DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
As you learn more about the personality of Clifford Baptist Church, we are a church that stands on some firm doctrinal scriptural foundations. These next few paragraphs will give you a thumbnail sketch of the beliefs that hold us together as a church and give us the commission to reach out with the love and good news of Jesus Christ.
There are three basic doctrines that form the core of Clifford Church:
1) We believe that only faith in Jesus Christ can bring forgiveness of sin and eternal life. In our imperfection and sin, we human beings cannot produce any work of justice or righteousness that makes us perfect and acceptable before our holy God. Therefore, God did for us what we could not do for ourselves: He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect, sinless human life. In his sinlessness, he went to the cross to bear the punishment for our sin. His death on the cross, then, was God’s act of grace and atonement for our lost condition. Jesus’ literal resurrection from the grave assures that every believer has victory over death.
God’s plan of salvation is very simple. According to Romans 10:9, if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. Becoming a child of God is accomplished in one way alone – believing that Jesus died for each of us, and is risen again that we may be given eternal forgiveness and life.
With that principle of faith in mind, we realize that every person must come to the point of confessing Jesus as Lord. It is a highly personal decision and choice. When a man or woman, boy or girls accepts Jesus Christ in faith as his/her Lord and Savior, it is at that point that he/she is baptized as a believer.
Our stance on personal faith demands that we baptize only those who have chosen a faith relationship with Jesus. That expression of belief and faith will bring believer’s baptism, which is an outward symbol of inward, saving faith.
2) We believe in the inspired power of the Word of God. The Bible is the only written holy revelation of
God’s will for the church and His people. It is our source of divine knowledge and leadership in every
area of life and ministry. Every ministry of Clifford Baptist Church must be measured against the Bible.
Our preaching, teaching, and outreach remains under the direction we find within God’s Word.
3) The third doctrine that is foundational to CliffordBaptistChurch is the Priesthood of the Believer. We believe that every Christian has at least one talent or gift to offer to God in service. As each church member contributes his/her talents, we are bound together so that Jesus forms a unique and well-rounded ministering body.
The doctrine of the Priesthood of Believers states that each talent and each task of ministry – from preaching to teaching to hospitality to witnessing to offering a cup of water in Jesus’ name – is equally important. There is no hierarchy of gifts, and no separation of clergy and laity. Every church member is encouraged to pray and study the Bible, seeking God’s leadership in the development of his/her gifts for ministry. As we contribute our individual talents, God blesses and uses each person’s ministry as a vital and equal part of Clifford Baptist Church’s total ministry.
Within this framework Clifford Baptist Church lives, thrives, and reaches out with the Gospel. We are a loving fellowship that readily welcomes new members who are called to grow in Christ and serve Him within this family.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
CLIFFORD BAPTISTCHURCH
CLIFFORD, VIRGINIA
PREAMBLE
We, the members of CliffordBaptistChurch, declare and establish this Constitution for the preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and that this body may be governed in an orderly manner, consistent with and under the authority of the Holy Scripture. For the purpose of preserving the liberties of each individual member of this Church and the freedom of action of this Church in its relation to other churches, we declare and establish this Constitution.
Article I - NAME
This body of believers, of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, shall be known as the CLIFFORD BAPTIST CHURCH of Clifford, Virginia.
Article II - PURPOSE
This Church is organized and maintained for the worship of God the Father, and our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, through the direction of the Holy Spirit, for Christian fellowship, for Bible study and instruction in doctrine, and to encourage the efforts of individual members in personal spiritual growth, evangelism, missions, and benevolences.
Article III - STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith. We adhere to God’s teachings on the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, and practices of personal sexual purity. This Church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, as long as it continues to follow the authority of the Holy Scriptures. We bond ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation with lost humanity. The ordinances of this Church are Baptism and the LORD’s Supper.
1 The Scriptures: The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience (II Timothy 3: 16, 17).
2 God: There is but one Holy God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - but without division of nature, essence or being. This one Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things has in Himself all perfections and is infinite in them all. To Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
3 Providence: God from eternity decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
4 Fall of Man: God originally created the man and woman in His image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan they transgressed the command of God, and fell from their original holiness and righteousness. Because of their fall, mankind is born with a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and his law. All are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
5 Election: God chooses to offer all persons everlasting life through Jesus Christ His Son. This is not because of any merit in mankind, but by God’s everlasting mercy in Christ. Each person has the free will to accept or refuse God’s offer. Only acceptance of Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior qualifies as accepting God’s offer of eternal life.
