CONSTITUTION

Article II – Confession of Faith
1. The Bible, including both Old and New Testaments as originally given, is the
verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God and is free from error in the
whole and in the part, and is therefore the final authoritative guide for faith
and conduct.
2. There is one God eternally existent in three distinct persons in one divine
essence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. God the Father has revealed Himself as the Creator and preserver of the
universe, to Whom the entire creation and all creatures are subject.
4. God created Adam and Eve in His image to live in fellowship with Him.
They fell into sin through the temptation of Satan and thereby lost fellowship
with God. Through their disobedience the entire human race became totally
depraved, that is, self-centered sinners who oppose God, and who by nature
are unable to trust, fear or love Him. They are subject to the devil, and are
condemned to death under the eternal wrath of God.
5. Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son, is the image of the invisible God. To
accomplish our redemption, He became fully human, being conceived of the
Holy Spirit and born of Virgin Mary. Jesus Christ, who is true God and true
man, by His perfect obedience and substitutionary death on the cross, has
purchased our redemption. He arose from the dead for our justification in the
body in which He was crucified. He ascended into heaven, where He is now
seated at the right hand of God, the Father, as our interceding High Priest. He
will come a second time personally, bodily, and visibly to gather the believers
unto Himself and to establish His millennial kingdom. He will judge the
living and the dead and make an eternal separation between believers and
unbelievers. His kingdom shall have no end.
6. The Holy Spirit is a divine person eternally one with the Father and with the
Son. Through the Word of God He convicts people of sin, persuades them to
confess their sinfulness to God and calls them to faith through the Gospel. He
regenerates, sanctifies, and preserves believers in the one true faith. He
comforts, guides, equips, directs, and empowers the church to fulfill the great
commission.
7. The knowledge and benefit of Christ’s redemption from sin is brought to the
human race through the means of grace, namely the Word and the sacraments.
a. Through the Word of the Law God brings sinners to know their lost
condition and to repent. Through the Word of the Gospel He brings
sinners to believe in Jesus Christ, to be justified, to enter the process of
sanctification, and to have eternal life. This occurs as the Holy Spirit
awakens them to see their sin, convicts them of their guilt of sin, and
calls them to repent and believe, inviting and enabling them to accept
God’s grace in Christ. Each one who thus believes is instantly
forgiven and credited with Christ’s righteousness. The Word then
teaches and guides the believer to lead a godly life.
b. In the Sacrament of Baptism, God offers the benefits of Christ’s
redemption to all people and graciously bestows the washing of
regeneration and newness of life to all who believe. God calls the
baptized person to live in daily repentance, that is, in sorrow for sin, in
turning from sin, and in personal faith in the forgiveness of sin
obtained by Christ. By grace we are daily given the power to
overcome sinful desires and live a new life in Christ. Those who do
not continue to live in God’s grace need to be brought again to
repentance and faith through the Law and Gospel.
Because the sinfulness of human nature passes on from generation to
generation and the promise of God’s grace includes little children, we
baptize infants, who become members of Christ’s believing church
through baptism. These children need to come to know that they are
sinners with a sinful nature that opposes God. Through the work of
the Holy Spirit, they need to confess their sinfulness and yield to God;
and possess for themselves forgiveness of their sin through Jesus
Christ, as they are led from the faith received in infant baptism into a
clear conscious personal faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior and
being assured of salvation, rely solely on the finished work of Christ,
and the power of the Gospel to live as children of God.
c. In the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Christ gives to the
communicants His body and blood in, with, and under the bread and
wine. He declares the forgiveness of sin to all believers, and
strengthens their faith.
8. Eternal salvation is available to every living human being on earth by God’s
grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. This salvation consists of an
instantaneous aspect and an ongoing, continual aspect.
a. Justification is God’s gracious act by which He, for Christ’s sake,
instantaneously acquits repentant and believing sinners and credits
them with Christ’s righteousness. At that moment, God gives each
one who believes a new and godly nature and the Holy Spirit begins
the process of sanctification. There is no place for human effort in
justification.
b. Sanctification is God’s gracious, continual work of spiritual renewal
and growth in the life of every justified person. Through the means of
grace, the Holy Spirit works to reproduce the character of Christ
within the lives of all believers, instructing and urging them to live out
their new nature. The Holy Spirit enables believers more and more to
resist the devil, to overcome the world, and to count themselves dead
to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit produces
spiritual fruit and bestows spiritual gifts upon all believers. He calls,
empowers and equips them to serve God in the home, in the
community, and as part of the Church Universal. The process of
sanctification will be complete only when the believer reaches glory.
9. The Church Universal consists of all those who truly believe on Jesus Christ
as Savior. The local congregation is an assembly of believers in a certain
locality among whom the Gospel is purely taught and the sacraments are
rightly administered. The confessing membership of the local congregation
shall include only those who have been baptized into “the name of the Father,
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” confess personal faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, maintain a good reputation in the community and accept the
constitution of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. It cannot, however, be
avoided that hypocrites might be mixed in the congregation; that is, those
whose unbelief is not evident to the congregation.
10. The Church of the Lutheran Brethren practices the congregational form of
church government and the autonomy of the local congregations. The office
of pastor and elder is to be filled by men only. The synodical administration
has an advisory function as it relates to the congregation, and an
administrative function as it relates to the cooperative efforts of the
congregations.
11. The Lutheran confessions are a summary of Bible doctrines. We adhere to the
following confessional writings: The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene and Athanasian
Creeds, unaltered Augsburg Confession, and Luther’s Small Catechism.

