Constitution & Bylaws of HarvestDowntown
PREAMBLE
The New Testament teaches that the local church is the visible organized expression of the Body of Christ. The people of God are to live and serve in obedience to the Word of God and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance operates on the presupposition that the congregation finds broader meaning and outreach in fulfilling its biblical responsibilities within the life and witness of the denomination.
This document constitutes the Bylaws for Harvest Alliance Church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (the “Church”) d/b/a HarvestDowntown. These Bylaws shall govern this nonprofit corporation or association through which the Church operates legally. As used herein, the term “Church” shall refer to such legal entity.
This document has three objectives:
1. Set out in general an outline for organization and administration for this church.
2. Define the relationship of this church to the district of which it is an integral part.
3. Relate this church to the denominational framework through which the worldwide work of The Christian and Missionary Alliance is carried out.
The Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches has been framed and adopted by the General Council, the denomination’s highest legislative body. The accredited churches of The Christian and Missionary Alliance have participated in this process through their authorized delegates.
The Church can, in accordance with this Constitution and in a manner that is consistent with the Bylaws of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, formulate its bylaws so as to carry out its ministry appropriately and efficiently.
The Church is an integral part of the district and worldwide fellowship and is united in governance, fellowship, and service in order to promote unity of faith in the fullness of Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King, and to facilitate the spread of the gospel at home and abroad under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Church is organized and shall be operated exclusively as a member church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, a church denomination which operates legally as a Colorado nonprofit corporation (the “C&MA”). Accordingly, the Church shall operate solely under the ecclesiastical authority of, and be subject to the usages, doctrines and teachings of, the C&MA as set forth in The Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, as such manual may be amended from time to time by the C&MA (the “Manual”).
The ecclesiastical authority of the C&MA shall be exercised through the district of the C&MA having jurisdiction over the Church, as such district may be determined from time to time by the C&MA (the “District”). Without limiting the foregoing, the District shall at all times have the responsibility to determine the status of the Church as either a “Developing Church” or an “Accredited Church” in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Manual.
ARTICLE I: NAME
The official name under which this church is incorporated or organized is Harvest Alliance Church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, d/b/a HarvestDowntown.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Members. The Church shall have an Ecclesiastical Member and General Members. Subject to the rights granted to the Ecclesiastical Member in these bylaws, the qualifications, rights, and manner of admission for the General Members shall be set forth in these bylaws.
Section 2. Ecclesiastical Member. The District shall be the Ecclesiastical Member of the Church. The voting rights of the Ecclesiastical Member and the ecclesiastical authority of the District may be exercised by the Senior Pastor as the bylaws, constitution or other governing instrument of the District may prescribe or, in the absence of such provision, as the executive committee of the District may determine.
Section 3. General Members. The Board of Elders serves as the Committee on Membership and shall approve an individual as a General Member upon a determination that the individual satisfies the following:
1. Confession of faith in Jesus Christ and evidence of regeneration.
2. Belief in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in the verbal inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as originally given; in the vicarious atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; in the eternal salvation of all who believe in Him and the eternal punishment of all who reject Him.
3. Acceptance of the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.
4. Full sympathy with the principles and objectives of The Christian and Missionary Alliance and cooperation by systematic support of its work.
5. A personal commitment to this fellowship which shall be demonstrated by such outward signs as regular attendance at its functions, regular giving of tithes and offerings in support of the local program as well as C&MA Missions, availability for local ministry assignments, and maintaining unity through the practice of speaking well of the Church and its leaders as well as that of setting differences quickly in the spirit of Matthew 5:23– 24 and 6:14–15.
6. Such other qualifications for membership as may be stated in the bylaws.
Section 4. Procedure.
A. Application
1. Applicants must complete a course demonstrating the Mission, Vision, Values, Structure, and Discipline of Harvest Alliance Church.
2. Applicants must acknowledge their understanding of and commitment to the Mission, Vision, Values, Structure, and Discipline of Harvest Alliance Church with their signature.
