CONSTITUTION
St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit. Amen
*PREAMBLE
We, baptized members of the Church of Christ, responding in
faith to the call of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, desiring to unite
together to preach the Word, administer the sacraments, and carry out God's
mission, do hereby adopt this constitution and solemnly pledge ourselves to be
governed by its provisions. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.
Chapter 1.
NAME AND INCORPORATION
C1.01. The name of this
congregation shall be St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church,
C1.02. For the purpose of this
constitution and the accompanying bylaws, the congregation of St. Luke
Evangelical Lutheran Church is hereinafter designated as "this
congregation."
C1.11. This congregation shall
be incorporated under the laws of the State of
Chapter 2.
CONFESSION OF FAITH
*C2.01. This congregation confesses
the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
*C2.02. This congregation confesses
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the
salvation of all who believe.
a. Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through
whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God
fashions a new creation.
b. The proclamation of God's message to us as
both Law and Gospel is the Word of God, revealing judgment and mercy through
word and deed, beginning with the Word in creation, continuing in the history
of Israel, and centering in all its fullness in the person and work of Jesus
Christ.
c. The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments are the written Word of God.
Inspired by God's Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and
announce God's revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God's Spirit
speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service
in the world.
*C2.03. This congregation accepts the
canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God
and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life.
*C2.04. This congregation accepts
the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the faith
of this congregation.
*C2.05. This congregation accepts
the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as a true witness to the Gospel,
acknowledging as one with it in faith and doctrine all churches that likewise
accept the teachings of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.
*C2.06. This congregation accepts
the other confessional writings in the Book of Concord, namely, the Apology of
the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles and the Treatise, the Small
Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Formula of Concord, as further valid
interpretations of the faith of the Church.
*C2.07. This congregation confesses
the Gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and confessed in the ecumenical
creeds and Lutheran confessional writings, as the power of God to create and
sustain the Church for God's mission in the world.
Chapter 3.
NATURE OF THE CHURCH
*C3.01. All power in the Church
belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ, its head. All actions of this congregation
are to be carried out under his rule and authority.
*C3.02. The Church exists both as
an inclusive fellowship and as local congregations gathered for worship and
Christian service. Congregations find their fulfillment in the universal
community of the Church, and the universal Church exists in and through congregations.
The
Chapter 4.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
*C4.01. The Church is a people
created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear
witness to God's creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world.
*C4.02. To participate in God's
mission, this congregation as a part of the Church shall:
a. Worship God in proclamation of the Word and
administration of the sacraments and through lives of prayer, praise,
thanksgiving, witness, and service.
b. Proclaim God's saving Gospel of justification by
grace for Christ's sake through faith alone, according to the apostolic witness
in the Holy Scripture, preserving and transmitting the Gospel faithfully to
future generations.
c. Carry out Christ's Great Commission by
reaching out to all people to bring them to faith in Christ and by doing all
ministry with a global awareness consistent with the understanding of God as
Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of all.
d. Serve in response to God's love to meet human
needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all
people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing
with the poor and powerless, and committing itself to their needs.
e. Nurture its members in the Word of God so as
to grow in faith and hope and love, to see daily life as the primary setting
for the exercise of their Christian calling, and to use the gifts of the Spirit
for their life together and for their calling in the world.
f. Manifest the unity given to the people of God
by living together in the love of Christ and by joining with other Christians
in prayer and action to express and preserve the unity, which the Spirit gives.
*C4.03. To fulfill these purposes,
this congregation shall:
a. Provide services of worship at which the Word
of God is preached and the sacraments are administered.
b. Provide pastoral care and assist all members
to participate in this ministry.
c. Challenge, equip, and support all members in
carrying out their calling in their daily lives and in their congregation.
d. Teach the Word of God.
e. Witness to the reconciling Word of God in
Christ, reaching out to all people.
f. Respond to human need, work for justice and
peace, care for the sick and the suffering, and participate responsibly in society.
g. Motivate its members to provide financial
support for the congregation's ministry and the ministry of other parts of the
h. Foster and participate in interdependent
relationships with other congregations, the synod, and the churchwide
organization of the
i. Foster and participate in ecumenical
relationships consistent with churchwide policy.
