Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1923

THAT the name shall be “The Baptist Union of New Zealand”.

That the Union shall comprise the Churches and ministers in the appended lists, together with such Churches, ministers, and other persons as shall be hereafter admitted in accordance with the rules.

That the Union fully recognizes that every separate Church has liberty to interpret and administer the laws of Christ, and that the immersion of believers is the only Christian baptism.

That the objects of the Union shall be—

• (a.) To promote as close a Union as possible among all the Churches of the Baptist denomination in this Dominion:

• (b.) To afford opportunities for conference, for the public declaration of opinion, and for joint action on questions affecting the welfare of the Churches and the extension of the denomination:

• (c.) The formation and sustenance of Baptist Churches and Sunday schools within the Dominion, the purchase of sites in promising localities with a view to the establishment of Churches and Sunday schools, and the formation of sufficient auxiliary districts to secure the co-operation of all the Churches:

• (d.) The introduction into the Dominion of accredited Baptist ministers, the promotion of measures for educating young men suitable for the work of the ministry, and the recognition and maintenance of evangelists.

That each Church within the Union shall contribute annually to its funds.

That this Union shall act by its assembly, and through its officers and executive committee and auxiliaries.

That the annual assembly shall consist of representatives and personal members. Representative members shall comprise recognized ministers of Churches and delegates. Personal members shall be Baptists, and shall subscribe to the funds of the Union a sum of not less than one dollar per annum.

That Ministers and personal members shall be recommended by the executive committee, and admitted to the Union by the vote of the assembly at its annual meeting.

That personal members be eligible to vote at the annual meeting; the vote of a delegate to equal the vote of ten (10) personal members.

That each Church may send two delegates to the annual meeting, but that when there are more than a hundred members in a Church additional delegates may be sent in the proportion of one delegate to each additional hundred (100) members; ministers being members of the Union to be delegates by virtue of their office.

That each auxiliary shall be entitled to representation at the annual meeting of the Union by two delegates. The secretary of each auxiliary shall be a member ex officio of the Union executive.

That the young men's and young women's Bible class unions and the Manurewa Home may each appoint two delegates to the annual meeting of the Union; such delegates to be chosen by their executive at annual meetings.

That at the annual meeting an executive committee of sixteen (16) persons, exclusive of the officers of the Union, shall be elected to conduct the business of the Union through the year, it being provided that not less than eight (8) of the whole committee be ministerial members, and not less than eight (8) non-ministerial:

Provided also that to the total committee of twenty-five not less than four shall belong to each of the four auxiliaries. The consent of nominees must be obtained before nomination. The committee shall divide itself into two committees—one for the Union and one for the missionary—the division to be made by the committee itself; and, further, that from the total number five shall be chosen to act also as a students' committee, the convener of which shall be appointed by that committee.

That the officers of the Union shall consist of president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, to be elected at the annual meeting, and that they be ex officio members of the executive committee. The president for the year immediately preceding shall also be an ex officio member. The committee is empowered to fill up vacancies in the list of its officers should the occasion arise.

The Churches shall nominate a president for the ensuing year. The names of all nominees shall be sent to the Union secretary, on a form duly provided, not later than fourteen days before the date of conference. Such names shall be printed on a ballot-paper and submitted to the delegates at the annual conference. If no nominee secures a majority of the total votes cast, a second ballot will be taken between the three whose names stand first. If necessary, a further ballot shall be taken between the first two of the three. The vice-president shall be elected by ballot on nomination.

That the retiring president shall not be eligible for re-election until the third year following his year in office.

That the preacher of the Union sermon shall be elected by ballot upon nomination, and that the preacher for one year shall be ineligible for the two following years.

That committees appointed by the assembly shall report directly to the assembly:

Provided that—

• (a.) Such committees as have authority from the assembly to incur expenditure shall submit an estimate of expenditure for the year next ensuing to the executive committee for its approval or otherwise:

• (b.) In every case where the report of any such committee recommends new departures in work, such recommendations shall first be submitted to the executive committee.

That the auxiliaries of the Union shall act as district committees, and shall superintend all local work for the Union.

That the auxiliaries be left free to raise such moneys as they may deem to be necessary, provided that in every case before instituting a new work, or taking any steps in the direction thereof, the approval of the executive must be obtained in conformity with the home-mission policy periodically adopted.

That each auxiliary shall furnish to the Union, with its statement of the grants required by the Churches in its district, a budget of the supplementary amounts which in its opinion will require to be granted and which it proposes to raise.

That these amounts shall be earmarked for expenditure in each auxiliary, and the total included in the Union budget under the head of auxiliary supplementary or contingent grants.

That a Contingent Fund be established and a vote for the same included each year in the budget, and that the auxiliary committees be authorized to use such portions of this fund as have been allotted to each auxiliary for contingent amounts approved by its executive.

That each auxiliary shall furnish annually an estimate of its financial require ments in order that provision be made for the same in the budget.

That each auxiliary shall furnish annually a statement of receipts and expenditure.

That the General Fund of the Union shall be devoted to the necessary expenses of the working of the same, to grants in aid of Churches and Sunday schools needing support, and in aid of schemes (approved by the executive committee) for building new Churches and Sunday schools in connection with forward movements, and to the encouragement of the formation of new Churches and Sunday schools. Grants may also be made by the assembly in aid of the Manse Fund.

That Churches receiving grants from the funds of the Union shall be required to confer with the executive committee of the auxiliary in the event of change either in the pastorate or constitution of the Church. All applications for grants must receive the endorsement of the district auxiliaries, and must be accompanied by a balancesheet.

Reports setting forth the receipts, expenditure, financial position, and proceedings of the Union during the year shall be presented at the annual meetings, and be printed and circulated through the Churches.

That the constituencies and lists of members may be revised by the executive committee, and its decision shall be duly notified to the persons concerned, who shall have the right of appeal to the assembly.

That no alteration be made in the rules and constitution of the Union, save by the general assembly, and upon notice of motion, to be sent to the secretary at least three months before the time of meeting.