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The
Constitution of the
Welcome to the Constitution of
the
It is the collective prayer of
this church that the words contained herein will provide clarity for you, the
reader, in understanding the beliefs and mission of the
Shalom,
May His peace be with you
always.
Rev Doug Baigrie
Full Constitution
April, 1998.
CONTENTS
Section
Title page
Preamble
Contents
1 NAME
2
3 OBJECTS
4 DOCTRINAL AND
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
5 MEMBERSHIP
6 COMPOSITION, CONDITIONS
AND GOVERNMENT
7 ADMINISTRATION,
DESIGNATIONS AND DUTIES
8 CHURCH PRACTICE
9 ESTATE
IN TRUST
10 AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
INDEX appendix 1
GLOSSARY appendix 2
CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
1.1 The name of this church shall
be the "
hereinafter called:- 'this church' or '
2.
2.1 "In professing and exhibiting a Christian witness
under the authority of the Word of God, the Bible Methodist Church depends upon
the Holy Spirit for guidance and ability in ministering the Gospel of our Lord
and Saviour - Jesus Christ, to the spiritual and physical needs of all people -
to the glory of God the Father."
3.
OBJECTS
3.1 To present the gospel of Jesus Christ by proclaiming
the Word of God and through practical ministries of active pastoral
care.
3.2 To establish 'Local Fellowships - in association' that
are free from apostate belief and practice and free from any alliance or
association that dishonours Christ Jesus.
3.3 To nominate Christ honouring missions and individual
believers serving in the Body of Christ for support through prayer and material
assistance.
3.4 To promote the translation, distribution and reading of
the Scriptures, in many languages.
3.5 To encourage
fellowship and unity in accordance with the Scriptures, between all believers
in Christ Jesus.
3.6 To do all
things decently and in order, according to the Scriptures.
DOCTRINAL
AND THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
The doctrinal and theological statement of
this church :-
4.1 GOD:
4.1.1 There is only one true and living God,
co-equal in three persons:- God the Father - God the Son - God the
Holy Spirit, who is Almighty, All knowing, Creator, Eternal, Everywhere
present, Holy, Just, Love, Provider, Redeemer and Sovereign.
4.1.2 In the true and proper Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin
Birth, His real and perfect Manhood, the authority of His teaching and the
infallibility of His Word. His work of atonement for sinful
humanity by His vicarious suffering and death. His
bodily resurrection, His Ascension into heaven and His present priestly
intercession for the redeemed at the right hand of God the Father.
4.1.3 The Holy Spirit is sent by God the Father and Jesus
Christ the Son into the world to
guide and comfort The Church in faith and works and
to convict the World of sin.
4.2 MAN:
4.2.1 Man was created by God. Made
in the image of God, he was created free of sin.
Adam was the first man. God formed woman from man. Eve was the first woman.
4.2.2 Adam had a freewill.
He was tempted to set his will against God and chose to disobey God. This
disobedience produced sin in Adam and Man became a sinner before God.
4.2.3 Because of unrighteousness, fallen Man is at enmity
with his righteous Creator. Sin has broken Man's unique communion and
fellowship with God.
4.2.4 Man cannot restore communion and fellowship
with God by self effort or by any perceived self worth. He is entirely
dependent upon the grace and work of God in Christ Jesus, to redeem him from
his lost state.
4.3 SIN:
4.3.1 Sin is the breaking of God's righteous
Law. The consequence and penalty of sin is death therefore death came into the
world only after Man had sinned. Sinfulness - is the absence of holiness.
4.3.2 By its very nature, sin blinds Man to the depth of
his own wickedness. The whole of creation has been defiled by sin. No one can
attain the righteous standard of God.
4.3.3 Sin is revealed in and to Man by the Law of
God.
4.4 SALVATION:
4.4.1 Salvation is the planned 'free gift' from God
providing for the release of Man from the bondage of spiritual death, thereby
enabling him by grace to receive eternal life.
4.4.2 Salvation is received as a result of the redemptive work of Christ and is
not a right by natural birth, citizenship or any association, religious or
otherwise. It is obtained for the believer by virtue of the shed Blood and
imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Salvation cannot be earned but must be
received by each one as a free gift, following true repentance.
4.4.3 Salvation is sealed for the believer at
the time of conversion and is assured for believers in Christ by receipt of the
gift of the Holy Spirit. Salvation has set believers in Christ Jesus free from
the guilt, power and penalty of sin.
4.5 ATONEMENT:
4.5.1 Atonement for sin is only by the
shedding of blood. Jesus Christ shed His Blood on
4.5.2 Atonement is 'unlimited' on the part of God as Christ died for all
the sins of the World. The personal benefit of the atoning 'work' of God in
Christ is limited only by individual human unbelief,
therefore it is attributed to all who personally believe in the
finished work of God in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
4.6 WORD OF GOD:
4.6.1 The original manuscripts of Scripture were completely
and verbally 'inspired' by God, thereby granting them authority,
sufficiency, and inerrancy as not only containing but being the very 'Word'
of God.
4.6.2 The Word of God; the canon of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament, has been providentially
preserved as the 'Holy Bible' and translated into many languages.
4.6.3 The New Testament bears witness to the
integrity and authority of the Old Testament.
4.6.4 The Holy Bible is the authority for Christian
faith, doctrine, worship, fellowship, and conduct. The
written Word leads to the living Word; the Lord Jesus Christ.
4.6.5 The Church is dependent upon the guidance of the Holy
Spirit for the interpretation and application of the Word of God.
