Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association

of North America, Inc.

(Founded 1917)

 

Doing Business As

CrossGlobal Link

 

And hereafter referred to as CrossGlobal Link

 

 

Bylaws

Revised September 2007

 

 

Article I - Purpose

The purpose of this association shall be to establish standards of accountability and integrity; to foster networking and strategic alliances for world mission; to stimulate fellowship, mutuality, and prayer among members; to provide specialized mission training and leadership development; to maintain a unified testimony and establish a united voice in our mutual commitment to the Word of God and the overarching responsibility for global evangelization.

Article II - Confession of Faith

The member missions do affirm and declare their belief in and defense of the historic Christian faith as set forth in the following:

A. We believe that the Bible, consisting of Old and New Testaments only, is verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, is inerrant in the original manuscripts, and is the infallible and authoritative Word of God.

B. We believe that the one triune God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

C. We believe that Adam, created in the image of God, was tempted by Satan, the god of this world, and fell. Because of Adam's sin, all men have guilt imputed, are totally depraved, and need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit for salvation.

D. We believe that Jesus Christ is God, was born of a virgin, died vicariously, shed His blood as man's substitutionary sacrifice, rose bodily, and ascended to heaven, where He is presently exalted at the Father's right hand.

E. We believe that salvation consists of the remission of sins, the imputation of Christ's righteousness, and the gift of eternal life, received by faith alone, apart from works.

F. We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, and that it will be visible and personal.

G. We believe that the saved will be raised to everlasting life and blessedness in heaven, and that the unsaved will be raised to everlasting and conscious punishment in hell.

H. We believe that the church, the body of Christ, consists only of those who are born again, who are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ at the time of regeneration, for whom He now makes intercession in heaven and for whom He will come again.

I. We believe that Christ commanded the church to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, baptizing and teaching those who believe.

Article III - Membership

The membership of this association shall consist of both full members and associate members.

 

Full Members

 

Full membership shall consist of all mission agencies which are as of the date of the adoption of these bylaws, members of CrossGlobal Link (founded in 1917 as Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association of North America, Inc.), and any interdenominational or denominational mission agency subscribing to these bylaws in all particulars who shall qualify and be elected to full membership as provided hereinafter in this section of this Article.

 

A.    Full Membership Standards

 

1. Each mission subscribes unreservedly and reaffirms annually in writing its adherence to
CrossGlobal Link bylaws, confession of faith, and standards (see Appendix 1).

 

2. Each mission is approved by the CrossGlobal Link Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to
as the Board), and is reviewed regularly by the Board.

 

3. Each mission participates in activities of CrossGlobal Link, including the Annual Business Meeting, and pays dues as determined by vote of the Board.

 

4. Membership is open to agencies in Canada and the United States, which are:    

 

   a. Sending organizations involved in cross-cultural ministry, that have as primary objectives evangelism and establishing and/or developing churches.

 

   b. Service organizations operating in support and furtherance of the objectives of evangelical cross-cultural missions and/or evangelical national churches.

 

B.    Full Membership Qualifications

A member mission shall:

 

1.    Be governed by a properly constituted board of directors and be incorporated in North America as a religious or charitable nonprofit organization.  

2.    Issue an annual financial report, audited by an external chartered or certified public accountant, a copy of which shall be furnished to the association and, upon request, to the public.

 

3.    Rely upon God for financial provision to fulfill its mission.

 

C.    North American Membership

 

1. Canadian and U. S. missions and service organizations that are partners by agreement between the two corporations are recognized by the association as one member. Canadian and U. S. missions working under such a joint agreement will be treated as a single mission for the payment of dues and meeting the attendance requirements at the Annual Business Meeting. All other membership bylaws and standards are to be met by the individual Canadian and U. S. mission corporations.

 

2. Canadian and U. S. mission corporations that may be related by purpose and name, but are not partners by agreements, will each be responsible separately for meeting all standards and qualifications for membership in the association.

 

3. A Canadian or U. S. mission corporation may choose to be a member of the association, independently of its partner in the other country. However, a mission may not be affiliated in Canada without membership in this association.

 

D.    Procedure Regarding Acceptance of New Members

The procedure for election into full membership shall involve successful passage through two stages: applicant and candidate.

 

1. Applicant Status

An application for membership shall be submitted to the Executive Director of the association, who shall be responsible for assembling all information required to determine potential eligibility for membership. He shall grant applicant status to the organization if so indicated by his research.

 

2. Candidate Status

 

   a. When the Executive Director has determined that the applicant organization is eligible for candidate status, he shall communicate his recommendation to the Executive Committee of the Board.

 

   b. The Executive Committee shall evaluate the information collected by the Executive Director and, if appropriate, grant candidate status to the applicant organization.

