BAPTIST DOCTRINE AND CHRISTIAN UNITY
Charter

Article I: Commission Ministry Description

This Commission will identify, reflect on, and clarify issues of doctrinal importance to Baptists. It will share in theological conversations between the AABF and other Christian communities in furtherance of Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the church and participate in programs to improve inter-church understanding and cooperation, especially in relation to Christian Continental Communions, making findings available to the wider AABF family. It will analyze the causes of disunity among Baptists and promote ways to overcome this disunity.

Article II: AABF Ministry Area: Worship, Fellowship, and Unity

This commission is part of the AABF’s Worship, Fellowship, and Unity Ministry Area. The mission statement for the AABF’s Worship, Fellowship, and Unity Ministry Area is “Centered on Jesus Christ and rooted in deep spiritual life, we strengthen our worldwide family through ongoing gatherings; pastoral presence; mutual friendships; and the cultivation of worship, fellowship, and unity.”

Article III: Commission Responsibilities

1. Design and implement a Commission Action Plan (CAP). This plan should normally be designed and approved in the first year of a Quinquennium and implemented across the following 4 years. The Commission Action Plan (CAP) will clearly articulate specific outcomes, normally two per Quinquennium, that help to enable the AABF to “impact Africa and beyond for Christ.” Outcome 1 The impact outcome may include, but is not limited to, theological reflections, a position paper, a practical church resource, Bible study, public awareness tool, webinars, or advocacy. The determination of the impact outcome is to occur during the first year of the Quinquennium with input from Commission Members, and through collaboration with the Commission Chair and Vice Chair that is finalized by the designated AABF team member. The impact outcome will be pursued by the Commission across the Quinquennium. Outcome 2 Each Quinquennium, the Commission will prayerfully develop and submit one proposed resolution to the AABF Resolutions Committee for their review, edits, and amendments, and ahead of potential consideration by the Continental Council. The resolution should relate to the remit of the Commission, in line with any guidelines and timeline given by the AABF or the Resolutions Committee, and seek to express deepened, nuanced reflection and engagement that is enduring in nature. The AABF will indicate the expected year for submission in order to ensure there is some balance across the years and, where possible connection to the AABF Annual Gathering location, sub-region, or established theme. Additional resolutions may be considered that are more specific in nature, as needed and as time and circumstances allow.
2. Assist the AABF with additional research, planning, implementation, or response to relevant issues that might emerge during a Quinquennium and are identified as a priority by the AABF.

Article IV: Commission Operating Procedures

1. The Commission will operate according to all relevant operating provisions and procedures outlined in the Bylaws or established by the AABF Continental Leadership Council and with any additional guidance provided by the AABF Executive President/CEO.
2. The Commission will normally meet at least three times per year with additional meetings as needed. These meetings will normally be held:
A. Virtually (once between January – May)
B. Virtually (once between June – September)
C. In-person at AABF Annual Gathering (usually first week in October, rotates across the continent)
3. The Commission will meet on the call of the Commission Chairman or at times the AABF designated team member.
4. The Commission Chairman or the Vice Chair in the case of a vacant or absent Chair will develop meeting agendas, in collaboration with the designated AABF team member.
5. When the Commission gathers in person during the AABF Annual Gathering (location, space, and frequency determined by AABF), the meeting should normally reflect the following pattern (usually one focus per session with sequencing determined as part of the agenda):
A. Session focused on how the topics, issues, or themes relate, interact, impact, or are engaged locally and/or sub-regionally
B. Session focused on how the topics, issues, or themes relate, interact, impact, or are engaged more broadly continentally and beyond
C. Session focused on Commission planning and the ongoing ministry of the Commission
6. Commissions will seek to do their best in planning and facilitating meaningful times together. This includes recognizing that as the AABF plans each Annual Gathering there are a number of factors that can influence the usual timetable of an Annual Gathering. Among other factors, this may include themes established by the AABF, abbreviated Annual Gatherings, pre- or post- conferences, number of registered participants, location and number of rooms, and availability of local technology. This may mean not every Commission will meet in-person during each Annual Gathering or with the same number of meetings. In addition, hybrid participation is dependent on the location and the availability of local technology.
7. The Commission Chairman will facilitate meetings, and in the absence of the Commission Chairman, the Vice Chair will serve as the facilitator. In the absence of both, the designated AABF team member will appoint an individual to facilitate that meeting. In extenuating circumstances, this could be an AABF team member.
8. The Commission Chairman, in collaboration with the designated AABF team member, may arrange for notes to be taken or recorded electronically. As relevant, the AABF team member will ensure notes are appropriately reviewed by the Commission and maintained by the AABF.
9. Papers and presentations given during a Commission meeting are to be immediately submitted to the Commission Chairman and the designated AABF team member as part of the presentation process. The designated AABF team member will ensure papers and presentations are appropriately maintained by the AABF. Presentation constitutes permission for use by the AABF. These papers and presentations may be included, in whole or in part, in reports, books, or other documents published by the AABF, physically or digitally, at the decision of the AABF even as the AABF remains prudently discerning of presentations given in confidentiality due to sensitivity, working drafts, and requests by presenters for last minute edits.
10. As the Quinquennium enters its final year, there is normally a process for final reflections and reports.
11. The Commission may decide to develop additional guides and platforms for communication or engagement. These tools must be approved by the designated AABF team member and fit into the overall AABF frameworks and procedures. Any written documents will be maintained by the AABF, and for any electronic engagement, the designated AABF team member should be a shared administrator with appropriate access to login information.

