Constitution & Bylaws
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
OF
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HORNBECK, LOUISIANA, INC
Originally adopted in the Regular Church Business Meeting
of
April, 2005
PREAMBLE
We declare and establish this constitution to assist, preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body of believers of First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Louisiana. This constitution will establish and preserve the autonomy of the church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the liberties of each individual church member, and the freedom of action of this body in its ministries, administrations, and operations.
ARTICLE I:
NAME
The name of this local church shall be First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Louisiana, and a corporation under the laws of the State of Louisiana.
ARTICLE II:
MISSION
Our mission statement is to share the hope, love and faith in God with the local community, state, nation and world through ministry, evangelism, discipleship, worship and fellowship.
ARTICLE III:
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
First Baptist Church of Hornbeck holds to the doctrinal statement as set forth in The Baptist Faith and Message, adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, May 9, 1963. We hold to Biblical principles on the definitions of marriage and family and use it as our reference in all matters concerning marriage, family, and moral questions and issues.
BYLAWS
Section 1
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
A. GENERAL: First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc. is a sovereign and democratic
church under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto
itself the exclusive 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.
B. CANDIDACY: Any person may offer himself/herself as 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 in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord and
after baptism by immersion.
2. By promise of letter of recommendation from another Baptist church
or a church of like faith and doctrine.
3. By statement of prior conversion experience and baptism in a Baptist
church or a church of like faith and doctrine when no letter is obtainable.
Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, 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 simple majority vote of
those church members present and voting shall be required to elect such
candidates to membership.
C. VOTING RIGHTS OF MEMBERS: Every member of the church, who is present at a scheduled business meeting, is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church.
D. DISCIPLINE:
1. It shall be the basic purpose of the First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc. 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 and deacons are available for counsel and guidance. Redemption rather than punishment should be the guideline which governs the attitude of one member toward another.
2. Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, every reasonable measure will be taken by the pastor and deacons to resolve the problem. All such proceedings shall be conducted in a spirit of Christian kindness and patience. If it is concluded that the welfare of the church will be best served by the exclusion of the member, the church will take action by a simple majority vote of the members present and voting at a scheduled business meeting to declare that the offender is no longer a member of the church.
3. Any person whose membership has been terminated may request to be restored to membership upon evidence of his repentance and reformation. Restoration to membership will require a simple majority vote.
E. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Membership shall be terminated by death, exclusion through a vote of this church, transfer to another Baptist Church or uniting with any other church, or any other way determined by this church.
Section II
CHURCH STAFF AND DEACONS
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The local government is vested in the body of believers who compose the local body under the Lordship of Jesus Christ according to the Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Executive authority or leadership, however, is vested by the congregation, as authorized by Scripture, in a pastor who leads the church and to whom the congregation is to submit under the Lordship of Christ. The pastor has the authority to delegate responsibility to carry out the business or ministry of the church in spiritual and physical matters.
In using the delegated authority and in making his decisions, the pastor must seek to be guided by the Scripture, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and by input from the congregation.
PASTOR
First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc. recognizes that the Lord has given spiritual gifts to all believers and therefore does not expect the pastor to provide all the teaching, evangelism, counseling, etc., within the body. Rather, he is to equip the saints "for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ."
A. Duties, Qualifications and Authority
Out of his biblical perspective, the pastor is to joyfully undertake the following duties:
(1) Give himself to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
(2) Oversee and provide spiritual direction for the activities and growth of the congregation.
(3) Provide the majority of the preaching and teaching during the worship services.
(4) Provide guidance, as needed, to the leadership, committees, deacons and others concerning church business and spiritual concerns within the body.
(5) Supervise the paid church staff (secretaries, associate ministers, etc.).
(6) Aid in finding and developing gifted teachers of the Word.
(7) Warn and discipline members of the body as outlined.
(8) Provide guidance to the deacons as needed.
(9) Pray for and encourage the sick.
(10) Administer the ordinances (Baptism and the Lord's Supper).
(11) Make decisions and perform any other duties as situations within the church dictate, either directly or through proper and orderly delegation of committees or persons as necessary.
The pastor will serve as an ex-officio member of all committees and the deacon body.
The pastor shall strive to maintain open communication with the congregation, both to discern needs, concerns and viewpoints, and to communicate information and decisions. This may be done through the Sunday bulletin, pulpit announcements, group or congregational meetings, votes, and one-on-one personal contact.
B. Selection
Upon recognition of the need for a pastor, the church shall elect a Pastor Search Committee who will then guide and direct the search process.
