PREAMBLE

I. Statement of Purpose: "Here We Stand"
II. Our Theological Stance
III. Doctrinal Basis

ARTICLES

I. Name and Affiliation
II. Basic Beliefs: Baptist Distinctives
III. Congregational Covenant
IV. Objectives
V. Membership
VI. Method of Support
VII. Amendments

BY-LAWS

I. Business Meetings
II. Religious Meetings
III. Officers, Boards and Committees
    A. Officers and Boards
        1. Pastor(s)
        2. Board of Deacons
        3. Board of Trustees
        4. Sunday School Board
        5. Moderator
        6. Clerk
        7. Treasurer
        8. Stewardship Secretary
        9. Sunday School Superintendent
    B. Committees
        1. Audio-Visual
        2. Cemetery
        3. Christian Education
        4. Decorating
        5. Missions
        6. Music
        7. Nominating
        8. Nursery and Children’s Church
        9. Prayer and Concern
        10. Social
        11. Stewardship
        12. Tellers
        13. Ushers

APPENDICES

I. Rental Policy
II. Marriage Policy
III. Funeral Policy
IV. Child, Youth and Adult Abuse Prevention Policy
V. Rules of Order
VI. Financial Audit

I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

In a time of confusion, change and the erosion of old authorities, yet filled with opportunity and a challenge, Florenceville Baptist Church affirms, within its Constitution and Doctrinal Statement, the unchanging Christian message to the world.

Under Jesus Christ as Lord, we hold to the authority of the Bible because we believe that God gave it through men by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and its central affirmations shall be the basis for the Doctrinal Statement of Faith of the Florenceville Baptist Church.

We hold that through Jesus Christ, reconciliation with God and Man, and inner spiritual renewal are absolute prerequisites to the basic healing of the emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual dilemmas that plague mankind.

Therefore we purpose to train and equip Christians of faith and competence to evangelize throughout our sphere of influence by presenting the claims of Christ for personal decision; and by manifold ministries, to promote the social, personal and eternal well-being of men of women.

We desire that all our members and adherents love the Church and work with it and through it, whether in its local, denominational or universal expression, because we believe that the Holy Spirit works to unite God’s People in the fellowship of love in the task laid before and upon them.

We also desire that our members and adherents seek to combine concerning revealed truth with searching openness to new insights, alertness to contemporary currents of thought and flexibility in modes of operation.

Therefore, in our work together we purpose to conserve the truth of God without being static or uncritical, to combine authority and freedom and to practice a living, creative ministry as called for by our belief in a living, creator God.

We purpose to have a program of ministry and teaching in accord with these aims and subject it to continuing review as led by the Holy Spirit.

We seek to do all this in subjection to the gracious authority of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

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II. OUR THEOLOGICAL STANCE

To declare our identity as a conservative, evangelical Church is to invite certain misunderstanding. Labels are notoriously imprecise and unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, it seems impossible to avoid some such form of identification. Since conservatism means many things to many people, it is a term which requires interpretation.

As a "conservative, evangelical Church" we feel that the expression of the Christian Gospel must underline and affirm the traditional and historic tenets of the Christian Faith concerning the birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection and nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. The authenticity of the Gospel is linked to the truth or falsity of these assertions and so to surrender or undermine those assertions is to seriously jeopardize the Christian mission. While Christian doctrine must be related to new issues and new knowledge, the Holy Scriptures have their own claims which cannot be waived in deference to new ideas from any Non-Biblical source.

To be "conservative" as we see it, is not to be narrow-minded, close-minded, rigid or uninformed. Conservative, evangelical theology, in our meaning, simply insists that there is an irreducible element to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is not open to negotiation or replacement, and that this Gospel rests upon the revelation of God and His will as expressed in the life of Christ and the words of the Holy Scripture. The central affirmations of the Gospel have been variously stated. The early Church formulated it in the words of the "Apostles Creed" and various summaries of the rule of faith. We at Florenceville Baptist Church have striven to formulate our expression of that Gospel as indicated in the paragraphs captioned "Here We Stand" and "Doctrinal Basis of Florenceville Baptist Church."

Within the framework of these expressions, we believe, there is almost limitless room for inquiry and expression of faith which challenges the best minds and loyal hearts. It is our belief that "conservative, evangelical theology" and Churchmanship does not imply a static position but, rather, a firmly rooted one, with a good foundation in fact and tradition allowing for growth in one’s faith and practice. Thus, we feel it will be possible for each of our members and adherents both now and in future generation to grapple with the great issues concerned in discovering and carrying out God’s purposes for the Church and His People. Therefore, all the facilities of this Church and its People must be directed to the personal development and equipping of the Christian that he/she, in turn, might become enabled to convert and equip others through the power and revelation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Thus, we shall be conservative in foundation, evangelical in framework, but unlimited in scope as we seek to have the ceilings of this Church open to the heavens and the revelations of God.

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III. DOCTRINAL BASIS

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, and that He is true God and true Man, and is the only and sufficient mediator between God and Man.

We believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit and that His ministry is to reveal the Christ to men and women in the regeneration and sanctification of their souls.

We believe in the Divine supernatural as the vital element in the revelation and operation of the Christian Faith.

We believe that the Bible, composed of the Old and New Testaments, is inspired of God, and is of supreme and final authority in faith and life.

We believe that mankind was created in the image of God, sinned and thereby incurred spiritual death.

We believe in the vicarious death of the Lord Jesus Christ, for our sins, in the resurrection of His body, His ascension into Heaven, and in His personal and visible return to this earth, and that salvation is received only through personal faith in Him.

We believe that baptism is immersion of a believer in water, in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; setting forth the essential facts in the life of the believer - death to sin and resurrection to the newness of life in Christ; and that the Lord’s Supper is commemoration of the Lord’s death until He comes.

We believe that a New Testament Church is a body of believers thus baptized, associated for worship, service, the spreading of the Gospel and the establishing of God’s Kingdom in all the world.

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I. NAME AND AFFILIATION

The name of this Church shall be Florenceville Baptist Church of Florenceville, New Brunswick in membership with the Northwestern Association of Baptist Churches and the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches.

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II. BASIC BELIEFS

A. Jesus Christ is Lord. "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name which is above all names at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) With Baptists this is supreme and sufficient. "What did Jesus say?" That is our Law. "What did Jesus do?" That is our example. The Lordship of Christ is a key doctrine, the true and unchanging organizing principle of this Baptist Church. With us, Christianity is Christ and Christ is Christianity.

B. The Supreme Authority of the Holy Scriptures in all matters of faith and practice.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Baptists hold that the Holy Scriptures are the sufficient, certain and authoritative revelation of God in everything affecting our beliefs and behavior and obedience to their teachings is binding upon all Christians.

C. The Competency of the Believer before God. This doctrine, Baptists believe, is inherent in New Testament teaching. "For you have one Master, the Christ." (Matthew 23:10) "For there is one God and there is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5) This implies the Priesthood of all Believers, that every Believer under God is competent to approach God without any intermediary. This means that everyone has the privilege to worship God according to the dictates of an enlightened conscience without any earthly hindrance. As a result of this principle, Baptists teach that each Believer is responsible, under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit, to develop his own personal and spiritual relationship with God. In larger affairs of community and governmental administration, Baptists believe in the complete separation of Church and State.

D. A Regenerate Church Membership. This doctrine is clearly taught in many places in the New Testament. "You must be born again." (John 3:7) "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) "So, those who received His Word were baptized." (Acts 2:41) The members of the New Testament Church are spoken as "sanctified," "quickened," "beloved of God," "saints and faithful brethren in Christ." The New Testament teaches that people must be regenerated, have a personal knowledge and experience of grace and that only such persons should be baptized and enrolled as Church members. The New Testament also calls for evidence of continuing growth in the knowledge of God and Christ through corporate and personal prayer and diligent and regular study of the Holy Scriptures.

E. A Baptist Church is a Spiritual Democracy. Baptists believe in religious liberty, including the principle of Congregational Church Government, with all members of the Church having equal rights, privileges and duties under the Lordship of Christ. In that both freedom and responsibility are involved, independence and interdependence are freely and equally acknowledged, each Congregation being free to make its own decisions within the local context while associating with others in fellowship and wider service to carry out the commission of the Master’s Church. "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."

F. The Ordinances are Symbols of Great Religious Facts, Both Historical and Experiential. The two ordinances that Baptists recognize are "Believer's Baptism" and "The Lord’s Supper." These are central and vital because they were ordained not by men, but by Christ Himself.

Baptism: This is a symbol of a deep spiritual experience. "Do you not know that all of us who have baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized also into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)

Baptists believe that it is by immersion that this burial and resurrection are portrayed as evidenced by the New Testament.

Baptism is a confession of faith. The Master said: "Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) This formula is stated at each Baptism and expresses the faith of the candidate as well as the administrator.

Baptist is an oath of solemn obligation. When one is baptized with an intelligent understanding of its meaning and significance he is registering a vow before men that he will "walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) Therefore, the act of baptism represents a powerful witness to all those who observe this Ordinance.

The Lord’s Supper: This is both a memorial and a symbol. It is observed in remembrance of Jesus, His life, His death, His resurrection, His words and His works. "Do this in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:24) This Ordinance is a visible expression of the Gospel and it is in the light of the Gospel that it must be understood. The bread and the cup speak of Christ’s broken body and shed blood, the price He so willingly paid for our salvation. While the bread and the cup are only symbols, the presence of Christ in the heart of each Believer transforms this simple Act of Remembrance into the Ordinance of Holy Communion.

The foregoing basic Baptist beliefs are in accordance with the statement of agreed doctrine and church polity in the Basis of Union 1905-06 of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches.

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III. CONGREGATIONAL COVENANT

The dictionary describes a "Covenant" as being an agreement between two or more parties. The Bible, however, defines the concept of the covenant in terms of a way of life and a state of being. It is not just an agreement it is a sacred bond between God and His people and an assurance of care and love. We in Florenceville Baptist Church, following the biblical traditions of both the Old and the New Testaments seek, by the use of the following Covenant, to enter into a sacred agreement, with each other, with and before God, and in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; who by His own death and resurrection personified the New Covenant which God has given mankind.

