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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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people to function in <strong>the</strong> capacity <strong>of</strong> Church Governance. The minister will <strong>of</strong>ten focus onprayer <strong>and</strong> healing for an <strong>of</strong>ficer who is not operating in <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>and</strong> who has notformally informed <strong>the</strong> committee <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir intentions.In COGIC people enter <strong>into</strong> membership by being first baptised, (from about <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong>nine) <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n applying for membership <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation. People who have beenbaptised or are members <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r churches can transfer that membership, if approved, <strong>into</strong><strong>the</strong> congregation. The URC has a very similar system, except that people may be“baptised” as babies, but only apply for membership from about <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> eight.In addition to being baptized <strong>and</strong> coached <strong>into</strong> membership, new COGIC members are alsoexpected to have a period <strong>of</strong> training <strong>and</strong> induction <strong>into</strong> <strong>the</strong> church for some years beforebeing accepted as an elder, healer, evangelist or missionary in <strong>the</strong> local church as well as<strong>the</strong> wider church.The procedures for becoming a member are similar in both churches. There is usually oneto one counselling <strong>and</strong> teaching in <strong>the</strong> doctrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church, followed by a church servicewhere <strong>the</strong> person is received <strong>into</strong> membership. The person is asked questions by <strong>the</strong>minister in a public service <strong>and</strong> makes a declaration that <strong>the</strong>y accept <strong>the</strong> teaching <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>church. They are <strong>the</strong>n welcomed <strong>into</strong> <strong>the</strong> church by shaking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir right h<strong>and</strong>. They havenow received <strong>the</strong> right h<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> fellowship. This marks <strong>the</strong>ir change from being a nonmember to being a member. As a member <strong>the</strong>y can vote on issues relating to <strong>the</strong>government <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church. Church meeting are public meetings; however non-memberscan attend <strong>the</strong> meeting <strong>and</strong> give <strong>the</strong>ir opinion, but cannot vote on issues. For example, anon-member who is working on a church project may attend <strong>the</strong> church meeting <strong>and</strong> report141

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