First Christian Church

CONSTITUTION

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

San Angelo, Texas

Preamble

We, the members of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), San Angelo, Texas, a local congregationally governed body, in order to promote the work of the church in the spirit of Christ and thus advance his kingdom, do hereby adopt this constitution.

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this church shall be First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), San Angelo, Texas, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and committed to the historic principles of this body.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose and mission of the church, as the body of Christ in the world, is to make known to all the message of Jesus, the Christ, and to enlist them in his service; to extend its ministry to its own members, to the community, and throughout the world; to relate the gospel, both to the needs of humanity and to the duties and demands of today's world; and to express the love and concern of Jesus for all people.

There is but one major article of faith which binds the members of the church together in fellowship and service. We believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and Savior of humanity.

It is the intent of this church to make religion as considerate of persons as the teachings of Jesus; as devoted to justice as the Old Testament prophets; as responsive to truth as science; as beautiful as art; as intimate as the home; and as indispensable as the air we breathe.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this church shall consist of those who are now identified as members of the congregation and those who shall unite with the congregation by confession of faith and baptism or by transfer of membership. Voting privileges shall be accorded to all members present at business sessions.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS, GENERAL BOARD, ELDERS, DEACONS, AND TRUSTEES

Section A. Officers

The officers of the church shall be as follows:

1. Moderator;

2. Moderator Elect;

3. Secretary; and

4. Treasurer.

These officers shall be elected by the general board and shall serve as officers of the congregation, the general board, and the church cabinet.

Section B. General Board

The congregation shall have a general board which shall be responsible to the congregation and have authority to act on behalf of the congregation, except for matters that require action by the congregation.

The general board shall be composed of the elders and deacons who have been elected to serve on the general board.

The general board shall be responsible for:

1. Establishing general policies for the congregation;

2. Transacting the general business of the church;

3. Establishing and directing the administration of the programs of the church through the departments; and

4. Performing its duties according to the authority granted in this constitution or designated to it by the church.

Any vacancy on the general board or among the trustees shall be filled for the remainder of the term upon nomination of the standing nominating committee and election by the general board in regular or called session.

Section C. Elders

The elders of the church serving on the board shall consist of twelve (12) members, one-third (1/3) of whom shall be elected each year for a term of three (3) years.

Section D. Deacons

The deacons of the church serving on the general board shall consist of thirty (30) members, one-third (1/3) of whom shall be elected each year for a term of three (3) years.

Section E. Trustees

The trustees of the church shall consist of six (6) members, one-third of whom shall be elected each year for a term of three (3) years. A trustee may also serve concurrently as an elder or deacon.

Section F. Election of Elders, Deacons, and Trustees

1. The congregation, at its annual meeting, shall elect elders, deacons, and trustees.

2. The terms of all elected elders, deacons and trustees shall begin on January 1 following their election and expire December 31, three (3) years hence.

3. An elder or deacon who has served a full three (3) year term on the general board is not subject to reelection to the general board without the lapse of one (1) year.

Section G. Duties of Officers, Elders, Deacons and Trustees

1. The moderator shall fulfill the usual duties of such an officer and call and preside at regular or special business meetings of the congregation, general board and church cabinet.

2. The moderator elect shall serve as chairman of the personnel committee. In the absence of the moderator, the moderator elect shall fulfill the usual duties of moderator as described in G-1.

3. The secretary shall keep minutes of all regular or special meetings of the congregation, general board, and church cabinet and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

4. The treasurer shall serve as a member of the stewardship department, and shall be responsible for receiving and safekeeping for deposit all contributions, for signing or countersigning all checks or delegating another member of the church to sign or countersign all checks in the absence of the treasurer, and for presenting full financial reports at each regular meeting of the general board.

5. The elders primarily shall be responsible for the spiritual life and development of the congregation, preside at the Lord's Table, assist and share with the ministers in the conduct of pastoral and priestly functions, and provide supportive counsel for the ministers regarding the spiritual life and development of the congregation; encourage by example and word the missionary, evangelistic, educational, and stewardship responsibilities of the church; and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

6. The deacons shall cooperate in promoting the growth and welfare of the church; distribute the Lord's Supper; give counsel and service in business affairs and program activities; minister to families of the church; and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

7. The trustees, under the direction of the general board, shall act as the legal agents of the church in all business matters, hold legal title to all church property and handle all business transactions related thereto and have supervision over all endowment and trust funds.

