Bylaws World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission

1.  NAME

The Mission Commission (MC) of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

2.  STATEMENT OF FAITH OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

We believe in:

2.1 The Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible,
entirely trustworthy; and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct..
2.2 One God, eternally existent in three persons, Father Son, and Holy Spirit.
2.3 Our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His mediatorial work, and His personal return in power and glory.
2.4 The Salvation of lost and sinful man through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith apart from works, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
2.5 The Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
2.6 The Unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the Church, the Body of Christ.
2.7 The Resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

3. THE VISION, PURPOSE, VALUES AND MEANS OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

3.1 The Vision of the Mission Commission
The Mission Commission envision the proactive, synergetic, enabling of the global mission community to fully live, proclaim and extend to all peoples the transforming message of the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

3.2 The Purpose of the Mission Commission
The Mission Commission aims to inspire, advocate and strengthen God’s mission agenda among the global Christian community. The MC serve, catalyse and facilitate global missional affinity clusters for greater effectiveness, developing strategic relationships and resources.

3.3 The Values of the Mission Commission
The Mission Commission value Evangelical, Trinitarian missiology, grace-characterized relationships and mutual accountability, grass roots needs-analysis and strategic vision, churches, mission agencies and training programs, collegiality and servant hood, reflective practitioners and forward thinking.

3.4 The Means and Services of the Mission Commission

The Mission Commission accomplish its vision and purpose through:

3.4.1 Creating a missional arena and a forum that facilitates and encourages mutual learning, networking and cooperation between national, regional and international mission leaders in all related missional bodies.
3.4.2 Providing a consultative and self-evaluative function for mission movements and networks, international agencies and missionary training centres to measure their own health and stimulate their effectiveness.
3.4.3 Managing an “issues driven process” (needs assessment and research) that is intentional, leading to specified outcomes (services and training, networks and publications).
3.4.4 Facilitating the flow of financial, human, bibliographical, & other resources between people, movements and nations through a well defined system & process.
3.4.5 Creating and managing systems for the dissemination of information (based on a discussion of strategic technologies and media).
3.4.6 Providing a prophetic and proactive voice into the worldwide church in relation to theology, missiology and mission practice, through strategic consultations, training seminars, publications and other initiatives

4. THE CONSTITUENCIES OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

In order to gain the maximum leverage in the work, the Mission Commission strategically serves the global mission community as manifested in mission movements, networks and mission structures in order that they in turn can effectively serve their own constituencies.  These constituencies are represented by their leadership and called MC Associates.

The Mission Commission Associates (MCA) family form the broader arena of the global MC family and is made up of mission leaders according to MC Constituency categories.

Those with a constituency—associations, alliances and other movements:

4.1 Leaders of regional movements, with whom we work in partnership and are committed to strengthen them.
4.2 Leaders of national movements, whom we also urge to relate to their existing regional body. 

Those whose focus is missionally specific:

4.3 Leaders of international networks, including those that focus on issues for specific projects, and task forces set up specifically by the MC; all with an agreed structure for communication (MOU) and decision-making with the MC.
4.4 Leaders of international mission structures and agencies (denominational, inter-denominational and of special ministry focus).
4.5 Leaders of international and national church associations and of local missional churches
4.6 Leaders with special giftings and expertise to work on task forces, networks, projects and programs.

The working relationship will be marked by informing each other, meeting and praying together, sharing resources and helping each other to realise the shared task, agreeing on joint networks and task forces for specific projects, working pro-actively toward a shared agenda and making decisions together.

