Proposed Changes to Constitution and Bylaws
Proposed Changes to Constitution and Bylaws
Proposed Constitution
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1. The name of this church shall be Bethlehem United Church of Christ, Inc.
Section 2. This church, in existence since 1906, is incorporated as a religious non-profit corporation organized under the Indiana General Not-for-Profit Corporation Act (Acts of 1935, Ch. 157, sect. 1, p. 557), as shown by the Articles of Incorporation as subsequently amended, and Certificate of Incorporation, recorded on the sixth day of November, 1940 in Articles of Association Book II at pages 277—279 of the records in the Recorder’s Office of Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE, AFFILIATE, DOCTRINE
Section 1. Our mission is to serve God by spreading the news of God’s love and the promise of Jesus Christ. As faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us, we will be inclusive of all people and serve the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs and development of our church members, the wider community, and the world. We will be stewards of our youth and future generations, providing guidance, education, and resources.
Section 2. This congregation shall be a member of the Evansville Tri-State Association of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ and shall be guided by the Constitution, By-Laws, and Policies and Procedures Manual of Bethlehem UCC.
Section 3. The United Church of Christ acknowledges, as its sole head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of all persons. It acknowledges, as followers in Christ, all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord, it recognizes two sacraments—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Persons may be received into membership by confirmation, profession of faith, or letter of transfer.
Section 2. Members shall have the right to voice and vote at congregational meetings, and may serve on the Church Council, committees, or other judicatories of the church as provided in the By-Laws.
Section 3. Members who have permanently changed their residences to other cities or communities shall be urged by the Spiritual Council to obtain letters of transfer and unite with another church as soon as possible.
ARTICLE IV – ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Meetings – The supreme legislative and administrative power of the congregation is vested in the members, assembled in meeting, duly and legally called, as provided in the By-Laws. It is the prerogative of the members meeting to decide such questions as buying and selling property, building projects, extensive repairs of church property, the call or rejection of a Pastor, as well as changes in the Constitution and By-Laws. For the transaction of all other business, the administration of the church is entrusted to the Council, chosen and composed as provided in the By-Laws.
Section 2. Church Council and Spiritual Council – The church shall have a Church Council and a Spiritual Council.
The Church Council shall be composed of Elders and Deacons, and the Pastor(s). It shall organize as provided in the By-Laws. The Church Council shall also constitute the Board of Directors of the corporation as required by law.
ELDER – An Elder is a member of the congregation, chosen by the members and installed in this office. The Elder shall assist and support the Pastor(s) in the spiritual affairs of the church. An Elder shall take heed to himself/herself that he/she may be an example to others, watch faithfully over the spiritual interests of the church, maintain order in the House of God, aid in visiting the sick, and minister according to his/her ability to the edification and comfort of all members. The manner of election, eligibility, term of office, rights, and duties shall be defined in the By-Laws.
DEACON – A Deacon is a member of the congregation chosen by the members and installed in this office. The Deacon shall aid in securing the funds necessary for the support of the congregation’s various activities, foster the principles of stewardship, and dispense the charity of the members. The manner of election, eligibility, term of office, rights, and duties shall be defined in the By-Laws.
The Spiritual Council shall consist of the Pastor (s), Council President (if not an Elder), and acting Elders of the church. It shall have original jurisdiction in matters of discipline, except in the case of the Pastor(s). It shall provide the elements for the Lord’s Supper and when requested by the Pastor(s), aid in their distribution. It shall admit persons into membership and upon request, issue letters of transfer to members in good standing.
ARTICLE V – THE PASTORATE
The members shall elect as a Pastor(s) only an ordained minister who has Ordained Ministerial Standing in the UCC or been approved by a Committee on Ministry of an Association of the United Church of Christ. When there is a vacancy in the pastorate, the Council shall give notice of this effect to the Association Committee on Ministry and the Conference. A Search Committee shall be formed, as outlined in the By-Laws, to aid in securing a Pastor with the counsel and assistance of the Association and Conference.
The Council shall nominate one candidate to be voted upon by the members. The members shall consider only one candidate at a time and vote by ballot for or against his/ her election. If two-thirds of the membership present and voting elect him/her, a written call shall be extended to him/her by the congregation. The term of office, duties, and rights are defined in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI – PROPERTY
The congregation may, in its corporate name, sue and be sued, hold, purchase, and receive title by gift, grant, or other conveyance of and to any property, real or personal, with power to mortgage, sell or convey the same, provided the state laws permit. In case of a division in the membership, both parties shall submit the question of the right to the property to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference and the decision of said judiciary shall be binding on all members of the congregation. In case of dissolution of the congregation, the title of the property shall vest in the Indiana-Kentucky Conference.
