Constitution

of the

Pine Hill Baptist Church
Tunnel Hill, GA

Adopted by the “Membership” on September 6^th, 2006

Preamble

Since it pleased Almighty God, by His Holy Spirit, to call certain of His servants to unite here September 15^th, 1946 under the name of Campbell Hill Baptist Church of Tunnel Hill, GA, for the worship of God and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and He has sustained and prospered this work to the present day; and

Whereas we, the members of Pine Hill Baptist Church, having searched the Scriptures under the guidance of His Spirit, have recognized the need to reconstitute ourselves to more closely conform to His will for the Church in this age and prepare ourselves for greater efforts in His name;

Now therefore we, the members of Pine Hill Baptist Church, do hereby organize ourselves and adopt this Constitution as our articles of governance, to be interpreted at all times to reflect the character of and bring glory to Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Holy Bible (KJV 1611) and articulated in standards set forth in the “Church Covenant” (Church Member’s Handbook; adopted June 17^th, 1948) and “Articles of Faith” (Church Member’s Handbook; “The Baptist Faith & Message” adopted by the Catoosa Baptist Association in 1925; 1963; and last updated:  June 14^th, 2000) of this Church.

Reposing our faith wholly in Jesus Christ for our salvation, believing in the teachings and practices of the Baptists and in those great distinctive principles for which they have ever stood, and accepting the whole Bible, the inspired Word of God (KJV 1611), as our authoritative rule of faith and practice; we therefore adopt the following articles:

Article I – Name

This body of this Church shall be known as Pine Hill Baptist Church, 12626 Highway 41, Tunnel Hill, GA  30755-7809.

Article II – Polity

Section 1 – Government

The government of this Church is vested in the body of baptized believers who compose it.  It is an independent, self-governing and democratic body.

Section 2 – Association

This Church voluntarily associates with other Churches of like faith; and other Baptist Churches; and the Catoosa Baptist Association (June 17^th, 1948).

Section 3 – Authority

Since all ministries are established and all officers are elected by the Church; they are instruments and servants of the Church.  The final seat of authority in all matters is in the Church body.  Provided such questions shall be determined in accordance with the Word of God (KJV 1611), in the spirit of Christian Endeavor and provided further, such determination and decisions shall be founded in accord with and pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws herewith.

Article III – Purpose

The “Purpose” of this Church shall be the “Church Covenant”; see Church Member’s Handbook, which was adopted on June 17^th, 1948.

Article IV – Articles of Faith

The “Articles of Faith” of this Church shall be “The Baptist Faith & Message”; see Church Member’s Handbook, which has been adopted by the Catoosa Baptist Association (1925; 1963; and last updated:  June 14^th, 2000).

Article V – Membership

This Church shall consist of believers in Jesus Christ, baptized by immersion and who take the Holy Bible as their only rule of faith and practice.

Article VI – Ministers

Section 1 – Pastor

The Pastor shall be a male having been called of God to preach and meeting the scriptural qualification set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-11.  He must believe and adhere to the Word of God (KJV 1611); the Constitution and By-laws, the Church Covenant, the Articles of Faith, the spiritual and moral standards set forth in this document and be uncompromising in preaching these truths.  It shall be the Pastor’s duty to preach the gospel, teach the scriptures, administer the ordinances, articulate a vision for the congregation, train and prepare leaders, equip the saints for the work of ministry in order to evangelize the lost, care for the sick and bereaved and in various other ways guide and advance the spiritual welfare of the Church.  He is to arrange for suitable pulpit supply when absent.  He shall be called by the Church upon recommendation of the Pastoral Search Team as provided for in Article VI, Sections 3-4.

Section 2 – Change of Relationship

It shall be the privilege of either the Church or the Pastor to dissolve relations by giving one (1) months notice, or less where both parties are agreed.  The dismissal of the Pastor shall be by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote at an announced meeting of the Church for that purpose.  Previous notice shall be given at two preceding Sunday morning services.  Such a meeting may be called upon the request of the Diaconate (a two-thirds vote of the Diaconate is required), or upon the request of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the active members.  See Article II, Section 5, and Paragraph 7 called “Diaconate’s Recommendation of Termination for Cause” of the By-Laws.

Section 3 – Pastoral Search Team

1. Upon the resignation, removal, incapacity, or death of the Pastor, a Pastoral Search Team shall be formed as follows:
   
1. Two members of the Diaconate, appointed by the Diaconate.
2. Three male members-at-large shall be nominated by the Church (elected by secret ballot at a special meeting of the Church called for that purpose).
3. In the absence of a Diaconate, three male members-at-large shall be nominated by the Church (elected by secret ballot at a special meeting of the Church called for that purpose).

All of the above nominations shall be approved by the Church membership.

2. Pastoral Search Team shall elect its own chair and secretary.
3. It shall be the duty of this team, after seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit, to proceed to procure a prospective Pastor whom they shall present to the Church for election.  Once appointed, this team will serve continuously until a Pastor is called or the team is dissolved.
4. Pastoral Search Team shall be responsible for filling the vacant pulpit.

Section 4 – Election of Pastor

The Pastor shall be elected by secret ballot at a special meeting of the Church called for that purpose.  Previous notice shall be given at two preceding Sunday morning services.  A three-fourths (3/4) majority vote at an announced meeting of the Church for that purpose of the active members present and voting shall be required to elect.  For the purposes of calling a Pastor, a quorum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the active membership shall be required.

Section 5 – Other Ministers

Additional ministers may be added to the ministerial staff as deemed necessary upon recommendation of the Pastor and the Diaconate.  Candidates shall be interviewed by a team appointed by the Church and recommended for approval by three-fourths of the team.  Final approval will be by vote of the Church.  Severance of duties of these same ministers can take place again at the recommendation of the Pastor or by the Diaconate, with final approval by vote of the Church if desired by the minister in question.

Article VII – Officers

The Biblical offices in the Church are elders (Pastor) and deacons.  In addition, our Church recognizes the administrative positions under this Constitution and By-Laws of the Treasurer and Church Clerk.  The officers of the Church shall be the Pastor, Diaconate, the Treasurer and the Church Clerk.

Article VIII – Voting

Section 1 – Entitlement to Vote

Any active member in good standing shall be entitled to vote on all matters coming before the Church.  However, members under 18 years of age shall not be entitled to vote upon the calling or dismissal of the Pastor, matters of discipline, major finances, or amendments to the Constitution, By-Laws or suspension of the By-Laws.

Section 2 – Secret Ballot

A secret ballot on any issue may be called for upon decision of the majority of those present and voting.

Section 3 – A Quorum

Ten percent (10%) of the membership of the Church shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Unless otherwise stated in this Constitution or the By-Laws, a majority affirmative vote of all active members present and voting is required for matters coming before the Church.

Article IX – Literature

Any literature that officially represents this Church or that is used by any ministry of this Church must first be approved by the Pastor and Diaconate.

Article X – Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any business meeting of the Church by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present, provided that such amendment in writing, shall have been read and approved by the Pastor and Diaconate and read at the regular services on two consecutive Sundays preceding said meeting and posted for two weeks immediately preceding the meeting in a conspicuous place with the Church building.

All revisions and changes made to this Constitution up to September 6^th, 2006 are included.