GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Lanham, Maryland,
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
and Address
I.1.
Name. The name of this church shall be Grace Presbyterian Church.
I.2. Incorporated
Name. This church is incorporated under the laws of the State of
Maryland as Grace Presbyterian Church, Lanham, Maryland.
I.3. Address.
The legal address of the church and the corporation is 5924 Princess Garden
Parkway, Lanham, Maryland 20706.
(This Article has been revised under Amendment No. 6 [22 January 1997]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
ARTICLE
II
Affiliations
II.1. Presbytery. Grace Presbyterian Church is a member of the National Capital Presbytery, which is
headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices located at 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 805, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 20815. For purposes of identification, National Capital Presbytery refers to this
congregation as Grace/Lanham.
(This Article has been revised under Amendment No. 9
[5 June 2005]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
II.2. Synod. Grace Presbyterian Church is apart of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, which is
headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
II.3. Denomination. Grace Presbyterian Church is a part of the Presbyterian Church (U. S.A.), which is
headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky with offices at 100 Witherspoon Street,
Louisville, Kentucky 40202.
II.4. Identification.
Grace Presbyterian
Church
has been assigned the Permanent Identification Number (PIN) of 08455 by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
ARTICLE
III
Mission,
Vision and Purpose Statements
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
III. 1. Mission
Statement. The Mission Statement of Grace Presbyterian Church, composed and adopted in
1991, is as follows:
WHAT WE
ARE:
• We are a family of faith relying upon
the transforming love and grace of Jesus Christ.
our mission IS:
• To
celebrate and honor Jesus Christ as Lord in all that we do;
• To
accept each other and encourage one another to live lives of forgiveness and
wholeness; and,
• To
equip each other to proclaim the gospel to our community and to people
everywhere.
III.2. Vision
Statement. The Vision Statement of Grace Presbyterian
Church, composed and adopted in 1996, is as
follows:
our
vision IS:
To glorify God, in
accordance with His Word,
by reaching people within our local
communities and spheres of influence,
and encouraging and equipping each other to
mature in Jesus Christ
through personal prayer and devotion,
committed small group fellowship,
dynamic corporate worship, and
involvement in local outreach and
world-wide missions.
(This Article has been revised
under Amendment No. 4 [22 January 1997]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
III. 3. Purpose Statement. The
Purpose Statement of Grace
Presbyterian Church, composed and adopted in 2001, is as follows:
OUR
PURPOSE IS:
ARTICLE IV
Officers
IV. 1. Officers. The
officers of this church shall be the installed Pastor and the Elders and
Deacons serving current terms of office.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendments No. 1 [22 January 1995] and No. 6 [22 January 1997].
Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
ARTICLE V
Communicant Membership
V.I. Communicant Membership. Communicant
membership shall be granted by the Session to any person so requesting who
professes personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, exhibits an
adequate degree of Christian faith, Christian knowledge and Christian life, and
also indicates a willingness to submit to the government and spiritual
leadership of the church. Such membership shall be granted on letter of
transfer from another church, profession of faith or reaffirmation of faith.
V.2. Congregation.
For the purpose of these bylaws, the Congregation of Grace Presbyterian
Church shall be all and only communicant members in good
and regular standing regardless of age. All members of the Congregation having
reached the legal age of majority shall also be members of the Grace
Presbyterian Church, Lanham, Maryland Corporation.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 6 [22 January 1997]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
of the Congregation
VI. 1. Annual Meeting of
the Congregation. The Congregation shall meet annually on the fourth Sunday
in January at a time to be determined by the Session. The purpose of this
meeting shall be to receive the annual and financial reports from the Session
for the previous year along with plans for the coming year, to receive reports
from the Board of Deacons and other organizations of the church, to elect
representatives to the Church Officer Nominating Committee, to review and
approve the report of the Pastoral Call Review Committee regarding the Pastor's
compensation, and to transact any further business the congregation feels is
appropriate. The Session may, if the situation warrants, move the day and time
of the annual meeting, provided that the meeting occurs before January 31, and
the congregation is notified by announcement during worship and/or telephone tree and e-mail posting, or in
writing a minimum of 14 (fourteen) days in
advance. The Session may also postpone the annual meeting for seven (7) days
due to inclement weather, and shall inform the congregation by announcement
during worship and/or telephone tree and e-mail posting.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
VI.2. Called Meeting for
the Election of Elders and Deacons. A Special Meeting of the Congregation
shall be called for the first Sunday in May with the time of the meeting to be
determined by the Session each year. The purpose of this meeting shall be to
elect Elders and Deacons to fill positions in the new class of Session and the
Board of Deacons, to begin on July 1, and to fill any other vacancies that may
exist. The Session may, if the situation warrants, move the day and time of
this meeting, provided that it occur before May 31, and the congregation is
notified as required by Section VI.4 below.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
VI.2a. Called Meeting of the Corporation for the Election of Trustees.
