ARTICLE III - Nature of the
Church (top)
Section 1. All power in the Church belongs to our Lord Jesus
Christ, its head. All actions of this congregation are to be carried out under His rule
and authority.
Section 2. The Church exists both as an inclusive fellowship and
as local congregations gathered for worship and Christian service. Congregations find
their fulfillment in the universal community of the Church, and the universal Church
exists in and through congregations. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,
therefore, derives its character and powers both from the sanction and representation of
its congregations and from its inherent nature as an expression of the broader fellowship
of the faithful. In length, it acknowledges itself to be in the historic continuity of the
communion of saints; in breadth, it expresses the fellowship of believers and
congregations in our day.
ARTICLE IV - Statement of Purpose
(top)
Section 1. The Church is a people created by God in Christ,
empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and set to bear witness to God's creative, redeeming,
and sanctifying activity in the world.
Section 2. To participate in God's mission, this congregation as
a part of the Church shall:
a. Worship God in proclamation of the Word and administration of
the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise thanksgiving, witness, and service.
b. Proclaim God's saving Gospel of justification by grace for
Christ's sake through faith alone, according to the apostolic witness in the Holy
Scripture, preserving and transmitting the Gospel faithfully to future generations.
c. Carry out Christ's Great Commission by reaching out to all
people to bring them to faith in Christ and by doing all ministry with a global awareness
consistent with the understanding of God as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of all.
d. Serve in response to God's love to meet human needs, caring
for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for
peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless, and
committing itself to their needs.
e. Nurture its members in the Word of God so as to grow in faith
and hope and love, to see daily life as the primary setting for the exercise of their
Christian calling, and to use the gifts of the Spirit for their life together and for
their calling in the world.
f. Manifest the unity given to the people of God by living
together in the love of Christ and by joining with other Christians in prayer and action
to express and preserve the unity which the Spirit gives.
Section 3. To fulfill these purposes, this congregation shall:
a. Provide services of worship at which the Word of God is
preached and the sacraments are administered.
b. Provide pastoral care and assist all members to participate
in this ministry.
c. Challenge, equip, and support all members in carrying out
their calling in their daily lives and in their congregation.
d. Teach the Word of God.
e. Witness to the reconciling Word of God in Christ, reaching
out to all people.
f. Respond to human need, work for justice and peace, care for
the sick and the suffering, and participate responsibly in society.
g. Motivate its members to provide financial support for the
congregation's ministry and the ministry of other parts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.
h. Foster and participate in interdependent relationships with
other congregations, the synod, and the church wide organization of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.
i. Foster and participate in ecumenical relationships consistent
with church wide policy.
Section 4. This congregation shall develop and organizational
structure to be described in the bylaws. The Church Council shall prepare descriptions of
the responsibilities of each committee, task force, or other organizational groups and
shall review their actions. [Such description shall be contained in continuing resolutions
of the Church Council.]
Section 5. This congregation shall, from time to time, adopt a
mission statement which will provide specific direction for its programs.
ARTICLE V - Powers of the
Congregation (top)
Section 1. The powers of this congregation are those necessary
to fulfill its purpose.
Section 2. The powers of this congregation are vested in the
Congregation Meeting called and conducted as provided in this constitution and bylaws.
Section 3. Only such authority as is delegated to the Church
Council or other organizational units in this congregation's governing documents is
recognized. All remaining authority is retained by the congregation. The congregation is
authorized to:
a. call a pastor as provided in Article IX;
b. terminate the call of a pastor as provided in Article IX;
c. appoint or terminate the appointment of associates in
ministry in conformity with the applicable policy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.
d. approve the annual budget;
e. acquire real and personal property by gift, devise, purchase,
or other lawful means;
f. hold title to and use its property for any and all activities
consistent with its purpose;
g. sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of its
property by any lawful means;
h. elect its Church Council and boards, and require them to
carry out their duties in accordance with the constitution and by laws; and
i. terminate its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America as provided in Article VI.
ARTICLE VI - Church Affiliation (top)
Section 1. This congregation shall be an interdependent part of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or its successor, and of the North Carolina
Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Section 2. This congregation accepts the Confession of Faith and
agrees to the Purposes of the Evangelical Luther Church in America and shall act in
accordance with them.
