TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH
CONSTITUTION
WILLISTON, VERMONT

As adopted by the congregation
of Trinity Baptist Church
on July 19, 1989

Revised 3/19/95

1. Scriptures
2. God
3. Jesus Christ
4. Holy Spirit
5. Satan
6. Fall of Man
7. Salvation
8. Rapture
9. Second Coming
10. Future Life, Resurrection, Judgement
11. The Church
12. Ordinances
13. Sanctification and Separation

1. Membership Qualifications
2. Becoming a Member
3. Membership Maintenance
4. Membership Termination
5. Discipline of Members
6. Obligations of Members
7. Members in Leadership

1. General
2. Pastor
3. Assistant Pastors
4. Deacons
5. Church Clerk
6. Treasurer
7. Recording Secretary
8. Financial Secretary

1. Nominating Committee
2. Missions Committee
3. Auditing Committee
4. Pulpit Committee

1. Services
2. Business Meetings

1. Name
2. Purpose
3. Administration

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this church shall be TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH (TBC), of Williston, Vermont 05495. It was incorporated in 1972, in the State of Vermont. This corporation shall be a non-stock, non-profit, and an exclusively religious corporation.

The Purposes of Trinity Baptist Church are:

1. To Exhort from the Bible which is the Word of God, and our guide for faith and practice;
2. To Exalt the LORD JESUS CHRIST, with honor and praise, as the only Saviour of mankind;
3. To Extend the GOSPEL to the lost by every scriptural means;
4. To Edify CHRISTIANS through teaching of the Word of God and fellowship with other Christians so as to produce a clear personal testimony before the world.

INTRODUCTION

This Doctrinal Statement is to be used as a guideline for faith and practice at Trinity Baptist Church.

We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired of God, and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:16-17; Prov. 30:5, 6.

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Gen. 1:1; John 10:30; Matt. 28:19

We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the second person of the Triune God, the Eternal Word, and only Begotten Son; that without any change in His divine Person, He became man by the miracle of the Virgin Birth, thus to continue forever as both true God and true man, one Person with two natures; that as man He was tempted in all points as we are yet without sin; that as the perfect Lamb of God He gave Himself in death upon the cross, becoming there the sin of the world: and suffering its full penalty of divine wrath in our stead; that He arose bodily from the grave and was glorified: that as our great High Priest He ascended into Heaven, there to appear before the face of God as our Advocate and Intercessor. Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25; Col. 2:9.

We believe in the Holy Spirit; who is the third person of the Trinity and the divine agent in nature, revelation, and redemption; that He convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment; that at salvation He regenerates, indwells, seals, and anoints all who become children of God through Christ; that he further empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies, and fills believers who daily surrender to Him. John 7:38-39; 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13-14; I Cor. 3:16; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9; Phil. 3:3; Eph. 1:13-14.

We believe that Satan is a real being, the fallen angel, the god of this world, the prince and power of this world, the author of all that is wicked and sinful, the one whom God will judge and cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 20:1-10; Eph. 2:1-4; II Cor. 4:4.

We believe all men are by nature and choice sinful and lost; that man was the direct creation of God, and in His image and likeness; that by personal disobedience to the revealed will of God, Adam became a sinful creation, and father of the fallen race which is universally sinful in both nature and practice, thus alienated from the life and family of God, under the righteous judgment and wrath of God, and has within himself no possible means of salvation. Gen. 1:26, 27; 3:7-13; 6:5; 6:11-13; Ps. 51:2-5; Rom. 5:12-18; Eph. 2:2-5.

We believe in salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; that salvation is the free gift of God, neither merited nor secured in part or in whole by virtue of the work of man, but received only by personal repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all true believers have as a present possession the gift of eternal life, a perfect righteousness, sonship in the family of God, deliverance and security from all condemnation, every spiritual resource needed for life and godliness, and divine guarantee that they shall never perish; that this salvation affects the whole man; that apart from Christ there is no possible salvation. John 3:3-7, 16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Rom. 3:20-26; 4:24, 25; 5:1, 9, 19, 20, 21; II Cor. 5:19-21; Eph. 1:5-7; I Pet. 1:23; 2:24.

We believe in the imminent rapture of the Church before the Tribulation. Christ will return in the clouds. The dead in Christ will rise and the saved who are yet alive will be taken out of this world to live in Heaven with Christ. Mark 13:32-37; I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thess. 4:16-18.

