The Constitution
(Also available in Rich Text Format here.)
1. NAME
The name of the Council shall be "The Church of England Evangelical Council" [short title] “CEEC”.
2. BASIS OF FAITH
2.1 The Basis of Faith of the Council shall be:
2.1.1 Introduction - As, members of the Church of England within the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church we affirm the faith uniquely revealed in the holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, of which the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are a general exposition. Standing in the Reformation tradition we lay especial emphasis on the grace of God - his unmerited mercy - as expressed in the doctrines which follow.
2.1.2 God as the Source of Grace - In continuity with the teaching of holy Scripture and the Christian creeds, we worship one God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has created all things, and us in his own image; all life, truth, holiness and beauty come from him. His Son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, was crucified, died, rose and ascended to reign in glory.
2.1.3 The Bible as the Revelation of Grace – We receive the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the wholly reliable revelation and record of God's grace, given by the Holy Spirit as the true word of God written. The Bible has been given to lead us to salvation, to be the ultimate rule for Christian faith and conduct, and the supreme authority by which the Church must ever reform itself and judge its traditions.
2.1.4 The Atonement as the Work of Grace - We believe that Jesus Christ came to save lost sinners. Though sinless, he bore our sins, and their judgment, on the cross, thus accomplishing our salvation. By raising Christ bodily from the dead. God vindicated him as Lord and Saviour and his victory. Salvation is in Christ alone.
2.1.5 The Church as the Community of Grace - We hold that the Church is God's covenant community. whose members, drawn from every nation, having been justified by grace through faith, inherit the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ. As a fellowship of the Spirit manifesting his fruit and exercising his gifts, it is called to worship God. grow in grace, and bear witness to him and his Kingdom. God's Church is one body and must ever strive to discover and experience that unity in truth and love which it has in Christ, especially through its confession of the apostolic faith and in its observance of the dominical sacraments.
2.1.6 The Sacraments as the Signs of Grace - We maintain that the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion proclaim the Gospel as effective and visible signs of our justification and sanctification, and as true means of God's grace to those who repent and believe. Baptism is the sign of forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Spirit, new birth to righteousness and entry into the fellowship of the People of God. Holy Communion is the sign of the living, nourishing presence of Christ through his Spirit to his people: the memorial of his one, perfect, completed and all-sufficient sacrifice for sin, from whose achievement all may benefit but in whose offering none can share; and an expression of our corporate life of sacrificial thanksgiving and service.
2.1.7 Ministry as the Stewardship of Grace - We share, as the People of God, in a royal priesthood common to the whole Church, and in the community of the Suffering Servant. Our mission is the proclamation of the Gospel by the preaching of the word, as well as by caring for the needy, challenging evil and promoting justice and a more responsible use of the world's resources. It is the particular vocation of bishops and presbyters, together with deacons, to build up the body of Christ in truth and love, as pastors, teachers, and servants of the servants of God.
2.1.8 Christ's Return as the Triumph of Grace - We look forward expectantly to the final manifestation of Christ's grace and glory when he comes again to raise the dead, judge the world, vindicate His chosen and bring his Kingdom to its eternal fulfilment in the new heaven and the new earth.
3. OBJECT
3.1 THE OBJECT OF THE COUNCIL shall be the advancement of the Christian religion incorporating the beliefs and doctrines set out in section 2 above; and in furtherance of that object, but not otherwise, the Council shall have the following powers.
3.1.1 To promote effective consultation between Anglican Evangelical leaders, in order that the evangelical heritage, as expressed in the Basis' of Faith, may be better applied to contemporary opportunities and problems in church and nation.
3.1.2 To seek primarily to identify key issues, to work for the development of a common mind and concerted action on each, and should this not prove possible, to map out the different views held.
3.1.3 To seek also to relate to, interact with, and encourage diocesan evangelical fellowships, societies, and other groups working within the evangelical constituency, and those working within the formal structures of the Church of England.
