Cedar Bluff Baptist Church
Constitution and By-Laws
Cedar Bluff Baptist Church
PREAMBLE
For the more certain preservation of, and the security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner, consistent with the accepted tenets of the Southern Baptist Denomination as long as they remain true to New Testament teachings and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this Church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this constitution and by-laws.
I-NAME
This body shall be known as the Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, Atkins, Virginia.
II-ARTICLES OF FAITH
This body accepts as "Articles of Faith" the Declaration of Faith, pages 8 through 13 attached.
III-CHRUCH COVENANT
This body accepts as a church Covenant the covenant commonly accepted by Southern Baptist Churches as set forth in the Baptist Church Manuals common in use among Southern Baptist Churches, a copy of which is attached.
IV-CHARACTER
Section 1: POLICY - The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body or board of directors, but, it recognizes and sustains the obligation of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Southern Baptist Churches.
Section 2: DOCTRINE - This Church receives the Scriptures (King James Version) as its sole authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of the Christian truth as contained therein is in essential accord with the belief of the Southern Baptist Churches as indicated in the Articles of Faith herewith.
Section 3: NOTE - Only films or slides of a Christian nature can be shown in the church and only the King James Version of the Scripture can be used in the church. Visiting speakers will be informed of these two rules. No planned meals of any type can be served in this church building. The selling of any item, religious or otherwise, shall be done outside the Church Building.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: QUALIFICATIONS - The membership of this church shall consist of such persons as confess Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord, and have been accepted by vote of the church and have been baptized by immersion, or if coming from other churches of like faith and order, upon letter of dismission or satisfactory substitutes thereof. Any person coming from another denomination must come for Baptism upon profession of faith in Christ as Savior or by Statement acknowledging Christ as Savior and having been baptized by immersion.
Section 2: DUTIES - Members are expected to be faithful in all duties essential to the
Christian life, to attend the services of this church, to give regularly to its support and causes, and to share in its organized work.
Section 3: VOTING RIGHTS - Every member of the church who is present is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, with one exception: any member who has not attended services for a period of one year or more shall not be allowed to vote. Previous members who moved their membership will not be allowed to vote.
Section 4: QUORUM - Those present at a regular business meeting or those present at a called business meeting shall constitute a quorum. For calling a pastor a quorum of seventy-five (75) percent of the average weekly Sunday School attendance for the previous year shall be necessary.
Section 5: TERMINATION - The continuance of membership shall be subject to the principles and usages of the Southern Baptist Churches and especially as follows:
A. Any member in good and regular standing who desires a letter of dismission and recommendation to any other church of like faith is entitled to receive upon request of the church he intends to join.
B. The church may, after due notice and kindly effort to make such notice unnecessary, place on an inactive roll the membership of persons who have not attended service for a period of one year or more.
C. Should a member become an offense to the church and her good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, or by persistent breach of his covenant vows, or by accepting and teaching doctrines contrary to our Articles of Faith, the church may terminate their membership, but only after due notice and hearing, and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such a member to repentance and amendment. The membership of no person shall be terminated (except by letter) at the meeting when the recommendation for such an action was made.
D. Action for termination of membership set forth in paragraph B and C of this action shall first be considered by the deacons and pastor who shall make recommendation to the church.
E. Membership may be terminated when it has been confirmed that a member has joined another church and failed to call for transfer of letter or let it be known. This action will be conducted in business session.
F. Restoration - Any person whose membership has been terminated for any offense may be restored by the vote of the church, upon evidence of his repentance and reformation or upon satisfactory explanation.
ARTICLE II - DISCIPLINE
Section 1: Should any unhappy differences arise between members; the aggrieved member shall follow, in a tender spirit, the rules given by our Lord in the 18th chapter of Matthew.
Section 2: Should any gross breach of covenant, or of public scandal occur, the Deacons shall endeavor to remove the offense; and if such effort fail, shall report the case to the church.
