CONSTITUTION PRIVATE
OF THE
MOORELAND BAPTIST CHURCH
Adopted:  April 18, 1984
Last Amended 11/16/11

PREAMBLE
For the purpose of preserving and making secure the principles of our faith and to the end that this body be governed in an orderly manner; and to set forth the relationship of this body to other bodies of the same faith, we do declare and establish this Constitution.

ARTICLE I * NAME
This body, organized in 1904, located in North Garden, Virginia, shall be known as Mooreland Baptist Church.

ARTICLE II * PURPOSE
The purpose of this church shall be to propagate among all people the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide opportunities for worship, for obedience to God and His leadership, for fellowship, for training, and for spiritual growth and service.

ARTICLE III * STATEMENT OF FAITH
A declaration of Mooreland Baptist Church
Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters, Mooreland Baptist Church values the opportunity to cooperate with sister churches and organizations in missions and education.  Our concern for the continuing vitality of our Baptist organizations in missions and education. Our concern for the continuing vitality of our Baptist heritage and present-day identity prompts us to reaffirm contain doctrine of belief we consider fundamental.

I. The Lordship of Christ
We affirm our primary commitment to the Lordship of Christ. We believe that as a church we should emphasize those thing Jesus emphasized and “seek the mind of Christ” in all things (I Corinthians 2:16)
II. The Authority of Scripture
We believe the Bible, the inspired written word of God, which reveals the living word of God, Jesus Christ, is our sufficient guide for faith and practice in the church, and in the life of the individual believer. The truths of scripture, as interpreted by the community of faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, shall guide all personal and social belief and action. The high value which we place on the Bible indicates that the highest and most enlightened scholarship available to us be used to assist us in our understanding and interpretation.  We are concerned that high standards of scholarship, coupled with academic freedom, remain basic ingredients of the university and seminary experience for students and faculty in all of our schools. 
III. The Competence of the Individual Believer
We affirm that the individual believer has both the ability and the responsibility to hear and respond to God. We accept with awe and gratitude God’s direct involvement in individual lives and the call to all disciples to lives of ministry. We reaffirm the individuality of God’s call.  We believe men and women are equal before God: equal in competency, responsibility and suitability for ministry.  The traditional Baptist affirmation of the priesthood of all believers means that we need no intermediary person(s) in our communication with God. Individual persons are responsible for dealing with their sins through the means God has provided.  While “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) none of us must continue to live under the cloud of past sins, but we are heirs together of new life in which: there is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for (we) are all one in Christ Jesus.) (Galatians 3:28)
IV. The Autonomy of the Local Church
The community of baptized believers governs itself and is accountable to God alone. The congregation itself has responsibility for choices concerning such issues as who will occupy the pulpit, criteria for membership, whom to ordain, and the accumulation and utilization of (material) resources. We believer we are responsible not only for decisions but also for the way in which we reach them.  In this congregation it is our conviction that Christ’s primary calling to all Christians, both male and female, is to servant hood rather than to control, and that the positions of pastor and deacon (as well as all other leadership positions) are positions of such service and not of authoritarian domination.  We pray that the business of the church can be conducted in God’s sprit of love, mutual respect, and patient waiting on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We acknowledge that God’s ways are different from those of the world, and that political manipulation has no place in denominational or church meetings. 
V. The Separation of Church and State
The community of faith stands separate from the state which in no way shall be allowed to interfere with the governance of the church – either by prohibiting or encouraging the exercise of religion in private or in public.  The church shall be vigilant in this matter, always ready to exercise the great responsibility required to preserve freedom.  Remembering that Christ died for the whole world and that our responsibility is to that same world, the church should not adopt narrow nationalistic positions.  
VI. A Worldwide Mission
God has given the church a treasure in the Gospel.  Along with the knowledge and experience of God’s love comes the responsibility for proclaiming the universal good news to a fragmented world.  Our mission is to lift up Christ above narrow factional divisions in order that the recreating, redeeming, reconciling, healing, and sustaining power of God be available to all the world’s people.  The history of the people called Baptists has shown that diversity does not threaten our evangelical witness but that division has the potential for destroying it.
VII. Denominational Participation
We at Mooreland commit ourselves to an active involvement in Baptist affairs and affirm the following points: 
1.We endorse and encourage the study of our Baptist history and those distinctives which are Biblical in origin.
2. We willingly associate with those believers in Christ who follow the historic Baptist principles as enunciated in this declaration.
3. We uphold the principles of an egalitarian church membership and an autonomous church identity. 
4. We are committed to the representation of Mooreland Baptist Church at appropriate local, state, and national meetings of fellow believers. 
5. We will continue to make public our response to the current issues and trends of Christian life. 