During the Special Meeting of the Congregation to elect Elders and Deacons, the
congregation shall convene as the Corporation for the purpose of electing
Trustees to fill positions in the new class of the Board of Trustees, to begin
on July 1.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
VI.3 Special Meetings of
the Congregation. Special Meetings of the Congregation may be called at any
time by the Session for any appropriate purpose. The business transacted in
these meetings shall be limited to the items specifically listed in the call
for the meeting.
VI.4. Public Notice of
Meetings of the Congregation. Public notice of any Meeting of the
Congregation must be given on two successive Sundays. The Meeting may be
convened following the notice given on the second Sunday. Exceptions shall
include notice for a change to the date of the Annual Meeting as provided for
in Section VI. 1 above and Special Meetings of the Congregation called to elect
a Pastor Nominating Committee or to elect a Pastor which shall require a
minimum of ten days notice including two successive Sundays.
VI.5. Quorum. In
order for the Congregation to conduct business during a Congregational Meeting,
a quorum of not less then one-tenth of the active membership must be present.
VI.6. Moderator. The
Pastor shall be the Moderator of all Meetings of the Congregation. When the
church is without an installed Pastor, the Moderator of the Session appointed
by the Presbytery shall preside.
VI.7. Secretary. The
Clerk of the Session shall serve as the Secretary of all meetings of the
Congregation. If the Clerk is unable to serve at any particular meeting, the
Congregation shall elect a secretary.
VI. 8. Meetings of the
Corporation. Meetings of the corporation may be called at anytime by Session
as necessary. The business transacted in these meetings shall be limited to the
items specifically listed in the call for the meeting. Public notice of any
meeting of the corporation shall be given in accordance with VI.4. above.
Meetings of the corporation shall be moderated by the Moderator of the Board of
Trustees and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees shall serve as secretary
for meetings of the corporation.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendments No. 2 [22 January 1995] and No. 6 [22 January 1997]. Refer to
Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
ARTICLE VII
Nominating Committees
VII. 1. Church Officer
Nominating Committee. The Church Officer Nominating Committee shall be
formed at the beginning of each calendar year. The Committee shall be composed
of two Elders appointed by the Session, one of whom shall be serving a current
term of office on the Session, and one Deacon appointed by the Board of Deacons
who is serving a current term of office on the Board of Deacons. The remaining members
of the Committee, in sufficient number to constitute a majority of the
Committee (a minimum of four), shall be nominated and elected by the
Congregation at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation. The Elder appointed to
this committee who is serving a current term of office on the Session shall
serve as moderator of the Committee. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member
without vote. The Committee shall be charged with the task of preparing a slate
of nominees for Elder and Deacon to be presented to the Congregation at its May meeting. The Committee shall remain constituted
until its successor committee is constituted, in order to respond to vacancies on
either the Session or Board of Deacons that may occur.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
VII. 2. Pastor
Nominating Committee (PNC). Upon the creation of a
vacancy in the position of Pastor, or upon the formation of other staff
positions to be filled by ordained clergy, a Pastor Nominating Committee shall
be formed. After receiving permission from the Presbytery to form the PNC, the
Session shall call a Special Meeting of the Congregation and, acting as a
nominating committee, shall nominate a slate to serve as the PNC. The Session
shall determine the size of the PNC including the number of alternates, if any.
