Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Prince Of Peace Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

 

By-Laws

PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH – MISSOURI SYNOD
1756 Michigan St
Sturgeon Bay, WI  54235

ARTICLE I – Membership

  1. Baptized Members
    1. Reception
      Baptized members are received through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, by transfer from another Lutheran congregation in fellowship with this congregation, or with the consent of a parent or guardian in the case of children who were properly baptized in a congregation of another Christian church.
    2. Termination
      A member in good standing shall, upon request, be transferred by the pastor to another Lutheran congregation.  A baptized member who has not become a communicant and has ceased to be under the spiritual care of this congregation may have his membership suspended by the Board of Directors.  If possible, an effort must first be made to bring the member back under such spiritual care.
    3. Announcement
      All changes in membership shall be reported by the pastor to the Board of Directors for ratification at its next meeting.
  2. Communicant/Associate Members
    1. Reception
      1. Communicant members are received through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism of an unbaptized adult, through the Rite of Confirmation of a baptized adult who has never been confirmed, by transfer of a communicant from a Lutheran congregation in fellowship with this congregation, or by reaffirmation of faith of a former member of this or another Lutheran congregation.
      2. Instruction in the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran church, the nature of which shall be determined by the pastor, shall precede reception into communicant membership.
      3. Wherever practical, formal reception of communicant members shall take place in the presence of the congregation assembled for worship.  At the discretion of the pastor reception by reaffirmation may be private.
    2. Termination
      1. Members desiring to join another congregation in fellowship with this congregation shall present a request to the pastor, who shall issue a formal letter of transfer.
      2. Members who have joined another congregation outside of the fellowship of this congregation shall be considered as having terminated their membership.
      3. Members who move away and thereby sever their connection with this congregation without obtaining a release shall, after a period of twelve (12) months be stricken from the list of membership.  Excluded from this rule shall be servicemen, students or anyone, who by their calling must be absent from the congregation for unusual periods of time.
      4. Members who without legitimate reason fail in regular church attendance and communion attendance and in their contributions to the support of the church, in spite of personal and loving admonition by the pastor and elders, shall have their membership terminated after a period of 12 months, and shall be notified of such action.
      5. Members who conduct themselves in an unchristian manner, are admonished according to the Scripture (Matt. 18:15-20), but refuse to repent shall be excommunicated by the congregation.  They shall be encouraged to attend public worship and efforts shall be made to bring them to repentance.  When they do repent, the excommunication shall be lifted and they shall be reinstated as communicant members of the congregation.
      6. A unanimous vote shall be required for every resolution for excommunication or self-exclusion.  Excommunication or self-exclusion terminates membership.
      7. Persons whose communicant membership has been terminated have forfeited all rights as members of this congregation and claims upon the property of the congregation as such, or upon any part thereof, so long as they are not reinstated into membership.
    3. Announcement
      All changes in membership shall be reported by the Board of Elders to the Board of Directors for ratification at its next regular meeting.

ARTICLE II – The Congregation

  1. Annual Meeting
    The Annual meeting of the congregation shall be held on the second Sunday in January. 
  2. Special Meetings
    Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the pastor, by the chairman of the congregation, by the Board of Directors, or by a majority of the communicant members.  Notice of the date and purpose of the special meeting shall be made at worship one Sunday preceding the special meeting.  The business of a special meeting shall be limited to the purpose for which it was called.
  3. Voting and Quorum
    All communicant and associate members of the congregation, who have reached the age of 18 years, have read and signed the Prince of Peace Constitution, shall be eligible to vote.  The quorum for any meeting shall be those members present.  Every decision by a majority of those present and voting shall be valid as an act of the congregation, except where a larger number is specified by the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and By-Laws.  Ballots by proxy or by mail shall not be recognized.
  4. Order of Business
    Items to be discussed at congregational meetings shall normally be presented through the Board of Directors.  The order of business shall be established by the chairman of a given congregational meeting.  Questions of parliamentary procedure not governed by the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, and the By-Laws shall be decided by Roberts’ Rules of Order.

ARTICLE III – The Board of Directors

This body shall consist of the four officers:  Chairman, Vice-Chairman (Chairman of Elders), Secretary and Treasurer, and chairpersons of the following boards:  Trustees, Education, Stewardship, Missions/Outreach and Finance.  The Pastor shall automatically be a member of the board.

