Rev. Kurian Peter
CSI Immanuel Church
Broadway, Ernakulam 682011
Ph:9746473851
e-mail - rev.kurianpeter@gmail.com
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