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CONSTITUTION OF THE ARBOR DRIVE COMMUNITY* CHURCH

1527 Blackburn Avenue
York, NE 68467
Revised July 18, 1999
ARTICLE I. OUR NAME AND ORGANIZATION
NAME: The name of this organization is the Arbor Drive Community Church
ORGANIZATION: The organization took place at York, Nebraska on November 18, 1959
INCORPORATION: The organization is incorporated in the County of York, State of Nebraska
ARTICLE II: OUR MISSION
The mission of the Arbor Drive Community Church is to help people know God and grow
toward spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ.
ARTICLE III: OUR VALUES
We value the unconditional love of God as provided to us through Jesus Christ and will therefore
seek to mirror that love to others.
We value the Word of God as found in the Bible, and will seek to always give a clear, and applicational,
exposition of it that is faithful to its Authors intentions.
We value obedience to the clear commands of God as found in His Word, and will therefore humbly seek,
with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to live holy lives before both God and man.
We value people as God values them, and therefore will seek to evangelize the lost, and help those who
believe to grow in their knowledge and obedience to the Lord.
We value the family, and will therefore seek, if married, to maintain our marriage vows and to instruct our
children in the ways of the Lord; and to maintain an atmosphere in the church that strengthens both marrieds
and singles.
We value fellowship, and will therefore seek to promote peace and harmony, even as we work together as
a team to do the Lords work here on earth.
We value stewardship, and therefore will seek to contribute our time, talent, and substance to the church
in proportion to the measure that God has prospered us.
We value service, and will endeavor not to be served, but to assist others, and the church, to reach their
highest potential.
We value excellence, and therefore will, by Gods grace, seek to do everything for Him to the best of our
ability.
We value prayer, and will therefore seek to uphold every activity, every plan, and every person in this church
before the Lord, in order that we all might know His will and purpose for our lives.
We value the local church, and therefore will strive to be faithful in our attendance, and uphold its
ordinances, discipline, doctrines, and ministries in a spirit of humility, courtesy, and encouragement.
*Formerly Arbor Drive Baptist Church
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ARTICLE IV: OUR BELIEFS
1. THE BIBLE: We believe that the Bible is Gods word to mankind, that all of its words are verbally
inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts, and that it is our supreme and
final authority in all matters of faith and conduct (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21).
2. THE GODHEAD: We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit; that they are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious
offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption (Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3;
14; Acts 5:3-4).
3. GOD THE FATHER: We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness,
wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that
He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through
Jesus Christ (John 4:24; I Peter 1:16; John 3:16).
4. JESUS CHRIST: We believe that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man, Gods only begotten Son, that
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We believe in His sinless life,
miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension
into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth (Matthew 1:20-
23; John 1:1-4; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 1:9, 11).
5. THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and Son to convict the world of
sin, righteousness and judgement, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus
Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper,
teacher, and guide (John 16:7-11; John 16:13; I Corinthians 6:19; John 16:45).
6. MAN: We believe that man was created in the image of God, but through an act of willful disobedience,
became a sinner by nature as well as choice, thereby incurring Gods just condemnation. We believe
that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior from those sins, are born again
of the Holy Spirit, and thereby become the children of God (John 1:12-13; 3:3-5; James 1:18; I Peter
1:23).
7. SALVATION: We believe that salvation is by Gods grace alone, and not our good works, as a result
of faith in the sinless life and death on the cross of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-22).
8. THE CHURCH: We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head
and all regenerated believers are members. We also believe in the local church, consisting of a
company of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized upon a credible profession of faith, that associates for
worship, work, and fellowship. We believe that each local church is independent, and must be free from
interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We believe that the churchss primary
responsibility is the task of giving the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world (Ephesians 5:23; Hebrews
10:25; Acts 2:41-47; Matthew 28:19).
9. SATAN: We believe that Satan is a liar and deceiver of mankind opposed to all truth, and an accuser
of the brethren, who is destined to eternal judgment in the lake of fire (John 8:44; II Corinthians 11:14;
Job 1:9-10; Revelation 12:10; 20:20).
