The Design is the foundational document upon which the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is structured.  There is no other document that we use as a denomination to establish rules or order. 
 
THE DESIGN FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
Preamble
1 As members of the Christian Church,
We confess that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of the living God,
and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.
In Christ's name and by his grace
we accept our mission of witness
and service to all people.
We rejoice in God,
maker of heaven and earth,
and in the covenant of love
which binds us to God and one another.
Through baptism into Christ
we enter into newness of life
and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit
we are joined together in discipleship
and in obedience to Christ.
At the table of the Lord
we celebrate with thanksgiving
the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church
we receive the gift of ministry
and the light of scripture.
In the bonds of Christian faith
we yield ourselves to God
that we may serve the One
whose kingdom has no end.
Blessing, glory and honor
be to God forever. Amen.

2 Within the whole family of God on earth, the church appears wherever believers in Jesus Christ are gathered in his name. Transcending all barriers within the human family such as race and culture, the church manifests itself in ordered communities of disciples bound together for worship, for fellowship and for service, and in varied structures for mission, witness and mutual discipline, and for the nurture and renewal of its members. The nature of the church, given by Christ, remains constant through the generations; yet in faithfulness to its mission it continues to adapt its structures to the needs and patterns of a changing world. All dominion in the church belongs to Jesus Christ, its Lord and head, and any exercise of authority in the church on earth stands under his judgment.

3 Within the universal body of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States of America and in Canada is identifiable by its tradition, name, institutions and relationships.  Across national boundaries this church expresses itself in free and voluntary relationships in congregational, regional and general manifestations. Each manifestation, with reference to the function for which it is uniquely responsible, is characterized by its integrity, self-government, authority, rights and responsibilities. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and constantly seeks in all its actions to be obedient to his authority.

4 In order that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through free and voluntary relationships may faithfully express the ministry of Christ made known through scripture, may provide comprehensiveness in witness, mission and service, may furnish means by which congregations may fulfill their ministries with faithfulness in Christian stewardship, may assure both unity and diversity,
and may advance responsible ecumenical relationships, as a response to God's covenant, we commit ourselves to one another in adopting this design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

5 In keeping with this design the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall: establish a General Assembly, a General Board and an Administrative Committee of the General Board; provide for general administrative units and such other organizations as may be required; provide for and act in and through related regional manifestations (hereinafter referred to as "regions"); establish, receive
and nurture congregations; define procedures for the ordering of its ministry; develop or recognize new forms of ministries for mission, education and service; provide for appropriate consultation and procedures whereby existing organizations may make any necessary transition within the provisions of this design; and seek to provide for continuing renewal and reformation.

I. NAME
6 The name of this body shall be CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST).
II. MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION

7 As a member of the whole body of Christ, every person who is or shall become a member of a recognized congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) thereby holds membership in the region in which that congregation is located and in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

8 Regions may develop procedures of recognition whereby other persons and groups who support the purposes of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may participate in regional and general work.

III. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN THE
UNITED STATES AND CANADA
9 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) manifests itself in the United States and Canada through a general organization. 

A. The General Assembly
10 The general representative body of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)shall be the General Assembly. In all of its worship, deliberation and work, the General Assembly shall seek to manifest the wholeness and unity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) within the one body of Christ.

11 All members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who register for the General Assembly shall have all privileges of the Assembly except that voting privileges shall be limited to the following:
       (a) Voting representatives from congregations. Each congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall be entitled to have two voting representatives, plus one additional voting representative for each 500 participating members or major fraction thereof over the first 500.  These voting representatives from congregations shall be in addition to persons holding the office of ordained minister.
       (b) Voting representatives from regions. Each region shall be entitled to have one voting representative for each 3,000 participating members or major fraction thereof within the region.  Each region shall have a minimum of three voting representatives. These voting representatives from regions shall be in addition to persons holding the office of ordained minister. The voting representatives from each region shall include both men and women.  In addition, each region shall be entitled to one voting representative, who must be an undergraduate college student at the time of election, plus one additional such student voting
representative for every 20,000 participating members or major fraction thereof in excess of 20,000 members within the region.
       (c) The ordained and licensed ministers who have ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in accordance with the policies established by the General Assembly (see paragraphs 94 and 95).
       (d) Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) not otherwise voting members who are the chief administrative officers of institutions of higher education and general administrative units which are recognized by the General Assembly.
       (e) Members of the General Board not otherwise voting members.
       (f) Former Moderators and Vice Moderators not otherwise voting members.

12 Voting members of the General Assembly shall serve from the beginning of one General Assembly to the beginning of the next General Assembly. No person shall have more than one vote in the General Assembly, and no person shall vote in absentia or by proxy. Congregations and regions may name alternates to replace voting representatives provided for in 11(a) and 11(b) who are unable to attend.

13 Members of churches historically related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), upon invitation of the chair, may have the privileges of the floor of the General Assembly except vote.

14 The General Assembly shall:
       (a) plan and conduct Assembly programs for worship, for the education of its members and for the transaction of business;
       (b) receive and act upon proposed policy and program, reports and resolutions, and other items of business duly referred to it as hereinafter provided;       
       (c) elect officers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);
       (d) elect the General Board members for which it is responsible;
       (e) make provision and approve procedures for the financial support of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including its various regions, general administrative units and institutions of higher education; and
       (f) determine the basis of cooperative relationships of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with other religious bodies, organizations and agencies, and be responsible for authorizing unity and union conversations, consultations and negotiations with other Christian communions. (Appropriate national ecumenical relationships may be maintained in both Canada and the United States. The
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada, which is related to the General Assembly both through congregations and the All-Canada Committee, shall be responsible for matters pertaining to the ecumenical and Christian unity concerns of national bodies in Canada, and may take the initiative in relating itself to any and all Canadian and world ecumenical bodies.)

15 Regular meetings of the General Assembly shall be held every second year at a time and place to be fixed by the General Assembly. Under extraordinary circumstances the General Board may call special meetings of the General Assembly.

16 The General Assembly shall have such committees as it may deem necessary, including but not limited to: Credentials Committee, which shall certify that voting representatives have been properly accredited; Committee on Reference and Counsel, which shall serve as the business committee during the General Assembly; Assembly Program and Arrangements Committee; and Assembly
Time and Place Committee. These committees shall be elected by the General Board on the recommendation of the Administrative Committee.

17 All items of business to be considered by the General Assembly, except in cases of emergency, shall be received by or originate with the General Board. Items of business may be filed with the General Board by any congregation, region, institution of higher education, general administrative unit or organization with recognized relationships with the general manifestation of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), or by the governing board of any such body. Such items of business must be filed through the office of the general minister and president at least 180 days in advance of a meeting of the General Assembly in order to allow sufficient time for the General Board to review and refer them with appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly. All items of business
shall be circulated among the congregations and regions by the office of the general minister and president at least 60 days in advance of the General Assembly meeting.

18 An item of business may be considered an emergency if its content is of such nature that it could not have been regularly filed 180 days prior to the Assembly. Such items of business may be filed when submitted by ten or more voting members of the General Assembly from not fewer than five
congregations to the Committee on Reference and Counsel, which shall decide whether such items are emergencies and, if so, make appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly as to their disposition.

19 A quorum for the transaction of business by the General Assembly shall be 40% of the voting members certified by the Credentials committee as registered and present at the Assembly. If a quorum is not present at any business session, matters to be considered will be referred to the next business session. If a quorum is not present in the final business session, matters which were to be
considered shall be referred to the General Board. The General Board may take interim action within established policy of the General Assembly, subject in all matters to a review of its action by the next subsequent General Assembly.

20 Should the General Assembly at some time in the future deem it advisable to replace this design with a constitution, the process for preparing and adopting a constitution shall be as follows: The General Assembly shall authorize a commission under the General Board to prepare a constitution
for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) based upon the principles set forth in this design.  When a proposed constitution has been prepared and recommended by the General Assembly, it shall be sent to the congregations, regional bodies, and general administrative units for study. The General Assembly shall declare the constitution for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) adopted and in force when it has been approved by two-thirds of the regional bodies, two-thirds
of the general administrative units, and by two-thirds of the voting members of the General Assembly present and voting.

B. The General Board
21 The General Assembly shall establish a smaller deliberative body responsible to the General Assembly which shall be called the General Board. Under broad policies determined by the General Assembly, the General Board shall:
       (a) receive, review and refer to the General Assembly with appropriate recommendations all items of business presented as provided in paragraph 17;
       (b) establish the procedures whereby the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may engage in planning its total program of work and witness;
       (c) receive, review and approve the financial objective of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);
       (d) review and evaluate the program of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in accordance with its recognized mission, and make appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly;
       (e) receive and initiate proposed policy to be referred with recommendation to the General Assembly for action;
       (f) establish procedures for continual renewal and structural reform;
       (g) consult and confer with staff members in consideration of matters under review and evaluation;
       (h) elect the members of an Administrative Committee;
       (I) elect or confirm the governing bodies of general administrative units for which it is responsible;
       (j) elect the committees of the General Assembly, and;
       (k) assume and discharge such other responsibilities as may be assigned to it by the General Assembly.

22 Between meetings of the General Assembly, the General Board may take interim action within established policy of the General Assembly in behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), subject in all matters to a review of its action by the subsequent General Assembly.

23 The General Board shall consist of members elected for terms of four years. Such elected members shall include laymen, laywomen and ordained ministers with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), not more than one-half nor less than one-third of whom shall be ministers. They shall be elected in the following manner:
       (a) Each region shall elect from that region one member of the General Board for every 10,000 participating members or major fraction thereof within the region. There shall be at least one such member elected by each region.
       (b) From among the voting membership of the immediately previous General Assembly, the General Nominating Committee shall nominate an equal number of members of the General Board for election by the General Assembly.
       (c) In addition, if necessary to provide representation for the various groups and concerns within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which may not otherwise be represented, the General Nominating Committee may nominate up to ten members-at-large who are not from the voting membership of the General Assembly for election to the General Board by the General Assembly.
       (d) Persons serving on the Administrative Committee who are not otherwise on the General Board shall be voting members of the General Board.
       (e) The Immediate Past-Moderator shall be a voting member of the General Board for two years following the term of office as Moderator.
       (f) As a sign of this church's commitment to the visible unity of the whole church, there shall be four ecumenical members, each one from a different North American communion, to be elected to the General Board by the General Assembly, with voice and vote.
       (g) In addition the following shall be members ex officio of the General Board without vote: the chief administrative officer of each general administrative unit; each regional minister; and two chief administrative officers of institutions of higher education designated by the Division of Higher Education as representatives of liberal arts education and seminary education. Other employed personnel of general administrative units and of regions shall not be eligible to serve on the General Board.

24 Members of the General Board shall begin their terms of service on January 1 following their election and shall serve until their successors have been elected and qualified. Elected members of the General Board who have served two full consecutive terms shall not be eligible for re-election until one biennium has elapsed.

25 Regular meetings of the General Board shall ordinarily be held annually at a time and place to be fixed by the General Board, except that the meeting in the year in which the General Assembly shall convene shall be held not more than 90 days nor less than 60 days prior to the beginning of the regular meeting of the General Assembly. One-half of the voting membership of the General
Board shall constitute a quorum. The meeting of the General Board in a year in which a General Assembly is not held may be canceled by action of the Administrative Committee, and the business to be transacted at such meeting may be carried out at a meeting of the Administrative Committee upon specific reason for the cancellation being furnished to the members of the General Board and
a majority affirmative vote of the members of the General Board being secured by mail ballot. Special meetings of the General Board may be called under extraordinary circumstances by the Administrative Committee.

C. The Administrative Committee of the General Board
26 There shall be an Administrative Committee of the General Board elected by the General Board. This Administrative Committee shall consist of 40 members, at least 30 of whom shall be from the voting membership of the General Board. In addition, the moderator, the two vice-moderators, and the general minister and president shall be members ex officio. The secretary, the treasurer, and the parliamentarian shall be members ex officio without vote.

27 The Administrative Committee shall meet at least two times each year and shall be organized to carry out its work and to implement policies and actions of the General Board, and shall assume and discharge such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to it by the General Board.  The officers of the General Assembly, in consultation with the General Minister and President, shall
have the authority to cancel one meeting of the Administrative Committee in any year in which there is not a General Assembly and to authorize the Executive Committee to meet in place of the Administrative Committee to transact necessary business, specific reason for the cancellation being furnished to the members of the Administrative Committee and a majority affirmative vote of the Administrative Committee being secured by mail ballot.

28 The Administrative Committee shall provide for long-range planning for the work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and shall forward all resulting proposals for review and evaluation by the General Board and disposition by the General Assembly. It shall promote and coordinate the activities of the several general administrative units to assure that such actions conform to the policies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

29 The Administrative Committee shall fill vacancies in offices elected by the General Assembly, subject to ratification by the General Assembly at its next regular meeting. It shall submit to the General Assembly through the General Board any recommendations it may deem useful for the development of the effectiveness and efficiency of the life, mission, work and organization of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

30 The Administrative Committee shall be responsible for regular review and evaluation of the budgetary and promotional procedures for financing the various regions, general administrative units and institutions of higher education of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

31 Such budgetary and promotional procedures shall reflect the fact that while congregations are responsive to the needs of general and regional programs established with the participation of the congregations' representatives in the general and regional assemblies, all financial support of the general and regional programs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by congregations and
individuals is voluntary.

32 The Administrative Committee shall prepare the business agenda for the meetings of the General Board, and appoint committees not otherwise provided for. Where other procedures have not been provided by the General Assembly or General Board, matters of grievance and appeal may be referred by individual members, ministers, congregations, regions or general administrative
units to the Administrative committee for final decision.

33 Twenty members of the Administrative Committee shall be elected annually by the General Board for a term of two years to begin at the close of the General Board meeting in which they are elected except in those years when a Biennial General Assembly is held, in which case terms shall begin at the close of the General Assembly. An elected member of the Administrative Committee
who has served three full consecutive terms shall not be eligible for re-election until one biennium has elapsed. No more than two persons from any one region shall serve simultaneously as elected members of the Administrative Committee. Ecumenical and At-Large (Student/Youth) representatives shall not be considered to have a regional affiliation. To achieve an adequate representation of both lay persons and ministers, not more than one-half nor less than one-third of the Administrative Committee shall be ministers.

34 One-half of the membership of the Administrative Committee shall constitute a quorum.

D. Officers
35 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall have two kinds of officers -- non-salaried officers of the General Assembly, and salaried general officers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

a. Officers of the General Assembly
36 The officers of the General Assembly shall be a moderator, a first vice-moderator, a second vice-moderator, and such other officers as the General Assembly may from time to time determine. These officers shall be nominated by the General Nominating Committee and elected by the General Assembly for terms of two years.

37 The moderator shall preside at the sessions of the General Assembly, the General Board and the Administrative Committee, and assume such other responsibilities as may be assigned by these bodies. The vice-moderators shall assist the moderator in presiding at the sessions of the General Assembly, the General Board and the Administrative Committee, and assume such other
responsibilities as may be assigned by these bodies. The moderator and vice-moderators shall normally include a minister, a layman and a laywoman. These officers shall take office upon the adjournment of the regular meeting of the General Assembly in which they are elected and hold office through the next regular meeting or until their successors have been elected and installed.

38 A parliamentarian shall be appointed by the moderator with the approval of the Administrative Committee, who shall serve during the business sessions of the General Assembly, the General Board, and the Administrative Committee, advising on parliamentary questions which may arise. Unless otherwise provided, all proceedings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised.

b. General Officers of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
39 The general officers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall be a general minister and president, a secretary, a treasurer and such other officers as the General Assembly may from time to time determine. The general officers shall be salaried personnel of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

40 The general minister and president shall be concerned for the pastoral care and nurture of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As the chief executive officer of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the general minister and president shall preside over meetings of the general staff and shall have voice but not vote in the meetings of the general administrative units of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In ways appropriate to the office, the general minister and
president shall represent the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in interchurch relations and in ecumenical circles or appoint a representative. The general minister and president shall be an ordained minister with standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He/she shall be elected and called to this ministry by the General Assembly upon nomination by the Administrative Committee through the General Board for a term of six years, and may be re-elected for one full or partial term. A General Minister and President may be removed from office by a majority vote of the General Assembly upon recommendation of the General Board. In the nomination and election of the general minister and president, a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in each of the Administrative Committee, the General Board and the General Assembly shall be required.  In the event of a vacancy in the Office of General Minister and President, the Administrative
Committee shall name the person to fill the vacancy until the next General Assembly.

41 A secretary and a treasurer shall be designated from the staff of the general minister and president. The secretary shall keep the record of the proceedings of the General Assembly, the General Board and the Administrative committee, and serve as the corporation secretary as may be required by law and perform such other duties as may be assigned to this office. The treasurer shall be the corporation financial officer and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to this office. The secretary and the treasurer shall be elected by the Administrative Committee on nomination by the general minister and president for terms of two years and may be re-elected.

E. General Administrative Units
42 The General Assembly, upon recommendation of the General Board, shall establish or recognize general administrative units for broad areas of work, central administrative functions, an specialized study and service to meet responsibilities of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in its mission of witness and service to the world.

43 The General Board shall approve the purpose and function of each general administrative unit and shall elect or confirm the members of the governing body of each unit. The responsibilities , manner of selection and tenure of office for the members of the governing body of a general administrative unit shall be determined with reference to its purpose and function and shall be specified in its bylaws or rules of procedure.

44 Each general administrative unit shall select its officers and staff. Each unit shall be called upon to enter into an agreement with the General Board or include in its bylaws or rules of procedure a provision for any new chief administrative officer to be elected by its board following consultation with the general minister and president as provided for in paragraph 58, and with the advice and
counsel of the Administrative Committee of the General Board. Following election, recognition by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall be bestowed upon a new chief administrative officer by the General Board in an appropriate act.

45 A general administrative unit may be incorporated and shall administer its program and financial affairs, and establish or retain its bylaws or rules of procedure in accordance with provisions established by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through the General Assembly.

46 Each general administrative unit shall facilitate policy decisions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) accounting for its work through regular reports of its plans and actions to the General Board, which shall refer them to the General Assembly with recommendations for appropriate action. General administrative units shall provide interim summary reports to the Administrative Committee to enable it to exercise its responsibility for promoting and coordinating the activities of the several general administrative units to assure that such actions conform to the policies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

F. Relationships of Other Organizations
47 The General Assembly, upon recommendation of the General Board, may recognize relationships of other organizations with the general manifestation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

48 The relationship of such an organization shall be determined with reference to its purpose and function, and normally shall be through a general administrative unit. A request for such a relationship shall be referred to an appropriate general administrative unit for negotiation of the basis of relationship.

49 The plans and activities of such an organization may be reported to the General Board through the general administrative unit with which it is related. A review of such reports and the action of the General Board shall be included in the report of the General Board to the General Assembly. Each of these organizations may send a designated person to meetings of the General Board, who may, upon invitation of the chair, have the privileges of the floor of the General Board except vote.

50 Where relationship through a general administrative unit is not appropriate or possible, the relationship may be through the office of the general minster and president.

G. Continual Renewal and Structural Reform
51 The General Board shall maintain procedures for continual renewal and structural reform under policies approved by the General Assembly. To further the process, existing general administrative units may be called upon to reassign staff, budget and functions for this purpose. In any interunit adjustment as well as in development of any new general administrative units of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), existing organizations remain intact, subject to modification by mutual consent of the organizations involved in light of the corporate judgment of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)as expressed through the General Assembly. Full protection shall be given to all legal and contractual relationships, including trust funds and pension funds.

H. Nominations and Elections
52 There shall be a General Nominating Committee consisting of 20 members elected by the General Assembly. The General Nominating Committee shall be widely representative and not more than one member shall be from any one region. One-half of the members at the time of their election shall be from the membership of the General Board, and not more than one-half nor less than one-third shall be ministers. Each biennium the Administrative Committee shall nominate 10 persons for election by the General Assembly to a term of four years on the General Nominating Committee. Nominations for the General Nominating Committee may also be made from the floor of the General Assembly. A member of the General Nominating Committee may serve only one full term.

53 The General Nominating Committee shall accept suggestions from throughout the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and shall maintain records of suggested nominees and their qualifications. When selecting candidates for offices, the General Nominating Committee shall consider, but not be limited to, all names suggested.

54 The General Nominating Committee shall select one nominee for each of the following offices to be elected by the General Assembly: moderator, two vice-moderators, and members of the General Board whose election is vested in the General Assembly as provided in paragraph 23. The report of the General Nominating Committee on these nominations shall be sent to the congregations and regions at least 60 days prior to the meeting of the General Assembly. Provision shall be made for nominations from the floor of the General Assembly.

55 The General Nominating Committee shall also present to the General Board the nominees for positions whose election or confirmation is vested in the General Board as provided in paragraph 21, including: the members of the governing bodies of the various general administrative units, the elected members of the Administrative Committee, and members of Committees, Task Forces, Commissions and Panels.

56 The Office of General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall provide staff and counsel for the General Nominating Committee.

57 The general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall be elected by the General Assembly upon nomination by the Administrative Committee through the General Board. In the nomination and election of the general minister and president a two-thirds vote of those present and voting in each of the Administrative Committee, the General Board and the General Assembly shall be required. In all other elections a majority of the votes cast shall elect.

58 The chief administrative officers of the various administrative units shall be elected by their respective governing bodies following consultation with the general minister and president and with the advice and counsel of the Administrative Committee of the General Board.

IV. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN REGIONS
59 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) also manifests itself organizationally in geographic units called regions. The following principles shall guide the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the development of its regions.

A. Nature and Purpose
60 The primary factor by which the church determines the development of its regional expressions is the character of the ministry to which Christ calls his people in their mutual commitment to him and to one another.

61 The purpose of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in regions is twofold: (1) to extend the ministry of Christ in mission, witness and service among the people and social structures of the region; and (2) to establish, receive and nurture congregations in the region, providing help, counsel and pastoral care to members, ministers and congregations in their mutual relationships, and relating
them to the worldwide mission and witness of the whole church.

62 Identifiable geographic, cultural, sociological and political factors provide boundaries which the church may use to establish its own regional structures (1) by which the church carries out regionally its ministry of mission and nurture, (2) in which congregations and ministers find their primary relationships of mutual support and encouragement, (3) which provide opportunities for regional fellowship, worship and assembly for the consideration of matters of mutual concern, and (4) which help to relate the three manifestations of the church-congregational, regional, and general-to each other in the functioning of the whole church.

B. Membership and Participation
63 As a member of the whole body of Christ, every person who is or shall become a member of a recognized congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) thereby holds membership in the region in which that congregation is located.

64 Regions may develop procedures of recognition whereby other persons and groups who support the purposes of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may participate in regional and general work.

C. Functions
65 Regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) perform within their established boundaries the function of the church related to their two-fold purpose of mission and nurture.

66 1. Mission. In fulfilling the mission of the church, regions are sensitive to the needs of the world about them and lead their members in identifying and serving such human needs. Regions take initiative in developing new forms of ministries in mission, witness and service, and in dealing creatively with their role in the whole task of the church. Wherever ecumenical action is possible to fulfill their mission, regions should join with similar geographic units of other religious bodies and
with present and emerging ecumenical structures.

67 2. Nurture. Regions are concerned for the continuing renewal of the life of congregations, members and ministers, and offer leadership in matters of mutual concern. Within policies developed by the General Assembly, regions certify the standing of ministers and provide help, counsel and pastoral care to ministers and congregations in such matters as: ordination, licensing, ministerial relocation, establishment and dissolution of pastoral relationships and installations of
ministers. Regions seek to supply a ministry for congregations without full-time pastoral services and offer counsel and assistance in cases of difficulties between ministers and congregations.

68 As an integral part of the whole church, regions witness to the unity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by calling congregations to an awareness of their opportunities and responsibilities beyond local concerns. They also help to relate congregations to the total program of the whole church. By calling the general manifestation of the church to an awareness of the needs both of congregations and of regions, the regions help to relate the general manifestation to the life and work of congregations.

D. Shape and Boundaries
69 The shape and boundaries of regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) reflect their primary purpose of mission and nurture. Regions may vary in size and shape as determined by such criteria as: the number and location of members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and existing congregations; the recognition of existing or emerging functional regions unified around such
matters as finance, transportation, facilities, communications media, employment and educational development, and the needs and resources of the regions. It is recognized that in response to the changing imperatives of mission and the conditions of human life, new manifestations of the church may emerge in the process of developing the shape and boundaries of the regions of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ).

70 Constitutions and bylaws of regions shall be in harmony with this design.

71 The General Board shall provide procedures for the continuing modification of the shape and boundaries of existing regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in keeping with the principles set forth in this design.

72 In the development of any new regional boundaries, existing regional organizations shall remain intact, subject to modification by mutual consent of the regions involved, in the light of the corporate judgment of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as expressed through the General Assembly.

73 Should a constitution and bylaws of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) be prepared and adopted, they shall reflect the principles set forth in this design, the results of related studies, and the experience gained in the realignment of regional organizations as related to shape and boundaries.

E. Structure and Staff
74 Regions develop their particular structures and organize their boards, departments and committees for the most effective fulfillment of their ministry and mission. Regions may establish or recognize area organizations within their boundaries. Regions secure or retain their charters, adopt their constitutions and bylaws, and formulate their declarations of covenantal relationship, consistent with the principles of this design. With due regard for the welfare of the other manifestations of the church as a whole, regions exercise rights and responsibilities as they share creatively in the total mission of witness and service. Regions own and manage their property, determine their budgets and administer regional finances within the limits of resources available. Through their assemblies regions provide for worship, for the education of their members, for fellowship, and for the transaction of business by voting representatives from the congregations.

75 Regions call regional ministers as their spiritual and administrative leaders and to be the chief executive officers of the regions. Each region develops stated processes for nominating and electing its regional minister, including procedures for seeking counsel from the Office of the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Regions employ other regional staff as required to meet their responsibilities in mission and nurture.

76 Regions are represented in the General Assembly as provided in paragraph 11 Items of business for consideration by the General Assembly may be submitted by regions by filing such items with the General Board through the Office of the General Minister and President at least 180 days in advance of a meeting of the General Assembly. Regions receive from the Office of the General Minister and President a copy of all items of business to be considered by the General
Assembly at least 60 days in advance.

77 Regions are responsible for electing members to the General Board as provided in paragraph 23; each region elects from that region one member of the General Board for every 10,000 participating members or major fraction thereof within the region. There shall be at least one such member elected to the General Board by each region. In addition, the regional minister shall be a member ex officio of the of the General Board without vote.

78 In the selection of the General Nominating Committee as provided in paragraph 52, regions may submit to the Administrative Committee each biennium names of persons for possible membership on the General Nominating Committee.
79 As provided in paragraph 30, the budgetary and promotional procedures for financing the various regions, general administrative units and institutions of higher education shall have regular review and evaluation by the Administrative committee.

80 Where other procedures have not been provided by the General Assembly or General Board, matters of grievance and appeal may be referred by regions to the Administrative Committee as provided in paragraph 32.

V. CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN CONGREGATIONS
81 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) manifests itself in congregations, both in the historic form of the local church and in new corporate structures for mission, worship and service which the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may establish or recognize.

A. Recognized Congregations
82 All congregations listed in the latest Year Book and Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall be recognized congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Other congregations desiring recognition or congregations desiring to withdraw from recognition in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall follow established procedures for Year Book and Directory listing. Congregations which follow the procedures for listing after the
publication of the latest Year Book and Directory and are recorded in the Year Book and Directory office shall also be recognized congregations.

B. Rights and Responsibilities
83 In adopting this design, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affirms that congregations in their freedom in Christ have both rights and responsibilities. As part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations share creatively in its total mission of witness and service. Equally, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in its general and regional manifestations sustains its congregations through its commitment to their welfare and needs. Thus, concern for the integrity
of each manifestation is shared and witness is given to the interrelatedness of the whole church.

84 Among the rights recognized and safeguarded to congregations are the right: to manage their affairs under the Lordship of Jesus Christ; to adopt or retain their names and charters or constitutions and bylaws; to determine in faithfulness to the gospel their practice with respect to the basis of membership; to own, control and incumber their property; to organize for carrying out the mission and witness of the church; to establish their budgets and financial policies; to call their ministers; and to participate through voting representatives in forming the corporate judgment of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

85 Among the responsibilities by which congregations voluntarily demonstrate their mutual concern for the mission and witness of the whole church are the responsibility: to proclaim the gospel and administer baptism and the Lord's Supper; to provide for the spiritual nurture of their members and families; to grow in understanding that the church is a universal fellowship, transcending all barriers
within the human family such as race and culture; to sustain their ministers in faithfulness and honor and, in matters pertaining to relationships with them, to seek counsel from the regional minster; to be faithful in Christian stewardship, striving to share proportionately in providing the resources for the total life, work and witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); to choose voting
representatives to the general and regional assemblies; and to seek to realize the oneness of the church of Jesus Christ through cooperation with other churches of the community and with present and emerging ecumenical structures.

86 While congregations are responsive to the needs of general and regional programs established with the participation of the congregations' representatives in the general and regional assemblies, all financial support of the general and regional programs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) by congregations and individuals is voluntary.

C. Representation
87 (1) Congregations are represented in the General Assembly by voting representatives of their choosing. Each congregation is entitled to be represented in the General Assembly by two voting representatives, plus one additional voting representative for each 500 participating members or major fraction thereof over the first 500. These voting representatives shall be in addition to its ordained and licensed ministers who are voting members as provided in paragraph 11 (c). (2)
Items of business for consideration by the General Assembly may be submitted by congregations by filing such items with the General Board through the Office of the General Minister and President at least 180 days in advance of a meeting of the General Assembly. Congregations receive from the Office of the General Minister and President a copy of all items of business to be considered by the General Assembly at least 60 days in advance. (3) Congregations are
represented in their regional assemblies according to the provisions of the constitutions and bylaws of their respective regions.

88 Participating through their voting representatives in the general and regional assemblies, of which they are a part, congregations and individuals in the exercise of their rights and responsibilities and in the fulfillment of their ministries are encouraged to hold in high regard the actions, decisions and recommendations of these assemblies, expressing in love any dissent from such actions or positions. Where other procedures have not been provided by the General Assembly or General Board, matters of grievance and appeal may be referred by congregations and individual members to the Administrative Committee as provided in paragraph 32.

VI. MINISTRY
89 The fundamental ministry within the church is that of Jesus Christ. He calls his church to participate in his ministry.

90 By virtue of membership in the church, every Christian enters into the corporate ministry of God's people. Within the corporate ministry, each Christian fulfills her or his own calling as a servant of Christ sent into the world to minister. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shall seek to provide all its members with opportunities to exercise this ministry.

91 In addition, the church recognizes an order of the ministry, set apart or ordained, under God to equip the whole people to fulfill their corporate ministry. To this end, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) inducts into the order of its ministry men and women holding the following offices:

92 (a) The office of ordained minister, bestowed by ordination, including such persons as: pastors, associates, chaplains, ministers of Christian education and missionaries; teachers with ministerial standing; administrators and ministers serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) beyond the local congregation and in ecumenical relationships;

93 (b) The office of licensed minister bestowed by license and an appropriate act of dedication.  Licensing permits the exercise of ministerial function in specific situations with periodic review, in such cases as the following: (1) a worker who is duly commissioned by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to a specialized full-time church vocation; (2) a theological student who has not yet fulfilled all qualifications for ordination, but who may be authorized to serve under supervision in ministerial capacity; (3) a person who has not fulfilled educational standards for
ordination but in whom the church discerns manifest gifts for ministry and who may be licensed to serve under appropriate supervision as pastor of a particular congregation or in ministerial capacity
on the mission field; and (4) persons engaged in congregationally-based community ministries of justice and reconciliation where regional nurture and certification are deemed appropriate.

94 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),through the General Assembly, shall approve general policies and criteria for the order of the ministry, including such matters as: commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian character, theological education, candidacy, ordination and licensing, ministerial standing, ministerial ethics, ministerial relocation, support, pensions and emergency needs, and other matters relating to the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ).

95 Within policies developed by the General Assembly, regions certify the standing of minsters and provide help, counsel and pastoral care to ministers and congregations in such matters as: ordination, licensing, ministerial relocation, establishment and dissolution of pastoral relationships, and installations of ministers. Regions seek to supply a ministry for congregations without full-time
pastoral services and offer counsel and assistance in cases of difficulties between ministers and congregations.

96 The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) may establish such associations of ordained and licensed ministers as will enable them to express the common concerns of the ministry.

97 The offices of the eldership and the diaconate are ordered by the congregations, through election and recognition with appropriate ceremony, for the performance of certain functions of ministry appropriate to the offices. (a) A person elected to the eldership is authorized to exercise within the congregation which elects him or her the ministerial functions which it assigns for periods
of time which it specifies, such as: sharing in the ministration of baptism and the Lord's Supper and the conduct of worship, and sharing in the pastoral care and spiritual leadership of the congregation.  The eldership is a voluntary ministry, each congregation having a plurality of elders. (b) A person elected to the diaconate is authorized to serve in the congregation which elects him or her for
periods of time which it specifies by assisting in the ministration of baptism and the Lord's Supper, in the conduct of worship, and in the pastoral care and spiritual leadership of the congregation. The diaconate is also a voluntary ministry.

VII. REVISION AND AMENDMENTS
98 Revisions and amendments to this design may be made by a three-fourths vote of the voting members of the General Assembly present and voting, providing such revision or amendment shall have been regularly filed 180 days in advance of the meetings of the General Assembly and circulated among the congregations and regions 60 days in advance of the General Assembly.  

ASCRIPTION
99 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.