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WAIANAE BAPTIST CHURCH

Constitution and Bylaws

(Revised and Adopted January 31, 2010)

 

CONSTITUTION

  1. PREAMBLE

 

We declare and establish this Constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our faith and to govern the body in an orderly manner.  This Constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual Church Member and the freedom of action of this body in its relation to other Churches.  We desire to continue our incorporation as a nonprofit corporation in accordance with the laws of the State of Hawaii and to obtain the rights and benefits conferred by said laws upon nonprofit corporations.

 

  1. NAME AND LOCATION

 

This body shall be known as the WAIANAE BAPTIST CHURCH, located at 85-131 Ala Hema Street, Waianae, Hawaii, 96792.

 

  1. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE

 

We will proclaim the gospel to the world (Matthew 28:19-20) and see each individual Member spiritually healthy and mature (Ephesians 4:15-16), daily conforming to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29) with a commitment and concern for one another (Philippians 2:2-3) and the world (John 3:17).

 

  1. STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

 

We acknowledge the ultimate authority in all matters of faith, order, and morals is and must be the Bible alone, which is clearly set forth in our Constitution.  However, in the face of doctrinal confusion, controversy, and human weakness, it is necessary for the Church to set forth its understanding of the Bible on primary matters of faith and practice.  Thus, we adopt as our articles of faith and doctrinal teaching the current statement of “The Baptist Faith and Message” adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention.  This historic document, though a human document and therefore not inerrant, is an excellent summary of “the things most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1) and we find it to be an assistance in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness.

 

  1. POLITY AND RELATIONSHIPS

 

The Bible alone is absolutely binding upon our consciences, as our final and ultimate authority in all ecclesiastical matters.  Yet, it is proper and necessary for any organization to set forth clearly what its purposes are and the principles by which those purposes will be pursued.

 

The congregational form of government of this Church is vested in the body of believers who compose it (Acts 6:1-8).  A person duly received by the Members shall constitute the Membership.

 

All internal groups created and empowered by the Church shall report to and be accountable only to the Church, unless otherwise specified by Church action (Acts 6:1-8).

 

This Church is subject to no other ecclesiastical body, but recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Southern Baptist Churches.  Insofar as is practical, this Church will cooperate with and support the Southern Baptist Association, State, and Convention.

 

We are committed and bound to follow this Constitution conscientiously.  We are never at liberty to violate it at whim or to ignore its provisions and requirements, lest we be brought to confusion and chaos, for God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).  Therefore, any actions taken in violation of its statements, provisions and requirements are not valid acts of this Church.

 

Should the Church cease to exist as a Southern Baptist Church, the property of 85-131 Ala Hema Street (TMK 8-5-3-41) will be deeded back to the HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION.

 

BYLAWS

 

  1. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

 

Scripture commands (Hebrews 10:25) the fact that whereas all believers are bound to join themselves to particular Churches, they are, by joining a particular Church, admitted unto the privileges of that Church.  Some of the privileges and benefits of Membership are listed in the Waianae Baptist Church Manual located in the Church Office.

 

  1. General

 

This is a sovereign and democratic Southern Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  The Membership retains the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this Church.

               

The Membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be Members of this Church and the conditions of such Membership.

 

  1. Candidacy

 

All persons who, in the discernment of the Senior Pastor, are capable of mature, independent judgment as appears sufficient to obey the Gospel may offer themselves as a candidate for Membership in this Church in the following ways:

 

  1. By profession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and for baptism according to the Scriptures and policies of this Church (Acts 2:37-42, 5:14, 8:12, 16:30-34, 20:21).

 

  1. By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Southern Baptist Church, a declaration of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and baptism by the policies of this Church (Acts 2:37-42, 5:14, 8:12, 16:30-34, 20:21), express substantial agreement with the Constitution and Bylaws of this Church (1 Corinthians 1:10, 14:40; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; Acts 15:39), and are willing to submit to its government (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 14:40; 2 Corinthians 13:7) and discipline (Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 5:13-14).

 

  1. By statement of prior conversion experience, a declaration of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and baptism by the policies of this Church (Acts 2:37-42, 5:14, 8:12, 16:30-34, 20:21), express substantial agreement with the Constitution and Bylaws of this Church (1 Corinthians 1:10, 14:40; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; Acts 15:39), and are willing to submit to its government (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 14:40; 2 Corinthians 13:7) and discipline (Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 5:13-14).

 

Detailed procedures for those seeking to present themselves as candidates for Membership are listed within the Waianae Baptist Church Manual located in the Church Office.

 

Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the Senior Pastor for investigation.  The receiving of a candidate into Membership may be postponed until any objections are resolved to the Senior Pastor’s satisfaction (Acts 9:26-28; Revelation 2:2).  If there are no unresolved objections, the Senior Pastor will make a recommendation to the Church within thirty (30) days. 