10. CHRISTIAN CONDUCT: We believe that in the power of the Holy Spirit a Christian should live for the
glory of God and the well-being of his fellow man; that his conduct should be exemplary before the
world; that he should be a faithful steward of all that God has given him, and that he should seek to
realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16; I Corinthians 10:31;
II Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 5:13; I Peter 2:12; 3:16)
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11. SPIRITUAL GIFTS: We believe that spiritual gifts are sovereignly given to all believers by the Holy
Spirit. We believe that certain gifts, such as tongues, prophecy, and healings, were sign gifts given to
the early church, and hence should not be considered normative, indicators of spiritual maturity, nor
permitted to be disruptive to the body (I Corinthians 14:20ff.) We further believe that while spiritual gifts
are important, and that we should assist those within our body to identify and develop their spiritual gifts,
that our greater concern as a body of believers in Jesus Christ should be with exhibiting the fruit of the
Spirit, not a preoccupation with the gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-24).
12. ORDINANCES: We believe that our Lord Jesus committed two ordinances to those who believe in Him:
baptism and the Lords Supper. We believe that baptism is by immersion, thus serving not only as a
public declaration of our faith in Christ, but a symbol of Christs (and by picture, our own) death and
resurrection to new life. We believe that the Lords Supper commemorates our Saviors death, and is
open to all self-examined believers in Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-4;
I Corinthians 11:17-32).
13. THE LAST THINGS: We believe in the personal, visible, and imminent return of Christ to receive His
bride, the church, and to establish His righteous thousand year reign on earth. We believe in the bodily
resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessings of the saved and the everlasting
punishment of the lost (Revelation 19:11-20-20:15; I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
ARTICLE V: OUR ASSOCIATIONS
The church will be affiliated with the Baptist General Conference and its local district conference as long as
the goals and objectives of the Baptist General Conference and its local district remain in agreement with this
Constitution. Should conflict arise, we will seek affiliation with such organizations that are in agreement with
this Constitution and objectives.
ARTICLE VI: OUR MEMBERSHIP
1. Any person giving evidence of regeneration and assurance of his desire to live a consistent Christian
life, having been baptized by immersion, and showing evidence of a satisfactory attitude toward the
doctrinal standards of this church will be eligible for membership. However, we do not consider baptism
essential to salvation.
2. Persons will be received into membership upon confession of faith, and upon satisfactory completion
of an interview with the Board of Elders or their designees.
3. Individual members are encouraged not to be involved in organizations or activities that would be
contrary to their Christian commitment or impair their spiritual testimony or that of fellow believers.
Members are expected to strive conscientiously to live according to the light revealed to them by the
Holy Spirit through the Word of God, and to support wholeheartedly the services and activities of the
church.
4. Membership in the Arbor Drive Community Church automatically terminates upon written request by
the member, upon joining another church, or as a result of unrepentant conduct inconsistent with clear
biblical teaching and/or the doctrinal statement of this church. In the latter case, the Matthew 18:15-17
principal will be followed in determining a members status.
5. No person will be admitted into the membership, nor permitted to hold any position within, the Arbor
Drive Community Church, who practices homosexuality of any sort. While such individuals are loved
by God, the Bible clearly calls such activity a sin that must be repented of, and turned from (Romans
1:18-32).
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6. The Board of Elders will review the church membership semi-annually. Upon action by the Board of
Elders, members will be placed on the Inactive Membership list if the member has moved from the
community, has not attended any service in the church for at least six (6) consecutive months, or has
not communicated with the church in that period (provided he has not been hindered by illness or
disability). Inactive members will not have voting privileges in business meetings and will be advised
in writing of their status by the Church Clerk. The member will remain on the Inactive List for one year,
at which time, if he has not formally requested that his membership be reactivated, his name will be
removed from the church membership. The name of any person dropped will be reported at a regularly
convened congregational meeting.
ARTICLE VII: OUR LEADERSHIP
All officers of the Arbor Drive Community Church will be active members of the church. The church officers
will be divided into three (3) categories:
A. CALLED STAFF: Called staff shall include the senior pastor, and other pastors as determined from
time to time by the Board of Elders. Job descriptions and titles for called staff shall be determined by
the Board of Elders. The qualifications for all called staff shall be as found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus
1:5-9. All called staff shall be in agreement with this constitution, and will be subject to an annual
ministry review process.
