BY-LAWS OF
ARTICLE 1 - The Name of the Church
Organized in 1877, the official name of the church shall be
ARTICLE 2 - Purpose
ARTICLE 3 - Policy
The church’s government shall be vested in the Body that comprises its
membership, and the church shall maintain governing structures and bylaws
consistent with its belief in the autonomy of the local church and
congregational church government. The
church, as an expression of its local autonomy, shall be free to from time to
time associate with, or disassociate from, external groups and bodies. To be
effected such decisions shall require a two-thirds majority of members
attending a duly authorized business meeting of the church where one hundred
members are required to form a quorum. The church currently maintains
cooperative affiliation with the Westmorland-Kent Association of the Convention
of Atlantic Baptist Churches (formerly the United Baptist Convention of the
ARTICLE 4 - Church Finances
All monies raised for the approved budget of the
The Board of Deacons can grant approval for monies to be raised other
than by free-will offerings for projects and/or causes that are not part of the
approved budget of the church. The Board of Deacons shall be responsible to
establish guidelines and protocol for the granting of such authority and shall
guard against any group using methods of fundraising that are not in keeping
with the Biblical values of the church. The Board of Deacons shall have
authority to terminate the fundraising activity of any group in the church
wherein either approval has not been given to the group or the activity is not
in keeping with the Biblical values of the church.
Whenever the Church approves the establishing of a special fund wherein
designated free-will offerings can be given, each restricted contribution will
be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need or objective
has been met, or can not be completed for any reason determined by the church,
the remaining restricted contributions designated for such a special fund, will
be reallocated upon recommendation from the Board of Management to the church
at a duly called business meeting.
All funds raised for which the church shall grant an official income tax
receipt must be deposited into the church’s bank account and expenditures must
be documented within the financial records of the Church, in keeping with
acceptable accounting practices.
Church members, through the teaching and preaching ministries of the
church, shall be encouraged from time to time from the Scriptures to be mindful
of their responsibility and opportunity before the Lord to prosper the church
in its mission through their financial stewardship.
4.1 - Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the church shall begin on the first day of January and
end on the last day of December.
ARTICLE 5 - Church Worship Services
5.1 - Regular services of worship shall
be maintained every Sunday morning and evening at times as determined by the
Board of Deacons. Sunday School shall normally be held every Sunday morning, as
may be arranged by the Board of Christian Education in cooperation with the
Sunday School Co-ordinator(s). There
shall be a mid-week prayer, testimony, and Bible-study service on an evening
and at a time as determined by the Board of Deacons. The Board of Deacons shall
be responsible to establish protocol with the Senior Pastor, or in his absence
the Associate Pastor, for the cancelling, altering of time, or relocation of
any of the above services.
5.2 - Other services of worship,
inspiration, prayer, or study may be held as determined by the Senior Pastor,
or in his absence the Associate Pastor, in consultation with the Board of
Deacons.
5.3 - The Ordinance of the Lord's
Supper shall be normally observed the first Sunday of every month at the
Morning service, unless otherwise specified by the Senior Pastor, or in his
absence the Associate Pastor, in consultation with the Board of Deacons.
5.4 - The Annual Anniversary/ Roll Call
Service will be held in June of each year.
ARTICLE 6 – Membership
6.1 - By
Baptism
Any person of the age of understanding professing faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and Lord, and giving evidence of a change of
heart, and having been interviewed by the Board of Deacons or its designates
from the current Board, and upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons or its
designates, and having been baptized by immersion, may be presented to the
Church at any mid-week prayer meeting or duly called business meeting of the church,
and by a majority vote of the church members present at said meeting, may be
received into church membership. The vote shall not be taken in the presence of
the individual being considered for membership. When such a vote occurs at the
mid-week prayer meeting, the individual who chairs the meeting for the vote
shall be responsible to report the action of the meeting to the Church Clerk
for inclusion in the minutes of the church.
6.2 - Letter
Any member from another Baptist or baptistic church of like faith and
practice, if baptized by immersion, and having been interviewed by the Board of
Deacons or its designates, and upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons or
its designates from the current Board, may be presented to the Church at any
mid-week prayer meeting or duly called business meeting of the church, and by a
majority vote of the church members present at said meeting, and upon receipt
of a letter of recommendation from their church, may be received into
membership of the church. The vote shall
not be taken in the presence of the individual being considered for membership.
When such a vote occurs at the mid-week prayer meeting, the individual who
chairs the meeting for the vote shall be responsible to report the action of
the meeting to the Church Clerk for inclusion in the minutes of the church.
6.3 - Experience
A candidate whose membership record is not available, and who gives
satisfactory evidence of Christian experience, having been baptized by
immersion, and having been interviewed by the Board of Deacons or its
designates, and upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons or its designates
from the current Board, may be presented to the Church at any mid-week prayer
meeting or duly called business meeting of the church, and by a majority vote
of the church members present at said meeting, may be received into membership
of the church. The vote shall not be taken in the presence of the individual
being considered for membership. When such a vote occurs at the mid-week prayer
meeting, the individual who chairs the meeting for the vote shall be
responsible to report the action of the meeting to the Church Clerk for
inclusion in the minutes of the church.
