HOPEFUL BAPTIST CHURCH
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
In order to preserve and secure the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the teachings of the New Testament, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties of each individual member of this Church and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches of the same faith, we declare and establish this constitution.
NAME
This body shall be known as the Hopeful Baptist Church of Montpelier, Virginia, herein referred to as the “Church”.
MISSION STATEMENT
Hopeful Baptist Church exists for one mission: to share God’s Hope with the world. In order to fulfill this Great Commission and carry out the Lord’s work efficiently and effectively, Hopeful Baptist Church will be organized under seven (7) main areas of work: Ministry, Worship, Education, Fellowship, Evangelism, Missions, and Administration.
OBJECTIVES
To worship the Lord God, and by experiencing an awareness of His presence and responding in obedience to His leadership, to become a dynamic spiritual body of baptized believers empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister and share Christ with as many people as possible in our Church, community, and throughout the world.
To proclaim the gospel through the preaching and teaching to convert the lost and disciple all converts to Christ.
To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with fellow believers.
To grow continually in our knowledge of God and man.
To be like Christ in the manner in which we minister to those in need in our community and the world at large.
To live our daily lives in a manner in which exemplifies total commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
STATEMENT OF BASIC BELIEFS
We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God and the basis for our beliefs, and are committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost persons and the practice of the two ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We fully support and adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
RELATIONSHIPS
The government of this Church is vested in the body and believers who compose it. All internal groups created and empowered by the Church shall be accountable only to the Church. This Church is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but recognizes and sustains
the mutual cooperation common among Baptist churches.
Insofar as is practical, this Church cooperates with and supports the Dover Baptist Association, the state association that is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.
COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and having been baptized by immersion in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we pledge our purpose to live together as one Body in Christ.
Therefore, relying upon His grace, we purpose to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness, and faith; to promote its prosperity and spiritual well-being; to support its worship and ordinances by not neglecting the assembling of ourselves together, and by giving regularly and cheerfully to the support of the ministry of the Word, to the expenses of the Church, the relief of the needy, and to the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
We also purpose by Divine aid to make our homes centers of Christian influence, to educate our children in the nurture of the Lord, and by our Christian example, lead our relatives and neighbors to the Savior; to be just in our dealings, faithful to our engagements, to be slow to take offense, being careful to act as Christ would and ready for reconciliation without delay; and by tenderness and sympathy to bear one another’s burdens and sorrows.
We will strive to be faithful citizens of our country, and be ready for every good work to make our neighborhood a better community and to bring our nation righteousness and peace, in all things seeking to live to the glory Him who called us out of sin into life, out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Revised and Approved (April 20, 2016)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist Church under the Lordship 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
The membership of Hopeful Baptist Church referred to as the “Church” shall consist of all persons whose names appear on the Church membership roll.
ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP
Any person who has repented of his sins and is willing to conduct himself according to the principles laid out in the Word of God for New Testament believers may offer himself as a candidate for membership in this Church subject to the following conditions:
--That a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord has been made, and the believer has been duly baptized by immersion or
--Upon the receipt of a church letter in good standing from another church of like faith, or
--When no letter is obtainable, by a statement of prior conversion experience, which includes
a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord and baptism by immersion. Since this condition for membership applies only to those who do not make a public profession of faith and/or are not baptized at Hopeful, and because their candidacy depends solely upon their statement of a past experience, some oversight needs to be observed. Such persons will be recommended to the church by the pastor and deacons.
--And under all conditions, each candidate has been counseled by the pastor and has completed a new member class or a new member orientation.
Candidates for membership shall be presented to the Church by the pastor and deacons and voted on at any 11:00am Worship Service following the completion of these conditions. Candidates shall become members upon the majority vote of the Church at that time.
DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
The Church must protect its power to proclaim the gospel of Christ in integrity and truth. It must accept those outside the fellowship with compassion but never accept the practices of the world within the fellowship. Should any member become an offense to the Church and to its good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, as determined by the pastor and a majority of the deacons, the member should be removed from any leadership position in the Church, and every redemptive effort should be made by the pastor and deacons to reconcile the member, according to the Christian principles laid out in Matthew 18:15-17. Discipline should always be redemptive in nature, following the Spirit of II Timothy 2:22-25, and not condemning, If true humility, repentance and change occur, the erring member should be reinstated as a member in good standing. (II Corinthians 2:5-8).
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership may be terminated in the following manners:
--Upon the death of the member, or
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--Upon the request and issuance of a church letter of dismissal and recommendation for membership in another Church, or
--Upon the request of the member for his name to be dropped from the Church membership roll, or
--Should a member become an offense to the Church and to its good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, and after every redemptive effort has been made by the pastor and deacons to reconcile the member according to the Christian principles laid out in Matthew 18:15-1, the membership may be terminated by a Two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a specially called meeting for that purpose.
