CHURCH ORDER
Updated January 21, 2012
Every church is sovereign. We do not desire for any group to adhere to these views. Our hope is that
through comparing we might be enlighten on how to create a better spiritual environment in the church.
We have set forth this study on church order in 6 parts, number
1)
prelude to the service,
2)
conduct of the people
3)
the worship program,
4)
electing officers,
5)
bylaws,
6)
a personal pastoral view. These lesson are wrote with the understanding that you have study,
both "Church Order" tapes, and the "Placing of Deacons", and other quotes
relating to this subject. We are not mentioning many things relating to this subject because
they are already widely believe and practiced. We will focus upon a few things that are not so
well known. Pardon us !!!, for the sake of explaining, we will be referring to our church (ECC,
Eagle Christian Church) often.
Prelude to the Service
We feel that Brother Branham explained how to start the service right. We all know the conditions
he set forth in coming to church early to create the right atmosphere. One important thing that
somehow got over looked in many places is the transition from praying to worship. At ECC around
5 minutes before the service starts, we have a prelude. The prelude is when the recorded music
stops, and folks quit reading their Bibles and praying, and all the musician start playing upbeat
and the people start singing with them like a choir (no song leader in the pulpit at this time).
Little by little we leave the praying mode entering into the worshipping spirit. I believe this is
very important for when a service starts right more than likely it will go right. I read this next
quote many years ago and saw what some have overlooked. CHURCH ORDER 63-1226 And you
could have heard a pin drop anywhere in that church, and everybody in prayer for at least thirty
minutes before the first note was ever hit on the organ, the prelude. And just everybody in prayer.
I thought, "How wonderful it is." Then when that minister... That prelude, about... I think they
played one prelude for about three to five minutes, How Great Thou Art, or something like that,
and on like that. And then when they did, everybody stopped praying and was listening to the prelude.
See, it give a change from prayer to the prelude. And then when they played that, then the choir
leader directed the choir. Then they had a congregational song and the choir. And then they were
ready for their Sunday school class. See? And then--and then when it was over, there was nothing
went on except divine worship, all the time, and that's what we come there for. Praying
and listening to soft music and someone walking to the platform and saying "its time to start the
service" is an incorrect statement and makes it harder to get people into worship. We do not feel
that it is nesscery to open the church service in prayer. We believe that
coming early to church and praying has already started the service.
Conduct of the People Part 1
A misconception of church order doctrine is that deacons are supposed to correct children. Brother
Branham explained at least 5 times in Church Order 63-1226 that parents are to be corrected for
their children's misconduct. It is not right for parents to use the deacons. It creates fear of
the deacons and causes other problems (I once was a deacon). As Brother Branham stated, if
the parents can't make their children behave, then they should keep them at home and he
said if my children do not behave correctly you tell me. If a child does not
behave the parents should be corrected. If the child still will not behave the parent should be ask
to stay home with them till they can act right in the house of the Lord. Often we have children that
come to church with-out their parents; if so, someone should be asked to watch over and guide them
and be responsible for their conduct. There are rare exceptions when correcting a child is nesscery.
Example, around 1994 while Brother Pruitt was speaking in our church, we had a kid setting with its
parents on the front row that was disrupting the service. The parents (un-message visitors) would not
make the kid turn around and quit trying to get everyone attention and behave. I was sitting on the
platform behind Brother Pruitt and motioned for one of our deacons to do something. One of our deacons
came from the back of the church and took the child away from it parents (we did not know the people!)
and carried it outside. Sometimes things happens that need instant attention. But these cases do not
change the previous quotes.
Conduct of the People Part 2
Some people can not get anything out of the church service if some person conduct is out of order. Our
level of endurance is almost nothing, compare to the disorder the prophet had to endure. Strangely,
I have never heard of anyone that attended Brother Branham services complaining about the many disruptions.
One of the reasons why our endurance has become so easy tilted is because of church order itself. We have
counted it a necessity instead of a blessing. Nevertheless, here are a few pointers to help control the
conduct of the people so that God's Word will not be hindered.
1.) The back rows should be reserved for moms with children.
2. Folks should be encouraged to move closer to the front.
3.) The preacher's microphone vocal levels should be loud enough to cover up, foot steps, people clearing their
throat, people moving and chairs squeaking ...etc. During the song service, folk's own singing will cover up most of the noise. But during the
preaching, the preacher often thinks he's too loud and will back-out of the microphone. Our church was build during
the time churches did not use PA equipment. The acoustic are design in a way that little noises carry a long way.
So I have learned this simple trick to cover the noise. It is the same one Brother Branham often used, GOD'S PROVIDED
PLACE OF WORSHIP 65-0425 [A baby now cries out in the congregation--Ed.] Looks like we got some trouble
again. I believe I can holler louder than that.
4.) Locking down the church at crucially moments will help the atmosphere of the service.
When the altar call is going forth or someone is leading the church in pray there should be a lock-down time.
The doors should be held shut. Those in the foyer should not be allowed back into the services. Neither should
anyone be allowed out during this brief time. This is the moment God is moving, and also this is the moment the
devil will inspire many to start moving. However if we practice this lock-down, many folks would remember and
God would reward all with His continuing Presence.
There are hundreds and hundreds of quote like the following quote, yet we seem to never address this problem.
OUR HOPE IS IN GOD Everyone reverent if you will, please, just reverent, just a few moments. Don't move
around, it interrupts me so bad here.
Conduct of the People Part 3
This does not have anything to do with the conduct of the people but I have made it part 3 because in dealing
with the crowd anything could happen. A couple years ago two men slip into our fellowship hall while we were having
service and hid in the closet till we were gone. They were trying to steal our sound equipment. Fortunately
they only stole a few things because they could not get through the door that leads into the main auditorium.
If someone had opened that closet door and found these two thieve after the service, who knows what could
have happen. Deacons and other brothers should be "on their toes" at all times to help and protect people
in the service of the Lord.
