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We declare
these By-laws to assist the orderly governance of the Lake
Chapala Baptist Church. We realize the Bible to be the supreme
authority in all matters and where these By-laws are shown to be
in conflict we submit to the Bible as our authority.
The
government of Lake Chapala Baptist Church is vested solely in
the body of members who compose it. It is subject to the control
of no other body but recognizes and sustains the obligations to
remain in compliance with the laws of the sovereign nation of
Mexico. This Church receives the Scriptures as its authority in
matters by faith and practice. It's understanding of Christian
truth is in essential accord with the belief of Southern Baptist
Churches.
We believe
the Bible is the final, absolute authority in matters of faith
and practice. The Old and New Testaments are God's word, written
by men, prepared and superintended by His Spirit. The scripture
in the original manuscripts are infallible, free from error and
the source of divine authority. We hold to the plenary verbal
inspiration of the Scriptures, which means the words themselves
are inspired not simply the thoughts. To interpret the
scriptures correctly one must be lead by the Holy Spirit.
ARTICLE
I. OFFICES
The
principal offices of this corporation (also referred to herein
as the "Church") are at 147 Santa Margarita. Riberas del Pilar.
Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. The Church may have offices and
places of business at such other places as determined by 2/3
vote of its members present at any regularly called business
meeting.
ARTICLE
II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Church
is an autonomous body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ as
Savior and Lord who are here to please and glorify God, to make
disciples of all nations, to love one another, bear each other's
burdens, and to serve the purpose of God not be served. Our
mission is to lead all people to become fully devoted followers
of Jesus Christ.
ARTICLE III. 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 the
Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and
angels, most solemnly and joyfully enter into the 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 promote the church's prosperity and
spirituality, to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline,
and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all
institutions of human origin; 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
will strive to maintain family and secret devotion; to
religiously educate our children;
to seek the salvation of our family and acquaintances; to walk
honestly in the world; to be just in our
dealings, faithful in our commitments; and exemplary in our
behavior.
Knowing
our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that our
bodies, soul and spirit are inseparably tied together, we commit
ourselves to encourage one another to abstain from anything
which hurts our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well
being and detracts from our witness as one who depends on God
for our source of strength, wisdom and pleasure. In all conduct
we take our guide from Romans 14 realizing we have a
responsibility to one another and that anything which would
cause our brother to stumble should be avoided.
We further
commit ourselves to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just
in our dealing, faithful in our engagements, exemplary in our
deportment: to avoid all tattling,
backbiting, and excessive anger; to watch over one another in
brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each in
sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in
feelings of courtesy and 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, and to be zealous in our
efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We also
commit, when we move from this community, we will as soon as
possible unite with some other church, where we carry out the
spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
ARTICLE
IV MEMBERSHIPS
Qualifications.
The membership of this Church shall consist of such persons who
presents themselves and are received according to the following:
1. By Profession of Faith. Such persons who having accepted
and publicly confessed Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord,
and after an affirmative vote of the Church Members, shall be
temporarily accepted into the Church membership. Pending a
review of their testimony and after baptism, this temporary
status will be changed to one of a full member.
2. By Letter. Such persons coming from other Baptist Churches of
like faith and
order
shall be temporarily accepted into the Church membership after
an affirmative vote of the members. Pending receipt of
recommendation from said former Church or satisfactory
substitute thereof, and agreement to enter voluntarily into the
Church covenant, this status will be changed to full membership.
This does not preclude the member from maintaining his
membership with his/her other Church, where that Church is
located outside this area.
3. By Statement. Such persons coming
upon statement or their Christian experience and having been
previously scripturally baptized and after due examination by
the Pastor as to same, shall, upon a good testimony and
agreement to voluntarily enter into the church covenant, and
after an affirmative vote of the members they shall be received
as members.
Rights.
The authority of the Church is vested in its members. All
members are equal in rank and privilege and may act and vote in
the transactions of the Church.
1.
The membership shall approve by a 2/3 vote of members
present at a called business meeting.