3. The applicant must meet with the Pastor and/or Elders.
4. The Applicant must be at least 12 years of age and will be a non-voting member until 16 years of age.
B. Record
1. Active Membership.
a. Those members who adhere to the conditions stated in the Constitution and Bylaws of Harvest Alliance Church.
b. Those members who attend regularly.
c. Those members who support the church with their tithes and offerings.
2. Inactive Membership
a. Those who have moved from the community but have not transferred their membership to another church.
b. Those who have absented themselves from the regular services of this church for a period of 6 months or more for any cause.
c. The inactive member shall not be eligible to vote.
d. The inactive member may be placed on the Active Membership Record by request to and approval of the Elders.
3. General Members may be removed from membership by the Committee on Membership under one or more of the following circumstances:
a. Submission of a written letter of resignation to the elders of the Church.
b. Those members who refuse to submit to the church discipline described in Matthew 18:15-17, shall be removed from membership according to the Uniform Policy on Discipline, Restoration, and Appeal of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
c. All members removed from membership shall receive a letter informing them of the action unless they choose to contact the Elders to appeal their case.
d. An appeal of decisions made to remove a person from membership for reasons of qualification or a disciplinary action may be submitted to the District within 30 days of the action.
e. If it appears to the Elders that a member has requested removal merely to avoid church discipline, that request shall not be given effect until the disciplinary process has been properly concluded (see Matt. 18:12-20.
f. A Member in good standing will be granted a letter of transfer upon request.
Section 5. Member Voting Rights.
Ecclesiastical Member. The Ecclesiastical Member shall not have the right to vote for elected members of the Board of Elders.
General Members. General Members shall have the authority to elect and remove all members of the Board of Elders of the Church, except for senior pastor, in accordance with the Constitution.
ARTICLE III: ORDINANCES
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are recognized as the two ordinances of the church. Baptism by immersion is taught and practiced as the scriptural mode. The pastor or other elders shall oversee baptism. They shall provide the instruction about baptism and shall administer the baptisms themselves or choose other spiritually respected people to do these ministries.
The Lord’s Supper is administered regularly. The pastor or other elders shall oversee Communion. They shall provide the instruction about Communion and shall administer the Communion themselves or choose other spiritually respected people to do these ministries.
ARTICLE IV: GOVERNMENT
There shall be an annual meeting of the members of this church to be held at a time specified in the bylaws at which time the members shall receive reports of departments, including audited reports of the treasurers, and shall elect church officers, elders, deacons and , where required, trustees. The Board of Elders shall conduct the affairs of the church between annual meetings and is amenable to the membership and the district superintendent as constitutionally defined. Other meetings of the members may be called by the Board of Elders by proper notice to the membership as specified in the bylaws. On general church matters in which no legal questions are involved, it is understood that all members in good and regular standing who have reached the age of 16 years are entitled to vote, but in matters involving titles of property or legal procedure, the laws of the state determine the age at which members are eligible to vote.
A. Annual Meeting
1. The time and location of the Annual Meeting will be determined in December by the Board of Elders.
2. Annual Reports shall be presented by the Senior Pastor, Audit Committee Chairperson, and others as deemed necessary by the Board of Elders upon recommendation by the Board of Ministries.
3. Those elected at the Annual Meeting shall be:
a. The Elders: Three year terms.
b. The Deacons: Two year terms.
c. The Deaconesses: Two year terms.
d. The Members of the Board of Ministries: One year terms.
B. Special Membership Meetings. All Membership Meetings shall be announced two Sundays prior to the meeting in a prominent place and by one letter to the Active Membership.
