Bylaws
I. Church Membership
Section A. Section A. General
This is an autonomous and democratic Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.
Section B. Section B. Candidacy
Oak Shade Baptist Church stands ready to receive those who come with a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, sincerity of purpose concerning a desire to work and worship with the membership of the Church, and the willingness to comply with our Church Covenant, Ordinances, Constitution, and Statement of Faith.
A person may offer themselves as a candidate for membership in this Church as ascribed in one of the following ways:
1. By profession of faith and presentation for baptism according to the policies of this Church as stated in this Constitution and Bylaws.
2. By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Baptist church of like faith and practice.
3. By restoration of letter upon a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism in a Baptist church when no letter is obtainable - after consultation with church staff/ officers.
4. By statement of prior conversion experience and baptism acknowledging the same belief and correct scriptural understanding of baptism and salvation as stated in this Constitution and Bylaws after consultation with staff.
After consultation and qualifications have been met as stated above, persons shall be recommended by verbal vote of affirmation at a normal church service.
Membership in this church shall be by a verbal vote affirmation by the members present. Should any dissent arise as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the pastor and the Church leadership for deliberation and the making of a recommendation to the church within thirty (30) days. A three-quarters vote of those members voting shall be required to elect such candidates to membership at a regular business meeting.
Section C. Section C. Requirements and Responsibilities of Members
While some Baptist churches require no more than a profession of faith and believer's baptism in order for a person to join, we want to stress the importance of covenant membership in our process of joining a church. We believe that when a person joins a church, he is making a covenant with that church body, and is expected to fulfill his part of the covenant, just as the church must also fulfill its responsibilities. Therefore, we want to be very clear about what is expected of members of Oak Shade Baptist Church.
1. After professing faith in Christ and having been baptized, a person must complete a membership class. This is so that church members will know what the church believes, how it functions, and what is expected.
2. Second, a person desiring membership must sign the church covenant. This provides both the new members and the leaders of the church with a simply written list of expectation for church members.
3. Third, a person must regularly attend worship. Because the church is an assembly of believers, its members must actively involve themselves in the regular assembly for worship.
4. Fourth, church members must be committed to loving others within the church and serving within the church.
5. Fifth, church members must express agreement with the basic doctrinal commitments of the church and a determination to grow in knowledge of the Scriptures and love for
6. Sixth, all members of the church must affirm and submit to the leaders of the local church within biblical parameters.
7. Seventh, and finally, all members must embrace and actively participate in the mission of the church: to glorify God in making disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Covenant commitment between a church member and the whole church is not a one-way street. Just as we as individuals have a responsibility toward the church, so also we as a church bears responsibility for one another. The church must fulfill its covenant obligations as well.
Section D. Section D. Rights of Members
1. Every member of the Church 18 and above, is entitled to vote at all elections and on allquestions submitted t the Church in conferences, provided the member is present. Any exceptions to this rule will be entered in the Church policy manual.
2. Every member, 18 and above, of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective offices in the Church.
3. Every member of the Church may participate in the ordinances of the Church as administered by the Church.
Section E. Section E. Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated in any one of the following ways:
1. Death of a member
2. Exclusion by action of this Church.
3. Erasure upon the member's written request or proof of membership in a church of another denomination,
Section F. Section F. Discipline and Restoration
It shall be the practice of this Church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The Pastor is available for counsel and guidance and will make every effort to maintain adequate referral resources. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.
Any member consistently neglectful of his or her duties or guilty of conduct by which the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be dishonored (as defined by Scripture and summarized in the Church covenant), and so opposing the welfare of the church, shall be subject to the admonition of the Church staff/officers and the discipline of the Church, according to the instructions of our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17 and the example of Scripture.
Public Church discipline, then, should ordinarily be contemplated after individual private admonition has failed.
