The Grove Church
Constitution and Bylaws
THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
ARGYLE, TEXAS February 17, 2022
The name of this Congregation shall be The Grove Lutheran Church of Argyle, Texas hereinafter referred to as “The Grove Church” or the “Congregation.”
2.0 MISSION
The Grove Church is a family that exists to reach people where they are and help them come alive in Christ.
We accomplish our mission through our discipleship process which leads us to: Praise, Equip and Go.
We value: Praying Now, Wearing Out Our Bibles, Serving Jesus and Neighboring Well.
3.0 CONFESSION OF FAITH
This Congregation acknowledges and accepts all the Canonical Books of the Old and the New Testament as the revealed and inerrant Word of God, verbally inspired, and submits to them as the only infallible authority in all matters of faith and practice.
This Congregation acknowledges and accepts all the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580, as true and genuine expositions of the doctrines of the Bible. These confessional writings are the three Ecumenical Creeds (The Apostolic, the Nicene, and the Athanasian), The Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, and the Formula of Concord.
4.0 SYNODICAL MEMBERSHIP
This Congregation shall be a member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) as long as the Synod conforms to the Congregation's confessional standards as set forth in this Constitution.
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5.0 INDIVIDUAL AFFILIATION
5.1 The membership of this Congregation includes the following:
5.1.1 Baptized members are those in the Congregation who have been baptized in the name of the Triune God, whether children or adults, and are under the pastoral care of this Congregation.
5.1.2 Communicant members are those baptized members who have received a course of instruction in Christian doctrine, which meets with the approval of the Pastor. They are welcome to receive the sacraments, pastoral care, teaching, and other ministries of the Congregation. They are invited to share in the Mission of the Congregation, freely giving of their time, skills, and financial resources in the service of the Lord.
5.1.3 Voting members are communicant members who have signed The Grove Church Pledge and have reached the age of 18 years. They are eligible to vote at Congregational meetings.
5.1.4 Guest members are those, such as college students and seasonal visitors, who are under the pastoral care of this Congregation for a portion of the year. They are invited to receive the sacraments, pastoral care, teaching, and other ministries of the Congregation. They are encouraged to share in the Mission of the Congregation, freely giving of their time, skills, and financial resources in the service of the Lord. Guest members are eligible to participate at Congregational meetings in both discussion and in voting as qualified under voting members.
5.2 The members of this congregation are received in the following manner:
5.2.1 Baptized members are received through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism or through the consent of one or both parents in the case of children who have been baptized in another Christian congregation.
5.2.2 Communicant members are received through the rite of confirmation and Sacrament of Holy Baptism as appropriate, through transfer from a sister congregation, or through profession of faith or reaffirmation of faith.
5.2.3 Eligible Communicant members may be received as Voting members upon agreeing to and signing The Grove Church Pledge. Through this Pledge they commit themselves to the Mission of The Grove Church and agree, by God’s grace, to uphold and support the Values of The Grove Church.
5.3 Members of this Congregation shall conform their entire lives to the authority of God's Word and to that end shall make diligent use of the means of grace, exercise faithful stewardship of God's many gifts and talents, impart and accept fraternal admonition as the need of such admonition becomes apparent, and be readily available for service in the kingdom of Christ within and beyond the congregation. Membership in organizations whose principles and conduct conflict with the Word of God is prohibited.
5.4 Membership in this congregation shall be terminated as follows:
5.4.1 Membership shall be terminated by transfer to a sister congregation, by joining a congregation outside the fellowship of this congregation, by excommunication or self- exclusion, or by death. Release from membership, for any reason, forfeits one’s claims to the property of the Congregation.
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6.0 THE OFFICES OF PASTOR AND OTHER CALLED WORKERS
6.1 The voters’ assembly of this Congregation shall have the exclusive right to call ordained ministers of religion. The right to call commissioned ministers of religion also belongs to the Congregation but may be delegated to the Executive Board of the Congregation, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this Constitution and/or the Bylaws. The Congregation shall seek the counsel of the president of the district prior to the calling of a minister of religion. The calling of ministers of religion is never to be delegated to an individual.
6.2 The pastoral office shall be conferred only upon pastors or candidates who profess and adhere to the confessional standard set forth in this Constitution, who are qualified for the work of the ministry, and who have been endorsed by and are members of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters’ assembly is required in order to call the individual.
6.3 Only those commissioned ministers shall receive a call who adhere to the confessional standard set forth in this Constitution, who are qualified for the work of the ministry to which they are called, and who have been endorsed by and are members of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters’ assembly is required in order to call the individual.