5.  THE GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

5.1 The Global Leadership Council
The Global Leadership Council (GLC) is the board of governance of the Mission Commission formed from the constituency associates and key stakeholders. The minimum size of the GLC should be 10, the maximum 18, with a decision-making quorum of 60% of the actual number of its members. The GLC shall be constituted by MC Associates who are fully identified with the Mission Commission. The GLC will seek a balance of age, ministry and gender representation and will show an appropriate ratio of global representatives.
The GLC has a Chair and a Vice-Chair and meets ordinarily every two years and extra-ordinarily when needed. 
The GLC appoints its officers, establishes the policies and priorities of the MC and provides oversight for its ministries. The Executive Director is accountable for the approved outcomes to the GLC and as such is an ex officio member. The Executive Director is nominated by the GLC and appointed by the WEA International Director on approval of the WEA International Council. 
The GLC members are expected to play a proactive role in the life of the MC. The normal term of service on the GLC shall be for four years.
Members of the GLC:

1. Representatives of the 6 MC constituencies, each constituency being represented by 2 people.
2. Due to its breadth the network constituency (4.3) will have 4 instead of 2 representatives.
3. The period of service of the GLC will be four years, every two years half of its members will be replaced, as monitored by the ExCo.

Functions of the GLC

5.1.1 The period of service of the ExCo members can be extended for a maximum of another four years. A possible extension will be decided by the GLC in consultation with the Executive Director.
5.1.2 Recommend to the WEA leadership the candidate for Executive Director;
5.1.3 Participate with senior staff to formulate the long-term vision and policy;
5.1.4 Serve within their sphere of influence as an advocate for the MC in vision, funding, and representation;
5.1.5 Serve with the staff in the fulfilment of the collaborative vision;
5.1.6 Serve when requested by the E.D. as an official representative of the MC staff;

5.2 The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (ExCo) consists of the GLC Chair, Vice-chair and two other members of the GLC. The E.D. normally meets with the ExCo. The ExCo meets physically on an annual basis.

The functions of the ExCo include:

5.2.1 In cooperation with the Executive Director (E.D.), to shape the agenda
for the GLC meetings;
5.2.2 Provide oversight of the Commission as well as pastoral care for the senior staff;
5.2.3 Serve as a sounding board and source of wisdom for the senior staff;
5.2.4 Approve MC membership and release from service as MCA according to point 6.4 of the by-laws
5.2.5 Approve formation of new task forces and formal relationship with other mission networks and/or bodies;
5.2.6 Watch out for the good reputation of the MC, to take action against anything that damages it, and to find appropriate ways of enhancing it;
5.2.7 Appoint a committee to work with the E.D. to provide financial oversight;
5.2.8 Appoint any other committees as needed by the GLC;
5.2.9 Appoint the representatives of the 6 constituencies in the GLC;

5.3 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

5.3.1. The Executive Director is accountable to the WEA International Director and works in close consultation with the Chair of the GLC;
5.3.2 The Executive Director shall serve for a term of four years, renewable upon approval of the MC GCL and the WEA International Director;
5.3.3 The Executive Director shall manage the affairs of the commission in carrying out its purposes;
5.3.4 The Executive Director is authorized to name taskforce and network leaders as well as to remove them from their position after the approval of the ExCo;
5.3.5 The Executive Director is authorized to bring new staff to the Commission with the counsel and approval of the ExCo;

5.4 MINISTRIES THAT BELONG TO THE MC

5.4.1 Task Forces: are process driven and are approved by the MC ExCo. The Taskforce leaders are appointed by the E.D. and are MCA and accountable to the E.D.;
5.4.2 Networks: refer to a group of individuals or agencies with similar interests or concerns, interacting and remaining in an informal contact to share ideas and information. These networks are organic components of the MC, serve under its leadership and are included in its budget. Network leaders are MCA and accountable to the E.D.;
5.4.3 Programs: are the ongoing work carried out primarily by MC staff members such as publications, information management, web site presence, etc. The finances for the MC programs are primarily a responsibility of the MC staff; 5.4.4 Forums can be convened by the E.D., the GLC, or MC taskforce or
network leaders and are on off round table discussions to engage specific missional issues leading to recommendations.
5.4.5 Other global ministries (such as networks) can be docked with the MC. See bylaws 8 for further explanation.

