CONSTITUTION OF THEBARSS CORNER BAPTIST CHURCH

BARSS CORNER, NOVA SCOTIAAdopted, January 21, 1977;

Amended, March 1980; Amended April 1983; Revised, January 19, 1984; Amended, May 4, 1987Amended February 20, 1991; Amended, February 10, 1994; Amended, February 8, 1996; Amended, March 19, 2000

Amended, March 14, 2001; Revised, February 9, 2006; Amended, March 11, 2012; Amended, March 23, 2014; Amended February 12, 2015

ARTICLE 1Name

This Church, organized in 1842, shall be known as the Barss Corner Baptist Church. (Amended March 11, 2012)

ARTICLE 2Section (1)-Purpose of the Church

The purpose of this church, which is a co-operating body of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, is to seek the glorification of God through evangelism of the lost, both at home and abroad, and the Christian nurture of its members. This purpose will be pursued by the preaching and teaching of the Word of God (the Holy Bible), vital worship, fervent prayer and regenerative Christian fellowship.

Section (2)-Activities of the Church (Added February 12,2015)The activities of the church shall be carried on without purpose of financial gain for its members. Any profits or other accretions to the church shall be used solely in promoting the purpose of the church.

ARTICLE 3Membership

Section (1) – Admission of Members

Any person who gives evidence of regeneration of acceptance of Jesus Christ as both Saviour and Lord and who desires to confess him publicly and accepts the obligations of our Church Covenant (Appendix A) may by vote of the Church become a member, he having also first established his right to apply to become a member:

(a) By Baptism by immersion;(b) By Letter. (Believers, being members in good standing of any other recognized Christian Church

holding like faith may, by vote of the Church, be received immediately into membership after presenting letters of dismission from other Churches, and accepting the aims and ideals of this Church as expressed in Article 2, and in the Church Covenant).

(c) By experience, if the candidate gives satisfactory evidence of a Christian character, although unable to obtain a letter of dismission from a Church of like faith and order.

(d) By restoration upon evidence of repentance when membership has been lost by withdrawal of fellowship.

(e) By recommendation by Deacons and Pastor. Any person who genuinely desires Believer’s Baptism and is in full harmony with the requirements of this section and who, in the opinion of the Pastor and Board of Deacons, is not physically capable of entering the waters of baptism may be presented to the Church for acceptance and full membership immediately without baptism, the will being accepted for the deed.

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Section (2) – Special Provision Respecting Candidates Seeking Membership By Experience Or Restoration

The names of all candidates seeking membership by experience or restoration shall first be presented to the Pastor and the Board of Deacons who may, if they deem it necessary, request the attendance of the candidates, before them, and the Pastor and the Board of Deacons, upon being satisfied as to the Christian character of the candidates, shall recommend them to the Church for acceptance into full membership.

Section (3) – Admission Into Church Membership

The names of the persons proposed to be received into the Church as new members under this Article shall be presented to the Church to be voted on for church membership, and if so received they shall be extended the right hand of fellowship in recognition of their admission to all the rights and privileges of this Church.

Section (4) – Dismission Of Members (Amended February 12, 2015)

(a) Dismission by Letter: Any member may, by vote of the Church, be granted a letter of membership transfer to any Church of like faith and order.

(b) Dismission by Certificate of Membership: Any member may, by vote of the Church, be granted a Certificate of Membership if wishing to unite with a Church of another denomination.

(c) Dismission by Exclusion: When a member, by his conduct, gives evidence of acting opposing the explicit commands of Scripture or the aims and obligations of the Church Covenant and after being lovingly reproved of his sin (by the method called for in Scripture) fails to repent of and forsake the same, he shall by vote (two-thirds majority) of the Church have his membership removed from the Church.

(d) Dismission by Expiry: When the church has lost contact with a member, and the church has performed due diligence in trying to contact that member and has failed to do so, then their name should be removed from the membership list. The pastor and deacons shall report on such removals at the Annual Business Meeting, and such a report must be accepted, amended or rejected by a two thirds majority of the members present.

