Formal code of doctrine and discipline

Eric Michel Ministries International Interdenominational holds denominations as ministries under its umbrella.

1. Franciscan Abye of the Immanuel Communion of Love (OFE) 2022

2. EMMI Biblical Evangelical Ministry 2017

3. New Hope Ministry & Missions (Baptist) Rt. Rev. Marie Arnold 2012

4. EMMI Methodist Episcopale Nonconforming Conference (Chaplaincy) 2017

5. Eric Michel Pentecostal Ministry 2018

6. Eric Michel Secular Buddhist Ministry 2019

7. Eric Michel Monotheist Catholic Ministry 2020

8. Eric Michel Unitarian Universalist (Chaplaincy) 2012

9.  Franciscan Abbey of the Immanuel Communion of Love (OFE) Independent Catholic (Chaplaincy) 2022

10. UCGC 1978 (Terminated in 1993) 

Nota Bene:  Eric Michel Monotheist Catholic Ministry and Franciscan Abye of the Immanuel Communion of Love (OFE)

1) They are both under Eric Michel Ministries International

They are both Catholic, whits a theological approach developed out of the Eastern Christianity of the modern era. Its adherents are characterized by tradition, acceptance of diversity, a strong emphasis on social justice and care for the poor and the oppressed, and environmental stewardship of the earth. Christians have a sincere belief in the centrality of the instruction to "love one another" (John 15:17) within the teachings of Jesus Christ. This leads to a focus on promoting values such as compassion, justice, mercy, and tolerance. EMMCM isn’t your traditional church but a Chaplaincy. We are called to be a Ministry commissioned to expand the Kingdom of God while revealing Biblical truths that awaken the purpose of God to each individual so that the World would know the True and the Cosmic Christ. EMMI beliefs are centred around the Word of God. These principles are so profound that no external pressure will force us to compromise them

2) Franciscan Abye of the Immanuel Communion of Love (OFE) Catholic (Chaplaincy) Under the Order of Franciscan of the Eucharist, we minister to married Roman Catholic priests by offering them welcoming home support, acceptance, affirmation of their marriages, and validation of their lives and ministries. It also supports efforts to restore the married priesthood to the Roman Catholic Church. And a second branch is the Order of Franciscans Eucharist Secular of Roman Catholic laypeople and wives of married Roman Catholic priests. We are shepherded by the example of the​ Prelature of Pope John Paul II, the Catholic Apostolic Church, the Eastern Rite, the International Ordinariate, the Federation of Jesus Abbeys, and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Servant of God Reverend Father Paul Wattson for promoting Christian unity. https://www.iclfa.ca/

EM MCM Code of Canon Law  & By Law

Eric Michel Ministries International 

Formal code of doctrine and discipline from Eric Michel Ministries International Code of Canon Law 1987 to 2022.

Last edition 2014 plus yearly updated and including this Constitution and Bylaws below.

Les Ministères Eric Michel International and Eric Michel Ministries International

is legally constituted as a Not-for-Profit Corporation at Industry Canada under the

number # 895170-5 and at Canada Revenue Agency under the number

# 80323 9177 RC001

Whereas we, being an incorporated body of people of like precious faith:

 Code of Canon Law

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life through His death and the power of His resurrection.

2. Believe the Bible as God’s word and the revelation of His will to man and accept it as our rule for faith and conduct.

3. In the form of local churches, believe Christian fellowship, mutual edification and evangelical effort are God’s ordained order for His people.

4. Believe each church is to assemble together for worship, fellowship, counsel, and instruction in the Word of God and the work of the ministry.

5. Believe each church should exercise the gifts and offices provided in the New Testament to obtain the Christian goal, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

6. Believe God has called and anointed us to emphasize the fullness of the Gospel through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.                                       

Therefore, we have accepted and adopted the following Statement of Fundamental Truths and Constitution.

By the grace of God, we shall seek to be governed by the Constitution as set forth and will also seek to teach and propagate the doctrines contained in the Statement of Fundamental Truths.

Statement of Fundamental Truths

• The scriptures inspired. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, a revelation from God to man, the infallible rule of faith and conduct,  and is superior to conscience and reason but not contrary to reason (2 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:2).

