THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE CLARENCE CENTER – AKRON MENNONITE CHURCH
Revised October 17, 2002
ARTICLE I - “NAME”
The name of this fellowship of Christian believers is the Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite
Church, Inc., which meets at 11500 Clarence Center Road, Akron, New York 14001.
ARTICLE II - “PURPOSE”
Our Purpose is to glorify God by:
1. Communicating the Gospel to our children and to the unsaved of the Community,
assisting them into an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, by faith, and
welcoming them into this body of believers;
2. Discipling one another in the Christian life by providing opportunities for worship,
education, nurture, counsel, fellowship, and service, with the goal of striving toward
spiritual maturity; and
3. Participating in mission and service at home and abroad through prayer, giving,
encouragement and going.
ARTICLE III - “AFFILIATION”
We are a member congregation of the New York Mennonite Conference. We accept the
“Confession of Faith” as adopted by the Mennonite General Assembly.
ARTICLE IV - “MEMBERSHIP”
SECTION I – “Membership Qualifications”
Church membership is open to any person who believes Jesus Christ to be the
resurrected Son of God, accepts Him as personal Savior, and acknowledges Him as Lord
of their life. Anyone who has confessed and repented of their sins, putting their trust in
the love and mercy of God, the Father, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for a
consistent Christian life, and is prepared to publicly witness to this position of faith, through
the ordinance of a believer’s baptism, or has already done this, is welcome to apply for
membership.
SECTION II – “Reception of Members”
It is the responsibility of the leadership within the church to examine and recommend to the
congregation the acceptance of new members. There are four ways that members may be
received:
1. Through baptism upon a personal faith.
2. Through a certificate of transfer from any church within the same denomination;
3. Through a letter of recommendation, when the applicant is a member of another
denomination and has been baptized upon a personal faith; or
4. Through a re-affirmation of faith by a person who has been out of fellowship with Christ
and the church after having been a baptized believer in the past.
Each person requesting membership will be interviewed by the Elders and the Pastor, and
will be required to share their testimony of faith with the congregation. Each member will
be oriented in the faith and practices of the Mennonite Church. Request for membership
is to be made to the Pastor, and/or the Elders.
SECTION III – “Responsibilities of Members”
Members of our church are expected to:
1. Welcome newcomers and invite them to faith and to membership (Romans 15:5-7)
2. Pray for one another (James 5:16)
3. Participate in regular worship (Hebrews 10:25)
4. Be loyal in fellowship and service (Acts 2:42)
5. Give financial support (II Corinthians 8:5; & 9:7)
6. Live a Christ-like life (Ephesians 5:18)
7. Participate in witness and service (I Corinthians 12)
8. Uphold the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15)
9. Give and receive counsel within the fellowship (Proverbs 15:22, 31-33; I Corinthians 10:
23-24; Philippians 2:1-3; and I Thessalonians 5:12-22)
SECTION IV - “Church’s Responsibilities to Members”
Our congregation will serve its members by striving to:
1. Teach them (Ephesians 4:11-16)
2. Encourage them (Hebrews 10:23-25)
3. Guide them (Acts 20;28-35)
4. Correct them (Matthew 18:15-20)
5. Provide fellowship (Acts 2:42)
6. Help in physical needs (Acts 6:1-11)
7. Provide service opportunities (Acts 13:1-3)
8. Provide corporate worship services (Hebrews 10:24)
9. Encourage them to participate in small group fellowships (Mark 3:13-19; Acts 2:42-47;
and I Corinthians 12:24-26)
SECTION V - “Change of Membership”
One of the distinctives of the New Testament Church is that membership is by personal
commitment and choice, within the context of the corporate Body. Even though each
individual member is encouraged to commit themselves to a long-term relationship to the
congregation, membership can be changed as follows:
1. By transfer to another church by request from the member involved;
2. By individual request to have membership deleted from the church records; or
3. By congregational action, should the member be willfully subscribing to a faith and life
which is in contradiction to that held by the congregation (Matthew 18:15-22; James 5:
20; Galatians 6:1)
SECTION VI – “Inactive Members”
Members living elsewhere, active in other congregations, still maintaining membership at
Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite Church, Inc., will be placed on the inactive membership
list, and forfeit their right to decision making at Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite Church.
SECTION VII – “Real Estate and Property Rights of Members”
Any member, or members, who withdraw, or in any way lose membership in the
congregation, shall forfeit their rights to all real estate and property belonging to the
congregation.
