Staff–Parish Relations Committee

5.4.1    Membership.  The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) consists of six elected voting lay members and two ex officio voting members: (1) the lay delegate elected to the Alaska Conference of the United Methodist Church, and (2) a lay ruling elder commissioner to Presbytery who is also a member of Council.  The staff pastor(s) shall also serve on SPRC as an ex officio non-voting member. A staff member or immediate family member of a pastor or staff member may not serve on the SPRC. 

5.4.2    Responsibilities.  The SPRC responsibilities shall be guided by the relevant sections of the current edition of the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, as modified by the NLUC governance structure, and will function in a manner similar to a personnel committee in a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation.  The functions and responsibilities of the SPRC are to:

5.4.2.1 Confer and counsel with the pastor(s) and staff on matters pertaining to their relationship with the congregation including priorities to be given in the use of their time and skill in relation to the goals and objectives set for the congregation’s mission and the demands of the ministry. 

5.4.2.2 Keep the pastor(s) and staff advised concerning conditions within the congregation as they affect relations between the pastor(s)/staff and the people.

5.4.2.3 Maximize effectiveness in ministry and identify continuing education needs of staff, the SPRC shall annually evaluate the pastor(s) and ensure that the annual evaluation of the other church staff occurs. The

Committee shall furnish the completed evaluation(s) for staff pastor(s) to the pastor(s), Council, and relevant judicatory of each denomination to which NLUC belongs.

5.4.2.4 Annually recommend to the denominational leadership not later than the first week of January the continuation or change of each staff pastor. If SPRC recommends a change in a pastor, it shall do so in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article 6 [ministerial staff].

5.4.2.5 Consult on matters pertaining to pulpit supply and to ensure that the pulpit is appropriately staffed each Sunday.

5.4.2.6 Enlist, interview, evaluate, review, and recommend persons for candidacy for ordained and diaconal ministries, and persons for missionary service. To make opportunities for ordained ministry known to the congregation.

5.4.2.7 Prepare and present to Council the budget needs for staff salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits.

NLUC Amended and Restated Bylaws                                                                    

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30

5.6       Social Justice and Service Committee.  

5.6.1    Membership.  The Social Justice and Service Committee (SJSC) shall have no fewer than seven elected voting members.  The pastor(s) and a member of Council designated by Council shall be ex officio voting members.  Other congregation members are welcome and encouraged to take part and may take part in decisions the Committee chooses to make by consensus.   

5.6.2    Responsibilities.  The SJSC is responsible for overseeing the congregation’s social justice and community service ministries and acting as the Council’s liaison to encourage involvement and support of the members of the congregation through promotion, encouragement, support, education, and participation in projects to help people and communities in need.   SJSC exists to demonstrate our caring through our willingness to serve.  These responsibilities will be carried out with a sensitivity to the people and communities we may serve that reflects our willingness to learn from those with whom we have contact about how their lives can best be improved.  SJSC’s work includes:

5.6.2.1cataloging the service activities of NLUC, including identification of individuals taking leadership roles and opportunities for others to participate meaningfully and helpfully;

5.6.2.2 recognizing and identifying unmet, or inadequately met, needs at the community, state, denominational, national, and international level to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in a spirit of caring;

5.6.2.3 creating meaningful, recognizable opportunities for those in need to know of our willingness to serve and to be led in the process of identifying the best form of contribution and our capacity to provide the service;

5.6.2.4 encouraging hands-on participation by members of the congregation, including support for more participation in current activities of the congregation; 

5.6.2.5 providing mentorship and training opportunities to members and friends of the congregation who wish to share in these activities; 

5.6.2.6 working to improve our ability to meet others in need where they are and respond with honesty and respect to find the most appropriate contribution we can make;

5.6.2.7 proposing budgets to the Council for projects or programs to which NLUC should contribute on a one-time only or continuing basis, including the officially approved causes of each denomination, and coordinating fund raising for projects undertaken by NLUC or to which NLUC wishes to contribute; and

5.6.2.8  providing reports to the Congregation verbally and in writing (through newsletters, bulletins, and special communications), and through forming partnerships with others to achieve the same objectives. 

