THE PRESBYTERY OF THE MIDWEST
EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
Section 1. Name: The name of the presbytery shall be the Presbytery of Midwest (hereafter referred to as “the Presbytery”.)
Section 2. Definitions: The Presbytery of the Midwest shall be the expression of the unity of the church among its constituent congregations as defined by the Book of Order of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Section 3. Purpose: The purpose of the Presbytery of the Midwest is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ by furthering the life and work of the Church. In this effort we will seek to be guided by the Scriptures, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and instructed by the constitution of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
In light of our high calling, we conceive our presbytery to be responsibly involved in the following:
A. Developing and furthering the evangelistic work of the church.
B. Strengthening believers in the churches.
C. Seeking support of the General Assembly for the mission of the Presbytery, and giving support to the General Assembly.
D. Pursuing opportunities to establish new churches.
E. Establishing such policies and procedures and providing financial and human resources to further the mission of the church.
F. Developing programs of outreach for needy people.
G. Showing pastoral concern to ministers, candidates for the ministry and their families.
H. Speaking prophetically to issues facing the church, such as abortion and pornography.
I. Cooperating with other Christian bodies when both mission and unity can be served.
Article I
Membership of Presbytery
Section 1: Regular Members
A. The membership of the Presbytery shall consist of all the Teaching Elders who are credentialed in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and on the rolls of the Presbytery, and at least two Ruling Elders from each church, within the bounds of Presbytery.
B. Every church shall be represented by two Ruling Elders for each credentialed Teaching Elder on its staff.
C. Every church without credentialed Teaching Elders shall be entitled to representation in Presbytery by two Ruling Elders.
D A Ruling Elder who is an officer of the Presbytery (Moderator or Stated Clerk) shall be enrolled as a member of Presbytery for the tenure of his office. Such members shall not be counted as part of their home church’s representation unless they are specifically designated as commissioners by their church. (Refer to Book of Government 16-15 – Officers of the Presbytery).
Section 2: Corresponding Members
A. Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders in good standing in other presbyteries, or in any Church in correspondence with the General Assembly of this Church, being present at a meeting of Presbytery, may be invited to sit as corresponding members.
B. Corresponding members shall be entitled to deliberate and advise, but not to vote
in any decision of Presbytery.
Section 3: Other Persons
A. Members of the committees of Presbytery shall have the right to the floor of
Presbytery to speak on matters relevant to their responsibilities but cannot vote
when not members of Presbytery.
B. Presbytery may, at its discretion and upon motion duly passed, grant to other
persons the privilege of the floor of Presbytery.
Article II
Meetings of Presbytery
Section 1: Quorum
A. A quorum to conduct business shall be ten percent of the Membership of Presbytery, (the number of Teaching Elders multiplied by three), from at least
ten percent of the particular churches of the Presbytery.
B. The provisions of this section shall apply to both stated meetings and special
meetings of Presbytery.
Section 2: Worship
A. All meeting of Presbytery shall be constituted and closed with prayer.
B. There shall be a devotional service at each stated meeting of Presbytery
by arrangement of the Moderator. (The service at the November meeting
will include a Communion service.)
Section 3: Stated Meetings
A. There shall not be less than four stated meetings of Presbytery held each year.
B. The date, time and place of meetings shall be determined by the Presbytery Council. Notice of the Stated meeting shall be sent no less than 30 days in advance to each Teaching Elder and to the Clerk of each church session.
C. The docket shall be prepared by the Presbytery Council.
D. The November meeting shall be the annual meeting of the Presbytery at which
time officers and committee members shall be elected and an annual budget
adopted.
Section 4: Special Meetings
A. When any emergency shall require a meeting earlier than the time to which
Presbytery stands adjourned, the Moderator shall, at the request of or with the
concurrence of two Teaching Elders and four Ruling Elders being from at least
two churches, call a special meeting of Presbytery.
B. Should the Moderator be for any reason unable to act, the Stated Clerk shall,
under the same requirements, issue the call.
C. If both the Moderator and the Stated Clerk are unable to act, any three Teaching
Elders and six Ruling Elders, being from at least three churches, shall have power
to call a meeting.
D. Notice of the special meeting shall be sent not less than ten days in advance to
each minister and each church session.
E. In the notice, the purpose of the meeting shall be stated and no business other
than that named in the notice shall be transacted.
