(1) The pastor shall meet the requirements laid down in I Timothy 3:1 – 7 and Titus 1:7 – 9. The pastor shall seek to perform with fidelity the ministries of evangelism, stewardship, missions, and teaching; administer the ordinances; and exercise leadership in the church. The pastor is ex-officio member of all boards and standing committees.

(2) A pastor shall be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His candidacy shall take place at the meeting called for that purpose, of which at least two weeks written and public notice shall be given to the membership. Upon the close of the service of his candidacy, the vote shall be taken. The pastor search committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one candidate at a time. Election shall be by ballot, on the affirmative vote of 70 percent of those present being necessary for a choice. The pastor thus elected shall serve until his service is terminated by either pastor or church. The pastor shall give at least two weeks notice at the time of his resignation before terminating his responsibilities as pastor.

(3) The pastor shall be given four weeks annual vacation with pay. One week’s leave of absence with pay shall also be granted for attending the Southern Baptist Convention.

(4) The pastor shall be at liberty to take two weeks outside his own church for the purpose of revival. Reimbursement of the supply shall be borne by the pastor. Any additional time shall be granted by the church on recommendation of the deacon’s.

(1) Professional ministerial staff other than the pastor may be employed by the church as the need arises. A job description, which shall define the employment parameters as well as compensation and benefits, shall be written when the need arises.

(2) Recommendation of professional ministerial staff shall be made by a committee composed of the deacon’s and pastor and confirmed by a vote of the church.

(A) This church shall employ such support staff as the church shall need.

(B) A job description shall be written when the need for such staff is determined.

(C) Employee selection and the employment oversight of non-ministerial support staff shall be conducted by the Administrative Committee.

(A) Deacons

(1) There may be one deacon for every twenty active members of the church.

(2) Deacons shall be elected at regular business meetings of the church by secret ballot. Deacons shall be eligible to succeed themselves.

(3) Deacons shall at all times consider themselves as servants of the church. With the pastor, and as the Holy Spirit may direct, they are to consider and make recommendations to the church in all matters pertaining to its work and progress. They shall have oversight of the discipline of the church, shall establish and maintain spiritual fraternal relations with all members of the church, assist the pastor in the observance of the ordinances, and oversee the use of the church property. They shall arrange for regular meetings and such committees as are necessary to the discharge of their duties. The pastor, or the chairman of the deacons, may call the deacons in special session whenever the need for such arises.

(B) Trustees

(1) Three trustees elected by the church will hold in trust the church property.

(2) They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property, without a specific vote of the church authorizing each action. It shall be the function of the trustees to affix their signature to legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property or other legal documents where the signatures of trustees are required.

(C) Treasurer

(1) The Treasurer shall keep a record of all budgeted funds of the church and pay out same, under the direction of the church, and shall regularly make a report to the church of all transactions. He shall keep an accurate book of accounts, and annually shall lay before the church a statement of money so received and paid for the previous year. All books, records, and accounts kept by the Treasurer shall be considered the property of the church.

(2) The Treasurer shall honor only bills authorized by vouchers or by general order of the church. The vouchers shall be signed only by heads of the church organizations and committees which have allocations in the budget. All officers and committees of the church shall adhere strictly to the budget when it has been adopted by the church in making expenditures and incurring obligations, and only the church itself shall have the power to make changes or adjustments in the budget.

(D) Assistant Treasurer – The church shall have an Assistant Treasurer who shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of his duties.

(E) Financial Secretary – The Financial Secretary shall receive the envelopes after the money has been removed and counted, and from these shall give each donor individual credit. He shall keep the envelopes for reference for at least 13 months after the individual statements are issued. He shall also be responsible for preparing and distributing annual financial statements to all contributing members.

(F) Clerk – The Clerk shall keep the record of all the business meetings of the church, maintain a correct role of its members, and conduct all correspondence of the church pertaining to membership.

(G) Assistant Clerk – The Clerk shall have an assistant who shall aid him in the performance of his duties.

(H) Church Host/Hostess – The church Host/Hostess has the responsibility for supervising the various fellowship, social, and recreational activities of the church.

