By-Laws
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BY-LAWS OF MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALEXANDER, INC. ALEXANDER, NORTH CAROLINA - ESTABLISHED 1869
PREAMBLE
For the purpose of preserving and making secure the principles of our faith in Christ and to the end that this body be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this Church, and to set forth the relationship of this body to other bodies of the same Faith and Order, we do declare and establish these By-Laws.ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Macedonia Baptist Church of Alexander, Inc. It is located in Alexander, Buncombe County, North Carolina.ARTICLE II. ARTICLES OF FAITH
This church accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, THE INERRANT, INSPIRED Word Of God, and will be our rule of faith and practice.ARTICLE III. COVENANT
We engage, therefore, by the aide of the Holy Spirit and with the Bible, the inspired Word of God as our guide, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to observe the church ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper as authorized by our local church; to contribute cheerfully to the support of the ministry, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, back-biting and excessive anger; to abstain from the use of destructive drugs or intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We agree to further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place 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.
ARTICLE IV. PURPOSE
The Macedonia Baptist Church of Alexander, Inc. is organized for the purpose of advancing and promoting the KINGDOM OF GOD through the reading and study of the Holy Bible as the inspired, INERRANT Word of God, the teaching and preaching of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, conducting regular services of worship for the Spiritual training, development and benefit of each member and for the winning of souls to Jesus Christ. This church shall be missionary in spirit, extending the Gospel through our organized religious channels to the entire world, It shall exist to provide regular opportunities for public worship, to sustain the ordinances, doctrines and ethics set forth in the New Testament for the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to channel its offerings to support the objects of the Kingdom of God.ARTICLE V. CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS
Section 1. The government of this church shall be congregational in nature and shall be vested in the membership. This church is a free, autonomous independent body, congregational in nature with authority to determine for itself in the manner set forth in these By-Laws, free of any outside control, authority or power, whether governmental or otherwise, the use of its property and all church policies.Section 2. Association: The church recognizes the value and mutual helpfulness in the voluntary association of churches, which are in such agreement in faith and practice as to make possible a spirit of fellowship and good will. It is recognized that association and co-operation between such churches will influence the missionary, education and benevolent interest of each other. The church does therefore, declare its intention as far as conscience will allow to work in mutual co-operation with other churches who agree with Article II of these by-laws.
Section 3. Affiliation: Upon adoption of these By-Laws this church shall be deemed to have affiliated in friendly co-operation with the aims of the Buncombe Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and of the Southern Baptist Convention as set forth in the constitution of these autonomous bodies and through duly elected messengers will participate in their deliberative assemblies, and shall as we are able to support the missionary, benevolent and educational programs of each.
Section 4. Discontinuance of affiliation and/or Co-operation: The calling of a church conference for the purpose of discontinuance of co-operation with the Baptist State Convention and/or the Southern Baptist Convention will require that written notice be sent to active members in good standing of the church including those physically unable to participate in church activities, stating the purpose and time of said conference. Action to withdraw to be valid must be carried by vote of three-fourths of the members present and voting.
ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Requirements:
The membership of this church shall be composed of persons who have given evidence of regeneration by the Spirit of God, who have been baptized by immersion, and who have subscribed to the Church Covenant, Articles of Faith, and By-Laws of this church, and who have been received into membership by vote of the church.
Baptism Exception: On recommendation of the Pastor, the Deacons by unanimous consent may request Church approval to suspend the requirement for immersion baptism as a condition of membership in cases of physical inability or severe hardship.Section 2. Basis of Candidacy:
A. By profession of faith and for baptism according to the policies of this church.
B. Transfer of Letter: A member of another Baptist church may be received by a vote of the church upon promise of letter of transfer from the church where membership resides. The applying member will be in a watch-care relationship until letter of transfer is received from the other church.
C. Restoration: Anyone who has once been a member of a Baptist church and in consequence of peculiar circumstances has lost that relationship or is not able otherwise to promise a letter of transfer may be received into the fellowship of this church upon statement to the membership and by a vote of the church.
D. Other Denominations: Person coming from other denominations who have never been Baptized by immersion shall be expected to present themselves as candidates for baptism by immersion.
