CONSTITUTION OF THE CONSOLATION BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

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PREAMBLE

Whereas the members of the Consolation Baptist Association believe it to be a great advantage for the churches of Jesus Christ, composed of persons regularly baptized on profession of faith in Christ, to be associated together for mutual support and assistance, this Association is organized for the purpose of creating such an association and facilitating the cooperation of the association of the associated churches in carrying out our Lord’s Great Commission.

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

This Association shall be called the Consolation Baptist Association, Inc., hereafter in this document referred as the Association.

ARTICLE 11 – PURPOSE

The objective of this Association shall be: To promote Christian missions, Christian education, Christian benevolence, pastoral support, family ministry, and social service causes at home and abroad through the churches of the association, to provide help and fellowship for the churches of the association through the association’s organizations, and to effect a close cooperation between the churches of the association and the Baptist Convention of Georgia and the Southern Baptist Convention in promoting the Kingdom of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the whole world.

ARTICLE 111 – RELATIONSHIPS

This association shall have the authority to govern its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other body.

This association shall have no power to lord over God’s heritage, to claim ecclesiastical power over any of the churches, or to infringe in any manner on the internal rights of the churches.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

This association shall consist of churches of like faith and order that have been received into membership in the Association and continue as members in accord with this constitution. Member churches are entitled to representation by their duly elected messengers (ARITCAL V) and their representatives on the Executive Committee (ARTICAL IX-A).

Churches desiring membership in this body shall present by properly elected messengers a petitionary letter together with proper credentials of organization and Articles of Faith. Such churches may, by majority vote of an annual session, come under watch-care of the Association to be voted on not less than one (1) year later at the annual meeting of the ASSOCIATION.  Churches receiving a majority vote after completing this year of watch-care shall be received into full membership.

The association admits the right of any of the churches comprising it to withdraw without stating any reason for so doing. However, written notification of such action shall be given to the association or it’s Executive Committee. At the same time, this association claims the right to withdraw from a church that departs from the principles of this compact by becoming heterodox in faith or disorderly in practice. To effect this action, two-thirds of the Messengers present and voting in an annual session shall be necessary.

ARTICLE V – MESSENGERS

Messengers for the Fall and Spring sessions shall be determined in one of two ways:

Each church shall be entitled to four (4) Messengers, and every church with more than 100 members shall be entitled to one additional Messenger for each 50 members or fraction thereof. However, no church shall be entitled too more than ten (10) Messengers (not including the pastor).

Each church shall be entitled to four (4) Messengers, and every church that gives two percent (2%) of their general offering to Consolation Baptist Association shall be entitled to an additional Messenger for each half percent (1/2%) or fraction thereof. However, no church shall be entitled to more than ten (10) Messengers.

The pastor of churches within the Association shall be accorded the courtesies of the floor and the right to vote without being counted against the Messengers allowed the respective churches.

Messengers shall be elected by the churches and certified to the association on the annual church profile or petitionary letter of the church.

ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS

The Association shall on the fourth Tuesday of April for the Spring Session and the fourth Thursday of October for the Fall Session. The adoption of a proposed calendar shall constitute notice of the semi-annual sessions of the Association and the Executive Committee.

In the event of an emergency, the Executive Committee shall have the right to change the time or place and/or call a special session of the association. Notice of a change or called meeting shall be mailed to the churches at least ten days prior to any changed or called meeting.

To constitute a quorum for transaction of business, at least ten member churches must be represented in the meetings of the association and Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS

The officers of the association shall be the Moderator, who shall serve as director and President of the Corporation; a Vice-moderator, a Clerk, who shall serve as director and secretary of the Corporation; a Treasurer, a Chairman of the Executive Committee, who shall serve as a director and Vice-president of the corporation, and an Administrative Committee Chairman. The same person may hold the office of Clerk and Treasurer.

1. The association shall elect these officers annually in its Fall Session upon nominations by the Administrative Committee. However, other nominations may be made from the floor in which event the vote on contested offices shall be by secret ballot.

