CONSTITUTION OF THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Neosho, Missouri     June, 2008

We, the members of the First Christian Church, a 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, PURPOSE AND MISSION

A.   Section A.  Name

      The name of this organization shall be First Christian Church, of Neosho, which is incorporated as

      Christ Church at Neosho, Missouri, affiliated with the Brotherhood known as the Disciples of Christ and

      committed to the historical principles of this body whose local congregations are variously known as

      Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, or Disciples of Christ.

B.   Section B.  Purpose

      The purpose of this church shall be as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus  

      Christ and commit them actively to the Church, to help them grow in grace and knowledge of Christ that

      increasingly they may know and do His will, and to work for the unity of all Christians and with them

      engage in the common task of building the Kingdom of God.

C.   Section C.  Mission Statement

      God calls us to be His people – to be accepting of and compassionate to all, and to reach out as followers

      to Jesus Christ to those in need in our community and in the world. God calls us to grow in our spirituality,

      in our relationships with one another, and our respect for all of God’s creation.

ARTICLE II.  MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Church shall consist of those who are now identified as members of the congregation

and those who shall unite with it by Confession of Faith in Jesus Christ and baptism  by immersion or transfer of membership. Voting privileges shall be accorded to all members who have shown an active interest through a recent continuity of attendance, service or giving.

ARTICLE III.  GENERAL BOARD

A.   Section A.  Composition and Duties

      1.   The General Board shall consist of

            a.   The elected members of the Church and its officers.

            b.   The elected President or Chairman of any auxiliary organization (CWF, CMF, CYF, Youth   

                  Deacons, etc.

            c.   The Chairmen of all Functional Departments and all Standing Committees.

      2.   The General Board shall annually organize and elect such officers as it deems necessary to effectively 

            carry out the programs of the Church.

      3.   It shall be the duty of the General Board

            a.   To consider and recommend general policies to the congregation.

            b.   To transact the business of the Church.

            c.   To administer the program of the Church through the designated functional committees.

            d.   To perform its duties according to the authority granted by this Constitution or as given by the

                  Church.  

            e.   To keep the congregation regularly informed of the activities of the Board and its officers.

B.   Section B.  Elected Board Members

      1.   The following members of the General Board shall be elected by the congregation at the annual

            Church business meeting:

            a.   Elders

            b.   Diaconate

            c.   Trustees

            d.   Elders Emeritus, Diaconate Emeritus

      2.   Elders

            a.   Terms of office. There shall be a total of fifteen (15) Elders, with five to be elected each year

                  beginning in 1995. Each Elder shall hold office for a term of three years and until his successor is

                  elected or appointed. Elders holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall continue the term to

                  which elected or until their resignation, or removal or failure to serve for other reasons.

            b.   Duties. The Elders, in cooperation with the functional committees, shall promote the growth and

                  welfare of the Church, give spiritual oversight to the members with respect to regular attendance at

                  the Lord’s Supper, visitation of the sick and concern for the morally delinquent and spiritually

                  indifferent; give thoughtful consideration to the policies of the Church that will enable it to fulfill its

                  complete mission; encourage by example and word and missionary, evangelistic, education and

                  stewardship responsibilities of the church; to serve at the Lord’s Table; and perform such other 

                 duties as may be assigned.

**** 3.  Diaconate

            a.   Number and term. The Diaconate shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four Deacons with at least

                  six to be elected each year, beginning in 2008. Each Deacon shall hold office for a term of four

                  years and until their successor is elected or appointed. Deacons and Deaconesses holding office at

                  the time of adoption hereof shall automatically be considered a member of the Diaconate and shall          

                  continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, removal or failure to serve for other  

                  reasons.

            b.   Duties. The Diaconate, in cooperation with functional committees, shall cooperate with Elders in

                  promoting the growth and welfare of the Church; assist in the greeting and ushering of the

                  worshippers, distribute the Lord’s Supper and receive the offering; assist in financial canvasses,

                  visitation projects and preparation of the candidates for Baptism; give counsel and service in the

                  business affairs and program activities of the Church; take responsibility for time of sickness and

                  bereavement; and perform such other duties as may be assigned.

      4.   Trustees

            a.   Number and term. There shall be a total of seven Trustees with three to be elected in 1982 and

                  each even numbered year thereafter and four to be elected in 1983 and each odd numbered year

                  thereafter. Each Trustee shall hold office for a term of two years and until his or her successor is

                  elected or appointed. Trustees holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall continue the term

                  to which elected or until their resignation, removal or failure to serve for other reasons.

            b.   Duties. The Trustees shall act as the legal agents of the Church in all matters under the direction of

                  the General Board and subject to the approval of the Church; hold legal title to the Church property

                  and handle all business transactions related thereto; all and to perform such other duties as may be

                  assigned.

      5.   Elder Emeritus and Deaconate Emeritus

            a.   Number and term. There is no set number of such officers and no set number, if any, are to be

                  elected in any year. Once elected the person may retain the office in this congregation for life.

            b.   Qualifications. Being elected in any such capacity is not predicated on service in such a position

                  during prior years, but is strictly dependent upon having been faithful in whatever task the person

                  may have been called upon to perform.                                                                                       

            c.   Duties. All such positions are honorary and continued service is discretionary.

                                                                                                                                                                        2.

     * 6.   Qualifications of Officers

              Every officer shall be a member of this congregation. After serving a full term of office, the Elder or

              Deacon shall be ineligible for that office for one year unless other elibibles are unavailable.           

C.   Section C.  Vacancies

      Vacancies in any office of the Church shall be fulfilled until the next Church election by nomination of the

      Chairman of the General Board in consultation with the Minister and elected by the General Board. A

       vacancy shall be deemed to exist when a member resigns, fails to serve or is for any reason unable to

       serve.

ARTICLE IV.  MINISTER

The Minister(s) shall perform the duties which usually pertain to the Church, and as spiritual administrator of the Church, shall be an ex officio member of all organized groups, auxiliaries and committees.

ARTICLE V.  MEETINGS

A.   Section A.  Meetings to Be Held. The Church shall hold

      1.   An annual business meeting within the month of May.

      2.   Special business meetings as required, such meetings to be called by the Chairman or Vice-                     

            Chairman or upon the request of the General Board or upon written petition of ten or more members of

            the Church.

B.   Section B.  Notice

      Notice of all regular or special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at regular Sunday

      services at least one week in advance of the meeting. An appropriate reason for all special meetings must   

      be stated at the time the meeting is announced.

C.   Section C.  Rules of Order

      All business meetings of the congregation shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order in all instances

      where applicable  and not directly in conflict with this Constitution.

ARTICLE VI.  AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended at any business meeting of the Church by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting on the amendment. Written notice of the proposed amendment must be read at two regular Sunday services, or published in the two Church newsletters which are published immediately before the vote is taken.

  * Amended:  5/22/1988 and May 2008

 ** Amended:  9/04/1994

             *** Amended:  5/21/2000

            **** Amended: 2005, 2006 (one year experiment) and 2008

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