March 2024
Constitution
of
Trinity Lutheran Church
Nashville, Illinois
Preamble
It being the will of the Lord that among Christians all things shall be done decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40, Col. 2:5), we, the Members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation U.A.C of Nashville, Illinois, hereby set forth this document as the constitution along with all supporting documents by which all material and spiritual affairs of the congregation shall be regulated. It was unanimously resolved on March 17, 2024, to declare our old constitution repealed, null and void, and to accept this present document as the congregation’s constitution and supporting documents.
Article I – Name
The name of our church and congregation shall be Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation U.A.C of Nashville, Illinois.
Article II – Mission Prayer
Our Mission prayer is:
Merciful Father, guide Your Family of Faith to:
• Seek a deeper knowledge of God’s Word
• Serve God and Others
• Reach out with the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ
All by the work of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Article III – Confessional Standard
The congregation acknowledges and accepts all the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament as the revealed Word of God, verbally inspired, and acknowledges and accepts all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, to be true and genuine exposition of the doctrines of the Bible. These Confessional Documents are:
Article IV – Synodical Membership
In order to do the Lord’s work more efficiently and also beyond the confines of our parish, this congregation maintains voting membership in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, as long as said synod adheres to the confessional basis detailed in Article III above. As a member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, we pledge ourselves to participate in its meetings and in its deliberations as well as to help to bear its burdens.
Article V – Congregational Membership
Baptized Membership:
Baptized members are all who have been baptized in the name of the Triune God and who are under the spiritual care of the pastor of this congregation, including the children who have not yet been confirmed into communicant membership.
Confirmed Membership
No one can be or become a member, still less an officer in this congregation, or participate in any rights of membership, except a person who:
Article VI – Admission of New Members of the Congregation
Persons intending to join this congregation by Confirmation or Transfer from another LCMS congregation shall give notice of such intention to the pastor, together with satisfactory evidence of their qualifications for membership. The names of all such applicants shall be announced at a regular meeting of the congregation; and if no protests has been entered and sustained at (or before) the meeting, the applicant shall be received into baptized or communicant membership by unanimous vote. Each member / family is to be given a copy of the constitution by the board of discipleship when joining the congregation so that they may read the constitution before requesting to be a member of the ‘voting membership’ of this congregation.
Article VII – Rights of Suffrage (Voting Membership)
The right of suffrage, also known as the right to vote, shall belong to those communicant members of the congregation who have arrived at the age of sixteen and who have been received into voting membership by this congregation. They must also subscribe to the regulations of this congregation as written in the Constitution, the By-Laws, Church Policies, and Position Descriptions, and state this by signing the Voter’s Registration Book which is kept by the Secretary of the Congregation for this Purpose. A person can only become a voting member at a regularly scheduled quarterly voter’s meeting.
Article VIII – Obligations and Duties of Members
It shall be the duty of every member of the congregation to:
Any member neglecting to fulfill these duties is to be admonished in a kind and fraternal manner according to Matthew 18.
Article IX– Excommunication and withdrawal from Congregation and Reinstatement of Membership
Excommunication
Members of this congregation shall admonish one another according to the rule laid down by our Lord (Matt. 18:15‑20). Formal excommunication can and must take place after the several degrees of admonition have been applied without effecting the desired penitence. Excommunication requires a unanimous vote of the members present. A member who refuses the approaches of the church as indicated above and thus willfully withdraws from the ministrations and admonitions of the church, shall be considered self‑excommunicated and shall be so declared by unanimous vote of the members present. Any member who has been excommunicated from membership shall thereby lose all of the rights of a member and all the rights to the property of the congregation as such, so long as he/she is not again received into the congregation.
Withdrawal from the Congregation
Any member who has been withdrawn from membership shall thereby lose all of the rights of a member and all the rights to the property of the congregation as such, so long as he/she is not again received into the congregation.
What is stated above shall also apply in reference to those members who voluntarily withdraw from connection with the congregation or who bring about withdrawal by moving away and they thereby annul their connection with the congregation by:
Reinstatement of Membership
Anyone who is withdrawn from the congregation has one year from the date of their withdrawal to inform the elders that they desire to have their membership at Trinity Lutheran Church reinstated without the need to take an adult instruction class with the pastor. After a year anyone desiring to have their membership reinstated would have to participate in an adult instruction class with the pastor.