Having been led, as we believe, to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with one another;

That being led and enabled by the Holy Spirit, we will serve together in brotherly love, with Christian sympathy and kindness; exercise a Christian care over one another and tenderly, faithfully and humbly admonish and help as may be needful; walk circumspectly in the world; be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements; cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; participate in one another’s joys; bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; be slow to take offence and ready always for reconciliation.

That we will not neglect the opportunities for Public Worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ;

That we will seek to acknowledge and honor Christ as Lord of our households; seeking to raise our children in the love and admonition of the Lord;

That we regularly observe private devotions in prayer and in thoughtful study of the Holy Scriptures; seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit;

That we will strive for the advancement of the Church in all of its interests and will sustain its Worship, Ordinances, Discipline and Doctrines; and according to our ability, we will contribute regularly to its support and ministries, particularly in the proclamation of the Gospel, both locally and throughout the world; and we will endeavor to witness and/or evangelize personally where opportunity permits;

That we will co-operate in constructive good will with other Christian Churches and agencies, wherever conviction permits, in the work that our Lord has given us to do;

That in the case of removal from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Church of like faith and practice where we can carry on the spirit of the Covenant;

And finally, that in all things we will seek to live to the honor and glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose name we commit ourselves to this Covenant.

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IV. OBJECTIVES

Inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, our Church is to worship God, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to teach the nature and function of the Christian Faith and life, and to carry out the ministry of Jesus Christ to the world.

A. To Worship is to make a living, obedient response to God’s presence.

B. To Proclaim is to preach and teach the truths and the propositions of God, the complete and finished salvation through Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension and the certainty of Christ’s Second Coming to those of all ages through the Sunday Services and related ministries of the Church.

C. To Teach the nature and function of the Christian Faith is to demonstrate both publicly and privately the validity of the premises, tenets and doctrines of Christianity through worship, study and personal and corporate example.

D. To minister is to seek earnestly to meet the needs of all persons through the expression of Christian love in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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V. MEMBERSHIP

This Church practices Believer’s Baptism by immersion as taught in the New Testament and practiced in the New Testament Church. All decisions regarding membership shall occur on the recommendation of the Board of Deacons at a regular Business Meeting of the Church and shall require a 2/3 majority vote of the Members present.

A. Reception

A person may be received into membership in the following manners:

1. Upon the confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and baptism by immersion and an expressed desire to receive the Right Hand of Fellowship symbolizing membership in this Church.

2. By letter of transfer from some other Church of like faith and order.

3. Upon statement of Christian experience, if previously baptized by immersion.

4. Upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons solely in cases of dire infirmity or emergency or unusual medical condition only baptism may be administered by symbolic means such as aspiration (sprinklings) or affusion (pouring). Upon any subsequent request for Transfer of Membership, the Sister Church must be made aware of the nature of the Member’s baptism and circumstances so as to preclude any embarrassment to the Member or the Churches involved.

B. Dismissal

A person may be removed from membership in the following manners:

1. By letter of transfer, upon request, to any other Church of the same faith and order.

2. By letter of dismissal, upon request, to join a Church of another denomination, or one that may not accept the standards of membership in this church.

3. By withdrawal, upon request, to have his or her name removed.

4. By termination by the Church, when the individual has been on the inactive list for at least three(3) years, and when contacts and faithful efforts that have been made have resulted in no response.

5. By exclusion by the Church, when validated and faithful efforts have been made to bring an unfaithful member to repentance and amendment but have proven unsuccessful.

C. Inactivity

From time to time, there will arise situations where members will become inactive in their service to Christ and His Church. Sometimes this will be by choice and sometimes by circumstance. Whatever the case, the Board of Deacons will seek to remedy the situation or place the member(s) on the Inactive List. The following situations will give the cause for the Board of Deacons to take action:

1. All non-resident members who do not communicate with or contribute to the Church for a period of three (3) years may be considered by the Board of Deacons for placement on the Inactive List after having sent a letter to the member seeking an affirmation of membership, a request for letter of transfer or dismissal, or withdrawal of membership. No response will automatically result in a recommendation to the Congregation for placement of the member’s name on the Inactive List.

2. All Members in such a position as that described above shall be contacted by letter or personal contact by the Chairperson of the Board of Deacons and/or the Senior Minister asking for clarification of the Member’s intentions. The Member shall indicate his/her affirmation of membership, request letter of transfer or dismissal of membership, or request termination of membership.

3. Following the recommendation of the Board of Deacons, the Church may vote to place the name(s) of the person(s) so recommended on the Inactive List or take the action requested by the inactive member.

4. The Inactive List shall not be counted in any report of Church Membership and Members placed on the Inactive List shall have no vote in any Church Business.

5. A person may be re-instated from the Inactive List to the Active Church Roll by an affirmative vote of the Board of Deacons.