Section 3. This congregation acknowledges its relationship with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in which:
a. This congregation agrees to be responsible for its life as a
Christian community.
b. This congregation pledges its financial support and
participation in the life and mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
c. This congregation agrees to call pastoral leadership from the
clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in accordance with its call
procedures except in special circumstances and with the approval of the bishop of the
synod.
d. This congregation agrees to consider associates in ministry
for appointment to other staff positions in the congregation according to the procedures
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
e. This congregation agrees to file this constitution and any
subsequent changes to this constitution with the synod for review to ascertain that all of
its provisions are in agreement with the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and with the constitution of the synod.
Section 4. Affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America may be terminated as follows:
a. This congregation takes action to dissolve.
b. This congregation ceases to exist.
c. This congregation is removed from the membership in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America according to the procedures for discipline of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
d. This congregation follows the procedures outlined in Article
6, Section 5.
Section 5. This congregation may terminate its relationship with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the following procedure:
a. A resolution indicating the desire of this congregation to
terminate its relationship must be adopted at a legally called and conducted special
meeting of this congregation by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present.
b. The secretary of this congregation shall submit a copy of the
resolution to the synodical bishop and shall mail a copy of the resolution to voting
members of this congregation. This notice shall be submitted within 10 days after the
resolution has been adopted.
c. The bishop of the synod shall consult with this congregation
during a period of at least 90 days.
d. If this congregation, after consultation, still desires to
terminate it relationship, such action may be taken at a legally called and conducted
special meeting by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present, at which meeting
the bishop of the synod or an authorized representative shall be present. Notice of the
meeting shall be mailed to all voting members at least 10 days in advance of the meeting.
e. A certified copy of the resolution to terminate its
relationship shall be sent to the synodical bishop, at which time the relationship between
this congregation and ELCA shall be terminated.
f. Notice of termination shall be forwarded by the synodical
bishop to the secretary of this church and published in the periodical of this church.
g. If this congregation was a member of the Lutheran Church in
America it shall be required, in addition to the foregoing provisions in Article VI,
Section 5, to receive synodical approval before terminating its membership in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
h. If this congregation was established by the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America it shall be required, in addition to the foregoing provisions
in Article VI, Section 5, to receive synodical approval before terminating its membership
in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Section 6. If this congregation is considering relocation, it
shall confer with the bishop of the synod in which it is territorially located before any
steps are taken leading to such action. The approval of the Synod Council shall be
received before any such action is effected.
ARTICLE VII - Property Ownership (top)
Section 1. If this congregation ceases to exist, title to
undisposed property shall pass to the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America.
Section 2. If this congregation is removed from membership in
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America according to its procedure for discipline,
title to property shall continue to reside in this congregation.
Section 3. If a two-thirds majority of the voting members of
this congregation present at a regularly called and conducted special meeting of this
congregation vote to transfer to another Lutheran body, title to property shall continue
to reside in this congregation. Before this congregation takes action to transfer to
another Lutheran body, it shall consult with representatives of the North Carolina Synod.
Section 4. If a two-thirds majority of the voting members of
this congregation present at a regularly called and conducted special meeting of this
congregation vote to become independent or relate to a non-Lutheran church body, title to
property of this congregation shall continue to reside in this congregation only with the
consent of the Synod Council. The Synod Council, after consultation with this congregation
by the established synodical process, may give approval to the request to become
independent or to relate to a non-Lutheran church body, in which case title shall remain
with the majority of this congregation. If the Synod Council fails to give such approval,
title shall remain with those members who desire to continue as a congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
ARTICLE VIII -
Membership (top)
Section 1. Members of this congregation shall be those baptized
persons on the roll of this congregation at the time that this constitution is adopted and
those who are admitted thereafter and who have declared and maintain their membership in
accordance with the provisions of this constitution and its bylaws.
Section 2. Members shall be classified as follows:
a. Baptized members are those persons who have been received by
the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in this congregation, or, having been previously baptized in
the name of the Triune God, have been received by certificate of transfer from other
Lutheran congregations or by affirmation of faith.
b. Confirmed members are baptized persons who have been
confirmed in this congregation, those who have been received by adult baptism or by
transfer as confirmed members from other Lutheran congregations, or baptized persons
received by affirmation of faith.
c. Voting members are confirmed members. Such confirmed members
shall have communed and made a contribution of record during the current or preceding
year.
d. Associate members are persons holding membership in other
Lutheran congregations who wish to retain such membership but desire to participate in the
life and mission of this congregation. They have all the privileges and duties of
membership except voting rights and eligibility for elected offices or membership on the
Church Council of this congregation.
