BYLAWS
_______
CANE CREEK
BAPTIST CHURCH
A NON-PROFIT
CORPORATION
___________________
These Bylaws were adopted at a duly constituted
meeting of the congregation on April 23, 2006. They supersede all previous
bylaws.
Bylaws of Cane Creek Baptist Church
A Nonprofit Organization
Preamble
For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our
faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner
consistent with the accepted tenets of the Baptist tradition and for the
purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this
church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to
other churches, we do declare and establish this constitution.
1. The name of the organization shall be Cane Creek Baptist Church of Orange County, Inc.
2. Whenever it is desirable to abbreviate the name of this organization, the name Cane Creek Baptist Church shall be considered in every way the legal name of the corporation.
3. Whenever the word “church” is used in these bylaws or their amendments or other official action of the church corporation, it shall signify the legal organization of this church as established in the Articles of Incorporation and herein. References to votes of the church shall have reference to a vote of members of this church corporation.
4. The principal office of Cane Creek Baptist Church shall be located at 6901 Orange Grove Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278.
Article II – Purpose
1. The purpose for which
this corporation is organized, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is:
a.
Worship: to celebrate God's grace and active presence in
our lives;
b.
Discipleship: to prepare people to lead Christ-centered
lives;
c.
Evangelism: to lead people into a saving relationship with
Jesus;
d.
Fellowship: to show God's loving care through interaction;
e.
Social concern: to be actively involved in our community as we
have been since 1789;
2. This corporation may
organize and maintain ministries and divisions, including but not limited to, schools,
child care centers, relief programs and social services and other religious,
educational, charitable, and recreational programs authorized by law which will
promote and advance the religious purposes set forth herein.
3. No part of the net
earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable
to its members, officers or other private persons, except to pay reasonable
compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in
furtherance of the purposes as set forth in the Articles.
4. No substantial part of
the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not
participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of
statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public
office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation
shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a
corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future
U.S. Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by any corporation, contributions to which
are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or
the corresponding provision of any future U.S. Internal Revenue Law).
Article III – Vision
Our vision is to be a Christ-centered church made up of people who are lovingly devoted to God and caring for others; who are committed to family-centered ministries, who are dedicated to growth in our spiritual lives; and who actively support mission work in our world.
Article IV –
Religious Liberty
1. Autonomy of the local church: A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to the church full freedom in pursuit of its spiritual goals. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions or to impose taxation for the support of any form of religion. No ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored over others. The church should not resort to civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its goals. It is the duty of loyal Christians to render loyal obedience to civil authority in all things not contrary to the revealed word of God.
2. Soul Freedom: Baptists are non-creedal. Salvation requires only that one accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Every Baptist church is independent and sovereign. The primary source of belief among Baptists is the Bible and the Bible alone.
Article V –
Governance
1. The final authority in all affairs of this corporation shall rest with the church in conference. This body shall possess the inherent power to project plans, to elect officers, approve budgets, delegate authority, adopt and alter its charter, Bylaws, Procedures and Policies, receive members, and make all other decisions necessary or proper to the fulfillment of its stated aims and purposes.
2. This church is an independent and autonomous church with full and final authority to determine solely within itself all matters related to the life of this church including, but not limited to, its financial affairs, affiliations, ownership and use of property, membership qualifications, and pastoral leadership.
3. This church is not subject to the control of any other ecclesiastical body.
4. This church is also guided by the Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant that appear in the Policies and Procedures Manual.
The church recognizes and sustains the obligations and benefits of mutual counsel and cooperation, which are common among Baptist churches. The church may affiliate or terminate affiliation with any Baptist association, convention, fellowship, or any organization whatsoever by a two-thirds vote of the active membership at a duly called business meeting for which prior notice has been given. Current affiliations shall be published in the Policies & Procedures Manual.
d. On the recommendation of the Deacons, the church may vote to suspend the requirement of baptism by immersion in cases of physical inability or severe hardship.
e. By vote of the church, persons who choose not be baptized by immersion may be voted into the Watchcare of the church.
