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Constitution
and By-Laws for First Free Operating as Open Door Fellowship January 22, 2006 Constitution and By-Laws of the First Free Operating as Open Door Fellowship Adopted:
January 22, 2006 Constitution Preamble We the members of the first Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. in order to promote the work of the church and advance the cause of Christ do set forth and adopt this constitution. ARTICLE I NAME AND PURPOSE SECTION I. Name. The corporate name of this organization shall be the First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc.; however, the operational name of this organization shall be Open Door Fellowship. Hence forth in this document this organization is referred to as “organization” or “church”. SECTION II. Purpose. The purpose of this organization shall be: 1. To preach and promote by every legitimate (i.e, Biblically acceptable) means available the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ both at home and abroad that the lost everywhere might be saved. 2. To support the various ministries of the Free Will Baptist denomination as they endeavor to carry out the Great Commission. 3. To provide opportunities for spiritual fellowship and Christian growth and maturity for God’s people. 4. To plant other churches through active evangelism in other communities. ARTICLE II DOCTRINAL STATEMENT AND COVENANT SECTION I. Doctrinal Statement. Those who hold membership in this organization shall subscribe to the statements of faith and practices as set forth in The Treatise of Faith and Practices of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., Revised. SECTION II. Covenant. As believers in Christ, we are bound together for worship and service by the following covenant: Having given ourselves to God, by
faith in Christ, and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and
practice, we now give ourselves to one another by the will of God in this
solemn covenant. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP SECTION I. Active Membership. The active membership of this organization shall consist solely of those who profess Jesus Christ to be both their Lord and Savior, who consent to the beliefs and practices of this organization as defined in Article II Section I, and who adhere to the covenant set forth in Article II Section II. The organization shall maintain an active list of those who meet the standards set forth in this section thereby identifying those on the active list as being in good and regular standing. Those who are in good and regular standing have the right to participate in the governing process of the organization. SECTION II. Reception of Members. Individuals may gain active membership status in this organization by majority vote of the active membership, by meeting the standards of active membership as defined in Article III Section I, by completing a new members’ orientation, and by meeting one of the following requirements. 1. Baptism. An individual who has been duly baptized by immersion following his/her conversion is considered to have met this requirement. 2. Letter. An individual may be received based on a letter of recommendation and statement of good standing from another church of like faith (i.e., doctrinally fundamental, evangelical church as determined by the Pastor). 3. Statement of Faith. An individual may be received by his/her public profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, declaration of baptism by immersion following conversion, and by the recommendation of an active member in good and regular standing. 4. Restoration. Any former member of this organization whose name because of disciplinary action was removed from the active role of members in good and regular standing may be reinstated by a majority vote of the active membership in a regular business meeting upon evidence of repentance and appropriate restitution to the wronged if applicable. SECTION III. Dismissal of Members. Members may be dismissed from the membership list and lose their status as a member in good and regular standing for any of the following reasons: 1. Discipline of Members. Any member who for any reason does not adhere to the doctrinal statements and covenant as set forth in Article II Sections I and II shall be subject to removal from the active membership list. Prior to removal from the active membership list, the organization is to take the steps to correct a member as defined in Matthew 18:15-17. The Pastor, or in his absence the chair of the Board of Deacons, shall be the leader in any correction action undertaken. 2. Transfer. Letters of standing will be granted for members who transfer to other evangelical churches upon application for said letter from the receiving church. The content and recommendation of said letter is at the discretion of the pastor. 3. Request. An individual can provide a written request to be removed from the active list of members in good and regular standing maintained by the organization. 4. Death. Upon the death of any member, his/her name shall be automatically removed from the membership list. SECTION IV. Member who Moves. A member who moves from the area is encouraged to seek membership in a church of lack faith in the area of his/her new home. If a member desires to maintain his/her membership in this organization, he/she is expected to attend worship regularly wherever they are and to maintain correspondence with and financial support of this organization. The standing of the individual in this situation is absent with reason. Any individual designated as absent with reason must be reinstated by a majority vote of the members in good and regular standing present at a business meeting before rights of participation in church government can resume. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS and COMMITTEES SECTION I. Corporate Officers. While this organization remains in “mission status” (see Article V) under the direction of the Mission Board of the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., the corporate officers are appointed by said Mission Board. Upon becoming self supporting, the members in good and regular standing (see Article III Section I) are to elect the corporate officers annually in January. SECTION II. Pastor. While this organization remains in “mission status” (see Article V) under the direction of the Mission Board of the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., the pastor is appointed by said Mission Board and serves at the discretion of said Mission Board. Upon becoming self supporting, the members in good and regular standing (see Article III Section I) present at a duly scheduled business meeting are to elect by a majority vote the pastor who will then serve for an indefinite term. SECTION III. Pastor Dismissal. While this organization remains in “mission status” (see Article V) under the direction of the Mission Board of the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., the pastor serves at the discretion of said Mission Board. Upon becoming self supporting, the active membership in good and regular standing (see Article III Section I) can petition for a vote of support for the pastor if three fourths (75%) of the active membership on record as being in good and regular standing sign the petition. Once a petition is signed by three fourths (75%) of the active membership in good and regular standing, a vote is to be scheduled and announced at two separate Sunday worship services. The vote must be scheduled at least seven (7) days after the second announcement of the vote. If a majority of members present for the vote favor dismissal of the pastor, the pastor is given a notice of dismissal with a dismissal date not less than thirty days following the vote or any period longer than thirty (30) days as specified in the vote. SECTION IV. Other Officers. As the organization deems necessary it will establish other officers who will serve a term determined at the establishment of the office. Such offices may include secretary, treasurer, deacon, trustee, director, or any other offices needed by the organization to fulfill its purposes. SECTION V. Committees. As the organization deems necessary it will establish committees who will serve for a time period determined at the establishment of the committee. SECTION VI. General Qualifications. At the time appointed, all officers or committee members must be members in good and regular standing (see Article III Section I) with the exception of the Pastor who should join at his first opportunity after accepting the call from the church or the appointment of the Mission Board (see Article IV Section II). Corporate officers appointed by the Mission Board (see Article IV Section 1) should be members in good and regular standing of Free Will Baptist churches affiliated with the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc. ARTICLE V GOVERNMENT This organization shall be operated according to the
principles of congregational church government except that the Mission Board
of the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc. shall have
control of any property held in the name of First Free Will Baptist Church of
Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. or any operational name of said First Free Will
Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. while the organization remains in
“mission status”. ARTICLE VI AUXILIARIES All auxiliary organizations of the church shall be subject to the approval and control of the church. ARTICLE VII MEETINGS SECTION I. Worship and Teaching Services. Worship and/or teaching services are established at the discretion of the Pastor or the organizations members in good and regular standing (Article III Section I). SECTION II. Business Meetings (Conferences). An annual business meeting shall be held in January of each year. The Pastor is to announce the meeting seven (7) days prior to the meeting. Other business meetings can be held at any time deemed necessary by the Pastor. The Pastor must announce any business meeting seven (7) days prior to the meeting. In the absence of the Pastor, the Deacon Board can call for a business meeting. ARTICLE VIII FINANCIAL POLICY The financial needs of this organization shall be met through voluntary gifts, offerings, and tithes. Neither the church nor any of its organizations or auxiliaries shall conduct sales, raffles, entertainment or suppers for the purpose of raising money for any cause. ARTICLE IX PROPERTY SECTION I. Uses by the Organization. The property of the organization shall be used only for the worship of God, the teaching of God’s Word, or fellowship of believers as set forth in the purpose for the organization (Article I Section II). Such uses include worship, teaching/study (small group meetings), church auxiliary meetings (youth, women’s, men’s groups), weddings (including receptions), anniversaries, or any other church related meeting deemed appropriate by the Pastor. SECTION II. Uses by Other Organizations or Groups. Use of church property by any group other than a duly authorized organization of the church must be approved by a majority vote of the active membership in good and regular standing present at an appropriately scheduled/called business meeting. SECTION III.
