First Assembly of God
4905 S. Hwy. 16, Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 342-8265 voice, (605) 342-6848 fax
www.firstagrc.com
“A Light In The Hills”
Deacon Board Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Next Meeting: July 13, 6:30 pm
Monthly Financial Report: (click here)
Deacon Board Governance:
This website is intended to serve as a one-stop resource for persons interested in the function of the Board of Deacons at this Assembly. The processes and charge of duties that are followed is spelled out in both the Constitution and in the Bylaws. Article VI, Sec. 4 of the Constitution states:
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE VI – Officers AND GOVERNMENT
Section 4 – Deacons
The Deacons shall be responsible for the financial administration of the Assembly. The Deacons shall be members of mature Christian experience and knowledge. They shall be the custodians of all the church property and shall serve the Assembly as outline in the by-laws.
Several sections of the Bylaws outline the election and duties of the Deacons, including:
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS / STAFF
Section 4 – Other Officers
All members of the Deacon Board, Elder Board and other officers of the church, shall be mature persons whose lives and conduct shall conform to the following scriptures: Acts 6:3; I Timothy 3:1-13. Members of the Deacon Board and the Elder Board must have been active members of this church in good standing for at least one year prior to commencement of their term of service and shall have attained the age of 25 years of age.
ARTICLE II – DUTIES OF OFFICERS / STAFF
Section 6 – The Deacon Board
Powers of the Deacon Board shall be subject to limitation of the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws as it now consists or may be from time to time amended, and the Laws of the State of South Dakota.
All corporate powers of this church shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and its business affairs shall be controlled by, the Deacon Board.
Without limiting their general powers, the Deacon Board shall have these specific powers:
a) With the exception of the Pastor, to ratify the selection of all appointed positions made by the Pastor and to remove the same and to select and remove all other officers, agents and employees of the church, prescribe such powers and duties for them as are not set by these Bylaws, consistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, and good business practices, and, as necessary, to require from them appropriate security for faithful service, to grant sabbaticals, and to fix compensation of all Pastors, staff, agents and employees of the church.
b) To conduct, manage and control affairs and business of this church, and to make rules and regulations not inconsistent with law, the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation or its Constitution and Bylaws.
c) To conduct meetings, held in accordance with Article IX, on a monthly basis or more often as is deemed necessary to conduct the business required.
d) To borrow money and incur indebtedness in the course of business of this church, and for that purpose to cause to be executed and delivered in the name of this corporation promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, or other evidences or indebtedness or securities, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and the Bylaws of this church (see Article VIII pertaining to property). Any transaction that contemplates an expenditure or debt in excess of $50,000 shall first require the consent of the membership.
e) To take and hold as custodians and trustees for the use and benefit of the church all of its property, being responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of same for the comfort of the congregation.
f) To receive and hold as custodians and trustees any gifts from members of third parties, on such conditions and restrictions as the Deacon Board deems reasonable, and to dispose of same pursuant to such conditions, exempted from and free of any restrictions that might otherwise appear in provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws. In order to qualify for such exemption, the conditions and restrictions must be clearly stated in writing by the donor, and filed with the regular minutes of meetings of the Deacon Board, which conditions may include provisions for nondisclosure of the name of the donor.
g) To organize themselves at the first meeting after the Annual Business Meeting for the purpose of election of officers and to appoint members to standing committees of the church and for the Board of Deacons.
ARTICLE III – ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS/STAFF
Section 2 – Deacon Board
a) Nominating Committee – In ordinary course candidates for membership on the Deacon Board shall be nominated by a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall consist of the Elder Board. Nominees will be chosen by the Elder Board from the list of eligible members whose names will be posted to the membership by mail, with the membership selecting their choices from the nominating committees list of candidates. The names of the candidates selected by the membership shall be properly announced and posted at least two Sundays prior to the Annual Business Meeting where such elections are to be considered. Additional nominations may not be submitted from the floor.
b) Members of the Deacon Board shall be elected by the membership of the Assembly. They will be nominated by a nominating committee as set forth here in above. All such elections shall be ratified by simple majority, by secret ballot, at the annual business meeting. Their terms of office shall be for three years from the time of election. Each Deacon may not serve more than one term consecutively, however, he may be considered for reelection after one year out of office. The Deacon Board shall consist of 5 to 9 members of which the terms of approximately 1/3 shall expire each year. Any change in the number of Deacons shall be by the membership at the Annual Business Meeting.
ARTICLE IV – VACANCIES OF OFFICERS/STAFF
Section 2 – Deacons
Vacancies on the Deacon Board shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the Deacon Board. The successors shall serve for the unexpired term of their predecessors. Should the number of members of the Deacon Board fall below one-half of the number required by the Bylaws, the remaining Deacon Board members shall call a special meeting of the membership for the purpose of filling these vacancies by the membership electoral process, as defined herein.
Deacon Board Members:
Vice President of the Corporation: Bryan Jacobson
Board of Deacons:
- Randy Chappell
- Ken Even
- Bryan Jacobson
- Bob Sieve (Secretary)
- Paul Cox
- Larry Stetler (Treasurer)
- Al Wessel
Current Deacon Board Activities:
Monthly Deacon meetings are convened to conduct the normal business of this Assembly. Topics at these meetings generally consist of the following outline:
o Opening prayer and devotion
o Executive session (if necessary or called by a board member)
o Approval of minutes of previous meeting
o Treasurer report
o Old business
o New business
o Approval of action items
o Adjournment
It is typical for multiple items to fall within these general topic headings. Significant time is devoted to discussion on the many important issues that must be addressed each month. Voting is performed usually by voice vote, and can be called for a ballot vote on any issue (although this is rare).
In addition to these general topics, there are several longer-term items that the deacons are working on throughout the next year, and include (in no specific order):
o Pastoral Search
o Review of Missions policy for the church to be submitted to the Missions committee.
o Bylaws subcommittee to review and suggest updates to the bylaws. These would be submitted to the membership for voting at the next regular business meeting in February, 2011.
o Review and revision of the Policy Manual.
o Creation of Deacon portfolios to be displayed and presented to the membership.
This Deacon board recognizes that to successfully complete the above items, we require and request input and assistance from the membership. In the near future, we will be soliciting volunteers to assist us, as members of the various subcommittees, with review and revisions of many of the policies and manuals.