Commissions and Business

(secure sector)

THE CONSTITUTION

AND RULES OF ORDER OF THE

CLASSIS OF COLUMBIA-GREENE

IN THE REGIONAL SYNOD OF ALBANY,

REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA

2008

Preamble

The Classis functions as an assembly and a judicatory, and consists of all the enrolled Ministers of Word and Sacrament, along with those Elder delegates who represent the churches within its bounds. The Classis is a permanent, continuing body which functions between stated sessions through Commissions. The Classis of Columbia-Greene is a constituent part of the Regional Synod of Albany, Reformed Church in America, consisting of those congregations enrolled by the regional synod as members. The Classis of Columbia-Greene is a not-for-profit incorporated entity within the State of New York.

Purpose

The Classis of Columbia-Greene, Reformed Church in America,

is a family of churches in covenant, called by God and empowered by

the Holy Spirit to be the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.

Our shared task is to equip and support our churches for ministry, following

Christ in mission and proclaiming the gospel in a lost and broken world

so loved by God. – Purpose statement.

Member Churches

First Reformed Church of Athens – 1826

First Reformed Church of Catskill – 1826

First Reformed Church of Chatham – 1853

First Reformed Church of Coxsackie – 1732

First Reformed Church of Hudson – 1835

Gallatin Reformed Church – 1746

Germantown Reformed Church – 1726

Ghent Reformed Church – 1843

Kinderhook Reformed Church – 1677

Kiskatom Reformed Church – 1832

Leeds Reformed Church – 1677

Linlithgo Reformed Church – 1722

Livingston Memorial Church – 1860

Mt. Pleasant Reformed Church – 1828

Nassau Reformed Church – 1803

New Concord Reformed Church – 1858

Reformed Church of Schodack Landing – 1835

Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack – 1716

Reformed Dutch Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill – 1812

Second Reformed Church of Claverack – 1836

Stuyvesant Reformed Church – 1827

West Copake Reformed Church – 1758

Article I. MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES

Section A. Regular Membership and Quorum.

1. Classis membership shall consist of the Elder(s) designated by each member church, the Ministers of Word and Sacrament duly enrolled in Classis, and the members of the Executive Committee.

2. Their church shall designate the Elder(s) for a two-year term, beginning with the first stated or special session of the new calendar year.

3. The number of Elder delegates from a church shall be determined as follows:

a. 1-300 active-confirmed members: 1 elder delegate,

b. 300-600 active-confirmed members: 2 elder delegates,

c. 601 and above members: 3 elder delegates,

4. A church without an installed Minister shall automatically be eligible to send an additional Elder delegate.

5. When a majority of Elder delegates and a majority of actively serving enrolled Ministers are present at a stated session, a quorum shall be declared.

Section B. Corresponding Members.

1. Visiting Ministers and Elders of the Reformed Church and other guests may be seated as corresponding members of the Classis at its discretion.

2. All licensed candidates for the ministry under the care of Classis who are in attendance shall be seated as corresponding members.

Section C. Voting Rights.

1. Voting rights shall be limited to Elder delegates, Classis officers, retired Ministers of Word and Sacrament serving on Classis commissions or standing committees, and those Ministers of Word and Sacrament who are serving under the jurisdiction, or with the approval, of the Classis.

2. Delegates of churches shall be seated only if the assessments of the previous year have been paid.

Section D. Duties of Regular Members.

1. To attend the entire stated and specially called sessions unless excuse is presented. If there is continued absence without excuse, Classis will exercise its privilege of pastoral admonishment through its Commission on Ministers, Preaching Elders & Commissioned Pastors.

2. To be attentive to the business of Classis at all times, to follow the prescribed Rules of Order, and to maintain the decorum and dignity becoming members of an assembly or judicatory of the Church of Jesus Christ.

3. To accept and fulfill delegated responsibilities unless excused by Classis.

4. Ministers without charge and Retired Ministers are to present a written report to the Commission on Ministers, Preaching Elders & Commissioned Pastors prior to the spring Classis session.

Article II. SESSIONS OF CLASSIS

Section A. Stated Sessions.

1. Stated sessions of Classis shall be the third Tuesdays in March (spring), June (summer), and October (fall).

2. The Executive Committee shall determine the times and locations of stated sessions.

Section B. Special Sessions.

1. It is the duty of the President of Classis to call a special session of classis when it is deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.

2. The President shall call a special session of Classis on the request in writing of two ministers and two elders belonging to the Classis. At least ten days notice of any special session shall be given.

3. No business shall be carried out at special sessions except that which has been specifically set forth in the meeting notice without a consenting vote of ¾ of the members present.

