Emmanuel Baptist Church
CONSTITUTION
Preamble
This constitution is established to preserve the principles of our faith and to govern our
Church in an orderly manner.
Approved September 16, 2007
Amended January 17,2010
ARTICLE I Name
Approve Sept 16,2007
This body of believers is known as
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Purcell, McClain County, Oklahoma
Amended 1-17-10
ARTICLE II Our Mission
Show God’s Love
Honor Our Savior
Introduce Other to Jesus
Nurture our Faith
Encourage One Another
ARTICLE III Statement of Beliefs
By Faith, we accept the Bible as the inspired word of God. We embrace the doctrinal
statements of “The Baptist Faith & Message” adopted by the Southern Baptist
Convention in 2000.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I Membership
SECTION ONE: Membership
The Church determines requirements for membership based on the Bible and has
exclusive rights to decide such membership.
SECTION TWO: Receiving Members
1. Members are received in a variety of ways:
A. By a public profession of faith in Jesus as personal Savior and baptism by immersion.
B. By transfer of membership from another Southern Baptist Church.
C. By statement of a previous membership in another Southern Baptist Church.
D. By statement of a previous experience of salvation and “Believer’s Baptism”.
2. A majority vote of Church members present and voting is required to receive members.
B. Acceptance of members any occur in regular scheduled business
sessions or in any stated worship service.
C. The deacons will follow up with anyone not received as a member.
SECTION THREE: Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated in a variety of ways:
1. By death
2. By transfer of membership to another Baptist Church
3. By joining a church of another faith
4. By written request for termination
5. By dismissal for cause which affects the fellowship and witness of the church.
(The Pastor and deacons will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem. If
there is no restoration, then a two-thirds vote of members present and voting is required
for termination.)
SECTION FOUR: Restoration of Membership
The deacons make a recommendation for this restoration. A two-thirds vote of
the members present and voting during and regular and scheduled business session is
required for restoration of membership.
ARTICLE II Church Officers
SECTION ONE: Pastor
1. Qualifications:
The candidate for Pastor shall be a man never divorced and who meets
the other Scriptural qualifications as outlined in 1st Timothy Chapter 3, verses 1-7.
2. Responsibilities:
The Pastor shall oversee the fullness of the ministerial task, which includes preaching,
administration, pastoral care, theologian, evangelist, teacher and worship leader. The Pastor shall
look to the person and work of Jesus Christ to determine the nature and function of the ministry
and subscribe to the statement of beliefs and work within the bylaws and established policies an
this Church.
3. Relationships:
A. The Pastor shall give direction to the ministerial staff.
B. The Pastor shall work with the deacons in overseeing the servant ministry of the church.
C. The Pastor shall work with Administrative Team in conjunction with
church-elected committees in bringing recommendations to the Church.
4. The office of the pastor may be declared vacant in the following ways:
A. By resignation:
The pastor may resign his office by giving proper notice to the Church.
B. By termination:
Such an action shall take place during a special call business session
1. The Chairman of the deacons shall announce this special call business session at least one
prior to the session.
2. This special called business session shall be called specifically concerning the pastor’s
termination.
3. This special called business session may be called by recommendation of a majority of
the Administrative Team and deacons or by a written petition signed by not less than
50 percent of the resident Church membership.
i. The moderator for this special called business session
shall be elected by the members present by majority
vote and shall be someone other than the pastor.
ii. The vote to terminate the pastor shall be by paper
ballot. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
members present and voting is necessary for termination.
iii. Upon an affirmative vote to terminate, the Church will
compensate the pastor with not more than one-twelth
of his total annual compensation.
iv. If so affirmed, the termination shall be immediate and
the compensation shall be rendered in not more than
thirty days.
5. Calling a Pastor:
(When this need occurs, the following procedure shall be used.)
A. The chairman of the deacons will announce a special called business session
to be held the Sunday night following the Pastor’s last Sunday. This special
called business session is called specifically to elect a Pastor Search
Committee.
B. During the special called business session:
1. Through the leadership of the chairman of the deacons, a moderator
will be elected.
2. The chairman of the Administrative Team will make a motion to elect a
five-member Pastor Search Committee with two alternates.
a. The Pastor Search Committee and two alternates will be
selected from the adult membership of the Church.
b. The Pastor Search Committee and two alternates shall have
been members of Emmanuel Baptist Church for at least two
years and been faithful in attendance.
c. The Pastor Search Committee and two alternates shall be
elected by majority vote of the members present and voting by
paper ballot.
