WCF Leaders, 2012-2013
Chih McDermott ’14
Nai Chien Yeat ’13
Judith Clerjeune ’14
Haotian Xu ’13
Ugo Nwachukwu ’13
Chris Riegg ’15
Wyatt Boyer ’15
Bethany Dixon ’15
Charlotte Vinson ’13
Marcel Brown ’15
Organization Description: The Williams Christian Fellowship is a community of seekers, doubters, and believers of Jesus who are being changed by God and transforming our world together. We are a non-denominational (i.e., not affiliated with any Christian denomination), evangelical group of Williams students who are discovering the joy and satisfaction of following Jesus Christ and growing in love for God, God’s Word, God’s people, and God’s purposes in the world. We believe that true life is found in Jesus and in his words, and we invite others to join us as we strive to live out this faith in the context of the Williams community.
Mission Statement: To be a community of seekers, doubters, and believers of Jesus who are being changed by God and transforming our world together.
THE CONSTITUTION OF WILLIAMS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Article I: Name
The name of this organization is Williams Christian Fellowship (WCF), a chapter at Williams College of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of the United States of America.
Article II: Basis of Faith
WCF is dedicated to understanding and celebrating the basic Biblical truths of Christianity including:
a. The unique, divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness and authority of the Bible.
b. The deity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
c. 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.
d. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration.
e. The expectation of the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Although WCF welcomes individuals of all religious backgrounds, the Executive Leadership Team of the group must advocate and implement the ideas contained within the Basis of Faith. Questions of its interpretation and application will be addressed by the Executive Leadership Team (see Article VI).
Article III: Purpose
The Williams Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational (i.e. not affiliated with any Christian denomination), evangelical group of Williams students who are discovering the joy and satisfaction of following Jesus Christ and growing in love for God, God’s word, God’s people and God’s purposes in the world. While membership and activities are open to all members of the Williams community, WCF is founded on traditional evangelical Christian beliefs as stated in our Basis of Faith (see Article II). We believe that true life is found in Jesus and in his words, and our vision is to live out this faith in the context of the Williams community, while inviting others to join us.
Article IV: Membership
Membership is open to all Williams students. For formal purposes, a “member” of WCF is a Williams student who attends at least two-thirds of WCF’s weekly small or large group meetings. InterVarsity-employed Staff Workers, The Chaplain’s Office and advisors are not members of WCF. Although they may attend WCF meetings and counsel WCF members and/or leaders, they do not have a vote in any WCF decisions and cannot, under any circumstances, officially speak for WCF or enter into binding agreements on behalf of WCF. InterVarsity-employed Staff Workers’, the Chaplain’s Office and advisor involvement and interaction with the membership of WCF is subject to supervision and/or termination by the Executive Leadership Team of WCF.
In conformance with Williams College Policy (which is in compliance with state and federal law), WCF pledges to adhere to all Williams regulations. WCF does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service. Any member of the College community who on any of these grounds feels discriminated against by another member of the community should take action.
Article V: Fellowship Meetings/Gatherings
Fellowship structures include:
a.Weekly Large Group Meetings, usually with a speaker and worship.
b. Small Groups, which meet for scripture study, prayer and fellowship on a weekly basis.
c. Prayer Groups, which meet on a daily basis.
d. Campus-wide events, intended to serve the wider Williams community through, worship, prayer and fellowship.
e. Off-campus community service, conferences, and other periodic opportunities for service and growth.
Article VI: Leadership
Section 1.
Each year WCF shall select an Executive Leadership Team of three to six students (See Section 4 & 5 for process). To be eligible for the Executive Leadership Team or any elected leadership position of WCF an individual must be a member of WCF for no less than one full academic semester. Additionally, Executive Leaders and elected leaders must agree to advocate and conform their lives to the letter and spirit of WCF’s Basis of Faith. Specifically, Executive Leaders and elected leaders are expected to abide by and advocate traditional evangelical Christian norms of personal moral behavior, including abiding by and advocating evangelical norms of honesty, racial reconciliation, concern for the poor and oppressed of society, sacrificial love, sexual chastity, respect for lawful authority, respect for biblical authority, and integrity. The Executive Leaders and other elected leaders should also strive to exhibit the Fruits of the Spirit in all aspects of their lives.
Section 2.
It is the duty of the Executive Leaders to set the direction of the fellowship and determine if any other, subordinate leadership teams (or subcommittees) are needed during the course of the academic year. The Executive Leaders of WCF are the official “voice” of the Fellowship, and only the Executive Leaders can enter into binding agreements with Williams, members of the Williams community, or outside parties. At the discretion of the Executive Leaders, WCF may create subcommittees responsible for various aspects of fellowship life, including small group Bible studies, prayer, outreach, and worship. Additionally, the Executive Leaders shall select one of the members of WCF to act as the fellowship’s Treasurer. The Treasurer shall work with the College Council, Chaplain’s Office, and Campus Life to keep track of all funds used by WCF during the year, and to establish a budget for the following year.
