Page: 1 Last amended and approved - 2011/12/11 ARTICLE I Section A. BY-LAWS ST. JOHN S LUTHERAN CHURCH BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA Communicant Membership MEMBERSHIP-ADMISSION 1. By Confirmation. Persons not previously members of the Lutheran Church shall be admitted into communicant membership after completing a course of instruction in the Christian faith. Such persons shall be recommended by the pastor(s), publicly received by the Lutheran Rite of Confirmation and subsequently recorded and ratified by the Elders and reported at a congregational meeting. 2. By Transfer. Persons coming with a letter of transfer from a Lutheran congregation in church fellowship with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, provided they conform in all respects to the requirements of membership of this congregation, shall be received by the pastor(s) and subsequently ratified by the Elders or, during a vacancy in the pastoral office(s) by the Elders, or in the temporary absence of the pastor(s) by the Elders and reported at a congregational meeting. 3. By Profession of Faith. Other persons shall submit their request to the pastor(s) or, in the event of a vacancy in the pastoral office(s), to an elder; and having given satisfactory evidence of qualifications for membership, they shall be received as communicant members, to be subsequently ratified and recorded by the Elders and reported at a congregational meeting. Section B. Voting Membership 1. Reception. All confirmed members in good standing, who have reached the age of eighteen (18) years, shall be eligible to vote in all congregational meetings. 2. Duties. It shall be the duty of every voting member to support the provisions of the constitution and bylaws of the congregation and to attend the meetings of the congregation. Voting members shall accept nomination for office, committee appointments, etc., if possible, and generally participate in the business activities of congregational meetings. By failing to attend a meeting a member waives the right to cast their vote during that meeting. 1
Page: 2 ARTICLE II Section A. Communicant Membership MEMBERSHIP-TERMINATION 1. Transfer and Release to Other Congregations. Communicant members desiring transfer to join another congregation in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS), or release to another congregation other than one in the LC-MS, shall present their request for transfer to the Elders to whom authorization is granted to issue such transfers. Such transfer of membership shall be recorded. 2. Joining Other Churches. In cases where communicant members have joined another congregation in the LC-MS, or another congregation other than one in the LC-MS, they shall, upon the recommendation of the Elders be considered having terminated their membership, and their name shall be removed from the membership list by resolution of the Elders. 3. Whereabouts Unknown. The names of members, whose whereabouts are unknown and cannot be established after no less than one (1) year, may be removed by the Elders and forthwith such membership is terminated and their names shall be removed from the membership list. 4. When a Member Dies 5. Self-Exclusion. When a member of St. John s Lutheran Church has not communed and has not attended worship services of the church, that member shall be contacted and encouraged to renew active worship. If the member has not responded after an adequate time deemed so by the Elders, that member s name shall be transferred to the inactive list of the congregation and removed from the roster. The member shall be notified of such action. Self-exclusion releases the individual from all responsibilities to this congregation, but it also excludes that member from the privileges of church membership, such as transfer to a sister congregation and of any claim against the properties of this congregation. However, such a person will at all times be cordially welcome to attend all divine services. 6. Excommunication. Applied to any member who conducts themselves in an un- Christian manner; i.e., one who openly adheres to false doctrine and/or is a member, affiliate or supporter of a secret society or other organization conflicting with the teachings of the church, gives evidence of an immoral and offensive life, or willfully despises the preaching of the Gospel and the Lord s Supper. The Elders shall administer church discipline on behalf of the congregation. Persons who have been removed from membership for whatever reason shall be restored with all rights and privileges when they repent and ask forgiveness through the pastor(s) and the Elders. Both acts of discipline and acts of restoration shall be made known by whatever method the pastor(s) and Elders deem most suitable. Section B. Provisions Pertaining to Church Officers, Elders and Board of Directors 2
Page: 3 Any church officer (i.e. elder or member of the Board of Directors) of the congregation who willfully neglects or is grossly ineffective performing the duties of their office may be deposed by the Board of Directors or Elders, according to the individual s role. When an office is made vacant by deposition, resignation, death or excommunication of the incumbent, a successor to such position shall be appointed by the Board of Directors or Elders, according to the vacancy, for the remainder of the unexpired term. Section C. Provisions Pertaining to the Senior Pastor Sufficient grounds for deposing a Senior Pastor shall be persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, and willful neglect of official duties or evident and protracted incapacity to perform the function of the sacred office. Charges on any of these accounts shall be carefully investigated by the Elders. Should such charges be substantiated by clear evidence, the individual involved shall first be given an opportunity to resign their position in the congregation. Such opportunity having been given and declined, the above-mentioned Elders shall, after consultation with the appropriate officers of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District, having exhausted means of resolving the issue(s), including due