CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

OF

THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION

OF

THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC CONFERENCE OF

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

April 28, 2001


[ Constitution | By-Laws ]

 

 

 

CONSTITUTION OF

THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF

THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC CONFERENCE OF

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME

The name of this Association is the New Jersey Association of the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ.

 

ARTICLE II.  MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this Association shall be composed of local churches located in New Jersey, which are members of the United Church of Christ and all ordained ministers who have standing in this Association. (Constitution of the United Church of Christ, Article IV, paragraphs 7-22, as amended July 16, 1963 and By-laws of the Central Atlantic Conference, Article I, section I as adopted January 16, 1965 and amended June 17, 1973.)

 

ARTICLE III. PURPOSES

       Section 1.  To bring together in fellowship and counsel all in this Association for mutual concern, Christian witness and Christian service.

 

       Section 2.  To carry on the work and exercise the functions of an Association of the United Church of Christ as outlined by the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ.

 

       Section 3.  To act with all others led by the spirit of God for ministry to the need of people of New Jersey and the larger community.

 

ARTICLE IV.  GOVERNING BODY

The governing body of this Association shall be the Association in meeting.

 

ARTICLE V.  OFFICERS

The officers of this Association shall be a Moderator, a Vice-Moderator, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Conference Liaison Officer, who shall be a New Jersey member of the Conference Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VI.  ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

The Association Council shall consist of the following Association officers: The Moderator, the Vice-Moderator, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Conference Liaison Officer; the Chairpersons of the Standing Commissions or their designees; three (3) members-at-large, and the Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey.

 

ARTICLE VII.  COMMISSIONS

       Section 1. There shall be the following Standing Commissions:

             a.     Church Development

             b.     Pre-Ordination

             c.     Church and Ministry

             d.     Nominating

             e.     Outreach

             f.     Christian Education and Youth Ministries

             g.     Stewardship

             h.     New Jersey Mission Fund

                   

       Section 2.  There shall be such other commissions, as the Association may deem necessary.

 

       Section 3.  All Commissions shall be composed of clergy and lay members who are members of churches that are members of the New Jersey Association.

 

ARTICLE VIII.  FINANCE

This Association shall be supported by contributions and dues of its member churches.  The fiscal year shall be the calendar year.

 

ARTICLE IX.  MEETINGS

       Section 1.  The Annual Meeting and other stated meetings of this Association shall be held at such times as provided in the By-Laws.

 

       Section 2.  Special meetings may be called as provided in the By-Laws.

 

       Section 3.  When this Association meets, its voting membership shall be composed of the ordained ministers holding standing in this Association, of lay delegates selected by and representing the local churches, of members of the New Jersey Association Council, of regular members of commissions as defined in Article VII, of elected delegates to General Synod, and of the New Jersey members of the Board of Directors of the Central Atlantic Conference.

 

       Section 4.  A quorum at meetings of this Association shall be constituted as defined in the By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE X.  RELATION TO CENTRAL ATLANTIC CONFERENCE

This Association shall be related to the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ as provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ and the Central Atlantic Conference.

 

ARTICLE XI.  RELATION TO GENERAL SYNOD

This Association shall be related to the General Synod through the

Central Atlantic Conference as provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ and the Central Atlantic Conference.   

 

 

ARTICLE XII.  INTERPRETATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

This Constitution is prepared with a view toward consistency with the constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ and with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Central Atlantic Conference.  Should it be, at any time, found to be inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of Christ, or the Constitution and By-Laws of the Central Atlantic Conference, the matter shall be clarified by a Judicial Committee to be appointed by the Association Council and to report at the next meeting of the Association.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII.  AMENDMENTS

       Section 1.  Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Association Council, any local church or any group of thirty (30) voting members of this Association.

 

       Section 2.  Such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Association at least three (3) months prior to the meeting of this Association at which they are to be presented.  At least two (2) months prior to the meeting of this Association, the Secretary shall transmit such proposed amendments to all ministerial members and to the appropriate lay officers of each church.  Adoption of an amendment shall require a two-thirds vote of those voting members present and voting at the annual and stated meetings of this Association. Amendments may also be adopted at any special meeting properly called for that purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved May 10, 1975

Revised May 18, 1985

Revised May 21, 1988

Revised May 19, 1990

Revised May 16, 1992

Revised May 15, 1993

Revised January 25, 1997

Revised January 22, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY-LAWS OF

THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF

THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC CONFERENCE OF

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

 

ARTICLE I.  FUNCTIONS

       Section 1.  To determine, confer and certify the standing of local churches of the United Church of Christ within the boundaries of the Association.

