CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
for the
SELAH CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Selah Christian church of 1332 Selah Christian Road, located in the community of Grantham, Four Oaks, North Carolina, a congregationally governed body, in order to promote the work of the church in the spirit of Christ and advance His kingdom, do hereby abopt this constitution.
ARTICLE I.: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section A. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Selah Christian Church of 1332 Selah Church Road. Located in the community of Grantham, Four Oaks, North Carolina. Selah is affiliated with the domination known as the Christian church (Disciples of Christ), and committed to the historic principles of this body whose local congregations have been known as Christian Churches of Christ, or Disciples of Christ.
Section B. Purpose
The purpose of this church shall be as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus Christ and commit them actively to the church, to help them grow in grace and knowledge of Christ that increasingly they may do His will; and to work for the unity of all Christians and with them engage in the common task of building the Kingdom of God.
ARTICLE II.: MEMBERSHIP
The membership of this church consist of those who are now identified as members of the congregation and those who shall unite with the church by confession of faith and Baptism* (immersion in water) or by transfer of membership. Voting privileges shall bc accorded to all members .
* If health or age should render a person incapable of being immersed or should either of these stand in the way of a person's decision to join the church, the said person may request permission of the church board, via written request or petition of a board member who may state the penitent's case at a monthly board meeting, for an alternate arrangement.
ARTICLE Ill.: OFfICERS
The church at its annual business meeting shall elect the following officers, with the exception of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The church board at its first meeting, from among the other board members, shall elect the Chairman and V ice-Chairman.
I. Chairman: His term shall be one year, and he cannot serve more than three consecutive terms. 2. Vice-Chairman: His term shall be one year, and he cannot serve more than three consecutive terms.
3. Secretary: To be elected each year for a term of one year.
4. Treasurer: To be elected each year for a term of one year.
S. Elders: Not to exceed six (6) in number, one-half of whom shall be elected each year for a term of two years.
6. Deacons: Not to exceed six (6) in number, one-half of whom shall be elected each year for a term of two years.
7. Junior Deacons/Junior Deaconesses: Not to exceed two each (2) in number, one-half of whom shall be elected each year for a term of two years.
8. Deaconesses: Not to exceed four (4) in number, one-half of whom shall be elected each year for a term of two years.
9. Honorary Officers: Those persons whose service and consecration merit special honor may be retired from active responsibility and shall be known respectively as Honorary Elder, Honorary Deacon, and Honorary Deaconess. Those three (3) officers shall assume office at the recommendation of the minister and approval of the church board for an indefinite period.
Section B. Duties of Officers
I. The Chairman shall call and preside at all regular or special meetings of the congregation. and serve as chairman of the church board.
2. The Vice-Chairman shall fulfill the usual duties of such an oftice, call and preside at all regular special meetings of the congregation in the absence of the chairman and serve as vice-chairman of the church board.
3. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all regular or special business meetings of the church, serve as secretary of the church board, keep a record of all its regular or called meetings, keep a record of the church membership such vital statistics as deaths, Baptisms, and weddings; receive applications for church letters and issue them under authority delegated by the church board.
4. The church treasurer shall disburse all funds of the church according to the authority designated by the church board, serve as a member of the stewardship committee, make regular reports at each regular meeting of the church board and present an annual report to the congregation.
5. The Elders shall act as the legal agents of the church in all business matters, under the direction of the church board and subject to the approval of the congregation; hold legal title to all church property and handle all business transactions related thereto; and perform such other duties that are required by laws of the state. They shall promote the growth and welfare of the church; give spiritual guidance to the members with respect to the regular attendance at the Lord's Supper: visit the sick, and have concern for the morally delinquent, and the spiritually indifferent: serve at the Lord's table and assume other duties as may be assigned by the Chairman.
6. The Deacons shall cooperate with the Elders in promoting the growth and welfare of the church. be responsible for distributing the Lord's Supper, receiving the offering, assisting with the preparation of candidates for Baptism, ministering to the needy of the church, and assume other duties as may be assigned by the church.
7. The Junior Deacons/ Junior Deaconesses shall cooperate with the Deacons in promoting the growth and welfare of the church, be responsible for distributing church bulletins before services of the church and assume any other duties as may be assigned by the chairman.
8. The Deaconesses shall perform the same general duties as the Deacons and cooperate with them in promoting the growth and welfare of the church; assist in the preparation of the candidates for baptism, minister to families in times of sickness or bereavement, and assume other duties as may be assigned by the Chairman.
9. The Honorary Officers shall be relieved of all regular duties and serve as members of the church board, without vote.
Section C. Election of Officers
I. A nominating committee composed of at least five (5) persons, two (2) of whom shall be members of the church board, shall be appointed by the chairman and approved the church board at least four (4) weeks prior to the annual business meeting of the church.
2. All suggestions from the congregation for nominees shall be in the hands of the committee for m least two (2) weeks prior to the annual church business meeting in November. The committee shall consider qualifications, secure consent of and prepare a slate consisting of one (I) nominee for each vacancy.
3. The nominating committee shall report its nomination to the congregation at the annual business meeting. The floor will be open for other nominations.
