About IBICA

International Brethren in Christ Association

Constitution

Purpose:

The purpose of the International Brethren in Christ Association (IBICA) is to nurture a common identity, promote a common mission, and provide a common network for the global community of the Brethren in Christ in order to facilitate communication and provide a framework for addressing issues of mutual concern.

Objectives:

To facilitate communication, build mutual trust and cooperation within the global Brethren in Christ (BIC) community;
To provide for mutual understanding and cooperation in establishing a common set of core values, the establishing and recognizing of conferences, and the credentialing of church leaders;
To provide a forum for consideration of theological issues;
To provide a framework for addressing mutual concerns;
To serve as a common voice for the global BIC community in speaking to issues of common interest;
To provide a forum for fellowship and the building of relationships among global BIC church leaders; and
To identify strategic issues, facilitate discussion and research, and consider appropriate action.

Membership:

Voting membership in the IBICA will be open to duly elected or appointed national church leaders (e.g., Bishop, General Director, etc.) and two additional representatives of recognized national associations or conferences of the Brethren in Christ Church (selected by the respective national conference) and five members at large as nominated by the Executive Committee and confirmed by the membership to assure adequate representation across the global BIC community.

Interested members of any Brethren in Christ Church and other invited guests are welcome at meetings of the IBICA but will not have voting privileges.

Meetings:

The IBICA will meet at least every three years, if possible in conjunction with the meeting of the General Council of the Mennonite World Conference. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive.

Administration:

An Executive Committee will be elected from among the voting membership. This Executive will be comprised of a president, a vice-president, a secretary-treasurer and three other members. Terms will be for a period of six years and no one member of the Executive can serve more than two terms consecutively.

The Executive Committee will be charged with planning for, setting the agenda, and conducting of meetings of the IBICA, as well the ongoing functioning of the Association.

The Executive Committee may chose to appoint administrative staff to assist in the functioning of its work.

Finances:

Each national conference will contribute an amount equal to 1% of the annual congregational contributions to the annual conference operating budget. The IBICA may also invite and receive donations. Funds will be lodged with the Brethren in Christ Foundation in the USA.

Responsibilities:

The development of a process for the establishment and recognition of a national conference (ie., a “General Conference”).
The development of a process by which a new national association or conference might join the IBICA.
The development of a common confession of faith or set of core values.
The development of common, minimum standards for the credentialing of ministers.
Communicate the vision of national conferences to the global community.
Provide for inclusion for emerging churches and church leaders.
The development of a process by which sister national conferences and/or leaders can respond to and assist with a significant crisis within a national conference.
The dissemination and promotion of common understandings and practices.
Encourage and facilitate membership by BIC conferences and associations in the MWC.
Facilitate the representation of the global BIC community in other ecumenical organizations.
The creation and maintaining of a website devoted to the work of the Association.
The development of new responsibilities as needed.

Amendment:

It is the responsibility of the Executive Committee to review this governing document as deemed necessary and to propose amendments to the voting membership of the IBICA to be approved by a 2/3 majority.

04/01/2010