Constitution of Victory Baptist Church of the Poconos
This Church shall be known as Victory Baptist Church of the Poconos, Inc. It was incorporated April 1996, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The purpose of this church shall be to accomplish the will of the Lord Jesus Christ through the uniting of Christians in fellowship faithful to the Word of God, through the preaching of the whole counsel of God, for the spiritual edification of the saints, the winning of lost sinners to Christ, the propagation of the Gospel both at home and abroad and for the observance of the ordinances.
A. We believe that God has given His complete written revelation (the Scriptures) to mankind by means of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. That He superintended both the transmission and the reception of the message of God to the human author (2 Pet 1:21). Although God's revelation reflects the characteristics of its human authors, it is God-breathed, that is inspired (2 Tim 3:16). As a result, it is completely without error in the original writings (Matt 5:18). This revelation is the only such communication from God and is the only authority for the believer's faith and practice (2 Tim 3:17).
B. We believe the correct interpretation of Scripture is one that is according to a normal, literary means. This would include interpreting Scripture according to the grammatical, historical and theological context of each passage. It must be understood, however, that all proper interpretation is dependent upon the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens the believer in harmony with the grammar, the historical setting and the total teaching of all Scripture (1 Cor 2:9-13; 2 Tim 2:15). This methodology leads to a dispensational view to Scripture. This is an approach that recognizes that God's revelation has been progressive, and He has dealt with man according to His sequential revelation to man (Heb 1:1, 2). In addition, it affirms that individual salvation has always been by faith in God's provision of grace (Heb 11).
A. We believe that the God of the Scriptures exists in three divine persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each is eternal, identical in essence and possesses the same attributes (Gen 1:26; Exo 3:14; Matt 3:16, 17). The existence of God is stated throughout the Scripture, although it nowhere attempts to prove it (Gen 1:1). The distinctions between the persons in the Trinity are seen in their separate offices.
B. We believe that God is Spirit. He can only be known by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 4:24).
C. We believe that God exercises each attribute in conjunction with all His attributes. In particular, God's holiness tempers and conditions the exercise of all the other attributes (Isa 6:3). The result is that He must demand holiness in His creatures (1 Pet 1:16).
D. We believe that God, in six solar days, created all that has ever existed, and that today He sustains His creation (Gen 1; Col 1:16, 17; Heb 1:3; 11:3).
A. We believe that God the Father is the first person of the Godhead.
B. We believe that he is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power and matchless in love (1 Pet 1:15, 16; Rom 11:33-36; Eph 2:4,5).
A. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead, eternally existent (John 1:1, 2; Heb 1:8) and equal in essence with the Father (John 5:23, 26; 14:9-11; Col 2:9).
B. We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin (Matt 1:18-25) and as a result He became the God-man, a being consisting of both a perfect human and divine nature, yet only one person (1 Tim 2:5). He then lived a sinless life (Heb 4:15) and voluntarily died as a substitutionary sacrifice for all men (2 Cor 5:21). His death was followed by His literal, physical resurrection (1 Cor 15:3-4), after which He ascended bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Today Jesus ministers as a mediator on behalf of all believers (Heb 4:14; 1 Tim 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2).
Section 5. The Holy Spirit:
A. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He possesses personality and is of the same essence as the Father and the Son (Acts 5:3, 4; Matt 28:18-20; 1 Cor 2:11).
B. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the believer at the time of conversion includes regeneration (Titus 3:5), baptism into Christ's body (1 Cor 12:13), permanent indwelling (John 14:16) and sealing (Eph 1:13, 14). In yielded believers, the Holy Spirit controls the life (Eph 5:18), illumines the mind (1 Cor 2:12-14), guides (Rom 8:14), provides assurance of salvation (Rom 8:16) and makes intercession (Rom 8:26).
C. We believe that the Holy Spirit sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts upon the individual believers in this age (Rom 12:3-8). The gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 were revelatory and sign gifts that functioned only until the completion of the New Testament canon. In light of the present day undue emphasis upon some of the gifts of the Spirit (that is, tongues and healing), we are against the charismatic movement.
A. We believe that all who are saved from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture are a part of the Body of Christ, the church in prospect (1 Cor 12:13). This body has the following characteristics: Christ is the head of the body (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18); Christ is the foundation of that body (1 Cor 3:11-12); membership in the body is by Spirit baptism (1 Cor 12:13); in God's prophetic plan, the church is separate from Israel (1 Cor 10:32).