4. The presence of 3 ministers and 3 elder delegates shall constitute a quorum at special sessions.

5. Ordination and installation services shall be considered special sessions of Classis and are scheduled by the Executive Committee.

Section C. Notice of Sessions.

1. Notices of all stated sessions shall be sent to each church in the Classis at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

2. Notices of all special sessions shall be sent to each church in the Classis at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

Article III. OFFICERS OF CLASSIS AND DUTIES

Section A. Officers.

1. The officers of the Classis shall be the President, Vice-president, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer. Officers shall not serve on any other Committee or a Commission with the following exceptions: the Treasurer serves on the Finance Committee; and the President, Vice-president and Treasurer may serve on the Commission on Overtures and Judicial Business if an Elder or Minister of Word and Sacrament.

Section B. Duties of the President.

1. The President shall assume the chair at the appointed hour and call the session to order.

2. The President shall, in consultation with the Executive Committee, appoint all special committees.

3. The President shall, in consultation with the Stated Clerk who acts as parliamentarian at all sessions of Classis, decide upon questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal to the house by any member.

4. In the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

5. In general the President shall maintain the order and dignity which becomes this body, which is of the body of Christ.

6. The President of Classis serves as Chair of the Executive Committee. As such, the President, in consultation with the Stated Clerk, sets the Executive Committee agenda.

Section C. Duties of the Vice President.

1. The Vice President shall act in the capacity of President whenever necessary.

2. The Vice President is a member of the Executive Committee and shall also serve in additional capacities at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Section D. Duties of the Classis Clerk.

1. The Classis Clerk shall be responsible for all notices, communications, records, and reports that are required and necessary for Classis to function efficiently and effectively.

2. The Classis Clerk shall oversee the process by which Classis systematically appoints delegates and representatives to assemblies and higher judicatories.

3. The Classis Clerk may be any qualified member in good standing of a Classis church.

Section E. Duties of the Classis Treasurer.

1. The Classis Treasurer shall notify Classis churches of all askings and assessments.

2. The Classis Treasurer shall receive and deposit all funds received, and shall pay all proper bills in a timely fashion.

3. The Classis Treasurer and Finance Committee shall prepare an annual budget and present it to the Executive committee before the fall session, and shall present an annual report to Classis at the spring session.

4. The Classis Treasurer shall present all financial records to the Executive Committee for annual auditing.

5. The Classis Treasurer may be any qualified member in good standing of a Classis church.

Article IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section A. Membership.

1. The members of the Executive Committee shall be the:

a. President of Classis.

b. Vice-president of Classis.

c. Classis Clerk.

d. Classis Treasurer.

e. Chairs of the Commissions.

f. Past-president of Classis.

Section B. Duties of the Executive Committee.

1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for all general administrative oversight of Classis business not specifically assigned to one of the Classis Commissions as outlined in these documents.

2. The Executive Committee shall act in the name of the Classis between stated sessions of Classis.

a. All actions taken by the Executive Committee in the name of the Classis shall be presented to Classis for review at the next stated session. This shall include, upon recommendation of the Commission on Congregations, and in light of no reservation, to approve a Call, dissolution, or to dismiss.

3. The Executive Committee shall interview and recommend to Classis a Classis Clerk and a Treasurer for its approval.

4. The Executive Committee shall conduct an annual performance review of the Classis Clerk and Treasurer.

5. The Executive Committee shall review annually the Finance Committee’s recommended salary of the Classis Clerk and Treasurer.

6. The Executive Committee shall supervise the work of the Commissions and Standing Committees of Classis.

7. The Executive Committee shall meet at least two weeks prior to each stated session, receiving written reports from Commissions and Committees.

8. The Executive Committee shall approve an agenda for each meeting of Classis.

9. The Executive Committee shall approve a budget, as submitted by the Classis Treasurer, for presentation to the Classis at the fall session.

10. The Executive Committee shall appoint, subject to classis approval, Chairs for each of the Classis Commissions.

a. Commission Chairs are to be appointed based on spiritual giftedness and not popular election.

b. Each chair will be appointed to a two-year term, such terms to be unlimited in number.

11. The Executive Committee shall approve, on behalf of Classis, and based on the recommendation of each Commission Chair, a list of Commission members for each Commission.

a. Commission members shall be members of Classis churches.

b. Commission members will be appointed to a two-year term, such terms to be unlimited in number.

c. At all times the Executive Committee shall strive for an appropriate balance between lay and ordained members upon each respective Commission.

12. A quorum shall be a majority of members.

Article V. COMMISSIONS OF CLASSIS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section A. Classis shall carry out much of its Book of Church Order ministry through its Commissions, which will actively function, each setting its own meeting schedule in order to carry out their unique commissioned responsibilities.

