A Draft

Constitution of
the People of
Praise 1985
A Charismatic Covenant Community
South Bend, IN
Primary leaders and founders: Paul DeCelles and Kevin Ranaghan, who were also members of “the
Council” from 1974 to 1977, along with Charismatic Protestant Brothers Bob Mumford, Ern Baxter,
Don Bascham, Derrick Prince and Charles Simpson and Sword of the Spirit leaders Ralph Martin and
Steven B Clark.

This “Draft Constitution of the People of Praise 1985” is presented for research and historical
purposes.
 DRAFT
CONSTI1UTION OF THE PEOPLE OF PRAISE

Copyright (£) 1985 by

People of Praise, Inc.
 Table of Contents

I. The Spirit and Purpose of the Community l

A. The People of Praise l
B. Covenant ' 1
C. The Covenant of the People of Praise 2
D.. Formation 2
E. Holiness 3
F. Gifts of the Spirit 4
G. Authority and Obedience 5
H. Marriage and the Family 5
I. Celibacy 6
J. Life Together .'.........•......................... 7
K. Outreach 7
L. Pastoral Care 8

II. TheStructure of the Community .. 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••• 11

A. Branches 11
B. Divisions l1
C. Areas ..................•.........•.................... 12,
D. Ji6useholds 0 •••••••••••••••••••• 12
E. Small Groups 12
F. Heads 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 13
G. Coordinators 0 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 13
H. Handmaids' 13
I. Membership 14

III. The Government of the Community 16

A.Government of a Branch 16
1. Principal Branch Coordinator , 16
2. Branch Coordinators 16
3. Executive Comm:i.ttee 18
4. Area Coordinators 18
5. Division Coordinators 18
6. Branch Assistants 18
B. Goverr~ent of a Mission Branch 19
C. Government of the \lJholeCommunity 19
1. Overall Coordinator : 19
2. Board of Governors 20
3. Office of the Overall Coordinator 21
a. Branch Relations 21
b. Officials of the Commun.ity 21
c. Program Coordinators 22
4. Coordinators' Assemblies ~.22
r:

I. The Spirit and Purpose of the Community

A. The People of Praise

Praise God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! Praise
God our Father, Creator 'of the universe. Praise Jesus Christ, his
only begotten Son, who atoned for our sins and reigns at the right hand of
the Father. Praise the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, who inspires the body
of Christ, unites it and empowers it for service.

Because our Lord loves us, he pours out his Spirit on us so that we
might be his People of Praise. Our Lord calls us to be a light to the
nations, to be a holy people. to be a community of praise, to participate
in the mission of the church in our times, and to give our lives communally
until the day when Jesus will be all in all.

Because we love our Lord in return, we labor for the renewal of the
church and for the conversion to Christ of all who do not yet know him. We
strive to lead all people into fullness of baptism in the Spirit and into
the exercise of the charismatic gifts allotted by the Holy Spirit. We
oppose in earnest the activities of Satan, who is the enemy of God and the
enemy of mankind. and we especially oppose his continuing efforts to keep
Christians divided from one another. Out of love for our Lord and for all
our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are dedicated to unity in the body
of Christ. and we share our common life and ministry with all baptized
brothers and sisters in their respective churches and denominations.

Out of love for God and for all people, we have acknowledged and
accepted his call to become the People of Praise.

B. Covenant

Jesus Christ is the mediator of a new covenant which makes us his

brothers and sisters and heirs of heaven.
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant. so that
those who are called may receive the promised eternal
inheritance (Heb. 9:15).
This covenant, inaugurated and ratified through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, incorporates us into him as one body united under its
head. We become members of Christ, continuing in our own day the ministry
of evangelization which Christ began.
And there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah.
He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me" because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim
release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord." And he closed the book, and gave
it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in
the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them,
"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing"
(Lk. 4:17-21),
We know that this ministry means death to our old selves, and may even
involve the shedding of our blood as he shed his. The new covenant is a

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covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 11:25), and it is the means
by which we commit our lifeblood to God.

As a way of rendering more specific this new covenant in Christ, the

covenant of the People of Praise establishes a Christian community. This
is the specific means by which we live out the new covenant in the blood of
Christ. This covenant inaugurates unique relationships with one another
and between the individual and the community. God is inviting us, on his
own initiative. to respond freely to his call to form a people.
But you are a chosen race. a royal priesthood. a holy nation,
God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of
him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were no people. but now you are God's people; once
you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy"
(I Pet. 2:9-10).

The statement of our

of

C. The Covenant of the People of Praise

We covenant ourselves to live our lives together in Christ

our Lord, by the power of his Spirit. We agree to become a
Christian community. to find within our fellowship the essential
core of our life in the Spirit: in worship and the sacraments,
spiritual and moral guidance service and apostolic activity. We
accept the order of this community which the Lord is establishing
with all the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially with
the foundational ministry gifts of apostles, pastors, prophets,
teachers and evangelists. We agree to obey the direction of the
Holy Spirit manifested in and through these ministries in full
harmony with the church. \.Jerecognize in the covenant a unique
relationship one to each other and between the individual and the
community. We accept the responsibility for mutual care. concern
and ministry among ourselves. We will serve one another and the
community as a whole in all needs: spiritual, material. financial.
~'Jeagree that the weekly meeting of the community is primary among
our commitments and not to be absent except for a serious reason.

D. Formation

During the period of formation, people have the opportunity to enter

fully into community life. This period lasts about three years and at most
six years ordinarily. Other than these two stages (being underway or being
a covenanted member of the community), there are no other stages of
membership. An underway commitment brings a person into full and ordinary
community life and experience.

Underway members use this period to test whether they are called by

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covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 11:25), and it is the means
by which we commit our lifeblood to God.

