CONSTITUTION ST. John s Lutheran Church Denver, Colorado PREAMBLE

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION ST. John s Lutheran Church Denver, Colorado PREAMBLE It is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ that His disciples should preach the Gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28: 12-20, Acts 1:8). That Christ s mission for His church might be carried out according to His will, He has commanded that Christians unite in worship (Hebrews 10:24-25); practice fellowship with one another (Acts 2:42); witness to all people (Acts 1:8); help each other grow in the Word (Ephesians 4:11-14); serve the needs of all people in Christian love (Ephesians 4: 7-16, Mark 10:42-44, John 13:35, Galatians 6:10); and maintain decency and order (I Corinthians 14:40) in the church. Therefore, we, as Lutheran Christians, accept and subscribe to the following Constitution and Bylaws, in accordance with which all spiritual and material affairs of our congregation shall be governed, working together as the Body of Christ to strive for unity in service to the Lord (Ephesians 4: 2-6) ARTICLE 1 NAME The name of this Congregation (corporation) shall be St. John s Lutheran Church. It is located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado ARTICLE II CONFESSION This Congregation accepts and adheres to: A. All the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inerrant, God-Breathed and revealed Word of God, the only rule and norm of faith and of practice. (II Timothy 3:16) B. All of the following Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580, as the correct presentation and true exposition of Christian doctrine, because they are drawn from the Holy Scriptures: The Three Chief Symbols! 1 The Large Catechism

2 The Augsburg Confession (1530) The Small Catechism The Smallcald Articles The Formula of Concord Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531) C. Therefore, so that we might be in fellowship with other like-minded Christians, we shall affiliate with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod so long as the Synod remains faithful to the doctrinal basis of this Article. Should the doctrinal faithfulness of the Synod be in question, the congregation can determine to leave the Synod by a two-thirds majority vote in two consecutive Voters Meetings, each convened for that purpose according to the provisions of the bylaws. We shall, to the best of our ability, collaborate with said Synod and assist it in effecting all sound measures intended for the building up of the Kingdom of God. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP A. Baptized membership shall consist of those Members who have been baptized into the name of the Triune God. B. Communicant membership shall consist of baptized Members who: 1. Declare acceptance of the doctrinal confessions of this Congregation as contained in Article II. 2. Participate regularly in communion. (In special circumstances, the Elders may waive this requirement.) 3. Are formally accepted into membership in accordance with procedures established by the Congregation. 4. Have a life-style which does not include the manifest works of the flesh, but rather of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 16-26) 5. Hold no membership in a secret society or other organization conflicting with the Word of God and the conduct of a Christian. (II Corinthians 6:14-18). C. Inactive membership shall include those who meet all the qualifications of (B) above except item 2. D. Voting membership shall consist of all communicant Members age 18 and older who have been received by the Voters assembly at a previous meeting.! 2

3 ARTICLE IV ORGANIZATION A. This congregation shall be accountable first to Christ Jesus, the Head of the Church, and to His teachings, found only in Holy Scripture, whereby all Christians order their hearts, minds, and relationships with one another. Since all believers have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) and are members of the royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9), the Headship of Christ shall be recognized through the participation of His body, the church. For purposes of this Constitution, the priesthood of this Congregation will be represented by all Voting members as defined in Article III. This priesthood shall be the ultimate authority in the Congregation. The establishment and conduct of all the ministry and work of the Congregation shall be considered as occurring under the authority of the Voting Members even when delegated to other organizational bodies described in the Constitution and Bylaws. B. Subject to the voting membership, the administration of the congregational ministries shall be overseen by the Board of Elders, with prayer and fasting, in expectation that the Lord will guide His church even as He did the early church (Acts 13: 1-3). The Elders shall specifically: (1) Develop overall-all ministry vision for input and approval by the whole church. (2) Establish policies necessary to implement the envisioned ministries, (3) Delegate authority and responsibility to staff and lay people to carry out these ministries, (4) Oversee these ministries and evaluate the results, and (5) Establish accountability. 1) The Board of Elders, preferably consisting of at least 10 members but not less than seven, shall be chosen and affirmed in their ministry by a majority vote of the Voting Members, according to the provisions contained in the Bylaws. This Board shall select the corporate officers of this Congregation and present them for Voter approval. Elders may be removed from office, with cause, as set forth in the Bylaws. 2) The Board of Elders shall consist of the ordained pastors of the Congregation and such male voting members as shall be raised up by the Holy Spirit to be servant-leaders within the body, in accordance with! 3

