Vision, Mission, Aim & Constitution
OUR VISION
- Loving God, Loving People & Loving Life.
- To create relevant envoironments for people to CONNECT to Jesus & others.
- To encourage & equip people to CONTRIBUTE to God's mission.
- Along with others, CELEBRATE transforming faith in Christ.
- Empowering people to live victorious lives, overcoming obstacles and struggles that can be a everyday occurrence.
- Teaching people they can be successful in every area of life.
- To be a light in our community.
OUR MISSION
- To lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
OUR AIM
- To live life to the full just as Jesus intended for us.
"I have come that they may have life, & life to the full." John 10:10 NIV
CONSTITUTION of ALC MINISTRIES INCORPORATED
The registered trading name of the Church shall be: ALC Ministries hereinafter referred to as the Assembly & known as Abundant Life Church in its communities.
This Church is a member Church of Australian Christian Churches. The United Constitution, National By-Laws, State By-Laws, and District Charter of Australian Christian Churches are endorsed and accepted together with all National, State and District Conference decisions.
The Church shall be dissolved if membership shall become less than eight persons or the members may, at a meeting called only for that purpose, resolve to dissolve the Church if such resolution is carried by a three-quarters majority.
- 1.To preach and teach and generally to further the cause of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as stated in the Bible and to advance the Christian Faith in Australia and other Nations and to work for the building up and extension and renewal of the Christian Church.
- 2.To meet for the worship of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the preaching and teaching of the Word of God and the administration of the Sacraments mentioned in 5 hereof.
- 3.To further and propagate the Christian Faith in Australia & or elsewhere by the conduct of Evangelism & or by the establishment of further Assemblies & or missionary works with similar objectives.
- 6.To make donations to assist, undertake the oversight of or in any way co-operate with other Churches, organizations, societies or individuals who have similar objects.
For the purpose of carrying out the Principal Objects in their spiritual and secular context, the Church shall have the further objects and powers as follows:
- 1.To collect and raise moneys for the purpose of purchasing or otherwise acquiring land and buildings.
- 2.To purchase, take on, lease, hire, exchange or acquire by gift or otherwise and to manage, sell, transfer, lease, hire, mortgage or otherwise dispose of, invest or deal with any real or personal property or any estate or interest therein.
- 3.To borrow or raise or secure the payment of money for the purposes of the Church whether the same shall have been borrowed or is intended to be borrowed on overdrawn account or otherwise in such manner and upon such terms and whether with or without security as may seem expedient.
- 6.To guarantee, indemnify, or receive payment, or act as Trustee on behalf of another body, association, company or person, as the Board deems appropriate.
- 7.To engage, conduct, enter into joint venture, partnership or contract with another body, association, company or person for such purpose as the Board deems appropriate.
- 11.The printing and publishing of such newspapers, periodicals, books, leaflets or other documents as the Board or the Church in general meeting may think desirable for the promotion of the objects and purposes of the Church.
- 12.The making of gifts, subscriptions or donations to any fund, authority or institution or individual as determined by the Board.
- 14.The establishment and support or aiding in the establishment or support of any other association formed for any of the basic objects of the Church.
- 15.Purchase or acquisition and undertaking of all or any part of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of any Church or association with which the Church may at any time become amalgamated.
- 16.Subject to the provisions of the current State Trust Act, the investment of any moneys of the Church not immediately required for any of its objects or purposes in such manner as the Board may from time to time determine.
5. MINISTRATIONS AND CEREMONIES.
The following shall be observed as a Church ordinance or as commanded by the Holy Scriptures:
- 1.Baptism by water immersion in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in respect to all those who have repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 4.Prayer for the sick upon their request with the anointing of oil and laying on of hands by the Eldership.
Conditions and Evidence of Membership:
Should the Nominating Board after due deliberation, refuse to recommend to the Board any person proposed as Senior Minister within a 4 month period, or shall be unable, the Board shall then notify the State Executive and they will then appoint an interim pastor until the Board can choose a permanent Senior Minister. The decision of the Board shall be carried by a 3/4 majority. The decision of the Board shall be final.
Upon the appointment of the new Senior Minister all key leadership (ie. Elders, deacons and Advisory Boards) shall voluntarily tender their resignations to the new Senior Minister but continue to act in an advisory capacity and be subject to reappointment at his discretion within a period of 12 months of the Senior Minister's appointment.
The Board shall negotiate and determine the remuneration and conditions of the Senior Minister's appointment according to the guidelines set down by the National Executive and obtainable from the National Office.
4 Powers and Duties of Senior Minister:
- 1.The Senior Minister shall be responsible to conduct himself with godliness and dignity befitting his position and to be an example. He shall give himself to prayer and the Word of God to be effective in preaching and administering the sacraments.