6 The Mediator: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the only divinely appointed mediator between perfect, Holy God and imperfect, sinful man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried and rose again the third day, ascended to His Father, and is seated at His right hand making intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, and serves as Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church and Sovereign of the Universe.
7 Repentance: When the Holy Spirit brings about God’s work of justifying grace, we turn in sorrow from our original sin nature to receive regeneration of our hearts through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit then resides within us to convict us to confession and repentance of sin in the ongoing work of sanctifying grace, so we can grow in fellowship with our Holy God (I John 1:9-2:5).
8 Faith: Saving faith is the belief, on God’s authority, of all that is revealed in His Word concerning Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is the foundation of accepting God’s grace and invitation for His forgiveness and eternal life.
9 Salvation (Justification): God completely forgives and makes new anyone who believes in Christ and His atoning work on the cross. This does not come from good works or personal merit (Ephesians 2:8, 9), but only through divine grace. At the moment of salvation, when a person repents of sin and places faith in Jesus Christ as risen Savior and LORD, the Holy Spirit of God enters that person’s heart for eternity, and the believer begins a new life.
10 Sanctification: After justification, the Holy Spirit begins a process of spiritual growth and maturity in the newly regenerated heart of the believer. This sanctification is an ongoing process of walking lovingly with God through prayer and the study of His Word. Evidence of this steady transformation is pursuit of a holy lifestyle.
11 Glorification: The culmination of salvation and the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
12 Assurance of Salvation: Those whom God has saved through His Son and sanctified by His Spirit will never totally nor finally fall from His grace. We are all, however, still subject to temptation and weakness of our human nature (I John 1:6-8). Such sin grieves the Holy Spirit and impairs our communion with God. It may also bring reproach upon the Church and invite society’s discipline. The Holy Spirit seeks to convict us of such sin to cause us to confess, repent, and return to fellowship with God through faith in his power and grace. Willful continuation in sin invites the discipline of God, even to death of the body.
13 Freedom of Conscience: God alone is LORD of the conscience. God Himself has ordained the civil authorities to their office. While we are to follow God’s commands as given in His Holy Word and not the doctrines of men, we are not to live contrary to the laws of the land, except when they contradict the Word of God (Daniel 3:8-18).
14 The Church: The LORD Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him and His Word is invested all power for its government. According to His commandments, Christians are not to neglect assembling themselves together (Hebrews 10:25). Each body of believers is given His authority to administer worship, teaching, correction, and ministry.
15 Baptism: Baptism is an ordinance of the LORD Jesus Christ whereby the believer is immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This outward cleansing is symbolic of the inward grace of Jesus Christ, which brings forgiveness, remission of sin, fellowship with other believers and the living of a new life.
16 The LORD’s Supper: The LORD’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with elements of the bread and cup, and to be observed by His Church until the end of the world. In its symbolic nature, it is designed to commemorate His death for our redemption and to renew our commitment to Him and His Body, the Church.
17 The LORD’s Day: The LORD’s Day is the first day of the week in recognition of our Savior’s resurrection. It should be reserved for worship, spiritual devotion (both public and private), resting from worldly involvement, and the up-building of spiritual and earthly family.
18 The Resurrection: The bodies of all people after death return to dust, but their spirits immediately return to God: the saved to rest with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43); the unsaved to be reserved in hades to await the judgment (Luke 16: 23). At the last day the bodies of all the dead, both saved and unsaved, will be raised for the judgment (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 20:11-15).
19 The Judgment: God has appointed a day to judge the world according to the faith of each person in Jesus Christ. Those whose names are not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life face eternal condemnation and separation from God (Revelation 20:12-15). God has also promised to judge the fruit of every person who has received justification through the death and resurrection of Christ. Each will receive according to his/her works (I Corinthians 3:11-13, Revelation 22:12, Jeremiah 17:10).
Article IV - CHARACTER
Section 1 Policy: The government of this Church is vested in the body of believers who compose its autonomous membership and is subject to no other body. It recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and co-operation, which is common among BaptistChurches, Baptist Associations and Conventions.
Section 2 Doctrine: This Church accepts the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as its authority in matters of faith and practice. The Holy Bible was given by inspiration of God, and is the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.
Article V - COVENANT
We do hereby voluntarily covenant with one another before God to be one body, under one Head, which is Christ, jointly to exist in Church fellowship by the bonds and rules of the Gospel.
