CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH OF PARADISE VALLEY

 

ARTICLE 1: PREAMBLE

We declare and establish the constitution and bylaws to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner. The constitution and bylaws will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom of action of this body in relation to other churches.

ARTICLE 2: NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The name of the Corporation is First Southern Baptist Church of Paradise Valley. This Corporation will be further referred to in the Bylaws as the Church. The Church maintains its principal office at 16033 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032.

ARTICLE 3: PURPOSE

The reason First Southern Baptist Church of Paradise Valley exists can be summarized in a single statement: Our purpose is to help people improve their relationship with God and each other. This purpose is based on two key scriptures: The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Our Church has five focuses based on the previous two scriptures:

Section 1: Evangelism/Missions

To share the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible in our community and throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 3:9).

Section 2: Education

To help members develop toward full Christian maturity and train them for effective ministry. To promote personal growth, spiritual growth and discipleship through Bible teaching (Ephesians 4:11-13, Matthew 18:20, 1 Timothy 2:2).

Section 3: Worship

To participate in public worship services together and to maintain personal daily devotions (John 4:24).

Section 4: Ministry/Service

To serve unselfishly in Jesus name, meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those in our Church, community and in the world (1 Peter 4:10-11, Matthew 25:34- 40, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Galatians 5:13).Section 5: Fellowship

To encourage, support, and pray for each other as members of the family of God. To share our lives together (1 John 1:7, Acts 2:44-47, Hebrews 10:23-25, Romans 15:5, 7,

John 13:34-35).

 

This Church seeks to benefit the people in the community by providing opportunities for spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social development (Luke 2:52).

 

ARTICLE 4: STATEMENT OF BELIEF

We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired word of God and the basis for our beliefs. This Church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of “The Baptist Faith and Message” as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2000. We voluntarily join together as a body of born again, baptized believers in Jesus Christ, individually committed to sharing the Good News of salvation to a lost world. The ordinances of the Church are believer’s baptism by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper.

 

ARTICLE 5: CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led by the Spirit of God I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord (John 1:12). I have been born again through the Holy Spirit (John 1:13; 3:6, 7) and have publicly confessed my faith by word (Romans 10:9-10) and in baptism (Romans 6:3-5). I subscribe to the Articles of Faith of my Church and do now with other members of the Church as one body in Christ state my purpose and desire as a member of First Southern Baptist of Paradise Valley:

Section 1: To walk lovingly (John 13:34, 35) and humbly with my brethren (1 Peter 5:6; Romans 12:3); to pray for them (James 5:16); to separate myself from worldly and unchristian practices (Titus 2:12).

Section 2: To pray for the advancement of my Church in knowledge, spiritual growth, and fruitfulness (John 15:8, 16); to uphold it through faithful attendance at worship, training, and teaching; to observe its ordinances (Matthew 23:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-27; Hebrews 10:25) and affirm its teaching (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3).

Section 3: To give regularly and cheerfully to my Church as God prospers for the support of the evangelistic, teaching, and training ministry among us (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 16:2); for the relief of the needy (Proverbs 19:17); and for the spreading of the Gospel both here in our community and all over the earth (Matthew 28:19, 20).

Section 4: To serve faithfully in some activity in the Church body according to God’s leading and according to my spiritual gifts and abilities (Romans 12:4-8; James 1:22-24; 2:18); taking care to assume only such duties as can be effectively performed (1 Corinthians 4:2); to improve my service by prayerful study of God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).

Section 5: To maintain family worship, training, and discipline in my home. To encourage family prayer, Bible study, and spiritual growth for any under my care (Ephesians 6:14; Proverbs 22:6).

Section 6: To endeavor by my example (Matthew 5:16), witness (1 Peter 3:15), and effort to point people to Christ, and to do my part in building them up in the faith (Matthew 28:19, 20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 1:28).

Section 7: To follow the Bible as my rule of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

Section 8: To endeavor to understand and appreciate my fellow members in the Church, especially those who may have personalities, ministries, and backgrounds quite different than mine (Romans 14:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:27, 18-28; Galatians 3:26-28).

Section 9: To endeavor to put into practice the Scriptures relating to our Church as the Body of Christ (Romans 12:6-16; 1 Corinthians 12:11-27; Ephesians 4:11-16).

 

ARTICLE 6: POLITY AND RELATIONSHIPS

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. 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 Baptist churches. Insofar as it is practical, this Church will cooperate with and support the Central Association of Southern Baptists, the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

BYLAWS

FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH OF PARADISE VALLEY

ARTICLE 1: CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: General

This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist Church under the leadership of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this Church. The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this Church and the conditions of such membership.

