SBC Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF SOUTHWELL BAPTIST CHURCH
Version 1.2
(Adopted on the 5th day of February 2019 )
We believe this constitution provides the necessary guidelines within which the church fellowship can operate.
This constitution shall not be altered except at an Annual General Meeting or a Special Meeting called for that purpose. Notice of proposed alterations must be given at the preceding ordinary church meeting.
Any decision will need a ¾ (three quarters) majority of members voting. In exceptional circumstances members unable to be present at the church meeting may vote by post if application to do so has been made to the Elders.
A copy of this constitution will be given to all church members and those enquiring about membership.
Membership
We believe the Church to be an extended family of Bible-believing Christians; therefore membership is open to those who, having received Christ as Saviour and Lord, and having been baptized, recognise their need to belong to such a local Christian family. Within this family we expect individuals to grow, develop and share in the work and witness of SBC.
The Church Family will be committed to:
– Jesus Christ – by repentance and faith in wholehearted worship and prayer
– God’s Word – in committed Discipleship and in clear witness of the same to the world.
– Discovering and using the gifts and ministries that God has given in our fellowship together so that the whole family can be built up.
– Other members of the church family by attendance, prayer, giving, supporting the Leadership and caring for one another.
– The Church’s witness to the community by word and deed.
- Entering into Membership
1.1 Anyone wishing to become a member of SBC should contact the Elders who will arrange a meeting with the applicant to discuss the implications of Church Membership. A report of the meeting will be taken to the following Church Meeting and if the members are generally happy with the report, as indicated by a vote of at least 80% of those voting, we will welcome the applicant into membership at the earliest opportunity. (Usually at Communion Service)
1.2 Any Christian wishing to transfer membership from another church will follow the course of action outlined above. We will, however, contact the former church for a letter of recommendation.
1.3 The church shall apply the following Baptismal qualification for Church Membership:
Open membership so that persons seeking membership who have not been baptised in the manner described in the Union’s Declaration of Principle may at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting be accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith.
1.4 The membership list is under constant review by the church Elders to update members’ situations and implement any follow up that might be needed: e.g. visiting a member who has missed Holy Communion for 3 months without apparent reason, or recommending to the membership the removal of a member’s name, if circumstances call for such action.
- The Ministry
We believe that full-time ministry is of great benefit to the local church, allowing the Ministers time and opportunity for prayer, study, service and vision. As a church we will seek to set aside and support those called by God to work amongst us in this way.
2.1 Any minister of the church must be a baptised believer in membership with SBC and upholding the statement of faith.
2.2 The appointment of a minister will be by ballot at a special church meeting called for that purpose. At least 80% of the membership must be in favour for the appointment to take place.
2.3 A pastorate may be terminated by three months written notice from the Minister concerned or 6 months written notice from the church, which must be supported by a 80% majority of the church membership. A special church meeting must be called for this purpose.
2.4 The church eldership will be responsible for the interviewing and recommending to the church a suitable candidate for any ministerial vacancy. The candidate, once appointed, will be expected to work within the mutual accountability operating among the eldership.
2.5 The Ministers will have spiritual oversight of the church and will be ex-officio members of any meeting held in the name of SBC or its affiliated organisations.
- Eldership
We believe Eldership to be of vital importance. Such Eldership should be a team of people who are recognised and appointed by the membership under the direction of the Holy Spirit and who complement each other’s ministries. They should have an obvious calling from God to serve, feed and protect the fellowship, this being affirmed by their lifestyle and character (1 Timothy 3 v 1-7; Titus 1 v 6-9; 1 Peter 5 v 2-3).
3.1 The Eldership will ideally number between 3 and 5.
3.2 The Senior Minister of the church will be one of the Elders.
3.3 Other people who are directly employed by the church will not automatically become members of the Eldership. However, they may become Elders by the process outlined below.
3.4 No-one can be considered for Eldership until they have been in membership long enough for an obvious calling to be recognised by the existing Elders and the church membership.
