GENERAL CHURCH OFFICERS
The general Church officers of Calvary Baptist Church are the Pastor; the Moderator; the Treasurer; the Church Clerk; the Assistant Church Clerk; the members of the Board of Deacons, the Finance Committee, the Personnel Committee, the By-Laws Committee and the Board of Trustees. Service in these offices must be by members who shall be elected by a majority present at a business meeting for that purpose. Removal for good cause shall be by a majority present a business meeting for that purpose.
No member of the Church shall serve in the same general Church office for more than three consecutive years except the Pastor and those filling an unexpired term. All members shall be eligible for reelection to the same general Church office after not serving for one year. Spouses shall not be elected to serve on the Deacon Board, Finance Committee, By-Laws Committee or Personnel Committee when their spouse is an active member of that board or committee. Spousal service is permitted on separate elected or appointed boards or committees.
Pastor. The Pastor shall preach the Word of God, lead the Church in its various ministries, seek and win lost souls to Christ and perform such other ministerial duties consistent with New Testament Christianity. The Pastor shall recommend to the Personnel Committee a suitable candidate or candidates to fill any vacancies in the Church staff and supervise the work, assignment of duties and annual evaluation of the Church staff. The Pastor and the Chair of the Board of Deacons shall appoint all members and their replacements to the standing committees. The Pastor and staff shall serve as resources and advisors to all boards, committees, and organizations of the Church and shall participate in deliberations as each board, committee and organization shall desire. The Pastor's position shall be filled in the manner set forth in these By-Laws.
Board of Deacons. The Board of Deacons shall consist of forty-eight members, each elected by the Church to serve a three-year term. One-third of the board shall retire each year and sixteen new deacons elected. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by a majority vote for the unexpired term.
The Deacons shall seek out the individuals in the Church who are in need and use the resources of the Church for their relief; visit the sick and homebound; distribute the elements of the Lord's Supper; and perform any other services consistent with the origin and duties of the office as described in the Holy Bible and particularly Acts 6 and I Timothy 3.
The Board of Deacons shall serve as a council of advice and conference with the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the welfare and work of the Church. It shall, in concert with the Pastor, consider and formulate plans for the constant effort and progress of the Church in all things pertaining to the saving of souls, the development of Christians and the extension and growth of the kingdom of God. The Board of Deacons shall consider the mission, policies and concerns of the Church; elect officers, including a Chair; and, organize itself into such committees as wisdom may direct for efficiency in service.
Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall consist of eleven members, nine of whom shall hold office for three years, three to be elected each year. The Chair of the Board of Deacons and the Treasurer shall become members in full standing. The committee shall elect officers, including a Chair, and organize itself into such subcommittees, including the budget subcommittee, as wisdom may direct for efficiency in service.
This committee shall be responsible for the fiscal affairs of the Church; the preparation and submission of an annual budget for the Church's approval; the planning for the financing of all the programs of the Church; the giving of counsel, assistance and advice for any special or temporary financial programs of the Church; the provision of an annual audit of the finances of the Church; the overseeing of all expenditures authorized by the budget; the administration of the fiscal affairs of the Church within the budget; and where practicable and reasonable, the seeking of Church approval for expenditures not provided for in the budget. The Chair or designee shall present to the Board of Deacons at its regular monthly meetings the minutes of the meetings of the Finance Committee to keep the Deacons informed of the fiscal affairs of the Church. The Chair or designee shall also give a financial report to the Deacons at their regular monthly meeting and to the Church at regular business meetings.
The Budget Subcommittee shall prepare the annual budget for submission to the Finance Committee. This subcommittee shall consist of the Chairs of the Finance and Stewardship Committees, two other members of the Finance Committee and three members of the congregation who are not Church officers, all to be elected by the Finance Committee.
Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall consist of three members who shall hold office for a term of three years, one member to be elected annually. The Board of Trustees shall act as legal representative of the Church and hold title to the property of the Church in trust for the benefit of the Church.
Church Clerk and Assistant Church Clerk. A Church Clerk and Assistant Church Clerk shall be elected annually. The Clerk shall be responsible for the keeping and signing of the records of Church action; the registration of applicants for Church membership; the maintenance of the names and addresses of its members with dates of admission, baptism and termination; the preparation of letters of recommendation when voted by the members of the Church; and the preservation of written official reports and all information of historical interest concerning the Church. The Assistant Church Clerk and members of the Church staff assist in the performance of these duties.
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for assisting the Financial Secretary and Minister of Administration in accounting procedures; aid in establishing, revising and updating financial reports; serve on the Finance Committee; and, be available to sign checks or other financial documents as necessary. The Treasurer's office shall be a three-year term.
Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee shall consist of five members, three of whom shall serve for three years, one to be elected each year by the members of the Church. The Finance Committee and the Deacon Board Chairs shall be members in full standing. The Chair of the committee shall rotate annually and shall be the elected member with the longest tenure.
This committee shall consult with the Pastor to provide an adequate staff; recommend to the members of the Church the hiring of ministers except the Pastor; if necessary, recommend to the members of the Church the dismissal of ministers; approve the hiring and dismissal of other staff members; recommend to the members of the Church appropriate action in matters of disabilities of members of the staff; be available to consult on all matters of staff relationships; establish all personnel policies; annually review the performance of the Pastor; and review with the Pastor and Minister of Administration the staff evaluations used in making recommendations concerning salary and benefits for inclusion in the budget.
By-Laws Committee. The By-Laws Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair to consider the recommendation of amendments to keep the By-Laws and practices of the Church in conformity and to accomplish any other need or desire of the Church that cannot be done without an amendment to the By-Laws.
The committee shall consist of three members to be elected, each to serve three years, with one person to be elected each year. Initially, one member shall be elected for three years, one for two years and one for one year. The Chair shall be the person with the longest tenure on the committee.
The Chair of the committee shall also serve as the Church Parliamentarian, shall attend all business meetings of the Church and shall monitor the proceedings to ensure that they conform to and are conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order and the Constitution and By-Laws of the Church. The next tenured member of the committee shall act as parliamentarian in the absence of the Chair.
Moderator. The Moderator shall be elected annually and shall conduct the business meetings of the Church. In the absence of the Moderator, the Chair of the Board of Deacons, and in the absence of the Chair of the Board of Deacons, the Church Clerk shall conduct the business meetings.
Adopted March 19, 1997