CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE
BETHANY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 1991
Present Constitution of The Bethany Baptist Association
CONSTITUTION
The constitution (as revised) of the Bethany Baptist Association which was presented in the Annual Session at Camp Cedar Knolls, September 19, 1991. The constitution committee with Rev. J. B. Dick, as chairman presented it at Friendship Baptist Church, Camden, N.J., on May 9, 1991 for the first reading, at Union Temple Baptist Church, Bridgeton, N J. on February 14, 1991 for the second reading. It was adopted in the Semi-Annual Session at Taber nacle Baptist Church, Burlington, N.J., May 9, 1991.
PREAMBLE
We, the representatives of the following named churches of the Baptist Faith and order, vis. St.John, Camden; Second of Moorestown; Second of Merchantville; Second of Atlantic City; St. Paul of East Riverton; Kaighn Avenue of Camden; hereto connected with the Camden Baptist Association of SouthJersey believing that great spiritual good will attend the separation, and for the purpose of fostering the Baptist interests in unoccupied places of South Jersey and for the glory of God, do hereby associate ourselves in a body to be known as the Bethany Baptist Association of South Jersey and do adopt the following Articles of Constitution.
ARTICLE I
The Association professes the word of God as the only rule and standard of faith and practice (but adopts as their creed the New Hampshire Confession of Faith).
ARTICLEll
The Association shall meet annually on Monday after the third Lord's day in September at Camp Cedar Knolls. Each church shall be represented by duly appOinted delegates including pastor, thereafter one delegated to every twenty-five additional members to one hundred, thereafter one for every additional hundred. This association shall close on Friday.
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ARTICLEllI
SECTION 1 - The elected officers of the Bethany Baptist Association shall be: Moderator, First Vice-Moderator, Second Vice-Moderator, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of Trustee Board and Trustees, President of Permanent Council, Vice President of Permanent Council, Secretary of Permanent Council, Auditor of Associa tion, Scorekeeper and Treasurer of the Permanent Council.
SECTION 2 - The elected officers of the Auxiliaries in this association shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer.
(A) Any pastor or duly authorized delegate from affiliated churches of which they are members shall be eligible to hold office or participate in the deliberations of the Association. All delegates' names must appear on Association's registration form.
ARTICLE IV
All officers ofthis Association shall be elected or appointed annually.
The Moderator and its Auxiliary Presidents shall be limited to four (4) consecutive years after which a period of one (1) year shall intervene before a member may be elected to the same office. Under no circumstances is this association and jor its Auxiliaries obligated to maintain or elevate any officer.
(A) In the event of incapacity the line of succession of the Association shall be: Moderator, First Vice Moderator, Second Vice Moderator, President of Permanent Council and Vice President of Permanent Council.
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ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The policy and program of all officers and Auxiliaries shall be deter mined by the Association.
Section 1
A. - The Moderator
The moderator of the association shall: Be the executive officer of the Association; Be the presiding officer of the Association sessions and of the board of managers and of the
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executive committee. Appoint the chairman of all committees of the Association; Be ex-officer member of all Auxiliaries, boards and commi,ttees; Call any special meeting deemed necessary.
B. The Vice Moderator
The First Vice Moderator of the Association shall perform such duties as may be required by the Moderator of the Association, however, should the Moderator be unable to serve the Asso ciation, the First Vice Moderator shall assume the duties of the executive officer.
C. The Second Vice Moderator
The Second Vice Moderator of the Association shall serve solely at the discretion of the Moderator of the Association;
Section 2
A. Presidents of Auxiliaries
The Presidents shall be the executive officer of the Auxiliary:
Shall appoint the chairman of all auxiliary committees and ex-officer members of all auxiliary committees; Be a member of the Association's Board of Managers and executive committees; and call any meeting ofits auxiliary when deemed necessary.
B. The Vice President
The Vice Presidents of an Auxiliary shall serve at the discretion of that Auxiliary President.
Section 3 - Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary of the Association shall: keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the Association, The Board of Managers and the Executive Committee for the Annual Session.
A. The Recording Secretary in an Auxiliary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings in that auxiliary; and submit a type written copy of such records to the secretary of the Association within thirty (30) days after a local meeting of their Auxiliary.