Article V: Commission Chairman, Vice Chair, and Member Requirements

1. Be appointed as a volunteer according to the provisions and process outlined in the AABF Bylaws.
2. Complete any documentation, agreement, orientation, training, or additional steps required by the AABF. This may include requirements prior to the beginning of service or requirements to maintain ongoing service.
3. Serve according to the AABF Covenant of Service and any other requirements determined by the Continental Leadership Council or the AABF Executive President/CEO.
4. Maintain an accurate record with the AABF, especially as it pertains to contact information and other details pertinent to service on the Commission.
5. Receive and read communication from the AABF, including regular AABF communication that is more broadly about the AABF, such as the Know Your Baptist Family (KYBF) for the duration of service.
6. Endeavor to participate in all Commission activities (as far as possible), including the Annual Gathering.
7. Give an annual donation to the AABF general fund.
8. The Commission Chairman and Vice Chair will each be members of the Commission Council, which is comprised of all Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs. The Commission Council normally meets twice per year virtually to discuss the work of the commissions, and for the benefit gained from collective wisdom, motivation, strategic thinking, and encouragement.
9. The Commission Chair will be a member of the AABF Continental Leadership Council by virtue of position. The Commission Vice Chair can be named as the Commission’s representative member to the AABF Continental Leadership Council at the discretion of the Commission Chair, or by the AABF Executive President in the case of a non-responsive Commission Chair.
10. Commission Members, Chairman, and Vice Chair will prayerfully, joyfully, and thoughtfully serve in the Holy Spirit with pastoral love and under the guidance of the Commission Chairman, Vice Chair, and the designated AABF team member. All individuals are expected to participate in and support Commission activities and responsibilities, the AABF Ministry Area within which the Commission operates, and the mission of the AABF to “network the Baptist family in Africa to impact Africa and beyond for Christ.”

Article VI: Commissions Generally (Excerpted from AABF Bylaws, Article IX.3)

1. The Continental Leadership Council will establish commissions to serve in reflection, study, engagement, or action. The values, principles, scope of work, and responsibilities will be outlined in a Commission Charter approved and maintained by the Continental Leadership Council.
2. The Nominations Committee will receive, review, and recommend to the Continental Leadership Council individuals to serve for the Quinquennium as the core members, core Chair, and core Vice Chair. Core is defined as those individuals approved when the commission is either established or continued for a new Quinquennium. Additional commission members may be added through consultation between the Executive President (or the Executive President’s designated representative) and the relevant Commission Chair. Should a new Chair or Vice Chair need to be appointed, this may be done through consultation between the AABF Chairman, Executive President, and the incumbent Commission Chair or Vice Chair.
3. Each commission member is to serve according to a signed AABF Covenant of Service and any additional covenants that may be developed that highlight the commitments and responsibilities of the AABF to the commission member and the commitments and responsibilities of the commission member to the AABF. Commissions are to serve and operate according to the established Charter and with any additional priorities encouraged by the Executive President or the relevant AABF team member. Commissions cannot direct the work of any AABF team member but should aim in a spirit of collaboration to support and extend the ministry area, and where possible, the work of the relevant AABF staff member.
4. In areas of complexity or uncertainty, the Continental Leadership Council will give final guidance.