ARTICLE IV. FINANCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Sections 1,2,3 and 4.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
OF
SPRINGHILLBAPTISTCHURCH
The following Policies and Procedures (constituting the BY-LAWS) of Spring Hill
BaptistChurch, Mobile, Alabama, an incorporated religious body, are hereby
adopted on this the 20th day of June, 1990, superseding all prior adopted
Constitution and By-Laws heretofore adopted.
PURPOSE: The church is the local expression of the Body of Christ with Jesus Christ as its head and is composed of many diversely gifted members. The church gathers for fellowship, discipleship, growth and the accomplishment of its mission which is three-fold:
1. Worship - The praise and adoration of God;
2. Evangelism - The proclamation by word and deed of the Good News of Jesus Christ; and
3. Ministry - The meeting of human needs within and without the congregation.
RELATIONSHIP: This Church is an independent, democratic, Christian body
affiliated and fully co-operative with the Southern Baptist Convention, the Alabama
BaptistState Convention and the Mobile Baptist Association. It subscribes to the
1963 Statement of the Baptist Faith and Message.
ARTICLEI. CHURCH CONFERENCE
Section 1. Wednesday evening following the second Sunday of each month is designated at the time of regular meetings of the Church Conference. No formal meeting need he held if there is no business to be transacted. Such meeting may be postponed or adjourned to another Wednesday evening or Sunday morning not more than 30 days later upon announcement to that effect by the moderator at the time of the regular meeting.
Section 2. The Moderator at all meetings of the Church Conference shall be:
First, the Pastor Second, if the Pastor is absent, the Chairman of Deacons; Third, if both these he absent, an Acting Moderator, who is a member of the active Deacons, shall be elected for the meeting by the members assembled.
Section 3. Seventy-five (75) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, regular or special, of the Church Conference.
Section 4. Special meetings of the church Conference may be called at any time by the Pastor or the Chairman of Deacons by giving six (6) days notice of the purpose, time and place of said meeting. Such notice may be given in either of two ways: First, by announcement made at any regular church service held on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening; Second, by announcement through the medium of the mail out church bulletin; provided, however, that the submission of any proposal to buy, sell or mortgage property, or obligate the credit of the Church in the value of One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000.00) or more, shall require at least ten (10) days notice by means of the mail out Bulletin of the Church, stating the purpose, time, and place of the meeting, whether regular or special and further provided that the calling or termination of a pastor or staff member shall be governed by the provisions of Article II, Sections 6 and 7.
Section 5. Meetings of the Church Conference may be held at any place located on the property of the Church, as the members may vote, from time to time.
Section 6. The Church Conference shall have final authority to determine all matters relating to the business of the Church including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Determination of its convention relationship.
(b) The distribution of all gifts, loans and monies.
(c) Control of its property.
A simply majority of the voting members assembled at any regular or special meeting, properly called, shall be binding.
Section 7. No matters not included in the call shall be considered at any special meeting of the Church Conference.
Section 8. These By-Laws may be amended by a majority of those members present at a regular Church Conference provided, however, that any motion to amend must be made at a regular meeting of the Church Conference where it shall be open to discussion. Action on such proposed amendment must be laid over to the next regular meeting of the Church Conference and an announcement be made at a regular Wednesday evening intervening and published in at least one mail out Church Bulletin, setting forth the proposed amendment and the meeting when action will be taken thereon.
Section 9. All Rules, Regulations and By-Laws in conflict with any provision contained herein, which have heretofore been adopted or otherwise in force, are hereby expressly repealed.
Section 10. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern on all matters not provided for in these By-Laws.
ARTICLE II. ELECTION AND TENURE
Section 1. All Church Officers shall be elected for a period of one year, except the Pastor, Members of the Church Staff, Trustees and Deacons.
Section 2. Trustees shall serve until removed by death, resignation or incapacity to serve or action of the Church in conference.
Section 3. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees occurs, the Committee On Committees shall meet as soon as practicable thereafter and bring a nomination to fill such vacancy to the next regular or special meeting of Church Conference.
Section 4. Elections to fill all Church offices, except the Pastor and members of the Staff, shall be held from time to time as the Church Conference shall decide, but not less than once each year.
