Affiliated Agreement

Transcription

1 Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. Affiliated Agreement Mission Statement: Our mission is to equip individuals through biblical teaching, preaching, and demonstrating the life of Christ resulting in transformed lives being lived out in the Spirit of Excellence. Vision Statement: Our vision is to see transformed believers actively doing the work of Christ by reaching the lost, strengthening the weak, and encouraging the faithful.

2 Pentecostal Church of God In Christ of the United State of America, Inc. Instructions for Church Affiliation with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, of the United States of America, Inc. I) PURPOSE A. To provide a basis for fellowship between likeminded churches. B. To provide license, accountability, and fellowship requested or needed. II) BENEFITS A. Provide spiritual oversight and covering according to scriptures: Numbers 11:16-17, 24, 25, and Exodus 18: B. Provide broader basis for recognition of your ministry C. Provide a source for support of the ministry 1. In the event a pastor or leader is needed 2. In the event a need arise beyond current ability of local leadership to handle a. Spiritual matters b. Legal matters c. Disputes or misunderstandings D. Provide a source of fellowship with likeminded churches. 1. Periodic fellowship meetings and conferences in geographically organized district 2. Annual assembly for all affiliate churches and its membership to attend E. Provide leadership training for the servants of Jesus Christ 1. Seminars, conferences or retreats for laymen and leaders 2. Audio and video resources available on specific subjects 3. Training and development for credentialing elders, evangelist, deacons, and other leaders 4. Provide monthly newsletter to announce upcoming events, communicate any updates or changes, and provide an avenue to celebrate successes 5. Available consultant services on contractual or pro bono basis III) METHOD A. If this is a new church being chartered, use the following words in the article as term and dissolution. B. Insert this clause into your organization s by-laws. 1. At any time deemed necessary or mutually advantageous, either the pastor by himself, or the elders by themselves or both pastor and elders together may call upon the leadership of PCOGIC for assistance or advice. 2. In the event we are unable to resolve a local problem, we will submit to the counsel of PCOGIC leadership and comply with their decision regarding the situation. C. Fill out the application for Church Affiliation. Be sure each officer signs his name and

3 address. D. Attach a copy of your church s Charter or Articles of Incorporation and By-laws to the application form and send them to PCOGIC. E. Upon consideration of acceptance to the PCOGIC organization, you will be notified regarding the date and time of a scheduled interview in order for you to ask questions of our executive members and for us to ask questions of you and your staff members. F. You will be notified in writing as to your acceptance and will receive a certificate of affiliation suitable for framing. Affiliation (Please insert name of the church in the blanks below), is autonomous and maintains the right to govern its own affairs, independent of any denominational control. However, the Bible teaches that local churches should seek voluntary fellowship with other doctrinally sound churches. This association is to provide help and encouragement while working together as the Lord directs. This is a voluntary association that in no way involves the surrender of the individual church s freedom or dependence upon God., has chosen to affiliate itself with the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. We continue this association, believing that it is God s will to do so. Fundamental to this affiliation is the understanding that the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., is a fellowship of autonomous, biblically sound churches that choose to work together to further God s Kingdom. Voluntary contributions to local, state, national and foreign mission projects maintain this affiliation. Support may also be provided by sending authorized representatives to the annual convention for voting on conflict of interest, ethical, and procedural positions. Members of, may desire to become personally involved in Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. s evangelism, education, and mission work. Through the years,, have or have not had variable association with other Christian ministries. All of our affiliations are to be with churches that are biblically sound in doctrine and practice. Please attach 3 current letters of recommendations and 3 references from other Christian ministries your ministry has been affiliated with if applicable. If there are no past formal associations with other Christian ministries, please provide a brief explanation.