Article X– Congregational Worship
In the public worship of this congregation, none but pure Lutheran forms are to be used. (Thus also, in the parochial school, beside the Holy Scriptures and Luther’s Small Catechism, such books only as are purely Lutheran shall be introduced and used for instruction in Christian doctrine.)
In Trinity Lutheran Church the called ministers of Christ shall ordinarily deliver the sermons. Permission for a guest speaker to preach in this church shall be granted by the senior pastor of this congregation who shall consult with the Board of Elders and/or the voting membership of this congregation.
No regularly scheduled service of this congregation shall be dropped permanently without the consent of the voting membership of this congregation, or in cases of emergency, with the consent of the Board of Elders.
Article XI– Congregational Property
All the property of the congregation is committed to the successive Trustees elected by the congregation in such a manner that they are to manage the same as the property belonging to other persons, but entrusted to them to conclude contracts in reference to it, to sign documents, to appear before court, and to carry out all transactions which the congregation as possessor would himself have to do, yet in such a manner that they are not authorized to dispose of these goods according to their own will and opinion, but to carry out the said transaction only according to authentic resolutions and orders of the congregation. For that which the Trustees do upon the resolution and in obedience to the order of the congregation, the latter has to be responsible with the goods, and ever to secure the Trustees against injury; but, on the other hand, if the Trustees arbitrarily manage the congregation’s property without resolution of the congregation, according to their own will, they personally are held responsible for the same to the congregation.
Article XII– Title of Property in Case of Separation
Should a division arise in the congregation (may God graciously prevent this) the property and all the interest connected therewith shall belong to those members of it who steadfastly acknowledge the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and, agreeable to this, require the ministers and teachers of this congregation to be bound to the collective Confessional Documents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. (See Article III of this Constitution)
Article XIII–Power and Authority of the Voters Assembly
The Voter’s Assembly as a body has the highest power in the management of all the internal and external ecclesiastical and congregational affairs. No arrangement or decision for the congregation or for church members as such has any validity, whether it proceed from an individual or from a body within the congregation, if it is not made in the name of the congregation and according to the general and particular authority given the congregation. That which is arranged or decided by individuals or smaller groups in the name and by the authority of the congregation may at any time be brought before the Voters Assembly as the higher tribunal for the final decision. But not even the Voters Assembly shall be empowered to order, enact, arrange or decide anything contrary to the Word of God and the Confessional Documents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (See Article III of this Constitution). Any such ordinance, enactment, arrangement, or decision shall be null and void.
Article XIV – Duties of Pastors and Teachers
Section 1 – General Qualifications
The Pastoral office in this congregation shall be conferred upon such ministers only who profess their acceptance of and adherence to all the Canonical Books of the Old and the New Testament as the inspired Word of God and all the Confessional Documents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church enumerated in Article III of this constitution. Pastors as well as Teachers shall be pledged to the same by the call extended to and accepted by them.
Section 2 – Specific Duties of Pastors
All pastors of this congregation are pledged to:
Section 3 – Specific Duties of Teachers
All teachers of this congregation are pledged to:
Article XV– Election of Pastors and Teachers
The right to call, to elect, or to receive the minister or ministers, the teacher or teachers, and all other officers of the congregation shall always belong to the Voter’s Assembly as a body and shall never be delegated to an individual or to a minor body or circle within the congregation. The call committee for pastors or other commissioned ministers specific to Trinity Lutheran Church is formed by the Elders of Trinity Lutheran Church. The call committee for Teachers of TSJ is formed by the BOCE. Only LCMS pastors and commissioned ministers (Teachers, Deconess, DCE, etc.) may be called.
