By-Laws
ARTICLE I. Name
The name of this church shall be Grace Baptist Church of Geneva, New York.
ARTICLE II. Association
Being organized on historic Baptist beliefs (as opposed to identification as a denomination) this church shall always be in conformity with the revealed Word of God as generally accepted by regular Baptist churches, and as expressed in its Confession of Faith. It shall be indigenous, independent, and autonomous. By that we mean that it shall be self-governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting - it shall never be accountable to any other ecclesiastical body apart from itself. This church cannot be a member of anything outside of itself, but it can declare itself to be in fellowship with any body of Baptists on earth. This church presently declares itself to be in fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches.*
* This declaration of fellowship may be revoked at any time, based upon this church's commitment to holiness (the desire to remain separate from apostasy).
ARTICLE III. Government
This church is never to be understood as an institution, nor an organization, but an organism. As such, however, it is bound to function with unity, harmony, decency, orderliness, and, above all else, love. As it is the desire of this organism (the church militant) to be a visible and physical manifestation of Christ's body (the church triumphant), while understanding that a true church is defined by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and that all the members of this church are blessed in equal portion with this Person (but with different gifts), this church shall forever practice congregational government, as opposed to any other type. Elder rule will never be tolerated*, nor will any individual member be regarded as being more or less valuable than any other member. This organism's only officer is Jesus Christ, and all members are hereby esteemed servants.
*In I Tim. 5:17, "elders that rule well" refers primarily to faithful performance of duty, and only secondarily to execution of authority.
ARTICLE IV. Purpose
The purpose of this church is to glorify God by perpetuating Christ's love in Biblical context within a growing community. To this end this church shall be devoted to worshiping God, and making faithful disciples for Him, by communicating and practicing the example, teaching, and service of the Lord Jesus Christ among all people. [Matthew 28: 19,20; John 13:35; Acts 1:8]
ARTICLE V. Membership
Section 1. Equal Opportunity
The membership of Grace Baptist Church will not be determined by, nor discriminate against, any individual's ethnic or national origin.
Section 2. Qualification
The membership shall consist of those who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal savior, given evidence of a new life in Him, have been scripturally baptized, and declared themselves to be in accord with the principles, practices and doctrines of this church. Only those who are members of this church and have reached their sixteenth (16th) birthday, have the right of franchise.
Section 3. Admission
New members may come into the church by confession of faith and baptism, by renewal of their covenant with the Lord (restoration), or by letter from another church of like faith and order. All candidates must first be examined by the deacons as to their experience and doctrine; upon favorable examination their names shall subsequently be presented to the church for corporate action.
Section 4. Regulation
The matters of discipline shall be in the hands of the deacons and pastor, only that no one shall be excluded from the membership except by vote of the church at a regularly called business meeting. All discipline shall be for the purpose of reclaiming the individual; expulsion coming only after all other measures have failed.
ARTICLE VI. Meetings
Section 1. Order
Robert’s Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern all meetings of Grace Baptist Church in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order this church may adopt.
Section 2. Quorum
Twenty percent (20%) of the adult resident members, sixteen (16) years of age or older, present in a regularly called business meeting shall constitute a quorum. Business transacted by them shall be legal and binding upon the church.
Section 3. Regular Meetings
The annual business meeting of the church for the hearing of reports and transacting of business will be held on the Wednesday after the third Sunday in April. Quarterly business meetings of the church will be held on the Wednesday following the third Sunday of July, October, and January, respectively. In the event a conflict exists with these dates, the pastor or the board of deacons may reschedule these meetings within a two week time frame, as deemed necessary. Notice of business meetings shall be given publicly for two (2) successive Sundays preceding the date of the meeting.
Section 4. Agendas
An agenda of new business for all annual and quarterly business meetings shall be compiled by the church membership and considered complete at least two (2) Sundays prior to the meeting. Items on the agenda will be either read aloud from the pulpit, or publicly posted (church bulletin board or church bulletin) during the two (2) Sunday morning services preceding these meetings. Items not on the agenda may be brought up for consideration only with the concurrence of the pastor or any three deacons.
Section 5. Elections
The
annual
church elections meeting shall be held on the third (3rd)
Wednesday of March. A list of needed delegates for the
forthcoming year, together with terms of service, shall be prepared
for distribution to each eligible voting member six (6) weeks prior
to the annual elections. Also listed will be the names of the
members of the nominating committee. Church members may submit
names for consideration to the pastor or any nominating committee
member up to four (4) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting, after which
time the nominating committee will tally the nominations and secure
permission from the prevailing candidates to have their names included
in the final ballot.
