By-Laws
ARTICLE I Membership

Section 1 General Procedure
All actions regarding membership, either of admission or dismissal, shall be by acknowledgment of the Church upon recommendation of the Pastors. At any of the regular meetings for worship, the Church may, without special notice, act upon the reception of members, or upon transfer of members to other churches. Reception of members may, without special notice, be acted on by groups, within the Church, more limited than the full membership of the Church, using procedures specifically authorized by vote of the Church at a regular business meeting upon recommendation of the Pastors.
Section 2 Admission by Baptism
Anyone professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, giving evidence of change of heart, and having accepted the faith, aims and ideals of this Church as expressed in the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant, may be received into membership by baptism, upon recommendation of the Pastors.
Section 3 Admission by Letter
Members from other churches holding like faith may be received as members with us upon presentation of letters of transfer from such churches, and upon acceptance of the faith, aims and ideals of this Church as expressed in the Statement of Faith and the Church Covenant. If such credentials be of older date than six months prior to their presentation, the applicant may be required to furnish additional information.
Section 4 Admission by Statement or Restoration
All believers for membership other than by baptism or by letter of transfer, that is by Christian experience if previously baptized, or by restoration, shall be received into the Church in the same way as those by baptism, except the ordinance shall not be administered.
Section 5 Instruction to New Members
All believers uniting with this Church in any of the ways set forth in Sections 2 through 4 above shall previously be made acquainted with the Church Covenant and the Statement of Faith. New members shall pledge themselves to fulfill their stewardship obligations as to worship, service, and giving, when they make public profession of faith and join the church. An active member shall be defined as one who has attended a worship service in the most recent ninety days. For voting purposes on matters related to the church, members must be sixteen years of age or older.
Section 6 Ministry
Understanding that God has given every believer gifts and talents, the Church is to function as a body with each member fulfilling his or her role (1 Corinthians 12). Therefore, all members in good standing are encouraged to be actively involved in the ministries of the Church. Furthermore, those members who are involved in ministries to anyone under the age of eighteen must have passed a background check.
Section 7 Dismissal of Members
Members in good standing who have fulfilled their obligations to the Church, shall upon request be granted a letter of transfer or letter of character to unite with such Church as they may designate. Such letter of transfer or letter of character shall be sent to the Pastor or the Clerk of the Church the member intends to join. Members who shall unite with another church without such letter shall be dropped from the Church roll.
ARTICLE II Church Government
Section 1 General Statement
  1. Officers. The Officers of the Church shall be the Pastors and the Deacons. After the approval of this constitution, new Officers shall be called to office by vote of the membership of the Church as provided for in Article II, Section 2 and Section 3 of these By-Laws. All officers of the Church shall be members of the Church in good and regular standing. The Pastors shall be composed of men. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) below, the Pastors and the Deacons are the only bodies and positions created by these By-Laws.
  2. Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees. The Church, upon nomination by the Pastors and Deacons shall elect members to the positions of Church Clerk, Treasurer and Trustees. One member shall not perform the functions of Treasurer and Trustee. The Treasurer and Trustees shall be bonded by the Church in a suitable amount.  The Pastors shall provide a description of duties to the Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees.
  3. Teams and Appointees. The Pastors have the authority to create teams and positions to which they may delegate any specified aspect of its responsibility. The Pastors have the authority to dissolve any team or position that they created. The Pastors also have the authority to appoint Pastors, Deacons or other members of the Church to serve as members of such teams and to act as its agents in such positions. The Deacons may nominate candidates for any team or position, with appointment by the Pastors. The Pastors may delegate to the Deacons the authority to appoint Deacons or other members of the Church to serve as members of such teams and as agents of the Pastors in such positions. Every team shall have a team leader, responsible for the overall operation of the team, who shall be appointed by the Pastors. The Pastors may delegate the responsibility for selecting the team leader to the Deacons or to the team. (For example, such teams and positions may include a Missions Team and a Christian Education Team, among others.)
