Preamble

In our love for the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and in gratitude to God for its contribution to our spiritual growth, we as office-bearers, members and adherents, desire to be united in common fellowship,

In prayer to Jesus Christ, as King and Head of the Church, our Saviour and Lord, that there be kindled in our midst the flame of the Holy Spirit's life in calling us to the urgency of our task and the need of our times,

Further, reminded of past visitations of that same Spirit, we see the need, first personally and then corporately, for godliness in our lives as gift of the Spirit of holiness, and for evangelistic zeal, as the Lord adds daily to our number such as would be saved,

Therefore we unitedly express the following concerns:

• Fervent intercession for the Lord to renew his Church for authentic witness and consistent obedience
• Fresh power and authority for the local congregation through the Breath of God in our structures and organizations
• Responsible participation in the courts of the church
• A deep hunger for the teaching of the Bible in its authority
• A recall to lives of biblical integrity, especially on the part of those entrusted with leadership of the people of God
• A zeal for reaching, through the instrumentality of a national church with a rich heritage, those lost without God and without hope in the world
• Fellowship for believers to give encouragement to continued witness and ministry within the Presbyterian Church in Canada

Accordingly, seeking to bring glory to our sovereign God, we have banded together in common resolve and commitment.

1. The Name of this Fellowship shall be "The Renewal Fellowship Within The Presbyterian Church in Canada."
2. The Objects of the Fellowship shall be as follows:

   (a) The establishment of means of contact and encouragement for those interested in renewal within the Presbyterian Church in Canada affording an opportunity for them to relate to one another and discuss the issues from time to time arising within our denomination, mutually encouraging and strengthening one another.
   (b) The promotion of publications and other materials that would clarify the concerns that we share, providing biblical and theological comment and encouraging practical and specific ideas for their achievement through various media.
   (c) Encouraging the development of programs, especially in the areas of prayer/intercession, small groups and evangelism. The objective in such endeavours is to be supportive, constructive, and positive.
   (d) To work through clearly defined and mutually agreed upon goals and objectives and to provide the means by which these can be achieved. Specifically, the organizing of conferences and other seminar-type activities which will facilitate the long-range process of strengthening the reformed and evangelical witness within our denomination.

3. Membership: The Membership of this Fellowship shall be composed of individuals who are members or adherents of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and are in agreement with the objects of this Fellowship, as stated above, and are prepared to signify their agreement with the Statement of Faith (Appendix A).
4. The Board of Directors

   (a) The Board shall subscribe to the system of doctrine in the subordinate standards of The PresbyTerian Church in Canada. The Board shall consist of twelve representatives, of whom not more than six shall be ordained teaching elders. Four of their number shall be elected at each annual meeting.
   (b) The Board shall have authority to conduct all business arising in the Fellowship between annual meetings. It shall meet at least three times a year, in person or by electronic means. The Board may fix in advance the day of the month in which such meetings will be held, and, in the absence of a resolution fixing such dates, the meeting shall be held at the call of the chair.
   (c) Notice of all Board meetings shall be given to all members of the Board not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
   (d) The officers of the Board shall consist of the following: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Director (non-voting member). These five officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Fellowship.
   (e) The Executive Committee shall have authority to deal with all matters affecting the Board of the Fellowship arising between meetings of the full Board and which require action before the next meeting.
   (f) The officers of the Board shall constitute the officers of the Fellowship. They shall be elected by the Board following each annual meeting.
   (g) Board members will normally be appointed for three years with a possibility of being renewed once for another three-year term. Normally a year’s pause would take place before further service on the Board. Provision and management of those serving partial terms will be decided by the Board of Directors.

5. Contributions

   (a) Each individual member shall contribute in each calendar year for the expenses of this Fellowship a minimum sum of ten dollars.
   (b) The organization shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members and any profits or other accretions to the organization shall be used in promoting its objects.

6. Banking arrangements

   (a) All monies received by or on behalf of the Fellowship shall be recorded and deposited in a Bank to be named by the Treasurer and approved by the Executive Committee.
   (b) All cheques issued on behalf of the Fellowship shall require just one signature, and that signature to be that of one of the Executive Committee members (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Director) or the Administrative Assistant. Any cheques being issued over $1000 will require the prior approval of the Executive.

