The Bylaws of
Lutheran Church of the Cross
Nisswa, Minnesota

Approved and ratified by the Congregation on January 29, 1995,
these Bylaws amend, by substitution in their entirety,
the Bylaws of Lutheran Church of the Cross
dated January 23, 1981

(Click here to see the LCC constitution)

Our Mission Statement

Created, redeemed, and sanctified by the Triune God, we are called to be a part of the Body of Christ. As sisters and brothers, we are to be a loving and caring fellowship of believers.

Led by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God's grace, we are commissioned to live and to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with each other and with all people.

Emphasizing the centrality of God's Word and Sacraments, we are to witness to God's love and His claim on our lives and to serve Him and His people by willingly sharing of our time, our gifts, and ourselves.

Section 1. Membership
(Reference: Chapter 8 of the Constitution)

A. Admission to Baptized Membership:

  1. Children, one or both of whose parents or guardians are members of this Congregation, shall, upon receiving Christian baptism, be thereby received as baptized members of this Congregation.
  1. Children, neither of whose parents or guardians are members of this Congregationshall, upon Christian baptism duly recorded as a ministerial act performed under theauspices of this Congregation, thereby be received as baptized members of this Congregation, unless there is understanding that, for good reason, they will be enrolled as baptized members of another Congregation, in which case notice of the baptism shall be given to the Congregation in which the child is to be enrolled as a baptized member.
  1. Children baptized in other congregations shall be received as baptized members of this Congregation upon admission of one or both parents or guardians to membership, or by consent of one or both parents or guardians, or by action of the Congregation Council.
  1. Unbaptized adults shall be received as baptized members of the Congregation upon:
    1. Completion of instruction and giving evidence of having adequate understanding and acceptance of the teachings of the Word of God as confessed by the Lutheran Church, and
    2. Confession of faith and the receiving of Christian baptism duly recorded as a ministerial act performed under the auspices of this Congregation.

B. Admission to Confirmed Membership:

  1. Baptized adults, not previously members of the Congregation, who have receivedinstruction and given evidence of having adequate understanding and acceptance of the teachings of the Word of God as confessed by the Lutheran Church shall be admitted to confirmed membership through the rite of confirmation.
  1. However, adults received as baptized members according to the provisions of Secton1.A.4 of these Bylaws, shall be recognized as confirmed members upon affirmation offaith acceptable to the pastor.
  1. Children who are baptized members of the Congregation shall be admitted toconfirmed membership through preparation for and participation in the rite ofconfirmation.
  1. Applicants for membership presenting letters of transfer showing them to be confirmed members in good standing in other Lutheran Churches, shall be admitted to confirmed membership upon acceptance of their letters of transfer.
  1. Applicants for membership who present evidence of confirmation in a Lutheran Church, but do not have letters of transfer shall be admitted to confirmed membership when they have reaffirmed their faith before the Congregation.

C. Admission to Voting Membership:

The Congregation Council shall be responsible for determining the voting membership in accordance with the qualifications specified in the Constitution and these Bylaws.

D. Discontinuance of Membership:

  1. The Congregation shall, in the event a member moves from the community it serves,encourage the member to request a transfer to a Lutheran congregation which can serve the member effectively. Should the member fail to request a transfer, a Lutheran congregation in the member's new community shall be notified.
  1. A confirmed member, in good standing, desiring to change membership to anotherLutheran congregation shall, upon request, receive a letter of transfer.
  1. A confirmed member who does not, for a period of one year, partake of Holy Communion, support the church with offerings, and does not appear to desire to participate in the life and worship of the Congregation shall be contacted by a pastor and/or a member designated by the president and encourage them to active< membership. If, during the second year, the confirmed member does not actively participate, the member's name shall be removed from the membership roster of theCongregation; but be retained on a responsibility list as one who is in special need ofthe congregation's prayer and concern.
  1. A child, neither of whose parents or guardians is a member of the Congregation, may be removed from the roster of baptized members if he/she fails to participate in thelife and worship of the Congregation after appropriate review by the Congregation Council.
  1. Members who have been excommunicated, dismissed, or who have resigned, and members who have transferred to other Lutheran congregations without obtaining a letter of transfer, shall thereby have lost membership in this Congregation and all rights appertaining thereto.

