EKAN CONSTITUTION

THE CONSTITUTION OF EKKLISIYAR KRISTA A NIGERIA (EKAN)

PRE AMBLE

We the entire members of Ekklisiyar Kristi A Nigeria (herein after referred to as “EKAN”) do hereby agree, make and enact for ourselves this constitution in order to promote and uplift the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst us with the aim that the Gospel will reach all parts of the world.

SUPREMACY OF THIS CONSTITUTION

This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and members of EKAN.

ARTICLE 1

SECTION 1: NAME

The name of the Church is EKKLISISYAR KRISTI A NIGERIA (EKAN), it shall be a body corporate, with perpetual succession, it can sue and be sued in its corporate name.

SECTION 2: LOGO

The logo is an open Bible with a cross and a Dove; symbolizing the Holy Ghost descending on the map of Nigeria, with the Motto “O LORD, revive thy Work” (Habakkuk 3:2) encircling the Logo.

SECTION 3: DEFINITION

EKAN means a body of believers worshipping in accordance with its constitution and the doctrines of EKAN.

SECTION 4: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

i.                     To glorify God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

ii.                   To proclaim and teach the word of God as it is in the Holy Bible

iii.                  To train workers of EKAN for services of the Lord in accordance with the Holy Bible

iv.                 To perform and administer spiritual services.

v.                   To continually emphasize its evangelical obligation in Nigeria and to the whole world.

vi.                 To strengthen and propagate the Gospel in Nigeria and the whole world.

SECTION 5: DOCTRINAL BASIS AND CREED

i.                     EKAN accepts the infallibility of the Holy Bible and that the Holy Bible is inspired by God.

ii.                   The Holy Bible is the final authority in matters pertaining to member’s faith and conduct.

iii.                  EKAN accepts and believes in the doctrine of trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit)

iv.                 EKAN believes in Baptism by Immersion.

v.                   EKAN believes in the sanctity of Marriage of one man, one wife.

ARTICLE 2

SECTION 6: MEMBERSHIP

i.                     He has reached the age of knowing good and evil

ii.                   He has repented from his sin, turned to God and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior

iii.                  He has confessed through Baptism

iv.                 He has demonstrated his conversion by consistent Christian living in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible.

v.                   He is not a member of any secret society.

vi.                 He belongs to one for the Local congregations of EKAN.

SECTION 7: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

i.                     Regular attendance of Sunday worship services, the Lord’s supper and any other gathering such as prayer meetings and Bible studies.

ii.                   Personal commitment of the Lord’s Service.

iii.                  Regular giving of offerings and tithes and payment of “Budget” for the work of the Lord.

iv.                 Willingness to obey the teachings of the word of God and the leadership of EKAN.

v.                   Holy and faithful living as befits a Chrisitian who acknowledges that the Holy Bible is the word of God.

vi.                 Maintaining the unity of EKAN, promoting fellowship and love among members.

vii.                Showing zeal in evangelism by word and conduct, encouraging and supporting the evangelistic programmes of EKAN.

SECTION 8: DISCIPLINE

i.                     The church may discipline any member who is found guilty of misconduct, and who belongs to any association that is inimical to the Christian faith.

ii.                   This will be done first by warning and followed by suspension, and such a suspended member may not partake of the Lord’s Supper nor lead in any church function.

iii.                  Any EKAN employee either appointed or elected, placed under discipline shall be suspended from all posts, which he holds within EKAN.

iv.                 Any member placed under discipline shall be counseled continually and, also be encouraged to attend worship services. The disciplinary action shall continue until such a time, there is clear evidence of repentance. The person may then be re-admitted by the church into fellowship during the Service of the Lord’s Supper.

v.                   If a Pastor of a local church council |(LCC) is accused of misconduct, the District church council (DCC) shall report to the Executive Council such a Pastor for disciplinary action. But in case of any other church council shall discipline such a worker in accordance with EKAN’s rules of discipline. Discipline shall be in accordance with the Disciplinary Book of EKAN which shall be drawn up by the Pastoral Council (PC) and approved by the General Church Council (GCC).

