THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

OF

THOMPSON SPRINGS BAPIST CHURCH

5660 BATES PIKE SE

CLEVELAND, TN  37323  

PREAMBLE

We the members, of Thompson Springs Baptist Church, do adopt, declare, and establish this Constitution and these By-laws to preserve, secure, and protect the principles of our faith, and to govern this body of believers in an orderly manner to the glory of God.  We encourage all of our members to use this document to work together in a Christian spirit, knowing that a fullness of the Gospel shall come to individuals only as they grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and maintain daily communication with Him.

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

 Section 1.         Qualifications

The membership of this church shall consist of such persons as confess Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior.

(1)   There are two types of members: Active and Inactive.

Active members are expected, first of all, to be faithful in all duties essential to the Christian life and in keeping with the church covenant, such as, but not limited to, *attending regularly the services of this church, giving regularly for its support and its causes, and sharing in its organized work.

 (2) Inactive members are those who do not meet the qualifications stated in Section 1, paragraph (1) and who have had faithful effort made to restore them to active fellowship of the church.

      (* attending regularly – is defined as attending at least one service a month.) 

Section 2.         Receiving Members

                        The church shall receive members as follows:

(1)    By statement of experience and baptism;

(2)    By letter of  commendation from other Southern Baptist churches;

(3)    By statement of  Christian experience;

(4)    By restoration.

Section 3.         Quorum

Five percent of the active roll of the membership shall constitute a quorum, except for the election of officers, ten percent, and for the call of a pastor, twenty-five percent shall be necessary.

Section 4.         Termination

The continuance of membership shall be subject to the principles, and usages of the Southern Baptist churches.  Any member of this church who fails to adhere to the doctrine, rules, principles, and practices set forth herein shall forfeit his membership in said body, and any and all claim, use, or possession of this church’s property of any kind.

This church shall terminate membership as follows:

(1)    Upon death of the member.

(2)    By letter of recommendation.

(3)    Letters shall be granted to churches with which this church is in fellowship, and not the individuals.  It shall be the duty of all members moving to another community to request letters within a six month period. Failure to do this will mean that individual will be placed on the inactive list and their letter will so reflect.

(4)    This church may terminate membership of persons who become an offense to the church and its good name by reason of immoral of unchristian conduct, but only after due notice and hearing, and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such members to repentance and amendment using the principles set forth in Matthew 18:15-17.

(5)    The membership of no person shall be terminated (except by letter) at the meeting when the recommendation for such action is made.

(6)    All requests for termination of membership of action looking thereto shall be considered by the deacons, in consultation with the pastor.  The deacons shall then make recommendations to the church.

(7)    Upon joining a church of a different denomination.

Section 5.         Restoration

(1)    Any person whose membership has been terminated for any offense may be restored by vote of the church, upon evidence of his repentance and reformation; or, if on account of continued absence, upon satisfactory explanation.

(2)    Inactive members may be restored to active status through evidence of their meeting the requirements of an active member outlined in Section 1, Paragraph (1).

ARTICLE II: CHURCH OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

 All who serve as officers of the church and those who serve on church committees shall be members of this church.

 Section 1.         Church Officers

The officers of this church shall be the pastor, ministerial staff, the deacons, a clerk, a treasurer, and the trustees.

 (1)    The pastor should be a duly licensed and ordained Baptist minister of the Gospel in full fellowship of the denominational agency with which the church is cooperating.

(a)    A pastor is called for an indefinite period of time by a three-fourths votes of the active members present.

            (b)  The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church.  The pastor will lead the congregation, the organizations, and the church staff to perform their tasks.

(c)  The pastor is leader of the pastoral ministries in the church.    

       As such he works with the deacons and church staff to

            (1) lead the church in the achievement of its mission,

(2) proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers, and

(3) care for the church’s members and other persons in the community. 

(d)  In addition, he shall serve as moderator for all meetings of the church.

            (e)  A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s notice shall be given. 

(1)    A pulpit committee shall bring only one name at a time for the consideration of the church.  Election shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the active members present being necessary to a choice.

(2)    In the event the church is without a pastor, or associate pastor, it shall be the duty of the chairman of the deacons to preside over the business meetings of the church; or in his absence, the clerk shall call the church to order and a moderator pro-tem shall be elected.

