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CONSTITUTION OF OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN - Updated February 2002 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. PREAMBLE Recognizing our unity in the Christian faith and our common practice of it, and desiring to express a fellowship in worship and work; knowing our spiritual needs, mindful of our Christian privileges and duties, and wishing to observe an orderly cooperation, we adopt the following constitution: CHAPTER 1 - NAME The name of this congregation shall be Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Chippewa Falls, Inc. This congregation shall be incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin. For the purpose of this constitution and the accompanying bylaws, the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Chippewa Falls, Inc. congregation is hereinafter designated as "this congregation." CHAPTER 2 - CONFESSION OF FAITH C2.01. This congregation confesses the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. C2.02. This congregation confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. a. Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation. C2.03. This congregation accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life. C2.04. This congregation accepts the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the faith of this congregation. C2.05. This congregation accepts the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the Gospel, acknowledging as one with it in faith and doctrine all churches that likewise accept the teachings of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession. C2.06. This congregation accepts the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord, namely, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles and the Treatise, the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid interpretations of the faith of the Church. C2.07. This congregation confesses the Gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in the ecumenical creeds and Lutheran confessional writings, as the power of God to create and sustain the Church for God's mission in the world. CHAPTER 3 - NATURE OF THE CHURCH C3.01. All power in the Church belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ, its head. All actions of this congregation are to be carried out under his rule and authority. C3.02. The Church exists both as an inclusive fellowship and as local congregations gathered for worship and Christian service. Congregations find their fulfillment in the universal community of the Church, and the universal Church exists in and through congregations. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, therefore, derives its character and powers both from the sanction and representation of its congregations and from its inherent nature as an expression of the broader fellowship of the faithful. In length, it acknowledges itself to be in the historic continuity of the communion of saints; in breadth, it expresses the fellowship of believers and congregations in our day. CHAPTER 4 - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE C4.01. The Church is a people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God's creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world. C4.02. To participate in God's mission, this congregation as a part of the Church shall: a. Worship God in proclamation of the Word and administration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witness, and service. C4.03. To fulfill these purposes, this congregation shall: a. Provide services of worship at which the Word of God is preached and the sacraments are administered. C4.04. This congregation shall develop an organizational structure to be described in the bylaws. C4.05. This congregation shall, from time to time, adopt a mission statement which will provide specific direction for its programs. CHAPTER 5 - POWERS OF THE CONGREGATION C5.01. The powers of this congregation are those necessary to fulfill its purpose. C5.02. The powers of this congregation are vested in the Congregation Meeting called and conducted as provided in this constitution and bylaws. C5.03. Only such authority as is delegated to the Congregation Council or other organizational units in this congregation's governing documents is recognized. All remaining authority is retained by the congregation. The congregation is authorized to: a. call a pastor as provided in Chapter 9; CHAPTER 6 - CHURCH AFFILIATION C6.01. This congregation shall be an interdependent part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or its successor, and of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This congregation is subject to the discipline of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. C6.02. This congregation accepts the Confession of Faith and agrees to the Purposes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and shall act in accordance with them. C6.03. This congregation acknowledges its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in which: a. This congregation agrees to be responsible for its life as a Christian community. C6.04. Affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may be terminated as follows: a. This congregation takes actions to dissolve. C6.05. This congregation may terminate its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the following procedure: a. A resolution indicating the desire of this congregation to terminate its relationship must be adopted at a legally called and conducted special meeting of this congregation by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present. C6.06. If this congregation considers relocation, it shall confer with the bishop of the synod in which it is territorially located before any steps are taken leading to such action. The approval of the Synod Council shall be received before any such action is effected. CHAPTER 7 - PROPERTY OWNERSHIP C7.01. If this congregation ceases to exist, title to undisposed property shall pass to the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. C7.02. If this congregation is removed from membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America according to its procedure for discipline, title to property shall continue to reside in this congregation. C7.03. If a two-thirds majority of the voting members of this congregation present at a regularly called and conducted special meeting of this congregation vote to transfer to another Lutheran church body, title to property shall continue to reside in this congregation. Before this congregation takes action to transfer to another Lutheran church body, it shall consult with representatives of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. C7.04. If a two-thirds majority of the voting members of this congregation present at a regularly called and conducted special meeting of this congregation vote to become independent or relate to a non-Lutheran church body, title to property of this congregation shall continue to reside in this congregation only with the consent of the Synod Council. The Synod Council, after consultation with this congregation by the established synodical process, may give approval to the request to become independent or to relate to a non-Lutheran church body, in which case title shall remain with the majority of this congregation. If the Synod Council fails to give such approval, title shall remain with those members who desire to continue as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. CHAPTER 8 - MEMBERSHIP C8.01. Members of this congregation shall be those baptized persons on the roll of this congregation at the time that this constitution is adopted and those who are admitted thereafter and who have declared and maintain their membership in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and its bylaws. C8.02. Members shall be classified as follows: a. Baptized members are those persons who have been received by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in this congregation, or, having been previously baptized in the name of the Triune God, have been received by certificate of transfer from other Lutheran congregations or by affirmation of faith. C8.03. All applicants for confirmed membership shall be submitted to and shall require the approval of the Board of Deacons. C8.04. It shall be the privilege and duty of members of this congregation to: a. make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and sacraments; C8.05. Membership in this congregation shall be terminated by any of the following: a. death; CHAPTER 9 - THE PASTOR C9.01. Authority to call a pastor shall be in this congregation by at least a two-thirds majority ballot vote of members present and voting at a meeting regularly called for that purpose. Before a call is issued, the officers, or a committee elected by the congregation council to recommend the call, shall seek the advice and help of the bishop of the synod. C9.02. Only a member of the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or who have been recommended for it by the synodical bishop may be called as a pastor of this congregation. C9.03. Consistent with the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a. Every ordained minister shall:1) preach the Word; C9.04. The specific duties of the pastor, compensation, and other matters pertaining to the service of the pastor shall be included in a letter of call, which shall be attested by the bishop of the synod. C9.05. a. The call of a congregation, when accepted by a pastor, shall constitute a continuing mutual relationship and commitment which, except in the case of the death of the pastor, shall be terminated only following consultation with the synodical bishop and for the following reasons:1) mutual agreement to terminate the call or the completion of a call for a specific term; C9.06. At a time of pastoral vacancy, an interim pastor may be appointed by the bishop of the synod with the consent of this congregation or the Congregation Council. C9.07. During the period of service, an interim pastor shall have the rights and duties in the congregation of a regularly called pastor and may delegate the same in part to a supply pastor with the consent of the bishop of the synod and this congregation or Congregation Council. The interim pastor and any ordained pastor providing assistance shall refrain from exerting influence in the selection of a pastor. C9.08. This congregation shall make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to a former pastor before calling a successor. A pastor shall make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to this congregation. C9.09. When a pastor is called to serve in company with another pastor or pastors, the privileges and responsibilities of each pastor shall be specified in documents to accompany the call and to be drafted in consultation involving the pastors, the Congregation Council, and the bishop of the synod. As occasion requires, the documents may be revised through a similar consultation. C9.10. With the approval of the bishop of the synod, the congregation may depart from C9.05.a. and call a pastor for a specific term. Details of such calls shall be in writing setting forth the purpose and conditions involved. Prior to the completion of a term, the bishop or a designated representative of the bishop shall meet with the pastor and representatives of the congregation for a review of the call. Such call may also be terminated before its expiration in accordance with the provisions of C9.05.a. C9.11. The pastor shall keep accurate parochial records of all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, communicants, members received, members dismissed, or members excluded from the congregation, and shall submit a summary of such statistics annually to the synod. The pastor shall be a member of the congregation that has extended the letter of call. C9.12. The pastor(s) shall submit a report of his or her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly. CHAPTER 10 - CONGREGATION MEETING C10.01. The annual meeting of this congregation shall be held at a time specified in the bylaws. C10.02. A special Congregational Meeting may be called by the pastor, the Congregation Council, or the president of this congregation, and shall be called at the written request of 15% voting members. The call for each special meeting shall specify the purpose for which it is to be held and no other business shall be transacted. C10.03. Notice of all meetings of this congregation shall be given at the services of worship on the preceding two consecutive Sundays and by mail to all [voting] members at least 10 days in advance of the date of the meeting. The posting of such notice in the regular mail, with the regular postage affixed or paid, sent to the last known address of such members shall be sufficient. C10.04. 