Constitution and By-Laws Adopted June 2, 2013 ZION MENNONITE CHURCH 3260 Zion Church Road Broadway, VA 22815 (540) 896-7577 www.zmcva.org -1-
Zion Mennonite Church Broadway, VA Constitution and By-laws June 2, 2013 Vision Statement 1 As a community seeking to know and trust God more fully, we are called to grow as disciples and ambassadors of Christ. By God s grace and power we are transformed by the Holy Spirit to live, worship, and serve so that God s healing and hope flow through us to the world. Mission Statement 2 At Zion Mennonite Church we follow Jesus as we worship God, nurture faith, minister love, and share hope with neighbors near and far. Our Purpose The purposes of this congregation shall be to: Seek to know and trust God more fully. Grow as disciples and ambassadors of Christ. Be transformed by the Holy Spirit to live, worship, nurture faith and serve so that God s healing and hope flow through us to the world. 1 Vision Statement approved at Feb. 10, 2o13 Business Meeting. 2 Mission Statement approved at Feb. 10, 2013 Business Meeting. - 2 -
CONSTITUTION Zion Mennonite Church, Broadway, Virginia I. NAME. This congregation shall be known as the Zion Mennonite Church of Broadway, Virginia. II. III. IV. PURPOSE. The purposes of this congregation shall be to: A. Seek to know and trust God more fully; B. Grow as disciples and ambassadors of Christ; and C. Be transformed by the Holy Spirit to live, worship, nurture faith, and serve so that God s healing and hope flow through us to the world. AFFILIATION. A. This congregation shall be a part of the Northern District of Virginia Mennonite Conference and of the Mennonite Church USA. B. This congregation will work cooperatively with district and conference organizations and in harmony with district and conference policy. C. This congregation shall provide the designated number of delegates to the Virginia Mennonite Conference and Mennonite Church USA. D. This congregation accepts the service of an overseer, chosen by the district in accordance with conference procedure, who shall have oversight of the congregation. MEMBERSHIP. A. A person becomes a member of the congregation after receiving instruction about the key beliefs of the congregation based on Scripture and the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective (1995). B. The members of the congregation shall consist of baptized believers in Jesus Christ who seek to live their life based on Scripture and with the guidance of the beliefs represented in the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective (1995). C. Members shall take part as regularly as possible in the worship, witness, ministry, and service of the congregation. Members shall be open to give and receive counsel from each other and seek to maintain healthy relationships with each other and the larger body of Christ. D. Members may be received from or transferred to another congregation upon recommendation of the Elders. E. Members forfeit their membership in the congregation on the basis of continued disobedience, which is not repented of, or persistent refusal to accept the counsel of the Elders. The Elders shall make every effort to restore any offending member to fellowship in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1, and James 5:19-20. F. Associate memberships are available to those who are members in good standing of another church, will be attending Zion for a short time, and wish to maintain their membership in their home congregation. Associate members shall have the same benefits and responsibilities as members. G. Members and associate members only are given the privilege of voting in congregational decisions. Each member is encouraged to exercise this privilege in all votes. H. A member may be designated as an inactive member by the Elders after a period of at least two years of inactivity from the congregation. V. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by Zion members and/or the Congregational Leadership Team. All amendments must be ratified by a seventyfive percent vote of the members voting. The congregation shall be given notice two weeks before any vote. - 3 -
I. CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP. BYLAWS Zion Mennonite Church, Broadway, Virginia A. Congregational Leadership Team. (CLT) 1. Vision of the CLT. The CLT is the primary leadership body that seeks to align the people of God with the purposes of God. God s purposes are discerned through prayer, study, and conversation about the unfolding challenges within the congregation, local community, and global context. The CLT provides leadership to organize God s people in a variety of ministries in order to achieve the vision and goals established by the congregation. As the primary leadership entity of the congregation, the CLT has the capacity to articulate the vision, discern goals, and facilitate assessments of congregational ministries. 