This Covenant directs us to:
Engage, by the assistance of God’s grace, to walk together in brotherly love, exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and to admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require (Matt. 18:15-16);
Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect the great duty of prayer; participate in each other’s joys, and with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s sorrows. We will personally refrain from any attitude or activity that would damage our testimony or cause anyone to stumble;
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;
Strive together for the support of a faithful evangelical ministry among us, and that through life we will seek to live to the glory of “him who called (us) out of darkness into his marvelous light”. (I Peter 2:9, RSV)
BY-LAWS
Article I - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 General: All persons desiring to become members of this Church shall be examined by the Pastor and/or three or more members of the Deacon Board in regard to their Christian experience. Once it is determined that the candidate is spiritually qualified, then he/she will present himself/herself to the membership at a Sunday morning worship service to be received in any of the following ways (this rule may be suspended by two-thirds vote in case of sickness or other legitimate reasons which may cause his/her absence):
Evidence of repentance toward God and confession of faith in Jesus Christ, applicant may be received as a candidate for believer’s baptism by immersion;
Transfer by letter from another Church body and has been baptized by immersion. If the candidate has not been baptized in this manner, we recognize his/her Christian experience but require the honor of his/her baptism by immersion;
Statement of faith as to the candidate’s salvation experience and baptism by immersion. If the candidate has not been baptized in this manner, we will require the honor of his/her baptism by immersion.
Upon presentation to the Church a motion from the floor will be entertained and seconded and the congregation will respond with a vote of affirmation.
Section 2 Duties: The LORD directs through scripture that all members be responsible in all the duties essential to the Christian life: to attend faithfully the services of this Church; to give regularly for its support and its causes; and to share in its organized work. The conduct of the members of this body shall be in accordance with the entirety of scripture. All members, without regard to age or length of membership, shall have equal rights as to voice and vote on all matters of business and Church policy (See Article V - GENERAL - Business Meeting). All members are eligible for Church service, and the Nominating Committee will recommend candidates for church positions on the scriptural bases regarding ability, spiritual fitness, and willing spirit.
Section 3 Termination: Annually the Clerk will compile a list of members who have moved away or who have not communicated with or supported the Church in the two previous years. These will be presented to the Church at a business meeting, and if no good reason can be given, then these names will be put on an inactive roll. At the end of a one year period, if there is still no communication from these members, then they will be dropped from any roll of the Church. Every reasonable effort should be made by the Pastor, Deacons, and Clerk to communicate with these members, and provide notice of their status, and restore them to the fellowship. Clerk will present to the Church at the regular April business meeting a list of members to be placed on the inactive roll and a list of those to be deleted from any roll of the Church.
Section 4 Immediate Termination: Should any member become an offense to the Church and to its good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, or by persistent breach of his/her covenant vows, the Church leadership must make every effort toward discipline, repentance, amendment, and restoration (Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 5:12; II Corinthians 2:5-8). The Pastor or Associate Pastor of the Church will first meet with this member. If reconciliation is not attained, the Pastor, Associate Pastor, and one Deacon will meet with him/her. If a positive result is not reached, the Church member will meet with the Pastors and entire active Deacon Board. At this point, if reconciliation is not possible, every member of this council must vote, and by unanimous consent the offending person's membership is immediately terminated.
Article II - OFFICERS
Senior Pastor
Election: A Pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church whenever a vacancy occurs. This selection shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, held on a Sunday morning, of which at least fourteen days public notice has been given. A Senior Pastor Selection Committee shall be elected by the Church on a Sunday morning, to seek out a suitable Pastor, and their recommendation will constitute a nomination. The Committee shall consist of no fewer than five members and shall bring to the Church only one man at a time. The Pastor shall be called by at least ninety percent vote of the members present and shall serve until the relationship is terminated. The vote is to be done by secret ballot at a duly called Sunday morning service.
Termination: The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite term. Should the Pastor or Church desire to terminate the relationship, the party desiring such change shall give to the other written notice of at least thirty days or the Pastor shall be compensated for at least thirty days. It will take a three-fourths vote of the members present, at a duly called meeting, with minimum of fourteen days public notice given, to terminate the Pastor.
