Charter for the Mystic Congregational Church Council Task Force

Examining the

Relationship of Mystic Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ

(dated November 25, 2006  including Change 1)

I.    Background and Purpose

In order to address questions and concerns raised by the congregation regarding our relationship with the United Church of Christ, the Church Council hereby establishes a Task Force named the Task Force for Examining the Relationship of Mystic Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ to examine the relationship between the Mystic Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ. 

In establishing this Task Force, the Church Council recognizes that our relationship with the United Church of Christ forms part of our church identity.  As we move forward together as a congregation, the Church Council further recognizes the critical importance of fully examining this relationship in a manner that is open, inclusive, and gives voice to all points of view. 

The Task Force is established for the following purposes:

1. To research the relationship of Mystic Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ and make factual findings.
2. To educate the congregation on the relationship of Mystic Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ.
3. To gather opinions from the congregation encompassing all views regarding the relationship of Mystic Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ and report to the Church Council on the “sense of the congregation” regarding the relationship.

The Church Council will use the findings of the Task Force to inform decisions regarding our relationship with UCC as we move forward.

II.    Membership and Authority

The Task Force shall act as an Ad Hoc Committee under section 10.19 of the Bylaws of the Mystic Congregational Church.  The Task Force shall act under the authority and supervision of the Church Council.  Task Force reports and plans of action shall be subject to review by the Church Council.  The Church Council shall have the authority to approve or reject any report or plan of action and direct the Task Force to conduct further deliberations.

The Chairperson of the Task Force (or designated representative) shall attend all Church Council meetings while the Task Force is established.  Upon completion of its task, the Task Force shall be automatically dissolved.

The Task Force shall consist of up to 9 members of the congregation at large.  The Senior Pastor shall serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Task Force.  The Senior Pastor shall be invited and welcome to attend all Task Force meetings.  However, Senior Pastor attendance at Task Force meetings is left to the discretion of the Senior Pastor.  

The Church Council shall have authority to select, review, and approve the membership of the Task Force.  The Church Council shall seek to empanel a Task Force with the following characteristics:

1. The views of Task Force members should reflect the spectrum of views present within the congregation regarding our relationship with the UCC.   Nominally, 3  members of the Task Force would have generally positive views of the relationship, 3 would have generally neutral views, and 3 would have generally negative views.   If this balance cannot be achieved because of a lack of volunteers willing to serve, the Church Council will endeavor to come as close to such a balance as is reasonably practical under the circumstances, giving due consideration to the spectrum of views within the congregation.
2. Task Force members should be open minded and willing to listen to other points of view regarding our relationship with the UCC.

The Church Council shall appoint a Task Force Nominating Team consisting of the Senior Pastor and two members of the Church Council.   The Task Force Nominating Team shall interview potential Task Force members using interview questions approved by the Church Council.  Using the desired Task Force membership characteristics listed above and based on the results of the interview process, the Task Force Nominating Team shall recommend candidates for the Task Force to the Church Council.  The Church Council shall have the authority to approve or disapprove any member of the Task Force and direct the Task Force Nominating Team to conduct further deliberations.  With the exception of the Senior Pastor, members of the Church Council who serve on the Task Force Nominating Team shall not be eligible to serve on the Task Force.

III.    Execution

The Task Force shall execute its work in three phases: Phase I- Research, Phase II- Education, Phase III- Sense of the Congregation.  The milestone dates provided for the execution of each phase will serve as a guide to the Task Force in executing its duties. Throughout all phases, the Task Force Chairperson shall keep the Church Council apprised of the status of the Task Force’s work and informed of its findings.   The Task Force shall provide monthly status reports at the regularly scheduled Church Council meetings.  The Church Council may request more frequent reports as it deems appropriate. The Task Force is encouraged to provide more frequent updates to the Church Council as it deems appropriate.  The Task Force may recommend changes to the schedule based on the progress of its work.

The Task Force shall follow the behavior covenant adopted by the Church Council in executing its work.

A. Phase I- Research

During Phase I, the Task Force shall research and learn about our relationship with the UCC from a historic perspective, a polity perspective, and a covenant perspective.  In conducting this research, the Task Force shall engage with leaders of the UCC in their deliberations.  In examining our relationship with the UCC, the Task Force may examine other relationship models to provide counterpoint.  The Task Force shall submit a written report to the Church Council of the findings of its research.  The report shall address the strengths and weaknesses of our relationship with the UCC from the perspective of our church.  The report shall include majority and dissenting findings.  The report will serve as a basis for Phase II- Education.

Phase I Milestones

            Appointment of the Task Force: March 4, 2007

            Approval of Report on UCC Relationship: July 11, 2007 

B.  Phase II- Education

The Task Force shall develop and execute an education plan based on the findings of the research reported in Phase I.  The plan shall ensure that the congregation is educated on all findings of the committee and encourage factual discussions about our relationship with the UCC.

Phase II Milestones

            Approval of Education Plan: September 5, 2007 

            Completion of Education Events: October 15, 2007 

C.  Phase III- Sense of the Congregation

As the education phase concludes, the Task Force shall begin gathering feedback from the congregation regarding our relationship with the UCC.  The Task Force shall solicit input from all members of the congregation.  The Task Force shall provide a written “Sense of the Congregation” report to the Church Council.  The report shall capture the breadth and depth of views held by the congregation regarding our relationship with the UCC but shall not make recommendations regarding the future this relationship.   The report shall contain quantified results based on the empirical data collected.    

Phase III Milestones

            Completion of Opinion Solicitation Period: November 21, 2007 

            Approval of “Sense of the Congregation” Report: January 16, 2008

Record of Changes