Article III – Synodical Affiliation
This congregation shall be a member of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America.
We practice the congregational form of church government, and the autonomy of the
local church. The synod has an advisory function rather than a ruling function. Its power
to rule extends to the cooperative efforts of the congregations of the synod (Lutheran
Brethren Schools, Home Missions, World Missions, etc…) and not to the local
congregations.

Article IV – Mission Statement
In harmony with Matthew 28:18-20
A. The mission of this congregation shall be to win souls for Christ and to strengthen
the believers by preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments and
the exercise of the gifts of grace. It is also our purpose to cooperate with the other
congregations of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren in the ventures of faith that
God gives to us at home and abroad. The congregation may also support other
endeavors which are in harmony with its principles and practices as it is enabled
to do so.
Therefore, within the environment of loving commitment to one another, we purpose
to:
-Share the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ wherever possible.
-Invite people to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
-Disciple them by:
stabling them in faith
encouraging obedience to the Lord in daily living
training them to share their faith
equipping them to establish others in the faith
responding with compassion to the needs of all people
-Emphasize the importance of personal and corporate worship.

Article V – Congregational Management
1. Definition
A Lutheran Brethren congregation is an assembly of believing
Christians in a certain locality, among whom the Word of God
is preached in harmony with the fundamental doctrines of the
Lutheran faith as expressed in the confessional writings of the
Lutheran Church and the sacraments are administered in
accordance with the Lord’s institution.
Remark: It cannot be denied that false Christians might be
found in the congregation: that is, those whose true
spiritual state is not manifest or provable to men. “The
secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things
that are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever,
that we may do all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29
2. Congregational Membership
According to the Scriptures and our Lutheran confessions
the Church is made up only of regenerated person.
Therefore, the local congregation shall conform
to the scriptures in that its membership be made up only of those
who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and whose testimony
and life confirm that confession.
Since it also the will of God, according to Scripture, that
the Church of Christ shall appear in the world as an externally
visible organization, it becomes necessary for individual believers
in every locality to unite themselves into assemblies, or congregations,
in order thereby more effectually to discharge their duties, to with: inwardly
by the chastening, guiding, and sanctifying power of the congregation to
effect its own preservation and growth, and outwardly by its quickening and
dissemination activity to fulfill its mission as the light and salt of the world.
3. Church Leadership
Christ is the Head of the Church. Through His Spirit He guides the Church
by His Word. According to His Word, He bestows upon the Church gifts of
grace necessary for the effectual performance of its various ministrations.
Among these ministrations we especially emphasize the office of the pastor,
the teaching and governing elders, evangelists, teachers and deacons. (Acts
14: 23; 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5; I Peter 5:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5: 12, 13;
Ephesians 4: 11; II Timothy 4: 5; Acts 6: 2-6; Philippians 1:1). Pastors and
elders continue to serve as long as the congregation finds it practicable.
Elders of our congregations who because of ill health or advanced age are
unable to fulfill the functions of their office may retire, but they continue to
serve the church as they have opportunity.