AIRTICLE 3

SECTION 9: AUTHORITIES AND ORGANISATIONS

A: AUTHORITIES;

i.                     The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church

ii.                   The Organizational structure of EKAN shall be as follows:

a.       General Church Council (GCC)

b.      Executive Council (EC)

c.       Pastoral Council (PC)

d.      District Church Council (DCC)

e.      Local Church Council (LCC)

f.        Branch Council (BC)

iii.                  There shall be a Board of Trustees (BOT) for EKAN.

B: ORGANIZATIONS

EKAN shall recognize Church Organizations whose objectives are in consonance with the aims and objectives of EKAN.

SECTION 10: MEMBERSHIP OF GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL (GCC)

i.                     All members of Executive Council

ii.                   All members of Pastoral Council

iii.                  All catechists and Evangelists

iv.                 All Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers for various National Organizations.

v.                   National Directors/Heads of programmes

vi.                 Advisers

vii.                Trustees

viii.              Three members from each local church council who are not elders of the local church council at least, one must be a woman.

ix.                 Two elders from each local church council.

x.                   All district church council secretaries.

SECTION 11: DUTIES OF GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     The General church Council is the highest authority and with veto power, her decisions are final.

ii.                   All her decisions are binding on all members

iii.                  The General Church Council is the only authority to amend or review its decisions

iv.                 The General Church Council shall meet two (2) times in a year.

v.                   There may be emergency meetings when the need arises.

SECTION 12: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     Complete obedience to the great commission of the Lord Jesus Christ with all belief and zeal. (MTT. 28:19-20)

ii.                   The General Church Council shall ensure that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is preached to all nations and non believers

iii.                  The General Church Council shall ensure that all acceptable methods are used in bringing the Gospel to every part of Nigeria and the rest of the world.

iv.                 Establish District church councils, local church councils and departments/programmes and supervising their works.

v.                   Making of decisions for the smooth and peaceful administration of EKAN toward the achievement of her mission.

vi.                 Ensuring ways 0f generating funds of EKAN

vii.                Ensuring ordination and further training of Reverends/Pators and their postings.

viii.              Approving the ways and means of raising funds for the administration of EKAN

ix.                 Ensuring that EKAN operates within the purview of this constitution.

x.                   Ensure the funding of both the Board of Trustees and the Pastoral Council.

SECTION 13: MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EC)

i.                     The president

ii.                   The vice president

iii.                  General secretary

iv.                 Assistant general secretary

v.                   National treasurer

vi.                 Financial secretary

vii.                Two national auditors

viii.              Public relations officer

ix.                 Social secretary

SECTION 14: FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

i.                     The Executive council shall give its account to the general church council

ii.                   The executive council shall meet four times in a year, and there may be emergency meetings when the need arises and, the minutes of such meetings shall be forwarded to the GCC for ratification and records.

SECTION 15: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

i.                     Ensuring the implementation of the policies and decisions of the general church council

ii.                   Ensuring further training of ordained pastors and other staff for development of the work of God.

iii.                  Ensuring ordinations and discipline of pastors and senior staff of EKAN

iv.                 To establish boards and committees to screen and select non ordained pastors for ordination

v.                   To ensure the appointment of all members of committees and departments

vi.                 Overseeing the activities of district church councils and departments/programmes

vii.                Raising funds through appropriate means for the running of EKAN

viii.              To ensure regular payments of all wages and benefits to the President, General secretary, pastors and other workers

ix.                 Funding national programmes/projects and providing grant in aid to district and local church projects/programmes as the need arises

x.                   Formulation of rules to regulate thee general administration of EKAN

SECTION 16: PASTORAL COUNCIL

There shall be established a council known as the pastoral council whose membership shall be all ordained, confirmed and licensed Ministers of EKAN.

