Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church

Article 13. CHURCH COUNCIL
A13.01. The voting membership of the Church Council shall consist of the pastor(s) and not more than 12 members of the congregation. Any voting member of the congregation may be elected, subject only to the limitation on the length of continuous service permitted in that office. A member's place on the Church Council shall be declared vacant if the member a) ceases to be a voting member of this congregation or b) is absent from three successive regular meetings of the Church Council without cause.
A13.02 Elected members of the Church Council shall be chosen by ballot for terms of three years (a full term) by a majority vote at the annual congregation meeting. Their tenure shall be so arranged that one-third of the terms expire annually.

a. Church Council members shall be eligible to serve no more than two full terms consecutively.

b. Should a member's place on the Church Council be declared vacant, the Church Council shall elect, by majority vote, a successor until the next annual meeting

c If five or more terms are to be filled, the four full term positions will be filled by the four elected nominees receiving the highest number of votes. In the event an appointee to an unexpired term is elected, they shall serve out the remainder of the term to which they were appointed.

d. Newly elected Church Council members are expected to attend council meetings and be afforded voice without vote until they assume their office January 1st.
A13.03. The Church Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The duties of the Church Council shall include the following:

a. to lead this congregation in stating its mission, to do long range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals;

b. to seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support;

c. to oversee and provide for the administration of this congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission;

d. to maintain supportive relationships with the pastor(s) and staff and help them annually to evaluate the fulfillment of their calling, appointment, or employment;

e. to be examples individually and corporately of the style of life and ministry expected of all baptized persons;

f. to promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill and, as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding;

g. to arrange for pastoral service during the sickness or absence of the pastor(s);

h. to emphasize partnership with the synod and churchwide units of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as cooperation with other congregations, both Lutheran and non-Lutheran, subject to established policies of the synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;

i. to recommend and encourage the use of program resources produced or approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and

j. to seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel.
A13.05. The Church Council shall be responsible for the financial and property matters of this congregation.

a. The Church Council shall be the board of directors of this congregation, and as such shall be responsible for maintaining and protecting its property and the management of its business and fiscal affairs. It shall have the powers and be subject to the obligations that pertain to such boards under the laws of the State of Ohio, except as otherwise provided herein.

b. The Church Council shall not have the authority to buy, sell, or encumber real property unless specifically authorized to do so by a meeting of congregation.

c. The Church Council shall prepare an annual budget for adoption by this congregation, shall supervise the expenditure of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption, and may incur obligations more than 5% in excess of the anticipated receipts only after approval by a congregation meeting. The budget shall include this congregation's commitment in support of the wider ministry being carried on in partnership with the synod and churchwide organization.

d. The Church Council shall ascertain that the financial affairs of this congregation are being conducted efficiently, giving particular attention to the payment of all obligations and to the regular forwarding of benevolence monies to the synodical treasurer.

e. The Church Council shall be responsible for this congregation's investments and its total insurance program, and shall provide for an annual audit of all accounts of this congregation.

f. Commercialism, fund raising or commercial use of the church, must be subject to the approval of the Church Council.
A13.06. The Church Council shall see that the provisions of this constitution, its bylaws, and its continuing resolutions are carried out.
A13.07. The Church Council shall provide for an annual review of the membership roster.
A13.08. The Church Council shall be responsible for the appointment and supervision of the salaried lay workers of this congregation.
A13.09. The Church Council shall submit a comprehensive annual report to this congregation by February 15th for the calendar year just ended.
A13.11. The Church Council shall normally meet once a month. Special Church Council meetings may be called by the pastor or the president.

a. Additionally, if at least one-half of the members of the Church Council request special meeting of Church Council, it shall be called by the president or the pastor. Notice of each special meeting shall be given to all members of this congregation at least one week prior to the meeting.
A13.12. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the members of the Church Council, including the pastor(s) or interim pastor, except when such person requests or consents to be absent and has given prior approval to an agenda of routine matters which shall be the only business of the meeting.