Constitution & By-Laws

Constitution Table of Contents

BY-LAWS Table of Contents

CONSTITUTION

of

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEBSTER GARDENS

Adopted: 15 August 1966

Revised: 8 June 1970 – Women Suffrage

8 November 1971 - Clarification of voting age

9 June 2002 – Change of Voting Age

Reprinted: 1 December 1975

9 June 2002

CONSTITUTION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEBSTER GARDENS

Constitution Table of Contents

PREAMBLE

The Word of God requires that a Christian congregation shall conform to this Divine Word in doctrine and practice (Ps. 119:105; Matt. 28:18-20; Gal. 1:6-8; 2 Tim. 4:1-5) and that all things be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40). Therefore, we, the members of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, accept and subscribe to the following Constitution and By-Laws, in accordance with which all spiritual and material affairs of our congregation shall be governed.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this congregation shall be “The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens”, located at Webster Groves, Missouri.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of this congregation shall be to equip all its members through the faithful use of Word and Sacrament more effectively to become the people God has called them to be. Through His people God builds and extends His Church in His world. In its efforts to worship the Triune God, witness to the lordship of Jesus Christ and seek the welfare of all people, this congregation shall adhere to the confessional standard set forth in Article III of this constitution.

ARTICLE III

CONFESSIONS

This congregation acknowledges and accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God, verbally inspired, and acknowledges and accepts all the Confessional Writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580, to be the true and genuine exposition of the doctrines of the Bible. These Confessional Writings are the three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian), the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, and the Formula of Concord.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this congregation includes the following:

A. Baptized Membership

Baptized members are all members who have been baptized in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, including the children on the membership rolls who have not yet confirmed their baptismal vow.

B. Communicant Membership

Communicant Members are those:

Who are baptized in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
Who accept all canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the only divine rule and standard of faith and life;
Who are familiar at least with Luther’s Small Catechism and declare their acceptance of it;
Who attend divine services faithfully;
Who lead Christian lives and do not live in manifest works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21);
Who partake of the Lord’s Supper frequently after their confirmation;
Who contribute regularly and faithfully, as God has prospered them, toward the building of Christ’s kingdom in the congregation and throughout the world;
Who devote their time and talents to the extension of the kingdom of God;
Who permit themselves to be fraternally admonished and corrected when they have erred;
Who are not members, affiliates or proponents of a fraternal order, society, or organization conflicting with the Word of God.

C. Voting Membership

All confirmed members who have reached the age of fourteen (14) years, have been accepted by the Voters’ Assembly, and have read and signed the Constitution and By-Laws of the Congregation shall be entitled to vote, as long as the vote does not involve the entering into a legal and binding contract. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one (21) years, they shall be entitled to hold office and accept appointment.

D. Privileges of Women

Women may hold voting membership in the congregation and serve as officers and as members of boards and committees as long as these positions are not directly involved in the specific functions of the Pastoral Office (preaching, the public administration of the sacraments, and church discipline) and as long as this service does not violate the order of creation (usurping authority over men). Accordingly, they shall not serve as pastor, or as an elder in the Department of Worship and Spiritual Life.

ARTICLE V

THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY

The Office of the Public Ministry of this congregation includes such positions as pastor, teacher, deaconess, lay assistant, youth worker, music director, and social worker. These positions shall be conferred on such persons only who profess and adhere to the confessional standard set forth in Article III of this Constitution, and are qualified for their work. Such ministers shall, in the call or appointment extended to them and accepted by them, be pledged to this confessional standard. Such ministers shall not hold any elected or appointed office of this congregation.

ARTICLE VI

POWERS OF THE CONGREGATION

A. General

The congregation as a body, through the Voters’ Assembly, shall have supreme power to administer and manage all its external and internal affairs. The establishment and conduct of all institutions and societies with the congregation, such as the parochial school, Sunday school, youth societies, ladies’ organizations, choir, etc., shall at all times be subject to the approval and supervision of the congregation. The congregation, however, shall not be empowered to decide anything contrary to the Word of God and the Confessions of the Lutheran Church (Article III), and any such decision shall be null and void.