Section B. Commission on Congregations – Superintendence and Development.

1. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible for the general oversight and development of those churches within its bounds, including their relationship to their pastoral staff. This shall also include:

a. maintaining contact with the churches, arranging biennial visits with each consistory for the purpose of assessing needs and encouraging ministry and mission in the community and beyond.

b. providing pastoral care, in cooperation with the Minister.

c. recommending action or requests for dissolution or a Call.

d. examining Elders’ minutes annually.

e. bringing to Classis overtures and communications from Consistories.

f. working closely with the Commission on Ministers, Preaching Elders & Commissioned Pastors when a problem arises between pastor and congregation.

g. doing the preliminary work when the potential of the superseding of a Consistory is a possible action.

h. recommending the name of an Elder and Minister team as Supervisor of a vacant church.

2. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds original and appellate supervisory power over the acts, proceedings, and decisions of Boards of Elders and Consistories.

3. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible to approve and disapprove calls, to effect and dissolve relationships between ministers and churches.

4. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority to form, dissolve, and disband churches.

5. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority to transfer a local church, together with all or part of its assets, to another denomination.

6. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority to receive into its membership any local congregation that makes such a request.

7. This Commission shall submit budget requests to the Executive Committee.

8. Membership shall be an Elder as Chair, with members from the various churches.

Section C. Commission on Ministers, Preaching Elders & Commissioned Pastors – Supervision and Development.

1. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible for the general oversight and development of its enrolled ministers. This shall include:

a. providing a mentor for all newly enrolled ministers;

b. maintaining contact with all specialized ministers;

c. maintaining contact with all enrolled ministers who are without charge, including retired ministers, submitting at the summer meeting an annual report to Classis mentioning each;

d. making biennial visits to all installed ministers, whether in the parish or in specialized ministries, providing pastoral care to the minister and family as appropriate;

e. working closely with the Commission on Congregations when a problem arises between pastor and congregation.

2. This Commission shall submit budget requests to the Executive Committee.

3. Membership shall be an Elder as Chair, with members from the various churches.

Section D. Commission on Students of Theology - Supervision and Development.

1. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible for the general supervision of those students of theology under its care. This shall include:

a. receiving and reviewing all requests from Boards of Elders of candidates to come under care of Classis, with the ability to recommend candidates to Classis;

b. overseeing the candidate’s development and care, and providing a mentor;

c. affording possible financial assistance;

d. working with students who wish to secure a dispensation, as appropriate.

2. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible for all examinations regarding students of theology, the outcomes of which impact their licensure, ordination, and/or installation.

3. This Commission shall submit budget requests to the Executive Committee.

4. Membership shall be a Minister of Word and Sacrament as Chair, with members from the various churches.

Section E. Commission on Church Renewal & Multiplication.

1. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible for renewal and development of the various congregations.

2. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible to envision and develop long-term goals relating to church planting, for oversight of church start projects, and to which the various church start steering committees shall be directly accountable.

3. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, shall evaluate applications for General Synod, regional synod and classical CP&D and other funding.

4. This Commission shall submit budget requests to the Executive Committee.

5. Membership shall be a Minister as Chair, with members from the various churches.

Section F. Commission on Overtures and Judicial Business.

1. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, holds authority and is responsible for initiating and receiving overtures of the Classis.

2. The Classis, through the work of this Commission, acts as the judicial authority of the Classis, as granted to the Classis by The Book of Church Order.

a. Decisions by the Commission shall be the final decision rendered in the name of the Classis.

b. No appeal to the Classis that constituted this Commission shall be made or permitted.

3. The Stated Clerk shall act as clerk for the Commission, but shall not be a member.

4. Membership shall be elected, consisting of nine persons, at least five of which shall be Elders and the remainder shall be Ministers of Word and Sacrament.

a. Three alternates shall also be elected who may serve if one or more members cannot be present for any reason.

b. The term of office for a member or alternate shall be three years, with one-third of the members’ term expiring each

year.

5. This Commission shall submit budget requests to the Executive Committee.

6. Membership shall be an Elder or Minister as Chair, with Elder and Minister members from the various churches.

Article VI. STANDING COMMITTEES OF CLASSIS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section A. Classis shall carry out various of its Book of Church Order ministry through its Standing Committees, which will actively function, each setting its own meeting schedule in order to carry out their unique committee responsibilities.

Section B. Standing Committees report through the Executive Committee.

Section C. Committee on Finance.