ARTICLE VII – CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The congregation shall make ample provision for the Christian education of children, youth and adults in close conformity to the system of Christian education promoted by the United Church of Christ.
ARTICLE VIII – DISCIPLINE
Section 1. Discipline in the case of un-Christian conduct or other reasons for discipline lies in the hands of the Spiritual Council except in the case of the Pastor(s).
Section 2. Differences between the Pastor(s) and the membership, or complaints made by either party against the other, shall first be submitted to the Pastoral Relations Committee and, if recommended by the Pastoral Relations Committee, shall be submitted to the Association and/or Conference.
ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in any duly called meeting of the congregation. They shall be referred to the Council, which shall consider the same and report to the next duly called meeting of the congregation. The Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at any duly called meeting, provided not less than a ten-day notice shall have been given to all members. Changes affecting the Articles of Incorporation shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present and voting at any duly called meeting, provided not less than a ten-day notice shall have been given to all members.
Approved by Council (8/18/25) for review by members (Fall 2025) for adoption January 2026 and implementation January 1, 2027.
Proposed Bylaws
ARTICLE I – OBLIGATION TO THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Section 1. Delegates from Bethlehem United Church of Christ (Bethlehem) shall be elected each year by the congregation to attend the annual meeting of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference. The congregation shall also elect the delegates to all delegated meetings of the Evansville Tri-State Association as provided by the Association’s procedures. The expenses of authorized delegates shall be paid by the congregation.
Section 2. The congregation shall regularly contribute towards the support of the Evansville Tri-State Association and the United Church of Christ.
Section 3. The Pastor(s) and/or the President shall be responsible for submitting all reports that may be requested by the denomination.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Application – All persons seeking membership in Bethlehem shall be duly interviewed and instructed by the Pastor(s) to ascertain and establish, as far as possible, both their knowledge of the Christian faith and the seriousness of their intent to be committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Their application and the recommendation of the Pastor(s) shall then be reviewed for approval by the Spiritual Council.
Section 2. Privileges – All members are entitled to share fully in the fellowship, spiritual blessings, and Christian sympathy and support of all the members.
Section 3. Duties – It is the duty of all members to live righteous and Godly lives that profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to endeavor to apply the teachings of Jesus to all human relationships. They shall take an active part in the life and work of the congregation in ways such as sharing regularly in the worship of God and the celebration of the Holy Sacraments; continuing to grow in the Christian faith through participation in congregational programs and activities; offering liberal financial and moral support toward the buildings’ maintenance and the congregation’s annual expenditures and benevolent undertakings; and enlisting in the mission of the congregation as it serves the local community and the world.
ARTICLE III – CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
Section 1. The official calendar year shall be from January 1st to December 31st, inclusive. The program year shall be from September 1 to August 31st, inclusive.
Section 2. The congregation shall hold a Congregational Meeting during the months of February, July, and November of each year at a day and time determined by the Council.
Section 3. The purpose of the February meeting shall be, without limitation, to receive annual reports of the previous year and updates on programming for the current year.
Section 4. The purpose of the July meeting shall be to elect members to all office and committee positions, to receive financial updates, and for the presentation of planned programming for the upcoming program year.
Section 5. The November meeting shall be for the sole purpose of reviewing and adopting a budget for the next fiscal year.
Section 6. These meetings shall be announced in two Saturday and Sunday services prior to the date of the meeting and/or by notice mailed, e-mailed, or text messaged to each member family at least five days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 7. The President and/or the Council may call a special congregational meeting. Ten percent (10%) of the members may request a special congregational meeting by a written petition signed by such members. In the latter instance, the special meeting shall be held within thirty (30) days after the petition is received. Notice of these special meetings shall be mailed to every member-family at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. Only such business that has been mentioned in the call may be transacted at such special meetings.
Section 8. Ten percent (10%) of the membership shall constitute a quorum in any congregational meeting.
Section 9. Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the procedure at all meetings unless otherwise directed in the Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE IV – COUNCIL
Section 1 – The Council shall be composed of six (6) Elders and seven (7) Deacons, of which one (1) of the Deacons is to be a youth appointed by the Council President, and the Pastor(s).