Section 3.
In February, Executive Leaders for the following two semesters shall be selected and appointed. The incoming Executive Leaders are selected by the current Executive Leaders of WCF, in consultation with WCF’s membership. Prospective leaders may be recommended by WCF members, InterVarsity-employed Staff Workers, William’s College Chaplain’s Office, advisor or by the current Executive Leaders. While all of the aforementioned may provide counsel and advice during the membership selection process, initial decisions shall be made by two-thirds agreement of the Executive Leaders. No student may serve as a leader without receiving the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the current Executive Leaders.
Following the initial selection of new the Executive Leaders by the current Executive Leaders, the new Executive Leaders shall be placed before the WCF membership for a ratification vote. If fifty percent or more of the membership rejects the proposed slate of Executive Leaders, then the selection process will be repeated until a majority of the membership ratifies the proposed Executive Leaders.
Section 4.
In April, the Executive Leaders shall meet and determine whether subcommittees will be required for the following academic year. If the Executive Leaders decide that subcommittees will be required, then the Executive Leaders, in consultation with the former Executive Team members and WCF’s membership, shall select Subcommittee Leaders (selected and elected leaders for small and large groups within WCF). Prospective Subcommittee Leaders may be recommended by WCF members, InterVarsity-employed Staff Workers, Williams College Chaplain’s Office, advisor, or by the Executive Leaders themselves. While all of the aforementioned may provide counsel and advice during the subcommittee leadership selection process, final decisions shall be made by two-thirds agreement of the Executive Leaders. The new subcommittee leaders shall be placed before the WCF membership for a ratification vote. If fifty percent or more of the membership rejects the proposed slate of Executive Leaders, then the selection process will be repeated until a majority of the membership ratifies the proposed Subcommittee leaders. In the event that the Executive Leadership Team decides it is necessary to replace the leader or position, the selection and election process will be repeated. No student may serve as a Subcommittee Leader without receiving the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the new Executive Leaders.
Section 5.
If, during the leadership selection process or during a leaders’ term in office, disputes arise regarding the meaning of and expectations of Section 1. and purpose of the organization specifically, disputes regarding the precise meaning of biblical authority, member eligibility for leadership, and leader adherence to traditional evangelical Christian norms of moral behavior - then such disputes shall be resolved by at least two-thirds agreement of the Executive Leaders and involved subcommittee elected leaders. The Executive Leaders’ decision shall be final.
Section 6.
Leaders (whether Executive Leaders, the Treasurer, or subcommittee members) may be removed from leadership upon at least two-thirds agreement of the Executive Leadership Team and involved Subcomittee Leaders. Any member of WCF may make a complaint against any member of the WCF leadership team. Following the complaint, the Executive Leaders shall meet (with the option to seek and have present advice and counsel from other Williams entities) with both the complaining individual and the accused. No leader may be removed leadership without first receiving a full and fair hearing from the Executive Leaders. In the event that a complaint is made against an Executive Leader, then that Leader may only be removed from leadership by at least two-thirds agreement of the remaining Executive Leaders.
Article VII: Advisor
This organization may select and secure an advisor from the active faculty or staff of Williams College and will register their name with Campus Life annually. The advisor will be informed of all meetings and activities of the organization and may call a special meeting of the organization to discuss concerns for the ongoing nature of the organization.
Article VIII: Funding & Recognition
The Williams Christian Fellowship is a recognized Williams’ student group and is funded through the Williams College Council as well as the Williams College Chaplains Office as they choose to do so. It is also affiliated with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an affiliation that the Executive Team chooses to renew annually. No fees (other than the general Student Activities Fee) are required of the members. The Williams Christian Fellowship follows all required procedures for student groups at Williams College. This includes the process for applying for funding and the possible uses for CC funds by student organizations. A finance officer/treasurer will be responsible for budgeting the student organization’s funds in accordance with CC funding bylaws. The finance officer (and organization as whole) is responsible for all activities involving funding. In approving this constitution, this student group also acknowledges that it may fundraise of its own accord, but alumni solicitation must be coordinated through the Development Office, this does not however, include funds given directly to InterVarsity in order to support InterVarsity staff or staff work at Williams College. A current copy of the Williams Christian Fellowship's constitution will be kept in the WCF Treasurer's file, and passed on to the new Treasurer each year.
Article IX: Amendments
The Constitution may only be amended through at least two-thirds agreement of the Executive Leaders. Any member of WCF may propose constitutional amendments. Any proposed amendments to the constitution must also be approved by the appropriate governing bodies at Williams College.