SECTION VIII – “Dissolution”
In the event of the dissolution of this church, all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities shall become the property of the New York Mennonite Conference.
ARTICLE V – “JOB DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR CURRENT MINISTRIES”
SECTION 1 – “Definition of the Document”
This document describes the duties and responsibilities of all committees, ministries, and
church leaders for our congregation.
SECTION II - “Responsibility”
The church council is responsible for updating (adding, altering, and/or deleting items in)
this document and keeping the job descriptions current.
SECTION III – “Accountability”
Council will vote on proposed changes after they are announced to allow time for feedback
from the congregation. Approved changes will also be documented in the meeting minutes
to inform the congregation of the change.
ARTICLE VI - PASTOR
SECTION I – “Duties of the Pastor”
Please refer to the Job Description Document, under the section for the Pastor, entered
under Article V.
SECTION II – “Pastoral Appointment”
1. The Pastor shall be chosen by the congregation in consultation with the Ministerial
Committee of the New York Mennonite Conference.
2. The first term of office shall be three years.
3. Each successive term shall be for five years.
4. An evaluation shall take place approximately one year prior to the expiration of each
term.
5. The approval, after evaluation, shall require 75% majority vote of members present and
active members not present.
6. The Pastor shall have two weeks vacation each of the first three years and three weeks
each year thereafter.
SECTION III – “Termination of Service”
The period of service of the Pastor may be terminated at any time by mutual agreement of
congregation and Pastor.
ARTICLE VII - ELDERS
SECTION I – “Duties of Elders”
Please refer to the Job Description Document, under the section for the Elders, entered
under Article V.
SECTION II – “Selection of Elders”
The selection of Elders shall take place in June. The Elders, in conjunction with the
church council, should direct the selection process. Elders should be installed in a
Sunday morning worship service with prayer and the laying on of hands. (I Timothy 5:22;
II Timothy 1:6)
ARTICLE VIII - CHURCH COUNCIL
SECTION I – “Church Council Members”
1. Church Council will be composed of members of the various ministry teams that serve
the congregation as described in the job description document.
2. The members may change based on the job description document except that it must
include at least one representative from each of the following ministries: Pastor, Elders,
Trustees, Treasurers, Sunday School Superintendents, and Missions Committee. It shall
also include two representatives elected at the annual business meeting who do not
represent any particular ministry.
SECTION II – “Church Council Voting Requirements”
Council shall require a simple majority when voting on issues and must have a quorum of
at least 50% of the appointed council members present in order to take a vote.
ARTICLE IX - MINISTRIES TEAMS & COMMITTEES
SECTION I – “List of and Duties”
Please refer to the current Job Description document (under Article V) for the most current
list of ministry teams and committees and the current duties assigned to them.
SECTION II – “Flexibility”
Ministry teams and committees can be added, changed or deleted.
SECTION III – “Selection”
The Nominating Committee in conjunction with the Church Council should direct the
selection process.
ARTICLE X - DECISION MAKING
SECTION I – “Qualifications”
1. All Elders must be members of the church.
2. All members may vote at annual or special business meetings. All non-members are
invited to attend annual or special business meetings, are encouraged to contribute to the
discussions, are encouraged to participate in all other aspects of the church’s life, and are
encouraged to become members.
ARTICLE XI - BUSINESS MEETING
SECTION I – “Date”
The Annual Business Meeting should be held the third Thursday of October.
SECTION II – “Special”
Special business meetings may be called at the request of the chairperson of the Board of
Trustees, the chairperson of Church Council, or the chairperson of the Board of Elders.
SECTION III – “Announcing”
The annual or any special business meeting should be announced at least two Sundays
proceeding the time of meeting.
SECTION IV – “Fiscal Year”
The fiscal year of the congregation will be from January 1 to December 31.
SECTION V – “Quorum”
A quorum for the annual or any special business meeting will consist of members present.
A simple majority vote is required to proceed.
SECTION VI – “Items Presented for Vote”
1. Congregation (by majority vote) shall have the right to refuse to vote on an issue if they
find the voting format unfair or otherwise objectionable.
2. If a vote is taken by ballot the vote shall remain anonymous – no names will be required
on the ballots.
ARTICLE XI I - AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present at the
Annual or any Special Business Meeting if the proposed amendment has been announced
to the congregation at least two weeks prior to the time of meeting. The Church Council
shall be responsible to process, approve and present proposed changes to the
congregation.
