ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS 

Adopted October 31, 2004

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this Church, formerly known as Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, shall be Zion United Church of Christ of Owensboro, Kentucky.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The avowed purpose of this Church shall be: to worship God; to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; to celebrate the Sacraments; to promote the spiritual welfare and strengthen the Christian life of its members; to strive to maintain unity within this Church and the Church Universal; to render loving service toward mankind; and to strive for righteousness, justice, and peace.

ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION

This Church shall be a part of the United Church of Christ and it shall sustain that relationship to the United Church of Christ described in those portions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ, adopted July 4, 1961, as amended, relating to local churches.

ARTICLE IV. DOCTRINE, SACRAMENTS AND SACRED RITES

1. Doctrine - This Church acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Savior of humankind, and it acknowledges as brothers and sisters in Christ, all who share in this confession. It looks to the Words in the Scriptures, inspired by God but written by man, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds (such as the Apostles’ Creed) and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own. One expression of this faith is the Statement of Faith approved by the Second General Synod of the United Church of Christ in July, 1959.
2. Sacraments - In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians the Church observes two Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
3. Rites - The rites of the Church are confirmation, ordination, consecration, marriage, and burial.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in this Church shall be open to any person who, having been baptized, has been either confirmed, or made public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In accordance with the gospel convenant, which binds into unity “faithful people of all ages, tongues and races,” membership is open to all without regard to race or color.
2. Persons shall become members by baptism and (a) either confirmation or profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; or (b) re-affirmation or re-profession of faith; or (c) letter of transfer or certification from other Christian churches.

ARTICLE VI. ADMINISTRATION

1. Congregation - The government of this Church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs, subject, however, to the Laws of the State of Kentucky relating to corporations not for profit. The legislative power of the congregation is vested in the congregation itself, assembled in meeting duly and legally called as provided for in the Bylaws. It is the prerogative of the congregation to decide such questions as the buying and selling of property, building projects, extensive repairs of Church property, the call and rejection of a pastor, and questions of the policy of the congregation, as well as changes in the Constitution. For the transaction of all other business, the administration of the Church is entrusted to the Church Council, chosen and composed as provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws.
2. Church Council - The Church Council is composed of the Pastor, as ex-officio, and ten members of the congregation who are in good standing. Regular terms of office for elected members shall be for periods of three years.  Members shall not be eligible for re-election until such time as they have not served for a period of at least one-year.  The Church Council has only the power delegated to it in the Bylaws or by vote of the congregation, and the Church Council can not delegate its power or responsibilities to others.
3. Committees - All committees are subordinate to the Church Council and shall report annually to the congregation.

ARTICLE VII. THE PASTOR

1. The congregation shall elect the Pastor.
2. When a pastoral vacancy occurs, the Church Council shall report it to the Conference Minister and shall appoint a Pulpit Committee.
3. The Pastor of this Church shall be a regularly ordained minister of the Gospel with standing in the United Church of Christ, in full accord with the doctrines of that denomination.
4. The Pastor shall be the spiritual guide and shepherd of this Church. He/she shall preach the Word of God, administer the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Communion, stimulate piety in the individual lives of the members, visit the sick and infirmed, minister to their spiritual needs, and in general perform all functions of a Christian minister.
5. The Pastor shall also conduct catechist instructions and confirm those who have been duly prepared and who give satisfactory evidence to the Church of accepting the teachings of Jesus Christ and of becoming His followers.

ARTICLE VIII. PROPERTY

1. The congregation may, in its corporate name, sue and be sued, hold, purchase, and receive title by gift, grant, or other conveyance of and to any property, real or personal, with power to mortgage, sell or convey the same, provided the State laws permit.
2. In case of a division in the membership of the congregation, both parties shall submit the question of the right of the property to the Conference, and the decision of said judiciary shall be binding on all members of the congregation.
3. Upon dissolution of the Church, its assets and all property and interests of which it shall then be possessed, including any devise, bequest, gift or grant contained in any will or other instrument, in trust or otherwise, made before or after such dissolution, shall be disposed of as the congregation deems appropriate, in accordance with the laws governing non-profit organizations in the State of Kentucky.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

Amendments or revisions of the Constitution may be proposed in any regularly called meeting of the congregation. Constitutional amendments shall first be proposed to the Church Council, which shall consider the same and report to the next duly called meeting of the congregation. Said amendments can be adopted only by a two-thirds affirmative vote of members present and voting. The Bylaws may be amended or revised in any duly called meeting of the congregation by a two-thirds affirmative vote of members present and voting.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE A. OBLIGATIONS TO THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

1. A delegate and alternate from this congregation shall be elected each year by the congregation to attend, with the Pastor, the annual meeting of the Conference. The congregation shall pay the registration fees and lodging of the Pastor and delegates. Two delegates shall be appointed by the Church Council to attend, with the Pastor, the spring and fall meetings of the Association.
2. The congregation shall regularly contribute towards the support of the United Church of Christ through the Indiana-Kentucky Conference seeking to meet the challenge goal of Our Churches’ Wider Mission and other special appeals.
3. This congregation, either through its Pastor or competent officer, shall make such reports to the Conference as may be requested.

