Constitution/By Laws

 

 

 PREAMBLE

 

We, the members of the South Lewiston Baptist Church, of Lewiston, Maine, which is autonomous and completely self- governing, do desire the fellowship of other like-minded Evangelical Churches and Church Groups, and do adopt the following Articles as rules by which we shall associate and conduct ourselves, by the grace of God.

 

 

The name of this organization shall be THE SOUTH LEWISTON BAPTIST CHURCH, located at 1919 Lisbon Road, Lewiston, Maine.

 

 Section 1. OBJECTIVES

 

The purpose of this church is to glorify God through His Son, our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Believing that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and our sole authority for Faith and Practice, we will endeavor to glorify God by:

 

1.       Sincerely proclaiming throughout the world the Gospel Message of God’s Saving Grace, as expressed in the Shed Blood and finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross, and His Bodily Resurrection from the grave.

 

2.       Encouraging all Members to enlist themselves in Christian Service for God.

 

3.      Agreeing together to the following covenant:

 

         [a] That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together at the Communion and other appointed meetings of the Church, but will work and pray for the Spirituality, Harmony and Prosperity of the Household of Faith.

         [b] That we will sustain its Worship, Ordinances, Discipline, and Doctrines, and give its claims the Sacred Pre-eminence over all organizations of human origin.

         [c] That we will cheerfully contribute of our means, as God has prospered us, for the support of a Faithful and Evangelical Ministry among us for the relief of the poor, and for the Spreading of The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ over the earth.

         [d] That we in the formal and informal routine of life will be faithful to instruct our children in the truth of Gods Words. Unto the nurture and admonition of the Lord. That we will endeavor, in purity of heart and newness of life, and goodwill toward all men, to exemplify and commend our Holy Faith to others.

 

 

1.       We believe that the Holy Bible, God’s Word, is verbally inspired by God, and that it is infallible, and inerrant, that it is the Sole,  Supreme and Final Authority for Faith and Practice, and that the Holy Bible is God’s Revelation of His Plan of Redemption for Man, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2.       We believe that God is One – Eternally existing in Three Persons:  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  We believe that God the Father is Infinite, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Perfect, Holy, Just, and Merciful, and that He personally loves and cares for the welfare of man.

 

3.       We believe that Jesus Christ, God the Son, is our Lord and Savior, that He became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.  We believe that there was no sin in Him, nor sin done by Him, and that He voluntarily laid down His life on the Cross as our substitute, shedding His Blood for our sins and thereby obtaining our redemption.  We believe that, although He died, He rose again the third day and ascended into Heaven.  We believe that this same Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man, who now intercedes for us at the right hand of God.  We believe that He will return to earth again, both personally, bodily and visibly.

 

4.       We believe that God the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and He is the Supernatural Agent  in regeneration, and that He comforts the Christian, illuminates our hearts with the Holy Scriptures, and guides us into all truth.

 

5.       We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but with the power to choose to obey God and live, or disobey  Him and die, spiritually and physically.  Through disobedience man chose to sin, was totally depraved, and utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.  Every man since Adam is born corrupt and sinful, since Adam was the Federal head of the human race.  We believe that each man must repent of his sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as his only, sufficient, and personal Savior in order to be saved from eternal Hell, which is eternal separation from God.

 

6.       We believe that Satan, a fallen Angel, is god of this age, the adversary of Christ and His Church, and the accuser of the Brethren, whose destiny is eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.

 

7.       We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ, the Church universal, consists of all those redeemed by the Blood of Christ.  The Church universal is manifest through the local assembly, which is a congregation of Blood-redeemed Children of God, established and joined together to worship God, preach the Gospel, encourage and strengthen one another in love through fellowship, and practice the pure religion of James 1:27: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

 

8.       We believe in the “Blessed Hope” of the personal, imminent, and premillennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones, and in His subsequent return to Earth with His Saints, to establish His Millennial Kingdom.

 

We believe that there are two ordinances that Christ left for His Church, which are to be observed, namely Baptism, by immersion, and the Lord’s Supper called Communion.

 

Section 1. BAPTISM  Although baptism by immersion has no saving qualities, we recommend that all believers be baptized because it is the next step following salvation.  Baptism is observed once, and is a public testimony of identifying oneself with Christ, who died, was buried, and rose again from the dead.  It is an outward testimony of what has taken place in the heart.