As a way of rendering more specific this new covenant in Christ, the

covenant of the People of Praise establishes a Christian community. This
is the specific means by which we live out the new covenant in the blood of
Christ. This covenant inaugurates unique relationships with one another
and between the individual and the community. God is inviting us, on his
own initiative. to respond freely to his call to form a people.
But you are a chosen race. a royal priesthood. a holy nation.
God's own people. that you may declare the wonderful deeds of
him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were no people. but now you are God:s people; once
you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy"
(I Pet. 2:9-10).

The statement of the covenant and its explication are the form of our
life together in community. Haking this covenant is the means to full
membership in the conmlUnity. No one is allowed to make the covenant
without an adequate period of formation and preparation. It is expected
that those who make the covenant are making a definitive choice of a
particular mode of life lived in response to an invitation by the Spirit of
God.

We covenant ourselves to live our lives together in Christ

our Lord. by the power of his Spirit. We agree to become a
Christian community. to find within our fellowship the essential
core of our life in the Spirit: in worship and the sacraments,
spiritual and moral guidance service and apostolic activity. We
accept the order of this community which the Lord is establishing
with all the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit. especially with
the foundational ministry gifts of apostles. pastors, prophets,
teachers and evangelists. We agree to obey the direction of the
Holy Spirit manifested in and through these ministries in full
harmony with the church. We recognize in the covenant a unique
relationship one to each other and between the individual and the
community. We accept the responsibility for mutual care. concern
and ministry among ourselves. He will serve one another and the
community as a whole in all needs: spiritual, material. financial.
We agree that the weekly meeting of the community is primary among
our commitments and not to be absent except for a serious reason.

D. Formation

During the period of formation, people have the opportunity to enter

fully into community life. This period lasts about three years and at most
six years ordinarily. Other than these two stages (being underway or being
a covenanted member of the community), there are no other stages of
membership. An underway commitment brings a person into full and ordinary
community life and experience.

Underway members use this period to test whether they are cal1ed by

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intercession, participation in the exercise of charismatic word gifts,
readings from Scripture, personal sharings and appropriate teachings.

We observe the liturgical seasons. especially with major celebrations

at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Particular emphasis is placed upon
keeping the Lord's Day holy, so that we are especially conscious of his
presence with us.

The People of Praise strive for the detachment of heart our Lord
revealed in the Beatitudes, which characterizes the people of God
everywher e at all times.

L_ Gift.§ of the Spirit

Several notable influences have shaped the life of the community in a

foundational sense. From the Cursillo movement we have learned of the
necessity for smal Lvg roup gatherings. the importance of a weekly community
meeting and the seriousness of the Lord1s call to evangelize. From
liturgical movements we have learned to celebrate and respect the various
liturgical traditions and feasts.

Another influence has been the charismatic movement. From this source
have come a love for the living word of Scripture, our recognition of the
centrality of baptism in the Spirit in Christian experience. our initial
understanding that the charismatic gifts are for the strength to live the
daily Christian life and our commitment to the unity of all who are one in
the Spirit.

All those who desire to join the People of Praise are prayed with to
be baptized in the Spirit for the release of the charismatic gifts-if they
have not been prayed with previously. Gifts of tongues and prophecy are
particularly encouraged, lest the Spirit be quenched.

Love is the indispensible foundation for the orderly exercise of

charismatic gifts, as well as being their ultimate fruit.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
love. I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have
prophetic powers. and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith. so as to remove mountains, but have not
love. I am nothing. If I give away all I have. and if I deliver
my body to be burned, but have not love. I gain nothing
(I Cor. 13:1-3).

On that claymany will say to me . "Lord. Lord, did we not prophesy

in your name. and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty
works in your name?" And then wil1 I say to them. "I never knew you;
depart from me, you evildoers" (Ht. 7:22-23).

This love must first be found in the love held and manifested for the
brothers and sisters of the People of Praise. As the Apostle says.
If anyone says. "I love God," and hates his brother. he is a liar;
for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen. cannot love
God whom he has not seen (I In. 4:20).

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 G. Authority and Obedience

All authentic authority is generated by Jesus Christ as head of his

body, the church. All members of the body are subordinated, that is, find
their proper function and order, under Jesus Christ the Lord. Normal
bodily growth and functioning requires that each member make his or her
distinctive contribution in the proper order, as St. Paul says, referring
to charismatic gifts. "Let all be done decently and in order" (I Cor.
14:40). Though gifts differ from individual to individual, no gift makes
one person more important than another.

Yet there are some gifts which are keyed to the overall health of the
whole body. and those who are given these gifts accept the burdens which
come from major responsibilities. They know that all of us will be asked
by God to account for the ways we have used the gifts he has given us. and
that the exercise of authority must be modelled upon the example of Jesus
himself. who washed the feet of the Apostles and declared that he came to
serve, not to be served (Mt. 20:28).

Just as authority must be exercised after the example of Christ, so

must it be received after the example of him who "went down to Nazareth and
was subject to them. and his mother kept all these things in her heart"
(LIe.2:51). Memhers of the People of Praise cooperate with the exercise of
authority in all good things. Obedience to authority and submission to
headship are active responses to the gifts of God.
Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping
watch over your souls, as men who will have to give an account.
Let them do this joyfully. and not sadly. for that would be of
no advantage to you (Heb. 13:17).
Of course, each member in submission to authority remains personally
accountable to God for his decisions.

Authority, responsibility and charismatic gifts are closely related.

Each person receives. along with his God--given gifts for the common good,
the responsibility to exercise them and the authority to exercise them in
good order. Harmony in the body results when each member functions
according to God's plan.

Authority rests in the person who has responsibility. It is. in fact,

the God-given equipment to a~complish the task imposed. Hence, all in some
measure possess authority over the work of their hands. Like craftsmen at
work on the temple of God, all musi take care how they build, so that the
Lord may say to each one, "Hell done, good and faithful servant" (Ht.
25:21).

Those in authority for the community should "preach the word, be

urgent in season and out of season, convince. rebuke. exhort, be unfailing
in patience" (2 Tim. 4:2). And they should "admonish the idle. encourage
the fainthearted. help the weak. be patie~t with them all" (I Th. 5:14).