Article VI
A. Christ is the Head of the Church.
Matthew 16: 16-19, Ephesians 1: 22-23, 5: 23, Colossians 1: 18.
Through the Holy Spirit Christ guides the Church by the Scriptures, and
He bestows upon the Church the gifts of grace for the enablement of His people to
fulfill His mission on earth. (Romans 12: 1-21, I Corinthians 12: 1-31, Ephesians 4:
11-16, I Timothy 3: 1-7, Titus 1:5-9).
B. Pastor.
For the office of pastor, the congregation shall call a man who is a Christian who
accepts the Constitution of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, and is listed on the
Church of the Lutheran Brethren Clergy roster or has been approved by the Synodical
council, pending formal listing on the clergy roster.
The pastor’s primary calling is to evangelize the lost, disciple and shepherd the
believers. He does this through example, prayer, preaching and teaching the Word,
administering the sacraments, and doing the work of an evangelist.
The pastor shall coordinate the development and implementations of the design for
penetrating the mission area, and be personally engaged in the penetration of the
establish community located within the target area, and conduct his mission in such a
manner as to model the urgency of the shortness of time and the importance of
bringing lost souls into an encounter with the Living Christ.
The pastor/s and elders shall be considered the spiritual overseers of the congregation.
The pastor/s and elders, as the key ministry team, shall direct all ministries in
fulfilling the mission statement of the congregation.
The pastor/s shall be accountable to the other members of the Board of Elders for his/
their conduct and actions.
C. Board of Elders
The Board of Elders shall be composed of the called pastor/s of the congregation and
the elders who have been elected by the congregation to this office. To this board the
congregations commits its spiritual direction and well-being.
1. Election
The pastor/s of the congregation shall be approved for call by the process described in
the by-laws of this constitution.
Elders shall be nominated by the Board of Elders and elected by the congregation.
Elders are elected to serve for as long as the congregation and the elder finds it
practicable. Every three years the service of the elder shall be reviewed by the
congregation at its annual meeting. An elder shall service for three years and receive
the congregation’s vote of confidence for an additional three years of service before
he may be ordained as an elder.
As a congregation grows there may be more men qualified to be elder than can serve
on the board at one time. Therefore, when needed, a rotation system may be
instituted to enable the use of these gifted men in this office.
2. Qualifications.
For the office of elder, the congregation shall choose men who have the spiritual
qualifications and abilities as designated in the Scriptures and are recognized by the
congregation as men of faith, integrity and maturity. 1 Timothy 3: 1-7, Titus 1: 5-9
and 1 Peter 5: 1-3 state the spiritual qualifications of an elder.
3. Function.
The elders shall support the pastor, watch over the spiritual condition of the
congregation, and insure that the work is done in accordance with the Word of God.
Elections and other matters of primary importance shall be considered by the Board
of Elders before being brought to the business meeting of the congregation for
discussion and final decision.
When the Board of Elders needs to consider matters which pertain to the temporal
affairs of the church, the Board of Deacons and/or the Board of Trustees may
participate in the meeting with the privilege of discussion and voting.
The Board of Elders shall function as the key ministry team of the congregation.
With the exception of the congregational annual meeting, all other committees of the
congregation shall be accountable to the Board of Elders.
The elders, as members of the congregation’s key ministry team, shall assist the
pastor/s in fulfilling the mission statement of the congregation in any and all spiritual
matters including but not limited to preaching, teaching, planning, administering,
disciplining, visitation, administering the sacraments, catechism instruction, etc.
In implementing the mission of the congregation, the Board of Elders shall formulate
appropriate ministry and financial policies, subject to the approval of the
congregation.
The Board of Elders shall be represented on the Nominating Committee of the
church.
The Board of Elders shall interview applicants for membership and make
recommendations to the congregation for acceptance at a congregational meeting.
The Board of Elders is responsible for church discipline in accordance with the Word
of God. Matthew 18: 15-17, 1 Corinthians 5: 1-5, 1 Timothy 5: 20. It has the
authority on behalf of the congregation to exclude a member from the Lord’s Supper.
It may recommend to the congregation a member’s loss of the privilege to vote in
congregational matters. It has the responsibility to recommend a member’s
excommunication by the congregation, and it also has the responsibility to initiate
procedures for reinstatement of those disciplined. Members who are re-instated are
welcomed with the following passages of Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2: 6-11, James 5:
16, Psalm 32: 5, John 20: 23.
As the elected representatives of the congregation, the Board of Elders will act for the
church in all matters pertaining to the spiritual and temporal affairs of the
congregation. They may delegate as appropriate business or ministry functions to the
Trustee Committee, Christian Education Committee, and other ministry committees
as may from time to time be created by the congregation. No organization under the
jurisdiction of the congregation shall organize or disband without the approval of the
Board of Elders.
The Board of Elders shall establish the Call Committee.
The elders shall be mutually accountable to all other members of the Board of Elders
(pastor/s and elders) for their conduct and actions.
The Board of Elders is responsible for such other duties and responsibilities as
defined in the by-laws.
D. Chairman
The congregation shall elect a chairman of the congregation each year at the annual
meeting of the congregation. The chairman shall be a member of the Board of Elders.
He shall, in consultation with the pastor, determine the agendas for congregational
meetings and shall lead all business meetings of the congregation.
E. Vice Chairman
The congregation shall elect a vice chairman of the Congregation each year at the
annual meeting. The vice chairman shall be a member of the Board of Elders or
Trustee Committee. He shall have the same qualifications as the chairman, and shall
assume the chairmanship either upon the request of the chairman, or in the chairman’s
absence.
F. Secretary
The congregation shall elect a secretary of the congregation each year at the annual
meeting. He/She shall keep accurate minutes of the transactions and decisions made
at the business meetings of the congregation, care for its correspondence and provide
and record minutes at each business meeting.
G. Treasurer
The congregation shall elect a treasurer of the congregation each year at the annual
meeting. He/She shall keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements of
the congregation on file in the congregation’s office. He/She shall keep an accurate
counting, recording, and depositing of all receipts of the congregation in a local
financial institution. The treasurer will pay all bills authorized by a congregational
business meeting or by the Trustee Committee. Regular reports will be shared with
the Board of Elders, and at congregational business meetings.

