Boykins Baptist Church

Constitution

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 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 in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions, upholding the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman as established in the Holy Scripture; to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealing, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; 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; to be slow to take offense, but always 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.

The forgoing Covenant was duly voted upon and adopted at the Church Business Meeting held on December 7, 2014.

Signed J. Michael Mann
Chairman, Board of Deacons

Constitution

For the purpose of preserving, propagating and making articulate the principles of our Faith, and to the end that this body of believing Christians may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message, for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of the Church, and in order to set forth the relationship of this body to other Baptist bodies, we do adopt and establish this Constitution.

 
Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be Boykins Baptist Church of Boykins, Virginia.

The Boykins Baptist Church is organized for the:

  1. Purpose of advancing and promoting the worship of God through the reading and study of the Holy Bible as the revealed word of God,
  2. Teaching and preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
  3. Conducting regular services of worship for the spiritual training, development and benefit of each member,
  4. Winning souls to Jesus Christ, and,
  5. Enhancing the fellowship of this body of believers by loving, encouraging and supporting each other as members of the family of God.


This church shall be missionary in spirit extending the Gospel through organized religious channels to all people. It shall provide opportunities for public worship, to sustain the ordinances, doctrines and ethics set forth in the New Testament for the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to channel its offerings in support of the objectives of the Kingdom of God.

In order to effectively carry forth its objectives and purposes, the Church will have full power and authority to purchase, lease and acquire by gift, devise or bequest and to hold mortgage, convey and dispose of all kinds of property, both real and personal, provided that the title to all property shall be vested in the church trustees as hereinafter set forth.

Section 1. The membership of this church shall be composed of persons who have given evidence of regeneration by the spirit of God, who have been baptized (*), and who have subscribed to the church covenant, the articles of faith, and the constitution of this church, and who have been received into membership by vote of the church.

*(A). A person making their first Christian commitment to God and seeking to become a member of the Boykins Baptist Church as a baptized believer, should agree to immersion.

*(B). Members of other Christian congregations, who have been baptized by a method advocated by their Church and who seek membership in the Boykins Baptist Church, should be offered the option of having the Church accept their first baptism or asking for our baptism by immersion.

Section 2. A member of another Baptist church may be received by a vote of the church upon promise of a letter of transfer from the church in which the membership resides. The applying member will be in a watch-care relationship until the letter of transfer is received from the other church.

Section 3. Any one who has once been a member of a Baptist church and because of peculiar circumstances has lost that relationship and is not able to promise a letter of transfer may be received into the fellowship of this church upon statement to the membership and by a vote of the church.

Section 4. Applications for membership from other Christian denominations will be considered by the church in conference and the decision of the church will be final in each case.

Section 5. A letter of transfer to unite with another church shall be issued upon request by the church which the member is planning to join, providing such member is in good standing.

Section 6. The church, after due notice and opportunity for hearing, and every prayerful and kindly effort to make such action unnecessary, may upon three-fourths (3/4) vote of the church quorum present and voting, terminate the membership of a person in this body for reasons it considers sufficient to warrant such action.

Section 1. This church shall hold regular meetings for worship, teaching, training and fellowship.

Section 2. This church shall hold regular church conferences for the disposition of all business matters not otherwise provided for, to hear reports for the various church organizations and to consider other matters essential to the spiritual welfare and prosperity of the congregation.

Section 3. Other meetings of the church as a whole or of authorized groups within the church may be set according to the needs of the congregation.

The officers of this church shall be a pastor, and other vocational leadership as needed, deacons, trustees, clerk, treasurers, financial secretary, historian and such other officers as shall be required to do the work of the church in any of its departments or organizations. All of these shall be elected by the church and shall be members in good standing at the time of election except for the pastor. It is understood that the Pastor will become a member following the call of the church.

Section 1. PASTOR:

(A.) CALL: Whenever a vacancy occurs for pastor, the call of a new pastor shall take place at a church conference duly called for that purpose. The election shall be upon the recommendation of a pulpit committee recommended by the deacons and approved by the church to seek out and nominate as pastor, a minister of the gospel whose Christian character and qualifications are suitable for the office. The committee shall bring only one name at a time for the consideration of the church and nominations shall be made only by the committee. Election shall be by standing vote or by ballot, with an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the church quorum present and voting necessary to extend a call. Should the minister recommended by the committee fail to receive three-fourths (3/4) of said vote, the committee will be instructed to seek out another minister and the meeting at which the vote was taken shall be adjourned without debate.

