Doctrinal Statement - Hillcrest Baptist Church

Trust Deedand Constitutionof
Hillcrest Bantist Church
Preface
A constitution is drawn up in order that the church may be governed/ administeredin
a responsiblemanner in the light of Biblical instruction. This preface is supportedby
the following Scriptural statements:The Lord JesusChrist as head of the church calls to Himself out of the world those
who have beengiven to Him by His Fatherthat they might live in His sight, giving to
Him the love and obedienceprescribedby Him in the Word.
He comrnandsthose he calls to gather in local churches.
All believers are therefore to associatethemselveswith local churches,when and
where they have the opportunity to do so.
All who enjoy the privileges of church fellowship must also subject themselvesto the
discipline and government of the church in accordancewith the rule of Christ.
To formalize the biblical principles governingchurch life the following constitution
has been drawn up to give a clear statement of belief and practice and provide
guidelines for good order in the church.
1. Name and TheologicalPersuasion
of this ChurchshallbetheHillcrestBaptistChurch.The
Thenameanddesignation
church strives to uphold Reformed Theology.
Reformed Theology gets its name from the sixteenth century Protestantreformation,
with its theology solidly basedon the Bible itself. To be reformed includesbelief in
the Scripturesas the inerrant Word of God; belief that God is sovereign in this world;
that He has electedhis people to salvationand will effectually call them in His time,
through evangelismand the preachingof the true gospel;that all worship must be in
accordance with Scripture; and that the lives of believers as individuals, family
members, members of the State and members of the Christian church, must be
increasingly conformed to the standardof God's Word.
2. Membershipof Baptist Union
The Hillcrest Baptist Church, (herein styled "The church") shall endeavour to
maintain membership in the Baptist Union of South Africa, so long as this is not in
conflict with the interestsof the Church.
3. Church Government
We believein:
3.1. The principle of Congregationalism,namely that each member has the privilege
and responsibilityto use his/her gifts and abilities to participatefully in the life of the
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Church. We recognisethat God gifts His church with Pastors/Elderswho lead in a
spirit of servanthood, equip and provide spiritual oversight, and with deaconswho
facilitatethe smooth functioning of the Church. This principle further recognisesthat
eachmember should participatein the appointmentof the church's leadersand that a
constituted Church meeting, (under the direct Lordship of Christ and the authority of
Scripture),is the highest court of authority for the local church.
3.2. The principle of Separationof Churchand State,in that in the providenceof God,
the two differ in their respective nature and functions. The Church is not to be
identified with the State nor, is it, in its faith or practice, to be directed or controlled
by the State.The state is responsiblefor administeringjustice, ensuring an orderly
community and promoting the welfare of its citizens. The Church is responsible for
preaching the gospel and for demonstratingand making known God's will and care
for all mankind.
3.3. The plurality of eldersproviding spiritualleadershipsupportedby deacons.
4. Declaration of Belief
4.1. We believe in the Scripturesof the Old and New Testamentsin their original
writings with God as their author, and written by men divinely inspired by God. The
Scripturesare inerrant and authoritative. They do not merely contain the Word of God
but are the Word of God and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
4.2.We believein one God, Creatorof all, Holy, Sovereign,Eternal,existing eternally
in three equal persons,Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
4.3. We believe in the absolute and essentialdeity of JesusChrist, in His eternal
existencewith the Father in pre-incarnateGlory, in His virgin birth, true humanity.
sinless life, substitutionaryand propitiatory death, bodily resurrection,triumphant
ascension into heaven; his present life as our High Priest and Advocate, and His
personalreturn.
4.4. We believe in the absoluteand essentialDeity and personalityof the Holy Spirit
who convinces men of sin, of righteousnessand of judgement; who regenerates,
abidesin, sanctifies,illuminates,comforts,encouragesand equipsfor servicethe body
of JesusChrist.
4.5. We believe in the personalexistenceof Satanas one who is totally evil and who
is the originator of sin, the arch enemy of God and man.
4.6. We believe that Adam was immediatelyand specially createdby God after His
own image and holiness,to enjoy perfect fellowship and communion with Him. The
historic fall of man from his original righteousnesswas the result of the one sin of
Adam as head and representativeof the human race.
