ARTICLE 5 CHURCH COUNCIL

5.01 Purpose. 

The Church Council shall be the governing body of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ and shall act on all matters that come before it or, at its option, refer any of such matters to the Members for consideration and decision by them at a duly called Membership Meeting. The Council and all Committees of the Church shall refer all matters of the Theology and Ministry of the Church to the House of Clergy for definition, clarification, review, endorsement, approval, withdrawal, authorization or recommendation. The Council is responsible for the financial health of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Council shall review all staff appointments annually, including the Appointed Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and shall delineate the terms for renewal of appointment of the Clergy and Staff.

5.02 Regular Election to Council Membership.

With the exception of the Appointed Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the members of the Council shall be elected by the Members of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Of Our Lord Jesus Christ. There shall be no more than nine members of the Council (including the Appointed Clergy), the number of members to be as established by the Council from time to time. 

1) The Council shall form a Nominating Committee for the Council during its July Council Meeting. 

2) The Council shall accept the Nomination Slate for the Council at its August meeting. 

3) The Membership of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ shall elect members to the vacant Council seats at the September Congregational Meeting called by the Council. The Members elected shall assume the status of Council Member-Elect until the January Annual Meeting of the Congregation. 

4) The Council shall determine the offices of each of its members and member(s)-elect in its October meeting. 

5) Each Council Member-Elect shall be mentored and work along side the serving Council Member for the months of October, November, December, and January until they take full office after the January Annual Meeting of the Congregation. 

All Appointed Pastors of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ shall be members of the Council. 

5.03 Special Election to Fill Council Vacancy. 

If the number of members on the Council has decreased because a vacancy on the Council has been created due to death, resignation or abandonment, the size of the Council shall not have been reduced; instead, a vacancy shall have been created and the Council shall promptly act to fill it. 

5.04 Change of Size.

The Council may increase or decrease its size within the parameters listed above by its own action at any time, but it must call a special meeting of the Members to ratify or reject such act within 30 days after having done so. 

5.05 Eligibility Requirements for Council Membership.

No person may be elected to the Council until he or she has been a Member of Ray Of Hope Church for twelve months and has demonstrated that he or she is of a spiritual mind, is leading an exemplary life, has sound judgment and proven that he or she is capable of dedicated service. The twelve month membership requirement may be waived only by action of the Council and such action shall only be taken when no Member, otherwise qualified, is available for election who has expressed a willingness to serve if elected. 

5.06 Variation from Normal Procedure; Membership Concurrence.

If the Council elects a person to fill a vacancy on the Council who has not been a Member for the required period of time, that action shall be announced to those persons in attendance at the next two worship services, both verbally and by notice printed in the weekly worship bulletin. Upon the written request of any five Members, a Special Membership Meeting shall be called to ratify or reverse the election of such person to the Council and, if the election is not ratified, to fill the vacancy by vote of the Members.

5.07 Nomination Process. 

The Moderator shall appoint a Nominating Committee, subject to approval of the Council, to identify potential candidates, interview them, ascertain their willingness to serve if elected and prepare a list of the names of people who have agreed to be candidates to serve on the Council in the event of their election. The nominating committee shall consist of at least one Appointed Pastor and one member of the Council. This list shall be announced at the last two worship services preceding the Annual Congregational Meeting and shall be presented at that meeting as the recommendation of that Committee. Any Member may nominate any other Member (including self-nomination) to become a member of the Council at the Annual Congregational Meeting; however, the person nominated must be present and accept or decline that nomination or his or her name may not be voted upon.

5.08 Election to Council by Membership. 

The members of the Council are elected by a quorum of the Members at the Annual Congregational Meeting or at any Special Congregational Meeting called for that purpose. 

5.09 Term of Office. 

The term of office for the elected members of the Council is two years. Half of the terms shall expire in even years and the remaining terms shall expire in odd years. 

5.10 Council Members to Hold But One Major Position. 

A person serving on the Council, because of the greatness of the responsibility, should have no other major ongoing position in the Church. 

5.11 Conflict of Interest. 

Members of the Council shall not participate in other religious or secular organizations when such activities may reasonably be expected to require participation at times when the Council Member is already required to participate in his or her official capacity with and for Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, Council Members should not participate in other organizations where such have taken a policy stand in opposition to the Statement of Faith of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Long Form and Short Form) and the Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Statement of Purpose unless the Council has been asked to and has approved such participation in the belief that the participation may lead to greater understanding and acceptance on the part of the organization of the Statement of Faith of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Long Form and Short Form) and the Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Statement of Purpose. 

5.12 Duties of Council Members. 

Each member of the Council shares equally in the work of the Council. It is expected that persons elected to the Council may have particular callings because of their diverse experiences, interests and talents. Because of this diversity, it is anticipated that differences in opinion concerning the business of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ may emerge on a regular basis. In conducting business, each member shall respect and attempt to understand the opinions of others and the proposals made by each, just as each will wish all others to consider proposals they may make. Each member of the Council is reminded of his or her duty to properly live a life that is exemplary in the Lord and that the way each acts in public and in service within Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ reflects positively or negatively upon the other Council members and Ray Of Hope Church and its Members, Friends and other congregants. In conducting business, each member shall respect and attempt to understand the opinions of others and the proposals made by each, just as each will wish all others to consider proposals he or she may make. It is expected that each member of the Council will exhibit responsible leadership through an active program of personal financial stewardship. 

5.13 Removal From Office. 

A member of the Council will be considered to have been derelict in his or her duties and may be removed from office by a majority vote of the full Council under any of the following conditions:

a. Absent for three or more Council meetings during any twelve-month period, including called or special meetings, without an excuse deemed acceptable by the Council,
b. Failure to attend at least three worship services each month without an acceptable excuse, as determined by the Council,
c. Failure to maintain an active program of personal financial stewardship, 
d. Failure to discharge the duties of his or her job description.