Church By laws
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| ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS The officers of this church shall be as follows: |
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ARTICLE VII. BOARDS
The following shall be the Boards of this church:
Training Union and supervisors of its departments, the President of the Missionary
Society and the supervisors of its auxiliary, and the Chairman of the Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF THIS CHURCH
SECTION 1. Duties of the Pastor: The Pastor shall preach, lead the congregation,
teach the Gospel, administer the Ordinances of the Church (Lord’s Supper and
Baptism), watch over the membership, promote the spiritual interest of the church, and
organize the church materially so as to develop its strength for the best possible service.
He shall serve as moderator of the church business meetings. He shall be the ex officio
member of all boards, auxiliaries, committees, and organizations of this church. The
contract, which governs the responsibilities and expectations of the Pastor, which is
agreed upon by the Pastor, and the Deacons of this church, shall dictate the continued
Pastor leadership.
SECTION 2. Duties of the Board of Deacons: The Board of Deacons shall in every
way assist the Pastor in his church duties, and will consider all applications for church
membership and all requests for letters of dismissal or erasure of names from the roll of
the church. This Board cooperates with the Pastor in providing the supplies of the pulpit,
in providing leadership for prayer services and devotions, in visiting the sick, needy and
distressed, in administering such funds as the church may provide for assistance to the
sick, needy and distressed, and for the promotion of the church in the support of worthy
causes. Indifferent, immoral, peace-breaking Deacons or Deacons known to be
dishonest will be referred to the Pastor and to the Deacon’s Board-at-large. Their
duration in office will depend largely upon their conduct and efficiency as determined by
the Pastor and the church as recorded in 1 Timothy 3:8.
SECTION 3. Duties of the Board of Mothers, Ministers' Wives and Deaconess’:
The Board of Mothers, Ministers' Wives and Deaconess’ shall assist the Pastor in
developing the Spiritual life of the women and girls of the church for the best possible
Christian service. This Board shall cooperate with the Pastor and Deacons Board in
visiting the members of the church, in caring for the sick, needy and distressed, in the
preparation for the observation of the Ordinances of the church, and in the promotion of
the Evangelistic program of the church.
SECTION 4. Duties of the Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall hold in
trust all property belonging to the church as a corporation, and shall take all necessary
measures for its protection, management, and upkeep, but this Board shall have no power
to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property or finances without the vote of the
majority of members of the church authorizing such action. It shall designate the bank
where the funds of the church shall be deposited and shall direct the treasurer to deposit
the same within 48-hours. This Board shall be responsible for all the paying, directing all
the paying of bills, notes, and other financial obligations as authorized by the church. It
shall be the duty of the chairperson of this Board and the general treasurer of the church
to sign all checks issued for the purpose of disbursing the funds of the church. This
Board can serve as the purchasing agency of the church. It shall select an auditing
committee to audit its service, and direct the auditing of the financial records of the
church at the close of the fiscal year, October 31st, or whenever it becomes necessary.
It shall select from its ranks a counting committee to count all church monies. This
Board shall assist in preparing an annual budget for the church and in securing such
funds as may be necessary for the successful operation of such budget. In disbursing
the funds of the church, this Board shall establish a checking account in a bank in the
name of the church, for the purpose of depositing and withdrawing all church monies,
unless otherwise directed by the church.
SECTION 5. Duties of the Board of Christian Education/Youth Group: The Board
of Christian Education shall unify, supervise and promote all the educational interests of
the church including: The Sunday School, the Vacation Bible School, the Baptist Training
Union, the Missionary Society, Young People's Groups, and all other classes and groups
operating in the field of Christian education.
