BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA
(ADOPTED -------)
B 1.01 Our Mission is to PRAYERFULLY:
INVITE & WELCOME people into a relationship with God,
GROW & EQUIP one another as devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and
CARE
FOR & SERVE others by the power of the Holy Spirit.
B 1.02 The congregation shall affirm the mission statement at its annual meeting. It shall be formally reviewed by the Congregation Council from time to time to ensure that it reflects the mission of the congregation in the context of current needs, trends and its understanding of ministry. The review process shall be as set forth in the Continuing Resolutions
SECTION 2: COMMUNION PARTICIPATION
B 2.01 Participation in Holy Communion shall be open to confirmed members of this and other Lutheran Congregations, and to those adults who accept the Scriptural teaching regarding the Real Presence of Christ and to children who have received pre-communion instruction. Worthy participation requires faith in Jesus Christ as Savior And His promises in this holy sacrament. That person is well prepared and worthy who believes these words: “given and shed for you for the remission of sins”.
B 2.02 Record of participation in Holy Communion shall be entered into the records of the congregation.
B 3.01 Applicants for membership:
a. Applicants for confirmed membership presenting Letters of Transfer showing them to be confirmed members in good standing in other Lutheran congregations shall be admitted to confirmed membership upon acceptance of their Letters of Transfer by the Congregation Council and the report of their names to the congregation.
b. Applicants for membership who present evidence of confirmation in a Lutheran congregation but do not have Letters of Transfer shall be admitted to confirmed membership contingent upon determination that they meet the standards of Christian faith and life indicated in the constitution and bylaws and when they have reaffirmed their faith before the congregation.
c. Adult applicants for membership who present evidence of Christian baptism but have not been confirmed in a Lutheran congregation shall be admitted to baptized membership upon acceptance by the Congregation Council. Such applicants as well as adult baptized members shall be admitted to confirmed membership subject to the following:
1) They evidence to the Lead Pastor adequate understanding and acceptance of the teachings of the Word of God as confessed by the Lutheran Church, and
2) Participate, at the Lead Pastor’s discretion in a Rite of Confirmation or Affirmation of Faith before the congregation, and
3) Are accepted for confirmed membership by the Congregation Council upon the recommendation of the Lead Pastor.
d. Children with evidence of Christian baptism shall be received as baptized members of this congregation upon admission of one or both parents or guardians to membership, or by consent of one or both parents or guardians and acceptance by the Congregation Council.
e. Applicants for membership without evidence of Christian baptism satisfactory to the Lead Pastor shall be received as members only thru baptism in a Christian congregation.
f. Applicants for membership are expected to attend a New Members’ Class prior to consideration by the Congregation Council of their request.
B 3.02 Procedure for admission:
a. The Lead Pastor shall identify to the Congregation Council applicants for membership since the last meeting of the Council. The Lead Pastor shall also provide his/her preliminary recommendation for admission and the rationale therefore.
b. The Lead Pastor shall subsequently provide to the Congregation Council the names of those candidates for membership who have attended the New Member Class together with his/her final recommendation for admission.
c. The Congregation Council shall act on the membership status of those persons identified pursuant to paragraph B 3.02b. above in one of the following ways:
1) Admit to confirmed membership those applicants having Letters of Transfer. Such admittance shall be effective upon publication of the names in the church bulletin.
2) Admit to confirmed membership those applicants not having Letters of Transfer who have presented evidence satisfactory to the Lead Pastor of confirmation in a Lutheran congregation. Such admittance shall be effective upon the applicants’ reaffirmation of faith before the congregation.
3) Admit to baptized membership those applicants with evidence of Christian baptism satisfactory to the Lead Pastor but who have not been confirmed in a Lutheran congregation. Such admittance shall be effective upon publication of the names in the church bulletin.
d. The Congregation Council shall inform an
applicant for membership in writing under the signature of the Council
President of the action taken on that applicant’s membership request.
a. Members who move away shall be encouraged to transfer their membership. Confirmed members in good standing desiring to change their membership to another Lutheran congregation shall, upon request, receive a Letter of Transfer.
