District Bylaws & Governance

Bylaws for Southern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren

Article I. The District

1. In the Southern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren the District Conference is understood to be the final authority and is the governing body.
2. The District Conference shall be a place where members:
   1. hear reports
   2. discuss new ideas
   3. envision and approve goals
   4. evaluate the work of;
      1. the Leadership Team including the Elder
      2. ministry teams
      3. training programs
   5. make decisions for future direction.
3. The District Conference shall:
   1. elect a Moderator who shall call all scheduled and special District Conferences
   2. name a district elder who shall chair the Leadership Team
   3. name Area Ministry Team members (The District will be divided into 3 areas served by one Area Minister each).
   4. name clerk and treasurer
4. The District shall manage:
   1. properties that are income producing
   2. properties which are held for common ministries
   3. other such properties as deemed appropriate by Conference
   4. closed church properties

Article II. The Leadership Team

1. The Leadership Team will be chaired by the MODERATOR This team reports to the District Conference. This team reports to District Conference. The Members of the Leadership Team shall be: :
   1. Chair (MODERATOR)
   2. Three Area Ministers. Vice Chair – appointed by the Leadership Team annually, DE is not eligible.
   3. Clerk
   4. Treasurer
   5. The DE shall serve ex officio (voice but no vote)
2. The Leadership Team shall be responsible for:
   1. assigning ministry teams to meet specific needs of the District
   2. writing initial job descriptions for each ministry team, who may revise those descriptions as needed
   3. implementing a communication network between the Local Churches and the Leadership Team through the Area Ministry team members. The DE shall bring a plan to the team.
   4. monitor the work of other ministry teams
   5. recommending a district budget, to presented at District Conference
   6. the preparation of the district conference business session, training program, and inspiration
3. The Leadership Team shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Southern Plains District of the Church of the Brethren, in all cases except those specifically reserved for Southern Plains District Conference. The Leadership Team shall make appointments to fill interim vacancies.

Article III. Officers of the District

1. Officers of the Southern Plains District are Clerk, Treasurer, 3 Area Ministry Team members, Moderator who shall chair all business meetings and the Leadership Team. The legal Officers for the Southern Plans District shall be the Clerk or Treasurer and shall sign legal documents upon authorization by the Leadership Team or, if possible, by District Conference.

Article IV. District Relationship with local churches

1. Each local Church of the Brethren is connected to the District.
   1. by property
   2. by holding pastoral credentials
   3. by affiliation and doctrine
   4. by service
   5. through by-laws
2. The District Leadership Team and Area Ministry Team members provide for local churches as noted in Article II, 3.f.

Article V. Local Church Relationship with District

1. The Church Denominational

   The congregation shall covenant to support faithfully the program of the Church of the Brethren, recognizing Annual Conference enactment of the Church of the Brethren as having governing force in its life, and shall remain a member of the Church of the Brethren or its successor. The congregation shall send delegates to those official conferences of the Church of the Brethren in which it is entitled to have representation. In case of strife or division, if any part of the congregation refuses to abide by its obligation as a member of the Church of the Brethren, that part of the congregation, whether a majority or minority of its membership, which continues in unity with the Church of the Brethren shall be recognized as the lawful congregation and shall continue in possession of all the property of the congregation.

2. If the congregation (a) disbands, (b) departs from membership in The Church of the Brethren, or )c) so decreases in numbers and financial strength as to render the congregation unable to fulfill its purpose, the district of the Church of the Brethren in which it is located, or the successor, shall have the right to take charge and control of all property and thereafter to hold, manage and convey the same at the discretion of the district. All action taken by the district relating to the property of a congregation shall be in conformity with the provisions of this manual (Chapter VI: Property Holdings and Financial Resources.)
3. Local churches shall provide certified copies of documents to include but not be limited to:
   1. legal documents
   2. abstracts
   3. deeds
   4. articles of incorporation

Article VI: Conduct of business

1. The District Conference should strive for prayerful agreement and unity in its decision making. Business meetings shall be conducted as stated in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
2. Although it is desirable to have as many members present as possible for District Conference, no quorum shall be required except as specified by law.
3. For meetings of the Leadership Team and Ministry Teams, a majority of the members present shall constitute a quorum.
4. Churches of the District must have received a copy of any proposed revision to these By-Laws a minimum of two (2) months prior to District Conference.

August 2010, August 2020/December 2020