The following procedure outlines the method First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc. will follow in selecting a new pastor:
(1) The committee shall be nominated and elected by the congregation at a scheduled business meeting. The five member committee shall consist of two deacons and at least one female member. The committee will then select a committee member to serve as chairperson.
(2) The committee shall seek the names and resumes from any qualified and interested men. The committee will carefully and prayerfully consider any resumes acquired. The candidate will be evaluated in light of experience, interests, doctrinal beliefs, philosophy of ministry and in light of the needs of the congregation. Credentials will be verified and references will be checked prior to the candidate being presented to the church.
(3) The committee will contact one qualified prospect at a time. Based on the committee’s recommendation, the candidate will be invited to visit the church one or more times in view of a call. These visit(s) should include time for the committee and congregation to evaluate the candidate and his family, time for him to preach the Word, and time for him to evaluate the church and the community.
(4) A business meeting will be scheduled for the purpose of voting on the committee’s recommendation. The meeting date should be at least two (2) weeks after the committee's recommendation is reported to allow the church ample time to prayerfully consider the decision. Two-thirds of the voting members must agree with the committee's recommendation before a call is issued.
(5) If the candidate turns down the offer or if the congregation does not agree with the committee's recommendation, the above procedure will be repeated until a qualified man is selected and hired.
C. Tenure and Dismissal
Pastors are appointed to an indefinite tenure consistent with their continued desire and ability to serve in this capacity. This must be evaluated and recognized by themselves, by the leadership, and by the church body. The dismissal of the pastor from office shall be effected by personal resignation or by disciplinary action in accordance with the following:
1. Voluntary Resignation
A pastor may step down at any time he so chooses. The pastor should prayerfully reflect on his decision and seek counsel from the leadership and deacon body before making a final decision.
2. Involuntary Dismissal
Involuntary dismissal of the pastor will be a disciplinary action of the church body in accordance with the instruction of 1Timothy 5:19-20, Galatians 6:1, and Matthew 18:15-18. The specific procedures for this are spelled out in the BYLAWS, Section I: D. (Discipline)
If the situation is such that it necessitates dismissal from office, it is to be brought before the congregation to hear the issues and to allow the pastor to present his case. Dismissal will then be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of the body at a scheduled business meeting.
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS/STAFF
The procedure for hiring associate ministers/staff (associate pastors, worship leader, etc.) shall be the same as for a pastor. A candidate must be approved by the pastor before being presented to the church body.
A written job description will be prepared for all paid staff by the Personnel Committee in consultation with the pastor. All paid associate ministers/staff will be evaluated at least annually. All paid ministers/staff will look to the pastor for supervision of their duties.
Dismissal of any associate minister/staff member shall follow the same guidelines as outlined in BYLAWS: Section I: D (Discipline).
NON-MINISTERIAL STAFF
The hiring of non-ministerial staff (janitorial services, secretary, etc.), will be planned for and directed by the Personnel Committee.
Since the secretary will be working primarily for the pastor, he will make the final decision on who will fill the position.
A written job description will be prepared for all non-ministerial staff by the Personnel Committee in consultation with the pastor. All non-ministerial staff will be supervised and evaluated (at least annually) by the Personnel Committee.
DEACONS
A. Qualifications
Deacons shall be men who desire to be servants of the local church body, who are able to serve, who meet all the character qualifications of Scripture and who are conscientiously and wholeheartedly in agreement with the Constitution of this church.
B. Duties
Deacons shall be helpers of the pastor, staff and church leadership in ministering to the needs of the body. Deacons are to be servant leaders of the church, co-laborers and supporters of the pastor and staff in equipping the saints for the ministry, care for the church members and other persons in the community. Deacons should encourage and lead the body in fellowship, witnessing, education, ministry and personal holiness. Deacons are a model of Christ’s humbleness and self sacrifice to the church.
Their specific duties will be designated in accordance with the needs of the church and a deacon's particular gifts, capacities and talents.
C. Election
Deacons shall be elected to serve as long as they are qualified and willing to serve. However, only qualified and willing men will be elected. If no qualified men are available, or if those qualified are unable or unwilling to serve, no election will be made.
Deacons are to be tested. The primary means of testing is time; time for the congregation to evaluate a man’s commitment to the Lord, his character qualifications according to Scripture, his doctrinal understanding and his willingness to serve the local body.
The following outlines the procedure First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc. will follow in selecting and electing all deacons:
(1) when the pastor and deacon body determine the need for additional deacon(s) exists.
