Clayridge Baptist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Our Best for His Glory

Bylaws

Febauary 2008
Clayridge Baptist Church Bylaws

 

 
ARTICLE I. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

 
Section 1. General
This is a sovereign and democratic Southern Baptist 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.

 
Section 2. Candidacy
Any person who is in agreement with the membership covenant as stated in Article IV of the Constitution or as presented in the membership class may offer himself/herselfs 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 and for baptism according to the policies of this church.

 
  1. By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Baptist Church.

 
  1. By restoration upon a statement of proper conversion experience and baptism in a Baptist Church when no letter is obtainable.
 
  1. By statement of membership in a church of another denomination after the candidate has accepted the Baptist faith and message.

 
Section 3. New member information
The church will provide information for new members.

 
Section 4. Rights of Members
  1. Every active member of the church is entitled to vote on all motions submitted to the church in conference. A member must be present to vote.

 
  1. Every active member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as a candidate for elective offices in the church.

 
  1. A member is declared inactive if absent for a period of six months. A member declared inactive shall not vote in church business meetings. A member’s voting rights shall be restored upon his or her attending 50% of the regular church services for four weeks preceding the next regular business meeting. 

 
Section 5. Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated in one of the following ways:
 
  1. Death of the member
 
  1. Dismissal to another Baptist Church

 
  1. Erasure upon request or proof of membership in a church of another denomination.

 
Section 6. Unity and Harmony of Members
It shall be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor, other members of the ministerial staff, and deacons are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for unity and harmony within the church family in accord with the teaching of the scripture. (Matthew 18, Matthew 5:23, etc.)

 
           ARTICLE II. CHURCH OFFICERS 
 
All who serve as officers of the church shall be active members of this church as demonstrated by regular attendance and faithful giving. The term of office for the treasurer, clerk, trustees, Sunday school director,woman's ministry director, men's ministry director and deacons shall run concurrently with the church year which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.

 
Section 1. Senior Pastor
The pastor must meet the qualifications as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:6-9. The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church as set forth in Acts 6:4, Acts 20:28, Titus 1:9-11, and 1 Peter 5:2-3. The Senior Pastor has the oversight responsibility to insure proper functioning of church leaders and committees.

 
A pastor selection committee shall be elected by the church to seek out a suitable pastor, and its recommendations will constitute a nomination. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one name at a time. Election shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those active members present and voting being necessary for a choice. The pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the church’s request.

 
The pastor selection committee shall be elected in the following manner:

 
  1. The chairman and one member shall be elected by the active deacons.

 
  1. Three members shall be elected by the active church members during a business meeting.

 
  1. This committee shall select and present to the church a candidate for Interim Pastor and then proceed with the search for a senior pastor.
 
The pastor may relinquish the office of pastor by giving at least two weeks notice to the church.

 
The church may declare the office of pastor to be vacant. Such action shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week public notice has been given. The meeting may be called upon the recommendation of a majority of the personnel committee and the deacons or by written petition signed by not less than one-fourth of the active church members. The moderator for this meeting shall be the Director of Missions of the Birmingham Baptist Association. The vote to declare the office vacant shall be by secret ballot; an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the active members present and voting being necessary to declare the office vacant. The church will compensate the pastor with not less than one-twelfth of his total annual compensation. The termination shall be immediate and the compensation shall be rendered within thirty days of the termination.

 
 
Section 2. Ministerial Staff
The ministerial staff positions shall be created by action of the church as the need arises. These staff members of whom the church requires evidence of a personal call of God to minister shall be employed by the pastor and the personnel committee. Prior to employment, the qualifications of the candidate will be presented to the church; the church shall have the opportunity to meet, question and/or observe the prospective staff member; and the church must give a 75% consensus in a written survey of church members.

 
At the time of resignation, at least two weeks notice shall be given to the church.

