PREAMBLE

 

Whereas the members of the Consolation Baptist Association believe it to be a great advantage for the

churches of Jesus Christ, composed of persons regularly baptized on profession of faith in Christ, to be

associated together for mutual support and assistance, this Association is organized for the purpose of

creating such an association and facilitating the cooperation of the association of the associated churches

in carrying out our Lord's Great Commission. 

 

ARTICLE I- NAME 

 

This Association shall be called the Consolation Baptist Association, Inc., hereafter in this document

referred as the Association. 

 

ARTICLE II- PURPOSE 

 

The objective of this Association shall be: To promote Christian missions, Christian education, Christian

benevolence, discipleship and discipleship making, pastoral support, family ministry, and social service

causes at home and abroad through the churches of the association, to provide help and fellowship for the

churches of the association through the Association's organizations, and to effect a close cooperation

between the churches of the association, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and the Southern Baptist

Convention in promoting the Kingdom of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the whole world. 

 

ARTICLE III- RELATIONSHIPS

 

This association shall have the authority to govern its own affairs and shall not be subject to any other

body. This association shall have no power to lord over God’s heritage, to claim ecclesiastical power over

any of the churches, or to infringe in any manner on the internal rights of the churches. 

 

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIPS 

 

This association shall consist of churches of like faith and order that have been received into membership

in the Association and continue as members in accord with this constitution. Member churches are

entitled to representation by their duly elected messengers (ARITCAL V) and their representatives on the

Executive Committee (ARTICAL IX-A). Churches desiring membership in this body shall present by

properly elected messengers a petitionary letter together with proper credentials of organization and

Articles of Faith to the Administration Committee. Such churches may, by majority vote during any

executive Committee meeting, Fall or Spring meeting come under watch-care of the Association to be

voted on during the next executive, Fall, or Spring meetings. Churches receiving a majority vote after

watch-care shall be received into full membership. The association admits the right of any of the

churches comprising of the association to withdraw without stating any reason for so doing. However,

written notification of such action shall be given to the association or its Administrative Committee.  

At the same time, this association claims the right to withdraw from a church that departs from the

principles of this compact by becoming heterodox in faith or disorderly in practice. To affect this action,

two-thirds of the Messengers present and voting during any executive, Fall, or Spring meetings. 

 

 

ARTICLE V -MESSENGERS 

 

Messengers for the Fall and Spring sessions shall be determined in one of two ways: Each church shall be

entitled to the pastor and to four (4) Messengers, and every church with a total of 200 average worship

attendance shall be entitled to one additional Messenger for each 100 members or fraction thereof.

However, no church shall be entitled too more than ten (10) Messengers (not including the pastor).

 

Each church shall be entitled to the pastor and four (4) Messengers, and every church that gives up to two

percent (2%) of their general offering to Consolation Baptist Association shall be entitled to an additional

Messenger for each half percent (1/2%) or fraction thereof. However, no church shall be entitled to more

than ten (10) Messengers.

Messengers for the executive Committee shall be the pastor and four additional members representing

their church.

Messengers shall be elected by the churches. However, if any elected member is not able to attend then

the pastor or chairman of the deacons may appoint another member in their place.  

 

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS 

 

The Association shall meet on the fourth Thursday evening of April for the Spring Session and the fourth

Thursday evening of October for the Fall Session. The adoption of a proposed calendar 

The Executive Committee shall meet on the fourth Monday evening during the months of January and

August.

 

The Administrative Committee will meet the week before, or if necessary two weeks before, each

Executive, Fall, or Spring meeting. In case of an emergency the Administrative Committee can be called

in order to make necessary decision. The committee must provide the minutes of the meeting review

during the next association meeting. In the event of an emergency that there is time to call an Executive

Committee meeting, the Administrative Committee shall have the right to change the time or place and/or

call a special session of the association. Notice of a change or called meeting shall be mailed, emailed, or

text to the churches at least one week prior to any changed or called meeting. 

To constitute a quorum for transaction of business, will consist of all members present during any regular

Planned meeting. 

 

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS 

 

The officers of the association shall be the Moderator, who shall serve as Director and President of the

Corporation; a Vice-Moderator; a Clerk, who shall serve as Director and Secretary of the Corporation; a

Treasurer;  a Chairman of the Executive Committee, who shall serve as a Director and Vice-President of

the corporation; an Administrative Committee Chairman; and a Georgia Baptist Mission Board

Representative.

 

1.      The association shall elect these officers annually in its Fall Session upon nominations by the

Administrative Committee. However, other nominations may be made from the floor in which event the

vote on contested offices shall be by secret ballot. 

 

2.     The terms of these officers shall begin at the end of the session in which they are elected. The Officers

 of the Association shall be governed by the actions of the association in its semi-annual sessions and the

actions of the Executive Committee. 