4. All nominees who receive a majority of the votes cast, by secret ballot, of those present and voting shall be elected. Secret ballot may be omitted by voice vote of congregation if situation so arises.
5. Vacancies in any office of church shall be filled for the unexpired teml by nomination of the chairman in consultation with the minister and elected by the church board.
Section D. The Church Board
I. The Church Board shall consist of: the officers as stated in Section A of this article, and president of the Christian Woman's Fellowship, and the sponsor of the Christian Youth Fellowship.
2. It shall be the duty of the Church Board to consider and recommend to the congregation general Policies; to transact business of the church; to be responsible either directly or through committees for the following tasks: Worship and Devotional Life; Christian Education; Evangelism and Membership Development; Community Service and Missions; Finance and Stewardship; Building and Grounds Upkeep; and Building Committee whenever the need arises. All committees an: under the jurisdiction of the church board and shall make reports to the Church Board and the congregation at the direction of the chairman of the Church Board.
3. The chairman, in consultation with the minister shall appoint all committees.
4. The Church Board shall perform the duties, which pertain to their office, according to the authority granted in this constitution and by-laws or designated to it by the church. Regular reports shall be made at least annually to the church.
ARTICLE IV. THE MINISTER
Section A. Duties
The minister of the church shall perform the duties, which usually pertain to that vocation, and as spiritual administrator of the church he shall be an ex-officio member of all organized groups and committees. The Church Board, if possible, shall consult the minister before taking action on all issues.
Section B. Selection
The Minister shall be chosen by the church as hereafter provided:
I. A representative committee of five (5) persons, nominated by the Chairman and elected by the Church Board shall serve as pulpit committee and be responsible for recommending a prospective minister to the Church Board.
2. The Church Board shall consider the recommendation of the pulpit committee. and, if approved, recommend the prospective minister to the congregation. It shall be the policy of the church to consider only one (I) prospective minister at a time.
3. The recommendation of the Church board must be accepted by at least three-fourth majority of members present and voting in a regular or special business meeting of the church before a call may be extended.
4. The term of his ministry shall be for an indetinite period and may be terminated by either party upon sixty (60) days notice. A written statement setting forth the salary to be paid and other conditions of the call shall be made in duplicate; one copy for the minister and one for the church.
5. No minister, or pastor, revivalist or evangelist will be permitted the use of this church uillil he or she has first been recognized as being worthy by the North Carolina Christian Missionary Society and his or her approval forwarded to the secretary of this church, or has secured permission of the minister or the Church Board.
ARTICLE V.: MEETINGS
Section A. Meetings to be held
The church shall hold an annual business meeting during the last month of the calendar year. and year, and special meetings as required. These meetings shall be called by the minister, chairman, or vice-chairman of the church board, or by a majority vote of three-fourths of the members of the church.
Section 8. Notice
Notice of all regular or special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at a regular Sunday service at least one week in advance of the meeting. In case or emergency, a written notice of the meeting shall be mailed to each church family in the cvent that public announcement cannot be made on a Sunday prior to the meeting.
Section C. Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of shall govem all business of the congregation alld the church board Order.
ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
This constitution may be amended or revised at any business meeting of the church by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting on the amendment or revision. provided that notice of the proposed amendment or revision has been presented to the members of the congrgation at least two (2) weeks before the vote is taken.
BY-LAWS
I. The church year shall begin as follows:
A. The official year for leadership personnel shall begin on the first of each year.
B. The fiscal year, especially for the financially program shall begin on January I.
II. The Church Board:
A. Shall hold its regular meeting each month on a date set by its members.
B. Shall hold special meetings as required on the call of the Chairman or Vice-Chairman
or upon request of three (3) members of the Church Board, or upon request of the minister.
C. Shall consider a simple majority of 51 % of the Church Board as constituting a quorum.
D. Shall observe the following order of business:
I. Call to Order by presiding officer
2. Prayer
3. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting.
4. Report of Treasurer and its approval.
5. Regular and special committee reports.
6. Reports from others (CWF.CMF,CYF)
7. Unfinished business
8. New business and suggestions
9. Minister's report
10. Benediction
III. Committees:
The Church Board shall appoint all standing committees and special committees that tltey deem necessary in administering the church program.
I V. Staff Employees
Staff Employees shall be govemed as follows:
A. All staff Employees of the church shall be selelected by the church board. subject to the approval of the minister.
B. A written statement covering the terms of employment shall be included in the minutes of the church board, a copy also given to the employee.
C. Any employee may be discharged for good cause at any regular or special meeting orf the church board.
V. Amendments and Revisions:
A. The by-laws of this constitution may be amended or revised at any business mecting of the Church by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting on the amendment or revision, provided that notice orthe proposed amendment or revision has been presented to the members of the congregation at least two (2) weeks before the vote is taken.
B. This constitution and by-laws shall be reviewed every five years to include amendments and necessary changes in the body of the constitution and by-laws.
Recommended by the Minister and the Church Board and adopted by the congregation February 26, 1961.
Revised by the following committee: Edward and Mary Aswell, Pastor Patrick Muston. Dr. John Tart and Jason Thornton.