THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES

ASSOCIATION OF REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCHES OF KENYA

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1.     Purpose:

The purpose of the Association is to provide the local churches with an organized fellowship for mutual encouragement and counsel, through which they can better fulfill the purposes for which they exist. This Association in no way compromises the independence and authority of each of the local churches within it.

2.     Membership:

Membership of the Association is open to all the reformed local churches in Kenya that make written application, signed by two office bearers including the following statements:

2.1. Acceptance of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith as true to the Bible.

2.2. The church has an official membership of baptized believers, with the number of members and the date the church was constituted indicated.

2.3. The date of the church meeting that voted to apply for membership in the Association.

Note:  Brethren engaged in church planting, but who do not have a constituted church, may be invited by the Chairman. Such must agree to section 2.1. If present, they will not form part of the quorum or be entitled to vote.

3. Organization:

3.1 Delegates.  For Association meetings, each participating local church shall officially appoint one but not more than two delegates to represent it, one of whom should be a pastor where possible.

3.2 Meetings. The Association shall meet annually. Additional meetings may be called as required. All member churches must be sent written notice of the time, place and purpose of all meetings at least one month in advance for business to be valid.

3.3 Officials. At each annual Association meeting, a chairman and a secretary shall be chosen. No such officer shall serve for more than two consecutive terms of one year.

3.3.1 The Chairman shall preside over every Association meeting for his year of office. He has no special power in the Association, being just one of the delegates, and has no authority whatsoever to deal with matters concerning any of the local churches. If invited by any local church, he shall minister only in the capacity of his position in his local church, and not that of being Chairman of the Association.

3.3.2 The Secretary is to record and distribute to all member churches the proceedings of the of the Association meetings, and to send out any other relevant information such as forthcoming meetings, conferences, etc.

3.4 Quorum.  A quorum is formed if two-thirds of member churches have, either sent delegates, or sent a letter of apology (which must include a statement that it will abide by all the decisions made at the Association meeting for that year).

3.5 Voting. Each local church has one vote. At least 75% of the local churches present and eligible to vote is required to pass a recommendation.

3.     Authority: 

As a voluntary fellowship among local churches, the Association shall have no authority to make demands of any sort upon any member local church. When requested by a local church, the Association may give advice to the church, but it has no power to enforce its judgment. The Association may request a local church to take on a specific responsibility, such as to arrange a conference, but this is always subject to the decision of the local church. If any joint project shall be considered, such as literature, evangelism, education, conferences, it must be under the direct control of one of the local churches.

The Association may not respond to requests of individuals or groups within churches. However, if a member church ceases to uphold this constitution, then it may be excluded from the Association by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present and eligible to vote at a duly called meeting. When such action is taken, notice of the action and its reasons must be given to the church that has been excluded.