FBC Chataignier By-Laws

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PREAMBLE

ARTICLE I - NAME and Purpose

Section # 1 Name
Section # 2 Purpose

ARTICLE II - CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERSHIP

Section # 1 Government
Section # 2 Candidacy
Section # 3 Classes of Members
Section # 4 Rights of Members
Section # 5 Termination of Membership
Section # 6 Exclusion of a Member

04ARTICLE III - CHURCH OFFICERS, STAFF AND COMMITTEES

Section # 1 Church Officers
Section # 2 Non-Ministral Staff
Section # 3 Church Committees
Section # 4 Committee Organization & Governance

ARTICLE IV

CHURCH PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

Section # 1 Sunday School
Section # 2 Church Training
Section # 3 Women's Missionary Union
Section # 4 Brotherhood
Section # 5 Music

ARTICLE V

LEADERSHIP TEAM

ARTICLE VI

CHURCH ORDINANCES

ARTICLE VII

CHURCH MEETINGS

ARTICLE VIII

CHURCH FINANCES

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE X

OPERATION & DISSOLUTION

BY-LAWS [all on one Page]

PREAMBLE

For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of First Baptist Church of Chataignier and the freedom of action of this body with respect to it relation to other churches of like faith and order, we do declare and establish these Bylaws.

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ARTICLE I NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1: NAME

The name of the church shall be First Baptist Church of Chataignier.

SECTION 2: PURPOSE

The Church is formed to support public worship and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through such ministries as may be determined by the Church.

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ARTICLE II CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: GOVERNMENT

This sovereign Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ retains unto itself the exclusive right to temporal life of this Church. The active membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this Church and the condition of such membership. This Church is a democracy, its authority vested in the active members. Every active member has the right to a voice in the Church’s government, plans, and discipline. The Church is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but enjoys mutual counsel and cooperation with other churches of like faith and order.

SECTION 2: CANDIDACY

Any persons may become a candidate for membership in this Church. All such candidates shall be presented to the Church at any regular Church service for membership in any of the following ways:

(1) By profession of faith and for Baptism according to the policies of this Church
(2) By promise of a letter of recommendation from another SBC Church
(3) By restoration upon a statement of prior conversion experience and Baptism in a Baptist Church where no letter is obtainable.
(4) By statement of faith and prior Baptism by submersion after review by the Pastor or a Deacon. Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, a three-fourths vote of those Church active members present shall be required to elect such candidates to membership.

SECTION 3: CLASSES OF MEMBERS

(1) There shall be two classes of members of the Church.
(2) The first class of members shall be referred to as the active membership roll, and shall consist of all initial members of the Church as of the date of these Bylaws, and all members admitted hereafter from time to time.
(3) The second class of members shall be referred to as the inactive membership roll, and shall consist of members that have been determined as inactive and transferred to the inactive membership roll by the Membership Committee when those members are not “actively involved” in the Church’s activities.
(4) The Membership Committee shall annually or as the need arises, review the active membership roll and determine those members on said roll which have not been “actively involved” in the Church’s activities within the last twelve months. Upon identification of those members, the Membership Committee shall transfer those members from the active membership roll to the inactive membership roll. The Membership Committee shall mail a letter to those members at their last known address according to the Church’s records advising them of this change.
(5) The term “not actively involved” shall mean that a member has not attended a regular or special service of the Church and/or has not made any substantiated contributions to the Church, within the last twelve months, with the exception of extended physical or mental disability.
(6) Any member whose name appears on the inactive membership roll may request that member’s name be transferred to the active membership roll by making such request to the Membership Committee after becoming “actively involved” in the Church’s activities again. Such transfer to the active membership roll shall be made by the Membership Committee effective thirty days after the request if the Membership committee is able to confirm the member has become “actively involved” in the Church again.

SECTION 4: RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

(1) Every member of the Church who is on the active membership roll is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the Church in conference, provided the member is present or special provision has been made by the Church for absentee balloting. Members of the Church on the inactive membership roll are not entitled to vote. Cumulative voting shall not be allowed on any matter to be voted upon.
(2) Every member of the Church on the active membership roll is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective offices in the Church.
(3) Every member of the Church may participate in the ordinances of the Church as administered by the Church

SECTION 5: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

(1) death of the member
(2) dismission to another Baptist church
(3) exclusion by action of this Church
(4) erasure upon request or proof of membership in a church of another denomination.

