The name of this Association
shall be Heidelberg Reformation Association.
This
name represents the Reformed heritage of many churches that held to the
doctrines contained in the Heidelberg Catechism.
Article 2:
Purposes of this Association
The
purpose of this Association is to assist Reformed churches of the
Article 3: The
Standards of the Association
A. The Scriptures (the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) are the only ultimate and final authority in all matters of faith and practice. All other confessions and doctrinal statements are subordinate, fallible when deviating from scripture, and amendable.
B. Doctrinal Standard: members of this Association shall be in
agreement with the Heidelberg Catechism.
C. It is the intention of this Association to
honor male headship in the church and home among our other goals and aims, but
we acknowledge that in reclaiming the Reformed faith we are all a work in
progress.
Article 4:
A.
Member churches are those churches which have been approved by a vote at a
regular meeting of the Association. They
must annually state their agreement with and support of the Heidelberg Catechism and purposes
of this Association. Each member church
may send their pastor and two other delegates to the meetings of the Association. Full membership is only granted once a
meeting has been attended. Membership in
this Association does not preclude membership in other associations or
denominations. Membership is voluntary
and can be withdrawn at the request of the church.
B.
Member ministers are those men who have been called to the ministry of
the gospel who have been approved by a vote at a regular meeting of the
Association. They
must annually state their agreement with and support of the Heidelberg Catechism and purposes
of this Association. Full membership is only granted once a meeting
has been attended. Member ministers are
not required to be pastors of a member church.
They are also seated as delegates at meetings. Membership in this Association does not
preclude membership in other associations or denominations, nor does it provide
such men with ministerial credentials.
Membership is voluntary and can be withdrawn at the request of the
minister.
C.
Individual Members are those individuals who have been approved by a vote at a
regular meeting of the Association. They
must annually state their agreement with and support of the Heidelberg Catechism and purposes
of this Association. Full membership is only granted once a
meeting has been attended. Individual
members are also seated as delegates at meetings. Membership in this Association does not
preclude membership in other associations or denominations. Membership is voluntary and can be withdrawn
at the request of the member.
D.
Member churches or ministers no longer in agreement with the doctrinal
standards of this Association may be removed from membership by a vote at any
stated meeting.
E.
The Association recognizes that churches are in various states of reformation.
Therefore, those churches and individuals who are not in full agreement with
the Standards of this Association as stated in Article 3, but
are interested in reformation in their churches are invited to regular
participation in our meetings and events but without the rights of a voting
delegate.
Article 5: Meetings
A. This Association will hold at least one
meeting annually for the purposes of worship and business.
B. New members can be received at any
constituted meeting by a vote of the seated delegates. Those churches and members must
be in compliance with the standards set forth in Article 4.
C.
Meetings will consist of prayer, corporate worship, and discussion of business
during which will take place the reception of new members.
D. This Association may meet more than once
during the course of the year for the purposes of business or worship.
Article 6: The
A. The
mission of this Association is the retention and reclamation of Reformed
theology in churches of
B.
Mutual Fellowship
1.
Gathering together for fellowship with other churches to encourage and
celebrate as the occasion arises.
2.
Promoting fellowship with other Reformed churches and pastors in our geographic
proximity.
C. Worship
1.
Gathering together for worship as a body.
2.
Participating in each others’ regular worship services as time and occasion
permit.
D.
Prayer
1. Circulating
prayer requests via newsletters, phone calls, e-mail, and internet posts.
2. Holding
times of prayer at meetings of this Association.
E.
Work
1. Planning
of events, trips, seminars, and other opportunities.
2.
Assisting in the planting and reclaiming churches.
F.
Counsel
1. Offering of advice and counsel to those
churches seeking to regain their Reformed heritage
2. Offering of advice and counsel to those
churches who are undergoing struggles, disunity, strife, or dispute.
3.
Offering of advice and counsel to churches seeking a new pastor.
4.
Acting as a source of men for ordination counsels.
G.
Teaching
1.
Offering seminars and workshops to those churches who were once Reformed in
doctrine and are now interested in reclaiming their heritage.
2.
Offering and promoting of seminars, workshops, lectures and conferences that
will assist in the retention and promotion of Reformed theology.
3.
Providing opportunities and resources for the education of pastors, church
officers, and men studying for the ministry.
4.
Creating and gathering of publications and other media that can be used for the
furtherance of the objects of this Association.
Article 7: Revisions and
Amendments
A.
The constitution may be amended, including any by-laws, by a two-thirds
majority vote of those delegates present at a stated meeting of the
Association.
B. Proposed amendments must be circulated to the membership one month before the stated meeting at which the vote will take place.
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