SECTION 1. GENERAL. This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church. The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.

SECTION 2. CANDIDACY. Any person may offer himself or herself as a candidate for membership in this Church. All such candidates shall be presented to the Church at a regular business meeting for membership in any of the following ways:

1. Baptism. Any person professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and giving evidence of a change of heart may, upon baptism by immersion, be received into membership.
2. Letter. Any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered may be received on a letter from a church of like faith and order.
3. Experience. Any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered may be received upon the satisfactory statement of his experience and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Restoration. Any person whose membership has been terminated by this Church as defined in Sections 5 & 6, may be restored according to Section 6. c.
5. Dissent. Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the Pastor and the Deacons for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the Church within thirty (30) days. A three-fourths vote of those Church members present and voting shall be required to elect such candidates to membership.

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES. Every member of the Church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the Church in conference, provided the member is present. In addition, every Church member is eligible to be nominated to any church office, committee, team, and coordinating group and/or to any program organization.

SECTION 4. INACTIVE MEMBERS. The names of members may be removed from the active membership roll, placed on the inactive membership roll and be excluded from all statistical reports under the following circumstances:

1. The member resides away from the general area and because of distance is unable to attend the services and participate in the program of the Church.
2. The member, without justification, and after prayerful and sincere efforts have been made to restore his/her interest, does not attend Church worship, contribute to the expenses of the Church, or serve in any suitable capacity for a period of at least one year.

SECTION 5. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

1. Death.
2. Transfer to another Baptist Church. A letter of transfer shall state that the member is in good standing, except in the case of inactive members.
3. Transfer to a non-Baptist Church. A letter of transfer shall be in the nature of a certificate of good standing, except in the case of an inactive member.
4. Erasure of name from the Church roll. Any member who desires that his/her name be erased should make a written request for it. Any member who becomes a member of another Church without request of his/her letter shall be erased.

SECTION 6. EXCLUSION BY ACTION OF THIS CHURCH

1. It shall be the basic purpose of the Sterling Park Baptist Church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The Pastor, other members of the Church Staff, and Deacons are available for counsel and guidance. Redemption rather than punishment should be the guideline which governs the attitude of one member towards another.
2. Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the Church, every reasonable measure will be taken by the Pastor and by the Deacons to resolve the problem. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance. But, finding that the welfare of the Church will best be served by the exclusion of the member, the Church may take this action by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting called for this purpose; and the Church may proceed to declare the offender to be no longer in the membership of the Church.
3. Any person whose membership has been terminated for any condition which has made it necessary for the Church to exclude him/her may upon his/her request be restored to membership by a vote of the Church upon evidence of his/her repentance and reformation.

All Church Officers must be members of the Church. The Officers of the Church shall be as appropriate as follows:

1. PASTOR. The Pastor is responsible for leading the Church to function as a New Testament Church. The Pastor shall be the spiritual leader of the Church and as such he shall work with the Deacons and Church staff to:

Lead the Church in performing its tasks;

Lead the Church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry and application;

Proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; and

Care for the Church s members and other persons in the community.

2. ASSOCIATE PASTOR(S). The Associate Pastor shall assist the Pastor in the performance of all pastoral duties and shall abide by the guidelines set forth in the applicable job description provided by the Human Resources committee and/or as designated by the Church.
3. MINISTER OF YOUTH AND ACTIVITIES. The Minister of Youth and Activities shall be responsible for the development, promotion, and leadership of the youth, children s and senior adult programs of the church and shall abide by the guidelines set forth in the applicable job description provided by the Human Resources committee and/or as designated by the Church.
4. ELECTION. The Pastor shall be elected and called by the Church when a vacancy occurs. A Pastorate Search Committee shall be elected by the Church to survey suitable candidates and present their recommendations to the Church in the form of a nomination. The Pastorate Search Committee shall make only one nomination at a time and members may make other nominations from the floor. The election of the Pastor shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, for of which at least two weeks public notice has been given by the Pastorate Search Committee. Voting shall be by secret ballot and a candidate must receive three-fourths of the votes cast to be elected.
5. TERMINATION. Should a called staff member or the Church decide upon termination of service, the party desiring said termination shall give the other party at least two weeks notice. Should termination of a called staff member be proposed, there shall be a special meeting called for that purpose, for which at least two weeks public notice has been given.
6. GENERAL. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all Church organizations and committees.

SECTION 2. CHURCH CLERK. The Church shall annually elect a Church Clerk and Assistant. The Clerk shall keep in a suitable book, a record of all the actions of the Church, except as otherwise herein provided. The clerk is responsible for keeping a register of the names of members with dates of admission, transfer or death, together with a record of baptism. The Clerk shall issue letters of transfer voted by the Church, preserve on file all communications and written official reports and give legal notice of all meetings where such notice is necessary as indicated in these by-laws. The Church may delegate some of the clerical responsibilities to a Church Secretary. All Church records are Church property and shall be filed in the Church Office. The clerk shall coordinate and file the annual report to the Potomac Baptist Association.

