First Southern Baptist Church of Pahrump

 

 

 

• Civil Government.
  1. We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) the home; 2) the church; and 3) the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:22-24; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).
• Human Sexuality.
  1. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. (Gen. 2:24; Gen. 19:5,13; Gen. 26:8-9; Lev. 18:1-30; Rom 1:26-29; 1 Cor. 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; Heb. 13:4).
     1. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman (Gen 2:24; Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23).
     2. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband, as led by God, is to be the leader of the home and men are to be the leaders (pastors and deacons) of the church. Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. (Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim 2:8-15; 3:4-5, 1

• Divorce and Remarriage. We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication (Mai. 2:14-17; Matt. 19:3-12,; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Tim 3:2,12; Titus 1:6).
• Abortion. We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to gender selection, birth or population control, or the mental well-being of the mother are acceptable. (Job 3:16; Psalms 51:5; 139:14-16: Isa. 44:24; 49:1, 5; Jer. 1:5; 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).
• Lawsuits Between Believers. We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes. We believe the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander (1 Cor. 6:1-8; Eph. 4:31-32).
• Giving. We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially. We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need, and the spread of the Gospel. We believe that any Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made. (emphasis added) (Gen. 14:20; Prov. 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor 9:6-7; Gal. 6:6; Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17).

SECTION 2 – Authority of Statement of Faith The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing statement of faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the statement of faith.

 

ARTICLE III – CHURCH COVENANT Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and 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 (John 3:16; Acts 8:36-37, Rom. 10:8-10, Rom. 12:4-8),  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 providing comfort, to promote its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, doctrines, and discipline, to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. (Rom. 12:9-21; Heb.l0:24-25).  We also engage to maintain public, family, and personal 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 excessive use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to abstain from the use of any illegal substance; to use our influence to promote God’s word as it deals with sin; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. (Rom. 12:1-2; II Tim. 2:24-26) We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember one another in prayer, to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech, to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation without delay being mindful of the word of our Lord. (Gal 6:1-6; I Tim. 2:1-4-8) We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with another Christian church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word. (Heb. 10:24-25)

 

ARTICLE IV – POLICY AND RELATIONSHIP The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it Persons duly received by the members shall constitute the membership. (See Article I of the Bylaws) All internal groups created and empowered by the church shall report to and be accountable only to the church, unless otherwise specified by church action. This church is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Southern Baptist churches. Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with and support the association, the State Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

