Resurrectin Lutheran Church Gvernance Plicy Manual
Table f Cntents I. RLC STRATEGIC FOCUS / DIRECTION... 4 A. RLC MISSION STATEMENT... 4 B. RLC VISION STATEMENT... 4 C. RLC CORE VALUE STATEMENTS... 5 1. GOD S GRACE... 5 2. BIBLICALLY BASED... 5 3. CHRIST-CENTERED WORSHIP... 5 4. SPIRITUAL GROWTH... 5 5. SERVANT MINDED... 5 6. OUTREACH FOCUSED... 5 7. CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS... 5 8. FAMILY ORIENTED... 5 II. GOVERNANCE PROCESS... 6 A. GOVERNANCE PHILOSOPHY... 6 1. SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES... 7 2. GROUP ACTION... 7 3. GOVERNANCE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW... 7 4. SENIOR PASTOR ACTIONS... 7 5. FISCAL POLICIES... 8 6. PERSONNEL POLICIES... 8 7. CALLING THE SENIOR PASTOR... 8 8. CALLING OF OTHER CALLED WORKERS... 9 9. OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL... 10 10. COMMITTEES OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL... 12 11. MEETINGS... 12 III. SENIOR PASTOR LIMITATIONS... 13 A. PRIMARY-LIMITATION... 13 B. STAFF AWARENESS... 13 C. COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL... 13 D. FINANCIAL... 14 E. ASSET PROTECTION... 15 F. OPERATIONAL STURCTURE... 15 G. CRITICAL TARGETS... 16 H. OPERATIONAL PATH... 16 I. CONGREGATIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN MINISTRY... 16 J. OPERATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN... 16 K. PERSONNEL... 16 L. COMPENSATION... 17 M. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES... 17 N. GIFTS AND BEQUESTS... 17 APPENDIX A: STANDING COMMITTEES... 18 A. LAY MINISTRY STANDING COMMITTEE... 19 B. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL COMMITTEE... 18 RLC Gvernance Manual 2
1. ROLE OF THE PRE-SCHOOL & COMMITTEE... 18 C. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN MUSIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE... 18 1. ROLE OF THE MUSIC SCHOOL & COMMITTEE... 18 D. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE... 18 1. ROLE OF THE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL BOARD... 18 RLC Gvernance Manual 3
Resurrectin Lutheran Church GOVERNANCE POLICY MANUAL I. RLC STRATEGIC FOCUS / DIRECTION A. RLC Missin Statement By grace thrugh faith in Christ we reach ut t all with His lve and build each ther up fr service. B. RLC Visin Statement Resurrectin Lutheran Church will strive t be A Grwing Christian Cmmunity Develping as Disciples Faithfully Innvative 1) Resurrectin Lutheran Church will be a grwing Christian cmmunity as the Lrd adds t His numbers thse being saved. Gathered by the Hly Spirit arund the Savir Jesus Christ, we wh are many and diverse will be used tgether as ne Bdy t reach ut t all peple with the lve f Christ thrugh acts f cmpassinate service and thrugh telling the Gd News f Jesus. As a peple saved by grace thrugh faith in Christ, we will be a welcming peple wh share that same message f grace with all peple s they t can receive Christ s acceptance. We will see the missin field ripe fr the harvest within ur wn regin f suthwest Wake Cunty and as far as the ends f the earth. We will dedicate all that we are in Christ and the resurces with which we have been entrusted t expand the lving rule f Gd. 2) Resurrectin Lutheran Church will be a cmmunity f Christians wh are develping as disciples f Christ, building ne anther up t be like Christ. As we celebrate the sacraments f Baptism and Cmmunin and hear the Gd News f Jesus prclaimed, we will be fed and nurished by Christ and receive His frgiveness thrugh faith fr eternal salvatin. By virtue f the Spirit s wrking thrugh these means f grace we will be shaped t walk thrugh life the way Jesus walked, using every aspect f ur lives t serve Gd by serving thse arund us. As we faithfully study Gd s Wrd and devte urselves t prayer, we will explre ur Gd-given gifts and be equipped t use them in impacting lives fr Jesus. As the Family f Gd we will supprt His design fr the Christian hme as families raise their children in the lve f the Lrd. As a cmmunity f faith with the presence f Jesus amng us, we will live ut ur Christian lives with ne anther in lving relatinships s that thers have a gd pinin abut ur gracius Gd. 3) Resurrectin Lutheran Church will be a faithfully innvative cngregatin, willing t try new ways and methds f ministry as we build upn the fundatin f ur cre Lutheran beliefs. As faithful servants f Christ, we will strive fr excellence in all that we d as we bring glry t Gd. As we grw in numbers and grw as disciples, we will share what we have learned with ther cngregatins and rganizatins t help further the kingdm f Gd. RLC Gvernance Manual 4
