Pyerian Baptist Church Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE PYERIAN BAPTIST CHURCH

REVISED MAY 28th, 2023

Article I NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1 The name of this body of baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be: PYERIAN BAPTIST CHURCH of Dillon County of the state of South Carolina.

Section 2 The purpose of this Church shall be to promote and maintain public worship, to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, to carry out the Great Commission of Christ, and to promote Christian fellowship and growth among its members.

Article II MEMBERSHIP AND WORSHIPPERS

Section 1 All worshippers, (those who attend the services) members, and those who hold an office in the Pyerian Baptist Church are expected to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth as the Bible teaches and to be decent and orderly.

Section 2 The membership of this church shall be composed of those who have given satisfactory evidence of regeneration (new birth), who have been baptized by immersion, who have subscribed to the covenant and constitution of this church, and who have been received by a satisfactory vote of the church.

Section 3 Members may be received upon a public profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, by transfer of their membership from another church of like faith and order, by statement satisfactory to the church to the effect that they have previously been members of a church of like faith and order, or by restoration.  (Having been excluded from the membership of the church.)

Section 4 Members shall be expected to be faithful in all the duties of the Christian life, as commanded in the Holy Bible by our Lord Jesus Christ, to be regular in attendance at the services of the Church, to give their tithes and offerings to its support and to the kingdom cause, and to share in its organized work.

Section 5 This church shall dismiss from its membership or its church records those who are removed by death, those who unite with churches of another faith to which this church does not grant letters, those who join another church of like faith and order and a transfer of membership is requested and those who are excluded by a two-third vote of the church and this only after due process, as Scripture provides.

Section 6 The membership of this church shall be divided into two groups: Active and Inactive

Active: Those members who are faithful to fulfill their Christian duties as set forth in the church covenant and are faithful in attendance.

Inactive: Those members, who for a period of one year fail to attend services, or to live up to the church covenant, will automatically be placed on the inactive list.  (This does not include those who are physically or financially unable to fulfill their covenant duties.)

ARTICLE III OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 1 The primary officers of this church shall be: Pastor, seven Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, and three Trustees.  The duties of these officers shall be those common to the office they hold and in accordance with the Scriptures.

Section 2 This church shall have such other officers and committees, as the Holy Spirit directs and the church elects, to carry out the purpose of the church.  The duties of any and all such officers and committees shall be those connected with the office they are elected to hold and according to the instructions of the church.

Section 3 All officers and committees except Pastor, Deacons, and Trustees, shall be elected by a three-fourth vote of the membership present at the annual meeting of the church, and shall serve one year or until their successors are elected. 

Section 4 Pastor: The Pastor shall be chosen by a duly elected Pulpit Committee of the church, and presented to the church for their approval by three-fourths of the vote cast by the membership present at a regular or called business meeting.  The Pastor shall serve during the pleasure of the church.  If the church seeks the resignation of the Pastor, they will pay him 30 days (one month) salary in advance and he is dismissed.  If the Pastor seeks to end his Pastoral relationship with the church, he will give a 30 day (one month) notice in advance of his departure. 

Section 5 Duty of the Pastor: It shall be the duty of the Pastor to administer to the spiritual needs of the church and congregation, whether at home, in the hospital, or at church.  He will conduct the services of public worship and act as moderator at all business meetings, and shall act as ex-officio member of all boards and committees.  He will attend Deacons meetings.  The pastor shall serve in agreement and accordance to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and those Scriptures that pertain to his office.

Section 6 Pastor’s Salary: The salary shall be that fixed by the church on a recommendation by the Finance Committee.

Section 7 Board of Deacons: The number of active Deacons shall be seven men.  They shall serve in agreement and accordance to 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and those Scriptures that pertain to their office.  Three will rotate off the board each year.  Three new deacons will be elected by the church on secret ballot from a number of five recommended by the nominating committee.  The two receiving the highest vote cast shall serve three years and the third with the highest vote shall serve one year.  Those rotating off the board must wait one year before they can serve again.  No two men from the same family (father, son, brothers) can serve at the same time.

 Section 8 Duties of Deacons: It shall be the duty of the Deacons to cooperate with the Pastor in the work of the church, as the Holy Spirit directs, and to be zealous for the growth and spiritual advancement of its members.  The deacons must bring all things to the church by recommendation for the approval of the church before it can be carried out.  The deacon board is to meet once a month, at its discretion, and will elect a chairman, at the first meeting, to serve in that particular year.  The chairman will preside over each deacon meeting and will also act as moderator of the church in the absence of the Pastor.  All recommendations to be brought to the church must be approved first by a majority vote of the deacon board.  The deacons shall assist the Pastor in the observance of the Lord’s Supper, and perform such other duties as the church elects.

Section 9 Board of Trustees: This board shall consist of not less than three members elected by the church to serve at the pleasure of the church.  This board shall be legal tenants of all church property, subject to the instructions of the church, and they shall take all measures necessary for its insurance and protection.

Section 10 The Nominating Committee: This committee shall consist of three members nominated from the floor and elected by the church in a called business meeting no later than the first Sunday in August.  This committee shall nominate the Sunday School Superintendent and the Training Union Director; two names for each office.  These names are to be placed on a ballot in their respective order and voted on by secret ballot of the church.  The name that receives the highest vote in each office will serve in that office and the other candidate will serve as the assistant.  These four, the Sunday School Superintendent, the Training Union Director and their assistants will become members of the Nominating Committee.  This seven member committee shall then nominate five names for the deacon ballot of which three shall be elected by the church. The Nominating Committee will nominate all the other officers and teachers of the church, the Sunday School, the Training Union and committees to be voted on by the church no later than the second Sunday in September.  These officers, teachers, and committees will begin their duties, such as is common to their respective offices on the first Sunday in October, after their election. 

