d. TRUSTEES shall total a minimum of three. More may be elected as long as the total number of trustees does not exceed 2% of the congregation's total membership as recorded in the current Yearbook of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

2. The Congregation, upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee and further nominations (Nominated person must have given permission to be nominated.) from the floor, if any, annually shall elect the following administrative officers for a one-year term. This election shall take place a minimum of thirty days prior to the start of the church year for ministry groups.

1. MODERATOR of the congregation, who also shall serve as Moderator of the Church Council.

b. VICE-MODERATOR of the congregation, who also shall serve as Vice Moderator of the Church Council.

3. TREASURER of the congregation, who also shall serve as Treasurer of

the Church Council.

d. FINANCIAL SECRETARY of the congregation, who also shall serve as Financial Secretary of the Church Council.

e. REPRESENTATIVES to Area, Regional, and General Assemblies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The number of representatives and their terms shall be decided in accordance with the policies of these assemblies.

3. .All nominees who receive a majority of votes cast by those present at a called congregational meeting voting by show of hands or written ballots and those having submitted valid absentee ballots shall be declared elected.

4. Succession in Office

1. The Diaconate, Elders, and Trustees shall remain out of office for one year, upon completion of a three-year term, before being elected again to the expiring office.

b. The Moderator and Vice-Moderator may serve two successive one year terms in the same office. However, no one shall serve a total of more than three successive years in a combination of these administrative offices without remaining out of office for a period of one year.

c. The Treasurer and Financial Secretary may serve for an indeterminate number of consecutive terms when approved for nomination by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Congregation annually.

B. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

1. Following the annual business meeting, the newly elected Moderator, in

Consultation with the Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and

Minister, will appoint the following officers for a term of one year, with

no restriction on succession:

1. CLERK of the congregation, who also shall serve as Clerk of the Church Council.

b. MINISTRY GROUP Conveners of the congregation, who also shall serve as Ministry Group Conveners of the Church Council.

2. The following officers shall hereinafter be termed the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Clerk and Minister.

3. VACANCIES. When a vacancy occurs in an elective or appointive office, the Moderator, in consultation with the Executive Council, shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the year.

However, if the vacancy exists among the Diaconate, Elders, or Trustees, it shall be filled temporarily by appointment by the Moderator until the next annual election. At the next election, the Nominating Committee shall propose a replacement for the remainder of the unexpired term, and the congregation shall elect the replacement. In the event the Moderator is unavailable, the Executive Council will assume this responsibility.

C. QUALIFICATIONS

1. All persons who hold the above mentioned offices must be members of the congregation.

2. Officers must be active in the congregation; and give evidence of seeking to grow in their own understanding and practice of the Christian faith.

3. As a guideline to the Nominating Committee, such evidence might include, but would not be limited to the following:

a. Conduct of one's life in light of the teaching of Jesus Christ;

2. Promotion of good will and Christian fellowship in the congregation and community;

c. Regular attendance at worship and at stated meetings of the congregation;

d. Regular financial contributions to the support of the congregation and its outreach ministry;

5. Willingness to serve on behalf of the congregation;

f. Demonstrated skills or evident potential in carrying out responsibilities of the particular office.

D. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

1. Elders, the Diaconate, or Trustees who are unable or unwilling to fulfill the responsibilities of their office, as described in the next section of these bylaws, may be asked to resign by their fellow Elders, Diaconate or Trustees and shall be subject to removal from office by a majority vote of the Church Council.

b. Administrative officers, elected or appointed, who are unable or unwilling to fulfill the responsibilities of their offices, as described in the next section of these bylaws, may be asked to resign by the Executive Committee and shall be subject to removal from office by a majority vote of the Church Council.

c. Any vacancy resulting in removal from office shall be filled by the procedures previously detailed in this section of the bylaws.

D. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The DIACONATE shall prepare themselves and the congregation for worship through the following means:

a. Be responsible for the preparation of the facilities for worship, preparation of the emblems of the Lord's Supper, serve the elements of the Lord's Supper, and restore the facilities after worship.

b. Greet worshipers and assist them with worship materials and seating.

c. Receive the offering and present it for dedication.

d. Assist the Minister and the candidates for baptism as requested.

e. Receive and carry out assignments of caring in the overall ministry of the church.

f. Participate as a member of the Church Council in the decision making process.

g. Participate as a member of a Ministry Group or Special Ministries in the program planning and executive process.

h. Sustain one another by organizing the Diaconate to orient new members of the Diaconate, and to carry out the above assignments based on the abilities and talents of the members of the Diaconate.

2. ELDERS shall encourage development of the spiritual life within the congregation through the following means:

a. Be willing and available to counsel with members or the minister on spiritual matters, while observing strict confidentiality.

b. Serve as shepherd to members of the congregation through calling on the sick, shut-ins, aged, absent members, and on prospective members in cooperation with other units of the church and the minister.

c. Serve and pray at the communion table as assigned.

d. Take communion to those who cannot attend worship because of illness or bereavement, or to any others who request it.

e. Participate as a member of the Church Council in the decision making process.

f. Meet regularly as a group to share information about work done, and to plan for special needs in the church.

g. Organize and plan for orientation of new Elders and to carry out the various responsibilities according to the talents of individual Elders.

3. TRUSTEES shall serve as custodians for all documents and records related to the property of Florissant Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

a. At the direction of the Church Council, trustees shall act as legal agents of the church on all matters pertaining to the purchase, sale, protection, and insurance of the church's physical property.

b. Where state laws do not permit the trustees to act as legal agents, they shall act as advisors to the designated agents, to the Church Council, and to the congregation on the above matters.

4. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS, elected and appointed, shall perform their duties as follows:

1. THE MODERATOR shall preside at all stated and special meetings of the Congregation and Church Council, shall be an ex-officio member of all Church Ministry Groups, and perform such other duties normally associated with the office of presiding officer of an organization.

For such purposes as required by the congregation's Articles of Incorporation, the office of moderator shall be considered the same as the office of chairman.

b. THE VICE-MODERATOR shall support the Moderator in planning and decision making, presiding in the Moderator's absence at meetings of the congregation or Church Council, serve as Chair of the Pastoral Relations Committee and the Nominating Committee, and perform such other duties as assigned by the Church Council in order to help coordinate the work of the congregation. For such purposes as required by the congregation's Articles of Incorporation, the office of Vice-Moderator shall be considered the same as the office of Vice-Chairman.

c. THE TREASURER shall receive all income of the congregation from the Financial Secretary, pay all accounts of the Congregation as authorized by the budget or by special action of the Church Council, provide accurate records of all expenditures, make regular written reports to the Church Council and Congregation, provide for an independent annual audit of both income and expenditure for action by the Church Council and the Congregation.

d. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY shall be responsible for receiving all income of the congregation keeping an accurate record of the sources and amount of such income, depositing such income into its proper accounts, providing the treasurer with written reports of all deposits, making regular written reports of income received to the Church Council,, and distributing individual records of contributions in a confidential manner.

e. REPRESENTATIVES to Area, Regional, and General Assemblies

shall perform the duties required of them by attending regular meetings of the Assemblies, providing the Congregation with a summary report, and informing the Church Council or congregation of any matters which require action. If financial support is provided by the congregation for representatives to travel to Regional and General Assemblies, the representative shall file expenditure reports with the church Treasurer.

f. THE CLERK shall perform secretarial duties such as keeping accurate minutes of all meetings of the Congregation and Church Council, and shall provide these minutes for review and approval by the respective Ministry Groups. A summary of Church Council minutes shall be posted for the congregation or communicated through regular channels such as the church newsletter.

g. THE HISTORIAN shall gather and preserve data pertaining to the history, life, and work of the church, and present an annual summary of this material to the congregation. Included in the summary shall be the annual statistics of the congregation as reported to the yearbook of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

h. THE CONGREGATION may provide for Fidelity Bonds for any officer or employee of the congregation charged with direct receipt or disbursement of funds.

