Bylaws Of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Overland Park, KS

Transcription

1 Bylaws Of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Overland Park, KS The following bylaws of Christ Lutheran Church of Overland Park, Kansas, Inc., adopted April 23, 1995, amended on May 16, 2004, further amended May 2009 and further amended June 10, 2012 shall hereafter be effective as the bylaws of the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church of Overland Park, Kansas Inc. Article I Congregational Assembly Section A. Voting Privileges and Responsibilities Every member who is 18 years of age or older shall have the right and responsibility to vote on the following matters: 1. The official call or removal of the Senior Pastor. Removal of the Senior Pastor may occur for one of the following reasons, but not limited to: teaching of false doctrine, a scandalous life, dereliction of official duties, or protracted inability to perform his duties. 2. Elections. The acceptance and election of the slate of nominations for the Congregational Leadership Team as submitted according to Article II, Section C. In cases where a slate of nominations is not accepted, the existing Congregational Leadership Team shall submit a new slate to the congregation within 30 days. 3. The removal of members of the Congregational Leadership Team. Removal of a member of the Congregational Leadership Team may occur for one of the following reasons, but not be limited to: teaching of false doctrine, a scandalous life, dereliction in official duties, or protracted inability to perform his/her duties. 4. The adoption of the annual church Spending Plan. 5 The adoption of Strategic Plan. The plan is reviewed annually, as recommended by the Congregational Leadership Team. 6. The acquisition or disposal of real property. (i.e.: land, fixed improvements and construction of fixed properties), except for the acquisition or disposal of real property covered in Article II, Section G, Items 6 and Borrowing. a. All long term borrowing of moneys (borrowing of moneys with more than a 3 year amortization). b. The short term borrowing of moneys (borrowing of moneys with a maximum 3 year amortization) when the total principal of all outstanding short-term borrowing exceeds 5% of the approved annual church budget as adopted in number 4 above. 8. Excommunication. The excommunication of members of the church. 9. Members appeal. The consideration of members who desire to appeal their removal from membership in the congregation. 10. Amendments. The amending of the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws of the church. 11. Change to structure. The merger or dissolution of the congregation. 1

2 Section B. Meetings and Voting Process 1. Annually an information meeting(s) of the congregation shall be held prior to June 1st of each calendar year for the purpose of reviewing and receiving input from the congregation, regarding the church spending plan for the coming year, the annual report on the ministry accomplishments of the church, the long range plan, and other matters to be voted upon. The annual vote will be held after the information meetings and prior to July 1 of each year. 2. The Congregational Leadership Team, the President of the congregation, the Senior Pastor or any ten congregational members by petition may call a special meeting of the congregation, provided that proper notification has been given to announce this special meeting. Proper notification for any meeting of the congregation shall consist of verbal and written announcements in all congregational worship services on at least two consecutive Sundays, beginning two weeks prior to the meeting. 3. Whenever a meeting has been properly called, the number of the voting members present shall constitute a quorum. All decisions shall be made by majority vote with the exception of amending the constitution and Bylaws, the removal of the Senior Pastor, and merger or dissolution of the church as corporation, which shall be by two-thirds vote of the members present. Minutes of all regular and special meetings of the congregation shall be recorded and be kept on file in the church office. Section C. Termination of Membership 1. Members shall be removed from the church's membership role for one of the following reasons: a. Death b. Personal request of the member for transfer of membership to another church c. Personal request of the member for release from membership 2. Members shall be removed from the church s membership role with the approval of the Committee of Elders for one of the following reasons: a. "Where-about Unknown" for the period of one year or longer b. Self-exclusion c. Excommunication 1. An erring member shall be admonished in accordance with the various steps prescribed in Matthew 18:15-17, whenever possible. 2. Fruitless admonition of a manifest and impenitent sinner shall result in excommunication from the congregation by the voting members of the congregation. 3. A member who refuses to submit to the church discipline has thereby excommunicated himself/herself. 4. The excommunication of a member shall require the unanimous vote of the members present at a properly scheduled congregation voting process, with the provision that the member under discipline be deprived of his/her right to vote until the question at issue is decided. After sincere repentance an excommunicated person shall receive absolution and be reinstated into membership. 5. A person whose membership has been terminated has forfeited all rights of a member of this congregation and all claims upon the property of the congregation as such, or upon any part thereof, so long as he/she is not reinstated into membership. 2

