Draft reflecting proposed amendments as of January 5, 2017 CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTHWEST WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 Draft reflecting proposed amendments as of January 5, 2017 CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTHWEST WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (Including Amendments adopted at Spring Association Meetings held on April 19, 1969; April 20, 1972; April 20, 1985; April 14, 2002; March 28, 2004 and April 29, 2017.) (Parenthetical numbers are source references to the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ and either reflect incorporation of language or authority.) PREAMBLE This Association adopts and affirms as its own, as part of and in relation to this Constitution, the following provisions of the Constitution of the United Church of Christ: The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among Evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord s Supper or Holy Communion. (2) INTERPRETATIONS A. The Local Churches of the United Church of Christ have, in fellowship, a God-given responsibility for that Church, its labors and its extension, even as the United Church of Christ has, in fellowship, a God-given responsibility for the wellbeing and needs and aspirations of its Local Churches. In mutual Christian concern and in dedication to Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, the one and the many share in common Christian experience and responsibility. (17) B. The autonomy of the Local Church is inherent and modifiable only by its own action. Nothing in this Constitution shall destroy or limit the right of each Local Church to continue to operate in the way customary to it; nor shall be construed as giving to the Conference or to any Association now, or at any future time, the power to abridge or impair the autonomy of any Local Church in the management of its own affairs, which affairs include, but are not limited to, the right to retain or adopt its own methods of organization, worship, and education; to retain or secure its own charter and name; to adopt its own constitution and bylaws; to formulate its own covenants and confessions of faith; to admit members in its own way and to provide for their discipline or dismissal; to Last Amended April 4, 2016 1

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 call or dismiss its pastor or pastors by such procedure as it shall determine; to acquire, own, manage and dispose of property and funds; to control its own benevolences; and to withdraw by its own decision from the United Church of Christ at any time without forfeiture of ownership or control of any real or personal property owned by it. (18) C. Actions by, or decisions or advice emanating from the General Synod, a Conference or Association, should be held in the highest regard by every Local Church, such actions, decisions or advice being advisory, not mandatory. (19) ARTICLE I NAME The Name of this Association shall be the Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. ARTICLE II PURPOSE A. This Association shall seek to promote Christian fellowship among the Local Churches and ministers that comprise it and to contribute to their efficiency at their common tasks. 1. It is concerned with the welfare of all its Local Churches and ministers. (162) 2. It seeks ways to help those that are undergoing unusual difficulties. (160) 3. At the request of a Local Church in difficulty, the Association may, through an appropriate committee, review and consider the concern, and offer advice and counsel regarding the concern stated in the request. 4. The officers and services of the Association are open to overtures from members of Local Churches who have reasonable concerns; and when requested by such members, the Executive Committee may receive and refer such concerns as stated in writing to an appropriate committee for review and whatever advice and counsel it may have to offer. B. Because this Association is affiliated with the General Synod of the United Church of Christ through the Wisconsin Conference, (166) 1. It seeks with Divine guidance to develop among Local Churches and ministers an understanding of and commitment to the total program of the United Church of Christ at home and abroad, through Our Church s Wider Mission. 2. It receives and acts on business referred to it by its member churches and ministers, by the Wisconsin Conference, by the General Synod, and by ecumenical bodies. (168) C. This Association, through its Division on Church and Ministry, determines qualifications for, confers, certifies to, and terminates ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ. (38, 167). 1. It receives under its care students candidates for the ministry, extending them fellowship, counsel and assistance during their academic preparation. (30, 101-4, 163, 167) 2. It confers the status of Commissioned Minister. (26-27, 134-141) Last Amended April 4, 2016 2