Section 2 Pastors and Staff Members
a.        Definition. Pastors are the elders of the church, who in response to God's call, have devoted their lives to the ministry of the Word and prayer in the service of the church. The Pastors shall be men. Staff members are the non-ordained ministers of the church who, in response to God's call, serve the church in a specialized ministry. Both Pastors and staff members may be supported financially by the church in return for their vocational labors. 
b.        Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor will be the recognized leader of the church and the Pastoral Staff and is primarily responsible for demonstrating the relationship of the Word of God to the policies and programs of the church. The Senior Pastor will have the duty to be the primary teacher of the Word of God. The Senior Pastor will oversee the administration of the ordinances and the worship services. The Senior Pastor, or a member of the Pastoral Staff appointed by the Senior Pastor, will be an ex-officio member of each ministry, council, and team of the church.
c.        Duties. In addition to the duties of the office as described in this section, Pastors and staff members shall perform specific duties determined by the Pastoral Staff. The duties shall be in writing at the time of the call to service, and substantial changes shall be approved by the Pastors. Pastors shall be members of the Pastoral Staff and have all the Biblical qualifications of an Elder. Staff members are assisting partners in the ministry. 
d.        Qualifications. Pastors shall be qualified for the office as specified in the Bible. Relevant texts include I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9 and I Peter 5:1-4. Pastors are also required to be in agreement with the Mile Straight Baptist Church Statement of Faith.
e.        Responsibilities. The fundamental responsibility of the Pastors is to devote themselves to prayer and the Word. The Pastors are responsible for governing the Church, teaching the Word and tending the flock of God in this Church.
f.          Vocational Call by the Church. The members shall call Pastors and staff members (1) by nomination upon recommendation of the Pastors and Deacons at least one week prior to a business meeting and (2) by at least a two-thirds majority of those members voting at the meeting with at least ten percent (10%) of the membership of the Church present. At the call of a Pastor or staff member a detailed job description, which sets guidelines for work hours, duties and the initial salary package shall be disclosed to the members.
g.        Termination of Vocational Call by the Church.
1.        By resignation. The question of terminating the vocational call of a Pastor or staff member shall be considered at any time by the church upon the presentation of the Pastor's or staff member’s resignation.
2.        Grievance. Where a grievance exists against a Pastor or staff member, either due to his preaching or teaching contrary to the beliefs of the Church as set forth in Article II of its Constitution or to alleged conduct on his part unfitting a Pastor or staff member, such grievance may be brought before the Pastors and Deacons by any two members in good standing, following the procedure prescribed in Article V of these By-Laws. If the Pastors and Deacons, after thorough investigation and consideration, believes the grievance to be true and substantial, then the vocational call of the Pastor or staff member may be terminated at any business meeting upon the recommendation of the Pastors and Deacons when supported by closed ballot of a majority of those members of the Church present and voting with at least ten percent (10%) of the membership of the church present at such meeting. In any such case, repentance and restoration will be sought according to biblical standards and a spirit of Christian love.
h.        Licensing and Ordination. In the matter of licensing and ordaining any person to the Gospel Ministry, the church shall follow, as far as possible, the procedure recommended by the Pastors and Deacons.
Section 3 Deacons
a.        Definition. The Deacons are the officers of the church, who in response to God’s call, serve the church by assisting the pastors in the ministries of the church. The Deacons shall be men. The number of Deacons shall be determined by the needs of the ministry and by the call and qualification of persons in the church. 
b.        Qualifications. Deacons and nominees for Deacon shall be qualified for the office as specified in the Bible. Relevant texts include I Timothy 3:8-12.
c.        Responsibilities. The Deacons shall advise and be ready to assist the Pastors in any service that shall support and promote the ministry of the Word, new and existing ministries of the Church, and the care for the members of the congregation. Their responsibilities may include:
1.        administering a fund to assist the poor and needy and otherwise providing aid in
2.        times of crisis or distress;
3.        the greeting and welcoming ministries of the church;
4.        assisting in administering the ordinances of the Gospel;
5.        assisting at fellowship gatherings of the church;
6.        caring for and maintaining the Church properties;
7.        administering the business affairs of the Church that pertain to its material assets.
d.        Organization. The Deacons shall organize themselves however they determine to be best to achieve the mission of the church. The Pastors or the Deacons may designate any specific Deacon or group of Deacons to specialize in some particular Deaconal function. Meetings of the Deacons, or teams thereof shall be held as needed to best fulfill the responsibilities of the Deacons.
