General Laws and By-Laws
General Laws and By-Laws
LAWS AND BY-LAWS
Preamble
Whereas, It is the express purpose of God, our Heavenly Father, to call out of the world a people who shall constitute the Body, the Church of Jesus Christ, built and established upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone; and
Whereas, The members of the Body, the Church, are enjoined to assemble themselves together for worship, fellowship and instruction in the Word of God, the work of its ministry, and for the exercise of those spiritual gifts and offices provided for in the New Testament; and
Whereas, According to God's Word, the early Christians came together in such fellowship as a representative Body of blood-washed and Spirit-filled believers, who cooperated with, and sent out, evangelists and missionaries and, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, set over the churches, pastors, teachers, deacons and helpers; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we recognize ourselves as a cooperative Fellowship of Christians, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, till we all come in the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:3-13).
ARTICLE ONE
Name and Slogan
The name of the corporation shall be: THE WORLD-WIDE ASSOCIATION OF FULL GOSPEL CHURCHES.
Our slogan shall be: "Uniting , Equipping, and Empowering Full Gospel Churches To Bring The Message of Jesus Christ and the Cross to the World."
ARTICLE TWO
Purpose and Prerogative
The constitution of this corporation shall be the objects and purposes thereof; which are as follows:
To preach the gospel and further the cause of the Kingdom of God in the United States of America and foreign lands.
To promote and maintain churches and missions in the State of Oklahoma, the United States of America and foreign lands, to promote fellowship and means of cooperation between churches of similar faiths and doctrines, and to promote, establish and maintain certain districts therein, which shall be self-governing in so far as same do not conflict with the objects and purposes of this organization, subject to the jurisdiction and control of the corporation.
To promote freedom of worship and liberty of expression, within the limits of its own statement of faith and doctrine, among its own churches, ministers and members.
To ordain, license and otherwise qualify ministers to preach the gospel and provide credentials for the same.
To establish and maintain Bible and training schools, inaugurate and maintain charitable institutions, such as homes for the aged, rest homes for ministers and missionaries, orphanages, cemeteries and kindred institutions.
To own, operate and maintain such printing and publishing plants as may, in the opinion of the General Board, be necessary to print and publish Bibles, books, pamphlets, periodicals and other religious literature as may be required for its own use; and to sell, give away or otherwise dispose of same in the furtherance of the work of said organization without pecuniary profits to any members of said corporation.
To buy, rent, acquire by gift or otherwise, and to own, operate, maintain and use, such real estate and personal and mixed property as shall be necessary for the maintenance, operation and carrying on of the business of the corporation; and to lease, sub-rent, sell, assign, transfer, convey and otherwise dispose of said properties upon such terms and conditions and at such times as, in the opinion of the General Board, be advantageous to the interest of the corporation.
To borrow money for the purpose of purchasing such real estate, personal and mixed property as, in the opinion of the General Board, may be necessary to properly and adequately carry on the objects and purposes of the corporation business and undertakings, and to execute notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness, on behalf of the corporation, for the repayment thereof; and to satisfy and release notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness, on behalf of the corporation.
8a. For clarification purposes in connection with organizational business affecting church-owned properties, the respective interests in properties, both real, personal and mixed, owned in whole or in part by The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches, an Oklahoma Corporation, or any of its Districts, shall be construed . to be interests in fee simple.
To maintain such relations with local, state, federal and foreign governments as may be necessary for the successful accomplishments of the purposes of the organization and for the welfare of the Churches, ministers and members thereof.
To engage such employees as may be necessary to perform the duties involved in carrying on the corporation business.
To make bylaws for the government of the corporation, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the State of Oklahoma, the United States, other states or foreign countries; and to alter, revise and amend the same at will.
ARTICLE THREE
Doctrinal Statement
As a Christian constituency of New Testament believers, we, The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches, subscribe to the following declaration of the things which are more surely believed among us (Luke 1: 1 ), praying that there be not harmful nor divisive difference of belief to the injury of any, nor the disturbance of the peace and harmony of the church, and that we may be all of the same mind and same judgment, speaking the same things in love(l Corinthians 1 :10;Acts2:42)and with one voice glorifying God, to the edification of His people, and to give Christian witness to the world.
I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) presenting to us the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and constituting the Divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice (2 Peter 1 :21 ).
2. The Godhead
We believe there is but one true and living God, who is everlasting, infinite in power, wisdom and goodness; that He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, and preserver of all things (Romans 1 :20; Colossians 1: 16). In the unity of this Godhead, there are three Persons of one individual essence, who are co- equal, co-existent and co-eterna1; namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost
(Matthew 3:16,17; Matthew 28:18,19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1,2, 18; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; 15:26; John 10:33).
