CONSTITUTION
OF
LIVING FAITH CHURCH
Article I - Name
The name of this congregation is Living Faith, a Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cape Coral, Florida.
Article II - Confession of Faith
1. The Bible, including both Old and New Testaments as originally given, is the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God and is free from error in the whole and in the part, and is therefore the final authoritative guide for faith and conduct.
2. There is one God eternally existent in three distinct persons in one divine essence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. God the Father has revealed Himself as the Creator and preserver of the universe , to Whom the entire creation and all creatures are subject.
4. God created Adam and Eve in His image to live in fellowship with Him. They fell into sin through the temptation of Satan and thereby lost fellowship with God. Through their disobedience the entire human race became totally depraved, that is, self-centered sinners who oppose God, and who by nature are unable to trust, fear or love Him. They are subject to the devil, and are condemned to death under the eternal wrath of God.
5. Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son, is the image of the invisible God. To accomplish our redemption, He became fully human, being conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ, who is true God and true man, by His perfect obedience and substitutionary death on the cross, has purchased our redemption. He arose from the dead for our justification in the body in which He was crucified. He ascended into heaven, where He is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, as our interceding High Priest. He will come a second time personally, bodily, and visibly to gather the believers unto Himself and to establish His millennial kingdom. He will judge the living and the dead and make an eternal separation between believers and unbelievers. His kingdom shall have no end.
6. The Holy Spirit is a divine person eternally one with the Father and with the Son. Through the Word of God He convicts people of sin, persuades them to confess their sinfulness to God and calls them to faith through the Gospel. He regenerates, sanctifies, and preserves believers in the one true faith. He comforts, guides, equips, directs, and empowers the church to fulfill the great commission.
7. The knowledge and benefit of Christ's redemption from sin is brought to the human race through the means of grace, namely the Word and the sacraments.
a. Through the Word of the Law God brings sinners to know their lost condition and to repent. Through the Word of the Gospel He brings sinners to believe in Jesus Christ, have the forgiveness of sin, become righteous in God’s sight, and have eternal life. This occurs as the Holy Spirit awakens them to see their sin and invites and enables them to accept God’s grace in Christ. Such individuals will then experience the power of the Gospel to live as children of God.
b. In the Sacrament of Baptism, God offers the benefits of Christ’s redemption to all people and graciously bestows the washing of regeneration and newness of life to all who believe. God calls the baptized person to live in daily repentance, that is, in sorrow for sin, in turning from sin, and in personal faith in the forgiveness of sin obtained by Christ. By grace we are daily given the power to overcome sinful desires and live a new life in Christ. Those who do not continue to live in God’s grace need to be brought again to repentance and faith through the Law and Gospel.
Because the sinfulness of human nature passes on from generation to generation and the promise of God’s grace includes little children, we baptize infants, who become members of Christ’s believing church through baptism. These children need to come to know that they are sinners with a sinful nature that opposes God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, they need to confess their sinfulness and yield to God; and possess for themselves forgiveness of their sin through Jesus Christ, as they are led from the faith received in infant baptism into a clear conscious personal faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior and being assured of salvation, rely solely on the finished work of Christ, and the power of the Gospel to live as children of God.
c. In the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Christ gives to the communicants His body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. He declares the forgiveness of sin to all believers, and strengthens their faith.
8. The Church Universal consists of all those who truly believe on Jesus Christ as Savior. The local congregation is an assembly of believers in a certain locality among whom the Gospel is purely taught and the sacraments are rightly administered. The confessing membership of the local congregation shall include only those who have been baptized into “the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” confess personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, maintain a good reputation in the community and accept the constitution of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. It cannot, however, be avoided that hypocrites might be mixed in the congregation; that is, those whose unbelief is not evident to the congregation.
9. The Church of the Lutheran Brethren practices the congregational form of church government and the autonomy of the local congregations. The office of pastor and elder is to be filled by men only. The synodical administration has an advisory function as it relates to the congregation, and an administrative function as it relates to the cooperative efforts of the congregations.
10. The Lutheran confessions are a summary of Bible doctrines. We adhere to the following confessional writings: The Apostolic Creed, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, unaltered Augsburg Confession, and Luther's Small Catechism.
*for detailed commentary on the statement of faith, click here*
Article III - Synodical Affiliation
This congregation shall be a member of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America.
Article IV - Mission Statement
The mission of Living Faith Church is to be alert to opportunities TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN through worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, youth, prayer, mission and outreach, based on the Bible as the standard of truth.
