The Constitution
The Constitution of the Church.co.uk Network to be read and interpreted in conformity with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Oasis Charitable Trust (known as Oasis UK). The purpose of this document is to set out the core practices, beliefs, values and goals of the Church.co.uk Network.
1. Our Relationship to Oasis UK
1.1. Oasis UK is committed to planting and sustaining a network of Church.co.uk churches with shared purpose, goals and values.
1.2 The Oasis UK Trustees hold the assets of the Church.co.uk Network in trust. The Church.co.uk Network is part of Oasis UK and, as such, is committed to the same standards of good practice.
1.3 The Church.co.uk Network Leader is the appointee of the Oasis UK Trustees and is responsible for acting as their agent, on their authority, to support and to build the network of Church.co.uk congregations and churches.
1.4 The Oasis UK trustees empower the Church.co.uk Network Leadership Team to act as their delegated representatives. This body, which shall not number more than twelve members, will meet regularly and be drawn from the trustees and staff of Oasis UK (including Church.co.uk churches), from partners of church.co.uk churches, and other suitably qualified individuals at the discretion of the Network Leader and on the approval of the Oasis UK Trustees.
1.5 The Church.co.uk Network Leader shall also be supported by a central staff team as appropriate to the size and needs of the network. This team will assist the Network Leader in the day to day management and development of the network.
1.6 All employees of Church.co.uk, both locally and centrally, shall be employed by Oasis UK.
2. Our Relationship to our Local Churches
2.1 The Church.co.uk Network shall be solely comprised of:
2.1.1 New churches which have been initiated by the Network under the guidance of the Network Leader and on the authority of the Oasis UK Trustees.
2.1.2 Existing churches which have joined the Church.co.uk Network on the dissolution of their existing leadership and governance structure and the handing over of responsibility, either, through the transference of ownership of their assets, or the establishment of a licence agreement for a mutually agreed period of time, to the Oasis UK Trustees in accordance with the provisions of this document.
2.2 As part of the Church.co.uk Network each local Church.co.uk church shall be committed to the purpose, goals and values, (including the creedal statement and the Faithworks Charter) of the Network (See Appendix 1)
2.3 As part of the Church.co.uk Network each local Church.co.uk church shall be committed to a written local constitution which is in accordance with the provisions of this document and which has been agreed by the Oasis UK trustees.
2.4 As part of the Church.co.uk Network each local Church.co.uk church shall be committed to contributing 10% (ten percent) of its total annual income to the Church.co.uk Network to facilitate its continued support and expansion. This resource will enable the Network, centrally, to contribute to key central services on behalf of the entire Network and also to resource the establishing of Church.co.uk churches in new locations
3. Our Ministers and Staff
3.1 The Trustees of Oasis UK confer authority on the Senior Minister of each local Church.co.uk, whom they will hold accountable, through the Church.co.uk Network Leader, for the leadership and development of that church in accordance with this constitution and the purpose, goals and values of the Church.co.uk Network, including a commitment to the creedal statement and the Faithworks Charter.
3.2 The role of Senior Minister of each local Church.co.uk is open to both men and women.
3.3 A Senior Minister may serve within a local Church.co.uk only after having received authority to do so from the Trustees of Oasis UK. The Oasis UK Trustees will consult with the local Church Forum (See section 6) before making such an appointment.
3.4 A trustee of Oasis UK, the Church.co.uk Network Leader, or their representative shall perform the act of induction of a Senior Minister of every local Church.co.uk church.
3.5 All other members of the staff of a local Church.co.uk shall be appointed by its Senior Minister and Leadership Team, in consultation with the local Church Forum and Network Leader.
3.5 All staff employed by a local Church.co.uk shall exercise their ministry in accordance with the provisions of this document.
4. The Role of our local church Leadership Teams
4.1 Christ is the head of the Church universal and, therefore, our ultimate authority. Though the Leadership Team of each local Church.co.uk takes primary responsibility for decision making, a central part of their role is to guide the whole church community in discovering God's voice. They will, therefore, be constantly open to listening to the local Church Partners (See section 5) both together in the Church Forum and individually.
4.2 The Leadership Team of each local Church.co.uk shall consist of the Senior Minister and others drawn from staff members, as well as other Church Partners who are currently serving within the church community.