As a consequenceof Adam's sin, all mankind are born into the world under the guilt
and condemnationof sin (imputed to them), in possessionof a sinful nature, comrpt in
everypart, under the wrath of God, and subjectto eternaldeath,the punishmentof sin.
of the law of God.
Sin is any lack of conformity to, or transgression
4.7. We believe that none but those who exerciserepentancefrom sin and faith in the
Lord JesusChrist shall be saved and that salvation is by the sovereign grace of God.
That justification is by faith alone in the all sufficient sacrifice and resurrectionof the
Lord JesusChrist and that those who are savedshall be divinely preservedand finally
perfectedin the image of the Lord.
4.8. We believein the personal,bodily and glorious return of the Lord JesusChrist; in
the resurrectionof the just and the unjust; in the eternal blessednessof the redeemed
and in the judgment and conscious,eternalpunishmentof the wicked.
4.9. We believe that a church is a company of believerswho have been called out
from the world to worship God, separatedunto the Lord Jesus,voluntarily associated
for the ministry of the Word, the mutual edification of its members,the propagationof
the faith and the observance of the ordinances which are baptism and the Lord's
supper.That the local church is the manifestation of the universal church and is fully
autonomous,exercising its own divinely awardedgifts, preceptsand privileges under
the Lordship of Christ, the great head of the church, and in the priesthood of all
believers.That the offices are pastors(elders,bishops)and deacons.
4.10. We believe in the priesthoodof all believersby which we understandthat each
Christianhas direct accessto God through Christ our High Priest,and is involved in
the work of reconciliationwhich consistsof intercession,worship, faithful serviceand
bearing witness to JesusChrist, even to the end of the earth.
4.11. We believe in the principle of religiousliberty, namely that no individual should
be coerced either by State or by any secular, ecclesiasticalor religious group in
mattersof faith. The right of private conscienceis to be respected.For each believer
this meansthe right to interpret Scripturesresponsibly.However the infallible rules
for interpreting Scripture and understandingit, are that it must always be within its
context, by comparison with other relevant portions, and under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit.
4.12. We believe that God has sanctionedmarriage between a man and a woman,
thereforewe believein heterosexualrelationshipsbetweena naturalman and a natural
woman within the confines of lawful matrimony. Adherenceto this statedprinciple of
sexual behavior is an inherent requirement for membership of the Hillcrest Baptist
Church.
4.13. The above Declaration of Belief shall be agreed to and signed by all the
membersof the Hillcrest Baptist Church.
4.14. Each member shall be given a copy of the Declaration of Belief and the
following certificate to be signed and datedby eachmember namelyi
I, the undersigned,freely and voluntarily subscribeto the basic principles set out in
this Declarationof Belief and understandand consentto the fact that should I violate
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suchprinciples,I may be requiredby the leadershipto either accepttheir counseland
discipline or forfeit my membershipof Hillcrest Baptist Church.
4.15 For further study seethe Baptist Confessionof Faith of 1689,Carey Publications
Ltd.
5. The ordinances
5.1. The Lord Jesusappointedonly two ordinances- Baptism and the Lord's supperto be observedas acts of obedienceand as a perpetualwitness to the cardinal facts of
the Christian faith.
5.2. Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water in the name of the Father,Son
and Holy Spirit as a confessionof identificationwith Christ in burial and resurrection.
Notwithstanding the above, anothermethod of baptism may be used where in the view
of the elders, exceptional circumstancesrequire it. Baptism may be performed by any
suitablebelieverappointedby the elders.
5.3. A candidate for baptism shall at the sametime be urged to make application for
membershipin accordancewith Article 6.
5.4. The Lord's supperis the partakingof breadand wine as symbolic of the Saviour's
body and shed blood in remembranceof His sacrificial death until His retum. This
ordinance shall be observed regularly and all true believers may participate. Any
suitablebelievers mav lead the serviceand serveat the table.
6. Membership
6.1. The church shall be constitutedof and shall include amongits members:
(a) those who were members of the church and agreedto the Declaration of Belief on
l3 August2000.
(b) such personsas may hereafterbe receivedinto its fellowship in accordancewith
the provision of Articles 6.2. and 6.5.
6.2. Personswho have declaredtheir faith in the Lord JesusChrist and have confessed
' the samein baptism (immersion) shall be admittedto the membershipof the Church
by vote of the church.
