Constitution
Suburban Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Constitution and By-Laws
Up-dated on July 1, 2009
Constitution of
Suburban Christian Church, Inc.
(Disciples of Christ)
7515 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40222
Updates to by-laws Approved by Congregation October 5, 2008
PREAMBLE
We the members of the Suburban Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Incorporated, a congregationally governed body, in order to promote the work of the church in the spirit of Christ and fulfill our ministry, do hereby adopt this Constitution effective November 30, 2003 and revoke all previous Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE I
NAME, MISSION AND AFFILIATION
NAME:
The name of this organization shall be Suburban Christian Church, Inc., (Disciples of Christ) hereinafter designated as "SCC".
MISSION:
The mission of SCC as revealed in the New Testament shall be to call people to God, Christ and one another. The mission shall commit people to Christ , baptize and teach them all that Jesus taught, and foster growth in faith, fellowship and commitment through worship, spiritual education and Christian Ministry.
AFFILIATION:
SCC shall be affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
The membership of SCC shall consist of:
1. Members:
Any person who shall have been received by confession of faith in Jesus the Christ and baptized by immersion; or received by transfer of membership from a duly recognized Christian faith and who has professed belief in Jesus the Christ and has been baptized in accordance with the practice of that faith. Members shall have the right to vote, to hold office, and to participate in all activities of the congregation.
2. Associate Members:
Any member of another Christian Communion who wishes to maintain that membership but also wishes to have a continuing interest in SCC by regular attendance, stewardship and activities may become an Associate Member by coming forward and declaring their intent and belief in Christ. Associate Members have voting rights in congregational meetings but may not hold elective office nor serve as a teacher without approval of the Council of Ministries.
3. Affiliate Members:
Any member of SCC who has moved to another congregation in another community may remain as an Affiliate member of SCC by requesting such membership but may not vote or hold office.
4. Voting Roster:
In compliance with Kentucky State law, SCC shall keep at its registered office a record of names and addresses of its members entitled to vote. This roster hereinafter shall be designated as the "Congregation".
ARTICLE III
PERIOD OF DURATION:
The duration of the corporation shall be perpetual or until dissolved according to law.
In the event of termination or dissolution of the corporation in any manner or for any reason whatsoever, the Trustees, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, shall dispose (with Congregational approval) of all remaining assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation and/or to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or religious purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization(s) under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.
AMENDMENTS:
This constitution may be amended at a congregational meeting duly called for that purpose. Proposed amendments must be published in the Church Newsletter four consecutive weeks prior to the meeting with written copies available in the Narthex. There cannot be any changes to the proposed amendments at the meeting. If it is deemed necessary to change the proposals, the meeting will be adjourned and the new proposals must be published as specified above. A new meeting date is to be established.
Only those members present and voting at the called meeting may cast votes on amendments. Proxy votes or mail-in votes are not permitted. A two-thirds approval vote of those present and voting is required to pass amendments.
By-Laws of
Suburban Christian Church Inc.
(Disciples of Christ)
7515 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40222
Approved by Congregation October 5, 2008
Officers of the Congregation
President
Shall perform the duties imposed upon that individual by these by-laws and call and preside at all meetings of the Congregation, the Church Council and the Executive Council. The President shall appoint Committee Chairs and shall be an Ex-officio member of all committees of the church.
Vice-President
Shall perform all the duties of the President during the President's absence, serveas chair of the Nominating Committee and shall be an Ex-officio member of all committees of the church.
Secretary
The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Congregation, the Church Council and the Executive Council and shall post minutes of these meetings on the designated bulletin board.
Financial Secretary
The Financial Secretary shall receive all budgeted and non-budgeted funds of the Church according to the authority delegated by the Church Council and deposit the same in the bank designated by the church.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall disburse all budgeted and non-budgeted funds of the Church according to the authority delegated by the Church Council. The Treasurer shall make regular reports to the Church Council or to the Executive Council, as appropriate, and make an annual summary report to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall attend all meetings of the Church Council and the Executive Council. The Treasurer's accounts, pre-school accounts, and all other church accounts shall be audited each year by an Audit Team of three persons appointed by the Trustees from the members of the Church, one of whom shall be a member of the Church Council. Their findings shall be reported to the Congregation.
Trustees of the Church
Shall be three (3) permanent members of the congregation -- two (2) shall be members of the Church Council (at time of election) and one (1) shall be an at-large member elected from the congregation who have appropriate training and/or experience, when possible, in financial and contractual management.