3 Article II The Congregational Leadership Team Section A. Composition The Congregational Leadership Team shall be composed of 9 members of the church 18 years or older (male and female) chosen during the annual voting process of the church. They shall be people who exemplify the qualities of leadership espoused in the Constitution of the church. Members of the Ministry Staff may not be members of the Congregational Leadership Team; however, the Senior Pastor shall participate with a voice but no vote. Section B. Purpose The Congregational Leadership Team will, after seeking God s guidance, establish policies that will enable the congregation to carry out the ministry goals of the church as stated in its Constitution. The Congregational Leadership Team is at all times responsible to the congregation. Section C. Election and Terms 1. From March 15th to April 1st of each year, all members of the congregation shall be asked to submit in writing to the Executive Ministry Team or the Congregational Leadership Team the names of individuals for consideration as members of the Congregational Leadership Team, having been notified of this opportunity in a congregational correspondence during the first two weeks of March. The Congregational Leadership Team and the Executive Ministry Team shall meet together and, from these names, submit for consideration during the annual approval process names for every position open on the Congregational Leadership Team. These names shall be published in two successive written announcements preceding the annual voting. 2. Members of the Team shall serve three-year terms with three members rotating on/off each year. Members may not serve more than two consecutive terms. No more than three members shall be elected in any year, except in the case of vacancies. 3. In cases of a vacancy on the Congregational Leadership Team. The president (or acting President) of the Congregational Leadership Council, after consulting with the Senior Pastor, shall select a qualified individual to serve in the position until the next annual voting process of the congregation, at which time the congregation shall select an individual to complete the remaining portion of the unexpired term. The unexpired term shall count as a complete term for that individual if it exceeds 1 year at the time of his/her election. Section D. Meetings 1. Six members shall constitute a quorum, and all actions of the board shall require an affirmative vote of at least five members in order to be enacted. 2. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Congregational Leadership Team, and they shall be kept on file in the church office. 3. The Congregational Leadership Team shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings will be called by the President and Senior Pastor (or others persons so designated in their absence). Notification of any regular or special meeting shall be made at least one week prior to the date of the meeting. Section E. Officers Annually the Congregational Leadership Team shall select from among themselves a President, Vice-President, Corporate Secretary, and Treasurer, (any of whom may be male or female), who shall also serve these positions for the entire congregation: 1. President. The President of the church shall: a. Chair the meetings of the church and the Congregational Leadership Team. b. Schedule all meetings of the Congregational Leadership Team in consultation with the Senior Pastor and oversee the timely notification of all involved. c. Arrange for the annual congregation information meeting(s) and voting process, 3