6.4 Called, ordained, or commissioned ministers may be removed from office in Christian and lawful order by a two-thirds majority ballot vote of the voters’ assembly for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, willful neglect of the duties of office, or the inability to perform those duties. The congregation shall notify the officials of the district before taking action to remove a called, ordained, or commissioned minister.
6.5 When a vacancy occurs in an office of an ordained or commissioned minister and the Congregation determines a call is needed, the Congregation shall notify the president of the district to receive assistance in temporarily filling the vacancy and to receive his counsel in calling a new pastor, teacher, or other church worker. The Executive Board establishes a call/search committee who will provide a final candidate or a slate of candidates to the voters’ assembly to vote and issue a call.
7.0 AUTHORITY OF AND WITHIN THE CONGREGATION
7.1 In the interest of expediency and efficiency, the voting membership of the Congregation generally intends to delegate to its Executive Board the right, power, authority, and responsibility to manage, direct, oversee and control the business and temporal affairs of the Congregation, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this Constitution and/or the Bylaws. The Executive Board shall consist of such representatives of the Congregation, and the members thereof shall be elected, be appointed, hold office, and be replaced, as set forth in the Bylaws.
7.2 Any right, power, authority, or responsibility delegated to the Executive Board shall always be subject to review, revision and revocation by the voting membership.
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7.3 The voters’ assembly is the final authority of the Congregation and has the sole responsibility which cannot be delegated for:
7.3.1 Approval of any amendment of the Constitution and Bylaws
7.3.2 Calling or removing a called worker
7.3.3 Approval of the annual operating budget
7.3.4 Purchasing or selling church property or buildings valued over 10% of the annual expense budget per fiscal year
7.3.5 Incurring a non-budgeted emergency expense valued over 5% of the annual expense budget per fiscal year
7.3.6 Approval of Officers
7.3.7 Erection of facilities
7.4 All matters before the voters’ assembly shall be decided by a majority vote unless otherwise specified by this Constitution or Bylaws. Matters of doctrine and conscience shall be decided only on the basis of the Word of God.
8.0 MEETINGS
Meetings of the voters’ assembly shall be held as determined in the Bylaws.
8.1 Announcements of regular meetings shall be made during the Worship Gatherings of the two previous weeks.
8.2 Announcements of special meetings shall be made at least two weeks in advance of the meeting through the regular communication channels of the Congregation and during any worship gatherings prior to the meeting. Such special meetings may be requested by the Pastor, the Executive Board, or fifteen voting members. Those requesting the special meeting shall set the agenda and properly communicate the time, place, and purpose of special meetings. Only announced agenda items may be considered at special meetings.
8.3 All voting members present at a properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
9.0 OFFICERS AND TEAMS
This Congregation shall have the following officers, teams, and committees in addition to any which the Congregation shall establish from time to time. The Congregation’s two standing teams are the Executive Board and the Elder Team. The Pastor shall serve as a voting member of both teams.
9.1 The voters’ assembly shall elect a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer to be the Officers of the Executive Board and of the Congregation. The voters’ assembly may also elect other At-Large members who, along with the four officers and the Pastor, shall comprise the voting members of the Executive Board. The nomination and election of Officers and other Executive Board members shall be as specified in the Bylaws of The Grove Church (Section 2.0 of the Bylaws).
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9.2 The Executive Board shall have the authority to develop and implement policies, procedures, boundaries, and measurements as necessary to execute the vision and plans of the Congregation. The Executive Board shall hold the Pastor accountable to the Mission, Values, and annual goals of the Congregation. Furthermore, they shall support the Mission of the Congregation by providing oversight to financial, business, and legal issues.
9.3 The pastor will recuse himself during Executive Board meetings that regard his compensation and/or benefits, discussion over pastoral review, or any disciplinary discussion regarding the actions of the pastor. An Executive Board member will recuse themselves during Executive Board meetings that regard disciplinary discussion over that individual or discussion over compensation or discipline for a staff member that may be related to the Executive Board member.
9.4 The Executive Board for The Grove Church, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization of the State of Texas, shall have the authority to administer all property belonging to the congregation, make contracts, accept, and receive grants and bequests, sign documents, appear in court, review the Constitution and Bylaws, report to the Congregation when appropriate, and take other such action as may be authorized by the Executive Board. The Grove Church staff will have the authority to enter contracts and/or make purchases that fall within the approved budget.
