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| A. |
Ministerial Credentials
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| 1. |
Ordination: |
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Persons of mature Christian experience, qualified and able to undertake the responsibilities of the full ministry. |
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| 2. |
License:
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Persons who give evidence of being called of God to the ministry and who purpose to devote their lives to this work.
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| 3. |
Exhorter:
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Persons manifesting a desire to enter the ministry whose present development in Christian service would not warrant their being licensed. Persons who have been granted permission by the Credentials Committee to conduct communion and water baptism shall be called Special Exhorters.
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| 4. |
Christian Worker: |
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Persons who desire to serve God as lay workers having no intention of entering full-time ministerial services, but whose Christian activities would be expedited if they carried credentials from an organization.
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| B. |
Qualifications for Credentials
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| 1. |
General: |
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b.
c.
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The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a necessary qualification for all ministers (Lk 24:48, 49; Ac 1:4-9, 2:4, 10:44-47,19:1-6).
A life above reproach and becoming to a minister of the Gospel (1Tim 3:1-7, 4:12; Tit 1:5-9).
Since divorced and remarried persons in the ministry usually cause stumbling, reproach and division, whatever may have been the cause of the divorce, we disapprove either ordaining or licensing to the gospel ministry those who have remarried and are now living in the state of matrimony while former companions are living.
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| 2. |
Ordination: |
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Persons who are at least 25 years of age, are licensed for three consecutive years, are currently in full-time ministry and have completed a recognized formal Bible School training.
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| 3. |
License: |
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Persons who are at least 21 years of age, show clear evidence of a divine call, have devoted their lives to a formal ministry and have completed formal Bible School training. |
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| 4. |
Exhorter: |
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Persons who have the approval of the pastors of their churches wherein they are ministering and have completed at least two years of formal Bible School Training.
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| 5. |
Christian Worker: |
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Persons who have given evidence of ability in Christian service and have expressed their desire to so serve. |
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| 6. |
Course Requirements:
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The General Council will require all candidates for credentials who are without formal Bible School training to take the following ICI courses either at the Diploma or Degree level unless exception is made at the unless exception is made at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Equivalent courses may be taken at National Bible School Extension Centres. |
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a.
b.
c.
d.
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Candidates for Christian Worker credentials are encouraged to take the courses which are required for Exhorter credentials.
Candidates for Exhorter credentials are required to take the following courses:
ICI courses (Dip/College level):
Old Testament Survey
New Testament Survey
Life of Christ
*Pentecostal Foundations is a required course supervised by the General Council with the assistance of the National Bible Schools.
Candidates for License credentials are required to take the following courses:
ICI courses (Dip/College level):
Pneumatology
Guidelines for Leadership
Acts
Preparing & Preaching Bible Messages
Man & Sin
Candidates for Ordination credentials are required to take the following courses:
ICI courses (Dip/College level):
The Corinthian Letters
Themes from Major Prophets
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
The Bible & The Church
Islam
*Apologetics can be taken as an optional course to replace Islam.
Candidates for License will be expected to have completed the requirements for Exhorter before proceeding to the courses prescribed for License. The same applies to candidates for Ordination.
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| C. |
Procedure for Credentials
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| 1. |
Applications: |
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All applicants for credentials must apply on the regular forms obtainable from the General Secretary, duly completed and returned prior to the meeting of the Credentials Committee Candidates shall be interviewed by the relevant committees.
For those ministers who are fully qualified for ordination, but are reluctant to apply, the Credentials Committee shall instruct the General Secretary to forward the form necessary for application for Ordination.
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| 2. |
Renewal:
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All credential ministers must make application yearly to the General Secretary on the forms provided for renewal of their papers. They shall have supported the General Council according to its By-laws.
Ordained Ministers shall have preached or taught at least 25 times during the year or involved in any active ministry. Licensed Ministers shall have preached or taught at least 20 times during the year or involved in any active ministry.
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| 3. |
Lapse: |
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Those who are not in active ministry shall not be eligible for renewal of credentials. However, the Credentials Committee may exercise its discretion in extenuating circumstances.
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| 4. |
Approval:
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All successful candidates for credentials shall be duly informed and issued with Certificates of Fellowship.
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| D. |
Ministerial Relations
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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All credential ministers shall be amenable to the General Council in matters of doctrine and conduct.
