THE CONSTITUTION:

 

The Constitution and By-Laws contained herein were adopted by this Congregation on May 4, 1980 with an effective date of July 1, 1980. All documents of similar nature previous to the effective date are superseded.

 

PREAMBLE

 

We believe that we exist for more than ourselves -- either ourselves personally or ourselves as a Congregation. Just as Jesus Christ was the man who lived for others, we have been made children of God by Baptism so that we, individually and together, will give and live for others. Therefore, the ultimate purpose of every congregational agency or committee is to give expression to and equip us for our mission and ministry to other people -- people both within and outside the household of faith. The Holy Scriptures hold that a Christian congregation should conform to the Word of God in doctrine and practice (Psalms 119:105; Galatians 1:6-8; II Timo­thy 4:1-5). It is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ that his disciples should preach the Gospel to the whole world (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:18-20: Acts 1:8) and He has commanded that Christians unite in worship (Hebrews 10:24-25), practice fellowship with one another (Acts 2:42), witness to all men (Acts 1:8), help each other grow in the Word (Ephesians 4:11-14), serve the needs of all people in Christian love (Ephesians 4:7-16; Mark 10:42-44; John 13:35; Galatians 6:10), administer the Office of the Keys as His Church (John 20:21-28; Matthew 18:15-20), and maintain decency and order (I Corinthians 14:40) in the Church.

 

 

ARTICLE 1: NAME

 

This Congregation shall bear the name:

 

Trinity Lutheran Church

(Missouri Synod)

of Lexington Park, Maryland 20653.

 

 

ARTICLE 2: CONFESSION

 

As a Lutheran congregation of God's people, this Congregation acknowledges and accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired, inerrant, unchangeable, all powerful Word of God and as the only trustworthy and reliable authority in all matters of faith and life. All matter of doctrine and conscience shall be decided only by the Word of God.

 

This Congregation further acknowledges and accepts all the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, as faithful expositions of the doctrine of the Bible. These confessional writings are:

 

1.         The Three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostolic, Nicene, Athanasian)

5.         Are not members of any organization conflicting with the Word of God and the conduct of a Christian (II Corinthians 6:14-18).

 

C.        The membership, and membership privileges, of communicant members shall remain in force so long as they shall maintain their eligibility according to Section B of this Article and shall meet the require­ments stated or implied in the disciplinary, or other provisions, of the By-Laws. A member who voluntarily severs his/her connection with this Congregation, or who has been released or transferred, or who has been excommunicated or excludes himself/herself according to the provisions of the By-Laws, shall be deemed to have terminated his/her membership in this Congregation along with all rights and privileges of such membership.

 

 

ARTICLE 5: ORGANIZATION

 

A.        Voting Membership

 

Communicant members, who have quali­fied according to the membership provisions of the By-Laws, shall be re­ceived as Voting Members of this Congregation.

 

B.         Administrative Boards

 

Responsibility and authority for the daily administration of congregational affairs shall be delegated to the following Administrative Boards:

 

1.         A BOARD OF ELDERS

2.         A BOARD OF EVANGELISM

3.         A BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

4.         A BOARD OF YOUTH

5.         A BOARD OF STEWARDSHIP

6.         A BOARD OF CHURCH PROPERTIES

7.         A BOARD OF PARISH FELLOWSHIP

8.         A BOARD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

9.         A BOARD OF SOCIAL MINISTRY

 

One member of each Administrative Board shall serve as the Director of that Board.

 

C.        Officers of the Congregation

 

The Officers of the Congregation shall consist of a President, a Vice President, and a Treasurer, elected from among the Voting Membership in accordance with the By-Laws of the Congregation.

 

The President of the Congregation, (or the Vice President when acting in the President=s capacity) shall be, ex officio, a member of all Boards. The Pastor of the Congregation shall be, ex offi­cio, a member of all Boards and their associated committees, and may, at his discretion, attend any or all meetings related to congregational activ­ity of any kind.

D.        Parish Planning Council

 

The Parish Planning Council shall consist of the Pastor, the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer of the Congre­gation, and the Directors of the Administrative Boards listed in Section B of this Article. They shall hold a position on the Parish Planning Council by virtue of their call or election by the Voting Members of the Congrega­tion so long as their term of office continues.

 

ARTICLE 6: PASTOR

 

Only such candidates shall be called and elected to serve as Pastor who profess acceptance of, and pledge faithful adher­ence to, the confessions of this Congregation as set forth in Article 2 of this Constitution.