Notice of the nominating committee recommendations for election shall
be given publicly, either from the pulpit, posted on the church
bulletin board, or advertised in the church bulletin for two (2)
successive Sundays preceding the date of the meeting. Nominations made
corporately by the deacons shall be given priority in the nominating
process.
Section 6. Content/Special Meetings
Routine business other than corporate business may be transacted at any regular meeting of the church, or at a special business meeting called by the pastor, deacons, trustees, or any group of members of voting age representing five (5) different families, providing such meeting, and the purpose thereof, is announced publicly during two preceding Sunday morning worship services.
ARTICLE VII. Finances
The acquisition or disposition of any properties necessary to implement the purpose of this church (see Article IV. Purpose) shall be authorized by the membership of the church by corporate act at a regularly called business meeting. All operating expenses will be satisfied by freewill giving. No sales of goods or services nor solicitation of non members for their contributions for the purpose of financing the church, or any of its works, or any of its auxiliary organizations, shall be permitted. Financing of capital improvements (by publicly recognized financial institutions only) may be conducted upon approval of the congregation after consideration at any two consecutive church business meetings. The fiscal year of this church shall begin April 1 and end March 31. The corporation shall indemnify any and all persons who may serve or who have served at any time as duly elected delegates or pastor, against any and all expenses, including amounts paid upon judgments, counsel fees, and amounts paid in settlement (before or after suit is commenced) actually and necessarily incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which they, or any of them, are made parties, or a party, or which may be asserted against any of them by reason of being or having been a delegate or pastor of the corporation, except in relation to matters as to which any such delegate, pastor, or former delegate or pastor shall be adjudged in any action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for his own negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duties. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any law, bylaw, agreement, or otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII. Delegates
Section 1. Generally
The delegates of the church shall consist of pastor, deacons, trustees, clerk, treasurer, financial secretary, Sunday school superintendent, children’s church director, music director, song leader, ordinance assistant, organist, pianist, sunshine and bereavement chairman, auditors, head usher, church hostess, librarian, and nursery coordinator. Other delegates may be added as needed for proper execution of the work. No divorced person may serve as pastor, deacon, or trustee. Divorced members may serve elsewhere, upon approval by the board of deacons. A new member of the church should be in fellowship with the church for one (1) year prior to being elected as a delegate, or serving in a teaching position, unless otherwise permitted by consensus of the pastor and deacons. Terms of service will be indefinite with regard to the office of pastor, and other offices may be filled for an indeterminate period of time based upon a consensus between the pastor, deacons, and the congregation (subject to other provisions in this constitution). Annually vacated offices will be filled by delegates of the church elected from a list of nominees presented by the nominations committee at the annual church election of delegates meeting in March of each year. Names of incumbent delegates, their date of election, their term of service, and a description of their duties shall be made available to members in a mutually convenient location. Terms of service of these delegates begin the first day of April following the elections. Should a delegate be unable or unwilling to serve a full term, he/she may submit a written resignation to the pastor and/or board of deacons. Appointees to fill unexpired portions of terms of service, resulting from the death, resignation, or disqualification of an incumbent delegate, may be selected by the pastor and deacons, but their offices will be subject to the reelection process at the next annual election of delegates meeting.
Section 2. Pastor
The pastor shall be elected by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting, at any business meeting, notice of which shall have been given publicly for two (2) successive Sundays preceding. The pastor’s tenure of service may be terminated by either the pastor or the church, providing a written notice is given to the other party at least thirty (30) days preceding such termination. The pastor shall be the moderator of the church and a member ex-officio of the board of deacons and all other church organizations and committees. The pastor shall neither officiate at the marriage of any divorced person, or any person whose prior marriage has been annulled, nor shall he allow such ceremony to be performed using the church facilities.
Section 3. Deacon
Deacons shall be men who meet the scriptural standards of I Timothy 3:7-13. At the option of the church membership, the number of deacons serving at one time will be regulated in accordance with the availability of eligible men. Generally, the church shall endeavor to elect from its membership at least three (3) men to serve as deacons. Additional deacons may be added at the rate of one (1) deacon per thirty (30) members over the first one hundred (100). The deacons’ term of service shall not exceed three (3) years and be so arranged as to end alternately. Deacons shall assist the pastor in administering the ordinances of the Lord’s supper and baptism. Deacons, along with the pastor, have the oversight of the spiritual life of the church including necessary discipline. During a vacancy of the office of the pastor, the deacons shall serve as the church pulpit committee. Deacons will resolve vacancies of delegates by presenting candidates to the church for election, except during the six week period in which the nominating committee exists. The deacons have authority to spend up to $500.00 in any calendar month without the consent of the church.