Section 4 - Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for the correspondence of the Association; to notify member churches of the various meetings and send out all programs; send out
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sufficient copies of all programs to each auxiliary thirty (30) days prior to meeting for immediate distribution.
A. The Corresponding Secretary in an Auxiliary shall: be responsible for the correspondence of the Auxiliary.
B. Notify all churches in case of death of all past or present officers of the Association.
Section 5 - Financial Secretary
The Financial Secretary shall:
. 3. Write and sign all vouchers for the disbursement of all funds as ordered by the Association or by the Executive Committee or Board Members.
4. Give detailed reports of fmances of all monies received at semi-annual and annual sessions.
5. All monies sent to Financial Secretary must be forwarded to Treasurer when Association is not in sessions.
6. The bank card should require three (3) signatures and two (2) persons must sign all checks. Those eligible to sign are Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Moderator or Auxiliary President.
A. The Financial Secretary in an Auxiliary shall: be responsible for the financial records of that Auxiliary; write and sign all vouchers for the disbursement of Auxiliary funds as ordered by the Auxiliary detailed report at semi-annual and annual sessions.
Section 6. The Treasurer
The Treasurer of the Association shall:
1. Receive and disburse all funds as directed by the Association or in case of emergency, as directed by the Executive Committee of the Association.
4. Keep a separate ledger for all designated funds of the Association.
5. Keep a separate bank account 'for such funds.
A. The Treasurer in an Auxiliary shall: be responsib1e.to receive and disburse all funds of the Auxiliary; write
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checks upon receipt of a voucher signed by the President or Financial Secretary.
Section 7. Auditor
The Auditor shall:
Section 8. The Camp Directors
The Camp Director and Assistant all should be non-pastors, and shall:
1. Be appointed by the Moderator and Executive Board of the Association.
2. Be a person of good character and moral standing in his community.
3. Have full responsibility of the campsite under the government of the Trustees.
6. Be responsible to see that all camping equipment is well cared for year-round.
7. Make a report to Camp Committee, Trustees, Board of Managers and the Association.
8. All funds and disbursements be by the Association Treasurer.
Section 9. The Chairman of Trustees The Chairman of Trustees shall:
4. Report his findings in writing to the Association in the Annual Session.
5. Keep the Executive Committee abreast of what needs to be accomplished.
Section 10. The Director of Christian Education and Assistant The Director of Christian Education shall:
all County Church Superintendents and BTU Presidents, and any other persons so designated by the Moderator.
5. Coordinate the program of Church School and BTU Congress.
6. Dean must be certified by the Sunday School Publishing Board.
ARTICLE VI
IA WS OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF BETHANY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
1. The Permanent Council shall be composed of ordained ministers of the Association who will have the power to pass on matters pertaining to the business of the Council.
2. The Officers of the Council shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Scorekeeper and Treasurer, who will perform the customary duties of such officers.
3. The Officers of the Council shall be elected annually by the Association and shall serve until their successors are duly elected and installed.
4. The President shall appoint a committee of three or more whose duty it will be to investigate all applicants for ordination. If it shall appear advisable to convene the Council, the Secretary shall forthwith notify the Churches of the Association to send delegates to meet at the time and place agreed upon by the committee and the person or persons making application.
A. All disputes, recognitions or investigations of churches, or individuals making applications for membership, shall be with the full membership council.
5. The Council shall be called together by notice sent to the Church at least ten (10) days prior to the date set for the meeting.
6. No mission or other congregation whose place or meeting is within five (5) blocks of a regular Baptist Church shall be set apart or given recognition as a Baptist Church by this Council, unless the nearest church to the applicant shall join the application or endorse the applicant.
SECTION 2 - President of Auxiliaries - $300.00, 1st Vice President $100.00, 2nd Vice President - $50.00, Recording Secretary - $75.00, Corre sponding Secretary - $100.00, Financial Secretary - $125.00, Treasurer $125.00, Supervisor - $50.00, Assistant Supervisor - $25.00.
