Section 2 - 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 of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
A. My Covenant Concerning My Church:
B. My Covenant Concerning My Stewardship:
C. My Covenant Concerning My Home:
D. My Covenant Concerning My Conduct:
E. My Covenant Concerning My Relationship to Fellow Church Members:
F. My Covenant Concerning My Church Membership:
Section 1 - Admission of Members:
Persons may be received into membership by any of the following methods, subject in each case to the recommendation of the membership and the vote of the church.
A. By Baptism:
A person who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and adopts substantial views of faith and principles of this church, and is baptized by immersion, may be received into the fellowship of the church.
By Letter:
A person who is substantial in accord with the views of faith and the principles of this church may be received by letter from any other Baptist Church.
By Experience:
A person may become a member by Christian experience, if he or she was a member of a Baptist Church and after exemplifying loyalty to Christ and faithfulness for six months, will become a full member.
By Watch Care:
A person who is a member of another Baptist Church, but is sojourning in this community for a period of time, may be received in to the membership of the church. Students may unite under watch care while they are enrolled in a local institution of learning. A person under watch care will have all the rights and privileges of members except that of voting.
Section 2 - Dismissal of Members:
A. By Letter:
Any member may transfer his or her letter to another church.
B. By Statement:
Any member in good standing may be granted a certificate of standing for the purpose associating himself or herself with any evangelical church other than a Baptist Church.
C. By Exclusion:
Any member who is proven to be unworthy, his or her connection with the body is dissolved, and membership ceases until repentance (Matthew 18:15-17; I Corinthians 5:9-13, and The Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches).
D. By Death:
The death of a member of course dissolves the relationship.
Article V - Pastor
Section 1 - Function and Responsibilities:
The Pastor with the assistance of the Deacon's Ministry shall be the spiritual leaders of the church in accordance with (I Timothy 3:8-13). His primary responsibilities shall be to preach the gospel, teach the scripture, administer the sacraments, minister to those in need of pastoral care; and enlist others as followers of Christ. He shall have under his care all services of public worship. He shall be an ex-official member of all ministries and committees. He shall make reports to the Deacon's Ministry or the church assembly. He shall administer the activities of the church in cooperation with the various ministries, committees, and officers. The pastor should be the moderator and shall preside at all business meetings of the church except when he appoints someone else.
Section 2 - Selecting a Pastor:The Pulpit Committee shall consist of nine members appointed by the Deacon's Ministry; and composed of the following members: two Deacons, two Trustees, and one member from the Missionary Ministry, the Usher's Ministry, Choir Ministry, Christian Education Ministry; and Youth Ministry. The chairman of the Deacon's Ministry shall serve as chair of this committee. A quorum of five present is necessary for a decision.
A. It shall be the responsibility of the Pulpit Committee to seek between one to three candidates for a vacancy for a vacancy in the office of pastor before making a recommendation.
B. The Pulpit Committee may request from the Rocky River Baptist Association, or any Association's relevant information about any minister whom it wishes to consider for the vacancy.
C. The call of a pastor shall come before the church at a regularly called business meeting. Notice of such meeting and its purpose having been announced on two (2) successive Sundays. A vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present and qualified to vote shall be necessary to extend a call. Only one candidate shall be presented to the church at any one regular meeting. The vote shall be by written ballot.
Section 3 - Salary and Vacation:The pastor shall be called for an indefinite period of time. The salary shall be fixed at the time of the call and may be changed by vote of the church at annual conference providing that such a change has been considered by the Deacons and Trustees' Ministries in a joint meeting. The salary shall be paid in bi-monthly or monthly installments as desired by the pastor. The pastor shall be given annual vacations as follows: One year - one week, three years - two weeks, six years - three weeks, nine years - four weeks, and fifteen years - five weeks.
Section 4 - Resignation and Termination:The pastor's term of office may be ended by ninety days of notification on the part of the pastor or church by mutual consent. Termination of the office shall be voted on at a called business meeting, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been read on two successive Sundays. A vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present and qualified to vote shall make a valid termination of said office by written ballot.
Section 5 - Assistant Pastors:In the event the church considers it wise to have one or more assistant pastors, the pastor is given the authority to select an assistant(s), subject to consent and approval of the church body.
Article VI - Deacon Ministry
Section 1 - Functions and Responsibilities:
A. Functions:
The Deacons are to serve where assigned by the Pastor in performing pastoral ministries: Proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers, caring for the church members and others in the community, leading the church to engage in fellowship, worship, witness, education, ministry and application.
B. Responsibilities:
A deacon may serve the church as long as he maintains deacon's integrity according to Scripture (I Timothy 3:8-13). If a deacon becomes incapacitated, then he will be known as a Deacon Emeritus.
E. Election:
There shall be a ministry of seven (7) or more deacons. The deacons shall be ordained to do their work according to Acts 6:1-8, and I Timothy 3:8-13. Deacons shall be elected by the following procedures:
F. Qualifications:
As stated in section B, the scriptural qualifications are the same. No person shall be presented as a candidate for deacon unless he has been a member of the church for at least two (2) years. The church may find good and sufficient cause remove any deacon from office. There is no obligation to constitute an active deacon, as a person who comes to the church from another church where he served as deacon.
