STRUCTURE & DISTRICTS

National Body

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Archbishop: The Archbishop serves as the Chief Overseer and Chief Executive Officer of The Worldwide Fellowship of Independent Christian Churches.

Board of Directors: The Board of Directors comprises the Suffragan Bishop, the General Secretary, Endorsing Agent and Treasurer who serve as the governing bishops of The Worldwide Fellowship of Independent Christian Churches.

Apostolic Nuncio: Those serving in the office of Apostolic Nuncio serve as the primary representative of the Archbishop office to members in the WFICC, governing officials, and partnership entities.

Staff of the Archbishop: Those who comprise the administrative staff serve a variety of functions and capacities for directing the organization to fulfill its mission. They are under the direct supervision and guidance of the Archbishop.

 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: THE EPISCOPACY

House of Bishops: The House of Bishops comprises all of the bishops within the WFICC. The House of Bishops has three purposes for convening: 1) To promote fellowship among the bishops 2) To serve as a place for group reflection and teaching on building/governing their dioceses 3) To serve as one of the platforms by which the formation of canon law (policies) can be proposed and submitted for the approval of the Archbishop. The President of the House of Bishops is elected by a majority vote of the House of Bishops and serves in three year terms. The Board of Directors is also a platform for submitting proposals of canon law to the Archbishop.

 

JUDICIAL BRANCH: THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNAL

Biblical Foundations: The Ecclesiastical Tribunal has its biblical foundation in Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18 which indicates that there is a mysterious relationship between the sanctioning of judgments in the earthly sphere with those of the sanctioning of judgments in the divine sphere. Though they are not synonymous (1 Cor. 4:4-5), Jesus described this unique connection in this way: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). Other passages which connect the meaning of keys with authority or power can be found in Rev. 1:18, 9:1-3, and 20:1-3. Unlike the purposes of the civil tribunal, the purposes of the ecclesial tribunal are different and include (but are not limited) to the following:

1. Removing or reducing the negative effects of sin and divisiveness (1 Cor. 5:1-2, 6-7, 5:12-13; Titus 3:9-11)
   2. Protecting the flock from influences of false doctrine (2 Peter 2:1; Jude 1:4; Matt. 18:6-7)
   3. Following the proper procedure for reconciling conflict in the Body of Christ (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 6:1-3)
   4. Keeping people on the narrow path of salvation by warning them and bringing them to repentance (Matt. 18:8-9; 1 Cor. 11:30-32)
   5. Providing a safe place of confession for the contrite in spirit (Ps. 51:17; 1 John 1:9; James 5:16)

Confidential Confession: Since one of the purposes of the ecclesiastical tribunals is to bring reconciliation and repentance, someone will be available if people need an private opportunity to confess their sins for the completion of their restorative process and healing.

 

District Body

House of Ministers: The House of Minsters represent the WFICC ordained ministers, pastors and local churches. The House of Ministers comprises a select number of ordained minsters or pastors who represent the different church districts. The House of Minsters has three purposes for convening: 1) To promote fellowship among ordained ministers, pastors and churches in their respective districts 2) to serve as a place for group reflection on how to improve the sacramental life and the work of ordained minsters in congregations and 3) to serve as one of the platforms by which subjects pertaining directly to the sacramental life and practice of ordained ministry can be formulated, discussed and proposed to the House of Bishops for consideration. The House of Ministers represents the collective voice of congregations within the respective districts which informs the House of Bishops in their ministry of oversight.

 

Local Body

Pastors of Congregations: The local body is comprised of pastors of congregations who are situated in our districts. Pastors are responsible for preaching, teaching, performing the sacraments and shepherding their congregations. Pastors are required to bring their churches into alignment with the doctrine, seven core values and requirements outlined in the latest edition of the Canon Law Book. The various topics that arise within the congregational setting for pastors is to be represented faithfully within the House of Ministers.

The People of God (Laity): The people who comprise the congregations and ministries (who are not ordained) are called into action to enable the local church fulfill its corporate call and also to mobilize its efforts as a united church in supporting the mission of the WFICC. United as a church supporting the mission of the WFICC includes (but is not limited to): serving as deacons/deaconesses, leading in prayer, serving as acolyte, assisting in with Lord Supper, visiting the sick in homes and hospitals and other forms of evangelistic and compassion ministries.

WFICC Churches (Congregations): WFICC Churches conform and adhere to the group identity, doctrine, seven core values and policies outlined in the latest edition of the Canon Law Book. Churches who are in covenant with the WFICC actively align with its mission, integrating their congregations into action with an ongoing relationship of an overseeing bishop who seeks to ensure the continuity of a flourishing congregation.

 

Districts Breakdown 

District 1 (10 states): Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, (Ohio is the Archbishop See), Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin

District 2 (10 states): Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana , Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama

District 3 (10 states): Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Minnesota

District 4 (9 states): Maine, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire

District 5 (9 states): Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Alaska and Hawai

District 6 South Asia (8 countries): Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives

District 7 Eastern Africa (19 countries): Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Somaliland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

District 8 West Africa (18): Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Niger, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Saint Helena, Guinea Bissau, Sou Tome & Principe, Liberia and Togo