Basis: Churches Together in Ashford unites in pilgrimage those churches in Ashford and its immediate environs which, acknowledging God’s revelation in Christ, confess the Lord
Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures, and in obedience to God’s will and in the power of the Holy Spirit, commit themselves to seek a deepening of their
communion with Christ and with one another in the Church, which is his body, and to fulfil their mission to proclaim the Gospel by common witness and service in the world, to the glory
of one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Association: Churches Together in Ashford shall be associated with Churches Together in Kent and with Churches Together in England.
Aims: a) to draw the churches into greater unity in fellowship, worship and mission;
b) to enable the churches to give more effective witness and service in their communities and throughout the area through working together.
Membership: Membership of Churches Together in Ashford shall be open to:
a) all churches in Ashford and its immediate environs which affirm the Basis, and desire to promote the Aims and share the work of Churches Together in Ashford;
b) all churches in Ashford and its immediate environs which on principle have no creedal statements in their tradition and therefore can not formally subscribe to the Statement of Faith
in the Basis, provided that each satisfies 75% in number of those full member churches which do subscribe to the Basis that it manifests faith in Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures,
and fulfils the other requirements of a) above;
c) bodies within the area which bring together Christians of different
denominations for purposes congruent with the Basis and Aims, subject to the agreement of 75% in number of full member churches;
d) representatives from other Christian bodies who may be invited to attend from time to time as observers.
Officers: The Council shall elect bi-annually from its members a Chairperson. (The Chairperson shall continue to be an officer for one year after ceasing to be the Chairperson.)
The Council shall elect bi-annually from the member churches a Chairperson-Elect, (to hold this position for one year prior to becoming the Chairperson).
The Council shall elect bi-annually from the member churches a Treasurer and a Secretary.
The Officers shall act as an Executive:
a) to make day to day decisions;
b) to prepare resolutions for Council;
c) to co-ordinate the work of Churches Together in Ashford, its sub- groups and representatives to other bodies.
The Officers may co-opt others for specific purposes.
Council: The Council shall meet not less than three times a year, and shall be composed of:
a) two people appointed by each of the participating churches (normally one ordained and one lay person);
b) one person appointed by each of the other participating bodies;
c) all who are employed by one or more of the member churches in an ecumenical capacity.
d) up to three co-options.
Annual Meeting: There shall be an Annual General Meeting which shall be open to all in the participating churches, at which the Council shall make a report of its work during the
preceding year, which shall include a financial statement.
Functions: The Council of Churches Together in Ashford shall:
a) promote by prayer and other appropriate means the fullness of unity in the Church founded by Jesus Christ;
b) act as a regular forum for study and debate on all matters of Christian unity and common concern;
c) respond to requests for support and advice from churches;
d) appoint individuals and/or sub-groups, giving clear terms of reference, to examine and promote particular areas of Christian witness and service.
Finance: The financing of the work of Churches Together in Ashford shall be primarily from the participating churches and other bodies as determined by the Council and
agreed at the Annual General Meeting.
Amendments: Amendments to the Constitution may be made by the Council after due
notice has been given and after consultation with and the approval of participating churches and bodies.