New Church Application Process
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When a new church, either an existing congregation or one in formative stages of organization, contacts a CBOQ Association regarding membership, the Association Executive should make immediate contact with the leadership of the church and begin to dialogue with them regarding membership, offering whatever assistance seems appropriate. Help should be offered to be sure that their constating documents fit the values of the Association and the CBOQ, both in historical/theological ecclesiology, and practice. The new group should be invited to Association events so that the fellowship and resource connections can offer support and encouragement to the new group. The Association Executive may also direct the church to the CBOQ Director of Congregational Health or Missional Initiatives for their resources and assistance. |
Step 1
When a congregation has formed as a worship/covenant community and has determined their
organizational structure and written a constitution and/or bylaws to describe their organization,
the congregation should apply to their local CBOQ Association for membership.
The application should include
- A letter requesting membership that includes a motion from the congregation indicating its intention to join the Association and Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
- A letter from the Association Executive indicating that the Association has received the church into membership and recommends the church for CBOQ membership
- A copy of the Constitution and/or Bylaws
- A list of the charter members
- Contact information for the church leadership
- A copy of their Application for Charitable Status, and CRA approval
- A signed copy of the Church Covenant Agreement with CBOQ
- Any other information considered relevant
Step 2
Once all of the criteria for membership have been met, the Association Executive should convene
an event that invites representatives from all of the Association churches to hear the story of the
new group and vote to include them in membership. The time together might include an
opportunity for the new church to tell its story of ministry to date, and to indicate why it would be
desirable to be part of the Association and CBOQ. The new church delegates should then be
excused from the room while the other delegates receive a motion and vote on it. Once the vote is
taken, the new church representatives should be welcomed back and received into the
Association.
Step 3
The Association Clerk should forward a report of the Association action to the CBOQ office so
that the Board can move official recognition as a Convention church. Delegates from the new
church will then be recognized and welcomed at the next CBOQ Assembly. The Association
report should also include the contact information for the new church and its leaders, as well as
copies of all of the documents that were included in the application.
Step 4
Both the Association and CBOQ will include the church in their directories and work with the
church to help the congregation integrate with all of the resources, mission and fellowship
opportunities that are available.
APPENDICES
CBOQ Covenant Agreement
CBOQ Church Incorporation guide
Sample Church Covenant
About Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