101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 3. It grants licensure. (26-29, 142-146, 167) 4. It ordains candidates. (22-25, 105-108, 167) 5. It installs or recognizes ordained ministers. (154-155, 167) D. This Association determines qualifications for, confers, certifies to, and terminates the standing of Local Churches of the United Church of Christ within its area. (165) 1. It offers encouragement, guidance and assistance in the organization of new churches. (164) 2. When Local Churches are qualified, this Association receives them into the United Church of Christ. (165) ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP A. MINISTERS IN FULL STANDING 1. All ordained ministers registered with the United Church of Christ through this Association have full standing as members of this Association. a. When an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ is engaged in a church vocation other than parish ministry, that person may hold standing in this Association only when residing within its area. (110) b. When an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ is engaged in a ministry requiring prolonged absence from the United States, or one that does not permit a fixed residence, that person may hold standing in this Association. (111) c. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ who withdraws from active service in the ordained ministry prior to retirement applies to this Association for a leave of absence for one year. Except in special cases, such leaves of absence shall not be granted for more than five years in succession. (112) d. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ who retires from active service by reason of age or disability may retain standing in this Association. (113) 2. In case the standing of an ordained minister in this Association is in dispute, the Division on Church and Ministry shall make inquiry. If the matter is not satisfactorily settled, the Division shall submit the concern to the entire Association. 3. The transfer of ministerial standing from this Association to another into which the minister has moved shall not require undue formality or delay, so that in normal instances it will be a routine procedure. (109) 4. A minister s standing shall be terminated by action of this Association upon the minister s request and may be terminated by action of the Division on Church and Ministry: a. After the minister has moved from the Association for three or more years, without having good reason for continuing in full standing or requesting transfer to another Last Amended April 4, 2016 3

152 Association. 153 154 b. After entrance into the service of another denomination before retirement by reason 155 of age or disability. 156 157 c. As the result of disciplinary action. (167) 158 159 B. MINISTERS WITH LIMITED STANDING 160 161 1. ORDAINED MINISTER OF ANOTHER DENOMINATION: An ordained minister of 162 another denomination who wishes to retain present denominational standing while 163 serving as pastor of a Local Church of the United Church of Christ, or a yoked charge of 164 a federated church, one part of which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, within 165 the area of this Association, may apply to the Association as a ministerial member with 166 limited standing, for the duration of that pastorate. (133) 167 168 a. During that period the minister shall have the privileges of full membership, except 169 shall have no voice on matters affecting the standing of ministers or local churches. 170 171 b. Neither shall the minister be elected an officer of this Association, a member of a 172 division, or a delegate to General Synod. 173 174 3. ORDAINED MINISTERIAL PARTNERS: An ordained minister of the Christian Church, 175 Disciples of Christ, shall enjoy full standing in the Association while serving as minister 176 of a Local Church in this Association except that the minister shall have no vote on 177 matters affecting the standing of ministers or Local Churches. 178 179 C. OTHER TYPES OF STANDING 180 181 1. LICENSURE: On approval of the Division on Church and Ministry, and guided by the 182 Procedure Manual for Licensure, for Use by Local Churches and the Committees on 183 Ministry of the Associations of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ dated 184 December 1, 2015, the Association may grant a license to preach, teach, and conduct 185 the pastoral and administrative duties of a church, including the Sacraments, for a period 186 of one year subject to annual renewal to persons with licensure. A Licentiate is listed 187 separately on the rolls of this Association and is not considered to be a ministerial 188 member. (28-29, 142-146) 189 190 2. COMMISSIONED MINISTERS: On approval by the Division on Church and Ministry the 191 Association may grant the status of Commissioned Minister to an unordained person for 192 a specific, full-time, church related service. (134-141) 193 194 a. A certificate designating the Commissioned Minister is issued, bearing the signature 195 of the officers of this Association and the General Minister and President of the 196 United Church of Christ. (136) 197 198 b. A Commissioned Minister is listed separately on the rolls of this Association and is 199 not considered a ministerial member. (137) 200 201 c. A Commissioned Minister who takes up some other full-time employment resigns 202 his/her commission or applies to this Association for a leave of absence. Such leave Last Amended April 4, 2016 4

