Christian Churches of God
No. 271 z
Summary:
Forming a Church
(Edition 1.0 19981117-19981117)
Many people wish to be part of a church and have no church in their area that is biblically based. Some are part of a church that has collapsed doctrinally and they do not know what to do.
Christian Churches of God
PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
E-mail:
secretary@ccg.org(Copyright ã 1998 Wade Cox)
(Summary by June Hoyt, Ed. Wade Cox)
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Forming a Church
You might have read the Bible for the first time and realized that what it says is not what your church does and teaches. Chances are that you are doing some in-depth study and someone is trying to stop you from studying. Friends may be telling you that you are a heretic. Their churches have taught them that nonsense. You may have even been disfellowshipped. You are angry and frustrated and you want to do something about the situation. So you should. You are not alone.
You can contact us and if you are genuine, we can put you in contact with others. We will never disclose membership or details of people without their consent and nor should you. We can put you in touch with computer groups and with mail friends until you can meet them at the feasts of Passover, Pentecost or Tabernacles. These feast are mandatory and to be kept outside your gates.
Being in a registered body is sound common sense. In unincorporated associations, each participant is legally liable and can be sued at law by any party for the debts or liabilities of the unregistered association. It means you can be sued and lose your assets.
You can register as a body in your own right or join one that already exists and is incorporated.
Each association is required by law to have a constitution or Articles of Incorporation. For your own protection and the protection of friends and relatives you must be registered. You must be covered and operating under a constitution and keeping audited books of account within an elected structure. Members should have a vote.
A Church must rest first on on doctrine. The Christian Churches of God have a clear Constitution and Statement of Beliefs
Neither person nor group is allowed to become voting members of the Churches of God for three years. Once your group is agreed they should write to make an application for admission to fellowship. Where there is no national church formed, we will help in getting one started.
The mission of the church is listed in the Constitution. We aim to:
preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to all nations;
make disciples of Jesus Christ of all men;
set up places of worship and study and for keeping the feasts in all areas of our members;
help the brethren on festival and emergency basis;
have our own care facilities for the aged and the infirm.
be able to feed and shelter large numbers of our people on an emergency basis;
set up our own correspondence education network.
The Church operates on the tithes and offerings of its people. Each nation is financially independent, except for the mandatory tithe of the tithe, which goes to the World Conference. Each local region is established with a local funds capacity through World or National Conference.
The CCG has a policy of no paid ministry. You cannot be paid for what you do on the Sabbath. Our ministers are professionals who labour for the propagation of the faith. Deacons also have responsibilities as administrators, or giving the sacraments of church.
We need people who can translate, be administrators, or teachers for Bible correspondence courses. As the Church groups grow we will need to care for elderly and the disadvantaged.
We will help ministers be requalified to be used in the church and help others to become teachers.
You should not under estimate the power and love of God. If you are prepared to work, we are prepared to help you.
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