How Pilgrim operates, manages resources, and conducts ministry.
Authority for Property Transactions
The pastor, deacons, and trustees have authority, by majority decision among themselves, to:
Purchase, Lease, or Acquire Property
Sell, Transfer, or Mortgage Property
Renovate Church Property
These decisions are made prayerfully, with counsel among leadership, and in accordance with the church's mission and financial stewardship principles. All property transactions and church operations shall be conducted in accordance with the laws of the state of Tennessee.
Private Property
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.
No Civil or Contractual Rights
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.
(Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
Annual Financial Statement
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.
Privacy Protections
Certain information involving privacy interests is exempt from inspection and is not subject to disclosure without a court order. This includes:
These protections ensure the dignity and privacy of both givers and recipients, while maintaining appropriate financial accountability.
Confidentiality Requirements
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.
Purpose and Philosophy
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.
Church Participation
All educational programs are primarily for the benefit of church members. However, the pastor and church leaders may permit non-members to participate when it serves the church's mission and ministry goals.
Doctrinal Alignment Required
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:
Teachers and leaders in educational ministries represent the church's doctrine and must uphold it faithfully.
Bible School or Pastoral Training
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.
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2; 3:16-17)
Formation and Purpose
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. Examples include building committees, event planning committees, or ministry-specific teams.
Authority and Function
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.
All committee records and materials must be made available to the pastor and church leaders upon request. The pastor and leadership have the right to approve, modify, or overrule any plans or decisions made by committees.
Committees serve at the pleasure of church leadership and exist to assist, not to govern.
Purpose-Specific Giving
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.
Advisory Nature of Designations
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.
Why This Policy Exists
This policy protects the church's ability to:
The church operates with integrity and transparency in all financial matters, and designated funds are stewarded faithfully according to biblical principles.
(1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:20-21; 1 Peter 4:10)
Tax-Exempt Status
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:
Private Inurement Prohibited
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.
Political Activity Limitations
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.
Note: 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.
Dissolution Clause
In the event of the church's dissolution, all assets shall be distributed to one or more tax-exempt organizations that:
No assets shall be distributed to individuals or organizations that do not meet these requirements.
Nondiscrimination and Religious Liberty
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:
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.
Limitation of Activities
The church shall not engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of its stated religious, educational, and charitable purposes, except to an insubstantial degree.
(Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29; 1 Peter 2:13-17)
Purpose
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. This policy supplements applicable state and federal laws governing nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Definitions
Interested Person - Any church leader or committee member with governing authority who has a direct or indirect financial interest in a matter before the church.
Financial Interest - A person has a financial interest if they have, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
Note: A financial interest is not automatically a conflict of interest. The board determines whether a conflict actually exists.
Compensation - Direct and indirect payment, as well as gifts or favors that are not insignificant.
Board - The pastor, deacons, and trustees serve as the board for determining conflict of interest procedures.
Procedures for Handling Conflicts of Interest
1. Duty to Disclose
Any person with an actual or possible conflict of interest must:
2. 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.
3. Addressing the Conflict
If a conflict is determined to exist, the board shall:
4. 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:
Documentation
All conflict of interest disclosures and board decisions shall be documented in church records to maintain transparency and accountability.
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.
Questions or concerns? Contact Pastor Fortunato directly.
Serious Teaching. Strong Families. Biblical Authority.
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170 4th Ave. Cookeville, TN 38506