6.4 - Dismissal
6.4.1 - Any
member in good standing shall upon written or personal request to the Church
Clerk, be given a letter of transfer or letter of recommendation to unite with
any other Baptist Church of like faith and practice by a majority vote of
church members present at a meeting where such a vote is permitted. Such vote
may be taken at any mid-week prayer meeting or duly called business meeting of
the church. When such a vote occurs at the mid-week prayer meeting, the
individual who chairs the meeting for the vote shall be responsible to report
the action of the meeting to the Church Clerk for inclusion in the minutes of
the church. Membership shall be deemed
to have been removed upon vote of the church.
6.4.2 - Any
member in good standing, should they desire to unite with a church of a
different denomination, shall upon written or personal request to the Church
Clerk, be given a statement of their membership by a majority vote of church
members present at a meeting where such a vote is permitted. Such vote may be
taken at any mid-week prayer meeting or duly called business meeting of the
church. When such a vote occurs at the mid-week prayer meeting, the individual
who chairs the meeting for the vote shall be responsible to report the action
of the meeting to the Church Clerk for inclusion in the minutes of the church.
Membership shall be deemed to have been removed upon vote of the church.
6.4.3 –
Members who cease to be active in their relationship with the church through
consistent lack of attendance at Sunday Services and lack of support for the
church may have their names placed on an inactive membership list. The Board of
Deacons shall be responsible for any process of review of the membership list
and for any action to be taken with regard to those recognized as inactive
members. After careful consideration, including any efforts to encourage
members to become active again in the life and mission of the church, the Board
of Deacons will report at any business meeting of the church a list of names
that have been placed on the Inactive Membership List. Those members listed as
being Inactive will be removed from mailing and contact lists and shall not be
recognized as having voting privileges at business meetings. Inactive members
who become active again in the life of the church may be re-instated as full
members by vote of the Board of Deacons following a positive interview with the
Board of Deacons or the Board’s designates. Members who are elderly,
institutionalized, or chronically ill, or for any other reason judged to be
reasonable and with merit by the Board of Deacons as to why they cannot attend
services, shall continue to be regarded as active members.
6.4.4 -
Members moving to other communities, and who shall be absent longer than one
year and not desiring to take a letter of dismissal, shall have their names
placed on a non-resident list. When a
member fails to make contact with the church for a period of three consecutive
years, the Board of Deacons, after every reasonable effort to contact them, may
recommend to the church at a business meeting that the name be removed from the
church membership.
6.4.5 - When
any member from this church moves to another community, the church clerk shall
endeavour to contact by letter the Baptist church and its pastor within that
community and introduce the member who has moved to their constituency, giving
the individuals name and address, if possible. This letter shall not constitute
a letter of transfer of membership.
6.4.6 - No
letter of transfer or letter of recommendation shall be given to any member who
is commonly regarded within the church fellowship as not having been faithful
to the Lord Jesus Christ and His church, and whose Christian witness, life, and
character, cannot be conscientiously recommended by the church. Lack of
faithfulness shall normally be understood to mean failure to maintain even
basic covenant obligations such as Sunday attendance and support of the church,
and/or a lifestyle inconsistent with the Biblical teaching of the church.
However, any member upon written request to the Church Clerk can request a
letter of dismissal, which shall be granted by a majority vote of church
members present at a meeting where such a vote is permitted. Such vote may be
taken at any mid-week prayer meeting or duly called business meeting of the
church. When such a vote occurs at the mid-week prayer meeting, the individual
who chairs the meeting for the vote shall be responsible to report the action
of the meeting to the Church Clerk for inclusion in the minutes of the
church. Membership shall be deemed to
have been removed upon vote of the church.
6.4.7 – The
Board of Deacons and the Pastors shall make, on behalf of the church, every
reasonable effort to maintain “the unity of the Spirit” with members choosing
to leave the fellowship of the Highfield Church, especially when the cause is
known to be one of discontent or personal hurt. “Blessing” shall be offered to
individuals so departing when it is recognized that such a change may be in
keeping with God’s will for the circumstances and time.
6.5 – Discipline
of Members
6.5.1 –
Discipline of Church members shall be the responsibility of the Board of
Deacons in consultation with the Pastors and may include such measures as
verbal exhortation and rebuke, temporary or final removal from a Board,
Committee, Ministry Team or other position within the Church, and/or temporary
or final exclusion from membership of the Church by two-thirds vote of the
Board of Deacons. The first goal of any disciplinary action shall be that of
seeking loving restoration of the Church member to the fellowship of the
Church. Discipline shall normally result from situations wherein members
persistently disregard the church covenant, the Statement of Faith, or are
involved in situations that negatively reflect on Christian character and
values, and where credible efforts at correction and restoration have been made
without success. A decision of exclusion from membership may be appealed by the
excluded member at a duly called business meeting of the Church wherein both
the excluded member and the Board of Deacons shall have opportunity to speak to
the facts and actions leading to the decision of exclusion from membership.
Reinstatement to membership shall require a majority vote of the membership
present.
6.5.2 – Former members of the Church who
have been excluded from membership may be reinstated upon individual confession
of error, repentance and demonstration of willingness to fulfil membership
covenant obligations, following an interview with the Board of Deacons, whereby
the Board of Deacons makes recommendation to the Church at any mid-week prayer
meeting or duly called business meeting of the church, and wherein church
members present at said meeting vote by majority to receive the individual into
membership of the church. The vote shall not be taken in the presence of the
individual being considered for membership. When such a vote occurs at the
mid-week prayer meeting, the individual who chairs the meeting for the vote
shall be responsible to report the action of the meeting to the Church Clerk for
inclusion in the minutes of the church.
