BY-LAWS
FRIENDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
College Station, Texas
Adopted 6/23/99, Amended 6/27/2004, 9/21/08
ARTICLE I. OBLIGATION TO UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SECTION A. WIDER CHURCH
The Congregation shall regularly contribute toward the work and mission of the United Church of
Christ, the South Central Conference, and the Brazos Association.
SECTION B. DELEGATES TO WIDER CHURCH
The appropriate number of delegates and alternates from this Congregation, as indicated by the
Constitution and the by-laws of the South Central Conference and the Brazos Association, shall
be appointed by the Steering Ministry.
ARTICLE II. MEETINGS
SECTION A. CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
A Congregational Meeting to elect officers and receive the Annual Report will be held prior to
July 1, the start of the Church year. (The Church year runs July 1 – June 30. The fiscal year
coincides with the calendar year of January 1 – December 31.)
SECTION B. NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Notice of the Congregational meetings, including their purpose, will be given in writing at least
two weeks in advance and will be announced during worship services preceding the meeting.
SECTION C SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
A Special meeting of the Congregation may be called at any time by the Steering Ministry or by
ten (10) members of the Congregation by petition to the Moderator. The meeting will be held
within three weeks of the presentation of the petition to the Moderator. No other business will be
transacted except that for which the meeting was called.
SECTION D. VOTING PRIVILEGE
Members of the Church present at a meeting will be entitled to vote. Absentee balloting may be
available at the discretion of the Steering Ministry.
SECTION E. OPEN MEETINGS
Any Church member may attend any Church meeting (excluding Pastoral Relations, and in
discussions of personnel issues) in a non-voting capacity and may participate in any and all
discussions.
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ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS
SECTION A. SCHEDULE FOR ELECTIONS
At a Congregational Meeting, the Church membership will elect officers. The following
schedule will be followed:
Even Years Odd Years
Congregational Representative Moderator
Deputy Moderator Trustees Vice Moderator
Treasurer Deputy Moderator Programs
Stewardship Chair Secretary
Personnel Chair Congregational Representative
Youth Representative Trustees Property Chair
Youth Representative Programs Financial Secretary
Worship Chair Spiritual Growth Chair
Evangelism Chair Youth Representative Programs
Nurture Chair Youth Representative Trustees
Justice & Mission Chair Christian Education Chair
Pastoral Relations Rep. Fellowship Chair
Pastoral Relations Rep.
(See Structural Diagram on Page 7)
ARTICLE B. TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office for all elected officers will be two (2) years and will begin on July 1
following their election, excepting Youth Representatives who serve for one (1) year terms. No
person will be elected to any one position for more than two (2) consecutive years.
ARTICLE C. LIMITATIONS OF SERVICE
No member of the Church will hold more than one elected position at a time, with the exception
of members of the Pastoral Relations Ministry Team.
ARTICLE IV. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
ARTICLE A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this committee is to present a slate of candidates to the church membership at a
Congregational Meeting.
ARTICLE B. MEMBERSHIP
Nominating Committee will consist of the out-going Congregational Representative, who
convenes and chairs the Nominating Committee, and two other members appointed by the
Steering Ministry (who are not currently on Steering), and the Pastor as an ex-officio member.
ARTICLE V. STEERING MINISTRY
SECTION A. QUORUM
A quorum will consist of five (5) VOTING members.
SECTION B. CREATION OF AD HOC GROUPS
The Steering Ministry will have the authority to create any ad-hoc group for the purpose of
examining special issues of concern and taking action in accordance.
SECTION C. VACANCIES IN POSITIONS
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The Steering Ministry will fill any vacancies that may occur in the offices of the Church for the
remaining term.
SECTION D. OPEN MEETINGS
The Steering Ministry may not hold closed meetings for any purpose, except in the case of
sensitive personnel issues.
SECTION E. DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF STEERING
1. The Moderator will set the agendas and preside at meetings of the Steering
Ministry and all Congregational Meetings.
2. The Vice Moderator will assist the Moderator as necessary and will be
Moderator Elect for the term immediately following.
3. The Deputy Moderator of the Board of Trustees will (1) act as Chairperson of
that Board (2) serve as a liaison to the Steering Ministry from the Board of Trustees, and (3)
work with Stewardship Ministry Chair in proposing the annual Statement of Faith and Missions
(budget).
4. The Deputy Moderator of the Programs Ministry will (1) act as Chairperson
of the Programs Ministry Team, (2) serve as a liaison to the Steering Ministry from the Programs
Ministry, and (3) be responsible for ensuring leadership for major whole-church activities.
5. The Steering Ministry Secretary will announce dates of Steering and
Congreational Meetings, will keep an accurate record of the meetings of the Steering
Ministry and all Congregational Meetings of the church, and make minutes available to
the Congregation.
6. The Treasurer will be responsible for (1) the disbursement of all funds as
authorized in the Statement of Faith and Missions (budget), by the Board of Trustees or by the
Steering Ministry,(2) keeping accurate records and submitting a written report to the Steering
Ministry at each monthly meeting, (3) maintaining monthly/quarterly/yearly payroll records, (4)
providing W-2s to church and church related employees, (5) maintaining all financial records for
IRS/Social Security according to applicable federal and state laws, and (6) coordinate with the
Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and other Ministry Chairs to propose a Statement of Faith and
Mission (budget) to be presented to the Board of Trustees,.
7. The Congregational Representatives will serve as a voice for members of the
Congregation for all deliberations of the Steering Ministry. The Congregational Representative
whose term is ending that year, will convene and chair the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION A. RELATIONSHIP TO STEERING
The Board of Trustees reports to the Steering Ministry. The Board of Trustees will seek the
counsel of the Steering Ministry for questions or concerns about established policy.