Duties: The duties of the Pastor shall be such as are prescribed in the New Testament. He shall give himself to the ministry of the Word and the leadership of the congregation. He shall have general supervision of all the activities of the Church. He shall notify the Associate Pastor, Chairman of the Deacons, and/or Church Secretary when he is out of town. He shall serve as moderator of the Church and as ex-officio member of all Committees and boards, except the Pastor Selection Committee. He shall supervise the work of all personnel that the Church may employ. If the Pastor feels the work of the Church has become ineffective, it shall be his duty to confer with the Deacon Board to determine what steps should be taken to improve the situation, keeping in mind the best interest of Christ’s Church.
Associate Pastor
Election: An Associate Pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church whenever a vacancy occurs. The Personnel Committee shall publicize the position, gather resumes, interview prospective applicants, and present their final candidate to the Church body to fill the Associate Pastor's Ministry. This Pastor shall be called by the Church membership in a business meeting designated for that purpose. This meeting shall be given a fourteen day notice, and will take place on a Sunday morning, utilizing election by secret ballot. He shall be called by at least a ninety percent vote of the members present, and shall serve until the relationship is terminated.
Termination: The Associate Pastor shall be called for an indefinite term. Should the Associate Pastor or Church desire to terminate the relationship, the party desiring such change shall give to the other written notice of at least thirty days or the Pastor shall be compensated for at least thirty days. It will take a three-fourths vote of the members present, at a duly called meeting, with minimum of seven days public notice given, to terminate the Associate Pastor.
Duties: The duties of the Associate Pastor are to be determined by the Personnel Committee.
Other Staff Members
Other paid staff members (including Pastoral staff positions) shall be recommended to the Church by the Personnel Committee as the need arises. An affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Church members present shall be required to extend a call. The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for providing, in writing, to each paid staff person, a job description of his/her individual responsibilities and relationship to the Church. All paid staff members will confer regularly to discuss and organize Church calendar and activities.
Any grievance toward a staff member must be directed to the Personnel Committee before it is brought to the Church membership. Proper notice must be given to terminate the services of a staff member from the employ of the Church, and would require a three-fourths vote of the membership present at a duly called business meeting upon a recommendation by the Personnel Committee.
Deacons
Election: Deacons are to be chosen from among resident male members of the church, twenty-one years of age or older, with on-going active attendance over the past year, who are marked by the high qualifications prescribed in the New Testament (I Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:6-9). While ordained for life, they are to serve only for the term of their election. Each year the term of office of one-third the number of Deacons shall expire and election shall be held to fill the vacancies. After serving a term of election, a deacon shall not be eligible for re-election until the lapse of at least one year.
Duties: In accordance with the meaning of the Word and the practice of the New Testament, Deacons are to be servants of the Church, whose duty it shall be to serve with the Pastors in performing pastoral ministries, proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers, care for the Church members and other persons in the community, and assist the Pastors in leading the Church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application. Each Deacon is expected to make consistent contact with Church members in the course of his tenure.
Organization: The Deacons shall elect their own officers each year. They shall organize themselves into such a manner as needed to serve effectively the Church and assist the Pastors.
Moderator
The Senior Pastor shall serve as the Moderator of the Church. In the absence of the Senior Pastor, or if the business at hand is in regard to the Pastor, the chairman of the Deacons shall preside. In the absence of both, the Clerk shall call the church to order and a Moderator pro tem shall be elected.
Clerk
Election: The Clerk shall be elected annually by the membership of the Church. The same person may hold this office for as many years as desired by the membership.
Duties: In addition to promoting loyalty and efficiency in Church life, the Clerk shall keep, in printed form, a record of all the actions of the Church. He/she shall keep a register of the names of members, with dates of admission and/or dismissal, together with a record of baptisms. He/she shall keep and preserve a detailed file of all communications and written official reports and give legal notice of all meetings where such notice is necessary as indicated in these by-laws.
Assistant Clerk
The Assistant Clerk shall assist the Clerk and assume the Clerk’s duties when the Clerk is not available or incapacitated. This responsibility may be assumed at the request of a Pastor or the Clerk.
Treasurer
Election: The Treasurer shall be elected annually by the membership of the Church. The same person may hold this office for as many years as desired by the membership.
Duties: The Treasurer shall receive all monies and/or deposit receipts for monies collected throughout the ministry of the Church. He/she shall keep itemized accounts of all deposits and disbursements. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to render to the Church at each regular business meeting an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements for the preceding period. Upon rendering the annual report at the end of each fiscal year, and its acceptance and approval by the Church, the records shall be delivered by the treasurer to the Church Clerk who shall keep and preserve the report as a part of the permanent record of the Church. The Treasurer’s report shall be audited annually by an auditing Committee or Trustees.
