WBC Extended Church Polity/Bylaws

WBC Extended Church Polity/Bylaws

WBC Extended Church Polity/Bylaws

I. Membership

Membership in this Church shall consist of all persons who have met the qualifications for membership and are listed on the membership roll.

A. Qualifications for Membership

1. A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation;

2. Baptism by immersion as a testimony of salvation;

3. Transfer of membership from another church of like faith and order if applicable.

B. Characteristics of Members

Healthy members at WBC exhibit the following characteristics:

1. They develop and maintain a vibrant devotional life, including daily Bible reading and prayer (Acts 2:42-47; 2 Timothy 2:15-16);

2. They attend regular church services and business meetings as well as the other core ministries of WBC (Small Group and Close Group) unless providentially hindered (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42-47);

3. They practice “Spirit-led giving”, which means they eagerly support the financial ministry of WBC in as much as the Lord leads them to do so (Malachi 3:8-12);

4. They seek to live a Christlike, holy life (1 John 2:3-6; 1 Peter 1:13-17; Matthew 22:37-39);

5. They verbally share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost, earnestly persuading them to be converted to Jesus for salvation (Matthew 28:18-20);

6. They positively submit to and follow the leadership of the Pastor, ministerial pastors, and lay leadership of the church thus working to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace within the fellowship by striving to be a peacemaker rather than a divider (Hebrews 13:17; Philippians 2:1-4);

7. They strive to love one another and show an attitude of forgiveness and unity toward each other as an example to the world of Christ’s love for His Church (John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:37-39; 1 John 3:16).

C. Recording of the Membership

In an effort to properly reflect the membership of the Church, a roll/roster will be maintained. This roll shall be updated periodically.

  1. All members who are currently active in the Church shall remain on the roll.
  2. Members who have requested to be removed from membership, have not attended Sunday worship in six (6) months without communication, or who have come under severe discipline may be removed from the roll.

D. The Rights of Membership

  1. Active members shall have the right to individually and personally vote on the following matters: any amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws, the annual budget of the Church, the election of the Officers, the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Church, the merger or dissolution of the Church and the calling or removing of the Pastor.
  1. Voting rights begin at age 18. There shall be no proxy voting. Unless otherwise provided for in the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws, the members shall approve matters by a majority vote of the membership present and voting at a meeting called and held for such purpose by giving notice to the members two weeks in advance.
  2. In reference to any conflict that may arise with a member, WBC vows to exercise patience and utilize every reasonable measure to minister to any conflicted member. The Pastor, ministerial pastors, deacons, and members will seek reconciliation rather than punishment.
  3. Should a serious problem arise regarding the conduct or activities of a member which would cause that member to become a liability to the welfare and interest of the church, the Pastor, ministerial pastors and/or their delegate will seek to resolve the problem according to Matthew 18:15-20.

II.Church Business Meetings

  1. Church Meetings at Winslow Baptist
  1. The Church is both a spiritual body and a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of New Jersey. The Church is subject to the authority of Scripture in all matters and subject to the rules of duly constituted public authority (Romans 13:1-7).
  1. The church organization is to provide the mechanism for the orderly activity of the church body.
  2. Meetings of the members shall be held at Winslow Baptist Church in Sicklerville, NJ. The purpose of this meeting shall be to adopt an annual budget, election of officers, and any other proper business may be conducted at this meeting.
  1. The Annual Business Meeting of the members shall be held on the last Wednesday in March. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Pastor or by a recommendation from the Board of Deacons for any purpose by giving notice to the members.
  2. Whenever members are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting affecting the general business of the Church, notice shall be given to members no less than two (2) weeks prior to a meeting.
  1. Notification of membership meeting shall be given in any of the following manners, which shall be deemed to be a reasonable method of calling a membership meeting including:
  2. Distribution of written material to the congregation in attendance at a Sunday Service;
  3. Announcement to the congregation at a Sunday Service
  1. The quorum consists of those who attend the business meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called. At least one-third of the members shall constitute a quorum.
  1. Parliamentary Rules (i.e. Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised Edition) are adopted as the general form and method of all business meetings of the church that demand voting of the church members (and committee meetings as well).

B. The Moderation of Church Business Meetings

  1. All Business Meetings (regular or special) will be moderated (lead) by the Senior Pastor or someone whom he selects to preside at that time.
  1. In the absence of the Senior Pastor as moderator or someone he appoints, the chairman of deacons shall automatically preside over any Business Meetings (regular or special) of the church.
  2. In the absence of the Senior Pastor, an appointee, or the chairman of deacons, the church clerk shall automatically preside over any Business Meetings (regular or special) of the church.

III. CHURCH OFFICERS

A. PASTOR

  1. The qualifications for pastor shall be consistent with those listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. His training, skills, and experiences are needed in this area of leadership.
  1. His responsibilities:

a)These generally fall into the following areas: preaching, teaching, pastoral counseling, administration, planning, and guiding the church to grow and fulfill its purposes.

b)He shall lead the church, the organizations, and all leaders of the church in performing their tasks in worship, proclamation, education, and evangelism.

c)The Senior Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all church standing committees, except the Pastoral Selection Committee.

d)He shall secure reliable pulpit supply for times in his absence.