SECTION B. QUORUM
A quorum will consist of three (3) members of the Board of Trustees.
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SECTION C. DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
1. All individual Board of Trustees Ministries will report to and seek the counsel
of the Steering Ministry for questions or concerns about established policy.
2. The Stewardship Ministry Chair will: (1) coordinate the annual stewardship
program, (2) coordinate the Wider Church Offerings, and (3). assist the Treasurer with a proposed
Statement of Faith and Mission (budget) to be presented to the Board of Trustees
3. The Financial Secretary will: (1) monitor deposits of all monies,
contributions, and payments to the Church, (2) provide weekly bank receipts of deposits with
breakdowns to the Treasurer, (3) reconcile the Church's financial records on a monthly basis, (4)
confidentially keep records of pledges, and (5) provide quarterly reports of giving to members
and friends of the Congregation.
4. The Property Ministry will be responsible for the maintenance and operation
of any and all facilities and properties of the Church.
5. The Personnel Ministry will: (1) make hiring recommendations to Steering for
positions authorized by Steering (e.g. custodian, staff assistant, child care worker, and choir
director, and pianists), (2) develop and maintain job descriptions for all non-pastoral positions,
(3) staff the nursery, (4) evaluate job performance on an annual basis, (5) make wage/salary
recommendations annually to the Stewardship Ministry Chair for consideration in the Statement
of Faith and Missions, and (5) verify compliance with the UCC anti-harassment policy, including
obtaining background checks.
6. The Youth Representative will provide a youth perspective to all deliberations
of the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII. PROGRAMS MINISTRY
SECTION A. RELATIONSHIP TO STEERING
The Programs Ministry reports to the Steering Ministry. The Programs Ministry will seek the
counsel of the Steering Ministry for questions or concerns about established policy.
SECTION B. QUORUM
A quorum will consist of at least five (5) voting members of the Programs Ministry.
SECTION C. DUTIES OF MINISTRIES
1. All individual Programs Ministries will report to and seek the counsel of the
Programs Ministry for questions or concerns about established policy.
2. The Christian Education Ministry will: (1) oversee educational programs such
as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Nursery, Youth Group, and other programs as they are
developed, (2) recruit and train leaders for these programs, and (3) obtain any necessary materials
and supplies for Christian Education.
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3 The Evangelism Ministry will lead and equip the Congregation in reaching out
to visitors and the community to share in the life of the Church. The Evangelism Ministry will be
responsible for community visibility of the Church.
4. The Nurture Ministry will assist and coordinate the care and nurture of
Church members and friends of the Congregation.
5. The Fellowship Ministry will lead, develop, and promote the fellowship life
of the Congregation.
6. The Worship Ministry will cooperate with the Pastor in developing worship
services for the Congregation. The Worship Ministry will co-ordinate with the Personnel
Ministry Chair in staffing Choir Director position. The Choir Director will be an ex-officio
member of the Worship Ministry.
7. The Spiritual Growth Ministry will assist and co-ordinate spiritual growth
opportunities such as small groups, activities, and literature.
8. The Justice and Missions Ministry will extend the work of the Church to the
community and the world through education on social justice issues and service projects and
offerings.
9. The Youth Representative will provide a youth perspective to all deliberations
of the Programs Ministry.
ARTICLE VIII. OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE CHURCH
SECTION A. RELATIONSHIPS TO THE CHURCH
The Church may enter into relationships with outside programs or organizations. These
organizations are fiscally accountable through Steering. They will have on file a Statement of
Purpose and will report at least annually to Steering. They cannot encumber debt in the name of
Friends Congregational Church. If the programs or organizations dissolve, they are responsible
for resolving any outstanding debts with the Church. Outstanding assets will be dispersed
through agreement with the entitites’s officers and the Steering Ministry.
ARTICLE IX. PASTORAL RELATIONS MINISTRY
SECTION A. COMPOSITION AND TERM OF OFFICE
The Pastoral Relations Ministry will consist of four members. Two will be appointed by
Steering and two elected by the Congregation. The term of office is two (2) years with one
appointed and one elected member taking office each year. Meetings are closed due to the
sensitive nature of information discussed.
SECTION B. DUTIES
The Pastoral Relations Ministry team will serve as an advocate of the ministry and as a
confidant of the Pastor so as to anticipate and resolve problems that might arise as well as work
with the Pastor to permit that individual to grow and mature with the Congregation. Finally, the
ministry team will seek to work with the Pastor in helping that person develop goals for the
pastoral ministry and growth and development of the Church.
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SECTION C. ANNUAL EVALUATION OF PASTOR
The Pastoral Relations Ministry team will evaluate the Pastor annually-- celebrating successes
and setting goals for the coming year. They will make a salary recommendation (based on
guidelines from the United Church of Christ) to the Stewardship Ministry Chair for preparing the
Annual Statement of Faith and Missions.
ARTICLE X. PASTOR
SECTION A. VACANCY
When a vacancy occurs in the Pastorate, the Steering Ministry will appoint a Search
Committee of seven (7) persons from the Church membership and will, with the cooperation of
the South Central Conference, United Church of Christ, recommend to the church a suitable
candidate for the position.
SECTION B. TERMINATION
The termination of Pastoral duties may be effected by Congregational vote or by the Pastor
upon ninety (90) days written notice. The requirement of the ninety days may be waived by
mutual consent of the Pastor and the Steering Ministry.