Eric Michel Ministries International Assembly of Interdenominational Churches Ecclesiastical polity

Connexionalism is the theological understanding and foundation of Methodist church governance ("ecclesiastical polity"), as practiced in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and in many of the countries where Methodism was established by missionaries sent out from these Churches. In EMMI Canada, where the Archbishops provide church leadership, connexionalism is a variety of episcopal polity; in some countries, the bishop is replaced by a Dean and used without any change in the Connexional polity. In our world, a given Connexion is usually autonomous locally under a Board of Elders for the temporal side and our House of Bishops for the spiritual side. Note that the Archbishop is the final authority in all cases.

EMMI Connexional polity has always been characterized by a strong central organization which holds an annual Conference called Symposium. The connexion is divided into Regions in the charge of a Bishop or a Dean. The districts correspond in geographical terms, to counties, such as the Eric Michel Ministry of Malawi or the Eric Michel Ministries of Nepal. The districts are divided into circuits governed by the Circuit Meeting the Local Synod and led and administrated principally by a superintendent minister. Ministers are appointed to Circuits rather than to individual churches. The term "full connexion" is used to refer to presbyters and deacons being "subject to the rules and discipline of the Permanent Synod" overseen by the Symposium, and specifically that they are subject to being appointed to ministry in a local circuit at the direction of the Dean and Superintendent at the region. Pastors are assigned to congregations by bishops or deans.

We give lay members representation at regional and national meetings (Symposium and Synod) at which the business of the church is conducted, making it different from most episcopal governments. This connexional organizational model defines "connexion" as the principle that: all leaders and congregations are connected in a network of loyalties and

commitments that support, yet supersede local concerns.

• Eric Michel Ministry of Malawi (United Methodist)

• Eric Michel Ministry of India (Pentecostal)

• Eric Michel Ministry of Uganda (Evangelic)

• Eric Michel Ministries of Nepal (Evangelic Pentecostal)

• Eric Michel Ministry of America (Independent  (Baptist)

• New Hope Ministry and Missions of Canada (United Baptist)

Eric Michel Ministries Int'l respond to the House Of Bishop, but they do not use the EMMI hierarchy of  Archbishop, bishops, ministers etc, and they are ruled by their own Board Of Elders who are an integrated member of the Symposium.

AFTER CHRIST WE RULE

On the annual budget, written financial statements, and any other matter affecting Eric Michel Ministries Int'l responsibilities.

Eric Michel Ministries Int'l is under the overseer of the Regional Dean who is a direct member of Eric Michel Ministries International Board Of Elders.

Canon 201505-2 The Clergy

Dean The third order in the ecclesiastic order is a minister superintendent overseeing other ministers. The head minister of a chapter or collegiate church or senior minister who exercises the power of a bishop, on a bishop's behalf. Very Reverend

The Regional Dean is next in precedence after the EMMI Board Of  Elders. At the request of the board, the dean represents the EMMI at meetings or activities in the local church or in the wider community.

Responsibilities:

• Providing the EMM with information on secular and ecclesiastical developments that could affect  the life of the Ministry;

• Providing for meetings of clergy for mutual support, encouragement, communications with Ministry  officers, and for transacting other business

• providing for meetings of the clergy, Elders and lay members to conduct relevant business, and to provide for meetings of the Symposium, with one meeting prior to the annual meeting of General Synod;

• Encouraging and supporting incumbents and Elders in promoting  good stewardship;

• Ensuring that the statistical returns from EMM are forwarded to the EMMI Board Of Elders prior to March 31st of each year;

• Making arrangements for Ministry services in any Church, when required in an emergency situation; once during the term, visiting each Church to inspect buildings, to ensure that required maintenance and repairs have been undertaken, and review accounts and related reports and report to the EMMI Board Of Elders on these matters.

• Assisting the Minister in performing duties;

• Performing other duties as required from time to time.

• The Regional Dean has total authority over any churches, boards, or ministers.

Canon 20170501

Code legislates Ministry councils. It states that If the Regional Dean judges it opportune after he has heard the Board Of Elders, a council is to be established in each Church, over which the Minister presides and in which the Christian faithful, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the Church, assist in fostering pastoral activity.

Canon 20170502

A council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by the norms established by the Regional Dean. In Churches, the council arose in the era of lay participation in Ministry decision-making. It's a response to the Apostolate of Lay People. This amendment, published in 2014, recommended the establishment of councils with one purpose,
namely, to assist in the Church's mission. The councils "may coordinate" lay initiatives, so long as they do not interfere with the autonomy of such initiatives.

FINANCE
The Local Churches take on to themselves the full financing of their work and this should include their part of the cost of EMM and EMMI costs, including the training of future clergy.

• Each church is asked to contribute towards EMMI expenditure in accordance with that church’s needs and ability.

• Each region is asked to contribute to the expenditure incurred by the  President Bishops and by councils through
  the All EMMI Boards.

• Every Church is an independent charity established by the local  Board of Elders.  

• Each Church is governed by the Board Of Elders that publishes its own annual report and accounts for each calendar year, usually in April once these have been approved by the annual Symposium members.

• Each Church raises its own income, mainly from the regular gifts of church members, supplemented by legacies, fundraising events & appeals, hall hire, wedding & funeral fees, investment income etc.  

• Each Church pays a contribution "share" to the EMMI  towards the costs of a number of services that are administered at the regional level. These services include clergy pay, pensions, housing, training and a range of other professional services. The Church pays for all its own running expenses charitable giving, utilities, clergy working
  expenses, repairs, printing, outreach projects, etc.

• At national and international levels, the President Bishop Council serves  General Synod, organizes clergy training, and provides numerous specialist support services to the EMM and churches. It is funded by contributions from the local churches

Canon 008.5

Expectations of Members and Affiliates.
Members and Affiliates are expected to participate actively in the Assembly activities and to make a recordable financial pledge to the Assembly each fiscal year. The financial contribution should represent an amount judged by the member or affiliate to be a fair share of the Assembly's needs, in light of the member’s or affiliate’s income and means, and the fact that generous contributions from others in the past have sustained and built the Society we enjoy today.