SECTION 6: EXCLUSION OF A MEMBER

Should a member become an offense to the Church by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct or by denying acceptance of fundamental doctrines of the Church, it shall be the responsibility of the Membership Committee to take steps to resolve the offense in accordance with Matthew 18:15-20.
If the Membership Committee determines exclusion of the member becomes necessary, after due personal notice and hearing in private by the Membership Committee and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such member to repentance, membership may be withdrawn upon recommendation of the Membership Committee, and upon the vote of the majority of the active members present at a regular business meeting to approve the recommendation of the Membership Committee.
The basis for the recommendation of the Membership Committee shall not be required to be made officially public, announced in public, or put forward to the general Church membership or the general public.
The church may restore to membership any person previously excluded, upon request of the excluded person, and after the excluded person has met with the Membership Committee and indicated such person’s repentance, upon recommendation of the Membership Committee and by a majority vote of the Church active members present at a regular business meeting to approve said recommendation.
It shall be the practice of this Church to emphasize to its active members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The attitude of active members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.

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ARTICLE III CHURCH OFFICERS, STAFF AND COMMITTEES
NOTE: All who serve as officers and staff of the Church and those who serve on Church Committees shall be active members of this Church.

SECTION 1: CHURCH OFFICERS

The officers of the Church shall be the Pastor, the Ministerial staff, Deacons, Moderator (if other than Pastor), Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, and Trustees.
(1) PASTOR

The Pastor is responsible for leading the Church to function as a New Testament church. The Pastor will lead the congregation, the organization, and the Church staff to perform their tasks.
The Pastor is leader of pastoral ministries in the Church. As such he works with the Deacons and Church staff to:

(1) lead the Church in the achievement of its missions
(2) proclaim the Gospel to believers and unbelievers
(3) care for the Church’s members and other persons in the community

A Pastor Selection Committee shall seek out a suitable Pastor, and its recommendation will constitute a nomination. Any active Church member has the privilege of making other nominations according to the policy established by the Church. The Committee shall bring to consideration of the Church only one name at a time. Election shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present being necessary for approval. The Pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the Church’s request as herein-below provided.
The Pastor may relinquish the office of Pastor by giving at least two week’s notice to the Church at the time of resignation. The Church may declare the office of Pastor to be vacant. Such action shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, which shall be called as and shall constitute a special business meeting. The meeting may be called upon the recommendation of a majority of the Leadership Team or by written petition signed by not less than one-fourth of the Church members on the active membership roll. The moderator for the meeting shall be designated by the active members present by majority vote, and that person shall be someone other than the Pastor. The vote to declare the office vacant shall be by secret ballot; and affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present being necessary to declare the office vacant. Except in instances of gross misconduct by the Pastor, upon the Church declaring the office to be vacant, the Church will compensate the Pastor with no less than one-twelfth of his total Annual compensation. The termination shall be immediate and the Compensation shall be rendered in not more than thirty days.

(2) MINISTERIAL STAFF

The ministerial staff shall be called and employed as the Church determines the need for such offices. A job description shall be written when the need for a staff member is determined.
Each employed staff member shall serve until the relationship is terminated by the staff member’s request or the Church’s request as herein-below provided. A staff member may relinquish the position by giving at least two weeks’ notice at the time of resignation. The Church may declare the position to be vacant at a meeting called for that purpose.
The meeting shall be called upon recommendation of a majority of the Leadership Team or by written petition signed by not less than one-fourth of the Church members on the active membership roll. The vote to declare the office of the staff member vacant shall be by secret ballot; and affirmative vote of two thirds of the active members present being necessary to declare the office vacant. Such vacancy shall be effective immediately unless otherwise so stated. Except in instances of gross misconduct by the staff member, upon the Church declaring the office to be vacant, the Church will compensate the staff member with no less than one-twelfth of his total annual compensation.

