Constitution of Augusta Heights Baptist Church

ARTICLE I -- NAME

This body, established October 8, 1950, is Augusta Heights Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina. This church is incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina.

ARTICLE II -- PURPOSE

Augusta Heights Baptist Church is a diverse community of God's people united by faith in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We believe in the power of prayer, the priesthood of all believers and the responsibility of each believer to use his or her gifts to the glory of God.

Our purpose is to worship God, to grow spiritually and to boldly share God's love through outreach, missions and service.

ARTICLE III -- RELATIONSHIPS

This body is voluntarily affiliated with the Greenville Baptist Association, the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

ARTICLE IV CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 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 body 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 sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines, to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry and 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 secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage to strive for the preservation of body, mind, and spirit, and as such will refrain from the abuse of all potentially harmful substances.

We further engage to watch over one another in Christian 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 Saviour 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.

GUIDELINES

ARTICLE I -- MEMBERSHIP

SECTION A : Reception of New Members

Persons may present themselves for membership in this church during any public worship service, and the church members present at that time shall vote on the acceptance of the persons as new members. Acceptance into the membership shall be contingent upon one of the following:

1. A public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and request for baptism by immersion.

2. Transfer of letter from another Baptist church.

3. Personal statement of a previous profession of faith, baptism by immersion, and membership in a church of like faith and order.

4. Transfer of membership from a non-Baptist church and request for baptism by immersion.

Persons may be accepted as associate members under the watchcare of the church by vote of the church members present during any public worship service. Acceptance as associate members shall be contingent upon one of the following:

1. A public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Personal statement of a previous profession of faith and current or previous membership in another church.

SECTION B: Rights and Responsibilities of Members

Only members may vote in elections and on issues brought to the church for its approval. Associate members may not vote or serve as church officers or teachers.

All members are expected to uphold the church covenant, remain committed to personal Christian growth, and to support the church through regular attendance, worship, service, and stewardship.

SECTION C: Termination of Membership

Names of persons shall be removed from the church membership roster for the following reasons:

1. Written request by the member that his or her name be removed.

2. Transfer of membership to another church.

3. Death of the member.

ARTICLE II -- CHURCH STAFF

In addition to the Pastor, the church shall employ other ministers and support staff as it deems necessary to fulfill its purpose as stated in the Constitution.

Although written job descriptions shall be provided to all church staff, such descriptions shall not eliminate practical responsibilities of inconspicuous service which must be rendered by a staff 'member when circumstances warrant it.

The Personnel Policy Manual shall provide detailed guidelines regarding employment practices, wage and salary administration, and employee benefits.

SECTION A: The Pastor

The Pastor shall be the spiritual leader of the church. He shall preach at services on Sunday and conduct midweek prayer services (or provide for a replacement in his absence); minister to the spiritual needs of the total membership; lead the Deacons and total congregation in programs of visitation and stewardship; give administrative leadership to all staff members and employees of the church; lead in the New Testament-ordinances; and serve in such ways as he and the church mutually agree to be in the best interest of Christ's Kingdom. He shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations and committees (except the Nominating Committee) elected by the church.

The Pastor Search Committee with the Advisory Committee (See Article IV, Section A) shall recommend a pastor to the Deacons. . With a three-fourths majority vote by the Deacons, and after proper notification, the name shall be presented to the church in session.

Election shall be by written ballot with a three-fourths majority of affirmative votes by those church members present required for a pastor to be called. Only one name at a time shall be submitted to the church for a vote. The call to the Pastor shall be sent in writing.

The Pastor thus called shall serve until his relationship with the church is terminated by death, resignation, retirement, or dismissal.

The Pastor may resign to the church by giving thirty days written notice of his intention to relinquish the pastorate. A call for dismissal from the pastorate must be recommended by at least three-fourths of the Deacons and shall require the affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the church members present and voting at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose. Notice of the time, place, and purpose of such meeting shall be given by letter from the Chairman of Deacons to all church members at least fifteen days prior to the meeting date. Upon termination may receive appropriate severance pay as determined by the Personnel Committee upon approval by the Finance Committee and the Deacons.

SECTION B : Other Ministerial Staff

The ministerial staff will be those directly responsible for education, training, guidance and spiritual development of church members.

New ministerial staff positions may be proposed by the Pastor, other church staff members, the Personnel Committee, or other church members. Proposed positions shall be subject to the review and recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the Finance Committee and final approval by the Deacons and the church.

