CONSTITUTION OF THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Neosho, Missouri June, 2008 We, the members of the First Christian Church, a congregationally governed body, in order to promote the work of the Church in the spirit of Christ and thus advance His Kingdom, do hereby adopt this Constitution. A. Section A. Name The name of this organization shall be First Christian Church, of Neosho, which is incorporated as Christ Church at Neosho, Missouri, affiliated with the Brotherhood known as the Disciples of Christ and committed to the historical principles of this body whose local congregations are variously known as Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, or Disciples of Christ. B. Section B. Purpose The purpose of this church shall be as revealed in the New Testament, to win people to faith in Jesus Christ and commit them actively to the Church, to help them grow in grace and knowledge of Christ that Increasingly they may know and do His will, and to work for the unity of all Christians and with them engage in the common task of building the Kingdom of God. C. Section C. Mission Statement God calls us to be His people to be accepting of and compassionate to all, and to reach out as followers of Jesus Christ to those in need in our community and in the world. God calls us to grow in our spirituality, in our relationships with one another, and our respect for all of Gods creation. ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP The membership of the Church shall consist of those who are now identified as members of the congregation and those who shall unite with it by Confession of Faith in Jesus Christ and baptism by immersion or transfer of membership. Voting privileges shall be accorded to all members who have shown an active interest through a recent continuity of attendance, service or giving. ARTICLE III. GENERAL BOARD A. Section A. Composition and Duties 1. The General Board shall consist of a. The elected members of the Church and its officers. b. The elected President or Chair of any auxiliary organization (CWF, CMF, CYF, Youth Deacons, etc. c. The Chairs of all Functional Departments and all Standing Committees. 2. The General Board shall annually organize and elect such officers as it deems necessary to effectively carry out the programs of the Church. 3. It shall be the duty of the General Board a. To consider and recommend general policies to the congregation. b. To transact the business of the Church. c. To administer the program of the Church through the designated functional committees. d. To perform its duties according to the authority granted by this Constitution or as given by the Church. e. To keep the congregation regularly informed of the activities of the Board and its officers. B. Section B. Elected Board Members 1. The following members of the General Board shall be elected by the congregation at the annual Church business meeting: ARTICLE I. NAME, PURPOSE AND MISSION

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a. Elders b. Diaconate c. Trustees d. Elders Emeritus, Diaconate Emeritus Elders a. Terms of office. There shall be a total of fifteen (15) Elders, with five to be elected each year beginning in 1995. Each Elder shall hold office for a term of three years and until his successor is elected or appointed. Elders holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, or removal or failure to serve for other reasons. b. Duties. The Elders, in cooperation with the functional committees, shall promote the growth and welfare of the Church, give spiritual oversight to the members with respect to regular attendance at the Lords Supper, visitation of the sick and concern for the morally delinquent and spiritually indifferent; give thoughtful consideration to the policies of the Church that will enable it to fulfill its complete mission; encourage by example and word and missionary, evangelistic, education and stewardship responsibilities of the church; to serve at the Lords Table; and perform such other duties as may be assigned. Diaconate a. Number and term. The Diaconate shall consist of a minimum of twenty-four Deacons with at least six to be elected each year, beginning in 2008. Each Deacon shall hold office for a term of four years and until their successor is elected or appointed. Deacons holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall automatically be considered a member of the Diaconate and shall continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, removal or failure to serve for other reasons. b. Duties. The Diaconate, in cooperation with functional committees, shall cooperate with Elders in promoting the growth and welfare of the Church; assist in the greeting and ushering of the worshippers, distribute the Lords Supper and receive the offering; assist in financial canvasses, visitation projects and preparation of the candidates for Baptism; give counsel and service in the business affairs and program activities of the Church; take responsibility for time of sickness and bereavement; and perform such other duties as may be assigned. Trustees a. Number and term. There shall be a total of seven Trustees with three to be elected in 1982 and each even numbered year thereafter and four to be elected in 1983 and each odd numbered year thereafter. Each Trustee shall hold office for a term of two years and until his or her successor is elected or appointed. Trustees holding office at the time of adoption hereof shall continue the term to which elected or until their resignation, removal or failure to serve for other reasons. b. Duties. The Trustees shall act as the legal agents of the Church in all matters under the direction of the General Board and subject to the approval of the Church; hold legal title to the Church property and handle all business transactions related thereto; and to perform such other duties as may be assigned. Elder Emeritus and Deaconate Emeritus a. Number and term. There is no set number of such officers and no set number, if any, are to be elected in any year. Once elected the person may retain the office in this congregation for life. b. Qualifications. Being elected in any such capacity is not predicated on service in such a position during prior years, but is strictly dependent upon having been faithful in whatever task the person may have been called upon to perform. c. Duties. All such positions are honorary and continued service is discretionary. Qualifications of Officers After serving a full term of office, the Elder or Deacon shall be ineligible for that office for one year unless other eligibles are unavailable.

