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PREAMBLE
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We declare and establish this
constitution to preserve and secure the
principles of our faith and to govern the
church in an orderly manner. This
constitution will preserve the liberties of
each individual church member and the
freedom of action of this church.
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-
TnE CorvsururroN or THn
- ArRrcen Aposrolrc CuuncH
(VearosroRA vnArnrca)
-

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 ,osfolt( ( nltrcn [\'aApostoro veAJrrcal Lonst

GrruTIoN oF THE AFRICAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH (VAAPOSTORA

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&.={'.E and establish this constitution to preserve and secure the principles of our fai& and to govern
in an orderly manner. This constitution will preserve the liberties of each individual church
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-dE and the freedom of action of this church.

: - :_:1 Nnrue

-:-. ::. --h shall be known as The African Apostolic Church (VaApostora VeAfrical as proclaimed to
-.-:-: <:.op Paul Mwazha at Murambinda in 1957. (Ref: The Divine Commission of Paul Mwazha of Africa

ATTILCE2: INTERNATToNA!HEADQUARTERS

--: .:.:ernational headquarters shall be located at 8 Jefferson Rd, Hatfield, Harare, Zimbabwe. Other
-:-:.=es will have their respective national offices as detailed in their national constitutions which shall
:= ::nrical to this international constitution excepton the headquarters address only. Any change ofthe
-=r.s:ered office and pos:al address shall be decided upon by the Board ofTrustees.

.{RTILCE 3: Dlssor-unoN

The church herein established sha]l continue foreyer.

ARTICLE 4: Os.rscttvus

The objects ofthe church shall be:

4.1 To establish Jesus Christ as the centre of this church and of all our activities, and continuous
acknowledgement of the salvation that he brought to all believers tlrough His resurrection from
death of the cross of Calvary {lsaiah 53J. As revealed to Archbishop Paul Mwazhain L97Z, "The work
which should be done is to preach the importance of the name of Jesus and the power of His
salvation". [Ref. The Divine Commission of Paul Mwazha of Africa part 2).

4.2 To go unto the world and preach the Gospel of fesus Christ (Mark 16v15) as commissioned to
Archbishop Paul Mwazha, "Whom shall we send, and who shall go for us?" to which he responded,
'You know my desire oh Lord is that you send me to your people of Africa firs! and then to t}te rest of
the world, if it be your will oh Lord" [Ref. The Devine Commission of Paul Mwazha of Africa part 1J.
This wilt be achieved through the planting of branches as well as broadcasting through available
medium.

4.3 To motivate worshipers to live spiritually uplifting lives that Jesus Christ came to give unto the world.

4.4 Ta use the power of the Holy Spirit to free believers from physical and spiritual afflictions, (fohn
1Ovs10, isaiah 12J.

4.5 To use tle Bible and The Divine Commission of Paul Mwazha of Africa (Part 1 and part 2) as
references to explain the establishment of the church.
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ARTICLE 5: Statgvrsrur oF BAS|c BELtEFS

5.1 We affirm the l{oly Bible as the inspired word of God and the basis for our bcliefs. We believe in thc
Ten Comnrandnlents ircluding the ltoly Sabbath of the Lord (Exodus 20). We continuously strive to

Fl live likc our Lord .lesus Christ, who carrre to fulfil thc law. We voluntarily band ourselves together as a
body ofbaptized believers in Jesus Christ, baptized in the name ol "the Father, the Son and the lloly
Spirit", and personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind in ali
communities that we live.'fhe ordinances of the church are believer's baptism and the [.ord's Supper.

