Constitution

Submitted to God! Redeemed in Christ! Empowered by the Holy Spirit!

Preamble

We, the Congregation of Mountain View Church of the Brethren, establish the following Constitution as a guide for polity and organization, to carry out our mission and objectives as assigned to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. We hold it is of key importance to establish first the spirit and intent upon which this following Constitution must stand, be interpreted, and applied by this Preamble, included as part of this Constitution. We commit to learn and walk in a manner worthy of our Lord’s calling. We require that Officers of this Church (as defined later) shall maintain the character and behavior of a submitted disciple to the Lord. They are called to give sacrificially – of their time, hearts, and their very lives – for the edification and building up of His sheep. They are shepherds to which the Lord has entrusted His people. It is a good and blessed calling to be shepherd of His flock. It is a serious and dreadful thing to abuse or be neglectful once taking upon this mantle. Knowing the failings of men, and the devices of the enemy, it is hoped that the following establishes reasonable checks and balances so that the sheep are multiplied, well-attended to, and instructed in the things of the Lord. Ultimately, any manmade structure has flaws. We must look to the Shepherd of us all for His care and discipline. We are committed not to be negligent in our responsibilities: to our Lord, to our fellow believers, to our community, to our nation, and to the world at large. May the Lord Jesus Christ allow us to glorify Him!

Article I – The Church Universal & This Congregation

Name

The name of this Congregation is Mountain View Church of the Brethren. All believers in Jesus Christ make up the Church Universal. This small fellowship is a local Congregation and is referred to herein as the “Church” or the “Congregation.” It is a fellowship of the Church Universal located in Boise, Idaho and incorporated under the laws of the State of Idaho.

Cardinal Beliefs

This Congregation:

1. is founded upon the faith that there is but one God who is a personal God, who in holy love creates, sustains, and orders life;
2. confesses Jesus Christ as the Lord of the Church and of all life;
3. believes that the Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts and minds of believers, creating and sustaining the Church through the Gospel, giving guidance and comfort, and uniting believers with their Lord and with one another;
4. maintains the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, understood in accord with the revelation of the New Testament, is its only creed and rule of faith. The Holy Scriptures record God’s search for His people, which is climaxed in God’s redemptive act in and through Christ. Through the Holy Scriptures, God still speaks and continues to accomplish His redemptive purposes;
5. believes that the gospel is the good news that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Him. Through the Scriptures, the Gospel and His indwelling Spirit, God’s sovereign will and Christ’s redeeming grace are revealed;
6. holds that the Church is the body of Christ and is under the Lord’s mandate to be faithful in accepting and transmitting the Gospel by word and deed;
7. considers that all members of the Congregation, the body of believers, are responsible for the total ministry of the Church;
8. accepts the ministry of the Church to be the proclamation and fulfillment of the Gospel to all people, both near and far, and the nurture of individual believers in the Christian faith and life.

Church Universal

This Congregation knows, and will act, as if it is but a part of the larger whole of all Christians – those who believe in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This Congregation as such recognizes other Christian bodies and denominations and seeks to cooperate with, support and/or give direction to united efforts of the Church Universal.

Church of the Brethren

This Congregation is committed to work as a part of the organization known as the “Church of the Brethren,” insofar as it remains faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. This Congregation supports the program of the Church of the Brethren, recognizing Annual Conference enactments of the Church of the Brethren, again insofar as they remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. When resources allow, this Church will send delegates (as selected by the Elder Board) to those conferences of the Church of the Brethren in which it is entitled to have representation. This Constitution is designed to function in harmony with the Church of the Brethren’s Organization and Polity.

Article II – Membership and Friends of the Church

Congregation

The Congregation shall be defined as Members and Active Attendees (both as defined below) of the Church’s services and/or Sunday school.

Members

This Congregation holds that official membership is important as it is an outward sign of a commitment to mutual accountability. An official member of the Church is hereinafter referred to as a “Member” (with a capital M). A Member is one who professes faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, holds allegiance to Him in life and conduct, has signified a willingness to work in harmony with the Church, and has been received formally on the roles as a Member into the Church. Persons become Members by requesting such and by:

1. Baptism as practiced by the Church of the Brethren; and/or
2. Letter of transfer and reaffirmation of faith confession of faith; and/or
3. Open and obvious confession of faith and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church clerk will maintain a membership list of the names and addresses of all current members. All membership additions or deletions will be available for use if requested from the floor at Business Meetings. Membership in the Church may be discontinued by voluntary withdrawal, by letter of transfer, or disciplinary action of the Elder Board.