SECTION 17: OFFICIALS OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

i.                     Chairman, who shall be the President of EKAN

ii.                   Secretary

iii.                  Treasurer

iv.                 Public relations officer/organizing secretary

SECTION 18: FUNCTIONS OF THE PASTORAL COUNCIL

i.                     Formulation of guidelines for spiritual functions and programmes in EKAN

ii.                   Maintenance of spiritual ethics and etiquette in EKAN

iii.                  To formulate codes, standards and qualifications for interview of Ministers to be ordained confirmed and approved by the general church council.

iv.                 To recommended pastors for training, refresher courses and the appropriate institutions for such trainings and refresher courses to the executive council

v.                   To recommend the promotion of evangelist to the executive council

vi.                 To recommend the retirement and burial of pastors

vii.                The pastoral council shall set out rules to regulate the mode of worship or service in EKAN.

SECTION 19: MEMBER OF DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     The district chairman

ii.                   Assistant district chairman

iii.                  District secretary

iv.                 Assistant district secretary

v.                   District treasurer

vi.                 All district leaders, secretaries and treasurers of all organizations in the district

vii.                One representative from each LCC

SECTION 20: DUTIES OF THE DISTICT CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     The district church council shall give account of its work to the executive council.

ii.                   The district church council shall meet six times in a year and the minutes of such meetings shall be forwarded to the executive council for information and noting

SECTION 21: THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCILS

i.                     The DCC shall supervise all the churches within her district

ii.                   The DCC shall comply with all the directives of GCC and EC

SECTION 22: MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     The pastor in charge of the LCC who shall be the Chairman.

ii.                   Where there is no pastor, catechist or evangelist in charge of the LCC shall be the chairman

iii.                  The evangelist of a Local Church Council

iv.                 Seven elected elders (2 must be women)

v.                   The chairman of deacons of LCC 

vi.                 Three prominent members of LCC as Advisers

vii.                One member from each branch committee

SECTION 23: MEETINGS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     The LCC shall meet at least once in every month. There shall be emergency meetings when the need arises and, the minutes of meetings of the LCCs shall be sent to the DCC monthly.

SECTION 24: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH COUNCIL

i.                     The LCC shall give account of its works to the district church council

ii.                   To ensure progress of EKAN according to the aims and objectives of EKAN

iii.                  To carry out all directives of the DCC

iv.                 Appoint evangelist through the approval of the district church council

v.                   Recommend names of potential evangelist to the DCC for training and possible ordination

vi.                 To establish new churches through the DCC

vii.                To administer baptism and Holy Communion and also to keep record of names of members.

viii.              To ensure discipline amongst members and to also ensure accurate records of finances and communicate same to the DCC

ix.                 Issuing and renewal of membership cards.

SECTION 25: BRANCH COMMITTEE

Where there are more than one component churches within a local church council, each of them shall elect seven persons as elders and these shall include two women. The committee shall be responsible for maintaining and caring for the churches. The committee shall submit its weekly report to the local church council.

ARTICLE 4

SECTION 26: OFFICIALS OF THE GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL

The GCC shall have the following leaders:

I.                    The president as chairman

II.                  Vice president

III.                Secretary general

IV.                Assistant secretary general

V.                  Treasurer

VI.                Financial secretary

VII.              Auditor 1

VIII.            Auditor 2

IX.                Public relations officer

X.                  Social secretary

SECTION 27: THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

The president shall be the spiritual and administrative head of EKAN. The person to be elected into this office shall possess all this qualities specified in 1Timothy 3:1-6 and must inn addition possess the followings

i.                     Must be a true Christian and a member of EKAN

ii.                   Must have been inn pastoral work for at least six years pasturing the flock of God in EKAN

iii.                  Must be in charge of any EKAN church for an uninterrupted period of not less than four years preceding the date of the election.

iv.                 Must be sponsored by at least 3/4 of local church councils of EKAN

v.                   Must not be a member of any secret society

vi.                 Must be mentally sound and physically fit

vii.                Must be elected at the general church conference

viii.              The election shall be conducted according to the rules of the electoral committee which shall be constituted by the executive council

ix.                 The president shall hold office for a period of four years. Thereafter, he shall be eligible for re-election immediately after the expiration of his successor’s tenure

x.                   The punishment of the president in the event of commission of an offence shall be the same manner prescribed for pastors.

xi.                 The president shall not be in charge of any church in EKAN during his tenure of office as president.

