Fountain of Faith Baptist Church
By-Laws
6-21-2002
ARTICLE I: BOARD OF ELDERS
SECTION 1:By-laws M03
The members of the Board of Elders shall consist of the original Core Founders, Senior Pastor and Assistant Pastor.
SECTION 2: The Board of Elders is the sole governing body of Fountain of Faith Baptist Church, and as such, has the final decision in all church matters.
SECTION 3: As required, new members may be added or current members may be removed from the Board of Elders by a unanimous vote with all board members present, except for those under consideration. Members under consideration will not take part in the voting process.
SECTION 4: Pastor-Teacher -- Term of office is indefinite. Assistant Pastor-Teacher -- Term of office is indefinite.
SECTION 5: Core Elders – Term(s) of office are indefinite.
ARTICLE II: BOARD OF DEACONS
SECTION 1: Deacons shall be elected by the Board of Elders to serve one three year term. As required, there will be an election to select officers at the annual board meeting that is held during the second weekend of July each year.
SECTION 2: The terms of office shall be limited to one successive term of three years with a successive term based on performance and service during the first term. Evaluation of performance and service will be left to the discretion of the Board of Elders.
SECTION 3: The Board of Elders may fill a vacancy of an elective office but the person so elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office only until the end of that term of office. A term shall be understood to cover part of a term to fill a vacancy.
SECTION 4: One or more Elders shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Deacons.
SECTION 5: The Board of Elders shall appoint the following officers from among the elected Deacons; Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer.
SECTION 6: The Board of Elders shall determine the appropriate dress code for all officers and members of the Board of Deacons.
SECTION 7: Leaders (Deacons, Officers) that choose not to follow the By-laws or dress code shall be voted from their position(s) of leadership by a unanimous vote of the Board of Elders with all board members present.
ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF DEACON BOARD OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The Chairman shall perform all duties usually pertaining to that office and have general supervision of the work of all committees and functions.
SECTION 2: The Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in his absence.
SECTION 3: The Treasurer (as part of the finance committee) shall be responsible for safe keeping of all monies belonging to the Church and paying out the same at the discretion of the Board of Deacons. A representative of the finance committee shall make a report of the finances at each Board meeting and at the annual Board meeting.
SECTION 4: The Finance Committee shall keep a careful record of all business transactions of the Church and a complete record of all members and their addresses.
ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
SECTION 1: Fountain of Faith Baptist Church annual meeting shall be held during the second weekend of July each year. The Board of Elders shall fix the date and time for the meeting and announce it during the morning Worship Service at least two weeks in advance.
SECTION 2: Members 18 years and older with no By-Laws infraction for the current year, shall have voting rights with all meeting privileges.
SECTION 3: Elders are responsible to bring the nominations to the congregation for voting.
ARTICLE V: ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: Election of deacons and appointed officers shall take place at the annual church meeting as required.
SECTION 2: Election shall be by secret ballot except in cases where there is but one nominee for the office then the meeting may vote to instruct the secretary to cast a unanimous ballot for the election of such nominee.
SECTION 3: Nomination for deacons shall be made on the floor of the meeting. One nominating speech shall be given in which the nominator shall enumerate the nominees qualifications according to Article __IX__ of the Constitution.
ARTICLE VI: EXPENDITURE POLICY
SECTION 1: All expenditures must be in accordance with the approved budget, unless approved otherwise by the Board of Elders. The budget is a guideline and not an authorization to spend.
SECTION 2: Expenditure authorization is to be obtained before an expense is incurred. An exception is made for regular monthly expenditures; rent, utilities, telephone bills, church maintenance, etc.
SECTION 3: A voucher is required to be completed before cash disbursement. (see church’s secretary to get vouchers approved)
SECTION 4: All expenditures are to be supported by a receipt or appropriate documentation. Sign and date the voucher when submitting it for payment approval. Be certain that the expense description is clear enough for a third party to understand (e.g. an auditor).
SECTION 5: The appropriate authority is to approve the expenditure by signing and dating the voucher.
SECTION 6: Persons are not to approve payments for expenses incurred above $50 without submitting vouchers for this amount to an authorized person.
SECTION 7: If in doubt about church expenditures, please ask for clarification from the church treasurer or a member of the finance committee.
ARTICLE VII: CHURCH DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1: The Pastor shall handle all minor matters involving discipline of a member. Major matters of discipline involving a member must first be presented to the Pastor, and then brought to the Board of Elders for review before final discipline is administered.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
AMENDMENT I: Two-thirds majority may amend Fountain of Faith Baptist Church By-laws in whole or in part at any annual Board meeting with all members voting or by a unanimous vote with a quorum present, provided notice setting forth the proposed amendment shall have been given at least three months in advance of the meeting.
AMENDMENT 2: Fountain of Faith Baptist Church By-laws may also be amended over the first six months of the church’s inaugural year, here afterward, this amendment (AMENDMENT 2) without a vote it shall be dissolved.