Church By-Laws

BY-LAWS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ARKADELPHIA, ARKANSAS

A Religious Corporation

Submitted to Church by Motion of Church Council: October 16, 2005

Approved by Vote of Church: January 15, 2006

BY-LAWS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ARKADELPHIA, ARKANSAS

A Religious Corporation

ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. General

This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of the Church.

Section 2. Membership

The membership of the corporation shall consist of the members in good standing of the Church as reflected on the membership rolls maintained by the Church Clerk.

Section 3. Candidacy

Any person may offer himself as a candidate for membership in the Church. All such candidates shall be presented to the Church for approval at any regular church service in any of the following ways:

(a) By profession of faith and baptism;

(b) By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Baptist church; or,

A Christian who belongs to another denomination, or a member of another Baptist church temporarily in the area and wishing to maintain membership in his or her home church, may be a part of the Church fellowship under a watchcare program; watchcare members do not have voting rights.

Section 4. Voting Rights of Members

With the exception of watchcare members, every member of the Church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the Church in a business meeting provided the member is present. Voting by absentee ballot or proxy voting is prohibited.

Section 5. Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

(a) Death;

(b) Transfer to another Baptist church;

(d) Uniting with a church of another denomination or faith; or

(e) By request in writing from the member addressed to the Church Clerk.

Section 6. Discipline

It shall be the basic purpose of the First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor, other members of the Church staff, deacons, and concerned members are available for counsel and guidance. Redemption rather than punishment should be the guideline which governs the attitude of one member toward another.

Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the Church’s general welfare, every reasonable measure shall be taken by the pastor and the deacons to resolve the problem. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance. When the Church’s welfare will best be served by the exclusion of the member, the Church may take this action by a two-thirds vote of the members voting at a meeting called for this purpose; and the Church may proceed to declare the offender to be no longer in the membership of the Church.

No member shall be expelled from the membership of the Church except under the following procedure. Not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting called for the purpose of considering the expulsion of the member, the member shall be given written notice of the meeting and reasons that expulsion are being considered. The notice shall be served on the member by first class or certified mail sent to the last known address of the member shown on the Church records. The member shall be given the opportunity to be heard, either in person or in writing at the meeting called to consider the question of expulsion. No vote to expel a member shall be effective until five (5) days after the meeting at which the vote occurred.

Any person whose membership has been terminated under the provisions of this Section may, upon his request, be restored to membership by a vote of the Church upon evidence of repentance and reformation.

ARTICLE II. CHURCH OFFICERS

All Church officers must be voting members of the Church. The officers shall be as follows:

Section 1. Pastor

The pastor is responsible for leading the Church to function as a New Testament church. The pastor shall lead the congregation, the Church organizations, and the Church staff to perform their tasks.

The pastor is leader of pastoral ministries in the Church. As such the pastor works with the deacons, staff, and other members to:

(a) Lead the Church in performing its task;

(b) Lead the Church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application;

(d) Care for Church members and other persons in the community.

A pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church whenever a vacancy occurs. An election on the question of whether to call a pastor shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, for which at least a seven (7) day notice has been given. The pastor shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or that of the Church. In either case such action shall include a one-month notice.

A Pastor Search Committee shall be elected to seek out a suitable pastor, and its recommendation will constitute a nomination. The Committee shall bring to the consideration of the Church only one name at a time. Election shall be by ballot, an affirmation vote of three fourths of those voting being necessary.

The Pastor Search Committee shall consist of seven members and shall be chosen as follows:

(a) A Review Committee shall be made up of one representative selected by each of the following programs: Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Deacons, Missions and Music. The deacon representative shall serve as chairman of the Committee.

(b) The Review Committee shall solicit nominations for the Pastor Search Committee from all members of the Church;

(c) Based upon nominations from Church members and the willingness of those nominated to serve, the Review Committee shall nominate eleven possible members for the Pastor Search Committee for election by the Church; and,

(d) The seven nominees who receive the most number of votes shall constitute the Pastor Search Committee and they shall elect a chairman at their first organizational meeting.

Section 2. Ministerial Staff

The Church shall have such ministerial staff positions as shall be necessary for the efficient execution of its objectives. The number and description of such positions may vary from time to time to conform to the needs of the Church as those needs are determined by action of the Church membership following recommendations by the Personnel Committee set out in Article III, Section 4 of these By-Laws.

