CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS OF THE
FELLOWSHIP FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH, INC.
PARK HILLS, MISSOURI
ARTICLE 1: Name and Purpose
This Church shall be known as the Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church. The purpose shall be to
preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by means of the pulpit, personal contact, Bible Study,
Sunday Schools, Radio Broadcasting, the printed page and other methods and means which are
Scriptural. To labor for the promotion of the Denomination and its enterprises, the support of
missions, the fellowship and perfecting of the saints and the salvation of the lost.
ARTICLE 2: Affiliation
This Church may, at its option, unite for fellowship with other bodies of like faith. It is understood
that this Church in. its highest authority and the only superiority such bodies, to which this Church
may affiliate, may exercise over this Church is to determine if this Church may be a member of said
body.
ARTICLE 3: Doctrine
This Church accepts the Articles of Faith as set forth in the Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the
Original Free Will Baptist.
ARTICLE 4: Covenant
This Church has accepted and adopted the Church Covenant as set forth in the Treatise of the Faith
and Practices of its Original Free Will Baptist.
ARTICLE 5: Ordinances
Section 1.
Baptism. Baptism by immersion of believers in Christ is recognized as a Scriptural
Section 2.
The Lord's Supper . The Lord's Supper shall be administered on the first Sunday
of each Quarter and as provided for in Section 3.
Section 3.
Washing of the Saint's Feet. The Washing of the Saint's Feet shall be practiced
two times a year together with the Lord's Supper, at a time to be determined by the
Pastor and Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE 6: Membership
Section 1.
General Provisions. A person presenting himself for membership must give
evidence of Scriptural salvation in his life and a willingness to accept the
Doctrine, Covenant and Ordinances of this Church as set forth in Articles 3, 4
and 5.
Section 2.
Admission of Members. A person presenting himself for membership shall be
placed under the Watch Care of the Church. They shall be contacted by the Board
of Deacons to see if they comply to Article 6, Section 1 of the Constitution and ByLaws. If the person meets the qualifications for membership, they shall be received
into the Church by a vote of the congregation. Methods of admission shall be as
follows:
A. Baptism. A person meeting the requirements in Section 1 may be
received as a candidate for baptism. Upon baptism he shall
automatically enjoy the full fellowship as a member of the Church.
B. Letter. Persons may be received into the Church upon the presentation of a
letter from other Evangelical Churches and evidence of baptism by immersion.
If an unfavorable letter is received, it shall be referred to the Pastor and Board
of Deacons for study and recommendation.
C. Statement. Any person baptized by Immersion may be received into the Church
upon his/her statement of experience and faith in Christ, as Saviour.
D. Restoration. Any former member whose conduct has caused the termination of
his membership, may, upon evidence of restoration and repentance, be restored
to full fellowship by vote of the congregation.
Section 3.
Dismissal of Members.
A. Letter.
1. To Churches. Letters will be granted to other Evangelical Churches upon
proper application. The letter must state the member's active or inactive
status in our Church.
2. To Individuals. We will grant letters of recommendation and
commendation on behalf of individuals to other Evangelical Churches;
and upon a written request we will grant a letter of dismissal to an
individual.
3. Order. These letters may be granted by the Church in any regular
service or business meeting of the Church.
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Section 4.
Discipline of Members. All matters of discipline shall be referred to the Board
of Deacons and they shall proceed according to Matthew 18:15-17. After their
study and investigation of the matter they may recommend to the Church such
action as they deem wise and proper. The vote of the Church shall be final.
Section 5.
Duties of Members. The duties of members are set forth in the Church
Covenant. It shall be the duty of each member to notify the Church of any
change of address or any change of status due to marriage.
Section 6.
Inactive Membership Roll. Those members who do not attend any of the
Church Services for six (6) successive months without a reason deemed
justifiable by the Board of Deacons shall be placed on an Inactive Membership
Roll. Such members do not have a voice or vote in the Church until they are
restored to full fellowship as provided for in Article 6, Section 7 below. This
shall be done only after said members have been visited and dealt with, when
possible, by the Board of Deacons.
Section 7.
Restoration. Any person who has been placed on the Inactive Membership
Roll, may, upon proper explanation, be restored to full fellowship by
recommendation of the Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE 7: Officers
Section 1.
General Officers. The general officers of this Church are the Pastor, Clerk,
Treasurer, Deacons, Trustees, Ushers, Sunday School Superintendent & Church
Training Service Director.
Section 2.
Other Officers. These officers are Department Sunday School
Superintendents, Sunday School Secretary, Sunday School Teachers, Church
Training Service Secretary, Church Training Service Sponsors, Choir Director,
Organist, Pianist and other officers which this Church may deem necessary.