Section 3: If the church votes to entertain a complaint, which must be made in writing, it shall appoint a reasonable time and place of hearing and shall notify the person in question thereof, furnishing them a copy of the charges.
Section 4: At such a hearing the accused member may call to his aid any member of church as counsel. If he shall not be present himself at the appointed time, or give satisfactory evidence or reason for his neglect to do so, the church may proceed in his absence.
Section 5: All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance, and should ad adverse decision be reached, the church may proceed to admonish or declare the offender no longer in the membership of the church.
Section 6: The membership roll shall be revised yearly in accord with the principles stated concerning church membership in the constitution. Members shall be removed from the active roll of the church at the end of each church year (September) who have not attended during the church year, unless providentially hindered. Members transferring membership who have been placed on an inactive roll will be given a letter stating the inactive status.
ARTICLE III - CHURCH OFFICERS
PASTOR
A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at the meeting called for that purpose, of which at least fifteen (15) days notice shall be given. A pulpit committee shall be appointed by the church to seek out a suitable Pastor, and their recommendation will constitute a nomination. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one man at a time. The election shall be by ballot and a majority of seventy-five (75) percent affirmation votes of those members present and voting shall be required for a choice. The Pastor called is to be informed as to what majority he carried. The Pastor shall be elected for an indefinite time. The Pastor shall serve until the relationship is terminated by mutual consent, a thirty (30) day notice being given by either party. He shall have charge of the welfare and oversight of the church. He shall preside at all meetings except as hereinafter provided. The Pastor shall be the ex-officio head of the church organizations. He shall be entitled to a two week vacation with pay each year.
DEACONS
Section 1: Number, Election, and Term of Service
A. The prospective Deacon shall be selected upon recommendation by the board of Deacons and Pastor and/or by nomination from the floor by members in good standing with the church. Election of Deacon or Deacons shall be by secret ballot when there is more than one candidate for the position. At least one month prior to the election of Deacons, the Pastor shall read to the congregation the qualifications of a Deacon as found in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in our church constitution. Deacons shall be elected for an indefinite time.
B. Following the election of an un-ordained man of the office of Deacon the church shall call for his ordination at the earliest possible time.
C. A Deacon shall be encouraged to give liberally and faithfully to the church. No Deacon shall be ordained by this church who does not believe in Scriptural giving and who cannot consistently support every area of the church life.
Section 2: Duties
A. The Deacons shall be zealous to guard the unity of Spirit within the church in the bonds of peace.
B. They shall serve as a council of device and conference with the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the welfare and work of the church.
C. They are to establish and maintain personal fraternal relations with all members of the church. This does not delegate to the Deacons the right of authority over members of this church, but, is to be advisory in nature only.
D. The Deacons may have the option to meet two times yearly without the presence of the Pastor.
E. In counsel with the Pastor, and by such methods as the Holy Spirit may direct in accordance with the new Testament teaching, they are able to have responsibility of the discipline of the church, in administering such, they are to be guided always by the principles set forth in Matthew 13:15 - 17; I Corinthians 5:9 - 13; and I Thessalonians 5:12 - 14.
F. The Deacons shall serve as a general pulpit committee unless a separate pulpit committee be appointed by the church. In case of absence or inability of the Pastor, subject to advice from the conference with him, they shall provide for pulpit supply. In any period when the church is without a Pastor, the Deacons will arrange the temporary ministry and take counsel with reference to securing a Pastor. Each Deacon shall freely confer with the Pastor about all matters and cases of discipline which, in his judgment, would be more wisely and spiritually handled in private. The Pastor shall vote only to break a tie.
MODERATOR
The Pastor shall be the Moderator of the Church. 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 a Moderator pro-tem shall be elected. In the absence of the three above named officers, any member of the church in good standing may call the church to order and proceed with the election of a Moderator pro-tem.
