POLICIES & PROCEDURES
District policies and procedures shall be adopted by the District Board by a majority vote and may be amended by the District Board from time to time. Amendments shall require notice to the members of the board with the call of the meeting and may be adopted by a majority vote.
Ministerial Credentials
Ministers credentialed with the Pentecostal Church of God requesting clearance to serve in the Pacific Northwest District or requesting a letter of recommendation for placement in a church within the district shall not be granted the clearance or recommendation unless they are a minister in good standing with the PCG and have been so for at least 90 days prior to clearance or recommendation being granted. Ministers from other districts requesting placement in a church in the Pacific Northwest District shall be required to meet the same criteria as required or Pacific Northwest District ministers. Any minister of the Pacific Northwest District requesting placement in a church shall not be granted the request unless they are a minister in good standing with the PCG and have been so, for at least 90 days prior to clearance being requested. (In good standing includes current on credential fees and tithes, faithful to District meetings, and meets the Biblical qualifications of Christian leaders identified in Timothy and Titus.) This is detailed in our Biblical Leadership Criteria which can be found there. (Hyper link this) All ministers from outside the Pentecostal Church of God must hold credentials for at least thirty (30) days before applying for employment as a pastor.
1. All applicants applying for credentials must meet the District Board at the regular board meeting prior to convention.
2. Applicants for credentials must have been a member of a local church for a period of at least three (3) months before the pastor signs a recommendation unless waived by the district board.
3. No pastor or minister charge to or otherwise in-debt a local church more than one thousand dollars $1000.00 without the church’s knowledge and consent.
4. Exhorters shall be recognized as ministers with the authority to perform marriages and conduct funerals.
Pastor Resignation
When a pastor resigns a church, he must give at least a thirty (30) day notice to the church and the District Executives. He shall be required to take care of all services during this time, unless arrangements are made with the District Executives.
1. When a pastor is asked to resign, he shall be given a thirty (30) day notice. He shall continue to receive the support of the church as long as he is taking care of the services.
2. Upon resignation of the pastor, the District Executive committee may audit the church books, together with the outgoing pastor, and the local church secretary, should the District Executive committee deem it necessary.
3. Every pastor, upon resigning a church, shall make a written list of all outstanding debts. This list shall accompany his written resignation to the District Office, and shall also be presented to the local church board prior to leaving the church. Any minister failing to comply with this shall not be allowed placement in any other church or be transferred to another district until they have met and been cleared by the District Board.
It is important for our PCG ministers to attend our district and national meetings for fellowship, training and the promoting of unity.
Should the office of pastor become vacant due to death, the District Executive Committee, in consultation with the local church board shall appoint a temporary pastor for a time to be agreed upon, not to exceed one (1) year, and audit condition of church finances to see that all things are in order for the good of the local church.
It is inadvisable for a pastor to schedule a revival or other meetings that will conflict with the District Convention and/or Impact Northwest.
Evangelist
Ministers of the Pacific Northwest District shall use the evangelists of the District, when possible, to build the faith and unity of our district churches.
District evangelists, and the evangelists of other districts invited to give ministry in this district, are required to adhere to the following ministerial ethics. Each evangelist shall work in harmony and cooperation with District Officials and pastors.
When in a local church in this district, they shall conduct themselves so as to bring no division nor to sow seeds of discord among the members.
They shall keep in mind that they are invited guests of the pastor to share his pulpit while giving ministry in the local church. Evangelists shall always seek to build and lift up the pastor to his people.
It shall be unethical for evangelists to give their home address to members of the local church while there and to make contact with members after they have finished giving ministry and departed.
Evangelists shall never desire, nor recruit in any way, members of a local church as their followers, nor to seek to unseat the pastor, nor to be detrimental to the harmony of the local church in any way. Neither shall they open another place of worship or church near the local church where they conducted revival. They shall not seek in any way to divide a local church; they shall be brought before the District Board for disciplinary action if the aforementioned occurs.
Evangelists should always contact the local pastor of the church as a matter of courtesy should they be ministering in another organization’s church or independent work in the same town.
Any minister doing counseling shall carry liability insurance in addition to the local church property insurance.
Applications for Ordination
Applicants for ordination shall be personally introduced and recommended by an Ordained Minister in the District. All applications for ordination shall be filed with the District Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the credentials committee. The acceptance of candidates for ordination shall rest wholly with the District Board and National Credentialing Committee.
1. Qualifications
Persons eligible for ordination shall be men and women of mature experience and able to undertake the responsibility of the full gospel ministry. They must carry licensed credentials for two (2) years and show proof of active ministry for (4) years prior to application. Applicants for ordination must have completed Ordination Minister’s Studies or equal education. They must have been consistent in their tithe reports to the district office and regularly attend district meetings.
Ministers of other religious bodies desiring credentials in the Pacific Northwest District shall present satisfactory recommendations and complete the PCG Transfer Test. No person who has been divorced and remarried shall be credentialed whose former companion is now living, except when such divorce and remarriage occurred prior to the first experience of salvation or in the case where the divorce was based on fornication (Matthew 5.32) or abandonment. Any such applicant shall be required to file a Marriage Questionnaire at the time of application for ordination. Each applicant shall be required to fill out an ordination application.
2. Responsibilities
All Ordained Ministers are required to report with their tithe to the District Office at least once a month, and they are required to attend the biennial District Convention unless a genuine emergency exists such as incapacitation or illness. Failure to consistently tithe (tithing every month), without a legitimate reason two times in a quarter will automatically bring a minister into a process that would include Step One - a conversation, after Step One the board will determine if Step Two - a financial class is needed, and the Board would also decide if Step Three - budget counseling is needed. Each step can have a 6-month probationary period. The process will end with loss of credentials if the problem reoccurs and has not been corrected. All ordained ministers are amenable to the district board for their proclamation of doctrine and personal conduct.