4 Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. Guidelines for Church or Ministry Affiliation 1. The Applicant A) Shall be a State of US government legal religious/non-profit entity or corporation, and remain, an autonomous body. It shall be the right of self government under Jesus Christ, including the power to choose or call its pastor, elect its official board, and transact any and all business pertaining to its function as a church body. Each affiliated church should be a legal entity, registered with the Secretary of State s Office in the state the church meets, if it is American, or the Provincial Capital if Canadian. In most states this means the church is incorporated as a not-for-profit religious corporation. B) Shall have the right to use the name Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., and all registered trademarks associated therewith in publications, signs, advertisements, letterheads, and other places not named herein, but that will be mutually beneficial to the local church and to Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., as long as it shall remain in good standing with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. C) Shall have the right to request the assistance of the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc, Credentials Committee in filling a pastoral vacancy. D) Shall have the right to administer discipline to its members according to the Scriptures and its Bylaws. E) Shall have the right to acquire and hold title to property either through authorized representatives or in its corporate name as a self-governing body. F) Shall have the right to operate specialized ministerial programs and or services currently being provided by Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. G) Shall have the right to terminate the Fellowship Covenant, with cause, and agrees to notify Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., by certified letter, within seven (7) days of such decision by the church s governing body. H) Shall have the right to representation and participation of all Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc, camp meetings and conventions. I) Agrees to be faithful to the sacred trust of the ministry by diligence, by uprightness in business matters, by ministerial ethics, by self-sacrificing, by purity, by avoiding the very appearance of evil, by cherishing the anointing of the Holy Spirit, even unto death. J) Agrees, by the signature of its chief office, to indemnify Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., and its officers in any and all matters of public and private liability, including malpractice, or any other matters arising out of the actions of the applicant.

5 K) Keep Tuesday of each week a sacred day of fasting, prayers and intercession for all Covenant Partners of Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., around the globe. L) Each affiliated church should adopt a form of church government which can be defined in the Bylaws of the corporation. Model Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are available from Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. M) A copy of the certified Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws should be on file at Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., headquarters. N) Each church s government shall consist of a pastor, plus elders, deacons, and a Board of Trustees as may be required as the church grows. O) An affiliated church may not also be a part of or member of any other denomination or organization of ministers and churches of any kind. P) Each affiliated church shall file its own IRS reporting annually, if any be required. Q) Each church is strongly encouraged to support the overall organization with monetary support that includes the following amounts: Number of Members Amount Annually Amount Monthly 0 50 members $ $ members $ $ members $ $ members $1, $83.00 Special consideration will be taken into account by the Executive Board in the event of a hardship for this requested support. 2. Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. A) Shall have the right to terminate the fellowship Covenant for cause, and agrees to notify the applicant, by certified letter, within seven (7) days of such decision. B) The Executive Board shall have the right to restrain the use of the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., names and associated trademarks in any action of law and in equity in the event the applicant at any time ceases to be a cooperative fellowship. C) Shall, while recognizing the sovereignty of the applicant church, retain authority relative to any and all ministerial credentials issued to pastors, associate pastors, evangelists and other members of the applicant church who are credentialed by Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., and such matters will be determined by the ecclesiastical process of the Executive Board and not by secular law and jurisprudence. D) Shall have the right to recommend a person or persons to fill a pastor vacancy, upon request from the applicant church s governing body.

6 E) Agrees to be faithful to the sacred trust of the ministry by diligence, by uprightness in business matters, by ministerial ethics, by self-sacrifice, by purity, by avoiding the very appearance of evil, by cherishing the anointing of the Holy Spirit, even unto death. F) Agrees, by the acceptance of this application, to indemnify the applicant and its officers in any and all matters of public and private liability, including malpractice of any other matters arising out of the actions of Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. G) Pentecostal Church of God In Christ in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. agrees to send leadership representation to the affiliate church annually rather it be attending a meeting with the Pastors, ministerial staff, trustee board, elders, or a regular church service. Please note special permission is required for usage of trademarked logo and name for any purposes. A notification of 30 days is required for this action which should include the time lines in which the authorization will be in effect. AGREEMENT I have read and fully informed myself about the status and bylaws of Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. I agree to them and submit to the spiritual and biblical ordinance of the Board and of Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. I will help through my devotion and commitment to bring the Vision that was given as the Great Commission to fulfillment. I will stay in active contact and fellowship with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., partners worldwide. I agree to the use of my personal data in the books and documents of Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., for internal purposes only. I agree also that my name, my picture and the description of the affiliated church will be presented on the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., website or computer/video presentations. Please, inform us with a written notification if we are not permitted to use your information in any of our books and documents. In addition, if any pictures, description of your church and church programs are not permitted to be listed on Pentecostal Church of God In Christ of the United States of America, Inc. web site, computer, or videos written notification is required. In the event a formal affiliated agreement is executed a consent form of authorization will be required.

