Constitution of Crossroads American Baptist Church
10451 Huron Street Northglenn, Colorado 80234
303-452-5332 FAX 303-451-0164 crossroadsabc.com
Original Incorporation April 25, 1962
Revised November 1, 1965
Revised October 23, 1990
Revised July 16, 2006
THE MISSION OF CROSSROADS CHURCH IS TWOFOLD: TO PROCLAIM THE LIFE CHANGING MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST TO A LOST WORLD AND TO STRENGTHEN CHRISTIANS TO GROW IN WISDOM OF GOD, KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE AND LOVE FOR THE LORD AND OTHERS.
THE VISION OF CROSSROADS CHURCH IS TO BE A LIFE GIVING, ANCHOR CHURCH IN THE NORTH DENVER METRO AREA GROWING THROUGH A SATELLITE STRATEGY.
THE CONSTITUTION OF CROSSROADS AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH
10451 Huron Street Northglenn, Colorado 80234
Revised as of April 15th 2006
PART I
AFFIDAVIT OF INCORPORATION OF THE CROSSROADS AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
Know all men by these present, that we, Bill Glissman, Rik Hansen, Dariel Case, F.S. Tom Allison, Mary Carl, citizens of the United States and residents of Colorado, have associated ourselves together to establish a corporation under and pursuant to the general corporation laws of the State of Colorado, for the purposes hereinafter set forth, and we hereby certify as follows:
State of Colorado )
) ss
City and County of Denver )
I, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the City and County of Denver, State of Colorado, do hereby certify that Bill Glissman, Rik Hansen, Dariel Case, F.S. Tom Allison, Mary Carl, who are personally known to me to be the same persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledge that they signed, sealed and delivered said instrument in writing as their free and voluntary act for the uses and purposes therein set forth.
Given under my hand and notarial seal this 25th day of April, 1962.
my commission expires April 24, 1965.
___________________
Notary Public
PART II
AFFILIATIONS-MEMBERSHIP-OFFICERS- COMMITTEES-MEETINGS-DUTIES
ARTICLE I- AFFILIATIONS
It shall be the purpose of this church to exalt Jesus Christ as Divine Savior and Lord, to maintain public services for the worship of God, to conduct a program of Christian Education for all who can be reached, to promote the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad, to develop Christian character and conduct through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and to engage in those undertakings which will be of service to the local and wider community.
ARTICLE II-AFFILIATIONS
Section 1- This church shall be affiliated with and actively support;
A. American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains
B. American Baptist Convention and all of its associated agencies.
ARTICLE III-MEMBERSHIP
Section 1- The regular membership of this church shall consist of baptized believers in Christ, who take the Bible as their only rule of faith and practice.
Section 2- Persons may be received into membership by any of the following methods. The only exceptions to the following membership requirements are those members who have been accepted into the membership of the church prior to the adoption of this Constitution.
Full Membership
A. By confession of faith and baptism. Any person confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior may become a candidate for baptism by immersion and after baptism may be received into full rights and fellowship of the church.
B. By letter. Any person may be received by letter from any regular Baptist Church or any church of like faith and practice.
C. By experience. Any person who has formerly been a member of a Baptist Church or has had believer’s baptism by immersion, but who cannot for sufficient reason present a letter from a church and who is in accord with the views of faith and practices of this church may be received upon statement of Christian experience.
D. Restoration. Any person who has lost his or her membership in this church for any reason may be restored to membership upon the recommendation of the Diaconate and a vote of the church.
Section 3- Dismissal of members
A. By Death.
B. By Letter of Transfer. A member in good standing that desires a letter of dismissal and recommendation to a church of like faith and practice may receive it upon his/her request and a vote of the church. Such letter is to be sent directly to the church and not given to the member.
C. By Exclusion. Any member becoming an offense to the church and to its good name by reason of immoral or unchristian conduct, the church may terminate his or her membership, but only after due notice and a hearing before the Diaconate Board and faithful efforts have been made to bring such a member to repentance and reconciliation.