D. Church Discipline

In matters of Church discipline the object of the Church shall always be to maintain and uphold the highest Christian principles as expressed in Holy Scripture and formulated in the spirit and example of Christ. All matters of Church discipline must be the result of consideration and validation by the Board of Deacons.

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VI. METHOD OF SUPPORT

The expenses of the Church shall regularly be met by the voluntary offerings of its Members and Adherents. This regular method of support shall not be exclusive of special gifts or grants from sources other than Members or Adherents. From time to time the Church may receive gifts, bequests and/or grants from families and friends of the Church or Government agencies. If these monies are offered without undue restrictions and do not infringe on the spiritual convictions of the Church, they shall be accepted as welcome offerings. The Weekly Offering System has been adopted by this Church for both Current Expenses and Mission Expenditures. The Church shall seek to provide accurate accounting and receipting practices through the use of registered envelopes. This practice is seen to be in full accordance with the New Testament injunctions for faithful giving to the support of the Lord’s work as presented in 1 Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.

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VII. AMENDMENTS

No amendment(s) shall be made to this Constitution except at an Annual Business Meeting to the Church with a Notice of Motion having been supplied to the Church at least one (1) year in advance of said Annual Meeting. The Notice of Motion must specify the character of the proposed amendment(s) and be printed in the weekly Church Bulletin at least twice prior to the Annual Meeting. In the event that no weekly Bulletin is produced, notification my be given by announcement from the Pulpit over two (2) consecutive weeks and/or by Letter of Notification mailed to each Church Member. Any proposed amendment(s) shall also be presented to the Moderator of the Church and the Chairperson of the Board of Deacons for perusal and discussion at least one (1) month prior to the Annual Meeting. All amendments to the Constitution will require a 2/3 majority vote of those Members present for passage.

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I. BUSINESS MEETINGS

The Church Year shall end on the thirty-first day of December in each calendar year and the Annual Meeting of the Church shall be held, when possible, on the fourth Wednesday in January. On those occasions where this is not possible, an alternated date may be set by the Board of Deacons but should not occur later than the termination of the first quarter.

Regular Business Meetings shall be held twice yearly with the Semi-Annual Business Meeting talking place no later than the last Wednesday of August. Meetings for the reception, dismissal or transfer of members, or the selection of Church Delegates to Convention or Association events may be held at any time the Church is assembled with the approval of the Members gathered.

From time to time, emergency situations, time-sensitive matters, or the presentation of special reports from Boards and/or committees of the Church may arise that require the calling of a Special Business Meeting to deal with a particular issue. A date for such a meeting may be set by the Board of Deacons, in consultation with the Moderator. Notification must be given at least one week in advance -- in writing, either in the weekly bulletin or by letter distributed to all members, and announced on the Lord’s Day at least one week prior to the Meeting.

The Moderator, duly elected by the Members of the Church, shall preside over all Business Meetings of the Church. In his or her absence, the past Moderator will act as chair; otherwise, a member in attendance may be nominated, or appointed by agreement.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Church membership personally shall constitute a quorum at any Business Meeting of the Church. This percentage may require adjustment in some instances. The quorum requirement, while important, should not prevent the necessary business of the Church from being carried out but should be large enough to demonstrate the significant importance of such business. The Board of Deacons and the Moderator of the Church should exercise great discretion and caution in suggesting an adjustment to the quorum requirement. Roberts Rules of Order, from which our form of governance is taken, suggests that a minimum of 1/20th of the Active Membership may be sufficient for minor business.

All items to be brought forward for discussion at any Business Meeting of the Church shall be given to the Moderator of the Church for inclusion on the Agenda, unless already specifically noted in the public notification of the Business Meeting. This does not preclude the discussion of issues arising from the natural flow of the discussions of Agenda items.

An open vote of the majority of members present shall be sufficient to carry any motion in connection with the business of the Church, except in the instances of amending the Constitution or By-Laws of the Church or the calling or dismissal of pastoral staff. In any voting situation, it shall be understood that a Member has the right to seek a vote by secret ballot. In some cases of a sensitive or possibly divisive matter, the Moderator may determine that a vote by secret ballot is in the best interests of the unity and fellowship of the Church and so order the vote to be conducted in that fashion.

All Church Officers, Board Members and Committee Members, as specified in Article III of the By-Laws, will be elected at the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall present a list of nominees and nominations may be made from the floor provided the nominee indicates assent. From time to time replacements may be necessary and may be elected in the same fashion at any Business Meeting of the Church.

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II. RELIGIOUS MEETINGS

This Church shall hold regular meetings for the purpose of the public worship of God on each Lord’s Day and offer Church School for the Christian training of adults and children and opportunities for the Congregation to engage in various forms of fellowship, prayer or Bible Study as proscribed by the membership.

The Lord’s Supper shall be observed upon the first Sunday of each month or at such times as the Pastor(s) and Deacons may decide. The Church Covenant shall be read and affirmed at least annually, at the first Communion Service of the new year. The Ordinance of Baptism shall be offered within the regularly scheduled Worship Services of the Church as approved by the Board of Deacons.