*****C. Section C. Vacancies Vacancies in any office of the Church shall be fulfilled until the next Church election by nomination of the Chair of the General Board in consultation with the Minister and elected by the General Board. A vacancy shall be deemed to exist when a member resigns, fails to serve or is for any reason unable to serve. ARTICLE IV. MINISTER The Minister(s) shall perform the duties which usually pertain to the Church, and as spiritual administrator of the Church, shall be an ex officio member of all organized groups, auxiliaries and committees. ARTICLE V. MEETINGS A. Section A. Meetings to Be Held. The Church shall hold 1. An annual business meeting within the month of May. 2. Special business meetings as required, such meetings to be called by the Chair or Vice-Chair or upon the request of the General Board or upon written petition of ten or more members of the Church. *****B. Section B. Notice Notice of all regular or special business meetings of the congregation shall be given at regular Sunday services at least one week in advance of the meeting. An appropriate reason for all special meetings must be stated at the time the meeting is announced. C. Section C. Rules of Order All business meetings of the congregation shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order in all instances where applicable and not directly in conflict with this Constitution. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS This Constitution may be amended at any business meeting of the Church by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting on the amendment. Written notice of the proposed amendment must be read at two regular Sunday services, or published in the two Church newsletters which are published immediately before the vote is taken. * Amended: 5/22/1988 and May 2008 ** Amended: 9/04/1994 *** Amended: 5/21/2000 **** Amended: 2005, 2006 (one year experiment) and 2008 ***** Amended: 5/16/2008

BYLAWS OF THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Neosho, Missouri February 2010 We, the members of the General Board of the First Christian Church of Neosho, Missouri, do hereby adopt these Bylaws. ARTICLE I. CHURCH YEAR The Church year shall begin on July 1. ARTICLE II. GENERAL BOARD A. Section A. Officers of the Board. The following officers shall be elected by the General Board. 1. Chair. The Chair shall fulfill the usual duties of such an officer and call and preside at all regular and special business meetings of the congregation. The Chair shall be a non-voting member of all the functional committees, special committees and auxiliary organizations. ^2. Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair shall fulfill the usual duties of such an officer and call and preside at all regular business meetings of the Church in the absence of the Chair. He or she shall prepare for assuming the role of Chair by overseeing the implementation of the Constitution and Bylaws, by serving on that Committee and by preparing an annual General Board calendar. ^3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all regular or special business meetings of the Church, keep a record of its regular or special meetings and submit these minutes to the Church office, to the Senior Minister and to the Chair of the General Board within two weeks. He or she shall be on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and shall perform other such duties as may be assigned. 4. Treasurer. The Church Treasurer shall disburse all funds of the Church according to the authority given him or her by the General Board and serve as a member of the Stewardship Committee. In the absence of the Treasurer, the Finance Committee Chair shall carry out the duties of the Treasurer. ^5. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Senior Minister. ^6. The Cabinet shall consist of the Vice-Chair, Minister(s), and functional committee chairs and chaired by the Board Chair. It shall meet as needed to coordinate programs and events. B, Section B. Meetings **** 1. The General Board shall endeavor to meet each month. The meeting time will be communicated by the Board Chair. 2. The General Board shall hold special meetings as required, on call of the Chair, or upon request of five or more of the members of the General Board. C. Section C. Quorum. Fifteen members of the General Board shall constitute a quorum. D. Section D. Order of Business The General Board shall observe the following order of business. 1. Meeting is called to order by presiding officer 2. Devotions and prayer 3. Reading and approval of previous minutes; however, such reading may be omitted if such minutes have previously been furnished in writing to the members ^4. Financial report of the revenues and expenditures of the Church shall be compiled by the Financial Secretary and given to the Chair of the Board, after which the Board shall vote to file same. 5. Regular and special committee reports with action on recommendations 6. Ministers reports(s) 7. Consideration of unfinished business carried over from previous meeting 8. New business 9. Adjournment

