The South African Council of Churches

CONSTITUTION

 Adopted at National Conference on 6th July 1995
with effect from 1st November 1995


CONTENTS
  1. Name
  2. Legal Status
  3. Objects
  4. Powers
  5. Membership
  6. National Conference
  7. Central Committee
  8. Executive Committee
  9. Officers of the Council
  10. Procedures
  11. Amendment of the Constitution
  12. Dissolution


PREAMBLE

  1. The South African Council of Churches is a fellowship of Churches and Organisations which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, according to the Scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfill their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.


  2. The Council affirms, on the basis of the Scriptures, that the Church is the Body of Christ and therefore is one. Though obscured and marred by sinful division, this unity of all Christians is the gift of God and does not need to be created.


  3. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the Council is an instrument and servant of the Churches, committed to stimulating and effecting fellowship, co-operation and unity among its member Churches and all other Christians in their common mission in the world. The work of the Council is based on the recognition of Jesus Christ as the divine Head of the Body and is to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.


  4. The theological basis of the Council is a common confession of the Christian faith of its members and is not a credal test of Churches or individuals. The Council is not committed to anyone theological understanding of the Church, and membership of the Council does not imply acceptance of any specific doctrine of the Church.

1 NAME
The name of the Council is the South African Council of Churches (hereinafter referred to as "the Council.")

2 LEGAL STATUS
The legal status of the Council is that of an autonomous body having perpetual succession and legal existence independent of its members, the liability of members being limited to the payment of outstanding dues, if any. The Council is entitled to sue and to be sued in its own name, no members having the right to any of its assets.

3 OBJECTS
The principal objects of the Council are:
3.1 To give expression to the Lordship of Christ over every aspect and area of human life by promoting the spiritual, social, intellectual and physical welfare of all people.
3.2 To foster that unity which is both God's will for creation and God's gift to the Church.
3.3 To do and encourage all such things as will reduce those factors, whether doctrinal, liturgical or practical, which keep the Churches apart.
3.4 To engage in such activities on behalf of its member Churches as are integral to the Church's worship, witness and service.
3.5 To assist the Church, wherever situated, to carry out its mission in and to the world.
3.6 To undertake joint action and service on behalf of the Churches and to encourage co-operation among member Churches.
3.7 To enter into dialogue with people of other faiths and persuasions.

4 POWERS
In order to further and give effect to its objects the Council shall have the following powers:
4.1 To initiate and promote consultations, negotiations and joint action by representatives of Churches in South Africa in any matter bearing upon the welfare and witness of the Church.
4.2 To promote fellowship and co-operation among Churches and related Christian organisations by creating opportunities for Christians of different traditions to pray, plan and act together in fulfilment of their common calling to witness in word and deed to justice, truth and love.
4.3 To liaise with Councils of Churches, Christian Councils, and Churches outside South Africa.
4.4 To promote and encourage the study of all matters pertaining to the unity and mission of the Church.
4.5 To make available information and resources in regard to national, social and other problems affecting the Church and society.
4.6 To bear witness to Christian principles and standards in matters relating to the welfare of all the people of South Africa, and to take such actions and to make such representations as are consonant with Christian convictions and social responsibility.
4.7 To work for a just social order in South Africa which is consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
4.8 To initiate, encourage and promote evangelistic and educational programmes and activities, including publishing and broadcasting, in furtherance of the objects of the Council.
4.9 To establish Trusts, registered companies and voluntary associations as may be necessary to giveeffect to the objects of the Council.
4.10 To co-operate with and affiliate to Christian and other bodies the purpose of which is consistent with the objects of the Council and to make grants and other assistance.
4.11 To receive affiliation fees, donations, grants and bequests, to raise funds and to use and/or invest all income for the furtherance of the objects of the Council.
4.12 To acquire and dispose of by purchase, donation, lease, exchange, or by any other means, any immovable property or movable assets for use in facilitating the purposes of the Council. Any property acquired shall be registered in the name of the Councilor of nominees appointed by the Executive Committee.
4.13 To maintain, insure, amortize, lease, develop, demolish or abandon any asset.
4.14 To engage in legal proceedings.
4.15 To borrow money for the purpose of furthering the Council's objects, to mortgage and/or pledge any property or security owned by the Council and to act in any manner necessary to give effective security for the repayment of such loans.
4.16 To make loans, either secured or unsecured, to persons, Churches, other bodies and organisations for purposes consonant with the objects of the Council. Such loans shall require the prior approval of the Executive Committee.
4.17 To employ persons for the fulfilment of the Council's objectives.

