This Constitution and Bylaws are made to:
1. Preserve and secure the principles of our faith.
2. Preserve the liberties of each individual member of the church.
3. Ensure freedom of action of independence from any religious body or organization.
4. Provide for orderly conduct of internal affairs, in dealing with others, and of governing church members.

This church will be known as Unity Bible Baptist Church of North Little Rock, Arkansas (Hereafter referred to as UBBC)

The purpose of UBBC is an overriding commitment to God's Mission in order to fulfill the Vision He has shown us. To bring lost souls to Christ, and instruct the redeemed in worship, Bible study, fellowship, and ministry;

UBBC uses 5 words to summarize God's Purpose:

• Fellowship: we connect with them and bring them into membership
• Discipleship: (communicating) teaching them to observe...
• Ministry: (caring) we equip them through training for different
• Evangelism: (cultivating) we send them out on missio

Worship (celebrating) to love God with all your heart

UBBC of NLR Mission

We will: Evangelize our community and our world in the power of the Holy Spirit, by demonstrating and communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ.

UBBC VISION:

To work together under the direction of the Holy Spirit and Scripture;To produce fully developing disciples and a growing congregation that are passionately committed to loving God and loving people.

GOD'S VISION;

Proverbs 29:18 "Where there Is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepth the law, happy Is he.»

UBBC CORE VALUES:

PRAYER - We believe In depending on the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer to make our ministry efforts effective. Ephesians 6:18-2

TRAINING - We believe In equipping and training people In order to enable believers to reach their highest potentials for spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4:11-16

EVANGELISM - We believe In the priority of outreach and evangelism through building relationships that bring Jesus Christ to people who desperately need Him. Acts 1:8

TEACHING - We believe in the absolute trustworthiness and supreme authority of the Word of God; we are committed to teach and preach the word the Word of God. We want both truth and love to flow from our lives. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

A vision is given so we may see a mental picture of how our ministry will look after we accomplish the mission. We believe growing churches have a God given strategy that will drive the church on mission and on purpose. Our Vision It is a dream of a church touching the Community with loving care and compassion

• It is a dream of a place where one may come to hear the gospel message and be both convicted and encouraged to go share it with someone else
• It is a dream of a people willing to be trained for ministry through the teaching of God' s Word.
• It is a dream of a people passionately winning the lost, reclaiming the disenchanted, the wayward, comforting those that need comforting, giving support to those who need support.
• It is a dream of bringing 300-500 members into fellowship of our church family.
• It is a dream of starting other fellowships around the city, the state and the world in that way we multiply our efforts
• It is a dream of strengthening the family, encouraging men to fulfill their roles as a husband, father and leader at home, church, job, and community.
• It is a dream of rendering Christian support to the single family. Actively seeking opportunities to minister to the elderly, those in prison/jail and the many disadvantaged.
• It is a dream of that support being physical, emotional and spiritual.
• It is a dream of many becoming involved in missions locally, nationally and universally
• It is a dream of a place with a worship center, education, and office space. A multipurpose center that's adequate for ministry.
• It is a dream of a place called The City where the homeless and those that are down and out may have a chance for restoration. This all taking place in one place so that we may minister to the whole person, spiritual, emotional, physical, and social

The Scriptures

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.

God

There is one and only one living and true God. The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

God the Father

God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

God the Son

Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross, He made provision for the redemption of men from sin.

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.

Man

Man was created by the special act of God, in His own image, and is the crowning work of His creation. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore every man possesses dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.

Salvation

Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.

God's Purpose of Grace

Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end.

The Church

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. This church is an autonomous body. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ, which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.

Baptism & the Lord's Supper

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ

Jesus. The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

The Lord's Day

The first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion.

Last Things

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly. The dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell. The righteous will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

Evangelism & Missions

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort.

Education

The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence. There should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.

Stewardship

God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtor ship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions.

Cooperation

Christ's people should organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations.

The Christian & the Social Order

Every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in his own life and in human society. The Christian should oppose in the spirit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness, and vice.

Religious Liberty

Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. A free church in a free state is the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

Family

God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. Marriage is the unity of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord.

Section1 Relationships

Unity Bible Baptist Church acknowledges that without the assistance of the Pulaski Baptist Association, and many other autonomous Southern Baptist Churches, this church would not exist. Therefore, Unity Bible Baptist Church of Little Rock will cooperate with the Pulaski Baptist Association and the Arkansas Baptist State Convention as long as it is mutually possible to do so.

Section 2 Existence

Non-profit Status and Liquidation, this church is not organized for profit. In the event of liquidation or dissolution of the church,  all of its assets and property of every nature and description whatsoever shall be paid over and transferred at the direction of the trustees to the Pulaski Baptist Association or, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention or both.