6.3. Personsdesirousofjoining the church shall make applicationto the pastoror one
of the officers of the church. Two members appointed by the Elders of the church
shall interview such applicants and shall report to the Elders, who will, if satisfied
with the report, submit the application to a church meeting for approval.
6.4. Personsdesirousofjoining the church shall give a clear confessionof their faith
in JesusChrist as their Lord and Saviour and shall affirm in writing their acceptance
of the Trust Deed and Constitution of the church and his/her full aereementwith the
Declaration of Belief.
6.5. Personsdesirousof joining the church,who have declaredtheir faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, but who have not been able to confess their faith through believer's
baptism by immersion becauseof other or medical reasons,may after inquiry by the
elders be admitted to the membership of the church by vote at any special meeting of
the church, subject to the solemn undertaking not to teach contrary to, or in any way
undermine,the church's belief in a practiceof believer'sbaptismby immersion.
6.6. Membership shall ceaseon death, transfer, resignation or excommunication, the
member no longer accepting the Trust Deed and Constitution or no longer being in
full agreementwith the Declarationof Belief of the Church.
6.7.If any memberis absentfrom the servicesof the churchfor aprolongedperiod
without good reason known to the elders, they shall make inquiry into the matter. In
the event of such inquiry producing no satisfactory result, the name of the member
concemed shall be reported to a church meeting for such action as the members
presentmay decidei.e. removal.
7. Voting at Church Meetings
7.I At all Generalmeetings any member of the church, who has attained the age of 18
years,shall be entitled to vote.
7 .2 Any resolution passedby a simple majority (except where the constitution requires
a greatermajority) of members presentand entitled to vote at such meetings shall be
binding on the churchuntil suchresolutionhasbeenrescindedat a Generalmeeting.
7 .3 A quorum shall be deemedto exist where at least 33Yoof membersentitled to vote
are present.
of Church Members
8. Privilegesand Responsibilities
8.1. Privilegesof membersinclude the following:
o To join regularlywith other believersin worship and in sharingthe Lord's supper
o To be part of the local, visible manifestation of the body of Christ in mutual
support and encouragement
o To be under the pastoral care of the elders
o To be free to participatein the businessof churchmeetingsand in decisionmaking
in the church.
o To serve one anotherwith the gifts God has blessedeach believer with following
the exampleof our Lord JesusChrist who washedthe feet of his disciples
8.2. Duties of membersinclude the following:
o As far as possible make every effort to be regular attendeesat worship, fellowship,
prayer and businessmeetings.
Exercise their special privilege and responsibility to seek to win others to Jesus
Christ
Be faithful stewardsof what the Lord has entrustedto their care in time, talents and
possessions.Members ought to give systematically,proportionately,sacrificially
and cheerfullyof their meansto God's work.
Work together in love and in humility bearing one another's burdens and
exercisingtheir gifts for the building up of the churchbody.
. Seekto live holy lives
o Court and marry only believing partners.
o Remain faithful to their spousesand bring up their children in the training and
instruction of the Lord.
8.3. Members submit to the leadershipand discipline of the church. Essentiallythis
meansthat members as part of the body of Christ, are preparedto receive instruction
and ifnecessaryloving rebukefrom churchleadership.
8.4 Since we are all part of the family of believers at Hillcrest and should be
concernedfor one another,it would be helpful if membershaving specialneedsor
finding themselves in difficult situations or circumstanceswould acquaint the elders
of the situation in order that a visit may be made or certainly rememberedin prayer.
9. Church Discipline
in Hischurches.
for discipline
Discipline
is oneof the
Christprovides
TheLordJesus
pastoralresponsibilitiesof elderswho labour to seethe image of Christ formed in all
believers in their care. The aim of church discipline is maintenanceof the purity of
the body of Christ, and the restoration of the erring member. All disciplinary stepsare
taken in a spirit of love and concern. Church discipline is always corrective and
instructive, never punitive. It is carried out prayerfully, tenderly, impartially and
firmly. Its ultimate sanction is the withdrawal of fellowship from the erring believer. It
requiresthe supportand submissionof the churchif it is to be biblical and effective.
All believers have a role to admonish one another in love in the normal course of
fellowship.