Fr 5.2 We affirm that the servant of God Archbishop Ernest Paul Mwazha rvas commissioned by our Lord
fesus Christ to proclaim the gospel ofJesus Christ in Africa and the world over as detailed in the
books; "The Devine Commission of Paul Mwazha of Africa Part 1 & Part 2" .

t-r ARTICE 6: CnuRcx CovrNarur

t-r 6.1 Having bcen led as we believc by the Spirit ofGod to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and
Saviour and, on the profession ofour faith, having been baptized in the name ofthe Father, and ofthe
Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in thc prcscnce of God and this assembly rnost solemnly arrd
ioyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid
t-r of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in
knowledge, holiness, and conrfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, doctrines, and discipline; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support ofthe

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ministry, the expenses ofthe church, thc reliefofthe poor, and the spreading ofthe gospel
throughout all nations. We also erlgage to uraintain family and secret devotions; to religiously cducate
our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the

n world; to bejust in our dealings, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
6.2 We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer;
to aid one anotl:er in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian
courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful ofthe
rules of our Saviour Jesus Christ to secure it rvithout delay.

F ART]CLE 7: PoLITY AND RELATIoiISHIPS

F 7.1 Persons duly received by members shall constitute the membership. Alt internal groups created and
empowered by the church shall report to and be accountable only to the church leadership, unless

r, otherwise specified.

ARTLCE 8: BY LAws

t-, 8.1 Church Membership

8.1.1 General

F This is a sovereign church under the Lordship offesus Christ. The church leadership reserves the
exclusive rigtrt to detcrmine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such
membership.

8.1.2 Candidacy

Any person nray offer hinrself or herselfas a candidate for nrernbership in this church. All such
candidates shall be preset:ted to the church at any regular church service for nrembership.
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 Should thcre be anydisserrt as to any canclidate, such clissent shall be referred
to the leadership
for investigatior"r and the nraking of a recommendation.

8.1. 3 New Member Orientation

New members of this clrurch will bc baptisecl in the name oFThe Fatier,
The Son, an4 Thc lloly
Spirit (Ref: Bhuku rcMutungamiri, cdition 3)

8.t.4 Righrs of Membcr

(1J Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections

and on all questions subrnittcd
to thc church in conferenccs. providecl the member is present.

[2) Every tnale member of the church is eligible for consideration by the leadership as caldiclate
for offices in the church.

(3J Every member of the church may participate in thc ordinances

of the church as adn.rinistered
by the church.

8.1.5 Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

(1) Death of the member.

(2) Expulsion by action ofthis church.

(3) Erasurc upon request

Any member expelled in accordance with the provisions of this constitution

shall forfeit all righs
to or claim upon, the church or its property or funds as would
have been by reason ol
membership

8.1,6 Discipline

It shall be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members

that every rcasonable measure
will be taken to assist any troubled mcmber. The leadership, or other
members of the church, are
available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of membeis
toward one another rrrrrr rr. gria"a
by a concern for red.emption rather than punishment. Should
some serious condition exist that
would cause a member to become a tiabiliry to the general welfare
of the church, the leaclership
and the secretariat will take every reasonable measure to resolve
the problenr in accordance with
Matthew 1B' If it becomes necessary for the church to take action
to expel a member, The
Archbishop solely, or a two-thirds vote of the. Board of trustees (or
national committees), is
required; and the church tnay proceed to declare the person to
be no longer in the membershrp
ofthe church' All such proceedings shall be pervadedty a spirit ofChristian
kindness and
forbearance. [Ref: Ilearing Procedure, Bukhu reMutungamlii,
edition 3J. The Archbishop may
restore to membership any person previously expetled, upon
request of the expelled p*.ron, o,
upon a vote of the Board of trustees (or national comrnittees)
sarictioned frv tfre a.cfrUirfr"p,'
upon evidence ofthe expered person's repentance and reformation.

ARTICLE 9: Cxuacx oFF,cERs AND coMMITTEEs

chr-rrch officers and conrmittee menlbers shall be male

and will be appointed in accordance witS
the qualities of an office bearer detailed in
{lTimoth y 3:l_7).