5 MEMBERSHIP
5.1 Upon application to the Central Committee the following Churches or associations may be admitted to anyone of the following categories of membership of the Council:
5.1.1 Full members:
(a) Christian Churches which are prepared to affirm the following basis of membership:
"A fellowship of Churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, according to the Scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfill their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
(b) Ecumenical groups or associations of Churches which are prepared to affirm the basis of membership set out in 5.1.1 (a), including one Provincial Council of Churches from each of the nine Provinces described in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act no.200 of 1993, provided that the constitution of such Provincial Council is in accordance with this constitution regarding its membership provisions.
5.1.2 Observer Members:
Christian Churches which are prepared to affirm the basis of membership set out in 5.1.1 (a).
5.1.3 Associates:
Christian membership-based organisations which are prepared to affirm the basis of membership set out in 5.1.1(a).
5.1.4 Affiliates:
Christian organisations with no constituent members which are prepared to affirm the basis of membership set out in 5.1.1 (a).
5.2 Membership fees
The Central Committee shall determine on the recommendation of the Executive Committee the membership fees payable by each category of membership.
5.3 Termination of membership
5.3.1 If a member fails to pay the required affiliation fee for two consecutive years its membership may be suspended by the Central Committee or terminated by the National Conference.
5.3.2 A member may withdraw from the Council by written notice to the General Secretary but remains liable for its financial obligations to the Council.
5.3.3 The Central Committee may suspend the membership of any member pending the next meeting of the National Conference.
5.3.4 The National Conference may, by resolution passed by not less than 75% of the representatives present, terminate the membership of any member.
5.4 Appeals
5.4.1 Full members of the Council may appeal against the refusal or suspension of membership of any Church or body by the Central Committee.
5.4.2 An appeal shall lie to the National Conference. 28 days' notice of the intention to appeal shall be given to the General Secretary in writing save where the suspension or refusal has taken place less than 28 days before the meeting of the National Conference when the appeal may be placed on the agenda with the consent of the Conference.
5.4.3 The suspended member or potential member on whose behalf an appeal has been lodged may address the Conference.
5.4.4 If the membership of a Provincial Council of Churches is terminated it shall cease to use the name "Council of Churches."

6 THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
6.1 The National conference is responsible for the formulation of the Council's policy.
It is the supreme governing body of the Council.
The National conference shall meet not less than once in every three years.
Written notice of a meeting of the Conference shall be dispatched not less than 28 days before the commencement of the meeting except where otherwise stated in this constitution.
The General Secretary shall report to the National Conference on the work of the Council for the period since the previous National Conference.
The National Conference may delegate any or all of its powers with the exception of those referred to in 5.3.4 and 5.4.2 to any committee of the Council.
The General Secretary shall convene a special meeting of the National Conference within two months of receiving a requisition in writing signed by the authorised representatives of not less than one third of the full members of the Council.
6.2 Membership of the National Conference shall consist of:
6.2.1 The members of the Central Committee or their alternates who shall not be counted among the representatives in the following categories:
6.2.2 Full member Churches:
(a) Up to 60 000 members and adherents: 2 representatives;
(b) Between 60 000 and 100 000 members and adherents: 3 representatives;
(c) Between 100 000 and 200 000 members and adherents: 4 representatives;
(d) For every additional l00 000 members and adherents above 200 000: 1 representative provided that no member shall have more than eight representatives.
6.2.3 Full member groups or associations of Churches, including the Provincial Councils of Churches: 3 representatives each;
6.2.4 Observer members: 2 representatives who have the right to speak but not to vote;
6.2.5 Associate members: 2 representatives who have the right to speak and to vote;
6.2.6 Affiliate members: 1 representative who has the right to speak but not to vote.
6.2.7 The National Conference may elect an Honorary Life President and as many Honorary Life Vice-Presidents as it may decide.
The Honorary Life President and the Honorary Life Vice-Presidents shall be invited to the National Conference with the right to speak and to vote.
6.2.8 Officers of the Council
The Officers of the Council as specified in section 9 of this constitution are ex officio members of the National Conference with the right to speak and to vote.
6.3 With the exception of the General Secretary and any Deputy General Secretary representatives shall not be paid employees of the Council.
6.4 Members shall ensure that their representatives reflect, as far as is possible, the gender and age balance of their membership.