However,someoffencesrequirethe attentionof the eldersand ultimatelythe whole
for the honourof the Lord JesusChrist,
church.Whilst Biblical disciplineis essential
no
right
to legislate in matters of private
it is recognizedthat the church has
judgementand that God alone is the Lord of conscience.
The Scripturesenjoin
conformityto the imageof the Lord JesusChrist,not to humanlyinstitutedpatternsof
behaviour.
9.1.Thegroundsfor churchdisciplineincludethefollowing:
o Holding beliefsabout Christiandoctrinewhich are contraryto the Declarationof
Beliefassetout in Article4.
Acts of immorality or other public behaviourplainly contrary to biblical
'
teaching
o Unreconciled interpersonal breaches threatening
the unity and harmony of the
church
. Causinga faction or party to arise within the church
9.2.The purposeof church discipline is:
o for the repentance,reconciliation,and spiritualgrowth
of the individual disciplined
o for the instruction in righteousnessand good of
other Christians, as an example to
them
. for the purity of the church as a whole
o for the good of our corporatewitness to non-christians
o for the glory of God by reflecting His holy character
9.3. The procedurefor church discipline
Personaloffences between members are to be dealt with on a personal
level in terms
of Matthew 18:15' Only when no reconciliation ensues should
the elders be
approached.
Chargesagainsta member on any of the abovegroundsi.e. 9.l. shall be
submittedto
the elders , who must first investigate them until fully satisfied of their
accuracy.At
leasttwo witnessesare necessaryto sustaina charge.
The elders should visit, counsel and exhort the erring member to
repentance. A
member will be restoredif there is evidenceof the fruit oirepentance in thi
opinion of
the elders.
If there is only one elder, the elder may appoint a suitable nominee to accompany
him.
If there is no repentance,the elders should bring the matter to the church
meeting. In
accordancewith I Timothy 5:20,the erring memberwill be rebukedpublicly.
Should
repentanceensueno further measuresneed be taken.
If there is still no repentance,2 Thessalonians3:6, 14-15 will be applied,
by
suspendingthe member from the Lord's table, leading in public prayer,enlaging
in
any ministry in the church, and voting at all membeis'
Driring the
application of this measure, the member must receive special
-"itingr.
encoriragement and
ministry from the church leaders. Should repentancefollow, all suspensions
must be
lifted, and no further action taken.
If the suspendedmember fails to repent, I Corinthians5:4-5, viz. excommunication,
must be applied' A recommendationfrom the elders shall be brought to
a special
church meeting in this regard.This specialchurch meeting is only tJbe called
when
all else has failed. Should repentanceensue,the person'r.tu-. wih be brought
before
the church at a special church meeting for re-instatement.An excommunicatedperson
shall be treatedwith concem and courtesy.
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In the eventthat an elder is accusedofa transgressionrequiring investigationthen the
procedureas for church members shall be followed bearing in mind the requirements
of an elderas statedin 1 Timothy 3:l-7 and Titus 1:5-9
10. Resolution of differences/ areas of concern
10.1In the eventof a seriousdisputeor anxiousconcernarising as between,
l. a group or groups of membersand the remaining membership
2, a pastorand the whole membershipor a group or groupswithin the membership
3. a pastor and the elders and deacons
The elders and deaconsand the whole membershipor groups within the membership,
which in the opinion of any of the disputants above mentioned, is impinging on the
effective ministry of the church or is seriously threatening its unity, the church shall
setasidea day of prayer and fasting in orderto seekthe Lord's graciousintervention.
If having exhaustedall constitutional means, it shall be the right of any such pastori
elder or any four members of the elders and deaconsor any ten church members to
call for a meeting with the eldersand deaconswith a view to resolving the differences.
At such a meeting, persons who are not members of the church shall be present,
namely a pastor and or elders of like-minded churches who are acceptableto both
disputingparties.One of the invited nomineesshall be the chairman.Such nominees
shall not exceed3.
l0.2It shall be the obligation of the disputantsand of church membershipas a whole
to afford the elders and deaconsand the three nominated persons, every reasonable
opportunityto assistin bringing about a God-honouringsolution. The nomineesmay,
if they so elect submit a written report with appropriaterecommendationswhich will
be brought to a church meeting for voting.
11.Church Offices
The church recognizesonly two offices responsiblefor the care and administration of
the church: elders and deacons. Other offices such as secretary or Sunday School
teacherare appointed from time to time under the care and administration of the elders
and deacons.