SECTION 4 – Membership Status ACTIVE MEMBER (A) Any person who has joined the church in a manner as prescribed in Section 2 and is attending on a regular basis. (B) Any person who has joined the church and is not attending because of illness, military service, job schedule, traveling or some other circumstance must notify the Senior Pastor, associate pastor, a deacon or another lay leader of the church of their absence. (C) Be a regular and cheerful giver of all gifts of God, tithes, offerings, service and participation in the ministries of the church. TERMINATION OF MEMBER (A) Any person who has joined the church but has not attended for three (3) consecutive months as verified by the Clerk, the Treasurer and the Chair of Deacons and once verified the name shall be given to the Senior Pastor for final approval of transfer to Inactive Member. (B) Any person who has joined the church and later requests to be removed from the membership roll. (C) Upon a letter of transfer being requested/sent to another Southern Baptist Church for members in good standing. (D) Any one joining another church denomination. (E) Exclusion by action of this church. (Per SECTION 7 – Discipline of a Member) (F) Upon notification of death. (G) If a member is church officer and under disciplinary all duties will be suspended until resolution of issue. Upon any of the above actions, the Clerk shall remove the member from the ACTIVE MEMBER roll. Any person removed from the ACTIVE MEMBER roll who wants to renew their relationship as a member must meet with the Senior Pastor to discuss and review the SECTION 2 – Qualifications For Church Membership to address any issues prior to going forward at any alter call service.  A record of all active members shall be kept by the church clerk and shall be updated on a minimum of quarterly intervals. An updated list shall be made available at the beginning of each church year. SECTION 5 – Duties of a Member On becoming a member of this church, in addition to the covenant contained in Article III of the Constitution, each one further covenants to love, honor, and esteem the senior pastor; to pray for him; and to recognize his authority in spiritual affairs of the church; to cherish a brotherly love for all members of the church; to support the church in prayer, tithes, offerings and with other financial support as the Lord enables; and in accordance with Biblical commands to serve and support through a life-style walk affirmation of the beliefs and practices of the church. SECTION 6 – Privileges of Membership This church functions as a pure democracy, as a body under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and the direction of the senior pastor as the undershepherd. Membership in this church does not afford those individuals with any property, contract, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government determination of the internal affairs of this church are ecclesiastical matters and shall be determined exclusively by the church’s own rules and procedures. The senior pastor shall oversee and/or conduct all aspects of this church. The deacons shall give counsel and assistance to the senior pastor as requested by him. Each active member of the church shall be entitled to vote on all matters brought before the church at a meeting. SECTION 7 – Discipline of a Member (A) There shall be a discipline committee consisting of the senior pastor, associate pastors and the deacons. These men shall have sole authority in determining heretical deviations for the statement of faith and violations of the church covenant. If any pastor or a deacon is the subject of a disciplinary matter, he shall not sit as a member of the discipline committee. He shall be entitled to the same steps as other church members and be subject to the same discipline. (B) Members are expected to demonstrate special loyalty and concern for one another. When a member becomes aware of an offense of such magnitude that it hinders spiritual growth and testimony, he is to go alone to the offending party and seek to restore his brother. Before he goes, he should first examine himself. When he goes, he should go with a spirit of humility and have the goal of restoration- (Matthew 18:15-17) (C) If reconciliation is not reached; either a deacon or a pastor is to accompany the one seeking to resolve the matter. The wife of a pastor or deacon may also be present.  This second step should also be preceded by self-examination, and exercised in a spirit of humility with the goal of restoration. (D) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, the discipline committee, as the church representatives Biblically responsible for putting down murmuring, shall hear the matter. If the matter is not resolved during the hearing before the discipline committee,   the committee shall recommend to the members of the church that they, after self-examination, make an effort personally to go to the offending member and seek that member’s restoration. (E) If the matter is still unresolved after the steps outlined in subsections (B), (C), and (D) have been taken, such members who refuse to repent and be restored are to be removed from the membership of the church upon a quorum at a meeting called for the purpose of considering disciplinary action. (F) No matter may be heard by the discipline committee or the church unless the steps outlined in subsections (B) and (C) have been taken, except in the case of a public offense. (G) If an unrepentant offending party is removed from the church membership, all contact with him from that point forward must be for the sake of restoration (except family members). ARTICLE II – OFFICERS SECTION 1 – Church Officers The church officers are senior pastor, associate pastors, minister of music, deacons, trustees, clerk, and treasurer. (A) No immediate family member of any church staff may be nominated or serve on any office or committee that deals in any way with the finances of the church; Trustee, Treasury, and Personnel. (B) No salaried Secretary shall serve as the Church Clerk or any assistant to the clerk due to conflict of duties. SECTION 2 – Designation of Corporate Officers As an accommodation to legal relationships outside the church, the senior pastor shall serve as president of the corporation; the church clerk shall serve as secretary of the corporation; the treasurer shall serve as treasurer of the corporation; the chairman of deacons shall serve as vice president of the corporation; and the trustees will be the directors of the corporation. SECTION 3 – Senior Pastor The relationship between the senior pastor and the church shall be permanent unless dissolved at the option of either party by the giving of a minimum 30 day notice, or less if by mutual consent or because of dire circumstances such as illness or death. If the severance of the relationship between the pastor and the church is being considered by church action, this action may be brought at any regular church meeting, provided notice to that effect has been given from the pulpit to the church for two Sundays prior to said regular church meeting.  The moderator for this meeting shall be designated by attending quorum, and he shall be someone other than the pastor.  The vote to sever the relationship shall be by secret ballot to be counted by Trustees, an affirmative quorum is required to declare the office vacant.  The termination date shall be determined after the vote is affirmed and shall not exceed 30 days from the meeting. Upon notice of the resignation of the senior pastor, his termination of service shall be rendered in not more than thirty (30) days after his resignation or longer if so approved by the church council or unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Upon leaving office, the church will compensate the pastor at the current ‘benefit package’ that is determined by the Personnel Committee. A pulpit committee shall then be elected by the church to seek out a suitable senior pastor, and its recommendations will constitute a nomination. Any church member has the privilege of making other nominations to the pulpit committee not less than 30 days prior to any election meeting. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one candidate at a time. A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. The election shall take place at a meeting called for that specific purpose, after at least two weeks’ public announcement from the pulpit on Sundays has been given prior to the meeting date. The moderator for this meeting shall be designated by the members present by majority vote, and he shall be someone other than the senior pastor. The vote for a new senior pastor shall be by secret ballot, a quorum being necessary for the election of a new senior pastor.  Ballots are to be counted by Trustees. The senior pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the church’s request. In the case of Gross Misconduct: damaging to the church or their reputation by the senior pastor, a meeting of the church congregation may be called upon the recommendation of a majority of the personnel committee and the deacons or by written petition signed by not less than one-fourth of the active church members. In instances of gross misconduct by the pastor that results in his termination no further compensation shall be rendered to him after the date of the meeting that removed him from office. (A) In accordance with 1Timothy 3:1-7 – The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. The senior pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as Scripture-led church. (B) The senior pastor will lead the church, the organizations, and the church leaders and staff to perform their tasks. (C) The senior pastor is leader of all pastoral ministries in the church. As such, he works with leadership and staff to:

1. Lead the church in the advancement of its vision of the church;
2. Teach the gospel to believers and unbelievers; and
3. Shepherd the flock.
4. All appointments for public worship and Bible study and the arrangements thereof including time and place and the use of the property belonging to the church for purposes other than the stated appointments shall be under the control of the senior pastor, or his designee.

SECTION 4 – Associate Pastors Under the direction and guidance of the senior pastor, the associate pastors of the church shall assist the senior pastor in carrying out the ministries of the church. SECTION 5 – Minister of Music The minister of music is responsible for all functions relating to the musical programs of the church.  The minister of music understands the importance of and leads the church in the praise and worship through music thus leading to a closer fellowship with the Lord.  The following are the duties and responsibilities of this officer: (A) The teaching or overseeing of music education such as:

1. the training or directing of music (voice & instrument)
2. the training of persons to lead music (church, choir, etc.)

(B) Oversee providing for all facets of music necessary for all regular church services, any specials authorized by the church and if requested – funerals of active members. (C) Act as or designate appropriate person to lead choir, groups, duets or soloists providing music to the church for worship and praise. SECTION 6 – Deacons The church shall elect deacons as recommended to the church by the senior pastor.  There shall be no obligation to accept a deacon who has been a deacon in another church, but in such instances as one might be chosen by the church for service as a deacon, his previous ordination by another church of like faith and order may suffice for this church. 1 Timothy 3:8-13  8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued,[a] not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise[b] must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Their task is to serve with the senior pastor and staff in performing the pastoral ministries tasks of: (A) Assist Pastor and fulfil the vision of the church; (B)  Carry out the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (C) Caring for the church’s members and other persons in the community. (D) Overseeing the preparation for and observance of baptism. (E) Preparing the elements and equipment for the observance of the Lord’s Supper (F) Oversee all of the functions normally included as Outreach functions. These will include serving those who are not and/or cannot utilize any of the services and meetings of the church. Organize visitation as well as phone calls, cards and letters to those members who are known to be incapacitated and those who have not been recently attending for unknown reasons. The same procedures are applicable for visitors to the church. Others may be called on to aid the deacons in these activities. A deacon may resign or step down from active service with proper notice given to the senior pastor and the chair of deacons.  This will not require his ordination to be revoked.  Deacons may be removed from service for unbiblical conduct, as determined by the church upon a quorum.  The church may revoke his ordination from FSBC if gross misconduct is deemed damaging to the church or their reputation. SECTION 7 – Trustees (A) The church shall elect three or more trustees to serve as legal officers for the church for three-year terms. Trustees shall serve on a rotation basis, with one or more new trustees being elected every year. (B) Upon a specific vote of the church authorizing each action, the trustees shall exercise the following specific powers for church property:

1. To purchase, hold, lease, or otherwise acquire real and personal property on behalf of the church, and to take real and personal property by will, gift, or bequest on behalf of the church.
2. To sell, convey, alienate, transfer, lease, assign, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and to mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the real and personal property of the church, to borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purpose and the use of the church; to cause to be executed, issued, and delivered for the indebtedness, in the name of the church, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness; and to secure repayment by deeds of trust, mortgages, or pledges
3. To exercise all powers necessary for the dissolution of the church corporation, if such action is mandated by a vote of the church membership.
4. To exercise all powers necessary for the proper accounting of funds in the Church Treasury.