THE CLARENCE CENTER – AKRON MENNONITE CHURCH
Revised October 17, 2002
ARTICLE I - “NAME”
The name of this fellowship of Christian believers is the Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite
Church, Inc., which meets at 11500 Clarence Center Road, Akron, New York 14001.
ARTICLE II - “PURPOSE”
Our Purpose is to glorify God by:
1. Communicating the Gospel to our children and to the unsaved of the Community,
assisting them into an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, by faith, and
welcoming them into this body of believers;
2. Discipling one another in the Christian life by providing opportunities for worship,
education, nurture, counsel, fellowship, and service, with the goal of striving toward
spiritual maturity; and
3. Participating in mission and service at home and abroad through prayer, giving,
encouragement and going.
ARTICLE III - “AFFILIATION”
We are a member congregation of the New York Mennonite Conference. We accept the
“Confession of Faith” as adopted by the Mennonite General Assembly.
ARTICLE IV - “MEMBERSHIP”
SECTION I – “Membership Qualifications”
Church membership is open to any person who believes Jesus Christ to be the
resurrected Son of God, accepts Him as personal Savior, and acknowledges Him as Lord
of their life. Anyone who has confessed and repented of their sins, putting their trust in
the love and mercy of God, the Father, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for a
consistent Christian life, and is prepared to publicly witness to this position of faith, through
the ordinance of a believer’s baptism, or has already done this, is welcome to apply for
membership.
SECTION II – “Reception of Members”
It is the responsibility of the leadership within the church to examine and recommend to the
congregation the acceptance of new members. There are four ways that members may be
received:
1. Through baptism upon a personal faith.
2. Through a certificate of transfer from any church within the same denomination;
3. Through a letter of recommendation, when the applicant is a member of another
denomination and has been baptized upon a personal faith; or
4. Through a re-affirmation of faith by a person who has been out of fellowship with Christ
and the church after having been a baptized believer in the past.
Each person requesting membership will be interviewed by the Elders and the Pastor, and
will be required to share their testimony of faith with the congregation. Each member will
be oriented in the faith and practices of the Mennonite Church. Request for membership
is to be made to the Pastor, and/or the Elders.
SECTION III – “Responsibilities of Members”
Members of our church are expected to:
1. Welcome newcomers and invite them to faith and to membership (Romans 15:5-7)
2. Pray for one another (James 5:16)
3. Participate in regular worship (Hebrews 10:25)
4. Be loyal in fellowship and service (Acts 2:42)
5. Give financial support (II Corinthians 8:5; & 9:7)
6. Live a Christ-like life (Ephesians 5:18)
7. Participate in witness and service (I Corinthians 12)
8. Uphold the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15)
9. Give and receive counsel within the fellowship (Proverbs 15:22, 31-33; I Corinthians 10:
23-24; Philippians 2:1-3; and I Thessalonians 5:12-22)
SECTION IV - “Church’s Responsibilities to Members”
Our congregation will serve its members by striving to:
1. Teach them (Ephesians 4:11-16)
2. Encourage them (Hebrews 10:23-25)
3. Guide them (Acts 20;28-35)
4. Correct them (Matthew 18:15-20)
5. Provide fellowship (Acts 2:42)
6. Help in physical needs (Acts 6:1-11)
7. Provide service opportunities (Acts 13:1-3)
8. Provide corporate worship services (Hebrews 10:24)
9. Encourage them to participate in small group fellowships (Mark 3:13-19; Acts 2:42-47;
and I Corinthians 12:24-26)
SECTION V - “Change of Membership”
One of the distinctives of the New Testament Church is that membership is by personal
commitment and choice, within the context of the corporate Body. Even though each
individual member is encouraged to commit themselves to a long-term relationship to the
congregation, membership can be changed as follows:
1. By transfer to another church by request from the member involved;
2. By individual request to have membership deleted from the church records; or
3. By congregational action, should the member be willfully subscribing to a faith and life
which is in contradiction to that held by the congregation (Matthew 18:15-22; James 5:
20; Galatians 6:1)
SECTION VI – “Inactive Members”
Members living elsewhere, active in other congregations, still maintaining membership at
Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite Church, Inc., will be placed on the inactive membership
list, and forfeit their right to decision making at Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite Church.
SECTION VII – “Real Estate and Property Rights of Members”
Any member, or members, who withdraw, or in any way lose membership in the
congregation, shall forfeit their rights to all real estate and property belonging to the
congregation.