Once constituted, the members of the PNC shall elect a Chairman and other
officers as it deems appropriate. It shall be up to the PNC, operating within
the parameters of Presbytery policy, to structure their process and conduct
their search as they see fit. The PNC shall be charged with the task of
selecting a nominee for presentation to the Congregation for election, and it
shall be required to conduct its activities with strict confidentiality. When a
PNC has been formed for the purpose of bringing a nominee for a position other
than Pastor (then typically called an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee or
APNC), the Pastor shall be a full voting member of the Committee.
(This Article has been revised under Amendments No. 3
[22 January 1996] and No. 5 [22 January 1997]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
ARTICLE VIII
Pastor
VIII. 1. Pastor. The
Pastor shall be an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) and shall be a Member in good
standing of the National Capital Presbytery. The Pastor shall be elected by the Congregation with the approval of
the Presbytery and shall have been formally installed to the permanent
pastorate of this church by the Presbytery. For the purpose of these bylaws,
all references to the Pastor refer to the duly elected, approved and installed
Pastor. Upon the calling of an Associate Pastor, or the hiring of ordained
clergy to any other position, the Pastor shall become the Senior Pastor.
VIII. 1a Constitutional Roles.
The Pastor shall be the Moderator and full voting member of the Session,
Moderator of all Meetings of the Congregation, head of the paid professional
staff (clergy and laity), and member ex-officio of all Committees,
organizations and groups of the church. The Pastor alone will determine what to
preach, how to conduct worship, and whom to baptize and marry. The Pastor is
accountable to the Elders of Session (who are also accountable to the Pastor
and one another) and to the Presbytery.
VIII. 1b Annual Pastoral Call Review. The Pastor is
entitled to an annual performance and compensation review. It shall be required
that the Session form a Pastoral Call Review Committee annually. This committee
shall be an ad hoc committee of the Session comprised of two Elders serving
current terms of office on the Session, who shall act as co-chairs, and two
members of the Congregation appointed by the Session who are not currently
serving terms of office on the Session. For the first three years of any
Pastoral Call, one of the four members of this Committee shall be a member of
the Pastoral Nominating Committee which nominated said Pastor. This Committee
shall be constituted each year at or before the September Session meeting and shall report its
recommendations to the Session no
later than on the following January Session meeting, and to the Treasurer
before the first pay period in January.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
VIII.2. Associate Pastors.
There are currently no Associate Pastors for this church. Upon creation of such
a position, the Associate Pastor shall be elected and installed as provided for
in these bylaws and the Book
of Order. The Associate Pastor(s) shall work at the
direction of the Pastor.
VIII.3. Other Pastors.
When the church is without a Pastor, it may have an Interim Pastor or Temporary
Pulpit Supply as approved by the Presbytery. For the purposes of these bylaws,
all references to Pastor are not intended to apply to these other Pastors
except as indicated in these bylaws, or as agreed upon by the Session and the
Presbytery at the time.
ARTICLE IX
Elders and Deacons
IX.1. Election of Elders and Deacons. Men and
women from among the active membership of this Congregation, giving fair
representation to persons of all ages and of all racial/ethnic members, shall
be elected to office in the manner set forth in Articles VI and VII above, and
subject to the provisions of the Book of Order of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
IX.2. Qualifications.
Elders and Deacons must be Communicant Members in good and regular standing and
have reached the legal age of majority. They shall, in the estimation of the
Congregation, demonstrate that they meet the Biblical qualifications for their
office and understand general scriptural principles of spiritual leadership.
IX.3. Term of Office.
Elders and Deacons shall be elected for a term of three years unless they are
being elected to fill a term rendered vacant by resignation, death or removal
from office in which case they shall be elected for the remaining duration of
that term. No Elder or Deacon shall serve consecutive terms, either full or
partial, aggregating more than six years. An Elder or Deacon having served a
total of six consecutive years shall be ineligible for election to the same
board for a period of one year. The full and regular terms of office for Elders
and Deacons shall begin on July 1, following election by the Congregation in
the called Meeting of the Congregation on the first Sunday of May, and shall
expire after three years on June 30.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
IX.4. Ordination.
