Constitution of the Church of North India and Bye-Laws (1970)

The Church was inaugurated in 1970 after many years of preparation. It includes the Anglican Church, the United Church of Northern India (Congregationalist and Presbyterian). The Methodist Church (British and Australian Conferences), the Council of Baptist Churches in Northern India, the Church of the Brethren in India, and the Disciples of Christ. Along with the church of South India, the Church of Pakistan, and the Church of Bangladesh, it is one of the four United Churches.

Newly constituted  Church of North India, included:

1. The Church of Northern India
2. The Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon
3. The Methodist Church in Southern Asia
4. Council of the Baptist Churches in Northern India
5. The Church of the Brethren and the Disciples of Christ (1957)

The Church of North India has got its own Constitution and guiding policies with bye-laws. It operates through its Synod Dioceses and Pastorates and it functions through its Executive Committee with its Head Office in Delhi. if in the opinion of the Executive Committee of the Synod, a Diocesan Council or a Synodical Board or any Standing Committee or Commission is not functioning in accordance with the provision of the Constitution, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to inquire into its affairs through a Commission or a Committee of its own. Then in consultation with the body concerned the Executive committee shall take such action as the situation may demand. The action taken in a joint meeting as stated above shall be final and binding on the body concerned. 

Section IV of Chapter III of Part II of the CNI Constitution deals with the relation of the Diocesan Council with the Synod and Clause 1 thereof provides that the Diocesan Council shall be subject to such ruling as the Synod may give. Notes on Section VI of Chapter III, Part II of the CNI Constitution relating to office­bearers of the Diocesan Council, Note 1 whereof provides that the office bearers such as the Vice-­President, the Secretary and the Treasurer are elected for a maximum term of 3 years.

Chapter IV of Part II of the CNI Constitution deals with Synod and specifically to Clause 1 thereof which states that Synod is the final authority in all matters pertaining to the Church. Clause 11 of Section IV of Chapter IV deals with the functions and powers of the Synod which states that the Synod shall appoint an Episcopal Electoral Body for electing the Bishop in accordance with the rules laid down in the CNI Constitution. Clause 16 of Sub­-Section B of Section VII of Chapter IV of Part II of the CNI Constitution deals with the Moderator wherein it is stated that the Secretary of the electoral body shall communicate the proceedings and result of the election of Bishop to the Moderator who in turn shall communicate them to the Synod Executive Committee for their information and implementation.

Clause 2 of Sub­Section A of Section XII, Chapter IV of Part II of the CNI Constitution deals with the composition of the Episcopal electoral body for the election of Bishops.

Section XII of Chapter IV of Part II of the CNI Constitution provides for the provisions relating to the Election of Bishop. It made specific reference to Clause 2 of Sub Section A of Section XII, Chapter IV, Part II of the CNI Constitution wherein it is stated that “a fresh Episcopal Electoral Body shall be constituted every time when the election of a Bishop or an assistant Bishop has to take place”. In Clause 4 of Sub­Section D of Section XII wherein it is specifically provided that the Episcopal Electoral Body shall cease to exist after the Episcopal election result is declared and the Episcopal electoral body has completed its task. The term of the Episcopal Electoral Body cannot cease to exist before the end of declaration of Episcopal election result.

The Constitution of the Church of North India and Bye-Laws (As Amended up to 3rd October 2017)

The Church of North India (CNI)-29 November 1970 

PART I: FAITH AND ORDER OF THE CHURCH

SECTION I. THE RELATION TO THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL

SECTION II. THE CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERSHIP
Sub-Section A. Fundamental Principle
Sub-Section B. Regulations

SECTION III. THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH

DECLARATION (I) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH OF INDIA, PAKISTAN, BURMA AND CEYLON

CONFESSION OF THE FAITH OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF NORTHERN INDIA

THE DOCTRINAL STANDARDS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH (BRITISH CONFERENCE)
THE BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES OF NORTHERN INDIA
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES

SECTION IV. THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH

SECTION V. THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
Sub-Section: A. Baptism
Sub-Section B. Holy Communion

SECTION VI. THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

SECTION VII. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH

Sub-Section A. The Laity

SECTION VIII. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH: THE ORDAINED MINISTRY
Sub-Section A. Introduction
Sub-Section B. The Bishops
Sub-Section C. Presbyters
Sub-Section D. Deacons
Sub-Section E. Selection and Training of Ministers
Sub-Section F. Appointment of Ministers

THE POLITY OF THE CHURCH

Sub-Section A. The Diocese
Sub-Section B. The Congregation
Sub-Section C. The Synod

