The Constitution of the CHRISTIAN COUNCIL of GREAT BRITAIN and NORTHERN IRELAND
Preamble In the Name of the Triune God:
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
ONE GOD
eternally in Three Persons
- the Blessed Trinity -
and in the sure knowledge that
Christ will build His Church
and that the gates of hell will
not prevail against it (Matthew 16: 13-18);
WE, the undersigned together, before witnesses,
do solemnly establish,
in the faith and fear of God,
The Christian Council of
Great Britain and
Northern Ireland,
otherwise known as
The Christian Council of Britain
Covering:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and other Her Britannic Majesty’s Crown Possessions (the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) but to the exclusion of the aforesaid United Kingdom’s Overseas’ territories.
1. a. Resolution. At a convention held in Leeds on 25th day of July in the year of Our Lord 2007, and in proceedings there-from, it was resolved by representatives duly assembled, to found and establish this Constitution of:
THE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
b. Mission Statement. To promote Christian views and values in this our Nation and society; and to counteract cultural and ideological challenges and threats from extreme ideologies which would seek to undermine, persecute, or legally prosecute Britain’s national and Christian heritage as a basis for an attack on the free, open, liberal, and democratic nature of her People and of their society.
c. Revocation Clause. For the avoidance of all doubt, all draft constitutions, Minutes of Formation, and other letters, writings, and documents before made concerning the said Council or in any way purporting to establish, give effect to, or affect the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland herein established, or this Constitutional Covenant and Document, are hereby revoked, so as to be utterly void and without effect.
2. a. Membership. It was resolved that the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland thus more surely established welcomes, as members, all orthodox Trinitarian Christians who acknowledge the Godhead of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, One indivisible God eternally in Three Persons (as set out in the Creed of Athanasius contained in Appendix 1, and the Creed of Nicea contained in Appendix 2); together with, as associate members, those who simply value and wish to uphold their Christian heritage as an essential part of their rightful, Christian, and national identity and calling.
b. Constitutional Settlement. The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland thus seeks to preserve and pass-on the historic Christian Faith of these islands, as it has been anciently founded upon holy scripture, and the four ecumenical councils expressive of the same (325 AD – 451 AD); and as it has been rejuvenated, in our history and through our historical trials as a People, as shown in Magna Carta (1215 AD); Statutes of Provisors (1351 and 1390 AD); Statutes of Praemunire (1353, 1365, 1393 AD); Acts of Supremacy (1534, 1559 AD); the National Covenant (1639, 1640 AD), the Solemn League and Covenant (1643, 1644 AD); the Declaration/Claim of Right (1689 AD), Bill of Rights (1689 AD) and Act of Toleration (1689 AD); the Act of Settlement (1701 AD); the Acts of Union (1707 AD); the Roman Catholic Relief Acts (1791 and 1829 AD); the Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts (1829 AD) and so forth; and the rights expressed in the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1951 AD).
3. Contemporary Issues. Two particular contemporary dangers to our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland were recognised: Islam and ‘Political Correctness’. Islam was especially noted as a cultural and political challenge as much as a religious one, inasmuch as Islam – in its mainstream form – runs contrary to the principles which make for a free nation, and for an open society of free and equally valued and treated men and women (albeit with differences of nature and role) within a free nation, exercising their rights to basic human liberties and freedoms, such as, those of: freedom of speech, thought, person, property, and association. The same was also noted about the Far Left or Marxian version of contemporary ‘political correctness’ with its hatred for, and attacks upon, everything that is normal, moral, and natural on this side of the grave, such as:
the Nation,
the family,
private ownership,
the male and female distinction,
natural sexual relations within a wedded relationship only of one male and female,
the natural authority of parents over their children, and of teachers over their charges;
and respect for the hallowedness of all human life, including that of the unborn.
Though the significant differences between the two ‘isms’ of Islam and ‘Political Correctness’ were recognised it was noted that both alike oppose: true Christianity, the rule of law, a genuine and conserving liberalism in a true democracy; and the proper concept of free Nations and of the open and liberal societies nurtured therein and thereby. It was particularly borne in mind that, in the two hundredth anniversary of the abolition of the Negro slave trade within the British Empire, a worse form of slavery (of the mind) should not be imposed upon the peoples who had withstood absolutism and totalitarianism in their history, both at home and abroad. The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland therefore resolved not to regard our inalienable freedoms and rights as negotiable; but rather to be preserved, conserved and held-in-trust for our progeny, and for all peoples.
