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OF THE WORLD |
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Bringing Ministries Together Through Covenant |
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THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH ASSEMBLIES FELLOWSHIP CONSTITUTION Adopted January 15, 2000 Preamble: This Constitution is neither a substitute for, nor a supplement to, the Word of God. It is simply a review of the doctrines as they apply to practical matters concerning the International Church Assemblies Fellowship. It is a guide to aid in the application of biblical principles to fellowship policy. The Word of God shall be the first and final authority on all fellowship matters, and any issue whereon this Constitution is silent shall be governed by the clear statement of the Word of God. Article I - Name Section 1. This fellowship is the International Church Assemblies Fellowship (ICAF). Section 2. This fellowship shall be an independent and sovereign organization and as such, unrelated to any other organization or movement, but in fellowship with New Testament Christians everywhere. It shall exist to serve them. Article II - Statement of Purpose In order that we, the International Church Assemblies might—for the glory of God and the exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ—hold fast, with tenacity and zeal, the heritage of historic, Christian fundamentalism which has been handed down to us, and further that we might perpetuate that heritage complete, intact, pure and undiluted to succeeding generations of fundamentalists: Section 1. We purpose to foster a deep, abiding love and loyalty to God and His Word and, to this end, to provide national and international leadership in the ongoing historic battle for biblical truth and the propagation of the gospel. In so doing, we purpose to boldly affirm and proclaim that the Bible is the supernaturally revealed, inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God, without error or omission in the whole and in every part—the exclusive and absolute authority for what we believe, teach, preach, and practice. Section 2. We purpose to strengthen the fundamentalist movement, and to furnish a rallying point in defense of the faith at the cutting edge of the issues of the day—for the truth and against error—to which pastors, Christian workers and lay-people everywhere who share our convictions can come to find refuge, strength, encouragement and fellowship. In so doing, we purpose to foster a genuine spirit of love and biblical unity among those who are truly fundamentalists. Section 3. We purpose to both expose and oppose apostasy and religious compromise in any form by defining, declaring and disseminating the truth on key issues of the day, and by advocating and promoting obedience to the mandate of biblical separation. Section 4. We purpose, in the Spirit of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and to the glory of God, to militantly promote historic fundamentalism and to promote our historic Christian distinctives, while maintaining ecclesiastical, personal and civil (church and state) separation—all in the spirit of a godly, spirit-filled aggressiveness.
Section 5. We purpose to lead in an aggressive effort to reach our world for Christ by evangelism and church planting—locally, nationally and worldwide.
Section 6. We purpose to stand united and vigilant in support of the cause of religious liberty, and in opposition to all assaults against our freedoms to preach, propagate and practice our Faith.
Section 7. We purpose to accomplish these objectives through fellowship meetings, conferences, preaching, resolutions and publications.
Section 8. We purpose, in nature, to be a fellowship of fundamental, independent, Christian Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors, Teachers, Christian workers and laymen as distinct from a convention of churches. We purpose to avoid any denominational structure.
Click here for Article III - Statement of Faith
Article IV - Organization The Word of God shall be the supreme law of this Fellowship. The Will of God shall be the supreme guide. All members in full fellowship shall have opportunity to express their desire without fear of intimidation or coercion. The Will of God shall be determined by the clear statement of Scripture, under the leadership of first the Presiding Bishop and/or second the Executive Board and/or third the Board of Directors as they follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. Decisions, both spiritual and temporal, will be made "in one accord;" not self-willed, but seeking God’s Will. Genuine discernment of God’s Will and sufficient teaching of God’s Word should promote a spirit of one accord among the Board of Directors and the membership.
Presiding Bishop Roger James Moore, founder and Chief Executive Officer shall serve as presiding Bishop/President indefinitely, or until such a time when he is no longer able to oversee the fellowship due to permanent illness or death, in the case of the founding bishops death, his successor shall be the his active 1st Administrative Assistant who shall serve as presiding Bishop indefinitely, or until such a time when he is no longer able to oversee the fellowship due to permanent illness or death, in the case of the former 1st Administrative assistant bishops death, his successor shall be elected by a general assembly vote. At which time a special election board made up of the general board, and all state jurisdictional Secretaries shall oversee the election process consisting of the majority vote from the general assembly. The new presiding Bishop shall serve a four year term, and can be re-elected every four years indefinitely.
Presiding Bishops, a. Shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Fellowship. b. Shall preside over all business meetings. c. Shall see that all fellowship meetings are moderated properly. d. Shall be an official member of all committees e. Shall have veto power in the selection of Board Members, use of printed material, and of speakers, musicians, and others used in regional, annual, or other fellowship meetings. f. Shall reserve the right to exercise leadership authority in all matters g. Shall be reimbursed for all travel expenses to National Meetings, Fellowship Meetings, and other matters pertaining to Fellowship business, insofar as the annual budget and available funds permit.
Section 1. Board of Directors a. Selection and Term of Office: The International Church Assemblies shall be divided into natural and geographical regions, and as much as possible, there shall be a proportionate number of board members from each of these divisions. There shall be Twelve (12) or less general board members, all of whom shall be men or women of unquestionable theological standing in the fundamentals of the faith. They shall be members in good standing of an independent, fundamental, separate Christian church. They shall be elected to Four-year terms. They shall subscribe to the Statement of Faith as found in Article III. They may be re-elected indefinitely as long as they meet the qualifications herein stated, and have been faithful in attendance and support of the International Church of Associates. Their election shall be by majority vote, or by appointment of Presiding Bishop. The board shall be self-perpetuating. b. Duties of the General Board of Directors: The General Board of Directors shall be empowered to appoint the various committees, engage and dismiss paid employees, determine the duties of the same, and fill vacancies that occur during the fiscal year among the officers or board members of the Fellowship. The Executive Committee (see section 3a) shall be empowered to act between board meetings, and to appoint by resolution such administrative officers as are necessary for the operation of the Fellowship. All General Board decision may not require, but are subject to Executive Board approval.
