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LIVING
WATER LUTHERAN CHURCH
BYLAWS Approved by the Congregation on April 26, 2009
ARTICLE
I ORGANIZATION
(Cf.
Chapter 1 of Constitution)
-
The name
of the congregation shall be Living Water Lutheran Church (Living
Water).
-
Living
Water is established according to the laws governing the activities
of not-for-profit organizations, including the provisions of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Living Water is affiliated with the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and is bound by the
provisions of the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations on which
its own Constitution is based.
-
Living
Water may change its name by a 75% vote of the membership roster.
ARTICLE
II PURPOSES
(Cf.
Chapter 4 of Constitution)
-
The
purposes for which Living Water has been organized are religious,
charitable, social and non-profit activities, including but not
limited to: worship, education, fellowship, outreach ministry,
discipleship and growth and other religious activities of service
and ministry that will benefit the community and carry out Christ’s
Great Commission.
-
Living
Water’s Vision is to create a community that Welcomes all
people, Shares the experience of God’s grace, Grows
in faith, and is sent out into the world to Care.
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Living
Water’s Mission is: “To Be And Make Disciples Of Jesus
Christ.”
ARTICLE
III MEMBERSHIP
(Cf.
Chapter 8 of Constitution)
-
Membership
in Living Water shall be open to all baptized Christians, and shall
be available in accordance with the provisions of the congregation’s
Constitution.
-
Associate
Membership is available at Living Water for those who are part time
residents in Arizona. This enables individuals to keep their
membership at their “home” congregation while having a church
home at Living Water for the months they are in residence. They
have all the privileges and duties of membership except voting
rights and eligibility for elected offices or membership on the
Congregation Council of this congregation.
-
Inactive
Members
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A member
who does not, for a period of one year, appear to desire to
participate in the life and worship of the congregation shall be
contacted by the pastor and/or the congregation's representative
and encouraged by them into active membership.
-
If,
during the second year, the confirmed member does not actively
participate, that member's name shall be moved to the inactive
roster of the congregation.
-
After
the second year of inactivity the confirmed member will be notified
and removed from the membership roster, but will remain as one who
is in special need of the congregation's prayer and concern.
-
Discipline
of members and adjudication shall be in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 15 of this congregation’s Constitution.
-
Members
who move away shall be encouraged to transfer their membership. A
member in good standing desiring to change membership to another
Christian congregation, shall, upon request, receive a letter of
transfer.
ARTICLE
IV THE PASTOR
(Cf.
Chapter 9 of the Constitution)
-
The
calling of a pastor(s) shall be performed in accordance with Chapter
9 of Living Water’s Constitution. The Church Council shall
recommend to the congregation a Call Committee, to be elected by a
two-thirds majority of the voting members present at a meeting of
the congregation, to seek the advice and help of the bishop of the
synod and to recommend the call to the congregation.
-
In the
event that actions may give rise to the possible resignation,
dismissal, incapacity or other issues regarding the pastor(s),
Chapter 9 of the Living Water Constitution shall prevail.
-
Sabbaticals.
Sabbatical leaves are granted to provide an opportunity for the
pastor(s) to take an extended period of time for renewal,
enrichment, study, spiritual growth, travel, skill development,
research, and/or experimentation. For specific sabbatical
guidelines, refer to the Continuing Resolution establishing the
congregation’s sabbatical policy.
ARTICLE
V MEETINGS OF THE CONGREGATION
(Cf.
Chapter 10 of Constitution)
-
The
Annual Meeting of the Congregation shall be held on or near the 2nd
Sunday of February, of each and every year.
-
Notice of
all meetings of this congregation shall be given at the services of
worship on the preceding two consecutive Sundays and the Secretary
shall cause to be mailed to all voting members a notice, at least 10
days in advance, telling the time and place of such annual meeting;
and in such publications such as the congregation or the pastor may
periodically issue.
-
The
presence of not less than 8% percent of the voting members listed on
the membership roster shall constitute a quorum and shall be
necessary to conduct the business of this organization; but a lesser
percentage may adjourn the meeting for a period of not more than
three weeks from the date scheduled by these Bylaws and the
secretary shall cause a notice of this scheduled meeting to be sent
to all those members who were not present at the meeting originally
called. A quorum as herein before set forth shall be required to
reconvene any adjourned meeting.