(3) DEACONS

Deacons of the Church shall be ordained to provide spiritual leadership for, and service to, the fellowship of the Church. They shall guard the unity of spirit within the Church, and shall recommend establishment of policies concerning the material interest of the Church and its ministries, subject to the will of the Church.
Every Deacon of the Church is expected to seek out and occupy a chosen place of service in the Church program in addition to performing services as a Deacon.
All Deacons shall actively support, with time and finances, the work of the Lord through the various ministries of the Church.
All Deacons are expected to attend all business meetings of the Church as a matter of example and service, in supplying their voice to these deliberations.
All Deacons are expected to attend the Church worship services and perform assigned duties incident to the conduct of the Sunday services.
The Church shall elect the number of Deacons desired by the Church from time to time. Only those persons who meet the scriptural qualifications(Acts 6:1-6 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13) and who have been active members of the Church for at least one year shall be elected. Elections shall be by a majority of the Church active members present by secret ballot at a regular business meeting.
Once elected, Deacons shall serve thereafter as long as they are faithful to their duties. A deacon may no longer serve if the Deacon becomes inactive until such time as the Deacon becomes faithful again, or if requested to separate from the Deacon body upon a majority vote by the Deacons present at a meeting of the Deacons with advance notice to the Deacon so voted upon.
The officers of the Deacons will be Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary. They shall be elected each year. The Pastor shall be notified of Deacon meetings and invited to attend.
In accordance with the New Testament, Deacons are to be servants of the Church. The ministry of the Deacon is to serve with the Pastor and shall be to carry out God’s work in the Church and community in helping the Church members and others in the community any way they can.
There shall be no obligation to recognize a Deacon who comes to this Church from another church of like faith, but after six months the Deacon may be considered by the Deacon body and recommended by the Deacon body to the Church. A majority vote of the Church active members present shall entitle the Deacon to serve as part of the Deacon body of this Church.

(4) MODERATOR

The Pastor shall serve as Moderator, presiding over Church business meetings, or upon the Pastor’s request, the Church shall elect annually a Moderator from the active membership as its presiding officer. In the absence of the Moderator, the chairman of the Deacons shall preside; or in the absence of both, the Clerk shall call the Church to order and preside for the election of an acting Moderator.
In guarding and maintaining the fellowship of the Church, the aim of the Moderator must be to bring about unity with people of different views, ideas, and convictions. The objectives of the Moderator should be: to maintain the spirit of Christian love while presiding, to be fair and courteous with all members, to help members understand parliamentary procedures without embarrassment to them, to insist that motions be stated and seconded before discussed to suggest that a member make a motion by stating “A motion is in order to;” to call on the person who makes a motion to discuss it first; to encourage full and free debate by leading members to talk through their disagreements and trying to avoid trivial matters, to alternate discussions so as to bring out both sides of a question by giving a member who has not spoken preference over the one who has; to respect the minority who has a right to be heard even though the majority must prevail, and to always take the affirmative vote first and then the negative vote second.
The Moderator must maintain a neutral position while presiding. If he wishes to debate a question under consideration, he should ask an assistant to preside.

(5) CHURCH CLERK

The church shall elect annually a Clerk as its clerical officer, who shall serve until a successor has been elected.
The Clerk shall be responsible for keeping a suitable record of all official actions of the Church and recording minutes of the Church business meetings except as otherwise herein provided.
The Clerk or assistant must be present in all regular and special Church business meetings to record the results of all matters voted upon. In regular meetings the Clerk shall record information on applicants for Church membership and other decisions. IN business meetings, the Clerk shall record all actions voted on by the Church and follow through on all necessary correspondence related to the actions.
Clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of names of members with dates of admission, dismission, death, or erasure, the active membership roll and the inactive membership roll, together with a record of Baptisms and applications of new members who respond to the invitations. The Clerk shall issue letters of dismission voted by the Church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give required notice for all meetings where notice is necessary, as indicated in these Bylaws.
The clerk shall be responsible for preparing the annual letter of the Church to the association. The clerk shall also preserve the records for present and future use, correspond with other churches and members, and preserve records of Church history.
The Clerk shall also work with the Moderator in preparation of an agenda for Church business meetings.
All Church records are Church property and shall be kept in the Church office when an office is maintained.

(6) CHURCH TREASURER

The Church shall elect annually a Church Treasurer as its financial officer who shall serve until a successor has been elected. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, preserve, and pay out, upon receipt of vouchers approved and signed by authorized personnel, all money or things of value paid by or given to the Church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to render to the Church at each regular business meeting an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements of the preceding month. The Treasurer’s report and records may be audited annually by an auditing committee or public accountant.
The Treasurer shall serve on, or work closely with, the Financial Committee to develop and recommend to the Church adequate policies and procedures related to receiving, accounting, disbursing, and reporting Church monies, and to maintain members records of contributions and provide quarterly and annually reports of same. The accounting section of the Financial Committee shall assist the Treasurer. Upon rendering the annual account at the end of each fiscal year and its acceptance and approval by the Church, the records shall be delivered by the Treasurer to the Church Clerk, who shall keep and preserve the account as a part of the permanent records of the Church.