7 Additional Comments / Notes: Place of Application: Signature of Applicant / Seal of Ministry Date: Place of Acceptance: Seal of PCOGIC and Signature of PCOGIC Executive Board Member Date:

8 Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. Application for Church Affiliation Please print or type COMMUNICATION DATA Name of Church: Street Address: Mailing Address (if different from street address): City: State: Zip Code: Telephone: Fax: Web Address: FOUNDATION Date of Foundation (Day / Month / Year) Founded By (Name, address of person / association) Reason for Foundation: [ ] Church Planting Project [ ] Missionary Seed [ ] Evangelistic Fruit [ ] Home Church Growing [ ] Church Splitting [ ] Other: STATUS Applicant s Church Status: [ ] Chartered Church [ ] Fellowship [ ] Other: Legal Status of Church (Please state and federal documentation) [ ] Church is a legal religious nonprofit organization in the state of [ ] Church is a US government 501 (C) (3) religious nonprofit organization [ ] Church is completely independent [ ] Other: AFFILIATION [ ] Applicant was formerly affiliated with (Name, address of organization) Until: Denomination: [ ] Church is presently affiliated with (Name, address of organization): Until: Denomination:

9 Please list reason for termination with present or most recent Christian organization affiliation. If no past affiliation, state Not Applicable STRUCTURE Form of Church Government: Please select which form of governance your church operates under. ( ) Trustee Board ( ) Council of Elders ( ) Votes from Congregation ( ) Senior Pastor makes the decisions Number of Pastors: Number of Elders: Average Church Attendance: Name, title and address of Senior Pastor, Pastors and Church Officers: Name and Address Title: Define your ministry or describe the vision of your ministry: Please list your weekly services and time:

10 Please briefly describe the process you followed in arriving at this decision: Believing the Lord Jesus Christ is leading our church to affiliate with the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., I / we, the / ( ) Senior Pastor ( ) Board of Trustees/ Board of Directors ( ) Council of Elders ( ) Votes from the Congregation of have prayerful thought, have affirmed the application for affiliation with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc. I / We, the undersigned hereby agree to look to Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., for spiritual leadership and direction as desired, or as needed, in order to remain in the flow of God s will for the Body of Christ and those for whom God has given us responsibility. I / We acknowledge that Pentecostal Church of God in Christ of the United States of America, Inc., maintains the right to deny, revoke, repossess or withhold affiliation certification with due written notice. Signed and dated this day of, 20 Please Note: Signatures must consist of at least two Executive Officers and one lay member, preferably of no blood relation to the Chief Executive Officer. Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Signature & Title: Signature & Title: Signature & Title: Signature & Title: Signature & Title: Attachments to application: [ ] Non-refundable application fee of $50.00 [ ] Copy of organizational charter or Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws [ ] One to two page typewritten history of your church since inception [ ] Photos (meeting place, building or physical location of your church) [ ] A sample of recent newsletter, bulletin, or flier communication of your church [ ] Other: Electronic version accepted in PDF format, but original application along with attachments must be mailed. Absolutely no faxed copies accepted. Return to: Pentecostal Church of God In Christ of the United States of America, Inc. Bishop Randy L. Hightower 540 Cheerful Street West Palm Beach, FL 33407