CONSTITUTION OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHOSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
Adopted April 24, 2005
ARTICLE I NAME
The corporate name of this church is “First Congregational Church in Oshkosh.”
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of this church is to provide an environment which will enable, encourage and inspire all persons to serve God, the church and the world community by furthering the teachings of Christ.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Manner of admission of Members: The covenant of this church, to which the candidate for membership shall give assent, is as follows.
Professing our faith in God and our discipleship to Jesus Christ, we associate ourselves together in a Christian Church.
We declare our purpose to be to discover the will of God for our lives, and to mediate the spirit of Christianity and the things of God to our community, that God’s will may be fulfilled in individuals and in society.
We do so covenant before God to maintain this Church, promising to attend its services, to give of our means as we are able, to receive the counsel of its ministry, and to share wholeheartedly in its work. Amen.
Candidates shall be accepted for church membership after satisfactory evidence of qualification has been given by (a) letter of commendation from another church, (b) declaration of affiliation with another church from which a letter of standing is not readily obtainable, in which case the members shall be received “as by letter,” or (c) profession of faith.
Persons desiring membership shall present themselves for reception at a public service of worship and give assent to the Covenant of the church. When necessary, persons fulfilling the other requirements may be received in absentia. Any who have not been baptized previously shall receive the rite of Baptism, unless they request that this be waived for personal theological reasons.
Section 2. List of Members: The Ministry Council shall periodically appoint a task force to conduct a review of the membership. The task force shall provide a list of active members that the task force recommends being put on the inactive list. A complete membership list shall be published at least every three years.
Section 3. Categories of membership: The members of this church shall consist of persons now enrolled as members and, after date of adoption of this constitution, those persons who have been received by vote of the Ministry Council and who have given assent to the Covenant.
Active Members: Any member who has done at least one of the following within the last two years shall be listed as an Active Member: Attended worship, Made a donation of any amount, Communicated with the church that he/she wishes to remain an active member. An active member has the privilege of voting at meetings of the congregation. Inactive Members: A member shall be listed as an Inactive Member if he/she fails to meet all of the three criteria listed above for Active Membership. Whenever a person is put on the Inactive Member list, the task force appointed by Ministry Council shall make every reasonable effort to inform the person of that change, inviting them to remain an Active Member. An inactive member does not have the privilege of voting at meetings of the congregation.
Friends of the church: People who participate in the life of the church but who have not formally become a member.
Section 4. Termination of Membership: Any person may cease to be a member of this church: By written resignation By letter of transfer to another church or By being retired from membership by action of the Ministry Council at the recommendation of the membership task force of the Ministry Council. Any person retired from membership may, by vote of the Ministry Council, be restored to membership. If a person is on the Inactive Membership list for two years, the Ministry Council may remove his/her name from the church rolls. Every reasonable effort to inform the person of this change shall be made.
ARTICLE IV GOVERNANCEThe government of this church is vested in its members. It controls its own affairs and is amenable to no other ecclesiastical body. The structure of governance is described in the bylaws.
ARTICLE V INTER-CHURCH RELATIONSThe church recognizes the privilege and responsibility of fellowship with other churches to receive and give counsel and to cooperate in all matters pertaining to the general interests and the advancement of the ideals of ethical religion. It holds itself in full standing with (1) the United Church of Christ through the Northeast Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United church of Christ, (2) the National Association of congregational Christian Churches, and (3) the Wisconsin Congregational Association. It works cooperatively in the ecumenical movement through the Wisconsin, National, and World Council of Churches.
ARTICLE VI OFFICERS AND MINISTRY COUNCIL
SECTION 1. Designation of officers: The corporate officers of this church shall be the Moderator, (who shall serve as “president”) the Moderator-Elect, (who shall serve as “vice-president”), the Clerk, (“who shall serve as “secretary”) and the Treasurer. All officers must be active members of the church. The length of terms of service of the officers and their duties, as well as the operational organization of the church, are prescribed in the bylaws.
