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Article II. Congregational Panchayat
Sec. 1. In parishes where there are a number of separate congregations each congregation may have a congregational panchayat consisting of the parish pastor and at least five and not exceeding ten elected members. Not more than one of these shall be-an employee of the parish.
Sec. 2. The congregational panchayat shall be elected as each congregation may determine. In the case of urban parishes panchayat elections will be conducted ward war, The term of membérs shall be four years.
Sec. 3. The qualifications for members of the panchayat shall be as laid down in Art. 1 Sec. 3 and 4 above.
Sec. 4. An ad hoc committee may be appointed by the synod executive committee in consultation with the parish pastor if it is found that a panchayat Js not consntuted according to by-laws and rules of the Church, after giving show-cauge notice.
Sec. 5. The duties of the congregational panchayat shall be:
a) To see that the services of God's House are held at the proper times and conducted in accordance with the order of the Church and that the,Sacraments are regularly and properly administered, -
b) To provide for and show ah interest in the Christian education of the members of the parish. ¢) To aSsist the pastor and the congregatiohal workers in the performing of the duties of their offices, particularly inthe care of the sick and the tigedy, in the cultivation of hatniony.among the members of the congregation and ini the promotion of its general 'welfare.
d) to assist in exercising discipline in the congregation.
e) To care for the property of the congregation, to assist in ' keeping buildings in repair and to~see that its secular affairs are properly administered.
f) To establish and run Sunday Schools, Youth, Samaj and Women Samaj and to be responsible for theit proper working.
g) To devise ways and means for promoting the financial contributions of the members for the support of the Church work not only in their own congregation but also for the Christian ministry in the parish and the A.E.L. Church as a whole.
h) To encourage and assist the congregation to identify itself and to actively participate without reservation in all the schemes designed for the genera! development of the village life in their areas.
Sec. 6. a) For the congregational panchayat more than half of the electad members shall censtitute a quorum.
b) - Meetings - For all the business meetings of a congregation or ward one-fourth of the eligible voters shall constitute a quorum.
Article III. Parishes
Sec. 1. Types of Parishes-Because of the varied conditions which exist in the parishes of the A.E.L.C. and the different degrees of spiritual hfe, ability for self — government and economic inaqualities, there shall be three clagses of parishes as follows: oo CLASS A. Supporting Parishes with saecial rights and priv leges which hereinafter shall be called A. Class. [ 3 kd
CLASS B. Parishes that do not receive subsidy but give some contribution to the A. E. L. Churoh with limited rights and privileges.
CLASS C. Other parishes including those receiving subsidy from A. E. L. Church.
Sec. 2. The Executive Council shall determine from time to time the classification of the Parishes of the Church on the basis of the conditions set forth below, and after the recommendation of the synod Executive Committee which shall be made after consultation" with P. C. C.
Sec. 3. A Class Parishes Such Parishes shall assume the following responsibilities:
1. To serve as a model to other patishes, in administration, conduct, and spiritual {ife. -
2. To pay pastors salary in full, pastors medical bills according to policy, P. F. Church Share contribution, to provide pastor with housing or rent in lieu of housing, pastor's moving charge for incoming pastors. )
3. To pay salaries and P. F. contribution of other workers in the parish.
4. To pay expenses of delegates or representatives to A. E. L. C. Convention, Synodical and Youth meetings,
5. To repair and maintain ail buildings.
6. To contribute to the causes of the Church upon request such as Theological Education Endowment. Fund Youth Sunday,
N. M.S,, otc.
7. To give 20% of all offerings annually to the Suvartha Dhana Nidhi Fund,
Il. Privileges:
1. To send three lay delegates to the Synod Conventicn.
2. To form an Administrative Body as follows:
a) Composition:
P. C. C. and L. C. C. members and persons in charge of work in the Parish area.
8) Duties i) To select a pastor for the parish in accordance with the provision of the By - Laws.
ii) To hear the report of the Treasurer on the Genral Financial condition of the parish to advise the Parish Church Council on any steps necessary in view thereof.
iii) To pass the annual budget prepared and approved by the Parish Church Council. If the budget fails to meet with the approval of the administrative Body. the budget shall be referred back to the Parish Church Council with recommendation for further consideration and final decision. The P. C. C. shall in any case continue to pay the salaries of the workers pending the final sanction of the budget. The budget shall be submitted to the Budget Committee of the Synod.