All elders and deacons shall have been baptized by immersion as a believer. They
shall declare their unreserved and wholehearted agreement with the church's
Confessionof Faith and Constitution. This they shall do both in public and in writing.
The churchofficers shall meet as necessarybut not lessthan oncea quarter.
I 1.1.Elders
In accordancewith the New Testamentthe church is to be ruled and shepherdedby
elders who are equal in authority. Christ is the head of the church; the elders rule by
his authorityas revealedin the Scriptures.The eldersand their flock are in union with
Him; their relationship is one of mutual voluntary submission. The elders rule
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willingly by example and exhortation, not lording it over the floek, who submit to the
elders knowing that elders watch for their souls and give account to Christ for their
labours.
I1.1.1.Appointment
Male memberswho exhibit the qualitieslaid down in Scripture(see I Timothy 3:l-7
and Titus 1:5-9) may be consideredfor this ministry in the word, shepherdingand
prayer. The nomination of a suitable candidate is to be submitted to the eldership/
eldership committee for consideration.Any nominee must be over the age of 2l and
have been an active member of the church for at least 2 years.
Upon agreement, the name\s are to be submitted to a special church meeting for
approvaland appointment,having at leasta75Yomajority.
This vote shall be by secretballot. An elder shall be set apart by the laying on of hands
preferablyby an elder or elders.
I1.1.2.Duties
The dutiesof eldershipincludethe following:
o Ensuringthe continuationof soundpreachingand teachingfrom the Word of God
o Exhorting, admonishing and encouragingfellow believers
o Visiting the sick and the members in order to exhort and encouragethem by prayer
and the ministry of the Word of God.
o Guiding the church in decision making
o Seekingout and nurturing the exerciseof spiritual gifts by membersso that in the
local church the body of Christ may be built up and function effectively in the
evangelisationof the community.
o Stimulating and maintaining interest in the world-wide church of Christ
I1.1.3.Pastors
For the purposeof the constitution,elderscalledto the full time ministry to the church
shall be termed pastors,whose appointment is vested in the membershipof the church
and the procedureshall be as follows:
(a) A special day of prayer and fasting will be called for church members to seek
God's will in this regard.
(b) The elders shall consider suitable names and shall bring their recommendationto
the church at a Special General Meeting. The elders shall put before the meeting only
one nameat a time.
(c) A call shall be extendedprovided at least 75Yoof the memberspresentvote in
favour. This vote shall be by secret ballot. The prospective pastor's appointment is
contingent upon his affirming in writing his full agreementwith the Declaration of
Belief and his acceptanceof the Trust Deed and Constitution of the church.
(d) On commencementof his ministry he becomesa member of the church but
members of his family wishing to join the church must make application in the
mannerset out in Article 6.
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(e) Termination of the appointment shall be by three months notice in writing by
either side unless otherwise mutually agreed provided that his duties may be
suspendedby the Church immediately.
(f In the event of the pastor being on extendedleave or the church being without a
pastor, the eldership committee (See ll.l.4) shall assume responsibility for the
oversightof the spiritual affairs of the churchincluding all elders' functions.
I I. 1.4.Eldership Committee
In the event of there being fewer than 2 elders an eldership committee shall be
appointed and shall be made up of the appointed elder together with selecteddeacons
appointed by the elder. This eldership committee shall consist of at least 3 to
constitutea quorum. Should the collective body be less than 3 then they shall by
consensusco-opt a competent church male member who shall be given equal status
for the necessaryperiod.
The eldership committee as distinct from the elders, shall act only where specifically
requiredin terms of the constitution.
Theseareasare as follows:
o consideringan alternativemode of baptism;
. arranging interviews for candidatesfor membership;
o dealing with disciplinary matters;
o nominating the appointment of elders;
o assumingelder's functions during the extendedabsenceof the pastor,
In the event there not being unanimity on a particular matter then the committee must
adjourn the discussion for further individual prayer and consideration, with the
committee to be reconvenedwithin 14 days for final decision. The chairman shall be
the elder.
I 1.2Deacons
Those who hold the office of deacon serve the church by relieving the elders of
administrative and practical duties. Each deacon shall have specific work to fulfil in
the church. The elders shall define the roles and the number of men required. Male
membersexhibiting the qualitieslaid down in Scripturemay be considered.
