The Criteria of His Church and Congregations

Appendix 14. The Criteria of His Church and Congregations should include the requirements of Christ.

Free Church Report Table of Contents and The Kingdom Study Group

Communion of the Church

· Communion with Christ - The purposes and power of Christ must be the primary spirit in all endeavors of the Church centered in sacrifice and service, thanksgiving and forgiving.

· Criteria of all commissions - Such Commissions must be in accordance with the purposes of the Church as established by the appointments and teachings of Jesus the Christ, The Will of Our Father in Heaven, and His Kingdom in Faith, Hope, and Charity.

· Balanced involvement - Wherever possible, the Church should have a balance from the congregation of families, the community, and the cooperation of all, as well as local benefits from the outcome of a project, a national and international perspective should be considered according to the will of Our Father in Heaven.

· Beneficiary - The one for whom all things are received and done. The Beneficiary of all things done by the Church and auxiliary Churches is Jesus Christ. To continue to do what Christ came to do is to benefit Christ. Christ came to serve and to free.

· Representative Beneficiary – Christ’s purpose was to serve the people. To serve the people is to serve Christ. The people who believe are the representative beneficiaries.

· Participation of Representative Beneficiary – As the right to choose is a responsibility given by God, Representative beneficiaries should be involved in the planning, management, and implementation of projects. There should be high local participation in the application of the precepts of God.

· Skills transfer and utilization - The activities of projects should result in skills transfer and development, as a means to a developmental end, promoting love of Family, community, and the concerns of the people seeking God’s Kingdom of Heaven.

· Education - The activities of the Church should be focused upon education. The truth shall set men free, and the lack of knowledge binds men to error and privation, divides families, and leaves men at the mercy of those who would oppress them in iniquity.

· Alienation - No one should be alienated because of limited understanding or belief. Outreaches to the community should be approached with a merciful offer of charity and hope. Belief and practice of good Samaritans in compliance with the precepts of Christ are more important than words or dogmatic form.

· Belief - The heart and mind, as well as the individual is judged by God, not by men. The Church and its auxiliaries are always institutions and brotherhoods in service to those who believe, but may need help with their unbelief. We judge not by what men say, but by what they do - and the fruits of that doing.

· Obedience- As bondservants of Christ, the Ministers of the Church must put the will of God, the Canon of Christ, and obedience to His Holy Spirit as the authority above all else in Peace, Love, and Mercy; Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Government institutions like the IRS can only have criteria for their agents to use to assess whether an organization meets the requirements for tax exemption under IRC.

1. Distinct legal existence: The organization must be a separate legal entity.
2. Recognized creed and form of worship: It should have a recognized set of beliefs and a way of practicing those beliefs through worship.
3. Definite and distinct ecclesiastical government: It needs a defined structure of religious leadership and governance.
4. Formal code of doctrine and discipline: It should have a formal set of beliefs and rules for its members.
5. Distinct religious history: It should have a documented history as a religious organization.
6. Membership not associated with another church or denomination: Its members should primarily be affiliated with the organization itself, not other religious groups.
7. Organization of ordained ministers: It should have a system for ordaining ministers to lead religious services and provide spiritual guidance.
8. Ordained ministers selected after completing prescribed courses of study: Ministers should be trained and qualified through a recognized process.
9. Literature of its own: It should have its own religious texts and publications.
10. Established places of worship: It should have designated locations for religious services.
11. Regular congregations: It should have a consistent group of people attending religious services.
12. Regular religious services: It should hold regular and scheduled religious services.
13. Sunday schools for the religious instruction of the young: It should offer religious education for children.
14. Schools for the preparation of its members: It should have programs to educate its members on religious principles and practices.

While the IRS doesn't specify a minimum number of criteria that must be met to be considered a church.