Section 3
A.
Duties. The officers and boards of this Church shall be subject to this Church,
and shall be expected to perform the duties demanded of them in their respective
offices, and shall at all times work in harmony and co-operation with the Pastor,
and in and for the best interest of the Church. Failure to do so will constitute
sufficient reason for dismissal of any officer from office or disbanding of
any board or organization.
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Section 4.
B.
Qualifications of all Officers. All officers of the Church, Sunday School
and Church Training Service should be consistent tithers, active
members and regular attendees of the Services and other programs of
the Church. They should be in agreement with the church covenant.
Because the world judges them, their church, and the Lord Jesus by
their actions, each officer should maintain a good Christian testimony
and abstain from all sinful amusements, and unholy conformity to the
world. Each officer should practice Bible separation and standards in
their language, dress, and places they attend.
C.
Assistant Officers. Assistant officers may be elected for any office when
and where needed.
Pastor.
A. Qualifications. He must be a regular ordained Free Will Baptist minister in good
standing with his local Church or Conference. I Timothy 3:1-7 should be used as a
guide in the selection of a Pastor.
B. Election. When the Church is without a Pastor, the Board of Deacons shall serve as
a pulpit committee. This committee shall bring all recommendations before the
Church. The financial arrangements, the annual paid vacation time, amount of time
permitted to hold revivals, and arrangements for pulpit supply shall be worked out
with the committee and the Pastor and presented to the Church for approval at the
time of election. The Pastor is elected by a ¾ vote of the active members present. He
is to be elected for an indefinite period of time. Should either the Church or the
Pastor desire to terminate the pastoral relationship, the party wishing such shall give
the other sixty (60) day's written notice.
C. Duties. The Pastor shall faithfully administer the duties generally exercised by a
minister of the Gospel as outlined in the New Testament. He shall be responsible for
the planning and conducting of the public worship services of the Church. He shall
have the general oversight of the work of the Church. He shall preside at the business
sessions of the Church. In his absence, the Chairman of the Board of Deacons may
preside. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees,
whether permanent or temporary.
Section 5.
Board of Deacons.
A. Qualifications. A man must have been a member in good standing in the Church for at
least one (1) year. During that time he must have been faithful in attendance and
support of the Church. He must have the same qualifications as set forth above for the
other officers of the Church. The qualifications set forth in Acts 6 and I Timothy 3
should be prayerfully considered.
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B. Organization. The number of the Board of Deacons shall be determined by the
Church as time and occasion may require. They shall hold office at the pleasure of the
Church, during the maintenance of sound doctrine, good Christian character and
faithfulness to performance of their duties as set forth below. Any deacon failing to
perform his duties on this Board for the period of six (6) months will be sufficient
cause for his office to be declared vacant and a replacement to be elected by the
Church. This Board shall elect a Chairman and a Secretary annually and meet
periodically as may be determined by the Board.
C. Duties. It shall be the duty of the Board of Deacons, along with the Pastor, to
promote the spiritual welfare and success of the Church. They shall endeavor to
promote peace, harmony and a spirit of co-operation among the membership of the
Church. They shall assist the Pastor in the administration of Baptism, The Lord's
Supper and the washing of the Saint's Feet. They and the Pastor shall arrange for
revival and evangelistic services, when deemed necessary and any other special
services of the Church. They shall prepare the Annual Budget of the Church, and
present it to the Church for approval at the Annual Business Meeting.
Section 6.
Section 7.
Board of Trustees. The number of the Board of Trustees shall be determined by the Church
as time and occasion may require. They shall be elected for two (2) year terms. They shall
be eligible for re-election. They shall sign all legal papers upon direction of the Church in a
business session. They may not sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber the Church property in
any way without the consent of 3/4 vote of the Church members present, in regular or special
meeting, with a week notice given to enable all to know of the impending action. They shall
have charge of the maintenance, repair and upkeep of any properties whether real or personal.
They may employ person or persons for the upkeep of any properties whose salaries shall be
approved by the Church. They are hereby authorized to use their own discretion in minor
maintenance and repairs, provided such shall not exceed the amount of $150.00. Those
involving greater amounts must be approved by the Church.
Board of Christian Education.
A. The Board of Christian Education will consist of as many members as needed;
Sunday School Superintendent, Superintendents of each Department and the
Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School. The Pastor and Youth Pastor will
serve as ex-officio members plus any other person that the Church would like to
serve. Each members of this Board must meet the qualifications as set forth in
ARTICLE 7, Section 2-B of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Fellowship Free
Will Baptist Church.
