together, or himself invite them at a public
service, to the end that together they may consider, consult and decide
when there is need to build or to repair, to resolve or to execute.

"8. No one of the church councilmen shall have authority to do anything
which requires a decision by all, but what is needful to be done shall
be considered and decided by all in common. But if members are unable to
be present through sickness or other causes, or if those present are not
of one mind, the majority shall decide.

"9. When the church council (Kirchen Collegium) meets, the pastor shall
begin with prayer to God, and then he shall present the matters to be
considered. He himself shall have two votes, and he shall take diligent
care that all things be done in an honorable, Christian and orderly way,
for God loves order and hates disorder.

"10. Whoever would be and remain a regular member in our Christian
church should strive to be at peace with all men, according to Christ's
teachings, and rather endure wrong than to contend for trifles, and when
any of us are subjected to so great wrong that he cannot bear it, the
Christian magistracy is appointed to protect the good and to punish the
wrong doers. But when brothers, members of one congregation, dispute
about every little matter, and hasten to bring it before the
magistrates, an occasion of offence is given, as Paul says in I Cor. 6:
1-8. If, therefore, the members of our congregation have any
disagreement with each other, they should appear before the church
council and be directed and reconciled in a Christian manner, if the
matter may thus be adjusted. If, however, any will not do this, but is
disposed rather to quarrel and judge, and will not yield when it is
reasonable, and stubbornly persists in his own wrong-headed way, he
should be excluded from the congregation until he confesses his wrong
and amends.

"11. The week before the Lord's Supper is administered the church
council should meet, when necessary, to settle any strife.

"12. When the Annual Great Church Convention is held (meeting of the
ministerium), two of the church councilmen must, without fail, be sent
as delegates, in the name of the congregation, to consult and advance
the common welfare. But as these two men will have expenses, such
expenses should be repaid out of the common treasury, if they request
it, for the laborer is worthy at least of his food, even though he
desire no reward.

"13. When l