VOTING
All matters brought before the Church shall be determined by the open vote of a majority of the members present and voting, unless otherwise specified in these by-laws. Any vote may be by secret ballot if determined by the majority of those present and voting. Each member present at a regular or specially called meeting, held in accordance with these by-laws, shall be entitled to one vote on any matter coming before the Church for its decision. This vote shall be exercised in person and not by proxy, and cannot be overturned in subsequent meetings until a reasonable amount of time has lapsed.
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
--Worship Service: Services for worship shall be held on Sunday mornings. Other services for worship may be held at such other occasions as are deemed best for the advancement of the cause of Christ by direction of the Pastor and the majority of the Deacons or as determined by the action of a majority of the membership of the Church present and voting at any regular or special business meeting of the Church.
--Regular Business Meetings: Regular business meetings of the members for the transaction of the business and affairs of the Church shall be held during the months of January, April, July, and October. Notice of these meetings shall be announced from the pulpit or put in the bulletin the Sunday prior to the business meeting.
--Special Called Business Meetings: The Church may be called upon into a special business meeting for the handling of its business and affairs upon the agreement of either two of; the Pastor, Chairman of the Deacons, or the Church Moderator. Two weeks notice must be given orally from the pulpit in the Sunday worship service, unless otherwise specified.
--Place of Meetings: Regular or special called meetings of the Church at which the vote of the Church is sought on matter, shall be held at Hopeful Baptist Church.
--Quorum of Members: A quorum shall consist of those members present. Upon the action of those members present and voting a larger quorum may be sought and the business before the Church may be postponed until the next regular or special called meeting is held.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
The parliamentary procedure followed in all Church related business meetings will be that which is listed below taken from Robert’s Rules of Order. See Addendum. All business meetings will be presided over by the Moderator or, in the case of his absence, the Chairman of the Deacons. If the presiding officer finds it necessary to leave he may do so by asking some other officer to preside in his place during his absence.
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ARTICLE II
OFFICERS
The officers of the Church shall be a Pastor, Deacons, Trustees, Moderator, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Church Clerk. All officers are expected to be active and participating members of the Church in good standing.
PASTOR
The Pastor shall be the spiritual and administrative leader of the Church. He shall be recommended to the Church by a Pastor Search Committee, and shall be called through the leadership of the Holy Spirit and Two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting in a Special Called Business Meeting for that purpose. The Pastor is to perform the duties enumerated in the manual of operations and as his position requires.
DEACONS
Deacons shall be members of the Church in good standing and possess qualifications as stated in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13, inclusive, and any other qualifications prescribed by the church from time to time. They shall consist of the present Deacons as shown in the Church record and any additional Deacons elected by a majority of the Church at any time in the future. The term of service of the Deacon shall be for two (2) to four (4) years and staggered so that two (2) or three (3) newly elected Deacons will replace two (2) or three (3) Deacons who have served out a two (2) to four (4) year term as Deacon. The Deacons shall seek recommendations from the congregation and determine a slate of nominees to be provided to the Nominating Committee for the consideration of Church. Termination of office may be by reason of his death, resignation, or termination of his membership in the Church, or his removal from such office by a Two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Church. Upon completion of their term of service, a deacon should wait at least another year before being eligible to serve again.
TRUSTEES
The Trustees shall serve as legal officers for the Church and shall hold in trust the property of the Church. They shall, however, have no authority to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any Church held property without a majority vote of the Church authorizing them to take such action. Trustees are to be elected by a majority vote of the Church as vacancies occur.
MODERATOR
The Moderator shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the Church, and shall set the date, time, and agenda for all Church business meetings, presiding over all such meetings in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of Hopeful Baptist Church.
TREASURER
The Treasurer is responsible to receive and invest all moneys received in a manner approved by the Church, and to pay out all bills which the Church incurs. The Treasurer shall always be a member ex-officio of the finance committee. He/she shall keep itemized lists of all funds received and paid out and shall make a written report at each regular business meeting. The Treasurer shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the Church.
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FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The Financial Secretary shall record the offering each week and shall send a report to each member no later than February 1st of the following year. The Financial Secretary shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the Church.
CLERK
The Clerk shall keep a full and accurate account of all business meetings and Church transactions and provide a copy of the business meeting minutes to the Church and Church Secretary within 30 days following each business meeting. The Clerk shall issue letters of dismission voted on by the Church, prepare the annual Church Letter to the Association, and keep an accurate record of all Church officers and committee members whenever elections or replacements occur. In the absence of a Church Secretary, the Clerk shall keep a register of the names of members, with dates of admission, dismission, or death, together with the records of baptism. The Clerk will be elected annually by a majority vote of the Church.