The unity wh i ch we all share in Christ as brothers and sisters is the

model for family relationships in the People of Praise.

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 Go, tell my brothers that I am going up to my Father and to your
Father. to my God and to your God (In. 20:17).
Husband and wife recognize that conjugal love is a more profound expression
of the brotherly love which is already theirs as Christian man and
Christian woman. Likewise. children are not in any way second-class
members of God s family, but "little brothers and sisters," and they are
encouraged to participate in community life gradually as their capacities
develop and God"s grace makes it possible.

The People of Praise can be characterized as a family of families.

Families retain their identities as natural units under the overall
authority of the father. The openness to holiness and spiritual wisdom of
the mother and father are manifest in the good order and peace of the
family" The parents must be the first and best teachers of their children.
Just as there is an order in the Trinity based on the Father, so there is a
familial order based on the father.

In a common life with other families and with single people, as well
as their natural families, children grow up with a wealth of Christian
experience and life styles surrounding them. This affords them a wide
range of role models for their choice of profession and state in life.

Marriage. as a total, irrevocable and undivided surrender and

commitment to the love of another person, actually reflects the love of
Christ for his bride, the church.

I. Celibacy

The People of Praise includes men and women who have chosen to be
single for the Lord, some of whom are ordained clergy.

The single state, just as the married state, is embraced for the sake
of the kingdom. "Each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind
and one another" (I Cor. 7:7). It is one of the greatest personal
responsibilities to discern the right choice in this regard. The decision
must be personal and totally free. Pastoral care will insist that the
decision, while individual, is not individualist, and, while free, is
genuine obedience to God's call.

Just as the marriage covenant in its exuberant love opens out to new
life and is of its nature creative, so the love covenanted between the
celibate person and the Lord is likewise creative. for it is entered upon
only for the sake of the kingdom.

Just as marriage is a total. irrevocable and undivided surrender and

commitment to the love of another, so the celibate life should be regarded
as a total, irrevocable and undivided surrender to the love of Jesus
Christ. Just as married life manifests the union of Jesus with his church,
so the celibate life manifests that undivided heart to which every
Christian is called.

hThile families will ordinarily constitute the majority of the

community, celibacy is cherished as a gift to the whole body, and the love
and encouragement of the whole community supports those with this gift.

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 J. Life Together

Jesus Christ came to establish a people through a new and everlasting

covenant. The 12 Apostles were the successors of the 12 Tribes of Israel
and the foundation of the people of God. Jesus made it that we should
always be together with hin~-this is the secret of unity.

God wants to unite all things in Christ.

For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the
mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set
forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to
unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on
earth (Eph. 1:9,10).

To realize this plan of unity, "we accept the responsibility for

mutual care, concern and ministry among ourselves. We will serve one
another and the community as a whole in all needs: spiritual, material,
financial" (from the covenant).

Our aim is unity, not uniformity. This unity is first of all to be,
as Scripture says, a unity of mind and heart, a unity realized in diversity
that respects the unique gifts of each person as they are realized within
the community.

This unity will not be realized instantaneously nor perfectly. There

was quarreling and rivalry for position among the Apostles. as well as
anger and jealousy. \~e need to grow even as they needed to grow. This
growth will inevitably involve mercy. sorrow and forgiveness, as we fail in
love and forbearance and seek reconciliation.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar. and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave
your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled
to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Mt. 5:23,24).

Now if your experience of Christ's encouragement and love means

anything to you, if you have known something of the fellowship of
the Spirit, and all that it means in kindness and deep sympathy,
do make my best hopes for you come true! Live together in harmony,
live together in love, as .though you had only one mind and one
spirit between you. Never act from motives of rivalry or personal
vanity, but in humility think more of one another than you do of
yourselves. None of you should think only of his own affairs, but
each should-learn to see things from other people'S point of view
(Phil. 2:1-5).

K. Outreach

Like Jesus, whose " ...heart was touched with pity for them because
they seemed to him like sheep \Vithout a shepherd" (Mk. 6: 3L,) , we yearn for
the salvation of "all ~ho are lost. This is the ultimate and controlling
rationale for all o~r apostolic activities.

One of our basic'aims is to build a better world which is more

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conducive to Christian living. This means some members work in the secular
environment. bringing excellence to their work as a service to mankind and
letting this service be infused with the spirit of the gospel. This
service also takes the needy into account: "the blind see, the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed and the poor have the Good News preached to them"
(Nt- 11:5).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit including the charismatic gifts is an

essential part of our outreach.
I baptize you with water for repentance. but he who is coming
after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to
carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire
(Ht. 3:11-12).

Another aim of our apostolic action is to confirm the family in its

vocation by establishing right order in its spirituality and
relationships.
Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives,
be subject to your husbands. as to the Lord. For the husband
is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. his
body, and is himself its Savior. As the church is subject to
Christ. so let wives also be subject in everything to their
husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having
cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might
present the church to himself in splendor. without spot or wrinkle
or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish ...
obey your parents in the Lord. for this is right ... Fathers, do not
provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline
and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 5:21-6:4).

Furthermore, we wish to educate children in a true and integral

Christian humanism. To this end we establish schools, as well as provide
retreats and seminars for youth. We want to be involved in all that is
good in the culture of the world knowing that science, art and music are
means of human refinement and that industry and commerce are means of human
service. This implies a certain unique cultural development in the People
of Praise which we wish to transmit to our children -- Christian concepts
of freedom and the ascendancy of the spirit in mankind.

\lJewant to be a light to the nations: through scholarly and pastoral

publications. by bringing the Good News to the poor nations and areas where
people are persecuted or the dignity of mankind is assailed, by sharing our
knowledge and experience in the formation of com~unity in order to restore
communal life. especially among the laity.

L. Pastoral Care

Scripture describes the heart of pastoral care in the conh~unity:

If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray,
does he not leave the ninety· nine on the mountains and go in
search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly,
I say to you. he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-~ine
that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who

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 is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish
(Mt. 18:10-14).