-
The
annual meeting shall receive reports from all the organizations of
the congregation. Such reports, including a financial statement,
shall be submitted in writing to the church office not less than 30
days before such meeting.
-
Special
congregational meetings may be called by the pastor(s), Council, or
the president of Living Water, and shall be called by the president
of the congregation upon the written request of five percent of the
voting members, in accordance with the provisions of Living Water’s
Constitution.
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At all
meetings, except for the election of officers and Council Members,
all votes shall be by voice unless the chair of the meeting
determines that a written ballot should be used. For election of
officers, ballots shall be provided and there shall not appear any
place on such ballot that might tend to indicate the person who cast
such ballot.
-
At any
regular or special meeting, if a majority so requires, any question
may be voted upon in the manner and style provided for election of
officers and Council Members. At all votes by ballot, the chairman
of such meeting shall, prior to the commencement of balloting,
appoint a committee of no less than two who shall act as “Inspectors
of Election” and who shall, at the conclusion of such balloting,
certify in writing to the Chairman the results and the certified
copy shall be physically affixed to the minutes of that meeting. No
Inspector of Election shall be a candidate for office or shall be
personally interested in the question voted upon.
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Order of
business:
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Call the
meeting to order.
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Call for
Quorum.
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Election
of Officers and Council members.
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Action
on the minutes of the preceding meeting.
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Reports
of Pastors, Church Council, Committees, and others.
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Old
Business.
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New
Business.
-
Adjournment.
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The
election of Council members and officers shall be by written ballot
to serve for a period of two years from the date of the annual
meeting at which they are elected. A majority of votes cast by
those voting members present at the meeting is necessary to declare
a candidate elected. Such members are eligible to serve no more
than two full terms consecutively in the same position.
ARTICLE
VI CHURCH COUNCIL
(Cf.
Chapter 12. of the Constitution)
-
The
Church Council shall have general oversight of the worship life and
activities of Living Water. Its duties and responsibilities are
stated in Chapter 12 of Living Water’s Constitution. The Council
shall consist of the pastor(s), and not less than five nor more than
twelve regular members. The number of members selected to serve
each year shall be established by a majority vote of the members
present at the annual meeting of this congregation.
-
Qualifications
for service as a Church Council Member shall include voting
membership and regular attendance and participation in the
activities and life of Living Water. Council Members shall serve as
volunteers without compensation. Reasonable expenses incurred by
Council Members for attendance at meetings or for special projects
authorized by the organization may be reimbursed by the
organization. Each Council Member shall be committed to full
service to the organization, regular attendance at all meetings, and
full participation in all scheduled activities of the organization.
-
The
Church Council shall normally meet monthly. Special meetings may be
called by the president, or the pastor(s), or two members of the
Church Council.
-
A member
of the Church Council who is absent from two consecutive regular
meetings shall be consulted by the president of the congregation.
If a member is absent from four consecutive regular meetings without
valid excuse, the Council may declare the office vacant and the
Council shall elect, by majority vote of total Council membership, a
successor until the next annual meeting.
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The
Church Council officers shall consist of a president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer
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The
duties and responsibilities of the officers are:
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The
President shall:
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Serve
as executive officer of the congregation.
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Preside
at all meetings of the Church Council and of the congregation.
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Appoint
all committees, subject to approval by the Church Council.
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Be
authorized as one who may sign checks or drafts of the
organization.
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The Vice
President shall:
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In the
event of the absence or inability of the President to exercise the
office, become acting president of this congregation with all the
rights, privileges and powers as if the Vice President had been the
duly elected president.
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Chair the
Personnel Committee.
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Serve as
the convener of the first meeting of the Nominating Committee.
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The
Secretary shall:
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Serve as
recording officer of this congregation.
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Record
and keep the minutes of all Church Council and congregation meetings
and provide the parish secretary with an official copy of all
minutes.
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Have
custody of the seal and attest document.
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Coordinate
the use of legal services by this congregation.
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Be
responsible for the archives and library of Living Water.
d. The
Treasurer shall:
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Serve as
financial officer of this congregation.
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Oversee
the payment of all bills, invoices and charges.
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Perform
or oversee all of the bookkeeping functions.
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Prepare
or oversee the monthly financial reports for the Church Council.
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Oversee
the filing of all required Federal and State tax forms.
