The Mid-Atlantic Regional Network Provisional Charter (Final Draft)

Preamble
How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! Ps 133:1 The Mid-Atlantic Network is a Regional Network of churches in the Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina Region of the United States. The Mid-Atlantic Network is a subdivision (missionary district) of PEARUSA, a North American mission and church planting movement of the Province de LEglise Anglicane au Rwanda (PEAR), and a sub-jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). It is a movement of healthy reproducing Anglican churches- birthed in Rwanda, planted in America, bearing fruit in our region. As a network of churches, The Mid-Atlantic prays and labors toward the renewal of all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Article 1. Fundamental Declarations

The Mid-Atlantic Network, being part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Jesus Christ, believes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life: no one comes to the Father but by Him. The Mid-Atlantic Network affirms the Christian faith as described and defined in the PEARUSA Charter (Appendix 1) and the Jerusalem Declaration (Appendix 2). The Mid-Atlantic Network exists for the glory of God, and for the mutual encouragement, shared mission, church planting and common witness of PEARUSA churches in the Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina Region. The vision and passion of The Mid-Atlantic Network is to have healthy, praying, growing, missional, churches that plant new churches where the Holy Spirit directs. We affirm the Operational Values of Regional Networks of PEARUSA as the principles that govern our work together: 1. Personal Devotion and Consecration: We commit to be individuals who earnestly seek to personally know and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, seeking to fulfill our spiritual mandates of living by and in faith, grace, humility, dependence, consecration, personal holiness, and Christian community. 2. Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered: We commit to depend upon, pray, and earnestly 1|Page

seek the guidance, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit in all we do. 3. Mission-driven and Mission-focused: Our mission is given to us by our Lord Jesus to become and make disciples. We commit to seek to fulfill this calling and to measure our activities and efforts by faithfulness and effectiveness in evangelism and discipleship. 4. Missional Communities and Church Planting: We are committed to scattering for mission into our communities. Specifically we are pursuing the development of missional communities and church plants as primary methods of effective evangelism and discipleship, and our measurements of growth focus on release, expansion, and multiplication. 5. Movement more than Structure: We commit to think and act creatively and boldly in mission, and to equip and empower the entire Church to bear witness to Jesus Christ, in power, by word and deed, in the context of everyday life in the world. We commit to work with other faithful followers of Christ in Kingdom-minded collaboration. 6. Effectively and Flexibly Institutional: Proper institutions are essential to guard and protect beliefs, practices, and people and to enable us to live by principle rather than by personality. We thank God for the legacy of sustained faith and mission we receive from Christs church. Therefore, we commit to continually strive to be effectively, efficiently structured and to build flexible and responsive systems to expand and support the mission and ministry of PEARUSA. 7. Relationally Rich: We commit to be a movement growing in genuine love, mutual honor, deep appreciation, and unity. 8. Relationally True: In the spirit of the East African Revival, we commit to integrity, transparency, and accountability. 9. Relationally Reconciled: In the case of conflict or tension, we commit to make every effort to be at peace with one another and to work through difficulties unto reconciliation. 10. Teamwork and Collaboration: Fundamental to our heritage, we commit to do all our work in a highly collaborative, conciliar fashion. Structures and practices of leadership must be manifestly collaborative with visible evidence of Spirit-led teamwork on every level of oversight and decision making. As much as possible, and whenever practical, we will make decisions through conciliar work by laity, clergy, and bishops. 11. Consensus in Decision-Making: We commit to listen well to one another as we seek to lead by full participatory consensus (rather than requiring absolute unanimity), honoring those who respectfully differ but are able to support the general consensus. 12. Stewardship: We are stewards of the Gospel, of the grace of God in our lives, and of all resources we have been given. We commit to live as servants of Christ and stewards of every gift and resource, using everything we are given as an investment in the fulfillment of our Lords covenant of blessing for our world.

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Article 2. Ecclesiastical Organization and Governance

Section 1. A Regional Network of PEARUSA The Mid-Atlantic Network is a Regional Network of PEARUSA, established by the PEARUSA Mission Council. Except in matters delineated by the PEARUSA Charter, the Constitution and Canons of the Province of Rwanda govern PEARUSA. By provision in the Provincial Canons, PEARUSA is established by the House of Bishops of Rwanda as a missionary district in North America.

Section 2. The Anglican Church in North America Through GAFCON, PEARUSA is in full communion with the ACNA. At the direction of the Archbishop of Rwanda, PEARUSA is a full member within ACNA as a missionary district of Rwanda.

