Chapter I
- THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS
The member
churches, pastors, and other ministries recognized by the Confederation
formally and unreservedly commit themselves to teach and abide by the
following points:
1 –
Pertinence of Scripture
We assert that, according to
the Holy Scriptures, God does not change (Malachi 3.6). We therefore
place ourselves under the triple authority of Jesus Christ, the Holy
Spirit, and the sovereign Word of God, the Father of our Lord who
accomplishes all things.
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior by the Holy Spirit, and by the Holy Scriptures (an absolute
rule of faith). We recognize that our ethics must conform to this
unalterable Word.
We respect those who do not
share this vision but, for ourselves, we refuse to corrupt
Judeo-Christian morality.
2 –
Salvation
We confess, in accordance with
the Gospel, that there is salvation only in Jesus Christ (Acts 4.12),
and that He is the sole intermediary between God and man (1Timothy 2.5).
We confess that salvation is
possible only by faith; whereas works are nothing but the normal fruit
of our faith.
We maintain that baptism has
value only if it naturally follows personal repentance and a personal
commitment to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. It will have value
only if it meets these conditions. As according to the teachings of
Jesus Christ and His Apostles, baptism is done by immersion at the
specific request of a person who is fully capable of comprehending the
scope of this decision. We respect all those who have other points of
view, but nevertheless consider that the only possible means of
collaboration with different religions consists in the construction of
relationships based on mutual respect and peace. We refuse all
syncretism which we consider to be a violation of the will of God
(Hebrews 10.29, 2Timothy 2.16).
3 – The Church
We consider that no
church or religious organization has the right to place itself above
another, neither as model, and most certainly not as a «means of
salvation». The Church belongs to Jesus Christ, and He alone is its
head. (Ephesians 1.22 and 5.23).
As ecclesiastical
structures are nothing but supports in the lives of God’s People, each
local community will organize itself according to what the Holy Spirit
expresses to it.
Our relations
between the member churches of the Confederation, as also with other
denominations, shall be conditioned by respect, and by our love for the
souls of all men.
The coming together
of born-again Christians is therefore something we view as positive.
However, we refuse any associations for which the purpose would be to
corrupt the essential doctrine put forth in the Word of God (2 Timothy
4.3). This relates to ethics, in particular to the debates regarding
homosexuality, the right to life, genetic manipulations, etc... Though
we reject any form of homophobia, we intend to honor the precepts of the
sacred institution of marriage in our churches and for ourselves, and
this exclusively between persons of different sexes (Leviticus 18.).
4 –
Communion
Communion takes its full
meaning in the Last Supper. We draw attention to the importance for each
and every to participate in this remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ, in full understanding, and not as simple ritual (1Corinthians
11.29). We demonstrate our fraternal love by inviting visiting
Christians to share in the bread and the wine, should they so wish.
5 –
Freedom of the Holy Spirit
It is understood that the Holy
Spirit comes upon all the members of the Church to make them into living
witnesses of Jesus Christ. The Spirit will pass « where and when He
wishes » (1Corinthians 12.7-11). It is not for us to judge another
through a comparison of spiritual gifts. We are, however, called to be
zealous in the seeking
of these gifts (1Corinthians 14.12) so that the Church be edified.
6 –
Christ's Return
We believe that God has set a
time for the return of Christ. Though it is not given to us to know the
date of His return, we have been shown signs so that we be kept awake
and alert. We believe that He will give the Church a refuge so that it
might celebrate the wedding of the Lamb (1 Thessalonians 4.16-17), and
we prepare ourselves for when this promise comes to pass. (2 Timothy
4.8)
7 –
Ministries
All those who exercise a
ministry should strive to be holy, for themselves and equally for the
testimony they give (1Timothy 3.2 and 3.12).
Ministries are brought forth by
the Spirit of God and are acknowledged by the sitting elders (Acts
13.2). All self-proclaimed ministries are therefore subject to doubt.
The freedom of the Holy Spirit may also consist in moving an established
ministry, changing or replacing it when necessary. Every Christian must
therefore occupy the place which Holy Spirit assigns him in the Church
at the time. The pastor, more than any other, needs to seek the will of
the Lord and encourage the emergence of new vocations.
The Church is not to be managed
like a company; nor is it to be a family affair. A pastor must be ready
to leave his place to a successor at the appropriate time. He is to help
his successor move in and prepare the passage of responsibilities so
that the transition is not perceived as a rupture, neither by the local
church, nor by himself.
Chapter II - RELATIONSHIPS AND ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE
Our relationships must be
transparent.
8 –
Recognition of Ministries
When a ministry is revealed in
the local Church, it will be subject to recognition by the
Confederation. For this to take place, the President needs to be
informed by the local pastor. After consultation with the Board of
Directors, and if the majority of its members confirm the ministry, it
will then be presented before a general meeting which holds sole
authority to take the final decision in the name of the Confederation. A
probationary period may be decided upon, or a consultation period,
should doubts surface in some quarters. In this situation, and if the
Board of Directors maintains its support at the end of the probationary
or consultation period, the case will once again be placed before the
General Meeting for a final decision.
The
consecration will be formalized in the
candidate’s local church, in the presence of several attendants, of whom
one at least will be a member of the Board of Directors.
9 – Audits
Every member acknowledges the
right of the Confederation’s Board of Directors to perform an audit of
the local Church, which may examine the following:
That the accounting ledgers and
legal documents are up to date, that teaching is of good quality, and
also to eventually help find solutions to specific problems.
These audits must take place at
regular intervals in each member association and these associations
assume the obligation to accept them.
In the event of a refusal, or
following the discovery of an important and indisputable anomaly, should
the association refuse to take the necessary corrective measures; the
case shall presented before the Board of Directors which, after
follow-up contacts with the member association, will be empowered to
consider such case to be a serious breach, and therefore subject to the
applicable dispositions of the statutes of the Confederation.
Chapter III - DEVELOPMENT
The Vision is the development
of the impact of the Gospel, dependant upon the specific callings of
each, or upon vocations.
10 –
Development of Associations
As cultural associations not
being authorized to have objectives other than the exercise of worship,
it becomes necessary to create ‘1901 Associations’:
1. From cultural associations,
as long as their object is in relation with the development of the
Christian faith,
2. And/or from associations
having the vocation to bring help to the needy.
That these associations
collaborate amongst themselves is encouraged, and the Confederation also
carries the vocation to act as an intermediary to assist them within the
limits of its possibilities.
