CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
OF
ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
(ADOPTED 1938, REVISED APRIL 4, 1966, JANUARY 6, 1986, APRIL 10, 2022)
THE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME, ADDRESS, AND INCORPORATION
SECTION 1. Name. Originally founded on February 17, 1870 as Zion Church, in 1934 the Church was renamed Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church, and since 1957 became known as Zion United Church of Christ. It is hereinafter referred to as the “church.”
SECTION 2. Address. The official address of the church shall be 701 N CR 250 E, Garrett Township, Arthur, Illinois 61911.
SECTION 3. Incorporation. The church shall be a not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Illinois, and its purposes shall be religious. The official year of the church shall be January 1 to December 31.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE, AFFILIATION AND DOCTRINE
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of the church is to establish in its community a Christian congregation for worship, to promote the Christian life, and to advance the Kingdom of God by all available means, both home and abroad.
SECTION 2. Affiliation. This church and its Congregation shall be an organic part of the
United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, and its designated Associations and Conferences of which it is a member.
SECTION 3. Doctrine. The Articles of Faith of the Congregation shall be those of Zion United Church of Christ as stated in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Members. Persons become members by baptism and either confirmation or by profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; by reaffirmation or re-profession of faith; or by letter of transfer or certification from other Christian churches. Persons who have been so duly received shall be communicant members and shall be entitled to all its rights and privileges.
SECTION 2. Rights. Communicant members in good standing shall have the right to voice and vote in the Congregation, and also to represent the Congregation on the Consistory or other judicatories of the church, as provided in the Bylaws.
SECTION 3. Transfers. Members who have permanently changed their residence to other cities or communities shall be urged by the Pastor to obtain letters of transfer and, as soon as possible, unite with another congregation.
SECTION 4. Misconduct. Members guilty of misconduct, which brings reproach upon the church, shall be disciplined in accordance with the rules of discipline as provided in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE IV
ELDERS AND TRUSTEES
SECTION 1. Elders. An Elder is a member of the church chosen by the Congregation and ordained to his or her office. They shall assist and support the Pastor in the spiritual affairs of the church. Elders shall take heed of themselves so that they may be an example to others, watch faithfully over the spiritual interests of the Congregation, maintain order in the House of God, aid in visiting the sick, and minister according to their ability to the edification and comfort of all the members. The manner of election, terms of office, and rights and duties shall be defined in the Bylaws.
SECTION 2. Trustees. A Trustee is a member of the church chosen by the Congregation and ordained to his or her office. They shall aid in securing the funds necessary for the support of the church and its various activities, to foster the principles of stewardship, and to dispense the charity of the church. The manner of election, terms of office, and rights and duties shall be defined in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE V
THE CONSISTORY (CHURCH COUNCIL) AND THE SPIRITUAL COUNCIL
SECTION 1. Consistory. The Consistory, aka The Church Council or Board of Trustees, shall be composed of the Pastor, Elders, and Trustees. It shall organize as provided for in the Bylaws. It shall have jurisdiction and oversight of the Congregation and all its organizations. The Consistory shall have the care and control of the property of the Congregation as a sacred trust whether real or personal, in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Church of Christ.
SECTION 2. Spiritual Council. The Spiritual Council shall consist of the Pastor and the acting Elders of the church. It shall have original jurisdiction in matters of discipline, except in the case of the Pastor. It shall provide the elements for the Lord’s Supper and, when requested by the Pastor, aid in their distribution. It shall admit members into full communion, upon request issue letters of transfer to members in good standing, and exclude those who may err in the faith or offend in morale.
ARTICLE VI
ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1. Congregational Meetings. The supreme legislative and administrative power of the of the Congregation is vested in the Congregation itself, assembled in meeting duly and legally called as provided in the Bylaws. The Congregation shall have an Annual Meeting and such other meetings as provided for in the Bylaws.
SECTION 2. Congregational Prerogative. It is the prerogative of the congregational meeting to decide such questions as the buying and selling of property, building projects, extensive repairs of church property, the call and rejection of a pastor, the questions of the policy of the Congregation, as well as changes in the Constitution and Bylaws. For the transaction of all other business, the administration of the church is entrusted to the Consistory, chosen and composed as provided for in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII
THE PASTOR
SECTION 1. General. The Congregation shall elect as a pastor only a person who has been recommended or approved by the Placement Committee of the United Church of Christ Conference.
SECTION 2. Election. The Consistory shall nominate one candidate approved by the Placement Committee of the Conference for the pastorate, to be voted upon by the Congregation. The Congregation shall consider only one candidate at a time and shall vote by ballot for or against his or her election. The candidate must be elected by a two-thirds majority of all voting members present. Upon election the Consistory shall tender the candidate a call. The call must be confirmed by the UCC Conference.
