Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Our parish looks forward to the election and induction of a new team of members of the Pastorate Committee and the Diocesan Council. As these persons are expected to bear witness to the ministry of the Church let us bear in mind that we should prayerfully choose appropriate persons of exemplary character. In turn, those who wish to stand as candidates need to be aware of their calling and be committed to the ministry of the Church.

Let me provide the qualifications set out in Page 13 of the revised constitution of the CSI North Kerala Diocese for the lay representatives contesting for election to the Pastorate Committee. Such persons should:

a) Be men or women, of Christian character and experience.

b) Have attained the age of twenty-one.

c) Be communicants of the Church Of South India

d) Not be spouses of presbyters, deacons or full-time catechists in active service or those employed by the the pastorate committee/diocese.

e) Not be disqualified by any rule of ecclesiastical discipline at the time of nomination.

f) Not be in default of the church subscription and other dues to the Pastorate in which they are members and to the Diocese on the last day of the previous calendar, namely 31st December

g) Of sound mind.

h) Be able to read and write.



Functions of the elders and the Pastorate Committee

a) They shall attend the meetings of the Pastorate Committee and will be responsible for the discharge of the duties and responsibilities vested upon them as per the rules and bylaws of the constitution.

b) They shall help the Presbyter in securing the observance of the rules of the church in maintaining a true Christian life in the Church. In particular, they shall visit the church members in their houses, encourage them to study the Bible regularly, read and explain to them the Word of God, conduct cottage prayers and exhort fellow members to keep the Lord’s day holy, to attend divine services regularly and in all other ways further the spiritual life of the Church.

c) If there are dissensions among the church members or the families, it is their duty to exhort them in a spirit of love and humility in order to establish peace and prevent such disputes from being taken to a court of law.

d) It is their duty to read the lessons and encourage others to read the lessons during church service and help the minister in conducting the Divine services.

e) They shall render all possible help in the collection of Church subscriptions and contributions.

f) They must be specially zealous in the spreading of the kingdom of God.

g) They must take cognizance of all the matters which affect the welfare of the pastorate.

These are only some of the considerations to be noted, but there are yet more areas of ministry to which a dedicated committee member must submit in order to shoulder his/her responsibility. Candidates are reminded that this is a high calling and that they are required to take up the spiritual yoke of responsibility. They must have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.

Let the spirit of God grant us wisdom to choose and commission the new team for the extension of God’s Kingdom.

Peace,
Kurian Peter Achen