USEFUL STUDY HELPS:

The Constitution And 

By-Laws Of

Brookhaven Baptist Church


Preamble


For the purpose of preserving and making secure the principles of our Faith and to the end that this body be governed in an orderly manner, consistent with the accepted tenets of the Missionary Baptist Churches, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of the Church, we do declare and establish this Constitution and By-Laws.



Article I


NAME


This body shall be known as the Brookhaven Baptist Church of Greensboro, North Carolina.



Article II


PURPOSE


The purpose of this body shall be to provide regular opportunities for public worship, to sustain the Ordinances, Doctrines and Ethics set forth in the New Testament for the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ; to nurture its members through a program of Christian education and fellowship; to channel its offerings to the support of the work of the Lord, and to preach and propagate among all people the Gospel of the Revelation of God through Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.


Article III


MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this church shall be composed of persons who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior and who have given evidence of a born-again experience, who have received, read, and are in agreement with the Constitution, By-Laws, and Covenant of the Church, and who have been received by a majority vote of the Church.  Membership in the Church automatically means membership in all organizations of the Church such as Sunday School, Youth Group, Ladies Missions Meeting, etc.


A member of another Baptist Church of like faith and order may be received by vote of the Church upon receipt of a letter of dismissal in good standing from that Church.


Anyone who has been a member of a Baptist Church, and in consequence of peculiar circumstance has no regular letter of dismissal, may be received into our fellowship upon a statement satisfactory to the Church.


Letters of dismissal may be granted to any Church of like faith and order for members in good standing.  When letters are granted, membership in this Church will terminate.


When a member of this Church joins a Church of different faith and order, membership in this Church will terminate, and no letter will be granted.


In considering the duties involved, members are expected, first of all, to be faithful in all the duties essential to the Christian life; to attend regularly the services of the Church; to give regularly and systematically to its support and Kingdom causes; and to share in its organized work.


In considering the rights involved, members, and members only, may act and vote in the transactions of the Church.  No person under disciplinary suspension shall be permitted to vote.  All active members of the Church otherwise shall be permitted to vote, except those under 18 years of age.


In case of offence requiring discipline, such as conduct unbecoming a Christian, walking disorderly, or bringing reproach upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church, the offender shall be asked to meet with the Pastor and Deacons and shall be counseled with according to the Scriptures (Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 5:9-13; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15).  If after full inquiry, prayer, and counsel, the offender does not repent and do works meet for repentance, the Church may suspend him (or her) from the privileges of membership by majority vote of members present at a meeting duly called for such business.  Restoration to full fellowship and Church membership privileges shall be upon the recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons and by a majority vote of the Church membership present at a meeting duly called for such business.


Any member guilty of habitual and unjustifiable absence from the services of the Church for three months, automatically by such absence places himself (or herself) on an inactive, nonvoting roll.  This does not apply to the sick and shut-ins, or to those in the armed forces who are serving in areas where there is no Church of like faith and order.  If after three months on the inactive roll, the member does not return to regular attendance, his (or her) name shall be dropped from the Church roll at the end of those three months by recommendation of Pastor and Deacons and by a majority vote of members present at a meeting duly called for such business.



Article IV


MEETINGS


Meetings for Worship.  Unless otherwise provided, the Church shall meet each Sunday for public worship both morning and evening, and at least once during the week for Bible Study and prayer.  Except when circumstances forbid, the Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed the first Sunday of each month; the spirit of this By-Law is that the Lord’s Supper shall be held at least once each month – it can be moved to another service in the month for special days such as Christmas, Easter, etc. at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons.  No other meeting of any kind shall be held in the Church building during the progress of any regular Church service, except as authorized by the Church.


Meetings for Business.  A monthly business meeting of the Church shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month, following Prayer Meeting.  The Annual Business Meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday night in August for the purpose of election of officers and adoption of the Church Budget for the coming Church year, which begins September 1 and ends August 31.  No quorum is necessary to conduct business as a regularly scheduled Business Meeting.


Special Meetings.  The Pastor and Deacons may convene the Church in special meeting when necessary, and the notice of such meeting shall be publically given from the pulpit on the preceding Sunday.  A meeting for the election of a Pastor may be called by the Pulpit Committee at any regular meeting one week after the announcement has been given from the pulpit in a regular Sunday service.