• The one true God. The one true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM” and has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association, i.e., Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29, Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 11, Matthew 28:19).

• Man, his fall and redemption. A man was created good and upright, for God said, “Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness.” But man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-21).    

• The salvation of man.                                                                                                 

1. Conditions of Salvation. The grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men through the preaching of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ; the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by the hope of eternal life (Titus 2:11, Romans 10:13-15, Luke 24:47, Titus 3:5-7).

2. Evidence of salvation. The inward evidence to the believer of his salvation is the direct witness of the spirit (Romans 8:16). The outward evidence to all men is a life of righteousness and true holiness.

• Baptism in water. The ordinance of baptism by a burial with Christ should be observed as commanded in the scriptures by all who have repented and believed in Christ as Savior and Lord. In so doing, they have the body washed in pure water as an outward symbol of cleansing, while their heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Christ as in inner cleansing. They declare that they have died with Jesus and been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life (Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:47, Acts 48, Romans 6:4, Acts 20:21, Hebrews 10:22).

• The Lord’s supper. The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and the fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26), a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers until He comes.

• Regeneration. All people who turn from their sins and put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ receive a new birth by which their life is regenerated by the power of God’s Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6, Titus 3:5).    

• From that time forth, the regenerated person has God’s Holy Spirit dwelling within them, enabling them to live a holy life (1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Peter 1:3-4).  Also, giving them the power to be witnesses for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).

• The promise of the Father. All believers are entitled to the promise of the Father and the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the typical experience in the early Christian Church. With it comes a deeper spiritual life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).                             

• This wonderful experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:14-16, Acts 15:7-9).

• Sanctification. The scriptures teach a life of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can obey the command, “Be holy, for I am holy. ”Sanctification is the will of God for all believers and should be pursued by walking.

• In obedience to God’s Holy Spirit. Sanctification is experienced in basically three ways:                                                                                                   

1.  Instant or positional sanctification. This is what happens to every person who puts their trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  When we are saved through faith in Jesus, we are sanctified in the eyes of God through the blood of the cross. As God, the Father looks at us,  He sees the holiness of Jesus, which is imputed to us, and does not see our sin (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 14).                                                                         

2. Progressive or practical sanctification. This is the process by which we strive to live on a day-to-day basis by considering ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in holy living through the power of God’s divine nature within our lives (Romans 6; Philippians 2:12, Philippians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:4).             

3.  Final sanctification. This is when we are totally set free from the presence of sin within our life after seeing Jesus our Lord and being made like Him because of seeing Him as He really is in all His glory (1 John 3:2).

• The church. The church is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the spirit with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the spirit, is an integral part of the church, written in heaven (Ephesians 1:22,    Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 2:22, Hebrews 12:23).

• The ministry and evangelism. A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry has been provided by our Lord for the evangelization of the world and the edifying of the body of Christ (Mark 16:15-20, Ephesians 4:11-13).

• Divine healing. Deliverance from sickness is provided for us in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16, Matthew 8:17).

• The blessed hope. The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, is the imminent and blessed hope of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Titus 2:12, 1 Corinthians 15:51, Romans 8:23).

• The millennial reign of Jesus. The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on earth are the scriptural promise and the world’s hope (2 Thessalonians 1:17, Revelation 19:11-14, Romans 11:26, Romans 11:27,  Revelation 20:1-7).

• The lake of fire. The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet,  and whoever not found written in the Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone, the second death (Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10-15).

• The new heavens and the new earth. We, “according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21, Revelation 22).

ERIC MICHEL MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

For Non Catholic Corporation who do not adhere to Canon Law at the Interdenominational Assembly of Churches Association Ministry

Baptist - Methodist - Pentecostal or Any other Christian Denominations

ARTICLE I: PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES

A. Purposes. The purposes for which the Assembly is organized are:

• To promote the Christian faith; to educate its members, congregants, and the public about Christian values, history and religious tradition;

• To develop Christian educational, theological, spiritual and inspirational material for the benefit of its members, congregations and the general public;

• To promote charitable acts and causes;

• To foster fellowship and goodwill among  its members, congregants and the public;

• To promote reason in Churches,  religious tolerance and freedom of conscience;

• To promote the moral, ethical and responsible exercise of free will; to promote a free society.

