Please note: The Constitution requires a few updates which will take place in Fall and will be brought forth to the Congregation for review and approval in compliance with the Constitution.

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I.   Name

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The name of this Congregation shall be Douglas Mennonite Church.

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II.  Mission

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The mission of Douglas Mennonite Church is to:

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• worship God;

• invite people to faith in Jesus Christ and to join with us in following him;

• live as a Christian community which loves and cares for each other;

• equip each other for the work God has called us to; and to

• serve – in the name of Christ – our neighbours across the street and around the world.

 

In doing this, we bring glory to God.

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 III.  Affiliation

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Douglas Mennonite Church is a member of Mennonite Church Manitoba and Mennonite Church Canada.

 

 IV.  The Confession of Faith

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 The Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective shall be the Confession of Faith of the Douglas Mennonite Church. The following is a summary of this Confession of Faith.

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1. We worship the one holy and loving God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Word of God become flesh.

3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the eternal Spirit of God.

4. We believe that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit for instruction in salvation and training in righteousness.

5. We believe that God has created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them.

6. We believe that God has created human beings in the divine image.

7. We confess that, beginning with Adam and Eve, humanity has disobeyed God, given way to the tempter, and chosen to sin.

8. We believe that through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life to all people.

9. We believe the church is the assembly of those who have accepted God’s offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

10. We believe that the church is called to proclaim and to be a sign of the kingdom of God.

11. We believe that the baptism of believers with water is a sign of their cleansing from sin and a pledge before the church to walk in the way of Jesus.

12. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a sign by which the church thankfully remembers the new covenant which Jesus established by his death.

13. We believe that Jesus Christ calls us to serve one another in love as he did.

14. We believe that the practice of discipline in the church is a sign of God’s offer of forgiveness and transforming grace.

15. We believe that ministry continues the work of Christ, who gives gifts through the Holy Spirit to all believers.

16. We believe that the church of Jesus Christ is one body with many members.

17. We believe that Jesus Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow him.

18. We believe that to be a disciple of Jesus is to know life in the Spirit.

19. We believe that God intends human life to begin in families and to be blessed through families.

20. We commit ourselves to tell the truth, to give a simple yes or no, and to avoid swearing of oaths.

21. We believe that everything belongs to God, who calls us to live as faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.

22. We believe that peace is the will of God.

23. We believe that the church is God’s ‘holy nation’, called to give full allegiance to Christ its head and to witness to all nations about God’s saving love.

24. We place our hope in the reign of God and in its fulfillment in the day when Christ our ascended Lord will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.

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V.  Membership

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A. Baptism

 Our Confession of Faith states that “the church is the assembly of those who voluntarily commit themselves to follow Christ in life and to be accountable to one another and to God.” The New Testament envisions that all Christians will naturally be part of a local congregation. Everyone who is baptized at Douglas Mennonite Church will automatically become a member of the congregation.

 

Those who have been baptized as adults in another congregation and desire to become members in this congregation may do so in the following manner:

• Those with a membership in another congregation may transfer with a letter from their former congregation and a recommendation from at least one member of Douglas Mennonite Church.

• Those who are no longer a member of any congregation may join upon confession of their faith and a recommendation from at least one member of Douglas Mennonite Church.

 

Those who have been baptized as children in other denominations will be given a choice as to whether or not they wish to be baptized as adults. A determining factor should be whether or not their baptism as a child was a significant beginning to their journey of faith. Those who choose not to be rebaptized will join upon confession of their faith and a recommendation from at least one member of Douglas Mennonite Church.

 

Every baptism, confession of faith and membership transfer will be preceded by a period of instruction about the faith and practices of this congregation. Notice of a person’s desire to become a member will be given to the congregation in advance.

 

1. Congregational Discipline

Congregational discipline shall be redemptive in purpose, recognizing that when one member suffers, the whole body suffers. Thus discipline shall be directed towards restoring individuals and the community. Christ’s teaching on confrontation and admonition (Matthew 18:15-35) provides the form and intention of our congregations discipline.

 

2. Termination of Membership

 Membership in this Congregation may be terminated upon:

1. Death.

2. Transfer of membership to another congregation.

3. Withdrawal of membership, in writing.

4. Dismissal. If congregational discipline has been ineffective, the Ministerial and Council will be advised as to the situation and the steps which have been taken. A person may then be removed from membership by a two-thirds vote of the Ministerial and Council. Any such dismissal shall be reported to the congregation.

5. Inactivity. If a person has not participated in the life of the congregation for an extended period of time and has shown no commitment to do so in the future, the Ministerial and Council will be advised as to the situation and attempts to restore the member to active participation. A person may then be removed from membership by a two-thirds vote of the Ministerial and Council. Any such removal shall be reported to the Congregation.

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VI.  Privileges of Members

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1. Every member has a right to obtain spiritual guidance and pastoral care.