4 Scriptural principles (I Timothy 3: 1-7; Titus 1:6-9) The Elders, as extensions of the office of pastor/overseer/ elder, shall submit all things to Holy Scripture, which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). The Senior Pastor, as the spiritual head of the visible congregation, shall be the chief shepherding Elder and overseeing Elder, yet he shall also be accountable to the others. A presiding Elder shall also be chosen by the Elders to preside over the meetings. He shall also work with the Senior Pastor in preparation of Elders and Voters agenda and such other administrative details as shall be deemed necessary. 3) The Board of Elders shall be responsible for appointing, training and guiding lay workers to carry out the ministry of the people of God, the congregation, releasing them into ministry as individuals or as Members of Ministry Teams. C. The Senior Pastor has the authority and responsibility to oversee the operations and ministries in accordance with the vision and policies established by the Board of Elders. D. The Officers of the Congregation shall be a male President, a Secretary and Treasurer. They shall be accountable to the Congregation as mandated by law, in conformity to the Constitution and Bylaws. E. So long as the Congregation shall maintain a Christian Day School, the School Principal will have the authority and responsibility to manage the Elementary School and its associated ministries in accordance with the vision and policies adopted by the Board of Elders. He or she shall report to the Senior Pastor and shall carry out all duties in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws. ARTICLE V PASTOR(S), PRINCIPAL, MINISTRY STAFF AND DAY SCHOOL TEACHERS Only such candidates for the pastoral office shall be called as are endorsed by, and are members of, the Synod/denomination in which the congregation holds membership. (The same shall apply to called teachers and others offered a Synodical call). These and all other persons called or contracted to fill the ministry staff positions of the church and school shall also be expected to have a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to profess! 4

5 acceptance of, and pledge faithful adherence to, the doctrinal basis of this congregation as set forth in Article II. ARTICLE VI SOCIETIES Societies or ministry organizations may be organized within the congregation only with the expressed approval of the Board of Elders. All such societies or ministry organizations shall be under the oversight of the Board of Elders. Unless specifically authorized by the Elders, only communicant members shall be officers of such societies or ministry organizations. ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS Amendments to this Constitution must be made in writing and may be made at any meeting of the Voting Members, provided that the Amendment has been printed and distributed at Sunday services for two weeks prior to being voted upon, and that two-thirds of the voting members present cast their votes in favor of such Amendment. ARTICLE VIII STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER AND SEXUALITY 1 We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen. 1:26-27) Rejection of one s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in the single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including, but not limited to, adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, 1 See Revisions, page 18.! 5

6 incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt. 15:18-20; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of St. John s Lutheran Church as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the St. John s Lutheran Church members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by St. John s Lutheran Church in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers in leadership capacities, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 5:22). St. John's reserves the right to deny volunteer opportunities to any individual who, at the Elder s sole discretion, does not conform to this Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality. We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of St. John s Lutheran Church. THE CONTENTS OF ARTICLE II ARE UNALTERABLE: Approved by Voters: 4/24/95! 6

7 THE BYLAWS OF THE CONSTITUTION Approved by voters: 4/24/1995 ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP SECTION A: Application for Membership PROCEDURE. Persons desiring membership shall make application according to the policies and procedures established by the Board of Elders. These policies shall require that all persons, whether by youth or by adult confirmation, will undergo careful instruction in basic Christian doctrine taught in conformity to the confessional standards contained in Article II of the Constitution. Persons who have undergone such instruction in other congregations in fellowship with the denomination to which St. John s belongs shall be eligible for membership by letter of transfer provided they are soundly established in the doctrines and practice of the Christian faith. SECTION B: PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF COMMUNICANT MEMBERS. It shall be the privilege and duty of all members of the congregation to: 1) Grow in the Christian faith and life by conforming their entire lives to the authority of God s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit through the regular study of the Bible and participation in the Lord s Supper, and in mutual Christian fellowship with other members. Frequent attendance in worship and participation in Bible classes, prayer meetings, and in homeministry groups are ways in which the joy of growth in Jesus may be found. 2 2) Encourage a Christian home life for all members of the extended family, by participating in family devotions and Bible reading with children, and taking advantage of child and youth-oriented training, such as Sunday School, Youth Group, Day School, and Confirmation opportunities wherever possible. Unmarried believers should express their faith in similar ways through participation in home groups and in ministry to one another. 3) Receive gladly the assistance of the pastors and elders in becoming equipped to carry out one s ministry of building up the body of Christ, and accepting membership in the royal priesthood of all believers (I Peter 2:9), which calls every believer to win the lost to Jesus Christ. 2 See Revisions, page 18.! 7

