CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Willamette Valley Baptist Association
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1. The name of this Association shall be the Willamette Valley Baptist Association.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Section 1. Mission/Purpose Statement:
The Willamette Valley Baptist Association exists for the following Purposes:
1. Encouraging relationships among pastors with the WVBA
2. Encouraging relationships among cooperating churches
3. Helping cooperating churches start new churches – with the assistance of the Regional Team when such assistance is deemed appropriate.
4. Missions and Ministry Support
5. Supporting Children/Youth Ministry of Oregon Baptist Camp
6. Supporting Collegiate Ministry
Section 2: Criteria Statement:
The Association will give priority to calendaring, funding, and promoting functions that can only be accomplished cooperatively. The Association purposes not to duplicate on-going functions done within the local church, the Northwest Baptist Convention, or the Southern Baptist Convention.
ARTICLE III - DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Section 1. Statement of Faith:
This Association endorses the BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE (2000 Edition) as its official Statement of Faith.
Section 2. Fellowship and Cooperation:
A. As churches within the Association, we recognize the absolute autonomy of each church and
agree to be at peace and harmony with each other as we cooperate together in carrying out
the Great Commission.
B. We agree to cooperate with the Northwest Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist
Convention.
C. The Association shall exercise no authority over any church, but shall reserve the right to
withdraw affiliation or refrain from seating messengers from any church, which, in the
judgment of the Association, becomes corrupt in beliefs or practice. Instructions in Article
III, Section 2, of the By-Laws shall be followed.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Messengers:
The Association shall be composed of messengers authorized, according to Article I, Section 1, of the By-Laws, by Baptist churches that have been received into its fellowship and cooperate with its work.
Section 2. Affiliation:
Churches desiring to affiliate with the Association shall do so according to Article III, Section 1, of the By-Laws.
Section 3. Discipline of a church shall follow instructions in Article III, Section 2, of the By-Laws.
ARTICLE V – LEADERSHIP
Section 1. Election:
Officers and leaders of the Association shall be elected by the Association, according to Articles IV and V of the By-Laws.
Section 2. Officers and Leaders:
All officers and leaders shall be active members of cooperating churches of the Association.
Section 3. Committees:
All necessary committees, except the Credentials Committee, shall be appointed by the Moderator. For election of the Credentials committee see Article V, Section 2, of the By-Laws.
Section 4. Corporate Officers:
The Association Officers shall serve as Corporate Officers of the Association. They shall be designated and serve according to Article IV, Section 4, and Article VI, Section 7, of the By-Laws.
Section 5. Staff:
The Association may employ staff as needed to fulfill the purpose according toArticle IV, Section 5, and Article VI., Section 8, of the By Laws. In the absence of an Association Mission Strategist, leadership will be provided by the elected officers, Moderator, Vice-Moderator, or an elected Associational team leader
ARTICLE VI - DECISION-MAKING BODIES
Section 1. The Association:
The Association, meeting in regular and called sessions, shall be the final human authority in all matters relating to the Association.
Section 2. Executive Board:
The Association shall have an Executive Board composed of persons authorized by each church and others by virtue of their office to act between sessions of the Association according to Article II, and Article VI, Section 2, of the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section 1. The Association:
The Association shall meet at least annually.
Section 2. Executive Board:
The Executive Board shall meet periodically according to calendar planning or as needed.
Section 3. Officers and Leaders:
These leaders shall meet as needed to plan strategy for fulfilling the purpose of the
Association.
Section 4. Special Meetings:
A. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the Moderator provided written notice is given to Executive Board members at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date.
B. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Executive Board provided written notice is given to the churches at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date.
ARTICLE VIII - REPORTS
Section 1. Churches:
Participating churches shall be encouraged to complete the Annual Church Profile.
ARTICLE IX - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Section 1. By-Laws:
The Association shall adopt necessary By-Laws to augment and under gird the Constitution.
Section 2. Rules-of-Order:
The guide for conducting all business shall be the principles of scripture. ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER (latest Edition) shall be the guide for parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of messengers present and voting at any Annual Meeting, provided the current and proposed wording of the amendment is mailed to the churches at leastthirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
END
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - MESSENGERS
Section 1. Election:
Each cooperating church of the Association may authorize three (3) messengers for the first twenty five (25) resident members, and two (2) messengers for each additional twenty five (25) resident members or portion thereof. No church shall have more than ten (10) messengers.