ARTICLE IV * 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 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into 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; and to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin;

To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, to the expenses of the church, to the relief of the needy, and to the spread of the Gospel through all nations;

To maintain family and secret devotions; to educate our children in the truths of our faith, and to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;

To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct; to promote temperance in all things; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior;

To watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; and to be slow to take offense and always ready to seek reconciliation;

To unite with another church upon removal from this place, in order to carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.

ARTICLE V * CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH
This church shall be autonomous in authority, cooperative in spirit, missionary in outreach, and Biblically oriented; and its government shall be vested in the body of believers composed of its membership.  It shall be a member of the Albemarle Baptist Association and support the General Baptist Association of Virginia, Southern Baptist Convention missionaries and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  It shall also endeavor to cooperate in local efforts with other Christian bodies when such efforts are not contrary to its spiritual commissions and goals.

ARTICLE VI * AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any regular business meeting by a two-thirds vote of members attending.  Proposed amendments shall be provided to the church for distribution to members at least two week prior to the church business meeting at which such amendments are to be considered.

BY-LAWS
OF THE
MOORELAND BAPTIST CHURCH

ARTICLE I * MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.  General
The membership of this church shall consist of persons who, having made a profession of faith accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, wish to identify themselves with this church and pledge to support its policies and its programs for the advancement of God's Kingdom.

Section 2.  Candidacy
Any person may offer himself or herself at any church service as a candidate for membership in this church by profession of faith followed by baptism by immersion; or in case of handicap or special circumstance, baptism by sprinkling or pouring by promise of a letter of recommendation from another church; by restoration; or, when no letter is obtainable, by a statement of prior conversion experience and of baptism as practiced by other churches.

Section 3.  Reception of Candidates shall be admitted to Membership upon the majority vote of members present and voting at any church service.

Section 4.  New Member Orientation
New church members shall be expected to participate in the church's new member orientation plan.

Section 5.  Voting Rights of Members
Every church member shall be entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in business meetings, provided that the members are present.

Section 6.  Termination of Membership
Membership shall be terminated by death, by written request, or by removal upon action of the church.  Should a member become an offense to the church by unchristian conduct, the church may terminate his membership by three-fourths vote.

ARTICLE II * ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
Section 1.  Officers
All general church officers and committee members shall be members of this church.  The same, except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, shall be elected annually at the August business meeting upon the recommendation of the nominating committee and shall assume office on October 1.  Church officers shall be as follows:

Moderator.  The moderator shall preside at all church business meetings and shall have such authority and responsibility as given by the church.

Vice-Moderator.  The vice-moderator shall preside at church business meetings in the absence of or upon request of the moderator and shall have such authority and responsibility as given by the church.

Clerk.  The clerk shall be responsible to the church for keeping an accurate written record of all actions taken and reports given in any church business meeting; for keeping a record of all members of the church, as to when they united, where they live (including mailing addresses), and when and how they were dismissed; for requesting letter of recommendation on appropriate new members and providing proper letters for the churches to which members transfer; and for preparing all other letters and notices necessitated by the business of the church.

Treasurer.  The treasurer shall be responsible to the church for receiving, holding, and disbursing the funds of the church and for maintaining records showing from whom these funds came and to whom they were disbursed.  He shall provide for the annual submission of all financial records for audit.  He shall render to the church an itemized report of all the receipts and disbursements for the preceding quarter.  He shall also render to the church at the end of each fiscal year an annual account, which, upon acceptance and approval, shall be delivered to the clerk for permanent preservation.  Quarter's end:  March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31.

Trustees.  The trustees shall hold titles to church property with no right to buy, sell, or dispose of property belonging to the church except as ordered by the church in business meeting, in which event they shall execute all necessary legal papers in the name of the church and by its authority.  There shall be at least three but no more than five trustees elected to service indefinitely.  Vacancies shall be filled by election upon the recommendation of the nominating committee.  The trustees shall be bonded by an accredited agency.

Deacons.  The deacons shall be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church fellowship; for the public worship during pastoral vacancies; for assistance to the pastor in the administration of church ordinances; for the reception and disposition of memorial and other gifts to the church; and for all administrative needs not otherwise delegated in these by-laws.  They shall meet regularly and shall report to the church in business meetings.

There shall be one deacon for approximately every ten church families, with a minimum number of 7 active deacons.  Deacons shall be selected from among those church members who best meet scriptural qualifications (see 1st Timothy, Chapter 3) and who shall be believers committed to living their daily lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  They shall strive in all areas of their lives to set an example of Christian conduct, church loyalty and are willing to participate in and support the total church program.  They shall be at least 21 years of age and shall have been a member of Mooreland for at least one year.  Deacons will be elected by ballot prepared by the nominating committee.  The ballot will list all eligible members who have been nominated and have agreed to serve.  Election will be held at Sunday morning service and be announced two weeks in advance.