Section 5: Attendance
A. It is the duty of all members of Presbytery to attend all meetings thereof, and
it is the duty of each church to be represented by duly appointed Ruling Elder
Commissioners at each meeting of Presbytery.
B. Request to be excused from attendance at a meeting of Presbytery shall be
presented to the Stated Clerk in writing, with the reason stated. If the
Presbyter is confronted by an emergency, and there is not sufficient time
for a written notice, the Presbyter may notify the Stated Clerk by phone.
C. If a Teaching Elder is absent without excuse for three consecutive
Presbytery meetings, the Ministerial Committee will consult with him.
D. When a church has failed to be represented by a Ruling Elder - Commissioner for
three successive stated meetings, the Stated Clerk shall communicate with the
clerk of said session, calling the attention of the session to this rule. It shall be
the duty of the session to ascertain the reasons for such failure to be represented
and to communicate them to Presbytery through the Stated Clerk.
E. If a Teaching Elder is absent without excuse or a church is not represented
for three consecutive Presbytery meetings without excuse, the Ministerial
Committee may bring the matter to the Presbytery for disposition.
Article III
The Officers of Presbytery
Section 1: Moderator and Moderator-Elect
A. The Moderator-Elect shall become Moderator beginning January 1 of the 2nd
year following the year of election as Moderator-Elect. He shall serve for one
year or until his successor takes office.
B. It shall be the duty of the Moderator:
(1) to discharge the duties prescribed in these by-laws and also such
special duties as may be required by these by-laws or by action
of Presbytery;
(2) to appoint all Special Committees except those for which other
provisions are made by these by-laws or by action of Presbytery;
(3) to maintain at the meeting of Presbytery the order and dignity
becoming a judicatory of the Church of Christ;
C. The Moderator-Elect shall be elected at the (November) meeting of Presbytery
and shall take office on January 1 next succeeding.
D. It shall be the duty of the Moderator-Elect:
(1) to preside at Presbytery Council meetings in the absence of the Moderator or as the Moderator requests;
(2) to serve as secretary for the Presbytery Council in the absence
of the Stated Clerk;
(3) to give the report of Presbytery Council at meeting of the
Presbytery;
(4) to coordinate preparations for meetings of Presbytery.
Section 2: Stated Clerk
A. The Stated Clerk shall be elected at a November Meeting of Presbytery for a
term of three years and may be re-elected for an indefinite number of terms.
He shall take office on January 1 next succeeding. In case of the office becoming
vacant, Presbytery may elect an Acting Stated Clerk at any stated meeting to
serve until a regularly elected Stated Clerk shall take office.
It shall be the duty of the Stated Clerk:
(1) to give notice of all meetings of Presbytery;
(2) to secure from Presbytery Council the docket for all meetings
of Presbytery and to provide copies of the same for such meetings;
(3) to have at every meeting of Presbytery the book of minutes,
a current copy of the Constitution of the Church, and at least
five copies of these by-laws;
(4) to receive all overtures, memorials, and miscellaneous papers
which may be presented; to make a record of the same; and
after reporting them to Presbytery to deliver those otherwise
not disposed of to the appropriate committees.
(5) to keep a record of attendance at Presbytery and to notify
ministers and sessions of any delinquency as provided in
Article II, Section 5 of these by-laws;
(6) to make a transcript of the proceedings of the Presbytery
from the minutes; to mail copies thereof to all Teaching
Elders and Clerks of Session; and after the approval
thereof by Presbytery, to write them on its permanent record;
(7) to file all reports and papers upon which action is taken
or is pending including the administrative and judicial
cases tried by judicial commissions of Presbytery, and to
write upon the records only such resolutions and
recommendations as are adopted by Presbytery, together
with such portions of reports or statements as may be
essential to the proper understanding of the matters under
consideration;
(8) to notify promptly by mail all members of committees and
other officers of Presbytery concerning their election or
appointment, and in similar manner to give due notice to
Teaching Elders, sessions, or committee chairmen concerning
` such matters as may require their attention;
(9) to prepare and file statistical reports of Presbytery for the
General Assembly, and to file the reports of the Treasurer;
(10) to keep the following rolls: (a) churches, (b) Teaching
Elders, (c) Teaching Elders ordained by Presbytery in
order of their ordination, (d) retired Teaching Elders,
(e) inactive Teaching Elders, (f) licentiates, (g) candidates;
(11) to provide a suitable book in which he shall record:
(a) the name and location of each church; the date of
its organization, reception into Presbytery, dismissal,
or dissolution; and a list of its Teaching Elders in the
order of their service, with the date of the beginning and
expiration of the period of service of each;
(b) the name of each Teaching Elder, with the date of
his birth, ordination, reception, installation, dissolution of
pastoral relations, dismissal from Presbytery, suspension
or disposition form ministry, retirement, and death;
(12) to conduct all official correspondence of Presbytery not
otherwise provided for.