A. All fees are subject to the climate of the budget. The Association and all Auxiliaries are asked to establish a workable budget. Camping activities should be a line item in the Association budget.
ARTICLEVDI
The shall be a minimum of ftfteen (I 5) Trustees. The Trustees shall serve for the number of years as stipulated herein; Five for three year's service, ftve for two year's service, ftve for one year's service; and that these trustees shall rotate. It is mandatory that three members be female. Trustees shall be elected at the Annual Session.
ARTICLE IX
It shall be the duty of each church to forward annually to the Association a form, giving in brief, as to its work, namely benevolence, increase or decrease of its members during the ftscal year. Any regular Missionary Baptist Church may become a member of the Association after their application has been read and a recommendation by the Permanent Council and payment of a minimum fee of $50.00. the annual fee shall be a minimum of $200.00 and a semi-annual fee of a minimum of $100.00. If a Church fails to represent at either session with proper fees for two successive years, they shall be notilled. If a church fails to represent at the next Annual Session, they shall be removed from the rolls. Re-application must be made through the Permanent Council, who shall make a recommendation to the body. Any person in good and regular standing in any Regular Missionary Baptist Church may become an Annual member by the payment of a minimum of $10.00, and a Life Member by the payment of a minimum of $100.00 ( this can be made on the installment plan with a minimum of $25.00 and be paid in three years). Any Annual or Life Member shall be dis-fellowshiped for violation of the rules of the Association, after a recommendation by the Permanent Council. All Annual and Life Members shall have a voice and vote.
ARTICLE X
The Women's Auxiliary of this Association shall be composed of tnissionary circles of the Association. The object of the auxiliary shall be to foster the same interest as the Association; namely, home and foreign mis sions, and education. Any missionary union of the same denomination may become an Auxiliary of the Association upon payment of a minimum $25.00 19
fee, provided they belong to a member church of the Association. The young people's missionary department is under the supervision of the Women's Auxiliary. Joining fee in this department is $2.00.
ARTICLE XI
The Bethany Congress of Christian Education shall be composed of any regular church school and/or BTU of the Association district. The object of the congress shall be to foster and stimulate all phases of religious education training in church membership, evangelism and missions. The congress shall be under the auspices of the Director of Christian Education.
ARTICLE XII
The Laymen's Movement of this Association shall be composed of laymen in good standing with the churches of this Association. The primary objective of the Laymen's Movement shall be to build laymen's interest in the Association; to form laymen's movements in all of our Bethany churches for the purpose of developing a team ministry between the clergy and laity to further the teaching of Jesus Christ.
ARTICLExm
The Association shall have the power to receive and expend money from individual churches; hold and sell real estate for mission and educational purposes; to transact any and all business looking toward the property of the churches and the advancement of the Master's Kingdom.
ARTICLE XIV
The Board of Managers shall consist of all pastors; three (3) members of each Auxiliary in good standing; president and two (2) additional members and all officers of the present body. Five members shall constitute a quorum. The Moderator shall appoint a member to cooperate with each Board of Auxiliary, who shall have full privilege of a Board Member.
ARTICLE XV
In addition to the Board of Managers, there shall be an Executive Committee whose duty it shall be to keep the Board Members informed concerning the welfare of this Association and to assist the Moderator with his work. The personnel of this committee will consist of all Elected Officers of the Parent Body, Chairman of the Trustee Board, President of each Auxiliary, President of the New Ught and Ebenezer Unions.
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ARTICLE XVI
The Board of Managers shall meet the First Saturday in February and July each year, but special meetings may be called by the Moderator when necessary.
ARTICLE XVII
All properties and Real Estate of the bethany Baptist Association shall be managed by the Board of Trustees elected by the Association, who shall be subject to the Laws of the Association and the State.
ARTICLE XVIll
The Auxiliaries of this Association shall meet with the Parent body in its Annual Session. The Bethany Congress of Christian Education will convene on Monday and Tuesday; the Women's Auxiliary shall meet on Wednesday; the Parent Body on Thursday and Friday; the Laymen's Movement will meet on Thursday night.
ARTICLE XIX
The Constitution/By-Laws Committee shall be a standing committee to deal with Resolutions, Rules and Regulations.