In eternal relationship as to priority (not superiority) the Father is greater than all (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28; John 5:18).
The Son is the eternally begotten of the Father, and accepted earthly limitations for the purpose of incarnation, being true God and true man; conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the just for the unjust as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on High as our great High Priest, and He will return again to establish His Kingdom of righteousness and justice.
The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, Executive of the Godhead on earth, the Comforter sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to indwell, to guide and to teach the believer, and to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.
3. Man, His Fall and Redemption
Man is a created being, made in the likeness and the image of God, but through Adam's transgression and fall, sin came into the world (Romans 5:12). " All have sinned and come short of the glory of God' , (Romans 3 :23 ). ' , As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil, and gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore man back to God (1 John 3:8).
4. Salvation
Salvation is made possible through the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross and through Holy Spirit conviction. Godly sorrow works repentance and makes possible the experience of the new birth, and Christ formed within us is the gift of eternal life (Titus 2:11; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:47; Titus 3:5-7).
Salvation is the gift of God to man, separate from works and the Law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing works acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:8).
Man is a free moral agent and can at any time after the new birth experience turn away from God and die in a state of sin; with the consequences of hell to look forward to.
5. The Church
The true Church, built upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ (l Corinthians3:11; Ephesians 2:20), is the Body of our Lord (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27); Christ being the Head (Ephesians I :22; Colossians 1: 18). Its earthly constituents are all true believers, born again of the Spirit (John 3:6) and of the Word (1 Peter I :23), who are living an overcoming Christian life (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 21 :27).
To the Church, through its members, is delegated the various gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 12:7-11,27,28) which are necessary for the successful evangelization of the world and the perfecting of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11, 12).
This universal, invisible sanctified Church is the chaste virgin Bride of Christ
(2 Corinthians 11 :2; Ephesians 5:26,27; Revelation 21:9b, 27) and it is for this Bride for whom Jesus Christ returns, just prior to the Great Tribulation, to catch her away and take her to heaven (John 14:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
6. Ministry
God, through the Holy Spirit, definitely calls such as He desires to serve as Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and specifically endues the one called with the talents and gifts peculiar to that office or offices (Ephesians 4:11-13). Under no circumstances should anyone be ordained or set apart to any such office unless the calling is distinct and evident.
7. Water Baptism
Baptism in water is by immersion, and is a direct commandment of our Lord (Matthew 28:19), and is for believers only. The ordinance is a symbol of the Christian's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39).
The following recommendation regarding the water baptism formula is adopted, to wit: ' 'On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, and by His authority, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
8. Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire (Matthew 3: 11 ), is a Gift from God, as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in this dispensation, and is received subsequent to the new birth (John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 2:4,38,39; 10:44- 48). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is accompanied by the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance as the initial physical sign and evidence (Acts 2:4).
9. Sanctification
The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive, work of grace, commencing at the time of regeneration and continuing until the consummation of salvation (Hebrews 13:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
10. Lord's Supper
The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is a commandment of our Savior; and being a memorial to His death and resurrection, is strictly limited to Christian believers ( I Corinthians 11 :27). The time and frequency of its observance is left to the discretion of each congregation (1 Corinthians 11 :26).
Only unfermented grape juice, the fruit of the vine, as recommended by our Lord (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14;25; Luke 22:18) shall be used in connection therewith.
11. Foot Washing
Foot washing is recognized among many believers as a Christian practice, and the time, manner and frequency of its observance is left to the discretion of each local congregation (John 13).
12. Divine Healing
Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God, through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands (Mark 16:18; James 5:14, 15); it is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and is available to all who truly believe.
13. The Resurrection of the Just
The Bible promises, "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner" (Acts 1: 11). His coming is imminent; when He comes, , 'The dead in Christ shall rise first;
then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air"'(l Thessalonians 4:16,17). Following the tribulation, He shall return to earth, as King of kings, and Lord of lords, and together with His saints, who shall be kings and priests He shall reign a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).
14. Setting a Time for the Lord's Return
It is unwise to teach that the Lord will come at some specified time, thereby setting a date for His appearing, and it is also unwise to teach, preach or publish visions of numbers and dates which would tend to fix the time of the second coming of the Lord (Mark 13:32,33).
15. The Second Coming of the Lord
We believe the Bible presents the coming of Christ a literal truth. We further contend that this position alone admonishes watchfulness, incites holy living, prevents spiritual declension and provides maximum incentive and motive for urgency and zeal in evangelizing the unsaved. As demonic deception and Satanic darkness deepens, we urge our ministers to maintain and proclaim this doctrinal viewpoint of Christ’s return as the' 'blessed hope" of the Church.
