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I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23
Hamilton Baptist Church
CONSTITUTION
AND
BYLAWS
Adopted: March 9, 2003
PREAMBLE
This Constitution and Bylaws are made to:
- Preserve and secure the principles of our faith
- Preserve the liberties of each individual member of the church
- Ensure freedom of action of independence from any religious body or organization
- Provide for orderly conduct of internal affairs, in dealing with others,
and of governing church members
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CONSTITUTION
I. NAME
The name of this church shall be Hamilton Baptist Church (hereafter referred
to as Hamilton Baptist Church or “this church” or “the church”).
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II. BUSINESS LOCATION
The address of this principal office of this church shall be 220 Blue Springs
Road , Hamilton , Georgia 31811.
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III. PURPOSE
The purposes of Hamilton Baptist Church are:
- To worship and serve God and to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus
Christ as set forth in Matthew 18:19 -20
- To minister to the needs of the members and others as this church is
able to do so
- To do any and all things related to and in connection with the carrying
out of the object and purposes herein above set forth
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IV. ARTICLES OF FAITH
- We believe the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, without any error,
the all-sufficient authority in matters of faith, doctrine, and
Christian living.
- We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and that He is true God
and Man. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose bodily from
the dead, ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father,
and is now our High Priest and Advocate.
- We believe that man was created in the image of God but fell into sin
and therefore lost. Only through regeneration by the work of the
Holy Spirit can man’s salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
- We believe that eternal salvation is the free gift of God, entirely apart
from man’s works, and is possessed by any and all who have
faith in and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
- We believe in a regenerated church membership: that is, persons old enough
to understand their need for Jesus Christ, and of their own free
will, accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
- We believe that baptism is by immersion and the Lord’s Supper (Communion)
is a memorial to His suffering and death on the Cross. These are the ordinances
to be observed by the church in its present age. These are, however, not
to be regarded as means for man’s salvation.
- We believe in the personal, bodily, imminent, and glorious return of
the Lord Jesus Christ and that His Second Coming inspires believers
for dynamic and zealous life and service for Him while waiting for His
return.
- We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness
of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation
from God of the unsaved in hell.
- We believe in the autonomy of the local church. This church shall manage
its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other religious
body or organization.
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V. CHARACTER
The government of this church is vested in the body of believers
who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body,
but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation,
which are common among Baptist churches.
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VI. CHURCH COVENANT
Having been lead, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord
Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and on the profession of our faith having
been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly
and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
For the Advancement of This Church
We engage, therefore by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian
love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness,
and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spiritually; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline and doctrines.
As Christian Stewards
To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the
expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel
through the nations.
Alone and At Home
We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our
children religiously; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.
Before the World
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,
backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating
drinks as beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom
of our Savior.
Toward One Another
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember
each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate
Christian sympathy in feeling and 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.
When We Move
We moreover engage that when we move from this church, 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 World.
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BYLAWS
I. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
A. Qualifications: The membership of Hamilton Baptist Church
shall consist of such persons who have made a profession of their faith in
Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and who, having been scripturally baptized
by immersion, are in agreement with the Articles of Faith.
B. Reception: Membership in Hamilton Baptist Church may
be attained in one of the following manners.
- By scriptural baptism by immersion after profession of faith in Jesus
Christ as personal Lord and Savior;
- By transfer of church letter from another Baptist church;
- By a statement of faith of prior experience of conversion and scriptural
baptism; or
- By restoration to the church membership after having been dropped due
to disciplinary action.
C. Duties/Rights: Members are expected to be faithful
in all the duties essential to the Christian life and to
attend the services of this church, to give for its support and its causes,
and to share in its organized work. Members 18 years and older in good standing
shall have the right to a voice and vote in all church transactions
and shall have the right and privileges to full participation
in the life and work of the church. D. Termination: Membership in Hamilton Church shall be terminated
when a member:
- Requests a letter of transfer to join another Baptist Church ;
- Is dropped from the roll of membership when he or she joins another
kind of church for which a letter of transfer may not be necessary;
- Dies; or
- Is dismissed by a vote of the church due to reasons and circumstances
provided under Article VII Church Discipline. The pastor and deacons
will do all they can to counsel the member for restoration prior to
action of dismissal or a request of the member to be dismissed from
the church membership.
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II. CHURCH OFFICERS
All church officers must be members of Hamilton Baptist Church in good standing.
A. The Pastor: A pastor shall be chosen and called by
the church whenever a vacancy occurs. The qualifications
for pastor shall be consistent with those listed in 1st Timothy 3:1-7.