NLUC Amended and Restated Bylaws                                                                    

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30

5.3       Committee on Property Management

5.3.1    Membership.  The Committee on Property Management (CPM) consists of six voting members.  A staff pastor and a member of the Council are ex officio nonvoting members of the CPM. 

            5.3.2    Meetings.  The CPM shall hold at least 10 meetings annually. 

            5.3.3    Responsibilities.  The CPM is responsible for the following:

5.3.3.1 the ongoing maintenance of buildings and grounds, including yard care and snow removal as funded, and as a consultative body on building renovations;

5.3.3.2 preparing the budget request for its areas of responsibility; and

5.3.3.3 under the general oversight of the Council, maintaining adequate insurance protection for the church building and all properties, and advising the Council to act upon any changes that might be required.

NLUC Amended and Restated Bylaws                                                                    

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30

5.2       Deacons Committee

5.2.1    Membership.  The Deacons Committee consists of nine non-ex officio voting members.  The staff pastor(s) and a member of the Council are ex officio nonvoting members of the Deacons.

            5.2.2    Meetings.  The Deacons Committee shall hold at least 10 meetings annually. 

5.2.3    Congregational Responsibilities.  The Deacons shall minister to those in need, to those who are sick, to the friendless, and to anyone in distress. The Deacons are also responsible for administering the Deacons’ Fund, assuring communion preparation, and performing other duties as assigned. 

NLUC Amended and Restated Bylaws                                                                    

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30

ARTICLE 4. THE NLUC COUNCIL

4.1.      Governance.  

4.1.1    Generally.  NLUC is governed by a representative body known as the Council, elected by the congregation from its own membership. The Council has the power of a Session of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and/or the Church Council and Board of Trustees of the United Methodist Church, the two denominations to which it belongs.

4.1.2     Officers.  The Council shall elect by a majority vote a moderator and vicemoderator from the lay membership of the Council.  Each year, the Council shall also elect a clerk, treasurer, and membership secretary who shall report to Council, but do not need to be members of the Council. The Council shall determine the duties of these positions.

4.2       Council Membership.

4.2.1    Voting and Non-Voting Members.  The voting members of the Council consist of the duly designated pastor(s) of the congregation and twelve elected members. In addition, a nonvoting youth member (nonordained) may be selected by the youth for a one-year term and may serve subsequent terms. 

4.2.2    Prerequisite for Membership on Council.  To be eligible to be nominated and elected as a member of the Council, the individual must be 

4.2.2.1 at least eighteen years of age; and 

4.2.2.2 either (1) a lay member of NLUC, or (2) a Presbyterian Church (USA) or United Methodist Church clergy who actively participates at NLUC and is not a member of the staff. 

4.2.3    Elected Council Member Classes.  There are three classes of elected members on the Council. Each term is three years and terms run concurrently with the church’s fiscal year. An elected member may be nominated and elected to serve a second successive term.  Re-election after a second consecutive term is possible only after rotation off the Council for at least one year.  An elected Council member whose initial term was less than one year may serve continuously for a maximum period of seven years without rotating off Council. 

            4.2.4    Election.  Election of Council members must be held at the Annual

Congregational Meeting or at special meetings to fill vacancies that may occur.

4.2.5    Installation.  Elected Council members, and, if selected, a non-voting youth member, shall be installed at a regular church service and directed to their responsibilities by prayers. Lay members who have not been ordained as lay elders may be so ordained. 

4.3       Quorum.  A quorum for the transaction of business is a staff pastor or designated appointee; a lay moderator, vice-moderator, or designee; and five of the elected members of the Council.

4.4       Meeting Schedule and Executive Session.  

4.4.1    Schedule.  The Council shall hold at least 10 meetings annually. Special meetings may be called by a staff pastor, the moderator, or any four Council members.  Members and friends of NLUC are welcome to attend Council meetings.

4.4.2    Executive Sessions.  The Council may have executive sessions to discuss personnel matters, receiving and considering legal advice, or considering the terms of financial commitments; however, all decisions must be made in an open meeting.