  1. Function and Responsibilities
    The Board of Directors, under authority received from the congregation and on its behalf, shall administer the affairs of the congregation; review procedures, progress, and problems related; and give direction to its individual members and their committees.  It shall give counsel and assistance to the pastor and be concerned with his welfare.  It shall supervise all auxiliary organizations within the congregation.  It shall propose and administer the budget.  The Board of directors shall approve non-designated budget expenditures of all Boards in excess of $100.00, but shall not expend more than $1,500.00 of non-designated budget expenses without prior approval of the Voters Assembly.  It shall serve as a planning and coordinating council for the congregation, inviting leaders of auxiliary organizations to meet with it at least once a year to plan and coordinate the church program and calendar of activities.  It shall adopt such guidelines as will be necessary for the proper conduct of its business and that of its members and committees.  The officers shall serve as the legal trustees of the congregation.
  2. Term of Office
    Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a term of two (2) years and may succeed themselves for as long as they are elected by the congregation.  The chairman, secretary, and directors of missions, finance, trustees, and stewardship shall be elected in the odd-numbered calendar years.  The treasurer, director of elders and director of education shall not hold more than one (1) elective office at the same time.  The newly elected officers shall assume their office immediately after the close of the Annual Meeting.  Members of the Board of Directors shall be inducted into office in a public service of the congregation.
  3. Election
    All communicant members who have reached their eighteenth (18) birthday shall be eligible for each position to the Board of Directors.  Candidates for the Board of Directors shall be nominated at the Annual Meeting.  A Nominating Committee shall propose a slate of candidates.  No person may be nominated without his or her consent.  Balloting shall be by written vote.  Election shall be by majority of the votes cast.
  4. Vacancies
    Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment of the Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting, at which time someone shall be elected for the remainder of the term.
  5. Meetings
    Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly.  Notice of date and time of regular meetings shall be given to the congregation.  Special meetings may be called by the pastor, by the chairman, or by three (3) officers or directors upon written request to the chairman.  Notice of the date and purpose of the special meeting shall be made to each member of the Board of Directors at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting.  The quorum for any meeting shall be two-thirds of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV – Duties of Officers, Directors and Boards/Committees

