pastoral relationship shall not be valid unless at least thirty (30) percent of the membership entitled to vote is present at such a meeting.
(1) The Associate Pastors shall be procured upon the recommendation of two-thirds (2/3) of the total Board of Directors and a majority vote of the members voting at any regular or special meeting of the church, providing that notice of the intended call has been announced at least seven (7) days in advance. Dissolution of the relationship shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total Board of Directors.
(1) The members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the church for a period of up to three (3) years; a panel equivalent to approximately one-third (1/3) of the total board should be elected each year. Members having completed two full three-year terms shall not be eligible for the office of board member for at least one year thereafter. They may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors for failure to attend without reasonable cause regular meetings of the Board or for conduct impairing their qualifications or efficiency as a board member.
(1) The Deaconesses shall function as an auxiliary committee to the Board of Directors and shall consist of up to twelve (12) members, one third of whom should be elected each year, to serve for a period of up to three (3) years. A Deaconess having completed two full three-year terms shall not be eligible for the office of Deaconess for at least one year thereafter. A Deaconess may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Deaconesses for failure to attend or carry out her duties of office without reasonable cause.
(1) All other officers of the church shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors have assumed office. The term of any officer shall immediately terminate and the office deemed vacant upon such officer's becoming disqualified from holding office as indicated by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Vacancies in Elected Office.
(1) In the event of a vacancy, other than pastoral, caused by death, resignation or removal, the vacancy may be filled at any regular business meeting of the church. Each committee or board in which a vacancy occurs shall make its nomination to the church. If a vacancy arises in some other area the Board of Directors shall bring a nomination to the church.
(1) In the event of pastoral vacancy, other than that of the Associate Pastor, caused by death, resignation or removal of the pastor, the Board of Directors shall recommend to the church a Pulpit Committee of seven persons, three of whom shall be board members. This committee shall function at such time as the church is pastorless, securing pulpit supplies and making prayerful recommendations to the church concerning the call of a pastor. This committee shall present only one candidate at a time for consideration of the church body. The entertainment of supply pastors and candidates for the pulpit, as well as the reception and installation of the new pastor, shall be initiated by this committee. The term of office of such committee shall expire when a new pastor has been installed.
(2) In the event that the Pastor’s proposed resignation is given far enough in advance, a study and search committee may be formed that would later function as a Pulpit Committee upon the official resignation of the pastor.
reason of the fact that the person is or was a person described in that section. “Expenses,” as used in this bylaw, shall have the same meaning as in that section of the Corporations Code.
(2) On written request to the board by any person seeking indemnification under Corporations Code § 9246(b) or § 9246(c), the board shall promptly decide under Corporations Code § 9246(e) whether the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Corporations Code § 9246(b) or § 9246(c) has been met and, if so, the board shall authorize indemnification. If the board cannot authorize indemnification, because the number of directors who are parties to the proceeding with respect to which indemnification is sought prevents the formation of a quorum of directors who are not parties to that proceeding, the board shall promptly call a meeting of members. At that meeting, the members shall determine under Corporations Code § 9246(e) whether the applicable standard of conduct has been met and, if so, the members present at the meeting in person or by proxy shall authorize indemnification.
(3) To the fullest extent permitted by law and except as otherwise determined by the board in a specific instance, expenses incurred by a person seeking indemnification under these bylaws in defending any proceeding covered by those Sections shall be advanced by the corporation before final disposition of the proceeding, on receipt by the corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of that person that the advance will be repaid unless it is ultimately found that the person is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation for those expenses.
(1) This corporation shall have the right, and shall use its best efforts, to purchase and maintain insurance to the full extent permitted by law on behalf of its officers, directors, employees, and other agents, to cover any liability asserted against or incurred by any officer, director, employee, or agent in such capacity or arising from the officer’s, director’s, employee’s, or agent’s status as such.
(1) It shall be the duty of the pastor to have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church; to preside over the services of public worship; to administer the ordinances; and to devote his time and talents to the up building of the congregation and the usefulness of the church. He is an Elder and a voting member of the Board. He shall also be an ex-officio voting member of all committees.
(2) He shall consult with the Elders before making final arrangements to be absent from any Sunday worship service of the church. He shall, in collaboration with the chairman of the Board of Directors, recommend the chairmen of standing or special committees to the board for approval. He shall be granted an annual vacation. His salary shall be determined by the church on a yearly basis. Allowance shall be provided for the payment of an insurance and/or retirement pension plan mutually agreed upon.
(3) The Pastor shall recuse himself from discussion and voting on Board items that directly affect his personal employment, such as a recommendation for dismissal or salary/benefits.
