CLW Constitution

PREAMBLE: Purpose
As followers of Jesus Christ, responding in faith to the call of the Holy Spirit through the gospel, desiring to unite together to preach the Word and carry out God’s mission, we do hereby adopt this Constitution and agree to be governed by its provisions.

ARTICLE 1: Name and Incorporation

• 1.01 The name of this Congregation shall be Church of the Living Word - Hampton (CLW).



• 1.02 This Congregation shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa.



• 1.03 This Congregation is affiliated with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).

ARTICLE 2: Mission Statement (TBA)

ARTICLE 3: Statement of Faith

• 3.01 We accept the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds as true declarations of the faith of this Congregation.



• 3.02 We believe that God is One, revealed in the Holy Scriptures as the three Persons of the
  Divine Trinity:
  The Father, the Source and Creator of all things;
  The Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord; and
  The Spirit, Who calls us to faith and empowers us for effective service.
  Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; John 14:26; Luke 3:22; Matt. 28:19-20; II Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:14.
  
  
• 3.03 We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. Having been created by and for Him, we honor His name, asking for His kingdom to come and His will to be done in and through our lives. He is the provider of all we need for daily life. He is the One who offers the forgiveness of sins and deliverance from evil through the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Only the Father knows when Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. God the Father sends the Holy Spirit to those who believe, fulfilling His promise to be with us forever. Genesis 1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 6:9-13; Mark 13:32; John 14:16-26.



• 3.04 We believe in Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, true God and true Man. Through His virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death on our behalf, bodily resurrection from the dead, and ascension, He offers forgiveness of sins, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life to those who believe in Him. We are saved by grace so that we may do good works. The whole human race is fallen and, without Christ, cannot be rescued from bondage to sin and to Satan. Matt. 22:34-40; John 14:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Acts 4:12; John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:4-10.



• 3.05 We believe in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers those who believe to do the greater works of Christ until He returns for His Church. We believe that God changes lives and that He alone has the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to draw us to Himself and to help us live our lives in a manner pleasing to Him. Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12; John 14:12; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 2:3-4; Galatians 5:19-26.



• 3.06 We believe the Holy Bible to be divinely inspired and without contradiction or error in its original texts. The 66 books that make up the Old and New Testaments are true and can be trusted without reservation as our guide and final authority for life and faith. We encourage the personal study of God’s Word, allowing the Bible to interpret itself since it is a Living Word, always relevant. John 1:1, 14; II Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4; Psalm 1; II Peter 1:20.



• 3.07 We believe Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are to be observed in loving obedience to Christ’s command. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 22:17-20; Romans 6:3-5; I Corinthians 11:23-30.



• 3.08 We believe the Church is made up of all those who have been born of the Spirit by repenting of sins and believing in the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Christ. True believers will live forever with Christ, while unbelievers will be sent to eternal punishment in Hell. As believers, we are called by God to be salt and light in this present world. We are commanded to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Our ministry to other believers and our mission to unbelievers is carried out because of our love for Christ and for people, not out of guilt, obligation, nor religious duty. As believers, we accept that nothing in this world stays the same except the Solid Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ. We worship Jesus Christ alone as Lord: not tradition, not history, not a building, and not ourselves. John 1:12-13; 3:3; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:18; Matthew 5:13-16; 10:28; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Hebrews 13:8; Exodus 20:3.

ARTICLE 4: Amendments

• 4.01 Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by at least 25 members or by the Board of Elders. The proposal must be filed in writing with the Board of Elders 56 days before formal consideration by the Congregation at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose. The Board of Elders shall notify the members of the proposal, along with its recommendations, at least 28 days in advance of the meeting.
  
  
• 4.02 A proposed amendment to this Constitution:
  
  a. may be approved at a properly called meeting by a majority vote; or
  
  b. may be amended and approved by a majority vote if a proposed amendment fails to be approved as submitted;
  
  c. shall be ratified without change at the next annual meeting by two-thirds majority vote of those voting; and
  
  d. shall have the effective date included in the resolution and noted in the Constitution.
  

