Ghana Baptist Convention.

BECOMING A PART OF THE AREA ASSOCIATION AND THE CONVENTION

The local church is independent and autonomous, yet it is universal in scope, cooperative and interdependent in obligation and relationship.when a

church is duly constituted and organized, an application should be made to the area Association for membership.

When the Association is satisfied with the church as constituted, a membership will be issued to the new church. Upon the issuance of the Convention

to consider the acceptance of the new Church into the Convention.

Upon acceptance of the new church into the membership of the Convention, a certificate of membership will be issued.

Any new church seeking membership into the Assiciation and the Convention should be made to understand and be commited to the balance between

the local church autonomy and voluntary association with other Baptist churches; independence and interdependence.The autonomy of the local church

is a precious heritage and must be guarded. Yet its interdependence is equally precious and should be upheld.

The church seeking entry into the association and the Convention should also be made to commit itself to the area Association, Sector and the Conven-

tion. These regulatory measures for the member churches are put in place to ensure order in co-operative effort aimed at achieving their goals in the gen-

eral missions of God.

Where the church seeking acceptance into the area Association is not a daughter church or sponsored by any of the existing member churches, the applicant church may be granted "observer" status for one year. This period will afford the Church and Association/Convention an opportunity to study each other at close range before a final decision to associate.

Any other cases should be handled on their peculiar merit depending on the circumstances of each case.

SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION OF LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

GUIDELINES PREAMBLE: For effective administration of the Convention, the structure which have been pur in place, should operate within guidelines set up by the Convention. in light of this, local Associations should foster the goodwill, trust and co-operative spirit among the local churches within their area of jurisdiction.

EVANGELISM: The primary responsibility of every local Association should be the promotion and enhancement of evangelism/mission within their area of jurisdiction. Thus each Association should utilize 60% of her income in promoting evangelism,that is:

Supporting local churches to plant new churches. This includes surveying the area, supplying basic worship items such as benches, etc. and providing personnel.

Suppoting mission fields.

Promoting and supporting leadership training.

Giving subsidy to member churches who are not able to give realistic remuneration to their ministers.

Employ Association Evangelist or Director to co-ordinate the activities of the Association's evangelism and mission. 

RELATIONSHIPS: In order to promote and preserve the spirit of co-operation, the Association should relate to the under bldies in a mannet that will promote peace, unity and growth.

The Association and Convention Relationship: All Associations should co-operate fully with the Convention:

Adhering strictly to the Convention's constitution as well as Convention's policies and guidelines.

Promoting the programmes and activities of the Convention.

Promoting Baptist Policy and Practices in our churches.

Encouraging member churches to honour their financial to the Convention.

Disseminating information from the Convention Secretariat to the local churches and vice versa.

The Association and the Local Sector: The Association should co-operate fully with the Sector Commitee/Sector Head to enable them to perform their duties effectively as assigned by the Convention. Furthermore the Association should carry the needs and concerns of the local churches to the Sector Executives.

The Association and the Local Church: The Association is to foster healthy relationship among member churches and promote fellowship through Association meetings, joint services, etc.

The Association and Convention Ministers: The Association should ensure that:

Ministers engaged in local churches are recognized Ministers of the Convention.

Ministers engaged in churches under their area of jurisdiction are well catered for.

Ministers have cordial relations with their churches and church leaders.

Ministers within their Associations participate fullly in the programmes and activities of the Convention, Sector, Association, Local Minister's Fellowship, and the National Ministers Conference.

The Association and Other Bodies: The Association should promote the programmes and activities of;

The auxiliaries (Men's Ministry, W.M.U, Youth Fellowship).

Other bodies such as ABBEX, NUBS, Children's Ministry, etc.

Convention affiliated bodies such as the Christian Council, Bible Society, Ghana Evangelism Commitee, etc.