Section (5) – Review Of Church Membership

The pastor and deacons shall, once per year, do a review of the Church membership list to determine the number of non-active and non-resident members so that it may be decided how best to minister to them.

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ARTICLE 4Officers and Boards

Section (1) – Pastor(a) Calling the Pastor

Since the ministry in this place is a co-operative effort of two separate Churches, the candidate for pastor who is recommended by the Churches joint pulpit committees shall be called to that position only upon an 85% majority vote of all members present at a duly called joint business meeting.

(b) Characteristics of the PastorThe pastor shall be a growing believer who confesses that Jesus is Saviour and Lord, the Bible is the inspired Word of God; the need of man is a new birth in Christ and the need of the saved is growth into Christ-likeness.

(c) Duties of the PastorThe pastor, as a servant of God and a shepherd of the people shall, in general, give such spiritual leadership to the Church that it will be enabled to do the work of the ministry.He shall carry on this ministry by leading the Church in worship, study the Scriptures, prayer, Christian fellowship, witnessing, pastoral ministry and involvement in community matters wherein the cause of Christ can be advanced.Although it is not necessary to attend every meeting, he is an “ex officio” member of all boards and committees of the Church (except the pulpit committee when searching for his successor).

(e) Dismission of the PastorWhen, through his preaching and teaching, it becomes evident that the pastor holds a theological position on some essential Biblical doctrine that is clearly contrary to what the Scriptures teach.

OrWhen, in the work of the Pastor, he is unable or is unwilling to carry out his duties as outlined in subsection ‘c’ above.)

OrWhen in the life of the pastor, there is known immorality or known sin, which he is unwilling to repent of, the Board of Deacons, shall take the following procedure:

(1) Bring the matter to the attention of the pastor, seeking to show him his error in doctrine or asking him to confess and repent of the immorality / sin.

(2) If there is no resolution, the Area Minister shall be contacted and asked to meet with the pastor for the same reason.

(3) If there is no resolution, a meeting of the Church members shall be called to deal with his dismission as pastor. A two-thirds majority vote is required to dismiss the pastor.

Section (2) – Clerk

The Clerk, who shall be a Church member elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting, shall keep an accurate record of Church business transacted at all duly called business meetings and Annual Business Meeting and shall be responsible for the issuing and receiving of letters of dismission and transfer of membership. He shall preserve, in a safe place, all church documents and shall keep a correct register of the membership with the date and manner of their admission and dismission. He shall see that all members are informed of the election or appointment to an office, board or committee. He shall submit an annual report to the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches.

Section (3) – Assistant Clerk

The assistant clerk, who shall be a Church member elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting, shall keep an accurate record of all Church business in the absence of the Clerk and shall perform such duties as may be required.

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Section (4) – The Secretariat

The Secretariat shall consist of the Assistant Clerk and two other Church members, elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting, whose duties shall include the preparation of, mailing of, the annual reports and such other duties as may be required of them.

Section (5) – The Treasurer

The Treasurer, who shall be a church member elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting, shall have charge of all monies belonging to the Church with the exception of such funds as are specifically designated to be administered by some other committee or board. He may also, with the authorization of, and subject to the discretion of any such committee or board administer said funds specially designated for their administration. He shall, without special vote or authority, pay by cheque, out of the Church funds available for the purpose, all salaries, Canada Pension and Employment Insurance deductions, fuel, electric light, advertising, office supplies, telephone, parsonage utilities, rent, taxes, interest, insurance premiums, Church and Parsonage repairs and other such expenses of a like nature even if the amounts expended therefore should exceed the amount budgeted for in the Annual Church Budget.

He shall, without special vote or authority, make such other expenditures as are authorized by the Church at any duly called general meeting of the Church up to the limits set therein by the Church. Provided, however, that if receipts for Missions exceed the amount set forth in the Annual Church Budget the total amount received shall be remitted to the Head Office of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches.