3.5 It is the responsibility of the existing Elders to seek and discern God’s will together and bring recommendations for candidates for Eldership to the church meeting. The body of the church may also share with the Elders any individuals whom they feel should be considered as potential Elders. Recommended candidates for Eldership should be made known to the body of the church by the Elders for prayerful consideration at least two weeks before the church meeting at which it is proposed to appoint them. During this time the existing Elders welcome any feedback from church members given privately to the Elders regarding the proposed candidate(s).
The church meeting, as the body of believers, recognises the direction of the Elders and appoints the proposed Elder(s) by a vote of at least 80% of those voting. This can take place at any church meeting correctly convened.
3.6 With the exception of the Senior Minister, an Elder will be appointed for a three year term which can be renewed once by the process outlined in 3.5. Following a maximum period of six years, except in exceptional circumstances, the Elder will take a sabbatical period of at least six months after which they may then be available for re-appointment by the process outlined in 3.5
3.7 Any Elder who by their conduct or lifestyle brings the name of the Lord Jesus or the reputation of the church into disrepute, or who forsakes the doctrinal position of those generally called “evangelical”, will be cautioned and may if necessary be brought to the church meeting by the remaining Elders for their removal from office. The removal of an Elder in this situation requires a vote of at least 80% of those voting.
3.8 A person (who is not disqualified by statute) may not be a Charity Trustee (Elder) unless that person has been baptised in the manner described in the Declaration of Principle referred to in clause 3.
- Deacons
We believe that to complement the Eldership a practical ministry is very much needed if things are to function properly. To help in this way Ministry Deacons are appointed to oversee this area of church life. We would seek to appoint to this position those who have been members here long enough for such practical gifts to be recognised and most importantly those in whom we see something of the biblical standard required (Acts 6.3; 1 Timothy 3.8-13).
4.1 Ministry Deacons will come under the oversight of the Eldership.
4.2 Ideally each Ministry Deacon will lead ministry teams not already led by one of the Elders. Their job would be to spearhead the various ministries of the church and to encourage the development of individual ministry gifts.
4.3 Each Ministry Deacon will typically head up a team of people who will concentrate on one particular ministry across the whole church. They will be encouraged to develop that particular ministry, supervise its operation and establish it as an important part in the realisation of the church’s vision.
4.4 They will be given freedom in their leadership role and should from time to time meet together with the Elders or other Ministry Deacons for good communication and the cross-fertilisation of ideas.
4.5 Nominations may come from the body of the church to the Eldership who will meet with nominees to discuss and discern gifting before a recommendation proceeds to the church meeting. The Ministry Deacons will be appointed by the church meeting by a vote of at least 80% of those voting.
4.6 A Ministry Deacon will be appointed for a three year term which can be renewed once by the process in 4.5 above. Following the maximum six year period the Ministry Deacon will take a sabbatical period of at least six months and may then be available for re-appointment.
4.7 Ministry teams will have delegated authority for areas such as evangelism, mission, worship, fabric, social action, administration, finance, youth and children, prayer ministry, teaching and training, functions and events, nurture and discipleship and pastoral care.
4.8 A person (who is not disqualified by statute) may not be a Charity Trustee (Deacon) unless that person has been baptised in the manner described in the Declaration of Principle referred to in clause 3.
- Church Meetings
We believe that as a church we need to spend time together; time to worship, pray and hear God’s word (every Sunday), time to break bread together (at least twice a month), time to discuss business (at least three times a year).
5.1 Before a meeting of the church members can begin a quorum of 1/3 of the membership must be present.
5.2 One of the meetings will include the Annual General Meeting (usually held in February) when the annual accounts are presented and any necessary appointments made.
5.3 Notice of meetings must be given on the two preceding Sundays.
- Church Organisations and Events
We believe that, as with our worship on Sundays, all our midweek activities should reflect what God is saying and doing amongst us. With this in mind;
6.1 Where possible, the leaders of all organisations will be members of Southwell Baptist Church. Positions of responsibility may be held by other persons who have the approval of the Elders of the church. The church Eldership will be ex-officio members of these organisations.
