Pinehurst Baptist Church of Everett, Washington

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Constitution and By-Laws

Pinehurst Baptist Church

Preamble

The following constitution and by-laws stipulate the rules, regulations, and procedures of operation of the Pinehurst Baptist Church of Everett, Washington. This constitution and by-laws became effective upon their adoption by action of Pinehurst Baptist Church in regular business meeting on March 4, 1987 and shall supersede all other rules, regulations and procedures previously in existence.

Article 1

Name, Location, Purpose, and Affiliation

Section 1.	This New testament Church, duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington, shall be named Pinehurst Baptist Church of Everett, Washington, and its duration shall be perpetual.

Section 2.	The house of worship for Pinehurst Baptist Church shall be located in the city of Everett, Snohomish County, Washington.

Section 3.	The purpose of the church shall be to preach and teach the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; to conduct worship services; to administer the ordinances of the New Testament; to improve the spiritual lives of its members through religious education; to develop Christian steward of time, talent and material possessions and to advance the cause of missions at home and abroad.

Section 4.	This church is affiliated with the Puget Sound Baptist Association, the Northwest Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Our statement of faith is the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention on May 9, 1963.

Article 2

Church Covenant

	Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior,

	And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

	We do now, in the presence of God, 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 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 deportment:

	To avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage;

	To be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

	We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer: to aid one another 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 Savior to secure it without delay.

	We moreover engage when we remove from this place we will, 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.

By-Laws

Section 1

Church Membership

1. Membership Records

The church shall maintain an accurate record of membership, containing both alphabetical and chronological records. All members, regardless of their place of residence or level of activity in the church will be included in this record.

Separate records of active, inactive, and nonresident members will be maintained for the purpose of establishing quorum requirements for church business meeting action as required by these by-laws. (Refer to Section 2, Paragraph F) By definition, an inactive member shall bee on who has not been in attendance at any meeting of the church, and has not contributed to the church in any way, for a period of one year. An inactive member will be considered active once again immediately upon reappearance in meetings of the church.

2. Admission to Membership

The criteria for membership in Pinehurst Baptist Church shall be acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior, public profession of faith in Christ, and stated desire to be a member of this church. Persons may be recognized as members following church action on one of the following requests:

A. Joining By Baptism

Any person publicly professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, declaring desire to follow him as a disciple, and requesting baptism may be received into full fellowship of this church.

B. Joining By Transfer of Membership

Members in good standing of another Baptist church of like faith and order may request, and be received into full fellowship of this church upon receipt of a letter of transfer from the former church.

C. Joining By Statement of Faith

Admission into membership may be granted on the basis of a personal statement, satisfactory to this church, that the individual has had a personal experience with the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting him as Lord and Savior, and that the individual has been baptized by a Southern Baptist church or a church of like faith and order; by immersion, subsequent to salvation, as an outward sign of an inward experience, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This means of granting membership shall be applicable when a letter of transfer from a former church cannot be secured.

D. Joining By Restoration of Membership

A former member from whom fellowship has been withdrawn may be restored to membership upon the request of the individual seeking restoration of membership, and upon presentation of evidence satisfactory tot his church that the spiritual concerns leading to termination of membership have been resolved.

E. Church Action Required

All persons seeking membership, whether by baptism, transfer of membership, statement of faith, or restorations, shall be received by majority vote of the congregation present at any regular business meeting. If any question arises with regard to the fitness of an individual to become a member of the church, the matter will be referred to the deacons for prayerful consultation with all appropriate individuals, with action to follow a deacon recommendation at the next regular business meeting.

3. Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated upon:

a.	Death
b.	Granting of a letter of transfer to another Baptist church of like faith and order.
c.	Withdrawal of fellowship for causes deemed proper by this church, based on requirements of scripture.
d.	Erasure from our roll following affiliation with a church of another faith and order.
e.	Erasure from our roll upon the request of a member to be released from covenant obligations to the church, following patient and kind endeavors to secure the continuation of the member's fellowship in the church.

4. Granting of Letters of Transfer

Upon majority vote of the congregation at any meeting, a letter of transfer for any member may be granted to a church of like faith and order which makes a request for the letter on behalf of the member.