Church discipline can include admonition by the Church staff/officers or congregation, suspension from communion for a definite period, deposition from office, and excommunication (see Matthew 18: 15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; I Timothy 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5). The purpose of such discipline should be:
1. For the repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth of the individual disciplined (see Proverbs 15:5; 29:15; I Corinthians 4:14; Ephesians 6:4; I Timothy 3:4-5; Hebrews 12:1-11; Psalm 119:115; 141:5; Proverbs 17:10; 25:12; 27:5; Ecclesiastes 7:5; Matthew 7:26-27; 18:15-17; Luke 17:3; Acts 2:40; I Corinthians 5:5; Galatians 6:1-5; Il Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15; 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 1:13-14; James 1:22);
2. For the instruction in righteousness and good of other Christians, as an example to them (see Proverbs 13:20; Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 15:33; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; [note this is written to the whole church, not just to leaders); I Timothy 5:20; Titus 1:11; Hebrews 10:24-25);
3. For the purity of the church as a whole (see I Corinthians 5:6-7; Il Corinthians 13:10; Ephesians 5:27; II John 10; Jude 24; Revelation 21:2);
4. For the good of our corporate witness to non-Christians (see Proverbs 28:7; Mathew 5:13-16; John 13:35; Acts 5:1-14; Ephesians 5:11; I Timothy 3:7; Il Peter 2:2; I John 3:10); and supremely;
5. For the glory of God by reflecting His holy character (see Deuteronomy 5:11; 1 Kings 11:2; Il Chronicles 19:2; Ezra 6:21; Nehemiah 9:2; Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 36:20; Matthew 5:16; John 15:8; 18:17, 25; Romans 2:24; 15:5-6; Il Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Ephesians 1:4;5:27; I Peter 2:12).
II. Church Officers and Committees
All who serve as officers of the Church and those who serve on Church Committees shall be members of this Church and shall be in agreement with and committed to the doctrinal statement, bylaws and established policies of this Church.
The officers of this Church shall be the Pastor, Associate Pastor, the Deacons, Church Secretary, Financial Secretary, Board of Trustees, Treasurer, and other staff members as the Church deems necessary. An exception to this policy is allowed should the Church choose to hire secretarial help from outside of the Church membership. If the Church exercises this exception, a nonmember secretary will not be an officer of the Church.
Section G. Section A. Pastor
1. Qualifications - The Pastor of this Church shall believe that he has been called into the ministry by God. He shall have been, or be prepared to be ordained as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ by a Southern Baptist church of the same faith and practice as this Church. It is of utmost importance that he meet the qualifications for a minister as recorded in the Holy Scripture (1 Timothy 3:2-7) as interpreted by the Church.
2. Duties - The duties of the Pastor shall be to lead the Church in functioning as a New Testament Church. The Pastor is the leader of worship, evangelism, education, and all other ministries of the Church. Following the admonition of Ephesians 4:12, he shail lead the church to:
a. Achieve its mission
b. Proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers
c. Nurture the spiritual growth of its members
d. Care for the Church's members and other persons in the community.
e. Set as a guideline of personal behavior the stand required in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
f. Provide administrative leadership for the total church program.
g. Maintain a regular program of study to enable himself to plan and conduct meaningful worship services.
h. Prepare for and conduct worship services; lead in the observances; and lead the church in proclaiming the gospel to the church and community.
i. Visit members and prospects and lead the membership in a visitation program.
j. Supervise other members of the church staff according to staff organization.
k. Conduct premarital, vocational, family, bereavement, counseling session, etc., as needed. Advise other professional help when necessary.
l. Perform wedding ceremonies and conduct funeral services.
m. Work with deacons, church officers, and committees in performing assigned responsibilities. Be available for and lead in training as needed.
n. Cooperate with and lead the church in cooperating with associational, state, and denominational leaders. Keep the church informed of developments within denomination.
o. Serve as a representative of the church in civic matters.
p. Serve as the leader in seeking to win the unsaved and unenlisted; lead the membership in soul-winning training.
q. Serve as chairman of the Church Leadership Team (Church Council) in planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and evaluating the total church program.
r. The Pastor shall be responsible for the direct supervision of all employees of the Church and auxiliary organizations.
3. Calling a Pastor - A pulpit committee, consisting of five (S) members, with two (2) alternates, shall be elected by the Church membership during a Regular or Special called Business Meeting. This meeting shall be announced at all worship services at least one week in advance of the meeting.
Each Church member shall have the right to nominate and vote for seven (7) Church members to fill the pulpit committee. The ballots will be tallied according to the number of votes per candidate. Each candidate will be counseled by the Deacon Body in order of the number of votes received until the required number of people agree to serve on this committee. The pulpit committee will select its own chairman and officers.
Having prayerfully sought out a suitable Pastor, the committee shall bring for the consideration of the Church only one candidate at a time. The congregation shall be notified not later than one week prior to the recommendation. The recommendation shall be voted upon by secret ballot at the weekend worship services. An affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of those members voting shall be required to call a Pastor.
The Pastor shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his death or resignation, or by the request of the Church by a 75% vote to dismiss.