Applications for License
All applicants for license shall be personally introduced and recommended by their Sr. pastor or an ordained minister of the District. All applications shall be filed with the District Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the credentials committee. Acceptance of candidates for license shall rest wholly with the District Board.
1. Qualifications
Persons who give evidence of being called of God, and who are baptized with the Holy Ghost, and plan to devote their life to the ministering of the Gospel, will, upon proper application and acceptance, be issued a license. Applicants for license must have completed License Minister’s studies or equal education.
2. Responsibilities
All licensed ministers are required to report with his/her tithe to the District Office at least once a month, and he/she is required to attend the bi-annual Convention unless a genuine emergency exists such as incapacitation or illness. Failure to consistently tithe (tithing every month), without a legitimate reason two times in a quarter will automatically bring a minister into a process that would include step one; a conversation, after step one the board will determine if step two, a financial class is needed, and the board would also decide if step three budget counseling is needed. Each step can have a 6-month probationary period. The process will end with loss of credentials if the problem reoccurs and has not been corrected. All licensed ministers are amenable to the Official Board for their doctrine and conduct. Each applicant shall be required to fill out a License application and Marriage Questionnaire when applicable.
Application for Exhorters
All applicants for exhorter credentials shall be personally introduced and recommended by their Sr. Pastor or an Ordained Minister in the District. All applications shall be filed with the District Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting of the Credentials Committee. Acceptance of candidates for exhorter credentials shall rest wholly with the district board.
Each applicant shall be required to fill out a Marriage Questionnaire when applicable.
1. Qualifications
All applicants must have been saved for at least one (1) year, give evidence of being called of God and baptized with the Holy Ghost as well as show that they are making preparation for the full-time ministry.
2. Responsibilities
All exhorters are to have a Pentecostal Church of God church home and be a regular attender and supporter of that church or they must give a just reason to the district board. All exhorters shall send a basic fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per month of their tithe to the district office. They shall pay tithe on all ministerial income to the district office. Failure to consistently tithe (tithing every month), without a legitimate reason two times in a quarter will automatically bring a minister into a process that would include step one; a conversation, after step one the board will determine if step two, a financial class is needed, and the board would also decide if step three budget counseling is needed. Each step can have a 6-month probationary period. The process will end with loss of credentials if the problem reoccurs and has not been corrected.
Exhorters are not qualified to pastor a church until they have met with the district board and have advanced to a Licensed Ministerial Credential.
Local Church Credential
Local Church Credential studies are the same as if the applicant was applying for an exhorter’s license. The Local Church Credential is issued by and is given oversight by the leadership in the local church. If a person holding a local church credential wishes to advance to an exhorter’s credential, they will not need to repeat the required study if previously completed. The purpose of this credential is to assist and aid the local church in further preparation of their people for an effective and fruitful ministry.
Renewals & Reinstatements
Ministers wishing to reinstate must fill out a reinstatement application, get the proper signatures on it, have a background check, meet the District Board at a regularly scheduled meeting, catch up their credential fees and pay them three months in advance upon approval.
Assessments & Fees
Each minister ordained or licensed, and each person licensed to exhort, shall participate financially for the maintenance of the general office as follows: All ordained, licensed and exhorter ministers shall contribute the sum of Thirty dollars ($30.00) each month. Included for the monthly contribution shall also be the following: A certificate, a yearly minster card and a subscription to the Pentecostal Messenger.
To assist the General Office and the District Office in the bookkeeping procedures necessitated by such an extensive program, each minister is encouraged, when possible, to pay his/her respective fees in one annual sum or in semiannual or quarterly payments.
If fees are delinquent for a period of three (3) months, the ministerial credential will be dropped, upon written notice.
Upon application to the District Board, each applicant shall pay a $15 application fee and a $25 background check fee made out to the PNW District; along with three months of credential fees $90 made out to the General Office.
Alternate Ministry Programs
Policy for Fellowship Ministers and Credentialed ministers who are on staff with other churches or ministries. For Fellowship Ministers, we offer them Yearly Conferences, Youth camps, Leadership Intensives, Covenant Ministers Group, ... for $10 a month. The limitations are no voice in our convention and not able to pastor one of our churches unless credentialed with us. Check with National Office to see if we can give a local credential that would allow them to do weddings etc...
For our credentialed ministers who are on staff in a non PCG church or ministry we would ask the secretary of the church/ministry they are working in to send us amonthly tithe report and we would ask them to send 10% of their tithe to us each month.
Retirement program
The retirement program is open to employees of a nonprofit organization under Title 403B through the General Office.
1. Eligibility requirement
Funds placed into the retirement fund must come from ministerial income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of yearly ministerial income can be contributed.
2. Financial benefits
The contribution is subtracted from the total taxable income of plan holder. Growth and income generated by funds in the plan are not subject to current taxes. Benefits are one hundred percent (100%) vested at all times.
3. Benefits for plan-holder’s heirs
Accounts are excluded from the gross estate if paid to a named beneficiary over two (2) or more taxable years.
4. Distribution starts at retirement or termination of employment or financial hardship, or at fifty-nine and one-half (59 ½) years of age.
Life Insurance
Only gratis ministers are eligible for death benefit life insurance. All gratis ministers will receive a one-time payout of $4000.00 upon their death.
Home Missions
The purpose of the Home Mission’s Department is to promote the mission of the Pacific Northwest District of the Pentecostal Church of God, “Embrace the harvest and make disciples that will make disciples thru Pentecostal Power” The department shall encourage and support district ministers in developing existing ministries and establishing new ones.
The District Home Missions Director
The District Presbyter shall fill the role of the District Home Missions Director.
The Home Mission’s Director shall interview Home Missions applicants before they meet the District Board.
The Home Mission’s Director shall report of the status of Home Missions churches to the District Board for as long as they are in Home Missions status.
Home Missions Funding
30% of all non-designated funds received by the Home Missions Department shall be used for the Project Paraclete fund and the remaining 70% shall be used for the new works fund.
