Preamble
The following document is an explanation of the official rules and regulations of the Ministry, as well as the Administrative Structure. There is no doubt that we are living in era of inconsistency, lawlessness and confusion where Churches and Ministries are without standard and the password is ‘I’ll do it my own way’. The Leadership of this Ministry recognises these fact and what we demand is discipleship with integrity, whose character is uncorrupted, whose doctrine is sound, whose relationship with God and man are real, whose thought are pure, whose vision is progressive, whose loyalty is sure and whose life is fixed on God.
These attributes enumerated above, serves as the framework for choosing our Workers and Collaborators. Suffice is to say that, it is not the policy of the Ministry to look for volunteers rather, we are looking forward only to receiving people with Spiritual Conviction of being called of God to serve in this particular Ministry. The basis for choosing our Workers and Collaborators therefore could be inferred from the Bible (Luke chapter 6:12-16). In this scripture, Jesus called His disciples to Himself and from them He choose twelve whom He also named Apostles. May the Lord grant you a sincere heart to make a quality decision to serve in His Vineyard.
The President
He is the Spiritual Head, the Founder and the General-Overseer (G.O) of the entire Ministry worldwide. He represents the Ministry towards the Organs of the States, the International Organisations, and other similar Institutions all over the world. He supervises all National Administrative Boards and Mission of the Ministry. The President may call for the meetings involving any of the Boards when he deems it necessary, and he presides over such meetings. He may delegate his authority to the National Overseers when deemed necessary.
Delegation
The President may delegate the National Overseers or any other member(s) of the National Administrative Boards (NAB) on specific assignments or issues. In some cases the President may as well ask any member of the National Administrative Boards (NAB) to represent him. The same is applicable to the National Overseers and the Presiding Pastors. They may ask any member(s) of their respective Board to represent them when situation requires them to do that.
The National Overseer
(a) He is the over-all head and Overseer of the Ministry in the Country.
(b) He collaborates with the President and Founder of the Ministry every time that such collaboration is requested of him.
(c) He substitutes the President if he is absent or when delegated to do so. In doing this, he assumes the same obligations, faculties and responsibilities of the President described in this Handbook.
(d) He relates and reports to the President on behalf of the Ministry, all of the National Administrative Board’s activities.
(e) In collaboration with the Secretary to the National Administrative Board (NAB), he is to circulate notice of meetings and the Agenda.
(f) He is to co-ordinate the activity of the Ministry at the National level and to follow closely the overall development of all Local Assemblies.
(g) He is to ensure that the necessary Administrative and Teaching Materials are provided for all the Assemblies (e.g. Letter Head paper, Accounting Books, Membership Forms, Follow-up letters, Doctrinal Statements, Sunday school and Bible Study materials, Tithes’ Cards, all kinds of Envelopes etc.,).
Presiding Pastor
(a) This is a shepherd whom the Leadership of this Ministry has recognised the calling of God in his live and so officially ordained for the work of Ministry. (b) He is to be the Spiritual Head and the Overseer of the Administration of the Local Assembly.
(c) He is to preside over the Assembly’s Presbytery Board (PB) Meetings for considerations on matters relating to the development of the Local Assembly. He prepares the weekly Announcement for his Congregation.
(d) He is to design systems of effective and efficient Evangelism & Visitations in the Local Assembly.
(e) He must ensure that all records and record books are properly and constantly kept. Such records include the record of Names and Addresses of Members together with the Assembly’s mails, Visitors Forms, Follow-up letters, and Membership Forms. He must make all these available for the church use.
The National Administration Board (NAB)
(a) This comprises of the National Overseer, the Pastors and the Elders. These are the people that are already ordained officially to serve the Ministry in these areas.
(b) Treasurers to each Assembly, the Secretaries (Both Administrative and Finance), Director of Operations, the Sunday school Superintendent, Evangelists and other posts as the Ministry may deemed necessary in the future are selected only from among this group of people.
(c) Membership of (NAB) and Candidateship for its posts excludes the Deacons.
Exclusive Functions of the National Administrative Board
(a) To draw together Christians from all Nations and to create a family atmosphere with a sense of belonging within the Ministry’s various Assemblies. (b) To promote and co-ordinate the potentiality of all members, making them to be more strong for mission and bringing forth the growth of Evangelism/Mission through individual and collective witnessing as in line with the Vision of the Ministry. (c) Examines and approves the operations of the Presbytery Board of all Assemblies, including individual functionary(s), Group(s) and Specialised Committee(s) of the Assemblies.
(d) Decides about the withdrawal of Membership from any unruly member(s) and the dispensation of appropriate disciplinary actions against anyone that deserves it.
(e) The National Administrative Board (NAB) inaugurates any other individual functionary(s), Group(s) and Specialised Committee(s) required for the work of the Ministry within the stipulated regulations in this Handbook. However, the Presbytery Board of the Assemblies must recommend such inauguration.
(f) Institutes Reverences or Specialised Committees to study and even to act on specific issues relating to the Vision and the Fundamental Principles of the Ministry. The National Administrative Board (NAB) adopts the report of such committees before its practical implementation.
The Presbytery Board
(a) This comprises of the Presiding Pastor, Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses. These are the people that are already ordained officially to serve the Ministry in these areas.
(b) An Administrative Secretary who would be working in collaboration with the Presiding Pastor and in line with the regulations in this Handbook should be selected. Such person must not be involved in any official engagement with the National Administrative Board (NAB) of the Ministry.