 

In the absence of adequate cause for dismissal, as defined in the By-Laws of the Congregation, the tenure of office of a called or elected Pastor shall be the remainder of their active life, or until the Lord calls them into another field of service.

 

 

ARTICLE 7: SOCIETIES

 

Societies may be organized within the Congregation only with the express approval of the Voting Membership. Any decisions, enactment, or performance of or by societies or groups shall be invalid if they conflict with this Constitution and its associated By-Laws. The Pastor by virtue of his office, shall be the advisor for such socie­ties or groups within the Congregation.

 

 

ARTICLE 8: PROPERTY RIGHTS

 

If, at any time, a separation should take place within this Congregation, the advice of the officers of District and Synod shall be sought. If, despite all ef­forts to compose differences in peace and love, a division into factions of the Congregation shall occur, the property of the congregation and all benefits there­with connected shall remain with those members who continue to adhere in confession and practice to Articles 2, 3, and 4 of this Constitution. In the event the congregation should disband, the property and all rights thereto shall be trans­ferred to that District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod of which the Congre­gation is a member.
 

 

ARTICLE 9: VALIDITY OF RESOLUTIONS

 

THE BY-LAWS OF THE CONSTITUTION

 

 

ARTICLE 1:  MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1. Baptized Membership

 

A.        Baptized membership in this Congregation is held by all those who are baptized in the Name of the Triune God with water, and are under our pasto­ral care.

 

Section 2. Communicant Membership

 

A.        Application for Membership - Procedure

 

Applicants for communicant membership in this Congregation shall consult the Pastor who shall determine whether such applicants are eligible for membership in accordance with Article 4 of the Constitution. Applicants not familiar with the doctrines and confessions of the Lutheran Church shall be required to attend a course of instruction, and to make profession of their faith either before the Congregation or, at the Pastor's discretion, before witnesses who are members of the Board of Elders, before being received as members.

 

Applicants from other Evangelical Lutheran churches shall submit a letter of transfer from their former Congregation to establish their eligibility for membership. In the case of applicants whose previous membership in a Lutheran Congregation has lapsed, the Pastor may arrange for a period of re-instruction prior to reaffirma­tion of faith for such applicants.

 

After applicants have given satisfactory evidence of their eligibility in accordance with the two preceding paragraphs, their admission as communi­cant members shall be reported by the Pastor to the Board of Elders. They then become eligible to become voting members of the congregation.  The roster of new members shall be publicized in the various news media of the Congregation.

 

B.         Privileges and Duties of Communicant Members

 

It shall be the privilege and duty of communicant members of this Congrega­tion to:

 

1.         Grow in the Christian faith and life through faithful use of the means of grace, searching the Scriptures at home and in fellowship with other members of the Congregation and its agencies, and partaking of the Lord's Supper frequently.

 

2.         Live a morally decent life before God, abstaining from open works of the flesh (Galatians 5:18-21).

 

3.         Provide for the proper Christian training of their children by in­struction at home and through the agencies of the Church.
 

Revised 12/4/2005                                                          8

4.         Willingly contribute toward the maintenance of the Congregation and the extension of the Kingdom of God at home and abroad.

 

5.         Place their God-given talents and abilities at the disposal of the Pastor, the officers, and other agencies of the Congregation as set forth in its Constitution and By-Laws, so that the purposes and func­tions of the Congregation may be effectively implemented.

 

ARTICLE 2: VOTING MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1.        Eligibility

 

Any communicant member of this Congregation shall be eligible to apply for Voting Membership status.  To become a Voting Member, the communicant member shall sign the official copy of the Church=s Constitution and By-Laws at a regular Voter=s Meeting.

 

Section 2.        Privileges and Duties of Voting Members

 

It shall be the privilege and duty of Voting Members of this Congregation to:

 

1.         Conscientiously and prayerfully exercise their right of suffrage in all measures that will advance the work of Christ's Kingdom both locally and in the church-at-large.

 

2.         Willingly serve in any office or capacity for which their talents and abili­ties equip them.

 

3.         Faithfully attend all meetings of the Voting Membership.

 

4.         Assist with wholehearted diligence in administering the temporal and spir­itual affairs of the Congregation.

 

5.         Encourage, by personal example, friendly interest, and judicious counsel, such eligible communicant members who are not yet Voting Members to consid­er seriously accepting the responsibilities and privileges of Voting Mem­bership.