Project Paraclete funds are to be used for the support of existing ministries and district owned properties.
New works funds are to be used for the establishment of new ministries in the district.
All expenditures of less than $1500.00 from the Missions funds shall be at the discretion of the Home Missions Director.
Expenditures of more than $1500.00 from the Home Missions funds requires the approval of the Home Missions Director and District Board.
All expenditures from the District Home Missions funds are subject to review by the District Executive Committee and District Board.
Project Paraclete
Project Paraclete is a ministry of the Home Missions Department to help existing churches who are struggling financially.
A ministry desiring financial assistance from the Home Mission’s Department through Project Paraclete must do the following: Contact the Home Missions Director and request financial assistance through Project Paraclete.
Meet with the Home Mission’s Director to present their request for financial assistance.
The Home Mission’s Director may approve or disapprove the request if it is less than $1500.00. If it is greater than $1500.00 the request requires the approval of the Executives and/or District Board.
All expenditures through Project Paraclete are subject to the approval of the District Executive Committee.
Home Missions Loans
If a ministry desires to take a loan from the District Home Missions Department they must do the following:
Contact the Home Mission Director and request a loan.
Meet with the District Executive Committee, to discuss the reason for the loan and the repayment options for the loan as well as other options that may be available.
If the loan is approved, a contract between the district Home Missions Department and the ministry shall be created and signed by both the ministry and the Home Mission’s Director.
Copies of the loan documents shall be held by the District Secretary and the District Home Missions Director.
New Ministries
A minister desiring to start a new ministry in the Pacific Northwest District must complete the following:
Meet with the District Home Missions Director to begin exploring the proposed new ministry.
Meet with the Executive Committee and/or District Board for final approval of the new ministry.
If the new ministry requires a financial investment from the District of greater than $1500.00 or the use of District owned property, the financial investment of use of District property must be approved by the District Board.
The new ministry shall be in the Home Missions mentoring program two years. At the end of these two years, the new ministry may request to stay in the Home Missions mentoring program.
Planting Churches
Our mission is to plant churches throughout the PNW. Two models that we recommend but are not limited to are Fresh Expressions Dinner Church and Home Groups (Real Life Ministries Post Falls Idaho).
1. The Minister is called to location (city/town).
2. Commissioned by PNW District PCG. Becomes a Covenant Church of the PNW PCG.
3. Starts homegroup in their home.
4. Starts under PCG 501-C3.
5. Multiplies homegroups.
NEW CHURCHES
CHURCH PLANTS
Vision: To establish a Pentecostal presence in every county in America!
Approach: To assist called and equipped church planters to pursue their dreams through assessing, training, coaching, funding, and reproducing.
We consider a new church plant to be...
• A church that connects people to Christ through salvation, baptism, and discipleship.
• A church that becomes an autonomous congregation, self-funded and self-directed.
• A church that reproduces itself by planting other churches.
We do not consider a new church plant to be...
• A "church within a church" with no intention of becoming autonomous.
• A new service as part of an existing congregation.
• A life-stage service such as a high school, college, or singles service.
There is a tremendous vacuum that exists in our ranks for training church planters. In the past, we have been guilty of sending church planters to a community, assuming that they are prepared for the task when they are not prepared. What happens? They end up used and abused—a spiritual wreck on the highway of ministry!
In the past we may have been able to simply enter a community and just start having church. But we are now living in an educated, skeptical, and de-sensitized nation with educated, skeptical and de-sensitized people. Our church planters must know what they are doing and how they are doing it.
The Apostle Paul certainly encouraged this when he stated: "And his gifts were that some should be apostles...some pastors and teachers. To equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12, RSV).
When it comes to church planting, we must have the right people with the right calling with the right mission to receive the right harvest.
Church planters should follow an intense training regimen and be confirmed and commissioned with a proper evaluation process. The evaluation process should consist of an application phase, assessment phase, and action phase.
Application: Initially an applicant must submit a resume, highlighting all ministry background and providing references pertinent to all ministry experience. Through proper documentation, the applicant is asked to submit his/her philosophy concerning marriage, theology, and ministry.
Assessment: The application phase is followed by assessment process, which is the most important part of the process. During this phase of evaluation, the applicant is assessed concerning his/her potential to serve as a lead planter and is required to spend "face to face" time with a "church planting evaluation/coaching team."
To plant a church that honors God a church planter must train and compete with the precision of a skilled athlete (2 Timothy 2:5). Lazy men and women who adore their hobbies rarely plant much of a church because they end up wasting time, wasting energy, and being undisciplined with everything from their Bible to their fork as they tend to read too little and sleep and eat too much.
To plant a church that honors God, a church planter must sweat at his labor like a farmer (2 Timothy 26). Many young men and women are attracted to ministry because, as one pastor said, "it's a job indoors that does not require any heavy lifting." But when done properly, ministry and church planting are hard work. Like the farmer who owns his own land, the church planter will have no one to wake him up in the morning, set his schedule, or harvest his crops.
During the assessment process, some applicants simply realize that they are not qualified and opt out while others are simply denied because they are not ready for the task or diligent enough to harvest. Yet, many others come forth as mighty men of valor.
Action: The final phase is the action phase, where the church planter begins to connect relationally with assigned coaches, gather their core group, develop their strategy, assemble their budget, and vision-cast their needs. The best church planters are those who are equipped effectively and sent to counties where there are partnering churches, sections, and districts.
1. PCG should use a "Mother Church, Father District" covenant.
The highest level of success in church planting comes through spiritual covenant.
It's not healthy for a church to plant itself because there is no spiritual covering or coaching to help a church plant survive the rough waters of infancy. Without a spiritual mother and father, a church is abandoned on the doorstep of life to fend for itself.
