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Study of Constitution and By-Laws / September 27, 20152015
[Suggested replacement or change in GREEN TYPE]
[Suggested deletions are in RED TYPE] / Simplicity Encouraged
Acadia Baptist Association
*CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the Association shall be the Acadia Baptist Association.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The Acadia Baptist Association exists to exalt our Lord Jesus Christ through assisting all its member churches in fulfilling the Great Commission, and to cooperate with the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention and all their Boards, Agencies and Institutions.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: This Association shall be composed of messengers elected by the cooperating churches.
SECTION 2: Each church shall be entitled to five (5) messengers for the first 50 members or fractional part thereof, and one additional messenger for each additional 50 members or fractional part thereof above the first 50, providing the total number of messengers does not exceed ten (10).
SECTION 3: Each church shall send a Annual Church Profile to the Associational Clerk, reporting its accomplishments during the past Associational year.
SECTION 4: Any church desiring affiliation as a cooperating church with the Association shall present a written application to the Moderator at least 90 days before the FallAnnualSession. This application shall show evidence of doctrinal soundness, spiritual unanimity, and the intent of the church to be in accord and cooperation with the affiliated churches constituting the Association. The Moderator shall instruct the Credentials Committee to study the matter and present its recommendation at the Fall Annual Session at which time the Association will act upon the recommendation.
SECTION 5: This Association shall in no way interfere with the rights of churches. It wholly disclaims any authority over them and recognizes them as independent bodies in matters of internal government. It, however, has authority over its own membership, and in justice and propriety has the right to deny seats to, or withdraw from messengers representing churches heterodox in faith or disorderly in practice.For example, the Association has the right to withdraw a church’s membership and/or deny any church’s application to the Association if the church supports and/or participates in marriage ceremonies for those not entering into a marriage based on a single, naturally born male who remains a male and a single, naturally born female who remains a female. These prohibitions extend to the ministers who may be a part of or perform such marriages outside of the physical church building. Further, the Director of Missions will not participate in any such marriage.
SECTION 6: The Articles of Faith for the Association, which shall be the basis of fellowship and cooperation, is the Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention at Kansas City, Missouri in May 1963Orlando, Florida in June 2000.
ARTICLE IV: AUTHORITY
SECTION 1: Under no circumstances shall this Association attempt to assume ecclesiastical authority over the churches. The complete independence and autonomy of each church shall always be fully recognized.
SECTION 2: The Association recognizes its responsibility to seat messengers only from churches which are in conformity with the provisions of Articles II and III.
SECTION 3: Each church which sends messengers to the Association shall by the election of these messengers recognize its responsibility to support the Association with attendance, personnel and funds.
ARTICLE V: GENERAL OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The General Officers of the Association shall be
Moderator,
Vice-Moderator,
Clerk, and
Treasurer.
These officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting afterbeing nominated by the Nominating Committee of
the Association.
Duly elected messengers can also make nominations from the floor of that meeting.
Those elected will assume office at the close of the AnnualMeeting.
SECTION 2: The Executive Committee shall be:
the Association's general officersand
the Director of Missions
The duties shall be as described in the By-Laws Article IV, Committees Section 1.
ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1: The Executive Board of the Association shall be composed of the Association
General Officers,
Director of Missions,
the pastors and
one other duly elected member of each church.
SECTION 2: The Executive Board shall act for the Association when the messengers are not in session,
but is not empowered to act contrary to established associational policy or the Constitution.
SECTION 3: It shall be the task of the Executive Board to: carry out the instructions of the Association and
promote the work of the Association throughout the year, and to fill all vacancies that may occur among
Associational officers and committees, with the approval of the Nominating Committee.
It shall be the duty of each member of the board to attend all meetings upon notice
by letter, postcard, phone call, phone message, or e-mail.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Standing Committees provided for in the By-Laws shall be nominated by the Committee on
CommitteesNominating Committeeat the AnnualMeeting and elected by a majority vote of the messengers
present.
These Committees shall begin their respective duties upon the close of the AnnualMeeting.
SECTION 2: Special Committees: The Moderator shall be at liberty to:
appoint any special committee that he may deem necessary to facilitate the work of the Association, with
such committees operating under his own direction without definite tenure of office.
The work of such committees will always be under the authority of the Associationorof the Executive
Board.
ARTICLE VIII: MISSION PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS
SECTION 1: Mission Performance Directors provided for in the By-Laws shall be nominated ata Spring
meetingby the Associational Nominating Committee and elected by a majority vote of the messengers presentat the Annual Meeting.
In keeping with the spirit of Article II, these elected directors will be expected to attend the Associational
Leadership Planning Conference. These program directors shall begin their duties at the close of the Annual
FallAnnualMeeting.