B. Duties.
1. The Board of Christian Education will oversee the operation of the
Sunday School, Church Training Service, Teacher Training and any other
educational needs of the Church. They will serve for one year and be elected at
the Annual Business Meeting.
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2. It will be their duty to select and oversee all the literature used in
Education Programs of our Church.
3. The Board of Christian Education will have the authority to review and
recommend disciplinary action to the Church of anyone who does not meet the
qualifications as set forth in Article 7, Section 6, A & B of the Constitution and
By-Laws.
Section 8.
Clerk. The Clerk shall be elected annually. The Clerk shall keep accurate minutes of
all business meetings of the Church and keep the Membership Roll. All of these records
shall be the property of the Church.
Section 9.
A. That the Church Secretary receive the bills, write the checks and prepare a Monthly
Financial Statement.
B. That two (2) members of the Board of Deacons and two (2) members of the Board of
Trustees act as a Finance Committee to sign all checks. (Two of the four signatures will
be required on all checks.)
C. That we elect a Stewardship Secretary to record the information off the Tithing
Envelopes and keep a record of all Designated Giving and provide a Yearly Giving
Record to each giver.
D. That the Board of Ushers be responsible for the receiving of All offerings and that the
Chairman of the Board of Ushers, along with one Deacon and one Usher count and
deposit all offerings.
E. That All Church records be kept in the Church vault.
Section 10.
Ushers. The Board of Ushers shall consist of eight (8) men elected for two (2) years, the
term of four (4) expiring each year. These are eligible for re-election. They shall elect
annually from their number a Chairman, who shall supervise their work. They shall arrange
for the welcoming and seating of the congregation and the receiving of all offerings.
Section 11.
Sunday School Superintendent. The Superintendent shall be elected annually. His duties are
outlined in the By-Laws of the Sunday School.
Section 12.
Church Training Service Director. The Director shall be elected annually. His duties are
outlined in the By-Laws of the Church Training Service.
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ARTICLE 8: Government
Section 1.
Form of Government. This Church shall be operated according to the principles of
Congregational Church Government as herein defined. The final authority for the spiritual,
business or others affairs of this Church shall be by vote of the majority present at any regular
or special business meeting.
Section 2.
Annual Business Meeting. The members of the Church shall meet for an annual business
meeting on the first Wednesday night in Dec. All annual elections shall be held at this meeting
along with the adoption of the Annual Church Budget. The time of this meeting may not be
changed except by a vote of the Church.
Section 3.
Other Business Meetings. Quarterly Business Meetings may be held on the first
Wednesday night of each quarter or at another time as may be determined by the Pastor and/or
Board of Deacons, with at least one (1) week's notice given to the Church. Any member of
the Church may request a Special Business Meeting provided that such request is presented to
the Chairman of the Board of Deacons in writing, with the stated purpose of that meeting,
signed by no less than six (6) active adult members of the Church, no less than two (2) week's
before the requested business meeting.
Section 4.
Voting Age. On general Church matters all Church members in good standing may vote.
On matters which involve question, only members in good standing who have reached their
sixteenth (16) birthday may vote. On matters relating to title of property or legal procedures,
the laws of the state determine at what age members are eligible to vote.
Section 5.
Nomination of Officers. The Board of Christian Education will act as a
Nominating Committee for all offices of the Sunday School, Church Training Service and any
other Educational Programs of the Church. All other officers of the Church shall be nominated by
the Board of Deacons. The reports of the Board of Christian Education and the Board of Deacons
will be presented at the Annual Business Meeting. The Church has a right to nominate anyone
for any of these offices from the floor, provided that those nominated meet the qualifications
as set forth in Article 7, Section 2.
Section 6.
Election of Officers. All officers are to be elected at the Annual Business Meeting and will
take office on June 1st. If any office is vacated for any reason, the Board of Deacons may
appoint someone to fill the office until the next regular election.
Section 7.
Church Year. The fiscal Church Year runs from Jan. 1st - Dec. 31st. All elected officers
and boards shall function during this period of time.
Section 8.
Parliamentary Procedure. In business meetings, good parliamentary order shall be
maintained using Robert's Rules of Order as a guide.
Section 9.
Quorum. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members eligible to vote shall constitute a
quorum at any business meeting of the Church.
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ARTICLE 9: Auxiliaries
Section 1.
General Policy. In all matters of deciding policy it is understood that the highest authority is
the meeting of the members of the Church in business sessions. Decisions of this meeting are
binding on all members, Sunday School Classes, Church Training Service, Auxiliary groups
and any and all other organizations within the Church.
Section 2.
Sunday School. The Sunday School shall function according to the provisions in the ByLaws of the Sunday School.
Section 3.