D. By Suspension. From time to time the staff shall prepare a list of those members who, for a period of two or more years have failed to participate in the services of worship or support of the church without valid excuse. The list shall be presented to the church with a recommendation that such members be transferred to an inactive list. Such names shall not be used in a statistical report of the church.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
This outline is intended to specify the general qualifications and duties of those officers and board and committee members elected by the church. These provisions may be amended at any regular or special business meeting, providing any proposed change has been publicly announced or published in the church bulletin on two consecutive weekends prior to such meeting. These changes to the qualifications and duties shall not contradict the Constitution. The quorum requirement of the Constitution shall apply. No person shall serve at any one time in more than one of the following offices: Moderator, Church Clerk, Chairperson of the Diaconate Board or Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
This constitution shall be given to all those newly elected to these various offices. It shall be the responsibility of each elected officer and board and committee member to become familiar with and assume their various responsibilities as outlined.
ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS, BOARDS, COMMITTEES
Section 1- Pastoral Staff (Ex-officio on all boards and committees)
A. Senior Pastor
B. Associate Pastor(s)
Section 2- Elected officers of the church shall be:
A. Moderator
B. Church Clerk
Section 3- Elected Boards of the church shall be:
A. The Diaconate Board
B. The Board of Trustees
Section 4- Elected Committees may be:
A. Discipleship Committee
B. Social Committee
C. Music Committee
D. Decorative Arts Committee
E. Pulpit Committee
F. Nursery Committee
G. Missions Committee
Section 5-Non-elected Council
A. Church Council
Section 6- Additional Committees may be created by, or other responsibilities assigned by:
A. Election by the church
B. Appointment by the Church Council
C. Appointment by the Moderator
D. Appointment by the Senior Pastor
Section 7- Duties of the Officers, Boards and Committees of the church shall be as follows:
Section 1 A & B The Pastor: The Pastor is the spiritual leader of the church, with the oversight of all phases of initiation, development and growth of the church body with proper recognition of Christ as the Bride-Groom of the Bride. He is an ex officio member of all boards and committees, with the right to vote in all matters of business, except when and where he might benefit personally in a financial way. He is to be notified well in advance of all meetings so that he can arrange to attend if he chooses to do so or be represented by a member of the church staff. He is a consultant on all matters pertaining to the public life of the church and may be called on by members and friends to counsel and advise in their personal affairs as their confidence in him will permit. He shall be accessible at all times, except while away on vacation; but in cases of emergency, be contacted for advice.
Section 2 A. Moderator: The moderator presides at all official sessions of the church and acquaints himself or herself with every organization within, showing no special favor toward one group more than another. The Moderator does not vote at any time, except when and where his or her ballot will break a tie. The Moderator is invited to all board and committee meetings as an auditor, but without a vote. In the case of the Church Council, he or she shall preside and he or she shall help arrange the items of the agenda for each ministry/business meeting.
Qualifications: Shall be a member of the Church. Shall demonstrate an active interest in the over-all activities of the church and its outreach through denomination participation. Shall be adequately versed in Biblical unity and facilitating orderly meetings in order to conduct business in an appropriate manner.
Duties. (1) Preside at all ministry/business meetings; (2) Preside at all meetings of the Church Council.
Section 2 B. Church Clerk: Record proceedings of all ministry/business meetings of the church; conducts all correspondence in the reception and dismissal of members; keep accurate records of membership; custodian of all reports made to the church, and other documents, except those kept by the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications: Shall be a member of the Church who does or will attend the worship services and ministry/business meetings, and who shall be qualified to keep accurate records and prepare minutes for church approval.
Duties: (1) Along with the church Business Administrator, keep an accurate and permanent record of all matters of church business; (2) Prepare the minutes of all ministry/business meetings for church approval; (3) Receive the appropriate information from those seeking membership; (4) Prepare and receive all transfers of membership; (5) Maintain an accurate and up to date record of all members, with addresses and telephone numbers; (6) Prepare and sign all papers and correspondence requested by the church.
