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OF CHRIST'S CHURCH MINISTRIES, INC.
aka
RESTORATION CHAPEL
PREAMBLE
We set before you what we believe and hold true and sacred. The setting
down of these in writing is to give evidence of what we are about. It is
the desire that this Fellowship and those that would affiliate themselves
with us, will also have the same determination of purpose. That they also
may catch the vision of what Almighty God has raised this Fellowship to do
and be. Some would say that this purpose for which we say we are about, is
too strict or too ambitious. For this you may be correct. However, fully
convinced that these statements of principles and the vision of Christ's
Church Ministries as revealed to me by God Almighty, by impression,
prophecy and confirmation of His Word, and are not of my self; I boldly
and obediently state all in the following
+ Robert J. Kaschalk-Kaase
I
Christ's Church Ministries, Inc. aka Restoration Chapel holding "the
faith once delivered unto the saints," declares its belief in the Holy
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God. It was given
by God to man and was given without error. The Scriptures are and the sole
Rule of Faith and Practice
II
We hold to the Creed "commonly called the Apostles Creed which can be
proved by Holy Scripture. We further believe in the Divine institution of
the Sacraments of Baptism and The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion), and in
the doctrines of faith and grace substantially as they are set forth in
the Articles of Religion.
III
We are not a denomination but rather a fellowship of and with believers
in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Redeemer. We recognize and adhere to
Episcopacy, not as a Divine right, but as a very ancient and desirable
form of church government. We further believe in the independence of the
individual congregation or parish in owning property and to the running of
its congregational or parish business
IV
As Christ Jesus is the Chief Shepherd of the Church, it is the duty of
those who are chosen to oversee congregations, areas and jurisdictions to
be the under shepherds of His Church to make sure that all that are given
to our care will be kept safely. This means not only safe in the faith but
also that we will do our utmost to raise mature Christians who can go from
the need of milk to the strong meat of the Word. The faithful of the
fellowship are not given to us for dependency, but rather that we assist
the Holy Spirit in building the Body of Christ. That Christ becomes the
center of the believers life and that the believer is able to stand strong
in the faith and be prepared to be used by Our Lord Jesus Christ for the
purposes that He intended for the believer. The fellowship and the world,
can only be blessed in proportion to the Christian walk of the believer
and the development of the believer into what Christ intended him or her
to be. In this way then can God be glorified and praised.
V
This Fellowship retaining a Liturgy which shall not be imperative or
repressive of freedom in prayer, accepts The Service Book, which has been
adapted from the revised fifth edition of the Book of Common Prayer as
used by the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Free Church in England. We
use such book for the reminders of the Church year and it's public
ceremonies. Through the elected leaders and General Councils this
Fellowship reserves full liberty to alter, abridge, enlarge, and amend the
same, as may seem most conducive to the edification of the people,
"provided that the substance of the faith be kept entire."
It must never be construed that the Service Book is how we worship God.
True worship must be guided by the Holy Spirit, and we worship in spirit
and truth. The Service Book is but a means of assistance for the
congregation to participate in the Psalms, Scripture Readings and
Ceremonies that the Fellowship does in the course of its time of
gatherings. The Fellowship must have the freedom that only the Holy Spirit
can give for effective worship. To be bound in the prayer book we then
fail to be lead by the Holy Spirit which would be most reprehensible. We
then would become slaves to ritual and a form of religion. This must be
guarded continually, yet it can be very effective to use the Service Book
at times we have in common when so done under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit.
VI
This Fellowship condemns and rejects the following erroneous and
strange doctrines as contrary to God's Word: First, That the Church of
Christ Jesus exist only in one order or form of ecclesiastical government:
Second, That Christian Minister are "priests" in another sense than that
in which all believers are a royal priesthood:" Third, That the Lord's
Table is an altar on which the oblation of the Body and Blood of Christ is
offered anew to the Father: Fourth, The Presence of Christ in the LORD'S
Supper is a presence in the elements of Bread and Wine: Fifth, That
Regeneration is inseparably connected with Baptism.