B. Religious Principles. The religious principles that shall guide the Directors and Officers of the Assembly are:

• Churches should promote a free and responsible search for truth, meaning, communion and love.

• The reason is a gift from God. Churches should embrace reason and its progeny,   including the scientific enterprise which explores God’s creation.

• Churches should assist in finding a path that exercises free will in a responsible, constructive and ethical manner.

• Religious experience is most fulfilling in the context of a tradition. Our tradition is the Christian tradition, which emphasizes the importance of reason in Churches, tolerance, and God's unity.

• Conscious of the spiritual and material needs of our fellow men and women, the evil they may be subjected to and the tragedies they may endure, works of mercy and compassion should be a part of any religious experience.

C. Principles of corporate governance that shall guide the Directors and Officers                 

of the Assembly are:

• All persons were created equal before God. The FAICL shall not discriminate against anyone except on the basis of character, qualifications or merit.

• The FAICL believes that the separation of church and state is an important principle. Thus the Assembly will not engage in political,  policy or lobbying activity and make no political, policy or lobbying declarations except in narrow instances where the government directly affects religious practice.

• The duties and responsibilities of the clergy shall be determined by each church. The Assembly shall maintain a list of ordained clergy associated with the FAICL.

• Ministers shall have the right to associate with Eric Michel Ministries International by using the FAICL name as part of his or her title or otherwise once called or ordained unless that right is expressly revoked by the Board of Directors EMMI. The only grounds for revoking this right of association are actions or statements inconsistent with the statement of religious principles of the FAICL or actions or statements inconsistent with the FAICL Assembly governance principles.

• A church must use the name Eric Michel Ministries International as part of its name or otherwise unless that right is expressly revoked by the Board of Directors of EMMI. The only grounds for revoking this right of association are actions or statements inconsistent with the statement of religious principles of the FAICL  or actions or statements inconsistent with the FAICL governance principles.

• Whether or not a congregation employs clergy shall not affect the standing of a congregation within the FAICL Assembly.

D. Congregational Polity. Nothing in these By-Laws shall be construed as infringing on the congregational polity or internal self-government of member congregations.

ARTICLE II: PRINCIPAL OFFICE AND REGISTERED AGENT

A. Principal Office and Registered Office. The principal office and the registered office Eric Michel Ministries International, a non-profit corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada(herein, the “FAICL” or the “EMMI”), shall be in Canada at such place as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

B. Other Offices. The FAICL may have other offices or offices at such suitable places or places within or without Canada as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the FAICL.

C. Registered Agent. The Assembly shall have and continuously maintain in service a registered agent in Canada under the requirements of the law of Canada.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERS

A. In General. The corporation shall have two classes of members. The first class of members shall be individual members, and the second class of members shall be church members.

B. Individual Members. Individual members shall be natural persons. Individual members shall become members upon paying the annual dues in the amount set from time to time by the Board of Directors and upon acceptance by the Secretary of the Assembly. Individual members shall have the right to vote for Individual Member Representative Directors.

C. Church Members shall be churches or fellowships consisting of no less than five persons that elect to join Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL. Churches shall become members upon paying the annual dues in the amount set from time to time by the Board of Directors and upon acceptance by the Secretary of the FAICL. Churches shall have the right to vote for Representative Directors.

D. Additional Rights, Obligations and Qualifications. Either type of membership shall have such additional rights, obligations, and qualifications as the Board of Directors may have established from time to time.

Bylaws For All Local Church

Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL

To establish and maintain a place for the worship of the one true God;

to provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, irrespective of social position or worldly possessions; for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ both in-home and foreign lands, this church shall be governed by the following Constitution:

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT:

That we, the undersigned, have this day voluntarily associated ourselves

together to form a corporation under the Laws of the State of (insert state), and we with this certify:

ARTICLE I

Eric Michel Ministries International, as stated in the Articles of Incorporation,

the name of the corporate church shall be Eric Michel Ministries International.