Section 3 A. The Diaconate Board: Being qualified for the office according to I Timothy 3:8-13, the Diaconate Board assists and supports the Senior Staff with the spiritual oversight of the church. The Diaconate assists in the church ordinances- the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. The members of the Diaconate Board should be able to give spiritual instruction to new members of the church. The chairperson becomes a member of the Church Council. The Diaconate Board assumes responsibility for every worship service.
Qualifications: Shall be members of the Church, meeting the qualifications as set forth in Acts 6:3 and I Timothy 3:8-13. They shall be, except for reasons beyond their control, regular attenders at the worship services, prayer meetings and ministry/business meetings.
Duties: (1) Maintain monthly meetings that include a representative from the Pastoral staff; (2) Assist the Pastor in the administration of the Lord’s Supper; (3) Assist people during baptismal services; (4) Assist people who come forward to join the church; (5) Coordinate people to pray before, during, and after each worship service; (6) Supervise the distribution of the benevolent funds in association with the Assistance Office; (7) Supervise and maintain the food pantry and distribution of food; (8) Coordinate food baskets for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; (9)Elect a head usher (either from within or from outside the board), who will be responsible for the selection and training of a sufficient number of ushers for all services, take care of all offerings, and keep accurate records of worship service attendance of the church; (10) Coordinate other support functions including funeral meals, pastor appreciation, staff love offering, ministries fair; (11)Prepare a budget proposal for supported external ministries, provide to the Trustees, and supervise its expenditure; (12) Report to the church at each ministry/business meeting.
Section 3 B. The Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees is entrusted with all of the fiscal aspects of the church property. They shall supervise the church’s Business Administrator and Accountant in all matters to be transacted, upon the authority of the church. The Board of Trustees acts as a representative part of the building committee in case of a new building or improvements recommended by the church. The Board of Trustees shall approve job descriptions and supervise, through the Business Administrator, the administrative and janitorial staff. It shall also be the duty of this board to supervise the submission of a budget of expenses of the church for each fiscal year based on the church’s mission, after contacting all ministries for their needs. It is the responsibility of The Board of Trustees to review the annual audit and implement changes where necessary. The chairperson is a member of the Church Council.
Qualifications: Shall be members of the Church with abilities pertinent to the proper discharge of legal, property management, maintenance and financial matters. They shall be, except for reasons beyond their control, regular attenders at the worship services and ministry/business meetings.
Duties: (1) Maintain monthly meetings; (2) Work in tandem with, supervise and hold accountable the Business Administrator and Church Accountant; (3) Hold in trust all property belonging to the church; (4) Review all papers required by law after approval of the church; (5) Supervise all necessary measures for the protection, management and upkeep of the church property; (6) Designate the bank where the funds of the church shall be deposited; (7) Appoint those authorized to sign checks; (8) Supervise the preparation of the budget, post it for two weekends prior to the annual Boards and Budgets meeting and present it to the church for adoption and supervise its expenditure; (9) Require such business practices in financial matters as shall promote greater efficiency and economy; (10) Maintain, if possible, a balance on hand equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the approved annual budget; (11) Review the services of custodial, administrative and management staff, at such salaries as is authorized by the church, and secure from them acceptable service; (12) Serve as the building committee unless otherwise specified by the church; (13) Report to the church at each ministry/ business meeting.
Section 4 A. Discipleship Committee: This committee shall be concerned with and assist in all adult educational possibilities related to spiritual formation and growth through Christian education.
Qualifications: Shall be regular attenders of church services, and have a deep concern for the discipleship and teaching function of the church.
Duties: (1) Maintain monthly meetings; (2) Unify, supervise and promote adult education and discipleship interests of the church including but not limited to leadership education courses, adult education and any other groups or classes operating in the area of Christian education and discipleship; (3) Promote a definitive program of spiritual growth and development for the church membership.
Section 4 B. Social Committee: Shall be interested in church social activities.