2. Membership on the CLT. a. The CLT will be composed of a chairperson, vice chairperson, six elected lay members, the chairperson of the Elders, the pastor, and other pastoral ministry staff. b. Selecting Officers of CLT. (1) The congregation will elect a vice chairperson who will serve two years as vice chair and two years as chair. (2) The CLT will facilitate the nomination process for vice chairperson. (3) The process will include receiving nominations for vice chairperson from the members of the congregation, CLT discerning a nominee, presenting a nominee to the congregation for affirmation, and commissioning the new leader. (4) A chairperson is not eligible to be nominated as vice chairperson at the completion of the term. c. Selecting members of CLT. (1) Lay members will be selected by nominations received from the congregation and voted on by ballot. (2) Gifts and Appointments Committee will facilitate the nomination process for lay members. (3) The process will include receiving nominations for lay members from the members of the congregation, developing a ballot, providing opportunity for a congregational affirmation, and commissioning the new lay members of CLT. (4) Affirmation of CLT members for the new church year is the first task of the newly appointed Gifts and Appointments Committee. (5) Terms for lay members of the Leadership Team will be three years with at least one year between terms. d. The CLT, including the chairperson, the vice chairperson and members, will have a gender balance of at least three women and three men. - 4 -
e. Congregational Secretary. A congregational secretary shall be appointed by the CLT annually and is responsible to take minutes at all CLT and congregational business meetings. The secretary shall see that copies of the minutes are prepared for distribution to members of the congregation. 3. Functions of the Congregational Leadership Team shall be to: a. Meet monthly to achieve the work of the CLT and have the ability to call additional meetings as needed; b. Establish an agenda for each CLT meeting under the guidance of the chairperson, vice chairperson, and pastor; c. Formulate and articulate vision for the congregation; d. Provide oversight for the work of the Appointments and Gifts Committee, Personnel Committee, and Elders by receiving regular reports from each group; e. Mediate conflict between committees or commissions in the congregation; f. Facilitate and review the overall work of the commissions; g. Meet at least two times a year for counsel, inspiration and vision with the lay commission chairpersons; h. Coordinate all pastoral transitions; i. Call, conduct, and establish the agenda for all congregational business meetings; j. Develop overall policy for the congregation; k. Manage general administrative decisions for the congregation, and delegate these, as appropriate, to the respective commissions for action; l. Organize a commissioning service at the beginning of the new church year; and m. Call congregational meetings annually or as needed with the chairperson facilitating the meeting. 4. Accountability of the Congregational Leadership Team. a. The Congregational Leadership Team is accountable to the congregation. This occurs through the Business meetings that are held twice a year. b. The Congregational Leadership Team is accountable to Virginia Mennonite Conference. This occurs through the presence of the overseer, pastoral staff participating in Northern District, and through its congregational delegates to Virginia Mennonite Conference. B. Gifts and Appointments Committee. 1. Appointment of the Gifts and Appointments Committee. The Gifts and Appointments Committee shall consist of the pastor and four elected lay members. Terms shall be two years. A male and female shall be elected each year. The committee shall choose its own chair at the first meeting. Elections for this committee shall be in April. The CLT shall be responsible for getting nominees from the congregation and then preparing a ballot. This committee shall report directly to the CLT. - 5 -
2. Functions of the Gifts and Appointments Committee shall be to: a. Seek to awaken and affirm gifts among all age groups within the congregation; b. Designate lay chairpersons for the commissions; c. Appoint personnel as called for in church bylaws; d. Notify all appointed persons of their assignments in regards to length of terms, starting date and other necessary information; e. Meet regularly prior to the church year and then as needed for evaluation and updating of its work; and f. Facilitate the nomination process to choose candidates for the Congregational Leadership Team and Elders. 3. Procedures for Election. a. The congregation will be given two weeks to nominate persons for elected positions. b. The Gifts and Appointments Committee will review and select persons for offices from a pool of nominations. c. The Gifts and Appointments Committee will use an affirmation process for CLT and Elders. C. Personnel Committee. 1. Appointment of the Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee is appointed by and accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team. Its task is to advise the CLT on matters pertaining to personnel administration and staffing. It shall consist of three members of the CLT. Personnel Committee members and chairperson are appointed annually by the CLT chairperson with the advice and consent of the CLT. They shall serve 1-year terms and may be reappointed without term limits for the duration of their service on CLT. The overseer shall be an ex-officio member of the Personnel Committee. CLT may appoint additional members of the congregation to serve on a temporary basis in the event of a pastoral search process. 2. The functions of the Personnel Committee shall be to: a. Initiate an annual performance review of the pastor, pastoral associates, and any nonpastoral staff to be conducted by the committee or its designee(s); b. Initiate a discernment process every three to five years to determine the current pastoral needs and expectations of the congregation and pastoral staff; c. Report the results of the performance reviews and discernment processes to the CLT; d. Prepare and review job descriptions for all pastoral staff; e. Prepare job descriptions for and hire non-pastoral office staff in consultation with the pastor; f. Operate as a search committee and recommend to the CLT persons for pastoral assignments; and g. Collaborate with the Stewardship and Administration Commission in drafting annual contracts for congregational staff to be distributed to the CLT chair and staff for signatures. - 6 -