1)
Those who have
transferred their membership who desire to retain a relationship with Bethel
shall be designated an Associate Member upon recommendation of the Lead Pastor
and approval of the Congregation Council.
b. Members who are able to but do not attend church services and who have not contributed to the congregational treasury according to the congregation's records during the current or preceding year are subject to reclassification as inactive members. If so reclassified, they shall not be counted in the membership statistics of the congregation. However, their names and records shall be kept in the files for a period of two years thereafter. Such persons shall be encouraged to take part in the congregational life, or to transfer elsewhere, as appropriate. If they resume activity within this two-year period, they shall be restored to the active membership list. If not, they may be removed from the membership role of the congregation.
c. Children, neither of whose parents or guardians are active members of the congregation, shall be dropped from the baptized membership roll if they fail to participate in the Christian education program of the congregation.
d. Members who have been excommunicated or dismissed or who have resigned, and members who have transferred to other Lutheran congregations, or who are definitely known to have become members of other congregations without transfer, have thereby terminated their membership in the congregation and have surrendered all membership rights.
B 3.04 Procedure:
a. In May of each year the Lead Pastor shall identify to the Congregation Council all terminated memberships as well as those members who have not attended service, communed or have a contribution of record during the current or preceding years. The Lead Pastor shall also recommend which, if any, of those members so named should not be reclassified as inactive members because of special circumstances.
b. The Congregation Council shall act on the membership status of those persons identified pursuant to paragraph B 3.04 a. above in one of the following ways:
1) Make no change in membership classification.
2) Reclassify as an inactive member.
3) Remove from the membership rolls those inactive members who have not resumed activity within the two-year period.
g. The Congregation Council shall inform a member in writing under the signature of the Council President of any action taken that affects that member’s membership status.
SECTION 4.
THE PASTORAL CALL
B 4.01 When the congregation has voted to call a pastor, it shall issue a Letter of Call to the pastor-elect in a form approved by The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It shall be signed by the chairperson of the Call Committee and the President of the Congregation and shall be attested by the signature of the Bishop of the Synod.
B 4.02 If a pastor receives a call to another congregation, the called pastor shall consult with his/her present congregation, or at least with the Congregation Council, before coming to a decision. The pastor should attempt to reach a decision as quickly as possible, normally within three weeks. The pastor shall thereupon notify the present congregation and the Bishop of the Synod of his/her decision. When a call has been accepted, the pastor shall terminate the present ministry and transfer to the new field of service as quickly as possible, normally within one month.
B 4.03 Clergy qualified according to Chapter 9 of the constitution may occasionally perform pastoral functions in this congregation subject to the request of the Lead Pastor and the approval of the Congregation Council.
B 5.01 After six (6) years of service at Bethel, a full time pastor is eligible for an extended study leave of twelve (12) weeks. A request for such sabbatical shall be presented to the Congregation Council for approval at least six (6) months in advance.
a. During an approved sabbatical, the congregation shall continue to be responsible for the pastor’s total compensation and shall defray the any cost of pulpit supply or other pastoral services.
B 6.01 Bethel Lutheran Church of Cupertino, California is, and shall continue to be, a corporate organization. The members of the congregation are the corporate members. The congregation calls a member or members of the clergy to provide pastoral care, elects officers to provide leadership and oversee its affairs, elects members of the Congregation Council to act as the Board of Directors, and provides for the hiring of staff to execute the activities needed to support its execution of its mission. The congregation retains all authority except that specifically delegated in this constitution and bylaws.