B. We believe that the local church is God's chosen means to accomplish His purposes for this age and that all believers should be a member of a local assembly (Matt 28:19, 20; 1 Tim 3:15; Heb 10:25). As a result, Christian service must be performed in connection with the local assembly, otherwise it is invalid. We believe that there are only two offices in the local church found in Scripture: pastor and deacon (1 Tim 3:1-13). We believe that the local assembly has authority to practice two ordinances: immersion of believers (Rom 6:3; Acts 2:41; 8:37-39) and the Lord's supper (1 Cor 11:24-26).
C. We believe that the local church should maintain separation from the world (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor 6:17-18) and from doctrinal error (Gal 1:6-9; 2 John 10). Those who fail to practice sound doctrine or proper moral conduct should be disciplined to maintain the purity in the local assembly and to foster repentance in the heart of the one disciplined (Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:1-11).
A. We believe that the first man was Adam (Gen 2) and that he was created in the image of God (Gen 1:26, 27). This image included untested holiness and personality (Gen 2:16, 17).
B. We believe that Adam's act of disobedience (Gen 3) brought sin into the human race (Rom 5:12). Adam's sin brought immediate spiritual death to himself, his eventual physical death, the depravity of his nature (Rom 1:28-32; 1 Cor 2:14) and the sentence of eternal punishment. Further, all men suffer all the consequences of Adam's sin because he is the father of the human race (Rom 5:12).
C. We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice (Rom 3:10-13). Both by birth and by a deliberate act of the will, men fail to conform to God's moral law in act (Rom 3:23), disposition (1 John 3:4) and state (Psa 51:5). Men choose self rather than God and have no means to save themselves. As a result, all men are destined to physical death and eternal spiritual death because of sin (Rom 6:23; Ezek 18:4).
A. We believe that God has provided a way of salvation (John 14:6) from the consequences of sin (Rom 6:23) through Christ's shed blood on the cross (1 Pet 1:18-19). This salvation was given because of the love of God and it is available to all mankind (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).
B. We believe that the Word of God and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit are necessary in the salvation of the individual (Rom 10:17; John 16:8). The obtaining of salvation is impossible apart from a personal, voluntary choice of the sinner. At this time he must repent of his sin (Acts 17:30) and ask God to save him (Rom 10:9, 10, 13), while trusting only in Christ (Eph 2:8, 9).
C. We believe that all believers have their salvation forever guaranteed (John 10:28-29; Rom 8:38-39).
D. We believe that a continuing work of salvation, called sanctification, is present in the life of each believer. This sanctification is a process that is transforming the believer's mind and life into conformity with Christ (2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:29; 12:1-2).
A. We believe that the next prophetic event to be fulfilled will be the coming of the Lord Jesus in the air to rapture all the believers of this age. It is an imminent, pretribulational, premillennial and personal return of Christ (Titus 2:13; Phil 3:20; 2 Thess 2:3-8; 1 Thess 4:13-18). At this time the body of each dead believer will be united with its spirit and living saints will be taken from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. Following this event, the reward/judgment of saints will occur at the bema seat (1 Cor 3:11-15). At some subsequent time, the believers will be gathered to participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7-9).
B. We believe that the seven-year tribulation period follows the Rapture (Rev 4-19; Dan 7:24-27). After the tribulation, there will be the millennium or 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth (Rev 20:1-7). Succeeding the millennium will be a brief period of rebellion and then the Great White Throne Judgment will take place. After this, there will be the eternal state in which the wicked will be in the lake of fire and the Saints will be with the Lord forever (Rev 20:7-15; 21:1-4; 1 Cor 15:24).
A. Qualifications: The membership of this church shall be constituted of persons, who having professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, give evidence of regeneration and of conduct worthy of their profession. Each member’s conviction must be in harmony with the faith and practice of this church, as set forth in the doctrinal statement. They shall have received believer’s baptism by immersion. No member can be a member of any secret society, such as communism, masonry, etc.