(7) TRUSTEES

The Church shall elect annually three or more trustees to act for the Church in legal matters who shall serve until successors are elected. They shall hold the Church property in the corporate name of the Church. Upon specific vote of the Church authorizing each action, they shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any Church property, but not otherwise. When the signatures of Trustees are required, two or more shall sign legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property, or other legal documents related to Church approved matters.

SECTION 2: NON-MINISTERIAL STAFF

non-ministerial staff members shall be employed as the Church Determines the need for their services.
The Leadership Team shall have the authority to employ and to terminate services of non-ministerial staff members. Such employment and termination of services shall occur after consultation with the supervising staff member and, as appropriate, with the consultation of related committees of the Church.

SECTION 3: CHURCH COMMITTEES

following committees shall serve at the discretion of the Church as needed in its ministry.
(1) NOMINATING COMMITTEE

members of the Nominating Committee shall be nominated by the Pastor(s) and Deacons and elected annually by the Church to serve until their successors are elected. The Committee shall consist of three to five persons.
The Nominating Committee shall act on behalf of the Church to nominate persons to fill positions, including Committee members, Committee chairmen, and Church elected leadership positions, with the persons whose gifts, potential and commitment match the requirements of the positions. This Committee’s concern is that every leader and every potential leader find personal fulfillment and an opportunity to use their God-given gifts. The Committee shall first approve the person considered for a position before approaching the person for recruitment. The Nomination Committee shall present to the Church for election all who accept the invitation to serve.

(2) STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Stewardship Committee, elected annually by the Church after recommendation by the Nominating Committee, to serve until their successors are elected, shall consist of three to five persons. The Committee shall develop and recommend an overall stewardship development plan a unified church budget, and budget subscription plans. It advises and recommends in the administration of gifts of Church members and others, using sound principles of financial management. It works with the Treasurer in the preparation and presentation to the Church of required reports regarding the financial affairs of the Church.

(3) LORD’S SUPPER COMMITTEE
(4) BAPTISM COMMITTEE
(5) MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
(6) BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE
(7) MISSIONS COMMITTEE
(8) BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE
(9) FOOD SERVICE COMMITTEE
(10) FLOWER COMMITTEE
(11) HISTORY COMMITTEE
(12) PASTOR SELECTION COMMITTEE

SECTION 4: COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE

After the Committees and the chairmen of said Committees are elected by the Church, the Committees may elect such other officers of the Committees as they may deem appropriate to function. A majority of each Committee shall constitute a quorum for any meeting, and all actions of a Committee, not otherwise set forth herein, shall be by majority vote of those present including the chairman. Committee members shall receive actual verbal or written notice of meetings prior to any meeting of a Committee. Committee meetings shall be called by the chairman or by a majority of the Committee members. All Committees shall be considered active until duties are completed. Upon completion of assigned duties, the committee will deactivate. When a need arises, any deactivated committee may be re-activated by the Leadership Team if the deactivated committee was previously approved by the church.

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ARTICLE IV CHURCH PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

The Church shall maintain programs of Bible teaching; Church members training, Church leader training, new member orientation; mission education, action and support; and music education, training, and performance. All organizations related to the Church program shall be under Church control, all officers being elected by the Church and reporting regularly to the Church, and all program activities subject to Church coordination and approval. The Church shall provide the human resources, the physical resources, and the financial resources for the appropriate advancement of these programs.

(1) SUNDAY SCHOOL

The basic responsibility of the Sunday School is Bible teaching and biblical revelation in a way that would reach people for Christ and Church membership; and aid in the interpretation of information pertaining to the Church and denomination.
The Sunday School shall be divided into departments and/or classes depending on its size to meet the needs of all ages, and shall be under the direction of a Sunday School director nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected annually by the Church, to serve until a successor is elected.

