What We Believe
Constitution
Doctrinal Statement | Covenant
HARVEST BAPTIST CHURCH CONSTITUTION
OSWEGO, ILLINOIS
Preamble
Whereas, the Lord instructs the local church to do all things
decently and in order, this congregation sets forth the following,
which will serve as the guide for the orderly conduct of the business
affairs of this church.
ARTICLE I: NAME
This church was organized June 24, 1963 as the Oswego Baptist Church
located at the corner of Benton and Madison Streets in Oswego,
Illinois. On April 22, 1992, the Church was renamed as Harvest
Baptist Church. In July, 1993, the church was relocated to its
present facilities at 5315 Douglas Road, Oswego, Illinois.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
We exist to...
- MAGNIFY God through our worship
- INTRODUCE people to Jesus Christ
- GROW spritually through the Word of God
- UNITE in service to God
- BUILD relationships with other Christians
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Eligibility
Any person who has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior
and who has been baptized by immersion as a believer is eligible
for membership at Harvest Baptist Church.
Section 2: Procedure
Membership at Harvest Baptist Church involves a three-step process:
1. Informational/Educational classes: Those
interested in membership or who desire to join Harvest Baptist
Church must attend a series of membership classes. These classes
are for the purpose of sharing information about the church,
studying Biblical passages pertaining to commitment and service
within a local church, and answering any questions that prospective
members may have. Individuals under the age of sixteen (16) are
exempt from attending these classes.
2. Interview: This is an encouraging time with
at least two members of the deacon board present. The interview
is for the purpose of hearing prospective member's testimony
and to further answer questions and share information about church
membership and commitment.
3. Presentation to Congregation: The deacon
board will recommend new members to the congregation. Membership
is then granted upon the majority vote of the congregation as
an official welcome. A new member's reception will be held which
is an informal social time for new members to meet the church
leadership and to welcome new members into the church family.
Section 3: Responsibilities
A member of Harvest Baptist Church has the responsibility to uphold
the Biblical standards of living as recorded in the Church Covenant:
- to protect and promote the unity of the church
- to support the outreach of the church
- to serve in the ministries of the church
- to uphold the testimony of the church
- to grown and mature in one's personal walk with the Savior
Section 4: Classification
Active member: All members are considered active members in good
standing unless membership has been terminated in any matter
as outlined in Section 6 below.
Section 5: Privileges
All members 16 years of age or older may participate and vote in
the official transactions of the business meetings at Harvest
Baptist Church.
Section 6: Termination
Membership may be severed by any of the following:
- by death
- by written request from the member
- by removal through church discipline
- by prolonged absence of more than one year
Any member who is absent from church services without reasonable
cause (i.e., college, illness, military service, etc.) for a period
of one year will be removed from the membership roster. It is the
policy of this church to reach out to those members who have voluntarily
and without cause distanced themselves from the church and have
not attended services or participated in the ministries of the
church. Everything possible that can reasonably be done to seek
the restoration of the member shall be done prior to removal. Any
termination of membership by discipline or removal shall be the
responsibility ot the Board of Deacons. If membership in the church
is severed by written request from the member, by church discipline
or by removal, the person may only be reinstated by following the
procedure for church membership as outlined in Section 2 above.
However, in certain instances, the Board of Deacons may waive the
requirement to repeat the informational/educational classes.
ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE
The ultimate goal of church discipline is to restore fellowship
and bring reconciliation before God and between the Christians
involved in the dispute.
Offenses or complaints between members should be handled in accordance
with the principles established in Matthew 18:15-17. Any member
who feels that an offence has been committed against them or feels
that conduct unbecoming for a member has occurred should:
- First seek to talk individually with the offending believer.
Many times it may be discovered that a simple misunderstanding
has occurred that can easily be reconciled. If an offence has
actually occurred, the parties should seek to achieve restoration.
- If the matter remains unresolved, another meeting should occur
with two or three other non-involved believers present also.
It is recommended that the other non-involved people be mature
believers in Jesus Christ.
- If this fails to resolve the matter, the offense should be
brought to the attention of the deacon board with reference to
the offense involved and the steps that had been followed to
try to achieve resolution and reconciliation. The matter then
becomes the responsibility of the deacon board. The determination
of the deacon board will be binding.
- If the offense is such that it warrants the attention of the
entire church, the deacon board will bring the matter before
the church membership in order that the church body may seek
to win and reconcile the offending believer.
- If all else fails, the deacon board will take appropriate disciplinary
action that could ultimately lead to a complete break in fellowship.
ARTICLE V: PASTORAL RELATIONS
Section 1: Calling of a new senior pastor or an associate
pastor
The calling of a new senior pastor or an associate pastor shall
be as follows:
- The Board of Deacons shall appoint a Pastoral Search Committee
to include representation from the Board of Deacons, church leadership
and the general congregation as deemed appropriate.