Article V - Church Management
A. Christ is the Head of the Church
Matthew 16:16-19, Ephesians 1:22-23, 5;23, Colossians 1:18. Through the Holy Spirit Christ guides the Church by the Scriptures, and He bestows upon the Church the gifts of grace for the enablement of His people to fulfill His mission on earth. (Romans 12:1-21, I Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-16, I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9).
B. Pastor
For the office of pastor, the congregation shall call a man who is a Christian, who accepts the Constitution of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, and is listed on the Church of the Lutheran Brethren Clergy roster or has been approved by the Synodical Council, pending formal listing on the Clergy roster.
The pastor's primary calling is to evangelize the lost, disciple and shepherd the believers. He does this through example, prayer, preaching and teaching the Word, administering the sacraments, and doing the work of an evangelist.
The pastor/s and elders shall be considered the spiritual overseers of the congregation.
The pastor/s and elders, as the key ministry team, shall direct all ministries in fulfilling the mission statement of the congregation.
The pastor/s shall be accountable to the other members of the Board of Elders for his/their conduct and actions.
C. Board of Elders
The Board of Elders shall be composed of the called pastor/s of the congregation and the elders who have been elected by the congregation to this office. To this board the congregation commits its spiritual direction and well-being.
1. Election
The pastor/s of the congregation shall be approved for call by the process described in the by-laws of this constitution.
The elders shall be nominated by the Board of Elders and elected by the congregation at the annual meeting. An active elder shall be elected for a term of three years. He shall be limited to six consecutive years on the Elder Board. There shall be a lapse of one year before the member can again be elected as an active elder.
As a congregation grows there may be more men qualified to be elder than can serve on the board at one time. Therefore, when needed, a rotation system may be instituted to enable the use of these gifted men in this office.
2. Qualifications
For the office of elder, the congregation shall choose men who have the spiritual qualifications and abilities as designated in the Scriptures and are recognized by the congregation as men of faith, integrity and maturity. I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9 and I Peter 5:1-3 state the spiritual qualifications of an elder.
3. Function
The Board of Elders shall function as the key ministry team of the congregation. With the exception of the congregational annual meeting, all other committees and ministry teams of the congregation shall be accountable to the Board of Elders.
The Board of elders, as members of the congregation's key ministry team, shall assist the pastor/s in fulfilling the mission statement of the congregation in any and all spiritual matters including but not limited to preaching, teaching, planning, administering, disciplining, visitation, administering the sacraments, catechism instruction, etc.
In implementing the mission of the congregation, the Board of Elders shall formulate appropriate ministry and financial policies, subject to the approval of the congregation.
The Board of Elders shall be represented on the Nominating Committee of the church.
The Board of Elders shall interview applicants for membership and make recommendations to the congregation for acceptance at a congregational meeting.
The Board of Elders is responsible for church discipline in accordance with the Word of God. Matthew 18:15-17, I Corinthians 5:1-5, I Timothy 5:20. It has the authority on behalf of the congregation to exclude a member from the Lord's Supper. It may recommend to the congregation a member's loss of the privilege to vote in congregational matters. It has the responsibility to recommend a member's excommunication by the congregation, and it also has the responsibility to initiate procedures for reinstatement of those disciplined.
As the elected representatives of the congregation, the Board of Elders will act for the church in all matters pertaining to the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregation. They may delegate as appropriate business or ministry functions to the Finance and Property Committee, Discipleship team, and other ministry teams and committees as may from time to time be created by the congregation. No organization under the jurisdiction of the congregation shall organize or disband without the approval of the Board of Elders.
The Board of Elders shall establish the Call Committee.
The elders shall be mutually accountable to all other members of the Board of Elders (pastor/s and elders) for their conduct and actions.
The Board of Elders is responsible for such other duties and responsibilities as defined in the by-laws.
D. CHAIRMAN
The congregation shall elect a chairman of the congregation each year at the annual meeting of the congregation. The chairman shall be a member of the Board of Elders. He shall, in consultation with the pastor, determine the agendas for congregational meetings and shall lead all business meetings of the congregation.
E. VICE CHAIRMAN
The congregation shall elect a vice chairman of the Congregation each year at the annual meeting. The vice chairman shall be a member of the Board of Elders. He shall have the same qualifications as the chairman, and shall assume the chairmanship either upon the request of the chairman, or in the chairmans absence.
F. SECRETARY
The congregation shall elect a secretary of the congregation each year at the annual meeting. He/She shall keep accurate minutes of the transactions and decisions made at the business meetings of the congregation, care for its correspondence and provide and record minutes at each business meeting.
G. FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The congregation shall elect a financial secretary of the congregation each year at the annual meeting. He/She shall be a member of the Finance and Property Committee. He/She shall keep an itemized account of all receipts of the congregation on file in the congregation's office. He/She shall keep an accurate record of all receipts of the congregation in a local financial institution and along with the treasurer shall submit regular reports to be shared with the Board of Elders and at congregational business meetings.
H. TREASURER
The congregation shall elect a treasurer each year at the annual meeting. He/She shall be a member of the Finance and Property Committee. The treasurer will pay all bills authorized by a congregational business meeting or the by the Property and Finance Committee. He/She shall keep an accurate accounting of expenditures on file in the congregation’s office and along with the financial secretary shall submit regular reports to be shared with the Board of Elders and at congregational business meetings.
ARTICLE VI - CONGREGATIONAL PLANNING TEAM
The congregation shall establish a congregational planning team composed of the members of the Board of Elders, the officers of the congregation, and the chairpersons of the ministry teams and committees. The congregational chairman shall serve as the chairman of this team. This team shall meet at least four times a year. The planning team shall bring together, coordinate and schedule services, programs and ministry plans of all the teams. This team shall bring together the budgetary requests of all teams for the next fiscal year and present them to the Board of Elders for congregational approval at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE VII - MINISTRY TEAMS
The congregation shall provide for the establishment of a Finance and Property Committee and other committees and teams as may be required to faithfully carry out the mission of the congregation in the areas of Christian Education, Discipleship, Church Growth, Community Action, Evangelism, Youth, Deacon and Deaconess, Usher, Nursery, Building, etc. All committees and teams shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole congregation. They shall be under the general supervision of the Board of Elders and will submit a written summary of all their meetings and plans to the Board of Elders. Each committee and team will annually submit an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Team. Each committee and team will consist of at least three persons elected by the congregation for a term of two years. Descriptions of responsibilities of the committees and teams are included in the by-laws of this constitution.
ARTICLE VIII - MEMBERSHIP
CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS
Members of the congregation shall be classified as follows:
A. Confessing members.
Confessing members shall have been baptized into "the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," confess personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, maintain a good reputation in the community and accept this constitution.
All requests for confessing membership are made to the Board of Elders which recommends candidates to the congregation.
Baptized children of the congregation who have become confessing Christians may request confessing membership when they reach confirmation age. Only confessing members of the congregation who have reached eighteen, the voting age determined by the local congregation, may vote at congregational business meetings. They shall not have membership in any secret society or other organization which in its official statements or rites assert that individuals are reconciled to God outside of Jesus Christ and His atonement.
B. Baptized children of the congregation.
Children baptized in the congregation and all baptized children of confessing members shall be designated baptized children of the congregation. This status continues until they reach the voting age determined by the congregation, or are accepted as confessing members of the congregation, whichever occurs first. Those not requesting adult membership shall become parishioners.
The congregation shall diligently guide these children and youth by teaching the Word of God and modeling godly attitudes and behavior. Every congregation shall arrange for Sunday schools, Bible schools, youth ministries, pastoral instruction, confirmation and other Christian training programs. These young people shall be made the objects of prayer as the congregation seeks to guide them to conscious faith, spiritual growth and confessing membership in the church.
C. Associate Membership.
Recognizing the unique situation our church location causes, we make special provision for those people who would like to be members of our church during the portion of the year they are in residence here. These people can apply for membership in the same way as Confessing members.
For the purpose of attaining a quorum for business meetings, these people will be included in a quorum report while they are here and considered as an “inactive member” while they are in the north at their other residence. These members shall have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a resident member.
In order to be considered for this type of membership the people shall maintain a place of residence here (owned, leased, rented, or otherwise) for at least three months of the year.
ARTICLE IX - PARISHIONERS
Baptized children of the congregation become parishioners upon reaching voting age if they have not been received as confessing members. In addition, the Board of Elders may include as parishioners those who wish to call this their congregational home. The Board of Elders may also remove the names of parishioners when they deem it necessary or advisable.