III. THE CHURCH COUNCIL

(For such purposes as required by the congregation's Articles of Incorporation, the Church Council shall be considered the same as the Official Board.)

A. MEMBERSHIP

1. Voting members of the Church Council shall be the following:

1. The Diaconate, Elders and Trustees shall be members.

b. The Executive Council of the congregation: The Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Clerk, and Historian shall be members of the Church Council during the term of their office.

c. Elected representatives to Area, Regional, and General Assemblies, shall be members of the Church Council during the term of their service to the respective assemblies.

d. The principal officer or other designated representative of fellowship groups for women, men, and youth within the congregation.

e. Conveners of Ministry Groups and standing Ministry Groups that may be established by the Church Council. The leaders of Special Ministries established within such Ministry Groups shall not be members of the Church Council except by virtue of a concurrently held office.

f. The principal officer or other designated representative of any organization which by their constitutions are related to the church.

g. The Minister (s) shall be included.

2. A QUORUM for the purpose of conducting official business shall be 20% of the total number of members on the Church Council.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Church Council shall determine and administer the process to set the goals and objectives of the congregation.

2. The Church Council shall establish such Ministry Groups and Special Ministry Groups as are necessary to plan, oversee, implement and evaluate the ministries of the congregation.

3. The Church Council shall, when so charged by the congregation, take action on behalf of the congregation.

4. The Church Council shall discharge all other obligations assigned to it elsewhere in these bylaws.

5. Meetings of the Church Council shall be held at least monthly. At the beginning of the program year for Ministry Groups the Church Council shall plan its calendar of meetings for the next year. All meetings shall be announced to the congregation two weeks in advance. All meetings shall be held at their stated time and place.

6. Special meetings of the church Council may be held upon request of 20% of the council's total membership or upon the call of the Moderator. Three day's notice, including a Sunday, shall be given for special meetings of the Church Council. An attempt must be made to contact all Council Members for notification.

IV. MINISTRY GROUPS AND SPECIAL MINISTRIES

(All Ministry Groups and Special Ministries established by this section of the

bylaws shall be established, administered and reviewed by the Church Council.)

A. DEFINITIONS

1. Ministry Groups to plan, implement, and evaluate the Congregation's efforts should be established annually by action of the Council. Areas of ministry to be considered are the following:

a. Stewardship of property and financial resources

b. Christian education and membership development

c. Worship

d. Evangelism, communication, and fellowship

e. World and local outreach

f. Other areas which may, by vote of the majority of the Church Council, be considered necessary.

2. SPECIAL MINISTRIES may be established, and conveners appointed, as needed within Ministries by the convener(s) of that/those Ministry Group(s) or by the Moderator, with approval of the Council, to accomplish tasks which overlap the areas of concern of more than one Ministry.

B. MEMBERSHIP

1. The Conveners of the Ministry Groups, and Special Ministries established by the Church Council as appointed by the Moderator in consultation with the Executive Council and approved by the Church Council.

2. The Conveners of Special Ministries established by the Ministry Groups as appointed by the respective Ministry Group conveners.

3. The membership of the Ministry Groups and Special Ministries as selected from the membership of the congregation by the respective conveners.

C. TERMS OF SERVICE

1. The term of the Ministry Groups established by the Church Council unless otherwise designated, shall be for the church year for the Ministry Groups.

2. The term of Special Ministries shall be extended until the task, program, or function for which each is created is completed and evaluated, or until the task force is terminated by the Church Council.

3. There shall be no restrictions on the number of terms a member may be asked to serve on Ministries Groups and Special Ministries. Neither shall there be restrictions on the number of terms an individual may be asked to serve as the Convener of a Ministry Group or Special Ministries.

D. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The responsibilities of Ministry Groups established by the Church Council shall be defined and approved by the Church Council annually, at the beginning of each planning cycle, based on the needs, goals, and objectives adopted by the congregation.

