Article I: Name
1. This church shall be known as the Central Baptist Church of Jamestown, Rhode Island.
Article II: Purpose
1. The purpose of this church shall be the advancement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It shall seek to further the Gospel by: offering an opportunity for the public worship of God, maintaining a ministry of teaching, promoting human understanding, bearing witness in the social crises of the day, supporting a wider mission program in cooperation with other churches, and in general proclaiming the Christian faith in word and act.
Article III: Affiliations
1. This church recognizes the responsibility it has of cooperating with other religious bodies having the same general objectives. It shall, therefore: be affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., cooperate with the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, and be a member of the Jamestown Ecumenical Council.
Article IV: Membership
Section 1: Membership Requirements
1. A person who satisfies one of the following requirements may become a member of this church upon recommendation of the Diaconate and by an affirmative vote of the membership. Membership shall become effective upon reception of the Right Hand of Fellowship, within the context of a worship service.
a. After baptism by immersion, or by sprinkling if poor health makes it necessary. The baptism, the recommendation of the Diaconate, the vote of the membership, and reception of the Right Hand of Fellowship shall take place within the same service.
b. By letter of transfer from another church.
c. By statement of experience, denoting completion of rites of initiation in another church, if membership records are unavailable.
Section 2: Transfer of Membership
1. Any member desiring to join another church may request a letter of transfer from the Church Clerk, and such letter shall be issued by the Church Clerk.
Article V: Organizational Structure
Section 1: Overview
1. The government of this church shall be responsible to the congregation for all its decisions and actions. It shall be comprised of: the Pastor; the Moderator; the Church Clerk; an Executive Committee; the Board of Christian Education; the Board of Deacons (Diaconate); the Board of Trustees; and various Standing Committees.
2. Each board shall consist of eight persons of which no more than two may be non-church members.
Section 2: Length of Term
1. The length of term of the Pastor shall be open.
2. The length of term of an individual on the Executive Committee will be determined by that individual? tenure as Moderator, Church Clerk, or board member, since its membership will be drawn from those ranks.
3. The length of term of the Moderator, the Church Clerk and board members will be two years. At the end of this term, they will be eligible for reelection to a second term. A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same capacity.
4. The Moderator, Church Clerk, and board members will assume their duties upon election at the church Annual Meeting. No one shall be a member of two boards at the same time.
Article VI: Pastor
1. The Pastor shall be the spiritual and administrative leader of the church.
2. In designing worship, the Pastor will seek to weave together continuity and novelty, intellect and emotion, in a pattern that reflects thematic integrity. In preaching the pastor shall endeavor to proclaim the Christian Gospel in such a way that it both illumines the personal journey of faith and gives perspective on the issues of the day.
3. In pastoral work, the Pastor shall bring the resources of the Christian faith to the people. The Pastor shall be available as counselor in time of need.
4. In an administrative capacity, the Pastor shall have general supervision over the total problem of the church and shall lead the church in developing an effective program and a fellowship of genuine Christian concern. The Pastor shall be a member, ex-officio, of all boards, committees and auxiliary organizations of the church.
Article VII: Executive Committee
Section 1: Composition
1. A five-member Executive Committee shall be composed of the Moderator, Church Clerk, the Chair (or a person designated by the Chair) of each Board; and the Pastor shall be ex-officio. The Moderator shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee, and the Church Clerk will serve as Secretary.
Section 2: Frequency of Meetings
1. The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times a year. It may meet more frequently, as determined by the Moderator and/or the Pastor.
Section 3: Duties
a. Set, develop, and review overall church policy, including the determination of congregational priorities
b. Assess congregational goals, and engage in long range planning
c. Coordinate board/committee function and church activities
d. Resolve any question of jurisdiction regarding board/committee function, and church activities
e. Oversee and evaluate the church? ecumenical relationship and activities
f. Appoint a Church Historian/Librarian
g. Review the church Constitution every five years
Article VIII: Boards
Section 1: Duties of the Board of Deacons (Diaconate)
a. In every way, assist the Pastor in the Pastor’s work.
b. Consider all applications for church membership, and determine specific guidelines for composing the lists of “Active Members,” “Inactive Members,” and “Friends of the Church,” all kept by the Church Clerk.
c. Make preparation for observances of the ordinances in worship, and provide for pulpit supply and other worship leadership in the Pastor’s absence.
d. Cooperate with the Pastor in visiting church members and friends, and in the care of the sick, needy, and distressed.