Section 3. All applications for confirmed membership shall be
submitted to and shall require the approval of the Church Council.
Section 4. It shall be the privilege and duty of members of this
congregation to:
a. make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and
sacraments.
b. live a Christian life in accordance with the Word of God and
the teachings of the Lutheran church; and
c. support the work of this congregation, synod, and the
churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through
contributions of their time, abilities, and financial support as biblical stewards.
Section 5. Membership in this congregation shall be terminated
by any of the following:
a. death;
b. resignation;
c. transfer or release;
d. disciplinary action by the Church Council; or
e. removal from the roll due to inactivity as defined in the
bylaws.
Such persons who have been removed from the roll of members
shall remain persons for whom the church has a continuing pastoral concern.
ARTICLE IX - The Pastor (top)
Section 1. Authority to call a pastor shall be in this
congregation by at least a two-thirds majority ballot vote of members present and voting
at a meeting regularly called for that purpose. Before a call is issued, the officers, or
a committee elected by this congregation to recommend the call, shall seek the advice and
help of the bishop of the synod.
Section 2. Only a member of the clergy roster of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America or who has been recommended for it by the synodical bishop may
be called as a pastor of this congregation.
Section 3. a. Consistent with the faith and practice of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, every ordained minister shall:
1) preach the Word;
2) administer the sacraments;
3) conduct public worship;
4) provide pastoral care; and
5) speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and
oppressed, calling for justice and proclaiming God's love for the world.
b. Each ordained minister with a congregational call shall,
within the congregation:
1) offer instruction, confirm, marry, visit the sick and
distressed, and bury the dead;
2) supervise all schools and organizations of this congregation;
3) install regularly elected members of the Church Council; and
4) with the council, administer discipline.
c. Every pastor shall:
1) seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the
ministry of the Gospel and strive to extend the Kingdom of God in the community, in the
nation, and abroad;
2) impart knowledge of this church and its wider ministry
through distribution of its periodicals and other publications; and
3) endeavor to increase the support given by the congregation to
work of the ELCA churchwide organization and of the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA.
Section 4. The specific duties of the pastor, compensation, and
other matters pertaining to the service of the pastor shall be included in a letter of
call, which shall be attested by the bishop of synod.
Section 5. a. The call of a congregation, when accepted by a
pastor, shall constitute a continuing mutual relationship and commitment which, except in
the case of the death of the pastor, shall be terminated only following consultation with
the synodical bishop and for the following reasons:
1) mutual agreement to terminate the call or the completion of a
call for a specific term;
2) resignation of the pastor, which shall become effective,
unless otherwise agreed, 30 days after the date on which it was submitted;
3) inability to conduct the pastor office effectively in the
congregation in view of local conditions, without reflection on the competence or the
moral and spiritual character of the pastor;
4) the physical or mental incapacity of the pastor;
5) disqualification of the pastor through discipline on grounds
of doctrine, morality, or continued neglect of duty; or
6) the dissolution of the congregation; or
7) suspension of the congregation as a result of discipline
proceedings.
b. When allegations of physical or mental incapacity of the
pastor or ineffective conduct of the pastoral office have come to the attention of the
bishop of the synod, the bishop in his or her sole discretion may, or when such
allegations have been brought to the synod's attention by an official recital of
allegations by the Church Council or by a petition signed by at least one-third of the
voting members of the congregation, the bishop shall investigate such conditions
personally in company with a committee of two ordained ministers and one layperson.
c. In case of alleged physical or mental incapacity competent
medical testimony shall be obtained. When such disability is evident, the bishop of the
synod with the advice of the committee shall declare the pastorate vacant. Upon the
restoration of a disabled pastor to health, the bishop of the synod shall take steps to
enable the pastor to resume the ministry, either in the congregation last served or in
another field of labor.
d. In the case of alleged local difficulties which imperil the
effective functioning of the congregation, all concerned persons shall be heard, after
which the bishop of the synod together with the committee described in Article VII,
Section 5.b. shall decide on the course of action to be recommended to the pastor and the
congregation. If they agree to carry out such recommendations, no further action shall be
taken by the synod. If either party fails to assent, the congregation may dismiss the
pastor by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at a regularly called
meeting after consultation with the bishop.