Section 4. Trustee
The spiritual qualifications of trustees shall be the same as for deacons. The church shall elect from its membership three (3) men to serve as trustees. At the option of the church membership, additional trustees may be added at the rate of three (3) trustees (according to New York State law, the total number of trustees must be divisible by three (3)) per one hundred (100) members over the first two hundred (200). The trustees’ term of service shall not exceed three (3) years and be so arranged as to end alternately. Trustees shall care for the property of the church – they have authority to hold, repair, invest, and preserve the same. Trustees shall superintend any improvements to the property not delegated to a special committee by the church. Trustees shall transact any other business of the church that may come within their jurisdiction or be ordered by the church. They shall serve on the church finance committee. Trustees shall have no authority to sell, lease, give away or dispose of, in any manner, church property or funds exceeding the value of seven hundred ($700.00) dollars within any single calendar month, without the express will of the church given by a majority vote at a regularly called business meeting. Nor shall they mortgage or encumber the same in debt to exceed the same amount without corporate action by the church.
Section 5. Clerk
The clerk shall be elected from the membership of the church. The clerk shall keep a complete record of the business meetings of the church and report them quarterly. The clerk shall keep a current register of all members. The clerk shall give notice of church business meetings. The clerk shall perform such other particular duties as may be ordered by the church.
Section 6. Treasurer
The treasurer shall be elected from the membership of the church. The treasurer shall receive and have custody of all moneys of the church applying such as directed by the church. The treasurer shall serve on the church finance committee. The treasurer shall make a full report of the finances, receipts and disbursements of the church on a quarterly, annual, and/or as needed basis to the church.
Section 7. Financial Secretary
The
financial secretary shall be elected from the membership of the
church. The
financial secretary shall assist the treasurer in the counting and
depositing of all moneys received and report the same quarterly,
annually, and/or as needed to the church. The
financial secretary shall serve on the church finance committee. The
financial secretary shall maintain a confidential record of personal
giving and be prepared to issue a receipt of giving to each
contributor who seeks one.
Section 8. Sunday School Superintendent
The Sunday school superintendent shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year. The Sunday school superintendent shall oversee the running of the Sunday school. The Sunday school superintendent shall serve as chairman for all Sunday school cabinet meetings.
Section 9. Children's Church Director
The children’s church director shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year. The children’s church director shall oversee the running of the children’s church ministry and shall, with the help of the pastor and approval of the board of deacons, appoint assistants as needed. The children’s church director shall coordinate the selection of instrumental accompanists for children’s church with the church music director. The children’s church director shall prepare reports for quarterly and annual business meetings.
Section 10. Music Director
The Music director shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year. The music director shall, in coordination with the pastor, choose choir music to be performed, organize, rehearse with, and direct the choir, and approve and assign special music, and will act as chairman of any ad hoc music committee. The music director shall coordinate with the children’s church director in assuring the availability of instrumental accompanists for children’s church. The music director shall prepare reports for quarterly and annual business meetings.
Section 11. Song Leader
The song leader shall be elected from the membership of the church. The song leader shall superintend all congregational singing during regular public services, and/or make provision for the leading of songs when he cannot be present.
Section 12. Ordinance Assistant
The ordinance assistant shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year. The ordinance assistant shall procure and prepare the elements for the ordinance of the Lord's supper (unleavened bread and grape juice purchased from church funds) to be served the first (1st) Sunday of each month and at other times as may be designated, and, shall clean the serving utensils after use. The ordinance assistant shall assist the pastor with the ordinance of baptism and clean the baptismal robes after use.
Section 13. Organist
The church organist shall be elected from the membership of the church and his/her duties include playing the organ, or making provision for the playing of the organ, at all regular meetings during which same is used.
Section 14. Pianist
The church pianist shall be elected from the membership of the church and his/her duties include playing the piano, or making provision for the playing of the piano, at all regular meetings during which same is used.
Section 15. Sunshine and Bereavement Chairman
The sunshine and bereavement chairman shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year. The duties of the sunshine and bereavement chairman shall include sending appropriate greeting cards (cards and postage to be paid for from church funds) to church family members in the event of a birth, prolonged illness or death; coordinating with the ladies in relief efforts when tragedies strike members of the church family; and ordering funeral service flowers (to be purchased from church funds) for former Grace Baptist Church members, or of member’s spouse, children or parents, when appropriate. Additional categories may be approved on an individual basis by the board of deacons. The sunshine and bereavement chairman shall prepare reports of activities for quarterly and annual business meetings.