8 4) Seek the grace of God to become tithing Christians, placing their God-given talents, abilities, and resources at the disposal of the Pastor(s), officers and other ministry leaders of the congregation, and willingly serve the Lord through whatever ministry for which their spiritual gifts equip them. 5) Accord the pastor(s) and other spiritual leaders in the church honor, love and submission in their ministry of God s Word; support them with diligence and faithful prayers; and help them in the discharge of their duties by loving one-mindedness, willing readiness, peaceable conduct, and other possible ways. 6) Rejoice in the ministries of those called to full-time service in the church in a variety of other ministries, such as the day school and youth work, by encouraging them in their work and upholding them in prayer. SECTION C: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. Termination shall be administered by the pastor(s) and Board of Elders according to the following guidelines: 1) TRANSFERS: A member desiring transfer to another Lutheran congregation in denominational fellowship with that to which St. John s is affiliated, shall be eligible to receive a letter of transfer to that congregation 2) JOINING OTHER CHURCHES: When a member wishes to join a congregation no in fellowship with the denomination with which St. John s is affiliated, he / she, at the discretion of the Board of Elders, may be given a letter of peaceful release. 3) WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN: If the address of a member cannot be established for a period of six months, that person shall be removed from membership. 4) NON-CONFIRMING: Any baptized member who has reached the age of 18 but chooses not to enroll for confirmation instruction shall be removed from the membership list. 5) MOVED FROM AREA: Members who have moved from the area with no intention of returning to St. John s shall be removed from membership if they have not joined another congregation within one year. Whenever possible, sister congregations in the area will be notified of their presence prior to such termination.! 8

9 6) SELF-EXCLUSION: Persons who have been on the Inactive Member list for one year without worshiping or communing at least once, shall be dropped from membership after a contact has been made seeking restoration in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board of Elders. 7) EXCEPTIONS: Exceptions to these guidelines may be made in special circumstances by the Board of Elders. ARTICLE II CHURCH DISCIPLINE The Board of Elders shall administer church discipline in behalf of the congregation. Discipline, including excommunication, shall be administered in accordance with the order of discipline laid down in Matthew 18: 15-18, I Corinthians 5: 1-12, and other related New Testament passages. Should a case of discipline reach the point of excommunication, it shall be presented to the Voters Meeting. If such members deliberately absent themselves from the meeting(s) at which their case is to be discussed, they shall be regarded as having excluded themselves from membership in the congregation. SECTION A: Voters Meetings. ARTICLE III MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATION 1. Administration of Voters Meetings. a. All regular and special meetings shall be chaired by the President of the Congregation or his designated representative. b. The congregational Secretary shall see that minutes of the meetings are recorded, published, and permanently filed. c. Decisions will be by a simple majority of the voting members present, except where otherwise specified in the Constitution and Bylaws. When necessary, Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail. Attending voting members of a properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum. There shall be no voting by proxy. 2. Regular Voters Meetings:! 9