(3)    The pastor may relinquish his office as pastor by tendering his resignation which will become effective as determined by the Deacon Body.

(2)    The ministerial staff shall be called and employed as the church determines the need for such offices.   A job description shall be written when the need for a staff member is determined.  Those staff members of whom the church requires evidence of a personal call of God to minister shall be recommended to the church by the pastor and deacons and called by church action.  At the time of resignation at least two weeks’ notice shall be given to the church.  The church may vote to vacate such positions upon recommendation of the pastor and deacons.  The church shall give a two week notice.  The deacons shall have the responsibility to recommend to the church the employment and termination of all part time ministerial staff member.  All part time ministerial staff employment shall be with the recommendation of the pastor.

(3)    Non-ministerial staff members (such as custodian, secretary, etc.) shall be employed as the church determines the need for their services.  Such employment and termination of service shall be with the recommendation of the pastor and the Deacon Body.  

(4)    Deacons shall be approved and ordained by the church.  Approval of deacons will take place at a regular business meeting of the church. 

The active deacons shall have the responsibility of seeking out and recommending to the church those to serve as active deacons.  Those men selected by the deacon body to be presented to the church shall have the basic qualifications of the deacon and serve an apprenticeship of one year.  During this time they will carry out the regular duties of an active ordained deacon an submit to Biblical instruction by the pastor.  At the end of this time, with the church and candidates approval, ordination will be recommended.

(5)    The church shall elect a clerk annually.  The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a suitable record of all official actions of the church, except as otherwise herein provided (paragraph 7).  The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of names of members, with dates of admission, demission, death, or erasures, together with a record of baptisms.  The clerk shall issue letters of demission voted by the church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary, as indicated by these by-laws.  The clerk shall be responsible for preparing the annual letter of the church to the association.

(6)    The church shall elect annually a church treasurer as its financial officer.  The treasurer is responsible for receiving, maintaining and dispensing funds or revenue of the church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements.  It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, preserve, and payout, upon receipt of approval of authorized persons, all money or things of value paid or given to the church.  It shall be the duty of the treasurer to render to the church each regular business meeting an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements of the preceding month.  The treasurer’s report and records shall be examined annually by an examining committee consisting of the treasurer, deacons, and pastor; or public accountant.  Upon rendering the annual account at the end of each fiscal year and its acceptance and approval of the church, the treasurer shall keep and preserve the account as a part of the permanent records of the church.

(7)    The church shall elect three or more trustees to serve as legal officers of the church.  They shall hold in trust the church property.  Upon a specific vote of the church authorizing each action, they shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any church property.  When the signatures of trustees are required, they shall sign legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property, or other legal documents related to church-approved matters.  Trustees shall serve on a rotation basis, with one new trustee being elected every three years.

Section 2.         Church Committees

The committees of the church shall be: (1) Nominating Committee, (2) Building and Grounds Committee, (3) Church Hostess and Fellowship Committee, (4) Flower Committee, (5) Budget Committee, (6) Missions Committee.

All committees act only in an advisory capacity for the church.  Additional regular committees may be added by the amendment procedure prescribed within these by-laws.  All church committee members shall be recommended by the church Nominating Committee and elected by the church unless otherwise specified within these by-laws.  Committee members shall be elected to serve for one year.  Committee members may be re-elected to serve for one year.  Committee members may be re-elected to serve consecutive terms.  A job description shall be made available by the church for each committee task.

ARTICLE III: CHURCH PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

All organizations related to the church programs shall be under church control with appropriate staff supervision.  All church organization officers shall be elected by the church and report regularly to the church at scheduled business meetings, all program activities shall be subject to church coordination and approval.  The church shall provide the human resources, the physical resources, and the financial resources for the appropriate advancement of these programs.

(1)    The Sunday school shall be the basic organization for the Bible teaching program.  Its tasks shall be to teach the Biblical revelation, reach persons for Christ and church membership, perform the functions of the church within its constituency, provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination. The Sunday school shall be organized by departments and/or classes, as appropriate for all ages, and shall be conducted under the direction of the Sunday School Director elected by the church.

