CONSTITUTION
OF THE
NORTH POLE, ALASKA 99705
Adopted April 8, 1984
Revised January 16, 1985
ARTICLE 1 - NAME
ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
To be received into this church, any person shall have:
Applicants for membership of this church shall be recommended to the church by the Pastor and Board of Deacons after having given satisfactory testimony as to conversion, baptism and views of Christian faith and practice.
The membership of this church shall consist of those who are received by vote of the church on recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons in one of the following ways:
In addition to the status of Members, as outlined in the preceding paragraphs, Associate Membership will be open to the following persons:
Associate Members will have all of the privileges accorded to Full Members.
The Pastor, Deacons and Members shall extend to all new members the Right Hand of Fellowship in recognition of their admission to all rights and privileges of the church.
Members are expected to be faithful in all the duties essential to the Christian life; faithful in attendance and service on the Lord's Day and at the Midweek Service, supporting the program of the church; giving regularly to the support of the work and finding an active place of service in the work of the church. Members will review their Statement of Purpose and Faith at least once a year at a communion service.
All dismissals shall be made upon the recommendation of the Pastor and the Board of Deacons to the church.
(Matthew l8:l5-l7; Titus 3:l0; Ephesians 5:11; I Timothy 5:l9-2l; I Thessalonians 5:l2-l4; I Corinthians 5:l-l3; Romans l6:l7).
The term "Discipline" as used in this Article refers to the Method of Correction for problems and difficulties in the church body. It is that procedure including Christian teaching, training, admonition and also rebuke (both public and private) with a view to helping the individual Christian to grow spiritually in the faith and to throw off unchristian attitudes and practices.
An attitude of prayer, love, patience, calmness, and understanding shall be the undergirding factors in all matters of church discipline, regardless of the nature of the difficulty or violation.
A member of this church shall be subject to church disciplining for:
The order given in Matthew l8:l5-l7 shall be followed to resolve disharmony between members.
Members who hold and/or persistently propagate false doctrine shall be subject to church discipline.
Members found walking disorderly, in a manner unbecoming to disciples of Christ, shall be subject to disciplinary action after careful consideration by the Deacon Board.
For treating the acts and decisions of the church contemptuously, or pursuing such a course which produces discord, disunity or dissension.
The Pastor and Deacons are responsible to see that discipline is administered in true love, patience and understanding with a calm spirit (Matthew 18:15-17). Emphasis should be placed on choosing a spokesperson who has had prior positive communication with the erring member.
If the member in question neglects to hear the church (Matthew l8:l7) and a proper solution in line with the Scriptures and the church's faith and practice still cannot be worked out, the member who is found guilty of violating, will be dismissed from the membership of the church by a majority ballot vote of a quorum of the members present and voting at the meeting. (See Article V, Section 2, paragraph e).
Excluded members may be restored to membership upon recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons, if there is satisfactory evidence of a genuine repentance.
ARTICLE III - CHURCH OFFICERS
All duly elected officers shall have the trust and confidence of the church body so that they may carry out their ministries and responsibilities without undue "red tape". They shall realize, however, their responsibility to the church by keeping the church body informed. They are to remain in the bounds of the authority placed upon them by this Constitution and By-laws and by the church body. An attitude of pride and independence has no place in the church of Jesus Christ.
The qualifications of the Pastor(s), also referenced as Elders or Bishops, are those given in I Timothy 3:l-7 and Titus l:5-9. He must be spiritually and education- ally qualified to lead the church as an undershepherd of God, to preach, teach, train and to provide leader- ship to carry out the spirit and letter of the New Testament and the Constitution and By-laws. At the time of his call he shall be a member of a Baptist Church or be in complete accord with Baptist church doctrine and our Constitution and By-laws, and shall upon his call to this pastorate become a member of this church.
