Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution and Bylaws

Evangelical Covenant Church

Pomeroy, Iowa

(A historical statement from the Preamble of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Evangelical Covenant Church as adopted by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2002.)

 The Evangelical Covenant Church is a communion of congregations gathered by God, united in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey the great commandment and the great commission. It affirms its companionship in faith with other church bodies and all those who fear God and keep God’s commandments.

 The Evangelical Covenant Church adheres to the affirmations of the Protestant Reformation regarding the Bible. It confesses that the Holy Scripture, the Old and the New Testament, is the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. It affirms the historic confessions of the Christian Church, while emphasizing the sovereignty of the Word of God over all creedal interpretations. 

 In continuity with the renewal movements of historic Pietism, the Evangelical Covenant Church especially cherishes the dual emphasis on new birth and new life in Christ, believing that personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the foundation for our mission of evangelism and Christian nurture. Our common experience of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ continues to sustain the Evangelical Covenant Church as an interdependent body of believers that recognizes but transcends our theological differences.

 The Evangelical Covenant Church celebrates two divinely ordained sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Recognizing the reality of freedom in Christ, and in conscious dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit, we practice both the baptism of infants and believer baptism. The Evangelical Covenant Church embraces this freedom in Christ as a gift that preserves personal conviction, yet guards against an individualism that disregards the centrality of the Word of God and the mutual responsibilities and disciplines of the spiritual community.

 The Evangelical Covenant Church has its roots in historical Christianity, the Protestant Reformation, the biblical instruction of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, and the great spiritual awakenings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These influences, together with more recent North American renewal movements, continue to shape its development and distinctive spirit. The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to reaching across boundaries of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, and status in the cultivation of communities of life and service.

This document, that is in harmony with the above preamble, is the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Pomeroy, Iowa. 

Article I: Name

  The name of this church shall be the Evangelical Covenant Church of Pomeroy, Iowa.

Article II: Affiliation

 This church is a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church and its regional conference and is pledged to work in harmony with the denomination and its decisions and to support its programs, policies, and institutions. 

Article III: Confession of Faith

  This church confesses that the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, is the Word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. 

Article IV: Purpose

  The purpose of this church is to unite Christians in fellowship for spiritual development, for the winning of persons to Christ, and for the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through Christian education, home, and world missions, and the institutions conducted by The Evangelical Covenant Church and its local regional conferences. In order to achieve, this church, in the unity of the spirit, shall use the gifts that God has given it and the means of grace which God has placed at its disposal: the Word of God, baptism, and Holy Communion. 

Article V: Membership

  Membership in this church is affirmed on application to those who through faith in God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born anew to a living hope, have been baptized according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to live a Christian life, and promise to support the total ministry of this church and to share its fellowship and obligations. 

Article VI: Governance

  The general administration of the church shall be vested in a body known as the Executive Council, which shall consist of the pastor, the chair, the vice-chair, the secretary, and the treasurer. All members of the Executive Council shall be members of the church. 

Article VII: Business Meetings

    Regular business meetings shall be held at stated intervals; one annual meetings and at least two business meetings during each year. At the annual meeting, written reports shall be submitted by the pastor(s), the church chair, and the chair of each ministry team. Audited financial reports shall also be submitted. Church officers shall be elected by secret ballot. All members of the congregation shall be eligible to vote. 

Article VIII: Property

  In the event of schism within the church, from which we earnestly pray God to spare us, the title of all church property, real or personal, shall remain with the group, which abides by this constitution. In the event of dissolutions, the property and all assets of the church shall become and be the property of The Evangelical Covenant Church and the regional conference. 

Article IX: Amendments

  Amendments in harmony with this constitution and not in conflict with Covenant principles and policies may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in an annual meeting of the church, providing the proposed amendment was presented in written form at the preceding annual meeting. 

BYLAWS

Article I: Membership

Section 1. Admission into Membership. 

a. Application for Membership.

Following a period of instruction, application for membership shall be placed with the pastor or a member of the Executive Council. Upon recommendation of the Executive Council at a congregational meeting, membership shall be granted in accordance with Article V of the Constitution.

b. Transfer of Incoming Members

Transfers from other Christian churches shall submit letters of transfer, when available, to the Pastor and/or the Executive Council, who shall act upon the request according to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section. 

c. Reception of New Members.