(c) Membership of Presbytery Board (PB) and Candidateship for its posts excludes the Activities Group Leaders. Exclusive Functions of the Presbytery Board
(a) To promotes and sponsors programmes that fulfils or lean towards the accomplishment of the Ministry’s Vision defined in the preamble above.
(b) To considers and recommends to the appropriate authority (National Administrative Board) all that is needed to realise the said Vision.
(c) To direct ministerial affairs of the Assembly, give advice to the Presiding Pastor and to execute and enforce the principles of the Ministry.
(d) To examines all full membership Applications submitted by intending members and presents their own opinion on the membership of such applicant to the Pastor.
(e) To draft their Assembly’s annual budget for presentation before the National Administrative Board through the Finance Secretary for approval.
(f) To appoint Activity Group leaders. Such appointment must be negotiated with the members of the concerned Group.
(g) The Presbytery Board (PB) must presents to the National Administrative Board (NAB) for approval, any other formulated functions of any Individual(s), Group(s) or Specialised Committee(s), which are not defined in this By-Laws.
(h) All resolutions and suggestions from the Workers’ Meeting of the Assembly must be submitted to the Presbytery Board, who will take proper actions in dealing with such resolutions and suggestions within the limit of the authority of the Board. Nevertheless, the National Administrative Board (NAB) must as well approve all decisions of the Presbytery Board.
(i) To observe and respect decisions taken by the National Administrative Board (NAB) of the Ministry in their areas of competence as established in this By-Laws.
Advisory Board
(a) There will be Advisory Board for the purpose of advice to the National Administrative Board and for handling complaints and pointing to Biblical guidelines for ethical conduct in the Ministry in the spirit of Galatians 6:1.
(b) The number of people serving on this Board shall be not less than three (3) or more than five (5). Their membership shall be renewed every two years, based also on the consent of the individual(s) concerned.
(c) The Board shall be selected by the President and approved by a simple majority vote of the National Administrative Board (NAB).
(d) The chairmanship of this Board shall be in rotation among its members yearly.
(e) The Board shall be required to attend at least, twice in a year the National Administrative Board (NAB) meetings and may call for meetings with (NAB) when deemed necessary.
(f) The Advisory Board will submit annual reports exclusively to the President and there will not be such reports given to the National Administrative Board because of the unique nature of the Advisory Board.
Administrative Secretaries
(a) They are the link between their respective Board and the members. They receive and dispatches information, reports or any other matters that may arise between them.
(b) Administrative Secretaries receives all Applications from intending members and any other administrative Documents for presentation before their respective Board.
(c) To keep record of all activities and programmes of the NAB/PB including reports from the other Organs and Specialised Committees set up by the Boards.
(d) In collaboration with the Presiding Pastor, Administrative Secretaries to the Presbytery Boards must ensure that all records and record books are properly and constantly kept. Such record books include the record of names and Addresses of Members together with the Assembly’s mails. He must make available the Visitors Forms, Follow-up letters, and Membership Forms to the Ushers and whoever may have need of them.
The Finance Secretary
(a) The Finance Secretary carries the final responsibility for the management of the finances and for the fund raising policies of the entire National body of the Ministry. He is charged with the responsibility of systemising the Ministry’s accounts with necessary checks & balances.
(b) He receives the prepared budgets of all Assemblies, Specialised Committees of the Ministry for presentation before the National Administrative Board as the case may be.
(c) Verifies the accuracy of the budget and testifies to the consistency of the money that the Assemblies has with financial Institutions (i.e. Banks).
(d) He is charged with the responsibility of auditing the Accounts of the Ministry at both Local and National levels. Checks the accounts/finances of every individual Functionary(s), Boards, Assemblies and Specialised Committee(s) of the Ministry.
(e) He receives and verifies Documented Evidences of their Monthly Returns. By this, he prepares, financial reports for the Boards and for the General Overseer both monthly and annually.
(f) Forwards his/her observations and recommendations directly to the concerned and copies to the Boards and to the General Overseer. If the necessary correction is promptly effected based on the observations of the Finance Secretary, such observations should not be included in the final report to be presented at the end of the year.
(g) He ensures that Rents/Bills, the President and Pastors’ Monthly Allowances; Monthly contributions for Mission with Expenditure reimbursements to individuals as well as contributions to other external bodies are promptly paid.
(h) The Financial Secretary is expected to present general information on the financial position of the Ministry at every meeting of the National Administrative Board.
(i) He receives and answers queries and maintains files of correspondence and reports concerning financial matters. He may be called when necessary to present to the Congregation the financial situation of the concerned Assembly.
The Treasurers
(a) They hold the Purse for their respective Assemblies and releases fund as deemed necessary for the implementation of the Ministry’s Programmes and Activities.
(b) Keep up to date financial statements of the Church and records of all monetary matters (Tithes, offerings, donations etc). They are responsible for maintaining accurate record of Tithes of individual members.
(c) He forwards on monthly basis and directly to the Financial Secretary, Documented Evidences (i.e. the photocopies of Bank Statements, Receipts, and the Assembly’s Income and Expenditure Accounts book) showing the entire monetary transactions for the month.
(d) He ensures that Rents/Bills; the President and Pastors’ Monthly Allowances; Monthly contributions for Mission; Expenditure reimbursements to individuals as well as contributions to other external bodies are promptly paid.
