Highlights of recommended changes to LOUCC Constitution and Bylaws
October 8, 2007 


Recommended changes are made to the 2002 Constitution and Bylaws. These recommendations have been developed with the help of Rev. Jeff Barton, 
Rev. Alan Claassen, Mary Cox, Dawn Hayami, Roy Schreiber, and Jan Standlea. 

Recommendations generally fall under one or more of these perspectives: 


updating language to be inclusive, broadening language to be more welcoming 
without losing our Christian identity; 

removing some date references which tie us unnecessarily down to one;

particular meeting (i.e., Annual meeting, or September meeting); 

adding checks and balances where appropriate;

restoring standing committees.


Below are the highlights; these are not an all-inclusive list. To see all changes being recommended at this time, 
refer to the October 8, 2007 draft and, for sake of comparison, the 2002 LOUCC Constitution and Bylaws. 

Article III:  The word “covenant” used (reflects the ”glue” which holds congregational churches together; our denomination 
does not have a rules book, book of order, or book of discipline (ala Presbyterian, Methodist, etc.), but has a covenant 
relationship with God, each other, and with our conference. 

Article IV:  Statement of Faith, approved for use by UCC, Executive Council in 1981 (uses inclusive language). 

Article V:  Membership

Section 1-4:  We welcome into membership any person who loves and accepts the teachings of Jesus Christ, and who affirms 
the Christian faith (“teachings of Jesus Christ” reflects broader, more welcoming language, while retaining our Christian identity). 

Article VI: Pastor(s) 

Section 1:  “Called pastor(s)” would replace “pastor(s)” (we recognize that we sometimes contract work with pastors which may 
be short term and not equivalent to the duties and responsibilities of our called pastor(s)). 

Section 3:  Termination of a pastor contract by LOUCC would require counsel of and mediation directed by the Central Pacific 
Conference-UCC (reflecting our desire to have a clear process for termination, and guidance from outside our congregation). 

Section 4:  Vacancy, recommend the voting standard be similar to that of termination of pastor contract. 

Article VII:  Council (restores name of governing body) 

Nominating Committee appointed annually (change from September meeting enables flexibility should we change our activities 
calendar to June to May set up) 

Moderator duties would add:  arrange for an annual independent review (or “audit”) of congregational books and accounts 
(reflects an intent to add checks and balances into our operating procedures). 

Article IX:  Committees, restores description and list of standing committees 

Sect. 1 - standing committees described 

Sect. 2 - additional groups, teams, and ministries which are approved by Council will be assigned to a standing committee 
for supervision and oversight (reflects a desire to improve communication, increase use of planning calendar so as 
to not overload groups, congregation, or the LOUCC calendar or events). 

Article X:  Worship Services and Meetings 

Sect. 2.B.2:  Special meetings - notice will include public notice at Sunday morning service, and “other distribution” 
(reflects desire to increase public notice for any special meetings, and also reflects our increasing use of internet and other 
systems of communication beyond just “mail”). 

Article XII:  Change standard for changing Article III or Article IV of LOUCC Constitution and Bylaws (reflects consistency 
in our voting standards, and recognition that we desire a significant representation for voting on important matters of the 
church, but at the same time not unrealistically high for doing the business of the church).