ARTICLE I — MEMBERSHIP
A. Reception of New Members
New members may be received into the congregation
in accordance with Article V of the Constitution. The
reception of new members and confirmands must be
ratified by the Board of Elders and reported to the
Church Council and the Voters’ Assembly.
B. Termination of Membership
Members may have membership terminated in
accordance with Article V of the constitution.
1. Members desiring a transfer shall request a
transfer from the Senior Pastor, to whom authority
is granted to issue transfers. Transfers shall be
ratified by the Board of Elders and reported to the
Church Council and Voters’ Assembly.
2. Members joining another congregation outside the
fellowship of this congregation shall be considered
as having terminated membership of their own
accord. Upon resolution by the Board of Elders,
their names shall be removed from the
membership lists and reported to the Church
Council and Voters’ Assembly.
3. Members whose whereabouts are unknown, fail to
respond when contacted, or voluntarily exclude
themselves from the congregation, may have their
membership terminated. Upon resolution by the
Board of Elders, their names shall be removed
from the membership lists and reported to the
Church Council and Voters’ Assembly.
4. Confirmed members who publicly conduct
themselves in a non-Christian manner shall be
admonished according to Matthew 18:15-20. If
they remain impenitent after proper admonition,
they shall be excommunicated. Excommunication
from the congregation requires a resolution by the
Board of Elders, which will be voted on only after
the subject member has been invited to meet with
the Board of Elders to discuss this matter. If a
resolution to excommunicate is unanimously
passed by the Board of Elders, the Board of Elders
shall notify the Church Council and have it placed
on the agenda for the next meeting of the Voters’
Assembly for action. Excommunication shall be
determined by a unanimous vote of the Voters’
Assembly, excluding the member whose status is
in question.
ARTICLE II — MEETINGS OF THE VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY
A. Meetings
Notices of regular and special meetings are to be
announced in church services at least one week prior
to the date of the meeting.
The Voters’ Assembly shall hold regular meetings in
the Spring and November. The agendas for both of
these meetings shall include the approval of minutes
from previous meetings, a treasurer’s report, reports
from each pastor, and the Elders shall report on
membership changes. The Spring meeting shall
include a report from each board of their plans. The
November agenda shall also include elections and the
establishment of the church budget for the following
year. The November meeting shall include a report
from each board in regarding their accomplishments
during the past year.
Special meetings may be called in two ways:
1. by the Church Council; or
2. by the President, upon the request of at least
ten confirmed members, after due notice to the
pastor(s).
Meetings must be announced at worship services at
least one week prior to the special meeting.
B. Conduct of Meetings
The business meetings of the Voters’ Assembly shall
be conducted according to Roberts’ Rules of Order,
most recent edition, providing they do not conflict
with Christian practice, the constitution, or these
bylaws.
C. Quorum
At least thirty-five (35) voting members must be
present to constitute a quorum.
D. Voting Procedures
1. A simple majority of votes cast shall carry any
resolution, unless otherwise designated in the
constitution or bylaws. A plurality of votes cast
shall carry elective positions on the Church
Council, boards, and committees.
2. Ballots shall be used to elect Church Council
members and Elders. Ballots shall be used in votes
pertaining to excommunication.
3. When calling or deposing a church worker, the
vote shall be by ballot and require at least
two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
4. Resolutions pertaining to the erection of buildings
or the sale of real property require:
a. Written notice of the issue to be considered,
mailed to each household containing a
confirmed member, at least two weeks prior to
the date of a meeting of the Voters’ Assembly.
b. An announcement of the issue to be
considered, at regular church services, at least
one week prior to the said meeting, where the
issue will be considered.
c. At least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast
to carry any resolution under Article II,
section D.4.
d. to vote on issues pertaining to contracts, the
confirmed members must be at least 18 years
old to vote.
ARTICLE III — ELIGIBILITY FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE
Eligibility to hold the office of President, Vice-President,
or Elder shall be open to male confirmed members who
are at least twenty-five years of age and have been
members of the congregation for at least one year.
Other elected Church Council members must be at least
eighteen years of age and have been members of the
congregation for at least one year.
The newly elected persons must be the appropriate age
listed before entering office on January 1.