(i). The
purchase, sale, mortgage, pledge, lease or assignment of the
assets of the Church;
(ii). All loans;
(iii). The annual operating and capital budgets of the Church
and any modification thereto; and
(iv). The Church By-laws.
2. The membership shall elect or approve the
following positions. The Pastor shall be called as outlined in
these By-laws, all others shall be elected by a majority vote of
the members present at a "called" business meeting.
(I). The Pastor
(ii). The Church Clerk
(iii) The Treasurer
(iv). The Church Auditor
(v). The Church Trustees
(vi). The Music Director
(vii). The Deacons
(viii). All other positions in the Church which are
required by a majority vote of
the members.
Terminations- Membership shall be terminated in the following
ways:
(i). Death of the member
(ii). Dismissal to another Baptist
Church in this area.
(iii).
Exclusion by action of this Church
(iv). Erasure upon request
or proof of an active membership in another Church
in the Lake Chapala area.
Restoration of
Membership.
A person whose membership has been terminated for any
disciplinary reason may be restored to membership by vote of the
Church upon evidence of his or her repentance and reformation.
ARTICLE V. CHURCH PERSONNEL
Pastor.
1. Qualifications of Pastor
a. Shall be ordained or candidate for ordination.
b. Shall meet all Biblical qualifications as set forth in
1Tim 3:1-7
c. The pastor shall be a good steward of his income,
recognizing the tithe to his local Church as a minimum of
his giving.
d. If the pastor is married, his wife shall share in like
manner in Christian consecration and
Church loyalty.
2.
Duties of Pastor
a.
Shall have general oversight of all spiritual matters and
programs of the Church.
b. He
shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
c.
Shall be responsible for the faithful conduct of the worship
services of the Church.
d. Shall perform the various duties incumbent of his office.
3. Calling of Pastor. Whenever the position of pastor becomes
vacant, the Church shall proceed to call another person to fill
that vacancy. The deacons shall be responsible for interviewing
all candidates and present eligible candidates at a "called"
Church Meeting. Two weeks notice should be given for "calling" a
Pastor and the Church will "call" a Pastor by 2/3 majority vote
of members present.
4. Pastor Term of Service The person, then elected, if he
accepts "the "call" shall serve as "Pastor of the Church". Every
year thereafter on the anniversary date of "his call", the
members present at a called meeting for this purpose can without
debate, without discussion and by secret ballot, have a vote of
confidence on extending the Pastor's term for another year. This
procedure can be extended indefinitely with no limitations as to
age. If termination of pastorate is sought before the
anniversary date of "His Call" by either Church or Pastor, the
other party is to be given a thirty (30) day advance notice. By
mutual consent, the thirty (30) day notice may be dispensed
with. In case of dismissal of Pastor before "His Call"
anniversary date, without debate, without discussion- and by
secret ballot, it shall take 2/3 of those present at the called
meeting to effect the dismissal.
5. In absence of Pastor, In absence of Pastor the Deacons
shall be responsible for all matters of the designated duties of
Pastor and in addition shall be responsible for "filling the
pulpit" until another Pastor is called.
Church Clerk.
The Church shall elect a clerk annually as its Clerical Officer.
The clerk shall be responsible for keeping a suitable record of
all official actions of the Church. The Clerk shall be
responsible for maintaining an accurate register of members,
dismissals, and Baptisms. The clerk shall issue Letters of
Dismissal and Baptismal Certificates. Records kept by the clerk
shall be considered the property of the Church.
Church Treasurer. The Church shall elect a treasurer annually to be
responsible to the Church to keep all financial records. The
treasurer shall oversee the depositing of all offerings in the
Church Bank Account, and the disbursements of funds. Records
kept by the treasurer shall be considered the property of the
Church and shall be audited at least every three years or where
there is a change in treasurer.
Church Auditor.
The Church shall elect a Church Auditor annually to be
responsible to the Church, to monthly audit the deposits of
funds and disbursement of funds.