Church Training Service. The Church Training Service shall function according to the
Church Training Service Manual.
Section 4.
Women's Auxiliary. The Women's Auxiliary shall function according to the Woman's
National Auxiliary Convention Manual.
Section 5.
New Organizations. Any member wishing to organize a new auxiliary in the
Church must present their request to the Board of Deacons together with the plan of
operation for the new organization. If meeting their approval, the Board shall present the new
organization to the Church for approval.
ARTICLE 10: Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1.
Use of Church Property. The Church and/or property may not be used for any secular
gatherings unless approved by the Board of Deacons.
Section 2.
Paid Entertainment. Sales and Etc. There shall be no program in which admission is
charged held in the Church building or sponsored by the Church or any of its
organizations anywhere. The Church nor any of its organizations shall not conduct any
sale, raffle, supper or entertainment for the purpose of raising money for the operation of
the Church. The Children’s Department and Youth Department will be allowed to have
Fund raisers to be used for mission trips and state and national NYC activities. The
number and type shall be approved by the Board of Deacons.
Section 3.
Committees. The Church shall elect or have appointed as many committees as may be
deemed necessary to carry out the program of the Church.
Section 4.
Worship. This Church is devoted to good order, fervent devotion, orderly worship,
evangelistic passion, competence on the part of all its workers and officers, and strict
adherence to the use of the stately and gracious hymns of the Church and music of like
caliber.
Section 5.
Purchases. Any item purchased for the Church must be purchased by authorized person,
those who are authorized should sign receipt for Church records. Anyone who needs to
purchase items should contact the Pastor. In the absence of the Pastor, contact the
Chairman of the Board of Deacons.
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ARTICLE 11: Adoption and Amendment
Section 1.
Adoption. This Constitution and By-Laws shall be adopted and put into
immediate effect after 2/3 of the active members present shall vote for the adoption of the
same.
Section 2.
Amendment or Repeal. Any of these Articles or Sections may be amended, altered or
repealed by a vote of 2/3 of the active members present at the business meeting in which
the proposed amendment is voted upon, and further provided that any amendment must
lie on the table at least fifteen (15) days after presentation to the Church.
Section 3.
Previous Rules. The adoption of these rules shall effect a repeal of all previously
adopted rules in conflict herewith.
NOTES
Rules for Benevolence Committee concerning Funerals, voted on in Business Session on May5, 1982.
Those persons that attend our church regularly and have a death of Husband, Wife, Mother, Father, Son or
Daughter, the Church will take food to the home of said member.
If there is a death of anyone who is faithfully attending our Church, we will ask the family if they want
food served at the home or at the Church. This will also include those who are disabled or bedfast and
cannot come to church. (Does not include inactive Church members).
We will send flowers or make a Memorial Gift to the Gideons, whichever the family prefers, when a death
of a person who regularly attends our Church occurs or the death of a Husband, Wife, Mother, Father,
Son, Daughter, Grandparents, Brother, or Sister of a member who regularly attends Fellowship Church.
This will include disabled person (members) not able to attend but does not include Inactive Members.
The Benevolence Committee must be notified when such deaths occur in your family by you or someone
you designated to tell us.
Amendment establishing the Board of Christian Education, Article 7, Section 7, was adopted in
April, 1985.
Pastors guidelines for vacations, preaching revivals and absences, was adopted on May 14, 1986.
A. The Pastor of the Church shall receive two (2) week's paid vacation, including two Sundays
each calendar year.
B. After five (5) years, he shall receive three (3) week's paid vacation, including three Sundays
each calendar year.
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C. After ten (10) years, he shall receive four (4) week's paid vacation, including four (4)
Sundays each calendar year.
D. The Pastor shall be allowed two (2) week's, including two (2) Sundays for
preaching revivals, if needed.
E. If the Pastor is gone for any other reason, he shall notify the Deacon Board. He will be
responsible for filling the pulpit in his absence.
F. These guidelines apply to the Youth and Music Pastor as well. Amendment to Article 6,
Section 2 (Admission of Members) was adopted in August, 1986.
Amendment to Article 10, Section 2 (Paid Entertainment, Sales, Etc.) was adopted on
September 27, 1989.
Amendment to Article 7, Sections 1, 2, and 3 (Officers) was adopted on May 24, 1992.
Amendment to Article 7, Section 9 (Church Treasurer) was adopted on December 9, 1992.
Amendment to Article 7, Section 6 (Board of Trustees) was adopted on February 2, 2003.
Amendment to Article 10, Section 2 (Paid Entertainment) was adopted on February 2, 2003.
Amendment to Article 11, Sections 1, 2, and 3 (Adoption and Amendment) was adopted on
February 2, 2003.
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