4.6.6 The Church is commissioned to proclaim
the Word of God and the Testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4.7 CREATION:
4.7.1 The Word of God records and testifies that God is the
Creator and that all things were created by and for Him, out of nothing,
through direct creation.
4.7.2 God gave all living things power to procreate or
reproduce their own kind.
4.7.3 God formed Man from the dust of the Earth and
breathed into Man the breath of life and he became a living soul.
4.7.4 The whole creation [cosmos] is totally dependent upon
the mercy of God for its continued existence and eventual release from the ruin
and bondage of sin.
4.8 THE CHURCH:
4.8.1 Believers in every generation, whether born before or
after the first advent of Christ, compose the
4.8.2 The Church is 'triumphant' in Heaven and 'militant' on Earth. The Church
is not of the World but is active in it through all Christian believers and
various Assemblies.
4.8.3 The Word of God is the authority of The Church.
4.9 THE SACRAMENTS:
4.9.1 A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an
inward and spiritual grace.
4.9.2 The sacraments of The Church of Jesus Christ are
Baptism and Holy Communion.
4.9.3 Baptism:- Spiritual
baptism occurs at the same time as conversion, wherein the believer, now in
Christ, has entered into His suffering, death and resurrection to eternal life.
The sacrament of water baptism for the believer, therefore, bears
testimony to the spiritual baptism already realized. Being symbolic, it does
not produce any merit for salvation but is entered into as a visible testimony
and witness of the new life received in Christ.
4.9.4 Holy Communion:- The Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ
Jesus to enable His
followers to regularly call to remembrance His sacrifice as the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the World. The believer communes at the Lord's Supper in
obedience to Christ and in so doing testifies of the expectation of the Lord's
return to receive His Bride, The Church. The celebration of the Lord's Supper
is a means of grace but does not merit salvation.
There is no change to the substance or nature of the bread
and wine which are symbols of the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4.10 MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH:
4.10.1 Christ Jesus is the High Priest of those who have
been spiritually born again.
4.10.2 The priesthood in The Church is vested in all
believers in Christ. Each is called to minister according to their spiritual
abilities, gifts and measure of faith.
4.10.3 Ordination of pastors and elders is reserved for
male believers who are called of God. Other ministries are applicable to
believers of either gender.
4.11 WORSHIP:
4.11.1 Christian worship is the conscious act of honouring
the Lord God in thought, word and deed. Believers should assemble together for
worship, in obedience to the Word of God.
4.11.2 Believers must worship only the LORD God. The
worship of any other being or object is idolatry and it is sin.
4.12 HOLINESS - SANCTIFICATION:
4.12.1 Holiness is the personal dimension of 'separation'
unto God from unrighteousness.
4.12.2 Man, although created sinless, is now sinful because
of rebellion against God and is therefore unholy. In this fallen state of
sinfulness, Man is incapable of becoming holy by self-effort or any personal
merit.
4.12.3 Sanctification is attributed to Man by being born of God through faith
in Christ Jesus. The believer is sanctified; is being sanctified and will be
sanctified. Personal sanctification is progressive, and is acquired by growing
from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity under the guidance, instruction
and conviction of the Holy Spirit.
4.12.4 The Church is sanctified, being
washed in the Blood of the Lamb and is to evidence holiness in belief, manner,
and association as it is manifested in the World.
4.13 INFANT DEDICATION:
4.13.1 Children are a gift from the LORD. Parents who love
the LORD particularly realize this truth. In thankfulness they dedicate the
life of their child to God, fully acknowledging their dependence upon Him for
the wisdom and knowledge required in training their children in the nurture and
admonition of the LORD.
4.13.2 The dedication of infants to the LORD in the company
of saints acknowledges the important place children occupy in the 'mind' of God
and in the Body of Christ.
4.14 BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT:
4.14.1 All believers in Christ Jesus are baptized in the
'Spirit' at the moment of conversion and are therefore indwelt by the Holy
Spirit.
4.14.2 The 'Fruit of the Spirit' bears testimony to
'Baptism of the Spirit' in the believer's
life.
4.15 GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT:
4.15.1 Spiritual gifts are of two types; abiding and
special. The abiding gifts of faith, hope and love are essential for the
Christian life. The special gifts are used to edify the Church and to minister
The Gospel to the World. Spiritual gifts are given and received to be used for
the good of 'all' to the glory of .God
4.15.2 The abiding spiritual gifts are given to all
believers. The special spiritual gifts are not uniformly distributed within the
Body of Christ nor should they be uniformly sought by believers. God
distributes the gifts of the Spirit as He wills. The Scriptures warn of the
danger to the body of Christ of misusing or feigning spiritual gifts and
emphasizes that all spiritual gifts do not equally edify The Church.
4.16 ESCHATOLOGY: (Doctrine of last things)
4.16.1 Christ will return as the triumphant Lord of Lords
and King of Kings, to receive His Bride - The Church - at the culmination of this
present age of Pentecost. He has gone to prepare a place for us in the eternal
4.16.2 The return of Christ will bring the World to an immediate
end. The living and the dead shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
Jesus will judge all the earth.
4.16.3 Sinners who have repented during their life on earth
shall be ushered into the eternal presence of God in their resurrection bodies
and will dwell with Him forever. The unrepentant sinner will be banished from
the presence of God and eternally punished in the lake of fire.
5. MEMBERSHIP
5.1 CATEGORIES:
5.1.1 Child - from birth to eleven years of age.
5.1.2 Junior - twelve to seventeen years of age.
5.1.3 Adult - eighteen years old or over.
5.1.4 Associate- twelve years old and over.
5.2 CONDITIONS:
5.2.1 Membership of this church is held through membership
of a Local Fellowship. Members residing more than 50 kilometers
radius from the nearest Local Fellowship are by definition
'remotely-located-members'.