*C4.04. This congregation shall
develop an organizational structure to be described in the bylaws. The
Congregation Council shall prepare descriptions of the responsibilities of each
committee, task force, or other organizational group and shall review their
actions.
*C4.05. This congregation shall,
from time to time, adopt a mission statement which will provide specific
direction for its programs.
Chapter 5.
POWERS OF THE CONGREGATION
*C5.01. The powers of this
congregation are those necessary to fulfill its purpose.
*C5.02. The powers of this
congregation are vested in the Congregation Meeting called and conducted as
provided in this constitution and bylaws.
*C5.03. Only such authority as is
delegated to the Congregation Council or other organizational units in this
congregation's governing documents is recognized. All remaining authority is
retained by the congregation. The congregation is authorized to:
a. call a pastor as provided in Chapter 9;
b. terminate the call of a pastor as provided in
Chapter 9;
c. call or terminate
the call of associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers in
conformity with the applicable policy of the
d. adopt amendments to
the constitution, as provided in Chapter 17, and amendments to the bylaws, as
specified in Chapter 16;
e. approve the annual budget;
f. acquire real and personal property by gift,
devise, purchase, or other lawful means;
g. hold title to and use its property for any and
all activities consistent with its purpose;
h. sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or otherwise
dispose of its property by any lawful means;
i. elect its officers, and Congregation Council,
and require the members of the council to carry out their duties in accordance
with the constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions.
j. terminate its relationship with the
*C5.04. This congregation shall
choose from among its voting members laypersons to serve as voting members of
the Synod Assembly as well as persons to represent it at meetings of any
conference, cluster, coalition, or other area subdivision of which it is a
member. The number of persons to be elected by the congregation and other
qualifications shall be as prescribed in guidelines established by the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the
Chapter 6.
CHURCH AFFILIATION
*C6.01. This congregation shall be
an interdependent part of the
*C6.02. This congregation accepts
the Confession of Faith and agrees to the Purposes of the
*C6.03. This congregation
acknowledges its relationship with the
a. This congregation agrees to be responsible for
its life as a Christian community.
b. This congregation pledges its financial
support and participation in the life and mission of the
c. This congregation agrees to call pastoral
leadership from the clergy roster of the
d. This congregation agrees to consider
associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers for call to other
staff positions in the congregation according to the procedures of the
e. This congregation agrees to file this
constitution and any subsequent changes to this constitution with the synod for
review to ascertain that all of its provisions are in agreement with the
constitution and bylaws of the
*C6.04. Affiliation with the
a. This congregation takes action to dissolve.
b. This congregation ceases to exist.
c. This congregation is removed from membership
in the
d. This congregation follows the procedures
outlined in *C6.05.
*C6.05. This congregation may
terminate its relationship with the
a. A resolution indicating the desire of this
congregation to terminate its relationship must be adopted at a legally called
and conducted special meeting of this congregation by a two-thirds majority of
the voting members present.
b. The secretary of this congregation shall
submit a copy of the resolution to the synodical bishop and shall mail a copy
of the resolution to voting members of this congregation. This notice shall be
submitted within 10 days after the resolution has been adopted.
c. The bishop of the synod shall consult with
this congregation during a period of at least 90 days.
d. If this congregation, after consultation,
still desires to terminate its relationship, such action may be taken at a
legally called and conducted special meeting by a two-thirds majority of the
voting members present, at which meeting the bishop of the synod or an
authorized representative shall be present. Notice of the meeting shall be
mailed to all voting members at least 10 days in advance of the meeting.
e. A certified copy of the resolution to
terminate its relationship shall be sent to the synodical bishop, at which time
the relationship between this congregation and the
f. Notice of termination shall be forwarded by
the synodical bishop to the secretary of this church and published in the
periodical of this church.
g. Since
this congregation was a member of the
*C6.06. If this congregation considers
relocation, it shall confer with the bishop of the synod in which it is
territorially located before any steps are taken leading to such action. The
approval of the Synod Council shall be received before any such action is
effected.
