Southeastern New England Baptist Association
Monday, September 06, 2010

Constitution and Bylaws of

Southeastern New England Baptist Association
 
 
  1. This body shall be called “Southeastern New England Baptist Association (hereafter referred to as “SNEBA” or “the Association”), a Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Non-Profit Corporation, located in Rhode Island, the eastern Connecticut counties of New London and Windham, and part of Southeastern Massachusetts Bristol County.
  2. The principal office of the Association shall be located in the City of Warwick and State of Rhode Island. The Association may have such other offices, either within or without Rhode Island, as the Executive Board may determine or as the affairs of the Association may require.
  3. Association shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Rhode Island a registered office and a registered agent whose office is identical with such registered office. The registered office may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office located at 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886. The Executive Board of the Association may change the address of the registered office.
  4. This Association will cooperate with the Baptist Convention of New England andthe Southern Baptist Convention in those endeavors that strengthen the affiliated member churches and provide a means of cooperatively carrying out the work of the Kingdom of God. The Association’s relationship with the Baptist Convention of New England is further detailed in the SNEBA/BCNE Cooperative Agreement.
 
 
SNEBA exists for the purpose of resourcing Associational pastors and congregations as they seek to fulfill their unique, God-given vision for carrying out the Great Commission. SNEBA is structured with three Ministry Action Teams and one Administration Team to allow for quick response to the needs and requests of affiliated memberchurches for assistance in their ministry. 
 
The Teams Are: 
  1. Church Planting Team
  2. Church Strengthening Team 
  3. Leadership Development Team
  4. Administration Team
   Through the Action and Ministry of Each Team, SNEBA Seeks to:
  • Foster Fellowship
  • Provide Mutual Strength and Support
  • Encourage Hands-On Kingdom-Expansion Endeavors
  • Assist Affiliated Memberchurches in Carrying Out the Great Commission.
 
 
Membership
 
Section 1. Members: 
SNEBA shall have only one classification of members, namely those who are duly elected messengers of affiliated memberchurches.
 
Section 2. Affiliation of Churches: 
 
  1. A church may affiliate with SNEBA if its faith and practice are in good accord with the faith and practice of the other affiliated memberchurches, with due respect to affiliated member church autonomy, style, and methods. SNEBA affirms the current Baptist Faith and Message as the statement that best describes the basic body of beliefs that the affiliated memberchurches of SNEBA hold in common. Each church shall voluntarily cooperate in spirit, financial support, and participation with the Association and the other affiliated memberchurches to achieve and advance the stated purpose of the Association.
  2. Mission churches (newly-planted churches/church starts) are related to the Association as an extension of their sponsoring church.
  3. Watchcare is for churches and continues six month to one year prior to a church seeking affiliation with the Association. The goals of watchcare are acculturation to Southern Baptist organizations and processes; a time to review beliefs and practices and for fellowship building.
  4. A church or mission may seek to affiliate with the Association by presenting a letter of petition to the Administration Team. This shall be presented to the Administration Team one month prior to the Board Meeting preceding the Annual Meeting.
     Included in this letter should be: 
  • A history of the church or mission,
  • Its Constitution & Bylaws, and
  • Documentation of a vote by the congregation to voluntarily cooperate with the Association.
 
This Team will determine from the documents received whether or not that church or mission conforms to Section 2.a above. The Administration Team will present the candidate to the Board Meeting preceding the Annual Meeting. Upon approval of the Board, the church will officially be presented and approved by at least a two/thirds majority of the messengers at the next Annual Meeting. 
 
Section 3. Election of Members: 
Each church affiliated with the Association shall select and elect messengers to the Annual Meeting. Each affiliated memberchurch, regardless of size, may have two messengers plus the pastor. Additional messengers may be elected based upon the membership of the church. For each additional 100 members beyond the first 100 another messenger may be elected. No church regardless of size shall have more than six (6). Messengers serve for one year and may be re-elected should the church decide to do so. Mission churches (Section 2.b) are entitled to one (1) messenger each.
 
