Guide for Sisters' activities - New Apostolic Church

24 Pages·2011·0.62 MB·English

NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH

POLICY /GUIDELINES ON SISTERS ACTIVITIES

Lusaka, Zambia
2011
Published by:

New Apostolic Church Zambia
P.O. Box 3176
Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: naczam.org.zm

GUIDELINES FOR SISTERS’ ACTIVITIES

First published: 2011

Copyright © 2011
New Apostolic Church Zambia
All rights reserved

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FOREWORD

Dear Sisters, dear ministers,

Since the commencement of Sisters’ fellowships, there has been
no written guideline on the various activities undertaken.

I have followed with keen interest the activities which mostly have
been fund raising ventures. The funds raised out of these ventures
have contributed greatly to the construction of churches. I am
aware that through some sketches and hymns, knowledge on
behaviour and doctrinal messages have also been imparted but
not to a greater extent.

These activities should also bring about spiritual enrichment
through bible and doctrinal knowledge hence it is my desire that
the sisters can encourage bible studies through some of their
fellowships.

The participation of the sisters in all church activities cannot be
over emphasized, and they should always be in conformity with the
teachings and doctrine of the New Apostolic Church. I am glad that
the Apostles have taken a keen interest in the Sisters’ Fellowships
and ministers were always attached to all the functions and
activities. These ministers should not hesitate to intervene should
they observe that any activity may contravene our doctrine.
Further, other educational matters relating to health,
entrepreneurship etc. may be covered.

I trust that this guide will help to coordinate and manage the
sisters’ activities in a consistent and uniform manner.

I wish you all God’ richest blessings.

Charles.S. Ndandula
DISTRICT APOSTLE

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CONTENTS

Vision and Mission of the New Apostolic Church ........................................... 1

1 GUIDELINES FROM THE DISTRICT APOSTLE ................................................ 2

2 SUGGESTED LEADERSHIP FOR SISTERS’ GROUPS...................................4

3 SOUL CARE AND SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES .............................. 6

4 HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES ............................................................ 7

5 EMPOWERMENT AND INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES.........................8

6 SUGGESTED CONGREGATION GROUPINGS.................................................10

7 SAMPLE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES.....................................................15

8 BIBLE READING SESSION...............................................................................16

9 SAMPLE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION MEETINGS............................................17

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Vision of the New Apostolic Church

A church in which people feel at home and inspired by the Holy Spirit and
their Love for God, align their lives to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thus
prepare themselves for His return and eternal life.

Mission of the New Apostolic Church

Reaching out to all people in order to baptize them with water and the Holy
Spirit and teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Providing soul care and cultivating a warm fellowship in which everyone
shall experience the love of God and the joy of serving Him and others.

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1.0 GUIDELINES FROM THE DISTRICT APOSTLE
Circular No. 001-001/11/2008

To: All Apostles, Bishops, District Ministers and Rectors- Zambia, Malawi
and Zimbabwe
From: District Apostle
Date: 04 September 2008
Subject: Fellowships by the Sisters

Our sisters have had various fellowships which I have followed with great interest. At
most of the fellowships, funds have been raised for various activities in our
congregations. From the funds raised, we have been able to construct or complete
church buildings, assist the less privileged members in our congregations and
communities, assist with material requirements during the visits by our Chief Apostle
and in some cases; we have bought some bicycles for some ministers.
It has indeed been a noble cause by our sisters. It is important that this noble cause is
not misunderstood by some of our members who may not appreciate the activities by
our sisters. The sisters do not have any other agenda apart from ensuring that the
church programmes can be implemented under the leadership of the ministers in our
church.
To ensure that the programmes of our sisters are more transparent and have the
support of the leaders, I hereby give the guidelines under which our sisters will carry out
the fellowships:-
1. The fellowships within an apostle area may take place anywhere and anytime within
the apostle area with the approval of the apostle. The fellowships shall nonetheless
take cognizance of the outstanding church calendar dates like Thanksgiving and
Service for the departed and ensure that these dates are not adversely affected.
2. The sisters from another apostle area may be invited by the hosting sisters and the
hosting apostle would be notified by the local sisters at least one month before the
event.
3. The sisters invited from another apostle area will get approval from their apostle
through their bearers of blessings at least three weeks before the travelling date.
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4. Where sisters wish to visit other sisters in another apostle area to encourage and
support them in any church programme, they shall first get the approval of their
apostle through their bearers of blessings at least one month before the travelling
date. They shall then communicate with the other sisters in the apostle area to be
visited, who will notify and get approval from their local apostle. Travelling shall take
place only after the approval of both apostles.
5. The travelling sisters shall be accompanied by a minister appointed by the apostle.
The accompanying minister shall assist the sisters while in transit and at the
destination with any logistics that may be needed and shall give a report to his
apostle.
6. The events at the fellowships and activities shall always be in conformity with the
teaching and doctrine of the apostles in the New Apostolic Church. When in doubt,
the sisters shall contact their bearers of blessings. The sisters have done a
commendable job to date and I hereby request all the ministers to assist and
encourage them continue and to do even more.
May I take this opportunity to thank all the sisters’ fellowships for the good works they
are doing.
Hearty greetings of love,