  SECTION 8 – Church Clerk Church Clerk shall: (A) Certify and keep at the office of the Church, the original Bylaws or a copy, including all amendments or alterations to the Bylaws. (B) Keep at the place where the Bylaws or a copy are kept a record of the proceedings of business meetings, with the time and place of holding, the notice of meeting given, the names of those present at the meetings. (C) Sign, certify, see that the reports, statements, certificates, and all other documents and records required by law are properly kept and filed. (D) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. In case of the absence or disability of the church clerk, or his or her refusal or neglect to act, notice may be given and served by the pastor, or by the chairman of deacons. (E) Be custodian of the records of the church, including the membership roll, baptisms, and certificates of ordination, licenses and commissions. (F) Have Bylaws and minutes of church meetings available to church members within two weeks of request. (H) Keep all records at the office of the church and deliver them to any successor upon leaving office. ( I ) Keep term in position until (A) Surrendered (B) If disciplinary action is needed by leadership of Church (C) Has become Deceased SECTION 9 – Treasurer The Treasurer will be responsible for making any necessary arrangements to assure that there are a minimum of two persons (unrelated) in all instances that involve the handling of monies and/or checks.  The treasurer also shall: (A) Have charge and custody of, and be responsible, for, all funds of the Corporation, and deposit all funds in the name of the church in banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the authority of church membership. (B) Receive and give receipt for all contributions, gifts, and donations to the church as required by Internal Revenue Service regulation. (C) Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds by check of the church as may be directed by pastor, or the budget adopted by the members of the church as the annual church business meeting, taking proper vouchers for the disbursements. Report on as necessary at business meetings. (D) Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the church’s properties and business transactions including account of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, and capital. (E) Make available to any active church member upon request within two weeks, any financial report presented at any business meeting that was accepted as read.  If any changes were required at meeting, report will not be available until required changes have been made and accepted by the church. (F) Keep all church financial records at the office of the church and deliver them to any successor upon leaving office. (G) Serve as treasurer of the corporation. (H) The financial records may be audited as deemed necessary in a regular or special business meeting. (I) Prepare an annual budget to be presented to the church at the September regular meeting. (J) Keep term in position until (A) Surrendered (B) If disciplinary action is needed by leadership of Church (C) Has become Deceased ARTICLE III – CHURCH PROGRAMS Only active church members are eligible for election or appointment to any church office or position, with the exception of senior pastor. As stated in Article I, Section 2 (B) of the Constitution, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church. A vacancy occurring in any church position, except in the case of the senior pastor and/or deacons may be filled at any regular church meeting. The church shall maintain the following programs and committees as it deems necessary: Bible education, church member training, church leader training, outreach, new member orientation, mission education, action and support, and music education, training and performance. All committees and programs shall be under the senior pastor and as such is an ex-officio member of all committees named, and his leadership is to be recognized in them.  The committees of this church shall be a nominating committee, personnel committee, building and landscaping committee, kitchen/hospitality committee, and such other regular committees as may be added by the amendment procedure prescribed within these Bylaws. All church committee members shall be recommended by the church nominating committee and elected by the church unless otherwise specified within these Bylaws. Committee members shall serve on a three-year rotation basis. Each committee will consist of 3, 5 or 7 members. Two alternates may be elected as deemed necessary. The church shall provide all needed resources for the functioning and advancement of the programs: SECTION 1 – Education Director The Education director shall supervise the educational programs including but not limited to Sunday School, weekly Bible Studies, Children’s ministry programs: VBS, Children’s Church, Trunk or Treat, etc.…, Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), Brotherhood and Youth group programs. In consultation with the senior pastor, the director shall recommend the appointment of members as teachers and leaders of the educational programs. The director shall preside at the educational Program meetings, and report on the condition of the educational programs at church business meetings. Materials other than the Bible, all education materials need to be approved through Education Director and Senior Pastor. All educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom. (A) Discipleship training of church members is to enable the performance of the functions of the church, training church leaders, orient new members, teach Christian theology, Christian ethics and Christian history. (B) WMU and Brotherhood’s purpose is training of mission education, mission action, and mission support organization of the church for. They are to also support world missions through praying and giving, and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.  