SECTION 28: REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT

The president shall be removed from office before the expiration of his tenure if he is found wanting in any of the following

i.                     Adultery

ii.                   Embezzlement of EKAN funds

iii.                  Conversion of EKAN property into his personal use

iv.                 Negligent conduct and unfaithfulness to members and the entire EKAN

v.                   Exhibits conduct that is inimical to the progress and also likely to ridicule EKAN

vi.                 Breach of this constitution

vii.                If the president fails to convene a meeting and organize election at the expiration of his tenure he is deemed to have been removed

SECTION 29: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT

i.                     Convening of meetings of general church council, executive council and pastoral council

ii.                   Presiding over all meetings of GCC, ECC and PC

iii.                  Supervises activities of EKAN

iv.                 In addition to the duties bestowed on leaders according to biblical injunctions, the president shall visit all the LCC’s of EKAN at least twice in a year.

v.                   Shall jointly sign all correspondences that border on policy matters with the general secretary.

SECTION 30: VICE PRESIDENT

i.                     The vice president is to assist the president in his day to day responsibilities

ii.                   He is to preside over meetings in the absence of the president

iii.                  The qualifications for the election of the vice president as well as his tenure shall be the same as that of the president

iv.                 The vice president shall cease to hold office before the expiration of his tenure for same reasons as that of the president

v.                   The vice president shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the GCC, EC and president.

SECTION 31: THE GENERAL SECRETARY

The general secretary is the chief administrative office of EKAN and shall perform the following functions

i.                     Summoning of meetings of both GCC and EC in consultation with the president.

ii.                   Shall keep records of activities of EKAN

iii.                  Shall attend to all correspondences

iv.                 All correspondences on policy matters shall be jointly signed by the general secretary and president.

v.                   Qualifications, tenure, election and discipline shall be the same as that of the President

vi.                 The general secretary shall not be in charge of any church in EKAN during his office as General Secretary.

SECTION 32: ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY

The assistant general secretary shall assist the general secretary in his day to day activities as well as

i.                     Assisting the General Secretary in all his functions

ii.                   Qualifications, tenure, election and discipline shall be same as that of the general secretary.

iii.                  Shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the general secretary

SECTION 33: TREASURER

i.                     Qualification

a.       Must be a committed member of EKAN

b.      Must have accounting knowledge

c.       Must have been nominated by 3/4 of the LCC’s of EKAN

d.      Election, tenure and discipline, shall be the same as that of the general secretary

ii.                   Duties

a.       Custodian of EKAN monies

b.      Co-signatory to EKAN accounts in banks

c.       Shall present to GCC bi-annual financial report

d.      Shall allow auditors access to books of account of EKAN

e.      Shall receive quarterly financial reports from DCCs

SECTION 34: FINANCIAL SECRETARY

i.                     Qualifications, election, tenure and discipline shall be the same as those of the treasurer

ii.                   Shall keep records of incomes and expenditure of EKAN

iii.                  Shall give report of incomes and expenditures to GCC, DCC, and LCCs

SECTION 35: AUDITORS

i.                     Qualifications, election, tenure and discipline shall be the same as those of the treasurer

ii.                   The auditors shall perform the following duties

a.       Periodic auditing of EKAN accounts of GCC, PC, DCCs and LCCs

b.      Submitting of quarterly audit reports to GCC for onward transmission to Pastoral Council, DCCs and LCCs

c.       Presenting to GCC bi annual audit reports

SECTION 36: SOCIAL SECRETARY

i.                     Qualifications: he must have good social interactive background and relates well with the public

ii.                   Duties:

a.       Provision of entertainment and accommodation to EKAN guests

b.      Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the GCC or EC from time to time

iii.                  Discipline and Tenure: same as that of the General Secretary