Charles S Ndandula

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2.0 SUGGESTED LEADERSHIP OF SISTERS’ GROUPS

2.1 Apostle Area Planning and Education Committee for Sisters.
The Committee will
 Be appointed by the Apostle.
 Be chaired by a sister with relevant expertise in education and development of
women.
 Have terms of reference and tenure of office.
 consist of
One sister from each elder district; from the District Coordinating
Committee for Sisters’ activities;
Three (3) ministers; as advisors on Church doctrine and other relevant
fields of their expertise.
 perform the following functions:
2.1.1 Plan and facilitate apostle area programmes and projects for the education
and development of sisters;
2.1.2 Facilitate the implementation of inter-elder district events;
2.1.3 Provide support to sisters’ groups through monitoring and giving feedback
reports;
2.1.4 Network sisters’ groups, projects and activities within the apostle area and
with other apostle areas;
2.1.5 Generate annual reports for the Apostle.
 The Planning and Education Committee shall meet at least twice a year.

2.2 Elder district Coordinating Committee of Sisters’ programmes and Activities.
The Committee will
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 To be appointed by the District Elder.
 To be chaired by a sister with leadership qualities and knowledgeable on the
New Apostolic doctrine.
 Have terms of reference and tenure of office.
 consist of :
One sister from each congregation; a leader of a group;
Three (3) ministers; as advisors on Church doctrine and Church
leadership.
 perform the following functions:
Plan and facilitate district programmes and projects by/for sisters;
Support rectors on matters pertaining to planning and implementation of
activities by/for sisters;
Support leaders of sisters’ groups in all congregations, with relevant training,
materials and information;
Provide support to rectors and leaders of sisters on financial matters and
issues pertaining to use of Church resources;
Generate quarterly reports for the Elder.
 The Coordinating Committee shall meet at least once a quarter (four times a
year).
2.3 Congregation Sisters’ Leadership Committee
The Committee will
be appointed by the Rector, and
Chaired by a sister with leadership qualities and knowledgeable on matters of our
Faith.
The Committee will consist of all the leaders of sisters’ groups, and will
2.3.1 Plan and integrate programmes, projects, and activities of sisters into
congregational mainstream activities;
2.3.2 Facilitate implementation of activities by sisters’ groups;
2.3.3 Mobilise resources for congregation activities;
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3.8.4 Generate congregation reports for the rector;

2.4 Leaders of sisters’ groups will be appointed by the Rector for the congregation.
The Leader shall
be knowledgeable in matters of our Faith,
humble, and
Very active in congregational works.

The Rector will provide all leaders with terms of reference and tenure of office.

The Leader will
2.4.1 Coordinate the group of sisters and ensure they perform tasks agreed upon;
2.4.2 Be answerable to the minister in charge of the Section, or allocated to the Group,
but work harmoniously with all ministers in the congregation;
2.4.3 Network with other leaders in the congregation, including those of the choir and
groups of the young people.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

3.0 SOUL CARE AND SPIRITUAL FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES

We enjoy soul care through the divine service and interactions with ministers, including
during visitations at our homes. In order to keep that which is placed in our soul by the
activity of the Holy Spirit, effort is needed on our part. Peer spiritual education and
support helps us to keep and practise the word we receive in divine services. Sisters’
meetings where they discuss spiritual matters and affairs of their faith and salvation will
include the following:
3.1 Religious instruction sessions for all sisters on Bible topics and New Apostolic
doctrine by ministers.
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