• Supervision - All officers, will be under the supervision of their respective teams unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws. All teams shall be accountable to the Church pastor, and together shall be subject to the congregational decisions of this
• Decisions - All items of business shall be decided by at least a 75% majority of votes cast by the members present except as stipulated in other sections of these Bylaws
• Teams - The leader or each team may appoint, upon the approval of the Church pastor, other committees or personnel that may come under its jurisdiction to fulfill efficiently the duties assigned to
• Rules - All team leaders shall conduct all business in an orderly and parliamentary
• Meetings - All teams and the Church pastor shall meet at least monthly. Special team meetings may be called by the Church staff or team leaders,
• Duties - All teams and committees of this church shall adhere to the duties as outlined in their respective job descriptions as approved by the Church members/staff.
• Officers - The officers of this church shall include: Pastor, assistance Pastor, Recording Secretary, (Finance Team Leader), and Team Leaders of the ministry and structured teams duly established and elected by the congregation to conduct the ministry, organizational, out-reach and business affairs of this
• Operating Budget - Each leadership team shall prepare, submit, and manage an operating budget for that team in compliance with the Church staff and Finance Team guidance for inclusion in the proposed Annual Budget

This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended provided the proposed amendment shall have been presented in writing at a regular church business meeting and then circulated to the membership. Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws shall be two-thirds vote of members of the church who are qualified to vote and are present in the business meeting with a quorum to discuss and vote for this matter.

Section 1. Qualifications

Membership of UBBC shall consist of people having made a profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who, having been scripturally baptized by immersion, and are in agreement with the Articles of Faith.

Section 2. Reception

Membership in the church may be attained by majority vote of the church in any of its regular business meetings and in one of the following manners:

• By scriptural baptism by immersion after profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior
• By transfer of church letter from another Baptist church.
• By a statement of faith of their prior experience of conversion and scriptural baptism by immersion in another evangelical church of like faith and pratice
• By restoration to the church membership after having been dropped.

Section 3. Termination

Membership in this church shall be terminated when a member:

• Requests a letter of transfer to join another church.
• Is dropped from the roll of membership when he or she joins another kind of church. A letter of transfer is not necessary.
• The member dies.
• Is dismissed by a vote of the church due to reasons and circumstances provided in the Church disciipline
• The pastor and deacons will do all they can to counsel the member for restoration prior to action of dismissal or a request of the member to be dismissed from the church membership.

Section 4. Orientation of New Members

• Candidates for membership and new members must to attend a Church Membership Class to learn and understand the privileges and responsibilities of belonging to the Lord's church.

Section 5. Responsibilities and Rights of members

Because every member is a minister of Jesus Christ, and commanded by Him to meet the needs of others, members are expected to:

• Be faithful in all the responsibilities essential to the Christian life, to attend regularly scheduled services of this church, to give regularly with tithes and offerings in support of its work and causes, and to serve in its polity.
• Be active, having equal rights, both male and female, in all matters pertaining to the polity of this church. It will be the responsibility of each member to be informed concerning the work and business of the church and  to give prayerful and intelligent consideration to any matter presented for church vote or to refrain from voting.

Section 6. Classifications of Membership

• Active Members: All those who show interest in the welfare of the church and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ by consistent attendance and support, will be classified as active members.
• Inactive Members: All those who do not attend or support the regularly scheduled services of the church for a period of three consecutive months will be placed on the inactive list and will not have the right to The clerk/secretary will have the responsibility of attending to this matter. A member who has been on the inactive list can be reinstated by consistent attendance at the regularly scheduled services of the church for one month and being faithful in carrying out his or her responsibilities as a member. Consistent attendance will be interpreted to mean attendance of at least four regularly scheduled services of the church in a month. Regularly scheduled services mean the weekly services that appear in the church bulletin. Exceptions in this matter will apply in cases of illness, missionary and Christian service, absence due to military service, temporary schooling, employment not involving a permanent relocation, and an extended vacation period, in which event the deacons will be informed as to the reason for desiring to be exempted.