2. The responsibilities of Special Ministries established by the Church Council shall be defined and approved by the Church Council at the time when each Special Ministries is established.

3. Special Ministries may be established by Ministry Groups to whom each is accountable to carry out the assigned tasks, ministries, or functions.

E. MEETINGS

The Ministry Groups and Special Ministries shall meet as frequently as is necessary to complete their assignments.

V. STANDING MINISTRY GROUPS

A. Pastoral Relations Ministry Group

1. Membership

1. The Pastoral Relations Ministry Group shall be composed of at least one member of the Elders, at least one member of the Diaconate, one member of the Worship Ministry Group, and a minimum of two and a maximum of four other members of the congregation.

b. Members shall be nominated by the Moderator and approved by a majority vote of the Church Council.

c. No more than three of the members shall be rotated from the Ministry Group in any one year. The terms of office shall be for three years not subject to re-election without the lapse of one year.

d. The Vice Moderator shall chair this Ministry Group.

2. Meetings

1. Regular meetings shall be held quarterly (June, September, December, March), with the date announced two weeks in advance so that the Pastoral Relations Ministry Group members may receive input from the congregation before each meeting.

b. Due to the issue of privacy, meetings will be restricted to the members of the Pastoral Relations Ministry Group and those having business before this Ministry Group.

c. The September meeting shall be for the purpose of performance evaluation and review of clergy.

d. Special meetings may be held if needed at the call of the Chair of the Pastoral Relations Ministry Group or by request of any three members of the Ministry Group.

3. Responsibilities

1. To discuss matters pertaining to the clergy.

2. To evaluate the clergy annually and set ministerial goals. Evaluation shall be based on the job description for the clergy adopted by the Church Council and currently in effect.

3. To establish salary recommendation annually for the clergy in conjunction with the Executive Council and present it to the Stewardship Ministry for inclusion in the budget.

d. To observe the privacy of individuals discussing matters with the Ministry Group, follow-up letters will be sent to the parties involved. The Resolution Process Policy established by the Council will be followed at all times.

4. Reports

1. Reports will be made at the next Church Council meeting following a meeting of the Pastoral Relations Ministry Group. Without divulging private information the reports will inform the Council of the recommended action as appropriate.

2. The Council also will be made aware of the results of the annual evaluation of clergy, stressing recommendations concerning both the clergy's and the congregation's role in ministry.

B. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

1. Membership shall consist of the Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Clerk, Financial Secretary and Minister.

2. Duties and responsibilities

a. Advise the Moderator on appointments to fill appointive office or vacancies in elective or appointive office, as provided elsewhere in these bylaws.

2. Serve as personnel committee for the purpose of hiring or dismissing, evaluating and establishing salary within budget, for paid, non-clergy staff of the congregation. Such actions will be subject to confirmation by the Church Council at its next stated meeting.

c. Perform such administrative functions as designated by the Church Council.

4. Act on behalf of the Council to make decisions for necessary actions that occur between Council meetings. These decisions shall be reviewed at the next Council meeting for approval or disapproval.

e. Establish and administer a procedure for valid absentee balloting, including:

i. Eligibility for a valid absentee ballot which is membership in Florissant Valley Christian Church.

ii. Valid absentee ballots may be requested up to 2 weeks prior to the congregational meeting and returned by the Friday before the congregational meeting.

iii. At least two members of the Executive Council will serve as tellers and count the absentee ballots.

iv. Two envelopes will be used for absentee voting. This envelope should usually have the signature of the voter on it, and be sealed and enclosed in another one addressed to the secretary, or to the chairman of the tellers, so that the inner envelope will not be opened except by the tellers when the votes are counted. The envelope inside will have a valid absentee ballot appropriate to the type of matter that will be presented at the congregational meeting, i.e. for officer nominations, the names will be listed with a yes or no area for each officer and if the agenda calls for one item there would be a yes or no for the item. A signature line will be on the absentee ballot which only the tellers see thus allowing for privacy and preventing more than one vote per person and any unauthorized absentee ballots. In case of someone who voted with an absentee ballot comes to the meeting, the absentee vote is nullified and the person can vote in the meeting.

iv. If any amendment to the business presented is brought forward and approved by those present, the absentee vote will be nullified as there is no way to continue the business of the church without undue delay which could go on ad infinitum.

v. There shall be no proxy voting.

