- Membership
- Accreditation
- Qualifications
- Procedure for Securing Membership
- Process to Renew Annual Membership
- Ministerial Ethics
- Member Contribution
- Termination of Credentials
- Network Adminstration
- Application of Discipline
- Legal and Financial Issues
SECTION I
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is available to all Ministers of all nationalities that meet the minimum requirements set out in Section III, paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 4 . Associate Membership is extended to those Ministers or Ministries who wish to retain Ordination Credentials through another ministerial association, but desire the fellowship, vision, resources and benefits that are afforded through Christian Fellowship International. All approved applicants for membership shall be issued with, and identified by, an annually renewed Membership Identity Card. All membership approval is subject to annual renewal as set out in Section V, paragraphs 1 to 4 .
SECTION II
ACCREDITATION
Recognition of Ministerial Credentials:
Christian Workers:
Those persons who have been approved as having met the qualifications set out in Section III, paragraphs 1 and 2 . This credential is jointly issued through the applicant's Local Church.
Licensed Ministers:
Those persons who have been approved as having met the qualifications set out in Section III, paragraphs 1 and 3 . This credential is jointly issued through the applicant's Ministerial Covering. The applicant shall have been in membership with Christian Fellowship International for at least one year.
Ordained Ministers:
Those persons who have been approved as having met the qualifications in Section III, paragraphs 1 and 4 . The applicant shall have been in membership with Christian Fellowship International for at least one year.
The evidence of the aforesaid recognition in Section II, paragraph 1 a, b and c shall be confirmed and attested to with an annually renewable Membership Identity Card and Certificate.
SECTION III
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates applying for membership must evidence:
- Born again experience (John 3:3)
- A good reputation (Acts 6:3),
- A Spirit-filled life (Ephesians 5:18),
- A divine call to ministry (Titus 1:7).
In addition, Christian Workers seeking recognition must:
- Be actively involved in the Ministry of Helps,
- Have practical experience in serving others,
- Be under the covering of a Local Church,
- Be in agreement with the Tenets of Faith,
- Co-operate with all Sections IV, V, VI and VIII.
Licensed Ministers seeking recognition must in addition to paragraph I above:
- Evidence spiritual and chronological maturity,
- Purpose to devote time to the work of the Ministry,
- Have adequate practical experience in preparing or preaching the Word of God,
- Be under the guidance and covering of an Apostolic Ministry in a Local Church,
- Be in agreement with the Tenets of Faith,
- Co-operate with all of Sections IV, V, VI and VIII.
- Agree to regularly attend the Christian Fellowship International regional meetings and annual leadership conferences.
Candidates for Ordination Recognition must in addition to paragraph I above:
- Evidence spiritual and chronological maturity,
- Be engaged in full time ministry for at least two consecutive years,
- Be in agreement with the Tenets of Faith,
- Co-operate with all of Sections IV, V, VI and VII.
- Agree to regularly attend the Christian Fellowship International regional meetings and annual leadership conferences.
SECTION IV
PROCEDURE FOR SECURING MEMBERSHIP
- All applicants must meet the requirements set out in Section III, paragraphs 1, 2, 3 or 4.
- Applicants must complete an application form and return it for the attention of Christian Fellowship International or apply online.
- Applicants must deposit a non-refundable administration cover charge of R 350.00 into the Christian Fellowship International bank account or the application must be accompanied by a cheque or postal order to the value of R 350.00, made out to Christian Fellowship International. If the application is turned down, the deposit of R 350.00 will be refunded immediately. Bank details are: Bank - NEDBANK, Branch – GALE STREET, Account Number – 1381410774.
- Applicants must make sure a ‘Confidential Referral' is submitted by an Ordained Minister of the applicant's choice and returned directly to Christian Fellowship International within 30 days. Christian Fellowship International, at its discretion, reserves the right and without prejudice to verify the ‘Confidential Referral.'
- Applicants will be notified, usually within 30 days of receipt of the ‘Confidential Referral' of the Advisory Board's decision. The Advisory Board's decision is final and no further negotiation will be entertained.
SECTION V
PROCESS TO RENEW ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
All Christian Workers , Licensed Ministers and Ordained Ministers who hold membership with Christian Fellowship International need to renew their membership annually by returning the ‘Annual Membership Verification Form' within 30 days of receipt thereof. The continued recognition of credentials and membership is subject to approval by the Board, based upon requisite criteria.