Section 7. Discipline and Restoration

• Should any unhappy difference arise among members, the aggrieved member shall follow in a tender spirit, the rules given by our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17
• Should any case of gross breach of relationship, or of public scandal occur, the deacons shall endeavor to resolve the conflict; and if this effort fails, shall report the case to the church.
• All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance, but should an adverse decision be reached, the church may proceed to admonish or declare the
• offender to be no longer in the membership of the church.
• Any person whose membership has been terminated for any offense may be restored by vote of the church, upon evidence of his repentance and reformation;
• The Bible clearly teaches that the church is to exercise discipline among its members. Disciplinary guidelines are found in the following passages: Matthew 6:14-15; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11, 13:1; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:19-20, 6:3-5; Titus 3:10-11; James 5:19-20. In accordance with these scriptures it will be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled The pastor, deacons, and other members of the church are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another will be guided by a concern for redemption rather than punishment.
• Should a member become a reproach to the Lord Jesus and the ministry of this church by reason of persistent unchristian conduct, this will become grounds for termination of membership. In a spirit of kindness, forbearance, and meekness, the pastor, deacons, and other church members will make every effort to bring that member to repentance and amendment. Should these efforts be unsuccessful, the matter will be brought to the church in the form of an oral notice of offenses for consideration and pra Withdrawal of membership requires a simple majority vote of the active members present.
• Upon evidence of the excluded person's repentance, reformation, and personal request, the church may restore membership by a simple majority

• Parliamentary Rules Robert's Rule s of Order (revised edition) is adopted as the authority for parliamentary rules of procedure for all business meetings of the church and for all other meetings that demand voting of the church members, including committee meetings. (See church copy)

• Members - All active members of the church are to be regarded as voting members of this congregation
• Privilege - Active members have the right and privilege, except as noted in these Bylaws, to attend any and all meetings of the Church staff, to voice thought and opinion, to participate in proceedings, make motions or seconds to motions and vote on such matters as are brought before the congregation. Members enjoy the right to attend duly called meetings of the Church staff and various leadership teams, unless excluded by the presiding officer of the leadership team based on the confidential nature of the agenda or for reasons that may prove to be for the good of the
• Authority - The Active membership of this Church retains the right to initiate requests for consideration or inclusion on a Church Such requests must be considered by the staff at that meeting or the next regularly scheduled meeting of Church staff. A recommendation to table a request may be honored with intent to investigate the issue fully prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting of Church staff. Further, the membership may question with intent to amend, reverse, or nullify any rule or decision of the Church staff, leadership team(s) or committee at a duly called Congregational meeting considered to be for the good of the church body.

• Responsibility - The members, as they are able, are expected to participate in all regularly scheduled or duly called business meetings of the Members shall respect the Church decisions, properly made and binding; and, as much as in them and where conscience is not violated, encourage and promote implementation or compliance thereof.
• Officially Called Meetings - A special meeting of the Congregation may be called by: The staff, Senior Pastor and one other member.

Section 1. Annual Meetings - There shall be two Annual Congregational Meetings of the church. The first Annual Congregational Meeting shall be held on a feasible day each April, said day to be chosen by the Pastor and church staff. At that meeting, the congregation shall consider and vote on:

• Election of Officers - The officers and all team leaders and members for the teams Officers so elected shall serve from October - October of the following ye
• New Business - New business to be considered at the Annual Congregational Meeting should be submitted in writing to the Church pastor or staff at least two weeks prior to the
• The second Annual Congregational Meeting shall be held on a feasible day each October, said day to be chosen by the Pastor and Church s At that meeting, the congregation shall consider and vote on the annual budget recommended by the Finance Team for the following fiscal year.
• New Business - New business to be considered at the Annual Congregational Meeting should be submitted in writing to the Church pastor or staff at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
• Annual Report - A written report shall be made available at the October Annual Congregational Meeting by the following: the Pastor, the Ministry Staff, the Recording Secretary and the leader of each team.
• UBBC will hold a regular business meeting every quarter.The time and day of this meeting will be determined by the membership. The Pastor will preside at all business meeting In the absence of the pastor, the chairperson of the deacons or another deacon will moderate.
• Special business meetings may be called at any time but only after public announcement at least two church services prior to that meetin The purpose(s) of the meeting will be stated clearly and at that meeting no other business may be conducted.
• Teams will have authority to conduct budgeted business without bringing it before the church as long as it does not exceed the budgeted amoun
• The church may create/elect/appoint other teams as needed to function effectively.

This church shall employ or call staff as needed

Staff members other than that of the pastor shall be recommended for employment by an elected personnel staff. All Salary are negotiable

 ►Section 1. Pastor:

The qualifications for pastor shall be consistent with those listed in

I Timothy 3:1-7. His training, skills, and experiences are needed in this area of leadership.

• He must also believe and abide by the Southern Baptist Faith & Message
• He must support the Southern Baptist Convention by attending various function/ l meeting and through important contributions.

Responsibilities:

• These generally fall into the following areas: preaching, teaching, pastoral counseling, administration, planning, and guiding the church to grow and fulfill its purposes.
• He shall lead the church, the organizations, and all leaders of the church in performing their tasks in worship, proclamation, education, and
• The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all church standing committees, except the Pastor's Selection
• He shall assist the deacons in securing pulpit supply for times in his

·      Call

• A pastor shall be chosen and called whenever a vacancy occurs.
• A Pastor's Selection Committee shall be appointed by the church to seek out a suitable pastor and this committee's recommendation will serve as a
• The Pastor's Selection Committee will recommend only one candidate at a
• The Pastor's election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose, of which at least one week notice shall be given to the members.
• An affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of those present is necessary for a choice.

