A. Elders:
1. The church shall have a body of elders which shall include the pastor who will serve as the primary teaching elder responsible for the ministry of the Word. The elders must meet the qualifications set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Elders must be appointed by existing elder(s) after being tested regarding the qualifications and approved by the church. The primary responsibilities of the elders will be to shepherd, to give spiritual oversight, and to lead the church by example. The number of elders will be based on the needs of the church and the number of qualified candidates. According to 1 Timothy 2:12-13 and 3:2 women shall not serve as elders.
B. Deacons:
1. The Church shall select out from itself deacons in accordance with the qualifications as set forth in 1Timothy 3:8-13. Candidates for deacon must be tested to confirm these qualifications and instructed in the nature of deacon ministry by the elder(s). Only after this process will a candidate be approved by the church and ordained to the office of deacon. The office of deacon is one of service in keeping with the principles set forth in Acts 6:1-6. The primary purposes of deacon ministry is benevolence, maintaining the unity of the church, and supporting the pastoral ministry of the church by seeing that the physical needs of the church are met. The number of deacons will be based on the needs of the church and the number of qualified candidates. According to 1 Timothy 3:10-12, men shall serve as deacons.
C. Others:
1. The church recognizes that the offices of deacon and elder are the only scripturally required offices. However, the church also recognizes the practical benefit of other subsidiary offices. These other offices may be filled by those who meet the same ethical qualifications as deacons and elders as set forth in 1 Timothy 3.
Trustees:
Trustees shall act as legal officers for the church. According to written instructions adopted by vote at a regular business meeting, the trustees shall have authority to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any part or all of such properties and sign any legal or notarized documents pertaining to church business. The church shall have three elected trustees. In the event that one trustee is unable to perform the duties of the office, the remaining two may act in behalf of the church.
Treasurer/Secretary:
The treasurer shall be responsible for managing the financial resources of the church appropriately. This will include keeping an accurate account of all contributions and deposits, all bills paid promptly, the checking account reconciled in timely fashion, and preparing proper financial reports for business meetings and other necessary occasions including end of year contribution reports for members and any income tax forms necessary for any church employees. In addition, the treasurer will be responsible for keeping accurate accounts of all receipts and other disbursements in books or records belonging to the church. The treasurer will have an assistant who will serve to aid in the responsibilities stated above when needed, to provide accountability and protection in case of any negative accusation, and to fulfill the responsibilities of this office when the treasurer is unable. The treasurer and the assistant are the only two officers empowered by the church to sign checks.
Clerk:
The clerk shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the business meetings, for keeping an accurate roll of membership, to render reports as requested by the church, and to attest to official correspondence with other churches or organizations. In the absence of the clerk at any regular business meeting any elder and/or deacon may appoint someone to fulfill the clerk's duties.
D. Election and Termination of Officers:
1. When the office of Pastor/teaching elder becomes vacant, a search committee shall be formed consisting of the elders, deacons, and at least two elected members. The committee shall elect one of the elders to serve as chairman. The committee shall be responsible for gathering resumes and choosing candidates to come and preach to the congregation. The committee will interview candidates to discuss the biblical qualifications, adherence to the statement of faith, and the responsibilities of the office. The committee shall be responsible for interviewing church leaders with whom the potential candidate has served and for performing a background check on the candidate. The committee should, as soon as reasonably possible, present one candidate to the church for vote. Prior to that vote, the candidate must have been interviewed by the committee, preached to the church at least four times, and met with the congregation for a time of questions and answers. The candidate can only be elected at a regular business meeting announced at least two weeks in advance by a minimum of 3/4 vote.
2. A candidate for any other office in the church, as above described, must be approved by the elders as meeting the scriptural qualifications and then approved by the church at any regular business meeting with a minimum two weeks' notice by a 3/4 vote.
3. Any officer in the church may be terminated by resignation or dismissal. If any charge be brought against an officer of the church it must be brought before the elders by the mouth of at least two witnesses. If necessary, the elders will initiate church discipline according to the principals laid down in Matthew 18 and the qualifications of the office. Depending on the nature of the infraction, the church officer may be suspended or terminated from his/her office and dismissed from membership, if necessary, by a 3/4 vote at any regular business meeting with at least two weeks' notice.