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Monitor
the cash position of the congregation and invest available funds as
directed.
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Be
empowered to borrow funds as directed by the Church Council.
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Assist in
the preparation of the Annual Budget for the Church Council.
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Provide
for and manage insurance programs for the congregation.
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Chair the
Finance Committee.
ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES
(Cf. Chapter 13 of the Constitution)
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Congregational
Committees and Ministry Teams exist at Living Water to aid in
ministering to the members of this congregation and to all persons
who can be reached with the Gospel of Christ.
There are two types of committees at Living
Water, Administrative Committees and the Steering Committee.
A. The general plans and programs of the
committees shall be subject to the approval of the Church Council.
B. Each committee shall have discretion to act
in accordance with their general plan and approved budget.
C. Membership on all committees must be
approved by a majority vote of the Church Council.
D. The personnel of each committee shall be
appointed for two years and their terms staggered, unless stated
otherwise.
E. The chairperson or designated
representative of each of the committees shall report at least
quarterly to the Church Council and a brief report submitted to the
Annual Meeting of the congregation.
F. The pastor(s) shall be an advisory member
of each Committee, but without vote.
-
Administrative
Committees. Administrative Committees are those named in our
constitution (Executive, Nominating, Audit, Personnel and Call) as
well as all operational committees.
A. Executive Committee. This Committee shall
be responsible for supporting and facilitating the mission of Living
Water by planning and promotion through administrative leadership.
This committee consists of the elected officers of the Congregation
and the pastor(s). The Executive Committee shall have the ability to
conduct routine business during the interim between Church Council
Meetings. In addition this committee shall serve as the Personnel
Committee and as such shall 1) Secure or discharge the necessary lay
staff, and review annually their performance and salaries and 2)
Review annually the performance and compensation of the pastor(s).
B. The Audit Committee. This Committee will
consist of three members, excluding the Treasurer and Business
Manager, and shall review the church’s financial records on a
periodic basis and report its findings in writing at the Annual
Meeting of the congregation. The Audit Committee’s function
is to provide the oversight necessary to promote a strong control
environment and to afford reasonable assurance that good stewardship
is used in handling and accounting for the funds and other assets of
the congregation. It is important that all ministries of the church
be accountable. This means that the separate treasuries or bank
accounts maintained by all church ministries or groups shall be
audited. The committee, with approval of the Finance Committee,
may secure outside help on a fee basis from an independent
accountant, registered in the state. The Audit Committee
responsibilities are:
-
Examine and
review all financial statements.
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Conduct the
periodic audit or exercise supervision and oversee the work of the
audit or review if an outside accounting firm or individual
congregants conduct it.
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Examine all
insurance policies and prepare a schedule of the insurance coverage.
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Inspect and
examine securities and investments.
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Prepare a
schedule of the securities and investments for review by the Finance
Committee.
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Report its
findings in writing to the Church Council with supporting schedules
and recommendations for change and improvement.
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Verify that
the congregation complies with Federal and State tax laws and
regulations.
C. Nominating Committee. This Committee
shall consist of not more than five members, two of whom may be
members of the Church Council completing their terms. The vice
president shall serve as convener and as an advisory member. The
term of office of the members of the nominating committee shall be
one year. The nominating committee shall nominate one or more
candidates for each office to be filled and shall secure the consent
of each candidate. In addition to the candidates submitted by the
nominating committee, additional nominations may be made from the
floor at the Annual Meeting.
D. Staff Support/Mutual Ministry Committee.
This Committee functions as staff support and serves as a
confidential sounding board with whom the staff, both clergy and lay,
can share concerns and ideas in such issues as inter-staff problem
resolution, pastoral and staff compensation, etc. It should assist
the pastor(s) and staff members in the evaluation of their ministry
as well as assisting the congregation in the evaluation of its
ministry. The Committee shall consist of at least five members of
the congregation whose term of membership shall be three years: two
members nominated by the Church Council, one member nominated by each
pastor, and one member nominated by the lay staff, and all are
appointed by the Council President. Committee members will hold no
other office in the congregation during their term.
E. Call Committee. When a pastoral vacancy
occurs a Call Committee, of not more than seven members from the
congregation (usually one Council member, five adult lay members and
one youth lay member), shall be nominated by the Church Council and
elected by the congregation. The committee will represent the
congregation in the process of search and selection of a candidate.