E. Other Circumstances: Application for membership under circumstances other than these described in Section 2, A, B, C and D above will be considered by the church in conference, and the decision of the church will be final in each case.Section 3. Procedure:
Any person may present himself or herself at a public service of the Church for membership. At the discretion of the Pastor, the Church may, as set forth in these By-Laws, call itself into special session and vote on the membership of the candidate, or the Pastor may acknowledge the desire and postpone the vote until some subsequent meeting.Section 4. Duties of Members:
In considering the duties involved, members are expected, first of all, to be faithful in all duties essential to the Christian Life, to attend regularly, and systematically give to its support and Kingdom causes; and to share in its organized work.Section 5. Rights of ACTIVE Members:
A. Except as provided otherwise herein, all ACTIVE members shall be permitted to vote on all matters brought before the Church.
B. Except as otherwise set forth herein, every ACTIVE member of the Church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective offices in the Church.
C. ACTIVE Members shall have access to the principal records of the Church including the minutes of the governing body and principal financial reports. However, consistent with Baptist Doctrine and practice, these rights shall not include the right to review or inspect individual donor records or personnel files.Section 6. Termination of Membership:
Membership in this Church shall be terminated in the following ways:
A. By death: The Church Clerk shall remove the name of any member from the Church Roll.
B. By Letter: A letter of transfer to unite with another Baptist church may be issued upon request to the church, which the member is planning to join providing such member is in good standing. All such applications must be passed upon by the church in conference.
C. By exclusion: The church, after every possible kindly effort to make such action unnecessary, may upon majority vote terminate the membership of a person in this body for unChristlike behavior.
D. By erasure: Upon receipt of verified reliable information that a member has joined another church, the Clerk shall remove the person from the membership rolls of this Church.
E. By resignation: A member may request that their membership be terminated, and such termination shall be effective as of the date the request is received.
F. Inactive Status: Upon recommendation of the deacons, members who without good cause have not participated in the life of the church for a period of 6 months may by 3/4 vote of the congregation be placed on an inactive roll. Persons in inactive status shall not be eligible to hold office or vote in church sessions. Persons maybe returned to active status on recommendation of the deacons after renewing their active participation in the church. A membership committee will be voted on by the church to oversee the preceding statement and the membership roll of Macedonia Baptist Church of Alexander Inc.ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS
Section 1. This church shall hold regular meetings for Worship, teaching, training, and fellowship.
Section 2. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting shall be held in August for the election of officers and an annual meeting for the adoption of the budget shall be held during December.
Section 3. Regular Business Meetings: A church conference shall be held quarterly at the Pastor's discretion.
Section 4. Special Called Meetings:A. At any regular meeting of the Church, the Pastor may call for an immediate business meeting to act upon matters of business those being the reception of members, appointment of messengers to meetings, the granting of letters, and the Annual Church Letter.
B. In addition to stated conferences a conference of the church may be called at any time by the Pastor and Chairman of Deacons, or Church Clerk. The time and place of any such special conference, and the matters to be considered, shall be stated in the call, and public announcement made at the Sunday morning preaching service one week preceding the special business meeting. Only the business matters announced in the call may be proper matters for the special meeting.
C. In the event of an emergency, the Pastor or Chairman of the Deacons or Church Clerk may, with consent of two-thirds of the Deacons call an emergency meeting without full notice to the members. Such notice as is possible will be given the membership, and action limited to the items requiring the emergency meeting. No meeting under this provision may be called in regard to hiring or dismissal of personnel.Section 5. Moderator: The Pastor or Chairman of Deacons of the church shall preside as church moderator. In their absence the Vice-Chairman of Deacons shall preside as moderator.
Section 6. Voting by absentee ballot or proxy shall not be permitted in any matter.
Section 7. Quorum: A quorum shall consist of not less than fifteen percent of the active members of the church present and voting.
Section 8. Procedure: Except where specific provisions are made herein, Robert's Rules of Order shall be the rule and guide in matter of procedure in all business meetings of the Church, except the Moderator may, absent objection or with the consent of the majority, deviate from such rules in the interests of full discussion and harmony.
Section 9. Minutes: The church clerk shall keep minutes of each business meeting, recording business discussed and actions taken. The minutes of all meetings shall be the property of the Church and kept at the Church office and available to all members for inspection.