ARTICLE II PURPOSES AND POWERS

THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THIS CORPORATION IS FORMED ARE:

• Establishing a Biblical Christian Church with a School of the Bible department and with missionaries, literature, education, and all other departments may be deemed helpful to propagate and practice. 

• The entire Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and for its service to the community. One purpose of this local church corporation is to earnestly seek and promote the unity of God’s people in the Scriptural manner of Godly love, respect, and faithful voluntary cooperation with liberty.  

• To that end, it shall associate and cooperate freely with other churches and with church organizations.

• To act as Trustee under any trust incidental to the principal objects of the corporation and to receive, hold, administer and expend funds and property subject to such trust.

• To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind for any lawful purpose without limit as to amount and with any person, firm, association or corporation; to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount,  issue and execute promissory notes, warrants and other negotiable or transferable interests.

• To take, purchase or otherwise acquire; to own, hold, occupy, use and enjoy, manage, improve, develop and work; to grant, sell, exchange, let, demise and otherwise dispose of real estate, buildings; and improvements and every night, interest and estate therein without limit as to the amount thereof and wheresoever the same may be situated; to erect, construct, alter and repair buildings; to assume any and every kind of contract, agreement and obligation by or with any person, firm, corporation or association, or any Federal, State or other Government for the erection, construction, alteration, repair, renewal, equipment, improvement, development, use, enjoyment, leasing, management or control of any buildings, improvements or structures of any kind wherever the same may be situated.

• To purchase or otherwise acquire, to own, hold, use and enjoy,  to sell, assign and transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of,  deal in or deal with personal property of every kind and description without limit as to the amount thereof wheresoever the same may be situated.

• To borrow and to loan money and to give and to receive evidence of indebtedness and security thereof; to draw, make, accept, endorse,  execute, and issue promissory notes, warrants, and other debentures of the corporation, or otherwise to make guarantees of every kind and secure any or all obligations of the corporation by a mortgage, trust deed or otherwise.

• To do all other acts necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs and attainment of the corporation's purposes and to have and exercise all the powers now or hereafter conferred by the Laws of the State of Your State upon non-profit corporations.

ARTICLE III A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION

This corporation is organized pursuant to the General Non-Profit Corporation. Law of the State, the property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious and charitable purposes, and upon liquidation, dissolution, or abandonment, shall not inure to the benefit of any private person except a fund, foundation, or corporation organized and operated for religious or charitable purposes and as designated in Article X of this Constitution.

ARTICLE IV ORDINANCES

1. The ordinance of Baptism by immersion in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost as commanded in the Scriptures, shall be administered to all those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls and who give clear evidence of their fruit (Matthew 28:19, Colossians 2:12).     

2. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly as a part of public worship, as commanded by the Lord  (Luke 22:19, 20; I Corinthians 11:23-26).                                                  

PRIVILEGES

1. Infants and small children may be dedicated to the Lord in the church upon the request of the parents or guardians (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15, 16).

2. The ministration of laying on of hands accompanied with the anointing with oil, for the healing of the sick, shall be granted as a request is made, and the need may require (Mark 16:18; James 5:14).

ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in Eric Michel Ministries International (FAICL) shall be eligible to all who give evidence of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and who voluntarily hold to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. When a person chooses to be a part of Eric Michel Ministries International and involve themselves, they are automatically considered a member (Ephesians 4:16).

2. A member attends regularly, serves and contributes financially to Eric Michel Ministries International.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS

1. The officers of Eric Michel Ministries International shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Minister shall  NOT  be considered the President of the Corporation. There shall not be less than three (3) and no more than nine (9) officers (directors) at any time.

2. The board of directors shall handle the church's business and, therefore, should be business-minded. They should see into the spiritual side of all business as well. These should lay hold of the vision given to them and see it is implemented.

MINISTER AND PRESIDENT

1. Term of Office: The Minister is the Executive Director of the Corporation. He is also an Elder holding the office of Minister. He shall hold this office until his death or until he resigns.