10. Pastoral inspirational moment and benediction E. Section E. Voting At all meetings of the General Board, the presiding officer may call for a voice vote except, if any Board member shall so request, the vote shall be taken by secret written ballot. ARTICLE III. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF ELECTIVE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL BOARD A. Section A. Nomination ^^^1. Nominating Committee. A committee to nominate candidates for Elders, Diaconate, Trustees, and Elders and Diaconate Emeritus shall be appointed by the Chair of the General Board and approved by the General Board by the March Board meeting. The members of the Nominating Committee will be announced to the congregation in March. The Committee shall consist of two members of the General Board whose terms do not expire at the end of the current year and three members of the congregation who are not members of the General Board. ^^^2. Selection of a Slate of Nominees. Suggestions for nominees may be made from the congregation and and shall be in the hands of the Nominating Committee at least three weeks days prior to the annual meeting. The Committee shall then consider qualifications, secure consent from the nominees and prepare a slate consisting of one nominee for each vacancy. The Nominating Committee should consider the interest, concern and sense of dedication manifested in the person in question as shown by his or her attendance at the Worship Service, Bible School and other Church meetings. A name may not be submitted without prior approval of the nominee. 3. Report. The Nominating Committee shall report its nominations to the congregation at the annual business meeting. No nominations shall be received from the floor on the day of election. B. Section B. Election 1. Method of voting. Each member of the congregation shall be entitled to vote in person at the annual Church business meeting for all positions to be filled at such election. The vote shall be by written ballot. ^^^2. Tabulation. The tabulation of such election shall be made by the Nominating Committee and kept on file in the Church office. ^^^C.Section C. Vacancies Vacancies in any office of the Church shall be filled until the next church election by nomination of the Chair of the General Board in consultation with the Minister and elected by the General Board. The vacancy shall be deemed to exist when a member resigns, fails to serve as determined by the Elders, or is unable to serve. D. Section D. Officers of the Board ^^^1. Nomination. The aforesaid Nominating Committee shall also nominate officers for the General Board, to be presented at the May General Board meeting. 2. Election. The General Board shall elect its officers during the May meeting. ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES PLAN OF ADMINISTRATION A. Section A. Functional Committees. The task of administrating the program of the Church shall be delegated to functional committees established by the General Board after considering the Churchs functions. General operational procedures for each committee follow. These are guidelines only and are not meant to limit the creativity of each committee. ^^1. Worship to lead the membership in a genuine experience of worship in public services and to enrich personal and family devotional life. This will include but not be limited to the following: a. To plan the logistics of the church service such as music, communion, etc. b. To correlate the services with the church calendar.

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c. To organize special services such as All Saints Day, the Hanging of the Greens, Advent, Lent and Holy Week, Pentecost, etc. d. To assist in obtaining speakers if the Senior Minister is absent. e. To submit the budget to the Financial Committee. Education a. To develop an effective program of religious education for the entire constituency of the Church in keeping with the general objectives of Christian education b. To be responsible for developing and administrating the total educational program of the Church, including Church School, youth activities, mid-week educational projects, leadership education, distribution of Christian literature and fostering Christian home life; and to also cooperate with other groups of the Church in planning an educational program. c. To select chairmen and appropriate sub-chairmen. To form the Committee, set the date for the first meeting and select materials. d. To prepare a calendar approximately as follows: August: Recruit teachers and nursery helpers, assess student needs, post schedule, prepare classrooms. September: Plan Promotions Sunday, sixth graders receive Bibles. October: Prepare budget, plan fall activities. November: Plan Advent in cooperation with the Worship Committee; assess teachers, volunteers and curriculum needs for Spring. February: Plan for Valentines Day, Easter and Vacation Bible School. April: Plan May graduation breakfast and Vacation Bible School work days. May: Order summer curriculum and send out summer schedule. Evangelism. This will include but not be limited to the following: a. To develop and maintain a culture of evangelism within the Church, sponsoring a year-round program of evangelism which reaches into every age level and every phase of Church life. b. To develop and maintain a community awareness of the Church and its ministry, including utilizing appropriate media to educate and inform the community about the Church and its ministry. c. To identify potential new disciples, nurture them toward profession of faith or transfer of membership from another congregation, and after they have placed their membership in the Church, continue to assimilate them into the Church and its ministry. 1.) Promote immediate response programs; for example, by preparing and delivering gift bags or other items for first-time visitors. 2.) Maintain an Each One Reach One or similar program with designated Sundays for bringing people to church. 3.) Promote an opportunity for service for new or potentially new members or visitors by coordinating Evangelism efforts with appropriate Outreach efforts. Membership. This will include but not be limited to the following: a. To maintain the closest possible contact with the Church membership to the end that each member may function effectively in the life of the Church and develop a spirit of comradeship and love within the congregation founded on a common love of Christ. b. To plan meals for different functions of the church, working with other committees as needed. These might include some general church functions, funeral dinners and bridal and baby showers which may also include the planning of the latter two. c. To be responsible, working cooperatively with other committees, for orienting new members into the life and fellowship of the Church. d. To organize an effort to send specialty cards to members. Outreach - To create and foster a world vision within the Church and its auxiliary organizations and to lead in planning and administrating the world-wide program of the Church.

