Our Constitution
The foundational document of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, establishing our vision, mission, governance structure, and operational principles.
Table of Contents
Name and Definitions
A. Name
This body shall be known and called the "Nigerian Baptist Convention". The title of the corporate body shall be "The Registered Trustees of Nigerian Baptist Convention".
B. Definitions
The following terms, when used in this constitution, shall be understood as follows:
- Convention: Shall be understood (unless the context determines otherwise) to mean Nigerian Baptist Convention.
- Committee: Shall be a duly elected group charged with specific responsibilities in different areas of Convention work, e.g. Nominating Committee, Programme Planning Committee, etc.
- Board: Shall be a duly elected group to oversee and or advise an institution, department or business concern which belongs to the Convention, e.g. Christian Education Advisory Board, Baptist Bookstore Board, Boards of Governors of Schools, etc.
- Messenger: Shall be a member of a Baptist Church cooperating with the Association, Conference and Convention elected and certified by the church to attend any of the denomination sessions.
- Church: Shall be understood to mean a group of baptized believers in Christ who have covenanted to worship, to fellowship, to teach and evangelize, and organized in a place and co-operating with the Nigerian Baptist Convention with the sole aim of propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Association: A group of Baptist Churches that are geographically contiguous formed by local Churches for the purpose of doing missions and evangelism. It shall consist of not less than six organized Baptist churches, all geographically contiguous, with at least five Baptist trained pastors out of which at least three must be full time; and one of whom must be ordained. An organized Local Church shall not be less than 25 baptized believers, trained pastoral leadership, be self-governing, self funding and self propagating; and must have functional key ministerial and educational organs of a local Baptist Church.
- Conference: Shall consist of local Baptist churches in a given wider geographical area or state organized into at least six Baptist associations with not less than eighteen fulltime Baptist trained pastors of whom at least twelve shall be ordained.
- Written Notice: In relation to amendments of the Constitution and Regulations, written notice is a communication in writing giving notice of an amendment recommended for the Constitution or Regulation.
- The pronoun "he" is used generically in this document to include male and female.
Vision and Mission Statement
Vision
To be a foremost Christ-like missionary organization in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world.
Mission
To be a community of believers that represent Christ by proclaiming the gospel, discipling believers, caring and developing Churches to be involved in holistic ministries – evangelistic, social and healing – and collaborating with other Christian agencies across the globe.
Membership
The Nigerian Baptist Convention shall consist of all Baptist churches in Nigeria that desire a general organisation for Christian service, which shall fully respect the independence and equal rights of the churches that work together under the accepted Declaration of the Principles and Objectives outlined in this Constitution and who are willing to accept the responsibilities and privileges of the organization.
↑ Back to TopDeclaration of Principles
A. Scripture Authority
The Convention fully accepts that the Scriptures (the Old and New Testaments) were given by inspiration of God and that they are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule for all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. The Convention recognizes the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God and our Saviour as the Head of His Church and the New Testament teaching as the sole authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice. Each church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit has the liberty to interpret the teachings of the Holy Bible and administer its laws responsibly within the Baptist historic faith and as endorsed by the Statements of Faith and Practice of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.
B. Baptism
Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of one's faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour. It is a prerequisite of the privileges of church membership and admittance to the Lord's Supper.
C. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is a sacred memorial in which the members of the church, by the use of elements such as bread and wine commemorate together the atoning love of Christ.
D. Evangelism
It is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to take part in the evangelization of the world.
E. Church Autonomy
The Convention recognizes the autonomy of every local Baptist Church co-operating with the Convention under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
F. Marriage and Family Life
The Convention recognizes monogamy, the union of natural man to natural woman, as the ideal state of family life according to the New Testament. This Convention places on record its adherence thereto. However, no person who has confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour shall be denied baptism, Church membership and participation in the Lord's Supper; but no member of the Church who is polygamist shall hold any Church office or position.
G. Secret Societies
Realizing that membership in a secret society and the taking of oath of membership in such society are both contrary to the teaching of the New Testament, this Convention declares unequivocally that any person in the church co-operating with the Convention who is known to be a member of a secret society (foreign or indigenous) shall not be allowed to hold membership or office in any of the churches, associations, conferences and Convention; to serve or participate in ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper or to be given a Christian burial by any of the Convention churches.
