Chapter 14.
ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CONGREGATION

C14.01. All organizations within this congregation shall exist to aid it in ministering to the members of this congregation and to all persons who can be reached with the Gospel of Christ. As outgrowths and expressions of this congregation’s life, the organizations are subject to its oversight and direction. This congregation shall determine their policies, guide their activities, and receive reports concerning their membership, work, and finances.

C14.01.01 The St. Paul Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund is a permanent endowment formed to enhance the mission and ministry of this congregation by providing a continuing source of funds for projects beyond the normal operating resources of the church. Operations of the Fund, including the appointment of the Mission Endowment Fund Committee, are governed by this Constitution, bylaws, and separate written Policies and Procedures for the Administration of the St. Paul Mission Endowment Fund.

In addition to providing a continuing source of funds to accomplish special projects, the Fund is expected to grow through the investment of contributions and reinvestment of principal in a fiscally sound manner.

The Mission Endowment Fund Committee is responsible for encouraging, educating, motivating, and assisting individuals in making contributions, bequests, and other charitable donations to the fund.

C14.02. Special interest groups, other than those of the official organizations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, may be organized only after authorization has been given by the Congregation Council and specified in a continuing resolution.

Chapter 15.
DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS AND ADJUDICATION

*C15.01. Denial of the Christian faith as described in this constitution, conduct grossly unbecoming a member of the Church of Christ, or persistent trouble-making in this congregation are sufficient cause for discipline of a member. Prior to disciplinary action, reconciliation will be attempted following Matthew 18:15-17, proceeding through these successive steps:

private admonition by a pastor;

admonition by a pastor in the presence of two or three witnesses; and

citation to appear before the Congregation Council.

If for any reason, a pastor is unable to administer the admonitions required by a. and b. hereof, the president or vice president shall administer such admonitions.

*C15.02. The process for discipline of a member of the congregation shall be governed as prescribed by the chapter on discipline in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A member charged with the offense shall appear before the Congregation Council after having received a written notice, at least ten days prior to the meeting, specifying the exact charges that have been made against the member. If the member charged with the offense fails to appear at the scheduled hearing, the Congregation Council may proceed with the hearing and may pass judgment in the member’s absence.

*C15.03. Members of the Congregation Council who participate in the preparation of the written charges or who present evidence or testimony in the hearing before the Congregation Council are disqualified from voting upon the question of the guilt of the accused member. Should the allegations be sustained by a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the Congregation Council who are not disqualified but who are present and voting, and renewed admonition prove ineffectual, the council shall impose one of the following disciplinary actions:

censure before the council or congregation;

suspension from membership for a definite period of time; or

exclusion from membership in this congregation.

Disciplinary actions b. and c. shall be delivered to the member in writing.

*C15.04. The member against whom disciplinary action has been taken by the Congregation Council shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Synod Council. Such right may not be abridged and the decision of the Synod Council shall be final.

*C15.05. Disciplinary actions may be reconsidered and revoked by the Congregation Council upon receipt of evidence that injustice has been done or evidence of repentance and amendment.