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 9.1 Church Officers

The officers olthis church shall be:

[1) The Archbishop

[2) Eldcrs
(3J Bishops
(4J Reverends
(5) Evangelists
(6J Preachers
(7J Secretaries

of the above menrioned officers is as

detairecl in the book, ,,Bhuku reMutungamiri,
*:,:rr;ry"r
pcrntanent
orricers rernovable onry by creath, resignation
Iffi:ff;.i,ijfi:|]|fflar€
0p, or a sanctioned sitting ofthe
Board ofTrustees
or
been heard. after his case has

9.2 Office of The Archbishop

9'2'1 Archbishop Ernest Paul Mamvura Mwazha is the permanent head of the African
(vaApostora veAfricaJ, and has the Apostolic Church
finar say on ali .h;;il;;;s rerating to succession.
9'2'2 In the absence of Archbishop Ernest
Paul Mwa^zha by apology, illness
Bishops (hereafter referredis the or death, a council of
Priesthooa coun.itj,?rli,r*a by
Archbishop Paul Mwazha, who are the Siorogicar sons of
bishops, shail presiae on
Authority' of the office of rhe Archbishop. ii,
i.rrrri*ith the full Delegated
Binding a".iri*, *uie by this priesthood
shalr onry be by a unanimous vote council
"i, irri'.*r.il
mal0rrty
[not viteJ sirting.

9.3 Resignation
\- 9'3'L An officer o[the church may at any time resign from
wrjting to the General Secretary. - his office at any time by giving notice
in

L' 9'3'2 A member of the board of trustees may only resign

after giving one calendar months,notice
other members of the board or Board "chairman, to all
ir to th;;lib;;;rop.

- 9.4 Church Committees

9'4"1' The committees of this church shail

be at inte'national, national, provincial,
church levels. The committe.r rro district level and
sor,;or.r.urtuur, lr'.;;;;;,"ntecs,
- and church level comrnittees and tpeciai provinciar, disrrict
committees, as the church shall authorize.
regular committees may be added
by the amendme";;;;."dr."
Additional
irescribed within these by-raws.

- 9.5 Church publicity

9'5'1 The ch,rch shall appoint a-publicity

commiftee forthe purpose of enricrring
tninistries and programs oithe church. and extending the
- An.international publicity cornmittee
with national committees to ensure .onrirt"n.y shall coorcijnate
and cooidination of publicity proiects.
and pre approve anv cr:,rch prrru.rtr", They shall
;:H:I*r u"r";;;il |ubricised into the pubrii
- 9'5'2 National and regional publicity commiftees
will progress iritiatives in their cor:stitucncies.
Publicity will be a resource centre for
the church. rrr
-r*j"."r'ir,1 ,""t to provide and
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promote the use of printed and audio

visual resources. They will also providc consultation
church readcrs and membcrs in thc use ofprintcd to
and audio visuar resources.

9.6 Board ofTrustees (BoT)

9'6'1' The Iloard of rrustees IBoTJ shall serve the

church by Ieading in planning, coordinating,
conducting' and evaluating the ministries and programs
ortnZ lhurctr. The primary functions of
the Board of Trustees shall be to recommend
to ttr"e ctrurcrr rrgg;rr.a objectives and church
goals; to review aud coordinate
ministry and programs recom"Jended by church
organizations' and cornmittees; to recomm"nd officers,
to1h. church the use of leadership, calendar tirne,
and other t'esources accot'cling to program priorities;
and to evaruate achievements in terrns of
church objectives and goals.

9'6'2 Regular members of the lloard of Trustees

shall be Archbishop Iirnest paul Mwazha, priesthoocl
council' chairman of BoT & vice chairman,
General su...tr.y'oi aoT & vice, Finance chairman
vice' Publicity chairman & vice, Transport &
chairman a riru nnd otl,er appointed BoT Bishops
opted by the Archbishop' The tsoard may at co-
any time appoint any indivicluals to sit in
advise or perform proiects related to an-y meetings ro
existing neecls.

of Trusrees stralt require the approval

of the Archbishop Enerst paul
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9.7 Church Ordinanccs

9.7.7 Baptism

This church baptises any person who

has received christ as Saviour by personal faith, and is
rt accepred into the church. (Ref. Baptism procedure, fesus
Bh;il;&;;;;;rr,r,, :;
"a,r,on
(1) Baptism is by full immersion in watcr.

\- (2) The church authorizes any male teader

to administer baptism.