Deacons shall serve three-year terms on a rotating basis, the terms of one-third of their member expiring each year.  The deacons shall, in the first instance, establish among themselves the initial order of rotation.  Interim vacancies occurring during the first six months of the church year shall be filled immediately by special election held in the same manner as regular deacon election; those occurring during the last six months of the church year shall be filled by the church during its regular annual elections.  Past deacons shall be ineligible for re-election for a period of one year.  Deacons elected to fulfill the term of an unexpired vacancy may succeed themselves upon re-election. (added 4/18/01) The deacons will elect annually their own chairman, vice-chairman and secretary.  

ORDINATION After election by the church, each deacon who has not been previously ordained, shall be ordained by the laying on of hands as set forth in Acts 6:5-6.  Any person seeking to enter full time Christian work and seeking license and/or ordination may request in writing to the church for license or ordination.  A committee will be formed to evaluate such requests and set forth recommendations.

Section 2. Staff.
The church shall enlist and employ a pastor and such other persons as are deemed needed to lead or otherwise assist in the ministries of the church.

Pastor.  The pastor is responsible to the church for providing leadership to the church and for using his skills in proclaiming the Gospel and pastoral care in meeting the needs of persons in the church and community.  He is responsible for being God's leader-servant of the church; preaching the Word; ministering to the sick, dying and bereaved; visiting regularly in the homes of shut-ins; administering baptism and communion; being available to conduct weddings and funerals; visiting new residents and recruiting new members.  As a congregation we trust the pastor will serve as an example of high moral and ethical character, and we support his maintaining a disciplined program of prayer and personal devotion.

In the event of a vacancy, a pulpit committee shall be elected to seek a suitable pastor, and its recommendation shall constitute a nomination.  The committee shall bring to the consideration of the church only one name at a time.  Election shall be by ballot, an affirmative vote by seventy-five percent of the members present being necessary for a choice.  Should the one recommended by the committee fail to receive seventy-five percent vote the committee will be instructed to seek out another minister, and the meeting will be adjourned without debate.

A prospective pastor shall be extended an invitation to serve until the relationship is dissolved at the request of either the pastor or the church.  In either case and unless otherwise mutually agreed, at least a thirty-day notice of termination shall be given.  All salary and remunerative benefits shall be presented to the church in writing by the pulpit committee and shall be approved by the church before the invitation to serve is extended.

Other Staff and Employed Personnel.  Other staff or employed personnel may be secured by the church from time to time as deemed necessary.  The personnel committee shall recommend to the church a job description for the vacancy to be filled, such description to include a recommendation for salary and other remunerative benefits.  The same shall be in writing and shall be approved by the church before the position is filled.  The relationship may be dissolved at the request of either the church or the individual.  In either case and unless otherwise mutually agreed, at least a two-week notice of termination shall be given.

Section 3.  Committees.
Committees shall be directly responsible to the church, which shall instruct them in carrying out pertinent administrative operations.

Standing Committees.  Standing committees, once constituted, shall be perpetual unless otherwise ordered by the church.  Each committee shall be composed of a number of members divisible by three, one-third of the members being elected annually by the church to serve for three years. Past members shall be ineligible for re-election for a period of two weeks after the Nominating Committee posts the vacancy list.  The members of each committee shall, in the first instance establish among themselves the initial order of rotation of membership.  Ex-officio members shall include the pastor and other staff personnel as deemed advisable by the church.  Standing committees, to be constituted, must have a stated scope of responsibility approved by the church.  The nominating committee shall endeavor to see all church members serve on a committee and that no committee has as a member more than one deacon.  The standing committees shall be as follows:

Building and Grounds Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of the buildings and property of the church, except the parsonage will be the responsibility of the trustees. In case of an emergency, they are authorized to arrange and implement repairs to the church with the approval of the Trustees, The Board of Deacons, and the Finance Committee

Cemetery Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members of Mooreland and two members of Trinity United Methodist Church and shall be responsible for the administration and maintenance of the cemetery.  They shall be elected to serve indefinitely.

Constitution Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for providing each church family a current copy of the church constitution and by-laws together with amendments thereto and for assuring that all amendments to the said constitution and by-laws adopted by the church are systematically incorporated therein.

Finance Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for preparing and promoting the church budget; for promoting Christian stewardship of possessions; and for safeguarding church funds in accordance with established church policy.  The treasurer shall be an ex-officio member.

Flower Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for securing, arranging, and disposing of floral arrangements for church services and for providing flowers for bereaved members.