  1. Call:

a)A pastor shall be chosen and called whenever a vacancy occurs.

b)A Pastoral Selection Committee shall be appointed by the church to seek out a suitable pastor and this committee’s recommendation will serve as a nomination.

c)The Pastoral Selection Committee will recommend only one candidate at a time.

d)The pastor’s election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least two weeksofnotice shall be given to the members.

e)An affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the membership present is necessary for a choice.

  1. Terms of Service

a)The chosen pastor shall serve until the relationship is terminated by either his request or that of the church. In either case, at least sixty (60) days’ notice shall be given unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.

b)There shall be a written mutual contract/agreement made between the pastor and the church regarding compensation, paid leave, and other contractual benefits.

c)The contract/agreement is rendered voided in the case of dismissal due to moral failure, undisputable doctrinal deviation from the Constitution, and/or gross negligence. Upon the voiding of the contract/agreement, service and pay are immediately discontinued.

B. CHURCH STAFF

This church shall employ or call staff as it shall need.

  1. Staff members other than that of the pastor shall be recommended for employment by the Senior Pastoral Board, vetted through the Deacon Board, and then elected by the members of the church.
  1. A written job description and mutual contract/agreement will be prepared when the need for church staff is determined.

C. DEACONS

  1. Number, term of office

There shall be five qualified men serving as deacons for the first 100 resident members and one for each additional fifty of portion thereof (unless there is a clear determination to act differently). Deacons shall be elected for a term of service of three years.

2. Qualifications

a)A deacon must meet the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

b)A deacon shall demonstrate an exemplary Christian testimony in private, family, and public life; a committed ministry partner of the pastor; supporter and promoter of the church faith, practice, programs, and ministries.

3. Election,number, and term of office

a)A term of office shall be three years. The terms of office shall be so arranged that one-third of the Board is elected each year. A deacon may serve term after term as the Lord leads. The deacon is called just as the Pastor and ought to be able to continue his ministry as God directs.

b)The number of nominees shall be twice the number required for offices to be filled in so far as eligible candidates are available. Election shall be by majority of those eligible and voting.

c)In the case of a vacancy on the Board of Deacons, the Board shall have the authority to fill the unexpired term until the next annual meeting, at which time the church shall elect someone to fill the unexpired term.

4. Duties

a)Elect the chairman and secretary of their committee.

b)Serve in a ministry of encouragement and counsel for the pastor concerning the progress and welfare of the church.

c)Assist the pastor in ministering to the members by implementing a deacon ministry plan.

d)Seek to assist the pastor in reconciling any fellowship problems of the church.

e)Assist the pastor in administering the church ordinances.

f)Serve as the church membership committee.

g)In the absence of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons shall serve as an advisory member to all organizations, departments, and committees of the church.

D. TREASURER

  1. The church treasurer shall be elected for a two year term and be the custodian of all moneys of the church and shall be the primary disburser of these moneys as authorized by the church.
  2. He or she shall keep, at all times, an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements and shall render a monthly and annually written report of this account to the church.
  3. The treasurer’s report shall be audited annually by the financial committee.

E. FINANCIAL SECRETARY

  1. The church financial secretary shall be elected annually and shall be responsible for seeing that the offerings are properly received, counted, and deposited in the church’s bank account.
  2. He or she shall properly credit each contributor and their offerings.
  1. He or she shall be responsible for preparing for mailing an annual record of contribution to donors.

F. CLERK

  1. The church clerk shall be elected annually and be responsible for keeping an accurate record of all business meeting transactions of the church.
  1. He or she shall keep a register of the names and addresses of the church members, with dates of admission, baptism, dismissal, dedication of children, and deaths of members of the church family.
  1. He or she shall issue letters of dismissal voted by the church and write letters of transfer of membership, prepare written reports of the church, and keep an accurate history of the church.
  2. An assistant church clerk may be elected or the clerk’s responsibilities shall be delegated to a church administrator if and when the church can afford to employ one.

IV. The Election and Dismissal of Officers

  1. The election to office shall be conditioned upon: First, the candidate’s unequivocal reaffirmation of the Articles of Faith through the Board of Deacons. Second, the majority action by ballot of the voting members assembled.
  1. All new officers shall assume office on the first Sunday of April.
  1. No one person shall hold more than two offices simultaneously.
  1. At least one month before the annual business meeting, a ballot shall be distributed to the membership for the purpose of nominating members for church offices. The ballots shall be received at specifiedand publicly announced time and place.
  1. Any officer unable or unwilling to fulfill the duties of their office shall resign from office. If and when any officer shall refuse to subscribe annually to the Constitution and/orArticles of Faith, it shall be just cause for removal from office. The pastor will make the recommendation to dismiss with the assistance of the Deacon Board.

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