The Pulpit Committee shall bring to the church for consideration only one candidate at a time. This candidate should be the man they feel led of God to recommend unanimously as pastor of the church. The church body shall vote upon the recommendation of the Pulpit Committee as soon as possible after the candidate speaks at the church. Two weeks public notice shall be given for the meeting called for this purpose. Such notice may be given before the candidate comes to speak so that there will be no undue delay. Voting shall be by ballot and an affirmative vote of 90 percent of those present and voting shall be necessary for the call of a Pastor. (Article 5, Section 2e). The Pastor thus called shall serve until the relation- ship is terminated.
The office of Pastor may be terminated either by resignation or by church vote. Previous notice of sixty days must be given by either party desiring the termination; however, this provision may be waived if mutually agreed upon.
Deacons shall be men in full communion with the church, of mature judgment, unquestioned Christian character, loyal to the Lord Jesus Christ, concerned with the qualifications of I Timothy 3:8-l3 and Acts 6:l-7. Also Titus l:6-9.
There shall be three (3) Deacons while the number of voting members of the church is less than 50. Thereafter, the church may elect as many more qualified Deacons as it deems necessary. The Deacons shall be elected at the annual meeting of the church for three year terms so arranged that as nearly as possible a third of the number shall be chosen each year.
The Deacons are to serve in council and conference with the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the spiritual and material welfare and work of the church. They shall have custody and control of all temporalities and property, real or personal belonging to the church, and the revenues therefrom. They shall not have power to sell, mortgage or otherwise encumber the real estate or other property without the consent of the church.
The Deacons are responsible for the oversight of the duties mentioned below. Oversight does not necessarily mean that the Deacons themselves carry out all the details of each duty. This would limit them to merely running the "machinery" of the church. With Deacon Board approval, each Deacon is authorized to select helpers from the church body to assist in carrying out the many details of his particular responsibilities.
Specific duties of the Deacons are:
The Moderator of the church meetings shall be elected annually. He shall officiate at all church business meetings. In his absence the Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall preside; or in the absence of both, the Clerk shall call the body to order and a Moderator Pro Temp shall be elected (from the Board of Deacons, if possible). It is the Moderator's responsibility to call for prayer if unity is not evident in a meeting.
The Clerk shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the church.
Specific duties are:
A Church Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Church and if they see fit, the Deacons may instruct the nominating committee to nominate a Assistant Treasurer at the Annual meeting.
A Church Financial Secretary shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the church and if they see fit, the Deacons may instruct the nominating committee to nominate an Assistant Financial Secretary to be elected at the Annual Meeting.
A Sunday School Superintendent shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the church and shall have charge of all administrative duties under the direction of and in cooperation with the Pastor, supervising, planning and promoting the work of the School. In addition, he shall prepare a report for the Quarterly business meeting and a written report shall be prepared for the Annual Meeting. He will also submit a proposed annual budget to the trustees.
No member elected for a one year term shall serve in a given office for more than six consecutive years. No officer elected or appointed for a three-year term may succeed himself in office without having had one year's leave of absence.
In the event of a vacancy in office, the Nominating Committee shall present a recommendation at the next Business Meeting to fill the vacancy for the expired term.
No person may be elected to any office until he has been a member for three months.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
The trustees shall be selected for their spirituality, demonstrated business ability and interest in the work of the church. (Titus l:6-9)
There shall be three (3) trustees while the voting members of the church is less than 50. Thereafter, the church may elect as many qualified trustees as it deems necessary.
The trustees shall be elected at the annual meeting of the church for a term of three years, so arranged that as nearly as possible a third of the members shall be chosen each year. Immediately after their election, the committee shall assemble and elect from their members a chairman.
The committee shall hold monthly and called meetings; a majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
At all meetings, notes will be taken and a report will be filed with the church clerk.
To assist the Deacons in handling the material and financial function of the church.
The Deaconess's shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall elect their own chairman. There shall not be more than seven (7) or less than three (3) Deaconess while the membership is less than 50. Thereafter the Pastor and Deacons may request the church for such additional Deaconess Committee members as are deemed necessary. The term of service shall be for three years so arranged that as nearly as possible a third of the number shall be chosen each year.