2. The terms of these officers shall begin at the end of the session in which they are elected. The Officers of the Association shall be governed by the actions of the association in its semi-annual sessions and the actions of the Executive Committee.

3. Officers serve at the will of the Association and may be removed by two-thirds of the messengers present and voting at any regular or called meeting of the Association. The Administrative may submit a new member in these positions if they are vacated, or if the elected Officer fails to uphold his or her responsibility to the office. The Consolation Baptist Association in meeting or the Executive Committee will give final approval on such changes.

4. The Moderator, Vice-moderator, the Association Executive Committee Chairman, and the Georgia Baptist Executive Committee representative should meet the following qualifications: a. He or she should have already served two years within the association. b. He or she must affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. c. He or she must attend the majority (at least two) of the association’s meetings (such as Executive Committee Meeting and the Fall & Spring Sessions). d. He or she must attend one of our churches that have contributed at least 2% or/and $2,000.00 annual to regular association giving.

The Moderator shall be elected during the Fall Meeting; the Moderator shall not serve more than two (2) years consecutively. The Moderator shall be responsible to preside over and lead in the planning of the spring and fall meetings. The Moderator shall serve on the Administrative Committee and all other committees as an Ex-Officio member with all rights and privileges. The Moderator will have the right to appoint any Ad-Hoc Committee. If the Moderator is not able to perform his work during the fall or spring meeting, the Vice-moderator will perform his work. If the Vice-moderator is not available then the Executive Committee Chairman will lead the meeting. If neither of the officers is available, the clerk shall call the Session into order and the first business will be to elect a temporary moderator.

The Vice-moderator shall be elected during the Fall Meeting. The Vice-moderator will sit on the Administrative Committee as an Ex-Officio member with all rights and privileges. The Vice-moderator will stand in for the Moderator when the Moderator is not present. The Vice-moderator shall serve on the Advisory Committee.

The Executive Committee Chairman shall be elected during the Fall Meeting. The Executive Committee Chairman shall not serve more than two (2) years consecutively. The Executive Committee Chairman shall be responsible to preside over and lead in the planning of the Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee Chairman shall serve on the Administrative Committee as an Ex-Officio member with all rights and privileges. The Executive Committee Chairman shall serve on the Advisory Committee. If the Executive Committee Chairman is not able to perform his function during the Executive Committee, the Moderator shall preside. If Executive Committee Chairman is not available, the Vice-Moderator shall preside. If none of the above is available, the clerk shall call the meeting to order and the first goal of business is the election of a temporary Chairman.

The Clerk shall be elected during the Fall Meeting. The Clerk shall keep the minutes and records of the Association and cause the minutes of all meetings and reports from the churches (ACPs) to be printed and distributed to the member churches as soon as practical following the Fall Session of the Association each year. The Clerk shall file any certificate required by any statute, federal or state; give and serve all notices to officers, members of the Executive Committee, churches, and other appropriate persons or bodies; be the official custodian of the records and seal of the Association; and be one of the officers required to sign drafts, notes, security and warranty deeds of the Association.  The Clerk shall be responsible to register all messengers during the Executive Committee Meetings and the spring and fall sessions. The Clerk shall further exercise all duties incident to the office of Clerk. If the clerk is unable to attend an Executive     Committee meeting, fall session, or spring session; the Moderator will appoint someone else to take notes and read the minutes. If there is a time when the necessary officers are not available to lead a meeting or     session, the clerk will call the assembly to order and the first business will be electing a temporary leader. If the clerk is not available to accomplish this, the Director of Mission will call the meeting or session into order and the electing of the temporary leader will be the first order of business.

The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the association. The treasurer should be solely responsible for such monies and securities of the association and be one of the officers who shall be authorized to sign checks and drafts of the Association.  The Treasurer shall render to the meeting of the Executive Committee and the semi-annual sessions of the Association a written account of the finances of the Association. This report shall be a part of the minutes of the Executive Committee and an annual report shall be published in the minutes of the association and made available to all constituent churches. The Treasurer shall further exercise all the duties incident to the office of treasurer.

