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Constitution, Page 2ARTICLE VI: Church Officers Section 1. Officers. The officers of this church shall be: Pastor, Assistant Pastor(s) as needed, Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Education Director, Sunday School Superintendent, and other such officers as may be required for the work of the church. All of these shall be elected by the church, and shall be members in good standing. Except for Pastor and Assistant Pastor, a simple majority of a quorum is required for election. The outgoing officer(s) will serve as advisor(s) to the incoming officer(s), if needed, for the first quarter of the new year. In the event no one nominee receives a majority, the outcome shall be decided by a run-off election between the two with the highest number of votes. The church shall not call any Pastor or Assistant Pastor, or elect anyone to office who cannot fully, and without mental reservation, subscribe to the doctrinal position as stated in the Articles of Faith (Article III). Any Pastor or officer who, having subscribed and having been elected, shall change his belief after taking office, shall submit his resignation immediately. Section 2. Election and Duties. a. Pastor Election. Whenever a vacancy occurs, a Pulpit Committee shall be formed for the purpose of seeking out and recommending to the Deacons for approval and then to the church, one qualified man. A thorough investigation shall be made by the Pulpit Committee of the candidate's past life, ministry, and doctrinal teachings before he is invited to candidate. The membership of the Pulpit Committee shall be recommended to the church by the Deacons at an administrative meeting called for this purpose. The committee shall consist of five to seven members and shall include representation from the Deacons, the Sunday School, the Missions Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee, and the membership at large. The Pulpit Committee is authorized to offer a salary & benefits package not to exceed that approved in the current annual budget. A Pastor shall be called by the church to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the Pastor or the church. The call of the Pastor shall take place at a meeting especially set for that purpose, of which at least one week's notice has been given to the membership. After approval of the Deacons, the election shall be upon recommendation of the Pulpit Committee appointed to nominate as Pastor, an ordained minister of the gospel whose Christian character and qualifications, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, fit him for the office of Pastor of this church. No nomination shall be made except that of the committee. Election shall be by secret ballot, with an affirmative vote of three-fourths majority vote necessary for a call. Should the man recommended by the Pulpit Committee fail to receive a three-fourths majority, the Pulpit Committee will be instructed to seek out another candidate, and the meeting shall be adjourned without debate. If, at any time, a Pastor's preaching, teaching, or manner of life is not in full accord with the doctrinal position or moral standards of the church, he shall be brought before the Deacons to be restored, disciplined, or relieved of his position, as deemed necessary. If the Pastor is to be relieved of his position, the Deacons shall present the situation to the church congregation for vote, by secret ballot, to terminate or retain the Pastor. Only members in good standing eighteen years of age and older may vote. A three-fourths majority vote is required for termination. If a Pastor resigns, at least thirty days notice shall be given, unless otherwise mutually agreed, with both Pastor and the church seeking to follow the will of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Duties: The Pastor is responsible for the welfare and oversight of the church; he shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, departments, and committees; he may call a special meeting of the Deacons or any committee. He may appoint ad-hoc committees for special projects. He shall conduct church services on stated and special occasions, administer the ordinances, minister to members of the church and the community, and perform other duties that usually pertain to the office. He shall have special charge of the pulpit ministry of the church, and shall, in cooperation with the Deacons, provide for pulpit supply when he is absent, and arrange for speakers and workers for revival meetings and other special services. The Pastor shall preside at all meetings of the church, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution and By- Laws. He is the administrative head of the church, and shall, with the deacons, ensure compliance with church policies and this Constitution and By-Laws. He shall supervise, evaluate the job performance of, and arrange and approve all absences and vacations of other church employees. b. Assistant Pastor Election. When the need arises for an addition to the Pastoral staff, a recommendation shall be made to the church by the Pastor and Deacons. The addition of a Pastoral staff position requires a two-thirds majority vote for approval. A salary package proposal shall be prepared by the Deacons and presented to the church. Both the position and the package must be approved, prior to a candidate being sought. Once these are approved, the Pastor shall seek out a qualified candidate to his liking. The spiritual qualifications for Assistant Pastor are the same as those for Pastor. The candidate must receive unanimous approval by the Deacons before being recommended to the congregation. A two-thirds majority vote is needed for a call. The