SAFEGUARDING OF FAITH AND ORDER
THE AUTONOMY OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA

PART II : ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHURCH

Chapter I NAME, DIOCESES AND OBJECTS

SECTION I. THE NAME OF THE CHURCH
SECTION II. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA

Chapter II PASTORATE

SECTION I. PASTORATE: ITS MEMBERSHIP AND CARE
SECTION II. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF THE PASTORATE
SECTION III. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF A PASTORATE
SECTION IV. MEMBERSHIP OF A PASTORATE COMMITTEE
SECTION V. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF A PASTORATE COMMITTEE
SECTION VI GENERAL RULES FOR ELECTION OF A PASTORATE COMMITTEE
SECTION VII. ELECTION OF MEMBERS
SECTION VIII. OFFICE-BEARERS
Sub-Section A. The President
Sub-Section B. The Secretary
Sub-Section C. The Treasurer
Sub-Section D. Handing Over Charge
SECTION IX. FINANCE COMMITTEE
SECTION XI. YOUR FELLOWSHIP
SECTION XII. SUNDAY SCHOOL
SECTION XIII. LAY LEADERS, LAY READERS, LOCAL PREACHERS
SECTION XIV. PRESBYTERS WITH LIMITED AUTHORIZATION
SECTION XV. MEETINGS OF THE PASTORATE COMMITTEE
SECTION XVI. ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF A PASTORATE COMMITTEE
SECTION XVII. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE PASTORATE
SECTION XVIII. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE PASTORATE
SECTION XIX. ADJOURNED MEETINGS
SECTION XX. QUORUM
SECTION XXI. NOTICES FOR MEETINGS
SECTION XXII. CHURCH PROPERTY
SECTION XXIII. COURT OF THE PASTORATE

Chapter III. DIOCESE

DIOCESE : ITS ORGANIZATION
SECTION II. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF THE DIOCESE
SECTION III. DIOCESAN COUNCIL
SECTION IV. RELATIONSHIP OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL WITH THE SYNOD
SECTION V. (A) MEMBERSHIP OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
SECTION V. (B) GENERAL RULES REGARDING ELECTED, NOMINATED AND APPOINTED MEMBERS
SECTION V. (C) INVITEES TO THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
SECTION VI. OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
SECTION VII. DUTIES OF OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL.
Sub Section B. The Bishop
Sub-Section C. The Assistant Bishop
Sub-Section D. The Vice-President
Sub-Section D(I). Protem
Sub-Section E. The Secretary
Sub-Section F. The Treasurer
SECTION VIII. DIOCESAN RECORDS
SECTION IX. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
SECTION X. MEETINGS OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
SECTION XI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION XII STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION XIII. BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION XIV. MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Sub-Section I. Finance Committee
Sub-Section 2. Stewardship Committee
Sub-Section3. Property Committee
Sub-Section 4. Ministerial and Personnel Committee
Sub-Section 5. Law and Procedures Committee
Sub-Section 6. Religious Education Committee
Sub-Section 7. Christian Life and Evangelism Committee
SECTION XV. OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
Sub-Section 1. Nominations Committee
Sub-Section 2. Court of the Diocese
SECTION XVII YOUR FELLOWSHIP
SECTION XVIII SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SECTION XVIII A : INSTITUTIONAL BOARDS OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA
SECTION XVIII B : BOARDS OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER BOARDS OF THE DIOCESE
SECTION XIX. THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA RELATED RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND COMMUNITIES
SECTION XX. PROPERTY
SECTION XXI. QUESTIONS OF FAITH AND ORDER IN A DIOCESE

Chapter IV: SYNOD

SECTION I. SYNOD: ITS STATUS AND AUTHORITY
SECTION II. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF THE SYNOD
SECTION III. MEMBERSHIP OF THE SYNOD
SECTION IV. FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE SYNOD
SECTION V. FINANCE
SECTION VI. OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE SYNOD

SECTION VII. DUTIES OF THE OFFICE-BEARERS
Sub-Section A. General
Sub-Section B. Moderator
Sub Section C. Deputy Moderator
Sub-Section D. Protem Chairperson
Sub-Section E. General Secretary
Sub-Section F. Treasurer

SECTION VIII. MEETINGS OF THE SYNOD
SECTION IX. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SYNOD: ITS MEMBERSHIP
SECTION X. FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION XI. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION XII. ELECTION OF BISHOPS
Sub Section A. Composition of the Episcopal Electoral Body
Sub-Section B. PANEL OF NOMINATIONS FOR EPISCOPAL ELECTION
Sub-Section C. Procedure of Election
Sub-Section D. Episcopal Election Result
Sub-Section E. Change In Election Procedures