16. Hell and Eternal Retribution
The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopelessly and eternally lost in the lake of fire, and therefore has no further opportunity of hearing the gospel or for repentance (Hebrews 9:27). The lake of fire is literal (Revelation 19:20). The terms "eternal" and "everlasting" used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned (Matthew 25:41-46) in the lake of fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence, as used in denoting the duration of joy and ecstasy of saints in the presence of God.
17. Tithes
We recognize the Scriptural duty of all our people, as well as ministers, to pay tithes as unto the Lord (Hebrews 7:8). Tithes should be used for the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of the gospel and work of the Lord in general and not given to charity or used for other purposes (Malachi 3:7-11; Hebrews 7:2; 1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 16:2).
ARTICLE FOUR
Form of Government
The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches now has, and shall always maintain, a representative and congregational form of government.
ARTICLE FIVE
Corporate Officers
1. OFFICERS
a. The officers designated as follows, shall sign all deeds, notes, mortgages, leases and other documents of every character and description, and shall attach the corporate seal to such thereof as may be necessary, for and on behalf of the corporation; and shall manage, direct, superintendent and carry on the business of the corporation; subject to the approval or disapproval of the
General Board: 1 President (Bishop, General Secretary, General Evangelism and World Missions Director, General Women's Director, and General Men's Director.
b. The office of president shall, at all times, be filled by the Bishop and his or her term, election or appointment shall coincide therewith.
c. The office of secretary shall, at all times, be filled by the General Secretary, and his term, election or appointment shall coincide therewith.
2. SELECTION, QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CORPORATE OFFICERS
Bishop (and president):
The Bishop and president shall be a member of the organization, an ordained minister with not less than ten (10) years of experience in the ministry and shall not be less than thirty-five (35) years of age. He shall be elected by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the organization cast at a General Convention, for a term of two (5) years. He shall be required to establish a home and reside in the city in which the General Headquarters is located, and shall be required to spend at least ten (10) days of each month in the general office. Should said office become vacant, for any reason, the General Board may appoint a suitable, qualified person to fill the unexpired term.
The Bishop shall have general supervision, direction and management over all undertakings and operations of the organization, to which he shall devote all of his or her time and efforts, and for which he may be paid a stipulated remuneration. He shall act as chairman of all General Conventions, General Board and Executive Committee Meetings, and shall be ex officio member of all standing committees; shall also perform such duties as may be required of him as president of the corporation; and shall report his activities in writing at all General Board Meetings and General Conventions.
He shall be requested to represent our organization to other functions at which we should have a voice, and to the government when necessary.
He shall spend more than his required time in the office when possible, being on call to the districts when needed.
General Secretary (and secretary):
The General Secretary shall be the corporate secretary and legal officer in custody of the corporate seal and shall retain and keep up-to-date such books and records as may be necessary for the corporation. He shall bring all records and documents to current status and maintain the same, including registration with all agencies as needed.
He shall provide information on legal matters from legal council to the general and district offices. The proper deeding of properties and other legal documents shall have his oversight.
He will be custodial secretary of the corporate seal and as the corporate secretary shall, with the president, sign all deeds, notes, mortgages, leases and other documents of every character and description and shall attach the corporate seal to such thereof as may be necessary for and on behalf of the corporation.
He shall supervise the official archives of the movement and keep it in good and proper order. As recording secretary, he shall keep a clear and accurate record of the minutes of .all meetings of the General Convention, General Board and
General Executive Committee (and related committees and boards) which shall be read and presented at such meetings. He shall be a member of the General Board, the General Executive Committee, the World Missions Board, the General Budget and Finance Committee and ex officio member of all standing committees and boards.
He shall maintain a record of all credentialed members and missionaries, and shall issue the necessary credentials when so instructed by the Credentials Committee of the district from which the application comes provided, however, all requirements of the General Constitution and Bylaws are fully met, as determined by the General Credentials Committee. And he shall issue church membership charters by direction of the General Executive Committee.
He shall keep an up-to-date record of churches, membership and important related data. (8) He shall carry on such correspondence as may be required by his office. (9) He will develop and supervise the official office of information, maintaining current data to share with our constituency and national directors.
He will direct communications and public relations and the office of development.
He will develop and direct the stewardship programs being involved in acquisition of resources for ministry.
He will be over external affairs and work toward the effectiveness of ministry and clear communication on church purpose.
He will assist the General Overseer in communicating the vision and purpose of the church throughout the constituency.
He will administer the ministerial credentials and church charter office along with the church membership roll.
He shall be the official denominational representative to the NAB commission on Military Chaplains and Endorsing Board.
He shall submit written reports as may be required of the activities of his office to the General Convention, General Board and General Executive Committee Meetings. -
He shall reside in the city where the international headquarters is located. (18) This position is considered a full time resident office position.