B. Procedure for membership
(1) Anyone desiring to unite with this church and having manifested evidence being ‘born again’ and having a vital interest in the church; having been interviewed by the pastor and a deacon (at the pastor’s discretion) shall appear before the church for membership to be voted on by the entire body. Candidates may be received into membership at any regular service of the church. Previous announcement is not necessary.
(2) All candidates shall be received on profession of faith. No member shall be received on the basis of a letter of transfer of membership from another church.
(3) All candidates shall receive, read and agree, in writing, with the constitution of the church before applying for membership.
C. Privileges of Members
(1) Active members, age seventeen (17) or older, shall have the privilege of voting in the church business meetings. No inactive member, or anyone under the age of seventeen (17) shall, at any time, be allowed to vote, or speak in any business meeting.
(2) Members who are training for or in the Lord’s work, or in the Armed Forces of our country, and wish to retain their membership may do so by indicating their desire at least once a year.
D. Definitions
(1) Active member: One who attends regularly the meetings of this church and who contributes and participates in the work of this church according to New Testament teachings (1 Cor 16:2).
(2) Inactive member: When members, without just cause or reason satisfactory to the board of deacons, shall fail to attend or manifest any interest in the church for a period of three (3) months, they shall be place on the inactive list and lose their right to speak or vote in any meeting of the church whatsoever, provided formal notice of this action has been tendered the member. The board of deacons shall make every effort to re-establish the member’s fellowship with the church and may restore an inactive member to active membership whenever such person shall indicate a desire to be reinstated by their regular attendance at church for three (3) months. Names remaining on the “inactive list” for more than three (3) months shall be removed from the church membership roll automatically. Before any member is placed on the inactive list or dropped from the church roll, he or she shall be officially notified. The church will be notified of such activity on its next regular scheduled business meeting.
A. An active member who desires to resign from the membership shall submit a letter of resignation to the pastor.
B. The pastor will inform the Board of Deacons of the member(s) resignation, which will be announced at the Sunday Morning Worship Service or scheduled business meeting. The announcement shall be recorded by the Church Clerk. The effective date of the resignation shall be the date the notice was received by the pastor or church.
C. The member(s) resigning shall be notified in writing by the pastor that the resignation announcement to the membership was made. The letter to the resigning member(s) shall be sent no later than ten days after the announcement.
A. At the discretion of the pastor and deacons, a member who moves permanently out of our area and does not attend services or financially support the church for three months will be automatically removed from the membership of Victory Baptist Church. The church will be notified at the next business meeting. If possible, the removed member will be notified in writing when such action takes place.
B. A member who joins another church will be automatically removed from the membership of Victory Baptist Church when such situation becomes known to the pastor and deacons. The church will be notified at the next business meeting. If possible, the removed member will be notified in writing when such action takes place.
A. Corrective discipline has for its aim the glory of God, the welfare and purity of the church, and the spiritual growth of the offender.
B. The discipline of the church shall be formative, corrective and restorative.
C. The biblical pattern is found in Matthew 18:15-17.
D. Any member who is guilty of persistent serious misconduct, and who persists in the same after due admonition by the pastor, deacons or any concerned member, may be excluded from the membership of the church by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting, at any regular business meeting.
A. The officers of the church shall be a pastor, an assistant pastor, deacons, a clerk, a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, a financial secretary, an assistant financial secretary a Sunday school superintendent and any other officers the church may see fit to elect.
B. No member can become an officer or leader of the church unless he or she has been a member of the church for at least six months.
C. Whenever dismissal from an office or a position may be in order against any officer or leader, on grounds of proven immorality, heresy in doctrine, apostasy or failure to properly attend his duty, he may be dismissed by a majority vote of the active church membership present and voting.
D. No person shall hold any office or be a worker in this church who does not fully accept the doctrinal statement and constitution herein or who is unwilling to cooperate with the pastor and in general promote the spiritual welfare of this church.
E. The Pastor sets the standards of punctuality, job description, and dress for the officers and workers of the church. He shall be guided by the Bible, the constitution of this church and his own conscience. He shall have the best interest of all members and visitors as a basis for his standards.
A. Regular elections: The regular election of officers shall take place at the annual meeting of the church. The terms of office shall be as hereinafter stated, except if there shall be no annual meeting, those officers last elected shall continue in office until successors are chosen or the church otherwise directs. Nominations, in addition to those people submitted by the nominating committee, shall be requested from the floor for each office and such nominees may be voted upon if the nominee agrees to serve. All officers shall be elected by ballot except those offices for which there is but one nominee may be filled as a group by voice vote.