SECTION 3. DEACONS. The Deacons shall be elected by the Church and ordained if not previously ordained. In accordance with the meaning of the work and practice of the New Testament, Deacons are to be servants of the Church. The task of the Deacon is to serve with the Pastor and Staff in performing pastoral ministries; proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for Church members and other persons in the community; lead the Church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry and application.

SECTION 4. DIRECTOR OF MUSIC. The Director of Music shall be responsible for the development, promotion and leadership of the music program of the church and shall abide by the guidelines set forth in the applicable job description provided by the Human Resources committee and/or as designated by the Church.

SECTION 5. FINANCIAL SECRETARY. The Financial Secretary shall be elected annually and shall receive the collection envelopes after the money has been removed and counted by the Tellers Committee. The Financial Secretary shall provide each donor individual credit and provide individual quarterly and annual statements of contributions as provided for in the approved record system of the Church and as required by the Internal Revenue Service

SECTION 6. MODERATOR. The Moderator shall be elected annually. In the absence of the Moderator, the Assistant Moderator (Chairman of the Deacons) shall preside; or in the absence of both, the Pastor shall call the Church to order and act, as Moderator.

SECTION 7. TREASURER. The Church shall elect annually a Treasurer and Assistant. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to preserve, and pay out, upon authorization, all money paid or given to the Church, keeping at all times an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements; render to the Church at each regular business meeting and once annually an itemized report of the receipts and disbursements. The annual report shall be audited. The Treasurer shall be bonded.

SECTION 8. TRUSTEES. The Trustees shall consist of a Chairperson and at least two members elected for continuous service. A Trustee s vacancy may be filled at any business meeting. The Trustees shall represent the Church in all legal matters as provided by the requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Trustees shall hold in trust the Church Property. They shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer any property without a specific vote of the Church authorizing each action. It shall be the function of the Trustees to affix their signature to legal documents involving the sale, mortgage, purchase, or rental of property and other legal documents where the signature(s) of a Trustee(s) is required. (Reference PD-O8, OP )

SECTION 1. GENERAL. All members of Church Committees/Teams, Officers, Directors and Coordinators shall be recommended by the Nominating Committee. Elections of new members shall be held annually. Committee/team members and coordinators shall serve a two-year term and every effort shall be made to limit concurrent terms of office to approximately one half of the committee membership. Coordinators shall recruit a group of Church members to assist them.

SECTION 2. GENERAL DUTIES OF COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS, TEAM LEADERS, DIRECTORS, COORDINATORS AND COMMITTEE, TEAM AND GROUP MEMBERS.

1. All committee chairpersons, directors, team leaders and coordinators shall be responsible for the following:

Serve as contact point for communication between the committee, team and/or groups and the rest of the Church.

Act as a role of authority and knowledge for this function within the Church.

Train all members in the function of the committee, team or group.

Call and facilitate meetings as necessary to carry out the function of the committee, team and/or group. Provide an agenda, take notes or minutes, and prepare reports to the Church.

Plan, promote, and oversee all work activities of the committee, team or group.

Publish the results of activities in the church newsletter as appropriate and present formal reports to the church at business meetings.

2. All committee, team and group members shall be responsible for the following:

Attend all meetings, and participate in discussions and decision making.

Contribute fully to the activities and projects of the committee, team or group, making participation a priority.

Share knowledge and expertise with the committee, team and group.

SECTION 3. AUDIO / SOUND COORDINATOR. The Audio / Sound Coordinator shall be responsible for the recruitment and training of members to provide technical audio / sound assistance to the Pastors, Director of Music, Choir and Musicians and to record worship services and special events. The Audio/Sound Coordinator shall also be responsible for the maintenance and purchase of all audio/sound equipment and supplies.

The Church Council is made up of the Pastor, the chairpersons of the Property Committee, the Stewardship Committee, the Human Resources Committee, and Deacons, the directors of Sunday School and Mothers Day Out, the Treasurer, and the Moderator who shall serve as chairperson. Minutes of meeting will be kept by Church Clerk.

The Church Council is responsible for making recommendations to the Church on financial, personnel and administrative matters. In addition, the Church Council would handle minor decisions that must be made in the daily management of the Church that cannot wait until the next business meeting.

SECTION 5. DECORATIONS COORDINATOR. The Decorations Coordinator interfaces with the pastorate and other program directors and organizations to insure that the sanctuary and fellowship hall are decorated appropriately for the season and all special events and services including Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas..

SECTION 6. FORWARD PLANNING COMMITTEE. The Forward Planning Committee shall evaluate the growth patterns of the Church and review the ministries and programs on a continuous basis. The committee shall recommend to the church changes to meet the total needs of the membership and evaluate suggested church objectives and goals.

