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This chapter basically encompasses any ministry that did not fit anywhere else in the constitution. A wide variety of items might fit under this chapter.
Top Priority: List all organizations of the congregation.
The following is offered merely as suggestions, often based on common provisions in congregational constitutions. It is up to each congregation to determine what is and is not important to include in their own governing documents.
If there's a group in the congregation that is not a committee or another kind of organizational unit of the congregation, then it is probably an organization. If it manages its own finances, is separately incorporated, or has employees, it is definitely an organization. Cemeteries, preschools, bookstores, homeless shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, WELCA, youth group, and campus ministry all fall under this category.
Note: Check out the full description of what counts as an organization.
Many organizations will be able to be described in a single provision with accompanying bylaws and continuing resolutions or even completely in bylaws and continuing resolutions. Some will require general section headings (multiples of 10) with a handful or even a dozen provisions. A few organizations, particularly non-separately incorporated schools, may necessitate their own chapter.
How an organization is described in this chapter is completely up to the congregation.
C14.02. mentions official organizations of the ELCA. Women of the ELCA and Lutheran Men in Mission are both officially recognized organizations of the ELCA, found in the ELCA Constitution (17.50. and 16.12.A19.b., respectively). As such, they do not need authorization to organize. However, they should still be listed in this chapter if they exist in the congregation. Lutheran Campus Ministry and the Deaconess Community also fall under this category.
If a ministry of the congregation is separately incorporated (such as a school or cemetery), it still needs to be listed in this chapter. Separately incorporated organizations may deserve their own general section heading (multiple of 10), or, if deemed necessary, their own chapter (beginning with Chapter 21).
Congregations regularly request guidance in creating provisions related to preschools. The following examples are from congregations that have provisions related to preschools.
Congregations regularly request guidance in creating provisions related to cemeteries. The following examples are from congregations that have provisions related to cemeteries.