July Congregational Report Concerning C&BL

Pastor & Leadership Support Team Report On New Constitution & Bylaws:

Pastor & Leadership Support Team Report On New Constitution & Bylaws Congregational Meeting July 17, 2011

The Team…:

The Team … Norman Carlisle Dennis Fuhrman John Gross Mark Haklar Martin Rosario Rob Schleicher Jim Schneck Jamie Sumner Lawrence Talotta Randy Wolfe

Review To This Point…:

Review To This Point … Two & a half years Originally attempted to modify current C&BL Received input as we met with area Pastors Decided to start fresh Initial draft made

Review To This Point…(continued):

Review To This Point …(continued) Team talked over each section, greatly rewrote document and completed our draft in December of 2010. . . Lawyer consulted for legal meaning and role of “officers” in state of Pennsylvania Draft sent to Ken Newberger,Church Constitution & Bylaws Specialist

Review To This Point…(continued):

Review To This Point …(continued) Ken worked with Pastor Norman & the team to identify key areas of potential issues April 2011 Ken finishes In addition, Ken also pointed to resources, gave ideas and helped write policy concerning staff issues

Review To This Point…(continued):

Review To This Point …(continued) Team “finalizes” second draft (check wording, reformat, etc.) Team also writes important polices in separate document Sent Constitution and Bylaws to Wordsmith to finalize grammer , punctuation, etc.

Review To This Point…(continued):

Review To This Point …(continued) Trivia… 18,407 Words & 39 pages in Old C&BL 6,771 Words & 18 pages in New C&BL Bonus! In talks with Dr. Newberger we inquired about his Association of Conflict Competent Churches… The Leadership Team agreed to become a charter member of this organization!!

Today’s Agenda:

Today’s Agenda Review major points of new C&BL (Article by Article) Handout New C&BL

Preamble / Name / Purpose:

Preamble / Name / Purpose

Article III – Ministry Process “Enter, Embrace, Empower”:

Article III – Ministry Process “Enter, Embrace, Empower”

Article IV – Statement of Faith:

Article IV – Statement of Faith 12 shorter doctrinal statements derived from (and corresponding to) the 12 found in the longer version in our current C&BL

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership:

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership Key Points: “Elder –led, Deacon-assisted, congregationally involved…”

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (Cont.) ELDERS:

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (Cont.) ELDERS Must be male members whose character qualities are enumerated in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 / Titus 1:5-9 / 1 Peter 5:1-4 Elders will be appointed by the Elder Body by a 75% vote Elder candidate will also be presented to the congregation for their affirmation by 75% vote to confirm his call Elders will have terms

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (cont.) LEAD PASTOR:

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (cont.) LEAD PASTOR The Lead Pastor is part of the Elder Body Role Distinctions: preaching and teaching the word of God developing and communicating vision for the church oversight of worship services Lead Pastor may be brought up from within or sought from outside congregation 75% vote of Elders confirmed by 75% congregational vote

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (cont.) Deacons:

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (cont.) Deacons Deacons will serve under Elders to facilitate other needs of the congregation Elder Body will appoint Deacons and will have them affirmed by the congregation (majority vote) Deacons will have term limits The scripture indicate that women can serve as deacons

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (cont.) Staff:

Article V – Governing Structure and Leadership (cont.) Staff Three areas of staffing: Ministerial Staff – Assists with Pastoral duties Office Staff – Administrative work Other Staff – Other aspects of the church Clarity to roles & a grievance procedure

Article VI – Congregational Life:

Article VI – Congregational Life Membership Change – A member candidate must be 18 This section also touches on Services, Ordinances, Ministries, Congregational Meetings, Peacemaking & Church Discipline

Article VII – Property:

Article VII – Property Deals with legal stuff about buying and holding property and what to do with property and holdings if church dissolves.

Article VIII– Amendments :

Article VIII– Amendments Amendments require two-thirds vote except the Statement of Faith and Expanded Doctrinal Statement (Addendum) which requires a three-fourths vote.

Article IX – Adoption:

Article IX – Adoption This Constitution and Bylaws abolishes, supersedes and takes the place of any previous Constitution and Bylaws and amendments.

Article X – Other Policies:

Article X – Other Policies Two other important documents will guide the church: 1. Life In Christ Church Operational Policy and Procedures Manual This will be overseen by the Elder Body 2. Official Ministry Policies This will be generated by the individual ministries, changes approved through the Deacons

Addendum:

Addendum “Expanded Doctrinal Statement” This contains the first 12 current doctrinal statements of the church with little change… We have “cleaned up” some typing & format errors Removed a part under the doctrine called “Church” that said to “refer Article V, Section 3” (since it would send people to the wrong place in the new one!) SPECIAL NOTE…

Reasons this Addendum is included…:

Reasons this Addendum is included… It has all the scripture references It further develops the doctrine Our intention is for future Elders to go over each one and further clarify and strengthen the Biblical position..

Examples of future Refinement of the Addendum…:

Examples of future Refinement of the Addendum… Gender Issues Scripture

Where to go from here…:

Where to go from here… Pray, fast, talk, ask & write! Write any questions you have that you would like answered at the next meeting. Ways to submit these written questions: Church email address ( lifeinchrist@entermail.net ) The Office Administrator’s door Pastor Norman’s door Or hand to anyone on the Leadership Support Team SUBMIT BY THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE MEETING

Next Meetings…:

Next Meetings… Monday, August 1 at 7:00p.m. –Q&A– Monday, August 15 at 7:00p.m. –Q&A– Sunday, August 28 after church – Vote–