C. During the process of searching for a pastor:
1. The Deacons will be responsible for pulpit supply before an interim pastor is elected.
2. The Administrative Team will be responsible for presenting an interim pastor for Church
approval. This approval must be given during a regular monthly business session or special
called business session. This approval will be by a majority vote of members present and
voting.
3. The Pastor Search Committee shall bring before the members in a
special called business session, consideration of one pastoral candidate:
a. The committee’s recommendation will constitute a nomination.
b. The affirmative vote, by paper ballot, of seventy-five percent of the
members present and voting will be necessary for the calling of a
pastor.
c. The Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee shall inform the
candidate as soon as possible of the Church’s vote and , if the vote was
affirmative, ask for the candidate’s acceptance or non-acceptance of
the call within one week from extending the call.
SECTION TWO: Ministerial Staff
1. When this need occurs, the following procedure shall be used:
A. A job description shall be written and/or revised by the Administrative Team.
B. A Search Committee shall be elected during a regular monthly business
session or during a special called business session.
C. The Search Committee shall bring before the members, in a special called
business session, consideration of one candidate.
1. The committee’s recommendation will constitute a nomination.
2. The affirmative vote, by paper ballot of seventy-five
percent of members present and voting will be necessary for the calling
of the ministerial staff candidate.
3. The Church may vote to vacate such positions upon recommendation of the
Administrative Team.
a. Such termination being immediate.
b. Compensation conditions will be the same as the pastor, except that the amount
shall relate to the individual’s compensation.
SECTION THREE: Deacon
1. Qualifications:
The Church shall nominate and elect all potential candidates for the office of
Deacon. All candidates eligible for consideration shall be men who have
never divorced and who meet the other Scriptural qualifications as outlined in
1st Timothy chapter 3, verses 8-13. These nominations and elections shall be
by paper ballot at special called business meetings. Selected nominees and
their qualifications shall be posted for the church body to review. All
candidates, including Deacons who have united with Emmanuel Baptist
Church from other Southern Baptist churches, shall have been members of
Emmanuel Baptist Church for at least 2 tears in order to be considered.
2. Duties:
The office of Deacon shall be understood to be that as servants of the Church
body. The Deacon body is ordained by this Church to provide assistance,
leadership, guidance and counsel to the Pastor and the Church staff in the
affairs of the Church. Deacons shall lead the Church in achieving its mission,
proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers, and caring for the
church’s members and other persons in the community.
3. Term of Office:
The Deacon Body and the Pastor shall determine the need for and make
recommendations to the church membership for approval of additional
Deacons. Deacons are elected for a lifetime of service. However, if practical, a
rotation basis for active participation may be utilized, depending upon the
size of the Church body and varying circumstances, i.e., death, incapacity to
serve, removal from service, or sickness could constitute such need for
rotation. The Deacon Body shall decide and act upon any method necessary
to establish a rotation basis for service.
SECTION FOUR: Support Staff
1. Support staff members shall be employed as the Church determines the need.
2. The Administrative Team, with a recommendation of the supervising person
and support of the Deacon Body, shall have the authority to employ and
terminate the services of support staff members.
SECTION FIVE: Moderator
The moderator shall be elected by the church and shall be an active member
possessing the necessary skills and familiarity with parliamentary procedures according
to Robert’s Rules of Order.
SECTION SIX: Financial Officers
1. Treasurer
a. A Treasurer, from the Church membership, shall be recommended by
the Administrative Team to assist with matters concerning the
Church’s finances.
b. Approval of this recommendation must be given during a regular
monthly business session or a special called business session. This
approval will be by a majority vote of members present and voting.
c. The treasurer is responsible for financial reports, record keeping,
disbursements, and deposits.
2. Check Signers
a. Four check signers from the Church membership, shall be
recommended by the Administrative Team. Two signatures will be
required on each check over $200.00.
SECTION SEVEN: Clerk
1. A clerk, from the Church membership, shall be recommended by the
Administrative Team as the Church’s clerical officer.
2. Approval of this recommendation must be given during a regular monthly
business session or a special called business session. This approval will be by
a majority vote of members present and voting.
3. The clerk shall:
a. Keep records of all official actions of the Church.
b. Keep a register of names of members with dates of:
i. Admission
ii. Demission
iii. Death
iv. Erasure
v. Baptisms
c. Issue letters of demission voted by the Church.
d. Prepare the “Annual Church Profile”.
SECTION EIGHT: Trustees
1. Three trustees from the Church membership shall be recommended by the
Administrative Team to serve as legal officers of the Church.
2. Approval of this recommendation must be given during a regular monthly
business session or a special called business session. This approval will be by
a majority vote of members present and voting.