Section 16. Auditors
The auditors (two (2) or three (3) at the option of the church) shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year and their duties shall be to audit the church ledgers before each quarterly and annual business meeting, and to report their findings during those meetings.
Section 17. Head Usher
The head usher shall be elected from the membership of the church. The duties of the head usher include choosing ushers to assist in passing out church bulletins, seating members of the congregation on arrival and in taking the Sunday morning offering; taking attendance (head count) in the Sunday morning worship service to include those in the auditorium, the nursery and in children’s church; passing out registration cards to first-time visitors.
Section 18. Church Hostess
The church hostess shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year and her duties shall be to insure visiting pastors, speakers and/or musical groups have a place for meals and lodging when needed.
Section 19. Librarian
The
church librarian shall be elected from the membership of the church
for a term of one (1) year. The
duties of the church librarian include keeping the library neat and
in good order; choosing helpers from the membership of the church and
instructing them in library procedures; assisting church families in
checking books out or in; coordinating selection of new books with
the pastor and order those approved (within the limits of
church-approved funding); maintaining the accessions record book and
the card catalog; and processing all new books. The
church librarian shall prepare a report of activities for quarterly
and annual business meetings.
Section 20. Nursery Coordinator
The nursery coordinator shall be elected from the membership of the church for a term of one (1) year. The duties of the nursery coordinator include maintaining of a ‘cradle-roll reflecting attendance and to registering new babies; assuring all necessary items are on hand (disposable diapers, tissues, clean sheets, etc. to be purchased from church funds); being alert to improving nursery facilities; scheduling willing men, women and teens to supervise the nursery for all three Sunday services and arranging for coverage during special services; making an effort to greet all parents of children in the nursery.
ARTICLE IX. Committees
Section 1. Advisory Committee
The advisory committee shall be comprised of all elected delegates of the church, presidents of auxiliary organizations, and the chairman of each committee. It shall meet at the call of the pastor during the quarter preceding the annual business meeting, to act as a clearing house of suggestions for improvement from various groups represented, and exploring the general course of projected activities for the coming year.
Section 2. Finance Committee
The church finance committee shall consist of the church treasurer, financial secretary, board of trustees, and two (2) deacons appointed from the board of deacons. It shall meet once a year during the quarter preceding the annual business meeting to draft a budget for the coming fiscal year, and, thereafter, at the call of its chairman to deal with financial emergencies.
Section 3. Pulpit Committee
The pulpit committee shall be comprised of the board of deacons.
Section 4. Missionary Committee
The missionary committee shall be comprised of the deacons and the ladies missionary president coordinating the missionary ministry of the church, keeping the church informed of missionary income, commitments, and needs.
Section 5. Educational Committee
The educational committee shall be comprised of the Sunday school superintendent, children’s church director, and directors of auxiliary educational or youth ministries, and a designated deacon. It shall meet soon after the annual election to organize to coordinate personnel and curriculum in the various ministries, minimize duplications, and provide for a common pool of equipment and materials.
Section 6. Music and Worship Committee
The music and worship committee shall be comprised of the music delegates and a deacon delegated by that board. It shall meet soon after the annual election to organize for planning and coordinating the music ministry of the church. Its purpose shall be the edification of believers and presenting the gospel to the unsaved through music which is honoring to our Lord. Its duty is to coordinate the church choir, special music, accompanists for children’s church and other ministries, and special music programs planned with the pastor. Guest musicians from outside the church membership must be approved by the deacons.
Section 7. Church Fellowship Committee
A church fellowship committee comprised of three members of the church shall be presented by the nominating committee and chosen at the annual election of delegates. They shall meet with the pastor to plan family and adult fellowship activities for the congregation. It is their responsibility to oversee the use and supply of the church kitchen. They may ask for assistance and delegate responsibility to other willing members of the church as they see fit with the approval of the pastor.
Section 8. Nominating Committee
The pastor, two (2) deacons, and two (2) ‘at large’ members of the congregation elected by the church at the last quarterly business meeting preceding the annual church elections shall comprise the nominating committee. The nominating committee shall prayerfully consider names of church members eligible for election at the forthcoming annual church election of delegates meeting. Each individual selected shall be personally contacted by a member of the committee and asked to prayerfully decide his/her willingness to accept nomination to the office for which being considered. Following final consideration by the committee, recommendations for election will be publicly posted or announced two (2) weeks in advance of voting and then presented at the annual election of delegates meeting for voting by the church. In the case of the pulpit being vacant, a duly appointed deacon shall act in the place of the pastor.