Assistant Treasurer
Election: The Assistant Treasurer shall be elected annually by the membership of the Church. The same person may hold this office for as many years as desired by the membership.
Duties: The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer and assume the Treasurer’s duties when the Treasurer is not available or incapacitated.
Trustees
Election: Five members shall be elected as Trustees to serve indefinitely at the will of the Church. A three-fourths vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled business meeting shall be necessary for their election. They shall also be appointed by the proper Court in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Duties: The Trustees shall be the legal representatives of the Church, holding legal title to all Church property. They shall execute such legal documents as may be required by law and such other documents as may be authorized by the Church. They shall hold no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any property without a ninety percent vote of the Church members present at a duly called business meeting authorizing such action. Should a Trustee become mentally or physically unable to serve, at the discretion of the Pastors and other members of the Trustee Board, he/she shall be given the title Trustee Emeritus. Upon the bestowal of that title, the Nominating Committee shall present a candidate for replacement to the Church.
Article III - COMMITTEES
No person shall serve as a Committee chairperson unless he/she is a member in good standing with this Church (see Church Covenant and Bylaws, Article 1, Section 2). The number of persons serving on each Committee is subject to change as the need may arise. Nonmembers may participate in limited Church positions under the discretion of the appropriate leadership body or organization (e.g., Nominating Committee, Vacation Bible School Directors, Woman’s Missionary Union, etc.).
Election: The Nominating Committee shall present to the Church in a regular business meeting, not later than July, a list of persons to serve for the succeeding year on all standing Committees. The number of standing Committees may be increased or decreased, as the need may require, by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a regular business meeting.
Duties: Each Committee member is to serve our LORD and Savior in whatever responsibility he/she has agreed to and shall bring honor to Him and service to the members of His Church. No Committee member shall act for the Committee without the consent of that Committee. Each person agreeing to serve will endeavor to attend all called meetings and participate in all activities of the Committee on which he/she serves.
Baptism
This Committee may be composed of men and women. They may organize themselves as they see fit to divide the responsibilities of this sacred Church ordinance. The Baptism responsibilities shall be to prepare the Baptistry and assist candidates. They shall assist the Pastors at their direction for this ordinance.
Church Council / Finance
The Church Council shall be composed of the Senior Pastor and any other vocational staff members, Chairman of the Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, and Directors of Sunday School, Women on Mission, Baptist Men, and Chairpersons of Music Committee, Properties Committee, and Youth Committee.
Duties: The Senior Pastor shall serve as Chairman of the Church Council with the Chairman of the Deacons as Vice-Chairman. This Council shall meet at the discretion of the Senior Pastor to coordinate the activities, finances and organizations of the Church. All matters agreed upon by the Church Council, calling for action not already authorized, shall be referred to the Church for the members’ consideration. They shall review annually all personnel salaries and benefits, and develop a proposed budget for the upcoming Church year to be presented to the Church. They may act on emergency matters and details not specifically covered by other Committees.
LORD’s Supper
The LORD’s Supper responsibilities shall be to prepare the elements and the equipment for the observance of the LORD’s Supper, according to a schedule approved by the Church. They shall be under the direction of the Pastors and shall be the custodians of all equipment concerning this sacred Church ordinance.
Music
The Music Committee shall consist of not less than six members including the choir pianist and Director. The Church music program shall be under the direction of the Director of Music and a Music Committee. They shall provide an appropriate music program for the Church and approve all music used in the worship of our LORD. The Director of Music and the Music Committee shall recommend to the Personnel Committee qualified persons to be considered for addition to the paid staff of the Music Ministry of this Church, should such a need arise.
Nominating
The Nominating Committee shall be composed of no fewer than three Church members, one rotating off each year, and one who shall serve as chairperson, plus the Pastors, Church Administrator, and incoming Sunday School Director(s). They shall serve concurrently with other Committees of the Church and be nominated by the incumbent Nominating Committee. No person shall serve on any Committee unless approved by the Nominating Committee. They shall recommend persons for all volunteer positions (excepting Deacons who are nominated by the full Church membership) to be elected by the Church. Each Committee shall be provided a job description; however, no job or responsibility description shall be in conflict with these By-Laws. In times of a vacancy by death, resignation or removal, the Nominating Committee shall present to the Church a candidate to fill that position.
