Constitution of the Georgia Baptist Association, Inc.
Article I – Name
The name of this body shall be Georgia Baptist Association, Inc., and shall function as the Georgia Baptist Association.
Article II – Mission Statement
The Georgia Baptist Association exists to encourage, advise, assist, and equip the local churches to become scripturally healthy for Kingdom results.
Article III – Articles of Faith
The Baptist Faith and Message, the doctrinal statement adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention, shall be considered the ground of common faith and practice for this Association, as amended. Churches are asked to consider carefully the value of supporting the Cooperative Program of the denomination and the program of missions developed by the Association, making provisions annually in each church’s budget.
1. We value the Bible as the final standard by which all things will be measured.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. We value Jesus Christ as the Supreme Revelation of the Trinity and seek to center our lives under His Lordship. Hebrews 1:1-4 and Colossians 3:17
3. We value the Gospel as Good News to all people and the only way of salvation. John 3:16 and John 14:6
4. We value the individual autonomy of each local church as accountable to God but also accountable to each other for mutual support and discipline. Matthew 18:17, Ephesians 1:22 and Acts 16:4-5
5. We value the Association as an expression of our unity in spirit and oneness in purpose.
Philippians 2:2 and Romans 14:19
Article IV – Authority
Section 1. This Association operates under congregational rule and every attempt should be made to come to a consensus before a final decision is reached. If a consensus is not reached, the majority vote will make the decision. We will operate under the current policies and procedures of the Georgia Baptist Association.
Section 2. This Association shall never attempt to exercise authority over any church but shall always cheerfully recognize and uphold the autonomy of the local congregation.
Article V – Membership
Section 1. The Association shall be composed of cooperating churches affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.
Section 2. The membership of the Association shall be composed of (1) All currently serving pastors and full-time ordained ministerial staff members of churches in the Association; (2) two lay people elected by each church; (3) all general officers of the Association; (4) all Directors, Team Leaders and Chairpersons of the Association; and (5) ex-officio membership shall be all other ordained ministers and/or denominational workers, who hold membership in cooperating churches.
Section 3. Each church shall produce an annual church profile as requested by the Clerk of the Association.
Section 4. Churches or missions desiring admission to the Georgia Baptist Association shall indicate their wishes in writing to the Associational Director of Missions.
A. The Administrative Team shall meet with the Pastor and representatives of the church or mission seeking membership to determine the willingness of the church or mission to cooperate in the work of the Georgia Baptist Association, the Georgia Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. The church or mission shall also be examined as to matters of the faith, as outlined in Article III.
C. The Administrative Team shall give its recommendation at the Annual Fall Meeting regarding the church or mission seeking membership. Any church or mission will be received by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the messengers.
D. No church or mission shall be presented for acceptance into the Association without representatives of the church or mission being present at the Annual Fall Meeting of the Association when the recommendation is made. When received by the Association, the Moderator shall extend the right hand of fellowship to those members presenting the newly accepted church or mission.
Section 6. Any of the following shall evidence cooperation:
A. Some monetary contribution to the work of Southern Baptists through the Cooperative Program each year.
B. Some monetary contribution to the work of the Georgia Baptist Association each year.
C. Participation in at least one of the regular meetings of the Association (Annual Spring Meeting or Annual Fall Meeting) by church elected messengers or representatives.
D. The presentation of an Annual Church Profile to the Clerk of the Association each year.
Section 7. Dismissal: Should any church disqualify itself by practice or doctrines contrary to this Constitution, the Association may withdraw fellowship from any church by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of messengers at the Annual Fall Meeting provided that these procedures have been followed:
A. The Administrative Team shall notify in writing the churches that have failed to meet at least one of the criteria for membership in November of each year. This notification shall include the constitutional requirements not met and the documentation used to determine the infraction. The churches will be granted an opportunity to reconcile and/or present irrefutable evidence that the infraction could not be prevented.
B. Upon failing to reconcile such church, the Administrative Team shall recommend dismissal to the Association at the Annual Spring or Fall Meeting. Voting shall be as outlined above.
Section 8. Withdrawal: Any church may withdraw itself from the Association at its pleasure.
Section 9. Discipline: This Association shall have disciplinary authority over its membership as follows:
Cause for discipline shall include but not be limited to failure to comply with Article 3 and/or Article 5, Section 6 of this constitution and/or the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Georgia Baptist Association. Such discipline may result in refusal to seat messengers at any annual or called meeting, provided that such disciplinary action shall first be considered by the Administrative Team and shall come as a recommendation from them to the Association.
The Association may deny to churches continual representation in its membership, provided that such disciplinary action shall first be considered by the Administrative Team and then brought as a recommendation to the Association.
To be adopted by the Association, any recommended disciplinary action shall require two-thirds (2/3) vote of the messengers present and voting.
Section 10. District Organization: The Association shall be divided into five (5) districts. The districts shall be as follows:
First District: Double Branches, Greenwood, Goshen, Hephzibah, Lincolnton, Morningside, New Hope, and Salem.
Second District: Bethesda, Crawfordville, Jennings, Margarets Grove, Norwood, Raytown, Robinson, Sandy Cross, Union Point FBC, and Williams Creek.
Third District: Antioch, Bairds, Greensboro FBC, Macedonia, Penfield, Shiloh, Siloam, West End, White Plains, and Woodville.