3.1.4 To act as the English agent of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion.
3.1.5 To be a channel for establishing and maintaining relationships with evangelicals in other churches.
3.1.6 To make public statements, when appropriate.
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1 The Council shall be made up of the following members.
4.1.1 Five officers as described in section 5 below
4.1.2 Twenty-four representatives of diocesan evangelical fellowships (or similar), Sixteen from the Province of Canterbury and Eight from the Province of York, so that from each province half the members are lay and half clergy, as more fully provided in section Appendix A.2 below.
4.1.3 Four members of the Evangelical Group in General Synod nominated by that Group, of whom at least half shall be lay.
4.1.4 One representative, normally the chief officer, of the Church Pastoral Aid Society and Church Society [as Foundation members of the Council], nominated by the governing body of the respective organization, and One representative each of not more than six further evangelical organisations or networks currently active within the Church of England, at the discretion of the Council.
4.1.5 Two representatives of the Consultative Group for Mission, normally. the chief officers of two constituent Anglican missionary societies.
4.1.6 Two principals of Church of England evangelical theological colleges, nominated by the principals of Ridley Hall Cambridge, Wycliffe Hall Oxford, Cranmer Hall, Durham, Oak Hill College London, Trinity College Bristol, St. John’s College, Nottingham.
4.1.7 One representative, normally the chief officer, of the Evangelical Alliance, nominated by its governing body.
4.1.8 Three other representatives appointed by the Council who are active in work with children and young people.
4.1.9 Six other members co-opted by the Council, after discussion. in order to increase its expertise and/or representativeness bearing in mind the guidelines in Appendix 3 of this Constitution.
4.2 Diocesan Evangelical Fellowships’ and Council co-optees membership of the Council shall be for a period of four years renewable.
4.3 The officers of the Council, as specified in Section 5, shall be elected at the first meeting of the Council following the quadrennial election of those referred to in Section 4.1.2. At the same meeting the organisations specified in sections 4.1.3 and 4.1.8 shall be determined and nominations sought. The Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and others appointed by the Council shall be Trustees as required by Company and Charity law. They shall hold office until the first meeting of the next quadrennium.
4.4 Arrangements for the co-option of the persons specified in Section 4.1.9 shall be put in hand at the first meeting of the Council following the quadrennial election.
4.5 If any member of the Council shall fail to attend three consecutive meetings, his / her membership shall there upon be deemed to have lapsed unless the society or body which appointed or elected him / her shall deem otherwise or unless the members of the Council, by a simple majority, resolve otherwise.
4.6 Before admission or election to membership, or re-admission or re-election, a member of the Council shall signify his personal agreement with the Object set out in section 3 above and the Basis of Faith set out in section 2 above.
4.7 No body shall have more than two of its paid staff members on the Council unless the Council shall decide, by a three-quarters majority of those present and voting at a meeting, that an additional member be invited to join.
4.8.1 Casual vacancies among the Officers may be filled by the Council.
4.8.2 Casual vacancies among members chosen under section 4.1.2 to 4.1.8 inclusive may be filled by the body choosing the member whose seat has been vacated.
4.8.3 Persons appointed to fill casual vacancies shall serve only for the remainder of the period for which the person vacating the seat was appointed, but without prejudice to a further appointment.
5. OFFICERS
5.1 The Officers of the Council shall be: President, normally a diocesan bishop; Chairman of the Council, Secretary; Treasurer and Conference Organizer elected by the Council for a period of five years. They shall hold office until their successors are appointed.
6. PROCEDURE
6.1 Subject to the provision of this constitution, the Council may make such regulations for the procedure at its meetings and the conduct of its business, and for activities under the title National Evangelical Anglican Congress (NEAC), as it shall from time to time think fit.
6.2 The Council shall hold each year at least three meetings and the Secretary shall call such other meetings as may be requested by the Chairman or by any five members.