Ministers from another country who seek to reside and minister with the Assemblies of God of Malaysia are required to file a letter of introduction from the Assemblies of God of their country with the General Secretary.
No pastor should resign from an assembly without advising the General Superintendents and the local assembly in writing at least one month prior to his/her departure.
Ordained or licensed ministers shall refrain from holding office as deacons or other lay leadership in local churches other than the one of which they are the pastors.
All ministers shall be required to support the General Council on a monthly basis. |
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b.
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Ordained ministers are required to give RM60.00 each or an amount equivalent to one-half of their tithes.
Licensed ministers are required to give RM50.00 each or an amount equivalent to one-half of their tithes.
Exhorters are required to give RM40.00 each or an amount equivalent to one-half of their tithes.
Christian workers are required to give RM30.00 each or an amount equivalent to one-half of their tithes. |
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Ordained and licensed ministers are granted the privilege of solemnizing marriages, conducting funerals and administering the ordinances of the Church subject to the laws of Malaysia .
We recommend that all our pastors and affiliated Assemblies refrain from engaging any minister not endorsed by the General Council until they have communicated with the General Superintendent or the General Secretary.
No credential minister should approach any assembly for financial assistance without the approval of the Executive Committee.
Any credential minister or affiliated church with the Assemblies of God having dispute should settle it within the framework of our Constitution and By-laws, and if any such one initiates legal proceedings against the General Council or any part thereof, he/she shall at that very moment cease to be a member of the Assemblies of God of Malaysia. |
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| E. |
The Discipline for Ministers
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| 1. |
The Nature and Purposes of Discipline |
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Discipline is an exercise of scriptural authority for which the church is responsible. The aims of discipline are that God may be honored, that the purity and welfare of the ministry may be maintained, and that those under discipline may be brought to repentance and restoration.
Discipline is to be administered for the restoration of the minister, while fully providing for the protection of the spiritual welfare of our local assemblies. It is to be redemptive in nature as well as corrective and is to be exercised as under a dispensation of mercy. |
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| 2. |
Causes of Disciplinary Action |
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Violation of Christian principles (1Tim 3:1-12; Tit 1:6-9) which may give cause for disciplinary action are as follows: |
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b.
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d.
e.
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g.
h.
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Any immoral conduct unbecoming to a minister or indiscretions involving premarital and extramarital relationship, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, pornography and any other sexual perversions, and immorality.
Any defamation such as open slander and libel.
Irresponsible action contributing to church split.
A declared open change in doctrinal views concerning Tenets of Faith.
A habit of running into debt, which brings reproach upon the cause.
Embezzlement of funds under trust or breach of trust.
Indulgence in drunkenness, drug abuse, smoking and gambling.
An arbitrary rejection of district or national counsel or decision.
Resorting to violence.
Any other serious misconduct. |
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| 3. |
Disciplinary Procedure |
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a. |
Domestic Inquiry: |
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1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4 |
There are two types of domestic enquiry.
Following an incident or allegation of misconduct, a fact finding could be instituted to establish the facts leading to the incident or alleged misconduct.
It is only when the fact finding discloses that the accused party is responsible for the incident and that it resulted from his misconduct or indiscipline, that disciplinary action should be contemplated.
However, prior to the taking of disciplinary action, it is necessary to institute a disciplinary enquiry. |
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Fact Finding: |
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1.1
1.2
1.3
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When the EXCO receives a complaint in writing or suspects that a credential minister has committed misconduct, an investigation may be carried out immediately. This is to establish whether there is a prima facie case against the accused concerned.
The EXCO shall appoint a member to be the investigating officer. The EXCO may appoint other members to assist the Investigating Officer.
The investigation could be along these lines:
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Interview the complainant and record his statements.
Interview others who may be involved in the incident.
Interview the accused and record his explanation. No duress or promise of any benefit should be made. |
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1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
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After investigating the complaint, the EXCO should consider whether the complaint is justified.
If the complaint is frivolous, unjustified or false, the case shall be closed, and the complainant and others who were interviewed concerning the case should be informed that the investigation did not reveal any evidence to support the complaint.
The complainant shall also write a letter of apology to the accused. The accused too should be informed that he is cleared of the complaint. Appeal by the complainant will not be entertained unless there is fresh evidence to warrant further investigation.