Article XVI– Removal from Office
The Pastor or Pastors, the Teacher or Teachers, and all other officers of this congregation may in Christian and lawful order be removed from office. Sufficient cause for deposing such officers are:
Removal from office must first be considered by the Elders, which shall appoint two or more of its members to consult with the person in question. If no satisfactory solution is achieved, a special meeting of the Church Council shall be held at which all parties shall have the opportunity to be heard. Upon approval by a two-thirds majority vote of the Church Council members present and voting, the request for removal shall be presented to a duly called meeting of the Voter’s Assembly for final action which will require a quorum of the voter’s assembly and a two-thirds majority vote for removal from office.
Article XVII – Officers Boards and Committees
Section 1 – Congregational Officers
The officers of this congregation shall be:
Section 2 - Congregational Boards
Section 3 – Congregational Committees
Section 4 – Other Committees
Section 5 – Church Council
Members of the church council shall consist of:
A representative of the congregational committees, however, shall have the right to meet with the church council whenever they feel a need or have a desire to do so.
A Quorum for a Church Council meeting shall be 51% of those persons elected to the Church Council and a quorum is required to conduct Church Council business.
Duties of the Church Council shall be as follows:
Article XVIII– Authority of Officers and Committee Members
The successive officers and committee members of this Voter’s Assembly have no more power in this Voter’s Assembly than is given to them and have it only so far and so long as they are commissioned with it by the Voter’s Assembly. The instructions given them by the Voter’s Assembly may at any time be altered or abolished by proper resolution of the Voter’s Assembly.
Article XIX– Nominations and Elections
Section 1 – Nominations
Only those who are voting members of the congregation and have reached the age of eighteen shall be eligible to be nominated to serve as officers or members of boards that appear in Article XVII, Section 1, 2, and 3 of this Constitution.
The nomination of officers and committeemen shall be made by a nominating committee consisting of the Church Council and a member of the Board of Discipleship. This committee should, when possible, nominate two candidates for each office and elected committee positions. As this committee considers names for nominations, they need to consider the qualifications and experience needed for each position. The nominating committee shall personally contact each nominee to accept the nomination. Then, they shall present the list of such candidates to the congregation in the regular July Voters’ meeting. In its own meeting, the nominating committee should make nominations for all officers listed under Article XVII, Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Constitution. Two nominees should be selected for all positions to be filled. At the July Voters’ Meeting, however, any voting member of the congregation shall have the right to nominate any voting member in good standing as a candidate for any elected office or committee. If positions still need to be filled, the nominating committee will continue to seek candidates until the October Voters’ Meeting.
Unless deemed altogether unavoidable by the nominating committee, no name shall appear for more than one elected position in the offices or on the committees listed under Article XVII, Sections 1 and 2 of this Constitution.
Women may be nominated to serve as officers and as members of the 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, 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, Elder, President or Vice President of the congregation.
Section 2 – Elections
The election of officers and committee members shall take place annually at the regular quarterly meeting of the voters in the month of October
All elections must be by ballot
An absolute majority is necessary for the election of any officer or committee member, but, if after the first ballot no absolute majority is obtained, all nominees shall be dropped except the two receiving the highest number of votes during the first ballot, and these two shall be voted upon again.
All officers and committee members specified in this Constitution under Article XVII, Section 1 and 2 shall serve until their successors assume office on the date of the installation of officers, following the October election, on the second Sunday of January.
If in the course of the year a vacancy occurs or an additional office or committee is created, an election to fill the new position or the vacancy may be held at the next regularly scheduled Voters’ Meeting.
Article XX – Duties of the President
The president of the congregation shall be elected for a term of two years. The president shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. The terms of the president shall alternate with the terms of vice-president so that both are not elected in the same year.
It shall be the duty of the president to:
Article XXI – Duties of the Vice-President
The vice-president of the congregation shall be elected for a term of two years. The vice-president shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. The terms of the vice-president shall alternate with the terms of president so that both are not elected in the same year.
It shall be the duty of the vice-president to:
Article XXII – Duties of the Secretary
The secretary of the congregation shall be elected for a term of two years. The secretary shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. If in the course of the term of office, a vacancy occurs, an election to fill the vacancy may be held at the next regularly scheduled Voter’s Meeting. This partial term will count as the first of two possible consecutive terms.
