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Article IV. Parish Church Councils
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the synod shall prepare a schedule showing: the number of church souncib members in each parishr of thessyned and indicating. the part of ~the parish which is to be represented. The schedule shall ba prepared on the basis of geographical considerations and taking into account the number of communing members in 'wards, in urban parishes, and in "congregations" in rural parishes. If two or more congregations are grouped together and represented. by the church council member, the schedule may also include a plan of rotation. If a ward or congregation has not paid all" offerings to the support of the parish, it shall not be entitled to representation on the parish church council. -
Sec. 2a. - In accordance with the schedule provided in Sec. above the voting members in each pit "(congregation or ward) of the pansh, under the chairmanship of the pastor or his nofflines, shall elect a member to tho parish church council, if théreé be no pastor, tfie synod president or Kis nomifee Shall conduct the elections. k
b. There may be one missionary elected by 'the parish church council from among the missionaiies residént within the area of the parish who have bden assigned fo waitk by "Executive council of the A, E. L. Church. bo Toe © opk. 3 A
Sec. 3. a — In case of rural parishes any congregation giving 650%; or tridre in excéss tosthelk: badgetedeotferingsbs given an adtitioniitaf8inbarshipionttie Padsh ChdretCouncil, - Se daw: 3 PRG pe
b. In case of urban parishes the pastor ahall he/ authorised to nominate upon three persons from among the tithers of.ghe parish In addition to the number set in section one above.
c. Ex-Officio Members ~- In addition to the elected members heresshall bethe following Bx-wéfcio shembers.
Parish pastor, Additional pastors, if any. Parish Treasurer, if any.
Co-opted by the P. C. C. upon recommendation of the Parish Pastor in addition to number determined in sec. above for a two year term:
One youth 21-30 years active in youth work, one woman connected with the Streela Samaj, one Sunday Svhoo! Teacher.
Note: Persons-in-cherge of Bible women's work in the parish shsll be invited to the parish church councils concerned when imatters concerriing their work are considered in the respective parish church councils,
Sec. 4. Qualifications for membership of P. C. C.:
a) They shall fulfil the requirements laid down In Acts. 6:3, 1 Timothy 3.8, 10 and Titus 1:6
b) The shall be members in goodstanding in a congregation or the Parnsh, 'having beenresident within the Parish for at least one year, and not having been under discipline for at least five years prior to election,
c) They shall be at least twenty one years of age.
Sec. 5. Term of members:
a) The term of office-of every elected member of the Parish Church council shall be four years which term sht:normally:begin -on Novetiiber 1, following his election If:however;anelettion is not'heldsbefore the expiry ofithe tert 6f any members that membership shall be vecant and shall beiliéy for the *femaining
portion of the term by eiection in accordance with Sec. 2, (a) above. After a person has served on the PCC for a total of four consecutive years in any capacity, i. e., Cheirman, or Treasurer, or Co-opted member or elected member, there shall be a break of two years before the person is eligible to serve again on the PCC. Half or more of a full term shall be considered as a full term in computing term for election. Co-opted members terms shall be for two years only.
b) If a member shall cease to represent the constituency from which he was elected or shall cease to be qualified in accordance with Sec. 4 above, he shall immediately cease to be a member of the Parish Church Council, and the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Sec. 2 (a) above for the unexpired portion of the term. -
c) If amemberis absent from three consecutive meetinss without excuse, he shall lose his membership in the parish church council and the place shall be filled as provided above.
Sec. 6. Duties of Parish Church Council:
a) To have genera! oversight of the spiritual life and activities of the parish and in particular of its public worship to the end that everything is done in accordance with the Word of God and the faith and practices of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church;
b) To inspire the preaching and practice of stewardship in all members of the congregation, and encourage liberal giving to tha work of the Churoh in ali its aspects at home and everywhere;
c) To support the pastor in fulfilling his calling, and in so doing to visit the sick, the infirm and spiritually indifferent. to minister to the poor and distressed and to seek to bring the unchurched into the fold of Christ;
d) To promote a spirit of peace and goodwill within the parish, and if differences arise, to endeavour to restore harmony and mutual understanding;
e) To be the board of trustees of the parish,§ and as such to be responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and right use of the property of the church lylng within the area of the parish;
f) To prepare the annual budget of the parish for submission to the executive committee of the synod, and to have control over the financial affairs of the parish subject to the "policy and enactments of the Andhra Evangsiical Lutheran Church and of the synod;
g) To elect lay delegates and alternates to the convention of the Synods in accordance with the by-laws for Synods Art. 11, Sec. 3. b,
h) To be subject to the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church in all things and to seek to carry out its purposes within the area of the Parish.
1. To see that all offerings are remitted to the Parish Treasurer and that any congregation with-holding any offerings shall be warned and appropriate action, including removal of representation, be taken by P.C.C.
2. To recognise auxiliaries of the congregation of the Parish under ths genaral suparvision of the P, C, C. They
shall be conducted according to the rules of 'the respective sociwties.
Sec. 7. Officers:
a. The pastor shall be ex-officio chdirman of the parish church councii.
b. The members of the parish church council shall elect at each meeting from among themselves a recording secretary. He shall keep accurate minutes of that meeting of the parish church council in a volume provided by the parish. which shall be preservatl permanently in the records of the parish in the custody of the pastor.
c. i. If the executive committee of the synod shall so direct the parish church council shall elect a lay person to serva as treasurer of the parish for a term of one year from Sept. 1. Such a person shall be eligible for re-election. He need:not be:a member of the parish church council atthe time of his election.
ii. If the executive committee of the synod shall so direct, the pastor of the parish shall be its treasurer The treasurer of the parish shall maintain" accurate records of all financial business of 'the parish in accordance with the policy and enactments ofthe Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, of the synod and of the parish church council. Hexhall. make written report.to the parish church council. menthdy.
ili. All bank accounts and savings bank accounts of parishes and congregations shall A.E.L €. bank accounts, subject to control, direction and authority of the-Board'of Finance. The treast'rer of the Church is authorized to instruct the concerned bank agent from time to time as to the person authorized to operate on any particular A.E L.C, account. Any special funds which may be available for investment shall be invested through the treasurer of the A.E.L. Church,
Sec. 8. Meetings; -
a) The Parish Church Council shal] normally mest once a month. Special meetings fay be called by the Pastor and shall be called at the requsst of at least one half of the members. Three days notice for special meetings and Seven days notice for reuglar meetings shall be given along with the Proposed agenda to all who are entitled to be present. Notices shall be sent by Certificate of Posting or by Circular taking the signatures of the members,
b) Whéever is absent from three consecutive meetings in- + cluding special meetings for any reason, shall cease to be a member of the P. C. C,. ¢) In parishes:where P. C. C. meetings are not conducted at least once in'six months and or when it is found that the © P.C.C. Ts not properly constituted or is not functioning ge according4o. -the by-laws and Rules of the Church and Synod, the Synod Executive Committee shall be authorised
to disband the P. C. C. and to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee in consultation with Parish Pastor to administer the affairs of the parish after giving show cause notice to the Pastor and P, C. C,
Sec. 9. Quorum:: A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a 4 majority of the total membership of the Parish Church Council in- 3 cluding elected and ex-officio members as determined by the: Synod Executive Committee. 3