CONSTITUTION OF THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Neosho, Missouri June, 2008 We, the members of the First Christian Church, a congregationally governed body, in order to promote the work of the Church in the spirit of Christ and thus advance His Kingdom, do hereby adopt this Constitution. A. Section A. Name The name of this organization shall be First Christian Church, of Neosho, which is incorporated as Christ Church at Neosho, Missouri, affiliated with the Brotherhood known as the Disciples of Christ and committed to the historical principles of this body whose local congregations are variously known as Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, or Disciples of Christ. B. Section B. Purpose The purpose of this church shall be as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus Christ and commit them actively to the Church, to help them grow in grace and knowledge of Christ that Increasingly they may know and do His will, and to work for the unity of all Christians and with them engage in the common task of building the Kingdom of God. C. Section C. Mission Statement God calls us to be His people to be accepting of and compassionate to all, and to reach out as followers of Jesus Christ to those in need in our community and in the world. God calls us to grow in our spirituality, in our relationships with one another, and our respect for all of Gods creation. ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP The membership of the Church shall consist of those who are now identified as members of the congregation and those who shall unite with it by Confession of Faith in Jesus Christ and baptism by immersion or transfer of membership. Voting privileges shall be accorded to all members who have shown an active interest through a recent continuity of attendance, service or giving. ARTICLE III. GENERAL BOARD A. Section A. Composition and Duties 1. The General Board shall consist of a. The elected members of the Church and its officers. b. The elected President or Chair of any auxiliary organization (CWF, CMF, CYF, Youth Deacons, etc. c. The Chairs of all Functional Departments and all Standing Committees. 2. The General Board shall annually organize and elect such officers as it deems necessary to effectively carry out the programs of the Church. 3. It shall be the duty of the General Board a. To consider and recommend general policies to the congregation. b. To transact the business of the Church. c. To administer the program of the Church through the designated functional committees. d. To perform its duties according to the authority granted by this Constitution or as given by the Church. e. To keep the congregation regularly informed of the activities of the Board and its officers. B. Section B. Elected Board Members 1. The following members of the General Board shall be elected by the congregation at the annual Church business meeting: ARTICLE I. NAME, PURPOSE AND MISSION

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a. Elders b. Diaconate c. Trustees d. Elders Emeritus, Diaconate Emeritus Elders a. Terms of office. There shall be a total of fifteen (15) Elders, with five to be elected each year beginning in 1995. Each Elder shall hold office for a term of three years and until his successor is elected or appointed. Elders holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, or removal or failure to serve for other reasons. b. Duties. The Elders, in cooperation with the functional committees, shall promote the growth and welfare of the Church, give spiritual oversight to the members with respect to regular attendance at the Lords Supper, visitation of the sick and concern for the morally delinquent and spiritually indifferent; give thoughtful consideration to the policies of the Church that will enable it to fulfill its complete mission; encourage by example and word and missionary, evangelistic, education and stewardship responsibilities of the church; to serve at the Lords Table; and perform such other duties as may be assigned. Diaconate a. Number and term. The Diaconate shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four Deacons with at least six to be elected each year, beginning in 2008. Each Deacon shall hold office for a term of four years and until their successor is elected or appointed. Deacons holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall automatically be considered a member of the Diaconate and shall continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, removal or failure to serve for other reasons. b. Duties. The Diaconate, in cooperation with functional committees, shall cooperate with Elders in promoting the growth and welfare of the Church; assist in the greeting and ushering of the worshippers, distribute the Lords Supper and receive the offering; assist in financial canvasses, visitation projects and preparation of the candidates for Baptism; give counsel and service in the business affairs and program activities of the Church; take responsibility for time of sickness and bereavement; and perform such other duties as may be assigned. Trustees a. Number and term. There shall be a total of seven Trustees with three to be elected in 1982 and each even numbered year thereafter and four to be elected in 1983 and each odd numbered year thereafter. Each Trustee shall hold office for a term of two years and until his or her successor is elected or appointed. Trustees holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, removal or failure to serve for other reasons. b. Duties. The Trustees shall act as the legal agents of the Church in all matters under the direction of the General Board and subject to the approval of the Church; hold legal title to the Church property and handle all business transactions related thereto; and to perform such other duties as may be assigned. Elder Emeritus and Deaconate Emeritus a. Number and term. There is no set number of such officers and no set number, if any, are to be elected in any year. Once elected the person may retain the office in this congregation for life. b. Qualifications. Being elected in any such capacity is not predicated on service in such a position during prior years, but is strictly dependent upon having been faithful in whatever task the person may have been called upon to perform. c. Duties. All such positions are honorary and continued service is discretionary. Qualifications of Officers After serving a full term of office, the Elder or Deacon shall be ineligible for that office for one year unless other eligibles are unavailable. 2.

*****C. Section C. Vacancies Vacancies in any office of the Church shall be fulfilled until the next Church election by nomination of the Chair of the General Board in consultation with the Minister and elected by the General Board. A vacancy shall be deemed to exist when a member resigns, fails to serve or is for any reason unable to serve. ARTICLE IV. MINISTER The Minister(s) shall perform the duties which usually pertain to the Church, and as spiritual administrator of the Church, shall be an ex officio member of all organized groups, auxiliaries and committees. ARTICLE V. MEETINGS A. Section A. Meetings to Be Held. The Church shall hold 1. An annual business meeting within the month of May. 2. Special business meetings as required, such meetings to be called by the Chair or Vice-Chair or upon the request of the General Board or upon written petition of ten or more members of the Church. *****B. Section B. Notice Notice of all regular or special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at regular Sunday services at least one week in advance of the meeting. An appropriate reason for all special meetings must be stated at the time the meeting is announced. C. Section C. Rules of Order All business meetings of the congregation shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order in all instances where applicable and not directly in conflict with this Constitution. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS This Constitution may be amended at any business meeting of the Church by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting on the amendment. Written notice of the proposed amendment must be read at two regular Sunday services, or published in the two Church newsletters which are published immediately before the vote is taken. * Amended: 5/22/1988 and May 2008 ** Amended: 9/04/1994 *** Amended: 5/21/2000 **** Amended: 2005, 2006 (one year experiment) and 2008 ***** Amended: 5/16/2008

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