Emergency Meetings.  An emergency meeting may be called to transact business with a majority vote of the membership present at a regularly scheduled service that the business at hand is of an emergency nature.


Deacons Meetings.  A monthly Deacons Meeting shall be held on the Monday preceding the Business Meeting of each month or at a time mutually agreeable to the Pastor and Deacons in the event of scheduling difficulties.  Members of the Church are invited to speak to the Pastor or Deacons before the meeting concerning any matter they wish to have discussed by the Pastor and Deacons.




Article V


DOCTRINAL STATEMENT


The Scriptures.  We believe the Old and New Testaments to be verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:19-21).


The Godhead.  We believe the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections (Genesis 1:1, 26; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 10:30; II Corinthians 13:14; Romans 8:9).


The Lord Jesus Christ.  We believe in:

a. His eternal existence as God (Hebrews 1:8);

b. His incarnation by means of the virgin birth (Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14);

c. His death on the cross as a substitutionary atonement for sin (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:14);

d. His literal bodily resurrection from the dead (Luke 24:36-43; Acts 10:40-41);

e. His present ministry of intercession in Heaven (Acts 1:9; I John 2:1; Hebrews 8:1-2): and

f. His personal return to earth (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 26:64).


The Holy Spirit.  We believe the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, convicts men of sin (John 16:8); regenerates, indwells, and seals (I Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14); and sets believers apart unto a holy life; that He keeps and empowers believers day by day; that He is the Teacher of the Word of god, and Guide for our daily lives.  Anyone who does not have the Spirit living in him is not a child of God (Romans 8:9).


Man.  We believe:

a. Man was created innocent and pure (Genesis 1:26);

b. Adam fell through the sin of disobedience (Romans 5:19);

c. Thereby, all men are corrupted in body, mind, and soul (Romans 5:12); and

d. Therefore, all are in need of redemption.


Salvation.  We believe:

a. That salvation is solely by grace through faith in the blood sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

b. All who receive Him are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become the children of God.

c. All who are truly saved are kept forever.

d. However, God cannot overlook sin in His children and will chasten and correct them in love.


The Church.  We believe:

a. That the local Church is composed of regenerated, baptized believers, voluntarily united together for the purpose of worship, edification, fellowship of believers, spiritual growth and service.

b. It has been commissioned by Christ to propagate the Gospel unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

c. That the local Church has absolute right of self-government, free from the interferences of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations; and that the one and only Superintendent is Christ, through the Holy Spirit.

d. That in all matter of membership, of policy, of Church government, and of benevolence, the will of the Church is final.


The Ordinances.  We believe that Christ gave only two ordinances to the Church to be observed “till He come”:

a. The Lord’s Supper.  It was left us as an ordinance by the Lord Himself (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-25) for a memorial of His death until He comes, and should not be taken unadvisedly, but with the examination of one’s life.

b. Believer’s Baptism.  We practice baptism because of the example of our Lord Jesus Christ while He was here on earth (Matthew 3:13) and because of the command given by our Lord to baptize (Matthew 28:19).  We accept the Scriptural mode of baptism to be immersion.


The Second Coming.  We believe in the personal, premillennial return of Jesus.  He will come:

a. For His saints to gather them unto Himself;

b. With His saints to judge the nations and to establish His Messianic Kingdom.


We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just to eternally dwell in the glory of His presence.  We believe in the bodily resurrection of the unjust unto judgment and everlasting conscious punishment in the Lake of Fire.


Separation.  We believe it seems good to call the attention of the believers to the Scriptural teaching which requires of them separation from all worldly practices and separation to a wholehearted devotion unto His service and ministry.


Missions.  Because all men everywhere without Christ are lost and bound for eternal punishment (Romans 1:18-20), and because men cannot believe in Him of whom they have not heard (Romans 10:14), we believe that we are debtors to all men and have the responsibility of giving the Gospel.  Jesus left us the command that we should be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:8), and should take the Good News of The Gospel to every place where men are to be found (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21).  We believe that to carry out this command we must ourselves be witnesses by life and word to all lost men about us, and we must support by prayer and financial aid those who go out under sound churches and missionary agencies to represent us in other parts of the world.


Article VI

CHURCH OFFICERS


The officers of this Church shall consist of the following: Pastor, Assistant Pastors,  Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Director, Clerk, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be required for the work of the Church in any of its department or organizations.  All of these shall be elected by the Church and shall be members in good standing.