(1) An Associate Pastor shall perform duties as assigned to them by the Pastor or Board of Directors. He is an Elder and shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors.
(2) He shall be granted an annual vacation. His salary shall be determined by the church on a yearly basis.
(3) The Associate Pastor shall recuse himself from discussion and voting on Board items that directly affect his personal or other pastors’ employment, such as dismissal or salary/benefits.
(1) Three or more men, in addition to the Pastors, shall be elected as elders. Their duties will be, in general, to equip all believers in the assembly for proper functioning, so that the whole flock may be built up toward Christ-likeness and unity.
(2) Since their chief responsibility is equipping, they may function as an education committee (discipleship) overseeing the various programs that have a teaching/learning function or they may delegate this responsibility to a standing committee.
(3) They shall examine and recommend candidates for church membership, assimilate new members into the life of the church, administer a systematic spiritual program of oversight of the membership, reclaim inactive and delinquent members where possible, submit to the board the names of those who have not responded to efforts of reclamation, and evaluate membership rolls at least once a year.
(1) Three or more men should be elected as Deacons and shall function in the role of implementers, seeing that the policy and practices of the church find practical avenues of expression through the various programs, agencies and activities.
(2) They shall give oversight to the temporal aspects of the church such as buildings and finance, and may function as a building and finance committee or delegate this responsibility to a standing committee.
(1) Deaconesses are vital to the health of the congregation and shall supplement the work of the Elders and Deacons in the care of members.
(2) They shall facilitate fellowship opportunities within the body, assist candidates for baptism, be the custodians of the communion ware, prepare for the communion services, and fulfill such other responsibilities which the Elders or Deacons may request.
Section 6. Secretary of the Corporation.
(1) The Secretary shall be a member of the Board and the custodian of the records of the church and corporation seal, keep an accurate record of the business transactions of all regular and special congregational meetings and other items of interest that occur in the history of the church, keep accurate records of church membership, perform such other duties as the Pastor or the Board of Directors may direct as are normally assigned to a Secretary.
(1) The Financial Secretary shall be under the supervision of the Stewardship Committee and the Board of Directors, and shall keep an accurate record of all monies received by the church and, together with the Assistant Financial Secretary or some person or persons appointed by the Stewardship Committee, shall count and record all receipts of the church. Monies shall be deposited in specified banks or loan companies, and the bank deposit receipts turned over to the Church Treasurer weekly. Quarterly and annual reports shall be made to the church. The Financial Secretary shall send annual statements of accounts to them. The Financial Secretary shall be bonded.
(1) The Treasurer is ultimately responsible for and shall oversee the recording all receipts, holding and distributing monies, except the Fellowship Fund that is under the supervision of the Board of Directors. All expenditures shall be in accordance with the provision of the annual budget unless otherwise provided for by the Board and ratified by the Church.
(2) Disbursements shall be by check, and except in the case of regular expenses, shall be approved by the Pastor or by the Stewardship Committee. Any check over the amount of one percent of the Church’s annual budget must be specifically approved by either the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer in writing.
(3) At the close of each month the Treasurer shall furnish the Pastor, chairman of the Deacons and chairman of the Board of Directors with a statement of receipts and disbursements and shall make quarterly and annual written reports to the church. The Treasurer shall be bonded.
Section 9. Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
(1) If this office is filled, the duties of the Assistant Secretary shall be determined by mutual consent between the Secretary and the assistant, as well as perform such other duties as the Pastor or the Board of Directors may direct.
Section 10. Assistant Financial Secretary.
(1) If this office is filled, the Assistant Financial Secretary shall assist the Financial Secretary and shall perform such other duties as directed by the Stewardship Committee and/or the Board of Directors. The Assistant Financial Secretary shall be bonded.
(1) If this office is filled, this officer shall act for the Treasurer in the fulfillment of his office as the Stewardship Committee instructs. The Assistant Treasurer shall be bonded.
Section 12. Sunday School Superintendent.
(1) If this office is filled, the Sunday School Superintendent shall have general supervision of the Sunday School in cooperation with the Discipleship Committee of which he shall be a member. He shall conduct regular Sunday School staff meetings. He shall make quarterly and annual reports to the Board of Directors and the church regarding the programs of the school.
(1) All additional officers that the church may authorize shall be under the jurisdiction of the Board of Directors and be responsible thereto as well as to the membership, and shall render reports as either may direct.