1. SENIOR PASTOR: A candidate for the senior pastor position will be ordained or willing to be
ordained, having proper training and in full agreement with this constitution.
a. Selection: A call to a senior pastor shall issue from the congregation upon recommendation
of a Senior Pastor Calling Committee and a 75% affirmative secret ballot vote of those
present at a properly noticed business meeting called and constituted for the express
purpose of considering such a recommendation. No more than one candidate will be
considered at any one meeting.
b. Termination: It will be the prerogative of the Pastor to dissolve the pastoral relationship by
giving at least one month notice of such intention. Maximum requirement will not exceed
ninety (90) days. The pastors resignation will be handled by the Board of Elders.
Grievances against the pastor will be handled through the Board of Elders in the following
manner:
(1) A grievance brought before the Board of Elders must be presented in writing by at least
two (2) witnesses (I Timothy 5:19).
(2) The Board of Elders will discuss the matter with the pastor in an attempt to resolve the
grievance (Galatians 6:1).
(3) At the discretion of the Board of Elders, it will encourage fervent prayer among the
members for correction of the grievance.
(4) If the grievances are not, or cannot be corrected, the church may dissolve the pastoral
relationship by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the quorum (for quorum, refer to
Article X, 5) at a business meeting called by the Board of Elders. Notification of such a
meeting will be given to all resident members in writing at least one week before this
business meeting, and the purpose of this meeting will be stated clearly in such a notice.
Dissolution of the relationship will take place not sooner than thirty (30) days and not later
than ninety (90) days, after the decision to dissolve the relationship.
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c. Duties and Privileges: It will be the responsibility of the pastor to teach and preach the
Word of God; to oversee the spiritual welfare of the church; to be responsible for the regular
services of the church; to administer the ordinances; to extend publicly the right hand of
fellowship to new members and exercise watchful care for the spiritual needs of the
congregation. He will be an Elder and ex officio member of all boards and committees as
may be deemed necessary. His counsel and advice will be considered by the officers of the
church and in all the ministries of the church, and his position of leadership will be held in
honor and respect by all members of this church.
2. ASSOCIATE PASTORS:
a. Selection: A call to a staff position other than the senior pastor shall issue from the Board
of Elders in conjunction with the Senior Pastor under criteria determined by them. Any
candidate selected by them shall be brought before the congregation for their approval by a
75% affirmative written ballot vote of those present at a properly noticed business meeting.
Any associate pastors will be a member of the Board of Elders.
b. Termination: Even as the call to an associate issues from the Board of Elders in conjunction
with the Senior Pastor, so shall the call to dissolve such a relationship emanate from the
same body. This call shall be by unanimous decision. Should the pastor in question choose
to appeal, he may do so in writing within ten (10) days of the notice. A properly called
congregational business meeting shall then convene, with a 3/4's vote of the quorum being
necessary to override the decision of the Elders.
B. ELECTED OFFICERS: Eight weeks prior to the election of church officers (Elder and Trustees), a list
of those officers whose terms are expiring and the total number of vacancies (if applicable) to be filled
at the December election meeting will be announced from the pulpit and published in the bulletin.
Nominations for these offices may be submitted in writing by any voting member of the church to a
Nominating Committee to be composed of two Elders whose terms are not expiring and two at-large
members selected by the Pastor. The cut-off for such nominations shall be by the close of the evening
service on, or before, the first Sunday in November. The Nominating Committee will make every effort
to nominate twice as many qualified candidates for each position to be filled in that election. They will
then present this slate of nominees to the active membership at least two (2) weeks prior to the election.
If any voting member of the church has a potentially disqualifying concern about any nominee, this will
be the time for that concern to be made known to the Nominating Committee. There will be no
nominations taken from the floor at the time of election. All voting will be done in writing by secret ballot,
with the candidates receiving the highest vote totals being elected. No candidate will be elected without
receiving at least 51% of the vote. Officers thus elected at this December election business meeting
will take office the first of January. Should a vacancy occur during the year, the Elder Board may
appoint a qualified officer to serve in the vacant position until the end of the calendar year at which point
the position must be filled by election.
