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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF

SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH

THOMASTON, GEORGIA

(APRIL 21, 2004)

PREAMBLE

For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith, and to the end that this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of the Southern Baptist Convention, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this constitution and by-laws.

ARTICLE 1 - NAME

The name of this church shall be the SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH of Upson County, Inc.

ARTICLE 2 - OBJECTIVE

This church is organized and maintained for the worship of God; for Christian fellowship; for Bible study and instruction in doctrine, and to combine efforts of individual members in evangelism, missions and benevolence.

ARTICLE 3 - CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led as we believe, by the spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the presence of God, and this assembly does most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THIS CHURCH

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.

AS CHRISTIAN STEWARDS

We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and of the spread of the gospel through all nations.

ALONE AND AT HOME

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to educate our children religiously; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances.

BEFORE THE WORLD

We will walk circumspectly in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment. We will avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger. We will abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to use our influence to combat the abuse of drugs and the spread of pornography, and will be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

ARTICLE 4 - CHARACTER

Section 1. Policy. The government of this church is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and co-operation which are common among Southern Baptist Churches.

Section 2. Doctrine. All church members shall subscribe to the church covenant and believe in the fundamental principles of the Christian faith as contained in the Holy Scriptures, and shall accept the New Testament as the sole doctrine of Baptists and subscribe to the policy of this church in the promotion of Baptist principles. (Refer to the Baptist Faith and Message)

ARTICLE 5 - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Policy. The church shall consist of believers in Christ; baptized by immersion, who voluntarily and wholeheartedly, subscribe to the views of faith, practice and church policy as set forth in Article 4.

Section 2. Attainability. Membership in this church may be attained as follows:

(a) By ordinance of baptism by immersion after profession of faith.

(b) By letter from a church of like faith and order.

(d) By statement of Christian experience indicating previous compliance with either (a), or (b), above.

Section 3. Termination. Membership in this church may be terminated as follows:

(a) By letter of transfer to another church.

(b) By dropping from rolls in accordance with Article 5, Section 7 of these by-laws.

(d) By death of the member.

Section 4. Duties. It is the duties of the members of this church to:

(a) Exemplify the spirit of Jesus Christ by manifesting their love for God and for one another.

(b) Pray for one another.

(d) Have an active evangelical interest in the unsaved.

(e) Support all phases of the church ministries to the best of their abilities with their time, talents, prayers, tithes and offerings.

(f) Practice reverence and respect in the church complex, recognizing that the entire complex is a holy place.

(g) Regularly attend worship services of this church.

Section 5. Rights. Such members who are in full and regular standing and do not hold a letter of dismissal, and such only may act or vote in the transactions of the business of this church. A resident or non-resident member who has not for the space of three months attended regularly the services of this church shall be declared not in full standing and be denied the privilege of active participation in the rights and privileges of membership such as voting, voice, etc., unless sick or have satisfactory reason acceptable by the Board of Deacons. To regain these rights and privileges one must attend the worship services regularly for six consecutive weeks.

Section 6. Quorum. For a regularly scheduled or properly called business meeting, a quorum consists of a minimum of 10% of those active members who are in full and regular standing attending the business meeting. For the election of officers, a minimum of 20% and for the call or dismissal of a pastor, 30% shall be required.

Section 7. Discipline. It shall be the practice of this 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 or guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment. If a church member has a complaint that needs investigating, the complaint must be submitted in writing to the pastor and/or Deacons and signed by the church member making the complaint. The person in question will then be allowed to view the written complaint and asked by the active Deacons to respond to the allegations.

Should some serious condition exist that would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, the pastor and the deacons will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem in accordance with Matthew 18. If it becomes necessary for the church to take action to exclude a member, a two-thirds vote of the active members present is required; and the church may proceed to declare the person to be no longer in the membership of the church. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance. The church may restore to membership any person previously excluded, upon request of the excluded person, and by vote of the church upon evidence of the excluded person’s repentance and reformation

ARTICLE 6 - OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers. The following shall be considered officers of the church: Pastor, Deacons, Clerk, Treasurer, Music Director, Superintendent of Sunday School, Director of Training Union, President of the Women on Missions, and President of the Men’s Ministry.

Section 2. Pastor. A pastor shall be called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting of the church membership called for that purpose. At least one week public notice shall be given before election. Election shall be by secret ballot. An affirmative vote of three/fourths of the members in full standing, present and voting, shall be necessary to make it an official call of a pastor. The pastor shall continue in office so long as both parties are agreed to the relationship of pastor and members. Upon resignation or dismissal a notice of thirty days shall be given. At all times the pastor shall keep the welfare and best interest of the church utmost in his every action. He, or the Chairman of the Deacons, if applicable, shall be present at all business meetings and conferences of the church.

