CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
of the
CHRISTIAN CHAPLAINS CORPS OF AMERICA
PREAMBLE
We declare and
establish this Constitution and these Bylaws to preserve and perpetuate the
principles of our common Christian faith and to govern this body in an orderly
and Biblical manner. These Bylaws will seek to preserve the liberties of each
individual member and the freedom of action of this body to accomplish its
God-given purpose.
ARTICLE 1. NAME
Section
1. The name of this
organization shall be the Christian Chaplains Corps of America (herein referred
to as the CCCA)
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE, MISSION, AND
VALUES
Section
1. To stand for
Christ-centered, morally sound, Biblical Christianity which comprises the
Christian faith: the faith and practice of the Apostles and the early Disciples
of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Section
2. To commission
Chaplains, Chaplain Assistants, and Lay Ministers to minister in our nation’s
communities by providing and performing religious support to nurture the living,
care for the dying, and honor the dead.
Section
3. To uphold the
Chaplaincy Values envisioned by General George Washington in setting the
standard for moral and ethical behavior which are incapsuled in the
acronym "SACRED" --
1.
Spirituality: The bedrock of all faiths,
providing meaning and direction in life. Seek to know God and yourself at the
deepest level.
2.
Accountability: The means to measure how we
practice what we preach. Hold yourself and others to the moral and spiritual
high ground in every area of life.
3.
Compassion: Love in word and deed. The love that sees
beyond the surface and discerns our common humanity.
4.
Religious
Leadership: Model
spiritual truths wisely and courageously.
5.
Excellence: Do your best for God's glory. The
standard for staff work and religious responsibilities.
6.
Diversity: Being respectful of different views and
ideas that are not like our own.
ARTICLE 3. STATEMENT OF
FAITH
Section 1. The Apostle’s
Creed shall be the basic affirmation of faith of the CCCA as stated
below:
I believe in God, the
Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sits at
the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from where he shall
come again to judge the living and the
dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the
holy *catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
(*Note: the word "catholic" in the creed
means "universal")
ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP
Section
1: Qualifications
for Membership. Membership in the CCCA shall consist of persons who are in
agreement with the Statement of Faith and who will abide by the Constitution and
Bylaws of the CCCA.
Section
2: Members Covenant of Conduct. The fundamental principles of the CCCA
are based upon the Word of God. Therefore every member is expected to live
according to its teachings and avoid and refrain from that which is destructive
to the Christian life and dishonorable to God. Every member is earnestly
admonished to:
1.
Maintain high ethical and moral values in
all their dealings, personally and professionally.
2.
Respect one another's difference in
religious beliefs, including the differences in doctrine, style and personality
of other Christians as they follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit.
3.
Only speak in edifying ways in regards to
others, including Christian ministers, ministries, and the Body of Christ at
large.
4.
Treat all with whom they come into
contact as they would like to be treated.
Section
3: Responsibility
and Discipline. All Members and Chaplains of the CCCA are responsible for his or
her own actions. The CCCA assumes no legal responsibility for any of its Members
or Chaplains. Membership and Chaplaincy in the CCCA will be revoked upon
behaviors unbecoming Christians and Chaplains.
ARTICLE 5. BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Section
1. The central
governing and regulatory body of the CCCA is the Board of Directors (herein also
referred to as the Board) whose authority and decisions shall be final in all
matters and may delegate responsibility of day-to-day operations to such
officers, staff, and committees as the Board may determine and appoint from time
to time.
Section
2. The Board shall
have up to 7 members (directors).
Section
3. The Board shall
meet from time to time as determined by its members. Meetings may be held in
person or by electronic means. The Board may make such rules and regulations
covering its meetings as it may in its discretion determine
necessary.
Section
4. Each director
shall have one vote and such voting may not be done by proxy. In most matters of
business, a majority vote of the Board members will carry the
motion.
Section 5. Vacancies in the Board of
Directors shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of
the Board.
ARTICLE 6. OFFICERS
Section 1. National
Coordinator: The
National Coordinator is appointed by the Board of Directors and has day-to-day
responsibilities for the organization, including carrying out the organization’s
goals and policies and is subject to the direction and control of the Board of
Directors
Section 2. Other
Officers: The Board
of Directors may appoint other officers, staff, and committees as needed
including:
1.
Region Director: A Region Director oversees the
personnel, units, and activities in several States that are in close proximity
to each other. The Region Director reports directly to the National Coordinator
and is also subject to the direction and control of the Board of
Directors.
2.
State Director: A State Director oversees the
personnel, units, and activities in one U.S. State. The State Director reports
directly to the Region Director (or to next higher in line Director) and is
subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.
3.
Area Director: An Area Director oversees the
personnel, units, and activities in an assigned portion of a U.S. State. The
Area Director reports directly to the State Director (or to next higher in line
Director) and is subject to the direction and control of the Board of
Directors.
4.
Team Leader: A Team Leader oversees the
personnel and activities of individuals assigned to a specific Team. The Team
Leader reports directly Area Director (or to next higher in line Director) and
is subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 7. COMMISSIONED AND APPOINTED MINISTRY
TITLES
Section 1. Chaplain:
An Ordained
or Licensed Minister of a Christian Church or Christian Religious Organization
who is granted the full rights to perform the ministerial duties of a Chaplain
and Minister of the Gospel, and to use the title of Chaplain in the performance
of those duties.
Section 2. Chaplain
Assistant (Ministry Support Specialist): A
Non-ordained and Non-Licensed Person who is authorized to provide ministry
support as a backup and assistant to a Chaplain. A Chaplain Assistant may
perform ministerial duties in their community (except marriages) under the
mentorship of a Chaplain and may use the titles of Chaplain Assistant, or
Ministry Support Specialist, in the performance of those duties.
Section 3. Team Member:
A person
assigned to a Ministry Team and reports to, and is directed by, a Team
Leader.
ARTICLE 8. AMENDMENTS
Section
1. Members of the
CCCA may propose amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws. Such proposed
amendments shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for discussion. The
Board of Directors makes the final determination of whether or not to adopt the
changes.