Miami Valley Baptist Association
Thursday, March 28, 2024

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

OF THE

MIAMI VALLEY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

PREAMBLE

 

It is to be remembered that the real character and constitution of this Association is God’s Holy Word. However, as required by law, the following articles and by-laws are for the orderly function of the Association. These articles and by-laws are always subject to reconsideration as to their full and indisputable agreement with God’s Word. As such, we, the members of the Miami Valley Baptist Association, do ordain and establish the following articles, to which we voluntarily submit ourselves.

 
 

ARTICLE I – NAME AND AFFILIATION 

This body shall be called the Miami Valley Baptist Association and shall be affiliated with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and the Southern Baptist Convention.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND FUNCTION 

Section 1. The purpose of this body shall be to promote Baptist interests and to advance the proclamation of the Gospel throughout the world by every means possible.

Section 2. The body shall be wholly advisory and shall never assume any ecclesiastical or legislative authority over the churches. However, it reserves the right to withdraw fellowship from any church which departs from the teachings of the New Testament, or that establishes practices which would be inconsistent with the most recent edition of The Baptist Faith and Message.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

 

Section 1. This Association shall be composed of churches affiliated with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and actively engaged in the work of Southern Baptists.

Section 2. The Association shall meet annually being represented by

·      The pastors of the member churches and missions; and

·      Messengers (or alternate messengers) elected by each church. Each church of 100 members or less shall be allowed 5 messengers plus 1 messenger for each additional 100 members or fraction thereof, not to exceed ten (10) messengers from one church.

Section 3. In cases of emergency, the moderator may call a special session during the year upon the authority of the Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION

Section 1. During its Annual Meeting, the Association shall nominate and elect from the floor a Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer and Clerk whose term of office shall be for one year.  The Moderator shall not serve more than two terms in succession.  These are all the officers in the Association.

Section 2. The Administrative Team consists of the Moderator (who is the team leader), the Vice-Moderator, the Church Planter Strategist, the Treasurer, the Clerk, and one member nominated from at large. Everyone on this team serves a one-year term, except for the member from at large who will serve a three-year term of service. There shall be no more than two members from the same church. This team will do the work in the following areas: Finance, Personnel, Nominating, Credentials, and oversee the property of the association.

They shall be responsible for nominating those to serve on the ministry teams listed in Section 3. Their recommendations must be presented in written form to the members of the Executive Board thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting, with final approval of the new officers being given by the messengers at the Annual Meeting.

Section 3. In addition to the Administrative Team there shall be two other ministry teams:

The Strengthening Churches Team. They shall have the responsibility of encouraging health and strength to the churches in the Association. This team will concern itself with helping churches with evangelism, worship, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry.

The Starting Churches Team. Will focus on starting churches and aiding missions.  The Church Planter Strategist shall be a continuous (without a term limit) member of the Starting Churches Team.

Each team shall propose a budget for their work to the Administrative Team. Operate within their budget that is approved at the Annual Meeting. Meet as needed. Set goals within their ministry area.

Each team shall consist of no less than three voting members, with no more than one voting member being from the same church. The Team Leader must be an elected member of the Executive Board from their church. Voting Members will serve three-year terms. (With the exception of the initial year to allow for a staggering rotation of service.) Non-voting team members include those who are active members of Association churches, who have a passion for this ministry area, have submitted a letter of application and a recommendation from their church, and have been approved by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD

 

Section 1. The Association shall have an Executive Board to supervise the work of the Association between annual sessions. The Executive Board shall consist of:

·      The Pastor of each affiliated church and mission church.

·      One member and one alternate elected by and from each local church.

Section 2. No church shall have more than two voting members at an Executive Board meeting.

Section 3. Each church and mission should submit the names of their elected Executive Board member and alternate at the Annual Meeting. If these should change throughout the year the church should contact the Moderator with the new name(s).

Section 4. At least five members representing five churches must be present at a regular Executive Board Meeting before business can be transacted. No member shall be allowed to represent more than one church in voting. At called meetings, a majority of the Executive Board members must be present before business can be transacted.

ARTICLE VI – RECEIVING AND DISMISSING CHURCHES

Section 1. A church or mission church may be received into the Association by one of the following ways:

·      A church may file with the Administrative Team a copy of its constitution, by-laws, articles of faith, and other information, which the team may request. The committee shall make a report of its findings to the Association for consideration.

·      A church may, on behalf of its mission, file with the Administrative Team a copy of its mission agreement and other information, which the team may request. The team shall make a report of its findings to the Association for its consideration.

·      Churches which are members of other associations shall present a letter of dismissal from the association to which they belong, they shall be received under the watch care of this Association until such letter can be obtained.

·      Mission churches affiliated with this Association and intending to constitute into a self supporting church shall notify the Administrative Team and invite them to be present at the Constitution Service and to assist in the investigation of the church’s credentials. At the next meeting of the Executive Board the Administrative Team shall report its findings. If the new church is accepted, it continues without lapse to be a member of the Association.

Section 2. A church or mission may be dismissed from the association by one of the following ways:

·      A church desiring to transfer its membership to another body of like faith and order may do so by obtaining a letter from this Association, whether in an Annual Meeting or by order of the Executive Board.

·      A church, which has departed from New Testament teachings may be declared not in fellowship as provided in Article II, Section 2 above.

·      A non-cooperative church may be dismissed according to Article VII below.

 

ARTICLE VII – REQUIRED STATISTICS

Prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association, each church shall submit the required statistics set forth in the Annual Church Profile. Failure of any church to comply with this requirement may lead to an investigation, and if said church fails to communicate, it may be dismissed from the membership by vote of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENT AND PUBLICATION

Section 1. This constitution may be changed only by giving written notice to each church at least 60 days prior to an Annual Meeting, and by the consent of two-thirds of the members present at the Annual Meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX – RULES OF DECORUM

Roberts Rule of Order is the guide for procedure and conduct at all business meetings of the Association, however, respectful Christian conduct is expected from participants, and the New Testament is always the ultimate authority.