Ownership and Control of Property. While in “mission status” complete and full
rights as allowed by Upon becoming self supporting, the organization shall appoint trustees to oversee real estate or other property held in the name of First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Inc. or any other name used by the organization. BY-LAWS SECTION I. Active Member in Good and Regular Standing. The governing membership of this organization shall be all those who meet the requirements for members in good and regular standing as set forth in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article III Section I. Paragraph A. Admission of Members in Good and Regular Standing. Individuals may become active members in good and regular standing by the means set forth in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article III Section II. Paragraph B. Dismissal of Members from Good and Regular Standing. Individuals may be dismissed by those means outlined in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article III Sections III and IV. Paragraph C. Duties of Members in Good and Regular Standing. Members are expected to adhere to the covenant set forth in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article II Sections II. Paragraph D. Members in Standings other than Good and Regular Standing. Members in Standings other than Good and Regular Standing have no governing rights in the organization. Other membership standings are: 1. Absent with Reason. An individual becomes a Member Absent with Reason when he/she is providentially hindered from actively participating in the organization on a regular basis, but the individual continues to support the organization with whatever means he/she can. Examples of this standing are those who have moved too far away to take an active part in the ministries of the organization but who want to maintain membership in the organization or those homebound or in nursing homes for reasons of health and/or age. 2. Absent. An individual becomes a Member Absent when he/she has moved away without continued support or good reason. Upon recommendation of the Pastor an individual with this standing can be suspended for failure to meet his/her obligations under the church covenant. 3. Suspended. An individual is suspended as outlined in Paragraph B of the By-Laws and as outlined in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article III Sections III and IV. 4. Past. An individual becomes a Member in Past Standing when he/she dies or upon written request. SECTION II. Pastor. The Pastor serves as outlined in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article IV Sections II and III. SECTION III. Clerk. The Clerk serves at the discretion of the membership in good and regular standing. Paragraph A. Duties. The Clerk shall keep an accurate record of the business meetings and the membership of the church. He/She shall provided reports as may be required by the organization or the denomination. Paragraph B. Election. The Clerk shall be elected in the annual business session each year. SECTION IV. Treasurer. The Treasurer serves at the discretion of the membership in good and regular standing. Paragraph A. Duties. The Treasurer shall keep a complete and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements of the church. He/She shall be authorized to deposit all monies in the name and to the credit of the church, make the disbursements of all funds as ordered by the church, and perform such other duties that pertain to his/her office. Paragraph B. Election. The Treasurer shall be elected in the annual business session each year. SECTION V. Boards and Committees. Boards and committees as deemed necessary by the members in good and regular standing may be established. Duration of existence and election are to be identified in the action to establish a board or committee. SECTION VI. Business Meetings. Business meetings may be held as outlined in the Constitution for First Free Will Baptist Church of Valdosta, Georgia, Inc. (i.e., Open Door Fellowship) in Article VII Sections II. SECTION VII. Participation in Business Meetings. Active members in good and regular standing who are at least eighteen years of age at the time of the meeting can participate in the business meeting. SECTION VIII. Parliamentary Procedure. Roberts Rules of Order serves as the guide for order and procedures in business meetings. SECTION IX. Church Year. The church year is to be a calendar year running from January 1 through December 31 of each year. SECTION X. Adoption and Amendments. This Constitution and By-Laws shall be adopted and put into effect after a majority vote of members in good and regular standing present at a business meeting. Paragraph A. Previous Rules. The adoption of these rules shall effect a repeal of all previously adopted rules in conflict herewith. Paragraph B. Modifications. The Constitution or any of these By-Laws may be amended, altered, or repealed by a two-thirds majority vote of the active members in good and regular standing present at a business meeting. |