Section 3. Deacons

There should be a sufficient number of deacons to effectively assist the Church with its ministries. The exact number shall be determined by Church action upon recommendation of the deacons.

The deacons shall serve on a rotation basis. Each year, the term of office of one fourth of the number of deacons shall expire, and election shall be held to fill the vacancies. In case of death, removal or incapacity to serve, the Church may elect a deacon to fill the unexpired term. After serving a term of four years, a deacon shall be eligible for re-election only after the lapse of at least one year. If a new member was formerly an active deacon in the Church from which he or she transferred, the Church has no obligation to activate him or her in this capacity.

For the purpose of filling the annual vacancies; and any time a vacancy exists, the Nominating Committee shall make available to the Church a list of active deacons with their terms of service and insure that the membership of the Church has an opportunity to suggest names of persons to be nominated to the office of deacon. Following qualifications screening by the Nominating Committee and the pastor, the Committee shall present a slate of deacons equal to the number of deacons to be elected by the Church, with spaces provided for write-in votes.

In accordance with the meaning of the word and New Testament practice, deacons are to be servants of the Church. The task of the deacon is to serve with the pastor and staff in performing pastoral ministries tasks; proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application; and lead the Church in performing its tasks.

Committees and organizations are encouraged to inform the pastor and deacon body of major recommendations coming before the Church for action. This is not to be interpreted that the deacons shall act as a ruling body or that they shall have the authority to block or to modify the recommendation of any organization or committee. It is rather assumed that such information given to the deacons will strengthen the recommendation when it is presented to the Church for action.

The pastor will keep the deacon body, through its chairman, informed as to the times he will be away from the Church field for revivals, conferences, speaking engagements, vacation, etcetera. In event that a serious misunderstanding develops between the pastor and the Church congregation, the deacon body shall serve as a reconciliation group to attempt to solve the problem.

During the time that the Church is without a pastor, administrative oversight of the Church shall be assumed by the chairman of deacons until a new pastor is called or until an interim pastor is elected.

Section 4. Moderator

The moderator shall be elected annually by the Church. Any member, including the pastor or other ministerial staff, shall be eligible to serve in this capacity. The moderator should be skilled in presiding over meetings and knowledgeable of the Roberts' Rules of Order, and be aware of Church policies and procedures and the functions of all Church committees. The moderator is responsible for presiding at all Church business meetings, working with the staff to help all committees in their responsibilities. He/she has the authority to appoint a parliamentarian as needed. In the absence of the moderator, the chairman of deacons shall preside; or in the absence of both, the clerk shall call the Church to order and an acting moderator shall be elected.

Section 5. Clerk

The clerk shall be elected annually by the Church. The Clerk shall keep a suitable record of all the actions of the Church, except as otherwise herein provided. The Clerk is responsible for keeping a register of the names of members with dates of admission, dismissal voted on by the Church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give notice of all meetings where such notice is necessary, as indicated in these By-Laws. The Church staff shall assist the Clerk in carrying out his/her clerical responsibilities. All Church records are Church property and should be filed in the Church office or other designated locations as approved by the Church.

Section 6. Treasurer

Annually, the Church shall elect a Church Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer. Their duties shall be determined by the Finance Committee, unless stated herein.

The Assistant Treasurer and one ministerial staff member other than the Pastor, as designated by the Finance Committee, shall have authority to assist the Treasurer, including the signing of checks, and to act in the Treasurer’s absence when necessary.

Section 7. Trustees

Three Trustees, elected by the Church, shall serve as directors of the corporation as required by Arkansas Code Annotated §4-33-801. The Trustees shall have the authority to sign documents on behalf of the Church. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, insure or transfer any property nor to take any other action on behalf of the corporation without specific vote of the Church authorizing each action. It shall be the sole function of the Trustees to affix their signatures to legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, rental or property or other legal documents where the signatures of directors are required. The three Trustees shall be elected by the Church to serve six-year terms, with a Trustee being elected bi-annually.

ARTICLE III. COMMITTEES AND COORDINATING GROUPS

Section 1. General

The members of all Church committees shall be recommended by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Church unless otherwise indicated herein. Ex Officio members of committees as specified herein shall have full voting rights on the respective committees.