 

3.   Officers serve at the will of the Association and may be removed by two-thirds of the messengers

present and voting at any regular or called meeting of the Association. The Administrative Committee may submit a

new member in these positions if they are vacated, or if the elected Officer fails to uphold his or her

responsibility to the office. The Consolation Baptist Association in meeting or the Executive Committee

will give final approval on such changes.

 

4. The Moderator, Vice-Moderator, the Association Executive Committee Chairman, and the Georgia

Baptist Executive Committee Representative should meet the following qualifications:  a) He or she 

should have already served two years within the association. b) He or she must affirm the Baptist Faith 

and Message 2000.  c) He or she must attend the majority (at least two) of the association’s meetings

(Such as Executive Committee Meeting and the Fall & Spring Sessions). d) He or she must attend

one of our churches that has contributed at least 2%  and/or $2,000.00 annually to regular association giving. 

 

The Moderator shall be elected during the Fall Meeting; the Moderator shall not serve more than two

(2) years consecutively. The Moderator shall be responsible to preside over and lead in the planning of the

Spring and Fall meetings. The Moderator shall serve on the Administrative Committee and all other

committees as an Ex-Officio member with all rights and privileges. The Moderator will have the right to

appoint any Ad-Hoc Committee. If the Moderator is not able to perform his work during the Fall or

Spring meetings, the Vice-Moderator will perform his work. If the Vice-Moderator is not available, then

the Executive Committee Chairman will lead the meeting. If the Executive Committee Chairman is not

available, the Administrative Committee Chairman will lead the session.  If none of the previous officers

are available, the Clerk shall call the Session into order and the first item of business will be to elect a

temporary moderator. 

 

The Vice-Moderator shall be elected during the Fall Meeting. The Vice-moderator will sit on the

Administrative Committee as an Ex-Officio member with all rights and privileges. The Vice-Moderator

will stand in for the Moderator when the Moderator is not present. The Vice-moderator shall serve no

more than one year consecutively. 

 

The Executive Committee Chairman shall be elected during the Fall Meeting. The Executive

Committee Chairman shall not serve more than two (2) years consecutively. The Executive Committee

Chairman shall be responsible to preside over and lead in the planning of the Executive Committee

Meetings. The Executive Committee Chairman shall serve on the Administrative Committee as an Ex-

Officio member with all rights and privileges. If the Executive Committee Chairman is not able to 

perform his function during the Executive Committee, the Vice-Moderator shall preside. If the Vice-

Moderator is not able to preside, the Moderator will preside, if the Moderator is not able to preside, the

Administration Chairman will preside. If the Administration Committee chairman is not able to preside,

the clerk shall call the meeting to order, and the first goal of business is the election of a temporary

Chairman. If the administration committee chairman is not able to perform the task, the clerk will call the

meeting or session into order and the electing of the temporary leader will be the first order of business. 

 

The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the association. The treasurer

should be solely responsible for such monies and securities of the association and be one of the officers

who shall be authorized to sign checks and drafts of the Association. The Treasurer shall render to the

meeting of the Executive Committee and the semi-annual sessions of the Association a written account of

the finances of the Association. This report shall be a part of the minutes of the Executive Committee and

made available to all constituent churches. The Treasurer shall further exercise all the duties incident to

the office of treasurer. 

 

The Administrative Committee Chairman will be responsible to moderate the administrative

committee. The chairman will be responsible to bring forth any recommendations to the full association

or executive committee. If the chairman is not available, then the Association Missionary will provide the

report.

 

The Clerk shall be elected during the Fall Meeting. The Clerk shall keep the minutes and records of the

Association and cause the minutes of all meetings and reports from the churches (ACRs) to be printed and

distributed during each regular session of the association. The Clerk shall file any certificate required by

any statute, federal or state; give and serve all notices to officers, members of the Executive Committee,

churches, and other appropriate persons or bodies; be the official custodian of the records and seal of the

Association; and be one of the officers required to sign drafts, notes, security and warranty deeds of the

Association. The Clerk shall be responsible for registering all messengers during the Executive

Committee Meetings and the spring and fall sessions. The Clerk shall further exercise all duties incident

to the office of Clerk. If the clerk is unable to attend an Executive Committee meeting, fall session, or

spring session, the Moderator will appoint someone else to take notes and read the minutes. If there is a

time when the necessary officers are not available to lead a meeting or session, the clerk will call the

assembly to order, and the first business will elect a temporary leader.

 

Ministry Assistant: The ministry assistant is responsible for clerical, newsletters, media, to assist the

association missionary in the areas of Christian education, discipleship, pastor wellness, community

ministries, and other tasks directed by the association missionary or Administrative Committee. 