3. The trustees hold in trust the church property.
a. Upon a specific vote of the Church authorizing each action, they shall
have the power to buy, sell mortgage, lease, or transfer any Church
property.
b. When the signatures of trustees are required, each trustee shall sign
legal documents related to church approval matters.
4. Trustees shall serve on a rotating basis with one new trustee being elected
every 3 years.
ARTICLE III Licensing and Ordination
SECTION ONE: Licensing
The Pastor shall recommend to the Deacon Body those persons who have shown
evidence of being called to the ministry. The Deacons, after examination, shall
recommend candidates to the Church for vote at a special called business meeting.
SECTION TWO: Ordination
The Pastor and Deacons shall recommend ordination of those called to the
ministry who are presently serving in a local church ministry or elected to the Deacon
Body. If the Church approves, then the Pastor will set a date for ordination and organize
the process.
ARTICLE IV Ordinances
The ordinances of Emmanuel Baptist Church are:
1. Believer’s Baptism
a. Baptism is by immersion in water.
b. Baptism may be performed by any Ordained or Licensed person approved by the Church.
c. Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the Church.
d. A person who professes Christ and is not baptized after a reasonable length of time shall be
counseled buy the pastor and /or staff or deacons.
2. The Lord’s Supper.
a. The Lord’s Supper will be observed when scheduled by the Pastor or Deacon body.
ARTICLE V Church Meetings
SECTION ONE: Recognized Meetings
1. Sunday morning worship.
2. Sunday evening worship
3. Mid-week prayer meeting.
4. Revivals
5. Other special services as warranted and placed on the Church calendar.
6. Quarterly called business meetings. (approved Jan 17, 2010)
7. Special called business meetings.
SECTION TWO: Procedures for meetings
1. All services except business meetings shall be for the sole purpose of worshiping Almighty God.
2. Business meetings shall be conducted in a reverent manner and for the sole purpose of
conducting the Church’s business.
3. The moderator shall conduct business meetings using guidelines of Parliamentary Procedure set
forth by “Robert’s Rules of Order”.
4. Unless otherwise stated by prior order of these bylaws, all votes shall be determined by a simple
majority of members voting. (simple majority being 50% plus 1).
ARTICLE VI Committees
SECTION ONE: Number of Committees
1. Committees necessary for effective ministry shall be recommended by the
Administrative Team.
2. Approval of this recommendation must be given during a regular monthly
business session or a special called business session. This approval will be by
a majority vote of members present and voting.
SECTION TWO: Standing Committees
1. Standing Committee members shall be recommended by the Administrative Team.
2. Approval of this recommendation must be given during a regular monthly
business session or a special call business session. This approval will be by a
majority vote of members present and voting.
3. Standing Committee responsibilities shall be reviewed and revised (if needed)
each year by the Administrative Team.
4. All Standing Committee members must be members of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
5. Acknowledged Standing Committees and duties:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
a. The Administrative Team coordinates the staffing of all Church leadership
positions filled by volunteer workers, unless otherwise specified herein.
Persons considered for any such positions shall first be approved by the
Administrative Team before they are approached for recruitment. The
Administrative Team shall present to the church for election all that
accept the invitation to serve.
b. The Administrative Team assists the Church in matters related to
employed personnel administration, including those called by Church
action. Their work includes such areas as determining staff needs,
employment, salaries, benefits, other compensation, policies, job
descriptions, and personnel services.
c. The Administrative Team develops and recommends an overall
stewardship development plan, a unified Church budget subscription
plans. The Administrative Team advises and recommends in the
administration of the gifts of Church members and others, using sound
principles of financial management. It works with the treasurer in the
preparation and presentation to the Church of required reports regarding
the financial affairs of the Church.
d. The Administrative Team shall determine what should be included in the
constitution and bylaws and formulate revisions for Church approval as necessary.
B. BUILDING/GROUNDS/TRANSPORTATION
a. This committee assists the Church in matters related to properties
administration, including new construction and remodeling projects.
This work includes such areas as maintaining all church properties for
ready use and recommending policies regarding use of properties.
b. This committee is responsible for the general upkeep and beautification of
the Church grounds. The committee will also submit a yearly budget to
the Administrative Team and make recommendations to the
Administrative Team concerning the grounds supervisor.
c. This committee is responsible for maintaining all Church vehicles to help
keep vehicles as safe and economical to run as possible. The committee
will make recommendations for replacement of church vehicles as needed
and will submit an annual budget to the Administrative Team.
C. MISSIONS
The missions committee seeks to discover possibilities for local mission projects,
shares findings with Church program organizations, and serves the Church in
establishing and conducting such mission’s projects as may be assigned to it.
