Constitution, Page 4

c. Building and Grounds Committee. This committee shall have at least three members, one of whom shall be a Deacon. The duties of this committee, pertaining to the church buildings, property, and parsonage are: - Maintain an awareness of the condition and appearance of the buildings and grounds. - Make repairs as required. - Make improvements authorized by the church. - Perform normal building maintenance including painting, replacement of broken glass and burned out light bulbs, etc. - Perform normal grounds maintenance including mowing and trimming, weeding, mulching, and snow removal. - Participate in budget preparation by projecting the cost of: 1) buildings and grounds maintenance, 2) needed improvements, 3) major repairs, 4) needed new church furnishings and equipment. - Promote church energy conservation by turning off lights, setting back thermostats, etc. - Ensure compliance with safety, health and fire regulations. The committee shall be responsible for the work of the custodian and all other persons employed in the capacity of caring for the buildings and grounds. The chairman of the committee shall be responsible for purchasing housekeeping supplies. The custodian shall be recommended, with approval of the Pastor, to the church by the Building and Grounds Committee for contract or employment by church action. It shall be the committee's responsibility to see that the physical property is cared for so as to contribute to the comfort and well being of the members and visitors at all services. They are responsible for the cleanliness, ventilation, upkeep, and securing of the buildings. They shall see that the grounds are kept in such a way as to be honoring of God's house.

d. Missions Committee. The duties and responsibilities of the Missions Committee are as follows: - Prepare the missions budget annually, and submit it to the Budget and Finance Committee for inclusion in the proposed church budget. - Encourage communication with, and prayer for, our missionaries. - Keep the church apprised of happenings, needs, and status of our missionaries. - Encourage interest in and giving to missions. - Encourage our church young people to consider the Lord's call to missions. - Plan an annual Missions conference including speaker, program, housing and meals for guest missionaries. - Periodically review levels of support and status of our current missionaries and recommend changes to the church when appropriate. - When possible, encourage our missionaries by: sending the Pastor to visit one mission field annually, youth missions trip, and/or a work group from the church. - As the church is financially able to expand the missions program, review prospective missionaries, select and recommend to the church for support, those who are: 1) saved, baptized, and called, 2) in agreement with our doctrinal position, 3) going to a field for which we have a burden, 4) being sent out by Upper Cross Roads Baptist Church or a church of like faith and practice, 5) with a sending agency that we can agree with in doctrine and practice, and, 6) The Holy Spirit leads us to support.

e. Music Committee. The Music Committee, in cooperation with the Pastor, shall seek to strengthen the music program of the church. Their duties and responsibilities include: - Participate in the annual budget preparation by giving input to the Budget and Finance Committee on the projected cost of music for the coming year. - Plan both congregational and special music for regular and special services. - Continuously review the music of the church to ensure that it is both Scriptural and appropriate. - Encourage the membership to develop and use their musical talents for the Lord.

f. Social Committee. The Social Committee enhances the fellowship aspect of the church by planning and serving at social functions. Their duties and responsibilities include: - Project budget requirements for the coming year for food, paper and plastic ware, water cooler supplies, etc., and submit to the Budget and Finance Committee for inclusion in the proposed annual church budget. - Plan and coordinate food preparation and service for all social events on the church calendar such as: Mother-Daughter Banquet, Mission Emphasis Sundays, Missions Conference, Thanksgiving Dinner, AWANA closing program, etc. - Prepare for "emergency" functions such as: funerals, going-away activities, etc., requesting people from the church to provide the food.

g. Flowers and Decorations Committee. The Flowers and Decorations Committee shall arrange for flowers to be sent to members in the hospital, funerals, and such occasions. They are also responsible for providing flower arrangements for church worship services and decorating the church for holidays and special occasions.

Section 4. Other Standing Committees. Other standing committees may be elected as desired by the church and serve for the purpose designated. Duties of all standing committees shall be defined in writing and adopted by vote of the church. Standing committees, other than those called out in Section 1 of this Article, may be created or dissolved by a majority vote of those present and voting at any regular or called administrative meeting of the church upon recommendation of the Pastor and Nominating Committee.

