Church Constitution

 

 

This body shall be known as the Mt. Elim Baptist Church of Red Springs, North Carolina 28377. The facilities of which are located at 921 Wilson Road, Hoke County.

 

Our purpose as a local body is as follows:

1.         To provide opportunities for worship of God as a fellowship of baptized      believers, in the power of the Holy Spirit, under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

2.         To provide Christian ministries to each other and to local and foreign         communities.

3.         To lead the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as commissioned by our  Lord.

4.         To nurture Christian growth through preaching, teaching, caring and common    fellowship.

 

The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis of our faith. The church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of “The Baptist Faith and Message” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963.

 

We are governed by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the body, the church, as He shall reveal His leadership to us through the Word of God and the Spirit of God. This church is subject to no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual fellowship and cooperation which are common among Southern Baptist churches. Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association, the NC Baptist State Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

We, the members of the Mt. Elim Baptist Church, having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, enter into a covenant with each other, as one body in Christ. We, therefore, agree, by the help of the Holy Spirit and with the Bible, the inspiried Word of God as our guide, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church; to promote spirituality; to sustain its worship, discipline and doctrine; to observe the church ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper as authorized by our local church; to contribute cheerfully and regularly of God’s tithes and our offerings to the support of the gospel to all nations. We agree to encourage personal and family devotions; to educate our children according to our faith; to seek the salvation of the unbeliever; to be just in our dealings, reliable in our responsibilities, and an example to those around us; to abstain from the sale and use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances harmful to our bodies, which are the temples of God; to use our influence to combat the abuse of all such harmful substances; and to work untiringly for the advancement of the kingdom of our Savior by witnessing in words and actions.

 

We agree to walk in Christian harmony and watchfulness, giving and receiving assistance with meekness and affection; to pray for one another; to help each other in sickness and sorrow; to be slow to get angry; to always be eager for reconciliation, seeking it without delay. We further agree that, when we move from this area, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

 

Changes in this constitution may be made at any regular church conference, provided that copies of each amendment have been presented in writing at the previous regular conference, that a copy of the proposed amendment has been posted on the bulletin board in the Education Building for at least four weeks, and that mention has been made of the amendment during the morning services.

 

Section 1 -This constitution shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when two thirds of the members present and voting at the business meeting at which the vote is taken shall vote in favor of same. This vote shall be taken not less than 30 days after formal presentation of the constitution to the church.

Section 2 -This constitution abolishes, supersedes, and takes the place of any constitution, rules, and bylaws and amendments that preceded it.

Section 3 -A copy of this constitution and bylaws shall at all times be kept by the church clerk, a copy shall be filed in the church vault, and another copy kept in the church office. All amendments and revisions shall be adopted as set forth in Article VI by a two- thirds vote of the church, be prepared by the church secretary and incorporated in the constitution and bylaws and made available to church members on request.

 

Section 1 - Members - This church is comprised of persons who profess a personal faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, have received baptism in a Southern Baptist Church according to the teachings of the New Testament, and actively follow the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship. All such persons shall be eligible for membership regardless of race, sex, or national origin.

Section 2 - Voting Rights of Members - Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all matters submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present and in good standing with the church.

Section 3 - Reception - A person shall be considered a member upon approval of the church membership with at least one of the following conditions:

1. By Profession of Faith. A person publicly confessing personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, giving evidences of a regenerate heart and adopting the covenant and the articles of faith and practices held by the church, shall, upon baptism be admitted into the fellowship of the church.

2. By statement. Any person who has been baptized upon profession of faith in a Southern Baptist Church but who, because of loss of records or similarly unavoidable circumstances, has no regular letter of dismissal, may be received into membership after giving satisfactory evidence of a regenerate heart, Christian conduct and scriptural faith. Any person presented for membership who has been baptized by immersion in a Southern Baptist Church of like faith and order shall be received by statement.

3. By letter. Any person from another Southern Baptist Church of like faith and order may be received into membership upon receipt of letter of transfer from that respective church.

4. By baptism from another denomination. Any person, who professes a personal faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and actively follows the Lord Jesus Christ in discipleship but has not been baptized through immersion, must be immersed to become a member of this body.

Section 4 - New Member Orientation - New church members will be expected to participate in the church’s new member orientation program as needed and implemented by the church staff.

Section 5 - Rights of Members - In addition to voting rights, every member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for an elective office in the church as dictated by the teaching of the New Testament. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.

