By – Laws
Article IV Organization
Section 1 – Name
The name of the Church Corporation is Lighthouse Baptist Church of Altamont, Illinois.
The term Baptist is used solely to identify us doctrinally in relation to other religious bodies. Our church holds no doctrine that is new or different from our forefathers’ belief. In addition to our “Articles of Faith,” the following beliefs, which made Baptist Churches distinctive in past history, we hold and seek to practice:
- A free church (separated) in a free state.
- A regenerated church membership.
- The Priesthood of the individual believer.
Section 2 - Authority
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1) Home; 2) Church; and 3) State (Government). Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given each institution specific Biblical responsibilities with understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, church, and state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God. Because civil government is by divine appointment and for our own good in society, rulers and leaders in all capacities are to be prayed for, honored, and except in those things opposed to God's will, obeyed.
However, in matters ecclesiastical, we recognize no Head but Jesus Christ the Lord and no organization higher that the local church.
Section 3 – Affiliations
This church shall ever retain the right and assume the responsibility to act for itself according to the Word of God under the counsel of the Holy Spirit. We shall sincerely seek and welcome fellowship with other Christians everywhere of like faith who gives evidence of true salvation through their faith and conduct.
ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
All members of the Church are members of the corporation.
Section 2
Membership of the church may be gained in one of the following ways.
- Any person professing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour may be received into membership after baptism by immersion.
- A person may be received by letter from a church of like faith and order.
- A person may be received by their statement of experience of regeneration, if having already been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost as a believer.
Section 3
Every member of the Church is expected to:
- Attend all meetings of the church, to labor for its welfare in such ways as conviction or church appointment may indicate;
- Contribute regularly, systematically and scripturally;
- Inform the church of their current place of residence.
Section 4
A member in good standing, changing residence and applying for a letter of dismissal to another and nearer Baptist Church is entitled to receive it promptly.
Section 5
A member who absents themselves from church or is lost to the knowledge of the church for three months shall be placed upon the suspension list, and is ineligible to vote until restoration is made. If the suspended member remains unrestored or undiscovered for one year following their suspension without satisfactory explanation they shall be erased form the rolls by vote of the church and can be restored to full membership upon making satisfactory confession and explanation. Suspended members will be dismissed by majority vote of all active present members (who choose to vote) at business meeting called for that purpose. The business meeting must be announced two weeks prior to said meeting and the suspended member must be notified if possible.
ARTICLE VI – GOVERNMENT, OFFICERS, CHURCH LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND ELECTIONS
Section 1
The government of Lighthouse Baptist Church shall be congregational and representative. All officials shall be approved by the church congregation.
Section 2
The officers of the church shall be:
- A Pastor.
- Deacons (when applicable).
- Trustees.
- Treasurer.
- Missionary treasurer.
- Secretary.
- Sunday School Superintendent.
- Head User.
- Assistant to the Pastor (when applicable).
Section 3
The officers shall be elected as needed at annual business meetings.
Section 4
The manner of choosing officers, their duties, etc., shall be as follows:
- A Pastor, called by the Lord and the church, whose duties and qualifications are defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus, who is to conduct the worship of the congregation, to preside at all meeting of the church including the regular and special business meetings except at such times when a moderator has been duly appointed, shall be called in the following manner.
A pulpit committee, elected by the church, shall call a Pastor. They may call a Pastor to preach (more than once) with a view to being called as a candidate. After hearing him and interviewing him, the pulpit committee may again call him to preach to the church as a candidate to be voted on by the congregation. Each candidate will be voted on by the church. The pulpit committee must not call more that one candidate at a time. A vote of three – fourths of the active members present (who choose to vote) shall be necessary to constitute an election of Pastor. No election of Pastor shall take place except at a meeting called for that purpose, public notice of which shall have been given from the pulpit at a regular Lord’s day service, at least two weeks previously.
The Pastor’s duties include, but are not limited to: the welfare and oversight of the entire church. He may call the church together for special business and his leadership shall be in every phase of church life. He shall have authority to purchase supplies necessary for the church and his work as needed up to, but not to exceed one-hundred dollars per month. Any money spent that exceeds one-hundred dollars must be approved by the majority of the church. The Pastor also has full authority over the pulpit, i.e.; who is to preach, speak, sing, etc.
The pastor shall be granted two weeks paid vacation annually, which shall include two Sundays.
The amount of the Pastor’s salary shall be determined by vote of the church, and shall be subject for revision from time to time in fair proportion to the prosperity of the church and due consideration has been given to the needs of the Pastor and his family.
The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite term, the relation to be broken by mutual agreement after not less than thirty days written notice give by either party.
Anyone desiring the Pastor’s dismissal must have legitimate reasons why and must follow the procedure laid down in Matthew 18:15-17. If no resolution can be made then the party seeking dismissal is permitted to circulate a petition one time. If the petition is signed by 51% of the active membership then a special meeting will be called with seven days prior notice to vote on his dismissal. Majority vote of the active membership present (who choose to vote) is sufficient for his dismissal. Upon his dismissal he can choose to finish out thirty day from the time of dismissal or accept thirty days full severance pay, to include wages and any benefits. In the event that the church cannot afford to pay the severance in one lump sum then an alternative payment plan will be established as follows. The church is obligated to pay in weekly payments of one hundred dollars or in bi-weekly payments of two hundred dollars until severance has been made in full.
