Constitution
And
By-Laws
OF
THE
GREENVILLE SOUTH
CAROLINA
The Constitution and By-laws contained herein were adopted by this congregation
on
PREAMBLE
As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, and out of
love and respect for one another, we, the members of the EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD,
1.0
NAME
The name of this congregation shall be THE
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (
2.0
Our Vision
Our
We, the children of God at the
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son
to die for us and our salvation.
Therefore, through the power of the Holy Spirit we
will share Gods love and gifts for us by:
Celebrating:
The joy of His love through worship and praise as
a congregation, families and individuals.
Witnessing:
By following Christ's example in reaching out to
others with His love and message of Salvation.
Serving:
Gods people in all their
needs.
Nurturing:
Through providing opportunities for spiritual
growth.
Stewarding:
Through involving and energizing Gods people to
manage and use his gifts of time, talents, resources and
creation.
Fellowship:
Through sharing our faith and love, and caring for
each other.
So that, through the Holy Spirit ALL may
come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and grow in His love
and service.
3.0
CONFESSIONAL STATEMENT
This congregation acknowledges and
accepts:
·
·
·
The three Ecumenical
Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, and
Athanasian)
·
The Unaltered
·
The Apology of the
·
The Smalcald Articles
·
The Large Catechism of
Luther
·
The Small Catechism of
Luther
·
The Formula of
4.0
SYNODICAL AFFILIATION
This congregation shall be a member of the
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, so long as the confessions and
constitution of said Synod are in accord with the confession and
constitution of this congregation.
5.0
MEMBERSHIP
5.1 The following are welcome as members in this congregation:
5.1.1 Baptized Members
5.1.2 Communicant Members
Communicant members are those baptized members who have been in the Lutheran faith, accept the confessional standard of this constitution, are familiar with the contents of Luther's Small Catechism, and are not members of organizations whose principles and conduct conflict with the Word of God.
5.1.3 Voting
Members
All communicant members who have accepted the Constitution and by-laws of this congregation. In legal matters the voting age is 18 years.
5.2
Reception
Baptized and communicant
members are received through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, through the
consent of one or both parents in the case of children who have been
baptized in another Christian congregation, through the rite of
confirmation, through transfer from a sister congregation, or through
profession of faith or reaffirmation of faith. The reception shall be
approved by the voters meeting. Eligible communicant members may be
received as voting members upon application for such privilege, upon
approval by the voters meeting, and upon approving the constitution.
5.3
Duties
Members of the congregation
shall conform their entire lives to the rule of God's Word and to that end
make diligent use of the means of grace, exercise faithful stewardship of
God's many gifts and talents, impart and accept fraternal admonition as
the need of such admonition becomes apparent, and be readily available for
service in the kingdom of Christ within and beyond the congregation.
5.4 Termination
5.4.1 Membership shall be terminated by transfer to a sister congregation, by death, by joining a congregation outside the fellowship of this congregation, by excommunication, or by self-exclusion (by not partaking in the Lord's Supper and hearing God's word for at least one year). In cases of excommunication or self-exclusion, each case shall be presented individually to the voters meeting for a decision.
5.4.2 Communicant members who conduct themselves in an
un-Christian manner shall be admonished according to Matthew 18:15-20. If
they remain impenitent after proper admonition, they shall be
excommunicated. In all disciplinary cases, the congregation will follow
its stated and adopted guidelines.
6.0 AUTHORITY IN THE CONGREGATION
6.1 The voters meeting shall be the governing body and shall administer all congregational affairs within the confessional statement as outlined in this constitution. Directions regarding the work of the congregation will be set at meetings of the voters. The elected officers and boards are charged with carrying out congregational policy as determined by the constitution, bylaws and the voters meeting.
6.2 Matters brought before the voters meeting shall be decided by a majority vote unless otherwise specified by this constitution or bylaws.
6.3 The right of calling ordained and commissioned ministers shall be vested in the voters meeting and shall never be delegated to a smaller body or individual.
6.4 Any officer, teacher, or pastor may be removed from office by a 2/3 majority vote of the voters meeting in Christian and lawful order, for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false teachings contrary to the Confessional Statement of the congregation, scandalous life, inability to perform, or willful neglect of responsibilities.