VII
This fellowship will strive to be primitive; in that we desire to
emulate the behavior of the church in an earlier time as demonstrated in
the book of Acts. It is not our intention to live in the past but to take
the teachings and practices of that early church and apply wherever
humanly possible. With the help of the Holy Spirit we desire to resemble
and acquire what the early church possessed in unity, concern and oneness
of purpose with true praising and worshipping of the Lord. It must be
remembered that good feelings, so called contemporary music, feel good
messages and other types of performances are not worshipping God. That
type of thing is worldly, theatrical and self serving entertainment.
Worshipping of the Lord is focusing on Him and proclaiming to Him all His
attributes and our thankfulness and appreciation of what He means to us
and does for us. Remember its the joy of the Lord that is our strength.
Not our joy which is our strength. When the Church is gathered for
worship, we are gathered to worship The Lord God Almighty.
How would we act if when we were gathered that God were standing in the
midst of us in the flesh. What would we be singing? Who would we be
focusing on? Would we still have all the side shows and just push God
aside? Well when the Church is gathered and there is true agreement and
accord in the Body of Christ, then God is there and we should begin to act
like He is in our presence. Then the Holy Spirit will be able to work
freely in our midst and we indeed will know the presence of God. We will
experience the Shekinah Glory when we start worshipping Him as He told us
in His Word, and not man's interpretation of what worship is or should be.
In this fellowship the people are the choir. We worship God together. It
is a joint effort in which all participate. There are no stars. We perform
praise and thanksgiving corporately. It is God who is receiving the
adulation that He alone justly deserves. There are specific times when a
select group of people called a choir would be most useful such as an
evangelistic meeting or celebration of some special occasion. But the
whole fellowship is the choir when worshiping and praising God during the
regular worship service
With that all that in mind, we find it more conducive to gather as the
early Church did, which was more like a family gathering around a table to
share in the breaking of bread and enjoying the fellowship of each other.
Therefore we strongly believe that the congregation should gather for
corporate worship in such a manner as to be able to fellowship as they
did. For this we gladly abandon the practice of coming into a theatrical
setting where there is a stage or series of steps and all are focused on
that stage. The Church when gathered are all to partake in worship. We are
gathered to praise and worship God Almighty. We are not gathered to be
entertained. Therefore rather than sitting in the fashion of a theater or
a court. And to being in one accord as opposed to the present day
gathering in a theatrical setting, expecting to be entertained, rather
than the coming together with praise and thanksgiving to laud the Lord
with hymns of praise on our lips, with uplifted hands and hearts, giving
of psalms, testimony and sharing of the Word. That the assembled should be
together in such fashion that when assembled they would be as in a circle,
square, octagonal or similar style as to be able to be in eye sight and
face to face with each other with the table for the Lord's Supper being
placed in the midst of them so all may be able to be more better a family
gathered for the breaking of bread, rather than strangers who only see the
backs of their brothers and sisters no matter where they sit.
VIII
This fellowship is catholic in that we belong to the universal church,
which is known as the Body of Christ, and seek to be in fellowship with
all true believers regardless of their denominational label or
affiliation. All believers who have truly repented of their sins and have
accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and have publicly stated
so and by their life style are bearing witness to the fruit of the Spirit,
then we acknowledge and accept such believers as our brothers and sisters
in Christ Jesus.
IX
We are a reformed fellowship in that we are a continuation of that
great reformation begun by Jesus Christ , witnessed by the Apostles, and
reintroduced to us by such reformed minded men of God as Martin Luther,
John Calvin and Thomas Cramer. We are especially appreciative to that
reformation which was carried out in the English Church which gave to us
such magnificent works as The Authorized Version of the Bible commonly
called the King James Version and the Book of Common Prayer which relied
heavily on the Word for its format. We are bereaved that much of the
foundational truths of the English Church also know as Anglican has not
only drifted from their reforamational roots, but at times even seems to
have turned away from basic Christian teaching and threw out all that was
fought for and upheld by this once true and faithful arm of the Christian
Church.