It was resolved, therefore, to keep a watch on these two totalitarian creeds with a view to educating and teaching the populace of the fundamental issues which they raise; particularly as they are in an unholy alliance – through much of the media and parts of the education system – against both free speech and open debate and inquiry within our society.
4. The Wedded Family. However, as an especial threat to the Church and the Family, it was noted by the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that women must not intrude themselves into the male headship role or into roles fitted to either the male mind or physique (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5: 22-24); and, in particular, that families need fathers; that mothers need husbands; that the ordained preaching, teaching, and pastoral ministry is a front-line ministry for men only (called and equipped of God), and not for women (1 Timothy 2: 9-15), nor for the effeminate, or sodomites (Romans 1: 24-32; 1 Corinthians 6: 9); and that births outside of wedlock are of the nature of sin and ought not to be encouraged on the public purse to the great undermining of responsibility, self-control, and the transmission of conventional moral values essential for holiness and happiness through hearth and home.
5. The Gift of Race and Nation. The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland resolved that it recognises that all men are of one blood (or proto-race) in Adam through to Noah; and that from that one proto-race divergent races have historically devolved – Russian doll-like – (Genesis 11: 1-9) so that we are now different, though related, races and nations of men, all of whom God has made (Psalms 86: 9); which are each to bring their own distinctive glory into the kingdom of God (Revelation 21: 26). The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland therefore resolved to recognise the godly importance of race and nation as groups based on this historical and providential process of objective descent: giving rise to different organically-formed communities; sharing and passing-on common genetically inherited (physical, intellectual and character) features together with cultures, mores, relationships, loyalties, memories, and identities in common; and ultimately – by the will of God – national homelands (Genesis 10:5, 20,31,32) where an ongoing connection between land and people has developed and can be encouraged and preserved (Acts 17: 26). The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recognises these facts and privileges, especially with regard to the historic British people whose land this is. The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland therefore resolved especially to welcome the British as such a People, and as individuals, into membership.
6. All Nations Blessed in Him. However, since all nations are at one, and only at one in the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 2: 4; Micah 4:3; Matthew 6:10) who, being God and man, in His own body bore our sins upon the tree (1 Peter 2: 24), the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also resolved to welcome into membership United Kingdom citizens of non-British descent-groups and historic provenance, being Christians (as hereinbefore defined, Article 2.a.[above]) and to extend a welcome to citizens of foreign states also (Galatians 3: 28, 29; Colossians 3: 11), on the like terms, as part of our mutual and Christian struggle for both nations and nation-ism, and for the British nation, in particular, in its own historic and national homeland (Matthew 28: 19).
7. Practical Matters. It was resolved that a website would be developed; that a lapel badge would be designed; that leaflets should be produced; and speaking engagements arranged for our affiliated ordained ministers; and that local campaigns should be conducted to uphold God’s will in Christ for our country against all the wiles of the Evil one (Matthew 6: 13; Ephesians 6: 11) in the knowledge that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3: 20).
8.a. The Executive Committee of Permanent and Term Members. It was further resolved that the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland should be run by an Executive Committee of Permanent and Term Members composed in the first instance of the promoters and founders of this Constitution being Permanent Members (as hereinafter defined), namely: the Reverend Robert West, Mr Anthony J. Williams, and Mrs Jenny Mallen (who hereunder subscribe their hands jointly as the promoters and founders of this Constitution); which Executive Committee is to be moderated where possible by an ordained minister, in this case by the aforesaid Reverend Robert West – currently minister of the Grace Covenant Fellowship – who shall serve as moderator and also as the Liaison Officer for the Council and its Executive Committee in accordance with the spirit of Articles 34 and 37 of the Church of England, and of Chapters 23 and 25 of the Westminster Confession of Faith of the Church of Scotland (for the relevant and adapted portions in summary of which see Appendix 3), namely: that final executive and positive legislative power within any Christian movement, or land, must vest in the whole Christian folk who are subject, as Earthly and political sovereigns, only to God and His moral law – upon Whose shoulders the government rests (Isaiah 9: 6) and who rules through His Word, His Providence, and His Spirit; and conceiving that the political legitimacy of government properly arises only through the consent of the governed – that, therefore, no foreign, international, or supranational power or potentate (whether political or ecclesial) has any right to usurp the Peoples’ prerogatives (in Church, State, or Nation); and, thus no legal or legitimate transfer of original political power may, or can, be made to such bodies except by the freely given and informed agreement of the People: and that only by way of trust (being subject thereto) and not absolutely, as is more carefully set forth in Bishop John Ponet’s, A Short Treatise of Politik Power (1556) and later in John Locke’s, Two Treatises of Civil Government, 1689. (Mark 12:17, Romans 13: 1-7; Ephesians 2: 20; 1 Peter 2: 13, 14, 17).