process of reviews and notification of charges, notify the voting members of the situation, and shall submit the matter for action at a special meeting of the voters assembly. A three-fourths majority vote of the voting members present, shall be required to depose a Senior Pastor. ARTICLE III Section A. Regular Meetings CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS Regular congregational meetings shall be set by the Board of Directors. One meeting shall include the consideration and acceptance of the budget for the following fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) and one meeting shall be held for the purpose of elections. All communicant members of the congregation may attend congregational meetings and may, with the consent of the voting members, submit recommendations or participate in a discussion of any given item of business before the voting membership. Those communicant members 18 years of age and older shall be eligible to vote. Each congregational meeting shall be announced at all worship services at least two weeks preceding the meeting. The budget for the following fiscal year shall be posted at least two weeks prior to a congregational meeting for consideration and acceptance. In general, for the purposes of order, Roberts Revised Rules of Order (current edition) shall prevail. Section B. Special Meetings Special congregational meetings may be called by the Elders, the pastor(s), or the 3
Page: 4 President of the congregation. Request for a special meeting may be made by the Board of Directors or ten (10) voting members of the congregation. Notice of the date and time of such a meeting, and the nature of the business to be transacted, shall be given at the weekend worship services immediately proceeding the time of the meeting. Section C. Restriction Pertaining to Congregational Meetings Fifty (50) voting members of a properly called congregational meeting shall constitute a quorum, except as otherwise provided in this constitution and bylaws for dealing with certain specific situations herein defined. All matters are to be decided by a majority vote of members present unless otherwise stipulated. The President of the congregation does not vote except in the event of a tie vote, the President shall cast the deciding ballot. There shall be no voting by proxy. ARTICLE IV OFFICE OF CALLED MINISTERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL WORKERS Introduction Called ministers and professional workers are called by the congregation to provide competent leadership, organization, lay training and ministry skills as part of the ministry team in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of the position to which they are called. Members of the congregation obligate themselves to receive these ministers as servants of the Word, to honor and love them as such; to support their work among us with diligent, faithful assistance and prayer; to assist them with a peaceful and cooperative spirit; to encourage them by word and action; to aid them in the maintenance of the congregation (as to responsibility, love and respect); and to provide for their care and financial support according to the ability of the congregation. Section A. Definitions of Workers Relationship to the Congregation Call With Tenure: A secured relationship that does not need to be renewed and can only be terminated by the congregation per Article II, Section C of these Bylaws. A call with tenure is eligible for the position of Senior Pastor, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors, may be allowed for other Pastoral positions. Furthermore, in the event tenure is extended to other Pastoral positions, the terms and conditions of tenure will be determined by the Board of Directors at the time tenure is considered. Tenure will only be available to Pastors on a current professional workers roster of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and deemed in good standing by his District President. Tenure must be granted at a congregational meeting by a simple majority of those voting. Call Without Tenure: A secured relationship that does not need to be renewed; however, this relationship can be terminated by management without a vote of the congregation. Any 4
Page: 5 termination would be subject to the ratification by the Board of Directors. A call without tenure is eligible to those on a current professional workers roster of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and deemed in good standing by their district president. The extending of this call is done at a congregational meeting. Non-called Professional Lay Worker: A secured relationship that does not need to be renewed. Professional lay positions are authorized by the Board of Directors and may be filled by individuals who may have graduated from colleges or universities affiliated or not affiliated with the Synod. The position is eligible to those not on a current professional workers roster of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod; however, these people may participate in the colloquy program of the Synod, and thereby, become better qualified to teach and become qualified for roster status in the Synod. Contract: A relationship that needs to be renewed on a term basis of a year or less. The extending of this contract is done by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the appropriate Executive Leadership Team member. Section B. Description of the Office of Senior Pastor Through its tenured call, the congregation affirms the authority given to the Senior Pastor by God to exercise, in a prime way and public way, the common rights of the spiritual priesthood on behalf of all. The pastoral office is the prime office in the congregation from which all other offices of the congregation issue. However, the congregation may establish as many auxiliary offices as deemed necessary and determine what work is to be assigned such offices. Upon being installed, the Senior Pastor is authorized and obligated: To be a vision setter for the future growth of the congregation; To proclaim to the congregation the Word of God in its truth and purity as contained in the canonical writings of