Tweaking the Constitution by Kevin Stone, President


At Connect19, delegates unanimously approved numerous


amendments to our Constitution. Tese amendments had been presented to all of our Fellowship churches by the International Board of Directors on April 10, 2019 — as the Constitution re- quires three months’ notice for each church to carefully consider any amendments before ratifying them at our annual meeting.


But what were those amendments all about? Well, the FEBC staff and the International Board of Di-


rectors have been working hard to identify areas that could be strengthened or refined within our organization. One outcome of this effort was a realization that the 2013 version of our Constitu- tion was in need of revision.


Four broad categories of concern stood out, with multiple


revisions needed within each category. All revisions would be too numerous to list here, but following is a summary of each catego- ry, along with two examples from each one.


1. Grammatical/formatting corrections: Tese were mostly corrections which needed to be made in order to accom- modate the other changes, but there were a few spots where the existing verbiage or format was improved. Example 1 – Our annual meeting was referred to as “annu- al meeting” in some cases and “Convention” in others. All references were changed to “annual meeting.”


Example 2 – Te Table of Contents was adjusted to match the other changes.


2. Corrected to match current policies/structure: Sections within the Constitution referred to policies and structure that are no longer in use, or that were planned but never implemented. Example 1 – removed references to the Doctrinal Council, which was added in 2013 but was never established.


Example 2 – removed references to the Administrator, as there is no longer an Administrator on staff.


3. Adjusted to remove unwarranted specificity: Our Constitution was more specific than generally accepted standards. For instance, the Vision Statement was included, even though this statement will change from time to time. In addition, specific Commissions and Staff positions were listed. Tis specificity prevented us from setting a new vision or restructuring our organization without a Consti- tutional amendment. Te Vision Statement and all specific staff besides President were removed, and the Commissions were adjusted as follows: ◆ Two commissions are labeled “standing commissions,” which will continue to be listed in the Constitution, with specific duties and responsibilities spelled out: the Commission on Churches and the Commission on Church Planting.


14 Fellowship Focus, September/October 2019


◆ All other commissions are “special commissions,” which are set up to address a specific area of ministry or focus and can be adjusted over time. Tis allows the Directors more flexibility in addressing current needs efficiently without asking for constitutional amendments on a recurring basis.


Other examples: Example 1 – added flexibility to the timing of Commis- sion meetings around the annual meeting.


Example 2 – removed that the annual meeting is “at Con- vention,” which allows added flexibility.


4. Adjusted to increase participation in leadership: In an effort to increase participation from member churches in filling the positions of director and commission member, some of the criteria for these positions have been adjusted in order to encourage greater participation. Example 1 – terms for Directors were reduced from four years to three years.


Example 2 – the requirement for a Commission member to serve as chairperson was reduced from 3 years to 1 year of service on that Commission.


If you wish to view the new Constitution in its entirety, you


may request a copy from your church office or from the FEBC office. Questions about specific changes may be directed to the FEBC office (info@febcministries.org).


We believe that this new Constitution is more accurate,


more efficient, and positions us to more effectively respond to the ever-changing climate of ministry in North America. We appre- ciate the insightful questions that were raised during this process, and the support of our churches in passing these amendments.


May God be glorified in this and in all of our endeavors!


Church planter Dave Cornelius warns Mark Funk (leſt) and John Skillman (right) about the dangers of the “just one more piece” philosophy.


FellowshipForward.org


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