With the help of a "Mother Church/Father District" covenant, a church plant has a greater possibility to succeed. The local mother church can provide the necessary nurturing and support that is required for daily growth while the
district/denominational father church can provide the protection and resources that are necessary for a proper spiritual covering. Both are necessary.
Unfortunately, some single parent church plants end up connected to a mother church but not the Pentecostal Church of God. They end up being planted with the help of a mother church without any connection to a district or denominational father.
They end up as a single-parent plant-having a mother church without a father district. That's not what we're looking for! We're looking for church planters who will desire covenant relationship with a mother church and a father district.
Mother Church/Father Fellowship Covenant
All mother churches and their leadership should agree to the following...
• Coaching: Providing weekly coaching for the lead church planter
• Prayer: Providing consistent prayer for the leadership, mission, and health of the church plant.
• Resources: Providing resources to accomplish start-up goals (i.e. sound equipment, office equipment, telecommunication systems, etc.)
• Funding: Providing financial support on a monthly basis for two years (continuing support would be renewable at the discretion of the mother church).
• Service: Providing church members to serve in various ministries for a specific period of time (i.e. ushers/greeters, children's workers, musicians).
All father fellowships (Districts & IMC) would agree to the following...
• Coaching: Providing coaching relationships through the IMC leadership team.
• Assessment: Providing support in the assessment/training process for lead church planters through the IMC leadership team.
• Training: Providing face to face training for the stages of church planting-Planning Stage, Promotional Stage, Pre-launch Stage, and Launch Stage through the IMC leadership team.
grace as needed through the process.
To reiterate, church planting works more effectively when we enlist and equip our church planters with fervor and utilize a "Mother Church/Father District Covenant."
2. PCG will utilize our successful church planters and network of coaches.
Despite our lack of emphasis on church planting over the past few years, we have seen a successful group of church planters emerge in the Pentecostal Church of God. They have become a wealth of experience and information, and we are engaging them in the assessment, training, coaching, funding, and networking process.
A tree is known by its fruit, and the IMC is establishing a leadership team and process that will be producing vibrant PCG fruit. The immediate goal of the IMC is to gather our successful church planters together and engage them in the process.
Home Missions Mentoring
Existing ministries may become involved in Home Missions mentoring if one of the following conditions are met.
The ministry may request mentoring from the Home Missions Director/Executives by contacting the Home Mission’s Director and requesting mentoring.
The District Board may assign an existing ministry to the Home Missions mentoring program if it is deemed necessary by the board.
If a ministry requires ongoing financial support from the District Home Missions Department it will be required to become involved in Home Missions mentoring.
Home missions mentoring shall include the following activities:
Executive Committee shall connect ministry leader with appropriate mentor.
The ministry leader and the mentor shall jointly determine the goals and objectives of the mentoring relationship and the ministry.
The ministry leader and the mentor shall communicate on a regular basis for encouragement, support and assistance as needed and to provide updates on the progress of the ministry.
The ministry shall meet with the Home Missions Director once per year to provide an update on the status of the ministry.
The term of Home Missions mentoring shall be one year unless the ministry is a new ministry in which case the mentoring relationship shall be for two years.
At the end of the mentoring period, the ministry shall meet with the Home Missions Director to review the status of the ministry.
The ministry may request to renew the mentoring relationship for another year if they desire.
CHURCH ASSOCIATION
"If you are looking for a missional movement, you've come to the right tribe.
A PCG 2.0 remains positioned to write a brand-new chapter, and we hope you will be part of it."
Churches with the Pentecostal Church of God share a common mission, family relationship, and sacred trust. While church government and structure can look different, the family benefits remain similar. We invite you to consider associating with the PCG as a Cooperative, Chartered, or Covenant church.
1. COOPERATIVE CHURCH
Key Emphasis: Common Mission
As a Cooperative Church, we invite you to join in the Common Mission of the Pentecostal Church of God. The PCG is "One Mission-One Movement" in nearly seventy nations around the globe and seeks to serve Christ as a multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-generational church. By choosing to become a part of the PCG, a Cooperative Church answers the prayer of Jesus in John 17:21 to "be one ... that the world may believe that You sent Me" and gains access to a plethora of missions and ministry opportunities that inspire church growth and impact eternity. The Cooperative Church guidelines include...
(1) Access to PCG missions/ministries and church-wide events
(2) Access to PCG training and resources for churches (resources.pcg.org)
(3) Access to PCG credentialed pastors with covering and accountability
(4) Adherence to the PCG tenets of faith
(5) Freedom to retain local church governance
(6) Freedom to retain its own 501(c)3 and tax-exempt status
2. CHARTERED CHURCH
Key Emphasis: Family Relationship
As a Chartered Church, we invite you into a family relationship with the PCG.
As a family member, the Chartered Church would have access to all the family benefits and responsibilities offered through the PCG. The Chartered Church guidelines would include all Cooperative Church benefits (above) with the addition of...
(1) Access to pastoral leadership coaching/mentoring through the District
association and International Mission Center
(2) Access to leadership support during pastoral transitions and crisis church situations
(3) Access to financial services, including loans, retirement, and insurance options
(4) Access to future funded ministry services, including charitable giving, gift annuities, and private wealth management.
(5) Access to participation in the decision-making future of the PCG and its leadership
(6) Access to the PCG 501c3 Group Exemption through the IRS
3. COVENANT CHURCH
Key Emphasis: Sacred Trust
As a Covenant Church, we invite you into a sacred trust with the PCG. In the Bible, covenant agreements were often established for greater spiritual significance. For example, "the soul of Jonathon was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathon loved him as his own soul" (1 Sam. 18:1). In other words, they enjoyed a "heart and soul relationship" and entered into a sacred trust or Covenant. A Covenant Church carries a "heart and soul relationship" with the PCG and seeks to model a sacred trust at the highest possible level. The sacrifice may seem great, but the love is even greater. Through divine fidelity, the Covenant Church and the PCG provide a picture of a lasting loyalty. The Covenant Church guidelines would include all Cooperative and Charter Church benefits (above) with the addition of the following...