10 a. The frequency of meetings shall be at least twice each year, ordinarily in the fall and spring. Specific dates and times shall be set by the Board of Elders. b. The Secretary of the congregation shall see that the congregation is notified by announcement and in the News & Notes for at least two Sundays prior to the meeting. c. The Board of Elders shall prepare a written agenda to be distributed before or at the meeting. d. Any Voting member of the congregation may submit topics for consideration for the agenda to the Board of Elders. These topics must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the meeting. In lieu of adding the topic to the agenda, the Board of Elders may refer the item to the appropriate ministry for response. e. A regular meeting shall include at a minimum: 1. A thorough report by the Board of Elders of all the significant topics on which it has worked since the previous meeting. 2. A vision report by the Senior Pastor, or his designated representative, on the status, progress, and direction of the congregation as he perceives the Lord to be leading. 3. A thorough report of the congregation s finances including financial statements. The annual budget shall also be presented for affirmation at the appropriate meeting. 4. Consideration of all topics on the agenda. Other matters may be presented for discussion, but not for voting, under new business. 3. SPECIAL VOTERS MEETINGS: a. Special voters meetings may be called by the Board of Elders or by any group of 21 or more voting members by written petition to the President of the congregation or to any elder.! 10

11 b. The congregation must be notified at all Sunday services prior to the meeting. c. Written agenda must be prepared by the group calling the special meeting and be distributed at the Sunday service prior to the meeting. d. The only items for discussion and vote are those on the agenda. SECTION B: ELDERS MEETINGS 1. Frequency of meetings shall be as often as the Board of Elders deems necessary, but ordinarily at least once monthly. A specific portion of each meeting shall be devoted to the Word and to prayer. 2. Decisions shall be unanimous (I Corinthians 1:10). For voting purposes, a two-thirds quorum of the board must be present. Proxy voting is not permitted. 3. A report of all decisions shall be made monthly and posted on a public bulletin board. ARTICLE IV ELDERS SECTION A: Selection of elders: Prospective members of the Board of Elders may be nominated by any member of the congregation at any time. Nomination shall be submitted to the full Board of Elders for prayerful review. Unanimous approval shall be required of the full Board before presenting any candidate to a Voters Meeting, where majority approval by secret ballot shall be required for affirmation of each candidate. Should the number of pastors and affirmed elders fall below seven, a special Voters Meeting shall be convened as early as possible for the purpose of restoring the Board to at least seven members.! 11

12 Section B: Term of Office for Non-Ordained Elders. 1. The term of office for an elder shall be for three years unless he is removed by the unanimous decision of the other members of the Board of Elders or by majority vote of the Voters Meeting. Recognizing that the office of pastor/elder is derived from Scripture and that the men to be placed in the office are given by God to the church (Ephesians 4:11), non-ordained elders whose terms expire shall ordinarily be proposed by the Board to the Voters Assembly for re-affirmation of subsequent terms, barring immorality, false teaching or incompetence in office. 2. An elder may choose to resign at any time and for any reason. 3. A recommendation for removal of an elder may be submitted to the Board of Elders by any two or more communicant members, after following the principles of Matthew 18: and I Timothy 5: SECTION C: Duties of Elders. 1. The Board of Elders shall be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the congregation members both individually and corporately. The Elders are to ensure, through prayer and action that the spiritual and ministerial needs of members, prospective members and visitors to the congregation are fulfilled with the available resources. The elders responsibility, directly or through delegation is to: a. Ensure that all worship best conveys the Gospel message to both believer and unbeliever. b. Identify and welcome visitors at every opportunity c. Assist the pastors in qualifying individuals and families wishing to become members of the congregation. d. Equip the individual members of the congregation to seek and apply their spiritual gifts in a personal ministry. e. Identify and meet specific needs of the congregation for prayer and counseling.! 12

13 2. The Board of Elders shall also be responsible for the welfare of the pastor(s) and to ensure through prayer and action that the preaching and teaching of the Gospel as revealed in Holy Scripture are consistent with doctrinal truth and purity. The Elders responsibility, directly or through delegation is to: a. Collaborate with the Senior Pastor in developing and implementing a ministry vision for the congregation. b. Care for the spiritual, emotional and physical health and welfare of the pastor(s) and his (their) family (ies) (training, compensation, housing, free time, vacations and assistance in times of distress or illness.) c. Participate in the ministry of congregational worship services, including prayer and serving of the Lord s Supper. They may be called to serve as the communion celebrant under special circumstances or in the ordained pastor s absence. d. Review and evaluate annually the overall ministerial program and the proficiency of the pastor(s) carrying out this program. e. Provide leadership in the event of a vacancy or temporary incapacity in the office of Senior Pastor. 3. The Board of Elders shall create and manage, in concert with the appropriate staff member(s), the Ministry and Support Teams necessary to assist the staff in carrying out its ministry and administrative/ support functions. a. The Board of Elders shall specify in writing the responsibilities, authority, and Mission Statement of each Team. These will be incorporated into a Policy and Procedures Manual. b. In consultation with the appropriate staff member, the Board of Elders will designate a Team Leader for each Ministry or Support Team. Each Team will be staffed by volunteer, communicant members appointed by the Team Leader. Both Team Leaders and members may serve for two years, with re-appointment, if mutually agreed and desired.! 13