• 5.01 This Congregation shall adopt Bylaws. No Bylaw shall conflict with this Constitution.



• 5.02 Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any legally called meeting of the Congregation by a majority vote of those voting.



• 5.03 Changes to the Bylaws may be proposed by any five voting members or by the Board of Elders. Such additions or amendments must be submitted in writing to the Board of Elders at least 56 days before a regular or special meeting called for that purpose. The Board of Elders shall notify the members of the proposal, along with its recommendations, at least 28 days in advance of the congregational meeting.

ARTICLE 6: Continuing Resolutions

• 6.01 The Board of Elders may enact Continuing Resolutions which describe the function of the various committees or organizations of this Congregation.



• 6.02 Continuing Resolutions shall be enacted or amended by a two-thirds vote of all voting members of the Board of Elders.

CHAPTER 1: Powers of the Congregation

A. The powers of the Congregation are to be exercised at congregational meetings called and conducted as provided in the Constitution and these Bylaws.

B. Only such authority as is delegated to the Board of Elders, the Deacons, or other organizational units is recognized. The Congregation retains all remaining authority, including but not limited to:


1. Calling a pastor;

2. Terminating the call of a pastor;

3. Approving the creation of paid positions;

4. Approving the annual budget and any amendments exceeding five percent in the aggregate;

5. Acquiring, holding title to and using its property for any and all activities consistent with its purpose;

6. Selling, mortgaging, leasing, transferring or disposing of its property; and

7. Ratifying and releasing its Elders, Deacons, and Officers.

CHAPTER 2: Congregational Meetings

A. An annual congregational meeting shall be held as scheduled by the Elders.

B. A special meeting of the Congregation may be called by petition of at least twenty percent of the members or by the Board of Elders. The call for each special meeting shall specify the purpose for which it is to be held, and no other business shall be conducted.

C. Notices of all congregational meetings shall be given at the services of worship on the preceding two consecutive Sundays and by mail to all members at least ten days in advance of the date of the meeting.

D. A quorum for any regular or special meeting of the Congregation shall be those members present, but not less than fifty members.

E. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

F. Absentee voting may be permitted, on a case-by-case basis, upon approval by a majority of Elders.

G. All actions by the Congregation shall be by majority vote unless otherwise specified.

H. Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern parliamentary procedure of all
congregational meetings.

CHAPTER 3: Ministries & Missions

A. Designated Ministry and Mission Areas


1. Discovery – to promote the discovery of:


a. The love and lordship of Jesus Christ;

b. The authority of Scripture;

c. The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.


2. Development – to promote the development of:


a. People becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ as described in Acts 2:42;

b. The five-fold ministry for the building up of the body as identified in Ephesians 4:11-12;

c. Biblical small groups as a primary place for spiritual growth and practice.

3. Deployment – to promote the deployment of:


a. People whose lives intersect with and invest in the lives of not-yet-believing people in our neighborhoods;

b. People whose lives intersect with and invest in the lives of not-yet-believing people in our places of work, commerce, and leisure;

c. People whose lives intersect with and invest in the lives of not-yet-believing people to the ends of the earth.



B. Paid and unpaid staff


1. The primary responsibility of paid and unpaid staff is to coordinate the ministry and missions of CLW.

2. Leadership of ministries and missions shall be determined by the Board of Elders and will depend upon factors, including but not limited to:


a. The amount of time needed on a weekly basis to accomplish the tasks associated with the ministry/mission;

b. The degree of training or expertise needed to effectively carry out the ministry/mission;

c. The effect any breakdown in the ministry/mission may have on other ministries/missions and the overall functioning of the Congregation.


3. Paid and unpaid staff are accountable to the governing body at CLW, which exists to enlist, encourage and equip those directly involved in ministry and mission.

4. Paid staff members shall not serve as Elders or Deacons.


C. Current ministries & missions


1. The Board of Elders shall maintain a list of all current ministries/missions.

2. That list shall identify the leader(s) responsible for each ministry/mission.

3. Copies of that list shall be presented at the Annual Meeting and available upon request.


D. Innovations in new ministries & missions:


1. A proposal for any new front-line ministry/mission must meet the following qualifications. It must be:
a. Biblically sound;

b. Consistent with the Statement of Faith and Bylaws of CLW;

c. Not involve the independent raising of funds unless approved by the Board of Elders;

d. Led by a member(s).