The pastor may relinquish the office of pastor by giving at least two weeks notice (30 days preferred) to the church at the time of resignation. The church may declare the office of pastor to be vacant. Such action shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week’s public notice has been given. The meeting may be called by a majority of the deacons or by written petition signed by no less than one fourth of the active church members that are in full standing. The moderator for this meeting shall be the chairman of the deacons. The vote to declare the office of the pastor vacant shall be by secret ballot; an affirmative vote of two thirds of the active members in full standing present and voting being necessary to declare the office vacant. Except in circumstance of gross misconduct by the pastor so excluded from office, the church will compensate the pastor with not less than one twelfth of his total annual compensation. The termination shall be immediate and the compensation shall be rendered in not more than 30 days.

Section 3. Ministerial staff. The ministerial staff may be called and employed as the church determines the need for such offices. The selection of ministers will be done in accordance with the selection of a pastor with three fourths of the active members in full standing present and voting required for approval. The church may vote to vacate such positions upon the recommendation of the pastor and/or Deacons. Upon two-thirds affirmative vote of the active members present and in full standing, the position will be declared vacant.

Section 4. Non-Ministerial staff. Non-Ministerial staff may be employed/appointed as the church determines the need for their services. Such employment and termination shall be at the recommendation of the pastor and/or deacons. Three fourths of the active members present in full standing and voting will be required for nominee approval. Upon two-thirds affirmative vote of the active members present and in full standing, the position will be declared vacant.

(a) Music Director. The music director shall be recommended for approval by the pastor and/or Deacons. They shall be charged with the responsibility to provide worshipful music for all services and departments of the church, and shall have general oversight and direction of the music. He/She is to direct the choir or choirs in practice and public singing, and is to cooperate with the pastor and other leaders in the selection of suitable music and the devising of appropriate musical programs for all occasions where such services are needed.

(b) Youth Director. The Youth Director shall be recommended for approval by the pastor and/or Deacons. They shall be charged with the responsibility of identifying and presenting to the Youth Committee for approval a wide range of activities for the youth of Shiloh Baptist. These activities should be Christian based or at least provide an opportunity to minister to the spiritual needs and development of the youth involved. Furthermore, the Director is responsible for coordinating and assigning mature, Christian chaperones for all activities offered to the youth. Any applicable church policies on fundraising, purchasing, traveling, supervising, etc. must be followed at all times.

Section 5. Deacons. The members of the Board of Deacons shall consist of faithful members of the church who have the New Testament qualifications and who have proved themselves to be earnest workers in Christ’s Kingdom.

Number and Terms of Office

“There shall be one deacon elected for every 10-15 church families according to the number of active church families on the resident church role as of June 1 of the current year. Deacons shall serve on a rotation basis with a sufficient number of deacons elected to replace the deacons rotating off. The term of office of an elected deacon is three years unless they were elected to fill an unexpired term. In the case the term will expire as originally noted.

Qualifications for Deacons

There are two passages of scripture that enumerate the requirements of a man who should serve as a Deacon: Acts 6: 1-7 and I Timothy 3. These passages, as we understand them serve as the requirements for deacons at Shiloh Baptist Church.

A. Acts 6: 1-7

1. The first requirement is that a man who serves as deacon must be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

2. The deacon should be a man with an exemplary reputation, both inside and outside the church.

3. The deacon should be willing to assist the pastor in ministries, in order that the pastor can give himself to prayer and the preaching of the word.

4. The deacon should affirm, encourage, support, and serve beside the pastor and staff of the church.

B. I Timothy 3

5. The deacon should be reverent.

6. The deacon should be a man of his word and not a gossip.

7. The deacon should abstain from the sale or consumption of all alcoholic beverages.

8. The deacon should be the spiritual leader of his home.

9. The deacon should not be spiritualistic.

10. The deacon should not be too busy to be a deacon.

11. The deacon should show himself worthy of the confidence of the people; therefore, he should have been a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church for more than one year.

12. The deacon should be above reproach.

13. The married deacon should have a godly wife who is neither a gossip nor negative but is committed to serving God’s church for him.

14. The deacon should be the husband of one wife or single. The exception is a biblical divorce.

15. The deacon should practice “storehouse tithing.” (Malachi 3:10)

16. The deacons should, unless providentially hindered, attend the worship services of this church.

17. The deacon should regularly and gladly share his faith.

18. The deacon should be a healer, a helper, one who tries to abolish murmuring and complaining, and seeks to promote unity in the church.