9.5 The Elder Team: This team of men only, recommended from the Congregation and affirmed by the Executive Board, is appointed to provide encouragement and prayer support to Congregation, staff, and to the Pastor, specifically. They shall advise the pastor on spiritual matters and assist him in the ministry of the Word and the sacraments. These trusted individuals also shall provide avenues for pastoral care, conflict resolution, discipline, and restoration.
9.6 This Congregation shall have such committees as are necessary to assist the called workers, elected leaders, and members in carrying out their Mission and ministry. Committees of the Congregation may include the following:
9.6.1 An annually convened Nominating Committee to identify candidates for the Executive Board;
9.6.2 A Search Committee, convened as necessary to identify candidates for called worker positions;
9.6.3 A Personnel Committee, appointed at will by the Executive Board, to assist with the development of policies, annual evaluation procedures, and compensation scales for the Staff of the Congregation;
9.6.4 And a Stewardship Committee, appointed at will, to assist in the development of ongoing stewardship of the Congregation.
9.7 Any elected Officer or leadership team member who fails to perform the duties of office or the responsibilities of voting membership may be removed from office by the voters’ assembly by a two-thirds majority vote, in Christian and lawful order. Matthew 18 should be followed under such circumstances.
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10.0 LIMITATIONS ON HOLDING OFFICE
Only Voting members in good standing shall serve as members of the Executive Board or Elder Team.
11.0 DIVISION
It is an unhappy fact of life that disagreements occur in Christian congregations. If at any time a division of the Congregation should take place for any reason, the following principles will govern:
11.1 If, at any time, a separation shall take place within this congregation, the advice of the officers of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod shall be sought. If, despite all efforts to resolve differences in peace and love, a division into factions of the congregation shall occur, the property of the congregation and all benefits connected shall remain with the group selected by the Synod adjudication process.
11.2 In the event that the Congregation dissolves, all property shall be disposed of by the final voters’ assembly for the payment of debts and all just claims against the congregation, and any and all surplus and all rights connected therewith shall be conveyed to and become the property of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, A 501(c)(3) organization.
12.0 AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended in the following manner:
12.1 Amendments to the provisions of this Constitution not identified in the following paragraph shall be submitted in writing at a meeting of the voters’ assembly and announced to the congregation at least two weeks in advance of the meeting through the regular communication channels of the Congregation and during any worship gatherings prior to the meeting. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters present shall be required for adoption.
12.2 Amendments to Articles 3.0 (Confession of Faith), 4.0 (Synodical Affiliation), and 6.0 (The Offices of Pastor and other Called Workers) shall not destroy their essential meaning.
12.3 The revised Constitution shall, as a condition of continued membership in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, be submitted to the president of the district for review by the district’s constitution committee and favorable action by the district’s board of directors before being implemented by the Congregation.
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THE BYLAWS OF
THE GROVE LUTHERAN CHURCH
ARGYLE, TEXAS February 17, 2022
1.0 EXECUTIVEBOARDADMINISTRATION
1.1 All business decisions decided by the Executive Board must meet both the approval of a simple majority of the Executive Board as well as the approval of the pastor.
1.2 The Board shall meet as often as necessary to complete duties. It shall meet in session at least quarterly. Advance notice of each meeting shall be communicated to all Board members in a timely manner. At least 50% of the members of the Board, including the President or their designee, must be present to constitute a quorum for any meeting. An elected officer shall be present and preside over the meeting. The meeting minutes shall fully disclose all actions approved by the Board. Meeting minutes shall be available to voting members of the congregation upon request.
1.3 Meetings of the Board may be conducted virtually when necessary.
1.4 The Board shall have the power to develop policies as required to execute the duties and objectives approved by the Voters’ Assembly. The Board shall concern itself with establishing all policies governing the activities of the congregation and with the implementation of the mission, vision, budget, and plans adopted by the Voters’ Assembly. Written policies shall be available upon request. The Board shall have no authority beyond that which has been conferred upon them by the Constitution, its Bylaws, or by the Voters’ Assembly.
1.5 The Board may appoint any entity needed in the conduct of its duties. It shall oversee and have authority over all other boards, committees, task forces, action teams, or other entities of the congregation.
2.0 NOMINATIONSANDELECTIONS
2.1 A nominating committee, chosen annually by the Executive Board, shall present a slate of candidates for elected members of the Executive Board at the annual Voters’ Assembly. The committee shall contain a majority who are not also a member of the Executive Board and shall include the Pastor as a non-voting member. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. No person shall be nominated without the nominee’s consent.
