Our Constitution...

1. Name: The church shall be known as Roundhay Evangelical Church.

2. Affiliation: The church shall be affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).

3. Doctrinal Basis: The doctrinal basis shall be that of the FIEC.

4. Membership: Membership shall be open to all who profess repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, agree with the Doctrinal Basis and the Constitution, and whose lives bear evidence of their Christian profession. Applications for membership should be made to one of the elders, and then accepted by the elders' meeting. Elders may remove individuals from membership for reasons of conduct or doctrine, or if they have ceased to attend regularly, moved away from the area, or no longer wish to remain in membership.

5. Members' Meetings:

5.1 A members' meeting shall be held at least four times in a calendar year, including the Annual General Meeting. Notice of the meeting and an agenda should be given to members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

5.2 The Annual General Meeting shall be held once every calendar year, when the verified accounts of the church and reports on the work of the church shall be given and discussed.

5.3 Only members shall be eligible to attend members’ meetings, apart from nonmembers specially invited by the elders.

5.4 A quorum shall be one-third of the membership.

5.5 Decisions shall be by a simple majority of those members present, except for the appointments described below that require a two-thirds majority.

5.6 An elder would normally chair each meeting.

6. Elders:

6.1 Responsibilities: They are responsible to the Lord and to the church for the spiritual oversight of the church.

6.2 Qualifications: They shall be men qualified by the Holy Spirit in character and experience (see I Timothy 3:1-7 & 11, Titus 1:5-9 and I Peter 5:2-3).

6.3 Appointment: Nominations may be made at any time by the elders. The names shall be circulated to members at least four weeks before the members' meeting at which an election shall take place. Election shall be by a two-thirds majority of those present. Elders serve for a period of up to 5 years, when they would then be eligible for re-election.

6.4 Chair: The elders would normally chair meetings by rotation.

7. Deacons:

7.1 Responsibilities: The deacons are responsible to assist the elders in the practical management of the church.

7.2 Qualifications: They shall be men or women qualified by the Holy Spirit in character, practical ability and experience (see Acts 6:3 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13).

7.3 Appointment: Nominations may be made at any time by the elders. The names shall be circulated to members at least four weeks before a members’ meeting at which an election shall take place. Election shall be by a two-thirds majority of those present. Deacons serve for a period of up to 3 years, when they would then be eligible for re-election.

7.4 Chair: The elders would normally attend and one of them chair the deacons' meetings.

8. Appointments:

8.1 To forward the work of the church, a pastor, ministry worker or other staff may be appointed, and may be supported financially by the church.

8.2 The responsibility for appointments lies with the elders. The members’ meeting is responsible for endorsing the appointments; the process for endorsement for a pastor or ministry worker would be the same as that of an elder; other appointments would require agreement by simple majority.

8.3 A pastor will be an elder and will be expected to exercise leadership and ministry within the context of equality with the other elders.

8.4 The members' meeting may remove an elder, deacon or other appointee from office if a two-thirds majority agree he/she is not fulfilling the role adequately, or if his/her conduct or doctrine is not considered satisfactory.

9. Finances: A treasurer shall be appointed to oversee the church finances, prepare accounts and report to the elders and the AGM. The treasurer, being an elder or deacon, shall have the same responsibilities, show the same qualifications and be appointed in the same manner.

10. Property: The church may receive or buy property, which shall be registered in the name of the church. Holding trustees may be appointed when required.

11. Constitution: The Constitution can only be altered by a two-thirds majority of those present at a members' meeting, provided that a previous members’ meeting has already discussed the proposed changes and 4 weeks notice given of the final proposals.

Click here to view our constitution in PDF format.