b. Doctrinal Basis. It was further resolved, and accepted, that the doctrinal basis of the Executive Committee should be that of the constitutional settlement of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as by law established: with toleration for those who cannot in conscience hold to these positions; provided always that within the work of the Council they do faithfully uphold this constitutional settlement (see article 2.b.[above]) wherein the rights and liberties, including the right to convert and be converted, of the respective Churches – Established or non-Established – are protected, defended, and upheld.
c. Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience. The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also resolved to uphold the rights of all faiths, and belief systems, being peaceful, and upholding the common moral basis (the natural law) of all stable societies – as is more clearly expressed in the second table of the law of Moses (Exodus 20: 12-17) and in the words of Jesus ‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets’ (Matthew 7: 12, cf: Luke 6:31)) – to peacefully promote and propagate their beliefs inasmuch and insofar as they allow the same to others on the like terms; as is generally set forth, so ably, by the great writers drawing on their Christian inheritance: John Milton, John Locke and J. S. Mill respectively in: Areopagitica, 1644, A Letter Concerning Toleration, 1689 and On Liberty, 1859.
9. The Holy Bible in English and in the Original Tongues. It was further resolved that the preferred Bible translation in English for use in services or publications should be the Authorised King James Version (1611) and its more up-to-date counterpart, the New King James Version (1982); and that the preferred underlying text in the original tongues – which, being given by immediate inspiration of God, are to be the judge of our translations – should be, in the Hebrew and Chaldee, the Massoretic text of the Jewish canon; and in the Greek New Testament, the Traditional Text of the Greek Church as attested by the vast majority of manuscripts of the Greek Church, so fulsomely supported from earliest times to the present by: the Fathers, the Church Lection, and early versions as is more generally set forth in the exemplary scholarship of Dean J.W. Burgon (1813-1888) and others.
10. The Divine Blessing. The convention was closed in the sure knowledge that if we as a Council and Executive Committee upheld the Bible as God’s most holy, infallible and inspired Word – the final, unerring, and sufficient Authority in all matters of belief and behaviour – then we would experience the divine blessing, and the protection of the one and only true God: Father, Son and Holy Ghost; who eternally exists undivided in three Persons: the blessed Trinity.
Sola Scriptura
Sola Fide
Sola Gratia
Solo Christo
Soli Deo Gloria
The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
‘And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations
into (the kingdom of God).’ John writing in Revelation 21:26
Rules of Governance
11. Framework of the Council. The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall work through a framework of two bodies: an Executive Committee of up to seven Permanent Members and four Terms Members; and a Yearly Meeting (or General Assembly) of all members and associate members of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Executive Committee of the Council
12.a. Management of the Council. The management of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall vest in the Executive Committee of the Council; which Executive Committee shall hold meetings at least twice yearly to plan and organise the work of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland according to this Constitution, its Memorandum of Intent, these Rules of Governance, and in particular its mission statement:
‘To promote Christian views and values in this our Nation and society; and to counteract cultural and ideological challenges and threats from extreme ideologies which would seek to undermine, persecute, or legally prosecute Britain’s national and Christian heritage as a basis for an attack on the free, open, liberal and democratic nature of her People, and of their society.’
b. Offices within the Executive Committee. Offices within the Executive Committee shall include: the moderator, secretary, and treasurer; which offices shall, where possible and convenient, be held by Executive Members severally and, in any event, always from among the Permanent Members.
c. Appointment and Dismissal from Office within the Executive Committee. A special resolution shall be needed to remove a Permanent Member from office within the Executive Committee and an ordinary resolution to fill such office among the Permanent Members. Permanent Members may resign or be removed from their office within the Executive Committee without prejudice to their ongoing status as Permanent Members of the aforesaid Committee.
13. Quorum of the Executive Committee. At meetings of the Executive Committee a quorum shall be composed of:
One if the Executive Membership is one;
One if the Executive Membership is two;
Two if the Executive Membership is three;
Three if the Executive Membership is four or more up to seven;
Five if the Executive Membership is between eight and eleven.