SECTION 2. Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy in the office of Moderator, the Moderator-Elect shall assume the office of Moderator. In the event of a vacancy in the offices of Moderator-Elect, Clerk, or Treasurer, the Nominating Committee shall provide a candidate to be presented to Ministry Council for approval to be recommended to the congregation for election at a meeting of called for that purpose. The person elected shall serve in that office until the next annual meeting of the congregation.
SECTION 3. Ministry Council: the Ministry Council is comprised of the moderator, moderator-elect, clerk, treasurer, and a facilitator or a designated representative of each of the ministry groups. All voting members of Ministry Council must be members of the church. Ministry Council serves as the board of directors of the corporation.
ARTICLE VII MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the congregation shall be held on a Sunday in April. The Minister(s), the Moderator, the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, the Clerk, All ministry groups and committees, and all organizations associated with the church shall present a written report at the annual meeting of the congregation. The reports shall become the property of the church and shall be placed on file with the Clerk.
Section 2. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the congregation shall be called by the Minister(s), or the Moderator, or by the Clerk upon the request of Ministry Council or 10 members of the Church.
Section 3. Notification of Annual and Special Meetings: written notice shall be mailed to all active members at least fourteen days prior to such meetings, and announcement of the meeting shall be given from the pulpit for at least two Sunday services immediately prior to the meeting. The announcement shall state the purpose of the meeting.
Section 4. Quorums: Forty members of the church shall constitute a quorum for all congregational meetings of the church, except meetings concerning amendments to the constitution. (See below.)
SECTION 5. Voting: Voting at all congregational meetings is the right of all active members.
ARTICLE VIII ORDINANCES AND SERVICES
The Minister(s) and the WORSHIP MINISTRY GROUP in concert shall be responsible for conducting and reviewing the ordinances and services of the Church.
Section 1. Baptism: It is the privilege of parents to consecrate their children to God by Baptism. Persons who have not been baptized previously and who make application for membership in the church shall receive Baptism as a symbol of Christian fellowship, unless they request a waiver of baptism on the basis of personal theological reasons.
Section 2. Communion: Communion shall be celebrated regularly throughout the year. The Lord’s Table shall be open to all. It is the privilege of parents to determine the age at which their children may participate in Communion.
Section 3. Services of Worship: weekly services of worship shall be held. Additional services may be scheduled as determined by the minister(s) and the worship ministry group.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at a congregational meeting called for this purpose. A quorum for meetings to amend the constitution shall be 20% of the active membership on the rolls the day of the meeting. The written notification of such a meeting shall include the proposed amendment. (See article VII, section 3 for notification requirements.)
ARTICLE X PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern in all matters not covered by this constitution.
ARTICLE XI DISSOLUTION
The corporation may be dissolved at a congregational meeting of at least fifty percent of the active members. Notice and detailed information about the subject of the meeting must be mailed to all members no less than thirty days in advance of the meeting date. The corporation may be dissolved by an affirmative written ballot vote of the majority of active members present. If, by the will of the congregation, the corporation is to be dissolved, the Ministry Council, at the direction of the congregation and after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the corporation's liabilities, shall distribute all of the corporation's assets to such organization(s) that shall at the time qualify as organization(s) under section 501c(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended (or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law).
Bylaws of the First Congregational ChurchOshkosh, Wisconsin
ARTICLE I: OFFICERS
The Officers of this church shall be the Moderator, the Moderator-Elect, the Clerk, and the Treasurer. All officers shall be active members of the church. They shall be elected annually, at the annual meeting of the congregation.
Section 1. Moderator: The Moderator shall: a. Work closely with the Minister(s) and other staff to encourage, coordinate, and guide the lay ministries. b. Preside over all congregational meetings and the Ministry Council. c. Serve as a member of the Pastor-Congregation Relations Committee.
