07.03.2005
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
WORLD ALLIANCE OF REFORMED CHURCHES
CONSTITUTION
(Adopted 1970, Amended 1982, 1989, 1997, 2004)
PREAMBLE
THE ONE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH IS JESUS CHRIST, THE LORD; IN WHOM GOD'S WORD BECAME FLESH AND TO WHOM THE SCRIPTURES BEAR WITNESS, AND THE CHURCH ON EARTH, THOUGH COMPOSED OF MANY MEMBERS, IS ONE BODY IN THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
ARTICLE I - NAME
1. The name of the organization, hereinafter called the Alliance, shall be the WORLD ALLIANCE OF REFORMED CHURCHES (PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL) and, in shorter form, the WORLD ALLIANCE OF REFORMED CHURCHES (WARC).
2. It is a fellowship of Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed and United churches, and those churches which are in the tradition of Pierre Valdes and Jan Hus, which predate the 16th century Reformation.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
1. Any church shall be eligible for membership:
1.1 Which accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour;
1.2 Which holds the Word of God given in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the supreme authority in matters of faith and life;
1.3 Which acknowledges the need for the continuing reformation of the Church catholic;
1.4 Whose position in faith and evangelism is in general agreement with that of the historic Reformed confessions;
1.5 And which recognizes that the Reformed tradition is a biblical, evangelical, and doctrinal ethos, rather than any narrow and exclusive definition of faith and order.
2. United churches which share this understanding of the nature and calling of the Church shall be eligible for membership.
3. Membership in the Alliance does not restrict the relationship of any church with other churches or with other inter-church bodies.
4. An institution established by a WARC member church, or whose position on faith is in general agreement with that of the historic Reformed confessions, may be considered for Associate Membership, without voting privileges.
ARTICLE III - PURPOSES
The purposes of the Alliance shall be:
1. To further all endeavours to proclaim the Word of God faithfully, and to order the life and worship of the Church in obedience to God's word;
2. To further the work of evangelism, mission and stewardship in all their aspects, to promote common study of the Christian faith and its implications;
3. To encourage the diversity and familial character of ministries in the Church under one Head, Jesus Christ;
4. To widen and deepen understanding and community among the member churches eligible for membership, and to help them to fulfil their own responsibilities in the service of Christ;
5. To further intercourse between the member churches, through mutual visitation, through the dissemination of information, and by other practicable means;
6. To unite the forces of the member churches in common service wherever needed and practicable;
7. To help member churches which may be weak, oppressed or persecuted; and through all available channels to stimulate and provide aid to needy churches among them;
8. To promote and defend religious and civil liberties wherever threatened throughout the world;
9. To facilitate the contribution to the ecumenical movement of the experiences and insights which churches within the Alliance have been given in their history, and to share with churches of other traditions within that movement, and particularly in the World Council of Churches, in the discovery of forms of church life and practice which will enable the people of God more fully to understand and express together God's will for his people.
ARTICLE IV - GENERAL COUNCIL
1. Composition and meetings
The General Council shall consist of delegates appointed by the member churches in such numbers as shall be specified in the By-Laws.
1.1 The General Council shall ordinarily meet once in every seven or eight years.
1.2 The Executive Committee may convene the General Council on its own initiative, and shall do so at the request of one-third of the member churches.
1.3 The time, place, and programme may be determined by the General Council or, in the interim, by the Executive Committee.
2. Functions
The General Council shall have the power:
2.1 To make and administer policies and programmes in accordance with the purpose of the Alliance;
2.2 To elect officers, members of the Executive Committee, Departments, Committees and Commissions;
2.2.1 Members of the Executive Committee, and the officers, shall be elected from the delegates to that General Council, to hold office from their installation until their successors are elected and installed in office.
2.3 To adopt and amend a Constitution and By-Laws;
2.4 To consider all matters brought before it by member churches;
2.5 To give oversight to the affairs of the Alliance.
2.6 None of these provisions shall limit the autonomy of any member church.
ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Composition and meetings
1.1 The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Alliance and thirty-two members elected by the General Council in accordance with the By-Laws.
1.2 The immediate past president may also be elected a member of the Executive Committee.
1.3 The Executive Officers shall be corresponding members of the Executive Committee, able to speak but not able to propose motions or to vote.
1.4 If any member of the Executive Committee is unable to attend a particular meeting of the Committee, an alternate may be appointed under the provision in the By-Laws.
1.5 The times, places, and plans of meetings of the Executive Committee shall be according to the provisions in the By-Laws, or as specified from time to time by the General Council or by the Executive Committee.
