OurConstitution - Licking Valley Church of Christ

Constitution of the Licking Valley Church of Christ (Christian)

PREAMBLE: The Licking Valley Church of Christ is a congregation of immersed believers in Jesus Christ. The Church was established on the Day of Pentecost, 30 A.D. (Acts 2). It recognizes Jesus Christ as the only head of the Church and the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice.

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE

The Church exists in order to win the lost to Christ through preaching and teaching, and to equip them to fulfill their roles in the body of Christ so that worship and further evangelism occurs.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Licking Valley Church of Christ shall consist of all who are Christians, according to Scripture, and who express their desire to be identified with this congregation.

ARTICLE III: LEADERSHIP

Elders - (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5a, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:1-3) The elders shall oversee all matters concerning this congregation.

Deacons - (1 Timothy 3:8-10 & 12-13) The deacons shall assist the elders in whatever capacity the elders deem necessary.

Minister - (2 Timothy 4:1-5, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 9:14) The minister shall be an evangelist, shepherd, and teacher and is responsible to and under the authority of the elders.

Trustees - The trustees shall discharge all the duties that the laws of the state may enjoin upon them as legal agents of the church.

Elders, deacons, and trustees shall be selected by congregational vote, or appointment by the elders.

The elders shall employ the minister(s) subject to the approval of the congregation.

ARTICLE IV: CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

There shall be an annual meeting of the membership of the Licking Valley Church of Christ.

ARTICLE V: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

This constitution may be amended at any Annual or Special meeting of the membership.

Guidelines of the Licking Valley Church of Christ

ARTICLE I: PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP

Section A

Any active member, eighteen (18) years or older, shall have a vote.

ARTICLE II: CHURCH OFFICERS

Section A

Any officer of the Church must be at least eighteen (18) years old and an active member of the church for at least one year.

Section B

1. The Minister(s)

a. The Church Board shall employ the Minister(s) upon recommendation of the Elders, and subject to the approval of the congregation. The recommendation must be accepted by not less than three-fourths (3\4) majority of the Church Board present and voting by secret ballot at a regular or special business meeting, and by three-fourths (3\4) majority of the congregation present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the Church.

b. The term of any minister shall be for an indefinite period, and it may be terminated by either party upon sixty (60) days written notice. A written statement giving the salary to be paid and other conditions of the call shall be made in triplicate -- one (1) copy for the minister, one (1) for the Church Clerk, and one (1) for the Chairman of the Board.

c. The Minister(s) of the Church shall be ex-officio member(s) of all organized Church groups. He shall be the chief coordinator of all ministerial work. The minister(s) shall assist in the planning and execution of the Church program, subject to the approval of the Elders.

2. The Trustee(s)

a. The trustees shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of all Church property, including adequate insurance coverage.

b. The trustees shall handle all requests from outside agencies for the use of the building(s) or equipment, including permission or refusal to use, amount of rental, etc.

c. There shall always be an odd number of Trustee: 3, 5, 7, etc.

3. The Chairman of the Board

The Chairman of the Board shall be elected by the Church Board. The Chairman of the Board must have been a member of the board for the previous year and shall preside over all meetings of the Congregation and the Church Board.

4. The Assistant Chairman of the Board

In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Assistant Chairman of the Board shall perform the duties of the Chairman.

5. The Parliamentarian

The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for democratic and objective rulings upon matters of procedure and interpretation concerning the CHURCH CONSTITUTION, GUIDELINES, and ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER. The Parliamentarian shall be elected by the Board from its members.

6. The Chairman of the Elders

Any Elder who desires the office and served as an officer for a year my be elected to the office by the Elders for one year. The Chairman of the Elders shall oversee and preside over the Elders' Meetings and report to the Church Board.

7. The Chairman of the Deacons

Any Deacon who desires the office and served the Church for a year may be elected to the office by the deacons. The Chairman of the Deacons shall oversee and preside over the Deacons' Meetings and report to the Church Board.