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2.2 All officers shall be elected by a majority vote and voting shall continue until a clear majority has been established after candidates receiving the lowest number of votes have been eliminated in each succeeding vote.
2.3 The Executive Board members are elected for a term of two years. The President, Treasurer and At-Large position #1 will be elected on odd-numbered years. The Vice President, Secretary and At-Large position #2 will be elected on even-numbered years. The At-Large member positions are not required to be filled, as determined by the Voters’Assembly. There is no limitation for the maximum number of terms an individual may be elected to serve on the Executive Board.
2.4 Executive Board members shall be inducted into office in a public service of the congregation.
2.5 In case of a vacancy in an elected office, a replacement will be appointed by the remaining members of the Executive Board for the unexpired remainder of the term.
3.0 QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
3.1 Suggestions for candidates for the Executive Board can be generated by the Pastor, the Executive Board, the Spiritual Gift survey of members, or by the recommendation of members of The Grove Church.
3.2 The Executive Board, elected by the Voters’ Assembly, must possess the following qualifications:
3.2.1 Must be a voting member of The Grove Church
3.2.2 Must participate in church worship and events regularly
3.2.3 Must be gifted for the specific area of ministry they desire to represent
3.2.4 Must have a heart for the entire ministry of the church
3.2.5 Must have upstanding character
3.2.6 Must gladly give sacrificially and generously of time, talent, and treasure for the ministry of the church
3.3 Executive Board members who conduct themselves in an un-Christian manner or fail to carry out their duties defined above shall be admonished following Matthew 18. If they remain impenitent after proper admonition, they shall be given a two-week notice prior to the Executive Board conducting a vote for their removal of office.
4.0 QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ELDER TEAM
4.1 Suggestions for candidates for the Elder Team can be generated by the Pastor, the Executive Board, the Spiritual Gift survey of members, or by the recommendation of members of The Grove Church.
4.2 The Elder Team shall be appointed by the Executive Board. Elder Team members must possess the following qualifications:
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4.2.1 Must be a voting member of The Grove Church
4.2.2 Must be in church worship and events regularly
4.2.3 Must be gifted for the specific area of ministry they desire to represent
4.2.4 Must have a heart for the entire ministry of the church
4.2.5 Must have an upstanding character
4.2.6 Must gladly give sacrificially and generously of time, talent, andt reasure for the ministry of the church
4.2.7 Must be an adult male
4.3 Elders who conduct themselves in an un-Christian manner or fail to carry out their duties defined above shall be admonished following Matthew 18. If they remain impenitent after proper admonition, they shall be given a two-week notice prior to the Executive Board conducting a vote for their removal of office.
5.0 DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
5.1 President – Conduct voter meetings, conduct Executive Board meetings, sign official documents of church along with Treasurer and Secretary, enforce the Constitution and Bylaws of the Congregation, and perform other general duties common to the office.
5.2 Vice President – Assist the President with duties, perform the duties of the President in their absence, and attend Executive Board meetings.
5.3 Treasurer – Responsible for all matters concerning the church finances, signs the checks or designates another to do so, sign official documents along with President and Secretary, attend Executive Board meetings and perform other general duties common to the office. The Treasurer shall keep permanent financial records, which are the property of the Congregation.
5.4 Secretary – Sign official church documents along with President and Treasurer, attend Executive Board meetings, record official minutes for voters’ meetings and Executive Board meetings, and perform other general duties common to the office. The Secretary shall keep permanent records, which are the property of the Congregation.
5.5 At-Large Positions – Carry out duties to assist the Executive Board in serving the Congregation and attend Executive Board meetings.
6.0 CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
6.1 The Grove Church will hold an annual meeting for approval of the annual budget and officer elections. Attendance at elections and meetings are not limited to Voting Members. Voting can be done in person or by mail. All mail ballots including electronic-mail ballots, must be received by the church office prior to the vote.
6.2 The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Voters’ Assemblies in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Congregational assemblies may adopt.
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7.0 AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended in the following manner:
7.1 Amendments to the provisions of these Bylaws shall be submitted in writing at a meeting of the voters’ assembly and announced to the congregation at least two weeks in advance of the meeting through the regular communication channels of the Congregation and during any worship gatherings prior to the meeting. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters present shall be required for adoption.
7.2 The revised Bylaws shall, as a condition of continued membership in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, be submitted to the president of the district for review and favorable action by the district’s board of directors before being implemented by the Congregation.
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