The Deacons, who are scripturally qualified men, according to Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3, are to be chosen by the active, present members of the church (who choose to vote) by three-fourths vote. The Pastor, by virtue of his office is ex-officio a member of the board of Deacons.
The Deacons are to be servants of the Lord and the church. They are to be active in the soul-winning program. It shall be the duty of the deacons to look after the poor, to visit the sick, and they are to cooperate with and assist the Pastor as instructed by the Pastor.
Deacons shall serve a three year staggered term. At the end of three years they are ineligible for re-election for one year.
Trustees shall act as the legal and financial representatives of the church, but whose acts shall be binding as long as they are authorized by the church. The Pastor by virtue of his office shall meet with them at all meetings. Trustees’ terms will be indefinite as long as all parties are content. Trustees will be elected by three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote).
The Treasurer shall receive and deposit all money and pay all bills by check and keep a true record of the same. All tithes and offerings shall be counted by two or more men. The Treasurer shall distribute a quarterly financial report to the church. Under no circumstances will the Treasurer be allowed to pay or distribute money without proper authorization form the Pastor. The Treasurer will serve a two year tem and can be re-elected to consecutive terms indefinitely. Treasurers will be elected by a three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote).
The Missionary Treasurer shall receive and deposit all money, pay all bills and missionary financial support by check and keep a true record of the same. All Missionary offering shall be counted by two or more people. The Missionary Treasurer shall distribute a quarterly financial report to the church. Under no circumstances will the Missionary Treasurer be allowed to pay or distribute any money without proper authorization from the Pastor. The Missionary Treasurer will serve a two year tem and can be re-elected to consecutive terms indefinitely. Missionary Treasurer will be elected by a three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote).
The Secretary/Church Clerk shall be appointed by the Pastor and approved by the church by three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote). The Clerk shall keep and up to date record of the minutes of all meetings and proceeding of the church; and preserve all records, and keep a register of all members of the church, and act as corresponding secretary. The Clerk’s term is indefinite.
The Sunday School Superintendent shall have supervision (under the Pastors guidance) of Sunday School. He shall keep record of attendance and Sunday School membership, collect all monies, order materials as needed, and communicate will with the teachers as well as the Pastor. In case of teachers absence he must be ready to fill in. The Sunday School Superintendent will serve a one year term and can be re-elected to consecutive terms indefinitely. He will be elected by three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote).
The Head Usher, who will be under direct supervision of the Pastor, shall be responsible for appointing ushers to pass and receive the offering plates during all services. The Head Usher will also make sure visitors get a welcome packet and any other information made available to them. The ushers he appoints, as well as himself, will also be responsible for maintaining order on the premises during all services. He/they will make themselves readily available at all times to the Pastor and to the congregation. An usher will have many other responsibilities as they arise. The Head Usher will serve a one year term and can be re-elected to consecutive terms indefinitely. He will be elected by three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote).
Assistant Pastor or Assistant to the Pastor will be chosen by the Pastor and must be accepted by the church by three-fourths vote of active present members (who choose to vote). He must meet the same qualification of the Pastor. He can be dismissed two ways: 1) by the Pastor or 2) by the same procedure of dismissal applied to the Pastor. (See section 4. #1 last paragraph).
* In addition to the qualifications previously prescribed, it is believed essential that all officers and leaders of this church lead by example in accordance to the following guidelines:
- They should be faithful attenders at all services of the church.
- They should be faithful in their witnessing to the lost of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
- They should be faithful in all areas of their Christian life.
** Any officer or leader who finds he or she cannot fulfill their aforementioned duties on a continuing basis should resign.
*** The Pastor reserves the right to appoint other positions as needed in the church, (i.e. Sunday school teachers, song leaders, bus captains, choir directors, etc.)
**** Any officer who’s life in not in accordance with this handbook can be dismissed by majority vote of active present members (who choose to vote). Every attempt must be made to win back the erring officer. Two weeks prior notice must be given from the pulpit for any meeting concerning such a vote.
ARTICLE VII – MANNER OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS
Section 1
An annual business meeting shall be held on the third Sunday of every January.
Section 2
Special meetings can be called with in two weeks prior notice by the Pastor. Except in cases of emergencies or the need for immediate decisions.
Section 3
Those members 18 years or old and over can vote. Any member who has been absent of three consecutive months that is not providentially hindered is ineligible to vote until restoration has been made. Any one wishing to restore his membership must be restored 4 weeks prior to voting at any meeting.
Section 4
Abstaining from the voting will not count for or against any candidate or issue that is being voted on. Although it will be documented how many chose to abstain.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1
This constitution and by-laws shall be subject to such amendments as are necessary to the function of the church and that are consistent with the King James Bible.
Section 2
Any proposed amendment to this document must be submitted in writing, signed by its sponsor and presented to the Pastor to be announced two months prior to a business meeting. At that business meeting the proposed change(s) will be discussed and voted on. This constitution may be amended by an affirmative vote of not less than two thirds vote of all active members.
ARTICLE IX – DISSOULUTION
In the event of dissolution of this organization, proceeds shall be used for a non-profit organization chosen by the membership that meets the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code 501 © 1943.