C. The Stated Clerk shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred by him in the proper discharge of his duties. He shall also receive an annual stipend as recommended by
the Presbytery Council and included in the budget.
Section 3. Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall be elected at a November meeting of Presbytery for a term of
three years and may be re-elected for an indefinite number of terms. He shall
take office on January 1 next succeeding. In case of the office becoming vacant,
Presbytery may elect an Acting Treasurer at any stated meeting to serve until a
regularly elected Treasurer shall take office.
B. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer:
(1) to receive all funds belonging to the Presbytery,
to deposit them under the direction of Presbytery, and
to disburse them by its order;
(2) to keep proper books of accounts of all receipts and
disbursements, which books shall be audited annually,
and the audit report shall be presented to the annual
meeting of Presbytery;
(3) to notify all churches of Presbytery at least ten days
before the November meeting of the total amount of
their apportionment for Presbytery, and General
Assembly.
C. The Treasurer shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred by him in the proper discharge of his duties. He shall also receive an annual stipend as recommended
by the Presbytery Council and included in the budget.
Article IV
Committees of Presbytery
Section 1: General Introduction
A. Types of Committee
There shall be three types of committees: Administrative, Program, and Special.
B. Membership
(1) The membership of Administrative committees should
consist entirely of Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders
of the Presbytery.
(2) The membership of Program Committees may include
unordained communicant members from the churches
of the Presbytery, provided that at least half of each
committee, including the chairman, shall be Teaching
Elders and Ruling Elders.
(3) The membership of the Special Committees shall be
determined by Presbytery or its designated agent in each
individual case.
C. Terms of Office
(1) The membership of Administrative and Program Committees
shall be divided into three equal classes, of which one class
shall be elected at the last stated meeting of each year of
Presbytery to serve for three years under the rotary system.
A second term of three years may be allowed, after which
one year must elapse before re-election. The term of office
shall correspond to the calendar year. Resignations shall be
reported promptly to the Presbytery Council.
(2) The terms of office for Special Committees will be
determined by presbytery or its designated agent in
each individual case.
D. Each Administrative and Program Committee shall be represented on the Presbytery Council by its chairman.
E. The Presbytery Council will appoint annually chairmen for all committees from
among those elected to the committee by the Presbytery. All chairmen will
serve one year terms and may repeat as chairmen as often as appointed.
Section 2: Administrative Committees
A. Ministerial Committee
(1) Membership: There shall be eight members of this committee,
of whom four shall be Teaching Elders and four shall be Ruling
Elders. A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of the members and the
chairman.
(2) Duties
(a) This committee shall have responsibilities as outlined
in the Book of Government, 16-27.A, and additional
responsibilities as follows: necrology of Teaching
Elders and Ruling Elders, pensions, health and welfare
of Teaching Elders and their families, pastoral
counseling services, personal interviews with Teaching
Elders called to specialized ministries within the Presbytery.
(b) The committee shall function as Presbytery’s agent
giving counsel to Teaching Elders and churches when
sought regarding problems such as the remarriage of
divorced persons.
(c) The committee is authorized to dissolve pastoral
relationships and dismiss Ministers according to the
Book of Order when both the congregation and the
Pastor concur in the dissolution.
B. Candidates Care Committee
(1) Membership: There shall be six members of the committee, of whom
two shall be Teaching Elders and four shall be Ruling Elders. A
quorum shall consist of 1/3 of the members and the chairman.
(2) Duties:
(a) To secure personal knowledge about those members
of the churches under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery
who are seeking to be candidates to the gospel
ministry in order to recommend to Presbytery a course
of action regarding their request for candidacy.
(b) To oversee the training program of each candidate
with a special emphasis on the spiritual growth and
practical ministry experiences of the candidate.
(c) To oversee the written examination of the
candidate when he is ready to be presented for
ordination.
