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of
College Avenue Baptist Church
I. Name, Purpose, and Incorporation
II. Organization, Teaching, Covenant, and Association
III. Missions, Stewardship, and Literature
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 2. CHURCH OFFICERS, CHURCH STAFF, MODERATOR
Section 1. Primary Officers
The primary officers of the College Avenue Baptist Church shall be the pastor, deacons, trustees,
clerk, treasurer, and financial secretary. The duties of such officers shall be those common to the
office according to the instruction of the Scriptures and described in By-Laws Article 2, Section 4.
Section 2. Officers Duties
This church shall have such officers as wisdom and the Holy Spirit may direct as necessary for the
carrying on the work of the church. The duties of such officers shall be those connected with the
offices they fill and according to instructions of the church.
Section 3. Special Committees
This church shall have such authority and special committees as will be deemed necessary for distributing the
responsibilities and getting the work done. All members of the committees shall be members of this church
and be elected by this church.
Section 4. Job Descriptions
Duties are further explained by the job description. Job descriptions may be obtained through the church
office.
Section 5. Church Officers
Section 5.01 Pastor
A pastor (and vocational pastoral staff) shall be chosen by the church whenever a vacancy or a need
occurs, and called for an indefinite period. Election shall take place at a meeting called for that
purpose, of which at least one week's notice shall be given from the pulpit during a regular Sunday service
and by mail. A search committee shall be appointed by the church to seek out a suitable candidate,
and their recommendation will constitute a nomination. The pastor search committee shall bring to the
consideration of the church only one person at a time. Election shall be by ballot, and an approval vote
of three-fouths of those voting shall be necessary to make a choice. The pastor or pastoral staff shall
serve until the relationship is terminated by 30 days' notice by either the pastor, church, or by mutual
consent.
Section 5.02 Deacons
Section 5.02.1 Qualifications and Duties
Qualifications of a deacon shall be according to I Timothy 3:8-13. In counsel with the pastor, and by
such methods as the Holy Spirit may direct in accordance with the New Testament teaching, they are
to assist the pastor and serve the church.
Section 5.02.2 Elections and Service
The church shall elect deacons. This shall be decided by nomination and church vote as necessary.
After serving up to a three year term a deacon must be inactive for a minimum of one year.
Section 5.03 Trustees
The church shall elect trustees to serve on a three-year basis. Trustees hold in trust and maintain the
property of the chruch. Trustees shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any
property without a specific vote of the church authorizing such action.
Section 5.04 Clerk
This church shall elect a church clerk annually. The clerk shall keep a record of all teh actions of the
church. The clerk shall keep a register of the names of the members, with dates of admission, termination,
or death, together with a record of baptisms. The clerk shall request letters of transfer and letters of
termination as voted by the church, and shall preserve on file all essential communications and written
official reports.
Section 5.05 Treasurer
This church shall elect a church treasurer annually. The treasurer's duties are to receive, preserve, and
pay out all money or things of value paid or given to the church, keeping at all times an itemized account of
all receipts and disbursements. Payments shall not be made in cash. A monthly written report including all
assets, liabilities and transactions since the last approved report shall be presented to the chruch at its
regular business meeting. An annual report shall be made to the church. All books, records, and accounts
kept by the treasurer shall be considered the property of the church. The treasurer shall be bonded, with
the church paying the required fee. Annual audits of the financial records shall be conducted and
certification made to the church. When a successor is elected, the treasurer shall promptly deliver all the
books, records, and accounts pertaining to the office, properly audited and certified, to the succeeding
treasurer.
Section 5.06 Financial Secretary
The financial secretary shall be elected annually. The financial secretary shall receive the offering
envelopes after the money has been removed and shall give each donor individual credit in a permanent
record. The financial secretary shall also be responsible for preparing and mailing quarterly statements to
all members. The financial secretary has no responsibility for keeping the money of the chruch.
Section 6. Church Staff
This church shall call or employ such staff members, as the church shall need. A job description shall
be written when the need for staff members is determined. Vocational staff members, other than the
pastoral staff, shall be recommended to the church by a personnel committee and employed by church
vote. Secretaries and custodians shall likewise be recommended to the church by the personnel committee
and employed following a church vote of simple majority of those members present and voting.
Section 7. Moderator
The church shall elect a moderator at the first business meeting of every year. Nominations shall
be received from the floor for this election. The moderator shall preside at all business meetings
according to parlimentary procedures. In the absence of the moderator, the clerk shall call the church
to order and a moderator pro tem shall be elected.
Article 3 Meetings of the Church
Article 4 Division of Membership
Article 5 Amending the Constitution and By-Laws