Qualifications: shall regularly attend the church.
Duties: (1) Be in charge of the Wednesday dinners; (2) Be in charge of all church social activities; (3) Work in cooperation with staff and other committees on special events; (4) Supervise the use of all staples in the kitchen; (5) Prepare a budget proposal for the Board of Trustees and supervise its expenditure.
Section 4 C. Music Committee: Shall assist the Director of Music and Worship in formulating a policy of the arts for the whole life of the church. It shall, in cooperation with the Trustees and Church Council, recommend to the church those to be engaged in the ministry of music, stating the name and tenure for those whom they propose for the work. They shall also assist and hold accountable any director of ministry through the arts including children, youth and adults.
Qualifications: Shall regularly attend the church and have a deep concern for the promotion of the arts and the development and use of talent in our church.
Duties: (1) Maintain monthly meetings; (2) Work in tandem with, and assist the Director of Music and Worship; (3) Supervise the directors of choirs for the various age groups; (4) Provide special music for the services and other functions; (5) Promote and supervise the development of individual talent in the area of the arts; (6) Prepare a budget proposal for the Trustees and supervise its expenditure.
Section 4 D. Decorative Arts Committee: Elected annually by the church to appraise the appearance of the church property and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the matter of decoration and improvements of the church buildings.
Qualifications: Shall regularly attend the church and have a keen interest in the general appearance of the church and a sensitivity to temporary and permanent decorations to beautify the church.
Duties: (1) Appraise the appearance of the church property and submit recommendations to the Trustees on decoration and improvements to the building; (2) Arrange and provide for either flowers or other appropriate decorations for all regular and special services.
Section 4 E. Pulpit Committee: (1) Whenever the need arises or a vacancy occurs for the Senior Pastor, the Moderator shall call the Pulpit Committee together, after first seeing to the election of not less than seven members, as follows: one by the Diaconate, one by the Board of Trustees, one by the Discipleship Committee, one by the Missions Committee, and three by the church at large.
(2) Calling a Pastor: The call of a pastor shall come before the church. Notice of such meeting and its purpose must have been read from the pulpit on two successive weekends prior to such meeting. There must be, in total attendance at the meeting, one more than 50% of the current, active, resident membership 16 years of age or older. A vote to call a pastor must be by a majority of the members present in favor, and must be by written ballot.
(3) Termination of the Pastor: The term of office may be ended upon thirty days notice on the part of the church or pastor. The termination shall come before the church at a meeting of the voting members of the church. Notice of such meeting and its purpose must have been read from the pulpit on two successive weekends prior to such a meeting. There must be in total attendance at the meeting, one more than 50% of the current, active, resident membership 16 years of age and older. A majority vote of members present and voting by written,signed ballot is sufficient for termination.
Duties: (1) Elect a chairperson and secretary; (2) Refer to the Job Description relative to the qualifications and duties of the Pastor for guidance; (3) Procure such guides as would be appropriate for replacing a pastor; (4) Confer with the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains; (5) Present one candidate to the church for approval.
Section 4 F. Nursery Committee: Shall be elected annually to plan, organize direct and control the nursery and its staff.
Qualifications: Shall regularly attend the church and possess a concern for small children and the desire for worship on the part of the parents.”
Duties: (1) Hire and train professional nursery attendants and provide for childcare when requested; (2) Ensure the proper use of supplies and the nursery facility; (3) Prepare a budget for the Trustees and supervise its expenditure.
Section 4 G. Missions Committee: Shall be elected annually by the church to promote cross cultural missions and to assist members of the church to become more aware of the impact of the gospel in other lands. The Missions Committee shall create and follow a strict policy for selection and support of missionaries and mission agencies.
Qualifications: Shall regularly attend the church and possess a concern to share the gospel in cross cultural situations.
