Forward In Faith Guidance Rules & Policy

Forward In Faith Guidance Rules & PolicyQuestion: What is the Guidance Rules and Policy of Forward in Faith Ministries International? Why is it important document to know for all leaders who intend to serve effectively in this ministry. Using voice over, upload on YouTube channel and PowerPoint slides 15-20. Explain how you would interpret and explain this document to new leaders at a newly established church in the islands.

Introduction Forward in Faith Guidance Rules and Policy is a document of rules made for the church, which include the overseers, pastors, elders and deacons of Forward In FaithIt was approved and agreed upon by the Executive and National Council of the Church (6th Printing 2014)It was meant for the leaders of the church to be aware of the church protocol and how the church must be runThe book is important for it mirrors the churchThe document gives a guidance to the church leadership and developmentThe new church has to understand and have a thorough explanation of the document through the help of an experienced leader.This presentation shall categorise the articles and summarise and explain them

Guidance Rules and Policy, what is it?This is a document adopted by the church printed for church consumption in 1992This was approved by the National Executive and adopted by the National Council of Forward in Faith MinistriesIt has 41 Articles, which guides on church leadership, worldview, churchs position and role in the community, education, church conduct, through to Fundamental StatementIt also highlights on what is expected of the leaders of the churchThe document also highlights on the expectations of the family members of people who confess the Forward in Faith truths

What is it ContinuedThe document states that the church has a purpose which shall be fulfilled by a local churchThe church shall have deacons elders and local pastorsThese have to continue with the mission of the Lord Jesus ChristMembership of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) is open to anyone who wishes to be born again through baptism, to be faithful to the rules, as well as paying tithesMembers are also expected of attending church servicesThe hierarchy of leaders shall help guide and build the church from different levelsThere are general qualifications expected of a leader starting from Assembly level

LeadershipA leader must pay tithes, be of good courage, have the gift of the holy spirit (Acts 2) and must have been born againA deacon must be recommended by the local assemblyElders and deacons shall comprise of a Board of Elders and Deacons who contribute to the running of the churchDeacons/Elders must be mature and be filled with the Holy Spirit because they help the pastor to lead the churchElders can also help counsel the church members for the baptism with waterThere is a transition form being a deacon to be Elder through training, which will help them understand their duties and responsibilities.

Leadership cont.They must also adhere to ZAOGA constitutionA leader can be relieved of his/her duties if they are having health challengesThe Pastor has to preside over the spiritual matters of the local church with the assistance of the elders and deaconsThe district pastor and the board of pastors shall supervise the local pastorA student pastor undergoes probation for four years. The pastor has other mandates and regulations expected of him during the ministry, this is to allow maturity in the ministry and in the work

Leadership cont.The spiritual matters shall be advised of through the board of Bishops stationed at the International HeadquartersThe disciplinary committee shall help to make sure the rules are observedThe Founder or President have the authority to appoint overseers upon consultation of the executiveThe future President shall reign for 3 years but can be re-electedThe church can also look after the dependents of the Founder if he diesPastors can be transferred by Committee of Transfers appointed by the Executive

Leadership cont.Leaders are not allowed to counsel a person of the opposite sex behind doorsAny leader must not refuse their appointments to new places otherwise they would be regarded having resignedThere are also leaders who handle other administrative business of the church- the secretary general and the treasurerThe Secretary General has to be elected after every four years by the Forward in Faith Executive BoardThis is to maintain order and transparency in the Church businessThe Secretary General shall have a vice who is appointed by the board of the ministry

Leadership cont.There are also the secretary and the Treasurer who are elected annually by the church, and will obligated to attend meetings with Deacons and EldersThe Secretary and Treasurer will be responsible for financial transactions of the churchThe books shall be open to leaders concerned, the Pastor, Elders and Deacons; this is to make sure there is transparency in the church business and financial issuesIn addition to these, they shall be assisted by the disciplinary board to instill order and discipline in the church