5.2.2 Adult members are required:-
· to be at least eighteen years of age.
· to confess Jesus Christ as their Saviour
and Lord.
· to graciously live in obedience to the doctrine, law,
practice and discipline for believers in Jesus Christ according to the Word of
God.
· to worship in assembly a minimum of once a month
unless prevented by medical condition, extenuating circumstance or if residing
remotely.
· to endorse the objects and the constitution of this
church.
· to relinquish and refrain from membership of any
organization with beliefs and practices that conflict with this constitution.
5.2.3 Junior members are required:-
· to be at least twelve years of age but under eighteen years of age.
· to confess Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
· to worship in assembly a minimum of once a month
unless prevented by medical condition, parental instruction, extenuating
circumstance or if residing remotely.
· to support youth ministries and events by regular
attendance.
· to endorse the objects and the constitution
of this church.
· to relinquish and refrain from membership of any
organization with beliefs and practices that conflict with this constitution.
5.2.4 Child members are required:-
· to be under twelve years of age.
· to be dedicated to the Lord by their parent/s or
guardian/s.
5.2.5 Associate members are required:-
· to be at least twelve years of age.
· to confess Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
· to participate harmoniously with other members and
adherents and endorse the objects prescribed in this constitution.
5.3 APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
5.3.1 Application for Membership:
A written application may be lodged by the prospective member with the pastor
or eldership of a Local Fellowship, after regular attendance at worship
services spanning a minimum period of three months.
Residing in a remote locality or some other extenuating
circumstance may waiver this attendance prerequisite as determined by a
majority decision of the Local Fellowship members at a congregational meeting
under the counsel of the eldership.
Prospective members under 18 years of age require the
application to be
approved by their parent/s or guardian/s.
5.3.2 Notification
of application:
Notice of prospective membership must be given to the Local Fellowship no
later than the first scheduled congregational meeting after receiving the
application.
5.4 TRAINING:
5.4.1 Membership Classes:
Training shall be undertaken before induction or transfer to any category
of membership. Classes shall be conducted by the pastor or an elder.
The applicant will receive instruction in:-
· essential Christian belief and practice.
· the origin and mission of the Christian Church.
· understanding the concept and purpose of 'church'
membership.
· the history of this church. (BMCA)
· the constitution and the obligations of membership
of this church.
5.4.2 Membership Review:
Members are invited to review their obligations of membership at an annual membership
service on a date as arranged at each Local Fellowship. This review should
assess: - (1) the impact that amendments to the constitution in the ensuing
period may have had on personal beliefs and convictions and (2) whether any
change in personal conviction may now cause conflict with the established
obligations of membership.
5.5 INDUCTION:
5.5.1 Membership Induction:
Induction into membership will be at a regular worship service or at a
special membership service, unless circumstances necessitate other
arrangements. Applicants shall be required to testify of their personal faith
in Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord and to affirm they understand their
obligations as members of this church. Each member shall be issued with a
membership certificate.
5.6 REGISTRATION:
5.6.1 Membership Registers:
A record of membership shall be kept at each Local Fellowship in the
Membership Register. The General Assembly secretary shall maintain a central
record as amended at six monthly intervals from details provided by each Local
Fellowship.
5.7 PRIVILEGES AND LIMITATIONS FOR MEMBERS
AT MEETINGS:
5.7.1 Adult members may:-
· move and/or second motions.
· speak from the floor at meetings by consent of the Chair.
· nominate another adult member or be nominated for office.
· exercise one vote per ballot.
· as a non attending remotely-located-member, not
vote, unless a postal vote is proposed for a particular ballot.
5.7.2 Junior members may:-
· attend and observe proceedings.
· speak from the floor at meetings by consent of the Chair.
· not exercise a vote
· not nominate or be nominated for office
5.7.3 Associate members may:-
· attend and observe proceedings
· speak from the floor at meetings by consent of the Chair.
· not exercise a vote
· not nominate or be nominated for office
5.8 TRANSFER:
5.8.1 Application to transfer membership within
this church or to another assembly:
Application for transfer of membership between Local Fellowships of the BMCA
or to other churches will be received in writing by the pastor. The member will
be issued with a transfer certificate and a letter of reference for
introduction to the body of believers at the new place of worship. Transfer
will take effect at
5.8.2. Receipt of application for transfer of membership
from another assembly:
Applications lodged by members of other churches wishing to transfer to
a Local Fellowship of this church will be evaluated as for new membership. Prospective
members should tender, if possible, a letter of reference from their previous
assembly.
5.9 RESIGNATION:
5.9.1 When a member chooses to resign, the following
procedures and conditions apply.
· The member is to advise the Local Fellowship secretary in writing, giving
notice of the intention to resign and the due date of effect.
· Resignation shall cause forfeiture of all privileges and benefits of
membership, and any claims upon the estate, property and funds of this church.
· If resignation is sought due to a review of membership obligations, the
member may elect to transfer to associate membership in place of full
membership.
5.10 PROCEDURES FOR MEMBERSHIP DISCIPLINE:
This church reserves the right to suspend or cancel
membership and to implement a counseling program for
any member where church discipline is warranted as summarized below:
5.10.1 Suspension of membership:
Membership can be suspended:- (1) due to unchristian conduct and (2) due to
non-compliance with membership conditions generally. Membership rights and
privileges are withdrawn during the period of suspension.
