Knysna Vineyard Church

 
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Constitution

CONSTITUTION AND TRUST DEED

(Revised 19/04/2009)


VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP KNYSNA


Founded 27/02/1971


Bokmakierie Street, Lower Old Place

Knysna, 6571

P.O. Box 456, Knysna, 6570.

Telephone 044 3822421

e-mail pastor@knysnavineyard.org

www.knysnavineyard.org



“Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus”

2 Peter 3:18


1. NAME AND ADDRESS:

a) The name of the Church shall be the KNYSNA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

operating as VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP , KNYSNA.

Hereinafter named for convenience “The Church”.

b) The address details of The Church are:

Street address: Bokmakierie Street, Lower Old Place, Knysna, 6571.

Postal address: P.O. Box 456, Knysna, 6570.

E-mail: pastor@knysnavineyard.org.

Telephone: 044 3822421.



2. CHURCH GOVERNMENT:

The Church acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Supreme Head of The Church, and undertakes to manage all its affairs according to the New Testament teaching and recognizes the sole authority of the Holy Scriptures in all matters of faith and conduct.



3. STATEMENT OF FAITH:


The Church believes... (see here)


4. BAPTISM, THE LORD’S SUPPER AND BLESSING OF CHILDREN:

The Church shall observe in their New Testament simplicity, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as enjoined upon His followers by the Lord Jesus Christ.


  1. BAPTISM: The Pastor, or any member of the Executive with the Pastor’s permission, shall be free to baptize any who so desire to confess the Lord Jesus Christ, provided such persons have given good evidence of personal salvation.

  1. THE LORD’S SUPPER: The Lord’s Supper shall be regularly observed, (preferably at least twice a month), and participation shall be open to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. BLESSING OF CHILDREN: The church approves of parents bringing theirchildren to the Church for:

Thanksgiving for their safe arrival.

Prayer that they may come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and ever follow Him.

Dedication of the parents to the task of bringing up the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and providing a home where God is honored and served.



5. MEMBERSHIP:

The membership shall consist of :

a) Those whose names are on the church register at the date of the adoption of this constitution.

b) Those who have been accepted into membership by resolution of the Executive after having given evidence of their personal salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.



6. ADMISSION AND TRANSFER OF MEMBERS:

ADMISSION OF MEMBERS:

An application coming under clause 5 b) shall be made by way of a completed and signed application form handed to any member of the Executive. The Executive shall then make careful enquiry regarding the applicant’s qualification, and verify that they are members of a home group in the Church and shall then accept, reject or refer back such application.

New members shall be presented to the Church for their blessing.

New members shall complete a new members course.

TRANSFER OF MEMBERS:

Any member in good standing who desires to join any other church shall be given a letter of transfer by the Pastor or Secretary upon application by the church or member concerned.



7. PRIVILEGES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS:


Every member shall be entitled and expected to attend business meetings unless prevented by some reasonable cause, and to exercise his or her franchise for the welfare of the whole membership in the spirit of love and prayer.

Members shall be expected to support the ministry and maintain the fellowship of the church especially by prayer, attendance at the services whenever possible, active participation in a home or other small group, engaging in some definite work in connection with the church, and conscientious giving as God’s provision enables.

It is the special privilege and duty of members to seek to bring others to the Lord Jesus Christ and to introduce newcomers to the church.



8. REVISION OF THE CHURCH ROLL :

For statistical purposes the membership roll should be revised annually.

Members desiring termination of membership should normally hand a formal resignation to the Executive. However, if no resignation is tendered and the member is inactive for a period of six months or ceases to attend services by virtue of transferring his/her allegiance to another congregation, then the Executive shall make enquiry into the matter before taking appropriate action. In the case of removal from the roll, the decision of the meeting to be conveyed to the person concerned where possible.



9. DISCIPLINE :

Suspension or expulsion of members for disorderly conduct, erroneous belief or any other justifiable cause shall be by ballot after investigation of the alleged offence and unsuccessful effort to bring about restoration.

Private offences should be dealt with in accordance with the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:15-17.



10. AFFILIATION WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS :

  1. The Church may by resolution passed by a 75% majority of members present and entitled to vote in a general meeting, affiliate itself with or withdraw from affiliation with other like-minded organizations.

  2. The Church shall be affiliated with the Association of Vineyard Churches, South Africa w.e.f. 5/12/1999.



11. CHURCH LEADERSHIP :


  1. The Pastor (also recognized as an Elder)

The choice and appointment of a pastor is vested in the membership of the church. When it is necessary to appoint a pastor, the procedure shall be as follows :

  1. The Executive shall make the necessary enquiries and make a recommendation to the Church as soon as possible. The Executive shall put before the church only one name at a time.

The Executive shall consult with the leadership of the Association of Vineyard Churches, South Africa with regard to finding suitable candidates.

