The Covenant

We, who are now assembled in the presence of God in the name of Jesus Christ, affirm our faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, made known to us in the Holy Scriptures, the infallible rule of faith and practice. We covenant to walk together as becomes a body of disciples of Jesus Christ, whom we confess as God and Saviour, the only Sovereign Head of His Church and by the Holy Spirit we will seek to be faithful in His worship, witness and work in order to build up His church, to share His Gospel with all people and to grow in grace and in knowledge of wisdom, power and glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

ARTICLE I – NAME.
The name of this Congregation shall be "The Kuwait Town Malayalee Christian Congregation" (KTMCC) established on Friday, 2nd January 1953.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Congregation is to carry on the Christian work as a part of the total mission of the National Evangelical Church in Kuwait (NECK) and the Church of Christ Universal by providing for and engaging in Christian worship and witness, thereby affirming faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, made known to us in the Holy Scriptures.

ARTICLE III - ECCLESIASTICAL AFFILIATION.
This Congregation is a constituent part of the National Evangelical Church in Kuwait (NECK). All members of this Congregation shall be responsible to the ecclesiastical government and discipline of their home church. Ecumenical relationship with other Christian bodies in the Universal Church of Christ shall be through the home church.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP.
a. Membership is open to members of the 5 (five) Constituent Churches listed below:
Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar
Church of South India
St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India
Pentecostal Church
Brethren Assembly
b. Members must be prepared to attend KTMCC services regularly and support all Congregational activities and pay the annual subscription regularly.
c. Application Form: Membership application should be submitted in the prescribed application form duly signed by the applicant, along with annual subscription and a passport size photograph of the member, duly countersigned by the respective Pastor/Elders/Executive Committee Member of the same Constituent Church. Any application, which does not fulfill the conditions, will be rejected. All new applications will be considered in the Executive Committee and if approved, will be announced in the next regular Worship Service.
d) Children above 18 years of age have to apply separately for membership.
e) Subscriptions: Every adult member shall contribute to the Congregation a minimum of KD.2/- per year. A family shall contribute minimum of KD.4/- per year. The Executive Committee shall recommend to the General Body to increase/change the annual subscription as and when necessary.
f) Associate membership may be granted to applicants of other Churches who are willing to abide with the KTMCC constitution and the mode of Worship Services. Such members shall enjoy all fellowship, except General Body meetings.
g) (i) Members who have not paid subscriptions for 3 (three) consecutive years shall automatically lapse their membership.
(ii) Membership may be cancelled by resignation and/or departure from Kuwait for good.
(iii)The Executive Committee shall recommend to the General Body to terminate the membership of any member(s), who in the opinion of the Executive Committee, do not contribute to the intent and purpose of the Congregation and/or deviate from the Christian testimony.
h) Right for voting and holding office.
(i) Minimum 3 (three) months from date of enrolment as member, to become eligible for voting in the General Body.
(ii) Minimum 1 year from date of enrolment as member, to become eligible for Executive Committee member.
(iii)Minimum 2 years from date of enrolment as member, to become eligible for holding any office of Office Bearers (President, Secretary and Treasurer).
(iv) Minimum 3 years’ membership and 2 years’ Executive Committee membership, to become eligible for NECK Common Council member.

ARTICLE V - CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE.
1. Members are expected to support the work of the Congregation as good Stewards of the God's blessing as "Christian stewardship is the systematic and proportionate giving of time, abilities and material possessions based on the conviction that these are a trust from God, to be used in His service for the benefit of all mankind in grateful acknowledgement of Christ's redeeming love".
2. Finance:
a. All Subscriptions and contributions to the treasury of the Congregation shall be used to sustain the work of the local Congregation and Christian endeavors in Kuwait, India and those Christian causes of common interest to all.
b. Members are free to contribute to the work of their home/local churches.
c. Offerings taken at all regular Worship Services of the Congregation shall go to the treasury of the Congregation. Other collections such as Mission Fund, Benevolent Fund and any other collections shall also go to the treasury and be set apart for the same purpose.

ARTICLE VI – WORSHIP SERVICES.
1. The Worship Service shall be usually conducted in Malayalam.
2. Regular Worship Service shall be conducted once a week, on all Wednesdays, according to the following ‘Order of Worship’. Additional service or prayer meetings or Mission day service etc. shall be arranged at the discretion of the Executive Committee as and when deem necessary.