 
These positions may be vacated upon unanimous consent of the pastor and personnel committee, following policies as stated in the personnel policy manual. Such termination shall be immediate and the compensation conditions shall be the same as for the pastor, except that the amount shall relate to the individual’s compensation.

 
Section 3. Deacons
Deacons shall be elected in the following manner: Any active member may recommend a candidate for deacon by completing the recommendation form supplied by the church. The recommendation form must be given to an active deacon. The active deacon body will investigate and question the candidate. The active deacons then may or may not recommend the candidate to the church. At the regular business meeting, the appropriate motion regarding ordination will be made by the chairman of deacons. The active members will then vote by secret ballot. An affirmative vote of three-fourths of those active members present and voting shall be required to elect. Candidates for deacon must meet the qualifications as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and have been an active member of Clayridge Baptist Church for a minimum of six months.
 
As the need of the church dictates, the number of deacons may be added to as determined by the existing active deacons upon approval by the church. Deacons shall serve on a rotation basis. Each year the assigned term of office of one-third of the number of deacons shall expire and an election shall be held to fill vacancies and to add to the deacons such number as the church size warrants. In case of death or removal or incapacity to serve, the church may elect a deacon to fill the unexpired term. After serving a term of three years assignment, a deacon shall be eligible for re-election only after the lapse of at least 365 days. There shall be no obligation to constitute as an assigned deacon one who has been a deacon in another church; but in such instance as one might be chosen by this church for assignment as a deacon, his previous ordination by another Southern Baptist Church shall suffice for this church.

 
If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the rotation of deacons becomes enough of a burden to the church to make the suspension of the practice desirable, the church may freeze the rotation on a year by year basis. It will take two-thirds majority of members present and voting in a regular scheduled business meeting to freeze deacon rotation.

 
The chairman of deacons shall serve no more than two years and must rotate off for 365 days before he is eligible for re-election as chairman. If his three year term as deacon has not expired, he shall complete his term after rotating off as chairman. In accordance with the teachings in Acts 6:1-6, deacons are to be servants of the church. Their task is to serve with the pastor and staff in performing the pastoral ministries of:

 
  1. Leading the church in the achievement of its mission.

 
  1. Proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers.

 
  1. Caring for the church’s members through the deacon’s family ministry plan.

 
  1. Caring for other persons in the community.

 
Section 4. Moderator
The pastor shall serve as moderator. In the absence of the Pastor, the Associate Pastor shall serve as moderator. In the absence of both, the chairman of deacons shall preside. In the absence of all three, the clerk shall call the church to order and preside for election of an acting moderator. The moderator is to conduct business meetings of the church in an orderly fashion while maintaining a Christian spirit.

 
Section 5. Clerk
The church shall elect annually a clerk as its clerical officer. It shall be the responsibility of the clerk to:

 
  1. Keep a suitable record of all official actions of the church, except as otherwise herein provided.
 
  1. Keep a register of names of members with dates of admission, dismiss ion, death, or erasure, together with a record of baptisms.
 
  1. Issue letters of dismissing voted by the church.
 
  1. Preserve on file all communications and written official reports.
 
  1. Give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary, as indicated in these bylaws.

 
  1. Prepare the annual letter of the church to the association.

 
The church may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a church secretary who will assist the elected clerk. All church records are church property and shall be kept in the church office.

 
Section 6. Treasurer
The church shall elect annually a church treasurer as its financial officer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to:

 
  1. Keep at all times an itemized accounting of receipts of all money and things of value, paid or given to the church.

 
  1. Manage all accounts of the church.
 
  1. Pay out church funds on receipt of purchase orders which have been approved by authorized personnel and the stewardship committee.
 
  1. Keep at all times an itemized account of all disbursements of the preceding month.

 
  1. Render to the church at each regular business meeting, a report of the receipts and disbursements of the preceding month.

 
The treasurer’s report and records shall be audited bi-annually by an auditing committee or public accountant. The treasurer shall serve as ex-officio member of the stewardship committee and follow policy established by this committee.