B. Vacancies
(1) Vacancies in any of the offices, except the pastorate, may be filled at any regular or special church business meeting and the officers so elected shall serve for the unexpired term. At least two weeks notice shall be given in all cases before any such election.
(2) When a vacancy occurs in the pastorate and the church shall deem it advisable to call a pastor, three-fourths of the votes cast of the active church membership present and voting shall be necessary to make a choice. Such an election may take place at any regular or special meeting, provided two weeks notice have been given for the proposed action. All votes shall be taken by ballot.
A. Qualifications of the pastor
(1) The pastor shall be a believer in, and an ordained preacher of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. He shall be in full accord with the doctrinal statement as contained in this constitution without mental reservation. He shall meet the qualifications for a pastor as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
(2) Before entering the duties of this pastorate, the pastor shall be received into membership as any other member.
(3) The pastor shall not be a member of the World Council of Churches, the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Convention, the National Council of Churches, or any group connected with the ecumenical movement. He shall not be in sympathy with Neo-Evangelicalism, Interdenominationalism, or the Charismatic Movement.
B. Duties of the pastor
(1) The pastor shall faithfully preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; have the general oversight of the entire church; administer the church ordinances; preside at all prayer meetings, meetings of worship and business meetings, unless these are otherwise provided for; meet with the board of deacons; and perform such other duties as pertain to his position as leader of the Lord’s people. These would include
(1) The approval of all speakers in the pulpit and before church organizations.
(2) Being in charge of all disciplinary measures and carrying them out in accordance with this constitution.
(3) The reviewing and approval of all Sunday school, junior church and other ministry related literature.
(4) Being responsible for the selection of music and musicians of the church.
(5) The pastor shall visit the membership of the church on a regular basis.
(2) The pastor shall be a member, ex officio, of all church boards and committees, but shall not have the privilege of voting.
C. Salary and benefits
(1) His salary shall be agreed upon at the time of election and may be changed at any business meeting.
(2) The matter of the pastor’s annual vacation shall be determined by the church upon recommendation of the board of deacons.
D. Resignation or dismissal of the pastor[3]
(1) The Pastor shall be free to resign as he feels led of the Holy Spirit, but out of Christian courtesy he shall give a sixty (60) days written notice to the Church.
(2) Whenever dismissal proceedings may be in order against a pastor on grounds of proven immorality, heresy in doctrine, apostasy, or failing to properly attend his duties as pastor of the church, his services shall be terminated by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the active church membership, present and voting, at a meeting called in accordance with Article VII, Section 4 of this Constitution. All votes shall be taken by ballot.
(3) In the event that the Pastor's services terminate abruptly, either by resignation or dismissal, the salary and all benefits shall continue for thirty (30) days.
A. Calling an assistant pastor
(1) When the need for an assistant pastor occurs, the pastor shall examine the candidate and present him to the church.
(2) He shall be voted into office by a three-fourths vote of the active members present and voting at any church meeting.
(3) His salary shall be agreed upon at the time of election and may be changed at any business meeting.
(4) The matter of the assistant pastor’s annual vacation shall be determined by the church upon recommendation of the board of deacons.
B. Qualifications of the assistant pastor
(1) The assistant pastor shall meet the qualifications for a pastor as outlined by God in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
(2) The assistant pastor shall be a licensed or ordained Baptist minister.
(3) Before entering the duties of this pastorate, the assistant pastor shall be received into membership as any other member.
(4) The assistant pastor shall not be a member of the World Council of Churches, the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Convention, the National Council of Churches, or any group connected with the ecumenical movement. He shall not be in sympathy with Neo-Evangelicalism, Interdenominationalism, or the Charismatic Movement.
C. Salary and benefits
(1) His salary shall be agreed upon at the time of election and may be changed at any business meeting.
(2) The matter of the assistant pastor’s annual vacation shall be determined by the church upon recommendation of the board of deacons.
D. Resignation or dismissal of the assistant pastor[4]
(1) The Assistant Pastor shall be free to resign as he feels led of the Holy Spirit, but out of Christian courtesy he shall give a sixty (60) days written notice to the Church.