Upon election, Elders and Deacons shall be ordained and installed into their
office during public worship. Ordination shall be considered to be permanent
regardless of active membership on the board to which they were elected.
IX. 5. Resignations.
In the event that an Elder or Deacon desires to resign from the Session or the
Board of Deacons, notification in writing shall be given to the Clerk of
Session. The Session shall then inform the Church Officer Nominating Committee
and call a Special Meeting of the Congregation to fill the vacancy in a timely
manner. Vacancies resulting from the death of an Elder or Deacon serving a
current term shall be filled in the same manner.
IX.6. Removal from Office
for Cause. An Elder or Deacon serving a current term of office may be
removed from office for cause only as allowed and prescribed in the Book of Order. Vacancies created as a result of removal shall be filled in the same
manner as defined in IX.5. above.
ARTICLE X
The Session
X.I. Membership.
The Session shall consist of the installed Pastor and the Elders serving
current terms of office. All are entitled to vote.
X.2. Structure. . The Session shall be comprised of nine (9) Elders divided into three (3) classes of three
(3) Elders each. The terms of only one
class shall expire each year. Class designations indicate the year in which the
terms for the members of that class shall expire.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to
Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
X.3. Moderator. The
Pastor of the church shall be the Moderator, and the Session shall not meet
without the Pastor except as hereunder provided. In the case of sickness or
absence of the Pastor, and having obtained prior approval of the Pastor, the
Session may elect one of their own members to preside. When the church is
without a Pastor, a Moderator shall be appointed by the Presbytery.
X.4. Meetings. The
Session shall meet regularly each month with the regular meeting date and time
to be determined by the Session. The Session may agree, due to special
circumstances, to reschedule regular meetings with the concurrence of a
majority of its members. When necessary, special meetings of the Session may be
called, with reasonable notice of the meeting time and purpose given to all
members. Business shall be limited to that noted in the call for the meeting.
X.5. Quorum. A
quorum shall be the Pastor or other duly appointed presiding officer, and one
third (three) of the Elders. The only exception shall be meetings called solely
for the purpose of receiving or dismissing members of the congregation, which
shall require the Pastor and two of the Elders to constitute a quorum.
(This Article has been revised under Amendment
No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to Appendix
'A' for amendment description.)
X.6. Clerk of Session.
The Session shall elect an individual to this position annually at or before
the January Session meeting, or when a vacancy occurs. There shall be no limit
to the number of years an individual may serve as Clerk of Session. The Clerk
of Session must be an Elder, but should not be serving a current term of office
on the Session.
X.7. Financial
Authority. The Session shall have sole authority over the finances of the
church which includes the formation and execution of the Annual Operating
Budget. The Session shall provide the operating budget to the Congregation for
information at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation as well as report on the
financial activity and health of the church. The Congregation shall, as an act
of supervising the Pastor's Terms of Call, have authority to approve that
portion of the operating budget which reflects the Pastor's compensation for
the new budget year. Only members of the Session can authorize the disbursement
of funds from church accounts with the following exceptions: the Board of
Deacons may authorize disbursements from the Deacons Fund; the Board of
Trustees may authorize disbursements from the portions of the operating budget
related to the building and the property and as designated by the Session; and,
the Session may, at its discretion, authorize individuals from the congregation
to disburse funds from special funds that have been approved and created by the
Session.
X.8. Church Treasurer.
The Session shall elect an individual to this position annually at or before
the January Session meeting, or when a vacancy occurs. There shall be no limit
to the number of years an individual may serve as Treasurer. The Treasurer
shall be under the authority of the Session and shall not disburse any church
funds without the authorization of a member of the Session or other authorized
agent as defined in Section X.7. above. The Treasurer shall work in conjunction
with the Administration Elders, and shall provide monthly, year-to-date, and end-of-year financial reports to the Session.