CLERK
The Clerk shall keep in a suitable book a record of all the actions of the church, except as otherwise provided. The Clerk shall keep a register for the names of the members, with the dates of admission, dismission, or death, together with a record of baptisms. The Clerk shall issue a letter or dismissal vote by the church and shall preserve on file all communications and written official reports. All such records are to be considered the property of the church.
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall receive, preserve, and pay out upon approval of the church all money or things of value paid or given to the church, keeping always an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. All funds received for denominational or other causes shall be paid at least once a month. A monthly report shall be presented to the church at its regular business meeting giving in detail an accounting of all funds. All books, records, and accounts kept by the Treasurer shall be considered the property of the church. When a successor is elected, the Treasurer shall promptly deliver to the active Treasurer all books, records, and accounts in his hands pertaining to his office. He shall consider it a part of his duties to promote in every proper way scriptural giving (with the tithe as the basic minimum on the part of himself and entire membership).
The Treasurer shall keep complete records of individual contributions to the church as indicated by envelopes as well as complete picture of church finances at all times.
OFFICERS OF CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
All organizations of the church shall be under church control, with all officers being elected by the church and reporting regularly to the church. The Pastor is ex-officio head of all organizations named and his leadership is to be recognized by and in them all.
SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS
These officers and teachers shall be those members who are elected annually by the church on nominations of Nominating Committee. No member shall be elected to any office who is not reasonably regular in church attendance. The duties of these officers and teachers shall be those ordinarily designated in the approved denominational standards. Literature published by the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board shall be used as long as it is true to the Word of God.
1. Training union directors shall be elected annually by the church on nomination of nominating committee.
2. Brotherhood president shall be elected annually by the church on nomination of the Brotherhood.
3. W.M.U. president shall be elected annually by the church on nomination of the W.M.U.
TRUSTEES
The Trustees elected by the church will hold in trust the property of the church. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage or transfer any property of the church without a specific vote of the church authorizing such an action. The Trustees shall be elected for an indefinite time.
ARTICLE IV - CHURCH FINANCE
Section 1: This church recognizes and adopts the Scriptural methods of Tithes and Offerings as its only plan of finance.
Section 2: All funds shall pass through the hands of the Treasurer and shall be properly recorded, unless the church shall indicate otherwise.
Section 3: It is understood that membership in this church involves financial obligation to support the church and its causes. Each member shall be encouraged to tithe.
ARTICLE V - CHURCH MEETINGS
Section 1:
A. Public service shall be held morning and evening on the Lord's Day and on some regular week evening each week, preferably Wednesday.
B. The Lord's Supper shall be observed at such times as the church may direct. (Once each quarter - First Sunday).
C. Occasional religious meetings may be appointed by the Pastor at his discretion, or by vote of the church.
D. The church shall endeavor to conduct at least two Revival Meetings each year, or as they feel that the Lord may lead, and when possible if led by the Spirit to cooperate in the Simultaneous Crusades of the Convention.
Section 2:
A. At the regular meeting for worship the church may act upon the reception of members, and upon the appointment of messengers to the Association, but not upon other business unless the church declares an emergency.
B. The monthly business meeting of the church shall be held on Wednesday (second) of each month. Letters of dismissal of members to other churches will be conducted at business meeting.
C. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all business sessions of the church.
D. The Pastor may, and shall when he deems necessary, or when requested by the Deacons or Trustees, call from the pulpit special business meetings, the particular object of which is clearly stated in the notice. Special business meetings of the church may also be called when the church is without a Pastor by the Clerk upon the written application of five adult members, specifying the object thereof, which notice shall be read at the service on the Lord's Day preceding the day fixed for such meeting.
ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS
This constitution and By-Laws may be amended, revised or changed by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any meeting specially called for the purpose, due notice having been previously given. No change shall be made in the Articles of Faith and Covenant except by a two-thirds vote of all members present entitled to vote, said proposed change having been laid before the church in writing at a business meeting not less than one month before the time of the proposed action, and read from the pulpit on the Lord's Day next succeeding such proposal.
