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Sturgeon Baptist Church
BYLAWS
Last Amended Date
6-11-2023
This Official Copy shall supersede all previous copies and Versions
ARTICLE I - MEETINGS
Rules of Order and Conduct of Business:
Section 1:
This church shall hold at least two (2) worship meetings on Sunday and one (1) meeting during the week for worship, teaching, training, and fellowship.
Section 2:
Sunday school and other meetings of the church whole or of authorized groups within the church may be set according to the needs of the congregation.
Section 3:
The church shall hold regular business meetings as hereinafter set forth in these bylaws, for the disposition of all business matters not otherwise provided for, to hear reports from the various church organizations and to consider other matters essential to the spiritual welfare and prosperity of the congregation.
Section 4:
Church business shall be conducted with a quorum of no less than ten (10) plus 10% of the net gain for the year as listed on the year's annual report to the Association and shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order. Only members of Sturgeon Baptist Church shall participate in church voting. Voting in all regular business meetings may be done by a show of hands, voice, or a secret ballot.
A. Procedure in Business Meeting
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Meeting must open with prayer
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Election, if necessary, of a pro-tem moderator and/or pro-tem clerk
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Reading, correction, if necessary, and vote of minutes of previous business meetings
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Reports and disposition of "Old Business" as referred to in minutes
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Treasurer's report and motion, second, discussion, and vote
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Reports of church organizations and committees, motion, second, discussion, and vote
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Vote on letters of transfer or dismissal
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Vote on new member candidates
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New business
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Motion for adjournment, does not require second or vote if called by moderator
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Close with Prayer
B. Jurisdiction of Moderator
The moderator shall be authorized and responsible for the proper conduct of the business meeting
according to the rules set forth in the Church bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order. The moderator shall be responsible, with the clerk, for keeping a clear record of the motions before the church and the vote upon them. It shall be the duty of the moderator to do his utmost to insure the conduct of matters in Christian spirit.
C. Designation of Moderator
ln the absence of the moderator, the Chairman of the Deacons shall act as moderator unless an assistant has been elected, annually. Moderator succession is as follows:
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Full-time, permanent, Pastor
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Chairman of Deacons
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Secretary of Deacons
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Treasurer of Deacons
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D. Making Motions, Seconding Motions, and Speaking to Motions
When a member desires to make a motion, second, or speak to a motion, he shall raise his hand and address the moderator. He shall not speak until recognized by the moderator.
E. Right to the Floor
No member, unless a request is made of the Church and granted, shall be permitted to speak upon any one matter more than three (3) times. If a member desires to make a statement on a matter or draw out a question, he must make his statements directly to the moderator. If at any time a member conducts himself in a manner that interferes with a true Christian spirit among the members present or that interrupts the conduct of the business meeting in a decent and orderly fashion, he shall be warned by the moderator that repetition of such conduct will make it necessary to forfeit his right to speak again in the business meeting. A second warning shall be sufficient to automatically invoke the rule of forfeiture. A member who cannot control his or her temper or personal feelings of prejudice or malice is not worthy of a voice in the business being conducted in the House of God. A continuation of unchristian conduct by a member who has been warned twice shall necessitate his being asked to leave the meeting. If he or she refuses to quiet himself or leave and his actions make it impossible to continue the meeting in a proper spirit, it shall be the right of the moderator to adjourn the meeting without a vote to a later date.
Section 5:
Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor, Chairman of Deacons, or by the succession of order, Secretary of Deacons, Treasurer of Deacons, on Sunday for the following Wednesday evening or Sunday morning, for which the purpose must be announced for matters of such weight as may be deemed appropriate. Only this purpose will be discussed and voted on in special business meetings.
Section 6:
Revival or any other church meetings which will be essential in the promotion of the Christian objectives of the church may be scheduled.