8. The Chairman of the Trustees

Any Trustee who desires the office and served the Church for a year may be elected to the office by the trustees. The Chairman of the Trustees shall oversee and preside over the Trustees' Meetings and report to the Church Board.

9. The Church Clerk

Any board member may be elected by the Church Board to hold the office of Church Clerk. The Church Clerk will attend and keep record of all regular and special meetings of the Congregation and the Church Board.

10. The Church Treasurer

a. Any member who desires the office and qualifies may hold it.

b. The Church Treasurer shall keep an individual account record for each envelope contributor.

c. The Church Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Church.

d. The Church Treasurer shall make monthly reports to the Church Board.

e. The Church Treasurer shall make an annual report to the Church Board and the Congregation.

f. The Church Treasurer shall attend all regular meetings of the Church Board.

11. The Bible School Superintendent

a. The Bible School Superintendent shall be elected from the Church membership.

b. Any man desiring and qualifying may hold the office.

c. The Bible School Superintendent shall conduct teachers' meetings.

d. The Bible School Superintendent shall see that complete record of the Bible School membership, attendance, awards, etc. are kept current.

12. The Assistant Bible School Superintendent

The Assistant Bible School Superintendent shall be any man who desires and qualifies for the position. In the absence of the Bible School Superintendent, the Assistant Bible School Superintendent shall perform the duties of the Superintendent.

ARTICLE III: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section A

1. In July, the Nominating committee consisting of the Elders shall begin its duties.

2. The congregation shall submit nominations to the committee for review.

3. After approval of the slate of prospective officers by the Elders, the Elders shall distribute it to the Church Board and the Congregation.

4. The election of Church and Bible School Officers shall be held by secret ballot at the Annual Congregational Meeting, the first Sunday in November. The candidates receiving the highest votes (51%) of those present and voting shall be declared elected to the office for which nominated.

5. All elected officers will assume their duties as of January 1 following election.

6. If a vacancy occurs within the Church Board or other church office because of a resignation, sickness, or death, transfer or removal from office, the Elders shall secure a replacement if needed.

Section B

Honorary Officers shall be elected as follows:

The Office of Emeritus

1. A member of the Church, after long and faithful service as an Elder, Deacon, or Trustee and whose consecration to the Church merits this honor, may be nominated to the Office of Elder Emeritus, Deacon Emeritus, or Trustee Emeritus by the Elders. The nomination must be approved by the Elders and the confirmation of this office must be made by a majority vote of the Board and bestowed by the Congregation.

2. All Emeritus Officers may serve an indefinite period as voting members of the Church Board.

ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH BOARD

Section A

1. After the beginning of the Church year at the first regular meeting of the Church Board, the Chairman of the Church Board shall accept nominations from the floor for the Offices of Chairman of the Board, Assistant Chairman of the Board, Parliamentarian and Church Clerk.

2. Any candidate for the Church Board Office to which nominated must have served on the Board the previous year.

3. All Officers of the Church board shall be elected for one year by secret ballot. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes of those present and voting shall be declared elected to the office for which nominated. In the event of a tie, the decision of election shall be made by the presiding Chairman of the Board.

ARTICLE V: TIME OF MEETING OF THE CHURCH BOARD

Section A

The Regular Meeting of the Church Board shall be held on the first Tuesday evening of each month, or at such time deemed expedient. Should the time be changed from the regular schedule, every member shall be duly notified, unless the proposed change has been passed upon at a previous meeting.

Section B

Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board.

Section C

A quorum for the transaction of business by the Church Board is required and shall consist of a majority (51%) of the entire membership of the Church Board.

Section D

1. Notice of all regular meetings of the Church Board or Congregation shall be published in the Church Bulletin or Church paper.

2. Notice of all special meetings of the Church Board or Congregation shall be published in the Church Bulletin or Church paper, or may be delivered orally at a regular Lord's Day service, or by mail or telephone.