2. Vacancy of Office: The vacancy shall be filled by a new minister's appointment by the departing Minister or the Board of Elders when the departing Minister is not available to do so. In some cases, a Pulpit Search Committee may be selected to search for Ministerial candidates and submit them to the departing Minister and/or elders for final approval. In most cases, when able, it is best to follow the examples outlined in scripture of a person called by God (Minister or other fivefold ministers) to pass the mantle on to the one God has chosen and shown him (Joshua 1, 1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2:1-14). Imparting the anointing and call of God to the one who has already proven themselves to be faithful (2 Timothy 2:2, Luke 16:12).

3. Duties of Minister: The Minister Exec. Dir. shall be considered the spiritual overseer of the church and shall direct all the church activities. He shall preside over all church business meetings and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and departments.

4. Support of Minister Exec. Dir.: The Minister shall be supported according to his needs, either by free-will offerings or by stated allowance as shall be decided upon by the Directors and/or Elders in its regular business sessions.

VICE-PRESIDENT

The Vice-President of the Corporation shall also be an Elder. He must be trusted by the Minister with adequate business and leadership gifts to take charge in the Minister/President’s absence. He shall be appointed by the Minister and ratified by the Elders.

SECRETARY

The Secretary-Treasurer of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Minister and ratified by the Elders.

TREASURER

A secretary or administrative assistant may be utilized in the day-to-day record keeping (accounts receivable and payable) as is necessary.

DIRECTORS

Directors shall be appointed by the Minister and ratified by the Elders. The Board of Elders shall fill the office of Directors and officers of the Corporation when qualified persons are lacking to fill such positions.

BOARD OF ELDERS

The Board of Elders shall be appointed by the Minister. There shall not be less than three (3) and no more than nine (9). They are called upon to fill the pulpit, pray for the sick, visit newcomers, shut-ins, absentees, and hospital visitation. They shall also, along with the Minister, seek God’s direction for the church and support the Minister in the vision given him by God in the church’s present and future ministry.

Elders shall remain so until they resign or are deemed unfit.

Requirements:

An Elder must be qualified and a member of Eric Michel Ministries International.

DEACONS

1. The Minister and/or Board of Elders shall appoint the Board of Deacons. 

2. There shall never be less than four members on the Board of Deacons. The Board of Deacons shall act in conjunction with and aid the Minister in all matters of Eric Michel Ministries International .

3. They shall act to determine the meeting of material needs (i.e., food, clothing, financial, etc.) of anyone who might seem to be in need, whether they are a part of the Church or not. They may also aid the Minister in any of the ordinances. Requirements: A Deacon must be ordained and a member of Eric Michel Ministries International.

4. In case of a lack of qualified persons to fill the Board of Deacons, the Elders shall act as the Deacons until the Board of Deacons is established.

BOARD OF USHERS

A Board of Ushers shall be installed in the annual business meeting of Eric Michel Ministries International.

The Minister and President of Eric Michel Ministries International shall appoint a chairman to act as the head of the Ushers' Board. The duties of the Board of Ushers shall be as follows:

1. To see that the church is always in order for services.

2. To assist the Minister in every way possible during the process of meetings.

3. To prepare for the comfort of everyone in attendance.

4. To maintain order and discipline throughout the church. The Minister, Board of Deacons and the appointed chairman of the Board of Ushers shall appoint members to serve on the Board of Ushers. They shall be appointed to serve for one year. These men may succeed themselves indefinitely.

COMMUNION BOARD

The Board of Deacons and the Board of Elders shall act as the Communion Board. One man shall be appointed to serve as Chairman of the Communion Board. It shall be his duty to make arrangements to prepare and serve communion when announced by the Minister.

VACANCY OF OFFICES

The Minister and President of the Corporation shall have the authority to declare any office vacant.

Grounds for such action shall be:

• Failure to cooperate with the church’s program and ministry.

• Unscriptural conduct.

• Doctrinal departure from the tenets of faith.

• For any good and sufficient cause. 

• Any incumbent under charge shall have the opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing before the joint meeting of the Board of Elders shall be considered final, and the incumbent may have no further recourse.