We believe that the Second Coming of Christ to this earth in power and glory will occur at the end of the Tribulation. He will come with the armies of Heaven to destroy the armies of Satan (Hell) and to rule and reign. Rev. 19:1-16.

We believe that the spirits of the saved at death go immediately to be with Christ in Heaven, that their workds shall be brought before the Judgment Seat of Christ for the determination of rewards which will take place at the time Christ comes for His own; that the spirits of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hell, where they are kept under punishment until the final day of judgment at which time their bodies shall be raised from the grave, that they shall be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire, the place of final and everlasting judgment. Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-15; II Cor. 11:13, 14; Rev. 20:20; Ps. 9:17.

We believe in the divine institution of the LOCAL CHURCH as God's organization for the spread of the Gospel in this age; that a true New Testament church is a local assembly of born-again (saved), baptized believers, who have agreed to unite together for the purposes of practicing the New Testament ordinances of baptism and communion, worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching, and spreading of the Gospel. Acts 2; Matt. 28:19-20.

We believe in the UNITY of the true church, which is composed of all true believers, and which constitutes the invisible body of Christ, who is the Head of the church. Eph. 1:22-23; 2:14-22; 5:25-27.

We believe in the INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH. Each New Testament church is self-governing and independent with regards to its own affairs. It is answerable to no ecclesiatical body, but is directly accountable to God. The Holy Scriptures are the source of faith and practice for the local church. Each local church should cooperate with, and encourage other churches and believers of like precious faith as the Holy Spirit leads. Matt. 18:15-20; Eph. 5:23.

We believe in the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, each having definite and distinct spheres of responsibility.

The ORDINANCES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH ARE BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER, as commanded in the New Testament. As ordinances, these practices do not have nor are intended to have any power to save a person's soul. For a believer, BAPTISM is an outward sign of obedience to and identification with our Lord Jesus Christ.Baptism is to be by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thus portraying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The LORD'S SUPPER (Communion) is the partaking of the bread and cup (juice) in remembrance of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. We believe that the Lord's Supper is to be taken by obedient, baptized believers, who are members of a New Testament church, as each one is personally responsible before God. Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; I Cor. 11:23-32.

We believe that scriptural SANCTIFICATION for the believer is setting apart one's self unto a holy purpose; that it is progressive for the consecrated believer through the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. I Cor. 1:2, 30; Heb. 10:10; II Cor. 7:1; I Cor 6:9-11; I Peter 1:2; II Thess. 2:13; I Thess. 5:23-24; 3:13; Eph. 5:25-27.

We believe that all believers are called unto a life of SEPARATION from the world. We believe that this separation is in at least two areas: personal and ecclesiastical.

Personal: The believer is to live in the world, but is to separate himself/ herself from worldly practices, ideas, and goals that detract from his/her testimony of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are commanded to perfect holiness in the fear of God and to be clean in body and mind. II Cor. 7:1; 10:15.

Ecclesiastical: We believe that a local New Testament church, that is in conformity to the Word of God and is being led by the Holy Spirit, cannot cooperate with nor have fellowship with any organization or church in which indisputable apostasy exists. We, therefore, disavow the position of the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, and any organization in sympathy with them. We stand in opposition to the Charismatic Movement (including the healing and tongues movement), the Ecumenical Movement, Neo- Orthodoxy, New Evangelicalism, Interdenominationalism, New Fundamentalism, and Cooperative Evangelistic programs between people and churches not of like precious faith. I Cor. 14:33, 40; 13:8-11; II Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:11, 12; Luke 12:51.

This Church shall be composed of members who profess to be saved by grace, through faith in Christ, and who have been baptized following their confession of faith in Christ, by immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Any person to whom the ordinance of baptism by immersion has been administered after salvation may be received upon the statement of his or her experience of faith in Christ before the congregation and by a majority vote of the present active members.

A member of TBC shall be considered an "active" member if he or she attends services on a regular basis. A person shall be considered to be an "inactive" member if he or she does not attend a regularly scheduled service of TBC for a period of six (6) months or more. An inactive member may be reinstated as an active member if he or she shows intent for reinstatement by regular attendance, as approved by the active membership.

Since congregational action is required for a person to become a member, congregational action is also required for termination of a person's membership, by the present active members.

The procedure for the discipline of a church member is found in Matthew 18:15-17. Discipline is that procedure including Christian teaching, training, admonition, and rebuke, both public and private, with the view of helping the individual Christian grow in grace, mature in the faith, break off from worldliness, and live wholly for the Lord. At such time that a member shall refuse to receive such help it will be necessary for the church to exclude him or her from its membership. In all cases of discipline, if possible, the accused shall be given an opportunity to be heard in his or her own defense; and no member if absent shall be censured or excluded at the same meeting in which the charge is preferred against them. Those that bring false accusations shall be subject to church discipline also.