Section 10. Church Year: The church year shall begin on September 1" and end on August 31st.ARTICLE VIII. OFFICERS
The officers of this church shall be a pastor, and other vocational leadership as needed, deacon's, trustees, clerk, treasurer, and other officers as shall be needed to do the work of the church in any of the departments or organizations. For all such officers the church shall establish and set forth in the By-Laws or Policy Manual, their means of selection and duties. All of these shall be elected by the church, and shall be members in good standing at the time of election except that a pastor or other vocational leader may not be a member until after his call.Section 1. PASTOR
A. Call: Whenever a vacancy occurs, a pastor that agrees and applies Article II of this document shall be called by the church to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the pastor or the church. In either case, at least thirty days' notice shall be given to ending of the relationship, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, with both pastor and church seeking to follow the will of God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The call of the pastor shall take place at a meeting especially set for that purpose of which at least 2 week's written notice has been given the active membership of the church. This will be sent to the active member's address on file with the church. The election shall be upon the recommendation of a special committee recommended by the deacons and approved by the church to seek out and nominate as pastor a minister of the Gospel whose Christian character and qualifications fit him for the office. The committee shall bring only one name at a time for the consideration of the church and no nominations shall be made except by the committee. Election shall be by ballot with an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present and voting necessary for an extension of a call. Should the minister recommended by the committee fail to receive a three-fourths vote, the committee will be instructed to seek out another minister and the meeting at which the vote was taken shall be adjourned without debate.
B. Duties: The pastor shall have in charge the welfare and oversight of the church; he shall be Ex-offico member of all organizations, departments and committees; he may call a special meeting of the deacons or of any committee according to procedures which are set forth in the By-laws; he shall conduct religious services on stated and on special occasions, administer the ordinances, minister to the spiritual needs of the members of the church and community; he shall perform other duties that usually pertain to that office; he shall have special charge of the pulpit ministry of the church and shall, in cooperation with the deacons as needed, provide for pulpit supply when he is absent, and shall arrange, for ministers to assist in revival meetings and workers to assist in other special services required by the church. It shall be his responsibility to lead the church, to win the lost to Christ, to minister to the spiritual needs of the members of his congregation, and through prayer and study to render effective preaching and pastoral ministries.
C. Resignation: The Pastor is called to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the pastor or the Church. The Pastor may resign in writing but shall normally provide at least 30 DAYS written notice before the termination of his services. Such resignation if without conditions shall be final and binding when read at a congregational meeting and delivered to the church. If any written resignation is subject to conditions it shall be effective and binding when accepted by majority vote of the church.
D. Removal of Pastor: For a motion to be made to remove the Pastor, notification to the deacons must first be made. The individual who desires to make the motion must also meet with the deacons before the motion is made to see if problems can be resolved. After this a motion can be made to vote on removal of the Pastor. Upon approval of the Deacons a vote may be held only at a called meeting in regard to which notice has been mailed to all active members of the pending action, and the Pastor is provided an opportunity to be heard. A Pastor may be removed by ³½ majority vote of the active members present and voting at a properly called meeting. This must be a ballot vote. Ballots will be counted by the Deacons.
1. The officers and members shall make every effort to follow biblical principles including the process set forth in Matthew Chapter 18 in dealing with conflicts regarding the Pastor. An effort should be extended to permit reconciliation of conflicts in a manner consistent with our Christian faith and doctrine.
2. Removal shall be effective immediately upon the adoption of a motion terminating the Pastor, but salary and benefits shall continue for not less than thirty (30) days. Any resolution to dismiss may also contain recommendations concerning other financial aspects of the termination including severance pay.Section 2. Deacons
A. Number and Election: The number of Deacons shall be recommended by the Pastor and Deacons according to the need of the church. The Deacons shall be elected by the active church membership from those members who have proven themselves to have Scriptural qualifications according to I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They shall be elected for a term of three years. Upon the adoption of these By-Laws the existing deacons of the church shall decide upon a method of determining who shall rotate off so that a complete rotation may occur within three years with a replacement of one-third the number required to make up full strength being elected each year. It shall be the duty of the active Deacons to present to the Nominating Committee the names of one man for each existing vacancy to serve a three-year term as deacon. These are to be presented at a business meeting along with the other recommended officers one-week prior to the annual August meeting of each year. Deacons retiring from active participation by rotation shall retain their title of deacon and may be called upon for services by the church at any time. If qualified men cannot be found to replace those rotating off then those who were to rotate may be asked to continue their duties for another 3 year term.B. Duties: Deacons shall at all times regard themselves as servants of the church. With the pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to consider and make recommendations to the church in matters pertaining to the work and progress of the church, including the discipline of the church and establishment and maintenance of spiritual fraternal relations with all members of the church. They shall assist the pastor in the observance of the ordinances.
