Constitution
The constitution was approved by a unanimous vote of the 95 people attending the special called meeting on Sunday, November 3, 2008. The bylaws passed by the same vote. Our new officers and council representatives were elected on November 23 based on this new constitution, and began their terms on January 1, 2009.
Special thanks is given to the Constitution Committee comprised of Lu Mattson( Chair) Debbie Moody(Secretary), Ross Blackmer, Barbara Diehl and David Herting. Their many hours of deliberation and attention to detail produced an excellent document that was gratefully approved.
With this vote, we moved one step closer to being a programmatic church.
Why did we change our constitution?
The previous constitution had been written 20 years earlier. Our numbers had increased, our lifestyle had changed and most importantly, the ELCA had changed its recommendation for a model constitution ten (10) times in the intervening years. We had fallen behind.
What were the major changes in the new constitution?
The new lay leader of the congregation will have the title of President. In the past the Pastor was the President of the Council. At Pastor Jim's request, this was changed and will put us in the company of the many if not most of Lutheran Churches. Along with this change was the addition of a new position of Vice President.
The Council members are no longer be required to be the Chair of a Ministry. Instead, they will liaison to ministries and other groups in the church. There will still be nine (9) council members.
In the past we were limited to nine (9) ministries because of the number of Council members. Now, there will be twelve (12) ministries.
What does liaison mean in this context?
Our Council Members will communicate with the ministries' chairs. They are encouraged but not required to attend meetings. They are required to be the conduit for information between Council and the Ministries/group. Ministry Chairs are encouraged to come directly to a Council Meeting to bring up important and/or complicated issues.
Why did we need more ministries?
Some of our committees were overloaded and were trying to do too much. We needed to narrow the focus without eliminating an area of service. This also gives more opportunities for people to find an area in which they feel called to serve.
What are the new ministries?
We added the following new ministries: Global and Regional Mission, Media and Technology, and Shepherds.
Global and Regional Mission ministry will work to coordinate mission trips and more awareness of our missions around the world and in our own backyard. Our current Social Ministry will continue to insure that we work with agencies within the Tri-cities area to help our neighbors here.
Media and Technology will manage and help select our computers, TV's, projectors, etc. This requires skills that are different than are needed in our regular property committee.
Shepherds will care for our own members. They will do the "inreach" to those in our congregation who need visits, meals or a listening ear allowing Evangelism to concentrate on outreach to the un-churched.
What is the process for changing the Constitution in the future?
You will receive a copy in the mail of the proposal at least thirty (30) days before the called Congregational Meeting. You will have the opportunity at the meeting to make motions to amend the document. The vote must pass by a two-thirds majority and we must have a quorum. The synod must approve the Constitution. The Synod does not need to approve the Bylaws. Once the Constitution and Bylaws are approved, the Council will then pass the Continuing Resolutions which give more detail to the workings of the Constitution and Bylaws. Council is working on a timeline to implement the new governing documents.