e. If, in the course of proceedings described in Article IX,
Section 5.d., the committee concludes that there may be grounds for disciplinary action,
the committee shall make recommendations concerning disciplinary action to the synodical
bishop who may bring charges, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and
bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the constitution of this synod.
f. If, following the appointment of the committee described in
Article IX, Section 5.b. or d., it should become apparent that the pastoral office cannot
be conducted effectively in the congregation being served by the ordained minister due to
local conditions, the bishop of the synod may temporarily suspend the pastor from service
in the congregation without prejudice and with pay provided through a joint
churchwide/synod fund and with housing provided by the congregation.
Section 6. At a time of pastoral vacancy, an interim pastor may
be appointed by the bishop of the synod with the consent of this congregation or the
Church Council.
Section 7. During the period of service, an interim pastor shall
have the rights and duties in the congregation of a regularly called pastor and may
delegate the same in part to a supply pastor with the consent of the bishop of the synod
and this congregation or the Church Council. The interim pastor and any ordained pastor
providing assistance shall refrain from exerting influence in the selection of a pastor.
Section 8. This congregation shall make satisfactory settlement
of all financial obligations to a former pastor before calling a successor. A pastor shall
make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to this congregation.
Section 9. When a pastor is called to serve in company with
another pastor or pastors, the privileges and responsibilities of each pastor shall be
specified in documents to accompany the call and to be drafted in consultation involving
the pastors, the Church Council, and the bishop of the synod. As occasion requires, the
documents may be revised through a similar consultation.
Section 11. With the approval of the bishop of the synod, the
congregation may depart from Article VII, Section 5a. and call a pastor for a specific
term. Details of such calls shall be in writing setting forth the purpose and conditions
involved. Prior to the completion of a term, the bishop or a designated representative of
the bishop shall meet with the pastor and representatives of the congregation for a review
of the call. Such call may also be terminated before its expiration in accordance with the
provisions of Article VII, Section 5.a.
Section 12. The pastor shall keep accurate parochial records of
all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, communicants, members received, members
dismissed, or members excluded from the congregation, and shall submit a summary of such
statistics annually to the synod.
The pastor shall be a member of the congregation that has
extended the letter of call. In a parish of multiple congregations, the pastor shall hold
membership in one of the congregations.
Section 13. The pastor shall submit a report of his or her
ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the
Synod Assembly.
Section 14. If this congregation unites with one or more other
congregations in calling a pastor, the church councils of all congregations in the parish
shall meet jointly and agree on a single nomination for election, the balloting to be done
separately in each congregation. Two thirds of all the votes cast, and a majority of the
votes cast in each congregation, shall be required for election. The joint church council
shall issue the call.
Section 1. The voting members of this congregation shall be
those confirmed members who have communed and made a contribution of record during the
current or preceding year.
Section 2. An annual meeting of the congregation shall be held
on a date to be stated in the by-laws.
Section 3. Special congregational meetings may be called by the
pastor or the church council, and shall be called at the written request of one tenth of
the voting members. The call for each special meeting shall specify the purpose for which
it is to be held, and no other business shall be transacted thereat.
Section 4. Notice of all congregational meetings shall be given
at the services of worship on the preceding two consecutive Sundays or by mail to all
voting members at least ten days in advance of the date of the meeting.
Section 5. One fourth of those on the active roll of confirmed
members who are eligible to vote in congregational meetings shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6. Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the
governing parliamentary law of this congregation, except as otherwise provided in the
constitution or by-laws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in the constitution
of the North Carolina Synod or in this constitution.
ARTICLE XI - Church Council (top)
Section 1. The church council shall consist of the pastor or
pastors and nine deacons. Any voting member who is of legal age may be elected a deacon,
subject only to the limitation on the length of continuous service permitted in that
office. Should a deacon cease to be a voting member in the congregation, or should he
without excuse fail to attend four successive regular meetings of the church council, his
place shall at once be declared vacant.
Section 2. Deacons shall be elected by ballot for terms of three
years by a majority vote at the annual congregational meeting. Their tenure shall be so
arranged that one third of the terms expire annually. A deacon shall be eligible to serve
no more than two full terms consecutively. Vacancies occurring at interim shall be filled
by the church council, the appointee to serve until the next meeting of the congregation.