203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 of absence is granted for one year at a time, but not for more than three consecutive years. (140) D. CHURCHES IN FULL STANDING 1. All Local Churches registered with the United Church of Christ through this Association are members of this Association in full standing. 2. When the standing of a Local Church of this Association is in dispute, the Division on Church and Ministry shall make inquiry. If the matter is not satisfactorily settled, the Division shall submit the concern to the entire Association. 3. The standing of a Local Church of this Association shall be terminated by action of this Association at the request of that Local Church, after consultation with the Division on Church and Ministry; and may be terminated by action of this Association, upon recommendation by the Division on Church and Ministry, when that Local Church gives evidence that it is no longer in sympathy with the purposes and program of the United Church of Christ. E. CHURCHES WITH LIMITED STANDING 1. The name of any church within the area of this Association that has held full standing in a Congregational Association and that has not joined the United Church of Christ shall be entered in a separate Registry of Congregational Churches, so that it may continue unbroken in its historic fellowship with the churches and ministers of this Association. a. The statistics of such a church shall be kept separately; its members shall not be counted in the determining the number of delegates which the Wisconsin Conference is entitled to send to the General Synod. (16) b. No member of such a church shall be a delegate to General Synod or hold elective office in that body, or be an officer of this Association, or have vote on matters affecting the standing of ministers or Local Churches. (16) c. No direct or indirect participation by any such Local Church in, or in support of, the work of the United Church of Christ, or of the Wisconsin Conference, or of this Association, shall be construed as making it a church of the United Church of Christ. (16) FE. VOTING MEMBERS OF THIS ASSOCIATION shall consist of those registered for a meeting to include: 1. Ordained ministers, licensed ministers and commissioned ministers holding full standing. 2. Ordained ministers holding limited standing. 3. Members of the Executive Committee of the Association. 4. One lay delegate for each church plus an additional lay delegate for every 300200 members or fraction thereof from each Local Church in full standing. Last Amended April 4, 2016 5

254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 5. One lay delegate for every 300 members or fraction thereof from each church holding limited standing, subject to the exceptions in III-E-1-b. ARTICLE IV MEETINGS A. Annual meetings of this Association shall be held each spring. Other meetings may be held at such times as needed. Election of officers shall be held at the Annual Meeting. B. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee of this Association, or at the request of five churches or five ministers of this Association, for consideration of the items specified in the call. The Division on Church and Ministry may call an Ecclesiastical Council for the purpose of examining a candidate for ordination. C. The place of the meeting shall be determined by vote of the Association, or in lieu of such vote, by the Executive Committee. D. With the exception of an overture addressed at the General Synod, which requires a twothirds affirmative vote of those present and voting, all motions, resolutions, petitions and overtures shall be adopted by a majority affirmation vote of those present and voting. E. The Association shall adhere to the Revised Edition of Robert s Rules of Order. F. A quorum for an Association meeting shall be one third of the ministerial members, and one third of the constituent churches as represented by the lay delegates, who in either case have standing to vote on the business under consideration. The participation of any ministerial member or church representative in a meeting by conference telephone, videoconference, or similar communications equipment, whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, shall constitute attendance in person of such individuals at such meeting. G. An Ecclesiastical Council is a meeting of the Association for the purpose of examining and authorizing a candidate for ordination. When meeting as an Ecclesiastical Council, a quorum shall consist of the ministers and delegates responding to an official callmembers of the United Church of Christ s Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference who are present. H. The Association may divide itself into districts for the more effective implementations of the program. ARTICLE V ORGANIZATION A OFFICERS 1. The officers of this Association shall be: a. A Moderator, who shall be elected for a term of two years, expiring in evennumbered years. The Moderator shall alternate between minister and lay member. b. A Vice-Moderator, who shall be elected for a term of two years, expiring in evennumbered years. The office of Vice-Moderator shall alternate between lay member Last Amended April 4, 2016 6