X
We are Pentecostal in that we acknowledge and accept the work of the
Holy Spirit, not only residing in us when we
accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our life; but also believe and accept that
separate work by Jesus Christ in which He baptizes us into His Holy Spirit
as promised by Christ Jesus and stated in the Scriptures at Matthew 3.11;
Mark 1.8; Luke 3.16; John 1.32,33; Acts 1.5,8 and Acts 11.16 as well as
the Book of Joel and other place of both the Old and New Testament. And
that this same Holy Spirit would endue us with power to be witness unto
Him. Jesus further demonstrated in His Word by way of Luke 4.18 what He
was about and therefore we being His disciples should be about. Christ
Jesus also stated in Mark 16.17,18 what would be some of the
characteristic that would identify one as a believer in Him. We have many
examples of what the Christian can do with the working of the Holy Spirit
in the book called Acts. The apostle Paul made quite plain those gifts and
ministries which the Holy Spirit gives us through the Baptism of the Holy
Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12.8-12; 28 and also warns us about the abuse of
those gifts in I Corinthian chapter 14. It is our firm belief that the
endued power of the Holy Spirit is for the strengthening of the Body of
Christ, a witness to the world that Christ works even today in His Church
and that all that He said and did is as valid today as when He was here
physically present on earth. These gifts are not
for our personal enrichment, but rather to be used for the good of the
whole Body of Christ and to those of the world that the Lord would use us
as vessels to proclaim His Word.
XI
We are a missionary fellowship with home mission being the main
emphasis of the fellowship. This country must be brought to Christ as much
or more than countries in the rest of the world. When this fellowship says
that we are home mission driven, we are talking about: first our own
families. Second our neighborhoods. Third our community. Fourth our
county. Fifth an area of a state (such as North Georgia, Southern Ohio,
East Texas). Fifth the state itself. Sixth a region of this country
(Southeastern States, Midwest or Western). Seventh and lastly, the United
States of America as a total entity. What we plan to undertake will not be
easy nor quick. We will need to prepare ourselves first to become vessels
of the Lord. We must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In many translations the word preach is used. However the correct word
is to proclaim. That is to say exactly as the one in authority said the
message should be given. Not adding to or taking
away. Proclaim also can be translated as the outward demonstration of
one's life by what one has adopted internally through the mind and spirit.
We will have to learn how to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. To act like
Jesus. To do what Jesus did. If we can not be Luke 4.18, 19; Mark
16.15-20; Ephesians 4.32; 1 John 3.23; 1 Peter 3.1-7; Galatians 5.22-26
and have taken Christ Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer, how then can the
Holy Spirit use us to demonstrate the true meaning of being a disciple of
the Lord. It is only when the local church starts doing and experiencing
the things of God in his or her own life, that
then we can share with others. This does not mean that only when we become
perfect can we then be used by God! No, but if we can not implement in our
own lives and show the effect that God has in our life, how do we expect
the non believer to take on the Lord Jesus when they can not be moved by
the power of God because they see no evidence of a transformation in our
own lives. A thirst for the things of God must be developed in our lives,
so that God then can put us in front of others who He has been stirring up
in them a desire to know him. If you have no bread, how can you share some
with others? If you have no clothes what will you clothe others with? If
there is no change in you because God is not working in you, what then is
the non-believer to see that is different about you and his own life? We
will also need to be willing to give of our time, talents, money and what
else that the Lord may require. Each adult between the age of 21 to 25
should be willing to give a set amount of time to active home mission by
going out two by two for a period of at least 3 months and do
evangelizing. Those members of the fellowship over 25 should be willing to
give a week of their time to home missions and evangelizing at least once
every three years. This is not a commandment from me, but if we take the
Great Commission seriously then we need to implement it in some definite
way by doing, not by just assenting to the rightness of it. It is our
desire to assist in building meeting halls for those who have no place
adequate to meet and to form a vehicle to do this similar to that fine
organization called Habitat for Humanity and in the spirit and example of
those wonderfully industrious Amish brethren in their barn raising feats.
What ever that it takes and the Lord permits us to bring the Gospel of
Jesus Christ to this nation not only in Word but by actual demonstration
of His teachings then we will strive with all that we are to bring about
this accomplishment before the soon return of Our Lord Jesus. This will
take people of strong conviction and a commitment that is not easily
discouraged nor persuaded by the nay sayings and actions of the
world.