BY-LAWS
SECTION 1 - All sessions of this Association and its auxiliaries shall be opened and closed with prayer.
SECTION 2 - The officers of this Association shall be elected during the first day's session. The Nominating Committee shall consist of past Modera tors, Presidents and members the Moderator deems necessary. The Commit tee shall be named in the Semi-Annual Session and meet prior to the Annual Session.
SECTION 3 - The executive committee shall have the power to arrange the programs of the Association and there shall be preaching: namely; introductory, doctrinal, mission and education addresses. All statistical re~ ports (letters) shall be presented on or before the first day's session of the Annual setting. The Program Committee shall consist of persons selected at the Annual Session for the ensuing year, and shall include the Moderator and/or Vice, Auxiliary Presidents and/or Vice, and others as it deems necessary.
SECTION 4 - The Association shall not interfere with the grievances of member churches unless said churches make specific written request to the Permanent Council of the Association, signed by the church clerk and pastor, with church seal.
SECTION 5 - The Association shall be governed by the rules of parliamentary usage, as laid down in Hiscox's Manual and Scrutinal Guidelines of the New Testament,
SECTION 6 - All ordinations shall be by the Permanent Council. No licentiate recognized within the bounds of this Association who leaves Bethany to be ordained shall be fellowshipped by the Pastors of this Associa tion. Persons coming from other denominations must be investigated by the Permanent Council and recommended for ordination.
SECTION 7 - The Association shall meet quarterly prior to the Annual setting. Such sessions shall be held the second Thursday in November, February and May. InJune, a Women's Retreat. A Christian Education Day in April.
SECTION 8 - The Bethany Church School and BTU Congress shall have county sessions quarterly in the Bethany District. The officers of each county shall be elected annually by the county, who shall arrange education programs quarterly, prior to the meeting ..
SECTION 9 - The delegates from the Association and all Auxiliaries shall be sent to the meetings of the general State Convention, and the amount of money sent shall be agreed upon by the joint board.
SECTION 10. - The members of the Women's Auxiliary shall be delegates and members of their home circles.
SECTION 11. - The Auxiliaries shall not interfere with the grievances of individual missionary circles, Sunday Schools, Baptist Training Unions, or Laymen's Movements.
SECTION 12. - The Association shall secure a safety deposit box to deposit all securities. (This includes all valuable papers, etc.)
SECTION 13. - This Constitution may be amended when written notice of that portion to be amended and the proposed change(s) has been submitted to the member churches ninety (90) days prior to the session at which action is to be taken, and shall be adopted by majority vote of the delegates present at the session at which action is taken.
SECTION 14. - The Moderator shall see that all rules and regulaJions be adhered to as written. Failure to do so will be subject to investigation and possible dismissal.
September 19, 1991
Humbly submitted by the Constitution Committee:
Rev.]. B. Dick, Chairman
Rev. G. E. Thompson, Secretary Rev. E. Dom
Rev.]. B. Brown
Rev. O. Duncan
Rev. T. Bristow
Sis. Edna Moore
Sis. Juanita Pitts
Sis. Elizabeth Carter Sis. Merril-Jean Bailey Sis. Eleanor Henry Rev. F. R. Roberts
TIIE 11llRD REVISION
All previous constitutions, agreements and charters shall be null and void with the adoption of this constitution.
TIIE FIRST REVISION
Adopted February 23, 1963
Rev. E. Williamson Rev. S.S.Browne Rev. 1. S. Cole
Rev. M. E. Neil Sis.]. M. Hannah Sis. H. Tunstall
Sis. K. H. Neil
Rev. R. D. Smith, Ex-Officio Rev. A. A. Jackson, Secretary
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TIIE SECOND REVISION
Adopted May, 1974
Rev. 1. E, Simmons, Chairman Rev. F. R. Roberts
Rev. R. V. Nichols
Rev. J. J. Walters
Sis. Kanobia Neil
Mrs. Jessie M. Hannah Miss Barbara Robinson Mrs. Edith Spencer Mrs. Junita M. Pitts
Bro. Woodrow Womack Mrs. Elean.or Henry
Mrs. Etta Hall