Miami Baptist Church

Church Constitution: Article V - Boards & Committees

Section I: Official Church Board

• Membership shall consist of the following:
  • Pastor
  • Moderator
  • Church Clerk
  • Chairman of the Board of Deacons
  • Chairman of the Board of Trustees
  • Chairman of the Board of Christian Education
  • President of the Sr. ABY
  • President of the ABW's Ministries
• The Moderator shall serve as Chairman of the Official Church Board
• Six members other than the moderator shall constitute a quorum

Meetings

The Official Church Board shall meet quarterly upon a designated time agreeable to a quorum. Special meetings shall be convened when necessary at the request of the moderator, by the pastor, or by vote of six members of the board, notice having been read from the pulpit at the morning service on the preceding Sunday, or after written notice has been mailed to every board member at least forty eight hours before the time of the meeting.

Duties

The Official Church Board shall study all controversial matters arising within the church and as an advisory body of the church shall make recommendations in all matters not within the duties of any other department, board, or committee. Its recommendations shall not become effective without the approval of the church.

Section II: Board of Deacons

• Deacons and Deaconesses shall constitute one board to be known as the Board of Deacons. Membership shall consist of six deacons and three deaconesses. Two deacons and one deaconess shall be elected each year to serve a term of three years. A member of this board may not serve two consecutive terms.
• The chairman and secretary shall be selected by the constituents of this board. The chairman shall render a written report at the annual church meeting in January.

Meetings

Meetings shall be held at least once a quarter. The chairman may call special meetings, when the need arises.

Duties

It shall be the duty of this board, together with the pastor, to have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church, act as a standing committee on membership and discipline, visit the sick, help the needy, and in the absence of the pastor, secure speakers for the pulpit. This board shall make recommendations to the finance committee as to financial needs of the pastor, have charge of pulpit supply remuneration, and disbursing monies in the Deacon's Fund. This board shall further assist in the ordinances and also be in charge of ushering. The primary duties of the deaconesses shall be the preparation of the Lord's Supper, and assisting women candidates in the ordinance of baptism.

Section III: Board Of Trustees

• Membership shall consist of five members elected for one year each
• The chairman shall be selected by the constituents of this board. The chairman shall render a written report, including itemized expenses, at the annual church meeting in January

Meetings

Meetings shall be held at least once a quarter. The chairman may call special meetings, when the need arises.

Duties

It shall be the duty of this board to transact legal business with the approval of the church; have charge of hiring and supervising the custodian and all church property physical upkeep; shall supervise the opening, closing, heating, or cooling and securing of the building(s) for Sunday services; serve as an auditing committee to audit the treasurer's books at the beginning of each church year and report on same to the church. This board shall act for the church in the areas of incorporation, taxes and insurance.

Section IV: Board Of Christian Education

• Membership shall consist of the following: the Superintendent of Church School, the assistant superintendent, one member of the Board of Deacons, one church member from the American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABW) and one member of the church, all selected by the church nominating committee for ability and interest in this area of work for a term of one year.
• The chairman shall be selected by the constituents of this board. The chairman shall render a written report at the annual church meeting in January.
• This board shall submit to the Finance Committee a written estimate of the financial needs of the educational activities of the church to be incorporated in the annual church budget.

Meetings

It shall be the duty of this board to superintend and coordinate the total educational work of the church school, Vacation Bible School, and church training activities; it shall study and approve teaching materials for the church. It shall act as a nominating committee of all other church school officers and teachers, and directors of Vacation Bible School. This slate shall be submitted, for approval by the church, at the July quarterly business meeting.

Duties

Meetings shall be called by the chairman and shall be held at least once a quarter.

Section V: American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABW)

• The American Baptist Women's Ministries shall be considered the primary missionary organization of the church for educating members and enlisting them in mission activities.
• The president shall be a member of the church, nominated by the American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABW), and approved by the church.
• The president shall render a written report at the annual church meeting in January.

Meetings

Meetings shall be planned by the American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABW) as an integral part of the church program of activities.

Section VI: Youth Organizations

• The youth organizations of the church shall be Sr. A.B.Y., Jr. A.B.Y., and Busy Bees.
• The sponsors shall be nominated by the nominating committee and approved by the church at the July quarterly meeting.
• The sponsors shall render written reports of their group's activities at the annual church meeting in January

Meetings

The meetings and activities of these groups shall be planned within each organization.

Section VII: Finance Committee

• Membership shall consist of the following:
  • Church Treasurer
  • Assistant Treasurer
  • Chairman of the Board of Trustees
  • Treasurer (church member) of the American Baptist Women ministries (ABW)
  • A member of the Board of Deacons
  • A member of the Board of Christian Education selected by the nominating committee
• The Chairman shall be selected by the constituents of this committee and shall report to the church from time to time.
• All church organizations and committees may submit financial needs to this committee to be included in the annual church budget

Duties

The duties of this committee shall be to act as a budget committee, to study, anticipate and supervise financial needs and expenditures of the church.

Section VIII: Nominating Committee

• This committee shall consist of five members named by the moderator and approved by the church at the April quarterly meeting, and shall post a list of nominees for church offices at least two weeks prior to the election of such officers at the July and October quarterly business meetings.

Section IX: Institutional Committee

• Membership shall consist of three members elected by the church for a term of one year.
• This committee shall render a written report at the annual church meeting in January.

Duties

This committee shall plan and supervise activities with area institutions

Section X: Music Committee

• Membership shall consist of:
  • Music Director
  • Assistant Director
  • Choir Director as ex-officio
  • Organist
  • Pianist
  • One member-at-large
• This committee shall be elected for one year.
• The chairman shall be selected by the constituents of this committee. The chairman shall render a written report at the annual church meeting in January

Duties

This committee shall have general supervision of the church music.

Section XI: Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed for a special purpose by the moderator, or any board, or any committee or any combination thereof, as approved by the church.