B 6.02 The Congregation Council shall establish standing and ad hoc ministries, committees and boards reflecting the elements of the ministry of the congregation and major support needs. These ministries, committees and boards shall have the responsibility to establish and implement plans to realize the goals and objectives established by the Council. These ministries, committees and boards are responsible to the Council. They shall have the authority to prepare supporting goals, objectives and plans and to take the actions to carry out such plans to fulfill these goals and objectives. The Congregation Council shall have representation on each of the standing ministries, committees, and boards of the Council. The Congregation Council is responsible to the congregation and is overseen by the Executive Committee
B 6.03 The Executive Committee established in Chapter 13 of the constitution serves to provide leadership to the congregation and it oversees and coordinates the work of the Congregation Council and other organizations of the congregation.
B 6.04 Other committees and boards of the congregation are established in Chapter 13 of the constitution to perform specialized tasks in support of the administration of the congregation. These committees are expected to establish procedures and carry out action plans to accomplish their assigned responsibilities in a methodical and timely manner. They are responsible to the congregation and are overseen by the Congregation Council.
SECTION 7: Election
AND TERMS OF Officers of the Congregation
B 7.01 The officers of the congregation (President, Vice President, Fiscal Officer, and Communications Officer) shall be elected by the congregation at its annual meeting from the candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee and any candidates nominated from the floor.
B 7.02 Terms of office shall be two years except that the term of the Vice President and Fiscal Officer (Treasurer) elected at the first meeting subsequent to the adoption of these bylaws shall serve a term of one year.
B 7.03 No person may serve more than three consecutive full terms in the same office.
SECTION 8: ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE PASTOR(S)
B 8.01 Lead Pastor
a. Is responsible for the supervision of full-time, part-time and temporary staff members and the coordination of the staff with the overall ministry and programs of the congregation.
b. Serves as executive director/administrative officer of the Congregation Council.
c. Is accountable to the congregation to carry out the terms of the constitution of Bethel Lutheran Church.
d. Evaluates informally the performance of the Congregation Council and other organizations of the congregation, making appropriate recommendations to the President, the Executive Committee, or the Congregation Council.
e. Prepares jointly with the President agendas for meetings of the Congregation Council, the congregation and the Executive Committee.
f. Is an ex-officio member of all committees, ministries, boards and other organizations of the congregation except the Audit, Mutual Ministry and Call Committees.
B 8.02 Additional Pastor(s)
a. Is (are) accountable to the Lead Pastor to carry out given assignments and duties.
b. Is (are) accountable also to the congregation to carry out the terms of the constitution of Bethel Lutheran Church.
SECTION 9: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS, THE ASSISTANT TREASURER AND THE SCHOOL
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
B 9.01 The President
a. Presides at all regular and special meetings of the congregation, the Congregation Council and the Executive Committee.
b. Is responsible for implementation of the decisions of the congregation, the Congregation Council and the Executive Committee.
c. Prepares jointly with the Lead Pastor agendas for meetings of the congregation, the Congregation Council and the Executive Committee.
d. Is an ex-officio member of all committees and other organizations of Bethel except the Audit and Mutual Ministry Committees.
e. Ensures that all meetings are conducted in a proper and orderly manner.
f. Coordinates the work of the Congregation Council’s committees and organizations and encourages chairpersons to prepare and distribute in a timely manner meeting minutes and to present reports and motions in written form.
B 9.02 The Vice President
a. Fulfills the duties of the president in his/her absence.
b. Maintains familiarity with Conference, Synod and other appropriate church leadership seminars and events and advises the Congregation Council of the offerings engendering interest, support and attendance.
c. Reviews changes to the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and effectuates any required revisions to the constitution, by-laws and/or continuing resolutions of Bethel Lutheran Church.
d. Monitors the adherence to the provisions of the constitution, by-laws and continuing resolutions of Bethel Lutheran Church while evaluating their efficacy and recommending changes as appropriate.
e. Plans and facilitates special events such as retreats and seminars for ministry, committee, board and council members
f. Is an ex officio member of the Long Range Planning Ministry.
g. Generally will be responsible for the preparation of the notice of charges required in the process of discipline of a member (paragraph C 15.5).\
B 9.03 The Communications Officer (Secretary)
a.