Article VII – Congregational Planning Committee
The congregation shall establish a congregational planning committee composed of
the members of the Board of Elders, the officers of the congregation, and the
chairpersons of the ministry committees. The congregational chairman shall serve as
the chairman of this committee. The planning committee shall bring together and
coordinate the ministry plans of all committees including the budgetary requests for
the next fiscal year as its recommendations to the Board of Elders for congregational
approval at the annual meeting.

Article VIII – Ministry Committees
The congregation shall provide for the establishment of a Trustee Committee and a
Christian Education Committee; and such other committees as may be required to
faithfully carry out the mission of the congregation such as a Discipleship Committee,
Church Growth Committee, Community Action Committee, Evangelism Committee,
Youth Committee, Deacon and Deaconess Committee, Usher Committee, Nursery
Committee, Building Committee, etc. All committees shall contribute to the harmony
and development of the whole congregation. They shall be under the general
supervision of the Board of Elders and will submit a written summary of all their
meetings and plans to the Board of Elders. Each committee will annually submit an
itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures if needed for the coming year to
the Congregational Planning committee. Each committee will consist of at least three
persons elected by the congregation for a term of two years. Descriptions of
responsibilities of the committees are included in the by-laws of this constitution.

Article IX – Membership
Classification of Members
Members of the congregation shall be classified as follows:
A. Confessing members.
Confessing members shall have been baptized into “the name
of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” confess personal faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ, maintain a good reputation in the community and
accept this constitution. We affirm that the local has no Biblical authority
to have members other than those whose life and testimony reveal that
they have experienced the “new birth.” All requests for confessing
membership are made to the Board of Elders which recommends
candidates to the congregation. After being accepted by vote of the
congregation, new members shall be welcomed at a public worship
service.
Baptized children of the congregation who have become confessing
Christians may request membership when they reach
confirmation age. Only confessing members of the congregation who
have reached age 18 may vote at the congregational meetings. They shall
not have membership in any secret society or other organization which in
its official statements or rites assert that the individuals are reconciled to God
outside of Jesus Christ and His atonement.
A member who does not for a period of one year, partake of Holy Communion and/or support the church with her/his offerings, shall be contacted by the pastor and/or elders and encouraged to actively participate in the life of the congregation. If, during the second year, the member does not actively participate, her/his name shall be removed from the membership roster of the congregation but be retained on an inactive list as one who is in special need of the congregation’s prayer and concern. An inactive member could restore membership by request, contingent upon approval by the board of elders.
B. Baptized children of the congregation.
Children baptized in the congregation and all baptized children of
confessing members shall be designated baptized children of the
congregation. This status continues until they reach the voting age
determined by the congregation, or are accepted as confessing members of
the congregation, whichever occurs first. Those not requesting adult
membership shall become parishioners.