SECTION 6. Duties of the General Treasurer/Financial Secretary: The General
Treasurer/Financial Secretary shall be custodian of all monies distributed to the church,
and shall bank the same at the direction of the Trustee Board. He/she shall pay bills as
authorized by the church, in such a manner and at such time as determined by the Board
of Trustees. He/she shall countersign all checks issued to disburse the funds of the
church, along with the chairperson of the Trustee Board. He/she shall present to the
church at its regular business meetings an itemized report of receipts and disbursements
showing the actual financial condition of the church. He/she shall present his/her books
to be audited at the close of the fiscal year, October 31st, or more often if requested by
the church. He/she shall deliver to his/her successor all books and records and
documents pertaining to the office. He/she shall maintain all financial records. The
custodian of all monies for all church accounts must be bonded:
The following shall be the Boards of this church:
- The Executive Board (the Pastor, Trustees and Deacons)
- The Board of Deacons
- The Chairwoman of Mothers, Ministers' Wives and Deaconess’
- The Board of Trustees
- The Board of Ushers
- Nurses Aide Board
- The Board of Christian Education/Youth Group which shall be composed of:
Training Union and supervisors of its departments, the President of the Missionary
Society and the supervisors of its auxiliary, and the Chairman of the Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF THIS CHURCH
SECTION 1. Duties of the Pastor: The Pastor shall preach, lead the congregation,
teach the Gospel, administer the Ordinances of the Church (Lord’s Supper and
Baptism), watch over the membership, promote the spiritual interest of the church, and
organize the church materially so as to develop its strength for the best possible service.
He shall serve as moderator of the church business meetings. He shall be the ex officio
member of all boards, auxiliaries, committees, and organizations of this church. The
contract, which governs the responsibilities and expectations of the Pastor, which is
agreed upon by the Pastor, and the Deacons of this church, shall dictate the continued
Pastor leadership.
SECTION 2. Duties of the Board of Deacons: The Board of Deacons shall in every
way assist the Pastor in his church duties, and will consider all applications for church
membership and all requests for letters of dismissal or erasure of names from the roll of
the church. This Board cooperates with the Pastor in providing the supplies of the pulpit,
in providing leadership for prayer services and devotions, in visiting the sick, needy and
distressed, in administering such funds as the church may provide for assistance to the
sick, needy and distressed, and for the promotion of the church in the support of worthy
causes. Indifferent, immoral, peace-breaking Deacons or Deacons known to be
dishonest will be referred to the Pastor and to the Deacon’s Board-at-large. Their
duration in office will depend largely upon their conduct and efficiency as determined by
the Pastor and the church as recorded in 1 Timothy 3:8.
SECTION 3. Duties of the Board of Mothers, Ministers' Wives and Deaconess’:
The Board of Mothers, Ministers' Wives and Deaconess’ shall assist the Pastor in
developing the Spiritual life of the women and girls of the church for the best possible
Christian service. This Board shall cooperate with the Pastor and Deacons Board in
visiting the members of the church, in caring for the sick, needy and distressed, in the
preparation for the observation of the Ordinances of the church, and in the promotion of
the Evangelistic program of the church.
SECTION 4. Duties of the Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall hold in
trust all property belonging to the church as a corporation, and shall take all necessary
measures for its protection, management, and upkeep, but this Board shall have no power
to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property or finances without the vote of the
majority of members of the church authorizing such action. It shall designate the bank
where the funds of the church shall be deposited and shall direct the treasurer to deposit
the same within 48-hours. This Board shall be responsible for all the paying, directing all
the paying of bills, notes, and other financial obligations as authorized by the church. It
shall be the duty of the chairperson of this Board and the general treasurer of the church
to sign all checks issued for the purpose of disbursing the funds of the church. This
Board can serve as the purchasing agency of the church. It shall select an auditing
committee to audit its service, and direct the auditing of the financial records of the
church at the close of the fiscal year, October 31st, or whenever it becomes necessary.
It shall select from its ranks a counting committee to count all church monies. This
Board shall assist in preparing an annual budget for the church and in securing such
funds as may be necessary for the successful operation of such budget. In disbursing
the funds of the church, this Board shall establish a checking account in a bank in the
name of the church, for the purpose of depositing and withdrawing all church monies,
unless otherwise directed by the church.
SECTION 5. Duties of the Board of Christian Education/Youth Group: The Board
of Christian Education shall unify, supervise and promote all the educational interests of
the church including: The Sunday School, the Vacation Bible School, the Baptist Training
Union, the Missionary Society, Young People's Groups, and all other classes and groups
operating in the field of Christian education.