The Treasurer shall pay by cheque all other bills only after they have been approved by the Board of Trustees, if incurred by said board or by the Picnic Grounds Committee, if incurred by that committee, or by the Finance Committee, if authorized by that committee. He shall be entitled to borrow, on behalf of the Church for Church purposes, such amounts and in such manner, as authorized by the Church at a duly called business meeting or at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Treasurer shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements with proper vouchers. He shall present a summary of the financial condition of the Church at any duly called business meeting, if requested to do so. He shall present to the Church at the Annual Business Meeting an audited financial statement of the previous year. He shall have the annual statements in the hands of the Auditor at least one week before the Annual Business Meeting. He shall automatically be a member of the Finance Committee.

Section (6) – Assistant Treasurer

If the Church desires or deems it necessary to have an Assistant Treasurer, he shall be a Church member and shall be elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Assistant Treasurer shall be responsible to the Treasurer and shall assist the Treasurer in performing his duties in the manner, and to the extent, the Treasurer directs. In the event of the death, incapacity or resignation of the treasurer, he shall assume the office of, and perform the duties of the Treasurer until an election of a new Treasurer shall take place at a duly called business meeting of the Church. Should the Assistant Treasurer be at that time elected Treasurer, then the Church shall, at the same duly called business meeting, elect a new Assistant Treasurer.

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Section (7) – Sunday School Superintendent

The Superintendent of the Sunday School shall be a Church member and a regular attendee of Sunday School elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting. He shall be a member of the Christian Education Committee and shall work in close co-operation with that committee. He shall be responsible to oversee and administer the weekly and yearly activities of the Sunday School.

Section (7A) – Assistant Sunday School Superintendent

The Assistant Sunday School Superintendent shall be a Church member and a regular attendee of Sunday School elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting. He shall work in close association with the Sunday School Superintendent and act as Sunday School Superintendent in the absence of the Superintendent (Added April 1983).

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Section (8) – Board of Deacons

The Board of Deacons shall consist of four members of the Church. They shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting to serve for a period of four years.

Each year the four-year term of one of the Deacons shall come to a close. The retiring Deacon shall not be eligible for immediate re-election even if no other Church member will accept the nomination to fill his position or if the Church declines to ratify any other nominee for the Board of Deacons. The retiring Deacon shall, however, be eligible for re-election whenever a subsequent vacancy shall occur.

Any member appointed to serve the un-expired term of another shall be considered to have filled the appointment for a full term.

The Board of deacons shall notify the Church membership of vacancies on the Board caused by resignation, death or dismissal.

The Pastor and the Board of Deacons shall present to the Church for ratification, at any duly called business meetings or at the Annual Business Meeting the name of the Church member chosen by them to fill each vacancy on the Board of Deacons, whether such vacancy shall be the result of resignation, death, dismissal or expiration of a term of office.

Should the Church fail to ratify by majority vote of those in attendance at said duly called business meeting or at the Annual Business Meeting the name submitted by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons, then the Pastor and the Board of Deacons shall select for service on the Board of Deacons, another Church member and they shall submit the name of that person to the Church for ratification. This procedure shall be repeated as often as it is necessary to fill any vacancy on the Board of Deacons.

Each nominee shall be contacted by a representative of the Board of Deacons to ensure that he will accept the office if his name is submitted by the Board of the Church and ratified by the Church.

The Deacons shall co-operate with the Pastor in advancing the spiritual interests of the Church and shall assist the Pastor in the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They shall consider proposed changes in the leading features of the Church and have a general oversight of all the activities held in the Church building or under the name of the Church. They shall have the power to review all aspects of the work of the Church and to recommend to the Church the removal from office, for cause, of any member of any committee or Board, including the Board of Deacons, or the removal, for cause, of any officer, including the Pastor, which, when recommended, may be presented at any duly called business meeting or at the Annual Business Meeting.The removal of such officer or Board member of Committee member, or Pastor, by the Church, shall require a two-thirds majority of votes cast by Church members at such meeting. The Deacons shall meet regularly to carry out these responsibilities.