(a) Deacons shall comply with the requirementsfor that offrce as contained in 1
Timothy 3:8-13
(b) The church shall elect from its membership,of the age of 2l yearsand over , at its
annual general meeting, deaconswho shall hold office for a period of two years, and
who shall be eligible for re-electionfrom time to time. Any candidatefor electionto
the diaconateshall have been in membershipfor a period of not less than 12 months.
(c) Election shall be after nominationand nominationsshall be submittedin writing to
the secretaryof the church at least seven days before the annual church meeting or
generalmeeting, and such nominations shall be posted on the church notice board not
later than the Sundaypreceding the election. The nomination paper shall be signed by
two membersof the church and the nominee.
il
(d) The election of deaconsshall be by secretballot
(e) In the event ofa vacancy occurring in the office ofdeacon, such vacancy shall be
filled in the manner aforesaid, at a general meeting of the church, the person so
electedto hold the office until such time as the vacancy being filled would have
expired,when he shall retire but be eligible for re-election.
( fl Each candidatefor election to the diaconateshall obtain at least 50oloof the votes
of memberspresentin order to be elected.
I1.3 Termination
Churchofficers shall be subjectto the samediscipline as other membersof the church
and the same ultimate sanction of loss of membershipand thus loss of office. In
addition, the church may consider the direct termination of an elder or deacon's office
on the following grounds:
o open sin
o deviating from biblical doctrine as summarizedin the Declaration of Belief
o neglectof duty or incompetence
. useofoffice for personalgain
An appointment shall ceaseif after careful investigation and considerationthe church
meetingdecidesthat there is a just causefor doing so. This decision requiresa 50o/o
majority of thosepresentand entitledto vote.
The church has a responsibilityto uphold the biblical ideal of maniage, especiallyas
exemplified in its leadership.Regarding divorce and remarriage, in caseswhere there
has been a divorce in the past, the church has an obligation to restrict, for a period of
time, the persons involvement in leadership until it can be proven that the present
marriageexemplifies Christ's relationshipto His church. I Timothy 3:2,12 sets the
marital qualification for leadershipwithin the church. The phrase"the husbandof one
wife" does not mean that a person cannot have had a divorce in the past since none of
the qualificationslisted refer to specific acts in the past but rather to qualities which
cunently characterizea man's life.
It is especially important, in caseswhere there has been a divorce in a man's past, that
there be a period of careful observation to see that his present marriage is
chaructenzedby pure devotion and sacrificial love.
In the caseof an office bearerwhere a divorce occurs,the said personwill be obliged
to resign. However after a suitable time has elapsed,he may be consideredfor reelectionsubjectto the qualificationssetout in 1 Tim 3:l-7 andTitus 1:5-9.
12. Transaction of Business
12.1. The church shall function through the medium of its elders and deacons,who
shall act as generallyor specifically directedby the church in generalmeetings,and
who shall be accountableto the church for the proper carrying out of all acts. They
shall appoint from the church membership,the secretaryand treasurerof the church.
12.2. Elders and deaconsmay meet separatelybut an elder should attend all deacons'
meetings.Deacons'meetingsmust be held at leastonce in two months and 50% plus
l2
one shall constitute a quorum. The chairman may be on a rotational basis. He shall
have a casting vote but not a deliberative vote.
12.3.The church businessand financialyear shall end on the 30th Juneand the annual
generalmeeting of the church shall be held within three months of that date.
At such an annual meeting the elders and deaconsshall submit reports on the general
activities of the church during the precedingyear and on matters affecting its spiritual
and social activities e.g. outreach,visitation. The financial position of the church and
also a budget for approval for the coming year shall be presented. Any further
variationsof the budgetwill be presentedto the churchfor approval.
12.4. Other special or general meetings of the church shall be held as often as the
businessof the church requires.
12.5. Special general meetings shall be held only when a notice stating all the
businessto be transactedis read at all the church services and a copy affixed to the
church notice board, on the two Sundaysimmediately preceding the day appointed for
the meeting.
12.6. Specialgeneralmeetingsat which disciplinarymattersare to be dealt with shall
be closedto all exceptmemberswho are entitledto vote.
