MEMBERSHIPS COMMITTEE
Charter

Article I: Committee Ministry Description
The Membership Committee will assist the Continental Leadership Council in matters relating to membership in the AABF. The Committee will review applications for Member Bodies and Partnership and make qualifying recommendations to the Continental Leadership Council, which will, in turn, make recommendations to the Continental Council for its decision. The Committee will also assist in additional membership-related responsibilities and reflections as authorized in the AABF Bylaws.

Article II: Committee Responsibilities
1. Prayerfully celebrate the work of the Lord through the diverse Baptist movement across Africa and seek to bring the continental Baptist movement into relationship with the AABF.
2. Prayerfully review and process AABF Membership applications from organized Baptist groups using (1) Holy Spirit wisdom and (2) the following criteria for evaluative consideration: Baptist identity and ministry integrity, organizational integrity, relational integrity, sub-regional integrity, and AABF mission integrity (see Appendix 1).
3. Member Body applications determined to meet membership requirements will be recommended by the Membership Committee to the Continental Leadership Council for affirmation. If the Continental Leadership Council affirms, the Membership Committee will recommend the applicant to the Continental Council for approval.
4. In exceptional circumstances, determined by the Continental Leadership Council, when any form of public identification with the AABF could result in significant persecution or negative impact on the applicant body and its churches or constituency due to government or social policies or practices against religion generally or Christians or Baptists particularly, the full name and location of the group disclosed to the Continental Leadership Council may not be fully disclosed to the AABF Continental Council or on the AABF website or other AABF communications.
5. The Membership Committee may at times discern and recommend suspension or disqualification of a Member Bodies and Partner should that entity no longer fulfill the conditions of AABF membership. Suspension or disqualification must be approved by a majority vote of the Continental Leadership Council after a time of prayerful discernment. The Continental Leadership Council is the final arbiter. In extraordinary circumstances, interim suspension or disqualification can be made by a majority vote of the Membership Committee until consideration by the Continental Leadership Council. Decisions regarding membership and good faith continuation are solely at the discretion of the AABF. Disqualification does not preclude future reapplication.
6. Consider for affirmation AABF Ministry Partner applications that have been reviewed by the Executive President/CEO. The category of Ministry Partner is for Baptist groups that wish to collaborate in the mission and ministry of the AABF but that do not qualify for Full Membership or prefer not to apply as a Member Body.
7. The Executive President/CEO may at times discern the need for suspension or disqualification of a Ministry Partner where that entity is no longer fulfilling the conditions of AABF Ministry Partner membership. Suspension or disqualification must be approved by a majority vote of the Membership Committee after a time of prayerful discernment. The Membership Committee is the final arbiter. Interim suspension or disqualification can be made by the Executive President/CEO until consideration by the Membership Committee. Decisions regarding membership and good faith continuation are solely at the discretion of the AABF. Disqualification does not preclude future reapplication.
8. The Membership Committee may use subcommittees to evaluate nominations and to make a recommendation to the whole Membership Committee. Subcommittees should include the Membership Committee Chair, the designated AABF team member, and normally at least three additional Award Committee members. Subcommittees should seek to reflect the AABF commitment to unity in godliness, geography, gender, generation, and giftedness.
9. Collaborate with the AABF in the participatory honoring of new Member Bodies and Ministry Partners at the appropriate AABF gathering or event.
10. The Membership Committee Chair will by virtue of office be a member of the Leadership Council.

Article III: Operating Procedures
1. The Committee will operate according to all relevant operating provisions and procedures outlined in the AABF Bylaws, this Charter, and any additional guidance established by the AABF Continental Leadership Council or the AABF Executive President/CEO.
2. Each Committee Member will serve according to the AABF Covenant of Service, and any other requirements determined by the Continental Leadership Council or the AABF Executive President/CEO.
3. The Committee will normally meet at least twice per year and as needed to finalize responsibilities. These meetings will normally be held virtually though at times may be held in person.
4. The Committee will meet upon the call of the Committee Chair or the AABF-designated team member.
5. The agenda for meetings will be developed by the Committee Chair and the designated AABF team member.
6. Minutes will be taken by the designated AABF team member, or a Committee Member, in collaboration with the Committee Chair and the designated AABF team member. The AABF team member will ensure minutes are appropriately stored and maintained by the AABF.
7. In the absence of the Committee Chair, the AABF-designated team member may serve as the facilitator and/or presenter.
8. The Committee may decide to develop an additional Operational Guide. The Operational Guide, and any changes to the Operational Guide, must be approved by the AABF Executive President/CEO and cannot replace, change, or counter anything within the AABF Bylaws or this Charter. The Operational Guide will be stored and maintained by the AABF.

Article IV: Committee Membership
1. The Membership Committee, inclusive of a Membership Committee Chair, shall have not less than six general members and no more than fifteen general members and should have the background and experience to meaningfully discern AABF membership matters.
2. The AABF Chairman, the AABF Executive President/CEO, and the Sub-Regional Chairmen are ex-officio voting members of the Committee. Sub-regional chairmen are especially encouraged to attend meetings when an application from their Region is being considered.
3. The Committee will also work closely and collaboratively with an AABF team member specified by the AABF Executive President/CEO.
4. Each Committee Member, including the Committee Chair, will serve according to the AABF Covenant of Service, and any other requirements determined by the Continental Leadership Council or the AABF Executive President/CEO.

