Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution and Bylaws

 

PREAMBLE: We the born-again members of this church do hereby establish and adopt the following articles as the constitution to which we and all subsequent members do voluntarily submit ourselves.

 

NAME: The name of this church which is located in Lyons, Georgia, shall be Landmark Baptist Church. Our business name shall be Landmark Baptist Church, Inc.

 

PURPOSE: This church is committed to the declaration of all the council of God (Acts 20:27) and to worship the triune God in spirit and in truth (In. 4:24) by continuing to steadfastly assemble ourselves together (Heb. 10:25) under the bylaws of this constitution which we believe to be according to the New Testament pattern (Matt. 16:18) in order that the lost might be evangelized (Matt. 28:18-20) the saved edified (Eph. 4:12) and the LORD exalted (Eph. 3:21).

 

MEMBERSHIP: Anyone professing faith in the Godman Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, giving evidence of a changed heart and declaring themselves in accord with the principles and practices of this assembly may become a candidate for membership. Be it resolved that membership in this assembly may be gained in three ways and may be lost in three ways.

 

Gaining Membership: We will add to our membership those who: 

 

  1. Profess faith in Christ and come for scriptural baptism.
  2. Come by letter from a church of like faith and order.
  3. Come by statement that they are saved and scripturally baptized but it is impossible or impractical to secure a letter.

 

Note: One coming by statement must be for a reason acceptable to this assembly and can by no means be accepted if scripturally disciplined from a sister church.

 

Losing Membership: We will delete from our membership those who: 

 

  1. Die and go to be with our Lord.
  2. Are dismissed by a letter of good standing to a Baptist church of like faith and order in another locality.
  3. Are disciplined for doctrinal or moral apostasy.

 

OFFICERS: This assembly, as organized under the bylaws of this constitution, may elect from its membership the following officers for the purpose of facilitating business activities, acquiring and holding real estate, and handling financial records and correspondence.

 

  1. Pastor: The Pastor is the ordained overseer and under-shepherd of the assembly. His qualifications are recorded in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:1-9. He shall act as moderator in the business meetings. In his absence any other brother may be appointed temporary moderator by a simple majority vote of the assembly.
  2.  Deacon: The deacons are officially recognized servants in the church (Acts 6:1-7 and I Tim. 3:8-10). They may be appointed as the need arises and publicly ordained to fulfill their office in caring for the outward needs of the Pastor and membership, the material interests and secular things of the church and to assist the spiritual unity and growth of the flock.
  3. Trustee: The church incorporated shall appoint trustees required by law to act on behalf of the assembly in legal matters. They do not have to be deacons, and they shall in no way have authority to dispose of property in any manner except as the church shall order by corporate act.
  4. Treasurer: The Treasurer is to receive all monies of the church, to keep a true and fair record of accounts and make a full report to the church as directed by the church.
  5. Clerk: The Clerk shall keep a fair and complete record of all proceedings, have charge of all records, keep a register of all members of the church and write letters of dismissal when called for.
  6. Other: Other officers may be elected as the church feels led of the Holy Spirit to do so, such as Sunday school teachers, etc.

 

Note: The office term of Pastor and Deacon shall be indefinite and all other subsequent officers shall be reviewed and radified annually. 

 

CHURCH COVENANT: Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

 

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

 

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportments; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

 

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.

 

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible, unite with some other church of like faith and order, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

 

GOVERNMENT AND OPERATION: Though not bound by iron clad parliamentary law, all business meetings whether routine or special shall be conducted decently and in order with Christian love and courtesy (I Corinthians 14:40).

 

  1. Regular Meetings: The regular meetings of the church will be sufficient for both purpose of worship and business. The man is to fill the spot of leadership in the public assembly, the woman being subject to the man according to divine order (Eph. 5:23-24; Gen. 3:16). It is therefore the responsibility of the man and not the woman to do the praying, preaching, and speaking in the assembly (I Cor. 14:34-35; I Tim. 2:11-14). The symbol displayed by a woman in Godly submission to her head is a head-covering which is worn voluntarily symbolizing her subjection (I Cor. 11 :3-16).
  2. Special Meetings: One special meeting must be held by the church (Incorporated) annually for the purpose of electing and verifying her legal trustees. Public notice must be given at the Lord’s Day worship service at least one week prior to a special meeting stating its purpose. A special meeting must be called by the assembly for the amending of this constitution or for the calling or dismissing of a Pastor.
  3. Procedure of Business: The suggested guideline for all business meetings is as follows:
    1. Call to order by the moderator.
    2. Minutes of the last meeting to be read, corrected or approved as read
    1. Financial report read, corrected or approved.
    2. Unfinished business.
    3. Correspondence.
    4. New Business.
    5. Adjourn.

 

RULES OF DECORUM:

 

  1. Prayer is always in order prior to the moderators call to order and he decides on all votes and all rules of order.
  2. No question shall be discussed without a motion and a second.
  3. No one is to speak unless recognized by the moderator and only members may vote but not by proxy.
  4. Any male member may stand and when recognized by the moderator may submit his question or motion.
  5. When two members arise to speak at the same time, preference shall be given the one farthest from the moderator.
  6. If any member does not understand a proposition to be voted on, any male member may ask a question for clarification at any time.
  7. All remarks must be confined in a Christian manner to the matter at hand or be rules out of order.
  8. The majority of the votes settles all questions.
  9. To reconsider a motion that has passed, someone who voted for it must make the motion to reconsider.
  10. A motion and second to adjourn is not debatable and is always in order except when someone is speaking or a vote is being taken.
  11. No business meeting shall be held when the pastor is absent, un-less prior arrangements have been made with the consent of the Pastor. This includes regular business meetings as well as any special business meetings.

 

FINANCES: Both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach tithing as God’s financial plan for the work of the ministry. Therefore, we shall depend solely upon Him, and wait upon the faithfulness of the saints for the financial support of this church in the God ordained manner (Gen. 14:20,28:22; Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:21; Duet. 12:6; II Chr. 31:5; Mal. 3:10; Luke 21:1-4; Acts 4:34-35; II Cor. 8:2,
9:6-8; I Cor. 16:2).