The Association of
Evangelical Community
Churches
Constitution and Bylaws
PREAMBLE
The purpose of this Constitution and Bylaws is to declare our Faith,
Function, Purpose and Organizational Structure
ARTICLE I. NAME
We shall be known as The Association of Evangelical Community Churches,
herein referred to as The AECC. The Association was formed in November, 2002, in Granbury, Texas as a non-profit, non stock
fellowship. The AECC is a Fellowship of Churches.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the AECC shall be to "Reclaim the faith once delivered,"
offer an identity and spiritual home for the evangelical community churches that prefer not to be a part of a denomination,
its ministers, pastors, evangelists, church planters, churches, cell groups, prayer groups, ministries, missions and other
such individuals and groups who may benefit from affiliation; and the credentialing of such ministers.
ARTICLE III. AFFILIATION
The AECC may choose at the descretion of the Senior Presiding Pastor and the Executive Presiding
Pastors to affiliate with any other Evangelical Organizations after input from the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
The AECC shall consist of a Senior Presiding Pastor (SPP), at least two
but not more than five Executive Presiding Pastors (EPP), making up the executive staff, a Board of Directors (BD) with
at least five (5) members who will be Regional Presiding Pastors as required.
The leadership of AECC shall be the same persons who govern Dayspring Ministries
International, the "Covering Ministry," and the Association of Evangelical Clergy unless designated differently by an amendment
to this constitution.
The Executive Staff may, at their discretion, create and fill specialized
positions such as the following:
Director of Chaplaincy Services -- Crisis Response Team Coordinator --
On-Line
Ministry Coordinator, Elders -- Deacons, International College of Christian Therapy Staff & Faculty and other positions
as needed.
The Executive Staff and Board of Directors of the AECC may also
serve The International College of Christian Therapy as Advisors or Professors.
No salaries shall be paid any officer of the AECC unless approved
by the Executive Staff.
SENIOR PRESIDING PASTOR: The Senior Pastor (SPP) is the spiritual leader
of the DAYSPRING MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL AND AECC. The term of office, following the resignation or retirement shall be for
one, three-year term with possible reappointment to a second three year term, for a total of six years. This portion of the
By-laws will come into effect upon the retirement of the founding Senior Presiding Pastor.
The Board of Directors appoints the Senior Pastor after the founding Senior
Pastor resigns or retires. The Senior is also head of the Mother organization, Dayspring Ministers International, the Association
of Evangelical Clergy, and may be Pastor of Dayspring Community Church, Granbury, Texas.
The Senior Pastor, in consultation with The Executive Pastors shall make
recommendations to the BD pertaining to all spiritual decisions and appointments for advice and guidance. However, The Senior
Pastor shall have the ultimate, final decision, in all areas, provided that sound scriptural guidelines are adhered to. By
exercising veto power, the Senior Pastor shall provide to the board sound scriptural reasoning for overriding the board.
Upon the end of the Senior Pastors
term of service, the Board of Directors shall either re-appoint or appoint a new Senior Pastor, giving due consideration
to one of the the Executive Pastors as a possible successor.
Upon the end of the Senior Pastors term of service, if he or she has served
admirably, he or she may be awarded the title "Presiding Pastor Emeritus." The Pastor Emeritus shall be an honorary position
for life.
EXECUTIVE PASTOR: The Board of Advisors shall appoint the Executive Pastors (EP) for one, two-year
term with possible reappointment to one, three-year term. The Executive Pastor serves as Fellowship Administrator and shall
give direction, guidance, counsel and other requested assistance to the Senior Pastor, Board of Directors and Presiding Pastors.
The Executive Pastors shall also serve on the Board of Directors as Ex-Officio members. The Executive Pastors shall
provide clerical and administraive duties for the Executive Staff and Board of Directors.