Committee membership should be, where appropriate, representative of the total Church membership. All committee members shall be voting members of the Church. Committee members shall serve on a three-year rotation system with one-third to be elected each year.

All standing committees shall have nine members with the exception of the Nominating and Stewardship Committees which shall have six members each. Committees shall serve on a yearly (calendar) basis and shall elect officers at the initial meeting of the year. They shall schedule subsequent meetings as needed.

Special committees as may be required in the future shall be created by vote of the Church upon recommendation of the Church Council. Standing committees may be added or deleted by amendment of these By-Laws.

The Church Council shall be responsible for aligning all programs and activities through an appropriate standing committee or program organization of the Church.

The Pastor shall designate an appropriate ministerial staff member to serve as an ex-officio member of each committee.

Each committee shall keep the Church informed of its plans and activities and shall coordinate its work with the other committees, the Church Council and deacons.

Section 2. Church Council

The council, unless otherwise determined by vote of the Church, shall have as its members the Pastor, the ministerial staff, Sunday School Director, Discipleship Training Director, Women's Missionary Union Director, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Men’s Ministry Coordinator, Media Director, Chairman of Deacons, Church Moderator, Church Clerk, Church Treasurer, and committee chairmen.

The primary functions of the Council are:

(a) To establish a calendar of activities for the Church;

(b) To promote this calendar of activities; and,

Section 3. Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall be elected by the Church on recommendation of the Church Council. The Council shall submit approximately fifty percent more nominees than the number to be elected.

The Nominating Committee shall work with program leaders in coordinating the staffing of all Church leadership positions that are filled by volunteers and shall recommend them for election by the Church.

Section 4. Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee is charged with the responsibility of making recommendations with regard to staff needs, salary, employee benefits, personnel policies, and position descriptions. It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to recommend to the Church individuals to fill ministerial staff positions, with the exception of the Pastor, but including all interim personnel. The office personnel, food services personnel, custodial personnel and any other supportive employees should be employed by the ministerial staff within approved budget allocations, and with the approval of and within the framework determined by the Personnel Committee.

Section 5. Maintenance Committee

The Maintenance Committee is responsible for the maintenance and insurance of the total properties of the Church. It shall study the upkeep needs of the Church property and project plans for maintenance and repairs. The Committee shall work with the appropriate ministerial staff member who supervises the work of the custodial personnel and secures professional maintenance services. The Committee shall enlist volunteer services for special building projects. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual maintenance budget.

Section 6 Property Management Committee

The Property Management Committee is responsible for the management of real property belonging to the Church. It shall study the physical plant needs of the Church and project future needs. The Committee shall advise the Church on the proper administration of real property belonging to the Church not used for the current activities of the Church. The Committee shall be responsible for negotiating the purchase, sale, or lease of real property by the Church. All decisions for the purchase, sale or lease of real property require the vote of the Church.

Section 7. Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is responsible for planning and recommending the annual budget, for budget control, and for outlining policies and procedures for the handling of all Church finances. The Committee is to provide a written report of receipts and distributions not less than monthly and shall provide a more detailed financial report to the Church at quarterly business meetings. The Treasurer and a member of the Stewardship Committee shall be ex-officio members of this Committee.

Section 8. Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee is responsible for a continuous program of stewardship education and promotion. The Committee shall lead the Church in promoting and subscribing the annual budget.

Section 9. Missions Committee

The Missions Committee should work to insure that the Church is informed, supportive, and involved in the total task of missions. The Committee shall identify mission opportunities. It shall rally Church support for all areas of missions, special seasons of prayer and mission offerings. The Committee shall provide leadership in Associational Missions, Campus Ministries, International Ministries, and other special mission ministries. The Director of the Women’s Missionary Union shall be an ex-officio member of this Committee. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual missions budget.

Section 10. Early Childhood Committee

The Early Childhood Committee is charged with the responsibility of advising and giving direction to any Church program or ministry related to children (birth through age 5). The Committee shall work with the programs of children’s worship, Sunday School, and Discipleship Training. It is the responsibility of this Committee to recommend to the Church that requirements be met to insure a program of quality child care and education in all areas. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual early childhood budget.