XII
This fellowship must be a praying fellowship. Next to our own
individual relationship with God there is no greater thing of importance
for us, then to be a fellowship that prays for the continued guidance of
God and the prayers of intercession not only for ourselves, but also for
those of the community, state, and country for conversion, healing and
direction by God Almighty. Should we fail to do this fervently,
consistently and willing, then anything else that this fellowship would
try to do would be just wasted energy. What this fellowship does must
always be underpinned by prayer. This is not for the few. This has to be a
way of life for the entire fellowship. If members of the fellowship fail
in this matter, then to take on any other activities would be a useless
thing and surely would be the beginning of truly ineffective ministry. The
more that this fellowship is determined to pray to the Lord for His
continual guidance then we will become more acceptable to be vessels that
can be use by Him to help in His Kingdom here on earth. Conversely, the
less we pray and not ask for guidance the more ineffective we will become
and there then will be no need for this fellowship to exist. These are
matters that this fellowship must not take lightly, nor give just lip
service. We must be of one accord in this matter!!!!
XIII
We are also a restorative fellowship that believes that we must be true
to the faith laid out to us by Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit and the
teachings of the Apostles. That God the Father who is our heavenly Father
is worthy to be praised at all times, by all men, both in good times and
times which would appear not to be good. That with God, being the center
of our life, we will walk more closely with Him. Giving glory to Him
through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of our life and
thus become co-heirs with Christ Jesus. That as we take on the mind of
Christ as Paul taught, we will thus walk in the light of Christ, and to
think like Christ. Thus yielding ourselves to His will the working of the
Holy Spirit, so that our lives, those of our families, neighbors,
community, state and nation can be brought to the Lord Jesus Christ. Not
because of our goodness or our talk, but rather that in spite of our short
comings that Jesus Christ, might be able to show through us because of the
fruit of the Holy Spirit which is working in us. And as such, that the
world would know that our love of the brethren is but a natural conclusion
of Jesus working in us. That this steadfastness of purpose works in us
through the Holy Spirit both with fruit and gifts and that being true to
the Word. That God will support that life with signs and workings of the
Holy Spirit. God the Father then can bring more of the world to see Jesus as a most needful part of their lives and that
they will be convicted by the Holy Spirit to receive and accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour, with true repentance of heart and thus become
new creatures in Christ. In this manner alone will His Church become
restored, when the people of God are willing to go against the tide,
forsaking the ways of the world and not compromising with the world. Yes,
and to be willing if necessary to be persecuted for our Christian faith
and suffer death if needed.
XIV
Those that are called of God and ordained in this fellowship are not to
be considered a professional or elite group who
are greater than those than those who are not ordained by this fellowship.
All callings are from God. This fellowship may recognize some as being
uniquely called to a role of leadership or full time public ministry. This
however does not set those recognized as superior in any manner than the
rest of the fellowship.
Being a minister means being a servant. Not being waited on! We that
are ordained by those appointed by the fellowship are to minister to the
needs of the fellowship as Christ ministers unto the Church. No minister
should be addressed as Reverend or Father. Reverence is attributed to the
Father God Almighty who is Our Father. It would be better to greet your
appointed ministers as Brother, Mr., Pastor, Rector etc.
Of the ordained ministry there are three types. 1) Bishop (or overseer)
who is responsible for the spiritual health of not only the members of the
fellowship in his jurisdiction or district, but also his duty to make sure
that the rest of the ordained ministry are steadfast to the faith, free
from error and a counselor where ever possible to those in his
jurisdiction. 2) Presbyter (pastor, local elder,
rector etc.) who is responsible for the local congregation that he is
charged with. If the presbyter can not call on each family in his charge
at least once in three years and study with them in their family setting,
so as to see that they are holding to the faith continually, then it would
be advisable for that presbyter to seek a smaller parish or chose another
vocation. 3) Deacons and Deaconess who are called to assist in the local
parish to build up the faithful through instruction and to be ever
vigilant that the materials needs of the members are being met. Sometimes
this may just be a matter of praying together. Other times it may be
necessary to secure food, shelter, heat, job or transportation or other
necessary things that are common in the ups and downs of this life.
Deacons and Deaconess are not, nor is the fellowship a welfare agency. We
however must do all that we can to assist the invalid, less fortunate, the
widow, the orphaned and those that come upon dire circumstance. As St.