The term of the Moderator begins and concludes at the end of the annual meeting of the congregation. Should the Moderator and Moderator-Elect be unable or unwilling to act at any meeting, the Clerk shall serve as acting Moderator for that meeting. The Moderator may be elected for up to three consecutive one-year terms of service.
Section 2. Moderator-Elect: The Moderator-Elect shall: a. Become the Moderator when the Moderator vacates the office. b. Become acting Moderator in the absence of the Moderator at any meeting of the congregation or Ministry Council. c. Become Moderator for the remainder of the Moderator’s term, should the Moderator be temporarily or permanently unable or unwilling to serve. d. Serve as a member of the Teaching & Learning Ministries Coordinator-Congregation Relations Committee. The Moderator-Elect may be elected for up to three consecutive one-year terms of service.
Section 3. Clerk: The Clerk shall: a. Keep an accurate record of Ministry Council meetings, meetings of the congregation, all baptisms, and all members received, dismissed, or deceased. b. Sign membership and baptismal certificates. c. Assure the safe-keeping of all official correspondence, reports, and other important papers. d. Provide at the annual meeting of the congregation a record of all minutes of congregational meetings during the year, and report on additions and losses from the membership rolls.
Section 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall:
a. Work with the Finance Ministry Group to oversee all financial records and procedures. b. Countersign all checks issued by the church. c. With the Financial Secretary, make a full written report to the congregation at the annual meeting, regular updates to Ministry Council, and at other times to Ministry Groups at their request. These reports shall be available to the congregation at all times.
The Treasurer may be elected to up to six consecutive one-year terms of service. At the annual meeting of the congregation at which the Treasurer is elected for his/her last term, the Nominating Committee shall present to the congregation a nominee for Treasurer-Elect for election by the congregation. The Treasurer-Elect shall become Treasurer when the Treasurer vacates the office.
Section 5: Official business transactions. The corporate officers of this church shall represent the church in all business transactions including, but not limited to, making contracts for products or services needed by the church.
ARTICLE II: PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
Section 1. Call: The Minister(s) shall be called by a two-thirds vote of the active members of the church present and voting at a meeting of the congregation called for that purpose.
Section 2. Ministerial Compensation: The salary of the Minister(s) shall be set and may be changed at the annual meeting or at a special congregational meeting called for that purpose.
Section 3. Duties: It shall be the duty of the Minister(s) to be member(s) of the church to conduct public worship, preach the gospel of Christ, administer the ordinances, reporting all baptisms to the Clerk, watch over the spiritual interests of the congregation, and direct its Christian work.
Section 4. Termination: Sixty days written notice must be given by the Minister(s) prior to the termination of the pastorate, except by mutual consent between the Minister(s) and the congregation. The services of the Minister(s) may be terminated by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a meeting of the congregation called for that purpose. In the event of dismissal, written notice shall be sent to the Minister(s) and services of the Minister(s) shall cease immediately, but the salary shall be continued for ninety days.
ARTICLE III CHURCH ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Overall Structure.
a. Ministry Areas. This church is organized into five ministry areas: Worship, Mission and Outreach, Teaching and Learning, Nurture, and Church Operations.
b. Ministry Groups. Within each ministry area there may be ministry groups. (See below). Ministry Groups shall annually elect from among their members a Facilitator. The Facilitator or a representative shall serve on Ministry Council (he/she must be a Member of the church.)
c. Committees. Committees minister in more narrowly defined ways, and meet on an as-needed basis. Some may not actually “meet” at all, except to accomplish the tasks within that area. The committees include but are not limited to: the Financial Stewardship Committee, the Memorial Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Pastor-Congregation Committee, the Teaching & Learning Ministries Coordinator-Congregation Committee, the Planned Giving Committee, and the Landscape Committee.
d. Task Forces and Teams: These groups are issue- or event-specific groups which meet for the duration of a particular issue or event or for short-term tasks.