The Executive’s recommendation shall be considered at a special general meeting or Church business meeting and no invitation shall be extended unless 75% of the members present and entitled to vote when the matter is considered, vote in favor.

  1. Any invitation shall be contingent upon the prospective pastor being a baptized believer and his accepting in writing the provisions of the Church Statement of Faith, Constitution and Trust Deed, a copy of which shall be provided for his perusal.

  1. The Church at a special meeting duly convened as hereinafter stated, from time to time as occasion requires, may, by the vote of a 75% majority of the members present who are qualified to vote in terms of section 14. b), accept the resignation of, and liberate from office, any of its pastors, or may for good cause dismiss any pastor from his office.

Three months notice to be given, in writing, on either side unless otherwise agreed upon.

  1. The pastor resigning from office or on terminating office or membership of the Church shall not function on the Executive.

  1. Notwithstanding clause iv) above, the Church may by a 75% majority vote at any special general meeting request the pastor to act in an advisory capacity to the Executive.

  1. When appointing trainee pastors, the same procedure shall be followed as the one for appointing pastors, except that the period of training and any other conditions shall be determined by the Executive.

  1. Elders:

  1. The recognition and appointment of elders is vested in the membership of the Church.

  1. The Executive shall be obliged to consider all nominations in the light of the New Testament teachings, particularly 1Tim.3 and Titus 1. If no prospect meets the scriptural requirements, no name may be proposed and the Executive shall not be obliged to divulge their reason(s) for rejection. Recommendations placed before the general meeting of members shall be considered individually, without comparison and with the consent of those nominated, who shall be absent from the meeting. Voting shall be by ballot. An elder shall be recognized and appointed only if 75% or more votes are cast in favor by the members present and entitled to vote.

  1. Elders shall serve until they reach the age of seventy years, unless they resign in writing, or are removed from eldership by a duly convened special or general meeting of members.

  1. Elders are part of the Executive.

  1. Executive Members :

  1. There shall not be less than four members on the Executive.

  2. No member shall qualify who is under the age of twenty-one years or has not been in Church membership for the preceding six months. All members serving on the Executive shall be baptized believers.

  1. A meeting of the Executive shall preferably be held monthly and at such other times as shall be deemed advisable. Notice of such meeting shall be given wherever possible at the service on the preceding Sunday.


  1. Co-option to Executive :

The Executive shall have the power to co-opt not more than four members if required for specific purposes, with the approval of the Church. Such co-opted members to have no vote on the Executive.



12. METHOD OF FUNCTIONING OF EXECUTIVE :


  1. The Executive shall consist of the Pastor, Elders, and any co-opted members appointed in accordance with section 11, who shall act in accordance with the principles of Scripture and as generally or specifically directed by the Church in general meeting assembled and who shall be accountable to the Church for the proper carrying out of all acts, the performance of which may have been delegated to them, and for the proper administration of all Church funds and property.

  2. The Executive shall appoint from its own number or co-opt a Church Secretary and Church Treasurer, who shall serve for a period of not more than two years initially and shall then be eligible for further periods of service if re co-opted by the Executive. The appointment to both offices shall be announced in both Sunday services immediately after the appointment. If any member objects to the appointment within seven days in writing, a general meeting of the Church shall be called to resolve the issue.

  3. In the event of there being less than four members of the Executive, the Pastor and a Secretary and Treasurer elected by the Church at a duly convened meeting shall attend to the Church business, but all decisions of Church property, finance, Church membership, discipline and other matters vital to the Church shall be discussed and acted upon by the Church members in an A.G.M. or specially called member’s meeting.





13. CHURCH MEETINGS :


  1. The Church year shall end on the 31st December, and an Annual General Meeting shall be held within a two month period of this date.


  1. At the Annual General Meeting, financial statements for the previous year shall be submitted as well as reports by all church departments, and a budget for the coming year shall be submitted to the meeting by the Executive for the approval of the members.


  1. Special church meetings may be called as often as the business of the Church may require, by the Pastor or the Executive, or by not less than twenty members, upon written application addressed to the Pastor or Executive to state the business it desires to bring before the Church.


  1. Annual and special meetings and any other matter dealing with the Pastorate, discipline, constitutional amendments, property transactions and/or alterations shall be deemed to be properly convened if announced at both morning and evening services held in the church on each of the two Sundays immediately preceding each meeting.


  1. For all other matters, announcements at one of the services on the Sunday, before the meeting, shall be sufficient.



14. TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS AT CHURCH AND EXECUTIVE

MEETINGS :

    1. The Pastor shall have the right to preside at all meetings, except when any matter affecting his own position is under discussion. In the event of the Pastor declining to preside, or in his absence, the meeting may appoint its own chairman. The chairman shall have a vote but not a casting vote in the event of the equality of votes, in which event the matter may be adjourned until further clarification or advice has been obtained.