2. All requests for approval of new ministries/missions shall be submitted to the Board of Elders for consideration at the next regular meeting.

3. In order for requests for new ministries/missions to be considered, the leader(s) is responsible for providing the Board of Elders with a plan of how the ministry/mission will be implemented, including answers to each of the following:


a. What is its purpose?

b. Who is the target?

c. What needs will it meet?

d. How will those needs be met?

e. What resources (space, financial, training, etc.) are required?

f. How will its effectiveness be measured?


4. Once a new ministry/mission plan has been approved by the Board of Elders, the new ministry/mission leader(s) is responsible for working with staff to build an action plan.

CHAPTER 4: Board of Elders

A. Purpose and Responsibilities


1. To be accountable to God for the effectiveness of the complete ministries and missions of CLW;

2. To earnestly pray for and seek God’s guidance for themselves, the ministry of the church, and the needs of its members;

3. To lead the Congregation in pursuing its ministries and mission, conducting long-range planning, and evaluating its activities in light of its mission and goals;

4. To exercise general oversight of the life and activities of the Congregation by encouraging, equipping and supporting those who are directly involved in the ministry/mission of CLW;

5. To exercise overall regular decision-making responsibility for CLW, with ratification by the Congregation at regularly called meetings;

6. To annually appoint a Treasurer of the Congregation. The Treasurer shall serve under the Deacon of Finance. The Treasurer shall co-sign checks with either the Deacon of Finance or the Chair of the Elders;

7. To regularly review all Designated Ministry/Mission Areas of CLW, to ensure innovation and balance;

8. To establish criteria for determining active membership;

9. To constantly assess the overall spiritual condition of the Congregation as guided by CLW’s Constitution, using regular, two-way communication with ministry/mission leaders and CLW staff;

10. To remain familiar with the current programs and curriculum being used at CLW;

11. To encourage and help equip ministry and mission leaders to become more effective in their areas of ministry and mission, by locating and coordinating necessary training;

12. To encourage and assist people in their spiritual growth by coordinating regular spiritual growth events;

13. To recommend to the Congregation annual budgets, new staff positions, new ministry and mission proposals, changes to Bylaws, and similar matters that have a congregation-wide impact;

14. At regular meetings, this Board will address specific issues which arise during the year, such as new positions, capital expenditures and other financial matters which fall outside the budget, and may amend the budget accordingly. All financial and property matters which fall within the budget previously approved at the annual meeting (or as amended by the Board of Elders) will be delegated to, and the responsibility of the Deacons;

15. To meet at least monthly and more often if necessary;

16. To regularly communicate with the Congregation regarding the status of ministries and missions, including an annual report that summarizes the accomplishments of the year and provides long-range plans of ministries/missions;

17. To exercise overall responsibility for:


a. Appointing and supervising paid staff;

b. Reviewing the member roster annually;

c. Carrying out the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.


B. Organization of the Board of Elders


1. The Board of Elders shall consist of seven persons who will be five ratified members, the Pastor, and the chair of the Deacons. Each Elder will have one, equal vote.

2. The Elders shall conduct all meetings as open meetings, except for closed sessions, which are necessary to consider confidential matters, such as personnel issues.

3. The Chairperson of the Elders shall be selected annually by and from the five ratified members of this Board at the first meeting following the annual congregational meeting.

4. The Chairperson of the Elders will also serve as President of the Congregation, and shall be responsible to:


a. Co-sign all legal documents of the Congregation with the Chair of the Deacons;

b. Preside at all meetings of the Congregation and the Board of Elders;

c. Deliver an annual report to the Congregation;

d. Execute letters of call on behalf of the Congregation; and

e. Meet with the Pastor regularly, and determine the agenda for the meetings of the Congregation.