 

Section 2. COMMUNION   The Lord’s Supper is commemorative and is to be observed often as a memorial to the Broken Body and Shed Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ until He comes.  This Church shall observe the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month, or as soon after as is practical.

 

 

The church is affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association  of America, and Mission Northeast, a Regional Association Arm of CBA.

 

Section 1. ADMISSION INTO MEMBERSHIP.   All action regarding admission for membership shall be by vote of the Church, upon the recommendation of the Board of  Elders and Deacons.

 

Section 2. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP.  Any person desiring to unite with this Church may be received into membership after meeting the following requirements:

 

1.       Having a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

 

2.       Having evidenced this profession through experience of a changed heart and life and having no  membership in any anti-Christian Organization

 

3.       Having been baptized according to Article III of these by laws

 

4.       Having accepted the aims and ideals of this Church in Article II

 

5.       Having received and become familiar with a copy of this constitution and bylaws and be willing to abide in agreement with them.

 

6.       Having attended this Church regularly for at least three months.

 

7.       Having met with members of Board of Elders and Deacons and having been recommended to the congregation for membership.

 

Section 3. TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP.  Any person desiring to unite with this Church by letter of  recommendation from another Church shall:

   

1.       Present such a letter, containing evidence that he has fulfilled items 1,2 and 4 of Section 2 of this article, to the Board of Elders and Deacons.

 

2.      Consent to accept the aims and ideals of this Church in Article II.

 

3.      Have received a copy of this constitution and bylaws and be willing to abide in agreement with them.

 

4.     Have attended this church for at least three months.

 

5.      Present testimony of faith before members of the Board of Elders and Deacons.

 

Section 4. PROCEDURE IN ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS.  The acceptance into membership of any Person uniting with this Church in either of the ways expressed in Article V, Sections 2 and 3, shall take place as follows:

 

1.       Prospective Member must fulfill the requirements as given in Article V, Sections 2 or 3.

 

2.       His acceptance shall be voted upon at a regular Assembly of the church or a meeting called for this purpose, according to Article VI,  Section 3c.

 

3.       He (She) shall receive the “right hand of fellowship” from the Pastor and Elders on a Sunday appointed by    the Pastor and Elders.   This reception shall be a recognition of his admission to all the rights, privileges, and obligations of the Church.

 

Section 5. VOTING  All active members are entitled to vote in Church matters except as follows: Sale, Purchase or Expansion of Real property, calling of a new Pastor, or amending this Constitution, where age eighteen shall be required.  No absentee votes will be allowed.

 

Section 6. INACTIVE MEMBERS   The Board of Elders and Deacons will review the church membership lists before the Annual Meeting each year. They will consider the activity status of Church Members to decide which names should or should not stay on the active list or Church Rolls.   The names of all resident and non-resident members who are attending another church on a regular basis, or have not supported the Church by attendance during the last year, may be placed on an inactive list. Any changes shall be given to the Church Clerk for the records.   The Pastor may notify these members of the action taken, at their last known address. Inactive members shall not be entitled to vote in any Church matters, nor be granted a regular letter of transfer or recommendation.

 

 

1.      TRANSFER – Any active member desiring to unite with some other evangelical Church and having fulfilled Article II, Section 1 and  2, shall apply for and be granted a letter from the Clerk of the Church.  This letter shall be sent by the Clerk to the Church to which he has applied for membership.

 

2.       REQUEST –  Any member who for reasons of his conscience, or such other reason as may seem valid to him, may by submission of a letter to the Board of Elders and Deacons, seek tohave his name removed from the rolls of this Church, without prejudice. The Board of Elders and Deacons will review any such request.

 

Section 8. RESTORATION  anyone dropped from the Active Membership List who desires to be reinstated, shall meet with the Elders and Deacons and express this desire.  This request shall be accompanied by an oral testimony, of his renewed consecration to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Section 9. CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINE  Corrective measures and methods of procedure for any member having cause of complaint against another shall follow the instructions as given in Matthew 5:23 and 24; and Matthew 18:15-17. Steps three and four are to be coordinated only by the Pastor and Board of Elders according to the instruction of Matthew 18: 15-17 and other pertinent scriptures.