vote shall be by secret ballot at a special meeting called for the purpose, with at least one week's advance notice of the meeting. Should the candidate fail to receive a two-thirds majority, the Pastor will be instructed to seek another candidate, and the meeting adjourned without debate. In the event an Assistant Pastor resigns, at least thirty days notice shall be given, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. If the job performance, preaching, teaching, moral conduct, or interpersonal relationships of an Assistant Pastor are not becoming to a minister of the gospel, he may be dismissed by the Pastor with approval of the Deacons. This action shall only be taken after every effort has been made for reconciliation. Whenever a vacancy occurs for any reason, it shall be filled by following the above procedure. If the need arises to reduce the Pastoral staff of the church, such action will be recommended to the church by the Pastor and Deacons, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for approval. Duties: In the absence of the Pastor, the Assistant Pastor shall perform all the duties and responsibilities of the Pastor. He shall also have primary responsibility over that segment of the ministry delegated to him by the Pastor. He may be an ex-officio member of designated organizations, departments, and committees in the Pastor's stead, as delegated by the Pastor. Should the position of Pastor become vacant for any reason, the Assistant Pastor(s) may remain until the position of Pastor is filled, at which time he/they may continue at the option of the new Pastor. c. Deacons Election. There shall be a minimum of four Deacons. Additional Deacons may be added as the church grows, with a desirable ratio of one Deacon to every seven to ten family units. Special care and much prayer shall be used in selecting men for the office of Deacon. Recommendations may be submitted to the Pastor or current Deacons for consideration. All nominations for the office of Deacon will be made by the existing Deacons. Only men of proven spiritual discernment, loyalty, and faithfulness, who meet the Scriptural qualifications as outlined in Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13, who have been members in good standing for at least one year may be nominated. Whenever Deacons are to be elected, the names of as many nominees as are qualified shall be placed on the ballot, and the church will elect the required number from those nominated. Deacons shall be elected for a term of three years, with one third the number being elected each year. After completion of a three year term, no Deacon shall be eligible to re-election until after the lapse of one year. For a man elected for his first term as Deacon at UCRBC, the first year of his term is considered as an internship. During this time he shall have the same rights and responsibilities as the other Deacons, except that he may not hold an office. At the end of the internship, an evaluation will be made by the intern himself, the Pastor, and the Deacons who are not interns. From this evaluation, his time of service may be ended by any of the parties with no animosity. Should any Deacon not complete his three year term for any reason, the man elected to replace him will serve the remainder of his term, so as not to disrupt the rotation schedule. He may be eligible for election to a full term after serving this partial term, if nominated. Deacons shall elect annually, their own chairman, vice chairman, secretary/treasurer, and a Deacon to serve on the Budget and Finance Committee of the church. Duties: Deacons shall at all times consider themselves as servants of The Lord to the church. Their duties and responsibilities shall be: - In cooperation with the Pastor, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, consider and make recommendations to the church in all matters pertaining to its work and progress. - In cooperation with the Pastor, ensure compliance with this Constitution and By-Laws. - Maintain liaison with all committees. - Have the oversight in all matters of discipline in the church. - Assist the Pastor in shepherding the membership of the church, eliminating, in so far as possible, all divisions; giving counsel, visiting, comforting the sick, and assisting the poor and afflicted. - Assist the Pastor in the observance of the church ordinances. - Give general oversight to the upkeep, repair, and use of church property. - Supervise the financial program of the church. - Keep order in the public assemblies of the church. - If the office of the Pastor is vacant, see to it that the pulpit is supplied. - Interview all those who seek to be baptized or unite with the church. - Welcome visitors to the services. - Provide counsel to the Pastor and Assistant Pastor(s). - See that the needs of the Pastor(s) are supplied, and annually review the compensation package, recommending changes when appropriate. - Annually evaluate the Pastor's ministry in a spirit of love and humility, providing feedback to him concerning strengths and areas needing improvement, and making recommendations on ministry direction. - Approve and record all absences and vacations of the Pastor. The Deacons shall seek to demonstrate faithfulness in every phase of stewardship and shall constantly encourage and promote the spiritual welfare of every part of the church life. The Deacons shall meet regularly and may arrange for such subcommittees as are necessary to the discharge of their duties. They shall seek to undergird and strengthen the Pastor's ministry. The Pastor or chairman of the Deacons may call the Deacons into special session whenever need for such arises. |
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