B. Right of Calling

The right of calling pastors or teachers shall ever be vested in the congregation as represented by the Voters’ Assembly, and shall never be delegated to a smaller body or to an individual.

C. Decisions

Matters of doctrine and conscience shall be decided by the Word of God; other matters shall be decided by the Voters’ Assembly by a majority vote unless otherwise specified by the Constitution or By-Laws.

D. Powers of Officers

Congregational officers of committees, either elected or appointed, shall have no authority beyond that which has been conferred upon them by the Voters’ Assembly, and whatever power may have been delegated to them may at any time be altered or revoked by the Voters’ Assembly.

E. Removal from Office

Any officers, pastor, or teacher may be removed from office by the congregation as represented by the Voters’ Assembly, by ballot, in Christian and lawful order, for one of the following causes: Persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, and inability to perform his official duties or willful neglect of them.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

The officers of this congregation shall be a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and such other officers, boards, or committees as the By-Laws of this congregation may prescribe.

ARTICLE VIII

PROPERTY RIGHTS

If at any time a separation should take place on account of doctrine, the property of the congregation and all benefits therewith connected shall remain with those voting members who continue to adhere in confession and practice to Article III of this Constitution. In the event the congregation should totally disband, the property and all rights connected therewith shall be transferred to the Missouri District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, its successors and/or assigns.

ARTICLE IX

DOCTRINAL LITERATURE

Only such hymns, prayers, and liturgies shall be used in the public services of the congregation and in all ministerial acts as conform to the confessional standard of Article III. Likewise, in all classes for instruction in Christian doctrine only such books shall be used as conform to this standard.

ARTICLE X

SYNODICAL MEMBERSHIP

A. This congregation shall hold membership in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. It shall send its pastor, called teachers and a lay delegate to the District Convention of Synod.

B. It shall be the duty of the congregation and its individual members to support the work of Synod, since they thereby support their own Christ-appointed work.

ARTICLE XI

BY-LAWS

This congregation may adopt such By-Laws as may be required for the accomplishment of its purpose.

ARTICLE XII

CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION

A. Unalterable Articles

Articles II, III, V, and IX of this Constitution shall not be subject to change or repeal.

B. Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted at a regular Voters’ Assembly, provided:

That they do not conflict with the provisions laid down in Article III, or with any other article that pertains to a Scriptural doctrine and practice; and
That the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous meeting of the Voters’ Assembly and published prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment will be acted upon.
That an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the voters present and constituting a quorum is secured.

By-Laws of

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEBSTER GARDENS

Adopted: August 23, 1998

To that end we establish the following By-Laws of

The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens

Reprinted: September 17, 2002

Sections V,A; VI,E; and X,C revised June 29, 2003

Sections V.A.1. and V.A.7. revised June 26, 2005

The BY-LAWS of

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH of WEBSTER GARDENS

BY-LAWS Table of Contents

ARTICLE I

MEMBERSHIP

A. Privileges and Obligations

Every member shall have the privileges and obligations established in and guaranteed under The Constitution of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens and shall participate in the life of the congregation.

B. Transfer

Anyone wishing to transfer their membership from a congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod to this congregation shall present a statement of transfer from the transferring congregation to the Pastor of Public Ministry and complete “Discovering Webster Gardens” classes. Any member wishing to transfer membership to another congregation shall request a transfer from the Pastor of Public Ministry. Transfers shall be reported to the Spiritual Life Ministry Team.

C. Discipline

Any member who willfully separates himself from the Means of Grace, or displays evidence of disinterest and unconcern for the Word of God, or lives an immoral or offensive life or believes or teaches a doctrine contrary to the Christian faith shall be counseled in the manner described in Matthew 18: 15-20.

