01.08.02. Appendix 2
II. FORMS OF MINUTES, LETTERS, ETC.
There are no invariable forms, but the following are recommended as generally suitable:
1. RECORD OF CHURCH MEETING PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8, 1867 The __________ church met for business at _____ o?clock, the pastor presiding. After devotional exercises the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
[After this whatever business is done must be recorded.]
Adjourned.
__________ __________, Clerk.
2. LETTER OF DISMISSION PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 15, 1867 The __________ Baptist church of __________. To her sister, the __________ Baptist church of __________.
Dear Brethren: This certifies that __________ __________ is a member with us in good standing and full fellowship. At _____ own request _____ is hereby dismissed from us to unite with you. When received by you __________ connection with us will terminate. By order of the church.
__________ __________, Church Clerk. This letter will be valid for _____ months.
3. LETTER OF NOTIFICATION PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5, 1867. To the _________ church.
Dear Brethren:
You are hereby notified that __________ __________ was received by letter from you to membership in the __________ church, __________ __________ 1867.
__________ __________, Church Clerk.
4. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
These are usually given by pastors to members who expect to be absent from home for a time. They are substantially as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, July 4, 1867. This certifies that __________ __________ is a member of the __________ Baptist church in this place, in good standing, and is commended to the Christian fellowship of all sister churches.
__________ __________ Pastor __________ Baptist church.
5. CALL FOR A COUNCIL OF RECOGNITION PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10, 1867. To the __________ Baptist church in __________.
Dear Brethren:
There is a company of brethren and sisters in the Lord who wish to become an independent church. You are therefore requested to send your pastor and two brethren to meet in council at __________ __________ at _____ o?clock, to take the matter into consideration. If the council approves the movement, said brethren and sisters will be glad to have the moral influence of its recognition. The following churches are invited to send messengers. __________, __________, __________, __________, __________.
Yours, truly, __________ __________, __________ __________, __________ __________,
Committee.
6. CALL FOR A COUNCIL OF ORDINATION PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 20, 1867 The __________ Baptist church of __________. To the __________ Baptist church of __________.
Dear Brethren:
We request you to send your pastor and two brethren to meet in council __________ __________ at _____ o?clock, to consider the propriety of ordaining to the work of ministry brother __________ __________. The following churches are invited to send messengers: __________, __________, __________. By order of the church, ___________ __________, Clerk.
7. CALL FOR AN ADVISORY COUNCIL PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 10, 1867 The __________ Baptist church of __________. To the __________ Baptist church of __________.
Dear Brethren:
We are sorry to inform you that there are serious difficulties among us, disturbing our peace and hindering our usefulness as a church. We therefore request you to send your pastor and two brethren to meet in council, to advise us what to do. The following churches are invited to send messengers: __________, __________, __________, __________. By order of the church, ___________ __________, Clerk.
8. RECORD OF A CHURCH PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30, 1867 A council, called by the __________ church, met __________ _____ at _____o?clock. Brother __________ __________ was chosen moderator, and brother __________ __________, clerk. Prayer by __________ __________. The church records, referring to the call of the council, were read, from which it appears that the object is _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____. The credentials of the messengers were presented. The following churches sent the following brethren, namely:
CHURCHES. MESSENGERS.
[Whatever is done must be faithfully recorded.] On motion the council was dissolved.
__________ __________, Moderator.
__________ __________, Clerk.
9. FORM OF MINISTERIAL LICENSE PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 8, 1867. This is to certify, that brother __________ __________ is a member of the __________ Baptist church, in good standing and full fellowship. Trusting that God ahs called him to preach the gospel, we hereby license him to engage in the great work; and we offer to God our earnest prayers that he may become ?a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.? By order of the church, this ______ day of __________, 18_____.
__________ __________, Pastor.
__________ __________, Clerk.
10. CERTIFICATE OF ORDINATION This is to certify that brother __________ __________ was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the eldership, on the _____ day of __________, 18_____. He was called to ordination by the __________ church of which he was a member, which had ample opportunity to become acquainted with his piety and ministerial gifts. The ordaining council was composed of _____ brethren from _____ churches, who after a deliberate and thorough examination of the candidate cordially recommended him for ordination. Our beloved brother, the bearer of this paper, has therefore, the entire approbation of the ordaining council in being publicly set apart to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of Christ. May he, like Barnabas, be ?full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,? and through him may ?much people be added to the Lord.?
__________ __________, Moderator, __________ __________, Clerk.