PCG Covenant:
(1) PCG would model tithing through the IMC and your District association
(2) PCG would encourage the tithe of credentialed ministers (except the lead pastor) to stay in the church
(3) PCG would invest in a Shepherd's Retirement Fund for the lead-pastor
(4) PCG would provide HR support (I.e. Legal and Church Policy Support, Harassment Training, and National/State Law Information, etc.)
Covenant Church:
(1) CC would encourage and recruit ministers to apply for PCG credentials
(2) CC would encourage and recruit ministers to get involved in PCG
coaching/training
(3) CC would model tithing to the PCG and church with the following...
• Tithing would take the place of the First-Fruits Program
• Tithing would be sent through the district
Summary
Churches with the Pentecostal Church of God share a common mission, family relationship, and sacred trust. Unfortunately, churches and organizations can sometimes get distracted by buildings and properties, programs and policies.
However, buildings don't pray or worship; people do. Programs and policies don't win the lost; people do. For those Christ-followers who are looking to be a part of a tribe of people seeking to move the mission of Christ forward by the power of the Spirit, please consider connecting with the Pentecostal Church of God as a Cooperative, Chartered, or Covenant Church.
CHURCH TRANSFERS
Many pastors of independent Pentecostal/charismatic churches are looking for fellowship and spiritual covering. The PCG desires to be at forefront of reaching out to these interested parties and welcoming them into our missional movement.
Church Association: An independent church or organized church body is invited to join the PCG with the following procedure:
1. The senior/lead pastor must become a PCG credentialed minister in an associating district.
2. The senior/lead pastor must follow the guidelines afforded by the General Bylaws and associating District Bylaws.
3. The church transfer must officially submit their intention to become a cooperative, chartered, or covenant church according to their church governance.
4. The church transfer must be approved by the associating District Board and follow the determined District Bylaws and General Bylaws if transferring in as a chartered or covenant church.
• 5. All church transfer documents should be copied and submitted to the General Secretary's Office.
Minister Association: A minister of an independent church or an organized church body is invited to join the PCG. Even though we encourage the pastor to bring the church into fellowship with the PCG, we recognize that a Licensed or Ordained PCG minister may serve as a pastor of an independent church at the discretion of the District Board when necessary.
Finance
Support of the District Office
1. All active ministers (pastors and evangelists) who are ordained with the Pentecostal Church of God, shall send all their tithes, both ministerial and secular, to the District Office. Inactive ministers, both Licensed and Ordained within the Pentecostal Church of God, shall send all their ministerial tithes to the District Office as well as fifty percent (50%) of their secular tithes. The other fifty percent (50%) of their secular tithes may be paid to their local church.
2. A fifteen dollar ($15.00) non-refundable fee accompany each ministerial application before it can be accepted by the District Office for consideration.
3. Since the tithe is God’s plan for financing the church, each church affiliated and associated with the Pentecostal Church of God should support General and District ministries with first-fruits (10%) of their undesignated income (designated income = salaries, missions, etc.) Each church’s first-fruits shall be sent to their respective District Office with the District Office forwarding one-third (1/3) of local church contribution to the General Headquarters.
Support of the District Bishop
1. The District Bishop shall be supported with a salary and benefits determined by the PNW District Board.
2. The District Bishop’s phone bill shall be paid out of the general funds of the District.
3.Of the percentage of salary received by the District Bishop, the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) per month shall be designated for housing allowance, utilities and furnishings.
Support of the Secretary
1. The District Secretary shall receive a salary as determined by the PNW District Board.
2. The PNW District Board shall determine how much of his ministerial income shall be designated for housing allowance, utilities and furnishings.
3. The District Secretary’s phone bill shall be paid out of the general funds of the district.
Support of the District Presbyter
1. The District Presbyter shall receive a salary as determined by the PNW District Board.
Duties of the District Office
1. The financial books of all departments shall be under the supervision of the District Executive Committee.
2. Expenses shall be paid from district funds to help finance the semi-annual trips to General Board meetings which shall be divided equally between the District Bishop, District Presbyter, District Secretary and District Youth Director. This could be between $2000 and $7000 depending on the need.
District Secretary
The District Secretary shall:
1. Together with the District Bishop, represent the District at General Conventions and at General Board Meetings.
2. Be responsible for keeping a record of all Ordained, Licensed and Exhorter ministers and churches in the District fellowship.
3. Notify all applicants for credentials concerning the date and place of District Board meeting at least twenty (20) days in advance of the meeting.
4. Report to the District Board those Ministers who become delinquent in their tithe by more than sixty (60) days without a satisfactory explanation.
5. Present a written financial report of the District to each meeting of the District Board and to the District Convention.
6. Serve as the Secretary of the District Convention, the District Board and the District Executive Committee and all District Committees.
7. Together with the District Bishop, sign all official and legal documents.
8. Serve as the custodian of the funds and documents of the District.
9. Keep the District Bishop informed of the financial status of the District on a monthly basis.
10. Direct the registration process and the Registration Committees for all District meetings, keeping the department head hosting the meeting informed of the financial status of the meeting.
11. Perform such other functions as are usual and customary for the secretary of an organization or as may be assigned by the District Bishop, District Convention or the District Board.
12. Oversee financial investments of the PNW District and provide a report of financial status to District Executives as necessary and District Board at scheduled Board Meetings.
PNW District Book-keeper/Treasurer shall:
1. Send a monthly personal tithe report and receipt to each minister.
2. Prepare a written financial report of the District to each meeting of the District Board and to the District Convention;
3. See that an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements is kept according to generally accepted accounting principles, cooperating with the District Bishop in the arrangements for the annual financial audit.
4. Track and report to District Secretary any Ministers who become delinquent in their tithe by more than sixty (60) days without a satisfactory explanation.