C. RLC Cre Value Statements 1. Gd s Grace We believe we have a relatinship with Gd nly by receiving His undeserved favr in Christ and we seek t share that same message f grace with all peple. 2. Biblically Based We believe the Bible is the inspired Wrd f Gd which draws us t Christ ur Savir and reveals t us hw t cnfess, teach and live the Christian life. 3. Christ-centered Wrship We believe Christ gives His gifts t us thrugh the spken, written and sacramental Wrd and we respnd with prayer, praise and thanksgiving. 4. Spiritual Grwth We believe Gd calls and equips us t grw as disciples f Christ. 5. Servant Minded We believe we have all received Gd-given gifts and are cmpelled by Christ s lve t serve Him by serving thers. 6. Outreach Fcused We believe we have a missin that lies utside urselves t share the gd news f Jesus with all peple thrugh actins and with wrds. 7. Christian Relatinships We believe the Church is a cmmunity f believers gathered by the Spirit t live ut ur faith in Christ with ne anther. 8. Family Oriented We believe the Church supprts the Christian hme as a key place fr nurturing the faith. RLC Gvernance Manual 5
II. GOVERNANCE PROCESS A. Gvernance Philsphy The Church Cuncil shall gvern with an emphasis n: Spiritual visin rather than internal preccupatin; Encuragement f diversity f viewpints; Strategic leadership mre than peratinal detail; Ends rather than means; Clear distinctin f Church Cuncil and Senir Pastr rles; Cllective rather than individual decisins; The future rather than the past r present; and Being practive rather than reactive. The Church Cuncil and the Ministry staff shall be respnsible fr excellence in gvernance. The Church Cuncil will nt merely react t staff initiatives but shall be the initiatr f gvernance plicies that help direct, cntrl and inspire the cngregatin. The Church Cuncil will nt use the expertise f individual Members t substitute fr the judgment f the Church Cuncil as a whle, althugh the expertise f the individual Members may be used t enhance the understanding f the Church Cuncil as a bdy. The verall respnsibility f the Church Cuncil is t prvide a strng, pwerful, and ethical pursuit f the cngregatin's missin. T that end, the Church Cuncil shall: Assure that an Investment Plicy, a Cnflict f Interest Plicy, and a Persnnel Plicy are established and fllwed. Ensure that the Strategic Fcus/Directin (Cre Values, Missin, Visin, Critical Targets and Strategic Gals) f the cngregatin is the driving frce fr all activities and related ministries. Review and update the Strategic Fcus/Directin annually. Establish Gvernance Plicies fr the Church Cuncil. Prvide versight f all cngregatinal activities by establishing and mnitring apprpriateness f and adherence t limitatins that guide the effrts f the Senir Pastr. Ensure that the plicy and financial decisins, including an annual budget based n input frm apprpriate functining ministries and the Senir Pastr, are executed in accrdance with the Cnstitutin and Bylaws f the cngregatin and verall financial health f the cngregatin. Cmmunicate regularly with the Cngregatin Members the pertinent activities f the Church Cuncil and remain pen t cmmunicatin frm the Members. Exercise particular cncern fr the spiritual and physical welfare f the Senir Pastr. Exercise cncern fr all staff, supprting them with prayer, and upn the request f the Senir Pastr, apprpriate cunsel. RLC Gvernance Manual 6
Oversee the Resurrectin Lutheran Church Endwment Fund/Legacy Fund, and apprve all uses f the endwment/legacy funds f the Church pursuant t the Bylaws. 1. Scpe f Activities All activities f the Church Cuncil, its fficers, cmmittee(s), Teams, r Members shall relate t the specific respnsibilities f the Church Cuncil as frmally adpted at Church Cuncil meetings. Church Cuncil Members are gverned by the fllwing principles: The Church Cuncil acts n behalf f the cngregatin in all matters delegated t it by the Cnstitutin and Bylaws r by actin f the cngregatin at a Vters' Meeting. The Church Cuncil will pass reslutins fr specific actins nly when thse actins are required by law, the Cnstitutin r Bylaws, r will affect nly the Church Cuncil. Unless the cngregatin requests, the Church Cuncil shall nt: Undertake capital campaigns f any amunt greater than 30% f the current year budget. Elect r remve Members f the Church Cuncil except as allwed in the Cnstitutin and Bylaws. Execute a merger r disslutin f the cngregatin. Execute a merger f disslutin f ne r mre f the Schl Ministries. Amend the Church's Cnstitutin r Bylaws except as allwed fr in said dcuments. Change the Visin Statement and Cre Values f the church. 2. Grup Actin The Church Cuncil shall exercise its gverning authrity as a whle. N individual Church Cuncil Member shall exercise such authrity except as instructed by the Church Cuncil. 3. Gvernance Plicy Develpment and Review The Church Cuncil's Gvernance Plicies are t be active and dynamic. They are meant t be changed and refined regularly, based n the intent f each sectin, the values f the Church Cuncil and the changing cntext within which the cngregatin functins. Any Church Cuncil Member, the Senir Pastr r Vting Members may ask fr a review f specific plicies. Hwever, the respnsibility fr effective and apprpriate gvernance plicy develpment nly rests with the Church Cuncil. The Church Cuncil shall establish an annual plicy review calendar t crdinate the review f every plicy at least nce a year. They will make every effrt t crdinate the calendar with the business cycles f the cngregatin, reviewing apprpriate gvernance plicies prir t management actins fr decisins. 4. Senir Pastr Actins All Church Cuncil decisins regarding actins f the Senir Pastr shall be dne thrugh plicy. Any actins taken r cntemplated by the Senir Pastr, r any which may be r have been apprved thrugh the Senir Pastr, will nly be cnsidered in light f the apprpriate gvernance plicies. RLC Gvernance Manual 7