He shall be furnished a full job description and shall furnish such reports and data to the General Overseer as needed upon request.
The secretary shall procure suitable loose-leaf minutes books, one for the General Board Meetings and one for the General Convention, in which he shall record all resolutions, motions and other matters passed upon, the action taken and a complete record of all meetings. These minutes shall be printed and furnished all general officials and district secretaries.
A roster containing names of all ministers of the organization shall be kept by the General Secretary at the general headquarters office, also by the district secretary in the district office, and the general office shall notify the District Secretary whenever a minister's fellowship certificate has been surrendered, or withdrawn.
ARTICLE SIX
Districts
I. Our field of labor shall be divided into districts, whose boundaries shall be established by mutual
Agreement, by the officials in the district and the General Board.
2. Each district shall have its own representative form of government, which shall include a District
Superintendent, who shall have general supervision of the district, and if so desired, one District Presbyter, one District Secretary- Treasurer and as many Sectional Presbyters as may be deemed necessary. 3. New districts having less than ten (10) churches, and established districts whose number of churches shall fall below ten (10) churches, shall be under the jurisdiction of the General Board. Said General Board shall have full authority to reappoint incumbent officers, or appoint new officers, at will, and to supervise the business of the district. While these authorities are hereby granted, it does not necessarily follow that the General Board will exercise its prerogative.
4. The District Superintendent,
whose qualifications are set forth in these bylaws under Article Twelve shall be elected at the District Convention for a term of two (2) years, unless the district bylaws provide otherwise. However, in the formation of new districts, he may be appointed by the General Superintendent; he shall report to the General Superintendent once each month, and shall be a member of the General Board.
5. Each district shall elect its own officers and make its own governmental regulations and bylaws which shall not conflict with the regulations and bylaws of the general organization.
6. All ministers shall report once each month to the District Superintendent
ARTICLE SEVEN
District Officers
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
a. The District Superintendent shall be elected by the District Organization. If not otherwise provided in the district bylaws, he will be elected for a term of two (2) years. Each one shall have general supervision of his district; shall be a male member of the organization, an
Ordained minister with at least seven (7) years experience in the ministry, with three (3) of those years as an ordained minister of The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches,in the active ministry.
He shall not be less than thirty-five (35) years of age; shall be a member of the General Board and shall represent his district at General Conventions.
b. In the event this office becomes vacant for any reason, the General Superintendent sitting as Chairman, and the official District Board of the respective district, shall appoint some suitable member of that district, who shall properly qualify, to complete the unexpired term, unless
Provisions have been made by the district.
2. DISTRICT PRESBYTER
a. The District Presbyter, who shall be a member of the General Board, shall be elected by the District organization--only one District Presbyter from each district. He shall be a male member of the organization, an ordained minister with at least seven (7) years experience in the ministry, and not less than thirty-five (35) years of age, and if not otherwise provided for in the district bylaws, he shall be elected in his respective district for a term of two (2) years. He shall, together with the District Superintendent, represent his district at General
Conventions and General Board Meetings.
b. In the event this office becomes vacant for any reason, the official District Board of his respective district, shall appoint some suitable member of the organization, from the district, to complete the unexpired term.
The duties of the District Presbyter shall be to cooperate with and assist the District Superintendent; to open new fields, to assist the pastors and evangelists in evangelizing new fields.
DISTRICT SECRETARY-TREASURER
a. The District Secretary- Treasurer shall be a male member of the organization, an ordained minister with at least seven (7) years experience in the ministry, not less than thirty (30) years of age, baptized with the Holy Ghost. If not otherwise provided for in the district bylaws, shall be elected in his respective district for a term of two (2) years.
b. The District Secretary- Treasurer shall be a member of the General Board. He, together with the District Superintendent and the District Presbyter shall represent his district at the General Conventions and General Board Meetings.
c. In the event this office becomes vacant for any reason, the official District Board of his respective district shall appoint some suitable member of the organization from that district to complete the unexpired term.
ARTICLE EIGHT
Affiliated Churches
(Owned By Organization)
1. Relationship between affiliated churches and the association is simply by accepting charter (application for charter on web-site) from The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches each affiliated church agrees to become an integral part of the organization and is bound by the policies and principles set forth of this association.
2. Churches not set in order
Any church desiring to come into the organization which has not been officially set in order, may be organized in the following manner:
3. Organized Churches
Organized Churches desiring affiliation with the association shall make official application to the General Office of the organization. A representative of the organization shall cause the church to become aquatinted with the principles and policies of the association. With approval of the General Board the church may be granted a charter.
4. Charter
An affiliated church shall become an integral part of this association by granting of a charter which shall be attested by the signatures of the General Overseer and General Secretary of this organization and the seal of the association.
