CHURCH COUNCIL

From the St. Paul By-Laws, dated February 22, 1998

Function

The Church Council, under authority received from the voting membership and on its behalf, shall administer the affairs of the congregation; review procedures, progress, and problems connected therewith; and give direction to its individual members and their commissions. It shall supervise all auxiliary organizations within the congregation, and propose and administer the budget. It shall serve as a planning and coordinating council for the congregation, inviting leaders of auxiliary organizations to meet with it at least once a year to plan and coordinate the church program and calendar of activities. At least once a year it shall publish a plan outlining the planned activities for the next twelve months, and shall also publish an annual report to inform the congregation of past accomplishments and future plans. It shall establish such guidelines and adopt such measures as it deems necessary for the proper conduct of its business and that of its members, commissions, boards and committees.

Election

The voting members of the congregation shall elect by ballot from among its male members, a president, vice president, and six elders, and from its male or female members a secretary, financial secretary, three trustees and six commission directors (Worship, Stewardship, Education, Evangelism, Fellowship and Property). The church Council shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Head Elder (elder #1), Head Trustee (trustee #1), six commission directors (Worship, Stewardship, Education, Evangelism, Fellowship and Property), and the Pastor ex-officio.

Members of the Church Council, elders, and trustees shall be elected for a term of two years. The President, Financial Secretary, Elders 1, 3 and 5, Trustee 2, Stewardship Commission Director, Christian Education Commission Director, and Property Commission Director shall be elected in odd-numbered calendar years. The Vice President, Secretary, Elders 2, 4 and 6, Trustees 1 and 3, Worship Commission Director, Evangelism Commission Director and Christian Fellowship Commission Director shall be elected in even numbered years. Once person shall not hold more than one elected position at the same time. All elected positions shall assume office on July 1 of the year of their election.

Meeting of the Church Council

Regular meetings of the church council shall be held in the second week of each month. Any voting member of the congregation may attend, but only council members have voting privileges. By notifying the President in advance, Commission Directors may assign a proxy vote to their co-director, and similarly the Head Elder and Head Trustee may assign a proxy vote to another elder or trustee, respectively. Special meetings may be called by the pastor, by the president, or by three council members upon written request to the president. Notice of the date, time, and purpose of a special meeting shall be made to each member of the church council at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting. Seven members of the church council (or their assigned proxy representative) shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of the members present at the meeting shall be required for any resolutions or legal acts on behalf of the congregation.