(3) Apersonwhoisnotbaptizedafterareasonablelengthoftimeshallbecounselledbythe
evangetists or any leaders to be baptized
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in order to-retain ,"ru"rrrrip in the church.
9.7.2 The lloly Conrmunion

The church shall observe Holy comnrunions

r.I often as is practically possible.The Archbishop
Bishops nominared bv the Archbishop or
srrar i;orer, togerher wirh rhe
"d;;;;;;;;;;;;i
for the phvsicil preparations and assisrar:ce
in the adminisrrarion of the
;il:f;n::tponsible
it
9.8 Church Meetings

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9.8.1 Worship Services

The church shall meet regularly each Sabbath,

Tuesday_ evening and Friclay evening
times for the worship of the Almighty God. prayer, at appointed
.o.,r.rriorri,ra p.uir", preaching, instruction,
\- evangelism, faith healing ana prolnecy
rr,rtt .onriiiui. , ."*pr",. sabbath services
Hymn Book for activities during meetings).,lhe (Ref. church
the scrviccs for au the church rn'.ru.rr'rria
*rng"riri. o."rny-t""0". available shall direct
ro. urr otf,.r, *rro irJy.rroore to a*cnd.

\d women shall have special worship services

'--" every
''-'r Thursdays,
rr'urJuav>'dlru LII roles in these scrvices s
and their
lrall shadowthoseof theirhusbarrds.
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9.8.2 Special Services

Large meetings fgumano/musangano) services and atry other church meetings essential to the
aclvincement ofthe church's obiectives shall be placed on the church calendar.
9.8.3 Regular Church Meetings

The church shall holct rcgular mectings nlonthly on a dcsignated day wlrich leaders and
committee members are to attend. All meetings shall be minuted'

9.8,4 Special Church Meetings

The church rnay conduct called meetings to consider rnatters ofspecial nature and significance. A
one-week notice must be given for specially catled meetings unless extreme Lrrgency renders
such notice irnpractical. Tire notice shall include the required attendees, subiect, the date, and
time and place; and it must be given in such a manner that members have an opportrtnity to
know of the meeting. All rneetings shall be nrinuted.

9.9 Conferences

9.9.1 The church shall holcl a leader's meeting every Easter Holiday. At this meeting, the Board of
Trustees will announce the venues and dates for all major gatherings and give nraior key
performance indicators in the international and national evangelism efforts for the previous year
as well as highlight any ma;or forward plans and strategies.

9,9.2 The church shall hold a Board ofTrustees meeting before the end ofeach ycar to revierv the
Lord's work of the year, and begin forward planning for the following year'

9.9.3 Quorum
a- A quorum consists of three quarters of eligible members.who attend achurch meeting, provided
it is a sanctioned meeting or one that has becn properly called'

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9.9.4 Meeting Rules

Pertaining rules of order, the book "Bhuku reMutungamiri, edition 3", is the autllority for
procedure for all meetings ofthe church.
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ARTICLE CHURCH FINANCES AND ASSETS

r- i 0.1 l3udget

The International Flnance Committee, which is a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees, shalt
prepare and subnit to the church for approval, an inclusive budget indicating by iterns the
rrr amount needed and sought for all international, national and other expenses- Church members
will willingly make offerings for the approved budget requirements.

70.2 AccountingProcedures

All funds received for any and all purposes shall pass through the hands ofthe church treasurer,
or financial secretary, and be properly recorded in the books ofthe church. (Ref: Bhuku
r'.
reMutungamiri, edition 3). A system of accounting that will adequately provide for the handling
of all funds shall be the responsibility of the Finance Committee.
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10.3 l"iscal Year

Thc church fiscal year shall run concurrently with the church year which begins on 1 April and
ends on 30 March. A financial report for al: international, national, provincial and districts will be
produced for eacl.: tinancial year.
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10.4 Auditors

An audit commitlee will audit all church accounts bi annually.'l'hc audit committee reports
directly to the chairman ofthe board oftrustees, province or district.

10.5 llaising Funds

The church shall encourage willing rnembers to tithe (Malachi 3] or to contribute oiferings to
enable the raising offunds needed to run church programs.