Section 5. Ad-Hoc Committees. Ad-Hoc Committees shall be appointed by the Pastor and announced to the church, except for a Pulpit Committee, which shall be elected when needed as specified in Article VI, Section 2.a. They may be formed for specific purposes as a need arises. In any case, Ad-Hoc Committees shall be disbanded when they have completed the assigned task.

ARTICLE VIII:  General

Section 1. License. If a member in good standing requests of the church a license to preach, and gives testimony that he feels called to the ministry; the church may, by majority vote, license him to preach. The license is an acknowledgment of the church's faith in his moral character and spiritual integrity, and is their commendation of him to the brethren at large and their encouragement to him to make further preparation for the ministry. The church Clerk shall furnish one who is licensed to preach with a copy of the minutes and a certificate of license as his credentials. It is understood that performance of civil duties by one who is licensed shall be governed by state law.

Section 2. Ordination. In the event this church is requested to ordain a member to the ministry, a vote of three-fourths of the members present and voting shall be required at any regular or called administrative meeting of the church. Before the church proceeds with the ordination, it shall form an ordination council to examine the candidate. The church may invite ordained ministers of like-minded Baptist Churches to serve on the council, along with ordained ministers or Deacons from UCRBC and members of the candidate's family, if qualified. All members of the council must be approved by the Pastor. The council will be chaired by the Pastor and one council member will be appointed to keep notes, which shall be kept as part of the permanent church records. The council shall examine the candidate in the following areas: - Testimony of Salvation * - Call to Ministry - Education - Priorities * - Scriptural qualifications - Doctrine The council shall report their recommendation to the church. In the event the council gives a favorable recommendation, the church shall proceed with the ordination. The candidate shall be issued a Certificate of Ordination signed by the members of the council. * The candidate's wife is to be included in these areas.

Section 3. Ordination of Deacons. In the event the church elects as a Deacon, a member who has not previously been ordained (set apart) to the ministry of a Deacon at UCRBC or in a Church of like faith and practice, the Pastor and Deacons shall arrange for a service for the public dedication of this individual, after he has completed his internship.

Section 4. Affiliation and Associations. We are an independent, fundamental body, and as such we believe in ecclesiastical separation. The church shall not join any association which infringes upon local autonomy. Should the church desire to affiliate with an organization, there must first be doctrinal agreement, approval by the Pastor and Deacons, then a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum would be required for church approval. The church, as a corporate body, may associate itself, in cooperation with other churches and/or organizations, for limited and specific causes in fulfillment of our purpose, even though we may not agree in all matters of faith and practice. Such cooperative associations must not require us to compromise any of our standards or beliefs, must have the approval of the Pastor and Deacons, and a majority vote of those present and voting at any regular or called administrative meeting of the church.

Section 5. Employment. All persons employed by the church in full time or part time positions shall subscribe to The Articles of Faith of UCRBC. Note: This applies to direct employees, not contract labor. Candidates to fill positions will be interviewed, selected, and hired by the Pastor. The Pastor may also, with reasonable cause, fire any such employee.

Section 6. Finances. This church and all its various ministries and functions shall be supported by free will offerings, without resorting to commercial money-making schemes.

Section 7. Definitions. a. Ex-officio, as used in this constitution, means: By virtue of the office. Ex-officio members may participate and vote at meetings, but may not be elected chairman. b. Ad hoc, as used in this constitution, means: Temporarily established for a specific purpose. An ad hoc committee is terminated when its specific task is completed. c. Like faith and practice. As used in this constitution: Like means the same as, or similar to. Faith refers to the beliefs, doctrines, and teachings. Practice refers to methods, means, customs and conventions. Therefore, Like Faith and Practice means that the organization in question would have no important disagreements with our Articles of Faith (Article III of this Constitution and By-Laws), and we would have no important disagreement with theirs, and that the methods employed by them are similar to our own, and would not create a poor testimony, cause confusion or be an embarrassment to the cause of Christ.

Constitution, Part V

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