Objectives
The objectives of the Nigerian Baptist Convention shall be as follows:
- To harness the resources contributed by local Churches that form the Convention for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel and establishing Churches in all parts of the world.
- To strengthen and assist needy and weak Baptist churches.
- To encourage and assist in the establishment and maintenance of Christian Education Programmes, Women's and Men's Missionary Unions and similar organizations, as circumstance may require.
- To assist in the development of schools where children may be educated under Christian influence.
- To foster schools, colleges and tertiary institutions where young men and women may be specially trained for Christian service as workers ministering to the needs of people in body, mind and soul.
- To be proprietor of Baptist schools, colleges and tertiary institutions where such is allowed by law to further enhance mission work.
- To be proprietor of Baptist Medical institutions that will provide loving and efficient care for those who are sick in body, mind and soul, thereby further enhancing and guiding the expansion of the propagation of the Gospel.
- To be proprietor of Baptist Ministerial Training Institutions.
- To afford opportunity for united action concerning matters affecting the welfare of churches in the Convention and to cultivate fellowship with all who love the Lord Jesus by means of an annual conference, the publication of regular periodicals and other literature, and by such other means as the Convention may adopt.
- To confer with and to co-operate with other Christian churches and organizations, as occasions may arise, in so far as it does not contravene the provisions of this constitution and regulations.
- To own properties, real and equity holding, including shares and stocks in companies whose aims and objectives are not at variance with the declared principles and objectives of the Convention.
- To establish institutions and agencies to deal in publishing and printing of religious and educational books and materials and other documents that may be of use to the public and for the upliftment of the work of God.
- To establish companies to deal in the sale of religious and other educational books, stationeries and other items.
- To invest in such other financial undertakings that are for the propagation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Operation
The Convention shall act through its National Convention, Conferences, Associations, Churches, Committees, Boards, and Officers. All committees, boards and officers shall be subject to the National Convention, which shall have full authority concerning all matters pertaining to the Convention.
↑ Back to TopKey Officers
The Convention shall have a Chairman, three Vice Chairmen (one ordained Pastor, and two non-pastors, one of whom must be a woman), provided that the First Vice Chairman shall be the Pastor; the President, three Vice Presidents. Other key officers shall be Director, Christian Education; Director, Publications; Director, Global Missions; Director Medical and Health Ministries; Director, Men's Missionary Union; Director, Youth and Students' Ministry; Director Social Ministries; Director, Music Ministries, WMU Director and as many other officers as the Convention shall deem fit for carrying out the purpose of the Convention.
↑ Back to TopRegistered Trustees
The Registered Trustees of the Convention shall be the Chairman, the President, the Vice President (Finance and Investments) and a representative each from the three zones of the Convention and representative each of MMU, WMU, Youth and the Legal Adviser.
↑ Back to TopCommittees and Boards
A. The Convention shall have as many committees and boards as, in its judgment, may be necessary to carry out projects it may determine to promote.
B. To each committee or board shall be committed, during the recess of the Convention, the entire management of all the affairs relative to the objects with whose interest it shall be charged, which management shall be strict in accordance with such other instructions as may be given from time to time. Each committee and board shall be authorized to enact its own regulations and guidelines subject to the approval of the Convention through the Executive Committee.
C. Each committee or board shall report annually to the Annual Session through the Executive Committee except whenever special consideration may permit otherwise.
D. Members of committees and boards shall be members of recognized churches which are cooperating with the Convention except wherever special considerations permit otherwise.
Women's Missionary Union
The Women's Missionary Union shall be an Auxiliary to the Convention. It shall have the responsibility for harnessing resources from WMU groups of the Churches, Associations and Conferences for missionary work both locally and internationally. It is recognized that the Women's Missionary Union shall have the right to draw up its own programmes of activities, to set up its own organization for planning and administration, to direct the expenditure of its income and to name its own representatives on certain Convention committees and boards as provided for in this constitution.
The Women's Missionary Union shall cooperate with the Convention in observing the Principles of the Convention and in endeavouring to achieve the objectives of the Convention as defined in this Constitution. The annual WMU Session shall serve as a forum for the rendering of accounts of stewardship by its leadership to the local Church messengers from whom they receive financial support. Adequate time shall be allowed for receiving and discussing reports.
↑ Back to TopMen's Missionary Union
The Men's Missionary Union shall be a quasi organization recognized by the Convention. It shall assist the Convention in its task of leading men, young men and boys to a deeper involvement and commitment to missions. It shall be a self-funding department; set up its own organization, organize its own programmes, provide its own materials and conduct its activities within the doctrinal framework of the Convention in line with the objectives of the Convention as defined in this constitution.