Worship Program Part 1
We are losing something that is priceless in the modern message church. The old songs of the ages are not
taught to the new generation. The songs that came back to us in the dark hours of our lives to help us keep
going on, are not on the program. Music is getting pretty all the time (due to the screens) and further from
the Spirit. The beat and key pattern of worship music in many message churches is like into the soft rock and
roll of the 1960s. Music should away be the kind of music that each person can worship God with in their
own way, (worshipping with the beat, rhythm, and the key changes). But lots of our worship music today is
design for folks to remain at their seat, sing and just raise their hands. You can not clap, you can not jump,
you can not shout, you can not hum; you can not even pat you feet to the rhythm and beat. Maybe it alright in
your home or your car, but to use it as worship music in message church is not good To say the least, we are
going to be held responsible for the kind of worship and praise music that is creeping into our churches.
Worship Program Part 2
I've travel around a little and have learned several things from other churches. After returning from a trip
several years ago, we changed two things. 1.) We started to rotate the song leaders in every service.
No one person is to lead the song service twice in a row (unless we have no one else available). If he
led the song service one service the next service he is take prayer request, oversee the offering, call for
special singers, or lead something else during the service. There are many reasons for this, (we can not go
into all the reasons here because of time and space). One of the main reasons is, the long leader should
not become beholden to the people as second in rank under the pastor. This is absolutely against church order.
2.(The other thing we changed) after taking prayer request we now sing a faith song before
going to pray (like Only Believe). This is not a time of worship, we are getting ready to go to God in
prayer. The song lyrics should always be about faith and not more than one chore. I have witness over the
years these two thing spiritually works.
Worship Program Part 3
Regardless of what we could say the church congergation will lookup and honor and follow those
setting on the platform. This is very important. For these people will influence the direction of the church.
Here are some samples of certain rules...
Requirment to sit on the platform
1. Must pay your tithes faithfully and be financially behind every need of the church.
2. If you are going to miss a service you must call upon other brothers to take your place a few days before.
This way, they will be prepared.
3. Must pay your monthly living expenses bills on time and have a good credit report.
4. Must attend church regularly and be on time. If you miss two services in a row without a worthy
excuse, you're off, and can not return to the platform till you have talked it over with the pastor.
Job interference is not an excuse. You must put God's work first, to work on this platform.
5. Must have your spouse and household in scriptural order. No married person is allow on the platform
who publicly quarrels with their spouse.
6. Must be able to give a testimony before the church any time you are called upon to do so. This might
be rare request, but everyone on this platform should be able to do so.
7. THIRST 65-0919 a
roadhouse out here, dancing and playing music and everything, and the next night they come to the altar
and weep, and the next night they're playing music on the platform. Oh, goodness, gracious. How far can
filth, how far could filth go anyhow? Yes, sir. Prove himself first to be a man of God, not all this
stuff just because he can beat an old guitar or something.
Over the years we have come to realize that the only thing a pastor can control in the House of God
is the leadership positions. What goes on on the platform, for they are a part of the pastor' ministry.
All the above rules plus a whole lot more are needed in these times to keep a church moving correctly.
We can not put enought EMPHASIS on the importants of godly charactor in the spiritual leaders (musician
and singers), those who set on the platform. When a pastor loses the control of the worship he has lost his
church.
Electing officers
We believe deacons 1.) should be nominate only by the pastor to the deacon board, people in the congergation
should not be allow to recomment anyone 2.) win
every vote in the church for the job 3.) after a testing time have hands laid on them by the pastor and elders.
We will now look at the scripture reasons for these 3 things.
ANSWER 1.) PLACING OF DEACONS But as the PASTOR AND I came together, and I asked the age of the young man,
he was in his early twenties: honorable, just, and a real man, but find out that he was a single man. The
Bible requires a deacon to be a married man. I believe no one in the church knows better on how to
pick a deacon than the spiritual leader of the church which is the pastor. I do not believe that deacons
should be nominated to their office by the people. Background checks on who is available should be done
under the orders of the pastor. ACTS 6:3 Wherefore, brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest
report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
ANSWER 2). I TIMOTHY 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless.
ANSWER 3). Regardless of the vote a deacon is only acting in the office of a deacon till they get hands
lay on them by the pastor. ACTS 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles (with overseer
Pastor and Apostle James) and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. If
we believe the above to be the truth, then we also will believe, every time a church change pastors they
need to change deacons or at least start all over with the process. For he is only a deacon by the charge
of the pastor. We have deacon in the message running church that should not be doing so.
There are other offices of the church, pastor, associate pastor, trustees, treasurer, Sunday school
superintendent, music director, and any other offices you would like to create. However, theses mention
below are the only offices in the bylaws of Branham Tabernacle (Brother Branham spoke of other offices too).
These officers can be nominated by the people at the appointed church service and elected by the majority
of those eligible to vote. Those who are eligible to vote are, 1) attend the church
regularly 2) old enough to have had a job before the election and have paid tithes on
those earnings 3) claim the baptism of the Holy Ghost (we do not believe you can support
the church body if you do not have the Holy Spirit), (not nesscery in this 1-3 rank). We realize Brother
Branham spoke against women voting, we believe he was speaking about national politics. The church
affairs are spiritual; and we allow women to vote. One reason is, the majority controls the church
and sometimes unless the women have a vote (if they want to) the majority might not have a say.
The elections during Brother Branham day (I'm told) were a show of hands. Most church today
have a secret ballot (we have a show of hands). I do not know all the legal requirements on how to have
elections and take minus and so forth. I do know, elections often become a political movement. To me, election
should not be something that is going to be talk around the church very much (campaigning). The exact
election dates are not always announced in advance at ECC.