Personnel
The Personnel Committee shall consist of the Senior Pastor, a representative from Deacons, Music Committee Chairman, Properties Committee Chairman plus three at-large members, with one of the at-large members rotating off each year. They shall be responsible for recommending to the Church the employment of staff members, other than the Senior Pastor. They shall prepare and publicize an up-to-date job description for each staff member and a personnel policy for all employees. These shall be periodically reviewed and rewritten as needed, in keeping with possible changes in the structure of the Church and its staffing needs. The Senior Pastor and this Committee shall be responsible for the direction and the supervision of the work of Church employees unless supervision is designated to a specific Committee. The Personnel Committee will act as an arbitrator in grievances of Church employees. They will evaluate, once a year, the personnel performance and be sympathetically sensitive to the challenges and difficulties of church staff relationships.
Properties
The Properties Committee shall be composed of as many members as the Nominating Committee deems necessary at any given time. The chairperson(s) of this Committee shall be designated by the Nominating Committee. The Properties Committee shall see that all Church property, including the parking lot and grounds, are kept in a clean, usable and attractive condition. The Church shall provide the necessary equipment and supplies. If repair cost exceeds budget, Church Council must give approval.
Tellers
The Tellers Committee shall be composed of at least twelve persons, one of whom will be selected as chairperson by the Nominating Committee. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer will serve as ad hoc members of the Committee. The Chairperson shall organize the Committee so members serve for a one month period, alternating serving time with other Committee members. They shall receive the offering of the people and shall count all such offerings noting the amount and designation on each envelope. No person is authorized to pay out any cash or to cash any check received for the Church. They shall oversee transporting to the depository all funds received. The members, serving at any given time, shall keep full and proper records of all receipts and deposits and provide copies of its weekly record of receipts for the Treasurer and Church office.
Ushers
The Ushers Committee shall be composed of as many persons as the Nominating Committee deems necessary at any given time. They shall select the chairperson(s). The Ushers shall greet people as they enter and leave the Church, seat people at the proper time, provide bulletins or other materials at the time of seating, and shall assist in receiving the Church offering. After each service, they shall remove from the sanctuary any materials left behind that should be discarded or put in lost and found. It is the duty of the Chairperson(s) to provide scheduling and training to the Ushers so they may provide professional service to our LORD and the Church.
Other Committees
In order to provide service to our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, and this Church body, the Nominating Committee shall have the liberty and responsibility to create other Committees as the need may arise. The Nominating Committee is urged to consider prayerfully the needs of the Church Family and the ministries that may be needed at any given time and fill those needs appropriately from the membership of the Church. All such Committees shall be approved by the Church.
Article IV - PROGRAMS
Sunday School
At least three months before the close of the Church calendar year, the Director (or Co-Directors) of Sunday School shall be elected by the Church after a nomination has been received from the Nominating Committee. Thereafter he/she/they shall work with the Committee in the nomination of other Sunday School general officers, department heads and teachers, all of whom must be members of the Church. In their work, the Sunday School officers and teachers are to be guided by God’s Holy Word and the approved standards of this Church. The Director(s) should encourage and provide training opportunities for all members of the Sunday School faculty. The Director(s) shall approve, before purchase, all expenditures for supplies and materials and any activities of the Sunday School.
Woman’s Missionary Union
The Woman’s Missionary Union is recognized as an auxiliary of the Southern Baptist Convention at national, state and local levels, and as such is responsible for the election of the organization’s leadership. At least three months before the close of the Church calendar year, the Director (or Co-Directors) of Woman’s Missionary Union shall be elected by the Church after a nomination has been received from the Nominating Committee. Thereafter she/they shall chair a leadership selection Committee to present to the Nominating Committee a list of all officers, teachers and leaders within the WMU. This list of WMU personnel shall be included in the Nominating Committee’s report to be presented to the church. In their work, all officers of WMU shall be guided by God’s Holy Word and the approved standards of this Church.
Baptist Men
There shall be a Baptist Men’s organization, led by one or more men, whose name or names have been presented to the Church by the Nominating Committee. The Baptist Men shall endeavor to provide support to all organizations within the Church Family and encourage the participation of all men in the spreading of Christ’s Gospel to the world. Activities or programs will be organized by these men and may vary from time to time as the need may arise.