Article VII


DUTIES OF OFFICERS


Pastor.  Whenever a vacancy occurs, a Pastor shall be called by the Church to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the Pastor or the Church.  In either case, at least thirty days notice shall be given of termination of the relationship, unless otherwise mutually agreed, with both the Pastor and the Church seeking to follow the will of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.


The call of the Pastor shall take place at a meeting especially set for that purpose, of which at least one week’s notice has been given the membership from the pulpit.  The election shall be upon the recommendation of a Pulpit Committee elected to seek out and to nominate as Pastor a Minister of the Gospel whose Christian character and qualifications fit him for the office of Pastor of this Church.


The Pulpit Committee shall bring only one name at a time for consideration of the Church, and no nomination shall be made except that of the Committee.  Election shall be made by secret ballot with an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those members present and voting necessary for a call.  The ballots shall be tallied by the Deacons in the presence of the congregation, the results verified by the Church Clerk, and the ballots and the tally shall be kept with the Clerk’s permanent records.  Should the one recommended by the Committee fail to receive a three-fourths vote, the Committee shall be instructed to seek out another Minister, and the meeting shall be adjourned without debate.  The Pulpit Committee shall be nominated to the Church by the Deacons, with opportunity given for nominations from the floor.

 

Before being voted upon by the Church, the Minister being considered for the office of Pastor shall be required to affirm his faith in the Doctrinal Statement (Article V) in the presence of the Pulpit Committee.  Thereafter, the Pastor shall be required to affirm his faith in the Doctrinal Statement and sign the same annually in the presence of the Deacons following the Annual Meeting in August each year.

The Pastor shall have in charge the welfare and oversight of the Church.  He shall by virtue of his office be a member of all organizations, departments, and committees.  He may call a special meeting of the Deacons or any Committee should the need arise.  He shall conduct religious services on stated and special occasions, administer the Ordinances, minister to the members of the Church and community, and perform other duties that pertain to that office.  He shall have special charge of the Pulpit Ministry of the Church and shall, in cooperation with the Deacons, provide for pulpit supply when he is absent, and arrange for workers to assist in Revival meetings and other special services.  The Pastor shall preside at all meetings of the Church except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws of the Church.  He shall be the administrative head of the Church.  By virtue of the office, the Pastor shall be the President of the Corporation.


Deacons.  The Deacons shall be elected from among the members of the Church with the qualifications as laid down in I Timothy 3:8-13.  Before being voted upon by the Church, the man being considered for the office of Deacon shall be required to affirm his faith in the Doctrinal Statement (Article V) in the presence of the Pastor and Deacons.  Thereafter, the Deacon shall be required to affirm his faith in the Doctrinal Statement and sign the same annually in the presence of the Pastor and Deacons following the Annual Meeting in August each year.  Deacons shall be elected for a period of three years with one-third of the total number being chosen each year at the Annual Business Meeting.  Deacons are eligible for re-election immediately after their expired terms.  Immediately following the Annual Business Meeting, the Deacons shall meet and from their own number elect a chairman who shall act as the Vice President of the Corporation and as the moderator of meetings in the Pastor’s absence.


The present number of five Deacons shall be considered ample until such time as the Church deems it necessary to increase the number, but the number of Deacons may be less than five.  Whenever the Deacons are to be elected, the Pastor and Deacons shall consider the qualifications of the nominees, and shall privately ascertain the willingness of each nominee for Deacon to accept the office and responsibilities pertaining to the office.


The Deacons shall then cause the names of the nominees to be placed on a ballot, and the Church shall proceed to elect the required number from the list at the Annual Business Meeting.  At no time will a man be nominated from the floor for the office of Deacon.


The Deacons shall assist the Pastor in promoting the spiritual welfare of the Church, in organizing and developing its strength for the best possible service, and in conducting the religious services and all other work of the Church.  It shall be the duties of the Deacons to engage actively in all the spiritual work of the Church; to seek out such members as need assistance where there is need for relief; to visit the sick; to assist the Pastor in the distribution of the elements of the Lord’s Supper; and with the Pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to consider and make recommendations to the Church in all matters pertaining to its work and progress, including the oversight of the discipline of the Church (Acts 6:1-7).