14 c. Each Team will establish a regular meeting time, usually monthly, and will keep detailed minutes of each meeting. The minutes will be submitted to the Board of Elders within one week of each meeting. A copy of the minutes will go to the church office for staff review and will be posted for St. John s members. 4. Each Team is responsible to the staff member with whom it works, in conjunction with the Board of Elders, who may, from time to time, realign the responsibilities and authority among the various groups. 5. Ministry Team functions may be grouped, realigned, expanded or downsized by the Board of Elders, as deemed necessary to accomplish the ministry of the Lord. 4. The Board of Elders shall oversee the administration of congregational resources and to accomplish those duties defined above. This shall require the elders to: a. Attend all scheduled meetings, spiritual retreats and training sessions for the Board of Elders. b. Serve as directors of St. John s Lutheran Church for the purposes of incorporation. c. Establish and maintain an up-to-date Policy and Procedures Manual for all of the ministries of the congregation, including the Christian Day School. d. Establish and staff such committees, either temporary or standing, as may be needed to carry out the ministries of the congregation which are not otherwise specified in the Bylaws. e. Promote actively the role of stewardship on the daily life of the congregation, including reviewing stewardship drives. f. Prepare and present an Annual Budget to the Voters Assembly for approval. g. Prepare a detailed justification to be presented to the Voters Assembly for approval all non-budgeted expenditures over 1% of previous year s gross consolidated revenues. (In emergencies the congregational President, in consultation with the Board of Elders,! 14

15 shall make the necessary expenditure, and seek voter approval after the fact.) 3 h. Approve all disbursements for non-designated memorial funds or bequests. Disbursements over $ require voter approval. i. Approve all single non-budgeted expenditures over $ j. Obtain appropriate legal advice, when necessary. Section A: CALLING of PASTORS ARTICLE V PASTORS AND CALLED STAFF 1. The Senior Pastor and such additional pastors as are necessary for the spiritual life and growth of the congregation shall be called by the congregation, according to Scripture and the procedures of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, or other denomination, if any, with which the congregation is affiliated. 2. Congregational members may submit names of prospective called pastors for consideration by the Board of Elders. Serving as the Call Committee of the congregation, the Board of Elders shall consult with officers of the District and Synod, and shall prayerfully review all nominees, presenting the name of one or more prospective candidates to a Voters Meeting for final approval by three-fourths majority vote. SECTION B: GENERAL DUTIES OF THE PASTORAL STAFF 1. The pastoral staff shall preach and teach the Word of God with care and faithfulness, adhering in all things to the pure teachings of Holy Scripture. 2. The Senior Pastor, as the lead shepherd of the flock, submitted to Christ Jesus and the authority of His written Word, assisted by such other ordained pastoral staff as are available, shall so equip the saints as to assure that the Word is extensively taught in its full truth and purity (Ephesians 4:11-12) in ministry to children, youth and adults. 3 See Revisions, page 18.! 15

16 3. He/they shall assure and oversee the preparation of the younger members of the congregation for their first communion and the confirmation of their faith. 4. He/they shall assure that the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord s Supper are administered in accordance with their institution by the Lord Jesus. 5. He/they shall serve as an example to the whole church of Christian conduct and faithfulness in prayer and in love of the brethren, being servants of all. 6 The Senior Pastor s administrative responsibility and authority, working within the Policies and guidelines established jointly with the Board of Elders, shall include: a. Developing and maintaining an organizational chart and supervising the staff according to the chart. b. Administering the day-to-day affairs of the congregation. c. Providing spiritual nurture, support and training to the other staff and to the members of the Board of Elders. 7. He/they shall perform such other tasks as are mutually agreed upon within the Board of Elders. 8. We believe that marriage is a sacred union of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24-25) and that God gave marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:32). Therefore, our pastors will not officiate over any marriages inconsistent with these beliefs, and our church property may not be used for any marriage ceremony, reception or other activity that would be inconsistent with our beliefs and this policy. 4 SECTION C: OTHER CALLED STAFF 4 See Revisions, page 18.! 16

