The Household of Faith Church Manual 
1st Edition 
2024

MEMBERSHIP

 

BAPTISM

 

The pathway to initiation into the Church is baptism. It is essentially a vow of entry into Christ's saving covenant and into God's family. The Bible should be used to teach candidates, either one-on-one or in a baptismal class, about the church's core values, canonical customs, and membership obligations.

 

BAPTISM CEREMONY

 

Prior to baptism, a baptism candidate must hear a concise sermon that indicates the following:

 

What the state of all humans is because of sin

The importance of a profession of faith

Why baptism is necessary

The role of repentance in baptism

How an individual must live after baptism

 

BAPTISM DECLARATION OF FAITH

 

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

Do you believe that Jesus died for your past sins?

Do you repent for your past sins?

Do you understand that after baptism you are to walk in newness of life

 

If the baptism candidate responds in the affirmative to each question the baptism officiant will declare the following:

 

“Name of the baptism candidate, I baptize you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins that are past that you might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”   The baptism officiant will then totally submerge the individual in water.

 

LAYING ON OF HANDS

 

After the member is baptized, the baptism officiant will then call the pastors, elders, teachers, and deacons for the laying on of hands.  During this time, a prayer will be made by the baptism officiant that will acknowledge the Great Commission of the Disciples and a request of the Father that the Holy Spirit be bestowed upon the baptized.  The baptism ceremony will end with the Lord’s Prayer. 

 

REBAPTISM

 

Only in Acts 19:1–7 is rebaptism expressly stated. In that passage, the Apostle Paul recommended it for a group of believers whose prior repentance baptism had been administered by John. A personal commitment to the gospel and the teachings of Jesus, as well as the receiving of the Holy Spirit, are linked to Christian baptism in addition to repentance. Rebaptism is permissible in light of this growing comprehension and dedication.

 

BAPTISM ATTIRE

 

Men

Men should wear the following under the baptism robe:

 

Underwear

White pants (e.g., scrubs)

White shirt (e.g., scrubs)

 

Women

Women should wear the following under the baptism robe:

 

Underwear (tops and bottoms)

White pants (e.g., scrubs)

White shirt (long-sleeved) 

​

A swim cap should be worn.  (Note: A female baptism candidate must not be baptized during her menstrual cycle.) 

 

 

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE LETTERS FOR EMPLOYERS

 

Members may request the following types of religious observance letters:

 

Sabbath Observance

 

Vaccination Exemption 

 

 

DRESS CODE

 

All members of The Household of Faith are required to adhere to the following dress code during services and events:

 

BROTHERS

 

Brothers should not wear head coverings during services.  This includes but is not limited to hats, caps, scarves, turbans, beanies, and stocking caps.

All attire should not be form-fitting.  Form-fitting is defined as clothing that fits the body tightly so that the bodily shape is clearly visible.  For example, no skinny jeans are allowed.   

 

Pants must be pulled up to the waist; no “sagging” is allowed.  Sagging is defined as a manner of wearing trousers or jeans that sag so that the top of the trousers or jeans is significantly below the waist, sometimes revealing much of the underpants or shorts. 

 

Jogging pants are not allowed.

 

Ripped Jeans or pants are not allowed.

 

Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

 

Shorts are not allowed. 

 

SISTERS

 

Sisters are required to wear head coverings during services.  Head coverings should cover the top of the head, and the crown and reach to the nape of the neck.

 

Sisters are to wear dresses and skirts to service and are encouraged to wear such dresses and skirts outside of services.  The hemline of dresses and skirts should be at least 2 inches below the knee when standing.

 

All attire should not be form-fitting. 

 

Cleavage should be covered.  Keep necklines four finger-widths or less down from your collarbone.

Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.   

 

No see-through or sheer clothing is allowed.

 

 

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

 

REASONS FOR DISCIPLINE

 

There is a grave obligation placed on God's people to uphold their moral rectitude, integrity, and passion for the Holy Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy is expressed in plain, unambiguous terms.  God holds all of His people accountable for the sins committed by any one of them. The church's leaders bear responsibility for the sins committed by the body if they fail to actively seek out those sins that incur God's wrath.