The Deacons shall cooperate with the Pastor in providing the pulpit supply and leaders of prayer meeting in his absence.  The Pastor or the Chairman of the Deacons may call the Deacons into special session whenever need for such arises.


The Deacons shall be the Board of Trustees of the Corporation; as such, it shall be their duty to acquaint themselves with the laws of the State pertaining to Churches and church property and to see that the Church faithfully complies therewith.  The Deacons, as Trustees, shall hold in trust, in a safe deposit box in a bank specified by the Church, the title(s) to all property of the Church, and shall represent the Church in all matters of legal responsibility regarding the purchase, improvement, and disposal of Church property.  They shall have no power to buy, lease, sell or transfer any property of the Church without specific vote of the church authorizing such action; neither shall they have any control over the use of the Church property except by vote of the Church.


Clerk.  The Clerk shall be elected annually.  The Clerk shall have charge of all papers, books, record, etc. which pertain to the office; take minutes of all business transacted by the Church at its regular, special, or other meetings; keep an accurate register of the Church membership with dates and methods of admission and dismissal; conduct the correspondence of the church; forward all letters of dismissal granted by the Church; and preserve a true history of the Church.  At no time shall the books or records be taken out of the clerk’s presence.  All records of the Clerk are to be considered Church property, and upon termination of services of the Clerk, the records are to be handed over to the Clerk’s successor.  The Clerk shall see that an accurate copy of all records is maintained in the Church office.  By virtue of the office, the clerk shall be the Secretary of the Corporation.  The Clerk shall meet with the Pastor and Deacons upon invitation.


Financial Secretary.  The Financial Secretary shall be elected annually.  The Financial Secretary shall receive all funds of the Church, including special offerings, offerings given through the services, etc., make a proper recording of the same, and deposit the funds each week in a bank designated by the Church.  The bank deposit slip will then be given to the Church Treasurer as part of the treasurer’s records.  The Financial Secretary shall also receive all individual offering envelopes after the ushers have removed the contents, counted, and recorded the same, and shall keep an accurate record of individual giving on the forms specified by the Church.   Each member shall be provided with a statement of contributions each year for income tax purposes no later than January 31 for contributions made in the preceding year.


Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be elected annually.  The Treasurer shall receive weekly bank deposit slips from the Financial Secretary for all funds received and shall dispense the funds as ordered by the Church.  The Treasurer shall present a written report of itemized disbursements at the regular monthly business meeting showing the actual financial condition of the Church.  All expenditures of the Church shall be paid by check.  The Treasurer’s books and/or computer storage media used for the Church records shall be considered the property of the Church, and shall at no time be taken out of the Treasurer’s presence.  The Treasurer shall meet with the Pastor and Deacons upon invitation.  By virtue of the office, the Treasurer of the Church shall be the Treasurer of the Corporation.


Sunday School Superintendent.  The Sunday School Superintendent shall be elected annually.  He shall have charge of the Sunday school in all of its departments, working closely with the Pastor, and it shall be his duty to take such steps as may be advisable to advance the best interest of the Church and Sunday School.  He shall meet with the Teachers and Officers of the Sunday School as often as he may deem necessary.


The Associate Superintendent of the Sunday School shall be elected annually.  He shall cooperated with the Superintendent in advancing the interests of the Church and Sunday School.  He shall perform the duties of the Superintendent in case of his absence or his inability to serve.


Youth Director.  The Youth Director shall be elected annually.  It shall be his duty to direct the youth work of the Church, working closely with the Pastor.


The Associate Youth Director shall be elected annually.  It shall be his duty to cooperate with the Youth Director in advancing the interest of the youth work, and shall perform the duties of the Youth Director in case of his absence or inability to serve.



A public installation service in which all newly elected officers of the Church are dedicated to their respective offices and newly elected Deacons are ordained shall be held at a public service following their election.



Article VIII


STANDING COMMITTEES


The Church shall elect such standing committees as may be deemed necessary to carry on the various phases of the program of the Church efficiently and effectively.  In any event, the Church shall at all times have the following standing committees: Nominating, Finance, and Building and Grounds.


Nominating.  The Nominating Committee shall consist of the following members:  Sunday school Superintendent, Youth director, Chairman of the Deacons, Ladies Ministry President, and Pastor.  It shall be the responsibility of this committee, after prayerful consideration, to nominate for congregational consideration all officers, committees, etc., except the Nominating Committee and Finance Committee, to be elected by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting.  The report of the Committee shall be suggestive to the Church.