The past several years we have had elections sometime during the first few weeks of each new year (our
last was January 15, 2012). Folks know that sometime
around this time we will have elections. But the exact time no one know but me. It is not good for everyone
to know who will be going before the church to be elected to an office. Those who are going before the church to be
elected to a board need not know the men they will be serving the church with. I believe these steps will stop the
politics (campaigning). Elections are a dangerous political thing to play with. Understandable, many pastors will
not have business meetings,
and others will not allow themself to be revoted upon after they become pastor. However, this is not the
message. Nevertheless, elections is like a snake in the grass.
We better know we are led of God in what we do when we walk that way. We believe each church enfolded around their
pastor ministry. We believe he should move ahead secretly in what's on his heart to do in this matter. If the people
can not trust him with the elections they should not trust him with their soul.
BYLAWS
The following is a copy of our Bylaws. The first part of these Bylaws is the ones Brother Branham
wrote for Branham Tabernacle. The second and third parts are quotes from the message. The fourth
part is a paragraph that we wrote and voted upon to make it apart of ECC Bylaws. The
only changes we have made in Part 1, 2 and 3 from what Brother Branham presented (his Bylaws and his quotes)
is that we change the paragraph heading information (like from Branham Tabernacle to Eagle Christian Church, ...etc).
We even left his misspelling intact, also over look our misspelling.
The church congregation has set forth this day of January 15, 2012 to declare this resolution by the
vote of the people. That Eagle Christian Church has adopted these BYLAWS for the administration and governing
of this church. For any person to advice, steward or vote must conduct their selves according to our BYLAWS.
OPERATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICES (Part 1 of 4)
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
AGREEMENT AND OPERATION OF OFFICES
The following agreements and the operations of the present offices in power at the Eagle Christian Church are
compiled below. It is to enlighten the present members who now attend the worship services at the Eagle Christian
Church; as to the proper function of each office. That we may agree as one united body, understanding each others
position as we work together to forward the kingdom of God.
THE OFFICE OF THE PASTOR
The office of the pastor is to conduct and act upon any program of which he believes to be according to the
plan of God, according to the Word of God, for the Eagle Christian Church. He shall assume supreme authority
and meet promoting for the spiritual welfare of the church. He shall be head of the associate pastor, the
deacon board, the trustee board, an the church body itself. Acting in wisdom to lead God's saints, manifesting
love toward all the saints and their burdens. Conducting himself in perfect servitude, of which God has called
and placed him to act upon.
THE OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE PASTOR
The associate pastor to the Eagle Christian Church, is to perform and carry out the duties of the pastor, in
his absence. To conduct worship services according to the manner of doctrine believed and practiced by the
Eagle Christian Church. He shall be invested with the same power as the pastor is, meeting all responsibility
of the church, and acting in full authority to keep the church in order. He is to manifest deep concern to all
the burdens of the saints and fulfill the commission of which God has called him to, as a shepherd. He shall
account at various times the progress of the church, spiritual matters present, and problems that may be
pressing, to the pastor. He shall not undertake any business transactions without first presenting it to the
pastor, the exact transaction.
THE OFFICE OF THE TRUSTEES
The body of men, shall govern the welfare of the church as a business group. They are elected to protect the
church in it's financial matters, it's business investments, the supervision of it's properties, and it's
expenditures. They shall strongly consider every move of progress, step by step, which involves church
funds. For they shall be responsible to keep the church from indebtedness, and the saints from burdens that
are too great to bear financially. In the undertaking of any project, regardless what it is, they are to
bring the matter to the pastor, consultation by the pastor, consultation by the pastor only for every
financial project the church wishes to invest or engage itself therein is absolutely required.
THE OFFICE OF THE DEACONS
The office of deacons, as elected according to the Word of God and the manner of the Eagle Christian Church,
is to act as an office of spiritual assistance to the pastors. They are to assist the pastors on all of his
spiritual activities. They are given free speech in presenting to the pastors any program or benefits that
would bless the general and spiritual welfare of the church. They must be apt to teach, and ready to assist
the pastor or associate pastor on every duty if called to do so. They shall assist in serving communion. They
shall be acting ushers in all services. They shall police the church, in keeping civil order and conduct.
They shall assist in taking local offerings. They shall oversee the spiritual conduct of the church in working
with the pastor and one another on spiritual problems and matters of the saints. They shall be ready at
anytime to assist the need of every saint who is burdened and in need of spiritual consultation, or general
welfare. They have not the right to act upon any program or promotion without agreement with one another,
the pastors, or the trustees if the program they are considering doing involves church funds. They will be
responsible before God for their conduct and manner of service, according to the Word of God. They sahll
not have meeting among themselves without the pastor or associate pastor present.
THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER
The responsibility of the treasurer is to provide an exact account of the financial status of the present funds
in the treasury. This report is to made available to the pastor or the board of trustees, upon their request
of such a report. No other office in the church may have access to this information. He may obtain such
information from the trustees report given to him by the treasurer. The treasurer shall sit in on every trustee
meeting to take notes and minutes of actions taken by the board of trustees. He has not the authority to
convey or acknowledge the financial status information to any acting office in the church but the pastor or
board of trustees. He shall not be a consultant in spiritual matters, nor is it of need that he should attend
meetings of the deacons. Unless asked to by the pastor.
THE OFFICE OF SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
The office of Sunday school superintendent is of vital importance to the church. Though his duties are not major,
he is responsible to keep the childrens classes with teachers and supplies that pertain to teaching. He shall
undertake to appoint teachers to their rooms assigned to them. He shall, in the absence of a Sunday school
teacher, appoint another teacher to take the place of the one absent from duty. He shall watch carefully that
the time element of the classes beginning and closing does not interfere with the worship service. He shall
present the needs of Sunday school supplies to the board of trustees, who will advise him concerning the
funds needed for supplies. He shall not direct the teachers themselves, only assigning them to their classes.
He shall not undertake any program without consulting the pastor, for the Sunday school department solely. He
is not required to sit in on deacon board meetings, nor on trustee meetings. He is free from any responsibility
as that pertaining to a deacon or trustee, that all his time may be given to supervise the Sunday school, with
devout interest.