His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of
which at least one (1) weeks written notice shall be given to the church
membership. The Deacons shall appoint a Pastor Search Committee. The Pastor
Search Committee shall seek out a suitable pastor and their recommendation,
will constitute a nomination. The Committee shall bring
to the consideration of the church membership only one man at a time. Election
shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of those
voting being necessary to affirm a choice. The pastor, thus elected, shall
serve until the relationship is terminated. The deacons shall have the
right to suspend the pastor by a majority vote and with no more than two
dissenting votes. The church shall make the final decision at a called
business meeting, by a vote of three-fourths of those voting to reinstate
or terminate the pastor. The pastor’s responsibilities are stated in his job description.
B. Deacons:
- Number, Election, Terms of Service
- There shall be a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of seven (7)
deacons. Each deacon shall serve a three (3) year term on a
rotating basis.
- Each year on the Sunday after Labor Day, in order to fill any vacancies,
a nominating ballot, with the qualifications of a deacon
listed, shall be handed out to the congregation. A committee made
up of the Chairman of the Deacons, the Vice-Chairman of the Deacons,
and the Secretary of the Deacons shall tabulate the nominating ballots
and evaluate the qualifications of the nominees with criteria outlined
in Section B, subsection 2 of the Article. Election of the new deacons
shall take place on the second Sunday after Labor Day at a called
business meeting of the congregation. Each year the two (2) or three
(3) deacons who have served the longest terms shall be rotated off
the board. No deacon shall serve more than three (3) consecutive
terms without the break of at least one (1) year. In the event qualified
candidates are unavailable, the election may be waived by unanimous
vote of the deacons to let the current deacons continue to serve
in their capacity as deacons. This shall be approved by a vote of
three-quarters of those voting in a called business meeting.
- The newly elected deacons shall begin their terms on the first
Sunday in October of the year in which they are elected. The term
of the deacons being rotated off the board shall end on the same
date.
- When a deacon vacancy occurs, the Chairman of the Deacons may announce
that an election of a deacon, to finish the unexpired term,
will be held during a named church business meeting.
- Should a Deacon not fulfill his/her duties, the Board of Deacons
shall take appropriate action.
- Qualifications
- The qualifications for a deacon shall be consistent with those listed
in 1st Timothy 3:8-13.
- A deacon must be eighteen (18) years of age and a member in good standing
of this church for a period of at least one (1) year.
- No member can be a deacon of this church until he/she has been selected
at a duly called business meeting as provided in Section B, subsection
1, paragraph b of this Article. If a member is elected to serve as a deacon,
and has never served before in this or any other Baptist church, that
deacon, upon election, shall be ordained by the pastor. The Pastor shall
assemble an ordaining council for the ordination of qualified and recommended
candidates.
- Method of Procedure
- The standing officers of the deacons are: Chairman, Vice-Chairman
and Secretary. These officers are subject to election or
re-election by the Board of Deacons at the first regular deacons meeting
of each church year. No deacon who has not previously served as such
in this church shall be eligible to hold any such office during
the first year of that deacon’s term. Election shall be by secret
ballot without nomination and by a majority vote. The pastor
shall preside at the meeting in the event the Chairman has been rotated
from the board and until a new Chairman is elected. The Chairman
shall be elected first, the Vice-Chairman second, and the Secretary
third.
- The whole body of deacons shall be organized as a unit for the consideration
of all-larger problems and general policies, and shall meet
monthly. They may organize themselves into any sub-committees, as
they deem necessary.
- Each deacon shall freely confer with the pastor about all matters
and problems of the church, and this shall be handled in
a confidential manner.
- Duties
- Deacons are to be servants of the church. They are to guard the
unity of the spirit within the bonds of peace.
- They shall serve as counsel to advise and confer with the pastor
in all matters pertaining to the welfare and work of the church. With
the pastor, they are to consider and formulate plans for the constant
effort and progress of the church in all things pertaining to the
saving of souls, the development of Christians, and the growth of
the Kingdom of God .
- They are to establish and maintain personal relationships with,
and a watchful supervision of, all the membership of the church. They
are to seek to know the physical needs, the moral needs, and the spiritual
struggles of the members of the congregation. They are to
serve the whole church in relieving, encouraging, and developing all
that are in need.
- All active deacons should attend all scheduled and called business
meetings of the board.
- It shall be the duty of the Board of Deacons to act as the Trustees
of the church. The Board of Deacons is to act as legal representatives
of the church and to take such action and execute any documents
necessary to accomplish the purpose of any matter, which concerns
any real, personal, or intangible property of the church. (See Article
I, Section C.)
- In counsel with the pastor, the deacons are to have watchful supervision
of the discipline of the church, in administering which
they are to be guided by the principles set forth in Matthew 18:15-17,
1 Corinthians 5:9-13, and 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14. The deacons shall
be free to call upon any member of the church to aid in disciplinary
action.
- The Deacons will prepare a job description, which will be a guide
for the Pastor’s annual review.
