Williams Chapel Baptist Church
Constitution & By-Laws
Article I. The Church
Section I. Name
This Church shall be known as The Williams Chapel Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas.
Section II. Purpose
The purpose of this Church is to maintain public services for the worship of God,
the teaching and preaching of the Gospel and to promote the mission and interest of the Kingdom of God
according to the teachings of His Son, Jesus Christ. We strive to uphold and practice to the best of our ability the
Baptist Covenant which is on display inside the sanctuary. We believe the following to be true:
a. We believe there is one and only on true God, The living God, the maker of three equal
but with distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
b. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father
and God the Son and have the same nature. We believe His job is to convict of sin and draw men, women, boys, and girls
to Jesus Christ.
c. We believe that Satan is real, and once was holy and enjoyed heavenly honors but through
pride and ambition to be as the Almighty, fell in sin and drew with him a host of angels, that he is now the prince of the
air, the unholy god of this world.
d. We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and roamed this earth in the flesh
sinless for 33 1/3 years before he was falsely accused, hung, bled, and died on the cross to save us from our sins.
We believe that he arose from the dead, having all power in his hands.
Section III. Policy
The Church recognizes the scripture of the Old and New Testaments as its sole authority in matters
of faith, practice and doctrine.
Section IV. Baptism and The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer; in the name
of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, with the authority of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and a beautiful,
our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. We shall take of the Lord's Supper monthly on the first Sunday
in remembrance of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Article II. Membership
Section I. Reception
Members may be received into fellowship of this church at regular worship services, at Bible
study/prayer meetings and at any regular or special service. Reception may be granted by baptism, acceptance of letters
from sister churches, or by Christian experience.
Section II. Transfer
Letters of transfer are granted for members upon request to churches of like faith and order.
Should a member become an offense to the Church by (a) reason of immoral or un-Christian conduct, (b) by persistent breech
of his covenant vows (c) by non support of the Church, the Church may terminate his/her membership, but only after due notice
and hearing, and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such members to repentance and reform. The membership
of any one person shall be terminated (except when by letter or by members request) at the meeting when the recommendation
for such action is made. Any person whose membership has been terminated for any offense may be restored by the church
leadership.
Section III. Discipline
Should a member become an offense to the Church by reason of immoral or un-Christian like conduct,
or by persistent breech of his convenant vows, or by non support of the Church, the Church may terminate his/her membership,
but only after due notice and hearing, and after faithful efforts have been made to bring such member to repentance and reform.
The membership of no person shall be terminated (except when by letter or by the member's request) at the meeting when the
recommendation for such action is made. Any person whose membership has been terminated for any offense may be restored
by the Church leadership.
Article III. Church Staff
Section I. Pastor
A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs by a Pastoral Election
Committee. The pastor shall oversee the welfare of the church and shall be its primary leader and preacher. He,
or a church leader he designates in accordance with these By-Laws, shall preside at all meetings of the church. He shall
supervise other ministerial staff and oversee Church employees. He must be an ordained Baptist minister and shall be
called for an indefinite term. A salary shall be set at the time of the call and may be changed at the vote of the Church
leadership at any time deemed necessary. The pastor shall be given sick time with full pay and two weeks vacation each
year with pay. If desired, the pastor can work through this vacation period and take his normal pay at any time during
the fiscal year. The call of a pastor shall come before the Church at a called or regular business meeting. Notice
of such meetings and its purpose will be announced (2) two successive Sundays previous to a meeting. A three-fourths
affirmative vote of voting members present at such a meeting will be necessary to make such action valid. Only one candidate
shall be presented to the Church at one time. The vote shall be by written ballot. The pastor shall serve the
Church in his pastoral position as long as he, the pastor, feels the Holy Spirit shall have him to do so. A vote shall
not come to dismiss the Pastor from his position or duties of a Pastor of the Williams Chapel Baptist Church of Marshall,
Texas, unless (1) Proven preaching or teaching of doctrine different from tthe attached doctrinal statements in these
By-Laws and/ or (2) Proven immorality on the part of the Pastor. If a charge of immorality or preaching or teaching
doctrine different from the attached doctrinal statement, a business meeting shall be called, having been announced (2)
successive Sundays stating the purpose of the meeting. In order for the Pastor to be dismissed from his position or
duties, seventy-five (75) percent of the active members enrolled of voting age must vote to dismiss the pastor. If seventy-five
(75) percent of active members of voting age do not vote to dismiss the Pastor, the charges shall be dismissed.
