The Federated Church of Mitchell

June 4, 2000 revision of the March 1, 1998 edition
Preamble
Statement of Biblical Faith

This Church embraces the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. As a summary of principles for Christian faith and conduct among its members, it adopts the following Statement of Biblical Faith:

We believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – One God – perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and measureless in power. He has revealed His divine attributes in the Scriptures.
We believe in Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, the Eternal Word of God; in His incarnation, the virgin birth, His sinless life, and His atoning substitutionary death for the sins of the world.
We believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and triumphantly ascended into heaven; that His personal, imminent, visible return to this world is coming; and that we shall be raised with Him according to His promises recorded in Scriptures.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, Who presently convinces and convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and who regenerates, sanctifies and comforts those who believe in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.
We believe that the Bible is God’s authentic, written expression of the Eternal Word, authoritative in nature, and that it was written in the original by godly men who were divinely inspired, and that it was divinely preserved so that it remains faithfully the supreme and only authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that man was originally innocent, sinless, and pure, but became fallen in Adam; and is now sinful by nature, by choice, and in need of salvation.
We believe in the Way of Salvation by the grace of Jesus Christ, in shedding His blood for the remission of sins, that by voluntary repentance of sin and confession of faith in Christ, one will receive salvation from sin’s penalty.
We believe that the church is a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the head, and that all regenerated people are members, but that a visible church in an earthly and imperfect expression of this spiritual truth, existing in a company of believers, united in faith, and assembled for regular worship, work, and fellowship, and for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the two Biblical ordinances are Christian Baptism and the Observance of the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Christian baptism in the name God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a solemn and beautiful symbol of one’s faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. The observance of the Lord’s Supper is a provision of bread and the juice of the grape, symbolic of Christ’s body and blood, partaken of by God’s children, commemorating the death of their Savior, showing their faith in the merits of His sacrifice, their dependence upon Him for spiritual life and nourishment, and their promise of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead. Faithful self-examination is to precede this observance.
We believe that each church is independent and autonomous; that each church is self-governing and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political group.
We believe that, without the aid of human priests, ritual, or baptism, any person responding to an inner working of the Holy Spirit and desiring to seek forgiveness for sins or guidance in one’s life, may do so by approaching God directly through the majestic name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that, given average ability and the help of the Holy Spirit, any true believer in Christ may read and understand the Scriptures for himself.
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day which is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all secular labor except works of necessity and mercy, by the devout observance of devotional exercise and by preparation for that test that remains for the people of God.
We believe in the separation of church and state, that the church must not dictate to the state, nor the state to the church, that the state should protect all religious groups, but favor none; and that all persons should have the freedom to worship God according to their own conscience.
We believe that, according to the Great Commission from the Lord, the evangelization of all persons is our ongoing task as part of the Church, beginning at the local community, to all sections of the State and the Nation, and to the uttermost parts of the world.

Article 1 Name

The name of this local church shall be the Federated Church of Mitchell, Nebraska. Hereafter in this constitution, the words, “this church” shall refer to the name of this local church, Federated Church.

Article 2 Purpose

The purpose of this church shall be as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus Christ; to help church members grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ that they may know and do His will; to help them be actively involved in this church’s ministry work; and to provide regular assemblies of public services for the worship and praise of God, for the preaching and support of the gospel, for regular
Christian education, and for fellowship of Christians.

Article 3 Government and Interdenominational Welcome

Section 1 The government of this church is vested in its members who exercise the right of control in all of its affairs, expressed as local church autonomy, subject in legal matters to the Articles of Incorporation granted it through the Secretary of State, of the Department of State in Nebraska.

Section 2 This church recognizes the value of historical Christian denominations and welcomes individuals from the various Christian denominations to consider membership within this church. Most traditions will be honored and exemplified in public services. Historically, Federated Church of Mitchell, Nebraska was a church hosting two denominations, namely, the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This church continues to reflect the blend of many denominational influences, thus the reason this interdenominational welcome. Come and join us – where Christ is Lord and a Christian welcome is extended.

Article 4     Membership

The membership of this church shall consist of those who are identified now as members of this church and those who shall formally unite with it.

Section 1         Admissions.

Any person may become a member of this church by expressing this desire publicly in one of the public worship services sharing with the Pastor or Elder one or more of the follow decisions:

A. A confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; a promise to live a Christian life; and a desire to be baptized by the method of believer’s baptism as a witness to others of a changed life.