Section 2. Duties - The Council:
a. shall have jurisdiction and supervision of the members and all organizations and shall serve as Trustees of the church.
b. shall transact the business of the congregation, make provisions for the stewardship program and an annual review of financial accounts, and secure adequate protection of the properties and funds through insurance and/or bonding.
c. shall elect or engage such workers or employees as may become necessary and establish their titles, duties, salaries, and term of office.
d. may authorize an extraordinary expense not in excess of 4% of the current year’s approved budget. All expenses at or above 4% must be approved by the members at a regular or special meeting of the congregation.
e. shall maintain a Policies and Procedures Manual that details the practices related to the ministry and mission of the congregation. These policies and procedures are to reflect the guidelines outlined in the Constitution and the Bylaws, as well as the operating practices of committees. The Policies and Procedures Manual may be amended by a majority vote of the Council.
Section 3. Meetings – The Council shall meet at least nine (9) times a year at a time agreed upon by the Council members. Special meetings of the Council may be called by the President. Five (5) members of the Council may request in writing a special meeting, in which case the special meeting shall be called within ten (10) days after the request has been presented to the President. A simple majority of members of the Council shall constitute a quorum at all Council meetings
Section 4. Action Without Meeting– In addition to its regular and special meetings, to the extent that the President and/or a majority of the Officers shall believe that there is an item that, due to its time sensitive nature, would be appropriate to consider before the next Council meeting, the President or any Officer may poll the entire Council via video communication, text messaging, and/or telephone. Voicemail and/or email messages may be left. Forty-eight (48) hours shall be allowed for responses to the poll. To the extent that there is any vote against the measure during the polling period, it shall be deemed not to pass but may be considered again at the next meeting of the Council. At least seven votes in the affirmative during the polling period shall be required to approve any item so presented, and any item so approved shall have the same force as if approved by vote during a meeting of the Council. Any non-responses shall be counted as an abstention.
Section 5. Election of Officers – The Council shall elect, at, or before its October meeting, a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer, hereinafter known as the Executive Committee, for a term of one (1) year beginning the following January. The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Council between regular monthly meetings with all the same duties and responsibilities. It shall also serve as a Personnel Committee for matters related to non-ordained employees. A staff member, full or part time, may serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.
Section 6. Duties of Officers
a. The President shall see that all Congregational and Council meetings, regular and special, are duly called and shall preside at such meetings. The President shall see that the Constitution and By-Laws are enforced and implement the instructions of the congregation and the Council. The President, together with the Secretary, shall execute all legal instruments of whatsoever nature and effect for and on behalf of the membership. The President shall be an ex-officio member of every committee and organization. The President shall appoint members to the Pastoral Relations Committee. The President may also create ad hoc committees and shall appoint persons to carry out each committee’s specific duties.
b. The Vice-President shall assist the President in his/her work whenever requested, and in his/her absence, attend to the duties of the President’s office.
c. The Secretary shall keep a record of all transactions at congregational meetings and meetings of the Council, issue the call to all meetings at the request of the President, and attend to all official correspondence. The Secretary, together with the President, shall execute all minutes, contracts, mortgage, instruments of indebtedness, vouchers, conveyances, and all other legal instruments of whatsoever nature and effect for and on behalf of the congregation.
d. The Financial Secretary shall receive all financial contributions, see that an accurate record is kept of all such receipts, and see that proper credit is given to each member. The Financial Secretary shall deposit all receipts in the financial institution designated by the Council and furnish the Treasurer with receipts of such deposits. The Financial Secretary shall report to the Council at its regularly scheduled meetings and to the membership at the regularly scheduled meetings of the congregation. The Financial Secretary duties may be shared by two (2) people. Both candidates must be members of the Council and both candidates must be approved by the Council to serve as co-Financial Secretaries. It will be the responsibility of the co-Financial Secretaries to determine coverage of all required duties of the position.
e. The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies and shall see that an accurate record is kept of all such receipts and disbursements. All payments shall be made upon the order of the Council through a printed Accounts Payable system approved monthly. The Treasurer shall report to the Council at its regularly scheduled meetings and to the membership at regularly scheduled Congregational meetings.
Section 7. Each Council member may be assigned specific responsibilities as deemed necessary by the President to carry out the activities and business of the congregation.
