PREAMBLE
It is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ that His disciples
should preach the Gospel to the whole world.
(Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) That Christ’s
mission for his church might be carried out according to
his will, he has commanded that Christians unite in
worship (Hebrews 10:24-25), practice fellowship with
one another (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20) and serve the
needs of all men in Christian love. (Ephesians 4:7-16,
Mark 10:42-44, John 13:35, Galatians 6:10) Christians
are also to administer the Office of the Keys as his church
(John 20:21-23, Matthew 18:15-20) and to maintain
decency and order in the church (2 Corinthians 14:40).

Therefore, we, the members of Faith Lutheran Church of
Jefferson City, Missouri, accept the following
Constitution and Bylaws, in accordance with which all
spiritual and material affairs of our congregation shall be
governed.

ARTICLE I — NAME
The name of this congregation in Jefferson City,
Missouri, shall be Faith Lutheran Church.

ARTICLE II — PURPOSE
The purpose of this congregation shall be to further the
Kingdom of God by conducting public worship, giving
honor and glory to the Triune God, proclaiming the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, providing Christian education,
fostering Christian fellowship and love, and extending a
helping hand in human need.

This purpose is reflected in our mission statement: We
live Christ’s love and proclaim his salvation to our
community and world through Word and Sacraments.

ARTICLE III — CONFESSIONAL STANDARD
This congregation accepts and confesses without
reservation:
A. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the
    inspired Word of God and the only rule and norm of
    faith and of practice.
B. The following Symbolical Books of the Evangelical
    Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated
    statement and exposition of the Word of God:
    1. The three Ecumenical Creeds (the Apostles’ Creed,
        the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed);
    2. The Unaltered Augsburg Confession;
    3. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession;
    4. The Smalcald Articles;
    5. Dr. Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms; and
    6. The Formula of Concord.

ARTICLE IV — SYNODICAL MEMBERSHIP
This congregation shall be a member of the Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, as long as that body adheres
to the confessional standard set forth in Article III of this
constitution. This congregation shall, to the best of its
ability, cooperate with the Synod in building up the
Kingdom of God.

ARTICLE V — MEMBERSHIP
Faith Lutheran Church has two types of members, which
are:

A. Baptized members are all those who have received
    the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in the name of the
    Triune God, including the children who have not yet
    been confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
B. Confirmed members are those baptized persons who
    have been received as members of Faith Lutheran
    Church by confirmation, transfer from a sister
    congregation, profession of faith or reaffirmation of
    faith.
    1. Each confirmed member of the congregation may
        vote at congregational meetings, referred to as
        Voters’ Assemblies.
    2. Members of Faith Lutheran Church shall not be
        members of organizations whose principles and
        conduct conflict with the Word of God.
C. Membership may be terminated by:
    1. Transfer to a sister congregation;
    2. Death;
    3. Joining a congregation outside the fellowship of
        Faith Lutheran Church;
    4. Self Exclusion; or
    5. Excommunication.
    Termination of any membership shall be in
    accordance with the bylaws of Faith Lutheran Church.

ARTICLE VI — DUTIES OF MEMBERS
Members of the congregation shall conform their lives to
the rule of God’s Word, make diligent use of the means
of grace, exercise faithful stewardship of God’s many
gifts and talents, impart and accept fraternal admonition
if necessary, and be readily available for service in the
Kingdom of Christ within and beyond the congregation.

ARTICLE VII — CALLED CHURCH WORKERS & OFFICERS
A. Faith Lutheran Church has the exclusive right to call
    ordained and commissioned church workers. The
    calls or commissions shall be conferred only on such
    persons who profess and adhere to the confessional
    standards set forth in this constitution, who are
    qualified in their work, who have been endorsed by
    the Synod, and who are members of the Synod.
B. Any ordained or commissioned worker or church
    officer may be removed from office by the Voters’
    Assembly, by two-thirds majority ballot vote, in
    Christian and lawful order, for one of the following
    reasons:
    1. Persistent adherence to false doctrine;
    2. Offensive moral conduct;
    3. Willful neglect of official duties; or
    4. Inability to perform the duties of the office.
C. When a vacancy occurs in the office of an ordained or
    commissioned church worker, the congregation shall
    notify the President of the District so that he may
    assist in temporarily filling the vacancy and also give
    assistance in calling a new church worker.

ARTICLE VIII — OFFICES
Faith Lutheran Church shall have offices, boards, and
committees in accordance with the bylaws of this
congregation.

ARTICLE IX — AUTHORITY OF THE CONGREGATION
The congregation shall be responsible for all matters
pertaining to the church. Actions taken by smaller
groups or individuals may be appealed by any member
to the congregation for a final decision.

ARTICLE X — SALE OR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY
All decisions relating to the sale or purchase of real
property shall be decided by the congregation in
accordance with procedures set forth in the bylaws.

ARTICLE XI — SEPARATION
If a division should take place for any reason, the
property of the congregation and all benefits connected
therewith shall remain with those communicant
members who continue to adhere in confession and
practice to the confessional standards set forth in this
constitution, as determined by the dispute resolution
process described in the Bylaws of the Synod.
In the event the congregation should dissolve, the
property and all rights connected therewith shall be
transferred to that District of the Synod which the
congregation held membership at the time of dissolution.

ARTICLE XII — BYLAWS
This congregation may adopt bylaws.

ARTICLE XIII — AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the constitution or bylaws can be made
in accordance with the following procedures:
A. Amending the Constitution:
    1. The drafted amendment shall be moved at a
        regularly scheduled meeting of the Voters’
        Assembly, and voted on at a second regularly
        scheduled meeting of the voters’ assembly, or a
        special meeting called for that purpose.
   2. At least two weeks prior to the meeting at which
      the amendment will be voted, a copy of the
      proposed change shall be mailed to each
      household containing a voting member.
   3. Adoption of the proposed amendment requires at
      least a two-thirds majority of the voting members
      present.
   4. Amendments to Articles I, II, III, and IV of the
      constitution shall require at least a three-fourths
      majority of the voting members present.
B. Amending the Bylaws:
   1. The drafted amendment shall be moved at a
      regularly scheduled meeting of the Voters’
      Assembly, and voted on at a second regularly
      scheduled meeting of the voters’ assembly, or a
      special meeting called for that purpose.
   2. At least two weeks prior to the meeting at which
      the amendment will be voted, a copy of the
      proposed change shall be mailed to each
      household containing a voting member.
   3. Amending a bylaw requires a simple majority of
      the voting members present.