Article V: Committees Generally (Excerpted from AABF Bylaws Article VII.1)
1. The Continental Leadership Council may establish one or more standing committees as needed or required to assist them in providing excellence in governance and mission achievement. The standing committees shall include, but are not limited to, the Awards Committee, Membership Committee, Nominations Committee, and Resolutions Committee. The Continental Leadership Council may establish other committees or standing committees whose length and purpose are determined by the Continental Leadership Council.
2. Committee Chairs are members of the Continental Leadership Council by virtue of office subject to the provisions in these Bylaws.
3. The Continental Leadership Council will determine the authority and responsibility of each committee. In standing committees, this will be set forth in a Committee Charter approved by the Continental Leadership Council. The Charter will identify values, principles, tasks, and desired outcomes, committee size, frequency of meetings, and other relevant details. Committees will include people based on the AABF commitment to godliness and diversity in geography, gender, and generation, while also ensuring giftedness in the specific skills or expertise helpful to the committee in fulfilling its responsibilities.
4. Core committee members are defined as those individuals approved when the committee is either established or continued for a new Quinquennium. Additional committee members may be added through consultation between the Executive President (or the Executive President’s designated representative) and the relevant Committee Chair. Should a new Committee Chair or Vice Chair need to be appointed, this may be done through consultation between the AABF Chairman, AABF Vice Chairman, Executive President, and the remaining Committee Chair or Vice Chair.
5. A record of all committee meetings, including any decisions taken, shall be produced and copies of such records shall be maintained by the AABF. As necessitated, committees will present a report and make recommendations to the Continental Leadership Council on matters requiring Continental Leadership Council approval, or where relevant, to the Continental Council.

The AABF Membership Committee will review applications for AABF Member Bodies. Member Body applications determined to meet membership requirements will be recommended by the Membership Committee to the Continental Leadership Council for its affirmation. Should the Continental Leadership Council give its affirmation, the Membership Committee will recommend the applications to the Continental Council for its approval. As the AABF Membership Committee prayerfully reviews AABF Member Body applications from organized Baptist groups it will seek to use (1) Holy Spirit wisdom and (2) the following criteria for evaluative consideration.
1. Baptist Identity and Ministry Integrity
• Baptist Identity: Applicant organizations must have a self-articulated Baptist identity demonstrated in areas such as, but not limited to, Constitution, Bylaws, mission statements, or resolutions. ‘BAPTIST’ must appear in the organization's name.
• AABF Identity: Applicant organizations must have theological positions consistent with the contours of the AABF.
• Ministry Identity: Applicant organizations must have ministry affiliated with at least one key ministry area of the AABF.
2. Organizational Integrity
• Organization Independence: Applicant organizations must be organized with independent governance and financial identity for a period of not less than three years which may be demonstrated in areas such as, but not limited to, Constitution, Bylaws, legal documents, governance documents, or financial documents.
• Authorized Application: The Baptist body applying for membership has authorized the application through its own due process and through its duly empowered structures.
3. Relational Integrity
• Strengthening AABF Unity and Mission: If the Baptist body applying for AABF Membership is successful, it would strengthen the unity of the AABF family and mission as guided by consultative deliberation by the AABF to minimize unnecessary division.
• Reference Requirement: Applicant organizations will be asked to identify a current Member Body, normally one located in geographic proximity or engaged in active ministry partnership with the applicant, for the AABF to approach for a reference. The AABF will directly contact the identified Member Body for the required reference. Acceptable references for moving forward with an application are a favorable recommendation or a statement of non-opposition. The AABF may choose to contact additional references.
• Geographic Consideration: If the applicant is geographically near an existing AABF Member Body – especially in countries with multiple Member Bodies– and those Bodies are not involved in the reference, the AABF may seek further input from them.
• Resolving Tensions and Final Decision: In cases of tension or ambiguity, the AABF encourages – and may require – Baptist bodies in close geographic or ministry proximity to first seek resolution regarding the membership application, with the goal of either a recommendation or non-opposition. While the AABF typically uses consultative deliberation, it is not obliged to mediate all conflicts, reconcile disagreements, respond to adjudication requests, or defer consideration of an application. The AABF reserves full discretion to determine its consultative process and final membership recommendation.
4. Sub-Regional Integrity
• Sub-Regional Application: Applicant organizations are encouraged, whenever possible, to also apply for membership with the AABF Sub-Regional fellows as part of joining one Baptist family with Sub-Regional and Continental expressions.
• Sub-Regional Reference: The AABF will ask the relevant Sub-Region for a reference for each application. Acceptable references for moving forward with an application are a favorable recommendation or a statement of non-opposition.
5. AABF Mission Integrity
• Cooperation in Identity and Mission: Applicants express their desire to participate in the essential oneness of Baptists in the Lord Jesus Christ reflected in the AABF as a Christian Continental Communion in a covenant of shared transformation in Christ, covenant of shared relationship, and covenant of shared mission. This includes agreement with the AABF Constitution and intention to actively participate, cooperate, and support the mission, family, identity, values, and objectives of the AABF.
• Commitments to Prayer and Ministry: Applicants express their commitment to pray consistently for the AABF and the AABF family; honor their responsibilities in the governance and ministry of the AABF as outlined in the AABF Constitution and Bylaws; attend AABF Continental Council meetings, General Gathering, and other meetings; join AABF Sub-Regions, networks, and other ministries; completing AABF surveys and annual forms; provide regular reports to the AABF; and to do all that they can to further the identity, mission, and ongoing life of the AABF and its work around the world.
• Commitments to Financial Participation: Applicants express their commitment to annually support the AABF and the ministry of the AABF through sacrificial financial donations and to encourage their churches and constituencies to do the same. Recognizing differing financial realities worldwide, financial unity is found in a shared commitment to structured, sacrificial, and generous annual giving as one family in Christ.
• Commitments to Public Representation: Applicants express their commitment to publicly identify their membership in the AABF from one generation to the next, structure AABF membership into their own governance documents where possible, and actively highlight and share about the AABF family, identity, mission, ministry and programs with their constituency and sphere of influence.