• 3.1 The Lord Jesus Christ is the only head of the church (Col. 1:18), governing it by the Word of God. This government is exercised in particular local churches through elders who apply the Word of God in their teaching and ruling. Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel is thus independent, being directly under the rule of Christ. Therefore, this church shall not enter into any denomination, association, or union which involves the loss of this independence.
• 3.2 Scripture recognizes two kinds of officers in the church: Elders (also called bishops or pastors) and deacons (Phil. 1:1).
• 3.3 In normal circumstances, the church should be governed by a plurality of elders led by the Lead Pastor (Acts 14:23).
• 3.4 There is no fixed number of elders or deacons, but men should be appointed to these offices as they are called and gifted by Christ through the recommendation of their regional pastors, then approved by the regional pastors/Bishops on behalf of the Overall lead Pastor/Bishop.
• 3.5 They will remain in office indefinitely until such a time as they no longer fulfill the duties of their respective offices. No man may be appointed to either office unless he subscribes fully to this constitution.
• 3.6 The Overall Lead Pastor/Bishop will provide spiritual, administrative and conciliative leadership to the entire church and its branches through his/her elders.
• 3.7 Regional lead pastors/Bishops shall be appointed by the Overall Lead Pastor/Bishop to oversee regional branches under Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel.

The office of the elder has alone been appointed by Christ. Such elders are given spiritual authority to oversee the local church in accordance with Christ’s Word. Governance shall be administered by the elders assisted by the deacons.

4.1 Arms of government

• 4.1.1 At Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel headquarters, and all its branches, the governing structure is divided into three independent but interdependent arms, The Pastoral arm, The Administrative arm and The Conciliative arm.
• 4.1.2 All the arms will be composed of the elders and diaconate.
• 4.1.3 Any decision by the diaconate may be over-ruled by the elders.
• 4.1.4 The elders and the deacons will be a direct representation of the church and can therefore meet and make all decisions on behalf of the church.
• 4.1.5 The church treasurer and secretary shall be appointed by the elders from amongst the diaconate.
• 4.1.6 The Overall Lead Pastor is the main authority and the arms act on his behalf. He will head and appoint elders and deacons at the headquarters into these three arms. For the branches, the resident pastors will head and appoint elders and deacons into these functions appropriately, in their local churches.
• 4.1.7 All the three arms will have a chairperson who will be an elder and a secretary who can be an elder or a deacon during any of their meetings, and minutes documented appropriately.
• 4.1.8 With the recommendation of the pastor, any member of the church may be allowed to sit in any of the meetings of the three arms. For example, when a witness is necessary or when expert advice is required.

4.2 Functions of the three arms

• 4.2.1 Pastoral arm
  • 4.2.1.1 To give pastoral care to every member of the church (Acts 20:20, 21, 28-31; Heb. 13:17; and 1 Pet. 5:1-3).
  • 4.2.1.2 Visitation for the purpose of watching over individual souls (Acts 20:20; Heb. 13:17), by private instruction, encouragement and dealing with any problems. The sick especially should be visited (Jas. 5:14).
  • 4.2.1.3 To preside over any church meeting as seen fit by the Lead pastor at the headquarters and the resident pastor at the branches.
  • 4.2.1.4 To head and conduct home fellowships.
  • 4.2.1.5 To conduct prayer and bible studies (Acts 6:4, 1 Tim. 5:17)
  • 4.2.1.6 To conduct discipleship classes
  • 4.2.1.7 Admission of new members into any department in ministry.
  • 4.2.1.8 Ministry to the sick and needy, especially those who are members of the congregation, including visitation and, if necessary, provision for their material needs from the church’s funds. They should keep all the leaders informed of all such needs.
  • 4.2.1.9 Comprised by both the elders and the deacons.
  • 4.2.1.10 Any other function given to them by the lead pastor or the branch pastors for the branches.
• 4.2.2 Administrative arm
  • 4.2.2.1 Plan and oversee any project undertaken by the church.
  • 4.2.2.2 Coming up with all church budgets.
  • 4.2.2.3 Collecting, distributing, and accounting for the church’s finances. All accounts should be properly audited in accordance with the law and always open for inspection by members.
  • 4.2.2.4 Periodically reviewing the needs of any paid church worker, or one sent out from the church to labor elsewhere.
  • 4.2.2.5 Administering the practical affairs of the church, such as preparation for the Lord’s Table, and maintenance and preparation for meetings of the church premises.
  • 4.2.2.6 Developing appropriate program for services under the direct supervision of the Lead pastor or the resident pastor for the branches.
  • 4.2.2.7 Recommending to the church additional deacons, or the dismissal of any who fails to fulfill their duties.
  • 4.2.2.8 Final authority in matters of finance and property (Acts 11:28, 29).
  • 4.2.2.9 Will be comprised majorly by the deacons.
• 4.2.3 Conciliative arm
  • 4.2.3.1 This will be constituted as need arises with the main purpose of bringing reconciliation where a serious conflict has arisen amongst church members.
  • 4.2.3.2 They will interrogate, investigate and recommend appropriate action to be taken for any disciplinary case.
  • 4.2.3.3 They will look into maintaining discipline through teaching, rebuking and the recommendation of appropriate action to the church. In any dispute over the interpretation of the constitution the decision of this arm is final.
  • 4.2.3.4 Will be comprised majorly by the elders.

4.3 Appointment

• 4.3.1 The Nomination of an elder shall be by the unanimous recommendation of the existing elders, if they see that his gifts are already evident in the congregation. No man shall be nominated without his prior consent and such consent should arise out of a personal conviction of the Lord’s calling him to be an elder.
• 4.3.2 The appointment of the elder shall then be publicly confirmed with the laying on of hands of the elders and the prayer of the whole church (1 Tim 4:14).
• 4.3.3 Although their functions are of a material nature, deacons must have the proper spiritual qualities as laid out in Acts 6:3 and 1 Tim. 3:8-13.