3. Types of membership
a. Active:
i. Active members of the church are expected to be faithful in all the duties essential to the Christian life:
1. To regularly attend the church services;
2. To give regularly for the church’s support and causes; and
3. To share in the church’s organized work.
ii. Each September, the Deacon Board, in connection with the election of new deacons, will submit to the church a list of all active members.
b. Inactive
i. Definition
1. Those who have moved from the area; or
2. Have not participated regularly in the life of the church.
ii. Inactive members living in the area will be contacted if possible and urged to renew active participation in the life of the church.
c. Under the watchcare of the church.
4. Rights and Duties
a. Active
i. Every active member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present.
ii. Every active member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as a candidate for elective offices in the church.
iii. Members shall have access to the principal records of the church including minutes of its governing bodies and principal financial reports. These rights shall not include the right to review or inspect individual donor records or personnel files.
b. Inactive
i. Inactive members of the church may not vote.
ii. Inactive members are not eligible to hold office.
c. Under the Watchcare of the church
i. Members under the Watchcare of the church may not vote.
ii. Members under the Watchcare of the church are not eligible to hold office.
d.
Shared rights and duties
i. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.
ii. All members shall have access to the principal records of the church including minutes of its governing body and principal financial reports. However, consistent with Baptist doctrine and practice, these rights shall not include the right to review or inspect individual donor records or personnel files.
5.
Termination
a.
Membership shall be terminated by
i.
Death of a member;
ii.
Personal request of the member; or
iii.
Transfer of letter to another church, providing
there is:
1.
A personal request by member; AND
2.
A request from the receiving church.
iv.
Membership
may be terminated when it is verified that a member has united with another
church without a letter of transfer.
6. Contributions
a. Tithes
i. No member shall be required to give a fixed amount to defray the expenses of the church.
ii. All members are expected to contribute regularly in compliance with their covenant obligations and according to their ability.
b. Gifts
i. Gifts will be accepted that are designated for any specific mission project on a church, local, national, or international level.
ii. With the exception of what is received at regular church offerings, gifts that are made with no special designation, or that are designated "special gifts," will be referred to the Special Gifts committee.
iii. In accordance with current tax laws, no gifts will be accepted through the church that are designated specifically for church staff members or other individuals.
Article VIII –
Religious Meetings
1. Schedule of services
a. There shall be a worship service each Sunday and other services as deemed appropriate by the church.
b. Any service may be cancelled due to extenuating circumstances without notice.
2. The Lord’s Supper
a. The Lord’s Supper shall be observed on the first Sunday of each quarter or upon any other date as shall be determined by the church.
3. Special Communion
a. Upon request made to the Pastor or the Board of Deacons, a special communion shall be arranged for a member or attender.
Article
IX – Business Meetings
1. Annual Meeting
a. The church shall hold its annual meeting each December at a time set by the Board of Deacons.
2. Regular Meetings
a. A business meeting may be called at the request of the Board of Deacons or by written petition of at least ten active members submitted to the Chair of the Board of Deacons.
b. Timing
i. The church shall hold business meetings for the transaction of business as necessary.
c.
Notice
i.
Written notice will be provided in the bulletin of
the Sunday services for each of the two weeks preceding a business meeting.
Additional notice may be provided in a monthly newsletter.
d. Each business meeting shall be opened and closed with prayer.
e. Any member present at the meeting shall have the privilege of introducing business and speaking on any motion, provided the member is recognized by the chair.
f. Every motion made and seconded shall be duly voted on unless tabled by a two-thirds vote of the members present or withdrawn by the member making it.
3.
Special Meetings
a.
At any regular meeting of the church, the pastor
may call for an immediate business conference to act upon the reception of new
members or the appointment of messengers to meetings.
b.