3. Reports shall be made to the Church council of any actions taken by the Executive Council.

C. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

1. Membership

a. The congregation shall elect a committee of six members, two of whom shall be elected each year.

b. The term of office shall be for three years, not subject to re-election without the lapse of one year.

c. Nominees for membership on this committee shall be chosen from the widest possible range of constituencies in the congregation.

d. The Moderator and the Minister shall meet with the Nominating Committee in an advisory role.

e. The Vice Moderator shall chair this committee.

2. Responsibilities

1. The Nominating Committee shall propose a slate of all those officers, including its own members, to be elected by the congregation at its annual meeting.

b. Upon the request of the Church Council, the Nominating Committee shall make nominations to fill vacancies as provided elsewhere in these bylaws.

c. Additional nominations may be submitted from the floor provided consent of the individual being nominated has been obtained and the individual is a member of the congregation.

3. Meetings of the Nominating Committee shall be held far enough in advance of the annual congregational elections for the committee to complete its work satisfactorily. The time and place of meetings shall be announced to the congregation at least ten days in advance.

4. The Nominating Committee shall make its report, in writing, to the congregation ten days prior to the congregational meeting for the election of officers, with an informational report to be provided to the Church Council.

D. MEMORIAL MINISTRY GROUP

1. Membership

a. The Convener and four at large members shall be appointed by the Moderator.

b. The Conveners of the Worship Ministry, Stewardship Ministry, and the Education Ministry or their designees shall be members of the Ministry Group.

2. Responsibilities

a. Accept memorials and bequests of cash, securities, merchandise, or property. Appropriate acknowledgment of the gift will be provided to the giver and a relative of the deceased within ten days after the gift is received.

b. Make recommendations to the Council for the disposal or use of gifts of merchandise or property and act accordingly. Gifts of cash or securities will be disposed of as described below.

c. Assess the need of the congregation and provide a prioritized list for the use of funds to the Church Council for approval.

d. Advise the Church Council when sufficient memorial and bequest funding has become available for a specific gift.

e. Procure gifts upon Church Council approval and coordinate announcement of the gift with the appropriate Ministry Group.

VI. THE MINSTER(S)

A. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. General responsibilities of the minister(s) shall be stated in a job description that is reviewed annually by the Church Council. These responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to the roles of spiritual leader, pastoral counselor, advisor, resource person and administrator.

2. In cooperation with the Moderator and the Church Council, the Minister shall encourage orderly procedures in the life and work of the congregation in compliance with the congregation's constitution and bylaws and the policies and procedures of the Congregation and Church Council.

3. The Minister shall be an ex-officio member, without vote, of all Ministry Groups, Special Ministries, and constituency groups of the congregation.

4. The Minister shall direct the congregation in cooperative endeavors of Area, Regional, and General Units of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

B. QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION

1. All ministers called by Florissant Valley Christian Church shall meet the minimum standards of education for ordination as recommended by the guidelines of the denomination known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and hold standing therein. Other qualifications shall be determined by the Church Council and incorporated into the job description which shall be reviewed annually by the Church Council.

2. Process of Selection

a. A SEARCH COMMITTEE shall be appointed by the Moderator and confirmed by the Church Council. It shall consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of nine members. Membership shall include the chairperson of the Elders and the chairperson of the Diaconate. In addition, the Search Committee shall represent the widest possible range of the constituency of the congregation.

b. The Search Committee shall utilize the services of the denomination's executive Area and/or Regional Minister for information and counsel concerning prospective candidates.

c. The Search Committee shall follow regional church guidelines on correspondence and consultation with prospective ministers.

d. The Search Committee shall recommend a prospective minister to the Church Council.

e. The Church Council, at a stated or called meeting, may approve the recommendation of the Search Committee by at least a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. If there is approval, the Church Council shall recommend that the Congregation extend a call to the prospective minister.

f. The Congregation, at a stated or called meeting, may approve the recommendation of the Church Council and extend a call to the minister by at least a two-thirds majority of members present and voting by a show of hands, written ballots and those having submitted a valid absentee ballot.

g. The Church Council shall extend the call on behalf of the Congregation.

