ARTICLE VII - CHURCH OFFICERS

1.  THE PASTOR

     A.  The pastoral call and recall shall be according to the provision of the Conference Manual, Part IV, Article II, D.

     B.  Pastoral duties and relationships

           a.  The pastor shall, at all times, conduct himself as a true servant of God in    leading his flock.  He shall seek to bring the lost to Christ, build up believers in

                their faith and minister to the needs of the congregation.  He shall preach at regular designated services, do home visitation, baptize believers, officiate at

                weddings, dedicate children and conduct funerals.

           b.  The pastor shall have general oversight of the church while working together with the deacons and the church council.  He or his designate shall be an ex

                officio member of all auxiliary organizations, boards and committees of the church and when he or his designate is absent written reports shall be

                submitted to him.

           c.  If a vacancy occurs in the pastorate, the church chairman and the deacons shall be responsible to supply a qualified leader until a pastor can be secured. 

               In case of temporary absence of the pastor, for various reasons, the above named officers are to assume the responsibility of providing adequate leadership

               until the pastor's return.

2.  PASTORAL STAFF

     A.  Assistance for the pastor may be secured by the church council upon the approval of the congregation by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a duly

          called meeting of the congregation.  The term of service is to be determined at the time of call.  It shall be the duties of any staff assistant to serve according

          to the job description given him by the church council and he shall be accountable to the pastor in the performance of his duties.  He shall be an ex officio

          member of boards and committees which fall within the range of his responsibilities as prescribed by the pastor.

     B.  Staff holding credentials shall be called according to the provision of the Conference Manual, Part IV, Article II, D.

3.  THE DEACONS

     One deacon shall be selected for each 50 members with an additional deacon for each fraction above.  There shall be no less than 5 individuals serving in the

     office of deacon.   Deacons shall serve for a three year term.  They are to be nominated by the church council and presented to the congregation for a vote of

     approval.  The deacons shall annually elect a chairman and a secretary.  It shall be the duty of the deacons to assist the pastor in caring for the spiritual welfare of

     the church, in the observance of the Holy Communion, in baptismal services, in visiting the sick, in aiding the needy and in such other ways as the church may

     direct.  The deacons serve as the membership committee of the church.  They shall make a written annual report to the church.  See Article IX, 2, D

4.  CHAIRMAN

     A chairman shall be elected to serve for a two year term.  It shall be the duty of the chairman to preside at all business meetings of the church and the church

     council.

5.  VICE-CHAIRMAN

     The council shall elect one of its members as vice-chairman at the beginning of each fiscal year.  It shall be the duty of the vice-chairman to preside in the

      absence of the chairman.

6.  SECRETARY

    A secretary shall be elected to serve a two year term.  The secretary shall keep minutes of all the proceedings of the business of the church and the council.  The

    secretary shall annually record a current, accurate membership list provided by the membership committee no later than one month prior to the date fixed for the

    annual business meeting of the church.  The secretary shall have for safe keeping all minutes, papers and documents belonging to the church.  The secretary shall

    make a report to the church at the close of each fiscal year and perform any other duties which may be assigned by the council.

7. TREASURER

    A treasurer shall be appointed each year by the church council.  The treasurer shall receive and disburse all monies pertaining to the local church and Sunday

    School.  The treasurer shall open an account in a local bank for the purpose of depositing all monies in the name of the congregation.  The treasurer shall keep a

    correct record of all monies received and disbursed, giving a monthly report to the congregation and complete report at the close of each fiscal year.  The treasurer

    shall make disbursements outside of the regular church budget only upon approval of the church council.  The treasurer's books shall be presented to the auditing

    committee annually.  See Article IX, 2, F.