Council of Shepherds

Council of Shepherds

 

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood Acts 20:28 (NIV)

1.  The voting membership of the Council of Shepherds shall consist of the officers of this congregation, the senior pastor*and no less than four (4), but no more than eight (8) additional members of this congregation. The number of members on the Council of Shepherds shall be determined by the Executive Committee subject only to the limitation on the length of continuous service permitted for that office.

2. Shepherds shall be recommended by the Nominating Task Force, nominated by the Council of Shepherds and elected at the Annual Voter Meeting to serve for two (2) years or until their successors are elected. Nominations from the floor offered during the Annual Voter Meeting will not be recognized. Shepherds shall be eligible to serve no more than two (2) full terms consecutively. The term of office for a Shepherd shall begin at the close of the Annual Voter Meeting.

3.  A quorum is required to convene a meeting which shall consist of a simple majority of Shepherds and must include at least one officer in order to conduct the business of the Council of Shepherds.

4.  A Shepherd or an Officer may be removed from the Council of Shepherds if he/she:
a. Ceases to be a Voting Member of this congregation;
b. Has three (3) excused absences and/or more than one (1) unexcused absence within a calendar year, however, the Executive  Committee retains the ability to review a Shepherds status on an individual basis;
c. Resigns;
d. Engages in misconduct, a scandalous life, willful neglect of duty or when it becomes apparent that through continued incompetence or physical incapacity has become unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the position as determined by the Executive Committee and the Church Relations Board.

5. If a Council of Shepherds position is declared vacant, a successor may be chosen from the list of candidates recommended by the Nominating Task Force. The successor will be elected by a simple majority of the Council of Shepherds to serve until the next Annual Voter Meeting.

6. The Council of Shepherds shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this congregation, as specified in the by-laws and ensure that Mission and Ministry are carried out in accordance with the Statement of Faith.

7. The Council of Shepherds has the responsibility for the execution of all provisions in this constitution, the by-laws and resolutions.

 Click here to view Shepherd of the Hills Constitution and By-Laws

8. The Council of Shepherds shall publish the Voting Member list at least two (2) Sundays prior to all Voter Meetings and provide Non-voting Members an opportunity to appeal and resolve their status prior to the Voter Meeting.

9. The Council of Shepherds shall be responsible for the employment and supervision of all lay persons, and volunteers, for this congregation. This responsibility may be delegated to the Church Relations Board.

10. At the time of a pastoral vacancy, an interim pastor* shall be appointed by the Council of Shepherds. During the period of service, an interim pastor shall perform the duties of a regularly called pastor* for this congregation and may delegate the same to a guest pastor* with the consent of the Council of Shepherds.

11. The Council of Shepherds shall submit an Annual Report to this congregation at the Annual Voter Meeting.

12. The Council of Shepherds shall meet once a month. Special meetings of the Council of Shepherds may be called by:
a. The Pastor;
b. The President;
c. The President at the request of a simple majority of its members.

13. The Council of Shepherds shall be responsible to manage any and all funds: general, endowment, memorial, capital, building, unrestricted assets and any other designated or restricted funds that may be established.

14. The Council of Shepherds shall appoint committees, boards and task forces to accomplish the mission of this congregation.