G. Office Tenure:
The chairman of Deacons should not serve more than two (2) consecutive years.
H. Removing of a Deacon:
The Deacons may recommend that any active Deacon be removed for any activity and conduct unbecoming a Deacon. This requires a vote in the Deacon's meeting and two thirds (2/3) of those voting must favor removal. It would then be presented to the church and must receive a two thirds (2/3) for removal vote.
Article VII - Deaconess Ministry
Section 1- Functions and Responsibilities:
In accordance with the meaning of the work an practice of Deacons in the New Testament, Deacons and Deaconess are to be servants of the church. Their responsibility is to serve with the Pastor and staff in performing the Pastoral duties of the church.
Section 2 - Tenure:
A Deaconess may serve the church as long as she maintains Deaconess integrity according to the Scripture (Romans 16: 1-2). If a Deaconess becomes incapacitated, then she will be known as a Deaconess Emeritus.
Section 3 - Elections:
The members of the Deaconess Ministry shall be elected upon the recommendation of the Pastor and the Deacons Ministry.
Section 4 - Removing A Deaconess:
The Pastor, Deacons, and Deaconess Ministries may recommend that any active Deaconess be removed for any activity and conduct unbecoming a Deaconess. This requires a vote in the Deaconess meeting and two thirds (2/3) of those voting must favor removal. It would then be presented to the church and receive a two thirds (2/3) for removal vote.
Article VIII - Trustees Ministry
Section 1 - Qualifications and Responsibilities:
Section 3 - Office Tenure:
The chairman of the Trustees shall not serve more than three (3) consecutive years. If a Trustee becomes incapacitated, then he/she will be known as Trustee Emeritus.
Section 4 - Removing of a Trustee:
A Trustee may serve the church as long as he/she maintains Trustee integrity according to Scripture (Acts 6:1-5). This requires a vote in the Trustee's meeting and two thirds (2/3) of those voting must favor removal. It would then be presented to the Pastor, Deacons, and Trustee's ministries and to the church and receive a two thirds (2/3) for removal vote.
Article IX - Church Officers and Ministries
Church officers shall include the moderator (pastor), in his absence the chairman/vice chairman of the Deacons will serve. Other church officers shall include chairman/vice chairman of Trustees, Clerk/assistant Clerk, and Treasurer/assistant Treasurer. All officers are to be born again believers who are active in the total program of the church. As long as these officers faithfully execute his or her duties, they shall be reinstated or elected at annual conferences.
A. Clerk / Assistant Clerk:
He/she shall keep in a suitable book a record of all the actions of the church except as otherwise herein provided. To be responsible for keeping a register of the names of the members with dates of admission, dismissal, or death, also a record of baptism. Issue letters of dismissal voted by the church, prepare bulletins, programs, preserve on file all communications and written official reports, and give legal notice of all meetings where such notice is necessary. The church records are church property and should be filed in the church.
B. Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer:
It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, preserve and payout upon receipt of vouchers approved and signed by authorized persons, all money or things of value paid or given at the church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements. The Treasurers shall be custodians for all monies contributed to the church through tithes, offerings, building funds and Ministries. To see that all funds are properly deposited, and bank statements, canceled checks records are maintained at the church. Sign all checks disbursed, and are bonded.
C. Sunday School Superintendent / Assistant Ministry:
The Superintendents are responsible to the church for planning, conducting, and evaluating the value of this ministry.
Responsibilities:
K. Pastor's Aid Ministry:
This ministry is responsible for planning and coordinating programs for special services, such as anniversaries, appreciation, and other needs.
L. Youth Ministry:
They shall develop Bible study programs and training activities that will strengthen and promote the spiritual and social growth of the church. Encourage youth to be involved in the total program of the church.
Article X - Committees
The church shall establish such committees as are required to accomplish its' stated objectives and purpose.
A. Auditing Committee:
It shall be the duty of this committee to render to the church at each regular conference an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements. This is to be done by auditing the finance records/treasurer book, and give copies of report to members.
B. Budget Committee:
It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare the fiscal year budget for the church by annual conference. A vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present and qualified to vote shall be necessary for the budget to go into effect.
Article XI - Church Year
The church calendar shall begin the first of October and close the thirtieth of September. (October 1 - September 30). Annual Information Meeting is held the last Thursday before the first Sunday in October. Information Meetings are to be held two times each year. Information meetings may be held as needed at the request of the Pastor or Chairman of Deacon's Ministry.
Article XII - Amendments
Amendments to this constitution and by - laws may be made at any duly called information meeting by two thirds (2/3) vote of active members present and voting.
