Church Government
Bible Baptist Church adheres to the historic Baptist position of government which is the congregational (democratic) rule in business affairs. We hold to the absolute autonomy of our local church, and shall always be a self-governing body, not subject to any other authority. All properties, buildings and grounds, owned by this church, shall be governed by this body.
Determination of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church's own rules and procedures.
The majority vote of members of this church, present at an election, shall be the determining factor in all decisions to be made unless otherwise specified in this document. Members may not vote to initiate any church action, but rather, the vote of a member is to confirm and ratify the direction of the church as determined by the Officers.
Membership
Part 1: Qualifications
The church may vote for membership at any regular worship service. No person can be recommended for membership who is a member of any secret society. Any person who has received the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour; and indicates substantial agreement with the Statement of Faith and a willingness to abide by the Church Covenant shall be eligible for membership upon compliance with any one of the following conditions:
Baptism
Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, may upon the vote of the Church, and baptism by immersion, be received into the membership.
Letter
Members of other Baptist churches of like faith and practice, upon receipt of a recommendation from that church in their letter of transfer, may be received upon vote of the church.
Statement
Any person to whom proper baptism has been administered by a church of like faith and practice, may be received by a statement of their faith if, following interview, church officers recommend a vote for their membership to the church.
Restoration
Any person whose membership has been terminated, may be restored upon recommendation of church officers and a vote for membership by the church.
Part 2: Duties
Performance of duties is a natural and spiritual product of devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ. All members are enjoined to a happy participation at Bible Baptist Church. Each member is expected to take a hearty interest in all church activities, attend all congregational services, and cheerfully contribute to the spiritual and material needs of the church and its work. In accordance with Bible commands, members are expected through their lifestyles, to affirm the beliefs and practices of this church.
Part 3: Status
Member in Good Standing (Active)
One who attends regularly this church's scheduled meetings, who contributes regularly the tithe and offerings as the Lord prospers, and who participates faithfully in the work and promotes the objectives of this church.
Member Who is Remiss (Inactive)
One who, without cause or reason satisfactory to Bible Baptist Church, shall fail to attend or manifest interest in the regularly scheduled meetings for a period of six weeks. Such a member shall be termed "Inactive" and lose the right to speak or vote at any meeting of the Church. The officers shall make every effort to re-establish an "Inactive Member" to good standing whenever the desire for reinstatement is indicated by their regular attendance for a probationary period of three full months. Members remaining inactive for more than six months shall have their membership terminated by vote of the Church.
Member Under Discipline
Before any acts of discipline are taken, every effort shall first be made by the officers to effect restoration, to strengthen the member in difficulty, and to help in any possible and practical way before bringing the matter to the Church for action. Restoration, not punishment, is the goal, but when conditions exist that cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, every reasonable measure will be taken by the pastor and by the deacons to resolve the problem. Any person giving evidence of a consistent tendency to sin with offense and injury to their testimony and the testimony of Bible Baptist Church shall be subject to discipline. No offense shall be made public to anyone outside the officers until the instructions in the Scriptures shall be fully carried out.
Matthew 18; Galatians 6:1-4; I Corinthians 5:1-13; 2Corinthians 2:3-13.
Corrective discipline may take the form of rebuke from the officers, change in member status, or removal from the Church roll.
Termination
Membership is terminated by death, letter, or discipline upon vote of Bible Baptist Church. No one shall be dismissed from the membership of this Church until the offender has an opportunity to defend himself before the church if he so desires within the three month probationary period. Any member in good and regular standing, who desires a letter of dismissal, and recommendation to any Baptist Church, is entitled to receive it upon written request. (Valid for six months only.) In case of removal to another community, he should promptly make such a request. Failure to do so within a period of one year, or failure to communicate with his Home Church during like period, shall terminate his membership.
Part 4: Types
Adult Member
Any person over the age of eighteen.
Junior member
Any person under the age of eighteen. A junior member has no right of voting.
Officers
Bible Baptist Church Constitution
1. Pastor
The Pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church whenever the vacancy occurs. It shall be the responsibility of the elders to seek out a pastor and their recommendation shall constitute a nomination. One name at a time shall be brought before the church. Election shall be by ballot in a meeting called specifically for that purpose, with at least one week's notice. Affirmative vote of three-fourths present shall determine approval. The Pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament Church. As a first among equals, the Pastor shall lead the Church in the achievement of her work.
The Pastor shall provide leadership (himself or protem) for congregational services, lead in conduct of the Ordinances, officiate wedding ceremonies and funeral services, in leadership work closely with the Church Officers in their training and service, provide for church training and development, serve as chairman of the business meetings and leader for the total church program, be an ex-officio member of all departments, counselor and overseer of all auxiliary organizations of the Church, admonish and correct the indifferent, and be available for counsel to members in private and scheduled visitation.
The Pastor's term shall be indefinite, but shall be terminated upon the following grounds:
Breach of faith. No longer observing the Church Covenant, or Articles of Faith.
Breakdown of personal integrity.
Three-fourths approval vote of those present in a meeting called specifically for that purpose.
2. Elders
Officers who shall assist the pastor as he has need shall be called elders. They shall meet the requirements outlined in 1Timothy 3:2-7. Elders shall be leaders in the church that assist the pastor in ministry needs such as preaching, visitation, training, teaching, church administration, and conduct of church services. Elders shall assist the pastor in performing pastoral ministries, proclaim the Gospel to unbelievers, engage the church in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, and ministry, care for the church members and other persons in the community, guard the unity and harmony of church members, assure the faith and spiritual welfare of church members.
3. Deacons
Officers who serve the church under the direction of the pastor or the elders shall be called deacons. They shall be responsible to attend to maintenance and supply needs of the property and premises and preparations for activities and special events, such as set up, take down, storage, cleaning, etc. They shall meet the requirements outlined in 1Timothy 3:8-12.
4. Clerk
As needed, the church shall elect, upon the recommendation of the Pastor and elders, by a majority vote of those present and voting, a church clerk. The clerk shall keep the reports of the church, an accurate record of reception and dismission of members, and the transaction of all business meetings. The clerk shall keep a complete register of the members of the church; active, remiss, and absentee.
5. Treasurer
The treasurer shall receive and count all funds from the offerings and dispense them as ordered by the church. He shall make expeditious deposits, be prepared to submit reports on request of itemized receipts and disbursements and accounting that shows the solvency of the church. He shall keep a record of individual givers, supplying them with timely year-end stewardship reports, and see that each new member is supplied with offering envelopes.