5. Withdrawal of Fellowship

Withdrawal of fellowship shall require a majority vote of the congregation at any regular or special business meeting of this church. This action is disciplinary in nature and shall be initiated only by the church as a whole. Withdrawal of fellowship shall be a permissible agenda item only after a member has rejected, by word or deed, concerted efforts on the part of the church to rectify a blatant violation of scriptural requirements for Christian life. It is further required that the entire resident membership past their eighteenth birthday shall be notified by letter at least five days in advance of the meeting that withdrawal of fellowship will be considered.

6. Erasure from the Roll

This church may, by voter of the congregation in business meeting, authorize erasure of a member from the membership roll of the church. This action is not disciplinary in nature, and is initiated only by request of a member. Erasure is appropriate only in cases in which a member has indicated desire, by word or deed, to be released from membership in the church. This action is intended solely for the purpose of maintaining a legitimate membership roll.

Section 2

Church Government

A. Congregational Action

This church will govern itself through decisions reached by majority vote of the congregation in business meetings, except in cases in which these by-laws provide for other voting majorities. This church may establish any committees, task forces, or other groups it deems necessary to accomplish its work, with such groups to report and bring recommendations to the church with regard to the specific responsibilities that have been assigned to them. No committee, task force, or group of any other nature may assume control over the church, or make any commitments in the name of the church other than as they have been specifically authorized to do by church action.

B. Regular Business Meetings

The regular business meetings shall be held on Wednesday following the first Sunday of each month, at a time designated by the church.

C. Special Business Meetings

Special business meetings may be called by the moderator, or by majority vote of the members present at any meeting of the church. A special business meeting may be held after the meeting has been listed in the church bulletin and announced during a Sunday morning worship service, and after a period of al least seventy two hours has elapsed following the announcement of the meeting. A special business meeting will consider no agenda other that that which is announced in the church bulleting as the meeting is announced.

D. Emergency Business Meetings

An emergency business meeting is permissible only in matters involving damage to the physical plant, and may be called by majority vote of the members present at any meeting of the church. An emergency business meeting may be held after a period of at least four hours has elapsed following the vote which called the meeting, and will consider no agenda other than response to the emergency which necessitated the meeting.

E. Business Meeting Procedure

Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern all proceedings except where they may be in conflict with this constitution and by-laws, in which event the constitution and by-laws will govern.

F. Quorum Requirements

It is required that a quorum of ten percent of the active membership be present in order to conduct business at any business meeting, except as follows. It is required that a quorum of fifteen percent of the active membership be present at any business meeting in which action is taken with regard to election of church officers. It is further required that a quorum of twenty percent of the active membership be present at any business meeting in which action is taken relative to calling or dismissing a pastor, withdrawal of fellowship, election of deacons, or with regard to transactions involving the buildings or property of the church.

G. Eligibility to Vote

Each member of the church will have the privilege of casting one voter regarding any matter under consideration by the church.

Section 3

Pastor and Deacons

This church shall be served by the pastor, and any other staff members deemed necessary by the church. The church will also be served by deacons.

A. Calling a Pastor

The pastor of this church shall be called by a vote of the church upon the recommendation of search committee, consisting of at least five members, elected by majority vote following nomination from the floor of the business meeting. He shall serve during the pleasure of the church with the privilege reserved to him of giving up the pastorate at any time deemed by him to be for the best interest of himself or the church. The church may terminate the service of the pastor by majority vote in a regular or special business meeting.

The search committee shall seek prospective pastor candidates, investigate their qualifications to serve as pastor of this church, and by majority vote arrive at one pastor candidate to recommend to the church. The search committee shall announce their intent to make a recommendation at a Sunday morning service, and shall present their recommendation at the following Sunday morning service. By majority vote of members present, the church will decide on further consideration of the recommended candidate. A pastor candidate whose recommendation has been honored may be called as pastor of this church by a two thirds vote of members present. This vote will be taken by secret ballot. Should the candidate not receive a two thirds vote, the search committee will seek and recommend another candidate. An interim pastor or any other staff member shall be selected by the same procedure.