6.5.3 - No charge of private, public, or
personal injury shall be brought into
the church against a member until the steps outlined
in Matthew - chapter 18, verses 15, 16, and 17 have been taken without success.
ARTICLE 7 - Meetings
7.1 - The Annual Business Meeting of
the church for the consideration of the yearly business, and the election of
the officers, Boards and committees, and such other business, as may come
before the meeting, shall normally be held the first Monday of February, and
shall be presided over by the Moderator, or the Vice-Moderator, or in their
absence, by a chair pro-tem as appointed by the meeting, the Church Clerk to
chair the meeting only until the chair pro-tem is appointed. Should the meeting
be cancelled due to inclement weather, it shall normally be rescheduled for the
second Monday of February. The Board of Deacons can alter the normal date for
the Annual Business Meeting provided notice of such is given at least two
Sundays in advance of the meeting. One hundred members shall constitute a
quorum. The vote shall be taken in accordance with Section 7.2. The agenda for
the Annual Business Meeting shall normally be included in the Annual Report
Booklet and be available no later than the Sunday before the meeting.
7.1.1 - The
Regular Business Meetings of the church shall be held on the third Wednesday of
May and October immediately following the Prayer Meeting for the purpose of
receiving progress reports on the activities of the various Boards and
Committees, receiving a report from the Treasurer, approving of minutes, and
facilitating and approving matters of a more routine nature. Thirty-five
members shall constitute a quorum unless approval of an expenditure greater
than 10% of the annual budget is to be considered, or a change to the By-Laws,
or unless otherwise provided for within the By-laws of the church by the nature
of the business to be decided. In such instances the quorum shall be one
hundred members. The meeting shall be presided over by the Moderator, or in
his/her absence, by the Vice-Moderator, or in his/her absence by a Chairman
pro-tem as appointed by the meeting, the Church Clerk to chair the meeting only
until the chair pro-tem is appointed. The vote shall be taken in accordance
with Section 7.2. The agenda for the meeting shall normally be posted on one or
more bulletin boards no later than the Sunday before the meeting, and the place
of posting noted in the Sunday bulletin.
7.1.2 -
Special Business Meetings of the church shall be called at any time by the
Church Clerk on instructions from the Board of Deacons, and the Clerk shall
then give notice of such a duly called Special Business Meeting of the church
by a written notice signed by himself/herself in the Sunday bulletin and
announced from the pulpit at the Sunday worship services on two Sundays
preceding the calling of such meeting. The item or items of business for which
the meeting is being called shall be clearly stated in the Sunday bulletin and
in the announcement from the pulpit. Only the announced item or items of
business can be decided at the meeting. Thirty-five members shall constitute a
quorum unless approval of an expenditure greater than 10% of the annual budget
is to be considered, or a change to the By-Laws, or unless otherwise provided
for within the By-laws of the church by the nature of the business to be
decided. In such instances the quorum shall be one hundred members. The vote
shall be taken in accordance with Section 7.2.
7.2 – All members shall be eligible to
vote unless the motion involves the calling or dismissal of a pastor, or an
expenditure of money beyond the Church budget which approves the Church to
borrow funds, when members eligible to vote shall be a minimum of eighteen
years of age.
7.3 – At all business meetings of the
Church, the government of the body and the regulation of its proceedings shall
be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. A summary of basic procedures
plus notation of some defined limits for business meetings can be found in
Appendix C.
ARTICLE 8 - Licence to Minister
A committee consisting of the Board of Deacons and the Pastors shall
receive all applications of Candidates requesting Licenses to Minister and,
after careful consideration and examination, shall present the names of such
applicants as the committee approves for a vote of the church. Licenses so
granted may be renewed from year to year by majority vote of the church or
revoked at any time by majority vote of the church. The Board of Deacons shall
be responsible to establish a protocol for the examining of such candidates,
and to advise such individuals prior to their examinations as to the process
that will be followed and the expectations to be met. The Board shall also be
responsible for a process of review prior to a License being renewed.
ARTICLE 9 - Offices of the Church
9.1 - The Offices of the church shall
be Pastor, Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Church Clerk, positions on the Pastoral
and Ministry staff, Co-ordinator(s) of the Sunday School, Treasurer, Envelope
Secretary, and Purchasing Agent. Those who hold such offices do so for the
purpose of providing spiritual and practical leadership to the various
ministries of the church.
9.1.1 –
Church Membership shall be a prerequisite for service on the following Boards,
Committees, and Ministry Teams within the church and for the following offices:
Board of Deacons, Board of Management, Board of
Christian Education, Evangelism Committee, Nominating Committee, Worship
Facilitation Ministry Team Leaders, Caring Hands Ministry Team, Historical
Ministry Team, Lead Teachers (Sunday School, Clubs, Youth), Small Group
Leaders, Pastoral Search Committee, all offices as detailed in Article 9,
Section 1 of the bylaws, plus Assistant Church Clerk, Assistant Treasurer, and
Assistant Envelope Secretary.
Evidence of having accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour
shall be sufficient condition for service on the following Boards, Committees,
Ministry Teams and other duties within the church by adherents who are not members:
Board of Tellers, Nursery Ministry Team, Kitchen
Ministry Team, Hospital Visitation Ministry Team, Auditors, Choir Members,
Musicians, Assistant Teachers (Sunday School, Clubs, Youth).