Chapter 7.
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
*C7.01. If this congregation ceases
to exist, title to undisposed property shall pass to the Delaware-Maryland
Synod of the
*C7.02. If this congregation is
removed from membership in the
*C7.03. If a two-thirds majority of
the voting members of this congregation present at a legally called and
conducted special meeting of this congregation vote to transfer to another
Lutheran church body, title to property shall continue to reside in this
congregation. Before this congregation takes action to transfer to another
Lutheran church body, it shall consult with representatives of the Delaware-Maryland
Synod.
*C7.04. If a two-thirds majority of
the voting members of this congregation present at a legally called and
conducted special meeting of this congregation vote to become independent or
relate to a non-Lutheran church body, title to property of this congregation
shall continue to reside in this congregation only with the consent of the
Synod Council. The Synod Council, after consultation with this congregation by
the established synodical process, may give approval to the request to become
independent or to relate to a non-Lutheran church body, in which case title
shall remain with the majority of this congregation. If the Synod Council fails
to give such approval, title shall remain with those members who desire to
continue as a congregation of the
Chapter 8.
MEMBERSHIP
*C8.01. Members of this
congregation shall be those baptized persons on the roll of this congregation
at the time that this constitution is adopted and those who are admitted
thereafter and who have declared and maintain their membership in accordance
with the provisions of this constitution and its bylaws.
*C8.02. Members shall be classified
as follows:
a. Baptized members are those
persons who have been received by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in this
congregation, or, having been previously baptized in the name of the Triune
God, have been received by certificate of transfer from other Lutheran
congregations or by affirmation of faith.
b. Confirmed members are baptized
persons who have been confirmed in this congregation, those who have been
received by adult baptism or by transfer as confirmed members from other Lutheran
congregations, or baptized persons received by affirmation of faith.
c. Voting members are confirmed
members. Such confirmed members, during the current or preceding calendar year,
shall have communed in this congregation and shall have made a contribution of
record to this congregation.
d. Associate members are persons
holding membership in other Christian congregations who wish to retain such
membership but desire to participate in the life and mission of this
congregation, or persons who wish to retain a relationship with this
congregation while being members of other congregations. They have all the
privileges and duties of membership except voting rights and eligibility for
elected offices or membership on the Congregation Council of this congregation.
*C8.03. All applications for
confirmed membership shall be submitted to and shall require the approval of
the Congregation Council.
*C8.04. It shall be the privilege
and duty of members of this congregation to:
a. make regular use of the means of grace, both
Word and sacraments;
b. live a Christian life in accordance with the
Word of God and the teachings of the Lutheran church; and
c. support the work of this congregation, the
synod, and the churchwide organization of the
*C8.05. Membership in this
congregation shall be terminated by any of the following:
a. death;
b. resignation;
c. transfer or release;
d. disciplinary action by the Congregation
Council; or
e. removal from the roll due to inactivity as
defined in the bylaws.
Such
persons who have been removed from the roll of members shall remain persons for
whom the Church has a continuing pastoral concern.
Chapter 9.
THE PASTOR
*C9.01. Authority to call a pastor
shall be in this congregation by at least a two-thirds majority ballot vote of
members present and voting at a meeting legally called for that purpose. Before
a call is issued, the officers, or a committee elected by the
Congregation Council to recommend the call, shall seek the advice and help of
the bishop of the synod.
*C9.02. Only a member of the clergy
roster of the
*C9.03. Consistent with the faith
and practice of the
a. Every ordained minister shall:
1) preach the Word;
2) administer the sacraments;
3) conduct public worship;
4) provide pastoral care; and
5) speak publicly to the world in solidarity with
the poor and oppressed, calling for justice and proclaiming God's love for the
world.
b. Each ordained minister with a congregational
call shall, within the congregation:
1) offer instruction, confirm, marry, visit the
sick and distressed, and bury the dead;
2) supervise all schools and organizations of this
congregation;
3) install regularly elected members of the
Congregation Council; and
4) with the council, administer discipline.
c. Every pastor shall:
1) strive to extend the
2) seek out and encourage qualified persons to
prepare for the ministry of the Gospel;
3) impart knowledge of this church and its wider
ministry through distribution of its periodicals and other publications; and
4) endeavor to increase the support given by the
congregation to the work of the churchwide organization of the
*C9.04. The specific duties of the
pastor, compensation, and other matters pertaining to the service of the pastor
shall be included in a letter of call, which shall be attested by the bishop of
the synod.