ARTICLE X - PROPERTY
All property of the congregation shall be deeded to the congregation itself and held in its corporate name. No property of the congregation shall be sold, leased or mortgaged or otherwise disposed of without the same having first been approved by a 2/3 vote of the members of the congregation who are in attendance at a regular business meeting or special business meeting of the congregation, which has been called for the specific consideration of the proposal. The secretary of the congregation and the chairman of the congregation shall certify in such conveyance, lease, or mortgage, that the same has been duly authorized and approved by the congregation.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the congregational corporation or the winding down of its affairs, the assets of the corporation shall be distributed exclusively to an organization(s) which qualifies under the provisions of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended, and in accordance with the following provision:
If a division should ever occur in this congregation, which God forbid, its properties and assets shall belong to that part of the congregation which abides by this constitution and remains in affiliation with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America, whether that part be in the majority or minority. In the event that this congregation is dissolved, the property shall be deeded over to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America. This paragraph is unalterable.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
A. This constitution may be amended at an annual meeting of the congregation, provided:
1. The amendment does not conflict with Article II, CONFESSION OF FAITH, OR ARTICLE IV, MISSION STATEMENT
2. The amendment is first affirmed by a majority of the Board of Elders. Any confessing member of voting age may propose amendments to the constitution. They must be submitted in writing to the Board of Elders not less than thirty (30) days prior to a congregational annual meeting. If the elders disapprove, a member can still have his/her proposal read before the congregational annual meeting, provided he/she submits a petition signed by no less than 10 voting members to the Board of Elders, meeting the time requirements above.
3. A constitutional amendment must be read at a previous congregational annual meeting before considering it for adoption.
B. The by-laws of this constitution may be amended, provided:
1. The amendment does not conflict with Article II, CONFESSION OF FAITH, OR ARTICLE IV, MISSION STATEMENT
2. The amendment is first affirmed by a majority of the Board of Elders. Any confessing member of voting age may propose amendments to the by-laws of the constitution. They must be submitted in writing to the Board of Elders not less than thirty (30) days prior to a congregational annual meeting. If the elders disapprove, a member can still have his/her proposal read before the congregational annual meeting, provided he/she submits a petition signed by no less than 10 voting members to the Board of Elders, meeting the time requirements above.
3. The amendment must be read either at a previous quarterly meeting or annual meeting.
4. The amendment is approved by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the congregation at its duly convened business meeting.
C. Article XI of this constitution shall be unalterable.
B Y - L A W S T O T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N
ARTICLE I - CHURCH MANAGEMENT
A. PASTOR
The voting membership is responsible for calling all pastors who will shepherd them. All candidates will be recommended to the congregation by the Call Committee. The Call Committee shall be composed of the Board of Elders and at least three additional members of the congregation selected by the Board of Elders. The chairman of the congregation shall serve as the chairman of the Call Committee. The Call Committee shall evaluate the needs of the congregation in the light of its mission statement and goals. In consultation with the district and/or synodical president, it shall seek to find candidates for the congregation's consideration. The Call Committee shall arrange for candidate visits in accordance with budgetary allowances, interview the candidates, prepare the compensation package and present their recommendations to the congregation for decision. The Call Committee shall prepare the Letter of Call which shall be signed by the congregational chairman and secretary.
A pastor must receive a 2/3 vote of approval by the congregational business meeting.
The pastor shall conduct himself and his ministry according to the guidelines set forth in the synodical policy statement entitled, "Clergy Congregation Relations."
The pastor shall follow the Order of Service provided in the "Ministerial Acts" book for special services such as baptisms, communions, marriages, funerals, installations, dedications, reception of new members, etc.
The dismissal of a pastor shall take place at a special business meeting of the congregation upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders, and with a congregational vote of 2/3 approving his dismissal. When a pastor's time of service is terminated by this congregation, he shall be provided his current compensation package for a period of three months or until he is placed in another call if that occurs before the three month period is completed. If he is living in a parsonage he is entitled to remain in the parsonage for up to three months or receive an equivalent housing allowance.
The resignation of a pastor may be accepted by the congregation by a simple majority vote. The pastor shall remain in office as long thereafter as both the pastor and the congregation find it desirable, but normally his departure from the congregation shall take place within a negotiated period of from one to three months.
B. BOARD OF ELDERS: The Board of Elders shall additionally:
Determine the date and time for the annual meeting and all special business or informational meetings.
Maintain the membership roster of the congregation and will be responsible to annually review the roster.
Handle all cases of church discipline according to Holy Scripture as set forth in Matthew 18:15-17, I Corinthians 5:1-5, I Timothy 5:20.