 

REMOVAL FROM THE CHURCH

 

The most severe punishment that the church may inflict is excommunication from the church, the body of Christ.

 

CHURCH DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS IN A TIMELY FASHION

 

The church is required to handle the disciplinary procedure in an adequate amount of time and to convey its conclusions promptly and kindly. The member's anguish and the church's collective frustration may worsen if discipline is not applied promptly.

 

CHURCH DISCIPLINARY MEETING

 

A duly convened disciplinary meeting may be necessary when there are legitimate grounds for discipline.  A disciplinary meeting will be presided over by a pastor. 

 

The following are grounds for which members may face discipline:

 

HERESY AND DOCTRINAL TEACHINGS

 

Denial of faith in the core beliefs of the gospel and the church, or the teaching of doctrines that are contrary to these.

 

SEXUAL MORALITY

 

Adultery, which is defined as any man, regardless of his marital status, who has sexual intercourse with a woman who is married to a man or betrothed to be married.  A married or betrothed woman commits adultery when she has sexual intercourse with any man that is not her husband.

 

Incest, which is sexual relations between related persons that the Torah deems to be prohibited.

 

Sodomy, which is defined as homosexual intercourse between males.

 

Lesbianism, which is homosexual relations between females.

 

Bestiality, which is Intercourse between a human and an animal.

Pedophilia, which is sexual acts committed by adults with prepubescent children.

 

Fornication (General), which is defined as sexual activity between non-married individuals.

 

UPRIGHT DEALINGS

 

Theft, which is the unlawful taking of the property of another, larceny.

 

Bearing false witness, which is Intentionally spread false information as fact; start or maintain a rumor by making up information about a person, object, or occasion.

 

DOMESTIC VIOLATIONS

 

Physical abuse of a spouse

 

Physical abuse of children

 

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

 

Murder, which is the act of murdering someone else without cause or explanation, particularly when it is done maliciously,

 

Inappropriate physical violence

 

DISHONESTY / FRAUD

 

Fraud in the business world or deliberate deception.

 

DISORDERLY AND CRIMINAL CONDUCT

Unruly or criminal behavior that reflects poorly on the church.

 

DISOBEDIENCE TO CHURCH LEADERSHIP

 

Continuing refusal to obey church rules and regulations or to acknowledge legitimately appointed church leaders.

 

APPEAL FOR REINSTATEMENT

 

Although the church has the authority to impose discipline, former members have the right to appeal in writing to the church for a hearing at The Household of Faith Headquarters if they feel that they have been treated unfairly by the local church congregation or have not had the right to be heard fairly and the church is unwilling to reconsider the case or if the officers refuse to consider their applications for reinstatement.

 

CIVIL LEGAL REPRESENTATION

 

In maintaining order and discipline, The Household of Faith performs ecclesiastical duties that are in no way related to civil or legal processes. Therefore, in any meeting called to administer order or discipline or to conduct any other church business, the Church does not recognize the right of its members to bring legal counsel to represent them.

 

MEMBER REINSTATEMENT

 

In certain cases, those who have previously been expelled may be admitted back into the church provided they have made amends, shown proof of sincere remorse and a change in lifestyle, and demonstrated a willingness to completely adhere to church rules and regulations.

 

MEMBERS SHALL NOT BE REMOVED FOR FAILING TO FINANCIALLY CONTRIBUTE

 

While it is expected of members to support the Church in whatever way they can, they should never be excommunicated for failing to make a financial contribution to the Church.

 

CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT & DISSOLUTION

 

CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT

 

A company of believers for fellowship, worship, and mission should be formed where several isolated believers live close to one another or where they are a part of a small group, house church, or church planting core group. The goal of this organization should be to grow into an organized church or multiply house churches in that particular geographic area.

 

To be recognized as an organized church the congregation must have the following:

 

Local Leader- In lieu of a local pastor a leader that can assist in holding services in which sermons by a pastor are given via internet or through teleconferences.  Note: local leadership should act in this role temporarily until a local pastor can be designated for the congregation.