Section 11. Children’s Committee

The Children’s Committee is charged with the responsibility of advising and giving direction to any Church program or ministry related to children (school grades 1 through 6). The Committee shall work with the programs of Sunday School, and Discipleship Training. It is the responsibility of this Committee to recommend to the Church that requirements be met to insure a program of quality child care and education in all areas. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual childhood budget.

Section 12. Youth Committee

The Youth Committee shall assist in planning and promoting the youth program. The Committee shall help program organizations and the staff of the Church, as requested, in attending youth meetings, securing transportation, and in obtaining adult sponsors whenever needed. The Committee shall work with the programs of Sunday School, and Discipleship Training. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual youth budget.

Section 13. College Committee

The College Committee shall assist in planning and promoting activities for college students who are members of, or attending, the Church. The Committee shall help program organizations and the staff of the Church, as requested, in attending college meetings, securing transportation, and in obtaining sponsors whenever needed. The Committee shall work with the programs of Sunday School, and Discipleship Training. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual college budget.

Section 14. Worship Committee

The Worship Committee shall be responsible for coordinating, in conjunction with the pastor and other ministerial staff, the activities of worship services. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the areas of ushers, flowers, ordinances, music and ordinations. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual worship budget.

Section 15. Wedding Committee

The Wedding Committee shall represent the Church as liaison with wedding parties using the Church facilities for weddings or wedding receptions. The Committee is responsible for protecting Church owned supplies, equipment and facilities, and for ensuring adherence by wedding parties to relevant policies, procedures and guidelines adopted by the Property Maintenance Committee. The Wedding Committee may provide such assistance to wedding parties; including wedding coordinators, directors, or caterers, as the Committee deems appropriate. The Wedding Committee is not responsible for opening, closing, or cleaning the Church buildings, or for providing any service during the ceremony or any reception beyond that deemed appropriate by the Committee. Persons desiring to use Church facilities for weddings or wedding receptions shall be referred to the chairman of the Wedding Committee.

Section 16. Food Service Committee

The Food Service Committee, in conjunction with appropriate Church staff, shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Church kitchen facilities and for the preparation, serving, clean-up, and administration of such meals as are served for the Church and the costs, if any, to be charged for such meals. The Food Service Committee may assist in providing some or all of the preparation, serving, clean-up, and administration of meals served to groups within the Church or outside the Church. The Food Service Committee is responsible for deciding whether any such meal for less than the full Church is in furtherance of the Church mission and what; if any, costs will be charged for these services. The Food Service Committee is responsible for establishing policies governing use of the Church kitchen facilities by groups both within or outside the Church. The Committee shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual kitchen budget.

ARTICLE IV. PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

Section 1. General

All organizations of the Church shall be under Church control, all officers being elected by the Church and reporting regularly to the Church.

Section 2. Sunday School

The Sunday School shall be the basic organization for the Bible teaching program. Its tasks shall be to teach the Biblical revelation, reach persons for Christ and Church membership, provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination.

The Sunday School shall be organized by departments and/or classes, appropriate for all ages, and shall be conducted under the direction of a Sunday School Director.

Section 3. Discipleship Training

The Discipleship Training organization shall serve as the training unit of the Church. Its task shall be to train Church members to perform the functions of the Church; train Church leaders; teach Christian theology, Christian ethics, Christian history, and Church polity and organization; and provide the interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination.

Discipleship Training shall be organized by departments and/or classes, appropriate for all ages and shall be conducted under the direction of a Discipleship Training Director.

Section 4. Women's Missionary Union

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.

Women's Missionary Union shall be under the direction of a Director and shall have such officers and organizations as the program requires.

Section 5. Church Music Program

The Church Music Program, 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 organizations as the program requires.

Section 6. Women’s Ministry

The Women’s Ministry will serve the women of the Church in bible study, prayer, and mutual support. Its task shall be to grow women to a mature faith in the Lord so that unity is built with one another, and women in our community are touched in such a way that they are drawn to the Lord. In this way God will be pleased with the ministry and honored in the lives of women involved. The Women’s Ministry will be under the direction of a Women’s Ministry Coordinator. The Women’s Ministry Coordinator will plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual Women’s Ministry budget.

