|
UFMCC BYLAWS[1] |
REQUIRED CONTENT IN LOCAL
BYLAWS[2] |
FOR LOCAL CHURCH DECISION |
Name
|
|
|
|
Each
affiliated local church group will use the name Metropolitan Community Church
as part of its official title. The group may add either a prefix or suffix to
distinguish it from other affiliated local church groups, such as: Grace
Metropolitan Community Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Tallahassee,
Metropolitan Community Church, Ashland; or Springfield Metropolitan Community
Church. (I.B) |
The
name “Metropolitan Community Church” must appear in the official name of your
church. |
By
what name do you want your church to be known? |
|
Purpose |
|
|
|
Local
Churches…are set forth for the purposes of Christian fellowship, worship,
witness, and service, borne in the cooperation, program development, and
implementation of their Bylaws, Standard Operating Procedures, and Policies.
(V.A.5) |
The
purpose of [the name of your church] is Christian fellowship, worship,
witness, and service, borne in the cooperation, program development, and
implementation of UFMCC and local church Bylaws, Standard Operating
Procedures, and Policies. |
|
Relation to
UFMCC
|
|
|
|
The
government of the local church is vested in its congregational meetings which
exerts the right to control all of its affairs, subject to the provisions of
the UFMCC Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or documents of legal
organization, the General Conference, and its Regional Conference. (V.B.1) |
[Official
name of your church] is a member congregation of the Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), ascribes to the government,
doctrine, vision, mission, and values of UFMCC, and agrees to abide by the
UFMCC Bylaws and decisions made by General Conference. |
|
|
In
every nation where UFMCC comes to exist and where permitted by local or
national laws, the local church’s documents of legal organization must name
the UFMCC as the successor 501(c)(3) corporation designed to receive the
church’s property in the event of (1) the dissolution or abandonment of the
church, or (2) failure to abide by the process for disaffiliation from the
UFMCC by the local church, as contained in the UFMCC Bylaws. (V.B.8) |
The
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is the [501(c)(3)
corporation / non-governmental organization / not-for-profit organization][3]
designated to receive the church’s property in the event of the dissolution
or abandonment of [name of your church], or disaffiliation from the UFMCC, in
accordance with UFMCC Bylaws. |
|
|
Decision
to disaffiliate must receive a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Members present
at a duly called Congregational Meeting called for the purpose of
disaffiliating. (V.B.9) |
A
decision to disaffiliate from the UFMCC shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the Members present at a duly called Congregational Meeting called for the
purpose of disaffiliating and shall be decided in accordance with UFMCC
Bylaws. |
|
Membership
|
|
|
|
The
Rite of Attaining Membership in the Church shall be conducted by the Pastor
or Interim Pastoral Leader before a local congregation at any regular worship
service. (III.C.2) . |
Any
baptized Christian [who meets the following criteria] may become a member in
good standing of [name of your church] through a letter of transfer from a
recognized Christian body or through affirmation of faith. |
Do
you want to have any additional criteria by which people can qualify to be a
Member of your church? If so, what
are they? |
|
Any
baptized Christian may become a member in good standing of the local
church. A local church has the authority
to determine any additional criteria for gaining and retaining membership in
that local church. Any additional
criteria shall be in accordance with UFMCC Bylaws and be compatible with
UFMCC core values. (VI.A) |
|
What
are the criteria by which a Member will retain status as a Member in good
standing? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for determining whether a Member continues to be in good
standing? |
|
|
|
Who
is responsible for implementing the process? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for communicating to Members when they no longer meet the
criteria of Member in good standing? |
|
|
|
How
often will the process be implemented? |
|
|
|
Can
the decision to remove someone’s membership be appealed? To whom? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for appeal? (Who? When? How?) |
|
A
local church body may, if it desires, accept into the Church person(s) who,
for one reason or another, feel that they cannot become regular members of
the Church but who support the goals of the Church and want to be a part of
the work of the Church. Such people
shall be designated as “Friends of the Church.” (VI.B) |
|
Will
your church have “Friends of the Church”? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for determining who the Friends of the Church are? |
|
|
|
Who
is responsible for implementing the process? |
|
|
|
Once
someone has become a Friend of the Church, are there criteria for maintaining
that status? If so, what? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for communicating to Friends that they no longer meet the
criteria? |
|
|
|
How
often will the process be implemented? |
|
|
|
Can
the decision to remove someone’s status as Friend of the Church be
appealed? To whom? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for appeal? (Who? When? How?) |
|
Friends
may serve on appointed committees and may participate in all activities of
the Church. Friends may not, however,
serve on the local church administrative body and may not vote at
congregational meetings. Friends
shall not be considered in determining the number of Lay Delegates that a
local church body may send to meetings of the General Conference or Regional
Conferences. (VI.B) |
Friends
may serve on appointed committees and may participate in all activities of
the Church. Friends may not vote at
Congregational Meetings and shall not be considered in determining the new of
Lay Delegates. |
|
|
The
UFMCC cannot condone disloyalty or unbecoming conduct on the part of any of
its members and friends; therefore, the local church administrative body
shall develop and implement a procedure for taking appropriate disciplinary
action, as it deems necessary. (VI.C) |
The
[name of your church] cannot condone disloyalty or unbecoming conduct on the
part of any of its members and friends.