 

Local pastor

 

A permanent meeting location where weekly and annual church services can be held.

 

Multiple members that are willing to meet regularly for services.

 

CHURCH DISSOLUTION

 

Church membership is not always permanent. The following grounds may result in a church's dissolution or expulsion from the Sisterhood of Churches:

 

Loss of Members: Sometimes, despite efforts to keep a church going, so many people leave due to apostasy, death, or relocation that the church's continued existence is in jeopardy. The Household of Faith Church Headquarters ought to suggest that the church be dissolved in such a situation.

The surviving members of a church shall be invited to transfer their memberships to other churches prior to the church taking final action to dissolve.

 

A church's remaining members will be given the option to transfer their membership to another church before the church takes final measures to dissolve.

 

It is uncommon for a church to be expelled for disciplinary reasons because the church's purpose is to seek and rescue.  In cases when significant issues like disobedience, disregard for the Church Manual, or disobedience against the conference continue, sincere attempts should be made to prevent the need for expulsion.

 

Through sermons and personal visitation ministries, the bishop ought to endeavor to enhance the spiritual well-being of the congregation. To help the members renew their commitment with their Lord.  If these fail, the bishop should counsel with the church and its leadership, with the goal of preserving the church and bringing about healing and reconciliation.

 

In a business meeting, the church itself will be presented with the decision to propose expulsion together with the accompanying documentation for review and approval.

 

a. The church may react in any of the following ways if it rejects the recommendation:

1) Removing the grounds for discipline and agreeing to the conference rules; ask the conference to withdraw the suggestion to disband or expel.

 

b. Should the church continue to rebel, the conference executive committee recommends that the church be dissolved at a regular or specially summoned congregation meeting.

 

c.  Should the constituency decide to remove someone, the conference will uphold the ruling.

It is possible for devoted members of a disbanded or excommunicated church to want to stay members of the church. In order to safeguard their well-being, their conference church memberships will be temporarily retained for a maximum of one year. This will provide people who wish to have their conference church memberships confirmed or transferred to another church with the chance to do so.

 

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

 

BISHOP

 

The Greek word episkopos is translated as "bishop" in the New Testament. Other translations of the same word are overseer, pastor, and elder. 

 

BISHOP QUALIFICATIONS

 

The qualifications for men to occupy the office of bishop (pastor) are found in I Timothy.  These qualifications read as follows:  

 

3:1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

 

BISHOP DUTIES

 

The bishop is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight.  His duties include the following:

 

To provide oversight and leadership of the church

 

(I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-3)

 

The principal work of the bishop is to teach

 

(I Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9; Hebrews 13:7)

 

Appoint pastors as leaders (Acts 14:23)

 

PASTORS

 

PASTORS ORDINATION

 

Before taking office, newly elected pastors must be ordained by the overseeing bishop.

 

ORDINATION SERVICE FOR PASTORS

 

The ordination of pastors will be carried out by an ordained bishop.  The ordination service will be performed in the presence of the congregation.

 

PASTOR AUTHORIZATION

 

Pastors are permitted to execute marriage ceremonies, officiate membership disciplinary hearings, preside over Sabbath services, baptisms, or church business meetings.

 

DUTIES OF PASTORS

 

Oversee corporate worship

 

Which includes ceremony administration

 

Deliver regular sermons that proclaim the word

 

Plan special worship services,

 

Organize the church's administrative operations

 

Encourage members of committees, projects, and members to communicate and work together.

 

DEACONS

 

The Greek word diakonos, from which the English word "deacon" is derived, is used throughout the New Testament to refer to the office of deacon. The Greek term can mean "servant, minister, writer, attendant," and it has taken on the specific meaning that is currently associated with the word "deacon" in Christian communities.

 

DEACON QUALIFICATIONS

 

The qualifications for men to occupy the office of deacon are found in I Timothy.  These qualifications read as follows:  

 

3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.  11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

DEACONS ORDINATION

 

Before taking office, newly elected deacons must be ordained by a pastor.