Section 3. Membership and Size a. The Mid-Atlantic is a network of PEARUSA Affiliated Churches and PEARUSA Mission Churches within the Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina region and any others churches approved by the PEARUSA College of Bishops. b. As a PEARUSA Regional Network, The Mid-Atlantic must be comprised of no fewer than twelve affiliated churches and missions, with a combined ASA (Average Sunday Attendance) of no fewer than 1000 persons for the previous calendar year, including clergy, members, visitors, and children. If at any time The Mid-Atlantics ASA falls below these specifications, it is the responsibility of the Network Council to notify the PEARUSA Mission Council, who will then take appropriate steps to ensure that all PEARUSA networks meet the minimum requirements.

Section 4. Network Council a. The Mid-Atlantic Network is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and is overseen by the Network Bishop(s) and Network Council. b. The Network Council is comprised of the Network Bishop, any Assisting Bishops, and a representation of clergy and laity. The provisional council is tasked with further defining the composition of the Council to be affirmed by the Network Assembly. Regional networks, their bishops, and their leadership teams are responsible for the following aspects of the mission and ministry of PEARUSA: 1, Collaboratively discerning God-gifted spiritual and administrative leaders to serve the 3|Page

work of the Regional Network. 2. Collaboratively nominating bishops to serve as shepherding and apostolic overseers. 3. Identifying and building leadership teams to catalyze, equip, and serve our mission. 4. Using the distributed funds contributed by member churches to train and equip new church planters and plant new churches- and all that is implied in working together to expand and support the Gospel through church planting. 5. Leading the way in identifying and credentialing new clergy and church planters. 6. Caring for and supporting churches and clergy. 7. Fostering and supporting our deep filial connection with the Church of Rwanda through sister parish and diocesan partnerships.

It is also the responsibility of the clergy and laity elected onto the Network Council to advise the Network Bishop in ecclesiastical affairs. An appropriately skilled and trained member of the Network Council, or an appropriately qualified, spiritually-mature, and proven financial leader from within a constituent church approved by the Network Council, will be designated as the Treasurer of the network for a two-year (renewable) term. Particular duties will be delegated to various ministry teams of clergy and laity of the Network as needed. Oversight of church planting resources and decisions about church planting policy should be the responsibility of a team who have demonstrated success as church planters or plantees.

The Network Council is accountable to the PEARUSA College of Bishops.

Section 5. Secular Organization In order to comply with laws of state within North America, The Mid-Atlantic may organize as a non-profit corporation. The by-laws of the corporation must remain consistent with this Charter. The board of directors for the corporation shall consist of the laypersons selected by the Network Council, the Bishop, and the Treasurer of the network. Any such secular organization shall take no action without authorization by the Network Council.

Article 3. Network Assemblies

Section 1. The Purpose of Network Assemblies 4|Page

The Mid-Atlantic Network shall assemble from time to time in a Network Assembly for the primary purposes of corporate worship and prayer, equipping, mutual encouragement, Christian fellowship, and collaboration in mission. From time to time, we may need to discuss and act on anything else required of us by the PEARUSA Charter or our College of Bishops. The Network Bishop shall determine the date, time and place of meetings of the Assembly. No less than sixty days prior to the Assembly, the Network Bishop shall give written notice of the date, time and place to all network clergy and churches by mail, email, or other electronic publication. Section 2. Composition The Network Assembly is open to all network clergy, laity, friends and others who come in the bond of Christian fellowship and love.

Section 3. Presiding Officer of the Network Assembly The Network Bishop shall preside at all gatherings of the Network Assembly. At his discretion, he may assign a presiding officer to serve during all or a portion of the remainder of the Assembly.

Section 4. Conciliar Procedure While we believe that God speaks to His people through His people, gatherings of the Network Assembly are not intended to be legislative events. Consequently, legislative procedures will only be engaged in with permission of the Network bishop and the Network Council. When legislative procedures are necessary for godly order, our leaders will warmly welcome various viewpoints expressed in a godly manner. We are The Church, led by the Holy Spirit and godly leaders, not a political movement.

Section 5. Order a. Prior to the Network Assembly, the Network Bishop may create pre-Assembly committees to prepare materials for consideration in any areas deemed necessary. Where possible, delegates should receive any necessary reports in preparation for the Assembly. b. A Secretary of the Assembly shall be appointed by the network bishop to keep the minutes of the meetings of the Assembly and shall submit such reports as the Network Chairman may request.