Persons who are affirmed into membership of this church shall be received into membership during a regular worship service, making public confession of their Christian faith, as outlined in The Covenant Book of Worship. 

Section 2. Responsibilities of Membership.

Every member shall assume the responsibilities and obligations placed on him or her by the Word of God and the church. He or she shall through witness by life and word, consecrated service, prayer, and financial support further the cause of Christ in the local church and the denomination.

Section 3. Discipline of Members.

Members who willfully neglect their duties to the church or who are out of harmony with the doctrine or conduct of this church shall be admonished by the Executive Council. Personal grievances shall be settled according to the procedure stated in Matthew 18:15-18. Discipline shall be administered in the Spirit of Christ with due regard for the welfare of the individual as well as the church. Exclusion of membership shall be acted upon by the congregation, which alone has that authority. 

Section 4. Transfer of Outgoing Members.

Members moving to another community should identify themselves as soon as possible with a local Christian fellowship and make a request for a letter of transfer from the Pastor of this church or Executive Council.  

Section 5. Removal of Membership.

Requests for withdrawal from membership in the church shall be made in writing to the Pastor or the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall present recommendations for withdrawal of membership at the next congregational meeting of the church. 

Section 6. Membership Status.

a. Active members will be defined as those who attend church regularly, receive Communion during the year, and regularly attend congregational meetings.  Active members have voting rights at congregational meetings.

b. Associate members will be defined as those who have moved away from the community, have not attended church services or congregational meetings, or have not received Communion in our church in the past year.  Associate members will have no voting rights at congregational meetings.

Article II: Pastoral and Ministry Staff

Section 1.  Purpose.

Pastoral and additional ministry staff servant-leadership positions are created to help the congregation fulfill Christ’s purposes in the world among its members.

Section 2. Pastoral Qualifications.

Pastors of the church shall meet the qualifications for character, giftedness, and call set forth in the Holy Scriptures.  The Lead Pastor shall be an ordained pastor in good standing with the Evangelical Covenant Church.  Other pastors shall be credentialed by the Evangelical Covenant Church in accordance with their qualifications and duties.  A pastor shall be a member of the church by virtue of the call to serve the church.

Section 3. Call of the Lead Pastor.

The Lead Pastor shall be called at a regular or special congregation meeting, the purpose of which shall be announced two weeks in advance.  The Lead Pastor shall be nominated by a pastoral search committee.  This committee shall be selected by the membership at a congregational meeting.  The pastoral search committee shall be representative of the congregation and have five to nine members, including the church chair.  It shall work closely with the regional conference superintendent.  The Lead Pastor shall be called by closed ballot , with two-thirds vote of the active members present required for the call.  The call shall be for an indefinite period of time. When the church receives aid from the conference and/or denomination through appropriations, the call shall be with the approval of our regional conference.

Section 4. Call of Additional Pastors and Credentialed Ministry Staff.

Additional staff members who hold ministerial credentials shall be called at a congregational meeting, the purpose of which shall be announced at least two weeks in advance.  The meeting shall include the budget implications of the proposed position.  The Executive Council will recommend one candidate for a call. The vote shall be by closed ballot, with two-thirds vote by active members.  The Executive Council may establish the search committee or may serve as the search committee.  When the church receives aid from the conference and/or denomination through appropriations, the call shall be with the approval of our regional conference.  The call shall be for an indefinite period of time unless otherwise noted at the time of the call.

Section 5.  Duties of the Lead Pastor.

The Lead Pastor shall preach and teach the Word of God, administer the sacraments, provide missional leadership, and faithfully carry out pastoral work.  The Lead Pastor shall direct the church staff, including the responsibility of hiring and dismissing non-credentialed staff.  He/she shall provide counsel, encouragement, and Christian discipline,  so as to assist in the accomplishment of objectives for each staff member.  All staff shall be responsible to the Lead Pastor.  The Lead Pastor, by virtue of his/her office, shall be a member of the Executive Council and a member of all ministry teams and committees and in such capacity shall strive to establish and accomplish objectives and strategies in conjunction with the mission and purpose of the church.