ARTICLE IX: ASSOCIATIONAL COUNCIL
SECTION 1: The Associational Council shall be composed of
the General Officers listed in Article V,
the Director of each Mission Performance Program,
Missions Committee Chairman and
BaptistStudent UnionCollegiate Ministry Director at Louisiana State University at Eunice,
the Manager of Acadia Baptist Center,
the Area Director of Missions, and
all Pastors of member churches.
The Moderator shall serve as Chairman.
ARTICLE X: MEETINGS
SECTION 1: The Association shall meet at leastonce each calendar year.
SECTION 2: Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Moderatoror upon the request of the
Executive Board with a fifteen daywritten notice to the churches.
In case of such called meetings, theAssociation's membership shall consist of the messengers to the last
AnnualMeeting, unless new messengers are elected and certified by the churches.
Those present shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 3: In its deliberations,
the Association,
the Executive Board,
Associational Council, and
the Committees shall be governed by the most recent revision of Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE XI: FINANCE
SECTION 1: The Association shall expect all churches of the Association to provide sufficient funds to support
necessary operating expenses, an amount equal to 3%- 4%of undesignated receipts is recommended. All monies
thus contributed shall be turned over to the Treasurer to be disbursed asauthorized by the Association or the
Executive Board.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the full association, provided the proposed change shall have been presented in writing atanyprevious meeting, and shall be approved by two-thirds of the messengers at thelatter meeting.
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Proposed Constitution Update for September 2015
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1: MEETINGS
SECTION 1: The Association shall hold an annual meetingeach year
ARTICLE II: GENERAL OFFICERS
The General Officers of the Association and their duties shall be as follows:
SECTION 1: MODERATOR: The Moderator shall preside over the meetings of the Association,discharge
such duties as are generally incumbent upon such officers of deliberative bodies, and shall serve as ex-officio
member of all committees. The Moderatorshall also be the Chairman of the Executive Board, Executive
Committee and Associational Council of the Association.
He shall be assisted by the Area Director of Missions, andhis term of service shall be no more than 2 years at
a timetwo successive one year terms.
SECTION 2: VICE-MODERATOR: The Vice-Moderator shall render assistance to the Moderator as seems
proper and necessary, and shall preside over the meetings of the Association at the request of the Moderator,
orin the absence of the Moderator.He shall be Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board and Executive
Committee.
Should the Moderator leave office for any cause, the Vice-Moderator shall assume the role of to serve through
the remaining term.
A new Vice Moderator will be elected at the next Executive board meeting.
SECTION 3: CLERK: The Clerk shall keep accurate records of all the proceedings of the Association and
the Executive Board,
SECTION 4: TREASURER: The Treasurer shallreceive, preserve and disburse all monies received at the
direction of the Association or Executive Board. The Treasurershall present a financial report to the
churches and the Associationas requested by the Association or Executive Board.
SECTION 5:DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS: For the purpose of co-operation the Director of Missions, shall be
considered a General Officer of the Association and annon-voting, ex-officio member of all committees.
ARTICLE III: EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1: The Executive Board shall meet regularly as calendared by the Associational Council, but no less
than twice each year. Ten members, representing at least five churches, at any meeting, regular or
called, shall constitute a quorum.
Special meetings may be called by the Moderatoror associational council provided all members of the
Executive Board shall have been notifiedat least one week prior to the time of the proposed meeting.
The Executive Board will also elect Special Event Committee Coordinators as referenced in Article IV.
ARTICLE IV: COMMITTEES
The Association will function with two types of committees. The first is the Standing Committee. These committees will be elected each year at the Annual meeting. The second is the short-term, Special Event Committee. These Special Event Committees are created for the term of an event and when the event is complete, the Special Event Committee is dissolved. These Coordinators are elected by the Executive Board.
The Standing Committees of the Association and their duties shall be:
SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the Executive Board performs administrative orexecutive functions
for the Association as assigned. The committee shall be composed of the General Officers and the Area
Director of Missions.
It's duties are to:
(1) serve for the Executive board or Association in specific, delegated or assigned matters:
(2) take action as needed in emergencies within the policy framework of the Association or
board.
(3) to inform the Associational Council of any action taken
SECTION 2: ANNUAL MEETINGS COMMITTEE shall be the Executive Committee of the Association, along
with the associational Music Director, and shall assist the Association in planning and conductingthe regular
and called meetings of the Association in session.
Its duties are to:
(1) propose to the Executive Board an order of business for the sessions of the Association;
(2) enlist personnel for the Associational sessions;
(3) publicize the complete order of business for sessions of the Association to the churches at least
seven days in advance;
(4) in cooperation with the Moderator and other program personnel, arrange for all facilities needed for
the sessions;
(5) receive invitations from churches and suggestions for program emphases and personnel
for futuresessions; and
(6) propose at eachannual the meeting place and preacher for sessions for the next year.