Section 8. Council Elders shall serve on the Spiritual Council. Council Deacons not serving as officers shall be appointed to serve as a member of a standing committee with financial responsibilities.
Section 9. Standing Committees
The Council shall establish the necessary standing committees to accomplish the congregation’s ministry and mission. Details and responsibilities of standing committees shall be outlined in a Policies and Procedures Manual maintained by the Council. The President-elect, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall submit the names of members to serve on non-elected committees to the Council for approval.
ARTICLE V – SPIRITUAL COUNCIL
Section 1. The Spiritual Council, consisting of the Pastor(s) and the acting Elders, shall elect a Chairperson and a Secretary. A majority of members will constitute a quorum. The Council President, if not an Elder, shall attend Spiritual Council meetings as an ex-officio member.
Section 2. Meetings shall be held regularly to review and approve applications for membership and requests for letters of transfer, and to discuss and devise plans looking towards improving the congregation’s spiritual life.
Section 3. The Spiritual Council shall, upon request of the Pastor(s), assist in planning and implementing special worship services. It shall secure weekly ushers and greeters, establish the annual Communion schedule, prepare the elements for celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion, and secure and schedule Elders (and Deacons if necessary) to assist with the distribution of Communion elements.
Section 4. The Spiritual Council shall give attention and direction to young people who show special promise and interest in possible, full-time, ministry-related occupations and seek, in cooperation with the Pastor(s), the development of special lay ministries in evangelism, fellowship, community action, and other areas of concern.
Section 5. The Spiritual Council shall exercise discipline within the membership, except in the case of the Pastor(s) and shall express concern for members who are inactive.
Section 6. Annual Review of Membership
a. The Spiritual Council shall review the Membership list annually and examine each member’s level of participation relative to the Membership Duties outlined in Article 2, Section 3 of these Bylaws.
b. Persons who have not fulfilled any of the duties for five (5) consecutive years shall be placed on a Members Under Review list.
c. The Spiritual Council shall formally contact the persons on the Members Under Review list to: 1) encourage them to increase their participation in Bethlehem activities, and 2) request notification if their desire is to no longer continue membership.
d. Members not responding to the Spiritual Council’s inquiry shall be considered to have decided to discontinue membership and shall be removed from the membership list.
e. Any member may at any time change his/her membership status by informing the Pastor(s) that they want their name removed from the Membership List.
f. If any Bethlehem member shall unite with another congregation without a letter of transfer, the Spiritual Council shall erase his/her name from the membership register.
ARTICLE VI – ELIGIBILITY FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED POSITIONS
Section 1. To be eligible for the office of Elder, the candidate shall be a member at least twenty-five (25) years of age and have served at least one (1) term as Deacon or have been a member for at least four (4) years.
Section 2. To be eligible for the office of Deacon, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years and shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
Section 3. To be eligible for election to the Children & Youth Ministry Team, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years.
Section 4. To be eligible for election as a delegate or alternate to the Indiana- Kentucky Conference, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years.
Section 5. To be eligible for election as a delegate or alternate to the Evansville Tri-State Association, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years.
Section 6. To be eligible for election as a delegate to the Good Samaritan Home, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years.
Section 7. To be eligible for election as a delegate to the Weekday Christian Education Program, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years and at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
Section 9. To be eligible for election to the Finance Committee, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years and be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
Section 11. To be eligible for election to the Nominating Committee, the candidate shall have been a member for at least two (2) years.
Section 12. There shall be no restrictions for members to be appointed to non-elected committee positions except for the following:
- The youth Deacon shall be a member at least nineteen (19) years of age or younger.
- Persons serving on the Pastoral Relations Committee shall have been a member for at least two (2) years and be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
ARTICLE VII – TERMS OF OFFICE FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED POSITIONS
Section 1. Elders and Deacons shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. It shall be arranged so that two (2) Elders and two (2) Deacons are elected to the Council annually. Elders and Deacons are not eligible to serve a consecutive term or serve in another Council position for one year following the end of their term.
Section 2. All non-Council elected positions are for a single term and no one may serve in the same position for one year following the end of their term.
Section 3The members of the Cemetery Board shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. It shall be arranged so that two (2) Board members are elected annually.
Section 4. Delegates to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference shall serve for a term of one (1) year.
Section 5. Delegates to the Evansville Tri-State Association shall serve for a term of one (1) year.
