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Constitution and By-Laws
 
Constitution and By-Laws
Of First Baptist Church of Cement, Oklahoma
 
PREAMBLE
We declare and establish this Constitution to preserve and secure the principals of our faith and to govern this body in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church member and the freedom for action of this body in relation to other churches.  
 
I. Name
  This body shall be known as the First Baptist Church, located in Caddo County, Cement, in the state of Oklahoma.
 
II. Purpose Statement
To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community and throughout the world.
 
To be a worshipping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership.
 
To experience an increasing meaningful fellowship with God, and fellow believers.
 
To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and men.
 
To be a church which ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and the world in Jesus name.
 
To be a church whose purpose is to be Christlike in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Christ,
 
III. Statement of Basic Beliefs
We affirm the Holy Bible as the word of God, without error, and the basis of our beliefs. This church subscribes to the statement of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention. We voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the good news to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
 
IV. Church Covenant
Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
 
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its doctrine and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of ministry, the expenses of the church, and the relief of the poor; and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
 
 We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and spread of gambling and pornography; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
 
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech and to be slow to take offense; but ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
 
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
 
V. Policy and Relationships
The government of this Church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. Persons duly received by the members shall constitute the membership.
 
All internal groups created and empowered by the church shall report to and be accountable only to the church, unless otherwise specified by church action.
 
This church is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Baptist churches. Insofar as is practical, this church will cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention, support the Caddo Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of the sate of Oklahoma.
 
By-Laws
 
I. Church Membership
SECTION 1.         General
This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of the church.
 
The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.
 
SECTION 2.         Candidacy
Any person may himself/herself as a candidate for membership in this church. All such candidates shall be presented to the church at any regular church service for membership in any of the following ways:
  1. By profession of faith and for baptism according to policies of this church.
  1. By promise of letter of dismissal or recommendation from another church of like faith and order.
  1. By restoration upon a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism in a church of like faith and order when no letter is obtainable.  
Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the pastor for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the church within thirty days. A three-fourths or larger vote to those church members present and voting shall be required to elect such a candidate to membership.
 
Upon being presented as a candidate and accepted by the church through record, formal church action the person offering himself/herself shall be accepted as a member.  
 
SECTION 3.         New Member Orientation
New members of this church are expected to participate in the church’s new member orientation.
 
SECTION 4.         Rights of Members
  1. Every member of the church is entitled to vote all election and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present, or provision has been made for absentee balloting.
  1. Every member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective offices in the church as scripturally appropriate.
  1. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.
SECTION 5.         Termination of Membership
Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:
  1. Death of the member
  1. Dismissal or recommendation to another church of like faith
  1. Exclusion by action of the church
  1. Erasure upon request, or proof of membership in another church, or upon proof of dissatisfaction with church doctrine as demonstrated by public statement or actions.
SECTION 6.         Discipline  
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 and deacons are available or counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.
 
Should some serious condition exist which could cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, the pastor and the deacons will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem in accordance with Matthew Chapter 18. if it becomes necessary for the church to take action to exclude a member, a two-thirds or larger vote of the members present and voting is required; and the church shall then proceed to declare the person to be no longer in the membership of this church. All such proceeding shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance.
 
The church may restore a membership to any person previously excluded, upon the request of the excluded person, and by vote of the church upon evidence of the excluded persons repentance and reformation.
 
II. Church Officers and Committees
All who serve as officers of the church and those who serve on church committees shall be members of this church. The officers of the church shall be the pastor, deacons, clerk, treasurer, and trustees.
 
SECTION 1.           the Pastor
The pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church. The pastor will lead the congregation to perform their tasks. The pastor is leader of pastoral ministries in a church. As such he works with the deacons and the church staff to:
  1. Lead the church is performing its tasks.
  2. Lead the church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application.
  3. Proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers.
  4. Care for the church’s members and other persons in the community.
A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose of which ay least one week public notice has been given.
 
A Pastor search committee shall be elected by the church by secret ballot to seek out a suitable pastor to recommend to the church for approval. Election of the pastor shall be by ballot with three-fourths of those present necessary for a choice. This election will be held following Sunday evening services on the Sunday of his preaching. The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one name at a time. The pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his request or the church’s by a majority vote; such action of the church shall be preceded by a two week’s notice. The pastor shall give at least two weeks notice at the time of his resignation.
 
