IACS Constitution & By-Laws
Article 1 - Name
Indiana Association of Christian Schools
Article 2 - Purpose
To promote education in private Christian schools through the dissemination of information as well as coordinated academic, music and sports competition. The Association seeks to promote and encourage excellence in Christian education and its representative member schools within the state of Indiana.
Article 3 - Doctrinal Statement
3.1. BIBLE. We believe in the plenary, verbal inspiration of the Bible, both the old and new testaments, and that it is our only rule for faith and practice.
3.2. GOD. We believe God exists in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and that all three are equal in divine attributes.
3.3. JESUS CHRIST. We believe in the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and His identification as the Son of God. We believe in the vicarious substitutionary death on the cross and the atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood. We believe in the resurrection of His body form the tomb and His continuing work of intercession for believers at the right hand of God the Father. We believe in His power to save men eternally from sin.
3.4. HOLY SPIRIT. We believe that God the Holy Spirit calls, regenerates, baptizes, indwells, fills and seals the believers. We reject modern charismatic doctrine.
3.5. CREATION. We believe in the Bible account of creation, rather than evolution, and that it was accomplished by the direct act of God.
3.6. MAN. We believe that man became a fallen creature and that all men are born in sin and are totally depraved, lost, condemned to Hell, and in order to be saved must receive the new-birth experience of salvation by the grace of God through genuine faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
3.7. FUTURE THINGS. We believe in the imminent, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial return of Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead -- the saved to a life of eternal glory and bliss in heaven with God; the unsaved to eternal judgment of conscious suffering and woe in the lake of fire.
3.8. THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION. We believe that the local church is an independent, autonomous body of baptized believers carrying out its mission to win the lost and disciple believers. We further believe it is the God-given right of the parents to be responsible for the education and welfare of their children.
3.9. SEPARATION. We believe in the biblical doctrine of separation, which encompasses three things: The separation of the local church from all affiliation and fellowship with those who deny the verities of the Christian faith; the separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices that may dishonor the Savior; and the separation of the church from state control in areas of religious liberty.
3.2. GOD. We believe God exists in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — and that all three are equal in divine attributes.
3.3. JESUS CHRIST. We believe in the incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and His identification as the Son of God. We believe in the vicarious substitutionary death on the cross and the atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood. We believe in the resurrection of His body form the tomb and His continuing work of intercession for believers at the right hand of God the Father. We believe in His power to save men eternally from sin.
3.4. HOLY SPIRIT. We believe that God the Holy Spirit calls, regenerates, baptizes, indwells, fills and seals the believers. We reject modern charismatic doctrine.
3.5. CREATION. We believe in the Bible account of creation, rather than evolution, and that it was accomplished by the direct act of God.
3.6. MAN. We believe that man became a fallen creature and that all men are born in sin and are totally depraved, lost, condemned to Hell, and in order to be saved must receive the new-birth experience of salvation by the grace of God through genuine faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
3.7. FUTURE THINGS. We believe in the imminent, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial return of Christ. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead -- the saved to a life of eternal glory and bliss in heaven with God; the unsaved to eternal judgment of conscious suffering and woe in the lake of fire.
3.8. THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION. We believe that the local church is an independent, autonomous body of baptized believers carrying out its mission to win the lost and disciple believers. We further believe it is the God-given right of the parents to be responsible for the education and welfare of their children.
3.9. SEPARATION. We believe in the biblical doctrine of separation, which encompasses three things: The separation of the local church from all affiliation and fellowship with those who deny the verities of the Christian faith; the separation of the individual believer from all worldly practices that may dishonor the Savior; and the separation of the church from state control in areas of religious liberty.
Article 4 - Philosophy of Education
4.1. We believe that true Christian education is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and student-related with its primary purpose of developing young people with character who will live for the glory of God and for the good of society.
4.2. We believe God has delegated the authority to parents to "train up a child in the way he should go," and that it is the parents' right to extend that authority to pastors and teachers. The child has the responsibility to give proper respect and obedience to those in authority over him.
4.3. We believe every student is a special, unique individual created by God, and responsible ultimately to God as Creator and Judge.