Section 7. Delegates to the Weekday Christian Education Program shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The delegate serving the third year shall act as Chairperson and Reporter of the delegation.
Section 8. The members of the Endowment Committee and the Memorial and Special Gifts Committee shall serve for a term of three (3) years.
Section 9. The elected members of the Finance Committee shall serve for a term of three (3) years.
Section 10. Council members of the Nominating Committee shall serve a term of one (1) year. At-large members of the Nominating Committee shall serve a term of two (2) years. It shall be arranged so that two (2) at-large members are elected annually.
Section 11. Members of the Children & Youth Ministry Team shall serve for a term of three (3) years.
Section 12. Non-elected members appointed to committees shall serve for a term of three (3) years and are eligible for reappointment except for members of the Pastoral Relations Committee who shall serve a term of three (3) years without the privilege of reappointment.
ARTICLE VIII – NOMINATION
Section 1. There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of four (4) members of the Council appointed by the Council President and four (4) at-large members not on the Council to be elected at the July congregational meeting. Nominations for the four (4) members of the Nominating Committee elected by the members will be proposed by the active Nominating Committee.
Section 2. Nominations shall be made for the office of Elder, Deacon, Youth Deacon, delegates to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference, the Evansville Tri-State Association, the Good Samaritan Home, and the Weekday Christian Education Program, Cemetery Board members, and members of the Endowment, Memorial & Special Gifts, Nominating, and the Children & Youth Ministry Team.
Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall report these nominees to the Council in sufficient time for its approval and for publication in the official monthly newsletter and/or at the time a notice of the meeting is mailed to the members. Additional nominations can be made by active members, with the consent of the nominee, at the time of election.
ARTICLE IX - ELECTIONS
Section 1. Persons duly nominated shall be elected by a majority vote of the active members present and voting at the July congregational meeting.
Section 2. All elected persons shall assume their respective positions and responsibilities at the beginning of the next calendar year with the exception of the new Children & Youth Team members who shall assume their position and responsibilities at the beginning of the next program year.
Section 3. Elders and Deacons shall not be eligible for re-election to the Council for a consecutive term.
Section 4. Vacancies in the Council may be temporarily filled by a majority vote of the Council until the next annual election.
Section 5. Vacancies occurring in the other positions elected by the members may be filled by appointment by the President and approved by the Council until the next annual election.
ARTICLE X – THE SENIOR PASTOR
Section 1. The Senior Pastor shall be called by election for an indefinite period. To terminate this relationship, a three-month written notice shall be given by either the Senior Pastor or the Council, unless agreed upon by mutual consent.
Section 2. The Senior Pastor shall be an ordained Minister of the Gospel, properly accredited and authorized by an Association of the United Church of Christ.
Section 3. The Senior Pastor shall be considered the spiritual leader of the congregation in its total program. It is his/her obligation to be prepared, in the best possible manner, for the task of guiding the members in Christian faith and service. It shall be his/her privilege and responsibility to relate every function of the congregation to the high purpose of seeking after the Kingdom of God.
Section 4. The Senior Pastor shall have complete autonomy as to the content of all of his/her sermons.
Section 5. The Senior Pastor shall be aided and counseled in the performance of his/her duties by the Spiritual Council.
Section 6. The Senior Pastor shall regularly report to the Council of his/her work.
Section 7. Matters pertaining to his/her physical care and temporal needs shall be carefully surveyed by the Spiritual Council and/or the Pastoral Relations Committee whose members shall show forth loving concern for his/her welfare.
Section 8. The Senior Pastor shall receive an annual wage and benefits sufficient to relieve him/her of temporal cares in so far as possible. The compensation shall be reviewed annually.
Section 9. The Senior Pastor’s moving expenses shall be paid by the congregation when he/she assumes this charge.
Section 10. The Senior Pastor shall be granted vacation time each year, the length of which is to be decided by the Council.
Section 11. The Senior Pastor shall be relieved whenever possible from those tasks which can be done by others so as to free his/her best energies for those responsibilities which are the most vital part of his/her calling and training, which include teaching and preaching the Gospel, ministering to the sick and distressed, administering the Rites and the Sacraments, supervising all programming, and serving as its consecrated leader in community and world affairs.
Section 12. One of the Pastor(s) shall be an ex-officio member of every committee and organization (unless he/she delegates that role to another person), and shall be informed of all official meetings.
Section 13. No other person shall perform any religious ceremony at Bethlehem UCC without the Senior Pastor’s consent.