12.7. At all special and generalmeetingsthe vote shall be taken by show of hands
exceptwhere a ballot is requestedby not less than five members.
13. Organisations
All organisations, departments and committees shall be free to manage their own
affairs and present nominations for appointments to the Elders for approval. The
elders shall have the right to veto any measure introduced which they consider
contrary to the Word of God and/or the objectives of the ministry of the church or
harmony of the church. Organisations' budgets shall be presentedto the deaconsfor
approval.
14.Regulations
The church may at any meeting frame and enact such regulations as it may deem
necessaryfor the managementof the affairs of the church
15.Church property
All property, which the church may acquire, whether movable or immovable, shall be
held and administered solely for the furtheranceof its objectives and the propagation
of its principles. In the event of the church at any time ceasing to exist, all property
and rights to property owned by it shall ipso facto be vested in the Baptist Union of
South Africa. The church shall be deemedto have ceasedto exist when the dissolution
of the church shall have been resolved upon in accordancewith article 18 or when the
members of the church shall have become totally dispersed or when the public
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worship of God shall have been discontinued in connection with the church for a
periodof 6 consecutivecalendarmonths.
16. Registration of immovable property and church trustees
(a) All immovable
propertyacquiredor hereinafter
acquiredby the churchshallvest
in and be held by the trusteesfor the time being of the church for and on behalf of the
church.
(b) Immovable property shall be registeredin the name of the trusteesfor the time
being of the Hillcrest Baptist Church
(c) Trustees shall deal with property subject to the provisions of clause 15 as
instructedand authorisedin accordancewith this constitution.
(d) The trusteesfor the time being of the church shall be the church secretaryand the
church treasurer,both ex officio, togetherwith one other member of the church who
shall be appointed annually at the annual generalmeeting , and they shall continue to
hold office until their successorsare appointed.
(e) Any interim vacancy shall be filled by a nominee appointed at a church meeting to
are appointed.
hold office until their successors
(0 All documentsrequiring the signatureby, or on behalf of the church, shall be
signed by at least two trusteesduly authorisedthereto by the church at any special or
generalmeeting.
17. Transfer or mortgage of movable and immovable property
(a) The church shall have power to buy, sell, let or hire, exchange,transfer, receive by
way of donation or otherwise movable and immovable property and to invest its funds
in governmentor municipal stock, mortgagebonds,or on fixed deposit or otherwise,
in banks or as otherwise specifically approved by a church meeting and shall further
have power to borrow money with or without security in such a manner as the church
may think fit, negotiate loans from bankersor others by overdraft or otherwise and by
passingmortgage or notarial bonds for registration with the proper authorities and to
open and opeiate upon banking accounts,and to make, draw, accept,discount, execute
and issue promissory notes, bills of exchangeand other negotiableand transferable
instruments. Any of the aforesaid shall be carried out upon the authority of a
resolution of the church passedat a specialgeneralmeeting.
(b) To guarantee the performance of contracts by any person or duly constituted
church having objects of this church and to enter into guaranteesor suretyshipsof
every description.
18.Dissolutionand proceedsof saleof property
(a) The proceedsobtained from the sale or other disposal of any property of the church
shall be applied and devoted in such a manner as the church, or in the event of the
church having ceasedto exist, the Baptist Union of South Africa may deem best fitted
to securethe furtheranceof the objectivesof the church and the propagationof its
principles.
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(b) The church may at any time, be dissolvedby resolution of a majority of 90Yoof the
memberspresentand entitledto vote at a specialgeneralmeetingof the church.
In the event of such a resolution being passedthe elders and deacons,or in the event
of there being no such committee, other personsappointedby the church shall take the
necessarysteps to wind up the affairs of the church and in particular to transfer the
property of the church in due and proper form to the Baptist Union of South Africa.
19. Modification of constitution
Any proposalto modiff or alter this trust deedand constitutionshall be considered
only at a specialgeneralmeeting.At sucha meetingthe proposalshall be discussed
and may be voted upon. If at least80% (90% for article 4) of the memberspresent
andentitledto vote, vote in favour,the proposalshall be broughtto a further special
generalmeetingfor confirmation.This secondmeetingshall not take placeearlier
than 2 months after the first meeting.If at least 80% (90% for article 4) of the
memberspresentandentitledto vote,votein favour,the proposalshallbe canied.