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Celestial Church of Christ USA Diocese Bye-Laws (selected pages)

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The Bye-Laws and Articles of Incorporation of the Celestial Church of Christ, USA Diocese, set out the Diocese’s article of faith and purpose, membership, organizational structure, districts, clergy reporting procedures, employment of full-time clergy and parish operations. The Bye-Laws work alongside the Constitution of the Celestial Church of Christ.

Selected pages, transcribed from a scanned copy of “Celestial Church of Christ USA Diocese: Bye-Laws & Articles of Incorporation” (document pages 4, 5, 10, 21, 22, 24, 35, 46A, 46B, 47, 48 and 50). Other pages of the document are not included here. For the complete and current Bye-Laws, consult the USA Diocese.

Download the USA Diocese Bye-Laws (PDF)

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Article I

D. Article of Faith

The Creed: We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead and buried. He descended into hell and on the third day, He rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Ghost, The Celestial Church of Christ, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

E. Purpose

The purposes for which the corporation is organized are exclusively religious, charitable and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this Organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or corresponding sections of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, or to the Federal, State, or Local Government for exclusive public purpose.

No part of the net earnings of the church shall be to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, directors, officers of the corporation or any private individual except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services to the church.

Article II

A. Membership

All persons who earnestly and sincerely desire to be saved and therefore accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only Lord and Savior of mankind and who wish to worship and serve Him in the Church; demonstrating their sense of conversion by submitting to the church tenets and taking up such duties and privileges as are entitled in the fellowship. All these are welcome.

Nobody shall be considered a member of the Church until he has been baptized in the Celestial Church of Christ, irrespective of any previous baptism(s) in any other Christian denomination(s).

A worshipper desiring to become a member shall:

  1. Renounce membership of all secret cults, societies, and fraternities.
  2. Renounce the worship of all idols and fetish practices.
  3. Desist from the worship of Satan and all his works, from following any fetish priests and from engaging in magic or any powers of darkness.
  4. Renounce all titles, position, or associations, which directly or indirectly conflict with the above injunctions (e.g. any type of Chieftaincy title).
  5. Declare that living and dead, he is a full member of the Celestial Church of Christ and that on his death, he should be buried in accordance with the tenets and rites of Celestial Church of Christ.
  6. Must have joined the church for at least one year before he/she can be baptized in the Church; and can only receive anointment at least two years after his/her baptism depending on his/her activities in the church.
  7. Celestial Church of Christ does not encourage polygamy.
  8. Sign a declaration of adherence to the above.

All of the above are based on the teachings of the Holy Bible: Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” and II Corinthians 6:14-15 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

Members shall use within and outside the church only those appellations and/or prefixes relating to their rank within the church. In addition, members may use outside the church those appellations and/or professional titles (e.g. Engr., Arch., Dr. or their gender Mr., Mrs., Miss, Esq.).

New members shall normally, prior to admission as worshippers, undergo sanctification with a pail of water, candle, sponge, and soap to avoid uncleanliness in the church. The prayer of sanctification shall be conducted by the Pastor’s representative in charge of the Parish or by his appointee (Exodus 30:17).

B. Solemnity of the Church Services

During Church Services, the utmost solemnity and attention shall be observed. All mannerisms that may militate against this, such as gossip, or side-talk or pasting of currency notes on members of the Choir/Congregation in appreciation of their music shall be totally avoided.

C.C.C. USA Diocese Organizational Hierarchy / Structure

Rt. Rev. Pastor (Spiritual Head and sole authority on all church functions and matters world-wide).

Governing Board, chaired by the Pastor. Members: the Head of USA Diocese; a Pastor Appointee; a member from each district (Washington Metropolitan, Tri-State, New York, New England, Southern, Texas, Great Lake and California); a member of the Council of Shepherds; a member of the Council of Honorary Evangelists; and a member of the Women Council.

Note: the National Conference retains a residual power within the structure (see Article VII).

Diocesan Executive Council, chaired by the Head of USA Diocese. It comprises:

  • the Diocesan Secretary;
  • the District Evangelists: Washington Metro District Evangelist, Tri-State District Evangelist, New York District Evangelist, New England District Evangelist, Southern District Evangelist, Texas District Evangelist, Great Lake District Evangelist and California District Evangelist;
  • the Executive Directors: Director of Fund Raising; Director of Prophets & Prophetesses; Director of Education, Training & Manpower Development; Director of Choir Activities; Director of Buildings and Infrastructure; Director of Budget, Finance & Account; Director of Evangelism; Director of Public Relations & Publicity; Director of Welfare, Relief & Rehabilitation; Director of Youth Ministry; and Director of Communication / Editor-in-Chief;
  • the Legal Adviser;
  • the Internal Auditor;
  • the Financial Secretary;
  • the Treasurer.