1'he offering for financial support to the clrurch anci its causes, with regular, proportionate gifts,
shall not be by force, but rather by free will of members.

10.5 Banking

The church shall open and maintain bank accounts at various ievels in the name of the church as
may be determined by the designated church leaders in various at'eas.

1,0.7 Approval of payments

Any payments, whether electronic or manual will bear the approval of at least 2 officers as
detailed above, as long as they are at different levels.

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10.8 Assets

A church asset register shall be created and maintained by the finance committee. All church
assets shall be vested in the Board oftrustees as trustees ofthe church
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10.9 Borrowing

tlt Ifthcre is a need to borrow money for church purposes, a resolution may be passed by the
Archbishop to authorisc the Board of Trustees to borrow. The applicable financial charges as wcll
as any security provided rvill be made public at such conferences. Borrowing may only be used as
last resort.
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ARTICLE 11: CHURcH OPERATIoNS MANUAT

L.
11,1 The book "Bhuku reMutungamiri, edition 3" shall act as a Church Opcrations manual and will
include church policies, procedures and organization structures, depicting lines of responsibility
in the administration of the church. All leaders are expected to be in possession of this church
manual. The Board of Trustees shall maintain controlled editions oIthe manua] through the
ra Publiciry Sub-cornmittee. The Board of trustees or a special committee shall review the manual at
least every two years, with the option to recommend changcs for the Archbishop to consider. Any
church melrber or church committee may initiate a request for changes of the manual.
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11,.2 Addition, revision, or deletion of church policies rcquires:

ll.2.l Presentation by the church officer or committee to whose areas of assignment thc policy
rclatcs.

: It.2.2 Deliberation and recommendation by the Board of Trustees.

LL.2.3 Approval by the Archbishop.

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1 1.3 Procedures may be added, revised, or delcted by:

1 1.3.1 Presentation by the church officer or committee to whose areas of assignment the policy
-L relates.

11.3.2 Deliberation and recomnrendation by the Board of Trustees.

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11.3.3 ApprovalbytheArchbishop.
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L- ARTICLE 12: AMENDMEN]S

L 12.1 Changes in the constitution may be nrade at any meeting ofthe Board ofTrustees, provided each
amendrnent shall have been prcsented in writing at a previous meeting, and copies of tire proposed
i^-l amendrnent shall have been furnished to each member prese nt at the earlier meeting.

L-l 12.2 Amendments to this constitution shall be recommended by a two thirds majority vote of the Board
of Trustees by show of hands. Any recommended amendments to the constitution shall be

f-l approved by the Archbishop to take effect.

fl ARTICLE

13.1
1.3: By-!Aws, PRocEssEs AND PRocrouREs

Changes in by-larvs, processes and procedures may be made at any meeting ofthe Board of
Trustees, provided each amendment shall have been presented in writing at a previous meeting

rt 73.2
and copies of the proposed amendment shall have been furnished to each metnber prescnt at the
earlier meeting.

Amendments to by-laws, processes and procedures shall be recommended by two thirds

rt majority vote of the Board of Trustees by show of hands. Such recommended amendments shall
be approved by the Archbishop to take effect.

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EFFECTIVE FROM THE SIGNED DATE, THIS SIGNED VERSIoN oF THE CoNSTITUTIoN oF TxE AFRICAN
E
APosroLlc cHURcH (vAAPosroRA VTAFRTcA) supEisEDEs ANy AND ALL pREvtous vERstoNs oF THts
cHuRcr's coNsnrultoN.

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Srcrue o ay Txr Aacxets*op oF THE AFR,CAN Aposrouc cHUR.H L.? : ?' .:...?..:.:.L. '/.
liit:tti;t,;ltt.;y;; Ltrtt.st Pot.t! l,,itttttvL,ta r,,it:,t.1.,; jON fXtS..,..--Ie- -r.-Pr-./.-..-.Ot.f.-tr\yA*y'ffi.Otl
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Sreruso BY WrrNEss 1 r, ..&..'/. /. {...i..

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(Boord of l'rustees General Secretary)

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Prepored by'lhe African Aposto!ic Church
Ot@ eNr
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