4 along with the Executive Ministry Team. d. Sign all legal documents as approved by the Congregational Leadership Team and/or the congregation. 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall: Fulfill the duties of the President in the President s absence. 3. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall: a. On a yearly basis arrange for an independent audit of all receipts, expenditures and financial records and present it to the Congregational Leadership Team and make it available to the congregation. Provided, however, the Congregational Leadership Team may, at its discretion, choose to have a review instead of an audit, provided an audit is completed no less than once every three (3) years. b. Perform other duties as defined by the Congregational Leadership Team. 4. Corporate Secretary. The Secretary shall: a. Serve as Secretary of the corporation, signing legal documents when required. b. Sign all copies of approved meeting minutes. c. Keep and maintain all minutes from meetings of the Congregational Leadership Team and meetings of the church. d. Obtain signature of the Corporate Secretary on all approved minutes which shall then be kept on file in the church office. Section F. Elder s representative. One male member of the Congregational Leadership Team shall be selected to serve on the Committee of Elders and can serve until his term on the CLT is completed. Section G. Responsibilities For the sake of good order, effective ministry and accountability, the congregation authorizes the Congregational Leadership Team to: 1. Receive Monthly Ministry reports. Receive a monthly report from the Executive Ministry Team on the ministries and activities of the church, and offer evaluation and additional counsel and input concerning the overall ministry of the church 2. Establish employment policies. Work with the Sr. Pastor to establish policies regarding employment, including guidelines for salary ranges and benefit packages. 3. Establish a Spending Plan. a. Review, adjust and act upon an annual spending plan recommended by the Executive Ministry Team (see Article III, Section C, Item 5) except that the Congregational Leadership Team annually will establish the salary and benefits for the Senior Pastor. After approval by the Congregational Leadership Team the spending plan will be forwarded to the congregation for approval. 4. Receive Financial reports. Receive and review, on a monthly basis, a financial report including the receipts and expenditures of the church for the previous month. 5. Negotiate Borrowing. Negotiate the borrowing of short-term funds for operating needs if necessary for cash flow purposes. 6. Approve Property disposition. Approve the disposal of unused or obsolete personal property whose replacement cost exceeds in a fiscal year $ Establish and approve Gifts, bequests and estates. Establish and approve the utilization of all undesignated gifts, bequests, and estates given to the church. The proposed disposition of undesignated gifts, bequests, and estates shall be incorporated into an expenditure plan, which shall be updated annually. All such receipts and expenditures shall be included in the independently audited financial reports of the church. 4

5 . 8. Review Staff positions and Executive Ministry Team. a. The CLT shall work with the Sr. Pastor in identifying needed ministry staff positions. b. Act in an advisory role to the Sr. Pastor for the selection and removal of members of the Executive Ministry Team. 9. Address Senior Pastor vacancy. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Senior Pastor, the CLT shall appoint a Call Team. The Team shall consist of the Vice-President, two other non-officer members of the CLT and at least two members at large from the congregation. The Call Team shall: Establish a set of criteria for the position, with special attention to the leadership needs under Policy-Based Governance. Seek appropriate assistance from the President of the District, Call for nominations from the congregation. Establish an effective interview and evaluation process which includes telephone and, as needed, personal interviews. Provide a list of recommended, qualified candidates to the CLT. Establish and facilitate the interview process for the list of candidates approved by the CLT. Present to the CLT a summary of the interviews of each candidate. Assist the CLT in bringing its recommendations to the congregation in accordance with the By-laws. 10. Call Meetings of congregation. Call a special meeting of the church to deal with any appropriate business 11. Recommend Strategic plan. Recommend to the congregation a strategic long-term ministry plan for Christ Lutheran Church, based upon the Executive Ministry Team s recommendations. This plan shall be reviewed and, if necessary, revised annually. 12. Establish Ministry groups. Mobilize and coordinate the efforts of ad hoc and on-going ministry teams, task forces, and committees, in conjunction with the Executive Ministry Team. Article III The Executive Ministry Team Section A. Composition The Executive Ministry Team shall be composed of a minimum of three members. The Senior Pastor shall serve as leader of the team. He shall make recommendations to the Congregational Leadership Team for the selection and removal of members of the Executive Ministry Team as set forth in Article II, Section G, Item 9. Section B. Purpose The Executive Ministry Team exists to plan and set direction for the congregation compatible with the policies set forth by the Congregational Leadership Team. As overseers of the ministry program of the church, they will serve as resource people for individuals and groups, equipping all members for ministry. The Executive Ministry Team is at all times directly responsible to the Congregational Leadership Team Section C. Responsibilities For the sake of good order, effective ministry and accountability, the congregation authorizes/delegates the Executive Ministry Team to: 1. Ministry Program. Oversee, facilitate, equip and work with the members of Christ Lutheran Church for the conduct and development of new and existing ministries. 2. Support staff. Select, hire, and dismiss all support staff/employees of the church. 5