Section 2. Function:
Messengers from the churches meet in regular and called meetings of the Association and are the final authority in all decisions.
ARTICLE II - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Election:
The Executive Board is composed of the pastor and one other person selected annually by each cooperating church and mission plus the Officers and Focus Area Leaders elected annually by the Association.
Section 2. Function:
The Executive Board meets to handle business matters and hear reports between regular sessions of the Association.
ARTICLE III - MEMBER CHURCHES
Section 1. Requesting affiliation:
A. The church desiring to join the Association shall write a letter to the Moderator requesting admission. The request must be received at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.
B. The Moderator will notify the Credentials Committee to consider the request.
C. Following the report of the Credentials Committee, the new church will be admitted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of messengers present and voting.
Section 2. Discipline:
A. Charges related to a particular church for wrong doctrine or practice shall be submitted in writing to the Moderator who will notify the Credentials Committee to investigate the charges.
B. The Credentials Committee shall bring a report to the Executive Board within sixty (60) days.
C. If the Executive Board feels that action is necessary, it shall call a meeting of the Association to consider disciplinary action.
D. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of messengers present and voting is required to approve disciplinary action. If resolution is found, the church and the Association are blessed.
ARTICLE IV - LEADERSHIP
Section 1. Leadership Team:
The Leadership Team shall be composed of the Officers and Focus Area Leaders elected by the Association.
Section 2. Officers:
A. The officers of the association shall include: Moderator, Vice-Moderator; Clerk, and Treasurer.
B. These officers shall be elected annually.
C. The Moderator may serve only two consecutive one-year terms.
D. The other officers may be re-elected to serve more than one year.
Section 3. Focus Area Leaders:
A. Focus Area Leaders are chosen according to the focus areas determined through annual planning.
B. Focus Area Leaders are elected annually and may be re-elected as long as the Focus Area is included in the strategy of the Association.
C. Each Focus Area Leader is encouraged to seek the services and expertise of others to assist in developing that particular ministry.
Section 4. Corporate Officers:
The Corporate Officers (trustees) of the Corporation shall be the Moderator as President, Vice-Moderator as Vice-President, and Clerk as Secretary. See Article VI, Section 7 for duties.
Section 5. Staff:
A. The Association shall employ whatever staff it deems necessary to accomplish its purpose.
B. The Moderator may appoint a Search Committee to recommend the calling of an Association Mission Strategist (DOM) to the Executive Board.
C. Upon Executive Board approval, the candidate shall be recommended to the Association at an annual or special meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of messengers present and voting shall be required for approval.
D. All other professional staff members shall be employed using the process of a Search Committee which shall recommend the staff person to the Association or Executive Board.
E. The Administrative Assistant shall be employed and supervised by the Moderator, Vice –Moderator, or an elected Associational team leader.
ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Nominating Committee:
A. The committee of five (5) members shall be appointed by the Moderator.
B. Members shall serve a term of three (3) years with one or two rotating off each year.
Section 2. Credentials Committee:
A. The Committee of three (3) members shall be a standing committee recommended by the Nominating Committee for election at the Annual Meeting.
B. The members shall be from different churches of which one (1) shall be of pastoral staff and two (2) shall be lay church members.
C. Members shall serve a term of three (3) years with one (1) rotating off each year.
Section 3. Other Committees:
A. Other committees shall be appointed by the Moderator as needed or as directed by the Association.
ARTICLE VI - JOB DESCRIPTIONS OR DUTIES
Section 1. Messengers:
A. Messengers from the churches shall meet at least annually to transact business needed for effective ministry of the Association.
B. Decisions made by the messengers shall not be binding upon the churches.
Section 2. Executive Board:
A. The Executive Board shall transact business between sessions of the Association.
B. The Executive Board shall not make any decision which violates the expressed will of the Association.
C. In an emergency situation, the Executive Board may authorize the expenditure of funds not to exceed five percent (5%) of the budget. Such action shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board members present and voting.
Section 3. Leadership Team:
A. The Leadership Team, led by the Association Team Leader shall plan strategy to assist churches in effective ministry; prepare an annual calendar to coordinate all events; and plan the Annual and other meetings of the Association.
B. The Leadership Team, led by the Vice-Moderator, shall prepare an annual budget to recommend to the Association and shall supervise budget expenditures during the year.
C. The Leadership Team shall survey churches regularly to discover needs and desires as a . ……basis upon which to plan strategy and HIGH IMPACT events.