304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 and minister, opposite to the office of Moderator. c. A Secretary who shall be elected for a term of two years, expiring in odd-numbered years. d. A Treasurer, who shall be elected for a term of two years, expiring in odd-numbered years. 2. The duties of these officers are as follows: a. The Moderator shall preside at the meetings of the Association and shall be Chair of the Executive Committee. b. The Vice-Moderator shall assist the Moderator in administration, and, when requested by the Moderator, shall represent the Moderator. Should a vacancy occur in the office of Moderator, the Vice-Moderator shall assume all the rights and duties of the Moderator until the next regular meeting of the Association, when the Association shall elect a Moderator to fill the unexpired term. c. The Secretary shall keep accurate and permanent record of the minutes of this Association, and shall have such other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee. d. The Treasurer shall receive and deposit in the banks approved by the Executive Committee all funds belonging to the Association and shall disburse these monieshave oversight of and monitor Association funds as directed by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall present reports to the Executive Committee on a regular basis. The Treasurer shall oversee distribution of annual per capita requests to Association Churches and shall provide guidance in preparation of the Annual Budget. The Treasurer shall have such other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee. B. ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER An Associate Conference Minister serves the Northwest Association according to the Wisconsin Conference Bylaws, Board of Directors, and the Conference Minister. The ACM will be a non-voting presence with voice to the Northwest Association Divisions and Committees. 1. Shall be the executive officer of the Association and shall coordinate the activities of all its divisions and committees with the churches of the Association and the Conference, and shall have a pastoral concern for the churches and ministers of the Association. 2. Shall be nominated by a special joint nominating committee consisting of four Association representatives appointed by the Executive Committee, three members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Conference selected by it, and the Conference Minister. The Associate Conference Minister shall be elected and called by the Association by secret ballot. The salary of the Associate Conference Minister shall be paid by the Conference, as determined by the Conference Board of Directors. The term of the Associate Conference Minister shall Last Amended April 4, 2016 7

354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 be four years, subject to re-election as provided by this Constitution. 3. Shall serve as registrar of the Association. 4. Shall be a member of the Executive Committee of the Association. Shall also be an exofficio member, without vote, of all divisions and committees of the Association. Under the direction of the Executive Committee, the Associate Conference Minister shall be responsible to the Association for: a. The general oversight of the areas of work outlined in Article II of this Constitution. b. The ministry to the Local Churches and ministers of the Association for their special individual needs. 5. Shall be a member of the staff of the Wisconsin Conference and accountable to the Conference Minister and the Board of Directors of the conference, in addition to the Association Executive Committee: a. Interpreting to the Association, its divisions and committees, and to the Local Churches and ministers, the programs, mission and ministries of the Wisconsin Conference and the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. b. Insuring communication and coordination among the ministries of the Association and the Wisconsin Conference. 6. Shall report regularly to the Executive Committee of the Association and the Wisconsin Conference Board of Directors and shall make annual reports to both the Association and the Conference. C. COMMITTEES 1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE a. It shall consist of six members nominated from the floor and elected by the Association for three-year terms, so that the terms of two members expire each year. b. In case of a vacancy occurring on the Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee shall make an appointment to fill the unexpired term. c. It shall nominate at least one person as candidate for each office and division or committee position to be filled. d. It shall nominate delegates and alternates to the General Synod as provided in accordance with Article X of the Bylaws of the Wisconsin Conference. No person is to be a delegate to more than two successive General Synods. e. Additional nominations to the Committee s slate maybe made from the floor of the Association. 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Last Amended April 4, 2016 8

405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 a. It shall consist of the officers of this Association, the Associate Conference Minister, the chairs of the standing divisions of this Association, the four members of the Conference Board of Directors, and four members-at-large elected for two-year terms so arranged that the terms of office for two expire each year. Members-atlarge may not serve more than three consecutive terms. The Moderator shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee. b. It represents the Association when the Association is not in session. c. It fills vacancies occurring in offices, divisions and committees between meetings of the Association. Any such appointee shall serve only until the next meeting of the Association, unless at this meeting that person is duly elected to that office. d. It shall be subject to call by the Moderator or Associate Conference Minister. e. It shall prepare and publish the agenda, determine the dates and places of meetings, and for those purposes may co-optenlist additional members who may be involved in such meetings. f. It shall be responsible for preparing the annual budget for presentation to the Association. g. Whenever the Conference shall have any board, commission, department or committee to which this Association shall be entitled to elect or appoint members, and no other provision has been made by the Association, the Executive Committee may appoint members thereto until the Association may otherwise determine. h. It shall coordinate the work of the Division, engage in long-term planning for the total work of the Association, and make recommendations to the Association. i. It shall designate a Personnel Committee of the Association. j. A Pastoral Relations Committee shall be appointed to support and advice the Associate Conference Minister. D. PROMOTIONAL DIVISIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION 1. PURPOSE: The Divisions of the Association shall seek out the concerns of the Local Churches within and beyond their doors, and develop means and solutions for these concerns, encouraging churches to work together to support the programs of the Association. They will assist in relating the work of the Local Church committees to the work of the correlating commissions of the Conference. 2. MEMBERSHIP a. Divisions shall consist of nine six elected persons, except for the Division of Church and Ministry which shall consist of twelve elected persons. The members of the Division shall elect a member of their Division as Chair at their first meeting following the annual election, for a term of one year. Last Amended April 4, 2016 9