Article X – Parishioners
Baptized children of the congregation become parishioners upon reaching voting age if
they have not been received as confessing members. In addition, the Board of Elders
may include as parishioners those who wish to call this their congregational home. The
Board of Elders may also remove the names of parishioners when they deem necessary or
advisable.

Article XI – Property
All property of the congregation shall be deeded to the congregation itself and held in its
corporate name. No property of the congregation shall be sold, leased or mortgaged or
otherwise disposed of without the same having first been approved by a 2/3 vote of the
members of the congregation who are in attendance at a regular business meeting or
special business meeting of the congregation, which has been called for the specific
consideration of the proposal. The secretary of the congregation and the chairman of the
congregation shall certify in such conveyance, lease, or mortgage, that the same has been
dully authorized and approved by the congregation.

Article XII – Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the congregational corporation or the winding down of its affairs, the
assets of the corporation shall be distributed exclusively to an organization(s) which
qualifies under the provisions of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its
regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended, and in accordance
with the following provision:
if a division should ever occur in this congregation, which God forbid, its
properties and assets shall belong to that part of the congregation which abides by
this constitution and remains faithful to the Statement of Faith as expressed in
Article II – CONFESSION OF FAITH, whether that part be in the majority or
minority. In the event that this congregation is dissolved, the property shall be
deeded over to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America. This paragraph
is unalterable.

Article XIII – Amendments
A. This constitution may be amended at an annual meeting of the congregation,
provided:
1. The amendment does not conflict with Article II, CONFESSION OF
FAITH, OR ARTICLE IV, MISSION STATEMENT.
2. The amendment is first affirmed by a majority of the Board of Elders.
Any confessing member of voting age may propose amendments to the
constitution. They must be submitted in writing to the Board of Elders not
less than thirty (30) days prior to a congregational annual meeting. If the
elders disapprove, a member can still have his/her proposal read before the
congregational annual meeting, provided he/she submits a petition signed
by no less than 10 voting members to the Board of Elders, meeting the
time requirements above.
3. A constitutional amendment must be read at a previous congregational
annual meeting before considering it for adoption.
B. The by-laws of this constitution may be amended, provided:
1. The amendment does not conflict with Article II, CONFESSION OF
FAITH, OR ARTICLE IV, MISSION STATEMENT.
2. The amendment is first affirmed by a majority of the Board of Elders.
Any confessing member of voting age may propose amendments to the
by-laws of the constitution. They must be submitted in writing to the
Board of Elders not less than thirty (30) days prior to a congregational
annual meeting. If the elders disapprove, a member can still have his/her
proposal read before the congregational annual meeting, provided he/she
submits a petition signed by no less than 10 voting members to the Board
of Elders, meeting the time requirements above.
3. The amendment must be read either at a previous quarterly meeting or
annual meeting.
4. The amendment is approved by a two thirds 2/3 vote of the congregation
at its duly convened business meeting.
C. Article XII of this constitution shall be unalterable.