- 2.The Senior Minister shall be a person who qualifies for membership of the Church and is Baptised with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4.
- 3.The Senior Minister or his nominee shall preside at all meetings of the Church and be Chairman of the Board and be entitled to chair all Business Meetings and every board, committee or department meeting as he shall so decide.
- 4.No meeting shall be held by any committee, board or department without notice having been given to the Senior Minister informing him of the time, place and purpose of the meeting. This requirement may be waived by the Senior Minister if he shall so decide.
- 5.No leader, committee, board or department shall depart from the established policies of the Church without prior consultation with the Senior Minister.
- 6.The Senior Minister may vote on any question arising at any meeting of the Church or of any board, department or committee with the exception of any voting to set the level and manner of remuneration of the Senior Minister.
- 7.The Senior Minister shall be in charge of all meetings of the Church with full power, subject to this Constitution, to decide who shall participate in them and in what manner.
- 8.The Senior Minister, after consultation with the Board, may create special groups within the assembly and appoint Departmental leaders in consultation with the Board for whatever purpose or term at his sole discretion.
- 9.The Senior Minister shall have the power to employ and dismiss staff members and assistant ministers at his sole discretion after consultation with the Board. Remuneration in all cases shall be set by the Board in consultation with the Senior Minister.
2 Powers and Duties of the Associate Minister:
- 2.The Associate Minister may not assume any of the powers or responsibilities of the Senior Minister unless first requested to do so by the Senior Minister and approved to do so by the Board.
3 Appointment of Assistant Ministers:
4 Powers and Duties of Assistant Ministers:
- 1.Assistant Ministers shall function only within the specific portfolio assigned to them by the Senior Minister and shall be responsible directly to him in all matters relating to their ministry.
9. DISCIPLINE OR DISMISSAL OF MINISTERS.
2. Doctrinal Error contradicting the Articles of Faith of Australian Christian Churches
3. Financial misappropriation, mismanagement, or illegalities
- 3.Should the complaint be on grounds other than in 9.1 and the Board consider the grounds upon which the complaint has been made to be established, it shall deal with the matter in its sole discretion.
- 4.If the Senior Minister is aggrieved by the decision of the Board in the matter, he may appeal to the State Executive Presbytery of Australian Christian Churches by notice in writing to the State Secretary thereof (a copy of such notice shall be given to the Assembly Secretary).
- 6.Should the credentialed Minister be aggrieved by a local boards decision, he/she may activate the same course of action as described in Article 9:2.4.
Should the State Executive Presbytery find the charge against the Minister proven, they may:
- 2.Suspend or remove State credentials or recommend the removal or suspension of National credentials in which case the Board shall terminate his appointment forthwith.
- 3.Should members of the local church have a major concern regarding the overall welfare of the local church or it’s Credentialed Ministers, they may address these matters in writing before the local church board. Should their concerns be not properly addressed they may appeal in writing to the District/State Executive for adjudication purposes.
Such termination shall be effected three (3) months from the date of the meeting, or the Minister may be dismissed forthwith and receive three (3) months' salary in lieu of continuing in the Assembly's employment providing that the termination was not for moral failure or financial misappropriation. In such a case the Board in their absolute discretion, may terminate the Minister's employment without further financial reimbursement except holiday pay, long service and superannuation reimbursements.
Notice of the determination of the question by the said State Executive Presbytery shall be transmitted to the Minister and to the Church Secretary who shall refer the matter to the Board
10. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY.
The Government of the Assembly is invested in the Advisory Board and chaired by the Senior Minister. Here after this GOVERNING BODY shall be referred to as THE BOARD.
- 4.Appointments or dismissals of Elders, Deacons, and/or Advisory Board Members shall be endorsed by the existing Board.
The Board shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members and a maximum of nine (9) members.
5 Responsibilities of the Board:
- 1.Management of the affairs of the Assembly shall be vested in the Board which may exercise all such power and functions as may be exercised on behalf of the Assembly.
- 3.The Board or its nominee shall have power to draw upon the Treasurer for such amounts as they shall decide to be necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Assembly.
- 1.The Board shall meet at least once in every two (2) months to exercise its functions. At least seven days notice shall be given for all General Board Meetings.
- 3.The Board may meet together and regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit PROVIDED THAT questions arising at any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes. The chairman shall have a casting vote.
- 4.Not less than forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be given to members of the Board of any Special Meeting of the Board. Not withstanding a meeting of the Board may be held at any time providing all members agree to meet.
The Board may make By-Laws and amend and vary same from time to time for the administration of the Assembly or any part or department thereof.
The Secretary of the Assembly shall be nominated by the Senior Minister and whose appointment must by ratified by the Board. If the position is not filled by one of the Board, the position shall be non voting.
- 2.To keep on file all records of legal transactions such as Deeds, Mortgages, and Contracts which have been entered into by the Assembly.