Section 2. Cooperating Board of State Representatives a. Selection and Term of Office: As far as possible, there should be at least one state representative or bishop from each of the states in the United States, and each international division. These individuals shall meet the same standards as the General Board of Directors, but shall not conduct business for the fellowship unless requested to do so by the presiding Bishop/President. They shall be appointed by, or with the approval of the Presiding Bishop/President of the Fellowship and serve at his discretion. b. Duties of the Cooperating Board: These individuals shall represent the ICA in their state or area, promoting meetings and recruiting other like-minded men and women into the Fellowship. They shall be supplied with such literature and promotional material as needed, and shall meet in conjunction with the National Meeting for information and encouragement.
Section 3. Officers a. The following officers shall be appointed every four years and shall comprise the Executive Committee. Their appointment shall be by the presiding Bishop/President. These officers shall be 1st and 2nd Administrative Assistant to presiding Bishop, National Director of women, National Secretary, and National Treasure. In the event that the Fellowship is required to have trustees to represent the Fellowship in certain legal matters, if required by law, and to hold in trust any Fellowship property, the General Board shall serve in this capacity along with the presiding bishop having veto powers.
b. Duties of Officers/Executive Committee
(1) 1st Administrative Assistant To Presiding Bishop (a) In case of sudden vacancy in the office of presiding Bishop/President, the 1st Administrative Assistant shall assume the duties of Presiding Bishop/President. (b) Shall function in behalf of the presiding Bishop if and when the Bishop/President is absent from the meetings. (c) Shall assist the presiding Bishop/President in the performance of his duties. (d) Shall enthusiastically promote the work of the Fellowship. (e) Shall bill the Fellowship for any expense involved in his work for the Fellowship, and insofar as the annual budget and available funds permit, shall be reimbursed in a timely manner. (f) The 1st Administrative Assistant may be re-appointed indefinitely. (2) 2nd Administrative Assistant To Presiding Bishop
(b) Shall function in behalf of the presiding Bishop if and when both the Bishop/President and the 1st Administrative Assistant is absent from the meetings. (c) Shall assist the presiding Bishop/President in the performance of his duties. (d) Shall enthusiastically promote the work of the Fellowship. (e) Shall bill the Fellowship for any expense involved in his work for the Fellowship, and insofar as the annual budget and available funds permit, shall be reimbursed in a timely manner. (f) The 2nd Administrative Assistant may be re-appointed indefinitely. (3) National Secretary (a) Shall keep the minutes of all business meetings and provide copies for all elected and appointed officers of the Fellowship. (b) Shall take care of all necessary correspondence as instructed by the Presiding Bishop or General Board. (c) Shall insure that all Board members are informed concerning all international and stated board meetings. (d) Shall bill the Fellowship for any expense involved in his/her work for the Fellowship, and shall insofar as the annual budget and available funds permit, be reimbursed in a timely manner. (e) Shall enthusiastically promote the work of the Fellowship. (f) The secretary may be re-elected indefinitely. (4) National Treasurer (a) Shall geographically and physically be accessible to the Corporate Office. (b) Shall keep an accurate record of the finances of the Fellowship, and prepare an annual budget for approval by the General Board of Directors. (c) Shall present a written financial report for each board member, and make available to the members of the Fellowship such information as would be of general interest to them. (d) Shall deposit all contributions in the Fellowship account, and pay all bills in accordance with the approved budget or under the direction of the General Board of Directors. (e) Shall have the financial reports reviewed annually by an accountant outside the Fellowship and present the results to the General Board of Directors. Every four years there shall be a full audit of the financial records by an accountant outside of the Fellowship. (f) Shall bill the Fellowship for any expense involved in his/her work for the Fellowship, and insofar as the annual budget and available funds permit, shall be reimbursed in a timely manner. (g) Shall enthusiastically promote the work of the Fellowship. (h) The treasurer may be re-elected indefinitely. (5) Research secretary (a) Shall engage in theological, religious and social research to keep the Fellowship abreast of current theological, religious and social trends. (b) Shall keep a record of all pertinent information of historical value, and shall have responsibility for the Fellowship’s publication(s). (c) Insofar as the annual budget and available funds permit, and when publication objectives demand, he/she shall be employed by the Fellowship and compensated according to the annual budget.
(d) Shall enthusiastically support the work of the Fellowship. (e) The research secretary may be re-elected indefinitely. (6) Administrative officers (a) Administrative officers may be appointed for the general administration and operation of the Fellowship’s business. Their terms of office and duties shall be established by standing resolution. (b) Although, they may serve with authority to carry out their responsibilities, they may not serve on the Board of Directors while they are filling an administrative office. (c) They shall be compensated for expenses and/or duties performed for the Fellowship insofar as the budget and available funds permit. (7) Committees (a) The Board of Directors shall approve Standing and Special Committees as necessary to fulfill the purposes of the Fellowship, and to serve as working groups on plans and projects. Their titles and duties shall be established by standing resolution. (b) Committee members shall be chosen from the Board of Directors primarily, and may include Cooperating Board members and/or others who meet the qualifications of Article IV. Section 1.a. |