5.10.2 Counseling of
suspended member:
The eldership, as guided by the Scriptures, will give pastoral
instruction to counsel the suspended member. The objective of the counseling is to reconcile the member, [in the instance of
immediate suspension] first and foremost to Christ, and [in the first and
second instance] to the obligations of membership of this church.
5.10.3 Cancellation of membership:
Cancellation, the third stage in the process, is commenced by the eldership
if, after s suspension and counseling, the suspended
member remains unreconciled.
COMPOSITION, CONDITIONS AND GOVERNMENT
6.1 COMPOSITION:
6.1.1 Structure:
This church is composed of Local Fellowships that are in accord in
doctrine, government and administration, as detailed in this
constitution and shall continue as long as there remains sufficient members to
compose a single Local Fellowship with an eldership.
6.1.2 Local Fellowship:
The term 'Local Fellowship' refers to each individual BMCA congregation. A
minimum of three adult members is required to constitute a Local Fellowship.
6.1.3 General Assembly:
The associated Local Fellowships, meeting in conference, constitute the
General Assembly. The General Assembly is the body which makes collective
decisions that affect all Local Fellowships.
6.2 CONDITIONS:
6.2.1 Local Fellowship:
a) Inauguration
Expressions of interest to inaugurate a new Local Fellowship of the BMCA. may be lodged with the General Assembly executive. The
executive will discuss the proposal with the interested parties and,
upon confirmation of their willingness to endorse the constitution, will
recommend that they be inducted as members [if not already members] of an
existing Local Fellowship as a first step toward formation of a new Local
Fellowship.
When at least three adult members in a specific region or locality are ready to
form a Local Fellowship, the General Assembly executive may nominate an officer
of the BMCA to chair an inaugural meeting. Transfer of membership to the new
Local Fellowship will be simultaneous with this inaugural meeting.
Until such time as a Local Fellowship appoints an eldership
to oversee spiritual matters, the General Assembly executive shall nominate
elders from an established Local Fellowship to provide eldership ministries,
duties and spiritual guidance.
b) Dissolution
A Local Fellowship shall be dissolved if the
number of adult members depletes to less than three. The General
Assembly executive, in consultation with the remaining members, shall assist in
winding up all accounts and the dispersal of any estate, property and funds.
The remaining members may elect to transfer their membership to another Local
Fellowship.
c) Decommission
A Local Fellowship not complying with the
constitution will be requested to enter into consultation with the
General Assembly executive. If the Local Fellowship remains unreconciled after
consultation with the General Assembly executive the matter will be placed before
the General Assembly for resolution. If the General Assembly resolves to
decommission the Local Fellowship, it will, with regret, be decommissioned as a
Local Fellowship of the BMCA. However the Local Fellowship, through its
Trust, shall retain control of its estate, and shall also retain liability for
any debt.
d) Disassociation
A Local Fellowship requires a four-fifths majority
(80%) of its adult membership to be favourable to a proposal to disassociate as
a Local Fellowship of this church as a first step toward disassociation. The
Local Fellowship shall give three months written notice of this proposal to the
General Assembly executive. If consultation with the executive during this
period fails to see the proposal reversed, the Local Fellowship shall be
released from association with this church and shall therefore forfeit use of
the title - "
6.3 GOVERNMENT:
6.3.1 Local Fellowship:
The two forms of government within a Local Fellowship are, 'congregational' for
business administration, through the congregational meeting and; 'presbyter'
for spiritual matters, through the eldership. In matters of membership induction
and cancellation, the eldership and Local Fellowship members actively
participate.
6.3.2 General Assembly:
The form of government for the General Assembly meeting in conference is
'congregational', with each member exercising equal value in the decision
making process.
7 ADMINISTRATION, DESIGNATIONS AND DUTIES
7.1 LOCAL FELLOWSHIP:
7.1.1 Operational obligations and conditional autonomy:
a) Obligations
Local Fellowships are required to adhere to the principles, laws, conditions, procedures
and doctrinal beliefs of the BMCA, therefore Local Fellowships shall
comply with the constitution [which in turn is sub-ordinate to the Scriptures]
in matters of doctrinal belief, forms of government, administration and
in the observance of civil law.
b) Conditional Autonomy
In matters of nomination and calling of pastors and elders [except where the
Local Fellowship is spiritually overseen by a delegated eldership]; selection
and induction of officers and trustees; ministry initiatives and methods of
evangelism; order and form of worship; selection of hymnals; selection of a
faithful translation of the Holy Bible for corporate worship; purchase,
acquirement, sale, retention and administration of estate by Trustees; and
ministration of funds, a Local Fellowship may exercise autonomy where such
autonomy does not bring the BMCA into disrepute in The Church or the Community
at large, in which case the General Assembly or its executive may intervene,
except with respect to ownership of estate.
7.1.2 Officers:
a) A Local Fellowship
shall elect from the adult membership at each Annual General Meeting (i) a chairman, (ii) a secretary and, (iii) a treasurer.
b) A Local Fellowship
may elect members as (i) an All Age Church School
superintendent, (ii) a media officer (iii) youth leader/s and (iv) other
officers as required.
If insufficient adult members are available to fill the
positions in paragraph "b" above the Local Fellowship may
nominate and temporarily appoint other persons from the congregation who have
displayed a consistent Christian witness.
