定款 Articles of Incorporation
1. 総則 General
1.1 名称 Name
本法人の名称は「ニュー・ハート・フェローシップ」（以下、「本法人」）です。
The name of this Religious Corporation is “New Heart Fellowship” (hereinafter, “New Heart Fellowship”).
1.2 目的 Purpose
The specific purposes of this Religious Corporation are:
To function as a church under the tenets of the Christian faith as found in the Holy Bible. A more full description of what we believe is given in our attached Statement of Faith. Principles we conform to for our religious activities are given in the attached Rules of Conduct.
To minister to God through prayer, praise and worship,
To minister to the body of believers by “presenting every man perfect” (Colossians 1:28) and “equipping the saints” (Ephesians 4:12)
To minster to the world by propagating the Gospel and extending God’s kingdom through religious, charitable (public welfare enterprise) and educational means.
1.3 住所 Address
1.3.1 事務所の所在地 Office
本法人は、愛知県名古屋市____に事務所を置きます。
This Religious Corporation shall have its Office at __________, Nagoya City, Aichi.
1.3.2 会堂 Chapel Space
The Religious Corporation shall maintain a Chapel Space at the same location as its office.
1.3.2 礼拝堂 Place of worship
本法人は、上記の事務所・会堂にてカウンセリング、祈祷、キリスト教の儀式、教義の講座などの宗教的活動を行います。公に礼拝をする集会を開催するために、その際の想定される人数などの状況に合わせて、上記事務所とは別の適切な場所を用意し、それをその集会の礼拝堂とします。
This Religious Corporation shall engage in religious activities including counseling, prayer, Christian ceremonies, and education about doctrine at its Chapel Space. For the purpose of public worship events, this Religious Corporation will prepare an appropriate location other than its Chapel Space to meet the expected conditions for the event including the attendance and use said location as a place of worship for its regular worship services.
1.4 制限 Limitations
This Religious Corporation recognizes the Almighty God as the highest spiritual authority governing every aspect of the affairs of men. It recognizes the Holy Bible as the only divinely inspired of the Holy Spirit, wholly inerrant Word of God. The Religious Corporation is firstly subject to both God and the Bible.
This Religious Corporation is organized in accordance with the stipulations of the Religious Corporations Act of Japan. As a Religious Corporation it is established exclusively for religious purposes and not established for the private gain of any individual. No stock, etc.
This Religious Corporation is planted independently but in relationship and partnership with New Covenant Ministries International.
This Religious Corporation is subject to its own Church Governance according to Section 2 of these Articles of Incorporation.
All property is dedicated to religious purposes and may not be assigned or transferred except to other religious organizations with a similar purpose and Statement of Faith.
1.5 定義 Definitions
This section is intended to clarify terms used in the Articles of Incorporation as they pertain to terminology used in the Japanese Religious Corporations Act
1.5.1 役員 Directors
In the pattern of the Bible, a church is led by Elders. In terms of the Japanese Law, all Elders are Directors and there are no Directors that are not Elders.
1.5.2 信者 Adherents
In the pattern of the Bible, a church has no explicit membership. In terms of Japanese Law, where it addresses “Believers,” this shall be understood to be the Elders, Deacons and the spouses of the Elders and Deacons of the church. There are no “Believers” that are not also Elders, Deacons or a spouse of an Elder or Deacon.
1.6 制定・改廃 Establishment, Revision, Dissolution
Unanimous decision by Board of Elders in consultation with the members of Advisory Board shall be required to amend these Articles or to dissolve the Religious Organization.
2. 教会管理体系 Church Governance
2.1 教会管理体系についての基本思想 Philosophy of Church Governance
Jesus is the Head of the Church and the Bible is our sole rule. The church is not a democracy but a theocracy. We conform to government requirements where they do not unduly burden.
2.2 Basic Decision-making Process
Important decisions to be made by the Board of Elders shall be essentially be conducted by unanimous consensus among the Elders, in consultation with the Advisory Board when requested by any of the Elders. In the case consensus cannot be reached immediately and the issue is not pressing, it may be tabled for an agreed upon period of prayer. If consensus of the Elders cannot be reached after the period of prayer, as a last resort, the Lead Elder may call for a vote of simple majority by the Elders. In such a case, consultation with the Advisory Board shall be required.
In the case that the issue is pressing, the Lead Elder has the right to make a provisional decision, subject to review by the Board of Elders thereafter.
In the case that the issue represents a conflict of interest for the Elder, they may present information and participate in the discussion, but shall have no voting power in the decision.
2.2 役目 Roles
2.2.1 諮問委員会 Advisory Board
Recognized translocal apostolic ministry consisting of at least three (3) pastors in current relationship with the Religious Corporation.
2.2.1.1 Role of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board may be consulted on important issues. Important issues includes the appointment and dismissal of Elders.
2.2.1.2 Membership of the Advisory Board
Replacing or adding members of the Advisory Board shall be a unanimous decision by the Board of Elders.
2.2.2 長老 Elders
Elders are the highest earthly authority of the church. Elders strive to operate the church in unity with consensus according to the rules of conduct and upholding the statement of faith, acting as models of Godly living.
2.2.2.1 長老の数、定足数 Number of Elders, Quorum
There shall always be at least three (3) Elders. At least half of the Elders must be present when a quorum is required.
