SECTION II: CHURCH OFFICERS - PASTOR(S)
Pastor Responsibilities:
1) The oversight of the spiritual health and safety of the congregation is entrusted to all of the Elders, and particularly to the Pastor(s). (Acts 20:27-31; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
2) The Pastor(s), with the assistance of the other Elders and Deacons, will administer the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3) Though all leaders and members are to be involved in the life and ministry of the church, Pastor(s) are especially to set the example and lead the way in the following:
a) Worshiping the Lord
b) Studying God's Word
c) Praying with and for others
d) Sharing the Gospel with the unsaved
e) Visitation
f) Counseling the hurting
g) Discipling believers
h) Preaching & Teaching
Pastor Selection:
In the event that the church is in need of a senior Pastor, the Elders will serve as the Search Committee. Preference will be given to those recommended by the Regional Executive Director of our fellowship of churches, the Mid-Atlantic Conservative Baptist Association. If no candidates are acquired through this process, the Elders will see resumes through like-minded schools and associations.
When the Elders have a candidate available who meets the qualifications in the constitution and in accordance with the particular position be considered, they will interview him range to hear him speak.
If the Elders agree (with at least three-fourths (3/4) of those present and voting) that the candidate should be presented to the Congregation, they will have him come to the church to preach and fellowship with the congregation.
If, after assessing the time spent with the candidate, the Elders believe the candidate to be acceptable, they will prepare a letter of call, including salary, vacation, benefits, and expense allowances, to present to the congregation. This letter of call shall come before the church at a specially called meeting, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been read from the pulpit on two (2) consecutive Sundays, a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and voting shall be necessary to extend a call. The vote shall be by written ballot.
Membership:
The Pastor shall be received into membership as any other member of the church within 30 days of assuming his Pastorate.
Accountability:
The Pastor(s) will be directly accountable tot he other Elders, and, through them, to the congregation for their ministry.
Tenure:
The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite period of time. Termination requires at least thirty (30) days notification on the part of the Pastor or of the church. In the event of heresy, apostasy, immorality, creating division, or neglect of duty, the Elders may call for the resignation of a Pastor. If so, the Pastor will be immediately relieved of all duties, pending the outcome on the congregational vote. The termination of office shall be voted on at a specially called meeting, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been read from the pulpit on two (2) consecutive Sundays, with voting to take place the third (3rd) Sunday. Voting shall be by written ballot. A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and voting shall make termination valid on the part of the church.
1) The oversight of the spiritual health and safety of the congregation is entrusted to all of the Elders, and particularly to the Pastor(s). (Acts 20:27-31; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
2) The Pastor(s), with the assistance of the other Elders and Deacons, will administer the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3) Though all leaders and members are to be involved in the life and ministry of the church, Pastor(s) are especially to set the example and lead the way in the following:
a) Worshiping the Lord
b) Studying God's Word
c) Praying with and for others
d) Sharing the Gospel with the unsaved
e) Visitation
f) Counseling the hurting
g) Discipling believers
h) Preaching & Teaching
Pastor Selection:
In the event that the church is in need of a senior Pastor, the Elders will serve as the Search Committee. Preference will be given to those recommended by the Regional Executive Director of our fellowship of churches, the Mid-Atlantic Conservative Baptist Association. If no candidates are acquired through this process, the Elders will see resumes through like-minded schools and associations.
When the Elders have a candidate available who meets the qualifications in the constitution and in accordance with the particular position be considered, they will interview him range to hear him speak.
If the Elders agree (with at least three-fourths (3/4) of those present and voting) that the candidate should be presented to the Congregation, they will have him come to the church to preach and fellowship with the congregation.
If, after assessing the time spent with the candidate, the Elders believe the candidate to be acceptable, they will prepare a letter of call, including salary, vacation, benefits, and expense allowances, to present to the congregation. This letter of call shall come before the church at a specially called meeting, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been read from the pulpit on two (2) consecutive Sundays, a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and voting shall be necessary to extend a call. The vote shall be by written ballot.
Membership:
The Pastor shall be received into membership as any other member of the church within 30 days of assuming his Pastorate.
Accountability:
The Pastor(s) will be directly accountable tot he other Elders, and, through them, to the congregation for their ministry.
Tenure:
The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite period of time. Termination requires at least thirty (30) days notification on the part of the Pastor or of the church. In the event of heresy, apostasy, immorality, creating division, or neglect of duty, the Elders may call for the resignation of a Pastor. If so, the Pastor will be immediately relieved of all duties, pending the outcome on the congregational vote. The termination of office shall be voted on at a specially called meeting, notice of such meeting and its purpose having been read from the pulpit on two (2) consecutive Sundays, with voting to take place the third (3rd) Sunday. Voting shall be by written ballot. A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and voting shall make termination valid on the part of the church.