A candidate becomes a member of First Southern Baptist Church of Paradise Valley by filling out a membership application card, usually by coming forward during the altar call at the conclusion of a worship service. Once the card is submitted, the candidate must receive a majority vote of members present and voting no sooner than one week following the receipt of the membership application card.

 

 

Section 2: Candidacy

A. By baptism: Any person publicly professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior and declaring it as his/her purpose to follow Him as His disciple may be received into full fellowship of this Church, subject to baptism by immersion in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

B. By letter: Members in good standing of other Southern Baptist Churches may be received into full membership of this Church upon receipt of a letter of transfer from the former church.

C. By Statement: Admission into membership may be by personal statement after giving satisfactory testimony of a salvation experience. Any individual seeking membership by statement must have previously followed Jesus’ example by being baptized by immersion, with the understanding that baptism is not a part of salvation.

D. By Watch care: Any Christian desiring to come under the watch care of the Church may do so by request and this request shall be approved by the Church. The person received under the watch care of the Church has all the rights and privileges of membership except voting rights and the right to serve on committees and as a Sunday School Teacher.

Section 3: New Member Orientation

All new members of this Church are expected to participate in the Church’s classes for new members. The Church will provide such age appropriate classes as needed.

Section 4: Rights of Members

1. Every member of the church present at a business meeting is entitled to vote at all elections on all questions submitted to the Church at said meeting, with the stipulation that he/she first search his/her heart concerning previous support and commitment to the Church and the ministries of the Church. Absentee ballots will not be accepted.

2. Every member of the Church 18 years or older (per insurance policy), is eligible for consideration by the membership as a candidate for elective offices in the Church.

3. Every member of this Church may participate in the ordinances of the Church as administered by the Church.

Section 5: Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

1. Death of the member

2. Transfer to another Baptist Church

3. Exclusion by action of the Church for causes deemed proper by the Church according to the scriptures. Such exclusions must follow guidelines set in Matthew 18:15-17 and receive a two-thirds majority vote cast.

4. Erasure upon written request or proof of membership in a church of another denomination.

5. Erasure after a period of at least 5 yrs. of no contact with member.

 

ARTICLE 2: CHURCH OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

All who serve as officers of the Church and those who serve on Church committees shall be members of this Church.

 

Section 1: Church Officers

The officers of this Church shall be the pastor, the Church staff, the deacons, a moderator, a clerk, a treasurer, and trustees.

1. The pastor shall meet the scriptural qualifications that are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

The pastor shall be an ex-officio, non-voting, member of all organizations and committees of the Church. The Pastor may meet with the chair persons of these committees prior to their meetings to make suggestions, have input and to encourage. The Pastor may attend the meeting of these committees.

 

The Pastor is responsible for leading the Church to function as a New Testament Church. The pastor will lead the congregation, the organizations, and the Church staff to perform their tasks.

 

The pastor is leader of pastoral ministries in the Church. As such, he works with the deacons and Church staff to:

(1) lead the Church in the achievement of it’s mission,

(2) proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers,

(3) care for the Churches members and other persons in the community.

 

Recommendations regarding changes in the pastor’s time away from the Church field shall be made by the deacon body and voted on by the Church.

 

The pastor may relinquish the office as pastor by giving at least two weeks notice to the Church at the time of resignation. The Church may terminate the pastor’s service. Such action shall take place at a meeting called solely for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given. The meeting shall be called upon recommendation of the majority of the deacons. The moderator for this meeting shall be the deacon chairman, if present, and if not, the clerk shall call for nominations, and a moderator shall be elected by majority vote. The vote to declare the office vacant shall be by secret ballot; an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting being necessary to declare the office vacant. The Church will compensate the pastor with not less than one twelfth of his total annual salary. The termination shall be immediate and the compensation shall be rendered in not more than thirty days.

 

2. The ministerial staff shall be called and employed as the Church determines the need for such offices. A job description shall be written by the personnel committee when the need for additional staff is determined. The job description must be submitted for Church approval. Those staff members of whom the Church requires evidence of a personal call of God to minister shall be recommended to the Church by the personnel committee and called by a two-thirds vote of the membership present and voting by secret ballot. The election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given. At the time of resignation, at least two weeks’ notice shall be given to the Church. The Church may terminate a ministerial staff member upon recommendation of the personnel committee and a two-thirds vote of the Church membership present and voting by secret ballot. Such action shall take place at a meeting called solely for that purpose, of which at least one week public notice has been given. Any termination shall be immediate with the compensation conditions being the same as for the pastor, except that the amount shall relate to the individual’s salary.