The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
X.9. Financial Audit.
The Session shall commission an annual audit of the church's finances for the
previous year to be completed by the Board of Trustees no later than the last
day of February. Audit findings shall be reported back to the Session for
inclusion in the minutes.
X.10. Joint Meeting with
the Board of Deacons. A joint Meeting of the Session with the Board of
Deacons shall be held annually. The
time, date and location are to be set by session.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
X. 11. Joint Meeting with
the Board of Trustees. A joint Meeting of the Session with the Board of
Trustees shall be held annually. The
time, date and location are to be set by session.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 6 [22 January 1997]. Refer to Appendix 'A* for
amendment description.)
ARTICLE
XI
Session Committees
XI. 1. Standing Session
Committees. To effectively conduct ministry, the Session is organized into
committees. The standing Committees of Session include:
XI. 1a. ADMINISTRATION:
Charged with overseeing the administrative and financial affairs of the
church. One of the co-chairs of this committee shall be appointed by the Pastor
on July 1 each year to serve as the Moderator of the Board of Trustees.
XI.1b. CHRISTIAN WORSHIP EDUCATION: Charged
with providing for the Christian Education of all members, with particular
oversight of the Sunday school.
XI. lc. CHURCH LIFE: Charged
with providing for the fellowship and recreation of the congregation.
XI. 1d. MISSION AND
EVANGELISM: Charged with oversight of the
Congregation's missions program and its outreach to the world.
XI. 1e. NURTURE AND DISCIPLESHIP: Charged with providing for the
spiritual growth of the congregation.
XI.1f. WORSHIP: Charged with providing for the worship
life and music ministry of the congregation.
Each Standing Committee shall be chaired by at least one Elder serving
a current term of office on the Session.
When more than one Elder serving a current term of office on the Session
is assigned to a standing committee, they shall serve as equal co-chairs of the
committee. Each committee shall be responsible for enlisting their own
membership, scheduling their own meetings and performing all activities
necessary to carry on the responsibilities and ministry of the Committee.
XI.2. Other Committees.
The Session may from time to time constitute additional or ad hoc committees
for such purposes as may be necessary.
XI.3. Committee Chairs.
All committees of Session shall, without
exception, be chaired or co-chaired by Elders serving current terms of office
on the Session.
XI.4. Annual Reports.
All Session Committees are required to submit a written annual report. Reports
for the previous year are due from each Committee Chair to the Clerk of Session
no later than the second Sunday in January.
(This
Article has been revised under Amendments No. 6 [22 January 1997] and No. 7 [01
June 1997]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
ARTICLE
XII
The Board of Deacons
XII. 1. Membership.
The Board of Deacons consists of the Deacons serving current terms of office.
The Pastor shall be an advisory Member. All are entitled to vote.
XII.2. Structure. The Board of
Deacons shall be comprised of seven (7) Deacons divided into two (2) classes of
two (2) Deacons each, and one (1) class of three (3) Deacons. The terms of
only one class shall expire each year. Class designations are understood to
indicate the year in which the terms for the members of that class shall
expire. The Board of Deacons shall be under the authority of the Session and
shall report to the Session quarterly.
XII.3. Moderator and
Vice-Moderator. The Board of Deacons shall elect a Moderator from among
their membership. The Moderator shall chair all meetings of the Board of
Deacons. The Board of Deacons shall also elect a Vice-Moderator from among
their membership who shall chair meetings of the Board of Deacons in the absence
of the Moderator.
XII.4. Secretary. The
Board of Deacons shall elect a Secretary from among their membership. The
Secretary shall keep a record of the Board's proceedings and shall submit this
record to the Session periodically through the year.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
XII.5. Meetings. The
Board of Deacons shall meet periodically, but not fewer than four (4) times per
year, as scheduled by their membership. When necessary, special meetings of the
Board of Deacons may be held when called by the Moderator of the Board of
Deacons or when directed by the Session.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
XII.6. Joint Meeting with
the Session. A joint Meeting of the Board of Deacons with the Session shall
be held annually. The time, date and
location are to be set by session.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to
Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
XII.7. Quorum. A
quorum shall be three of the Deacons serving current terms of office, one of
whom shall be the Moderator or the Vice-Moderator.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to
Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
XII.8. Annual Report.