10% of voting members shall constitute a quorum. C10.05. Voting by proxy or by absentee ballot shall not be permitted. C10.06. All actions by the congregation shall be by majority vote except as otherwise provided in this constitution. C10.07. Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern parliamentary procedure of all meetings of this congregation. CHAPTER 11 - OFFICERS C11.01. The officers of this congregation shall be a President-elect, President, and Past-president and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. a. Duties of the officers shall be specified in the bylaws. C11.02. The congregation shall elect a President-elect by written ballot who shall serve for a three year term, consisting of first year as President-elect, second year as President and third year as Past-President. The term shall begin at the close of the annual meeting at which the election takes place. C11.03. No officer shall hold more than one office at a time. No elected officer shall be eligible to serve two consecutive terms in the same office. CHAPTER 12 - CONGREGATION COUNCIL C12.01. Membership of the Congregation Council shall consist of the president, president elect, past president, and the chairpersons (or their designated representatives) of both the boards and the organizations of the congregation. Any voting member of the congregation may be elected, subject only to the limitation on the length of continuous service permitted in that office. A member's place on the congregation council shall be declared vacant if the member a) ceases to be a voting member of this congregation or b) is absent from four successive regular meetings of the congregation council without cause. C12.02. Should a member's place on the Congregation Council be declared vacant, the Congregation Council shall elect, by majority vote, a successor until the next annual meeting. Individuals who have served a partial term shall be eligible for nomination and possible election to a full term C12.03. The Congregation Council shall see that the provisions of this constitution and its bylaws [and the continuing resolutions] are carried out. C12.04. The Congregation Council shall have only such authority as may be delegated to it by the congregation and exercise such authority in accordance with the constitution, bylaws, and resolutions of the congregation. C12.05. The Congregation Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The duties of the Congregation Council shall include the following: a. To lead this congregation in stating its mission, to do long-range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals. C12.06. The Congregation Council shall work with the pastor in providing for the spiritual care of the congregation, in promoting its material welfare, and in developing the mission and ministry of the congregation. CHAPTER 13 - CONGREGATION BOARDS AND COMMITTEES C13.01. The officers of this congregation and the pastor(s) shall constitute the Executive Committee. C13.02. A Nominating Committee shall be five (5) members, two (2) of which shall be elected by the congregation council from its own membership and three (3) of which shall be elected by the annual meeting from nominations made on the floor. The pastor shall serve as convener and as an advisory member. They shall serve for the year following their election. They shall nominate one or more candidates for each office to be filled and shall secure the consent of each candidate to serve if elected. C13.03. An Audit Committee of three voting members shall be elected by the Congregation Council. Audit Committee members shall not be members of the Congregation Council. Term of office will be three years, with one member elected each year. Members shall be eligible for reelection. C13.04. A Staff Support Committee (in the absence of a staff support committee, their duties shall be fulfilled by the Deacons) shall be appointed jointly by the president and the pastor(s). Term of office shall be two years, three members to be appointed each successive year. Committee members will hold no other office in the congregation during their term. C13.05. When a pastoral vacancy occurs, a Call Committee of six voting members shall be elected by the congregation council. Term of office will terminate upon installation of the newly called pastor. C13.06. Other congregation committees and boards may be formed as the need arises, by decision of the congregation at its annual meeting. Each board will have a representative on the Congregation Council. Board members shall be duly elected by the congregation at its annual meeting. C13.07. Duties of congregation boards and committees shall be specified in the bylaws. CHAPTER 14 - ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CONGREGATION C14.01. All organizations within this congregation shall exist to aid it in ministering to the members of this congregation and to all persons who can be reached with the Gospel of Christ. As outgrowths and expressions of this congregation's life, the organizations are subject to its oversight and direction. This congregation at its meeting shall determine their policies, guide their activities, and receive reports concerning their membership, work, and finances. C14.02. Special interest groups, other than those of the official organizations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, may be organized only after authorization has been given by the Congregation Council [and specified in a continuing resolution]. CHAPTER 