BY-LAWS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Article I – Church Management
A. Pastor
The voting membership is responsible for calling all pastors who will shepherd
them. All candidates will be recommended to the congregation by the Call
Committee. The Call Committee shall be composed of the Board of Elders and at
least additional members of the congregation selected by the Board of Elders.
The chairman of the congregation shall serve as the chairman of the Call
Committee. The Call Committee shall evaluate the needs of the congregation in
the light of its mission statement and goals. In consultation with the district
and/or synodical president, it shall seek to find candidates for the congregation’s
consideration. The Call Committee shall arrange for candidate visits in
accordance with budgetary allowances, interview the candidates, prepare the
compensation package and present their recommendations to the congregation for
decision. The Call Committee shall prepare the Letter of Call which shall be
signed by the congregational chairman and secretary.
A pastor must receive a 2/3 vote of approval by the congregational business
meeting.
The pastor shall conduct himself and his ministry according to the guidelines set
forth in the synodical policy statement entitled, “Clergy Congregational
Relations.”
The pastor shall follow the Order of Service provided in the “Ministerial Acts”
book for special services such as baptisms, communions, marriages, funerals,
installations, dedications, reception of new members, etc.
The dismissal of a pastor shall take place at a special business meeting of the
congregation upon the recommendation of the Board of Elders, and with a
congregational vote of 2/3 approving his dismissal. When a pastor’s time of
service is terminated by this congregation, he shall be provided his current
compensation package for a period of three months or until he is placed in another
call if that occurs before the three month period is completed. If he is living in a
parsonage he is entitled to remain in the parsonage for up to three months or
receive an equivalent housing allowance.
The resignation of a pastor may be accepted by the congregation by a simple
majority vote. The pastor shall remain in office as long thereafter as both the
pastor and the congregation find it desirable, but normally his departure from the
congregation shall take place within a negotiated period of time from one to three
months.
B. Board of Elders: Pastor and Elders shall additionally:
Determine the date and time for the annual meeting and all special business or
informational meetings.
Elections and other matters of primary importance shall be considered by the
Board of Elders before being brought to the business meeting of the congregation
for discussion and final decision.
When the Board of Elders needs to consider matters which pertain to the temporal
affairs of the church, the Board of Deacons and/or the Board of Trustees may
participate in the meeting with the privilege of discussing and voting.
Maintain membership roster of the congregation and will be responsible to
annually review the roster.
Handle all cases of church discipline according to Holy Scripture set forth in
Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 1 Timothy 5:20.
An elder who violates the responsibility of his office may be removed from office
by applying the following procedure. An elder or other member of the
congregation must bring the charge before the entire Elder Board, which will
carefully review its validity. The elder in question must be allowed to answer the
charge in person before the board, but will leave the room for the discussion and
final vote. If by a majority vote, the board concurs with the charge, the elder shall
forfeit his position and duties, or at his discretion be allowed to gracefully resign.
If the elder feels he has been unfairly treated, he may request that the matter be
referred to a congregational meeting for a vote. The congregation may remove
the elder from office when 2/3 of the voting membership present at the meeting
approve his removal. (see Article VI, Part C, #2,3 of the Constitution.)
Article II – Committees
A. Trustee Committee:
1. This committee shall consist of at least 3 persons elected by the congregation for a
term of 3 years, and including the Pastor and another member of the Board of
Elders in its voting membership, appointed to this committee by the Board of
Elders.
2. Manage the financial affairs of the congregation on behalf of the Board of Elders,
and submit reports to the Board of Elders of all business meetings.
3. Manage the day to day business of all real and personal properties belonging to
the congregation.
4. Transact all other business of the congregation assigned it by the congregational
meeting or by the Board of Elders.
5. Maintain the internal and external appearance of all congregational property and
buildings in good condition.
6. Seek volunteers and/or employ necessary custodial employees to maintain
congregational property.
7. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures for the
coming year to the congregational Planning Committee.
B. Christian Education Committee: This committee shall:
1. Include the Pastor and another member of the Board of Elders in its voting
membership, appointed to this committee by the Board of Elders.
2. Provide, promote, encourage, maintain, and supervise sound Christian education
and Christian growth in the congregation for all age levels, in all educational
agencies and organizations of the congregation.
3. Set objectives for every age level, for training in Christian knowledge, attitudes
and abilities, such as Bible use, witnessing, prayer, discipling, tithing, and family
living.
4. Appoint, with the approval of the Board of Elders, and as the needs of the
congregation determine, a Sunday School superintendent to oversee the
operations of the Sunday School.
5. Prepare a job description for the office of Sunday School superintendent, stating