2. Every member has the right to participate and to vote at congregational meetings.

3. Every member who has been gifted by God and who meets the biblical standards for church office is eligible to be elected to office.

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VII.  Duties of the Members

 

1. The congregation expects its members to practice previously outlined Christian principles in their daily lives. It also expects that members will support the mission of the congregation through their participation, selfless giving, service and prayers.

2. In order to meet the budget that is approved at the Annual Membership Meeting, members are expected to make contributions based on their ability to give, as indicated in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

3. Members shall report births, marriages, deaths and changes of address to the church statistician.

 

VIII.  Administration

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1. Congregational Meetings

 

The congregation is the highest decision making body of Douglas Mennonite Church.

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Congregational Meetings may be called by the Church Council Chairperson, Church Council, or the Ministerial, by way of a public announcement, on a Sunday, at least two days prior to the meeting. Decisions are made by simple majority vote of all members present, unless otherwise stated in this Constitution. The annual meeting will be held within six weeks of the fiscal year end. A quorum for Congregational Meetings is established when 10 percent of the current membership is present. At the annual meeting a budget is presented for discussion and adoption. Additional congregational meetings are called at the discretion of the Church Council or the Council Chairperson. At these meetings reports and recommendations from congregational committees are received and elections held.

 

2. Church Council

 

The Church Council shall consist of:

1. Leading Minister – The leading minister provides spiritual guidance to Church Council proceedings. The leading minister is a fully participating member of the Church Council proceedings but does not vote.

2. Chairperson – the administrative leader of the congregation, responsible for planning and presiding at the business meetings of the congregation and Council, and a signing officer for the congregation. Subject to ratification at the next Council meeting, the Chairperson acts in place of Council between its meetings on matters requiring decision or action prior to the next meeting of Council.

3. Vice Chairperson – acting as chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and is the successor to the chairperson.

4. Past Chair – the chairperson who immediately preceded the current chairperson.

5. Secretary – responsible for recording the minutes of the meetings of the congregation and the Council and conducting the correspondence as directed.

6. Treasurer – responsible for administering the finances of the congregation, keeping appropriate books and records, the preparation of the budget for consideration by Council prior to the annual meeting, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to government, and a signing officer for the congregation.

7. Member at Large – a minimum of one member at large to represent the views of the congregation at Council meetings.

8. Any additional members duly recommended and approved by the congregation to support the current priorities of the congregation.

  

There will be not fewer than five and not more than fifteen Church Council members. A quorum for Council is established when half of the Council members are present. At all meetings of Council each motion shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast on the question. In the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. Tied votes are deemed to be defeated.

 

In the event of a vacant position on council, a quorum for a church council meeting may fill the vacancy on an interim basis until a vote is conducted at the next Congregational Meeting. In the absence of a quorum the Chairperson shall forthwith call a special Congregational Meeting to fill such vacancy.

 

A Church Council member who is a party to a material contract or proposed material contract with the Church shall disclose the nature and extent of such interest prior to discussion at Church Council meetings. The Council member who may be in conflict of interest will leave the meeting to allow discussion and voting before returning.

 

3. Committees

 

Council is responsible to establish any and all committees required to support the current activities of the congregation. Committee chairpersons are elected by the congregation. The leading minister and the chairperson of Council are ex officio members of all committees.

 

4. Elections, Terms, Limitations of Council and Committee Chairs

 

Unless otherwise noted, Council members and committee chairpersons are elected by the congregation for a minimum of three years and a maximum of two terms.

 

5. The Audit Committee

 

This Committee consists of three church members elected by the Church for three years. At least once a year they shall examine the financial records and report their findings to the Council and to the annual meeting. The Audit Committee shall provide a copy of the annual financial statements to all church members at least 10 days prior to the annual meeting.

 

6. The Statistician

 

The Statistician shall be elected by the congregation for an indefinite period and report to Council and the congregation. The Statistician shall

1. Maintain the membership records

2. Prepare and present a statistical report at the Annual Meeting.

3. Be responsible for the annual preparation and printing of the Membership Directory.

4. Gather all important information of Church activities which are of historical value, and ensure the safekeeping thereof.

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IX. Spiritual Leadership

The role of ministers at Douglas Mennonite Church is described in “A Mennonite Polity for Ministerial Leadership” as published by Mennonite Church Canada. All ministers at Douglas Mennonite Church are elected by a congregational vote as defined by such policy. Ministers of the congregation meet regularly as a ministerial to set direction for the congregation, deal with congregational issues and to plan worship.

 

X. Amendments or Changes to the Statutes

Only the congregation can make amendments or changes to these statutes. Motions regarding such changes must be made in writing to the Council, and in order to pass, require a three-fourth (75%) majority vote of the members present at any Congregational Meeting.

 

In Effect: November 19, 1982. Amended: June 3, 2007