SUDANESE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MISSION CHURCH
OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
CONSTITUTION
Preamble
It is the will of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that His disciples should preach the Gospel to the whole world (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). That Christ’s mission for His church might be carried out according to His will, He has commanded Christians to unite in worship (Hebrews 10:24-25), practice fellowship with one another (Acts 2: 42), and to serve the needs of all people in Christian love (Ephesians 4:7-16, Mark 10:42-44, John 13:35, Galatians 6:10). Christians are also to administer the Office of the Keys as His church (John 20:21-23, Matthew 18: 15-20), and to maintain decency and order (I Cor. 14:40) in the church.
1. NAME
The name of this congregation shall be Sudanese Evangelical Lutheran Mission Church of Southern Minnesota; but may also operate under the name: Sudanese Lutheran Church of Mankato in accordance with Minnesota law .
2. MISSION AND PURPOSE
The purpose of the Sudanese Evangelical Lutheran Mission Church of Southern Minnesota is to provide the Nuer speaking Sudanese immigrants of Southern Minnesota with a Christian ministry in their native language and culture so that they may more fully participate in the life of the Universal Christian Church on Earth faithful to the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.
It is formed for religious and educational purposes in keeping with the objectives stated in the preamble. The congregation may own and hold title to, and manage such real estate as may be necessary or incidental to the accomplishment of its purposes, and may take and convey title to any real or personal property which may be given, devised, or bequeathed to it. It shall operate as a nonprofit corporation, and shall not be used for pecuniary gain or profit of its members.
3. CONFESSIONAL STANDARD
This congregation accepts and acknowledges without reservation:
3.1 All the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired and written Word of God, and as the only rule and norm of faith and practice.
3.2 The confessional writings of the Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord (AD1580), as being a true and correct exposition of the Word of God. Among these are:
-The Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian)
-The Unaltered Augsburg Confession and its Apology
-The Small and Large Catechisms of Dr. Martin Luther
-The Smalcald Articles and the Formula of Concord
On the basis of Holy Scriptures, all Christian doctrine shall be given, all congregational activities regulated, and all controversies, doctrinal or otherwise which may arise within the congregation, shall be resolved.
4. SYNODICAL MEMBERSHIP
This congregation shall be a member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as long as the Synod conforms to the congregation’s confessional standards as set fourth in Section 3 of this constitution, as determined by a majority vote of the congregation at a meeting called for that purpose.
5. CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERSHIP
The membership of this congregation includes the following:
5.1 Baptized members are all persons, adults and children, who have received the sacrament of Holy Baptism, and who are under the spiritual care of the pastor of this congregation.
5.2 Communicant members are those persons who have been confirmed in The Lutheran
5.4 Reception
Persons shall be eligible for Communicant Membership and may obtain membership by:
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5.5 Duties / Responsibilities
5.5.1 Members of this congregation shall conform their lives to the rule of God’s Word. They shall seek to grow in Christian faith and life through regular use of the Means of Grace, search and study of the Scriptures, and frequent reception of the Lord’s Supper.
5.5.2 Members shall live a morally decent life before God and others, conducting themselves at all times so as to bring credit, rather than blame, on the Church of Jesus Christ; not be members of secret organizations that deny or confuse the Christian faith; provide for and support proper Christian training of their children by instruction at home, participation in worship, and formal instruction of the Church; contribute toward the maintenance of the congregation and the extension of the Kingdom of God to the extent of their financial ability; offer their God given talents and abilities toward the work of the Church, and participate in the life of the congregation and the accomplishment of it’s mission.
5.6 Membership in this congregation shall be terminded by transfer to a sister congregation, by joining a congregation outside the fellowship of this congregation, by excommunication or self-exclusion, or by death.
5.6.1 Membership in this congregation may be terminated via letter of transfer to another congregation of the Synod of another church body with which the Synod is in altar and pulpit fellowship.
5.6.2 Membership shall be terminated if the member(s) choose(s) to join a congregation outside the fellowship of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
5.6.3 Members of any category whose whereabouts become unknown and cannot be established for a period of six months, will be removed from membership by self-exclusion.