the Old and New Testaments and professed in the Book of Concord of the year 1580, and supervise others who do this on his behalf; To administer the sacraments in accordance with their divine institution and supervise others who do this on his behalf; To care for all members of the congregation in an evangelical manner, in particular, to minister to the sick, the dying, the grieving, the troubled and to exhort the indifferent and erring and supervise others who do this on his behalf; To spiritually encourage and instruct younger members and adults during their preparation for receiving the Lord s Supper and supervisor others who do this on his behalf; To guide the congregation in applying biblical discipline within the church; To provide spiritual leadership and encouragement in all the ministry agencies of the congregation, especially to the Executive Leadership Team and other professional staff working in these agencies; To serve as an example of Christian conduct and to do all that is possible for the upbuilding of this congregation and for the advancement of the kingdom of God; To be responsible for the various services of worship including structure, music and content and supervise others who do this on his behalf. 5
Page: 6 In calling a Senior Pastor to preach the Word of God and administer the sacraments on their behalf, the members of the congregation continue to exercise their role of priesthood of all believers which is their privilege and responsibility. Section C. Procedure for Calling a Senior Pastor After consultation by the Elders with the President of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District or his representative, the Elders shall determine if the vacated position shall be filled by an interim pastor or a vacancy pastor. After appropriate evaluation of the congregation s mission, vision, status, and identified ministry needs, the Search Committee shall be created by the Elders and a specific charge provided to the Search Committee by the Elders. The Search Committee shall consist of at least five (5) and at most nine (9) voting church members with the Elders compromising no more than a simple minority. The Search Committee will: 1. Define, with congregation input, the qualities and attributes desired in next Senior Pastor, as well as current and anticipated church ministry needs before soliciting congregation or others for names of possible candidates to be considered in the process to call for a Senior Pastor; 2. Solicit the congregation for possible candidates eligible from the current clergy roster of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod; 3. Solicit from the President of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District and from other districts possible candidates that are eligible for consideration; 4. Review the names and biographical information made available and select viable candidates from that group; 5. Publicize and execute an interview process with viable candidates; 6. Supply a written biography of each proffered candidate; 7. Solicit from the congregation written questions to be asked of each candidate. 8. The Search Committee will prioritize and screen questions and will ask each candidate the same questions in a telephone interview. 9. The search committee will determine the viable candidate(s) to be brought to the church for an on-sight interview. If candidate(s) are to be presented to the congregation in person, the candidate should address the congregation in the sanctuary giving biographical and relevant information followed by a meet and greet time. The Search Committee will present candidate(s) for approval at a congregational meeting. No nominations will be allowed from the floor by members of the congregation at the time of the meeting before the slate is approved. The President of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District, or his representative, will be invited to the search meeting. Considered candidate(s) will be presented to the congregation. A ballot which includes one name for congregation vote will provide a yes/no option to the candidate name. A ballot which includes more than one name will also include a none of the above option on the ballot. Following adequate discussion by the congregation, within Robert s Revised Rules of Order (current edition), the voters will elect one of the proposed candidates by ballot and simple majority. Should a majority not be obtained on the first ballot, the candidate with the least votes will be dropped and subsequent ballot(s) taken 6
dropping the lowest vote receiver until the majority is received. If a candidate does not receive the required support from the congregation, a search committee will reconvene and start the search process again. The president of the congregation shall assure the notice of election is delivered promptly to the candidate in whatever manner deemed advisable by the President. Page: 7 Section D. Procedure for Securing Called Workers Other Than the Position of Senior Pastor 1. Called Workers (Other Than Teachers and Senior Pastor) Upon recommendation from the Executive Leadership Team the Senior Pastor shall propose the securing of a called worker. Upon Board of Directors approval and in the case of new positions, the Executive Leadership Team will provide the Elders with a job description and propose a Search Committee. This Search Committee will include the Senior Pastor or his designee. This Search Committee will: a. Solicit the congregation for eligible candidates; b. Solicit the appropriate district staff for eligible candidates; c. Research and network within the Synod to obtain names of any other appropriate candidates. d. Review the names and biographical information and select viable candidates from that group; e. Conduct an interview process with viable candidates in conjunction with the Executive Leadership Team. f. Present one or more candidates for approval of a call at a properly scheduled congregational meeting. No nominations will be allowed from the floor. Should more than one candidate be presented, the voters will elect one of the proposed candidates by simple majority or have the option of voting No on the entire slate. It will be the duty of the President of the congregation to see that notice of the election is properly delivered to the candidate in whatever manner deemed advisable by the President. The called worker is called by the congregation to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position to which they were called. As such, the congregation must be notified of any major changes to the worker s responsibilities to which he/she was originally called. 2. Called Teachers Due to the nature of the timing associated with securing a teaching staff throughout the school year, special consideration is to be given to the Calling process for teachers: a. Superintendent to conduct search, conduct interviews, and check references on candidates for available positions, as needed; b. Superintendent to present selected candidate(s) to the St. John s Lutheran 7