Church Trustees.
Trustees shall be composed of up to six members who Will serve
as legal officers of the Church. The trustees will be comprised
of one Deacon chosen by the Deacon Body, the Church Clerk, the
Church Treasurer, and three other members elected by the Church.
One of the elected members will then be chosen as Chairman by a
majority vote of the Trustees. Any trustee may be removed by
Church action at any time or may resign upon 30 days notice.
Trustees shall act and exercises only such authority as directed
by a majority of members voting in any Church business meeting.
Church Council.
The membership of the Church Council shall be composed of the
Pastor, all administrative staff members,
Chairman of Deacons, Heads of all General Organizations, Church
Clerk, and Church Treasurer. The duties of this committee shall
be to coordinate Church activities and to evaluate such for
consistency with Church policies and practices. It is to serve
as an advisory and recommending group to the Church, and will
not act in behalf of the Church at any time without specific
authority from the Church. The Pastor shall serve as the
Chairman of the Council, the Clerk will serve as Secretary.
ARTICLE
VI DEACONS
Deacons.
1. Qualifications of Deacons.
The basic requirements for a Deacon are found in the Bible in
Acts 6:1-7 and Timothy 3:8-13, and these are always to be held
over and above the specific requirement
for a Deacon of this Church.
a Deacon
shall be a man of moral integrity and spiritual maturity. His
life shall be a clean one with no question concerning his basic
Christian character.
b. The business life of a Deacon shall be in harmony with
Christ in principles.
c. The Deacon should be able and willing to be regular in
attendance at the Deacon's meeting and at the Business Meetings
of the Church.
d. A Deacon must support the adopted programs of the Church.
e. The Deacon shall be a good steward of his income,
recognizing the tithe as the minimum of his giving, being in
agreement with and participating in the financial program of the
Church.
f. The Deacon's wives shall share in like manner in Christian
consecration and Church loyalty.
2. Duties.
a.
Chairman of the Deacons shall serve as the Moderator at
business
meetings of the Church. If the Chairman of the Deacons is unable
to attend, he shall appoint a moderator and if both the Chairman
and appointed moderator fail to appear then the moderator will
be chosen by a 213 vote of those in attendance.
b. They are to be zealous to guard the unity of the spirit
within the Church in the bonds of peace.
c. They shall serve as a council of advice in conference with
the pastor in all matters pertaining to the welfare and work of
the Church.
d. They are to minister diligently to their assigned flock
and to the best of their ability they are to establish and
maintain personal fraternal relations with and inspiring
oversight of the general membership of the Church
e. By such methods as the Holy Spirit may direct in
accordance with the New Testament teachings, they are to have
the oversight of the discipline of the Church, in administering
which they are to be guided by the principles set forth in
Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, and I Thessalonians
5:12-14. The Deacons will act as a committee to consider any
matters of termination of Church membership.
f. They shall assist the pastor in administering The
Lord's Supper.
g. They
shall select all ushers.
h. At
least one Deacon will serve on all Church committees.
i. Any
other duties so designated by these By-laws.
3. Number, Election, Terms of Service
Due to the unique situation of the Church, the terms of service
for deacons will be three years of active service. The election
of new Deacons shall be by majority vote of members present at a
called business meeting. After the election of new Deacons, an
ordination service will take place at a regular service or a
meeting of the Church for that special purpose at another time.
The candidates for ordination shall be interrogated in a
specially called council and upon giving satisfactory answers, a
motion to proceed with ordination will be in order. Such
ordination may proceed by vote of the Church.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
Church Committees.
The Church may elect people to committees to accomplish specific
tasks needed to achieve the goals and objectives of the Church.
The Chairman of each committee shall be a member of the Church.
ARTICLE
VIII. AMENDMENT
Amendment.
These By-laws may be amended by two thirds vote of the members
present at any Church Business Meeting provided such
amendment(s) was presented in writing to the members one month
previously. Issues should be brought as a matter of prayer
before the Church. |