 

 ARTICLE VI – ORGANIZATION

 

Section 1. PASTOR’S COUNCIL  shall be made up of the following Officers and Ministry Leaders:

 

Senior Pastor                                               Mission Treasurer          

Youth Director                                            Mission Team Leader                  

Elders                                                           Church Clerk

Deacons                                                       Moderator

Deaconesses                                               Children's Church Coordinator                    

Financial Secretary                                   Nursery Coordinator                                        

Assistant Financial Secretary                  Kids Midweek Coordinator

General Fund Treasurer                            Women's Ministry Team Leader    

Assistant General Fund Treasurer           Men's Ministry Team Leader             

Special Project Treasurer                             

 

The Pastor, Elders, and Deacons shall form the Executive Committee of this Council.  The full Council shall meet at the direction of the Executive Committee under the leadership of the Pastor,  or the chairman of the Elder Board in the absence of the Pastor. This council will be primarily responsible for evaluating the current state and health of the ministry. This maybe done on a yearly basis. The council should also be called ti meet if in the case the church without Pastor.

 

Duties of the Council will be to monitor current financial conditions, needs and effectiveness of the various ministries, and the various other functions within the Church.   The duties will be to make proposals and recommendations to the Church body or responsible Boards or Committees to see that any needs are taken care of and ministries are going forth. The authority of this council shall not supplant the authority of the Board of Elders and Deacons.

 

 Section 2. MODERATOR  A Moderator shall be elected at the Annual Assembly to serve at each succeeding business meeting during the year following.  He shall also serve on the Pastor’s Council.

 

Section 3. FISCAL YEAR  The fiscal year shall be from June 1, through May 31.

 

 

      [a]      The church shall convene at least two assemblies each year. An Annual Assembly will be convened on the second Sunday in January. This assemblies will be conduct te                  necessary business of the church. No other church related activities shall be scheduled on the same night of this meetings.

 

     [b]      All Assemblies must be announced from the pulpit, and the agenda be posted by the Church Clerk, for at least two consecutive Sundays prior to meeting.

 

     [c]      Accurate reports of all officers and committees shall be submitted at the Bi-annual Assemblies.

 

     [d]      Special Assemblies can be called as required.

 

Section 5. QUORUM  In regular Assemblies, a QUORUM will be  Twenty (20) active members, and proceedings shall require a two thirds (2/3) vote to pass.

 

 In meetings dealing with the following items of business:

 

                    [a]  Calling or discharging a Pastor

                    [b]  Amending the Constitution and Bylaws

                    [c]  Purchasing, Selling or Expanding of Real Property

                    [d]  Financial transactions exceeding 10% of the Annual Budget, a QUORUM will be  twenty  percent (20%) of the ACTIVE  membership or (twenty members, whichever is greater), age eighteen and over, and proceedings shall require a three quarters (3/4) vote of the ballots cast.

 

 ARTICLE VII – FINANCES

Section 1. INCOME  The income of the Church, with the exception of the Day Care Center, shall be restricted to Free-Will Offerings only.  The policy of the Church and all Societies will be to refrain from all other means of raising money, for local and benevolent work, and missionary enterprises both at home and abroad.  This does not mean that we are opposed to Social events for Christian Fellowship and taking an offering to cover related expenses.

 

 

 [a]      Fellowship Fund:  An offering for the Fellowship Fund shall be received each month on communion Sunday. The Board of Elders and Deacons shall be in charge of using the fund and dispersing funds for benevolent purposes on a need basis, both to those who attend SLBC and those who are outside the church. The Board of Elders and Deacons shall elect a treasurer to receive and disburse monies.

 

2.       Retired Pastors & Missionaries Fund  This fund is a subsidiary of the Deacons Fund and will be used to assist Pastors who have retired from pastor of this Church or retired Missionaries who were commissioned from this church.  Moneys from this fund may be used to financially assist those meeting the above criteria or their spouses, widows or other family members.  Contributions must be designated for this Fund, and will be handled by the treasurer of the Deacons Fund.  He may deposit the money into, and write checks from, the Deacons Fund checking account, but must keep a separate record for the Retired Pastors and Missionaries Fund.  The Elder Board will divide and distribute the money from this Fund according to the need among existing persons meeting the above guidelines.

 

Section 3. SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND  All moneys received for this Fund shall be received by the Special Projects Fund Treasurer, and used for such projects and other expenditures as may be approved by the Church.

 

 

 Every Officer must be an Active member of this Church, and be following the example of Christian living as set forth be the Lord Jesus Christ in I Peter 2-21.  The Officers shall be as follows:  Pastor, Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses,  Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Church Clerk, Disciple Ministry Coordinator, Special Projects Treasurer and Missions Treasurer.  All officers shall first be nominated by the nominating committee and then duly elected by the Church before taking office, in the case of either full term or replacement.

