1.  THE TRUST DEED

The trust deed dated 11 January 1854 provides the legal foundation for the church meeting at Wreakes Lane, Dronfield; and the Holding Trustees are the Yorkshire Baptist Association.

2.  NAME

The church shall be known as Dronfield Baptist Church.

3.  AFFILIATION

The Church shall be affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Yorkshire Baptist Association.

4.  MEMBERSHIP

4.1 General

In accordance with the trust deed, membership is open primarily to those who have been baptised as believers by immersion, but this shall not preclude the offer of membership to others whose Christian experience has taken a different course.

4.2 Qualification for membership

Membership shall be open to all who profess repentance towards God, who have faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and whose lives bear evidence of their Christian profession.

4.3 Becoming a member

4.3.1  Anyone seeking membership shall be required to take part in a process of induction in a form to be arranged by the elders in order to ensure that the person understands the implications of membership.

4.3.2  Following completion of the induction process, the applicant shall be visited by two members, one of whom shall normally be a member of the leadership team. The purpose of the visit shall be to ascertain that the applicant meets the provisos of

4.2 and understands the privileges and responsibilities of membership. The visitors shall bring a report and recommendation to the Church Meeting at the earliest opportunity.

4.3.3  In the case of an applicant already in membership with another church, the secretary shall also seek a letter of commendation or transfer from that church, and any such letter shall be communicated to the Church Meeting.

4.3.4  An application for membership shall only be approved if at least 66% of those present vote in favour.

4.3.5  New members shall be offered the right hand of fellowship at a celebration of the Lord’s Supper as soon as possible after the Church Meeting.

4.4 Maintaining the Membership

4.4.1  The secretary shall maintain a roll of members and arrange with the elders for it to be reviewed from time to time in order to ensure its accuracy and currency.

4.4.2  If a member’s conduct is thought to be incompatible with their Christian profession, the elders shall arrange for that person to be visited by at least two members, lovingly counselled and, if necessary, cautioned. If such conduct is continued, the matter may be taken to a Church Meeting.

4.4.3  The Church Meeting may remove members’ names from the church roll. No name shall be removed without due notice to the member concerned and consideration of any matters raised by the member.  A name shall not be removed from the church roll unless at least 66% of those present vote to do so.

5.  ORDINANCES

5.1 The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper shall normally be celebrated at least twice a month

5.2 Believers’ Baptism

5.2.1  In accordance with its trust deed, the church maintains the doctrine of believers’ baptism by immersion.

5.2.2  Believer’s baptism shall be administered as required, normally by immersion unless this is precluded by a medical condition. The secretary shall keep a record of such baptisms.

6. CHURCH MEMBERS’ MEETING

6.1     Church members in the church meeting shall meet together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Lordship of Christ to discern the mind of God in the affairs of the church, and in such, shall be the final decision-making authority relating to all affairs of the church, save for those matters reserved for decision, approval or action by the Holding Trustees.

6.2 Ordinary Church Meetings

An ordinary Church Meeting shall be held at least every other month for Christian fellowship, to receive reports, to discuss and decide important matters and to transact any other Church business.

6.3 Special Church Meetings

6.3.1  Special church meetings shall be called to consider the following matters: the call of a minister; the termination of a minister’s employment; amendments to the constitution; the closure of the church; and the disposal of its assets.

6.3.2  A special church meeting may be called by the Leadership Team, or on the written request to the secretary of 20% of the members.

6.4 Annual Church Meeting

The Annual Church Meeting shall normally be held in February and shall include in its business consideration of the annual report and of the church accounts; and the election of deacons.

6.5  Notice

Notice of Ordinary Church Meetings shall be given at the services on the preceding Sunday. Notice of a Special Church Meeting and of the Annual Church Meeting shall be given at the services on the preceding two Sundays.  Subject to 14.2, notice of a Special Church Meeting and of the Annual Church Meeting shall be accompanied by notification of matters on which the members will be required to vote.

6.6 Procedure

The secretary shall ensure that a written agenda is available to members present at any Church Meeting. Business shall be transacted under such rules as ordinarily govern the conduct of public meetings.

6.7 Quorum

The quorum at all Church Meetings shall be 20% of all members, except in the case of a Special Church Meeting called to consider the appointment or the dismissal of a minister, when the quorum shall be 50% of all members eligible to vote.