Special
business meetings may be called by the Pastor, the Board of Deacons, or by any
ten members requesting such in writing. The time and place of any such special
business meeting, and matters to be considered shall be stated in the call, and
public announcement shall be made at the Sunday morning service the week
preceding the special meeting. Only business matters announced in the call may
be addressed at the special meeting. Special meetings shall be held immediately
following a Sunday morning service.
4. Rules of Order
a. The pastor or the Chairman of the Board of Deacons shall preside over the meeting as the chair.
b. Meetings will be conducted in a spirit of Christian love and understanding.
c. The latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall be the Parliamentary procedure used by the church.
d. The leader of the meeting, in the absence of any objection, or with the consent of a simple majority, may deviate from such rules in the interest of full discussion and resolution of the issue.
e.
These Rules of Order shall not be altered or
amended except at a regular meeting of the church and by the consent of
two-thirds of the members present.
5. Quorum
a. Twenty-five percent of the active membership shall constitute a quorum.
6. Voting
a. Voting Methods:
i. At all meetings, including the election of officers and deacons, all votes shall be by voice or a show of hands.
ii. At any regular or special meeting, if any one member so requests, any vote may be held by secret ballot.
b.
Secret ballot procedures:
i.
At all votes by secret ballot, the chairman shall
appoint a committee who shall count the votes and certify in writing to the
Chairman the results of the vote. A certified copy shall be attached to the
official minutes of the meeting.
ii.
No member shall be appointed as a vote counter who
would be personally affected by the outcome of the vote.
c. Special Voting
i. The following matters shall require a two-thirds majority vote:
1. Dissolution of the Organization
2. Changes to the Bylaws
3. Removal of a Director or Officer
d. Each member shall have one vote and such voting may not be done by proxy.
Article X - Major Expenditures
1. With the exception of emergency expenditures,
major expenditures not previously approved in the annual budget require
approval by the Board of Deacons in consultation with the Finance Committee.
2.
Depending on the nature and amount of the proposed
expenditure, the Board of Deacons may request approval by the church at a duly
called business meeting.
3.
A major expenditure is one of $500 or more.
4.
Competitive bids for major expenditures should be
obtained when feasible and when the procedure could result in savings for the
church.
Article
XI – The Board of Deacons
1. Duties and Authority: The currently serving deacons shall, meeting and acting together:
a.
Constitute the Board of Directors of Cane Creek Baptist
Church. Such Board of Directors shall
change by and in the same procedure as for the terms of deacons so that the
Board of Directors shall perpetually be the same as the Board of Deacons. In
their capacity as Directors, they shall have the duties and responsibilities of
Directors as set forth in the North Carolina Non-Profit Corporation Act
subject, however, to the limitations set fort in the charter and bylaws. The
Directors shall not have power, except as expressly authorized by the
congregation, to purchase, sell or encumber any real or personal property, to
install or remove officers or staff, to amend the Bylaws or charter, or to bind
the corporation to any contract.
b. Have general oversight of the spiritual interest of the church.
c. Serve as a council of advice in all matters pertaining to the welfare and work of the church.
d. Assist in the administration of the Lord’s Supper and the ordinance of Baptism.
e. Conduct regular or special services in the absence of the pastor or provide for a substitute.
f. Oversee and administer the Benevolent Fund, both the collection of offerings once per quarter and the disbursement of funds to those in need. Disbursement can be made when two or more Board of Deacons Board members or the pastor agree on a legitimate need.
g. Review the proposed annual budgets, modifications to the budget, suggestions from the Special Gifts Committee, and to make recommendations concerning them to the church.
h. Review Personnel Committee recommendations concerning appointments, covenant agreements, salary and salary increases, terminations, and promotions, and to make recommendations to the church.
i. Create and maintain a Policies and Procedures Manual which shall contain all currently controlling policies and procedures governing all aspects of the church’s affairs including committee responsibilities and authority, staff job descriptions, including that of the pastor, policies regarding the handling of funds, use of facilities, and employment policies and practices. A copy of the manual shall be available in the church office for any member to inspect.
j. Arrange for the speaker at the annual homecoming celebration on the third Sunday in May of each year.
k. Arrange for a Special Communion when requested, under Article VIII (3).
l. May establish procedures for reconciling differences and for dismissing members from the church.
m. Each Deacon shall have charge of a section of the membership and attenders of the church. The purpose is to develop members' spiritual life, and to visit, encourage, and counsel, that all may abound in the work of the Lord.
