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CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
We, the members of Yellow River Baptist Tabernacle of Gwinnett County, Lilburn, Georgia, do ordain and establish the following Articles of Faith and bylaws to which we voluntarily submit ourselves. The purpose of Yellow River Baptist Tabernacle is to evangelize the lost, both in our community and around the world, to baptize, and to teach the Word of God.
NAME OF ORGANIZATION
This organization shall be called Yellow River Baptist Tabernacle of Gwinnett County.
MEMBERSHIP
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
The membership of this Church shall be comprised of individuals who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, made a public profession of their faith, followed the Lord in believer’s baptism by immersion, and who accept and adhere to the Doctrinal Statement, Constitution, and Bylaws of the Church. The membership of the Church shall have the final authority in all matters of Church governance as set forth in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Doctrinal Statement of the Church.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
Membership in this church may be acquired in the following manner:
A. BAPTISM
Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and giving evidence of change of heart, may by baptism by immersion and a vote of the church, be received into the membership.
B. LETTER
Any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered, may be received from other churches of like faith and order, by letter upon vote of the church.
C. EXPERIENCE/STATEMENT
Any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion by like faith has been administered may be received upon the statement of his or her salvation experience and faith in Christ, upon vote of the church.
D. RESTORATION
Any person whose membership has been terminated may be restored by vote of the church upon evidence of his repentance and reformation.
ETHOD OF DISMISSAL
A. BY LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Any active member may be granted a letter of recommendation when uniting with another church of like faith and practice upon request from that church. This letter must be granted by church vote.
B. MEMBER ASKING TO RESCIND MEMBERSHIP
Any member may request that their membership be rescinded by providing a written request to the Church. Within 30 days of receipt of such letter, the member’s membership will be rescinded.
C. BY DEATH
Upon the death of any member of this church, their names shall be removed from the membership file of this church.
D. BY DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Should any member be found to be living in open sin and rebellion, contrary to the Doctrinal Statement of the Church and the principles contained within the Word of God, the Pastor and deacon board will do everything possible to privately counsel such a member to get them to confess and forsake their sin. In the event the member openly continues in their sin, their charge will be brought before the church for the purpose of voting to rescind their membership. A majority vote of active members present will be sufficient to rescind such a membership.
E. VOTING
In all cases of voting to receive or dismiss members, a 75% vote of qualified members present at the time of voting shall carry a motion. In all voting, a qualified member shall be on the active list of the church and be at least 18 years of age.
DUTIES OF MEMBERS
A. It shall be the duty of every member to attend all regularly scheduled church services if possible.
B. It should be our duty to show interest, love, and concern for the church and its members.
C. Each member should strive to walk in the Spirit and live a life consistent with the Word of God.
D. Each member is encouraged to support the church financially with his tithes and offerings as he is led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
DROPPING FROM ACTIVE ROLL
Members of this church, who for a period of three months, fail to manifest an interest in the church, may be placed on an inactive list and lose their right to speak or vote in any meeting of the church whatsoever, after review and notification by the deacons and or pastor. Evaluation is made on such items as lack of attendance, lack of financial support, etc
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
PASTOR(S)
A. QUALIFICATIONS
The pastor or pastors of this church shall be a man of God who is called of God to preach the Gospel, and shall meet the spiritual qualifications given in the Scriptures. He must believe the doctrines as given in the Doctrinal Statement of this Constitution. He must wholeheartedly agree with the stand and position of this church.
I Timothy 3:1-7
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know now how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
B. DUTIES OF THE PASTOR(S)
The position of pastor(s) is described as "overseer" in the new testament. He is to oversee the flock that God has given him, and to minister to them primarily through prayer and the ministry of the Word. He shall guide the church and the program and the selection of guest speakers and musicians that he feels would best strengthen and build the church of God. He shall be a member of all boards and committees of the church and have authority to call meetings of such boards and committees.
C. METHOD OF CALLING
The pastor(s) shall be called to the church upon a 75% vote of active members present at the time of voting. He shal have been recommended to the church by the pulpit committee.
D. METHOD OF DISMISSAL
A pastor may be dismissed from a church upon 75% vote of active members present at the time of voting. Such a meeting may be called by the deacon board when a majority of the deacons request it, or 25% of the active membership of the church. The pastor shall be given 30 days notice in the event of dismissal; however, the church has the option to ask the pastor to leave immediately and continue salary and benefits for a period of 30 days.
DEACONS
A. QUALIFICATIONS
The office of a deacon is primarily that of a servant which the Bible seems to teach is an office of assisting the pastor in duties concerning the church membership. God seems to indicate that this is a position worthy of spiritfulness and stringent qualifications. Qualifications from the scriptures are as follows:
I Timothy 3:8-13
"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
B. DUTIES
The duties of a deacon shall be to assist the pastor or pastors in areas in which they seek assistance. They will serve as the "multitude of counselors" the Bible speaks of. At least one meeting per quarter will be held with the pastor at which time church business and direction would be discussed.