The Church Cuncil will nly review plicies fr their sundness as a test f ethical and prudent behavir, and will nt dictate apprpriate actins except fr in regards t cmpliance with plicies. The Church Cuncil shall rewrite r generate new plicies when apprpriate. The Senir Pastr, in crdinatin with ther senir staff, shall develp and present t the Church Cuncil the Strategic Fcus/Directin and, in cnjunctin with the Church Cuncil, develp specific gals and actins. The Strategic Fcus/Directin shuld be reviewed annually by the Senir Pastr and Church Cuncil. The Senir Pastr is respnsible fr the day-t-day peratin f the Church and staff. The Senir Pastr will have strategic versight f any area that culd impact the Church s welfare, financial health, and directin. 5. Fiscal Plicies The Church Cuncil s fiscal respnsibility shall be as fllws: The Church Cuncil shall endeavr t avid adpting r presenting an unbalanced budget t the cngregatin. The church fiscal year shall run frm July 1 st thrugh June 30 th unless changed by Church Cuncil actin. 1 The Treasurer shall manage the fiscal affairs f the cngregatin and rganizatins f the church accrding t the respnsibilities utlined in the Treasurer s Psitin Descriptin, herein. Under the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary shall manage the fund accunting f the cngregatin accrding t the respnsibilities utlined in the Financial Secretary Psitin Descriptin, herein. The annual budget, when adpted by the Assembly f Cngregatinal Vters, is apprved fr expenditure beginning the first day f the church year, fllwing the apprval meeting. It is the respnsibility f the Treasurer and staff t manage expenditures within cash flw. Expenditures which exceed the adpted budget line item amunt are authrized, prvided there is a crrespnding under-spending in ther adpted budget line items. On a mnthly basis, the Cuncil shuld review differences between expenditures the budget, and take apprpriate steps as needed t maintain the integrity f the apprved budget. 6. Persnnel Plicies The Persnnel manuals f Resurrectin Lutheran Church, Resurrectin Lutheran Schl, and Resurrectin Lutheran Preschl cntain the persnnel plicies adpted by the Church Cuncil fr the apprpriate entities. All emplyees f the church wrk n an at will basis. 7. Calling the Senir Pastr The right f calling the Senir Pastr is vested in the cngregatin and will be dne thrugh a Cngregatin Vters Meeting; it shall nt be delegated t a smaller bdy r t an individual. In the case f a vacancy in the ffice f the Senir Pastr, the Church Cuncil shall appint a Call Cmmittee. The Call Cmmittee shall cnsist f tw Cuncil members, 1 The fiscal year running frm July-June ges int effect July 1, 2017. RLC Gvernance Manual 8
and as many at large members frm the cngregatin as the Call Cmmittee determines it needs. The Call Cmmittee shall: Establish a set f criteria fr the psitin in accrdance with the Operatins Manual, with special attentin t the leadership needs fr the cngregatin in accrdance with the Operatins Manual and this Gvernance Manual. Seek apprpriate assistance frm the President f the Sutheastern District r his representative; Call fr nminatins frm the cngregatin and the District President; Establish an interview and evaluatin prcess which includes telephne and, as needed, persnal interviews; Prvide a list f recmmended, qualified candidates t the Church Cuncil; Facilitate the interview prcess fr the list f candidates; Present t the Church Cuncil a summary f the interviews f each candidate; and Assist the Church Cuncil in bringing the recmmendatins f the Church Cuncil t the cngregatin in accrdance with Cnstitutin Article VI and Bylaws Article V. In the case f a vacancy in the ffice f the Senir Pastr, either by resignatin r ther reasn, the Church Cuncil may appint an Intentinal Interim Senir Pastr. The Interim Senir Pastr shall be gverned by the same plicies described in this dcument fr the Senir Pastr rle. Any additinal limitatins n an Interim Senir Pastr nt specified in this dcument shall be cmmunicated t the chsen Interim Senir Pastr in writing with a cpy f this manual alng with the agreed upn cmpensatin and any time cnstraints fr the interim psitin befre his tenure begins. Shuld service as the Interim Senir Pastr have an impact n an individual s eligibility fr cnsideratin as the fulltime Senir Pastr, this must als be shared. 