SECTION 6. Duties of the General Treasurer/Financial Secretary: The General
Treasurer/Financial Secretary shall be custodian of all monies distributed to the church,
and shall bank the same at the direction of the Trustee Board. He/she shall pay bills as
authorized by the church, in such a manner and at such time as determined by the Board
of Trustees. He/she shall countersign all checks issued to disburse the funds of the
church, along with the chairperson of the Trustee Board. He/she shall present to the
church at its regular business meetings an itemized report of receipts and disbursements
showing the actual financial condition of the church. He/she shall present his/her books
to be audited at the close of the fiscal year, October 31st, or more often if requested by
the church. He/she shall deliver to his/her successor all books and records and
documents pertaining to the office. He/she shall maintain all financial records. The
custodian of all monies for all church accounts must be bonded:
 | General Account | |
| Benevolent Account | |
| Building Fund | |
SECTION 7. Duties of the Church Clerk: The Church Clerk shall keep accurate
minutesof the business proceedings of the church including: The reception and dismissal
of members, keep a complete roll of members of the church and their addresses, issue
letters of dismissal and letters of Christian standing and preserve and properly file all
letters, reports, and other documents pertaining to the office, assist in preparing the
denominational report, and other such records as required. He/she shall deliver
immediately to his/her successor all books, files, records and other documents in his/her
possession pertaining to his/her office.
SECTION 8. Duties of the President of the Missionary Society: The President of the
Missionary Society shall direct the activities of the society and its auxiliaries and shall
work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Christian Education of the church.
SECTION 9. Duties of the Sunday School Superintendent: The Superintendent of
the Sunday School shall have general supervision of the Sunday School and its activities
and shall work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Christian Education of the
church.
SECTION 10. Duties of the Director of the Baptist Training Union: The Director of
the Baptist Training Union shall have general supervision of the Baptist Training Union
and its activities and shall work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Christian
Education of the church.
SECTION 11. Duties of the President of the Board of Ushers: The President of the
Board of Ushers shall have general supervision of the Board of Ushers and its auxiliaries
and shall work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Deacons of the church.
SECTION 12. Duties of the President of the Board of Nurses: The President of the
Board of Nurses shall have general supervision of the Board of Nurses. The nurses shall
provide assistance to the sick, elderly and bereaved. The President shall work in
cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Deacons of the church.
ARTICLES IX. ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. The membership of the church at its annual business meeting shall elect
the following listed officers of the church:
SECTION 2. In the election of the general officers of the church, the followingprocedure shall be adhered to:
Prior to the date of the annual business meeting of the church, the Pastor shall appoint a
nominating committee composed of at least seven members of the church on the
approval of the church. The committee shall prepare a list of suggested persons to fill
the various offices of the church as indicated by this Constitution and By-Laws, except
the Chairman of the Deacon Board and the Chairwoman of the Deaconess’ Board, who
shall be appointed along with the Chairperson of Trustees by the Pastor. The nominating
committee shall investigate the qualified persons for each office, and upon determination
of their capability, shall recommend one person for each position to be filled.
SECTION 3. Each board, organization and auxiliary of the church shall elect at least a
president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer.
SECTION 4. There shall be an annual election of officers that will be held on the first
Friday of November each year. At the time of the election of officers, with the exception
of the members of the various boards, each office with its candidates shall be considered
one at a time, unless otherwise decided by the church at the time of election. It shall be
the privilege of any qualified member at the time of election to make such additional
nominations from the floor as he/she desires. The Pastor shall chair the meeting at this
time and may at his discretion limit time for debate to a reasonable time for each office
under discussion. Voting for officers shall be by such means as the Pastor sees fit,
unless a substantial portion of the membership requests otherwise.
SECTION 5. Those elected at that meeting shall take office the following January 1st
and shall serve to the 31st day of December of the year of their office.
SECTION 6. Qualifications of Voters: All matters shall be voted upon only by members
in good and regular standing who are of "legal voting age," 18-years of age.