 
The treasurer may delegate some of the bookkeeping responsibilities to a church secretary with the approval of the stewardship committee.

 
Upon rendering the annual report at the end of each fiscal year and its acceptance and approval by the church, the records shall be kept and preserved as a part of the permanent records of the church.

 
Section 7. Trustees
The church shall elect three trustees to serve as legal officers for the church. They shall hold in trust the church property. Upon a specific vote of the church authorizing each action, they shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer church property. When the signatures of trustees are required, they shall sign legal documents relating to church approved matters. The trustees shall be responsible for maintaining adequate insurance coverage for liability and property. All legal documents shall be kept in a safe deposit box to which the trustees have access.

 
Trustees shall serve on a three year rotation basis, with one-third of the trustees being elected each year. The trustee rotating off shall not be eligible for re-election as trustee for 365 days.

 
Section 8. Sunday School Director
The church shall elect annually a Sunday School Director. The Director shall have general supervision of the Sunday School. The Director shall be responsible for recruiting teachers and necessary personnel for the establishing of Sunday School classes as the need arises. The Director shall see that teachers are provided adequate space and equipment and records are properly kept. The Director shall preside at Sunday School meetings and training sessions. The Director shall serve on the Church Council and make recommendations as is deemed in the best interests of the Sunday School. The Director in conjunction with the ministerial staff shall decide the kind of literature the Sunday School shall use and be responsible for ordering any and all material as deemed needed.

 
Section 9. Women’s Ministry Director
The Church shall elect annually a Women’s Ministry Director. The Director shall serve the church by leading women in various activities, such as bible study, women’s fellowship, visiting the sick and those who are unable to attend church services. She is to be of good reputation both in the church and outside in the community. She should be willing to proclaim the gospel to believers and nonbelievers. The Director shall serve on the Church Council and work with the pastor in deciding the direction the women’s ministry shall proceed.

 
Section 9. Men’s Ministry Director
The Church shall elect annually a Men’s Ministry Director. The Director shall serve the church by leading men in various activities, such as bible study, men’s fellowship, visiting the sick and those who are unable to attend church services. He is to be of good reputation both in the church and outside in the community. He should be willing to proclaim the gospel to believers and nonbelievers. The Director shall serve on the Church Council and work with the pastor in deciding the direction the Men’s ministry shall proceed.

 
ARTICLE III CHURCH COMMITTEES
 
All who serve as committee members shall be active members of this church as demonstrated by regular attendance and faithful giving.

 
At Clayridge we trust those who are on committees to:

 
  1. Do the work that the body has assigned them to do.

 
  1. Act in the best interests of the church as a whole in implementing our purpose statement.

 
  1. Keep Christ and His will for our church and community at the center of all we do and plan.

 
The regular committees of this church shall be a nominating committee, a personnel committee, a church property and space committee, a stewardship committee, a teller committee, a baptismal committee, an education committee, a youth committee, an usher/greeters committee, a music/worship committee and such other regular and special committees as the church shall authorize. Additional regular committees may be added by the amendment procedure prescribed within these bylaws. All regular and special church committee members shall be elected by the church upon recommendation by the nominating committee and/or nominations made from the floor.

 
Committee members shall serve on a three year rotation basis with one-third to be elected each year, except as specified elsewhere in these by-laws. The term of office for regular committees shall begin January 1 and end December 31. Each committee shall elect a chairperson for the upcoming year at the last meeting of the current year, unless otherwise stated in the Bylaws, a vice chair shall be elected to serve in the absence of the chairperson. An individual may not serve as chairperson of two committees concurrently.

 
The committee members who resign or rotate off shall not be eligible for re-election to the same committee for 365 days.

 
The pastor or his designated staff member may serve, at the pastor’s discretion, as ex-officio member of each church committee.

 
Each committee shall establish its own voting procedure.