The secretary shall:
Article XXIII – Duties of the Treasurer
The treasurer shall:
During a serious illness of the treasurer, the books and papers and other valuable articles in his/her keeping, which belong to the congregation, shall be taken into custody by any person whom the Church Council may appoint for this purpose.
Article XXIV– Duties of Elders
The Elders shall consist of at least three members or one Elder per eighty (80) communicant members.
Elders shall be at least 25 years of age and a member of Trinity Lutheran for at least two years.
Elders shall serve for a term of three years, so arranged that the terms of no more than half of the number of elders expire in a given year. Elders cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.
Elders will elect a chairman, treasurer, and a secretary from amongst themselves annually. The Chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend church council meetings.
The duties of the Elders shall be:
Article XXV– Board of Christian Education Refer to the attached copy of the solemn agreement.
A SOLEMN AGREEMENT
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER and OF THE SON and OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.
To the glory of the Triune God and in obedience to His Holy Word, the congregations of
St. John’s Lutheran Church New Minden, Illinois, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, Illinois, do hereby enter in A Solemn Agreement to conduct and maintain a Christian Day School. We recognize that God has called us to a three-fold task.
1. To teach the Christian faith to our children as the Lord instructs both parents and the church: “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,” Deuteronomy 6:6-7. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” Ephesians 6:4. “Feed my lambs,” John 21:15.
2. To teach the Christian faith to children brought to us whose parents are not active in a church: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” Matthew 28:19. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself,” Acts 2:38-39. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved,” Romans 10:9-10. “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard,” Acts 5:20. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” Romans 1:16.
3. To teach and confess the full truth of the word of God, as we have to come to know it in Luther’s Small Catechism, to children brought to us whose parents are of another confession of faith: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,” Matthew 28:19-20. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:14-17. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith,” Galatians 6:10.
God helping us, we do mutually agree to associate ourselves in this common endeavor to be faithful to His call, trusting in His sacred promises: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6. “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children,” Isaiah 54:13. “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” Matthew 28:20.
The terms of this agreement shall be as follows:
Article I. Name.
The name of this school shall be Trinity – St. John Lutheran School of Nashville, Illinois.
Article II. Member Congregations.
The congregations of this School Association shall be member congregations of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Article III. Admission Policy.
The school shall admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Article IV. The Organization, Authority, and Accountability of the Board of Christian Education.
A. Members.
The Board of Christian Education (hereinafter referred to as the BOCE) shall be comprised of three (3) voting members from each congregation, the pastor of each congregation, and the principal(s) who shall serve in an advisory capacity, and the treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church who shall serve as treasurer of the school and as an advisory member of the BOCE. No teacher employed by the school shall be a member of the BOCE.
B. Officers of the BOCE.
In the month of February of each year, the BOCE shall elect from among its members a chairman and a secretary.
1. The chairman shall preside at the meetings of the BOCE, and perform the duties normally associated with his office.
2. The secretary shall perform the duties usually associated with the office such as keeping the minutes of the BOCE, and conducting correspondence.
3. The treasurer of the school shall receive all funds from the congregations party to this agreement, or any source contributing to the operation of the school. The treasurer shall pay all routine bills authorized by the budget and such bills as are authorized by the BOCE with the approval of the Voters’ Assemblies of both congregations. The treasurer shall submit a complete report of receipts and expenditures of all items at the request of the BOCE and at each meeting of the member congregations. The treasurer shall also render a complete annual report after the close of the fiscal year to the BOCE and to the member congregations. The books of the treasurer shall be audited annually.
C. Meetings.
The BOCE shall meet monthly to hear reports and to transact the business of the school. Two-thirds (2/3) of the elected BOCE members of each congregation shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings may be called by any member of the BOCE so long as all BOCE members receive due notice of such a meeting. Each member congregation shall be responsible for the regular attendance of its representatives at all meetings of the BOCE.