SECTION 3. Considerations. As long as he or she is pastor, no other minister shall perform any religious ceremony in the church without their consent. The pastor’s salary shall be paid promptly in at least monthly installments and shall be sufficient to relieve the pastor of temporal cares as far as possible and to preserve the dignity of their calling, subject however, to the provisions of the contract between the Pastor and Congregation.
ARTICLE VIII
PROPERTY
SECTION 1. Authority. The Congregation may in its corporate name, sue or be sued, hold, purchase, and receive title by gift, grant, or other conveyance of any kind of any property, real or personal, with authority to mortgage, sell, or convey the same, providing the State laws permit.
SECTION 2. Division. In case of a division in the membership of the Congregation, both parties shall submit the question of the right of the property to the Conference and the decision of said judiciary shall be binding on all members of the Congregation.
SECTION 3. Dissolution. In case of a dissolution of the Congregation, provisions for the dispensation of the real property and other assets are provided in the Bylaws. .
ARTICLE IX
SOCIETIES
SECTION 1. Societies. All societies of the church are subordinate to the Consistory and shall report annually to the Congregation.
ARTICLE X
DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1. Discipline. Discipline in case of un-Christian conduct or other actions lies in the hands of the Spiritual Council, except in the case of the Pastor. Discipline in the case of the Pastor lies in the hands of the Consistory with consent of the Congregation.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments. Additions or alterations to this Constitution may be proposed in any regularly called meeting of the Congregation. They shall be referred to the Consistory, which shall consider the same and report to the next duly called meeting of the Congregation. Said additions or alterations can be adopted only by a two-thirds majority of all voting members present.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
OBLIGATIONS TO THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SECTION 1. Delegates. A delegate or delegates from this Congregation shall be appointed by the Church Council to attend meetings of the Conference. The Congregation shall arrange that delegates representing the Congregation shall attend meetings of the Conference and other events and activities of the United Church of Christ essential to maintaining a relationship between the Church and its denomination. Traveling expenses as well as registration fees and other meeting expenses of the Pastor and the delegates shall be paid by the Congregation.
SECTION 2. Support. The Congregation shall regularly contribute toward the support of the United Church of Christ, its missions, and the Conference with deference to the recommendations and actions of the General Synod and Conference.
SECTION 3. Reports. The Congregation, either through its pastor or competent officer, shall make such reports to the Conference or other United Church of Christ authorities as may be required of it.
ARTICLE II
PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
SECTION 1. Privileges. All members are entitled to a full share in the fellowship and the spiritual blessing of the church, and the service of its pastor, officials, and other workers, as well as to the Christian sympathy and support of all members.
SECTION 2. Voting. All communicant members in good standing are entitled to voice and to vote unless otherwise stated in the Constitution or Bylaws. A communicant member is defined as any person who has become a member of this church through the Rite of Confirmation, or a person who is past the sixteenth year of age and has become a member by letter of transfer, re-profession of faith, or by other means, and who participates in this church’s observance of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on at least an annual basis.
SECTION 3. Holding Office. All communicant members of the Congregation in good standing and past the twenty-first year of age are entitled to hold office.
SECTION 4. Duties. It is the duty of all members to take an active part in all functions of the church for the glory of God and the up-lift of humankind. This includes: regular attendance at divine worship and study services, fervent prayer for the welfare of the church, a family altar and devotionals in the home, careful attention to the religious training of youths, liberal financial and moral support toward the maintenance and benevolent undertakings of the church, obedience to the church’s established laws and authorities, membership in the organizations of the congregation wherever possible, untiring zeal in bringing the unchurched into this community of faith, and maintaining a spirit of Christian fellowship toward all members.
ARTICLE III
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of January each year, and quarterly meetings shall be held in the months of April, July, and October.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Consistory. Upon the written request of ten communicant members, the Consistory shall also issue a call for such a meeting within two weeks after the request has been received. Proper notice shall be given of the time, place, and purpose of a special meeting. Only such business as has been mentioned in the call may be transacted at such special meetings.
SECTION 3. Notification. Notification of regular and special Congregational meetings shall be provided the members of the Congregation at least two weeks in advance by public announcement, by mail, or by other appropriate means depending upon the importance or associated costs of the matters being discussed.
SECTION 4. Quorum. A minimum equal to one-half the average number of members in good standing who have attended Sunday worship services during the previous ninety days, but a number requiring no more than ten, shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IV
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. Nominations. The Church Council (Consistory) shall consist of three Trustees and two Elders. Nominations shall be made for the office of Trustees and Elders by the Consistory. Public notice of such nomination shall be given from the pulpit at least one week before the election. One additional nomination may be made by the Congregation for each office.