(e) He presents information on the financial position of the Assembly at every Presbytery Board (PB) meetings and offer financial advice and budgetary.
Sunday School Teachers
(a) Their responsibility includes the co-ordination of all categories of teachings (Adult and Children Sunday school classes, Foundation classes, Home Bible Study etc.).
(b) They are to ensure massive participation of the congregation and proper care for all teaching materials.
(c) They shall be responsible for the distribution of Sunday school materials and shall advice the Presiding Pastor on other Sunday school needs.
(d) With the approval of the Pastor, more Teachers could be recruited and trained to assist them when necessary.
Prayer Group Leaders
(a) Prayer is the lifeline to God and a means to get to His bosom. It draws attention of God to human problems. It is the duty of these individuals to do their best in enhancing the prayer life of the Church.
(b) They are expected to organise a group of ‘Prayer Warriors’ and should co-ordinate the individuals’ prayer request of the Church members and shall be responsible for organising Power Nights.
(c) They can also arrange for intercessory prayers when the need arises, but must seek first the consent of the Pastor in charge of the Assembly i.e. maintaining constant communication with the Pastor on members’ Prayer requests.
(d) Shall be in the church to pray prior to the Church services on Sundays And also on days of special programs like crusades, conventions, anniversaries, etc as the need may arise.
Head Ushers
(a) These persons are the heads of the Chapel Committee in their individual Assembly, charged with the responsibility of supervising their committee’s functions as described in the Activity Group Section below.
(b) They are to work in collaboration with the Presiding Pastors and the Church Secretary in the distribution of Visitors/Decision Forms and Membership Forms regularly.
(c) With the Pastor assistance, they could recruit and train more members.
(d) They are to assist their respective Treasurer in collection and calculation of money in the church.
Music Director
These persons are the overall heads of the Church Choir in their respective Assembly, charged with the responsibility of supervising their Group functions as described in the Activity Group Section below.
He is to maintain a Choir that is well co-ordinated, and well disciplined. He must ensure compliance with the Choir guides.
He is personally responsible for the maintenance and safekeeping of the Musical Instruments
He is to lead the Hymns, Praise and Worship during worship service and other Programmes of the Church (He may as well select any capable member of his team to do it).
In collaboration with the Pastor, he could recruit Singers and more Singers into the Church Choir.
The Music Director is to be assisted by an Assistant Director who takes charge of the Choir in the absence of the Director.
Librarians
(a) The Assembly’s Library is to be managed by individuals appointed by the Presiding Pastors.
(b) They are to be responsible for the running and maintaining of their individual Assembly’s Library with an adequate recording of the movement of the Library materials.
(c) They should make effort to encourage the use of the Library resources by making constant announcement of the available materials to the Congregation and by designing a simple system that is capable of encouraging the borrowing and returning of the materials.
(d) In order to expand the resources and other facilities in the Library, the Librarians may take initiative when necessary and they can make recommendation on such to their Assembly Presbytery Board for consideration.
Meetings
(a) The National Administrative Board and the Presbytery Board of each Assembly (NAB & PB) meets separately in ordinary session once every month and in extra-ordinary session every time that the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) thinks it is necessary. They are also obliged to call for an extra-ordinary meeting of their individual Board when at least half of the members request with some motivation.
(b) In collaboration with the Chair-person of the Boards, the Secretaries to these Boards has to communicate one week in advance the Date and Venue fixed by the Boards in their previous meetings and send this information to the members and to all those that they need to invite to the meeting.
(c) The information should contain: (i) The Agenda of the meeting (ii) The date and (iii) The place of the meeting.
(d) Every meeting starts with prayers. The National Overseer or the presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) chooses privately the person(s) who would take the task of co-ordinating the prayers and who would preach during the sessions.
(e) The National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) presides over the meetings and he must ensure that the meeting is conducted orderly and decently following the rules and regulations.
(f) He should put into discussions all different arguments and viewpoints, moderate the discussions and announce the voting results.
(g) The Secretary checks the attendance to be sure that all members are present in case of vital decisions. He reads out the minute of the previous meeting and takes notes of all the decision that the meeting takes during the sessions
(h) Attendance at these meetings becomes very important to all members. But in case of unavoidable absenteeism, a written-note should be sent to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) prior to the dates of the meetings, though a Telephone call may be sufficient.
(i) Failure to do according to section (f) on this article may attract some kind of disciplinary actions. Nevertheless, the Board may recommend further disciplinary actions for any member without prior communication, who fails to attend official meetings on three consecutive occasions.
Deliberation
(a) National Administrative Board (NAB) can deliberate validly when there is present at the meeting (¾) of its members and Presbytery Board (PB) when there is (¾) of its members.
(b) Simple majority of the members present can pass Motions or Proposals except otherwise established by other section of this By-Laws.
(c) The National Administrative Board and/or the Presbytery Board (NAB/PB) can decide to summon any Individual functionary(s), Group(s) or Special Committee(s) of the Ministry for questioning or information pertaining to their area of competence or concerning any issues that has to do with the Ministry. However, the PB would need to make recommendation to the (NAB) on all issues.
(d) Only the National Administrative Board (NAB) can decide to terminate the Work/Fellowship of any Individual functionary(s), Group(s) or Special Committee(s) of the Ministry if found acting contrary to the Fundamental Principles of the Ministry or when such has exhausted its usefulness.