Terms of Service

• The chosen pastor shall serve until the relationship is terminated by either his request or that of the c In either case, at least sixty (60) days' notice Shall be given unless otherwise mutually agreed.
• There shall be a written mutual contract/agreement made between the pastor and the church.

 Election

• A Pastor Search committee will be nominated and elected by the church in a special business meeting, for the purpose of seeking out, interviewing and recommending to the church a qualified pas The committee will bring to the consideration of the church only one person at a time. The pastor's election will take place at a meeting called for that purpose within a week after the person's presentation to the church in view of a call. The election will be by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of active members present and voting by secret ballot.

Termination

• The pastor will serve until the church's request terminates the relationship. The pastor will give at least two weeks’ notice at the time of resignation before terminating the responsibilities as pastor, unless otherwise mutually The pastor's family is allowed 30 days from the resignation date before the parsonage must be vacated.
• The church may at any time dismiss the pastor from pastoral responsibilities should the pastor be guilty of conduct unbecoming a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or heretical preaching, or for any other reason which will hinder the progress of the church or dishonor its name and bring shame to the name of Such action to terminate the pastor by the church will be by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of a quorum of those active members present and voting by secret ballot in a specially called and publicized meeting. The pastor will be paid any salary due current to date and be dismissed. When such action is taken because of improper conduct or heresy, if possible, the church having  ordained the pastor will be notified of the action. The parsonage must be vacated within 30 days.

      NOTE: Background Check required for this position.

Section 2. Minister of Music / Musicians

• There shall be a written mutual contract/agreement made between the Minister of Music/ Musicians and the church Note References will be required.

 Term:

• The chosen Minister of Music/ Musicians shall serve until the relationship is terminated by either his/ her Request or that of the church. In either case, at least thirty (30) days' notice Shall be given unless otherwise mutually agreed.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a born again believer in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior Exemplary Christian character
• Attitude: You should be one who is interested in the total ministry of this church and not just the music You should be an active church member (Membership of this church is expected).
• Loyalty: Any problems or concerns should be discussed with the Minister of Music, as he is your immediate
• There should be a spirit of cooperation between the pianist and organist to assist Each other at all times.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as accompanist in the following areas: The pianist will play the piano for all church services, both regular and special, unless otherwise excused by the Minister of Music (Sunday mornings 10:45  a.m.Sunday evenings 6:00 p.m. if needed, Revivals, and to also include occasional special meetings outside the church, i.e., revivals, invitations to other churches, etc.). This includes accompanying all congregational singing, as well as solos, ensembles and choirs as needed.

The pianist will serve as accompanist to the adult/Children choir during regular Rehearsals (Wednesday 7:00 m.), special rehearsals, and performances, Ensembles and soloists, and other related responsibilities assigned by the Minister of Music.

Meet with the Minister of Music as called upon for planning, reviewing, surveying future music needs, and discuss current matters

Prepare and perform all music for rehearsals and services (preludes, offertories, anthems, postludes, etc.) as needed.

Maintain a regular schedule of personal practice time.

Weddings and funerals are not included in this job description and are left to the discretion of the pianist.

Time off is to be scheduled at least two weeks in advance with the Minister of Music. Only on rare occasions will both the pianist and organist be permitted to be off at the same time.

It is the responsibility of the pianist to secure a substitute in his/her absence. A list of substitutes is available from the Minister of Music. Substitutes will be paid accordingly.

Section 3. Church Cleaning/Janitorial position

There shall be a written mutual contract/agreement made between the janitorial position and the church.

Term:

The chosen Janitorial shall serve until the relationship is terminated by either his/ her request or that of the church. In either case, at least thirty (30) days' notice Shall be given unless otherwise mutually agreed.

Qualifications

• Be a born-again believer in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior Exemplary Christian character.
• Must be honest.
• Must be reliable.
• One year of experience performing janitorial related cleaning work preferred.
• Technical skill in using janitorial equipment and chemicals.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Good decision-making abilities
• Ability to organize work and manage time
• JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for cleaning offices, sanctuary, and community areas within the building. Flexible hours, but need to schedule cleaning times around other church activities
  • Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming them.
  • Gather and empty all trash cans.
  • Service, clean, and supply all
  • Clean windows, glass and mirrors, using soapy water cleaners, sponges, and squeegees.
  • Requisition supplies and equipment needed for
  • Water all plants
  • The floors are to be stripped and or waxed as needed (note additional paid will apply)