D. Responsibilities.
It shall be the task of the BOCE to formulate and administer school policy in accordance with the constitution of each congregation. In the event of irresolvable difficulties in decision-making, the BOCE shall refer matters of dispute to the Voters’ Assembly of each congregation for arbitration. In general, the BOCE shall function as the responsible agent for both congregations in organizing, managing, supervising, and promoting the school. Specific tasks of the BOCE shall include:
1. Drawing, approving, and issuing all 10-month renewable and nonrenewable contracts for lay teachers (defined as those ineligible for the LCMS Roster of Commissioned Teachers), subject to ratification by the contracting congregation at a voters’ meeting. The ratio for the responsibility for contracting lay teachers shall be according to the ratio specified in Article V. C. Trinity-St. John Lutheran School, as a ministry in the church, shall strive to call as many ministers of religion, ordained or commissioned, as possible to its faculty.
2. Contracting a Synodically-rostered teacher in an emergency situation, as follows:
When time constraints do not permit the Voters’ Assembly of the calling congregation to meet in the constitutionally prescribed manner for calling a teacher, the BOCE shall be empowered to contract a Synodically-rostered teacher on a temporary basis until such time as the Voters’ Assembly of the calling congregation can meet to consider the contracted teacher for a Call.
3. Being empowered by the calling congregation to work with the Synodical authorities when one of the congregations initiates the calling of a graduate from a Synodical school.
4. Regularly monitoring and evaluating the activities of the school and the performance of the faculty.
5. Receiving regular reports from the principal.
6. Submitting regular reports to each Voters’ Assembly.
7. Trinity-St. John Lutheran School, through its BOCE, is ecclesiastically accountable directly to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod through the Southern Illinois District president as well as to the congregations of the Synod which are members of the institution.
Article V. Budget
A. Each Year, during the month of September, the BOCE shall prepare a school budget for the calendar year which shall be submitted through the treasurer to both Voters’ Assemblies for adoption.
B. Students of member and non-member families shall be charged a tuition fee set by the BOCE.
C. After allowing for other sources of funding, the cooperating congregations shall be assessed the remainder of the operating costs for the School according to a multiplier to be determined as follows:
1. Once every ten years, in each year ending with a “0” (2030, 2040, etc.) in the January meeting, a census shall be initiated.
2. The chairman of each congregation shall appoint three members to a Census Committee. These six members, with pastors and principal acting as advisory members, shall examine the numerical strength of each Congregation. They shall especially take into account the number of members who can be expected to support the home budget of their Church. They shall then, in an equitable and transparent manner, propose a multiplier for each cooperating Congregation, the sum of which shall be 1.00, by which the annual cost of operating the School shall be multiplied and assessed for the next ten years. The Census Committee may consult an unbiased third party to help reach a recommendation.
3. The Census Committee shall report their results, together with an explanation as to how the multipliers were determined, for approval by a simple majority at the April Voter’s Assembly meeting of each Congregation.
4. When both congregations have approved the multipliers, they shall ordinarily be in force for the next ten budget years.
5. If conditions in one or the other of the Congregations should change in the intervening years, its Voters’ Assembly in its January meeting shall have the privilege of calling for a new census. Once that call is made by a congregation, that new census must be taken and the new multipliers will be in force beginning January 1 of the next year and until the next census.
6. The multiplier in force beginning with the budget year 2021 shall be .70 for Trinity and .30 for St. John.
Article VI. Staff.
A. Ecclesiastical Standards for Teachers.
Trinity-St. John Lutheran School through its BOCE members, teachers, and staff, respects and will not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LC-MS) as set forth in the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the applicable resolutions of the Synod. All teachers shall perform their ministry in accordance with the confessional standards as set forth in the constitution of each congregation and in conformity with the constitution and bylaws of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The principal(s) of this school shall be a “Minister of Religion, Ordained” or a “Minister of Religion, Commissioned” according to the definitions of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, hold membership in and be ecclesiastically accountable to The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
B. Procedure for Call.
When calling LC-MS ministers of religion, ordained or commissioned, Trinity-St. John Lutheran School will respect and not act contrary to the accepted calling policies, procedures and forms of the Synod. In cases of need for additional teachers, or in the event of a vacancy within the facility or principalship(s), the BOCE shall immediately consult with both congregations as to the needs of the school and the needs of the congregations and shall serve as a Call Committee which shall supply a list of candidates who are members of, or are in altar and pulpit fellowship with, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Any voting member of either congregation may propose to the BOCE names of individuals to be included on the Call list. The BOCE will seek the counsel of the Southern Illinois District officials concerning names for the Call list. Only such individuals as have been properly screened or interviewed by the BOCE shall be eligible for Call. However, in the matter of actually electing a candidate, the constitution of the calling congregation shall prevail. The forms suggested and provided in the Lutheran Service Book Agenda shall be followed.