The Board of Deacons is required to submit an annual report. The report for the
previous year is due from the Moderator of the Board of Deacons to the Clerk of
Session no later than the second Sunday in January.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 8 [3 June 2001]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
ARTICLE
XIII
Lay Professional Staff
XIII. 1. Professional Staff.
The Session may, as ministry needs demand, create paid lay professional staff
positions and hire individuals to those positions.
XIII.2. Accountability.
Each staff position shall fall under the authority of a specific Committee of
Session. The individual employed in the position shall be accountable to the
Elders of Session assigned as co-chairs of that Committee. All lay professional staff shall work at the
direction of the Pastor as the Head of Staff.
XIII.3. Job Descriptions.
All lay professional staff positions shall have a written job description,
copies of which shall be provided to the individual employed in the position
and to the Pastor.
XIII.4. Contracts. All
lay professional staff shall conduct their responsibilities under benefit of a
contract, renewable on an annual basis, signed by them and the Session Elders
having oversight. An original copy of the executed contract shall be provided
to the employee, the Session Committee having oversight and the Clerk of
Session. A copy of each executed contract shall be provided to the Pastor and
the Treasurer. Contracts for the year shall be executed by all parties on or
before the first Sunday in January.
XIII.5. Annual Performance
and Compensation Review. Each paid lay professional shall be entitled to an
annual performance and compensation review to be conducted prior to the last
day of November by the Pastor and the Session Elders having oversight.
XIII.6. Annual Reports.
Each lay professional on staff shall submit an annual report as requested by
the Session. The report for the previous year is due from each lay professional
on staff so requested, to the Clerk of Session no later than the second Sunday
in January.
ARTICLE
XIV
Organizations of the Church
XIV.1. Organizations.
The members of this Congregation may organize under regular forms of
association for the conduct of Bible study and teaching, prayer, spiritual
nurture and support, fellowship, ministry to others, or outreach.
XIV.2. Annual Reports.
The presiding officer or recognized leader of each organization shall, as
requested by the Session, submit an annual report for the previous year to the
Clerk of Session no later than the second Sunday of January.
XIV.3. Financial Policy.
The collection or distribution of funds by organizations of the Church shall be
conducted with the approval of the Session.
ARTICLE
XV
The Board of Trustees
(This Article was added in its entirety under
Amendment No. 6 [22 January 1997] and took effect on 01 July 1997.)
XV. 1 Membership. The
Board of Trustees shall consist of the Trustees serving current terms of office
and the Moderator of the Board of Trustees. All shall be entitled to vote. The
church Treasurer shall be an ex officio member.
XV.2. Structure. The
Board of Trustees shall be comprised of six (6) Trustees divided into three (3)
classes of two (2) Trustees each. The terms of only one class shall expire each
year. Class designations are understood to indicate the year in which the terms
for the members of that class shall expire. The Board of Trustees shall be
under the authority of the Session and shall report to the Session quarterly.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
XV.3. Nomination. Election
and Qualifications of Trustees. The Session shall act as a nominating
committee and shall bring to the Corporation each June, or as vacancies occur,
nominees for the Board of Trustees. Men and women from among the active
membership of the congregation, giving fair representation to persons of all
ages and of all racial/ethnic members, shall be elected to office in a manner
set forth in Article VI above, and subject to the provisions of the Book of
Order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Trustees must be Communicant members in good and regular standing and
have reached the legal age of majority.
XV.4. Term of Office.
Trustees shall be elected for a term of three years unless they are being
elected to fill a term rendered vacant by resignation, death or removal from
office, in which case they shall be elected for the remaining duration of that
term. There shall be no limit as to the number of successive terms, either full
or partial, served by
any individual. The full and regular term of office for Trustees shall begin on
July 1, following election by the Corporation on the first Sunday of May, and
shall expire after three years on June 30.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
XV.5. Installation. Upon election,
Trustees shall be installed into their office during public worship.