ELDERS AND DEACONS: The Board of Directors may appoint Elders or Deacons
as required to assist the Executive Staff with the day to day operation of the AECC. Elders and Deacons shall serve for terms
concurrent with those of the AECC Presiding Pastors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors (BD) shall consist of at least
five members, recommended by the Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor, and elected by the Presiding Pastors. The Board of Directors
shall consider the recommendations of the Senior Pastor concerning decisions on all spiritual matters of the AECC and the
Executive Pastor concerning decisions on all administrative matters of the AECC. Responsibilities of the Board include but
are not limited to affiliations, ordinations, recognition of ministerial credentials, appointments and daily operations.
Members of the Board of Directors are appointed for staggered terms. Three
seats shall be three-year terms and two seats will be two-year terms; as such, each year one, three-year seat and one, two-year
seat will expire. Members of the Board of Directors may be reappointed. The Executive Pastor and Administrative Pastor shall
serve on the Board as Ex-Officio members.
PRESIDING PASTORS: The AECC shall include Regions with either one or
two assigned Presiding Pastors. Regions may be added or divided as needed by
the Executive Staff. The purpose and function of the Presiding Pastor is to serve as a liaison between the AECC and the respective
regions.
The Senior Pastor, with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoints
the Presiding Pastors for five-year, renewable terms. Requirements include abiding by and incorporating into the respective
Region the AECC Statement of Faith, Ordination by the AECC/Dayspring and Compliance with the AECC Code of Conduct.
ARTICLE V. STATEMENT OF FAITH
We Believe...
...there is one God eternally existing and manifesting Himself to us in three persons
-- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
...Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born
of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in
Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the scriptures. He is now at the right
hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest.
...the Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach
and empower the believer, and convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
...the Old and New Testaments,
inerrant as originally given, were inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of humankind.
They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice.
...humankind was originally created in the image
and likeness of God; falling through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All persons are born
with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only though the atoning work of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
...salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all persons; and those who repent and believe on Him are
born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life and become the children of God.
...the church consists
of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ
is the head of the body, the church, which has been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the
gospel to all nations.
...the local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of
God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the gospel, and the observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's
Supper.
...there shall be a bodily resurrection of the Just and of the unjust; for the former, a resurrection unto life;
for the latter, a resurrection unto judgment.
...the second coming of Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal, and
visible. This is the believers blessed hope and is a vital truth which is an incentive to holy living and faithful service.
Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures
are silent, we are silent."
ARTICLE VI. GOVERNMENT
Each Presiding Pastor, Region, Minister, and all other entities belonging
to the AECC/Dayspring Ministries International shall adhere to the Statement of Faith. It is suggested that each Presiding
Pastor and entities within his or her Region should follow the congregational polity of church government.
ARTICLE VII. MINISTERIAL ORDINATION
Ordination as a AECC minister is available to all men and women called by
God to the Gospel ministry who accept the AECC/Dayspring Statement of Faith. It is recommended that Candidates for
ordination should have at least a Bachelor's degree in Christian Ministry, Theology, Bible or a related field and are encouraged
to obtain a Masters Degree in a theologically-related field.
If a person who is applying has been in ministry many years, experience
may take the place of an acquired degree. All Ordination candidates must also complete a course ("Religion and the Law") through
ICCT or SPCU.
Ministers from other evangelical bodies may be received by transfer upon acceptance of the Statement
of Faith and resignation of any prior denominational ordination. Dual Ordination
will be considered if a candidate will call or write requesting to retain ordaination in his/her previous denomination or
fellowship. Candidates holding no credentials must be ordained in a ceremony
by the "laying on of hands." Regional Presiding Pastors may assist with this ceremony.
ARTICLE VIII. CODE OF
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Lawfulness, ethics, values and character are vitally important to the AECC.
The actions of Executive Officers and Regional Presiding Pastors cast a direct reflection on the Church and, in turn, to the
work of the Church in God's service. The AECC has a responsibility to address any issues of impropriety, founded or unfounded,
brought forward. Privileges may be suspended until the resolution of any such claims providing no impropriety was committed.