An elder who violates the responsibility of his office may be removed from office by applying the following procedure. An elder or other member of the congregation must bring the charge before the entire Elder Board, which will carefully review its validity. The elder in question must be allowed to answer the charge in person before the board, but will leave the room for the discussion and final vote. If by a majority vote, the board concurs with the charge, the elder shall forfeit his position and duties, or at his discretion be allowed to gracefully resign. If the elder feels he has been unfairly treated, he may request that the matter be referred to a congregational meeting for a vote. The congregation may remove the elder from office when 2/3 of the voting membership present at the meeting approve his removal.
ARTICLE II - COMMITTEES and TEAMS
A. FINANCE AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE:
This committee shall:
1. Include a member of the Board of Elders in its voting membership, appointed to this committee by the Board of elders.
2. Manage the financial affairs of the congregation on behalf of the Board of Elders, and submit reports to the Board of Elders of all business meetings.
3. Oversee the collection, counting and depositing all offerings.
3. Manage the day to day business of all real and personal properties belonging to the congregation.
4. Transact all other business of the congregation assigned it by the congregational meeting or by the Board of Elders.
5. Maintain the internal and external appearance of all congregational property and buildings in good condition.
6. Seek volunteers and/or employ necessary custodial employees to maintain congregational property.
7. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
B. DISCIPLESHIP TEAM:
This team shall:
1. Include a member of the Board of Elders in its voting membership,
appointed to this team by the Board of Elders.
2. Elect a chairperson annually from its elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
3. Seek to grow as a team by including new team members from the
congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
4. Provide, encourage, maintain, and supervise sound Christian education in order to promote Christian growth in the congregation for all age levels, in all educational ministries and organizations of the congregation.
5. Appoint, with the approval of the Board of elders, and prepare a job description for a Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Director, Nursery Coordinator, and Home Bible Study Coordinator. They shall be accountable to the Discipleship team and shall serve as ex-officio members of the team. The team shall also, in conjunction with the Board of Elders, supervise the selection of materials used by these ministries and appoint and supervise the admininstrative and teaching staffs of these ministries.
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
C. OUTREACH TEAM:
This Team shall:
1. Include a member of the Board of Elders in its voting membership, appointed to this team by the Board of Elders.
2. Work closely with the Board of Elders and with each team and officer of the congregation to ensure that the congregation is structured for "church growth."
3. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
4. Seek to grow by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
5. Search for and identify those needs and opportunities of the local community to which the congregation may respond in outreach.
6. Recruit, train, develop and utilize members whose energies are primarily directed to serving and evangelizing non-Christians.
7. See to it that new members are lovingly integrated into the life and work of the congregation.
8. Inform the community of the mission and message of the congregation and strive to develop a productive climate for "Church Growth." It will constantly seek to create a favorable image of the congregation in the community, utilizing all available communications media, including mass mailings, TV, radio spots, and newspaper advertisements, and other creative approaches available to the congregation for fulfilling the communication task to the community.
9. Develop, promote and supervise a continuing program of evangelism with activities suited for all congregational age groups. This team, together with the Board of Elders, shall provide the leadership for this program and shall recruit and train lay helpers from the congregation to carry it out.
10. This team shall seek ways to reach out to the community for the purpose introducing people to Christ.
11. Maintain a list of visitors at worship services and special events of the congregation, and have in place a program for the prompt contact of each visitor.
12. Maintain a list of prospective members, visit each of these persons as appropriate and encourage them to be discipled, join the congregation, and become a part of its work for Christ.
13. Assist the pastor and elders in instruction classes in evangelism.
14. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
D. FELLOWSHIP TEAM;
This team shall:
1. Include a member of the Board of Elders in its voting membership, appointed to this team by the Board of Elders.
2. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
3. Seek to grow by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
4. Organize, supervise and encourage activities and a calendar of events which will foster Christian fellowship in the congregation.
5. Organize, supervise and encourage a weekly fellowship time after worship services...
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
E. WORSHIP TEAM:
This team shall:
1. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
2. Seek to grow as a team by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
3. Annually appoint a head usher who will recruit, train and organize ushers for all worship services.
4. Plan along with the pastor, special and seasonal worship services.
6. Annually organize a team of people to decorate the church for seasonal and special occasions.
5. Foster a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere with special attention to music, decor, banners etc.
7. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
F. SERVICE TEAM:
This team shall:
1. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
2. Seek to grow by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
3. Give particular attention to the ministries of love and mercy to the sick, aged, grieving, and those with special needs. It shall keep the congregation informed concerning these needs and help to channel assistance to those in need.
4. Promote an atmosphere of warmth, friendliness and concern within the congregation which shall include all who visit or associate with the congregation. It shall provide for such other ministries of service as the Board of Elders may from time to time assign to it.