ARTICLE IV — CHURCH COUNCIL
A. The Authority of the Church Council
The Church Council shall be the administrative and
supervisory body of the congregation. The Church
Council shall consist of the Church Officers, Board
Chairpersons and Members-At-Large. The pastors
shall be ex-officio members of the Church Council.
B. Church Officers
The congregation shall elect the following officers:
1. President;
2. Vice-President;
3. Secretary;
4. Treasurer
C. Congregational Boards
The congregation shall elect a Board of Elders and the
following board chairpersons:
1. Board of Education;
2. Board of Church Property;
3. Board of Missions and Evangelism;
4. Board of Stewardship and Finance;
5. Board of Human Care Ministry;
6. Board of Youth Ministry;
7. Board of Fellowship.
D. Members at Large
The congregation shall elect three Members-at-Large.
E. Absences Substitutions and Vacancies
1. In the absence of the President and Vice-President,
the Chairman of the Board of Elders shall preside
at meetings of the Church Council and Voters’
Assembly.
2. When board chairpersons are absent, they shall
appoint a substitute from their board, who is at
least eighteen years of age, to represent the Board
and vote in its behalf.
3. All vacancies on the Church Council, with the
exception of the Board of Elders, are filled upon
nomination by the President and ratification by the
Church Council.
F. Terms of Office
1. The term of office for the Church Officers shall be
one year, limited to three consecutive terms in the
same office.
2. The term of office for Board Chairpersons shall be
one year, limited to three consecutive terms in the
same office.
3. The term of office for an Elder shall be three years,
limited to two consecutive terms.
4. The term of office for a Member-at-Large shall be
limited to one year.
5. Upon leaving an elected position due to term
limitations, a person may be re-elected to that
same position after a one year interval.
6. The term of office for an appointed board member
shall be one year, with no limitation on
consecutive terms.
7. All Church Council members shall assume their
offices on January 1.
G. Meetings
The Church Council shall schedule monthly meetings.
Special meetings may be called by the President,
Vice-President, or Senior Pastor.
H. Responsibilities of the Church Council
1. The Church Council shall have a short term
(1 year) and long term (3 year) strategic plan.
2. The Church Council shall assign special projects,
tasks, and other duties to the appropriate boards
and committees.
3. The Church Council shall prepare for and
participate in the regular Spring and November
meetings of the Voters’ Assembly. The Church
Council shall approve the proposed annual budget
before it is presented at the November meeting of
the Voters’ Assembly for final approval.
4. The Church Council shall develop and approve
written financial and accounting procedures that
include provisions for the receipt and
disbursement of all funds.
5. Special duties and assignments not covered in the
calls or contracts of church workers shall be
assigned by the Church Council, in consultation
with the Pastor(s), the board concerned, and the
worker involved.
ARTICLE V — DUTIES OF CHURCH OFFICERS
A. The President shall:
1. be the Chairman of the Church Council and
preside over the meetings of the Voters’
Assembly;
2. be an ex-officio member of all boards and
committees;
3. see that all elected church positions are filled;
4. oversee the duties of the Church Council and give
active direction to all church programs; and
5. sign church business records, legal documents
and correspondence as required.
D. The Vice-President shall:
1. assist the President in directing all boards and
committees;
2. be primarily responsible for organizing the annual
Salary Study Committee and preparing the annual
church budget to be submitted to the Church
Council in November;
3. be the official liaison between the Church Council
and all church auxiliary organizations; and
4. perform the duties of the President when the
President is absent or incapacitated.
C. The Church Secretary shall:
1. record the minutes of meetings of the Church
Council and Voters’ Assembly;
2. assist the Church Office in maintaining records of
meetings of the Church Council and Voters’
Assembly;
3. provide minutes of Church Council meetings to
each member of the Council as soon as possible
after each meeting;
4. provide minutes of previous meetings at the
Spring and November meetings of the Voters’
Assembly;
5. assist the Church Office in maintaining a master
copy, including all amendments, of the current
Church Constitution, Bylaws, and Policy and
Procedure manual; and
6. assist the Church Office in maintaining a
permanent record of all resolutions passed by the
Voters’ Assembly.