SECTION 37: PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (P.R.O)

i.                     Qualifications: He must be experienced and knowledgeable in communications

ii.                   Duties: organizing of press conferences, publications and issuing press releases for and on behalf of GCC and EC

iii.                  Discipline and Tenure: shall be the same as those of the auditors

SECTION 38: ADVISERS

The General church council shall appoint three advisers one of whom must be a woman

SECTION 39:

The provisions relating to officials above shall apply to district church councils, local church council and branch committee

SECTION 40: TRUSTEES

i.                     There shall be seven (7) members of the board of trustees to be elected at the general church conference as follows:

a.       Three pastors, serving or retired, who have served EKAN for a period of not less than six years.

b.      Two male members of EKAN who are literate and have been members for a period of not less than ten years.

c.       Two female members of EKAN who are literate and have been members for a period of not less than ten years

ii.                   Trustees shall hold office for a period of five years. Thereafter, they shall be eligible for re-election immediately after the expiration of their successor’s tenure

iii.                  A trustee shall vacate office if he ceases to be a member of EKAN

iv.                 There shall be election of trustees to fill the vacancy created on account of vacation of office by reasons of misconduct, infirmity of body, mind or death or for any other reason.

SECTION 41: RESPONISIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

i.                     The trustees shall hold in trust all property belonging to EKAN

ii.                   The trustees shall undertake all legal proceedings before any court of law for and on behalf of EKAN

iii.                  The trustees shall keep the common seal of EKAN

iv.                 Where the executive council is unable to conduct elections before the expiration of the tenure of the executive council, the board of trustees shall dissolve the EC and shall within one month summon an emergency general church council to resolve the impasse and conduct elections

v.                   The trustees shall register EKAN with the corporate affairs commission

vi.                 The trustees shall elect amongst themselves a chairman and a secretary.

SECTION 41 B:

All organs and bodies shall formulate their respective rules to regulate their meetings

ARTICLE 5

SECTION 42: ELECTION BODIES

i.                     At all levels of EKAN, there shall be electoral bodies to conduct elections at the end of every tenure of their leaders

ii.                   Elections shall be conducted according to the rules and regulations to be prescribed by the general church council

SECTION 43: QUORUM

Two-third (2/3) of members of each committee at each level who are present at any meeting shall form a Quorum and shall take decisions and in the case of emergency meetings, the quorum shall be by simple majority.

SECTION 44: RETIIREMENT

i.                     The age for voluntary retirement of pastors from active pastoral work is sixty-five years

ii.                   The age for compulsory retirement of pastors from active pastoral work is seventy years

iii.                  The age for voluntary retirement of non-pastor workers is fifty five years

iv.                 The age for compulsory retirement of non-pastor workers is sixty years

SECTION 45: PENSION AND GRATUITY

i.                     There shall be established a pensions fund where all moneys for pension and gratuity shall be kept for the payment of pension and gratuity to all pastors and non- pastors who have retired and or did.

ii.                   The pensions fund shall be funded as follows:

a.       5% of salary of each pastor and non-pastor worker each month

b.      Offerings collected at every second Sunday service of each month

c.       One-third (1/3) of each one-tenth (1/10) for each wedding of each local church council

d.      20% of each thanksgiving at each local church council

e.      Free will donations for the fund

f.        Interest in all investments undertaken from the proceeds of this fund

g.       The provisions of this section shall come into force upon its ratification by a 2/3 majority of the general church council

iii.                  The pensions fund shall be managed by a committee of three persons to be appointed by the general church council.