D. Elders 1. Appointment of Elders. Elders shall consist of the pastoral staff and three elected lay members who are not currently serving on the CLT. Elders shall be accountable to the CLT. Lay members may serve up to two consecutive terms of three years, followed by at least a one year break. The Elders shall include at least one male and one female. Elders shall choose a lay member as the chairperson at the first meeting. The chairperson shall then serve as a full member of CLT. Elections for this committee shall follow the same nomination and election process outlined in I.A.5 in consultation with the CLT. 2. Functions of the Elders shall be to: a. Promote the overall spiritual and relational health of the congregation; b. Provide emotional and spiritual support to the pastoral staff; c. Give guidance and discernment on issues of Christian faith and life; d. Handle membership questions and requests; and e. Mediate interpersonal conflict in the congregation. - 7 -
II. PASTORAL LEADERSHIP A. Pastoral Leadership. 1. Vision for Pastoral Leadership. Pastoral leadership at Zion is centered in Jesus Christ and empowers the congregation, individually and corporately, to become committed followers of Christ through teaching, preaching, discipling, pastoral care and administration. By example and through relationship building, pastoral leadership engages and leads the congregation to develop deep, personal relationships with Christ and to experience the challenges and joys of their faith journey. Pastoral leadership is responsible for the spiritual, emotional and social needs of the congregation and fosters growth as disciples of Jesus Christ and transformation by the Holy Spirit so that God's healing and hope flow through us to the world. 2. Selecting Pastoral Staff. a. The Personnel Committee of the CLT, additional members serving with the Personnel Committee, and the Overseer provides leadership to recommend pastoral staff. b. The search process seeks to incorporate feedback from the congregation in various ways. c. A 75% affirmative vote is required for calling a pastor. 3. Responsibilities of Pastor (s). a. The duties of the Pastor shall be determined by the Personnel Committee in consultation with the Elders. b. The duties of other pastoral staff shall be determined by the Pastor in consultation with the Personnel Committee. B. Overseer. 1. Functions of an Overseer. A Virginia Mennonite Conference Overseer provides counsel, oversight and pastoral resources to local congregation and their leaders. The Overseer seeks to foster positive communication between the pastor and congregation, assist congregations in developing vision and goals with periodic reviews, and assists in resolving conflicts in consultation with the Faith and Life Commission. 2. Selecting an Overseer. a. The selection of a District Overseer is facilitated by District chairperson and approved by the Faith and Life Commission. b. A congregation shall have opportunity to participate in the selection and appointment of their overseer through the District process. - 8 -
3. Expectation for Oversight Ministry. a. Represent the office of overseer as defined by the Faith and Life Commission of Virginia Mennonite Conference. b. Meet regularly with the pastor(s) for encouragement, counsel, and mentor relationship for pastoral leadership. c. Serve on the Personnel Committee of the congregation and to participate in discussions about calling a pastor, pastoral reviews, and pastoral tenure issues. d. Annually, be present in the congregation to observe the life of the congregation. III. COMMISSIONS A. Care Commission 1. Vision of the Care Commission. Members and friends of the congregation have an expectation of giving and receiving care in the various experiences of life. The Care Commission seeks to enable members and pastoral staff to provide emotional, spiritual, physical, and social dimensions of encouragement to all participants in the body of Christ. 2. Membership of the Care Commission. a. A chairperson of Care Commission shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process. b. Four persons shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process. c. In addition to the lay leaders, a member of the Pastoral Team will serve on the commission. 3. Responsibilities of the Care Commission. a. Provide counsel and assistance to pastoral staff in the care of members of the congregation; b. Provide leadership to the various persons and committees associated with the ministry of the commission; and c. Administer the compassion fund of the congregation on behalf of members who have needs. 4. Accountability of the Care Commission. a. The Care Commission will be accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team. Functionally, this occurs through the presence of pastoral staff on the commission and the Care Commission minutes provided regularly to CLT. b. Relational accountability occurs via an annual meeting between the chairperson of Care Commission and the CLT. c. Financial accountability for the Care Commission ministry occurs directly with the Stewardship Commission. - 9 -