    2. At all Church business meetings, only duly admitted members of the Church shall be entitled to be present and vote, but members under the age of eighteen years shall not be eligible to vote on immovable property transactions or on other matters affecting the pastorate, discipline, constitutional amendments, or dissolution of the Church. Non members may be present with the Pastor’s or Chairman’s permission.

    3. No member may introduce to any Church meeting any matter of importance unless the Executive has had an opportunity to discuss it beforehand.

    4. Except when otherwise herein provided, all matters shall be declared carried when approved of by the vote of two-thirds of the members present and eligible to vote at any meeting at which such matters are discussed.

    5. If requested by one or more of the members present, the voting shall be by ballot.

    6. Any resolution passed at any constitutionally called Church meeting shall be binding on the Church and it’s Executive. Such resolutions may be rescinded by members at a special meeting called in pursuance of a notice of such intention duly announced at both Sunday services for two Sundays immediately preceding such meeting.



15. QUORUMS :

  1. Twenty percent of the membership or ten members, whichever is the greater, shall be a quorum for all Church meetings.

  2. At Executive meetings, fifty percent of members shall constitute a quorum.



16. PROPERTY AND METHOD OF FINANCING :


  1. The Church shall have the power and authority to receive by wayof gift, inheritance or legacy, purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, hypothecate, sell, donate, lease, exchange, partition movable and immovable property of any kind whatsoever, whether leasehold or freehold, borrow money with or without security, and to guarantee the performance of contracts by any person or any other Church having objects wholly or partly similar to the object of this Church and to pass mortgage or other bonds for registration with the proper authority.

  1. All immovable property owned by the Church and hereafter acquired by the Church shall be registered in the name of the Church.

  1. The Church shall have the authority to invest any funds belonging to it in any manner it may deem fit and may open and operate upon any bank or building society account.

  1. No proposal to sell, donate, or borrow money upon security of amortgage of immovable property shall be passed by the Church except upon a two-thirds majority of members present and entitled to vote at a special meeting duly called for the purpose.

  1. The Church may at any time be dissolved by resolution of all the members present and entitled to vote as set forth in clause 14.b) hereof at a special members meeting of the Church. In the event of such a resolution being passed, the Executive – or in the event of there being no such members – other persons appointed by the Church, shall take the necessary steps to wind up the affairs of the Church and in particular to comply with the conditions of clause 17.d).

  1. Regular systematic giving of freewill offerings is honoring to God. Under the law in the Old Testament, a tenth was given; under Grace in the New Testament it should be no less. No method of raising funds other than by tithes and freewill offerings or as outlined in clause 16.a), c)and d) shall be permitted.

  1. The financial statements of the Church shall be available on request to the members for their perusal.

  1. The financial statements shall be drawn up and audited by an independent Chartered Accountant.



17. CHURCH PROPERTY :


  1. All property which the Church may acquire, whether movable or immovable, shall be held and administered solely by the Church for the furtherance of its objects and the propagation of its principles.

  2. The Church will not be entitled to enter into any speculative transaction.

  3. The Pastor/s, Executive members and/or their relatives may not derive any benefit from the funds or income of the Church, other than what has been formerly decided upon by the Executive members inclusive of the normal salaries payable in respect of services rendered.

  1. The Church shall be deemed to have ceased to exist should the principles of the heretofore Church no longer be adhered to. Should the Church cease to exist as a church for any reason whatsoever or be dissolved, then all the movable or immovable property owned by it, and all the rights to property which may have vested in or been acquired by it at such time, shall be given and transferred to another church or organization with the same objectives and principles, within the Republic of South Africa, provided that such church or organization also qualifies for exemption from payment of income tax and donation tax. See also clause 16. e).


18. RESTRICTION OF ACTIVITIES :


In its mission endeavour, the Church shall not use in excess of the annual legal limit outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa, without the prior written consent of the Commissioner for Inland Revenue.


19. CHURCH ORGANISATIONS :


No activity of the Church may function independently of the Church, but shall be an integral part thereof as confirmed by the Executive.


20. CHURCH BUSINESS :


    1. Members are requested to consider all matters of Church business transacted at Church meetings as strictly private.

    2. Meetings and services on the Church premises shall be held with the permission of the Executive and upon such conditions as it may decide.

    3. The Church may make and amend such bye-laws as it deems necessary for the conduct of its business.


21. MODIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION :


No alteration, amendment or addition to this constitution shall be considered except at a special meeting of the church called after due notice given after compliance with the provisions of clause 13. d) hereof and only such persons may vote thereat as are qualified in terms of clause 14. b) hereof.


22. INTERPRETATION :


The interpretation of this constitution shall be determined by the Executive. Should an interpretation of the Executive be queried the matter may be raised with due notice – see clause 13. c) - at a properly convened special meeting of members whose decision thereon shall be final.

19/04/2009