A pastor that is called by the church will serve until either the pastor or the church feels led to terminate the relationship. When the church initiates the termination, the recommendation must be approved by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board of Deacons, subject to a three fourths (3/4) vote of the church quorum present and voting at a church conference duly called for the purpose of terminating the services of the pastor. In either case, at least sixty days notice shall be given to terminate the relationship, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon, with both pastor and church seeking to follow the will of God through the leadership of the Holy Spirit

(B.) PASTOR DUTIES: The pastor shall have charge of the welfare and oversight of the church; shall be ex-officio member of all organizations, departments and committees; may call a special meeting of the deacons or of any committee according to procedures which are set forth in the By-Laws; shall conduct religious services on stated and on special occasions, administer the ordinances, minister to the spiritual needs of the members of the church and community, and shall perform other duties that usually pertain to that office; shall have special charge of the pulpit ministry of the church and shall, in cooperation with the deacons, provide for the pulpit supply when necessary, and with the concurrence of the deacons, shall arrange, for ministers to assist in revival meetings and workers to assist in other special services required by the church. It shall be the pastor’s special responsibility to lead the church in winning the lost to Christ, to minister to the spiritual needs of the members of the congregation and, through prayer and study, to render effective preaching and pastoral ministries.

Section 2. DEACONS:

(A) CALL/ELECTION: There shall be at least 15 deacons for the first 500 members of the church and 1 additional deacon for each 50 additional members. The deacons shall be elected from among those members who have proven themselves to have spiritual qualifications according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They shall be elected for a term of 3 years. Members of the church shall submit names of prospective deacons by ballot, two for each vacancy to be filled. The list of nominees shall then be submitted to the congregation who shall vote by written ballot. The nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. Deacons retiring from active participation by rotation shall retain their title of deacon and may be called upon for service by the church at any time but shall be ineligible for re election to active status until at least one year has elapsed following their retirement from service. A potential deacon candidate shall have been a member of the church for at least 2 years before being nominated for the office of deacon, must be at least 21 years old, and an active member as determined by the Board of Deacons to be eligible for deacon nomination.

The process for filling an unexpired vacant term for deacon shall be as follows. If it is a single vacancy, it shall be filled during the annual election of deacons. If there are two or more vacancies at a given time, the Deacon chair and the pastor may call a special election for the vacancies. If there are less than three months left in the term year it shall be the Deacon chair and the pastor’s prerogative to call an election. The election shall be announced at least two weeks prior to the nomination process. There shall be two nominees per vacancy.

Any person elected to fill an unexpired term shall be eligible for reelection as deacon without waiting one year if they serve less than eighteen months. If the person filling an unexpired term serves eighteen months or more they shall rotate off the board at the end of their term and wait one year before being eligible for nomination as a deacon again.

(B.) DEACONS DUTIES: Deacons shall at all times regard themselves as servants of the church. With the pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to consider and make arrangements or recommendations to the church in all matters pertaining to its work and progress, including oversight of the discipline of the church and establishment and maintenance of spiritual fraternal relations with all members of the church. They shall assist the pastor in the observance of the ordinances; have general oversight of the upkeep, repair and use of property (with proper respect for the responsibilities of the church trustees) and supervise the financial program of the church. They shall arrange for regular meetings and such committees as are necessary to the discharge of their duties. A quorum consisting of EIGHT (8) members (including honorary Life Deacons), one of whom may be the chairman, is required for a meeting. The pastor, or the Chair of the Board of Deacons, may call the deacons into special session whenever need for such arises.

(C.) HONORARY LIFE DEACONS: Honorary Life Deacons shall be those individuals elected by a majority of the Church membership who are at least seventy (70) years of age, and, who have served Seven (3) three year terms as Deacon in this or another Church. Honorary Life Deacons shall have all rights, privileges and duties of regular active deacons.