The Board of Deacons shall interview any persons expressing a desire to unite with the Church. When it appears to be in the best interest of the Church, they may seek an interview with any Church member.

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Section (9) – Board of Trustees

The Board of trustees shall consist of three member of the Church. They shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting to serve for a period of three years. Each year one of the three-year term of one of the Trustees shall come to a close but he shall be eligible for immediate re-election. Any member elected to serve the un-expired term of another shall be considered to have filled the position for the full term.

The Trustees shall hold all the real and personal property of the Church in trust as set forth in the applicable Statute or Statutes of the Province of Nova Scotia except as otherwise provided by this constitution. They shall have a general oversight of the Church property and keep the same in good repair.

They shall make a written report each year for submission to the Annual Business Meeting setting forth the work done under their supervision and recommendations for work, repairs and property maintenance to be done and insurance procured in the ensuing year.

They shall have authority to contract bills for expenditures for work, property maintenance and repairs authorized by the Annual Business Meeting or at any duly called business meeting to the limits set forth in the Annual Church Budget or as additionally authorized ay any duly called business meeting and they shall have the authority to approve and order payment of same by the Treasurer.

They shall also have authority to contract bills for work, property maintenance and repairs of a minor nature not authorized by the Annual Business Meeting. They shall also have the authority to contract bills for work, property maintenance and repairs, not of a minor nature, not to exceed $2,000.00 each up to twice per year, not authorized by the Annual Business Meeting.

They shall be responsible for engaging or dismissing the Janitor and defining his duties. They shall determine his compensation in conjunction with the Finance Committee subject to the approval of the Church.

They shall be responsible for inspecting the parsonage periodically to determine what work, maintenance or repairs need to be done thereto and to make recommendations for the same. (Amended March 23, 2014)

They shall notify the Church membership of vacancies on the Board caused by resignation, death or dismissal at least fifteen days immediately prior to any duly called business meeting at which an election is to be held to fill the vacancy.

Section (10) – Restriction

(a) At no time shall any one person be elected to more than one of the offices listed in Sections 2 – 7 inclusive of this Article 4.

(b) No person shall be a member of both the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees at the same time.(c) Any member of a Board anticipating extended absence should consult that Board with a view to leave of

absence or termination of office. If it appears that such member is unable to give reasonable service in that office he shall be expected to submit his resignation in writing.

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Article 5Committees

Section (1) – Finance Committee

This committee shall consist of five members of the Church, including the Church Treasurer. They shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting. No more than one member of each of the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees may be a member of the Finance Committee.

It shall be the duty of the Committee to prepare an Annual Church Budget for submission to the Church at the Annual Business Meeting. This budget shall take into consideration-estimated revenue for the coming year, any proposed changes in salaries and all proposed expenditures in administrative and departmental affairs of the Church, insurance, and all expenditures for work, repairs property maintenance recommended by the Board of Trustees. In the preparation of the Budget the advice and needs of the various Committee and Boards shall be previously obtained. The Budget shall be passed, or amended, by vote of the Church, and such vote will constitute authority for the Treasurer to make payments within the limits for its specific provisions save only to the extent he is authorized to exceed these limits as set forth in Article 4, Section (5) hereof. All proposals for financial expenditures not provided for in the budget, except bills which the Board of Trustees are authorized to contract, must receive the sanction of the Finance Committee. If such proposals be of a minor nature such sanction shall be deemed sufficient. But in cases covering extraordinary expenditures further ratification, by the Church, of the Committee’s sanction will be required. In any questionable instance the definition of “extraordinary expenditure” shall be by vote of the Church.