 
Section 1. Nominating Committee
The nominating committee shall consist of three members who are nominated by the church council and who will serve on a rotating basis. The nominating committee coordinates the staffing of all church leadership positions filled by volunteer workers, unless otherwise specified herein. Persons considered for any such position shall first be approved by the nominating committee before they are approached for recruitment and when approached are presented with duties and responsibilities of the position. The nominating committee shall present to the church for election all who accept the invitation to serve.
 
Section 2. Personnel Committee
The personnel committee shall consist of three members. The personnel committee assists the senior pastor in matters related to employed personnel administration. Their work includes such areas as determination of staff needs and recommendation to the church for establishment of personnel positions; employment and termination of individuals in all staff positions except the senior pastor; recommendations of staff salaries, benefits, and other compensation; recognition of staff for service; and establishment of personnel job descriptions and policies.

 
The personnel committee may delegate oversight responsibilities to staff or other committees as necessary.

 
Section 3. Church Property and Space Committee
The property and space committee shall consist of six members. The church property and space committee assists the church in matters related to property maintenance and utilization. Its work includes such areas as maintaining all church properties for ready use, recommending policies regarding use of properties, consulting with personnel committee and the church staff regarding the needs for, and the employment of maintenance personnel.

 
Section 4. Stewardship Committee
The stewardship committee shall consist of six members. The stewardship committee develops and implements an overall stewardship development plan and a church budget. It advises and recommends in the administration of the gifts of church members and others using sound principles of financial management. It works with the treasurer in the preparation and presentation to the church of required reports regarding the financial affairs of the church.

 
Section 5. Teller Committee
The Teller committee shall consist of six members. Responsibilities of this committee include receiving all monies, counting it, depositing it in the bank and reporting to the treasurer the amount of the deposit (reporting designated funds separately). The empty offering envelopes will be given to the treasurer for the financial records. The teller committee may delegate responsibility for receiving, counting, and depositing money received from the weekday education programs to a member of the church staff.

 
Section 6. Baptismal Committee
The baptismal committee shall consist of three men and three women. The baptismal committee shall assist in the preparation for, and the observance of baptism.

 
Section 7. Education Committee

 
The Education committee shall be chaired by the Minister of Education; if the position of Minister of Education is vacant the Pastor will chair the committee until the position is filled. The committee shall consist of six members elected from the church membership serving a three year term.

 
  1. The committee shall oversee all Education Ministries of the church such as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Weekday Education, Preschool Education, Children’s Education, Youth Education, etc., but not to exclude any permanent or temporary education program occurring through the week or on the weekend.

 
  1. The committee shall implement church policies as directed by the Personnel Committee.

 
  1. The committee shall develop a budget for the Education Ministers as directed by the Stewardship Committee.

 
  1. The committee shall work with Church and staff to develop, plan and implement a Biblical education program based on the good news of Jesus Christ and communicating a love for Christ and His Father.

 
  1. The committee shall develop a short term and a long term overall education plan that supports the Mission Statement of Clayridge Baptist Church and recommend needed changes, additions and renovations to Church property and space to implement these plans. This plan is to be presented in writing to the Church Council along with a budget that supports the plan for presentation to the Church as part of the annual Church budget..

 

 
Section 8. Youth Committee
The Youth Committee shall consist of three members who are elected based on their knowledge of, experience with, and/or interest in youth ministries. The Youth Director/Minister of Youth shall be the chairman of this committee. This committee shall assist the Youth Director/Minister of Youth in planning all youth functions and missions activities.

 
Section 9. Ushers/Greeters Committee
The Usher/Greeters Committee shall consist of  no less than three . The total number should be determined by church need. Their responsibilities include:

 
  1. To staff the welcome centers and greet everyone who attends a church service.

 
  1. To seat guests for services and introduce the guest(s) to those they will be seated with, and

 
  1. To collect the offering during the worship services and present it to the members of the teller committee.

 
Section 10. Music/Worship Committee
The Music/Worship Committee shall consist of three members who are elected based on their knowledge of, experience with, and/or interest in the church music program. The Minister of Music will be the chairman of this committee. The instrumentalists shall be ex-officio members. This committee shall assist the Minister of Music in planning and implementing the worship ministry and in maintaining all necessary equipment.
 
