Church Constitution/Bylaws

CONSTITUTION

of

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Apache, Oklahoma

 

Preamble

We declare and establish this constitution for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and that this body may be governed in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other churches.

 

Article I. Name

This body is incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma, and shall be known as "The First Baptist Church of Apache” located at 307 East Franklin Avenue, Apache, OK 73006.

 

Article II. Statement of Purpose

First Baptist Church exists for the purpose of glorifying God and expressing the

Lordship of Jesus Christ through our:

 

    • Praise and Worship

 

    • Application of the inerrant Word of God to all of life

 

    • Supporting the total life and work of the church

 

    • Personal, group, and church-wide evangelism

 

    • Missions of the Gospel at home and abroad

 

    • Christian education from the Holy Bible

 

    • And loving ministry to the needs of people in and out of the church family.

 

 

 

Article III. Statement of Faith

We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God and the basis for our beliefs. This church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of The Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000, as a faithful, but not exhaustive, statement of belief. We voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper.

 

Article IV. Church Covenant

Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, doctrines, and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions that honor God; to religiously educate our children with the Holy Bible; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our behavior; to avoid all gossip and unrighteous anger; to abstain from the drunkenness of intoxicating drinks; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of sexual immorality; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other local church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

 

Article V. Polity and Relationships

The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. Persons properly received by the members shall constitute the membership.

All internal groups created and empowered by the church shall report to and be accountable only to the church, unless otherwise specified by church action.

This church is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches. In so far as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the Caddo Baptist Association, the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY-LAWS

of

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Apache, Oklahoma

Article I. Membership

Section 1-General

This is an autonomous Southern Baptist church under the headship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto itself the right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.

The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.

Section 2-Candidacy

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

(1) By profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and baptism according to the policies of this church.

(2) By request of a letter to another Southern Baptist church to whom the individual belongs.

(3) By a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism in another Southern Baptist church when no letter is obtainable.

If the candidate was not baptized in another Southern Baptist church, then that individual must be baptized again according to the policies for baptism of this church.

Any person desiring membership of this church must meet with the Pastor of this church to examine the person’s salvation experience, baptism, and basic understanding of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000.

If any saved person has met with the Pastor of this church, but is physically unable to be baptized, then he or she may still be recommended to this church for membership. If and when that individual is physically able to be baptized, then he or she should be recommended to this church to be baptized.

Any person desiring membership of this church must also agree to the Membership Covenant.

Should there be any dissent as to any candidate for membership, such dissent shall be referred to the pastor and the deacons for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the church within thirty (30) days. A three-fourths vote of the members present in conference shall be required to elect such candidates to membership.

 

 

Policies for Baptism

The act and receiving of any baptism of this church shall follow these 2 policies:

(1) A public act of obedience toward God in response to one’s faith in Jesus Christ.

(2) Full immersion in water.

If any person has not been baptized according to both of these policies, then they must be baptized as given to become a member of this church.

Section 3- Rights of Members

Every member of this church is entitled to vote in all elections and on all questions submitted to this church in conference, provided the member is present or provision has been made for absentee balloting.

Every member of this church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective offices in this church.

Every member of this church may participate in communion as administered by this church. (Any person who is not a member of this church, but has a prior conversion experience and baptism according to the policies of this church may also participate in communion as administered by this church.)

Section 4- Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

(1) Death of the member

(2) Action of this church (by a three-fourths vote of the members present in conference)

(3) Request by the member

(4) Proof of membership in another church.

Section 5- Discipline

It shall be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor and deacons are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.

Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, the pastor and the deacons will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem in accordance with Scripture. If it becomes necessary for the church to take action to withdraw membership, a three-fourths vote of the ballots cast in conference is required; and the church may proceed to withdraw membership. The person so excluded is to be formally notified via letter by this church within two weeks. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance.

This church may restore to membership any person previously excluded, upon request of the excluded person, and by a three-fourths vote of the ballots cast in conference upon evidence of the excluded person's repentance and reformation.