e. Manage the Benevolence Fund and control its disbursement.
f. Promote the evangelistic program of the church.
g. In consultation with the Pastor, appoint the Flower Committee, the Music Committee, and the Memorial Committee.
h. Appoint a Social Committee, including one Deacon and one member of the Board of Christian Education, whose tasks will be to plan and recruit leadership for social events which will meet the fellowship needs of church members and friends with the goal of enriching the life of the church.
i. Appoint a mission committee, of not less than three people, one of whom will be a Deacon. The mission committee shall seek to recognize and celebrate the work of individual members and Friends in their volunteer work, provide information to all members and Friends about mission activities in which they may participate either personally or financially if they so choose, and contribute together as a congregation, toward the “United Mission” fund and other special offerings of the American Baptist Churches in the USA.
Section 2: Duties of the Board of Trustees
a. Hold in trust all property of the church and take appropriate measures to ensure its protection, management and upkeep.
b. Prepare an operating budget for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the church. It shall be responsible for securing and disbursing all funds required to finance the budget adopted by the congregation. The Board shall not obligate the church for an unbudgeted expenditure exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) without first obtaining specific approval of the church membership.
c. Arrange for the investment, monitoring and control of the capital funds of the church. This will take the form of overseeing the work of the Board of Directors of the Endowment Fund, and of arranging directly for the maintenance of all other capital funds.
d. Be responsible for the employment of, and maintenance of job descriptions for, personnel for the positions of Organist/Choir Director, General Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Typist, Custodian, Groundskeeper, and for such other services as may be required. Compensation for such positions will be made part of the church budget.
e. Appoint an Auditing Committee to examine the financial records of the General Treasurer; its findings to be made a part of the Annual Report presented at the Annual Meeting.
f. Appoint a Stewardship Committee, which shall provide an informative program of stewardship education throughout the year. In addition, the committee shall be empowered to conduct an annual stewardship campaign soliciting the financial support of the church members and friends. The committee will provide assistance to the Board during the preparation of the church budget.
Section 3: Duties of the Board of Christian Education
a. Have overall responsibility for education programs serving the adults, youth, and children of the church.
b. Appoint a Superintendent of the Sunday School, whose tasks will be to recruit teachers, arrange for teacher training and support, order curriculum, and provide for space and supply needs. As needed, appoint an Assistant Superintendent.
c. Appoint a Worship Childcare Coordinator, whose tasks will be to recruit nursery workers and Junior Church workers/volunteers, order curriculum, and provide for space and supply needs.
Article IX: Moderator and Church Clerk
Section 1: Duties of the Moderator
a. Preside over all official meetings of the church.
b. Serve as Chair of the Executive Committee.
c. Serve as the official source of meeting conduct as prescribed in Robert? Rules of Order.
Section 2: Duties of the Church Clerk
a. Keep minutes of all business and special meetings in the church and serve as Secretary of the Executive Committee.
b. Record all Family Dedications, Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths within the congregation.
c. Maintain a permanent record of all Active Members, Inactive Members, and Friends of the Church, as determined by the Diaconate.
d. Upon request, issue or seek Letters of Transfer.
e. Conduct official correspondence, preserve and file all letters, reports, and other documents pertaining to the office of Church Clerk, as well as job descriptions of positions appointed the Executive Committee.
f. Assist in the preparation of denominational reports and other inquires pertinent to the records of the Church Clerk.
g. Present a summary of activities for inclusion in the church's Annual Report.
Article X: Standing Committees
Section 1: The Nominating Committee
a. Membership and Terms
(1) Shall consist of three church members and/or non-members, serving for one two-year term.
b. Duties
(1) Solicit the names of qualified individuals from a variety of sources, and prepare the official list of nominees to fill all vacancies including any vacancies on the Nominating Committee itself, to be voted on at the Annual Meetings. They shall strive for equal gender representation on all Boards and Committees and in other positions.
(2) Appoint a person to fill any vacancy between regular elections.
(3) Annually, nominate members to serve as Official Delegates to the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, and/or to other organizations authorized by the American Baptist Churches of the USA.
Section 2: The Pastoral Relations Committee
a. Membership and Terms
(1) The Pastoral Relations Committee shall consist of four persons appointed by the Nominating committee. In making its appointments, the Nominating Committee shall choose from two lists of names suggested to fill vacancies: a list submitted by the Diaconate, and a list submitted by the Pastor.