SECTION 7. Vacancies occurring in the officers of the church during the year may be
filled for the unexpired term of office by the determination of the Pastor.
minutesof the business proceedings of the church including: The reception and dismissal
of members, keep a complete roll of members of the church and their addresses, issue
letters of dismissal and letters of Christian standing and preserve and properly file all
letters, reports, and other documents pertaining to the office, assist in preparing the
denominational report, and other such records as required. He/she shall deliver
immediately to his/her successor all books, files, records and other documents in his/her
possession pertaining to his/her office.
SECTION 8. Duties of the President of the Missionary Society: The President of the
Missionary Society shall direct the activities of the society and its auxiliaries and shall
work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Christian Education of the church.
SECTION 9. Duties of the Sunday School Superintendent: The Superintendent of
the Sunday School shall have general supervision of the Sunday School and its activities
and shall work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Christian Education of the
church.
SECTION 10. Duties of the Director of the Baptist Training Union: The Director of
the Baptist Training Union shall have general supervision of the Baptist Training Union
and its activities and shall work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Christian
Education of the church.
SECTION 11. Duties of the President of the Board of Ushers: The President of the
Board of Ushers shall have general supervision of the Board of Ushers and its auxiliaries
and shall work in cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Deacons of the church.
SECTION 12. Duties of the President of the Board of Nurses: The President of the
Board of Nurses shall have general supervision of the Board of Nurses. The nurses shall
provide assistance to the sick, elderly and bereaved. The President shall work in
cooperation with the Pastor and the Board of Deacons of the church.
ARTICLES IX. ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. The membership of the church at its annual business meeting shall elect
the following listed officers of the church:
| The Chairman of the Board of Deacons | |
| The Chairwoman of the Board of Mothers, Ministers' Wives and Deaconess’ | |
| The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees | |
| The General Treasurer/Financial Secretary | |
| The Church Clerk | |
| The General Superintendent of the Sunday School | |
| The Director of the Baptist Training Union | |
| The President of the Missionary Society | |
| The President of the Board of Ushers | |
| The President of the Board of Nurses Aide |
SECTION 2. In the election of the general officers of the church, the following
Prior to the date of the annual business meeting of the church, the Pastor shall appoint a
nominating committee composed of at least seven members of the church on the
approval of the church. The committee shall prepare a list of suggested persons to fill
the various offices of the church as indicated by this Constitution and By-Laws, except
the Chairman of the Deacon Board and the Chairwoman of the Deaconess’ Board, who
shall be appointed along with the Chairperson of Trustees by the Pastor. The nominating
committee shall investigate the qualified persons for each office, and upon determination
of their capability, shall recommend one person for each position to be filled.
SECTION 3. Each board, organization and auxiliary of the church shall elect at least a
president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer.
SECTION 4. There shall be an annual election of officers that will be held on the first
Friday of November each year. At the time of the election of officers, with the exception
of the members of the various boards, each office with its candidates shall be considered
one at a time, unless otherwise decided by the church at the time of election. It shall be
the privilege of any qualified member at the time of election to make such additional
nominations from the floor as he/she desires. The Pastor shall chair the meeting at this
time and may at his discretion limit time for debate to a reasonable time for each office
under discussion. Voting for officers shall be by such means as the Pastor sees fit,
unless a substantial portion of the membership requests otherwise.
SECTION 5. Those elected at that meeting shall take office the following January 1st
and shall serve to the 31st day of December of the year of their office.
SECTION 6. Qualifications of Voters: All matters shall be voted upon only by members
in good and regular standing who are of "legal voting age," 18-years of age.
SECTION 7. Vacancies occurring in the officers of the church during the year may be
filled for the unexpired term of office by the determination of the Pastor.
ARTICLE X. ELECTION, CALL AND TERMINATION OF THE PASTOR
SECTION 1. A Pastor elected by the Church is called and selected to serve an indefinite
period of time. The adoption of these By-Laws and all other provisions of this section
shall apply to the Pastor of this Church.