Inactive Members

Members who have become inactive by not attending or participating in the life of the Church for a period of one (1) year (without special circumstances such as illness) and/or who become a non-resident of the Boise area, will be considered an Inactive Member. Inactive members do not have voting rights. Voting rights may be restored upon evidence of re-activation and/or the recommendation of the Deacon body to the Elder Board, and the subsequent approval by the Elder Board.

Membership Discontinuance

Membership in the Church may be discontinued by voluntary withdrawal, by letter of transfer, or through disciplinary actions.

Active Attendees

This Congregation recognizes those who are Active Attendees but are not a formal Member. An Active Attendee is one who: i) regularly attends church service and/or Sunday school; ii) has confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; and iii) holds no beliefs known to be in conflict with the Congregation’s Cardinal Beliefs noted above. Regular attendance is defined as averaging over the past year at least once a month attendance (except for illness or travel). The Active Attendee shall be responsible for their own representation of whether they are “active” or not.

Voting Rights

Every Member or Active Attendee, who is over 15 years of age, of the Congregation shall be entitled to one (1) vote in matters brought before the Congregation. Voting may be by hand vote or written ballot. The Elders may, by special appeal to the Congregation at the time of vote, hold some matters to be voted on by Members only if so approved by the Congregation. Members only thereafter shall vote on that special matter which requires formal Church membership.

Friends of the Church

Non-members are welcome to attend the Congregational Meetings as long as they are respectful of the process and leadership. They do not, however, have a right to vote unless they are either Members or are an Active Attendee.

Article III – Structure of the Church Body

Congregation

In this specific fellowship, the Congregation is understood to be the final visible authority. The Congregation will elect, confirm, and/or deny the appointment of all Officers (defined as Elders, Deacons, Directors, and Moderator) as set forth in the Selection and Confirmation process below. The Elders shall always be elected, whereas other Officers may be either elected, confirmed, or appointed by the Elder Board. The Congregation will also attend to other business as brought before it at appropriately scheduled Congregational Meetings. Yet the members of the Congregation shall likewise be reasonably submitted to the oversight of the Elders, Deacons and Directors of the Church.

Elder Board

The Elder Board is to be comprised of five (5) Members (official members of the Church) or become Members prior to serving on the Elder Board. No one Elder may act alone on a substantive issue without the confirmation by majority vote by the Elder Board in whole. The collective Elder Board has the overall responsibility to the Lord for the leadership and care of this Church. Members of the Elder Board serve as the executive committee for business and legal transactions.

Though an Elder may serve in a Director’s role as well, the Elders that make up the Board shall tend the sheep of this flock. This tending is to include, but not be limited to, performing and/or overseeing the preaching, teaching, administration, giving of the ordinances, visiting and counseling those in need, praying for the sick, and other ecumenical and community endeavors as is fitting the Lord’s body. They shall personally be committed to a disciplined involvement in study and prayer, and attending services and fellowship groups, supporting the ministries of the Church. There shall be no distinction on the Board as to whether they are serving in a paid capacity or voluntarily.

For the purpose of this Constitution and structure, if there is a Senior Pastor, he will be considered an Elder and a member of the Elder Board, in addition to the five Members, but will vote only if requested by the majority of the five members. Any associate, assistant, interim, or youth pastors are to be considered Directors, unless specifically elected to the Elder Board. Only one family member may serve on the Elder Board at a time.

The Elder Board may increase or decrease its size temporarily based on workload, the spiritual needs of the Congregation, the resignation or incapacity of a member of the Elder Board, or due to a lack of acceptable candidates as set forth below in Article IV. This temporary period should not last more than a year. A permanent increase or decrease requires a constitutional change approved at a duly called Congregational meeting. The Elder Board shall also by consensus determine its own internal structure and process – when and where it meets, its board chair, its officers, and the individual roles on the board. Each Elder shall serve up to three (3) years at which time their term expires. If an Elder is willing to continue to serve on the Elder Board, the Elder must again be nominated and elected as set forth in Article IV.

