DOYLESTOWN MENNONITE CHURCH

Draft CONSTITUTION

2005 - 0718

ARTICLE I - NAME

This congregation shall be known as the Doylestown Mennonite Church . The congregation originally began in 1775 and was recorded in the charter of December 2, 1823, as the Mennonist Society of Doylestown. It is chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a nonprofit corporation. The meetinghouse is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania , at 590 North Broad Street .

ARTICLE II - MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT

(These are copies of the most recently adopted statements.)

VISION

Taking risks with and for Christ

MISSION

We strive to share the love of Christ in words and actions with our neighbors and friends so they will grow with us as followers of Christ.

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATIONS

CONFERENCE

This congregation is a member of the Franconia Mennonite Conference. The relationship is a mutual one. Through delegates to regular or special conference sessions the congregation gives and receives counsel. Franconia Conference appoints a Conference Minister who meets with the pastor(s) and leadership groups in the congregation to give counsel. The congregation supports the conference financially, participates in its programs, and makes use of its resources.

CHURCHWIDE

This congregation is part of Mennonite Church USA , by virtue of membership in the Franconia Mennonite Conference, and participates and supports its church wide programs.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

This congregation recognizes both ancient and modern statements of faith. The Schleithem Confession of 1527 and the Dordrecht Confession of 1632 are seen as having continuing value. The current Mennonite Confession of Faith serves as the congregation's statement of faith.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

COVENANT OF MEMBERSHIP

Members are persons who commit themselves to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. They also commit themselves to all believers in the congregation and to the following guidelines for spiritual growth and living:

-               studying the scriptures and praying both individually and with others;

-               participating in times of gathered worship, nurture, fellowship, discernment, and decision making;

-               sharing the "good news" of Christ with family, friends, and others;

-               contributing time, earnings, and abilities to the ministry of the church;

-               giving counsel in Christian love, considering counsel received, and seeking to maintain the unity of the body of Christ;

-               accepting and experiencing the process of reconciliation and forgiveness;

-               promoting the way of peace in all of life.

BECOMING A MEMBER

A person may become a member by:

1.     Confessing faith in and committing self to Jesus Christ as Savior;

2.     Accepting the covenant of membership as well as the responsibilities of discipleship as understood by the Mennonite Church ;

3.     Demonstrating commitment to Christian daily living.

A person is received into membership by water baptism, letter of transfer, or confession of faith if previously baptized as a believer and confirmed by the congregation.

ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATION

A congregational form of government is the basis for decision making. 

Regular Meetings

Regular congregational business meetings shall be held once a year or more often as determined by the Leadership Team. At least one regular business meeting shall be held each year to approve an annual budget.

Special business meetings may be called at the request of the Leadership Team.  If a plea for a meeting is not otherwise acted on, the Leadership Team shall schedule a meeting in a timely fashion when presented with a written petition signed by twenty percent or more members.

Notice of congregational meetings shall be given by announcement or written notice at a regular church service on two consecutive Sundays prior to the stated time for such meetings.

Minutes of congregational meetings shall be recorded and made available to all members of the congregation.

Quorum

A quorum shall consist of the members present at the meeting.

Decision-making

Though the congregation will strive for consensus, the vote of a majority of members present and voting at a properly called meeting of the congregation shall be considered the action of the congregation. All members of the congregation shall have the right to vote in elections and in business matters of the congregation. The method of voting is determined by the Ministry Leadership Team.  When ballots are used, signatures may be requested to facilitate two-way communication.  Absentee ballots shall be used at the discretion of the Leadership Team.

Church Year

Changes to the church year of the congregation for budget and accounting purposes require approval by a simple majority at a regular congregational business meeting.

ARTICLE VI - LEADERSHIP

The Ministry Leadership Team is the executive body of the congregation.  This team consists of the pastor and individuals appointed by the congregation to provide leadership to these six areas: Outreach, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Service, and Stewardship. 

In response to gifting and calling, leaders of ministry areas, team members and individuals who accept responsibility within the church are empowered to do what is necessary to accomplish the purpose and responsibilities of the assigned tasks for the common good.  All ministry activities and teams functioning within the congregation are directly or indirectly responsible to one of the leaders of the Ministry Leadership Team. 

The current list of ministries and the current team members are maintained in separate documents that are revised yearly or as necessary by the Ministry Leadership Team.  Due to the involvement with membership, special tasks, and/or legal matters, several of these teams are also listed in this document. 

A separate guidelines and checklists document is also maintained as a resource for repeating successful ministries.

OUTREACH

Purpose: Share the good news with our neighbors in the surrounding communities and participate in worldwide opportunities.