(2) Dismissal of an assistant pastor shall have a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the active church membership, present and voting, at a meeting called in accordance with Article VII, Section 4 of this Constitution. All votes shall be taken by ballot.
(3) In the event that an assistant pastor's services terminate abruptly, either by resignation or dismissal, the salary and all benefits shall continue for thirty (30) days.
A. Qualifications of a Deacon
(1) The board of deacons shall consist of as many qualified men as available. Two thirds of the deacons present constitute a quorum.
(2) Deacons will serve a term of two years. A deacon who wishes to continue to serve shall be eligible for re-election for another two year term. No deacon shall be eligible for re-election after serving two consecutive terms, for the period of one year, providing a qualified man is available for the office.[5]
(3) They shall be chosen as nearly as possible for their administrative ability and spiritual life as defined in the Scriptural qualifications for deacons, as given in Acts 6:1-6 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
(4) At the first meeting of the board of deacons following each Annual meeting they shall elect from their number a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Treasurer and a Secretary.
B. Duties of deacons
(1) It shall be the duty of the board of deacons to share with the pastor the responsibility for general supervision of the work of the church; to help promote its spiritual welfare and aid in organizing and developing its strength for the best possible service.
(2) The deacons shall assist the pastor in personal work and all other evangelistic efforts of the church and cooperate with him in providing for the pulpit supply and leaders for services in his absence.
(3) The deacons shall seek out such members of the church as may need assistance and use the Deacons’ Fund for their relief. The deacons shall visit the sick, distressed and needy members of the church and congregation.[6]
(4) The deacons shall make proper provision for the observance of the ordinances of the church.
(5) Together with the pastor, a deacon may interview all candidates for church membership
(6) The deacons shall consult with, advise or counsel the various boards, committees, officers and individuals of the church when they may deem it helpful to do so.
(7) The deacons shall meet with the pastor on a monthly basis. The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded and are open to inspection by the church. However, the confidentiality of sensitive issues must be protected.
(8) The deacons shall receive, hold in trust, and manage for the use of the church, all real estate and other property which it has and also all bonds, mortgages, investments and future legacies and endowments which may at any time become the property of the church. They shall be responsible for executing legal document and negotiating any contracts with other persons or corporations when so directed by the church. The deacons shall be responsible for hiring (or dismissing) a Sexton and determine his duties and salary, all of which actions are subject to the approval of the church. They shall keep the church, parsonage, and other buildings which may become the property of the church in good repair and adequately insured.
(9) The deacons shall first have the approval of the church before:
(1) Borrowing money, or placing a debt upon the church, or
(2) Changing any bond or investment in any trust funds which may become the property of the church, or
(3) Selling any real estate that is the property of the church, or
(4) Incurring an expenditure exceeding $100, except for an emergency detrimental to church property in which case a report shall be made to the church at the next regular business meeting.
(10) The deacons are wholly subject to the will of the church regarding all aspects of their work and shall report to the church at the annual meeting or oftener if required, on their activities since their last report. The deacons shall meet as often as is necessary to perform their duties.
(11) The deacons shall prepare an annual budget in cooperation with the treasurer which shall include amounts for regular and special proposed expenditures, together with a comparison of these amounts with those of the previous year’s budget and the actual expenditures incurred. Copies of the budget shall be made available to the church at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.
(12) The deacons shall consider requests from active members regarding needs of non-members and announce a love offering, if deemed appropriate, for the requested needs.[7]
A. The treasurer and assistant treasurer shall be elected for a term of one year.
B. The treasurer shall assure that all monies received by the church are deposited in a bank unless designated otherwise for some specific purpose.
C. A careful account shall be kept by the treasurer of all monies received and paid out, and a report of the same shall be given to the church monthly and annually. The treasurer’s books shall be open at all times for the inspection of the deacons, pastor and church or any auditing committee which may be appointed at any time.
A. The financial secretary and assistant financial secretary shall be elected for a term of one year.
B. The financial secretary shall keep a record of all monies received by the church.
C. In addition, a strictly confidential record shall be kept of all individual offerings given through the envelope system or otherwise specifically designated for record purposes. This confidential record shall be kept in order to provide the church with an official means of certifying individual contributions for tax exemption purposes or any other reason for which individuals require a record of their own giving. This record shall not be subject to church audit and the information therein shall not be made available to any persons whatsoever except those who desire a record of their own contributions.
