Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.
The LGBTQISA2ss+ Pride Activities, and Social Events Center of Elmira, NY.
The only Church in Central New York founded and fostered by the GLBTQSIA2ss+ community for 39 years. October 31, 2022 - 39th Anniversary now in our 40th year in Ministry.


9.32 The House of Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ shall include all Licensed, and Licensed and Ordained Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Vocational Ministry Candidates are required observers and are allowed to participate in discussions of the House of Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ; however, they may not vote in the House. All "Appointed Clergy" shall have voting rights in the House of Clergy when voting is needed for decision making. Clergy who hold current Licenses, or Licenses and Ordinations of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ who are not currently serving as "Appointed Clergy" may participate in discussions within the House of Clergy; however, they may not vote when a vote is called within the House. 

9.33 Sole Guardian of Church Theology. 

The House of Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ shall be the sole Guardian of the Theology of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Theology is defined as: Theology Proper, worship, liturgy, Bible interpretation, teaching ministries, curricula, practices, dogmas, doctrines, ministry authorization and delegation, pulpit supply, music, art, Worship and Liturgy Commission, and media presentations of any of these matters in all forms of media including but not limited to newspapers, newsletters, magazines, internet and any and all forms of publication, recording and broadcast.

9.34 Presentation of Theology. 

The House of Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ shall present the Theology of Ray Of Hope Church for discussion, review, and endorsement of the congregation, as needed. The Council and the congregation of Ray Of Hope Church shall give full support to the House of Clergy in all of its Ministry and shall facilitate its Ministry in any and every way possible.

9.35 Relationship to Vocational Ministry Program. 

The House of Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church will set the agenda, Curriculum and all aspects of the Vocational Ministry Training Program. The Council and the congregation shall support the House of Clergy in its oversight of the Vocational Ministry Training Program. The Council shall appoint the chairperson of the Vocational Ministry Training Program from the Licensed and Ordained Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ and support the chairperson in all matters of administration and oversight of the program.

9.36 Co-endorsement of Authorized Ministry.

No ministry shall be endorsed by the Council that is not endorsed by the House of Clergy of the Church. The requirement for endorsed ministry must include initial approval by the House of Clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, recommendation to the Council and, finally, co-endorsement of the Council and House of Clergy.

9.37 Discipline. 

Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ will not condone disloyalty, unbecoming conduct or dereliction of duty; accordingly, the following provisions are established for discipline of Ray of Hope credentialed clergy.

9.38 Disciplinary Procedure.

Initiation of disciplinary procedure for clergy of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ may only be accomplished by a formal signed and notarized statement of charges. These charges shall be brought to the Council. Upon the calling of such a meeting, the Moderator shall appoint a Judiciary Committee to hear the charges and report back the findings to the Council with a recommendation of action. The Judiciary Committee shall have the right to interview people with potential knowledge concerning the alleged misbehavior and shall be obligated to report to the civil authorities all possible violations of the criminal law uncovered during the investigation. The appointment of the Judiciary Committee shall be in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws regarding appointment of Council committees. 

9.39 Judiciary Committee action.

Upon determining the validity of the charges, the Council shall take the following actions: 


a. If innocent.

If the clergyperson is found not to be guilty of that with which he or she was charged, the Committee shall make a public statement to that effect. The person shall be restored to any position from which he or she had been suspended, any withheld compensation shall be paid in full, and the records of all investigations and information collected shall be sealed. The Council may rebuke parties who are found to have brought the charges frivolously or maliciously. 

b. If guilty.

If the clergyperson is found to be guilty of that with which he or she was charged the Council may take disciplinary action such as:



1) administering a rebuke and placing a copy of the findings in the clergyperson's file;
2) requiring restitution, counseling, resignation or other action appropriate to the magnitude of the violation and placing a copy of its findings in the clergyperson's file;
3) requesting that the Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ suspend credentials until required restitution, counseling or other action is completed and placing a copy of the findings in the clergyperson's file;
4) requesting that Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ remove the clergyperson's credentials and placing a copy of the findings in the clergyperson's file.




9.40 Appointed Clergy; Status as Employee or Independent Contractor. 

There shall be hired as employees or independent contractors of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. as many Appointed Clergypersons as are designated by the Council. To be selected as an Appointed Clergyperson, each candidate (Clergyperson of Ray Of Hope Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ) must be recommended to the Members by a seventy-five percent vote of the Council, exclusive of vacancies, and each must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum of Members at the Annual Meeting or at a Special Meeting of the Members called for that purpose. 

9.41 Compensation. 

Compensation paid to clergypersons shall be in an amount established by the Members as a part of the annual budget. Other compensation may be paid as approved by the Council for services the need of which was unforeseen at the time of preparation of the budget.

9.42 Continuing Education Duty of Appointed Clergy


 


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