 

 

ARTICLE 3: DISCIPLINE IN THE CONGREGATION

 

All discipline in this Congregation shall be administered in accordance with the order of discipline laid down in Matthew 18:15-20, I Corinthians 5:1-5, and other related New Testament passages under the direction of the Pastor and the Board of Elders.

 

Section 1.        Communicant Membership -- Termination

A.        Transfers

 

A member desiring transfer to another Lutheran Congregation shall apply to the Pastor. A letter of transfer shall be issued by the Pastor. All such transfers shall be reported to the Board of Elders and to the Congregation at the next regular meeting of that body.

 

B.         Joining Other Churches

 

In cases where communicant members of this Congregation have joined a non-Lutheran Congregation, they shall be deemed to have terminated their membership in this Congregation, forfeiting all rights and privileges of such membership. All such terminations shall be reported to the Board of Elders and to the Congregation at the next regular meeting of that body.

 

C.        Whereabouts Unknown

 

Members whose whereabouts are unknown for a period of twelve months shall be removed from the member­ship list of the Congregation and placed in a file designated "Whereabouts Unknown". Such membership is terminated and shall be reported as such to the next regular meeting of the Voters' Assembly.

 

D.        Excommunication and Self-Exclusion.

 

When a member of Trinity Lutheran Church has not communed for three months, he/she will receive a visit from the respective Elder, and shall be counseled and encouraged. If such a member has not communed after six months, he/she shall receive another visit by at least two members of the Congregation, one the respective Elder of the area and the Pastor or some other concerned member of the Congregation. Additional encouragement shall be given. If, after nine months, such a member still has not communed and is not attending the worship services of the Church, he/she shall be evangelically admonished more firmly and told that if such neglect contin­ues for another three months, it shall be interpreted as impenitence, lack of faith in Jesus Christ, and indifference to church membership, privi­leges, and responsibilities. If, then, after 12 months, the member has not responded to Christian admonition as outlined above, the member's name shall be transferred to the mission file of the Congregation or turned over to the Board of Evangelism. The individual shall be notified of such action by certified mail and shall be declared to have excluded himself/herself from this Christian Congregation.

 

Such self-exclusion releases the individual from all responsibilities to this Congregation, but it also excludes the member from the privileges of church membership, such as Christian burial and  transfer to a sister Congrega­tion. SUCH A PERSON, HOWEVER, WILL AT ALL TIMES BE CORDIALLY WELCOME TO ATTEND ALL DIVINE SERVICES IN OUR CHURCH.

 

Unchristian behavior, i.e., openly adhering to false doctrine, giving evidence of an immoral and offensive life, or willfully despising the preaching of the Gospel and the Lord's Supper shall lead to excommunication.

Persons who have been removed from membership for whatever reasons shall be restored with all rights and privileges when they repent and ask forgive­ness.

 

Section 2.        Provisions Pertaining to Church Officers and Directors

 

Any officer or director of the Congregation who willfully neglects the duties of his/her office may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Voting Members present in a regular meeting of the Voters' Assembly. The Parish Planning Council (PPC) shall initiate such disciplinary action. When an office is made vacant by disposition, resignation, death, or excommunication of the incumbent, a successor to such officer or director shall be appointed by the President for the remainder of the term.  No offi­cer or director shall hold directorship or elected membership in more than one board.

 

Section 3.        Provisions Pertaining to Pastors

 

Sufficient grounds for removing a pastor shall be persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, and willful ne­glect of official duties or evident and protracted incapacity to perform the func­tion of the sacred office. Charges on any of these counts shall be carefully inves­tigated by the Board of Elders. Should such charges be substantiated by clear evidence, the individ­ual involved shall first be given an opportunity to resign their position in the Congregation. Such opportunity having been given and declined, the Board of Elders shall, after consultation with the appropriate officers of the Southeastern District, notify the Voting Membership of the situation and shall submit the matter for action at a special meeting of that body. A three-fourths majority vote of the Voting Members present shall be required to remove the pastor.  All Voting Members shall be notified by mail at least two weeks in advance of the special meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE 4: MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

 

Section 1.        Regular Meetings

 

Regular meetings of the Voting Membership shall be held at least two times during the calendar year, May/June and November/December. The times of all Voter's Meetings shall be set by the Parish Planning Council. The budget for the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) shall be presented at the May/June meeting.

 

Every meeting of the Voting Membership shall be announced at the worship serv­ices on the Sunday preceding the date of the meeting.