A member of TBC agrees to strive to be:

1. Faithful in Attending all regular services and business meetings of the church unless providentially hindered.
2. Faithful in Supporting the work through regular tithes and offerings.
3. Faithful in Witnessing to the lost through personal witnessing and the outreach programs of the church.
4. Faithful in Living an exemplary life before the world. Each member shall seek to maintain the highest Scriptural standards in affiliations, actions, activities, appearance, and attitudes for the sake of a consistent Christian testimony.

Members of TBC who are in leadership or teaching positions in the church shall meet the following qualifications:

1. They shall be active members.
2. They shall be actively fulfilling the "Obligations of Members."
3. They shall uphold this constitution.
4. They shall not be one who smokes or chews tobacco products, drinks alcoholic beverages, or uses illegal drugs.

1. All officers and members of the following committees of TBC shall meet the qualifications of "Members in Leadership."
2. No person may hold two congregationally elected Church positions (officer or committee member) at one time, except in the office of Treasurer and in the situations where this constitution specifies that a committee is composed in part of deacons.

When the need for a Pastor is apparent, a Pulpit Committee shall be formed consisting of three deacons and two members at large from the congregation. All members of the Pulpit Committee shall be elected by the congregation with the Pulpit Committee choosing their own chairman.

A pastoral candidate shall be presented to the congregation when a majority of the pulpit committee are agreed upon such a candidate. A written financial agreement of salary and benefits shall be presented to a pastoral candidate before he accepts the position of Pastor. The salary and benefits for a given pastor shall be agreed upon by the Church at the time of the election of the pastor, and the Pastor's salary and benefits may be changed at subsequent Church business meetings.

A majority vote of 80% of the present, active and voting members of the Church is required to call a Pastor. The election of a Pastor shall occur at a regular or special business meeting of the Church. Only one pastoral candidate shall be presented to the Church at a time for the Church's approval or disapproval.

The Pastor shall meet the requirements for this office as set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. The Pastor shall be not be one who has been divorced. The Pastor must be in agreement with the Church's doctrinal statement.

The Pastor shall be an ordained or licensed Baptist minister who is a believer in and a preacher of the Gospel and of the basic doctrines of faith set forth in the doctrinal statement of this Constitution.

The Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church shall fulfill the following duties:

1. He shall be a minister of the Word of God.
2. He shall have the general oversight of and promote the spiritual interests of the members of TBC.
3. He shall faithfully and scripturally administer the ordinances of the church (Baptism and Lord's Supper).
4. He shall arrange for and conduct all services related to the church, unless providentially hindered.
5. He shall approve all speakers for the church and church-sponsored organizations.
6. He shall be an ex-officio member of all church-sponsored organizations.
7. He shall be the moderator of the church and preside at all church business meetings.
8. He shall approve all public notices, new releases, and advertisements.
9. He shall receive an annual vacation of three weeks, including only two Sundays, with pay. He shall arrange for the pulpit supply while on vacation, although the church will pay for the pulpit supply during his vacation.
10. He shall have the privilege of accepting outside speaking engagements, not to exceed three (3) weeks per year, including three Sundays per year. He shall receive his regular salary during each time, but he must pay for the pulpit supply in his absence.
11. He shall oversee all operations for the auxilliary ministries of Trinity Baptist Schools.

The Pastor shall be free to resign as he feels led of the Holy Spirit, but out of Christian courtesy he shall give sixty (60) days written notice to the Church.

Whenever dismissal proceedings may be in order against a Pastor on grounds of immorality, heresy in doctrine, apostasy, or failing to properly attend to his duties as pastor of the church, his services shall be terminated by a three-fourths vote of the present, active voting church membership. In the even the congregation votes to terminate the Pastor's services, or should the pastor abruptly leave the church without proper notive, his severence pay shall be at the discretion of the congregation, not to exceed 60 days.

1. Calling of Assistant Pastors

Same as for "Calling of a Pastor." See Article V, Section B.1.

2. Qualifications of Assistant Pastors

Same as for "Qualifications of a Pastor." See Article V, Section B.2.

3. Duties of Assistant Pastors

The Assistant Pastor(s) shall be responsible to the Church through the Pastor. They shall be directly under the supervision of the Pastor for their duties.