Section 5. StandingChurch Committees as authorized by the Church in Conference shall be formed. Members of all committees shall be nominated and elected in accord with practices established by the Church. Committee members may be elected for three (3) year terms with one-third of each committee elected annually. Names of committees authorized by the Church together with the method of nominating members shall be set out in the “Church Practices” file. Duties of committees shall consist of the ordinary duties of committees so named. The Pastor or his designee shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
Section 6. The Pastor shall he called by a majority vote at any regular or special meeting of the Church Conference of which notice has been duly given of the purpose of such meeting, and shall serve for an indefinite time. This relationship may be terminated by the Pastor upon his resignation or by the Church by majority vote of the Church Conference at a regular or special meeting provided notice of not less than two weeks nor more than three weeks has been given of the purpose of such meeting, notice to be given in all intervening mail out Bulletins of the Church.
Section 7. All Church Staff members, except the Pastor, shall he called by a majority vote of the Church Conference in a regular or special meeting designated for that purpose, and shall be called for an indefinite period of time, unless otherwise specified at the time of the call. This relationship may he terminated at any time by any staff member upon his/her resignation or by a majority vote of the Church Conference, provided at least 10 days notice has been given of the purpose of such meeting.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Church Conference to fill any vacancies in the Pastorate which may occur from time to time. The nomination to fill such vacancies shall be made by a special committee (“Pastoral Search Committee) of (11) members consisting of the Chairman of Deacons, Chairman of Finance Committee, Chairman of Personnel Committee and eight (8) members elected by the Church.
The elected members of the “Pastoral Search Committee” shall be chosen in two (2) phases by the church in special Wednesday evening conferences. Such special conferences shall be called in accordance with Article I, Section 4 of the Church Policies and Procedures. The committee (“Pulpit Committee”) shall be nominated and elected by the Church in Conference following seven (7) days notice of such regular or special conference given by means of the mail out Church Bulletin. The Committee shall have the right to add non-voting members at its discretion.
Phase 1: Three members of the Committee shall he elected from a list of past Chairmen of Deacons. Such list shall be provided to Church members at the time of this phase.
Phase 2: The remaining five (5) members shall he elected from the membership at large on the Wednesday evening following Phase 1. At least three )3) of these shall be women who receive the largest number of votes among women.
An election committee named by the then Chairman of Deacons will supervise the mechanics of both phases of the election process. The election shall be by written ballot.
No member of the Church staff or spouse of a staff member shall he eligible to serve on the “Pastoral Search Committee’. The “Pastoral Search Committee” shall have the right to add non-voting members at its discretion and shall elect its own officers.
It shall be the duty of the ‘Pastoral Search Committee to investigate prospects thoroughly and to recommend to the Church Conference, as soon as possible, the name of one for Pastor.
It shall he the duty of this committee to:
a. Secure a pulpit supply or to recommend to the Church Conference an Interim Pastor to supply until a regular pastor has been called;
b. To investigate prospects thoroughly and to recommend to the Church conference, as soon as possible, the name of one for Pastor.
Section 9. All employees of the Church, except the Called Staff, shall he employed by the Personnel Committee in consultation with the Pastor. The authority to discharge such employees shall also reside in the Personnel Committee with the concurrence of the Pastor. Report of each such employment or discharge shall he made to the next meeting of the Deacons.
Section 10. There shall he a Church Clerk, to be elected as provided for other church officers, who shall have the duty to keep all the records of the Church Conference, and perform all other duties customarily done by the Church Clerk. By virtue of election as Church Clerk, this person shall also become Secretary of the Church corporate body.
Section 11. There shall be a Church Treasurer and such Assistant Treasurers as the Church in Conference shall authorize. The treasurer or his designated Assistant shall have the duty to receive, deposit and disburse, under the directions of proper authority, all monies belonging to or acquired by the Church and shall make reports from time to time as to the financial condition of the Church.
Section 12. Ad Hoc Committees shall be nominated, as needed, by the Pastor and Chairman of Deacons, acting jointly, and elected by the Church in Conference.
Section 13. The Pastor or Staff member designated by the Pastor and the Chairman of Deacons, or his designee, shall be ex-officio members of all Ad Hoc Church Committees.
Section 14. The Church, in Conference, shall have the power to establish or alter church practices not inconsistent with these By-laws. A file shall he maintained of current Church practices.
ARTICLE III. DEACONS
Section 1. The Body of Deacons shall be composed of thirty- three (33) members in addition to Life Deacons, provided, however, that the Church in Conference may order this number increased or decreased when, in the opinion of the majority, increase or decrease is justified. Deacons shall be elected for a term of three years, one-third of whom shall be elected each year. Deacons shall not he eligible for re-election until after one year has elapsed between terms.
