63Rd OHIO DISTRICT COUNCIL

71th OHIO NETWORK CONFERENCE RESOLUTION NO. 1

EXECUTIVE OFFICER TERM LIMITS (CONSTITUTION)

1 WHEREAS, at recent Network Conferences and General Councils, much attention has been 1 2 given to the need for greater gender, generational, and ethnic diversity; and, 2 3 3 4 WHEREAS, attempts have been made, for a more balanced representation at national and 4 5 local levels using quotas and percentage additions to various leadership bodies; 5 6 and, 6 7 7 8 WHEREAS, one of the reasons for the lack of diversity and increasing average age of these 8 9 bodies is the length that an individual remains in position before another, 9 1 potentially younger, individual is able to move into that position; and, 10 0 11 1 WHEREAS, the possibility of disconnecting with the general constituency exists when officers 12 1 serve for an extended period of time; and, 13 1 14 2 WHEREAS, other potential positional misuses can arise when a person remains in a position of 15 1 oversight and/or authority for too long are well documented throughout our 16 3 society; and, 17 1 18 4 WHEREAS, the network executive officers are in positions of great influence on both the 19 1 network and national levels, and 20 5 21 1 WHEREAS, the network executive officers in their various roles serve our network in the 22 6 capacity of executive directors rather than that of pastors, though they may at 23 1 times perform the duties and functions of a pastor, which does not create an 24 7 inconsistency with longevity of pastors serving in the local church, and 25 1 26 8 WHEREAS, the Assemblies of God has always been a “grass roots” movement as a cooperative 27 1 fellowship, thus making it proper to increase opportunity for more individuals to 28 9 serve, potentially allowing for a more natural balance across generational, 29 2 gender, and ethnic realities; and, 30 0 31 2 WHEREAS, the electoral system offers a mechanism for “passing the torch” and still allowing 32 1 those with experience to continue in influence and voice; and, 33 2 34 2 WHEREAS, having a term limit creates a sense of urgency to the time that is served to put 35 2 forth energy and effort into accomplishing the work at hand,; and, 36 3 37 2 WHEREAS, the idea of term limits does not exclude an ordained minister from being eligible 38 4 again after an additional 4 year term has expired where they have not served; 39 2 therefore, be it, 40 5 41 2 RESOLVED, that the Ohio District Assemblies of God Constitution, Article X., Officers, be 42 6 amended as follows: 43 2 44 7 PRESENT TEXT PROPOSED TEXT 45 2 46 8 CONSTITUTION CONSTITUTION 47 2 ARTICLE X. OFFICERS ARTICLE X. OFFICERS 48 9 49 3 Section 1. Executive Officers Section 1. Executive Officers 50 0 51 3 a. No changes. a. No changes. 52 1 53 3 b. The terms of office for the b. The terms of office for the 54 2 network superintendent and the network superintendent and the 55 3 assistant network superintendent assistant network superintendent 1 3 2

of 2 3 shall begin 60 days after the date of shall begin 60 days after the date 3 4 election, unless otherwise of election, unless otherwise 4 3 authorized by the Network authorized by the Network 5 5 Executive Presbytery, and shall Executive Presbytery, and shall 6 3 continue for four (4) years. The continue for four (4) years. The 7 6 term of office for the nonresident term of office for the nonresident 8 3 general presbyter shall be two (2) general presbyter shall be two (2) 9 7 years. years. A network superintendent, 10 3 assistant superintendent, or 11 8 nonresident general presbyter 12 3 serving (3) consecutive terms shall 13 9 not be eligible to serve in that 14 4 same role for at least one term. 15 0 16 4 c. No changes. 17 1 4 c. No changes. 2 4 RESOLVED, that these term limits go into effect at the end of the current term for the 3 superintendent, assistant superintendent and non-resident general presbyter and 4 that their preceding terms not be considered in the term limit calculation. 4 4 Respectfully Submitted: Shane Hart, Lead Pastor 5 4 6 Amended: Yes ____ No ____ 4 Passed: Yes ____ No ____ 7 4 Date: ______8 4 9 5 0 5 1 5 2 5 3 5 4 5 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 Page 2 of 2 4 1 5 1 6 1 7