THE OFFICE OF MUSIC PROGRAM
The music program and all order pertaining to the development of such a program is under the supervision of the
pastor only, and the associate pastor. During regular services, special meetings, or revivals, at all times,
the pastors shall advise and conduct this program. The trustee board shall advise on the purchasing of any
musical instruments and the pastor shall be consulted. Any suggestions for musical programs by the saints,
deacons, or such parties interested should be presented to the pastor, who will welcome them, and advise on
such suggestions. It is preferred the pastor shall control this program, as he is the leader of the worship
service, and confidence is placed in his ability to lead the church in worship that is most pleasing to God.
Music programs, testimony services, addresses by various parties, reports to the church by various offices, or
any program that intervene the worship time should be under the pastors supervision.
(end of Branham Tabernacle's bylaws, following is what we added to those above bylaws that were voted upon for
our church bylaws in 1996 and again in 2012)
OPERATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICES (Part 2 of 4)
FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF PART 1
BY
REV. WILLIAM BRANHAM
FOR
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
353 1 001 And that is, that the first is the placing some deacons into the church. And our little church here is sovereign. It doesn't have any denomination or anything to send its deacons; it elects its own deacons. It elects its pastor; it elects its trustees; it elects everything that comes in and out of the church. No one person has the say so over anything; it's the church. And the church are those who come and support the church with their presence, with their tithe and offerings, are always the ones that has legal say so in the placing of such. And I want to thank the past board of deacons, and I say it from here for all the church. If any of those brethren are here, which was Brother Cox, Brother Fleeman, and Brother Higginbotham and Brother Deatsman, they have give us a good service, give the Lord, in this church.
353 3 002 And every so often, according to the bylaws of the church, every year, the deacons or trustees automatically fill their time. And if they want to come back, all right. If they do not want to come back, then they can place some in their places, that this board has resigned. And the other night I called the trustee board, which there is a new board of trustees. Till I noticed Brother Luther McDowell here tonight; we're glad to see him in, which was formerly on the trustee board. I went down this week to find out and to check into having a photostatic copy made, which will be presented to the church also. That the trustees of the church now is Brother William Morgan, Brother Mike Egan, and Brother Banks Wood, and Brother Roy Roberson. And they're all of this city, except Brother Roberson that lives between the two cities. The Lord has seen fit in those men, and they have been honorable men, and they have now received the duty as trustees of this church.
353 5 003 And then while this meeting was going on, and was told by the assistant pastor that we selecting of the new board of deacons, that these had served their time out and and resigned, and it was to select some more deacons. Now, the church... The way this is done is the board can appoint deacons, men that they have associated with and found to be honorable and just men. The office of a deacon is a very great office, and a great honor to the Lord to be a deacon in the church. And so in the meeting the other night, certain man was called out to me. And when meeting with the pastor, the following this last Friday, which was agreed by this man that these were honorable and just men.
354 7 004 One young man that they had found, was not exactly qualified (not because that he wasn't the right type of man), one that was suggested by one of the honorable men of our trustee board. But as the pastor and I came together, and I asked the age of the young man, he was in his early twenties: honorable, just, and a real man, but find out that he was a single man. The Bible requires a deacon to be a married man. He must be the husband of one wife.
And then another man which was a very honorable man, very qualified for the job and would made a loyal man, as a brother suggested him. Then after investigating the case, that the brother had just recently come into this faith; his wife doesn't believe in it. Then that disqualified the man as the office, because he must have all his family in subjection. They must be also in the faith, because it would be a conflict.
354 9 005 And we're building now, and we wish to place this church. And as the general overseer of the church, I must see that it's kept Scripturally, everything right on the Word. And so therefore, then it has been found favorable with the board and the pastor, and the overseer, to select in this group of people here some men who we think to be honorable and just men. We can only bring them. And it's then they are appointed by the church, by their own vote. And then these man shall serve, if they feel that they will accept this office. Then they will come for a short time to see if they feel that maybe that God has called them. And if later, if they feel that they are disqualified, then they have a right in the next few weeks to resign the office, that someone else could be appointed in their place.
354 11 006 However, at the beginning of the revival that (if God willing) I want to hold here in this church as soon as I get some rest, then I then I'll... We will ordain these deacons by laying on hands, deacons and treasurer in this church. But first they must be appointed and and see how they like it and how the congregation likes it. Then if it's then if it's all right on both sides, then we make these men ordained deacons, just like trustees are elected the same way. It's the sovereignty and the law of the church by the Word of God. Therefore, that they just can't say that, "I think this man would be a right man." That isn't it. "Brother Neville thinks this man would be a right man," or "the trustee board thinks this man would be a right man," it has to be by the church. No one does anything within himself here. It's the vote of the church. It's a sovereign church. The old set of bylaws was destroyed in the 1937 flood. We have recopied those, and will be hung on the wall here soon, the duties of trustees, deacons, treasurer, and so forth, pastor, associate, and so forth.
355 14 007 By the grace of God, it has been said to me, and a one hundred percent vote through the board of this church, that they have found that Brother Hollin Hickerson to be a just, honorable man, and in line in this position to receive the the great honor of being deacon of this said church. Also, we have found, and by the vote of the board, that Brother Collins also has been found an honorable and just man. Being a minister himself; therefore, we would ask him to come and to be a a deacon of the church; and not only deacon, but an associate to Brother Neville, and perhaps to a Sunday school class, or to take the place of Brother Neville, or whatever is being called on, he to be an associate to Brother Neville. That's Brother Collins. And also the church has found in favor, that Brother Tony Zabel, an honorable and just man, and he's been favored before the trustee board and the pastors, to ask him to receive the office of deacon in this said church.