8. Calling f ther called wrkers In the case where the Senir Pastr recmmends and the Church Cuncil agrees there is a need fr an additinal called wrker r a vacancy in the ffice f a called wrker, and where the annual ministry financial plan allws, the Church Cuncil shall establish a Call Cmmittee cnsisting f as many cngregatinal members as deemed necessary. The Call Cmmittee shall: Establish a set f criteria fr the psitin in accrdance with the Operatins Manual, with special attentin t the leadership needs fr the cngregatin in accrdance with the Operatins Manual and this Gvernance Manual. Seek apprpriate assistance frm the President f the Sutheastern District r his representative; this is nt necessary fr nn-called, hired wrkers; Cnsult with the Church Cuncil r Bard f Directrs as apprpriate fr the specific area f ministry where this called wrker will serve; this is nt necessary fr nncalled, hired wrkers; Call fr nminatins frm the cngregatin and the District President r thers at the District Office, when needed; RLC Gvernance Manual 9
Establish an interview and evaluatin prcess which includes telephne and, as needed, persnal interviews; Prvide a list f recmmended, qualified candidates t the Church Cuncil; Establish and facilitate the interview prcess fr the list f candidates apprved by the Church Cuncil; Ensure candidates apprved by the Church Cuncil engage in a persnal interview with the Senir Pastr and/r ther senir staff as deemed necessary and apprpriate by the Senir Pastr; Present t the Church Cuncil a summary f the interviews f each candidate; Be pen t cllquy and seminary/university placement fficials and their established prcesses; and Assist the Church Cuncil in bringing the recmmendatins f the Church Cuncil t the cngregatin in accrdance with Cnstitutin Article VI and Bylaws Article V. 9. Officers f the Church Cuncil Officers f the Church Cuncil shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Thse elected t these psitins will als serve as Officers f the cngregatin. The Church Cuncil shall elect its wn fficers at the meeting prir t the start f the new church fiscal year. An individual shall be eligible t serve as the Cngregatin President nly after serving ne full year f an elected term. a) Respnsibilities f Officers The Cngregatin President shall: Ensure the integrity f the Church Cuncil's prcess. Serve as an Officer f the Church Cuncil. Wrk with the Officers and Senir Pastr t establish the agenda fr all meetings f the Church Cuncil and Cngregatin Vters' Meetings. Preside at meetings f the Church Cuncil. T that end, the Cngregatin President will ensure that: Meeting discussins are n thse issues that accrding t Church Cuncil plicy, clearly belng t the Church Cuncil t decide r t mnitr; Discussins n infrmatin that is neither fr decisin r mnitring will be minimized r avided; and Deliberatins are fair, pen and thrugh, but als timely, rderly and kept t the pint. Initiate cunsel with any Member f the Church Cuncil wh vilates plicy, assuring that Article VIII f the Cnstitutin is fllwed. Take apprpriate actins, which may nt be stipulated, but are essential fr the thrugh management f the Church Cuncil's wrk s lng as thse actins are nt in vilatin f ther Church Cuncil plicies. RLC Gvernance Manual 10
Assume respnsibility fr verseeing the wrk f the Officers. Preside at meetings f the Cngregatin Vters Meetings. Determine, in cnsultatin with the Senir Pastr, wh shuld represent the cngregatin t the public r press shuld the need arise. Serve as a Legal Trustee f the cngregatin. The Cngregatin Vice-President shall: Serve as an Officer f the Church Cuncil. Preside at meetings f the Church Cuncil and the Cngregatin Vters Meeting when the Cngregatin President is absent r when requested t d s by the Cngregatin President. Initiate cunsel with the Cngregatin President shuld the Cngregatin President vilate plicy insuring that Article VIII f the Cnstitutin is fllwed. Serve as a Legal Trustee f the cngregatin. The Secretary shall: Serve as an Officer f the Church Cuncil. Maintain the minutes f all meetings f the Church Cuncil and the Cngregatin Vters Meeting and pst all minutes t the website r server as deemed apprpriate. Cnduct all fficial crrespndence f the Church Cuncil and the Cngregatin Vters Meeting. Be thrughly familiar with the cngregatin's Cnstitutin and Bylaws and serve as the primary resurce t the Church Cuncil and Cngregatin Vters Meeting fr questins cncerning the same. Maintain a current versin f the Gvernance Plicy Manual. Serve as a Legal Trustee f the cngregatin. The Treasurer shall: Serve as an Officer f the Church Cuncil. Chair the Finance Cmmittee which is cmpsed f the Chair, the financial secretary and the Senir Pastr. Serve as a resurce t the financial secretary t assure that the church's financial department cmplies with generally accepted accunting principles, reprts accurate financials, and maintains and fllws prper cntrls fr its accunting prcesses. Crdinate the reprting f mnthly financial results t the Church Cuncil. Be thrughly familiar with Resurrectin Lutheran Church s financial psitin (including the schls), financial results, and annual budget in rder t serve as a resurce t the Church Cuncil and Cngregatin Vters Meeting fr inquiries cncerning same. RLC Gvernance Manual 11
