Sunday  
December 7, 2025  
ULC Constitution

Preamble:

In order to avail ourselves of the facilities of the University Lutheran Chapel and Student Center and of the pastoral ministrations provided by the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for our edification, encouragement in the performance of Christian duties, and the fostering of Christian fellowship and mutual helpfulness, we, members of the University Lutheran Chapel herewith adopt the following constitution for our government.

Article I

Name: The name of this congregation shall be the University Lutheran Chapel of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Article II

Doctrinal Standard: This congregation accepts all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the only infallible authority in all matters of faith and life; also, all the declarations of the Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, as a true and genuine exposition and declaration of the Word of God.

Article III

Mission Statement: University Lutheran Chapel is a fellowship of Christian students nurturing friendships and providing spiritual support while encouraging one another to become more active members of the Body of Christ within the Chapel and to be Christ's ambassadors while at the University and throughout our lives.

Article IV

Membership: The membership of this congregation includes the following:

  1. Baptized members are all those who have been baptized in the name of the Triune God;
  2. Communicant members are those who have been confirmed in the Lutheran faith, accept the doctrinal standards of Article II, are familiar at least with the basic Christian doctrines, and are not members of organizations whose principles and conduct conflict with the Word of God.
  3. Associate members have all the rights and privileges of Communicant members, but retain primary membership in a home Lutheran congregation during their college years, or attend Lutheran Doctrine class and accept the doctrinal standard of Article II.
  4. Voting members are those who qualify as Communicant or Associate members and have reached the age of 16 years; for the privilege of voting in the Voters' Assembly and to be elected to an office, members shall sign a copy of this Constitution, kept for this purpose by the secretary of the congregation, at a Council Meeting or a Voters' Assembly.
  5. Reception into membership is through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism; Communicant members are received by the rite of Confirmation, by transfer from a sister congregation, upon profession of faith or by re-affirmation of faith. All memberships shall be approved by the Voters' Assembly, or in an interim time, by the Chapel Council.
  6. Duties of members: all members are expected to support the mission and ministry of this congregation through devotion to and participation in worship, Bible study, prayer, service, and financial offerings. Members are encouraged to serve as voters, officers, and chairs or members of boards and committees.
  7. Termination of membership happens by transfer to a sister congregation; by death; by joining another congregation outside of our fellowship; by excommunication; or by self-exclusion, defined as 24 months of complete inactivity. Members who conduct themselves in an unchristian manner shall be admonished according to Matthew 18:15-20.

Article V

The Office of Pastor: The pastoral office of the congregation shall be conferred only on such pastors or candidates who profess and adhere to the confessional standards set forth in Article II of this Constitution, are certified by Synod, and who are qualified for their work; they shall be pledged to this confessional standard. The Pastor shall attend the meetings of the Voters' Assembly and of the Council and of its committees, and shall have voice and vote.

Article VI

Government: The government of this Assembly consists of an Executive Committee, a Council, and the Voters' Assembly.

  1. The Executive Committee consists of the Officers of the congregation, namely, the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, together with the Pastor. As the legal representatives of the congregation, the President shall sign legal documents, make contracts, represent the congregation in court and hire non-called workers, as directed by the Chapel Council. The President may assign this duty to other members of the Executive Committee where appropriate.
  2. The Chapel Council consists of the Executive Committee, the peer ministry staff, and the chairs and members of the following committees: Worship, Spiritual Growth, Outreach, Fellowship, Communication, and Property. It is charged with the month to month decisions and programs of the congregation. It shall be held accountable to the Voters' Assembly for the progress of the congregation toward its stated purposes. The establishment and conduct of all organizations and societies within the congregation shall be subject to the approval and the supervision of the Council. The Council shall have the authority to accept people into membership between Voters' Assembly meetings.
  3. The Voters' Assembly shall be the ultimate governing body of the congregation with the right of calling the Pastor and electing the Officers. No congregational officer, board or committee member shall have authority beyond that which has been conferred upon them by the Voters' Assembly and/or the Chapel Council.
  4. Decisions: All matters of doctrine and of conscience shall be decided only by the Word of God; all other matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those present and eligible to vote. Council meetings shall be held monthly at a time determined by the executive committee. Meetings of the Assembly must be announced during services the two Sundays prior to the day of the meeting. Agendas of any meeting must be circulated at least one week before the meeting. A quorum is the number of members present at a validly called meeting, except that a number of voting members at least equal to twenty percent of the previous term's attendance, not including spring and summer terms, shall be required for calling or removing a pastor, or removing an officer.
  5. Removal from Office: Any pastor or officer may be removed from office by the Voters' Assembly by a two-thirds majority ballot vote of those present and voting in Christian and lawful order for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, or willful neglect of duties. The congregation may request the resignation of any pastor or officer from his position in the congregation in the case of prolonged incapacity or general incompetence.

Article VII

Property Rights: The physical plant is owned by the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which is responsible for its major repairs and maintenance. The congregation assumes the responsibility for general upkeep and utilities.

Article VIII

Synodical Membership: In order to do the Lord's work more efficiently at home and abroad, this congregation maintains membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as long as the Synod adheres to the Confessions designated in Article II of this Constitution.

Article IX

Amendment: This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths majority vote of those present at an Assembly meeting, provided a copy of the proposed changes is posted in a conspicuous place in the Chapel or is sent to all members prior to the meeting in which such vote is to be held.

Article X

Unalterable Articles: Articles II and X shall be unalterable.

By-Laws of University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Article I

Election of Officers: Nominations for Officers shall be submitted to a Nominating Committee consisting of three persons appointed by the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidates which may be supplemented by nominations from the floor. No nominee shall be added to the ballot without his or her consent. Election of Officers shall be held in the regular March Assembly meeting and shall be done by majority vote in a secret ballot. Elected Officers shall be limited to a single one-year term in each office.

Article II

Calling of a Pastor: In the case of a pastoral vacancy, a Call Committee shall be formed consisting of the Executive Committee and up to four members of the congregation appointed by the Chapel Council. The congregation will be solicited for suggested candidates. These names will be submitted to the office of the District President with the request for an official list of candidates. The call committee shall review the list in the manner and to the degree that it deems necessary. The resulting list shall be offered to the Voters' Assembly at any subsequent regular or special meeting of the congregation. No nominations may be accepted from the floor at the meeting. The election shall proceed by ballot. The candidate who shall receive a majority of the votes of the members present and voting shall be declared elected; it is recommended that a unanimous vote be declared. The pastor thus elected shall then be extended a Call in the name of the congregation. The Call document shall be signed by the Executive Committee and the Vacancy Pastor. When a candidate from one of our seminaries shall be called, such a Call shall be extended through the District President, the Council of Presidents and the Seminary.

Article III

Vacant Executive Committee Positions: In the event that an elected position is not filled or becomes vacant, the existing Executive Committee shall appoint someone to fill that position. Former Officers may be included in this selection.

Article IV

Appointment of Committee Chairs: The Executive Committee shall appoint the Committee Chairs by the end of the Winter term. It shall also be responsible for ensuring that each committee has at least the minimum number of members.

Article V

Council: The Council shall consist of the Executive Committee, the peer ministry staff, and the chairs and members of the following committees: Worship, Spiritual Growth, Outreach, Fellowship, Communication, and Property. See appendix for committee descriptions.

Article VI

Amendment: These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of those present at a Council or Assembly meeting.

Article VII

Rules of Order: The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the final authority in all matters of procedure not outlined in the constitution and by-laws.

Last Updated:
April 1, 2004