First Baptist Church
Derry NH

      CHURCH CONSTITUTION     

Constitution November 2000 Revised  

 Adopted December 16, 2000  

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DERRY , NEW HAMPSHIRE  

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS  

ARTICLE 1 - NAME

The corporate name of this fellowship shall be the First Baptist Church of Derry, New Hampshire.  

ARTICLE 2 - DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION  

This church shall be in cooperation with the American Baptist Churches of the USA .  

ARTICLE 3 - PURPOSE  

SECTION 1:  PRELIMINARY STATEMENT  

The purpose of this church is to be an instrument for emphasizing God's mission of salvation and wholeness in the world through Christ.  Our ministry is to maintain public services for the worship of God, and to teach, preach, and live the Gospel of Christ, according to the scriptures.  

SECTION 2:  BASIC PRINCIPLES  

The congregation shall seek to conduct its ministry in the spirit of the following principles:  

      1.    The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and His will should be ascertained and obeyed.  

      2.    The Holy Scriptures are the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.  

      3.    Two New Testament ordinances are to be observed:  

            a.   Baptism: as symbol of Christian regeneration and commitment  

            b.   The Lord's Supper: a continuing memorial symbol of the life and death of the Lord  Jesus Christ.  

      4.    The local Church organization is to be governed by its members; it sets priorities,  establishes a budget, and calls the pastor.

 SECTION 3:  CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led, as we, believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

 We pledge, therefore, with the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations.  

We also pledge to maintain as far as possible family and private devotions; to teach our children Christian truths; to seek the salvation of our family, friends, and acquaintances; to walk uprightly in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our relations, exemplary in our behavior, and to be enthusiastic in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.  

We further pledge to watch over one another in Christian love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian empathy and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the example of our Savior.  

If we move from this church community, we will, as soon as possible, unite with another Christian church where we will continue to carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.    

ARTICLE 4 - CHURCH MEMBERSHIP  

SECTION 1: ADMISSION OF MEMBERS  

After instruction, persons may be received into membership of this church by any of the following methods, subject in each case to the recommendation of the Diaconate and the vote of the church:  

      1:    By Baptism:       Any person who confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who is in essential agreement with the purposes and practices of this church may be received into the membership of this church following his baptism by immersion.  

      2.    By Letter:  Any person who is in essential agreement with the membership of this church may be received into the membership of this church by letter of commendation from any other Baptist Church or church of like conviction.  (see Article 4:  Section 2)     

3.    By Experience: Any person who is in essential agreement with the purposes and practices of this church but for some sufficient reason not able to be baptized, may be received into the membership of this church upon the evidence of his Christian experience.

       4.    By Restoration: Any person who has lost his membership for any reason may be restored to membership if sufficient evidence of repentance and faith is given.      

SECTION 2:  ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP  

Any person who is qualified to join this church by church letter, but has not been baptized according to the practice of believer's baptism by immersion, my join this church as an associate member.  His church letter shall be kept on file, so that in the event of his desire to join another church by letter, the nature of his associate membership may be noted.  He may not vote on any matter affecting denominational relationship, or manner of joining the church.  In all other respects, he shall enjoy the privileges of regular membership.  

SECTION 3:  RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIP  

Those  members residing within a reasonable driving distance for regular church attendance may be deemed resident members; all others may be deemed non-resident members.  

SECTION 4:  REMOVAL OF MEMBERS FROM MEMBERSHIP LIST  

Persons may be removed from membership by any of the following methods:  

      1.    By death.  

      2.    By Letter:  Any member in good standing may receive a letter of commendation to any other church, following the recommendation of the Diaconate and the vote of the church. 

                  The name of the church to which the membership is being transferred shall be named in the  request and the letter shall be sent to the pastor or clerk of that church.  

      3.    By release:  Any member who has failed to participate either in the public worship, the  educational program, or the financial support of the church for two years without valid

                  reasons may be placed on an inactive membership list.  The member may then be sent a certified letter questioning the continuance of his church membership.  If a negative answer is received, or if no answer is received in another year's time, after recommendation of the Diaconate and the vote of the church, the person may be released from the membership of the church.  