Separately r with his/her Finance Team shall develp written guidelines detailing the handling f cash and/r checks within the cngregatin. Serve as a Legal Trustee f the cngregatin. At the directin f the Cngregatin President r as requested by the Senir Pastr, Officers shall serve as Ex Offici, withut being a vting member, f any Ad Hc r Standing Cmmittee f the cngregatin. 10. Cmmittees f the Church Cuncil The Church Cuncil may frm time t time appint cmmittees which must be cnsistent with the fllwing principles: Cmmittee respnsibilities shall flw directly frm the Church Cuncil's descriptin f its jb. This descriptin shall be set frth in a frmal written charter with an apprpriate perid fr existence and shall nt impinge upn respnsibilities f the Senir Pastr. Cmmittees shall nt manage any part f the cngregatin, nr d staff s wrk, except when wrking n a tpic that is fully within the prvince f the Church Cuncil and has nt been delegated in any way t the Senir Pastr. The Church Cuncil will use the expertise f individual cmmittee members and cmmittees as a whle t enhance the understanding f the entire Church Cuncil. Cmmittee recmmendatins and expertise will never serve as an alternative t the judgment f the whle Church Cuncil. Except when empwered by the Church Cuncil, cmmittees shall have n executive r deciding authrity. At all ther times, they will strive t develp and recmmend plicy. Ad hc cmmittees will be listed in the Church Cuncil minutes. Standing cmmittees (i.e. Lay Ministers and their members) shall be listed alng with the Cmmittee Charters in the appendices f this Gvernance Plicy Manual. 11. Meetings All meetings held by Cuncil, Teams, Bards, Cmmittees, etc. shall be held in accrdance with parliamentary prcedure per Rbert s Rules f Order (Newly Revised), as f 2011 r later. a) Rules Fr Small Bards And Cmmittees The rules fr small bards and cmmittees apply t all cmmittees, regardless f size, bth standing and special. Members may seek recgnitin by raising a hand instead f rising. The small bard chairman, as well as any cmmittee chairman, may make mtins, speak in debate, and vte. Mtins t clse r limit debate are in rder in bard meetings, but nt in cmmittee meetings. b) Electrnic Meetings Fr regular Cuncil meetings, members nt able t attend in persn may participate electrnically (via phne r ther available methds). The Cuncil may prvide feedback n issues via email in between meetings, but may nt vte r make a mtin electrnically. RLC Gvernance Manual 12
III. SENIOR PASTOR LIMITATIONS A. PRIMARY-LIMITATION When representing the Cngregatin, the Senir Pastr and staff shall nt act in a manner that is unethical, imprudent, illegal, r incnsistent with the Cnstitutin, r Bylaws f Resurrectin Lutheran Church. B. STAFF AWARENESS The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t use the Senir Pastr Limitatins in the delegatin f respnsibilities t apprpriate staff. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t use the Senir Pastr Limitatins as a guide in the management and versight f all peratinal activity. Staff shall nt fail t familiarize themselves with the Senir Pastr Limitatins and wrk with the Senir Pastr and ther staff t ensure that all peratins fall within the Limitatins. C. COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL The Senir Pastr shall nt permit the Church Cuncil t be uninfrmed r unsupprted in its wrk. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t prvide written reprts fr all mnitring data at least ne week prir t the scheduled Church Cuncil meetings. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the Church Cuncil t be unaware f: Relevant trends that impact the ministry f the cngregatin. Nn-cmpliance, by Church Cuncil r staff, with any gvernance plicy. Anticipated adverse media cverage (Church Cuncil Members shuld be ntified within 24 hurs f Senir Pastr's awareness f cncern). Adverse media cverage includes but shall nt be limited t any reprt f abuse r sexual miscnduct alleged against any member f the staff r alleged vilatins f any state r federal law. Demtin r firing f staff (within 24 hurs f such actin). Hiring r prmtin f staff. Death r serius illness f staff. Crisis affecting the wrk, health, r safety f staff. Ptential lawsuits against the cngregatin. Situatins that affect the financial plan by 3% r greater. Changes in the assumptins n which any Church Cuncil plicy has been established. Syndical and District directins and recmmendatins. Cnditins that culd have a negative impact n a majr ministry prgram r reputatin f the cngregatin. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t prvide the Church Cuncil with additinal infrmatin and ideas the Church Cuncil desires in rder t make infrmed gvernance decisins. RLC Gvernance Manual 13
