Governing Structure
Constitution and By-Laws of Trinity-St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Voters' Assembly
The Voters' Assembly is the highest authority within the Congregation. The Voters select the officers to govern the Congregation. All major policy decisions are to be submitted to the Voters for final resolution for and on behalf of the entire Congregation. All matters Scriptural and secular, delegated or undelegated, shall be subject to final review by the Voters in any meeting.
Article V - Voting Membership
Article A - The Voters Meeting
President
Don Meyer, Jr. was elected President of the Congregation in December of 2005. He was elected to a second term in December of 2006.
- The President of the Congregation shall:
- preside at all meetings of the Church Council and Voters
- prepare and submit an agenda for each meeting of the Church Council and Voters
- conduct all meetings in a Christian and brotherly manner
- supervise the execution of this Constitution and its By-Laws and all resolutions of the Voters
- be familiar with this Constitution and its By-Laws, the basic doctrines of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and Robert's Rules of Order
- subject to ratification by the Church Council and/or Voters, appoint Committees as outlined in Article VII, Section C (1)(a) thru (e)
- be ex officio a member of all Boards and Committees
- provide a Constitution and By-Laws of Trinity-St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church to every newly elected officer, Board and Committee member
- To be eligible for nomination to the Office of President, a candidate must:
- have been a male Voter at least two years
- be at least twenty-five years
Vice-President
Art Hope was elected Vice-President of the Congregation in December of 200x.
- The Vice-President of the Congregation shall:
- assume all the duties of the President in case of vacancy, absence or temporary inability of the President to serve
- serve ex officio as a member of all Committees. A member ex officio has all the rights and privileges, but none of the obligations, of a member of the Committee. He can make motions, enter into discussion and vote
- To be eligible for nomination for the office of Vice-President a candidate must:
- have been a male Voter at least two years
- be at least twenty-five years of age
Secretary
Margaret Mills was elected Secretary of the Congregation in December of 200x.
- The duties of the Secretary shall be to:
- prepare an accurate record of the proceedings of the Voters and Church Council meetings
- carry on such correspondence as the Voters or Church Council direct
- inform the Congregational membership on non privy proceedings taken place during Church Council and Voters meetings via a Church publication
- serve as Secretary of the Budget Committee and Nominating Committee
- safeguard the records and official papers of the Congregation
- issue such reports and notices to the Voters as the By-Laws may elsewhere specify
- To be eligible for nomination to the office of Secretary, the nominee must have been a Voter for at least two years.
Treasurer
Marcia Colberg was elected Treasurer of the Congregation in December of 200x.
- The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds entrusted to his care by the Congregation. He shall:
- Maintain a set of permanent and accurate records of receipts and disbursements
- Pay all bills and salaries for which the Congregation is responsible
- Submit his financial records for review by the Auditing Committee
- Submit to a fidelity bond
- Report to the Voters' Assembly, after the close of the books on December 31, the financial transactions of the year and compare them with budget items as adopted by the Voters
- At each regular meeting of the Voters make a summary report on receipts and expenditures in comparison with the budget
- Give information and counsel about financial matters when so requested
- Together with a member of the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer shall be empowered to borrow money upon the credit of the Congregation when properly authorized by the Church Council
- Together with the Board of Trustees, have custody of the safety deposit box and keep an inventory of the same
- Be responsible for the training of a successor in the details and functions of the office of Treasurer
- To be eligible for nomination to the office of Treasurer, a candidate must have been a Voter for at least two years.
Recording Financial Secretary
Rich Farver, Jr. was elected Recording Financial Secretary of the Congregation in December of 200x.
The Recording Financial Secretary shall maintain permanent and accurate records of receipts of contributions by the members, and shall provide to the members of the Congregation such reports as the Board deem necessary (e.g., monthly or quarterly reports of individual contributions, etc.).
The Recording Financial Secretary shall assist the Treasurer and Financial Secretary in all matters of finance for the Congregation.
Qualifications:
To be eligible for nomination for the office of Recording Financial Secretary, a candidate must have been a Voter for two years.