Section 3. Board of Directors: (Trustees)
Upon the adoption of these By-Laws the three (3) persons now serving as trustees shall be deemed re-elected, and the Trustees shall function as the Board of Directors of Macedonia Baptist Church of Alexander, Inc. The trustees shall serve for an indefinite term and until their successors are duly elected by the church in conference. Upon the death, resignation or inability of any of the trustees to serve a successor shall be elected by the church in a conference called for this purpose. In their capacity as Directors, they shall have the duties and responsibilities attendant to Directors, subject however to the limitations set forth in the Charter and By-Laws. The Directors shall not have power, except as expressly authorized by the congregation, to purchase or sell or encumber any real or personal property, to install or remove officers or staff, to amend the By-Laws or Charter, or to bind the Corporation to any contract. The Corporation, Macedonia Baptist Church of Alexander, Inc will hold title to all church property for the benefit of those members of the church who adhere and subscribe to the regular order of the church and who follow the established usage, customs, doctrines, practices and organizations of the church together with its connections with other denominational bodies whether a majority or a minority of the membership.Section 4. Corporate Officers:
The Chairman of the Board of Directors (Trustees) shall, whenever required by law or practice, serve as the President of the Corporation, having however only such express powers as are granted by the congregation, and having no power absent such express authorization to bind the Corporation in any manner or act for it, in a similar manner and subject to the same limitations, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors (Trustees) shall be authorized to act as the Vice-PresidentSection 5. Clerk
The clerk shall be elected annually upon recommendation of whatever committee is established to recommend the church officers. It shall be the clerk's responsibility to attend or be represented at all church business meetings, to keep an accurate record of all business transactions, to prepare the annual assocational letter and to see that it is properly transmitted to the associational clerk, and the clerk shall notify all officers, members of committees and messengers of their election or appointment; he/she shall issue letters of dismissal as authorized by the church, preserve all papers and valuable records and letters that belong to the church, and preserve a true history of the church, keeping same in a safe place. It shall be the duty of the clerk to see that an accurate roll of the church membership is kept. Also the dates and methods of admission and dismissal change in name, correct mailing address and other pertinent information about each member shall be kept. The clerk shall serve whenever required by law or practice as the Secretary of the Corporation.Section 6. Treasurer
The church shall elect a treasurer annually. One who has served previously in this position will be eligible for re-election. The Treasurer shall at all times keep an itemized account of all purchase orders, and shall approve all purchases, receipts and disbursements except those purchases designated by authority of the church. He/she shall render an account regularly to the church to be preserved by the church clerk. All books, records and accounts kept by the treasurer shall be the property of the church. The treasurer shall upon invitation meet with the deacons, and shall be an ex-officio member of the finance and budget committee.Section 7. Financial Secretary
The church shall elect a financial secretary annually. One who has served in this position previously shall be eligible for re-election. It shall be the duty of the financial secretary to receive and keep in a bank all monies or things of value given to the church, and shall disburse by check upon proper authority all money or things of value that are given to the church in accordance with instructions from the church. The Financial Secretary shall direct the keeping of an accurate record of each contributor and each contribution, and have prepared and distributed a verified record of such contributions for tax purposes.Section 8. Music Director
A. Call: Whenever a vacancy occurs, a music director shall be called to serve the church until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the music director or the church. The deacons in cooperation with the pastor shall be responsible for seeking out a qualified person who can serve the church in this office. They shall then recommend such a person to the church in conference. A three-fourths vote of the active Church members present and voting shall be required to extend a call.
B. Duties: The Music Director shall have the responsibility of providing worshipful music for all services and departments of the church. The Music Director will direct the choir in its practice and public singing and is to co-operate with the pastor and other leaders in the selection of suitable music and the devising of appropriate music programs for all occasions where such services are needed.ARTICLE IX. MINISTRIES AND LEADERSHIP
Section 1. Ministry Organizations:
The ministry organizations of this church shall be determined by the church.