SECTION 7. LINK REPRESENTATIVE. The Link Representative shall attend the monthly LINK meeting and coordinate all activities assigned to our church by the LINK organization.

SECTION 8. LOCAL MISSIONS COMMITTEE. The Missions Committee shall be responsible for the evaluation, planning and promotion of church mission opportunities to the local community, and the administration of the church local mission budget.

SECTION 9. MULTIMEDIA COORDINATOR. The Multimedia Coordinator Committee shall coordinate the ordering, screening and processing of books, audiovisual resources, and other educational materials for loan to the membership. The Multimedia Coordinator shall be responsible for maintaining all audio video equipment in the Library and insuring that the library is open and staffed at the appointed times.

SECTION 10. MUSIC COMMITTEE. The Music Committee shall assist the Music Director, when called upon, in planning music for worship and inspiration and assist in the development of the music program for the Church.

SECTION 11. NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Nominating Committee shall bring nominations of officers, directors, chairpersons, team leaders, coordinators, and committee/team members to the Church as provided herein, and other nominations as instructed by the Church. This committee shall also make nominations for all vacancies that occur during the year. The committee shall strive to utilize the full complement of the Church membership in making nominations.

SECTION 12. NURSERY COORDINATOR The Nursery Coordinator shall supervise the paid nursery staff, submit bi-weekly pay information to the Treasurer, schedule volunteers, maintain supplies, and ensure that toys, bedding and rooms are clean and safe.

SECTION 13. PASTORATE SEARCH COMMITTEE. The Pastorate Search Committee shall provide assistance to the Church during the transition period when a vacancy exists in the Pastorate. The Pastorate Search Committee shall implement the Church s process for calling ordained members of the Pastorate.

SECTION 14. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE The Human Resources Committee shall assist the Church in matters related to personnel administration. Its duties include such areas as determining staff needs, employment, salaries, benefits, personnel service and also provide Church leadership with applicable position descriptions.

SECTION 15. PLANS AND CONTRUCTION COMMITTEE. The Committee shall study and keep updated a survey of building needs to meet future space requirements. It shall recommend to the church and administer approved building programs.

SECTION 16. PROPERTY COMMITTEE. The Property Committee shall have general supervision of the Church buildings, grounds, and equipment, including responsibility for janitorial services, lawn care and all contracts related to maintenance and repair of church property.

SECTION 17. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE. The Publications Committee shall be responsible for promotion of the Church programs, the publication of the church newsletter, and shall study methods and make recommendations to the Church for the communication of information concerning the Church s ministry to the community.

SECTION 18. SOCIAL COORDINATOR. The Social Coordinator shall be responsible for planning the social functions of the Church.

SECTION 19. STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE. The Stewardship Committee shall evaluate and direct all activities related to church stewardship and finances. The purpose of the committee is to develop in church members an understanding of and commitment to Biblical stewardship through a planned program.

SECTION 20. TELLERS COMMITTEE. Two or more members of the Teller s Committee shall open the Church envelopes at the Church and record all moneys received in the Church offerings, including the amounts for budget, loose and special offerings. Each week the Chairperson, or designee, shall turn over to the Financial Secretary all envelopes received and deposit all funds in the designated bank. (

SECTION 21. USHERS COMMITTEE. The Ushers Committee shall welcome members and visitors and see that they are comfortably seated. They shall be responsible for collecting the offering at worship services, taking a count of those present at each worship service, and being attentive to the needs of the congregation and the Pastor.

SECTION 22. WEDDING COORDINATOR. The Wedding Coordinator shall meet with the wedding couple to explain the wedding policies and procedures of the church, and coordinate the opening and closing of the church for the rehearsal and wedding.

SECTION 23. WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER COORDINATOR. The Wednesday Night Dinner Coordinator shall be responsible for the planning, promotion, and preparation of the Wednesday Night Dinner.

SECTION 24. YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The Youth Advisory Committee shall consist of parents of youth in the Church to work with and support the Minister of Youth and Activities in providing an effective youth ministry

SECTION 24. YOUTH COUNCIL. The Youth Council is a group of middle and high school students, who shall plan, coordinate and evaluate youth activities in cooperation with the Minister of Youth and Activities.

SECTION 1. GENERAL. All organizations of the Church shall be under Church control, all program directors being elected by the Church except as provided herein and reporting regularly to the Church.

SECTION 2. CHILDREN S CHURCH PROGRAM. There shall be a Children s Church Program under the direction of the Minister of Youth and Activities. Such officers and /or organizations shall be included as needed. The Children s Church purpose shall be to create a spiritual atmosphere conducive to a meaningful worship experience for children Grades 1 through 2. The Minister of Youth and Activities is charged to conduct or cause to be conducted a service that is within the beliefs and doctrines practiced by the Church.