6 3. Ministry staff. Make recommendations to the Congregational Leadership Team for the establishment or changing of any ministry positions with the exception of the Senior Pastor. Also make recommendations to the Congregational Leadership Team for the selection of people for said positions and the dismissal of people in these positions, providing the action is consistent with the Holy Scriptures. 4. Ministry report. Present to the Congregational Leadership Team on a monthly basis, and annually to the congregation, a report on the ministries and activities of the church in order to advise and receive additional counsel and input concerning the overall ministry of the church. 5. Spending Plan. a. Prepare and recommend for approval to the Congregational Leadership Team an annual spending plan including programs; salaries and benefits; physical plant improvements; supplies, maintenance and utilities; insurance; call expenses; debt service; district and synodical support and other benevolent giving; travel expenses; church office supplies and equipment, etc. (Salaries and benefits shall be set by the Senior Pastor, except that the salary and benefits of the Senior Pastor shall be set by the Congregational Leadership Team). Prior to establishing the proposed budget, the Executive Ministry Team should seek counsel and input from the Congregational Leadership Team. After approval of the Congregational Leadership Team, the spending plan is submitted to the congregation for approval. Between the annual voting processes of the congregation the Executive Ministry Team may recommend improvements and/or adjustments to the annual spending plan for approval from the Congregational Leadership Team not to exceed 5% of the annual approved spending plan. b. Oversee the spending plan and present to the Congregational Leadership Team on a monthly basis a financial report including the receipts and expenditures of the church. 6. Strategic plan. Make recommendations to the Congregational Leadership Team regarding the strategic long-term ministry plan for the church. 7. Property. Oversee the operation, care and maintenance of the church plant, properties, equipment, and other appurtenances. In the case of emergency building needs, expend necessary funds to make needed repairs to the physical plant and/or equipment. 8. Borrowing, disposal of property, gifts and bequests. Give input and counsel to the Congregational Leadership Team with regard to: a. the short-term borrowing of monies (borrowing of monies with a maximum 3 year amortization). b. the disposal of personal (i.e.: unfixed) property of the church. c. the utilization of all undesignated gifts, bequests, and estates given to the church. 9. Congregational meetings. Arrange for the annual church information meeting(s) and voting process along with the president of the congregation. Article IV Other Ministry Teams Section A. Purpose Recognizing Christ's call to equip God's people for works of service (Ephesians 4); God's promise that He gives to each Christian spiritual gifts with which to serve Him; the fact that the ministry of the church belongs to the people of the church; and our church's commitment to mobilize every member of the congregation for ministry in the body of Christ; other ministry teams, task forces, 6

7 and committees with specific areas of decision-making and responsibilities may be established by the Executive Ministry Team and/or the Congregational Leadership Team in order to encourage all members to use their spiritual gifts within the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:7, I Peter 4:10, I Peter 2:9). Section B. Ministry Team of Elders Desiring to be faithful to the Scriptures' teaching concerning leadership roles of men and women in the home and in the church, there shall be a standing Ministry Team established. The purpose of this Ministry Team is to assist the Senior Pastor in carrying out the pastoral ministry (i.e.: pastoral functions, matters dealing with spiritual authority and discipline,) and serve as a sounding board for the Senior Pastor. The Ministry Team shall include the Senior Pastor, Congregational Leadership Team designated Elder and at least 5 other male members selected by the Senior Pastor who are proven to be faithful to the Lord and His church. They will meet as needed. The Senior Pastor or any member of the Ministry Team may call a meeting. Section C. Ad Hoc Ministry Teams Other Ministry Teams and task forces may include, but are not be limited to: Stewardship, Worship Assistants, Care Groups, Evangelism, Fellowship, Mission Groups, Parent Groups, Small Group Leaders, Planning Groups, etc. with specific areas of decision-making and responsibilities as may be established by the Congregational Leadership Team and/or the Executive Ministry Team for the purposes of fulfilling the mission of Christ Lutheran Church as stated in the Constitution. Section D. Senior Staff All Senior Staff shall conduct their ministries with the benefit of Advisory Councils. Article V Amendments to These Bylaws These Bylaws of the church may be amended, provided the proposed amendments have been submitted in writing and presented to the congregation at least two weeks prior to the voting process, and upon receiving the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by the voting membership in attendance during the voting process. (End of Bylaws) All provision contained herein are to be read consistently with the Constitution of Christ Lutheran Church. In the event of any inconsistency between this document and the Constitution, the Constitution shall for all purposes and in all events supersede and control these bylaws. 7

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