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Article V. Conventions
Sec. 1. REGULATIONS: Ap THE COMPOSITION OF
a. A convention'of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be composed of exofficio delegates and of clerical}and lay delegates elected to a term of two bienniums (see bylaws of the A E.L. Church, Art, 1. Sec, 4) by the synods and parishes in accordance with the provisions of the sections following and of the by-laws of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church. To ihe first convention held under this constitution the synods shall elect half of the lay delegates and half of the clerical delegates to one biennium and the other half of the lay dalegates and of the clerical delegates to two bienniums to initiate provisions for continuity in the convention, which continuity shall afterward be maintained.
The by-laws shall provide:
1. That the number of clerical delegates listed in the by-laws of the A E. L. Church, Art, 1. Sec. I. a., shall be in proportion to the number of congregations in each synod.
2. That the number of lay delegates listed in the by-laws of the A. E. L, Church Art. I. Sec, I.b, shall be in proportion to the number of baptized Christians in each synod.
3. That there may be additional delegates from parishes that give 309, of their annual offerings to the Suvartha Dhana Nidhi fund of the A. E L. Church.
b. At the time of his election a delegate must have completed twenty-five years of age. must be a confirmed member in good standing in a congregation of the synod which he represents, must be one who contributes tp the work or his parish and church as defined in the by-laws of parishes, of synods and of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church; and must be a resident of that synod. He nged not be a delegate to the syhod convention. A pastor on transnfer from syriod to synod shall be considered to be a resident of the synod to which he is transfered. -
c. If a clerical orlay delegate.is -plected by a synod ta the convention of the AsE.L. Ghyrch and subsequently is transferred or moves td another.part of the same synod, he shall retain his position as §dalegate to the convention' of the A. E. L. Church from the synod which elected him if he is transferred or moves to another synod ha shall cease to be a delegate to the convantion of the A. E. L. Church, his alternate shall become the regular delegate and another alternate shall be elected by the synod.
d. An alternate shall be elected for each clerical and lay delegate in accordance with the provisions of tht by-laws If a delegate is unable to attend any convention for any temporary cause, the alternate shall attend that convention only [If the delegate for any reason loses his delegateship or is-declared ineligible to serve, the alternate shal become the regular delegate for the rest of that term and another alternate shall be elected by the concsrnsd synod.
e. ~ For the purpose of representation to ths convention of the A. E. L. Church as provided -above and in. the by-laws appended hereto, a congregation shall have been recognized as a congregation by action of the Executive Council in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws.
f. The presidant, ths vice-president, the sacretary and the treasurer of this Church shall be exofficio delegates tp tbe convention as long as jthey remain in office.
g. The Executive Council may give to fraternal delegates commission or representative' from other Churches or church-related organizations seat and voice in ths convention but no vote.
Sec. 2. A regular convention of this Church shall be held biennially at the time and place determined by the Executive Council.
Sec. 3. Special convention or this Church shall be called for specified purposes by the president at the request of two thirds of the members of the Executive Council or at the written request of one-third of the convention delegates. A
such a special cedhysption the gelatiates shall be the delegates to tho most recent 3 it ¢. dpritic 1 "provided that they have not been disqualified aprile. Atvsuch a special convention no business shall be-brod§it tefars the convention other than that specified im the hotice 6f the meetiriy, except with the oconsént of thres-fourtds ol the delegdatbs present. o [RY]
Sec. 4. At any convention a majority of the delegates shall constitute a quorum.
Sec. 5. Notice of the time and place of all conventions shall be given to all delegates by the president at least four weeks in advance for regular conventions, and at least two weeks in advance for special conventions. Postal certificate of posting or acknowledgement of local delivery of such natice shall constitute adequate proof of notice and failure of delegates to receive such proven notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of any convention.
Sec. 6. The agenda and programme for all conventions of this Church shall be determined by the Executive Council. At the time of the convertion other' matters may be brought before the convention with the consent of three-fourths of the delegates present.
Sec. 7. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE CONVENTION
a. It shall be the duty of the convention:
1. to elebt such officers, members of thé Executive Council, of boards and of other bodies, and representatives as this constitution and its by-laws require.
2. to receive and consider the reports of the president, of the Executive Council and of the boards of this Church.
3. To reviéiv the work of the Exétutive Coufitil' and of the boards of the Churkh dofi8 during thé pi8viBus biennium, having particular responsibility '8¥*' the, formation of new_policy, the undertaking of new + Work afd thé curtailment or closure of old. work;
4. To advise, the Executive Gouncik. the synods ahd the boards of this Church, vo:
6. To amend this copstjtution in Agcardance with the procedure set forth in Aflicle XV of this constitution.
6. TO considdr such other matters as may be outlined In. its" coastitution and by-laws.
B. The exdcutive power of this Church shall be vested in Ws offickrs, in the Ekacutive Council &nd th the bodtds bf the Church, s bject to this constitution and its By-14tvs.