a. Submit budget requests for Outreach that reflect and support the Committees goals. b. Plan and support Disciple Mission Fund special offerings: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. c. Promote offerings for Week of Compassion, Reconciliation and Tools of Hope/Blankets. d. Support local outreach programs such as CROP Walk, Festival of Sharing, Habitat for Humanity, Crosslines distribution, Crosslines shelters, Help Center Food Pantry, Newton County Food Basket Brigade, Unmet Needs/COAD and Meals on Wheels. e. Encourage each member of the Congregation to reach out to others on a regular basis. f. Inform the office of bulletin and newsletter inserts for special offerings. g. Promote, encourage and support groups within the congregation such as mission teams, Sunday School classes and youth, for service in and out of the community. h. Cooperate with other committees to encourage working together for integrated programs. ^6. Stewardship a. To organize and coordinate the Estimate of Giving campaign. b. To accept responsibility for periodic stewardship education. c. To organize other stewardship campaigns as needed. 7. Property a. To care for all properties of the Church. b. To be responsible, in cooperation with the Trustees, for all property and to keep equipment in proper condition, to study needs and make recommendations for improvements and to care for the grounds. c. Insurance. To keep the properties adequately insured against loss or damage. Every three years the members will review our insurance needs and receive bids for the coverage. Recommendations will then be made to the General Board for approval. ** 8. Finance a. To monitor the expenditures and cash flow of the Church in order for the Church to be responsible in its financial obligations and program budget, to finalize the Church budget each year for Board and congregational approval, to provide accurate and auditable financial records and to work with the Memorial Committee to encourage endowment for the future development in the Church and its ministry. b. To work with the committees of the Church so that those who normally incur expenditures of the budget are informed on current accumulation of expenditures and cash-flow status. ^c. To implement an audit of Church financial records at the request of the Board. B. Section B. Membership and Organization of Functional Committees ^1. Membership. The General Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and the Minister shall constitute the Executive Committee which shall select the respective functional committee chairs and also oversee events needing administrative guidance. a. This group shall then act with the respective committee chairman in the selection of the members of each committee. b. Membership on each functional committee shall be on the basis of qualification for the task, regardless of membership on the General Board. 2. Organization. Each functional committee organizes itself to conduct the business for which it is responsible, meets regularly to attend to its business, and plans its general program which shall be presented to the General Board. Upon approval by the General Board, the department shall proceed to administer its program in cooperation with other functional committees. Regular reports shall be made to the General Board. C. Section C. Other Committees 1. Pulpit Committee a. Selection. The Pulpit Committee shall be a representative committee of five members, nominated by the Board Chairman and elected by the General Board.