ARTICLE VI: ADDITIONAL CHURCH PERSONNEL

The Church Board may employ such additional personnel as is necessary. Terms of employment shall be arranged by the respective committee, trustee, or member of the Church board, subject to the approval of the Church Board.

ARTICLE VII: CHURCH COMMITTEES

Section A

The Standing Committees shall be appointed by the elders

Section B

A temporary Committee may be appointed by the Elders.

Section C

Each Committee shall give specific and special attention to its charge. Each committee shall make recommendations to the Church Board in its monthly report to the Board, or if no recommendations, give an accounting as to its activities.

Section D

The Missionary Committee shall be concerned with the Church's year-round evangelism program and the Church's program of world missions.

ARTICLE VIII: CHURCH BUDGET

The Church Budget for each fiscal year shall be prepared and presented to the Church Board for approval at the regular October Board meeting. A copy of the adopted budget shall then be distributed to the Church membership at the Annual Congregation meeting.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS TO THE GUIDELINES

The Guidelines may be amended by the Elders. They shall also be made available to any Church member desiring a copy.

Amendments

AMENDMENT I: THE BIBLE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

On October 5, 1992, the Elders of the Licking Valley Church of Christ amended Article II, Section B, 11, b, to read:

"Any member desiring and qualifying may hold the office."

and Article II, Section B, 12, to read:

"The assistant Bible School superintendent shall be any member who desires and qualifies for the position. In the absence of the Bible School Superintendent, the Assistant Bible School Superintendent shall perform the duties of the Superintendent."

Notation of the amendment was made in the October 6, 1992 Church Board Meeting Minutes.

AMENDMENT II: CHURCH TREASURER AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY

On October 4, 1993, the Elders recommended the following amendment to the church guidelines, Article II, Section B, Item 10, concerning the office of church Treasurer:

“There shall be two positions in this office. One, being the Financial Secretary in charge of moneys received. And the second position, the Church Treasurer will be responsible for the disbursement of said moneys. Of the nominees running for the office, the person receiving the most votes shall have choice of office.”

This amendment was approved by unanimous consent and so noted in the October 5, 1993, regular, Church Board meeting.

AMENDMENT III: CHURCH CLERK

On January 3, 1994, the Elders of the Licking Valley Church of Christ amended Article II, Section B, Item 9, of the Church Guidelines to read:

“Any Church Member may be elected by the Church Board to hold the office of Church Clerk. The Church Clerk will attend and keep record of all regular and special meetings of the congregation and the Church Board. In the event the Church Clerk selected is not a Board Member, the Church Clerk will be considered a nonvoting participant in all Church Board meetings.”

Article IV, Section A, Item 2, is likewise amended to read:

“Any candidate for the Church Board Office to which nominated must have served on the Board the previous year except for Church Clerk.”

Notation of this amendment was made in the January 11, 1994, Church Board meeting minutes.

AMENDMENT IV: CHURCH TREASURER(S)

On October 1, 2001, the elders of the Licking Valley Church of Christ amended Article II, Section B, of the Licking Valley Church of Christ Guidelines Item 10 to read:

“10. The Church Treasurer(s)

The Church Treasurer(s) will be appointed by the Church Board to receive and disburse Church money.”

Notation of this amendment was made in the November 6, 2001, Church Board meeting minutes.

AMENDMENT V: CHURCH CLERK

On December 2, 2003, the elders of the Licking Valley Church of Christ amended the following:

ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH BOARD, Section A to read:

and also AMENDMENT III: CHURCH CLERK to read:

“Any Church Member may be appointed by the Church Board to hold the office of Church Clerk.”

Notation of this amendment was made in the December 2, 2003, Church Board meeting minutes.

Amendment VI: Gender Roles

(Written and approved by the Elders with much prayer, effort and love, this policy sets specific worship conduct for the Christian men, women, boys and girls within the Licking Valley Church in accordance with God’s Holy Word.)