- The Pastoral Search Committee shall be responsible for soliciting
resumes, reviewing resumes, contacting and interviewing prospective
candidates, arranging for candidates to speak at the church,
setting up a question and answer session between the candidate
and the congregation, and all else that is deemed appropriate
to complete their responsibility. The Pastoral Search Committee
shall present their recommendation to the Board of Deacons for
approval.
- Upon recommendation of the Board of deacons, a candidate shall
be presented to the church for vote. Approval must be by at least
a two-thirds majority vote by written ballot of those present
at a properly called business meeting of the church. Only one
candidate at a time may be presented to the church for vote.
Any candidates for senior or associate pastor pastor presented
to the church shall be believers in and teachers of the gospel
of Jesus Christ and shall meet the spiritual, personal, and family
qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
- In the absence of a senior pastor, the Board of Deacons shall
be responsible for arranging for speakers at church services
until a new senior pastor is called.
Section 2: Pastoral Staff Term
All pastoral staff shall, for an indefinite term, perform all the
scriptural and necessary duties of their offices.
The Senior Pastor shall:
1. be a member of any and all committees and at his discretion,
attend any or all committee meetings, or delegate another member
of the pastoral staff to attend the meeting(s)
2. have administrative authority over the day to day activities
of the church office staff
3. have administrative authority over the day to day responsibilities
of the pastoral staff
4. have the authority to call the church membership together for
special business meetings as needed
Section 3: Pastoral Termination
Termination of a pastor shall be:
- by resignation. If a pastor wishes
to terminate his ministry with the church, he shall, if possible,
give the church at least
30 days prior notice.
- by dismissal. For the senior pastor, this
shall require a recommendation of the Board of Deacons and a
two-thirds vote of the congregation
at a meeting called for that purpose. For an associate pastor,
this shall require a two-thirds majority vote of all members
of the deacon board or a two-thirds majority vote of the congregation
at a meeting called for that purpose.
In the event of dismissal,
a pastor's salary shall continue to be paid at the discretion
of the deacon board.
ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DEACONS
Section 1: Description
The Board of Deacons shall be composed of the senior pastor,
one member of the associate pastoral staff, and a maximum of
twelve
deacons elected by the congregation as outlined in Section 3
of this Article. The exact number of board members to be elected
each
year (up to the twelve maximum) to be determined by the board
according to the administrative and leadership needs of the church.
Section 2: Requirements
All deacons must be members of the church and meet the spiritual,
personal and family qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Section 3: Term Length
Deacons shall be elected for a three-year term.
- The Board of Deacons
shall appoint a nominating committee each year consisting of
at least one member of the deacon board
and
at least two members from the congregation.
- Prior to the annual
business meeting, members of the church shall submit nominations
for deacon to the nominating committee.
The number of names submitted by each member shall not exceed
the number of vacancies to be filled on the deacon board.
- The
nominating committee then tabulates the nominations and notifies
the Deacon Board of the nominees. The Deacon Board
then
determines if the nominees meet the spiritual qualifications
to serve. The Senior Pastor shall also consult with all pastoral
staff
members to discuss the spiritual qualifications of the nominees
and notify the Deacon Board of any information that may disqualify
a nominee from serving.
- The nominating committee shall contact
those individuals receiving the most nominations and who also
meet the spiritual
qualifications
for deacon to inform them of the congregation's desire to have
them serve as deacon. After prayerful consideration, the nominee
will inform the nominating committee of their consent to serve.
- The nominating committee shall continue to contact those receiving
the most nominations and meeting the qualifications
to serve
until the slate for deacon board is in agreement with the number
of vacancies
to be filled.
- The nominating committee then prepares the ballot
and the election is held at the annual business meeting as outlined
in By-laws,
Article 1, Section 3.
Having served a full term of three years, deacons may not succeed
themselves on the Board immediately. A period of one year shall
elapse before members may again be eligible for election as
deacons.
ARTICLE VII: ORGANIZATION/OPERATION
Section 1:
Responsibilities
The executive and administrative work of the church shall be
carried on by or under the supervision of the Board of Deacons.
Section
2: Officers
The Board of Deacons shall at the beginning of each year a)
elect their own chairman, treasurer, clerk and any other positions
as deemed necessary and b) collectively determine individual
areas
of responsibility and supervision.
Section 3: Meetings
The board shall establish regular-meeting times as needed to
conduct the business affairs of the church. Special meetings
of the board
may be called at any time with due notice by the Senior Pastor,
the Deacon Board Chairman or any four members of the board.
The Chairman of the Deacon Board shall serve as moderator at
board
meetings and all business meetings of the church. In the absence
of the Chairman, the board shall designate a moderator from
among the board members.
Section 4: Vacancies
The board may fill by appointment, if deemed necessary, any
vacancies that may occur on the board, except for Pastoral
staff, until
the next annual election. At the next annual election, the
appointee must step down and the vacancy will then be filled
by the election
process as outlined in Article VI, Section 3.
Section 5: Trustees
The Chairman of the Board and any other two deacons appointed
by the Board shall act as trustees to serve as legal representatives
of the church. This shall be done whenever necessary in accordance
with state or local laws for the purchase, sale or mortgage
of church real estate or in any other instances when the necessity
shall arise. Sale, purchase or mortgage of church real estate
shall
only be done after official approval of the church membership
for such action.