C. TERMS OF CALL

1. A call agreement setting forth the salary to be paid to the minister and other conditions of the call shall be provided to the minister with a copy filed in the church office and with the regional office.

2. The term of ministry shall be for an indefinite period. The Pastoral Relations Ministry Group shall conduct an annual review and evaluation of the Minister(s) during the month of September. Said committee will recommend for each Minister, either

1. A compensation package and retention for the upcoming calendar year,

or

b. Termination at the end of the current year. This recommendation shall be voted upon at the regularly scheduled October Council meeting. Two-thirds of those Council members present voting by a show of hands or written ballots must approve the recommendation for approval. If the recommendation is rejected, a congregational meeting shall be called before November 1^st. A majority of those present voting by a show of hands, written ballots and valid absentee ballots at this congregational meeting shall decide the issue.

3. Whether final action on the recommendation is by the Church Council or Congregation, the following shall apply:

1. Approval of a recommendation for retention will result in retention of the Minister for one year. Rejection will result in termination of the call.

2. Approval of a recommendation for termination will result in termination of the call rejection will result in retention for one year.

The term of ministry may be terminated by the Minister upon ninety days notice by

the minister, if the Church council and Minister agree, a different requirement for

notice may be exercised.

D. RESIGNATION

1. Voluntary resignation of the Minister shall be submitted to the Pastoral Relations Ministry Group in writing. After consulting with the Moderator and minister, the Ministry Group shall present the resignation to the Council, with the recommendation for the orderly transfer of duties to the Executive Council within the Congregation. In no case will a voluntary resignation be denied, nor more than ninety days notice be required, The Council will accept the recommendations of the Pastoral Relations Ministry Call or make changes by majority approval, and proceed with the steps required to call another minister.

2. The Pastoral Relations Ministry Group may ask that a Church Council meeting be called to recommend that the Minister be relieved, immediately, of all duties, in the instance of evidence of flagrant illegal or immoral behavior. This should be done, in consultation with the Area and Regional Ministers, and the Executive Council of the Congregation. If the evidence is found to be correct, a recommendation for termination shall be presented to the Council, at the earliest possible specially-called Council meeting.

Said recommendation shall follow the procedure outlined in Section C, paragraph 2 for acting on recommendations for termination.

3. The Church Council, at a stated or called meeting, shall approve the resignation, voluntary or involuntary, of the minister by at least two-thirds majority of members present and voting, and recommend approval to the Congregation.

4. The Congregation, at a stated or called meeting, shall take final action in approving the resignation of the minister by at least a two-thirds majority of members present and voting by either show of hands, written ballots and valid absentee ballots.

E. LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Upon the recommendation of the Pastoral Relation Ministry Group a leave of absence for the Minister may be granted by the Church Council upon a majority vote of those present at a stated or called meeting.

VII. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members of the Church Council present and voting in a stated or called meeting, provided the proposed amendment (to be open with the Congregation in the Council’s decisions) has been published and circulated to all members of the congregation at least ten days prior to the vote at the next regularly scheduled or called Council meeting.

_____________________________________________________

Adoption of these bylaws will supersede all previous bylaws of the congregation. These bylaws were adopted by more than a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting on May 17, 1993. Bylaws No. V revised May 13, 1996.

Bylaws No. VI revised February 10, 1997.

Bylaws No. VII revised June 6. 2001.

Bylaws No. VIII revised November 11. 2001

Bylaws No. IX revised _July 11, 2010___________________