Section 11 Exceptions: The Nominating Committee shall not nominate the W.M.U. President, or Brotherhood President.  These will be elected by their respective organizations and approved by the church.

Section 12 Finance and Budget Committee: This committee shall consist of five members to be nominated by the nominating committee, (and if possible, to be the General Treasurer, chairman of deacons, the Sunday School Superintendent, the Training Union Director and Chairman of Nominating Committee.)  It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to study the financial affairs of the church, as to income and expenditures, so as to maintain a balanced budget, so the church shall be kept free from debt for operating expenses.  This committee shall endeavor to increase the number of regular contributors and tithers among the membership.  This committee shall prepare an annual church budget to be presented to the church for their approval.

Section 13 Treasurer: This officer shall be elected annually by the church and shall be the custodian for all church money.  He shall keep a correct record of all receipts and expenditures, and shall make a monthly report of the same to the church.  All expenditures shall be brought to the church for their approval except those already voted on in the budget.  All bills shall be paid by church so as to have a dual record.

Section14 Recording Financial Secretary: This officer shall be selected annually by the church.  This officer shall enter all contributions made to the church in the record book and shall give a statement of such to each person requesting it at the end of December.  

Section 15 Clerk: The clerk shall be elected annually by the church.  This officer shall keep a brief but complete record, of the minutes of each and every meeting of the church.  The officer shall keep a correct and up to date roll of the membership of the church, and shall promptly request such letters from other churches of like faith and order as the church requests, and forward all letters granted to other churches of like faith.  All records shall be entered in a bound book provided by the church.  These records are to be returned to the church when a new clerk is elected.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS

Section 1 Worship Services: Scheduled worship services shall be held on each Sunday morning at eleven o’clock and each Sunday night at 6:00 PM.  Sunday School will be at 10:00 AM each Sunday and Discipleship Training at 5:00 PM.  Prayer Meetings will be held at 7:00 PM each Wednesday.  The church can change this arrangement any time it chooses to do so, without a thirty-day notice.

Section 2 Revivals: There will be two regularly scheduled revivals each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.  This can also be changed by a two-thirds majority vote of the church at any time and more revival meetings held if the church desires and the Holy Spirit leads.

Section 3 Homecoming: This event shall be on the Sunday following the Fall Revival.  A Homecoming Dinner will be served on the grounds; this all to be done at the pleasure of the church.  Also a committee of five will be appointed upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee and elected by the church to make plans for this day.

Section 4 Business Meetings: All business of the church will be brought by special called meetings, by the Pastor or the chairman of the Board of Deacons in the absence of the Pastor or the things pertaining to the Pastor, and the church shall be given one weeks’ notice of meetings that require special attention.

Section 5 The Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper shall be observed once each quarter, and if possible, on the first Sunday in each quarter.  

Section 6 Baptism: A Baptizing Service will be held when necessary, and the Deacons will assist the Pastor in the preparation thereof.

ARTICLE 5 THE FAMILY AND MARRIAGE

Section 1 God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society.  It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.

Section 2 Marriage is the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.  It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.  (Revised by church vote, May 28th, 2023)

Section 3 No union that is not in accord with the Biblical example of one biological man, one biological woman will be performed on these church grounds or officiated over by any active minister or officer of this church.  Any minister or officer that officiates or participates in an unBiblical union whether on or off church property will be immediately dismissed from all positions and responsibilities after due investigation and proof of participation.  Salary standards as noted in Article III Section 4 will remain in effect. (Revised by church vote, May 28th, 2023)

Section 4 The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image.  The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people.  A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church.  He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family.  A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ.  She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.

Section 5 Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord.  Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage.  Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle examples and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth.  Children are to honor and obey their parents.  

Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8, 14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7

(All Sections of Article 5 are taken from the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, except section 3 which is a statement of the church.)

ARTICLE VI DISCIPLINE

Section 1 It’s Meaning and Spirit: Any member having just cause of complaint against another member, must first seek to remove this complaint as directed in Matthew 18:15-17.  If this is not sufficient, the complaint shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Deacons and the Pastor, who shall report their findings to the church and recommend such action as they deem wise and proper.  All discipline shall be carried out in the Spirit of Christ, in meekness and Godly fear lest any fall by the way.  

ARTICLE VII GENERAL

Section 1 Fiscal Church Year: The church year shall be from January 1 through December 31 and an annual report to the Pee Dee Association shall cover that period.

Section 2 Filling Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy in any elective office during the year, the Nominating Committee will recommend to the church for their approval a person or persons to fill these vacancies.

ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS

Section 1 This Constitution and By-Laws: May be amended, altered, or repealed by a two-thirds vote of the church at any business meeting, provided that such amendments be given to the Deacons  in writing, and that such proposed change shall be presented to the church at least 30 days prior to the time the vote is taken.

Section 2 Copies of this Constitution and By-Laws shall at all times be available to any member of Pyerian Baptist Church in good and regular standing.  Copies will be placed in the office, in the pulpit stand, given to the clerk, and in the Pastor’s study.  Copies will also be given to each deacon and other main officers of the church.  

ARTICLE IX RECOMMENDATIONS, APPROVAL AND ADOPTION

Section 1 The Constitution and By-Laws Recommended, after careful consideration and prayer, by the Pastor and Board of Deacons of Pyerian Baptist Church, with a unanimous decision that it is for the safety and well being of the church.  Recommended this 9th day of January, in the year of our Lord, 1966.  (Revised January 13, 1997)

Section 2 This Constitution and By-Laws Approved and Adopted, by a unanimous decision of all members present in a called business meeting, after the church had been given due notice thereof, approved and adopted on this the 16th day of January in the year of our Lord, 1966, and revised May 14, 1989.