B. Faith Formation Commission. 1. Vision of Faith Formation Commission. The faith formation of children, youth, and adults is a continuous mission of a local congregation. At each stage of life people are engaged in faith formation as they encounter the biblical story, engage in conversation with other believers, and live in the world. The vision for faith formation is that each person connected to the local congregation would be able to articulate core beliefs of being a follower of Jesus, and integrate their beliefs to the contemporary setting in which they live, work, and play. Faith formation is also a missional task as a local congregation invites college students, friends and neighbors to participate in this ministry. 2. Membership on the Faith Formation Commission. a. A chairperson of Faith Formation shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process. b. A representative from children s ministry, youth ministry, and adult ministry, shall serve on the Commission. c. In addition to the lay leaders, a member of the Pastoral Team will serve on the commission. 3. Responsibilities of the Faith Formation Commission. a. Provide an educational ministry primarily through Sunday school that contributes to the development of faith for all age groups in the congregation. This educational ministry can include components that are experiential and/or knowledge based. The Commission can innovate with educational models that are best practices for children, youth, and adult education. b. Administer faith formation ministries by defining volunteer responsibilities and providing leadership support to them as necessary. c. Annually, engage in an assessment of faith formation ministries to determine the educational value for faith formation and effectiveness of the volunteer staff. d. Provide financial resources for ministries associated with faith formation in congregational life. e. Operate in accordance with the Faith Formation Commission protocols. 4. Accountability of the Faith Formation Commission. a. The Faith Formation Commission will be accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team. Functionally, this occurs through the presence of pastoral staff on the commission and the Faith Formation Commission minutes provided regularly to CLT. b. Relational accountability occurs via an annual meeting between the chairperson of Faith Formation Commission and the CLT. c. Financial accountability for the Faith Formation ministry occurs directly with the Stewardship Commission. - 10 -
C. Outreach and Service Commission. 1. Vision of the Outreach & Service Commission. God calls disciples to respond to the needs of people by sharing hope to neighbors near and far. This ministry provides opportunity to engage compassionately with under-served people in our community and around the world in the name of Christ. In learning to know neighbors, volunteering in local service agencies, and listening to the needs of our partners in mission, we enable members to engage in various service experiences and mission opportunities. 2. Membership of the Outreach & Service Commission. a. A chairperson and two persons shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process to serve on the Outreach & Service Commission. b. In addition to the lay leaders, a member of the Pastoral staff and the MDS representative will serve on the commission. 3. Responsibilities of the Outreach & Service Commission. a. Give guidance and leadership to outreach efforts and contacts in the community; b. Promote missions and service awareness in the congregation; and c. Give oversight to the persons and committees associated with the ministry of the commission. 4. Accountability of the Outreach & Service Commission. a. The Outreach & Service Commission will be accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team. This occurs through the presence of pastoral staff on the commission and the Outreach & Service Commission minutes provided regularly to CLT. b. Relational accountability occurs via an annual meeting between the chairperson of Outreach & Service Commission and the CLT. c. Financial accountability for the Outreach & Service ministry occurs directly with the Stewardship Commission. - 11 -
D. Stewardship Commission. 1. Vision for Stewardship Commission. Stewardship is a way of life in response to God and a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship that includes using and managing our God-given resources appropriately and responsibly. Stewardship does include the stewardship of our time and financial resources and our cooperation with God in the funding of the Church s mission to represent the love of Jesus in the world which God in his grace has called us to share. We hold everything as stewards: everything comes from God from the things he has given us for the benefit of all mankind and hence we need to use all our time, abilities and possessions for the glory of God. The concept of stewardship does not just challenge our giving but challenges our lifestyle; it is primarily a way of life in response to God and a fundamental aspect of discipleship which confirms Jesus. We should give generously with love both individually and as a community. The Stewardship Commission will assist the congregation in the understanding and practice of stewardship. It will assist the congregation in developing a clear picture of the costs of the congregation s shared vision for communal activity and promote practices to achieve the financial mission envisioned by the congregation. 