Section 6.  Duties of Additional Pastors and Ministry Staff Members.

Additional pastors and ministry staff members shall carry out specific areas of ministry under the direction of the Lead Pastor.  The pastor or staff shall, by virtue of his/her call/hire, be a member of any Ministry Team that fits within the scope of his/her responsibilities.

Section 7.  Cooperation.

The pastor(s) shall, both in word and precept, work in harmony with the Evangelical Covenant Church and regional conference.

Section 8. Resignation of a Pastor or Ministry Staff Member.

A pastor or ministry staff member may resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the Executive Council.  Unless there are extenuating circumstances, six weeks notice should be observed.

Section 9.  Dismissal.

The dismissal of a pastor or ministry staff member should be undertaken only after avenues of remediation have been pursued.

1. Dismissal of the Lead Pastor.

The dismissal of the Lead Pastor shall be by congregational vote at a special meeting called for that express purpose.  Such an agenda item cannot be part of, or added to, the agenda of any other meeting.  The congregational meeting for such a vote may be called by the two-thirds action of the Executive Council, or through the request of the congregation accomplished by a petition for such a meeting signed by 30 percent of the active membership.  The quorum for such a meeting shall be 50 percent of the active membership.  The grounds for dismissal shall be presented.  Active members shall be allowed to speak  about  the matter.  The pastor shall be allowed to speak about the matter.  The vote shall be by closed ballot.  A two-thirds vote of the active members present is needed to dismiss the Lead Pastor.

2. Dismissal of Additional Pastors and Credentialed Ministry Staff.

Additional pastors and ministry staff called by the congregation may be dismissed by the two-thirds vote of the Executive Council. A meeting to overturn the action of the Executive Council may be called through the request of the congregation, accomplished by a petition signed by 30 percent of the active membership. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 50 percent of the active membership.  The grounds for dismissal shall be presented.  Members shall be allowed to speak  about  the matter.  The pastor or ministry staff member in question shall be allowed to speak about the matter.  The vote shall be by closed ballot.  A two-thirds vote of the active members present is necessary to overturn the action of the Executive Council.

Section 10. Charges Against a Pastor.

Charges against a pastor shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Council and the conference superintendent, which charges, by the way of example, may include indiscretion, immorality, doctrinal error, unethical behavior, or disloyalty to the Evangelical Covenant Church.  The superintendent shall confer with the Evangelical Covenant Church executive minister of the ordered ministry.  These two officers shall confer and determine the order of responsibility in pursuing the matter according to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Ordered Ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church regarding discipline, prior to further action by this church.  A pastor or staff member credentialed by the Evangelical Covenant Church may be suspended by the Evangelical Covenant Church during this process. However, any minister who fails to become credentialed with the Evangelical Covenant Church may be suspended or recommended for dismissal at any time without prior notice by the Executive Council.  

Article III: Governance

Section 1. The Executive Council.

The general administration of the church shall be vested in a body known as the Executive Council, which shall consist of the Lead Pastor, the chair, the vice-chair, the secretary, and the treasurer. All members of the Executive Council shall be active members of the church. 

a. Tenure.

The term of office for each elected position on the Executive Council shall be two (2) years. Candidates shall be eligible to serve two (2) consecutive terms of office, followed by at least one (1) year of ineligibility for that particular office.

In the event that a member of the Executive Council is unable to fulfill his/her term, the Nominating Committee shall find an interim. The Executive Council shall present the name of the interim at a Congregational Meeting for approval. If the interim begins his/her service more than one year into the two (2) year term, he/she shall be eligible for two elected terms. If the interim begins his/her role less than one year into the two (2) year term, he/she shall be eligible for one more elected term. No candidate may serve more than five (5) years in an elected role. Terms begin on January 1st and conclude on December 31st.

b. Qualifications.

Any active member of the church meeting the biblical standards of character and giftedness for church leaders may be nominated and elected to the Executive Council. The Lead Pastor is the only staff member that serves on the Executive Council.

c. Duties.