7. The Head Office shall be in the Province of Ontario.
8. Executive Director

   (a) There shall be an Executive Director of The Fellowship. He or she shall be hired by the Board.
   (b) The Executive Director shall have the responsibility of conducting the affairs of the Fellowship in accordance with the objects herein set forth, and shall act in cooperation with, and under the oversight of, the Executive Committee.
   (c) The Executive Director shall receive a salary at least equivalent to the minimum operative in the presbytery of residence for salary, house allowance, and (where applicable) study leave, in addition to pension provision and other requirements of the General Assembly as applicable for professional church workers; and subject to annual review.
   (d) The Executive Director shall be an ex officio member of the Board without vote.

9. The Duties of the Officers of the Fellowship

   (a) The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Fellowship and of the Board at which he or she may be present, and shall assist the Executive Director as may be required.
   (b) The Vice-Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Fellowship and of the Board in the absence of the Chairperson, and shall assist the Chairperson and to the Executive Director as may be required.
   (c) The Treasurer shall receive all monies paid into the Fellowship, shall bank all monies received, and shall keep continuous record of all receipts and expenditures on behalf of the Fellowship. He or she shall present a financial statement of the Fellowship at each annual meeting and at each meeting of the Board. He or she shall be responsible for the maintenance of a list of contributions made by the members and supporters.
   (d) The Secretary shall shall be responsible for the recording of the minutes of the annual meetings of the Fellowship, and of all meetings of the Board and of the Executive Committee. He or she shall be responsible for conducting necessary correspondence of the Board and/or the Executive Committee. He or she shall be responsible for the maintenance of a current list of members and supporters and their addresses.
   (e) The Executive Director shall perform the duties outlined in Article 8 (b).
   (f) The Officers of the Fellowship shall make the necessary registration agreement with the Canada Revenue Agency to enable the issuance of receipts for contributions valid for Income Tax purposes.

10. Meetings

    (a) The Fellowship shall meet once every year at a time and place to be named by the Executive Committee.
    (b) Notice of all meetings of the Fellowship shall be provided to all members at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the said meeting.
    (c) Voting: Individual members who have joined seven (7) days prior to the meeting shall be entitled to a single vote at each meeting of the Fellowship.
    (d) Nominating procedure: The Executive shall constitute a Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for the Board as provided in section 4(a). Further nominations for candidates for these categories may be made from the floor at any annual meeting.
    (e) Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

11. Financial Review: An independent annual financial review shall be arranged by the Executive Committee.
12. Amendments:

    (a) Amendments to this Constitution may be made at any annual meeting of the Fellowship by a two-thirds majority vote of members present.
    (b) Notice of any proposed amendment shall be in writing and shall be forwarded to all members of the Fellowship at least (30) days prior to any annual meeting at which the proposed amendment shall be considered.

13. Vacancies: If the office of any officer or member of the Board becomes vacant by reason of death or resignation, the vacancy may be filled by the Executive Committee until the next election.

APPENDIX A
OUR DOCTRINAL BASIS
We are in full agreement with the faith confessed by the Presbyterian Church in Canada in the subordinate standards of the Westminster Confession of Faith as adopted in 1875 and 1889, and in the Declaration Concerning Church and Nation of 1954, 1954, and Living Faith (Foi Vivante and 산 믿음) as adopted in 1998. In affirming the convictions of our denomination, we wish to underline the following emphases of our biblical, evangelical and reformed faith.

(a) The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
(b) The sovereignty of God in creation, revelation, redemption and final judgement.
(c) The divine inspiration and entire trustworthiness of Holy Scripture as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
(d) The value and dignity of all people: created in God’s image to live in love and holiness, but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt, and justly subject to God’s wrath.
(e) Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, who lived as a perfect example, who assumed the judgment due sinners by dying in our place, and who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended as Saviour and Lord, to be King and Head of the Church.
(f) The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration.
(g) The justification of the sinner by the grace of God through faith alone.
(h) The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who gives all believers a new life, identity, meaning and purpose, and a calling to obedient service in response to God’s love.
(i) The unity of all believers in the One, Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, made evident in churches worshipping, witnessing and making disciples throughout the world.
(j) The victorious reign and future personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge all people with justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation but receiving the redeemed into eternal life.

To God be glory forever!

NOTE: A PDF version of the Constitution can be downloaded here.