 

       Section 2.  To determine, confer and certify the standing of ordained ministers of the United Church of Christ within the boundaries of the Association.

 

       Section 3.  To cooperate with the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ, and through the Conference, with the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, its boards, agencies and instrumentalities.

 

       Section 4.  To receive and act upon business referred to it by its local churches, its Conference, the General Synod and other bodies.

 

       Section 5.  To be concerned with the welfare of all churches within its boundaries to the extent of seeking ways and means to assist local churches in situations calling for help beyond their own resources.

 

       Section 6.  To give guidance and assistance in organization of new churches.

 

       Section 7.  To receive and act upon applications of persons for In-Care status through their pastors and local churches and to supervise their preparation for ministry in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Church of Christ.  (Article I, paragraphs 101-104)

 

       Section 8.  To receive and act upon applications for Licensure made by persons through a local church of this Association in accordance with the By-Laws of each United Church of Christ. (Article I, paragraphs 105-108)

 

       Section 9.  To receive and act upon application for Ordination made by persons through a local church of this Association in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Church of Christ.  (Article I, paragraphs 109-112)

 

       Section 10.  To issue upon request of a minister, currently a member in good standing, moving from bounds of this Association, a transfer of ministerial standing to another Association in the United Church of Christ.

 

       Section 11.  To be responsible for the discipline of a minister or a congregation holding standing in the Association.

 

       Section 12.  To receive and act upon applications for Installation and to arrange for services of the installation or recognition of a minister in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Church of Christ. (Article I, paragraphs 128-129)

 

       Section 13.  To take appropriate action in the termination of a pastoral relationship with a local church in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Church of Christ.  (Article I, paragraph 130)

 

       Section 14.  To receive and act upon applications for membership in the United Church of Christ of ordained ministers of another denomination, Commissioned Ministers, and Lay Ministers in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Church of Christ.  (Article I, paragraph 131-142)

 

       Section 15.  To receive and act upon applications for membership in the United Church of Christ of congregations of other denominations, independent congregations, and newly formed congregations in accordance with the By-Laws of the United Church of Christ.  (Article IV)

 

ARTICLE II.  MEETINGS

       Section 1.  ANNUAL MEETING

            

             (a)    Time - The Annual Meeting of this Association shall be held in the spring.

 

             (b)    Place - The Annual Meeting of this Association shall be held at a place designated by the Association Council.

 

             (c)    Functions - The Annual Meeting shall transact the business of the Association including:

 

                    (1)    Election of the appropriate Association officer, members of the Association Council and Commissions, members of the Board of Directors of the Central Atlantic Conference, and delegates to the General Synod. 

 

                    (2)    Adoption of the annual budget for the next fiscal year and determining the means for raising the necessary funds.

 

                    (3)    Action on proposals from local churches, from delegates, from elements of the Association, from the Central Atlantic Conference, and from the United Church of Christ.

 

                    (4)    Involving delegates in the ongoing work of the Association through opportunities for information sharing, decision-making, worship and fellowship.

 

                    (5)  Action to continue programs on the basis of performance evaluations.

 

                    (6)  Action on other such business as may properly come before the Association in meeting.

 

 

       Section 2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Association Council, or upon written request of four (4) member churches, or upon written request of thirty (30) voting members.  The written request must state specifically the purpose of the meeting.  Only such business as shall be stated on the call of the meeting may be transacted.

 

      

 

Section 3.  ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCILS

Ecclesiastical Councils, for the purpose of examining and approving candidates for ordination to the Christian ministry, may be called at the request of a local church and with the recommendation of the Pre-Ordination Commission.  Ecclesiastical Councils may also be called at the request of the Church and Ministry Commission for the purposes of examining and granting Privilege of Call to ordained ministers from other denominations.

 

       Section 4.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS AND PROPOSALS FOR ACTION

       (a)  Notice of the time and place of all meetings of the Association shall be sent at the Moderator's direction to each member of the Association at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting.

 

       (b)  Churches and individuals shall present written Proposals for Action to the Association Council and to the Secretary of the Association for distribution to churches at least (30) days prior to the date of the meeting at which action is to be taken.  Any Proposal not distributed with the call to the meeting may be considered upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members present and voting.

 

       Section 5.  QUORUM AND PROCEDURES

(a)        QUORUM AT MEETINGS: Sixty-five persons, representing at least 25 member churches, shall constitute a quorum at any annual, stated, or special meetings of the Association.

