Constitution of Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church
(Effective May 23, 2010)
Preamble
Empowered by the Holy Spirit the members of Beautiful Savior will:
A. Reach People for Christ,
B. Glorify the Savior through Worship,
C. Connect them with Believers,
D. Guide them to Christ-like Maturity, and
E. Equip them for a Life of Service.
Article I................................................ Name
The name of this congregation shall be Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Article II................................ Confession of Faith
This congregation accepts all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God, verbally inspired. It also accepts all Confessional Writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord of 1580.
Article III............................. Synodical Affiliation
This congregation shall be affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as long as the Constitution and confessions of the Synod are in accord with the Constitution and confessions of this congregation as laid down in Article II.
Article IV......................................... Membership
The membership of this congregation includes the Baptized Members, Confirmed Members, and Voting Members as defined in the Bylaws.
Article V........................................ Organization
A. Voters’ Assembly
The Voters’ Assembly shall consist of all Voting Members present at a regular or special meeting of the congregation, or all Voting Members who participate in a vote of the Members in such other manner authorized by the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The congregation, through its Voting Members, shall have final authority in managing its internal and external affairs.
B. Mission Leadership Council
The Mission Leadership Council shall be the board of directors of the congregation and is responsible to administer all the congregation’s affairs except the following matters for action only by the Voters’ Assembly:
1. Call or remove a called worker.
2. Purchase new or sell existing church property or buildings valued over 10% of the annual operating budget.
3. Adopt the Annual operating budget.
4. Dissolve the congregation.
5. Merger involving the congregation.
C. Officers and Boards
The officers of this congregation shall be such officers as the Bylaws of this Constitution prescribe. The officers and boards prescribed in the Bylaws shall have no authority beyond that which has been conferred upon them in the Constitution or Bylaws.
Article VI .................................... Called Workers
Calls will only be issued to pastors, pastoral candidates or commissioned ministers who profess and adhere to the confessional standard set forth in this Constitution, who are qualified for the work of the ministry, and who have been endorsed by and are members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Article VII ............................... Dispute Resolution
If, at any time, a separation shall take place within this congregation, the advice of the officers of the Synod shall be sought. If, despite all efforts to resolve differences in peace and love, a division into factions of the congregation shall occur, the property of the congregation and all benefits connected shall remain with those who continue to adhere to the confession and practice in Article II of the Constitution. If both parties continue to adhere to the confession and practice in Article II and both parties fail to reach agreement after Synodical attempts to negotiate a settlement, then the property of the congregation and all benefits shall remain with the majority.
Article VIII .......................................... Quorum
Fifty (50) Voting Members participating in a Voters’ Assembly shall constitute a quorum.
Article IX ............................................ Voting
Unless a greater vote is required by the Articles of Incorporation, this Constitution or the Bylaws, a matter shall require an affirmative vote of the majority of the Voting Members participating in a Voters’ Assembly.
Article X.......................................... Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those Voting Members voting at a regular or special Voters’ Assembly called in accordance with the Bylaws of the congregation. The wording of proposed amendments to Constitution shall be included in any notice of such meeting.
Bylaws of Beautiful Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church
(Effective May 23, 2010)
Article 1 ................................ Baptized Membership
Baptized Members are all persons within the congregation who have been baptized in the name of the Triune God and come under the pastoral care of this congregation. It is expected that all Baptized Members will:
A. Attend worship services faithfully and regularly.
B. Lead a Christian life as taught in Scripture.
C. Out of Christian love, submit to brotherly admonition, according to Matthew 18, when having erred or offended.
D. Contribute, as God has blessed them, of their time, talents and treasure toward the spiritual growth and development of the church.
E. In due time, take a course of instruction in preparation for confirmed membership in this congregation.
Article 2 ............................... Confirmed Membership
Confirmed Members are all Baptized Members of the congregation who have completed a course of instruction in Christian doctrine that meets with the approval of the Board of Elders.