B. Duties of the Pastor

The pastor shall perform all of the duties and functions of his office as described in the New Testament. The pastor will be the president, for corporation purposes. The pastor shall have responsibility for supervision of any additional employed staff members needed in the ministry of the church, and may delegate responsibilities to staff members according to the instructions of the church.

C. Absence of the Pastor

The pastor shall be permitted two weeks of paid vacation which shall include two full Sundays each year. He shall be permitted two weeks, including two Sundays, each year for service to sister churches or the denomination. It is expected that the pastor will not be absent from the pulpit more than two consecutive Sundays, and that he will plan his absences in such manner as to minimize interruption of the church's ministries. The pastor shall be allowed attendance at two conventions each year with pay, not to be considered vacation time and not to include additional Sundays. The church will provide a supply preacher, at the recommendation of the pastor, for all regular services during authorized absence of the pastor. The church will provide a supply preacher, at the recommendation of the pastor, in the event illness prevents the pastor from filling the pulpit.

D. Election of Deacons

Upon the recognized need for electing deacons, the church will decide how many deacons to elect by majority vote in a business meeting. The decision to elect deacons shall be announced from the pulpit on the Sunday morning following the business meeting. Written nominations for the office of deacon will be received from the membership during the next Sunday morning service. The pastor shall contact each nominee to ascertain their willingness and qualifications to be considered, and present the list of nominees tot he church at the next Sunday morning service. Members may vote for one candidate for each vacancy authorized by the church. Candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected, providing they received a majority vote. Should succeeding ballots become necessary, the members may again vote for one candidate for each authorized vacancy from a list of nominees receiving the highest number of votes on the preceeding ballot. All ballots will be secret and written.

E. Ordination of Deacons

All deacons elected by this church shall be ordained.

When a man is elected to serve as a deacon, and has never been ordained as a deacon, he may begin to serve with the deacon body immediately. The church will proceed immediately to provide adequate preparation for the candidate and will seek involvement of sister churches in ordaining the candidate to the deacon ministry according to the teachings of the New Testament.

When a man is elected to serve as a deacon, and has been previously ordained as a deacon by this church, he may assume his responsibilities with the deacon body immediately.

When a man is elected to serve as a deacon, and has been previously ordained as a deacon by another Baptist church of like faith and order, this church may recognize his ordination credentials by majority vote in a regular business meeting, following receipt of his letter of recommendation from the sister church. The deacon may begin serving with the deacon body immediately upon recognition of his ordination credentials.

F. Duties of Deacons

Deacons shall faithfully discharge their responsibilities as servants of the church, and shall meet the qualifications as set forth in Acts 6:1-7 and Timothy 3:8-13, remembering always the great responsibility of promoting harmony in the church. they shall assist the pastor in the administration of the ordinances of the church and in the overall program of the church.

G. Organization of the Deacon Body

The deacon body shall consist of as many qualified men as the church deems necessary. Deacons shall be elected as specified by these by-laws, and will serve for a period of three Sunday School years. A newly elected deacon may be seated in the deacon body immediately upon ordination, with the three years of his term to begin with the next Sunday School year. The Deacons shall elect a chairman for a term of one year by secret ballot and majority vote. Consecutive terms as deacon or as chairman of deacons are permitted, but are neither required nor guaranteed.

Section 4

Church Officers

The ministry of the church is to be undergirded by the provision of the following officers, and by their encouragement in accomplishing the duties assigned to them.

A. Moderator

The moderator shall preside at all business meetings, and shall be ex-officio member of all committees. He shall make committee appointments as provided for by these by-laws. The pastor will serve as moderator of this church, with the privilege extended to him to defer the responsibility. If the pastor should defer the post of moderator, a moderator shall be elected as are other officers of this church.

B. Vice Moderator

The vice moderator shall preside at business meetings in the absence of the moderator, or when circumstances prevent the moderator from presiding. The vice moderator shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, and shall work with the moderator as the needs of the church require.

C. Clerk

The church clerk shall be responsible to keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the regular and special business meetings of the church. The clerk shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate record of the church membership, and for correspondence with other churches as necessary in the maintenance of our membership records. The clerk shall be responsible for preparation of annual reports of our church's progress as requested by the Puget Sound Baptist Association.

