Officers of the Church

      Section I

            Pastor

(1)    Call.  As often as it may become necessary to call a pastor, the Pulpit Committee will without unnecessary delay investigate and invite to the church a minister of good report who accepts the doctrinal stand and practice of the church.  If after hearing him the Pulpit Committee shall desire to consider him as a pulpit candidate, he shall be invited to come as such.  After the time of candidacy the church shall meet in business session called according to this constitution at which time a call to become pastor shall be extended to him if ¾ of the members present vote in his favor.  If the candidate accepts he must become a member of the church.  The Board of Deacons shall act as the Pulpit committee when the church is without a pastor.  To avoid confusion only one candidate for pulpit shall be considered at a time.

(2)    Duties:  It shall be the duty of the pastor to preach the whole counsel of God; to administer the ordinances of the church; to assume the Scriptural oversight of the church in every department; to act as moderator for all business sessions of the church.  In the pastors absence, or when the question of salary or dismissal is up for consideration, the chairman of the deacons shall moderate the meetings.  In a planned absence the pastor and deacons shall determine the pulpit supply.  The pastor is an ex-officio member of all boards and committees of the church.

(3)    Vacation:  The pastor shall be given two full weeks and two Sundays vacation with pay each year.

(4)    Dismission:  The pastor shall continue in office until he resigns or is dismissed.  He shall be dismissed by a 2/3 vote of the members present in a properly called business meeting called for that purpose.  When at any time the church or pastor desire to sever relations, a 60 day notice shall be given the other party.  The length of time may be changed if mutually agreeable.  If it is not deemed wise by the church for him to continue his duties, he may be released immediately with two months pay, except in a case of immorality when he would be dismissed immediately whiteout pay.

Section II

                        Deacons

(1)    Elections:  The church shall elect a board of Deacons, consisting of a minimum of three men, and a maximum of seven men, as recommended by the Deacon Board, and determined by the church.  The length of the term will be two years; the exception to this will occur only to maintain the board to approximate 50% changeover.  Any person having served two successive terms must remain out of that office for a year before becoming eligible for election as a deacon again.

(2)    Qualifications:

(a)     Those set forth in 1 Timothy, Chapter 3.

(b)    Must be 21 years of age at the date of this election.

(c)     Must have been a member in good standing of Faith Baptist Church for one year at the date of the election.

(3)    Duties:

(a)     Deacon activities:  It shall be the duty of the Deacons to visit the sick; distribute the elements of the Lord’s Supper; assist the Pastor in the performance of his duties; endeavor to help those in need, both spiritually and physically.  In the absence of the pastor, the chairman of the Deacons (or someone chosen by him and approved by the board) shall conduct the prayer meeting, introduce visiting speakers, see than  an orderly service is prepared for such speakers, and be responsible for their meals and lodging.  This procedure may be altered by unanimous consent of the deacons.

(b)    Trustee Activities:  The deacon board shall care for the upkeep of the church property, looking after its maintenance, keeping it in repair and respect, keeping it insured and authorizing expenditures when necessary.  They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, or transfer any property in the name of the church without a specific vote of the church authorizing such action.  The board may not spend over the amount specified by the church at the annual meeting at any one time on any one thing without a vote of the church.

(c)     General Activities:  They shall elect a Deacon Chairman who shall see that deacon functions of the board are carried out.  They shall elect a secretary who shall keep record of their decisions as a board.

They shall have regular monthly meetings, the dates to be set by the board.  A report of recommendations shall be made to the church at the church business meetings.  The deacons shall review annually the pastor’s salary and recommend to the church if they feel a change is in order.  The deacons and pastor shall constitute the Disciplinary Committee.  The deacons shall constitute the Pulpit Committee when the church is without a pastor.

They shall appoint one to assist in counting all funds received by the church and keep an accurate account of the same.  This person shall present the financial reports to the church at the church meetings in the absence of the treasurer.  When it is difficult for this person to assist in counting the moneys received by any agency of the church, the board shall see that the agency is using proper procedures in their financial policies.

Section III

                        Church Treasurer

The church shall elect annually from its active membership a treasurer for a term of one year.  It shall be the treasurer’s duty to keep accurate account of receipts and disbursements of the church and report such at the monthly and annual business meetings.  Balances on had shall be given at each monthly meetings of the Deacons.  The records will be audited by a committee chosen by the Board of Deacons at their discretion.

Section IV

                        Church Clerk

The church shall elect annually from its active membership a church clerk for a term of one year.  The clerk shall keep a record of all the transactions of the church and read same at the next business meeting of the church or whenever requested to do so.  He shall keep a register of all baptisms, admissions, dismissions, or deaths of the members of the church.  He shall notify all officers, members of committees, or delegates of their election or appointment; issue letters or certificates of dismission voted by the church; notify those placed on inactive list or dropped from the roll; preserve all communications and official reports; give legal notice of all meetings when such notice is required by this constitution.  The records are church property and are available to the pastor, deacons, or trustee.

Section V

                        Financial Secretary

The church shall elect annually a financial secretary from its active membership for a term of one year.  His duty shall be to keep confidential all reports including money received by church envelopes and to send a statement annually to each contributor.

Section VI

                        Sunday School Superintendent

The church shall elect annually a Sunday School Superintendent from the active membership for a term of one year.  His duty shall be the supervision of the Sunday School, and moderating at the Sunday School council meetings.

Section VII

                        Advisor Board

The Deacons, Trustees, Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer, Clerk, Youth Director and Maranatha Ladies Fellowship President, acting with the Pastor shall meet at times decided by themselves and be presided over by the Pastor or one of its members whom it may designate.  The church clerk shall keep a record of its proceedings and shall include a report of the action of this committee with its report to the church.  Its duties shall be to pass upon all major matters of the church business or policy and recommend to the church for its action as it deems worthy.

Section VIII

                        Regulations

All officers shall be in good standing in the church and a member of the church for at least six months.  No person shall hold more than two elective offices at one time, a family more than three at one time.  Before taking office they shall review the church and Sunday School standards and be in agreement with them.  Other offices may be added as the church deems necessary.  Vacancies will be filled for the remainder of the term by appointment of the Deacons.  Any change in the Deacon Board must be approved by the church.