4. Termination of Assistant Pastors

An Assistant Pastor shall be free to resign as he feels led of the Holy Spirit, but out of Christian courtesy he shall give sixty (60) days written notice to the Church.

Whenever dismissal proceedings may be in order against an Assistant Pastor on grounds of immorality, heresy in doctrine, apostasy, or failing to properly attend to his duties as Assistant Pastor of the Church, his services shall be terminated by a three-fourths vote of the present, active, voting Church membership. In the event the congregation votes to terminate the Assistant Pastor's services, or should the Assistant Pastor abruptly leave the Church without proper notice, his severence pay shall be at the discretion of the congregation, not to exceed 60 days.

1. Number

The total number of Deacons shall be determined by the Church's need, and by the number of Spirit-filled men available who meet the qualifications of the office of Deacon.

2. Election

The Deacons shall be elected for a term of three (3) years, and may succeed themselves. Their election shall occur at the annual business meeting, unless there is due cause for a special election. They shall be nominated by the congregation, and their names subject to examination by the Church's Nominating Committee.

The Deacons shall elect a chairman and a secretary at their first meeting following the annual businees meeting. The term for these offices shall be for one (1) year, although they may succeed themselves.

3. Qualifications

A man holding or desiring to hold the office of Deacon shall meet the scriptural qualifications set forth in I Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-6.

A Deacon shall not be one who has been divorced.

A Deacon shall be of voting age, as per the Church constitution, and shall be a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

4. Duties

It shall be the duty of the Deacons, as the servants of the congregation, to:

1. Visit the sick and care for the poor and widows,
2. Prepare and distribute the elements of the Lord's Supper,
3. Help the Pastor in promoting the general spiritual work of the church,
4. Assist the Pastor in the performance of his duties,
5. Be responsible for the development and presentation to the Church congregation of the annual Church budget.
6. Be responsible for the financial direction of the church,
7. Assist the Pastor in service to the membership,
8. Serve as the trustees of the Church,
9. Be responsible for the pulpit supply if there is no pastor,
10. Recommend to the Nominating Committee guidelines for nominees for Church offices,
11. If necessary incur Church debt not to exceed $500.00, except as approved by the congregation,
12. Approve expenditures in excess of a budgeted amount not to exceed $1,000.00 on a line item basis, except as approved by the congregation.
13. Act as the School Board of Trinity Baptist Schools.

1. Election

The Church Clerk shall be nominated by the congregation, upon approval by the Nominating Committee. The election of the Church Clerk shall be by the congregation at the annual business meeting, unless there is due cause for a special election. The term of office shall be for one year or until the next annual business meeting, although a person may succeed himself/herself.

2. Duties

The duties of the Church Clerk shall be as follows:

1. Maintain an accurate account of the minutes of all church business meetings,
2. Maintain the membership roll of the church,
3. Maintain the voting membership roll of the church,
4. Notify appropriate churches of changes in membership,
5. Maintain a record of acceptance of members into the Church,
6. Maintain a record of all baptisms in the Church,

1. Election

The Treasurer shall be nominated by the congregation, upon approval by the Nominating Committee. The election of the Treasurer shall be by the congregation at the annual business meeting, unless there is due cause for a special election. The term of office shall be for one year or until the next annual business meeting, although a person may succeedd himself/herself.

2. Qualifications

The Treasurer may not be the Recording Secretary, nor the Financial Secretary of the Church.

3. Duties

The duties of the Treasurer shall be the following:

1. Implement financial policies established by the Pastor and Deacons.
2. To establish financial practices and procedures for the Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary.
3. To oversee and coordinate the work of the Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary of the Church.
4. To periodically report the status of the Church finances (income and disbursements) to the Pastor and Deacons and to the congregation.
5. Direct the payment of all Church bills, based on upon the recommendation of the Financial Secretary.

1. Election

The Recording Secretary shall be nominated by the congregation, upon approval by the Nominating Committee. The election of the Recording Secretary shall be by the congregation at the annual business meeting, unless there is due cause of a special election. The term of office shall be for one year or until the next annual business meeting, although a person may succeed himself/herself.

2. Qualifications

The Recording Secretary may not be the Treasurer, nor the Financial Secretary of the Church.