D. CHILDCARE
The childcare committee is responsible for finding and scheduling nursery
workers for all Church services and special events. The committee will submit an
annual budget to the Administrative Team for nursery supplies and consumables.
E. HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
1. This committee is responsible for securing and coordinating food and
workers for funeral dinners that are served at Emmanuel Baptist Church or
other locally designated places for church family members. The committee
will submit an annual budget to the Administrative Team for supplies and to
purchase food when needed.
2. This committee is responsible for arranging for flowers to be sent to funerals
of immediate family members of Emmanuel Baptist Church members. The
committee will submit an annual budget to the Administrative Team.
3. This committee is responsible for the stocking and upkeep of the kitchen area.
4. The committee also is responsible for the scheduling and use of the kitchen,
its appliances and fellowship hall. The committee will also secure donations
for the fellowship hall, Church foyer and pulpit area. The committee will
submit an annual budget to the Administrative Team for food, supplies and
decorations.
5. This committee will prepare and revise advertisements, locate sites for
informational and directional signs and will submit an annual budget to the
Administrative Team.
SECTION THREE: Special Committees
1. The Church may during any monthly business session or a special called
business session elect special committees to do God’s work as needed by a
majority vote to those present and voting
2. Special Committees shall consist of four church members.
SECTION FOUR: Membership
1. Each committee will consist of four members except the Administrative Team
which will have five members.
2. Member rotation
a. Each member will serve a three-year term.
b. Each year the two senior members will rotate off.
c. Members rotating off must vacate the committee at least one year
before they are eligible to serve again.
3. Member rotation for the Administrative Team
a. The term of office for members of the Administrative Team shall be
three years, except that the term of office for the members of the first
Administrative Team shall be as follows:
1. Two members for one year
2. Two members for two years
3. One member for three years
Thereafter those elected will serve a three-year term.
b. Members rotating off must vacate the Administrative Team at least
one year before they are eligible to serve again.
ARTICLE VII
Changes in the constitution and bylaws may be made at any regular business meeting of
the Church provided each amendment shall have be presented in writing at a previous
business meeting and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to
each member present at the earlier meeting. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws
shall require a two-thirds majority vote of Church members present and voting.
Proposed Change to Constitution
Presented: December 13, 2009
Vote: January 17,2009
Old Wording:
Article V Church Meetings
SECTION ONE: Recognized Meetings
1. Sunday morning worship
2. Sunday evening worship
3. Mid-week prayer meeting.
4. Revivals
5. Other special services as warranted and placed on the Church calendar.
6. Monthly call business meetings.
7. Special called business meetings.
Proposed Wording:
Article V Church Meetings
SECTION ONE: Recognized Meetings
1. Sunday morning worship
2. Sunday evening worship
3. Mid-week prayer meeting
4. Revivals
5. Other special services as warranted and placed on the Church calendar.
6. Quarterly called business meetings.
7. Special called business meetings.
ARTICLE V
The Membership Covenant of Emmanuel Baptist Church
Having been led as we believe, by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now with gravity and gladness commit ourselves to God and to the other members to do the following:
We will draw near to God in worship, delight in the glory of God, depend on the presence of God, grow in the knowledge of God, and submit to the Word of God as the all-sufficient authority in our lives and in His Church;
We will work and pray for the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace;
We will walk together in brotherly love, encourage one another with our speech, and humbly and gently confront one another and receive correction from one another as occasion may require;
We will meet with one another consistently, pray for one another regularly, serve one another selflessly, and spur one another on towards love and good deeds;
We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows;
We will seek divine aid to empower us to walk carefully and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust;
We will endeavor to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;
We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry and the spread of the Gospel through all nations;
We will endeavor by example and effort to win souls to Christ;
We will submit the leadership of pastors who have been entrusted by God to serve and care for this body by teaching the Word of God to us and modeling the character of Christ before us, and we will affirm deacons as leading servants in the church.
We will, when we move from this place, 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 Word.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen
Presented 10-16-2011
Approved 11-27-2011
ARTICLE VI Marriage
“We believe that term ‘marriage’ has only one meaning and that is marriage sanctioned by God which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture.
“We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to each other. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
“We believe that any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pornography or any attempt to change one’s sex, or disagreement with one’s biological sex, is sinful and offensive to God.
“We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of the church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the church members and the community, it its imperative that all persons employed by the church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, should abide by and agree to this Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and conduct themselves accordingly.
“We believe that god offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
“We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with scripture nor the doctrines of the church.”
First reading April 28, 2013
Approved July 21, 2013
Article V presented 10-16-2011
Approved 11-27-2011
Article VI presented 4-28-2013
Approved 7-21-2013