FAQs:  Informal and Formal Guidance

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers represent a broad array of concerns of the membership of the Convention.  Where the Convention has established formal policy or position on the subject, that response is provided.  However, there are many questions posed by the membership for which the Convention has no formal policy or position, and in those cases informal guidance is provided.  Informal guidance is not to be interpreted as formal Convention policy or position, but solely as the informed, experience-based and individual opinion of a Convention leader.  Informal guidance is provided in an effort to offer an informed opinion which, along with other resources, will enable the local congregation to develop their own policies and procedures.

FAQs:  Church Policy and Polity

Click on the subject/question of your choice to view the answer.

Licensure to Ordination When does a licensed minister need to be ordained? May 15, 2008

Salary Guidelines for Musicians Q: Does the Convention have salary guidelines for musicians? May 15, 2008

District Member = National Membership? If our church joins the local district association does that makes us a member of the NBCUSA? May 15, 2008

Resources for Young Matrons Q: Does the Convention have resources for Young Matrons? May 15, 2008

How the Convention Works Q: Explain how the Convention is organized, how the state, district and national work together, and what the Convention does for its members? May 15, 2008

Associate Minister or Assistant Pastor? Q: What's the difference between Associate Minister and Assistant Pastors? May 15, 2008

Selling A Church Q: What is the proper procedure in the selling of a church? Who can sell the church? May 15, 2008

Starting a New Church Q: How do you go about starting a new church? May 15, 2008

Missionary Baptist or Baptist Church? Q: What is the difference between a Missionary Baptist Church and a Baptist Church? May 15, 2008

When is the Pastor "Official"? Q: When does a newly elected pastor begin to assume the responsibilities and authority of being the pastor? Afer the vote? After the call? After the Installation Ceremony? May 14, 2008

Young Matrons Resources Q: Does the Convention have any resources for a Young Matron's curriculum? Jun 07, 2007

Reporting Relationships for Paid Staff in the Church Q: To whom should paid staff 1report to in the church? Jun 06, 2007

Incorporation of Churches Q: What is the Convention's position on church incorporation? May 19, 2007

Proper Attire for Clergy Q:What is appropriate attire for "licensed" ministers? May 19, 2007

Definition of Clergy Q: Are licensed ministers considered "Clergy"? May 19, 2007

Resources for Women Pastors Q: What support does the Convention offer for novice female ministers? May 19, 2007

Ordination Procedures for A New Pastor Q: What is considered to be the most reliable procedure in ordaining a licensed minister? May 19, 2007

Benevolence Funds Q: Does the Convention have guidelines for Benevolence Funds? May 19, 2007

Pastor's Aide Ministry Role Q: What is the role and responsiblity of the Pastor's Aide Ministry? May 19, 2007

Public Disclosure of Member Offerings Q: Should the financial giving of church members be made known to the entire church? May 19, 2007

Use of the title "Reverend" Q: When do you call a Pastor "Reverend?" May 19, 2007

Church School Accreditation Q: How can my church school be accredited by the NBC? May 19, 2007

Qualifications for a Pastor Q: Can a National Baptist church select a pastor that is not Ordained or Licensed by the National Baptist Church, but has been ordained and Licensed by another denomination? May 19, 2007

Pastor's Compensation/Anniversary Day Giving Q: What biblical references ties my giving to the pastor on "Pastor's Anniversary Day" with blessings? May 17, 2007

Pastor's Anniversary Celebrations Q: Why does the Baptist Church celebrate pastor anniversaries? Mar 19, 2007

Church Covenants Q: Which Church Covenant does the National Baptist Convention recommend? Mar 19, 2007

Church Constitution, Bylaws and Incorporation. Q: What is the proper procedure for revising a church constitution? Mar 18, 2007

How to join the Convention Q: How does my church join the Convention? Jan 01, 2007

Difference Between Licensed and Ordained Ministers Q: What is the difference between "licensed" and "ordained" ministers? Nov 02, 2006

Church Administrator Duties Q: What are the duties of the Church Administrator? Oct 06, 2006

Ordained in 2 Denominations? Q: Can a minister hold an ordination in more than one denomination simultaneously? Sep 01, 2006