Pastoral care is a normal and regular part of life for all ,members of.
the community. It is not limit~d to the spiritual dimensionof.life but
'seeks to help the person to grow in righteousness, holiness, love cifthe
.brothers. sensitivity to the needs of the world all that constitutes
Christian ,maturity.

Pastoral tare is a ministry of one person for another. It fosters

relationships of love, service and charismatic ministry. It operates under
the care and direction of the leaders of the community for the growth of .
the individual and the building up of the body ..

Men and women with the appropriate gifts are assigned to this service
by the coordi~ators. In general, they give prayerful advice and
correction. They intercede w i t h the Lord for those. in their care. help
.themtb hear the Lord. to discover his'will and they encourage them to
embrace that will The spirit of the relationship is that of mutual
.< cooperation'. love and trust. .

. And his gifts were that some should be·apostles, some prophets,
~ome evangelists, some ~astors and teach~rs. to.equip the saints
·.for the work of ministry, for- building up the body of Christ;
.until we all attain to .the unity of the faith and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to'mature manhood, to the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and carried abotit with every wind of doctrine. by
the Cunnin~ of men. by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather,
speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him·
who is the head. into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and
knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, ~hen each
,part fs working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in
. love (Eph.4:ll-l7).

Out of Love , a leader can ur ge a person to respond freely to a grace

·or call which a person has received from God, for example to give all one's
'goods to the poor or to leave one s home for the sake of the kingdom.

There can 'be no 'guarantee that direction given by a leaderwi11 a lways

'. 'be right .·andb~neficial. Because .human r eLat i orishf.ps undergo change , even,
, -t he best pastoral rel'ationship way become .a hindrance rather than a help to
grqwt!1.inChrist;. Each person has the'obligation to participate in the -
·...:-"'i:IEtcis~bnsand
..
c!·irect'ions
that .af f ec t his life. He.also must experience the
freedo~ to appeal suth detisionsand directions to higher authority in the
commun Lt.y.

Finally "let those who are pas t.or'a

l.Ly responsible for .member s of the,
. body' fo.l Low..~the..
instruction of Peter:

Now may' I•who' am myself an elder say award to you ..my fellow
'.
elders? I speak as one who actually saw Christ suffer, and'fis one
who will share withyouthe'gior~es that are to be unfolded to us.
,Iu~~~ you then to see that ~ou~ 'flock of Godl is properly fed and

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cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them
willingly and not because you feel you can't get out of it, doing
your work not for what you can make, but because you are really
concerned for their well-being. You should aim not at being 'little
tin gods' but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the
flock committed to your charge. And then, when the chief shepherd
reveals himself, you will receive that crown of glory which cannot
fade (I Pt. 5:1·-5).

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II. The Structure of the Community

The People of Praise is structured according to branches and program

offices for its life and work. Branches may be further subdivided
according to areas and divisions. Areas are specified locales of communal
life; divisions perform projects for program offices.

A. Branches
1. A branch is made up of a mlnlmum of 40 covenanted members.
2. Areas are geographical subdivisions of a branch. Therefore, each
branch is made up of at least one area.
3. Each branch comprises a unique geographical territory.
4. To establish a new branch or new mission branch there must be
sufficient evidence that it will be successful in attracting
members and leadership from its own t~rritory and show evidence of
becomingfinanciallY'stable.
5. Each branch has the right:
a. To accept and train new members.
b. To provide suitable formation for its members.
c. To hold branch coordinators' meetings.
d. To send its principal branch coordinator to People of
Praise cootdinators1 assemblies. '
6. The Board of Governors has the power to establish new branches
and divide,join or disband those already existing.
7. Mission branchei
a. A group of members of the community may live according to the
covenant in a mission branch, wh i ch has not yet fulfilled the
requirement for full branch status.
b. The overall coordinator can accept them as members of the
community, and establish or disband a mission branch.
c. A mission branch has the rights and obligations of a branch,
except to take part in People of Praise coordinators'
assemblies. '
8. If, for a period of,3 years a branch has fewer than 40 covenanted
members, the overall cooroo.nator can declare that it no longer
has the right to take part in coordinators' assemblies.
9. When a branch regains the necessary qualifications for a period
of 3 years, the overall coordinator must declare that all its
rights are restored. ',The overall coordinator is empowered to
restor~ to a branth the right to t~ke,part in coordinators
assemblies if the branch-regains the necessary qu~lifications and
shows signs of sustaining them before the period of 3 years is
ended. ' '
10. A branch may not establish a work in the territory of another
branch without the cdnsent of the overall coordinator and of the
branch ccoor dLnators of the branch where the "new,work is to be '
situat,ed., "
11. A branch is ranked accor d i ng.vt.o - the time of its establishment;

B. Divisions
1. A division may be estiblished ~ithin a branch in order to provide
support and .a pattern-of life for people who work on projects for
program offices:

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- , .~ J
 2. The initiative for establishing a division and the recommendation
for the appointment of its head can come from the branch
coordinators. The overall coordinator establishes the division
and appoints its head, both decisions being subject to
confirmation by the Board of Governors.
3. The head of a division is the division coordinator.
4. Tenured coordinators may be assigned to divisions, but they do not
become division coordinators thereby.
5. The overall coordinator assigns members to a division after
consultation with the principal branch coordinator.

C. Areas
1. Areas are the first geographical subdivision of a branch.
2. An area must not ~xceed 100 underway and covenanted members.
3. The head of an area is the area coordinator.
4. To establish or eliminate an area the following things are
required.
a. A petition to the overall coordinator from the branch
coordinators giving the reasons.
b. Approval by the overall coordinator.
c. An authorization signed by the overall coordinator, which is
necessary for validity.
5. Minor changes in area boundaries will be decided by the branch
coordinators.
6. Area Leaders
a. If an area is large enough. the area coordinator may request
assistants called area leaders to help with the pastoral care
of the area.
b. Area leaders are appointed by the body of branch coordinators.
c. The area leader council is the weekly meeting of an area
coordinator and his area leaders for the purpose of pastoral
care of the area. Coordinators ",ho are being trained by being
assigned to work in an area for an area coordinator may also
attend the area leader council as well as anyone else the area
coordinator may wish to invite.