D. Removal

In any case where a communicant member wants to join another Christian congregation outside of our fellowship, or after counseling continues to separate himself from the Means of Grace, or displays evidence of disinterest and unconcern for the Word of God, or lives an immoral or offensive life or believes or teaches a doctrine contrary to the Christian faith, or no longer wants to continue membership in this or any other Christian congregation, or cannot be located after reasonable efforts, such member shall be considered to have terminated membership and his or her name shall be removed from the membership rolls upon recommendation of the Pastor of Public Ministry with the concurrence of the Spiritual Life Ministry Team.

E. Status

A person whose communicant membership has been terminated has forfeited all rights as a member of the congregation and all claims upon the property of the congregation such as, or upon any part thereof.

F. Reports

All membership changes shall be reported by the Spiritual Life Ministry Team to the Board of Directors and reported to the congregation.

ARTICLE II

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

A. At least two (2) Congregational Meetings shall be held each calendar year. One shall be held in June for election of Directors, Officers, and CCLS representatives, and one shall be held in December for presentation and consideration of the Vision Plan for Ministry and the Team Ministry Plans with an accompanying Congregation’s Ministry Plan and Budget for the following fiscal year.

B. Special Congregational Meetings may be called by the President if deemed necessary. The President shall also call a Special Congregational Meeting should he receive a written request from the Board of Directors, or the Pastor of Public Ministry, or the Pastor of Personal Ministry, or the Spiritual Life Ministry Team.

C. At least fourteen (14) days notice shall be given for any regular or Special Congregational Meeting. Such notice shall be posted in the church, published at least once in the worship bulletin, and announced at the worship services immediately preceding the meeting. In addition to the date and time of the meeting, such notice shall include, if applicable, any proposed resolution(s) for amending the Constitution and/or the By-Laws; any proposal for the purchase or sale of property; or for the erection, modification or demolition of buildings or any other capital expenditure; or any proposal(s) to amend the Congregation’s Ministry Plan Budget, or any proposed resolution(s) for the call or removal of any Pastor or other called or contracted professional Staff or elected Director of Officer of the Congregation.

D. The President may call an Emergency Congregational Meeting by giving notice of such a meeting in all of the Sunday worship services the day of the meeting, which shall be held immediately following the last Sunday morning worship service. At such a meeting, only the emergency issue(s) may be acted upon.

E. At any Emergency Congregational Meeting, or any meeting considering and/or acting upon the approval of any proposed resolution(s) for amending the Constitution and/or the By-Laws; or any proposal for the purchase or sale of property; or for the erection, modification or demolition of buildings or any other capital expenditure; or any proposal(s) to amend the Congregation’s Ministry Plan Budget; or any proposed resolution(s) for the call or removal of any Pastor or other called or contracted professional Staff or elected Director of Officer of the Congregation, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting shall be required for approval.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The Board of Directors shall consist of nine (9) Directors elected at a properly designated Congregational Meeting(s). The nine (9) Directors shall include the following officers: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and five (5) Directors-at-Large elected from and by the voting membership of the Congregation. The Board of Directors shall usually meet once each month.

B. The term of office for a Director, an Officer as well as a Director-at-Large, shall be three (3) years and a Director may serve two (2) consecutive terms. Upon completion or resignation of a term of office, a Board member, including an Officer, may immediately serve in another elected or appointed capacity.

C. The Board of Directors shall:

1. Have the authority and responsibility to act on behalf of the Congregation to handle its functions with the Constitution and these By-Laws and in accordance with the direction of the Congregational Meetings. The Board of Directors shall not have the authority to amend the Constitution or By-Laws; to purchase or sell property of the Congregation; to authorize the construction, modification or demolition of buildings or any other capital expenditure; to amend the Congregational Ministry Plan budget; or approve any proposed resolution(s) for the call or removal of a Pastor or other called or contracted professional Staff or elected Director or Officer of the Congregation; all of which are addressed in accordance with Article II, of these By-Laws.