D. The Treasurer shall:
1. be responsible for the maintenance of a written
account of all funds received and disbursed in
records which shall be and remain the property of
the congregation;
2. maintain financial records as directed by the
Church Council, Voters’ Assembly, the Church
Constitution, Bylaws, and Policy Manual for the
Office of Treasurer;
3. make financial reports to the Church Council each
month on the status of church funds and accounts,
and also similar reports at Spring and November
meetings of the Voters’ Assembly; and
4. relinquish the duties of the Office of Treasurer to
the Church Council during any serious illness,
prolonged absence, or other emergency which
renders the Treasurer incapable of effectively
discharging the assigned duties.
ARTICLE VI — DUTIES OF THE BOARDS
A. Each board shall:
1. hold meetings as necessary to meet all the
responsibilities and requirements set forth in the
Church Constitution, Bylaws and Policy manuals;
2. consist of the elected chairperson and at least five
other members. All boards except the Board of
Elders may have a maximum of two Youth
Advisory Members. Youth Advisory Members are
defined as confirmed members under the age of
nineteen; and
3. assist the pastors as requested.
B. The Board of Elders shall:
1. be responsible for the worship and spiritual life of
the congregation;
2. be willing and available to meet with members of
the congregation for spiritual, emotional, or
Christian advice and counseling;
3. give attention to the behavior of members of the
congregation so that offenses may be handled in a
scriptural manner;
4. take necessary steps if a church worker or
member of the congregation gives offense in
doctrine or life and issue any documents
regarding discipline to the Church Council;
5. Assist and support the pastors and other called
church workers regarding matters pertaining to
their offices;
6. Assist in conducting worship services and
assuring that good order is preserved; and
7. Appoint the chief usher, organist, and choir
directors, and oversee other worship service
related activities.
C. The Board of Education shall:
1. assist the pastors and church workers in the
planning, development, maintenance,
improvement, and promotion of Christian
education in the congregation and in the home;
2. be responsible for all Christian education
programs and activities in the church, such as
Bible classes, Vacation Bible School, weekday
school and confirmation classes;
3. be responsible for the maintenance and
improvement of the church library;
4. appoint the Sunday school superintendent
annually;
5. appoint school board representatives as required;
and
6. develop and implement policies and programs
which encourage regular church and Bible class
attendance.
D. The Board of Church Property shall:
1. be responsible for the maintenance and
improvement of all church property;
2. inspect all church property at least twice each year
and report its condition at each regularly
scheduled meeting of the Voters’ Assembly; and
3. develop and implement a policy for the use and
rental of church facilities.
E. The Board of Missions and Evangelism shall:
1. educate and motivate the members of the
congregation regarding support of a world
mission vision and increase the awareness of
mission and evangelism opportunities;
2. establish a program of lay evangelism to reach out
into the immediate community and equip
members to be better Christian witnesses in their
daily lives;
3. assist the pastors with planning activities that
emphasize missions and evangelism; and
4. contact and follow up with visitors.
F. The Board of Stewardship and Finance shall:
1. share the Biblical principles of stewardship with
the congregation;
2. be responsible for maintaining a congregational
file listing the talents and spiritual gifts of
congregational members and for encouraging
members to develop and use their talents and gifts
in Christ’s service;
3. assist the Church Council, pastors, church
workers, and other boards and committees in
finding members to fill vacant positions;
4. be responsible for recruiting members to count
and deposit all contributions and funds received
during worship services;
5. oversee the recording of contributions and see
that financial contribution statements are regularly
distributed to members;
6. retain records of contributions for at least seven
years;
7. conduct the annual pledge drive each Fall and
assist the Vice-President in the drafting of the
proposed church budget;
8. review and make recommendations to the Church
Council on special gifts, not specifically designated
for the Faith Lutheran Endowment Fund; and
9. develop and implement a financial policy for
financial and accounting procedures.
G. The Board of Human Care Ministry shall:
1. identify human care agencies and their scope of
services available locally and provide that
information to members of the congregation as
requested;
2. identify and offer help for persons with human
care needs such as poverty, unemployment,
illness, loneliness or imprisonment;
3. offer services and care to persons who may be
hospitalized, institutionalized or residing in
long-term care facilities;
4. develop and utilize guidelines for the distribution
of food and money for personal needs; and
5. develop programs to promote health and wellness
in the congregation.
H. The Board of Youth Ministry shall:
1. provide for the continuing spiritual growth of the
youth in the congregation;
2. promote attendance and involvement of young
people in youth and congregational activities;
3. engage in the selection and training of counselors
and other leaders for youth programs;
4. encourage confirmed members under the age
of 18 to become youth advisory members of
boards; and
5. recognize youth for various achievements and
accomplishments.