B. A request of transfer of membership from another Christian church to this church.

C. A statement of Christian experience, if previously baptized in some other Christian church.

Section 2         Dismissals

A. Any church member in good standing who desires a letter of dismissal and recommendation to any other church is entitled to receive it.    Upon request from the receiving church, the letter of transfer shall be sent to the Pastor of the Clerk of that church.

B. Any member choosing to have his name dropped from this church’s roll should have that privilege upon written request to the Pastor or to the Clerk of this church.

Article 5     Worship Services and Business Meetings

Section 1         Worship Services

Public worship services shall be held at given hours each Sunday, as the Church Council shall desire. Ordinances shall be administered at such times as the minister and/or church board may deem advisable. Other services for worship, inspiration, prayer, and study may be held as determined by member of the church or the official boards and committees. All members of the Federated Church are encouraged to attend regularly these scheduled Worship services. Additional dedication services can be added to the worship order.

Section 2         Business Meetings

A. The Annual Meeting of the membership of the Federated Church shall be held on the FIRST SUNDAY in June to hear the yearly reports of the Officers, the Boards and committees; to transact church business; to approve the list of nominees for Church leadership, and to establish plans for the coming church year (June through May).

B. The Annual Budget Meeting for the membership of the Federated Church to adopt the annual Budget for the next fiscal year will be held on the THIRD SUNDAY in January.

C. The official year of the church shall begin on JUNE 1 through MAY 31 of each calendar year.

D. This church’s fiscal year shall start on JANUARY 1 through DECEMBER 31 of each calendar year.

E. A quorum at any meeting of the Federated Church membership shall consist of twenty-five (25) voting members.

F. All members of the Federated Church are qualified to vote at the scheduled church business meetings. The only exceptions would be the financial budget and the calling of the Pastor. Members of the ages of 16 through 120 are eligible to vote on these issues. Any member at the age of 15 or younger is not permitted to vote on financial matters
or the pastoral calling.

Article 6     Church Council

Section 1         Governing Body

The governing body of the Federated Church shall be the Church Council.

Section 2         Members of the Church Council

The five (5) elected Officers, the five (5) Board Chairpersons, the seven (7) Committee chairpersons, the two (2) elected Jr. Council members and the Auxiliary group(s) President(s) will be considered as the Church Council, serving as the governing body of the Federated Church. [total Church Council: 22] [quorum: 7]

Article 7 Church Representatives

All elected officers, Board members, Junior Council Members, Committee members, Auxiliary presidents are to be considered by their election as church representatives of the this local congregation. In all meetings and business transactions, these persons are representing the whole membership of the Federated Church. They are Federated Church representatives in their leadership duties. In addition, all staff personnel are ex-officio members of the respective Boards and Committees.

Section 1 Officiers

This person presides at the general meetings and moderates the order of business.

In the absence of the Moderator, the Vice-Moderator assumes the responsibility of presiding at the general meetings and moderates the order of business. This person is preparing to be the Moderator on his second year of his/her term.

This person keeps records of business meetings and transactions. This person also supervises the record-keeping of the membership roster. New members’ records and transfers of membership are included in this person’s tasks.

This person is the official book-keeper of financial records and is empowered to conduct financial transactions of this church (e.g., check writing; reconciling bank statements).

This person serves as the church historian by collecting records and preserving artifacts of historical nature for the posterity of the Federated Church to be recorded. The church’s time capsule is the deposit box of such articles.

Section 2 Boards

A. Board of Trustees (3 members) (3 year term/staggered; one replaced each year).

1. The Trustees of this church are to be considered as the formal representatives of this local church membership. They will be elected annually on a staggered tenure of service with limited three years of service.

2. Pertaining to business matters involving the State of Nebraska, namely the Articles of Incorporation and property matters, the Trustees are responsible to meet and act in a representative way of this church. Any changes to the Articles of Incorporation must be presented by the Trustees to the membership, to this church in a scheduled business meeting or a special called business meeting with at least two (2) prior Sunday notices to the membership.

B. Board of Elders (6 members) (2 year term/four elected annually) It shall be the duty of the Elders to preside at the Communion Table, give spiritual help to new members and to those needing comfort or aid, and to oversee the general welfare of the member of this church.

It shall be the duty of the Deacons to cooperate with the Pastor in ministering to the spiritual interests of this church and to the community.

It shall be the duty of the Deaconesses to be responsible for the preparation of Communion, to assist the candidates for baptism, and to cooperate with the Pastor in ministering to the spiritual interests of this church and to the community.