ARTICLE B. PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

1. Privileges - All members are entitled to a full share in the fellowship and the spiritual blessings of the Church, and to the service of its Pastor, officials, and other workers, as well as to the Christian sympathy and support of all members. All communicant members of this congregation in good standing are entitled to voice and vote, and are eligible to participate on committees and hold office unless otherwise stated in the Constitution or Bylaws.
2. Responsibilities - Members shall pledge themselves to attend the regular worship of the Church and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper; to live the Christian life; to share in the life and work of the Church; to contribute to its support and benevolences; and to seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
3. Transfers or Dismissals - Any member may, upon his/her own request, be granted a letter of transfer. If wishing to join a body not in fellowship with this Church, he/she may be dismissed with a certificate of church membership.
4. Membership Status - Members on the active membership roll are considered to be in good standing. A member shall not be considered inactive except by the member's request or death.

ARTICLE C. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

1. The official year of the congregation shall be from January 1 through December 31.
2. The congregation shall have an annual meeting in the month of January and a meeting in the month of October.
3. The Church Council may call special congregational meetings only after written notice has been issued two weeks previously. Only such business as is mentioned in the call may be transacted.
4. Upon a written request of fifteen members in good standing, the Church Council shall issue a call for a special meeting within two weeks after the request has been received.
5. Proper notice shall be given of the time, place, and purpose of a special congregational meeting. Forty members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for all congregational meetings.
6. The Church shall be governed in all questions of procedure at its meetings by the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

ARTICLE D. CHURCH COUNCIL

1. Nominations and Elections - The Church Council members shall serve as the Nominating Committee. The congregation may make additional nominations for each office. Church Council members shall be elected by the congregation at the October meeting to take office the following January.
2. Organization - Newly elected members of the Church Council shall be invited to attend the December meeting of the Church Council preceding the commencement of their term. At this meeting the Church Council shall organize itself by electing officers who shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. The Church Council, from among its members, shall appoint Trustees and representatives to the standing committees of the Church Council.
3. Members, including those who are serving as of January 1, 1998, shall not be eligible for re-election until such time as they have not served for a period of at least one year.  Terms of office that began in 1997 and 1998 shall be of three years’ duration from the date of election.
4. The newly elected Church Council shall be installed, in the presence of the congregation, on the first Sunday in January.
5. Duties of Officers

(a)     The President shall: (i) preside at all meetings; (ii) sign minutes of all meetings after the minutes have been accepted and approved; and (iii) attend to every other parliamentary duty of his/her office.

(b)    The Vice-President assumes the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence, resignation, or death.

(c)     The Recording Secretary shall: (i) keep correct minutes of all proceedings of Congregational and Church Council meetings; (ii) give due notice of all meetings of the Congregation and Church Council; (iii) notify new members of Church Council of their election; (iv) sign minutes of all meetings after the minutes have been accepted and approved; (v) ensure that a quorum is present at all meetings before business is conducted; and (vi) fulfill every other parliamentary duty his/her office.

(d)    The Treasurer shall: (i) pay salaries, other bills and benevolences upon order from the Church Council; (ii) keep record of all disbursements preserving all receipts for expended money; and (iii) fulfill every other parliamentary duty his/her office.

(e)     The Trustees shall have as a sacred trust care and custody of the property of the Church. They shall provide for the maintenance of the Church buildings and grounds. They shall ensure that property is adequately insured.    

6. Responsibility of the Church Council

(a)     It shall be the duty of the Church Council, together with the Pastor, to greet and welcome all new members into the Church; to administer the benevolences of the Church, and cooperate with the Pastor in ministering among the sick and the poor, and to promote the spiritual welfare of the congregation.

(b)    The Church Council shall approve the payment of all bills. The Church Council may authorize expenditures to the extent the budget for each of the major categories allows. The major budget categories are enumerated in Article G. Expenditures in excess of the amount budgeted for each of the major budget categories are not permitted without the prior approval of the congregation.

(c)     Removal of any elected Church Council member must be made by a majority vote of the congregation.

(d)    The Church Council shall fill vacancies occurring during the year through appointment. Church Council member appointments shall be effective only until the next regular meeting of the congregation.

(e)     Six members shall constitute a quorum.

(f)      The Church Council shall engage the services of the organist, secretary, custodian, and such other services as may be deemed necessary for the efficient conduct of the work of the Church.

7. Church Council Meetings-The Church Council usually meets during the third week of each month and is always opened and closed with prayer.
8. Church Council meetings are open to any members in good standing.  The Church Council shall, under extraordinary circumstances, make provision for a closed session.

