ICGN Mandate
OUR MANDATE
The Core of Our Existence
LOVE: All Nations – EQUIP: The Church – Release the Equipped – SERVE All
The name of the Assembly shall be called
Influence Church Global Network – International (hereinafter the “the
Assembly”).
1) Objects
The general objects of the Assembly shall be:
a) To further the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the advancement of the Christian faith consistent with the Tenets of Faith, hereinafter contained within Australia and overseas
and to work for the building up and renewal of the Christian Church.
b) To meet for the worship of God, the preaching and teaching of the Word of God and to administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper according to the commandment of the Lord.
c) To engage in the proclamation of the Christian faith by the establishing of missionary work or assisting existing missionary work in Australia and overseas, by the production and dissemination of Christian literature, tape recordings, music and the like, and by what other means the Assembly may deem necessary.
d) To render spiritual oversight, care and assistance and such other help as may be deemed practical and advisable, to people in need, especially those in membership or close association with the Assembly.
e) To assist, undertake the oversight of, or in any way co-operate with any other individuals, societies, churches or other organisations having objects similar to those of this Assembly, as may be deemed proper.
f) To work in co-operative fellowship with other Assemblies associated with the New Testament Church in Australia overseas.
2) Functions and Powers
To enable it to fulfill its objects the Assembly may from time to time:
a) Acquire, purchase, borrow,
hold, manage, own, lease, rent, sell, convey, mortgage, encumber, charge,
invest, dispose of, or deal with in any legal manner whatsoever, any real or
personal property of any nature or description, or any interest in the same whether
situated in Australia or any other country, and to do all or any such things
upon such terms and conditions and further with respect to any investments to
hold or vary the same, as at any time may be deemed advisable.
b)
Accept by transfer, conveyance,
gift, demise, bequest, or otherwise from any person or persons, trustee or
trustees, board, company, council, corporation, or any other society, any real
or personal property, whether subject to any existing trusts or encumbrances or
not, but so that the Assembly may decline to accept any such transfer gift or
otherwise.
c)
Do all such other things as are
incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above subjects.
3) Tenets
of Faith (Doctrines)
Holding to the historic truths of the
Christian faith, as specifically stated in its Tenets of Faith the Assembly
affirms its belief:
a)
GOD: There is but one God, who is the
Maker and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 86:9-10; Isaiah 43: 10-11;
John 1:1-3.
b)
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, His
Virgin Birth, that He is the Incarnation of God, Very God of Very God, for whom
all things were created. John 1:14; John
14:9; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-25.
c)
THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the Holy Spirit (the third
person in the Trinity) proceeded from the Father and the Son, and is of one
substance, majesty and glory, with the Father and the Son. John 14:16-17; John 15:26; Matthew 3:16; 1
Thessalonians 4:8.
d)
THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: We believe in the inspiration of the Holy
Scriptures as the revelation of the mind and will of God. On the authority of Jesus Christ we accept
them, in their original form, as the Divine Word, which when heaven and earth
are passed away, shall yet endure. 2
Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 5:17-18; Matthew 24:35; John 5:39.
e)
THE DEVIL: We believe in the personality of the devil
who, by his influence and power, brought about the downfall of man and now
seeks to destroy the faith of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13;
James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; John 13:2.
f)
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH: We believe that through simply believing unto
obedience in the atoning death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, we
receive the remission of all our sins and the gift of eternal life. Romans 10:9-10; John 3:16. The without the shedding of blood there is no
remission of sins. 1 Peter 1:19-20;
Hebrews 9:22. That restitution be made
where possible in relationship to a good conscience before God and man. Matthew 3:8; Luke 19:8-9.
g)
BAPTISM BY WATER: We believe that single immersion in water in
the Name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit is symbolical of our death and
resurrection with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20; Act 10:48; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts
8:35-39.
h)
SANCTIFICATION: We believe it is the command to every
believer in Christ to be made pure in heart and wholly sanctified through the
operation of the Holy Spirit. John 17:
15-19; Acts 15: 8-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; Hebrews 2:11; 1 Thessalonians
5:23-24.
i)
THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe that the Baptism in the Holy
Spirit is promised to every believer, and is received fulfilling the command of
our Lord Jesus Christ who bade His disciples “wait for the promise of the
Father”. We believe that a definite,
physical manifestation accompanies the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:15-19; Acts
10:44-47; Acts 19:1-7.