 

   c. The full CrossGlobal Link Board and executive officers of member agencies will be notified of the application, asking for input to be sent to the CrossGlobal Link Executive Director who will then investigate if need be.

 

   d. Upon satisfactory completion of all association requirements, the Executive Committee shall recommend to the full Board a decision on admittance as a member.

 

   e. Admittance of new members shall be reported to the membership of the association at the next Annual Business Meeting.

 

E. Continuing Membership

Continuing membership shall be based upon fulfillment of each and all of these bylaws and CrossGlobal Link standards. Member missions will be reviewed and appraised each year by the Board for continuing membership. A member mission that does not meet all of the bylaws and standards will be placed on probational status, and given one year to return to conformity in order to retain membership. A member mission that does not send a delegate to the Annual Business Meeting of the association for two consecutive years will be placed on probational status. If, at the end of one year of probational status, a member mission still is not in conformity with all bylaws and standards, the Board may, after careful consideration of all factors, withdraw membership from the association.

 

F. Official Delegates

Each member mission shall be entitled to send one official delegate to any meeting of the association. In addition, one official delegate may be sent for every fifty North American missionaries (or fraction thereof) supported by the member mission. The delegates at each meeting of the association shall be the general policy-making body of the association.

 

G. Voting Procedures

Each official delegate shall be entitled to one vote. All action shall be adopted by a majority vote of the official delegates present, except where these bylaws specify otherwise.

 

H. Annual Business Meeting

An Annual Business Meeting of the association shall be held each year for the election of trustees, and for receiving the reports of officers, and for the transaction of other business by the association. Before the close of the Annual Business Meeting, the date of the next Annual Business Meeting shall be set, or the setting of such date delegated to the Board.

 

I. Notice of Meetings

Notice of meetings shall be published and circulated to each member. Four weeks' notice shall be required for all special meetings. At least two months prior to the date of the Annual Business Meeting, a notice shall be circulated to all members. Proposed additions to the agenda may be made by the member mission to the director or president at any time.

 

J. Quorum

A quorum shall be a number of delegates not less than the total number of members, and representing a majority of member missions.

Associate membership shall consist of any local church, mission pastor, theological school or mission training program subscribing to these bylaws in particulars relating to associates only, who shall qualify and be accepted into associate membership as provided hereinafter in this section of this Article.

 

A. Associate Membership Standards

 

1. Each associate member subscribes unreservedly to the CrossGlobal Link confession of faith, and the section of the bylaws that pertains specifically to associate membership.

 

2. Each associate member is reviewed periodically by the CrossGlobal Link Board.

 

3. Each associate member participates in CrossGlobal Link activities, and pays dues as determined by vote of the Board.

 

4. Associate membership is open to churches, mission pastors, theological schools and mission training programs in Canada and the United States, which have as their objective world evangelization.

 

5. Associate members, with the exception of mission pastors, shall be governed by a properly constituted board and be incorporated in North America as a religious organization.

 

B. Associate Member Rights and Privileges

 

1. Each associate member shall have the right to participate in any and all CrossGlobal Link conferences, programs, training forums, informational services and other activities which stimulate fellowship, mutuality and networking within the association.

 

2. Each associate member shall be entitled to send one official “associate delegate” to the official Annual Business Meeting of the association. Each “associate delegate” may participate in the association’s business matters, but without the right to vote.

 

3. Since associate membership status does not carry the weight, responsibility and accountability of full membership, associate members do not have the right to serve on the CrossGlobal Link Board.

 

C. Procedure for Acquiring Associate Membership

 

1. An application for associate membership shall be submitted to the CrossGlobal Link office. Once it is determined that potential membership requirements have been met, candidate status will be granted by the Executive Director to the applicant.

 

2. The Executive Director along with the Executive Committee of the Board will review the candidate’s application and either grant or reject associate membership status.

Article IV - Board of Trustees

A. Membership

1. The administrative affairs of the association, including the election of officers, shall be conducted by a Board of Trustees (known as the Board). The Board consists of all of the elected officers of the association, along with the Executive Director thereof, and not less than five or more than ten additional trustees. In the event of a tie in the votes for the final member(s) of the Board, each of those tied for the last available place will be added for a two-year term.

2. By virtue of position, the President of CrossGlobal Link Canada shall be a member of the Board.

3. A trustee must be a member of a member mission, but need not be a delegate to the Annual Business Meeting to be elected. Additionally, the Board may appoint one Board member from the mission community at large. Each trustee shall serve for a term of two years and may serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms (six years). Approximately one-half of the trustees are to be elected each year.