Section 2. The nomination and election of Deacons shall be the function of the Church membership in attendance at the morning worship service on the Sunday designated for such purpose by the Deacon Election Committee. It is desirable that nominations he received on the last Sunday in October of each year and the election held on the first Sunday in December. However, these dates are subject to change by the Deacon Election Committee.
Section 3. The Deacon Election Committee shall be a special committee appointed by the Chairman of Deacons and the Pastor. It shall be the duty ol such committee to (a) give notice of the particular Sunday designated for nomination and the Sunday designated for election in that year; (b) count the nominating ballots and make inquiry into the spiritual and general qualifications of those with the highest
number of nominations; (c) submit to the Church for election a list of names consisting of not less than one and one-half Limes and not more than two (2) times the number of positions to be filled; (d) submit names only of those who are, in the opinion of the Committee, spiritually and generally qualified for the office.
Section 4. In making inquiry into the spiritual and general qualifications of each nominee under consideration the committee shall seek to determine whether such person meets the spiritual qualifications for a Deacon as set forth in the New Testament and also to ascertain the attitude of such person toward the program of the Church. The Committee shall adopt such methods and practices in making its determination as it deems proper.
Section 5. Any vacancy occurring in the body of active Deacons during the year following an election shall be filled by the person on the prior ballot who received the next highest number of votes to those elected if that person is available and if, in the opinion of the Deacon Election Committee that person still possesses the spiritual and general qualifications to so serve. Such persons shall serve the remainder of the term of the Deacon replaced. Only should such unexpired term be less than one year would such replacement he eligible for election to succeed himself without the requirement that one year elapse before eligibility for re-election.
Section 6. In addition to the number of authorized active Deacons, the Church may elect Life Deacons. A person elected to such position shall remain a member of the active body of Deacons for his lifetime as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the deacon body with all other rights and privileges thereto pertaining. The Deacon Election Committee shall, in its discretion, nominate as Life Deacon any ordained Deacon who, as a Deacon, has rendered faithful service to his Lord for a period of at least twenty years, no less than ten of which shall have been at SpringHillBaptistChurch, and who has attained the age of seventy years. Election shall he by ballot and shall require that such Deacon receive at least ninety-five percent affirmative votes of those voting in such election.
ARTICLE IV. FINANCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Section 1. The solicitation, collection and disbursement of all monies or funds which go into the General or special funds, or which are in anyway included in the church budget, shall be under the confrol of the Finance Committee. Monthly financial reports shall be made available to the Deacons and to the Church. Unusual expenditures authorized by the Finance Committee and requiring Church approval shall also be reported to the Body of Deacons before being brought to the Church in Conference. The concurrence or non-concurrence of the Deacons shall be stated to the Church Conference when the recommendation of the Finance Committee-is brought.
Section 2. Members of the Staff, Deacon body, and Finance Committee shall have the power to expend funds included in the budget to such limit as is imposed by the Church as a matter or practice. Items of expenditure included in the budget but not exceeding an amount set by the church, may be approved by the Finance Committee without submitting same to the Church Conference. All items of budgeted expenditures exceeding said amount and items not included in the adopted budget, shall require submission to and approval by the Church Conference.
Section 3. The Church Trustees shall execute promptly all deeds, mortgages, notes or other legal documents which are properly authorized by the Church Conference.
Section 4. These Policies and Procedures (By-Laws) shall take effect and become operative immediately upon their adoption.
COMMENTARY
By-laws generally based on format of Dawson Memorial
Purpose: One of tasks of 90-Onward Committee
Relationship: New. Perhaps terminology could be improved
ARTICLE I Renamed for exactness
Section 1. Re-written to match our procedure.
Section 2. Dawson with slight amendment.
Section 3. Dawson Section 3.
Section 4. Dawson with amendment.
Section 5. Dawson Section 6.
Note: Dawson Section 5 omitted.
Section 6. Dawson Section 7.
Section 7. Dawson Section 8.
Section 8. Dawson Section 9.
Section 9. Dawson Section 10.
Section 10. Dawson Section 11.
ARTICLE II. Slightly revised.
Section 1. Dawson Section 2.
Note: Dawson Section 1 not needed.
Section 2. Dawson Section 3.
Section 3. Dawson Section 4.
Section 4. Dawson Section 7.
Note: Dawson’s Section 5 and 6 revised and included under
ARTICLE ON DEACONS.
Section 5. New. Permits freedom to set up standing committees.