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS

• Meetings for Worship. Meetings for public worship shall be held on each Lord’s Day and during the week as may be provided for under the direction of the Minister.

• Annual business meeting. There shall be an Annual Business Meeting of Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL. This business meeting shall be held at the end of the fiscal year. This meeting shall be conducted in the auditorium of Eric Michel Ministries International. New officers,  elders and deacons shall be installed, and all reports shall be read at the Annual Business Meeting.

• Special business meetings. Special business meetings of the legal members may be called by the Minister or by written petition of three-fourths (3/4) of the legal membership.

• Notice of business meetings. Written notice of the date and place of the Annual Business Meeting and any special business meetings shall be sent by regular mail to all active members at least ten (10) days and not more than thirty days before such meeting. In addition, the Minister shall announce such meeting at the worship services of  Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL at least ten (10) days before such meeting.

• Quorum. No record of any special or regular business meetings of Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL shall be made unless one-half (1/2) or more legal members are present to constitute a quorum.

• Order of Business. The regular order of business for the Annual Business Meeting of Eric Michel Ministries shall be as follows: 

1. Devotional.

2. Reading of previous minutes.

3. Report of the treasurer.

4. Report of committees.

5. Unfinished business .

6. Installation of officers.

7. New business. 

8. Adjournment.

This order of business may be altered or suspended at any meeting by a majority vote of the members present. The usual parliamentary rules as laid down in “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern all debates when not in conflict with this Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII FINANCES

1. All funds needed for the maintenance of Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL  shall be provided by voluntary contributions, tithes and offerings. Every member shall decide before God what he or she can cheerfully give to support the Lord’s work at home and in the foreign field (Malachi 3:10, I Corinthians 16:1-2; Romans 12:8).

2. All offerings shall be counted by at least two members.

3. Deposits must be made by Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL promptly in a local bank.

4. A separate account will be established for Eric Michel Ministries International IAoC.

5. Annual reports will be furnished to the officers and made available to the membership.

6. Two signature checks are to be used.

7. The treasurer must be a board member (officer/director). However, a secretary or administrative assistant may be utilized in the day-to-day record keeping as necessary.

8. Financial records, without exception, are to be kept in the church office.

9. The Minister shall act as overseer of all financial activities.        

ARTICLE IX DEPARTMENTS AND COMMITTEES

The church shall provide for the establishment of a School of the Bible Department, young people’s work, relief committees, home and foreign missionary committees, and any other departments or committees as the needs of the work may require. These committees and departments shall be subordinate to the church and shall contribute to the harmony and development of the whole. They shall be under the general supervision of the Board of Elders. 

The Minister shall be an ex-official member of all committees or departments and shall determine when the need for such committees and departments must be organized.

ARTICLE X PROPERTY

1. The Officers of Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL  shall have the power to carry out all of the purposes and powers set forth in Article II.

2. The President and the Secretary-Treasurer’s signature shall be sufficient certificate for negotiating any and all of the provided powers in said Articles.

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENT

This Constitution may be amended or changed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the officers (directors) at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided due notice of such proposed change shall have been made.

ARTICLE XII ORGANIZATION

Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious and educational purposes, including making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code in the United States of America.

Please verify the code and information for your own country.

ARTICLE XIII CONDUCT OF ORGANIZATION

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inert to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes outlined in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the organization's activities shall be carrying propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The organization shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section  USA 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code for your country.

At Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL, all employees are part-time and volunteer without remuneration. Suppose a minister needs to work full time. In that case, the minister becomes self-employed with a limitation to is stipend, as a fixed, regular sum paid as an allowance. The minister becomes a contract minister and will take care of his own taxation report and claims.

ARTICLE XIV DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of common pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Elder and Deacon Ministry Guide

Every Christian should find their ministry in the church, including those called to be elders, deacons and ushers. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Paul tells us the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the body of Christ to function in a particular place. In Acts 20, Paul spent two years at Ephesus training the elders who directed one of the greatest churches in history.