 

Non-ministerial staff members shall be employed as the Church determines the need for their services. The church personnel committee shall have the authority to recommend hiring or terminating services of non-ministerial staff members. Such employment or termination of services shall be with the agreement of the supervising staff member and, as appropriate, with the consultation of related committees of the church, and upon a two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting. Vote for termination can take place at a regular business meeting, provided that the recommendation has been announced at the Sunday worship services prior to the meeting.

 

3. A job description shall be approved by the personnel committee for non paid positions.

 

4. In accordance with the meaning of the work and the practice in the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the Church. Their task is to serve with the pastor and staff in performing the pastoral ministries tasks of (1) leading the Church in the achievement of its mission, (2) proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers, and (3) caring for the Church’s members and other persons in the community.

 

The Pastor and deacons are responsible for determining when additional deacons are needed and informing the Church. A study of the deacon’s qualifications, as well as election procedure, will then be presented to the Church body as soon as possible.

 

The deacon body, along with the pastor, shall seek men scripturally, morally and spiritually, qualified men for the deacon ministry, based upon Acts 6:1-6 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

 

All candidates must be members of the Church for at least six months before being elected. When the pastor and deacon body have agreed upon a candidate(s), his name(s) shall be listed in the Church bulletin the Sunday preceding the regular business meeting, and shall be placed in nomination and voted upon at said business meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot, with a two-thirds affirmative vote by those present and voting required for election.

 

All persons elected will attend a deacon orientation training program prior to ordination. If the elected person has already been ordained in a church of like faith and order, no ordination will be necessary.

 

When the number of deacons is deemed sufficient, a deacon rotation system can be put into effect, with the approval of the pastor and deacon body. The specifics of the rotation system are to be determined by the pastor and deacon body.

 

5. The Church shall elect annually a clerk as its clerical officer. The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a suitable record of all official actions of the Church, except as otherwise herein provided. The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of names of members, with dates of admission, dismission, death, or erasure, together with a record of baptisms. The clerk shall issue letters of dismission voted by the Church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary, and indicated in these bylaws. The clerk shall be responsible for preparing the annual letter of the Church to the association.

 

The Church may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a Church secretary or an assistant clerk who will assist the elected clerk. All Church records are Church property and shall be kept in the Church office when an office is maintained.

 

6. The Church shall elect annually a Church treasurer as its financial officer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, preserve, and pay out, upon proper authorization, all money or things of value paid or given to the Church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts 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 of the preceding month. The treasurer’s report and records shall be audited annually and when changing treasurers by an auditing committee or public accountant. The treasurer shall be bonded, with the Church paying for the bond.

 

Upon rendering the annual account 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 account as a part of the permanent records of the Church.

 

The Church treasurer shall be an ex officio, non-voting, member of the finance committee.

 

7. The Church shall elect at least three trustees to serve as legal officers for the Church. They shall hold in trust the Church property. Upon a specific vote of the Church authorizing each action, they shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any Church property. When the signatures of trustees are required, they shall sign legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property, or other legal documents related to Church-approved matters. The trustees shall hold in trust all such legal documents, keeping them in a safety deposit box with signatures of at least two trustees.

 

Trustees shall serve on a rotation basis, elected for a 3 year term. Any trustee rotating off, must remain off for at least one year before being considered for re- election as a trustee.

 

Section 2: Church Committees

The committees of this Church shall be a Nominating Committee, Personnel Committee, Building and Grounds Committee, Finance Committee, Teller Committee, Committee on Bylaws, and such other regular and standing committees as the Church shall authorize. 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 rotating basis elected for a 1, 2, or 3 year term, unless otherwise specified. Any member rotating off must remain off for at least one year before being considered for re-election to that committee. Committee members may serve on no more than (2) committees (this clause is grandfathered). Committees may have no more than one member from the same household.

 

The chair is elected by the committee members. It is the duty of the chair to call the committee together. If the chair is absent, or neglects or declines to call a meeting, it is the duty of the committee to meet on the call of any two of its members.

In small special committees the chair usually acts as secretary, but in large committees and in all standing committees, it is customary to elect a secretary. The secretary keeps a brief memorandum of what is done, for the use of the committee and each Church chairperson or team leader must submit a written report to the Secretary for inclusion in the Business Meeting.