C. Moderator: The Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall
be the moderator of the church. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman
of the Board of Deacons shall preside, or in the absence of both, the Secretary
of the Board of Deacons shall preside. The Moderator shall preside at all
regular and called business meetings of the church.
D. Clerk: The church clerk shall be nominated by the
Nominating Committee and approved by the Board
of Deacons and is responsible for keeping an accurate record of all business
meeting transactions of the church and preparing the annual as necessary.
The Clerk shall keep a register of the names and addresses of the church members,
with dates of admission, dismissal, and deaths of members of this church
family. The clerk shall issue letters of dismissal
voted by the church, write letters of transfer of membership, and keep an
accurate history of this church.
E. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be nominated by the
Nominating Committee and approved by the Board
of Deacons and is responsible to keep a record of all monetary transactions
for the church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and
disbursements. The Treasurer shall give an itemized report of receipts and
disbursements monthly to the Deacons and quarterly to the members of this
church, and this report shall be printed for distribution to the members.
All books, records, and accounts kept by the Treasurer shall be considered
the property of this church and except for individual
accounts of contributions, shall be open for inspection at all times by the
members of this church.
F. Church Staff: The church shall employ, or call staff,
as needed. Employed staff (i.e.: groundskeeper – Property & Grounds).
Called Staff (i.e., Minister of Music, Minister of Youth)
shall fall under the authority of the Pastor. All Staff
members, other than that of the Pastor, shall be recommended
for employment by the Deacons. A written job description
will be prepared when the need for church staff is determined.
The Deacons, before implementation or revision, will approve
all job descriptions.
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III. COMMITTEES
- Nominating Committee Consists of three
(3) members who shall be appointed by the
Moderator, with the approval of the Board of Deacons, annually on the first
Sunday in July. This Committee shall canvass
the church rolls and seek to discover persons suitable for appointment
as officers, teachers or committee members.
This Committee shall bring nominations for officers, teachers, and committee
members to the Board of Deacons for approval
at the regular September Board of Deacons’ meeting
each year, and the church shall be notified of these appointments. No
husband and wife shall serve on the same committee at the same time,
with the exception of the Lord’s Supper
Committee and the Baptismal Committee. The
Nominating Committee shall be responsible
for filling any vacancies during the committee
term.
- Property & Grounds Committee Consists of not
less than three (3) members. This Committee shall
have general charge and upkeep of the buildings and property including
interior and exterior. The cleaning of the buildings shall be the
responsibility of this Committee. This Committee shall have general charge
and upkeep of the grounds and all landscaping.
- Budget & Finance Committee Consists of the Sunday
School Director, the Treasurer, and three (3) members
at large. A member must be eighteen (18) years of age and a member
of this church for a period of at least one (1) year. This Committee shall
prepare and submit to the Deacons at their regular meeting in November
of each year, for approval, an inclusive budget indicating by items
the amount needed. After being reviewed and approved by the Board
of Deacons, this budget shall be presented by the Moderator to the members
of this church at the annual conference for final approval. This
Committee shall have the responsibility of assuring that the adopted budget
is adhered to. All Committee meetings shall be conducted in a confidential
manner.
- Evangelism Committee Consists of three (3) members.
This Committee is to promote evangelism, being
primarily concerned with revival arrangements such as publicity, housing,
etc.
- Nursery Committee Consists of three (3) members.
This Committee is to provide nursery workers for
regularly scheduled services.
- Music Committee Consists of three (3) members.
This Committee shall work under the supervision of the Music Director
in planning and coordinating all musical programs of this church.
It is responsible for the purchase and upkeep of all musical articles
such as instruments, sheet music, choir robes, etc.
- Lord’s Supper Committee Consists of two
(2) members. This Committee shall make all necessary arrangements
for the observance of the Lord’s Supper and shall
render such assistance to the pastor and the church as may
be necessary.
- Baptismal Committee Consists of two (2) members
(one man and one woman). This Committee shall make all necessary
arrangements for baptismal services and shall assist the pastor
and candidates, if needed.
- Youth Committee Consists of four (4) members plus
the Youth Director/Minister. This Committee is responsible
in helping to plan as well as carry out youth programs and activities
inside and outside the church. These activities are to be correlated
with the activities of the church program organization in maintaining
objectives set forth by the church.
- Kitchen Committee Consists of three (3) members.
This Committee shall have general supervision of the
supplies, equipment, and use of the church kitchen suggesting to the church
rules and regulations, as they deem wise. It shall enforce policies necessary
to properly maintain the kitchen in a clean, orderly, and acceptable condition.
- Outreach Committee Consists of minimum of five
(5) members, one of whom is to be a deacon. This Committee is
under the immediate leadership of the pastor. He, along with the Nominating
Committee, forms a committee to develop and implement a strategy
for effective programs of community evangelism outreach such as
visitation; Bible studies in homes, offices, places of work; special evangelistic
meetings inside and outside the church; and other needed programs
to reach people with the gospel. This Committee is also responsible
for planning training events for soul winning, as well as the
production of securing evangelistic printed materials to be used by the
church.