 

Article II: Church Personnel

 

Pastor: The pastor shall serve as the chief under-shepherd and overseer of this local church. The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church. The pastor will lead the congregation and the church staff to perform their tasks. As such he works with the deacons and church staff to: (1) lead the church in the achievement of its mission to make disciples, (2) proclaim the Gospel to believers and unbelievers, and (3) care for the church’s members and other persons in the community in hopes of winning them to Christ, (4) proclaim the Word of God in a regular pulpit ministry, (5) provide leadership and vision for the church. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The pastor should seek the counsel of the deacons and should work with the Personnel Committee regarding other staff.

A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. The election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given.

A pastor search committee shall be elected by the church to seek out a suitable pastor, and its recommendation will constitute a nomination. Any church member has the privilege of making other nominations according to the policy established by the church to the pastor search committee. 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 present being necessary for a choice. The pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the church’s request. He shall preside at meetings of this church, and serve as moderator in all business meetings in keeping with the rules of order authorized in these by-laws. In the absence of the pastor, the Chairman of Deacons shall preside. In the absence of both, the clerk shall call the church to order and an acting moderator shall be elected.

The pastor may relinquish the office as pastor by giving at least two weeks’ 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, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given. The meeting may be called upon the recommendation of a majority of the Personnel Committee and the deacons or by written petition signed by not less than one-fourth of the resident church members. The moderator for this meeting shall be designated by the members present by majority vote, and he shall be someone other than the pastor. The vote to declare the office vacant shall be by secret ballot; an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present being necessary to declare the office vacant. Except in instances of gross misconduct by the pastor so excluded from the office, the church will compensate the pastor with not less than one-twelfth of his total annual compensation. The termination shall be immediate and the compensation shall be rendered in no more than thirty days.

 

 

 

 

 

Deacons: In accordance with the meaning of the work and the practice of the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the church. The task of the deacon is to serve with the pastor in performing pastoral ministries tasks; proclaim the Gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for the church members and other persons in the community in hopes of winning them to Christ; lead the church to engage in a fellowship of worship witness, education, ministry, and application; and lead the church in performing its tasks. The deacons shall work alongside of the pastor and be held accountable to the church.

Procedures for the Selection of Deacons

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A candidate for deacon must be male.
  • A candidate for deacon must be at least 21 years of age.
  • A candidate for deacon must be a member of First Baptist Church Apache for a period of at least one year prior to nomination.
  • A candidate for deacon must be scripturally qualified (1 Timothy 3).

Nomination Procedure:

  1. The request for nomination of deacon candidates may be initiated at any time upon a vote of the church body during a regularly scheduled business meeting.
  2. The nomination period for deacon candidates will be scheduled for a specific period of time that shall include at least three Sundays. The nomination process shall be announced in all services and published in the worship bulletin.
  3. Church members may nominate individuals in light of the qualifications only by notifying the pastor and/or any deacon.
  4. Church members should enter the nomination after much prayer and it should be based on their knowledge of the individual. This action should in NO WAY be interpreted as meaning that the church member is to conduct their own inquiry into an individual’s qualifications to serve as a deacon. (The deacon body will contact nominated individuals regarding qualifications and calling to serve.)
  5. The nominations will be reviewed by the deacon body at a scheduled deacon’s meeting. The deacon body will determine how many candidates to add to the deacon body and the individuals receiving the greatest numbers of nominations will be considered candidates.
  6. The deacons will contact these candidates to determine if they meet the qualifications of a deacon and to regard the candidates’ willingness and calling to serve.
  7. The deacon body will present qualified, willing, and called candidates to the church for approval at a regularly scheduled business meeting. An affirmation vote of three-fourths of those present is necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Failing to Adhere to Standards: Any active deacon failing to adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, showing a continual spirit of discord, or practicing any immoral behavior shall be addressed by the pastor and the deacon body. The deacon body with super-majority vote (at least 75%) may decide to place the deacon on inactive status or remove him as a deacon from this church. The deacon body is to communicate this action with the church at the next scheduled business meeting. If the inactive deacon desires to become an active deacon again (at a minimum of one month inactive status), then the deacon body will conduct an inquiry into the individual’s qualifications and calling to serve. If the deacon body has a super-majority vote (at least 75%) in their decision, then the deacon is considered active again and the church will be notified at the next scheduled business meeting.