areas of responsibility. The Sunday School superintendent shall be accountable to
the Christian Education Committee, and shall serve as an ex-officio member of
the committee.
6. Select, or supervise the selection, in conjunction with the Board of Elders,
curricula, tests, and other educational materials to be used by the various agencies
of the congregation.
7. Strive for and promote cooperation among educational agencies so that the
educational activities of each will supplement all others to the greatest possible
degree.
8. Appoint, supervise, and provide training for the administrative and teaching staffs
of the Sunday School, VBS staff, etc.
9. Encourage the strengthening of the Christian home, and equip parents and
children for Christian living, especially through the use of daily family devotions.
10. Help members of the congregation become better equipped for the work of the
Lord by encouraging participation in available Christian training programs both
inside and outside the congregation.
11. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of expenditures and an annual
ministry plan to support the requested expenditures for the coming year to the
Congregational Planning Committee.
C. Church Growth Committee: This Committee shall:
1. Work with the Board of Elders and with each committee and officer of the
congregation to ensure that the congregation is structured for “church growth.”
2. Search for and identify those needs and opportunities of the local community to
which the congregation may respond in outreach.
3. Assist the Board of Elders to establish faith goals for the congregation.
4. Recruit, train, develop and utilize “Class II Leaders” in the congregation. Class II
leaders are those members whose energies are primarily directed to serving and
evangelizing non-Christians.
5. See to it that new members are lovingly integrated into the live and work of the
congregation.
6. Inform the community of the mission and message of the congregation and strive
to develop a productive climate for “Church Growth.” It will constantly seek to
create a favorable image of the congregation in the community, utilizing all
available communication media, including mass mailings, TV, radio spots, and
newspaper advertisements, and other creative approaches available to the
congregation for fulfilling the communication task to the community.
7. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and an
annual ministry plan to support the requested expenditures for the coming year to
the Congregational Planning Committee.
D. Community Action Committee: This Committee shall:
1. Work with the Board of Elders and continually review social issues of pressing
concern to the believer (locally, state-wide and nationally), believing that the
Christian Church is the “Salt” or moral preservative of the earth (Matthew
5:13), and assess how this congregation can make an impact in the world.
2. Watch carefully that any group action taken by the congregation will be
thoroughly scriptural, legal and carried out decently and in order.
3. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a
ministry plan to support the requested expenditures for the coming year to the
Congregational Planning Committee.
E. Evangelism Committee: This Committee shall:
1. Develop, promote and supervise a continuing program of soul-winning with
activities suited for all congregational age groups. This committee, together with
the Board of Elders, shall provide the leadership for this program and shall recruit
and train lay helpers from the congregation to carry it out.
2. Become informed and maintain an approximate record of the presence of persona
in the community who are without Christ, and develop and maintain as close
contact as possible with these individuals. This committee shall organize and lead
periodic religious and community need surveys and conduct demographic studies
of the community for the purpose of searching for the lost.
3. Maintain a list of visitors at worship services and special events of the
congregation, by use of guest register, visitor cards, etc., and have in place a
program for the prompt contact of each visitor.
4. Maintain a list of prospective members, visit each of these persons frequently and
encourage them to be discipled, join the congregation, and become a part of its
work for Christ.
5. Assist the pastor and elders in instruction classes in soul winning.
6. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a
ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the
Congregational Planning Committee.
F. Youth Committee: This Committee shall:
1. Work with the Board of Elders to organize, supervise and encourage appropriate
activities in order to foster the spiritual growth of and provide Christian
opportunities for the youth of the congregation. The initiation and oversight of
discipling activities among the youth will be a paramount duty.
2. Encourage attendance at Sunday School or Bible study classes and participation
in other available Christian educational activities for the youth, college and
singles of the congregation.
3. Maintain contact with members of the congregation who are attending colleges or
universities away from the local area, and see their spiritual needs.
4. As the needs of the congregation determine, appoint with the approval of the
Board of Elders and Christian Education Committee, counselors and teachers for
high school youth and young adults.
5. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a
ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the
Congregational Planning Committee.
G. Discipleship Committee: This Committee shall:
1. Hold regular discipleship training classes so that all new and veteran disciples are
spiritually nourished, made aware of their duties and given an outlet for the free
exchange of experiences and ideas. These classes are to be ongoing and wellprepared.
2. Work closely with the Board of Elders, and be responsible for seeing that every
