SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

HOME

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE
SAINT LUKE BAPTIST CHURCH, INC.
SPENCER, OKLAHOMA 73084

Italic Text Represent Revisions

PREAMBLE

That all things may be done decently and in order and that we may more readily help one another in our Christian service as members of the Saint Luke Baptist Church, we adopt the following constitution and By-Laws for the general good of our church and as a guide for our work.

ARTICLE I
THE OBJECT

This church, believing in the Bible as the inspired Word of God and as the sole authority for faith and practice, and acknowledging its adherence to all the teaching of Jesus Christ, declares its purpose:

1.    To maintain regular service, both devotional and for public worship. (Hebrews 10:25)
2.    To proclaim earnestly the Gospel message and to urge its personal acceptance. (Matthew 28:18-20)
3.    To cooperate heartily, by prayer, gifts, and serve in the effort to establish the Kingdom of Christ throughout the world.
4.    Each member of this church will be asked to give his/her financial support both regularly and systematically (Tithes and Offerings), for the fostering of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Scriptures in Malachi 3:8-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2.

ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this church shall consist of such persons who confess Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior and agree to:
1.    A person may be admitted into this church membership in any one of the three following forms:
a)    Admission by Baptism – Any person confessing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and showing a willingness to accept the church constitution and By-Laws may become a member. (Acts 2:41)
b)    Admission by Letter – Members from other Baptist Churches holding like faith may be received as members by presenting letters of honorable dismissal from their former church. (I Corinthians 16:3; Romans 16:1-3)
c)    Admission by Experience or Restoration – All applicants for membership other than by Baptism or by Letter shall be received as members on the basis of their confession of faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord and their Christian experience.

ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION

1.    PASTOR: He shall conduct the public services of worship and the general development of the church work shall be under his supervision. He shall preside as moderator of all church business meetings when present; however, he reserves the right to appoint any member to act in this capacity, at any time. (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; I Timothy 3:1-7). The Pastor is appointed by a vote of the active membership.
2.    CHURCH SECRETARY: The Church Secretary shall perform general and specific office and clerical duties pertaining to the general needs of the church. Order and pick up church supplies when necessary. Such things will include answering the telephone, keeping and maintaining various files and church records, checking and distributing messages and church mail, greeting, receiving and directing visitors. The church secretary may be called upon to perform other church related responsibilities as assigned.
3.    THE DEACONS: It shall be the duty of the Deacons to cooperate with the pastor in overseeing the work of the church. They shall be charged especially with: 1) The Spiritual advancement and interest of the church and the watch care of its members; 2) The preparation and distribution of the Lord’s Supper; 3) The preparation for the Baptismal services, and 4) To assist the pastor as may be required. (Acts 6:3-4; I Timothy 3:8-13). Deacons are appointed by a vote of the active membership.
4.    CHURCH CLERK: The clerk shall keep accurately the record of all church business. He/she shall preserve in a safe place all church documents and shall keep a register of the membership with the date and manner of their admission, dismissal or death together with a record of baptisms. He/she shall also keep in a separate list the names of those members who are deemed inactive by the church body. (I Corinthians 14:4)
5.    The Treasurer: The church shall use the unified budget. The treasurer shall receive and deposit all moneys belonging to the church. The treasurer shall be a member of the Finance Committee. (Nehemiah 13:13)
6.    THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY: He/she shall keep an accurate record of all monies contributed to the church. He/she shall write all checks unless otherwise unable. The Financial secretary’s signature shall be required on all checks written, unless otherwise unable, along with the other designated signers. The Financial Secretary shall provide and present to the members a financial report at each designated church meeting. All books, records, and documents shall be considered the property of the church. The books and/or records shall be open to inspection at all times by those members in good standings, not being inactive.
7.    THE TRUSTEES: The Trustee ministry shall be composed of at least three (3) members. The trustees shall deposit church “Title” and “Insurance Papers” and other important church documents in a secure location. The trustees will also oversee all legal activities such as the purchase, maintenance, and disposal of all church property. The trustees will work in conjunction with the pastor providing oversight of those employed by the church. The trustee shall oversee the filling of vacancies for said employees (Secretaries, Custodian etc.). Trustees are appointed by a vote of the active membership.
8.    CUSTODIAN: The Custodian shall maintain the general cleaning of the church’s interior, exterior including restrooms. The custodian shall be supplied with the necessary maintenance supplies for proper maintenance and cleaning.
9.    SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR (SUPERINTENDENT): The Sunday School Director (Superintendent) shall exercise the general oversight of the Sunday School, he/she shall work in conjunction with the Sunday School Secretary in recording and maintaining accurate records of the Sunday School work. The Sunday School Director (Superintendant) shall also encourage the enlistment of new members to the Sunday School also the Sunday School Director shall regularly attend the weekly Teachers Meeting.
a)    THE ASSOCIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR: Shall assist the Sunday School Director in the general oversight of the Sunday School he shall also perform the duties of the Director in his/her absence.
10.    MUSIC COORDINATOR: The Music Coordinator shall supervise and train the voices of the Mass Choir. The Mass Choir shall consist of those of all ages who are members of the choirs. He/she shall use wisdom in selecting appropriate music for the church.
a)    CHOIR PRESIDENT: The Choir President shall give general oversight of members of the choir and the music ministry. He/she shall assist the music minister in whatever way is needed. The president shall preside at weekly choir rehearsals. He/she shall promote the spiritual unity of harmony of the choir and church.
11.    USHERS PRESIDENT: The Usher President shall be responsible for direction and the general oversight of the Usher ministry. Included in these duties are organizing the usher teams as to the days they will usher. The Usher President shall be responsible for providing ushers for special services and funerals. The ushers ministry shall promote the order and peace of the worship service by assisting the attendees to find suitable seating and other requests as necessary.

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION

a)    Members are expected to be faithful in attendance of all church services, to give cheerfully and regularly for the churches support and to share in its work.
b)    Members rights: All members who are in full and regular standing and do not have an order of dismissal shall be afforded all the rights and privileges of the church including voting privileges.
c)    A member in full and regular standing is one who has been in regular attendance the last three months.
d)    In active member: A person shall be deemed an in active member when that person has not been in regular attendance nor shown interest in the regular affairs of the church for a span of two consecutive months. Such persons forfeit any rights and privileges of the church including voting privileges.

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS

a) QUORUM: Ten percent of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for regular church meetings.
1) 51% of the active membership shall constitute a quorum when calling a pastor.

ARTICLE VI
CHURCH FINANCE

a)    Receipts for general support: All monies received for the general support of the church shall be kept in the designated checking and savings accounts.
b)    All Funds: For any and all purposes shall be properly recorded on the records of the church. The expenses approved by the church shall be paid from the accounts designated for such action.
c)    The Finance Committee in consultation with the Pastor, Trustees, and Leaders of the various ministries shall prepare an annual church budget to be approved by the church body at the Quarterly Church Meeting.