Section 4. Voting Rights: 
Each messenger shall be entitled to one vote on each item of business.
           
Section 5. Resignation: 
If a messenger resigns, the affiliated memberchurch that elected that messenger shall select another person to take the messenger’s place.
 
Section 6. Harmony:
Realizing that the Scriptures call us to harmonious and peaceful relationships and to work for the unity of all Christians (Matthew 5:9, Romans 14:19, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 and 13:11, Ephesians 4:1-6, Philippians 2:1-4, Colossians 3:12-15), the Association recognizes that conflict can and does arise which can cause disharmony or division between team members or between an affiliated member church and the Association. All churches and the Association will covenant together to use the Biblical process from the Communication Covenant (see Appendix A) for resolving any conflict prior to non-participation or disassociation.
  1. Non-Resolution: Should all measures outlined in the covenant be prayerfully followed and the issue still not be resolved, either the Executive Board can vote by a two/thirds majority to disassociate with the conflicted affiliated member church or the affiliated memberchurch can vote to do so. For the glory of the Lord and the reputation of the church and the Association, the matter should not be left unresolved or the parties non-participatory.
  2. Neglect: Neglect or non-participation—financially, with Association work, or in fellowship—for more than one (1) year can be construed by the Executive Board as relationally disassociative. If this is determined, then members of the Administrative Team will diligently move to communicate with the member church that is not participating in an effort to exercise the Communication Covenant.
 
Meetings of Members
 
Section 1. Annual Meeting: 
An Annual Meeting of the messengers shall be held at a specified time and place published in the annual calendar. The meeting shall include prayer, praise, proclamation, election of officers, adoption of the annual budget, and any other pertinent business the Association must address. Any new business items must be presented to the Administration Team at least one month prior to the Annual Meeting. 
 
Section 2. Special Meetings: 
Special meetings of the messengers may be called by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.
 
Section 3. Notice of Meetings: 
Notice of meetings of the messengers shall be made in writing at least fourteen days in advance of the meeting. The notice shall outline the place, time, and purpose of the meeting. Each affiliated memberchurch is responsible for contacting its messengers and advising them of the meeting.
 
Section 4. Quorum: 
The messengers of affiliated memberchurches present at any properly called and noticed meeting shall constitute a quorum for that meeting.
 
Section 5. Proxies: 
A messenger may only vote in person and not by proxy.
 
 
 
Executive Board
 
Section 1. Membership: 
The Executive Board shall be composed of the pastor and one other person elected by an affiliated member church, members of the Administration Team, and officers of the Association. Paid staff members of the Association shall have input but do not carry a vote.
 
Section 2. Purpose:
To receive reports from each Associational team, direct the actions of the Administration Team, review financial reports, discuss issues prior to the annual meeting, and serve as a conduit to share with members of the affiliated memberchurches what is happening within the Association.
 
Section 3. Meetings: 
The Executive Board shall have at least two meetings each year other than the Annual Meeting. The Administration Team may call special meetings for a specific purpose by giving at least seven (7) days notice. Notice shall be given to affiliated memberchurches. These churches are responsible for notifying their Board Members.
 
Section 4. Authority: 
The Executive Board is governed by all provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws. This Board has full power and authority to direct or assign the business of the Association between annual meetings, including but not limited to matters of real estate, personnel, and personal property.
 
Section 5. Reporting: 
The Executive Board shall supply to affiliated member churches a written summary of its decisions and actions at the annual meeting.
 
Section 6. Quorum: 
The messengers of the Executive Board present at any called and noticed meeting shall constitute a quorum for that meeting.
 
Section 7. Manner of Acting: The act of a majority of the members of the Executive Board present at a meeting shall be the act of the Executive Board, unless a greater percentage is required by these By-Laws for a specific vote.
 
 
Administration Team
 
Section 1. Membership: 
The Administration Team shall be composed of the Officers of the Association, Ministry Action Team Leaders, Executive Director/Treasurer, and two at-large members. The two at-large members shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. Other members are already in their position as an elected person.
 