Service Roles:

1. Preaching. Elder-approved Christian men or boys may preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the congregation. Women may preach in women-only gatherings. (1 Corinthians 11:2-3; 1 Timothy 2:11, 12)

2. Teaching. Elder-approved Christian men may teach the Bible, the gospel, and Christian materials to men, boys (grades 9-12), children and to the congregation. Elder-approved Christian women may teach the Bible, the gospel and Christian materials to women and to children (grades pre-K--8). (Titus 2:1-5)

3. Praying. Christian men and boys may deliver public prayer during worship services. Christian women and girls may offer public prayer during women-only worship services and other Church gatherings where free discussion and open prayer is allowed. (1 Corinthians 11:1-16, 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:1-8, 11-12)

4. Reading Scripture. Christians--men, women, boys and girls--may read aloud from God’s Holy Word, and participate in responsive readings in worship services. However, only men may comment upon the reading. (1 Corinthians 11:3, 12:27; 1 Timothy 2:11-12)

5. Delivering Testimonials. All Christians may give testimony of the acts and influences of God upon their lives; but only Christian men will preach or teach during testimony. (Ephesians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 2:11-12)

6. Holding Office and Voting. Scripturally qualified men must hold the offices of Elder and Deacon. Additionally, the Church Guidelines require legally qualified men to hold the office of Trustee. Elder-approved women may hold appointed offices not requiring teaching men or authority over them; such as Board Clerk, Missions Chairperson, Church Secretary, Church Treasurer and the elected office of Sunday School Superintendent. During business meetings, only Elders, Deacons and Trustees will move motions and vote. All members, 18 years or older--men and women--may make motions and vote during Annual and Congregational meetings of the Church. (1 Timothy 3:1-12; Titus 1:6-9)

7. Serving Communion Trays and Passing Offering Plates. Elders and Deacons will lead the communion and offering meditations and prayers. Christian men and women may serve and return the communion trays; pass and return the offering plates. (1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:2-3,23-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Ephesians 4:7-16)

8. Baptizing. Elder-approved Christian men may receive confession and baptize men, women, and children of consenting age. Elder-approved Christian women may receive confession and baptize women and children of consenting age. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-39; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; Titus 2:4-5)

9. Conducting Visitation. Ministers and Elders will enact the anointing and laying-on of hands upon those being set apart for specialized service and the sick requesting them. Ministers, Elders and Deacons will visit and serve the members of the congregation requesting communion or other pastoral care outside a regular church service. All Christians of the Church may visit with permission any home, nursing home, or hospital for acts of service. Christian women are encouraged to minister to other women in the Church. (Acts 13:2-3; James 5:13-20; 1 Peter 5:1-4; John 13:13,14; Philippians 2:1-7; 1 Peter 4:8-11; Romans 12:13-15; Titus 2:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:1-2)

10. Fulfilling a Ministry. Christians recognizing the call of Christ to meet a particular ministry within the Church may do so upon review and approval of the Elders. The Elders reserve the right to set guidelines. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:28-31; Galatians 6:9-10)

Notation of this amendment was made in the August 10, 2004, Church Board meeting minutes.

AMENDMENT VII:

On January 7, 2008, the elders amended ARTICLE VII to read:

ARTICLE VII: MINISTRY TEAMS

Section A

The Ministry Teams shall be appointed by the elders.

Section B

A temporary Ministry Team may be appointed by the Elders.

Section C

Each Ministry Team shall give specific and special attention to its charge. Each Ministry Team shall make recommendations to the Church Board in its monthly report to the Board, or if no recommendations, give an accounting as to its activities.

Section D

The Missionary Ministry Team shall be concerned with the Church's year-round evangelism program and the Church's program of world missions.

Notation of this change was made in the January 8, 2008 Church Board Meeting Minutes.