14. a. Proxies at Executive Committee. Where a Permanent or Term Member of the Executive Committee is not able to attend in person, he may appoint one other Member of the aforesaid Executive Committee to attend and act as his proxy: which proxy’s attendance shall be deemed his own; shall count towards the quorum; and shall fully exercise his powers, judgement, and discretion at the meeting of the Executive Committee.
b. Credentials of such Proxies. The moderator, or whoever in his absence moderates the Executive Committee of the Council, must require the presentation of credentials in writing appointing a proxy, duly signed by the Executive Member appointing the other as his proxy; such being minuted in the records of the meeting.
c. Moderation where the moderator is not in attendance. Where the moderator does not attend a meeting of the Executive Committee, a substitute moderator may be appointed either by a letter of commission of the moderator, naming his substitute from among the Permanent Members, and delegating his powers thereto only if expressly authorising such; or, in default of such an appointment, the appointment of a substitute moderator from among the Permanent Members for, and only for, that meeting by an ordinary resolution of the meeting; through which, however, no special powers of the office of moderator (whether casting vote or veto), or powers particular to the moderator as a Permanent Member (such as vote by proxy), shall pass to the moderating substitute so appointed.
15. a. Special Resolution Changes to the Constitution at Executive Committee. Where any changes are to be made to this Constitutional Document of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including these rules of governance, special majorities or resolutions shall be needed of the Executive Members attending in person or by proxy such meetings of the Executive Committee being duly called, convened, and quorate:
One if the Executive Membership is one;
Two if the Executive Membership is two or three;
Three if the Executive Membership is four;
Four if the Executive Membership is five;
Five if the Executive Membership is six or seven;
Six if the Executive Membership is eight;
Seven if the Executive Membership is nine;
and Eight if the Executive Membership is ten, or eleven;
b. Moderator’s Casting Vote. Where a motion fails for want of one vote the moderator shall have the power to exercise one casting vote in any one calendar year: which casting vote will be additional to his own vote; will be deemed, if need be, to bring the meeting up to quorum; and will be deemed to achieve the requisite majority in any resolution, being ordinary or special; save that if the casting vote of one calendar year is not used in that year, it may be carried forward to the year following, after which it shall in any event expire.
c. (i) Moderator’s Veto. The moderator – as guardian of the Council, its Executive Committee, and the members and associates of the Council, and of the Council’s interests and objectives under this Constitution – shall have power in a meeting of the Executive Committee at his absolute discretion, to veto any measure not being an ordinary or extraordinary resolution; which veto shall be additional to his own vote in meetings of the Executive Committee and shall debar the like or any alike measure being presented again for one year after its presentation in the instant case;
(ii) Exercise of the Moderator’s Veto out of Meeting. Save that where the moderator is not present at a meeting, his veto may be exercised outside of the meeting (if not therein delegated) with regard to the proceedings of the said meeting up to three months after the same; such vetoes being able to override those measures, not being ordinary or extraordinary, of the said meeting; and to be recorded and annexed to the minutes of the said meeting.
d. Extraordinary Resolution Changes to Article 15 and General Assembly Ratification Needed. Except that this article (15a, b, c, and d) shall only be changed by an extraordinary resolution, to which the moderator’s casting vote and veto shall not apply, of all of the Permanent and Term Members of the Executive Committee who attend in person or by proxy a meeting duly called and convened; which extraordinary resolution must needs require three month’s notice by second class recorded delivery to all Permanent and Term Members ahead of the meeting in question; and must be confirmed at the next following yearly member’s meeting by a two third’s majority of members voting personally or by proxy.
16. a. Further Appointment to the Executive Committee of Permanent Members. The appointment of anyone to Permanent Membership of the Executive Committee shall be by the co-option of the existing Executive Members by special resolution of those attending in person, or by proxy, a duly called and convened meeting of the Executive Committee.
b. Appointment to the Executive Committee of Term members. However the appointment of Term Members serving on the Executive Committee shall be by vote of the moderator alone in Executive Committee; which appointments shall run in the first instance for two full years from the time of their appointment in Executive Committee, and shall be renewable but once only for a further two years on the like terms as aforesaid; save that where there is a gap of two full years between such appointments, the like time limitation and eligibility for Term Membership shall run again.
c. Translation of Term Members to Permanent Membership. Whensoever a Term Member of the Executive Committee is chosen to become a Permanent Member of the said Committee, his Term Membership must lapse at his choice communicated in writing to the moderator as a condition precedent of the above appointment to Permanent Membership; whereat his position as Term Member will fall vacant to be filled at the Moderator’s behest in Executive Committee for the residue of the translated Member’s term; which substitutionary appointments, and the like, shall not count towards the two terms’ maximum as contained in clause 16 (b) [above].