 

A three-fourths (3/4) vote of those Church Members present and voting at a properly called Business Meeting shall be required to elect such candidates to Membership.

 

 

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  1. New Members Orientation

 

New members of this Church are expected to participate in the Church’s New Member Orientation (when offered).

 

  1. Rights of Members

 

Each Member of the Church is acknowledged to form a vital part of the body and to have a special function in the life of that body (1 Corinthians 12:4-27).  Practical considerations, however, require that certain distinctions be recognized in the Membership of this Church.

 

Upon activation of Membership, every active Member of the Church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the Church, provided the Member is present.

 

Any Member who does not maintain a minimal contact through regular attendance of worship services and/or the giving in support of the ministry and expenses of the Church, for a period of three (3) months, will be automatically placed by default on an inactive, non-voting member status at the discretion of the Senior Pastor, with the consent of the Church, until such time they represent themselves as a candidate for active Membership and the rights therein.  The Senior Pastor will investigate the candidate desiring to re-activate Membership status and make a recommendation to the Church within thirty (30) days.  A three-fourths (3/4) vote of Members present and voting at a properly called Business Meeting shall be required to elect such candidates to active Membership status.

 

The Church will review inactive Memberships on an annual basis and take appropriate action.

 

Only for properly called Business Meetings, as designated in advance and approved by the Church Members, will absentee ballots be accepted from active Members.

 

  1. Expectations for Active Members

 

The Scriptures declare that all Church Members are called as saints (Romans 1:7, et al.) who demonstrate the grace that is in them by walking together in particular societies, or Churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which He requires of them in the world.  The privilege of being a Member of the visible Church of Christ brings with it high responsibilities to walk worthy of the Gospel and to contribute to the health and peace of the Church (Ephesians 4:16; Philippians 1:27).  These responsibilities in summary are as follows, with the details listed in the Waianae Baptist Church Manual located in the Church Office:

 

  1. Attendance at Stated Meetings

 

  1. Financial Support

 

  1. Promotion of Edification and Peace

 

  1. Support of and Submission to the Leadership

 

  1. A Godly Christian Life

 

 

 

 

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  1. Termination of Membership

 

The summary of termination of Membership and its implications is as follows, with the details listed in the Waianae Baptist Church Manual located within the Church Office:

 

  1. By the death of the member (Hebrews 12:23).

 

  1. By voluntary termination through the request of the member.

 

  1. By request of membership transfer of letter to another Church.

 

  1. By termination of this Church.

 

  1. By the passing of twelve (12) months after knowledge of the member permanently leaving the Island of Oahu.

 

  1. Discipline

 

The Waianae Baptist Church recognizes the necessity for Church discipline (1 Corinthians 5) and its guidelines as set forth in Scripture (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1).

 

It shall be the basic purpose of the Waianae Baptist Church to emphasize to its Members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled Member.  The Senior Pastor, Assistant Pastor(s), and Deacon(s) will be available for counsel and guidance.  The attitude of Members toward one another shall be guided by concern for redemption rather than punishment (Galatians 6:1-2).

 

Should some serious condition exist which would cause a Member to become a liability to the general welfare of the Church, the Senior Pastor, Assistant Pastor(s), Deacon(s), and all Members will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem in accord with Matthew 18:15-20. 

 

Finding that the welfare of the Church will best be served by the removal of that Member from the Church Membership, the Church may take action to remove a Member by majority (51%) vote of those Members present and voting.  All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance.

               

The Church may restore to Membership any person previously excluded, upon request of the excluded person, and by a vote of the Church upon evidence of the excluded person’s repentance and reformation.  A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Members present is required to reinstate a previously excluded Member back to active Membership status.

 

Other procedural details outlining the formative and corrective discipline with the Members of this Church are listed in the Waianae Baptist Church Manual located within the Church Office.

 

  1. CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND MINISTRY OFFICERS AND LEADERS

 

All who serve as Church Organization and Ministry Leaders shall be active Members of this Church.  Their elections and specific duties are incorporated into the Waianae Baptist Church Manual located within the Church Office.  At the Annual Business Meeting, the Church will vote on Church Organization and Ministry Leaders being asked to serve. 

 

  1. CHURCH PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

 

The Church shall maintain (to the best of its abilities) programs of Bible teachings’, Church Member training, Church Leader training, new Member orientation, mission education, action, and support, and music education.  All organizations related to the Church programs shall be under Church control, coordination, and approval unless otherwise designated by the Church.  All Officers are elected to serve and report to the Church. 

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  1. CHURCH MEETINGS

 

  1. Worship Services

 

  1. We will hold regular worship services and meetings. 

 

  1. Special services will be announced in advance.

 

  1. Business Meetings

 

  1. There shall be an Annual Business Meeting of the Church on the third (3rd) Sunday of January for the hearing of reports, the election and confirmation of Church Officers, approval of recommendations from the Nominating Committee, and the transaction of other business.  Special Business Meetings may be called at other times at the discretion of the Senior Pastor and/or Church Council Members.