(d) To examine the candidate orally as to his beliefs,
opinions, and understanding in the areas of
English Bible, theology, sacraments and polity.
(e) To present those candidates who have passed their
written and oral examination to Presbytery for its
oral examination and approval for ordination.
(f) To work with the Moderator-Elect in planning the
schedule of preachers at Presbytery so that each
candidate has the opportunity to deliver a sermon
or devotional message before Presbytery takes
action on his request for ordination.
C. Nominating Committee
1) Membership: There shall be six members of this committee consisting of 3 teaching elders and 3 ruling elders. Members shall be elected by the Presbytery at large at the annual meeting. Terms shall be for no less than three years except to initiate the committee or to fill vacancies. There must be at least three classes, and any member who has served a term shall be ineligible for re-election. Membership shall be rotated fairly among the churches and the active members of the Presbytery.
2) Duties:
a) To place in nomination candidates for Presbytery officers, members of all Presbytery committees and to perform additional duties, which may be required by Presbytery.
b) In the event of vacancies occurring prior to the ending of a term of office, seek to provide appropriate nominations for the vacancies at the next succeeding meeting of the Presbytery.
3) Normally only one name shall be placed in nomination for each vacancy to be filled. The committee shall consider suggestions from individuals or committees with respect to proposed nominations, but shall not be bound thereby.
4) In no case shall a name be placed in nomination without the person being nominated having adequate knowledge of the duties of the position to be filled and having agreed to serve if elected. Nominations may also be made from the floor of Presbytery with the same requirements.
Section 3: Program Committees
A. Presbytery may create Program Committees for specific areas of ministry,
and dissolve them at its discretion.
B. Each committee shall have six members, except the Church Development
Committee shall have nine as defined above, IV1B2. In addition,
communicant members from churches of the Presbytery may be invited to
join in the work of the committee at its discretion, but shall not have voting
privileges.
Section 4: Special Committees
Presbytery may constitute Special Committees from time to time as circumstances shall require. The membership and duties of such committees shall be determined by Presbytery or its designated agent.
Article V
Presbytery Council
Section 1: Membership
A. Regular Members: Two Teaching Elders and four Ruling Elders, of whom one
Teaching Elder and two Ruling Elders shall be elected at each November meeting
of Presbytery to serve for two years under the rotary system. A second term
of two years may be allowed, after which one year must elapse before re-election.
The terms of office shall correspond to the calendar year.
B. Ex-officio Members (with voting rights): The Moderator, the Moderator-Elect
the Stated Clerk, the Treasurer, and the chairman of each Administrative and
Program Committee. Whether the chairman of Special Committees are on the
Council shall be determined by the Presbytery in each individual case.
C. Attendance: Excused absences from stated meetings of the Presbytery Council
may be granted for pastoral or personal reasons which shall be reported. The
secretary shall report to the Presbytery Council when two consecutive unexcused
absences have occurred. The Council may then declare the position vacant and
proceed to fill the vacancy.
Section 2: Officers
A. The chairman, who shall be the Moderator of Presbytery;
B. The vice-chairman, who shall be the Moderator-Elect of Presbytery;
C. The secretary, who shall be the Stated Clerk of Presbytery.
Section 3: Duties
A. To receive the reports of all the committees and agencies of Presbytery, to
coordinate and give oversight to their work and to coordinate their work with
that of the General Assembly within Presbytery.
B. To prepare the docket for the meetings of Presbytery.
C. To correspond and cooperate with the General Council of the General Assembly,
and to bring to Presbytery such recommendations as may come from this Council.
D. To prepare and propose an annual budget to the Presbytery.
E. The respective chairmen of each Presbytery committee and the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery for all budgeted spending not assigned to a committee have authority to authorize spending up to the amounts approved by the Presbytery as part of its
annual budget for his committee or the budget line item amounts for items not under a Presbytery committee. This authority includes the power to reallocate among line items within a committee’s total budget. Presbytery Council has authority to approve spending in excess of the amounts authorized to the Presbytery committee chairmen and the Stated Clerk in the paragraph above up to an aggregate total of ten percent (10%) of the Presbytery approved budget and, further, may reallocate Presbytery approved budget amounts between Presbytery committees and/or non-committee budget line items. Spending in excess of ten percent of Presbytery’s approved budget requires approval of Presbytery.