2. Have the authority and responsibility to approve non-budgeted, emergency expenditures, on a per occurrence basis, of not more than five percent, and, in the aggregate, of not more than ten percent of the total budget per calendar year.

3. Be responsible for being knowledgeable of all federal, state and local legal requirements and ordinances and adherence to same.

4. Upon recommendation of the President:

a. Set the date(s) and time(s) and approve the agenda(s) for all regular and Special Congregational Meetings;

b. Approve all interim appointments, Ad Hoc Ministry Team Leaders, and temporarily fill unexpired terms or shortages of personnel in accordance with Article IV.A.1 of these By-Laws.

c. Receive and review appointments of members to each Ministry Team and the Endowment Board.

5. Review and evaluate, in September, the Vision Plan for Ministry developed by the Pastor of Public Ministry in accordance with the purpose, goals, values and mission of the Congregation, and, in October, refer the Vision Plan for Ministry to the Core and Ad Hoc Ministry Teams.

6. In November, review and evaluate the Ministry Plans and accompanying budget requests from each Core and Ad Hoc Ministry Team.

7. In December, submit to the Congregational Meeting for consideration and approval a finalized copy of the Congregational Ministry Plan along with an accompanying Congregational Budget for the coming year, and communicate the Congregation’s decisions to the Core and Ad Hoc Ministry Teams.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

A. The elected officers of the Congregation shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

1. The President shall:

a. Serve as the point of coordination between the Pastor of Public Ministry and the Board of Directors.

b. Preside at all Congregational Meetings and at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

c. Be responsible for verifying that the business of the Congregation is carried on in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Constitution and these By-Laws.

d. In cases requiring immediate and emergency decisions, have the authority, with the concurrence of the Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, to act on behalf of the Congregation between meetings of the Board of Directors. In matters of financial responsibility the President may not obligate the Congregation for commitments in excess of five percent of the total budget during any one calendar year.

e. In concert with the Pastor of Public Ministry ensure compliance of all Ministry Teams regarding the preparation and a four-month evaluation of their respective Mission Plans.

f. Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors:

1.1. Annually appoint all committees and congregational representatives to Lutheran and community agencies as appropriate, and inform the congregation of their activities.

1.2. Annually appoint the Nominating Committee.

1.3. Appoint a By-Laws Committee to study and address changes and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and Congregation, as appropriate.

1.4. When authorized by the Congregation, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, appoints a Call Committee to search for, locate, review and evaluate candidates for any fulltime called or contracted professional staff position and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and the Congregation regarding filling any such position.

2. The Vice President shall:

a. Perform duties as assigned by the President. He shall perform all the duties of the President in the event of the President’s absence.

b. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, perform the duties of the President for the remainder of the President’s term of office or until a qualified successor to the President shall have been duly elected and installed.

3. The Secretary shall:

a. Be responsible for the recording and maintenance of the Minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Congregational Meetings.

b. Be responsible for the accuracy and maintenance of all legal records of the Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens and certify and provide copies of the same as and when required by law or by the interest of the Congregation to the persons entitled to receive the same as determined by the Board of Directors.

4. The Treasurer shall:

a. Pay authorized bills of the Congregation and be responsible for the accuracy and maintenance of all financial records including the receipts and disbursements of the Congregation, and certify and provide copies of the same as and when required by law or by the interest of the Congregation to the persons entitled to receive the same as determined by the Board of Directors.

b. Report the current financial affairs of the Congregation to the Board of Directors and at each regular Congregational Meeting.

c. Annually submit the permanent financial records of the Congregation for audit by an independent auditor selected by the Board of Directors.

d. Disburse monies from the treasury of the Congregation according to the priorities established by policy by the Board of Directors.

B. The elected officers of the Congregation:

1. Shall assume their respective duties on the 1st day of July immediately following their election. Officers shall hold their office during their term and until their successors have been duly elected and installed.

