Constitution
TLBC Church Constitution
Preamble: We the born again charter members of this assembly do hereby establish and adopt the following articles as the constitution to which we and all subsequent members do voluntarily submit ourselves.
Name: The name of this assembly which is located in Tacoma, Washington shall be The Lords Baptist Church. Our business name shall be The Lord's Baptist Church [Incorporated].
Purpose: This assembly is committed to the declaration of all the council of GOD (Acts20:24) and to worship the triune GOD in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) by continuing to steadfastly assemble ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25) under the bylaws of this constitution which we believe to be according to the New Testament pattern so that the lost might be evangelized (Matthew 28:18-20) the saved edified (Ephesians 4:10) and the LORD exalted (Ephesians 3:21).
Membership: Anyone professing faith in the GOD- MAN JESUS CHRIST as their personal LORD and SAVIOR, giving evidence of a changed heart and declaring themselves in accord with our principles and practices may become candidates for membership. Membership in this assembly may be gained in three ways and may be lost in three ways.
I. Gaining membership: We will add to our membership those who:
1. Profess faith in CHRIST and come for scriptural baptism.
2. Come by letter from another assembly of like faith and order.
3. Come by statement that they are saved and scripturally baptized but it is impossible or impractical to secure a letter.
NOTE: One coming by statement must be for a reason acceptable to this assembly and can by no means be accepted if scripturally disciplined from a sister assembly.
II. Losing Membership: We will delete from our membership those who:
1. Die and go to be with the LORD.
2. Are dismissed by a letter of good standing to a Baptist assembly of like faith and order in another locality.
3. Are disciplined for doctrinal or moral apostasy.
Officers: This assembly, as organized under the bylaws of this constitution, may elect from it's membership the following officers for the purpose of facilitating business activities, acquiring and holding real estate, and handling financial records and correspondence.
I. Pastor: The pastor is the ordained overseer and under shepherd of the of the assembly. His qualifications are recorded in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:1-9. He shall act as moderator in the business meetings. In his absence any brother may be appointed by a simple majority vote of the assembly.
II. Deacon: The deacons are officially recognized servants in the local assembly Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-10. They may be appointed as the need arises and publicly ordained to fulfill their office in caring for the outward needs of the Pastor and membership, the material interests and secular things of the assembly and to assist the spiritual unity and growth of the flock.
NOTE: The office term of Pastor and Deacon shall be indefinite and all other subsequent officers shall be reviewed and ratified annually.
III. Trustee: The church incorporated shall appoint trustees as required by law to act on behalf of the assembly in legal matters. They do not have to be the Deacons, and they shall in no way have the authority to dispose of property in any manner except as the assembly shall order by corporate act.
IV. Treasurer: The treasurer is to receive all monies of the assembly, to keep a true and fair record of accounts and make a full report to the assembly as directed by the assembly.
V. Clerk: The clerk shall keep a fair and complete record of all proceedings, have charge of all records, keep a register of all members of the assembly and write letters of dismissal when called for.
VI. Other: Other officers may be elected as the local assembly feels led of the Holy Spirit to do so, such as Sunday school teacher,etc.
Government and Operation
Though not bound by iron clad parliamentary law, all business meetings whether routine or special shall be conducted decently and in order with Christian love and courtesy. (1Cor.14:40).
I. Regular Meetings: The regular meetings of the assembly will be sufficient for both purpose of worship and business. The man is to fill the spot of leadership in the public assembly, the woman being subject to the man according to divine order (Eph.5:23- 24;Gen.3:16). It is therefore the responsibility of the man and not the woman to do the praying, preaching and speaking in the assembly (1Cor 14:34-35;1Tim. 2:11-14). The symbol displayed by a woman in Godly submission to her head is a head covering which is worn voluntarily symbolizing her subjection.(1Cor.1:3- 16).
II. Special Meetings: One special meeting must be held by the church (incorporated) annually for the purpose of electing and verifying her legal trustee. Public notice must be given at the Lord's Day worship service at least one week prior to a special meeting stating it's purpose. A special meeting must be called by the assembly for the amending of this constitution or for the calling or dismissing of a pastor.
III. Procedure of Business: The suggested guideline for all business meetings is as follows:
1. Call to order by the moderator.
2. Minutes of last meeting to be read, corrected or approved as read.
3. Financial report read, corrected or approved.
4. Correspondence.
5. Unfinished business.
6. New business.
7. Adjourn.
IV. Rules of Decorum:
1. Prayer is always in order prior to the moderators call to order and he decides on all votes and rules of order.
2. No question shall be discussed without a motion and second.
3. No one is to speak unless recognized by the moderator and only members may vote but not by proxy.
4. Any male may stand and when recognized by the moderator may submit his question or motion.
5. When two members arise to speak at the same time, preference shall be given to the one farthest from the moderator.
6. If any member does not understand a proposition to be voted on, any male member may ask a question for clarification at any time.
7. All remarks must be confined, in a Christian manner, to the matter at hand or be ruled out of order.
8. The majority of the vote settles all questions.
9. To reconsider a motion that has been passed, someone who voted for it must make the motion to reconsider.
10. A motion and second to adjourn is not debatable and is always in order except when someone is speaking or vote is being taken.
Finances: Both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach tithing as GOD's financial plan for the work of the ministry. Therefore, we shall depend solely upon him, and wait upon the faithfulness of the saints for the financial support of this assembly in the GOD ordained manner.(Gen. 14:20,28:22; Lev. 27:30; Num.18:21; Deut.12:6; 2Chr. 31:5; Mal.3:10; Lk.21:1-4; Acts 4:34-35; 2Cor. 8:2,9:6-8;1Cor16:2)
Dissolution: In the event a decision is made to dissolve the corporation described herein, provision shall be made by vote of the assembly prior to dissolution to satisfy all it's debts, and to assign all its assets or holdings to the church of like faith and order which gave authority at the initial organization meeting. No assets shall be divided among any individual members of the assembly.
Date: January 26, 1980 and an attached letter of authority with the list of the charter members from the South Park Missionary Baptist Church, and the minutes of the organization meeting.
