The Constitution of the United Church of Christ (UCC) declares that Christ is the head of the church. First and foremost, Lakeview UCC is a Christian church that acknowledges Jesus as Christ, as Savior.

A church is a special kind of organization with religious purposes to love God and love our neighbors. Nevertheless, as a congregation of human beings, we have to govern ourselves here on earth. As a not-for-profit corporation, Lakeview UCC has members, a governing Executive Committee, and professional staff.

The members of the church are like corporate stockholders. The members own the church and have ultimate decision-making authority to call (hire) a minister, build a new building, accept a mortgage, approve the budget, and so on. As is true for all UCC congregations, Lakeview is an autonomous, self-governing congregation. Through our Constitution and Bylaws, Lakeview members delegate their authority to a eight-member Executive Committee that is led by the Moderator/President who serves a one-year term. Any member of the congregation is eligible to be elected to the Executive Committee. If you were to ask the members of the church if they ever served on the governing board, almost all of us would answer yes.

The congregation also calls by election its senior minister. The relationship between the congregation and the minister is in part governed by a call agreement, or contract. In addition, Lakeview employs a Children, Youth and Family Minister, music director, keyboardist/accompaniest, childcare provider, and church secretary. In its relationship with its professionals, the church pays due consideration to guidelines from the United Church of Christ, its Ohio Conference, and the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association.