Simpsonville Baptist Church

Operations and Procedures

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SIMPSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Membership Covenant Agreement

I have read Simpsonville Baptist Church’s (“SBC”) Statement of Basic Beliefs, Constitution, and Bylaws, and acknowledge that by these documents we adjoin ourselves as members of SBC to unity, conduct, vision, and discipline under the authority of Jesus as Lord and His Holy Bible.

This the ______day of ______, 20_____.

Name (please print): ______

Signature: ______

SIMPSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Statement on Biblical Counseling

All counseling services provided through Simpsonville Baptist Church (“SBC”) constitute religious, biblical counseling based on the sincerely held religious beliefs of SBC and its representatives and in no way constitutes psychiatric, psychological, or medical care.

All such counseling services provided through SBC are provided as part of and for the purpose of furthering its religious mission.

SBC recommends that any person seeking psychiatric, psychological, or medical care seek such care immediately from a licensed professional.

SBC expressly disclaims any affiliation with APA, A-Psych, AMA, or similar organizations. SBC further disclaims compliance with any such organization’s standards.

Acknowledgement

I, ______(print name), acknowledge that I have read and understand SBC’s Statement on Biblical Counseling above.

______(Signature)

______(Date)

SIMPSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Employee Acknowledgement Form

In keeping with and to further the religious mission and purpose of Simpsonville Baptist Church (“SBC”), this form applies to all employees of SBC.

The undersigned states as follows:

I have received, reviewed, and, after having the opportunity to ask questions, fully understand SBC’s Employee Handbook (“Handbook”). I understand that it is my responsibility to read the Handbook and to comply with the policies, practices, and rules of SBC. I understand that this Handbook supersedes and replaces all previous employment policies or statements, written or oral, express or implied. I understand and agree that nothing in this Handbook in any way creates an express or implied contract of employment between the employee and SBC. I understand and agree that all employment with SBC is “at will,” which means that employment can be terminated with or without cause or notice at any time by either the employee or SBC. I understand that except for employment “at will” status, SBC reserves the right to change wages, hours, benefits, policies, procedures, or other matters addressed in the Handbook at any time. I understand that no employee of SBC has the authority to change employment “at will” status except through a written agreement first approved by the Personnel Team and then signed by both SBC’s Senior Pastor and the employee.

I have received, reviewed, and fully understand SBC’s Statement of Basic Beliefs, Marriage Policy, Facility and Property Use Policy, and selections from SBC’s Constitution and Bylaws (“Written Statements of Faith”), all of which are incorporated by reference.

I acknowledge the religious purpose of SBC. I understand that I must at all times act in conformance with SBC’s Written Statements of Faith and refrain from engaging in or supporting conduct or causes that visibly contradict, undermine, or deny SBC’s beliefs, policies, or religious mission. I understand that behavior or support of behavior that contradicts SBC’s Written Statements of Faith would render me unfit to serve in SBC’s ministry because it would create confusion, dilute SBC’s religious message, and would otherwise impede and burden SBC’s integrity and religious mission.

I further understand and agree SBC exercises religious authority and oversight over all its activities and that whether or not my conduct complies with the Written Statements of Faith as well as the proper remedy for improper conduct are inherently religious matters. As such, I understand and agree that SBC retains the exclusive and final right and authority to determine in accordance with its internal governance policies whether my conduct complies with the Written Statements of Faith and whether to permit me to continue to serve. I further understand and agree that SBC has the right to immediately dismiss me for conduct that violates the Written Statements of Faith.

I understand and agree that for me to be eligible to serve in SBC’s ministry, I must meet and continue to meet all eligibility requirements applicable to such ministry.

Employee’s signature: ______

Employee’s printed name: ______

Date: ______

SELECTIONS FROM SIMPSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH’S CONSTITION AND BYLAWS

Selections from SBC’s Constitution

Mission:

Purpose statement: Love God, Grow Together, Serve the World

This simple statement sums up why we do what we do as a church; it's our purpose. Our desire is to encourage people to have a relationship with God (Love God), help them grow spiritually and relationally through small groups (Grow Together) while discovering and using their gifts, skills, and talents to serve others (Serve the World) so the world may be radically changed by God.

Mission statement: Make disciples who make disciples

We believe Christ gave us a mission to make disciples who make disciples.

Church Covenant: Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and 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 do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into this 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, doctrines, and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministries, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; 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 deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to use our influence to combat the abuse of alcohol, drugs and the spread of pornography; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of the Savior.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we move from this place, we will as soon as possible, unite with another church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principle of God’s word.