      4.    By dismissal:  Should any member become an offense to the church by reason of un-Christian conduct and persistent breach of his covenant vows, upon the recommendation of the Diaconate the church may vote to terminate his membership.  Only after faithful  efforts have been made to bring about repentance should such action be taken.  

      5.    By personal request:  Should a member request, in writing, that the said member's name be  removed from church membership, the request shall be honored by the clerk after the clerk confers with the Diaconate.

ARTICLE 5 - CHURCH MEETINGS

 SECTION 1:  <++>Public Services<-+>  

Regular public services shall be held for worship, education, prayer, and fellowship.  The ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper shall be observed at stated times.  

SECTION 2:  CHURCH BUSINESS MEETINGS  

The annual meeting of the church shall be held on the last Saturday evening in January for the following business: to consider annual reports of all church officers, boards, and committees; to elect all church officers and committees; to vote upon the annual church budget and to consider any other business that may rightfully be brought before the meeting.  In the event of inclement weather, the Diaconate may call the meeting for the following Saturday.  

There shall also be a regular business meeting on the third Saturday in October to hear reports and to conduct any business rightfully brought before the meeting.  Special meetings may be called by the clerk or the moderator upon written request of the Diaconate or any ten members.  The receiving of or removal of members may be transacted following any regularly scheduled church service at which a quorum is present.  Notice of business meetings shall appear in the usual church announcements at least two weeks before the meeting.  Business meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order, unless otherwise agreed.  

Twenty eligible members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Only those members of legal age shall be eligible to vote on the purchase or sale of property, mortgaging of property, or borrowing of money.  For the purposes of defining legal age reference is made to the legal voting age in the State of New Hampshire .  

The church fiscal year shall be the calendar year.  Officers, boards, and committees shall serve from annual meeting to annual meeting, or until their successors are elected and qualified in their stead, and shall promptly turn over their records to those newly elected.

ARTICLE 6 - CHURCH COUNCIL

SECTION 1:  

There shall be a Church Council comprised of the following: the pastor and any other full-time professional staff person (s), moderator, clerk, financial secretary, general treasurer, and the chairperson or their respective representative of the following boards: Diaconate, Education, Missions, and Trustees.

 SECTION 2:

Responsibilities of the Council are to function on behalf of the congregation between regularly scheduled business meetings; to hear reports and advise boards, committees, and organizations as to the wisdom of planned activity; to determine the designation of church school and special offerings; to co-ordinate the work of groups within the church; to make assignment of responsibility where it is not clear; to insure the supervision of all professional staff and employees and to insure that the policies of the  church are carried out, budget adhered to, and long-range evaluation and planning be accomplished; to appoint the Nomination Committee annually at its June meeting, to fill vacancies pursuant to recommendations of Nomination Committee.  The Council should resolve any conflict within or between church groups.

 The Council meetings should consist of a quorum and be of frequency as to accomplish its work.  Major proposal, including budget, shall be cleared through the Council and come to the church body only after Council approval.  Nonetheless, special church meetings can be called, even if the Council does not approve, and decisions of the Council may be reviewed and overturned by the congregation.

 ARTICLE 7 - PASTOR AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF

 SECTION 1:  PASTOR  

      1.    Duties: The pastor shall be the leader of the church in all of its activities and shall teach,   preach, and live the Gospel of Christ, administer the ordinances, have charge of the stated  services of public worship, and direct the spiritual welfare of the church.  He shall serve  for an indefinite period of time.  He shall be an official member of all committees and shall have the privilege of calling any board or committee together to transact business of the church.

       2.    Calling a pastor:  When the pastorate is vacant, or when the pastoral resignation has been

                  accepted, the Diaconate shall nominate the names of seven or more members which shall

                  include the current membership of the Pastoral Relations Committee and present these

                  names to the church membership for approval to serve as a Pulpit Committee.  This Pulpit

                  Committee shall take the necessary steps to secure a qualified candidate for the pastorate by

            consulting with the American Baptist Churches of New Hampshire and considering the

                  guidelines that organization recommends in calling a minister and shall recommend him to

                  the church for consideration together with all proposed necessary arrangements.  The 

                  committee shall recommend only one candidate at a time.  A three-fourths vote of all

                  members of legal age present at a properly called business meeting of the church shall be

                  required in order to extend a call to a candidate.  When the church has acted favorably to

                  call a pastor, the clerk shall certify the same to him in writing, along with all proposed

                  necessary arrangements.

