2. Upon
the majority recommendation of a pulpit committee and the election by the membership, the
new Pastor’s calling shall be for an indefinite period of time beginning from the
date he first accepts the Pastorate. His election shall be by secret ballot at a
regular or special meeting of the Church, provided notice of intention to vote on the
calling of a Pastor at such a meeting has been given on two Sundays at the worship
services preceding the regular or special meeting. The election of a Pastor requires
approval by three-fourths of the voting members. The Pastor must become a member of the
Church upon his election to the office of Pastor. It is understood that the
termination of the Pastor's service by either the Pastor or Church requires 30 days'
notice, except when gross moral sin is in question, and then termination shall be in
accordance with provisions of this Constitution.
3. The
Pastor shall be a believer in, and a preacher of the Gospel and of the basic
doctrines of faith held by the Baptist denomination as evidenced by the Church Declaration
of Faith and Church Covenant. He shall cooperate with the local organized work of
the denomination and of the American Baptist Convention, and agree to and abide by the
Church Constitution, Bylaws, Ordinances, and Policies. He must sign a copy of this document as proof of his acceptance.
SECTION 2.
Officers and Their Duties.
1. Pastor.
The duties of the Pastor shall be those common to such office in Baptist Churches. He
shall be ex-officio, non-voting member of all boards and committees. He shall preside at
all Church meetings, except business meetings.
2. Moderator.
A Moderator shall be elected for a one-year period at the annual business meeting in
January of each year. The Moderator shall be in charge of conducting all business meetings
of the Church. If the office of Moderator becomes vacant before the next annual
business meeting, a new Moderator shall be elected at the next regular or special business
meeting before other business can be conducted. In the absence of the Moderator, the
Moderator will either be the Chairman of the Deacon Board or the Chairman of the Trustee
Board for the purpose of conducting business at that meeting only. Should neither
chairperson be available, then the role of moderator shall be a designated representative
of the Church Council. The Moderator shall not vote on any issue except as may be
necessary to break tie votes, and therefore, should not express an opinion on issues under
consideration. The Moderator should be knowledgeable of rules of decorum in conducting
business meetings. No one shall be disqualified for re-election because of having
previously held the office.
3. Church
Clerk. The Church Clerk shall keep a correct and permanent record of all the business
meetings of the Church, sign all letters of dismission, take charge of all Church records,
and maintain a register of members, in which shall be noted such changes as may occur. The
Clerk shall enter upon the records of the Church current events in the life of the Church
that are likely to be of historical value, thus making the Church records a continuous
story of the history of the Church. The Clerk shall be elected annually, and no one shall
be disqualified for re-election because of having previously held the office.
