Grace Baptist Church - Bylaws - Preamble and Article A
PREAMBLE
These By-laws are established and adopted for our government, plan of worship and service. No By-laws shall be effective that are contrary to the Articles of Incorporation or the Constitution of this church.
ARTICLE A - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Application for Membership
a. All applications for membership shall be considered by the Senior Pastor and Deacon Board who, after proper inquiry, shall present to the church those who have been approved for membership.
b. The requirements for receiving new members shall be:
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Declaration of desire to join the church.
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Testimony of salvation.
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Completion of an orientation class or other instruction as approved by the Deacon Board.
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Sign an acknowledgment of agreement with the Declaration of Faith, and Covenant of Fellowship with this church.
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Baptism, if not previously baptized by immersion.
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Approval by vote of Deacon Board.
Section 2. Entrance into Membership
a. By baptism: Any person meeting the prerequisites for baptism and having been baptized in this church may, by vote of the Deacon Board, be received into membership providing other requirements are met as stated in Section 1. No person shall be received into membership who has not been baptized by immersion.
b. By letter of transfer or recommendation: Any person coming for membership as provided in Section 1 and is transferring from a like Baptist church, may, by vote of the Deacon Board, be received into membership pending letter of transfer or recommendation from his/her former church.
c. By confession of faith and Christian experience: Any person coming for membership as provided in Section 1 may, by vote of the Deacon Board, be received into membership by testimony of salvation and Christian experience.
Section 3. Departure from Membership may occur in one of the following ways:
a. By transferal: Any member in good standing may request a letter of transfer to any church of like faith and practice. Such letter shall be granted by vote of the Deacon Board.
b. By exclusion: Upon recommendation of the Senior Pastor and/or the Deacon Board membership may be withdrawn from any member who has been judged guilty of immoral conduct, or who is otherwise found to be out of harmony with the faith and practice of this church, its Declaration of Faith, Covenant of Fellowship, Constitution and By-laws. The steps for discipline are outlined in Scripture: private offenses, Matt. 5:23-24, 18:15-17; public offenses, I Cor. 5:3-5; II Thess. 3:6.
c. By inactivity: Any member persistently absenting himself from the church for a 3 month period without valid reason may be dropped from the membership roster by vote of the Deacon Board.
d. By request: Any member may be dropped upon his written request and acceptance by Deacon Board vote. Members may be dropped by request to the Deacon Board, and then reported to the church by the Church clerk at the next Business Meeting.
Section 4. Classification of Members will be designated as one of the following:
a. Active: Members of 18 years of age or older who are regularly attending and actively supporting the church.
b. Junior Members: A Junior Member is any member 17 years of age, or younger, who has fulfilled the membership qualifications as set forth in section 1. A Junior Member shall remain a non-voting member until the age requirement of an active member is met.
Section 5. Rights of Members:
a. Each active member of the church eighteen (18) years of age or over shall be entitled to vote on all matters brought before the congregation.
b. Members have no property rights. Upon termination of membership no personal interest in the assets is retained.
Section 6. Roster of Members:
a. The Senior Pastor and Deacon Board shall have general charge and supervision of the membership roster.
b. The Church Clerk shall maintain the Roster of Members in accordance with the Clerkâs job description.