Harrisburg Christian Church
Constitution
Preamble
We, the people of the Harrisburg Christian Church, a congregational governed body, in order to advance the work of the church in the spirit of Christ its Master, and proclaim His kingdom through teaching and serving, do hereby adopt this constitution.
Article I: The Name and Purpose of the Church
Section A: Name
The Name of the organization shall be Harrisburg Christian Church of Harrisburg, Missouri.
Section B: Purpose
The purpose of this church shall be to win people to faith in Jesus Christ and commit them actively to His service, to help them grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ that increasingly they may know and do His will, and work for the unity of all Christians and with them engage in the common task of building the Kingdom of God.
Article II: Membership
The membership of this church shall consist of those who are now identified as members of the congregation and those who shall unite with it by baptism, by transfer of membership or by statement of faith.
Article III: The Church Board and Officers
Section A: Board Members
1) The board of this church shall consist of eight (8) members with equal representation of men and women.
2) A nominating committee shall be elected at the January church board meeting from the board members and congregation to nominate suitable candidates for board membership. The committee shall consist of three (3) board members and two (2) non-church board members.
3) Before the April congregation meeting, the Nominating Committee of the church shall recommend qualified and suitable persons for election. After approval or modification by the church board, the recommendation shall be presented at the April congregation meeting. A majority of the votes cast by members present and voting shall be necessary for election.
4) Vacancies in any office of the church shall be filled for the unexpired term by nomination of the chairman of the board in consultation with the pastor. The church board must then approve the nomination or elect persons to fill vacancies if the chairman nominates more than one person.
5) The three (3) year term of office shall begin on June 1 following their election.
Section B: Officials of the Board
All new board members including the newly elected members shall attend the May meeting. The new board will elect the new officers immediately following the business of the May meeting. Officers of the board are:
1) Chairman: to be elected by the board members for a one year term and may succeed themselves upon re-election.
2) Vice-chairman: to be elected by the board members for a one-year term and may succeed themselves upon re-election.
3) Secretary and/or Treasurer: to be elected by the members of the board for a one-year term and may succeed themselves upon re-election. May or may not be a member of the board.
Section C: Duties of the Officers
1) The Chairman shall fulfill the usual duties of such an office, to call and preside at all regular and special board meetings and business meetings of the congregation.
2) The Vice-chairman shall fulfill the duties of calling and presiding at board and business meetings in case of the absence of the Chairman.
3) The Secretary shall keep minutes of all regular and special meetings. They shall also keep a complete record of the church baptisms and membership; receive all applications for church letters and issue them under the authority delegated by the general board.
4) The Treasurer shall fulfill the duties to disperse all funds of the church according to the authority designated by the board, make monthly reports to the board and quarterly reports to the church.
Section D: The Church Board
1) It shall be the official decision making agent of the church, acting as a representative body of the congregation, attempting to conduct the church’s business in a Christ-like manner.
2) Any church member, committee member, or auxiliary group representative, shall be allowed to attend board meetings but may not vote unless they are a member of the church board.
Article IV: Pastor
Section A: Duties
The pastor shall perform the duties that pertain to that office and are described in a separate job description. As the spiritual administrator of the church he/she shall be an ex-officio member of all organizations, groups, auxiliaries and committees.
Section B: Selection of the Pastor
The church shall choose the pastor as hereinafter provided:
1) A representative committee of four (4) members to include two (2) Elders appointed by the chairman and approved by the board, shall serve as the pulpit committee and shall be responsible for presenting to the board their recommendation of a prospective pastor.
2) The board shall consider the recommendation of the pulpit committee and if approved, recommend the prospective pastor to the congregation.
3) The recommendation of the church board must be accepted by at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present and voting in a regular or special business meeting of the congregation before a call may be extended.
Section C: Tenure
1) The term of ministry shall be for an indefinite period of time and shall be terminated by either party upon 30 days written notices unless otherwise negotiated among all parties concerned. A written agreement of salary, duties and other conditions of the call shall be made in duplicate, one copy for the pastor and one for the church.
Article V: Elders and Deacons
Section A: Election and Tenure
1) Elders and Deacons (men and women) are to be nominated by the Elders and Deacons and elected by the congregation as the need arises in the church for these offices. All nominations will be presented to the board for approval. If approved, the board will present those candidates to the congregation for election. Their term shall be as long as they remain in membership of the Harrisburg Christian Church. Elders and Deacons should be installed into service as soon as possible after election.
Section A: Election and Tenure cont.
A committee appointed by the Chairman and approved by the board should review the slate of Elders and Deacons every four years to fill vacancies or provide for sufficient replacements or additions to carry out their duties. This will take place in leap years and be completed before the April congregational meeting.
1) The honor of Elder or Deacon Emeritus may be given to any Elder or Deacon whose life and service in this congregation merits special recognition. They shall continue to perform all the duties of Elder and Deacon at their choice and discretion. They shall still be eligible for Church Board election. This process may originate either from the Church Board or the Elders with the approval of the other. The Elder or Deacon Emeritus will then be elected by the congregation after committee and board approval.
Section B: Duties of Elders and Deacons
1) Elders shall promote the growth and welfare of the church, give spiritual help to the members and the pastor, give the church proper direction that it might fulfill its mission, encourage by example and word the missionary, evangelistic, educational and stewardship responsibilities of the church and perform the other duties that may be assigned.
2) Deacons shall cooperate with the elders in promoting the growth and welfare of the church, assist in greeting and ushering of the worshippers; distribute the Lord’s Supper and receive the offerings; assist in visitation; and minister to the needy.
Article VI Congregational Meetings
Section A: Timing of Congregational Meetings
1) Quarterly meetings of the church congregation are to be held the second Sunday of January, April, July and October.
2) Special meetings as required may be called by the chairman or vice-chairman, or upon request of the general board or written petition of twenty (20) or more members of Harrisburg Christian Church membership.
Section B Notice
Notice of the regular or special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at regular Sunday service of the church at least one (1) week in advance of the meeting.
Section C: Rules of Order
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings of the congregation of the church and general board.
Section D: Voting
Membership in Harrisburg Christian Church is required before voting on issues presented at any congregational meeting.
Article VII: Furnishings and other Property
All furnishings or other items, placed on the church property must be by consent of the church board. Such furnishings or other items, shall be the sole property of the church and its sale and/or replacement shall be at the discretion of the board. Any organization or individual desiring to give furnishing or other items, to the church shall contact Buildings and Grounds for approval.
Article VIII: Amendments to the Constitution
This constitution may be amended at any business meeting of the congregation by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present and voting on the amendment, provided that written notice of the proposed amendment has been read at a regular Sunday service at least two (2) weeks before the vote is taken. The constitution shall be reviewed yearly by a special committee appointed by the Board and the date changed to reflect the date of review and/or changes made. The Board membership listing in the constitution shall also be updated annually and added to the membership books.
Article IX: Committees of the Church
Section A: Standing Committees
1) Standing committees of the church shall be appointed yearly by the chair of the board. They shall become effective on June 1st of the year after board approval.2) Standing committees shall be:
a) Building and Grounds
b) Christian Education
c) Communications
d) Fellowship and Activities
e) Evangelism
f) History
g) Library
h) Worship
i) Youth
3) Each committee shall have at least one chair and may have co-chairs with membership in the Harrisburg Christian Church appointed by the chairman of the board with the board’s approval.
Section B: Special Committees
Special committees for specific duties outlined by the general church board shall be appointed by the Chair of the board as needed.