ARTICLE VI. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
(1) Subject to the authority of the church body as expressed generally in Article II, Section 4, hereof, and in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for the management of both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church. This board shall be and act in all respects as the board of directors of the corporation. As soon as possible following the annual election of officers, it shall elect its own chairman, vice- chairman, secretary and a treasurer of its Fellowship Fund, which it is authorized to distribute. The board shall meet each month on a date it shall determine. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
(2) The Board of Directors shall consist of both the Elders and Deacons.
(4) The Board of Directors shall maintain a Policy and Procedures Manual covering any specific duties not detailed in this document.
Conduct an annual review of all other church salaried staff.
Include in the Policy and Procedures Manual the details and format for all reviews.
(1) The Deaconesses shall consist of the elected Deaconesses.
Section 3. Standing and Special Committees.
specified. A committee member absent from three consecutive meetings without notifying the chairman will automatically cease to be a member of the committee.
(1) A nominating committee shall be selected, no later than three months prior to the annual meeting, by the Board of Directors to support the annual election of officers and Board members. The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of at least two Board members, a deaconess, and up to two members of the congregation at large, as determined by the Board.
b. Stewardship Committee (Building & Finance).
(1) The Stewardship Committee shall consist of three or more members, including an elder or a deacon, a deaconess, the treasurer and the financial secretary.
(2) The Treasurer shall serve as the chairman of this committee.
committee when they cannot attend.
among the members of the church in the area of time, talents and possessions.
(5) The committee shall manage the financial program of the church and its ministries.
budget, itemizing the anticipated fiscal needs of all the departments, committees and organizations of the church for the ensuing year. The Board will submit a final budget recommendation to the congregation for its approval.
(7) The committee shall make recommendations to the Board regarding measures to control expenditures within the current income. Budget deviations must be authorized by the congregation in conformance with Article VII, Section 7 at a regular or special meeting of the church.
(8) This committee shall advise the Board in all matters of church property purchasing or sale, maintenance, improvements, insurance coverage, and financial implication of hiring personnel.
(1) The Worship Committee shall consist of three or more members, including the head usher.
(2) The Worship Leader shall be the chair of this committee.
membership, and, on occasion, inviting individuals and groups from outside the church.
choir robes and musical instruments.
regular services of the church, and any special meetings where their services will be needed.
such other duties as the board may direct and approve.
(1) The Fellowship Committee shall consist of three or more members.
(3) It shall be in charge of social functions involving all-church fellowship gatherings.
concern, and shall submit the same to the Stewardship Committee. It shall also fulfill such other duties as the Board may direct and approve.
(1) The Missions Committee oversees the whole area of evangelism and missions, reaching out into our community and into the world to bring people into the life and likeness of Jesus Christ.
(2) The Missions Committee shall consist of three or more members, including a member of the Board.
(3) It shall be responsible for the formulating and supervising of a program of evangelism through the church and its organizations, seeking to reach the community for Christ and His church. It shall supervise the various outreach ministries of the church such as those to our men and women in service, rest homes and hospitals, child evangelism etc.
(4) It shall supervise a program of missionary education and promotion throughout the church, and shall recommend missionaries, agencies, and institutions to be supported by the church. It shall keep in close touch with church sponsored missionaries and church approved missionary agencies and Christian schools. It shall give general oversight to the Annual Missionary Conference and other outreach programs such as AWANA and Vacation Bible School.
(5) It shall prepare and submit an annual budget request to the Stewardship Committee and fulfill such other duties as the Board may direct and approve.
f. Discipleship Committee (Christian Education).
(1) The Discipleship Committee shall consist of three or more members, including at least 1 Elder and the Sunday School Superintendent, if filled. It shall be responsible for the educational program of the church including Sunday School, children's church, and camping programs.
(2) It shall have oversight of all adult small groups, including, but not limited to, Men’s and Women’s Bible Study, Home Groups, Wednesday night Bible Study, etc.
(3) It shall appoint (except the elected officers) and train all personnel of the above-mentioned programs.
(4) It shall approve all literature used in these programs.
perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may direct and approve.
(1) The Board of Directors shall appoint special committees, as it deems necessary. The Board shall document specific duties and authority in writing for any special committees so appointed.
(1) Stated meetings for worship shall be held each Sunday and at such times as the Board may direct.
(2) The Ordinance of the Lord's Supper shall be commemorated at least once each month and at such other times as the Board may direct.
(1) Meetings for the transaction of business shall be held Quarterly, normally February, May, August, and November.
(2) Special business meetings may be called when deemed necessary by the Board or by the written request of twelve (12) members.
(3) The Annual Meeting shall be in November.
(4) The election of officers and passage of the budget for the coming fiscal year shall take place during the Annual Meeting.
(5) All matters of business should be presented to the Moderator at least one Sunday in advance of the business meeting so that they can be added to the agenda.