These Trustees shall have legal authority for the congregation and shall execute all Church Council approved contracts, oversee audits and arbitrate all disputes of a legal nature. All contracts and papers of the church shall be executed for the Corporation by the Church Trustees, per approval of the Church Council, who shall sign the following form only:
Suburban Christian Church, Inc.
By: _________________________
(Trustee)
Church Trustees shall be elected at the annual business meeting of the congregation to serve a three (3) year term on a rotation system. Only one (1) shall be elected each year. Should a Trusteeship become vacant, it shall be filled through appointment by the President, and approved by the Church Council only for the remainder of that term.
Church Council
Composition:
The Church Council shall be composed of those elected by the congregation as Officers, Elders, and Diaconate and approved Committee Chairs. It shall consist of The Elected officers, six (6) elected Elders, eighteen (18) elected members of the Diaconate, preferably of whom one half (9) shall be of each gender, and those Committee Chairs appointed by the President and approved by the Church Council.
Should absenteeism occur in any council position, the President shall fill the vacancy with volunteers as needed, through the end of the current year church year, when the congregation will vote on a permanent replacement.
Meetings:
The Council shall meet in July and thereafter a minimum of four times in the church year. At this first meeting, the Council shall put forth a Calendar of necessary administrative and special events for the entire year. (For example, Stewardship Campaign, Budget Planning, etc.) The President may call as many additional meetings as needed. Members of the congregation who are not members of the Church Council may attend but may not vote and may only speak with the prior permission of the President.
Executive Council is composed of the elected officers of the congregation. It shall meet in August and thereafter as called by the President. Decisions made by the Executive Council shall be approved by the Church Council within sixty (60) days.
Committees of the Church
Composition:
Committee Chairs are appointed by the President with approval, by vote, of the Church Council. Committee Chairs shall establish committees as needed to serve their areas of concern. They shall represent their committee at Council meetings. A Team may also be developed when a member of the congergation expresses a desire for a new Personal Ministry and requests recognition from the committee.
Finance Committee will oversee stewardship and budget concerns.
Historical/Archival Committee will coordinate Christian Heritage, Historian, Librarian and Membership Clerk.
Administrative Committee will focus on those activities which operate and manage the practical functions of the Church including paid personnel.
Parish Relations will be a liason and support for the staff and congregation.
Evangelism/Public Relations will focus on areas that reach beyond the congregation including Media Team.
Outreach Committee will focus on national and regional ministries, Disciple of Christ ministries and others as needed.
Fellowship Committee will focus on Music Ministry, Worship and Congregational activities.
Preschool Advisory Board will consist of three members of the congregation appointed by the Church Council. They will support the Preschool Director. The term of office shall be for three (3) years with one member being appointed each year. To avoid a conflict of interest, in no circumstances shall a member of the Preschool Advisory Board have a relative enrolled in, or employed by, the Preschool.
Youth Ministry Committee will be responsible for youth groups, youth activities and Christian Education.
Adult Ministry Committee will be responsible for adult groups (such as CMF, CWF, etc.), adult group activities, Christian Education and other adult needs.
Property Committee will oversee the care of God's property in the stewardship of Suburban Christian Church.
Pre-School Ministry will oversee the Suburban Christian Pre-School. Three members of the congregation appointed by the Council of Ministries shall serve as Trustees. The term of office shall be for three (3) years with one Trustee being appointed each year.
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CHURCH YEAR
The Church Year and the Church Fiscal Year shall run concurrently from July 1 through June 30 beginning July 1, 2009.
Elections
The congregation reserves the right to elect Officers, Elders, Diaconate, call Ministers, and approve annual budget.
The congregation shall elect officers for one year terms as follows:
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Financial Secretary
Treasurer
Church Trustees (Rotating three year term)
Nominations
A Nominating Committee shall be composed of two members of the Church Council and three at-large members of the Congregation. The Members from the Church Council shall be the Vice-President, who shall act as Chair, and the Chair of the Elders, plus three (3) at-large members of the congregation.
The Nominating Committee shall interview candidates for each vacant position until all vacancies are filled by Members of the Congregation who have agreed to serve if elected. The Nominating Committee will publish its recommendations to the Congregation twenty-one days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
Elders
Elders are the spiritual overseers of the congregation. They shall promote the growth and welfare of the church; give spiritual oversight to the congregation, visit the sick, serve at the Lord's Table and perform such other duties as assigned to themby the Church Council or the by-laws.