5. Name and incorporation
An affiliated church which receives charter from this organization may incorporate itself as a separate and distinct corporation, in affiliation with this association, for business purposes under the laws of the state where said church may be located; and affiliated church shall adopt a name as a corporate name such as suitable to the members of the congregation. The corporate name shall make reference to the organization.
Paragraph 1. Articles of incorporation shall be according to the articles of incorporation furnished by the organization.
Chartered Churches
The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches is responsible for the financial being of charted churches. An audit of all accounting in the local church will be completed by the District Secretary’s Office annually.
Financial Agreements( Chartered Churches only)
50% Tithes and offerings go to the Pastor (they must pay utilities on church)
25% to the Church Bank (maintianing Church, Supplies, and Insurance.)
12.5% to missions of the organization
12.5% to the General Office
2 Title to all local church properties (both real and personal) either purchased by or given to The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches is to be held in fee simple in the name of the recognized district of the The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches in which the property is located. The district holds all property in trust for the The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches (Incorporated), an Oklahoma corporation whose headquarters is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
a. Property owned, paid for or partly paid for by, or given to, The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches or one of its districts may be deeded to the local church (or its trustees), provided the following reversionary clause is a part of the deed:
b. "In the event of either an attempted conveyance of church property, or disaffiliation The
World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches, or the dissolution of the local church, the property will revert to The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches (Incorporated), an Oklahoma corporation."
D. The affiliated (chartered churches) shall have full right, power and authority to sell, exchange, transfer and convey said property, or to borrow money and pledge the said real estate for the repayment of the same and to exercise all necessary deeds, conveyances, etc.; provided the proposition shall first be presented to a regular or special called meeting of the local church where proper notice is given and a quorum (majority) of the members are present, chaired by the district superintendent of The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches or one he may appoint, and the project is approved by two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the said church present and voting. And provided the project is approved by a majority of the members of the district board, who shall authorize the necessary "waiver" or "subordination agreement" to facilitate the action.
Churches Fellowshipping
Churches in fellowship with The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches shall own their own property and IS COMPLETELY AUTONOMOUS (SELF-GOVERENING and The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches is not responsible for them for anything.
There is:
$50.00 annual fee
Sending Missionary Offerings for Missions
We welcome them to fellowship monthly with us. We have many outreaches
ARTICLE NINE
Ministry
MINISTERIAL RELATION
a. We shall not be confined in our fellowship and cooperation to those affiliated with us, and we
shall not discriminate against any other member of the Body of Christ, and we shall not seek to discourage or boycott any Christian periodical.
b. Whereas, the Bible teaches that we should not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers,
and whereas a Christian's effectiveness in witnessing would be drastically impaired, if not entirely destroyed, by maintaining membership in a lodge, secret order or secret society; no minister, on any level of , shall be permitted to carry credentials with this organization and belong at the same time to a lodge, secret order or society.
c. This shall not refer to trade unions, where membership is necessary for employment.
d. Each District Constitution and Bylaws shall carry this provision.
e. Each district shall, through its proper officials, ordain and license suitable candidates for the ministry, subject to the conditions set forth in the constitution and bylaws of the general organization and the respective district.
f. It is recommended that each candidate first prove his or her ministry , and that a period of license precede the ordination.
g. Each candidate for ministerial ordination with The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches, is required to give to his respective District Board clear and satisfactory evidence of adequate understanding of, agreement with and ability to teach with ample Scriptural references, all items included in the doctrinal statement of The World Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches, as printed in our constitution and bylaws. A brief commentary concerning each question of the point of doctrine will be given each candidate for ordination.
h. The personal qualifications for exhorters and licensed ministers shall be identical with those for ordination which shall be enforced by each District Board.
i. In recognition of the fact that ordination is the highest goal to which a minister may attain, and therefore, is reserved for those who have spent sufficient time in the active ministry so as to prove his or her qualifications for this high office, no person shall be ordained to the ministry who is not active in the ministry at the time application is made for ordination and/or who does not give clear evidence of his or her intention to remain in the active ministry.
j. In order to be considered for ordination, the applicant must have fulfilled at least one (I) full year of full-time ministry; if working on a secular job, must have at least two (2) years' experience in an acceptable ministry.
Each District Constitution and Bylaw shall contain this provision.