(I) Sunday School Director – This church shall have a superintendent of its Sunday School who shall, with the aid and cooperation of the pastor, manage the Sunday School in its teaching program ensuring that teachers for the various classes are recruited, that appropriate and necessary teaching materials are selected and purchased, and that regular reports of the activities of the Sunday School are submitted to the church at its regular business meetings.

(J) Mission Breakfast Program Director – The Mission Breakfast Program shall be administered by a Director who shall insure that all phases of the program are implemented. The Director’s duties shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting workers for the program, overseeing purchasing and proper storage of food and supplies, keeping a record of contributions and expenditures made, and submitting reports of program activities to the church at it’s regular business meetings.

(K) Youth Ministries Director – The Youth Ministries Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing ministries structured to meet the unique needs of youth in the church and it’s neighborhood not otherwise accommodated by the church. The Director’s duties shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting workers for the program; overseeing purchase, use, and proper storage of materials and supplies; keeping a record of contributions and expenditures made; and submitting reports of program activities to the church at it’s regular business meetings.

(A) The pastor shall appoint a Nominating Committee of no less than three members chosen from the church at large. Each member shall serve for a twelve month period and may succeed themselves as appointed by the pastor.

(B) The Nominating Committee shall discover, interview, enlist, and recommend persons to serve as church officers and members of standing committees.

(C) The Nominating Committee shall recommend to the church each year a slate of candidates to fill vacancies of church officers and standing committees for the coming year. They shall designate annually a chairperson for each committee except as otherwise herein provided. The committee serves throughout the year, making any necessary replacements and additions to the positions that are filled by volunteers.

(D) All committees shall meet at least quarterly if circumstances permit and when requested by the chairperson or pastor. All committees shall report regularly to the church.

(A) The Worship Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the worship of the church.

(B) The committee shall consist of two members in addition to the Music Director who shall serve as an ex officio member. They shall have authority to recruit other members of the church as necessary to accomplish the ministry goals of the committee.

(C) The committee is to be responsible for the promotion of special music and for the maintenance and repair of all musical instruments. The music tasks shall be: to teach music and hymnody; provide music and musicians for the congregational services of the church; lead persons to participate in hymn singing; train persons to lead, sing, and play music; provide music for special projects of the church; and, where appropriate, provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.

(D) The committee will provide for ushers to greet people as they enter or leave the church, provide bulletins and/or other materials, and generally oversee the needs of the congregation and Pastor.

(E) The committee shall be responsible for securing, arranging, and disposing of floral arrangements for church services.

(F) The committee shall have charge of the baptismal equipment and assist the pastor and candidates with baptism.

(A) This committee shall consist of three members. The Director of the Mission Breakfast program shall be ex officio to the Missions Committee. They shall have authority to recruit other members of the church as necessary to accomplish the ministry goals of the committee.

(B) The Missions Committee shall act as a steering group for mission work to be undertaken or sponsored by the church. They shall teach missions; lead persons to participate in missions; provide organization and leadership for special mission projects of the church; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the church and denomination.

(C) The committee shall have oversight of all mission offerings including the Annie Armstrong, State Missions, and Lottie Moon offerings.

(D) The committee shall consider all requests for financial assistance from students preparing for a church related vocation.

(E) They will investigate reports of persons of need, provide help, and make referrals to community agencies as necessary. In this capacity, they shall have oversight of all benevolent and missions activities of the church exemplified by such things as the food pantry, clothing closet, and mission breakfast program.

(A) This committee shall consist of the church Host/Hostess, who shall serve as chairperson, and two additional members. They shall have authority to recruit other members of the church as necessary to accomplish the ministry goals of the committee.

(B) This committee shall supervise all kitchen activities and adopt rules for the use and maintenance of the kitchen, purchase equipment and supplies as needed, and arrange for help for fellowship meals.

(C) The committee shall be responsible for contacting and assisting church members in times of crisis (death, serious illness, etc.) by making provisions for meals, childcare, transportation, etc., if needed. Flowers shall be sent with a card in the case of death of any member of the church or death in the immediate family of a member. The immediate family shall be defined as a mother, father, son, or daughter whether or not they reside in the same household.