(2) Each member shall serve a two-year term. Upon completion of two consecutive two-year terms, a member will not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one year.
b. Duties
(1) Seek to understand the roles of ministry
(2) Provide a communication link between the Pastor and the congregation
(3) Help the congregation and the Pastor deal with conflict
(4) Counsel with the Pastor regarding continuing education
(5) Monitor the Pastor? evaluation process
(6) Review the Pastor? compensation annually and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding this portion of the church budget to be presented at the Annual Meeting
(7) Review the Pastor? Employment Contract annually and forward recommendations to the Executive Committee for consideration and signature on the congregation? behalf
(8) Assist in start-up and termination procedures
Section 3: The Board of Directors of the Endowment Fund
a. Membership and Terms
(1) The Board of Directors of the Endowment Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Board of Directors) shall consist of five persons nominated by the Nominating Committee for election at the Annual Meeting.
(2) Each member shall serve a two-year term. Upon completion of two consecutive two-year terms, a member will not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one year.
(3) In order to inaugurate staggered terms, upon adoption of this amendment, the Chair of the previous Steering Committee regarding endowments will be considered as beginning the first of two consecutive terms. The other two members of the steering committee will be considered as beginning the second of two consecutive terms. In accordance with Article X, Section 1, Paragraph b(2) of this Constitution, the Nominating Committee is hereby empowered to appoint two further persons to fill out this Committee, who will be considered as beginning the first of two consecutive terms. This paragraph will expire at the end of 2001.
b. Duties
(1) Administer, as a trust for the benefit of the church, the Endowment Fund; the purpose of which is to provide an opportunity for members and friends of Central Baptist Church to make gifts and bequests which shall provide enduring and continuing benefits to the mission of the church from income derived from permanent capital investment.
(2) Encourage members and friends of the church in making life gifts and bequests to further the ministry of the church.
(3) Refer to the Board of Trustees questions as to whether acceptance of a gift, or specifications for its use, would run counter to the customs and purposes of the church.
(4) Select an investment advisor in making investment decisions.
(5) Maintain in proper form and make available for inspection by church members, records with respect to each gift.
(6) Report to the congregation at the Annual Meeting.
(7) Conduct the business of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Endowment Fund as adopted by the Church at a duly constituted business meeting.
Article XI: Congregational Meetings
Section 1: Devotional Meetings
a. The Church shall meet each Sunday for worship and fellowship.
b. The Lord’s Supper will be observed during the first worship service of each month, and at such other times as the Diaconate may deem appropriate.
Section 2: Instructional Meetings
a. The Church shall meet regularly for Christian instruction (the study of the Bible and Christian faith) at times determined by the Board of Christian Education.
Section 3: Business Meetings
a. The Church Annual Meeting shall be held on the first Sunday in June. An Annual Report shall be submitted for consideration and shall include reports from the following: the Pastor, the Executive Committee, the Church Clerk, the Diaconate, the Board of Trustees, the Pastoral Relations Committee, the Board of Christian Education, the General Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, the Auditors, and all auxiliary organizations. Voting rights at church business meetings shall be extended to Active Members and also to Friends on the list determined by the Board of Deacons (Diaconate).
b. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Moderator, the Chair of any Board, or a quorum of church members, provided two weeks’ notice has been given to the church membership through written notice in the Bulletin and a verbal announcement during the worship service on two consecutive Sundays prior to the meeting.
c. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
d. A request for a proxy vote may be made of the Church Clerk by an Active Member or Friend, as defined above, prior to the business and/or special meeting at which the vote will be taken.
Article XII: Calling a Pastor
Section 1: Search Committee
1. When it is necessary to call a Pastor, the executive committee shall nominate a representative Search Committee of five members to be approved by the congregation . It shall be the duty of said committee to take the necessary steps to secure a Pastor.
2. The committee shall investigate the merits of every candidate under consideration with regard to personal character, education, ministerial record, and preaching ability, in determining fitness for said pastorate. When a suitable be candidate is found, the committee shall make a recommendation to the church membership for consideration.
Section 2: Congregational Consideration
1. All members shall be notified two weeks in advance of a candidate’s appearance, which will include participation in a worship service.
2. A business meeting shall be held following the service for the purpose of considering said candidate. A vote of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to extend a call.
Article XIII: Rules of Order
1. The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the business proceedings of this church in all cases where they are not covered by this constitution.
Article XIV: Amendments
1. This constitution may be amended at any regular or called business meting of the church by a two-thirds vote of those present, provided a quorum is present, and that notice of such amendment stating the proposed change, has been given the church membership at least two weeks previous.