D. Households
1. Households are a normal living situation in the community.
2. A household includes some members who are not related by
blood, marriage or adoption.
3. If a family lives in a household, normally the head of the family
is the head of the household. The head of a household is
appointed by the area coordinator or division coordinator except
in the case of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood.

E. Small Groups
1. Small groups of men and small groups of women comprise cells of
the community. Normally, a small group is bigger than 2 and
smaller than 6 members.
2. Each member assigned to an area must belong to a small group.
a. Each group has a head assigned by the area coordinator in
consultation with his area leaders or handmaids.
b. Normally the head of the men's group is the head of each man
in the group and is responsible for him pastorally.

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 c. The head of a womenls group is normally not the head of any
woman in the group.
d. The small groups meet weekly.
3. Divisions may also have small groups.
a. They meet as specified in the division pattern of life.
b. The head of the group is assigned by the head of the division

F. Heads
1. Each member of the community will have a head who is responsible
for his or her pastoral care.
2. A head is appointed bya branch coordinator after consultation
with both the parties involved.
3. The heads of the coordinators are appointed by the overall
coordinator in consultation with the respective coordinators.

G. Coordinators
1. Coordinators are the men who lead the community. They are the
area coordinators, division coordinators, other tenured
-coordinators, program coordinators, principal branch coordinators,
~e~d coordinators and-the overall coordinator.
2 .. Area coordinators may be appoirited
~~Fcira on~year ~erm as a nonvoting coordinator for the
purposes of training or for a three-·year term as a voting
coordinator. The one-year training period is only provided
when someone is first appointed to ~e an area coordinator.
b ...The deci.si.onas to whether a coordinat.or is initially to serve
-as a nonvoting coordinator or as a voting coordinator is
made by the overall coordinator after consulting with the
branch coordinators. .
3.. After serving his first three-year term as a voting coordinator,
the area coordinator could cease to be a coordinator or could be
nominated to take a second term of three years. He could be
nominated to take a third consecutive three year term, but not
without b~ihg-given tenure. He may not serve a fourth consecutive
term.
4. At the end of the first voting term area coordinators are eligible
for tenure which is granted by the Board of Gov~rnors. .
5. Area coordinators may be reappoirited at a.later time if they are
not reappointed to a ~onsecutive second term or do not receive
tenure. ,
6. Division coord i nators and :pfogram coordinators do not;have a
,'speci'fiedtermof 'office. They'may attain tenure after three
years of service. .They may not ·serve.a'sa:division coordinator or
.program coordinator more than six years without tenure.
7. The principal branch coordinator must already be tenured when he
begins his first -t.errn. . '
8. -A't.enured coordi.nat.orhas the..rank of -coordinator, for life.
9,. Any-covenanted man in the community' may be made a.'coordinator.

H. Handmaids-
.1. Handmaids are women leader's of the community.
2. .They receive their of f i ce for 't hree years by re l.ectLon by the
branch coordinatbrsafter consultation with members. of the branch

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 and confirmation by the overall coordinator. There are no limits
to the number of terms they may serve.
3. They represent to the branch coordinators the concerns of all the
women in the branch.
4. They can assist the branch coordinators in the formation of
women's groups and pastoral care of women in the branch.
5. They assist in the formation of teachings of the community and
especially those that pertain to women.
6. Any covenanted woman in the con®unity may be a handmaid.
7. The handmaids will elect a principal handmaid to serve as a
special assistant to the principal branch coordinator.

I. Membership
1. Underway Commitment
a. Individuals who wish to come underway in the community must
talk to the principal branch coordinator or his delegate. He
makes the decision whether to bring the candidate underway in
the People of Praise.
b. One becomes a member of the community when the appropriate
principal branch coordinator accepts the candidate's underway
commitment to the People of Praise.
c. Each member is affiliated with a branch unless otherwise
assigned by the overall coordinator.
d. Transfer from one branch to another can be made by the overall
coordinator with the consent of the principal branch
coordinators of the respective branches.
e. An underway commitment is for the purpose of formation.
f. Those in formation are expected to live the ordinary life
of the community. The period of formation shaH last
ordinarily three (3) years and maximally six (6) years.
Exceptions may be made by the Board of Governors.
g. To join the community one must be a baptized Christian who
professes the Nicene Creed.
2. Covenant Commitment
a. The covenant of the People of Praise is an agreement between
the individual and the other covenanted members of the
community. It establishes a relationship and is a definitive
act by which a person becomes a permanent member of the
community.
b. Invitation to make the covenant at the end of the period of
formation is extended by the branch coordinators on behalf of
the Board of Governors. The branch coordinators make the
decision as to who will be invited to make the covenant.
c. Nak i ng the covenant is a permanent, personal commitment.
d. The overall coordinator or his delegate receives the covenant
commitment on behalf of the Board of Governors.
e. Members must be at least 21 years of age to make the covenant.
f. All prior legitimate covenants entered into by members of the
community remain valid after making the covenant.
3. Leaving the community
a. Underway members
1. Underway members may leave the community at any time but
this decision ought to be made seriously and in
consultation with those who have pastoral care for them in