Vacation Bible School
The Director (or Co-Directors) shall be elected at the beginning of the Church year from candidates presented by the Nominating Committee. The Director(s), with assistance from the Pastors, shall select a staff of qualified Church members to provide the personnel for VBS. In their work they shall be guided by God’s Holy Word and the standards of this Church. The activities of any and all departments must first be approved by the Director(s). He/she/they shall approve, before purchase, all expenditures for supplies and materials for the school. Non- members may serve as assistants under the direction of the VBS Director(s).
Article V - GENERAL
Organizations of the Church
Any activity, by any group or organization, must be approved by the Church Administrator, Pastors, or Church Council. Upon approval the date will be placed on the Church calendar. Each organization of the Church will be expected to publicize the plans and programs for which it is responsible. Each shall work within the framework of the Church program and Church policy. No member or group of members of the Church shall, on account or behalf of the Church, sell merchandise, hold an entertainment for profit, charge for activity or serve a meal to raise money, without approval of the Church Council and Pastors.
Use of Church Property
It shall be the prerogative of the Church and/or its duly appointed officers to determine the wisest use of the entire property of the Church. With the exception of offices, all rooms in the building are multi-purpose rooms, and no class or other group has exclusive use of any room, even though it may have provided special equipment and decorations. Any person, group or organization which uses any room or facility in the Church complex must return it to the condition in which it was found before they began their use or program. The room or facility must be left clean, trash removed, and any materials used shall be put in their proper place.
Whenever any Church equipment is needed for use away from Church property, permission must be secured in writing from the Church office and will be granted in accordance with policies established by the Properties Committee or other responsible Committees. Records should be kept to include the item taken, the person or organization taking the item, and the date it was taken and returned.
Organizations outside of the Church that desire to have access to Church facilities must make application in writing to the Church office and each application will be considered on an individual basis. Any event held on Church property by an individual, group or organization will follow the guidelines created by the Church Council and approved by the membership. Copies of these guidelines are available at the Church office.
Control of Organizations
In all matters of determining policy or procedure it is understood that the highest body of authority in the Church is the convening of members in a business meeting. Decisions of the Church are binding upon all members, classes, departments, and other organizations within the Church. No such group shall conduct any service or meeting, nor engage in any program or activity which is in violation of the rules or purposes of the Church, or which is in conflict with the regular meeting or activities of the Church and/or its other organizations. No class, organization or group shall be established without the approval of the Church.
Business Meetings
Regular scheduled business meetings for the Church shall be held on the second Sunday evening of January, April, July, and October and shall be announced in the Church bulletin on the two morning services prior to the meeting.
For business to be brought to the Church by an individual or a Committee, the item must be provided to the Church office to be considered for the agenda by Thursday prior to a regular scheduled Business Meeting. The agenda shall be available to the membership on the Sunday morning of the Business Meeting.
Business meetings of the Church shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
Based on a membership of five hundred, a quorum of ten members, sixteen years of age and older, must be present at any regular or called business meeting to vote on any issue or conduct any business that comes before the Church for consideration. Once the quorum of ten members sixteen years of age and older is met, any member of any age may vote.
Special business meetings of the Church may be called by the Pastor(s) and/or Deacons when necessary. In matters that require resolution, Church members are to approach the Pastor(s) and/or Deacons for counsel and guidance. If resolution is not reached, then the Church Council may be asked to consider the matter. If a Business Meeting is necessitated to bring resolution, the Pastor(s), Deacons, and/or Church Council may request that the meeting be scheduled and announced to the congregation. An announcement must be made on two consecutive Sunday mornings concerning all such special meetings. This rule is not to prevent the Church, at any service, from transacting business concerning matters of an urgent nature, which are in the best interest of the Church.
Article VI - AMENDMENTS
Adoption, Distribution, Amendments
This Constitution and By-Laws shall be presented to the Church and shall have lain on the table for no fewer than thirty days prior to a formal vote. It shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when two-thirds of the members present at the duly called business meeting shall vote in favor of adoption. Notice of pending vote shall be given in the Sunday morning service no fewer than two Sunday services prior to the vote.
The adoption of this Constitution and By-Laws shall the sole governing document of Clifford Baptist Church.
Copies of these shall be provided for all members of the Church. The Church office shall distribute copies to all new members upon their reception into the Church family.
Changes in this Constitution and By-Laws may be made at any regular business meeting of the Church, provided such amendments have been presented in writing at a previous regular business meeting. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be furnished to the membership, at four consecutive Sunday morning services, for their consideration. Amendments shall be by two-thirds vote of all members of the Church present at the next business meeting.