Congregational Meeting (Nov. 19, 2023)
Constitution Resource Page
Introduction to the Constitution Revision
Muhlenberg’s constitution serves as a governing and guiding document that reflects the theology and the polity of the church as we work to Equip All People to Live Out Christ’s Love.
In 2022, the sixteenth Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), of which Muhlenberg is a member, approved amendments to its Model Constitution for Congregations. The model, originally adopted by the Constituting Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and amended by subsequent churchwide assemblies, is, the ELCA notes, “deeply rooted in Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the history of this church and its predecessors.”
In spring 2023, Muhlenberg embarked on a process to update its church constitution to align with required and recommended provisions set forth in the ELCA’s current Model Constitution for Congregations. The Constitution Task Force, consisting of council members Cathy Copeland, Brad Moyers, and Pastor Lauren Eanes, reviewed the entire constitution closely to ensure that our document would align with the Model Constitution. The Congregation Council then reviewed these changes, and recommended updates to the church’s constitution and bylaws.
Most of the proposed updates are relatively minor (for example, changing the word “clergy” to “rostered minister” to include both pastors and deacons, and other editorial changes for consistency.) Some are more significant: for example, a whole new category of congregation membership, “seasonal member,” has been added; and the process for a congregation to call a deacon is included, instead of just the call process for a pastor. Sections marked with an asterisk(*) cannot be modified; they must match the ELCA model.
In addition to the ELCA required and recommended updates, the Congregation Council is recommending two additional revisions:
Amendments to a congregation's constitution must be approved by a majority of voting members present at a congregation meeting, then be ratified by a 2/3 majority at the next annual meeting of the congregation. This means we will vote on these constitutional updates twice: first at our congregational meeting on November 19, 2023, and then again at our annual meeting on January 28, 2024. The constitution becomes effective only after review and approval by the Virginia Synod.
The members of the Constitution Task Force will be available after both services on Sunday, November 12 to receive any comments and answer any questions you have. Please feel free to contact them at any time over the next few weeks, as well.
Our congregation’s constitution exists to ensure that our common work and life together follow the principles of good governance. Although the process may seem tedious, it’s an important part of our life together!
In 2022, the sixteenth Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), of which Muhlenberg is a member, approved amendments to its Model Constitution for Congregations. The model, originally adopted by the Constituting Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and amended by subsequent churchwide assemblies, is, the ELCA notes, “deeply rooted in Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the history of this church and its predecessors.”
In spring 2023, Muhlenberg embarked on a process to update its church constitution to align with required and recommended provisions set forth in the ELCA’s current Model Constitution for Congregations. The Constitution Task Force, consisting of council members Cathy Copeland, Brad Moyers, and Pastor Lauren Eanes, reviewed the entire constitution closely to ensure that our document would align with the Model Constitution. The Congregation Council then reviewed these changes, and recommended updates to the church’s constitution and bylaws.
Most of the proposed updates are relatively minor (for example, changing the word “clergy” to “rostered minister” to include both pastors and deacons, and other editorial changes for consistency.) Some are more significant: for example, a whole new category of congregation membership, “seasonal member,” has been added; and the process for a congregation to call a deacon is included, instead of just the call process for a pastor. Sections marked with an asterisk(*) cannot be modified; they must match the ELCA model.
In addition to the ELCA required and recommended updates, the Congregation Council is recommending two additional revisions:
- The current constitution states that “The Congregation Council may enter into contracts of up to $5000 for items not included in the budget.” The recommendation is to change this to “contracts of up to $15,000.”
- The current constitution defines a quorum for an annual meeting to be 50 voting members. The recommendation is to change this to “Ten percent of voting members, or 50 members, whichever is fewer, shall constitute a quorum.”
Amendments to a congregation's constitution must be approved by a majority of voting members present at a congregation meeting, then be ratified by a 2/3 majority at the next annual meeting of the congregation. This means we will vote on these constitutional updates twice: first at our congregational meeting on November 19, 2023, and then again at our annual meeting on January 28, 2024. The constitution becomes effective only after review and approval by the Virginia Synod.
The members of the Constitution Task Force will be available after both services on Sunday, November 12 to receive any comments and answer any questions you have. Please feel free to contact them at any time over the next few weeks, as well.
Our congregation’s constitution exists to ensure that our common work and life together follow the principles of good governance. Although the process may seem tedious, it’s an important part of our life together!
Document Download
Paper copies of the following documents are available at the Connection Center in the Gathering Area and the Connection Box outside the Gathering Area. You can also call the church office to request that paper copies be mailed to you.
- Muhlenberg’s existing constitution and bylaws, last revised on January 31, 2016 - Download PDF HERE
- Proposed updated constitution and bylaws, to be voted on November 19, 2023 - Download PDF HERE
- Full list of updates to constitution - Download PDF HERE
- Marked up copy of the constitution which shows the updates on the document itself - View Online Document HERE