      3.    Termination of pastorate:  The term of office of pastor may be ended upon three months

                  notice by the pastor or the church or earlier if mutually agreed upon by pastor and church. 

                  The Diaconate shall handle the termination procedures.

SECTION 2: PROFESSIONAL STAFF

 All professional staff personnel will be under the direct supervision of the pastor and church council.  The job descriptions of these individuals shall be prepared at the discretion and approval of the Church Council unless otherwise delegated to a board.

ARTICLE 8 - CHURCH OFFICERS

SECTION 1: PROCEDURES

 A Moderator, Clerk, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, and General Treasurer shall be elected officers of the church at the Annual Meeting.  They must be members of the church and shall serve for a one year term.  These officers shall be in stalled at the close of the meeting in which elected, and shall begin to serve immediately.  

Said officers shall seek to demonstrate a spirit of Christian love and cooperation in the fulfilling of their duties.  In order to assure the church's good testimony to all, financial officers of the church shall be bonded.

SECTION 2: MODERATOR

 The moderator shall preside at the business meetings of the church and Church Council meetings.  The moderator shall be elected at each annual meeting to serve for one year.  In the event of the absence of the moderator, the pastor, serving as convener, will conduct an election of a temporary moderator.

 SECTION 3: CLERK  

The clerk shall keep a complete record of minutes and transactions of all business at the meetings of the church and maintain a register of members in which shall be noted changes as they occur.  The clerk shall issue membership letters of dismissal and recommendations voted by the church, conduct necessary official church correspondence, preserve on file all official communications and written reports, and make sure that all business meetings are given proper legal notice as required by this constitution and

 by-laws.  The clerk shall enter upon the records of the church current events in the life of the church that are likely to be of historical value.  The clerk shall report at each regular church business meeting or as often as directed by the church or the Diaconate.

SECTION 4: FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY  

The financial secretary shall serve as receiving treasurer and receive all monies for general expenses, missions, building and other receipts and shall deposit all monies to the proper accounts, noting the specifications of all designated gifts.  The financial secretary shall provide offering envelopes for all who request them.  The financial secretary shall report at each regular church business meeting or as often as directed by the church or the Trustees.

 SECTION 5: GENERAL TREASURER

 This treasurer shall have custody of the general accounts of the church, including all building fund accounts and all missions monies, and shall disburse them only in accord with the church budget.  The general fund and building fund monies shall be disbursed at the instruction of the Trustees and missions monies at the direction of the Missions Committee.

The treasurer shall keep separate accounts of all funds contributed for particular purposes, and no funds shall be disbursed by the treasurer except for the purpose for which they were contributed.  The treasurer shall have custody of the securities, investments, title papers, and other such valuable business documents of the church not otherwise delegated by the Board of Trustees.  The treasurer shall report at each regular church business meeting or as often as directed by the church, the Trustees, or the Missions Committee.

SECTION 6: AUDITORS  

There shall be three auditors elected at each annual meeting of the church, to serve for one year.  They shall examine the records of the financial year, or as often as the church or the Trustees shall direct.  They shall report to the church in writing.

ARTICLE 9 - CHURCH BOARDS  

SECTION 1: PROCEDURES  

All board members shall be members of the church.  They shall be elected by the church membership at the annual business meeting and shall be installed at the close of the meeting.  An organizational meeting of each board will be held within one month of the annual meeting at which time a chairperson, secretary, and a treasurer as appropriate will be elected.  The secretary shall be responsible for an orderly recording of the minutes of the respective meeting(s).  A copy of all minutes shall be placed on file  in the church office.  A majority of respective members constitutes a quorum to vote on any business.  (A decision of a board may be overruled by the vote of the church.  Boards may be called to report at each regular church business meeting, or as often a s directed by the Church.)