Section 2. Purpose:
The Administration Team shall deal with administrative issues of the Association, including personnel, Associational operations such as managing and monitoring income and outgo, and processing petitions for membership in the Association. The purpose, terms, and responsibilities of the Administration Team shall be included in the Policy Manual of SNEBA.
 
Section 3. Meetings and Quorum: 
The Administration Team shall meet at least four times annually and as requested by the Moderator of the Association or any two other members of the Team. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Administration Team present at a meeting.
 
Section 4. Authority: 
The Administration Team is governed by all provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Association and is authorized to conduct business assigned to it by the Association or the Executive Board.
 
Section 5. Reports: 
The Administration Team shall make written reports of its activities and a financial report to the Executive Board at each of its meetings.
 
 
Officers and Duties
 
Section 1. Officers:
Executive Director/Treasurer: It is the responsibility of The Executive Director/Treasurer to cast a God-sized vision for the Association, to serve as a catalyst for change and risk-taking, to develop and foster coalition-building within the Association, to develop and implement sound fund-raising principles and guidelines, and to assist the overall ministry of the Teams. He shall oversee the work of staff members. He is ultimately accountable for what takes place in the Association.The Executive Director/Treasurer shall be considered an officer of the Association and shall, along with the Moderator, be an ex-officio member of all Association teams.
  1. Other Officers: The other officers shall be the Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and Clerk/Office Manager. They shall be elected annually at the Annual Meeting of the Association. They must be members in good standing from affiliated memberchurches in good standing to be eligible to hold office.
  2. Moderator: The Moderator shall serve no more than two consecutive years. The Moderator is to preside at all meetings of the Association, the Executive Board, and the Administration Team. He shall be ex-officio on all other teams and may appoint ad-hoc task forces as needed.
  3. Vice-Moderator: The Vice-Moderator shall preside in the absence of the Moderator or at the request of the Moderator, and shall automatically become the Moderator when the office becomes vacant between annual meetings. The Executive Board would then elect a new Vice-Moderator to serve out the unexpired term. 
  4. Clerk/Office Manager: The Clerk/Office Manager shall keep accurate records of all meetings of the Association, Executive Board, and Administration Team. A copy of all minutes shall be available for the Moderator and Executive Director/Treasurer as soon as possible after each meeting. Should this office become vacant the Executive Board shall elect a new Clerk/Office Manager.
 
Section 2. ELECTION & TERMS: 
All officers of the Association, except the Executive Director/Treasurer, shall be elected annually by the messengers of the Association at the scheduled Annual Meeting. All elections shall be by majority vote of the messengers. Nomination of officers will be initiated by the Administration Team prior to the annual meeting, while additional nominations will be welcomed from the floor of the annual meeting as well. The Executive Director/Treasurer shall be elected once by at least a three quarters majority by the Association for an indefinite tenure of office after nomination by the Executive Board.
 
Section 3. Removal: 
Whenever any officer elected by the Association is determined not to be working in the best interests of the Association, he may be removed by the following process:
  1. The Administration Team shall follow the full course of the Communication Covenant.
  2. If no resolution can be accomplished, the officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board in a specially-called meeting. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the officer removed.
Section 4. Vacancies: 
A vacancy in any office, except the Executive Director/Treasurer, may be filled by the Executive Board for the unexpired portion of the term. If the position of Executive Director/Treasurer is vacated, a Search Committee shall be nominated by the Association Administration Team, to include at least one member of the Administration Team with the remaining members of the committee to be members of affiliated memberchurches. The Search Committee is then to be elected by the Executive Board. This Committee shall make regular reports of progress and any changes of the committee makeup to a regular or called meeting of the Association. The committee will present to the Executive Board the best candidate it is lead by the Lord to consider for the position. On at least a two thirds majority agreement, the Executive Board will then nominate the candidate to the Association for election.
 
 
Ministry Action Teams
 
Section 1. 
Establishment of Ministry Action Teams and their duties is the responsibility of the messengers and the Executive Board. These Teams shall be empowered to carry out the assignment given to them by the Association and the Executive Board. The details regarding the name, membership, and responsibility of each Ministry Action Team shall be included in the Policy Manual of SNEBA. Any changes and/or additions to the Policy Manual of SNEBA may be made by the messengers at the Annual Meeting or upon the approval of the Executive Board at one of its meetings.
 