j)
DIVINE HEALING: In accordance with the teaching of the
Scriptures, we trust our Heavenly Father to protect and heal our bodies from
sickness and disease. We believe that
Divine healing for the body was purchased for us by the atoning death of our
Lord Jesus Christ and that by His stripes we are healed. Exodus 15: 26; Isaiah 53: 4-5; Matthew 8:
16-17; 1 Peter 2: 24; Psalms 103: 3; James 5: 14-16; Mark 16: 17-18.
k)
FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY: We recognise that God has set in the Body of
Christ Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers for the equipping
and perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4: 11-16. We believe that God has set Shepherds to have
the spiritual leadership and oversight in the local church.
l)
THE LORD’ SUPPER AND WASHING THE SAINTS FEET: In accordance with our Lord’s
command we partake of this sacrament, remembering His words, “This do ye in
remembrance of Me”. Luke 22:19-20;
Matthew 26: 26-29; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-32; John 13: 4-17; 1 Timothy 5: 9-10.
m)
TITHING AND GIVING: We believe that God has established the
paying of tithes and the giving of offerings by believers as the means of
support for the local church. Genesis
14: 18-20; Genesis 28: 20-22; Malachi 3: 10; Luke 11: 42; 1 Corinthians 9: 6-9;
1 Corinthians 16:2; Hebrews 7: 1-21.
n)
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: It is the glorious hope and earnest
expectation that our Lord Jesus Christ will soon return for His Church. And having this hope we “purify ourselves
even as He Himself is pure” so that we may be ready to meet Him when He comes
to gather His people unto Himself. John
14: 1-3; James 5: 7-8; Titus 2: 13; 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17; 2 Thessalonians
2: 1.
o)
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED: We believe in the everlasting punishment of
the wicked (in the sense of eternal torment) with no liberation nor
annihilation. Matthew 25: 46; Matthew
13: 49-50; 2 Thessalonians 1: 8-9.
p)
IN THE MILLENIAL REIGN of the Lord Jesus
Christ upon the earth when he comes to reign on the earth a thousand
years. Zechariah 14: 4; 1 Thessalonians
4:14; 2 Thessalonians 1: 7-10; Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11-21; Revelation 20:
4-6.
q)
THE COVENANT OF MARRIAGE: With respect to the scared relationship of
marriage, we believe that divorce and remarriage is contrary to Scripture and
that while divorce is allowed on the grounds of marital infidelity (Matthew
19:9), even this is to be discouraged in favour of taking the higher way of
forgiveness and longsuffering.
4) Membership
a) ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
Membership of this Assembly shall be
available to all those being sixteen years of age and over who give evidence of
their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and are living a consistent Christian
life. They must voluntarily subscribe to
the Assembly’s Tenets of Faith and agree to be governed by its Constitution,
and who have attended the services regularly for at least six months prior to
application.
Membership is a privilege and a desire to
fully contribute to the ongoing work of this Assembly. Those desiring membership are to make
application on the Application For Membership forms provided and hand them into
the office of the Influence Churches.
b) VOTING PRIVILEGES
All members may vote at Annual or Special
Meetings of the Assembly. If the voting
age is raised above sixteen years at any time in the future, those members who
are younger than the legal voting age shall be entitled to all Assembly
privileges except the right to vote.
c) DISQUALIFICATION FROM
MEMBERSHIP
i)
Any member of the Assembly, who
being divorced, remarries during the lifetime of the former partner in
marriage, without consultation with, received counsel by and approved by the
Pastor in accordance to the code of conduct -minutes shall be deemed to be
disqualified from membership and its voting privileges.
ii)
Any member who, without good
cause or without prior notice to the Pastor or Church Board absent themselves
for a period of three consecutive months or more, or who, whilst attending
other Church Services freely, only very occasionally attend the regular services
of the Assembly over such periods, or who cease to pay tithes, and fail to
contribute of their means to its support; or
iii)
May be out of harmony with the
teachings of the Assembly; or
iv)
Shall be under charges for
misconduct or who may have fallen under condemnation through sinful or worldly
practices. Shall be liable to lose their
membership and voting privileges until they are fully restored to the Assembly.
d) DETERMINATION OF
MEMBERSHIP
Authority to make decisions with respect to
acceptance for membership, disqualification from membership and restoration to
membership of any members disqualified, and transference to or from other
Churches or Assemblies, shall be invested in the Church Board as hereinafter
defined. The Church Board shall revise
the membership roll at least once a year.
e) CODE OF CONDUCT FOR
MEMBERS
It is expected that members of the Assembly
will conduct themselves in a manner of conduct and dress that glorifies the
Lord Jesus Christ. In an age in which we
are seeing many diverse tastes, revealing the moral and spiritual decline in
our society we are aware that the only answer is for men and women to
experience the regenerating power of the blood of Jesus Christ in salvation,
which can change people’s lives.