 

 

     [a]    It shall be the duty of the Pastor to perform all the functions of the ministry, to conduct the Public Services of Worship, to Administer the ordinances of Baptism and Communion, to visit the sick and the aged and to exercise Spiritual watch care as the Under-Shepherd of the flock.  By virtue of his office he shall be a member ex-officio of all boards and committees.  He shall have access to all church books and records upon request.

 

     [b]   The Pastor shall be elected by a secret written ballot of the members of the Church, after having been examined and nominated by the Pulpit Committee.

 

     [c]   No candidate for Pastor shall be accepted nor elected, who does not consent to, and agree with the Church Objectives and Articles of Faith, as found in Article II, Sections             1 and 2.

 

     [d]   The Church shall be notified according to Article VI, Section 3c when voting on a candidate for Pastor, Election of the Pastor shall  require a three fourths (3/4) vote of                the ballots cast in accordance with Article VI, Section 4.

 

     [e]  If, at any time, the relationship between the Pastor and the Congregation, seem detrimental to the cause of Christ and His Kingdom,  the Pastor’s term of office may be             terminated after due notice of not less than thirty days.  Both Pastor and active members shall be given written notice calling for a special meeting at which the             termination of the relationship will be discussed and determined.  A three fourths (3/4) vote of the ballots cast shall be required for removal, in accordance with Article VI,              Section 4.

 

     [f]  When the Pastor wishes to terminate his relationship with the Church, he shall present a letter of resignation to the Board of Elders and Deacons with a thirty day notice.                   This letter shall be read to the Congregation the Sunday after it is received.

 

     [g]   The Pastor shall serve on the Pastor’s Council.

 

     [h]    The Pastor shall be granted one month’s vacation per year  with pay.

 

Section 2. ASSISTANT PASTOR/YOUTH DIRECTOR  The Assistant Pastor and /or Youth Director shall be chosen by the Pastor, examined by the Pastor and Elders, and upon their recommendation be elected into office by vote of the Church members.  The Assistant Pastor shall assist the Pastor in all duties as designated by the Pastor and Elders.

 

Section 3. THE BOARD OF ELDERS AND DEACONS - The Board of Elders ad Deacons shall be made up of Elders, including the Senior Pastor as teaching elders , and Deacons who collectively form the ruling Body of the Church

  

 Section 4. ELDERS  The Board of Elders shall be made up of Men Who Are recognized to meet the qualifications of Heb. 13, I Tim. 3, and Titus 1.  They will make up the ruling body for this Church.  They must be members in good standing of this church and proven to meet the Biblical qualification set forth in Scripture for Elders.  Elders shall oversee the Spiritual and temporal affairs of the church body, being responsible for the proper functioning of the Church.   The  Elders will be recognized as trustees of the Church property and function as servants of the body, teaching by word and example. The Board of Elders will have the right and responsibility to examine themselves periodically to determine if they are fulfilling the responsibilities and qualifications of their office.  Any Elder withdrawing or stepping down from the board by reason of incapacity, age, negligence, health, or family or personal problems, moving away or other adequate reason, will not be permanently disqualified for this office.  Discipline of an Elder shall be according to the principles of Scripture found primarily in I Tim. 5.  

  

 1.      Qualifications:

Section 4. DEACONESSES  There shall be at least four Deaconesses.  They shall be elected at the Annual Assembly, two the first year, one the second year, and one in the third year, for a three year term.  They must have a one year wait after two consecutive terms of office before being eligible for re-election.  Should a vacancy occur on the board of Deaconesses, it shall be filled by vote of the Church at the next Assembly, for the unexpired term.  They shall meet monthly and their responsibilities shall be as follows:

 

1.     Preparing the Communion Elements.

 

2.     Assisting female Candidates in baptism, and caring for the robes.

 

3.     Assisting the Pastor in Visitation.

 

4.     Being concerned for the appearance of the interior of the Church.

 

5.     Oversight with the Pastor of the Nursery.

 

6.     Serving on the Pastor’s Council.

 

Section 5. DEACONS 

 

1.             Qualifications:

 

A.       A man of observed and recognized loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.

B.       A man who is above reproach in meeting the qualities of character in I Timothy 3:8-13.  *The view of the church of the phrase “husband of one wife” is seen as not excluding a divorced man from serving as a Deacon.  (6/03)

C.       Deacons  will be accountable to meeting these biblical requirements and discharging their office effectively before the Lord and the congregation.

