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ICOMB By Laws
Accepted by ICOMB Conference Leaders
Revised at the ICOMB meetings in Osaka
April 27-28, 2005
I. Purpose Statement
II. Nature and Composition of ICOMB
III. Function of ICOMB
IV. Funding of ICOMB
V. Membership in ICOMB
The ICOMB is the vehicle whereby the Mennonite Brethren church Conferences of the world express their partnership in mission and ministry. The following purposes (established in Winnipeg 1990) are the bases of this cooperative venture:
To articulate and promote a vision for internationalization of the mission and ministries of the Mennonite Brethren Church on a global basis.
To facilitate inter-conference communication and information flow, thereby enhancing spiritual unity and brother/sisterhood among Mennonite Brethren Churches of the world.
To provide a framework (regional and/or global) for the exploration of mutual conference concerns such as: the Confession of Faith, pastor-church relationships, calling out leaders, leadership and lay training, ethical issues, publication of Christian literature, evangelism and church planting, etc.
To develop a forum for mutual encouragement – a cooperative church (conference)-to-church (conference) partnership that transcends ethnic, cultural, and language barriers and that celebrates our oneness in Jesus Christ.
To promote and manage a World Relief Fund for the use by member Conferences.
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II. Nature and Composition of ICOMB
The Committee shall be constituted by a representative of every national conference (although for practical reasons this may not be possible immediately).
Members of the Committee shall be presidents (moderators, chairpersons) of their respective conferences, or their designates. They shall serve as representatives for a minimum of three years. Membership is voluntary and unpaid.
The Executive Committee of ICOMB shall consist of:
the chairperson
the vice-chairperson
the secretary
the treasurer
These shall be elected from the Committee members according to a staggered term of:
a. Chairperson 3 years
b. Vice-chairperson 2 years
c. Secretary 2 years
d. Treasurer 2 years
The Committee shall elect a representative to the board of MBMSI International to serve a term of 2 years. This is a non-voting position.
The Committee shall meet once annually, and may be convened by the executive or at the request of the majority of its members
The Committee shall be deemed permanent; it shall be accountable to its member conferences.
The nature of the Committee is not legislative, but fraternal, cooperative, facilitative, and representative.
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The Executive
The chairperson sets agenda, convenes and leads meetings, and may represent ICOMB to other fraternal organizations.
The vice-chairperson assists the chairperson and may replace him/her in his absences
The secretary records minutes of meetings, handles correspondence, etc.
The treasurer manages ICOMB finances and reports on the budget annually.
Members of the Committee
Each member shall:
promote the interest of the global family of Mennonite Brethren Conferences
represent their own regions and conferences effectively
plan, organize, host regional (and inter-regional) consultations as needed
support cooperatively and actively the work of the Committee through personal participation and prayer
facilitate communication and flow of information among the MB conferences and agencies
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The funding formula for the Committee shall be 2% contribution from the national conferences income.
An International Fund Account shall be established and maintained by the Committee for its expenses. Special donations and offerings shall be solicited by the members of the Committee from churches, conferences and agencies in their regions.
Separate budgets for regional consultation or events sponsored by the Committee shall be set up and monitored. The Committee shall not incur deficits.
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A conference may become a member of ICOMB based on a minimum size of 2-3 viable churches plus church planting activity, stable organization with identified leadership, and a budget by which to make the annual contribution. Acceptance of the ICOMB Confession of Faith and by-laws is also part of joining.
Prior to that it will have emerging membership status. In this case a leader may attend ICOMB meetings as a guest. Expenses to attend ICOMB meetings will be negotiated prior to travel.
Membership expectations include regular attendance to the annual ICOMB meeting, communication with the Executive Secretary and Executive Committee, ministry reports, and participation in ICOMB sponsored events and projects, including cooperation in the global mission endeavour.
The Executive Committee will process acceptance and bring the recommendation to ICOMB for a vote.
Adopted at the ICOMB meetings in Winnipeg, July 5-6, 1993
Revised at the ICOMB meetings in Osaka, May 1-3, 1995
Revised at the ICOMB meetings in Wasserburg, May 27-29, 1998
Revised at the ICOMB meetings in Osaka, April 27-28, 2005
…April 2005
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