Section 2. Leadership:
The church may establish such positions of leadership for its work as it deems appropriate and for each such position shall establish the qualifications, terms, duties and means of selection. These, when approved, shall be set forth in the Policy and Procedures Manual. The church shall place its approval upon all church officers and other workers by electing them annually or by majority vote at a business meeting.
Section 3. Committees:A. The church shall elect such committees as may be deemed necessary to carry on the various phases of the program of the church efficiently and effectively. The duties, membership and means of selection shall be set forth in the Policy and Procedures Manual which has been approved by the church.
B. Election of Committees. The Nominating Committee shall nominate to the church in its annual business meeting persons to serve for the succeeding year on the standing committees, except the Nominating Committee. The church will then elect the personnel of the several committees.
Section 4. Staff:
Such staff workers as the church may deem necessary may be employed by the church. The church shall establish job descriptions, means of selection, supervision, accountability and termination for all such positions, and set them forth in the Policy and Procedures Manual. The church shall also establish appropriate personnel policies for all staff.ARTICLE X. LICENSE AND ORDINATION
Section 1. License:
When a member announces to the church that he feels the call to the ministry, the church, upon recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons, by majority vote, may license him as an acknowledgement of his call to the ministry and encouragement to make preparation for it. The clerk of the church may furnish the members with a copy of the minutes or a certificate of license as his credential. It is understood that state law shall govern the performance of civil duties by the member.
Section 2. Ordination:
In the event this church has been requested to ordain a member who has been called as Pastor of a Baptist Church, the following procedure shall be followed: "The Church will express its approval by a vote of three-fourths of the active members present and voting at any regularly arranged business meeting of the church. Then the Church shall invite the Associational Council on Ordination (or the Pastor in conjunction with the Deacons may form a Council on Ordination) to examine the candidate concerning his fitness for the ministry. After a favorable report is received, the Church shall proceed with ordination."ARTICLE XI. CHURCH FINANCES
Section 1. Policy:
Financial policy shall be recommended by the Budget & Finance Committee and voted upon by the active members of the church
Section 2. Budget:
The Budget & Finance Committee shall prepare and submit to the Church for approval an inclusive budget, including by item the amount needed and sought for all local and other expenses.
Section 3. Accounting Procedure
Monies shall be properly counted and deposited by the Counting Committee, accounted for by the Treasurer, and shall be administered in keeping with the instruction of the church, and be properly recorded on the books of the church. A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds shall be the responsibility of the Budget & Finance Committee.
Section 4. Expenditure and Receipts of Funds:
A. No funds shall be disbursed without the express authorization of the church as provided for in the budget or separate authorization.
B. No designated funds shall be received except where the church has approved the expenditure of funds for the designated cause. Separate accounting shall be maintained for all designated gifts and funds.
Section 5. Audit:
The Deacons shall conduct or arrange for an annual audit of a type and nature they deem appropriate.
Section 6. Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year of the church shall begin on January 1" and end on December 31".ARTICLE XII. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The officers shall assure the creation and maintenance of a Policies and Procedures Manual, which shall contain all currently controlling policies and procedures governing any aspect of the church's affairs including committee task descriptions, policies regarding the handling of funds, use of facilities, and employment policies and practices.ARTICLE XIII. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Adoption:
These By-Laws shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when three-fourths of the active members present and voting at the business meeting at which vote is taken shall vote in favor of same. This vote shall be taken not less than thirty days after formal presentation of these By-Laws to the church, and notice of such meeting in which the vote is to take place shall be given at least one week in advance.
Section 2. Amendments:
These By-Laws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a three-fourths vote of the active members present at any regular business meeting of the church providing, however, that such amendment alteration, or repeal shall have been given to the clerk in writing; and the proposed change shall have presented to the church at least thirty days prior to the time the vote is taken. A copy of these By-Laws shall at all times be kept by the clerk among his or her records and another copy shall be kept in the church office, and all amendments to or revisions thereof shall, after passage by the church, be prepared by the clerk and pasted in the copies of the By-Laws and made available to church members generally upon request.