 

       (b)  QUORUM AT ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCILS: Twenty-five (25) persons, representing at least one-fifth of the member churches, shall constitute a quorum at any Ecclesiastical Council.

 

       (c)    Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall be followed in the conduct of official business.  Ecclesiastical Councils will also be governed by the guidelines established in the "Manual on the Ministry of the United Church of Christ."

 

       Section 6.  VOTING MEMBERS

       (a)  Each local church shall be entitled to representation at meetings of the Association by its pastor(s), the chief lay officer designated by the local church and two lay delegates, plus an additional lay delegate for each 250 member increment above 250 members, and one additional lay delegate provided such delegate is under thirty (30) years of age.  Representation shall be based on the last published edition of the Yearbook of the United Church of Christ.  All official delegates are voting members.

 

       (b)  Each ordained minister who has standing shall be a voting member.

 

       (c)  New Jersey lay members of the Board of Directors of the Central Atlantic Conference shall be voting members.

 

       (d)    Each lay member of the New Jersey Association Council shall be a voting member.

 

       (e)    Each regular lay member of any Commission as defined in Article V, section 3, shall be a voting member.

 

       (f)    Each lay delegate to General Synod shall be a voting member.

 

 

ARTICLE III.  OFFICERS

       Section 1.  OFFICERS

The officers of the Association shall be a Moderator, a Vice-Moderator, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Conference Liaison Officer who shall be a New Jersey member of other Conference Board of Directors.

 

       Section 2.  DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

       (a)    Moderator - The Moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Association, shall appoint all committees which function only during meetings of the Association, shall decide questions of order.  The Moderator shall act for the Association at Ordinations and Installations. The Moderator shall serve as the Vice-President of the Association Council and shall be an exofficio member of all Commissions.

 

       (b)    Vice-Moderator - The Vice Moderator shall perform the duties of the Moderator at the request or in the absence of the Moderator.  The Vice-Moderator shall serve as the President of the Association Council.

 

       (c)    Secretary - The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of Association meetings and shall also serve as secretary of the Association Council.

 

       (d)    Treasurer - The Treasurer shall receive and be the custodian of all funds, securities, and personal property belonging to or in any way committed to the care of custody of the Association.  The Treasurer shall properly disburse Association monies and shall maintain detailed records of all financial transactions.  The Treasurer shall make a written report at all meetings of the Association and of the Association Council.

 

       (e)    Conference Liaison Officer - The Conference Liaison Officer shall be one of the New Jersey members of the Board of Directors of the Central Atlantic Conference. His/her duty is to attend all appropriate meetings and to maintain communication between the Association Council and the Conference Board of Directors.

 

       Section 3.  ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE

Association Officers shall be elected for three (3) year terms.  They may serve for two consecutive full terms, and then the officers shall be ineligible for re-election for a period of one (1) full year.  No one church may have more than one of the five Association Officers from its congregation.

 

 

ARTICLE IV.  THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

       Section 1.  COMPOSITION

The Association Council shall consist of all the Association Officers, the Chairpersons of the Commissions or their designee, three (3) members-at-large, and the Associate Conference Minister serving in New Jersey.

 

Section 2.  MEETINGS

The Association Council shall meet monthly, September through June, and as deemed necessary by the Council President or Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey.

 

       Section 3.  SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Association Council may be called 1) by the President of the Council, 2) by the Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey in consultation with the president of the Council, or 3) upon written request of four (4) Council members. Notice of special meetings must be given one (1) week prior to the meeting date.

      

Section 4.  QUORUM AND PROCEDURES

             (a)   Quorum - A quorum shall be a majority of the Association Council members.

 

             (b)    Procedures - "Robert's Rules of Order Revised" shall be followed in the conduct of official business.

 

 

       Section 5.  DUTIES

       The Association Council shall:

             (a)    Act for the Association in all matters whenever the Association is not meeting.  Such action shall be reported to the Association at its stated meetings.

 

             (b)    Plan and administer the operations of all meetings of the Association and publish an accurate account of these meetings for distribution to Association members.

 

             (c)    Coordinate the implementation of Association-wide programs.

 

             (d)    Be responsible for the over-all planning, budgeting and evaluation of the use of Association resources, including Conference staff regionally deployed in New Jersey.

 

             (e)    Be responsible for carrying out the constitutional and legal requirements of this Constitution and By-laws.

 

             (f)    Assign responsibilities to its members-at-large as deemed necessary.