 

Section 2.        Special Meetings

 

Special meetings of the Voters' Assembly may be called by the Pastor and President, at the request of any one of the Administrative Boards, or at the request of 10 voting members of the Congregation. Notice of the date and time of such a meeting, and of the nature of

Section 2.        The Pastoral Office

 

The Pastoral Office is the authority conferred upon pastors by God, through a call of the Congregation. Upon being elected and accepting the call, the pastor is authorized and obligated to proclaim to the Congregation the Word of God in its full truth and purity as contained in the canonical writings of the Old and New Testament and professed in the Book of Concord of the year 1580. He is further:

 

1.         To administer the sacraments in accordance with their divine institution;

 

2.         To discharge toward all members of the Congregation the functions of a minister in an evangelical manner, in particular to visit the sick and the dying and admonish indifferent and erring mem­bers;

 

3.         To spiritually guard the welfare of the Congregation during its preparation for acceptance of Holy Communion;

 

4.         To guide the Congregation in applying divinely ordained discipline of the Church;

 

5.         To provide spiritual leadership and oversight in the educational agencies and the various adult and youth organizations within the Congregation;

 

6.         To serve as an example by Christian conduct and to do all that is possible for the up building of the Congregation and for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. The pastor shall have the authority and responsibility for supervising the musical portion of all worship services so that it is at all times in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Members of the Congregation are to accord the pastor honor, love, and obedience in his ministry of God's Word, and to support his ministrations with diligence and faithful prayers; to help him in the discharge of his duties by cordial one-mindedness; by willing readiness, by peaceable conduct, and in every other way possible; and to provide for his maintenance according to the ability of the Congre­gation.

 

 

ARTICLE 6: ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS

 

Section 1. Nomination Procedure

 

The Parish Planning Council shall announce by the first Sunday in April, its selection of four qualified Voting Members who, together with the Pastor, shall serve as the Nominating Committee. The Voters may then submit to the Committee the names of possible candidates for office.

 

The Nominating Committee, as soon as possible after its April selection, shall prepare

 

2.         The Directors of the following Administrative Boards:

Public Relations, Christian Education, Stewardship,

Parish Fellowship, and Social Ministry.

 

3.         Board of Elders, to the number required to complete one-half the member­ship.

 

 

Section 3.        Installation of Officers and Board Members - Term of -Office

 

The newly elected Church Officers, Directors, and the appointed and elected Board Members of the Congregation shall be installed before the end of June, and shall assume their duties of office as of July 1. The term of office of all Church Officers, Directors, and Board Members shall be two years, terminating on July 1 in the second years of their terms. The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Directors of Administrative Boards and elected Elders may serve only two successive elected terms in their office.

 

 

ARTICLE 7: DUTIES OF OFFICERS -- FUNCTIONS, POWERS, ORGANIZATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS, AND THE PARISH PLANNING COUNCIL

 

Section 1.        Duties of Officers

 

A.        President

 

1.         Preside at all meetings of the Voting Membership.

 

2.         Enforce the Constitution and By-Laws to the best of his/her ability.

 

3.         Carry out the expressed will of the Congregation as embodied in the resolutions of the Voting Membership.

 

4.         Be welcome at meetings of any boards, committees, auxil­iaries, groups, etc. (May appoint a representative if he/she chooses.)

 

5.         Be responsive to all boards, committees, auxiliaries, groups, etc since they are responsible to the President.

 

6.         Call and preside over the meetings of the Parish Planning Council.

 

7.         Endeavor to coordinate the functions, plans, and activities of the Congregation in all its parts for the total furtherance of the work of Christ's Kingdom in our midst.

 

8.         Conduct official correspondence of the Parish Planning Council, and boards or committees as may be necessary.

 

9.         Appoint an Auditing Committee consisting of two qualified communicant members of the Congregation other than the Treasurer and Financial Secretary to audit the financial records of the Congregation. Each year, he/she shall present their report at the May/June meeting of the Voting Membership. A special audit is required at anytime there is a change of the treasurer.

 

10.       May appoint a secretary to serve the Parish Planning Council who shall continue in office until the President's term of office expires.

 

B.         Vice President

 

1.         Act for and in the stead of the President in the President 's absence.

 

2.         Perform such duties as may be directed by the President.

 

C.        Treasurer

 

1.         Be responsible for accurate recording of Congregational receipts and disbursements and budgeted and actual expenditures according to proper accounting procedures.
 

2.         Present a financial report at Voters' Meetings and a preliminary report at the Parish Planning Council meetings.

 

3.         Submit permanent financial records for annual audit.

 

4.         Be responsible for monthly remission of offerings for missions and church agencies and for prompt payment of salaries and bills.