 

2.             Election:

 

A.     Candidates for Deacons will be provided by the Elders to the working Nominating committee to be proposed to the church body for their vote.  Deacons may also be nominated by the congregation.  In either case, those nominated shall be carefully and prayer fully examined by the Board of Elders so as to be able to unanimously recommend them to the church.

B.     The term of office will be for three years, with a Deacon able to serve two consecutive terms before taking at least one year off.

C.     Should a vacancy occur among the Deacons, it shall be filled by the vote of the church at the next Assembly, for the rest of the unexpired term, following a recommendation by the Pastor and Elders.

 

3.             Duties:

A.     The Deacons will not constitute their own board.  They  will serve on the Elder Board and Deacons and assist the Elders in carrying out oversight related to various ministries of the church.

           a.      Each Deacon will be assigned specific areas of service and fulfill such under the Lord’s direction and the oversight of an Elder.  This will be done taking into                                    account the differing gifts, talents, experiences, and time available of each man.

          b.      The Deacon will be responsible for providing verbal or written reports to the Elder Board as to their area of ministry.

B.      The Deacons will meet with the Elder Board for reviewing, reporting, and planning for ministry at the regularly scheduled  meetings each month.

C.       The Deacons will have voting rights on the Elder Board in all areas except staff matters, Elders and Deacons nomination, and church discipline.

 

 Section 6. FINANCIAL SECRETARY  The Financial Secretary shall be elected at the Annual Assembly for a one year term, and shall serve on the Pastor’s Council and the Budget Committee.

 

The Financial Secretary shall count all moneys received by the Church, except for the Fellowship Monies, record their sources , and deposit them to the credit of the church. He or She shall make  weekly reports to the respective treasurers of such deposits and obtain receipts for those reports. He or She shall keep records of all contributions toward an projects, toward current expenses, Missions and special Project Fund. He or She shall make complete report to the annual and Bi- Annual Assemblies. He or She shall send out statement to all individuals showing the amount of their contributions.

 

 

Section 8. GENERAL FUND TREASURER  The Treasurer shall be elected at Annual Assembly to a one year term and shall serve on the Pastor’s Council and the Budget Committee.  The Treasurer shall receive all moneys, except the Fellowships Fund, Special Projects Fund, and Missions Fund.  He or she shall be authorized to pay all Budgeted Expenses, from available moneys.  He or she shall keep regular accounts of receipts and disbursements, submit his or her records when requested, and give an itemized statement at the regular Assemblies of the Church.

 

 

Section 10. CHURCH CLERK  The Clerk shall be elected at the Annual Assembly to a one year term, and shall serve on the Pastor’s Council.  The Clerk shall keep accurate records of all Church Business, including all documents, and registers of all members of the Church, active, inactive and terminated.  He or she shall keep accurate minutes of all Church Assemblies, and read them when requested, either previous minutes at the beginning of an Assembly, or current minutes at the end of an Assembly.  He or she shall distribute copies of the minutes of the Annual and Bi-annual Assemblies, to the members of the Church within two weeks after such a meeting.  One week before the Annual Assembly the Clerk shall help prepare and distribute annual reports as necessary for the Annual Assembly.

 

Section 11. SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND TREASURER  shall be elected at the Annual Assembly to a one year term and shall serve on the Pastor’s Council and the Budget Committee.  He/She shall receive all moneys designated for the Special Projects Fund, and disburse them to pay for such projects and other expenditures as the Church may approve.

 

Section 12. MISSIONS TREASURER  shall be elected at the Annual Assembly to a one year term, and shall serve on the Pastor’s Council and the Budget Committee.   This Treasurer shall receive all moneys designated for Missions, disburse them according to the Missionary Budget, and handle in like manner any other specific designations for missionaries.

 

 

Section 1. MISSION COMMITTEE - There shall be at least five members including the Mission Treasurer. At least three members shall be elected at the Annual Assembly for three year terms. They shall have at least a one year wait after two consecutive terms of the office before being eligible for re-election. The Mission committee shall select their own Chairman at the first meeting following the Annual Assembly. This chairman shall serve on the Pastor's Council.

     [a] This committee shall meet monthly.

     [b] This committee shall schedule and program the Annual Conference.

     [c] This committee shall have charge of housing and meals for the Missionaries and Guest Speakers.

     [d] This committee shall prepare the annual budget for missions and recommend to the church.

