Preamble
We, the members of the First Baptist Church of Otsego, Michigan, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.
Article I – Name
This organization shall be known as the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Otsego, Michigan, incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan.
Article II – Purpose
First Baptist Church exists to bring glory to God by knowing Christ, living Christ, and making Christ known within our community and around the world.
Article III – Autonomy and Dissolution
The First Baptist Church of Otsego, Michigan, shall be and remain independent and self-governing, not affiliated with any doctrinally liberal organization. It may participate in membership and activity only with organizations of like doctrine and for the promotion of the Gospel of God’s grace. In case this church is ever dissolved, none of its properties will be dispersed to any member/s, but only to a church or church organization whose doctrinal statement is in complete agreement with the Confession of Faith of this church.
Article IV – Membership
Section I – Receiving Members
Conditions for Membership
Any persons professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are Scripturally baptized, give evidence of a change of heart, and are in agreement with the Covenant, Confession of Faith, and Constitution of this church may be received into church membership.
Process of Membership
Step One – Conversion.
Step Two – Public request. Coming forward in a church service is important. It shows that God has convicted a person about the matter of church membership, and allows current members of the church to be aware of the intent of the prospective member so they can pray for and encourage them.
Step Three – Complete the New Membership Class. This allows some time for the candidate to learn the basic doctrines of this church, and allows the Pastors and deacons time to observe the candidates Christian sincerity.
Step Four – Complete the Membership Questionnaire and meet with at least two deacons, who will hear their testimony.
Step Five – Deacons approval. The deacons shall hear the report from the deacons who heard the testimony of the candidate/s, and, if favorable, vote to recommend that the church proceed with their baptism and membership.
Step Six – Believer’s baptism (Please see the Confession of Faith, Article VIII, pp. 8-9). Obviously this step is not necessary for those who have already been Scripturally baptized.
Step Seven – Congregational vote. This congregational decision can occur at any regular congregational service without prior announcement.
Step Eight – Extending the “Right Hand of Fellowship”. This public handshake demonstrates in a formal, yet warm way, the congregation’s acceptance and endorsement of its newest member/s (Galatians 2:9).
Section II – Transfer, Dismissal, and Restoration of Members
Transfer
Any member of this church in good standing who desires a letter of transfer or recommendation to any other church of like faith may receive it upon written request and a favorable vote of the deacons. The congregation must then vote to terminate their membership.
Dismissal
The deacons and pastors constitute the Discipline Committee of this church. When church discipline of a member is required they must follow the Discipline Policy as set forth in the Policy Guide. No person under discipline is entitled to vote or hold an office in this church.
Restoration
Those who have been removed from membership may be restored to membership by a favorable congregational vote after an expression of repentance and upon the recommendation of the deacons and pastors.
Article V – Property
The title to all real estate and personal property acquired by purchase, deed, gift, transfer, inheritance, or other means shall be safely held by the trustees of this church on behalf of the church. Documents that require official signatures that represent First Baptist Church must be signed by the Chairman of the Deacons.
Article VI – Government
Final Authority
This church believes in “congregational government”. Final authority in all matters of government is vested in the body of believers who compose the membership of this church. Since Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, all business meetings should be under His direction by means of the Holy Spirit working through His Spirit filled and Spirit prepared children.
Officers
The officers of this church shall be the pastors and deacons (Philippians 1:1). They will compose the “official board” of this church. They shall meet monthly or as needed, and have authority over all other positions, committees, or ministries of this church. This board is responsible to keep the church’s Policy Guide. The Policy Guide provides a basis for operational procedures and details for carrying out our ministry in an orderly fashion. The officers who make up this board are responsible for updating and changing these policies as ministry needs and practices are continually assessed.
Pastor/s
The pastor/s shall be chosen by the congregation for an indefinite term. The Senior Pastor shall act as moderator of the “official board” and church business meetings, and be an ex-officio member of all committees and ministries. Additional information on the pastor’s job description, relationship to the deacons or congregation, procedures for his call or dismissal, or policies related to his position, are included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Deacons
The chief duty of the deacons is to assist the pastor/s. They shall be men, who will be elected by the congregation for a term of three years. Deacon positions shall assist the pastors by caring for an assigned “flock” from the membership of the church. The deacons shall elect one of their own members to serve as chairman and one to serve as secretary. In the absence of the senior pastor, the chairman of the deacons shall act as moderator of the congregational and deacons meetings. Additional information on the deacon’s job description, relationship to the pastor/s, and other responsibilities are included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Elected Positions
Clerk. The church clerk shall keep the minutes of all church business meetings, and shall be elected by the congregation for a term of three years. A full job description and details of operation for the church clerk are included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Financial Secretary. The Financial Secretary shall oversee the counting and proper recording of all Giving to the church. He/she shall be elected by the congregation for a three year term. A full job description and details of operation for the Financial Secretary are included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Committees
This church shall have elected committees and non-elected committees. Those elected by the congregation shall consist of the trustees, missions, nominating, and pulpit committees. All other committees, except the Building Use Committee, are appointed by the deacons. Non-elected committees may be established, modified, or terminated, by the deacons as needed.