The Order of Deliberation
The members would first consider and approve the order of work on the Agenda prepared by the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be), and when approving it, they can propose modification on any item and/or make any addition that is necessary on the agenda.
Right to Speak
All members of the meetings have equal right to speak. But when it is necessary the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) can fix the number of people to speak on an issue and even the time duration for the individual speech. Person(s) that raises ‘Point of Order’ or ‘Question’ on the current issue in the discussion would have the chance to speak next before the discussion can be continued. The National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) has the authority to maintain order during such deliberation as not to bring confusion.
Proposals
Proposals are discussed according to the order of the agenda, but the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) can modify that order according to the needs of the Assembly. It must be presented to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) in written form, signed by at least two members (It is necessary that members comes to meeting with writing material of their own). The discussion proceeds by an illustration of the issue by any one of the persons that submits it. More than one proposal on the same issue can be put into discussion at the same time, but the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) can also ask those who presented these different views to unify them before the meeting would deliberate on it. Those who presented it can withdraw their proposals, and it can also be re-proposed, but by another group of two people who would also have to sign it.
Amendments of Proposals
(a) Amendments must be presented to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) in written form, signed by at least two members.
(b) The amendments are put in the discussion by voting in the index order to the one, which they have presented. But National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) has the possibility of modifying this order according to the criterion of opportunity to meet the need of the meeting.
(c) The discussion proceeds by an illustration on proposed amendments by any one of the persons that signed it.
(d) More than one amendment presented on the same argument can be treated if the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) believes so. In the same way he can ask the members that presented the amendment to unify their views first within themselves.
Interrogations
(a) Specialists or Experts can be invited to the meetings if there are technical arguments, and also any individual(s) Group(s) Specialised Committee(s) concerned in specific situation.
(b) Every member of the Boards can interrogate or pose questions to anyone of them in order to know better the specific facts concerning the issue(s) in discussion. Though this interrogation has to be presented in a written form to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) who would then re-present it formally to whoever is concerned during the questioning.
Voting on Decisions
(a) At the end of the discussions on each issue, National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) asks the meeting to vote but he does not start the voting in case the quorum requested by the By-Laws is not met.
(b) The Boards cannot validly decide if at least (¾) of its members are not present at the meeting.
(c) The decision of the Board is taken with a vote of the majority present unless the By-Laws requests a more elevated or higher majority.
(d) Every member of the Boards may have to verify the quorum before voting starts. The voting normally is done only by raising-up of hands.
Modification or Cancellation of Decisions
Proposals to annul or modify the decision validly taken by the same session of the (NAB/PB) meeting must be presented in written form and be submitted first to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) who would then re-present it formally to the meeting for consideration. This time, it must be signed by at least (1/4) of the total members of the (NAB/PB) present in that meeting and if found necessary by the Board, such modification or cancellation of decisions must finally be approve by (3/4) of votes of the total members of the (NAB/PB) present in that meeting.
Elections
(a) A Coordinator and a Treasurer (as may be required by each group, but not more than 2 Officers) shall be elected among members of Church-based Organizations to lead each Organization for a period of two years.
(b) This shall be through an electoral process, which shall be conducted by the Presbytery Board.
(c) An incumbent officer of the Organization may retain his /her position as long as he/she is not been voted out of the office.
(d) Leadership of the other Activity Groups shall be changed after a period of one year (only if found necessary by 2/3 of the members) and such must be according to the procedures set in this By-Laws.
Electoral Commission
(a) The Presbytery Board (PB) selects two of its members to constitute the commission. This commission has the task of conducting the elections and to announce the results of Men and Women’s Fellowship Leaders.
(b) No person among the members of the commission can participate in the contest but they can as well excise their voting rights.
Dis-Contentment
Issues of suspected irregularities in the voting process must be raised not later than immediately after the announcement of the election result. It must be motivated specifically and must be resolved immediately by the Presbytery Board (PB).
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings are to be prepared by the either the Secretary to the (NAB/PB) (as the case may be). It must contain a summary description of all the decisions of the Board. It should be mailed or given to all the members within a reasonable time.
Disciplinary Measures
The National Administrative Board shall adopts in some cases according to the modality established by the Ministry’ Statement of Faith and the By-Laws, some disciplinary measures towards Person(s) of the Ministry who violates very heavily the regulations of the Ministry as established in this Handbook. The National Administrative Board shall have the authority to take disciplinary actions against any person(s) of the Ministry. Grounds for such actions shall be: (1) Unscriptural conduct; (2) Doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith: (3) Incompetence in office; (4) Failure to cooperate with the programmes of the Ministry; (5) For any good and sufficient cause. Any one so charged may have the opportunity to meet directly with the National Administrative Board for a fair and impartial hearing. The decision of the Board shall be considered final and such person(s) shall have no further recourse.
Finance
(a) All full members, by virtue of their membership of the Ministry are expected to contribute realistically to its budget in the spirit described in the Ministry’s Statement of Faith.
(b) Every worshiper must be responsible for his/her expenses for participating in the Church fellowship or any other programme organised by the Assemblies or the Ministry as a whole.
(c) Members of all the main Organs of the Ministry (NAB/PB) as well as of the Specialised Committee(s) has the right to be reimbursed of all the expenses incurred in carrying out their Official responsibilities including Specified travelling expenses.