All Members, Ministers, College Staff and Faculty, Officers, Board members and Presiding Pastors
may be disicplined or removed by the Board for conduct unbecoming a Minister of the Gospel, false statements, misrepresenting
or calling into disrepute the AECC/AEC, convictions of criminal acts, actions contrary to the AECC/Dayspring Statement of
Faith or any other actions the Board deems inappropriate.
If there is an accusation or suspicion of sexual abuse by a member, the
Executive Staff and Board of Directors MUST be notified immediately. The suspected abuse will be reported to the proper authorities
immediately. AECC Staff will not interview the child regarding the suspected abuse; trained personnel will handle the process.
All information about the suspected abuse must be kept confidential whereever possible. Immediate suspension shall result
if a staff member is suspected of child abuse until a complete investigation and decision are made by the proper authorities.
Discipline of members below the level of Presiding Pastor is handled by
the Executive Staff and Board of Directors with input from the Presiding Pastor assigned to that area.
ARTICLE IX. MEMBERSHIP
The AECC/AEC exercises limited control and authority over ministers, members,
churches or any other entity belonging to Dayspring Ministries International. The AECC does however reserve the Right to revoke
ministerial credentials for violations of the AECC/Dayspring Code of Conduct.
ARTICLE X. ANNUAL MEETINGS and FISCAL YEAR
Regular meetings shall be held at least once per year at times and places
fixed by the Senior Pastor and the Board of Directors. These meetings may be held in person, via telephone or through online
communications. For business purposes, the AECC shall recognize July 1 to June 30, as our fiscal year.
ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Meetings shall be conducted under the guidelines of the Holy Scripture and
Roberts Rules of Order, i.e., they will be orderly for "God is not the Author of confusion."
ARTICLE XII. AMMENDMENT OF BY-LAW AND CONSTITUTION
In the event of amending the AECC Constitution or By-Laws, the Executive
Staff shall prepare the proposed amendments and present them to the Board of Directors for acceptance.
ARTICLE XIII. VOTING
Elections and other votes of the AECC, not assigned to the Board of Directors,
shall conform to the following guidelines to be considered valid:
All Presiding Pastors in good standing will be eligible to vote and will
be notified ten (10) days prior to the vote by posting on the AECC E-groups message board. As members may select several notification
options through egroups it is the responsibility of the member to regularly check egroups, as there will be no further notification.
Votes will be submitted by individual email to the Executive Pastor who will tally the votes and post the results on the E-groups
board. A deadline for submission of votes will be included in the Vote Warning.
If the vote is for election of Board Members, a list of potential Board
Members will be included in the Vote Warning along with a deadline for submission of votes to the Executive Minister. Votes
for new Board Members will occur on or around June 1st of each year with the term starting on July 1. It is the responsibility
of any member interested in a Board seat to notify the Executive Pastor prior to any impending election for inclusion on the
list. Each potential Board Member may post a biography and/or a statement on the E-groups site during the 10-day period before
the vote. Only those potential Board Members on the list will be considered for votes, no write in votes will be considered
valid.
Votes are cast by each Presiding Pastor sending a personal email to the
Executive Pastor who will tally the votes and post the results for the membership on the E-groups board. No votes posted publically
on the E-groups board will be considered a valid vote.
In the event that the need arises to fill a vacant position prior to the
end of the term for that seat, the Executive Staff will make recomendations to the Board of Directors who will appoint an
interim person until the end of the existing term.
A simple majority of those Presiding Pastors who voted is considered valid
for the vote to carry.
ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION
In the event that The AECC and it's executive officers and Board Of Directors
votes to dissolve this association, no person shall freely assume any of the assets of the association individually.
The assets of this non profit fellowship shall be sold or donated to another
non profit entity,and all proceeds of such sale shall be turned over to another non profit organization and no officer, board
member or general member shall profit from or benefit from the proceeds of any such sale, donation or merger.
© - Copyright - AECC - 2002