(2) the pastor shall notify the congregation of the need. The church, at a scheduled business meeting, shall elect a screening committee consisting of three deacons and two church members at large. This committee shall follow the current screening guidelines set forth in the "Church Operations Manual".
(3) names should be submitted to the screening committee in writing and signed by the church member making the submission.
(4) the screening committee will then evaluate and present all qualified candidates to the congregation for election. The candidate(s) will be elected individually (yes or no vote) by secret ballot. With the approval of the congregation by a two thirds majority vote, in accordance with section "Voting and Congregation Meetings", those elected shall then be eligible for ordination. The pastor will assume responsibility for conducting and coordinating the ordination service after which the new deacon(s) automatically becomes a member of the deacon body.
(5) A deacon who has been ordained in another Baptist church of like faith and doctrine and are joined into this fellowship may be recommended to the pastor by any member as a candidate for service as a deacon. The candidate’s name will be submitted to the deacon body for review in accordance with the outlined procedure for selecting and electing deacons. However, First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc. of Hornbeck is not under any obligation to automatically invite, appoint or elect a deacon who comes from another fellowship to serve as a deacon to our congregation.
D. Removal of Deacons
1. Voluntary
A deacon may voluntarily step down from his position at any time he so chooses. The deacon should prayerfully reflect on his decision and seek counsel from the deacon body and the pastor before making a final decision.
2. Involuntary Dismissal
Involuntary dismissal of a deacon shall be in accordance with the procedures for church discipline. If the situation is such that it necessitates dismissal from office, the deacon body may suggest voluntary resignation by the person involved. If he refuses, the deacon body may remove him from office but only after the principles for church discipline have been prayerfully considered and followed.
Section III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES and AGENTS
The Board of Trustees of the First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc., shall be composed of five church members elected by the church on an annual basis or when a vacancy occurs. Directors/Trustees shall be elected by a simple majority of the membership of the corporation present for voting at the scheduled business meeting in March.
Any Director/Trustee shall be authorized to serve as an agent of the corporation.
The Board of Trustees shall meet at least annually and at other times as needed. Minutes of these meetings shall be on file in the church office.
Section IV
CHURCH OPERATIONS MANUAL
A Church Operations Manual will be located in the church office and on the church website. This manual covers the day-to-day operation of the church. It contains the policies and procedures set forth by the church on finances, use of church facilities, meetings, church organization, property, equipment, vehicles, permits, election of officers and standing committees.
The manual shall be reviewed annually by the Policies and Procedures committee prior to the beginning of the church year. All proposed changes shall be brought before the church for discussion and approval at a scheduled business meeting.
Section V
CHURCH COUNCIL
The church will have a functioning church council as outlined in the "Church Operations Manual".
Section VI
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
A grievance is defined as a major concern or disagreement with an administrative, procedural, or operational process within the church. It does not include personal or church discipline situations which should be handled in accordance with the Biblical procedure set forth in Matthew 18:15-17.
If a grievance should arise within the church body, the member is expected to exhaust all possible avenues to correct the situation through the responsible parties. A responsible party may include, but is not limited to, the individual person or committee responsible for the area of the grievance. If the grievance cannot be resolved by the responsible parties communicating directly with each other, then either party may make a written request to the pastor and body of deacons for mediation. If the pastor and body of deacons cannot agree upon a recommendation to solve the problem, then an ad hoc grievance committee consisting of five people without an interest in the situation shall be elected by the church at a scheduled business meeting. Nominations to serve on the committee will be taken from the floor, and the committee’s recommendations will be brought before the church for action at a scheduled business meeting.
Section VII
AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended if the need for change is recognized by the members of the church body. At the time such a need is believed to be present, the committee on committees will nominate a five-member ad-hoc committee to review the section(s) in question. All essential information on this matter shall be communicated to the congregation in written form. Adequate time for study and response shall be allowed. A date will be determined for consideration of the revisions at a scheduled business meeting. A two-thirds vote of the members present shall be required for approval of the revision(s).
Section VIII
DISSOLUTION OF PROPERTY
In the event this church body is dissolved, disbands or ceases to function as a church for any reason, the title to all property both real and personal shall pass to and be vested to the Board of Trustees. In such an event, the Board is hereby authorized and directed by the congregation of First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc., to take possession of all property, both real and personal, belonging to First Baptist Church of Hornbeck, Inc., and shall pay out of such properties and assets all indebtedness of said church as quickly as reasonably possible. After the payment of all debts of the church, the remaining assets may be managed or disposed of according to the Articles of Incorporation.
The decision to dissolve or disband must be approved by two-thirds vote of the members present at a scheduled business meeting.