The Constitution

 

and

 

By-Laws

 

of

 

Grace Lutheran Church

(LC-MS)

 

Paris, Texas

 

 

 

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PARIS, TEXAS

 

ADOPTED JUNE 13, 2010

 

 

 

Preface

 

        It is written that all things in the church are to be done decently and in good order (1 Cor. 14:40), and that all believers are to be of like mind when they assemble together (Rom. 15:4-6), it is for these reasons that congregations, from the first few centuries have adopted Rules of Order or regulations of some type.  It is for these reasons, and because we wish to be the best possible stewards of the gifts that God has given the congregation assembled here in Paris, that the members of Grace adopted the following Constitution and By-Laws.

        This edition of The Constitution and By-Laws is intended to call the members of Grace Lutheran Church to greater devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  With this greater devotion to our Savior, comes rededication to His congregation of the Word and Sacraments as we find it in our geographic location.  Each member will do well to prayerfully review these parts and ask:  “How has my life measured up to God’s standards for pure doctrine (III and VIII) and a sanctified life (IV and V)?”

        It is our hope that this edition of the Constitution and By-Laws motivate members of Grace Lutheran Church to greater service to Christ and His Kingdom, and that the congregation membership be found confessing and living out the truth through active involvement and support of our ministry of the pure Word and Sacraments.  May each member be rededicated to the timeless truths upon which the congregation was founded.

CONSTITUTION OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PARIS, TEXAS

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME.

 

        The name of the congregation shall be Grace Lutheran

Church of Paris, Texas.

 

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE.

 

        See Articles of  Incorporation, Article 2, “The corporation is a non-profit corporation.”   The purpose for which this congregation is formed is the support of public worship in confessional Lutheranism as stated in Article III.

 

ARTICLE III: CONFESSIONAL BASIS (Unalterable/Irrepealable).

 

        This congregation acknowledges and accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God, verbally inspired, which shall be the only norm of faith and basis of preaching and teaching.  It acknowledges and accepts the three Ecumenical Creeds and all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, to be a true and genuine exposition of the doctrine of the Bible.  These are:

 

1)      The Apostles’ Creed

2)      The Nicene Creed

3)      The Athanasian Creed

4)      The Unaltered Augsburg Confession

5)      The Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession

6)      The Smalcald Articles

7)      Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms

8)      The Formula of Concord

 

[The historic definition of the “Evangelical Lutheran Church” is used in terms of unconditional adherence to the Lutheran Confessions, not “in so far as” (quatenus), but “because” (quia) they are a true and genuine exposition of the doctrine contained in the Bible.]

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP  (Unalterable/Irrepealable).

 

A.         Eligibility for communicant membership requires that a person:

 

      1)   Be baptized.

2)      Accept the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the only divine rule and norm of faith and life.   

3)      Accept the doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church [see Article III] and be familiar at least with Luther’s Small Catechism.

4)      Lead a Christian life and abstain from manifest sins of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).

5)      Attend divine services faithfully and partake of the Lord’s Supper frequently.

6)      Submit to the regulations made by this body and accept brotherly admonition when having erred or offended his fellow Christians.

7)      Is not a member of a secret or other organization with principles contrary to the Word of God.

 

B.      When a member of this congregation, after fruitless admonition in the various grades prescribed by the Word of God (Matt.18:15-20), where the observance of such grades has been possible, shall have been expelled by unanimous vote from the congregation (the member proposed for expulsion shall not be allowed to vote), such person shall have forfeited all rights of a member of this congrega- tion and all claims upon the property of the congregation as such,    or upon any part thereof, as long as he is not again received into membership by the congregation.  The same shall apply to such members as refuse to submit to church discipline and thus excom-municate themselves, as also to those severing their connection with the congregation.

ARTICLE V:  DUTIES OF MEMBERS  (Unalterable/Irrepealable).

 

        It shall be the duty of every member of this congregation to contribute, according to his ability, toward the maintenance of the church and to assist in bearing the burdens of the congregation

(Mk 16:15; 1 Cor. 9:14; 16:2).

 

ARTICL VI:  RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.

 

        Communicant members who are at least 18 years of age and who have signed the Constitution and By-Laws of this corporate body, in a book kept by the Secretary for this purpose, shall have the right of suffrage.

 

ARTICLE VII:  OFFICERS.

 

        The officers of this corporate body shall be:  a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, the Board of Elders of at least three members.  Only male communicate members can serve as President, Vice President, and Elders.  The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of this corporate body, and the term of office of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be one year; that of the other officers as specified by the Constitution and By-Laws of this corporate body.

ARTICLE VIII:  PASTORS AND TEACHERS (Unalterable/Irrepealable).