6.8 Voting

6.8.1  All members present shall have one vote, subject to 6.8.3

6.8.2  Except in those matters specified in this constitution, a simple majority in favour shall be sufficient to carry a proposal

6.8.3  Only those members who have been baptised as believers by immersion may vote on the appointment of a minister or the termination of a minister’s employment; the closure of the church; and the disposal of its assets.

7 THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

7.1     The leadership team shall consist of the minister and the elders (who together shall form the eldership) and the deacons.  It shall be open to the church meeting to decide whether a person taking up a further remunerated post shall belong to the leadership team. The leadership team shall be responsible for the leadership, oversight and guidance of the church. It shall have authority to act on behalf of the church between church meetings, subject to ratification at the next church meeting.

7.2     The leadership team shall meet formally at least once every two months, normally chaired by the minister. A quorum for a meeting of the leadership team shall consist of at least one member of the eldership and a majority of the deacons. A record of each meeting shall be kept. Unless specifically agreed otherwise, a motion shall be carried by a simple majority of those present.

7.3     The eldership shall meet formally at least once every two months, normally chaired by the minister. A quorum for a formal meeting of the eldership shall be a majority of the eldership.

8 THE MINISTER

A person may not be appointed as minister unless they are an accredited or probationer minister of the Baptist Union or a student of a recognised Baptist college eligible for ordination as a Baptist minister on the completion of training; and unless they have been baptised as a believer by immersion and maintain the doctrine and practice of believers baptism by immersion.

9 ELDERS

9.1     The church may appoint up to three members as elders to work alongside the minister within the eldership to develop and take responsibility for the vision and strategy of the church, to help with pastoral issues and to oversee membership matters.

9.2     A person may not be appointed as an elder unless they

(i)   have been a member for at least two years

(ii)  have been baptised as a believer by immersion

(iii) have attended church services and church meetings regularly

(iv) show capacity for leadership in vision, strategy and pastoral care

(v) show doctrinal stability and qualities of life consistent with the fruit of the  Spirit similar to that described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-8, 2:7-8; 1 Peter 5:2-3

10 CHURCH OFFICERS

The church shall appoint two of its members to serve respectively as secretary and treasurer of the church. A person may not be appointed to either position unless they fulfill the qualifications of a deacon. Unless already serving as elders, those appointed shall be deemed to be deacons and therefore members of the leadership team.

11 DEACONS

11.1   The church may appoint as many other deacons as it sees fit up to a maximum of ten (including the church officers) to take responsibility for leading and co-ordinating aspects of the church’s life alongside the eldership.

11.2   A person may not be appointed as a deacon unless they

i)    have been a member of the church for at least six months

ii)   have been baptised as a believer by immersion or effusion

iii)  have attended church services and church meetings regularly

iv)  have the skills to contribute to the leadership of the church alongside the eldership

v)  show the qualities of spiritual life similar to those described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13

12 ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

12.1 Voting

All substantive votes under this section shall be by secret ballot

12.2 Minister

12.2.1 The leadership team may invite an eligible candidate to preach with a view to the pastorate. The team shall ensure that arrangements are made for a Special Church Meeting to be held to consider the matter during the week following the visit of a candidate to preach with a view.

12.2.2 A call to the pastorate shall be decided upon at a Special Church Meeting called for the purpose. A candidate  shall not be called to the pastorate unless at least 80% of those present and eligible to vote are in favour.

12.2.3 The termination of the employment of a minister shall be decided upon at a Special Church Meeting called for the purpose. An appointment shall not be terminated unless at least 66% of those present and eligible to vote are in favour.

12.3 When no Minister is in post

At the beginning of a pastoral vacancy, the church meeting shall make such arrangements as it sees fit to ensure that the church continues to receive leadership. The arrangements shall normally include the appointment of a minister accredited by the Baptist Union as a moderator. The advice of the Regional Minister shall be obtained in regard to a call to the pastorate and the appointment of a moderator.

12.4 Elders

12.4.1 Notice of an election of elders shall be given in public worship at which church members shall be asked to consider the matter prayerfully and to recommend in writing to the minister (or moderator) the name of person or persons whom they believe might have the gifts and qualities to be an elder. This shall be done without the knowledge of the person concerned. Members shall be able to make one suggestion only for each vacancy.