↑ Back to TopAmendment of the Constitution
Written notice of any amendment of the constitution shall be given on the first day of the annual session and shall not be voted upon until the following annual session. Such notice must contain the section to be amended, the exact proposed amendment and must bear the signature approval of 20 organized churches in at least six different conferences including the conference from which the notice emanated to cover the geographical areas of North, East, and West.
The notice may normally be submitted through the Executive Committee before their December meeting for comments only, if any. An amendment may also arise from the Executive Committee. Any amendment arrived at shall be passed on to the Annual Session for ratification.
↑ Back to TopRegulations of the Convention
I. Annual Session
The annual session of the Convention is an occasion for the rendering of account of stewardship by the elected officers of the Convention to the local churches through their messengers. It is also an occasion for the critical evaluation of the work done, in the light of the mandate given to these officials by the previous Convention-in-session. The reports, minutes etc would be expected to reach the hands of messengers ahead of each annual session not later than two weeks before the commencement of the annual session. The annual session shall also serve the purpose of spiritual nourishment of messengers.
A. Place and Time
The place of any annual session shall be determined by the E.C. at least one year, but preferably two years in advance. In making the recommendation, the E.C. shall arrange so that the Convention meets in the various conference areas on a rotational basis taking into consideration availability of hosting space. Centres shall be determined by the E.C. The annual sessions shall be scheduled in March or April unless otherwise determined by the E.C.
B. Annual Convention Session
Churches are to sponsor messengers to the Annual Session. In addition churches are also to encourage individual members to attend on their own. All persons attending the Convention shall be certified by the Church.
C. Annual Church Report
Each church co-operating with the Convention shall send to the President, before the ensuing Annual Session, a detailed statistical report, according to an adopted form of the condition and work of the church for the preceding calendar year.
D. Finance
The Convention shall be financed, among other sources, by a sum to be raised on an agreed percentage basis by the churches co-operating with the Convention. This sum shall be forwarded monthly to the Vice President Finance and Investments in the name of the church.
E. Seating of Messengers & Decisions
- The Convention shall refuse at the Annual Session to seat messengers from any church failing to send in the statistical report and financial contributions as in D above, unless the Convention agrees by a two-thirds majority vote of messengers present and voting to accept them for the year.
- The Convention by a two-thirds majority vote of messengers present shall exclude from any annual session any member, church, association, conference for failure to follow the principles, decisions and practices adopted by the Convention or for unworthy conduct.
F. Language
English shall be the official language for records of the Convention.
II. Election of Officers and Boards Members
- There shall be a nominating committee made up of a chairman who shall be one of the Vice Chairmen, a representative from each conference to be designated by the Conference and two women, one of whom shall represent the WMU.
- The term of office of each Nominating Committee member shall be three years. The Nominating Committee shall elect a secretary from its members while the Executive Committee shall name the Vice Chairman who will serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
- The duties of the Nominating Committee shall be:
- To nominate the following officers for the Convention's approval; Convention Chairman, shall be elected for a three year term and may be re-elected for a second three year term, after which he shall not be eligible for re-election. The Convention Vice Chairmen shall be elected for two year term after which they shall not be eligible for reelection. Geographical spread shall be considered in their selection.
- To nominate to the Convention the members of the Boards and Standing Committees, except as may be herein otherwise provided for. No person, with the exception of the Convention Chairman the President, the Vice President Finance and Investment, and the Conference Presidents and WMU Executive Director shall be nominated to more than three boards or committees.
- To name the chairmen of Convention Boards and Committees, where applicable, with the provision that Executive Officers shall not be chairmen of boards of departments to which they are related, unless otherwise provided for by the instrument setting up the boards or committees.
- The report of the Nominating Committee shall be presented to the messengers to the Annual Session through the E.C.
- All officers and members of boards and committees shall be elected by majority vote. The officers and personnel of boards thus elected shall assume their duties at the close of the last day of the annual session.
- All boards and committees of the Convention shall, where applicable, consist of not less than 50% non-pastors.
- Vacancies: In the event of the office of the Convention Chairman, or the President, becoming suddenly vacant between the annual sessions of the Convention, the following procedure will be followed to fill the vacancy: The Convention Chairman/President would call an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Convention and inform them of what has happened.