355 17 008 And it's also been asked, and found an honorable man among us... (Not... these not being the only honorable men now, but just has been selected by the board.) Brother Taylor from Henryville, or Memphis, I believe it is, Memphis, Indiana. He's been with us for some time, acting as usher and whatever could be. That the church has found favor with him, or the board and pastor, that he would accept the the great office as being the deacon of this said church. And it's also been asked that Brother Mike Egan's son in law, Brother Brother Bob Harnard, has been selected by the board and by the pastor, to accept the office as treasurer of this said church, which is an honorable job, and it requires justice and honor. In doing this, I think, my brethren, that calling you from here, that it would be a great honor to you. And not only that, but something to do.
356 20 009 At this time I will have Brother Neville, our associate, to read the requirements of the deacon. Brother Neville, if you'll read it from the Word of God. [Brother Neville reads I Timothy 3:8 13 Ed.]:
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine and greedy of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness
in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
356 21 010 Amen. I would at this time ask these brethren who has been called, if they would just walk forward here to the platform just a moment. And as we bow our heads just a moment for prayer, I want them... And the church knows what this is, that this is electing your deacon board and your treasurer. Lord Jesus, it is with sober, godly thinking that we come to Thee now. We come in respects of Thy most holy Word; we come believing that "Let every man's word be wrong, but God's be true." And we are grateful to Thee for this church which Jesus has purchased with His own precious Blood, and has given us this building to worship in... And as the overseers of this great flock, which the Holy Ghost has ordained us to be, we are trying now to present to this congregation a loyal, righteous bunch of men that we believe to be Spirit filled and ready for the office. As it is once said concerning the deacon board, "Go, look out yourself among you, men of good reports and with the Holy Spirit, that they might serve in this manner to take care of the widows and orphans, to distribute the money, and to care for the welfare of the church." Later years we have just read the writing of that great, inspired, sainted Paul, who sets forth the declaration of the Scriptures of the requirements of such position. God, honor these men. And now it is the choice, Lord, as a sovereign church, as the body of the Lord Jesus, that they do the electing. And [Blank spot on tape Ed.]... and will direct this portion of the service in a special way, in that righteous and holy Name of Jesus.
357 25 011 Now with our heads bowed, not only our heads but our hearts, and as every member of this church, that comes here regular and supports it with your tithe and offerings, which is considered a member of this church... While, the pastor and I, alone, the the associate pastor, Brother Neville, and I look on, I would ask if this church finds Brother Taylor to be a just man and eligible, by the best of your thinking to be deacon over this group of people, you will signify the same by raising your hand. [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] All right. Now if there is any contrary, would you raise your hand. [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] Thank you.
357 26 012 Does any of this members of this church here find, and all, do you find Brother Hollin Hickerson to be a just and honorable man, and a man that's found in your sight worthy to become the deacon of this said church, would you signify by raising your right hand? [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] If it is contrary, then raise your hand. [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] Does this congregation find Brother Collins to be the same, a righteous and honorable man, and worthy of the job of being deacon of this church? Would you raise your hand? [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] All right. Contrary, would you raise your hand? [Brother Branham pauses Ed.]
357 28 013 Does this congregation find Brother Tony Zabel to be an honorable man and worthy of this office, of being deacon over this flock in this said church? Would you raise your right hand. [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] Contrary, would you raise your hand? [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] Does this congregation feel that Brother Harnard is a just and righteous man, who has been with us for some time, to be the treasurer, secretary treasurer of this church, to handle its finances and to pay its bills? If so, raise your right hand. [Brother Branham pauses Ed.] Is there any contrary, raise your right hand. [Brother Branham pauses Ed.]
358 30 014 I wish to say to the the brethren who are standing at this present time, at the foot of this cross, that this church, with one hundred percent (no contrary at all), finds you all worthy in the sight of God for this office that God has called you. Now, you have said, "Let these first be tried, and see if they desire this office." Within a few weeks, God willing, I will return back to lay hands upon this group of men to make them the official trust or the deacons of this church, and treasurer. Let us bow our heads just a moment:
358 32 015 Lord, we are happy tonight that there is men still living on the earth that can walk godly before the world, so godly that this church, with strict rules as this one has, can vote five men into position as their leaders without one vote contrary. We are happy for them, and we feel that You were with us in making these decisions, the board and we pastors. God, bless these men. And may they serve this office with all their hearts, knowing that it is purchasing to them a great degree in heaven. Someday when the books of heaven shall be closed, may the Book of the celestial beings and the great Book of heaven be opened, may their names be one hundred percent before God and the Saviour and all the heavenly hosts to be the same in His Kingdom. Bless them, Lord, and may they serve this office well. In Jesus' Name we thank You for them. Amen.
358 34 016 I just want to shake your hands: Brother Harnard, and Brother Zabel, and Brother Collins, Brother Hickerson, and Brother Taylor. So happy to know that we have fellowshipped all this time with such honorable men. God bless you now. And we will see you right away, as soon as I get a little rest and get back, and see how you like your office. All right, by their vote, I think was one hundred percent, no contrary at all. Oh, aren't you glad that you're associating with people today who can live before God, godly, and live before this present world in that condition? It is a wonderful thing.
359 36 017 And I'm so glad to know tonight that I have the privilege of of having these men and this church to be my friends. I'm so glad that God let me associate myself with His church all over the world. Oh, they are despised and rejected and talked about, and as I said this morning in my message, maybe just mud daubers, the way the world looks at them, as a bunch of fanatics, but God looks at them as His children. I'm so happy for that. They might not be able to tell you how many miles it is to the moon. They might not be able to tell you all the solar systems and how it operates. But there's one thing they do know: they know the hour they were borned again. I'm so glad for them.
