Topics for the Brethren
1 – CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIVING
The word of God teaches the faithful to walk in obedience to its precepts, not imitating the world in its lusts, but following Christ, our perfect example. The children of God are known for their balanced behaviour, honest way of living, modest manner of dressing and, above all, for the fear of God.
2 – BEHAVIOUR AND COMMUNION IN THE HOLY SERVICES
When we enter the House of Prayer, we must use the utmost of reverence, objectively finding a seat, praying our first prayer, and maintaining ourselves in communion and silence. We recommend that the brethren read the Bible upon their arrival in the House of Prayer, and refrain from distractions, including our mobile phones.
3 – PRAYER TO GOD
Prayer is a way for us to strengthen our relationship with God. Our prayer should be made manifesting our gratitude, praise and adoration to His Holiness, recognizing that we owe God our earthly lives, and, more importantly, our impending eternal life; through prayer, we continuously present our petitions before Him. We should pray when we wake up, when we leave our home, prior to our meals and in the evenings, before we go to sleep. When we are unable to kneel to thank God for our meals, we should at least offer a quick prayer to God in our minds. We also recommend that couples and families, whenever possible, pray together. The Lord Jesus taught his disciples that man ought always to pray, and not to faint.
4 – PRAYERS AT WEDDINGS
If the ministry is invited to a wedding, and feels to do so, they may pray, respecting all who are present. In these instances, the prayer should not be a prolonged one. The prayer should request that God blesses the bride and groom, their families, those that are at the wedding, the civil authorities presiding over the wedding as well as the nourishment that will be served. The prayer should be done kneeling down and the sisters should wear their veils. If no brother of the ministry is present, any brother that maintains a good testimony may pray.
5 – DIVINE FUNERAL SERVICES – WHEN DECEASED IS AN UNBELIEVER – CREMATION
The divine funeral services are held to praise God and console the mourning family, regardless of whether the deceased is buried or cremated. If a service is requested for those that are not participants of our Faith and doctrine, the ministry should seek the guidance of God.
6 – YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO ARE BAPTISED BUT NOT YET OFFICIALISED
To incentivise the continued spiritual interaction with young musicians who are baptised but not officialised, it has been decided that those who have sufficient musical abilities and already play in the Children and Young People’s Service, may also play in the official worship services of their local congregation, as well as the Regional (or National) Music Rehearsals. As always, this is subject to an evaluation to be done by the Local Orchestra Conductors.
7 – INVOLVEMENT IN SUSPECT BUSINESS DEALING
We advise the ministry and the brethren to be very cautious with suspect business dealings. We have witnessed irreparable financial, moral and spiritual damage to those amongst us due to the lack of care and safeguarding in business dealings of a potentially suspect nature.
8 – COMMUNICATING FALSE NEWS OR DISINFORMATION
Spreading false news, rumours or spreading material that generally denigrates someone’s reputation causes harm to the victim, their families and even to the Church. Those who do this demonstrate a lack of responsibility and an absolute absence of the fear of God and could be committing a crime against the those whose reputations are tarnished.
9 – ADDICTION TO COMMUNICATION
While communications and the technologies that deliver the same to us are useful, we need to take be cautious as people are becoming excessively dependent on those devices.
10 – HOLY SUPPER
The Holy Supper is one of the sacraments of the Church that the faithful must participate in to have communion with the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and His life in us. The believer should first examine him or herself, and then, participate in the Holy Supper of our Lord. If we do not participate, we do not have communion with Him, and those who participate without dignity may be deemed guilty of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus.
11 – CLARIFICATION CONCERNING ELECTIONS
As per the law, voting is done in secrecy and we are all free to vote for the candidates that we desire, but the ministry would like to remind the brethren that in accordance with teachings given in the past, we should avoid voting for candidates or parties that reject the existence of God and/or are opposed to Christian values.
Topics for the Youth and Children
1 – SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
It is the responsibility of the Youth that fear God to remain faithful to God, even though we live in a society that does not recognise or understand the grace of God. We should always keep in mind that “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” – James 4:4. As such, we advise the youth to maintain good relations with all, without compromising your testimony, conserving in yourselves the sweet savour of Christ in all aspects of your lives.
2 – BAPTISM AND BEING REBORN
Baptism is a commandment from our Lord Jesus. It is a symbol of death, burial and resurrection. Those that believe and are baptised, are dead to sin, and resurrect in Christ, to a new life. In Romans 6:4, the apostle Paul states: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Baptism is solely for those who are 12 years of age or older, with the exception of those who have received the gift of new tongues. The minimum age of 12 is because our Lord Jesus, when He was of that age, and being questioned by his mother as to why He was absent from them, stated “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business” – Luke 2:49.
3 – DIVORCED, WIDOWED OR SINGLE PARENTS
If a young brother or sister is divorced, widowed or a single parent, they are allowed to partake in services for the Children and Young People as well as the Youth Meetings, albeit without the liberty to recite, pray, call hymns or testify, as these liberties remain exclusive to the single youth, who remain the focus of these services.