Church Government

THE ECCLESIASTICAL GOVERNMENT OF EXCELLENT CHAPEL

Introduction

Excellent Chapel is committed to building a biblical foundation for church government. Spiritual life is produced when church government and theological soundness are combined with biblical preaching that proclaims the authority of God’s Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We believe the principles of church government are universal and the scriptural formula for oversight and governance of the local church is relevant in every culture.

Issues of Concern and Practice

Excellent Chapel practices an Elder form of government. Although there are other important positions of leadership for instruction and ministry, it is the Elder board that has the responsibility to provide visionary direction and spiritual covering for the ministries of the church. There are three basic functions of Elders:

  1. To lead the church by governing the vision of the church and establishing policies which provide philosophical boundaries for church life.
  2. To uphold the biblical standards of behavior among church members. This includes enforcing church discipline for factious behavior, unrepentant sin and doctrinal error.
  3. To individually demonstrate a model for ministry and godly living to the people as they lead the church.

Excellent Chapel believes that church policies and philosophies for ministry are best decided when the entire Elder team meets together and discusses, debates and pray. Elder meetings are held regularly and include discussion about policy decisions that affect the congregation as a whole.

While the Presiding Bishop is the leader of the Elders and is given special respectful consideration. All the Elders have equality relating to input and decision making. Until there is unanimity on an issue, no decision is finalized or acted upon. As the church grows and new ministries are established, the Elders ensure that the ministry remains consistent with the vision of the church and the methods of ministry remain consistent with our principles for ministry.

Major Points The office of an Elder is a governmental office with spiritual responsibilities and rewards. We believe that one day Jesus will review each Elder’s stewardship. Faithfulness, willingness and sacrificial service to the flock of God will result in a heavenly reward.

Elders should set the standard in every area of life. While perfection is not possible, an Elder should take his position seriously and strive to uphold the character qualifications necessary for this office in the church. The Elders of Excellent Chapel were appointed by Bishop George Ofori-Nyadu.

The original group of Elders was given the authority to expand the number of Elders as they determined. Careful consideration is given when choosing an Elder. The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are used to determine a man’s ability to minister in the capacity of an Elder.

Excellent Chapel will only appoint spiritually mature men who are known within the congregation and have served faithfully in the ministries of the church for a season of time. A man must also be gifted governmentally, which is reflected through the following qualities.The Elder candidate should:

  1. Enjoy overseeing the church and desire the office of an Elder.
  2. Have the disposition of a servant and have a distinct love for people.
  3. Have an enthusiasm for every ministry of the church and not have a strong bias towards particular areas.
  4. Understand and respect the authority structure of the church.
  5. Be able to make decisions and maintain his resolve even in the face of intense and sometimes critical opposition.
  6. Be filled with faith for the future and not be overwhelmed by the size of the vision that God has for the church.
  7. Support and be able and willing to defend the Eldership publicly and privately.

The Elder role and scope of service:

  • Excellent Chapel believes the Presiding Bishop and the Senior Pastor should be the leader of the Eldership and should set the agenda for each meeting.
  • Excellent Chapel has Elders who are serving as staff of the church and Elders who are not a part of the church staff. While the ratio of staff Elders and non-staff Elders may vary, it is the desire of Excellent Chapel to maintain a balance of both.
  • The Elders who are not a part of the church staff are given the responsibility to approve the annual budget and to administrate the compensation packages of the senior staff.
  • Excellent Chapel maintains the position that Elders can be both men and women.
  • Decisions are made by the Elders after extensive discussion and prayer and with complete unanimity. Debate is common and differing opinions are welcomed. Every effort is made by each Elder to operate in unity with one another.
  • In the event that the Elders of Excellent Chapel reach an impasse with a decision, the Elders will appeal to the office of the Presiding Bishop.
  • The existing Elders have the authority to appoint new Elders as deemed necessary. When new Elders are appointed, the congregation will be notified.
  • Elders are appointed for life unless:
    • 1. They resign for personal reasons.
      2. They are disqualified by sin or a failure to meet the biblical standards of the office.
      3. They leave Excellent Chapel.

Scriptural References

  • 1 Timothy 3:1–7
  • Titus 1:5–9
  • 1 Peter 5:1–4
  • James 5:14–15

Church Discipline

Excellent Chapel also believes a primary responsibility of leadership is to model and maintain a standard of biblical behavior in the local church. We believe the Lord has given the Elders the responsibility to provide spiritual oversight for those who join the church.His command in 1 Peter 5:1 to “shepherd the flock of God” is something we take seriously. Although we do not believe God has given the Elders absolute responsibility or authority in an individual’s life, we believe there are three specific areas in which we are responsible to give spiritual oversight. Because we believe we are responsible before God to provide this spiritual oversight, we will confront our members on their behavior in these areas. If the situation is not subsequently resolved in a satisfactory fashion, a formal process of church discipline will be initiated. The areas of spiritual oversight are as follows:1. Open and blatant sinIt is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who had done this deed might be taken away from among you.

  1. Corinthians 5:1–2
  2. Issues involving doctrinal error
    But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time
    their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1–3
  3. Divisive and contentious behavior within the congregation
    But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
    Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.
    Titus 3:9–11

Every effort will be made to meet with the member who is involved with these issues. Our desire is to help our members grow to maturity through compassionate mentoring. The biblical model of confrontation and correction is not meant to punish people but rather to protect the Body of Christ from the wages of unrepentant sin. Biblical authority is not a license to exert control; it is a responsibility to exert influence for God’s will to be accomplished.

