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For your information: - The session agreed that the Model bylaws available from the PCUSA web site and endorsed by the Presbytery would be our model to develop our Parkway Bylaws -- The model does not recognize the exception for church ownership of property - Rev Harvey Jenkins suggested the wording for the exception Section of Article 1 - Stan Trappe, local attorney and elder at Grace, reviewed the DRAFT Parkway Bylaws. Both Harvey Jenkins and Terry Dyer recommended that we needed an attorney to review the DRAFT Bylaws. Stan has done bylaws reviews for the Presbytery. - Stan recommended: - removing Section 6, Article 1 - using Harvey's wording for the exception to include deleting section 8 - Rewording model Article VIII to specify two third of members at the called meeting - At issue is the removal of Section 6. Rev Jenkins, Rev Dyer, Pastor Connors, and Rev Cameron believe that Section 6 is needed. Stan said Section 6 is not needed and makes the Bylaws confusing. - Based on the above, I recommend that we keep Section 6, using Harvey's wording (Section 7), delete section 8 from the model, and reword Article VIII. If you approve the proposed Bylaws, the final step is to secure congregational approval of the by-laws at a corporate meeting. |
The Session of Parkway Presbyterian Church has drafted these By-Laws. Please take some time to review them. If you have any questions or comments, please contact an Elder. |
Parkway Presbyterian Church By-Laws Background: - In June 1984 the congregation voted to take the property exemption allowed by the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This exemption would grant Parkway Church the authority to buy, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any church property without written Presbytery approval. o Furthermore, the Book of Order requires exempt churches to incorporate for the purpose of holding property title. - In April 1992, the session filed as a not-for-profit corporation and was incorporated by the State of Florida. o The Articles of Incorporation require By-Laws. - The proposed Parkway Presbyterian Church By-Laws will finalize and complete the set of administrative actions begun in 1984 to give Parkway Presbyterian Church the property exemption allowed by the Book of Order. Discussion: - The proposed By-Laws establish the foundation for exercising the property exemption allowed by the Book of Order. o The model for the Parkway Proposed By-Laws was provided by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and endorsed by the Presbytery of Florida. - A brief summary of the two of the more significant portions of the By-Laws follows: o Article I, Section 7. Particular Property Requirement. This section states "When buying, selling, and mortgaging real property, the Board of Trustees shall act only after the approval of the congregation granted in a duly constituted meeting." o Article VIII. Amendments. This section states, "The By-Laws may be amended or added to, or new bylaws may be adopted, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the corporation at the called meeting…" Summary: - Your Session in the October 21, 2007 meeting endorsed the proposed By-Laws and recommended congregational approval. |