WMU is comprised of women, young girls, and pre-school children and Brotherhood is men, young men and boys. (C) Youth group is comprised of the Jr. High and/or High School age students. in activities that encourage Bible study, activities and outings that will further their spiritual walk. This includes, but is not limited to: (a) Regular Meetings (b) Witnessing and outreach to peers (c) Recreation (d) Concerts and outings when available. The youth leadership should also help build a relationship with each of the young people, to encourage openness and a willingness to go to the leadership when they are in need of counseling and direction for someone outside of their own family. SECTION 2 – Nominating Committee The nominating committee coordinates the staffing of all church leadership places of service opportunities performed by volunteer workers, unless otherwise specified herein. Persons considered for any such service opportunities shall first be approved by the nominating committee before they are approached for recruitment. The nominating committee shall present to the church those recommended by the committee for election. Individuals may also be nominated from the floor for any service opportunity. SECTION 3 – Personnel Committee The personnel committee assists the church in matters related to employed personnel administration, including those called by church action. Their work includes such areas as determining staff needs, employment salaries, benefits, other compensation policies, job description and personnel services. Such employment and termination of non-ministerial staff shall be with the recommendation of the personnel committee to the church body. A personnel committee recommendation will constitute a nomination. Individuals may also be nominated from the floor for any position. At the time of the senior pastor position being vacated by church vote, the personnel committee authorizes the payment of the compensation that they have determined to be paid. SECTION 4 – Building and Landscaping Committee The building and landscaping committee plans for future building, expansion, renovation, exterior landscaping of the grounds as well as maintaining and improving the existing physical plant.  They shall also be responsible for the physical preparation for all baptisms conducted in the church. SECTION 5 – Kitchen/Hospitality Committee The kitchen/hospitality committee will be responsible for organizing, promoting and serving the various church fellowship luncheons or special meals. The committee will organize and supervise the lodging and feeding of any evangelist or other person or groups who have been invited to work with the church. SECTION 6 – Head Usher The head usher, in cooperation with the senior pastor, shall appoint a sufficient number of assistants to care for the work of ushering and extending the official hospitality of the church to its members and visitors.   SECTION 7 – Duties of All Officers (A) All officers shall submit a written report of their work for the church upon request of senior pastor or church membership. (B) Any officer who neglects his/her duties as outlined in the Bylaws for a period of three months may be removed fromhis/her office at the discretion of the church and another may be elected by the church. SECTION 8 – Installation of Officers and Ordination of Deacons At a public installation service, all newly approved officers of the church are to be dedicated to their respective offices. The ordination of newly approved deacons shall be held at a public church service following their approval by the church. ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS SECTION 1 – Meetings for Worship Unless otherwise determined by the senior pastor, the church shall meet each Sunday for public worship in the morning and at least once during the week for Bible study and prayer. Except when circumstances forbid it, the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed during the Sunday morning worship service the first Sunday of every month. SECTION 2 -Meetings for Church Business (A) A church business meeting shall be held quarterly on the second Wednesday evening of each of the following months: December, March, June and September, at which time the regular church business shall be considered. A quorum is necessary for all voting items.  The annual election for church officers and budget shall be at the regular church business meeting in September of each year. (B) All church business meeting shall be opened with prayer for divine guidance and blessing by the moderator (Senior Pastor) or his designee. (C) The following order shall be observed at the regular church business meetings; (1) Prayer and/or devotions (2) Reading of minutes (3) Report of officers (4) Report of standing committees (5) Reports of special committees (6) Unfinished matters (7) Election of officers (8) New matters (9) Adjournment SECTION 3 – Special Meetings (A) The senior pastor (or deacons) may call a special meeting by giving notice of such a meeting and the purpose for which it is called to the church not less than one week prior to said meeting. (B) Bible conferences, missionary conferences, and revivals may be held as the pastor deems beneficial. (C) Emergency meetings may be called by the senior pastor, or in his absence, by the church council. SECTION 4 – CHURCH COUNCIL The church council, which will meet on the first Wednesday of  December, March, June and September to serve the church by leading in planning, coordinating, conducting and evaluating the ministries and programs of the church and its organizations. The functions of the church council shall be to recommend to the church suggested objectives and church goals; to review and coordinate ministry and program plans recommended by church officers, organizations and committees; to recommend to the church the use of leadership, calendar time, and other resources according to program priorities; and to evaluate achievements in terms of church objectives and goals. Regular members of the church council shall be the senior pastor, chairman of deacons, minister of music, treasurer, building committee chairman, education director, personnel committee chairman, and the clerk or their designated representative. All matters agreed upon by the council which call for action not already approved shall be referred to the church for approval or disapproval. ARTICLE V – UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES Any expenditure, not authorized in the regular annual budget, must be authorized by a vote of the church. Any emergency expenditure must be authorized by the pastor, church council, or trustees, as appropriate. ARTICLE VI – ORDINATION SECTION 1 – Ordination Qualifications Any member of this church or its mission churches, who gives evidence of a genuine call of God into the work of the ministry, may be ordained as a minister of the Gospel. (I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9)