Section 7:
For valid reasons any scheduled meeting of the congregation may be postponed, time and date changed or cancelled by the Pastor or the Chairman of Deacons or by the succession of order, Secretory of Deacons, Treasurer of Deacons provided a public notice is given as promptly as practical.
ARTICLE II - LEADERS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
The leaders of this church shall be as follows:
Section 1: Pastor
The Pastor, who by divine calling, religious education, training, or experience is a man blameless, the husband of one wife, not divorced or married to a woman who has been divorced and meets all other scriptural qualifications (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1). The Pastor is called and elected by the church. He will be the manager of activities for all church paid personnel, excluding himself. The Pastor, by virtue of the office, is an ex-officio member of every organization and committee of the church and as such should take an interest in every phase of the work approved and appointed by the church. Other duties shall be as the Lord leads. The Pastor does not have a regular eight-hour workday. Hours are flexible, and as the Pastor, it is necessary to work whenever and however the need arises. Sundays require various hours, and a Pastor should spend whatever time is required to get his job done.​​​​
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Section 2: Deacons
Deacons are to assist the Pastor and serve the membership of the church. Since the term "board" implies controlling or ruling authority, the Deacons shall be known as the "Deacons of Sturgeon Baptist Church". This position is one of such high honor and tremendous spiritual responsibility that we wish to be careful that nothing shall convey the wrong impression of this sacred position or the duties of those set aside for it. When a properly ordained Deacon has been set aside for active duty in our Church, he shall hold the position until his death, change in membership, inactive status by his own request (must be presented in writing to the church) or dismissal from membership as provided in Matthew 18. By proper organization and method among themselves, they are to establish and maintain personal fraternal relations with, and inspiring oversight of all the membership of the church. Especially they are to seek to know the physical needs and the moral and spiritual struggles of the brethren; and to serve the whole church in relieving, encouraging, and developing all who are in need. The Deacons shall be selected by vote of the church at any monthly business meeting. They shall be expected to meet requirements of the Scriptures and must be schooled in the doctrines, policy of the Baptist Faith and Message in the program of the local church. Their wives must agree on all matters with them and shall be members of this church. No member may be ordained as a Deacon who has been divorced or married to a woman who has been divorced. After proper schooling by the Pastor or Chairman of Deacons, they shall be ordained in a public service to which Pastors and Deacons of other Baptist Churches have been invited.
Section 3: Trustees
The Trustees shall be in charge of the upkeep of the building and equipment of the Church. The Trustees shall consist of at least one Deacon and two (2) other church members elected by the church at the discretion of the Church. In keeping with the law of this state, only the Trustees shall have the authority to act in legal matters on behalf of the Church and only after instruction by the church in a business session. The Trustees shall hold a three (3) year term and shall rotate their terms.
Section 4: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be in charge of the receiving, banking, and disbursement of all Church funds. S/He shall keep a good set of books and give a comprehensive report of the Church finances at the monthly business meeting and shall be responsible for the annual financial report to the applicable association. S/He shall be able to give an itemized report of disbursements when necessary or requested. The books shall be open to inspection by Deacons at a meeting of that group or to the Church at any of its regular business meetings. No individual member shall have the right to inspect the books without the consent of the Church. The books shall never leave the possession of the Treasurer except upon instructions from the Church.
Section 5: Clerk
The Clerk shall be responsible for keeping a neat record of all business meetings, reception and dismissal of members, and special events. S/He shall be responsible for keeping an accurate record of membership, baptism, and other general information for the applicable association each year. It shall be her/his responsibility to see that other information on this report is secured and sent to the Associational Clerk, after approval by the church.
ARTICLE III - COMMITTEES
Section 1: Building and Grounds Committee
The Building and Grounds Committee shall assist the Trustees in matters of the building, equipment, and grounds; including but not limited to contracting for yard mowing and Snow removal, etc. They shall consist of the Trustees and two (2) At-Large members. The At-Large members will have a term of one year.