  1. Chairman
    The chairman shall preside at all meetings of the congregation and the Board of Directors.  He shall be responsible for the orderly conduct of such meetings in accord with Roberts’ Rules of Order.  The chairman shall appoint necessary committees to meet the needs of the congregation and automatically be a member of all boards/committees; shall execute any documents authorized by the congregation or Board of Directors and shall be authorized to sign checks for the disbursement of funds in the event of the absence, disability, or death of the treasurer.  At the Annual meeting of the congregation, the chairman shall report major actions of the Board of Directors during the previous year.
  2. Vice-Chairman (Chairman of Elders)
    The vice-chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman in case of the chairman’s absence, during disability, or when requested.  The vice-chairman shall succeed to the chairmanship at the death, resignation, or removal from office of the chairman.
  3. Secretary
    The secretary shall record and author minutes of meetings of the congregation and the Board of Directors, and shall conduct correspondence authorized by the congregation and/or the Board of Directors.  All records of the congregation shall be kept in the church building.
  4. Treasurer
    The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the congregation in accordance with the budget.  The treasurer shall be responsible for the prompt payment of salaries and bills and for monthly remission of funds designated for the district; shall report monthly to the Board of Directors, indicating receipts, expenditures, and the condition of the budget; shall make financial reports to the congregation at the Annual meeting; shall submit records for audit prior to the Annual meeting; shall be a voting member of the Finance Committee; and shall furnish the congregation with a fidelity bond in an amount determined by the Board of Directors and paid for by the congregation.
  5. Board of Elders
    The Board of Elders shall consist of a minimum of five (5) members.  The term of office shall be for two (2) years with one-half of the members elected each year.  It shall meet regularly and shall annually elect its own chairman to represent them on the Board of Directors.  (He will also serve as vice-chairman.)  An additional elder shall be appointed for every 20 families over 100 families in congregation.         
    1. The Board of Elders will assist the pastor in assuring the general spiritual welfare of the congregation, in difficult problems of the ministry, and affirm that congregational discipline is carried out according to the spirit of Scripture (Matthew 18: 15-29).
    2. They will, by word and example, seek to stimulate a high level of spirituality in the congregation.  They will carry on a systematic program of visitation to encourage those who have become negligent in the use of Word and Sacrament.  They will diligently call upon delinquent members, endeavoring to reclaim them for Christ.  They will recommend exclusions and/or forms of church discipline.
    3. They will assist the pastor in cultivating an ongoing spirit of harmony among the members, and will by word and action, encourage the pastor and affirm that he carries out his responsibilities.
    4. They will supervise the worship of the congregation along with the pastor, and see to it that all services are conducted with proper decorum.  They will also supervise the scheduling and work of the ushers.
    5. They shall work closely with the Board of Stewardship in affirming that members are encouraged toward liberal, systematic, sacrificial management of their time, talent and treasures.
  6. Board of Education
    The Board of Education, in association with the pastor, shall supervise the conduct of the educational agencies and programs of the congregation, including enlistment and training of teachers and leaders, provision for adequate supplies, equipment, and facilities, and regular evaluation of the congregation’s education program in the light of current trends.  It shall recommend the Sunday School Superintendent to the Board of Directors for appointment.  It shall make itself aware of recommended procedures and materials for a relevant educational ministry.  It shall encourage youth and adults to study, individually and in groups, the Bible and the relationship of the Christian faith to current issues and problems.  In addition to the Director of Education, who shall be the committee chairman, this committee shall be composed of at least two (2) more persons.  Committee members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term with no restriction on the number of terms served.
  7. Board of Missions & Outreach
    The Board of Missions & Outreach will cooperate with the pastor in making ways and means possible for an effective outreach toward the unchurched and uncommitted in the community.  In this regard, it will organize an on-going systematic program of visitation, concentrating on visitors to the church and “newcomers” to the area.  It will seek to develop concern within the congregation for people who do not yet know their Savior, and will seek to keep the congregation aware of the mission efforts here and abroad.  It will assist the pastor in gathering and enlisting members for adult membership classes in the church.
  8. Board of Finance
    The Finance Committee shall be responsible for depositing all income of the congregation.  It shall order and provide offering envelopes for communicant members, shall record contributions received through such envelopes, and shall submit quarterly statements to the persons using said envelopes; shall report all income to the treasurer each month; and shall submit records for audit prior to the Annual meeting.  It shall report to the elders’ members who have become excessively delinquent in their contributions to meet their pledges.  It shall count the offerings.  The Director of Finance shall also furnish the congregation with a fidelity bond in an amount determined by the Board of Directors and paid for by the congregation.  In addition to the Director, this committee shall be composed of at least two (2) more persons.  The Director shall be the committee chairman.  Committee members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term with no restriction on the number of terms served.
  9. Board of Trustees
    The Board of Trustees shall see to the maintenance, protection, and improvement of all property of the congregation, shall provide for necessary service to all equipment, and shall enlist and supervise the services of the custodian.  It shall supervise the use of the congregation’s building and equipment and shall regulate the issuance of keys for the same.  This committee shall maintain a running inventory of the equipment owned by the congregation and shall provide for insurance for the congregation’s property.  In addition to the Director of Trustees, this committee shall be composed of at least two (2) more persons.  Committee members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term with no restriction on the number of terms served.
  10. Board of Stewardship
    The Board of Stewardship will guide and encourage the members of the congregation in the responsible, systematic and worshipful use of the time, talents and treasures God has entrusted to them.  It will review, select and lead the congregation in the carrying out of Christian stewardship programs throughout the entire year.  It will recommend to the Board of Directors people to fill vacancies on boards and committees.  This committee shall instruct people in the grace of proportionate giving to God’s work in their own congregation and in the world.

ARTICLE V – The Pastoral Office

The office of Pastor in this congregation shall be conferred upon such persons who are qualified by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, who are properly called by the congregation, and who are committed to its purposes and theological beliefs.

  1. Call
    1. When a vacancy in the pastoral office occurs, the congregation, through the Board of Directors, shall consult the circuit counselor and/or the district   president so that he may assist in filling the vacancy:  by giving counsel in regard to the calling of a new pastor or teacher, and by suggesting names of candidates for consideration.          
    2. At a meeting of the Voters’ Assembly, properly convened, names of candidates for the office of pastor or teacher shall be submitted for consideration.  Nominations may also be made from the floor.
    3. The election shall be by ballot.  The candidate receiving the majority of votes shall be considered elected.  The Assembly shall, if possible, make the election unanimous by a rising vote.  The candidate elected shall be sent the call.
  2. Mission
    The pastor is to plan and officiate at worship, proclaim and teach the Word of God, administer the Sacraments, minister to the congregation and its members, and share in their mission.  He is to equip members for their ministry and to assist them in equipping one another.  He is to help them, even as they are to help him, to deepen and broaden their awareness of their identity as the people of God, and to facilitate the translation of this understanding into discipleship.  The pastor need not, as a matter of specific requirement, attend all meetings of the congregation, its administrative agencies, or its organizations.
  3. Termination
    If the pastor receives a call to another ministry, he shall consult the Board of Directors before reaching a decision.  If he decides to accept the call, he shall ask the congregation for a release and shall terminate his present ministry as soon as feasible.

ARTICLE VI – Amendments

Amendments to these By-Laws will be the same as Article XI-B of the Constitution.

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