4.4. We believe it is the responsibility of the Christian school to train students to exercise self-government by instilling in them Christian character, both in discipline and in the content of the material selected for classroom use.
4.5. We believe that a Bible-based, Christ-centered, teacher-directed approach, as taught in the Word of God, ought to be the methodology of the Christian school.
4.6. We oppose modern progressive education because it rejects Bible principles in favor of atheism, humanism, naturalism, secularism, materialism, temporalism, permissiveness, relativism, and socialism, which we believe are godless philosophies.
4.7. We oppose the moral degeneration of our society as manifested by sexual activity outside of the marriage of one man and one woman. (This may include but is not limited to such deviant sinful activities as homosexuality, fornication, adultery, gay marriages, bestiality, and such like.)
4.2. We believe God has delegated the authority to parents to "train up a child in the way he should go," and that it is the parents' right to extend that authority to pastors and teachers. The child has the responsibility to give proper respect and obedience to those in authority over him.
4.3. We believe every student is a special, unique individual created by God, and responsible ultimately to God as Creator and Judge.
4.4. We believe it is the responsibility of the Christian school to train students to exercise self-government by instilling in them Christian character, both in discipline and in the content of the material selected for classroom use.
4.5. We believe that a Bible-based, Christ-centered, teacher-directed approach, as taught in the Word of God, ought to be the methodology of the Christian school.
4.6. We oppose modern progressive education because it rejects Bible principles in favor of atheism, humanism, naturalism, secularism, materialism, temporalism, permissiveness, relativism, and socialism, which we believe are godless philosophies.
4.7. We oppose the moral degeneration of our society as manifested by sexual activity outside of the marriage of one man and one woman. (This may include but is not limited to such deviant sinful activities as homosexuality, fornication, adultery, gay marriages, bestiality, and such like.)
Article 5 - Membership
5.1. Member schools must be in full agreement with the Purpose, Doctrinal Statement and Philosophy of Education of the Indiana Association of Christian Schools.
5.2. Membership shall not be open to schools and churches who are members of or in accord with the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the Charismatic Movement, the Ecumenical Movement, or any other group whose position is contrary to the intent of the Indiana Association of Christian Schools.
5.3. Membership in the Indiana Association of Christian Schools constitutes membership in the American Association of Christian Schools.
5.4. All schools must be approved by the Board of Directors before membership is accepted.
5.2. Membership shall not be open to schools and churches who are members of or in accord with the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the Charismatic Movement, the Ecumenical Movement, or any other group whose position is contrary to the intent of the Indiana Association of Christian Schools.
5.3. Membership in the Indiana Association of Christian Schools constitutes membership in the American Association of Christian Schools.
5.4. All schools must be approved by the Board of Directors before membership is accepted.
Article 6 - Board of Directors and Officers
6.1. Board of Directors
6.1.1. The Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall be a self-perpetuating body of nine (9) men. The Board Members shall be men who are pastors or administrators of member schools. They shall be elected to three-year terms with one-third being elected each year. They may be re-elected indefinitely. Their election shall be by majority of the Board.
6.1.2. The Board shall have complete charge over all the affairs of the IACS as directed by this Constitution and such by-laws or principles and policies as may be adopted as needed.
6.2. Officers
6.2.1. The Executive Officers of the IACS shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and shall be elected annually by and from the Board and may be re-elected indefinitely. Their election shall be by majority vote. These officers shall carry on the business of the IACS in accordance with the will of the Board, expressed or implied.
6.2.2. Duties
6.2.2.1. President -- Preside at all meetings; be an ex officio member of all committees; appoint committee chairmen subject to ratification by the Board; be responsible for the general welfare of the IACS.
6.2.2.2. Vice-President -- Assist the President in the performance of his duties; assume the duties of the President should he become incapacitated.
6.2.2.3. Secretary -- Keep minutes of all official business meetings of the Association; maintain membership records; Conduct official correspondence.
6.2.2.4. Treasurer -- Receive and disperse all funds of the Association as directed by the Board; make available an annual financial report to the Board and member schools.