God gave ministry gifts:

1. To perfect the saints.

2. For the work of the ministry.

3. To edify the body.

4. To produce unity of the faith.

5. To increase the knowledge of our Lord.

6. To bring believers into the likeness of Christ.

7. To establish believers in sound doctrine.

8. To cause the body of Christ to function in love.

9. The growth of the body of Christ.

10. To direct the church in its walk.

Qualifications of Elders

1. Be respected as a leader.

2. Be orderly and modest.

3. Be patient and gentle.

4. Be able to exercise self-control.

5. Be able to teach the Word.

6. Be the husband of one wife.

7. Have a supportive wife.

8. Have well-disciplined children.

9. Not be a heavy drinker.

10. Not be easily angered or abusive.

11. Not be arrogant or self-centred.

12. Not be insecure or a lover of money.

13. Not be spiritually immature.

Responsibilities of Elders

1. To oversee the church (Acts 20:28).

2. To be stewards of God (Titus 1:7).

3. To teach the Word 1 Timothy 3:2).

4. To represent the church (James 5:14).

5. To be spiritual leaders (Acts 6:2-4).

Functions of Elders

1. To broaden the ministry of the pastor.

2. To minister healing to the church.

3. To protect the flock.

4. To keep doctrine free from error.

5. To provide discipline and direction.

6. To maintain unity in the church.

7. To make decisions in matters of morals.

8. To impart blessings through the laying on of hands.

9. To minister reconciliation.

10. To provide a friendly spirit in the church.

Elders must be trained to:

• Watch out for themselves (Acts 20:28), the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3, Acts 20:28), their home  (1 Timothy 3:4-5), contentious people (Acts 20:30), and weak members (Acts 20:35).

• Wait for instruction (2 Timothy 2:2), spiritual strength (Isaiah 37, Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 40:1-3),  maturity (Hebrew 6:1), and direction (Acts 16:6-10).

• Warn against spiritual attacks (2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8, Acts 20:28-32), divisiveness  (1 Corinthians1:10-18, Romans 16:17), deceptive doctrine (Romans 16:17), and false prophets (Acts 20:28-30).

• Worship with presence (Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:24-25), prayer (Psalm 100, 1 Timothy 2:8),  participation (Hebrews 13:15), and practice (Romans 12:1, 1 John 2:4-6).

Qualifications of Deacons

1. They must be honest.

2. They must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

3. They must be full of wisdom.

4. They must be serious-minded.

5. They must be found blameless.

6. They must be faithful and trustworthy.

Responsibilities of Deacons

1. To serve others.

2. To comfort the congregation.

3. To care for the needy.

4. To minister communion and baptism.

5. To be a spiritual example.

6. To promote harmony.

7. To visit people.

8. To help new members.

9. To usher and welcome visitors.

God gave the church a mandate and provided the mechanism to accomplish the task. It’s more than a mechanical structure. The church is a living organism. The Holy Spirit breathes life into the body and will do His work when we submit to His way.

Eric Michel Ministries International  FAICL 

• A House or A Tent church

• A Tent Church is a small group of Christians who meet for worship

• in homes or other non-traditional settings. The group may be part of a larger church or an entirely independent Christian community.

For Christians searching for a deeper level in their service to God, house/tent churches have once again become popular.

A Tent Church in a version of House Churches in the Bible

1. Philemon 1:2 – Apphia and Archippus’ house.

2.  Acts 16:40 – Lydia’s house.

3. Colossians 4:15 – Nympha’s house.

4. Romans 16:3-5 – Priscilla and Aquila’s house.

5. Acts 20:7-8 – The disciples in the upper room.

Eric Michel Ministries International FAICL Is An Organic House Church (TENT).

This type of church meets in various places, not just houses. They are sometimes called organic, simple, or relational. Emphasis is placed on developing a spontaneous, face-to-face community.

Temporarily meeting in a house is an inexpensive way to put a core group together before committing to a permanent location. Another alternative is to rent a hotel room or banquet hall. Hotels will typically allow you to pay by the week or service and will usually offer a discount if you meet every week. You can rent retail, office, or warehouse space if you have the funds.

NB: Any part of these Bylaws, secular or ecclesiastic, that is not covered by the know-how rules, please refer to the EMMI Code of Canon Law.

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