Section 2: Budget and Finance Committee
The Budget and Finance Committee shall be elected annually and shall consist of at least one (1) Deacon and two (2) additional Church members. They shall prepare the annual budget for report at the annual Church business meeting and shall monitor expenditures for the year. The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the Budget and Finance Committee.
Section 3: Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee will assist the Church in matters related to all employed personnel and administration. Its work includes determining staff needs, interview applicants, employment, grievances, salaries, benefits, and personnel services. The Personnel Committee will be the administrator for all church paid personnel. The Personnel Committee will review personnel policies and recommend revisions and support in creating job descriptions, as necessary. The Personnel Committee will consist of five (5) people, including at least one (1) Deacon and serve a three (3) year rotation term. The Personnel Committee annually will complete a performance evaluation of the Pastor. Obtain and review available comparative compensation studies of paid employees. Coordinate with Pastor, Deacons, and Church Council to develop annual personnel budget recommended by the Budget and Finance Committee. The Personnel Committee will bring candidates to a scheduled or special business meeting for vote by the Church (majority vote required). The Personnel Committee will serve as grievance committee for staff once the objector has met Matthew 18:15-19 and Timothy 5:19.
Section 4: Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee will consist of five (5) members and the Pastor. They will be elected by the Church body at the first business meeting of the year and serve for one (1) year. They shall present to the church in the June business meeting the list of church workers for the new church year. They shall also bring recommendations during the year should a vacancy occur. The chairman shall be elected by the church.
Section 5: Church Council
The Church Council shall consist of all department leaders, two (2) members at large from the congregation, and the Pastor. They shall help plan and coordinate church activities and ministries. The Chairman of Deacons will serve as the Chairman. The Church Clerk will serve as the Clerk of the Church Council. They shall meet regularly. All recommendations from the Church Council are subject to church approval at scheduled or special called business meetings.
Section 6: Special Committees
Special Committees are created for a single purpose for a specific length of time as deemed necessary by the church. Creation and terms of the special committee are voted on by the church at a regularly scheduled business meeting.
Section 7: Committee Reporting
Standing and special committees are self-governing in aspects of meeting frequency, time, and location, but are responsible for reporting to the Church Council at regularly scheduled meetings.
ARTICLE IV - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS​
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Section 1: Annual Election
The annual election Shall be the annual election of leaders, workers, and standing committees at the June business meeting, with duties beginning in July and continue through June 30.
Section 2: Paid Permanent Pastor/Associate Pastor
The Pastor/Associate Pastor shall be called by the Church after prayerful consideration and his term of office shall be indefinite. The Pastor/Associate Pastor is encouraged to give at least two (2) weeks notice of his desire to resign. Should serious objections arise concerning an employee's performance of duties and after the objector has met the qualifications of Matthew 18:15-19 and 1Timothy 5:19, he and witnesses should bring the matter to the next scheduled or special called business meeting. A vote shall be taken by ballot to retain the employee in his present capacity or terminate the employee. There must be a simple majority of votes in favor of any termination. In case of dismissal, the Pastor/Associate Pastor shall receive thirty (30) days severance pay and use of the parsonage for thirty (30) days.
Section 3: Paid Interim Pastor/Interim Associate Pastor
The Interim Pastor/Interim Associate Pastor shall be called by the Church after prayerful consideration and his term of office shall be per the Interim Pastor/Interim Associate Pastor signed agreement.
ARTICLE V - AMENDING BYLAWS
Section 1:
Amending the bylaws shall be by the vote of the congregation after meeting the following criteria:
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Announcement made from the pulpit four (4) consecutive Sundays by either the Pastor, Chairman of Deacons, or by the succession of order, Secretary of Deacons, Treasurer of Deacons.
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Vote in the regular business meeting and approval by seventy-five (75) percent of the members present.
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Section 2:
The foregoing bylaws shall be construed to be a repeal of all prior Articles, Rules of Decorum, and Order of Business. These bylaws shall become operative upon adoption by the Church.
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