1. ELDERS
a. Qualifications: The Board of Elders will consist of men who have been members of the
church for a minimum of one year, who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older and who
are elected by the eligible voting membership at the December election business meeting.
The moral and spiritual qualifications of an Elder are found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Elders will be nominated and elected in the light of these God-given requirements.
b. Number and term of office: The number of Elders on the board shall be proportional to the
total active membership, with a minimum of four (4) including the Pastor. The Elders will be
elected for a term of three (3) years unless specified otherwise at the time of election. Their
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terms shall be arranged on a rotating basis so that as nearly as possible the terms of one
third (1/3) will expire each year. Elders must be elected to their office each term, and may
serve only two (2) terms consecutively, after which they must remain off at least one (1) year.
c. Meeting and quorum: At the first meeting of the Board of Elders after the first of January,
the Elders will elect from their number a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary of the board.
The chairman of the Board of Elders will be someone who has served for at least one year
(not necessarily in the immediately preceding year) on the Board of Elders before being
asked to serve as chairman. They may also appoint such committees as are necessary for
the effective oversight of the activities of the church. The regular meetings of the Board of
Elders will be held at least monthly at such time and place as the Board may determine.
Special meetings may be called at the request of the Pastor, the Chairman, or a majority of
the Elders. Notice of a regular or special meeting of the Board will be given from the pulpit,
in the bulletin, or by telephone at least one day prior to the meeting. The majority of all the
board members will constitute a quorum for the board, and the acts of the majority of those
members present and voting will be the acts of the entire board unless otherwise specifically
required by law or by this constitution.
d. Duties: The Elders will be the ruling body of the church and will have the power and authority
to act on behalf of the church, except as limited in paragraph e. Limitations below. It will
be the duty of the Elders to care for the churchs spiritual condition, to guard the purity of
doctrine and life of the church and to discipline the church in accordance with the Word of
God. The Elders will be responsible for overseeing the examination of all who seek
membership in the church. They will act for the church in the acceptance and dismissal of
members and will maintain Active and Inactive Membership Lists. They may assist the
Pastor in teaching the Word of God, administering the ordinances, counseling the erring and
needy, comforting the sick and afflicted, and in supplying the pulpit in the Pastors absence.
They will control the distribution of benevolent funds. They will inform the active membership
of all major decisions made at their meetings. They will select a church treasurer. They will
approve the church budget and present the same for approval at the December election
business meeting.
e. Limitations: The Board of Elders will not assume any of the following prerogatives without
express congregational consent:
(1) To amend this constitution.
(2) To call or dismiss a senior pastor.
(3) To purchase, sell, or mortgage real property.
(4) To incur expenses for the church exceeding the revenue of the church, except to meet
promptly such fixed current expenditures as may be necessary to secure continuity in the
work of the church.
(5) To adopt an annual budget.
(6) To adopt any home or foreign missionary for regular monthly support or alter the amount
of regular support given to any missionary of the church.
(7) To infringe upon any other right reserved to the congregation by law or by the articles of
this constitution.
(8) Duties of the Board of Trustees.
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f. Termination: The office of Elder will be considered vacant when any one of the following occurs:
(1) Death.
(2) Resignation
(3) Refusal to fulfill the responsibilities designated in this constitution and so declared by a
majority of the Board of Elders. Voting will be at a duly-called meeting of the Board of
Elders.
(4) If an Elder gives evidence of actions or attitudes contrary to the intent of this constitution
and its statement of faith, he may be removed by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote at
a properly called meeting of the entire Board of Elders. Should the Elder in question
choose to appeal the decision, the process would be the same as that for the associate
pastor.