Deacons

A Deacon must be a church member, be willing to become a church member, or be approved by the Elder Board, and then affirmed by the congregation. The needs of the Church and the Deacon body workload will determine the nature and quantity of Deacons. The Elder Board shall mutually determine the number of Deacons. Five primary areas of ministry addressed by the deacons may include:

1. Advocacy and Support Ministries
2. Discipleship and Hospitality Ministries
3. Health and Healing Ministries
4. Unity and Reconciliation Ministries
5. Oversight of baptism, communion and love feasts

(For more specific information concerning qualifications for membership in the Deacon body, see the 1997 Annual Conference Statement, “The Office of Deacon in the Church of the Brethren.”) Deacons shall serve up to three (3) years at which time their term expires. In its first year of inception, Deacons will serve a staggered term, with a portion serving 1 year, a portion serving 2 years, and the rest serving 3 years. That staggering and service period will be determined by lot after prayer to the Lord. If a Deacon is willing to continue to serve when their term is completed, the Deacon must be again nominated, elected, or confirmed as set forth in the Selection, Vetting, Election and/or Confirmation Process.

Directors

Directors may be members of the Church or Active Attendees. The Elder Board shall collectively determine the need for Directors to accomplish specific obligations or needs of the Congregation. They shall select the Directors through: 1) the Nominating Committee’s effort, or 2) they may select the candidate themselves by majority vote of the Elder Board. The Board then performs the Due Diligence function as set forth in the Selection and Confirmation process. Directors are appointed for a specific function, due to their faith, their character as well as their skill, experience, and passion for that specific function. Directors shall be responsible for the task assigned by the Elder Board, reporting directly to the Elder Board. Examples of areas where the Elder Board may wish to have Directors include: Evangelism, Sunday school, Building and Grounds, Music Ministries, Financial Administration, and various other ministries as collectively ascertained by the Elder Board. Directors will serve for one (1) year and may be reappointed by the Elder Board to serve consecutive years.

Moderator

The local Church moderator should exhibit in faith and character Christ-like qualities, including love, encouragement, wisdom, graciousness, faithfulness to Christ, and dedication to the Church. More specific considerations might include: consecrative living in home, Church, and community; faithful service and leadership experience in the Congregation; understanding and commitment to the traditions, ministries, and polity of the Church of the Brethren; familiarity with parliamentary procedure and models for consensus building and discernment; and listening skills which seek and invite open, forthright sharing and a willingness to strive for reconciliation of differing points of view.

The Moderator will administer all Congregational Meetings. The Moderator will be called on to break any tie votes on the Elder Board by one of the following methods depending on the judgment of the Moderator: 1) calling a meeting of the Deacons and Directors with the majority vote deciding the matter, or 2) taking the matter to the Congregation. The Moderator shall serve for one (1) year and may be again nominated and reconfirmed as set forth in the Selection and Confirmation process.

Pastoral or Elder Relations Team (PRT)

Given the high profile and spiritual strain of serving the Congregation in high visible areas, as well as the personality and perspective differences of humanity, the need may arise where the Pastor, or an Elder, or another high profile ministry leader or Director, may seek confidential advice, counseling, and/or assistance in areas of personal and Church life. The Elder Board (with that Pastor’s or that specific Elder’s approval) will select one or more persons to assist that ministering Elder. This selection can be from within or without the Church. It may be a layman or a professional; it may be someone from another church or denomination. This Pastoral Relations Team (or person) is meant to advise and/or mediate issues as assigned and shall have no vote on issues. The Elder Board may utilize the PRT where and how they deem prudent. The PRT is to hold everything confidential, have no vote, and is/are to remain faithful steward(s) of the Lord.

Article IV – Selection, Vetting, Election &/or Confirmation of Church Officers (the Nominating Process)

A Nominating Committee will be formed consisting of Church Members or Active Attendees who are neither currently serving as an Elder, nor are themselves a candidate for an Elder position. The need for Nominating Committee members shall be announced at each worship service. The Pastoral Relations Team (hereinafter the PRT) will select those who will serve as a member of the Nominating Committee from those who express an interest and are also deemed by the PRT to be qualified, without giving favor to any political agenda. The basis of selection will be the qualifications of the candidates as determined by the PRT, and to gain representation of all services of the Church. The Nominating Committee shall identify and preliminarily vet potential candidates to serve as members of the Elder Board of the Church (or other functional offices if so directed by the Elder Board). The Nominating Committee is responsible to perform the following Due Diligence Process toward selecting and qualifying candidates:

1. Prayerful Consideration

The Nominating Committee will prayerfully and proactively seek guidance from the Lord as to whom the Lord has put among them for the function sought. The Nominating Committee shall note those who are actively involved in the Congregation, and are of such character, reputation, and skill to be submitted as a candidate. The Nominating Committee shall attend to the “Qualification Check List” (attached) for the character of the specific candidate as gleaned from the Scriptures. Further, they shall consider all services and ministries of the Church, looking at the full spectrum of the Church’s ministries.

