The Lighthouse Church, Forres, CONSTITUTION

 

NOTE:

This is the official Constitution of

The Lighthouse Church, Forres.

 

It is the prayerful & humble intent of those who originally composed this constitution that it will facilitate the Membership of this church in fulfilling the 'Great Commission' of Jesus Christ. That is, to go and make disciples of all peoples, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; and to teach them everything that Jesus commanded. (The Gospel of Matthew 28:19-20)

 

1. Name & Character

The name of this particular Christian community is The Lighthouse Church, Forres (hereafter referred to as the Church). It is baptistic in its model of church government and affiliations and subscribes to the Declaration of Principle of the Baptist Union of Scotland. A statement of the foundational beliefs of the Church can be found in the Church document - 'Basis of Faith'. This Church is a non-profit making organization.

 

2. Purpose

To glorify God through helping people: to discover the good news of Jesus Christ; to come into membership and life of the Christian family; to mature in the understanding and practice of faith in Jesus; and to be equipped for service in the church and mis­sion in the world.

 

3. Trustees/ Church Officers—Bearers

a) The Trustees of the Church will normally be it's Office-Bearers  -  the Pastor, Church Administrator and Treasurer. The number of trustees shall not number less than three persons. All are to be active/resident members of the Church (i.e. on Membership Role list 'A'). The election and removal of Trustees can only be made by a vote of the membership at a duly noticed and called Church meeting.

b) The Trustees have the responsibility of providing financial and administrative council to the Leadership Team to ensure that the Church functions in accordance with its stated purpose.

 

4. Leadership Team

a) A Leadership Team will be formed comprising of the Pastor and an appropriate number (not less than two) of Church members. The Church Administrator and Treasurer may or may not be members of the Leadership Team. The election and removal of members of the Leadership Team can only be made by a vote of the membership at a duly noticed and called Church meeting.

b) The Leadership Team has the responsibility of overseeing and facilitating all the ministries and business within the church to ensure that the Church functions in accordance with its stated purpose.

 

5. Membership:

 

5.1 General

Membership in this Church will consist of all persons who have met the qualifications for membership and are named on the membership role.

 

5.2 Membership Categories

The Membership role will be divided into three categories and reviewed on a regular basis:

  1. Active/Resident Members: All members who reside within the Church's ministry area or are currently active in the Church.

  2. Non-resident Members: Members who have become inactive as a result of moving out of the Church's ministry area and have not joined another church.

  3. Junior Membership for those under 18 years old.

5.3 Qualifications for Membership:

a.  Category ‘A':

  1. A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

  2. Baptism and Confirmation where appropriate, as a testi­mony of salvation, membership of the Kingdom of God and of the wider Christian family. (The mode of baptism practiced by the Church is Believers Baptism by immersion).

  3. Successful completion of an appropriate Church membership interview.

  4. Continuing commitment to follow the Churches Membership Manual.

  5. At least 18 years of age.

b.  Category 'C' Junior/Youth Membership:

  1. Enrolment in the appropriate age Junior/Youth group.

  2. Under 18 years of age.

5.4 Responsibilities of Membership

The responsibilities of membership are described in the Membership Manual

 

5.5 Voting Rights of Membership

a) Every Active/Resident Member (Membership Role list 'A' only) shall have the right to vote on the following matters: the annual budget of the Church; the election and removal of the Trustees; the election and removal of members of the Leadership Team; the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Church; the merger, affiliation or dissolution of the Church; the acquisition of real property and related indebtedness; acceptance and amendments to the constitution of the Church; the calling or removing of a Pastor; and any special issue that the Leadership Team presents.

b) A quorum is required for all such matters which will comprise of three-quarters (75%) of the membership. A majority vote of two-thirds of the membership is required to pass any motion relating to the above issues. Provision shall be made for adequately informed proxy voting.

c) Normally any such voting will take into account the recommendation of the Leadership Team. Should the Leadership Team's recommendation be discounted, the rea­sons are to be clearly articulated for discussion at an appropriate duly noticed and called Church meeting.

 

5.6 Termination of Membership

  1. Members shall be removed from the Church roll for the following reasons:

  1. Death

  2. Transfer of membership to another church.

  3. The member resigns.

  4. Dismissal by the Leadership Team if the member's life and conduct is not in accordance with the Membership Manual in such a way that the member hinders the ministry influence of the Church in the community.

  1. Procedures for the dismissal of a member shall be according to Matthew 18:15-17 whilst also applying 1 Corinthians 16:14 and 1 Peter 4:8.

  2. The Pastor will have the overall responsibility of administering the issues relating to clause 5.8 a) iv).

5.7 Restoration of Members

Members dismissed shall be restored by the Leadership Team according to the spirit of 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, when their lifestyles are judged to be in accordance with the Membership Manual.

 

6. Church Meetings

Church meetings will be held at least quarterly, one of these being the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The content of the meetings will include issues relating to Church finances, the policy and ministry of the church. Should the need arise a Special Meeting may be called by the Leadership Team. The notice for all meetings will be no less than 14 clear days. Notification may by made either by oral announcement at an official church func­tion and/or in written form such as church newsletter or personal letter.

 

7. Assets

All heritable properties of the Church shall be held on behalf of the Church by the Trustees.

 

8. Finance

a) The financial year shall end on 31st December. The Church accounts shall be duly audited by suitably qualified person(s) for presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

b)  All monies raised by or on behalf of the Church shall be applied to further the objects/purpose of the Church and for no other purpose provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any employee of the Church and fees to pro­fessional and technical advisors.

c) The Church is permitted to engage and pay any person or persons whether on a full or part-time basis or whether as consultant or employee to supervise, organize, carry on the work of and advise the Church and, subject to the provisions of clause (8. d. below) of this constitution to make any reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of pension and superannuation to or on behalf of employees or former em­ployees and their wives, husbands and other dependents.

d) Any employee of the Church shall have no voting powers with regard to the terms and conditions of their employment.

 

9. Alterations to the Constitution

A resolution to alter this constitution shall not be valid unless;

  1. no less than two-thirds of the membership vote in favour of any resolution at a General Meeting of the Church (whether annual or special).

and

  1. where reasonably possible, notice (setting out the terms of the proposed alteration) shall have been given to the members not less that 14 clear days before the meeting at which the alteration was proposed.

10. Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of the Church, any assets remaining after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Church, but shall be given or transferred to a recognized charitable organization(s) having similar objects/purpose to that of the Church.

 

11. Availability of Copies of this Constitution

A printed copy of this constitution is to be made available to any member or appropriate organization on request.

 

20th October 2005