Takes
minutes, records attendance, and verifies quorums at Congregation Council and
congregation meetings and ensures their timely preparation and distribution.
b.
Initiates
and signs official correspondence as directed by the Congregation Council or
the Executive Committee.
c.
Preserves
minutes and other records in the congregation’s archives.
d.
Ensures
the congregation is kept informed on matters of interest.
e.
Acts
as liaison to the outside community and as a resource person on public
relations to staff and members.
B 9.04 The Fiscal Officer (Treasurer)
a. Maintains custody of all funds of the congregation, local and synodical, and pays the bills and other financial obligations of the congregation in accordance with established policies and procedures
b. Presents a duly audited account of the financial status of the congregation to the Annual Congregational Meeting.
c. Reports on a monthly basis to the Finance Committee
1) Amounts received and disbursed from each of the various accounts.
2) Balance on hand by account.
3) Actuals expended versus budget by line item, subtotals and totals.
d. Is an ex officio member of the Finance Committee.
e. The Fiscal Officer (Treasurer) shall be bonded.
B 9.05 The Assistant Treasurer
a. A member of the church staff shall be appointed Assistant Treasurer by the Congregation Council. The Assistant Treasurer shall conduct the day-to-day operations of the office. The Assistant Treasurer shall be bonded.
B 9.06 The School Board Chairperson
a. The School Board Chairperson shall ensure that the school is managed in harmony with the congregation’s mission and purpose.
a. The called pastor(s) and the officers of the congregation are ex officio members of the Executive Committee.
B10.02 The Nominating Committee
a. Its membership shall consist of five voting members of the congregation. Two of the members shall be appointed by the Congregation Council and three members shall be elected by the congregation at the January annual meeting from nominations made from the floor. A pastor shall serve as convener and as an advisory member.
b. Members shall serve for a term of one year except that the outgoing chairperson shall serve a second year as a member of the committee only. That member shall retain his/her classification as an elected or appointed member.
c. No member shall serve more than two successive terms.
a. Its membership shall consist of three voting members of this congregation elected at the January annual meeting. Members shall not hold any other office.
b. Members elected at the first annual meeting after adoption of these bylaws shall serve for staggered terms of up to three years. Subsequently, one member shall be elected each year for a term of three years.
c. Members shall not be eligible to serve more than two successive full terms.
a. Its membership shall consist of three to five members of this congregation appointed jointly by the President and the Lead Pastor.
b. Initial members appointed after adoption of these bylaws shall serve for staggered terms of up to three years. Subsequently, members as needed shall be appointed each year for terms of three years.
c. Members shall not be eligible to serve more than two successive full terms.
B10.05 The Bethel School Board
a. Its regular membership shall consist of at least five (5) and no more than seven (7) voting members of this congregation at the discretion of the Executive Committee. The chairperson shall be elected by the congregation at the January annual meeting. The remaining regular board members shall be appointed jointly by the Lead Pastor, the principal of the school and the current school board members. The school board may appoint additional members to serve with voice but no vote.
b. The Chairperson elected at the annual meeting shall serve a term of three years. The first set of regular board members appointed subsequent to the adoption of these bylaws shall serve for staggered terms of up to three years. Subsequently, members as needed shall be appointed each year for terms of three years. Any members appointed by the board itself shall serve only for the fiscal year in which appointed.
c. Members shall not be eligible to serve more
than two successive full terms.
B11.01 Standing and ad hoc ministries/committees and boards shall be established by the Congregation Council to serve as an extension of the Council in prosecuting and supporting the ministries of the church and its operational needs. Each is responsible to support the goals and plans of the Congregation Council and, in the larger sense, the mission and well being of the congregation in its defined functional area. Each shall develop its own goals and plans necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
B11.02 Council standing committees are established as follows:
a. Evangelism Ministry
This ministry seeks to stimulate and lead members of the congregation to proclaim the gospel by example and by building authentic relationships with unchurched people living out our faith with them and with each other. It shall try to: bring new members into the fellowship of the church; restore to active membership those who have lapsed; deepen the spiritual life of the congregation and recruit, support, and equip members to bear witness to their faith as they live out their daily lives.