2. UNIFORM MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS
a. The Minister's Study Series, series one and two, shall be the official study course for ministers
of The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches and shall be a mandatory program for credentials for all new ministers and those advancing from exhorters to license and ordination credentials. Upon completion of Minister's Study Series I, and upon completion of Series II, a comprehensive test, provided by the general office, will be given to the minister by his/her respective district. Said minister mus1 receive a seventy percent (70%) score on the test in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. Should said minister fail to achieve a score of at least seventy) percent (70%), he/she must repeat the test until the satisfactory score is achieved Neither Series l or Series II will be deemed completed until satisfactory score is achieved. A certificate of completion shall precede acceptance for ordination. Although this is a national program, it shall be processed through the district office. If the minister has completed equivalent studies, this requirement shall be waived. For ministers transferring to us from another organization, a questionnaire shall be established from this series for exhorters, license and ordination which at the discretion of the District Credentials Committee they shall be asked to take at the level of credentials they desire. If passed and everything else is cleared, they shall be granted the desired credential. If they do not pass, they shall be asked to take the course from whatever level they failed.
b. Exhorter: The exhorter credential shall be considered a first step toward ordination. Upon
acceptance as an exhorter, by meeting certain minimum qualifications on the present application, he shall hold this first step credential for a minimum of one (1) year. During this time he may exercise spiritual ministries as his gifts may be. The minister and his companion, if saved, may be seated as delegates to the General Convention if current with their credentials and properly registered. The decision as to whether exhorters should be seated in district conventions shall be left to the discretion of each district. ,
During this one-year period he may complete the first series of the Minister's Study Series and
complete the reading of the whole Bible, but this must be completed within two (2) years.
At the end of this one-year period he may meet the board with an application for advancement to license. He must meet the board for advancement by the end of a two-year period or it shall be determined by the board if he is to retain his exhorter credentials. The board may drop the minister's credentials at their discretion.
c. Preaching License: The license credentials is considered a second step toward the goal of
becoming an ordained minister. Upon acceptance as a licensed minister by having completed series one of the Minister's Study Series, having read the whole Bible and given evidence of definite plans to be active in the ministry--the licensed minister shall carry license for a minimum of two (2) years, during which time he must have become active in the ministry, and have completed series two of the Minister's Study Series at the time of applying for ordination.
As a licensed minister he is at liberty to exercise his gift as the Spirit leads and the doors open. The minister and his companion, if saved, have the privilege of being seated as delegates in the District and General Conventions, if his credentials are current and he is properly registered. He may meet his respective District Board at the end of two (2) years for advancement to ordination.
d. Specialized Ministry License: A specialized ministry license may be granted to those who
Have an evident commitment to devote one's time to a specialized ministry, such as Christian Education, music or other full-time ministries as defined by the General Board.
One receiving such credentials must possess the necessary training, either formal or an adequate equivalency (requirements to be set by the General Board, to enable him/her to serve the church effectively in these specialized areas of ministry.
The minister holding these specialized credentials shall not be eligible for ordination as long as he/she remains solely in these specialized areas.
In the event the specialized minister enters into a pulpit ministry, he/she would then be eligible for regular license and proceed to ordination according to the prescribed procedure.
e. Ordination: Being now ready for the final step toward the goal to be the ordained minister, the
minister shall meet his District Board with an application. It will be necessary to have a certificate of completion of the Minister's Study Series and be in the active ministry at the time of applying for ordination and to give clear evidence of his intention to remain in the active ministry to qualify.
The ordained minister shall enjoy the privileges of spiritual ministry as the Lord leads and be a delegate along with his companion, if saved, if his credentials are current and they are properly registered in both his District and General Conventions.
No person shall pass through the ordination ceremony without an approval of application for ordination by the General Credentials Committee.
f. Any licensed minister desiring ordination in any district other than the one from which he has
been licensed, shall present a recommendation from the superintendent and secretary of the
district issueing the license.
g. Applicants for credentials or promotions may be denied, even though all the required criteria
is met, if it is deemed that the acceptance of the applicant for other reasons would be detrimental to the well-being of the church as a whole.
h. The renewal of fellowship certificates shall be made through the district office where
membership is held.
i. Any minister, or his companion, holding credentials with The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches, can hold credentials, and hold any office, in any other church organization or religious fellowship that issues credentials to preach the gospel as long as the organization is a Full Gospel Ministry.
j. The place of women in the Church. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance, and
The Holy Spirit divideth upon each as He will. "In the last days our sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:17,18). When called of God and anointed by the Spirit, our women may freely serve as helpers, pastors and evangelists.
k. No credentials shall be approved for any candidate, nor any minister renewed, who attended either of our Bible colleges, and still owes accounts to the college, until the bill is paid in full or a letter is presented from the respective college indicating that proper arrangements have been made for payment; and each district office shall be notified by the respective college not later than December first of each calendar year of the delinquency of payments by the respective student.
I. When an applicant for credentials comes from another organization, a letter of reference will be requested from the former organization.
m. A dated notification from a minister is required to establish his/her date of withdrawal. When this dated notification is not available, such withdrawal/drop date as furnished by the district shall be used.