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES OF THE CHURCH
The Church reserves the right at any time and in such manner as it may determine to appoint any committees which the Church may deem necessary or advisable.
ARTICLE IV
STANDING COMMITTEES
The standing committees of the Church shall at all times include a Finance Committee and a Personnel Committee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
A Finance Committee member shall be a member of the Church in good standing; one who is known to be devoted to the Church and its interests. The term of office for a Finance Committee member shall be for four (4) years and staggered so that three (3) newly elected members will replace three (3) members who have served a four (4) year term. The recommended number of committee members shall be twelve (12), and, in addition, the Treasurer shall serve as an ex-officio member. The Finance Committee shall seek recommendations from the congregation and determine a slate of nominees to be provided to the Nominating Committee for the consideration of Church. Termination of office shall be by death, resignation, termination of membership in the Church, or removal from such office by Two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Church, or end upon completion of four (4) years of service. A Finance Committee member must wait at least another year before being eligible to serve on the committee again.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Personnel Committee will assist the Church in matters related to employed personnel (excluding the Pastor and Youth Minister). This committee shall consist of five (5) members elected by the majority vote of the Church, who shall be in good standing with the Church, and who will seek to serve the best interests of the Church. The Personnel Committee shall prepare and update, as necessary, position descriptions for all employed personnel (excluding the Pastor and Youth Minister). Replacement members are to be elected by the Church as vacancies occur.
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ARTICLE V
AMENDMENT
All discussions related to matters concerning the Church Constitution and by-laws, and all recommendations for proposed changes to the Church Constitution and by-laws, must be given in writing to the Church Constitution and by-laws Committee to be brought up and addressed in a business meeting of the Church. These Constitution and by-laws may be amended, supplemented or superseded by a Two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present and voting, after written notice has been given 30 days in advance to all members for which current addresses can be located.
ARTICLE VI
EFFECTIVE DATE
These Constitution and by-laws shall become effective July 17, 2008 and shall supersede any Constitution and by-laws in effect prior to this date.
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ADDENDUM
BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
The agenda followed in all Church related business meetings will be that which is listed below taken from Robert’s Rules of Order. All business meetings will be presided over by the Moderator or, in the case of his absence, the Chairman of the Deacons. If the presiding officer finds it necessary to leave he may do so by asking some other officer to preside in his place during his absence.
--The Church will be called to order by the Moderator or person presiding in his place.
--An announcement of the attendance should be made.
--The minutes of the previous metting(s) should be read and approved.
--The Treasurer’s report and all officer and committee reports should be given orally or submitted in
writing at each regular business meeting.
--Unfinished Business should be attended to.
--New Business should be presented
--The meeting will be adjourned after all business on the floor has been disposed of.
MOTIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
--Main motion may be made by any member. These motions must be seconded. They are debatable and amendable and require a majority vote to pass.
(1) If a member wishes to amend the motion, he may do so. All consideration of an amendment must
be acted upon by the Church before the Main Motion can be again taken up.
(2) If a member believes there has been a mistake in announcing the result of a vote or if the vote
is close he may rise and say, “I call for a division,” or “I call for a recount.”
(3) After long periods of debate, any member may obtain recognition from the Moderator and say
“I call for the question,” or “I move to close debate.” This motion requires a second before it
can be voted on.
--Motion to Amend the Main Motion may be made by any member. See Main motion, (1).
--Motion to Table is a motion to lay aside an item of business temporarily. It requires a second and is not debatable. However, the tabled motion must be removed from the table and dealt with before the meeting closes
--Motion to Postpone is a motion to delay action on a matter until the next meeting. It requires a second and is debatable.
--Motion to Postpone Indefinitely is a motion to kill any action on a matter before the Church. It requires a second and is debatable.
--Motion to Suspend the Rules may be made at any time to expedite Church business. Rules contained in the Constitution and by-laws cannot be suspended, no matter how large the vote in favor of doing so. But general procedural rules governing attendance, spending of money, participating in activities, method of electing officers, and other matters concerning the operation of the organization may be suspended. The motion to suspend the rules requires a second. It is not debatable and requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
--Motion to Reconsider a matter previously voted on may be made. It does not need a second, and it is debatable and requires a majority vote.
--Motion to Rescind or Repeal may be made to void a previous action of the Church. It requires a second and is debatable. This motion is also amendable. Therefore, a motion acted on earlier may be changed to be more suitable for passage. The motion to rescind or repeal requires a Two-thirds (2/3) vote without previous notice to the congregation; it requires a majority vote if previous notice has been given.
--Motion to Adjourn requires a second and a majority vote.
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