Section II. Deacons
Deacons are to serve with the pastor and staff in proclaiming the Gospel; ministering to
the needs of members of the church and community; and leading the church to engage in worship, witness, Bible teaching,
ministry, and application of Biblical principals. In addition, deacons, as lay spiritual leaders of the church, mayprovide
advice and counsel to the pastor and staff, other church officers, committees and organizations, or individual church members,
as requested. Their purpose shall be to advance the total mission of the church.
1. Qualifications...The scripture, specifically Acts 6:3 and 1Timothy 3:8-13, shall
be used for guidance in selecting deacons. An important consideration is faithful attendance and support of the ministries
of the Church.
2. Term, Eligibility, and Election...A deacon will serve in a lifetime committment
to the church in that position. Nominations for deacons will be made by the deacons and the congregation at large.
Male members at least 21 years of age are eligible for election as deacons. Members coming from other Baptist
churches will be eligible for election as deacons after a year's membership in this Church. New Christians and members
coming from other denominations will be eligible for election as deacons after one year's membership in this church.
A deacon will counsel with each nominee. Those agreeing to serve will be introduced to the church and have their names
submitted for a congregational vote, and at a date in the near future will be ordained as deacon. Special deacon elections
may be held as needed. Deacons must be elected by a majority affirmative vote, excluding abstenions.
Section III. Trustees
The trustees shall consist of not less than five (5) regularly attending and financially supporting
members. They shall have legal care and custody of the property of the church. Trustees shall have the duty to
sign mortgages, notes, and deeds, as it may be necessary from time to time on behalf of the Church.
Section IV. Church Clerk/Secretary/Treasurer
The clerk shall keep a fair record of all business of the Church, keep an active church roll,
write for letters of people joining the Church, and send the letters of people leaving the Church.
The Treasurer shall have the duty to pay all orders drawn by him/her by the order of the Church,
pastor, or trustees. He/She shall also keep an exact record of the income of the church and the disbursements of the
Church.
The secretary shall receive all payments of regular and special pledges, and collections, while
keeping a record of these payments. The secretary will make deposits to the bank and also make financial reports of
monies paid and received at the quarterly business meetings. He/She will also upon request provide a statement showing
the amount any member paid in tithes and offerings during a fiscal year for tax or any other purposes. The secretary
will not be able to provide this information unless a member places their tithes and offerings in an envelope with their name
and their offering amount written on it. Please ask any usher for these envelopes.
The church clerk/secretary will be paid a salary agreed upon by the church leadership monthly.
This person will be due a one week (Sunday) vacation per year with pay. If elected to do so, this person can work through
their vacation and take the week's pay anytime during that year.
Section V. Sunday School Superintendent/Teachers
The Sunday School Superintendent shall take responsibility for the general supervision and administration
of the Church Sunday School. The Pastor will appoint a Superintendent as he deems necessary.
Sunday School Teachers will be appointed by the Pastor upon recommendation of the Sunday School
Superintendent and shall be removed as deemed necessary by the Pastor without a vote of the Church.
Section VI. Musicians
Musicians shall be hired or appointed by church leadership and can be removed as deemed necessary
by the Pastor without a vote of the Church. The musicians will be paid a salary agreed upon by the Church leadership.
They will be paid on a weekly basis with their salary being continually up for review. The musicians have a one week
(Monday-Sunday) vacation per year where they will be paid their regular salary in their absence. If desired, they can
work through this period and receive an extra week's pay when desired.
Section VI. Ushers
The Church shall have members to serve as ushers at worship services, and as needed at special
meetings and special programs. The head usher is responsible for developing a plan of rotation or assignment for ushers
and providing proper instructions and training in the performance of their duties. Among the functions of the ushers
are assuring that the sanctuary is prepared for services, greeting worshippers, distributing bulletins, programs, hymnals
and in other ways being attentive to the needs and comfort of the congregation. They should be available to assist,
as needed, in restoring the sanctuary or meeting place to physical order after use.