The Finance Committee shall hold meetings at the call of the Chairman. At such meetings it may, among other things, examine the accounts submitted to the Treasurer and keep in touch with the financial progress of the Church as reported to it by him on these occasions. It may delegate to one or more of its members certain specific duties coming within its scope as it deems fit.

Proposals for the Church to raise money by special appeal or offering shall first be referred to the Board of Deacons, and, if approved by them, then to the Finance Committee.

Not withstanding any provision of this Section with regard to the control of the Finance Committee over Church finances it shall not apply in cases specifically provided for in any other Article or Section.

Section (2) – Christian Education Committee

The Christian Education Committee shall consist of six members of the Church who are active in areas of Christian Education including the Sunday School Superintendent, a Deacon appointed by the Deacon’s Board, a representative of the Youth and three other Church members, each elected by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting to serve for a three-year term.

The Committee shall be responsible to the Board of Deacons and shall have the responsibility and authority:(a) To oversee the total C.E. ministry of the Church(b) To determine the C.E. policy of the Church and to explore these policies(c) To set necessary goals and objectives to meet the C.E. needs of the Church for the future(d) To plan and implement programs designed to meet the set objectives

The Committee will meet regularly in order to carry out these responsibilities.

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Section (3) – The Usher’s Committee

The Usher’s Committee shall consist of four Church members and shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

The ushers shall be responsible for the seating of the people at regular and special services of the Church.

It shall be their responsibility to see that the temperature and ventilation are adjusted to provide as great a degree of comfort as possible for the congregation. They shall be responsible for the arrangement and distribution of the hymnbooks, bulletins, and other materials as necessary. They shall be responsible for the ringing if the Church bell.

Section (4) – The Collector’s Committee

The Collector’s Committee shall consist of six Church members and shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting. (Amended February 10, 1994)

The Collector’s shall receive the offering at all worship services or designate other persons to perform the task.

Section (5) – The Picnic Grounds Committee

The Picnic Grounds Committee shall consist of four Church members and shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

They shall have a general oversight of the Baptist Picnic Grounds and shall endeavor to keep them and the buildings thereon in good condition and repair.

They shall make a written report each year for submission to the Annual Business Meting setting forth the work done under their supervision and recommendations for work, repairs and property maintenance to be done and insurance procured, if any, in the ensuing year.

Section (6) – The Pulpit Committee

The Pulpit Committee shall consist of three Church members, one of whom shall be a Deacon, and shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

It shall be the duty of the Pulpit Committee, upon the death or resignation of the Pastor, to take, as soon as possible thereafter, and on the direction of the Church, the action necessary to bring before the Church the name of a candidate to fill the vacancy. Progress reports shall be given to the Church as often as is practical or when requested by the Church. The Committee, in searching for a pastoral candidate, shall be directed by the guidelines as set forth in Article 4, Section (1) of this Constitution.

It shall also be the duty of this Committee to provide supply ministers in the absence of the Pastor. If a supply minister cannot be obtained for any specific Sunday, then the Committee shall notify the Board of Deacons.

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Section (7) – The Music Committee

The Music Committee shall consist of the Organist, Choir Director and three other Church members who shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

This Committee shall work closely with the Pastor in the Ministry of Music of the Church. It shall be responsible for the necessary maintenance of the Church’s musical instruments and for the acquisition of musical supplies and for the selection of an Assistant Choir Director if one is required. (Office of the Assistant Choir Director added in March 1980.)

Section (8) – The Communion Preparation Committee

The Communion Preparation Committee shall consist of two Church members and shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

This Committee shall make all preparations necessary for Church Communion Services.

Section (9) – The Cemetery Committee

The Cemetery Committee shall consist of at least two Church members and shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

This Committee shall be responsible for the management, maintenance, upkeep and beautification of the Church cemetery, shall keep all cemetery records and the records of all income and expenditures related to said cemetery and shall present a financial report at each Annual Business Meeting.