Section 2. Term of Office: 
Each member of a Ministry Action Team shall continue to serve at his or her passion. Should a team member become a detriment to the Team or the Association that person may be removed by a majority of team members voting.
 
Section 3. Team Leader:
Team members shall elect one member of each Ministry Action Team as Team Leader at their first scheduled meeting after the Annual Meeting each year. 
 
Section 4. Vacancies: 
Since team members serve at their passion, vacancies in membership will be filled by others with like passion.
 
Section 5. Quorum: 
Unless otherwise specified in the Policy Manual of SNEBA, a quorum shall consist of those members present. The act of the quorum shall constitute the action of the Team.
 
Section 6. Rules/Guidelines/Protocols: 
Each Ministry Action Team shall establish its own procedural guidelines, protocols, and rules. They must be consistent with those laid out in this document to be considered valid. Any conflict shall be resolved by using the guidelines in this document as the established and accepted guidelines.
 
 
Authority & Limitations
 
  1. The Association has full authority for carrying on its work to fulfill provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws, including the right to receive and disburse funds, own property, and carry on any other activities necessary for implementing its purposes. All the facilities and properties of the Association are dedicated to Jesus Christ and shall be used only for those activities that are approved by the Association as being consistent with the Word of God and the purposes of the Association. The civil authority that God has appointed over us recognizes this Association as a legal entity subject to certain laws and regulations.
  2. Tax Exempt Status. One privilege we enjoy as a non-profit corporation is a tax-exempt status. At this time this privilege has no conditions that prevent us from carrying out the purposes of the Association.The Association will conduct all matters lawfully and will engage in all lawful activities necessary or desirable to carry out its charitable, religious and educational purposes including the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations all consistent with the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). Should there come a time when the conditions of maintaining our tax-exempt status would prevent us from carrying out the purposes of the Association, we must obey God rather than man, and, therefore, forfeit our tax-exempt status.
  3. The Association has no authority over any affiliated memberchurch nor the right to interfere with the rights and autonomy of affiliated memberchurches, recognizing that each church is sovereign and independent in all its matters. Therefore, the Association is not responsible for individual decisions of its affiliated memberchurches. The basis for operation in the Association is in the sphere of voluntary cooperation in Association endeavors and fellowship.
  4. The Association is at liberty to consult with any of the affiliated memberchurches on matters related to the work of ministry.
  5. The Association has jurisdiction over the seating of any and all messengers and may by a two/thirds majority vote refuse to seat messengers from any affiliated member church that it deems to be unsound in faith, practice, or conduct. 
  6. The Association shall not engage in regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit and no part of its net earning shall insure to the individual benefit of any affiliated member church, Associational leader, or officer, or to any private individual, except reasonable allowance for salary or other compensation may be paid for services and goods rendered to or for the Association.The Association pledges its assets for use in the performing the organization’s religious function set forth in these articles. 
  7. The Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
 
 
Contracts, Checks, Deposits, Funds
 
Section 1. Contracts: 
The Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent, or agents of the Association to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association, and such authority may be general or may be confined to specific circumstances.
 
Section 2. Checks: 
All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Association, and in such manner as shall be determined by resolution of the Executive Board. In the absence of such determination by the Executive Board, the Moderator or the Clerk/Office Manager of the Association shall sign such instrument.   
 
Section 3. Deposits: 
All funds of the Association shall be deposited to the credit of the Association in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Executive Board may select and approve.
 
Section 4. Gifts: 
The Executive Board may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift, bequest, or device for any purpose of the Association.
 
 
Books and Records
 
The Association Shall:
  1. Employ a bookkeeper to keep correct and complete financial records
  2. Keep minutes of the proceedings of its meetings: Annual, Executive Board, Administration Team, and Ministry Action Teams
  3. Keep at the registered office a record giving the names and addresses of messengers
  4. Arrange for audits of financial records.   
 