Bookkeeper Job Description for the PNW PCG
Weekly
• Check District mail: PO Box 1497, Kamiah, ID
• Prepare deposit of tithe checks received in the mail on deposit side of accounts in QuickBooks to keep records of giving by each minister and church for yearly reports.
• Deposit at FNWCU
• Also record deposited amount into appropriate accounts in QuickBooks. For example, if there are designated funds for Youth Director, events, Missions, etc. and the other funds as allocated on the budget analysis report for payroll, operating budget, national trips, board meetings, conferences, bonuses, etc.
Monthly
• Transfer of PayPal deposit of ministers or church tithe given online.
• Prepare and process payroll for three executives, youth director, and bookkeeper. Including housing allowances, PE expenses. Keeping track of social security and Medicare withholdings. Note: Not all ministers choose to keep out withholdings for social security and Medicare.
• Pay credit cards off for District expenses and Bishop travel expense allowance. Gathering all receipts and making payment online. Recorded into correct accounts on QuickBooks.
• Send checks to the National office for Executive tithes, first fruits from District tithes, one mission one movement.
• Bank reconciliation done on QuickBooks with monthly statement from FNWCU
• Create monthly excel reports emailed to executives by the 7th of each month with balance sheet, budget analysis, monthly income and expenses, minister and church tithes, bills paid that month, check ledger, etc.
• Send out Birthday and Anniversary cards to each minister in the district and their spouses and young children at home.
• Pay other bills and invoices as needed when the expenses arise. Examples: Ministry insurance, vendors for church repair projects, lawyer expenses, property taxes, PO Box renewal, etc.
Quarterly
• Pay quarterly IRS 941 payments for Social Security and Medicare
• Pay quarterly Labor and Industries payment
• Sometimes done quarterly or every 6 months- tithe giving reports to ministers and churches to make sure our records are accurate or if anything might have been missed before official January ones are sent for their records for use with taxes.
Yearly
• W-2s done in January for the previous year sent to all employees and copy of W2 with W3 to IRS
• 1099 NEC if any done in January for the year to special speakers/ ministers that were paid more than $600.
• January: also send out yearly tithe giving reports to each minister and church for tithes given the previous year.
Occasionally
• Assist with registration and check in at events
• Offerings taken/deposited from events
Executives and District Board Financial Directives
1. District Secretary shall relay Executives and/or District Boards financial directives to District Book-keeper immediately whereupon Book-keeper shall process forthwith expeditiously (with speed and efficiently).
Foreign Missions Fund
Each local church is encouraged to support the foreign missionary fund with at least one (1) offering each month to be sent to the General Headquarters World Missions Department.
Housing Allowance
1. Each pastor, evangelist, and office holder shall have an amount of their income designated to provide a home.
2. According to the Internal Revenue Code Section 107 “In the case of a minister of the gospel, gross income does not include—(1) the rental value of a home furnished to him as part of his compensation; or (2) the rental allowance paid to him as a part of his compensation, to the extent used by him to rent or provide a home and to the extent such allowance does not exceed the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities.”
3. The stipulated dollar amounts shall not pre-empt the local church from establishing varying specified dollar amounts. Pioneer minister’s, pastor’s, evangelists, and office holder’s financial income shall include revival offerings, love offerings, and all honorariums.
Transition of Power
Out-going Bishop and Secretary shall assist new officers in the 30 day transition period with the following items:
1. Adding names as signers for all legal documents and removal of out-going officers.
2. Update the registry with the State of Washington.
3. Transfer of names on insurance policies for District automobile.
4. Transfer of District automobile.
5. Assist with new credit cards and disposal of out-going officers credit cards.
6. Record all minutes of District Convention.
7. Record all changes in District By-laws.
8. Update information of new officers on the National level.
9. Update all information on District website.
10. Transfer all passwords to new officers.
11. Train for the operation and maintenance of District website, and Facebook.
12. Retrieve all District Minutes and Documents from outgoing officials (all documents and minutes are property of the District and are not to remain in the possession of outgoing officers).
Fellowship Ministries Bylaws: The following bylaws shall govern the various fellowship ministries within the District.
MEN’S MINISTRY
of the PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT
Article I
This organization shall be known as the Men's Ministry of the Pacific Northwest District, Inc.
The vision of the Men's Ministry shall be, helping Men become Fully alive and Fully engaged!
Article II
One of the greatest powers in the church are men who are fully alive and fully engaged.
Malachi 4:5-6 declares, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” The curse is a generational disconnect. A generational disconnect occurs when a man is not Fully Alive and Fully engaged!
We will endeavor to equip Men as spiritual leaders of their homes, their churches and their communities. Helping them fully discover their true potential, purpose and destiny in the kingdom of God.
-Men who are humble; who allow Spiritual Fathers to speak into their lives and give direction.
-Men who are masculine; that have discovered true masculinity as a godly example and leader in their families.
-Men who have submitted themselves to wise council and accountability. controlling his appetites and what they allow in their life.
-Men who love their wives and give themselves for her as Christ gave himself for the church.
-Men who are raising their children and nurturing their grandchildren in the ways of the Lord by their example and their counsel
-Men who follow hard after God, never quit in the face of adversity, they keep pressing toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
-Men who reach out in relationship generationally with other men.
The District Men’s Ministry Director, the Women’s Ministries Director, and the Youth director shall be appointed by the District Board.
Article III
Officers and Qualifications
1. The District Executive Committee and District Board shall appoint a District Men’s Ministry Director from among the ministers of the Pacific Northwest District. The Men’s Ministry Director shall serve a two (2) year term and may serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms.
2. (Qualifications) The District Men’s Ministry Director shall be a male minister in good standing with the Pacific Northwest District and shall have been a member of the District for at least one (1) year.
3. (Duties) The District Men’s Ministry Director shall organize and promote the ministry of the Men’s Department in the District. He shall work with the local churches in the developing, establishment of, and growth of local Men’s groups. He shall organize and promote a District Men’s retreat every year. He shall work in cooperation with the National Men’s Director for the registration of Men’s groups.