359 37 018 And as a little parable that I learned, and I'm going to associate it tonight with my two little girls to kind of make it come home to us, to make it real to us, that you'd understand the meaning of it. One morning, raising up out of bed... I got two little girls. One of them is Rebekah, and one of them is Sarah, and they're daddy's little girls. And I've got a little boy, Joseph. I was coming from Chattanooga, out of a meeting one night, while I was there in this last campaign. And I was in the the car, going along with my oldest son, Billy. His wife and Meda was in the car, and the girls. And as we were rolling along, nobody had said nothing for several city blocks. And I'd cut pretty hard on the people that night about the way they were doing. Nobody had said anything. And little Joseph come over and grabbed me by the shoulder, and he said, "Daddy, you sure did preach tonight."
359 39 019 And this morning, as I was leaving and going up to Eighth and Tenth Street, the or Penn and Tenth, rather, nobody had said a thing, the wife and the two girls. And little Joseph took ahold of my shoulder again; he said, "Daddy, that, I sure liked that preaching this morning," he said. I said, "Well, I've got one fan; that's my son." And to our little saying... Up one morning and sitting in the room, little Becky come running out and say, she straddled my leg and put her arm around me, and she's daddy's little girl. And she was hugging me. And little Sarah jumped out of bed with her little pajamas and would, say, come running next. She's the little brown eyed one. Little Becky would say, "Oh, Sarah, there's no need of you coming, because I've got all of daddy myself. Daddy's all mine." And little Sarah, her little lips dropped down; her little brown eyes colored up. I motioned like this and stuck out the other knee, and she come and straddled it.
PLACING.OF.DEACONS JEFF.IN COD 58 0720E
360 42 020 Becky's got longer legs, so they would reach the floor. Little Sarah was toddling, so I put both arms around Sarah. Little Sarah looked over to Becky and said, "Becky, you may have all of daddy, but daddy's got all of me." And I think that's the way it is here. We might not know all of the theology, all the great Greek words, this group of people might not know. But there's one thing sure: I believe Jesus has got all of us. Amen. All right, Brother Neville.
OPERATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICES (Part 3 of 4)
FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF PART 1
BY
REV. WILLIAM BRANHAM
FOR
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
220. How shall the church act towards calls for financial help of for food and clothing? What what act, what what should the church do?
Now, we realize that the church is responsible for its own, for our members here of the church; we are totally responsible as far as we have needs to supply them with. We are responsible for our own; that's steady, constant members of the church that come here and worship with us. We are duty bound to them, as our brothers and sisters who have proven to be our members of this gathering. Now, we realize that there is millions tonight without food, without clothing, and we would love to be able to help the whole group of them, to do everything we could; but financially we cannot do that; we can't support all the world. But we are duty bound to our own. And I think, in that, and then if we have anything left over that you'd want to contribute to people who are not members here of this church, something that you'd want to give to them, it should be met between the board of the deacons. 874 13 009 The deacons is the one that that has to meet this opposition, or this problem, rather; because that in the Bible when the dispute come up about food, and clothing, and so forth, in the Book of Acts, they called the apostles in about it, and they said, "Go look out for yourself seven men of honest report and full of the Holy Ghost that they might attend to these things, because we will give ourself continually to the Word of God and in prayer." And it isn't the pastor's duty to look out to the for the food and so forth. That's supposed to be by the deacons. It isn't the trustees; it is the deacons' office to do this. And then this should be... Remember in the Bible they was contributing to their own, the Greeks and the and the Jewish, where the argument come up that one was getting a little more than the other, but it was people who had sold all their goods and had give it into the church for its support, and then to to be divided out among them equally. And there was a little dispute come up, and there's where we got our first deacons. And that's one of their duties, is to do that. 874 15 010 I think that, as our own, as our own people, we should take care of them. And it should be turned in, any complaint, to the chairman of the deacon board, and then it should be met by the deacon board and see what they're able to do about it. And all of those things which is clothing, and food, and financial help, or whatever it is, should come through the deacons. Then the deacons, when they decide that they are that they are what they're going to do about it, then it should be presented then unto the the treasurer, to see if the treasurer is able at this time to pay this certain amount of finance, or or buy these clothing, or whatever it is to that. But the the deacon board should meet on that, and it doesn't go to the trustees or to the pastor. It's a deacon's thing altogether.
884 Q 222 033 222. Now, is there any better way to keep order in the church than to keep reminding the people with a a repeat from the deacons accordingly?
No, that, I just explained that. That's question number three. The deacons, your duty is to keep order in the church with kindness and friendliness. And then you are supposed to, if someone gets out of order in the church, or comes in here like a drunk, or somebody come in. Like they shot that minister out of the platform the other night up there. You heard about that, that drunk coming in with a double barreled shotgun. And he screamed for his wife, and and wanted a...?... and went up towards the pastor. And the pastor showed him his wife setting there, but he was going to shoot her right in the church, and the pastor started to dealing with him. And instead of instead of the... The man with the shotgun turned around and shot the pastor out of the pulpit, and then shot his wife, and then shot himself.
Now, if there'd been a bunch of deacons there when that man entered that door with that shotgun, they'd have had their arms around him and the shotgun out of his hand. See? See, that's that's orderly deacons. And now, these things have gone the way they're doing now, and you might just expect anything. But, remember, the deacons are God's policemen in the house of God, no matter what anybody else thinks. Sometimes a policeman want not to have to go up and make an arrest on somebody, maybe one of his friends, but he's sworn to an office; he's got to do it anyhow. That's his duty to his city. See? 884 59 034 That's the duty of a deacon to the church. And if someone jumps up and starts interrupting the pastor, or something other like that, and the pastor in his message, the deacons supposed to walk up to them people, two or three of them, say, "Could we speak to you, brother?" See? Bring him from the church, out into the office, in here or some other office, and speak to him about it, saying,
"You're not to interrupt." You know, it's a it's a great fine by the law to interrupt a service anyhow. See? But some people, such as a delinquent person or something, come among you, you know, and and some religious fanatic, and and start carrying on, then the deacons... And if and if the deacons don't seem to be able to control it, then the trustee board or anyone else in the church can step up and give help to such a person, you know, that...