It is therefore expected that members will
show forth by their own living, a conservative taste in hair style, apparel
that is modest and tidy, as well as their homes and interests being consistent
with the principles of God’s Word and counsel of ministry. Members who do not respond to counsel in
these areas can be placed on probation for a season at the decision of the
oversight. If there is no response by
the member to counsel in this area, then after reasonable time the Church Board
shall take whatever action is deemed necessary.
All members and ministers of the Assembly
shall pay tithes to the local church in which they are members. They are also encouraged to give offerings,
which are distinct and separate to the tithe
5) Assembly
Structure
Leadership and
management of the Assembly, in general or as hereinafter in detail set forth
shall be in the hands of the Pastor (and Elders where/when appointed) any other
members of the Church Board, and at its discretion exercise such of the
above-mentioned functions, powers and authorities, as may reasonably be
necessary or expedient for the fulfilment of the objects, functions, and
business of the Assembly.
For the
maintenance and development of fellowship and the effective functioning of the
Assembly such Group or Departments may be organised or their form of
organisation amended, as the Board may from time to time determine.
6) The
Board
The Board
shall consist of the Pastors, Elders and such specialised personnel as may be
appointed to the Board. The Board shall
meet at such times and places, as it shall determine.
7) Pastors
1) The Pastor
i)
Appointment
(a)
The Pastor is to be appointed
by the unanimous decision of the outgoing Pastor, other Pastor’s and Elders,
and ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Board. If the Pastors and Elders are not unanimous,
the appointment of the Pastor may be made by a three-quarters majority decision
of the Board.
(b)
Where the Pastor is available,
he may be re-appointed by the unanimous decision of the Pastors and the
Elders. If such Pastors and Elders are
not unanimous the Pastor may be re-appointed by a three-quarters majority
decision of the Board.
ii) Support
(a)
The Pastor shall be suitably
remunerated and provided for by way of a regular salary and allowance.
(b)
The terms and conditions of
service shall be according to the guideline, He must take annual leave along
with occasional weekends and one day of rest each week.
iii) Function and Authority of
Minister in charge.
(a)
The Pastor shall be entrusted
with the Spiritual Oversight of the Assembly and general supervision of all its
activities and shall have final authority over all Church matters, over Church
services, and such matters as the inviting of speakers, the distribution of
literature among the membership of the Assembly. Including Capital purchases
and other purchases, The Senior Minister is authorised to sign in all legal
document with the approval board members.
(b)
The Pastor if willing and able
to do so, shall act as Chairman of all Board and Assembly meetings. The Pastor shall be an ex-officio member of
all Groups and
2) Other Pastors
i)
Appointment and Function
(a)
Other pastors to assist the
Pastor, may be appointed by the submission and endorsement of the Pastor and
ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Board.
(b)
Any such Pastor is under the
direction of, and responsible to, the Pastor.
He shall assist the Pastor in all the spiritual work and oversight of
the Assembly performing such duties as may be delegated to him by the Pastor.
3) Resignation or Removal of
Pastors
a)
Any Pastor may resign his
office upon sixty days written notice to the Secretary of the Board. If a Pastor is not returned or is removed
from office he shall immediately vacate his office but shall, if supported by the
Assembly, be given a minimum of sixty days salary and allowances from that
date.
b)
Subject to ratification by a
three-quarters majority vote of the other Church Board members, the Pastor may
ask for the resignation of any Pastor.
The Board shall present the matter to the Pastor concerned (who shall
have the right to be heard by the Board or whether he intends to give notice of
resignation) before the Board votes on the matter.
c)
The procedures for dealing with
disorderly ministers are contained within the guide line set by ICGN and are to
be adhered to.
d)
The decision of the Board as to
such termination shall then be final.
4) Serious Misconduct
a)
In the event of serious
misconduct, radical departure from the Tenets of Faith or any equally serious
action of any Pastor and where three-quarters of the Board is satisfied that
the charge is proved and justifies his removal from office, (the said Pastor
having been given the opportunity of being heard by the Board) has the power to
suspend the Pastor immediately the powers of a serious nature are proved.
b)
In the event of the charge
being against the Pastor, immediate notice and a full report must be submitted
to the Regional office and the matter then investigated by those appointed by
the national office in consultation with the head office in Australia.
c)
The outcome of the Executive
Committee’s Appointed Trial and Investigation shall be conveyed to the Assembly
at a members’ meeting specially convened for the purpose in which brief details
may be given and in no case later than one month.
