THE BROOKFIELD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article 1

NAME AND HERITAGE

The name of this church is “Brookfield Congregational Church”, hereby referred to as Brookfield Congregational Church, located in the town of Brookfield, Massachusetts. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Massachusetts conference of United Church of Christ and the Central Association.

It was organized in 1827 as the Evangelical Religious Society of Brookfield. In 1956, the Society merged with the Congregational Christian Church as Brookfield Congregational Church. In 1962 the Brookfield Congregational Church became affiliated with The United Church of Christ and was later incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 13, 1978.

Article 2

PURPOSE

The purpose of this church is to proclaim Jesus Christ and his Gospel to all mankind; to celebrate the sacraments, to build a Christian fellowship in the community through worship, religious education and Christian service; to labor for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace; and as a human family in cooperation with all Christian churches.

Article 3

GOVERNMENT

This church is Congregational in form and fellowship. The government of the Church is vested in its members and is not subject to any Ecclesiastical control but is subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Article 4

FAITH AND MISSION

This church acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, the son of God and
Savior of all people. It acknowledges as brothers and sisters 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 promote 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 accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among Evangelical Christians, it recognizes two Sacraments; Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
The mission of our church is to provide a vision of hope that will strengthen our faith and commitment to teaching and sharing “The Good News” through stewardship and humility. We are committed to a loving, trusting and nurturing environment that, in serving God, will respond to the needs of the community and beyond.

Article 5

MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in this church shall be open to any person who has been baptized, has been confirmed, has made a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, or has provided a letter of transfer from another denomination. Prospective members must be recommended by the pastor following a period of instruction and review of the responsibilities of membership after which affirmation by a majority vote of the Diaconate is required.
2. Members shall pledge themselves to attend and participate in the regular worship of the church and celebration of the Lord’s supper; to live the Christian life; to share in the life and the work of the church, to contribute to its support and benevolences; and to seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
3. Any member upon request, may be provided a letter of transfer. If wishing to join another fellowship, a certificate of membership will be provided.
4. A member whose address is unknown for a period of two (2) years, has not attended the church’s worship service or contributed to its support, may, by recommendation of the Diaconate and vote of the council, be removedfrom the membership roll and placed on an inactive list. If after the expiration of a year the relationship remains unchanged, the name may be dropped from the inactive list by a further vote of the council.
5. If a member continues to breach covenant vows and the Diaconate provide notice and attempted reconciliation, a due hearing with church council is offered with faithful efforts for amends have been made in accordance with the law of Christ, censure, suspension or termination of membership will be exercised.
6. Associate Members: all those who contribute regularly to the support of the church may request to become an associate member. They may hold any office, except that of Deacon, and may vote an all financial questions.

Article 7

DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND CHURCH BOARDS

Section 1:    Officers

 

1. A moderator shall preside at each business meeting and shall be a member of the council.

 

2. A clerk shall keep a complete record of the transactions at all business meetings of the church; keep a register of membership, with dates of admission and dismissal or death, together with a record of baptisms, and shall issue all necessary notices and church letters and give legal notice of all business meetings of the church.

 

3. A treasurer shall keep a record of the finances of the Church, keeping an accurate account of all receipts and dispursements, for both expenses and benevolences.” In addition, all financial transactions must be made under the direction of the Council, including in-house transferring of funds.” (Amendment No.2)Change to the format of the current Monthly Report, (presented to the Council following the close of each month’s business) has been made which includes a Profit and Loss statement, focusing on the actual Operating Account, i.e., beginning check book balance, income received, expenses dispursed, and ending check book balance. Current balance(s) and activities of the Money Market, Capital Campaign, and investments are to be reported separately. A standardized procedure for Boards to request funds was implemented. Reference needs to be made to the budgeted line item associated with the expense. Upon approval of Council, the Treasurer determines if funds are available in the Treasury and if an available balance remains in the budgeted line item of the Board requesting funds. (Amendment No. 2)

 

4. Assistant Treasurer shall receive, count and deposit all funds, of which a record is provided to the treasurer; and, in the absence of the treasurer assumes the responsibility of that office. 

 

5. An Auditor shall review annually (also upon replacement of the treasurer) the financial records of the church to assure that accounts are in balance and that the system is adequate to the church’s needs. The Auditor’s report will be published in the Annual Report.

 

6. A Historian shall monitor the organization, preservation, and updating of the church’s historical records and share with the congregation interesting items through an Annual Report and occasional articles in the church’s newsletter.

 

7. Delegates to the United Church of Christ Conference and the Central Association.

Section 2: Term of Office

1. A Nominating Committee, appointed by the Trustees, shall post or announce the slate of officers at least two (2) weeks prior to the election. The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting, and shall hold office, unless otherwise stated, for one (1) year, or until their successors shall be elected.

