Constitution of
Preamble
The Messianic Jewish Alliance of Canada is a member organization of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA). The goal of the IMJA is to unite Jewish believers in the Messiah worldwide in the bond of love, fellowship and prayer. It provides material aid for needy believers as well as financial assistance for those seeking higher education for the work of the ministry. We thank the L-rd for the many non-Jews who love the Jewish people and actively participate as Associate Members.
The Messianic Jewish Alliance of Canada was formed in 1974 as the Hebrew Christian Alliance of Canada with the name being changed in 1990. The roots of the Alliance in Canada date back to 1915 when the Alliance was first formed in North America and Toronto was a branch of the Hebrew Christian Alliance of America.
Article I - Name
The name of the organization shall be the Messianic Jewish Alliance of Canada, hereinafter called the MJAC.
Article II - Objects (mission statement)
The MJAC shall function in two essential ministry streams:
1) To unite Jewish believers under the Messiahship of our L-rd Yeshua in the bond of love, fellowship and prayer.
This will be accomplished through:
a) The promotion of the knowledge and practice of the Messianic faith among those of Jewish parentage.
b) The preaching and teaching of the Holy Scriptures.
c) Proclamation of a united witness to the Messiahship of our L-rd Yeshua.
d) Rendering of material aid to those in need of assistance.
2) To provide a membership association for Messianic Congregations and Synagogues; the purpose of which is to unite the Messianic movement in Canada and to provide accountability, educational and practical training for Messianic leaders.
This will be accomplished through:
a) The establishment of a separate governing council called the "Executive council," comprised of no less than five (5) persons from congregational leaders and representative of the MJAC.
b) The Executive Council shall prepare and implement a constitution to govern this ministry stream.
c) The Executive Council shall have the right to set direction and make policy as deemed useful or necessary to the operation of this ministry stream ( The Messianic Jewish Alliance of Canadian Congregations & Synagogues.)
d) The Executive Council shall in no way violate the charter of the MJAC.
e) Each Congregation or Synagogue shall have two delegates to represent the same to the Executive Council at all General Meetings for the purpose of setting policy and the election of officials to the Executive Council.
f) Each delegate shall have a voice and a vote to determine the leadership and direction and policy of this ministry stream.
Article III - Affiliation
The MJAC shall be affiliated to the International Messianic Jewish Alliance.
Article IV - Doctrinal Basis
The Doctrinal Basis of the MJAC shall be as follows:
1. The supreme authority and absolute trustworthiness of the Scriptures of the Old and New Covenants, being alike the unerring revelation of G-d and the one rule of faith and practice.
2. The co-eternity and co-equality of G-d (Father, Son and Holy Spirit.)
3. The Essential Deity and Sinless Humanity of our L-rd Yeshua the Messiah, His Virgin Birth, Atoning Death, Bodily Resurrection and Ascension and His coming again in glory.
4. The Personality of the Holy Spirit, indwelling the believer.
5. The Fall of man, resulting in his total depravity.
6. Justification is by faith alone in the Person and all-sufficient redemptive work of the Messiah, the L-rd Yeshua.
7. The resurrection of the dead, unto eternal blessedness for the saved and everlasting punishment for the lost.
Article V - Membership
1. Believers of Jewish parentage residing in Canada are eligible for membership, provided that they satisfy the conditions of section 2.
2. Applicants for membership must:
a) Have accepted the L-rd Yeshua as their personal Messiah and Savior.
b) Give whole-hearted consent to the doctrinal statement of the MJAC.
c) Have made public confession of their faith in the miqvah/immersion (except in the case of members in good standing of denominations who do not practice immersion.)
d) Be at least 16 years of age.
e) Lead a life to the glory of G-d.
f) Be a member in good standing or committed adherent of a recognized assembly.
3. The husband or wife of a member, though not of Jewish parentage is entitled to full membership, provided he or she satisfies the conditions of section 2.
4. Believers not of Jewish parentage holding the same faith and who are known for their love to the Jewish people are eligible for Associate membership.
Article VI - Amendments
1. Notice of motion to amend the Constitution shall be sent by the Secretary to all members at least ninety days before the General Meeting to deal with the same.
2. Passage of an amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.
Rules of the MJAC
Rule I- Membership
1. The initial gathering called for the purpose of organizing the MJAC shall determine the charter membership. Each prospective member must be individually recommended by two persons and shall become a charter member upon receiving at least 75% of the votes cast.
2. Thereafter application for membership shall be submitted in writing to the General Committee or a Standing Committee appointed by it for that purpose.
3. The General Committee may remove any member who does not adhere to the Constitution providing that he or she has the right of being heard in his or her defense and of appeal, first to the General Meeting of the MJAC and finally to the Conference of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance.
4. Members and Associate members shall pay a minimum fee to be determined annually, of which a percentage to be determined annually shall be sent by the Treasurer of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance. Inability to pay this fee shall not of necessity be a bar to membership.
5. The participation and contribution of associate members is deeply appreciated and greatly encouraged on every level. However, associate members can neither vote at General Meetings nor serve on the General Committee due to the nature of our ministry. However their participation is greatly appreciated.
Rule II - Management
1. There shall be a General Committee constituted as follows:
a) The Office Bearers
b) Representatives of regions.
i) The MJAC will be divided into an Eastern and a Western region with a vice-president for each region. The border dividing these two regions will be the Ontario/ Manitoba border.
c) Not more than six other members, of whom not more than four shall be elected members of the MJAC and not more than two shall be co-opted by the General Committee.
2. The quorum at meetings of the General Committee shall be six.
3. The Office Bearers shall be:
a) President
b) Vice-President, Eastern Region
c) Vice- President, Western Region
d) Secretary
e) Treasurer
4. The Office Bearers and all other General Committee members with the possible exception of the Secretary, shall be honorary. The Secretary, if paid, should be elected by the General Committee and hold office under conditions laid down by them.
5. All honorary Officer Bearers and members of the General Committee shall be elected bi-annually by the members of the MJAC.
6. The General Committee may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee to deal with any matter, except questions of general policy or those expressly reserved to the General Committee.
7. The General Committee may appoint Standing Committees composed of MJAC members as the need may arise. At least half of the appointees must be members of the General Committee.
Rule III - Local Branches
1. Where there are at least ten members in any area inclusive of a minority of Associate members they may be recognized by the General Committee as forming a local branch.
2. Local branches shall arrange their own activities.
3. Local branches shall be represented on the General Committee by one delegate for each 25 members or part thereof.
Rule IV- Meetings
1. All business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Robert's "Rules of Order."
2. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the General Committee at which financial statements shall be submitted.
3. General Meetings of the MJAC shall be held every two years, when elections will take place.
4. A meeting of the General Committee shall be called within two weeks if requested in writing by half of the Committee members.
5. A General Meeting of the MJAC shall be called within one month if requested in writing by 30 members.
Rule V - Dissolution
If upon winding up or dissolution of the MJAC there remains, after the satisfaction of its debts and liabilities, any property whatever, the same shall not be distributed among the members of the MJAC, but shall be given or transferred to the International Messianic Jewish Alliance.
Rule VI - Amendments
1. Notice of motion to amend the Rules shall be sent by the Secretary to all members at least sixty days before the General Meeting to deal with the same.
2. Passage of an amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.