Leave of Absence: If a deacon desires a leave of absence, then he must notify the pastor and/or deacon body. Upon notification the deacon will be considered inactive and the deacon body is to notify the church at the next scheduled business meeting. Upon desire to return to active status, the deacon shall notify the pastor. The deacon body will conduct an inquiry into the individual’s qualifications and calling to serve. If the deacon body has a super-majority vote (at least 75%) in their decision for the deacon to return to active status, then the deacon will be considered active again and the church will be notified at the next scheduled business meeting. An ongoing list of active and inactive deacons shall be kept by the pastor, deacon body, and church clerk.

Resignation: If a deacon desires to resign from his position, then he must notify the pastor and/or deacon body. The deacon will no longer be considered a deacon of this church and the church will be notified at the next scheduled business meeting.

Deacon of the Week: There will be a “deacon of the week” to contact for any need should any person be unable to reach the pastor.

 

Youth Minister: The youth minister is responsible for sharing Christ with lost and unchurched youth, relating the youth to the overall life of the church, helping them grow spiritually, and providing opportunities for their Christian ministry. The youth minister shall counsel youth related to their spiritual life, academic endeavors, vocation selection, future spouse, social and family relationships, etc. The youth minister must possess a strong foundation in the Christian faith and in Southern Baptist doctrine. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The youth minister shall be accountable to the pastor and the Personnel Committee.

The youth minister shall be recommended to the church by a specially selected committee and employed by the same church action as required in calling a pastor. At the time of resignation at least two weeks’ notice shall be given to the church. The church may vote to vacate such positions upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, such termination and the compensation conditions being the same as for the pastor, except that the amount shall relate to the individual’s compensation.

 

 

 

 

Music Director: The music director is responsible to lead the music ministry team to develop, plan, execute and evaluate every phase of the church’s music program. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The music director is accountable to the pastor, Music Committee, and Personnel Committee.

The music director shall be recommended to the church by a specially selected committee and employed by the same church action as required in calling a pastor. At the time of resignation at least two weeks’ notice shall be given to the church. The church may vote to vacate such positions upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, such termination and the compensation conditions being the same as for the pastor, except that the amount shall relate to the individual’s compensation.

 

Choir Leader: The choir leader is responsible to lead the main church choir in special songs and activities. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The choir leader is accountable to the Music Director, pastor, Music Committee and Personnel Committee.

The choir leader shall be recommended to the church by a specially selected committee and employed by the same church action as required in calling a pastor. At the time of resignation at least two weeks’ notice shall be given to the church. The church may vote to vacate such positions upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, such termination and the compensation conditions being the same as for the pastor, except that the amount shall relate to the individual’s compensation.

 

Treasurer: The church treasurer shall receive the empty collection envelopes after the money has been removed and counted. The church treasurer shall keep the envelopes for references for a period of five years. The church treasurer will fill out a sheet for monthly balance, which will indicate receipts from envelopes, plates or loose, and miscellaneous or special offerings. The church treasurer shall also be responsible for distributing or mailing annual records of contributions to all contributing members by January 31. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to preserve, and payout, upon receipt of vouchers approved and signed by the authorized personnel, all money, or things of value paid or given to the church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements for the preceding month. The church may delegate some of these responsibilities to a church secretary. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The church treasurer shall be accountable to the Budget and Stewardship Committee and Personnel Committee.

The church treasurer shall be employed and dismissed with the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and approved by church action. Two weeks’ notice for termination, by either party, shall be required.

 

 

 

 

Secretary: The church secretary is responsible for administering the tasks and functions of the church office in concert with the daily service practices of the ministerial staff. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The church secretary is accountable to the pastor and Personnel Committee.

The church secretary shall be employed and dismissed with the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and approved by church action. Two weeks’ notice for termination, by either party, shall be required.

 

Custodian: The church custodian is responsible for keeping the church buildings and grounds clean and orderly. A more detailed job description regarding duties, hours and compensation shall be handled by the Personnel Committee. The church custodian is accountable to the Building and Grounds Committee and Personnel Committee.