2. Shall be voting members of the Board of Directors during their term(s) in office.

3. Shall serve a term(s) of office in accordance with Article III.B of these By-Laws.

4. Shall serve as the Personnel Committee in accordance with Article VIII of these By-Laws.

ARTICLE V

MINISTRY TEAMS

A. Core Ministry Teams

Core Ministry Teams are essential for the Congregation to function and pursue its Mission. These Core Ministry Teams shall be established for the indicated purposes:

1. Connections Ministry Team: To develop a system that will provide for the assimilation and incorporation of new members and existing members into our Congregation. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) increasing the awareness of the Congregation to the needs of new members, (b) providing opportunities for our members to connect with the new members, (c) identifying and inventorying the spiritual gifts and skills of all members and helping the Congregation become aware of these resources, (d) providing opportunities for all members to use their spiritual gifts in service to the Congregation and to the community at large, and (e) tracking the involvement of the members in the ministry and activities of the Congregation.

2. Christian Discipleship Ministry Team: To develop a system that will provide for the ongoing discipleship and maturation of all members in the knowledge and application of their Christian faith. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) establishing Sunday and weekday educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults, (b) developing small groups, (c) training of teachers and leaders in the skills of teaching and the doctrines of the church, (d) strengthening families as basic units of Christian nurture and growth, and (e) furnishing appropriate educational resources.

3. Evangelism Ministry Team: To develop a system that will equip our people with skills and attitudes needed to reach the unchurched with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) providing evangelism training opportunities, (b) arranging events for inviting the unchurched, (c) employing resources for communicating Jesus Christ to the community.

4. Human Care Ministry Team: To develop a system that will provide for the identification and care for members of the Congregation and the community who have serious needs. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) collecting groceries and other items for distribution, (b) assisting those who have serious financial needs, (c) referring those with special needs to the appropriate community resources, (d) participating with those community groups operating programs of human care, (e) applying for financial resources available for assisting with programs of care, and (f) administering a Congregational program of Parish Health.

5. Missions Ministry Team: To develop a system that will provide ways for the Congregation to connect with domestic and world-wide mission opportunities. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) providing opportunities to learn about the support specific world relief and holistic mission programs, (b) increasing the support of and communication between the Congregation and designated missionaries, and (c) promoting the support of and participation in volunteer mission experiences.

6. Properties Ministry Team: To develop a system that will provide ways to properly care for the church building and property with consideration for present usage and future needs. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) providing for the cleanliness and ongoing care of the facilities, (b) providing for the safety of the people utilizing the buildings and property and the security of all equipment and facilities, (c) arranging for adequate insurance coverage, (d) establishing policies regarding facility usage, and (e) consulting regarding the need for equipment upgrades and/or replacements and future expansion including the preparation and monitoring of the capital budget.

7. 50+ Ministry Team: To develop ways to discover and be responsive to the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs of those who are 50 years of age and older. This will include but not be limited to: (a) identifying such persons in our congregation and community, (b) developing intentional processes to involve them in fellowship and ministry, (c) developing opportunities to build and strengthen relationships among them, (d) providing appropriate preventive health information, resources, and insights, and (e) serving any other needs that these adults in the second half of their lives may have.

8. Spiritual Life Ministry Team: To develop a system that will provide for the on-going spiritual care and growth of all persons connected with The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) visiting and supporting those in crisis or life changes, (b) visiting those hospitalized, (c) offering prayers of support, (d) assisting and supporting the called, contracted and volunteer staff of the Congregation, as and when requested or required, including assisting with pastoral duties which may legitimately be delegated, (e) offering advice for effective worship services and assisting in worship as requested, (f) advising in the exercise of church discipline and concurring in the removal of persons from membership. If a certain aspect of Spiritual Life Ministry is deemed to be inappropriate to be carried out by a specific team member, arrangements are to be made with the pastors for another team or staff member to act on their behalf.

