Resolution 6 – Relational Districts

Whereas, The intent of the Assemblies of God is to see God’s church grow through the developing of local congregations; and

Whereas, Current media and transportation developments have broken down previous limitations in time and space; and

Whereas, The Assemblies of God currently has ethnic/language districts that are based on a common cultural identity rather than geography; and

Whereas, A growing trend in the church today is multisite campuses; and

Whereas, The philosophy of ministry of a local church and its pastor causes it to associate with other like-minded churches and pastors across geographical boundaries; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaws Article V. DISTRICT COUNCILS, pages 104-106, be amended by the addition of a new Section 6. Relational Districts, page 106, to read as follows:

Section 6. Relational Districts

a. Recognition qualifications:

(1) A relational district consists of 40 churches or more who choose, regardless of where they are located in the United States, to associate together to form a district.

(2)The name of the relational district and the names of the charter churches shall be submitted to the Executive Presbytery of The General Council of the Assemblies of God for its approval.

b. Equality with geographical and ethnic/language districts. A relational district shall have the same privileges and responsibilities which are accorded district councils within the framework of the Constitution and Bylaws.

c. Church transfer procedures. When a church desires to transfer from one district to another, a church business meeting shall be called and the minutes of said meeting shall reflect the action authorized by the congregation. This action shall be submitted to the officers of the district the congregation is leaving as well as the district it is joining. If either district has objection, the church shall have the right of appeal to the Executive Presbytery of The General Council of the Assemblies of God in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution (Article XI).

d. Cooperative relationships in all districts. Geographical, ethnic/language, and relational districts shall seek to promote a spirit of fellowship and cooperation. The relational district must inform the geographical district of relational district churches that are located within the geographical district’s area. And be it further

Resolved, That current Bylaws, Article V. DISTRICT COUNCILS, Section 6. Dissolution of Districts, page 106, be renumbered to become Section 7 and current Section 7. Ethnic and Language Fellowships, be renumbered to become Section 8; and be it further

RESOLVED, That in order to allow relational districts to be represented on the Executive Presbytery that Bylaws, Article II. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND PRESBYTERS, Section 2. Nominations and Elections, paragraph c. Nonresident executive presbyters, subparagraph (2) Divisions for electing nonresident executive presbyters, page 96, be amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to be entitled, By relational districts, which will read as follows:

(c) By relational districts. When a relational district is formed the Executive Presbytery shall add each of these to one of the 10 existing areas for the purpose of the relational district being represented in the election of a nonresident executive presbyter.