Chapter 13. CONGREGATION COMMITTEES

Reorganized

In this chapter, the Model Constitution may feel cramped to some, placing a few committees at the opening and then details about all committees, leaving no room for the addition of other committees in between. For other congregations, the Model may not represent their organizational structure. Offered here are multiple layouts that potentially organize the chapter better and meet the various needs of congregations.

Remember: Congregations are free to organize in any manner they see fit. Refer to suggestions for Chapter 13 for more details.

Note: Unless otherwise noted at the end, all provisions are EXACTLY as found in the Model; they are simply organized differently.

Basic Option

C13.01.: All committees [except the Mutual Ministry Committee(s)] shall report to the Congregation Council.
C13.02.: Duties of committees of this congregation shall be specified in the [bylaws][and][continuing resolutions].
C13.03.: The [senior] pastor of this congregation shall be ex officio a member of all committees and boards of this congregation. [The [president][vice president] of this congregation shall be ex officio a member of all committee and boards of this congregation, except the Nominating Committee.]
C13.10.: STANDING COMMITTEES
C13.11.: Committees of this congregation may be formed, as the need arises, by decision of the Congregation Council.
C13.12.: Executive Committee. The officers of this congregation and the [senior] pastor shall constitute the Executive Committee.
C13.13.: Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee of six voting members of this congregation, two of whom, if possible, shall be outgoing members of the Congregation Council, shall be elected at the annual meeting for a term of one year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for consecutive re-election.
C13.14.: Audit Committee. An Audit Committee of three voting members shall be elected by the Congregation Council. Audit Committee members shall not be members of the Congregation Council. Term of office shall be three years, with one member elected each year. Members shall be eligible for re-election.
C13.15.: Mutual Ministry Committee(s). Mutual Ministry Committee(s) (in the absence of a mutual ministry committee, the duties shall be fulfilled by the executive committee) shall be appointed jointly by the [president][vice president] and the rostered minister. Term of office shall be two years, with three members to be appointed each successive year.
C13.20.: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
C13.21.: Call Committee. When a vacancy occurs in a position for which this congregation calls a rostered minister, a Call Committee of six voting members shall be elected by [this congregation] [the Congregation Council]. Term of office will terminate upon installation of the newly called rostered minister.

Reorganization Map

Proposed	Model
C13.01.	Does not exist
C13.02.	C13.07.
C13.03.	C13.08.
C13.10.	Does not exist
C13.11.	C13.06. (first word removed)
C13.12.	C13.01. (title added)
C13.13.	C13.02. (title added)
C13.14.	C13.03. (title added)
C13.15.	C13.04. (title added)
C13.20.	Does not exist
C13.21.	C13.05.

Committees as Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions

This option follows patterns established in the ELCA Constitution. ELCA Provision 12.50. ELCA Provision 14.40.

Note: This is the proper way to do things, but isn't how the Model does things because of a past decision not to include bylaws in the Model.

C13.01.: All committees [except the Mutual Ministry Committee(s)] shall report to the Congregation Council.
C13.02.: Duties of committees of this congregation shall be specified in the [bylaws][and][continuing resolutions].
C13.03.: The [senior] pastor of this congregation shall be ex officio a member of all committees and boards of this congregation. [The [president][vice president] of this congregation shall be ex officio a member of all committee and boards of this congregation, except the Nominating Committee.]
C13.10.: STANDING COMMITTEES
C13.11.: The Congregation Council shall establish committees. The description of such committees shall be set forth in the bylaws and continuing resolutions.
C13.11.01.: Executive Committee. The officers of this congregation and the [senior] pastor shall constitute the Executive Committee.
C13.11.02.: Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee of six voting members of this congregation, two of whom, if possible, shall be outgoing members of the Congregation Council, shall be elected at the annual meeting for a term of one year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for consecutive re-election.
C13.11.03.: Audit Committee. An Audit Committee of three voting members shall be elected by the Congregation Council. Audit Committee members shall not be members of the Congregation Council. Term of office shall be three years, with one member elected each year. Members shall be eligible for re-election.
C13.11.04.: Mutual Ministry Committee(s). Mutual Ministry Committee(s) (in the absence of a mutual ministry committee, the duties shall be fulfilled by the executive committee) shall be appointed jointly by the [president][vice president] and the rostered minister. Term of office shall be two years, with three members to be appointed each successive year.
C13.20.: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
C13.21.: The Congregation Council may establish special committees as the need arises. The description of such committees shall be set forth in the bylaws and continuing resolutions.
C13.21.01.: Call Committee. When a vacancy occurs in a position for which this congregation calls a rostered minister, a Call Committee of six voting members shall be elected by [this congregation] [the Congregation Council]. Term of office will terminate upon installation of the newly called rostered minister.

Committees Plus Ministry Teams

This option is exactly the same as the previous option, except that provisions have been modified to include ministry teams.

C13.01.: All committees [except the Mutual Ministry Committee(s)] shall report to the Congregation Council. All ministry teams, unless otherwise specified, shall report to the [senior] pastor.
C13.02.: Duties of committees and ministry teams of this congregation shall be specified in the [bylaws][and][continuing resolutions].
C13.03.: The [senior] pastor of this congregation shall be ex officio a member of all committees, ministry teams, and boards of this congregation. [The president of this congregation shall be ex officio a member of all committees, ministry teams, and boards of this congregation, except the Nominating Committee.]
C13.10.: STANDING COMMITTEES
C13.11.: Committees of this congregation may be formed, as the need arises, by decision of the Congregation Council.
C13.12.: Executive Committee. The officers of this congregation and the [senior] pastor shall constitute the Executive Committee.
C13.13.: Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee of six voting members of this congregation, two of whom, if possible, shall be outgoing members of the Congregation Council, shall be elected at the annual meeting for a term of one year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for consecutive re-election.
C13.14.: Audit Committee. An Audit Committee of three voting members shall be elected by the Congregation Council. Audit Committee members shall not be members of the Congregation Council. Term of office shall be three years, with one member elected each year. Members shall be eligible for re-election.
C13.15.: Mutual Ministry Committee(s). Mutual Ministry Committee(s) (in the absence of a mutual ministry committee, the duties shall be fulfilled by the executive committee) shall be appointed jointly by the president [vice president1] and the rostered minister. Term of office shall be two years, with three members to be appointed each successive year.
C13.20.: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
C13.21.: Call Committee. When a vacancy occurs in a position for which this congregation calls a rostered minister, a Call Committee of six voting members shall be elected by [this congregation] [the Congregation Council]. Term of office will terminate upon installation of the newly called rostered minister.
C13.30.: MINISTRY TEAMS
C13.31.: Ministry teams of this congregation may be formed, as the need arises, by decision of the [senior] pastor.