- For the Convention Chairman: The Executive Committee shall appoint the First Vice Chairman of the Convention to act as Convention Chairman until the Nominating Committee would be asked to nominate a new Convention Chairman.
- President:
- The Executive Committee shall ask Vice President (Ministerial) to act and
- The Executive Committee of the Convention shall appoint a search committee immediately for the purpose of looking for a new President who at the time of his appointment shall be at least 50 years of age.
- The Executive Committee shall recommend the approved candidate to the Annual Session or in a special session called for that purpose.
- Vice President: In the event of a sudden vacancy of the office of a Convention Vice President, the President shall appoint a person to act until the Executive Council approves the appointment of another Vice President, which appointment shall be ratified at the next annual session.
- In the event of the office of the Director of a Department becoming vacant between annual Convention sessions, the Executive Committee shall:
- Ask a suitable officer to act;
- Appoint a search committee to look for a new Director to be recommended to the Executive Committee for election by the Annual Session during the ensuing session.
- In the event of any other office becoming vacant for any reason between annual Convention sessions, the Executive Committee shall temporarily fill the vacancy (unless there is already a formula for filling the vacancy), subject to the Annual Session's subsequent ratification or election during the ensuing session.
- Tenureship of Convention Officers:
- The following officers of the Convention shall be tenured:
- The President
- Vice President (Ministerial)
- Vice President (Administration/Personnel)
- Vice President (Finance and Investment)
- Conference Presidents
- All Heads of Convention Institutions (Schools, Hospital, Theological Institutions)
- Department Directors.
- Each of these is to be tenured for a period of five years. The tenured ministerial positions are for a maximum of two terms of five years each. Those of non-ministerial technocrats/professionals are for a maximum of three terms of five years each.
- A tenured officer at the expiration of his first term of office shall do a self-evaluation and be evaluated by the immediate supervising authority, (authorities). The officer may be re-elected for another term of five years only making a total of ten years altogether subject to the retirement policy of the Convention; with the exception of non-ministerial technocrats/professionals, who may be re-elected for a third term thus making a maximum of 15 years also subject to the retirement policy of the Convention.
- The following officers of the Convention shall be tenured:
- Appointment of Tenured Officers: Subject to the preceding paragraphs 1-3 above a Search Committee shall be set up by the appropriate organ of the Convention not less than one year to the expiration of the tenure of officers concerned, except the President, Vice Presidents and Directors that shall be handled by the Convention E.C.
III. Duties of Officers
[Detailed duties of the Convention Chairman, Vice Chairmen, President, Vice Presidents, Legal Unit, Conference President, External Auditors, Chief Accountant, Investments Manager, and Department Directors are outlined in the full constitution.]
IV. Settling of Disputes
The goals of settling disputes within the NBC shall be:
- To maintain discipline among Churches and members;
- To facilitate reconciliation and forgiveness;
- To pursue and ensure complete healing;
- To bring about restoration;
- To respect and promote justice and fairness;
- To facilitate Church and denominational well-being;
- To advance the cause of kingdom work as programme by the Convention and her units.
There shall be a Reconciliation Committee operating at the Association, Conference and Convention levels. No Conference, Association, Church or individual shall challenge the final decision of the Convention-in-Session in any court of law directly or indirectly. The decision of the Convention-in-Session shall be final and binding on all concerned.
V. Supremacy of the Constitution
All members, churches, associations, conferences, institutions and organizations of the Convention shall comply with the letter and spirit of this constitution and regulations in so far as they are not in conflict with state law. Any conflict with State law shall be reported to the Convention for action. Where there is conflict in the Constitution of the aforementioned bodies with this constitution and regulations, the provisions of this constitution and regulations shall prevail and such conflict shall be void to the extent of its inconsistency.
VI. Amendment of Regulations
Written notice of any amendment in the Regulations shall usually be given to the Executive Committee for its consideration by the end of the year preceding the session at which the amendment shall be voted upon. Such notice must contain the Section to be amended, the exact proposed amendment and must bear the signature, approval of 20 accredited churches in at least 6 different conferences including the conference from which the notice emanated to cover the geographical areas of North, East and West.
VII. Political Activities
No paid officer of the Convention, a Conference and Association nor any minister of the gospel in the service of the Convention shall go into partisan politics without first resigning his or her position or obtaining clearance from the Executive Committee of the Convention.
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