2. Functions
The Executive Committee shall:
2.1 Exercise general oversight of the work of the Alliance between meetings of the General Council;
2.2 Represent and, if necessary, speak for the Alliance between meetings of the General Council;
2.3 Perform all duties specified elsewhere in this Constitution and in the By-Laws or committee to it by the General Council.
2.4 Have the power, as specified in the By-Laws, to fill vacancies in the officers of the Alliance, and in its own membership, which may occur between meetings of the General Council.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS OF THE ALLIANCE
1. The General Council shall elect the following officers from the delegates to that General Council, to hold office from their installation until their successors are elected and installed in office.
1.1 A President
1.2 Six Vice-Presidents, representative of the major regions, one of whom shall be 30 years of age or younger on the date of the General Council.
2. The Officers of the Alliance shall:
2.1 Approve the annual accounts and adopt the annual budget in the years in which the Executive Committee does not meet;
2.2 Deliberate and take decisions on issues within the framework of the policies laid down by the Executive Committee;
2.3 Be responsible for preparing agendas for Executive Committee meetings;
2.4 Play the leading role in ensuring coherence in the interdepartmental work of the Alliance;
2.5 Provide advice and direction to the General Secretary; and
2.6 Report for review to the Executive Committee actions they have taken.
ARTICLE VII- EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
1. The Executive Committee may elect the following executive officers, each of whom shall hold office for a fixed term of years.
1.1 A General Secretary;
1.2 An associate General Secretary or assistant General Secretary
1.3 Executive Secretaries for Departments and Committees, as deemed necessary;
1.4 A General Treasurer; and
1.5 A Secretary and a Treasurer for each Council, for Areas which may be organised, upon nomination of the Area Council.
2. The terms of office shall be as follows:
2.1 General Secretary for five years and shall normally be eligible for one renewal for a term to be determined by the Executive Committee. If this term is for more than five years, there shall be a comprehensive mid-term review of the General Secretary during his/her second term.
2.2 Associate General Secretaries, Assistant General Secretaries, and Departmental Executive Secretaries for five years, and shall normally be eligible for one renewal of five years.
2.3 The General Treasurer for five years and shall normally be eligible for renewal
2.4 Secretaries and Treasurers of each Area Council in accordance with the terms indicated in the Area’s Constitution and By-Laws.
3. The General Secretary shall be the chief executive officer, and shall be responsible to the General Council and to the Executive Committee to direct and coordinate the work of the Alliance.
ARTICLE VIII - DEPARTMENTS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS
1. The General Council, or the Executive Committee, in exceptional circumstances, may establish Departments, Commissions and Committees
2. The General Council, or the Executive Committee, in exceptional circumstances, may also terminate Departments, Commissions and Committees.
ARTICLE IX - ORGANIZATION OF AREAS
1. To promote the closest possible community and cooperation among member churches in a particular area of the world, and the effectiveness of the total work of the Alliance, the General Council may authorize the organization of an Area by the member churches in any given area of the world.
1.1 The number, bounds, and names of the Areas shall be determined by the General Council or by the Executive Committee, and ordinarily shall be set forth in the By-Laws of the Alliance.
1.2 The organization of an Area shall be effected by the member churches within the Area, in conformity with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Alliance, under By-Laws drawn up by the Council in the Area and ratified by the General Council or by the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE X - LEGAL STATUS
The General Council and the Executive Committee shall take the steps necessary to qualify the Alliance to own and deal with property, both real and personal.
ARTICLE XI - PRINCIPAL OFFICE
The principal office of the Alliance shall be in Geneva, Switzerland.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
1. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the delegates in attendance at any meeting of the General Council, providing the proposed amendment has been transmitted to each member church to members of the Executive Committee and to Moderators of the Area Councils, at least one year before it is submitted for approval.
2. The By-Laws may be amended:
2.1 By a majority vote of the delegates in attendance at a meeting of the General Council, provided notice of at least 24 hours has been given to the delegates attending that meeting.
2.2 Between meetings of the General Council:
2.2.1 By approval by a majority vote at a meeting of the Executive Committee;
2.2.2 By referral to the member churches, and approval by a majority of the member churches within 12 months following approval by the Executive Committee;
2.2.3 By ratification by a majority vote at the subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee.
BY-LAWS
I. MEMBERSHIP
1.1 A church which affirms its acceptance of Article II of the Constitution may be admitted to membership by the General Council or by the Executive Committee.
1.2 An institution which affirms its acceptance of Article II of the Constitution may also be admitted to associate membership by the General Council or by the Executive Committee.