Church propertyThe Forward in Faith International Ministry owns property like vehicles, bible schools Property investment of ZAOGA shall be in the hands of ZAOGA trusteesThis is to avoid personal claiming of the church property.Expenditure on church property must be authorised by church leadership to avoid church property abuseFurniture and other church material pledged by individuals to the church will remain church propertyChurch vehicles will be labeled with the church name. this will help distinguishing church property from personal property hence securityChurch vehicles have to be fully insured to avoid unnecessary delays in the provision of churchs business. These vehicles have to be driven by authorised individuals.To avoid church property abuse, there are property inspectors in the provinces and districts

Institutions and services The financial services are run by the financial committee of the church which comprises of eight membersThe members must be faithful, educated and well mannered and be matureThis committee members will hold office for three years to allow transparency Their decisions are have to be recommended by the overseer or the district pastorPastors are not expected to borrow from the church membersA Pension Fund is made compulsory for full time voluntary workers, meant to motivate them The institution of family is respected in Forward in Faith MinistryMarriage is recognized as the union between a male and a femaleDivorce is not allowed, this helps maintain family unity and purpose

Institutions and Services cont.Children are dedicated to God, where as adults are baptised with waterWomen are encouraged to apply their talents and spiritual gifts through the Womens BoardThe foreign work is fulfilled through the Missionary Board in ZimbabweThe Board of Missionaries directs the churchs foreign mission outside ZimbabweThe church is responsible for furnishing the mission housesAny organisation wishing to assist the missionary has to do so through the ZAOGA offices The worker is not required to receive help from foreign organisation without notifying the office

Institutions and Services cont.This is to make sure there is transparency between church transactions and outside stakeholdersThe Board of Missionaries maintains the link between Zimbabwean Church and the foreign churchChurch members has the duty to pay tithes and love offerings to support the churchThe tithes can be paid in form of money, crops and livestockVoluntary work must be completed, the church is a non profit organisationThe rule is uphold by the Church members, and amendments can be made by vote of two thirds of executive at a meeting of ZAOGA, and it has to be ratified by the President/Founder

ZAOGA TruthsZAOGA follows the truth of the Lord Jesus ChristThe Bible guides the faith practice and truthIn ZAOGA we follow and believe in One True God, who manifested himself in the form of the Son, Jesus Christ as is the ScripturesSalvation comes through Jesus Christ and the condition for salvation is repentance and direct witness of the Holy SpiritThe church adhere to the scripture requirements that anyone repented must be baptised in water, to symbolise death and resurrection of Christ with us

ZAOGA Truths cont.The church also believes in the baptism of the Holy Spirit; this symbolises the fulfillment of the promise of Christ to the ChurchThe church itself is the body of Christ where God dwellsMembers of the church are expected to be separated from evil through sanctification and believes in the healing of the sick by GodThe ZAOGA ministry if from GodThe service proceedings starts with a prayer, followed by a bible study. We pray to thank and ask forgiveness from GodSongs of praise and worshipping are sung before the Lord every Sunday before preaching

Why is the Guidance Rules and Policy Important?It is the pillar for church governanceIt brings order and the purpose of unity to the church, which ensures continuityIt guides the church members and leaders on how the church must be run and the conduct of the churchIt gives the legal framework which guides the churchIt shows the landscape for all leaders at their different levels of leadershipAny organisation is understood better through its rules and policy, and so is the case with the Guidance Rules and Policy, its the mirror of the church

How would it be explained?The Guidance Rules and Policy can be explained as the law of the churchIt has to be explained to the whole churchThis policy can be explained in seminars, bible studies and workshops of the churchIt is important to explain and learn about it it more often than notFor new leaders and churches, they should appreciate the document as the springboard of the church

SummaryThe Forward In Faith Guidance Rules and Policy is the document meant to guide the proceedings of a churchIt is the legal binding of ZAOGAIt helps leaders to understand their obligations, church members to understand their expectations and how the church is runAs such, it bestows confidence in the church membersFurther, the new converts will use the document to understand the Christian truths in which we adhere toNew leaders will grow spiritually and in their leadership of the church through understanding the Guidance Rules and Policy

Summary cont.Local and older churches will understand the obligation to build and assist new young churches after having read and understood the documentTo the new leaders it has to be explained more often and patiently.