XV.6. Resignations. In
the event that a Trustee desires to resign from the Board of Trustees,
notification in writing shall be given to the Moderator of the Board of
Trustees. The Session shall then designate a nominee and shall call a meeting
of the Corporation to fill the vacancy in a timely manner. Vacancies resulting
from the death of a Trustee shall be filled in the same manner.
XV. 7 Removal from Office
for Cause. A Trustee may be removed from office for cause as prescribed in
the Book of Order for the removal of an Elder or Deacon. Vacancies created as a result
of removal shall be filled in the same manner as defined in XV.6. above.
XV. 8. Moderator. The
Pastor shall appoint, on or before July 1 each year, one of the co-chairs of
the Administration Committee of the Session to serve as the Moderator of the
Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall not meet or conduct business without the
Moderator, or his designee.
. (This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 9 [5 June 2005]. Refer to
Appendix 'A' for amendment description.)
XV.9. Secretary. The
Board of Trustees shall elect a Secretary from among their membership. The
Secretary shall keep a record of the Board's proceedings and shall submit this
record to the Session periodically. The Secretary shall also serve as Secretary
for all meetings of the Corporation and shall make all minutes and records
available to the State of Maryland as requested.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
XV.10. Meetings and Quorums.
The Board of Trustees shall meet periodically as scheduled by their membership
but not fewer than four (4) times per year. Special meetings of the Board of
Trustees may be held when called by the Moderator or directed by the Session. Additionally, a joint meeting of the Board of
Trustees with the Session shall be held annually. The time, date and location
are to be set by session. A quorum shall
be three (3) of the Trustees serving current terms of office, one of whom can
be the Moderator.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
XV.11. Trustees for the
Corporation. The Trustees serving current terms of office on the Board of
Trustees shall also serve as Trustees for the Grace Presbyterian Church,
Lanham, Maryland Corporation when legally required by the State of Maryland.
XV.12. Financial Audit.
The Board of Trustees shall arrange for and supervise the annual audit of the
church finances to be completed before the last day of February each year. The
Audit Committee shall be comprised of one Trustee from the Finance Committee of
the Board of Trustees, one Elder from the Administration Committee of the
Session and persons from the congregation as appointed by the Board of
Trustees. The Church Treasurer shall be present during the audit. Audit
findings shall be reported back to the Session for inclusion in the Session
minutes.
XV.13. Committees. To
effectively discharge its duties, the Board of Trustees is organized into
committees. The standing Committees of the Board of Trustees include:
XV.13a. finance: Charged with the management and long range planning of the
finances of the church.
XV.13b. building: Charged with the maintenance, repair
and upkeep of the building(s) owned and used by the congregation.
XV.13c. property: Charged with the maintenance, repair
and upkeep of the property owned and used by the congregation
XV.14. Responsibilities.
The Board of Trustees shall generally be responsible for the supervision and
management of the church's finances, its building and its property. Specific
duties and responsibilities shall be as defined by the Session. The Board of Trustees shall discharge their
duties under the authority of the Session.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
XV.15. Annual Reports.
The Board of Trustees is required to submit an annual report. The report is due
from the Moderator of the Board of Trustees to the Clerk of Session no later
than the second Sunday in January.
ARTICLE XVI
Use of Church Facilities
(This Article was previously Article XV. It was
renumbered under Amendment No. 6 [22 January 1997].)
XVI.1. By Boards, Committees,
Organizations and members of the Church. All boards, committees, organizations
and members of the church are entitled to use the church building for their
functions as approved by the Session if necessary, or by an Administration
elder as deemed appropriate, provided that the date and time does not conflict
with other previously scheduled events and has been entered onto the official
calendar of building use.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
XVI.2. By Organizations
Outside of the Church. The Session may grant use of the church building to
organizations outside of the church as it so desires when those events do not
conflict with those of the church. The Session may decline a request for
building use by an outside organization without cause. The Session has the
authority to collect a fee for the use of the building by outside organizations
and can restrict access to the building to certain specific areas. Further, the
Session may pre-empt a regularly scheduled event by an outside organization in
favor of a Church sponsored event.