2. The Role of the PRT

The PRT (or a member of the PRT) is to assist however requested by the Nominating Committee, but the PRT must not control or determine the selection of candidates or the outcome of the Nominating Committee’s work.

3. Gain Board Approval for the Confidential Preliminary List

The Nominating Committee shall develop a preliminary list of candidates from the Church Membership List or those willing to become official Members of the Church. The Nominating Committee shall then submit their proposed Preliminary List to the Elder Board for the Board’s approval, which list shall be held confidential among the Nominating Committee and the Elder Board. The Elder Board, by their internal vote process, may remove whomever they wish without disclosing why they removed the name of the potential candidate. The Board shall send back the Approved Candidate List to the Nominating Committee, which list is still to be maintained as confidential.

4. Interview of Approved Candidates

Upon receiving the confidential Approved Candidate List back from the Elder Board, the Nominating Committee will then, and only then, contact those on the Approved Candidate List to find out if they would consider the call to be an Elder. Contact should be made in the priority order that the Nominating Committee determines. The Nominating Committee shall stop inviting and interviewing candidates once they have the target number of candidates to be offered for vote. The Nominating Committee, along with the candidates, will then prayerfully review the call of the candidate. The Nominating Committee shall then interview in depth each candidate, evaluating the candidate’s character, skill, and experience against the “Qualification Check List.” The Nominating Committee will ascertain the gifts, fit for the function, and commitment of the candidates to serve in the Elder and/or selected officer position of the Church. It is recommended that the Nominating Committee select two (2) candidates more than the positions to be filled. There must be at least one more candidate than the positions to be filled, but not so many that special interests are easily empowered.

5. Congregational Input

The Nominating Committee shall submit their selected candidates to the Congregation for their comment. This is to be done through a comment insert in the weekly bulletin given at all services that week, as well as announced from the pulpit at those services. A minimum of one week’s notice is to be given. Upon gathering the input sheets, the Nominating Committee shall further inquire into any issues of note that arise from Congregational comment, involving the Elder Board as prudent.

6. Selection by the Congregation

Upon completion of the Due Diligence Process as noted above, the final candidate(s) are then to be put forth to the Congregation at a Congregational Meeting for a vote. The top vote receiver(s) from the Congregation at the Congregational Meeting are to be considered the Congregation’s selection. The Congregational meeting is to be administered by the Moderator.

7. Filling Interim Elder Board Positions

If for any reason, voluntarily or involuntarily, an Elder can no longer serve as Elder during his or her term, the Elder Board may either: i) function with that position empty until the next scheduled Election; ii) call for a special Nominating Committee and special Congregational Meeting; or iii) appoint an Interim Elder who will serve until the next Congregational Meeting. If the Elder Board chooses to appoint an Interim Elder, they may choose either the candidate who had the next highest vote count from the most recent election, or a member of good standing who the Elders believe meets the qualifications for Elder and is willing and able to serve in that interim capacity. Upon the next assembly of the Nominating Committee, they will identify at least two candidates (including the Interim Elder if they choose to be considered) for filling that vacancy in the Elder Board.

8. Alternative Process for Non-Elder Officers

Non-Elder Officers of the Church may, at the discretion of the Elder Board, go through an alternate process for selecting, vetting and confirmation as designed by the Elder Board. That Alternative Board Process shall be managed by the Elder Board. It shall include a process of prayerful consideration, interviewing and vetting the character, commitment and calling of all officer candidates. For Scripture warns: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure” (1 Tim 5:22). Though the Congregation is not given an opportunity of selection of non-Elder officers in the Alternative Process, the Congregation shall be given an opportunity at the next scheduled Congregational Meeting to either “Confirm or Deny” the officer appointment as made by the Elder Board. The Officer may serve the Elder Board in their appointed role until the next scheduled Congregational Meeting where the Officer is then either confirmed or denied.