Committee members should be active members who represent a
cross-section of the congregation, who can interview a candidate
effectively, and who place a high value on confidentiality. No more
than one member of the Call Committee shall be a member of the Church
Council, and that one member should not be the president of the
Council. Their term will terminate upon the installation of the
newly called pastor.
F. Endowment Committee: This Committee shall
be the custodian of the congregation’s Mission Endowment Fund. The
functions and term of membership on this committee are specified in
the Continuing Resolution establishing the Living Water Mission
Endowment Fund.
G. Memorial and Special Gifts Committee: This
Committee functions to recommend and approve appropriate memorials
and special gifts to Living Water Lutheran Church. The Committee
shall include the immediate past president of the congregation, the
current president, the treasurer and one or two members-at-large from
the congregation.
H. Finance Committee: This Committee has the
responsibility for recommending to the Council appropriate financial
policies for the management of this congregation’s assets. The
members of the Finance Committee shall not exceed five members and
consist of the Treasurer of the Congregation (who shall serve as
Chair), the Business Manager, and a Pastor (who shall serve as an
ex-officio member) together with other members appointed by the
Council in accordance with the Bylaws. It is the responsibility of
this committee to:
i. Review and recommend to the Council for
approval an annual budget for the congregation.
ii. Recommend to the Council a financial
forecast and long-range financial plan based on
the forecast.
iii. Review grant proposals when required by
donors and recommend action by the Council as needed.
iv. Review all non-budgeted expenditures over a
set dollar amount to be determined by the Council and recommend
action to the Council.
-
Report to the
Council at regular meetings of the Council in a manner determined by
the Council.
I. Campus Facilities Committee: This
Committee, composed of not more than five members, shall be
responsible for the appropriate appearance of the buildings and
grounds, implementing those improvements and additions as necessary.
J. Active Records Management (ARM) Committee:
This Committee, composed of not more than five members, is
responsible for maintaining the records of the congregation including
the activities of the Archivist, the church Historian and the
Librarian.
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Steering
Committee. The Steering Committee oversees broad “pillars” of
our mission such as Worship, Education, Discipleship & Growth,
Outreach Ministry and Fellowship. These five areas are aligned with
the mission of Living Water and the purposes of Christ’s Church.
Under the Steering Committee would be the appropriate “Ministry
Teams.” These teams function on an “as needed” basis to
get things done. Once that need is met, they may be disbanded
by the Steering Committee. They may re-gather when necessary in
order to accomplish specific goals and objectives. The Steering
Committee shall name or confirm a “team leader” for each
Ministry Team under their area of responsibility. Teams are made up
of volunteers with a shared passion, a common commitment and clear
goals in mind. The team shall identify their goals and set a time
frame for accomplishing them. The Steering Committee shall consist
of not less than four or more than eight members to be appointed by
the Church Council.
A. Worship. This pillar shall promote,
establish and enhance Christian Worship Planning within the
Congregation. The following Ministry Teams may be a part of this
area:
i. Altar Guild
ii. Assisting Ministers
iii. Acolytes
iv. Servant Teams, i.e. Ushers, Greeters,
Lectors, Communion Servers
v. Liturgical Arts
vi. Choirs, i.e. Adult, Youth, Praise Band,
Special Music
vii. Liturgical Music
viii. Accompanist and Instrumentalists
B. Education. This pillar shall be
responsible for the development and maintenance of creative
opportunities, both group and individual, for educational growth of
the members of the congregation. Supporting lifelong learning and
discipleship through programs like:
i. Sunday School
ii. Vacation Bible School
iii. Adult Bible Study
vi. Women’s Bible Study
v. Men’s Bible Study
vi. Confirmation Studies
vii. Adult Sunday Forum
viii. Nursery
ix. Children’s Fun Bags
C. Discipleship & Growth. This
pillar shall be responsible for bringing the gospel to the
unchurched, enlisting all of God’s people in the work of spreading
the gospel and deepening the faith and activities of the members of
this congregation, consistent with our call to be faithful, welcoming
and generous. Among its responsibilities are supporting Evangelism
and Stewardship programs.
i. Evangelism. The following Ministry
Teams may be a part of the responsibilities of this area:
a. Communications,
for example: Web Site,
Advertising, LWLC Welcome Materials, etc.
b. Hospitality,
for example: Welcome Center,
Faith Chests, Visitor Bread, etc.
c. Neighborhood
Ministry, for example: Visitor
Welcome Teams, Faith Cards, etc.
d. Discipleship,
for example: Messenger
Evangelism Message, New Member Sponsors, etc.
e. Parish
Life and Growth.
f. New
Member Orientation and Integration.
ii. Stewardship: At the heart of the church
lies stewardship – sharing the gifts God has so abundantly given
us. This ministry is responsible for:
a.
