FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Disciples of Christ)
Bellingham, Washington
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the first Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Bellingham,
Washington, in order to promote Gods work in the spirit of Christ through the church,
adopt this constitution.
ARTICLE I. NAME AND MISSION
SECTION A. NAME:
The name of this congregation shall be the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of
Bellingham, Washington, affiliated with the denomination known as the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), originally incorporated on January 15, 1892, filed in Vol. 5 P.A.,
page 263 of the incorporations file in the office of the County Auditor of Whatcom
County, Washington, in the City of Bellingham, Washington, under filing number 159-A.
SECTION B: MISSION:
First Christian Church is called to be a Christ-centered faith community, engaging in the
ongoing ministry of Jesus and inviting all people to experience His love and practice His
message. We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ cuts across all barriers that
fragment and divide us. We are called to love, affirm and welcome ALL regardless of
race, gender, sexual and/or affectional orientation, class or life situation.
(Micah 6:8 and Mark 12:28-31)
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Anyone who publicly accepts Jesus Christ as Lord is invited to become a member of
this congregation. We are an Open and Affirming congregation, which means that every
individual is a child of God and has equal status in this congregation. Members
covenant to support the church by giving, serving, and praying to the best of our
abilities. Our regular practice is baptism by immersion, but we accept baptism in all
forms.
ARTICLE III. ADMINISTRATION
The administration of this congregation shall be overseen by a board of directors as
described in the Bylaws. The duties and responsibilities of the board of directors is
described in the Policies and Procedures Handbook.
January 22, 2017

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ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

The church shall hold an annual congregation meeting no later than the first Sunday in
the last month of the fiscal year for the purpose of annual election of officers and
approval of the proposed budget.
Special meetings may be called as described in the Bylaws. Notice of the annual
congregational meeting and all special congregational meetings shall be given at
Sunday worship of First Christian Church of Bellingham at least one (1) week in
advance of the meeting. The proposed agenda for the meeting shall be communicated
to the congregation at least one week in advance of the meeting.
ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS
A proposed amendment to this Constitution may be presented at any regular meeting of
the board of directors of the First Christian Church of Bellingham.
The proposed amendment shall be an agenda item for review and discussion at the
following regular meeting of the board of directors. A vote to approve by two-thirds (2/3)
of the regular voting members of the board of directors is necessary to take the
amendment to the congregation for approval.
Once approved by the board, the proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be read
during the announcements at the next regular Sunday Worship Service, posted in a
prominent location in the Church and published.
The proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be voted on at the next regular
congregational meeting, or at a special congregational meeting called as described in
the Bylaws. Approval requires an affirmative vote by two-thirds (2/3) of the regular
voting members in attendance.
ARTICLE VI. ENACTMENT
This Constitution supersedes all previous editions of constitutions of the First Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) of Bellingham, Washington.
Effective_____________________, 19__.
Revised

January 22

, 2017

Moderator of the Congregation

Renee Hoemann

Revision Task Force: 2016-2017 Elders

January 22, 2017

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CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION OF REVISED CONSTITUTION

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am the duly elected Secretary of the First
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Bellingham, Washington, and that the foregoing
Revision of the Constitution of the Church was adopted by the membership of the
Church at a general congregational meeting held on January 22, 2017.
________________________________________________
Melissa Henderson, Secretary
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Bellingham, Washington

January 22, 2017

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