2.2.2.2 Appointment
Elders shall meet conditions given in the Statement of Faith and Rules of Conduct, have signed the Vision and Values Statement and have the recommendation of the Lead Elder and unanimous approval by the other Elders.
2.2.2.3 Term
Elders are appointed for life, unless they resign or are dismissed.
2.2.2.4 Resigning/Dismissal
Elders may resign voluntarily. Elders may be dismissed with the unanimous approval of the other Elders.
2.2.2.5 Acting Elders
When the number of Elders is too few, a person may be designated to be an Acting Elder until an Elder is appointed. When an Elder is appointed, the Acting Elder will resign voluntarily. An Acting Elder shall be considered an Elder in every other way.
2.2.2.6 Compensation
Elders are not entitled to compensation but may be assigned compensation. Such compensation must be approved by the Board of Elders upholding the principle of no conflict of interest.
2.2.2.7 長老会長 Lead Elder
One of the Elders shall be the Lead Elder.
2.2.2.7.1 Appointment
The Lead Elder must be an Elder and may not be the Clerk or Accountant. The Lead Elder is appointed by the Elders.
2.2.2.7.2 Term
The Lead Elder is appointed for life, unless they resign or are dismissed.
2.2.2.7.3 Resigning/Dismissal
The Lead Elder may resign voluntarily. The Lead Elder may be dismissed from that role with unanimous approval of the other Elders.
2.2.2.7.4 Acting Lead Elders
When the Lead Elder resigns or is dismissed, one of the Elders will be appointed by the Board of Elders to take the role of Acting Lead Elder until the next Lead Elder is appointed. When the next Lead Elder is appointed the Acting Lead Elder will resign voluntarily.
2.2.2.7.5 Duties
Duties may be delegated. The Lead Elder shall recommend the appointment of Elders and attend to all needs of the church that are not delegated.
The Lead Elder shall open and maintain a bank account in the name of the Religious Corporation and approve disbursements in good faith. When such disbursements shall represent a conflict of interest, said disbursement shall, in principle, have received prior authorization from the Board of Elders.
2.2.2.9 Clerk
One of the Elders shall be the Clerk.
2.2.2.9.1 Appointment
The Clerk must be an Elder and may not be the Lead Elder. The Clerk is recommended by the Lead Elder and appointed by the Board of Elders.
2.2.2.9.2 Term
The Clerk is appointed for life, unless they resign or are dismissed.
2.2.2.9.3 Resigning/Dismissal
The Clerk may resign voluntarily. The Clerk may be dismissed from that role with the approval of the other Elders.
2.2.2.9.4 Acting Clerk
When there is no Clerk, the Elders may appoint an Acting Clerk. The Acting Clerk does not need to be an Elder. When a Clerk is appointed, the Acting Clerk will resign voluntarily.
2.2.2.9.5 Duties
The Clerk may delegate these duties. The Clerk shall prepare and manage documents. The Clerk shall prepare and present the bulletin The Clerk shall prepare an annual report for the Ministry
2.2.2.11 長老の配偶者 Spouses of Elders
Spouses may attend Elder’s meetings. Spouses are not voting positions.
2.2.3 執事 Deacons
Deacons are
2.2.4 定期出席者 Regular Attendee
(attends weekly for at least 9 weeks each quarter and completion of Vision and Values curriculum, may receive counseling and ceremonial services from Elders, may be subject to church discipline)
2.2.5 隣人 Neighbors
All other persons are neighbors. Neighbors must be loved and reached with the Gospel. Neighbors are invited to participate but not entitled to.
2.3 資料、届け、報告、Bulletin Records, notifications, reports, bulletin
Core documents: AoI, SoF, RoC. Rules for revision.
Articles of Incorporation…
Written Certification (?)
List of Elders/Advisory Board Members
Financial Records…
Meeting Minutes? Elder’s meeting minutes shall be signed by the Elders.
Attendance Records…
Records that should be reviewed by the Advisory Board shall be prepared in both Japanese and English except in cases where it would cause undue burden.
Materials are stored at the office by the Clerk and where possible posted on the website of the Religious Corporation.
The weekly bulletin shall contain relevant reporting from the Elders about decisions and a brief financial statement.
2.4 会議 Meetings
2.4.1 Regular Public worship
The Religious Corporation shall host regular public worship, endeavoring to do so every Sunday, led by an Elder in accordance with the Statement of Faith and Rules of Conduct. The Clerk or their delegate shall prepare and present the Bulletin.
2.4.2 Elders meetings
The Lead Elder shall host Elders meetings no less than once per month attended by a quorum of the Board of Elders. Attendance may be virtual through use of telecommunication technologies.
2.4.3 Regarding Other Meetings
There is no “annual meeting” since the requirements are met in our regular worship and elders meetings. Any business that would be handled by an Annual General Meeting may be brought before the Elders on an as-needed basis and will be discussed at the next Elders Meeting.
2.5 Other (Insurance, Copyrights)
附則 (Attachment)1. 信仰告白 Statement of Faith
The Gospel. Theological commitments to the Bible and Trinity.
附則 (Attachment)2. 活動方針 Rules of Conduct
(includes counseling, confidentiality, ceremonies, conflict resolution, church discipline)
附則 (Attachment)3. ビジョンと価値観宣言書 Vision and Values Statement
(I have read and understood the AoI. I have read and agreed to abide by SoF and RoC.)