 

ORDINATION SERVICE FOR DEACONS

 

The ordination of deacons will be carried out by an ordained pastor.  The ordination service will be performed in the presence of the congregation.

 

DEACON AUTHORIZATION

 

Deacons are not permitted to execute marriage ceremonies, officiate membership disciplinary hearings, preside over Sabbath services, baptisms, or church business meetings.

 

DUTIES OF DEACONS

 

Duties of deacons include the following:

 

Greeting and Visiting Guests and Members

 

Member Visitation

 

Assistance at Baptisms

 

Arrangements for Feast Services

 

Care and Maintenance of Property

 

Assistance and attendance at church events

 

 

MARRIAGE POLICY

 

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

 

The first institution established among human beings is the institution of marriage.  In the book of Genesis, it is written, “2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  The purpose of this union is provided in the book of Malachi, “2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed.” Marriage is the first and most important institution among mankind. 

 

To be eligible for marriage within the church, the following is required: 

 

A man and a woman must fulfill or have already fulfilled church membership requirements.

 

The man and the woman had to have led dependable lives of worship as followers of Christ.

 

The women must not be betrothed or married.

 

Up until marriage, the couple must live apart and abstain from all sexual activity.

 

Participation in authorized premarital counseling is required of the couple. To provide time for this, wedding applications must be received at least two months in advance.  Both individuals (the man and his betrothed wife) must attend each counseling session. 

 

Completion of marriage application

 

Fulfillment of wedding officiant fee

 

Weddings will not be conducted on the weekly Sabbath or on any of the Annual Sabbaths (Feasts):

 

Passover

The First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Seventh Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

The Memorial of the Blowing of Trumpets

The Day of Atonement

The First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles

The Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles

 

 

FUNERAL POLICY

 

To be eligible for funeral within the church the following is required: 

 

Membership of the Household of Faith

 

Fulfillment of funeral officiant fee

 

FUNERAL CEREMONY

 

The funeral is an occasion where we bless the name of the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has paved a way for our salvation.  During this service, prayers are offered, the word is preached, praises are sung, grief is expressed, and remembrance of the departed is cherished.

 

Funerals are not to be held in the sanctuary.

 

ENTRANCE

 

There is a mourner’s parade where the family enters and is seated after all of the friends, comforters, supporters, and extended family have taken their seats. The mourners and their families are typically assigned the front row of seats (and the second, if necessary).

 

OPENING

 

Service will open with the Lord’s prayer, then a reading of the Torah, Psalms 23, and a song.

 

EULOGY

 

The person conducting the memorial ceremony is typically the one to give a eulogy. Meetings with the family and/or direct relationships with the deceased are used to assemble the messages and shared history. Family members and other people frequently prepare and share memories of their loved ones sharing intimate tales. A eulogy's words should be used to remember, and honor departed loved ones, as well as to ease grieving families and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

 

SERMON

 

The sermon is given by the bishop or pastor.  This sermon is biblically based, and emphasizes the consequence of sin, which is death, the restoration of man through the death and resurrection of Christ. 

 

 

THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

 

Take a look at this list to see how valuable it is to consistently participate in a church community:

 

Promoting Spiritual Growth: Being actively involved encourages lifelong learning about one's faith.

 

Creating Meaningful Connections: Deep relationships with people who share your interests can be formed through regular conversation.

 

Getting Pastoral Care: Attending a church guarantees that you will have access to pastoral counseling in times of need or distress.

 

Adding to the Well-Being of Others: Active participation enables people to help others and have a beneficial influence.

 

Participating on a regular basis as a member also involves specific obligations. Some essential requirements for members of a church community are listed in the table below:

 

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Member responsibilities include the following:

 

Attend Services

Participate in Sabbath gatherings and church events

Support Ministries

Give time and resources to different areas of ministry

Embrace Discipleship

Seek ongoing growth through discipleship programs

Practice Stewardship

Give generously to support the work of the church.

 

Members actively contribute to the rich fabric of their faith community and gain personal rewards by acknowledging and carrying out these obligations.