Section 14. If a major issue shall arise with respect to the Senior Pastor, the matter shall be referred to the Committee on Ministry of the Evansville Tri-State Association of the UCC.
ARTICLE XI – ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Section 1. The congregation may call an Associate or Assistant Pastor. This person may be a lay person or may be duly ordained and shall work closely with the Senior Pastor fulfilling those areas of ministry assigned to him/her. He/she will be responsible to the Senior Pastor and to such other Boards or Committees as the Council shall determine.
Section 2. The Associate or Assistant Pastor shall be called by election for an indefinite period. To terminate this relationship, a three-month written notice shall be given by either the Associate Pastor or the Council, unless agreed upon by mutual consent.
ARTICLE XII – FINANCES
Section 1. Financial matters shall be administered by the budget system. The budget shall be prepared in all detail by the Finance Committee and accepted by the Council before being presented to the congregation. To secure the necessary funds, a Stewardship Campaign, carefully prepared and directed by the Stewardship Committee, shall be conducted annually during the fall, but in any event prior to the end of the month of November.
Section 2. The Council may from time to time designate a member of the congregation as the Posting Secretary. The Posting Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining a database of donations by donor or giving unit. The Posting Secretary shall, without limitation, post weekly donations to the database and provide reports to donors as to the amount of their donations received at least annually, or in such additional frequency as the Council may direct. The database shall be confidential, and no member of the staff, pastorate, congregation, or Council shall be given access to the information in the database or any synopses thereof that could in any way allow the identity of donors and amounts given to be known or inferred. The Posting Secretary must be an active member in good standing but need not be a member of the Council. The Posting Secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the Council under such rules and regulations as the Council may approve not inconsistent with these By-laws.
ARTICLE XIII – CEMETERY BOARD
The administration of Bethlehem Cemetery shall be under the direction of the Cemetery Board, elected by the congregation and responsible to the Council. The Cemetery Board shall consist of six (6) members, two (2) members to be elected annually. The term of office shall be three (3) years. Board members shall be eligible for re-election for a consecutive term not to exceed two consecutive terms. The Council has the authority to appoint a Plat Master who is knowledgeable of the cemetery layout and operations. The Council President, the Senior Pastor, and the Plat Master shall be ex-officio members of the Board. The Cemetery Board shall report to the Council as the need arises or upon request, and to the congregation through an Annual Report. The Cemetery Board shall work under the guidance of the Cemetery By-Laws, Rules and Regulations. The Board shall also work in conjunction with the Property Committee in the care and maintenance of the cemetery as detailed in Policy & Procedures Manual.
ARTICLE XIV - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Each committee required to be formed by Article IV, Section 9, of the By-Laws shall consist of at least one (1) member unless otherwise specifically designated in the By-Laws. Each committee may designate its chairperson. The Chairperson shall be responsible for the committee and shall appoint a Secretary, if needed, in order to meet the needs of the committee. All standing committees, if requested, shall submit a written report to be included in the annual report.
Section 2. Committee duties and responsibilities are to be outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual maintained by the Council.
Section 3. SEARCH COMMITTEE: When there is a vacancy in the Pastorate, the President shall seek nominations to the Search Committee from the Council and Congregation. All nominations received by the President, along with any nominations made by the President, shall be forwarded to the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall forward a proposed Search Committee to the Council for approval promptly after receipt of the nominations from the President. The Search Committee shall aid in selecting a Pastor. This committee shall consist of at least six (6) members representative of the various areas of the life and work of the congregation. They shall work closely with the Indiana-Kentucky Conference and the Evansville Tri-State Association. In the event that the Council determines that it is in the interest of the congregation to engage an interim Pastor during a search process, the Executive Committee may serve as a search committee for the Interim Pastor.
Section 4. The Council may also, at its discretion and as needed for the progress of the congregation’s mission and witness, establish such ad hoc committees as it deems appropriate. Except as otherwise stated in the By-laws, the President shall appoint the members and designate the Chairperson of the ad-hoc committees. Ad-hoc Committees shall serve at the pleasure of the Council under such rules and regulations as the Council may approve.
ARTICLE XV – BYLAW REVIEW
These Bylaws are to be reviewed every calendar year ending in numbers zero (0) and five (5).
Approved for recommendation to the January 2026 Congregational Meeting for adoption and implementation January 1, 2027.