 Anyone appointed to serve less than a three year term is eligible to serve a succeeding term.  Any board member who, without sufficient reason, is absent from three or more consecutive board meetings over a period of six months or more, shall be deemed inactive and shall be eligible for replacement by the Council.

SECTION 2:  BOARD OF TRUSTEES  

There shall be a board of six trustees, two to be elected at each annual meeting to serve for three years.  Trustees may be reelected after a year has elapsed following the expiration of their period of service.  

In general, the Trustees will be responsible for all financial and business matters of the church which are not specifically delegated to other boards, committees, or officers.  They shall authorize all expenditures from the general fund and the building fund, being guided always by the budget adopted by the church.  Any desired expenditure in excess of $2,000.00 not provided for in the regular church budget must be approved by the church.  With the exception of those funds which are designated to the care of  another three-member board of self-perpetuating Trustees, they shall have the care of funds given in trust or bequeathed to the church.  The Trustees shall be in charge of preparing such mortgages and other similar financial commitments for the proposed action of the church .  A two-thirds vote of the members of legal voting age present at a properly called business meeting of the church shall be necessary to engage mortgages or sell or legally encumber the real estate of the church.  The Trustees shall inform the church of the financial needs of the church as the occasion requires, promote stewardship, maintain and improve the church and parsonage buildings and properties, recommend necessary insurance coverage, hire the custodian and office personnel and supervise their work, have access to the financial records of the church, and have over-all charge of the preparation and presentation of a budget for the approval of the church each year.

SECTION 3:  BOARD OF DEACONS AND DEACONESSES (DIACONATE)

 There shall be a Board of Deacons and Deaconesses of nine members, three to be elected at each annual meeting to serve for three years.  They may be re-elected on a yearly basis following the expiration of their three-year period of service.  The Deacons and Deaconesses shall have responsibility for the worship and spiritual life of the congregation, including helping the pastor to plan for evangelistic outreach, and the maintenance of an active membership.  Together with the pastor, the Diaconate will have responsibility of the ministry of music, including supervision of the choir, choir director and organist.  They shall provide for flowers at all church worship services.  They shall appoint and supervise the following committees:  

   a. Abiding Memorial Committee, which shall be responsible for the receiving and administration of the monies given in memory of loved ones.

   b. Altar Committee, which shall provide and maintain the necessary items for worship.

   c. Music Committee, which shall be responsible for providing of music for a ministry.

   d. Pastoral Relations Committee, which shall foster constructive communication between the congregation and its Pastoral Leadership.

   e. Missions Committee, which shall be responsible for mission education and promotion.

 The Board of Deacons and Deaconesses shall be in charge of pastoral relations and assist the pastor in his work.  The Board of Deacons and Deaconesses shall administer the needs of the church when the pastorate is vacant, and secure pulpit leadership when the pastor is absent.

 An interim minister should be called, or other arrangements made for full coverage of the pastorate, until a minister is employed.  

Both Deacons and Deaconesses shall serve the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and counsel with candidates for baptism.  They shall act as a membership committee, considering all applicants for church membership and all requests for transfer of membership, and shall contact all inactive members.  

At their private and thoughtful discretion, they shall distribute the monies receive from the communion fellowship offerings.  A member of the Diaconate shall be elected to serve as treasurer for this purpose.  

SECTION 4:  BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION  

<:#2840,10224>The Board of Christian Education shall be a board of six members, two persons to be elected at each annual meeting to serve for three years.   They may be re-elected after a year has elapsed following the expiration of their period of service.  Together with the pastor, the members of the Board of Christian Education shall be responsible for selecting a Church School Superintendent and appointing a nursery chairperson to coordinate a nursery for preschoolers during worship services, establishing and implementing the general policies of the Church School, youth work, and Vacation Bible School; appointing teachers and other church school officers, and selecting the curriculum.  They shall provide for a program of Bible Study, teacher training, encourage the attendance at Christian Camps and Conferences, appoint and assist a librarian to administer the church library, and recommend a Christian Education budget to the Church Council each year for the approval of the church.  