A full job description and details of operation for the following committees are included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Elected Committees
Trustees Committee
The general duties of the trustees consist of overseeing the church’s building and grounds, official documents, and assisting the Senior Pastor, church treasurer, and chairman of the deacons in preparing the annual budget.
Repairs or purchases over $2500.00 require the approval of the deacons. The trustees serve as a committee under the administration of the official board.
Missions Committee
The general duty of the missions committee is to work under the administration of the official board to oversee all missionary matters.
This includes recommending to the deacons missionary budget items, new missionaries to be supported, or missionary support that needs to be adjusted, missionary promotion items that would cost money, and missionary conference plans. All missionary support changes must have congregational approval.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members elected by the congregation. Its duty is to recommend to the church the nominees for positions which need to be filled by the congregation at its annual meeting, and to recommend to the deacons the nominees for positions which need to be filled by the deacons at their organizational meeting following the church’s annual meeting.
Pulpit Committee
This committee is formed by a special congregational meeting called for this purpose. A ballot will be presented listing those deacons available to serve along with those members-at-large screened by the deacons. From the ballot presented, the membership shall elect three deacons and two members-at-large to serve as the Pulpit Committee. Additional information about the duties of this committee and the pastoral search process is included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Non-elected Committees
Hospitality Committee
The Hospitality Committee oversees all church funeral meals, pot-lucks, meals for members who have had a baby or hospital stay, and oversees the kitchen and all matters pertaining to church showers.
Technology Committee
The Technology Committee oversees all electronic equipment owned by this church, and all information sent out from this church electronically. It also serves to advise the official board on all technology matters and issues.
Building Use Committee
The Building Use Committee is not elected by the congregation or appointed by the deacons. It is composed of those already serving in the following positions: Deacon of Building and Grounds, Chairman of the Deacons, the Church Custodian, and the Senior Pastor. Its duty is to make decisions about how existing rooms at this church are used and who can use them, the location of bulletin boards, missionary displays, large furniture items, and major redecorating matters.
Deacon Appointed Positions
The following positions are appointed annually by the deacons after the deacons receive nominations for these positions from the Nominating Committee: Head Usher/s, Welcome Committee Director, Flower & Gift Director, Sunday School Secretary/Treasurer. These all serve for a term of one year. A full job description and details of operation for these positions are included in the Policy Guide of this church.
Article VII – Business Meetings
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this church shall begin on the first day of January and close on the last day of December each year. The fiscal year of each and every organization under this church’s direction shall be the same as the fiscal year of this church.
Annual Business Meeting
The annual meeting of this church shall be held in January.
Quarterly Business Meetings
A quarterly business meeting of this church shall be held in April, July, and October.
Special Business Meetings
A special business meeting of this church may be called by the Senior Pastor or Deacons provided that notice of such meeting shall have been given publicly at least two Sundays in advance of that meeting. The business to be transacted in that meeting must be stated in that notice. No other business shall be transacted at a special business meeting accept as specified in the business meeting notice.
Proper Business Meeting Notices
All church business meeting notices shall be posted on the church bulletin board and by a verbal announcement at the regular church services at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. These notices shall contain the meeting date, starting time, place, and the purpose of the meeting.
Article VIII – Voting Regulations and Quorum
Voting Age
Only members eighteen (18) years of age or older, who are not under church discipline will be considered eligible voters and part of any consideration for a quorum.
Percentage Required Before the Church Can Take Action
Action on all matters shall require a three-fifths affirmative vote of voting members present.
Voting Requirements for Calling a Pastor
A three-fourths affirmative vote of voting members present shall be required to call a pastor. A full description of matters pertaining to calling and dismissing a pastor is in the Policy Guide.
Absentee Voting
Members must be present in the meeting in order to vote.
Quorum
The quorum for action on church matters shall be twenty voting members or more who are eligible to vote on the date of the meeting.
Article IX – Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be made at any regular or special business meeting of the congregation, provided that the constitutional changes and their purpose were published and given to the membership not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date designated for the action on those changes. Once amendments are duly ratified by this congregation, all former constitutions of this church are thereby repealed.