(d) Each Assembly should prepare their yearly Budget. By or before the 1st of December, the Budget must to be presented to the Finance Secretary who passes it on to the National Administrative Board.
(e) The Finance Secretary examines the Budget and communicates his observations back to the Assemblies not later than the 15th of December.
(f) If the Assemblies do not want to change the budget as recommended by the Finance Secretary, they should be able to provide a written document to the National Administrative Board on their reasons for doing otherwise.
(g) The National Administrative Board (NAB) should thereafter approve the final budget not later than the 31st December of every year. The financial year of the Ministry is closed by the 31st of December of the year.
Joint Programmes
(a) In order to facilitate an ‘Effective Interaction’ among the Assemblies and to set an ‘Effective Mechanism’ of achieving the Vision of the Ministry, Assemblies should organised ‘Joint Fellowships and Activities’ as realistically possible within the year. (b) Through such programmes Assemblies can: (i) Form a link between one another in order to reach the common goals set by the Ministry. (ii) Make potent the work of Evangelism and Witnessing in their locality. (iii) Stimulate brotherly communion through Combined or Joint Fellowship, Meetings, Conferences or Seminars and other common activities that represent and promotes the Vision of the Ministry.
(c) However, all the Assemblies should note that: (i) The initiation and co-ordination of such events would be the responsibility of the National Administrative Board (NAB).
(ii) A Director of the Operation should be appointed from among the Elders. However, the National Administrative Board (NAB) would directly regulate the activities.
(iii) Apart from Programmes that are organised by the National Administrative Board (NAB) jointly for the Ministry, to each Assembly is also available a single official date in a year that other Assemblies are obliged to give their ‘total support’ to the activities or programmes organised by their sister Assemblies.
(d) There must be an understanding between the Assemblies on the selection of their date of individual event as to avoid ‘coincidence of dates’. Therefore, information on the selected dates must be duly communicated between the Assemblies as from the beginning of the year.
(e) It is a punishable offence within the framework of the Ministry’s By-Laws for any Leader(s) to engage in ‘any form of acts’ capable of fermenting or causing Confusion, Competition, Tension, Sectionalism, Break-away or Secession, and Disorder within the Ministry.
Inter-Ministerial Co-Operation
Through Inter-Ministerial Co-operation and Interaction, the President and Founder of this Ministry realized the ‘need for Ministries to deepen the knowledge of one another in the light of the Word of God’ (Psalm 133), ‘enrich one another for the glory of God’ (Romans 1:11-12), and ‘support each other in the work the Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted to them’ (1 Corinthians 12:1-27). Therefore, the Ministry would be willing to relate with the like Ministries and Christian Bodies, but such would be limited to the level of Ministerial Fellowship. However, ACFI would welcome Groups or Ministries that seek affiliation on the recommendation of the National Administrative Board (NAB).
Conditions for Invitation of Foreign Ministers
i. Invitation of external body or individual that has to do with any of our Pulpits or the general Spiritual input to any of our Assemblies has to be reduced to a moderate number of times that such Assembly can economically managed in a year.
ii. Such invitee(s) must of course be born again and of integrity. If individual, such must be involved in the five-fold Ministries (i.e. Full-time Ministry) and/or a profession that enhances good living and encourages Godliness.
iii. Such invitee(s) must believe in the same Doctrine with us and living according to what he/she preaches.
iv. A member of good standing, who has listened to such invitee(s) within a reasonable period of time, must recommend such person(s) to the Presiding Pastor.
v. And most of all, such invitation must receive the approval of the National Administrative Board, where such Board is in existence. And through the National Overseer, the decision of the NAB should be communicated to the President promptly. But where the NAB is not in existence, the presiding Pastor or Elder must communicate the President and receive an approval.
Guideline on Marriage Blessing
Engagement and Courtship
i. The Brother (Proposing Groom) after praying must first confer with the Presiding Pastor in the Assembly, before informing the Sister of his intentions.
ii. The Presiding Pastor prays along with the Brother, and at the same time, he investigates and weighs the spiritual lives of both the Brother and the Sister.
iii. The Presiding Pastor counsels the Brother on pre-marriage basics.
iv. In consultation with the National Overseer, the Presiding Pastor can approve or disapprove of the Brother’s proposal. This of course depend on out-come of the investigation conducted.
v. If the proposal is approved, the Brother can go ahead and propose to the Sister. It should be noted that, only the Brothers could propose to Sisters and not in the other way round.
vi. The Presiding Pastor should also have a session with the Sister after she has received the proposal.
vii. In the event that one of the intending couple is from a different Ministry/Church, the Brother (if an ACFI member) before proposing must confer with our Presiding Pastor and the Sister (if an ACFI member) before consenting must also confer with him.
Advantages of This Procedure
i. It makes the Brother and the Sister serious and committed to their agreement.
ii. It prevents the possibility of Grass-hopping, i.e., a Brother moving from one Sister to another Sister.
Courtship Relationship
i. The Presiding Pastor or his appointed proxy should be having frequent sessions with the intending couple to guide them through the courtship process.
ii. At this stage of relationship, all forms of carnal relationships e.g. hugging, kissing, and living under the same roof, even tarrying long alone or being together in secluded areas and sexual intercourse are strictly forbidden.