4.4 Support

• 4.4.1 Any one of the elders and deacons can relived from his secular calling in order to devote him/herself fully to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Such an elder is entitled to receive remuneration for his service, as the accounts permit (1 Cor. 9:13, 14; 1 Tim. 5:17, 18).

4.5 Termination of Office

• 4.5.1 Termination of office is a serious step, and it should be considered only if it is apparent the elder is no longer able to fulfill his duties, or if he has a clear call to minister the Word of God elsewhere, or if he no longer finds himself able to agree fully with the confession of faith as outlined in this constitution. For such reasons he may be released without prejudice.
• 4.5.2 If at any time an elder’s preaching, teaching or manner of life is not in full accord with the doctrinal or moral standards of the church, his service as an elder shall be terminated immediately following a leadership meeting called for this specific purpose, if there is approval by the majority of members present at the meeting. 1 Tim. 5:19-21 should be the guide in all accusations against an elder.

5.1 Purpose:

In the New Testament, decisions affecting the life of the church were generally taken when the whole church met together (1 Cor. 5:4), the main purposes being:

• 5.1.1 To obtain the approval of the church for measures recommended by the elders and deacons.
• 5.1.2 To inform the members about matters which cannot be made known at public meetings.
• 5.1.3 Particular items such as finance and expenditure, the exercise of discipline and election of officers (chairperson and secretary), alteration to the constitution, reports on the spiritual condition and life of the church, sending out workers.

5.2 Types:

There shall be three types of congregational meeting:

• 5.2.1 The regular church business meeting, which shall be held at least three times a year.
• 5.2.2 The annual general meeting, to meet as soon as possible after the audited accounts for the previous financial year have been received. The specific purpose of this meeting will be:
  • 5.2.2.1 To review and report on all church activities in order to discuss them.
  • 5.2.2.2 To present the financial statement for the previous year.
  • 5.2.2.3 To discuss and approve the proposed budget for the coming year.
• 5.2.3 Extraordinary church meetings may be called by the elders, or by a letter to the elders signed by at least one-third of the membership, which also states the specific purpose(s) of the proposed meeting.

5.3 Conduct

• 5.3.1 Every congregational business meeting should be announced at least two Lord’s Days before the date on which it is held. In case of an emergency extraordinary church meeting every member of the leadership must be notified, preferably in writing or electronically. If these requirements are not met, no resolution passed is valid.
• 5.3.2 For the transaction of business two-thirds of the resident membership at the time of the meeting, must be present to form a quorum. However, in the event of a lack of quorum at a properly called meeting, a second meeting for that agenda may be called and, if that second meeting is publicly announced in two consecutive Sunday morning services, then all those attending that second meeting shall form the quorum.
• 5.3.3 At least 75% approval by the members present and eligible to vote is required to pass a recommendation (except in the case of dismissal of an official). Attendance at all official church meetings is obligatory. Non-resident members may attend but are not eligible to vote. If a member is unable to attend he must send a letter of apology. In all matters unanimity of the body of Christ is sought for.
• 5.3.4 One of the elders shall preside over every church meeting. Each meeting shall begin with prayer and the reading of the minutes of the previous meetings, and shall end with prayer. Nothing shall be brought before the church meeting except through the elders, and in writing. Sufficient opportunity shall be given for discussion of all matters. The Secretary shall record minutes of each church meeting.
• 5.3.5 Matters discussed at the meetings of the church are confidential. Therefore members are permitted to speak of these matters only to fellow-members.

• 6.1 One of the main goals of the church is to extend the Gospel through the planting of new churches.
• 6.2 All branches and branch pastors are expected and encouraged to plant churches where there is a need.
• 6.3 Any branch of Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel that intends to open a branch should make a written application to the headquarters addressed to the Overall Lead Pastor/Bishop and should get a written permission, signed by the Overall lead pastor/Bishop and bearing an official stamp and seal, before opening a branch. The branch pastors should give an oversight leadership to the branches that they will open.
• 6.4 All branches will have an obligation to tithe (10% of all their collections) to the headquarters through their immediate pastoral oversight.
• 6.5 To attain this end, qualified elders and deacons should be prayed for and then commissioned to plant new churches in other needy areas. Such an elder/deacon will remain under the oversight of Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel and its branches appropriately. All necessary support should be given to attain this end and every asset given or acquired thereafter will remain a property of Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel.
• 6.6 If there comes a request from an individual or already existing group to be covered by our registration, the elders shall first investigate it, and if it is considered worthy, shall make recommendation to the Church for approval. All assets acquired will not be required to belong to Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel in this case. Such covering may be revoked at the discretion of Christ Ekklesia Fellowship Chapel at the headquarters.
• 6.7 Branches will be autonomous in their governance but guided by the structure outlined in this constitution.

• 7.1 No human constitution is without its weaknesses and in the light of experience, growth, and deeper understanding of the Scriptures, amendments and additions to this constitution may be found advisable. An amendment can be made only upon the unanimous recommendation of the elders. It must be fully discussed at the church meeting previous to the one at which a vote on it is taken, and at least 75% of the total voting membership must be in approval.

• 8.1 The church shall not be dissolved except on the recommendation of all the elders and at least 75% of the total membership. Before any action is taken, prior permission in writing must be obtained from the Registrar of Societies by a written application signed by the elders. The assets of the church shall be realized for cash, all debts paid, and the balance distributed to other churches or causes as the church sees fit, this decision to be made at the meeting where approval was made for dissolution.