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 the community.
2. If, after a reasonable period of time, the candidate has
been unable to demonstrate his ability to understand the
covenant or live in peace and unity according to the
covenant, the principal branch coordinator, in
consultation with the branch coordinators, may decide to
tell an underway member to leave the community.
b. Covenant members
1. The overall coordinator. on behalf of the Board of
Governors. may release someone for right reasons.
2. The overall coordinator. on behalf of the Board of
Governors, can dismiss a person from the community for a
major violation of the covenant agreement. The dismissal
can be appealed to the Board of Governors.
4. Assignment
a. An assignment is the appointment of a community member to a
particular branch or work.
b. Assignment outside one's own branch for reasons of study does
not confer rights pertaining to other branches.
c. Every member should have an assignment to an area as soon as
he has made his underway commitment and this assignment in
itself is without time limitation. An assignment to a work or
a period of study lasts for a designated time. When it is
terminated the assignment to an area comes back into force.
d. The Board of Governors or the overall coordinator acting alone
can assign covenanted members to any branch or division
without restriction. The people directly affected should be
consulted before the assignment is made.
e. A member assigned to a branch by the overall coordinator or
the Board of Governors should also be given an assignment to
an area or a division.
f. Direct assignments should be made in writing to the assignee.
g. Letters of assignment should be read as soon as possible,
at least within two weeks of receiving them, in the presence
of the branch to which the member is assigned. They take
effect immediately even if the member is not present himself.
h. The principal branch coordinator should inform the principal
branch coordinator of the former branch of assignment of the
fact of the reading.

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III. The Government of the Community

A. Government of a Branch
1. ,Principal Branch Coordinator
a. The principal branch coordinator is the head of the branch.
b. His authority in the branch is analogous to that of the
overall coordinator in the whole community. He has the
authority which the area coordinator has over his area and a
division coordinator has over his division.
c. The duties of the principal branch coordinator are:
1. To lead the branch coordinators to a higher degree of
unity of mind and heart in governing the branch.
2. To foster brotherhood and sisterhood, a spirit of self
control and zeal for the work of the Lord among all
members of the community.
3. To provide all that community members need.
4. To 'see to it that all members carry out their own
responsibilities ..
5. To serve a'sthe link between the overall coordinator and
the branch.
6. To submit branch budget proposals to the overall
coordinator. . '
7. 'To at.tend coodinators' assemblies.
8. To submit monthly branch reports to the overall
coordinator. .
9. To head the.a~ea'c~ordinators' meeting and branch
coordinators' meeting. '"
d. He is the head of the branch executive committee.
e. Three months before leaving office he should send a report on
the state of the branch to the overall coordinator so that the
report reaches him before the new appointment.
f. 1be principal branch coordinator should have a register in
which he records his official acts.
g. The principal branch coordinator receives his office as
follows. The branch coordinators nominate three candidates
from among the branch coordinators and any other candidates
listed as eligible by the overall coordinator. The overall
coordinator appoints one of them. The appointment must be
confirmed by the Board of Governors. The term of office is
six years. He can be ,appointed for a second term of six years
,but not immediately for it third term without a dispensation by
the Board of Governors.'
h. When the principal branch coordinator'is absent from the
branch be ,should appoint aD acting principal branch
coordinator. If no such acting principal branch coordinator
1,s'appointed, the highest-ranking executive committee member
automatically becomes acting principal branch'coordinator.
i. If t.he principal br anch coordinator dies or, is removed from
offdce before the end of his term the highest-ranking
executive committee member assumes the principal branch
.coordinator! S .office until an appointment can be made.
2. Branch Coordinators
a. The principal branch coordinator, area coordinators and
division coordinators are the branch'coordinators in a given

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 ~- - -----_. ---

branch.
b. Each branch has a right to have branch coordinators, one of
whom is the principal branch coordinator.
c. The branch coordinators' meeting, over which the principal
branch coordinator presides, is the meeting of the branch
coordinators. Matters pertaining to the life and apostolate
of the branch are decided at the meeting. They also appoint
branch assistants at this meeting. Any other coordinator
residing in the branch may be invited by the principal branch
coordinator to attend the branch coordinators' meeting as a
nonvoting participant. (Note that in the Constitution,
unless otherwise stipulated, a quorum requires 2/3 of the
voting members.)
d. The branch coordinators meet at least once a month.
e. When nominees must be selected for the office of principal
branch coordinator an extraordinary branch coordinators'
meeting may be held.
f. A secretary appointed by the principal branch coordinator must
keep minutes of each branch coordinators' meeting and the
minutes must be signed by the principal branch coordinator and
the secretary after they have been approved at the next branch
coordinators' meeting. Each branch coordinator must receive a
copy and the secretary must keep the original in the branch
archives.
g. The decisions of the branch coordinators can be acted upon
before the minutes are approved and that action will be
considered legitimate as long as it corresponds to the minutes
later approved.
h. The principal branch coordinator cannot change or revoke any
of the decisions of the branch coordinators nor may the branch
coordinators give him the power to do so. He can, however,
interpret them and in special cases dispense from them.
i. The duties of the branch coordinators are:
1. To have pastoral care in the branch, especially for the
elderly, widows, women and children.
2. To implement pastoral policies applicable to the branch.
3. To recommend to the principal branch coordinator who
should be brought underway in the branch and recommend
who should make the covenant of the community.
4. To draw up the budget for the branch.
5. To plan the annual community celebration in the branch.
6. To run and oversee the community meeting.
7. To have responsibility for the ministries of a branch.
8. To maintain fervor for evangelization in the members.
9. To submit agenda items for their meetings.
J. The branch coordinators function by 2/3 majority vote of those
present. However, the goal of the branch coordinators'
meetings is to hear and discern the will of God as revealed by
the Holy Spirit. The branch coordinators, therefore, should
always strive for unity of mind and heart.
k. An agenda listing the topics to be treated in the meeting,
should be sent to all branch coordinators by the principal
branch coordinator in good time, unless the matter is urgent.