885 60 035 And and now let me ask the question again here. Is there any better way to keep order in the church than to remind the people with a repeat from the deacons, now, occasionally?
Now, I think that the the pastor, ever so often... Or play this tape; let that stand for a witness. Deacons are policemen, and their word is law and order. See? And they have the authority from the church and even from the laws of the nation to make that house of God be the right place. And anyone to contrary a deacon like that, is subject to to two to ten years in federal prison. If you tell them to go and they don't do it, or something like that, somebody with disorderly conduct, he just don't know what he's doing to... He's subjecting himself, allowing himself to all kinds of fines, anything. And then if it comes to the spot that somebody... Now, like... And if somebody jumps up and gets disorderly... Just maybe speak in tongues or something, I wouldn't go in on that. See, let them go, 'cause that they're a stranger. If they're our own people, then just let... The next night, you deacons just get this tape, and say, "Now, we're going to play the order of the church before we start the service,
I want everybody to understand it." And you pastors and you all can work together like that.
885 Q 223 036 223. Now, Brother Branham, what about the Sunday school? Brother Branham, about the Sunday school (All right), should it be before the preaching service?
Yes, we've always had it that way. Have the Sunday school before the preaching service. And that gives a chance for the little fellows who attend Sunday school to dismiss their classes. And if and if they want... The little fellows don't understand it; they have to set all the way through the preaching service and then have Sunday school, the little fellows are wore out. Let the Sunday school be first; have a set time, just at one set time that Sunday school goes to session. Sunday school superintendent is supposed to see to that, that that Sunday school goes to session at a certain time, set time. And it's dismissed at a certain time. All the Sunday school's allowed so much time for that, and then dismiss.
886 Q 224 037 224. Should the teacher for the adult class be someone other than the pastor?
If it's so agreed. If the pastor wants to teach the Sunday school and then bring the message later, that's fine and dandy if he wants to do the double service. But if he doesn't, then have your adult Sunday school teacher (See?) for your adult class. And then if a if the pastor has somebody else there in mind, and the person wants to do it, give yourself thirty minutes, or whatever you're going to allow your Sunday school for, thirty or thirty five, forty minutes, whatever it is. And there should be a bell set here. And when that bell is tapped, that means or either the church bell, when it taps on the outside, that's dismissing Sunday school. And when that bell rings, that means everything come to order right there. There be so much time then for a hymn or two, whatever you want to sing. Not too much time, you'll wear the people out by keeping them too long. See? And just tap the bell, have a hymn and whatever you're going to do, and then send your classes to the place. And immediately when
that time comes, say it's going to be at at ten o'clock, or ten thirty, or ten fifteen, whatever it is, tap that bell and every teacher dismisses their class, come to the audience out here. And then... And give the report, Sunday school report, and then dismiss the whole thing, and let all that wants to stay for preaching service be next. See, then it's in order. 886 67 038 Question? How many... [Someone asks Brother Branham, "Then we have a split class, in other words?" Ed.] Oh, yes, you should have. A a three year old can't understand what a fourteen year old would understand. I think I got that a little farther:
886 Q 225 039 225. How many classes should there be?
You should put your classes in... Like a little bitty class that wants to have flannel graph; that's too much for a fourteen year old boy or girl. See? You should have someone to take a class for those little babies, some old mother or something who knows how to take care of them. Other classes, I think, should be somebody who's more able to present the Word. See? And there should be classes. To say now, there'd be like a class of from the... At least three classes... There should be a little bitty baby class; there should be from about five years old. And all the others under that should be kept with their mother, and taken to the nursery if it's necessary during the time of of the preaching, if they go to carrying on. That's what the nursery's out there for. And I think that the the classes should be arranged from like the little babies about five or six years old up to eight or nine, ten, something like that. And then from ten years old on to fifteen should be in a the teenage class. And
then the adult class over the fifteen, 'cause they... If they're old enough to to... Nowadays they can get a job and they're wanting to vote at that age almost; so they they should be able to hear the Word, but come out in the main auditorium and have that.
887 Q 226 040 226. Who should be the teachers?
There you are; that's up to you to vote your own teachers in. And you ought to do that. Put them in there; get somebody. And meet with the church, and say, "Who's... Who here feels led of the Lord?" And then get a qualified teacher. And then let it be done. It's got to be strictly business, brethren. If the teacher can't qualify to it, then change teachers. When the time comes, as under God, if I feel like that Ormand Neville can't no more qualify to be pastor here, I'm going to mention it to the church. When I see one thing here, think that you deacons couldn't qualify to be deacons, I'm going to mention it to the church, that, "I find out there's a certain deacon out here doing something he shouldn't do, and he doesn't keep his post of duty," and so forth like that, or a trustee, or whatever it is. I can't vote it in or out, the church has to do that, but I'm certainly going to present it before the church. See, because that's what I should do. That's what I'm supposed to be. As overseer, I'm
supposed to look and see what's going on. We're going to heaven, not out here somewhere to a rally or something to have a lot of fun and run over one another, and play baseball. We're here having the most gracious thing there is on earth, the Word of God, and it's to be carried on in godly order.
887 73 041 Who should be the teachers?
That's up to you to select them. But I would take... For the babies, I'd take an old woman, some that can do that. But for the teen agers, I'd take some teacher that's strict, and not just going out here and having wiener roasts. That'd be all right if they want to go on a wiener roast, but just put all the thing to that... Put it to the Word; let somebody who's able to hold the Word. And it's going to be, this church stands not for... Wiener roast is all right, and and little picnics that you want to go together and fellowship, that's fine; that that's what you should do to entertain the children. But in this place in here, this is the Word of God. Wiener roast is when you get together, something like that, but not in this house of God. And these know, of course we know we don't believe in this here foolishness of of of parties and everything like that around here; we we... You know better than that.