7.1.3 Definition and duties of office-bearers:
a) Chairman -
Person elected annually to chair all congregational and executive meetings, to
act as the business administrator of the Local Fellowship; to present a written
report annually to the General Assembly and to countersign cheques remitted on
behalf of the Local Fellowship.
b) Secretary -
Person elected annually to perform secretarial and administrative duties on
behalf of a Local Fellowship and its executive; to record the minutes of
meetings in English, to monitor outgoing and incoming correspondence and to
prepare and distribute meeting agenda.
c) Treasurer -
Person elected annually to perform treasury duties for a Local Fellowship; to
administer congregational funds in authorized accounts, to maintain a record of
income and expenditure, to receipt and confirm all moneys received as cash in
the presence of a witness by signature, to present written financial reports to
congregational meetings and to the General Assembly meeting in conference, to
countersign cheques remitted on behalf of the Local Fellowship and to arrange
audit of accounts by a recognized accountant for each 12 months to June 30.
d)
Person elected annually to oversee and co-ordinate the operation of the '
e) Media Officer -
Person elected annually to arrange media
releases on behalf of a Local Fellowship and to arrange advertising for promotion
of ministries and events in the community.
f) Steward -
Person elected annually to assist
in the preparation of the venue for the conduct of worship and celebration of
the Lord's Supper and other related practical tasks within the Local
Fellowship.
g) Youth Leader -
Person elected annually to plan, implement
and oversee a youth ministry program in association with the Local Fellowship.
7.1.4 Executive:
a) Composition
A Local Fellowship may choose to form an executive. The executive shall be composed
of the chairman, the secretary, the treasurer, the pastor and an un-specified
number of nominated adult members of the Local Fellowship.
b) Duties
The executive will assist in the implementation of
business resolved by congregational meetings and will also administrate
'special' matters of business in the intervening period between congregational
meetings and then report to such meetings on the business undertaken for
endorsement.
7.1.5 Eldership:
The eldership is a governing body of one or more pastors or elders that oversee
a Local Fellowship in areas of ministry and spiritual leadership and is
composed of nominated members called to ordained ministry as either a pastor or
an elder.
7.1.6 Trustees:
Trustees are to be appointed from the adult membership of the Local
Fellowship and must be registered in compliance with the relevant state
government statutory authority. The trust shall elect annually: a chairman, a
secretary, and a treasurer.
7.2 GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The General Assembly, as a minimum requirement, will meet in a conference of
all associated Local Fellowships at least once per annum for the annual general
meeting of this church. If only a single Local Fellowship forms the BMCA then
the annual general meeting of that Local Fellowship fulfils this intent.
7.2.1 Officers:
The General Assembly shall elect annually from the adult membership of the
Local Fellowships-in-association, (i) a president,
(ii) a vice-president, (iii) a secretary and (iv) a treasurer.
7.2.2 Definitions and duties of office-bearers:
a) President -
Person elected annually to provide
spiritual and administrative leadership of the BMCA, to chair the General
Assembly meeting in conference and at executive meetings, to present an annual
written report, prior to the election of officers, to the General Assembly
meeting in conference that reviews the life of this church for the twelve
months to date, to represent this church at civic functions and to countersign
cheques for General Assembly expenditures.
b) Vice-President -
Person elected annually to preside in the absence of the President and to act
as President should the position be vacated before full term until such time as
a new election can be held.
c) Secretary -
Person elected annually who shall record
in English the minutes of the General Assembly meeting in conference and
executive meetings, prepare outgoing and receive incoming correspondence,
prepare meeting agenda for distribution and assist in administrative duties as
required.
d) Treasurer -
Person elected annually who shall
administer General Assembly funds in authorized accounts, maintain an accurate
record of income and expenditure, countersign cheques, and table a written
report to the General Assembly meeting in conference of accounts audited by a
recognized accountant for the 12 months ending June 30.
7.2.3 General Assembly Executive:
a) Composition
At the annual general meeting of the General Assembly an executive will be
appointed, composed of (i) the president, (ii) the
vice-president, (iii) the secretary, (iv) the
treasurer and (v) a minimum of three additional adult members as nominated and
elected.
b) Duties
The executive will assist in and oversee implementation of business resolved by
the General Assembly, convene as required to assist Local Fellowships, meet at
least once a year in preparation for the annual general meeting, tender a
record of minutes to the General Assembly meeting in conference detailing
business undertaken.
7.3 STANDARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES:
7.3.1 Scheduling of Meetings:
a) Local Fellowship -
A Local Fellowship shall hold an annual general meeting in addition to four
regular congregational meetings each year, at intervals determined by
resolution. A minimum of seven days notice must be given to the membership
before convening a congregational meeting.
b) General Assembly -
The General Assembly meeting in conference
for the annual general meeting, shall resolve at that time the date of the next
annual general meeting. A minimum of 21 days notice must be given to the
membership before convening any conference of the General Assembly.
c) Other Instrumentalities -
All other instrumentalities in this church
must meet at least once a year and prepare reports for tabling at respective
Local Fellowship annual general meetings. [e.g. Trust,
All Age Church School, Youth Group Ministry.]