Article XIII - Church Procedures Manual
The Church Procedures Manual shall publish information for the congregation concerning specific job descriptions, duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of various leadership positions. The manual shall also include general policies and guidelines adopted by the congregation related to the efficient working of the various parts of the church organization under normal circumstances. The Church Procedure Manual shall be reviewed at least every three (3) years by a special committee. Any recommended changes to the Procedure Manual must be recommended to the congregation in a conference. Changes in the manual require the approval of two thirds (2/3) of members present and qualified to vote. In the event of a contradiction, the by - laws shall prevail over the Procedure Manual.
Operations & Procedures Manual
Introduction
The Operations and Procedures Manual is designed to be a companion manual to the By-laws of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. The By-laws give general guidelines for the internal management of the church and deal with the way in which the church is structured.
The Operations and Procedures Manual ("OPM") is a manual which deals specifically with the methodology and process in which daily operations of the church are governed. The OPM is therefore a dynamic and flexible document, designed to specify policies, procedures and methods by which the day-to-day operations occur. The OPM may be changed as the needs and ministries of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church change.
The OPM will be amended and altered from time to time to incorporate the following types of reasons:
Section 1: Funeral Policies
Graveyard Procedures/Plots Policy for Burial
The family of any member of PHBC may request a fellowship meal for the family and friends after a funeral service. The Pastor’s Aid Ministry of PHBC will be in charge of organizing the meal and servers for the kitchen during this time.
Section 2: Check Request & Voucher Policy
Funds request vouchers must be turned in to the designated voucher approval personnel. At that time this personnel will check for the individual ministry budget availability before approval. The voucher must be signed by the individual Ministry Head to be accepted by the approval personnel. Funds requests must be turned in two weeks in advance to ensure checks are available on the next issue date.
Reimbursement vouchers must be accompanied by the purchase receipt. These checks will be issued on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Reimbursement vouchers that are not pre-approved, are not guaranteed to be paid if no available funds exist in the applying ministry’s budget.
Emergency check requests will be accepted on a per case basis and are subject to approval by the Administrative Pastor and authorized approval personnel.
Vouchers are available in the church office or from church secretary.
Section 3: Facilities Use Policy
Fellowship Hall Use (Including Shelter and Playground)
Requests for the use of PHBC facilities must be submitted through a Facilities Request Form. Form is to be turned in to the Chairman or Asst Chairman of Trustees 30 days prior to the actual planned date of activity. The following fees and regulations apply:
Members: Fellowship Hall / Shelter Playground
$150 Up Front Usage Fee consisting of a refundable deposit and non-refundable clean-up fee.
The use of PHBC facilities for wedding ceremonies consists of total facility use including preceding night for rehearsal activities.
Any active member (one who has given $200 per year toward tithes) is required to pay $150 for their Wedding Ceremony in advance. This fee consists of a $100 refundable deposit and a $50 non-refundable fee for sexton’s extra cleaning.
An inactive member (one who has not given $200 per year toward tithes) is required to pay $600 for their Wedding Ceremony in advance. The same fee applies
for Non-Members.
The sexton will be paid $50 for active member ceremonies and $75 for inactive and non-member ceremonies to cover extra cleaning.
Section 4: Missions Policy
Hospital Stay Policy
PHBC will extend a love offering gift of $50 to each member that is subject to a hospital stay. This gift is our ways of letting our members know they are in our hearts and prayers during this time. Any monetary assistance needed will be handled on a per case basis by the Benevolence Committee of PHBC.
Section 5: Payroll Personnel Policy
Personnel Policies
It is our intent to acquaint our employees and ministry team members with the various aspects of employment at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. This section deals with our policies and requirements in this respect. Each ministry team member is expected to inquire as to specific circumstances, and we always welcome questions for reasons of clarification. This policy will be facilitated by the Administrative Pastor. The Deacon liaison over each ministry will monitor the paid staff and report to the Administrative Pastor for any needed active or review.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is expected to be maintained according to the work schedule for which each employee is responsible. Since we are serving the Lord in His work, we expect each employee to act in accordance to the commitments and duties required of them. Tardiness is not consistent with our commitments. Should there be a reason for not being able to be at work at the regularly scheduled hours, or should there be a reason to leave early or otherwise need to alter the work schedule, employees are required to contact the administrator of this policy to communicate the need and clear any absences in advance.
Each employee will be evaluated on the basis of his or her job performance at least once each year by means of a "Performance Review." This is a pre-defined review or analysis of many aspects of the employee's job. The employee will have the entire process described to him or her prior to the review and will have the opportunity to ask questions and review the results of the evaluation with the supervisor who actually does the review.
Statement of At-Will Employment
Your employment relationship with Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is on an "at-will basis," which means that you may resign at any time and Pleasant Hill Baptist Church may discharge you at any time with reasonable cause. Upon any resignation the employee is required to work a two week notice. Any termination requests will be made by the Administrative Pastor and approved by the Deacons and Senior Pastor. Section 6: Cash Handling Procedure
Confirming a count means to recount the category money before recording on Sum. Sheet. One person should be designated each Sunday as the total deposit counter and that person and the recorder should confirm individual category totals. Never record an amount without confirming the count first. Any individual ministry income is to be turned in to the finance room immediately after service and confirmed by member of counting committee.