6.3 The Council shall take the greatest care in the choice of items for the agenda of each meeting.
6.4 The Council shall appoint an Executive Committee consisting of the Chairman, Secretary and up to four others, one of whom should normally be the Treasurer as a Director/Trustee of the Company. The President shall be entitled to attend the Executive Committee. The chief function of the Executive Committee shall be to assist the Chairman and Secretary in serving the Council. It shall be responsible for drawing up the agenda for Council meetings and shall act on behalf of the Council between meetings, including the issuing of Statements on behalf of the Council provided they have been approved by not less than three members of the Executive, normally including the President. The Executive shall have power to appoint an Executive Officer, a Communications Officer and a Minutes Secretary.
6.5 The Council shall strongly encourage genuine consultation at its meetings by circulating agenda items in advance, by urging members to prepare contributions with care, and by all other means possible.
6.6 The Council shall organise a National Evangelical Anglican Congress at such time as it thinks fit, and between such Congresses appropriate activities for the evangelical Anglican constituency under the NEAC title.
6.6.1 Before any person, who is not a member of the Council, is given major responsibility for organising such activities he or she shall signify their agreement to the Object and Basis of Faith of the Council.
6.7 The Council shall send to diocesan evangelical fellowships, to other parts of the constituency, and others who may request them occasional papers on relevant issues.
6.8 Council members shall be expected to visit diocesan evangelical fellowships from time to time to listen to their views on matters of evangelical concern and to inform them of Council business and plans.
6.9 The Council shall conduct a rigorous review of its performance and effectiveness every five years.
6.10 The Council shall have authority to appoint such task groups with such delegated powers and duties and such officers as it deemed appropriate. Membership of such committees may include persons who are not members of the Council.
6.11 The quorum shall be one third of the current membership of the Council, excluding any casual vacancies which may exist.
6.12 Any person who is in receipt of remuneration from the Council shall have no voting rights.
6.13 The business of the Council shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure laid down in Appendix A5 hereunder.
7. CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION AND APPENDICES
7.1 The Council shall have power to amend its own constitution, upon twenty-one days notice to members and by a majority of two-thirds of members of Council present and voting.
7.1.1 The Council may be dissolved by a resolution in accordance with 7.1 above, provided that, where possible, such a decision shall not be implemented until it has first been reported to a NEAC meeting. Such a resolution may give instruction for the disposal of assets held by or in the name of the Council, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, such property shall not be paid to, or distributed among the members of the Council but shall be given or transferred to the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (Registered Charity No. 212314).
7.2 Any resolution or motion at any meeting of the Council which would, if passed, result in an amendment of the Appendices to the Constitution shall require a simple majority of members present and voting, provided only that an amendment to an Appendix which would have the effect of a change in the Constitution, or is consequential upon such a change, shall require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
7.3 Any proposal for an amendment to section 2 (Basis of Faith) shall be subject to the following procedure.
7.3.1 The motion to be moved shall be for the Provisional Approval of the proposed amendment and shall require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. Amendments to the motion, which shall require a simple majority of those present and voting, shall be in order.
7.3.2 If the motion for Provisional Approval is carried, the matter shall be considered by the Executive Committee of the Council, which may amend the wording before returning the motion to the Council with recommendations, which shall be in writing.
7.3.3 The motion to be moved shall be for the Final Approval of the proposed amendment and shall require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. No amendments to this motion shall be in order.
APPENDICES TO THE CONSTITUTION
A. 1 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A.1.1.2 Nominations shall be made in writing to the Secretary and shall include the name of the proposer, a statement by the person nominated that he is willing to stand for election and is in agreement with the Object and Basis of Faith of the Council, and a brief commendation of the person nominated not exceeding one hundred words in length.
A.1.2.1 Should the election to any office be uncontested, the person nominated shall be declared elected.
A.1.2.2 In the event of a contested election, the President, the Chairman, the Conference Organiser, the Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the method of single transferable vote. Each member shall haveone vote in each contested election.
A.2 ELECTlON OF DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COUNCIL
A.2.1.2 Candidates shall be nominated by diocesan evangelical fellowships (or similar) of the appropriate province.
A.2.1.2 Nominations shall be made in writing to the Secretary by the date set by the Council and shall include the name of the proposer, a statement by the person proposed that he is willing to stand for election and is in agreement with the Object and Basis of Faith of the Council, and a brief commendation of the person nominated not exceeding fifty words in length.
