MMUC10

MMUC FAQs

By: Past MMUC Committee

Over recent weeks there has been much comment, speculation and at times misinformation circulated about the sale of the Mangrove Mountain Union Church property. To set the record straight, the answers to some of the frequently asked questions are below.

Why take the drastic step of selling the Church?
The decision to sell the Church was not made lightly. The committee members had all been actively involved in and loyal to the Church for many years, and it was with sadness and regret that the decision to sell was made. Ultimately, with little community support, little interest in the Church as a worship centre for some years, no potential for meaningful income in the foreseeable future and the appointment of new members to the committee not possible under the Constitution (see below), the sale became the only viable option.

Why insist on selling the Church when there are so many people putting their hands up to keep it running?
The Constitution of the Mangrove Mountain Union Church Inc specifies the criteria for membership of the MMUC Inc. To qualify for membership, a person must be a representative of a group that has been conducting services in the Church building on a regular basis (being more than twice per month for more than 2 months or once a month for more than 3 months, per year) for at least one year. There had been no applications for membership of the MMUC Inc in the previous 2 years and indeed no one who fulfilled the membership criteria. Unfortunately, the recent interest and support of the community has come too late to be of any practical or meaningful use.

Why can’t the Constitution simply be changed to enable new members to join and take over management of the Church?
At the relevant times, there was simply no group to approach to enquire whether it would take over the management of the Church. A change in the Constitution could only have taken place prior to the appointment of the liquidator, and for the above reason this was simply not feasible.

Why was a liquidator appointed when the Church isn’t actually insolvent?
The committee members had an obligation to ensure MMUC Inc remained solvent. With the Church having minimal use and patronage for some 5 years, there was little income generated yet the running costs (maintenance, insurance, pastoral fees and the like) remained at least the same. The committee members were largely funding Church expenses out of their own pockets. With consistently low attendance, there was no potential for the income to increase in the near future, so while the Church was not at the time insolvent it was heading that way, and were it not for the personal contributions of the committee members, the MMUC Inc. may well have become insolvent some time ago.

I heard that the Special Resolution to appoint the liquidator wasn’t even validly passed?
The committee members sought legal advice before appointing the liquidator. The resolution to appoint the liquidator was valid because it was passed by three-quarters of the members, in accordance with the MMUC Inc. Constitution.

Where does the Constitution say that the members can sell the Church?
The Constitution provides at Part 1(3)(a) that the MMUC Inc can “manage, repair, let, improve, sell, mortgage or otherwise deal with control of the land, the building and the hall.”

What will happen to the proceeds of the sale?
The amount that remains after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities (including sale costs and liquidator’s fees) shall be transferred to another Christian organisation with similar charitable and educational purposes, which is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members. This is provided by clause 45 of the Constitution.
Past MMUC Committee