II. GENERAL COUNCIL
1. Composition
1.1 The member churches of the Alliance shall be entitled to representation in each General Council on the following basis:
Churches with up to 300 congregations 2 delegates
Churches with 301 to 500 congregations 3 delegates
Churches with 501 to 1,000 congregations 4 delegates
Churches with 1,001 to 2,000 congregations 5 delegates
Churches with 2,001 to 3,000 congregations 6 delegates
Churches with 3,001 to 4,000 congregations 7 delegates
Churches with 4,001 to 5,000 congregations 8 delegates
Churches with 5,001 to 6,000 congregations 9 delegates
Churches with 6,001 to 8,000 congregations 10 delegates
Churches with 8,001 or more congregations 11 delegates
1.1.1 Where a church sends two or more delegates, at least one-half shall be lay-persons
1.1.2 Where a church sends two delegates, at least one shall be a woman.
1.1.3 Where a church sends three or more delegates, at least one third of the delegates shall be women.
1.1.4 Where a church sends three or more delegates, at least one delegate shall be thirty years of age or younger on the date of the General Council.
(Note: Fractions may be rounded up or down to produce whole numbers.)
1.2 Each of the officers of the Alliance shall have the status of delegate in any General Council which meets during their term of office.
1.3 If the number of delegates authorized by application of 1.1 above is not filled by appointment of the member churches, the officers shall appoint women and young people from a list of names of persons proposed by the member churches as persons whom the churches would be willing to have represent them as delegates.
1.3.1 Selection of these persons shall be made in such a manner as to assure geographical balance.
1.3.2 Persons so appointed shall be seated as additional delegates from their churches.
1.4 Members of the Executive Committee who have not been named by their member churches as delegates to the General Council may attend the General Council as corresponding members.
1.5 The Executive Committee may invite to the General Council consultants, ecumenical delegates, observers and visitors from non-member Churches and inter-church bodies.
2. Conduct of Meetings
2.1 The Executive Committee shall serve as the Business Committee of the General Council.
2.2 The Executive Committee shall appoint or authorize the President to appoint from among the delegates such Standing Committees as may be necessary.
2.3 The General Council shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of business.
III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Election
1.1 The General Council shall elect officers from among the delegates to that General Council, taking into consideration geographical distribution, cultural and denominational diversity, sex, age and experience.
1.2 The General Council shall elect an Executive Committee from among the delegates to that General Council, taking into consideration geographical distribution, cultural and denominational diversity, sex, age and experience.
1.3 The Officers and Executive Committee members shall hold office from their installation until their successors are elected and installed in office.
1.4 Members of the Executive Committee, including the officers, shall be eligible to serve for not more than two consecutive terms.
1.5 Executive officers who are delegates to a General Council, provided they are not paid salaries by the Alliance, are eligible to be elected as officers or as members of the Executive Committee.
1.6 The executive officers shall be corresponding members of the Executive Committee, able to participate except for proposing motions or voting.
1.7 The General Council, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee, shall elect a Nominating Committee of not more than ten persons. Eight of these shall be nominated taking into consideration geographical distribution, cultural and denominational diversity, and sex. In addition, two persons 30 years of age or younger shall be nominated, one male, one female.
1.7.1 Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for election.
1.7.2 The Nominating Committee shall receive and consider proposed nominations from delegates, and from regional groups, and make its own proposals.
1.7.3 The Nominating Committee shall present to the General Council a slate of nominations for officers and for members of the Executive Committee.
1.7.4 When the proposal of the Nominating Committee has been presented, nominations from the floor may be proposed in opposition to any of those put forward by the Nominating Committee, but the person so nominated must be in the same category as the person to whom they are in opposition. Written information about the person proposed should also be given to the General Council.
1.7.5 The election shall take place at least 24 hours after the presentation of all candidates.
2. Alternates and Consultants
2.1 If any member of the Executive Committee is unable to attend a particular meeting of the Executive Committee, the President and the General Secretary, with the concurrence of the same member church as the absent member, may appoint an alternate from the same region, to serve for that particular meeting as a member of the Executive Committee.
2.2 If, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, a geographical region is not represented on the Committee, the Committee may appoint a consultant from the region to attend meetings of the Committee, able to participate but not able to propose motions or to vote.
2.2.1 The Committee may appoint a consultant (or consultants) to represent young people if, in their opinion, young people are not adequately represented.
2.3 The Executive Committee may request a cognate organization to appoint a representative to attend meetings of the Executive Committee, able to participate but not able to propose motions or to vote.
3. Removal from Office
3.1 When an officer or member of the Executive Committee is deemed by another officer or member to have failed to perform his or her duties, a hearing or hearings shall be held.
3.1.1 Having heard the accusations, considered the appropriate evidence, heard any responses the accused person chooses to make, the Executive Committee may remove or suspend the accused person, or declare him or her entitled to continue in office or membership.