C. Districts

For the purpose of smooth and grassroots outreach to all areas of the Diocese, and for effective and efficient span of control, the Diocese will be divided into eight districts, each of which shall be headed by a district evangelist.

  • Washington-Metropolitan District: North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC. Headquarters: Washington DC.
  • Tri-State District: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Headquarters: New Jersey.
  • New York District: New York. Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York.
  • New England District: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine. Headquarters: Rhode Island.
  • Southern District: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida. Headquarters: Georgia.
  • Texas District: Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado. Headquarters: Houston, Texas.
  • Great Lakes District: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota. Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois.
  • California District: California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Portland, Washington State, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah. Headquarters: Los Angeles, California.

Head of each District shall be addressed as District Evangelist.

District duties (continued)

Items 1 to 17 are on a page not included in this copy.

  1. Shall promote and sustain formation of council of shepherds, honorary evangelists, and women council, through district conference.
  2. Shall establish a district committee and have appointed/elected secretary, treasurer, and financial secretary to carry on the work of the district.
  3. Shall maintain a district bank account and shall be one of the signatories. Any two signatories shall sign all district checks and financial obligations to be valid.
  4. The three signatories approved for the district shall be the district evangelist, treasurer and secretary. The checkbook shall remain with the financial secretary who shall not be a signatory to the account or under dual control lock and key at the district office.
  5. District shall appoint/elect competent fundraiser and representative to governing board.
  6. The district evangelist shall remain the chairman of the district Council.

E. Additional Terms of Reference and Reporting Procedures for the Clergy

  1. Head of USA Diocese shall report to the Pastor.
  2. All district evangelists shall report to the Head of USA Diocese.
  3. All district evangelists must on a regular basis schedule meetings with their subordinates for growth and development of the district.
  4. All district evangelists must endeavor to evangelize and see to the growth of parishes within their districts.
  5. The pastor as deemed fit shall approve appointment of full-time church workers. Anyone willing to become a full-time church worker must submit his/her application to the District Evangelist, who will then submit it to the Head of the Diocese who will then conduct an investigation of character through his review committee and then make recommendation through the diocesan Council to the pastor. The review committee shall consist of two representatives from at least 60% of Parishes within the District where the applicant clergy resides. The committee members shall consist of mixed hierarchy of Celestial Church of Christ. The committee will only be responsible for reviewing of applications received by the HOD of the Diocese. Members of the review committee shall be drawn randomly.
  6. All district evangelists must work together with their shepherds in order to see to the progress of the parishes in the districts. The district evangelist shall organize seminars, retreats, lectures, and bible studies, to educate and equip Ministers and members effectively on knowledge about the kingdom of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the doctrines of Celestial Church of Christ.
  7. All district evangelists must see to the establishment of new parishes within their respective districts within the first three years of their appointment. The new [the text continues on a page not included in this copy]

W. Shepherds

They shall perform all spiritual functions in their parishes including all services of worship and baptism for all new members in their parishes. Prepare quarterly reports to the District Evangelists who oversee the district and copy the National Secretary. Represent the Pastor in all parochial meetings and deputize for the District Evangelist when authorized and discharge any other duties assigned by the Zonal/District Evangelist, HOD and the Pastor. The Shepherds are non-voting members of the Parochial Committee. All Shepherds must be proficient in the usage of the English Language.

  1. He is the sole authority to sell spiritual items to his members and others on visit.
  2. Be a signatory to the church account.
  3. Heads all local administration within the parish.
  4. He reports to the zonal/district evangelists and complies with the National Diocesan Executives Directives.

Reporting Procedures for the Clergy (Shepherds)

Additional terms of reference and reporting procedures for the clergy: the chain of reporting runs, in both directions, Pastor ↔ Head of USA Diocese ↔ Regional Evangelist (all Regional Evangelists) ↔ State Evangelist (all State Evangelists) ↔ District Evangelist (all District Evangelists) ↔ Zonal Evangelist (all Zonal Evangelists) ↔ Shepherd (all Shepherds-in-Charge of all Parishes).