b. Duties. The Pulpit Committee shall be responsible for interviewing and recommending a prospective minister to the General Board. ^^^ 2. Pastoral Relations and Support Committee. The Committee is the connecting link to carry out dialogue between ministers and the congregation. ^^^a. Number. The Pastoral Relations Committee shall consist of four (4) members and shall be appointed by the Chair of the Board in consultation with the minister and approved by the General Board. At least two members of a recent Pulpit Committee shall be selected for rotation onto the Pastoral Relations and Support Committee after a new minister is hired. The Finance Committee Chair and the Chair of the Board will serve as non-voting members on this Committee. b. Term. Committee members will be appointed for two-year terms. Appointments shall be made on a rotational basis so that one-half of the Committee members are appointed to the Committee annually. #c. Duties. It shall discuss congregational needs and concerns related to the role and work of the Pastor, and it shall attend to the needs and concerns of the Pastor in the conduct of his/her work. 3. Personnel Committee #a. Number. The Personnel Committee consisting of four (4) members shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Board and approved by the General Board. A fifth (5th) member, chosen from within the ranks of the Pastoral Relations and Support Committee, shall be included so as to maintain good communication between the two committees. The Finance Committee Chair will serve as ex officio on this committee. b. Term. Members will be appointed for two year terms. Appointments shall be made on a rotational basis so that one-half the committee members are appointed to the committee annually. c. Duties 1). The Personnel Committee shall take applications and interview all persons to be employed by the Church with the exceptions of the Ministers. 2). With the advice of the General Board and any concerned functional committee, the Personnel Committee shall draft a job description for any position to be filled. # 3). The Personnel Committee shall be authorized to fill any position created and approved by the General Board and to release any such employees. Employees in this paragraph shall mean salaried personnel except ministers. It shall evaluate the Minister(s), review salaries and benefits and make recommendations to the Finance and Stewardship Committees in the areas listed under c. Duties, Pastoral Relations and Support Committee. ^^^4). Complaints concerning employees and questions concerning the possible release of any employees shall be referred to the Personnel Committee, in writing and signed, for their consideration. #5). Each salaried employee shall be responsible to the supervision of the Personnel Committee. 6). The General Board reserves to itself the right to set the number, positions, salary and hours of work of each employee, whether full or part time. ^^^4. Constitution and Bylaws Committee a. Duties 1.) To synchronize the Constitution and Bylaws to the action taken by the General Board. 2.) To assist the Vice-Chair in his or her related duties. b. The Board Secretary shall be included on the Bylaws Committee. 5. Special Committees When needed to administer the work of the Church, the Board Chair shall appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, such special committees as may be needed. These committees shall perform duties assigned to them and shall continue for the Church year unless otherwise designated. D. Section D. Auxiliary Organizations

1. Auxiliary organizations shall be the Christian Womens Fellowship, the Christian Youth Fellowship and the Christian Mens Fellowship. 2. The purpose and responsibility of each of these groups shall be outlined in their own constitution, bylaws or plan of procedure. 3. These organizations shall cooperate with the functional committees of the Church, but also in the best interest of the total Church. ARTICLE V. SENIOR MINISTER A. Section A. Selection 1. The General Board shall consider the nomination of the Pulpit Committee and if approved, recommend the prospective Minister to the Church. It shall be the policy of the Church to consider only one prospective Minister at a time. 2. The recommendation of the General Board must be accepted by at least two-thirds majority of Church members present, and voting in a regular or special business meeting before a call may be extended. B. Section B. Call A written statement setting forth the job description and salary to be paid and other conditions of the call shall be made in duplicate, one copy for the Minister and one for the Church records. C. Section C. Term The term of ministry shall be an indefinite period and may be terminated by the Church or the Minister upon sixty (60) days written notice. ARTICLE VI. ASSOCIATE MINISTER(S) A. Section A. Selection The Senior Minister shall have primary responsibility in the interviewing and selection of Associate Minister(s). A committee appointed by the Chair of the General Board, in consultation with the Minister, shall recommend the prospective Associate to the General Board for approval and to the congregation for acceptance. B. Section B. Call A written statement setting forth the job description and salary to be paid and other conditions of the call shall be made in duplicate, one copy for the Minister and one for the Church records. C. Section C. Term The term of the ministry shall be an indefinite period and may be terminated by the Church or the Minister upon sixty (60) days written notice. D. Section D. Other Staff With the calling of a new Senior Minister, all other staff members must submit resignation effective at the discretion of the new Minister, sixty (60) days after the Ministers assumption of duties. ARTICLE VII. **** MEMORIAL FUND A. Section A. Establishment The congregation shall maintain a Memorial Fund. The Memorial Fund shall be managed by the Memorial Fund Committee under the direction of the General Board. The Memorial Fund shall consist of gifts and bequests to the Church, including the principal with all earnings from the gifts, to be used for deserving endeavors as determined by the General Board. B. Section B. Fiscal Year and Investment The fiscal year of the Memorial Fund shall be the same as that of the congregation. All funds shall be kept in a separate account and designated as Memorial Fund of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