Section 2. General Information.
a. Terms of office: Members of Ministry Groups shall serve one-year terms, up to six terms consecutively, and are elected at the annual meeting of the congregation.
b. Meetings: Ministry Groups shall meet monthly or as needed. These groups may enlist the help of others within the congregation to carry out their assignments. Notes of all meetings shall be taken and posted in the church.
c. Role of Ministry Group Facilitators: Facilitators lead the meetings of the Ministry Groups, encouraging their work. They or a designated representative of their Ministry Groups are members of the Ministry Council.
d. Refer to the Procedures Manual for a more detailed description of our ministries.
Section 3. Ministry Council.
a. The Ministry Council is comprised of the Moderator, Moderator-Elect, Clerk, Treasurer, and a Facilitator or a designated representative of each of the Ministry Groups. All voting members of Ministry Council must be members of the church. The church staff (Minister(s), Teaching & Learning Ministries Coordinator, Music Staff, Lay Ministries Coordinator) and a Women’s Fellowship representative shall serve in an ex officio capacity. Others are always welcome to attend, and may speak but not vote.
b. The Ministry Council serves as the Board of Directors of the corporation, and as such provides a corporate base for all of the church’s ministries and assures proper protection and utilization of the physical and financial assets of the church.
1. The Ministry Council shall have no right to buy, sell mortgage, lease or transfer any real property of the church, except as may be authorized by the congregation.
2. The Ministry Council shall have supervision of all property placed in the church either as a gift or for temporary use.
3. The Ministry Council shall be responsible for holding the properties of the church in trust; and for keeping them properly insured and in good repair.
c. The Ministry Council meets monthly no less than ten times a year to coordinate and encourage the various ministries, consistently reminding the church of our current Vision, and looking toward the future with openness and creativity. Once a year the Ministry Council will convene a representative group from the church to make recommendations to the Ministry Council on the church’s direction for the future.
d. Other duties of the Ministry Council shall include:
1. Establishing the annual estimated expenses for the coming year.
2. Assisted by the Clerk, overseeing the membership rolls with power to remove persons from membership.
3. Appointing delegates to denominational meetings.
4. Appointing individuals to committees such as the Pastor/Congregational Relations Committee, the Teaching & Learning Ministries Coordinator-Congregational Relations Committee, the Memorials Committee, and the Nominating Committee.
5. Approve the policies and procedures as defined in the Policies and Procedures Handbook.
Section 4. Ministry Groups A. In the Worship Ministry Area: The Worship Ministry Area includes the Worship Ministry Group and the Music Ministry Group.
1. The Worship Ministry Group: This group focuses on ways to enhance our worship experience and works closely with the Minister(s). It is responsible for recruitment, training, and oversight of ushers, scripture readers, and communion teams.
2. Music Ministry Group:This ministry offers support to the music staff, and various choirs (vocal, handbell, and dance) and looks for ways to encourage and enhance music in the life of the congregation.
B. In the Mission and Outreach Ministry Area: The Mission and Outreach Ministry Area includes the Social Concerns Ministry Group, the Benevolence Ministry Group, and the New Member Development Ministry Group.
1. Social Concerns Ministry Group: This “education-action” ministry offers ways to use the church’s resources and its members in the wider community and world. It looks for ways to encourage and enable people to be involved in direct ministry in the community.
2. Benevolence Ministry Group: This group determines where to donate allocated church funds in our broader community and world. They also select the projects, agencies, or organizations to receive our “special offerings” through the year.
3. New Member Development Ministry Group: This group seeks to bring new people into the fellowship of the church by encouraging our membership to invite and welcome newcomers, by making our building inviting and user friendly, through media advertising and other outreach initiatives.
C. In the Teaching and Learning Ministry Area: The Teaching and Learning Ministry Area includes the Church School, Adult Education, and Youth Ministry Groups.
1. Church School Ministry Group: Working with the Teaching and Learning Ministries Coordinator, this group works to provide a high quality Christian Education for our children and youth.
2. Adult Education Ministry Group: This ministry provides opportunities for adult members and friends to share and learn together in faith.