9.1.2 - The
Moderator shall have the right and responsibility to call a business session on
any prayer meeting night, before or following the Prayer Meeting, as need may
arise, without having to give prior notice in the Church Bulletin or from the
pulpit of any such business session to be held. In the absence of the
Moderator, the Vice-Moderator shall exercise the same right and responsibility
as the Moderator. In the absence of the Moderator and Vice-Moderator, a
designate of the Board of Deacons who is a member of the current Board, shall
exercise the same right and responsibility as the Moderator. Any such business
sessions, so called, shall not in any way be in conflict with, nor supersede
the annual or regular business meetings of the church, or any other special
business meeting of the church, as set forth in the By-laws of the church. This
right and responsibility shall be limited to the mid-week Prayer Meeting
service and business conducted at such meetings shall be limited to the
receiving of new members and/or the granting of letters of transfer, recommendation,
or dismissal of members. When such a business session is held, the individual
who chairs the session shall be responsible to report the action of the meeting
to the Church Clerk for inclusion in the minutes of the church.
9.2 - The
Senior Pastor
It shall be the duty of the Senior Pastor to exercise general spiritual
oversight, and give spiritual leadership to the church, to diligently and
regularly preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, to administer the
Ordinances of Believers Baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, and to
exercise Pastoral guidance over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made him
overseer. The Pastor shall be an
ex-officio member without vote of all Boards and Committees of the church. The Pastor shall submit an annual report at
the Annual Business Meeting of the church.
9.2.1 - To be
extended a call as Senior Pastor of the church, a candidate must be interviewed
by the Pastoral Search Committee, and if recommended, his name shall be brought
before the church at a Special Business Meeting for vote by the church
membership, and if favourable, a call shall be extended to the individual to
serve the church as Senior Pastor. Such meeting called shall be announced from
the pulpit and printed in the Sunday bulletin on at least two Sundays previous
to such a meeting being held.
9.2.2 -
Severance of the Pastoral Bond shall be (1) by written resignation of the
Pastor, or (2) by request of the church at a special business meeting called by
the Board of Deacons to consider the matter, notice of such meeting and its
purpose having been announced from the pulpit at both morning and evening
services on at least two Sundays previous to such meeting being held. In both
cases two months notice shall be given before such severance shall become
effective, unless by mutual consent and agreed upon by both pastor and church.
The church reserves the right to pay severance in lieu of notice.
9.2.3 - The
calling of a Pastor or the severance of such relationship shall require an
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at
a duly called Special Business Meeting. A minimum of one hundred members
eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum for the calling of, or the dismissal
of, a Pastor. The Board of Deacons shall have the right to call such a meeting
as need may arise. Vote shall be taken by secret ballot, and proxy or advance
voting shall not be permitted.
9.2.4 - Any
concerns regarding the Senior Pastor or any member of the Pastoral staff, other
than those concerning abuse that are covered in the Protection Policy, shall be
directed to the Board of Deacons, with the provision of Article 6.5.3 to be
respected. Concerns shall not be raised
publicly at a duly called Business Meeting against a member of the Pastoral
staff without two-week prior written knowledge of the Moderator and the
Chairman of the Deacons. The Board of Deacons shall be responsible to conduct
an annual review of every member of the Pastoral/Ministry staff, or to appoint
a subcommittee comprised of Deacons and other church members directly involved
in the individual’s area of ministry responsibility. The purpose of such
reviews shall be to encourage the individual in his/her ministry, to review
goals set the previous year and to establish goals for the next year, to
clarify responsibilities, to listen to concerns from the individual and to
share any concerns from the congregation. Such reviews may result in
recommendations to make revisions to existing Descriptions of Ministry
Responsibilities.
9.2.5 - At the time of call, the Senior Pastor or any other member of the
Pastoral or Ministry Staff wherein Ordination is considered a condition of the
call, if not already, shall be required at either the time of being called or
as soon as possible thereafter, to be credentialed with the Convention of
Atlantic Baptist Churches as an ordained individual. The individual shall be
subject to all provisions contained within the Regulations Concerning the
Ministry of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches (CABC), which includes
prohibiting the individual from officiating at, or assisting with the
officiating of a wedding ceremony for two people of the same sex. Should the
Board of Ministerial Standards and Education, as the keeper of the standards
for the churches of the CABC, for any reason temporarily or permanently
suspend the credentials of any ordained individual serving on the pastoral or
ministry staff at the church, such discipline shall constitute cause for
dismissal from the church, subject to the provisions of Subsections 9.2.2 and
9.2.3 above.
9.2.6 – The Board of Deacons shall be
responsible to appoint an Interim Pastor or to secure pulpit supplies when the
church is without a Senior Pastor. The Board shall be responsible for agreeing
with an Interim Pastor on all terms of the interim appointment, and to finalize
the terms in writing. The Interim Pastor will normally assume most of the
preaching responsibilities and assist in caring for the congregation through
visitation and counselling. Other responsibilities may be included at the
discretion of the Board and in
accordance with the willingness of the Interim Pastor.
9.2.7 - There shall be a Pastoral Search
Committee for a Senior Pastor as the need may arise. The Search Committee shall consist of nine
members: five from the Board of Deacons (named by the Board of Deacons), one
from the Board of Christian Education (named by the Board of Christian
Education), one from the Board of Management (named by the Board of
Management), and two other members from the church at large as selected by the
Board of Deacons. One of the Deacons
shall chair the Committee.