Section 2. Communion Participation
(Reference: Chapter 8 and 9 of the Constitution)

  1. Participation in Holy Communion shall be open to all baptized members of this and other Lutheran congregations and such other persons desiring to partake who have a view of the sacraments consistent with the teaching of the Word of God as confessed by the Lutheran Church.
  1. Worthy participation by a communicant requires sincere repentance, faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and an earnest desire to amend his or her sinful life, together with His body and blood in the sacrament. Registration forms or oral announcements shall be so devised as to make prospective participants aware of these requirements.
  1. Children may participate in the Lord's supper when have a desire to do so, they have been instructed in a basic understanding of what communion participation means, and have the consent of their parents.

Section 3. The Pastoral Call

(Reference: Chapter 6 and 9 of the Constitution)

  1. The Congregation, after it has voted to call a pastor by at least a two-thirds majority vote, shall issue a letter of call in a form approved by the Church, to the pastor elect, which shall bear the signature of the President and the Secretary of the Congregation.  Calls to additional pastors shall be issued in consultation with the Senior Pastor in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws.
  1. The call shall be for an indefinite time, except that calls for a limited time may be issued to pastors in accordance with C9.10 of the Constitution who are eligible for call.
  1. Since the pastor ministers to the Congregation primarily in the public preaching of the Word and in the administration of the Sacraments, and since both the pastor and the Congregation are parties to the call, no pastor shall announce a decision on any subsequent call without first having consulted with the Congregation or at least with the Congregation Council. Should the pastor thereupon resign to accept another call, the pastor's resignation shall be presented to the Congregation and mutually satisfactory arrangements sought for terminating the pastor's services, normally within 30 days.
  1. A desire for a change in pastorate, either by the Congregation or pastor, shall be brought to the attention of the Synod Bishop, who shall advise in the matter according to this Constitution (C9.05) and the established procedures of the ELCA.
  1. Every pastor serving this Congregation shall have an undivided loyalty to the faith and purpose of the Church according to Chapters 2 and 4 of the Constitution.  Any questions concerning such loyalty shall be adjudicated according to Chapter 9 of the Constitution.
  1. Clergy qualified according to Chapter 9 of the Constitution, who are not members of this Congregation, may occasionally perform pastoral functions in this Congregation with the approval of the Congregation Council and/or a resident pastor, or in case of a vacancy in the pastorate, with the approval of the Congregation Council.

Section 4. Congregation Meetings
(Reference Chapter 10 of the Constitution)

  1. Notification requirements for meetings concerning the purchase, disposition or encumbering of real property shall be consistent with Minnesota state laws.  The time and place of a congregational meeting shall be determined by the Congregation Council.
  1. The current roster of voting, confirmed, and baptized members shall be available for each meeting of the Congregation.
  1. The Annual Congregational Meeting shall begin in November for election of officers, Congregation Council members, other committee members as appropriate, and the Synod Delegates and then be adjourned until January for adoption of the annual budget and receiving the yearly reports.
  1. In the following cases, voting shall be by ballot:
    1. To elect a Congregation Council.
    2. To adopt or amend the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, or Bylaws of the Congregation.
    3. To call a pastor or to request a pastor's resignation.
    4. To excommunicate a member from the Congregation or to remove a member from office in the Congregation.
    5. To sever membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or its successor.
    6. To dispose of, encumber, or purchase real property.
    7. A written ballot may be requested by ten or more voting members present.
  1. No one shall be declared elected unless that person receives a majority of votes cast.
  1. If more than one ballot is required in an election, it shall be in order by proper motion to limit the balloting after the first ballot to the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes on the first ballot, and after the second ballot to limit the balloting to the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
  1. Any motion made at a special congregational meeting to increase an item within or add an item to the congregation's budget in an amount exceeding three percent (3%) of the congregation's total budget for that year must be passed by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority of members voting at the special meeting.