The Administrative Committee Chairman will be responsible to moderate the administrative committee. The chairman will be responsible to bring forth any recommendations to the full association or executive committee. The chairman of the administrative committee shall serve on the advisory committee.

ARTICLE VIII – DIRECTORS

Directors shall be nominated by the Administrative Committee and voted upon by the Association during the Spring Meeting. The Directors will begin to serve at the completion of the following fall meeting. The Directors will serve at the will of the Association and may be removed by two-thirds of the messengers present and voting at any regular or called meeting of the Association. The Directors shall be governed by actions of the association in its semi-annual sessions and the actions of the Executive Committee. They shall be divided into several teams; Church Education Team, Missions Team, Music Team, Family Team, Officers Team, and Spiritual Renewal Team. They should work together with the Director of Missions and other Directors in their team. They shall have no authority to purchase real property, dispose of real property, or create any debt not specifically authorized by the Association in session or the Executive Committee. The Teams of Directors or as follows:

The Church Education Team: The purpose of this team is to give educational, outreach support to the churches of the association. This Team consists of a Sunday School Director, Discipleship Director, and a VBS Director. Also, with-in this team, there is a sub-team called the “Empowerment Team.” This team consists of individuals who have studied by age groups each area of the “Church Education Team” so they might present workshops for the whole association or at the local churches.

The Missions Team: The purpose for this team is to give support to the churches in the Association in the area of missions. This team will help organize mission trips, disaster relief, and other mission projects. They will help the churches to become more aware of the importance of missions. This team will consist of a Women’s Mission Director, a WMU Director,  Men’s Missions Director (Brotherhood). It also consists of a Missions Development Director, and Disaster Relief Director. There is a sub-team with-in the “Missions Team” called the “Volunteer Missions Team” that will be involved in missions by going on mission trips, participating in disaster relief, helping weak churches to become strong again, to help start new churches, etc…

Spiritual Renewal Team: The purpose of this team is to give support to the churches in the association in the area of evangelism, revival preparation, stewardship, and prayer, spiritual, emotional, and physical health, Revival Preparation Director, etc…

Music Team: This team will be responsible to provide training to musicians, choirs, and sound-equipment personnel.

There will be one addition Director called the Officers Support Director. The Director of Missions will handle this job. He will provide training opportunities for the pastors, deacons, and staff. He will be responsible to plan a yearly retreat for the pastors and staff, with their wives.

Family Ministries Team: This team will consist of a Family Health Director, Youth Director, Childhood Director, Senior Adult Director, and Prayer Director.

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

A.  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

This committee shall be composed of the officers of the Association and Directors of the departments of work, the Pastors of churches within the Association, and two members from each church within the Association, elected by the church and reported to the Association. Failure to elect and/or report a representative will leave the post vacant.

The Executive Committee shall meet on the fourth Monday during the months of January and August, or as often as circumstances require attending to the business of the Association between sessions, to carry on the work of the Association and carry out the directives of the Association.

The Association shall elect annually a Chairman of the Executive Committee who shall also serve as a director of the corporation. The Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Moderator shall not be the same person. The Moderator shall serve as Vice-chairman of the Executive Committee. The Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Executive Committee.

B.  ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: The Administrative Committee shall be the avenue for the Director of Missions to deal directly with, and make suggestions to, the Consolation Baptist Association. The membership shall be composed of the following Ex Officio members who will have full privileges such as:  Moderator, Vice-moderator, Association Executive Committee Chairman, and the Director of Missions. The committee will also consist of nine (9) members serving three-year rotating terms (staggered terms) and two alternates who will vote when others are not present and fulfill any term of a member who is no longer able to serve. The Administrative Committee will elect the Chairperson and Vice-chairperson from these nine members. However, one has to have completed their first year term to be nominated. This committee is responsible for the following:to meet one to two weeks before each Executive Committee, Fall and Spring session, or when necessary in order to work in close harmony with the Director of Missions, to give him input, advice, support, encouragement, and oversight, and to help the Director of Missions in the oversight of all Directors and other workers of the Association. The Director of Missions will introduce to this committee the need of any new department or committees. The committee will work in close harmony with the Director of Missions and will encourage the member churches to pray and support him. The Administrative Committee will function as the Nominating, Calendar, policy, Budget Committees, and as Trustees being responsible for the office, land or property of the Association. This committee will be responsible when there is a need to form any relationship with another association or organization.

