Amended September 10, 2017

Section 1.01.  General.
          (a) This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist church under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.
          (b) The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.

Section 1.02.  Candidacy.
           (a) Any person may offer themselves as a candidate for membership in this church at  any regular church service.
           (b) All such candidates shall be presented to the church for membership at any regular      or specially called business meeting in any of the following ways:
                    (i) By profession of faith and for baptism according to the policies of this
church.
                   (ii) By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Baptist church.
                   (iii) By statement of prior conversion experience and believer’s baptism when no letter is obtainable.
           (c) Following the fulfillment of the conditions in Section 1.02(b)(i)-(iii), a candidate shall be accepted into membership upon a majority vote.

Section 1.03.   New Members.
          (a) New members of the church are expected to participate in the church’s new member orientation.

Section 1.04.   Rights of Members.
          (a) Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all church business meetings provided the member is present.
          (b) Every member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as a candidate for elective office(s) in the church.
          (c) Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.

Section 1.05.   Termination of Membership.
          (a) Membership may be terminated in the following ways:
                  (i) death of the member,
                  (ii) transfer by letter of recommendation to another Baptist church,
                  (iii) exclusion by action of this church,
                  (iv) erasure upon request or proof of membership in a church of another denomination; or
                  (v) upon written request from the member. Section 1.06.  Discipline.
          (a) It shall be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The pastor, other members of the church staff, and deacons will be available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption and restoration rather than punishment.
          (b) Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare and harmony of the church, the pastor and/or the deacons will take prayerful and reasonable measures to resolve the problem following the principles found in Matthew 18:15-17. If it becomes necessary for the church to take action to exclude a member, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a special meeting is required; and, the church may proceed to declare the person to no longer be in the membership of the church. All such proceedings shall be bathed in prayer and exhibit a spirit of Christian kindness and patience.
          (c) The church may restore to membership any person previously excluded upon request of the excluded person and upon evidence of the excluded person’s repentance. Membership shall be restored upon a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of members present at a special called business meeting of the church.
          (d) Should there be a conflict within the church that involves issues between pastor, staff, deacons, and the church membership that could destroy or hinder the work of the church, the church may call for an outside mediator to work with the parties involved to make every reasonable attempt to resolve the conflict. The church should request a mediator before the problem escalates to the point it causes a break in the unity, harmony and fellowship of the congregation.

All who serve as officers of the church and those who serve on church committees shall be members of this church.
                             