 

5.         Coordinate the flow of money from the treasury to the various Adminis­trative Boards in such a way that an adequate balance is retained for the payment of salaries and other regularly recurring expenses.

 

6.         Remit to the professional workers of the Congregation for documented expenses while attending professional workshops, conferences, conven­tions, etc., approved by the Administrative Board under whose juris­diction they function.

 

7.         Receive from the counting teams a report of all monies received through worship services, special offerings, or any other source and duly record same.

 

8.         Signs all checks for payment of bills, salaries, or other financial commitments of the Congregation of any sort. The President shall act as an alternate signer of checks in the absence of the Treasurer. 

 

9.         Has available for all Administrative Boards a current record of their accrued disbursements and budget allotment.

10.       Has the authority to work out with salaried workers of the Congrega­tion a breakdown of the worker's total compensation into salary and fringe benefits as the worker requests.

 

11.       Establishes and maintains a petty cash fund.

 

12.       Comply with all state and federal regulations that pertain to his/her office.

 

13.              Prepare the church annual budget by coordinating the input from the various boards and committees. Submit the proposed budget to the Parish Planning Council  for approval prior to presenting it at the Nov/Dec Voters= Assembly for congregational approval.

 

Section 2.        The Parish Planning Council

 

A.        The Parish Planning Council shall consist of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Directors of the Admin­istrative Boards, the Director of Little Sonbeams Preschool and the Pastor of the Congregation, all of whom will hold membership on the Parish Planning Council until their term of office expires. It shall be the specific functions of the Parish Planning Council to:

 

 1.        Plan the total work of the Congregation.

 

 2.        Settle jurisdictional disputes between the several Administrative Boards by a simple majority vote of those present during a duly called meeting. The Parish Planning Council shall have the authority to decide, issues not under the jurisdiction of an Administra­tive Board and not specifically assigned to the Voters' Assembly.

 

 3.        Prepare the agenda and set dates and times for the meetings of the Voters' Assembly.

 

 4.        Appoint the Nominating Committee as required.

 

 5.        Fill unexpired terms by appointment.

 

 6.        Determine the number of members for the Board of Elders annually no later than the March Parish Planning Council meeting.

 

B.         The Parish Planning Council shall normally meet monthly.  Additional meetings may be called by the President of the Congregation and/or the Pastor as required.

 

C.        The Parish Planning Council is not primarily a decision-making body and serves as a forum where the activities of the Administrative Boards may be discussed, evaluated, and coordinated, where all such activities may be integrated into an overall Congregational program.

 

D.        The Parish Planning Council shall keep a permanent set of minutes for each meeting.

 

Section 3.        The Administrative Boards

 

A.        General Duties and Powers of Administrative Boards

 

1.         Each Administrative Board shall submit a report of its activities at each regular meeting of the Voting Membership, and on such other occasions as directed by the Voting Membership, and such reports may include specific recommendations for Congregational action and/or approval.

 

2.         Each Administrative Board shall initiate and carry out such activities and programs as required by the Constitution and By-Laws, or by specific resolution of the Voting Membership. Specific duties of each Board are listed in Section 4.

 

3.         Each Administrative Board shall be empowered to administer all funds set aside for its work by budget appropriation or by special resolu­tion of the Voters' Assembly, provided that the Voting Membership may, at its discretion, restrict such expenditures to conform with the actual financial condition of the Congregation at any time.

 

4.         Each Administrative Board shall keep a permanent set of minutes for each meeting.

 

B.         Organization and Meetings of Administrative Boards

 

1.         Each Administrative Board shall be under the direct control and super­vision of the Director of that Board. The Directors of each board will appoint members to their various boards (except for the Board of Elders) and forward their names to the President who will present them for ratification at a Parish Planning Council meeting. Such appointments are to be made within four weeks of the date of election.

 

2.         The time and frequency of Board meetings shall be at the discretion of the Director of the Board and the Board members, except that, for good and sufficient reason, either the President of the Congrega­tion or the Pastor may call a meeting of the Board at any time. Meetings thus called shall be classified as special meetings, and each person involved shall be notified of the date, time, and purpose of such a meeting.

 

Section 4. Specific Duties of the Administrative Boards

 

A.        The Board of Elders

 

The duties of this Board require that only members noted for their Christian knowledge, zeal, and experience in the spiritual work of the Kingdom of Christ shall be elected to membership.