Candidates for a ministerial staff position shall be interviewed by the Pastor, the Personnel Committee, and any other committee or group with a special interest or information which will aid in the selection process. After a candidate is approved by the Pastor, the Personnel Committee, and the Deacons, the candidate's name shall be submitted to the church for its approval by written ballot and must be approved by three-fourths of the church members present.

Salaries and fringe benefits of new ministerial staff shall be established by the Personnel Committee, but must also be approved by the Finance Committee and the Deacons.

Ministerial staff shall give 30 days notice upon offering a written resignation to the church. Ministerial staff may be terminated upon the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the Pastor and approval by a three-fourths vote of the Deacons. Upon termination may receive appropriate severance pay as determined by the Personnel Committee upon approval by the Finance Committee and the Deacons.

SECTION C: Support Staff

New support staff positions may be proposed by the Pastor, other church staff, the Personnel Committee, or other church members. Proposed positions shall be subject to the review and recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the Finance Committee and final approval by the Deacons.

Candidates for a support staff position shall be interviewed by the Pastor, the Personnel Committee, and any other committee or group with a special interest or information which will aid in the selection process. A candidate may be hired only after approval by the Pastor, the Personnel Committee, and the Deacons.

Salaries and fringe benefits of new Support staff members shall also be set by the Personnel Committee with the approval of the Finance Committee and the Deacons.

Support staff shall give fifteen days notice upon offering a written resignation to the church. Support staff may be terminated only with the approval of the Personnel Committee and the Deacons, and upon such dismissal may receive appropriate severance pay as determined by the Personnel Committee upon approval by the Finance Committee and the Deacons.

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES AMENDED BY AUGUSTA HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH ON 9/12/99 (*As found in Article 3, Sec A, Paragraphs 2 & 3)

ARTICLE III CHURCH OFFICIALS AND MESSENGER

SECTION A : Deacons

In accordance with the meaning of the work and the practice of the New Testament as recorded in Acts 6: 1 - 6 and I Timothy 3: 8 - 13, deacons are to be servants of the church. The task of the deacon shall be to serve with the Pastor and staff in performing pastoral ministries and tasks; proclaim the gospel to believers and non-believers; care for church members and other persons in the community; lead the church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application; and lead the church in performing its tasks.

*There shall be twelve active deacons -- one deacon for approximately twenty church-family units. A deacon shall serve for a term of three years unless elected to fill an unexpired term.

*Four deacons shall be elected annually to serve full terms. A deacon must be off the active group at least one year before being reelected.

The Nominating Committee shall select a nominee to fill a vacancy as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy, and the name of the nominee shall be published in The Herald at least one week prior to the special election.

The Deacons shall elect annually a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. Only those who have served as deacons for at least one full year in this church shall be eligible to serve as officers. The chairman is elected by first having a nominating ballot and then voting on the two who get the most votes on the nominating ballot. The vice chairman and the secretary are elected in the same way.

Deacons shall meet at least monthly for fellowship and to carry out their responsibilities. Meetings shall also be held each Sunday morning prior to the worship service for meditation and prayer.

Each month, four deacons shall be designated "Deacons of the Month", and they shall greet people at services, assume pastoral responsibilities when the pastor is away, assist the Pastor as needed, and share leadership in the worship services.

SECTION B: Other Church Officers

Church officers shall include the Deacons, Sunday School Director, WMU Director, Stewardship Emphasis Chairman, Church Clerk, and Church Treasurer. The church may elect assistants to various of these officers as it deems necessary. The church shall provide each of these officers with organizational books to help them understand the nature of their responsibilities.

Church officers begin their terms of service September 1.

SECTION C: Messengers

Messengers to Meetings of the Southern Baptist Convention, the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the Greenville Baptist Association and representatives of the church to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

With as much advance notice as possible, the congregation shall be notified of the dates and locations of annual meetings in an effort to identify members volunteering to attend, and periodic announcements thereafter shall appear in The Herald. If there are fewer volunteers than the number allotted to the church as voting messengers, the Pastor and deacon officers shall serve as a committee to identify members who may be willing to attend. If there are more volunteers than the number of allotted votes, selection of the slate of nominees (one for each slot) shall be by random draw, with the exception of the Pastor and Chairman of Deacons who shall automatically be selected if they wish to attend. The slate of nominees shall be duly published in The Herald at least one week prior to the business meeting at which the church shall elect the messengers. Since the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship provides that any individual member, church or institution, who gives money to the Fellowship, can participate at any and all business meetings, individuals may attend these functions as individuals or the church may designate a member to represent their interest.