Traditional Marriage
i. The Ministry recognizes and respects traditional marriage.
ii. Church cannot wed couples whose marriage is disapproved by their parents (excepts on cases where their parents’ protest negates the Bible).
iii. The intending suitor must pay due obligations to the family of his fiancée as a requirement in giving out their daughter to him.
iv. The Church forbids sacrifices to ancestral gods or any related activities.
v. The Church disallows the offering of alcoholic wines and beverages to guests.
vi. The brother has to disclose to the bride’s family his Christian faith that forbids alcohol as part of dowry. However, this can be substituted by money.
The Church Wedding
i. If the wedding is taking place here, the Church will constitute an organising committee to see to its success.
ii. The church may not raise a contribution for the couple’s wedding.
iii. However, the church members shall be encouraged to support the couple financially and by any other means through individual efforts.
iv. As usual the serving of alcoholic drinks is forbidden during the ceremony, no matter the reasons. Also, if the reception would be taken place in the church hall, there must be a mutual understanding between the church authority and the couple on the choice of persons that officiates.
Cohabitation
i. Cohabitation is the living together of a man and a woman, either married or unmarried. Cohabitation is only allowed after the Church wedding.
ii. At any other time before the Church wedding where such comes up, the Church views it as sexual immorality and will be treated as such.
Church Blessing
i. Couples already living together before getting born again will be called up for Church blessing devoid of wedding garments and veil.
ii. The Senior Pastor will have to counsel or organise marriage course/seminar for intending couples.
Marriage Matters (Troubleshooting)
i. The Pastor/s will intervene when problem arises between the couples if they cannot settle it themselves.
ii. Under no conditions will the husband eject his wife out of their matrimonial home or engage one another in physical combat.
iii. Under no circumstances will the wife or the husband move out of their matrimonial home.
Based on These
i. Separation is unrecognized and not allowed by the Church. Divorce is untenable (except under extreme biblical conditions of Matt. 5:32 & I Corinthians 7:15).
ii. Re-marriage is only tenable only under the conditions of Romans 7: 2-3.
iii. Polygamy is unrecognized and not allowed by the Ministry.
Modification
These Bylaws can be modified to accommodate situations in particular Nation or Country on the proposal of the National Administrative Board of such country, in a written motion to the President, signed by at least four-fifth (4/5) of the concerned members of the Board. However, decision on this requires an unspecified period of time for the President to study the motion
Deliberation
(a) National Administrative Board (NAB) can deliberate validly when there is present at the meeting (¾) of its members and Presbytery Board (PB) when there is (¾) of its members.
(b) Simple majority of the members present can pass Motions or Proposals except otherwise established by other section of this By-Laws.
(c) The National Administrative Board and/or the Presbytery Board (NAB/PB) can decide to summon any Individual functionary(s), Group(s) or Special Committee(s) of the Ministry for questioning or information pertaining to their area of competence or concerning any issues that has to do with the Ministry. However, the PB would need to make recommendation to the (NAB) on all issues.
(d) Only the National Administrative Board (NAB) can decide to terminate the Work/Fellowship of any Individual functionary(s), Group(s) or Special Committee(s) of the Ministry if found acting contrary to the Fundamental Principles of the Ministry or when such has exhausted its usefulness.
The Order of Deliberation
The members would first consider and approve the order of work on the Agenda prepared by the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be), and when approving it, they can propose modification on any item and/or make any addition that is necessary on the agenda.
Right to Speak
All members of the meetings have equal right to speak. But when it is necessary the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) can fix the number of people to speak on an issue and even the time duration for the individual speech. Person(s) that raises ‘Point of Order’ or ‘Question’ on the current issue in the discussion would have the chance to speak next before the discussion can be continued. The National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) has the authority to maintain order during such deliberation as not to bring confusion.
Proposals
Proposals are discussed according to the order of the agenda, but the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) can modify that order according to the needs of the Assembly. It must be presented to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) in written form, signed by at least two members (It is necessary that members comes to meeting with writing material of their own). The discussion proceeds by an illustration of the issue by any one of the persons that submits it. More than one proposal on the same issue can be put into discussion at the same time, but the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) can also ask those who presented these different views to unify them before the meeting would deliberate on it. Those who presented it can withdraw their proposals, and it can also be re-proposed, but by another group of two people who would also have to sign it.
Amendments of Proposals
(a) Amendments must be presented to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) in written form, signed by at least two members.
(b) The amendments are put in the discussion by voting in the index order to the one, which they have presented. But National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) has the possibility of modifying this order according to the criterion of opportunity to meet the need of the meeting.
(c) The discussion proceeds by an illustration on proposed amendments by any one of the persons that signed it.
(d) More than one amendment presented on the same argument can be treated if the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) believes so. In the same way he can ask the members that presented the amendment to unify their views first within themselves.
Interrogations
(a) Specialists or Experts can be invited to the meetings if there are technical arguments, and also any individual(s) Group(s) Specialised Committee(s) concerned in specific situation.
(b) Every member of the Boards can interrogate or pose questions to anyone of them in order to know better the specific facts concerning the issue(s) in discussion. Though this interrogation has to be presented in a written form to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) who would then re-present it formally to whoever is concerned during the questioning.
Voting on Decisions
(a) At the end of the discussions on each issue, National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) asks the meeting to vote but he does not start the voting in case the quorum requested by the By-Laws is not met.
(b) The Boards cannot validly decide if at least (¾) of its members are not present at the meeting.
