Constitution

Constitution and Bylaws of Lutheran Community of Grace   Adopted 9-7-2008

Preamble

As members of the priesthood of all believers, called by the Holy Spirit to confess the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in its purity, we give thanks for God's continual faithfulness and, by adopting this constitution, form this fellowship, uniting to carry out God's mission in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Article 1 Name and Incorporation

Lutheran Community of Grace is incorporated in the State of Minnesota as a non profit corporation under Chapter 317A of Minnesota statutes.

Article 2 Statement of Faith

2.01. As confessional Lutherans, we subscribe to the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the Augsburg Confession, and Luther’s Small Catechism.

2.02. We also accept and subscribe to the Charter of Freedom and the Call to Freedom (in the versions attached as an Appendix) as a restatement of Lutheran theology appropriate for our day.

Article 3 Governance

3.01. Subject to the ultimate authority of this congregation to govern its own affairs, and subject to the limitations imposed by the Constitution and Bylaws of this congregation and such other restrictions as may be imposed by this congregation or by operation of law, the business and affairs of this congregation shall be managed by or under the direction of the church council.

3.02. Consent of the congregation, at a regular or special meeting of the congregation called pursuant to the Bylaws, shall be required for the purchase, sale, mortgaging or other disposition of congregational property, to issue or terminate a pastoral call, to amend the Constitution or Bylaws, and as otherwise directed by the congregation.

3.03. For all matters except those described in section 3.02, voting by absentee ballot shall be permitted at any regular or special meeting of the congregation.

Article 4 Voting Membership in Lutheran Community of Grace

4.01. Any baptized individual having attained the age of 16 may submit a request to become a voting member of Lutheran Community of Grace by declaring, on a form designated by the church council from time to time, an agreement to be bound by the Constitution and Bylaws of this congregation. Voting membership shall become effective upon approval of such a request by the church council or a congregational meeting.

4.02. Voting members of the congregation are entitled to all of the rights, privileges and obligations of membership, as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of this congregation including, but not limited to, eligibility to serve as an officer or on the church council, and the right to vote on all matters properly submitted to the congregation for consideration. The church council may create different categories of membership from time to time, so long as those categories of membership do not conflict with the provisions of this Constitution. There shall be no preferences or quotas for voting membership, service as an officer or on the church council, or any other governance of the congregation.

4.03. Voting membership may be terminated by the church council or a congregational meeting without specification of a reason; provided, however, that during the period commencing on the date of one annual meeting of the congregation and ending on the date of the succeeding annual meeting, the involuntary termination of a total of more than 10% of the voting members shall not be effective except by a two-thirds majority of the pre-existing voting members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the congregation called pursuant to the Bylaws.

Article 5 Membership In, and Affiliation With, Other Organizations

5.01. Lutheran Community of Grace will operate as an independent Lutheran church, or as a member of a Lutheran church body (or bodies), as the congregation so decides. A decision to join or leave a Lutheran church body shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the congregation called pursuant to the Bylaws. Any action to join or leave a Lutheran church body must be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the congregation called pursuant to the Bylaws and held no less than sixty (60) days after the initial vote.

5.02. This congregation may choose to be a member of, or to support, other organizations from time to time, as directed by the congregation or the church council.

Article 6 Amendment of the Constitution

6.01. A proposed amendment to this Constitution may be initiated by either the church council or by a group of voting members in accordance with the procedures described below. The adoption of any amendment to this Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of the voting members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the congregation called pursuant to the Bylaws.

6.02. The church council may propose an amendment or amendments to this Constitution. The church council shall give notice to the voting members of the congregation specifying the amendment or amendments to be considered, and the notice shall be given at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting.

6.03. A voting member initiated amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in writing by twenty percent (20%) of the voting members or 100 voting members, whichever is less. All proposed amendments shall be delivered to the church council. The church council may require a period of up to sixty (60) days for review, comment and recommendation on the proposed amendments. Regardless of any action, inaction or position taken by the church council on the proposed amendments, the proposed amendments shall be presented to the congregation at a regular or special meeting of the congregation called pursuant to the Bylaws and scheduled to be held no later than 90 days after the date of delivery of the amendments to the church council. Notice shall be given to the voting members of the congregation at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting, specifying the amendment or amendments to be considered.