7.3.2 Meeting standards:
a) Agenda format -
Meetings are to be declared open by the chairman - followed by devotional
Scripture reading and prayer. - Notation of members present and apologies
received on behalf of members absent. - Reading of previous Minutes then
business arising. - Correspondence Inwards / Outwards
received. - Financial reports received - followed by miscellaneous reports. -
Election of officers [as applicable.] - General business. - Closing prayer.
b) Method for the resolution of business -
Resolution of business will use the method of moving and seconding a motion
before debate for and/or against the motion can proceed. After debate the
motion as originally moved or as amended will be read to the meeting by the
Chair and voted upon by the eligible membership.
c) Ballot procedures and conditions -
A motion can only be amended before the
ballot. An amendment requires a mover and a seconder and if carried amends the
motion. A motion with a majority against or a tied result is 'not carried'. A
motion lost may be represented after an interval of six months. The Chair does
not have a casting vote. A secret ballot will be held if requested by a minimum
of two eligible members. There is no provision for voting by proxy in the BMCA.
d) Minutes -
Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded
and maintained in English
7.3.3 Funds:
a) Funds shall not knowingly be received as proceeds from unchristian activities,
purposes and sources. [e.g. gambling, theft, giving
with intent for returned favour.]
b) Funds received as income, gift or grant shall be deposited with a
registered financial institution with the name of the account
clearly identifying the purpose for the account. [e.g.
general purpose, ministry, youth ]
c) Authorization to
open an account is by resolution of the relevant meeting.
d) A minimum of two
signatories [normally ex officio office-bearers] are required to countersign
cheques, withdrawals and transfers from accounts.
e) Funds held in
authorized accounts and petty cash holdings shall be used only for
specified purposes in accord with the 'Objects' of this church.
f) Accounts shall be
audited annually by a qualified auditor.
g) A financial year
shall be the twelve months ending June 30.
8. CHURCH PRACTICE
8.1 MINISTRY:
8.1.1 Ordained ministry of Eldership and Pastorship:-
a) Call
The BMCA recognizes that in - The Church - the ordained ministries of
eldership or pastorship are to be occupied only by those who are called of God
into pastoral ministry. A Local Fellowship in calling a candidate for ordained
ministry must adhere to the principles and requirements of Scripture.
An individual who believes he has received a call of
God to ordained ministry may raise the prospect of selection as a candidate for
pastoral training and/or ordination in this church with the relevant eldership.
Recognized qualifications from an accredited theological
training institution, though desirable, are not prerequisite to being accepted
for training, appointment or ordination as a pastor or elder in this church.
b) Selection process
(1) Eldership:
i) A Local Fellowship without an eldership.
A Local Fellowship functioning without an established eldership,
is reliant upon the delegated eldership appointed by the General Assembly
executive for guidance and leadership in spiritual matters. Nomination of a
candidate as an elder will be notified by the Local Fellowship congregational
meeting to the delegated eldership for appraisal of the candidates call and
training requirements. To be eligible for ordination as an elder, the nominee
must meet the New Testament requirements for the office of eldership in The
Church.
ii) A Local Fellowship with an eldership.
A Local Fellowship, with an eldership that needs to increase the number of
elders, may call upon the eldership to select and train future elders from the
membership of the Local Fellowship. To be eligible for ordination as an elder,
the member must meet the New Testament requirements for the office of eldership
in The Church.
(2) Pastorship:
i) A Local Fellowship without an eldership.
A Local Fellowship functioning without an established eldership is reliant upon
the delegated eldership appointed by the General Assembly executive for
guidance and leadership in spiritual matters. The delegated eldership is to be
notified by the Local Fellowship congregational meeting of the nomination of a
candidate for training and/or appointment as a pastor. The delegated eldership will
oversee the selection process taking into account, the life and testimony of
the candidate for Christ, suitability for the office according to the
specifications of the New Testament and other relevant indicators of his call
to serve as a pastor. The candidate would preferably but not exclusively be a
member of the BMCA.
Unanimous agreement by the delegated eldership in accepting
the call of the candidate is required before he can be engaged for
training, probation or ordination. The delegated eldership may be consulted by
the Local Fellowship membership during the selection and training stages of the
process. The final decision to proceed to ordination rests with the delegated
eldership.
ii) A Local Fellowship with an eldership.
A Local Fellowship with an established
eldership may call upon the eldership to nominate a candidate for training
and/or appointment as a pastor. The eldership will keep the membership advised
of its intentions, decisions and actions through extra ordinary or regular
congregational meetings. The eldership will oversee the selection process
taking into account, the life and testimony of the candidate for Christ,
suitability for the office according to the specifications of the New Testament
and other relevant indicators of his call to serve as a pastor. The candidate
would preferably but not exclusively be a member of the BMCA.
Unanimous agreement by the eldership in accepting the call
of the candidate is required before he can be engaged for training, probation
or ordination. The eldership may be consulted by the Local Fellowship
membership during the selection and training stages of the process. The final
decision to proceed to ordination rests with the eldership.
c) Ordination
(i) Criteria - Ordination of elders and pastors in this
church is limited to male candidates only.
(ii) Elder -
Ordination of an elder will be conducted under normal circumstances by the
pastor and the established eldership of the Local Fellowship. In the absence of
a pastor the ordination may be officiated by the established eldership. In the
absence of both forms of office the Local Fellowship will call upon the General
Assembly executive to arrange for ordination by the General Assembly president
and/or the delegated eldership overseeing that particular Local Fellowship.
(iii) Pastor - Ordination
of a pastor will be conducted by the General Assembly president with
participation of an established or delegated eldership, at a time and place
mutually determined.
d) Period of Service and Remuneration
A pastor may be appointed for a full or part-time
engagement for a negotiated or designated period. These arrangements and any
remuneration remain the responsibility of the relevant Local Fellowship as
distinct from the General Assembly.
8.1.2 Lay ministries:
The Local Fellowship may appoint 'lay people' to supplement ordained
ministries to meet the ministry needs of the Local Fellowship in the absence of
ordained pastors and elders.
8.2 BAPTISM:
Baptism by water, reserved for believers in
Christ, will generally be by immersion at a baptismal service as part of, or
apart from, a regular worship service. Methods of baptism other than immersion
may be used where immersion is inappropriate.