17. Meetings of the Executive Committee. Ordinary meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held twice yearly, wherever possible, by ordinary resolution of the meeting straight before, and at intervals of several months between them; and Extraordinary meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called as and when deemed needful by the moderator, or secretary, for the time being in office, either at the moderator’s behest or at the discretion of the secretary, provided he have at least two requisitions in writing (from others than himself) so to do. The secretary is then to issue the relevant notifications within twenty-eight days of the time of receipt of the latter of the two written requisitions; and, if the secretary be in default of the two requisitions as aforesaid, the meeting of the Executive Committee can be called by any combination of Executive Members, being a minimum of three, by written declaration to be communicated to all Executive Members with the notifications calling and giving details of the meeting, such meeting to be chaired by the moderator, if present and willing, or otherwise by his substitute, as in article 14 (c) [above].
18. The Calling and Convening of the Executive Committee. No meeting of the Executive Committee shall be duly called and convened without all Permanent and Term Members being notified thereof in writing by second class recorded delivery from the moderator: on his own motion or under an ordinary resolution of the afore met Executive Committee; the secretary upon the motion of two requistioners other than himself; or three requistioners (as hereinbefore set out in article 17 [above]): in the case of ordinary meetings at least twenty-eight days in advance of the meeting; and in the case of an extraordinary meeting at least fourteen days ahead of the meeting; the final determination of all such matters with reasons being made, in writing, by the moderator.
19. a. Notice of Ordinary and Special Resolutions. Notice for, and the wording of, special resolutions for consideration (requiring a special majority (see article15. a. [above]) shall need at least twenty-eight days before the meeting in question, whether the meeting of the Executive Committee be ordinary or extraordinary, and under the same stipulations as in article 17 [above]; and the notice for, and the wording of, ordinary resolutions (being resolutions needing only a simple majority) shall require fourteen days notice under the like requirements before the meeting of the Executive Committee in question, whether such meeting be ordinary or extraordinary; such notice in writing coming from the moderator of the Committee or, in default thereof, from the secretary or the three requisitioners as before set out in article 17 [above].
b. Consultants. At the behest of the Executive Committee of Permanent and Term Members by ordinary resolution up to three consultants, being persons who are not necessarily members or associate members of the Council but whose advice is sought by its Executive Committee, may attend a meeting of the Executive Committee of Permanent and Term Members to give proper advice and expert knowledge; but shall exercise no power to vote thereat, nor be present at the vote.
20. Handling of Media Inquiries By the Moderator. The moderator for the time being in place shall act as the Liaison Officer of the Council and of its Executive Committee and will handle all national inquiries concerning the Council and its work. All news media inquiries of this nature made to other Permanent or Term Members of the Executive Committee are to be referred without comment to the moderator for the time being in place. Other Permanent or Term Members of the Executive Committee may submit articles to the news media subject to both the articles and the news media in question being approved by the moderator of the Executive Committee and that they will not bring, or tend to bring, the Executive Committee, its Permanent or Term Members, or the Council into disrepute.
21. a. Replacement of Permament Members. Should a Permanent Member of the Executive Committee resign, retire, die, be expelled, or otherwise become incapacitated for his duties within or under the Council or its Executive Committee – such as under the Mental Health Act (1983), as from time to time amended – his place shall be taken by another person to be nominated and co-opted by the residue of the Executive Members voting by special majority in a meeting of the Executive Committee duly called and convened.
b. Replacement of Term Members. If the like should come about concerning Term Members their stead shall be filled at the behest and choice of the moderator voting in Executive Committee and their substitution shall be for the residue of their vacated term; which substitution shall not count towards the two terms’ limitation of article 16 (c) [above].
22. a. Resignation and Retirement of Executive Members. Executive Members may retire or resign from the Executive Committee by writing to the moderator or secretary, such retirement or resignation having effect on actual notice to the moderator, or if no moderator, the secretary, and to be minuted and dated at the next following Executive Committee of Permanent and Term Members.
b. Death of Executive Members. The death of an Executive Member, whether Permanent or Term, shall at once end both his Executive Membership and any proxy thereunder together with his membership of the Council; and is to be minuted and dated at the next following meeting of the Executive Committee of Permanent and Term Members.
c. Incapacitation of Executive Members. Incapacitation under the Mental Health Act will likewise have the same effect on his Permanent or Term Membership and any proxy thereunder and his membership of the Council; and shall be the like minuted and dated as in article 22 (b) [as above].