 

        Only such pastors and teachers shall be called by this congre-gation as are in accord with the confessional standards of this con-gregation (Article III), and as have been prepared for their work and are qualified for it.  The right of calling pastors and teachers shall ever be vested in the congregation and shall never be delegated to a smaller body or to an individual.  Reasons for dismissing a pastor or teacher shall be: persistent adherence to false teaching, an ungodly life, unfaithfulness or inability in reference to the performance of duties.

ARTCLE IX: CHURCH LEADERSHIP (Unalterable/Irrepealable).

 

        The position of pastor/shepherd/overseer/bishop shall be held only by (a) male(s).  (I Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6, et.al.)  Only male communicant members can serve in the office of elder (deacon), president, and vice president.  (Acts 6:3, 1 Timothy 3:12)  These positions shall be standing offices of this church body.

ARTCLE X: POWERS VESTED IN THE CONGREGATION.

 

        This congregation shall decide all matters relating to the congregation or its affairs, and this power shall be supreme.  Such decisions shall always be in accord with the WORD of GOD and Article II (Purpose) and Article III (Confessional Basis) of this Constitution.  The establishment and conduct of any society or organization within the congregation shall be subject to the approval and supervision of the congregation.

 

Matters of conscience and doctrine shall be decided by the WORD of GOD; all other matters shall be decided by a majority vote of the Voter’s Assembly unless otherwise provided for in this constitution.

 

ARTICLE XI:  PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE CONGREGATION.

 

A.    This congregation may receive, acquire, hold title to, and manage such real estate and other property as it may need to accomplish said purpose and may sell or dispose of such real estate and other property or any part thereof, and this congregation shall have all the rights and the powers that are granted by the laws of the State of Texas to religious corporations.

 

B.     If at any time a separation should take place in this congregation on account of doctrine, the properties of the congregation and all the benefits therewith connected shall remain with those members who continue to adhere to Articles II and III of this Constitution.   In case of dissolution of Grace Lutheran Church, resulting in discontinuance of the congregation as described in Article II and Article III of this constitution, the real and personal property owned by the congregation shall be managed after such discontinuance by majority vote of the voting members of the congregation.

ARTICLE XII:  AMENDMENTS.

 

A.    Amendments to this Constitution must be made in writing and may be made at any regular meeting, provided that the amendment has already been submitted to a previous meeting and that two-thirds  of the voting members present cast their vote in favor of such amendment.

 

B.    Articles III, IV, V, VIII, and IX of this Constitution shall be unalterable or irrepealable.  [These have been noted throughout.]   (Mk. 16:15, 1 Cor. 9:14; 16:2)

BY-LAWS OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

PARIS, TEXAS

 

1.     ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS.

 

         Persons intending to join this congregation as communicant members shall give notice of such intention to the Pastor, together with satisfactory evidence of their qualification for membership.  The names of all such applicants shall be announced at a regular meeting of the Congregation.  If no protest is entered or sustained, the applicant may at such meeting be received into membership by majority vote.

 

2.     MEETINGS.

 

A.            The regular Voters’ Meetings of this congregation shall be    at least six in number in the calendar year and bi-monthly.  Each bi-monthly voter’s meeting shall be the second Sunday of the month at such times as are convenient to the majority.  The time and place of the Voter’s Meeting shall be printed in the Sunday bulletin or announced on the Sunday before the date of the meeting.  All voter’s meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

 

All matters before the Voter’s Assembly shall be decided by a majority vote unless otherwise specified by this Constitution or By-Laws.

 

B.                 When a meeting has thus been announced it shall be a valid and legal meeting, capable of transacting business, provided that at least one-half of the voting members are in attendance.

 

C.                 When there is insufficient business to merit a regular business meeting of the Voters’ Assembly, the meeting may be dropped at the agreement of the President of the congregation and the Pastor.  Announcement to this effect must be made public in the public service prior to the date of the regular meeting.

 

 

D.                It shall be the duty of every voting member to attend meetings of the Voters’ Assembly.  By failing to attend a regular or  a special meeting, a member waives the right of casting their vote during such meeting.


E.                 When a voting member is absent for two consecutively scheduled meetings, their name shall be removed from the Voters’ active roster.  Such a person may be reinstated upon their attendance at a Voters’ meeting and may vote at the next meeting.

 

3.     OFFICERS.

 

A.      No person shall hold the same office for more than two  consecutive terms, with the exception of the Treasurer and the Secretary, who may be elected to as many consecutive terms as the assembly shall deem advisable.

 

B.      The President and Elders in office at the time of a pastoral call shall remain in office for one year after the Pastor has been installed.   (This is in order to provide some measure of continuity during the new Pastor’s first year.)