ARTICLE IV. CHURCH COUNCIL

 
The Senior Pastor shall serve as chairman of the Church Council; if the Senior Pastor position is vacant the Chairman of Deacons will preside over the council until the position is filled. The members of the Church Council shall be all Ministerial staff, Chairman of Deacons, Men’s Ministry Director, and Women’s Ministry Director, Sunday School Director and all regular committee chairpersons. The church clerk shall serve as council recorder but is not a member. Church staff personnel may be required to attend meetings as needed but are not regular members.

 
The Church Council serves the church by planning, organizes, coordinating, conducting and evaluating all ministries and programs approved by the church to make sure the church’s objectives and goals are achieved as stated in the Church’s Constitution and By Laws.

 
  1. The Church Council shall review and coordinate ministry and program plans recommended by church officers and committees and present them to the church for approval.

 
  1. The Church Council shall recommend the use of leadership, calendar time, and other resources according to program priorities to the church for approval.

 
  1. The Church Council shall evaluate achievements in terms of church objectives and goals.

 
  1. The Church Council shall nominate the rotating members of the nominating committee.

 
  1. The Church Council shall insure that all committees function as directed by the church as stated in the church By Laws.

 
  1. The Church Council shall develop a short term and a long term overall plan and goals that supports the Mission Statement of Clayridge Baptist Church. The plan and goals are to be presented in writing to the Church Body along with a budget that supports these plans and goals prior to the new Church calendar year.
 
ARTICLE V. CHURCH ORDINANCES

 
Section 1. Baptism
This church shall receive for baptism any person who has received 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.

 
  1. Baptism shall be by immersion in water.

 
  1. The pastor, or another ordained Baptist minister shall administer baptism. The baptismal committee shall assist in the preparation for and the observance of baptism.

 
  1. Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the church.

 
  1. A person who professes Christ and is not baptized after a reasonable length of time shall be counseled by the pastor and/or staff or deacons. If negative interest is ascertained on the part of the candidate, he/she shall be deleted from those awaiting baptism.

 
Section 2. The Lord’s Supper
The church shall observe the Lord’s Supper. The observance may alternate between the morning and the evening services of worship. The pastor and deacons shall administer the Lord’s Supper, the deacons being responsible for the physical preparations.

 
ARTICLE VI. CHURCH BUSINESS MEETINGS

 
Section 1. Regular Business Meetings
The church shall hold regular business meetings monthly on a designated day.

 
Section 2. Special Business Meetings
The church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of special nature and significance. A special business meeting may be called at any regular church service by a majority vote of the active members present. All regular and special business meetings will be held in Clayridge Baptist Church.
 
Section 3. Quorum
The quorum consists of those active members who attend the business meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called.

 
Section 4. Parliamentary Rules
Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church.

 
ARTICLE VII. CHURCH FINANCES

 
Section 1. Budget
The stewardship committee, in consultation with the church leaders, shall prepare and submit to the church for approval an inclusive budget, indicating by items the amount needed and sought for all local and other expenses. Offering envelopes will be provided for members’ use.
It is understood that membership in this church involves financial obligation to support the church and its causes with regular proportionate gifts, according to II Corinthians 9:6-7

 
Section 2. Accounting Procedures
All funds received for any and all purposes shall be counted and deposited by the teller committee, reported to the church treasurer, and be properly recorded on the books of the church.
 
ARTICLE VIII. FISCAL YEAR
 
The church fiscal year shall run from January 1 through December 31.

 
ARTICLE IX. BY-LAWS AMENDMENTS
 
Changes in the bylaws may be made at a regular business meeting of the church provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing with copies of the proposed amendment furnished to each active member present at the previous regular business meeting. Amendments to the bylaws shall have a concurrence of a majority of the qualified members present and voting.
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