Section VII. Building and Sanctuary Cleanup
This position is for the weekly cleanup of the sanctuary and building in preparing for the next
planned service or event. This person will be paid a weekly salary agreed upon by the Church leadership. This
person's salary is paid weely and will continually be up for review. He/She will be due one week's vacation (Monday-Sunday)
with pay per year and may elect to work through and receive a one week salary whenever desired.
Section VIII. Groundskeeper
The groundskeeper job will be to see that the grounds in the area of the building are kept mowed
and groomed when necessary. This person will receive a salary agreed upon by Church leadership. This person will
not be due any vacation time for their services. He/She will be paid only on weeks where there was work needed
to be performed and will need to instruct the church clerk concerning their weeks worked.
Section IV. Kitchen Committee
This committee will be in charge of purchasing and preparing food for special occations where
dinner is served. They are to prepare the food and plates for guests and members when necessary. This committee
is also responsible for seeing that the kitchen area is left in a clean and desirable manner after these occasions.
Section X. Other Auxiliary Organizations
No organizations in the Church shall be considered as independent or apart from the Church, and
it shall be organized within the Church and under the supervision of the Pastor. this includes such groups as the Youth
Department, Praise Dancers, Singles Ministry, Mission, Brotherhood or any other organization(s) they might form.
Article IV. Business Meetings
Section I. Authorization and Procedure
Either the Pastor or the Deacon(s) shall direct the Clerk to issue the call for any business
meeting of the Church. The Pastor can call a special meeting upon the signed, written request of five (5) members, stating
the purpose of the meeting. Notice of all meetings and the object for which they are called shall be read from the pulpit
at least one week in advance of the date of the meeting.
Section II. Annual Meetings
The annual business meetings of the Williams Chapel Baptist Church shall be held quarterly in/or
around the months of March, June, and September, and December of each fiscal year. There will be a financial report
given by the treasures and all old and new business will be discussed in an orderly manner being led by the Pastor or Deacon(s)
in the pastors absence.
Section II. Qualifications of Voters
Only members who are of legal voting age in the state of Texas (18) shall vote on the purchase,
sale orr mortgage of Church Property. On all other matters, members who are 15 years of age or older are entitled to
vote.
Section III. Quorum
Twenty (20) members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Church.
Article V. Benevolence Funds
Section I. Purpose
1. To provide for the collection, distribution, and proper management of the money and
goods contributed to the needy.
2. To provide an opportunity for the Church to be God's channel of blessing to the needy.
3. To encourage a spirit of compassion and caring for the needy.
4. To teach the recipients to depend more on Him more fully as they trust God to provide
their needs.
Section II. Request for Funds
Those in need or either someone whom observed someone in need will:
1. Complete the "Consideration for Financial Assistance" form.
2. Request for support must have (s) the name, address, and phone number of the person(s)
seeking assistance. (b) A brief summary of their current financial status (c) Statement of need (money, food, housing,
prayer, counsel, etc.) (d) The date the funds will be expected to be returned.
Section III. Recipients
1. The primary focus is to assist Christians, specifically members
and regular attendees of the Williams Chapel Baptist Church.
2. To show love and mercy to all in need, including non-Christians.
Section IV. Benevolent Funds Place of Funding
The monies given to the needy will come directly from the general Church fund.
Section V. Distribution of Funds
1. The church leadership shall take under advisement any financial burden brought to their
attention.
2. For any amount $100 or less, funds may be given upon approval of a deacon and the pastor.
3. Gasoline or food requested in the $5-$10 allotments, may be distributed immediately
upon completion of a request application, verification of need, and approval by the pastor or any one of the deacons.
4. For request exceeding $100, approval must be met by the Church Board of Trustees along
with the Pastor and deacons if desired by the pastor.
5. Determination of support shall be based on need and availability of funds.
6. Checks distributed will be designated for a specific purpose (e.g. rent, gas) and so
noted on the check.
7. The deacons will be responsible to the church as to the allocation of funds, however,
the names and specific details of each case will be held confidential.
Article VI. Fiscal Year
The Williams Chapel Baptist Church's fiscal year shall be from January 1st to December 31st.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE WILLIAMS CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH OF MARSHALL, TEXAS, INC.
NOVEMBER 7, 2003
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