455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 b. All Division members shall be elected by the Association for three-year terms and members shall be elected by classes so that the terms of one third of the members shall expire each year. c. Continuous service shall be limited to two terms. In case of Division Chairs, continuous service shall be limited to three one-year terms. d. Equitable representation of ordained clergyauthorized ministers and laity and of women and menand reflection of inclusivity of the diversity of the Association (e.g., race, gender, etc.) shall be encouraged. 3. REPORTS: Each Division and Committee shall present an annual report of its work to the Association. Each Division and Committee will also present a written report to the Executive Committee of the Association for its meetings. E. DIVISIONS AND COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION 1. THE DIVISION ON CHURCH AND MINISTRY shall, on behalf of the Association, be responsible for all decisions regarding ministerial standing. Procedures and standards for making these decisions will follow the current Manual on Ministrynational guidelines of the United Church of Christ and the Unified Fitness Review process as outlined by the Wisconsin Conference Commission on Ministry. Should a Fitness Review result in a decision to suspend or terminate ministerial standing, an appeal process may be requested to determine if oversight procedures were correctly followed. This appeal process is on file with the Division on Church and Ministry.. The Division on Church and Ministry shall also be concerned with boundary training, pastoral relations, professional standards, specialized ministries, church vocations, education for church-related vocations, aid for students in carecandidates for ministry of the Association, in-service training and the general relations of the ministers of the Association. It shall be concerned with the life of the congregations; and when so requested, it may give counsel to the congregations. 2. THE DIVISION ON MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH shall help congregations think and act creatively about local church ministry by offering connections, resources, and leadership. 3. THE DIVISION OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD shall: a. identify opportunities and provide information that encourages the Local Church to participate with the larger Church in mission in the world. b. cooperate with Local Churches and the Conference in securing support for Our Church s Wider Mission ( OCWM ). It shall educate Churches in understanding and practicing of principles of Christian stewardship. It shall assist Churches in their response to stewardship promotions programs of the ministries of the United Church of Christ. c. encourage Churches to address social issues by providing information and literature as grounded in the gospel and interpreted through the vision of the United Church of Christ. Last Amended April 4, 2016 10

506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 4. OTHER COMMITTEES. The Association or its Executive Committee shall establish special committees or task forces it may need to enable it to effectively perform its task. ARTICLE VI AMENDMENTS A. The Constitution of this Association may be amended at a duly called meeting by a twothirds vote of those present and voting, provided that such proposed amendment(s) shall have been: 1. Presented to the Association at the last previous regularly called meeting of the Association, signed by not less than five of the Local Churches composing the Association; or 2. Recommended to the Association by the Executive Committee, and a copy thereof mailed to each Local Church and minister of this Association not less than thirty days prior to the meeting to which action on the proposed amendment is to be taken. B. The Constitution of this Association may be amended by vote of the majority of the Executive Committee, provided the proposed amendments are strictly to realign the paragraph reference numbers to correlate with changed paragraph numbers in the Constitution and Bylaws of the national United Church of Christ. Any amendment for this purpose will be conveyed to the Association member Churches. Last Amended April 4, 2016 11