The Elders shall be composed of those persons nominated and elected by the Congregation to this office. They shall serve as the Spiritual advisors of the congregation in all matters, and serve in administrative capacities when they are serving their three year terms. When they are "out of rotation" they shall be invited to all Elder functions, except the Church Council and Executive Committee meetings.
Eligibility
Any person who has served as an Elder in any congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continues to be recognized as an elder of the church. New Elders will be ordained on the first Sunday of the new year following the election. Ordination is defined as: dedication to a lifetime of spiritual service.
Should an Elder resign or vacate his/her position prior to the expiration of their elected term of office, the President shall submit recommendations to the Church Council to fill the unexpired portion of their term.
Terms of Office
Elders shall be elected to serve a term of three years (3), and one-third (1/3) of the authorized number shall be elected by the Congregation each year at the Annual Congregational meeting.
An elected Elder may not serve more than three consecutive Church years on the Church Council and must retire from the Church Council for not less than one (1) full Church year upon completion of a term in office.
Once elected to the office of Elder by the Congregation, an individual may serve as an "Out-of-Rotation Elder" after his elected term expires if requested to do so by the Chair of Elders. He/she shall be qualified to perform all the duties of an Elder. Without active status on the Church Council, out-of-rotation Elders shall regain Church Council status if re-elected by the Congregation to the office.
Diaconate
The Diaconate shall be made up of nine (9) Deacons and (9) Deaconesses elected by the congregation. They shall serve staggered three year terms. No person shall be eligible to be a member of the Diaconate for a period of one year after the expiration of the term for which he/she had been elected. Should a member of the Diaconate resign or vacate their position prior to the expiration of their elected term of office, the President shall submit recommendations to the Church Council to fill the unexpired portion of the resigned member.
Terms of Office
Members of the Diaconate shall be elected to serve a term of three years (3), and one-third (1/3) of the authorized number shall be elected by the Congregation each year at the Annual Congregational meeting. New members of the Diaconate shall be installed on the first Sunday of the new church year following the election.
An elected member of the Diaconate may not serve more than three consecutive Church years on the Church Council and must retire from the Church Council for not less than one (1) full Church year upon completion of a term in office.
Congregational Meetings
The Congregation (as defined in Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution) shall hold an annual business meeting on any of the last three Sundays in May of each year for the purpose of receiving written reports from officers and committee chairs, for conducting elections of Officers, Elders, the Diaconate, Committee Chairs and others as needed and for deciding any other agenda item(s) which may be brought before them. The President, in consultation with the minister, shall determine which Sunday shall be selected. The President shall set a date for the meeting and give notice to the Congregation at regular weekly worship services at least two weeks in advance of the meeting and shall also communicate the purpose of the called meeting. Only those members present may cast votes.
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
Special Meetings may be called by the President or the Vice-President. The President or Vice-President shall set a date for the meeting and give notice to the Congregation at regular weekly worship services at least two weeks in advance of the meeting and shall also communicate the purpose of the called meeting. Emergency meetings may be called at the discretion of the President.
MINISTERIAL STAFF
Senior Minister, Commissioned Ministers and those called to specific areas of need.
Procedure for Calling Senior Minister
A Pastoral Search Team consisting of at least five representative members of the Congregation selected by the President and approved by the Church Council. The team shall consult with the Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Kentucky for a list of candidates. Only one (1) candidate may be interviewed at a time and no candidate shall be presented to the Congregation without a four-fifths (4/5) favorable vote by the team. A Team member with a negative vote may give a dissenting report to the Congregation. The team shall not recommend any candidate to the Congregation who does not fulfill the minimum standards established by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The recommendation of the Pastoral Search Team must be accepted by a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of the Congregation present and voting in a meeting called for the purpose of hearing such recommendation. The Pastoral Search Team shall continue to function until a call is extended and accepted.
The President shall be responsible for notifying the Minister of the vote of the Congregation and for the preparation of a contract for the signature of the Minister and that of the Trustees acting for the Congregation. The contract shall be approved by the Church Council prior to its execution.
Duties of Senior Minister
The Senior Minister of the Church shall perform the duties which usually pertain to that office and serve as spiritual administrator of the Church. The Minister shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of ALL organized groups and shall be notified of all meetings. The Minister may make recommendations to any of the aforesaid groups and shall have voting privileges on any matter which comes before the Congregation.
The Minister may serve as business administrator for specific functions of the church office and/or other business operations, with the approval of the President, except that the Minister may not sign contracts or checks, nor act in any matter contrary to the approval of the Council of Ministries.
Procedure for Additional Staffing
The President in conjunction with the Senior Minister, shall appoint at least a five-member search team to fill the needs for additional staff. Three (3) members of the appointed Search Team shall be from representative areas of need.