Section 4. Officers:
A. Moderator:
1. The Moderator shall preside over meetings of the Association and Executive Board.
2. The Moderator shall call special meetings of the Executive Board as the need arises.
3. The Moderator shall appoint needed committees and serve as an ex-officio member of all
committees.
4. The Moderator shall serve as President of the Corporation.
B. Vice-Moderator:
1. The Vice-Moderator shall preside in the absence of the Moderator.
2. The Vice-Moderator shall serve as the Finance Chairman of the Association.
3. The Vice-Moderator shall serve as the Vice-President of the Corporation.
C. Clerk:
1. The clerk shall record the minutes of the Association and Executive Board. The minutes shall be filed at the Association Office.
2. The clerk shall serve as Secretary of the Corporation.
D. Treasurer:
1. The Treasurer shall oversee the receiving, depositing, recording, and disbursing of all funds of the Association according to the adopted budget and established policy.
2. The Treasurer shall make regular reports to the Executive Board and the Association.
3. The Treasurer shall submit financial records to an annual audit.
4. The Treasurer and Bookkeeper shall be bonded by the Association.
Section 5. Focus Area Leaders:
A. Mission Strategy Leader:
1. The Associational Leadership Team will work in conjunction and closely with Region Team 4, to help locate and facilitate the starting of new churches in the WVBA,.
2. The Associational Leadership Team will make decisions concerning funding of new work in the WVBA.
B. Staff Enrichment Leader:
1. The Staff Enrichment Leader shall survey staff members regularly to discover ways to be of the greatest benefit to them.
2. The Staff Enrichment Leader shall enlist team members as needed to assist in planning strategy to benefit staff members.
C. Resource Network Leader:
1. The Resource Network Leader shall survey churches regularly to discover needs in materials, equipment, and other resources.
2. The Resource Network Leader shall enlist team members to assist in building a strong resource
network.
D. Ministry Enhancement Leader:
1. The Ministry Enhancement Leader shall survey the churches regularly to discover ministry needs.
2. The Ministry Enhancement Leader shall enlist team members to assist in developing events and services to benefit the churches.
E. Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) Support Leader:
1. The BCM Support Leader shall survey BCM leadership and campuses to discover ministry leads.
2. The BCM Support Leader shall enlist team members to assist in developing strong campus ministries.
F. The duties of other Focus Area Leaders will be approved by the Association at the time the Focus Areas are chosen based upon needs of the churches.
Section 6. Committees:
A. The Nominating Committee shall enlist and recommend persons annually to serve as officers, Focus Area leaders, and Credentials Committee members.
B. The Credentials Committee shall function according to instructions found in Article III of the By-Laws.
C. The duties of other committees shall be set at the time of appointment.
Section 7. Corporate Officers:
A. They shall be official signers of legal documents for the Association.
B. They shall hold in trust all real and personal property of the Association.
C. They shall not make decisions which legally bind the Association nor acquire or dispose of property except by authority of the Association or its Executive Board.
Section 8. Staff:
A. The job description for any professional staff member shall be set by the Executive Board at the time of employment and it may be changed as the need arises.
B. The job description for any secretarial staff shall be set by the Association Leadership Team at the time the person is employed.
C. Staff shall develop and maintain a policy and procedure manual to include office and association ministries.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of messengers present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Association.
END
CONSTITUTION
NEW WORK MISSIONS FUND
ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
The purpose of the NEW WORK MISSION FUND shall be to provide financial assistance primarily for new mission starts in the Association.
ARTICLE II - FUNDING
Funding for the NEW WORK MISSION FUND may come from:
A. Percentage of undesignated gifts from the churches
B. Designated gifts from churches or individuals.
C. Special offerings for missions.
D. Interest from the Trust created for NEW WORK STARTS.
ARTICLE III - ADMINISTRATION
The New Work Mission Fund shall be administered by the Associational Leadership Team after careful study of mission needs.
ARTICLE IV - DISBURSING OR OBTAINING FUNDS
A. Funds may be obtained for personnel support and/or program money for Home Bible Studies, Outreach Bible Studies, Discovery Bible Studies, or new church-type mission starts used to penetrate areas to reach new people.
B. Preferably, requests would be related to new works or works younger than six (6) months.
C. Requests for funding must be in writing and include amount of money needed and detailed plans for its use.
D. The project and leaders must be approved by the Associational Leadership Team.
E. Any grant that exceeds $300. must be approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS
A. This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special Association or Executive Board meeting provided amendments are sent to the churches at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting.
END