d. Imprisonable offences of or Bankruptcy of Executive Members. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 22.e. [below], any Permanent or Term Member of the Executive Committee, upon conviction of any criminal offence – whether under English law, Scots law, the law of the Province of Northern Ireland, the law of the Lord and Tynwald of the Isle of Man, or the laws of the Crown Possessions of the Channel Islands – the said offence being imprisonable under the jurisdiction in question; or under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction, the Permanent or Term Member being made a bankrupt; such Permanent or Term Member may be suspended or expelled from the Executive Committee; and, if it please the Committee, the Council also; in either of these cases by ordinary resolution and only upon the motion of the moderator, and without any necessary recourse to the procedures as set out in article 28. [below].
e. Privileges and Immunities of Permanent and Term Members. Otherwise the Permanent Members and Term Members, being custodians of the Council, themselves, and the Executive Committee, shall in no wise be subject to censure save by special resolution of themselves in Executive Committee and by the advisory votes of full members in yearly meeting, except that upon failing to pay their subscriptions for three years they shall under this Constitution be automatically deemed retired from the Executive Committee and the Council.
The Yearly Meeting (or General Assembly) of the Council.
23. a. Yearly Members’ Meeting. A yearly general meeting of the members of the Council, to be known as the General Assembly of the Council, will be held as notified in the six monthly Bulletin of the Council; in which yearly meeting, a yearly report and yearly financial report shall be made to the members of the Council, in which the said members shall have the opportunity to meet with, confer, and question the Members of the Executive Committee of the Council and, if voting members, make formal advisory proposals by vote for their attention and consideration; such yearly general meeting of the members to be moderated by the moderator or by a substitute on the like terms as set out in article 14.c. [above].
b. Outside Speakers. At the behest of the Executive Committee of Permanent Members and Term Members by ordinary resolution up to three speakers, not being in any wise members of the Council, may attend to address the yearly meeting of the members of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Membership.
24. Full Membership. To become a voting member of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland applicants must be orthodox Trinitarian Christians (that is, Christians who accept and acknowledge the Godhood of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, one God eternally in three Persons and who acknowledge the truth of the Holy Trinity as set forth in the Creed of Athanasius [as set out in Appendix 1], and in the Creed of Nicea, [as set forth in Appendix 2]; who agree to uphold and abide by this Constitution of the said Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and who submit their name, address, and contact details in writing, together with their subscription, to the secretary.
25. Associate Membership. Associate membership is open on the like terms, though not including the orthodox Trinitarian confession, to those who simply: value and wish to uphold the Christian heritage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as the main basis for our national unity, continuity, and cultural identity; together with our social stability under our national and parliamentary democracy with freedom under a morally-informed law, based on Christian values, upholding basic individual rights and freedoms; together with the Christian principles of truth and righteousness needed to uphold our social cohesion, along with our moral responsibilities one to another. Associate members shall not, however, have the right to vote in the Yearly Meeting (or General Assembly) of members but shall be able to attend and speak. Notwithstanding this up to two associate members may be co-opted onto the Executive Committee, whether as Permanent or Term Members, where they shall there enjoy the like powers and privileges of the other Executive Members but shall not be eligible for the office of moderator.
26. Membership Fees. Full and associate membership fees are for a single person: £24 yearly; jointly for man and wife: £36; each payable by 31st January of each year, one quarter part-payable if joining in October through to December of the year before. Alternatively, members may pay by Standing Order at the rate of £2 a month for single membership and £3 a month jointly for man and wife; such memberships to be ratified by the next following meeting of the Executive Committee which shall have full discretion absolutely, by ordinary resolution, to turn-down such ratification and, therefrom, to refund any sums paid for membership.
27. Details of Membership. a. All paid-up members, and associate members, of the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will receive a free lapel badge and copies of the twice yearly Bulletin, together with one free copy of each audio or visual recording made of Christian Council of Britain conferences or events.
b. Unpaid Fees. Subject to articles 22. e. [above] any member or associate member whose fee remains unpaid for six months after 31st January, or whose Standing Order is cancelled, will be deemed to have left the membership of the Council, such to be minuted and recorded at the next following ordinary meeting of the Executive Committee
c. Secretary’s Duties upon Members. Once accepted into membership, full or associate, the secretary will enter the member’s details into the membership book, and will there date and sign the entry – the member being deemed a member or associate from that date. Renewed memberships, full or associate, must be sent yearly to the Secretary on or by the 31st January (such day being included in the time limit) for the calendar year in question.