D. The financial secretary may, however, use this record in preparing general reports for the church concerning overall giving, but shall not divulge information therein concerning the specific giving of any individual.
A. The clerk shall be elected for a term of one year.
B. The clerk shall keep a faithful register of the membership, to include current addresses, admissions, dismissals, deaths, baptisms, and ordinations, etc. The church clerk shall record all business proceedings of the church and provide a copy of the minutes for postings as soon as possible.
A. The superintendent of the Sunday School shall be elected for a term of one year.
B. He shall be responsible for overall administrative supervision of all Sunday School activities and assure that they are carried out in a manner consistent with the program and policies of the church as reflected in this constitution.
C. The superintendent shall
(1) consult with the pastor on the choice of teachers and the content and materials used in Sunday School,
(2) order and distribute the Sunday School literature to teachers and students,
(3) manage the roll,
(4) have substitute teachers prepared and appointed when needed.
It shall be the policy of the church to proclaim the Gospel and to support only
missions engaged in evangelization and in establishing New Testament churches or
mission ministries that directly support the growth and edification of local New
Testament churches.[8]
They shall be in heart agreement with our doctrinal statement, both in doctrine
and practice. (
This church will not support any missionary or mission board that is a member of the World Council of Churches, the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Convention, the National Council of Churches, or any group connected with the ecumenical movement. He shall not be in sympathy with Neo-Evangelicalism, Interdenominationalism, or the Charismatic Movement.
Any mission or missionary to receive support shall be approved by the church.
The church shall normally meet every Lord’s Day, morning and evening for public worship, at least once a week for prayer, and at such times for religious purposes as the pastor recommends.
The Sunday School shall meet every Sunday for the study of the Bible and shall be under the supervision of the Sunday School Superintendent and the control of the church.
The annual business meeting of the church shall be held during the first week of December each year.
Special business meeting: Special meetings may be called by the pastor, board of deacons, or on a written request to the church clerk by one or more members in good standing. Notice shall be posted two weeks before any special business meeting is held. Each item of business to be acted upon at a special business meeting shall be posted as an agenda for the church to see and/or announced from the pulpit whenever possible. No other business can be transacted unless a two-week notice has been given for a special business meeting.
The fiscal year shall be the calendar year, beginning January 1 and ending December 31.
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed by the church on the Lord’s Day, morning or evening, every month after one of the regular services, at which time an offering for the deacon’s fund of the church shall be received. This should usually occur on the last Sunday of the month.
The ordinance of baptism shall be administered upon request, before the church and should be followed by being received into church membership.
A. The Sunday School is a teaching arm of the church and shall be under the jurisdiction of the church.
B. Officers and teachers:
(1) The officers and teachers of the Sunday School shall consist of superintendent and registrar. The registrar and all teachers must be members of the church in good standing, shall be appointed by the pastor, the assistant pastor and the superintendent.
(2) All officers of the Sunday School shall be members of the church in good standing and on the active church roll.
C. Funds for the Sunday School will be provided through a budgeted working fund.
A. The young people’s societies are church-governed organizations, which shall be supervised by a young people’s director, who shall be appointed by the pastor as soon as possible. The director must be an adult male in good standing. A husband/wife team is preferred.
B. The director and the pastor shall approve all outside speakers.
C. The young people’s societies shall not join any organizations without the approval of the pastor.
D. Funds for the young people’s ministry will be provided through a budgeted working fund.
A. The nominating committee shall be elected by the church between the first of September and the first of October each year. The names of the nominating committee members shall be posted on the bulletin board of the church no later than the second Sunday of October of the current year along with the officers to be filled and the present office holders. The nominating committee shall post their report on the church bulletin board no later that fifteen days prior to the annual election held in December.
B. The members shall consist of the chairman of the board of deacons, one other deacon and two members in good standing of the church.
C. In case of any vacancy of church offices during the year, a special nominating committee shall be elected by the church. If for some reason this committee fails to recommend to the church, at the next business meeting, candidates for the vacant office(s), the church shall then proceed to fill the office(s) with nominations from the floor.
A. When a vacancy occurs in the head pastor’s position, the church shall elect a pulpit committee consisting of four members of the church.