SECTION XIII. COMMISSIONS
SECTION XIV. STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION XV BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF STANDING COMMITTEES

SECTION XVI. MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Sub-Section 1. Finance Committee
Sub-Section 2. Stewardship Committee
Sub-Section 3. Personnel Committee
Sub-Section 4. Christian Life and Evangelism Committee
Sub Section 5. Law and Procedures Committee
Sub-Section 6. Committee of Reference on Faith and Order
Sub-Section 7. Literature and Mass Communication Committee

SECTION XVII. OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE SYNOD
Sub-Section 1. Nomination Committee

SECTION XVIII. THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA TRUST ASSOCIATION
A. Membership:
B. Duties and Functions:

SECTION XX. SYNODICAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
SECTION XXI. SYNODICAL AND REGIONAL BOARDS (EXISTED PRIOR TO UNION) – BASIC PRINCIPLES

Chapter V DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH

SECTION I. SCOPE AND PURPOSE
SECTION II. CHURCH COURTS.
SECTION III. COURT OF THE PASTORATE
SECTION IV. COURT OF THE DIOCESE
SECTION V. COURT OF THE SYNOD
SECTION VI. OFFENCES IN SPIRITUAL AND CHURCH MATTERS
SECTION VII. JURISDICTION OF CIVIL COURTS
SECTION VIII. SENTENCES
SECTION IX. PROCEDURES (GENERAL)
SECTION X. PROCEDURE WHEN JUDICIAL PROCESS TAKES PLACE
Sub Section A: Parties
Sub-Section B : Minutes and Records
Sub-Section C. Witnesses
Sub-Section D. Evidence
SECTION XI. APPEALS
Sub-Section A. Notice of Appeal
Sub-Section B. Judgement
Sub-Section C. Records
Sub-Section D. Rules

Chapter VI COUNCIL OF BISHOPS

SECTION I. Membership and Meetings
SECTI0N II. Functions and Duties of the Council of Bishops
Chapter VII. THE MARRIAGE LAW OF THE CHURCH
Chapter VIII. AMENDMENTS AND ALTERATIONS TO THIS CONSTITUTION
Chapter IX. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
Schedule-I
Schedule-II
Schedule-III

Appendix-I

PLAN OF CHURCH UNION IN NORTH INDIA AND PAKISTAN (FOURTH REVISED EDITION, 1965) PART-I

I THE NAME OF THIS CHURCH
II THE RELATION TO THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL
III THE CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERSHIP
A. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE
B. REGULATIONS
IV. THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH
V. THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH
VI THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
A. BAPTISM
B. HOLY COMMUNION
VII. THE PRIFSTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
VIII. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
A. THE LAITY
B. THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN
IX. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH : THE ORDAINED MINJSTRY
A. INTRODUCTION
B. THE BISHOPS
C.PRESBYTERS
D.DEACONS
E. SELECTION AND TRAINING OF MINISTERS
F. APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS
X. THE POLITY OF CHURCH
A. THE DIOCESE
B. THE CONGREGATION
C. THE SYNOD
XI. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
A. THE PASTORATE
B. THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL
C. THE SYNOD
XII. SAFEGUARDING OF FAITH AND ORDER
XIII. THE DISCIPLINE OF THE CHURCH
XIV. THE MARRIAGE LAW OF THE CHURCH
XV. THE RELATION OF THE CHURCH TO 0l1IER CHURCHES
A. THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA AND THE CHURCH OF PAKISTAN
B. THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIAIPAKISTAN AND OTHER CHURCHES
XVI: AUTONOMY OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA/PAKISTAN
XVII. ALTERATIONS IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH
XVIII. THE INTERPRETATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

Appendix-II

PART III BYE-LAWS (RULES) FRAMED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA AS APPROVED BY THE 6TH ORDINARY SYNOD, 1986

Chapter I STATUS OF BYE-LAWS AND THEIR AMENDMENT
Chapter II DIVISION OF A DIOCESE
Chapter III READJUSTMENT OF BOUNDARIES BETWEEN ADJOINING DIOCESES
Chapter V CERTIFICATE OF ORDINATION AND LICENCE
Chapter VI SYNOD MEMBERSHIP: STATUS OF A BISHOP WITHOUT ADIOCFSAN CHARGE
Chapter VII ADMISSION OF ORDAINED MlNISfERS OF OTHER CHURCHES INTO TIlE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA
Chapter VIII ADMISSION OF CONGREGATIONS OF OTHER CHURCHES INTO THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA
Chapter IX THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION: BYE-LAWS