NWASBC Constitution

The Constitution Of Northwest Association of Slavic Baptist Churches (Accepted on November 24, 2001 by the Second Congress)

1. General provisions

1.1  The Association of Slavic Baptists on the territory of the states of Washington and Oregon, referred as Northwest Association of Slavic Baptist Churches- NW ASBC - is an association of independent local Baptist Churches, which are uniting for brotherly fellowship and all-round joint work on the field of God. John 11:52.

1.2. Basis of activity of the Association is the Holy Scriptures, the Books of the Old and New Testaments (canonical, Synodal version) accepted Statements of Faith and present Constitution.

1.3. The Founder of the Association is the Constituent Congress of Representatives of Baptist churches

1.4 The Association can have a stamp and a seal.

 

2. Purposes of the Association.

2.1.To assist a spiritual growing of Churches and protection of purity of the Evangelical doctrine, as well as execution determined by the God of intending to preach the Gospel, to be the salt, the light and the Epistle of Christ to this world. Мatt.5:13; Мatt.5:16; 2 Cor.3:3; Gal.2:4-5; Еph.4:11-13.  

2.2. To assist to the unity and to strengthening of brotherly relations between Churches of the Association. Acts.9:31; John.17:21.

2.3. To promote instruction of children, youth, preachers and all believers in Statements of Faith. To assist a development of musical and singing ministry in Churches.John.5:39; Prov.22:6; Ps.33:12; Ps.118:9; Col.3:16; Ps.149:1,3.

2.4. To assist for the development of charitable and missionary ministry. James.1:27; 2 Cor.8:18-19.

 

3. Structure and activity of the Association.

3.1. For realization of the purposes stated in the chapter 2, the Association has:

  • The Congress of the Association
  • The Council of Pastors of the Association.
  • Departments of the Association.

3.2. A supreme ruling body of the Association is the Congress of the representatives of Churches involved into the Association. Each Church has the right of equal representation on the Congress of the Association.

3.3. The Council of Pastors of the Association determines the quantitative representation of the representatives.

3.4. The Congress selects and approves:

  • The President
  • The Vice-Presidents,
  • The Secretary,
  • The Treasurer,
  • Auditing commission,
  • Departments of the Association and their Directors.

3.5. The Congress will be held annually, during which the following will give the report for the past period:

  • The President
  • The Vice-Presidents,
  • The Secretary,
  • The Treasurer,
  • The Leader of the Auditing commission
  • The Directors of departments.

3.6. The Congress is considered valid, if not less than 2/3 of the representatives from Churches are present on it. The simple majority accepts all decisions. For election of the President and other responsible leaders of Association, it is necessary to have 2/3 of the presents.

3.7. Council of Pastors of the Association carries out the work on preparation of the Congress, and creates a commission on promotion of the candidates for leadership of Association and departments of the Association, and a commission of a congress actualization and others.

3.8. The Council of Pastors of the Association can call for the Extraordinary Congress.

3.9. The President is selected for a term of three years. He presides of the Council of Pastors of the Association and is representative of the Association before State, religious and international organizations. The Association can pay president and other leaders of the Association. Congress, with provision for offers of the Commission on promotion of the candidates for leadership, settles problems of continuing of functioning (working) the President and other leaders of the Association for a following term or their change.

 

4. The Council of Pastors of the Association.

4.1 At a period between congresses, the responsibility for the Association activity is assigned to the Council of the Association.

4.2 The Council of the Association are:

An elected Pastors of the local churches, as well as leaders of Association – the President, theVice-Presidents, Regional Assistants, who was elected on a regions meetings of Pastors, the Secretary, the Treasurer, members of the Auditing commission and the Directors of departments.

4.3 Elected on the Congress leaders of the Association have a close co-operation with all Pastors of churches and churches councils.