(c) The decision of the Board is taken with a vote of the majority present unless the By-Laws requests a more elevated or higher majority.
(d) Every member of the Boards may have to verify the quorum before voting starts. The voting normally is done only by raising-up of hands.
Modification or Cancellation of Decisions
Proposals to annul or modify the decision validly taken by the same session of the (NAB/PB) meeting must be presented in written form and be submitted first to the National Overseer or the Presiding Pastor of the Presbytery Board (as the case may be) who would then re-present it formally to the meeting for consideration. This time, it must be signed by at least (1/4) of the total members of the (NAB/PB) present in that meeting and if found necessary by the Board, such modification or cancellation of decisions must finally be approve by (3/4) of votes of the total members of the (NAB/PB) present in that meeting.
Elections
(a) A Coordinator and a Treasurer (as may be required by each group, but not more than 2 Officers) shall be elected among members of Church-based Organizations to lead each Organization for a period of two years.
(b) This shall be through an electoral process, which shall be conducted by the Presbytery Board.
(c) An incumbent officer of the Organization may retain his /her position as long as he/she is not been voted out of the office.
(d) Leadership of the other Activity Groups shall be changed after a period of one year (only if found necessary by 2/3 of the members) and such must be according to the procedures set in this By-Laws.
Electoral Commission
(a) The Presbytery Board (PB) selects two of its members to constitute the commission. This commission has the task of conducting the elections and to announce the results of Men and Women’s Fellowship Leaders.
(b) No person among the members of the commission can participate in the contest but they can as well excise their voting rights.
Dis-Contentment
Issues of suspected irregularities in the voting process must be raised not later than immediately after the announcement of the election result. It must be motivated specifically and must be resolved immediately by the Presbytery Board (PB).
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings are to be prepared by the either the Secretary to the (NAB/PB) (as the case may be). It must contain a summary description of all the decisions of the Board. It should be mailed or given to all the members within a reasonable time.
Disciplinary Measures
The National Administrative Board shall adopts in some cases according to the modality established by the Ministry’ Statement of Faith and the By-Laws, some disciplinary measures towards Person(s) of the Ministry who violates very heavily the regulations of the Ministry as established in this Handbook. The National Administrative Board shall have the authority to take disciplinary actions against any person(s) of the Ministry. Grounds for such actions shall be: (1) Unscriptural conduct; (2) Doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith: (3) Incompetence in office; (4) Failure to cooperate with the programmes of the Ministry; (5) For any good and sufficient cause. Any one so charged may have the opportunity to meet directly with the National Administrative Board for a fair and impartial hearing. The decision of the Board shall be considered final and such person(s) shall have no further recourse.
Finance
(a) All full members, by virtue of their membership of the Ministry are expected to contribute realistically to its budget in the spirit described in the Ministry’s Statement of Faith.
(b) Every worshiper must be responsible for his/her expenses for participating in the Church fellowship or any other programme organised by the Assemblies or the Ministry as a whole.
(c) Members of all the main Organs of the Ministry (NAB/PB) as well as of the Specialised Committee(s) has the right to be reimbursed of all the expenses incurred in carrying out their Official responsibilities including Specified travelling expenses.
(d) Each Assembly should prepare their yearly Budget. By or before the 1st of December, the Budget must to be presented to the Finance Secretary who passes it on to the National Administrative Board.
(e) The Finance Secretary examines the Budget and communicates his observations back to the Assemblies not later than the 15th of December.
(f) If the Assemblies do not want to change the budget as recommended by the Finance Secretary, they should be able to provide a written document to the National Administrative Board on their reasons for doing otherwise.
(g) The National Administrative Board (NAB) should thereafter approve the final budget not later than the 31st December of every year. The financial year of the Ministry is closed by the 31st of December of the year.
Joint Programmes
(a) In order to facilitate an ‘Effective Interaction’ among the Assemblies and to set an ‘Effective Mechanism’ of achieving the Vision of the Ministry, Assemblies should organised ‘Joint Fellowships and Activities’ as realistically possible within the year. (b) Through such programmes Assemblies can: (i) Form a link between one another in order to reach the common goals set by the Ministry. (ii) Make potent the work of Evangelism and Witnessing in their locality. (iii) Stimulate brotherly communion through Combined or Joint Fellowship, Meetings, Conferences or Seminars and other common activities that represent and promotes the Vision of the Ministry.
(c) However, all the Assemblies should note that: (i) The initiation and co-ordination of such events would be the responsibility of the National Administrative Board (NAB).
(ii) A Director of the Operation should be appointed from among the Elders. However, the National Administrative Board (NAB) would directly regulate the activities.
(iii) Apart from Programmes that are organised by the National Administrative Board (NAB) jointly for the Ministry, to each Assembly is also available a single official date in a year that other Assemblies are obliged to give their ‘total support’ to the activities or programmes organised by their sister Assemblies.
(d) There must be an understanding between the Assemblies on the selection of their date of individual event as to avoid ‘coincidence of dates’. Therefore, information on the selected dates must be duly communicated between the Assemblies as from the beginning of the year.
(e) It is a punishable offence within the framework of the Ministry’s By-Laws for any Leader(s) to engage in ‘any form of acts’ capable of fermenting or causing Confusion, Competition, Tension, Sectionalism, Break-away or Secession, and Disorder within the Ministry.
