University of Kentucky

Graduate Christian Fellowship

UK GCF Constitution

Not to say that a document can say who we are, but here's our constitution. You can download it in dvi format or postscript format, if it helps.

Article I
NAME

The name of this organization shall be Graduate Christian Fellowship, the University of Kentucky Graduate Chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Article II
BASIS OF FAITH

The Basis of Faith of this organization is as follows:

  1. The unique, divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness and authority of the Bible.
  2. The deity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. The necessity and efficacy of the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for the redemption of the world and the historic fact of His bodily resurrection.
  4. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration.
  5. The expectation of the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All officers of this organization, leaders of Bible study groups and speakers must subscribe without reservation to the above Basis of Faith.

Article III
PURPOSE

The primary purposes of this organization are:

  1. To witness to the Lord Jesus Christ as God Incarnate and to seek to lead others to personal faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.
  2. To help Christians grow toward maturity as disciples of Christ, by study of the Bible, by prayer and by Christian fellowship.
  3. To present the call of God to the world mission of the Church; to help students and faculty to discover God's role for them.

The secondary purpose of this organization is to contribute to the educational, cultural and social climate of the University of Kentucky by:

  1. developing healthy human relationships.
  2. pursuing opportunities for social justice.
  3. encouraging development of educational, personal and vocational skills.

Article IV
VISION

We desire to cultivate a warm and vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, practice the spiritual disciplines and deepen our spiritual lives. We need to know and understand the Scriptures more deeply than we did as undergraduates. Superficial or second-hand knowledge of the Bible cannot sustain us as graduate students. Regular and sustained prayer is essential.

Christ has called us not only to Himself but also to one another as His people in the graduate community. Fellowship among graduate students is necessary for personal growth and corporate witness. We need the stimulus and accountability of like-minded peers and mentors. The erosive effects of individualism need to be countered in Christian community.

We seek to understand the implications of the Christian faith on our studies, how having Jesus as Creator and Lord affects one's role as a student, etc. We seek a unity of truth in often-fragmented and fragmenting institutions. We want to bring our academic lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Not ashamed of the Gospel, we corporately and individually hold out Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Men and women in the graduate community need to see Jesus as a live option and worthy of their whole-hearted devotion. As Christ was sent into the world to bear witness to the Good News of the Redeeming God and to be a servant, so He has sent us into the world to do likewise.

Article V
MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION

Membership and participation in this organization is open to all students, staff and faculty members.

Article VI
OFFICERS AND DUTIES

The elected officers of this organization shall be:

  1. The President is the spiritual leader of the chapter; this office is in charge of upholding the vision of the chapter, leading the executive committee and maintaining organization of the chpater.
  2. The Discipleship Coordinator is responsible for following up on new members and helping with issues of discipleship and accountability.
  3. The Social Coordinator is responsible for the smooth running of social activities. Duties include planning and coordinating social activities to foster fellowship for members and staff.
  4. The Prayer Coordinator ensures that all things done in the Chapter are done prayerfully and also schedules prayer meetings.
  5. The Large Group Coordinator is responsible for the smooth running of the large group meetings. Duties include scheduling speakers and rooms, publicizing the event and coordinating worship and refreshments.
  6. The Small Group Coodinator is responsible for the spiritual leadership of the small group leaders. Duties include scheduling rooms and informing new members of the dates and times of the groups as well as the topics of the study.
  7. The Administrative Assistant will assist all officers in coordination of membership activities.

Article VII
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and such others as the chapter may add from time to time.

Only those persons committed to the Basis of Faith and Purpose of this organization shall be eligible to be elected as officers or appointed to the Executive Committee.

The responsibilities of this committee are:

  1. To carry out the purpose, general policies and program of this organization as efficiently as possible.
  2. To call the annual meeting for selection of new officers and for the submitting of reports of the various activities of the year.
  3. To be responsible for the continuance of this organization from year-to-year.

Article VIII
MEETINGS

Meetings for the transaction of business shall be called upon by the Executive Committee or upon the request of three members.

Meetings for Bible study and prayer shall be held at times decided by the members. Bible study meetings will usually be held weekly; prayer meetings daily.

Other meetings for the discussion and presentation of matters pertaining to the purpose stated herein shall be held as occasion warrants.

Article IX
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The Nominating Committee shall consist of the officers, who shall present to the members their slate of nominees.

The Nominating Committee shall also receive nominations from any member of the chapter. These nominations shall be submitted in writing to the Committee prior to annual business meeting.

The Nominating Committee shall be responsible to see that all nominees subscribe to the organization's Basis of Faith and Purpose as set forth in Articles II and III.

All nominations shall be presented to the members a week in advance of the annual business meeting for their prayerful consideration.

The annual business meeting shall be held during the month of January.

Article X
CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS

This constitution shall be adopted upon receiving a two-thirds vote of the committed membership.

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the committed membership, providing no change is made in Article II and Article III.

Amendments to this constitution shall not become valid until a copy of said amendment has been placed in the office of Student Organizations at The University of Kentucky and with the campus staff member assigned by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.