 

4. The Board shall act by a majority vote of the trustees present at any meeting.

B. Executive Committee

An Executive Committee, having the power, subject to the review of the Board, to conduct the affairs of the association during the intervals between meetings of the Board, shall be elected from its own number by the Board. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers, namely, president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, and treasurer as well as the Executive Director. Minutes of all Executive Committee meetings shall be recorded and copies thereof shall be distributed to all trustees.

C. Meetings

1. Regular meetings. The Board shall meet at least twice a year on a day specified in the notice thereof by the president or secretary.

 

2. Other meetings

 

   a. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the president or the secretary. The president or the secretary shall call a special meeting of the Board upon the written request of three trustees.

 

   b. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the president, the secretary, or two members of the Committee.

D. Quorum and Voting

1. A quorum of the Board or the Executive Committee shall consist of a majority of their respective members.

2. A member will not vote where a conflict of interest exists. Questions regarding conflicts of interest will be resolved by majority vote.

E. Notice of Meetings

Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, notice of meetings shall be in writing and shall be given within a reasonable time before the meetings in question.

Article V - Officers

A. Election, Term of Office

1. The elected officers of the association shall be a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and any other officer or officers authorized by resolution of the association, and shall be elected at the Annual Business Meeting of the association.

2. The president shall be elected for a two-year term and may be reelected only once.

3. The other officers shall be elected for a one-year term and may be reelected for a maximum of three successive years.

B. Vacancies

The Board shall have the power to determine when a vacancy exists in any elected office, and such vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Board without undue delay. An officer so appointed may also be removed by the Board.

C. Duties

1. President

The president shall preside at all meetings of the association. The president shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as are commensurate with the office. The president shall be chairperson of both the Board and the Executive Committee and shall serve as an ex officio voting member of all other committees.

2. First and Second Vice Presidents

The vice presidents shall assist the president and assume the responsibilities of the president when absent in the order of their election.

3. Secretary

The secretary shall record the minutes of the Board, the Board Executive Committee and the Annual Business Meeting, and ensure proper distribution and storage of the same. The secretary shall be responsible for the roll call at the Annual Business Meeting.

4. Treasurer

The treasurer shall present a full report of the receipts and disbursements of the association at the Annual Business Meeting, and at such times as the Board may require. The treasurer shall ensure that all monies received by the association be deposited in such depositories as the Board shall designate.

5. Executive Director

The Board shall appoint an Executive Director by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the full Board. The Executive Director's term of office, authority, and duties shall be determined by the Board, and shall be under the direct supervision of the Board. The Executive Director shall be a voting member of all committees.

Article VI - Committees

A. Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall consist of the members of the Executive Committee. This Committee shall nominate the slate for election of the trustees and the officers of the association.

B. Additional Committees

Additional committees may be authorized by the Board or by the association at any Annual Business Meeting, or Board Meeting, to perform such duties as may be assigned them.

Article VII - Minutes

A. Minutes of the Annual Business Meeting and Board Meetings shall be recorded and distributed to the member missions, addressed to an official or officials designated by each member mission.

B. Minutes of the Executive and other committees shall be recorded and distributed to the trustees of the Board.

C. When the Board or Executive Committee enter Executive Session, the minutes will be confidential.

Article VIII - Finance

A. For its proper financial support a subsidiary purpose of the association is to receive or acquire by purchase, gift, contribution, grant, transfer, devise, bequest, or any other means and may hold title to, use, invest, expend, or convey property of all kinds real, personal, or mixed, including public or private lands for agricultural development and other purposes, water, mineral, and forest rights and may have and hold, lease, mortgage, or use the same in trust or in fee in any manner most conducive to its interests and property and to the accomplishment of any of its purposes.

B. The association may expend, use, transfer, or dispose of any property transferred to it, or the income thereof, in accordance with the judgment and discretion of the Board, consistent with the terms and provisions of these bylaws.

C. Each member mission shall contribute to the general fund of the association such dues and contributions as are determined. Notices of amounts due and/or past due shall be sent to each member mission.

Article IX - Audit

The Board shall be responsible for an annual audit of all financial records, and the results of such audit shall be made available to all members and, upon request, to the public. The audit shall be made by an independent certified public accountant.

Article X - Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the association, any assets of the corporation then remaining shall be conveyed to such organizations then existent dedicated to objectives consistent with those of the corporation selected by the Board at the time of dissolution, which organizations must be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, or under successor provision of the Code as may be in effect at the time of dissolution.

Article XI - Office

An office shall be maintained by the association to serve the purposes of the association with such equipment and staff as may be required and approved by the Board.

Article XII - Parliamentary Rule

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the rule of order for this association.

Article XIII - Amendments

Amendments to the corporate charter or to these bylaws may be made at any meeting of the association, at which a quorum is present, by a three-fourths vote of the official delegates present, provided that a written notice of such proposed amendment shall have been contained in the notice of the meeting.