Section 6. Concerning Selection of Delegates for Called PEARUSA Assemblies We intend that our network leaders seek the Lords will and receive wise counsel from 5|Page

their clergy and lay leaders in a manner consonant with Holy Scripture without resorting to secular parliamentary procedure. On rare occasions, to maintain godly order and allow for the collaborative discernment of both clergy and laity, votes may be necessary. When delegates are needed the rector of the local church or mission will select the lay person(s) in their church best suited for the important matter being considered. Section 7: Concerning the Office of the Bishop (Episcopacy) a. A Bishops Calling A Bishop is called by God and the Church, under the authority of the Province de LEglise Anglicane au Rwanda (PEAR) and in collaboration with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), to be a shepherd who feeds the flock entrusted to his care. A Bishop is an overseer of the flock and as such is called and given authority and responsibility to teach, uphold and defend the Faith and Order of the Church, willingly and as God directsnot greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to his care, but being a wholesome example to the entire flock of Christ. By the tradition of Christ's one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, Bishops are consecrated for the whole Church and are successors of the Apostles through the grace of the Holy Spirit given to them. They are chief missionaries and chief pastors, guardians and teachers of doctrine, and overseers of Godly discipline and governance. In the Mid-Atlantic Network, with our particular call on mission and church planting, the bishop must be able and willing to delegate, thus avoiding entangling himself in excessive administrative details and meetings, so he may focus on the weightier matters of Apostolic leadership, defending the faith, teaching, prayer, correction, ordination, confirmation and overseeing missional efforts.

b. Concerning Criteria for the Episcopate

All ordained and active presbyters, who have been serving for five or more years, who are over 35 years of age, and who serve in a church already committed to PEARUSA, are eligible. A divorced man cannot be a bishop. Bishops are qualified by consistent, long-term demonstration of Christ-like character and godly behavior. The qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 and the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24) are basic, but in addition: Clear evidence of taking the initiative to care for and serve clergy in other churches

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Spirit-given wisdom and leadership that others seek out, and that God blesses through the building of spiritual maturity, unity, mission, and godliness among other leaders Humility (a lack of grasping ambition) balanced with a clear willingness to serve when called and commissioned by God for the sake of others A proven track record of delegating ministry to others, equipping and empowering others, and raising up new leaders for the work of the Gospel Submission to spiritual authority A clear consensus among the people that this is a man whom God has raised up for broad leadership, for the sake of his church.

c. Concerning the Selection of Bishops Bishops shall be prayerfully selected in conformance with the Constitution and Canons of PEARUSA or in their absence, those of PEAR. Except for the initial selection (2012) of nominees, which will necessarily proceed the formation of the PEARUSA College of Bishops and likely proceed an approved Charter and Canons, the selection of one to three nominees for Bishop of the Network (or a Suffragan Bishop, Assisting Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor), shall take place at a special meeting of the Network called for that purpose. The Secretary of the Network shall promptly certify and publish the selection of Bishop nominee(s). The PEARUSA College of Bishops will prayerfully consider and interview the nominee(s) for bishop and discern if it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to them that he be made a bishop. If no nominee is approved, then the Network Bishop and Network Council will enter a time of prayer and fasting and then, with input from the network rectors, select another qualified nominee to present to the PEARUSA College of Bishops. If a nominee is approved, he will then be presented to our brothers in the Rwandan HOB for prayerful consideration. If the nominee is approved by the Rwandan HOB he will then be designated a bishop-elect. The Bishop-elect will meet with the ACNA HOB in a timely manner for prayer, conversation and discernment. This process is necessary and right since PEARUSA bishops will also be seated as an ACNA bishop. In the highly unusual event that the ACNA HOB do not also approve a bishop-elect, the matter of that bishop-elects consecration will be prayerfully settled by the Archbishop of Rwanda after consultation with the Archbishop of ACNA. We are gladly full members and a subjurisdiction in ACNA but our overseeing authority is the PEAR HOB. Upon the final approval of a Bishop-elect by the Archbishop of PEAR, the PEARUSA College of Bishops shall take order for the consecration and/or installation of such Bishop in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of PEARUSA.

d. Concerning the Required Declaration at Consecration

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No candidate shall be consecrated a Bishop in the Network until he shall have subscribed to the following declaration, which, after subscription, shall be provided to the Archbishop, the Secretary and to each member of the Council: I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to salvation, and I consequently hold myself bound to conform my life and ministry thereto, and I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of Christ as this Church has received them.