6.3. Finances
6.3.1. The Board Members shall serve without salary.
6.3.2. The Board shall have authority to establish reasonable fees for member schools.
6.3.3. The Board shall have authority to establish positions and secure personnel, paid or unpaid, for the purpose of carrying out the business of the Association.
6.3.4. Expenses of Board sessions and Association meetings shall be borne by the Association.
6.3.5. Expenses of Board members and/or any individual incurred in the carrying out of authorized Association business is entitled to reimbursement.
6.3.6. Any indebtedness must be approved by vote of the Board and member schools before the debt is incurred.
6.4. Vacancies
6.4.1 Unexpired vacancies shall be filled by the Board.
6.1.1. The Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall be a self-perpetuating body of nine (9) men. The Board Members shall be men who are pastors or administrators of member schools. They shall be elected to three-year terms with one-third being elected each year. They may be re-elected indefinitely. Their election shall be by majority of the Board.
6.1.2. The Board shall have complete charge over all the affairs of the IACS as directed by this Constitution and such by-laws or principles and policies as may be adopted as needed.
6.2. Officers
6.2.1. The Executive Officers of the IACS shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and shall be elected annually by and from the Board and may be re-elected indefinitely. Their election shall be by majority vote. These officers shall carry on the business of the IACS in accordance with the will of the Board, expressed or implied.
6.2.2. Duties
6.2.2.1. President -- Preside at all meetings; be an ex officio member of all committees; appoint committee chairmen subject to ratification by the Board; be responsible for the general welfare of the IACS.
6.2.2.2. Vice-President -- Assist the President in the performance of his duties; assume the duties of the President should he become incapacitated.
6.2.2.3. Secretary -- Keep minutes of all official business meetings of the Association; maintain membership records; Conduct official correspondence.
6.2.2.4. Treasurer -- Receive and disperse all funds of the Association as directed by the Board; make available an annual financial report to the Board and member schools.
6.3. Finances
6.3.1. The Board Members shall serve without salary.
6.3.2. The Board shall have authority to establish reasonable fees for member schools.
6.3.3. The Board shall have authority to establish positions and secure personnel, paid or unpaid, for the purpose of carrying out the business of the Association.
6.3.4. Expenses of Board sessions and Association meetings shall be borne by the Association.
6.3.5. Expenses of Board members and/or any individual incurred in the carrying out of authorized Association business is entitled to reimbursement.
6.3.6. Any indebtedness must be approved by vote of the Board and member schools before the debt is incurred.
6.4. Vacancies
6.4.1 Unexpired vacancies shall be filled by the Board.
Article 7 - Meetings
7.1. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. The Board shall normally have at least two (2) meetings annually, one of which shall be designated as the annual meeting. Special business meetings may be called at the discretion of the President or the Executive Committee, providing a ten-day written notice is given to the individual Board Members, with the particulars of the meeting stated. Six (6) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
7.2. RULE OF ORDER. All meetings of the Indiana Association of Christian Schools and meetings of the Board shall be governed by generally accepted rules of parliamentary order.
7.3. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. An annual business meeting of the Association shall be held in the spring of each year.
7.4. MEETINGS OF MEMBER SCHOOLS. The Indiana Association of Christian Schools shall conduct meetings at the call of the Board or at the call of a majority of member schools.
7.5. VOTING. Each member school shall have one (1) vote and the vote shall be cast by the official representative of the respective school.
7.2. RULE OF ORDER. All meetings of the Indiana Association of Christian Schools and meetings of the Board shall be governed by generally accepted rules of parliamentary order.
7.3. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. An annual business meeting of the Association shall be held in the spring of each year.
7.4. MEETINGS OF MEMBER SCHOOLS. The Indiana Association of Christian Schools shall conduct meetings at the call of the Board or at the call of a majority of member schools.
7.5. VOTING. Each member school shall have one (1) vote and the vote shall be cast by the official representative of the respective school.
Article 8 - Committees
8.1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer of the Association.
8.2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Board.
8.3. Other special or standing committees may be created by vote of the Board.
8.2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Board.
8.3. Other special or standing committees may be created by vote of the Board.
Article 9 - Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board and regular membership in separate votes. Notification of such proposed amendment shall be given to member schools following approval by the Board.
Revised and adopted January 26, 1983; January 18, 2008