Within the USA Diocese: Head of USA Diocese ↔ Regional Evangelist ↔ State Evangelist ↔ District Evangelist ↔ Zonal Evangelist ↔ Shepherd (all Shepherds-in-Charge of all Parishes).

Article XVII: Employment of Full-Time Clergy

(A) Appointment of full time church workers will be approved by His Eminence, the Pastor and Supreme Head Worldwide. Anyone willing to become a Shepherd/Zonal/District Evangelist/HOD shall henceforth be a college graduate or professional, must be at least thirty years old, of sound mind, of verifiable disciplined background and of proven high level of integrity. Shall not have any criminal record. He/She shall submit his application in writing (typed) three copies to the zonal/district evangelist who shall write his/her comments and pass them to the district evangelist, etc. The following documents must be sealed and forwarded to the Head of Diocese separately:

  1. Resume
  2. Copy of baptismal certificate
  3. Copy of anointment certificate
  4. State police clearance (Criminal Record)
  5. State driver’s record
  6. Proof of residency/citizenship
  7. Four recent passport photographs taken in church regalia
  8. Two regular full size photographs in full spiritual toga
  9. Copy of social security card
  10. Attestation or Sponsorship of character from the shepherd and 51% of the membership of the parochial committee of the parish where he/she is worshipping.

B) Review Committee

The Head of Diocese would conduct an investigation of the character of the applicant through his review committee and make final recommendation to the pastor. The district review committee shall consist of two representatives from each parish in the district (at least 60% of the parishes in the district shall be represented at district level review committee), which shall be chaired by the district evangelist.

Membership shall consist of mixed hierarchy of CCC. The recommendation from the district review committee shall be passed to the diocesan executive council that shall carry out its own review and make the final recommendation to the pastor through the HOD. Approved candidates shall attend the theological institute for training and also serve at least six months on the job training under an acknowledged shepherd before ordination to priesthood. Each district/region shall have its review committee with members randomly chosen. The committee shall remain ad-hoc.

C) Other Church Workers

Other Church workers such as leader-in-charge to fill the temporary vacancy of the shepherd or provide support to the shepherd, full time prophet/prophetess to serve as support staff to the shepherd shall be sponsored by the affected parish’s shepherd and parochial committee stating the basis and justification for such recommendation. The District Evangelist shall appraise such recommendation and forward it to the HOD under his own opinion/recommendation. The diocesan executive council shall evaluate the application, add its own recommendation while the HOD shall forward all to the pastor with his covering overall recommendation.

It should be noted that appointment of female Church workers does not accord them with any superior spiritual status over their superiors who are non-church workers.

Article XIX: Parish Operations

Outline of Duties of Council, Officers and Various Committees of the Parish

(A) Shepherd

  • He represents the Pastor of the Church at the parish level and he is consequently the Head of the Parish in all matters.
  • He observes Parochial Committee’s meetings and provides guidance.
  • His concurrence/approval is required before the implementation of any decision taken by the Parochial Committee.
  • He is the link between the Parish and the outside world.
  • Conduct of Service and Sermons shall remain his prerogative. Therefore, the duty roster prepared by the Secretary shall be under his directives and approval.
  • He shall remain a signatory to the Parish bank account.
  • He shall remain the only one authorized to sell spiritual materials to members.
  • He shall carry out Baptism, House Opening/Warming, Naming Ceremonies and other spiritual activities of the Parish and members; baptism shall be carried out only if the shepherd is at least an Assistant Evangelist.
  • He shall authorize all spiritual messages before they can be performed.
  • He shall be the only one to carry out counseling of members, receive new members and counsel them. He may delegate some of these assignments to competent elders.
  • No disciplinary action can be taken through the established process without his approval.
  • He shall conduct or delegate the conduct of the Service of Prophets/prophetesses.
  • He shall do whatever is considered appropriate to ensure the peace, love, unity and the highest ecclesiastical standard for the Parish.
  • He shall ensure the compliance of the Parish to all Pastoral orders and Provision of CCC constitution and the diocese Bye-Laws.
  • He has responsibility to ensure that the Parish observe all Federal, State and Local Laws and maintain peaceful, positive and harmonious neighborliness.
  • He has responsibility to ensure that the Parish meets all its obligation to the District, Diocesan and Board Secretariat and the Pastor.

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