3. Youth Ministry Group: The members of this ministry group work closely with the Teaching and Learning Ministries Coordinator to provide opportunities for growth, fellowship, worship, and service for the youth of the church.
D. In the Nurture Ministry Area:
1. Fellowship Ministry Group This group focuses its ministry on providing a variety of opportunities for fellowship among the members and friends of the church.
2. Visitation Care Team The role of this ministry is to nurture those members and friends who cannot attend regular church activities, to keep them informed about events in the life of the congregation, to be alert to their needs and to inform the Minister(s) of their changing needs.
E. In the Church Operations Area: The Church Operations Area includes the Finance Ministry Group, the Personnel Ministry Group, and the Building and Grounds Ministry Group.
1. Finance Ministry Group: This ministry oversees the financial matters of the church. Responsibilities include:
(a) It appoints annually a Financial Secretary, whose responsibilities shall include: 1.To receive all contributions made to the church, keeping an accurate account of each contributor; and to deposit such contributions in the name of the church in a bank designated by the Finance Ministry Group. 2. To prepare checks to pay all documented bills of the church, having the checks countersigned by the Treasurer or other authorized signer. 3. With the Treasurer, to make a written report to the annual meeting; and at other times as needed by church ministry groups or committees.
Bonds shall be required of the Financial Secretary and such other officers as they deem advisable, the church to meet the expense.
(b)To designate individuals, in addition to the Treasurer, to serve as authorized signers for checks written to pay church bills and those individuals authorized to access the church’s safe deposit box. (c) It sees that daily, monthly, and annual financial operations—payroll, payment of invoices, record-keeping, investments—are carried out in an accurate and efficient manner. (d) It keeps Ministry Council, Ministry Groups, and the church at large regularly informed about the assets, liabilities, and current needs of the church. (e) It advises Ministry Council regarding financial concerns and options, and makes recommendations on the same.
Planned Giving Committee: This committee encourages church members to use estate planning and other gifting to support the ministries of the church.
Financial Stewardship Committee: This committee heads up the annual stewardship campaign and also works to keep the concept of stewardship before the congregation throughout the year.
Investment Committee: Appointed by the Finance Ministry Group, this Committee actively invests such funds as are available in such a manner as to receive a maximum return with reasonable risk.
2. Personnel Ministry Group: This ministry supports the staff of the church, meeting with each staff person regularly and addressing and making recommendations about such issues as compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
3. Building and Grounds Ministry Group: This group serves the church by overseeing all maintenance and repair of our building and surrounding property.
Landscape Committee: This ministry maintains the garden areas around our church and atrium.
Section 5: Committees Not Associated with a Particular Ministry Group Ministry Council shall appoint the following Committees:
1. Memorial Committee: This group maintains a record of memorial gifts and determines how to best use the undesignated memorial gifts.
2. Minister(s)-Congregation Relations Committee: The purpose of this group is to facilitate communication between the Minister(s) and the congregation.
3. Teaching and Learning Ministries-Congregation Relations Committee: The purpose of this group is to facilitate communication between the congregation and the Teaching and Learning Ministries Coordinator.
4. Nominating Committee: Headed by the Moderator-Elect, and working closely with the Lay Ministries Coordinator, this Committee presents to the annual meeting of the congregation nominations for Officers and Ministry Groups.
ARTICLE III VACANCIES
In the event of a vacancy in a Ministry Group the Ministry Council may appoint persons to fill out the term of service. The Nominating Committee or the Lay Ministries Coordinator may recommend persons to fill such vacancies.
ARTICLE IV AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active members present and voting at a meeting of the congregation called for this purpose. Written notice shall be mailed to all active members at least fourteen days prior to such meetings, and announcement of the meeting shall be given from the pulpit for at least two Sunday services immediately prior to the meeting. The announcement shall state the purpose of the meeting. A quorum shall be forty active members, as per Article VII, Section 4 of the constitution.