(2)    The Church Training organization shall serve as the training unit of the church.  Its tasks shall be to train church leaders, orient new church members, teach Christian theology, ethics, history, polity and organization, and to provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.  Church training shall be organized by departments for all ages and conducted under the direction of a general director elected by the church.

(3)    Woman’s Missionary union shall be the mission education, mission action, and mission support organization of the church for women, young women, girls, and preschool children.  Its tasks shall be to teach missions: engage in mission action; support world missions through praying and giving; and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination (Promote Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, and State Offering).  The Woman’s Missionary Union shall have such officers and organizations as the program requires and shall be under the direction of a woman elected by the church.

(4)    The Brotherhood shall be the church’s organization for mission education, mission action, and mission support for men, young men, and boys.  Its tasks shall be to teach missions, engage in mission action, support world missions through praying and giving, and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and the denomination. The Brotherhood shall have such officers and organizations as the program requires and shall be led by a man elected by the church.

(5)    The Church Music organization under the direction of the church elected music director shall be the music education, training, and performance organization of the church.  Its task shall be to teach music; train persons to lead, sing, and play music; provide music in the church community; and provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.  The church music program shall have such officers and organizations as the program requires.

(6)    The Church Youth organization, under the direction of the church elected youth director, shall be to provide an atmosphere for the physical, spiritual, and emotional growth of its youth.  The church youth organization shall have such officers and organization as the program requires.

ARTICLE IV: CHURCH ORDINANCES

Section 1.         Baptism           

This church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes him publicly at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord.

(1)    Baptism shall be by immersion in water.

(2)    The pastor, or whomever the church shall authorize, shall administer baptism.  The deacons shall assist in the preparation for, and the observance of baptism.

(3)    Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the church.

(4)    A person who professes Christ and is not baptized after reasonable length of time shall be counseled by the pastor and/or staff or deacons.

Section 2.         The Lord’s Supper

The church shall observe the Lord’s Supper at least quarterly.  The observance shall be during the evening services of worship unless otherwise scheduled.  The pastor and deacons shall administer the Lord’s Supper, the deacons being responsible for the physical preparations.

ARTICLE V: CHURCH MEETINGS

 Section 1.         Worship Services

The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening for the worship of Almighty God.  Prayer, praise, preaching, instruction, and evangelism shall be among the ingredients of these services.  The pastor shall direct the services for all the church members and for all others who may choose to attend.

Section 2.         Special Services

The church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of special nature and significance.  A one–service notice must be given for a specially called business meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impartial.  The notice shall include the subject, the date, the time and place; and it must be given in such a manner that all active members have opportunity to know of the meeting.

Section 5.         Parliamentary Rules

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church.

ARTICLE VI: CHURCH FINANCES

 Section 1.         Budget

The Budget Committee and the treasurer, in consultation with the church council, shall prepare and submit to the church for approval an inclusive budget, indicating by items the amount needed and sought for all local and other expenses.  Offering envelopes will be provided for members’ use.  It is understood that membership in this church involves financial obligation to support the church and its cause with regular, proportionate gifts.  Annually there shall be opportunity provided to secure worthy commitments of financial support from the church members by adoption of a yearly budget.

Section 2.         Accounting Procedures

All funds received pertaining to the ministries of the church shall pass through the hands of the church treasurer, and be properly recorded on the books of the church.  A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds shall be the responsibility of the Budget committee and the treasurer.

Section 3.         Fiscal Year

The church fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.  The church year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

Changes in the constitution and by-laws may be made at the beginning of each church year (10/1) provided in writing at a previous business meeting and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member present at the earlier meeting.  Amendments to the constitution shall be by two-thirds vote of active church members present.  Amendments to the by-laws shall be adopted by a simple majority of the active members present and voting.

ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION OF CHURCH

If at any time this church ceases to function as a Southern Baptist church, the property and assets, both real and personal, will be distributed to the Tennessee Baptist Foundation, a Tennessee non-profit corporation, to be held by it in trust for the use and benefit of any Southern Baptist cause as may be determined by the trustees of the church or in absence of said instructions, by the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Baptist Foundation.  In any instance, the assets of the dissolving church are irrevocably dedicated for a missionary, educational, or evangelistic cause represented by and related to the Southern Baptist General Convention of Tennessee.