Section 2.01.   Church Officers.
           (a) The officers of this church shall be the pastors, the elected church staff, the deacons, a moderator, a clerk, a treasurer, and trustees.
           (b) Pastors. Pastors are responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church and must show evidence of a personal call of God to ministry. Each pastor has the responsibility to lead the congregation, the organizations, and the church staff to perform  their tasks. Each pastor will be expected to delegate appropriate responsibilities to others (i.e., church staff, committees, or other volunteers) to insure the work of the church is done in a consistent manner.  A job description shall be maintained for all pastoral positions.
                  (i) Senior Pastor. The senior pastor is leader of pastoral ministries in the church.  As such, he works with the deacons and the church staff to:
                           (A) lead the church to carry out the mission and purpose of the church,
                           (B) proclaim the gospel both inside and outside the church, and
                           (C) provide appropriate care for both church members and persons in the community.
                  (ii) Associate Pastor. Associate Pastors shall be called and employed as the church determines the need for such positions.
                  (iii) Vacancies. Pastors shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. The election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose.  At  least one week’s public notice shall be given before a candidate for pastor shall be presented for consideration.
                           (A) A pastor search committee of seven (7) members shall be elected by the church after prayerful consideration. Adequate time should be given to the process to help the church through the transition period.
                           (B) The pastor search committee will have the responsibility for seeking the person called by God to ministry who will fulfill the pastor’s role for the congregation. The recommendation of the pastor search committee will constitute a nomination. The committee shall bring for the consideration of the church only one name at a time. Election shall be by ballot.  An affirmative vote of three fourths (3/4) of those present and voting is required to elect the pastor.
                           (C) The individual called to fill the pastor’s role shall serve until the relationship is terminated by the individual’s request or the church’s request.
                           (D) A pastor may relinquish the office of pastor by giving at least two weeks’ notice to the church at the time of resignation. The deacons and the personnel committee reserve the right to accept the resignation to be effective immediately.
                           (E) The church may declare the office of pastor to be vacant. Such action shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose with at  least  one week’s public notice given. The meeting may be called  upon  the recommendation of the deacon body and the personnel committee. In the event  the church has not elected a moderator, the chairman of the deacon body will  serve as the moderator for the meeting. Roberts Rules of Order shall be observed at the meeting. The vote to declare the office vacant shall be by ballot; an affirmative vote of the majority of the members present being necessary to declare the office vacant.
                           (F) In cases of urgent crises and/or gross misconduct, the deacon body and the personnel committee may act unilaterally to remove a pastor and declare a vacancy.
           (c) Other Ministerial Staff. Ministerial staff shall be called and employed as the church determines the need for such positions. A job description shall be written and maintained for all ministerial positions. Those staff members must show evidence of a personal call of God to ministry and shall be recommended to the church by an ad hoc search committee  and approved by church action. At the time of resignation by any ministerial staff, at least two  weeks’ notice shall be given to the church. The church may vote to vacate the position.  The same principles and process used to terminate a pastor shall be used to terminate a ministerial staff member’s employment.
           (d) Non-ministerial staff members. Non-ministerial staff members shall be employed as the church determines the need for their services. The church personnel committee shall have the authority to employ and to terminate the services of non-ministerial staff members. Such employment and termination of services shall be with the recommendation of the supervising staff member and, as appropriate, with the consultation of related committees of the church.
           (e) Deacons.
                           (iv) Role of Deacons. In keeping with the meaning of the work and practice in the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the church. They are not a governing board of directors, nor or they a powerless entity. Their business is to serve with the pastor and staff in performing the ministerial tasks of:
                                (A)Leading the church in the achievement of its mission;
                           (B) Proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers, teaching  them, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as commanded by the Great Commission of Jesus Christ;
                           (C) Caring for the church’s members and others in the community;
                           (D) Supervising and counseling the senior pastor by and through dialogue and periodic reviews, at least annually, to address issues of pastoral performance and accountability.
                           (E) Serving and acting as a representative of the church congregation  in circumstances of grievances and/or pastoral accountability.
                           (F) Participating enthusiastically in the ministries and programs of the church which the individual deacon feels called by God. Deacons are to be ministry-minded.
                           (G) Conducting regular meetings. Such meetings shall be called only by the deacon body and cancelled only by the deacon body.
                  (ii) Qualifications of Deacons. The members of First Baptist Church Hondo, in light        of interpretation of scripture, establish the following qualifications for deacons:
                           (A) A deacon must be a born-again Christian. See John 1:12-13, 3:3, 3:16; Romans 10:9.
                           (B) A deacon must be proven in the work of First Baptist Church Hondo for at least one year. He must be supportive of its programs and give strength to its fellowship. See 1 Timothy 3:10; Acts 2:42; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:25; Ephesians 4:12-13.
                           (C) A deacon must have a good reputation in the community and in the church, being generally respected for an ethical and moral life, as defined by scripture.  See Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:8.
                           (D) A deacon must not be given to much wine, but must listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all Christian freedoms and liberties, and must not be a drunkard.  See 1 Timothy 3:8; Ephesians 5:18.
                           (E) A deacon must know and have deep convictions for the truths in scripture.  See 1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20.
                           (F) A deacon must believe in the sacredness of the marriage relationship as an institution ordained by God to exist between a man and a woman for life. Divorce is a sin, except in the cases of marital unfaithfulness. Therefore, not all divorces are equal. A deacon who is married must be a faithful husband. There have been many faithful husbands who have been divorced and, in the context of the New Testament, the church seeks to speak redemptively. Divorce, therefore, is not in and of itself, an automatic disqualification for service as a deacon. See 1 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:32.
                           (G) A deacon must strive to lead his family in a Christ-like manner, setting an example for his household in word and deed. See Ephesians 5:21-6:4; 1 Timothy 3:12-13.
                  (iii) Election and Ordination of Deacons.
                           (A) The church body shall elect deacons as needed.
                           (B) When the church decides to elect new deacons, a nominating list shall be formed with the names of every man over the age of 21 who has been a member for at least one year.
                           (C) Prior to the list being circulated to the church membership, the pastor shall remind the congregation of the biblical teachings on deaconship, and  a reasonable period of time shall be set aside to allow such individuals to contact the church office and request the removal of their name from the nominating list.
                           (D) At a regular or specially called business meeting, church members shall cast a vote for their choice of deacons by ballot. Such vote will be made by circling the names of the individuals up to the number of deacons the church has determined to add.
                           (E) The deacon body will count the ballots and determine who the church has nominated for deaconship.
                           (F) The nominees will visit with the deacon body. Members of the deacon body shall go over the church’s qualifications for deacon and the role of the deacon with the nominees. A nominee will have an opportunity to withdraw his name privately at this time if he feels God leading him to do so.  Therefore, not all nominees may come forth for ordination.
                           (G) The deacon body will present the nominees to the church for ordination at a business meeting to be voted on by the members of the church present at such meeting.
                           (H) The church will have an ordination service for the newly elected deacons by the laying on of hands.
                           (I) Those who have been ordained as deacons in other churches must wait at least one year before being eligible to join the deacon body at First Baptist Church Hondo. Any invitation to a deacon ordained by another church shall be at the prayerful discernment of the deacon body who will, in turn, make a recommendation to the church for inclusion into the deacon body at a business meeting to be voted on by the members of the church present at such meeting.
                           (J)The church body may require a deacon to resign. If the deacon  fails to maintain the biblical qualifications or fails in his role, the church may take action to remove a deacon. The same principles and process used to terminate a pastor shall be used to remove a deacon.
                           (K) If a deacon feels the Lord leading him to go inactive, he may be placed on inactive status.  In the event a deacon fails to fulfill the role of deacon  as set forth in Section 2.01(e)(i) above, the deacon body may recommend that  such deacon be placed on inactive status which shall be voted upon by the membership at a business meeting.
         (f) Church Clerk. The church shall elect annually a clerk as its clerical officer. The clerk shall be responsible for keeping minutes of all church business meetings, except as otherwise provided in these by-laws. The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of names of members, with dates of admission, dismissals, death or erasure, together with a record of baptisms. The clerk shall issue letters of dismissal approved by the church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give required notice of all meetings where notice is necessary, as indicated in these by-laws. The clerk shall be responsible for preparing  the annual letter of the church to the association, state and national conventions and communicating with other churches regarding membership issues. The church may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a church secretary or ministry assistant who will assist the elected clerk. All church records are church property and shall be kept in the church office when an office is maintained.
         (g) Church Moderator. The church shall elect annually a moderator as its presiding officer. In the absence of the moderator, the chairman of the deacons shall preside; or, in the absence of both, the church clerk shall call the church to order and preside for the election of an acting moderator for the meeting.
         (h) Church Treasurer. The church shall elect annually a church treasurer as its financial officer. The treasurer shall be bonded, the church paying for the bond. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, preserve, and pay out, upon receipt of invoices or vouchers approved and signed by authorized personnel, all money or things of value paid or given to the church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to provide to the church, at each regular business meeting, an itemized  report of the receipts and disbursements during the period between business meetings. The treasurer’s report and records shall be audited annually or upon the resignation of the church treasurer. Such audit will be performed by an audit committee or public accountant. Upon completion of the audit at the end of the fiscal year and its acceptance and approval by the church, the records shall be delivered by the treasurer to the church clerk, who shall keep and preserve the account as a part of the permanent records of the church.
         (i) Trustees.  The church shall elect three or more trustees to serve as legal officers  for the church. They shall hold in trust the church property. Upon a specific vote of the church authorizing each action, they shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any church  property.    When  the  signatures  of  the  trustees  are  required,  they  shall  sign    legal documents related to the above items only upon the approval and at the direction of the church body in business meeting.
         (j) Removal of Officers. Unless the process for removing an officer is otherwise provided by these bylaws, the church may remove an officer by declaring the office vacant.  Such declaration shall be effectuated by vote of the membership at a regular or specially called business meeting and based upon the recommendation of the pastor and/or deacon body and, where appropriate, upon consultation of related committees.