SECTION 2.           Church Staff
This church shall employ such staff as the church shall need.
 
SECTION 3.           Moderator
The church shall elect a moderator. In the absence of the moderator, the clerk shall call the church to order and an acting moderator shall be elected. (Amended on February 8, 2004)
 
SECTION 4.           Deacons
Deacons shall be elected and ordained by the church to assist the church and pastor in performing pastoral ministries and tasks listed above. Nominations for Deacons shall be chosen by secret ballot. Ballots counted and those with highest number of votes shall be elected by the church subject to training.
 
The Deacons shall meet the qualifications according to the scripture of 1 Timothy, 3:8-13
 
The Deacons duty shall be prescribed by the church, as according to the scriptures of Acts, 6:1-4
 
SECTION 5.           Clerk
The church shall annually elect a Clerk of the church who shall keep in a suitable book a record of all the actions of the church, except as otherwise herein provided. The Clerk shall be responsible for keeping a register of the names of members, with date of admission, dismissal, or death, together  with a record of baptism, the Clerk shall issue letters of dismissal as voted by the church, preserve on file all communication and written official reports, discover and preserve historical events of the church and keep on file.
 
SECTION 6.           Treasurer
The church shall elect annually a church treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, preserve, and pay out, upon receipt of vouchers approved and signed by the authorized personnel, all money or things of value paid or given to the church, keeping at all time an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to render to the church at each regular business meeting an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements for the preceding month. The Treasurers annual report shall be audited upon the request of the church body by two-thirds vote.
 
Upon rendering the annual account at the end of each 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.
 
III. COMMITTEES
SECTION 1.           General
All church committee members shall be chosen by a vote of the church as the need arises. All church committee members shall be members of the church.
  1. Nominating Committee
This committee shall be elected by the church at the first business meeting in June in order to present a list of nominees by the first business meeting August. It shall consist of three members elected by the church and Sunday school director and discipleship training director added upon their election. Their duty is to contact potential nominees to obtain an expression of their willingness to serve before being nominated to fill any vacancies. They shall bring to the church nominations of officers and committees provided heretofore and following. They also have the responsibility to nominate to fill vacancies that may occur.
  1. Grounds Committee
This committee shall consist of as many members as the church deems necessary. The responsibilities of this committee is to have general charge of buildings and grounds and their upkeep and can recommend to the church any repairs or changes that need to be made. Obtain bids for service and/or materials required for proposed repair, additions and property insurance. Recommend policies regarding use of properties and assist the church in all matter relating to church property and equipment.
  1. Budget Committee
This committee shall consist of as many members as the church deems necessary. They shall prepare and submit to the church for its approval an annual budget.
  1. Hostess Committee
This committee shall consist of as many members as the church deems necessary. They will handle the arrangements for providing food for the family of the deceased, as well as any local arrangements necessary when a funeral is to be conducted at the church. They shall maintain the church kitchen, recommend policies for the use of the kitchen, and assist the church in all other matters relating to church kitchen. (Amended on July 9, 2017)
  1. Beautification Committee
This committee shall consist of as many members as the church deems necessary. They will provide seasonal floral arrangements for the sanctuary and any other appropriate decorations.
  1. Library Committee
The Chairman shall enlist workers as needed. This committee shall maintain and recommend procurement of reading materials for the church library.
  1. Youth Committee
The youth committee shall oversee the activities of the church youth. This committee shall consist of two youth and three adults.
  1. Usher Committee
This committee shall consist of as many members as the church deems necessary. They are to greet and assist in seating persons who attend worship services, count those present at services and collect offering which are taken during the services.
  1. Bus Committee
This committee shall consist of as many members as the church deems necessary. They are to see to the general maintenance and repairs of the church vehicle. They are responsible for transportation to and from church for those who need such services. Repairs in excess of $100.00 must be presented to the church for approval. (Amended on July 9, 2017)
  1. Church Council
The church council shall serve the church by leading in planning, coordination, conduction, and evaluating the ministries and programs of the church and its origination.
 
The primary function of the church council shall be to recommend the church suggested objectives and church goals; to review and coordinate ministry and program plans recommended by church officers, organizations, and other resources according to program priorities, and to evaluate achievements in terms of church objectives and goals.
 