4.4 The Council of Pastors of the Association will be carried out in process of need, but not less then once per three months. The extended councils with participation of the ministers not included in structure of the Council of Pastors of Association will be carried out if necessary. Council of the Pastors of Association will carry out Congresses, conferences, seminars etc.

4.5 In particular events, Council of the Pastors of Association is authorized in a period between congresses to elect or discharge leaders of Association, with following statement on the Congress.

 

5. Departments of Association.

5.1. Association Departments (missionary work, spiritual education, Christian School, Sunday school, Russian school, youth, literary works, musical art and choral singing, spiritual disciplines, information and publishers and others) in its work realize purposes of Association in the close co-operation with the management of Association and local churches and are performers of deciding the congresses and the Councils of Pastors.

 

6. Membership of Churches in Association and their mutual relation.

6.1 Baptist churches can voluntarily be included in Associations and can come out of it according to a decision of each local church.

6.2 The Association and separate churches of the Association can co-operate with other churches, brotherly unions and associations, that carry out their activity based on the Holy Scripture and do not contradicting the Baptist Confession of Faith.

6.3 Churches of the Association have a close brotherly cooperation between itself, prayerful and material support.

6.4 At occurrence of problem situations in local Churches, Council of the Pastors of Association renders the possible and necessary help at the request of the Church or decision of brotherly Council of the local Church.

6.5 The Churches that are included in the Association cannot have women as Pastors.

6.6 Churches with members as homosexuals (sodomites), lesbians, whoever lies with an animal, but in the same way who are co-operating with such, can not be into the Association.

6.7 The local Churches can be excluded from structure of Association, if those break the Holy Scripture, regular Baptist Confession of Faith and present Constitution.

 

7. Relations with the State.

7.1 We believe that Church and State are independent and separated one from another. State intervene in a spiritual life of Association is inadmissible. 1 Tim.2:5; Мatt.22:21. Acts.4:19; 5:29.

In deals, where Church and State have a join –a school education, marriages, registrations of birth etc. - we are subordinated to all state laws, not discordant with the Holy Scripture. Rom.13:1-7.

7.2 We believe in the human rights based on teaching of Jesus Christ. Believers of churches which being included in Associations, can abandon to vows and using a weapon due to their religious belief. Instead of the military service, they can execute an alternative service, such as, in medical establishments or at the enterprises of a civil defense. Мatt.5:34-37,39,44.

 

8. Material means of the Association

8.1. The means of Association consist of deductions from Churches and all kinds of the voluntary donations

8.2. The Council of the Pastors of the Association manages the funds.

8.3. For conducting financial activity, the Association has the Treasurer and, at need, the Cashier. The Auditing commission elected during Congress Session of Association supervises the work of cash department.

8.4. The Council of the Association plans an annual financial budget and approves it on the next Congress.

8.5. In case of necessity, the Association has the right to ask Churches for the material support.

8.6. The Association can have movable and real estate.

 

9. Termination of activity of Association.

By-laws

9.1. The Association can stop the activity at own decision during an annual or extreme Congress Session. The Liquidating commission for execution of the decision of Congress is selected according to the existing legislation.

9.2. At the termination of activity of Association, the Liquidating Commission, after payment of the taxes transfers to other non-profit organizations all means and all movable and real estate.

Notes

This Association, named “Northwest Association of Slavic Baptist Churches”, is organized exclusively for, and will be operated exclusively for, religious, charitable, educa­tional and scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The place in this state where the principal office of the Association is to be located is the City of Kent, King County.

No part of the net earnings of the Association shall be inured to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any of its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this Articles hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The property of this Association is irrevocably dedicated to chari­table and educational purposes and no part of the net income or assets of this Association shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof or to the benefit of any private person.

Upon the winding up and dissolution of the Association, after pay­ing or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the Association, the remaining assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future United States Internal Revenue law, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Association is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

 

9. Changes and additions to the Constitution.

9.1. All changes and additions to the Constitution are accepted during Congress Session by voting at participation of 2/3 votes.