4. Dismissal of a Pastor - Except in instances of gross misconduct by the Pastor so excluded
from office, the Church will compensate the Pastor with not less than one-twelfth (1/12) of his total annual compensation. The termination shall be immediate and compensation shall be rendered in not more than thirty (30) days.
Section H. Section B. Deacons
1. Deacon Nominee Selection
a. Any man elected by the Deacon Body must have been a member of this Church for at least one year immediately prior to election and be at least 25 years old.
b. The qualifications for Deacons are as set forth in Scripture (Acts 6:1-6 and I Timothy 3:8-13)
c. The method for selecting Deacons shall be as follows:
(1) Each Church member present at the time of Deacon nomination shall be given a Deacon ballot. The member should indicate the names) of the men they would like to see nominated as Deacons. Only one name should be given in nomination for every vacancy.
(2) The Pastor and Deacon Body will review each nomination in light of the qualifications for Deacons as set forth in the Scriptures and Church Bylaws.
(3) The Deacon body, along with the Pastor, will proceed to contact the persons according to the rank and order. They will discuss the qualifications and responsibilities for Deacons andverify the eligibility of the person and their willingness to serve as a Deacon. The Deacon body may choose not to consider any person who is nominated by fewer than 10% of the persons voting, or who is deemed ineligible.
(4) The purpose of screening is to ascertain first, as to his Christian experience; second, as to his soundness in the doctrines, and thirdly, as to his commitment to the local work and cooperation with the organized work of Oak Shade Baptist Church.
(5) The names of the men who have been nominated, passed the screening process, and are willing to serve, will be presented to the Church for a vote of approval during the regular business meeting immediately prior to their training.
(6) Each man selected will be invited to serve as a Deacon in Training for the period deemed necessary by the Deacon Body, Pastor, and Church scheduling.
(7) Each Deacon elected shall be instructed in the responsibilities of a Deacon before ordination.
(8) Deacons of Oak Shade Baptist Church may participate in the ordination service of elected candidates.
2. Responsibilities of Deacons
Oak Shade Baptist Church charges those it will designate to serve as Deacons with the following general responsibilities:
a. To serve the needs of the membership
b. To share with the Pastor responsibility of promoting and upholding a high level of spirituality among each other and our membership.
c. To encourage, support and uphold the Pastor in his ministry.
d. To be knowledgeable of and support the business and activities of the Church.
e. To assist the Pastor in the administering of the ordinances.
To accomplish the above, the Deacon Body shall meet at least once monthly. The Pastor shall be present at all Deacon Body meetings to guide the Deacons in fulfilling their ministry role in the Church.
To ensure the harmony of the Church, Deacon meetings should provide an opportunity for sharing prayer concerns and a time of corporate prayer. These meetings should provide the Pastor an opportunity to use the Deacon Body as a sounding board in considering the Church's visions, direction, and programs. These meetings should also provide a forum for consensus building, which will promote church unity.
The Deacon body shall be responsible for electing a chairman from among themselves.
3. Termination
a. The church may remove a Deacon from serving on the Deacon body by action of the congregation, after justification for that action has been firmly established. Before any action is taken leading to the termination of a Deacon by the Church, the Pastor, Chairman of the Deacons, and at least one other Deacon shall counsel with the individual and make every effort to resolve the situation in a Christ-like and compassionate manner. Termination must be by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special business meeting held after notice of at least one week.
b. The term of a member of the Deacon Body may also be terminated by a letter of resignation.
Section I. Section C. Church Secretary
The Pastor and Personnel Committee shall be responsible for selecting a candidate for Church Secretary, who must be presented to the Church and approved by a 3/4 vote of members present during a Regular Business Meeting.
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a suitable record of all official actions of the Church, except as otherwise herein provided. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a register of members, with dates of admission, dismissal, death or erasure, together with a record of baptism. The Secretary shall issue letters of dismissal, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary, as indicated in these Bylaws.
The Secretary shall be responsible for preparing the Annual Letter of the Church to the Association.
The Church may delegate some responsibilities to other designees who will assist the designated Secretary in certain areas as needed. All Church Records are Church property. At least one copy of all Church Records should be kept in the Church office.
Section J. Section D. Financial Secretary
The Church Financial Secretary shall be approved in the same manner as the Church Secretary, who may serve in both capacities, depending upon the existing needs of the Church.
It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to receive, preserve and pay out, upon receipt of vouchers approved and signed by authorized personnel, all money or things of value paid or given to the Church. An itemized account of all receipts and disbursements of any nature, kind, or character shall be kept at all times.