MINISTERIAL PROCEDURES
a. When a minister moves from one district to another, he shall be required to present to the district entered a clearance of good standing and conduct from his former district office. Any minister who has withdrawn or been dropped from fellowship shall be required to give a letter stating his standing while in the movement.
b. The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches is opposed to homosexuality and all forms of sex perversion, sorcery and witchcraft, and appropriate questions concerning these areas shall be included on the applications for ministerial credentials.
4. BIBLICAL STANDARD FOR MINISTRY
We faithfully pledge our loyalty to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
b. We affirm complete confidence in the infallible Word of God.
c. We affirm our commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16) and we declare our willingness to go anywhere, do anything and sacrifice everything God requires of us in the fulfillment of that commission. We accept God's call to preach and teach the Word to all people as God gives opportunity, and that we do this because of God's love for every human being, who apart from faith in Christ, is judgment bound and destined for hell.
e. We endorse the gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith in the risen Lord Jesus
Christ and His atoning death on the cross for our sins.
f. The proclamation of the gospel must include a thoughtful call of every person to repent, to commit to Jesus Christ and to follow Him as Lord and Savior, and to do all these lovingly and without coercion or manipulation.
g. We will stay prayerfully filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit for a deeply spiritual Christ-centered ministry.
h. We will lead lives of holiness and moral purity, appropriately representing Christian ministry to the church and the world.
i. We will practice a life of regular Bible study and pray for personal spiritual growth and anointed ministry.
j. We will be faithful stewards of all personal and church finance and we will be accountable to all concerned in the finance of our ministry and will be honest in reporting our statistics. We will keep personal and church financial activities separate and inviolate. Following these standards, we will faithfully promote our ministry in the community,' 'providing things honest in the sight of all men.
k. Our family is a sacred trust and our responsibility to each family member is to be kept as faithfully as our call to minister to others.
I. We are responsible to the local church and we will conduct our ministry to build up the local body of believers in the larger interest of the church universal. We will be subject to those whom God has placed in authority over us.
m. We are responsible to faithfully discipline all who come to faith under our ministry, to encourage every person to identify with the local church, to work faithfully at evangelism, Christian education and Christian discipleship and endeavor to train every believer in personal witnessing.
n. We will share the cross of Christ by relieving both the social and spiritual sufferings of humanity, whether rich or poor, healthy or infirmity; we will do our utmost to alleviate human need, following Christ as our example.
0. We will give ourselves to prayer, to evangelism, to revival, to Bible-based counseling, to Christian education, to peacemaking and to our particular office, ministry and calling until Christ returns for His own.
We do solemnly affirm these Biblical principles for Christian ministry.
ARTICLE TEN
Discipline and Restoration
1. All ministers are amenable to their respective District Boards in all matters of conduct and doctrine.
2. In actions, other than those taken directly by the respective District Boards, to whom each minister must remain amenable, the following procedure shall be strictly adhered to: All charges against any minister shall be made in writing, in triplicate, and signed by two (2) or more accusers. The original and one (I) copy thereof shall be filed with the District Superintendent, who shall send one (I) copy to the accused minister, and one ( I) copy shall be retained by the accusers; and the District Superintendent shall designate a suitable time and place for a hearing of the charges, and shall give all interested parties ten (10) days or more written notice thereof: said notice to be mailed to the last known address of the accused.
3. A Court of lnquriry shall hear and pass upon all such charges, so made, which shall consist--except in those cases where the Court of inquiry and the procedures are specifically set forth in the District Constitution and Bylaws of the respective district--of the District Superintendent/Bishop, the District Presbyter and such other district and/or general officers as may desire to be present, whose decision shall be final; except in cases involving credentialed minister and members of any chartered churches which may be appealed to the General Executive Board, whose decision shall be final in those cases; and the accused shall be considered innocent until proven guilty to the satisfaction of a majority vote. However, in the event of an appeal to the General Board from the decision of the Court of inquiry, the ordained minister, who has been found guilty by the Court of inquiry, pending the outcome of the appeal, and said ordained minister shall not be accorded voting privileges in either a District or a General Convention. The appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days after he/she has received a decision from the Court of Inquiry. None of these avenues of appeal at any of these levels shall be used until all avenues available to them at the lower level have been exhausted.
4. No testimony or evidence shall be admissible at such hearings, except that which directly bears upon the charges made in writing, as aforesaid; which rule shall be enforced by the chairman of the meeting.
5. If the accused confesses and truly repents, and shows a contrite heart, he should be given reasonable consideration and leniency; and, if possible, full restoration, after a suitable and proper probationary period of time. We should not unjustly persecute anyone.