4.5       Responsibilities.  

4.5.1    Generally.  The Council shall carry out the responsibilities assigned to it in these Bylaws and determine and approve such policies as needed to carry out the programs of the church. Policies adopted by the Council must be consistent with these Bylaws.  The Council may carry out its responsibilities and policies directly or through elected or appointed committees, subject to final oversight and decision-making by Council and as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.  See, § 4.5.4 [committees].

4.5.2    Corporate Responsibility.  The corporate responsibility of NLUC rests with the Council. The Council shall conduct the affairs of NLUC as they relate to administration of business and programs. The Council members are the legal trustees of the NLUC church corporation. The Council may buy, sell, or mortgage property or undertake construction only with a majority vote of those members present at a duly called congregational meeting and the concurrence of each denomination’s applicable judicatory. If construction or remodeling costs less than 10% of the value of the building being replaced or remodeled, the Council may proceed without vote of the congregation and concurrence of both the denominations’ judicatories, provided a loan is not necessary.

            4.5.3    Ministry and Christian Education.  

4.5.3.1 Membership Oversight.  The Council shall oversee membership activities as provided in Article 3 [membership] and ensure that current rolls of members are kept.  The Council shall provide for membership recruitment and orientation.

4.5.3.2 Ministry Oversight.  The Council is responsible for oversight of the ministry of NLUC.  It shall, in coordination with the pastor(s) with assigned worship responsibilities, provide for regular opportunities for worship, including celebration of the sacraments and special observances throughout the church year.  As provided in § 4.5.1 [responsibilities; generally] and 4.5.4 [committees], Council may establish a worship committee to guide the congregation’s worship life, including music and the arts.  

4.5.3.3 Christian Education.  Council shall provide for the spiritual guidance of NLUC through establishing a program of Christian Education for all ages based on Biblical teachings and the Theological Foundations of NLUC. Through an education committee or by other means, and in coordination with staff who might have education responsibilities, it shall provide for curriculum selection for various classes and educational opportunities, and it will identify teachers/leadership for the church’s educational efforts. 

4.5.3.4 Denominational Mission and Benevolence.  See, § 7.11 [benevolent giving].  Nothing herein limits the NLUC and Council from establishing or supporting other service or benevolence activities.  See, § 5.6 [SJSC].

            4.5.4    Committees 

4.5.4.1 Establishment. Those committees identified specifically in these Bylaws are Elected Committees (see Article 5) and they shall perform the responsibilities set forth in these Bylaws.  With the concurrence of the applicable Elected Committee, the Council may modify, transfer, and create additional responsibilities for Elected Committees.  Consistent with § 4.5.1 [responsibilities; generally], the Council may establish additional committees, teams, or workgroups as necessary to carry out program needs of NLUC, as determined by the Council, and appoint members or otherwise provide for membership on these Council established committees.  The Council may designate decision making, within a set budget (if applicable), to these committees, teams, or work groups or to Elected Committees.  All established and Elected

Committees shall provide the Council with minutes or other reports of committee meetings.

4.5.4.2 Council Membership on Committees. A Council member shall serve as a member or chair of each Elected Committee and Council established committee.  Voting or non-voting status of Council members is subject to the terms of these Bylaws or the conditions set by the Council when it establishes an additional committee.  The Council member serving on each committee, including the Elected Committees, is responsible for reporting Council concerns and requests to the Committees. Each Council established committee shall select its own chair.  

4.5.4.3 Review and Notice.  The Council shall annually review the work of each committee, work group, or team, including Elected Committees.  The Council shall publish annually, and update as necessary throughout the year, a list of all committees, workgroups, and teams, including Elected Committees.  The list shall include for each such entity: (1) the names of the chair and membership; (2) the name of the Council representative (if any); (3) a brief summary of the responsibilities; (4) the schedule for and how to access minutes of meetings; and (5) such other information that may inform the congregation of the work of NLUC and opportunities to participate.  

4.5.5. Denominational Representation.    

4.5.5.1 Presbytery of the Northwest Coast.  At the beginning of each year, the Council shall elect the number of lay ruling elders as commissioner(s) for which NLUC is eligible based on the standards of the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast. One of these commissioners must be currently serving on Council.  The term, which is not set by the Presbytery, shall be twoyears.  The appointee from Council may serve one successive term.