ARTICLE E. COMMITTEES

1. Standing Committees - The following committees shall serve as standing committees of the Church Council. Each of these committees shall consist of five voting members. The congregation shall elect four members of each committee and the appointed member of each committee shall be the representative from the Church Council. A Nominating Committee of the Church Council shall make nominations for the elected committee positions. The congregation may make one additional nomination for each elected committee position. Elected members of standing committees shall be elected by the congregation at the October meeting to take office the following January. Each standing committee shall annually elect a chairman and such other officers it deems necessary to carry out its work. Elected committee members shall be elected for a three-year term of service, and shall be eligible for indefinite re-election. The standing committees shall meet in January for the purpose of organization.

(a)    The Council on Christian Education - The purpose of this committee is to develop, promote, and direct a unified program of Christian education in the Church, Church School, and its related activities. The Superintendent of the Church School is an ex-officio member of this committee. This committee shall meet during at least ten months of the year.

(b)   Church and Ministry Committee - The purpose of this committee is to support and maintain an open relationship between the Pastor and members of the congregation. This committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year.

(c)    Evangelism Committee - The purpose of this committee is to nurture current members and attract new members. This committee shall meet during at least ten months of the year.

(d)   Missions Committee - The purpose of this committee is to evaluate various missions’ needs and to make recommendations to the Church Coiuuncil concerning the Churches’ mission giving. This committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year.

(e)    Stewardship Committee - The purpose of this committee is to assist the members of the congregation in translating their Christian faith into service. This committee shall annually design and implement a stewardship drive for the purpose of meeting the stewardship needs of the Church. This committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year to evaluate the stewardship progress of the congregation.

(f)     Worship Committee - The purpose of this committee is to assist the Pastor in developing and implementing the worship life of the Church. This committee is responsible for providing and maintaining all paraments, communion ware, music, and any other materials needed to conduct worship in the Church. This committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year. Members of this committee shall include the Pastor and Choir Director/Organist as ex-officio, a trustee, an usher, a representative from the Choir, a representative from the Women's Guild, and one at-large member from the congregation.

(g)    Youth Ministries Committee - The purpose of this committee is to develop, evaluate, and execute the children’s and youth programs of the Church. This committee is to meet during at least ten months of the year.

2.     Ad-HocCommittees-The President of the Church Council may appoint, with the approval of the Church Council, such special committees as are deemed necessary to carry out the work of the Church.

ARTICLE F. THE PASTOR

1. It shall be the responsibility of an ad-hoc Pulpit Committee to seek a candidate for the office of the Pastor. In filling a vacancy the Pulpit Committee shall seek the counsel and advice of the Conference Minister and the Committee on Church and Ministry of the Association to secure names of possible candidates and relevant information concerning any minister whom it wishes to consider for the vacancy.
2. The Pulpit Committee, in consultation with the Church Council, shall present to the congregation the name of the candidate it recommends to fill the vacancy. A special meeting shall be called for the election of a Pastor; this meeting shall be on a Sunday morning after the regular worship service. The congregation shall consider only one candidate at a time and vote by secret ballot for or against his/her election. Election shall be by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting.
3. If the candidate is elected, the Church Council shall then tender him/her a call according to the form prescribed by the Conference, including the terms agreed among the candidate, the Pulpit Committee, and the Church Council. The Pastor, the Church, the Association, and the Conference Minister shall each receive a copy of the call.
4. The Pastor shall be installed by a representative of the United Church of Christ and publicly obligate himself/herself to a faithful discharge of all his/her ministerial functions.
5. The Pastor shall keep an accurate account of his/her ministerial acts in the Church in proper records provided by, and to remain the property of, the Church. He/she shall also report such statistics to the General Synod, as called for, and present a written annual report of his/her pastoral work to the congregation.
6. The life and doctrine of the Pastor shall be in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the doctrinal basis of this Church.
7. The Pastor’s annual salary is to be determined by the congregation, and is to be paid no less frequently than semi-monthly.
8. The congregation shall give the Pastor a vacation each year as may be determined by the Church Council.
9. By virtue of his/her position, the Pastor is automatically an ex-officio member of all committees and its organizations.
10. The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite period of time. Since, however, circumstances may arise which could make a change for the Pastor or the congregation advisable, or even necessary, both parties shall have the privilege to sever the existing relationship, but only after a written notice has been made, by either party, three months previous, or a time deemed mutually agreeable. In case of the death of the Pastor or his/her retirement from the service of the Church, the secretary of the Church Council shall report the fact in writing to the Conference Minister.

ARTICLE G. FINANCES

1. The finances of the congregation shall be administered according to the budget system. The budget shall provide for Benevolences, Programs, Pastoral Ministry, Worship Program, Office Operations, Property and Equipment Operations and Maintenance, Debt Retirement, and Special Building needs. The budget shall be prepared in detail and accepted by the Church Council before being presented to the congregation.
2. Designated gifts shall be utilized only for those projects intended by the contributor(s).

ARTICLE H. ADMINISTRATION

1. The Church Council shall annually designate a person responsible for maintaining a Policies and Procedures Manual and shall approve all policies and procedures contained therein.
2. The designee of the Church Council shall maintain the Policies and Procedures Manual and shall make a report to the congregation at each regularly scheduled congregational meeting.