member of the congregation has an opportunity to be discipled by a mature
Christian within the congregation, and certify their completion of the same.
Accurate records are to be maintained of those who have and have not been
discipled. A list will be maintained of available disciplers.
3. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a
ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the
Congregational Planning Committee.
H. Deacon and Deaconess Committee: This Committee shall:
1. Be composed of as many husband and wife teams and single adults as the Board
of Elders shall deem necessary. Candidates for this committee shall be selected
on the basis of the Biblical qualifications included in I Timothy 3:8-16 and Acts
6:3-8.
2. Give particular attention to the ministries of love and mercy to the sick, aged,
grieving, and those with special needs. It shall keep the congregation informed
concerning these needs and help to channel assistance to those in need.
3. Promote an atmosphere of warmth, friendliness and concern within the
congregation which shall include all who visit or associate with the congregation.
It shall provide for such other ministries of service as the Board of Elders may
from time to time assign to it.
4. Submit annually an itemized proposed budget of anticipated expenditures and a
ministry plan to support the expenditures for the coming year to the
Congregational Planning Committee.
I. Nominating Committee
The congregation shall elect a Nominating Committee each year. The
Nominating Committee shall be composed of The Board of Elders, and two
members elected at large at the annual meeting. This committee shall present a
slate of candidates for each elective office (with the exception of the election of
elders, whose nominations will be made by the Board of Elders) which must be
filled at the annual meeting.
Note: Nominations for any position must be given in writing to the Nomination
Committee at least two weeks prior to the election date.
There shall be no nominations from the floor.
J. Auditing Committee
The congregation shall elect two persons from the fellowship to serve as an
Auditing Committee in preparation for the following annual meeting. To this
committee the treasurer of the congregation shall provide access to all financial
books, statements of income and disbursements, in order that the Auditing
Committee may submit a report to the Annual Meeting verifying the financial
state of the congregation.
K. Additional Committees
When additional committees are established by the congregation, the name,
description of task, and the manner in which that task will be conducted, shall be
included in Article II of the by-laws.
Article III – Meetings
A. Worship Services
The pastor shall work with the Elders, and be responsible for coordinated
the worship life of the congregation. A Worship Committee may be
appointed to assist in planning.
B. Annual Congregational Business Meeting
An annual business meeting of the congregation shall be held during the months
of January or February. Each annual meeting shall be announced at the worship
service on two Sundays preceding the date of the meeting. It was decided by the
Board of Elders that we would try to hold our Annual Meeting annually on the
first Sunday in February. In the event it would need to be postponed due to the
weather, it would then be held on the following Sunday.
Only confessing members who have attained voting age shall be eligible to vote at
this meeting. However, all parishioners of the congregation are also to be
encouraged to attend and may be given speaking rights by vote of the
congregation.
At the annual meeting, the officers and committee members of the congregation
shall be elected, the budget set, and the annual congregational ministry plan
approved. Reports from the officers, Board of Elders and committees shall be
presented.
C. Quarterly Business Meetings
Business meetings, other than the annual meeting, shall be held quarterly or as
deemed necessary by the Board of Elders. A quarterly or special business
meeting shall be announced on the preceding Sunday prior to the meeting. The
business meetings are to be conducted in a brotherly spirit, and according to
Robert’s Rule of Order. At any business session, no one shall bring forth
another’s mistakes or shortcoming’s or anything of a personal nature that would
disturb the spirit of brotherliness.
D. Quorum
A quorum of twenty-five percent of the resident members is required at every
business meeting of the congregation in order to transact legal business.
However, when the congregation meets for its annual meeting, or for purposes of
calling or dismissing a pastor, or for the sale or purchase of property, the
necessary quorum of resident members shall be fifty percent.

Article IV – Limits to Expenditures
Non-budgeted expenditures, such as unforeseen repairs or replacements, special
opportunities, shall be approved by the Board of Elders. Expenditures exceeding
$2,000.00 must be approved by the congregation.

Article V – Fundraising
In accordance with a strong Biblical mandate brought forth in the scriptures, the funding
of our church should be supplied by our offerings and tithes. The use of “fund raiser” is
encouraged only as a source of extra income for missions and outreach ministry to others
and not for the benefit of the congregation itself or its property. We further affirm that if
we as a congregation will tithe as we are called by God’s word to do, He will provide the
increase.

Article VI – Use of Church Property
This congregation shall not allow or sanction any service, function, celebration or other activity to take place on the property owned or under the control of the congregation which conflicts with or is expressly contrary to the CLB Statement of Faith, position papers, Ministerial Acts, or the CLB view of and exegesis of Scripture, which in the view of the congregation would bring disrepute to the name of Christ.