If the said complainant is a credential member, he is liable to disciplinary measure. If the said complainant is a church member, the EXCO shall recommend disciplinary measure to be taken on him by his local church.
If the investigation discloses that the complaint is founded, the EXCO must consider the seriousness of the misconduct.
If the EXCO considers that the misconduct is minor and the disciplinary action should only be a verbal or written warning, then such an order should be meted out discreetly.
If the EXCO considers that the misconduct warrants severe disciplinary action, a proper disciplinary enquiry must be conducted. |
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Suspension: |
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If the EXCO considers that the presence of the accused conflicts with the security and safety, maintenance of the discipline and good order in the local church or the Assemblies of God, he may be suspended, pending the enquiry for a certain period of time from exercising the privileges of the credentials conferred on him by the EXCO.
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Letter of Allegation: |
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Before the Disciplinary Enquiry is convened, the accused ought to be issued with a letter of allegation calling for an explanation why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
The letter of allegation should:
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Be specific, clear, precise and accurate,
State the period and place of commission of the alleged misconduct,
Cite the causes where the alleged misconduct is in breach of some principles,
Contain a statement calling upon the accused to submit his explanation in writing within 14 days, and
State where necessary that the accused is suspended pending the proposed enquiry. |
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1.3
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The letter of allegation must be served on the accused by the General Secretary of the Executive Committee. If he is not able to receive the letter in person, it may be sent by AR registered post to his last known address. |
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Letter of Allegation: |
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1.1
1.2
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It is only when the letter of explanation was unacceptable or not forthcoming that the EXCO shall commence formal charge(s) against the accused.
The charge(s) shall then be served on the accused in person or AR registered post giving him notice that a disciplinary enquiry has been convened against him. To date, time and venue of the enquiry must be stated. |
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Board of Discipline: |
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1.1
1.2
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The Board of Discipline shall be appointed by the EXCO. It shall consist of a minimum of four members.
Members of the Board shall be one EXCO member who will act as its chairman.
The other non-EXCO members shall not be: |
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Directly involved with the investigation of the case and drafting of the charges against the accused, or
In conflict of interest, or
Objected to in writing by the accused with valid reasons. |
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1.4 |
The board shall arrive at a unanimous decision in their recommendation of the case. |
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The Enquiry Procedure: |
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At the meeting of the Board of Discipline: |
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The accused will be entitled to give evidence on his own or through his appointed spokesman who shall be a credential minister.
The Investigating Officer and the accused or his appointed spokesman will be entitled to produce relevant witness(es).
The Investigating Officer and the accused or his appointed spokesman will be entitled to cross-examine any witness.
The Investigating Officer and the accused or his appointed spokesman will be entitled to have access to any documentary evidence produced at the enquiry. |
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1.2 |
The proceedings of the enquiry shall be as follows: |
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If the accused is absent with no explanation offered and the Board of Discipline is satisfied that the notice of enquiry has been served, the case may be heard in his absence.
Requests for postponement should be allowed only for genuine and legitimate reasons.
If the accused is present, the charge(s) should be read and explained to him by the Chairman of the Board of Discipline. He should then be asked what his plea is to the charge(s) i.e. whether he admits the charge(s) or otherwise.
If he admits to the charge(s), he should be granted an opportunity to explain the circumstances that led him to commit the offense(s) and what he wishes to say, including any plea for mitigation. The Investigating Officer shall then give briefly the facts of the case.
If he does not admit to the charge(s), the Investigating . Officer shall adduce evidence to prove the charge(s) levied against the offense.
The officer will then call the witnesses to support the case. A witness may either be asked to relate what he knows about thecase or he may give evidence in answer to questions put to him.
The Chairman should ensure that only relevant materials and statements from the witnesses are allowed.
After a witness has given evidence, the accused or his spokesman may cross examine him.
After cross-examination, the officer presenting the case may re-examine his witness on matters raised during the cross examination.
After the officer has called all witnesses and produced all evidences, he shall then conclude his charge.
The accused or his spokesman shall then be asked to make his defense to the charge(s) against him.
The officer may cross-examine the accused and his witnesses and challenge any documentary evidence adduced.
After cross-examination, the accused or his spokesman may re-examine his witnesses on matters raised during cross examination.
After the accused or his spokesman has called all his witnesses and produces all evidences, the Chairman shall record that the accused or his spokesman has concluded his defense.