9. Youth Ministry Team: To develop a system that will support our youth as they grow and mature into responsible Christian adults and provide ways for our youth to become and remain full partners in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This will include, but not be limited to: (a) identifying and inventorying the spiritual gifts and skills of our youth and making the Congregation aware of these resources, (b) providing opportunities for our youth to use their spiritual gifts and skills in service to the congregation and the community at large, and (c) developing adults leaders to assist in the ministry with and to the youth.

B. Ad Hoc Ministry Teams

In addition to the Core Ministry Teams identified by these By-Laws, as now or hereafter amended, there shall also be established, as required to pursue the Mission of this Congregation, such Ad Hoc Ministry Teams as may be provided for in the annual Congregational Ministry Plan. Ad Hoc Ministry Team members shall be received and reviewed by the Board of Directors upon recommendation by the President.

C. Duties of all Ministry Teams

Each Ministry Team, whether Core or Ad Hoc shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Each Ministry Team shall be accountable to a Leader who shall be a called or contracted staff member, or appointed lay leaders as recommended by the Pastor of Public Ministry and the Board of Directors and approved by the voters. Ad Hoc Ministry Team Leaders shall be approved only by the Pastor and Board of Directors. The Leader shall be responsible for the planning and activities of the Ministry Team and shall be accountable to the Pastor of Public Ministry.

2. Each Ministry Team Leader, in consultation with the Team and the Pastor of Public Ministry, shall identify possible members to serve on the Ministry Team and subcommittees as required. Proposed names shall be received and reviewed by the Board of Directors. Individuals may not serve on more than one team simultaneously.

3. Each Ministry Team’s Leader and a Team member determined by the Team shall represent the Ministry Team. Each Ministry Team, in October, shall prepare a one year Ministry Plan of activities and budgetary requirements for the next calendar year consistent with the Congregation’s goals and the Vision Plan for Ministry. The Ministry Plan shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for its consideration and approval at its November meeting. The Budget shall include sufficient detail to enable the Board of Directors to include it in a unified Budget for submission to the December Congregational Meeting for consideration and approval. All Ministry Plans shall be incorporated into a Congregational Ministry Plan for the following year.

4. Each Ministry Team shall be empowered to administer all funds set aside for its work by the Congregational Budget or by special resolution of a Congregational Meeting; however, the Board of Directors may, in the exercise of its discretionary authority, restrict such expenditures to conform to the actual financial condition of the Congregation at any given time. Each Ministry Team member shall be jointly and solely responsible for any of the Team’s unauthorized expenditures.

5. Each Ministry Team shall evaluate its activities for the first four (4) months of the year and report the same to the Board of Directors at its May meeting. This report may include recommendations for changes to the plans and activities of the Ministry Team. In the case of Ad Hoc Ministry Teams a recommendation to continue or disband the Ad Hoc Ministry Team may be in order. This report may also serve as a useful guide for the development of next year’s Ministry Plan.

6. Each Ministry Team shall keep minutes of each meeting and submit a copy to the Board of Directors prior to the Board of Director’s next meeting.

ARTICLE VI

ELECTIONS

A. A Nominating/Election Committee, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Board of Directors at its February meeting, shall present a slate of candidates to the June Congregational Meeting for any Officer(s), Director(s), Team Leader(s), CCLS Delegate(s) and/or Endowment Fund Chairperson to be elected. Additional nominations for any of the above position(s) to be elected may be made from the floor upon motion(s) duly made and seconded.

B. Once nominations have been closed, the election shall proceed by secret ballot. The ballots shall be collected, counted and the results of the election reported to the President by the Nominating/Election Committee. The candidate for any particular office receiving the majority of votes shall be elected.

C. Officers of the Congregation shall be elected according to the following schedule:

1. President: for a one-year term in 1998, for a three-year term in 1999 and every third year thereafter.

2. Vice-President: for a two-year term in 1998, for a three-year term in 2000 and every third year thereafter.

3. Secretary and Treasurer: for a three-year term in 1998 and every third year thereafter.

D. Directors-at-Large shall be elected according to the following schedule:

1. Two (2) Directors-at-Large: for one-year terms in 1998, for three-year terms in 1999 and every third year thereafter.

2. Two (2) Directors-at-Large: for two-year terms in 1998, for three-year terms in 2000 and every third year thereafter.

3. One (1) Director-at-Large: for a three-year term in 1998 and every third year thereafter.

E. Core Ministry Team Leaders shall be elected according to the following schedule:

1. Evangelism Ministry Team and Properties Ministry Team Leaders: for one-year terms in 1998, for three-year terms in 1999 and every third year thereafter.

