CONSTITUTION

Article I - Name

The name shall be The International Conference of Reformed Churches.

Article II - Basis

The basis of the Conference shall be the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as confessed in the Three Forms of Unity (the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort) and the Westminster Standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms).

Article III - Purpose

The purpose of the Conference shall be:

1. to express and promote the unity of faith that the member churches have in Christ;

2. to encourage the fullest ecclesiastical fellowship among the member churches;

3. to encourage cooperation among the member churches in the fulfillment of the missionary and other mandates;

4. to study the common problems and issues that confront the member churches and to aim for recommendations with respect to these matters;

5. to present a Reformed testimony to the world.

Article IV - Membership

1. Those churches shall be admitted as members which:

a. faithfully adhere to the Reformed Faith stated in the confessional documents listed in the Basis, and whose confessional standards agree with the said Reformed Faith;

b. have been sponsored by at least two member Churches;

c. furnish
i. their confessional standards,
ii. their declaratory acts (if applicable),
iii. their form of subscription,
iv. their form of government;

d. are not members of the World Council of Churches or any other organization whose aims and practices are deemed to be in conflict with the Basis;

e. are accepted by a two-thirds majority vote of the delegations of the member Churches, every member Church having one vote.

2. Termination of membership shall be by a two-thirds majority vote of the delegations of the member Churches whenever the Conference is of the opinion that the member Church in its doctrine and/or practice is no longer in agreement with the Basis.

Article V - Authority

The conclusions of the Conference shall be advisory in character. Member Churches are to be informed of these conclusions and are recommended to work towards their implementation.

Article VI - Amendments to the Constitution

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the member churches.

The proposed amendment(s) shall be sent to the Corresponding Secretary two years before the meeting of the Conference. He shall send it to the member churches immediately.