ARTICLE
XVII
Compliance with Higher Judicatories of the Church
(This Article was previously Article XVI. It was
renumbered under Amendment No. 6 [22 January 1997].)
XVII.1. Compliance. The
provisions of these bylaws are intended to be in compliance with the latest
publication of the Book of Order of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) and with all applicable policies
of the National Capital
Presbytery. Where these bylaws are found to be in
conflict with either the Book of Order or the policy
of the National Capital Presbytery, or where those
provisions include more restrictive language than these bylaws, it is
understood that the provisions of the higher judicatory shall take precedence
over these bylaws.
ARTICLE
XVIII
Supersedence of Previous Bylaws
(This
Article was previously Article XVII. It was renumbered under Amendment No. 6
[22 January 1997].)
XVIII.1 Supersedence. It is understood that
these bylaws shall supersede any previous bylaws of and for Grace Presbyterian
Church.
ARTICLE
XIX
Amendments
(This
Article was previously Article XVIII. It was renumbered under Amendment No. 6
[22 January 1997].)
XIX.1. Amendments. The
bylaws shall be amended only with the approval of Session and adoption by the
Congregation. Adoption by the Congregation shall occur only at the Annual
Meeting of the Congregation or a Special Meeting of the Congregation called for
that purpose, with a minimum of two-thirds of those present concurring.
XIX.2. Procedure for
Amending. All proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the
Clerk of Session. The Clerk shall present the proposed amendment(s) to the
Session for study, and upon favorable consideration, give preliminary approval.
Upon preliminary approval by the Session, the proposed amendment(s) shall be e-mailed,
made available as a link on the church’s webpage, or mailed as necessary, to
the congregation for review and comment. The congregation shall be provided
twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date of mailing to provide their
comments, in writing, to the Session. Upon
completion of the congregational review period, the Session shall consider the
comments from the congregation and shall vote to approve, in final form, the
proposed amendment(s). Adoption by the Congregation will be placed on the
agenda for the next Annual Meeting of the Congregation - provided that the
amendment process began at least ninety (90) days prior to that meeting, or a
Special Meeting of the Congregation will be called. A copy of the proposed
amendment(s) in final form and as approved by the Session, shall be e-mailed, made
available as a link on the church’s webpage, or mailed as necessary, to each
member of the Congregation at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the Meeting
of the Congregation, at which said amendment(s) is (are) to be considered for
adoption.
(This Article has been
revised under Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for
amendment description.)
XIX.3. Publication of
Bylaws. Upon approval by the Session and adoption by the Congregation, a
copy of these bylaws shall be made available to each member of the Congregation. New members will subsequently be given a copy
of the bylaws. Following the approval
and adoption of any amendment to the bylaws, a copy will be made available to
each member of the Congregation.
(This Article has been revised under
Amendment No. 10 [1 June 2008]. Refer to Appendix 'A' for amendment
description.)
End of Bylaws
___________________________
These bylaws were originally approved by the Session at its regular
meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 1994. Membership of Session on this date included
Rev. William P. Campbell (the installed Pastor and Moderator of Session) and
Elders Christopher Adomanis, Michael Barrett, Preston Guice, James Lutz, Nann
Lutz, Wade Moroughan, Matthew Raeder, William Sol, David Walker, Jr., James
Wildoner, Robert Woodward and Brian Wyant.
These bylaws were originally adopted by the Congregation at a called
Special Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, July 10,1994.
These bylaws were last amended by Amendment No. 10 which was approved
by the Session on Tuesday, May 18, 2008 and adopted by the Congregation on
Sunday, June 1, 2008.
_______________________________________________
Elder Carol
Bellamy
Clerk of
Session
_______________________________________________
Rev. Dr.
David Bower
Moderator