6.4.1 This action shall be taken only after the individual has been advised of the charges preferred against him or her and given the opportunity to answer such charges.
6.4.2 The Circuit Counselor
and District President shall have full knowledge of removal procedures
when they are preferred against an ordained or commissioned minister, and
all such actions shall be taken in full consultation with said
officials.
7.0
OFFICERS AND BOARDS
This congregation shall have the following officers and boards.
7.1
Officers
·
A
President
·
A
Vice-President
·
A Recording
Secretary
·
A Financial
Secretary
·
A
Treasurer
· A Superintendent of Christian Education
7.2
Boards
·
A Board of
Elders
·
A Board of
Trustees
· A Board of Finance
7.3
The voters meeting
may establish and elect other officers and boards to carry out specific
functions. The terms of these positions must be renewed annually by the
voters.
8.0
PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE
CONGREGATION
All property of this congregation shall be
entrusted to its voters, who shall administer the same in the name and
according to the instructions of this congregation. If at any time a
separation shall take place in this congregation, the property of the
congregation and all benefits connected therewith shall remain with those
members who continue to adhere to the Confessional Statement of this
constitution.
9.0 CALLED CHURCH WORKERS
9.1
The pastoral office of
this congregation as well as that of other ordained and commissioned
ministers shall be conferred upon such ministers, teachers and candidates
whose beliefs are in accord with the Confessional Statement of this
constitution.
10.0 MEETINGS
10.1 Regular voters meetings shall be held as determined in the bylaws. Special meetings require announcement in services in the two previous Sundays or notification by mail and announcement in the services of one previous Sunday. Such special meetings may be called at the request of the Pastor, president, church council, or ten voting members.
10.2
Twenty voting
members shall constitute a quorum.
11.0 AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular
Voters meeting by a two-third-majority vote of those present. The by-laws
may be amended by a simple majority of those present. In either case, the
amendment must be submitted at a previous voters meeting and advertised to
the entire voting membership at least two weeks in advance. The proposed
amendment(s) shall be presented in the context of the complete text of the
then valid constitution.
BY-LAWS
1.0 CALLING ORDAINED AND COMMISSIONED MINISTERS
At the time of vacancy in the office of pastor or
teacher the voters meeting shall notify the District President and Circuit
Counselor, and shall request the suggested procedure for filling the
vacancy.
2.0 VOTERS MEETINGS
2.1 Four regular meetings shall be held each year. These meetings shall be held on the second Sunday of February, September, and November, and the first Sunday of May.
2.2 The President shall communicate the agenda at least one week in advance of each voters meeting.
2.3 All reports shall be submitted in writing to the Recording Secretary at least one week in advance of each meeting.
2.4
The suggested order of
business is:
·
Opening
Prayer
·
Approval of the
minutes
·
Recognition of new
members
·
Reports of boards and
committees
·
Reports of the
financial secretary and treasurer
·
Unfinished
business
·
New
business
·
Adjournment
·
Benediction
3.0
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
3.1
Term of
office
3.1.1 The term of office of
all elected officers shall be two years. The Vice President, after having
served a term of one year shall serve his or her second year as President
of the congregation. Therefore each year a new Vice President will be
elected.
3.1.2
No officer shall
succeed himself or herself more than once in the same office. He or she
shall become eligible to serve again in the same position after an interim
period of one year.
3.2
Mode of Election of
Officers
3.2.1 Election takes place
at the May voters meeting. The church council shall appoint a nominating
committee consisting of the Pastor, President, and two voting members
prior to the February voters meeting. The church council shall approve a
single slate of candidates for all elective offices. A simple majority of
votes cast shall be necessary for election.
3.2.2 The Financial
Secretary shall assume his or her duty on January 1 following the
election. All other officers shall assume their duties on September 1,
following their election.
3.3
Duties of
Officers
3.3.1
The President
shall
·
Be the executive of
the congregation.
·
Preside at all
meetings of the Church Council and voters meeting.
·
Perform such duties as
pertain to his or her offices.
·
Be a non-voting member
of all boards and committees.
3.3.2
The Vice-President
shall
· Assume the duties of
the President if the President is unable to fulfill those
responsibilities.