Article V – Discipline Within the Church

Congregational Discipline

The Church seeks to apply the scriptural discipline as practiced in the New Testament, ascribed by the Church of the Brethren (Matthew 18:15–19), and in accordance with the laws of the land insofar as they do not contradict the Lord’s commands. The Elder Board shall be responsible for Church Discipline of those in the Congregation.

Discipline of Officers

An Officer may be asked to resign by the Elder Board if circumstances necessitate that action. A majority vote of the Elder Board will remove any Director or Deacon. However, an Elder may be dismissed if: 1) over 50% of the Elders and over 50% of the Deacons vote for removal, and 2) a Vote of Removal is confirmed by the majority of the Congregation. The Elder under inspection or question may not vote.

Article VI – Congregational Meeting

A Congregational Meeting shall be held at least once a year. However, a Congregational Meeting can be called any time by either the Moderator, at the request of the Elder Board, or by ten (10) or more members of the Church. A minimum of two weeks’ notice is to be given in the Church bulletin and/or Church newsletter. All meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The Congregational Meeting shall be conducted separate from the Worship Service and shall be conducted by the Moderator.

The Congregational Meeting is to be a place of open dialogue where those present can hear reports, discuss new ideas, envision and approve goals, evaluate past accomplishments, be involved in the future direction, and record the voice of the Congregation on current issues where Christian witness is urgent. The Congregational Meeting shall also confirm budgets, vote on policy and organizational matters, and review the actions and performance of Elders, Deacons and Directors on behalf of the Congregation. The Congregational Meeting should strive for prayerful consensus and unity in its decision-making and spirit.

The Congregational Meeting is also where the Elder Board communicates the vision and mission as they have heard from the Lord. Preceding the beginning of the Church year, the Elder Board will give itself to prayer to ascertain the new and/or continuing vision and mission of the Church as given by the Lord Jesus Christ. They will set goals and objectives for the year, overseeing and managing the affairs of the Church. That communication to the Congregation may include such items as:

• Report on the Vision & Mission of the Church as the Elder Board has heard from the Lord
• Report in high level on each of the Church’s ministries, sharing metrics and key issues
• Establish and maintain a Church calendar for the coming year, including special observances, programs, etc.
• Make recommendations to the Congregation regarding personnel
• Recommend an annual budget for Congregational approval
• Give Financial Report on the balance, income and expenditures of the church
• Other necessary administrative records of the Church will be open for inspection by any member of the Congregation, including minutes of the Board of Elder meetings
• Report on concerns brought by the Congregation, group, or individual, to the church
• Bring recommendations to the Congregation when policy needs revision
• Hear any concerns of the Congregation from the floor – though not necessarily resolve the issue at that time

Article VII – Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the Congregational Meeting. All proposed changes shall be submitted in writing and published two weeks prior to the vote.

Attachment 1 – Directions from the Elders

Qualifications of Elders & Deacons

The Nominating Committee members are to review the Qualifications of Elders and Deacons as set forth in 1 Timothy & Titus and apply those guidelines as best as they are able. The Nominating Committee is to consider the character of any Candidate, male or female, as held within and without the church. The Nominating Committee is to also weigh the gifts that God has given that person, as well as confirm the call of the Lord upon that person. The Nominating Committee is to be specifically aware of not making this a popularity vote.

Women Serving in This Church Fellowship

This Fellowship holds to the position that women are to be given equal opportunity for any officer position, including serving in leadership on the Elder Board. The structure of this church leadership is not the entire city’s church, nor is the structure of this fellowship dependent upon any one person, but rather incorporates a board with checks and balances in place given the imperfection of man – male or female. This church has determined not to make this a point of contention and division, but to honor all, male or female, whom God has called and gifted to serve Him and His body.

Candidates Still under Community Supervision

A number within our fellowship have been incarcerated in the past. Some are still on community supervision. As to these members, this Church believes each case is unique and asks that the Nominating Committee consider the specifics carefully. The Candidate must have proven that they are of good character (within and without the church) with enduring faithfulness to the Lord. He or she must not be a new Christian, but an exemplary for all as to maturity in the Lord. The Candidate, as must all Candidates, must also pass approval with the Elder Board, as set forth in the Nominating Process.

Attachment 2 – Nominating Committee Documents

The following documents are provided to Nominating Committee members:

• Confidentiality Agreement
• Copy of the Church Constitution
• Church Membership List
• Nominating Committee Contact Information
• Interview Form with questions for interview management; actual questions to be as set by the Nominating Committee members
• Confirmation of understanding by Nominating Committee of the steps & process