 

The objectives of this Board are the spiritual welfare of the Pastor and Congregation. The

 

b.         Provide for vicars, assistants, substitute pastors, and guest speakers.

 

c.         Staff, train, and supervise the ushering staff.

 

d.         Assist the Pastor with communion distribution.

 

e.         Set the time, schedule, and number of communion services in con­junction with the Pastor.

 

f.          Counsel with pastor regrading new forms of worship, liturgies, and hymns for use in public worship.

 

g.         Supervise the Altar Guild in the care, use, and maintenance of the sacred vessels, the altar, altar furnishings, and vestments.

 

h.         Plan and publicize the services for the year.

 

i.          Supervise the budgeted allotment for the selection and procurement of appropriate music in conjunction with the Coordinator of Music.

 

j.          Recommend and annually review compensation as required for music staff.

 

k.         Maintain and supervise adequate nursery facilities.

 

B.         The Board of Christian Education

 

The Board of Christian Education shall consist of at least three members including the elected Director of the Board.

 

The objectives of this Board are to plan and administer the educational program of the Congregation, to determine policies, to select personnel and, to provide the necessary means and facilities. The board shall:

 

 1.        Be responsible for the Christian education of children, youth, and adults in the Congregation and, through them, in the community and beyond.

 

 2.        Establish objectives, set policies for, and supervise the total educa­tion program for the Congregation, i.e. Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School.

 

 3.        Approve curriculum, analyze performance, and seek constant improvement.

 

 4.        Continually review to determine whether all age groups are being served, and recommend revisions and additions as deemed advisable.

 

 5.        Provide attendance statistics to the Church office to record members= participation in the education program.

 6.        Work with other Boards to coordinate educational activities within the Congregation.

 

 7.        Exercise leadership in gathering lists of candidates for vacancies in the teaching staff.

 8.        Enlist, and train, lay teachers and leaders as the Congregation's needs require.

 

 9.        Establish a system of commendation for and recognition of faithful service by all persons involved in the educational task of the Congre­gation.

 

10.       Provide special education opportunities for mentally retarded and other handicapped persons.

 

11.       Provide for the professional growth of the educational staff through conferences, conventions, and continuing education, and request the necessary funds for the same in the yearly budget.

 

12.       Maintain and cultivate the use of a multi media church library.

 

13.       Annually examine the education facilities and equipment, and make recommendations to the Board of Church Properties as to upkeep, re­pairs, and replacement equipment.

 

14.       Check the safety of education facilities - steps, handrails, lights, exits, housekeeping practices, fire drills, and the like on a regular basis. Notify the Board of Church Properties Director when safety hazards exist.

 

15.       Submit an annual budget to the Treasurer.

 

C.        The Board of Evangelism

 

The Board of Evangelism shall consist of at least three members. including the elected Director of the Board.

 

The objectives of this Board are to bring the Gospel to the unchurched, by enlisting God's people in the work of spreading the Gospel. The Board shall:

 

1.         Share with the Pastor in proclaiming the Gospel to all.

 

2.         Foster a climate of evangelism that encourages congregation members to share Christ with each other and the unsaved.

3.         Promote and direct congregation-wide evangelism undertakings.

 

4.         Receive, orient, and integrate new members into the Congregation.

 

5.         Foster an atmosphere of friendliness toward members and visitors by maintaining a greeters program

 

6.         Submit an annual budget to the Treasurer.

 

D.        The Board of Youth

 

The Board of Youth shall consist of at least three members, including the elected Director of the Board.

 

The objectives of the Board are to involve the young people of the Congregation in the work of Christ, provide for their spiritual growth and nurture, and promote genuine Christian fellowship for the young people of the Congregation. The Board shall:

 

1.         Promote attendance and involvement of the Congregation's youth at all youth activities.

 

2.         Provide for the continuing spiritual growth of the young people of the Congregation through Bible study, prayer, and Christian service.

 

3.         Plan and carry out a program for the young people of the Congregation.

 

4.         Provide for public recognition of various youth achievements and accomplishments.

 

5.         Submit an annual budget to the Treasurer.

 

 

E.         The Board of Stewardship

 

The Board of Stewardship shall consist of at least three members, including the elected Director of the Board.

 

The objectives of this Board are to initiate programs for the devel­opment of good stewardship practices in the members of the Congregation in regard to time, talents, and treasures. The Board shall:

 

1.         Study the Scriptural principles regarding the total stewardship call­ing of the Christian.

 

2.         Contact and encourage new members for service to the Congregation, and endeavor to stimulate the talents of present members for use in Christ's work.