C. Parish Requirements.
All teachers eligible for the LC-MS Roster of Commissioned Teachers shall be called by Trinity congregation or St. John congregation, prescribed above. Called teachers shall both teach in the school and carry out duties in the parish as assigned by the calling congregation. It is recommended that, when possible, said teacher become a member of the calling congregation. When the need to call a teacher arises, the determination as to which congregation shall issue the Call shall be made as follows: The ratio of teachers called by a given congregation to the total number of called teachers at Trinity-St. John Lutheran School shall be as close as possible to the current annual percentage of financial support contributed by that congregation.
D. Extra-curricular School Responsibilities (sports, music, art, etc.) shall be by mutual agreement among the faculty with the approval of the BOCE or by specific terms as outlined in a Call.
E. The Removal of Teachers shall be affected according to the constitution of the calling congregation upon the recommendation of the BOCE and/or by action of the Voters’ Assembly of the calling congregation.
F. Size of Staff.
A change in the size of the teaching staff must be approved by a majority vote of each Voters’ Assembly.
G. Ten-Month and Twelve-Month Calls.
The calling congregation, at the time when the Call is first issued, shall determine whether it shall be a 10-month or a 12-month Call and whether said Call be tenured or non-tenured. The annual period of service of said Call may be altered upon the recommendation of the BOCE to the calling congregation and upon the congregation’s approval.
H. Tenure.
Non-tenured Calls shall be made into tenured Calls upon the recommendation of the BOCE to the calling congregation and upon the congregation’s approval.
Article VII. Operations.
Trinity-St. John is operated with freedom and self-determination as a ministry independent of the Synod in the establishment and evaluation of its own objectives, activities, and programs, in its organization and administration and in financial matters. Fund-raising efforts are intended to reach only to the constituency of Trinity-St. John. However, Trinity-St. John has the privilege and responsibility of consulting with the appropriate board or commission with respect to special fund-raising efforts.
Trinity-St. John Lutheran School, remains solely responsible for its own fiscal affairs and for the payment of debts and liabilities it incurs.
Trinity-St. John Lutheran School understands that recognition by the Synod (i) is not an endorsement of the fiscal solvency of this organization, nor of services or programs offered by the organization; (ii) does not express or imply endorsement of the fiscal solvency of the organization; or (iii) cause Synod or its districts or congregations to incur or be subject to the liabilities of debts of the school and its subsidiaries and/or affiliates.
Article VIII. Amending this Agreement.
The terms of this Solemn Agreement may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at either Voters’ Assembly. Such amendment shall become effective only when it is ratified in the partner parish by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote.
Article IX. Dissolving this Agreement.
In the event that either partner should desire to withdraw from this agreement, notice of such intention shall be given in writing to both the BOCE and to the partner parish one (1) year in advance of such action. Should this agreement be terminated, the equipment and nonexpendable materials originally donated by member congregations shall be returned. All other assets procured during the joint operation of the school shall be appraised by the trustees of both parishes and shall be proportionately divided between the member congregations.
Article X. Effecting this Agreement.
This Solemn Agreement shall become effective when approved by St. John’s Lutheran Congregation and by Trinity Lutheran Congregation who shall direct their chairmen and secretaries to affix their signatures and the seals of the congregations to this agreement.
End of Solemn Agreement
Article XXVI– Board of Family Life Ministry (adopted 2002)
The Board of Family Life Ministry shall consist of at least four members.
The members of the Board of Family Life Ministry shall serve for a term of three years, so arranged that the terms of no more than half of the number of board members expire in a given year. The board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board of Family Life Ministry will elect a chairman from amongst themselves annually. The chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend Church Council meetings.