Fourth District: Beaverdam, Cliffords Grove, County Line, Ebenezer, Phillips Mill, Rehoboth, Sardis, and Washington FBC.
Fifth District: Beulah, Clarks Station, Danburg, Fishing Creek, Mallorysville, Tabor, and Tignall.
Article VI – Meetings
Section 1. The Association shall hold meetings in October and in April as recommended by the Administrative Team at the Annual Fall Meeting.
Section 2. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Administrative Team provided:
A. A fourteen (14) day notice has been given to the churches stating the purpose of the special meeting.
B. The fourteen (14) day requirement may be waived by the Administrative Team by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting if, in their judgment, the gravity of the situation calls for accelerated action.
Article VII – Officers
Section 1. The elected general officers of the Association shall be the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer.
A. The Moderator shall be nominated by the Administrative Team and elected by the messengers present at the Annual Fall Meeting. The Moderator shall assume office at the close of the Annual Fall Meeting. The Moderator shall serve as the President of the Corporation. The Moderator must be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Association church.
1. The Moderator shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive elected terms.
2. If the Moderator’s office becomes vacant during the term, the Vice Moderator will assume the office of Moderator and the Administrative Team will nominate a new Vice-Moderator to be elected at the next Spring Inspirational Meeting, or Annual Fall Meeting, whichever comes first. If both offices become vacant at the same time, the Administrative Team will present nominees for both offices at the next Spring Inspirational Meeting, or Annual Fall Meeting, whichever comes first.
3. The Moderator shall preside at the Spring Inspirational Meeting, and Annual Fall Meeting.
4. The Moderator shall appoint a Parliamentarian as he deems it is necessary at the Spring Inspirational Meeting and the Annual Fall Meeting.
B. The Vice Moderator shall be nominated by the Administrative Team and elected by the messengers present at the Annual Fall Meeting. The Vice Moderator shall assume office at the close of the Annual Fall Meeting. The Vice Moderator shall serve as Vice President of the Corporation. The Vice Moderator shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Association church.
1. The Vice Moderator shall serve no more than two consecutive elected terms.
2. The Vice Moderator shall assist the Moderator in performing the duties and responsibilities of the office of Moderator.
3. The Vice Moderator shall perform the duties of the Moderator in the absence of the Moderator.
C. The Clerk shall be nominated by the Administrative Team and elected by the messengers present at the Annual Fall Meeting. The Clerk shall assume office at the close of the Annual Fall Meeting. The Clerk shall serve as Secretary of the Corporation. The Clerk must be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Association church.
1. In the event the Moderator and Vice Moderator are absent from the Spring Inspirational Meeting, or the Annual Fall Meeting, the Clerk or Assistant Clerk shall call the meeting to order and preside over the election of a moderator pro-tem who will preside over the remainder of the meeting.
2. The Clerk shall provide minutes of the Spring Inspirational Meetings, and Annual Fall Meetings when requested.
3. The Clerk shall preserve a complete file of minutes/records/videos for legal and historical purposes.
4. The Clerk is authorized to sign Georgia Baptist Convention documents as corporate secretary representing the Association.
D. The Treasurer shall be nominated by the Administrative Team and elected by the messengers present at the Annual Fall Meeting. The Treasurer shall assume office at the close of the Annual Fall Meeting. The Treasurer shall serve as Treasurer of the Corporation. The Treasurer must be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Association church.
1. The Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that all financial policies and procedures are adhered to as presented in the Georgia Baptist Association Policies & Procedures Manual.
2. The Treasurer shall work with the staff in the office of the Georgia Baptist Association to prepare and print copies of the financial report for the Spring Inspirational Meeting, Annual Fall Meeting, and Administrative Team Meetings.
Section 2. The Administrative Team shall be responsible for maintaining a separate Policies and Procedures manual to include operating policies and procedures for the Association and job descriptions and requirements for all committees, teams, councils, and organizations of the Association.
Article VIII – Staff
Section 1. Associational Missionary/Director of Missions: The Association shall employ an Associational Missionary/Director of Missions whose duties shall be outlined in a job description approved by the Administrative Team before he accepts his work. His job description shall be on file at the Associational Office. The Association may want to revise or change these duties during his tenure of service, which shall be done as time and needs direct. The Associational Missionary/Director of Missions shall have the oversight and help of the Officers of the Association. (Moderator, Vice Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer). All Staff of the Association shall be under his direct supervision.
Section 2. Ministry Assistant: The Association shall employ a Ministry Assistant whose duties shall be outlined in a job description approved by the Administrative Team. The job description shall be on file at the Associational Office. The Association may want to revise or change these duties during the Ministry Assistant’s tenure of service, which shall be done as time and needs direct.
Section 3. Other Staff: The Association shall employ other staff as future needs direct. Job Descriptions for other staff shall be approved by the Administrative Team and be on file at the Associational Office.
Article IX – Changes to Constitution
Section 1. Any changes to this Constitution should be forwarded to the Administrative Team for discussion and approval. The Administrative Team shall recommend changes to the Association at the earliest Annual Meeting.
- Revised April 2010 Spring Meeting
- Revised April 2013 Spring Meeting
- Revised April 2018 Spring Meeting
- Revised April 2021 Spring Meeting