- 4.To write such letters as he is directed by the recognised governing body of the Assembly, retaining duplicate copies for permanent file and to receive and place on file any correspondence received.
- 5.To notify in writing the members of the Assembly of any general meeting thereof when so instructed.
- 6.The records, documents, official stamps and seal and correspondence placed in the care of the Secretary of the Assembly are not his personal property nor under his personal control, but are the property of the Assembly and are under the control of the Assembly as directed by the vote of the Assembly or by the authority of the Board of the Assembly in accordance with this Constitution.
The Treasurer of the Assembly shall be nominated by the Senior Minister and whose appointment must be ratified by the Board. If the position is not filled by one of the Board, the position shall be non- voting.
One of the meetings of the Board shall be the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Board and will serve as the AGM of the Assembly. This meeting will be called by the Board and be held, as near as practical, twelve months from the previous AGM. The Senior Minister or his appointee shall chair this meeting.
The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be:
In the event the auditor’s and/or accountant’s report is not available at the time of the meeting the auditor’s and/or accountant’s report will be presented to the first available general meeting of the Board. This report will be made available to all interested parties within fourteen (14) day’s of being presented to the Board.
- 1.Be in writing.
- 2.Be submitted to the Secretary at least seven (7) clear days prior to such
- 3.Be included only at the discretion of the Board.
4 Extraordinary General Meeting:
- 1.An Extraordinary General Meeting may be held when considered necessary from time to time by the Board after at least seven (7) days notice is given to the congregation.
- 2.This meeting shall be called for the Church to vote on matters of property, sale or purchase and the raising of loans. Any of the above must be carried by a two-thirds (2/3rds) majority of the members present.
- 3.Accidental omission to give notice to any member shall not invalidate the meeting or the resultant outcome.
The Senior Minister or his nominee shall preside as Chairman of all General Meetings and Extraordinary Meetings of the Assembly.
6 Interpretation of Constitution:
The income and property of the Assembly whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the Assembly. No portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to the persons who at any time are or have been members of the Assembly or to any of them or to any person claiming through any of them.
PROVIDED THAT nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith or remuneration to any officers or servants of the Assembly or to any member thereof or other person in return for services actually rendered to the Assembly or for goods supplied in the ordinary way of business (but not for services rendered as an office bearer) nor prevent the payment of interest on borrowed money, the maximum rate charged by Banks in the State in similar circumstances or the payment of rent for premises or goods let or hired to the Assembly.
All designated gifts and offerings whatsoever, of money or otherwise shall, except with the express permission and consent of the donor of such gifts and offerings, or their personal representative, be applied to the purpose or purposes for which they are designated. If, in the opinion of the Board, it should prove impossible to effect such designated purpose, the Board may refer the matter to the donor or, if the donor is not living, to the donor's personal representative and if no personal has been appointed, then the Board may apply the gift to a purpose or purposes as near as possible to the intention of the donor as the Board may determine.
The Board shall designate signatories of all banking accounts from time to time and the Treasurer shall notify the bank or banks accordingly. All accounts must be operated by any two authorised signatures.
The financial year of the Assembly shall be determined by the Board.
The Board shall appoint a person or firm as Auditor and/or Accountant from time to time which such Auditor and/or Accountant shall give a written report to the AGM of the Board.
By resolution of a duly constituted General Meeting, the Assembly may appoint a Trustee or Trustees, whether a corporate body or natural person(s) to hold its real property subject to trusts approved by the Board, and may in the same manner cancel or vary such appointment.
The Board, by resolution, may appoint a Finance Committee from its members or the general membership of the Church to:
- 1.That upon dissolution of the body in question, the property or assets thereof be applied to or for the benefit of the Assembly.
- 2.That no person who is not appointed by the Board holds office or be appointed as a director or be a member thereof.
- 3.Any person appointed to hold office pursuant to sub-clause (b) hereof may have such appointment revoked at any time by the Board.
- 1.The State Executive of Australian Christian Churches may be invited to hold a meeting of members or to assist or advise in the business or affairs of the Assembly by the Senior Minister, or the Board, or by 1/3 of the current membership of the Assembly by written and signed request notwithstanding the contrary opinion of any of these.
- 3.The meeting shall be conducted according to the provisions of this Constitution except that the Agenda shall be set by the State Executive.
- 4.All business conducted shall be according to the Constitution of the Assembly, and the State or National Executive official of Australian Christian Churches may not institute any rule, take any action, or make any decision affecting the Assembly unless such motions are carried by 1/3 of the members.
- 5.Notwithstanding the attendance at any meeting of the Assembly of members of the State or National Executives of Australian Christian Churches, who are not members of this Assembly, any business conducted at any such meeting according to this Constitution shall be and remain of full force and effect and be binding on the members of the Assembly.
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