Section 2.02.   Church Committees.
         (a) The church body shall determine the number and types of committees that are needed to fulfill the mission of the church. Standing committees shall be elected annually upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee. All committee members shall be members  of the church and shall be elected by the church unless otherwise specified in these by-laws. Whenever possible, committee members should serve on a three year rotation basis with one- third elected each year. At the recommendation of the Nominating Committee and following a vote at a business meeting, the Church may extend the three-year term of a committee member. (Amended September 14, 2014. See Appendix I.)
         (b) Committees of the church shall include but are not limited to:
                  (i) Nominating Committee;
                  (ii) Personnel Committee;
                  (iii) Finance Committee;
                  (iv) Missions Committee;
                  (v) Building and Grounds Committee;
                  (vi) Church School Committee, provided that the First Baptist Church School is operated on or otherwise occupies any part of church property; and
                  (vii) any other regular or special committees as the Church shall authorize.
         (c) The Nominating Committee coordinates the staffing of all church leadership  positions to be filled by volunteer workers, unless otherwise stipulated in these by-laws. At all times, the Sunday School Director and the chairman of the deacons shall serve on the Nominating Committee.  The remaining members of the committee shall be elected annually.
         (d) The Personnel Committee assists the church in matters related to employed personnel administration, including those called by church actions. This committee shall assist in determining staff needs, employment, salaries, benefits, other compensation, policies, job descriptions, and personnel services.
         (e) The Finance Committee develops and recommends an overall stewardship development plan, and a unified church budget. It advises and recommends in the administration of the gifts of church members and others, using sound principles of financial management. It works with the treasurer in preparing and presenting to the church the required reports regarding the financial affairs of the church.
         (f) The Missions Committee seeks to identify possibilities for mission projects, determines the need for new work, and recommends to the church actions needed in establishing or implementing mission projects as necessary. The committee also promotes awareness regarding worldwide mission opportunities and activities.
         (g) The Building and Grounds Committee assists the church in matters related to properties administration. Its work includes such areas as maintaining all church properties, and recommending policies regarding use of properties. The committee consults with the Personnel Committee and the church staff regarding the need for and the employment of maintenance personnel and the assignment of supervisory responsibility to appropriate personnel.
         (h) The Church School Committee serves as a liaison between the First Baptist Church School and the church. It approves the curriculum, prepares and administers the annual budget for the Church School. Additionally and subject to the ratification by vote of the church membership at a business meeting, the committee selects school personnel and develops policies and procedures governing the operation of the church school.