6.2 Leaders of all church organisations will be appointed at the Annual General Meeting. If a vacancy occurs in any such office during the year the church Elders can appoint a replacement, subject to approval at the next church meeting.
6.3 All organisations, committees or individuals carrying out work in the name of this church must report at least once a year to the church meeting and submit to the guidance and control of that meeting.
6.4 For any meeting, service or event to take place on church premises the permission of the Eldership must first be obtained.
- Any special project for raising money must be approved by the church Elders.
APPENDIX – Voting Procedures
This amendment refers to a ‘ballot’, being a formal vote using voting slips, and can be distinguished from decisions made by a show of hands.
Decisions made by the church membership requiring a ‘ballot’ will be undertaken adopting the following procedures.
A ballot will be conducted for the appointment of officers where appropriate and as specified under the constitution, including the re-election of Elders and Deacons who are currently serving, along with any matter which the Elders consider to be of such a nature where the appropriate means of dealing with it is by ‘ballot’ and not by a show of hands.
The constitution allows, in particular circumstances, for the membership to call for a ballot and under those circumstances the same procedures will also apply.
It is envisaged that a ballot will ordinarily be held at a church meeting or, in exceptional circumstances, at a special church meeting called specifically for the undertaking of that ballot.
Other than where the current constitution specifies other arrangements, notice of a ballot, for example for the election of officers, will be given on at least two Sundays prior to the ballot, including, but not exclusively, on the two Sundays immediately preceding the date of the ballot, so that the church membership can pray and consider how to vote.
Where there is to be an election of one or more officers or where there are two or more matters requiring a decision by way of ballot, separate voting slips will be used for each officer or for each matter to be decided
If a church member is genuinely unable to attend the church meeting at which the ballot is to be held, they can request a ‘postal vote’, better described as an ‘advanced vote’, as long as the request is made at least one week prior to the church meeting.
The Minister or an Elder or nominated church member (appointed person) will be appointed to collect the ‘advanced’ votes, advanced votes to be given to the appointed person no later than the evening service prior to church meeting, and the appointed person will cast them on behalf of the members.
It is the member’s responsibility to ensure that the ‘advanced’ vote is delivered to the appointed person in time and it is not the appointed person’s responsibility to collect them.
If a member cannot complete and deliver an ‘advanced vote’ by the evening service immediately prior to the church meeting they can request a proxy vote any time prior to the ballot. In the event of a member asking for a proxy vote the
Appointed person will be designated to cast the vote and all Elders will be informed prior to the vote of the name of the person requesting a proxy but will not be informed of how they intend to vote
For the avoidance of doubt, if the number of requests received for ‘advanced’ or proxy votes means that the church meeting is inquorate, the number of ‘advanced’ and proxy votes, when added to the number of members attending the church meeting, will not make the meeting quorate, and the ballot will be deferred until the next church meeting at which there is a proper quorum present.
If it is apparent in advance that the meeting will be inquorate the Elders will postpone the meeting if sufficient advance warning can be given to the membership of a change of date.
Other than in exceptional circumstances ballots will be conducted on a simple ‘yes or no’ basis unless, due to the nature of the matter forming the subject of a ballot, a simple ‘yes or no’ vote would not provide a meaningful result.
All members are encouraged to prayerfully consider how to vote and to vote, but if they genuinely feel they cannot, they may choose to abstain by not completing a ballot paper.
For the avoidance of doubt an abstention is, by definition, a choice not to vote and is not a ‘no’ vote in another form. In calculating whether, for example, an officer has received the required percentage of votes cast as required under the constitution to take office, abstentions shall be disregarded and the percentage will be calculated based purely on the number of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ votes cast in the ballot.
In the highly unlikely event that a member submits a ‘spoiled paper’ it will also be treated as an abstention.
Adoption of the Constitution
Signed on behalf of Southwell Baptist Church as confirmation that this Constitution was approved by the church membership in accordance with the process outlined within this document.
Signature …………………………………………….
Date …………………………….