and invested in first class securities with preference given to any sound investment program of the Disciples of Christ. C. Section C. Types of Accounts Memorial or Bequest Gifts may be received and disbursed in two types of accounts: Project Funds and Perpetual Fund. 1. Project Funds. A project fund is one which the use has been predetermined by the benefactor and the Church. Such funds will be disbursed under the provisions established by the benefactor, providing the terms and conditions of any such endowment or bequest can be met. a. The list of purposes for which gifts may be designated shall be maintained and published by the Committee in an informational brochure, and this list shall be recorded in the official minutes of both the Fund Committee and the General Board. The list may be altered and funds reallocated if projects for which funds have been designated are deemed unlikely to be completed after a reasonable time and/or if a change in the needs of the congregation justify re-allocation of Designated Funds for better stewardship. b. Donors wishing to designate a contribution shall be advised of the established projects approved by the General Board. A donor wishing to designate a gift for another purpose may consult with the Pastor, Chair of the Memorial Fund Committee, or Chair of the General Board, and the donors wishes will be taken under advisement for possible acceptance. Any gift specified for a purpose different from established projects shall be agreed to at the discretion of the Memorial Fund Committee. The donors designation of a gift shall not, in all cases, be binding upon the Committee, but preference shall be given to the donors desires if possible. c. All funds for which the benefactor has not predetermined its usage will be allocated to a project fund as deemed appropriate by the Committee. 2. Perpetual Funds. Perpetual funds are for the purpose of receiving gifts and bequests, the principal sums of which shall remain in income producing investments. a. Only the earnings from the Perpetual Fund are to be used by the Church, with the exception that a maximum expenditure often percent of the principal may be used along with current interest on any project in a twelve (12) month period of time upon proper approval by the General Board. Use of earnings from the Perpetual Fund shall be determined annually by the General Board in consultation with the Memorial Fund Committee. b. The term principal shall mean the sum donated to the Memorial Fund and any unexpended interest income received on account of such specific bequest or donation. c. The term interest shall mean interest earned within the fiscal year immediately past and not reinvested with the principal sum of said fund. d. A percent of the earned interest, to be determined annually by the Committee, shall be reinvested in the Perpetual Fund for protection against changes in the financial market and/or for the building up of these funds. e. Memorial Funds are not to be used for current expenses of the Church unless so designated by the donor and said designation approved by the General Board. f. A pass book account shall be maintained to receive small gifts until such time that they may be added to a Perpetual Fund, or the Committee at its discretion may place small gifts in one or more of the Designated Funds. D. Section D. Recognition Names of donors shall be recorded in a Memorial Book which shall be kept on display in the Church at all times. In all cases, donors shall be given a note of appreciation which also informs them of the Memorial Book recording. E. Section E. Memorial Fund Committee a. Membership. The Memorial Fund Committee shall consist of six voting members. They are as follows: Chairman of the General Board, member of the Finance Committee, member of the Board of Trustees, Recording Secretary and two Church members at large. The Pastor shall be a non-voting member. The