B. The chairman of the board of deacons shall be chairman of this committee.
C. The duty of the pulpit committee shall be to seek for a suitable pastor. This committee shall seek names of qualified and available men to present to the church. The church shall vote on which men they want to consider.
A. The music committee shall be appointed by the pastor.
B. It shall consist of a minimum of four members.
C. Duties
(1) to provide accompaniment for all church services, both general and special music
(2) to be responsible to keep all musical instruments in good repair
(3) to lead the congregational singing and direct the choir.
(4) these duties will be executed under the direction of the pastor.
D. Funds for the music ministry will be provided through a budgeted working fund.
A. The head usher of the church shall be a male member in good standing and he shall be appointed by the pastor as soon as possible after the annual meeting.
B. The head usher shall report regularly to the pastor.
C. Ushers will be appointed by the head usher. These can be any member in good standing, seventeen years or older.
A. These groups shall come under the direct control of the pastor.
B. The pastor shall appoint the officers of each group and all officers over every group must be adult members in good standing.
C. All materials used by these groups and cooperation with any other group will be under the control of the pastor.
D. Funds for the junior churches will be provided through a budgeted working fund.
A. Any special fund proposed by any organization of the church shall be approved by the church.
B. These funds shall be kept by the church treasurer and shall be separate from the organizational treasuries.
A. The nursery superintendent shall be a member of the church in good standing, faithful to all regular services of the church, and appointed by the pastor as soon as possible after the annual meeting.
B. The nursery superintendent shall report regularly to the pastor, and shall be responsible for the scheduling of workers and general upkeep of the nursery facilities.
C. Funds for the nursery will be provided through a budgeted working fund.
A. It is our hope that Spirit-filled men will be called out from among us to proclaim the Gospel of the grace of God. Such men may be given a commission to preach and to administer the ordinances.
B. A license may be issued by a three-fourths vote of the active members present and voting, provided the pastor is convinced that the candidate has the Scriptural qualifications, suitable gifts, necessary training and had the blessing of God upon his public ministry.
A. When the church decides that one of its candidates possesses the Scriptural qualifications for ordination, the church shall call a council of ministers and brethren to examine the qualifications of the candidate and to recommend him to the church.
B. After due consideration of the council’s recommendation, the church shall decide upon ordination of the candidate by a three-fourth’s vote of the active members present and voting.
C. Women candidates: We believe that the Scriptures teach that women should not be ordained to the ministry. Therefore, the church shall not sponsor such applications. 1 Timothy 2:12
In the conducting of business, the vote shall be determined by those present and voting, except where otherwise stated.
The entire program of this church shall be support by the personal gifts and offering of the members of Victory Baptist Church of the Poconos, Inc. and those led by the Holy Spirit to contribute to its support. At no time may this church be permitted to use any unscriptural method(s) for raising funds. This outlaws suppers for pecuniary gain, all sales of tickets, chances, merchandise, rummage sales and any other methods of raising funds that are not supported by the teachings of Scripture.
This church reserves the right of affiliate with any other Christian organization that holds to our doctrinal statement and practices. In no wise shall we become a permanent member of any organization and we shall always reserve the right to withdraw our affiliations.
This constitution may be altered or amended at any regular or called meeting of the church by a three-fourth’s vote of the active members present and voting. The notice of such alterations or amendments must be presented to the church in written form at least one month before the action is taken.
A quorum for all regular and special meetings of this church consists of one-fourth of the active membership. Any active member who is away at school, work, full-time Christian service, military service, or who is permanently confined because of illness, or any member below voting age shall not be counted in the total membership to constitute a quorum.
All by-laws, rules, resolutions, or regulations previously adopted or in force in this church are hereby repealed.
[1]This section was added by amendment by VBC congregational vote on July 19, 1998; September 12, 1999.
[2] This section was added by amendment by VBC congregational vote on July 18, 2004.
[3]This section was revised by VBC congregational vote on April 16, 2000.
[4]This section was revised by VBC congregational vote on April 16, 2000.
[5]Changed by VBC congregational vote on November 2, 1997.
[6]Changed by VBC congregation vote on March 21, 1999.
[7]Added by VBC congregation vote on March 21, 1999.
[8] This section was amended by VBC congregational vote on July 18, 2004.