The Pastor and Board of Deacons may encourage Special Meetings of various kinds to enhance the spiritual life of the Church or to promote evangelism. Such meetings would be held at the discretion of the Pastor(s) and Board of Deacons. The Congregation shall also be encouraged to participate in the meetings and ministries of the Northwestern Association of Baptist Churches and the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches of which we are a part.

The Pastor(s) and Board of Deacons may cancel or change location of services from time to time when deemed necessary provided that:

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III. OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

The Officers of the Church shall consist of the Pastor(s), Deacons, Trustees, Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Stewardship Secretary and Superintendent of the Sunday School. All Officers and Committee Members of the Church shall be Members in good standing of the local Church. All Officers of the Church shall submit an Annual Report of their ministry at the Annual Meeting of the Church. In the case of the Boards such as the Deacons and Trustees, the Chairperson shall be responsible for submitting the necessary report. Standing Committees, with exception of Tellers and Ushers, shall be composed of a minimum of three and maximum of five members. All Officers, Board Members and Committee Members shall be elected for a period of three (3) years and be eligible for re-election at the close of that period. No Officer, Board Member or Committee Member shall serve longer than six (6) years consecutively, but may be eligible for re-election after a retirement of one (1) year. This rule does not apply to the Pastor(s), the Board of Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer or the Stewardship Secretary, due to the specific nature of their positions.

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A. Officers and Boards

1. Pastor(s)/Minister(s)

The Pastor(s) is to be the Under-Shepherd of the Congregation under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter5:2; Acts 20:28). The Pastor(s)’ major tasks are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), minister to the spiritual needs of the congregation (1 Timothy 4:11-12; Titus 1:5-9), and to equip and assist in training them to discover and use the spiritual gifts God has given them for the work of the ministry in the world (Ephesians 4:11-12). It is the role of the Pastor(s) to provide leadership and encouragement in all aspects of Church life and the individual(s) should receive the recognition granted God’s Ambassador as one serving within the Congregation. Visitation in the homes of the people is expected to be a regular part of the ministry, giving special attention to the sick and sorrowing and the unsaved. The Senior Pastor may have one or more Associate Pastors, as determined by the Congregation, who shall share in the ministerial duties as agreed under the Pastor’s guidance. All members of the Pastoral Staff shall be Ex-Officio members of all Church committees with the exception of a Pulpit Committee unless invited to be so by the Chairperson of the Board of Deacons. The Pastor(s) shall be responsible to present an annual written report of ministry provided over the past year and an outline of plans and goals for the future ministry of the Church at the Annual Business Meeting and an oral report at the Semi-Annual Business Meeting. The Pastor(s) and their families will be encouraged to transfer their Church Membership as soon as possible upon beginning their ministry in this Church. The Pastor(s) will also consult with and advise the Board of Deacons concerning any unusual absence from pastoral duties, the arranging of vacations and Special Services. The Pastor(s) shall also be responsible, in co-operation with, the Board of Deacons to undertake a yearly review of the Church Roll to ascertain names of Members who have not been active over the past year and to make recommendations concerning follow-up or placement on the Inactive Membership List. It is the privilege of either the Pastor or the Church to terminate the Pastoral relationship by giving three (3) months written notice to the other party. Shorter notice may be given where both parties agree and the term of Office will continue until such termination is rendered.

When it becomes necessary to fill the office of Pastor, the Pulpit Committee (Board of Deacons) shall prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit for the candidate of God’s choice to be brought as a recommendation for Pastor to the Church for consideration. Candidates shall be in agreement with the Church’s Constitution and By-Laws, and shall be considered in the light of the description of elders (Pastors, Deacons, and Trustees in our Baptist structure) in I Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9. The Committee shall recommend to the Church only one candidate at a time for vote to extend a call, which shall be taken at a special meeting called for the purpose, and shall require an affirmative vote of three fourths (3/4) majority of valid ballots cast.

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2. Board of Deacons

The Board of Deacons shall be comprised of four (4) members with one (1) member elected each year at the Annual Business Meeting. Deacons shall serve for a period of four (4) years and ordinarily shall not be subject to re-appointment for one (1) year. The Senior Deacon shall be Chairperson. The qualifications for the position of Deacon shall be as found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and their duties shall be in keeping with those listed in Acts 6:1-7.

The Board of Deacons shall:

3. Board of Trustees

This Church shall have a Board of Trustees of not less than five (5) members to be the custodians of all Church property and to represent the Church in its legal aspects and responsibilities concerning said properties.

The Board of Trustees shall:

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4. Sunday School Board

This Board, with the Superintendent as its leader, shall be composed of the Sunday School teachers and other staff, such as Secretary, Treasurer, etc. While under the general oversight of the Christian Education Committee to ensure a balanced ministry of Christian Education, it is intended to be a separate board with its own financial operation, under the umbrella of the Stewardship Committee. It will arrange for Christian training through age appropriate classes, and through content and curriculum deemed beneficial. As a crucial component of training, education, and fellowship, it will be accountable to the Pastor(s) and Board of Deacons.

