Chapter 12.
CONGREGATION COUNCIL

C12.01. The voting membership of the Congregation Council shall consist of the pastor(s), any full-time associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers, the president of the congregation, and eleven elected members of the congregation. Full-time non-rostered program staff and appointed officers shall be accorded the privilege of voice without vote in council meetings.

C12.02. The congregation shall elect from among the membership of this congregation eleven members to the Congregation Council, subject only to the limitation on the length of continuous service.

a. Three adult members of this congregation shall be elected to the Congregation Council each year from among its voting membership. Adult council members shall serve a term of three years; such members may not succeed themselves but may serve a partial term immediately prior to being elected to a full term.

b. One youth member of this congregation shall be elected to the Congregation Council each year from among its confirmed, high school-age membership. Youth council members shall serve a term of two years; such members may not succeed themselves but may serve a partial term immediately prior to being elected to a full term.

Elections for Congregation Council members shall be held by written ballot at the Congregation Meeting called for such purpose. Council members’ terms shall begin on January 1 of the succeeding year.

C12.03.       a. A member’s place on the Congregation Council shall be declared vacant if the member:

1) is elected to serve as president of this congregation

2) ceases to be a voting member of this congregation, or

3) is absent from four successive regular meetings of the Congregation Council without cause.

Consistent with the laws of the state in which this congregation is incorporated, the congregation may adopt procedures for the removal of a member of the Congregation Council in other circumstances.

b. Should a member’s place on the Congregation Council be declared vacant through resignation or removal, the Congregation Council shall elect a successor to serve the remainder of the current year. If the remaining term for the vacant Council position extends beyond the end of the current year, a member of the congregation shall be elected to serve for the remainder of the scheduled term in accordance with other provisions of C12.02.

C12.04. The Congregation Council shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, and in particular its worship life, to the end that everything be done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The duties of the Congregation Council shall include the following:

a. To lead this congregation in stating its mission, to do long-range planning, to set goals and priorities, and to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals.

b. To seek to involve all members of this congregation in worship, learning, witness, service, and support.

c. To oversee and provide for the administration of this congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission.

d. To maintain supportive relationships with the pastor(s) and staff and help them annually to evaluate the fulfillment of their calling or employment.

e. To be examples individually and corporately of the style of life and ministry expected of all baptized persons.

f. To promote a congregational climate of peace and goodwill, and, as differences and conflicts arise, to endeavor to foster mutual understanding.

g. To arrange for pastoral service during the sickness or absence of a pastor.

h. To emphasize partnership with the synod and churchwide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as cooperation with other congregations, both Lutheran and non-Lutheran, subject to established policies of the synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

i. To recommend and encourage the use of program resources produced or approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

j. To seek out and encourage qualified persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel.

C12.05. The Congregation Council shall be responsible for the financial and property matters of this congregation.

a. The Congregation Council shall be the board of directors of this congregation, and as such shall be responsible for maintaining and protecting its property and the management of its business and fiscal affairs. It shall have the powers and be subject to the obligations that pertain to such boards under the laws of the State of New Mexico, except as otherwise provided herein.

b. The Congregation Council shall not have the authority to buy, sell, or encumber real property directly related to the life of the congregation unless specifically authorized to do so by a meeting of the congregation. Notwithstanding the provisions of *C5.03.g., the Congregation Council shall have the authority to convert property contributed to the church that in its contributed form is not directly related to the life of the congregation through the sale of such property.

c. The Congregation Council shall prepare an annual budget for adoption by this congregation, shall supervise the expenditure of funds in accordance therewith following its adoption, and may incur obligations of more than 10% in excess of the anticipated receipts only after approval by a Congregation Meeting. The budget shall include this congregation’s full indicated share in support of the wider ministry being carried on in partnership with the synod and churchwide organization.

d. The Congregation Council shall ascertain that the financial affairs of this congregation are being conducted efficiently, giving particular attention to the prompt payment of all obligations and to the regular forwarding of benevolence monies to the synodical treasurer.

e. The Congregation Council shall be responsible for this congregation’s investments and its total insurance program.

C12.05.01. The Congregation Council shall adopt a written investment policy that sets forth the investment objectives and policies regarding this congregation’s monies. The policy should communicate the desired investment objectives, asset allocation and risk parameters, and performance standards determined to be appropriate and prudent by the Congregation Council.

C12.06. The Congregation Council shall see that the provisions of this constitution, its bylaws, and the continuing resolutions are carried out.

C12.07. The Congregation Council shall provide for an annual review of the membership roster.

C12.08. The Congregation Council shall be responsible for the employment and supervision of the salaried lay workers of this congregation.

C12.09. The Congregation Council shall submit a comprehensive report to this congregation at the Congregation Meeting called for such purpose.

C12.11. The Congregation Council shall normally meet once a month. Special meetings may be called by a pastor or the president, and shall be called by the president at the request of at least one-half of its members. Notice of each special meeting shall be given to all who are entitled to be present.