2. Membership of the Stewardship Commission. a. A chairperson for the Stewardship Commission and two members at large shall be appointed by the Gifts and Appointments discernment process. Commission members will serve two year terms that are renewable. b. Ex-officio members of the commission include the congregational treasurer, a representative of the Building and Grounds Committee, and the pastor or a member of the pastoral team. 3. Responsibilities of the Stewardship Commission. a. Provide counsel to the Treasurer, as requested, in the administration of the congregation s finances; b. Development of a proposed annual financial mission for the congregation with the assistance of the Treasurer; c. Provide counsel to the Building and Grounds Committee in the maintenance and management of the congregation s facilities and equipment; d. Arrange for appropriate insurance coverage for the congregation s programs and facilities; e. Advise the Treasurer in the investment and management of endowment funds and fund balances held by the congregation; f. Assume primary responsibility for the promotion and management of programs to retire existing debt on the congregation s facilities; and g. Receive a report from the auditor on the annual financial report - 12 -
4. Accountability of the Stewardship Commission. a. The Stewardship Commission will be accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team. This occurs through the presence of pastoral staff on the commission and the Stewardship Commission minutes provided regularly to CLT. b. Relational accountability occurs via an annual meeting between the chairperson of Stewardship Commission and the CLT. c. Financial accountability of the Financial Mission, special projects that emerge during the year, and the overall financial aspects of the congregation occurs to the CLT. d. Expenditures that exceed the Annual Financial Mission allocations can occur in consultation with the CLT. E. Worship Commission. 1. Vision of Worship Commission. As followers of Jesus, we seek to plan worship services that invite people to enter sacred space in order to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. We receive spiritual insight and inspiration from Scripture, spoken word, silence, rituals, symbols, and corporate discernment in order to grow in our personal relationship with God and receive encouragement for our faith journey. Music, an essential part of our worship, shall be guided by the musical tastes of the assembled group and its leaders. By seeking to utilize various musical genres in worship we strive to glorify God through the breadth of human creativity. 2. Membership of the Worship Commission. a. A chairperson of Worship Commission shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process. b. Four laypersons shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process to serve two year terms. c. In addition to the lay leaders, a member of the Pastoral staff will serve on the commission. 3. Responsibilities of the Worship Commission. a. Provide leadership for activities of the weekly worship services and special worship services that occur throughout the year. b. Provide leadership to special focuses for worship services. c. Provide opportunity for training of members who engage in worship planning, music leadership, and worship arts. d. Provide leadership in the review of and incorporation of worship resources. e. Provide oversight to music equipment, audio systems, and technology equipment utilized to support worship activities. - 13 -
4. Accountability of the Worship Commission. a. The Worship commission will be accountable to the Congregational Leadership Team. This occurs through the presence of pastoral staff on the commission and the Worship commission minutes provided regularly to CLT. b. Relational accountability occurs via an annual meeting between the chairperson of Worship commission and the CLT. c. Financial accountability for the Worship Commission ministry occurs directly with the Stewardship Commission. IV. Additional Leadership Representative and/or Committee Positions. A. Treasurer. 1. Appointment of the Treasurer. A church treasurer shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process for a period of three years. 2. Responsibilities of the Treasurer: a. Receive and disburse funds for the church; b. Provide the congregation with quarterly written financial reports and annual receipts; c. Assemble the data for the preparation of the annual budget; d. Serve as a member of the Stewardship Commission; e. Prepare a report of all assets and liabilities of the congregation for its annual business meeting; and f. Manage the payroll for the employees of the congregation, including paychecks and tax reporting. 3. Accountability of the Treasurer. The Treasurer is accountable to the Stewardship Commission. B. Building and Grounds Committee. 1. Membership of the Building and Grounds Committee. a. The Building and Grounds Committee shall consist of four members, each of whom serves for a three-year term appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process. b. By September 1 of each year, they shall select one of their members to serve as a chairperson, and another as secretary. 2. Responsibility of the Building and Grounds Committee. a. Be stewards of all church properties, including the cemetery; b. Provide a contract for custodial services and outline specific duties involved; c. Be responsible for maintenance and improvement of church properties; d. Report Building and Grounds activities to the Stewardship Commission monthly and to the congregation annually through the Annual Report. - 14 -