 

1. The Nominating Committee coordinates the staffing of all Church leadership positions and committees filled by volunteer workers, unless otherwise specified herein. Persons considered for any such positions shall first be approved by the nominating committee before they are approached for recruitment. The nominating committee shall present to the Church for election all who accept the invitation to serve. Nominations for the new Church year must be ready by the annual business meeting which takes place on the third Sunday of August. The nominating committee should be composed of at least three members, all serving on a rotating basis.

 

2. The Personnel Committee assists the Church in matters related to employed personnel administration, including those called by Church action, except for the pastor. Their work includes such areas as recommending candidates to the Church for filling ministerial and non-ministerial staff vacancies (except for the pastor). Their work includes developing job descriptions, including non-paid personnel, making recommendations regarding vacations of said employees, and developing the initial financial package involved, with the aid and advice of the Finance Committee. All recommendations are contingent upon the approval of the church. Should the personnel committee desire to dismiss a ministerial or non-ministerial staff member, they must follow the guidelines of these bylaws as printed in Article II, section 2, (2). The personnel committee shall be composed of not less than five members.

 

3. The Church Building and Grounds Committee assists the Church in matters related to property administration. Its work includes such areas as maintaining all Church properties for ready use, recommending policies regarding use of properties, consulting with the personnel committee and the Church staff regarding the needs for, and the employment of, maintenance personnel, and regarding the assignment of supervisory responsibility to appropriate personnel. The building and grounds committee should be composed of at least three members.

 

4. The Finance Committee develops and recommends an overall stewardship development plan and a unified annual budget. The budget must be presented to the Church no later than the 1st Sunday in December, with discussion and voting taking place the following Sunday, during a specially called, or regular, business meeting. The finance committee advises and recommends the administration of the gifts of Church members and others, using sound principles of financial management. It works with the treasurer in the preparation and presentation to the Church of required reports regarding the financial affairs of the Church. The finance committee shall be composed of a minimum of five voting members, with the treasurer an ex-officio, non-voting, member.

 

5. The Teller Committee shall be responsible for counting and depositing all monies received. The teller committee shall provide a “summary of receipts” for the Church treasurer and other involved persons. This committee should be composed of not less than six members with at least two separate households represented whenever funds are counted. All tellers are required to attend a training session.

 

6. The Committee on Constitution and Bylaws shall be responsible for (a) initiating proposed amendments; (b) reviewing and approving, or disapproving, amendments coming from outside the committee; (c) presenting committee approved proposed amendments to the Church for a two-thirds majority vote (d) periodic revision of the documents.

 

Regarding any proposed changes the Committee on Bylaws has the following choices of action:

a. Bring it to the Church for a two-thirds majority vote, as is, after review.

b. Modify it, with the approval of the originator, and bring it to the Church for a two-thirds majority vote.

c. After review, decline to present it to the Church for a two-thirds majority vote.

 

The committee on Bylaws should be composed of at least 6 members. Minimum of

(4) shall be present.

 

7. Whenever the pastoral office becomes vacant a pastoral search committee shall be formed to seek out a suitable pastor, and it’s recommendation shall constitute a nomination. The pastor search committee shall be nominated by the vote of the Church by secret ballot at a regular, or specially called, business meeting. The pastor search committee shall be composed of no less than five members, with no more than 1 person from the same household serving at the same time. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the Church only one name at a time. Election shall be by secret ballot, an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those present and voting necessary for a choice. The pastor shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request, or the Church’s request. The pastor search committee shall prayerfully conduct their search, following established procedures.

 

Section 3: Church Ministry Teams

1001. Teams are made up of volunteers who are lead to serve in a particular ministry. The ministry teams shall be the Hostess Team, the Greeting Team, the Usher Team, the Flower Team, the Missions Team, the Women’s Ministry Team, the Men’s Ministry Team and such other regular and standing Teams as the Church shall authorize. Programs, activities, groups, functions and service areas in the Church will be the responsibility of one or more ministry teams. Any lay person may volunteer for these ministries. Team leaders must be 18 yrs. of age or older and be members of the Church. If a member has an idea and agrees to lead a special ministry which is approved by the ministerial staff and the appropriate committee, the Church ministers and program director and the congregation will give their support. The Finance committee must approve funding of any new areas of ministry.

 

ARTICLE 3: CHURCH PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

The Church shall maintain programs of Bible teaching; Church member training, Church leader training, new member orientation; mission education, action, and support; and music education, training, and performance. All organizations related to the Church programs shall be under Church control, all officers being elected by the Church and reporting in writing regularly to the Church, and all program activities subject to Church coordination and approval. The Church shall provide the human, physical, and financial resources of these programs.