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 3. Executive Committee
a. The executive committee consists of coordinators who are
selected by the principal branch coordinator and confirmed by
the branch coordinators.
b. TIley will advise the principal branch coordinator and assist
him in the performance of his duties.
c. Any coordinator in the branch is eligible to serve on the
branch's executa ve committee.
4. Area coordinators
a. Have pastoral responsibility for members belonging to their
areas.
b. Oversee personnel assignments for service in the branch.
c. Head the work of the handmaids in their areas.
d. Have special zeal for household living.
e. Plan the area meetings of the corr~unity.
f. The area coordinators normally meet together on a weekly basis
except in those weeks in which there is a branch coordinators'
meeting. The meetings are for the purpose of brotherly
sharing and to work on pastoral situations in the areas. These
meetings are to have a secretary. Decisions are made by 2/3
majority vote of those present.
g. An area coordinator is appointed in the following manner. v.1hen
asked by the branch coordinators, the covenanted members of
the branch nominate three men from their branch. The overall
coordinator appoints one of them coordinator. The appointment
must be confirmed by the Board of Governors. Division
coordinators, program coordinators and other coordinators
serving in the office of the overall coordinator are not
eligible for nomination to become area coordinators unless
their names appear on the overall coordinator's list of
eligible candidates.
5. Division coordinators
a. Are appointed by the overall coordinator in consultation with
the branch coordinators and confirmed by the Board of
Governors.
b. Have responsibility for the work of the division.
c. Report to the program office responsible for their projects.
d. Oversee finances of their division projects and develop the
budgets for their divisional projects. They are accountable
to the program offices for which they are doing projects.
e~ Have responsibility for the pattern of life in their
respective division:
f. Attend the monthly branch coordinators' meeting.
g. Are accountable to the prinCipal branch .coordinator on
Pastoral issues in their'division .
.6. Branch assistants
a. The branch coordinators may select assistants to help them in
the work, and life. of the community.·
b. Branch assistants are:
1. .).rea.leaders.
2. Handmaids.
3. Ministry heads (e .g., music, youth, etc.).

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B. Government of a Hission Branch
1. The mission branch \ViII be governed in one of the fo1lowing ways:
a. By the overall coordinator with the assistance of the branch
relations council.
b. By the overall coordinator with the assistance of the mission
program office.
c. By the government of a branch if that branch is responsible
for the mission branch.
2. In each case the overall coordinator will decide which of these 3
ways will be used.
3. The mission branch selects a council of resident members to
administer the mission branch under the direction of the
responsible agent of the parent branch or the mission program
office or the branch relations council.
4. Members of mission branches are invited to make the covenant by
the overall coordinator or his delegate for this purpose.

C. Government of the w110le Community

1. Overall coordinator
a. The overall coordinator is the principle of unity in the whole
community and as such he is the proper superior of every
member on behalf of the Board of Governors.
b. He is elected by the Board of Governors for a 12-·year term of
office which is only renewable for six years more.
c. Duties of the overall coordinator:
1. He is the chairman of the Board of Governors.
2. The overall coordinator or his delegate should visit each
branch of the community every year.
3. The overall coordinator can appoint officials to assist
him, either with respect to the whole community or
with respect to one or more branches or with respect to
one or more divisions. These appointments must be
confirmed by the Board of Governors.
4. The overall coordinator can not change the acts and
decrees of the Board of Governors, but he and he alone can
dispense from them and clarify ambiguities about them.
d. If the overall coordinator is.incapacitated for a period of
time greater than one month he must appoint an acting overall
coordinator to take his place until he can resume his duties.
The selection of the acting overall coordinator is subject to
the approval' of the Board of Governors. If the overall
coordinator is incapacitated fo!,more than one year he must
resign.
e. If the overall coordinator dies or is removed from office, the
ranking Board of Governors member automatically has the power
of the acting overall coordinator.
f. The Board of Governors, however, should meet as soon as
possible to elect an acting overall coordinator from among the
Board of Governors.
g. Withiri 60 d~ys of his election it is the buSiness of the
acting overall coordinator to summon the Board of Governors to
elect the next overall coordinator, to prepare the meeting and
to preside at the election of the overall coordinator. He may
not make any change in the state of the community while he is

-19-
 serving as acting overall coordinator.
h. Election of overall coordinator
l. The overall coordinator of the community is always elected
in a Board of Governors meeting especially summoned for
that purpose. .
2. To be eligible as a overall coordinator, it is required
that a brother be a tenured coordinator, not less than
thirty-five years of age and have completed ten years
since becoming a member of the community and also that he
be prudent, charitable and zealous for the life and works
of the cownunity.
3. The president of the election shall be the outgoing
overall coordinator or the acting overall coordinator.
4. The electors, summoned by the president, can hold a caucus
the day before the election about the overall coordinator
to be elected.
5. Elections shall be carried out as specified in the method
of voting except that:
a. The balloting is to be repeated until some brother is
elected by a two-thirds majority of the votes no
abstentions being permitted.
b. The electors lIlaynot hold a caucus once the election
has begun.
c. A faithful account of the whole election with the
results of the various ballotings shall be given in
the minutes of the assembly.
d. Election of the overall coordinator does not need
confirmation.
e. Tne one elected is to be notified and, if he should
Dot be present, he shall come to the assembly as soon
as possible.
f. The brother elected, unless he has serious reaSODS
against it, accepts the election. If he does not
accept and the Board of Governors agrees to his
refusal. they shall proc~ed at once to a new election.
g. Once the election has been carried out and accepted,
the name of the brother elected shall be made known
throughout the community.
2. Board of Governors
a. The Board of Governors, which has the highest authority in the
community, is an assembly of head coordinators met to discuss
and decide matters concerning the good of the community and,
when necessary, to elect a new overall coordinator. Decisions
are made by a 2/3 majority. 1be Board of Governors, however,
should always strive for consensus and for unity of mind and
heart regarding the community.
"b. Membership
'1. The head coordinators comprise the Board of Governors of
,' the community.
2. A head coordinator is elected byabsolut~ majority by
the head coordinators, the overall coordinator, any prior
overall coordinators, the program coordinators and the
principal branch coordinators at a People of Praise
coordinators' assembly for a term of six years, renewable