C. METHOD OF ELECTION
Deacons will be elected annually in the month of January and serve for a period of two years. It is suggested that one third of the deacon board be retiring each year. After being off the board for one year, a deacon may then be re-elected. Deacons shall be nominated by the church congregation at large in the form of a written nomination. The existing deacon board will then go over the nominations of those who wish to serve, and disqualify anyone nominated, for scriptural reasons they may know of. The remainder will be submitted to the church for a church vote. Those receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. There shall be a minimum of three deacons at all times provided there are three qualified and willing to serve.
CLERK
A. DUTIES
The duties of the church clerk will be to keep records on the church membership. Active and inactive membership lists should be kept. It is also the duty of the clerk to record minutes of the church business meetings and record them in a permanent binder.
B. METHOD OF ELECTION
Nominations for church clerk will be submitted by the deacon board to the church. The one receiving the highest number of votes will be elected clerk. In the event only one is nominated, they will be elected with 75% vote of those present at the time of voting. Term of office shall be one year and they may be re-elected.
TREASURER
A. DUTIES
The duties of the treasurer will consist of keeping the checking accounts balanced and monitoring the budget of the church. It will be the treasurer’s duty to assure a financial report is made available to the church congregation at least once each month. The treasurer will also be responsible to see that the church receives an annual financial report in January of each year. The treasurer is also responsible for maintaining an accurate record of offerings given and mail out receipts to individuals at year end.
B. METHOD OF ELECTION
The church treasurer shall be elected in the same manner as the church clerk above.
PASTORAL STAFF
The church staff shall be hired and dismissed by the pastor(s). He shall be responsible for outlining the duties and responsibilities of each staff member. Salary structures for staff members shall be established by the deacons and finance committee of the church.
COMMITTEES
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The finance committee members shall also be the trustees of the church after which time the church becomes incorporated.
DUTIES
The duties of the finance committee will be to meet with the pastor(s) at least once per quarter for the purpose of discussing church finances and the direction of the church. It is their responsibility to make recommendations to the pastor concerning receipts and disbursements and for the pastor to communicate such recommendations to the church. The pastor shall have the privilege of directing the finances of the church within the church approved annual budget. Disbursements above the budget in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 may be made by the pastor(s) not to exceed once per month. Disbursements up to $3,000.00 may be approved by the deacons and or finance committee, not to exceed once per month. All disbursements over $3,000.00 must be approved by church vote at a regular or special called business meeting. All disbursements of any nature will appear on the financial reports submitted to the church.
In the event of an emergency that requires immediate action to address a serious problem occurring within the facilities or grounds of the church, it is understood it would not be safe, prudent, or financially sound to delay such action until a church vote could be taken at a specially called business meeting. During these emergency situations action can be taken by either the pastor, member of the Finance Committee, or members of the Building and Grounds Committee. However, before emergency action is taken, designated members of each committee, in addition to the pastor, must be notified and in agreement before any such action is undertaken.
B. METHOD OF ELECTION
Finance committee members shall be nominated by the deacons. Otherwise, they shall be elected in the same way that deacons are elected. They shall serve for a period of three years with approximately one third of the committee retiring each year.
DISMISSAL OF ALL OFFICERS EXCEPT PASTOR
Any officer of the church may be dismissed upon recommendation of the deacons supported with a majority vote of the deacons.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Regularly scheduled business meetings shall be held once per quarter. An annual business meeting shall be held in January of each year. A quorum shall consist of the active members present at such business meeting as has been called. Meetings may be called by the pastor, the deacon board, or 25% of the active membership of the church. Fiscal year of the church shall be from January 1 to December 31.
POLICIES
RAISING OF FUNDS
The support of Yellow River Baptist Tabernacle shall primarily come from the tithes and offerings of its people.
MISSIONS
A. FINANCING PROCEDURE
The missions program of the church shall be supported through the offerings and gifts of its people. The ultimate goal of the church would be to designate 10% of the annual tithes and offerings toward the missions program. However, the annual percentage of funds available for missions support will be determined by the pastor and the deacons. Funds will be designated to the missions budget once our local church obligations are satisfied, to include, but not be limited to, loan payments, property maintenance, payroll obligations, and other necessary expenses to maintain the local ministry of our church. The amount dedicated toward missions will be communicated to the church as part of our regularly scheduled business meetings.
B. APPROVING FOR SUPPORT
All missionaries and organizations desiring support from the church must first present themselves to the church in a regular church service. After this, the deacon board will consider them to be recommended to the church for support. For support to be granted, the church must demonstrate a majority vote.
SALARY REVIEWS
Pastors and staff members are to be reviewed annually prior to the annual budget presented in December. Considerations should be made as to cost of living increases and other factors that may affect the cost of living for a particular staff member.
AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be altered or amended at any regular or called meeting of the church by a 75% vote of the active members present, providing the notice of such alterations or amendments is presented to the church in writing at least one month before the action is taken.
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It is noted that Yellow River Baptist Tabernacle and Yellow River Baptist Church are the same entity.
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