Mother of the Church Q: What are the role and qualifications of the Mother of the Church? Jul 18, 2006

Deacons authority to call meetings Q: Can the deacons call a meeting without informing the Pastor? Jul 06, 2006

Interim Pastors Q: What are the responsibilities of Interim Pastors? Jul 05, 2006

Sexual Offenders in the Church Q: What guidance can you provide on how to handle registered sex offenders in the church? Jul 05, 2006

Excommunication of church members Q: By what means can a Pastor of a Baptist Church excommunicate a member? Jul 05, 2006

Pastor's Family and Membership Q: Does a Pastor's family have to join the church to become members? Jul 05, 2006

Revocation of Minister's License Q: Can a license to minister be revoked? Jul 05, 2006

Moderation of Pastor/Congregation Disputes Question: Does the Convention offer assistance in resolving disputes? Jul 05, 2006

Role of Pastor's Spouses Q: What is the specific role of wives or first ladies in the Black Baptist Church? Jun 27, 2006

Selecting/Electing a Pastor Question: My church is without a Pastor. No Pulpit Search Committee was in place when he left. What are the procedures for putting one in place?...Is there a reference book you can suggest for reading? Jun 14, 2006

Emeritus Pastor Responsibilities Question: What is the role and authority of an emeritus pastor? Mar 30, 2006

Transferring Church Membership by Letter Q: What is the content that goes into a Letter of Membership when a person is moving their membership from one Baptist Church to another by letter? AND, What are some basic guidelines on how the receiving Pastor should process such a letter? Mar 29, 2006

Deacon Ordination Procedures Q: Where can I find information on the process for ordaining a Deacon? Mar 29, 2006

IRS Rules on Payroll Taxes in Churches Q: When is a church required to pay taxes on employees? Mar 07, 2006

Deaconess & Deacon Relationship Q: Does a Deaconess have to be married to a Deacon in the same church in order to serve? Mar 01, 2006

Women in Ministry Q: Is there a position statement from NBC USA Inc. on women as pastors and elders in the church? Feb 13, 2006

Convention View of Homosexual Practices Q: Does the NBC have a position on homosexual practices and the ordination of homosexual clergy? Feb 03, 2006

Deacon Board vs. Trustee Board Control of Church Finances Q: Should the Deacon Board maintain control of the finances of the church, when a Trustee Board is created? Jan 23, 2006

Voting Procedures What policies should govern voting in the church? Jan 06, 2006

Baptist Hymnal Resources Q: Where can I purchase the Baptist Hymnal? Nov 29, 2005

Baptist Articles of Faith Q: Are there 18 or 24 Baptist Articles of Faith? Nov 29, 2005

Deaconess Role Q: What is the role of the Deaconess in the church? Aug 22, 2005

New Member Ministries Q: Where can I find resources for new member ministries? Apr 20, 2005

BTU/Baptist Training Union Q: What is the BTU? Feb 26, 2005

Individual Convention Membership Q: Can individuals join the Convention? Jan 17, 2005

Roles of Church Leaders/Officers Q: Where can I get information about the role of Church Leaders, including Trustees, Deacons, Ushers, Treasurers, Secretaries, etc.? Dec 20, 2004

Pulpit Search Committee Guidance Q: Can you help me identify guidelines for the Pulpit Search Committee? Nov 24, 2004

Convention Role in Settling Church Disputes Q: Can the Convention help our church settle a problem we are having with our Pastor? Nov 03, 2004

Missionary Society Structure Q: Where can I find information about how to form a new missionary society? Oct 10, 2004

Baptist Minister Evaluation Criteria Q: Where can I find evaluation criteria for Baptist ministers? Oct 08, 2004

Church Constitution and By-Laws Q: What guidance does the Convention give for establishing the constitution and by-laws for a new Baptist church? Aug 26, 2004

"Baptist" and "Black Baptist" Characteristics Q: What makes a Baptist a Baptist? What makes the Black Baptists different from the Southern Baptists? Aug 09, 2004

Watch Care Q: What is "Watch Care?" Can I be an active member in a church on a temporary basis while maintaining membership in my home church? May 26, 2004