Any member, or his/her agent, may inspect all books and records of the Association for any proper purpose at a time convenient for all parties.
 
 
Fiscal Year
 
The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January and close on the 31st day of December each year.
 
 
Dissolution
 
In the event it becomes necessary to dissolve or liquidate this Association, the dissolution of this non-profit corporation, its assets remaining after payment (or provision of payment of remaining debts and liabilities beyond the assets of this Association) shall be distributed and irrevocably dedicated by the executive board or it’s remaining affiliated member churches to such non-profit religious organizations as are in agreement with the letter and spirit of this constitutional statement and which are then exempt from deferral tax under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) and to which contributions are then deductible under 170(c)(2) of such code or corresponding provisions of any subsequent federal tax laws.
 
 
Waiver of Notice
 
Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations or under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or the Constitution and Bylaws of SNEBA, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
 
 
Amendments to Bylaws
 
These Bylaws may be amended at any Annual Meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of the messengers present and voting, providing the proposed changes be presented in writing in a previous Executive Board Meeting, or at a specially-called meeting for that purpose. The proposed amended Bylaws shall be provided and included in the Book of Reports distributed at the Annual Meeting.
 
 
  
Appendix A
 
A very real part of relationships is dealing with conflict of one kind or another. Relational wounding, unresolved conflict, and sin destroy our relationships, communities, churches and Associations. Whenever people are together conflict is not just possible, it is inevitable.  SNEBA is a community of churches and Christ followers where relationships are very important, so we desire to keep them harmonious to the glory of Christ. This document represents a synopsis of the Biblical process for dealing with conflict that our Association affirms and pursues.  It is our hope that every affiliated member church can affirm this covenant. It is written to the individual as each of us is accountable individually for our relationships before God (soul competency); however, we must recognize that conflict between any two individuals can spread throughout any community and cause great harm God's kingdom work.
 
 
 
For Christians and Their Organizations
Modified from materials by Rev. Ted and Ruth Brewer, Directors: New Peace Network
Adapted from the Biblical Resolution Covenant by Mels Carbonell, Ph.D. of Uniquely You in Christ
 

Key Scriptures on which process is based: 

  • Matthew 18:15-17 [& Matthew 5:22-24]
  • Ephesians 4:14-16
  • Ephesians 4:29-32
  • John 13:34-35
 
COVENANT
In obedience to God’s holy Word and commitment to practicing biblical conflict resolution, I promise to follow the following principles. My priorities are to glorify God, grow in Christ, serve others, build harmony in the church (including preventing and resolving unhealthy conflicts) and help reach my world for Christ. There are different forms of conflict:
 
HEALTHY CONFLICT
  1. Problems needing solutions
  2. Wisely handling disagreements
 
UNHEALTHY CONFLICT
  1. Hurtful disagreements
  2. Contests
  3. Fight or Flight responses (See the Peacemakers Pledge- a lengthier, more in-depth exposition on the subject of conflict and the Biblical response)
  4. Intractable disputes
 
Should a conflict arise or offense be taken with anyone, I will pursue the following process:
 
STEP ONE OF PROCESS
  1. I will NOT first share the offense with another person.
  2. I will be committed to restoring the relationship rather than exposing sin.
  3. I will try to understand their actions.
  4. I will prayerfully examine myself, taking responsibility for my contribution (Mt. 7:3-5).
  5. I will prayerfully consider if the offense can be overlooked (Prov.19:11, Eph.4:2).
  6. If it cannot be overlooked, then I will go, REPEATEDLY if needed, in love and talk with the offender in an effort to resolve the matter personally and privately, having confessed to the Lord my own wrong doing and to others and the offender (1 Jn.1:9, Mt. 7:5, Mt.18:15).
 