Section 5. Congregation Officers
(Reference Chapters 11, 12 & 13 of the Constitution)

A. Elections

  1. The officers shall be elected annually. The terms of officers, council members and members of boards and committees shall begin at the close of the annual meeting in January, or at the Congregation Council meeting at which they are appointed as the case may be, and shall continue until their successor is elected or appointed.
  1. Newly elected officers and council members shall meet with the outgoing Council at the January Congregation Council meeting to assure themselves that the proposed budget is acceptable to them before it is presented to the Congregation at the January Congregation meeting.
  1. If a vacancy occurs in any office of the Congregation, or on the Congregation Council, or on any Congregation board or committee, the Congregation Council shall elect, by majority vote, a successor until the next annual meeting.

B. Duties of Officers:

  1. The President of the Congregation shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation, the Executive Committee, and the Congregation Council. The President shall assure, to the best of his/her ability, that the Constitution and Bylaws of the Congregation are complied with and shall carry out the expressed will of the Congregation and of the Congregation Council in all matters.
The President shall have general supervision over the officers of the Congregation. The President shall perform such other duties as are incidental to the office. The President shall assure that all bonds, mortgages, and other contracts of the Congregation are executed in accordance with the direction provided by the Congregation and/or the Congregation Council as specified in the Constitution.
  1. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall be available for whatever other duties the President shall assign.
  1. The Secretary shall issue notice of Congregation and Congregation Council meetings, have a roster of voting, confirmed and baptized members for Congregation meetings, keep permanent minutes, and have charge of all corporate books, records and papers. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions recorded and up to date. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining files of all official correspondence and perform all other duties as are incidental to the office as requested and approved by the President and/or the Congregation Council.
  1. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all moneys and securities of the Congregation. The Treasurer shall be bonded by the Congregation in accordance with existing fiduciary practice. The Treasurer shall keep regular books of account, and shall submit them with all vouchers, receipts, records and other papers to the Congregation Council and to the Audit Committee for their examination and approval as often as they may require. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties as are incidental to the office as requested and approved by the President and/or the Congregation Council.

Section 6. Congregational Council
(Reference Chapter 12 of Constitution)

  1. The Congregation Council shall be responsible for overseeing the congregation's work between Congregation meetings. It shall receive regular reports from all the Council and Congregation Committees in order to review their work in accordance with paragraph C12.10 of the Constitution.
  1. Regular meetings of the Congregation Council shall normally be held the second Thursday of each month. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Senior Pastor or may be called at the request of at least one-half of its members. In the absence of the Senior Pastor, a special meeting may be called by the Associate Pastor who is a member of the Congregation Council. Notice of each meeting shall be given to all who are entitled to be present.
  1. The Congregation Council shall see that the provisions of the Constitution, these Bylaws, and the Continuing Resolutions are carried out.
  1. The Congregation Council shall provide for an annual review of the membership roster.

Section 7.  Council Committees

(Reference C12.10 and C12.11 of the Constitution)

  1. Regular meetings of the committees shall be held as established by a Continuing Resolution.
  1. Committee members are selected from the Congregation by the Committee chairperson, based on their expression of interest in the Committee's activities. 
  1. A member of a committee who is absent from two consecutive meetings shall be consulted by the chairperson.  If a member is absent from four consecutive meetings without valid excuse, the chairperson may declare the position vacant.
  1. The following Council Committees shall be established for purposes of carrying out congregational functions:
    1. The Worship and Music Committee
    2. The Congregational Life Committee
    3. The Finance Committee
    4. The Property Committee
    5. The Christian Education Committee
    6. The Outreach Committee
    7. The Youth Committee
  1. The Council committees shall have the duties and responsibilities set forth below:
    1. The Worship and Music Committee shall organize itself, forming sub-committees where necessary, so that the following areas of ministry can be effectively carried out:
      Organist(s)
      Choirs
      Ushers
      Communion Assistants
      Scripture Readers 		Greeters
Banners
Altar Guild
Special Music
Acolytes

The Worship and Music Committee is responsible for preparing the portion of the congregational budget which relates to their responsibility.