- Social Committee Consists of a minimum of three (3)
members. This Committee will oversee the use and decoration
of the church at events other than regularly scheduled services.
- Agape/Benevolence Committee Consists of three
(3) members, one of whom is to be a deacon. This Committee shall
provide for the needs of the church and the community.
- Other The Board of Deacons may appoint special
committees, which shall consist of more than one member, as they
(The Board of Deacons) deem necessary.
Note: Each committee chairperson shall submit an annual budget request
to the Budget and Finance Committee by the first Sunday in October. A copy
of all committees shall be available to all members. Each committee shall
elect a chairperson. The chairpersons shall report on the status of their
committee’s
responsibilities and activities at each quarterly business meeting.
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IV. MEETINGS
A. Worship
- This church shall meet regularly on Sundays for worship of God,
for preaching, instruction, evangelism, and on Wednesday evening
for prayer and Bible Study. These meetings will be open for the entire
membership of the church and for all people, and shall be conducted
under the direction of the pastor or his designee.
- The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on the third Sunday
of each quarter, and at additional times
as the pastor or deacons may determine and is open to all believers in
Christ.
B. Business
- At any of the regular meetings for worship, the church may, without
special notice, receive new members and
appoint messengers.
- The church shall meet in regular conference on the second Sunday
of each quarter. An annual meeting is
to be held on the second Sunday in December.
- The quorum consists of those who attend the business meeting, provided
it is a stated meeting or one that has
been properly called.
- The Moderator shall call a special conference on the third Sunday
in September for appointing messengers
to the Pine Mountain Baptist Association, for approving the church letter
to the Pine Mountain Baptist Association, and for appointing a member to
serve on the Pine Mountain Association Executive Committee.
- The Moderator may, and shall when requested by the Deacons or a
standing committee, call a special business
meeting with the particular object of the meeting being clearly stated.
- Special business meetings of the church may also be called the
Clerk upon written application by any
seven (7) members who are at least twenty-one (21) years of age, members
in good standing, and who are not immediately related (i.e., father, mother,
son, daughter, sister, brother). The object of the meeting must be specified
and this notice shall be read at the public service on the Sunday preceding
said meeting.
- Robert’s Rules of Order (revised edition) is adopted
as the authority for parliamentary rules
of procedures for all business meetings of this church for all other meetings
that demand voting of the church members, including committee meetings.
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V. FINANCIAL GIVING AND SPECIAL OFFERINGS
- Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon, and other special offerings are to be
observed as approved by the Deacons.
- It is understood that membership in the church involves the financial
obligation to support the church and its causes
with regular proportionate gifts.
- A special benevolent fund having been created by individual donations
or included in the budget is to be administered
by the pastor of this church and is to be used for the needs of any individual
or other causes.
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VI. LICENSING AND ORDAINING
Ordination: When a church of like faith shall have called
as its pastor a member of this church who possesses scriptural qualifications
and as demonstrated by his skills and training for ordination to the work
of the gospel ministry, and shall request in writing that he be ordained,
or by the Board of Deacons recommends him for ordination, the Pastor along
with the Board of Deacons shall form a committee to conduct the process of
his ordination.
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VII. CHURCH DISCIPLINE
- Should any unhappy difference arise among members, the aggrieved member
shall follow a tender spirit, the rules given by
our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17. If the issue is not resolved, the aggrieved
member then takes the issue before the Deacons.
- Should any case of gross breach of covenant, or of public scandal,
occur, the Deacons shall endeavor to resolve the
conflict, and if this effort fails, shall report the case to the church.
- All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness
and forbearance, but should an adverse decision
be reached, the church may proceed to admonish or declare the offender
to be no longer in the membership of the church.
- Any person whose membership has been terminated may be restored by
a majority vote of those present and voting, upon
evidence of their repentance and reformation; or if any account of continued
absence, upon satisfactory explanation.
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VIII. AMENDMENTS
Changes to the Constitution and Bylaws will be made at a church conference.
The proposed change(s) will be submitted in writing to the members at least
fourteen- (14) days prior to the time of the proposed vote. Passage requires
a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of those voting at a regular or called
business meeting.
The Deacons will appoint a Constitution/By-Laws review committee every five-
(5) years, beginning in 2005 or as deemed necessary.
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VIII. ADOPTION
The forgoing Constitution and Bylaws of Hamilton Baptist Church are so adopted
this 9th day of March, 2003 by a vote in accordance with the Constitution
and Bylaws in effect at the time of said vote, which required a “two-thirds
vote of all members of the church present entitled to vote.”
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