SECTION 2. When the church is without a Pastor, the pulpit shall be empty. The
Deacon Board shall select a representative Pulpit Committee that shall be composed of
thirteen members. The committee shall consist of: four deacons, two mothers and seven
members selected from the church-at-large. This committee shall be constituted at a
meeting called for that purpose by the Chairman of the Board of Deacons within thirty-
days after the pulpit is vacant. It shall be the duty of the committee to take necessary
steps to secure a prospective Pastor to present to the church for consideration. The
committee shall investigate his character, his call to the gospel ministry, his educational
preparation, ministerial record and preaching ability in determining his fitness to serve as
Pastor of this church. When, according to the findings of the committee, a suitable
candidate has been discovered, the committee shall recommend him to the church for its
consideration.
SECTION 3. The recommendation for a Pastor shall be presented to the church at a
business meeting duly called by the Pulpit Committee, of which notice shall have been
read from the pulpit to the church on at least two successive Sundays preceding said
meeting. At said meeting, the first order of business shall be the reading of the report of
the Pulpit Committee. At this meeting only three candidates shall be considered, which
shall be the persons selected by the Pulpit Committee. The vote of the majority of the
members of the church present and voting that the report of the committee be adopted
shall elect and call the Pastor. In the event that the majority of the members present and
voting shall reject the recommendation of the Pulpit Committee, the committee shall retire
and the same procedure shall be followed as outlined above. Absentee balloting will be
permitted upon approval of the Pulpit Committee.
SECTION 4. Termination of the Pastorate: The term of office of the Pastor may be
ended upon thirty days' written notice on the part of the Pastor or the church.
SECTION 1. A Pastor elected by the Church is called and selected to serve an indefinite
period of time. The adoption of these By-Laws and all other provisions of this section
shall apply to the Pastor of this Church.
SECTION 2. When the church is without a Pastor, the pulpit shall be empty. The
Deacon Board shall select a representative Pulpit Committee that shall be composed of
thirteen members. The committee shall consist of: four deacons, two mothers and seven
members selected from the church-at-large. This committee shall be constituted at a
meeting called for that purpose by the Chairman of the Board of Deacons within thirty-
days after the pulpit is vacant. It shall be the duty of the committee to take necessary
steps to secure a prospective Pastor to present to the church for consideration. The
committee shall investigate his character, his call to the gospel ministry, his educational
preparation, ministerial record and preaching ability in determining his fitness to serve as
Pastor of this church. When, according to the findings of the committee, a suitable
candidate has been discovered, the committee shall recommend him to the church for its
consideration.
SECTION 3. The recommendation for a Pastor shall be presented to the church at a
business meeting duly called by the Pulpit Committee, of which notice shall have been
read from the pulpit to the church on at least two successive Sundays preceding said
meeting. At said meeting, the first order of business shall be the reading of the report of
the Pulpit Committee. At this meeting only three candidates shall be considered, which
shall be the persons selected by the Pulpit Committee. The vote of the majority of the
members of the church present and voting that the report of the committee be adopted
shall elect and call the Pastor. In the event that the majority of the members present and
voting shall reject the recommendation of the Pulpit Committee, the committee shall retire
and the same procedure shall be followed as outlined above. Absentee balloting will be
permitted upon approval of the Pulpit Committee.
SECTION 4. Termination of the Pastorate: The term of office of the Pastor may be
ended upon thirty days' written notice on the part of the Pastor or the church.
| In the instance when the Pastor’s actions or conduct is not in accordance with | |
| the established contract, it shall be brought to the church in a special meeting. |
| In the event that the Pastor wishes to resign from office, he may do so by | |
| presenting a written notice to that effect to the Deacon Board of the church. The Deacon Board of the church shall consult and consider with the Pastor on said matter and if after full consideration of all the facts and circumstances surrounding the tender of resignation it is determined by the Deacon Board that such would be to the best interests of the church, the Deacon Board shall present a notice to the church for its consideration. |
| Termination of the Pastor may be done by mutual consent on the part of the | |
| Pastor and the Deacon Board in less than thirty days. |
| ©2007 Mount Olive Missionary Baptist. All Rights Reserved.€ |