4.3 New members of each local Leadership Team shall be appointed by the local Senior Minister in consultation with the existing members of the Leadership Team and the Church Forum.
4.4 Each local Leadership Team shall be accountable to the Trustees of Oasis UK, through the Church.co.uk Network Leader, for the implementation of an effective strategy in accordance with this constitution and the purpose, goals and values of the Church.co.uk Network, including the creedal statement and the Faithworks Charter.
4.5 The local staff team, under the leadership of the local Senior Minister, are responsible for day-to-day decision making and direction within the life of each local church.co.uk. The role of the local Leadership Team is to ensure that the staff team are held to account for the delivery of an overarching strategy in accordance with this constitution and the purpose, goals and values of the Church.co.uk Network, including the creedal statement and the Faithworks Charter.
4.6 Each member of the local Leadership Team will have a specific role and set of responsibilities set out publicly in a job description for which they will be held accountable.
4.7 The shape, size and make up of any local Church.co.uk Leadership Team shall be appropriate to the church's size and needs. It shall be composed of no less than one lay member to two paid staff members. It will not consist of more than twelve people.
4.8 All staff members of a local Church.co.uk are eligible to be considered as members of its Leadership Team.
4.9 Church Partners of a local Church.co.uk of not less than a full year's standing, of recognised spiritual depth and integrity, and who are currently serving actively within that local church.co.uk community are eligible to be considered as members of its Leadership Team.
4.10 A Senior Minister, in consultation with the Network Leader, may choose to appoint a smaller Senior Leadership Team, drawn from the wider leadership team at the Senior Minister's discretion. The Senior Leadership Team will act as an executive group of the Leadership Team and consist of no more than four members.
4.11 Non staff members of a local Leadership Team (and Senior Leadership Team) may serve for a term of up to five years after which they shall stand down.
4.12 Following a break of twelve months non staff members of a local Leadership Team (and Senior Leadership Team) may serve for a second term of up to five years.
4.13 Beyond this, and following a further two year break, former non staff members of a local Leadership Team (or Senior Leadership Team) may be reappointed to serve on the same conditions as set out in 4.11 and 4.12, however they may not serve in the same role as they have previously occupied.
4.14 Each local Church.co.uk Leadership Team (and Senior Leadership Team where one exists) will meet, for prayer and for business, a minimum of six times a year and at least once in every two calendar months.
4.15 Minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of business meetings of the local Leadership Team (and Senior Leadership Team).
4.16 The local Leadership Team (and Senior Leadership Team) will regularly report back to the Church Partners through the Church Forum. Minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of the Church Forum meetings.
5. Local Church Partnership
5.1 Church Partnership is open to all those who identify a local Church.co.uk as their spiritual home and who commit themselves to pray and work towards its purpose, owning its goals and values both personally and as part of the church community.
5.2 Church Partners are expected to guard and enhance the reputation of both their local church and the Church.co.uk Network through seeking to develop a Christ-like lifestyle. This means recognising that we are all full- time servants of Christ and are responsible for taking an active role in serving him both within and beyond the church community.
5.3 Church Partners are those who have made a public commitment to be part of a local Church.co.uk community with all the privileges and responsibilities which that entails.
5.4 Church Partnership lasts for a twelve-month period and is renewable annually.
5.5 Church Partners will be asked annually to recommit to the purpose, goals and values of the Church.co.uk Network and to service within the local church. This commitment will be made at an annual public Covenant Service. Those unable to attend this annual service, or wishing to become Church Partners during the course of the year, will be able to meet with the Senior Minister, or their representative, at another time.
6. The local Church Forum
6.1 A meeting of Church Partners of a local Church.co.uk shall be termed a Church Forum. It shall be for prayer and discussion of important issues, and serve as a vehicle for helping to discern and discover God's will for the life and mission of the church.
6.2 A Church Forum shall be called at least every four months by the local senior minister.
6.3 The Senior Minister and Leadership Team of a local Church.co.uk shall actively consult with Church Partners through the Church Forum by listening and reflecting on their views and opinions. They shall do this on a regular basis on matters of general concern and importance to the fulfilment of the church's purpose, goals and values. These issues shall be at the discretion of the Leadership Team but will include the annual budget, senior staff appointments and major improvements to church property.