Section 3.01. The church shall maintain programs of Bible teaching, church leader training, mission education, action and support; and music education, training, and performance. Each church program shall have a director, and all organization related to the church programs shall be guided by the church body. All directors of church programs shall be elected by the church and report regularly to the church. All program activities shall be subject to church coordination and approval. If approved, the church shall provide the human resources, the physical resources, and the financial resources for these programs.

Section 3.02. Church programs may include but are not limited to: Sunday School, Bible Study, Discipleship, Missions organization (e.g., WMU), Church Music, and Media Resource Center (e.g., Library).

Section 4.01. Upon majority vote of the members present at a business meeting, the church may convene a church council to serve for as long as the church deems necessary to accomplish the purpose set forth in Section 4.03 below. The church may likewise discontinue the service of a church council upon a majority vote of the members present at a business meeting.

Section 4.02. The church council shall include the pastor, other church staff members, directors of church program organizations, chairman of the deacon body, church officers, and others the church feels are needed to accomplish the tasks.

Section 4.03. The church council shall serve the church by leading in planning, coordinating, conducting, and evaluating the ministries and programs of the church and its organizations.

Section 4.04.   The primary function of the church council shall be:
          (a) To recommend to the church suggested objectives and church goals;
          (b) To review and coordinate ministry and program plans recommended by church officers, organization, and committees;
          (c) To recommend to the church the use of leadership, calendar time, and other resources according to program priorities; and
          (d) To evaluate achievements in terms of church objectives and goals.

Section 4.05. All matters agreed upon by the council which call for action not already approved shall be referred to the church for action.

Section 5.01.  Baptism.
          (a) This church shall receive for baptism any person who has publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ as Savior during any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord.
                  (i) Baptism shall be by immersion in water;
                  (ii) The pastor, a deacon, or any one so designated by the church shall administer Baptism; and
Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship
service of the church.
         (b) A person who professes Christ and is not baptized within a reasonable length of time shall be counseled by the pastor, staff and/or members of the deacon body. If the individual indicates that they are reluctant to follow the Lord in baptism their name shall be deleted from those awaiting baptism.

Section 5.02.   The Lord’s Supper.
The church shall observe the Lord’s Supper on the fifth Sunday of the month, unless otherwise scheduled by the church.  The pastor and deacons shall administer the Lord’s Supper, and the deacon body shall be responsible for the physical preparations and shall coordinate such preparations with the relevant church committees and church staff.

Section 6.01. Worship Services.  The church shall meet regularly for worship services including,  but not limited to, each Sunday and any other day of the week as the church deems appropriate. The pastor shall direct the services or make accommodations therefor.

Section 6.02. Special Services. Revival services and other church meetings essential to the advancement of the church’s objectives shall be placed on the church calendar.