Section 3. TRUSTEES: Upon the adoption of this constitution, the five persons now serving as trustees shall be deemed re-elected and at all time there shall be five trustees who are to hold title to all church property for the benefit of those members of the church who adhere and submit to the regular order of the church and who follow the established usages, customs, doctrines, practices and organization of the church, together with its connections and other denominational bodies. The trustees shall execute all contracts, deeds, mortgages or other instruments when authorized to do so by the church in conference. The trustees shall serve for an indefinite term and until their successor shall be elected by the church in a conference called for this purpose. A potential trustee candidate shall; (1) be a member of our church for 15 or more years, (2) be at least 45 years of age, (3) be a member in good standing, and (4) reside within FIFTY (50) MILES of the church, to be eligible for trustee nomination.

Section 4. CLERK: The clerk shall be elected annually upon recommendation of the nominating committee. It shall be the Clerk’s responsibility to attend or be represented at all church conferences, to keep an accurate record of all business transactions, to prepare the annual associational letter and to see that it is properly transmitted to the associational clerk and the Clerk shall notify all officers, members of committees and messengers of their election or appointment; the Clerk shall issue letters of dismission as authorized by the church, preserve all papers and valuable records and letters that belong to the church. It shall be the duty of the clerk to maintain accurate records in respect to a roll of the church membership, dates and methods of admission and dismissal, change in name, correct mailing addresses and other pertinent information about each member.

Section 5. TREASURERS: The church shall elect treasurers as needed annually. One who has served previously in this position will be eligible for re-election. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, keep in a bank, and disburse by check upon proper authority all money or things of value that are given to the church in accordance with instructions from the church. At all times, the Treasurer shall keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, rendering an accounting to the church and preserving all accounts and records. The Treasurer’s books shall be audited at least once a year as arranged by the church, and all books, records and accounts kept by the Treasurer shall be the property of the church. The Treasurer shall upon invitation meet with the deacons, and shall be an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee and the Budget Committee.

Section 6. HISTORIAN: The church historian shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years by vote of the church membership, upon recommendation of the nominating committee.

Section 1. The government of this church shall be congregational in nature and shall be vested in the membership.

Section 2. CHURCH CONFERENCE: A church conference shall be held annually. In addition to the stated conference, a conference of the church may be called at any time, with proper notice, but must be called jointly by the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Deacons.

Section 3. MODERATOR: The pastor of the Church shall preside as church moderator; in the pastor’s absence the Chair of the Board of Deacons shall preside as vice moderator; in the absence of the moderator and the vice-moderator, the vice-chair of the Board of Deacons shall preside.

Section 4. QUORUM: A quorum shall consist of not less than thirty adult members of the church.

Section 5. MINUTES: The church clerk shall keep minutes at each church conference and shall record the approximate number present, whether a quorum was present and what actions were taken by the church.

Section 1. This church is a free, autonomous, independent body, congregational in nature with authority to determine for itself in the manner set forth in this constitution, free of any outside control, authority or power, whether governmental or otherwise, the use of its property and all church policies.

Section 2. ASSOCIATION: The church recognizes the value and mutual helpfulness in the voluntary association of churches which are in such agreement in faith and practice as to make possible a spirit of fellowship and good will. It is recognized that association and cooperation between such churches will influence the missionary, educational and benevolent interest of each other. The church does, therefore, declare its intention as far as conscience will allow to work in mutual cooperation with all Christian groups.

Section 3. COOPERATION: Upon adoption of this constitution this church shall be deemed in collegial cooperation with the aims and purposes of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the Blackwater Baptist Association as set forth in their deliberative assemblies and shall as we are able, support the missionary, benevolent, and educational programs of each. We continue to relate to historic Baptist causes and groups such as the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance.

Section 4. DISCONTINUANCE OF AFFILIATION AND/OR COOPERATION: The calling of a church conference for the purpose of voting on discontinuance of cooperation with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and/or the Southern Baptist Convention, and/or the Baptist General Association of Virginia, and/or the Blackwater Baptist Association will require that written notice be sent to each resident member of the church 30 days prior to the called church conference, stating the purpose, place, and time of the said conference. Action to withdraw, to be valid, must be carried by vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the quorum present and voting.

Section 1. This constitution shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when three-fourths (3/4) of the quorum present and voting at the church conference at which vote is taken shall vote in favor of same. This vote shall be taken not less than 30 days after notice of such meeting.