 

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AND DIRECTORS 

 

Whenever there is a need for a special committee or a group to perform an event or ministry the

Association Missionary, or Administrative Committee, will appoint a Chairperson and enlist only those

who are interested in the event or ministry.

 

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES 

 

A. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

 

This committee shall be composed of the officers of the Association, the Pastors of churches within the

Association, and two additional members from each church within the Association, elected by the church

and reported to the Association.  

 

The Executive Committee shall meet on the fourth Monday during the months of January and August, or

as often as circumstances require attending to the business of the Association between sessions, to carry

on the work of the Association and carry out the directives of the Association. 

The Association shall elect annually a Chairman of the Executive Committee who shall also serve as vise-

director or vice-president of the corporation. The Chairman of the Executive Committee and the

Moderator shall not be the same person. The Moderator shall serve as Vice-chairman of the Executive

Committee. The Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Executive Committee. 

 

B. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE: 

The Administrative Committee shall work with the Association Missionary and the Ministry Assistant in

the advancement of God’s kingdom through ministry and missions’ endeavors and the day to day

operations. This is the committee that the association missionary and ministry assistant approach for

suggestions and oversight. The membership shall be composed of the following Ex Officio members who

will have full privileges such as: Moderator, Vice-moderator, Association Executive Committee

Chairman, Administration Committee Chairman, Georgia Baptist Mission Board representative, the

Director of Missions, treasurer, and the ministry assistant (clerk) The committee will also consist of

twelve (12) members serving three-year rotating terms (staggered terms) and four alternates, with full

voting rights, who may fulfill any term of a member who is no longer able to serve. 

 

This committee is responsible for the following: 

 

1. To meet one to two weeks before each Executive Committee, Fall and Spring session, or when

necessary.

 

2. To work in close harmony with the Director of Missions (Association Missionary), to give him input, advice,

support, encouragement, and oversight, and to help the Director of Missions (Association Missionary) in

the oversight of all special committees and groups, the Ministry Assistant, and other workers of

the Association. 

 

3. The Director of Missions (Association Missionary) will introduce to this committee the need of any new groups

or committees. 

 

4. The committee will work in close harmony with the Director of Missions (Association Missionary) and will

encourage the member churches to pray and support him.

 

5. The Administrative Committee will function as the Nominating, Calendar, Policy, Budget

Committee, as the preaching and  resolution committee, and is responsible for the office, land or property

of the Association. 

 

6. This committee will be responsible when there is a need to form any relationship with another

association or organization. 

 

C. TRUSTEES

The trustees consist of the Moderator (President), Executive Committee Chairman (Vice-President), and the

Association Clerk (Treasurer). Their function is to sign any legal document that has been approved by the

association in a meeting or in case of an emergency the Administrative Committee.

 

ARTICLE X: FINANCES

 

In order for the Association to properly perform its work, it is necessary for it to have adequate financial

support from the member churches. Each church is autonomous and has the right and privilege to

determine the percentage of contribution it contributes to the Consolation Baptist Association. Each

church is encouraged to pray and contribute generously to the association in proportion to the blessings

the Lord has given to them. 

 

All money contributed by the churches or individuals to the association shall be kept by the Treasurer

who shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures and shall report the same to the regular

meeting of the Executive Committee and the annual sessions of the Association. 

 

The Administrative Committee shall act as a Budget Committee. Persons responsible for programs

involving the expenditure of funds shall make their request to this committee as soon as possible after the

August meeting of the Executive Committee. This committee in consultation with the Treasurer shall then

arrange a fair and equitable budget, taking into account the giving capacity of the Association and the

needs of the programs. The Administrative Committee shall present the proposed budget for the next

calendar year to the Fall Session of the Association for action. 

 

ARTICLE XI- MISCELLANEOUS 

 

The Association may purchase and hold property, both real and personal, and create debt in the pursuit of

its goal. It may dispose of such property in any way that it sees fit in keeping with its non-profit status. 

Churches are encouraged to report to the Association each year, using the forms provided, giving such

information as may be helpful to the Association, the Baptist Convention of Georgia, and the Southern

Baptist Convention. 

 

Roberts Rules of Order shall constitute the parliamentary authority for the Association. 

 

ARTICLE XII- AMENDMENTS 

 

The portion considered to be the Constitution may be altered or amended by affirmative vote of two-third

(2/3) of the Messengers present and voting. Those considered bylaws will be decided by majority vote at any

semi-annual meeting or executive committee meeting of the Association. However, after the vote for the first

recommendation, the change should be listed in the newsletter and the recommendation needs to be

approved at the next semi-annul meeting or executive committee. 

 

ARTICLE XIII- ARTICLES OF FAITH 

 

The Articles of Faith of the Consolation Baptist Association shall be the statement of The Baptist Faith

and Message adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta, GA, June 14, 2000.

 

-Revised January 2023