ARTICLE X. Auxiliary Organizations
Section 1. Sunday School
The Sunday school shall be considered as the church studying the Bible. Its superintendent shall be elected by the church at its annual church election of delegates meeting and shall be under the supervision and control of the church.
Section 2. Other Organizations
Other organizations may be set up from time to time as the best interests of the work requires. These shall always be amenable to the church.
Section 3. Delegates
All delegates of auxiliary organizations shall be members in good standing of the church.
ARTICLE XI. Arbitration
Inasmuch as the scriptures require Christians to take their disputes to the saints and not to the civil courts (I Corinthians 6:1-8), all disputes which may arise (1) between any member of this church and the church itself, or (2) between any member of this church and any pastor, officer, director employee, volunteer, or other member of this church, shall be resolved by binding arbitration if efforts to mediate or conciliate the dispute have failed. Either party to the dispute may initiate the arbitration process by filing with the other party a written request for arbitration within a reasonable time after the dispute has arisen and efforts to mediate or conciliate have failed. In such a case, the member and the church shall each name an arbitrator, and the two so selected shall name a third. All arbitrators must be a baptized member of a Baptist church of like faith and practice, recognized as being in fellowship with our own local church. Such arbitrators must meet the qualifications of a deacon as delineated in I Tim. 3:8-13. The third arbitrator chosen by the other two shall disclose, before accepting the appointment, any financial or personal interest in the outcome of the arbitration, and any existing or past financial, professional, family, or social relationships which are likely to affect impartiality or which might reasonably create an appearance of impartiality or bias. Either of the parties to the arbitration, on the basis of such disclosures, may disqualify such a candidate from serving as the third arbitrator. A third arbitrator who serves without objection from either party has a continuing duty to disclose relationships or interests which may impair his impartiality. Either party, regardless of the stage of the arbitration process, may on the basis of such disclosures disqualify such a person from further participation. The arbitration process shall not proceed until the third arbitrator is selected. The arbitrators shall appoint the time and place for the hearing and cause notification to the parties to be served personally or by registered mail not less than thirty days before the hearing. Appearance at the hearing waives such notice. The arbitrators may adjoin the hearing from time to time as necessary and, on request of a party and for the good cause, or upon their own motion, may postpone the hearing to a later date. The arbitrators may hear and determine the controversy upon the evidence produced notwithstanding the failure of a party duly notified to appear. The parties are entitled to be heard, to present evidence material to the controversy, and to cross-examine witnesses appearing at the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted by all the arbitrators, but a majority of them may determine any question and render a final award. If during the course of the hearing, an arbitrator for any reason ceases to act, he shall be replaced in the same manner in which he was originally selected. The arbitrators may in their absolute discretion admit as evidence any affidavit or declaration concerning the matters in dispute, a copy thereof having been given at least five days previously to the party against whom the same is offered, but the person whose evidence is so taken shall be subject to cross-examination by such party. The arbitrators shall have the power to order and direct what they shall deem necessary to be done by either of the parties relating to the matters in dispute. Cost of the arbitration shall be assessed in the discretion of the arbitrators, who may award by and whom they shall be paid. Any submission of a dispute to arbitration shall not be revoked by the death of any party to the dispute, and any award will be binding upon such person’s heirs and successors. The decision of the arbitrators shall be binding on both parties, and both parties submit themselves to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of (state) both state and federal, for the entry of a judgment confirming the arbitrators' award. The arbitration process is not a substitute for any disciplinary process set forth in the constitution or bylaws of the church, and shall in no way affect the authority of the church to investigate reports of misconduct, conduct hearings, or administer discipline. Any matter not provided for herein shall be governed by the provisions of the Uniform Arbitration Act. If a dispute may result in an award of monetary damages, then use of this arbitration procedure is conditioned on acceptance of the procedure by the liability insurer of the church, and the insurer's agreement to honor any arbitration award up to any applicable policy limits.
ARTICLE XII. Amendments
Proposals for amendments to this constitution shall be submitted to the deacons for review and recommendation for action. Upon their approval, amendments will be presented at any regularly scheduled business meeting, and subsequently tabled for church action for at least one quarter. At the time of the second meeting this constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the church members present and voting, provided public notice of the proposed change has been made in church on the two (2) Sundays preceding each meeting.