About Us
Hailsham Gospel Mission
Constitution
1 Statement of Faith
Hailsham Gospel Mission is a member of the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion. The 15 Articles of Faith listed in the Scheme governing the operation of the Connexion comprise the statement of faith of Hailsham Gospel Mission. This statement of faith is briefly summarised for convenience as follows but this summary does not supersede or take precedence over the Scheme’s Articles of Faith:
1) We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and on it rests all authority in matters of the spiritual life, doctrine, and conduct of the life of the Church.
2) We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. We believe in The Holy Spirit who proceeds from both Father and Son.
3) We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His death, resurrection
and ascension and that He now sits at the right hand of God.
4) We believe in the basic sinfulness of man and that the only means of salvation is by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in Him.
5) We believe in the Holy Spirit and His all-embracing work in illumination of the Scriptures and his all-embracing work that brings life to the Church.
6) We believe in the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion, also known as The Lord’s Supper, as instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ.
7) We believe in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Day of Judgement and the Resurrection of the body.
2 Purpose of Hailsham Gospel Mission
Our prime function as a Christian Church is to worship and serve God and to be a blessing to our community through gospel mission.
3 Administration
3.1. The Church Members' Meeting shall be the supreme authority in matters relating to the Church.
3.2 The Church members shall meet at a minimum of 3 times a year, including the Annual General Meeting, which will be open to all members of the congregation. All members of the congregation are entitled to vote. Extraordinary Church meetings may be called as the necessity arises. At least two weeks’ notice is to be given of any church meeting by announcement at the Sunday services.
3.3 The Church Meeting shall appoint the following:
a) The CHAIRMAN to chair its meetings
b) The TREASURER
c) Any other appointments as necessary
Should vacancies occur during the year they shall be filled as soon as possible, with the appointments being confirmed at the next Church Meeting.
3.4 Minutes shall be taken of each church meeting and kept for at least 7 years. As far as possible, decisions at the church meeting shall be made unanimously. Where this is not possible a decision is made by voting. The method of voting shall be by a show of hands unless the meeting shall deem that other methods are expedient.
3.5 Elders and Deacons may be appointed by the church meeting to oversee the spiritual and general welfare of the whole church. Such appointments should be approved by 2/3rds of those voting at the church meeting. If appointed, a minister/pastor should be appointed by three quarters of those voting at a church meeting.
3.6 The treasurer will present a summary of the church accounts at the AGM.
3.7 This constitution shall not be altered or rescinded except at a Special meeting of Church members called for that purpose and not unless one month’s notice has been given of such proposed new rule, alteration, or rescinding of a rule. All voting on such new rules etc shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present.
This constitution was ratified at the AGM on 10th October 2020