Section 6: Committees
The Board shall be able to create any committees deemed necessary
to carry out the work and ministry of the church. The Board
shall be able to disband any committees that are no longer
needed.
Any such committees appointed shall report directly to the
Board of
Deacons unless directed to do otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII: AUXILIARY
ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1: Existence of Organizations
No society, organization, local chapter, or branch of any parachurch
ministry, or the like, shall be brought into existence within
the church without the knowledge and approval of the Board
of Deacons.
Section 2: Leadership of Organizations
Presidents, sponsors or leaders of any such approved organizations
within the church shall be members of the church. Their appointment
or election must be approved by the Board of Deacons.
Section
3: Reports
At the discretion and direction of the Board of Deacons, all
such organizations shall make reports to the Board of Deacons
and/or
the church membership.
Section 4: Termination
The Board of Deacons shall have the right to terminate and
disband any such organizations within the church, especially
if such
organizations:
- Take doctrinal stances that differ from Biblical
teaching
- Are no longer in harmony with the doctrinal statement
of Harvest Baptist Church
- Seek to displace the importance of
the local church
- No longer serve to support the mission statement
of Harvest Baptist Church
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I: BUSINESS MEETINGS
Section 1: Quarterly
Business Meetings
Quarterly business meetings shall be held at the church at
the beginning of each quarter. Preferably, the third Sunday
evening
of January, April, July and October shall be set aside for
that purpose. The January meeting shall be designated as
the annual
business meeting.
Section 2: Annual Business Meetings
The annual business meeting shall be held at the church preferably
on the third Sunday evening of January. Business brought
before the membership at the annual meeting shall include
the presentation
and approval of the budget, the election of deacons, and
any reports deemed necessary by the Board of Deacons.
Section
3: Election of Deacons
The election of deacons shall be by ballot. Each church member
in attendance at the annual meeting shall vote "yes" or "no" for
each nominee slated on the ballot. The nominating committee
shall be responsible for preparing, distributing, collecting
and tabulating
the ballots.
Section 4: Additional Business Meetings
Additional or special business meetings may be called at
any time by the Pastor, a majority vote of the Deacon Board
or
by written
petition to the Deacon Board by any twenty unrelated voting
members of the church. Such petition should clearly indicate
the reason
for calling the special meeting. At such a petitioned meeting,
the only business to be transacted shall be the business
for which the meeting had been specifically called.
Section
5: General Definitions and Guidelines
* The fiscal year is defined to correspond to the calendar
year and shall begin on January 1 and end on December
31.
* A quorum is required at all church business meetings
for the transaction of business. Twenty-five church members
of
voting
age shall constitute a quorum.
* All business conducted shall be by simple majority
vote unless specified differently by various sections
of the
church constitution
or by-laws.
* Quarterly, annual or specially called business meetings
shall be posted in the bulletin and be announced as part
of the regular
Sunday announcements on the two consecutive Sundays prior
to said meeting.
* Robert's Rules of Order shall be followed in all business
meetings.
* No absentee ballots shall be allowed in any church
elections or vote.
ARTICLE II: WAGES AND SALARIES
All wages and salaries shall be paid out of the general
offering church funds. Pastoral staff salaries are
recommended by
the Deacon Board and included in the annual budget.
Membership approval of
the wages and salaries is incorporated in the approval
of the
budget at the annual meeting. This change in pastoral
salaries is retroactive
to the first of January of the current fiscal year.
ARTICLE
III: AMENDMENTS
This constitution and by-laws may be amended at any
business meeting of the church by a two-thirds vote
of the members
present provided
that both of the following provisions have been met:
- Such amendment has been duly considered and approved by a majority
vote of the Board of Deacons.
- Notice of the intent to amend
the constitution or articles, church covenant, doctrinal statement
or position
papers
has been posted in the bulletin and announced
as part of the
regular Sunday
announcements on the two consecutive Sundays
prior to said meeting.
ARTICLE IV: DISSOLUTION
In the case of dissolution, all assets of the church
shall be dispersed in the following manner:
- Any outstanding debts, loans, mortgages,
bills and the like shall be paid first.
If funds are
not available
to
meet the
outstanding debts, assets and properties
will be sold to obtain the necessary
funds.
- All remaining assets, or the net
proceeds thereof in the case of sale, shall be donated
to not-for-profit
Christian
ministries
or missions as determined by vote of
the church membership.
- The board of deacons shall have the
responsibility of carrying out these
procedures.
Those who support the work
of this ministry with tithes, offerings, and
donations
do so in obedience
to the
principles of giving
established in God's Word. As such,
all such gifts become the property
of this
local church to be used for the Lord's
work.
No one shall have the right to seek
individual recompense
for any
gifts given.
This Constitution was approved by
the membership of Harvest Baptist
Church
on October 21,
1998, and replaces
all
preceding documents.
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