 

  1. A properly called special Business Meeting will be publicly announced at a regular worship service.  A minimum of seven (7) days notice shall be given for any meeting at which official Church business is to be conducted.  However, in the case of an emergency, a meeting may be called on shorter notice by notifying each active Member of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.

 

  1. The active Members present and voting at any properly called congregational meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.                                                              

  

  1. Depending on the nature of the specific subject(s), if only a vote needs to be taken without discussions, a simple ballot may be passed out for Members to vote on and a public announcement will be made once the vote is counted and recorded by the Church Clerk.

 

  1. All active Members in the Church may vote on any question properly brought before the congregation.  Unanimity of heart, mind and voice under God shall at all times be sought and prayed for (Acts 6:5), but when unanimity is not realized, not less than a majority (51%) of the Members present and voting at a properly called Business Meeting shall be required to constitute approval of any resolution.  In some cases, as specified in the Constitution, a two-thirds (2/3) or three-fourths (3/4) majority shall be required.

 

  1. In the event of a “tie” vote the Moderator may vote or decline to vote.  If he/she declines, the matter is decided in the negative.

 

  1. No Member is entitled to speak on a matter or a motion preparatory to making a motion unless he/she is explaining why in his/her judgment such a motion

should be made.  However, it is better to make a motion, get a second to it, and then explain the motion.

 

  1. In case there are several nominees for an office, the Moderator should call first for a vote on the nominee last named, and so on.

 

  1. All reports, motions and resolutions of any considerable length should be written out and handed to the Clerk.

 

  1. In the case of conflict, Christ’s spirit of love shall be the ultimate authority.  Robert’s Rules of Order, latest Revision, will prevail as the authority for parliamentary rules of procedures for all Business Meetings of the Church and may be suspended by the Senior Pastor and/or Moderator in order to maintain a spirit of harmony within the Church.

 

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  1. CHURCH FINANCES

 

  1. Accounting Procedures

 

A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling of all funds shall be the responsibility of the Senior Pastor, Church Officers, Treasurer, and Budget and Finance Committee.

 

  1. Fiscal Year

 

The Church fiscal year for budget planning shall run January 1 through December 31.

 

  1. CHURCH OPERATION, PROCEDURE, AND POLICY MANUAL

 

The Church shall develop and regularly maintain a Church Manual to include approved instructions and details referred to in the Bylaws, Church operations procedures and policies, and general job descriptions for all positions within the Church.Included in the Church Manual will be organization charts depicting lines of responsibilities in the administration of the Church.The Church Manual shall be kept in the Church Office and made available for use upon request by any member.The Church Clerk shall maintain the Church Manual unless otherwise designated to the Church Secretary.The Church Manual shall be reviewed and approved at the Annual meeting.Any Church Member or Church organization may initiate suggested changes in the Church Manual.

 

Addition, revision, or deletion of Church policies requires: (1) the recommendation of the Church Officer or Organization to whose areas of assignment the policy relates, and (2) approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of active Church Members present and voting.

 

Procedures governing specific organizations within the Church, may be added, revised, or deleted by: (1) the recommendation of the Church Officer or Organization to whose areas of assignment the policy relates, and (2) approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of active Church Members present and voting.

 

  1. CHURCH ORDINANCES

 

  1. Baptism

 

Only confessed disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are proper candidates for baptism, and all such persons should be baptized (Acts 2:38). Believing that baptism is the God-ordained means of declaring personal union with Christ through faith (Romans 6:3-5), we shall receive into the regular Membership of the Church only those who have been baptized in the Biblical mode, which is by immersion and “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).

 

  1. Baptism shall be by immersion in water (unless medical reasons exist that prohibiting such.  Then, the Senior Pastor shall determine the mode to be used).

 

  1. Baptism may be administered by anyone who has been authorized by the Church to perform such function.

 

  1. Lord’s Supper

 

The Church shall observe the Lord’s Supper at least once per year and as often as is decided upon by the Senior Pastor.Such observance is to include as part of the service the instruction given in Scripture found in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.Accordingly, we as a congregation open our Observance to all who profess faith in the Gospel of Christ Jesus, are submitted to Him in the Body of Christ, have examined themselves, and desire to participate.Such determination shall be made by each individual according to their conscience before God.

 

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  1.  AMENDMENTS

 

Changes in the Constitution and Bylaws may be made at any properly called Business Meeting of the Church provided each amendment shall have been furnished to Members present at three consecutive Sunday services prior to the Business Meeting.Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be by two-thirds (2/3) vote of active church Members present and voting at a properly called Business Meeting.