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

Matthew 18:15–17

Our approach to confronting a member of the church involves the following steps:

  • Begins with personal confrontation
  • Expands to committee confrontation
  • Broadens to group confrontation
  • Ends in removal of membership privileges

In confronting sin, we must remember that:

  • The purpose is redemption.
  • The attitude is humility.
  • The result is accountability.

Conclusion Biblical government is designed to represent heaven accurately and attack hell successfully. The governmental DNA of the church is produced by pure biblical standards that have not been distorted or damaged by negative influences.

General Church Council

The General Church Council is the highest policy making body in the church. It acts as the highest policy making body in the church and has the power to approve the appointments of all staffs including Resident Pastors. Its members include the General Overseer, General Secretary, the Director of Administration, Legal Advisors as well as members of the elder’s board.

The Presbytery

The Presbytery, also referred to as the Executive Board, deals with matters requiring attention between the meetings of the General Church Council and, in general, administers the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church. It is the highest Executive body of the Church. There are seven (7) elders who constitute the presbytery.

Ministerial Association

The Ministerial Association is responsible for the selection of candidates (ANIC or non-ANIC) for ordination for approval by the Executive Board. It disciplines Ministers as well as promotes the welfare of Ministers.

Regional Church Council

For administrative convenience, a Regional Church Council shall be established in each region which shall not necessarily coincide with the political Region. The Council shall be composed of a Regional Overseer and all the District Supervising Ministers in that region. It shall have the power to review the decisions of the District Committee, co-ordinate and plan strategies for the growth of the Church in the Region.

District Church Council

This shall be established in every District and shall be composed of a number of Local Assemblies in the same area as the General Church Council. It shall advise and assist the District Supervising Minister in the administration of the district and the development of the work of God through the Local Assemblies in the district. The District shall not necessarily coincide with the political administrative districts of the country.

Local Church Council

This is made up of the Pastor(s) and duly elected Deacons of the Local Assembly. The Council is the policy formulating organ of the Local Church.

The General Overseer

Dr. George Ofori-Nyadu is the Founder and the Presiding Bishop of All Nations International Churches Worldwide. He is an accomplished author, the CEO and founder of All Nations Publishing House. He is a lecturer, Consultant and one of the most profound Inspirational Speaker in our generation. As a role model in Christian Leadership, he has provided directions and encouragement to many families as well as individuals in their personal lives and business endeavors.

He is committed to Church missions both locally and internationally. Whiles he was studying towards becoming an attorney, the Lord in a drawn out vision called him saying, “The hour has come to go into the Nations of the World and raise me people from All Nations, races and cultures and to empower them with the Gospel of Faith.” Bishop George has pursued advance theological, administrative and engineering studies in the US after College.

Excellent Chapel Churches has a network of Local Assemblies in Ghana, Europe, Canada, United States of America and other parts of the world.

The General Secretary

The General Secretary shall undertake the following duties and shall be accountable to the General Overseer.

Responsibilities 

  1. To co-ordinates the affairs of the entire ministry by liaising with church administrators and resident Pastors
  2. To ensure that all branch and affiliate Churches send to the headquarters all reports, including growth statistics, missions projects and tithes according to ANIC policy
  3. To represent ANIC in all such matters as directed by the board of elders.
  4. To be well informed and keep records of ministry events
  5. To liaise with Heads of administrative departments to establish a solid administrative mechanism and policies
  6. To administer the business affairs of the ministry.
  7. To oversee the functions and responsibilities of visions and finance

Director of Administration

The Director of Administration shall be responsible for the administering the business affairs of the Church. Mrs. Juliet Ofori-Nyadu is the Director of Administration. She has many years of experience in Human Resource Management and oversees the affairs of all the Excellent Worship Center Churches. She holds masters in Accounting and Masters in Business Administration.

Responsibilities 

  1. Work with all branch staff to achieve the goals of the Excellent Chapel.
  2. Serve as a resource person regarding legal and business matters of Excellent Chapel.
  3. Study annually the insurance program and make recommendations to the board of Elders
  4. Maintain records on ministry equipments, facilities and properties of Excellent Chapel
  5. Work with the property (Trustee Committee) to ensure that all ministries / Church properties are held in trust for ANIC.
  6. Assist building committees in their relationship with Architects, contractors and others in building, remodelling and equipping church buildings
  7. Prepare programs for the development of staffs in order to develop optimum skill for position.
  8. Perform personnel and other duty as assign
  9. Develop and keep all positions and job descriptions
  10. Maintain an organizational Chart and personnel policy.

Director of Finance

The director of finance shall control the entire financial system of the ministry and shall be accountable to the director of administration.

Responsibilities 

  1. Establish procedures for adequate financial control which are in line with standard accounting procedures and with the ministries financial goals and objectives.
  2. Ensure financial records and payment procedure including salaries, rents and allowancies
  3. Develop policies for effective cash management
  4. Ensure drawing up of budgets by all Departments and Churches
  5. Develop all budgets, particularly expenditures for each fiscal period
  6. Ensure budgeting control.
  7. Create mechanisms to optimize resources and to minimize wastage in the system.
  8. Serve as adviser to various departments in preparing and maintaining their annual budgets.
  9. To ensure quarterly and annual reports are made and copies sent to the director of administration for auditing.
  10. Work with budget committee to put together the annual budget for the churches and Ministries.
  11. Develop and suggest sources of income other than tithes and offerings
  12. Suggest Investment plan/Insurance policies for church and benefit plan for staff
  13. Write and sign cheques in accordance to Church policies and procedures and in consultation with the director of Administration