 

             (g)    Establish such ad-hoc committees and make appointments as deemed necessary.  When appropriate, such actions shall be subject to confirmation by the Association in meeting.

 

       Section 6. OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

The Officers of the Association Council shall be a President (Vice-Moderator of the Association), a Vice-President (Moderator of the Association), and a Secretary (Secretary of the Association).

 

       (a) Duties of the Association Council Officers

             (1)    President - The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association Council and shall be responsible for its program and agenda.

 

             (2)    Vice-President - The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President at the request of, or in the absence of, the President.

 

             (3) Secretary - The Secretary shall issue notice of Council meetings, keep an accurate record of proceedings, and distribute minutes.

 

       Section 7.  ELECTION AND TERMS OF AT-LARGE MEMBERS OF THE                               ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

The three (3) members-at-large of the Association Council shall serve three (3) year terms so arranged that no more than 1/3 of the membership retires each year. They may serve for two (2) full terms, and then the members-at-large are ineligible for re-election for a period of one (1) year.

 

ARTICLE V.  COMMISSIONS

       Section 1.  DEFINITION

Commissions are standing bodies of the Association charged with coordinating program responsibilities within their stated areas.

 

       Section 2.  DUTIES

             (a)    The Church Development Commission is charged with coordinating assistance to establish churches, new church starts, and urban ministries, and seeking ways and means to assist churches in situations calling for help beyond their own resources.

 

(b)        The Pre-Ordination Commission is charged with 1) acting on the

applications for in-care status and supervising in-care persons through the ordination process, including the responsibility to appoint advisors for them, having them go through appropriate evaluation, and seeking other ways to keep them in touch with the Association; 2) acting on applications for ordination including the examination of a candidate as to his or her qualifications and fitness for ordination.  After a positive vote from this commission, the Association will then call an ecclesiastical council and, pending its outcome, proceed to a service of ordination; and 3) acting on applications for licensure as well as applications for commissioned worker and lay worker status.

 

(c) The Church and Ministry Commission is charged with 1) overseeing and maintaining the standing of pastors and churches, 2) receiving and acting upon the requests from pastors and churches on behalf of persons who desire status as "Licensed" (with the exception of those candidates for ordination, who will be licensed by the Pre-Ordination Commission) or "Commissioned" Minister, “Privilege of Call", and "Dual Standing", 3) providing for the installation of a duly called minister as pastor and teacher of a church or related ministry, 4) acting in case of need for counsel or discipline of churches or ministers, 5) cooperating with the Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey in the placement of clergy, 6) acting on ecclesiastical endorsement for clergy for AAPC, ACPE, and all other forms of chaplaincy, 7) aiding clergy in developing clear contracts with churches, 8) supporting and relating to clergy in specialized settings, and 9) planning continuing education for clergy.  The procedures outlined in the Manual on Ministry of the United Church of Christ shall be followed except that any voted policy of the New Jersey Association shall take precedence.

 

             (d) The Nominating Commission is charged with recommending to the Association candidates for the appropriate offices, delegations, chairpersonships and commissions.  Nominations by the Commission do not preclude nominations from the floor of the Association Meetings.  No member of the Nominating Commission other than its chairperson shall be eligible to be nominated to serve on the Association Council except as a member-at-large.

 

             (e) The Outreach Commission is charged with coordinating all special, social and ecumenical ministries.

 

             (f) The Christian Education and Youth Ministries Commission is charged with developing programs that will provide nurture and resources to the Christian Education ministry of the Association, its churches, and its individual members.  It shall be guided in its programming by an understanding that the whole church is the teaching community, and it will strive to embrace and encompass the adult, young adult, youth members (Junior and Senior Highs) and childhood educational ministries of the church.  It shall strive to provide networking and resources to aid youth ministries of local churches.  Its responsibilities include the sponsorship of periodic youth retreats and include ensuring that an outdoor ministry is made available to the children and young adults of the churches in the Association.

 

             (g)  The Stewardship Commission is charged with lifting up issues of stewardship within the Association and within local churches by providing educational opportunities and offering materials and support to local churches.

 

 

       Section 3.  ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF STANDING

(a)        Terms of election.  Each member shall be elected for a term of

three (3) years.  Members may serve two (2) terms and shall be ineligible for re-election for a period of one (1) year.  Members elected to complete an unexpired term are eligible for re-election for one full term and shall thereafter be ineligible for re-election for a period of one year.

 

(b)        Church Development Commission - The Church Development

Commission shall be composed of six (6) persons, serving in three (3) classes of two (2) persons each.  At least two (2) members must be either clergy or laity.