A.2.2 The chairman and secretary of each diocesan evangelical fellowship (or similar) in the appropriate province shall be the electors. Where there is no diocesan evangelical fellowship (or similar) the Council shall invite two persons from that diocese to be electors.
A.2.3.1 Elections of diocesan representatives shall be by the method of proportional representation by single transferable vote.
A.2.3.2 The Secretary shall circulate voting papers to the electors as the Steering Committee may direct.
A.2.3.3 In conducting the elections, the Presiding Officer, who shall be appointed by the Steering Committee, shall observe the constraints required under section 4.1.2 of the Constitution.
A.2.4.1 The term of office of members of the Council representing the dioceses shall be four years.
A.2.4.2 Following the initial establishment of the Council under this Constitution, arrangements shall be made whereby a proportion of members representing the Dioceses shall retire each year, thus ensuring both continuity and continual refreshment of the membership. A transitional period for establishing increased representation [see clause 4.1.2.] and period of office of four years [see clause 2.4.1.above] will take place in accordance with the cyclical grid shown in Appendix A.2.4.3 below. Thereafter, as identified by the alpha grid system, two clergy and two laity [in the Canterbury Province] and one clergy and one laity [in the York Province] will retire from office each year, and an election will take place to comply with the requirements of clause 4.1.2. above.
A.2.4.3 The DEF representatives shall be identified in accordance with the Election Cycle Grid [see back page]. The phased introduction shall be completed by 30th September 2009. Thereafter, the alpha identifiers for members shall continue with the patterns already established in the transitional period.
A.3 CONFIRMATION OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL
A.3.1 Any member of the Council may nominate a person to serve on the Council for four years in accordance with section 4.1.9 of the Constitution. Subject to their willingness to serve and a statement of their agreement with the Object and Basis of Faith of the Council. The name of each person nominated, together with a statement (in not more than fifty words) indicating the increase in expertise or representative nature the candidate would bring to the Council, shall be included on the voting paper for confirmation by a two thirds majority of Council members.
A.3.2 It is desirable that at least one member should be identified with a major church and at least 1 with a rural church.
Current Cyclic Grid showing the latest transitional membership movements
Province |
Const. |
1.10.03 |
1.10.04 |
1.10.05 |
1.10.06 |
1.10.07 |
1.10.08 |
1.10.09 |
Cant. Laity |
2003 |
‘A’ Current |
Ian Dobbie |
‘A’ Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
Cant. Laity |
2003 |
‘B’ Current |
Ian Wilson |
‘B’ Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
Cant. Laity |
2003 |
|
Sarah Finch |
‘C’ Continue |
Discontinue |
|
|
|
Cant. Laity |
2003 |
|
Nigel Chetw’d |
‘D’ Continue |
Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘E’ Parked |
‘E’ Election |
‘E’ Continue |
‘E’ Continue |
‘E’ Continue |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘F’ Parked |
‘F’ Election |
‘F’ Continue |
‘F’ Continue |
‘F’ Continue |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘G’ Election |
‘G’ Continue |
‘G’ Election |
‘G’ Continue |
‘G’ Continue |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘H’ Election |
‘H’ Continue |
‘H’ Election |
‘H’ Continue |
‘H’ Continue |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘J’ Election |
‘J’ Continue |
‘J’ Continue |
‘J’ Election |
‘J’ Continue |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘K’ Election |