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5. Moderator

The Moderator will preside at and prepare the Agenda for all Regular and Special Meetings of the Church and assist the Pastor(s) in promoting the program and outreach of the Church. The Moderator shall also be responsible for the spiritual tone of the Business Meetings of the Church by preparing or arranging a suitable devotional and prayer period to initiate the meeting. In such cases where the Moderator is absent from a meeting, the immediate Past Moderator shall chair the meeting.

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6. Church Clerk

The Clerk is responsible for the keeping of the minutes of all Regular and Special Meetings of the Church, correspondence involving the business of the Church and preservation of Church records, minutes, correspondence, reports and Memorial Books. The Church Clerk shall also be required to read the Membership Roll at Church Services or Business Meetings when necessary.

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7. Treasurer *

The Treasurer is responsible to the Church for keeping accurate and adequate accounts of the financial business of the Church, including banking and reporting thereon regularly to the Business Meetings of the Church. Under the direction of the Church Board, he/she will arrange for the timely and regular payment of authorized accounts rendered to the Church within its Budget, or beyond Budget if sanctioned by the Church. He/She will also prepare and submit any such documentation that may be required by Government(s) and/or the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches. The Treasurer will also serve as a member of the Stewardship Committee.

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8. Stewardship Secretary *

* Note: Due to the nature of the office, including the need for ongoing consistency and specific skills, the positions of Clerk, Treasurer and Stewardship Secretary have no time limit placed on the terms of office, assuming that the offices may be held for an extended period of time.

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9. Sunday School Superintendent

The Sunday School Superintendent shall:

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B. Committees

1. Audio-Visual Committee

This Committee shall:

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2. Cemetery Committee

This Committee shall:

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3. Christian Education Committee

This Committee shall:

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4. Decorating Committee

This Committee shall:

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5. Missions Committee

This Committee shall:

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6. Music Committee

This Committee shall:

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7. Nominating Committee

This Committee shall:

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8. Nursery and Children’s Church Committee

This Committee shall:

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9. Prayer and Concern Committee

This Committee shall:

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10. Social Committee

This Committee shall:

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11. Stewardship Committee

This Committee shall:

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12. Tellers Committee

This Committee shall:

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13. Ushers Committee

This Committee shall:

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CONSTITUTION: APPENDICIES

APPENDIX I

Florenceville Baptist Church

Rental Policy

The Florenceville Baptist Church will not be available for rental to the General Public, Community Organizations or individual Members or Adherents of the Church Congregation.

From time to time however, there may be various functions for which the Church facility may be desirable as a meeting place for various charitable, non-profit religious or community functions that are in accordance with the aims, goals and intentions of the Florenceville Baptist Church as it seeks to serve the community. There may also be occasions of social significance such as anniversaries, family reunions, funeral or wedding receptions etc. involving Members or Adherents of the Church where the Church facility may be desirable as a venue for the activity. In such cases the Church may consider granting the use of the facility provided that the following steps are undertaken:

1. A request for such, consideration must be made of the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees.

2. Full details, in as much is possible at the time, must be given concerning purpose, date, length of time needed, the number of persons attending the event and the amount of space, Church equipment and facilities needed.

3. All activities carried out in the Florenceville Baptist Church must be in accordance with and compatible to the Theological and Governance Policies of the Church as stated in the Church Constitution.

4. A Clean-up crew is appointed by the person requesting the use of the Church Facility so that the Church may be suitable for use by the regular programs of ministry it offers.

5. While no rental fee will be charged it is appropriate for those wishing to make use of the facility to recognize the cost to the Church of providing the space, furnishings, equipment, power, lights, water, heat, personnel etc. and to provide a voluntary remuneration for the costs to the Church of providing the facility.

6. The users must assure the Boards of Deacons And Trustees that no alcohol, illicit drugs, or tobacco will be used on the Church grounds or within the Church facility at the event under consideration and that proper decorum will be practiced at all times.

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APPENDIX II

Florenceville Baptist Church

Marriage Policy

Florenceville Baptist Church is pleased to offer the use of its facilities and personnel by those planning to enter into Christian Marriage. A Christian Marriage is a monogamous relationship entered into by one man and one woman for life by pledging themselves to God and each other in a Christian Wedding Ceremony. A Christian Wedding is a joyous celebration of love, wherein the couple should come soberly into the presence of God seeking God's blessing and wisdom for their marriage. At the wedding the couple enters into a sacred covenant with God and each other through the vows they pledge and the prayers that are offered. All components of the Wedding Service must therefore appropriately reflect the joyful Christian nature of the occasion.

Florenceville Baptist Church believes that:

All Pastoral Staff are required to adhere to the Church's Constitution and By-Laws including the Statement of Faith, and will therefore not officiate or co-officiate at any marriages that could reasonably be considered to be contrary to this Statement of Faith.

All Pastoral Staff have the right to decide whether or not they wish to proceed with solemnizing a marriage, if doing so would be contrary to his or her religious beliefs or personal convictions.