The Executive Council, shall meet as often as necessary to fulfill the functions defined by the Constitution and Bylaws, including, but not limited to the following areas:

1. Strategic planning and goal setting

2. Policy development and review

3. Vision building and communication

4. Conflict resolution and Church discipline

5. The spiritual health of the congregation

6. The effective administration of church business

7. Evaluation of goals, performance, and compensation for Lead Pastor and staff

Section 2. Officers.

  a. Chair.

The chair shall preside at all congregational meetings of the church and of the Executive Council. He/she shall confer with the pastor in preparing the agenda for such meetings, and shall utilize the counsel that the Lead Pastor can give by virtue of his/her training, experience, and calling. 

b. Vice-chair. 

The vice-chair shall assume the duties of the chair in his/her absence. He/she shall preside over meetings of the Ministry Council, and shall have primary responsibility for the development and effectiveness of that entity. The vice-chair will serve on the Executive Council. 

c. Secretary.

The secretary shall keep and preserve minutes of all business meetings and meetings of the Executive Council. He/she shall conduct and preserve all official correspondence as shall be delegated to him/her. He/she shall be responsible for the official documents of the church. The secretary shall serve on the Executive Council.

d. Treasurer.

The treasurer shall be responsible for all funds committed to him/her and shall make disbursements as authorized by the church and its ministry teams. He/she also presents a written report of the receipts and expenditures to each regular congregational meeting of the church and regularly reports to the Executive Council and Ministry Council.  The treasurer shall serve on the Executive Council and shall be a member of the Finance Ministry Team. 

Article IV:  Ministry Council and Ministry Teams

Section 1.  Ministry Council.

The Ministry Council shall facilitate collaboration and communication between Ministry Team chairs.  The Ministry Council reports to the Executive Council through the vice-chair

a. Composition.

The Ministry Council shall be composed of the elected chairs of the ministry teams. 

b. Meetings. 

The Ministry Council shall meet at least four (4) times per calendar year. The Ministry Council shall be chaired by the vice-chair of the Executive Council. A secretary shall be elected from within the group at the first Ministry Council meeting of the new year and shall prepare minutes for distribution to the church. 

c. Function.

The Ministry Council shall:

1. Coordinate the activities and resources of the ministry teams.

2. Share reports and information about ministry team activities

3. Communicate and discuss ministry team concerns

4. Train ministry team chairs, including incoming and future chairs

Section 2. Ministry Teams

Implementation of policies, procedures, and ministries consistent with the mission statement and vision of the congregation shall be accomplished by ministry teams, accountable to the Executive Council and the congregation.

a. Ministry Team Chair.

Ministry teams will be directed by a ministry team chair, elected by the congregation and subject to the same term limits as Executive Council members. Each ministry team chair shall serve on the Ministry Council and may only chair one Ministry Team at a time..

b. Composition.

Ministry teams may include members and non-members of the congregation.. Members of the ministry teams may serve on more than one ministry team at a time

c. Ministry Teams.

Ministry Teams may be created or dissolved by the recommendation of the Executive Council and affirmation by active members present at a  congregational meeting of the church. 

Article V: Committees

Section 1. Pastoral Relations Committee.

The Pastoral Relations Committee (PRC) shall consist of the church chair, two members of the Ministry Council, and two at-large members elected by the congregation. It exists to encourage a healthy relationship between the congregation and its pastor(s) and to support the pastor(s) by: 

1. Supporting pastoral staff

2. Leading pastoral appreciation initiatives

3. Facilitating conflict resolution between congregation and pastoral staff

The term of office shall be two years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. The PRC shall elect a chair to lead the committee work and a secretary to record general minutes for each meeting called by the PRC Chair or the Pastor.  These minutes are not subject to congregational review; however, will be forwarded to the Executive Council for private review.

Section 2. Nominating Committee.

The Nominating Committee shall consist of a member of the Executive Council, two members of the Ministry Council, two at-large elected members of the congregation, and the Lead Pastor. Each member will serve two years, with a limit of two consecutive terms.The Nominating committee shall be charged with presenting a ballot for consideration by the congregation for the congregational meeting prior to the annual meeting. 