SECTION 5:  BOARD OF OUTREACH  

The Board of Outreach shall be a board of six members, two persons to be elected at each annual meeting to serve for three years.  They may be re-elected after a year has elapsed following the expiration of their period of service.  The members of the Board  of Outreach shall be responsible for stimulating and facilitating involvement of members of the congregation in evangelistic outreach opportunities to persons in Derry and surrounding communities, Dial-A-Devotion, and any other ministry directly touching the lives of persons in need.  They shall provide for a fellowship minister.  They shall appointment a head usher to direct the ushering at all church services.  They shall present appropriate budget recommendations to the Church Counsel each year for the approval of the church.  

ARTICLE 10 - COMMITTEES  

SECTION 1:  ALTAR COMMITTEE  

The Altar Committee will be appointed by and serve under the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses.  It shall provide and maintain the necessary items for worship (such as candles, offering plates, and altar cloths).

SECTION 2:  MUSIC COMMITTEE  

The Music Committee will be appointed by and serve under the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses.  They shall recommend to the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses a Choir Director, Organist, and coordinate and cooperate with the Pastor, Choir Director, and Organist in the church's ministry of music.  At least one choir member shall serve on the Music Committee.

SECTION 3:  NOMINATING COMMITTEE  

A Nominating Committee of five members shall be appointed annually by the Church Council.  Members may be appointed a maximum of three consecutive years.  The committee will present nominees to the church at the annual meeting for election.  The Nominating Committee will present nominees to the Church Council for appointment when vacancies occur during the year.  

SECTION 4:  PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE  

The Pastoral Relations Committee will serve under the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses.  It shall consist of three members recommended by the pastor to the Diaconate.  The committee will elect one of its members as a chairperson and one as a secretary.  The  members should be selected for a three-year term on a staggered basis and serve no more than two consecutive terms.  The committee's purpose is to foster constructive communication between the congregation and its pastoral leadership and to help implement  the congregation's responsibility for its pastor's professional and personal well being.  The committee's functions are to strengthen pastor-people relationships; to provide a communication link between the pastor and the congregation; to review annually the church's responsibility for the pastor's compensation under the process guidelines (see addendum) mutually agreed upon by the Trustees and Pastoral Relations Committee; to counsel with the pastor regarding a continuing education program; to focus the congregation's responsibility for the enlistment of persons for the church's professional ministry; to help the church and the pastor deal with conflict; and to function, expanded in the manner called for in the By-Laws, as part of the church's Pulpit Committee  when the need arises.

SECTION 5:  ABIDING MEMORIAL COMMITTEE  

The Abiding Memorial Committee shall be appointed by the Deacons and Deaconesses for a year term.  The opportunity for gifts to the Abiding Memorial Fund will be supervised by the Deaconate’s treasurer.  The member(s) has/have the responsibility to select the items to be purchased to honor the memory of loved one.  (It shall seek to honor the wishes of the donor by meaningful expenditures of the gifts received.)  These gifts will be recorded in the Abiding Memorial Book.

SECTION 6:  MISSIONS COMMITTEE  

The Missions Committee shall be appointed by and serve under the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses.  The Missions Committee shall consist of four members, three members-at-large and a member of the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses, to serve for a year term. 

The members of the Missions Committee shall be responsible for education and mission promotion of the congregation.  Their ministry will include communicating with members temporarily away from home and encouraging them to remain involved with another Christian church.  The members shall be responsible for stimulating and facilitating involvement of members of the congregation in various missions ministries to persons in Derry and surrounding areas.  They shall elect a missions treasurer from among their membership.  This treasurer shall maintain separate accounting of all funds contributed for particular purposes and shall prepare the mission forms for ABC/VNH and other groups to assure that no funds shall be disbursed except for the purposes for which they were contribute.  They shall recommend a missions budget to the Board of Deacons for the approval of the church.

ARTICLE 11 - STANDING RESOLUTIONS  

A Standing Resolution may be passed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regularly scheduled or special meeting called, to set aside a provision of the constitution in order to test a change.   

such a resolution shall have a maximum life of one year, after which it may become a regular provision upon proper vote, or be continued for another year, or be dropped.

ARTICLE 12 - AMENDMENTS  

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any properly called business meeting of the church by a two-thirds vote of the members present of legal age, provided that a notice of the proposed amendments is included in the call at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

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