Constitution Bylaws Continuing Resolutions
KENT MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
SUNRISE BEACH, MISSOURI
CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS
Enacted May 21, 1996
Revised 11/19/96, 4/15/97, 2/20/02, 5/20/03 12/09/09 Clarification to R4.00, changes in RED
R1.00. Standing committee structure & function, Adopted by the Council May 21, 1996
R2.00. Additions & changes to standing committee structure. Adopted by the Council on 11/19/96
R3.00. Change adopted by council on 4/15/97.
R4.00 Ministry Fund Committee Guidelines Adopted by the Council on May 20, 2003, Clarified, changes in red, Dec. 9, 2009
This fund is established to help our members show their Christian stewardship by donating to the ongoing and future mission and ministry of Kent Memorial Lutheran Church in ways that are not normally included in the annual budget. These donations may be directed by the member to fund specific causes as long as they meet the mission and needs of the church. Money or property can be given to this fund in a variety of ways such as:
1. Bequest in a will
2. Assign to the fund life insurance benefits or certificates of deposit
3. Transfer to the fund property such as cash, stocks, bonds, and real estate
4. Donate memorial gifts
5. Arrange for trusts, etc., that help members make provision for the ministries of the church, while also meeting their personal and family financial goals
6. Establish endowment gifts and funds
Whereas, whole-life Christian stewardship involves management of all the gifts God has given us, including abilities, time, money and property; and
Whereas, members of this congregation can fulfill their privilege and duty to support the work of this church through, for example, bequests in a will, assigning life insurance benefits or certificates of deposit, transferring property such as cash, stocks, bonds and real estate, donating memorial gifts, arranging for trusts, etc., that provide life-time income to the donor and a gift to the fund, establishing endowment gifts, etc; and
Whereas, this congregation would like to encourage and receive these gifts to be administered or utilized for ministry through its Kent Memorial Ministry Fund;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Congregation Council of Kent Memorial Lutheran Church states the ongoing responsibilities of the Kent Memorial Lutheran Church Ministry Fund Committee (also called the Committee) as follows:
Distribute donations immediately.
Place donation in certificate of deposit for short-term distribution.
Invest the donation in the ELCA Foundation for a later distribution. No committee member shall invest the assets in a way that would bring private gain to that individual.
December 3, 2009 Clarification to Continuing Resolution R4.00
In an effort to clarify Continuing Resolution R4.00 Ministry Fund Committee Guidelines, we propose the following Revisions:
Paragraphs 1 with numbered list, 2, 3 and 4 remain unchanged.
Paragraph 5 is changed as highlighted in red.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Congregation Council of Kent Memorial Lutheran Church states the ongoing responsibilities of the Kent Memorial Lutheran Church Ministry Fund Committee (also called the Committee) as follows:
Paragraphs 6 and 7, Items 1 and 2 are changed in their entirety to read as follows:
1. The purpose of the Kent Memorial Lutheran Church Ministry Fund (also called the Fund) is to provide distributions of gifts according to the wishes of the donor which are beyond the operating budget of this congregation. These distributions will be overseen by the Fund Committee of six (6) members plus the Pastor (Ref. CR2.10) and will be made to causes the Committee deems worthwhile. The distributions may not conflict with the mission and needs of the church or the goals of the Long Range Planning committee.
2. The Committee shall provide education to the Congregation about the Fund and encourage members to donate to the fund.
Paragraph 8, Item 3 remains unchanged.
Paragraph 9, Item 4 main paragraph is changed as highlighted in red. Lettered list remains unchanged.
4. The committee shall recommend to Council for approval, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire Committee, the handling of donations using the following methods –
Paragraphs 10 and 11, Items 5 and 6 remain unchanged.
Paragraph 12, Item 7 changes are highlighted in red.
7. Should the Committee determine that the congregation is in dire need of the assets in the Fund, or has an emergency of such a nature that the future of the congregation is at stake, and the only recourse is to use the Fund assets, the Committee may, upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire Committee, recommend such authorizing action to the Congregation Council for recommendation to the congregation. Upon recommendation from the Council, the congregation must then approve such use by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of members present at a properly called congregational meeting. Assets may not be borrowed from the Fund except by using this same dire need provision.
Paragraph 12, Item 8 remains unchanged.