Paul was inspired by God to write in 2 Corinthians 8.14,15 "But by an
equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their
want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there
may be equality. As it is written. He that had gathered much had nothing
over; and he that had little had not lack." In order that no deacon or
deaconess would be over burdened with their duties it would be best that
there be elected one deacon for every fifty families. Deaconess are to
assist the deacon when necessary and their endeavor of ministry should be
to assist the women of the congregation to be godly wives and mothers and
to guide the mothers in the upbringing of the children in their faith.
Although it may not be popular today, we nevertheless do not hold to women
being presbyters or pastors in this fellowship. This is not that women are
inferior or not good enough but rather that just
as Jesus said that the man should be the head of the family, we believe
that it stands true that the local congregation being a spiritual family
should have for its visible head a man. This does not mean that women are
not called to ministry. For they can be besides deaconess, ordained as
evangelist and ministers of special areas that a godly woman would be
better suited in ministering to the needs of women requiring such
ministry.
Each congregation should also elect from the fellowship at least two
godly men, who can demonstrate a yielded life to
the Lord and the demonstration of the Holy Spirit working through them as
elders. The elders are to help the presbyter or pastor to lead the local
fellowship. They are not to lord over the local fellowship but to be
loving and kindly men, foster the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their walk
in life and their love for the brethren. Every congregation should have
two elders and should be permitted to have more. The amount of elders
should never exceed more than one for every two hundred families with a
maximum of five, but never less than two. Elders may not be elected until
they have been a part of the fellowship for at least three years so that
they can be observed as truly walking in a godly manner and following the
mandates set in Holy Scripture. No minister of this fellowship is to be
retained on a salary as pastor or assistant. If they are truly called by
God, then God through His Holy Spirit shall move the hearts of those, the
presbyter has been placed in charge of to freely give in specially
appointed boxes placed in the meeting place of the local congregation and
one of the deacons or deaconess will regularly deposit into the pastors
account that which is collected with out the
pastor knowing who it was from.
This way the pastor will
look to God to meet his needs and also protects the pastor from showing
more favor to one person than another because of their giving or position.
For those not in the formal ministry, this does not excuse them from
participating actively in the worship services of the fellowship. The
pastor may be the moderator or director of the meeting, but he in no way
runs the meeting. That is the Holy Spirits business. The pastor along with
the elders should be tuned in to the Holy Spirit in order to judge what is
and what is not of Him. And to discern that all is conducted in a orderly
fashion, admonishing where needed, yet showing encouragement to those that
the Lord may be calling to contribute by psalm, song, testimony or
teaching so that all may be able to see the glory and working of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
XV This fellowship does not
hold to passing of the plate, basket, bucket or hat, in what is often
called an offering. If one has to be cajoled, pushed, shamed or other such
means to give unto the Lord then that offering was in vain and will not
reap the giver any of the resulting benefits that God promises to those
who give. There should be placed instead boxes, not too conspicuous yet
convenient for all in their coming in or out of services that would be
available to give their tithes, offerings, gifts to the pastor and
other special needs as the congregation
designates. We of the congregation should have already been prepared when
we left our places of residence to lay aside what we were willing to give
unto the Lord in true gratitude and thanksgiving.
The congregation will be stirred and prompted by God to give only in
proportion that they are fed the true word of God and instructed on the
benefits of giving with the resulting effects of reaping and sowing.
Finally we of this fellowship do hereby give witness by our hand that what
is laid out in the Articles of Religion and the Statement of Principles of
this Fellowship we do most willing accept, not by force or coercion.
Further more we publicly state that these Articles and Principles may not
be changed or amended for they form the basis of this fellowship. Only
that which would be contrary to scripture and thoroughly proven, may be
amended in these Articles and Principles. This fellowship must be keepers
of the Word. Being knowledgeable of the Scripture is desirable. However
have the Word as a lamp unto our feet is more desirable. When we as a
fellowship, individually and collectively live the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
we then are able to be the people of God that He has desired for us to be.
We are certainly not righteous in ourselves, but because of the death on the tree and the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus
Christ, it has put us into a right standing or
righteousness with our Heavenly Father. Disciples of the Lord Jesus need
to do what their master did and taught. Should we fail in this matter, we
become very ineffective in the furtherance of the Kingdom and the fruit
that will be borne in us will become of no account. We may fail and fall
many times, but through Jesus Christ we can do all things.
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