SECTION 2. Elections. Trustees and Elders shall be elected by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation. The Trustees shall be elected for a three-year term of office and the Elders shall be elected for a two-year term of office. However, it shall be so arranged that one Trustee and one Elder be elected each year.
ARTICLE V
CONSISTORY
SECTION 1. Powers. The Consistory is composed of six members: the Pastor, two Elders, and three Trustees. Except for powers and authority expressly reserved for the Congregation, the administration of the church and its affairs are vested in the Consistory (Church Council).
SECTION 2. Organization. The Consistory shall meet within a week after the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for the purpose of organization. The Consistory shall organize itself in the following way: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
SECTION 3. Meetings. The Consistory shall meet at least once every month at a place and time convenient to the members for the transaction of such business as may properly come before it. Special meetings are subject to the call of the President or Pastor.
SECTION 4. Quorum. All actions of the Consistory shall be determined by a majority vote. A majority vote is defined as a majority of the quorum. A majority of the Consistory, three (3), shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, no action can be taken, except that a majority of the Consistory present may adjourn the meeting to another time without further notice.
SECTION 5. Duties. The Consistory shall transact the business of the church, make provision for the preparation and raising of the budget for the Congregation as well as for the apportionment of the church and other benevolent purposes, distribution of alms through the Trustees, auditing and financial accounts, and make complete provision for the adequate support of the staff of workers. It shall keep a complete and accurate record of its proceedings, be the custodian of all congregational records, and report to the Congregation at its regular and special meetings. The Consistory shall submit any or all records to the Conference when occasion requires or upon request.
SECTION 6. Limitations. The Consistory shall approve all bills before payment be made by the Treasurer. The Consistory may authorize any extraordinary expense up to the amount of $2500.00. Any expenditure which exceeds that amount is subject to approval by the Congregation.
SECTION 7. Records. The Consistory shall direct the Pastor, or other responsible member of the Congregation, to keep a complete record of baptisms, confirmations, communicants, reception of new members, transfers, erasure of names, marriages, and deaths. All records shall be the property of the Congregation. But upon the dissolution of the Congregations, its records shall become the property of the Conference.
SECTION 8. Informal Action. The authority of the Consistory may be exercised without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action taken, is signed and approved by a majority of the members of the Consistory.
SECTION 9. Resignation and Removal. A member of the Consistory may resign at any time upon written notice. Any Trustee or Elder may be removed, with or without cause, and without prior notice or hearing, by a majority vote of the Consistory.
SECTION 10. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Consistory shall be filled by the appointment of a member of the Congregation by the President subject to the approval by a majority of the remaining members of the Consistory. The person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for his or her predecessor’s unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. President. It is the duty of the President to see that all meetings of the Consistory are regularly called, to open and conduct such meetings, and to see to the execution of all resolutions. The President shall remind the Pastor to announce all regular and special meetings of the Congregation on two successive Sundays, or in case it is so decided by the Consistory, instruct the Secretary to send a call to such meetings to every member by mail. The President may appoint committees as necessary to accomplish the work of the church.
SECTION 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall preside at all meetings where the President is not present and also when business pertaining to the President’s administration is before the Congregation. The Vice-President shall do all in his or her power to help the President and make the church administration operate easier.
SECTION 3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the record of all transactions at the meetings of the Congregation and Consistory, issue the call to all regular meetings at the request of the President, attend to all correspondence, and keep a correct list of all members and their addresses, showing also the dates of their admission and withdrawal.
SECTION 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies for congregational support and for benevolences and make all payments authorized by the Consistory. The Treasurer shall keep a correct account of all receipts and disbursements, both current and benevolent. He or she shall render a report at all Consistory meetings, and give a quarterly report and annual report to the Congregation.
ARTICLE VII
THE CHURCH CABINET
SECTION 1. Composition. The Church Cabinet, consisting of the Consistory and the Presidents or representatives of the organizations of the Congregation, shall be formed to co-ordinate and promote the entire program of the church. It shall meet at least annually and be subject to the call of the President of the Consistory.
ARTICLE VIII
THE SPIRITUAL COUNCIL
SECTION 1. Composition. The Pastor shall be the President of the Spiritual Council which is made up of the Trustees and Elders of the church. If the Congregation is without a pastor, one of the Elders will be chosen to preside. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 2. Meetings and Duties. Stated meetings shall be held to consider and act upon applicants for membership, requests for letters of transfer, and to discuss and devise plans looking toward the quickening of the spiritual life of the Congregation. A letter of transfer shall specify the congregation to which the person is dismissed and shall be valid for only one year. Special meetings shall be called at the call of the Consistory President or at the request of two Elders.
SECTION 3. Discipline. The Spiritual Council shall exercise discipline in the Congregation.