3. Accountability of the Building and Grounds Committee. a. The Building and Grounds Committee is accountable to the Stewardship Commission. This occurs through a designated member of the group serving on the Stewardship Commission. b. Financial accountability for the Building and Grounds Committee occurs directly with the Stewardship Commission. C. Cemetery Committee. 1. Membership of the Cemetery Committee. Two persons shall be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process to serve five year terms. 2. Responsibility of the Cemetery Committee. a. Provide oversight to the Zion Mennonite Church Cemetery. b. Manage the sale of cemetery lots. c. Manage the cemetery lot ownerships by maintaining accurate records of transactions. d. Maintain a cemetery layout with appropriate internment designations. e. Provide assistance to families and funeral directors as appropriate with burial procedures. 3. Accountability of the Cemetery Committee. a. The Cemetery Committee is accountable to the Stewardship Commission. b. Financial Accountability for the Cemetery Committee occurs with the Stewardship Commission. D. Historian. 1. Vision for the Historian. A historian provides the congregation with a record of its ministries and congregational life. 2. Appointment of the Historian. A person will be appointed by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process to serve a three year term. 3. Responsibility of the Historian. a. Function collaboratively with the pastor and administrative assistant to provide organizational records to Virginia Mennonite Conference for archival purposes. b. Collect and maintain artifacts from the life of the congregation. c. Oversee the historic records and documents of the congregation. - 15 -
E. Virginia Mennonite Conference Delegates. 1. Function of Virginia Mennonite Conference Delegates. Virginia Mennonite Conference invites affiliated congregations to appoint delegates in order to maintain relationship via mutual fellowship, counsel, and support as provided within the structures of Conference. Member congregations are invited to appoint one delegate for each 100 members or fraction thereof. 2. Appointment of Delegates. Delegates shall be appointed for a three-year term by the Gifts & Appointments discernment process. 3. Responsibilities of the Conference delegate(s). a. Attend, so far as possible, the summer Conference Assembly and the Spring Conference delegate sessions; b. Represent Zion at the quarterly meetings of the Northern District; and c. Report Conference and District information back to the congregation. F. Mennonite Church USA Delegates. 1. Function of Mennonite Church USA Delegates. Mennonite Church USA invites member congregations to appoint delegates in order to participate in the Delegate Assembly. Acting on behalf of members of Mennonite Church USA in meetings of the Delegate Assembly, delegates determine major policy issues, evaluate the work of the Executive Board and discern the voice of the Spirit in the midst of the Assembly. Member congregations are invited to appoint one delegate for each 100 members or fraction thereof. 2. Appointment of Delegates. Delegates shall be appointed to a two-year term by the CLT. 3. Responsibilities of the MC USA delegate(s). a. Attend the bi-annual General Assembly and report to the congregation the activities, actions, and observations. b. Remain engaged in any MC USA delegate activities throughout the year as requested by MC USA. - 16 -
V. PROCEDURES A. Church Year. The church year shall be from September 1 to August 31, with all commissions and committees assuming their duties on the first of September. The Fiscal Year of the congregation is January 1 to December 31. B. Business Meetings. 1. The congregation shall hold a business meeting in the first quarter of the calendar year and one in the third or fourth quarter of the year. Other meetings may be called as needed. 2. The first quarter business meeting will review and adopt the financial mission for the current year and any other agenda that may be necessary. 3. In the fall meeting, outgoing committees and commission chairpersons shall provide a written report of their work in the past year. 4. All decisions are to be made by consensus or a by a simple majority vote. A threefourth majority of those voting is called for on issues involving major expenditures, pastoral leadership changes, and amendment of the Constitution. 5. Additional congregational meetings may be called by the Congregational Leadership Team as needed. C. Legal trustees for Properties and Conveyances. 1. The legal trustees of the congregation shall be the CLT chair and vice chair along with the Stewardship Commission chairperson. 2. All conveyances shall be made over their signatures by consent of the congregation. D. Bylaw Changes. Changes may be made in these bylaws whenever recommended by the Congregational Leadership Team and announced publicly at least two weeks prior to any action and ratified by a majority of the members voting. Ratified 1995 Amended October 9, 2005. Amended January 29, 2006. Amended May 21, 2006. Amended October 23, 2011. Amended March 11, 2012. Amended June 2, 2013. - 17 -