Prior to recommending a candidate to the church, the Search Committee shall arrange a meeting between the Board of Deacons and the proposed candidate, and shall inform the Board of Deacons of all proposed conditions of ministry as discussed with the candidate, and confirm all details of a proposed financial package. The Board of Deacons must endorse the recommendation of the Pastoral Search Committee before it is taken before the church membership.
Upon a call being extended by the church to a
candidate, the candidate shall be informed by telephone or other direct means
plus be sent in writing a letter that confirms the call of the church, all
agreed upon conditions of ministry, and the financial package that is offered.
The chair of the Search Committee shall normally sign this letter, and the
Clerk shall retain a copy of such.
9.3 – Other
Pastoral or Ministry Staff
Other pastoral or ministry staff may be engaged from time to time by
vote of the church. Such positions may include, but are not limited to,
Associate, Assistant, and Youth Pastors, Ministers/Directors of Christian
Education, Children’s Ministries, Visitation and Music. To be extended a call
to a Pastoral or Ministry Staff position, a candidate must be interviewed by an
appointed Search Committee, and if recommended, his/her name shall be brought
before the church at a duly called Business Meeting for vote by the church
membership, and if favourable, a call shall be extended to the individual to
serve the church in the designated position. Such meeting called shall be
announced from the pulpit and printed in the Sunday bulletin on at least two
Sundays previous to such a meeting being held.
9.3.1 – A
Description of Ministry Duties for every Pastoral or Ministry Staff position
shall be formulated either prior to or as part of the mandate of the appointed
Search Committee. In every case the Description of Ministry Duties shall be
approved by the Board of Deacons prior to presentation at any Business Meeting
called for the purpose of voting on a candidate for the position. In every
case, whether for a part-time or full-time position, the Description of
Ministry Duties shall be presented at such Business meetings prior to a vote to
call a candidate. Descriptions of Ministry Duties may be altered by the Board
of Deacons from time to time for existing Pastoral and Ministry Staff
positions, provided such changes are made known at the next Regular or Annual
Business meeting of the church.
9.3.2 – All
Pastoral and Ministry Staff personnel shall be under the day-to-day supervision
of the Senior Pastor, and be responsible to the Board of Deacons through the
Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor shall normally be part of the annual review
process for each member of the Pastoral and Ministry Staff. Individuals called
to serve in such positions shall normally transfer their membership to the
church as soon as possible after assuming ministry duties, unless otherwise
agreed upon with the Board of Deacons.
9.3.3 –
Pastoral and Ministry Staff appointed to serve on various Boards and/or
Committees by virtue of their position shall do so as ex-officio members
without vote.
9.3.4 -
Severance of the engagement of any Pastoral or Ministry Staff member shall be
(1) by written resignation of the individual, or (2) by request of the church
at a special business meeting called by the Board of Deacons to consider the
matter, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been announced from the
pulpit at both morning and evening services on at least two Sundays previous to
such meeting being held. In both cases two months notice shall be given before
such severance shall become effective, unless by mutual consent and agreed upon
by both the individual and church. The church reserves the right to pay
severance in lieu of notice.
9.3.5 - The
calling of a Pastoral or Ministry Staff individual to a full-time position or
position greater than half-time, or the severance of such relationship, shall
require an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those members present and
voting at a duly called Special Business Meeting. A minimum of one hundred
members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum for the calling of, or the
dismissal of such an individual. The Board of Deacons shall have the right to
call such a meeting as need may arise. Vote shall be taken by secret ballot.
The vote shall be taken in accordance with Section 7.2.
9.3.6 - The
calling of a Pastoral or Ministry Staff individual to a half-time position or
position less than half-time shall require an affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of those members present and voting at a duly called Special
Business Meeting, the Annual Meeting, or at a Regular Business Meeting if
notice of such a call has been announced from the pulpit at both morning and
evening services on at least two Sundays previous to such meeting being held. A
minimum of one hundred members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum in
the case of a Special Business Meeting or the Annual Meeting. A minimum of
thirty-five members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum in the case of a
Regular Business Meeting. Dismissal of such individuals shall require the same
protocol as that stated for a full-time position or position greater than
halftime as stated Sub-Section 4 above. The vote shall be taken in accordance
with Section 7.2.
9.3.7 - There shall be a Search Committee
for all Pastoral and Ministry Staff positions as the need may arise (for Senior
Pastor see 9.2.7). For those positions
that are full-time or greater than half-time, the Search Committee shall
consist of seven members: three from the Board of Deacons (named by the Board
of Deacons), one from the Board of Christian Education (named by the Board of
Christian Education), one from the Board of Management (named by the Board of
Management), and two other members from the church at large as selected by the
Board of Deacons and who are involved in some way in the area of ministry for which
an individual is being sought. One of the Deacons shall chair the Committee.
For those positions that are half-time or less than
half-time, the Search Committee shall consist of five members: two from the
Board of Deacons (named by the Board of Deacons), one from either the Board of
Christian Education (named by the Board of Christian Education) or the Board of
Management (named by the Board of Management) as decided by the Deacons, and
two other members from the church at large as selected by the Board of Deacons
and who are involved in some way in the area of ministry for which an
individual is being sought. One of the Deacons shall chair the Committee.
Prior to recommending a candidate to the church, the
Search Committee shall arrange a meeting between the Board of Deacons and the
proposed candidate, and shall inform the Board of Deacons of all proposed
conditions of ministry as discussed with the candidate, and confirm all details
of a proposed financial package. The Board of Deacons must endorse the
recommendation of the Pastoral Search Committee before it is taken before the
church membership.