Section 6. Dawson Section 9.
Section 7. Dawson section 10 Re-written.
Section 8. Dawson Section 11 Re-written.
Section 9. Dawson Section 12 Re-written to follow our system.
Section 10. New. To reflect our long-standing procedure.
Section 11. Dawson Section 13- expanded to identify Clerk as Secretary of Corporation.
As a staff team we are here to love, serve and lead the family of believers at Spring Hill Baptist Church
• We will demonstrate love through friendship, gratitude, encouragement and openness.
• We will serve through prayer and a commitment to minister to any member in need.
• We will lead by maintaining a standard of excellence, helping the church to remember its purpose, see God’s vision for the future, and enabling members to minister and become leaders.
• We will be good stewards of our time and faithfully accomplish the tasks to which we have been called.
Our Covenant With One Another
As a staff member of SpringHillBaptistChurch I will be a part of the TEAM.
Trust: We will build an environment of trust where we can develop friendships and enjoy support.
We want to have each other’s best interest at heart. To that end we will love one another (John 13:35) and live in harmony with one another (Romans 15:5).
Envision: We will be forward looking and encouraging one another to dream of ways to reach people for Christ.
We are here to serve Christ courageously. We believe that “where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 2918). Vision motivates. We will not allow a “bunker mentality” to keep us from trusting God and attempting great things for him.
Affirmation: We will look for ways to work together and affirm one another. We will not be “turf shepherds.” We each possess unique gifts from God, but we build on the one foundation of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 3:10). Where needed we will pull together to help one another in a ministry project. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you’re not concerned about who gets the credit.”
Ministry: We will pray for one another regularly
Because our ultimate struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh (Ephesians 6: 12) we must ensure that SpringHillBaptistChurch is a spiritual environment sustained through prayer.
Our purpose:
SpringHillBaptistChurch is a worshiping family of believers in Jesus Christ trying to the best of our ability to understand, live and share His message.
Each part of our purpose statement helps define who we are and why we are tiere.
Worshiping
Worship is the chief function of the church because it uniquely focuses the hearts and minds of people on God. God created us with a need to worship and breathe deeply of things that are spiritual. God’s people are to respond joyously to this need by worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Through prayer, music and proclamation we are to focus on God’s greatness by praising Him, confessing to Him, thanking Him, presenting our lives and resources to Him, and responding to His invitation to live the higher life in Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 6:1-8, John 4:21-24, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 10:24-25
Family
The New Testament word koinonia, which means fellowship or sharing, defines this aspect of the church. Fellowship is expressed in love, kindness, forgiveness, unity, service and a courageous shared commitment to Jesus Christ. Our love for one another makes us one family with God as our Father.
Matthew 18:23-35, Mark 10:42-45, John 13:35, Ephesians 4:32,
Believers in Jesus Christ
Our church and our lives individually are established in and through Jesus Christ.
Spring Hill is composed of people who have made an initial, conscious decision to accept
Jesus as Savior and Lord. He is the focus of all that we do. We believe that in Jesus
Christ people will find peace and joy as well as meaning and purpose. All that we do as a
church should magnify His life, His message, His sacrifice and His presence. John 3:16, 14:6, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:20b-22,
Trying to the best of our ability
Jesus invited people to become His followers. That implies an initial and conscious decision to accept Him as Lord and a daily commitment to living as He directs. Believing in Jesus Christ, therefore, is a total life commitment to Him. Though the world presents us with many challenges we are to remain faithful to Jesus, getting up when we have fallen, and progressing in His grace to become the people He wants us to become.
Luke 9:23-25, Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-2
Understand His Message-
God created us and offers to show us how to live. As followers of Jesus Christ we are committed to understanding His message as it is revealed throughout the Bible. We believe that by seeking to understand His message we find life that is joyous, peaceful
and meaningful. We study the Bible privately and in small groups in order to better understand the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20a, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:25-27
Live His Message
Christianity is the daily business of life, not an addendum. We are to seek to make a difference in the world by living daily the message of Christ. Through acts of service we show God’s love for people. Through a commitment to live honorably we reflect God’s holiness. We make certain that what we do on Sunday makes a difference in the way we live on Monday and throughout the week.
Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 25:3 1-46, 1 Peter 1:15-16
Share His Message
The Christian faith is intensely personal, but it should never be private People are lost without Jesus Christ. We are to seek ways to share His message by telling the story of His life, ministry and sacrifice and also sharing our story of how He has changed our lives.