School Advisory Board for approval; Page: 8 c. Approved candidate(s) will be submitted to the Elders who will, in turn, make arrangements for the congregation to confirm their call from the congregation at a properly scheduled congregational meeting. It will be the duty of the President of the congregation to see that notice of the election is properly delivered to the candidate in whatever manner deemed advisable by the President. Section E. Procedures for Securing a Non-Called Professional Lay or Contract Worker Upon the recommendation of the Executive Leadership Team the Senior Pastor shall propose the securing of a non-called professional lay or contract worker to the Board of Directors. In the case of a new position, the Executive Leadership Team will provide a job description to the Board of Directors. The Search Committee will include a member of the Executive Leadership Team. The Search Committee will: 1. Solicit the congregation for eligible candidates; 2. Solicit locally and regionally for eligible candidates; 3. Review the names and biographical information and select viable candidates from that group; 4. Conduct the interview process with viable candidates; Once the position has been filled, the Board of Directors will be promptly notified. ARTICLE V SELECTION AND RATIFICATION OF ELDERS AND ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section A: Nomination Procedures 1. Elder Nominating Procedure The Chairman of the Elders shall, two months prior to the convening of a congregational meeting for the purpose of elections, poll the existing slate of serving elders to determine the number of elders who will be stepping down effective December 31 st of that year. The current slate of serving elders shall, with the Sr. Pastor, prayerfully select the elders to serve as per the qualifications and procedures outlined in the Elder section of the St. John s Policy Manual. The Elder Candidate selection list will be retained until the next selection cycle begins, in order to fill any subsequent openings that may occur in the event that an individual congregation ratification does not occur. 2. Board of Directors Nominating Procedure The Board of Directors Nominating Committee is also created by the Elders. This committee consists of at least three (3) and at most seven (7) voting church members. There is 8
Page: 9 no requirement that Elders serve on the Board of Directors Nominating Committee. Should Elders serve on the Board of Directors Nominating Committee, the number of Elders shall comprise no more than a simple minority-one less than even. The Elders shall announce the selection of the Nominating Committee to the Board of Directors at least nine weeks prior to the election. The congregation shall be notified of such action. The voters may submit to the Nominating Committee, the names of possible candidates for the specific offices. The Senior Pastor, Head Elder, and Board of Directors define the qualities and attributes desired in candidates to be nominated. Current and anticipated church ministry needs will be considered in discerning attributes desired in potential nominees. The nominating committee will use the defined qualities and attributes in determining names to be placed before the congregation and in considering names submitted by congregants. The defined criteria will provide guidelines for contacting nominees together with the pastors discernment about nominee s spiritual eligibility. A final list of potential members of the Board of Directors shall be posted at least three weeks prior to the congregational election meeting. The Nominating Committee shall have investigated the status of the proposed candidates and found them spiritually eligible for office, willing to serve, and eligible to serve in accordance with the Bylaws of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Section B. Election Procedure and Term of Office From the list of candidates for each elective office submitted by the Nominating Committee, the voters shall elect by ballot and simple majority, the following officers, members of the Board of Directors, and The Elders in the order herein indicated: 1. Board of Directors The Board of Directors is elected by the voting members of the congregation and serve for three (3) year terms. Members of the Board of Directors can serve two (2) consecutive terms, and then must sit out one (1) year prior to being eligible for election to the Board of Directors. There shall neither be nepotism on the Board of Directors nor on the Board of Directors Nominating Committee as defined in Article V, Section B 2. All nominees will be non-staff, non-employee, non-elder, male or female voting congregational members. Members will be elected in successive years as follows: a. President and two members at large. b. Vice President and two members at large elected the following year, and the c. Treasurer and two members at large elected the following year. NOTE: In order to implement this change (i.e. three persons elected annually for 3- year terms), there will need to be a transition period where some current members will serve terms different than they were originally elected to serve. There should be an enabling motion by the congregation allowing for this transitional period to occur until the process is fully in place. 9