5) Other Salaried Staff
All other
salaried staff are to have their salaries and allowances reviewed annually.
8) Elders
and Deacons
A. Elders
i.
Elders are appointed by the
Pastor in accord with the Pastoral Staff and likewise ratified by a two-thirds
majority of the Board. Such Elders may
be appointed from any of the Board members, Deacons, or any other members of
the Assembly. All Elders must qualify
according to 1 Timothy 3: 1-11 and Titus 1: 5-9.
ii.
All Pastors are Elders by
virtue of their office.
iii.
All Elders shall share with
other Board Members in the general management of the affairs of the Assembly
and in addition shall be specifically responsible, under the leadership and
oversight of the Pastor, in matters, which are particularly of a spiritual
nature.
B. Deacons and Stewards
i.
Deacons likewise shall be
selected as the need arises for such service and must meet the qualifications
stated in 1 Timothy 3: 8-13. Their work
shall be reviewed annually.
ii.
The Pastor shall have the
initiative in the selection of deacons and deaconess’s and selection shall
likewise be ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Board.
iii.
Deacons shall faithfully serve
the believers in the Assembly in all matters pertaining to the particular areas
of responsibility they have been designated to discharge. They shall give practical assistance to the
oversight in caring for the house of the Lord and the comfort of the believers.
9) Departments
Leaders for such Groups and Departments as
are organised within the Assembly as mentioned above shall be appointed
annually by the Pastors and Elders, subject to ratification by at least a
two-thirds majority of the Board.
10)
Specialised Personnel
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be appointed
upon the nomination of the Board and ratified by the members of the Assembly at
a duly convened meeting of the Assembly.
The Secretary/Treasurer is an ex-officio
member of the Board to present financial reports, to record the Minutes of the
Board meeting, and other matters delegated by the Chairman.
As this is an elected position, he is not
involved in the Spiritual Oversight of the Church Board. He may be called upon to remove himself after
presenting financial reports etc, and does not vote except as a member of the
Assembly. Other specialised members may
be appointed as required by a two-thirds majority of the Board members. One person can fulfil the position of
Secretary and Treasurer if deemed necessary.
A. The Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the Minutes of the
Official Meetings of the Church Board and of the Annual and Special Business
Meetings of the Assembly. The Secretary
shall be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date record of membership of the
Assembly and shall perform other clerical work necessary to the proper
discharge of his duties. He shall be
responsible for the safe custody of all legal documents and of the Assembly
Seal.
B. The Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the
administration of all finances of the Assembly and shall ensure that all funds
are administered in accordance with the directions of the Board and the Senior
Pastor. He shall keep an itemised
account of the receipts and disbursements and shall make and itemised report at
the regular meetings of the Board and a summarised report to the Assembly when
required.
11)
Appointments, Vacancies and Resignations
a)
Appointments for an ensuing
year shall be made in each case by the outgoing persons of the Board relative
to each category of appointment, and the individual appointments shall be
ratified where necessary in each instance by the incoming Board or the meeting
of the Assembly. All appointments and
elections within the Assembly (except the appointment of Pastor and Trustees)
are annual and appointees must be members of this Assembly.
b)
Vacancies in the Board, Group
Leaders and Department Leaders, as a result of resignation, death or other
cause, shall be filled by the same procedure as for the original appointments
except such appointments shall be, in the first instance, for the remainder of
the current annual term.
c)
Subject to ratification by a
three-quarters majority of the other Board members, the Pastor may ask for the
resignation of any Elder or other Board member where it is believed that such
Elder or Board member is acting in any manner clearly inconsistent with the
Scriptural standards for those who hold office in the Assembly or is seriously
jeopardising the harmony of the Board.
12) resignation
the Elder or Board member
Before a final decision is made to require such resignation the Elder or Board
member concerned shall be given opportunity to be heard by the Board.
13)
Property
The Property Trustees shall be appointed by
the Board of the Assembly when needed in accordance with the provisions of the
Incorporating Declaration of Trust and Rules of the said Trust Board or due
amendments thereof.
14) Meetings
of the Assembly
A.
Public Meetings and Administration of Ordinances
Meetings for
public worship shall be held regularly as may be provide for under the
direction of the Pastor or, in his absence, those duly appointed to act as
deputy.
1.
Baptism in Water
The ordinance
of baptism by immersion in water shall be administered upon their request, to
all who have repented of their sins and who have believed in the Lord Jesus
Christ to the saving of their souls and who give clear evidence of the New
Birth.
