The SIAFU Guidebook

130 The SIAFU Network Guidebook

sponsoring the Chapter. Under no circumstances can a Chapter operate without the pastor or spiritual authority’s blessing (chaplain, director, etc.). No Chapter can function on its own; it must be connected to a local assembly or organization whose pastor and spiritual authority has endorsed its work.

In summary, here are the key facts and principles regarding membership and leadership in a Chapter:

• Individuals join SIAFU Chapters by affirming their personal faith in Jesus Christ, their commitment to SIAFU’s mission and vision and its rules, policies, and Statement of Faith, and agree to submit to the Chapter’s Leadership Council. • Candidate members should be publicly affirmed in a charge given to them by the President during a Chapter meeting, where they become official members of the Chapter (see Appendix for SIAFU Member Charge ). • All officers and leaders serve under the blessing and endorsement of the church pastor or ministry director. • Officers and leaders are elected for one-year terms, by simple majority vote of the Chapter members. • All activities, projects, and programs of any SIAFU Chapter must be subject to the approval of the pastor/ministry director of the sponsoring church or ministry. Again, members of a SIAFU Chapter must be professing Christians, and Officers and Support Role leaders are to be selected annually by majority vote of the members present, with the pastor’s or spiritual authority’s blessing and imprimatur (endorsement). President The Chapter President serves at the behest of, as liaison of, and under the authority of the pastor/leader of the church and/or ministry. Essentially, the pastor/ministry leader should be regarded as an ex officio member of all SIAFU meetings, i.e., they can attend all meetings, whether planning or sponsored, of the SIAFU Chapter or its Leadership Council. The