· Assist the President
whenever called upon.
· Serve as the
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
3.3.3
The Recording
Secretary shall
· Keep and sign the
minutes of all meetings of the voters and of the Church Council and enter
them in a permanent record.
· Publicize the
unratified voters or council minutes at least one week before the next
voters or council meeting.
· Conduct all authorized
correspondence and issue all official notifications.
· Have custody of the
seal, books and other documents and papers of the
congregation.
· Keep a record of
voting members present at all meetings and determine if a quorum is
present.
3.3.4
The Financial
Secretary shall
· Receive all offerings,
contributions, and other income of the congregation.
· Keep a complete record
of the individual contribution of all members.
· Send out quarterly
statements, and make weekly transfers of all monies to the
Treasurer.
3.3.5 The Treasurer
shall
· Receive all monies
from the Financial Secretary, keep a correct account of all financial
transactions, and pay all bills and indebtedness as authorized by the
voters meeting.
· Provide the
congregation with quarterly and annual reports.
· Serve as the
Chairperson of the Board of Finance.
3.3.6 The Superintendent of
Christian Education shall
· Conduct the Sunday
school of this congregation in a Christian and orderly manner.
· Appoint the necessary
teachers with the approval of the pastor.
· Work with other
departments to coordinate the program of Christian education.
4.0
THE CHURCH COUNCIL
The Church Council
shall
· Consist of all elected
officers, appointed officials, and the past president. The pastor is a
non-voting member.
· Meet during months not
scheduled for a Voters Meeting or as determined by the President and
Pastor.
·
Appoint two qualified
voting members to serve on the Board of Finance.
· Appoint and specify
the duties of other officials and committees as needed for the work of the
congregation.
· Accept reports from
all board Chairpersons, committees and
organizations.
· Oversee all boards,
committees, and organizations, and approve their new business transactions
in advance.
· Act in behalf of the
voters between voters meetings in accordance with the directions set by
the voters meeting.
5.0
BOARDS AND THEIR DUTIES
5.1
All Boards shall
consist of at least 3 elected members.
5.2
The Board of Elders
shall
· Elect one member to
serve as chairperson.
· Assist the pastor in
the spiritual care of the congregation,
· Promote of the general
welfare of the congregation and Christ's Kingdom at home and abroad.
· Encourage faithful
attendance at divine services and at the Lords
Supper.
· See that services are
conducted regularly, even in case of pastoral
absence.
· Admonish ordained and
commissioned ministers in case of unfaithful performance of their duties,
teachings or conduct.
· Promote evangelism and
stewardship.
5.3
The Board of Trustees
shall
· Administer all
property of the congregation in the name of, and as stewards of the
congregation.
· Initiate repairs or
maintenance without prior consent of the voters meeting in situations
where there is imminent danger to the health, safety, or well being of the
congregation or occupants.
· Secure and review
insurance policies annually on all congregational
property.
5.4
The Board of Finance
shall
· Consist of the
Treasurer as Chairperson, the Financial Secretary, the Vice-President and
two other voting members.
· Keep the financial
affairs in good order.
· Prepare and submit the
annual financial plan for adoption at the November voters meeting.
The financial
planning meeting will be chaired by the previous year's
Treasurer.
· Annually appoint a
person or committee to perform an internal review of all financial books
and submit a report at the May voters meeting.
5.5
Legal
Trustees
· The President, Vice
President, and Treasurer shall be designated Legal Trustees of the
congregation.
· They shall represent
the congregation as the owner of the property in all legal
matters.
6.0
SAMARITAN TRUST FUND
6.1
The purpose of the
Good Samaritan Trust Fund (the fund) is to establish a vehicle for
receiving money donations and for distributing such donations according to
instructions (if any) of the donor.
6.2
A committee consisting
of the Pastor, the President, the chairperson of the board of elders, the
chair lady of the Lutheran Woman's Missionary League and the president of
the youth group will administer the fund.
6.3
This committee shall
invest the donations in an interest bearing account with the LCMS
extension fund.
6.4
The committee shall
have the sole and exclusive responsibility for distributing monies from
the fund to needy persons according to the instructions (if any) from the
donor or according to the judgment of the
trustee.