Section 2. This constitution may be amended, altered or repealed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the quorum present and voting at any church conference of the church; provided, however, that written notice be sent to each resident member 30 days prior to vote taken stating the amendment, alteration or repeal, the time of when and where the vote will be taken, and/or any discussion conferences.

By-Laws

Article I: Meetings

The church shall hold regular services of worship on Sundays and Wednesday evenings unless otherwise agreed upon by the church. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed at least once a quarter at a time approved by the church.

Section 1. All church officers subject to annual election shall be elected during the month of December. They take office January 1.

Section 2. In addition to those named in the body of the constitution, other officers of the church shall be a Financial Secretary, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Director of Training Union, Department Heads and Class Teachers, Director of Church Music, Pianist Organist, and such other officers as may be necessary and desirable. All officers of the church and its organizations, unless otherwise specified, shall be elected for a term of one year, and upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, it being understood, of course, that members of the church may offer substitute nominations for any position for which the Nominating Committee makes nominations.

Section 1. FINANCIAL SECRETARY: The Financial Secretary shall receive the offering envelopes and from those shall give each contributor individual credit as provided in the record system approved by the church. The Financial Secretary shall keep the envelopes for reference as the church directs. The Financial Secretary shall keep a record of the receipts from envelopes, plate or loose and miscellaneous or special offerings, and deposit receipts to proper accounts. The Financial Secretary shall also be responsible for preparing and mailing regular statements to all contributing members as the church directs and give quarterly reports to the church.

Section 2. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: The Superintendent of the Sunday School shall have general oversight of the entire school, and shall administer its affairs in cooperation with, and according to, the plans and methods approved by the church. The

Superintendent shall be acquainted with the best methods of religious education and endeavor to adopt them in this school. It shall be the Superintendent’s duty to counsel with the teachers and officers through officers’ and teachers’ meetings, giving advice and receiving suggestions from co-workers. The Superintendent shall see that a full and accurate report is made of the work of the Sunday School in the regular church conference of the church.

Section 3. TRAINING UNION DIRECTOR: The Training Union Director shall have charge of the activities of the Training Union. The Director shall be acquainted with the program and methods approved by the church. The Director shall see that a full and accurate report is given at the regular church conference of the church.

Section 4. MUSIC DIRECTOR: The Music Director shall be responsible for providing worshipful music at all services. The Music Director is to train and direct the choir or choirs, and is to cooperate with the pastor and other church leaders in the selection of suitable music, and the devising of appropriate musical programs for all occasions where such services are needed.

Section 5. PIANIST-ORGANIST: The Pianist-Organist shall play for all public services and shall assist the Music Director in a suitable program of music for the church.

Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES: The church shall elect such standing committees as may be deemed necessary to carry out the various phases of the program of the church efficiently and effectively. In any event, the church shall have at all times the following standing committees: Nominating, Budget and Finance, Building and Grounds, Missions, Baptismal, Lord’s Supper, Music, Library, Benevolence, Ushers, Flowers and any additional committees deemed necessary for the proper function of the church.

Section 2. TEMPORARY COMMITTEES: The church upon recommendation by the deacons may elect at any time committees to perform temporary functions.

Section 1. These By-Laws shall be considered adopted and in immediate effect if and when three-fourths (3/4) of the quorum present and voting at the church conference at which vote is taken shall vote in favor of same. This vote shall be taken not less than 30 days after formal presentation of the By-Laws to the church.

Section 2. These By-Laws may be amended, altered or repealed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the quorum present and voting at any regular conference of the church, provided, however, that written notice be sent to each resident member 30 days prior to vote taken stating the amendment, alteration, or repeal, and the time of when and where the vote will be taken.

The church shall adopt Robert’s Rules of Order for the conduct of its parliamentary procedures.

Section 1. The adoption by the church of this Constitution and By-Laws shall repeal all previously adopted rules in conflict here-with provided, however, that no actions taken by the church prior to this date shall be invalidated by the adoption of this Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 2. A copy of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be kept by the clerk at all times and another copy shall be kept in the church office and all amendments to, or revisions thereof shall be prepared by the clerk and attached to copies of the Constitution and By-Laws and made available to the church members generally upon request.

The forgoing Constitution and By-Laws were duly voted upon and adopted at the Church Conference held on December 7, 2014.

Signed J. Michael Mann
Chairman, Board of Deacons