     [e] This committee, through the Secretary- Treasurer shall be accountable for the receipt and disbursement of all Budgeted Missionary Funds.

     [f] All activities of this committee shall be coordinated with the Pastor.

 

Section 2. NORMINATING COMMITTEE  At the January Bi-Assembly the Pastor’s Council shall place in nomination the names of two to five Church members to be elected to serve with an Elder and the Church Clerk on the Nominating Committee.  This Committee is subject to approval by a Church vote.  This committee shall immediately elect a chairman, who will be responsible for presenting the needs to the committee meetings.  Their first duties shall be to nominate two Church Members for the Auditing Committee.  With the exception of the Elders and Deacons, this Committee shall nominate one or more candidates for each of the Church offices and committees which are required to be filled at the Annual Assembly.  Those candidates shall be given a “job description’ for their consideration before being nominated.  The report of the Nominating Committee shall include the Pastor and Elder Board recommendations for the office of Elders and Deacons, and shall be published and posted at least two weeks prior to the Annual Assembly, for the information and prayerful consideration of the Church Membership.

 

This Committee shall remain in existence for one year for the purpose of nominating candidates to fill any vacancies that may occur, except vacancies for Deacons, on the Elder Board, or on this committee which will be filled by the Pastor’s Council.  All activities shall be coordinated with the Pastor.

 

Section 3. BUDGET COMMITTEE  At the January Bi-Assembly the Pastor’s Council shall place in nomination the name of one Church member to be elected to serve on the Budget Committee with two Elders  (selected by the Board of Elders and Deacons), a Deacon, the Church treasurer, the Financial Secretary, The Special Projects Treasurer, and the Missions Treasurer. 

 

An Elder shall immediately call a meeting of this committee to elect a chairman and begin the functioning of the Committee.  They shall prepare and present a proposed General Budget for the Church at the next Annual Assembly.

 

Section 4. AUDITING COMMITTEE   The Auditing Committee is made up of a designated representative from the Elder Board, and 2 or more auditors nominated at the June Annual Assembly.  The Elder representative is designated as the chairman of the auditing committee by the Executive Committee .  The Chairman will gather the auditing committee immediately following the June Annual Assembly.  At this time, the Auditing chairman will coordinate the auditing committee in making a thorough examination of the books,  and prepare a statement concerning the accounts of all treasurers and/or officers having charge of the church funds, except the Deacons Fund.  The accepted auditing procedures will be used.  Reports will be submitted to the Board.

 

Section 5. PULPIT COMMITTEE  In calling a new Pastor, the Elder Board of this Church shall serve as a Pulpit Committee and be responsible for selecting other church members to serve as well.  They shall report on Candidates for Pastor to the Members of the Church.  Procedure for electing a new Pastor shall be followed as found in Article VIII, Section 1, Paragraphs b,c,and d.

  

 ARTICLE X – LICENSING and ORDAINING

 

Any member who, in the judgment of the Church, gives evidence by his piety, zeal, and “aptness to teach”, that he is called of God to the work of the Ministry, after having preached in the hearing of the Church, may be licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, provided three fourths of all the members present at any regular or special meeting shall agree thereto.

 

If the Church unanimously decides that one of its licensed preachers possesses the Scriptural and educational qualifications for full ordination, it shall call a council of Ministers and Brethren from the Conservative Baptist Association of Maine, to examine the qualifications of the candidate, to which council the propriety of ordaining shall be referred.

 

 

Section 1. The ARTICLES OF FAITH as found in Article ii, Section 2, shall never be amended.

 

Section 2. OTHER AMENDMENTS to this Constitution, except as stated in Article XII, Section 1, may be adopted by a three quarters vote of twenty percent of the active membership over the age of eighteen, at any regular meeting or special meeting called for this purpose.  A copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be posted, and announced from the pulpit according to Article VI, Section 4c.

 

    

 The title to all real estate and personal property acquired by purchase, deed, gift, transfer, inheritance or other conveyance shall be held in the name of South Lewiston Baptist Church, 1919 Lisbon Road, Lewiston, Maine.  The co-operation of this Church with any other group, or denomination shall not cause this Church to forfeit its right to own, control and hold any property.

 

In the event of termination, dissolution, or winding up of this Church in any manner, all assets, property and interests which it shall then possess (including any devise, bequest, gift or grant contained in any will or other instrument), shall be distributed and paid over to one or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes as shall, at that time, qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501© of the Internal Revenue Code and amendments thereto, as the Members of this Church shall vote.