Therefore, the [name of your local church administrative body] shall
develop and implement a procedure for taking appropriate disciplinary action,
as it deems necessary. |
What
behaviors would indicate disloyalty or unbecoming conduct by members and
friends? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for taking disciplinary action? |
|
|
|
Who
is responsible for implementing the process? |
|
|
|
Is
the decision subject to appeal? If
so, what is the process for appeal? |
The Pastor |
|
|
The
local church structure and systems shall include provision for…(2) a pastoral
search process. (V.B.5.a)
|
|
How
will your church fill a pastoral vacancy? |
|
|
|
What
will be the steps in the pastoral search process? |
|
|
|
Who
will be involved? |
|
|
|
What
is their task? |
|
|
|
What
is the scope of their responsibility and the limit of their authority? |
|
|
|
What
is the number of votes required to elect a Pastor? |
|
The
Pastor and the local church administrative body are authorized to provide
spiritual and administrative leadership in the local church. (V.B.1) Though
there are a variety of pastoral roles, in a local congregation the Pastor is
elected to be responsible for the duties of teacher, preacher, and spiritual
leader. (V.B.4) The
Pastor of the church shall have the authority for ordering all worship
services of the church. (V.B.4.a) Associate
and/or Assistant Pastor(s) and other personnel, uncompensated and
compensated, shall be appointed by the Pastor subject to the approval of the
local church administrative body. The
Pastor shall act as personnel director of the local church staff, shall have
the authority to delegate such responsibilities and duties as seem wise, and
shall, with the approval of the local church administrative body, determine
compensation, vacation periods, and titles of office of the staff. (V.B.4.a) |
The Pastor is responsible for the duties of teacher, preacher, and
spiritual leader; ordering all worship services; appointing compensated and
uncompensated personnel, subject to the approval of the [name of your
church’s administrative body]; serving as personnel director; determining
compensation, vacation periods, and titles of office of the church staff,
subject to the approval of the [name of your church’s administrative body]. |
Who
has the authority for determining the Pastor’s compensation, including
benefits and allowances? Note: The Pastor’s job
description, compensation level, and contract are usually not included within
the church’s Bylaws document. |
When
irreconcilable differences exist between the Pastor and congregation, the
Pastor and congregation may choose to terminate their relationship through
mutual agreement. No petition for
removal of the Pastor based on irreconcilable differences is valid unless
preceded by the process of conflict resolution, as contained within the UFMCC
Bylaws Article V.B.4.b. Unilateral
failure to renew a pastoral contract does not constitute removal of the
Pastor from office. (V.B.4.c)
|
The
Pastor shall remain in office unless the Pastor and congregation choose to
terminate the relationship through mutual agreement or until conclusion of
the process of conflict resolution, as contained within the UFMCC Bylaws
Article V.B.4.b and c |
|
The
process of removing the Pastor from office for disloyalty, unbecoming
conduct, dereliction of duty or when irreconcilable differences arise between
Pastor and congregation may be initiated by a petition submitted to the duly
authorized church officer as designated by the local Bylaws/ Standard Operating
Procedures, or documents of legal organization, and signed by at least
twenty-five percent (25%) of the members in good standing; or by a vote of
three-fourths (3/4) of the full local church administrative body. (V.B.4.c)
|
|
Who
is the church officer designated to receive a petition calling for removal of
the Pastor from office? |
|
Congregational Meetings
|
|
|
Each
local church shall establish the percentage of members required for the
transaction of business, the process for notifying members of the meeting,
and the process for calling special meetings, unless otherwise indicated in
UFMCC Bylaws.
|
|
Process
for calling a Congregational Meeting.
|
|
|
|
Process
for calling a Congregational Meeting for the purpose of disaffiliating.
(V.B.9)
|
|
|
|
Process
for calling a Special Congregational Meeting for other purposes:
|
|
|
|
How
often will Congregational Meetings be held? |
|
|
|
What
percentage of the Members must be present for a Congregational Meeting to
transact business? |
|
|
All
members of [name of your church] who are in good standing are eligible to
vote at Congregational Meetings. |
|
No
proxy and/or absentee ballots shall be allowed in any business meeting of
this Fellowship, except where specifically provided for in these Bylaws.
(VIII.A)
|
No
proxy and/or absentee ballots shall be allowed in any Congregational Meeting. |
|
Lay Delegate
|
|
|
Each
affiliated church shall have one (1) vote for every one hundred (100) members
in good standing or portion thereof and shall elect one (1) Lay Delegate for
each vote. (V.B.6)
|
|
|
Each
Lay Delegate shall be a member in good standing of the congregation that
he/she represents, should be elected at the first congregational meeting
following each General Conference and shall serve a term of two (2) years.