Duties: (1) Give the church membership an understanding of Missions; (2) Provide an avenue for recognizing, raising up, training, sending and encouraging members of the church to become professional Christian missionaries; (3) Provide consistent guidelines for support of missions and missionaries; (4) Ensure loving Biblical stewardship of financial and human resources; (5) Provide a clear sense of direction of our mission commitment for the members and regular attenders of our church; (6) Assure a smooth working relationship between the Missions Committee, staff, other boards of the church, and missionaries and mission institutions; (7) Prepare a budget proposal for the Trustees and supervise its expenditure.
Section 5 A. Church Council: The Church Council shall be composed of the chairpersons from the Diaconate and Trustees, the Church Moderator, and the church staff including, but not limited to the Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor(s), the Business Administrator, the Director of Music and Worship, the Director of the Counseling Center and any other staff concerned with long range planning. It shall work with the pastor to help coordinate the activities of all parts of the church and to help plan its long range program.
Duties: (1) Assist the pastor in coordinating the work of the church as promoted by the church, officer, boards, committees, and organizations; (2) Prepare such business to come before the church that may need the counsel of more persons than those on a single board, committee or organization; (3) Advise concerning problems arising with an employee, board, committee, or organization or between two or more groups.
Section 8 – Election Rules
A. All officers, committees and chairpersons shall be elected annually to a one year term.
B. Tenure of office for the Board of Trustees shall be three years; one third of the board is to be elected each year. A Trustee filling a vacancy of 18 months or more in an unexpired term shall be considered to have served a full term. One who fills a vacancy of less than 18 months shall be eligible for re-election. A Trustee shall not serve for more than four-and-one-half consecutive years (three years of their own position plus less than 18 months of filling a vacancy), and must take off at least one full year before being considered for election again.
C. Tenure of office for a member of the Diaconate Board shall be two years. One half of the board is to be elected each year. A member of the Diaconate Board filling a vacancy of 12 months or more in an unexpired term shall be considered to have served a full term. One who fills a vacancy of less than 12 months shall be eligible for re-election. A Diaconate Board member shall not serve for more than six consecutive years, and must take off at least one full year after the six consecutive years of service.
D. If a church officer leaves before their term expires, the church shall hold an election to replace that person at the next quarterly ministry/business meeting or at a specially-called meeting.
E. If a member of a board or committee leaves before their term expires, or if a chairperson steps down, that board may elect a replacement member to fill that term, or decide to leave the vacancy until the next annual elections.
F. No person shall be a member of more than one board at the same time, or be a member of a board and be a church officer at the same time, or hold more than one church officer position at the same time.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS, REPORTS, QUORUMS, ETC.
Section 1 – Meetings
The annual leadership orientation meeting will be held on the third Sunday in September each year. Quarterly ministry/business meetings will be held on the third Sunday in January, April, July, and October. A meeting for election of officers and approval of the budget will be held on the third Sunday in May. Should any of these meetings fall on a holiday, or for other reasons, the Moderator may change the meeting date.
Section 2 – Communion service: Communion shall be observed on the first weekend of each month. Any deviation shall be determined by the Diaconate in counsel with the Pastor. Baptism service: Baptism will be observed on the third weekend of each month. Any deviation shall be determined by the Diaconate Board in counsel with the Pastor.
Section 3 – Quarterly Reports: Shall be in writing to the church from the staff, at the quarterly ministry/business meetings of the church. Such reports, when accepted by the church, are to be filed in the church office, and given to the auditors during the annual audit.
Section 4 – Quorum: The church ministry/business meetings shall be determined on the basis of not less than one-tenth of the total, active, current, resident membership 16 years of age and over. The different boards shall have a majority of members present at their meetings in person and not vote by proxy.
Section 5 – The church year shall be from July 1 to June 30.
ARTICLE VI – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Robert’s Rules of Order – Revised shall be the order of all parliamentary procedure which is not covered in the Constitution.
This Constitution shall apply to our home church and any satellite congregations of Crossroads American Baptist Church but would not apply to a mission church or church plant.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special business meeting of the church body, providing that any proposed change has been published in the church bulletin and publicly announced on two consecutive weekends prior to the meeting.