F. To see that the Presbytery’s financial records are audited annually.
G. To determine the date, time and location of stated meetings of Presbytery.
H. To be responsible for the execution of the will of the Presbytery as and when
instructed by Presbytery.
I. To perform an annual review of the records of proceedings of each church session and the church register of pastors, officers, communicants, baptisms, marriages performed in the Church or by its Teaching Elders, and deaths of communicants.
J. To give oversight to the Office of Stated Clerk.
Article VI
Trustees of Presbytery
Section 1: Incorporation
The Presbytery of the Midwest is a legal entity incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan as a Michigan corporation on April 16, 1982.
Section 2: Membership
The membership shall be the personnel of the Presbytery Council, and shall serve concurrently with the terms of office of the Presbytery Council.
Section 3. Duties
A. To take and hold all property, real or personal, which may be acquired by
or be devised, bequeathed, transferred or conveyed to the said Presbytery
or the said Board for the use and benefit of the said Presbytery or the
denomination which it represents within its bounds.
B. To manage and dispose of such property according to the directions of
said Presbytery subject to such restrictions as might be imposed by the terms of
the will, deed, or other instrument by which such property was acquired.
Section 4: Reports
A. The Trustees shall report to Presbytery annually on the assets held and on the
liabilities incurred on behalf of the Presbytery.
B. The Trustees shall also report at other times at their discretion or upon request
from Presbytery.
Article VII
Duties of Sessions and Churches to Presbytery
Section 1: Commissioners to Presbytery
A. The session of each church shall designate the Ruling Elder - Commissioners
and alternates for every meeting of Presbytery.
B. The manner of selection, length of service, and active or inactive status of
such Ruling Elder - Commissioner and alternate shall be at the discretion of
each session.
C. If unable to attend a meeting of Presbytery, a Ruling Elder - Commissioner
shall notify his alternate. If neither can attend, then the Commissioner or the
Clerk of Session shall petition Presbytery for an excused absence for his church.
Section 2: Session Records
A. The session of each church shall keep a legible and accurate record of all its
proceedings, including all meetings of the congregation, in a suitable book.
The record shall be submitted to Presbytery for annual review.
B. Each session shall also keep a legible and accurate church register of pastors,
officers, communicants, baptized children, baptisms, marriages performed in
the church or by its Teaching Elders, and deaths of communicants. This
register shall be submitted to Presbytery for periodic review.
C. Each session shall procure and keep with its records a current copy of the
Constitution of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and a current copy of
the Bylaws of the Presbytery of the Midwest.
Section 3: Ministerial Matters
A. The session of each church shall report annually to the Ministerial Committee
the full details of contractual arrangements with all persons whose employment
is under the jurisdiction of Presbytery. Any proposed modification of such
contractual arrangements shall be reported to Presbytery.
B. When a church is without an installed pastor, the session shall immediately
seek the guidance of the Ministerial Committee.
C. A church desiring to call a pastor or associate pastor shall through its duly
constituted committee, consult the Ministerial Committee before the name of any
minister is presented to the congregation.
D. A session shall consult the Ministerial Committee concerning any contemplated
termination of contractual arrangements with any person whose employment is
under jurisdiction of Presbytery.
Section 4: Financial Responsibilities
A. The session of each church is responsible for the sound financial operation
of that church.
B. Each session shall lead that particular church in interpretation and support
of the mission of the Church through the work of the General Assembly and
the Presbytery.
C. Each session shall encourage and practice financial support for the program
and mission of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, giving consideration to
the guidelines established by the General Assembly.
Section 5: Church Property
A. The session is responsible for the incorporation of the church under the laws
of the State in which it is located.
B. The session is responsible to review regularly the insurance program of the
church including fire and extended coverage, workmen’s compensation,
public liability and hospitalization.
Article VIII
Operation of Bylaws
Section 1: Amendments to the Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended only at a stated meeting of the Presbytery and by a two-thirds vote, and only when notice of the proposed change has been given at a previous stated meeting.
Section 2: Suspension of the Bylaws
These bylaws, with the exception of Article VIII, may be suspended, but only at a stated meeting and by a three-fourths vote.
END OF BYLAWS
(bylaws95)
Amended 3/19/96
Amended 11/12/99
Amended 9/14/00
Amended 2/8/02
Amended 2/8/08
Amended 5/14/10
Amended 9/9/11