5. Maintain a ‘benevolence fund’ for the needy among us and provide a quarterly accounting of the same to the board of elders.
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
G. YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM
This team shall:
1. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
2. Seek to grow by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
3. Supervise and encourage appropriate activities in order to foster the spiritual growth of and provide Christian fellowship opportunities for the youth of the congregation.
4. Give particular attention to the elementary, junior high, senior high & post high school young adult groups of the church by recruiting, advising and encouraging the leaders of these groups.
5. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
H. PRAYER TEAM
This team shall:
1. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
2. Seek to grow by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
3. Give particular attention to the ministry of prayer, petition, thanksgiving and intercession within the congregation by meeting together for prayer and praying with individuals as led by the Holy Spirit.
4. Encouraging the congregation through teaching and example to make prayer a part of daily life.
5. Provide ways for members of the congregation to communicate prayer needs and help to communicate those needs to the rest of the congregation as appropriate and as requested.
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Team.
I. MISSION TEAM
This team shall:
1. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
2. Seek to grow by including new team members from the congregational roster of members and parishioners who have the gifts and desire to serve.
3. Heighten awareness in the congregation of Jesus Christ's love for people everywhere and our role in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)
4. Keep the congregation informed about the national and international ministries of The Church of the Lutheran Brethren and other local missions.
5. Support adopted missionaries, home mission congregations and local mission organizations through prayer, financial giving and encouragement.
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Team.
J. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The congregation shall elect a Nominating Committee each year. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of one elder selected by the Elder Board, and two members elected at large. This committee shall present a slate of candidates for each elective office (with the exception of the election of elders, whose nominations will be made by the Board of Elders) which must be filled at the annual meeting.
K. AUDITING COMMITTEE
The congregation shall elect at least two persons from the fellowship to serve as an Auditing Committee in preparation for the following annual meeting. To this committee the treasurer and financial secretary of the congregation and the treasurer of the nursery school shall provide access to all financial books, statements of income and disbursements, in order that the Auditing Committee may submit a report to the annual meeting verifying the financial state of the congregation.
L. NURSERY SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
This committee shall:
1. Include a member of the Board of Elders in its voting membership, appointed to this committee by the Board of Elders.
2. Elect a chairperson annually from it’s elected members to lead meetings and act as a representative to the congregational planning team.
3. In consultation with the Elder board, hire a director and teachers who adhere to the beliefs and practices of Living Faith Church, construct contracts, perform annual salary reviews, and provide oversight and encouragement for the Director and the Assistant.
4. Annually appoint a Treasurer from the elected committee members to keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements of the nursery school. He/she will pay all bills authorized by a nursery school committee and keep an accurate counting, recording, and depositing of all receipts of the nursery school in a local financial institution and submit regular reports to the committee and congregation.
5. Structure the nursery school to introduce children to Christ and equip them with a sound educational foundation to begin their school years.
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the Congregational Planning Committee.
M. ADDITIONAL COMMITTEES AND TEAMS
When additional committees and teams are established by the congregation, the name, description of task, and the manner in which that task will be conducted, shall be included in Article II of the by-laws.
ARTICLE III - MEETINGS
A. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL BUSINESS MEETING
An annual business meeting of the congregation shall be held during the month January. The annual meeting shall be announced at the worship service on two Sundays preceding the date of the meeting.
Only confessing members who have attained voting age shall be eligible to vote at this meeting. However, all parishioners of the congregation are also to be encouraged to attend and may be given speaking rights by vote of the congregation.
At the annual meeting, the officers, committee and team members of the congregation shall be elected, the budget set, and the annual congregational ministry plan approved. Reports from the officers, Board of Elders, committees and ministry teams shall be presented.
B. QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETINGS
Business meetings, other than the annual meeting, shall be held quarterly or as deemed necessary by the Board of Elders. A quarterly or special business meeting shall be announced on the preceding Sunday prior to the meeting.
C. QUORUM
A quorum of twenty-five percent of the resident members is required at every business meeting of the congregation in order to transact legal business. However, when the congregation meets for its annual meeting, or for purposes of calling or dismissing a pastor, or for the sale or purchase of property, the necessary quorum of resident members shall be fifty percent.
ARTICLE - IV LIMITS TO EXPENDITURES
Non-budgeted expenditures, such as unforeseen repairs or replacements, special opportunities, shall be approved by the Board of Elders. Expenditures exceeding $2500 must be approved by the congregation.