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Section (10) – The Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall consist of six active Church members, each elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting to serve for a period of two years. Each year the two-year term of three of the members shall expire and they shall not be eligible for re-election until one year has gone by. Nominations to fill these positions shall be brought forth by the Nominating Committee at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates to fill all vacancies in offices, boards and committees as provided for in this Constitution and the report of the Nominating Committee containing the list of nominations shall be included in the Annual Reports which shall be made available at the Church on or before the Sunday prior to the date set for the Annual Business Meeting. In making nominations, the Committee shall endeavor always to fill the vacancies with members who are presently active in the life and worship of the Church.

No name shall be included in the list of nominations unless the nominee has been previously contacted and has agreed to allow his name to stand for nomination. The said report of the Nominating Committee shall be submitted for inclusion in the Annual Reports even if it is incomplete.

The Nominating Committee shall present a completed list of nominations at the Annual Business Meeting of the Church. Further nominations may be made from the floor provided the nominee has been previously contacted and has agreed to allow his name to stand for nomination. The Committee shall be responsible for nominees to fill vacancies, which occur during the year. The names of such nominees shall be presented to the Church at a duly called business meeting.

The Nominating Committee shall consult with the Treasurer in office prior to selecting its nominee for the position of Assistant Treasurer.

The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for nominating and presenting to the Church delegates to represent the Church at Association Assemblies, Convention Assembly and other gatherings where representatives may be desired or requested.

Section (11) – Other Committees

Additional Committees may be appointed or elected as deemed necessary by the Church. If the Church so instructs, personnel for such committees shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee.

Section (12) – Election of Committees

All committees included in Section (1) to (11) inclusive of this Article 5 shall be elected by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting in accordance with the provisions of Article 9, Section (6) of this Constitution.

Section (13) – Church Votes Over-Ride Committee Decisions

The authority of a Church vote to over-ride any decision of any committee will always be recognized.

Section (14) – Committee Budgets

Each Committee wishing to secure financial assistance from the Church shall present its budget for the ensuing year to the Finance Committee at least one month prior to the Annual Business Meeting for inclusion in the Annual Budget.

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Article 6Additional Personnel

Section (1) – Janitor

The Janitor shall be engaged as provided in Section (9) of Article 4 of this Constitution.

Section (2) – Moderator

A Moderator for Church business meetings shall be elected annually by the Church at the Annual Business Meeting. The appointment shall take effect following the conclusion of the Annual Business Meeting at which he is elected. The Moderator shall be a member of the Church.

It shall be the duty of the Moderator to preside at the Annual Business Meeting and all duly called business meetings and conduct such business as appears on the agenda provided by the Church Clerk. He shall at all times be subject to the will of the Church.

He shall, before the transaction of any business, read aloud Section (11) of Article 9 pertaining to eligibility to vote or speak.

In the absence of the Moderator, a Moderator pro-term shall be appointed from the floor.

Section (3) – Auditor

The Auditor shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Auditor shall examine and verify the accounts of the Treasurer of the Church once per year, previous to the Annual Business Meeting. The annual statements of the Treasurer should be in the hands of the Auditor at least one week before the Annual Business Meeting.

Section (4) – Organist and Choir Director

The Organist and Choir Director shall be elected by the Church annually at the Annual Business meeting and shall be responsible for providing the music at all regular Sunday Church services and other special meetings when called upon to do so. The Choir Director shall be responsible for the direction of the senior choir and the general supervision of all church choirs unless the Church directs otherwise. The same person may fill both these positions.

Section (5) – Assistant Organists

The Assistant Organists shall be elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting.

The Assistant Organists shall assist the Organist in the performance of his duties and shall, in his absence, be the organist at worship services.

