Governance

• Alliance Denominational Governance                                                   
  As constituent members of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in Canada local Alliance Churches function under legislation adopted by the biennial General Assembly as well as regulations and policies set by the Board of Directors. This material is contained in the current edition of the Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.
  Each church is also part of a District that has biennial District Conferences where legislation may be adopted governing the activity of churches and ministries within the District. The Local Church Constitution, contained in the C&MA Manual governs virtually all organized Alliance Churches in Canada. Local Church Bylaws may be adopted by the membership, provided they are not in conflict with the Local Church Constitution. To be valid, these bylaws also need to be approved by the District Executive Committee (DEXCOM).  
• BC Society Governance
  The Christian and Missionary Alliance – Canadian Pacific District (BC and Yukon) has been incorporated as a Society in British Columbia, with charitable status granted by Canada Revenue Agency. Virtually all churches in the District function as unincorporated ‘divisions’ of the District corporation; however, every attempt is made to maximize the governance autonomy of local churches within this arrangement.
• Church Boards
  The Board of Elders is the highest functioning authority of the local church, once elected by the membership. Alliance churches do not function with a congregational form of governance, as commonly understood; rather, church members elect the Board to represent them, delegating authority to the Board as defined in the Local Church Constitution and Bylaws. Opportunities for board training and various governance resources are available for prospective, current and former Board members.
• District Manual
  This Manual contains various policies governing District and Local Church activities.

Policies and Legal

The legal alerts and sample policies included here are designed to assist churches in responding to the increasingly complex nature of church administration, and government legislation.

• Local Church Bylaws – Sample (coming soon)

  These sample bylaws include items required by the Local Church Constitution, and suggested other items for consideration. Local churches are free to develop their own bylaws that are not in conflict with the Constitution, but they need to be approved by the District Executive Committee to become valid.

•         Church Facility Rental Policy - Sample
•         Church Facility Rental Agreement - Sample  
•         Privacy Policy Audit - Sample 
  This document will help a church prepare to develop its Privacy Policy. 
•         Privacy Policy – Sample 
   Adoption of a “Privacy Policy” is required of all organizations, including churches, effective January 1, 2004, by virtue of the Government of BC’s adoption of the Personal Information Protection Act, October 2003.

Insurance

1.1. Property Insurance. Each local church is responsible to secure and maintain continuous property insurance. A copy of the policy and annual verifications of renewal—along with any revisions to the policy--are to be sent to the District Office.

 

The following types of group insurance are negotiated for all churches and ministries by either the District or National Ministry Centre of the C&MA in Canada. Local churches are assessed their pro-rated premiums with invoices sent from the District Office. Policies themselves must be consulted to determine eligibility or to identify coverage or exclusions. Copies of policies are available to churches or employees as may be appropriate.

 

1.2. Group Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance is negotiated by the National Ministry Centre of the C&MA in Canada for employees of all Alliance Churches in Canada.  For more information, click here. 

 

1.3. Extended Medical and Dental Benefits are negotiated by the District Office for Alliance church employees in the District. For more information click here. 

 

1.4. Liability Insurance is negotiated by the District Office for all churches. The current carrier is Lombard Canada and coverage includes:

· Commercial general liability

· Umbrella liability

· Religious institution counselling (restricted to those qualified to offer counselling services)

· Abuse

· Non-profit Directors and Officers (includes Boards of Elders)

Churches requiring written verification of liability coverage may obtain it by contacting:

 

HUB International

Barton Insurance Brokers

45710 Airport Road

Chilliwack, BC

V2P 1A2

Phone: (604) 703-7070

Toll Free: 1-800-668-2112

FAX: (604) 703-7093

http://www.hubinternational.com/hubbarton/index.aspx

*****At various times during the year churches often use other community facilities such as halls and playing fields.  Usually the owner of those facilities requires the church to prove they have appropriate insurance coverage by providing them with a Certificate of Insurance.  This document must come from our insurance broker listed above.  Ask for either Reg Esau or Glenda Cichanovich.

 

1.5. Volunteer Accident & Sickness Insurance is provided for any person (under 80) acting as a volunteer on behalf of or performing a function for their church group. Please email our office for the pdf version of the policy.

Building Programs

 

Project Approval Process