ARTICLE III Church Employees
In addition to Pastors and staff members, the church may employ additional personnel. The moneys for such personnel must be approved by the congregation at a properly called business meeting. The Pastors and Deacons shall be responsible for determining the duties of and hiring such personnel.
ARTICLE IV Church Finances
Section 1 In General
No method of raising funds shall be entertained which is in conflict with the Scriptural ideals of the Church. All funds donated for missions by the organizations of the Church shall pass through the Church Finance Secretary and the Treasurer in order that due record may be made and credit given to the Church. The Deacons shall provide assistance for the Financial Secretary in accounting for funds donated.
Section 2 Contributions
It is understood that membership in this church involves financial obligations to support the Church and its causes with regular and proportionate giving. Each member shall be encouraged in Scriptural giving, with tithing as the ideal minimum. Special offerings may be sought by the Church, or by any of its organizations, with the approval of the Pastors. This shall not preclude individuals from making special offerings or designated gifts at any time as the Spirit of God may move them.
Section 3 Financial Planning
The financial planning of the Church shall be carried out through the medium of annual budgets for the carrying out of the various ministries of its work. Annual budgets shall be adopted by the Church upon recommendation of the Pastors and Deacons. Matters involving staff compensation shall be the responsibility of the Deacons.
Section 4 Accounts
Financial receipts from all sources shall be accounted for by the Finance Secretary according to the purposes for which contributions are designated. The Treasurer of the Church shall disburse these funds promptly according to the financial program of the Church as detailed in the Budgets or other authorized designations. All moneys for missions shall be remitted in accordance with the Mission Budget of the Church or otherwise designated, preferably each month and not less than each quarter.
Section 5 Indebtedness
No note or contract exceeding 1% of the total annual budget whereby the credit of the Church is pledged shall be made except by recommendation of the Pastors and Deacons and approved by the Church.
Section 6 Authority to Bind the Church
The Trustees, with the approval of the Pastors and Deacons, are the only officers who have authority, in accordance with these By-Laws, the Church Constitution, and any applicable laws, to execute legal documents relating to real estate, church property, and church finances.
ARTICLE V Meetings
Section 1 Worship
Public services shall be held on the Lord's Day. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated quarterly or at such other times as the Pastors may determine. Other religious services may be appointed as the advancement of the work of the Church may require.
Section 2 Business
  1. The Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held some time during the first or last month of the fiscal year of the Church for the purpose of reviewing proposed budgets and other business. The proposed budget shall be made available to the members at least one week prior to the annual meeting to allow members time to ask questions concerning the budget to the leadership of the church.
  2. Business Meetings. The Pastors and Deaconsmay call for a business meeting as needed.
ARTICLE VI Organization of Members for Ministry
Members of this church shall have the liberty to participate in and organize themselves for ministry, provided that such participation and organization does not conflict with Article II of the Constitution. Any such organization may seek church sanction from the Pastors and Deacons as an official ministry of Mile Straight Baptist Church. Such sanction shall be granted provided that 1) the object, purpose, belief and conduct of the organization and its members is consistent with Article II of the Constitution, and 2) the primary officers of the organization are: members of the church, or other regular attenders of the church who have been approved under guidelines established by the Pastors and Deacons. Sanction by the Pastors and Deacons does not necessarily imply support of the organization by the church with personnel, finances, or facilities. Such support may be requested as provided by the leadership of the church.
ARTICLE VII Discipline
The discipline of members shall be a responsibility of the Pastors under such rules and procedures as the Pastors may from time to time establish on the basis of Scripture. All such proceedings shall be guided by a spirit of prayer mingling Christian kindness, forbearance, and holy firmness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
ARTICLE VIII Amendments
Amendments to these By-Laws may be introduced through a motion at any business meeting, but shall not be acted on until the following business meeting or annual meeting, at which time an affirmative vote of the majority of the membership of the Church, or a two-thirds majority of those members present at the meeting and voting shall be required for acceptance; provided, however, that at least ten percent (10%) of the membership of the Church be present at such meeting, and that notice of the proposed change or amendment be given from the pulpit on at least two Sundays.