8.3 INFANT DEDICATION:
Infant dedications will be conducted at a
worship service of a Local Fellowship where parents of the infant covenant with
God in the company of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to train and
nurture their child in the ways of a child of God.
8.4 COMMUNION:
The Lord's table is open to believers in Christ. The table is to be spread at
least once per calendar month, incorporated in a regular worship service.
Faithful children require parental consent and guidance to partake of the
Lord's Supper.
8.5 WORSHIP:
8.5.1 Worship services:
Worship services shall foster reverent worship of God, with those in attendance
doing all things decently and orderly. The four elementary aspects of a worship
service in this church are reading of and preaching from the Word of God and
prayer to and praise of the living God.
8.5.2 Unedifying use or feigning of spiritual gifts is not
permitted in BMCA assemblies.
9 ESTATE IN TRUST
9.1 ESTATE:
a) Definition -
In this document the term 'estate' is
defined as:- real estate and buildings and miscellaneous improvements upon the
real estate.
b) Acquirement -
The Local Fellowship congregational meeting authorizes the 'trust' to act in
the acquirement of estate to fulfil the 'Objects' of this church.
c) Title -
The 'title' to all estate acquired by purchase, deed, gift, grant, transfer or
other approved conveyance shall be held by the trustees on behalf of the Local
Fellowship.
d) Registration -
Estate held in 'trust' that requires registration shall be registered in the
names of the trustees.
e) Debt -
Debts incurred by the trustees in the
discharge of their duties are to be underwritten by the respective Local
Fellowship and in the event of winding up the affairs of a Local
Fellowship all outstanding debts against respective estate shall remain the
liability of that Fellowship as distinct from the General Assembly.
9.2 TRUST:
a) Definition -
A committee that administrates estate of a Local Fellowship or the General
Assembly. A 'trust' shall have a minimum of three trustees.
b) Trustees -
Adult members of a Local Fellowship
appointed to the 'trust' by the congregational meeting as trustees and who are
registered as trustees in compliance with the conditions of the relevant civil
government laws.
10. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
10.1 CONDITIONS - PROPOSALS - BALLOT:
a) Any proposal to
amend the constitution is to be lodged with the General Assembly secretary in
writing by a Local Fellowship or any individual adult member with the support
of at least one other adult member.
b) After perusal of the proposal by the General Assembly executive all
members eligible to vote whose names appear in the central membership register,
shall be notified of the proposed amendment at least twelve weeks before the
proposal is tabled at a conference of the General Assembly.
c) The proposal must
be moved and seconded as a motion before being debated and subsequently being
put to the 'registered' voters for ballot.
d) Eligible members
who intend voting on the proposal must register their intention beforehand with
the General Assembly secretary, whether voting in person at the conference or
as an absentee voter. There is no allowance made for voting by proxy.
e) Absentee votes must be lodged in a sealed envelope with the General
Assembly secretary by
f) Amendment of the
constitution is carried whereupon after discounting from the total of
pre-registered voters all abstentions, informal and late absentee votes, eighty
percent (80%) of the remainder vote in favour of the proposal.
10.2 IMPLEMENTATION:
Amendments to the constitution shall take
immediate effect unless the time of implementation has been otherwise defined
by resolution. Printed amendments, whether additions,
deletions or some other alteration to the constitution, shall be issued within
six months of the date of the adoption of the amendment. This will be by
insertion of amended or additional pages or if necessary by a complete re-issue
of the entire document.
10.3 APPLICATION:
The General Assembly executive shall advise each Local Fellowship in writing of
any amendments, explaining the effect of the constitutional change to the
operation of a Local Fellowship and on the obligations of each member of this
church.
-- END of CONSTITUTION
INDEX
- A - Paragraph
Abiding spiritual gifts 4.15.1; 4.15.2
Adam 4.2
Administration 7.0
Adult members 5.1.3; 5.2.2
Agenda: format 7.3.2 a
Amendment: constitution 10.0
Application: membership 5.3
Apostate 3.2
Assemble 4.11.1
Associate members 5.1.4; 5.2.5
Atonement 4.5
Authority: CHURCH 4.8.3
Autonomy: local fellowship 7.1.1 b
- B - Paragraph
Baptism: sacramental 4.9.2; 4.9.3; 8.2
Baptism: spiritual 4.14
Ballot 7.3.2 c; 10.1
- C - Paragraph
Call 8.1.1
Cancellation: membership 5.10.3
Chairman: local fellowship 7.1.3 a
Child member 5.1.1; 5.2.4
Church practice 8.0
Classes: membership 5.4.1
Communion 8.4
Composition, Conditions and Government 6.0
Conditions: local fellowship 6.2.1
Conference 6.1.3
Congregational: government 6.3.1; 6.3.2