SECTION 3: BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE of the Association shall be the Associational Council
and shall do the following:
(1) develop and recommend an overall financial development plan;
(2) develop and recommend an Associational budget
based on the plans of the Association's various programs and ministries;
(3) plan and direct the effort to seek giving commitments from the churches;
(4) conduct studies and make recommendations
concerning proposed expenditures not included in the budget;
(5) review budget adjustment if needed; and
(6) develop and recommend financial policies and procedures, including provisions for auditing.
SECTION 4: CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
assists the Association in determining when churches are of like faith and order and can properly seat
messengers at the Association Meetings.
The committee shall be composed of three members to serve a three-year term on a rotating basis.
Its duties are to:
(1)counsel with churches seeking to seat messengers at Association meetings (namely, their articles of faith or doctrinal positions, church covenant, polity; including constitution and by-laws, and relationship to the denomination); and
(2) arrange for and conduct proper registration of messengers and visitors at the sessions, and
report registration as requested.
SECTION 52: JOINT ASSOCIATIONAL OFFICE TRUSTEESCOMMITTEEshall be composed of the three
duly elected Moderators, Vice-Moderators, Treasurers, and one Member at Large from each of Acadia,
Louisiana and Mt. Olive Associations.
The trusteescommitteeshall be subject to the Articles of Incorporation of the Joint Associational Office.
Its duties are to;
(1) administer the offices of the Director of Missions and the Associations;
(2) develop, plan, and approve all programs and activitiesrelated to the work of the Joint Associational
Office;
(3) employ the office secretary and other approved staff upon recommendation of the Director of Missions;
(4) approve the purchase of equipment, and furniture, and location of offices;
(5) request budget support from the Associations and the Louisiana Baptist Convention;
(6) assist the Director of Missions in coordinating the work of the Associations; and
(7) report the proceedings and work of the Joint Associational Office to the member Associations.
SECTION 63: NOMINATING COMMITTEE leads in coordinating the selection of all Association elected
leaders except staff members.
The Committee shall be composed of six members to serve a three year term on a rotating basis.
Must present recommendations to Moderator & D.O.M. by September 1stprior to the Annual Meeting.
Its duties are to: select, interview, enlist and recommend Associational Officers, Mission Performance Program Directors and all standing Committees, the Acadian Baptist Center Representative, The Joint Associational Office at Large member, and other directors as needed by the Association.
(1)the Woman's Missionary Union shall present a recommendation for its officers to the Association through the Nominating Committee
(2) approve workers before they are invited to work in program organizations;
(3) distribute Associational leadership according to priority and needs;
(4) assist Associational program leaders in discovering and enlisting qualified persons to fill positions in their
respective organizations as requested; and
(5) present workers to theAssociation for election.
(6) be responsible for filling any unexpired vacancies that may occur during the year on standing committees or
boards. These recommendations are to be made at anymeeting of the Association
SECTION 7: RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
assist the Association in the study of resolutions for adoption by the Association or Executive Board.
The committee shall be composed of three members to serve a three year term on a rotating basis.
Its duties are to:
(1) receive, review, and recommend all proposed resolutions or public statements; and
(2) All actions of this committee shall be subject to the approval of the Association or its Executive
Board.
SECTION 8: MISSIONS COMMITTEE
develops missions awareness and understanding in the Association and in the churches.
The committee shall
receive requests from sponsoring churches desiring Associational support for missions,
evaluate these requests, and
make recommendations to the budget and finance committee.
It shall review for adoption and approval all Applications for Supplement to the Louisiana Baptist
Convention as required by them for Supplements.
The Committee shall be composed of at least six members who shall serve three years on a rotation basis.
Each member of this Committee shall be assigned a specific area of responsibility such as:
Chairperson,
Church Missions Committee Leader,
Missions Survey Leader,
Mission Church Growth Leader,
Mission Starting Leader, Church and
Community Ministries Leader,
World Hunger Response Leader. (Other leaders may be added as needed.)
The following Association Officers shall serve as ex-officio members of this Committee:
Moderator,
WMU Director,
Baptist Men and Boys Director and
Sunday School Director.
The Chairperson of this Committee shall be a member of the Association Council.
SECTION 94:SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE shall
make all memberchurches aware of Scholarships sponsored by the Association and communicate the
process and procedures for application and qualification.
This committee shall have the authority to grant said scholarships.
The committee shall be composed of threemembersnominated by the Nominating Committee to serve a
three year term on a rotating basis.
SECTION 105:COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEESshall consist of three members serving for three year terms
in rotation.
The moderator of the Association will submit a name at the Annual meeting to fill the vacancy occurring at that
time.The Association will be asked to approve his nomination.
Vacancies occurring during the year to the Committee on Committees shall be filled by the Moderator with the
approval of the Executive Board or Association in session.
The duties of the Committee on Committees shall be:
1.To select and recommend at the Annual Meeting of the Association all annually occurring vacancieson each
of the Standing Committees, with the exception of the Committee on Committees and Nominate two
representatives to serve on the Acadian Baptist Center Board, as required by ABC's constitution.