Section 3. Ed Dahl Distribution Committee

Each year, a committee shall be established to distribute the proceeds from the Ed Dahl farm on behalf of the congregation. The committee shall consist of one member from each of the following groups:  the Executive Council, the Finance Ministry Team, the Missions and Benevolence Ministry Team; and one at-large member elected at the congregational meeting prior to the annual meeting. The representative from the Missions and Benevolence Ministry Team shall call the meetings.

Section 4. Special Committees.

Special committees for specific purposes may be appointed by the Executive Council or by any duly constituted congregational meeting  according to need.

Section 5. Pastoral Search Committee.

The Lead Pastor shall be nominated by a pastoral search committee.  The nominee shall meet the criteria set out in Article II, Section 3 of these Bylaws. The Executive Council will present the Pastoral Search Committee for approval by the congregation.  It shall be representative of the congregation and have five (5) to nine (9) members, including the church chair.  It shall work in harmony with the Conference Superintendent.

Section 6. Review Committee.

A Review Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Council at least every five years to review the Constitution and Bylaws of this church.  The Executive Council can also request a review of the Management Handbook and Employee Handbook within any number of years since previous revisions were made.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1. Public Services.

Public services shall be conducted regularly on Sundays and weekdays for worship, the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and prayer. 

Section 2. Conducting Sacraments.

The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion shall be conducted in keeping with Covenant principles and according to the needs of the congregation.

Section 3. Congregational Meetings.

Church congregational meetings shall be held regularly as stipulated in Article VII of this Constitution. All congregational meetings shall be announced two Sundays prior to the meeting. All congregational meetings must abide by quorum rules (see below) to conduct business.

Section 4. Special Congregational Meetings.

Special congregational meetings may be called by the Executive Council or by written request signed by at least thirty percent (30%) or not fewer than thirty (30) active members of the church. Special meetings shall be announced two Sundays prior to the meeting.

Article VII: General Provisions

Section 1. Quorum.

Twenty per cent, and not fewer than 20 active members, attending a congregational meeting properly called shall constitute a quorum. The quorum for Executive Council meetings shall be at least 60 percent of its members. 

Section 2. Rules of Order.

All  meetings of the church shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VIII:  Bylaw Amendments

All Bylaw amendment proposals must not be in conflict with the Constitution. Amendment proposals must be brought in writing to the Executive Council for consideration. Upon approval, the Executive Council will present the proposed Bylaw amendments to the congregation at a congregational meeting for discussion. Proposed Bylaw amendments must be voted on in the subsequent congregational meeting.  This meeting can be the next scheduled congregational meeting or a special meeting (Article VI, Section 4).  At this congregational meeting, the amendment will be passed by a two-thirds vote of the active members present  by closed ballot.

The Review Committee (2024) The Executive Council 2024

Carroll McLuckie Tony Janssen (Chair)

Dave Welander Meryl Hiler (Vice-chair)

Charlie Ahlrichs Vanessa Solko (Secretary)

Katherine Daganaar Adam Ramthun (Treasurer)

Shari Nesbitt Rev. Grayson Daganaar

Rev. Grayson Daganaar

(Previous Constitution and Bylaws adopted at the Annual Meeting January 2003)

The Task Force on Restructuring (1998-2000) The Executive Council 2002

Glen Hanson Hoop Johnson Dave Welander, Chair

Deanne Archer Doris Erickson Joel Rude, Vice-Chair

Forest Lay Garry Hintz Linda Christoffers, secretary

Dave Welander Joel Rude Garry Hintz, Treasurer

Rev. Dave Benedict Rev. Dave Benedict, Pastor

*Constitution updated June 3, 2012 Congregational Meeting.  Changes made to Fellowship and Hospitality Team.

*Constitution updated November 10, 2013 Congregational Meeting. Changes made to Ministry Team Mission Statements.

*Constitution updated April 10, 2016 Congregational Meeting. Changes made to the Preamble and Article III: Confession of Faith.

*Bylaws updated in 2024.  Approved at February 2, 2025 Annual Meeting.