Order of Worship Service

o Call to Worship and Prayer
o Hymn
o Psalm – responsive reading
o The Scripture reading
o Hymn
o Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
o Announcement
o Hymn - The offering
o The Sermon or Meditation or Testimony
o Prayer
o Benediction
3. The Executive Committee may at its discretion welcome visiting Clergymen/Evangelists/Lay leaders to minister the ‘Word of God’ during the Service, upon written request by Constituent Church/Group.
4. The Executive Committee shall have the responsibility for arrangement of all Worship Services.

ARTICLE VII – GENERAL BODY MEETINGS.
1. There shall be an annual General Body of the Congregation during the month of January each year. Business to be conducted at this meeting shall include:
a. Presentation of the Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Congregation.
b. Election of the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and members of the Executive Committee, NECK Common Council members and Auditors.
c. Consideration of other relevant matters decided by the Executive Committee at least 15 days prior to the General Body meeting.
2. The Executive Committee may call special General Body meeting of the Congregation to consider matters of interest of the Congregation.
3. Extraordinary General Body meeting of the Congregation may be called for, by written applications to the Executive Committee by not less than 1/3 of the total members eligible to vote. Such applications must state full particulars including the purpose. For such meetings, 4 weeks notice should be given. If a quorum is not present, meeting shall be cancelled. Another meeting on this subject shall be called only after three months.
4. A quorum for all meetings of the General Body of the Congregation shall be a minimum of ¼ (one fourth) of the members who are eligible to vote. Should a meeting lack a quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned for a period not exceeding 4 weeks. Notice of this adjourned meeting may be given during regular Worship Service, and such meetings shall be transacted by members present. However, in the case of extraordinary meetings specified in clause 3 above, the quorum for adjourned meetings shall be ¼ (one fourth) of the total members eligible to vote.
5. All meetings of the General Body of the Congregation shall be called by action of the Executive Committee. Notice of the meetings shall be announced at 3 (three) regular Worship Services other than the Extraordinary General Body meetings. The general purpose of each meeting shall be included in the notice. Time, place, agenda of all meetings of the General Body of the Congregation shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
6. Persons eligible to speak and vote regarding matters before a meeting of the General Body of the Congregation are those who have paid their subscription for the preceding year as per Article IV (H-1).
7. Only those persons who are present at the meeting shall have the right to vote and stand for elections. The President shall decide the mode of voting and appoint the tellers. For the purpose of elections, those names receiving the highest number of votes from among those nominated shall be declared elected.
8. Any other relevant matters to be included as per Article VII (I-c) shall be given to the Executive Committee 21 (twenty-one) days prior to the Annual General Body meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Congregation.
2. The Executive Committee shall consist of 15 (fifteen) members, including the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

3. The Executive Committee members shall be elected at the Annual General Body meeting of the Congregation. Nominations shall be from the floor. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall be duly elected. The term of office of elected members shall be 1 (one) year. If a vacancy occurs by death/departure/resignation, the Executive Committee is empowered to select a replacement (from the tradition represented) who will serve for the balance of the term. The vacancy of an Office Bearer of the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Executive Committee from its own members. Such actions shall be announced to the Congregation at the following Worship Service.

4. The composition of the Executive Committee shall be on the following basis:
a. Three from members of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar.
b. Three from members of the Church of South India.
c. Three from members of the St. Thomas Evangelical Church of India.
d. Three from members of the Pentecostal Church.
e. Three from members of the Brethren Assembly.
5. A majority of the Executive Committee shall be the quorum for the transaction of business.
6. Specific duties of the Executive Committee:
a. The Executive Committee shall assist the Office Bearers in the spiritual interests of the Congregation and its services as required. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for arranging services of Worship.
b. The Executive Committee shall supervise the maintenance of adequate records, which include minutes of the General Body meeting of the Congregation and Executive Committee meetings, membership rolls, financial records and other records deemed necessary.
c. The Executive Committee shall manage the finances of the Congregation.
d. The Executive Committee shall co-operate with the Common Council of the National Evangelical Church in Kuwait (NECK), so that all Church properties are used in a manner consistent with the total life and mission of the Church.
e. The Executive Committee shall determine the need for and may assist in the establishment of various organizations of the Congregation. All organizations and groups of the Congregation shall be responsible to the Executive Committee.
f. The Executive Committee shall perform other duties as established in the Constitution. The Executive Committee may adopt necessary guidelines for the conduct of its organizations.
g. The Executive Committee shall determine which standing and temporary sub committees it deems necessary to facilitate the proper conduct of its business.
h. The Executive Committee shall pray and work for the spiritual edification of all members of the Congregation and for the union of all Christians in this place and the salvation of all citizens of the land.
i. Executive Committee members who become absent in 3 (three) meetings consecutively without genuine and/or valid reasons shall automatically cease their position in the Executive Committee.
j. The Executive Committee shall meet once in a month for regular business in normal situation, and special meetings shall be called by the Secretary in case of any urgent matters.