Church members at large must be fiscally accountable and capable of organizing and encouraging the responsible use of the Fund for the betterment and vision of the Church. b. Term. The two members at large shall be appointed from the congregation by the Trustees for terms of two (2) years, each member being appointed on a rotational basis annually.The Trustees shall also appoint a Recording Secretary for a term of two years. The terms of the Committee Chairman and the Recording Secretary may have the right of succession. A quorum shall consist of four (4) of the members at a properly set meeting. c. Duties. 1. The Memorial Fund Committee shall manage the Memorial Fund of the Neosho First Christian Church under the direction of the General Board, and in compliance with these bylaws. 2. The Committee shall operate in a manner normally expected of any committee and set proper rules for holding meetings, keep full and accurate minutes of all meetings, and give account to the General Board of all decisions regarding disbursement of funds. An annual account shall be made to the General Board, or more often if requested. The books of accounts shall be maintained by the Chair of the Committee and shall at al times be open to inspection by General Board members appointed by the Chair of the Board. A petty cash fund may be maintained by the Recording Secretary for the purchase of supplies. 3. The Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the General Board for investment, reinvestment and application of the Memorial Funds and all interest earnings of the funds and for what would constitute good stewardship of the Funds. Final determination and approval of any investment or expenditure of the principal or interest contained in the Memorial Fund shall rest with General Board of the Church. 4. The Committee shall educate the congregation about the Fund, shall promote contributions to the Fund, and acquaint the congregation as to the manner of receiving, investing and disbursing of the funds. The Committee shall never encourage gifts to the detriment of any regular giving to established church programs. 5. The Committee shall have the authority to commingle all or any part of the property at any time with any other property at the time held by it in trust, for the purposes of investing the property to better advantage and of practicing good stewardship of the funds. ARTICLE VIII. ++ PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUNDS POLICY I. PURPOSE The primary purpose of the Permanent Endowment Fund of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Neosho, Missouri is to expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ in the World, serving human needs in our community and around the world. It is not intended to compete with the regular annual giving of members, or to diminish opportunities for responsible stewardship by present or future members. All assets of the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be considered permanent. Each year an amount shall be spent from the Permanent Endowment Fund for ministry. For purposes of this document, the amount to be spent annually shall be: A. An annual withdrawal of 5% of the market value of the Permanent Endowment Funds investment portfolio as measured on the last day of the previous calendar year or; B. The funds income, whichever is smaller. . TYPES OF GIFTS Permanent funds are usually not memorial funds, reserve funds or building funds. A separate policy usually governs these gifts. Gifts to the Permanent Endowment Fund may come in a variety of forms, including cash, stocks, bonds, real estate and tangible property. All gifts received in any form other than cash shall be converted to cash at the gifts fair market value as soon as practical. Real estate that might

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be used by the Church itself for expansion or some other purpose may be held in its original form if approved by the General Board upon recommendation of the Trustees overseeing the Permanent Endowment Fund. A gift may be refused upon recommendation of the Trustees of the Permanent Endowment Fund and passed by the General Board. Any gift designated for the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be considered permanent and cannot be spent. Undesignated gifts greater than $5,000, in the form of bequests, the residual value of charitable trusts and charitable gift annuities, and life insurance shall be considered as gifts to the Permanent Endowment Fund. Up to 10% of such designated gifts may be retained for local non-budgetary use if there is a significant or pressing need. PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUND TRUSTEES The members of the Memorial Fund Committee shall serve as the Trustees of the Permanent Endowment Fund. The current Chair of the General Board and the current Senior Minister shall be ex-officio members without a vote. Responsibilities of the Permanent Endowment Fund Trustees: A. Meet at least three times per church year. B. Provide a written report annually to the General Board and to the congregation. The report shall include gifts received during the year, investment transactions, amount spent for ministry and the value of the fund at year-end. C Allocate the funds to be spent for ministry to the appropriate committees. ANNUAL SPENDING FOR MINISTRY A. Spending from designated gifts shall be according to the donors instructions. B. Spending for ministry from the Permanent Endowment Fund will be as follows: 1. Fifty percent will be designated to new ministries. 2. Thirty percent will be designated to a reserve fund to meet future capital needs or debt retirement. 3. Ten percent will be designated for outreach causes and will be transferred to the Outreach Committee for expenditure. These funds will not be considered as part of the Outreach budget. 4. Ten percent will be spent according to the recommendation of the Finance Committee with approval of the General Board. If the funds are used to support the current operational budget, they may never represent more than 20% of the total budget. AMENDMENTS This policy may be amended by two-thirds vote of the members of the General Board who are present and voting at two successive meetings provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership of the General Board at least thirty days prior to the first vote thereon. TERMINATION In the event that the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Neosho, Missouri should terminate its ministry, the assets of the Permanent Endowment Fund shall be transferred to the Christian Church Foundation, Inc. with instructions from the Trustees of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Neosho, MO for future spending.

ARTICLE IX. RULES OF ORDER All business meetings of the General Board shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order in all instances where applicable and not directly in conflict with these bylaws. ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS The bylaws may be amended by a majority of the General Board present and voting in a regular or special meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the General Board at a preceding meeting.

** Amended: June 7, 1992 *** Amended: September 5, 1996 **** Amended: October 1, 1996 ++ Added March, 2003; Composed May, 2002 ^Amended December 7, 2008 ^^Amended January 4, 2009 ^^^Amended March 1, 2009 #Amended February 7, 2010