The Deaconess Committee shall be the Pastor's helpers and shall assist the Pastor and Deacons in the following duties:
Section 4 - Christian Education Committee:
(a) Election: There shall be two Christian Education board members while the church membership is less than 50. When membership is over 50, the church may add members as the need arises. The term of service shall be for three years so arranged that as nearly as possible a third of the number shall be chosen each year. Members are to be elected at the annual business meeting of the church. Soon after the annual meeting the committee shall assemble and elect a chairman. The Sunday School Superintendent is automatically a member of this committee and is not to be included in the above numbers.
(b) Duties:
(1) Establish goals for the total education program of the church and evaluate these goals on a yearly basis.
(2) Oversee the choosing of the material to be used in the Sunday School, children's church and youth programs.
(3) Select an advisor(s) for the children's church program.
(9) Prepare reports for the quarterly business meetings and a written report for the annual meeting.
Section 5 - Missionary Committee:
Section 6 - Music Committee:
(5) Work with the Christian education board on any special events (i.e., Christmas programs, Easter programs, etc.)
(7) Arrange for tuning of church instruments.
Section 7 - Auditing Committee:
An Auditing Committee shall be selected at the third Quarterly Business Meeting of the church and shall consist of not less than two members. A report in writing shall be given at the Annual Meeting stating that accounts have been examined and are in proper order.
Section 8 - Pulpit Committee:
There shall be a Pulpit Committee formed in accordance with Article III, Section 2d.
Section 9 - Tenure of Office:
No member elected for a one-year term shall serve in a given office more than six consecutive years. No member of any committee or officer elected or appointed for a three-year term may succeed himself in office without having had one year's leave of absence.
In the event of a vacancy in office, the Nominating Committee shall present a recommendation at the next Business Meeting to fill the vacancy for the expired term.
Section 10 - Time Qualification for Office:
No person may be elected to any board, committee, or office until he has been a member for three months.
Section l - Worship:
(a) Public services shall be held regularly on the Lord's Day.
(b) Midweek services shall be held for the purpose of prayer, praise and Bible study.
(c) The Lord's Supper shall be observed at least once a month.
(d) Other meetings shall be held from time to time as the interest of the Lord's work may necessitate.
(e) Due to special circumstances the pastor and Deacons may alter temporarily any of the above meetings.
Section 2 - Business:
- (a) The Annual Meeting shall be held during the third week of April unless another date is specified with proper notice given. Annual reports shall be presented; Board Members, committee members and officers elected; the church budget adopted; and such other business be transacted as may be specified in the call or authorized in the By-laws.
- (l) Calling or dismissing a Pastor.
- (2) Terminating the membership of a member.
- (3) Purchasing or selling of property.
- (4) Amending the Constitution and/or By-laws.
In the above exceptions, 75 percent of the qualified voters shall be required. In figuring a quorum at any meeting, the following should not be included in the figures:
- (1) Calling or dismissing a Pastor.
- (2) Terminating the membership of a member.
- (3) Purchasing or selling of property.
- (4) Amending the Constitution and/or By-laws. In these cases a 90 percent majority vote will be required.
- (g) The meeting will be opened and closed in prayer and parliamentary procedure shall be Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VI - ORGANIZATIONS
Section l - General:
This church shall have such organizations as are needed to minister to the different age groups and varied interests of its members. All organizations shall be formed with the approval of the Board of Deacons. The presidents or chairmen shall be members of the Advisory Committee. All officers and By-laws of such organizations shall be consistent with this constitution and subject to the oversight of the Board of Deacons.
Section 2 - Sunday School:
The Sunday School is an organization of the church. It shall be considered as the church at work in the field of religious education, providing a program of systematic Bible study and will work closely with the Christian education committee. The Superintendent shall be elected by the church at the Annual Meeting. All teachers and officers shall be appointed by the Bible School Superintendent with the approval of the Pastor. The Superintendent may appoint an assistant (with Deacon approval).