The development of good stewardship attitudes within the
congregation with regard to time, talent and treasure by providing
for the utilization of the time and talent of the members.
Information collected shall be provided to the Steering Committee
upon receipt.
b.
To ensure the financial stability of the congregation through the
annual General Fund Stewardship Program and Building Fund campaigns
as needed.
D. Outreach Ministry. The objective of
this pillar is to translate the love of Christ into action through
caring for all people within the congregation and in the community.
In order to meet these objectives, there are three major categories:
i. Children, Youth and Family Ministries: This
team shall be responsible for supervision of a program of ministry
for the youth (mid-elementary through college-age) and families of
this congregation and those from the community who might wish to be
involved; such ministry shall include opportunities for involvement
in the life of the congregation and opportunities for participation
and growth in Christian faith, fellowship and service; cooperation
with the Pastor(s), and staff. Groups and activities may include:
a. Outdoor Ministries
b. Youth Conventions
c. Jr./Sr. High Group
d. Child and Youth Protection Policies
e. Cool Kidz (grades 3-6)
f. Intergenerational Events
g. Life Cycle Groups, for example: seniors,
singles, collegiates, etc.
ii. Care Ministry: This team supports the
various missions of the ELCA here and abroad and through continued
development of community ministries with the mission to be a people
of God that responds with care and compassion to serve others through
ministry teams that change over time. Activities may include:
a. Habitat for Humanity
b. Sponsorship of Healing the Children
Candidates
c. Start Up Lutheran Congregations Support
d. Food Drives for World and Local Hunger
e. Change for Change
f. Refugee Programs
g. International and Local Missions
h. Alternative Gift Programs
iii. Health Ministry: The role of this team is
to help people find the spiritual strength to live whole, abundant
lives in the midst of the realities of life and may call the
community of faith to support and care for those in need through:
a. Parish Nurse: The parish nurses foster new
and creative responses to health and wellness concerns. They work
with their peers to educate, make referrals, and encourage healthy
behaviors.
b.
Caring community programs,
such as lay visitation ministries, blood mobile, etc.
c. Faith Counseling Center: The Faith
Counseling Center (FCC) is an accredited, not-for-profit pastoral
counseling center.
E. Fellowship: This pillar’s
objective is the strengthening of the fellowship among congregation
members, spiritually and socially; integration of new members into
the life of the congregation, and the building of mutual cooperation,
trust and enjoyment among the members of the congregation through
events such as:
i. Sunday Hospitality Time
ii. Dinners and Special Events throughout the
year
iii. Social Events, i.e. Bridge, Bunco, Road Rally
ARTICLE VIII USE OF THE CHURCH
(Cf.
Chapter 3 of the Constitution)
1. The building(s) of the congregation shall be
open to all people to share in its worship, instruction, pastoral
care, and fellowship.
-
The
property of the congregation shall be for the congregation in its
normal function as a Lutheran Church and be used in harmony with the
purpose of the congregation.
-
The
buildings, which are the property of the congregation, shall not be
loaned or rented to any group or individual not affiliated with the
congregation or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America unless
approved by a two-thirds vote of the Church Council.
-
Current
regulation for the use of the church property shall be reviewed
annually by the Church Council and be available in the church
office.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
(Cf.
to Chapter 17 of the Constitution)
-
These
Bylaws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by any
affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds majority of the voting
members present at a duly called meeting of the members of Living
Water Lutheran Church Congregation.
-
Article VII of the Bylaws that describe the function of various
committees or organizations of this congregation are Continuing
Resolutions as defined within Chapter 18 of Living Water’s
Constitution and shall be enacted or amended by a two-thirds vote of
all voting members of the Church Council.
Adopted
and ratified by members of Living Water Lutheran Church, in a
_______meeting held on the _____day of ________________, 200_.
Version
04.23.09
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