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Article 7Meetings

Section (9) – Lord’s Day Services

The Church shall meet regularly each morning of each Lord’s Day for public worship, unless otherwise directed by the Pastor and Board of Deacons. A major change in the routine with respect to worship services can only be effected by majority vote of the Church members in attendance at a duly called business meeting or at the Annual Business Meeting. It shall always be within the power of the Church membership to determine whether or not a change is a “major change”.

The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed once a month, preferably on the first Sunday of the month.

Section (2) – Annual Business Meeting

There shall be an Annual Business Meeting of the Church for presentation of written reports from officers, boards, committees and other departments of the Church, also the election of officers, boards and committees and the transaction of any other business pertaining to the Church.

The date of such meeting shall be the second Thursday of the month of February. In the case of not having a quorum or in the event of inclement weather, the said meeting shall be held as soon thereafter as possible. (Amended May 4, 1987.)

Section (3) – Duly Called Business Meetings

Meetings for the transactions of special business may be called when necessary by the Church Clerk at the request of the Pastor, Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, and Finance Committee or on written request by fifteen members of the Church.

The announcement of such meetings and the nature of the business to be transacted shall be made at least once on each of two Sundays prior to the date of such meetings.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, matters of a minor nature such as appointment of delegates and voting on membership as set out in Article 3, Sections (1) and (4) inclusive, of this constitution, may be considered, and action taken at the beginning or at the close of any regular worship service of the Church with no notice having to be given beyond an announcement of said meeting and its purpose being given at that said regular worship service.

Should any Church member in attendance at said meeting raise the question as to whether any item of business to be considered at said meeting is a “matter of a minor nature’, then that question shall be put to a vote. Unless at least two-thirds of the Church members present vote that the item is a “matter of a minor nature”, then it shall not be considered, nor shall action be taken on it at said meeting.

Section (4) – Order of Annual Business Meeting

1. Opening Hymn 6. Election of Officers2. Opening Prayer 7. Election of Boards and Committees3. Call to Order by the Moderator 8. Other Business4. Minutes of the Proceeding Meetings 9. Adjournment with Prayer5. Consideration of Reports

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Article 8License to Preach

A member of good standing preparing for the ministry or contemplating lay ministry in our Churches may apply to the Board of Deacons for a license to preach. The Board shall give careful consideration and shall present for a vote of the Church such applications as they approve. Licenses so granted shall be for one year and may be revoked at any time at the will of the Church.

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Article 9General Regulations

Section (1) – Organization of Committees

The first name on each committee shall be the Chairman.

Section (2) – Vacancies in Office

The Chairman of each committee shall report to the Nominating Committee the need if filling any vacancies, which may occur during the year. In the event of the resignation or removal by death of any Church officer, the Pastor shall notify the Nominating Committee of the necessity of filling the vacancy thus created.

Section (3) – Reports

The Church may request a report from any officer of committee at any duly called business meeting if reasonable notice has been given. Such report shall not be regarded as a substitute for the annual report at the Annual Business Meeting.

Section (4) – Quorums, Boards and Committees

A quorum for the transaction of business by the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Christian Education Committee, Music Committee or Nominating Committee shall consist of a majority of the members of the said boards or committees. The majority of the votes cast on any questions shall decide the question.

Section (5) – Quorums for Annual and Duly Called Business Meetings

A quorum for the commencement of business at the Annual Business Meeting and Duly called Business Meetings shall be not less than fifteen members of the Church. Such meetings may continue and business may be duly transacted as long as twelve or more members of the Church remain in attendance. (Revised in 2013 when average attendance is around 30. It is recommended that when average attendance is much higher, the quorum number be reviewed) (Amended March 23, 2014)

Section (6) – Elections

In the event that only one nomination for each vacancy on any Board (except the Board of Deacons) or Committee or on the Secretariat or only one nomination for any office or position is presented, the nominee shall be elected by acclamation. In the event that there are more nominees than the number of vacancies, the election shall be by secret ballot. Each Church member may cast one vote for each vacancy. The candidate or candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to fill the vacancy or vacancies. Provided, however, if there are two or more candidates more than there are vacancies and after the vote no candidate, or candidates, if there is more than one vacancy, receives a majority of the votes cast, then the name of the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped and a vote taken on the remaining names until one candidate, or a sufficient number of candidates if there is more than one vacancy, shall receive a majority of the votes cast.