Section 3. All lay members of the church council shall be
installed by the pastor according to the prescribed order of the church at the next public
service following their election or as soon thereafter as convenient.
Section 4. The duties of the church council shall include the
following:
a. To have general oversight of the spiritual life and
activities of the congregation, and in particular of its public worship, to the end that
everything is done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practices of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
b. To provide schools and facilities for Christian education for
children, youth and adults.
c. To inculcate the motives and practice of stewardship in all
members of the congregation, and to encourage liberal giving to the work of the church in
all its aspects at home and everywhere.
d. To support the pastor in fulfilling his calling, and in so
doing to visit the sick, the infirm and the spiritually indifferent, to minister to the
poor and distressed and to seek to bring the unchurched into the fold of Christ.
e. To promote a spirit of peace and good will within the
congregation and if differences arise, to endeavor to restore harmony and mutual
understanding.
f. To arrange for pastoral supply during the sickness or absence
of the pastor.
Section 5. The church council shall be the Board of Directors of
the congregation and as such shall be responsible for the management of its property,
business and financial affairs. It shall have the powers and be subject to the obligations
that pertain to such boards under the laws of the state of North Carolina. The church
council shall not, however, have the authority to buy, sell, or encumber real property
unless specifically authorized to do so by a meeting of the congregation. It shall prepare
an annual budget for adoption by the congregation, shall supervise the expenditure of
funds in accordance therewith following its adoption, and may incur obligations of more
than $1,000.00 in excess of the anticipated receipts only after approval by a
congregational meeting.
Section 6. The church council shall see that the provisions of
this constitution and its by-laws are obeyed and that the resolutions of the congregation
are carried out.
Section 7. The church council may form committees as the need
arises.
Section 8. The church council shall be responsible for the
employment and supervision of the salaried lay workers of the congregation.
Section 9. The church council shall elect persons from the
voting members in the congregation who are of legal age as delegates in the permitted
numbers to the conventions of the synod and the meetings of the district to which this
congregation belongs. The expenses incurred by such delegates in connection with their
attendance, except for travel to the convention of the synod, shall be paid by the
congregation.
Section 10. The church council shall normally meet once a month.
Special meetings may be called by the pastor, and shall be called at the request of at
least one half of its members. Notice of each special meeting shall be give to all who are
entitled to be present.
Section 11. The church council shall submit a comprehensive
report to the congregation at the annual meeting.
Section 12. A quorum for the transaction of business shall
consist of a majority of the members of the church council, including the pastor or
vice-pastor except with his consent, or in cases in which he has given prior approval to
the consideration of questions of a routine nature, in which event the business of the
meeting shall be confined to such matters.
ARTICLE XII - Officers (top)
Section 1. The Pastor shall be ex-officio president of the
congregation and the church council.
Section 2. At its first meeting in each congregational year, the
church council shall elect a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and, if desired, a
financial secretary, who will serve both the council and the congregation in their several
capacities. The vice-president shall be chosen from the membership of the church council.
The other officers, if not members of the council, shall be accorded the privilege of
voice without vote in its meetings.
Section 3. All officers shall be chosen from the voting
membership of the congregation. If any of them ceases to be such, his office shall at once
be declared vacant by the council and a new officer elected.
Section 4. The vice-pastor shall serve as president of the
congregation and the church council during a pastoral vacancy.
Section 5. The secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all
meetings of the congregation and of the council in a volume provided by the congregation,
which shall be preserved permanently in its archives.
Section 6. The financial secretary, if such an office is
activated, shall receive and keep record of all income from contributing members and other
sources.
Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the books of account of the
congregation. He shall receive all funds and disburse them on proper orders, making
monthly remittance of benevolence receipts to the treasurer of the synod.
Section 8. The treasurer shall make written report of all his
transactions to the church council monthly and to the congregation, together with a
satisfactory audit, at its annual meetings. All financial officers shall give corporate
surety, in amounts determined by the church council, for which the premiums shall be paid
by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or the congregation.
Section 9. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and
Treasurer shall be the trustees of the congregation and shall hold the property of the
congregation, both real and personal, in trust for the congregation in accordance with the
laws of the State of North Carolina applying to trustees. The trustees shall not, however,
have the authority to buy, sell, or encumber real property unless specifically authorized
to do so by a meeting of the congregation.