The following policies concerning Weddings to be conducted at Florenceville Baptist Church have been developed after much time and experience and set forth as general information.

Initial Arrangements: Adequate notice must be provided to allow a proper amount of time for Pre-marital Counseling and other wedding preparations. The Church requires that all weddings be booked at least two (2) months in advance of the wedding date. All weddings in the Church are to be conducted under the leadership of a member of the Ministerial Team. Therefore all initial inquiries regarding the proposed wedding should be made of one of the Ministers by contacting them directly or through the Church Office. The Minister contacted shall arrange a preliminary meeting with the couple to introduce the Marriage Policy of the Church, seek their agreement with the Policy and, if that is forthcoming, ascertain what arrangements need to be made, arrange for Pre-marital Counseling, and if personal conscience permits, arrange for the booking of the Church Sanctuary.

Marriage Preparation: Marriage is a life-long commitment and should not be entered into lightly. Therefore all couples must have some preparation through a Pre-marriage Counseling Course or through a series of directed readings and meetings with the Minister. In some rare or unusual circumstances the Minister may waive this requirement at his discretion.

License: A provincial marriage License will be required and may be obtained from any Branch of Service New Brunswick. The License should be delivered to the Church Office at least one (1) week prior to the wedding.

Photographs: Photographs may be taken only prior to the Wedding Ceremony, during the Processional, the Signing of the Register and the Recessional. A notice to this effect should be placed in the Wedding Bulletin. The wedding photographer must contact the Officiating Minister prior to the Wedding Ceremony for further instructions.

Videotaping: Videotaping of the entire Wedding Ceremony is permitted on the conditions that a flash or extraordinary bright lighting bar is not used and that the video camera is placed on a tripod and kept stationary during the entire Wedding Ceremony. The Videographer is expected to contact the officiating Minister prior to the Wedding Ceremony for further instructions.

Confetti And/Or Rice: Confetti, rice or other such material must not be used on the Church premises or grounds. Couples are asked to place a notice to this effect in their Wedding Bulletins.

Participation Of Other Clergy: A couple may wish to involve Clergy in their wedding. Such involvement will be determined by the Minister arranging the Wedding.

Music: All music used in the Wedding Ceremony must reflect the proprieties of the nature of Christian Marriage, the sanctity of the Sanctuary and the observance of good manners and proper decorum. The Music desired must be submitted to the Officiating Minister for approval prior to the Wedding rehearsal and the printing of the Wedding Bulletin. Sacred, Classical or Secular Music may be used provided that it is in good taste and suitable for the occasion. The Church Pianist/Organist may be able to offer suggestions as to appropriate selections. Couples may choose their own musicians or vocalists but should inform the Officiating Minister of this at the time they submit their musical selections for approval.

Decorations: Such decorations as flowers, candles, pew-markers etc, may be used under the direction of the Minister. Care should be taken to avoid materials that may damage wooden surfaces and/or walls or cause damage to the Church premises. Non-drip candles only must be used and adequate candelabra must be provided by the Couple. The Couple should also arrange for a "clean-up" team to remove decorations and residue from the Wedding Ceremony immediately following the wedding. Arrangements for the delivery of flowers may be made with the Officiating Minister for the evening before or the day of the wedding. Please note that if a wedding is desired on a date where the Church Sanctuary has been decorated for a special Season of the Church such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter, these decorations must not be removed or altered. It should also be noted that the Church Furnishings such as Communion Tables, Pulpits and religious symbols (crosses, etc.) reflect the purpose of the Church as a Christian Institution and should only be moved under very unusual circumstances. The Couple should be mindful that they have asked for a Christian marriage in a Christian Church and the furnishings of the Sanctuary can add immeasurably to the message of the Wedding Ceremony. The Officiating Minister shall determine the validity of any requests for movement of the Church furnishings.

Dress: Participants in the wedding, including Photographers, Videographer, Ministers, Staff Members and Musicians as well as the Wedding Couple should be dressed appropriately in order not to distract from the dignity and solemnity of the occasion.

Illicit Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use: The use of illicit drugs, alcohol or tobacco on the Church premises or grounds is expressly forbidden and any such use may result in the removal of the offending party from the Church property.

Please note that any use of alcohol immediately prior to the Wedding Ceremony as determined by the Officiating Minister is "Just Cause" for terminating the Wedding Ceremony as required by Law.

Fees: Members or Adherents of the Church who regularly contribute to the financial support of the Church are not required to pay any fee for the use of the Church, the Minister’s services or the use of the Church Custodian. However; as most weddings require extra work and expenditure of time on the part of the Church Staff, a voluntary honourarium is traditional. The Musician is usually a volunteer who has given up his or her leisure time and should be remunerated accordingly. A suggested fee is $75.00. A fee is not charged by the Minister as a rule, however, especially in the case of non-members and non-supporters of the Church an honourarium is customary. A suggested fee is $100.00.

In this case it is also suggested that a fee of $100.00 be paid to the Church for the use of the facility and to cover expenses incurred.