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Section (7) – Method of Support

The Church shall be support mainly by the free will offerings of its members, adherents and friends.

Special offerings and fundraising events may be received by the Church from time to time as deemed necessary on the approval of the Finance Committee and the Board of Deacons. (Amended February 8, 1996.)

Section (8) – Church Year

The fiscal year of the Church shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December.

Section (9) – Rules of Order

All business meetings shall be governed by the rules of ordinary parliamentary procedure. A copy of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be in the hands of the Church Clerk at all business meetings for reference.

Any member may have the privilege of asking for a vote by ballot if the matter is of a personal or serious nature. A majority vote of the members present shall determine whether such a ballot shall be taken.

Scrutinizers: At least three persons shall be named by the moderator to count ballots when required for election purposes. The results shall be given secretly to the Moderator, who shall, if a tie is indicated, cast the deciding vote. In election ballots, the numbers shall not be recorded to the meeting, and the scrutinizers shall be sworn to secrecy.

However, when there is a ballot vote on other matters, the numbers may be reported if so ordered by the meeting, and a tie vote shall be declared lost, without resorting to a deciding vote.

Section (10) – Will of the Church

All officers, boards, committees and organizations of the Church shall act in conformity with the will of the Church within the terms of this constitution.

Section (11) – Rights of Members

All Church members shall have the right to take part in the deliberations at any Church business meeting and nay vote on any question.

No person shall speak more than twice to any motion unless by permission of the Church at that meeting.

The Church may grant permission to a person other than a member to speak to any question but may not grant permission to vote.

Section (12) – “Ex-Officio” Members

All persons designated in this Constitution, as being “ex officio” members of any Board of Committee shall be voting members of that Board or Committee. (Added on February 20, 1991.) (Amended February 10, 1994.))

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Section (13) – Language

Where in this constitution the word ‘he’ appears it is not gender specific.

Article 10 Auxiliary Organizations

There may be auxiliary organizations, which, together with their committees, shall be at all times subject to the approval of the Church. The auxiliary organizations shall submit annual reports to the Annual Business Meeting.

Article 11Books and Records

All books, papers and records relating to the Church and its transactions shall be the property of the Church.

Church records, books, memorabilia, when no longer required for immediate purposes, shall be sent to the Baptist Historical Collection in the Vaughan Memorial Library, Acadia University.

Article 12Amendments

This constitution may be amended, added to, altered or repealed at any duly called or Annual Business Meeting of the Church by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that one month’s notice of motion shall have been given in writing at a duly called or Annual Business Meeting of the Church or in the call for the meeting.

Article 13Affect of Constitutional Changes on Terms of Office

Irrespective of any changes in this Constitution they shall not affect the existing term of office of any Officer, Board Member or Committee Member in existence at the time of the change.

Article 14Management Board

The Management Board shall consist of the members of the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Christian Education Committee, Chairman of the Music Committee, the Treasurers, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Clerk and Pastors.

The Board shall meet at least six times per year to consider, as a group, the various items of business and concerns needing to be dealt with by the five individual Boards and Committees and to make binding decisions, by majority vote, with respect thereto, and including the authority to make expenditures given to the various boards under their separate articles. (Amended March 23, 2014)

Five members of the various boards and committees shall be a quorum for any meeting of the Management Board. (Amended March 19, 2000.)

The Senior Deacon shall be the Chairman of the Management Board.

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Appendix “A”

Church Covenant

Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized into the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angles and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to work circumspectly in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to seek God's help in abstaining from all drugs, food, drink and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another's faith, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour. (Amended March 23, 2014)

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.

And we moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Church, where we can carry out the Spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

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