5.6.4 Communicant members who conduct themselves in an unchristian manner shall be admonished by the Council of Elders according to Matthew 18:15-20. If they remain impenitent after proper admonition, their case will be presented to the Voters' Assembly for action to remove their name from the membership roster. Each case shall be handled individually, with the member encouraged to be present. If the affected member deliberately absents himself / herself from the meeting(s) at which their case is to be discussed, they shall be regarded as having excluded themselves from membership.
5.6.5 Communicant Members who have been absent from participation in the worship life of the congregation (i.e. attendance at worship services, communion, fellowship, etc.), and who have rejected attempts to restore a relationship with the congregation for a period of at least one year, my be removed from membership by self-exclusion as determined by a simple majority in the Voters' Assembly.
5.6.6 Termination of membership for communicant members shall also cause the termination of membership for dependant non-communicant members of the same family unit residing at a single address.
6. PASTORS AND OTHER CALLED WORKERS
6.1 This congregation shall establish the pastoral office, which shall be conferred only on such pastor(s) or candidate(s) who professes, and adheres to, the confessional standard set forth in Section 3 of this constitution, who is qualified for the work as determined by the Synod's seminaries or by rostered status, and is a member of or eligible for membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
6.2 This congregation may establish positions for other called workers (i.e. Assistant Pastor, Director of Christian Education, Teacher, etc.) as provided for in the congregational bylaws. The respective offices for such workers shall only be conferred on those individuals who profess and adhere to the confessional standard set forth in Section 3 of this constitution, who are qualified for the work, and who are members of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Called workers other than the Senior Pastor shall be subject to the spiritual and administrative direction of the Senior Pastor.
6.3 Any pastor or other called worker may be removed from office by the Congregational Assembly by a two-thirds majority ballot vote, in Christian and proper order, for any of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, willful neglect, or inability to perform the duties of the office.
6.4 Impeachment of any pastor or other called worker for reasons that are in accord with Section 6.3 of this Constitution, may be initiated by any member of the congregation in good standing, by petitioning the Council of Elders to conduct an investigation into the alleged misconduct or inability. If the findings of any such investigation support the charges, the Council of Elders shall meet with the pastor or called worker in an attempt to resolve the matter within the spirit of the principles as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20. If this fails to bring about a correction of the misconduct, or effectively deal with the inability, the Council of Elders shall consult with the Circuit Counselor, and request his active participation in the due process. If the issue continues to remain unresolved the Council of Elders shall schedule a Congregational vote, as provided for in Section 6.3 of this Constitution.
6.5 The congregation may request the resignation from office of any pastor or other called worker in the case of prolonged incapacity or general incompetence.
7. AUTHORITY OF CONGREGATION
7.1 The Congregational Assembly shall be the governing body of this congregation, and shall be empowered to administer and manage all its affairs. The establishment and conduct of all organizations within the congregation, or related directly to it, shall be subject to the approval and supervision of the Congregational Assembly.
7.2 All matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those members present at a Congregational Assembly meeting (Reference: Section 11.0 of this Constitution, “QUORUM”) unless otherwise specified by this constitution or bylaws. Matters of doctrine and conscience shall be decided only on the basis of The Scriptures.
7.3 The right of calling pastors and other workers or of buying, selling, or leasing property shall be vested only in the Congregational Assembly and shall not be delegated otherwise.
7.4 The Congregational Assembly shall further exercise oversight over other activities within the congregation as may be specified in the bylaws.
8. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
8.1 This congregation shall have the following standing officers and committees. In addition there may be appointments of other committees as deemed necessary and approved by the Congregational Assembly. All officers and committee members shall have authority commensurate with their respective positions to perform their assigned duties and functions.
8.2 Officers shall have the following described general functions as well as those detailed in the Congregational Bylaws.
8.2.1 President, who shall preside at all Council of Elders and Congregational Assembly meetings.
8.2.2 Vice President, who shall act as President in the event of absence or inability of that officer to act.
8.2.3 Recording Secretary, who shall maintain a record of congregational and Church Council proceedings.
8.2.4 Treasurer, who shall monitor the status of the congregation’s funds, make deposits and disbursements as necessary, and report to the congregation as stipulated in the bylaws.