D. Treasurer

The treasurer shall, with the guidance of the finance committee, disburse the funds of the church, maintain accurate records of all church finances, and provide financial statements for each business meeting.

E. Financial Secretary

The financial secretary shall maintain confidential record of individual member's contributions to the church, and provide a report to each contributor at the end of the calendar year.

F. Trustees

The trustees shall hold title to the property of the church, be empowered to execute deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, promissory notes or other pecuniary obligations and transfer, assign, and convey all church property, or any part thereof, only upon officially recorded instructions of the church in business meeting. All powers and duties of trustees shall comply with the laws of the State of Washington.

The trustees shall be empowered to authorize expenditure of church funds for emergency repair of damage to the church buildings, with the sum not to exceed five hundred dollars.

Trustees shall be elected annually, and will be eligible to serve for a period of three years. Consecutive terms as trustee are neither required or guaranteed. The trustees shall rotate in such manner as to add one new trustee each year, in-so-far as it is reasonable to do so. A trustee serving the full three years of eligibility shall become eligible for re-election after a period of one year has elapsed since the end of the previous term.

Section 5

Organization

This church shall be organized for the accomplishment of its purpose. The leaders of the church will be elected by the church, following nomination by the nominating committee. It is the privilege of any member of the church to offer a nomination from the floor, during business meeting, for any office or position which may be under consideration.

A. Church Council

This church will maintain a church council which shall meet regularly for the purpose of assisting the pastor in planning and coordinating the ministries of the church. The church council shall consist of those individuals elected to serve as heads of the various programs of the church, and may include any other individuals whose involvement is needed. The church council is expected to recommend a calendar of ministries to the church, and to coordinate all efforts necessary for the accomplishment of ministry activities, according to the instructions of the church. The moderator shall serve as chairman of the church council.

B. Committees

This church will maintain committees as required by these by-laws, and as deemed necessary in the future ministries of the church. A committee may consist of as many members as the church deems necessary, and shall be elected by the church or approved as these by-laws require. In making committee nominations, the nominating committee shall recommend one nominee as chairman.

C. Teachers and Leaders

This church may determine the leadership needs of our ministry, and authorize the nomination committee to seek nominees for any needed positions.

Section 6

Committees and Duties

A. Nominating Committee

The nominating committee shall be recommended by the moderator, and elected by the church. The nominating committee will make nominations for all church officers, educational workers, and committee members of this church for an annual term to coincide with the Sunday School year. the nominating committee shall select nominees from the resident membership of the church, and shall make their recommendations prior to the beginning of each Sunday School year.

B. Finance Committee

The finance committee shall prepare and present to the church a budget setting forth an estimate of income and expenses for each year. The committee shall oversee the expenditures of the church, and see that our expenses are commensurate with our financial strength. The committee shall keep the church informed at all times of the current financial condition of the church. The treasurer shall be a member of the finance committee.

C. Counting Committee

The counting committee shall have responsibility for receiving, counting, and depositing all funds given for support of the ministries of the church. The committee will have accountability for, and provide verification of, accurate records of gifts to the church. In preparing to deposit the offerings, the committee will follow instructions of the church with regard to distribution of funds to the proper bank accounts.

D. House and Grounds Committee

The house and grounds committee shall be responsible for coordinating the general care and maintenance of all church property. The committee shall inform the trustees of needed action in the event of any damage or maintenance needs of any emergency nature to the church buildings or property.

E. Special Committees

Special committees may be nominated, at the request of the church, and elected for duties of a short or long term nature. With the consent of the church, special committees may be appointed by the moderator for the purpose of meeting specific, short-term needs. Such appointed committees will be dissolved when their duties have been completed.

Section 7

Missions

This constitution and by-laws shall govern the actions of any mission congregations under sponsorship of this church.

Section 8

Suspension, Amendment, or Repeal

This constitution and by-laws may be suspended, amended, or repealed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at any regular business meeting of the church after such suspension, amendment, or repeal has been read at a previous regular business meeting of the church.

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