Section 6.03. Regular Business Meetings. The church shall hold regular business meeting  monthly on either a Sunday or Wednesday evening, as designated by the members of the church. (Amended September 10, 2017. See Appendix II.)

Section 6.04. Special Business Meetings. The church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of special nature and significance. Notice of Special Called Business  Meetings must be published and announced at least one week before the meeting is to take place, unless extreme urgency makes such notice impractical. The notice shall include the subject, date, time and place; and it must be given in a way that all resident members have opportunity to be made aware of the meeting. The pastor or the deacon body may call a special business meeting upon reasonable notice to members as provided herein.

Section 6.05. Quorum. The quorum consists of those members who attend the business meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called. A quorum for any business meeting is to be twenty (20) members present.

Section 6.06. Parliamentary Rules. Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church.

Section 6.07.  Order of Business.  The meeting shall be opened and closed with prayer.  The order   of business shall be: (1) the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting: (2) granting of letters of transfer; (3) reports of committees; (4) unfinished business; and (5) new or miscellaneous
business.

Section 6.08. Required Vote. All questions presented for vote at a regular or specially called business meeting will be determined by a simple majority with these exceptions:
       (a) Adoption of church budget shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
       (b) Proposal for church expansion shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote and shall be conducted by ballot.
       (c) Adoption or amendment of these church by-laws shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote in accordance with provisions in Article IX of these By-Laws. Such vote shall be cast by ballot.
       (d) Calling of a pastor shall be by a three-fourths (3/4) majority in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(b)(iii)(B) of these By-Laws.  Such vote shall be cast by ballot.
       (e) Dismissal of a pastor shall be by majority vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(b)(iii)(E) of these By-Laws.  Such vote shall be cast by ballot.

Section 7.01.  Budget.
         (a) The finance or stewardship committee, in consultation with staff and the various committees of the church, shall prepare and submit to the church for approval an inclusive budget, indicating by item the amount needed for local and other expenses.
         (b) The finance or stewardship committee shall mail a copy of the annual church budget to all members prior to presentation of the budget at the December business meeting.
         (c) It is understood that membership in this church involves financial obligation to support the church and its causes with regular, proportionate gifts.

Section 7.02.   Accounting Procedures.
         (a) All funds received for any and all purposes shall pass through the church treasurer, or financial secretary, and be properly recorded. Those who have responsibility that involves actual handling of funds shall be bonded, the church paying the bond. See Article Two; Section 2.01(h) regarding the Church Treasurer.
         (b) A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds shall be the responsibility of the finance or stewardship committee. Offering envelopes will be provided for members.
         (c) In January of each calendar year, the treasurer or financial secretary shall provide an accurate accounting to those who have provided financial contributions to the church during the prior calendar year.

Section 8.01. The church shall develop and keep updated a Church Policy Manual. This manual may be developed by a special committee or by the personnel committee as directed by the church.  This manual should include church policies and procedures, and organizational charts indicating lines of responsibility to be used in the administration of the church.  The manual shall be maintained in the church office by the church secretary and made available for use by any member of the church. The church council, personnel committee or a special committee  formed for that purpose, shall review the manual at least annually, and shall recommend changes for the church to consider at any regular or a called business meeting for that purpose. Any church member or church organization may initiate suggested changes in the manual.

Section 8.02. Addition, revision, or deletion of church policies requires: (1) the recommendation of the church officer, church committee, or organization to whose areas of assignment the procedures or policies relate, and (2) approval by the church.

Section 9.01.  Changes in the by-laws may be made at any regular business meeting of the  church provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous business meeting and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member present at the time the amendments were first presented. Consistent with the procedures set forth in Article IX of the Constitution, amendments to the Constitution shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of church members present and such vote shall be cast by ballot. Amendments to the by- laws shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present and voting.

Section 10.01. In the event the church ceases to exist, any remaining assets shall be conveyed to a similar non-profit organization qualifying for tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or as they may hereafter be amended. In such  event, the recipient non-profit entity shall be voted upon by a majority of the members present at a business meeting.

Section 2.02. (a) A member of a committee may serve only three consecutive years. A Church member must wait at least one year before becoming a member of the same committee after serving for three years. (Amended September 14, 2014)

Section 6.03. Regular Business Meetings. The church shall hold regular business meetings, no less than quarterly, on a date and time as designated by the members of the church. Specially called business meetings still may be held as needed and as provided for elsewhere in these By-Laws. (Amended September 10, 2017)