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 for six years more.
3. Head coordinators must be selected from the tenured
coordinators of the community.
c. Responsibilities of the Board of Governors are:
1. To elect the overall coordinator of the community by
a 2/3 majority vote.
2. To remove the overall coordinator for just cause.
3. To establish new branches.
4. To determine the official teachings of the community.
5. To determine the major policies of the community.
6. To approve the budget.
7. To approve the patterns of life within the whole
community.
8. To be responsible for the purchasing or alienation of
community property and real estate.
9. To confirm appointments by the overall coordinator.
10. To interpret the constitutionality of various actions of
the overall coordinator, principal branch coordinators,
etc.
d. The Board of Governors meets at least once a year. The
meetings are called by the overall coordinator but the Board
ma~meet without the permission of the overall coordinator
under special circumstances.
e. The number of Board of Governors may not exceed 11, including
the overall coordinator.
3. The Office of the Overall Coordinator
a. Branch Relations
1. The Branch Relations Council is presided over by the
overall coordinator or his representative. It is
comprised of the overall coordinator, branch liaisons, and
assistants to the overall coordinator.
2. The branch liaisons aid the overall coordinator in
transacting and transmitting the business of the branches
or mission branches, but they are not properly
representatives of the branches.
3. They are appointed by the overall coordinator after
consulting the principal branch coordinators of the
branches with which they transact affairs and are
confirmed by the Board of Governors.
4. Assistants are appointed by the overall coordinator to aid
the branch liaisons in their work. These appointments
need no confirmation.
b. Officials of the Community
1. The following officials are appointed and removed at the
discretion of the overall coordinator:
a) Legal counsel
b) Treasurer
c) Denominational liaison officers
-Cannot be an acting overal1- coordinator.
-Should relate with various church governments with
whatever power the overall coordinator grants to him.
d) Director of the Institute for Theological and Pastoral
Studies
-Assists the overall coordinator and Board of

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 Governors in the development of teachings for the
community.
-Is responsible for the intellectual formation of the
members.
e) Secretary
-Heads the general secretariat.
--Secretary for the branch relations council without
having a vote.
f) Public information officer
2. These officers remain in office if the overall
coordinator's office is vacant until the new overall
coordinator makes other arrangements.
c. Program Coordinators
1. The following program coordinators are appointed and
removed at the discretion of the overall coordinator after
consultation with the principal branch coordinators and
other program coordinators. Their appointment must be
confirmed by the Board of Governors.
a. Coordinator of Hissions
b. Coordinator of Publications
c. Coordinator of the Christian Life Movement
d. Coordinator of the Action Movement
e. Coordinator of Education
2. Program Coordinators' Council
a. The program coordinators' council, presided over by
the overall coordinator or his representative, is
comprised of the program coordinators and any other
officials or assistants the overall coordinator
summons to the meeting.
4. People of Praise Coordinators' Assemblies
a. The coordinators' assemblies are assemblies of brothers from
the branches and program offices met to discuss and/or decide
matters concerning the good of the whole community and, when
necessary to elect new head coordinators.
b. There are 5 kinds of coordinators! assemblies:
1. Elective assembly to elect new head coordinators.
2. Budget assembly.
3. Branch status review assembly.
4. Program offices review assembly.
5. Constitution review assembly.
c. Elective Assembly
1. Will be attended by:
a) Overall coordinator,
b) Head coordinators,
c) Principal branch coordinators,
d) Program coordinators;
e) Previous overall coordinators and head coordinators
who have served as such within the previous six years
may attend and vote but they are not counted as part
of the quorum.
2. Each of the above has one vote. The overall coordinator
can invite any other coordinators but they cannot
participate in the vote.
3. The principal branch coordinators must consult with three

-22--
 groups from the respective branches about the choice of
new head coordinators before corning to the elective
assembly. They will obtain (and keep distinct), the list
of 3 nominees from each of the following groups:
a. Branch coordinators,
b. Area leaders,
c. Branch handmaids.
4. The principal branch coordinators will then communicate
these names to the elective assembly. These nominations
are however, consultative in nature and therefore,
nonbinding.
5. The elective assembly will be convened by the Board of
Governors. The Board of Governors will, as they convene
the assembly, notify electors of the number of head
coordinators to be elected at this assembly.
6. The overall coordinator will preside over the assembly.
d. Budget Assembly
1. The budget assembly is attended by the head coordinators
and the principal branch coordinators and program
coordinators and any other officials or assistants the
overall coordinator may summon.
2. It is for the purpose of discussing the proposed community
budget for the following year.
3. It is convened and presided over by the overall
coordinator.
e. Branch Status Review Assembly
1. The branch status review assembly is attended by the head
coordinators and the principal branch coordinators and
any other officials or assistants the overall coordinator
may summon.
2. It is for the purpose of doing a yearly review of the
branches of the community.
3. It is convened and presided over by the overall
coordinator.
f. Program Office Review Assembly
1. The program office review assembly is attended by the head
coordinators, program coordinators and any other officials
or assistants the overall coordinator may summon.
2. It is for the purpose of reviewing the goals, objectives
and performance of the program offices.
3. It is convened and presided over by the overall
coordinator.
g. Constitution Review Assembly
1. The constitution review assembly is attended by the
overall coordinator, any previous overall coordinators,
head coordinators, principal branch coordinators and
program coordinators.
2. This is the only assembly empowered to revise, add to or
delete from the constitution of the community.
3. It is convened by the Board of Governors who will also
determine the agenda for such an assembly.
4. The assembly will be presided over by the overall
coordinator.
5. Before the assembly meets a nonbinding consultation will

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 be undertaken in which all the coordinators are informed
of the matters on the agenda and consulted.
h. Special care shall be taken to guard against factions within
the government of the community. In coordinators' assemblies
principal branch coordinators are strictly enjoined from
prejudicing in any way the authority of the program
coordinators and vice versa.
i. All those participating in an assembly are to keep secret
anything that might cause harm to or prejudice against the
community or the members. Moreover, the president can
determine anything else that should be kept secret.
j. Decisions at coordinators' assemblies will be made by a 2/3
majority of the votes cast.

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,