ARTICLE IV -- COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS

SECTION A: Pastor Search Committee and Advisory Committee

When it becomes necessary to elect a pastor, the Nominating committee and the Chairman of Deacons shall nominate a five-member Pastor search Committee and a fifteen-member Advisory committee, each of which shall be a cross-section of the church. These nominations shall be subject to approval by the church.

SECTION B: Nominating Committee and Church Elections

1. Selection

The Pastor and deacon officers shall nominate six new members, including a youth member, and shall nominate one of these as chairman-elect. The previous year's chairman-elect shall be nominated as chairman. These names, which shall include that of at least one deacon, shall be submitted to the Deacons for approval at the February meeting. In the next issue of The Herald, the names shall be published. One full week after this announcement, the congregation shall have opportunity on Sunday morning to nominate up to four additional members to the committee.. These people must have given their consent to serve. If there are no nominations from the floor, the moderator shall entertain a motion to accept the nominees by acclamation. If nominations are made from the floor, the entire list shall be published in The Herald and, on the following Sunday, the moderator shall entertain a notion to accept the entire list by acclamation.

Beginning with the day of election, this committee shall serve for one year.

2. Duties

The Nominating Committee shall nominate one person for each office on the ballot for general church election. Nominee slates, especially those of deacon nominees, shall be a cross-section of the church, such as age, occupation and gender.

The Nominating committee shall assist the Sunday School Council, if needed, in securing officers and teachers.

The Nominating Committee shall attempt to complete its work according to the dates published in the Augusta Heights Baptist Church Committee Manual.

3. Election of Church Officers

Names of nominees shall be published in The Herald as soon as practicably possible after the Nominating Committee has selected the slate. On the following Sunday the slate of nominees shall be announced at the morning service, with opportunity given members to nominate additional people for any office, provided they have obtained' the nominees' consent. If there are no nominations from the floor, the moderator shall entertain a motion to accept the nominees by, acclamation. If nominations are made from the floor, the entire list of nominees shall be published in The Herald and election shall be held on the following Sunday. Church members shall vote by ballot, and ushers shall count the ballots.

SECTION C: Stewardship And Budget Planning

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talent, and material possessions; and they should recognize all these as entrusted to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.

There also is stewardship in administering our Lord's money and church concerns. Each member should seek to know the Constitution and Guidelines of the church so that we can vote as God would have us vote on all church decisions.

All lay people and ministerial staff have a holy responsibility of stewardship to Baptist principles.

1. Stewardship Emphasis

The Stewardship Emphasis committee will be one of the regular standing committees.

Our stewardship emphasis program should involve as many members as possible, not only in giving but also in helping to develop stewardship and service in the church. The Stewardship Emphasis Committee is nominated by the Nominating Committee at the same time as other church committees and shall serve for the calendar year.

2. Budget Planning Committee

This committee shall consist of the Finance Committee elected for the current year and the newly elected Church Treasurer. This committee shall prepare the church budget which will be approved by the Deacons and the church by November 30, each year.

3. Special Offerings

There shall be seven special offerings annually: one revival offering, four missionary offerings (the Lottie Moon offering for foreign missions, the Annie Armstrong offering for home missions, and the Janie Chapman offering for state missions, Global Missionary offering for CBF), an offering for world hunger and Connie Maxwell. Any other special offering must approved by the Deacons.

4. Designated Gifts, Memorials, and Honoraria

All special fund accounts must be approved by the Deacons upon recommendation by the Finance Committee who shall each year review the need for continuing each special fund. Gifts, memorials, or honoraria designated for expenditures or purchases not included in the annual church budget and not covered by existing special fund accounts must be approved by the Deacons. The church shall accept such donations contingent upon such approval.

5. Annual Review of Church Financial Records

The Chairman of Deacons shall annually appoint a Financial Records Review Committee which shall review the church financial records.

SECTION D: Standing Committees

The standing committees of the church shall consist of the committees listed in the Augusta Heights Committee Manual.

The functions of these committees are described in the .Augusta Heights Baptist Church Committee Manual. Additions to or deletions from the list must be approved by the Deacons. The Chairperson, staff liaison and deacon representative will be responsible for updating the Committee Manual each year.