ARTICLE XIII - Standing Committees
(top)
Section 1. At its first meeting in each congregational year, the
church council shall appoint as many standing committees as the local and wider concerns
of the congregation shall require. Each such committee shall be composed of two or more
members of the council and, in addition, other persons from the voting membership of the
congregation. Although appointed by and responsible to the church council these committees
shall be recognized as representative of the interest of, and performing essential
services for, the congregation as a whole. The pastor shall have voice and vote in all
committees.
Section 2. Except as stipulated in the following paragraphs, the
duties of all committees shall be assigned by the church council, along with such
instruction as in its judgment are in the best interests of the congregation. All actions
of committees shall be subject to review by the council.
Section 3. There shall be a Committee on CHRISTIAN EDUCATION.
This committee, in association with the pastor, shall oversee the conduct and promotion of
the schools and the activities of all organizations within the congregations. It shall
encourage the use of teaching and worship materials published or approved by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and seek to introduce the church's periodicals and
books of family devotion into the homes of the congregation. One of the primary aims of
the Committee on Christian Education shall be to bring the call to the ministry of the
Gospel and to other full-time church vocations to the attention of qualified youth of the
congregation.
Section 4. There shall be a Committee on CHURCH PROPERTY. This
committee shall see to the proper maintenance and protection of all property of the
congregation, and shall take care that the same is kept in good repair.
Section 5. There shall be a Committee on CEMETERY. This
committee shall develop a document for rules and regulation of the church cemetery,
updated periodically and approved by the church council.
Section 6. There shall be a Committee on EVANGELISM. This
committee shall stimulate and lead all members of the congregation in continuous and, from
time to time, concerted endeavors to reawaken the spiritually indifferent and to reach
others, who are as yet unwon, with the Gospel and attach them to Christ's Church. To this
end, the committee shall devote itself to deepening spiritual life and shall periodically
study the congregation in context of its surrounding community.
Section 7. There shall be a Committee on FINANCE, of which the
treasurer shall be a member ex officio. It shall prepare a draft budget for the succeeding
year, including this congregation's full indicated share in support of the wider ministry
being carried on in its behalf by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the
synod, and shall submit such draft budget to the church council for its action and later
presentation to a congregational meeting. The committee shall exercise oversight of all
the financial affairs of the congregation to make sure that they are being conducted
efficiently, giving particular attention to the prompt payment of all obligations and to
the regular forwarding of benevolence moneys to the synodical treasurer. It shall, subject
o the approval of the church council, be responsible for the congregation's investments
and its total insurance program. It shall also provide for annual audits of the accounts
of the treasurer and the financial secretary, if there be one, as well as of the accounts
of the schools and organizations within the congregation.
Section 8. There shall be a Committee on SOCIAL MINISTRY. The
purpose of this committee shall be to extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the
ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, and, in general, to
persons of all ages in need of aid in body or soul. It shall strive to enlist in these
efforts as many possible of the individual members and organizations of the congregation.
This committee shall further have the duty to study social conditions, primarily in the
local community, in order to bring the cleansing and healing light of Christian truth to
bear upon critical problems through thoughtful Christian discussion of facts and issues.
Section 9. There shall be a Committee on STEWARDSHIP, of which
the treasurer shall be a member ex officio. It shall be the function of this committee to
evoke and promote the expression of Christian faith in daily life; to teach the Christian
use of money; to infuse knowledge of the congregation's local, national, and worldwide
ministries; and to lead all its members to higher levels of proportionate giving for the
Lord's work.
Section 10. There shall be a Committee on WORSHIP AND MUSIC. It
shall assist the church council in seeing that the services of God's house are conducted
regularly and in accordance with the liturgy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, that competent ushers are recruited and trained, and that hymnals and other
devotional material are provided and properly cared for. This committee shall supervise,
and strive to advance the welfare and effective service of, the choirs of the
congregation. It shall arrange for the care of paraments, vestments and musical
instruments and, in consultation with the pastor, the organist, and the choir director, it
shall furnish music supplies appropriate for use in the worship of a congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
ARTICLE XIV - Organizations within
the Congregation (top)
Section 1. All organizations within the congregation shall exist
to aid in it ministering to its members and to all whom it can reach with the Gospel of
Christ. As outgrowths and expressions of the congregation's life, the organizations are
subject to its oversight and direction. This congregation at its meetings, or the church
council, shall determine their policies, guide their activities and receive reports
concerning their membership, work and finances.