3. Duties

The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be as follows:

1. Record all incoming funds on a giving unit basis,
2. Report giving of each giving unit to that giving unit at least one time each year,
3. Post the overall income of the Church each month on the Church bulletin board, and report on the Church income at the quarterly and annual business meetings of the Church.
4. Be responsible for counting of all incoming Church funds, although he may delegate all or part of this function to the Deacons and Treasurer.
5. Be responsible for depositing of all Church income into the Church checking account.
6. Report the weekly Church income to the Treasurer, and to the Financial Secretary, for the purposes of maintaining the Church checkbook balance, and for denoting appropriate disbursements.

1. Appointment

The Financial Secretary shall be selected by the Deacons for a period of time approved by the congregation. The Financial Secretary must be a member of TBC, and should be a member of the paid Church staff.

2. Qualifications

The Financial Secretary may not be the Treasurer, nor the Recording Secretary of the Church. The Financial Secretary should be involved in and familiar with the daily operations of the Church.

3. Duties

The duties of the Financial Secretary shall be the following:

1. Maintain a record of all expenditures on a per budgetary line item basis.
2. Approve all expenditures of the Church based upon an approved Church budget.
3. Be readily accessibly by the Church staff on a daily basis.
4. Report to the Deacons monthly on the expenditures to date on a line item basis against the approved budget.
5. Report to the Church at the annual and quarterly business meetings on the expenditures to date on a line item basis against the approved budget.

1. Election

The Nominating Committee shall consist of two (2) Deacons and three (3) Church members at large.

Members of the Nominating Committee shall be nominated by the congregation, upon approval by the current Nominating Committee.

The election of the Nominating Committee shall be by the congregation approximately two (2) months prior to the annual business meeting. They shall serve for one year or until the election of the next Nominating Committee, although they may succeed themselves.

2. Duties

The Nominating Committee shall take nominations from the congregation, examine, and screen those nominees for all church elected positions, to insure that the nominees meet the qualifications of their intended office.

Should a nominee be disapproved for a given position by any member of the Nominating Committee, the nominee may request and receive the reason for the disapproval from the chairman of the Nominating Committee.

The Pulpit Committee, rather than the Nominations Committee, shall be activated for nominating a Pastor or Assistant Pastor. See "Calling of a Pastor."

1. Election

The Missions Committee shall consist of four (4) active members of the Church. Members of the Missions Committee shall be nominated by the congregation, upon approval by the Nominating Committee. The election of the Missions Committee shall be by the congregation at the annual business meeting. They shall serve for three years on a rotating basis, although members may succeed themselves.

In the event of a vacancy, an appointee to fill the office for the duration of the current term shall be mutually agreed upon by the Nominating Committee and by the Deacons.

2. Duties

It shall be the duty of the Missions Committee to do the following:

1. Generate enthusiasm and financial support for missionaries, and develop children's missionary emphasis.
2. Interview prospective missionary candidates,
3. Interview missionaries supported by the Church who are home on furlough,
4. Make recommendations to the Church as to increases in missions support and the withdrawal of support,
5. Help the Pastor organize and produce the Annual Missions Conference,
6. Maintain the Missionary Bulletin Board in the lobby.

1. Election

The Auditing Committee shall consist of three (3) active members of the Church. Members of the Auditing Committee shall be nominated by the congregation, upon approval by the Nominating Committee. The election of the Auditing Committee shall be by the congregation at the annual business meeting. They shall serve for three (3) years on a rotating basis, although members may succeed themselves. In the event of a vacancy, an appointee to fill the office for the duration of the current term shall be mutually agreed upon by the Nominating Committee and by the Deacons.

2. Duties

It shall be the duty of the Auditing Committee to audit the records of the Treasurer and of the Financial Secretary, and the non-confidential records of the Recording Secretary at the close of each month, and to report their findings:

1. monthly to the Deacons, the Treasurer, the Recording Secretary, and the Financial Secretary, and
2. quarterly to the Church at the Quarterly Business Meetings.

See "Calling of a Pastor/Pulpit Committee."

Regular Sunday Services, consisting of Sunday School, Morning Worship, and Evening Worship, shall be maintained. Regular prayer/Bible study services shall be held on one night of the week between Sundays as determined by the congregation. The schedule of these regular services shall be determined by the congregation. These regular services shall not exclude additional services as called by the Pastor and Deacons.

A quorum for the purposes of transacting church business shall consist of 25% of the active voting membership. All constitutional changes would require 50% of the active voting church membership. A voting member shall be one who is at least 18 years old and an active member. Robert's Rules of Order shall be the accepted guide to parliamentary procedure for all business meetings.

Notice given in a service on two successive Sundays shall be adequate notification to members of any business meeting, except for an emergency business meeting.