 

C.      The Board of Elders shall consist of three or more members according to the growth of the congregation, an additional elder being elected for every 35 communicants exceeding 100.  Each elder shall be elected for a term of three years with at least one elder retiring and one being elected each year.  They may be elected to subsequent terms.  This group shall aid the Pastor and the congregation in the spiritual part of their work, they shall have particular oversight over doctrinal matters pertaining to the godly walk of life on the part of the pastor, teachers, members, and other officers of the congregation; shall observe that our Lord’s injunction in Matthew 18:15-18 is applied as church discipline according to Christian love and the salvation of the erring soul.  It shall also be the duties of the Elders to supervise business assigned them by the Voter’s Assembly.  In addition to the above duties and powers of the elders, the Board of Elders shall have the continuing authority to act as a Board of Directors of the Corporation regarding purchase, transfer or disposal of congregational property, real or personal; legal transactions regarding property shall be conducted in the manner customarily used by corporations.  By majority vote of the Board, The Board of Elders of Grace Lutheran Church may recommend transactions to the Congregation and approval or disapproval of such purchase, transfer or disposal shall be subject to vote by the Voter’s Assembly.  Execution and delivery of legal documents effectuation any purchase, transfer or disposal shall be performed by the president and secretary of the Corporation, or by one or more members of the Congregation named as Agents for such duties by execution of recordable Powers of Attorney granting specific, named, individuals legal authority to execute the documents necessary to the subject transaction.

D.      The Board of Trustees shall consist of five or more members according to the growth of the congregation, an additional trustee being elected for every 25 baptized member exceeding150.  Each trustee shall be elected for a term of three years with at least one trustee retiring and one being elected each year.  This group shall aid the Pastor and the congregation in maintaining the physical plant of the church and coordinating any repairs and changes that need to be made to the same.  The Board shall elect from among its members a  Chairman who shall serve as the representative of the Board to the Voters’ Assembly.

 

E.       All other boards and offices shall be created and filled by the Voters’ Assembly, as circumstances warrant.  These may include,  but are not limited to:  Head Usher/Board of Ushers, Head Teller/ Board of Tellers, Evangelism Board, Stewardship Board, Board of Education/Sunday School Superintendent.   These Officers and Boards shall be elected or approved each year by the Voters’ Assembly, and may serve as many consecutive terms as the Assembly shall see fit.

 

F.       When an officer of the congregation, or board member is absent more than three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of his board or the Voters’ Assembly, without valid excuse, or is found to not be performing duties assigned to him by the Voters’ Assembly, he may be asked to step down from his office or board, so that another may fulfill the duties of that office.  If said officer refuses to step down, the Voters’ Assembly may consider the matter at its next regularly scheduled meeting and may remove said officer by a two-thirds majority vote of the eligible voters present.

4.     METHOD OF CALLING PASTORS AND TEACHERS.

 

        At a meeting of the Voters’ Assembly constitutionally qualified to transact business, candidate(s) for the office of Pastor or Teacher shall be nominated.  The name(s) of the candidate(s) thus chosen shall be announced at public service on the following Sunday, and if no protest is entered and sustained, a candidate shall be elected by majority vote at the following Voters’ Assembly, preferably that same Sunday.  The election shall proceed by ballot.  A two-thirds majority of votes cast shall be required to elect.  The election shall, if possible, be made unanimous. 

 

5.     ORDER OF BUSINESS.

 

1)      Opening prayer or Scripture reading.

2)      Reading of Minutes.

3)      Reception of new members.

4)      Report of Treasurer.

5)      Reports of boards and committees (including
Pastor’s report).Unfinished business.

6)      New business.

7)      Adjournment with prayer.


6.     SELF-EXCLUSION POLICY.

        The following resolution was passed by the elders on December 8, 1987, and passed by the Voters on December 13, 1987:

       

        WHEREAS, Scripture commands all Christians to “remember the Sabbath Day,” “not forsake the gathering of believers,” and receive the Lord’s Supper “often,” and

        WHEREAS, each member agrees to live a Christian life (Constitution IV A 4) and accept fraternal admonition and church discipline when they have erred (IV A 6, IV B) in neglecting the pure Word and Sacraments (III, IV A 2-3, 5,7) or in failing to support the congregation (V), and

 

        WHEREAS, we need to address our inactive problem so that our time and energy can be freed up to build up our congregation and spread the Gospel, therefore be it

 

        RESOLVED, that after at least two contacts by the Pastor and/ or elders and/or a special committee, that a letter asking for action be sent to inactives (i.e., those not communing within one year), and be it

 

        RESOLVED, that those not responding or unreachable, be con-sidered to be “self-excluded” from the congregational membership.

7.     AMENDMENTS.

 

        Revision of these By-Laws must be presented in writing at a regular meeting.  Such revision requires a two-thirds majority of those eligible voters present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Lutheran Church

739 19th Street, S.E.

Paris, Texas  75460-7512

 

903-784-3753