e. Further Provisions Further provisions consistent with this Constitution regarding the qualifications for the office of Bishop, the manner of selecting Bishops, and the powers and responsibilities of Bishops may be set forth in the Canons.

f. Vacancy in the Office of the Bishop

1) Upon the Death of the Bishop Upon the death of the Bishop, if there be no Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan, the PEARUSA Mission Council shall be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. Upon the request of the MC, the PEARUSA College of Bishops the Rwandan HOB may appoint an Acting Bishop to be in charge of the Network until a Bishop can be selected. 2) Upon the Disability or Absence of the Bishop If the PEARUSA Mission Council and College of Bishops, upon careful and prayerful deliberation, determine that the Bishop is under a disability, or has absented himself from the Network Council or failed or refused to perform his duties for more than 30 days without permission of the PEARUSA Council of Bishops, it may with the consent of the Archbishop of PEAR facilitate a Matthew 18 process; if the matter is not settled then the Archbishop of PEARUSA may declare the Office of the Bishop vacant. In such case, the Bishop Suffragan or Bishop Coadjutor shall assume responsibilities until the Network Council declares the Bishop restored. If there be none, the Network Council shall serve as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Network Council until a new Bishop is consecrated and/or installed by the Archbishop on an interim basis.

Section 8. Elevation of Bishop Suffragan or Bishop Coadjutor

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A Bishop Suffragan may not become the Bishop of the Network unless chosen by the PEARUSA College of Bishops and the Rwandan HOB. A Bishop Coadjutor shall become the Bishop upon the death, retirement or removal of the Bishop.

Article 4. Amendments This Charter may be further amended by a two-thirds majority of the Network Council.

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Appendix 1 PEARUSA Charter (Insert after Ratification)

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Appendix 2 - The Jerusalem Declaration

In the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit: We, the participants in the Global Anglican Future Conference, have met in the land of Jesus birth. We express our loyalty as disciples to the King of kings, the Lord Jesus. We joyfully embrace his command to proclaim the reality of his kingdom, which he first announced in this land. The gospel of the kingdom is the good news of salvation, liberation and transformation for all. In light of the above, we agree to chart a way forward together that promotes and protects the biblical gospel and mission to the world, solemnly declaring the following tenets of orthodoxy which underpin our Anglican identity. 1. We rejoice in the gospel of God through which we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because God first loved us, we love him and as believers bring forth fruits of love, ongoing repentance, lively hope and thanksgiving to God in all things. 2. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God written and to contain all things necessary for salvation. The Bible is to be translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the churchs historic and consensual reading. 3. We uphold the four Ecumenical Councils and the three historic Creeds as expressing the rule of faith of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church. 4. We uphold the Thirty-nine Articles as containing the true doctrine of the Church agreeing with Gods Word and as authoritative for Anglicans today. 5. We gladly proclaim and submit to the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, humanitys only Savior from sin, judgment and hell, who lived the life we could not live and died the death that we deserve. By his atoning death and glorious resurrection, he secured the redemption of all who come to him in repentance and faith. 6. We rejoice in our Anglican sacramental and liturgical heritage as an expression of the gospel, and we uphold the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as a true and authoritative standard of worship and prayer, to be translated and locally adapted for each culture. 7. We recognize that God has called and gifted bishops, priests and deacons in historic succession to equip all the people of God for their ministry in the world. We uphold the classic Anglican Ordinal as an authoritative standard of clerical orders. 8. We acknowledge Gods creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain this standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married. 11 | P a g e

9. We gladly accept the Great Commission of the risen Lord to make disciples of all nations, to seek those who do not know Christ and to baptize, teach and bring new believers to maturity. 10. We are mindful of our responsibility to be good stewards of Gods creation, to uphold and advocate justice in society, and to seek relief and empowerment of the poor and needy. 11. We are committed to the unity of all those who know and love Christ and to building authentic ecumenical relationships. We recognize the orders and jurisdiction of those Anglicans who uphold orthodox faith and practice, and we encourage them to join us in this declaration. 12. We celebrate the God-given diversity among us, which enriches our global fellowship, and we acknowledge freedom in secondary matters. We pledge to work together to seek the mind of Christ on issues that divide us. 13. We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord. 14. We rejoice at the prospect of Jesus coming again in glory, and while we await this final event of history, we praise him for the way he builds up his church through his Spirit by miraculously changing lives.

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