7 THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
7.1 The Central Committee shall meet at least once in each calendar year and will implement the policy and programmes decided by the National Conference. It is responsible for the administration of the Council's affairs when the National Conference is not in session.
7.2 Any decision made by the Central Committee which alters or reverses a policy decision of the Conference must be reported to the National Conference at its next meeting.
7.3 The Central Committee consists of:
(a) Three representatives of each full member of the Council, two of whom shall be the leader and the chief executive officer of each full member of the Council, or their alternates;
(b) one representative of each observer and associate member of the Council;
(c) the Officers of the Council.
7.4 The General Secretary shall report on the work of the Council to the Central Committee at each of its meetings.
7.5 Meetings of the Central Committee shall be chaired by the President of the Council, failing which, one of the Vice-Presidents.
7.6 The Central Committee may appoint task groups and sub-committees and delegate to them certain powers and responsibilities.
7.7 The Central committee shall appoint the Auditors of the Council's accounts and shall receive the audited financial statements for approval annually.

8 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
8.1 The Central Committee shall appoint a Executive Committee annually which shall meet at least ten times in each calendar year and which shall appoint one of its members to preside over its meetings.
8.2 The Executive Committee consists of:
(a) The President or one of the Vice-Presidents and the General Secretary;
(b) Four other members, or their alternates, of the Central Committee;
(c) Four other persons who shall preferably be skilled in finance, law and management;
(d) Not more than four persons who may be co-opted by the Executive Committee.
8.3 The functions of the Executive Committee include the following:
8.3.1 To act on behalf of the Central Committee in regard to any urgent matter which cannot be held over until the next Central Committee meeting;
8.3.2 To appoint and dismiss heads of departments;
8.3.1 To determine, in consultation with staff representatives, the Conditions of Employment and to ensure that proper procedures are used for the employment of staff, performance appraisals, discipline, training and development;
8.3.4 To give effect to the decisions of the National Conference and the Central Committee on matters of finance;
8.3.5 To approve the annual budget and to submit it to the Central Committee for adoption;
8.3.6 To raise funds for the purposes of the Council;
8.3.7 To approve the expenditure of funds for the administration and approved projects of the Council, and to set mandates for the authorising of expenditure;
8.3.8 To ensure that grants and loans made by the Council are in terms of written agreements between the Council and the recipients which require adequate financial statements and narrative reports from the recipient, including audited annual accounts from the Provincial Councils of Churches;
8.3.9 To appoint a screening committee of not less than three persons for any department or unit or discretionary fund of the Council which makes grants or loans.
A screening committee shall approve grants or loans for projects and programmes having regard to the objects of the Council and the limits set by the Executive Committee, and shall ensure that such projects and programmes are properly monitored.
8.3.10 To invest the funds of the Council;
8.3.11 To approve loans, rates of interest and the terms of repayment;
8.3.12 To open or cause to be opened banking and investment accounts with registered banks, building societies and other financial institutions and to determine the mandates governing the operation of the same.

9 OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL
9.1 The President and the Vice-Presidents
9.1.1 A President, a Senior Vice-President and a Vice-President of the Council shall be elected in separate successive ballots by the National Conference.
9.1.2 These Officers shall hold office until the closure of the next National Conference subsequent to their election but shall be eligible for nomination and re-election.
9.1.3 The President shall preside over the National Conference and all meetings of the Central Committee.
9.1.4 The Senior Vice-President shall deputise for the President if absent or incapacitated. In the absence of both the President and the Senior Vice-President the other Vice-President shall deputise for the President.
9.1.5 If the President resigns or is suspended from office the Senior Vice-President, failing which, the other Vice-President, shall assume the office of the President for the remainder of the term of office of the President.
9.1.6 If a Vice-President resigns or is suspended from office the Central Committee may appoint an interim Vice-President for the remainder of the term of that Vice-President.
9.1.7 The Central Committee may, for good reason and by a majority of two-thirds of members of the Committee present, suspend from office the President or a Vice-President. The Central Committee shall make a recommendation to the National Conference whose decision shall be final.
9.2 General Secretary
9.2.1 The Central Committee shall appoint a General Secretary who will be the principle executive officer of the Council acting under the direction of the Central Committee.
The General Secretary may delegate certain powers and responsibilities as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Council.
9.2.2 The Central Committee may appoint a Deputy General Secretary to assist and work with the General Secretary.
The responsibilities of a Deputy General Secretary shall be decided by the Central Committee in consultation with the General Secretary.

10 PROCEDURES
10.1 Notice
Notice of a meeting of the National Conference must be sent to members of the Council, members of the Central Committee, the Officers and Honorary Officers of the Council not less than 28 clear days before the date of the meeting and must contain a statement of the business to be transacted and reports to be received.
The accidental omission to give notice or to include an agenda shall not invalidate the business of any meeting provided that any member of the Council who may not have received notice will be entitled to require any matter decided in their absence to be debated afresh if the President is satisfied that notice was not given.
The decision of the President as to whether notice was or was not given shall be final.
10.2 Voting
Unless otherwise specified in this constitution every question before the National Conference shall be decided by majority vote of representatives present as indicated by a show of hands unless the President rules that there shall be a ballot.
The President shall have a deliberative and a casting vote.
10.3 Rules of Procedure
The Central Committee shall draw up the Rules of Procedure of the National Conference for adoption by the Conference.
Any of the Rules of Procedure may be suspended by the National Conference provided that two thirds of the representatives present so decide.
10.4 Quorum
A quorum for the National Conference is one third of the representatives entitled to be present and to vote in terms of Section 6.2 of this constitution, provided that not less than two thirds of the full member churches have at least one representative present.
A quorum for committees of the Council is one third of the members of a committee.

11 AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
This constitution may be amended by the vote of two thirds of representatives present at a meeting of the National Conference, provided that particulars of the proposed amendments were included in notice of the meeting given not less than 28 days before the meeting.

12 DISSOLUTION
The Council may be dissolved upon the vote of two thirds of the full members at a special meeting of the National Conference called for the purpose of considering such dissolution, provided that notice of such proposed dissolution shall have been given not less than 90 days before the date of such meeting.
The net assets of the Council shall be disposed of to other organisations or bodies having similar aims and objects to the Council in such manner as the resolution dissolving the Council directs.

Adopted at SACC National Conference
6 July 1995

This information is distributed by the Public Policy Liaison Office of the South African Council of Churches. The Public Policy Liaison Office monitors and analyzes key public policy issues under consideration by parliament and government ministries, alerts government to the concerns of the SACC, and assists people of faith to be more familiar with and involved in public policy debates.

Public Policy Updates are available via e-mail. To be added to the e-mail distribution list, please send a blank message to saccpol-subscribe@topica.com. To be deleted, please send a blank message to saccpol- unsubscribe@topica.com.

Return to Top