2. TRUSTEES:
a. Qualifications: The Board of Trustees will consist of men who have been members for a
minimum of six (6) months, who are of legal age, and who are elected by the eligible voting
membership at the December Election Business Meeting.
b. Number and term of office: The number of Trustees on the Board will be appropriate to the
size of the total active membership with a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of eleven
(11) members. Trustees will be elected for a term of three (3) years unless otherwise
specified at the time of election. Their terms will be arranged on a rotating basis so that as
nearly as possible the terms of one-third (1/3) will expire each year. Trustees must be
reelected to their office each term and may serve only two (2) terms consecutively, after
which they must remain off at least (1) year.
c. Organization, meeting, and quorum: At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees after the
first of January, the Trustees will elect from their number a chairman, vice-chairman, and
secretary of the Board. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees will be someone who has
served for at least one year (not necessarily in the immediately preceding year) on the Board
of Trustees before being asked to serve as chairman. The Board of Trustees may also
appoint such committees as are necessary for the effectual oversight of their duties. The
regular meetings of the Board of Trustees will be held at least monthly if deemed necessary
at such time and place as the Board may determine. Special meetings may be called at the
request of the Chairman, or a majority of the Trustees. Notice of a regular or special
meetings of the Board will be given from the pulpit, in the bulletin, or by telephone at least
one day prior to the meeting. A majority of all the Board members will constitute a quorum
for the Board, and the acts of the majority of those members present and voting will be the
acts of the entire Board.
d. Duties: The Trustees will have charge of the church buildings, grounds, and such other
property that the church may own or possess; keep the same in proper repair; and make
such expenditures as they deem necessary to accomplish their duties within budgetary limits.
e. Termination. The office of Trustee will be considered vacant when any one of the following
occurs:
(1) Death.
(2) Resignation.
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(3) Refusal to fulfil the responsibility designated in this constitution, and so declared by a
majority of the Board of Trustees. Voting will be at a duly-called meeting of the Board
of Trustees.
(4) If a Trustee shows himself by actions or attitudes to be disturbing to the purity, peace,
or unity of the church, he may be removed by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the
entire Board of Elders. Voting will be at a duly called meeting of the Board of Elders.
C. APPOINTED OFFICERS AND DUTIES:
Church officers appointed or elected by the Board of Elders will serve for a one (1) year term.
2. CHURCH CLERK. Duties will be as follows:
a. Keep an accurate record of minutes at all congregational meetings and special meetings.
b. Keep the membership list up-dated, along with baptisms and baby dedications.
c. Report all baptism and membership additions to The Standard, Baptist General Conference,
and the local district office.
d. Carry on correspondence in the name of the church.
e. Provide safe-keeping of records and documents of the church and pass on the same to the
successor.
3. CHURCH TREASURER. Duties will be as follows:
a. Pay all bills that have been duly authorized.
b. Keep an accurate record of all monies received and paid out.
c. Deposit all monies as directed by the Board of Elders.
d. Provide the Board of Elders with a written monthly statement.
e. Provide written reports for the semi-annual and annual meetings, and for other times
suggested by the Board of Elders. These written reports will be available to the entire church
body.
f. Count the offerings along with another member of the Finance Committee following each
service.
g. In the treasurers absence, two (2) members of the finance committee will count and record
the offerings following each service.
4. FINANCIAL SECRETARY. Duties will be as follows:
a. Keep an accurate record of check and envelope offerings by individuals.
b. Send individual givers a copy of their previous years offerings in January.
c. Be available, as necessary, to count offerings.
d. Be a resource person in decisions concerning the finances of the church.
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ARTICLE VIII. OUR AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES
Various committees shall be formed as required to implement the varied ministries of this church. In every
case, effort shall be made to include as many qualified people as possible (the ideal being one (1) person per
one (1) ministry responsibility), according to their gifting, in these ministries. These shall consist of the
following:
A. Standing Committees: Standing committees are those generally in place at all times, and
appointed by, and responsible to, the Board of Elders. They will oversee areas of the life and
ministry of the church as directed by the Board of Elders.
1. Membership: Membership on any standing committee shall be reviewed annually by the
Board of Elders, and shall follow the following guidelines:
a. Members should be actively involved, and/or have demonstrated interest, in the ministry
of that committee in order to serve on it. Should a member at any time fail to meet either
of these criteria, that person would be expected to stand down from that committee.
Leadership within these committees shall generally be determined by the committee.
b. Except under unusual circumstances, no member of a standing committee shall serve
simultaneously on any other standing committee. They may, however, serve
simultaneously on a temporary committee.
2. Duties: Their duties are to develop and review annually its ministry and budget for
submission to the Board of Elders, recruit and train ministry personnel, secure needed
resources, and to meet as often as required to carry out their ministry.
