DBC desires to fulfill God’s purposes through the mission and vision that has been presented earlier in this document. In order for this to be accomplished, DBC recognizes that the establishment of a biblically directed and effective organizational structure is essential.

 

God, in His grace and wisdom, has given us a blueprint for church leadership in His Word. While this blueprint is clear, His Word remains silent in many aspects of how the church is to establish organizational structure. One possibility for this silence is that God’s Word has and will continue to grant each of His ministries the flexibility to organize and adapt to the needs and mission for which it is targeted.

 

Where it has been possible and applicable, DBC has sought to establish what can be learned from the structure of the early church from God’s Word to the organizational structure presented below.

 

The Bible specifically establishes two leadership positions for the church: the position of Elder and the position of Deacon. The position of Pastor within DBC is a title given to an Elder who is paid by the ministry but whose responsibility and position is the same as those of an Elder.

 

A.) Qualifications: The qualifications of a pastor or elder are stated in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
B.) Roles and Responsibilities: While each pastor and elder is required to meet the Biblical qualifications noted above, each pastor and elder will have different roles and responsibilities as defined by the elder council. Further information regarding the elder council can be found in the following section, entitled Oversight.
C.) Selection of Pastors: The elder council will determine the process of selecting pastors. Approval of a senior pastor will require a 90% vote of the members of DBC while approval of all other pastors will require a 70% vote of the members of DBC.
D.) Ordination: Ordination is a formal process of equipping and qualifying a man for full-time Christian ministry. If a man desires to enter into vocational Christian ministry and has been a member of DBC for two years or more, he should seek the counsel of the elder council regarding the qualifications for and process of ordination. The elder council will oversee the process of ordination and grant ordination to a man who meets the qualifications and requirements of a pastor. Once he has been ordained, he is entitled to carry the title of Pastor.
E.) Selection of Elders: The elder council will select elders to fulfill the purposes of DBC and its related ministries.

F.) Removal of Pastors and Elders: Any elder subject to removal proceedings shall be given the opportunity to appear before the elder council in his own defense. After a full hearing has been granted, the elder council shall vote either in favor of or against the removal of the elder. No elder may be removed from office except by a vote of seventy-five (75%) percent of the elder council.

 

A.) Qualifications: The qualifications of a deacon are stated in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

B.) Roles and Responsibilities: While each deacon is required to meet the biblical qualifications noted above, each deacon will have different roles and responsibilities as determined by the Pastor overseeing the deacon board, of which each deacon will be a member. Further information regarding the deacon board can be found in the following section, entitled Oversight.

 

The oversight of DBC is under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and is in submission to Him. The organizational structure for this local body is shown in the figure below.

 

A.) Purpose: The elder council is the executive body of DBC and will serve to lead the church and its related ministries in fulfilling the purposes that God has given.
B.) Structure: The elder council will consist of pastors and elders. It will have the flexibility to structure itself, the administration, and ministries of DBC in the manner that most effectively carries out its mission and purposes.
C.) Responsibilities: The elder council will be responsible to provide for appropriate accountability at all times in all decisions made and actions taken. This accountability, ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ, may range within DBC from mutual accountability within the Elder Board to asking deacons or others to assist in providing accountability.

D.) Legal and Corporate Authority: The elder council will be recognized as the Board of Directors of the church corporation. It will have the authority to sign all official documents connected with legal transactions, financial transactions, and any documents required by the Local, State, or Federal Governments. The elder council shall have control of all property belonging to the Church.

 

A.) Purpose: The purpose of the deacon board is to serve and assist the elder council in fulfilling the purposes of DBC.

B.) Structure: The elder council will determine the structure, administration, and organization of the deacon board. A pastor or elder will provide oversight to the deacon board as Deacon Chair.

 

 

A.) Concerning Voting: Voting will take place at congregational meetings or by ballot delivered either through the mail or in person to every active member of the congregation in good standing. There is no minimum age for membership; however, the voting age is 18 years old.
B.) Issues Requiring Congregational Vote
1. Incurring of any debt which exceeds five percent (5%) of the annual general fund offerings of the previous year.
2. Employing pastoral staff
3. Annual budget
4. Constitutional changes (with 2/3 approval)

5. Any area for which the elder council calls

 

 

A.) The wording or Biblical confirmation of our present doctrinal statement may be changed. Such changes can only be made with the unanimous approval of the entire pastoral staff and Elder Council. Such changes would not be subject to a vote by the congregation.

B.) Any section of the Constitution other than the doctrinal statement may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at a business meeting, provided the proposed amendment has been printed and distributed two weeks prior to the business meeting.

 

 

A.) Called meetings of the congregation may be held at the discretion of the elder council or upon written request of ten percent (10%) of the members of DBC. The business meeting will be announced from the pulpit two Sundays preceding the meeting; the agenda will be posted on the bulletin board.
B.) The elder council will determine the agenda for any business meeting, and no business other than that on the agenda will be discussed.
C.) Quorum: A quorum is constituted by at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the active, resident membership present for the transaction of business.
D.) A majority vote of the voting members present at any constitutionally called congregational business meeting will be required to render final decisions in any matter under consideration with three exceptions: (1) amendments to the doctrinal statement, (2) amendments to the constitution, and (3) calling of pastors.

E.) All business meetings shall be conducted “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40) to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and will follow the parliamentary procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

Guidelines regarding procedural and policy matters of DBC, the elder council, and the deacon board will be maintained in a separate document by the elder council entitled Guiding Principles, Policies, and Procedures.