How Pilgrim operates, manages resources, and conducts ministry.
Property Decisions
The pastor, deacons, and trustees have authority, by majority decision among themselves, to take the following actions on behalf of the church:
Purchase, Lease, or Acquire PropertyThese decisions are made prayerfully, with counsel among leadership, and in accordance with the church’s mission and financial stewardship principles. All property transactions shall be conducted in accordance with the laws of the state of Tennessee.
Property and Legal Matters
Although the general public is invited to all worship services, church property remains private property owned and controlled by Pilgrim Baptist Church.
The pastor, deacons, elders, and trustees have the authority to suspend or revoke any person’s right to enter or remain on church property — including members — if necessary for the safety, order, or spiritual health of the congregation.
If a person enters or remains on church property after being notified of such suspension or revocation, they may be treated as a trespasser and subject to legal consequences.
Membership in Pilgrim Baptist Church does not afford members any property, contractual, or civil rights based on principles of democratic government. Membership is a spiritual relationship and covenant commitment, not a legal contract or ownership stake.
Members agree to resolve disputes biblically within the church, in accordance with Scripture’s teaching on conflict resolution and church discipline.
Financial Transparency & Accountability
Members may inspect the church’s prepared annual financial statement upon verbal request to the pastor or church treasurer. This ensures transparency and accountability in how the Lord’s resources are stewarded.
Certain information involving privacy interests is exempt from inspection and is not subject to disclosure without a court order:
Members agree that any information obtained from inspection of church records will be kept in strict confidence and not shared publicly or used for purposes contrary to the church’s mission and ministry.
Members may not copy, photograph, or create digital records of ministry documents without explicit authorization from the pastor.
Educational Ministries
We believe the home and church share responsibility before God for providing Christian education. To help fulfill this calling and further the Great Commission, Pilgrim establishes and maintains educational programs — including Sunday School and weekday Bible studies — for the purposes of winning souls to Christ, teaching Bible doctrine, fostering godly worship, and encouraging biblical Christian living.
All educational programs are conducted as an integral ministry of the church and must be taught in full agreement with our statement of faith and the inerrant Word of God.
The church will not hire, appoint, or retain any employee or volunteer for educational ministries who fails to adhere to our doctrinal statement, expresses disagreement with our biblical convictions, or adopts a lifestyle inconsistent with our statement of faith — whether in or out of the classroom.
Any school designed to train pastors or church leaders shall align with our doctrinal beliefs and governance structure. Decisions to establish such programs will be made by majority decision of the pastor, deacons, and trustees.
Committees
The pastor and church leaders may designate or form committees — either standing (ongoing) or temporary (special purpose) — and appoint members and chairpersons as deemed in the best interest of the church.
Committees have no authority to act on behalf of the church. Their primary function is to research, plan, and recommend courses of action to church leadership. Committees serve at the pleasure of church leadership and exist to assist, not to govern.
Designated Contributions
From time to time, the church may establish specific funds to accomplish particular ministry goals — such as missions support, building projects, benevolence needs, or special outreaches.
When the church receives a contribution designated for a specific purpose, we will make every effort to honor that designation. However, all designated contributions are advisory rather than legally binding and remain subject to the control and discretion of the pastor and church leadership.
No fiduciary obligation is created by any designated contribution other than to use the funds for the general furtherance of the church’s biblical purposes and mission.
This policy protects the church’s ability to:
Tax Exemption & Legal Compliance
Pilgrim Baptist Church operates as a tax-exempt religious organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To maintain this status and operate with biblical integrity, the following provisions govern our operations.
No part of the church’s net earnings shall benefit or be distributed to members, trustees, officers, or other private persons. The church may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments in furtherance of its religious, educational, and charitable purposes.
The church does not engage in substantial lobbying or propaganda efforts to influence legislation. To the extent prohibited by law, the church will not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
This does not prohibit the church from teaching biblical principles that apply to political and cultural issues, or from encouraging members to be informed voters and engaged citizens.
In the event of the church’s dissolution, all assets shall be distributed to one or more tax-exempt organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3), are formed and operated exclusively for religious purposes, and agree with this church’s statement of faith. No assets shall be distributed to individuals or organizations that do not meet these requirements.
The church does not discriminate against members, applicants, or participants on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin.
However, as a religious institution, the church reserves the right to make decisions based on religious convictions regarding employment, membership, and participation consistent with our statement of faith.
This policy does not waive the ministerial exception or any other exemption to anti-discrimination laws that protects religious organizations’ freedom to operate according to their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Conflict of Interest Policy
This policy protects the church’s integrity when considering transactions or arrangements that might benefit the private interests of church leaders or members, or that might result in an improper financial benefit.
Any church leader or committee member with governing authority who has a direct or indirect financial interest in a matter before the church.
A person has a financial interest if they have, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family: an ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the church has a transaction; a compensation arrangement with the church or any entity involved; or a potential ownership or compensation arrangement with any entity being negotiated. A financial interest is not automatically a conflict of interest — the board determines whether a conflict actually exists.
The pastor, deacons, and trustees serve as the board for determining conflict of interest procedures.
Duty to Disclose
Any person with an actual or possible conflict of interest must disclose the existence of the financial interest to the pastor and deacons, provide all material facts, and be given opportunity to present information and answer questions.
Determining Whether a Conflict Exists
After disclosure and discussion, the interested person must leave the meeting while the board deliberates and votes on whether a conflict of interest exists.
Addressing the Conflict
If a conflict is determined to exist, the board shall appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives, exercise due diligence, and determine whether the proposed transaction is in the church’s best interest, fair, and reasonable before making a final decision.
Violations of the Policy
If the board has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, the member shall be informed, given opportunity to explain, and if a violation is confirmed, the board shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
All conflict of interest disclosures and board decisions shall be documented in church records to maintain transparency and accountability.
Amendments to Church Governance
This governance structure and these policies may be amended or updated by church leadership as needed to better reflect biblical principles, serve the congregation, and fulfill the mission of the church.
Members will be notified of any significant changes to these policies and procedures.
Church Leadership
Who leads the church and how decisions are made.
Read More → Biblical StandardsChurch Discipline & Conflict Resolution
How we handle sin, conflict, and restoration biblically.
Read More → MembershipChurch Membership
How to join and what’s expected of members.
Read More →Questions? Contact Pastor Fortunato directly.