Annual requisite criteria for Christian Workers :
- Return to Christian Fellowship International the ‘Annual Membership Verification Form' within 30 days from the time received for the attention of the Christian Fellowship International Secretary.
Annual requisite criteria for Licensed Ministers :
- Return to Christian Fellowship International the ‘Annual Membership Verification Form' within 30 days from the time received for the attention of the Christian Fellowship International Secretary.
- Licensed Ministers must have preached at least 25 times during the past year. Preaching is considered to include pastoral, evangelistic or teaching-type meetings carried on either out of or within the Local Church where you are recognised as an Elder or the Senior Pastor.
- Alternatively, be actively involved in full time ministry such as Minister of Music, Minister of Visitation, and Minister of Education, or be employed permanently in a church staff or management position.
Annual requisite criteria for Ordained Ministers :
- Return to Christian Fellowship International the ‘Annual Membership Verification Form' within 30 days from the time received for the attention of the Christian Fellowship International Secretary.
- Ordained Ministers actively involved in full time ministry such as in one of the five fold ministries (Evangelist, Teacher, Pastor, Prophet or Apostle) must have preached at least 40 times during the past year. Preaching is considered to include pastoral, evangelistic or teaching-type meetings carried on either out of or within the Local Church where you are recognised as an Elder or the Senior Pastor.
- After the Board has received and reviewed your ‘Annual Membership Verification Form', you will be notified by mail of the Board's decision, usually within 30 days.
SECTION VI
MINISTERIAL ETHICS
- All Members shall be agreeable with Christian Fellowship International in matters of doctrine, conduct and ministry.
- All Members affiliated with Christian Fellowship International are expected to work and co-operate with Christian Fellowship International programmes and policies. Failure to do so may be cause for bringing their membership and affiliation under review.
- All Members must renew their credentials annually within the prescribed time to maintain their membership with Christian Fellowship International.
- All Members shall refrain from identifying with any secret orders or societies.
- Normally and widely accepted standards of ethical conduct are expected. The Scriptures prevail whenever questions arise.
SECTION VII
MEMBER CONTRIBUTION
Finances for the running of the Fellowship and its worldwide extension are necessary, understood, and required to finance:
- Administration costs,
- Secretarial services,
- Travelling costs incurred,
- Assistance in establishing new churches
- Apostolic Team ministry support.
Ministers, Ministries and Churches are encouraged to contribute to Christian Fellowship International in accordance with the principle of reciprocity as stated in Philippians 4:14 – 19 as evidence of true partnership and relationship.
A minimum annual membership contribution of R 1000.00. Payable annually or to be submitted in equal monthly installments.
Failure to comply with Point 3 above will jeopardise your membership and bring it under review.
SECTION VIII
TERMINATION OF CREDENTIALS
Withdrawn:
A Member who has elected to remove him or herself, and against whom there are no charges filed, shall be listed as having ‘withdrawn'.
Suspended:
A Member may be ‘suspended' from the association because of general inefficiency in the ministry, a failure or inability to correctly represent an acceptable testimony, for a contentious or non co-operative spirit, or for no longer being in submission to or under the covering of a Local Church.
Lapsed:
A minister's credentials shall be deemed as having ‘lapsed' in all cases where a minister fails to renew his or her credentials in a timely fashion. Credentials may be renewed upon completion of requirements as stated in Section V .
SECTION IX
NETWORK ADMINISTRATION
Christian Fellowship International shall function under the apostolic authority of its founder and first director, Dr Fred L Roberts, who in perpetuity is the chairperson of the Board of Directors.
The Fellowship shall be governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Chairperson in each of the nations in which the fellowship operates.
SECTION X
APPLICATION OF DISCIPLINE
When deliberating discipline, temporarily appoint two additional non-aligned members to augment the Board.
In deliberating discipline, the Board is free to ask counsel and advice from affiliated members of Christian Fellowship International, but is not accountable thereto.
SECTION XI
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ISSUES
Christian Fellowship International is not responsible for the legal and financial operations of any Minister, Ministry or Church affiliated with it. Competent legal and financial counsel is the responsibility of the individual Minister, Ministry or Church.
Under no circumstance whatsoever is Membership of Christian Fellowship International to be understood to imply or infer an obligation on the part of Christian Fellowship International to financially support or assist any Minister, Ministry or Church.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about Christian Fellowship International, please call the national office or your nearest regional office.