In addition to the duties of Baptized Members, it is expected of all Confirmed Members that they:
A. Accept the confessions of faith listed in Article II of the Constitution.
B. Familiarize themselves with the doctrines of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
C. Partake of the Lord's Supper regularly.
D. Participate in continuing Christian education.
E. Provide for the Christian training of their children by making use of the educational agencies of the congregation.
F. Understand the purpose, mission, and vision of the congregation.
Article 3................................... Voting Membership
Voting Members are all Confirmed Members who have reached the age of eighteen (18).
Article 4 ........................ Change of Membership Status
A. Transfers
A member desiring transfer to another congregation shall make that fact known to a pastor. That pastor shall cause the creating and mailing of a letter of transfer to the receiving congregation.
B. Whereabouts unknown or moved
The names of people whose whereabouts are unknown, or who have failed to participate in worship or other activities of the congregation for an extended period of time shall, at the discretion of the Board of Elders, be removed from membership.
C. Discipline
All discipline in this congregation shall be administered in accordance with Matthew 18:15-20. The purpose of any disciplinary action is to renew a member's relationship with the Lord and with the church. A member shall be considered self-excluded when unresponsive to the witness and ministry of the church.
Article 5 ................................... Voters’ Assembly
A. The annual Voters’ Assembly shall be held in November of each year at a time and place set by the Mission Leadership Council. The agenda for the meeting shall be set by the Mission Leadership Council. Notice of the annual Voters’ Assembly shall be given in accordance with the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act, and shall be publicized in the weekly church bulletin at least 14 days in advance. The notification shall contain an agenda of items to be considered as well as the slate of nominees if there is an election, when necessary.
B. Special meetings of the Voters’ Assembly may be held at such other times as determined by the Mission Leadership Council or by special petition of twenty or more Confirmed Members of the congregation. Notice of any such meeting shall be given in accordance with the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act, and publicized in the weekly church bulletin at least 14 days in advance. The notice shall contain an agenda of items to be considered. No agenda items may be added once notification of any meeting is publicized. The President, Vice President, or their designated Mission Leadership Council member shall preside at all Voters’ Assembly meetings.
C. The Mission Leadership Council may, at its discretion, obtain approval of the Congregation for certain matters by action of the Voters without holding a Special meeting of the Voters’ Assembly, as provided in the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act.
Article 6 ..................................... Called Workers
A. Calling into Office for Called Workers
1. After authorization is received from the Voters’ Assembly, the Mission Leadership Council shall create a Call Committee. No less than one and no more than one-third of the Call Committee members may be members of the Mission Leadership Council.
2. The Call Committee shall consult with those in the affected ministry area and with the Nebraska District as part of their efforts to secure the names of candidates.
3. The Call Committee will present a final list of candidates to the Voters’ Assembly for issuance of the call.
4. Issuance of the call will be made using a ballot by a majority vote.
B. Removal from Office of Called Workers.
Any pastor or other called worker may be removed from office using a ballot by a two-thirds vote of those voters present and voting at a meeting of the Voters’ Assembly for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, or willful neglect of office or the inability to perform the duties of office.
Article 7 ......................... Mission Leadership Council
A. Membership
The Mission Leadership Council shall consist of no fewer than seven but no more than eleven voting members, as determined from time to time by vote of the Mission Leadership Council. Members shall be elected at large by the Voters’ Assembly. Members of the Mission Leadership Council may not receive compensation from the congregation. The Senior Pastor is a non-voting member.
B. Nomination and Election
1. Nomination
The Vice President shall annually appoint a Nominating Committee whose responsibility will be to develop a slate of candidates for Mission Leadership Council members to be elected each year. The committee shall consist of five congregational Voting Members who are not on the Mission Leadership Council and shall report their nominations to the congregation.
All nominees shall be Voting Members noted for their Christian knowledge, zeal, and experience in the spiritual work in the Kingdom. In addition to the Nominating Committee's slate of candidates, any Voting Member may nominate candidates.
2. Election
Nominees will be elected using a ballot by a majority vote.