(D) The committee shall seek to meet the social and recreational needs of members and groups. Its personnel shall provide social and recreational activities, consultation, leadership assistance, and resources. They shall be responsible for planning and conducting all church wide social and recreational events,

(A) The committee shall consist of the Sunday School Director, who shall serve as chairperson, and two additional members. They shall have authority to recruit other members of the church as necessary to accomplish the ministry goals of the committee.

(B) The purpose of the committee shall be to teach the biblical revelation, Christian theology, ethics, morality, history, and our Baptist heritage, polity, and organization. It shall gather and preserve the historical records of the church’s life and work, and lead all church members to worship, witness, learn, and minister daily. To this end, the Education Committee shall organize, staff, and operate a Sunday School; establish, equipment, and manage a media/library resource center; and develop other associated ministries or special learning opportunities as deemed necessary to accomplish their purpose.

(C) Sunday School

(1) A Sunday School shall be organized, divided into departments and classes for all ages, and conducted under the direction of a general superintendent. It shall the responsible for teaching the biblical revelation and shall lead in reaching all prospects for the church.

(2) The Sunday School Director shall, with the aid and cooperation of the pastor, manage the Sunday School and its teaching program ensuring that teachers for the various classes are recruited, that appropriate and necessary teaching materials are selected and purchased, and that regular reports of the activities of the Sunday School are submitted to the church at its regular business meetings.

(D) The Media/Library Resource Center shall be the resource center for the church. Its personnel shall seek to provide and promote the use of printed and audiovisual resources. They shall provide consultation to church leaders and members in the use of printed and audiovisual resources.

(A) This committee shall consist of the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and the Trustees. They shall have authority to recruit other members of the church as necessary to accomplish the ministry goals of the committee.

(B) It shall be the duty of the Administrative Committee to give attention to and study the condition, state of repair, and appearance of the buildings and grounds. They shall make such repairs and improvements authorized by the church and/or included in the church budget.

(C) This committee shall be responsible for the work of the janitor and all other persons employed in the capacity of caring for the building and grounds. The chairperson of this committee shall be responsible for seeing that janitor’s supplies are purchased.

(A) This committee shall consist of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, and the Financial Secretary.

(B) This committee shall prepare annually a proposed budget for the calendar year. The proposed budget shall be submitted to the church for adoption at a business meeting during the fourth quarter of the year. Said budget shall be published at least two weeks prior to its submission. Upon adoption of the budget, the committee shall meet regularly to consider the financial condition of the church. Any questions concerning expenditures shall be brought to the attention of the committee.

(C) It shall also be the responsibility of this committee to count the offerings of the church.

(A) The Church Council shall consist of the pastor and all ministerial staff, the chairperson of the Deacons, the Youth Ministries Director, and the chairperson’s of all standing committees.

(B) The primary function of the council shall be to recommend to the congregation suggested objectives and church goals; to review and coordinate program plans recommended by church officers, organizations, and committees; to recommend to the congregation the use of leadership, calendar time, and other resources according to program priorities; and to evaluate program achievements in terms of church goals and objectives.

(C) All matters agreed upon by the council, calling for action not already authorized, shall be referred to the church for approval or disapproval.

(A) The church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning and evening for preaching, instruction, evangelism, and for the worship of Almighty God, and on Wednesday evening for prayer. These meetings will be open for the entire membership of the church and for all people and shall be conducted under the leadership of the pastor.

(B) Occasional religious meetings may be appointed by the pastor at his direction or by a vote of the church.

(C) The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed by the church at least one Sunday a month.

Regular business meetings shall be held quarterly at a time and place specified by the Church Council.

A special called business meeting may be held to consider special matters of significant nature. A one week notice must be given, except for the calling of a pastor (see Article II, Section 2) for the special called business meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical.

At the Pastor’s discretion, a special business meeting may be convened on the last Sunday of the month for the sole purpose of acting on recommendations of candidates for membership into Riverside Baptist Church.