8.2.5 Elder, who shall assist the Pastor in supervising the spiritual welfare of the congregation and its members. He shall maintain a current roster of members showing membership status and regularity of attendandance. He shall also, at the request and direction of the Pastor, assist in the leading of worship and in the distribution of the Sacrament. In the absence of the Pastor in worship, the Elder is to serve as translator for a guest pastor or lead the worship as a layman in conformity with the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
8.2.6 Trustee, who shall see to the proper care and maintenance of all physical property of the congregation, owned or otherwise, and work with other congregations, leassors, or state and local authorities in regard to the ownership, operation, and maintenance of facilities.
8.3 In the event that the congregation expands into other communities, each location shall have its own Elder and Trustee, carrying out the same duties as other Elders and Trustees but only in regard to their own community. Any such Elders and Trustees shall also be a part of the Council of Elders with the priviledges of voice and vote for representing their community.
8.4 Any officer or committee member may be removed from office by the Congregational Assembly by a two-thirds majority ballot vote, in a Christian and proper order, for any of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, willful neglect, or inability to perform the duties of the office.
8.5 Impeachment of any officer or committee member, for reasons that are in accord with Section 8.4 of the Constitution, may be initiated by any member of the congregation in good standing, by petitioning the Council of Elders to conduct an investigation into the alleged misconduct or inability. If the issue concerns misconduct, the accusing member must have attempted to resolve the issue according to Matthew 18:15-16, prior to petitioning the Council of Elders. If the subject of the charge is a member of the Council of Elders, he / she shall not participate in the investigation. If the findings of any such investigation support the charges, the council shall meet with the individual and attempt resolution. If this effort fails, the Council shall schedule a vote, as provided for in Section 8.4 of the Constitution.
9. DIVISION or DISOLUTION
9.1 If at any time a division should take place on account of doctrine, the property of the congregation and all benefits connected therewith shall remain with those communicant members who continue to adhere in confession and practice to Section 3 of this constitution, as determined by the adjudication procedures of the Synod.
9.2 In the event the congregation should dissolve or forfeit it's membership in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the property and all rights connected therewith shall be transferred to The Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
10. MEETINGS
10.1 Regular meetings of the Congregational Assembly shall be held as specified in the bylaws. Authority to call meetings shall be vested in the Council of Elders, the Senior Pastor, or by petition of at least five members of the Congregational Assembly.
10.2 Time and place of meetings shall be designated by the Council of Elders and announced at least two Sundays in advance.
11. QUORUM
11.1 At least 12 voting members present at a validly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
11.2 Except as may be specified elsewhere in this constitution or bylaws, all resolutions shall be adopted by a simple majority vote of those present, provided that a quorum has been established.
12. AMENDMENTS
12.1 Amendments to provisions of this constitution, except Section 3, may be adopted at a regular congregational assembly meeting as hereinafter provided:
12.1.1 The proposed amendment(s) has been initiated in a duly called meeting of the congregational assembly or Council of Elders.
12.1.2 The proposed amendment(s) has been presented to the congregation by being published in at least three Sunday parish bulletins or mailed to the home of each voting member at least two weeks prior to the congregational assembly meeting at which the amendment(s) will be considered for adoption.
12.1.3 The proposed amendment(s) receives an affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds majority of the eligible voters present, provided that a quorum has been established.
12.2 Proposals to amend Section 3 of this constitution must be presented to the congregation by being published in at least three Sunday parish bulletins, and mailed to the home of each voting member at least two weeks prior to the initial meeting of the congregational assembly at which the amendment will be discussed. The amendment must be considered in at least two congregational assembly meetings before being voted upon. Any changes to this Section shall not change the essential meaning of the same. Whether or not this has occurred shall be decided, if challenged, by the adjudication process of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
12.3 Amendments to this constitution may not be put into effect until receiving approval from the District of the Synod of which this congregation is a member.
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