Constitution amendment 10.0
Cosmos 4.7.4
Counselling: suspended members 5.10.2
Creation 4.7
D - Paragraph
Debt 6.2.1 c; 6.2.1 d; 9.1 e
Dedication: infants 4.13; 5.2.4; 8.3
Designations 7.0
Discipline: members 5.10
Doctrine 4.0
Duties: general assembly officers 7.2.2
Duties: local fellowship officers 7.1.3
- E - Paragraph
Elders 4.10.3; 7.1.5
Eldership 7.1.5
Eldership: call 8.1.1 a
Eldership: ordination 8.1.1 c (2)
Eldership: selection 8.1.1 b (1)
Eschatology 4.16
Estate 9.0
Eve 4.2.1
Executive: general assembly 7.2.3
Executive: local fellowship 7.1.4
- F - Paragraph
Fellowship: without an eldership 6.2.1; 7.1.1 b; 8.1.1 b
(1) i; 8.1.1 b (2) i
Fellowships-In-Association 3.2
Fruit of the Spirit 4.14.2
Funds 7.3.3
- G - Paragraph
General Assembly 6.1.3; 7.2
General Assembly: officers 7.2.1
General Assembly: president 7.2.2 a
General Assembly: secretary 7.2.2 c
General Assembly: treasurer 7.2.2 d
General Assembly: vice president 7.2.2 b
Gifts of the Spirit 4.15
God 4.1
Government 6.3
Government: general assembly 6.3.2
Government: local fellowship 6.3.1
H - Paragraph
High Priest 4.10.1
Holiness 4.12
Holy Bible 4.6
Holy Communion 4.9.2; 4.9.4
Holy Spirit 4.1.3
Hymnal 7.1.1 b
- I - Paragraph
Idolatry 4.11.2
Inauguration: local fellowship 6.2.1
Induction: members 5.5
Infant: dedication 4.13; 5.2.4; 8.3
- J - Paragraph
Jesus Christ 4.1.2
Junior - member 5.1 .2; 5.2.3
- K - Paragraph
- L - Paragraph
Lay ministries 8.1.2
Law 4.3.1; 4.3.3
Liability 6.2.1 c; 6.2.1 d
Local Fellowship 6.1.2
Local Fellowship: autonomy 7.1.1 b
Local Fellowship: decommission 6.2.1 c
Local Fellowship: disassociation 6.2.1 d
Local Fellowship: dissolution 6.2.1 b
Local Fellowship: government 6.3.1
Local Fellowship: inauguration 6.2.1 a
Local Fellowship: obligations 7.1.1 a
Local Fellowship: office-bearers 7.1.2
Lord's Supper 4.9.2; 4.9.4
M - Paragraph
Man 4.2
Media Officer 7.1.3 e
Meetings 7.3
Membership 5.0
Membership: application 5.3
Membership: cancellation 5.10.3
Membership: categories 5.1
Membership: classes 5.4.1
Membership: conditions 5.2
Membership: counselling 5.10.2
Membership: discipline 5.10
Membership: induction 5.5
Membership: privileges -limitations 5.7
Membership: registration 5.6
Membership: resignation 5.9
Membership: review 5.4.2
Membership: suspension 5.10.1
Membership: transfer 5.8
Ministry 4.10; 8.1
Minutes 7.3.2 d
Mission statement 2.0
- N - Paragraph
Name 1.0
Notice: membership application 5.3.2
- O - Paragraph
Objects 3.0
Obligations: local fellowship 7.1.1
Obligations: members 5.2
Office-bearers: local fellowship 7.1.2; 7.1.3
Order of Worship 7.1.1 b; 8.5.1
Ordination 4.10.3; 8.1.1
P - Paragraph
Pastors 4.10.3; 7.1.5
Pastorship: call 8.1.1 a
Pastorship: conditions 8.1.1 d
Pastorship: ordination 8.1.1 c (3)
Pastorship: selection 8.1.1 b (2)
Personal merit 4.12.2
Presbyter 6.3.1
President 7.2.2 a
Priesthood 4.10.2
- Q - Paragraph
- R - Paragraph
Rebellion 4.12.2
Registration: membership 5.9
Registration: trustees 9.1. d
Resolution: business 7.3.2 b
Return of Christ 4.16
Review: membership 5.4.2
- S - paragraph
Sacraments 4.9
Salvation 4.4
Sanctification 4.12
Scheduling: meetings 7.3.1
Scriptures 4.6
Second coming of Christ 4.16
Secretary: general assembly 7.2.2 c
Secretary: local fellowship 7.1.3 b
Separation 4.12.1
Sin 4.3
Special spiritual gifts 4.15.1; 4.15.2
Spiritual death 4.4.1
Steward 7.1.3 f
Structure: BMCA 6.1.1
Superintendent 7.1.3 d
Suspension: membership 5.10.1
T - Paragraph
Theology 4.0
Title 9.1 c
Training: membership 5.4
Training: ministry 8.1.1 b
Treasurer: general assembly 7.2.2 d
Treasurer: local fellowship 7.1.3 c
Trust 9.2
Trustees 7.1.6
- U - Paragraph
- V - Paragraph
Vice- President 7.2.2 b
- W - Paragraph
Word of God 4.6
Worship 4.11; 8.5
Worship: service 8.5.1
- X - Paragraph
- y - Paragraph
Youth: leader 7.1.3 g
Youth: ministry 7.1.3 g
- Z - Paragraph
GLOSSARY
Abiding gift: Love, faith, hope - essential spiritual
qualities of the Christian life. Received as a blessing from
God.
Adam: Created by God from the dust of the earth. The first
human being - male - living soul - perfectly created.
Atonement: The work of Christ Jesus in taking our place
under the righteous judgment of God on the cross of
Authority: One who is in command. Freedom to rule. The Church is under the authority of the
Scriptures and Christ Jesus.
Congregational Form of government where the collective of
church members as a unit government: participate in the administration of
church matters.
Cosmos: The whole of the created universe - immeasurable in
size and splendour.
Eschatology: Doctrinal teachings concerning the events of
the end times, particularly in reference to the second coming of Christ.
Executive: Group of officers and church members who attend
to matters of business between scheduled meetings of the congregation.
Presbyter: Form of church government employing elders or
deacons called by God as spiritual leaders and ministers in the church -
Spiritual overseers of the congregation.
Vicarious: Filling the place of another, substitute,
performed or suffered for, or instead of another.