The Church Financial Secretary shall be responsible for insurance policies, mortgages, and other valuable Church papers. The Church Financial Secretary shall be an ex-officio member of the Stewardship Committee of this Church.
It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to render an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements to the Church at each regular business meeting.
Upon presentation to and acceptance by the Church, the Annual Financial Report shall be kept and preserved as a part of the records of the Church.
Section K. Section E. Treasurer
The Stewardship Committee shall be responsible for selecting a candidate for Church Treasurer, who must be presented to the Church and approved by a 3/4 vote of the members present during a Regular Business Meeting.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for oversight of all church financial matters and shall have authority to sign financial documents for the Church. The Treasurer shall make recommendations on the use of financial institutions and shall have authority to purchase or renew bonds and certificates of deposit or other appropriate investments. The Treasurer shall assure that all financial accounts are balanced and correct and shall serve as an active member of the Stewardship Committee.
Section L. Section F. Trustees
The Church shall appoint three Trustees, with all three acting jointly. Trustees shall hold the Church property in trust. Trustees, upon direction of the Church, shall be responsible for action concerning contracts, loans, mortgages, releases, and all other necessary legal papers to the Church.
The Trustees have no right to buy, sell, or dispose of property belonging to the Church, or act for the Church in any way except upon authorization by the Church. The Trustees shall report to the Church as necessary at the business meetings.
The Trustees shall exercise no power, nor perform their functions as Trustees without prior approval of the members of this church as expressed by majority vote of the members present and voting in a regular or special called business meeting.
In the event of a vacancy among the Trustees, the existing Trustees, along with the Pastor, and the Chairman of the Deacons, shall make all recommendations to the church for appointments as Trustee.
A trustee of this church shall not be liable to the church or its members, non-members, or any individual for property or physical damage, mental and abusive damage, or lawsuits of any type brought against them as a Trustee by any one person or persons or companies, corporations, etc.; or for monetary damage for an act or omissions in the Trustees capacity as Trustee.
Section M. Section G. Church Committees
The Committees of this Church shall be one of the following categories:
1. Permanent Committee as described and listed in the Church Committee Manual. These Committees, once established, remain in existence and on assignment until the Church determines otherwise. Permanent Committees may be established or abolished by Church action.
2. Temporary Committees are those committees established for a specific purpose and whose existence ends with its final report to the Church. Temporary Committee members may serve for the life of the committee.
A committee register shall include each Permanent Committee name, a description of committee responsibilities, number of members, names of current members, and meeting schedule. All Permanent Committee Members shall be elected annually by the Church at the regular scheduled business meeting in September. Permanent committee members will serve through the Church year in which they are selected.
Section N. Section H. Church Council
The Church Council shall consist of the Pastor, the Church Staff, the Chairman of Deacons, all program Directors, (i.e. Sunday School Department leaders; W.M.U. leaders; Brotherhood directors; etc.), and others appointed by the Pastor. The Church Council shall meet on a regular basis. The Pastor shall serve as Moderator of all Church Council Meetings. The Church Council shall not seek to serve as a governing body of the Church. The Church Council shall have no authority to direct the Church except as approved by the Church Body. The nature of the church council's work is planning, coordinating, and evaluating church programs and services.
The Church council shall serve as an avenue that will allow the leadership of the Church to seek direction in the concerns of each area of ministry, as they arise.
III. Church Program Organizations
The Church shall maintain programs of Bible teaching; Church member training, Church leader training; mission education, action, and support; and (when possible) music education, training and performance. All organizations related to the Church programs shall be under Church control, all leaders shall be elected by the Church, and directors of all programs shall be subject to Church coordination and approval. All elected positions shall be filled by members of Oak Shade Baptist Church. The Church shall provide the human, physical, and financial resources for the appropriate advancement of these programs.
The Bible Study Program (Sunday School) shall be the basic organization for the teaching of the Bible. Its tasks shall be to teach the biblical revelation, reach persons for Christ and Church membership, to lead members to minister to other members and non-members, perform thefunctions of the Church within its constituency, and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination.
IV. Church Ordinances
Section A. Baptism
This Church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes Him publicly at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord.
1. Baptism shall be by immersion in water, and is a symbolic act of obedience, whereby a born-again believer depicts the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. The Pastor, or any ordained or licensed minister of like faith and practice approved by the Pastor, shall administer baptism. The deacons (when such are designated) shall assist in the preparation and observance of baptism.
3. Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the
4. A person who professes Christ and is not baptized after a reasonable length of time, shall be counseled by the Pastor and/or Deacons. If negative interest is ascertained on the part of the candidate, he shall be deleted from those awaiting baptism.
Section B. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience. Through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, we commemorate Jesus' shed blood and His wounded body given unselfishly on our behalf as we anticipate His Second Coming.
The observing of the Lord's Supper shall be restricted to born-again, baptized believers in Jesus Christ.
The Lord's Supper shall be observed at least quarterly.
The Pastor and Deacons shall be responsible for the administration of the Lord's Supper. If there are no Deacons available, the Pastor may select men from among the leadership of the Church to assist.
The Deacon Body shall be responsible for the physical preparation of the Lord's Supper. If there are no Deacons available, the Pastor, or his designates shall be responsible.
V. Church Meetings
Section A. Worship Services
The Church shall meet regularly on Sunday and on Wednesday evening for the worship of Almighty God. Prayer, praise, preaching, instruction, edification, and evangelism shall be among the elements of these services. The Pastor shall coordinate and direct all worship services of this Church. In the absence of a Pastor, the Chairman of the Deacons shall coordinate all worship services until a Pastor is called.
Any non-emergency change of the established schedule shall be announced to the Church prior to the proposed change and must be approved by the Church.
Section B. Special Services
Revival services and any other Church meetings essential to the advancement of the Church's objectives shall be placed on the Church calendar.
Section C. Regular Business Meetings
The Church shall hold Regular Business Meetings on a monthly basis. Such meetings shall be held on the third Sunday Service of each month. Any change in this schedule must be announced in the bulletin and from the pulpit at least one week in advance.
Section D. Special Business Meetings
The Church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of special nature and significance. A Special Business Meeting may be called by the Pastor, Church Council, Deacons, or any standing Committee. A one-week notice must be given for the Special Business Meeting.
The notice shall include the subjects), date, time, and place. Urgent/emergency business meetings may be called by the Pastor, Church Council, Deacons, or standing Committees a minimum of six hours notice of the subjects), date, time, and place given at a regular worship service.
Section E. Meeting Conduct
All meetings conducted under the auspices of the Church or in Church facilities shall be in agreement with and in accordance with the statement of faith of this church.
Section F. Quorum
The quorum consists of those members who attend the business meeting, provided it is a Regular Business Meeting or a Special Business Meeting, which has been properly called.
Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the guideline for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the Church except as otherwise provided or in this Constitution and Bylaws.
VI. Church Finances
Section O. Budget
The Stewardship Committee, in consultation with the Pastor and other appropriate Church committees, shall prepare and submit a budget to the Church for discussion and approval at a business meeting prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. A copy of the proposed budget shall be made available to each resident family during the Regular Worship Services at least one week prior to the time of discussion and approval. Any proposed change to any approved budget item must be approved by the Church in a Regular or a Special Business Meeting.
Section P. Accounting Procedures
All funds received for any and all purposes shall pass through the hands of the Church Financial Secretary, or the Assistant to the Secretary, and be properly recorded on the books of the Church.
The Church Financial Secretary, in coordination with the Stewardship/Financial Committee, shall be responsible for implementing a system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds.
Section Q. Fiscal Year
The Church fiscal year is January 1st through December 31st.
VII. Church Policy Manual
The Church shall maintain a Church Policy manual, which shall include Church policies and procedures and the Committee Manual, which shall contain the names of each Permanent Committee, a description of committee responsibilities, number of members, member names, and meeting schedules. The manual shall be kept in the Church office and made available for use by any member of the Church.
Any Church member may initiate suggested changes in the Church Policy manual at a Regular Business meeting. Additions, revisions, or deletions of Church policies or procedures require the approval of the Church. Approval of the Church shall consist of the announcement of theproposed change at a regular business meeting, to be voted upon at the next regular business meeting.
VIII. Amendments
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended in the following manner:
1. Notice of the proposed amendments) must be given in a Church publication and announced at a regular worship service of the Church.
2. Notice of the business meeting to consider the proposed amendments) must be given at least two weeks in advance, and each subsequent week preceding the meeting date.
3. Amendments) must be approved by a three-fourths vote of the Church members present at the business meeting.
4. Amendments) must be affirmed by a three-fourths vote of the Church members present at the next business meeting which must occur at least two weeks after the amendments) are first passed before such amendments) become effective.