Library Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for maintaining a church library.

Music Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for the use and maintenance of the musical instruments and supplies necessary to the music program and for recommending to the church the acquisition of such additional instruments and supplies as are deemed necessary.  The choir director and organists shall be ex-officio members of the committee.

Nominating Committee.  The committee shall consist of six members and shall be responsible for ascertaining the leadership needs of the church through consultation with organizational leaders and a review of the by-laws and of existing church policy; for recommending needed changes in the leadership structure; for maintaining a survey of interest and abilities of church members.  for recommending leaders for existing vacancies; and for carrying out such other functions specifically delegated in these by-laws.  The WMU Director and Sunday School Superintendent shall be members.

Nursery Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for providing for a sufficient number of nursery workers and supplies to care for children to the age of five years.

Ordinance Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for all physical preparations and incidentals relative to the ordinances of the church.

Personnel Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall be responsible for developing and maintaining policies and job descriptions relative to the full-time and part time employed personnel of the church, including salary scales, vacations, and other benefits; and for making recommendations relative to the hiring or release of employees.

Social Committee.  The committee shall consist of three members and shall have general responsibility for the conduct of all church-wide social activities.  The committee shall also assist the building and grounds committee in the maintenance and use of kitchen facilities of the church.

Special Committees.  The church shall constitute special committees from time to time as necessary or as provided in these by-laws.

Ushers.  The three regular church ushers shall be selected by the nominating committee and elected by the church.  They shall elect an usher chairman.  Ushers shall be attentive to the needs of the congregation and the pastor, and they shall enlist the youth of the church to assist.

ARTICLE III * PROGRAM ORGANIZATION
Section 1.
Organizations of the church shall be under church control.  The officers thereof shall be elected by the church upon the recommendation of the nominating committee, and they shall report regularly to the church.

ARTICLE IV * CHURCH MEETINGS
Section 1.  Public Worship
The church shall provide for public worship on each Sunday morning and at such other times as the church may deem wise and necessary.

Section 2.  Regular Business Meetings.
Regular business meetings of the church shall be held at least quarterly at a time to be determined by the church.  Any matter pertaining to the church may be brought to the floor during a regular business meeting, however notification to the appropriate committee and moderator prior to the meeting should speed up action.  A quorum for conducting business shall be 12 members.

Section 3.  Special Business Meetings
For consideration of matters of a significant and/or urgent nature, a special business meeting may be called by the pastor, or by a majority of the deacons, or by the clerk upon written application of any five adult members, or as otherwise provided in these by-laws.  Notice of purpose, date, time, and location shall be given at least one week prior to any special business meeting.  The purpose stated in such notice shall constitute the only item of business.  A quorum for conducting business shall be 12 members.

Section 4.  Special Services.
Revival services and other church meetings deemed essential in promoting the objectives of the church shall be placed on the church calendar.

Section 5.  Parliamentary Rules.
Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the authority for parliamentary procedure for all business meetings of the church.

ARTICLE V * ORDINANCES
Section 1.  The Lord's Supper.
Observance of the Lord's Supper shall be held at least quarterly at a time approved by the church, usually the first Sunday of each quarter.  Necessary changes in scheduling shall be made by the pastor and deacons.

Section 2.  Baptism.
The ordinance of Baptism shall be observed as the need arises and shall be scheduled by the pastor and deacons.

ARTICLE VI * MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1.  Church Year.
The church shall operate on a year beginning October 1 and concluding the following September 30.

Section 2.  Financial Policies.
All moneys given to the church shall be placed in the treasury and shall be expended only to the limits of the budget approved by the church.  Designated gifts shall be limited to those causes for which the church has granted approval.  All disbursements of the church shall be made by check, which shall be signed by persons authorized by the church, which includes the treasurer and trustees.

There shall not be held either in the name of or in behalf of the church by any group thereof any sale of merchandise or entertainment for the purpose of raising money, either in the church facilities or elsewhere, unless specifically recommended by the deacons and approved by the church.

Section 3.  Restrictions upon the Use of Church Facilities.
The use of buildings, equipment, or other property belonging to the church by any individual, group, or organization not related to the church shall be subject to the approval of the church and they may be charged a fee for cleanup and utilities.

ARTICLE VII * AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
These by-laws may be amended at any regular business meeting by a two-thirds vote of members attending.  Proposed amendments shall be provided to the church for distribution to members at least two weeks prior to the church business meeting at which such amendments are to be considered.
Reprinted; 
with changes 7/24/89
with changes 6/19/91
with changes 10/21/92
with changes 11/30/97	with changes 10/21/98
with changes 2/16/00
with changes 4/18/01
with changes 1/17/07
with changes 11/17/10
with changes 11/16/11