3. To call their pastor by a 2/3rd majority vote of the Administrative Body from a list prepared by the Committee on Synods consisting of all pastors who are eligible for transfer within Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church who have had at least five years of Service. The Synod President may be asked to sit with the Administrative Body as consul tant at the meeting when the Pastor is to be called.:
4. To elect their own Treasurer
6. To pay their pastor special allowances as per rules and enactments of the Church.
6. To call an additional pastor
7. To admynister their own affairs as long, 4s their actions are in keeping with the constitution and by - laws yf the A, E. L. Church, Synod and Parishes,
8. To elect a layman as Parish Church Council Chairman if they so desire. The Chairman need not be a member of the Parish Church Council. In case a layman is elected as Chairman, the Paster shall be an ex - officio member of the Parish Church Council. The term of 'A' Class P, C.C. Chairman be two years and there shall be a break of two years after two consecutive terms.
9. To appoint Bible Women and other Gospel Workers of thier choice.
Soclal privilege: )
10. Paiishes giving 30%, of their offerings (including the 20% as A Class Parishes) to Suvartha Dhana Nidhi shall have the privilege of sending a delegate to the A. E. L Convention at the expense of the Parish.
General.rules regarding A and B. Class Parishes:
a) Parishes owning money to A. E. L. Church or other funding agencies for previous loans, which do not repay according to approved schedule. or which are withholding special offerings shall cease to enjoy their status as A Class or B Class until the obligations to the A.E, L. Church are fulfilled. -
b) Parish Account books shall be open to officers of the Church aud Synod or Auditor at all tines.
¢) Yearly budgets shall be submitted, and half yearly Financial Statements to be submitted to the Treasurer, A, E. L. Church.
d) Failure to properly maintain records or keep up A Class responsibilities shall be cause for not seating Parish delegates and removal of privileges. Defaulters shall not be eligible for special grants or projects, and privileges. e} All the Self Supporting parishes shall open Bank Accounts and or pestal savings accounts as authorized by Treasurer, A. E. L. Church in the joint names of the Treasurer and the Pastor of the Parish.
f) No Pastor of an A or B Class parish may be elected or appointed as Treasurar of the Parish.
g) All 'A' and 'B' Class Parishes shall elect the Lay Treasurers before August 31 fer a term of two years, and report the same to the concerned Synod Executive Committee and Treasurer, A. E. L. Church before August 31 (LCM 239, page 17).
h) All Treasurers shall begin to operate on the Joint: Accounts as from September 1.
i) Monthly financial statements and the Bank Statements shall be presented to the Parish Church Council at the end of each month.
j) The Treasurer and Pastor are responsible for remittances and withdrawals of money into or from the concerned Bank or Post Office.
k) The Treasurer and the Pastor shall submit the quarterly financial statements duly signed by both of them to the Treasurer, A. E. L. Church, to the Parish Church Council and Parish Administrative body, in the case of A Class Parishes.
B Class Parishes \
1. Responsihilitles:
1. To give 109% of all offerings to Suvarha Dhana Nidhi Fund.
2. To care for and maintain buildings of the Parish,
3. To pay pastors salary in full and his Provident Fund Church Share.
4, To pay delegates expenses to Synod, Synodical and youth meetings.
5. To provide housing for pastors.
6. To chose a pioperly qualified Bible Woman provided they bear a part of her budget as directed by the Executive Council from time to time.
11. Privileges:
1. To send two lay delegates to the Synod Convention,
2. To elect their own Treasurer of the Parish. C."" Class Parishes
1. Al} other parishes shall have "C" Class status.
2. "C" Class Parishes shall contribute 3%, of their actual offerings to the Suvartha Dhana Nidhi Fund of the Church.
3. Those parishes which contribute 39% of thelr actual annual, offerings to the Suvartha Dhana Nidhi Fund _ shall have the privilege of sending one lay delegate to the Synod Convention.
4. Budgets shall be set by the Synod Finance Committes.
65. Assignment of Gospel Workers within the Parish shall be made by the synod Executive Committee in consultation with the Pastor and Person-in-charge of work.
6. The Executive Council shall determine the status of Parishers, after corisultation and recommendation of the PC. C. and Synod Executive Committee and Committee an Synods.