C. Authority. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings.
D. Quorum. The quorum shall consist of those present at an official Membership Meeting.
E. All decisions shall be determined by a two-thirds-majority of the votes cast.
ARTICLE V: THE CHURCH GOVERNANCE AUTHORITY
Section 1. General. The Board of Elders shall conduct the affairs of the Church between annual meetings and shall be amenable to the membership and the district superintendent as constitutionally defined. The Church governance structure, as provided for in Section 3.2, is in accordance with the governing documents of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the responsibilities of elders as defined in the Manual, the bylaws of the district, and the laws of the state. The members of the Board of Elders shall satisfy the scriptural standards for church leadership and shall be members of the Church. The senior pastor shall be chairman or, at his request, the Board of Elders shall elect an elder as chairman. An elder also shall be elected as vice chairman. Meetings shall be held for prayer and business, and abbreviated minutes shall be reported to the Church as the Church may decide. Special meetings may be called by the chairman or by written request of one-half of the Board of Elders membership. All officers, committees, and organizations except the Nominating Committee are amenable to the collective oversight of the elders.
Section 2. Governance Structure.
The Governance Authority of the Church shall be known as the Board of Elders. Their work shall be supplemented by a Board of Ministries. The Board of Elders shall determine the responsibilities to be delegated, necessary level(s) of authority, and matters of accountability.
A. Board of Elders.
1. The Board of Elders shall consist of a minimum of five elders and a maximum of 12. The number of elders beyond seven will be added at the rate of at least one elder for every 200 attendees. A majority of elders will be non-church staff members.
2. The Elders may be appointed by the Senior Pastor between Annual Meetings upon approval by the Board of Ministries and the Board of Elders.
3. The Elders may be nominated by the Nominating Committee upon recommendation by the Senior Pastor and elected by a vote by the membership.
4. The qualifications for elders are set out in 1 Timothy 3:1–13 and Titus 1:6–9.
5. The Board of Elders shall issue a monthly report to the Membership.
6. The Senior Pastor shall be the chairman or, at his request, the Board of Elders shall elect an elder as chairman..
B. Board of Ministries.
1. The number serving as the Board of Ministries shall be at least five but no more than 12, and shall consist of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and two or more members at large.
2. Members of the Board of Ministries are expected to maintain a lifestyle in keeping with the spirit and intent of 1 Timothy 3:1–13 and Titus 1:6–9. Further, each must be an active member of the Church.
3. The Board of Ministries shall review and recommend for ratification by the Board of Elders all financial and strategic issues related to the annual budget and the facilities, including the audit required by these bylaws.
4. The Senior Pastor shall appoint an Elder as chairman of the Board of Ministries.
5. The tenure of each member on the Board of Ministries is five one-year terms at which time the member must take a one-year sabbatical from the Board of Ministries.
6. The Board of Ministries shall serve as the trustees of the Church.
7. A quorum for a Board of Ministries meeting shall be two-thirds of the Board Membership.
8. The Board of Ministries serves as the audit committee of the church on a monthly basis.
9. The actions of the Board of Ministries are subject to ratification by the Board of Elders or referral back to the Board of Ministries for further action.
10. The Board of Ministries shall report to the Membership on a monthly basis.
C. All decisions by the Board of Elders and the Board of Ministries shall be determined by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
Section 3. Removal. In consultation with the district superintendent and the senior pastor, any officer or auxiliary official, except licensed pastoral staff, of the Church, whether elected at the Church annual meeting or appointed by the Board of Elders, or any individual member of the Board of Elders, may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Elders and the approval of the District Superintendent if, in the judgment of the Board of Elders, the best interests of the Church will be served thereby.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
The officers shall be members of this church and shall satisfy the scriptural standards for church leadership. They shall consist of the following who, with the exception of the senior pastor, shall be elected at the annual meeting of the church: Senior Pastor, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and such other officers as may be designated in the Church Bylaws or by state law.
The offices of Treasurer and Missionary Treasurer may be filled by the same person.
The office of Secretary shall be filled by an Elder.