Section 2. Special interest groups, other than the
congregational units of the official auxiliaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, may be organized only after authorization has been give by the church council.
ARTICLE XV - Discipline of Members and
Adjudication (top)
Section 1. Denial of the Christian faith as described in this
constitution, conduct grossly unbecoming a a member of the Church of Christ, or persistent
trouble-making in this congregation are sufficient cause for discipline of a member. Prior
to disciplinary action, reconciliation will be attempted following Matthew 18:15-17,
proceeding through these successive steps:
a) private admonition by the pastor, b) admonition by the pastor
in the presence of two or three witnesses, and c) citation to appear before the Church
Council.
Section 2. A member charged with the offense shall appear before
the Church Council having received a written notice, specifying the exact charges that
have been made against the member, at least 10 days prior to the meeting.
Section 3. Should the allegations be sustained by a two-thirds
majority vote of the members of the Church Council and renewed admonition prove
ineffectual; the council shall impose one of the following disciplinary actions:
a. censure before the council or congregation;
b. suspension from membership for a definite period of time; or
c. exclusion from membership in this congregation. Disciplinary
actions b. and c. shall be delivered to the member in writing.
Section 4. The member against whom disciplinary action has been
taken by the Church Council shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Synod
Council. Such right may not be abridged and the decision of the Synod Council shall be
final.
Section 5. Disciplinary actions may be reconsidered and revoked
by the Church Council upon receipt of a) evidence that injustice has been done or b)
evidence of repentance and amendment.
Section 10. Adjudication
Section 11. When there is disagreement among factions within
this congregation on a substantive issue that cannot be resolved by the parties, members
of this congregation shall have access to the synodical bishop for consultation after
informing the chair of the Church Council of their intent. If the consultation fails to
resolve the issue(s), the Consultation Committee of the synod shall consider the matter.
If the Consultation Committee of the synod shall fail to resolve the issue(s), the matter
shall be referred to the Synod Council, whose decision shall be final.
ARTICLE XVI - By-Laws (top)
Section 1. This congregation may adopt bylaws. No bylaw may
conflict with this constitution.
Section 2. Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any legally
called meeting of this congregation with a quorum present by a majority vote of those
voting members present and voting.
Section 3. Changes to the bylaws may be proposed by any voting
member provided, however, that such additions or amendments be submitted in writing to the
Church Council at least 60 days before a regular or special Congregation Meeting called
for that purpose and that the Church Council notify the members of the proposal with its
recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the Congregation Meeting.
Section 4. Approved changes to the bylaws shall be sent by the
secretary of this congregation to the synod.
ARTICLE XVII - Amendments (top)
Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by at
least 15 voting members or by the Church Council. Proposals must be filed in writing with
the Church Council 60 days before formal consideration by this congregation at its regular
or special meeting called for that purpose. The Church Council shall notify the members of
the proposal with their recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the meeting.
Section 2. A proposed amendment to this constitution shall:
a. be approved at a properly called meeting according to this
constitution by a majority vote of those present and voting;
b. be ratified without change at the next annual meeting by a
two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting; and
c. have the effective date included in the resolution and noted
in the constitution.
Section 3. Any amendments to this constitution shall be sent by
the secretary of this congregation to the synod. The amendment shall become effective
within 120 days from the date of the receipt of the notice by the synod unless the synod
informs this congregation that the amendment is in conflict with the constitution and
bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or the constitution of the North
Carolina Synod.
Section 4. Whenever the Model Constitution for Congregations is
amended by the Churchwide Assembly, this constitution may be amended to reflect any such
amendment by a simple majority vote at any subsequent meeting of the congregation without
presentation at a prior meeting of the congregation, provided that the Church Council has
submitted by mail notice to the congregation of such an amendment or amendments at least
30 days prior to the meeting. Following the adoption of an amendment, the secretary of the
congregation shall submit a copy thereof to the synod, consistent with Article 17, Section
3.
ARTICLE XVIII - Continuing
Resolutions (top)
Section 1. The Church Council may enact continuing resolutions
which describe the function of the various committees or organizations of this
congregation.
Section 2. Continuing resolutions shall be enacted or amended by
a two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Church Council.