Inter-Ministerial Co-Operation
Through Inter-Ministerial Co-operation and Interaction, the President and Founder of this Ministry realized the ‘need for Ministries to deepen the knowledge of one another in the light of the Word of God’ (Psalm 133), ‘enrich one another for the glory of God’ (Romans 1:11-12), and ‘support each other in the work the Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted to them’ (1 Corinthians 12:1-27). Therefore, the Ministry would be willing to relate with the like Ministries and Christian Bodies, but such would be limited to the level of Ministerial Fellowship. However, ACFI would welcome Groups or Ministries that seek affiliation on the recommendation of the National Administrative Board (NAB).
Conditions for Invitation of Foreign Ministers
i. Invitation of external body or individual that has to do with any of our Pulpits or the general Spiritual input to any of our Assemblies has to be reduced to a moderate number of times that such Assembly can economically managed in a year.
ii. Such invitee(s) must of course be born again and of integrity. If individual, such must be involved in the five-fold Ministries (i.e. Full-time Ministry) and/or a profession that enhances good living and encourages Godliness.
iii. Such invitee(s) must believe in the same Doctrine with us and living according to what he/she preaches.
iv. A member of good standing, who has listened to such invitee(s) within a reasonable period of time, must recommend such person(s) to the Presiding Pastor.
v. And most of all, such invitation must receive the approval of the National Administrative Board, where such Board is in existence. And through the National Overseer, the decision of the NAB should be communicated to the President promptly. But where the NAB is not in existence, the presiding Pastor or Elder must communicate the President and receive an approval.
Guideline on Marriage Blessing
Engagement and Courtship
i. The Brother (Proposing Groom) after praying must first confer with the Presiding Pastor in the Assembly, before informing the Sister of his intentions.
ii. The Presiding Pastor prays along with the Brother, and at the same time, he investigates and weighs the spiritual lives of both the Brother and the Sister.
iii. The Presiding Pastor counsels the Brother on pre-marriage basics.
iv. In consultation with the National Overseer, the Presiding Pastor can approve or disapprove of the Brother’s proposal. This of course depend on out-come of the investigation conducted.
v. If the proposal is approved, the Brother can go ahead and propose to the Sister. It should be noted that, only the Brothers could propose to Sisters and not in the other way round.
vi. The Presiding Pastor should also have a session with the Sister after she has received the proposal.
vii. In the event that one of the intending couple is from a different Ministry/Church, the Brother (if an ACFI member) before proposing must confer with our Presiding Pastor and the Sister (if an ACFI member) before consenting must also confer with him.
Advantages of This Procedure
i. It makes the Brother and the Sister serious and committed to their agreement.
ii. It prevents the possibility of Grass-hopping, i.e., a Brother moving from one Sister to another Sister.
Courtship Relationship
i. The Presiding Pastor or his appointed proxy should be having frequent sessions with the intending couple to guide them through the courtship process.
ii. At this stage of relationship, all forms of carnal relationships e.g. hugging, kissing, and living under the same roof, even tarrying long alone or being together in secluded areas and sexual intercourse are strictly forbidden.
Traditional Marriage
i. The Ministry recognizes and respects traditional marriage.
ii. Church cannot wed couples whose marriage is disapproved by their parents (excepts on cases where their parents’ protest negates the Bible).
iii. The intending suitor must pay due obligations to the family of his fiancée as a requirement in giving out their daughter to him.
iv. The Church forbids sacrifices to ancestral gods or any related activities.
v. The Church disallows the offering of alcoholic wines and beverages to guests.
vi. The brother has to disclose to the bride’s family his Christian faith that forbids alcohol as part of dowry. However, this can be substituted by money.
The Church Wedding
i. If the wedding is taking place here, the Church will constitute an organising committee to see to its success.
ii. The church may not raise a contribution for the couple’s wedding.
iii. However, the church members shall be encouraged to support the couple financially and by any other means through individual efforts.
iv. As usual the serving of alcoholic drinks is forbidden during the ceremony, no matter the reasons. Also, if the reception would be taken place in the church hall, there must be a mutual understanding between the church authority and the couple on the choice of persons that officiates.
Cohabitation
i. Cohabitation is the living together of a man and a woman, either married or unmarried. Cohabitation is only allowed after the Church wedding.
ii. At any other time before the Church wedding where such comes up, the Church views it as sexual immorality and will be treated as such.
Church Blessing
i. Couples already living together before getting born again will be called up for Church blessing devoid of wedding garments and veil.
ii. The Senior Pastor will have to counsel or organise marriage course/seminar for intending couples.
Marriage Matters (Troubleshooting)
i. The Pastor/s will intervene when problem arises between the couples if they cannot settle it themselves.
ii. Under no conditions will the husband eject his wife out of their matrimonial home or engage one another in physical combat.
iii. Under no circumstances will the wife or the husband move out of their matrimonial home.
Based on These
i. Separation is unrecognized and not allowed by the Church. Divorce is untenable (except under extreme biblical conditions of Matt. 5:32 & I Corinthians 7:15).
ii. Re-marriage is only tenable only under the conditions of Romans 7: 2-3.
iii. Polygamy is unrecognized and not allowed by the Ministry.
Modification
These Bylaws can be modified to accommodate situations in particular Nation or Country on the proposal of the National Administrative Board of such country, in a written motion to the President, signed by at least four-fifth (4/5) of the concerned members of the Board. However, decision on this requires an unspecified period of time for the President to study the motion