(2) CHURCH TRAINING

The Church Training organization shall serve as the training unit of the Church. Its tasks shall be to train Church members to perform the functions of the Church; train Church leaders; orient new Church members; teach Christian theology, Christian ethics, Christian history, and Church policy and organization; and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination. Church training shall be conducted under the direction of a general director nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Church, to serve until a successor is elected.

(3) WOMEN’S MISSIONSARY UNION

The Women’s Missionary Union shall be the mission education, mission action, and mission support organization of the Church for women, young women, girls, and preschool children. Its tasks shall be to teach missions; engage in mission action; support world missions through praying and giving; and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination. The Women’s Missionary Union shall have such officers and organizations as the program requires.

(4) BROTHERHOOD

The Brotherhood shall be the Church’s organization for mission education, mission action, and mission support for men, young men, and boys. Its tasks shall be to teach missions, engage in mission action, support world missions through praying and giving, and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination. The Brotherhood shall have such officers and organization as the program requires.

(5) MUSIC ORGANIZATION

The Church music organization, under the direction of the Church elected music director, shall be the music education, training, and performance organization of the Church. Its tasks shall be to teach music, train persons to lead, sing, and play music; provide music in the Church and community; and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination. The Church music program shall have such officers and organization as the program requires.

(6) EXTENDED MINISTRIES

The Extended Ministries, under the direction of the Educational Director, shall be the extended ministries of the regular worshp services. The Extended Ministries program shall have such officers and organization as the program requires.

The Children's Division of the Extended Ministries shall have a director in charge of Nursery up to, but, not including Youth, during the regular Sunday morning, Sunday evening services and Wednesday evening servies.

Sunday Morning Worship Hour

Nursery: Babies (0 - 2 yrs)
Children's Church: (3 - 7 yrs)
Children: 1st - 6th grades (8 -11/12 yrs.) Attend Regular Worship Service

Sunday Evening Worship Hour

Nursery: Babies (0 - 2 yrs)
Children's Church: (3 - 7 yrs)
Children: 1st - 6th grades (8 - 11/12 yrs.) LOL or Attend Regular Worship Service

Wednesday Evening Worship Hour

Nursery: Babies (0 - 2 yrs)
Children: (3 - 7 yrs)
Children: 1st - 6th grades (8 - 11/12 yrs.) LOL (Living Out Loud)

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ARTICLE V LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Leadership Team shall serve the Church by leading in planning, coordinating, conducting and evaluating the ministries and programs of the Church and it organizations.
The primary functions of the Leadership Team shall be to recommend to the Church suggested ministries and goals; to review and coordinate ministries and program plans recommended by the church body and to evaluate achievements in terms of Church ministries and goals.
The members of the Leadership Team shall be:

Church Officers:

Ministerial Staff:

Senior Pastor (Moderator)
Music Worship Pastors
Youth Pastor

Deacons
Church Clerk
Church Treasurer
Trustees

Sunday School Director
Three "At Large" Active Church Members

At Large Members shall consist of three active members to be elected annually by the Church after recommendation by the Nominating Committee, to serve until their successors are elected.
At Large Leadership Team Members shall serve one year and shall be eligible to serve additional terms if elected by the Church in succeeding years.

Duties:

1. The Leadership Team will evaluate program achievements in terms of the church’s objectives and recommend changes to enable the church to reach its stated objectives and to maintain efficiency.
2. The Leadership Team will assist in scheduling all church activities.
3. The Leadership Team is to be aware of church and community needs and to recommend a plan of organization work to meet those needs.
4. The Leadership Team is to make a report as needed at the monthly business meeting.
5. If necessary, the Leadership Team shall have the power to bring members appointed by the committee to a church position, to the church for disciplinary action.
6. In the case of a grievance, the Leadership Team will act as a Personnel Committee in accord with the Discipline and Grievance Procedure for Paid Staff Members.
7. The Leadership Team will document the minutes of all of their meetings.
All matters agreed upon by the Leadership Team which call for action not already approved shall be referred to the Church for approval or disapproval.
As per FBC Chataignier By-Laws: ARTICLE III, SECTION 2: NON-MINISTERIAL staff members shall be employed as the Church determines the need for their services.
The Leadership Team shall have the authority to employ and to terminate services of non-ministerial staff members.
Such employment and termination of services shall occur after consultation with the supervising staff member and, as appropriate, with the consultation of related committees of the Church.