Section 3 - Training and Outreach Ministry:
The Training and Outreach Ministry is an organization of the church. It shall be considered as the church at work in the field of Personal Training providing a ministry of: (a) Personally training and edifying new converts. (b) Training existing members so that they will be able in turn to train new converts. (c) On the job training in the field of visitation evangelism, home Bible studies, etc. The Superintendent shall be appointed by the Pastor with church approval. All those involved in this ministry shall be selected by the Superintendent of Training and Outreach with the approval of the Pastor.
ARTICLE VII - MISSIONS
There shall be an adequate missionary program to carry out the Great Commission of our Lord.
Section l - The Policy of Missionary Giving:
Since this church is in affiliation with the Conservative Baptist Association of America, the principal beneficiaries of our missionary giving shall be to the Conservative Baptist Foreign and Home Mission Societies. This in no way restricts missionary giving to other organizations and mission boards whose policy and program is in basic agreement with our Constitution and By-laws.
ARTICLE VIII - FINANCES
Section l - Policy:
The Scriptures are the sole authority of the financial policy of this church. Only Scriptural methods of raising money are allowed. Inasmuch as tithes and offerings are commanded of every believer, all members are encouraged to bring them into this church, God's storehouse (Malichi 3:l0; I Corinthians l6:l-3; II Corinthians 8 and 9; Acts 4:34,35). Section 2 - System: The church will provide and encourage the use of church offering envelopes.
ARTICLE IX - ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Advisory Committee shall be to correlate and coordinate the activities and organizations of the church, yet with advisory powers only. This Committee may begin to function when the total voting membership exceeds 40 members and shall begin to function when the total voting membership exceeds 50.
Section l - Members:
The Committee shall be composed of Pastor, Clerk, Treasurer, Deacons, Chairman or President of all committees and organizations. The Pastor shall be Chairman of the Advisory Committee.
Section 2 - Function:
The duties of the Committee are indicated by the following suggested agenda: Scripture reading and prayer Minutes of last meeting Committee reports Reports of Church Budget proposed by the Deacons (see Article III, Section c-12) Study of the planned activities of the church Joint consideration of church problems Spiritual emphasis and objectives which require teamwork Season of prayer for spiritual advance
Section 3 - Recommendations:
All conclusions of the Committee shall be referred to the church for approval or disapproval.
Section 4 - Meetings:
The Committee shall meet quarterly preceding the quarterly business meeting. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Pastor or Board of Deacons. Committees or groups desiring a special meeting may refer their desire to the Pastor or the Board of Deacons.
Section 5 - Budget:
The Committee shall review the budget presented by the Board of Deacons. They may give advice and suggestions for the Deacons to consider before the Deacons present the final draft to the church for approval.
ARTICLE X - GENERAL
Section l - Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year of the church shall begin on the first day of April. All committee and officers shall remain in office until their successors are elected. The church shall continue to operate on the previous year's budget until the annual meeting.
Section 2 - Pastor's Pension Fund: Hospitalization, Vacation and Social Security:
(a) The church shall include in its yearly budget a sum equal to the "Self-employed" Social Security rate. A call to a new Pastor shall include the offer of this amount.
(b) An adequate hospitalization and medical policy shall be provided or maintained for the Pastor and his immediate family.
(c) The Pastor shall be given an annual paid vacation of two weeks after one full year of service, three weeks after five years and four weeks after eight years, subject to consultation with the Board of Deacons.
(d) If at all possible, the church should contribute towards the Pastor's pension.
(e) A leave of absence to attend conferences or conduct special ministries may be granted with Deacon Board approval.
Section 3 - Pastor's Salary: It shall be the duty of the Board of Deacons to review annually the financial needs of the Pastor and to make appropriate recommendations to the church.
Section 4 - Will of the Church: When the church by vote has expressed itself and is not in conflict with this Constitution and By-laws, the will of the church shall be carried out by all officers, committees and organizations.
Section 5 - Licensing and Ordaining:
(a) The church may grant a license to preach to any male member who gives evidence of his ability and spiritual preparedness, provided he is recommended by the Board of Deacons. The licensee must have preached within hearing of the church before any church action is taken.