*C9.05. a. The call of a congregation, when accepted by a pastor, shall
constitute a continuing mutual relationship and commitment, which, except in
the case of the death of the pastor, shall be terminated only following
consultation with the synodical bishop and for the following reasons:
1) mutual agreement to terminate the call or the
completion of a call for a specific term;
2) resignation of the pastor, which shall become
effective, unless otherwise agreed, 30 days after the date on which it was
submitted;
3) inability
to conduct the pastoral office effectively in the congregation in view of local
conditions, without reflection on the competence or the moral and spiritual
character of the pastor;
4) the physical or mental incapacity of the
pastor;
5) disqualification of the pastor through
discipline on grounds of doctrine, morality, or continued neglect of duty;
6) the dissolution of the congregation; or
7) suspension of the congregation as a result of
discipline proceedings.
b. When allegations of physical or mental
incapacity of the pastor or ineffective conduct of the pastoral office have
come to the attention of the bishop of the synod, the bishop in his or her sole
discretion may, or when such allegations have been brought to the synod's
attention by an official recital of allegations by the Congregation Council or
by a petition signed by at least one-third of the voting members of the
congregation, the bishop shall, investigate such conditions personally in
company with a committee of two ordained ministers and one layperson.
c. In case of alleged physical or mental
incapacity, competent medical testimony shall be obtained. When such disability
is evident, the bishop of the synod with the advice of the committee shall
declare the pastorate vacant. Upon the restoration of a disabled pastor to
health, the bishop of the synod shall take steps to enable the pastor to resume
the ministry, either in the congregation last served or in another field of
labor.
d. In the case of alleged local difficulties that
imperil the effective functioning of the congregation, all concerned persons
shall be heard, after which the bishop of the synod together with the committee
described in *C9.05.b. shall decide on the course of action to be recommended
to the pastor and the congregation. If they agree to carry out such
recommendations, no further action shall be taken by the synod. If either party fails to assent, the
congregation may dismiss the pastor at a legally called meeting after consultation
with the bishop, either (a) by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members
present and voting where the bishop and the committee did not recommend
termination of the call, or (b) by a simple majority vote of the voting members
present and voting where the bishop and the committee recommended termination
of the call.
e. If, in the course of proceedings described in
*C9.05.d., the committee concludes that there may be grounds for disciplinary
action, the committee shall make recommendations concerning disciplinary action
to the synodical bishop who may bring charges, in accordance with the
provisions of the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America and the constitution of this synod.
f. If, following the appointment of the
committee described in *C9.05.b. or d., it should become apparent that the
pastoral office cannot be conducted effectively in the congregation(s) being
served by the ordained minister due to local conditions, the bishop of the
synod may temporarily suspend the pastor from service in the congregation(s)
without prejudice and with pay provided through a joint synodical and
churchwide fund and with housing provided by the congregation(s).
*C9.06. At a time of pastoral
vacancy, an interim pastor shall be appointed by the bishop of the synod with
the consent of this congregation or the Congregational Council.
*C9.07. During
the period of service, an interim pastor shall have the rights and duties in
the congregation of a regularly called pastor and may delegate the same in part
to a supply pastor with the consent of the bishop of the synod and this
congregation or Congregation Council. The interim pastor and any ordained
pastor providing assistance shall refrain from exerting influence in the
selection of a pastor.
*C9.08. This congregation shall make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to a former pastor before calling a successor. A pastor shall make satisfactory settlement of all financial obligations to this congregation before beginning service in a call to another congregation or employment in