The church custodian shall be employed and dismissed with the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and approved by church action. Two weeks’ notice for termination, by either party, shall be required.

 

Sunday School Director: The Sunday School director will lead and oversee the ministry of the Sunday School. This person will ensure proper staffing, training, and operation of the department. The Sunday School Director is accountable to the pastor.

 

Clerk: The church 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, of dismissal, or death, together with a record of baptisms. The clerk shall issue letters of dismissal voted by the church, preserve on file all communication and written official reports, and give legal notice of all meeting where such notice is necessary, as indicated in these by-laws. The church may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a church secretary. All church records are church property and should be filed in the church office when one is maintained. These records are not to leave the building. The church clerk shall be accountable to the pastor.

 

Trustees: Three trustees elected by the church will hold in trust the church property. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, to transfer any property without a specific vote of the church authorizing each action. It shall be the function of the trustees to affix their signatures to legal documents involving the sale, mortgaging, or purchase or rental of property or other legal documents where the signatures of trustees are required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Church Staff:

This church shall call or employ such staff members as the church deem necessary. A job description shall be written by the Personnel Committee when the need for staff members is determined.

Vocational (“called”) staff members shall be recommended to the church by a specially selected committee and employed by the same church action as required in calling a pastor. At the time of resignation at least two weeks’ notice shall be given to the church. The church may vote to vacate such positions upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, such termination and the compensation conditions being the same as for the pastor, except that the amount shall relate to the individual’s compensation.

Non-vocational (“non-called”) staff members shall be employed and dismissed with the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and approved by church action. Two weeks’ notice for termination, by either party, shall be required.

 

Article III. Committees

The church shall elect such committees deemed necessary to help effectively carry out the work and ministry of the church.

A "Nominating Committee Report," giving general guidelines and responsibilities for these committees, shall be maintained in the church office and distributed to the membership of the church when desired. Other committees, standing or temporary, may be added at the church's discretion. Only members of this church may serve as members of these committees. The pastor is an ex officio officer on all committees and his leadership is to be recognized in them.

 

Article IV. Sunday School

Sunday School is this church’s primary strategy in making disciples of Jesus Christ. Sunday School shall be divided into departments and classes as necessary for all ages and conducted under the direction of the Sunday School Director. Sunday School is to be conducted each Sunday morning. The task of the Sunday School shall be to connect people to Jesus, His truth, His community, and His mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article V. Church Ordinances

Section 1- Baptism

This church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes him publicly at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord.

Baptism shall be by full immersion in water.

The pastor, or whomever the church shall authorize, shall administer baptism. The deacons 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.

Section 2- The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby Christians partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming.

The church shall observe the Lord's Supper at least quarterly as scheduled by the pastor and deacon body. The pastor and deacon body shall administer the Lord's Supper. The deacon body is responsible for the physical preparations.

The Lord’s Supper shall be administered “openly.” This is defined as anyone who has made a profession of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior and followed through in believer’s baptism is a candidate to partake of the Lord’s Supper. An individual is NOT required to be a member of The First Baptist Church Apache to partake of the Lord’s Supper when it is administered.

 

Article VI. Church Meetings

Section 1- Worship Services

The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening for the worship of Almighty God. Prayer, praise, preaching, instruction, and evangelism shall be among the ingredients of these services. The pastor shall direct the services for all the church members and for all others who may choose to attend. A notice will be given to the church if any service is canceled.

Section 2- Regular Business Meetings

Regular business meetings shall be held on the second Sunday evening of every month unless otherwise stated.

Section 3- Special Business Meetings

A specially called business meeting may be held to consider special matters of significant nature. A one-week notice must be given for the specially called business meeting unless extreme emergency renders such notice impractical.

Section 4- Quorum

The quorum consists of those who attend the business meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called.

Section 5- Parliamentary Rules

Roberts Rules of Order, Revised is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church.

 

Article VII. Amendments

Changes in the constitution and by-laws may be made at any regular 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. Amendments to the constitution or by-laws shall be by three-fourths vote of church members present and voting.