12.4.2 After a period of twenty one days from the initial announcement of the election, any person receiving five or more recommendations shall be seen by the minister and his or her willingness and eligibility to stand for election ascertained.

12.4.3 The name(s) of the person(s) willing and eligible to stand and who have received the necessary recommendations shall be announced to the church at public worship no later than three Sundays before the church meeting at which the election is to take place.

12.4.4 Appointments shall be made by the Church Meeting. Each member present shall have as many votes as there are candidates. A person shall not be appointed as elder unless at least 80% of those present are in favour. In the event of there being more candidates who receive the required number of votes than there are vacancies, then those candidates with the highest number of votes shall be appointed to fill the vacancies. Where two or more candidates tie for the last place, a further ballot shall be held to decide which of the candidates should serve.

12.4.5 Elders shall normally serve for a period of three years. They shall retire on completion of their term of office but, if still eligible, shall be able to stand for re-election.

12.4.6 If a vacancy occurs, an attempt shall be made to fill it within a year using the procedure described above.

12.5 Church Officers

12.5.1 The appointment of church officers shall be made by the Church Meeting.

12.5.2 Recommendations shall be made to the  Church Meeting by the leadership team.

12.5.3 A person shall not be appointed to either post unless at least 66% of those present vote in favour.

12.5.4 Church officers shall normally serve for a period of three years. They shall retire on completion of their term of office but shall be able to stand for re-election

12.6 Deacons

12.6.1 Notice of an election of deacons shall be given in public worship at least four Sundays before the church meeting at which the election will be held.

12.6.2 Nominations shall be made to the secretary not later than two Sundays before the church meeting at which the matter will be considered. Nominations shall be in writing with the signatures of two members, the consent of the person nominated having been obtained.

The name(s) of the person(s) nominated shall be announced to the church at public worship on the Sunday before the church meeting at which the election shall take place.

12.6.3 Appointments shall be made by the Church Meeting. Each member present and eligible to vote shall have as many votes as there are candidates. A person shall not be appointed as deacon unless at least 66% of those present are in favour. In the event of there being more candidates who receive the required number of votes than there are vacancies, then those candidates with the highest number of votes shall be appointed to fill the vacancies. Where two or more candidates tie for the last place, a further ballot shall be held to decide which of the candidates should serve.

12.6.4 Deacons shall normally serve for a period of three years. They shall retire on completion of their term of office but shall be able to stand for re-election.

12.6.5 So far as it is possible, one third of the deacons shall retire annually. If a deacon retires before the completion of their term of office, the church meeting may appoint a member to serve the unexpired portion of the term of office, using the procedure normally adopted for the appointment of deacons.

12.7 Other Positions

Where the church meeting is considering appointment to a remunerated post within the leadership team not otherwise designated in this constitution, the quorum shall normally be 50% of all members and an appointment shall not be made unless 80% of those present vote in favour.

13 FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

13.1   At the end of the church’s financial year, the treasurer shall be responsible for the drawing up of annual accounts in a form that complies with current legislation.

13.2   The church meeting shall appoint one or more persons to scrutinise the accounts on their behalf. Their appointment and their work shall be carried out in accordance with current legislation.

13.3   The Annual Church Meeting shall receive and consider the accounts and the report of those appointed to scrutinise them

13.4   Every organisation within the church which handles money shall keep accounts and submit them to the those appointed by the church meeting for examination before the Annual Church Meeting.

14. ALTERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

14.1   The constitution shall not be amended in a way that conflicts with the trust deed

14.2   A proposal to amend the constitution shall be considered at a Special Church Meeting called for that purpose. The exact terms of any proposed amendment shall be made available in writing to all members at least one month before the Special Church Meeting together with the opinion of the leadership team on the proposal.

14.3   An amendment to the constitution shall only be made if 66% of those present are in favour.

15. CLOSURE OF THE CHURCH AND DISPOSAL OF ASSETS

15.1   A proposal to close the church shall be considered at a Special Church Meeting called for that purpose. If a majority of those members present and eligible to vote are in favour of closure, written notice shall be given to the Yorkshire Baptist Association as holding trustee.

15.2   Those church members eligible to vote shall decide on the disposal of assets following consultation with the Yorkshire Baptist Association at a Special Church Meeting called for the purpose.

Church Calendar