Section 7. Men’s Ministry

The Men’s Ministry will serve the men of the Church in bible study, prayer, and mutual support. Its task shall be to grow men to a mature faith in the Lord so that unity is built with one another, and men in our community are touched in such a way that they are drawn to the Lord. In this way God will be pleased with the ministry and honored in the lives of men involved. The Men’s Ministry will be under the direction of a Men’s Ministry Coordinator. The Men’s Ministry Coordinator will plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual Men’s Ministry budget.

ARTICLE V. PROGRAM SERVICES

Section 1. General

The elected leadership of program services shall be recommended by the Nominating Committee for election by the Church.

Section 2. Media Center Service

The Media Center Service will be the Church Resource Center. Its personnel will seek to provide and promote the use of printed and audio-visual resources. They also will provide consultation to Church leaders and members in the use of printed and audio-visual resources. The activities of the Media Center Service shall be conducted under the direction of a Media Center Director elected by the Church. The Media Center Director shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual media budget.

Section 3. Church Display Service

The Church Display Service shall be responsible for the displays of the Church’s history, heritage and current events throughout the Church building. The Church Display Service shall be responsible for the preservation and display of the Church’s heritage and history artifacts. The Service shall be responsible for the displays of mission, program and other activities maintained in the Church property. The Church Display Service shall be conducted under the direction of a Church Display Director. The Church Display Director will seek such volunteer service as is needed to adequately staff the Service. The Church Display Director shall plan and recommend to the Finance Committee an annual budget.

ARTICLE VI. CHURCH ORDINANCES

Section 1. Baptism

The Church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes Him publically at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord. When administering this ordinance, the following guidelines shall be observed:

(a) Baptism shall be by immersion in water;

(b) The pastor, or someone authorized by the Worship Committee, shall administer baptism. The Committee shall also coordinate preparation for, and the observance of, baptism; and

Any 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 or she shall be deleted from those awaiting baptism.

Section 2. The Lord's Supper

The Church shall observe the Lord's Supper at least quarterly. The pastor and deacons shall schedule and serve the Lord's Supper. The Worship Committee shall be responsible for preparing the elements.

ARTICLE VII. CHURCH MEETINGS

Section 1. Worship Services

The Church shall meet regularly for the worship of Almighty God. Worship services shall be scheduled by the Worship Committee and the schedule announced to the membership.

Section 2. Special Services

Revival services and any other Church meetings essential to the advancement of the Church's objectives shall be placed on the Church calendar.

Section 3. Regular Business Meetings

The Church shall hold regular quarterly business meetings. The date and time shall be designated by the Church Council. The members shall be given notice of the meetings by publication in the Church bulletin, mail-outs or announcement at Worship Service not less than seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Section 4. Special Business Meetings

The Church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of a special nature and significance. A called meeting shall be requested by the pastor, moderator, or chairman of the deacons. A seven (7) day notice must be given for a specially called business meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical. The notice shall include the subject, the date, time and place; and it must be given by publication in the Church bulletin, mail-out or announcements at Worship Service.

Section 5. Quorum and Majority

The voting Church members present for a regular or special business meeting held pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 of this Article shall be a sufficient quorum to conduct business irrespective of the number present. In determining the result of an vote, the required majority shall be of those voting, without consideration of those present and not voting.

Section 6. Parliamentary Rules

The most current edition of Roberts' Rules of Order, is the authority of parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the Church.

ARTICLE VIII. CHURCH PERSONNEL MANUAL

The Church shall have a personnel manual which sets forth guidelines and procedures in personnel matters. The manual shall be kept in the Church office and made available for use by any member of the Church. The Personnel Committee shall develop the manual; subject to Church approval.

The Personnel Committee shall review the Personnel Manual periodically and recommend any changes. Additionally, any voting member may propose changes to the Personnel Manual either by referring the matter to the Personnel Committee or upon motion to the Church. Any amendments or substitution of the Personnel Manual must be by vote of the Church at a regular business meeting or special business meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE IX. PRIOR BY-LAWS

These By-Laws replace the By-Laws adopted by the Church on December 14, 1994, all amendments to those By-Laws, and all prior By-Laws.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

Changes in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws may be made at any regular business meeting of the Church. Each amendment, however, 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. Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation shall be approved by the two-thirds majority. Amendments to the By-Laws shall have the concurrence of a simple majority of the voting members.