Page: 10 2. Elders The Chairman of the Elders will, at the subsequent congregational meeting convened for the purpose of elections, present the elder candidates, individually, to the congregation for a ratification vote. Each of the proposed (selected) elder candidates is to be ratified via a simple majority yea or nea vote by the congregation. In the event that any of the proposed slate of elders shall be voted down, then the Chairman of the Elders shall: a. Reconvene, via special Elders meeting, the process as identified above to develop alternate candidates, and, b. Reconvene a special congregational meeting for ratification of alternate candidates. In the event that the ratification process for alternates cannot be performed by the end of the current serving year due to conflicts with the either existing constitutional or bylaw provisions or other constraints unknown or unforeseen, then the pastoral staff shall be given the authority to appoint, in accordance with the pastoral interview process, the required number of elders necessary to meet constitutional and/or bylaw requirements for the upcoming term. Section C. Installation of Board of Directors and Elders. The newly elected members of the Board of Directors, and newly ratified members of the Elders of the congregation, shall be installed in December of the year in which they were elected and shall assume their duties of office as of January 1st of the following year. 10
Page: 11 ARTICLE VI Section A. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Duties of Officers of Board of Directors 1. President of the Congregation The President of the congregation shall be a voting member of the congregation and preside at all congregational meetings. The president shall to the best of his/her ability enforce the constitution and bylaws of the congregation and carry out the express will of the congregation as embodied in the resolutions adopted at congregational meetings. He/she shall also call and preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors and shall endeavor to coordinate the functions, plans and activities of the congregation and all its parts for the total furtherance of the work of Christ s kingdom in our midst. Such coordination may include, but is not limited to, calling and presiding over meetings of the executive committee as well as standing committees, and ad hoc committees as created by the President or the Board of Directors. The President shall have the power to appoint other committees as deemed necessary by him/her for the fulfillment of his/her duties and for the benefit of the congregation. Secretary: The President of the congregation shall appoint a confirmed member in good standing to serve as Secretary of the congregation immediately after election to office. The Secretary shall be ratified immediately by the congregation at that meeting and shall continue in office until the President s term of office expires. The Secretary shall be present at all congregational meetings and all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall record and enter the minutes of all meetings of said groups in a permanent record over his/her signature. 2. Vice President The Vice President of the congregation shall be a voting member of the congregation and in the absence of and when designated by the President, shall act for and in the stead of the President. The Vice President shall be available for whatever duties the President shall assign. 3. Treasurer The Treasurer, in cooperation with the church business administrator, shall be bonded and shall: a. Monitor the recording of congregational receipts and disbursements and budgeted and actual expenditures according to generally accepted accounting principles; b. Present a written, duplicated financial report at the congregational meeting and a preliminary report at Board of Directors meetings; c. Oversee the submission of permanent financial records for annual audit; 11
Page: 12 d. Monitor the monthly remission of offerings for missions and church agencies and for the prompt payment of salaries and bills authorized by the congregation or its representatives as duly constituted sources; e. Monitor the flow of monies from the treasury in such a way that an adequate balance is maintained in harmony with the adopted annual spending budget of the congregation; f. Consult with the church business administrator on direction and development of financial services within the congregation. 4. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and the Senior Pastor of the congregation. When the office of the Senior Pastor is vacant, the Executive Committee shall be expanded to include the interim pastor or one of the other pastors. Specific functions of the Executive Committee include: a. Prepare the agenda for the Board of Directors meetings; b. Handle functions and tasks as delegated by the Board of Directors; c. The minutes of the Executive Committee shall be distributed to the Board of Directors prior to each meeting of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE VII Section A. THE FUNCTION, POWERS AND ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND ELDERS Board of Directors The voting members of the Board of Directors are voting members of the congregation (non-staff, non-employee) and consist of the President of the congregation, who presides as chairman of the Board of Directors, the Vice President of the congregation, the Secretary of the congregation, who is a non-voting member, the Treasurer of the congregation, one elder representative, and six additional non-staff, non-employee, non-elder voting congregation members, as well as the Senior Pastor, who is a non-voting member. The function of the Board of Directors is to establish and monitor policy and to directly assist in providing reasonable and adequate human and financial resources to carry out the ministry of the congregation. They are selected for their experience in the marketplace and their spiritual maturity. The Board of Directors is primarily a policy and decision-making body acting on behalf of the congregation. The Board of Directors shall: 1. Be responsible for developing and articulating the vision of St. John s Lutheran Church; 2. Provide a central location for business decision making in the church; 12