Standing committees operate at the direction and in the interest of the entire church body, and all church members are encouraged to participate through making suggestions and requests to these committees.

1. Election and Term of office

The Nominating Committee shall nominate members and chairmen of standing committees. The nominee for chairman shall normally be the vice-chairman from the previous year. At the beginning of each year, standing committee members shall elect as vice-chairman an individual with at least one remaining year of service in the normal committee rotation.

In the absence of a deacon serving as a regular rotating member on a standing committee, the Chairman of Deacons shall appoint a deacon liaison for a one-year term. The Pastor shall appoint a staff liaison member to each standing committee. Liaison members serve as resource persons to maintain communication among the staff, the Deacons, and the committee. Liaison members have no vote in the decisions of the committee.

The Pastor and Chairman of Deacons shall be ex-officio members of each standing committee. The Church Treasurer shall be ex-officio member of the Finance Committee, and the WMU Director shall be an ex-officio member of the Missions Committee.

Committees shall be structured so that approximately one-third of the members will rotate off each year. Committee members shall normally serve three years, which shall be the maximum term for continuous service on one committee. The term of service shall begin January 1.

2. Operating Procedure

The Finance Committee shall be responsible for all moneys, regular tithes and offerings, designated gifts, memorials, and honoraria contributed to the church. It shall be accountable for these funds and only it can authorize the spending of these funds.

a. Budgeted Expenditures

Committees and individuals may make budgeted expenditures or contract for expenditures only after the Finance Committee has confirmed the availability of-the funds and authorized their expenditure.

The Deacons must approve all non-recurring budgeted expenditures for contracted services or commodities exceeding $ 250.

b. Non-budgeted Expenditures

In cases of emergency, a Committee may make expenditures exceeding its budget after consulting, the Finance Committee, which must confirm the availability and authorize the expenditure of the funds.

Requests for expenditures other than those for budgeted items or emergency items shall be presented by the committee chairman directly to the Deacons for their approval and subsequent recommendation of the expenditure to the church for its approval.

ARTICLE V -- MEETINGS

SECTION A: Worship Services and Ordinances

The church shall conduct regular worship services on every Lord's Day, both contemporary and traditional in the morning with an evening service, and a regular prayer service every Wednesday evening, unless otherwise recommended by the Deacons and approved by the church.

In cases of inclement weather, the Pastor and Chairman of Deacons shall decide if services will be canceled.

Normally, the Lord's Supper shall be observed during the morning worship services of the first Sunday of every other month.

The baptism of new members, normally during a morning worship service, shall occur as soon as practicably possible after their professions of faith.

SECTION B: Business Meetings

Quarterly business meetings shall be held the second Wednesday evening of the first month of each quarter so that committee chairmen and church officers may report to the church on their activities and church members may participate and be informed. The regular quarterly meeting may be held on a different Wednesday evening after approval by the Deacons and at least one week's advance notice in The Herald. The church may be called into business session during the regular meeting time of any Wednesday evening to conduct routine business matters. No business meeting shall be held at times other than those of regular congregational services (See Article V, Section A).

When an issue of importance is to be considered, the matter to be voted upon shall be printed in The Herald at least one week prior to the meeting and an announcement of the topic shall be made from the pulpit on the Sunday morning preceding the meeting date.

When a motion is presented in a business meeting that will require the church to borrow money, the motion should include the people authorized to sign the note.

SECTION C: Meetings Concerning Church Property

Land purchases, construction, and building renovations shall be thoroughly discussed by all concerned committees. The committees shall present their recommendations to the Deacons for their approval. An announcement of a business meeting for discussion of the recommendations shall appear in The Herald and be made from the pulpit at least one week prior to the business meeting. The voting date shall be announced and publicized at least one week in advance, at which time the recommendation shall be subject to final approval by the church.

SECTION D: Procedures

Unless otherwise specified in this document, actions may be approved by the church by a simple majority vote of church members present.

All meetings shall be conducted according to the guidelines of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

The Pastor shall serve as moderator of business meetings unless he wishes to ask the chairman of Deacons to moderate.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OR GUIDELINES

The constitution and guidelines shall be reviewed on an annual basis by a committee appointed by the Chairman of the Deacons and the Pastor.

Amendments to the Constitution or the Guidelines may be made upon recommendation by the Deacons and approval by the church at a duly announced business meeting.

May 9, 1999
Amended 9/12/99