The duties of the Board of Family Life Ministry shall be as follows:
Article XXVII – Duties of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall consist of six members. The members of the Board of Trustees shall serve for a term of three years, so arranged that the terms of no more than half of the number of trustees expire in a given year.
The Board of Trustees will elect a chairman from amongst themselves. The chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend Church Council Meetings.
The duties of the Board of Trustees shall be as follows:
Article XXVIII – Duties of the Finance Board
The Finance Board shall consist of at least six members.
The members of the Board of Finance shall serve for a term of three years, so arranged that the terms of no more than one-third of the number of members of the board expire in a given year. The board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board of Finance will elect a chairman and team leaders who will appoint whatever other members it deems necessary for efficient work, annually. The Chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend Church Council meetings.
The duties of the Board of Finance shall be as follows:
Article XXIX – Duties of the Board of Discipleship
The Board of Discipleship shall consist of at least six members.
The members of the Board of Discipleship shall serve for a term of three years, so arranged that the terms of no more than one-third of the number of members of the board expire in a given year. The board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board of Discipleship will elect a chairman and team leaders who will appoint whatever other members it deems necessary for efficient work, annually. The Chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend Church Council meetings.
The Board of Discipleship will provide a shepherding role for the congregation, and their duties shall be as follows:
Article XXX – Duties of the Board of Missions and Outreach
The Board of Missions and Outreach shall consist of at least four members.
The members of the Board of Missions and Outreach shall serve for a term of three years, so arranged that the term of no more than half of the number of board members expire in a given year. The board members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board of Missions and Outreach will elect a chairman from amongst themselves. The chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend the Church Council meetings.
The duties of the Board of Missions and Outreach shall be as follows:
Article XXXII – Duties of the Auditor
The Auditor shall be elected for a term of three years. There is no term limit for the Auditor.
It shall be the duty of the Auditor to see that the financial books of the congregation and any subsidiary organization are audited by an independent accounting firm at the end of the year and to report thereon to the voters at the beginning of the New Year. The auditor shall however, have the authority to examine the books at any time during the course of the year and report his findings to the Church Council.
Any subsidiary Organization that has $10,000.00 or more in their accounts at any point throughout the calendar year, must submit an audit of those funds annually for a report at the first Voter’s Meeting of the year.
Article XXXIII – Cemetery Bylaws
Cemetery Management:
The cemeteries of Trinity Lutheran Church shall be responsible for all expenses related to their maintenance and upkeep. Care for these properties will be provided by the Cemetery Committee of Trinity Lutheran Church. The perpetual care of the cemeteries of Trinity Lutheran Church shall be rendered from the Cemetery Fund which has the authority to receive and maintain donations entrusted to it. Investments shall follow the guidelines established by the endowment fund of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Duties of the Cemetery Committee:
The Cemetery Committee shall consist of at least four members. The members of the committee shall serve for a term of two years, so arranged that the terms of no more than half of the number of the Cemetery Committee expire in a given year. There is no term limit for the Cemetery Committee members.
The Cemetery Committee officers shall consist of a:
President
Secretary
Treasurer
The duties of the Cemetery Committee shall be as follows:
Article XXXIV – Duties of the Board of Endowment Funds
The Board of Endowment Funds shall consist of at least five members.
The members of the Board shall serve for a term of five years, so arranged that the term of only one member of the Board of Endowment Funds expire in a given year. The term limit is one five year term. A person may be re-elected to serve on the Board of Endowment Funds after being off of the Board of Endowment Funds for a period of one year.
At least annually, before the Council meeting prior to the October Voter’s Meeting, the Board of Endowment Funds shall meet to determine if any funds are available and/or recommended for use by the congregation.
The Board of Endowment Funds will elect a chairman and secretary from amongst themselves. The chairman shall represent or appoint a representative to attend Church Council Meetings.
The Chairman of the Board of Endowment Funds may ask other members of the congregation to serve as advisory members.