Regular members of the church council shall be the pastor, other church staff members, director of church activities, directors of church program organization, and chairman of deacons.
 
All mattes agreed upon by the church council which call for action not already approved shall be referred to the church for approval or disapproval.  
 
IV. Programs Organization
SECTION 1.         General
All organizations of the church shall be under the church control; all officers should be elected by the church and report regularly to the church.
 
SECTION 2.         Sunday School
There shall be a Sunday School divided into divisions, departments, and classes for all ages and conducted under the direction of the Sunday School Director for the study of God’s Word.
 
The task of Sunday School shall be to teach the Bible Revelations; reach persons for Christ and church membership; perform the function of the church within its constituency; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.
 
V. Church Ordinances
 
SECTION 1.         Baptism
This church shall receive for baptism any person who has received Jesus Christ as Savior by personal faith, who professes him publically at any worship service, and who indicates a commitment to follow Christ as Lord.  
  1. Baptism shall be by immersion in water. 
  1. The pastor, or whomever the church shall authorize, shall administer baptism. The deacons shall assist in the preparation for, and the observance of, baptism.   
  1. Baptism shall be administered as an act of worship during any worship service of the church.   
  1. A person who professes Christ and is not baptized after a reasonable length of time shall be counseled by the pastor and/or staff or deacons. If negative interest is ascertained on the part of the candidate, he shall be deleted from those awaiting baptism.              
SECTION 2.         Lord’s Supper
The church shall observe the Lord’s Supper quarterly, unless otherwise scheduled by the church. The pastor and deacons shall administer the Lord’s Supper. (Amended on July 9, 2017)
 
VI. Church Meetings
SECTION 1.         Worship Services  
The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening for the worship of Almighty God. Prayer, praise, preaching, instruction, and evangelism shall be among the ingredients of these services. The pastor shall direct the services for all the church members and for all others who may choose to attend.   
 
SECTION 2.         Special Services
Revival services and any other church meetings essential to the promotion of the church’s objectives shall be placed on the church calendar.
 
 
SECTION 3.         Regular Business Meetings  
This church shall hold regular business meetings monthly as the church deems necessary. (Amended on July 9, 2017)
 
SECTION 4.         Special Business Meetings  
This church may conduct called business meetings to consider matters of special nature and significance. A one-week notice must be given for the specially called business meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical. The notice shall include the subject, the date, and time and place; and it must be given in such a manner that all resident members have the opportunity to know of the meeting.  
 
SECTION 5.         Quorum
This quorum consists of those members who attend the business meeting, provided it is a stated meeting or one that has been properly called.
 
VII. Church Finance
  1. This church recognizes and adopts the scriptural method of “tithes and offering” as its plan of finance. It is understood that membership in this church involves financial obligation to support the church and its cause. Each member shall be encouraged to tithe.
  1. All tithes and offerings received which are other than cash, such as real property, stocks, bonds, ect. will be expeditiously converted to cash by the Trustees.
  1. Individuals may always provide instructions as to how the “offering” portion of their givings are to be distributed.
  2. The Budget Committee shall prepare and submit to the church at the first regular business meeting in November an inclusive annual budget, indicating the amount needed for each account.  
  1. All bills shall be paid when due. Money designated in the budget for the Cooperative Program and Associational Missions shall be paid weekly unless otherwise indicated.
  1. The church fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.
VIII. Amendments
Changes in the constitution and bylaws may be made at any regular business meeting of the church, provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous regularly scheduled business meeting and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each member present at the earlier meeting. Amendments to the constitution shall be approved by two-thirds of voting church members present.
 
IX. Repeal
This constitution and these bylaws or other rules which shall be made in pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law of this church, but subject always to conformity with the Holy Bible. All rules, regulations bylaws and constitutions, if any, of this church in conflict with this constitution are each and all hereby repealed, set aside and superseded, and this constitution shall be, and is hereby, established as the sole constitution for The First Baptist Church of Cement, Oklahoma.
 
This constitution was adopted by the First Baptist Church of Cement, Oklahoma on this the 14th day of  July 1999.
This constitution was amended on the 8th day of  February 2004.
This constitution was amended on the 9th day of  July 2017.