ARTICLE VII: PASTORAL STAFF
The Board of Elders shall not give consideration to any candidate for the pastoral staff without the approval of the district superintendent. Pastoral staff members shall be called by the Board of Elders and appointed by the District Superintendent. The District Superintendent shall suggest to the Board of Elders the names of such workers as in his judgment have proper qualifications for pastoral staff. Upon appointment by the District Superintendent, a pastoral staff member and spouse shall be members of the Church. Pastoral staff includes all those whose position calls for licensing as an “official worker,” as defined in the Manual of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Any member of the pastoral staff may resign from the Church by giving due notice of this intention to the District Superintendent and the Board of Elders. The Board of Elders may, in conjunction with the District Superintendent, ask for the resignation of any member of the pastoral staff. Before such action is taken, the Board of Elders and that member shall follow the guidelines as prescribed by the District Superintendent. The District Superintendent, with the approval of the District Executive Committee, shall have the authority to remove or transfer a member of the pastoral staff when the Board of Elders is in disagreement or whenever circumstances make such removal or transfer advisable.
A. Salaries and Benefits shall be recommended by the Board of Elders to the Board of Ministries.
B. Ordained pastoral staff shall be considered Elders and will serve on the Board of Elders as prescribed in these bylaws.
C. Pastoral Selection
1. Senior Pastor. The Board of Elders shall elect a Pastoral Search Committee. This committee will submit a name to the Board of Elders as a possible candidate.
2. Other Pastoral Staff. The Senior Pastor shall submit the names of other pastoral staff to the Board of Elders for approval. These must then be submitted to the District Superintendent for approval and appointment.
D. Pastoral Sabbatical. Each full-time pastoral staff member must take one week each year to spend in Spiritual Formation, not to be confused with their allotted vacation, and will be overseen by the Board of Elders.
E. After each 5 years of consecutive service, a pastoral staff member may apply to the Board of Elders for a three-month sabbatical for Spiritual Formation, not to be confused with the allotted vacation time.
F. Salary for Pastoral Sabbatical shall be determined by the Board of Elders.
ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF CHURCH OFFICERS
Section 1. Senior Pastor. The senior pastor shall have oversight of the Church. He shall be Chairman of the Board of Elders except as he may choose to proceed according to the provisions in Article V. He or his appointee shall preside at all regular or special meetings of the Church membership. He is a member ex officio of all Church committees and organizations. When the membership has no pastor, the chairman or vice chairman of the Board of Elders shall have oversight of the church in conjunction with the District Superintendent. The Senior Pastor shall be the president of the Church where such office is required by law.
Section 2. Secretary. The Secretary of the Church shall keep the minutes of membership and Board of Elders meetings and conduct the correspondence of the Church as directed by the Board of Elders.
Section 3. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible to oversee the receipt of all monies of the Church and shall be responsible to ensure the payment of all bills on the order of the Board of Elders, the keeping of proper book records of all transactions, and the filing of canceled vouchers and receipts for payments made. The Board of Elders shall determine where funds of the Church shall be kept. No offerings shall be solicited from the membership except upon approval of the Board of Elders.
Section 4. Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall account for all missionary moneys and oversee the forwarding of the same to the Treasurer of The Christian and Missionary Alliance on or before the 10th of the following month. The Assistant Treasurer shall, with another person or persons appointed by the Board of Ministries, be responsible to count all moneys and keep a separate record of all receipts. The Assistant Treasurer shall be empowered to issue receipts to the donors.
ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1. Elders. The Church shall have elders elected at the annual meeting of the membership as specified in the Church bylaws. The call of Christ the Chief Shepherd to men to serve as elders is both discerned and confirmed by the Church membership. Elders shall therefore be male members of the Church. The pastor and the other elders are the highest level of servant leadership in the Church. As under-shepherds, elders shall serve with the senior pastor to oversee both the temporal and spiritual affairs of the local church in order to accomplish Christ’s mission. They shall constitute the Committee on Membership. They shall be the Committee on Discipline in accordance with the Manual. All officers, committees, and organizations except the Nominating Committee are amenable to the collective oversight of the elders through the Board of Elders.
Section 2. Deacons. The deacons shall be members of the Church and shall be elected as specified in the Church bylaws. The deacons shall have charge of those ministries and charities of the Church which the Board of Elders and/or bylaws designate, receive offerings for such purposes and dispense the same, and make monthly reports as directed. Where there are no deacons the Board of Elders shall assume responsibility for their ministries until such are elected or appointed.