Members of the Board of Discipline may question the witnesses on the evidence adduced in order- to seek further clarification.
Final submission of the case shall first be by the officer presenting the case and followed by the accused or his spokesman. |
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Recording of Proceedings: |
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1.1
1.2
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The Chairman or a member of the board shall record the proceedings and the evidence adduced at the enquiry in writing.
The record shall be in the form of questions and answers or in the form of statements. All documents produced shall be identified by exhibit numbers.
The Chairman or a member of the board shall read over the statements and the evidence recorded to the person who made them, and he be asked to sign on the record to verify that the statements made and evidences addressed by him are correct. This must be counter-signed by the Board of Enquiry. |
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Findings and Recommendations:
The Board of Discipline shall submit its findings in the form of a written report, giving reasons for concluding on each charge as to whether it is proven or not. The Board shall also submit its recommendations as to the appropriate disciplinary action. |
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Disciplinary Order: |
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1.1
1.2
1.3 |
The EXCO shall study the report of the Board of Discipline to arrive at the appropriate disciplinary order.
The decision of the EXCO need not necessarily be in agreement with the recommendations of the Board of Discipline.
The EXCO after deciding on the appropriate disciplinary order shall inform the accused of the decision in writing. |
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| 4. |
Rehabilitation |
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When it has been determined either by a confession of the minister involved or by deliberation of the Executive Committee that there is a cause for disciplinary action as a result of a violation of Assemblies of God principles as set forth in clause 2., it shall then be the responsibility of the EXCO to determine whether or not the offense warrants expulsion from the fellowship by dismissal or restoration to good standing in the fellowship through a program of rehabilitation.
Recognizing that the underlying principle involved in a discipline is redemptive, that man's conscience frequently brings him to judgment and confession, and that justice can sometimes best be served with mercy, therefore, the following provisions for rehabilitation shall apply: |
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Basis:
Those found to have violated any of the Assemblies of God principles shall be subjected to a period of rehabilitation.
Period of Time:
The period of rehabilitation shall be not less than one year and shall be decided by the EXCO.
Procedure and Requirement:
The following procedure shall be used by the EXCO in determining the specific requirements to rehabilitation for the individual minister. |
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Rehabilitation Committee:
The members of the Rehabilitation Committee may comprise of: |
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The Divisional Supervisor or District Superintendent,
Another EXCO member and
His Supervising Pastor of the church he is attending during his period of rehabilitation. |
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1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
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Supervision:
The minister shall be considered to be under supervision during the entire period of rehabilitation, and his credentials shall be suspended. The extent to which he may be permitted to minister, if any, shall be determined by the EXCO.
Credential Member with Conditions:
The minister must be a disciplined member of the General Council during the period of rehabilitation while his credentials are in the a state of suspension, his name shall not be published as removed from the ministerial roster. In the event his ministerial activity has been terminated, the minister must become established in a local church working under the supervision of a pastor and divisional supervisor.
Progress Report:
The Rehabilitation Committee shall submit to the EXCO a quarterly progress report concerning to the rehabilitation of minister under discipline.
Minister's Reports:
The minister must submit reports quarterly to the Rehabilitation Committee.
Classified Information:
The rehabilitation record shall not be transferable. The information shall be preserved for future reference in the files of the General Council office of the Assemblies of God.
Completion of Rehabilitation
When the rehabilitation period is satisfactorily completed, the minister shall be considered in good standing and his credential restored.
Terms of Rehabilitation
The terms of rehabilitation shall be administered at the discretion of the EXCO.
Financial Support:
During the period of rehabilitation, the minister shall be eligible for financial support. |
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d. |
Eligibility for Rehabilitation: |
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Previous Dismissal:
In the event a minister who has been dismissed shall later show repentance and indicate his desire for reinstatement, he shall, upon obtaining the approval of EXCO, enter the appropriate rehabilitation program as described in clause 4 of this article with the provision that he shall not be eligible for reinstatement until the requirements of the program have been satisfactorily completed.
Previous Rehabilitation:
In the event a minister has undergone a previous rehabilitation experience and/or has a record of prior violation(s) of Assemblies of God principles necessitating disciplinary action as defined in clause 2., permission and terms for rehabilitation shall be granted only by the EXCO. |
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