Page: 13 3. Present to the congregation a yearly plan of activities as well as long-range plans for the development and expansion of Christ s work in our midst; 4. Prepare the agenda for the congregational meetings; 5. Set the dates and times for the congregational meetings; 6. Fill unexpired terms or shortages of officers by appointment; 7. Approve an annual budget for the congregation as recommended by the Executive Leadership Team to be presented at a congregational meeting for approval. Any position added to or deleted from the budget is to be identified to the Board of Directors at the time the budget is considered by them for approval. 8. Meet at least one time per month. Additional meetings may be called by the President of the congregation or the Senior Pastor as required; 9. Set the policy of the congregation; 10. Be responsible for long-range planning in conjunction with the Executive Leadership Team; 11. Hold the Sr. Pastor responsible for overseeing the Executive Leadership Team; 12. Monitor financial status on a monthly basis; 13. Keep a permanent set of minutes for each meeting. Such minutes shall be the property of the congregation and available to all members upon reasonable request; 14. Be concerned with the spiritual, emotional and physical health and welfare of the members of the Executive Leadership Team and other employees and their families to ensure reasonable and appropriate compensation in accordance with the guidelines of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District, as well as free time, vacation, assistance in time of illness, appropriate medical and liability insurance, and pension; 15. Review yearly the salary and performance of each member of the Executive Leadership Team in accordance with the guidelines provided by the California- Nevada-Hawaii District. 16. Establish and maintain the St. John s School Advisory Board in accordance with the Policy Manual adopted for the School Advisory Board. Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Directors will appoint all members of the School Advisory Board. The Board of Directors will receive periodic reports from the Superintendent. Tuition and fees will be approved annually by the Board of Directors as reflected in the proposed budget of the congregation. Section B. Executive Leadership Team The Executive Leadership Team consists of the senior pastor and other staff members as identified by the senior pastor, each responsible for a specified portion of the ministry. They are individually responsible to the senior pastor for their areas of ministry. The Executive Leadership Team, in conjunction with the senior pastor, and Board of Directors, is free to create and fill committees or task forces as they are needed to carry out the ministry for which the team member is responsible. Each member of the Executive Leadership Team shall initiate and carry out such 13
Page: 14 activities and programs that will enable that member of the Executive Leadership Team to effectively perform the function and duties assigned to them. Each member of the Executive Leadership Team shall be empowered to administer all funds set aside for the work to be performed by that Executive Leadership Team member by budget appropriation or by special resolution. Each member of the Executive Leadership Team shall be jointly and severally liable for any of their expenditures not authorized by the budget or the Board of Directors. Annually, each Executive Leadership Team member shall participate in an evaluation as directed by the Board of Directors. Each Executive Leadership Team member shall have the authority to appoint and/or select task forces and committees whether as standing task forces and committees or ad hoc tasks forces and committees. Section C. Elders. The basic objectives of Elders are the spiritual welfare of the pastors and other members of the Executive Leadership Team and the members of the congregation individually and corporately, as well as the supervision of corporate worship. The Elders include the ordained pastor(s) of the congregation who are non-voting members. Elders are charged with the spiritual well-being of the church. They have oversight of the congregation, The Board of Directors, and staff pertaining to biblical and spiritual standards. Elders are not involved with the management and/or the business of the congregation. Elders shall meet a minimum of once a month. 1. Qualifications for an Elder are defined in the Elder section of the congregation s policy manual. 2. The Function of the Elders: a. Pray for the spiritual leaders, which include called and contracted workers. b. Encourage the called professional workers and their work by word and action. c. Assist the pastor(s) in finding peaceful and God-pleasing solutions with members of the congregation who need assistance. d. Serve as care givers within the Spiritual Care team of the congregation. e. Ensure that the congregation functions in accordance with the established doctrine of the church as listed in Article III of the constitution. f. Maintain discipline within the congregation according to scripture (as in Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 6), the Lutheran confessions and Article IV of the constitution of this congregation and exercise discipline when required. g. Be concerned about and monitor the instruction of youth and adults for confirmation in Church membership. h. Be present for periodic training as determined by the pastor(s). i. Exercise leadership in establishing call committees. 14
3. Worship of the congregation. a. In the absence of the Sr. Pastor, provide for vicars, assistants, substitute pastors and guest speakers as needed. b. Assist the pastor(s) with communion distribution, reading of the scripture, preaching, etc., as required. c. Set the time, schedule the number, of communion services in coordination with the senior pastor. d. See to it that all services are conducted in such a manner as to foster an attitude conducive to worship among those in attendance. Page: 15 15