Section 3. Deaconesses. The deaconesses shall be members of the Church and shall be elected as specified in the church bylaws. The deaconesses shall have charge of those ministries and charities of the Church which the Board of Elders and/or bylaws designate. Where there are no deaconesses, the Board of Elders shall assume responsibility for their ministries until such are elected or appointed.
The Deacon/Deaconess Board shall consist of eight members, of which, four must be women and four must be men. Between Annual Meetings, the Senior Pastor may appoint Deacons and/or Deaconesses upon approval by the Board of Elders.
Section 4. Trustees. The members of the Board of Ministries serve as the trustees of the Church. The trustees shall have charge of those ministries and duties of the Church as determined by the Board of Elders, or the laws of the state in which the Church is located. Where there are no trustees, the Board of Elders shall assume responsibility for those ministries and duties until such are elected or appointed.
Section 5. Great Commission Women. A Great Commission Women ministry may be established in the local church. They shall be organized according to the Great Commission Women’s policies.
Section 6. C&MA Men’s Ministry. A C&MA Men’s Ministry may be established in the local church.
Section 7. Disciple-Making Ministries. A major ministry of the Church is making disciples of Jesus Christ. The disciple-making process includes evangelism, building up believers, equipping workers, and multiplying leaders, among adults, youth, and children. The purpose of disciplemaking ministries is to bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ, teach biblical principles emphasizing missions and the centrality of Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King, and equip people for evangelism and Christian service.
Section 8. Global Impact Team. The Global Impact Team shall be chosen by the elder appointed by the Board of Elders to oversee the Global Impact Team. The purpose of the Global Impact Team is to assist the Senior Pastor in administering the year-round missions program, planning and promoting the annual missions conference, recruiting candidates, and promoting the financial and prayer support of the worldwide ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
Section 9. Committees and Organizations. Additional committees and organizations may be established by the Board of Elders as the need arises unless otherwise specifically provided for in these bylaws. Such committees and organizations shall not have authority to act on behalf of the Church, except to the extent expressly provided for by action of the Board of Elders
ARTICLE X: NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee shall consist of the senior pastor, two members from the Church membership, selected by, but not necessarily from the Board of Elders, and two elected from the Church membership in a manner stipulated by the local church bylaws, at least one month prior to the annual meeting.
Section 2. Nominations. In consideration of elections, the Nominating Committee shall present at least one name for each office to be filled. Other nominations may be made by the membership as stipulated in the church bylaws. Any active member of the membership may nominate any person for an elected position according to the following:
A. The member wishing to place the name in nomination will submit the name to the Nominating Committee in writing within the timeframe posted by the Nominating Committee.
B. The Nominating Committee will satisfy itself that the person to be nominated meets the criteria of the Constitution and Bylaws for holding elected office.
C. The Nominating Committee may consider the person to be nominated as their nominee if so desired. The Nominating Committee may also elect NOT to consider the person as their nominee.
D. Once the Nominating Committee has completed its work and rendered its report, an Official Ballot will be prepared for use at the Annual Meeting. The Official Ballot will contain the names as presented for each position by the Nominating Committee. Further, those names presented by the membership that meet the required criteria will also be placed on the Official Ballot. However, they will be identified by an asterisk (*) and an appropriate footnote explanation that they have been nominated by the membership.
E. There will be no nominations received from the floor during the election process.
Section 3. Elections. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting. Where only one name is presented, the ballot may be waived by unanimous vote.
A. Non-expired Terms. The Board of Elders shall appoint persons to serve unexpired terms on the Board of Ministries.
B. Elections. All elections will be determined by a two-thirds majority vote.
ARTICLE XI: PROPERTY AND RECORDS
Section 1. Property. This church may acquire, own, dispose of, improve, encumber, and convey property, real and personal, for church purposes, in conformity with the laws of the state where the property is located. Real property may be purchased, sold, conveyed, exchanged, mortgaged, or encumbered only by order of the membership through the Board of Elders, in consultation with the District Superintendent. In states where trustees are required, the order of the membership shall proceed through them.