‘K’ Continue |
‘K’ Continue |
‘K’ Continue |
‘K’ Continue |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘L’ Election |
‘L’ Continue |
‘L’ Continue |
‘L’ Continue |
‘L’ Election |
Cant. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘M’ Election |
‘M’ Continue |
‘M’ Continue |
‘M’ Continue |
‘M’ Election |
ELECTION |
2005 |
|
|
‘G’ to ‘M’ |
‘E’ & ‘F’ |
‘G’ & ‘H’ |
‘J’ & ‘K’ |
‘L’ & ‘M’ |
Province |
Const. |
1.10.03 |
1.10.04 |
1.10.05 |
1.10.06 |
1.10.07 |
1.10.08 |
1.10.09 |
Cant. Clergy |
2003 |
‘A’ Current |
Dick Farr |
‘A’ Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
Cant. Clergy |
2003 |
‘B’ Current |
Ian Paul |
‘B’ Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
Cant. Clergy |
2003 |
|
Julian Hen. |
‘C’ Continue |
Discontinue |
|
|
|
Cant. Clergy |
2003 |
|
Simon Vib’t |
‘D’ Continue |
Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘E’ Parked |
‘E’ Election |
‘E’ Continue |
‘E’ Continue |
‘E’ Continue |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘F’ Parked |
‘F’ Election |
‘F’ Continue |
‘F’ Continue |
‘F’ Continue |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘G’ Election |
‘G’ Continue |
‘G’ Election |
‘G’ Continue |
‘G’ Continue |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘H’ Election |
‘H’ Continue |
‘H’ Election |
‘H’ Continue |
‘H’ Continue |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘J’ Election |
‘J’ Continue |
‘J’ Continue |
‘J’ Election |
‘J’ Continue |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘K’ Election |
‘K’ Continue |
‘K’ Continue |
‘K’ Election |
‘K’ Continue |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘L’ Election |
‘L’ Continue |
‘L’ Continue |
‘L’ Continue |
‘L’ Election |
Cant. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘M’ Election |
‘M’ Continue |
‘M’ Continue |
‘M’ Continue |
‘M’ Election |
ELECTION |
2005 |
|
|
‘G’ to ‘M’ |
‘E’ & ‘F’ |
‘G’ & ‘H’ |
‘J’ & ‘K’ |
‘L’ & ‘M’ |
Province |
Const. |
1.10.03 |
1.10.04 |
1.10.05 |
1.10.06 |
1.10.07 |
1.10.08 |
1.10.09 |
York. Laity |
2003 |
‘N’ Current |
Judith How. |
‘N’ Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
York. Laity |
2003 |
|
David Mills |
‘P’ Continue |
Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
York. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘Q’ Parked |
‘Q’ Election |
‘Q’ Continue |
‘Q’ Continue |
‘Q’ Continue |
York. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘R’ Election |
‘R’ Continue |
‘R’ Election |
‘R’ Continue |
‘R’ Continue |
York. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘S’ Election |
‘S’ Continue |
‘S’ Continue |
‘S’ Election |
‘S’ Continue |
York. Laity |
2005 |
|
|
‘T’ Election |
‘T’ Continue |
‘T’ Continue |
‘T’ Continue |
‘T’ Election |
ELECTION |
|
|
|
‘R’ ‘S’ ‘T |
‘Q’ |
‘R’ |
‘S’ |
‘T‘ |
Province |
Const. |
1.10.03 |
1.10.04 |
1.10.05 |
1.10.06 |
1.10.07 |
1.10.08 |
1.10.09 |
York. Clergy |
2003 |
‘N’ Current |
Andrew Ra |
‘N’ Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
York. Clergy |
2003 |
|
Simon Aus. |
‘P’ Continue |
Discontinue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
York. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘Q’ Parked |
‘Q’ Election |
‘Q’ Continue |
‘Q’ Continue |
‘Q’ Continue |
York. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘R’ Election |
‘R’ Continue |
‘R’ Election |
‘R’ Continue |
‘R’ Continue |
York. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘S’ Election |
‘S’ Continue |
‘S’ Continue |
‘S’ Election |
‘S’ Continue |
York. Clergy |
2005 |
|
|
‘T’ Election |
‘T’ Continue |
‘T’ Continue |
‘T’ Continue |
‘T’ Election |
ELECTION |
|
|
|
‘R’ ‘S’ ‘T |
‘Q’ |
‘R’ |
‘S’ |
‘T‘ |
Authorised by the Council on 30th September 2005
Issued 1st October 2005
[Revision A : 17/10/05 Revised lettering for York Province]