Board of Managers (6 members) (3 year term/two elected annually)

This board acts as the standing pulpit supply, ministerial replacement committee, and Pastoral Relations Committee.
The board’s primary duty is to select and to recommend a prospective minister to the Church Council for consideration. Upon approval by the Church Council, the prospective minister would be recommended to the church members.
The board shall establish an intimate line of communication between the Pastor and the church membership.
The board serves the Pastor as a confidential group of church leaders providing accountability, negotiations of contract, annual financial package reviews, and counsel in the case of the church issues and/or personal issues.
It is advised to have this board consist of people of various age groups and include at least two women.

Junior council Members (2 members) (1 year term/one elected annually)

These members shall not be over eighteen (18) nor under twelve (12) years of age. It is recommended that one member be female, and the other male.
They shall attend all Church Council meetings, voice opinions pertinent to youth concerns and interests.

Section 3 Committees

These seven committees will meet on call of their chairpersons. The chairpersons serve on the Church Council. The majority of the members in each committee present and voting shall be decisive.

This committee takes care of the physical property, buildings and grounds, the church parsonage and other properties, meeting the needs of the residents, serving the needs of the congregation, keeping the church beautiful, worshipful and accessible.

This committee maintains an effective program of Christian Education and Discipleship, to help prepare persons for an effective Christian life and active participation of this church’s ministry work. This Committee will recruit a Sunday School Superintendent and a Sunday School Secretary, as needed.

This committee helps in leading this church in its mission of evangelism, fulfilling the Great Commission, winning converts to Christ and making disciples.

This committee supervises the care and development of this church’s members and seeks to work for the full participation of members in the life and fellowship of this church.

This committee helps to promote the work of this church in regards to world missions, national mission support and local ministries of compassion.

This committee helps to serve this church in the cultivation, development, and use of financial resources and to educate the congregation in the areas of Christian stewardship of time, talent and money.

This committee helps to serve this church by assisting in the structure of worship services and spiritual formation programs of the congregation, enhancing corporate worship and encouraging personal spiritual growth.

Section 4 Election of Church Representatives

Nominating Committee (4 members/elected annually)
A Nominating Committee will be selected and approved by the Council for temporary assignment. The committee selects nominees for the positions open each year of the church Representatives. Those positions are: Elected Officers; the five (5) Boards; and Jr. Council members.
The committee shall become functional at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting. They are responsible for obtaining the consent of all nominees in placing their names upon the slate.
They present the slate of nominees to the church membership at the Annual Meeting in June. Their job is completed when all vacancies are filled.
The (7) committee chairpersons are selected from the members of the five Boards (excluding the chairpersons) by the Moderator. The complete lists of committee members are then recruited by the Moderator and these seven (7) committee chairpersons. The membership roster is referred to for committee assignments. Committee members serve one year terms.

There will be two scheduled meetings for the membership to attend, as described in Article 5. Whenever necessary, special called business meetings for the church’s membership, initiated by two or more members, Moderator, or Minister may be scheduled any time upon approval of the Church Council.

Article 8 Pastoral Call

The general duties of the Pastor include the responsibilities to care for the slated services of public worship, to administer the Biblical ordinances, and to promote the spiritual welfare of this church. The Pastor is to be considered an ex-officio member of all boards and committees, and will make a report of this year’s work at the annual meeting. Specific duties are reviewed by the Board of Managers and kept on file.

Section 1 The Call of the Pastor

The Church Council shall consider the recommendation of the Board of Managers of a prospective minister.
Upon approval of the recommendation, the Council will proceed with the process of scheduling a time of introduction of nominee to the membership of this church.
At a regularly scheduled business meeting (or a special called business meeting}, the recommendation of this ministerial candidate will be presented for vote by the membership. The vote must reflect at least two-thirds majority of the members before the extension of the call to the Pastor.
The Pastor has the responsibility to consider the extended call and give an answer at this meeting.
It shall be the policy of this church to consider only one prospective minister at a time.
The newly elected minister will be supervised under the auspices of the Board of Managers. The relationship, of this group and the Pastor will be one of mutual respect as they follow prescribed guidelines and ministerial duties. Review of these contractual guidelines and evaluations will be done by the Board of Managers and Pastor at scheduled meetings.

Article 9 Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of members present and voting at any regular or special called meeting of the church’s membership. Notice of the meeting for this purpose shall be given from the podium and/or inserted in worship bulletins at least two consecutive Sundays preceding the said meeting. The proposed amendments being considered should be in written form.