2. Senior Adult Ministry Team Leader: for one-year term in 2004, for three-year term in 2005 and every third year thereafter.

3. Christian Discipleship Ministry Team, Human Care Ministry Team and Missions Ministry Team Leaders: for two-year terms in 1998, for three-year terms in 2000 and every third year thereafter.

4. Assimilation Ministry Team, Spiritual Life Ministry Team and Youth Services Ministry Team Leaders: for three-year terms in 1998 and every third year thereafter.

F. In the event that an Officer, Director-at-Large, Team Leaders, CCLS Representative or Endowment Board Chairperson shall be unable and/or unwilling to complete a term of office, the resulting vacancy shall be filled by an election at a Regular or Special Congregational Meeting. It is to be called by the President for this purpose according to the procedures applicable to the election of these respective positions, with the individuals elected at such meeting to fill the unexpired term of the position to which they have been elected.

ARTICLE VII

CALLING AND CONTRACTING OF PASTORS, TEACHERS,

DIRECTORS OF MUSIC AND OTHER PERSONNEL

A. Call Committee

In the event of a vacancy in a fulltime called or contracted professional staff position or in the event that a new fulltime called or contracted professional staff position is to be filled, the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint a Call Committee to search for, locate, review and evaluate candidates for any fulltime called or contracted professional staff position and make recommendations to the Board of Directors and the Congregation regarding filling such staff position.

B. Nominations

Names of recommended candidates for the Pastor of Public Ministry, Pastor of Personal Ministry, Director of Music, Teach or other fulltime called or contracted professional staff personnel, shall be submitted by the Call Committee to a Congregational Meeting for consideration. Prior to submitting the candidates to the Congregational Meeting for consideration, the Board of Directors shall ensure that a list of the names of the candidates to be considered at the Congregational Meeting, along with a comprehensive Position Description of the ministry required of the candidate to be called or contracted, has been appropriately posted and communicated to the Congregation in all worship services and published in the worship bulletin on the two consecutive Sundays immediately preceding the Congregational Meeting.

C. Elections

At a Congregational Meeting properly convened to consider the extending of a call or contract in accordance with these By-Laws, the Call Committee shall submit names or qualified candidates to the Congregation for its consideration. In the event such nomination(s) is made and duly seconded by another voting member, the individual(s) so nominated shall be considered a candidate(s) for election to the position(s) to be filled. The election(s) shall proceed by secret ballot and shall continue until one candidate for each position to be filled has been chosen by a majority of the members present and voting in the election to fill each position, whereupon such candidate(s) shall be deemed elected. If at all possible, the election shall be declared unanimous by a motion to elect the selected candidate by acclamation.

ARTICLE VIII

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

The Personnel Committee shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for reviewing with the Pastor of Public Ministry, on an annual basis, the performance and salaries of the called and contracted staff and other employees of the Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens and for presenting their recommendations to the Board of Directors. They shall develop, publish and revise when appropriate a Personnel Policy Manual. If and when necessary, the Personnel Committee and the Pastor of Public Ministry shall address personnel problems, procedural changes, reassessment of ministry responsibilities, training requirements, changes to personnel policies and other performance related issues as and when they may occur.

ARTICLE IX

DIRECTORS OF CHRIST COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (CCLS)

A. Organization

CCLS is a corporation of partners. With the exception of the CCLS operating budget and such CCLS items as may require Congregational approval under the CCLS Constitution and/or CCLS By-Laws, the administration of CCLS is not subject to the vote of a Congregational Meeting or of the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens.