6.4 The Church Forum of a local Church.co.uk shall listen carefully to all voices, majority and minority. Decision-making will usually be by consensus. However, consensus does not necessarily imply complete unanimity. Voting may be used, at the discretion of the Senior Minister, to reach difficult decisions. No person shall be allowed to vote by proxy.
6.5 Attendance at Church Forums is open to all. Where the Senior Minister deems a vote appropriate, only local Church Partners shall be entitled to participate.
6.6 Notice of such a meeting will be given no later than two Sundays immediately preceding the date of such an intended meeting.
6.7 The purpose for which a Church Forum has been convened and the matters intended to be dealt with at it shall be stated when notice of the meeting is given.
6.8 The Church Forum will accept additional items for discussion which have been presented to the Senior Minister at least seven days previously.
6.9 Minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of any Church Forum. Any such minutes shall be made available to Church Partners for inspection no more than one month after the date of the Church Forum. Any necessary amendments must be submitted to the Senior Minister for consideration no less than seven days before the following Church Forum. Any amendments shall be presented to the Church Partners at the Forum. Once accepted the minutes shall be considered an accurate record of the Forum to which they relate.
7. Baptism
7.1 Baptism within a local Church.co.uk, usually by immersion in water, is available to those who have professed their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and will be at the discretion of the Senior Minister.
8. Communion
8.1 Communion shall be observed by each congregation of a local Church.co.uk at least once a month.
9. Transitional Leadership
9.1 If at any time there is no Senior Minister of a local Church.co.uk, the Trustees of Oasis UK and the Church.co.uk Network Leader, working in liaison with the local Church Leadership Team, may appoint a Moderator.
9.2 The Moderator shall act as chairman of all meetings of the Church Forum and the leadership team. A Moderator shall cease to hold office on the appointment of a new Senior Minister.
10. Church Accounts
10.1 The Church accounts, duly examined as required by the Law, shall be presented for adoption in every year.
10.2 Each Church.co.uk church will submit a monthly financial statement to the Oasis UK Finance Team Leader at Kennington Road on the 7th day of the month after the month in question, to ensure that Oasis UK complies with its responsibilities under company and charity law. Church.co.uk currently rests, at this point in time, under the authority of the Trustees, the Network Leader being it delegated agent.
11. Changing the Constitution
11.1 This constitution may be altered (within the framework of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Oasis UK) on the decision of the Oasis UK Trustees
Appendix 1
Church.co.uk Network Purpose, Goals and Values
(Including our creedal statement & the Faithworks Charter)
1. Our Purpose
The purpose of the Church.co.uk network of churches is to 'Demonstrate and model the Kingdom of God'. Each church within the Church.co.uk Network shall be committed to this same purpose.
2. Our Goals
The Church.co.uk Network has three goals. Each individual church within the Church.co.uk Network shall continually seek to work towards fulfilling these three same goals as appropriate to their context. To become:
- 24/7 - providing a welcome to everyone whatever their situation, whatever the time, night or day.
- Holistic - offering a breadth and depth of support, spiritually and socially, to its surrounding community and beyond.
- Global - working to develop its impact nationally and internationally.
3. Our Values
The Church.co.uk Network has five core values. Each individual church within the Church.co.uk Network shall continually seek to exhibit these values both as a community and through the commitment of its individual Church Partners:
- Intimacy - genuine depth of relationship with God.
- Involvement - active engagement in our local community and communities.
- Inclusion - embracing all, regardless of gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexuality, race and creed.
- Influence - a prophetic voice within society.
- Interdependence - a practical commitment to supporting and working with other member churches of the Church.co.uk Network through the giving and sharing of resources including finance, time and skills.
4. Our Creedal Statement
The Church.co.uk Network, and each individual church within it, is committed to the historical Christian faith as revealed through the Holy Bible and set out in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 A.D.). The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is the most widely accepted creed in the Christian church. Since its original formulation it continues to be used in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and most Protestant churches.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
5. Our Charter
The Church.co.uk Network and each church within it shall be committed to the Faithworks Charter.