(b) The church may ordain any male member who gives evidence of having been called of God. The procedure shall be as follows:
(l) The Board of Deacons shall examine the candidate to determine their agreement concerning his call from God. The qualifications recommended by the Conservative Baptist Association of Alaska should be taken into consideration.
(2) The Board of Deacons shall present his name to the church for action, only if they are satisfied with his testimony and qualifications.
(3) Upon church approval, the Clerk shall call a council of messengers to further examine the candidate. Ordination shall proceed upon satisfactory recommendation of the Ordination Council.
Section 6 - Amendments:
(a) The Constitution and By-laws may be amended at any quarterly or annual meeting provided that at least the general meaning of the amendment appeared in the call for the meeting. 90 percent of the active qualified voters shall constitute a quorum. A 90 percent majority vote is required to pass amendments. (Article 5, Section 2e)
(b) The notice for the proposed amendment shall be given on four consecutive Sundays preceding the quarterly or annual meeting.
(c) This Constitution and By-laws shall go into effect when adopted by the church.
(d) All previous actions of the church which are in conflict with these articles are set aside.
Section 7 - Upon Dissolution of the Corporation: The assets will be distributed only to other charitable and religious corporations which enjoy an exempt status for tax purposes under the then current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and state as their belief the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. If the dissolution takes place prior to the termination of the "Missionary Status" period of the church, the assets will be distributed to the Conservative Baptist Home Mission Society, Wheaton, Illinois, 60l87.
ARTICLE XI - INITIAL MISSIONARY STATUS OF THE CHURCH
Section l - Definition:
"Missionary Status" is defined as that period . . .
(l) While the church remains on the three-year New Churches Now schedule, and(2) When the church is not yet to a fully self-supporting status.
Section 2 - Relationship to the Constitution and By-laws During Missionary Status Period: This Constitution and By-laws shall go into effect when adopted by the church. However, during the Missionary Status period of the church, when the active voting membership is less than 25, the church may be guided by a Steering Committee (see Section 3) instead of the Board of Deacons (Article III, Section 3) and the committees mentioned in Article IV. The ministries of the Deacons and the various committees may be delegated (with church approval) during this period as the Pastor and Steering Committee sees fit. Corporate officers shall be elected in accordance with the laws of the State of Alaska.
Section 3 - Steering Committee:
(a) Election: A Steering Committee of not less than three or more than five shall be elected at the initial incorporation meeting when the church becomes a church corporation and this Constitution and By-laws is adopted. Nomination shall be from the floor and a majority vote of those present shall constitute election.
(b) Function: The Steering Committee with the Missionary Pastor as Chairman shall act as the advisory body of the church as long as it exists during the missionary status period. Recommendations of the committee shall be approved by the church and the church may delegate to the committee such other ministries and authority as the church body sees fit.
(c) Termination: Termination of the Steering Committee for the purpose of electing at least a partial slate of officers and committees in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws shall not take place before either
(l) a year from incorporation, or
(2) the active voting membership exceeds 25. After this time the Steering Committee, if it sees fit, may recommend to the church that a Board of Deacons and at least a partial slate of officers and committees be elected. A partial slate of officers and committees may continue as the church grows until the church body deems it feasible to elect a full slate in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws. When the voting membership of the church exceeds fifty, it is expected that a full slate of officers and committees shall be elected and serving in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws.
Section 4 - Miscellaneous:
(a) The Pastor shall be the Church Moderator at all meetings during the Missionary Status period of the church until such time that he sees fit to suggest to the Nominating Committee that a Moderator be elected.
(b) The Pastor shall be the Superintendent of Training and Outreach during the Missionary Status period of the church until such time that he sees fit to appoint a Superintendent with church approval (see Article III, Section l0, page l2).
(c) Until the voting membership of the church exceeds 40, the April Annual Business Meeting and the October Semiannual Meeting shall be the only required Business Meetings. If the Steering Committee sees fit, it may ask for the Quarterly meetings before a voting member- ship of 40 is reached. (See page l2)
(d) The Deacons may act as the Missionary Committee until the voting membership exceeds 50.
(e) Article III, Section l2, does not apply to members received on or before the first public services.
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