2.
The Lord’s Supper
The ordinance
of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly.
B.
Business Meetings
1.
Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting of the Assembly
at which various reports shall be presented, necessary ratification of
appointments made and elections held and other necessary business conducted,
shall be held as soon after the 1st January as practicable but not
later than 31st July.
2.
Special Business Meeting
Special Business Meetings shall be called on
the decision of the majority of the Board or upon the presentation to the
Pastor of a request for the same signed by at least one quarter of the member
of the Assembly. Due notice, stating the
time, place and nature of all Business Meetings, Annual and Special, shall be
given at the meetings for worship on the two Sundays prior to such meeting and
one quarter of the Assembly membership shall constitute a quorum for all such
meetings.
15) Resolutions
adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members present at an Annual or Special
Meeting of the Assembly shall be binding.
Where, however, a matter presented to any such Business Meeting is
considered by the Board to be of such weight or contention so as to warrant,
the Board may require a deferment of a decision on the proposed resolution or
resolutions to a subsequent meeting to be called not less than two months from
the date of such deferment.
16)
Discipline
A.
Call for Discipline
The discipline of any
offending member shall be administered upon the action of the Church Board,
such action being based upon a complaint filed in writing to the Pastor or the
Church Board by the complainant and after a proper hearing of the case. The following rules and instructions shall be
observed as the occasion may require – Matthew 18: 15-20; Romans 16: 17-18; 1
Corinthians 5: 1-5; 2 Corinthians 6: 6; 2 Thessalonians 3: 12.
B.
Discipline of Members Guilty of Immoral Conduct
Where a member is accused of immoral conduct,
the Church Board shall appoint one or more to visit the accused person and, if
possible, restore such an one – (Galatians 6:1). If the unsuccessful and the guilt be denied,
the matter shall be considered by the Board and if the member be found guilty,
he will be suspended and his name removed from the membership roll until such
time as satisfaction is given.
C.
Discipline of Members Guilty of Disobedience to the Order of the
Assembly
In cases of neglect of duty, failure to
contribute according to one’s own ability or to be in reasonably regular
fellowship or the inability to co-operate with the oversight in the work of the
Assembly, impudent conduct in speech or actions and the causing of division or
offences contrary to the doctrine, order and discipline of the Assembly –
first, let private reproof be given by the oversight that there may be an
acknowledgement of the fault with the response to amend by the person involved,
that person shall be borne with. If not,
let the case be brought before the Pastor and Church Board and if there is no
satisfactory conclusion, the Board is empowered to suspend or expel the member
by the vote of the Board.
D.
Procedure in Matters of Discipline
Matters requiring discipline by the Board
shall be conducted in a consistent Christian manner and an accurate record kept
by the Church.
E.
Right of Appeal
Any member so disciplined by the Board may
appeal to a member’s meeting for a final decision. Any appeal must be made in writing to the
Board within one month.
17)
Church Property
All real property owned by the Assembly shall
be held by the Incorporated Association Trustees of the Assembly on behalf of
the Assembly and in accord with the rules of the Incorporated Association shall
be administered according to the decisions of the Board or Assembly made in
accord with the terms of this Constitution.
18)
Finance
All gifts and offering whether money or otherwise, taken or given
for any stated purpose shall, except with the express permission and consent of
the donor or donors of such gifts and offerings, be applied to the purpose of
purposes for which they are requested or designated, though the method of
application of such gifts and offerings to such purposes shall, so far as is
consistent with such stated purposes, be at the discretion of the Board.
All other gifts, whether stated to be tithes and offerings or
otherwise, shall be used and applied for the furtherance of any or all of the
objects of the Assembly, at the discretion of the Board, who, while in no way
so bound, may, if it be deemed advisable, seek an expression of the opinion of
the members of the Assembly concerning such use and application.
19)
Audit
An auditor appointed by the Board shall make an annual audit of all
the Assembly accounts and such accounts duly certified as to the correctness or
otherwise shall be presented to the Assembly at the Annual Meeting.
20)
Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the
membership of the Assembly who are in attendance at any regular or special
meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change
shall have been made at all the regular services on at least two Sundays
preceding the time of such meeting.
The International office (Head Office in Australia) must first
approve any amendments proposed in writing. An updated copy of this
Constitution including any amendments shall be forwarded to the International
Office in AUSTRALIA Incorporated whenever there are any amendments or changes.
24) Conclusion
Any area considered lacking in this Local church Constitution shall
deemed to be covered by the General Assembly Minutes and its amendments.