4. (Sectional directors) The person voted in as Sectional Home Missions Director is each section shall serve as the Sectional Men’s Director as well. He shall work with the District Men’s Director in the promotion, establishment and growth of men’s ministry in their section and local church. He shall have the privilege of organizing sectional men’s meetings for the purpose of spiritual growth and relationship building of men in their section.
5. (Local church directors) Each church is encouraged to choose a Men’s Ministry director who will organize and lead this great ministry in their city and area.
Article IV
1. Yearly registration for The Men’s groups is on Father’s Day. Registration is three dollars ($3.00) per person or five dollars ($5.00) if a Fellowship pin is desired.
2. The District Secretarial staff shall take care of the financial accounting of the District Men’s Ministry.
Impact Student Ministry
Pacific Northwest District
Prelude
It has pleased God to call, through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in these days, a Generation of young men and women into His service and has witnessed the same by the outpouring on all flesh.
As a Pentecostal generation (age 13-18), we desire to Impact a Generation, One Student at a Time, (Matt 28:19-20) and Connect with God and this Generation (Mk. 12:30-31). Our desire is to reestablish the 2 greatest commandments back in order into the local church, we want to fulfill a district vision of going to all the world making disciples.
Article I
Name and Motto
1. This Fellowship shall be known as “Impact Northwest Student Ministries”
2. Our motto shall be “Impacting a Generation, One Student @ A Time” Matt. 28:19-28
Article II
Purpose
The Purpose of this fellowship is 2-fold.
1. Impact a Generation, One Student At a Time (District purpose)
2. Connect w/God and This Generation (Local Church purpose)
This 2-fold purpose is for this reason; that we won’t have a large healthy district ministry, if we don’t have large healthy local church youth ministries. These two purposes are fulfilled by encouraging one another in the work of the Lord; to help a generation of men and women unfold their destiny, gifts and abilities as Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ through various events and activities, in order that souls might be converted to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit be demonstrated through our work for Him. Also to promote the local church and young men and women of God’s involvement in the local church that will aid to the further progress of Impact Northwest Student Ministries.
Article III
Events/Ministries
1. There shall be at least 2 big events a year
a. Impact
b. Summer camp Sr/Jr
2. The Director shall organize youth leadership training seminars/conferences and or programs.
3. Director shall visit our churches and local Youth Ministries as time and opportunity allows.
4. Any additional events will be discussed and determined by the District Board.
5. The Events of the local Youth Ministry shall be determined by the ministry leader/pastor.
6. The local church shall encourage and support a Junior Youth Ministry, for those too young for Impact Northwest Student Ministries. Ages 6-12
7. The local Youth Ministry shall secure the approval of the pastor before visiting any other Events (camps, conferences. leadership training) outside of our fellowship. The pastor has the privilege of attending these events if desired.
Article IV
District Team
Following acceptance of the Impact Northwest Student Ministry Director, he/she must develop a strong supporting team to keep him/her accountable, to develop, and to help fulfill the purpose of this Fellowship.
1. The Impact Northwest Student Ministries team shall be the District Youth Director, a Secretary-Treasurer, Missions Director, Talent Expo Director, Bible Quiz Director.
2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Youth Director and the District Board.
3. All Team Members must be Disciples of Jesus Christ, involved in a local church in the Pentecostal Church of God Pacific Northwest Fellowship and be in good standing with the local church, Impact Northwest Student Ministries and the Pentecostal Church of God Pacific Northwest District.
4. Should the office of Youth Director become vacant before the 2-year commitment is fulfilled the District Board is authorized to appoint a person to fill the unexpired term until they can appoint a permanent replacement.
Article V
Youth Director/District Team
Qualifications/Objectives
1. Qualification of Youth Director
a. The Director shall be a Disciple of Jesus Christ for a minimum of 3 years and shall be in good standing with the Local Church and the Pacific Northwest District of the Pentecostal Church of God
b. The Director shall be ordained/licensed minister of the Pentecostal Church of God and an active member of the Pacific Northwest District for at least (6) months.
c. The Director may be involved in a Local Church Ministry in the Pentecostal Church of God Pacific Northwest District so long as it doesn’t encumber the position or the performing of the duties as Director.
d. The District Youth Director Shall be appointed by the District Board of the Pacific Northwest District. The term of Youth director shall be a minimum of a 2-year commitment.
2. Objectives of Youth Director
a. The Youth Director is to build and promote Youth Ministries on the Local and District Levels. He/She are to aid in establishing and equipping youth ministries in the local churches that exist or are in the making.
b. The Director is to provide Leadership Development for District Team, local youth pastors/leaders and future leaders. With the approval from the District Board.
c. The Director must schedule all events (regional, district) and be faithful to organize, preach and fulfill those events and promote District and National events and ministries.
d. Events should be presented to the District Board 1 year before the event is to take place for approval and be promoted to the local churches 6 months before the event is to take place.
e. Event information and promotional material must be distributed to all the local churches in the Pacific Northwest District.
f. If there is a change in the schedule or a cancelation of an event/activity the director must make sure all parties are notified before the change if all possible, particularly the local pastor/youth pastor, and District Board.
g. The Director shall schedule a sweep through the district at least once a year or visit as many churches as possible.
h. The Director is to develop and execute fundraising strategies which are to be approved by the District Board.
i. The Director shall project vision for his department to the local church and to the District Board. Which include vision for the local church, District and its finances.
j. DYD and Youth Ministry team is invited to and expected to attend The Cause.
k. The Director is accountable to the District Bishop, Executive Committee and the District Board for the events/activities and is required to meet the District Board during District Board meetings.
l. The Director is to put on at least 2 big events a year Summer Camp and Impact.