Church Council
The Church Council shall:
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Receive and evaluate all reports, requests and proposals as presented by the various Boards, Committees or individual members of the Church. Recommit to the appropriate source for further study any item on which final and equitable decision is not advisable or not possible
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Act in an advisory manner on any matter brought before them on which they do not have final authority to act and on this basis prepare the agenda and make recommendations to the Voters' Assembly
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Have the responsibility to see to it that all Voters' Assemblies, elections, and all business matters in general are properly conducted according to the Constitution and By-Laws of this Congregation and the laws of the State so that all resolutions have legality
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Observe the financial condition of the Congregation to see that receipts and expenditures are in reasonable agreement with the budget and when conditions deem it necessary, call the matter to the attention of the appropriate Board(s)
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In Christian charity, formulate the policies of the Congregation in regard to the use of its property
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Don Meyer, Jr. |
Rev. Theodore E. Voll |
Art Hope |
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Marcia Colberg |
Vacant |
Rich Farver |
Margaret Mills |
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Jerry Caspers |
Ken Gollin |
Amy DeFrain |
Mike Massey |
Board of Elders
The duties of the Board of Elders
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Together with the Pastor, direct the spiritual care of the Congregation, and all matters which pertain to the Christian worship of the Congregation
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To visit and admonish those who have become lax in church attendance or in the use of the Sacraments. They are to coordinate their efforts with the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism to promote a sense of duty, discipleship and stewardship in the members of the Congregation
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Direct and supervise the visitation of newly received members and make every effort to being them into the life and work of the Congregation
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To preserve good order during the public worship service. To this end, they shall appoint the necessary Committees such as ushers, greeters and such other Committees as may be necessary to attend to the externals of the public service: seating, safety, offerings, order, operation of the sound equipment, welcoming of guests, parking and the like
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Together with the Pastor, they shall review all applications for membership in the Congregation
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To submit a list of candidates for consideration by the Voters in the calling of a Pastor
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To take the initial steps to correct the situation, should it happen that a Pastor, teacher, or other officer of the Congregation gives public offense in doctrine or life
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To submit an estimate of the financial requirements within their area of concern to the Budget Committee
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On an annual basis, provide for a formal evaluation of the Pastor
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Dale Hecht |
Jerry Caspers |
Rick Houghtaling |
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Paul Caspers |
Paul Gakstatter |
Jim Dockery |
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Dave Bachman |
Keith Meyer |
Jim Kleinert |
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Ray Caspers |
Paul Mills |
Jeff Meyer |
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Tom Hitsman |
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Board of Stewardship, Missions and Evangelism
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Kathy Haske |
Amy DeFrain |
Brenda Wilson |
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Diane Bishop |
Susan Streeter |
Darlean Meyer |
Board of Trustees
The responsibilities of the Board of Trustees shall be:
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To provide for the maintenance of all property of the Congregation
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To maintain an accurate record of the properties of the Congregation regarding ownership, description, value, adequacy and general condition
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To submit to the Budget Committee an itemized estimate of the needs of their Board
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To carry out the repairs, replacements, purchases, improvements and disposals as directed by the Voters and/or Church Council and take care of emergency items as deemed necessary at the discretion of the Board
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To share responsibility with the Treasurer for the custody of the safety deposit box and the keeping of an accurate inventory of its contents
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To administer the application of designated funds budgeted by the Voters for the use of this Board
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To receive from Congregational Boards, groups and societies, various recommendations regarding additions and improvements to physical properties and to approve within the limits of their budget if found advisable
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When authorized by the Church Council, and the Treasurer of the Congregation as co-signer, the Board of Trustees may borrow money on behalf of the Congregation
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To supervise the janitorial service of the Church and other congregational properties
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To provide an adequate insurance program for all properties of the Congregation
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Have authority to hire, supervise and discharge all personnel required by the Congregation other than those directly involved in the ministry of the Word (Pastor, Vicar, Teacher and Director of Christian Education)
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To make contracts, accept and receive grants and bequests, sign documents and other legal activities on behalf of the Congregation
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Vern Hopp |
Ken Gollin |
Ed Haske |
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Mike Greania |
Don Hopp |
Duane Ackerman |
Board of Christian Education
The responsibilities of the Board of Christian Education shall be:
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To foster and promote an educational program based upon the Bible which provides Christian growth for young and old
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To encourage, maintain, staff and supervise the Christian educational agencies such as the Christian Day School , Sunday School, Vacation Bible School , Bible Classes, etc.
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Encourage the officers and leaders of all societies of the Congregation to increase the effectiveness of their organization as an agency of Christian education
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See to it that an adequate program of youth organization contributes to the spiritual edification of the participants, and that every effort be made to enroll all the young people in the Congregation in the church's youth program
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Promote and supervise other educational agencies within the parish which would enlarge the opportunities of the Congregation in the field of Christian mission and education
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The members of the teaching staff of the Sunday School shall be approved by the Board of Christian Education upon the recommendation of the Pastor and the Superintendent
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To recommend adequate facilities and equipment to carry out a sound and effective educational program
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To submit an estimate to the Budget Committee of the needs for the administration of the education program
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To supervise the administration of all funds in conjunction with Christian education, both those budgeted by the Congregation and those generated by outside sources
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To adequately staff the school with teachers and a principal to be approved and called by the Voters
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To concern itself with the physical welfare of the teachers and to make recommendation to the Voters concerning this area
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To review annually the schedule of tuition charges and provide for their collection
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On an annual basis, provide for a formal evaluation of the Principal and teachers (Sunday and Day School)
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Peggy Caspers |
Mike Massey |
Gretta VanPetten |
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Andrew Voll |
Kurt Streeter |
Aaron Baylis |
2007 Leadership Retreat
Board of Elders Goals
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Expand on list of Church members assigned to Elders
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Concern for new members who become inactive
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Explore Christian guest speakers that Elders can sponsor
Board of Christian Education Goals
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Encourage Preschool Christian teachings with more advertising (free)
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Sunday School: Help in recruiting teachers; staff appreciation; Christmas bags
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Encourage students toward good attendance and rewards for them
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VBS: Encourage volunteers
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Bible Studies: Review materials; recruit teachers
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Couples/Fun Night
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More emphasis on Youth; encourage Kari
Board of Stewardship, Missions and Evangelism Goals
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Continue Kids' Fun Days, Carnival; Caring Tree; Thanksgiving Baskets; Dinners as fundraisers for parking lot, Faith Chests, Christian Caring Friends
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Faith Chest follow-up visits
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Spring Stewardship Drive for commitments to building fund
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Concert during Potato Festival
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Evangelism Visits
Board of Trustees Goals
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Belltower repair
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Buttress repair
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Add dumpster enclosure
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Continue research on sound system
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Take bids on repainting Church interior
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Research parking lot and secure bids
Church Council Goals
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Involve more people in the Voters' Assembly
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Work and support other boards
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Support ministries of Youth, Pastor
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Support continued stewardship drive of time, talents, treasures