1. The Classis, through the work of this Committee, holds authority and is responsible for financial business that pertains to the work and mission of the Classis. This shall include:

a. preparing and presenting, along with the Treasurer, an annual budget at the fall session of Classis;

b. preparing and presenting an annual mandatory minimum salary schedule and benefit requirement for installed Ministers, using financial data from the RCA Office of Ministry;

c. auditing churches’ compliance with salary and benefit requirements, and ensuring compliance;

d. working with the Commission on Congregations with churches who are unable to comply with minimums;

e. auditing the Treasurer’s books annually;

f. informing Classis of all matters related to the Board of Pensions;

g. reviewing each church’s audit report, debt report and bond certification;

h. recommending annually to Classis the salaries of the Stated Clerk and Treasurer;

i. recommending sale, purchase, exchange, encumberment of church properties;

j. making recommendations to Classis regarding church borrowing applications.

2. This Committee shall submit budget requests to the Executive Committee.

3. Membership shall be an Elder or Deacon as Chair, with members from the various churches.

Article VII. REPRESENTATIVES AND DELEGATES

Section A. General Synod.

1. Minister delegates.

a. The delegates shall be those who for the longest period of time have not been delegates to a session of the General Synod. Those entering the ministry and those coming from other Classes or denominations shall date their turn from the time of their reception or ordination.

b. A delegate must be a member of Classis at least one year in order to represent Classis.

c. No minister shall be a delegate who has been absent without excuse from the last two preceding stated meetings of Classis.

d. A minister, with due excuse, may pass appointment one year, but after that, the minister shall fall in regular line.

e. Ministers no longer in active, direct ministry shall not be eligible to represent Classis.

f. The Classis Clerk shall oversee that process by which the Classis is represented through its delegates.

2. Elder delegates.

a. Elder delegates shall be appointed to a two-year term to General Synod.

b. Churches within Classis will be represented on a rotational basis, such representation to be determined by the Classis Clerk.

Section B. Regional Synod.

1. Minister delegates.

a. The delegates shall be those who for the longest period of time have not been delegates to a session of the regional synod. Those entering the ministry and those coming from other Classes or denominations shall date their turn from the time of their reception or ordination.

b. A delegate must be a member of Classis at least one year in order to represent Classis.

c. No minister shall be a delegate who has been absent without excuse from the last two preceding stated meetings of Classis.

d. A minister, with due excuse, may pass appointment one year, but after that, the minister shall fall in regular line.

e. Ministers no longer in active, direct ministry shall not be eligible to represent Classis.

f. The Classis Clerk shall oversee that process by which Classis is represented through its delegates.

2. Elder delegates.

a. Elder delegates shall be appointed to a two-year term to regional synod.

b. Churches within Classis will be represented on a rotational basis, such representation to be determined by the Classis Clerk.

Article VIII. ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.

Section A. Officers.

1. The Executive Committee shall offer a dual slate for the position of President, with nominations also being open from the floor.

2. The President shall be elected to a one-year term, and shall not hold the position of President for greater than one consecutive term.

3. The Executive Committee shall offer a dual slate for the position of Vice-president, with nominations also being open from the floor.

4. The Vice-president shall be elected to a one-year term, and shall not hold the position of Vice-president for greater than one consecutive term.

5. Should the position of President become vacant, the Vice-president shall assume the office of President until such time as an election can be held. The office of President, in the event of a vacancy, shall be filled according to these bylaws.

6. If the Vice-president were to be elected to the Presidency in the event of a vacancy, the position of Vice-president would then be filled according to these by-laws.

Section B. Elections.

1. Elections shall be held at the fall session.

2. Those elected assume their offices effective January 1.

Section C. Appointments in General.

1. Any minister who is a member of Classis shall be eligible for appointment.

2. Any member of any church within the Classis shall be eligible for appointment.

3. No one shall serve on more than one Commission.

Section D. Appointments to Commission Chairs.

1. The Executive Committee shall appoint Commission Chairs.

2. Such appointments are subject to the approval of Classis.

Section E. Appointments to Commissions.

1. The Chair of each commission shall appoint commission members.

2. Appointments are subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

Article IX. ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section A. The Classis shall set its order of business at regular and special meetings as seems best to the body at that time.

Section B. Meetings shall always be opened and closed in prayer, in accordance with The Book of Church Order.

Section C. There shall be reading of scripture.

Article X. PARLIAMENTARY RULES

Section A. Robert’s Rules of Order.

1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the business of the Classis.

Article XI. SUSPENSION OR AMENDMENT

Section A. These rules shall not be altered or amended, except notice of such alteration shall have been presented at the previous stated session.

Section B. A two-thirds vote of all members present shall be necessary to adopt an amendment.

Section C. Any of the rules not made obligatory by the Constitution of the Reformed Church in America may be suspended for a single session by unanimous consent.

This page was last edited on August 24, 2009