Chapter 5. POWERS OF THE CONGREGATION

The congregation's role.

About This Chapter

This chapter provides the congregation the powers it needs to fulfill its purpose.

Top Priority: Determine whether and how to include C5.05.

Warning: This chapter is for powers exclusive to the congregation. Unless explicitly authorized in other chapters, powers listed here can only be exercised at a meeting of the congregation.

Thoughts and Suggested Provisions

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.

Note: For each suggestion, the congregation must decide whether a provision should be a constitutional provision, a bylaw, or a continuing resolution. Go to the page on types of provisions to understand the differences.

Warning: Remember, required provisions cannot be modified in any way. However, congregations can add bylaws and continuing resolutions under required provisions. Example

*C5.03. Authority of the Congregation

Are there other powers reserved for the congregation? Much of the work of the congregation is delegated to the Congregation Council or other groups. What other items are exclusively held as congregational powers?

What amount or percent must the Congregation give in mission support to the synod (of which usually 50 percent then goes to the ELCA churchwide offices)?

Note: Required mission support to the synod (ELCA) belongs here and not under C12.05. *C6.03.b. helps make it clear that mission support is a power of the congregation.

*C5.04. Synod Assembly Voting Members and Representation in Other Organizations

Are there any special requirements? This provision includes both Synod Assembly voting members and other representatives. What might be important to note about these roles?

Will the congregation cover all expenses of Synod Assembly voting members or other representatives?
Must one or more Synod Assembly voting member be a member of the Congregation Council?
Will Synod Assembly voting members also serve at the annual meeting of the local conference of congregations, or is that a separate role?

Warning: Though this provision includes representatives in other organizations, it is important to remember the Synod Assembly voting members are not representatives nor delegates. No stipulations may be made that they vote in a certain manner.

Does the congregation send a Congregation Observer to the Churchwide Assembly? ELCA Provision 12.41.C04. permits every congregation to send one congregation observer to the Churchwide Assembly. How is this observer selected? The ELCA does not cover the financial costs of such observers. Does the congregation cover the fees?

Are there other organizations to which the congregation sends representatives? Any special group the congregation has representation on, such as a local ecumenical or interfaith group, or a faith-based institution such as a school or hospital, may be included here. Can any member represent, or only voting members? How are representatives selected?

C5.05. Mission Endowment Fund

Note: C5.05. is not a required provision.

What are the parameters of the mission endowment? The ELCA Foundation has prepared a guide on How to Create a Mission Endowment Fund. The appendix contains recommended resolutions. The list is extensive. Refer to the document to see all the recommendations.

Note: This is the ideal place to put all permanent funds of the congregation (meaning funds whose principal is protected from use). Change the provision to be about permanent funds in general and then list all such funds. Other funds, like a general operating fund, belong in Chapter 12.