This ministry seeks to assure that worship services are conducted regularly and in accordance with the faith and practices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Further, that such services are enriching, meaningful and effectively supported by ancillaries, equipment and supplies. They shall also strive to involve as many members as possible as participants.
d. Community Life Ministry
This ministry seeks to build a
healthy, loving and supportive congregation within the Body of Christ that is
Bethel. It shall provide opportunities
for the people of this congregation to come together to glorify God, celebrate
His presence among us, nurture and minister to each other, and grow
individually and together in faith and fellowship.
This ministry seeks to provide opportunities for children of all ages
to grow in faith, participate in the study of God’s Word and enable them to
apply the teachings in their daily lives.
This ministry seeks to motivate,
equip and support the members of the congregation to address the social,
economic, emotional and spiritual needs of the poor and oppressed and to
persons in need. It shall provide opportunities for study of social justice issues
in the community and the world. It shall promote cooperation and support for
Conference, Synod, church wide and ecumenical agencies efforts to further
social justice and advocacy.
This ministry seeks to create a nurturing environment for youth and
their families through programs of education, spiritual growth, fellowship and
service. It shall work for the involvement of young people in all aspects of
congregational life.
This ministry seeks, through educational opportunities and other
events, to promote growth in sharing systematically and proportionately all of
God’s gifts – time, talent and financial resources – in His service and for the
benefit of mankind as an expression of thankfulness.
This committee seeks to provide for the
responsible management of all the financial assets of the congregation. It
shall ensure the proper maintenance of the financial records of the
congregation and the preparation of appropriate reports. It shall be
responsible for preparation of the budget and shall review performance against
budget. It shall develop alternatives to bring unfavorable variances under
control and, in consultation with the Executive Committee, take the appropriate
actions.
j. Buildings
and Grounds Ministry
This committee seeks to provide for the proper maintenance, good repair and protection of all real and personal property of the congregation.
This committee seeks to study the needs of the congregation as to its physical plant and facilities and develop long-range plans for church programs, which would further support and enhance the mission of Bethel Lutheran Church.
B11.03 The Congregation Council’s ministries/ committees and boards shall be governed by the policies, procedures and guidelines and their respective charters set forth in the Continuing Resolutions.
B12.01 A group of from fifteen (15) to twenty five (25) voting members shall be designated Deacons of the Congregation. They shall be persons of spiritual maturity able to effectively assist the pastors in the worship service, in serving communion, visiting the shut-ins and helping others in prayer. They shall be directly under the oversight of the pastor(s).
B12.02 Members to be designated deacons shall be selected by the Lead Pastor and approved by the Congregation Council.
B13.01 The Annual Meeting of the congregation shall be held in two parts.
a. Part I of the Annual Meeting shall be held in January. The order of business at that meeting shall include:
1) Opening devotion.
2) Affirmation of the Mission Statement.
3) Approval of minutes of the last meeting.
4) Reports of pastors, committees, the president and treasurer.
5) Election of officers of the congregation, the Chair of the School Board and other members of the Congregation Council and other elected positions.
6) Election of two members of the Nominating Committee.
7) Election of members of the Audit Committee.
8) Election of Synod and Parish Assembly delegates.
9) Old business.
10) New business.
11) Closing prayer.
b. Part II of the Annual Meeting shall be held in June. The order of business shall include:
1) Opening devotion.
2) Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting.
3) Reports of the Fiscal Manager and the Chairperson of the School Board.
4) Reports of all insurance and bonds in force as well as an inventory of property.
5) Adoption of the budget.
6) Old business.
7) New business.
8) Closing prayer.
B14.01 The fiscal year of the congregation shall be July 1 through June 30.