Constitutional Update Info
During our Mid-Year Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2025, we'll be attending to some constitutional amendments. Click the button below to view the model constitution and proposed amendments.
ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS AND OUR PROCESS (A CHEAT SHEET)
The council recommends adopting the following constitutional amendments as approved by the 2022 Churchwide assembly. Rationale for these amendments provided:
Rationale: [This amendment was proposed on the assembly floor during the 2019 Churchwide Assembly; consequently, no rationale was provided prior to the assembly] Broader language of equity and diversity
Rationale: Inclusive language
Rationale: These changes parallel changes being made elsewhere in the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA. Language related to disability has been changed to reflect current understandings and to clarify that inability and incapacity to conduct the pastoral office effectively are the standard to be considered. In addition, the words, the words, “any of” have been inserted for precision, and references to the synod bishop have been made inclusive.
Rationale: The deletion of “parochial” is for consistency of usage
Rationale: These changes parallel changes being made elsewhere in the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA. The deletion of “parochial” is for consistency of usage. The second change is for inclusive language
Rationale: Change for inclusion of both rosters
Rationale: “Regular meeting” has already been defined elsewhere in the Constitutions, Bylaws, and continuing resolutions of the ELCA. In addition, C10.01 is not a required provision, so it is not advisable to make reference required provision to a non-required provision.
Rationale: Change for precision. This has often been incorrectly interpreted to mean that the synod must vote to approve amendments that are designated to bring the congregation’s constitution into alignment with the Model Constitution. In fact, amendments to bring any section or sections, either required or not required, into conformity with the Model Constitution go into effect immediately upon the congregation’s vote to amend
Rationale: This change recognizes that there are other means of providing for simultaneous communication, for those with hearing disabilities, for example
Rationale: There is often confusion surrounding the term “ex officio”. The intended meaning is that someone who is a voting member ex officio has both voice and vote because of the office that person holds. The term is often misunderstood, however, to mean that the person cannot vote.
Rationale: Because synods have different systems for receipt of mission support monies from congregations, the elimination of the word “treasurer” allows for greater flexibility
The council does not recommend the following constitutional amendments as our church does not have the necessary infrastructure.
Rationale: If the pastor is the president of the congregation, the congregation may consider giving the vice president the authority to call a special meeting
Rationale: If the pastor is the president of the congregation, the congregation may consider giving the vice president the authority to call a special meeting
Rationale: Editorial change
Rationale: [This amendment was proposed on the assembly floor during the 2019 Churchwide Assembly; consequently, no rationale was provided prior to the assembly] Broader language of equity and diversity
- *C4.02.d.
- *C9.03.a.8)
- *C9.23.c.
Rationale: Inclusive language
- *C6.05.a&d.
- *C9.13
- *C9.31
Rationale: These changes parallel changes being made elsewhere in the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA. Language related to disability has been changed to reflect current understandings and to clarify that inability and incapacity to conduct the pastoral office effectively are the standard to be considered. In addition, the words, the words, “any of” have been inserted for precision, and references to the synod bishop have been made inclusive.
- *C9.05.a.4) & b. & c.
- *C9.25.a&b&c
Rationale: The deletion of “parochial” is for consistency of usage
- *C9.12.
Rationale: These changes parallel changes being made elsewhere in the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the ELCA. The deletion of “parochial” is for consistency of usage. The second change is for inclusive language
- *C9.14
Rationale: Change for inclusion of both rosters
- *C15.02
Rationale: “Regular meeting” has already been defined elsewhere in the Constitutions, Bylaws, and continuing resolutions of the ELCA. In addition, C10.01 is not a required provision, so it is not advisable to make reference required provision to a non-required provision.
- *C16.02a-c
Rationale: Change for precision. This has often been incorrectly interpreted to mean that the synod must vote to approve amendments that are designated to bring the congregation’s constitution into alignment with the Model Constitution. In fact, amendments to bring any section or sections, either required or not required, into conformity with the Model Constitution go into effect immediately upon the congregation’s vote to amend
- *C16.04
Rationale: This change recognizes that there are other means of providing for simultaneous communication, for those with hearing disabilities, for example
- C10.08
- C12.13
Rationale: There is often confusion surrounding the term “ex officio”. The intended meaning is that someone who is a voting member ex officio has both voice and vote because of the office that person holds. The term is often misunderstood, however, to mean that the person cannot vote.
- C10.09
Rationale: Because synods have different systems for receipt of mission support monies from congregations, the elimination of the word “treasurer” allows for greater flexibility
- C12.05
The council does not recommend the following constitutional amendments as our church does not have the necessary infrastructure.
Rationale: If the pastor is the president of the congregation, the congregation may consider giving the vice president the authority to call a special meeting
- C10.02
- C12.11
- C13.08
Rationale: If the pastor is the president of the congregation, the congregation may consider giving the vice president the authority to call a special meeting
- *C15.11
Rationale: Editorial change
- *C20.02
- *C20.03d
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