SECTION 3. CHURCH MUSIC PROGRAM. There shall be a Church Music Program under the direction of the Music Director. Such officers and/or organizations shall be included as needed. The music tasks shall be to teach music; train persons to lead, sing, and play music; provide music in the Church and community; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and the denomination.

SECTION 4. MEN S MINISTRIES . The task of the Men s Ministry is to involve boys, young men and men in missions by engaging them in mission activities, teaching missions, praying for and giving to missions, developing personal ministries and supporting the work of the church and denomination.

SECTION 5. MOTHER S DAY OUT PROGRAM. There shall be a Mother s Day Out Program with a paid Director and workers as needed. The task of the Mother s Day Out Program shall be the care of children and shall be an outreach ministry of the church. This program shall be non-profit, self-supporting financially since there shall be a charge for services.

SECTION 6. SUNDAY SCHOOL. There shall be a Sunday School divided into departments and classes for all ages and conducted under the direction of the Sunday School Director for the study of God s Word. The task of the Sunday School shall be to teach the biblical revelation; reach persons for Christ and Church membership; perform the functions of the Church within its constituency; provide and interpret information regarding the work of the Church and denomination.

SECTION 7. DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING. Discipleship training shall be conducted as needed under the direction of a coordinator

SECTION 8. WOMEN ON MISSION. The task of the Women on Mission is to involve girls, young women and women in missions by engaging them in mission activities, teaching missions, praying for and giving to missions, developing personal ministries and supporting the work of the church and denomination.

The ordinances of this Church shall be baptism by immersion and the Lord s Supper. These ordinances shall be observed as scheduled by the Pastorate and Deacons.

SECTION 1. WORSHIP SERVICES. The Church shall meet regularly each Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening for preaching, instruction, evangelism and for the worship of Almighty God. These meetings will be open for the entire membership of the Church and for all people and shall be conducted under the direction of the Pastorate.

SECTION 2. BUSINESS MEETING.

SECTION 3. CHURCH PLANNING MEETING.

1. The primary purposes of the Church Planning Meeting are to review and coordinate program events recommended by church officers, organizations, coordinators, teams and committees; and to recommend to the congregation the use of facilities, calendar time, and other resources according to church priorities.
2. The Church Planning Meeting shall have as regular attendees: members of the Pastorate, Church Clerk as Secretary, Director of Music, all Program Directors and Coordinators, Chairman of the Deacons, Chairpersons of the Property Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and the Publications Committee, or their designees, and other church elected leaders as ex-officio members when required.
3. All matters agreed upon in the Church Planning Meeting calling for action not already authorized shall be referred to the Church for approval or disapproval.

SECTION 4. SPECIAL SERVICES AND ORGANIZATION MEETINGS. Special services and Church organization meetings shall be placed on the calendar at the Church Planning Meeting.

SECTION 5. QUORUM. The quorum consists of those who attend the business meeting, provided it is a regular meeting or one that has been properly called, except:

1. For the calling or dismissal of a staff member, twenty-percent of the active roll of the membership shall be necessary. Written notice of the impending action shall be given by the Deacons (dismissal) or the Pastor Search Committee (calling) to each church member at least two weeks prior to such meeting.
2. For financial obligations exceeding $5,000, ten-percent of the active roll of the membership shall be necessary.
3. The active roll of the Family Ministry Program maintained by the Deacons shall be considered to be the active membership roll of the Church.

SECTION 6. PARLIAMENTARY RULES. Robert s Rules of Order, Revised is the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the Church.

Membership in this church involves a financial obligation to support the Church and its causes with regular, proportionate gifts.

SECTION 1. The financial requirements shall be set forth in an annual budget approved by the Church, except as otherwise provided herein.

SECTION 2. Funds for designated purposes not included in the budget may be established upon approval of the Church or upon donations of funds with a specific purpose designated. These funds shall be administered solely for the designated purpose. Funds excess to requirements of the designated purpose shall be transferred to the General Fund and become available for budget purposes after Church approval.

SECTION 3. All funds required and expended by the Church shall be recorded in an accounting system that provides for fund accounting of all income and expenses. Periodic (monthly and annual) accounting reports of fund balances, including income and expenses, shall be provided to the Church.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Church policies and procedures shall be described in the Church Operations Manual. A current copy of the manual shall be kept in the Church Office and made available to any member of the Church. The manual shall be maintained by the Church Clerk. Changes in policies and procedures may be initiated by any Church member or organization. Revision of Church policies and procedures requires:

1. The recommendation of the Church officer or organization (including committees) to whose areas of assignment the policy relates.
2. Discussion and approval by the Church in a business meeting.

This Constitution and By-Laws may be altered and amended by a two-thirds vote of members voting, provided the recommended changes shall be in writing and lay on the table for at least twenty-eight days.