(V.B.6)
|
The
Lay Delegate(s) shall be elected at the first Congregational Meeting
following each General Conference.
The term of office shall be two (2) years. |
|
The
duties of the Lay Delegate shall include, but not be limited to,
representation of the congregation at General and Regional Conferences and to
be informed of the UFMCC concerns and policies. (V.B.6)
|
|
Are
there any additional duties for the Lay Delegate(s) of your church? |
Each
voting church may, in accordance with that local church’s Bylaws or Standard
Operating Procedures, elect at least one (1) Alternate Lay Delegate for each
Lay Delegate elected. (V.B.6)
|
|
Will
your church have any Alternate Lay Delegates? If so, how many? |
|
|
|
When
will the Alternate Lay Delegate(s) be elected? |
The
Alternate Lay Delegate(s) so elected shall, in accordance with procedures set
forth in the local church Bylaws or Standard Operating Procedures, be
empowered to assume the duties of any Lay Delegate who is unable to unwilling
to perform the duties of Lay Delegate, including but not limited to
representation of the congregation at General and Regional Conferences.
(V.B.6)
|
|
Will
each Lay Delegate have a particular Alternate to serve in his/her absence or
will Alternate Lay Delegates be able to serve in the absence of any Lay
Delegate from your church? |
|
|
|
Are
there any additional duties for the Alternate Lay Delegate(s) of your church? |
|
|
|
Who
will be responsible for discipline of Lay Delegates and Alternate Lay
Delegates? |
Local Church Administrative Body
|
|
What
is the name of your local church administrative body? (Board of Directors, Board of Trustees,
Church Council, or some other name) |
|
The
Pastor and the local church administrative body are authorized to provide
spiritual and administrative leadership in the local church. (V.B.1) |
The
Pastor and the [name of your local church administrative body] are authorized
to provide administrative leadership for [name of your church]. |
What
are the specific responsibilities and what are the limits of authority for
your local church administrative body? |
|
The
local church administrative body shall be subject to these Bylaws, local
Articles of Incorporation, local Bylaws/Standard Operating Procedures, any
other documents of legal organization, and to the approval or disapproval by
action of the local congregation. (V.B.5) |
|
|
|
UFMCC
Bylaws state that the local church administrative body is responsible for: Approving
personnel appointments made by the Pastor. (V.B.4.a) Providing
the church with a set of Bylaws or standard operating procedures, subject to
approval by the Elder serving the Region. (V.B.5.a) Naming
the fiduciary body for any property acquired by the church. (V.B.8) Approving
special worship services. (VII) |
The
[name of your church’s administrative body] is responsible for: Providing
the church with a set of Bylaws or standard operating procedures, subject to
approval by the Elder serving the Region; approving personnel appointments
made by the Pastor; approving the worship schedule, as determined by the
Pastor; naming the fiduciary body for any property acquired by [name of your
church]; and church finances. NOTE: The various responsibilities are named
elsewhere in various other sections of the model for local church governance. |
What
are the other areas of responsibility for your church’s administrative body? |
|
Any
bank or financial account in the name of any church body…must require two
signatures for withdrawals, one of which must be that of an officer elected
or a person appointed under UFMCC Bylaws…or the authorizing documents of the
local church. (IX.D) |
|
Who
does your church authorize to make withdrawals, which includes signing
checks? |
|
The
Pastor is a voting member of the local church administrative body. (V.4.a) |
|
In
addition to the Pastor, how many other members will serve on your church’s
administrative body? |
|
|
|
What
are the criteria for eligibility to serve on your church’s administrative
body? |
|
|
|
How
are the members to be selected? |
|
|
|
How
will vacancies be filled? |
|
|
|
What
is the term of office? Are the terms
to be staggered? |
|
|
|
Who
will moderate meetings? |
|
|
|
Who
will determine and prepare the agenda? |
|
|
|
Who
will prepare the minutes? |
|
|
|
How
often will your church’s local administrative body hold its meeting? |
|
|
|
How
many members of your church’s local administrative body must be present in
order for the meeting to transact business? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for discipline of members of your church’s administrative
body? |
|
|
|
How
and when can Members of the church express approval or disapproval of
decisions made by your church’s administrative body? |
|
|
|
What
are the officer positions in your church? |
|
|
|
How
are the officers selected? |
|
|
|
What
is the term of office for the officers? |
|
|
|
How
will vacancies among the officers be filled |
|
|
|
Are
the officers of your church also members of your church’s administrative
body? |
|
|
|
Which
officer is to be responsible for receiving petitions? |
|
|
|
What
is the process for discipline of officers? |
Organizations within the Congregation
|
|
|
|
A
local church or Region shall have the authority to establish, authorize, and
hold accountable para-church organizations (special-purpose groups or
ministries). (V.B.3) |
|
Will
your church have any para-church organizations? |
|
|
|
What
is the criteria? |
|
|
|
How
are they held accountable? |
|
As
outlined in the New Testament, the office of Deacon is an historic ministry
of service and aid within the Christian church. (IV.A.2) |
|