The practical manifestations of these qualifications would be the following:

1. A deacon should be a regular, participating member of a Sunday Bible Study class.

2. A deacon should be personally involved and committed in the outreach ministry of the church.

3. A deacon should be present, unless providentially hindered, when the church gathers for worship.

4. A deacon should be a positive, encouraging co-laborer with the pastor and staff.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Deacon

1. The deacon must understand his role to be one of “ministering servant.” He has been chosen by God, through His church, to minister to the needs of His bride, the church.

2. The deacon is to model for other members the imperative of winning people to Christ as he leads in evangelism and outreach. He should be a faithful soul winner.

3. The deacon should be a faithful participant in Sunday Bible Study.

4. The deacon should meet with other deacons before every service of worship for prayer, unless he has other responsibilities in the church.

5. The deacon should assist with the receiving of the offering.

6. The deacon should assist the pastor in serving the Lord’s Supper.

7. The deacon should be active in ministry: hospital visitation, visiting the bereaved, homebound, etc.

8. The deacon should be willing to serve as deacon of the week to assist the minister and staff as emergencies arise.

9. The deacon should be faithful to attend, unless providentially hindered, each monthly deacon’s meeting.

10. The deacon should serve with his fellow deacons as a sounding board for the pastor and staff on significant matters that impact the corporate life of the church.

11. The deacon should be a model to other church members as he regularly attends worship services. Unless providentially hindered, the deacon should be present whenever the church gathers.

Election of Deacons

Qualified candidates for the office of deacon shall be nominated by the church as needed. It is recommended that a minimum of two candidates be qualified for each deacon vacancy prior to the actual vote. The church shall nominate by secret ballot at the June Business meeting candidates to fill the upcoming vacancies for the coming year. Each candidate must receive at least two or more nominations to be considered. The nominees shall be contacted by the active deacons, and/or Pastor, to determine their willingness to serve. Once the list of willing candidates is finalized, the Pastor and deacons shall set up interviews with the candidates and their wife, if applicable. At this meeting the requirements of deacons will be reviewed and discussed. After this meeting, qualified applicants will be required to sign a letter of qualification and intent to be placed on the deacon ballot. All qualified candidates shall be listed along with the announcement for deacon elections to be printed in the bulletin and announced from the pulpit no less than one week in advance of the elections. The vote shall be held in church conference with the election being by secret ballot. All active members that are in full standing and present for the election may be allowed to vote. The vote is personal and must be cast in person. No proxies are permitted. The deacons will collect the ballots and meet in the pastor’s study to tally the votes. The candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to fill those vacancies available for deacons for three years or, if unexpired, until that term expires.

NOTE: No more than two family members are to serve on the deacon body during the same term.

Section 4. Qualifications of Officers and Teachers. All officers and teachers shall meet the New Testament standard of Christian living. No one shall be eligible to teach or hold office, who does not willingly adhere to the church covenant or who does not attend and participate regularly, unless providentially hindered, in the program for which they wish to lead. The church nominating committee shall be responsible to determine the willingness to reaffirm the covenant on the part of those being presented for the church offices. The Sunday School Superintendent, Training Union Director, if applicable, President of the Men’s Ministry and the Women on Missions President, shall have a similar responsibility before placing the name of any prospective teachers or workers, before the church.

ARTICLE 7 - CHURCH ORGANIZATION

Section 1. Functions. The functions of the church shall be performed through the following departments, boards and committees:

Standing Boards and Committees

(a) Board of Deacons (l) Lord’s Supper Committee

(b) Executive Committee (m) Long Range Planning Comm.

(d) Nominating Committee (o) Cemetery Committee

(e) Music Committee (p) History Committee

(f ) Missions Committee (q) Homecoming/Fellowship Comm.

(g) Evangelism Committee (r) Outreach Committee

(h) Benevolence Committee (s) Recreation Committee

(I) Baptism Committee (t) Youth Committee

(j) Buildings & Grounds Comm. (u) Children’s Committee

(k) Pulpit Supply Committee

Standing Departments

(a) Sunday School

(b) Training Union (if applicable)

(d) Men’s Ministry

Section 2. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Pastor, the Superintendent of Sunday School, Director of the Training Union (if applicable), the Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Clerk, Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Treasurer, President of the Women on Missions, and President of the Men’s Ministry. The pastor, as moderator, shall act as chairman of this committee and the church clerk shall act as secretary. This committee shall be an aid to the pastor and the church and church boards, working for the best interest of the church. They shall investigate and discuss the affairs of the church and recommend appropriate action to the church boards and to the church business meetings. Regular meetings shall be held bi-annually with special meetings to be called by the moderator as appropriate.