Section 3. Meetings of the Boards and Committees.
(1) Regular meetings of the Board shall be held each month at such time and place as it may determine. Any active member may attend a regular Board meeting.
(2) A special meeting of the Board may be called by the chairman, the Pastor, or three of its members. An agenda must be published prior to a special meeting.
(3) The Deaconesses shall meet at least every two months or at such times as it shall be called by its chairman, three of its members, or the Board.
(4) All other Committees shall meet at such times as the Board determines or at the call of the committee chairman or the Chairman of the Board.
(5) Minutes from the meetings of the Board and each Committee shall be published and held at the church office no later than two weeks after the following meeting of the Board or committee.
(1) The Moderator of the business meetings of the church shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Vice-Moderator shall be the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
(2) A quorum for the transaction of church business shall be 20% of the active membership eligible to vote.
(3) A quorum for the Boards and Committees of the church shall be a simple majority.
(4) Questions of parliamentary practice not provided herein by specific rule shall be determined according to the latest edition of “Robert's Rule of Order Newly Revised”.
Section 5. Notice of Business Meetings.
(1) Notice of regular and special business meetings of the church shall be given in the Sunday bulletin or from the pulpit at the regular church services on the Sunday preceding the date of the meetings, except in those cases where the constitution may require additional notice. Every effort should be made to provide at least four weeks notice prior to a regular business meeting.
(2) Matters of business dealing with the reception and dismissal of members or minor items of noncontroversial nature may be presented during or immediately following any regular worship service without prior notification of the membership.
(3) Notice of meetings of the Board of Directors may be given by pulpit announcement at any worship service on the Sunday preceding the meeting, or by other reasonably adapted means to apprise the Board of such meetings.
(1) Nominees for office will be presented by the Nominating Committee to the Board of Directors at least six weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. This committee should present at least one nominee for each office to be filled. Each nominee shall submit a completed questionnaire, approved by the Board, which seeks to ascertain the level of qualification of the nominee for the particular position being nominated. The Board of Directors will review the nominee’s completed questionnaire for potential issues. Finally, at least two Elders shall personally interview each nominee before establishing whether a nominee is qualified to serve.
(2) Any member may propose a nominee to the Nominating Committee or directly to the Board for consideration at least six weeks prior to the annual meeting. However, due to the inability to properly examine a nominee, in accordance with I Tim 3, nominees from the floor during the meeting will not be accepted.
(3) Once the list of nominees has been properly vetted, it shall be posted in the church foyer at least three weeks prior to the annual meeting for the election of officers. The election of officers shall be by written ballot. Any vacancies that have occurred during the year and have been filled by the Board of Directors will be elected at this time.
(2) A secret ballot shall be taken whenever voting on elections, calling or dismissing a pastor or approval of a candidate for ordination. Any member, present and eligible to vote, may call for a secret ballot on any other matters of business.
Section 1. The Church Fiscal Year.
(1) The fiscal year of the church shall be from January 1 to December 31 inclusive.
(1) An audit of the church funds shall be conducted annually by an auditing committee or a public accountant selected by the Board of Directors and shall date from the last audit. The report of the audit committee or accountant shall be made to the church.
(1) Necessary finances for conducting the church programs and its missionary outreach shall be obtained primarily through the voluntary tithes and offerings of members and friends.
(2) Funds may be solicited for designated funds and purposes only upon the approval of the Board of Directors.
(3) Finances obtained beyond our regular weekly giving in worship services require Board of Directors approval.
(4) Funds from sources other than freewill offerings shall not constitute more than 25% of the general budget. If income from non-freewill offerings exceeds 25% of the annual budget, the congregation must vote to decide how the excess will be spent. The congregation is not restricted in the disposition of the excess funds.
(1) The church, upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors may elect from time to time such messengers and representatives, as it is entitled to send to associational, state or national meetings. It is understood that such representatives shall duly represent the policy and attitude of the church.
(1) Any donations of money or other goods given to the church or to any of its auxiliary organizations shall become the property of the church and shall be administered by the Board of Directors. Monetary gifts to a restricted fund shall be used for the designated purpose, but any gift given for a purpose or under conditions not acceptable to the Board shall be returned to the donor.
(1) In the case of disbandment, the property or the proceeds thereof in case of sale shall be used for Christian missionary effort as voted by the church.
(1) Thisconstitutionmaybeamended,inaccordancewithArticleVII,Section7,providedthatthe amendments do not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation and that notice shall have been given in the regular church announcements on the two Sundays preceding such business meeting.

References: § 9246
 § 9246
 § 9246
 § 9246
 § 9246
 § 9246