Section 2. Records. The official records of all officers of the church and all its departments are the property of the church. All records other than current shall be kept in a secure repository selected by the Church Board of Elders.
Section 3. Audit. All financial records shall be examined annually or at more frequent intervals on order of the Church Board of Elders. At least three persons shall be appointed by the Board of Elders to conduct the examination. They shall follow procedures set forth in the current edition of the Finance Manual for Alliance Church Treasurers (and Pastors). The Board of Elders shall authorize actions to conform with additional audit standards that may be required by the jurisdiction in which the Church is located.
ARTICLE XII: MISSIONS
The Church shall participate in the worldwide missions and church planting ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the support of the Great Commission Fund. The Board of Elders shall specify the means by which it purposes to mobilize members’ involvement, including prayer, and recruitment of men and women for vocational ministry both at home and abroad. A Missions Conference or congregation-wide event for missions mobilization shall be held each year. Great Commission Fund gifts shall each month be forwarded to the Treasurer of The Christian and Missionary Alliance at the National Office.
ARTICLE XIII: CHURCH-SPECIFIC ACCREDITED CHURCH BYLAWS
The Church may adopt and amend additional church-specific accredited church bylaws pursuant to the Constitution by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at any official business meeting of the General Members, provided that such additional bylaws are consistent with any provision of the Manual (including the Constitution) applicable to accredited churches of the C&MA and with these Bylaws. A copy of any additional church-specific accredited church bylaws shall be provided to the Ecclesiastical Member.
ARTICLE XIV: OTHER GENERAL BYLAWS
Section 1. Board of Elders. Subject to these Bylaws, the Board of Elders of the Church shall with respect to the Church have the corporate authority of the board of directors (or trustees) under applicable nonprofit corporation law.
Section 2. District Support. The Church shall from inception give to the District budget in accordance with the established formula as established in the District bylaws or else beginning with one percent and increasing 1 percent each following calendar year up to the full percentage unless as otherwise determined by the District.
Section 3. Records. The official records of all offices of the Church and all its departments are the property of the Church. Copies of the official records shall be given to the District upon request. In the event of the death or resignation of an incumbent officer, or upon the appointment of a successor, the records shall be passed on to the newly-appointed officer.
Section 4. Property. The Church may acquire, own, dispose of, improve, encumber, and convey property, real and personal, for church purposes, in conformity with the laws of the state where the property is situated. All of the corporation’s real and personal property shall be subject to the applicable property reversion provisions in the Manual.
Section 5. Severability. The invalidity of any provision of these Bylaws shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and in such event these Bylaws shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid provision were omitted.
ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Constitution. The Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches (the “Constitution”) may be amended only in accordance with the applicable provisions set forth in the Manual. The Constitution as amended from time to time shall take priority over any inconsistent provision in the Preamble and these Bylaws at any time in which this Church is an Accredited Church. Upon any amendment of the Constitution, the Ecclesiastical Member shall be deemed to have made the same amendment to these Bylaws.
Section 2. Preamble and General Bylaws. The Preamble of these Bylaws may be amended only by the Ecclesiastical Member, provided that no such amendment may be inconsistent with any provision of the Manual applicable to member churches of the C&MA or with any provision of the Policy.
Section 3. Accredited Church Bylaws. These Bylaws (Accredited Church Bylaws), other than the Constitution, may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at any official business meeting of the General Members, provided that no such amendment may be inconsistent with any provision of the Manual (including the Constitution) applicable to accredited churches of the C&MA. A copy of any amendments shall be provided to the Ecclesiastical Member. In addition, the Ecclesiastical Member may amend this document, but only to incorporate amendments to the Constitution pursuant to Section 1.
ARTICLE XVI: CONFORMANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW
In cases where any provision of this constitution may not conform to state laws, the Ecclesiastical Member concerned shall be authorized to make such adjustments as necessary in counsel with the Vice President for the Division of Church Ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance so as to conform to such laws.