Throughout the year, this Committee shall have the responsibility of nominating to the Church persons to serve in various capacities and positions of the Church and its organizations, and on standing and special committees, vacated from time to time by removal, death, expiration of term of office, or failure to function.  The Committee shall, at the first meeting of the Committee, elect one of their own as Chairman.


Finance.  The Finance Committee shall consist of the following members: Church Treasurer, Chairman of the Deacons, Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Director, and Pastor.  The Chairman shall be the Chairman of Deacons.  This Committee shall prepare annually a proposed Church Budget for the new budget year.  This proposed budget shall be presented to the Church at the Annual Business Meeting for the approval of the Church.  After the proposed Budget has been adopted by the Church, the Finance Committee shall seek approval from the Church for any item which is not covered in the Budget.


Building and Grounds.  The Building and Grounds Committee shall be responsible for the work of the janitor and all other persons employed in the capacity of caring for the building and grounds.  The Chairman of the Committee shall be responsible for purchasing the janitorial supplies.


It shall be the Chairman’s duty to so care for the physical plant as to contribute helpfully to the comfort and well being of the members at all services.  He shall see to the cleanliness of the building, and see that the grounds are kept in such a way as to be in keeping with what would be expected of God’s House.


Flower.  The Flower Committee shall be elected annually, and shall consist of at least three members.  The Committee shall provided flowers for the Church at proper times, and shall see that the sympathy of the Church is expressed with flowers on the occasion of the death of a member of the Church or of a member’s immediate family (father, mother, spouse, child).  Flowers in the Church should be taken to the sick or shut-in members after their use when it is practical.  Flowers or some appropriate gift will also be sent to faithful members in the hospital when their stay is at least overnight in a room that can receive flowers.


Ordinance.  The Ordinance Committee shall be elected annually, and shall consist of at least two members.  It shall be the duty of this committee to make complete preparations for the observance of the Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism on those occasions designated by the Church or Pastor.  The Church shall furnish the elements to be used in the Lord’s Supper. 


Auditing.  The Church shall appoint an Auditor or Auditing Committee who shall audit the books and/or computer storage media of all officers handling Church funds at the close of the Church fiscal year, and shall report their findings at a regular business meeting of the Church.


Ushers.  The Ushers Committee shall be elected annually, and shall consist of a sufficient number of Ushers who shall see that the people are comfortably and properly seated.  The Ushers shall also receive the offerings from the congregation and see that the services are kept in order.  After receiving the offering from the congregation, the funds shall be counted, properly recorded on the forms provided by the Church, recorded on a weekly deposit ticket each Sunday evening, and locked in the safe until the Financial Secretary removes them for deposit.  The Committee shall elect one of their own number as Chairman.


Publicity.  The Publicity Committee shall consist of the Church Clerk, Chairman of the Deacons, and Pastor.  It shall be the duty of this committee to send such announcements as may be deemed necessary to the media.  All publicity shall go through this Committee.



Article IX


SPECIAL COMMITTEES


The officers of all adult and young people’s auxiliary organizations shall be members of this Church and in good standing, elected by their respective organizations, subject to ratification by the Church.


The constitutions of auxiliary organizations shall be drawn as not to conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Church.


Auxiliary organizations may hold meetings at such times as will not conflict with the meetings of the Church, and shall be under the control of the Church.

 

Article X


PROPERTY

Definition and Scope.  The property shall be understood to include all land, buildings, portable furniture and equipment, bonds, bequests, money on deposit in the bank, Church money in possession of Church representatives though it is not deposited in the bank, invested funds, credit cards, charge cards, phone cards, etc.  It shall likewise include all physical assets acquired by the Church.


Power.  The Power to acquire, to control, to retain, to sell, to lease or mortgage property of the Church shall rest solely in the hands of Brookhaven Baptist church.  Extensive improvements, transfer, lease, or sale of Church property shall be in violation of this condition except when authorized by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a meeting of the Church called for such action.  The said action may be pursued after due publicity in the form of Sunday announcements for two consecutive Sundays from the pulpit.