SECTION 46: ADVISERS

i.                     The general church council shall appoint three advisers, one of whom must be a woman and must be long-serving member of EKAN with modern educational background.

ii.                   Advisers shall hold office for four years and shall be eligible for re-appointment

SECTION 47: LEGAL ADVISER

There shall be a legal adviser to EKAN who shall be appointed by the general church council. The legal adviser to be so appointed shall be a legal practitioner of five years post call experience. He shall serve for four years and may be re-appointed.

ARTICLE 6

SECTION 48: SOURCES OF FUNDS

i.                     All offerings at each worship

ii.                   Gifts and assistance from within and outside EKAN

iii.                  Special offerings as follows

a.       Wedding offerings, thanksgiving and membership budget

b.      Sales of membership cards

c.       Renewal of membership cards

d.      Tithes

e.      Proceeds from sales of farm products

f.        Interest from investment undertaken by EKAN

g.       Monies realized from workshops, conventions, conferences and seminars conducted by organizations/groups in EKAN

iv.                 No level of EKAN is authorized to take load from any bank or anybody without the approval of the board of trustees

v.                   Nobody is authorized to lead to anybody or bodies EKAN money without the approval of the board of trustees

vi.                 The president, general secretary and the treasurer are the authorized signatories of EKAN accounts. At the DCC level, the district chairman, the district secretary and the treasurer are the authorized signatories, at the LCC level, the pastor in charge, the secretary and the treasurer shall be the authorized signatories of all the LCC accounts.

vii.                The EXCO shall present to the general church council three months before the end of each financial year a budget for deliberation and approval.

viii.              The district church council shall approve the budgets of the local church councils under it.

SECTION 49: SOURCES OF FUNDS OF THE GCC

i.                     Yearly budget per member

ii.                   Monies for membership cards

iii.                  5% of tithes given at each LCC

iv.                 Gifts from within and outside EKAN to GCC

v.                   Interest from investment undertaken by GCC

vi.                 Monies realized from workshops and seminars organized by GCC

vii.                10% of funds generated by district organizations and groups

SECTION 50: SOURCES OF FUNDS OF DCCs

i.                     10% of all tithes given at all the LCCs

ii.                   One-third (1/3) of the farm products of all the LCCs

iii.                  All monies realized from workshops, seminars and revivals organized by the DCC

iv.                 Free will donations and launchings by DCC

v.                   Proceeds from investments by the DCC

vi.                 10% of funds generated by district organizations and groups

SECTION 51: SOURCES OF FUNDS OF LCCs

i.                     Three Sunday offerings in a month

ii.                   85% of all tithes

iii.                  80% of thanksgiving

iv.                 Offering at weddings

v.                   Two-third (2/3) of farm produce

vi.                 Gifts from within and outside EKAN to LCC

vii.                Interest from investments undertaken by LCC

viii.              10% of funds generated by Local organizations and groups

ARTICLE 7

SECTION 52: SERVICES IN EKAN

i.                     Sunday school/Sunday service

ii.                   Midweek service/Bible studies

iii.                  Holy communion

iv.                 Wedding

v.                   Ordination of pastors

vi.                 Dedication/Naming ceremonies

vii.                Baptism

viii.              Funeral

ix.                 Mourning

x.                   Establishment of EKAN churches

xi.                 Easter programmes

xii.                Christmas/New year services

SECTION 53: MODE OF SERVICE

The mode of service in EKAN shall be in accordance with the tradition of orthodox churches within EKAN

SECTION 54: AMENDMENT

Any amendment to this constitution shall be done or made by two-third (2/3) majority of the general church council

SECTION 55: HEADQUARTERS

The headquarters of EKAN shal be at former EKAS SECRETARIAT, mission road, off hammaruwa way, Jalingo Taraba State, Nigeria

SECTION 56: COMMON SEAL OF EKAN

There shall be a common seal of EKAN, which shall be in the custody of the board of trustees in EKAN

SECTION 57: AUTHENTICATION

A copy of this constitution shallbe endorsed by all the trustees of EKAN and such a copy shall be kept together with the common seal of EKAN in the custody of the Trustees.