Section 6 - Termination of Membership - Membership shall be terminated in the following ways: (1) death, (2) transfer by letter to another Southern Baptist Church, (3) acknowledgment and verification that a member has joined another church (4) exclusion by action of this church. Members whose lifestyle and/or personal statements go contrary to the principles of the Church Covenant shall be subject to dismissal.

Section 7 - Membership Status - Active members (good standing) are identified as those who meet all three (3) of the following criteria:

1. Joined the church by baptism, or transfer of letter, or by statement of their profession of faith and baptism.

2. Attend Sunday School or Worship at least twice monthly.

3.   Give to the financial support of the church.

 

All church staff and officers, excluding non-elected staff, must be members of the church. The officers of this church shall be as follows:

 

Section 1 - Worship Services - The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Second Sunday evening, and at other scheduled times for preaching, instruction, evangelism and worship of Almighty God. These meetings are open to the public and shall be under the direction of the pastor or his designee.

Section 2- Special Services - All church activities must be approved by the church or by the leaders of the church program which sponsors the activity and in keeping with the church policies established to guide such activities.

Section 3- Regular Business Meetings - The church shall meet in regular conference on the Second Tuesday of each month. Other business meetings shall take place after two weeks of prior notice to the church body.

Section 4 - Quorum - A quorum consists of those who attend the business meetings, provided it is a regular meeting or one that has been properly called.

Section 5 - Parliamentary Rules - The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority for parliamentary rules of procedures. The pastor shall serve as moderator and appoint a parliamentarian if requested by the conference. Upon absence of the pastor, the assistant pastor or chairman of deacons may serve as moderator.

 

Section 1 - Baptism - Baptism is a symbolic act of obedience. A person who receives 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, shall be received for baptism under the following provisions: (1) Baptism shall be by immersion in water. (2) Baptism may be administered by the pastor or other ordained person authorized by the church (3) Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship. (4) Baptism shall occur as soon as possible after the public confession of faith.

Section 2 - The Lord’s Supper - The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming. (1) The Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly. (2) The pastor, assistant pastor, and deacons shall be responsible for administration of the Lord’s Supper.

 

All program organizations of the church must be approved by the church and exist under control of the church with all officers being elected by and reporting regularly to the church.

 

 

The church shall evaluate, plan, organize, and implement such ministries as the church deems necessary.

 

The church shall provide facilities necessary for the conducting of all church services and ministries. A policy for use of all facilities shall be established and supervised by a standing committee.

 

The church shall have the following standing committees elected by the church in conference:

Section 1.     Nominating Committee - Comprised of Chairman of Deacons and two other deacons appointed by the chairman, Sunday School Director, Music Director, WMU Director, Brotherhood Director, Finance Chairperson, Church          Advisor, pastor, associate pastor, assistant pastors, and a youth appointed by the pastor. The Chairman of Deacons shall chair the committee.

an ex-officio member.

 

Section 2.     All Officers, Directors, Teachers, and other Committees shall be                                          recommended by the Nominating Committee and elected by the                                         church in conference. The report of the Nominating Committee                                                shall not preclude nominations from the floor. All persons must                                       be notified and give consent before being recommended to any                                               position.

Section 5.     All persons holding positions must be members of the church in good standing and will serve on a rotating basis for a four-year term (excluding Treasurer, Finance Chairperson, Clerk, and Deacons who serve at the pleasure of the church. Also, SS Teachers who receive a vote of 75% or better by adult class members after serving an approved term are exempted from the rotation rule.) Persons may be re-appointed/re-elected to the same position after a lapse of one year.

 

 

The Church Council shall be comprised of all elected officers, program heads, and committee chairpersons. The associate pastor shall serve as chairperson of the Council and shall call meetings as necessary to plan and conduct the activities of the church.

 

Job Descriptions shall be prepared for all church positions. Persons filling positions must perform duties as assigned. Failure to do so may lead to dismissal and replacement.

 

Changes in these bylaws shall be made at any regular business meeting of the church, provided each amendment shall have been presented in a previous conference, posted on the Educational Building bulletin board, and presented to the church body at least four weeks before the vote. Amendments to these bylaws shall be ratified by two-thirds vote of all members of the church present and voting.

 

These bylaws shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when two thirds of the members present and voting at the business meeting at which the vote is taken shall vote in favor of the same. This vote shall take place not less than 30 days after formal presentation of the bylaws to the church in conference.