1. Qualifications of District Impact Youth Team.
a. Shall be a Disciple of Jesus Christ for a minimum of 1 year and shall be in good standing with the Local Church and the Pacific Northwest District of the Pentecostal Church of God.
b. The Directors may be involved in a Local Church Ministry in the Pentecostal Church of God Pacific Northwest District so long it doesn’t encumber the position or the performing of the duties as a Director in Impact Student Ministries.
c. The Director shall be appointed by the Youth Director and the District Board of the Pacific Northwest District. The term of Director shall be a minimum of a 1 year commitment.
2. Objective of Impact Student Ministries Directors:
a. Aid the Director in the Planning and Promoting of National/District events.
b. Aid in the Building of relationships and the scheduling of visits to the local churches in their respective field.
c. Attend and Serve at all events/activities, leadership training and meetings scheduled by the Director/District Board.
Article VI
Business and Election
1. Business concerning Impact Northwest Student Ministries will be included in the General Business of the Pacific Northwest District Convention.
Article VII
Finances
1. Support for the District Youth Director is determined by the PNW District Board with additional offerings received as he/she travels and ministers throughout the district. Support is subject to District Board, and the ability to fulfill it.
2. Offerings should be taken at all local/district events.
3. Impact Northwest Student Ministries may obligate itself for any special financial program; however, it needs to be approved by the District Board.
4. An annual fundraiser must be determined and executed by the director and distributed to the local church for participation.
Article VIII
Standing
Impact Northwest Student Ministries shall be considered a branch of the Pacific Northwest District.
PNW Impact Youth Ministries 3 initiatives:
1. Reconnect - build meaningful, long-lasting relationships.
2. Rebirth - encouraging our youth to engage in the great harvest.
3. Reinvest - always encouraging our churches to make disciples that will make disciples. Some avenues for making disciples are within these ministries: Youth Camp, Missions, Bible Quizzing, Talent Expo.
4 Point Leadership:
1. District Youth Director (DYD TEAM leader).
2. District BQ (Bible Quiz) Director.
3. District Youth Missions Director.
4. District TE (Talent Expo) Director.
1. DYD - train leadership team, promote, and organize internship. Oversee other three Directors, recruit more servant-leaders for youth ministries and making disciples.
2. DBQD - recruit, train BQ Coaches and teams (Sr., Jr. & Primary Divisions), conduct yearly BQ Finals. Make disciples thru Bible Quizzing.
3. DYMD - promote World Missions and organize yearly Youth Missions trip (world and/or home missions, Appalachia). Make disciples through Missions.
4. DTED - Promote and organize yearly TE (Sr. & Jr. Division). Make disciples thru Talent Expo.
Qualifications:
1. Born again.
2. Faithful to their home church with the three ‘T’s; time, treasure, and talent.
3. Agreement with PCG doctrinal statement.
Women’s Ministries Department
Pentecostal Church of God
Pacific Northwest District
Preamble
WHEREAS, it has pleased God to call through His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the ladies of our constituency into His service, giving them a zeal for missionary activity, and a burden for souls; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that we organize ourselves into local groups in the Pacific Northwest District, Inc., of the Pentecostal Church of God, Inc., and that we shall with mutual agreement, enter into a covenant of service for our Lord by further organizing ourselves into a District Ministry Department.
Article I
Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Women’s Ministry Department of the Pacific Northwest District, Inc.
Section 2. The motto of the Women’s Ministries Department shall be “Laborers together with God.”
Article II
Purpose
The purpose of the Women’s Ministries Department shall be to encourage a missionary zeal and spirit throughout the churches: to assume the responsibility of sponsoring the various missionaries in their respective fields of labor, to carry on Home Missionary work on behalf of the needy, to promote the gospel program in every way possible for the evangelization of the world.
Article III
WHEREAS, God is calling the ladies of our churches into His service and giving them a zeal for missionary service and a burden for the lost, therefore, we the Women’s Ministries Department of the Pentecostal Church of God do hereby pledge ourselves to work together for the advancement of the Gospel of Christ around the world.
We will not knowingly lend ourselves to any program that would hinder the cause of Christ, and we will put forth every effort to keep our meetings free from un-Christlike conversation and activities and will endeavor to keep uppermost the advancement of the Home and Foreign Missionary programs.
We will assist our missionaries of the field, and those on furlough to the utmost of our ability and will band ourselves together to pray unceasingly for our missionaries and their work throughout the world.
We do further agree to cooperate with our ministers and our leaders for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel to the world.
Article IV
Officers and Qualifications
1. District Women’s Ministries Director
a. The District Women’s organization, known as the Women’s Ministries Department, shall have one District Director.
b. Qualifications: The Women’s Ministries Director shall be a woman in good standing with her local church and the District and shall have been a member of the District at least one year.
c. Women’s Ministries Director is to be appointed by the District Executive Committee with the District Board.
d. Duties: Duties of the Women’s Ministries Director are to meet with the local groups where invited, and to hold other meetings or rallies as approval by the Section or Sections where the meetings or rally is held.
e. Women’s Ministry Director shall meet and present a report/plans at each scheduled District Board Meeting.
Article V
Finance
a. The District Women’s Ministries Director is to receive tithes from the local church Women’s Ministries projects, when it does not conflict with local bylaws.
b. The Women’s Ministries Director shall have the privilege of accepting freewill offerings from any local group visited and from Women’s Ministries Rallies for the Women’s Ministries program.
c. An offering shall be taken at all Women’s Ministries Rallies for the district Women’s Ministries office and ten percent (10%) of these offerings shall be given to the District Women’s Ministries Secretary-Treasurer for her work.
d. Be it resolved that the District Women’s Ministries Director receive tithe from the Ladies’ Retreat registration each year. (1995)
As we know times are changing and our world has become more evil. The WM dept will come alongside "Rescue Her Ministry" and connect with local ministries that raises awareness about the real dangers of human trafficking in our own local communities and to be praying for survivors of adult and child trafficking.