B. Operating Budget

The Operating Budget of CCLS, effectively fixing a financial commitment of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, is subject to approval by a Congregational Meeting. The CCLS Operating Budget for a given calendar year must be presented to The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens prior to November 1st in order to be included on the Congregational Ministry Plan for the next calendar year. Upon approval of the CCLS Operating Budget, as included in the Ministry Plan at the December Congregational Meeting, the portion of the budget of CCLS attributable to The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens shall be a binding obligation of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens.

C. Capital Budget

The Capital Budget of CCLS, effectively fixing a financial commitment of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens for construction or equipment, is subject to approval by a Special Congregational Meeting. Every CCLS Capital Expenditure Budget must be presented to the Board of Directors to consider and approve such Budget and then include the same in a Capital Budget proposal to be considered by a Special Congregational Meeting. Upon approval at the Special Congregational Meeting the Capital Budget item of CCLS attributable to The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens shall be a binding obligation of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens.

D. Representation

The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens shall be represented at CCLS by its delegates who will serve on the Board of CCLS. The delegates to the Board of CCLS representing The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens shall report, when requested, through one of their members selected by them, to the Board of Directors and the Congregational Meetings.

E. Elections

The Congregational Meeting shall annually, on a staggered basis and according to the provisions of the CCLS Constitution and/or By-Laws, elect its delegates to the CCLS Board of Directors. Such Directors shall serve, subject to the following conditions:

1. A Director’s term shall be two (2) years.

2. A Director may be elected to no more than three (3) consecutive terms, after which a Director may not be elected to serve again until an interval equivalent to two (2) terms has passed.

3. Any voting, communicant member of legal age shall be eligible to serve as a Director.

ARTICLE X

ENDOWMENT FUND

A. Name

This Congregation shall maintain and promote a privileged congregational fund, knows as The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens Endowment Fund. The Fund shall not be a separate entity but shall be one of the funds of the Congregation. Donors to this Fund have the privilege of perpetuity of their gift principal while only the earned proceeds can be used for an appropriate benevolence in congregational disbursement.

B. General Purpose

The general purpose of the Fund shall be to receive designated but conditional gifts and to use their earned proceeds for the mission and ministry of The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens and/or The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, its districts, seminaries, university system, missions, human care, world relief, institutions or agencies.

C. Endowment Board

The Fund shall be promoted and managed by an Endowment Board which consists of at least five (5) people. The Chairman of the Endowment Board shall be elected at a Congregational Meeting, shall serve a term of three (3) years and shall be eligible for re-election. The other members of the Endowment Board shall be recommended by the Chairman and appointed by the President with confirmation of the Board of Directors. The Chairman, upon invitation, shall report to the Board of Directors and at Congregational Meetings concerning the status of the Endowment Fund. Minutes are to be filed with the Board of Directors.

D. By-Laws

The Endowment Fund shall operate under By-Laws which shall be effective upon approval at a Congregational Meeting, called for that purpose among others, by a vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members present. As with approval, the Endowment Fund By-Laws may be amended, at a properly called Congregational Meeting called for that purpose among others, by a vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of those present.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

A. These By-Laws may be amended by the following procedure:

1. The Congregational Meeting at which the proposed amendment(s) is to be presented shall be called in strict accordance with the requirements of these By-Laws.

2. The proposed amendment shall be appropriately posted, published in the worship bulletins and announced at the worship services on the two (2) successive Sundays immediately preceding the Congregational Meeting at which the proposed amendment(s) will be presented.

3. The proposed amendment(s) shall be adopted upon the affirmative vote by ballot of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting in a Congregational Meeting properly convened for the purpose of considering the amendment(s).

Mission Statement of

The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens

As “Friends Sharing Christ” with the world,

Our Mission is to nurture …..

Intimate relationships with our Lord,

Loving relationships with one another, and

Meaningful relationships with those not yet part

of God’s family.