5. The Secretary of this Board and of the Congregation shall be selected annually by and from the five elected members of this Board at the first meeting following the annual congregational meeting. The Secretary shall be responsible for ensuring that minutes of meetings are kept and maintained.


C. Selection of Elders


1. All vacancies shall be filled by recommendation of the Nomination Committee (Chapter 6 below) with election by congregational vote at the next annual or specially scheduled congregational meeting.

2. Nominees must agree to complete a course on spiritual leadership.

3. Nominees shall sign a Spiritual Leadership Commitment.


D. Terms of Elders


1. Each Elder is to serve a five-year staggered term. (One new Elder will be selected each year, to avoid a turnover of the entire Board within one year.)

2. If appointed to serve a partial term, that Elder is eligible to be nominated to serve a subsequent full term, but not more than seven consecutive years.

3. After having served one full, five-year term, that Elder is not eligible to serve as an Elder or Deacon until two years have passed.

CHAPTER 5: Deacons

A. Purpose and responsibilities


1. To regularly review information related to ongoing operations, church property, staff, and finances; and make decisions regarding those matters within established parameters;

2. To assist the Board of Elders in preparing the annual budget;

3. To prepare regular reports of designated program areas (See B1a below);

4. To communicate regularly with ministry/mission leaders on relevant matters.


B. Members


1. The Deacons shall consist of six members who meet at least monthly, each having specific responsibility as chair for one of the following program areas, as delegated by the Deacons with input from the Nominating Committee:


a. Finance

b. Stewardship

c. Properties

d. Supplies & equipment

e. Staff

f. Chairperson of the Deacons, who shall serve in this capacity for no more than three consecutive years.


2. The Chairperson shall be responsible for:


a. Scheduling and presiding over meetings of the Deacons;

b. Regular communication with other Deacons to determine:


(1) Whether all current ministry/mission needs are being met;

(2) Whether new (proposed) ministry/mission needs can be met with the current budget and resources; and

(3) What issues need to be brought to the attention of the Elders;


c. Co-signing all legal documents with the chair of the Elders;

d. Ensuring that minutes of Deacon meetings are kept and maintained.


C. Selection of Deacons


1. Deacons will be nominated and recommended to the Congregation by the Nomination Committee (Chapter 6 below) with election by congregational vote at the next annual or specially scheduled meeting.

2. Nominees must be members and have demonstrated competency for the position.


D. Term of Deacons


1. Each Deacon shall serve a three-year term that may be renewed for a second three-year term.

2. Deacons’ terms will be staggered, with two new members being selected each year.

3. If appointed to serve a partial term, that Deacon will be eligible to be nominated to serve one subsequent full term.

4. After having served two consecutive terms, that Deacon will not be eligible for nomination for another term as a Deacon or Elder until two years have passed.


E. Committees Committees shall be established for each program area by the Deacons.

CHAPTER 6: Nomination Committee

A. Members of the Committee


1. Team membership will change each year following the annual meeting. The Elder and the Deacons whose terms have just ended will become members of the Nomination Committee.

2. The seven members of the Nomination Committee shall be:


a. The Elder whose term most recently ended;

b. The two Deacons whose terms have most recently ended;

c. Three at-large members appointed by the outgoing Nomination Committee;

d. The Pastor.


3. Terms shall be for one year.


B. Qualifications for Nomination


1. Nominees for Elders and Deacons shall be members of CLW.

2. Nominees for Elders and Deacons shall have the reputation of, and consistently exhibit the Biblical qualifications of Godly leaders as defined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, 3.




C. The Nomination Process


1. Vacancies on the Board of Elders and the Deacons shall be filled by nomination and recommendation by the Nomination Committee, with ratification by congregational vote at the next annual or scheduled meeting.

2. Members of the Congregation and/or staff will be invited to submit names for consideration by the Nomination Committee. They shall do so using an Elder-approved nomination form, which summarizes the spiritual maturity of the nominee.

3. The Nomination Committee shall review completed nomination forms, which shall be available upon request from the Elders.