28. a. Discipline, Suspension, and Expulsion of Members. If any member or associate member behaves in a way which in the opinion of the moderator of the Executive Committee brings, or is likely to bring, the said Council into disrepute; or who, in the opinion of the said moderator, fails to uphold or abide by the Constitution, or his terms of membership, whether as member or associate; that person’s membership and any local office held shall be by written notice subject forthwith to a three-month suspension at the behest of the moderator, pending a hearing of the Executive Committee: at which hearing the suspended person shall have written notice of the particulars of the case against him delivered to him at least twenty-eight days before the hearing by second-class recorded delivery, thus giving him reasonable time to prepare his own defence; and, at the hearing he shall have a reasonable opportunity to speak in his own defence – the person who was the moderator at the time of the suspension not being there in judgement upon him. The disciplinary hearing of the Executive Committee, being composed of between one and three Executive Members, shall then make a final determination in writing with reasons to further suspend, expel, or re-instate the suspended person’s membership; from which sentence there shall be no appeal except that, if expelled, a renewed application for membership may be made after three years from the date of the final determination, or after such length of time as may be specified longer than this.
b. Disciplinary Panel. The disciplinary panel shall be made up of a Chief Adjudicator appointed for three years by ordinary resolution of the Executive Committee; whose appointment shall be re-callable only by a special resolution of the Executive Committee; which Chief Adjudicator shall appoint two further adjudicators whose posts shall endure for two years each and who may be removed only by ordinary resolution of the Executive Committee. The Chief Adjudicator shall arrange the disciplinary hearings in accordance with the above principles as set out in article 28. a. [above] and shall determine who shall adjudicate in any given case: whether one, two, or all three adjudicators; and if present himself the Chief Adjudicator shall chair the meeting; but all findings are to be by majority where there are three adjudicators present, and by unanimity where two.
Local Spokesmen.
29. a. Local Spokesmen. Subject to the full knowledge and leave of the Executive Committee by ordinary resolution full or associate members may act as “Local Spokesmen” on local issues of concern to the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to uphold our common Christian heritage, or aspects thereof, in line with the whole of this Constitutional Document and Covenant, and all of its parts, severally and together;
b. Suspension and Dismissal from Local Office for Unbecoming Behaviour. Should a local spokesman, or any other officer of appointment to a locality, behave in such a way as is deemed by the moderator unseemly or unbecoming for such office; such local officer may be suspended forthwith by the moderator by written notice pending the meeting of the Executive Committee; which meeting will then by ordinary resolution uphold or withdraw the suspension from office.
c. Other Dismissal from Office. Local offices can in any event be withdrawn by ordinary resolution of the Executive Committee.
Financial Matters.
30. a. Bank Account. A Bank account will be opened in the name of the Christian Council of Britain for: membership fees, deposits of grants made, donations, and for the disbursement of educational grants, equipment, and so forth.
b. Signatures for Monies spend. For sums of money up to and including £100 the signature of the treasurer only is to be held necessary; and for sums in excess thereof the joint signing of treasurer and moderator is requisite.
Winding-Up.
31. Ending the Council. If the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is wound-up, any monies in the accounts will – at the power and behest of the former Executive Committee, as it stood at the time of the dissolution of the Council – be applied by simple majority to the objectives of the Council as laid out in this Constitution; such winding-up of the Council being effected by special resolution of the Executive Members who, after such winding-up, will act as trustees of the said funds unless resigning or otherwise having their Executive Membership ended under the rules of this Constitution.
Residuary Powers.
32. Moderator’s Residuary Powers. If any matter should arise not covered by this Constitution, the moderator is to determine the matter according to rules of principle and equity; which matter is then to be confirmed either by ordinary resolution of the Executive Committee, or by a special resolution expressly amending this Constitution.
Under these our hands jointly subscribed, before witnesses, as the promoters and founders, and first Permanent Members, of the aforesaid unincorporated association:
The Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
covering:
The United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
and other Her Britannic Majesty’s Crown Possessions
(namely, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands)
but to the exclusion of the aforesaid
United Kingdom’s Overseas’ Territories:
This 23rd day of April (being the national day of both England and Greece) in the Year of Our Lord, 2008.
Signed……………………………………………………… Revd Robert West, promoter and founder,
moderator, and
Permanent Member
Signed………………………………………… Mr Anthony J. Williams, promoter and founder treasurer, secretary, and Permanent Member.
Signed……………………………………………. Mrs Jenny Mallen, promoter and founder, and Permanent Member
Before the below two witnesses:
Appendix 1
The Creed of Athanasius
as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer (1662)
of the Church of England,
and as commended by the Faith of all orthodox Trinitarian Communions
‘The Three Creeds, Nicene, Athanasius’s Creed,
and that which is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed,
ought thoroughly to be received and believed:
for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.’