A tentative agenda of items requiring a vote shall be posted at the time a business meeting for their consideration is announced. This would include posting of a tentative proposed church budget prior to the annual business meeting. The exception to this procedure would be in the event of an emergency business meeting.

An annual business meeting shall be held within 31 days of the end of the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The purposes of this meeting shall be for the election of the officers and committees (except the Nominating Committee); approval of an annual budget; hearing of committee, department, and officer reports; and transaction of appropriate Church business.

Quarterly business meetings shall be held approximately every three (3) months after the annual business meeting for the purposes of hearing committee, department, and officer reports, and transaction of appropriate Church business.

Special business meetings may be called at any time by the Pastor and Deacons to transact Church business. An emergency meeting may be called at any time if all members available are notified.

No secret business meetings are valid and no business beyond that of routine quarterly and weekly affairs shall be carried on in the absence of the Pastor (including when he is on vacation).

Any regular meeting of the church may be resolved into a business session for the transaction of accepting or deleting members from the Church membership. No previous notice is required of such business sessions provided that there is a quorum present and provided that the question of previous notice is not raised by any member of the church present at the session.

The entire program of Trinity Baptist Church shall be supported by the tithes and offerings of its members, and by those who are led by the Holy Spirit to contribute to its support, except as denoted for specific organizations. At no time may this Church be permitted to use any unscriptural method, or methods, for raising funds. This prohibits the use of suppers for pecuniary gains, all sales of tickets, chances, merchandise, rummage sales, and other methods of raising funds that are not supported by the teachings of the Word of God. This shall not preclude the ethical raising of necessary funds to support Trinity Baptist Schools and its subsidiary organizations.

No financial obligation(s) shall be placed upon the Church either as a mortgage, note payable, bill, or line of credit, unless a specific corporate act (e.g. passage of the annual budget) has been passed by the congregation to that effect.

No member or organization has a right to make a bill for the Church without prior authorization of the Church Financial Secretary.

All incoming and outgoing funds must be examined by the Auditing Committee on a monthly basis. External auditors may examine the Church's accounts upon approval by the congregation.

The Lord's Supper shall be administered at least once every three (3) months. Baptism shall be administered upon request, and shall be by immersion.

The King James Version is the only English text to be used by Trinity Baptist Church and its organizations in the proclamation and memorization of the Word of God.

This constitution may be amended at any business meeting of the church upon one month public notice of the active voting membership and 75% majority vote of a quorum.

In the event of the dissolution of Trinity Baptist Church, Inc., the Deacons shall act as the trustees for the dissolution. After all liabilities have been settled, all remaining assets shall be distributed, upon dissolution, to an exempt organization as ordered in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and who is in agreement with the Statement of Faith of the Constitution of Trinity Baptist Church. No member shall receive any enrichment from these assets.

The non-profit Christian day school of Trinity Baptist Church shall be called the Trinity Baptist Schools and shall serve as the daily educational ministry of the Church. It shall consist of two divisions: Trinity Baptist High School (Grades 7-12) and Trinity Baptist Elementary School (Grades K-6).

The purposes of Trinity Baptist School shall be to:

1. Provide young people with the opportunity to receive a Bible-centered education that is conducive to spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional growth.
2. Produce mature Christians who will be examples of Christ to the world.
3. Teach respect for God, parents, church, and country;
4. Build character by stressing the importance of a Godly life, lov of country, self-control, and a desire for excellency in every pursuit.
5. Establish our young people with the principles of God's Word, so that they might stand boldly for the truth and show others the way to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Trinity Baptist Schools are under the direct authority of Trinity Baptist Church. The budget, policies, guidelines, and handbook changes are ultimately under the authority of TBC and its congregation, who must approve TBS staff members, budget, the tuition schedule and any handbook changes.
2. All finances for TBS shall be handled through the Church Treasurer and the unified budget. All tuition monies for TBS shall be used to support the cost of operating TBS.
3. TBS is a private reporting school under the laws of the State of Vermont.
4. The School Board of Trinity Baptist Schools shall be the duly elected Deacons of Trinity Baptist Church.
5. The Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church shall be the Superintendent of Trinity Baptist Schools.
6. The School Board shall operate the schools on behalf of the Church, aid in the establishment of policies, set guidelines for the schools, and rule on disciplinary matters.
7. A School Administrator and School staff members, which are duly recommended by the School Board, shall be approved by the congregation of TBC. The School Administrator may serve as the Principal of TBS, or a principal or principals may be appointed.