2. Structure
a. Composition
i. The Board of Deacons shall consist of ten members and as many others as the Board of Deacons shall consider necessary for the needs of the church.
ii. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Deacons.
iii. The Board of Deacons shall elect annually a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Secretary. The secretary shall keep written minutes of all meetings of the Deacon Board.
b. Qualifications
i. Each member of the Board of Deacons must have a desire to serve God and others.
ii. The Board of Deacons Board member should strive to be a servant of the church, to be a regular contributor, and should rely upon the power of persuasion and peace making instead of the power of authority.
iii. The model set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 should be the standard that the Board of Deacons Board member seeks to attain and the congregation uses to elect members.
iv. All persons who have been active members of Cane Creek for at least one year, who are at least twenty-one years of age, and who have not served as a deacon for at least one year, are eligible for election.
3. Elections
a. On or about September 1 of each year, a list of active adult members shall be distributed to the congregation informing them of those eligible to be elected to the Board of Deacons. This list shall be made available and publicized at least two weeks prior to the nomination vote.
b. Around the middle of September, a nomination vote will take place in which members shall vote by secret ballot for those they wish to see elected to the Board of Deacons. Those with the most votes from the nomination election, and who agree to serve if elected, shall appear on the final election ballot.
c. The final election will occur during the latter part of September by secret ballot. The number of candidates shall be twice the number of vacancies. The one(s) receiving the most votes shall be elected. Results of the election shall be made known first to the candidates, and then to the rest of the congregation.
d. The ordination of a new Deacon shall be as soon as possible following election.
4. Terms
a. Terms of service shall begin in October.
b. Deacons shall be elected to serve for a continuous term of three years.
c. Deacons may not serve consecutive terms.
d. Deacons may serve more than one term but must be off the Board for at least one (1) year between terms.
5.
Removal
a.
A deacon may be removed for missing four
consecutive meetings without good cause or for other just cause by a two-thirds
vote of the Board of Deacons
6. Vacancies
a. Vacancies may be filled on the Deacon Board in the same manner as Deacons are elected.
Article XII – Meetings of the Board of Deacons
1. Regular Meetings
a. Timing
i. The Board of Deacons Meetings shall be held once per month at a time determined by the Board of Deacons.
2. Special Meetings
a. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair, Vice Chair, the Pastor, or any two Board of Deacons members.
b. Notices of such meetings shall be sent at least twenty-four hours before the scheduled time. Such notice shall state the reason for the meeting, the business to be transacted at the meeting, the time and place of the meeting, and who called the meeting.
c. In the event of an emergency, the pastor or the Chair of the Board of Deacons, the Vice-Chair, and any other deacon may call an emergency meeting of Deacons. Action is limited to the matter requiring emergency attention. Emergency actions taken by the Deacons shall be presented to the church for approval following the next Sunday service.
3. Rules of Order
a. Meetings shall be conducted according to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
b. The leader of the meeting, in the absence of any objection, or with the consent of a simple majority, may deviate from such rules in the interest of full discussion and resolution of the issue.
4. No quorum shall be required, however the Chair may defer discussion or a vote if it is decided that too few members are present.
5. Voting
a. Voting Methods:
i. At all meetings, except for the election of officers and deacons, all votes shall be by voice.
ii. For election of officers and Deacons, election shall be by anonymous ballot.
iii. At any regular or special meeting, if a majority so requires, any question may be voted on by secret ballot.
b. Secret ballot procedures:
i. A