PREAMBLE
The Word of God requires that a Christian congregation shall conform to this Divine Word in doctrine and practice (Psalm 119:105; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 1:6-8; II Timothy 4:1-5), and that all things be done decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40). Therefore, we the members of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, accept and subscribe to the following constitution and by-laws in accordance with which all spiritual and material affairs of our congregation shall be governed. This Constitution supersedes all prior constitutions.
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this congregation shall be: Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church of McCook, Nebraska. The congregation is organized as a member body of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of this congregation shall be:
· to provide pastoral care for its members (Ephesians 4:11-12; I Timothy 4:11-16);
· to teach and to preach the Word of God (II Timothy 4:1-4);
· to administer the Sacraments (Acts:33; I Corinthians 11:23-25);
· to preserve purity of doctrine and the unity of the Spirit (II John 7:11; Ephesians 4:4-6);
· to provide for the Christian Education of all (Matthew 28:19-20);
· to extend the Kingdom of God (Matthew 9:37-38);
· to provide a place for worship;
· to encourage participation in Word and Sacrament (Hebrews 10:23-25);
· to study and proclaim the Word of God (Psalm 1:1-3), Acts 17:11);
and to practice Christian stewardship (II Corinthians 8:3-5).
ARTICLE III DECLARATION OF DOCTRINE
This congregation acknowledges and accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, and all the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church contained in the Book of Concord of 1580 as the true and sound exposition of the Christian doctrine, taken from and in full agreement with the Holy Scriptures.
In this congregation no doctrine shall be taught or tolerated which is at variance with this Word of God or with these confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, via:
1. The Apostles' Creed
2. The Nicene Creed
3. The Athanasian Creed
4. The Unaltered Augsburg Confession
5. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
6. The Smalcald Articles
7. Luther's Small Catechism
8. Luther's Large Catechism
The Formula of Concord
All questions and controversies pertaining to doctrine and conduct, which may arise in the congregation, shall be decided according to this rule.
Only such persons, therefore, can be and remain members of this congregation and enjoy its rights and privileges as:
1. are baptized in the name of the Triune God (Matthew 28:18-20);
2. are communicant members who:
a. have declared their acceptance of all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the divine rule of faith and life;
b. while they may yet be deficient in the knowledge of all the Lutheran confessional writings, are familiar at least with Luther's Small Catechism and declare their acceptance thereof;
c. do not live in manifest works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20), but lead a Christian life;
d. are able to examine themselves, and partake of the Lord's Supper with due frequency (I Corinthians 11:28-29);
e. will accept brotherly admonition and correction according to Christ's instruction, (Matthew 18:15-18) when and where they have erred;
are not members of any lodge or organization, which officially sanctions or promotes false doctrines concerning God (John 5:23), the Bible (II Timothy 3:16), the way of salvation (Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-9), and prayer (John I6:23-24).
ARTICLE V
THE OFFICE OF THE CALLED, PROFESSIONAL CHURCH WORKERS
The office of the Pastor, Director of Christian Education (D.C.E.), Parish Worker, Professional Teacher, and all other called spiritual leaders (Ephesians 4:11-14) of this congregation shall be conferred on
such pastors, church workers, or candidates only as profess and pledge their acceptance of and adherence to all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16), and to the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church enumerated in Article III; this shall be indicated by the call extended to and accepted by them. The office of the pastor shall be held by approved male graduates of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod seminaries.
(I Corinthians 11:2-16, I Corinthians 14:33b-38, I Timothy 2:11-15)
ARTICLE VI VOTERS MEETING
A. General
The congregation as a body, through the Voter's Meeting, shall have the authority to administer and manage all its external and internal affairs. The establishment and conduct of all institutions and societies within the congregation shall at all times be subject to the approval and supervision of the Voters Meeting.
The Voters Meeting, however, shall not be empowered to decide anything contrary to the Word of God and the Confessions as contained in Article III, and any such decision shall be null and void.
B. Right of Calling
The right of calling pastors or other professional church workers shall be vested in the Voters Meeting, and shall never be delegated to a smaller body or to an individual.
C. Voters Meeting
Qualifications of Voters and procedures for Voters Meetings shall be such as the by-laws of this constitution may prescribe.
ARTICLE VII OFFICERS
The officers of this congregation shall be such as the by-laws of this constitution may prescribe.
ARTICLE VIII REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Any officer, pastor, or other professional church worker may be removed from office in Christian and lawful order, as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20, for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, inability to perform official duties or willful neglect of them.
ARTICLE IX PROPERTY RIGHTS
A. If at any time a separation should take place in the congregation on account of doctrine, the property of the congregation and all the benefits therewith connected shall remain with those members who shall continue to adhere to Article III of this constitution.
B. In the event the congregation should be totally dissolved, the property and all rights therewith shall be transferred to the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Nebraska District, providing they adhere to Article III of this constitution and they accept the property.
ARTICLE X BY - LAWS
This congregation may adopt such by-laws as may be required for the accomplishment of its purpose.
ARTICLE XI CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION
A. Unalterable Articles
The following articles of this constitution or sections thereof shall be unalterable and irrepealable: II, III, IV, V, VIII, and XI.
B. Amendments
Amendments to this constitution and the by-laws may be adopted at a regular Voters Meeting, provided:
that they do not conflict with the provisions laid down in Article III or with any section of any other article that pertains to scriptural doctrine and practice and;
2. that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous Voters Meeting. The affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the voting membership present at the Voters Meeting shall be required for the adoption of an amendment.
Peace Lutheran Church McCook, Nebraska
Constitution
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