WORSHIP

Purpose: Lead the people that gather for worship.

The Worship Planning Team develops plans for the regular worship services.

FELLOWSHIP

Purpose: Encourage interactions to develop positive relationships among the membership of the congregation while actively incorporating new members.

A Congregational Care Team meets regularly.  This team includes the Pastor, the leader of this Fellowship area or designee, and two other members from the congregation.  This team protects confidentiality while caring for the members and others associated with the congregation.  In conjunction with the Fellowship area leader, the team maintains the current membership policies.

DISCIPLESHIP

Purpose: Encourage members on a journey of continual spiritual growth towards becoming mature committed disciples of Jesus.

SERVICE

Purpose: Engage and equip each member to apply and practice our faith through ministry.  Help each member find a ministry that applies: spiritual gifts, abilities, personality, experiences, and passion.

A Gifts Discernment Team interviews and assists those seeking ministry opportunities, and prepares affirmation ballots for positions that require direct action by the congregation. 

STEWARDSHIP

Purpose: Responsible for financial and legal matters with organizations outside the local church.  Provide budgetary, facility, and financial direction for the congregation.  Assist the congregation to develop a responsible life as steward of all its resources. 

The Trustees represent the congregation in the care of the physical property and legal obligations of the congregation.  They may appoint a Cemetery Committee for the care, maintenance and record keeping of the cemetery.

ARTICLE VII - SELECTING LEADERSHIP

SELECTING SENIOR PASTOR

When the congregation needs a senior pastor, the members of the congregation shall be invited to nominate fellow members for a Search Committee.  The Ministry Leadership Team shall use the nominations to prepare a ballot for approval by the congregation members.  The Search Committee shall work closely with the Conference Minister and shall follow the guidelines of the Franconia Conference.  When a candidate is proposed, the Ministry Leadership Team shall approve a percentage vote of affirmation (for example 80%) that will be required to constitute a call.

SELECTING ASSOCIATE PASTORS AND OTHER STAFF

When selecting associate pastors, a search committee is approved as above to work with the senior pastor (rather than Conference Minister) in presenting a candidate to the congregation.  Other staff is recommended for approval to the congregation by the Ministry Leadership Team.

SELECTING OTHER LEADERSHIP

The Ministry Leadership Team (collectively and individually) is empowered to call and empower others to serve.  However the ministry area leaders that form the Ministry Leadership Team, (as well as the Trustees due to legal concerns and Congregational Care Team members due to confidentiality concerns), are called and empowered directly by the congregation.  A term of service for the leaders of the ministry areas is ordinarily three years and is renewable.  Training opportunities are encouraged to develop skills needed for effective leadership transitions.

The Gifts Discernment Team or leader of the Service area shall call for nominations inviting members of the congregation to nominate members for each office to be filled. After checking the nominations for eligibility to serve, a representative of the Gifts Discernment Team shall determine with each candidate, inquiring about their sense of call, gifts, and availability to serve. Based on these interviews, the Gifts Discernment Team will present to the congregation an affirmation ballot with one person for each position. Congregational members will be requested to affirm or not affirm each person on the ballot. Reservations regarding an affirmation shall be requested by the ballot and considered by the team. A majority of those voting shall be necessary for affirmation.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

Opportunities for service exist for members as well as for active participants.  Individuals may volunteer, be suggested by others, or invited by current team members to join in any area of ministry.  The Ministry Leadership Team (collectively or individually) will approve all leadership positions and endeavor to provide training as required or requested.  Individuals seeking opportunities can contact the leader of the Service area and/or a member of the Gifts Discernment Team. 

ARTICLE VIII - CHURCH PROPERTY

All property and real estate belonging to the congregation shall be in the name of the Doylestown Mennonite Church , and such real estate may be conveyed, sold, mortgaged, or otherwise disposed of only when authorized by the congregation.

All deeds and mortgages made by the church and any and all other written contracts and agreements to which the corporation shall be a party shall be executed in its name by the Trustees and attested by the president or secretary of the Trustees.

Any special internal funds, (that is excluding the general fund budget), that are established for a specific purpose shall be used at the discretion of the team for which they have been identified.  Any funds that are not identified shall be the responsibility of the Ministry Leadership Team.  Contributed funds can be designated to any established fund.  If a designated fund no longer exists, a best effort shall be made to honor the wishes of the donor.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

Amendments may be made to the organizational patterns at any regular congregational meeting or one specially called by the Ministry Leadership Team. Proposed changes shall be circulated in written form at least two weeks prior to the meeting and shall be approved by two-thirds of the votes cast.