Upon a call being extended by the church to a
candidate, the candidate shall be informed by telephone or other direct means
plus be sent in writing a letter that confirms the call of the church, all
agreed upon conditions of ministry, and the financial package that is offered.
Attached to the letter will be the Description of Ministry Duties for the
position to which the individual is being called. The chair of the Search
Committee shall normally sign this letter, and the Clerk shall retain a copy of
such.
9.4 - Church
Clerk
The Church Clerk shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the
church for a period of one year (renewable).
It shall be the responsibility of the Clerk to keep an accurate record
in the church record book of the motions and proceedings occurring at all
church business meetings, and to keep record of the membership list and any
changes, including all admissions, dismissals, and deaths. The Clerk shall officially correspond on
behalf of the church to facilitate membership changes, or to convey the
decisions of the church as determined by vote at a duly called business
meeting, except where otherwise provided in the By-Laws. The Clerk will perform
any other duties normally pertaining to this office. The Clerk shall forward a copy of the Church
Annual Report to the Baptist Convention Office.
9.4.1 -
The Assistant Church Clerk shall be elected at the
Annual Business Meeting of the church for a period of one year
(renewable). He/she shall perform the
regular duties of the Clerk in the absence of the Clerk, and shall assist the
Clerk in other duties as may be requested.
9.5 - Church
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the
church, for a period of one year (renewable).
It shall be the responsibility of the Church Treasurer to keep an
accurate record of all monies received and expended by the church along with
all other financial activities. The
Treasurer shall pay by cheque all bills of the church in accordance with the
procedures and processes of authorization as established by the Board of
Management. The Treasurer shall report on the financial standing of the church
at the Annual and Regular Business Meetings of the church. The Treasurer shall be authorized to pay by
cheque all salaries, Mission funds, and other recurring expenses or commitments
as approved in the annual budget or as approved by the vote of the church as a
special fund. The Treasurer shall have the financial records of the church
prepared for review by an external accounting firm appointed by the church and
shall present the review/audited financial statements at the Annual Business
Meeting of the Church. The Treasurer shall be a voting member of the Board of
Management. The Treasurer is not permitted to serve as a Teller.
9.5.1 -
The Assistant Church Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting
of the church, for a period of one year (renewable). He/she shall assist the Treasurer in his/her
duties and in the absence of the Treasurer shall perform the duties of the
Treasurer and such other duties as may be requested. The Assistant Treasurer
shall be a voting member of the Board of Management. The Assistant Treasurer is
not permitted to serve as a Teller.
9.6 - Co-ordinator(s)
of the Sunday School
The Co-ordinator(s) of the Sunday School shall be elected at the Annual
Business Meeting of the church for a period of one year (renewable). He/she/they shall be responsible to the Board
of Christian Education for the operation of the Sunday School.
9.6.1 -
He/she/they shall, in consultation with the Pastoral Staff and the Board of
Christian Education, appoint Sunday School Teachers, subject to the final
approval of the Board of Christian Education.
He/she/they shall have authority to make temporary appointments in an
emergency.
9.6.2 -
He/she/they shall, in cooperation with the Teaching Staff and the Board of
Christian Education, approve curriculum and courses of study for all
departments and classes.
9.6.3 -
He/she/they shall be responsible to maintain all records associated with the
operating of the Sunday School, develop growth strategies and a program of
follow-up for students who make professions of faith, and develop in
consultation with the Board of Christian Education a training program for
Sunday School staff. He/she shall advise
the Board of Christian Education on material requirements and other needs of
the Sunday School.
9.7 - Envelope
Secretary
The Envelope Secretary shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting
of the church for a period of one year (renewable). It shall be the responsibility of the
Envelope Secretary to secure the offering envelopes from the Tellers Sunday by Sunday,
to keep an accurate record of contributions made by individual envelope
holders, and to provide an official receipt to each contributor at the end of
the calendar year, being the sole signatory for official income tax receipts
per Canada Revenue Agency requirements.
The Envelope Secretary shall submit a report to the Annual Business
Meeting of the church, which shall include general analysis of envelope giving
for the past year. The confidential nature of the work of the envelope
secretary and assistant secretary is to be respected at all times, and
therefore questions at business meetings that may potentially infringe on that
confidentiality shall be disallowed by the Moderator, and such questions at any
time shall be regarded as inappropriate. The Envelope Secretary shall not be a
Teller.
9.7.1 - The
Assistant Envelope Secretary shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of
the church, for a period of one year (renewable). He/she shall assist the Envelope Secretary in
his/her duties, and in the absence of the Envelope Secretary shall perform the
duties of the Envelope Secretary. The Assistant Envelope Secretary shall not be
a Teller. In the absence of the Envelope Secretary, the Assistant Envelope
Secretary shall assume the sole signing authority for calendar year-end income
tax receipts per Canada Revenue Agency requirements.
9.8 - Purchasing
Agent
The
Purchasing Agent shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the church
for a period of one year (renewable).
The Purchasing Agent shall be responsible to oversee the purchase of all
supplies, equipment and services according to the purchasing policy set forth
by the Board of Management. All
purchases shall be made by or through him/her, and he/she shall seek to obtain
the best product for the best price.
He/she shall maintain a current inventory of supplies and equipment in
the church and on its properties. He/she
shall be directly accountable to, and a voting member of, the Board of
Management with the privilege of serving on any of its Committees. The Board of
Management may name an Assistant Purchasing Agent temporarily or for the
remainder of the term if the Purchasing Agent is unable to serve. In such
instances, the Assistant Purchasing Agent shall become a voting member of the Board
of Management in lieu of the Purchasing Agent.