17 1. Other persons on the ministry staff as are necessary for the spiritual life and growth of the congregation shall be called by the congregation, according to Scripture and the procedures of the Synod or denomination, if any, with which the congregation is affiliated. These persons may include school principal, teachers, and a youth minister. Congregational calls may also be extended to qualified communicant members who otherwise are not eligible for a call from the Synod or denomination with which the congregation is affiliated, provided that such calls do not conflict with the constitution or bylaws of the Synod or denomination. Such calls may be either tenured or non-tenured. 2. Congregational members may submit names of prospective called ministry staff for consideration by the Board of Elders. The Elders may either serve as the Call Committee of the congregation or else delegate this responsibility to an appropriate group. All nominees shall be prayerfully considered and reviewed, and the names of one or more prospective candidates shall be recommended to a Voters Meeting for final majority approval. SECTION D: REMOVAL OF CALLED PASTOR AND STAFF 1. Grounds for removal shall be persistent adherence to false doctrine, or scandalous life, or willful neglect of official duties, or evident and protracted incapacity to perform the function of the office to which called. Charges on any of these counts shall be carefully investigated by the remaining Board of Elders. Should such charges be substantiated by clear evidence, the individual involved shall first be given an opportunity to be reconciled in accordance with Matthew 18:15-18 and then, if necessary, to resign his position in the congregation. Such opportunity, having been given and declined, the Board of Elders shall, after consultation with the appropriate officers of the District, notify the Voters of the situation and submit the matter for action at a special meeting of that body. A three-fourths majority vote of the Voters present shall be required for removal. 2. Any intended removal shall be announced by the Elders at Sunday services the two weeks preceding the special meeting of the Voters. All Voting members shall be notified by mail at least two weeks in advance.! 17

18 ARTICLEVI OFFICERS The officers of the congregation shall be at minimum a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They shall serve for a term of one year. They shall be responsible for carrying out the congregational affairs in conformity with the laws of the State of Colorado and the United States. An officer may be removed from office for causes by unanimous decision of the remaining Board of Elders or a majority vote of the Voters. The President of the Congregation shall preside at all meetings of the Voters. He shall, to the best of his ability, enforce the Constitution and Bylaws of the congregation and carry out the expressed will of the congregation as directed by the Voting Members. He shall have the authority to sign contracts with the approval of the Board of Elders and the Voters. The Secretary shall be present at all Voters Meetings and may be asked to be present at the Board of Elders meetings, if also designated as the Elders secretary. He/She shall enter the minutes of all meetings of said groups in a permanent record book. The secretary shall perform all duties normally pertaining to the office and such additional duties as the Voters may delegate. The Treasurer shall be responsible for accurate recording of congregational receipts and disbursements and budgeted and actual expenditures according to generally accepted accounting principles; shall present a written financial report at Voters meetings and a monthly report at the Board of Elders meetings, and shall be responsible for assuring the proper signing of all checks for payment of bills, salaries, and other financial commitments of the congregation. ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS Amendments to these Bylaws must be made in writing and may be made at any meeting of the voting members, provided the amendment has been printed and distributed on the two Sundays immediately prior to the meeting and that a majority of the voting members present and voting cast their vote in favor of such an amendment.! 18

19 All amendments to the Bylaws or to the Constitution shall be recorded in the official copy of the Constitution and Bylaws in the care of the current Secretary of the congregation. Revisions: October 21, Voters Meeting Bylaw change: Article IV, Elders, Duties of Elders, Section C, 4. g. June 7, 2017 Voters Meeting Constitution change: Article VIII, Statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality Bylaw change: Article I, Privileges and Duties of Communicant Members, Section B, 1. Bylaw change: Article V, General Duties of the Pastoral Staff, Section B, 8.! 19