ARTICLE IX- THE OFFICE BEARERS OF THE CONGREGATION.
1. The Office Bearers, NECK Common Council Members, Auditors:
The President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual General Body meeting of the Congregation. They shall be from 3 (three) different constituent Churches, and they are the Office Bearers. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall be duly elected.
a. President: The President shall be elected at the Annual General Body meeting of the Congregation from among eligible members, for a period of one year, and is eligible for re-election. He shall be the temporal and Administrative Head of the Congregation, and preside over the Executive Committee meetings, and all General Body meetings.
b. Secretary: The Secretary shall be elected at the Annual General Body meeting of the Congregation from among eligible members, for a period of one year, and is eligible for re-election. He shall record and maintain all minutes of General Body and Executive Committee meetings, and responsible for all official communications. He shall give notices for any Congregational meetings, prepare and present the annual report of the Congregation in the Annual General Body meeting on behalf of the Executive Committee. He shall be the custodian of all KTMCC assets including KTMCC Hall and Office.
c. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual General Body meeting of the Congregation from among eligible members, for a period of one year, and is eligible for re-election. He shall receive, disburse and account for the general and specified fund of the Congregation subject to the approval of Executive Committee. However, the Treasurer is authorized to spend KD.50/- (Fifty) per month for routine expenses which has to be ratified in the next Executive Committee meeting. He shall present monthly statement of the accounts in the Executive Committee, maintain inventory of KTMCC assets jointly with the Secretary, prepare and present the audited annual Statement of the Accounts.
d. NECK Common Council Members: The Secretary of the KTMCC, with two elected members shall serve as NECK Common Council Members. All 3 (three) members shall be from different Constituent Churches and from the newly elected Executive Committee. They shall serve for a term of 1 (one) year and are eligible for re-election. They shall act as liaison officers by reporting to the Executive Committee and voicing its opinion and vote in the NECK Common Council.
e. Auditors: The General Body shall elect 3 (three) Auditors to examine the accounts annually. The Auditors shall be from 3 (three) different constituent Churches. They shall serve for a term of l (one year) and are eligible for re-election. The signature of any two of the Auditors shall be acceptable.
f. Nominations of all the above posts namely a., b., c., d., e. are from the floor only.
2. Other Officers:
a) The Executive Committee shall appoint the following Officers from the Executive Committee to assist the Office Bearers:
i. Vice President
ii. Joint Secretary
iii. Joint Treasurer
They shall assist the Office Bearers in the normal circumstances, and assume responsibilities during their absence.
b) The Executive Committee shall appoint Leaders and Officers for the organizations of the Congregation as follows:
i) Mission Fields Coordinator
ii) Sunday School Headmaster
iii) Sunday School Assistant Headmaster
iv) Choir Master
v) Prayer Group Leader
vi) Ladies Prayer Group Leader
vii) Librarian
viii) Webmaster etc., and in any other position as needed.
3. Internal Auditor(s) may be appointed from the Executive Committee to check the accounts on a monthly basis.

ARTICLE X. ASSETS.
The Executive Committee is responsible for all the assets of KTMCC and an inventory list should be maintained by the Treasurer. KTMCC is the sole owner of all the assets thereof.

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENT.
This Constitution can be altered or amended at a special meeting of the General Body of the Congregation by a majority vote of eligible members. (See Clause IV- h.1)
The proposal of the amendment can be initiated by:
i. The Executive Committee.
ii. Request for amendment in writing, specifying the proposed amendment and signed by a minimum of 25% of the total members of the Congregation eligible to vote, shall have been forwarded to the Executive Committee and the Executive Committee shall give notice specifying the time of the meeting and the substance of the proposed amendment from the pulpit, at least 2 regular Worship Services prior to the day of the meeting.
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Date: 06.12.2006

Contents

The Covenant
Article I Name
Article II Purpose
Article III Ecclesiastical Affiliation
Article IV Constituent Churches and Membership
Article IV-h Rules - Right of voting and holding Office
Article V Christian Stewardship and Finance
Article VI Order of Worship Services
Article VII General Body meetings
Article VIII Executive Committee and its duties
Article IX 1) Office Bearers, NECK Common Council Members and Auditors
2) Other Officers
3) Internal Auditor(s)
Article X Assets
Article XI Rules – Constitution Amendments