B. Temporary Committees/Task Forces: These are committees that are formed simply to perform
a task that has a clear starting and stopping point, at which time they will disband, and the members
will become available to other committees. Examples of such committees would be the annual
auditing committee, constitution review committee, nominating committee, pastoral search
committee, and the like. Membership of these committees will be restricted, again, to those actively
involved, and/or with demonstrated interest in, the task for which it was formed.
ARTICLE IX. OUR FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year will be from January 1 to December 31.
ARTICLE X. OUR MEETINGS
1. The December Election and Budget Approval Business Meeting. The election of officers and the
adoption of the budget for the coming fiscal year will be held on or around the first Sunday in December
or the nearest date convenient.
2. The Annual Business Meeting. The annual reports will be given on the third Sunday in January or
nearest possible date. The following reports will be given: Pastors, Associate Pastors, Elders,
Trustees, Christian Education Committees, Treasurers, and others deemed necessary.
3. The Semi-Annual Business Meeting. The semi-annual business meeting will be held the first Sunday
of July or nearest convenient date. At this time reports will be requested from the respective officers
of the church.
4. Special Business Meetings. Special business meetings may be called by the Pastor, Chairman of the
Board of elders, Board of Elders, or Board of Trustees. The time and place of such meetings and
nature of the business to be acted upon will be announced from the pulpit at least one (1) week prior
to the scheduled meeting.
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5. Quorum. For all regular business meetings, 20% of the eligible voting members shall constitute a
quorum. Active members who are 16 years of age or older will have voting rights, except regarding
votes related to the acquisition and sale of real properties, or the construction of buildings. In these
cases, eligible voting membership is restricted to those of legal age (refer to Article XI, 1). In the event
of a vote regarding the call or dismissal of a pastor, the amending of the constitution, the acquisition or
sale of real properties, or the construction of buildings, the quorum necessary to vote on said matter
will consist of one-half () of the eligible voting members. Missionaries, service personnel and college
students living away from home may be active members, but will not be considered active members
for the purpose of determining the numbers needed for any quorum. Under special circumstances
determined by the Board of Elders, absentee ballots will be made available to active members for any
business meeting. All absentee ballots received will count toward calculating all quorum requirements.
Absentee ballots must be received in the church office in a sealed envelope on or before the time of
any election.
6. Rules of Order. Rules of order at all business meetings will be Roberts Rules of Order.
7. Public Worship
A. The church will meet regularly every Lords Day for public worship.
B. Prayer and Bible study meetings will be held each week.
C. The Lords Supper will be observed according to the discretion of the Pastor and the Board of
Elders. They may also arrange for special observance as they desire.
ARTICLE XI. OUR PROPERTY
1. ACQUISITION OR SALE OF PROPERTY. Any business meeting at which decisions are made to buy
or sell real estate or construct buildings will be announced, and the nature of the business mentioned,
at all services for one week prior to the meeting, or the active membership will be notified of said
meeting by mail. Voting privilege on these matters will be only for those of legal age and eligible voting
members. Acquisition or sale of property requires a three-fourth (3/4) majority vote of a quorum (for
quorum, refer to Article X, 5).
2. DIVISION: In case of organic division of the church membership, the church property will belong to
those members who abide by this constitution.
3. DISSOLUTION: Should conditions arise when for any reason the church work cannot continue the
proceeds of the dissolution of this property will be given to such organizations that are in agreement with
this constitution, such as: Baptist General Conference, Faith Missions Board, Bible College, and Back
to the Bible Broadcast.
ARTICLE XII. ORDINATION
This church will have the authority to ordain qualified men to the gospel ministry. Such men will make
application for ordination to the Board of Elders. If the board of Elders approves the application, it will
authorize the Pastor to call an ordination Council to examine the candidate regarding his Christian experience,
desire to minister, education, character, and doctrinal belief. The candidate will be ordained publicly to the
Christian ministry by the congregation upon recommendation of this council.
ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular or special business meetings of the church, provided that
a copy of the proposed amendment has been duly publicized and proper attention has been given from the
pulpit not less than thirty (30) days prior to such meeting. The vote to amend must carry at least a three-
fourths (3/4) vote of the quorum (for quorum, see Article X, 5).
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