ARTICLE V. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS

The congregation shall hold an annual business meeting for the election of elders, deacons and trustees on the third Sunday in November of each year. A regular business meeting of the congregation (which may coincide with the annual business meeting) shall be held prior to the beginning of each calendar year of the church to ratify the church budget. The church budget may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the general board. Any action of the board for the purchase or sale of real property shall be submitted to the congregation for its approval or disapproval.

Notice of all regular or special congregational meetings shall be announced at the regular Sunday morning worship services of the congregation at least one week in advance of the meeting and by means of the church newsletter or written notice sent through the mail. The purpose, date, time, and place of the meeting shall be indicated in each notice.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS

An amendment to this constitution must be approved by the general board and then passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by members of the congregation who are present at a congregational meeting at which the amendment is considered. An amendment shall not be considered at any congregational meeting unless the consideration of the amendment has been included among the purposes in the required notices of the meeting and, at least two weeks prior to the meeting, a copy of the proposed amendment has been mailed to the members of the congregation or the proposed amendment has been read at the regular Sunday morning worship services of the church.

ADOPTED BY THE CONGREGATION OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), SAN ANGELO, TEXAS, IN A DULY CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING THIS THE 15th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1991, in substitution of the prior constitution..

_____________________________________

Secretary

______________________________

Chairman/Moderator

\clients\fcc\constit.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BY-LAWS

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

San Angelo, Texas

PREAMBLE

These By-Laws are to set forth the basic governing principles for the Church. The intent of these By-Laws is to codify and simplify the methods by which the Church is governed and people are empowered to further the ministries and missions of the Church.

ARTICLE I. GENERAL BOARD

Section A. Meetings

1. The general board shall meet quarterly. Notice of each regular meeting shall be announced at least fourteen 14) days in advance of the meeting by means of the church newsletter or written notice sent through the mail, email or fax.

2. The general board shall hold special meetings by call of two out of three the moderator, vice moderator, or Senior Minister or upon request of ten (10) or more members of the general board.

If time is available, notice of any special meeting of the general board shall be announced at the regular Sunday morning worship services of the congregation at least one week in advance of the meeting and by means of the church newsletter or written notice as set forth in 1 above. The purpose, date, time, and place of the meeting shall be indicated in each notice.

3. Twenty Five (25%) of the members of the general board shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present is required to adopt any action of the board.

4. The regular meetings of the general board shall observe the following order of business:

a. Meeting called to order by presiding officer;

b. Prayer;

c. Roll call;

d. Filing of the minutes of the previous meeting;

e. Treasurer's report;

f. Congregational and special requests;

g. Reports and recommendations of departments;

h. Reports and recommendations of committees and organizations;

i. Other authorized motions;

j. Reports of ministers; and

k. Adjourn.

Section B. Qualifications

2. 1. Members of the general board must be members of the congregation. The Officers are also members of the General Board.embers must be active in the congregation's life and give evidence of seeking to grow in their own understanding and practice of the Christian life. Such evidence would include the following:

a. Conduct of one's life in light of the teachings of Jesus Christ;

b. Promotion of good will and Christian fellowship in the congregation and community;

c. Attendance at the worship services and stated meetings of the congregation;

d. Regular financial contributions to the support of the congregation and its outreach program;

e. Willingness to fulfill assignments in behalf of the congregation; and

f. Demonstrated skills or potential to carry out responsibilities of the particular office.

Section C. Election of Officers

1. At the first regular meeting of the general board following the election and installation of new members of the board each year, the board shall elect the following officers: moderator, vice moderator, secretary, and treasurer.

2. Prior to the meeting in which officers are to be elected, the nominating committee provided for under Article III shall determine and present a slate of officers to the board for that election.

3. Officers shall serve a term beginning with the election of officers each year and ending with the election of officers the following year. Upon completion of his term, the vice moderator shall automatically become the moderator for the ensuing year.

3.A vacancy in the office of moderator shall be filled by the vice moderator. In that event the vice moderator shall complete the remaining term of the moderator and shall serve a full term as moderator during the next year. A vacancy in any other office, or if the vice moderator is unable to serve, shall be filled by the nominating committee and election of the board for the remaining term.

Section D. Responsibilities