 

(c)        Pre-Ordination Commission - The Pre-Ordination Commission shall

be composed of nine (9) persons, serving in three (3) classes of three (3) persons each. At least four (4) members must be either clergy or laity.

 

             (d)  Church and Ministry Commission - The Church and Ministry Commission shall be composed of twelve (12) persons, serving in three (3) classes of four (4) persons each. At least five members must be either clergy or laity.

 

             (e)  Nominating Commission - The Nominating Commission shall be composed of six (6) persons, serving in three (3) classes of two (2) persons each.  At least two members must be either clergy or laity.

 

(f)        Outreach Commission - The Outreach Commission shall be composed

of six (6) persons, serving in three (3) classes of two (2) persons each. At least two members must be either clergy or laity.

 

(g)        Christian Education and Youth Ministries Commission – The

Christian Education and Youth Ministries Commission shall be composed of six (6) persons, serving in three (3) classes of two (2) persons each. At least two members must be either clergy or laity.

 

             (h)    Stewardship Commission - The Stewardship Commission shall be composed of six (6) persons, serving in three (3) classes of two (2) persons each.  At least two members must be either clergy or laity.

            

(i) New Jersey Mission Fund - The New Jersey Mission Fund shall be

a working group consisting of the Outreach Commission Chairperson, the Church Development Commission Chairperson, the Treasurer of the Association, the Association President, and the Associate Conference Minister.  This group is responsible for reviewing all requests and recommending action to the Association Council for the use of the New Jersey Mission Fund.  All requests will require Association Council approval.

 

             (j) Chairpersons for each Commission shall serve a one (1) year term of office and shall be elected by the New Jersey Association.  They may be re-elected once.

 

 

       Section 4.  COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES

Particular aspects of the work of the Commissions may be performed by Committees and/or Task Forces.  Committees and Task Forces are accountable to their appropriate Commissions.

 

ARTICLE VI  THE ASSOCIATE CONFERENCE MINISTER

REGIONALLY DEPLOYED IN NEW JERSEY

       Section 1.  ELECTION AND FUNCTION

The election, separation and functions of the Associate Conference

Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey shall be as specified by the By-Laws of the Central Atlantic Conference.  (Article V, section 2)

 

Section 2.   RELATION TO THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

             (a)  The Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey shall relate to and be a voting member of the Association Council.

 

             (b)  The Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey, in consultation with the President of the Association Council, may call special meetings of the Association Council.

 

       Section 3.  RELATION TO ASSOCIATION BODIES

The Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey may convene Commissions, Committees and Task Forces as he/she may deem necessary.

 

       Section 4.  STAFF FUNCTIONS & DUTIES COMMITTEE

             (a)    The Staff Functions and Duties Committee shall be composed of the Moderator, the President of the Association Council, one person appointed by the President of the Association Council, and two (2) persons appointed by the Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey.  Every two years this Committee shall choose its own chairperson.  The three appointed members shall serve not more than two successive two-year terms.  This committee shall meet at least three times each year.

 

             (b)    On behalf of the Association Council, the Staff Functions and Duties Committee will:  1) pursuant to VI (c) (1) of the Central Atlantic Conference By-Laws, review and negotiate at least annually the functions and duties of the Associate Conference Minister regionally deployed in New Jersey; 2) pursuant to VI (c) (4) of the Central Atlantic Conference By-Laws, analyze the need for staff services in New Jersey, and confer with the Board of Directors and the Conference Minister concerning the functions and duties of such Conference staff; and 3) function in a supportive manner to any Central Atlantic Conference staff serving in New Jersey.

 

      

 

 

Section 5.  OTHER PROFESSIONAL STAFF

The Association Council, empowered by the Association in meeting, may hire personnel as needed on a contract basis for special ministries or specific projects.

 

 

ARTICLE VII.  AMENDMENTS

       Section 1.  Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed by the Association Council, any local church or any group of ten (10) voting members of this Association.

 

       Section 2.  Such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Association at least three (3) months prior to the meeting of the Association at which they are to be presented.  At

least two (2) months prior to the meeting of this Association, the Secretary shall transmit such proposed amendments to all ministerial members and to the appropriate lay officer of each church.  Adoption of an amendment shall require a two-thirds vote of those voting members present and voting at the meeting of this Association.  Amendments may also be adopted at any special meeting properly called for that purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised May 15, 1993

Revised January 25, 1997

Revised January 22, 2000

Revised April 28, 2001