3.2 When an officer or member of the Executive Committee has been found guilty of an offence by the ecclesiastical procedures of his or her church, the Executive Committee may declare the office or membership vacant after completing the following procedures:
3.2.1 An official statement of the charges (formal accusation), decision and censure (judgement; sentence) shall be requested, and the member shall be offered the opportunity to make a response in writing or in person (at her or his own expense) to the Executive Committee
3.2.2 Whether or not there is a response, the Executive Committee may remove or suspend the person, or take no action.
4. Vacant Positions
4.1 When the position of an officer or member of the Executive Committee becomes vacant through death, resignation in writing to the General Secretary, or removal from office by action of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee may fill such vacancy in the manner following:
4.1.1 When the office of President becomes vacant, the Executive Committee shall fill the office of President by election from among the six Vice-Presidents.
4.1.2 When the office of a Vice-President becomes vacant, the Executive Committee may fill the office by election from among members of the Executive Committee.
4.1.3 When a position on the Executive Committee becomes vacant, the Executive Committee may fill the vacancy by election from among those who had been delegates to the previous General Council, taking into consideration geographical distribution, cultural and denominational diversity, sex, age, and experience.
5. Meetings
5.1 The Executive Committee shall ordinarily meet four times between General Councils, the specific time and place to be set by the Executive Committee, or by the President and General Secretary.
5.1.1 The President and the General Secretary may call special meetings of the Executive Committee, and shall do so at the request of two-thirds of the members of the Executive.
5.2 A quorum shall be one-third of the total membership of the Committee.
6. Officers
The officers of the Alliance shall be the officers of the Executive Committee.
7. Vote by Mail
When the President and the General Secretary judge it necessary to secure a decision of the Executive Committee between its meetings, a vote by mail may be taken, a majority vote of the members of the Committee being required for a decision.
IV. DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES
1. The General Council or the Executive Committee in exceptional circumstances, shall create departments, committees and commissions to carry out the work of the General Council in the areas of theology, cooperation and witness, finance, partnership between women and men, communications, youth concerns and such other areas as are needed.
2. Any departments, committees, or commissions shall be accountable to the General Council and the Executive Committee, and shall function in a manner that promotes the coherence of the programmes of the entire Alliance. To this end they are not independent entities. They function interdependently under the leadership of the President, Vice Presidents and the General Secretary.
(Note: Previous section 3 on the functions of the departments has been deleted.)
V. AREAS
1. The organized Areas are:
1.1 The European Area
1.2 The Caribbean and North American Area;
1.3 The Southern African Area
1.4 The Northeast Asia Area;
1.5 The Latin American Area.
2. Each organized area shall meet from time to time in Area Council, provide for an Administrative Committee, and elect officers pursuant to its By-Laws.
VI. FINANCE
1. The Alliance shall be financed by contributions from member churches, gifts from individuals, congregations, organizations and from other sources.
1.1 The General Council and the Executive Committee may propose to the churches and to the Area Councils proportionate contributions.
1.1.1 Area Council Treasurers may receive funds for the Alliance and transmit them to the accounts of the Alliance.
1.2 The General Treasurer shall work in close collaboration with the Department of Finance.
1.3 The General Treasurer and the General Secretary shall be active in the preparation of the annual or biennial budget which shall be presented to the Executive Committee for action.
1.3.1 Any proposals for the disbursements of any funds relating to the Alliance, other than disbursements included in the annual budget, shall be approved by the Executive Committee.
1.3.2 Nevertheless, in case of emergency, the General Secretary shall be permitted to act after consultation with and approval of any two of the following: the President, the General Treasurer, the Vice President responsible for finance.
1.4 The accounts of the Alliance shall be audited annually by auditors approved by the Executive Committee.
1.4.1 The audited accounts shall be adopted annually by the Executive Committee. In years when the Executive Committee does not meet, the Executive Committee will vote on the adoption of the accounts by mail ballot on the recommendation of the officers of the Alliance.
1.5 The General Treasurer and any other responsible staff employed to coordinate finances shall report regularly on the finances of the Alliance to the President, to the General Secretary, to the Vice President responsible for finance, and to the Executive Committee.
1.6 When they attend meetings of the General Council and the Executive Committee, the expenses of the President, the General Secretary, the General Treasurer, and members of the staff, will be met from the funds of the Alliance.
1.7 The expenses of delegates to the General Council, and of members of the Executive Committee attending the General Council and meetings of the Executive Committee shall normally be met by the churches of which they are members.
1.8 Membership of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches implies that each member church is ready to support the work of the Alliance through an annual financial contribution reflecting the resources of that church or, where that is impossible, through comparable support in goods and services, or through the support of partner churches.
1.8.1 Each Area Council shall submit to the General Secretary a copy of its annual audited financial statements.
VII. PUBLICATIONS
All publications shall be under the supervision of the General Secretary.