ARTICLE 10 - Boards
10.1 - Board of
Deacons
The Board of Deacons shall consist of up to twelve members, the
qualifications for nomination being those as recorded in the New Testament,
Acts, Chapter 6, verses 1 to 7, and 1st Timothy, Chapter 3, verses 8
to 13. The Board shall report on its activities at the Annual Business Meeting
of the church as well as its assessment of the overall spiritual health of the
church, plus objectives and plans for the year ahead.
When the church calls an individual to serve as a Deacon, it shall be
considered a lifetime calling to the Office of Deacon, although the individual
will serve actively on the Board of Deacons for various terms as outlined
below. When a Deacon is not under active
appointment to the Board, the individual shall continue to serve the church
through on-going spiritual influence and example, and may be called upon from
time to time to assist the current members of the Board of Deacons in the
duties of the Board as described below.
Normally, a new Deacon who is serving his first term on the Board of
Deacons shall be set apart for such service by prayer. At the start of a second
term, based upon personal conviction of a call to the Office of Deacon and upon
affirmation of the Church fellowship, a Deacon shall be set apart for service
by “laying on of hands” and prayer, thus being ordained as a Deacon with the
view of lifetime service, whether under active appointment to the Board or not.
10.1.1 – The Board of Deacons and the Senior Pastor shall be the Nominating
Committee for the Board of Deacons.
Deacons shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the Church to
serve a normal term of three years.
Those elected for a lesser period shall be eligible for re-election to a
three-year term. Those having served a
three-year term shall not normally be re-elected to serve on the Board of
Deacons until one year has elapsed. However, whereas continuity in leadership
may be crucial at an important time in the life of the church, and when there
are vacancies on the Board, the normal limitation of three years may be waived.
As well, Lifetime Deacons, who for reasons of age or health may not be able to
commit to a three-year term, may be appointed for a one-year interim term. Four
Deacons shall normally retire each year.
A Deacon shall not serve in excess of five consecutive years.
10.1.2 - Vacancies occurring on the Board of Deacons may be filled at any
regular business meeting of the church, provided notice of such pending
election shall be given at the regular Sunday worship services at least two
Sundays previous to such election being held.
10.1.3 – Deacons shall have general supervision of the spiritual and temporal
needs of the church, and shall have responsibility for the coordinating of the
overall ministry objectives of the Church. They shall encourage members in the
keeping of the Church Covenant, shall assist the Pastoral Staff with conducting
the Lord’s Supper, including the preparation and serving of the elements, shall
encourage new believers to publicly proclaim their faith through the Ordinance
of Believer’s Baptism, shall interview prospective members of the Church, shall
attend to the sick within the fellowship, shall seek to discourage division
among members of the church and within the fellowship of the church, and shall
encourage members in the financial support of the church to accomplish the
ministry, outreach and mission goals of the church. The Deacons shall assist
the Pastor in the performance of his duties, and in the Pastor's absence the
Deacons shall provide pulpit supplies and leaders for Prayer Meetings, and
assume pastoral responsibilities.
10.1.4 – The Board of Deacons shall be
responsible to identify ministry needs and opportunities within the Church and
to establish ministry teams in response to those needs and opportunities,
creating terms of reference for each ministry team, and assuring accountability
through monitoring the work of each team. The Board of Deacons shall be responsible
for appointing individuals to serve on the various ministry teams. Ministry
teams shall be appointed to facilitate the worship services and other such
gatherings of the church, to minister to various needs within the fellowship,
and to provide for social and ministry gatherings of the fellowship. The Board
shall have authority to create and disband such ministry teams as needs and
circumstances change. Ministry teams currently in effect are listed in Appendix
A.
10.1.5 - The Board of Deacons shall have authority on behalf of the church to
at any time inquire into the work of any other Board or Committees within the
church, to foster unity and understanding and to coordinate the ministry
objectives of the church. This authority shall include the right and
responsibility to effect the reversal or change of any decision made by another
Board or Committee if the Board of Deacons has concern that such a decision
lacks sound judgement and may result in division within the church fellowship,
loss of confidence in the church’s leadership, tarnishing of the church’s image
externally, or is not in keeping with the historic values or beliefs of the
church. Wherein the Board of Deacons has intervened in the performance of
another Board or Committee, the Deacons shall have authority to counsel such a
Board or Committee, or in more extreme cases, may by vote within the Board of
Deacons suspend or terminate the appointment of any or all members of such a
Board or Committee, reporting their decision at a duly called business meeting
at which time they shall also nominate new members to the Board or Committee to
replace those terminated from serving on such.
10.1.6 – The Board of Deacons shall have authority to change the Sunday
preaching schedule should there be any concern over the adequacy, health, or
appropriateness of any individual scheduled to preach, be they pastors of the
Church or otherwise.
10.1.7 - Six members of the Board of Deacons shall constitute a quorum, one of
which shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, or Secretary. The Board of Deacons shall normally meet each
month on a regular night that shall be pre-announced in the Sunday bulletin.
10.1.8 - The Board of Deacons shall be responsible for initiating a review of
the Church By-Laws from time to time, and shall act as a Review Committee, or
shall appoint a sub-committee of Deacons and church members to conduct the
review and to report back to the Board of Deacons.