Article XI


MISSIONS


This Church shall be in the New Testament sense, Missionary.  In the support of Missionaries, and other agencies designated “Missions” by the Church, utmost regard shall be shown for their doctrinal emphasis.  All Missionaries and Missions Agencies supported by this Church shall be in accord with our Doctrinal Statement (Article v).  This Church shall not support financially any Missionary or Missions Agency who is not in accord with our Doctrinal Statement.



Article XII


LICENSE AND ORDINATION


License.  When a male member announces to the Church that he believes God is calling him to the ministry, the Church, by majority vote, may license him as an acknowledgment of his call to the ministry and as an encouragement to make preparation for it.  The Clerk of the Church may furnish the member with a copy of the minutes or a certificate of license as his credential.  It is understood that the performance of civil duties by the member shall be governed by state law.  It is the belief of this Church that the Scriptures are clear that only men can fill the role of a licensed preacher.


Ordination.  In the event this Church has been requested to ordain a male member who has been called as a Pastor of a Baptist church, or if a member, after sufficient preparation for the task, requests ordination upon entering the work of an Evangelist or the work of a Missionary, the following procedure shall be followed:


a. The Church shall vote by secret ballot with a majority vote of those present and voting necessary for approval of beginning the ordination process.

b. The Church shall then invite ordained Preachers and Deacons from other Baptist Churches to examine the candidate and to make a report to this Church.

c. Upon a favorable report, this Church shall proceed with ordination.


It is the belief of this Church that the Scriptures are clear that only men can fill the role of an ordained preacher.



Article XIII


BY-LAWS


Moderator.  The Pastor, by virtue of his office, shall be the moderator of all general and special meetings of the Church.  During the absence of the Pastor, or at the Pastor’s request, the Chairman of the Deacons shall act as moderator.


Voting.  Each member of the Church 18 years of age or older shall be entitled to vote on all matters of Church business.  No member under disciplinary suspension shall be permitted to vote.


Rules of Order.  All questions of order shall be settled by the customary rules governing deliberative bodies, as given in “Roberts Rules of Order” (Modern Edition).


Money Making Activities.  Believing that God’s method of financing His work is through the tithes and offerings of His people, there shall not be held, either in the name of, or on behalf of the Church, any sales of merchandise, money-making suppers, fairs, festivals, entertainment, or any solicitation for the purpose of raising money.


Quorum.  No quorum is necessary to conduct business at a regular or properly announced business meeting.  Business meetings shall be postponed at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons when unusual weather such as hurricanes, snow storms, special meetings, etc. occur on a regularly scheduled business meeting night.


Pastor’s Vacation.  The Pastor shall be allowed a vacation of not more than three weeks in each year.  The Church shall be responsible for a pulpit supply in his absence.  The time of vacation shall be agreed upon mutually by the Deacons and the Pastor.  When the Pastor is away in Revival, he shall pay the Pulpit supply himself, unless he is on vacation at that time.



Article XIV


ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT


This Constitution and By-Laws shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when a majority of the members present at the Business Meeting at which vote is taken shall vote in favor of the same.  This votes shall be taken not less than 30 days after formal presentation of the Constitution and By-Laws to the Church.


This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of members present and voting in a regular business meeting of the Church, provided however, that such amendment shall be given to the Church Clerk in writing, and the amendment shall be presented to the Church at least two Sundays prior to the time the vote is taken.  It is understood that there shall be no amendment or alterations to those provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws having to do with doctrine, and of the ownership, control or disposition of the physical properties and assets of Brookhaven Baptist Church.


This is, and shall remain, a democratic body.  The final authority in all respects shall lie in a simple majority of the members present and voting at any regular business meeting, or special meeting, or conference; they seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  At no time shall any organization(s) or group(s) outside the local assembly have authority over this Church.


An original copy of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be kept by the Church clerk, which shall include the date of its approval and which shall be witnessed by the signatures of the Pastor, Chairman of the Deacons, and the Church Clerk.  Any up-dates, revisions, or amendments shall be likewise dated, witnessed, recorded and kept in the Clerk’s Permanent Records with a copy maintained in the Church Office.


The adoption of the Constitution and By-Laws shall effect a repeal of all previously adopted rules in conflict herewith.


ADOPTED July 27, 1965

AMENDED August 29, 1965

September 14, 1966

March 8, 1967

February 14, 1968

September 18, 1968

August 13, 1969

July 24, 1974

March 9, 1988

January 24, 1990

March 11, 1992

April 13, 1994

September 3, 2003