888 Q 227 042 227. Who should be over the Sunday school to keep it in order?
The Sunday school superintendent. That's what his business is. He's not supposed to have anything to do with the deacons, trustees, pastors, or nobody else; he's got a office of his own. Whoever your Sunday school teacher is, I know not. But that Sunday school teacher is supposed to see that every class is in its place, and every teacher is present, or substitute another teacher for that teacher if they're not there on that day. Then just before the Sunday... While the the lessons are going on, the Sunday school superintendent is to go by and take up the offerings that they've had in there (the Sunday school collections), and the report of how many present, how many Bibles they had in this class, and so forth, and make a report of it. And then stand before the audience just before the preaching service, when he's give a spot to do it, when they have the Sunday school report after the Sunday school's over, tell how many teachers, how many present, how many of the whole Sunday school total, the whole
whole total of offerings, and so forth like that. Deacons, trustees, pastors, are not supposed to do that. They have nothing to do into it; that is the Sunday school superintendent's job. And then if he sees that the Sunday school needs certain things, then he is to present that to the to the trustee board, and the trustees has a meeting upon it first. And then the trustees, if they find that there is sufficient funds and so forth, through the treasurer, then this can be purchased; if he wants something another for literature, or whatever it is, or some Bibles or something, they want to buy a Bible for the one, you know, that can find the most words and quote the most Scriptures, some prize or something they're going to give away like that, present, and they want to buy it through the church. Then let that be presented to the to the to the the deacons. And then let them find out if it's if it's if it's in the treasury. See?
OPERATIONS OF CHURCH OFFICES (Part 4 of 4)
FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF PART 1, 2, and 3
BY
REV. WILLIAM BRANHAM
FOR
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
Before the closing of every election ceremony there will be a ballot certification. This one
last voting of the congregation is to confirm that every voter that has voted is accepted, qualified
or not, as a person who is eligible to vote. During this voter's certification ballot, if there is 1
vote or more that votes that someone voted during that election meeting whom they believe was not
qualified to vote according to the requirements of PART 1, PART 2 and PART 3 of these BYLAWS,
then that election meeting ballot will not be accepted by the church and all the newly elected
authority will revert back to the previous elected officers. These previous office holders will
met in private and determine by their majority vote who is qualified to vote according to these
BYLAWS and present that name list to the church and another election will be conducted.
END COPY OF OUR BYLAWS
Reason for Part 4 in our Bylaws
At least two reasons, Reason 1.) As pastor I want to try to assure the future of the church if anything
happen to me. Several message churches we know of has suffered church splits after
elections were held for a new pastor. If seems, if the vote does not go the way they certain
portions of the congergation wants, they claim that certain votes were counted that was not eligible to
be counted, and leave. Knowing this usually is the truth, I felt that something needed to be done in
this area. Not wanting to make an
issue unless it was very very important, and realizing that secret ballots would not fix the issue, for
only the losing folks scream foul, we voted Part 4 to ECC Bylaws. Reason 2.) The years of
pastoring a church has taught me that the only ones who vote against what
is best for the "everybody-getting-together-in-love church", are the same people who are not really
qualified to vote to start with. This Part 4 empower the pulpit to stop "dead in its tracts" trouble, for
if needed the pastor will have his say in private with the other elected officers concerning who really
should be voting.
Reason for Bylaws
1.) It is the Message. 2.) Elections and Bylaws is like taking medicine, it is no fun to do, but church folks
need to be taught these things for in due time every group will get sick, and will need to know the right cure.
3.) We charter Bylaws and had Elections because it is Tennessee state law. 4.) Our church property is trustee own property (as all churches should be).
It was my concern that we needed to set standard for eligible voting. So that we might, disallow any
votes that came in the door, thereby keeping control of the trustees, and the property. This might seem
strange to many, but to those who have churches build and own by the community understand.
Personal Pastoral View Part 1
Brother Branham said in the message PRIDE 55-0807a God help us to get out of order once in awhile.
The trouble of it is, you got too much order. I hope the church gets out of order long enough to get
saved. We do believe once the people in the church get right with God they will come to a Holy Ghost
Leading. I liken church order to a passenger train. First we have to have fire in the engine room (Holy Spirit)
then an engineer in that same room (a pastor). Then we have conductors to assist the people (deacons, trustee
and helps). Then we have different car for different measure of faith that carries different people. The point
is, without the Holy Fire, the train is useless, without a engineer the train is useless, without helpers,
again the train is useless. Unless God get in our church even into our hearts to lead us at His will, it
is all in vain.
Personal Pastoral View Part 2
I realize there are sincere folks who will read this article that have no church to go to or no pastor in their church.
And I know there are folks who do not esteem their church as their spiritual leadership, like I have done here.
I also realize that we have not mentioned many other complications transpiring around the church.
But these thing does not change what should be. Anyway, as always, the real problems are spiritual related.
The reasons why we have had many church problems
over the years are 1.)
Many churches group existence is not in the Will of God. 2.) Many pastors are
not called of God to be doing what they are doing. 3.) There are people
leading the church who should not. 4.) We are always wrongly making decision
base upon what we naturally see and think. The popular choices in the Bible were always
wrong. Unless
God get in our hearts to lead us beyond our will, we will continue picking what we like from the
church order subject and viewing the rest as something that is overall not nesscery, and troubles
will continue. Maybe thats why Church Order Doctrine is apart of the prophet's message for God knew
from time to time we would go astray and would need to return to Church Order Doctrine to help us find
the way back to God's will.
Eagle Christian Church ' P.O. Box 1510 LaVergne, TN 37086 USA
Pastor James Tidwell
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF PART 1
BY
REV. WILLIAM BRANHAM
FOR
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF PART 1
BY
REV. WILLIAM BRANHAM
FOR
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF PART 1, 2, and 3
BY
REV. WILLIAM BRANHAM
FOR
THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
PASTOR
Rev. James Tidwell
Pastor James Tidwell