15 - DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS C15.01. Denial of the Christian faith as described in this constitution, conduct grossly unbecoming a member of the Church of Christ, or persistent trouble-making in this congregation are sufficient cause for discipline of a member. Prior to disciplinary action, reconciliation will be attempted following Matthew 18:15-17, proceeding through these successive steps: a) private admonition by the pastor, b) admonition by the pastor in the presence of two or three witnesses, and c) citation to appear before the Congregation Council. C15.02. A member charged with the offense shall appear before the Congregation Council after having received a written notice, at least 10 days prior to the meeting, specifying the exact charges that have been made against the member. If the member charged with the offense fails to appear at the scheduled hearing the Congregation Council may proceed with the hearing and may pass judgment in the member's absence. C15.03. Should the allegations be sustained by a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the Congregation Council and renewed admonition prove ineffectual, the council shall impose one of the following disciplinary actions: a. censure before the council or congregation; C15.04. The member against whom disciplinary action has been taken by the Congregation Council shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Synod Council. Such right may not be abridged and the decision of the Synod Council shall be final. C15.05. Disciplinary actions may be reconsidered and revoked by the Congregation Council upon receipt of a) evidence that injustice has been done or b) evidence of repentance and amendment. C15.06. When there is disagreement among factions within this congregation on a substantive issue that cannot be resolved by the parties, members of this congregation shall have access to the synodical bishop for consultation after informing the chair of the Congregation Council of their intent. If the consultation fails to resolve the issue(s), the Consultation Committee of the synod shall fail to resolve the issue(s), the matter shall be referred to the Synod Council, whose decision shall be final. CHAPTER 16 - BYLAWS C16.01. This congregation may adopt bylaws. No bylaw may conflict with this constitution. C16.02. Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any legally called meeting of this congregation with a quorum present by a 2/3 majority vote of those voting members present and voting. C16.03. Changes to the bylaws may be proposed by any voting member provided, however, that such additions or amendments be submitted in writing to the Congregation Council at least 60 days before a regular or special Congregation Meeting called for that purpose and that the Congregation Council notify the members of the proposal with its recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the Congregation Meeting. C16.04. Approved changes to the bylaws shall be sent by the secretary of this congregation to the synod. CHAPTER 17 - AMENDMENTS C17.01. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by at least 15% of the voting members or by the Congregation Council. Proposals must be filed in writing with the Congregation Council 60 days before formal consideration by this congregation at its regular or special meeting called for that purpose. The Congregation Council shall notify the members of the proposal with their recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the meeting. C17.02. A proposed amendment to this constitution shall: a. be approved at a properly called meeting according to this constitution by a majority vote of those present and voting; C17.03. Any amendments to this constitution shall be sent by the secretary of this congregation to the synod. The amendment shall become effective within 120 days from the date of the receipt of the notice by the synod unless the synod informs this congregation that the amendment is in conflict with the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or the constitution of Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. C17.04. Whenever the Model Constitution for Congregations is amended by the Churchwide Assembly, this constitution may be amended to reflect any such amendment by a simple majority vote at any subsequent meeting of the congregation without presentation at a prior meeting of the congregation, provided that the congregation council has submitted by mail notice to the congregation of such an amendment or amendments at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Following the adoption of an amendment, the secretary of the congregation shall submit a copy thereof to the synod, consistent with C17.03. CHAPTER 18 - CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS C18.01. The Congregation Council may enact continuing resolutions. Such rresolutions may not conflict with the Constitution or Bylaws of this congregation C18.02. Continuing resolutions shall be enacted or amended by a two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Congregation Council. CHAPTER 19 - OUR SAVIOUR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND C19.01. Philosophy a. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Chippewa Falls, WI has a living endowment of faithful members who have been blessed with many gifts and talents. C19.02. Purpose a. The Endowment Fund will receive and administer for Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, bequests, estates, insurance, memorials, and other assets. Assets held in the Endowment Fund shall continue to be the property of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. It is the intent of this Chapter to provide for the segregation of these Funds for the specific Church purposes enumerated herein.
Updated: Summary
of Change Revised
Section Feb. 2002
Multiple
changes to align with amendments made to the Model
Constitution for Congregations (approved during the
August, 2001 ELCA Churchwide Assembly) C9.05.d,
C6.03.f, C6.06, C8.02d, C12.01, C12.02, C15.2,
C18.01, |
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