Congregational Constitution Amendment
Checklist West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod |
Whenever any change is made to a congregational constitution, all
required (asterisked, *) provisions in the Model Constitution for
Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
must be included in the congregation's constitution exactly as the
appear in the Model Constitution, including codification
(provision numbering), punctuation, and capitalization. If you
have not reviewed the Model Constitution, do so; the Model
Constitution may be downloaded in MS-Word (click here to download).
There are two exceptions to this rule: brackets and blanks (see
below).
Your congregation is free to modify provisions appearing in the
Model Constitution that do not include an asterisk (*) so long as
such modification does not violate a required provision. When a
recommended provision deviates from the wording as it appears in
the Model Constitution, it becomes a local provision.
Filling blanks or selecting brackets does not constitute a
substantive change in a recommended provision.
Local provisions (a term employed in WV-WMD) are provision that
do not appear in the Model Constitution (or do not appear
as worded in the Model Constitution). In the introduction
to the Model Constitution for Congregations, the term employed is
other provisions.
The numbers of the provisions are not random. Required provisions must be numbered exactly as they are in the Model Constitution. Required provisions retain their asterisk (*) in your congregational constitution.
Those provisions in your congregational constitution that are
coordinate with recommended provisions in the Model
Constitution (even if slightly modified) should retain
numbering consistent with the Model Constitution.
There are gaps in the numbering of provisions in the Model
Constitution. This is intentional. Gaps variously represent
places where provisions have been removed or places where
provisions might be added. Your congregation may insert local
provisions where there are gaps, but required and recommended
provisions should never be renumbered to fill gaps. Several
provisions in the Model Constitution reference other
provisions; renumbering provisions to close the gaps can through
off these cross references.
Observing these codification guidelines will make your life
easier the next time you amend your congregational constitution.
The Introduction to the Model Constitution for Congregations
assumes that your congregation's bylaws and continuing resolutions
be incorporated into one document with your congregation's
constitution. There are strengths to this approach, mainly the
keeping together of all governing provisions related to the same
topic. If there is any weakness, it is in the necessity to reprint
the document any time a bylaw or continuing resolution is adopted,
amended, or struck.
Wherever a blank appears in a required or recommended provision
in the Model Constitution, it is to be appropriately
filled in. Though not required, it is recommended that the
underscoring be removed after filling.
Wherever brackets appear, a choice is being indicated.
Review your selections for both grammatical and polity sense.
Remove the brackets themselves after selection has been made.
In the Model Constitution there are some footnotes. These
can be removed. While, footnotes are not, properly speaking, part
of the congregational constitution, they can serve as a useful
tool for explanatory material and/or the tracking of amendments.
Therefore, you are free to insert your own footnotes.
Feel free to print this page, using the last column to mark off
each provision that is successfully completed.
Provision |
Review Standard |
✔ |
Title |
Your congregational constitution should bear
your congregation's name and location (e.g.,
"Constitution of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown, West
Virginia") |
|
Preamble |
Is the preamble rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? | |
C1.01 |
Is the blank filled in? | |
C1.02 |
Is the blank filled in? N.B., the legal name of the congregation might not be the same as the commonly used name. If incorporated or licensed in your state/commonwealth, the legal name is the one filed with the state/commonwealth. | |
C1.11 |
If this provision is used,
fill the blank with the name of the appropriate civil
jurisdiction. The congregation has the option of not having this provision as it appears, but if it does not seek incorporation, it is recommended that it should be rendered something like: “This congregation shall seek appropriate legal recognition by the State of __________.” |
|
Chapter 2 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered
exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? |
|
Chapter 3 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? | |
Chapter 4 |
Are the provisions in this
chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model
Constitution with the exception of the selection of
bracketed material in *C4.04? |
|
*C4.04. | The bracketed material is optional. If not
used, the bracketed material is not included in the text of
your congregational constitution. If used, the brackets
themselves must be removed. |
|
Chapter 5 |
Are the required provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution with the exception of the selection of bracketed material in *C5.03(j) and the filling of the blank in *C5.04. | |
*C5.03(j) | The brackets indicate
alternatives and options.
|
|
*C5.04 | Is the blank filled in with “West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod”? | |
C5.05 |
If the provision is used, choice among the
bracketed materials needs to be made. The provision can
state, for example, "bylaws" or "continuing resolutions."
Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
Chapter 6 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered
exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution
with the exception of filling of blanks in *C6.01 and
*C6.04(d)? |
|
*C6.01 |
Is the blank filled in with “West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod"? Has the underscoring been removed? | |
*C6.04(d) |
Is the blank filled in with “West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod"? Has the underscoring been removed? | |
Chapter 7 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution with the exception of filling of blanks in provisions *C7.01, *C7.03, and *C7.05(b)? | |
*C7.01 |
Is the blank filled in with “West
Virginia-Western Maryland Synod"? |
|
*C7.03 |
Is the blank filled in with “West
Virginia-Western Maryland Synod"? |
|
*C7.05(b) |
Is the blank filled in with “West
Virginia-Western Maryland Synod"? |
|
Chapter 8 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution with the exception of selecting among the bracketed alternatives in *C8.02(d)? | |
*C8.02(d) |
Of the bracketed material, one and only one
must be selected. Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
Chapter 9 |
Are the required provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution with the exception of selecting among the bracketed alternatives in both *C9.01 and *C9.21 and the filling of the blank in *C9.03(b)(5)? | |
*C9.01 |
Of the bracketed, material one and only one must be selected. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
*C9.03(b)(5) |
Is the blank filled in with “West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod"? | |
*C9.21 |
Of the bracketed, material one and only one must be selected. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
C10.01 |
If this provision is used, the blank must be filled in with the name of the civil jurisdiction (state or commonwealth) in which the congregation is physically located unless the congregation is incorporated elsewhere. | |
C10.02 |
If this provision is used,
whether the bracketed "senior" is used should be determined.
The employment of "senior," when there is only one pastor,
is unnecessary. When there are more than one pastor under
call, not including "senior" empowers any pastor serving the
congregation under call to call a special congregation
meeting. In congregations where the pastor is the president of the congregation, "president" should be changed to "vice president." In either case, remove the footnote. With respect to "____[number][percent]," several options are available.
|
|
C10.03 |
If this provision is used,
it must be determined whether the bracketed material is
included. Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C10.04 |
If this provision is used, the blank must be filled in. Has the underscoring been removed? | |
C11.01(d) |
If this provision is used, it must be
determined whether the bracketed material is included. Have
the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C11.02 |
The recommended provision includes four major
alternatives, and within each, there are options provided in
bracketed material and sometimes blanks to be filled. If this provision is used, only one of the paragraphs may be selected. Select then among the bracketed material and fill in the blanks. Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C12.01 |
If this provision is used, whether to include
"the deacon(s)" must be decided. "… the officers of the this congregation" is not an option—the orphaned closing bracket is a typographical error. Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C12.02 |
If this provision is used, there is a choice
between two major alternatives. In both, a decision as to whether to include "the deacon(s)" must be made. The blanks must be filled. Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C12.05(a) |
If this provision is used, either "trustees" or "directors" must be selected. The blank must be filled with the name of the appropriate civil jurisdiction (i.e., state/commonwealth in which the congregation is physically located unless incorporated elsewhere). | |
C12.05(c) |
If this provision is used, the blank must be filled. | |
C12.05(d) |
If this provision is used, the blank must be filled. | |
C12.06 |
If this provision is used, the brackets allow
for the inclusion of the continuing resolutions. Whatever
selections are made, the provision should make grammatical
sense and be consistent provisions cross referenced. Have
the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C12.12 |
If this provision is used, whether the bracketed "senior" is used should be determined. The employment of "senior," when there is only one pastor, is unnecessary but does no harm. When there is more than one pastor under call, it must be determined whether the senior pastor's presence is the primary concern or whether any pastor's presence is sufficient. If the former, include "senior." If the later, the provision will require major rewriting; consult with the synod parliamentarian. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
C13.04 |
If this provision is used in a congregations where the pastor is the president of the congregation, "president" should be replaced with "vice president." In either case, remove the footnote. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
C13.05 |
If this provision is used, of the bracketed material one and only one must be selected. The selection must be consistent with *C9.01. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
C13.07 |
If this provision is used, of the bracketed material make an appropriate selection. Selecting both (i.e., "… specified in the bylaws and continuing resolutions …" is permissible and will not be considered a substantive change that would through this provision from recommended to local. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
C13.08 |
If this provision is used, whether the
bracketed "senior" is used should be determined. The
employment of "senior," when there is only one pastor, is
unnecessary but does no harm. When there are more than one
pastor under call, it must be determined whether only the
senior or all pastors under call shall be ex officio
members of said committees. If the pastor is the president of the congregation, "president" should be replaced with "vice president." In either case, remove the footnote. Have the brackets themselves been removed? |
|
C14.02 |
If this provision is used, whether codification of such authorization should be specified by continuing resolution needs to be determined. Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
Chapter 15 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution with the exception of the bracketed alternative in *C15.11? | |
*C15.11 |
If the pastor is the president of the congregation, "president" should be replaced with "vice president." Have the brackets themselves been removed? | |
Chapter 16 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution with the exception of the to be filled in *C16.01? | |
*C16.01 |
Has the blank been filled? |
|
Chapter 17 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered
exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? |
|
Chapter 18 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? | |
Chapter 19 |
Are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? | |
Chapter 20 |
If the congregation is in a parish, this provision must be included in the congregational constitution. If so, are the provisions in this chapter rendered exactly as they appear in the Model Constitution? |
Should those working on constitutional revision in your
congregation need assistance, do not hesitate to contact the bishop
or the synod
parliamentarian.