I. The Board of Fellowship shall:
1. promote an atmosphere of friendliness and
fellowship toward all members and visitors;
2. welcome worshipers and new members with an
established greeting program;
3. develop and promote Christian recreational
activities and encourage members of the
congregation to attend and participate;
4. provide for public recognition of members’
achievements and accomplishments; and
5. be responsible for updating the church pictorial
directory as needed.
ARTICLE VII — COMMITTEES
A. Auditing Committee:
The President shall appoint a committee of at least
three confirmed members each January to audit the
financial records of the church for the previous
calendar year. At the Spring meeting of the Voters
Assembly the committee shall report on the scope of
the audit, type of records examined, irregularities
discovered, and any suggestions for improvement.
The report shall be filed with the minutes of that
Spring meeting.
B. Nominating Committee:
By July of each year, the President shall appoint a
chairperson and at least four other confirmed
members to the committee who shall prepare a slate
of candidates prior to elections at the November
Voters’ Meeting.
C. Call Committee
When needed, the President shall appoint a
chairperson and at least five other confirmed
members who shall be ratified by the Voters’
Assembly. The committee shall recommend to the
Voters one or more candidates for a called church
worker position.
D. Endowment Fund Board:
This fund’s purpose shall be to receive gifts and
bequests and to use them for the mission and
ministry of Faith Lutheran Church and the Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, its districts, seminaries,
colleges, institutions, or agencies.
This board shall conduct its business and activities
according to its bylaws. The Church Council shall
appoint replacement members to the board each
year.
E. Other Committees:
Other committees may be appointed by the President.
ARTICLE VIII — OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
A. All auxiliary organizations are responsible to the
Voters’ Assembly and shall work under the
supervision of the Church Council. The Vice-President
shall serve as their liaison with the Church Council.
B. No auxiliary organization may be formed without
previous consent of the Voters’ Assembly.
C. The purpose and objectives of an auxiliary
organization must be in harmony with the objectives
of the congregation.
D. Elective officers of church auxiliaries shall be installed
annually.
E. Church affiliated organizations may have use of
church facilities in accordance with the policies set
forth by the Board of Church Property.
F. No church auxiliary may solicit funds beyond its own
membership nor sponsor any money-making project
without prior consent of the Church Council.
ARTICLE IX — FINANCIAL POLICIES
The congregation shall have written financial and
accounting policies and procedures, which shall:
A. be developed by the Church Council and approved by
the Voters’ Assembly.
B. include provisions for the receipt and disbursement of
all funds.
C. contain the guidelines for the maintenance of all
financial records.
ARTICLE X — SIGNATURE AUTHORITY
A. Documents executed in major transactions on behalf
of the Voters’ Assembly shall be signed by
appropriate officers of the congregation.
B. Call documents and letters shall be signed by a
majority of the Call Committee.
C. All documents regarding discipline before the Board
of Elders or the congregation shall be signed by the
Chairman of the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE XI — CALLING CHURCH WORKERS
A. When a vacancy occurs the President of the Church
shall nominate a Call Committee and notify the
President of the Synodical District to obtain
assistance in completing the call process.
B. When a church worker is to be called, every
communicant member of the congregation shall be
able to make one or more nominations for the vacant
position. The Call Committee shall also seek
assistance from the President of the Synodical
District.
C. The Call Committee shall submit the nominations to
the District President for information and evaluation.
After receiving and reviewing the information and
recommendations from the District President, the Call
Committee shall make a public announcement to the
congregation and provide the congregation with at
least two preferred candidates and biographical
sketches of each candidate.
D. At a meeting of the Voters’ Assembly, the preferred
list of candidates may be amended by two-thirds
majority of the votes cast until a final ballot is
approved. Balloting shall proceed as needed to
determine the final disposition of the call. Voting shall
be conducted by secret ballot and in accordance with
Article II, Section D of the Church Bylaws.
Recognition
In appreciation to the members of the
Constitution and Bylaws Review
Committee for their dedication to God
and service to their Church.
Gordan Persinger, Chairman
Michael Boeger, Secretary
Nancee Allan
William Haas
Gary Sonnenberg
Paul Mueller
Rev. Tony Alter
Larry Meisel, Congregation President