Section 3: Council

1. The council consists of a chairperson, three (3) members at large, the pastor (without vote), the clerk (secretary of council), a representative from each board, treasurer, assistant treasurer and moderator, and a representative from any auxiliary group of the church as defined under Other Organizations (see article 8)


2. The council meets at least once a month, or on a schedule of its own choosing. Special meetings may be called as necessary. A quorum consists of seven (7) regular and ex-officio members. The council may appoint, as necessary, to one (1) year terms, individuals or subcommittees to carry out particular functions of the council and/or task groups, and/or ad-hoc committees to carry out special projects related to the work of the church or council, but which are not related to the work of the boards. They are accountable to the council.


3. The church council serves as the coordinating and executive body of the church and oversees the church office operation. It plans the agendas for the business meetings of the church; coordinates and oversees church evaluation and planning; provides for communication, publicity, and public relations; mediates unresolved conflicts; maintains pastoral relations; recommends to the church during a vacancy in the pastorate the hiring of an interim pastor, the appointment of an ad-hoc interim steering committee of five (5) members, and the appointment of an ad-hoc search committee of twelve (12) members; and, negotiates contracts with all candidates for employment. The council may authorize any extraordinary expense above a budgeted amount, not to exceed $2500 if funds are available, without a meeting of the church.

Section 4:  Members-at-Large

1. Members of the church elected by the church and installed in their office. If necessary, they may assume leadership in the various boards or committees of the council.

Section 5:  Boards

1. Each board shall consist of no more than nine (9) members who be elected for a three (3) year term as necessary, and any officer (s) designated as ex- officio elsewhere in the By-laws. The pastor serves as an advisor to the boards. (Amendment No. 4)

 

2. Each board shall meet monthly on an schedule established by the council. More frequent meeting may be called as necessary. A quorum consists of four (4) regular members. A board may appoint, as necessary, individuals or subcommittees to carry out particular functions of the board, and/or task group or ad-hoc committees to carry out special projects related to the work of the board. They are accountable to the appointing committee.

 

3. Each board shall assess the needs of the congregation and community in the area of its concern; plan programs and activities responsive to those needs and the church's goals and objectives in its area of function; develop strategies to implement these programs and the criteria by which to evaluate them; determine financial needs and make budget recommendations; provides resources and training to assure the effectiveness of persons and programs; recommends to the council needed staff positions and a candidate to fill it; oversees the work of staff members who are accountable to it; and, interpret the work of the board to the church.

1. Diaconate: oversees and supports the worship and spiritual life of the church: plans and/or promotes programs that encourage spiritual development; assists in planning worship services and in the preparation and administration of the ordinances/sacraments; provides for music, flowers, worship supplies, and worship aides (greeters, ushers, lectors, child care coordinators, etc.); and, procures pulpit and pastoral supply during pastoral absences; provides opportunities for strengthening fellowship within the church and recruits after-worship fellowship hour hosts; coordinates hospitality for church receptions and social functions for which child care is necessary; organizes and maintains a ministry of pastoral visitation; encourages and coordinates programs related to evangelism and church growth; organizes and promotes activities that encourage relationship with the unchurched and that help to incorporate new members into the life of the church; welcomes newcomers and develops a program for follow-up contact; organizes and maintains a prayer chain; provids training for new members (including confirmation) in the meaning and significance of the church and church membership; encourages the participation of inactive members; and annually recommends revision of membership rolls.

 

2. Board of Christian Life: “Promotes family life and guides the educational ministry of the church: determines and implements policy; coordinates the programs and the work of various educational groups (e.g., church school, youth ministry, adult studies, camps and conferences, and seasonal religious ceremonies, etc.); recruits teachers and leaders and offers them training and support; provides, promotes, maintains and supervises a library of educational resources including the use of audio-visual materials. The position of Superintendent of Sunday School reports to and is a part of the Christian Life Board. (Amendment No. 1)

 

3. Board of Mission and Outreach: gives guidance and oversight to the church’s mission in the community and the world: provides for the means of mission education, interpretation, and implementation; provides for financial support for mission through special offerings and fund raising projects; allocates un-designated mission funds; promotes understanding and action related contemporary social, economic and political issues in the pursuit of justice and peace; encourages community ministries; fosters denominational, ecumenical and inter-faith relationships; and appoints representatives of the church to other local agency or community groups.


4. Board of Trustees:  provides for the care, maintenance and improvement of the church property, buildings, and equipment; oversees finances including preparation of the annual church budget, monitoring of its operation, management of unbudgeted expenses up to $250 without council approval, and handling of loans and invested funds; determines policy for the use of the facility and equipment; maintains necessary insurance coverage; provides for stewardship education and interpretation; plans and conducts an annual appeal for funds in support of the budget; establishes or maintains a church endowment policy; solicits, selects, accepts and maintains records of memorial and designated gifts; oversees the periodic review of the church’s mission statement, organizational structure, and By-laws. (Amendment No.2)