SECTION VIII – “Dissolution”
In the event of the dissolution of this church, all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities shall become the property of the New York Mennonite Conference.
ARTICLE V – “JOB DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR CURRENT MINISTRIES”
SECTION 1 – “Definition of the Document”
This document describes the duties and responsibilities of all committees, ministries, and
church leaders for our congregation.
SECTION II - “Responsibility”
The church council is responsible for updating (adding, altering, and/or deleting items in)
this document and keeping the job descriptions current.
SECTION III – “Accountability”
Council will vote on proposed changes after they are announced to allow time for feedback
from the congregation. Approved changes will also be documented in the meeting minutes
to inform the congregation of the change.
ARTICLE VI - PASTOR
SECTION I – “Duties of the Pastor”
Please refer to the Job Description Document, under the section for the Pastor, entered
under Article V.
SECTION II – “Pastoral Appointment”
1. The Pastor shall be chosen by the congregation in consultation with the Ministerial
Committee of the New York Mennonite Conference.
2. The first term of office shall be three years.
3. Each successive term shall be for five years.
4. An evaluation shall take place approximately one year prior to the expiration of each
term.
5. The approval, after evaluation, shall require 75% majority vote of members present and
active members not present.
6. The Pastor shall have two weeks vacation each of the first three years and three weeks
each year thereafter.
SECTION III – “Termination of Service”
The period of service of the Pastor may be terminated at any time by mutual agreement of
congregation and Pastor.
ARTICLE VII - ELDERS
SECTION I – “Duties of Elders”
Please refer to the Job Description Document, under the section for the Elders, entered
under Article V.
SECTION II – “Selection of Elders”
The selection of Elders shall take place in June. The Elders, in conjunction with the
church council, should direct the selection process. Elders should be installed in a
Sunday morning worship service with prayer and the laying on of hands. (I Timothy 5:22;
II Timothy 1:6)
ARTICLE VIII - CHURCH COUNCIL
SECTION I – “Church Council Members”
1. Church Council will be composed of members of the various ministry teams that serve
the congregation as described in the job description document.
2. The members may change based on the job description document except that it must
include at least one representative from each of the following ministries: Pastor, Elders,
Trustees, Treasurers, Sunday School Superintendents, and Missions Committee. It shall
also include two representatives elected at the annual business meeting who do not
represent any particular ministry.
SECTION II – “Church Council Voting Requirements”
Council shall require a simple majority when voting on issues and must have a quorum of
at least 50% of the appointed council members present in order to take a vote.
ARTICLE IX - MINISTRIES TEAMS & COMMITTEES
SECTION I – “List of and Duties”
Please refer to the current Job Description document (under Article V) for the most current
list of ministry teams and committees and the current duties assigned to them.
SECTION II – “Flexibility”
Ministry teams and committees can be added, changed or deleted.
SECTION III – “Selection”
The Nominating Committee in conjunction with the Church Council should direct the
selection process.
ARTICLE X - DECISION MAKING
SECTION I – “Qualifications”
1. All Elders must be members of the church.
2. All members may vote at annual or special business meetings. All non-members are
invited to attend annual or special business meetings, are encouraged to contribute to the
discussions, are encouraged to participate in all other aspects of the church’s life, and are
encouraged to become members.
ARTICLE XI - BUSINESS MEETING
SECTION I – “Date”
The Annual Business Meeting should be held the third Thursday of October.
SECTION II – “Special”
Special business meetings may be called at the request of the chairperson of the Board of
Trustees, the chairperson of Church Council, or the chairperson of the Board of Elders.
SECTION III – “Announcing”
The annual or any special business meeting should be announced at least two Sundays
proceeding the time of meeting.
SECTION IV – “Fiscal Year”
The fiscal year of the congregation will be from January 1 to December 31.
SECTION V – “Quorum”
A quorum for the annual or any special business meeting will consist of members present.
A simple majority vote is required to proceed.
SECTION VI – “Items Presented for Vote”
1. Congregation (by majority vote) shall have the right to refuse to vote on an issue if they
find the voting format unfair or otherwise objectionable.
2. If a vote is taken by ballot the vote shall remain anonymous – no names will be required
on the ballots.
ARTICLE XI I - AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present at the
Annual or any Special Business Meeting if the proposed amendment has been announced
to the congregation at least two weeks prior to the time of meeting. The Church Council
shall be responsible to process, approve and present proposed changes to the
congregation.
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