C.  SPEAKER COMMITTEE

The Speaker Committee shall consist of three (3) persons nominated by the Administrative Committee and elected by the Association in the Fall Session of the Association. After their election, it shall be the duty of the Speaker Committee to recommend to the Next Fall Session the preacher to speak during the Spring Session and the Preachers to preach the Doctrinal and Missions messages during the Fall Sessions. There should be alternates selected for each position.

D.   PROGRAM COMMITTEE

The Program Committee shall consist of the Moderator who shall serve as Chairman, the pastor of the host church or churches, and the Director of Missions. Once the program has been arranged it may be given to the Music Director to add in the singing. The Program Committee shall be responsible for arranging an appropriate order of service, securing speakers except as provided by the Speaker Committee, and making any arrangements necessary to assure a good annual meeting with a proper balance between business and inspiration.

E.   RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

The Resolution Committee shall consist of three (3) persons nominated by the Administrative Committee and elected by the Association. The Resolutions Committee shall prepare and introduce resolutions of appreciation, and shall receive and report back to the Association such resolutions as the body may order referred to it for review.

F.   GOLDEN ISLES BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE EXTENSION. (LRS & ATC Extensions) TRUSTEES

The Golden Isles Baptist Bible Institute shall consist of the Director of Missions (as Director) and the Moderator as Ex Officio Members with all rights and privileges: The Trustees shall also consist of six members on rotating three-year terms (staggered). The majority of Trustees shall have earned accredited degrees. Other associations that become a partner with the Golden Isles Baptist Bible College Extension (Luther Rice and Altamaha Technical College Extensions) shall appoint one person from their association as a Trustee. The Golden Isles Baptist Bible College Extension Trustees shall plan for the degree, diploma program, and certificate courses.

ARTICLE X – FINANCES

In order for the Association to properly perform its work, it is necessary for it to have adequate financial support from the member churches. Each church is autonomous and has the right and privilege to determine the percentage of contribution it contributes to the Consolation Baptist Association.  Each church is encouraged to pray and contribute generously to the association in proportion to the blessings the Lord has given to them.

All money contributed by the churches or individuals to the association shall be kept by the Treasurer who shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures and shall report the same to the regular meeting of the Executive Committee and the annual sessions of the Association.

The Administrative Committee shall act as a Budget Committee. Persons responsible for programs involving the expenditure of funds shall make their request to this committee as soon as possible after the August meeting of the Executive Committee. This committee in consultation with the Treasurer shall then arrange a fair and equitable budget, taking into account the giving capacity of the Association and the needs of the programs.  The Administrative Committee shall present the proposed budget for the next calendar year to the Fall Session of the Association for action.

ARTICLE XI- MISCELLANEOUS

The Association may purchase and hold property, both real and personal, and create debt in the pursuit of its goal. It may dispose of such property in any way that it sees fit in keeping with its non-profit status.

Churches shall report to the Association each year, using the forms provided, giving such information as may be helpful to the Association, the Baptist Convention of Georgia, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Roberts Rules of Order shall constitute the parliamentary authority for the Association.

ARTICLE XII- AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be altered or amended by affirmative vote of two-third (2/3) of the Messengers present and voting at any semi-annual meeting of the Association. However, the proposed amendment has to be presented in writing to the messengers attending the immediately preceding semi-annual session.

ARTICLE XIII- ARTICLES OF FAITH

The Articles of Faith of the Consolation Baptist Association shall be the statement of The Baptist Faith and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta, GA, June 14, 2000.