Section 3. Membership, Terms and Duties. The membership, term of office, and duties of the above boards, departments and committees, unless provided for in the decorum, shall be as prescribed in the by-laws.

Section 4. Church Nominating Committee. A nominating committee of six shall be nominated and elected by the church at the May business meeting to recommend and nominate all church officers at the June conference. Standing committees to be nominated at the August conference. Additional nominations for any office may be made from the floor which will be referred back to the Nominating Committee. The nominating committee shall remain in office for one year.

ARTICLE 8 - MEETINGS

Section 1. Schedule. The meetings of the church shall be as follows:

(a) Worship: Worship services shall be held each Lord’s day and shall include both morning and evening services. All non-Baptist speakers before any organization of the church shall be approved by the pastor and deacons. No money shall be collected for non-Baptist purposes by any organization of the church without the approval of the pastor and deacons.

(b) Prayer Service: There shall be a regular mid-week prayer service.

(d) There shall be a business meeting following Prayer meeting service in the week following the third Sunday. The Chairman of the Deacons shall moderate the business meeting. In the absence of the chairman of the Deacons, the senior Deacon present shall moderate. Should all of these officers of the church be absent, the church clerk shall call the church to order and a moderator pro tem shall be elected. It shall be the duty of the moderator to see that the meetings of the church of the Executive Committee are regularly held as provided for in the by-laws. It shall further be the duty of the moderator to see that required reports are prepared and submitted as required by the various officers, boards, committees and departments of the church. The moderator shall be an ex officio member of all boards and committees. There will be an 8:00 P.M. curfew on business meetings unless approved unanimously by those in attendance. To keep the business meetings orderly, all items to be discussed at the business meeting must be submitted on a Business Meeting Agenda form and submitted to the Deacons or Pastor by the Sunday prior to the meeting. All matters requiring a time interval before a vote is taken, shall be referred by the Moderator without debate to the proper committee for one month, or a longer time if specified in the Decorum or By-Laws. The recommendation of this committee shall be given when the matter comes up for final acceptance. If insufficient time is available to discuss all agenda items before the curfew, without unanimous approval to extend the meeting, either a called business meeting can be scheduled according to the by-laws or the items deferred until the next scheduled meeting.

(e) A financial report shall be made at each monthly business meeting.

(f) At the business meeting in December, March, June and September, quarterly reports shall be made by the officers of all departments of the church work during that quarter.

(g) At the September business meeting, the annual report of the treasurer, auditors, and other financial officers shall be presented for adoption.

(h) Called business meetings of the church may be called when necessary by the pastor or a quorum of deacons. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the active Board of Deacons. In order to conduct business at a called business meeting, a one week notice must be given unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical. The notice shall include the subject of the meeting, the date, time, and place of the meeting; and it must be given in such a manner that all resident members have an opportunity to know of the meeting. In cases of extreme circumstances where the Deacon’s and Pastor feel there is not sufficient time to notify church members of a called meeting, three/fourths majority of the church members in attendance at the meeting is required before official action can be taken.

(i) The Lord’s Supper shall be observed not less than once each calendar quarter.

ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS

Section 1. Amendments. The by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a business meeting. The amendment shall have been offered in writing at a monthly business meeting at least one month prior to the vote. The proposed amendment shall be published in the church bulletins for two weeks or announced from the pulpit successive weeks prior to such vote. Such proposed amendments shall be carefully studied by the proper committee or committees. The recommendations of the committees studying the proposed amendments shall be heard before any vote is taken.

ARTICLE 10 - TERMS AND DUTIES OF CHURCH OFFICERS

The terms and duties of church officers other than those stipulated in Article 6 shall be as follows:

Section 1. Clerk. The clerk shall be elected at the annual business meeting of the church in August for a term of one year. It shall be the duty of the clerk to record the minutes of all regular and special business meetings of the church; to preserve an accurate roll of the membership; prepare the annual letter and table of statistics concerning the work of the church to the Centennial Baptist Association; to notify in writing, or otherwise, all persons of their election or appointment to any office or committee of the church; and to perform such other duties as usually devolve upon his/her office, and render reports as requested by the pastor and Board of Deacons of the church. The Clerk of the Board of Deacons shall act as assistant Clerk, and he shall assist the Clerk and perform the duties of the Clerk in the event of his/her absence or incapacity.

Section 2. Treasurer. The church shall elect annually a church treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to pay out according to the budget upon receipt of deposit slips all salaries, bills, missions, and benevolences without special order unless otherwise directed by the church, deacons, or finance committee. He/she shall file receipts and at each regular business meeting shall make a statement of the condition of the treasury. He/she shall not pay out any money not already in hand to the credit of the church. He/she shall, at the annual business meeting of each year make a written report of receipts and disbursements with a full statement of the financial condition of the church. All disbursements shall be by check only except for petty cash, debit card, or credit card purchases as approved under the church purchasing policy. All books, records and accounts kept by the treasurer shall be considered the property of the church.