SECTION 4. Process of Discipline. If a member shall neglect to partake of the Holy Communion, or refuses to contribute to the support of the church, or is continuously absent from the public worship for one year, such conduct shall be deemed worthy of censure, and that person shall be admonished by the Pastor or Elders. If that member continues in such neglect of duty for another year, the Spiritual Council shall notify that person they are no longer in good and regular standing, and their name shall be placed on a list of members under discipline. If before the expiration of another year that member gives evidence of a change of heart and conduct, their name shall be returned to the role of active membership of the Congregation. If at the end of the third year the person shall give no evidence of change of heart and conduct, the Spiritual Council will erase their name form the church register.
SECTION 5. Redemptive Nature of Discipline. Be it understood, however, that such disciplinary measures are meant to be redemptive in purpose. Furthermore, they shall not apply to any who by virtue of physical inability cannot fulfil the requirements of church membership. Members who cannot attend worship services or partake of Holy Communion publicly, should give notice of such inability to the Spiritual Council and should notify the pastor of the desire to partake of Holy Communion privately. Members who cannot support the church financially should be encouraged to support it spiritually, morally, through and by whatever means are available to them, and their names should not be erased from the membership role because of the lack of earthly wealth.
ARTICLE IX
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
SECTION 1. Ex-officio Members. The President of the Consistory and the Pastor are ex-officio members of all the committees of the Consistory and Congregation.
ARTICLE X
TRUSTEES
SECTION 1. Trustees. The Consistory is the Board of Trustees. The property of the Congregation, whether real or personal, and all monies and legacies, shall be under the care of the Trustees. They shall hold the property as a sacred trust for the Congregation and keep the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the Congregation in proper repair and adapted for uses it approves. The purchasing or selling, the borrowing of money which encumbers the property of the church, and the remodeling and erection of buildings shall conform to State laws and be determined only by a majority vote of a congregational meeting.
ARTICLE XI
DOCTRINE
SECTION 1. Traditional. The traditional doctrinal standards of the Congregation are the Heidelberg Catechism, Luther’s Catechism, and the Augsburg Confession. These are accepted as historical interpretations of the essential truth taught in the Holy Scriptures. Pastors and members of the Congregation, in accordance with the liberty of conscience inherent in the Gospel, are allowed to adhere to different interpretation of these confessions.
SECTION 2. Modern. This church’s doctrinal standards emphasize a belief that God still speaks to his followers and that new light and understanding are constantly being revealed through careful study and interpretation of the Bible.
SECTION 3. Worship Services. The Lord’s Day and the festivals of the Church year shall be observed with appropriate services in the House of God.
SECTION 4. Sacraments. The Sacraments of the church, instituted by Christ, are Holy Baptism and Communion. This church practices Baptism of infants by the sprinkling of water when brought by parents, and of adults upon request or when received into membership.
All people of faith are invited to participate in Communion during worship services whether members of the Congregation or not, but are to be of the age or maturity where they have the understanding that this act is a solemn reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.
SECTION 5. Rites. The rites of the church are confirmation, ordination, consecration, marriage, and burial.
SECTION 6. The Bible. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are regarded as the ultimate source of Christian faith and practice. It is used for inspiration, guidance, and for preaching. Translations, revisions, and interpretations of the Bible are acceptable for use by the Pastor and members of the Congregation as long as they are designed to provide a clearer and fuller understanding of the Scriptures.
SECTION 7. Sin. Sin is regarded as the opposition or indifference to the will of God. Redemption from sin comes from heartfelt repentance and sincere faith.
SECTION 8. Creed. The Apostle’s Creed or the United Church of Christ Statement of Faith shall be the preferred confessions used when professing our Christian faith. Members, however, are not required to profess a specific creed. The only profession of faith necessary is to love one another.
SECTION 9. Unity. In its relationship with other Christian communities, the church shall constantly endeavor to promote the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, seeking unity in essentials, but allowing diversity in nonessentials, with a charitable attitude toward disagreement, and with an unending desire “that they may all be one.”
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments. The power to alter, amend, repeal the Bylaws, or adopt new Bylaws is vested in the Congregation in any duly called meeting of the Congregation by a majority of the members present and voting. The Bylaws may contain any provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs of the church not inconsistent with its constitution, law, or the articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE XIII
DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1. Dissolution. Due to insolvency, or anticipated insolvency, lack of members, or division of membership, or for any other reason the resources of the church can no long provide for its needs to function viably as a religious organization, dissolution of the church may be accomplished by action of the congregation at a duly called meeting of a quorum of members in good standing and by a two-thirds majority vote of those present. Upon dissolution, the Trustees, after paying or making provision for the paying of all liabilities and obligations of the church, shall dispose of the assets of the church in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Illinois General Not For Profit Act of 1986, as amended, or any successor legislation, which requires any remaining assets be distributed to other registered not-for-profit organizations such as churches, missions, or the United Church of Christ.