Simpsonville Baptist Church (“SBC”) seeks to honor the Lord in all that it does by operating in a manner consistent with Biblical principles and as set forth in our Constitution and Statement of Basic Beliefs, which are incorporated by reference. Recognizing that everything occurring in the church affects its religious mission and ministry and that religious authority necessarily pervades all aspects of church governance and activities, SBC adopts these Bylaws and further states:

All activities in which SBC engages are intended for the religious purpose of furthering its mission, message, and viewpoint and to glorify God. It is important, therefore, that the activities and speech in which SBC through its members, employees, and volunteers (collectively “Representatives”) engage be, both publically and privately, consistent with, and in furtherance of its beliefs and religious purposes. We take very seriously the Church’s charge to be a Christian presence in a secular world (Matthew 5:14-16). The behavior of all Representatives is communicative in nature, exemplifying and expressing the faith and furthering our mission and viewpoint. (1 Peter 2:12) As such, any Representative who propounds a point of view or acts contrary to our Statement of Basic Beliefs will impair SBC’s integrity and ability to disseminate its religious views and message. (James 4:4; 1 Corinthians 5:11-12.)

In addition, we believe that our religious activity and worship derives meaning in part from participation in a larger religious community. We seek to foster a Christ-like environment of persons subscribing to our religious beliefs and faith. Associating with likeminded Christians reinforces SBC’s religious purpose and is vital to the perpetuation of our faith. (Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 John 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:33.)

All of our activities are considered to be an outgrowth of SBC’s mission to preach, teach, evangelize, and instill the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. As such, they shall be governed exclusively by SBC’s religious authority and shall be subject to and consistent with SBC’s Bylaws, Constitution, Statement of Basic Beliefs, and other policies adopted by SBC.

Article VII. Employment and Volunteering

In addition to meeting other employment criteria set forth in job descriptions, policies, or otherwise, all employees of SBC or its ministries shall, at a minimum, meet the following religious criteria to qualify for employment: 1) Employees shall profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; 2) Employees shall read, understand, and acknowledge SBC’s Statement of Basic Beliefs, the Wedding Policy, the Facility & Property Use policy, relevant selections from SBC’s Constitution and Bylaws, and other policies that may apply; 3) Employees shall demonstrate in word and deed a commitment to Christian living in accordance with SBC’s mission, policies, and beliefs; 4) Employees shall acknowledge and agree that SBC exercises exclusive religious authority and oversight over all church activities and that SBC retains the exclusive and final right and authority to determine whether their conduct complies with SBC’s mission, policies, or beliefs and what the appropriate remedy for improper conduct should be. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the adoption of additional religious or other criteria required for specific employment positions with SBC or any of its ministries.

To qualify for involvement as a volunteer for SBC or any of its ministries including without limitation Adventure Club, all volunteers shall either be members of SBC who have signed the Membership Covenant Agreement, thereby demonstrating their assent to and commitment to act in conformity with SBC’s mission, beliefs, and policies, or, if the volunteer is a non-member, such volunteer shall sign a Volunteer Acknowledgement Form. The Volunteer Acknowledge Form shall, at a minimum, contain language addressing the religious criteria detailed in the paragraph immediately above.

SBC believes that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. SBC also believes that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. If an employee or volunteer confesses and forsakes their sin or other behavior that violates SBC’s mission, policies, or beliefs, this fact shall be considered, but it is not determinative when deciding whether it is proper for an employee or volunteer to remain serving in SBC’s ministry or under what circumstances they may remain serving. That decision constitutes a religious matter subject to SBC’s exclusive and final authority, oversight, and determination.

SIMPSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Volunteer Acknowledgement Form

In keeping with and to further the religious mission and purpose of Simpsonville Baptist Church (“SBC”), this form applies to all non-member volunteers of SBC or any of its ministries.

The undersigned states as follows:

I have received, reviewed, and, after having the opportunity to ask questions, fully understand SBC’s Statement of Basic Beliefs, Marriage Policy, Facility and Property Use Policy, and selections from SBC’s Constitution and Bylaws (“Written Statements of Faith”), which are incorporated by reference.

I acknowledge the religious purpose of SBC. I understand that I must at all times act in conformance with SBC’s Written Statements of Faith and refrain from engaging in or supporting conduct or causes that visibly contradict, undermine, or deny SBC’s beliefs, policies, or religious mission. I understand that behavior or support of behavior that contradicts SBC’s Written Statements of Faith would render me unfit to serve as a volunteer in SBC’s ministry because it would create confusion, dilute SBC’s religious message, and would otherwise impede and burden SBC’s integrity and religious mission.

I understand and agree that for me to be eligible to serve as a volunteer in SBC’s ministry, I must meet and continue to meet all eligibility requirements applicable to such ministry.

Volunteer’s signature: ______

Volunteer’s printed name: ______

Date: ______

SELECTIONS FROM SIMPSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH’S CONSTITION AND BYLAWS

Selections from SBC’s Constitution

Mission:

Purpose statement: Love God, Grow Together, Serve the World

Mission statement: Make disciples who make disciples

We believe Christ gave us a mission to make disciples who make disciples.