4. The Nomination Committee will then provide a letter to the nominee, asking the nominee to confirm his/her interest in serving. The letter will also enclose three copies of the Candidate Recommendation Form and one copy of the Ministry/Mission Experience & Availability Form.

5. If the nominee desires to proceed with the nomination review, the nominee shall provide a copy of the Candidate Recommendation Form to his/her spouse and two other CLW members. They will complete the forms and deliver them to the Nomination Committee.

6. The nominee shall complete the Ministry/Mission Experience & Availability Form and provide it to the Nomination Committee.

7. The Nomination Committee shall not consider negative input regarding nominees unless this is submitted in writing and signed by the author.

8. The Committee shall interview the nominees and approve a slate of nominees. This slate of candidates shall be presented no less than 28 days prior to the scheduled vote.

9. The members of the Nomination Committee shall treat all Forms as confidential. Within thirty days after the election, all copies of the Forms shall be destroyed.

CHAPTER 7: Pastor

A. The authority to call a pastor belongs to the Congregation and shall require a two-thirds majority ballot vote at a meeting called for that purpose.

B. The specific duties of the Pastor, compensation, and other matters pertaining to the service of the Pastor shall be determined by the Board of Elders and included in the Letter of Call.

C. Once accepted by a pastor, the call shall constitute a continuing mutual relationship and commitment which shall be terminated only for the following reasons:


1. A 2/3 majority vote of the Congregation to terminate the call;

2. Completion of a call for a specific term of years;

3. Resignation 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; or

6. The dissolution of the Congregation.

CHAPTER 8: Membership

A. Members of this Congregation shall:


1. Make a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord;

2. Be baptized;

3. Complete the Membership Class.

4. Be eligible to vote at age sixteen.


B. Membership shall be reviewed by the Board of Elders on an ongoing basis.

C. The Elders shall have the authority to terminate or suspend membership based on any of the following:


1. Resignation;

2. Transfer or release;

3. Disciplinary action by the Board of Elders;

4. Inactivity.

CHAPTER 9: Property

A. Any property that CLW chooses to own belongs to this Congregation.

B. If this Congregation ceases to exist, the property and assets shall be sold, all debts retired and, if funds remain, they shall be given away to honor the cause of Christ, as determined by a majority of the Elders.

CHAPTER 10: Discipline of Members

A. Denial of the Christian faith as described in the Statement of Faith or conduct unbecoming a follower of Christ is sufficient cause for discipline of a member. Prior to disciplinary action, reconciliation will be attempted following Matthew 18:15-17, proceeding through these successive steps:


1. Private admonition by the Pastor, or the Pastor’s designee;

2. Admonition by the Pastor (or the Pastor’s designee) in the presence of two or three witnesses; and

3. Appearance before the Elders, if so requested.


B. If, for any reason, the Pastor is unable to administer the admonitions, the Chair of the Elders or his/her designated member of the Board shall administer such admonitions.

C. If this process does not result in either reconciliation or resignation, the following process will be followed:


1. Written notice from the Elders, specifying the accusations against the member, received at least ten days prior to:

2. A meeting at which that member appears before the Elders to resolve the question of membership.


D. Disciplinary actions may be reconsidered and revoked by the Elders upon receipt of:


1. Evidence that an injustice has been done; or

2. Evidence of repentance and making amends.


E. When there is disagreement among factions within this Congregation on a substantive issue that cannot be resolved by the parties, the Elders may seek help from agencies that specialize in conflict resolution. After consultation, the Elders shall present recommendations accordingly.

CHAPTER 11: Special Committees

The Elders may form ad hoc and special committees, such as pastoral search committees or strategic planning committees, for a specific purpose. Such committees will be terminated at the end of their assigned purpose.

CHAPTER 12: Amendments to Bylaws

A. Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any legally called meeting of the Congregation by a majority vote of those voting members voting.

B. Changes to the Bylaws may be proposed by any member and shall be submitted in writing to the Elders at its regularly scheduled meeting at least 28 days prior to a regular annual meeting of this Congregation. The Elders shall notify the members of the proposal, with its recommendations, at least 14 days in advance of the meeting.