4.5.5.2 Alaska United Methodist Conference.  The NLUC representative(s) to the United Methodist Church, Alaska Conference, shall be elected as provided in § 5.5.3.1 [nominating committee; responsibilities; elections] and serve for a four-year term.  

            4.5.6    Native Ministries.  

4.5.6.1 Methodist Conference, Committee on Native American Ministries.  The Alaska United Methodist Conference includes in its structure a Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) with the purpose of being “in ministry with Native American People, with an emphasis on Alaska’s Native peoples, to celebrate the enrichment Alaskans share as

we worship and minister together, and to maintain connectional relationships.”  The membership of CONAM is selected by the Native Elders of the Alaska Conference.  

4.5.6.2 NLUC, Native Ministries Committee.  A Native Ministries Committee functions within NLUC.  Its membership is principally comprised of Alaska Native members of NLUC, but also includes other members.  The Chair of the Committee will be selected by the members and will report to Council.  It is supported with designated financial resources managed by NLUC, but directed by the Native Ministries Committee, and is also eligible to receive budgeted funds from NLUC.  The mission of the Native Ministries Committee is “celebrating and sharing the ministry, healing, unity, diversity, music, and languages of Alaska’s First People.”

NLUC Amended and Restated Bylaws                                                               

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30

5.5       Nominating Committee

5.5.1    Membership and Selection.  The Nominating Committee consists of eight voting members: (1) two lay members of the Council selected by the Council; (2) the staff pastor; and (3) five elected lay members, who must be nominated and elected by the Congregation at the Annual Congregational Meeting. 

5.5.2    Meetings.  The Nominating Committee shall meet as often as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.

            5.5.3    Responsibilities.  

5.5.3.1 Elections.  The Nominating Committee shall provide at least one eligible nominee for each elective position to be filled giving consideration to persons representative of the congregation’s diverse membership.  Elective positions include, but are not limited to, the elected members of

Council, SPRC, CPM, Deacons, Pastor Nominating Committee (see, § 6.1.1 [pastor selection; pastor nominating committee]), SJSC, and the representative(s) to the Alaska Conference of the United Methodist Church. (Lay ruling elder commissioners to the Northwest Coast Presbytery are selected annually by the Council.) The names of the nominees for congregational election must be published at least 14 days prior to the congregational meeting.

5.5.3.2 Vacancies.  In the event of a vacancy occurring in an elected position, including those on the Nominating Committee, the Nominating Committee shall perform the responsibilities set out in § 5.1.3 [mid-term vacancies].

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30

ARTICLE 6.  MINISTERIAL STAFF

6.1       Pastor Selection

            6.1.1    Pastor Nominating Committee.  

6.1.1.1 Membership.  When the congregation is seeking a pastor or an associate pastor, a Pastor Nominating Committee, which shall have a total of nine voting members, must be elected at a duly called congregational meeting.  Of the slate presented by the Nominating Committee for election by the Congregation, at least two shall be Council members and two SPRC members selected by the respective body.  The pastor and paid staff may not be elected to the Committee. 

6.1.1.2 Meetings.  The Pastor Nominating Committee shall meet as often and frequently as needed to fulfill its responsibilities.

6.1.1.2 Investigation.  ThePastor Nominating Committee, in consultation with the ministerial relations bodies of the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast and the Alaska Conference of the United Methodist Church, shall then thoroughly investigate the personal qualifications of several candidates. The Committee must take this step before approval of the relevant judicatories of the two denominations is sought. 

6.1.2    Denominational Approval. The United Methodist Bishop and the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast must approve a candidate’s call before the name is presented to the congregation.

6.1.3    Congregational Approval.  The name of one candidate for each pastoral office must be presented at a congregational meeting duly called for the purpose of electing a pastor and/or an associate pastor. A two-thirds majority of those present is required to elect.

6.1.4    Installation and Dismissal.  Installation and dismissal of a staff pastor must involve not only the congregation but also the judicatories of the two denominations.

6.1.5    Contract.  A contract must be executed between the Church and the pastor delineating conditions of employment including job description, salary and benefits, performance, and conditions for termination. This contract must be prepared by the Pastor Nominating Committee in consultation with SPRC, and approved by the Council.

NLUC Amended Bylaws Approved 2018.12.30