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ARTICLE VI CHURCH ORDINANCES

(1) BAPTISM

This Church may receive for Baptism all persons who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior by personal faith, who profess Him publicly at any worship service, and who indicate a commitment to follow Christ as Lord. Baptism shall be by immersion in water.
The Pastor, or whomever the Church shall authorize, shall administer Baptism. The Baptism Committee shall assist in the preparation for and the observance of Baptism. Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the Church. A person who professes Christ and is not baptized after a reasonable length of time shall be counseled by the Pastor and/or staff or Deacons. If negative interest is ascertained on the part of the candidate, he shall be deleted from membership in the Church and from those awaiting Baptism.

(2) LORD’S SUPPER

This Church shall observe the Lord’s Supper as scheduled by the Church. The Pastor and Deacons shall administer the Lord’s Supper; the Lord’s Supper Committee is responsible for the preparations.

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ARTICLE VII CHURCH MEETINGS

SECTION 1: WORSHIP SERVICES

The Church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening as determined by the active membership of the church, for the Worship of Almighty God. Prayer, praise, preaching, instruction, and evangelism shall be among the ingredients of these services. The Pastor or someone designated by the pastor, shall direct the services for all Church members and for all others who may choose to attend.

SECTION 2: SPECIAL SERVICES

Revival services and any other Church meetings for the advancement of Church’s objectives shall be held as recommended by the Pastor and approved by the Church

SECTION 3: REGULAR BUSINESS MEETINGS

The Church shall hold regular business meetings monthly on Wednesday after the second Sunday of each month, except as otherwise scheduled by the Leadership Team, with respect to which notice of such rescheduled meeting shall be announced at two advance worship services.

SECTION 4: SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS

The Church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of special nature and significance. The notice of a special business meeting shall include the subject, the date, the time, and the place of the meeting; and it must be given by announcement in two worship services of the Church prior to the meeting. No business except that for which the meeting was called may be transacted.
A special business meeting may be called by the Leadership Team or by a written petition signed by not less than one-fourth of the Church members on the active membership roll, or as otherwise provided specifically in these Bylaws.

SECTION 5: QUORUM

The quorum consists of those members present at any regular or special Business meeting.

SECTION 6: ANNUAL MEETINGS

The most recently revised version of Robert’s Rules of Order is the Authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the Church.

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ARTICLE VIII CHURCH FINANCES

SECTION 1: BUDGET

The Stewardship Committee, in consultation with the Leadership Team, Shall prepare and submit to the Church for approval an inclusive budget, indicating by items, the amount needed and sought for all expenses. Offering envelopes will be provided for members’ use.
It is understood that membership in this Church involves financial obligation to support the Church and its causes with regular gifts. Annually there shall be opportunity provided to secure worthy commitments of financial support from the Church members.

SECTION 2: ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES

All funds received for any and all purposes shall pass through the hands of the Church Treasurer, or financial secretary, and be properly recorded on the books of the Church.
A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of All funds shall be the responsibility of the Financial Committee.
The Trustees shall be authorized to select and designate such depository or depositories for the funds and securities of the Church as they shall deem proper, upon recommendation of the Stewardship Committee. All checks, notes, and contracts of the Church, and all orders for deposit or withdrawal of securities from the designated depository or depositories shall be signed by the Church Treasurer or someone authorized by the Church.

SECTION 3: FISCAL YEAR

The Church fiscal year shall begin on September 1st and end August 31

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ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

Changes in the Bylaws may be made at any business meeting of the Church provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous business meeting and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member present at the earlier meeting or upon request. Amendments to the Bylaws shall be adopted by two-thirds vote of active Church members present.

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ARTICLE X OPERATION AND DISSOLUTION

This Church is organized and operated primarily for the purpose of engaging in religious worship or promoting the spiritual development or well-being of individuals. It is to be operated in a way that does not result in accrual of distributable profits, realization of private gain resulting from payment of compensation in excess of a reasonable allowance for salary or other compensation for services rendered, or realization of any other form of private gain.
The Church pledges its assets for use in performing the organization’s religious functions. It directs that on discontinuance of the Church by dissolution or otherwise or if the Church ceases to be affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention or in the event of a take over by a religious denomination other than Southern Baptist, the assets are to be transferred to the Acadia Baptist Association, a charitable, educational, religious, or other similar organization that is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

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