PERMANENT FUND FOR GIFTS AND BEQUESTS
Permanent Fund
A The Church shall establish a Permanent Fund to receive undesignated and designated gifts and bequests. Ninety percent (90%) of earned interest on the fund shall be distributed as determined by the Permanent Fund Trustees with the approval of the Congregation for expenditures over $3,000 or with the approval of the Church Council for amounts under $3,000.
B. A Biblical Tithe of NEW undesignated gifts shall be given to outreach missions of the church and another tithe shall be deposited in the General Operating Account of the Church. Not less than fifty percent (50%) of the undesignated gift shall stay intact for the express purpose of producing income. The Trustees shall hear recommendations from the Church Council for disbursement of the tithes.
C. The investment of the Fund shall be the responsibility of the Permanent Fund Trustees who shall manage it with a bias toward the preservation of the capital. The Permanent Fund Trustees shall report quarterly to the Church Council and yearly at the Annual Congregational Business Meeting.
D. In case of extreme emergency, a portion of the Permanent Fund principle, NOT to exceed twenty-five percent (25%), may be used with the approval of the congregation.
Permanent Fund Trustees
A. The Permanent Fund Trustees shall be three (3) in number including at least two (2) Permanent Members of the Congregation who have appropriate training and/or experience in financial or investment management. One (1) Trustee may be a non-church member who is a qualified investment consultant in a financial institution. The Senior Minister and the President of the Church Council shall be non-voting ex-officio members of the Permanent Fund Trustees.
B. Trustees shall be nominated by the Church Nominating Committee and elected at the annual business meeting of the Congregation to serve a three (3) year term. Only one trustee shall be elected each year. Should a trusteeship become vacant, it shall be filled for the remainder of that term through an appointment by the President and the appointment shall be approved by the Church Council.
MEMORIAL FUND
Purpose
The Church Memorial Fund is to receive gifts donated to the Church and designated as a memorial gift. Such gifts must be used for the beautification and/or edification of the Church property.
All donations to the Memorial Fund are to be maintained in a separate interest bearing account. The Fund is not to be co-mingled with other Church funds.
Memorial Fund Treasurer
A Treasurer shall be appointed and serve at the will of the Church Council. The Treasurer shall serve as Custodian of the fund and shall serve until such time as change is required.
Donations to the Memorial Fund
A. GENERAL MEMORIAL FUND: A fund for any undesignated gifts.
B. DESIGNATED FUND: Monies in this fund are to be used only as requested by donor.
C. ONGOING STAINED GLASS WINDOW and MEMORIAL WALL PROJECT: The treasurer shall work in conjunction with the Historical/Archival Committee Chair.
D. All donations shall be acknowledged by the Treasurer to both the Donor and the family or estate of the deceased.
Approval of Expenditures
Any expenditure in excess of five hundred ($500) dollars from the Memorial Fund requires consultation with and the approval of the Church Council.
INITIATION AND REFERENDUM
Petition for Referendum
Upon presentation to the President of the Church Council of a petition signed by eight or more of the active membership including no more than one member per church family, requesting that:
1. Any proposal affecting the congregation or its activities,
OR
2. Any action of the Church Council or the Executive Committee,
OR
3. Any matter coming before the Church Council be submitted to a vote of the Congregation. The president of the Church Council shall publicize the petition within two weeks and submit it to a vote of the congregation within thirty (30) days after publication. If approved by two-thirds (66%) of the members present and voting, the Church Council shall place the vote of the membership into effect.
TAX STATUS
Suburban Christian Church is registered as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation in the State of Kentucky. Kentucky tax exempt number E2751 has been assigned to the corporation.
PERSONAL LIABILITY
No individual member of the Church Council nor member of the Congregation shall be personally liable for any debt or obligation of the corporation.
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended at a congregational meeting duly called for that purpose. The date of the congregational meeting must be published in two consecutive Church Newsletterweeks prior to the meeting and announced in church for two consecutive weeks prior to the meeting with written copies available in the Narthex. There cannot be any changes to the proposed amendments at the meeting. The only changes/additions that can be made to the by-laws at this meeting will be wording clarification only. If it is deemed necessary to change the context of the proposals, the meeting will be adjourned and the new proposals must be published as specified above. A new meeting date is to be established. Only those members present at the called meeting may cast votes on the amendments. Proxy votes or mail-in votes are not permitted. A two-thirds approval of those present and voting is required to pass amendments.
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