Constitution
ARTICLE I. NAME
The corporate name of this church shall be the Washington Seventh Day Baptist Church.
ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF BELIEF
In matters of faith and practice this church declares itself to be in general agreement with the Statement of Belief adopted by the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference.
ARTICLE III. PURPOSE
The religious and missionary purpose of this church is to:
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP
There shall be regular and associate members. The method of receiving, the qualifications, the duties, and possible dismissal of each shall be stated in the by-laws.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Services for worship, instruction, business, and membership may be held as set forth in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VI. PROSPECTIVE MINISTRY
The church will encourage young people with talent and dedication to enter the ministry. Methods of such encouragement are set forth in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VII. ORDAINED MINISTRY
The ordained ministry shall be composed of ministers and the Diaconate. The methods of calling, the privileges and the responsibilities of each are described in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VIII. OFFICERS
The officers of the church shall be elected from the membership of this church and shall consist of the board of directors, secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, corporate agent, head usher, and such other officers as may be necessary for the operation of the church. The methods of election and the duties of the officers shall be stated in the by-laws.
ARTICLE IX. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Boards and Committees which the church considers necessary for carrying out its purposes may be established. Procedures for establishing them, their membership, duties and length of tenure are set forth in the by-laws.
ARTICLE X. AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
The church shall recognize as auxiliary organizations those bodies within its fellowship which serve some of the purposes of the church and actively assist the establishment and promotion of the church’s program. Their relationship to the church, as well as the guidelines for their organization is set in the by-laws.
ARTICLE XI. TREASURER’S BOND
The treasurer and assistant treasurer of the church shall be placed under a surety bond of such a sum as the membership may designate. The premium for such a bond shall be paid by the church and the bond shall be held in custody by the directors of the church.
ARTICLE XII. DISSOLUTION
Should it be necessary for the Washington Seventh Day Baptist Church, (present registered office—4700 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011) to be dissolved, remaining property and assets after payment of all obligations, shall be transferred or conveyed to the Board of Trustees of the Seventh Day Baptist Memorial Fund, a charitable and non-profit Wisconsin Corporation of Janesville, Wisconsin, to be expended as follows:
ARTICLE XIII. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
The Constitution may be amended at any regularly scheduled business meeting by vote of a majority of the members present, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous regularly scheduled business meeting, and provided that two notices shall have been given of such proposed amendment in connection with the regular notices of the meeting.
The corporate name of this church shall be the Washington Seventh Day Baptist Church.
ARTICLE II. STATEMENT OF BELIEF
In matters of faith and practice this church declares itself to be in general agreement with the Statement of Belief adopted by the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference.
ARTICLE III. PURPOSE
The religious and missionary purpose of this church is to:
- Provide a household of faith, fellowship, study and service.
- Aid in the redemptive work of Christ’s Kingdom.
- Promote the acceptance and observance of the Biblical Sabbath.
- Cooperate with the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP
There shall be regular and associate members. The method of receiving, the qualifications, the duties, and possible dismissal of each shall be stated in the by-laws.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
Services for worship, instruction, business, and membership may be held as set forth in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VI. PROSPECTIVE MINISTRY
The church will encourage young people with talent and dedication to enter the ministry. Methods of such encouragement are set forth in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VII. ORDAINED MINISTRY
The ordained ministry shall be composed of ministers and the Diaconate. The methods of calling, the privileges and the responsibilities of each are described in the by-laws.
ARTICLE VIII. OFFICERS
The officers of the church shall be elected from the membership of this church and shall consist of the board of directors, secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, corporate agent, head usher, and such other officers as may be necessary for the operation of the church. The methods of election and the duties of the officers shall be stated in the by-laws.
ARTICLE IX. BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Boards and Committees which the church considers necessary for carrying out its purposes may be established. Procedures for establishing them, their membership, duties and length of tenure are set forth in the by-laws.
ARTICLE X. AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
The church shall recognize as auxiliary organizations those bodies within its fellowship which serve some of the purposes of the church and actively assist the establishment and promotion of the church’s program. Their relationship to the church, as well as the guidelines for their organization is set in the by-laws.
ARTICLE XI. TREASURER’S BOND
The treasurer and assistant treasurer of the church shall be placed under a surety bond of such a sum as the membership may designate. The premium for such a bond shall be paid by the church and the bond shall be held in custody by the directors of the church.
ARTICLE XII. DISSOLUTION
Should it be necessary for the Washington Seventh Day Baptist Church, (present registered office—4700 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011) to be dissolved, remaining property and assets after payment of all obligations, shall be transferred or conveyed to the Board of Trustees of the Seventh Day Baptist Memorial Fund, a charitable and non-profit Wisconsin Corporation of Janesville, Wisconsin, to be expended as follows:
- Thirty-five percent (35%) to the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society for use at their discretion.
- Thirty-five percent (35%) to become part of the George H. Babcock Feeble Church Fund.
- Thirty percent (30%) to be used at the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Seventh Day Baptist Memorial Fund.
ARTICLE XIII. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
The Constitution may be amended at any regularly scheduled business meeting by vote of a majority of the members present, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous regularly scheduled business meeting, and provided that two notices shall have been given of such proposed amendment in connection with the regular notices of the meeting.