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Proposed BYLAWS


CHURCH OFFICERS

 

                SECTION 1.  Pastor

 

                A.  Pastor Search Committee

 

Should the church be without a Pastor, a Pastor Search Team will be formed.  This committee will consist of seven members.  The team will consist of a representative from the Elder Team (ET), voted on by that body, the Chairman of Deacons, and 5 other duly elected church members that have been nominated by the church.

 

(1)          All nominees must have been a member of Edgemont Baptist Church for at least one (1) year.

(2)          Nominations will be received from the church body at large.

(3)          Nominees will be screened in the following manner:

a.           All nominees must give evidence to regular attendance in both Bible Study (i.e. Connect Groups) and Worship services. 

b.            All nominees must be regular givers through tithing.  

c.            A list of nominees who pass these qualifications will be voted on by the church body in a scheduled family meeting.

(4)          The church body will assemble in a called family meeting for the purpose of electing the five remaining members of the Pastor Search Committee.  This meeting must be announced in the church newsletter and from the pulpit at least one week prior to its occurrence.  The votes for these five members will be taken by secret ballot and will be counted by the members of the existing Elder Team and the Chairman of Deacons.

(5)          The five members selected will be composed of three men and two women.  The three men will be the top male vote recipients and the two women will be the top female vote recipients.

(6)          For every 100 people in membership above 100 people, another person will be added to the Pastor Search Team.  Example:  Church membership:  200=8 Pastor Search Team Members.  Needed additions will start with a woman and then be rotated between men and women.

 

Upon selection, the Pastor Search Committee will select a chairman.  Once the Pastor Search Committee is selected, it will proceed with the task of finding God’s man to serve as the church’s new Pastor.  The Pastor Search Committee will also be responsible for recommending an interim Pastor or interim pulpit supply.

 

When the Pastor Search Committee is ready to recommend a prospective candidate to serve as the new Pastor, the church will receive sufficient notification to vote on their recommendation.  The vote must take place during a Sunday service.  The prospective Pastor must receive at least a 75% favorable vote for the active church membership to extend a call to him to become the new Pastor.

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SECTION 2.  Pastoral Staff

 

A.           Pastoral Staff

 

Every staff member is an extension of the Pastor’s ministry. Staff members are any persons whose services are utilized in the function of the church. Staff member positions may be either volunteer or paid positions.  Under the Pastor’s supervision, in consultation with the Elder Team, with church approval, the church shall employ/utilize staff members as needed.  All staff members will be supervised by and accountable to the Pastor.  The Pastor, in consultation with the ET, has the authority to dismiss staff members if necessary.

 

B.           Resignation

 

At the time of resignation at least two weeks’ notice will be given to the church.  The Pastor, in consultation with the ET, will work out the details of final compensation for the resigning staff member.

 

SECTION 3.  Non-Pastoral Staff

 

The Pastor will have the authority to employ or terminate the services of non-pastoral staff.  The Pastor will employ such staff according to the guidelines of the church budget.  During the budget planning portion of the year, the Pastor will meet with the ET to discuss the number and status of non-ministerial staff.

 

SECTION 4. Elders

A. Responsibilities and Duties

  • Guide the church in every way unto all faithfulness in Christ Jesus

  • Preach the word of God

  • Council the church in discipleship

  • Pray for the church

  • Administration of church ordinances (Baptism & Lord’s Supper)

  • Elders must maintain faithfulness to the Biblical standards set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-8; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4

B. Organization of Elder Team

  • The organization of the Elder Team will be such that the Pastor and all appointed Elders will work together equally, with mutual respect, to guide the church in every facet necessary for the function of the church. 

C. Meetings of Elder Team

  • The Elder Team will meet at least once per month to discuss the administration and guidance of church affairs.

 

SECTION 5.  Deacons

 

                A. Responsibilities and Duties  

 

A deacon will be assigned by the Pastor and Elder Team to lead ministry teams.  Ministry teams that will be led by a deacon are as follows and can be added to as needed:

                -Buildings & Grounds Team

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                -Care of those in true need (Sick/Shut-In/Widows).

                                -Greeter/Usher Team

                                -Oversight of the financial affairs of the church 

 

Deacons elected to the Active Deacon Body shall serve four consecutive one-year terms.  Upon completion of a 4 year rotation, they must be nominated again and are eligible to be immediately elected at that time.  One deacon will be nominated and affirmed each year so the body rotates one deacon per year, unless someone resigns, leaves the church or dies.  At that time, two deacons will be affirmed that year and one will complete the balance of the term.

 

The deacons shall serve under the leadership of the Elder Team as servants of the church and of Jesus Christ.  They shall be faithful in their attendance to all regular church meetings.  They shall also be faithful to practice tithing.  They shall seek to be peacemakers who preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in the body of Christ, adhering to the standards for Deacons set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

 

(Former Sec B. removed)

                B.  Meetings of the Active Deacon Body

 

Regular meetings of the Active Deacon Body shall be held monthly in the presence of the full consistory.  Special meetings may be called by the Elder Team.  Ample notice of these meetings shall be given.  A quorum of not less than 50% of the Active Deacon Body must be present at any meeting for business to be transacted.

 

D.  Election of Deacons

 

The Active Deacon Body shall be elected in the following manner:

 

The Elder Team will submit the names of recommended nominees to fulfill the role of deacon each year for confirmation.  Nominees must meet the scriptural qualifications for nomination.  The number of deacons serving on the Active Deacon Body will start with 2 and will add 1 for every 25 members over 50.

 

Prospective candidates will receive a questionnaire which must be completed and returned for review by the Pastor and Elder Team.  All prospective candidates must be counseled with and approved by the Pastor and Elder Team prior to church affirmation.  Non-ordained nominees that are affirmed by the church will then be ordained into the office of deacon.

 

II.            PROPERTIES

 

                The Church properties shall be normally used only for the recognized services of the church.

               

Special use of the buildings, equipment, vehicles and grounds shall be under the authorization and supervision of the Elder Team.

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III.          AMENDMENTS

 

Amendments to this constitution may be made by two-thirds vote of the ET and then a 75% vote of the active membership.

 

IV.          ADOPTION

 

The adoption of these constitutions and bylaws shall affect a repeal of all previously adopted rules which are not re-adopted herein.

 

Signed and certified to be effective immediately.

 

______________________________________

Senior Pastor/President of Edgemont Baptist Church

or current Elder Team

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Dated November 9, 2025

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