10.1.9 - The Board of Deacons shall be responsible for all duties as normally
carried out by a Baptismal Committee, and shall secure assistance as required
whenever a baptismal service is held.
10.1.10 - The Chairman of the Board of Deacons, or in his absence the
Vice-Chairman of the Board, shall have the right to call a special meeting of
the Deacons, provided that every Deacon receives notice of the meeting prior to
the meeting being held. Any such meeting may be called at any time as need may
arise.
10.1.11 - The Board of Deacons shall be responsible for the annual review of
all pastoral and ministry staff of the church, including the Administrative
Assistant/Office Secretary, and shall be responsible for all adjustments to
salary and benefit packages for such staff. The Board of Deacons shall advise
the Board of Management of any budgetary changes in sufficient time for the
Board of Management to review the effect of such changes on the total budget of
the church. The Board of Management may request representatives of the Board of
Deacons to meet with it in order to be fully agreed on the priority of
increased expenditures.
10.2 – Board of Trustees
The Board of
Trustees shall consist of five members, per the terms as stated within an Act
approved in the Legislature of New Brunswick that applies to all churches
within the Province that are associated with the Convention of Atlantic Baptist
Churches (CAP. LXXVII – 6 EDWARD VII, A.D. 1906)
that requires “not less than three, not more than nine (a majority of whom
shall form a quorum) who shall be trustees of said church” (Section 10.) The
Board of Trustees shall meet as required, but never less than once a year. The Board shall report in writing at the Annual
Business Meeting of the church on its activities.
10.2.1 –
Members of the Board of Trustees shall serve by virtue of
other appointments within the church, and thus the Board shall be comprised of
the following: the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Deacons, the Chair and
the Vice-Chair of the Board of Management, and the Moderator of the Church. The
Board shall appoint its own chair each year.
10.2.2 –
It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to hold in trust all
property belonging to the church, and, upon approval of the church at a duly
called business meeting, to transact the purchasing or selling of property, or
the securing of a mortgage or loan wherein assets of the church are required as
collateral. They shall have charge of all deeds,
mortgage and loan documents, and all other papers relating to church
properties, which shall be kept in a safe place.
10.2.3
– It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to
secure legal counsel to protect the reputation and/or the assets of the church
should the church be named in a lawsuit for any reason.
10.2.4 – It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to secure
adequate insurances to protect the Church, and to ensure adherence to all fire
codes and protocols, including a building evacuation plan and any required
practice drills.
10.2.5 –
It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to review on an annual
basis the adequacy of the Director’s and Officers Liability Insurance carried
by the church.
10.2.6 –
Should a situation of extreme emergency arise wherein an immediate decision is
required to protect the best interests of the Church, three of the five
Trustees consulting together in person or by phone shall be sufficient to
determine what action shall be taken. A report of such action shall be
announced to the Church membership as soon as feasibly possible thereafter, and
shall be an agenda item at the next duly called business meeting of the church,
or at a specially called business meeting.
10.3 - Board of
Management
The Board of Management shall consist of twelve members: the Church
Treasurer, the Assistant Church Treasurer, the Purchasing Agent, as well as
nine other members elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the church. The
Board of Management shall submit a written report to the annual business
meeting of the church and shall also report at each regular business meeting of
the church. Such reports shall include a summary of projects completed as well
as projects anticipated in the near future.
10.3.1 - The Board of Management shall cooperate with the Nominating Committee
and the Senior Pastor in the nominating of new members to the Board of
Management by approving in writing any slate of names as proposed by the
Nominating Committee prior to the Nominating Committee contacting any
prospective nominee for the Board of Management.
10.3.2 - Members of the Board of Management shall serve for a maximum period
of three years. Those elected for a
lesser period shall be eligible for re-election to a three-year term. Those having served a three-year term shall
not be re-elected to serve on the Board of Management until one year has
elapsed. Three elected members shall
retire each year. An elected member
shall not serve in excess of five consecutive years.
10.3.3 – The Board shall appoint its own Chair. Seven members of the Board
shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall structure itself internally into
sub-committees from time to time for the efficient conduct of its work.
10.3.4 – Five members of the Board of Management shall be appointed by the
Board as signing officers of the church for banking purposes, as well as for
signing contracts that result from the normal expenditure of the annual budget.
Any two may sign. The Board shall be responsible for the safekeeping of banking
records and annual contracts with suppliers or service providers.
10.3.5 - The Board shall normally meet each month on a regularly scheduled
night that is advertised the previous Sunday in the bulletin, and at other
times as deemed necessary by the Chair of the Board.
10.3.6 – The Board of Management shall be responsible for the handling of all
monies entrusted to the church, which shall include policies and procedures
followed by the Board of Tellers, the Envelope Secretary and the Treasurer, the
selection of a chartered bank, as well as policies and procedures for the
expenditure of funds by various Boards, Committees, and authorized individuals
within the church. The Board shall be responsible for monitoring the financial
records of the church as kept by the Treasurer to insure that they conform to
standard accounting principles, and for provision of all records and required
information for an audit/financial review each year by an external accounting
firm.
10.3.7 - The Board of Management shall be responsible for the general care of
church property, facilities, and grounds, in both upkeep and cleanliness,
through organized volunteer effort, contracting of services, and/or the
appointment of a Custodian. Prior to engaging a Custodian, the Board shall
establish a Description of Duties for the position as well as the level of
remuneration. The Board shall supervise maintenance staff and shall appoint one
of its members as the official spokesperson through whom all directives to
maintenance staff are to be given.