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APPENDIX III

Florenceville Baptist Church

Funeral Policy

Funerals conducted by the Ministers of Florenceville Baptist Church may be carried out in several different venues from Funeral Homes and Chapels, to Schools or Civic Auditoriums or Churches of other Denominations due to the request of the bereaved family, the demands of space or the involvement of a larger segment of the Community population than usual. The involvement of the Pastoral Staff in such Funerals must be left to their discretion as they consider how God is directing them to minister to the family involved.

From time to time there may be requests by Members or Adherents or others not officially connected to the Church for the use of the Church Sanctuary to accommodate the visitation and viewing procedures associated with Funerals. This request will normally be made of the Pastoral Staff and the Minister involved should ascertain if the Church facility is or can be made available. Given the pressures of time and exercising sensitivity to the needs of the bereaved family, the Minister(s) should seek to provide an answer as quickly as possible. It would be appropriate for the Minister(s) to consult with the Chairperson of the Board of Deacons and The Board of Trustees when possible before confirming or denying the request.

While recognizing the importance of the need for sensitivity and the desire to minister in a time of crisis the Minister(s) must also ensure that any Funeral Ministry carried out in the Florenceville Baptist Church shall be conducted with proper decorum, dignity and respect for the deceased, his/her family, the Church property and the Christian Faith.

No alcohol, illicit drugs or tobacco products may be used on the grounds or within the facilities of the Florenceville Baptist Church.

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APPENDIX IV

Florenceville Baptist Church

Child, Youth and Adult Abuse Prevention Policy

WHEREAS we acknowledge that the abuse of children and adults (sexual, physical, emotional) can happen anywhere, including in this Church or in other facilities used by our Church in children's, youth or adult ministries;

And WHEREAS we understand that the effects of such abuse have a profound short-term and long-term impact on the victim;

And WHEREAS we understand that, as Members of this Church, we must seek to ensure that children, youth and adults who participate in programs offered through our Church, may do so without fear of abuse;

And WHEREAS we acknowledge that a person who would prey on children, youth and adults for immoral purposes may see this Church as a place where he/she may have access to vulnerable children, youth or adults;

And WHEREAS we understand that any abuse, or allegation of abuse, can seriously compromise our witness for Christ within our Community and beyond;

We, the members of Florenceville Baptist Church, solemnly agree to adopt the following Child, Youth and Adult Abuse Prevention Policy, effective immediately and dated this Twenty-Fourth day of January, 2007.

1. All persons desiring to work with children, youth or adults through any ministry (current or future) of the Florenceville Baptist Church, must first meet the following qualifications:

Be a member in good standing of a local Christian Church for at least six (6) months;

Complete an application form;

Authorize and complete a comprehensive Police Check. A record involving any abuse of children, youth or adults will, in all cases, disqualify the individual from working with children, youth or adults in any Church ministries;

All applicants shall be interviewed by the Pastor, the Chairperson of the Board of Deacons and at least one other Deacon, and shall avail themselves of any literature, videos, etc. at hand that may assist in reducing the risk of misunderstanding or allegations of abuse.

2. At no time will young children be left in an individual's care behind closed doors or in an isolated and private location.

3. When teens are involved in children's or youth ministry, they will be under responsible adult supervision and will always meet with children in a classroom or area equipped with a window or open door.

4. All classrooms shall be modified so that every classroom door will be fitted with an adequate window through which the classroom can be easily viewed.

5. Efforts will be made periodically (at least on an annual basis) to inform the Congregation of the immorality and danger of child, youth or adult abuse and to remind them of the importance of strict adherence to this policy.

6. Individuals who work with children, youth and adults will be reminded of the importance of avoiding potentially compromising situations in which an allegation of abuse could be made.

7. We will strive to ensure that parents are made aware of the precautions being taken to protect their children. Parental consent forms will be used for all special activities or events and for any event that requires an overnight stay.

8. In the event that any allegation of abuse to a child, youth or adult is made it will be reported immediately to the appropriate Police authorities and the Pastor. The process of dealing with the allegation shall involve diligent and thorough documentation with all dates, times and content of all conversations pertaining to the alleged abuse. In the case of a Pastor being accused of abuse the Regional Minister will be contacted and the guidelines contained in the Convention's Moral Failure Policy will be followed.

9. Any incident in which there is a concern for the safety or well-being of a child, youth or adult while under the supervision of our Church will be taken seriously and may be investigated.

10. This Policy will be posted in the Church and will be read at each Annual Business Meeting of the Church.

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APPENDIX V

Florenceville Baptist Church

Rules of Order

All Business Meetings of Florenceville Baptist Church shall be conducted according to the rules of Parliamentary Procedure under the authority of Roberts Rules Of Order.

The Church shall have on its premises and available for use at all times a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order for use by the Moderator, Committee Chairpersons and Members or Adherents of the Congregation.

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APPENDIX VI

Florenceville Baptist Church

Financial Audit

In preparation for the Annual Business Meeting the Stewardship Committee shall arrange for a Financial Audit of the Church Financial Records. This Audit shall be printed in the Annual report.

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