CONSTITUTION
NORTHERN LIGHTS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization shall be Northern Lights Baptist Association.
ARTICLE II – STATEMENT OF FAITH
1. The Statement of Faith shall be The Baptist Faith & Message of the Southern Baptist Convention, as adopted by the Canadian National Baptist Convention.
2. The association subscribes to the following statement on marriage: Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means of procreation of the human race.
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association is to be a fellowship of New Testament congregations cooperating under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ to fulfil the Great Commission.
ARTICLE IV – RELATIONSHIPS
SECTION 1. The association will cooperate with the Canadian National Baptist Convention in an effort to carry out the terms of the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:16-20.
SECTION 2. The association will cooperate with the agencies and churches of the Southern Baptist Convention.
ARTICLE V – NON PROFIT STATUS
This organization shall be carried on without purpose of gain for any of its members, and any profits or other accretions to the organization shall be used in promoting its purpose.
ARTICLE VI – DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution, all assets will be distributed to CNBC/SBA Charitable organizations of the Association’s choice that are qualified donees, registered under the Income Tax Act of Canada.
ARTICLE VII – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. This Association in its meetings shall be composed of messengers elected by the Baptist congregations cooperating with and contributing to the work of this Association, provided the congregation electing messengers shall have adopted the Statement of Faith in Article II, or one acceptable to the Association, shall have subscribed to this Constitution and By-laws, and shall have been admitted to the Association.
SECTION 2. Each congregation in the Association having fifty (50) members or less, may send four (4) messengers, and one (1) additional messenger for each additional twenty-five (25) members, providing that no congregation has more than ten (10) messengers.
SECTION 3. Congregations which are in agreement with the principles, purposes and methods of this Association and which desire admission into its fellowship shall make an application for constituent membership by petitionary letter to the Credentials Committee no later than two (2) months prior to the Annual or Semi-Annual Meeting.
SECTION 4. The Credentials Committee shall inquire into the congregation’s articles of faith, fellowship, manner and the nature of organization. The Committee shall state its recommendations at the following Annual or Semi-Annual Meeting. If the application is approved by majority vote, the congregation shall be accepted and its messengers seated.
ARTICLE VIII – OFFICERS
The officers of this Association shall consist of a Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer. Each officer shall assume office on January 1 following the Annual Meeting of the year in which they are elected. They shall serve through that calendar year.
ARTICLE IX – EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers, the ministry leaders, and up to four (4) members at large elected by the Association. Persons receiving compensation for ministry in behalf of the Association shall serve as Ex-Officio members of the Board with voice but have no vote.
SECTION 2. The Executive Board shall fill all vacancies occurring in the Association between annual meetings, except salaried personnel.
SECTION 3. The Executive Board shall transact any and all business of the Association during its recess, providing that nothing shall be done contrary to this constitution and by-laws or to the expressed will of the Association.
SECTION 4. The Executive Board shall approve the agenda for the Association Annual Meeting and send a copy to each congregation of the Association at least thirty (30) days before each meeting, together with any other information or written reports of the work it may feel will be helpful and inspiring to the congregations.
SECTION 5. The Executive Board shall make a yearly report to the Association at the Annual Meeting of all work done by the Board.
SECTION6. All recommendations approved by the Association that require legal action, shall be executed by the Executive Board and signed by the Moderator and Clerk.
ARTICLE X – MEETINGS
SECTION 1. The Annual Meeting of the Association shall take place in the fall at such a time and place as it may designate.
SECTION 2. The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of two (2) times between Annual Meetings.
SECTION 3. Any two (2) officers of the Association may call extra meetings of the Association or the Executive Board.
ARTICLE XI – AUTHORITY
While the Association does not assume any authority over the congregations in its membership, it does reserve the right to withdraw membership from any congregation which the Association deems to have become corrupt in faith or practice.
ARTICLE XII – QUESTIONS
All questions except amendments to the Constitution shall be decided by a majority vote of the messengers present.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. This Constitution may be amended by three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the messengers present at any Annual Meeting providing the proposed amendment has been presented in writing to the Association at the previous annual or semi annual meeting.
SECTION 2. Article V and VI may not be amended.