The Board of Endowment Funds shall abide by and conform to the Endowment Fund Bylaws approved by this Voters Assembly. Refer to the attached copy of the Endowment Fund Bylaws
Article XXXV – Duties of Ushers
The Committee of Ushers shall be supervised and overseen by the Elders.
The Committee of Ushers shall consist of at least 4 to 6 team leaders. Each team leader is responsible for assuring the duties of ushers are completed for each service.
The members of this committee shall serve for a term of two years, so arranged that the terms of no more than half of the number of ushers expire in a given year.
The Elders shall appoint an Usher Charmain to oversee the Committee of Ushers.
The Committee of Ushers shall be empowered to select assistant ushers, provided those who are selected are members of the congregation in good standing. Such assistant ushers shall function only when requested to do so by the regularly elected Committee of Ushers.
The duties of the Ushers are to:
Article XXXVI – Duties of the Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School Association Board Member
There shall be one Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School Association Board Member elected from our congregation.
The members of this board shall serve for a term of one year. New members of the board will begin their terms at the Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School Association Board Meeting in July so that all new members of the board start at the same time. There is no term limit for this board member.
The duties of the Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School Association Board Members shall be as follows:
Article XXXVII – Congregational Meetings
Section 1 – Regular Congregational Meetings
The congregation shall hold regular Voter’s Meetings at least every three months.
Such meetings shall be duly announced at all worship services at least eight days previous to the meeting date. When a regular meeting has thus been announced either by voice or in print, it shall be a valid and legal meeting, capable of transacting business, provided that a quorum is in attendance. (See Quorum Below) A person can only become a voting member at a regularly scheduled quarterly voter’s meeting.
Section 2 – Special Congregational Meetings
When necessary, special meetings of the congregation may be called. Such meetings may be called by written notice to all members by the secretary of the congregation or by at least one public announcement at all of the weekend services from the lectern. All calls for special meetings of the congregation shall state the specific objective of such meeting, and no other business shall be considered or transacted at any such meeting without the consent of the majority of those members present. A special meeting is a valid and legal meeting.
Quorum
The quorum for any meeting, except for the buying or selling of real property or the calling of all workers, shall be those members present. The quorum for buying or selling of real property or the calling or releasing / dismissing of called workers shall be 25% of the voting membership.
Duties of Voters
It shall be the duty of every voting member at all times:
A member who does not attend, or who leaves a voter’s meeting before adjournment, waives the right of casting his vote during such meeting.
Majority Vote
In matters of doctrine and conscience, unanimity shall be required for a final decision. In all matters which do not offend against the Word of God and the confessional writings mentioned in Article III of this Constitution, the majority vote shall decide.
Order of Business
The order of business at Quarterly Voter’s Meetings shall, as a rule, be as follows:
Article XXXVIII – Subsidiary Organizations
Subsidiary organizations shall be understood as such organizations within the congregation which foster one or more objectives of this congregation, such as Ladies Aid, LWML, Fellowship Club, Youth Group, etc…
The congregation assumes moral and legal obligations of such subsidiary organizations only as have been approved by the congregation and whose acts are not contrary to the Constitution (and By-Laws or Solemn Agreements) of this congregation.
New subsidiary organizations shall be formed only with the approval of the congregation. The congregation shall not approve any organization unless its activities foster the interest of the church.
Elective offices of subsidiary organizations shall be filled only by communicant members in good standing of the congregation.
Should any subsidiary organization disband or fail to function, the congregation shall assume its liabilities and resources.
Any subsidiary organization of Trinity Lutheran Church or Trinity St John Lutheran School falls under the Constitution of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation U.A.C of Nashville, Illinois. Therefore, any subsidiary organization that has $10,000.00 or more in their accounts at any point throughout the calendar year, shall submit an audit of those funds annually for a report at the first Voter’s Meeting of the year.
Article XXXIX – Unalterable Articles
The following Articles of this Constitution shall be unalterable:
Article XL – Amendments
Amendments to the Articles of this Constitution which are not specified as unalterable in Article XLIII can be made only in a regular meeting of the congregation by a two-thirds majority vote of those present. Such an amendment must have been submitted in written form and read in a previous regular meeting AND BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT PRESIDENT FOR REVIEW.