6. If the charges are against the District Superintendent, the procedure shall be the same, except the District Secretary- Treasurer shall act as chairman. The accused shall have the right to appeal to the General Board.
7. If the charges are sustained and considered of sufficient import, the accused's name may be ordered removed from the ministerial list, or otherwise dropped, and his connection with the organization fully and finally severed.
8. If the charges against any minister or church fail to be sustained, then the motives of the accusers may be examined; and if the accusers or witnesses are found to be untrue and malicious, then they shall be deemed guilty of malicious slander, trouble-making and causing division and may be disciplined, even to the extent of removal of their names from the ministerial list, if considered of sufficient import.
9. We desire to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, therefore, no minister under charges, of having been dismissed from the Pentecostal Church of God, shall be granted the privilege of having his or her articles published in any of the publications of the organization, unless exonerated or reinstated.
10. Dismissal and Restoration a. It shall be left to the discretion of the Court of Inquiry as to whether the circumstances of the case call for a minister's suspension with restoration, or if he shall be dismissed without restoration. In the event restoration is not feasible or fails; the minister shall be listed as having been dropped.
b. Restoration: When it has been determined, either by a confession of the minister involved or by deliberation of the District Board or Court of Inquiry, that there is cause for disciplinary action as a result of a violation of the World-Wide Associations principles as set forth in district and general bylaws; it shall then be the responsibility of the District Board to determine a program of restoration, if deemed feasible. Recognizing that the underlying principle involved in discipline is redemptive, the following provision for restoration shall apply:
I) Period of Time. The period of restoration shall not be less than one (1) year. 2) Procedure and Requirements. The following procedure shall be used by the District board in determining the specific requirements of restoration for the individual minister:
a) Suspension. The minister shall be considered to be under suspension during the entire period of restoration and his fellowship card shall be held in the district office. The extent to which he may be permitted to minister, if any, shall first be determined by the Court of Inquiry, but may, after a period of restoration, be amended by the District Board. Certain offenses may not require complete cessation of ministerial activities, although some restrictions or limitations may be imposed.
b) Conditions. The minister must remain a member of the district during the restoration period, unless other arrangements are approved by the District Board. While his credentials are in a state of suspension, his name shall not be removed from the ministerial roster. In the event his ministerial activity has been suspended, the minister must become established in a local church working under the supervision of a pastor designated by the District Superintendent.
c) Reports. The minister and his/her supervising pastor must submit quarterly reports to the District Superintendent.
d) Completion of Restoration. When the restoration period is satisfactorily completed, the minister shall be considered in good standing and his status restored.
e) Transfer. The restoration record shall accompany the Certificate of Transfer to another district for administrative purposes only.
c. Eligibility 1) Previous Dismissal. A minister who has been dismissed or has surrendered his credentials, who shows repentance and indicates his desire for reinstatement, shall, upon obtaining the approval of the District Board enter the appropriate restoration program as prescribed herein; with the provision that he shall not be eligible for reinstatement until the requirements of the program have been satisfactorily completed.
2) In the event a minister has a record of a prior violation(s) necessitating disciplinary action, permission for restoration shall be granted only by the District Board.
2. Right of Appeal If a disciplined minister desires to appeal the decision rendered by the District Board, his request must be filed with the District Superintendent and with the General Superintendent within thirty (30) days. Said appeal shall be considered first by the National Board of Appeals, comprised of the General Superintendent, General Secretary and the Assistant General Superintendents. The recommendation of the National Board of Appeals shall be submitted to the General Board which shall have the right to accept the report or grant further review. The decision of the General Board shall be final.
Whereas, the Scriptures enjoin us against delinquent indebtedness, and whereas all delinquent debts are a disgrace to anybody, a reproach to the ministry, causing undue hardship to those who follow, any minister of The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches who has unpaid debts for a period of as much as ninety (90} days without making satisfactory arrangements with his or her creditors shall be brought before the District Board for appropriate action and admonition. If reasonable and satisfactory arrangements are not made within a period of sixty ( 60) days following, his or her credentials shall be revoked by the general office. Any credential- carrying minister of The World-Wide Association of Full Gospel Churches who leaves his or her place of ministry without satisfactory arrangements concerning all outstanding debts shall expect to have such credentials similarly revoked.
12. In no instance will any documents and/or correspondence, which is either the property of the general office or any of its subsidiaries, or any of its ministers, be made available to any unauthorized person for examination--much less involved with, or a principal of, said property, documents and/or correspondence, except when legally forced to do so by the order of an unsolicited, unavoidable, irreversible subpoena, duly issued by a proper court of record--and then only upon advice of counsel.
Should a violation of the within occur, a prima facie fact of guilt shall be declared and the credentials of the party and/or parties through whom the offense occurs shall immediately be in jeopardy.