    1. The Christian Education Committee has the responsibility for planning and supervising all educational programs of the congregation. This includes the Cradle Roll, Nursery, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation and adult educational opportunities. This committee shall oversee the operation of the Church Library. This committee shall work in coordination with the Youth Committee.
The Christian Education Committee is responsible for preparing the portion of the congregational budget which relates to their responsibility.
    1. The Congregational Life Committee has the responsibility for the nurture and growth of the congregation's members. They will provide and care for the well-being of each person as they reach out to minister in Christ's name. Included are the following areas of responsibility:
      New Member welcome and assimilation
      Shepherding
      Auxiliaries (WELCA, Fifty Plus, etc.)
      Funerals
      Coffee hour
 Lay visitation
Special events and celebrations
Fellowship groups
Weddings

The Congregational Life Committee is responsible for preparing the portion of the congregational budget which relates to their responsibility.

    1. The Finance Committee, chaired by the Treasurer, shall manage the financial affairs of the Congregation, including the collection, deposit, and disbursement of funds following accepted accounting practices. They shall keep the Council informed of the congregation's current financial condition and make appropriate recommendations, maintain sound debt management, develop purchasing policies, appoint money counters, review insurance coverage annually, evaluate special offerings and appeals, prepare an annual budget, provide for a review of the financial records annually with a report being made to the council and congregation, plan and evaluate offering envelopes and develop an annual stewardship program.

            Sub-committees:
                  Stewardship
                  Special Gifts

    1. The Outreach Committee has two primary areas of responsibility that reach out to people beyond our congregation. One is evangelism and the other is social ministry.
The Evangelism Sub-committee is responsible for the development of a program of evangelism. This program shall promote spiritual life and growth of the congregation and shall be designed to reach those outside the church membership. The Church and Society Sub-committee is responsible for calling to the attention of the congregation the issues of peace and justice and strive to meet the needs of the poor, powerless, and oppressed among neighbors near and far.

The Outreach Committee is responsible for preparing the benevolence portion of the congregational budget.

    1. The Property Committee shall be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all grounds, buildings, and other equipment and properties owned by the congregation, maintain an inventory of property, make periodic inspections of buildings and grounds and report recommendations to the council for appropriate action, make recommendations for long-range improvements and additions which may be needed, recruit volunteers for special projects, workdays, etc.
The Property Committee is responsible for preparing the portion of the congregational budget which relates to their responsibility.
    1. The Youth Committee shall supervise programs that minister to youth, including worship, service, and fellowship. This shall include securing adult sponsors to help carry out this ministry. This committee shall work in coordination with the Christian Education Committee.
The Youth Committee is responsible for preparing the portion of the congregational budget which relates to their responsibility.

Section 8. Congregation Committees
(Reference Paragraph C13.02 of the Constitution)

A. Nominating Committee (Reference Paragraph C13.02 of the Constitution)

  1. A Nominating Committee of three voting members of this Congregation shall be elected at the annual meeting for a term of one year. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for consecutive re-election.
  1. The Nominating Committee shall nominate one or more candidates for each office to be filled and shall secure the consent of each candidate to serve if elected.
  1. The candidates chosen by the Nominating Committee shall be made known to the Congregation in conjunction with the announcement of the meeting at which the election is to take place.
  1. In addition to the candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee, additional nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee.
  1. A vacancy in the membership of the Nominating Committee shall be filled by the Congregation Council.

Section 9. Reports of Organizations
(Reference Chapter 14 of the Constitution)

All committees, boards and organizations handling funds within the Congregation shall make an annual financial report to the Congregation.

Section 10. Congregation Records
(Reference Paragraphs C9.11 and C9.12 of the Constitution)

The parochial records of the Congregation shall be and remain the property of the Congregation. The pastor shall be responsible for the maintenance of the parochial records specified in Chapter C9.11 in the Constitution, except as otherwise specified herein. Upon termination of service to the Congregation, the pastor shall have brought the records up to date prior to departure. The records shall consist of:

  1. The roster of voting and associate members.
  1. The ministerial acts performed by the pastor.
  1. The minutes of the meetings of the Congregation and the Congregation Council for which the Secretary is responsible.
  1. The financial records of the Congregation, for which the Treasurer of the Congregation shall be responsible.