D. FINANCIAL The Senir Pastr shall nt, thrugh versight, delegatin r direct actin, cause r allw an Annual Ministry Budget which: Develps a fiscal year budget less than 45 days prir t beginning f the fiscal year, thus nt prviding the Finance Team and Church Cuncil adequate time t review and apprve. Is built n anything ther than an peratinal path that mves the cngregatin frward with regard t its Strategic Fcus/Directin. Is built n unsund assumptins abut financial cnditins. Financial cnditins are defined as prjected earnings/cntributins, peratin csts, ther incme/expenses, and transfers frm investment incme. Plans the expenditure in any fiscal year f mre funds than are reasnably prjected t be received in that perid. Allws an unsund financial cnditin that jepardizes the achievement f the Strategic Fcus/Directin. Endangers the fiscal sundness f future years r ignres the building f cngregatinal capability sufficient t achieve the Strategic Fcus/Directin in future years. Fails t prvide a line item fr thse related csts which Church Cuncil may use fr its wn training, wrk, and develpment as needed t perate as an effective bard. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw expenditures that exceed by mre than 3% the amunt budgeted fr any ministry area withut pre-apprval by the Church Cuncil, unless the expenses are beynd the cntrl f the Senir Pastr (e.g. utility bills, etc.). The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t settle payrll and debts in a timely manner thrugh delegatin r versight. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the use f any planned giving receipts that deviates frm the written Planned Giving Gifts Guidelines. Cntributins t designated funds are restricted cntributins and the cash cannt be cmmingled with peratin cash r used fr perating needs. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw financial activities r financial reprting t deviate frm general accepted accunting principles (GAAP) as established by the Financial Accunting Standards Bard (FASB) and the American Institute f Certified Public Accuntants (AICPA) except fr situatins that are recgnized and apprved by the Finance Team and Church Cuncil. It shuld be understd that Resurrectin Lutheran Church, as a "nt fr prfit" may deviate frm GAAP in certain situatins. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the investment f any financial assets that deviates frm the written Investment Plicy. The Senir Pastr shall nt brrw funds fr wrking capital in an amunt greater than $25,000 withut the apprval f the Finance Team and Church Cuncil. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the cngregatin t carry shrt-term debt fr lnger than 60 (sixty) cnsecutive mnths. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw staff t expend any amunt in excess f 5% ver a budgeted line item withut first receiving apprval f their supervisrs. RLC Gvernance Manual 14
The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the handling f cash r checks within the cngregatin that des nt cmply with written guidelines detailing such activity. The Senir Pastr shall nt carry ut his respnsibilities fr financial versight withut cnsulting with the Treasurer and the Finance Team. E. ASSET PROTECTION The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t insure against theft and casualty lsses t at least 80% replacement value and against liability lsses t Church Cuncil Members, staff and the cngregatin itself in an amunt greater than the average fr cmparable cngregatins. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw untrustwrthy r nn-authrized persnnel access t material amunts f funds. The Senir Pastr shall nt disregard r fail t establish and enfrce plicies regarding handling f cash receipts as identified in the Investment Plicy. The Senir Pastr shall nt disregard r fail t establish and enfrce plicies regarding cash disbursements. The Senir Pastr shall nt subject the plant, grunds, and equipment t imprper wear and tear r insufficient maintenance. Financial results permitting, he shuld maintain a cntingency fund in the balance sheet fr such maintenance and repairs. The Senir Pastr shall nt disregard r fail t establish and enfrce plicies which prtect the physical maintenance and security f the building. The Senir Pastr shall nt unnecessarily expse the cngregatin, the Church Cuncil r staff t claims f liability. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t prtect intellectual prperty, infrmatin, and files frm lss r significant damage. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw any purchase ver $1,000 withut btaining cmparative prices and quality assessment. The Senir Pastr shall nt receive, pssess r distribute funds under cntrls that are insufficient t meet the Church Cuncil-appinted auditr's r reviewer's standards. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the investment r hlding f perating capital in insecure instruments; all accunts shuld be held in FDIC insured instruments. Accunts shuld be established t maximize interest incme and expsed t minimal investment risk. Equity related (stck and mutual funds) investment shuld be avided as they can be vlatile investments. Stck cntributins frm Resurrectin Members are t be sld within tw weeks f receipt. The Senir Pastr shall nt endanger the cngregatin's public image r credibility, particularly in ways that wuld hinder the accmplishment f its missin. F. OPERATIONAL STURCTURE The Senir Pastr shall nt allw a structure that has a neutral r negative effect n the Strategic Fcus/Directin f the cngregatin. The Senir Pastr shall nt perate withut a written plan fr shrt-term emergency successin. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t infrm all individual f their respnsibilities within the plan fr shrt-term emergency successin. RLC Gvernance Manual 15
G. CRITICAL TARGETS Review f the Critical Targets shuld be based n a lng-range utlk study. The Senir Pastr shall nt develp a lng-range utlk study that fails t address the Strategic Fcus/Directin. The Senir Pastr shall nt develp a lng-range utlk study that fails t cnsider and identify the changes in the climate and cnditins that affect the cngregatin. H. OPERATIONAL PATH The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the develpment f an Operatinal path that fails t align with the Strategic Fcus/Directin. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw any staff t create an Operatinal path that has a neutral r negative impact n the grwth and/r develpment f the ministries f the cngregatin. The Senir Pastr shall nt prvide the staff an Annual Ministry Budget withut previewing and reviewing its Operatinal path. I. CONGREGATIONAL INVOLVEMENT IN MINISTRY The Senir Pastr shall nt allw prgrams and ther services that d nt cntribute t the achievement f the cngregatin s Strategic Fcus/Directin. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw staff and vlunteers t cnduct their ministries withut a cmmitment t the priesthd f all believers and thus the training and utilizatin f lay members f the cngregatin in their respective ministry areas. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t engage with the Church Cuncil at least annually r as requested by the Church Cuncil fr cnversatin and edificatin. J. OPERATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the cngregatin t perate withut a detailed written Reductin in Frce Plan. K. PERSONNEL The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the cngregatin t perate withut effective, established Operatinal Plicies which, with regard t persnnel, clarify persnnel rules, prvide fr the effective handling f grievances, prvide fr evaluatin prcedures, and prtect against wrngful cnditins, such as neptism and grssly preferential treatment fr persnal reasns. Persnnel Plicies within the Operatinal Plicies shall nt: Deviate frm lcal, state and federal law and regulatins with regard t the ethical treatment f emplyees. Be in cnflict with the effective day-t-day peratin f the cngregatin. Fail t have Church Cuncil establish an effective, written Cnflict f Interest Plicy fr the thrugh prcedural safeguards. Impair the dignity, safety, and right t ethical jb-related dissent f all emplyees. Grievances by emplyees shall receive fair, internal hearing thrugh prcedural safeguards. The Senir Pastr shall nt prmise r imply permanent r guaranteed emplyment. RLC Gvernance Manual 16
The Senir Pastr shall nt allw ministry psitins t be undefined r psitin descriptins that inaccurately reflect the respnsibility and tasks assigned t the psitin. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw psitins t exist where there are inadequate resurces available fr a qualified persn assigned the psitin t succeed. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the Senir Pastr's psitin descriptin t assume authrity that is clearly delegated t sme ther entity r persn. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t cnduct annual written staff perfrmance appraisals and share the results with the apprpriate staff member. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t prvide t the staff the instrument being used fr the written evaluatin. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t prvide the Church Cuncil a summary f Directr/Manager/Supervisr-level staff evaluatins. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t infrm the staff f the prcess being used t make decisins except t maintain the persnal privacy f thse being served r as required by law r this Gvernance Plicy Manual. The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t acquaint staff with their rights under the Operatinal Plicies. L. COMPENSATION The Senir Pastr shall nt allw cmpensatin that des nt fall, at least, within the District Salary Guidelines r is cmpetitive in the greater lcal area, unless under Crisis Management mde. The Senir Pastr shall nt establish cmpensatin and benefits that are incnsistent amng staff members ensuring internal equity. The Senir Pastr shall nt, withut justificatin, allw cmpensatin that deviates materially frm the gegraphic r prfessinal market skills fr the called r emplyed wrkers. The Senir Pastr shall nt change his wn cmpensatin and benefits. M. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES The Senir Pastr shall nt fail t explre and, as apprpriate, establish strategic alliances that d nt run cunter t the Resurrectin Lutheran Church s Cnstitutin, Bylaws, and cre values. N. GIFTS AND BEQUESTS The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the cngregatin t perate withut a plan t prmte and receive gifts and bequests fr the cngregatin. The Senir Pastr shall nt permit the cngregatin t accept gifts and bequests that run cunter t the cngregatin's cre values and plicies and that have a neutral r negative effect n the Strategic Fcus/Directin r that vilate the cngregatin's 501-c(3) nt-fr-prfit status. The Senir Pastr shall nt allw the cngregatin t accept gifts and bequests that are t restrictive. RLC Gvernance Manual 17
APPENDIX A: STANDING COMMITTEES A. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL 1. Rle/Objectives f the Preschl T build a fundatin f understanding that Jesus Christ is ur Lrd and Savir -- thrugh Chapel and a living-learning envirnment T ffer pprtunities and activities t help each child develp a healthy selfcncept, which includes accepting his/her abilities and Gd-given talents; thus, fulfilling each child s individual needs (spiritual, emtinal, psychlgical, intellectual, and physical). T fster the develpment f psitive scial skills thrugh participatin in small and large grup activities. T braden each child s aptitude fr future learning. T prvide a lving envirnment, enabling each child t trust his/her teachers and becme mre secure away frm hme. 2. Charter f the Preschl Children will be prvided with pprtunities and experiences that will enrich, expand, and develp their ever-increasing accumulatin f knwledge in a lving Christian atmsphere. B. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN MUSIC SCHOOL 1. Rle/Objectives f the Music Schl Care and music educatin f Schl children Music develpment in children Spiritual grwth thrugh music Outreach t the cmmunity 2. Charter f the Music Schl A Cmmunity Ministry f Resurrectin Lutheran Schl: Resurrectin Music Schl is a cmmunity utreach prgram f Resurrectin Lutheran Church. It seeks t help students f all ages develp their talents in a variety f musical experiences, including lessns, classes, wrkshps, and perfrmance pprtunities. C. RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL 1. Rle/Objectives f the Schl T perate an effective Lutheran Schl which will prvide Christ-driven educatin based n the dctrine f the Lutheran Church, Missuri Synd (LCMS). 2. T prvide a building, equipment, materials, administrative staff, teaching staff, and supprt persnnel necessary fr the peratin f the Schl. T knw in detail at all times the financial status f the Schl. T establish and maintain plicies fr all peratins f the Schl which will maintain a wrking balance with the respnsibilities f the Schl Principal t administer and develp prper regulatins. RLC Gvernance Manual 18
T be answerable t the student and his/her parents/guardians, as well as the cngregatin f RLC, n all Schl matters (nt held in clsed sessin), including financial, educatinal, peratinal, and curricular. T knw the educatinal and religius aims and bjectives f the Schl. T wrk harmniusly with ther Bard members and t act and vte impartially fr the gd f the Schl. T represent the Schl in such a way as t prmte respect and supprt fr the Schl and its prgrams. T be representative f the cngregatin at RLC and help uphld their pinins as a majrity. 2. Charter f the Schl T carry ut the missin given by Resurrectin Lutheran Church (RLC) in assuring that the Schl will prvide a Christ-centered educatinal experience based in the dctrine f the Lutheran Church, Missuri Synd (LCMS) that fcuses n challenging academics fr each student. D. LAY MINISTRY STANDING COMMITTEE 1. Rle/Objectives f the Lay Ministry Cmmittee The Lay Ministry Cmmittee s bjectives are t supprt the spiritual welfare f the Pastrs, staff and cngregatin members, individually and crprately, and t assist in the supervisin f everything pertaining t cngregatinal wrship. 2. Charter f the Lay Ministry Cmmittee The Lay Ministry Cmmittee is respnsible fr helping t strive fr excellence in wrship services by establishing and verseeing wrship service teams. E. FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE 1. Rle/Objectives f the Finance Cmmittee The Finance Cmmittee is respnsible fr administering all financial respnsibilities f the church including (but nt limited t): reprting mnthly financial results, develping the annual budget, ensuring cmpliance with GAAP, scheduling cunters fr services, dcumenting and depsiting weekly receipts, maintaining membership and giving recrds, and disbursements. RLC Gvernance Manual 19