Section 3. Financial Secretary. The financial secretary shall be elected annually. He/She shall receive the empty collection envelopes after the money has been removed and counted by the proper persons. The financial secretary shall then give each donor individual credit as provided in the record system. He/She is to keep the envelopes for reference for a period of three years. He/She will also fill out the sheet for the monthly balance and report found in the record book. The monthly balance will indicate receipts from envelopes and collection plates. It will also indicate receipts for miscellaneous or special offerings.

Section 4. Chairman of Ushers. The chairman of ushers shall be elected annually and shall, on the approval of the church, associate with himself a sufficient number of aides to care for the seating and comfort of the congregation, the greeting and introduction of visitors. The chairman of ushers shall prevent interruptions and distractions and any similar duties that may be needed.

OFFICERS OF CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

All organizations of the church shall be under church control. All officers shall be elected by the church and shall report regularly to the church.

Section 1. Sunday School (Officers) and Training Union Officers. Three months before the close of the associational year, the General Superintendent of the Sunday School and the Training Union Director (if applicable), shall be elected upon nomination of the nominating committee.

Section 2. Men’s Ministry. The Men’s Ministry shall be administered as follows: There shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and up to four leaders. The President shall be recommended by the Men’s Ministry, nominated by the nominating committee and elected by the church. The Men’s Ministry shall be responsible for both junior and intermediate R.A.’s.

Section 3. Missionary Organizations. Women on Missions shall consist of Woman on Mission, Youth on Mission, Girls in Action, C.I. A, and Mission Friends. The director of the Women on Missions shall be recommended by the membership of the Women on Missions, nominated by the nominating committee, and elected by the church.

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Finance Committee. The church finance committee shall consist of five members elected annually in the August conference. Also serving as ex-officio officers will be the Pastor, treasurer, and Chairman of the Deacons. These members shall be nominated and presented to the church for approval by the Board of Deacons. The finance committee shall prepare and submit to the church an inclusive budget, indicating by items the amount needed and sought for by all departments and/or committees for all local expenses and purposes, and in like manner for all denominational or other approved causes. All funds, for any and all purposes, shall pass through the hands of the treasurer and be properly recorded on the books of the church. The expenses of all organizations, as approved by the church, shall be paid from the local expense funds as heretofore provided.

Section 2. Financial Obligation. It is to be understood that membership in this church involves a financial obligation to support the church.

Section 3. Meetings. The finance committee shall meet quarterly or as needed.

Section 4. Church Fiscal year. The fiscal year of the church shall be

September 1 until August 31. Since the associational year falls between

October 1 and September 30, a church report covering activity of our church is to be prepared as a church letter to the association and to the state convention.

Section 5. Church Secretary. Upon the recommendation of the deacons a

church secretary shall be selected and employed as church growth warrants.

Section 6. Building and Grounds Committee. The Building and Grounds Committee shall be composed of the active deacons who shall name a person who shall have general charge of the administration and upkeep of the church grounds and buildings. This committee shall name this general houseman annually. They shall have the right to dismiss and reselect this individual at whatever time they deem necessary.

Section 7. Baptismal Committee. The baptismal committee shall consist of two men and three women. It shall be the duty of this committee to make all necessary arrangements for the ordinance of baptism and to render such assistance to the pastor and to the candidates as may be necessary. The deacons shall name this committee.

Section 8. Lord’s Supper Committee. This committee shall consist of three persons who shall be responsible for arrangements and for maintaining the necessary supplies. The deacons shall name this committee. A minimum of one member of the Board of Deacons shall serve on this committee.

Section 9. Pulpit Supply Committee. The pulpit supply committee shall consist of three persons recommended by the Deacon’s and elected by the church to identify and secure temporary replacement of the speaker for church services.

Section 10. Pulpit Committee. If and when the need shall arise to call a regular pastor, at the next regular business meeting, there shall be a slate of ten names nominated from the floor. There shall be two names from the Sunday School, two from the Training Union (if applicable), two from the Men’s Ministry, two from the W.M.U. (Women on Missions) and two or more from the church at large if needed, to make a total of ten. It shall be the duty of the church in conference to elect from the slate of ten by secret ballot, a pulpit committee of five composed of one from each organization named above. When this committee of five has been elected, it shall organize and proceed prayerfully to look for a pastor, who they can and will unanimously recommend to the church.