Appendix I

CrossGlobal Link Standards

(Applicable to Full Members only)

Membership Standards

1. Each mission subscribes unreservedly to and reaffirms annually the CrossGlobal Link Bylaws, Confession of Faith, Standards, and Policy on Relationships.

 

2. Each mission is approved by vote of the CrossGlobal Link Board of Trustees and is reviewed regularly by the Board.

3. Each mission participates in activities of CrossGlobal Link (including the Annual Meeting), contributes dues, and submits an annual statistical report.

4. Full Membership is open to:

 a. Sending organizations involved in cross-cultural ministry which have as primary objectives evangelism and establishing and/or developing churches.

 b. Service organizations operating in support and furtherance of the objectives of evangelical cross-cultural missions and/or evangelical national churches.

Doctrinal Standards and Purpose

1. Each mission has clearly stated articles of faith consistent with the CrossGlobal Link Confession of Faith, and maintains a non-Charismatic orientation.

2. Each mission gives evidence satisfactory to the association as to the purpose and rationale for its existence.

3. Each mission is involved only in programs and activities that are consistent with its stated purpose and those of CrossGlobal Link.

 

Organizational Standards

1. Each mission is governed by an active board that demonstrates organizational control, including broad policy-making authority.

 

   a. The board is composed of at least seven members.

 

   b. A majority of the board members are non-staff and not immediate family members.

 

   c. The board meets at least semi-annually.

 

   d. Membership for church based mission initiatives and other unique mission structures may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

2. Each mission has sufficient personnel to make it a viable organization able to carry out its purposes and to meet CrossGlobal Link standards.

 

Financial Standards

1. Each mission demonstrates financial responsibility by issuing an annual financial report prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, audited by a chartered accountant or certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

2. Each mission prepares financial statements that are consistent with CrossGlobal Link-sponsored (Evangelical Joint Accounting Committee) Accounting and Financial Reporting Guide for Christian Ministries. Minimum financial statements include a balance sheet, a statement of activity, a statement of changes in financial position, and notes to the financial statements.

3. Each mission has an active audit or finance committee, a majority of whom are non-staff, which is responsible to:

   a. Maintain a direct line of communication between the board and the external auditors.

   b. Assist the board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities relating to accounting and reporting practices.

   c. Insure that there is no conflict of interest in its financial operations.

4. Each mission submits a copy of its audited annual financial report to the CrossGlobal Link office, and will furnish a copy of its financial statements to the public upon request.

5. Each mission uses no more for its administration and fund-raising than is reasonable for its size and purpose.

6. Each mission exercises faith in God for the provision of needs without strong solicitation of funds.

7. Each mission uses all donated funds for the purposes for which they are accepted. No payment by percentage of receipts will be given to any consultant or persons involved in fund-raising activities.

Operational Standards

1. Each mission maintains a reputation for integrity and stability in all its operations in North America and overseas, practices high ethical standards, and avoids all conflicts of interest.

2. Each mission conducts a thorough survey before entering a new geographic area or people group. Before starting the ministry, consultation is held with other evangelical missions and/or churches working in the area or among the people group.

Personnel Standards

1. Each mission carefully assigns and supervises its personnel in order to practice good stewardship and achieve maximum effectiveness in the use of gifts, abilities, and training of missionaries and staff.

2. As an evidence of Christian integrity and mutual respect, any member mission considering recruitment of a person from another Christian organization is expected to consult with the leadership of that organization before entering into serious negotiations.

3. Any member mission considering acceptance into its fellowship a person under discipline or released for any reason by another Christian organization is expected to consult with the leadership of that organization before proceeding.

4. Each member mission has a board-approved sexual conduct policy for its membership.

5. Each member mission has a board-approved conflict of interest policy.

Relationship Standards

In view of growing theological confusion, CrossGlobal Link has established standards to guide its relationships and those of its member missions.

Association: CrossGlobal Link is a voluntary association of evangelical missions, churches and schools which have committed themselves to a testimony of fellowship and oneness in the body of Christ, working together without organic union but in mutual interdependence.

Cooperation: CrossGlobal Link and its member missions encourage cooperation with all other evangelical groups which share basic doctrinal and operational agreement.

Fellowship: Where evangelical groups hold distinctive doctrinal emphases that make cooperation difficult, CrossGlobal Link acknowledges oneness in Christ through proper Christian respect and missions comity.

Communication: Where theological inclusivism and apostasy make organizational association, cooperation, or fellowship with certain groups impossible, communication may be necessary on a non-theological level, especially in dealing with government authorities.

Member missions are urged to exercise discernment in the application of these standards in order that the essential unity and public testimony of CrossGlobal Link may be maintained. In situations of uncertainty, the CrossGlobal Link Board will assist any member mission in establishing such guidelines.