6. THE MISSION COMMISSION ASSOCIATES

The Mission Commission has Associates according to the categories of its constituencies

6.1. The benefits of serving as a Mission Commission Associate (MCA)

6.1.1 It provides involvement in a global network that represents the international, inter-dependent missionary movement, operating within the broader WEA family, representing over 420 million Evangelicals in 127 nations. (2006 data)
6.1.2 MCA’s receive “Connections:  the Journal of the WEA Mission Commission”.
6.1.3 MCA’s receive a discount on pre-print sales of the MC publications
6.1.4 MCA’s are invited to participate in WEA and Mission Commission national, regional and international workshops, seminars, training programs and other events.
6.1.5 MCA’s will be invited to serve on MC Task Forces, Networks and other projects.
6.1.6 MCA’s have access to WEA and MC information forum and e-mail communications
6.1.7 MCA’s are eligible for direct consulting services from MC staff and WEA team.
6.1.8 The MC will include the MCA’s ministry Internet web site on the MC site.

6.2. The responsibilities of involvement as an MCA

6.2.1 Commit to prayer for the WEA Mission Commission network and its leaders.
6.2.2 Understand the MC purpose statement and promote its core values wholeheartedly.
6.2.3 Attend MC consultations and other major events
6.2.4 Represent their mission movement to the broader WEA MC family.
6.2.5 Correspond on a regular basis with Mission Commission leadership.
6.2.6 Be willing to serve on one of the MC Task Forces or work teams when needed.
6.2.7 Help seek prayer and financial support for the MC projects and programs
6.2.8 Make an annual financial contribution to the MC budget
6.2.9 Include the MC Internet web site on the MCA’s ministry site.

6.3. Criteria for appointment as an MCA

6.3.1 An MCA is recognized as a mission leader in one of the six constituency groups
6.3.2 Be nominated to the MC by one or more of the following:

* The leadership of the National Evangelical Fellowship (NEF) or
* The National Mission Association (NMA)
* A leader from WEA International
* A current Mission Commission Associate

6.3.3. All recommendations must be approved by the MC ExCo

6.4 Conclusion of service of MC Associates takes place when:

6.4.1 They no longer represent one of the six constituencies with which they came to the MC
6.4.2 They have not served as active participants of the MC; do not respond to MC correspondence, do not make their annual contribution or do not attend the special MC events and international consultations. This evaluation is made on a two year basis.
6.4.3 Due to moral failures, financial mismanagement, abuse of authority or other major problem that leads the ExCo to conclude that a person has lost the right to serve as MCA.  All MCA’s are referred to the MC Codes of Best Practice
6.4.4 The ExCo reserves the right to deal with special cases that emerge and require action that leads to an MCA termination
 

7. THE FINANCIAL SOURCES OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

The Mission Commission is a low-budget, high-impact global mission body that depends on various sources for its financial existence. Staff are to bring their financial support to the MC.

MC budget will be met from the following sources:

7.1  Contributions of its constituency.  All MC Associates and mission bodies make an
annual contribution to the MC budget
7.2  Gifts from individuals, churches and foundations/trusts.
7.3  Income generated from publications, products and events

Projects and programs funds are raised by staff and MC Associates from churches, individuals and trusts.

8. THE DOCKING OF GLOBAL MISSION ORGANIZATIONS OR NETWORKS WHICH WANT TO ENTER INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MISSION COMMISSION

The Mission Commission will invite and/or welcome other mission entities to “dock” with the MC Task Forces or Networks based on the following guidelines:

8.1 The MC GLC sees the relevance, integrity, value, leadership governance of these mission bodies and senses the Spirit’s direction to engage in a dialogue of relationship.
8.2 The new relationship affirms evident value-added to both them and the MC
8.3 These new groups demonstrate deep commitment to cross-cultural mission
8.4 These groups purposefully serve the regional and national missionary movements as well as the key networks that are part of the MC.
8.5 These groups are committed to transparency in funding and governance
8.6 Every third year the relational renewal of the relationship between the two bodies will be evaluated by the ExCo.
8.7 A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will guide the participation of an entity within the MC. It sets the foundation for the ‘rules of engagement’ including a discussion of resource sharing. This agreement intends to give freedom for partners to fully enjoy and explore potential of the MC environment and contains details about the partnership and engagement expectations.

9. APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS OF THE MISSION COMMISSION

9.1 The bylaws shall be approved by the Global Leadership Council of the Mission Commission.
9.2 Amendments to the bylaws may be recommended by the Executive Committee of the Mission Commission and approved by the GLC.