STEP TWO OF PROCESS
  1. If first going to the person alone does not resolve our difference, I promise to seek one or two others who can help by going along with me to meet the offending party (Deut. 19:15).
  2. These witnesses may be: Literal (witnessed the actual offense) or similar (witnessed a similar but not actual offense) or Figurative witnesses who are neutral and mature Christians.
  3. These witnesses should be: Spiritually wise and Respected and agreed upon by both parties involved.
  4. I believe God will use the witnesses to reveal and resolve, not to take sides. I will follow the advice of the witnesses and trust God to complete His work in my life.
 
WARNING:
  1. I will NOT SEEK to find others who also may have been offended by the same party.
  2. I will NOT SHARE my concerns [details of the offense] with the witnesses before the meeting with the “offending party.”
  3. I will NOT SHARE the offense with friends or family which will cause them to become party to division in friendship. Maybe “a break in friendship”?
 
 
 
If Associational leaders, Executive Board members, or pastoral leaders are involved directly in the conflict then special effort needs to be exercised for the sake of Christ, the (Misspelled in printed:) affiliated member churches, our Association and the Biblical principles we follow. I believe the scriptural admonition not to rebuke a spiritual leader (pastor, elder or deacon) other than in grave matters of misconduct and open sin (1 Tim.5:19) and especially in public forums. With that in mind…
  1. I will earnestly pray for and follow the leader God placed over me or our Association.
  2. I will not allow others to openly criticize a leader without following the principles of Matt. 18 first and having the person present.
  3. If I cannot resolve the matter alone, I will ask the leader’s counsel to find a “witness” to hear the matter.
  4. I will follow the prior steps described above with a leader as well.
  5. If the leader refuses to hear the “witness,” we will seek a group of two or three other witnesses to hear the matter and determine what God is seeking through this conflict as outlined in Step Twoabove.
 
STEP THREE AND BEYOND
If the prayerful and repeated efforts [previously described] do not resolve the dispute, and the offender remains unrepentant, then I will…
 
TELL THE ASSOCIATION
 
  1. I will go first to pre-prescribed leaders (Ministry Action Team leaders, Administration Team and/or the guiding leadership of the offended affiliated member church {ie. :pastor or deacons}) depending on who the offender is, to describe what has taken place.       
  2. These leaders will prayerfully investigate the matter to seek communication, repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation (before the matter is made known to a wider audience, {i.e.: the Executive Board}).      
  3. Sins that warrant going to this third stage are those that have a strong negative effect on other people, the entire affiliated member church’s congregation and the Association.
  4. If the offending party after investigation is still willfully unrepentant and unwilling to take steps to resolve, then: If the offender is the pastor of an affiliated member church and after meeting with leadership in that affilated church, the church refuses to take action, the Association leaders may need to begin to take steps of disassociation for the harmony and peace of the Association … that is, meet with the Associational Executive Board and solicit their wisdom for the next step and prayers for the unrepentant person, then communicate in formal letter to the affiliated member church involved. or If the offending unrepentant party is in leadership on the Associational staff, the Executive Board may have to take steps to remove the person from the position for the harmony and peace of the Association.
  5. If the person continues to refuse correction in humility and all measures outlined in this covenant are prayerfully followed and the issue still is not resolved, then the Associational Executive Board or affiliated member church may have to formally take steps to disassociate from Associational membership (Mt. 18:17b). For the glory of the Lord and the Christian reputation of the affiliated member church and Association, the matter should not be left unresolved or the parties non-participatory for any length of time.
  6. Legal Matters: If the matter causing the conflict involves issues with legal implications, the Executive Board should direct the Administration Team to seek legal counsel for the protection of the greater community of the Association. Because we are Biblically instructed to keep our matters out of court (1 Cor. 6:1-6), all diligence should be taken in order to resolve such matters within our Christian community first. 
 
COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING UNITY
If I continue to find fault with an Associational leader (or affiliated member church) even though “witnesses”, a mediator or the Executive Board believe either that the person I think offended me has not sinned against me or that they have sinned against me but are repentant, I will either accept their determination, forgive the other party or overlook the offense or will remove myself from relationship with the leaders or the Association rather than cause conflict and disharmony in this Association.
 
 
 
For additional information, details and resources, go to: www.hispeace.org