Article 8 of the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion of the Church of England.
WHOSOEVER will be saved: before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholick Faith. Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
And the Catholick Faith is this:
That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons: nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son: and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son: and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate: and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible: and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals: but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated: but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet there are not three Almighties: but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God: and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet there are not three Gods: but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord: and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity: to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So we are forbidden by the Catholick Religion: to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.
The Father is made of none: neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and the Son: neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other: none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together: and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved: must thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation: that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess: that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds: and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world; Perfect God, and perfect Man: of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting; Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead: and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood. Who although he be God and Man: yet he is not two, but one Christ; One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh: but by taking of the Manhood into God; One altogether; not by confusion of Substance: but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man: so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation: descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty: from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies: and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting: and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
This is the Catholick Faith: which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Note: The Latins and the Protestants, and those of the East being Orthodox – confessing the Creed (as above) common to the East and West – the said Creed is to be acknowledged whole and entire. Non-Orthodox Trinitarian Christians of the East (such as the Sabellians, Nestorians, Monotheletes and the Monophysites) may join the Council only as associates thereto.
Appendix 2:
The Creed of Nicea
as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer (1662)
of the Church of England,
and as commended by the Faith of all orthodox Trinitarian Communions
‘The Three Creeds, Nicene, Athanasius’s Creed,
and that which is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed,
ought thoroughly to be received and believed:
for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.’
Article 8 of the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion of the Church of England.
I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen.
Note: The Latins and the Protestants, and those of the East confessing the Western rite, the Creed (as above) is to be acknowledged whole and entire; but in the case of the Greeks, and other Easterns being Orthodox, the filioque namely ‘…and the Son…’ in relation to ‘Who proceedeth from the Father’ may be omitted. Non-Orthodox Trinitarian Christians of the East (such as the Sabellians, Nestorians, Monotheletes and the Monophysites) may join the Council, but only as associates thereto.
Appendix 3:
Summary Extracts from Articles 34 and 37 of the
Thirty Nine Articles of Religion of the Church of England
adapted for the purposes of the Christian Council of Britain.
Article 34:
Every national Church hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish, ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man’s authority, so that all things be done to edifying.
Article 37:
The King’s majesty [not any foreign power] hath the chief power in this realm of England, and other his Dominions, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, and is not, nor ought to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction. We give not to our Princes the ministering either of God’s Word, or of the Sacraments but only that prerogative which we see to have been given always to all godly princes in holy Scriptures by God himself.
Summary Extracts from Chapters 23 and 25 of the
Westminster Confession of Faith of the Church of Scotland
adapted for the purposes of the Christian Council of Britain.
Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate:
I: God hath ordained civil magistrates [secular or political rulers] for His own glory and the public good; and hath armed them with the power of the sword for the defence and encouragement of the good, and the punishment of the evildoers; II: It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate [a secular ruler] and wage war upon just and necessary occasions; III: The civil magistrate hath authority to set the church in order, to call synods, and to provide that whatever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God; IV: It is the duty of the people to pray for magistrates and to be subject to their authority for conscience sake. [Foreign Power] cannot deprive them in their dominions, or over any of their peoples, if [that foreign power] should judge them to be heretics, or upon any pretence whatever.
Chapter 25: Of the Church:
I: The catholic church invisible is the whole number of the elect under Christ the Head and is His spouse, the body: II: The catholic church visible consists of all those throughout the world, and their children, who profess the true religion, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation; III: unto which Christ has given: the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints in this life; IV: the catholic church has been sometimes more, sometimes less, visible; and particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure; V: The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have degenerated as to be synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth to worship God according to His will; VI: There is [by consent of many Christians] no other head of the [whole] church but Christ.
Comment by Authority: In line with the above, the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland recognises the sovereign independence directly under God of all the secular powers and states of the Earth, over whom the Church and its ministry, neither as a whole nor in part, exercises – nor can, or ought to, exercise – thrall, domain, or dominion; and, furthermore the Christian Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes no part, of the whole Church, for the whole; but holds that each part of the whole, Church, professing the orthodox and catholic doctrine of the Trinity – notwithstanding differences of doctrine and order in other areas – are, within the context of the Council: (1) to be treated in terms of ecclesial equality – except, formally, insofar as the British Constitution does hold; and (2) upon the denominator of what each part anciently has in common with all, and with every other part, and with the whole together, namely: holy scripture.
Share this page:
