Dear Servants family,
 
As I announced at the Annual Meeting, we will be making some much needed updates to our bylaws this fall. These updates will bring us into alignment with our Diocese and Province (The Anglican Church in North America). They will also bring some necessary consistency and clarity to our common life. The Vestry has approved the linked proposed bylaws for your consideration. We have also put together a FAQ to answer some of the questions you may have about the proposed bylaws available below.
 
We will have two information sessions about the proposed bylaws:
 
  • Wednesday, November 5, 7pm (online – Google Meet)
  • Sunday, November 9, after the service (in-person)
 
There will be an opportunity to ask questions at both of these sessions.
 
We will have a Special Parish Meeting to approve these bylaws on Sunday, November 16, immediately following our service.
 
In addition, questions and feedback can be submitted to feedback@servantsanglican.org. We are sending all of this well in advance to give you adequate time to review, ask questions, and provide feedback. I am deeply grateful for the hard work of our Bylaws Task Group and Vestry in preparing these proposed bylaws.
 
In Christ,
 
The Rev. David Trautman
Rector (Senior Pastor)
Servants of Christ Anglican Church
 

Proposed Bylaws FAQ

 

How can I access the proposed bylaws?

You can access the proposed bylaws online here: Proposed Bylaws Draft

You can also request a printed copy of the proposed bylaws by emailing our administrator (admin@servantsanglican.org).

 

Why do we need new bylaws? What is wrong with our current bylaws?

There are three primary reasons why new bylaws are necessary: necessary updates, alignment with current practice, and necessary clarifications and corrections. First, our current bylaws were written prior to the formation of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the Gulf Atlantic Diocese (GAD). This has resulted in many of our bylaws being inconsistent with the Constitution & Canons of both the ACNA & GAD. As a member church in ACNA & GAD, we are required to make our bylaws align with ACNA & GAD. Second, there are several places where our current bylaws do not match our current practice. This ranges from how we place individuals in leadership positions to how we structure committees. We need to have consistency between what we say we will do and what we actually do in practice. Third, there are several places where our current bylaws are unclear or need to be corrected. The proposed bylaws bring much more clarity to how we function as a church body.

 

Why do we need a complete new set of bylaws? Couldn’t we just tweak our current bylaws?

The scope of changes necessary was large enough that it made more sense to the Vestry to start from scratch. If we had attempted to make all of the necessary changes, it would have been a long and arduous amendment process. Sometimes starting with a clean slate is simpler than lengthy and convoluted revisions.

 

Who drafted and approved the proposed bylaws?

The proposed bylaws were drafted by the Bylaws Task Group (appointed by the Vestry). Task Group members consisted of: David Trautman (Rector), Ramona Chance (Senior Warden), Dave Rhodes (Junior Warden), Rick Carnell (Treasurer), Bernie Daquila (Vestry member), and Jose Boada. The proposed bylaws have been approved by the Vestry. The proposed bylaws will face final approval at a Special Parish Meeting on November 16, 2025. All current members will have an opportunity to vote on the proposed bylaws at that time.

 

What are the most significant changes in the proposed bylaws?

There are three significant changes in the proposed bylaws: accession to ACNA & GAD, Vestry selection, & membership requirements. First, the proposed bylaws have us agree to abide by the Constitution & Canons of the ACNA & GAD (see Article 1, section 103). This required accession clause is not currently in our bylaws, but is required by ACNA & GAD. Second, it has been the consistent custom to select Vestry members by lot, instead of holding an election. The proposed bylaws bring us into alignment with this longstanding custom by explicitly stating how members are selected for Vestry (see Article 3, section 303). Third, the proposed bylaws adjust our membership requirements to bring them into alignment with historic Anglican practice and the requirements for membership in ACNA & GAD (see Article 11, section 1103). The proposed bylaws require that members be confirmed or received into the Anglican Church in North America. The proposed bylaws also require being publicly welcomed into the congregation.

 

If I am already a member of Servants, will my membership status be affected by the proposed bylaws?

No, your current membership status will remain the same. However, we strongly encourage every member to be confirmed or received into the Anglican Church if they have not done so already. Confirmation is required for all Vestry members. Part of the changes we are proposing is to eliminate a two-tier membership between members and confirmed members. After the proposed bylaws have been officially adopted and approved, future members will have to meet the new requirements of membership.

 

How can I get more information and ask questions about the proposed bylaws?

We will have two information sessions about the proposed bylaws on November 5 (online – Google Meet) and November 9 (in-person). There will be an opportunity to ask questions at both of these sessions. In addition, questions and feedback can be submitted to feedback@servantsanglican.org.