C. Term of Office
The term of office shall be three years, with approximately one-third of the Mission Leadership Council being elected each year. Elected council members shall serve no more than two full successive terms in that position without a break of at least one year.
D. Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy the President shall create a list of candidates from which the Mission Leadership Council will elect an individual to serve until the next election for that particular position. The Mission Leadership Council may, in its discretion, leave the position vacant until the next scheduled election.
E. Meetings
The Mission Leadership Council shall meet at least bimonthly and may be called more frequently at the request of the President or any three Mission Leadership Council members. An elected officer shall be present and preside with a majority of members, one of whom must be an officer, of the Mission Leadership Council to constitute a quorum for any meeting. Notice of each meeting shall be posted. The minutes shall fully disclose all actions taken and be signed by the President and Secretary. Minutes of the meetings shall be available to Voting Members upon request.
F. Removal from Office
The Voters’ Assembly may remove from office any Mission Leadership Council member who is unable or is willfully neglectful in the performance of his or her official duties.
Article 8 ......... Officers of the Mission Leadership Council
A. The Mission Leadership Council shall annually elect a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from its members after new members are installed.
B. President:
1. Preside at Voters’ Meetings and meetings of the Mission Leadership Council.
2. Appoint any necessary boards, committees, task groups or action teams following the approval of the Mission Leadership Council.
3. Enforce the Constitution and Bylaws.
4. Perform the general duties as are common for the office, including such additional duties as may be directed by the Voters from time to time.
C. Vice President:
1. Perform all of the duties of the President in the latter's absence and such other additional duties which may be directed by the Voters or by the President from time to time.
2. Chair and appoint a Nominating Committee to secure nominations for the annual vacancies on the Mission Leadership Council.
D. Secretary:
1. The duties shall be those commonly required of that office, to include the keeping and preserving of accurate records of all Voters’ Meetings, and handling such correspondence as the congregation may require.
2. Keep and make available the minutes of all Mission Leadership Council meetings.
E. Treasurer:
1. Will be responsible for the accurate recording of all receipts and disbursements, and submit a written financial report of them at all regular Voters’ Meetings.
2. Ensure accuracy and propriety of all financial transactions of the congregation.
F. Term of Office
Each officer shall serve for a one-year term.
G. Removal from Office
Any officer who is unable or is willfully neglectful in the performance of his or her official duties may be removed from office by the Mission Leadership Council.
Article 9 ........... Powers of the Mission Leadership Council
The Mission Leadership Council shall have the power to develop policies as required to execute the goals approved by the congregation. Written policies shall be available upon request. The Mission Leadership Council shall have no authority beyond that which has been conferred upon it by the laws of the state of Nebraska governing boards of directors of nonprofit corporations, as otherwise limited by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Congregation, or by the Voters’ Assembly.
Article 10 .......... Duties of the Mission Leadership Council
A. The Mission Leadership Council, as the chief governing body of the congregation, shall act in all matters pertaining to the legal, business and general affairs of the congregation, except those reserved for the Voters’ Assembly in Article 5 of the Constitution.
B. The Mission Leadership Council shall see to it that all activities of the church reflect the purpose and faith of the congregation.
C. The Mission Leadership Council shall concern itself with establishing all policies governing the activities of the congregation, managing the budget, and with the implementation of the mission, vision, and plans adopted by the congregation.
D. The Mission Leadership Council may appoint any entity needed. It shall oversee and have authority over all other boards, committees, task forces, action teams, or other entities of the congregation.
Article 11 ................................... Board of Elders
The Board of Elders shall act in all matters pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the pastoral staff, congregation and its members. The Board of Elders shall assist the Senior Pastor in the spiritual and worship life of the congregation. The Board of Elders shall consist of male Voting Members selected by the Board of Elders. The term of office shall be three years, with Elders serving no more than two full successive terms without a break of at least one year.
Article 12 ........................................ Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those Voting Members voting at a regular or special Voters’ Assembly called in accordance with these Bylaws.