Quarry Community Church Constitution

[Adopted August 2002]

--

ARTICLE VI: Church Staff

SENIOR PASTOR


The Senior Pastor is responsible to provide leadership and oversee the direction, thrust, and ministry of the entire church, including its priorities and spiritual vitality. He shall be the spiritual leader of the church, and shall preach and teach the Word, lead public church services, administer ordinances, and lead its members in a practical Christian life.

He shall be a non-voting member of the Elder Board and an ex-officio member of all church organizations, and shall strive to establish and accomplish objectives in conjunction with the various organizations.

He shall direct the church staff; provide counsel, encouragement and Christian discipline, so as to assist in the accomplishment of objectives for each staff member. All staff are responsible to the senior pastor either directly or through another staff member he shall delegate.

Qualifications:

The qualifications of the Senior Pastor shall be as set forth in I Timothy 3:1-7. He shall be sympathetic and cooperative with the Baptist General Conference and the Minnesota Baptist Conference and in agreement with the Statement of Faith and Covenant of this church, and will also meet the qualifications specified for “pastoral staff”.

Establishment of Senior Pastor Relationship:

Upon recommendation of a Calling Committee, the congregation shall issue a call, contingent on a 75% affirmative ballot of voting members present at a business meeting following proper notice.

Dissolution of Senior Pastor Relationship:

Resignation shall be received by the Elder Board. There shall be at least 30 days notice unless the Elder Board shall agree otherwise.

A pastoral relationship may be dissolved as the result of grievances, but only after the Elder Board has made every reasonable effort to resolve the grievances with the Sr. Pastor.

A request for the pastor’s resignation may be made by recommendation of the majority of the Elder Board.

The pastoral relationship may be dissolved by ballot vote by a 2/3 majority of eligible voting members present at a duly called business meeting. Notice and purpose of the meeting shall be given to members in writing at least two Sundays prior to the business meeting.

Should a recommendation by the Elder Board for resignation be overruled by the membership of the church, all Elders voting for recommending resignation shall automatically relinquish their office.

PASTORAL STAFF

The pastoral staff shall include other pastors as determined by the Board of Elders.

The calling, severance, resignation or removal of pastoral staff members shall be made by the Elder Board in consultation with the Senior Pastor and as provided for by the budget.

The titles and duties of the pastoral staff members shall be determined at the time of the call by the Elder Board in consultation with the Senior Pastor, and they shall be responsible to the Senior Pastor or his designate to carry out specific areas of ministry.

A Pastoral Staff position may be dissolved by action of the Board of Elders in
consultation with the Senior Pastor. The Board of Elders shall establish the terms of dissolution.

Resignations of pastoral staff members shall be received by the Senior Pastor or his designate. There shall be at least 30 days notice unless the Elder Board shall agree otherwise.

The Pastoral Staff shall strive “to equip the saints and the work of ministry.”

Each Pastoral Staff member may be designated an ex-officio member or leader of one or more church organizations by the Senior Pastor in consultation with the Board of Elders.

Qualifications for Pastoral Staff
1. Must agree to meet membership requirements
2. Must subscribe to and affirm the Statement of Faith and Covenant of this church
3. Must be a proportionate giver with tithing as a norm
4. Must strive to meet the Biblical Standards for church leaders (1 Timothy 3)
5. Must possess experience, education and abilities as deemed appropriate by the Board of Elders

SUPPORT STAFF

Support Staff includes Program Staff, Business Staff, Secretarial Staff, Custodial Staff, Pastoral Interns, Pastoral Staff Assistants and Paraprofessionals, Musicians and temporary help.

All Support Staff shall be hired by the Senior Pastor, or his designate, on terms established by the Board of Elders.

The titles and duties of the Support Staff shall be determined at the time of hiring by the Senior Pastor in consultation with the Elder Board, and they shall be responsible to the Senior Pastor or his designate to carry out specific areas of ministry.

A Support Staff person may be dismissed by action of the Board of Elders and Senior Pastor. The terms of dismissal shall be established by the Board of Elders.

Resignations of Support Staff members shall be received by the Senior Pastor or his designate. There shall be at least two weeks notice unless the Elder Board shall agree otherwise.

Qualifications for Support Staff
1. Must agree to meet membership requirements
2. Must subscribe to and affirm the Statement of Faith and Covenant of this church
3. Must possess experience, education and abilities as deemed appropriate by the
Board of Elders