Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church

Article 9. THE PASTOR
A9.01. This congregation will have the authority to call a pastor, when passed by at least two-thirds majority ballot vote of members present and voting at a congregational meeting called for that purpose. Before a call is issued, the call committee shall seek the advice and help of the bishop of the synod. Balloting shall be limited at any one meeting to a single nomination presented by the Church Council with at least two-thirds of its members concurring. Unless otherwise agreed, the call shall normally become invalid unless a definite answer is received within thirty days after its receipt.
A9.02. Only a member of the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or a candidate for the roster of ordained ministers who has been recommended for this congregation by the synodical bishop may be called as a pastor of this congregation.
A9.03. Consistent with the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,

a. every ordained minister shall:

.01. preach the Word,

.02. administer the sacraments,

.03. conduct public worship,

.04. provide pastoral care; and

.05. speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, calling for justice and proclaiming God's love for the world.

b. Each ordained minister with a congregational call shall, within this congregation:

.01. offer instruction, confirm, marry, visit the sick and distressed, and bury the dead;

.02. install regularly elected members of the Church Council, and with the Council administer discipline.

.03 oversee an provide input to all schools and organizations of this congregation

Every pastor shall:

.01. seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel and strive to extend the Kingdom of God in the community, in the nation, and abroad;

.02. impart knowledge of the church and its wider ministry through distribution of its periodicals and other publications; and

.03. endeavor to increase the support given by this congregation to the work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Organization and of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

A9.04. The specific duties of the pastor, compensation, and other matters pertaining to the service of the pastor shall be included in a letter of call. which shall be attested by the bishop of the synod.
A9.05. The call of this congregation, when accepted by a pastor, shall constitute a continuing mutual relationship and commitment which, except in the case of the death of the pastor, shall be terminated only following consultation with the synodical bishop and for the following reasons:

1. mutual agreement to terminate the call or the completion of a call for a specific term;

2. resignation of the pastor; which shall become effective, unless otherwise agreed, 30 days after the date on which it was submitted;

3. inability to conduct the pastoral office effectively in this congregation in view of local conditions, without reflection on the competence or the moral and spiritual character of the pastor;

4. the physical or mental incapacity of the pastor;

5. disqualification of the pastor through discipline on grounds of doctrine, morality, or continued neglect of duty;

6. the dissolution of this congregation. Or

7. suspension of the congregation a result of discipline proceedings.
A9.05.a. When alleged physical or mental incapacity of the pastor or ineffective conduct of the pastoral office;

.01. have come to the attention of the bishop of the synod, the bishop in his or her sole discretion may investigate such condition personally in company with a committee of two ordained ministers and one lay person, or

.02. have been brought to the synod's attention by an official recital of allegations by this Church Council or by a petition signed by at least one-third of the voting members of this congregation, the bishop shall investigate such conditions personally in conjunction with a committee of two ordained ministers and one lay person.
A9.05.b. In case of alleged physical or mental incapacity competent medical testimony shall be obtained. When such disability is evident, the bishop of the synod with the advice of the committee outlined in A9.05.a. shall declare the pastorate vacant. Upon the restoration of a disabled pastor to health, the bishop of the synod shall take steps to enable the pastor to resume the ministry, either in this congregation last served or in another field of labor.
A9.05.c. In the case of alleged local difficulties which imperil the effective functioning of this congregation, all concerned persons shall be heard, after which the bishop of the synod together with the committee as described in A9.05.a. shall decide on the course of action to be recommended to the pastor and this congregation. If they agree to carry out such recommendations, no further action shall be taken by the synod. If either party fails to assent, this congregation may dismiss the pastor by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members present at a regularly called meeting after consultation with the bishop.
A9.05.d. If in the course of proceedings described in A9.05.c. , the committee there may be grounds for disciplinary action, the committee shall make recommendations concerning disciplinary action to the synodical bishop who may bring charges in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and By-laws of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America and the Constitution and By-laws of the Northeastern Ohio Synod.
A9.05.e. If in the course of the proceedings, it should become apparent that the pastoral office cannot be conducted effectively in this congregation being served by the ordained minister due to local conditions, the bishop of the synod may temporarily suspend the pastor from service in the congregation without prejudice and with pay provided through a joint churchwide synod fund and with housing provided by this congregation.
A9.06. At a time of pastoral vacancy, an interim pastor may be appointed by the bishop of the synod with the consent of this congregation or this Church Council. Church Council shall approve compensation for the interim pastor prior to the appointment.
A9.07. During the period of service, an interim pastor shall have the rights and duties in this congregation of a regularly called pastor and may delegate the same in part to a supply pastor with the consent of the bishop of the synod and this congregation or Church Council. The interim pastor and any ordained pastor providing assistance shall refrain from exerting influence in the selection of a pastor.
A9.08. This congregation shall make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to a former pastor before calling a successor. A pastor shall make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to this congregation.
A9.09. When a pastor is called to serve in company with another pastor or pastors, the privileges and responsibilities of each pastor shall be specified in documents to accompany the call and to be drafted in consultation involving the pastor(s), the Church Council, support staff and the bishop of the synod. As occasion may require, the documents may be revised through a similar consultation.
A9.11. With the approval of the bishop of the synod this congregation may call a pastor for a specific term. Details of such calls shall be in writing setting forth the purpose and conditions involved. Prior to the completion of a term, the bishop or a designated representative of the bishop, shall meet with the pastor and representatives of this congregation for a review of the call. Such call may also be terminated before its expiration in accordance with the provisions of A9.05.
A9.12. The pastor(s) of this congregation: shall keep accurate parochial records of all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, communicants, members received, members dismissed, or members excluded from this congregation: shall submit a summary of such statistics annually to the synod;
A9.13. The pastor(s) of this congregation: shall submit a report of his or her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
A9.14. The pastor(s) of this congregation: shall be a member of this congregation.