ARTICLE XI

LOCAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT

Section 1-The Name- The name of each assembly must always include the words UNITED
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH. The name UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH must always appear
on the church signboard above any local church name for immediate recognition.

Section 2- Purpose- A house divided against itself cannot stand. The main purpose of this
constitution is to provide rules to govern the assembly, according to the scriptures, so that
we may advance in the will of God (Titus 1:5; I Corinthians 12:28). Our purpose are the
following:
1. To established and maintain a place of worship:
2. To unite a people of like faith in the bonds of brotherly love and fellowship (Hebrews
13:1);
3. To meet together to truly worship God in Spirit and in truth, and to receive spiritual
teaching (John 4:24; Ephesians 4:11-15);
4. To point the lost to the way of life by publishing at home and abroad the true plan of
salvation, exhorting believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit (John 1:29; Luke 11:13;
Acts 1:8 and 2:38);
5. To provide rules of Christian conduct, based upon the word of God (Titus 2) In order
to establish our work on a more efficient and permanent basis, the members of each
local assembly affirm their belief that God’s people should be scrupulously set in
order, and that it is needful for them to be efficiently organized to successfully carry
on the gospel work and properly handle their business affairs.
Section 3- Membership Eligibility- Anyone believing in and accepting the apostolic
doctrine as set forth in our articles of faith is eligible to become a member.
Section 4- Obligations- As a member of the assembly, each one must accept the following
obligations:
1. To cleanse oneself of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear
of God (II Corinthians 7:1). Tobacco in any form, intoxicating drinks, and worldly
amusements such as cinemas are prohibited;
2. To conduct oneself everywhere as becometh a Christian;
3. To endeavor to manifest a spirit of brotherly love and fellowship toward all of God’s
people;
4. To forsake not attending services, as the manner of some is (Hebrews 10:25);
5. To support the work of the assembly with one’s prayer and financial aid, as God
prospers (Malachi 3:10; I Corinthians 16:2)
6. To maintain family and secret devotion;
7. To avoid all ungodly and worldly amusements (all amusements and recreations are
not harmful), that one may be blameless amidst an evil generation, and thus bring no
reproach upon the name of the Christ;
8. To abide by the By-laws of the assembly as prescribed in this of local church
government (Titus 2:1-8; Hebrews 13:17);
 9. To secure, in case of moving, a letter of recommendation from the former church and
unite with another church of the same faith as soon as possible.
Section 5-Admission- Anyone who eligible and accepts the foregoing obligations shall
become a member of the assembly by registering his name and address with the pastor or
secretary, and receiving the right hand of fellowship from the church.
No person, being a member of another church in our organizations, shall be received
as member into another assembly without a letter of recommendation from the pastor of the
United Pentecostal Church he is leaving.
No person desiring to withdraw his membership shall be refused a letter of
recommendation unless proven guilty of misconduct by confessions of conviction. When the
said person has made satisfactory restitution to the church he is leaving, he shall be cleared
of all foregoing matters, and be ready to be accepted into the fellowship of a local United
Pentecostal Church assembly.
Any Pastor/worker/member who shall conduct ministerial or evangelistic activities
such as Home Bible Studies and Evangelistic crusades, other than in his area of ministerial
jurisdiction, must first secure the consent of the pastor in the area. Should the area be
considered open by the district Board, the same shall be consulted and informed of the said
intention.
It is imperative that a Certificate of Installation signed by the officiating minister, the
General Superintendent, the General Secretary, the District Presbyter or Sectional Presbyter,
be issued to the deserving minister as award of pastoral recognition into the pastoral
recognition into the pastoral ranks of our ministerial fellowship. The said Certificate of
installation shall be effected upon installation and rendered void upon termination, and
termination as deriving from petition of a congregation who desire for a change of pastor,
change of pastoral post, transfer to another field of labor, suspension, death and other
reasonable causes of removal pertinent to the minister thereof.
Section 6-Discipline- Any member failing or refusing after the first and second admonition
to keep the obligations and abide by the rules of the assembly may be automatically
suspended (II Thessalonians 3:6), or dealt with according to the following methods:
1. if any member of this church be overtaken in a fault, he or she shall be dealt with
according to Galatians 6:1; I John 5:16-17; and James 5:19, 20.
2. Any grievance arising between individual members of this assembly shall be dealt
with according to Matthew 18:15-18. Should the accused be found guilty by the
church, he or she may be disfellowshipped from the membership roll unless he or she
repents and makes public confession.
Section 7-Officers- The Officers of the church shall be as follows: a pastor, an assistant
pastor (when deemed necessary by the pastor), church board members (elders), at least one
and not more than seven, and a church secretary-treasurer.
Section 8-Pastor- The pastor must have a recommendation from the District Presbyter. A
recommendation shall not be withheld from any minister of the United Pentecostal Church
if he holds a current fellowship card. However, if there is any question concerning his
conduct and/or qualifications, the District Presbyter shall proper contact to the church
minister.
Section 9- Other officers- Other officers must have been members in good standing at least
one year, except in the case of newly organized assemblies.

Section 10- Appointment/Election of a Pastor- When a local church desires to choose a

pastor, the local church board shall consult with the Sectional Presbyter regarding the
availability of ministers. The local church board may request the services of any minister
who is in good standing with the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc. and the
Sectional Presbyter may also make recommendations from the District Presbyter or General
Superintendent. The Sectional Presbyter shall meet with the church board, and together,
they shall make recommendations to the congregation in a duly called business meeting,
which shall be presided over by the Presbyter. Only one name shall be presented to the
congregation at any one time. When the chairman of the meeting has presented the name of
a minister for recommendation, a “yes” or “no” ballot shall be taken. A minister receiving 2/3
majority vote shall be elected. If the name presented receives less than 2/3 majority vote,
another name shall be presented to the congregation. In no case shall a pastor be installed in
a United Pentecostal Church without the written recommendation of the Sectional Presbyter
and/or District Presbyter.
In case of alleged misconduct, the same shall be reported in writing, sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested, or personally delivered with signed receipt statement
requested, to the Sectional and/or District Presbyter. The District Presbyter, Sectional
Presbyter, and Sectional Secretary shall investigate the said report, and take further action
as deemed necessary.
Section 11- Resignation and/or Dismissal- A pastor desiring to leave a church must give
the Sectional Presbyter and church board 30 days of notice. By mutual agreement, the time
may be changed.
Furthermore, it is understood that in this event, the church is immediately at liberty to start
negotiation for a new pastor.
A church desiring to change pastor shall express this desire according to the following
procedures:
a. A request for a change of pastor shall be placed in writing, over the signatures of at
least two or more church members, to the District Presbyter and/or the Sectional
Presbyter.
b. The District Presbyter and/ or Sectional Presbyter shall notify the pastor of the
request of the church, furnishing a copy of the request for change of pastor.
c. The District Presbyter and/or Sectional Presbyter shall call a meeting of the pastor
and all parties signing the request for change of pastor to discuss the situation and if
possible resolve the matter.
 d. In the event the meeting cannot resolve the differences given as the cause for desiring
the change, the District Presbyter and/or Sectional Presbyter shall call for a duly
called church business meeting, to be presided over by the District Presbyter or his
designate, in which meeting a vote of confidence shall be taken on the pastor.
e. In the event the pastor does not receive a majority vote, he is dismissed as pastor and
shall have 30 days from the date of the church business meeting. By mutual
agreement, the time may be changed.
f. In the event the pastor receives a majority vote of confidence of the church members,
he shall be retained as pastor, and shall have the right to discipline those members
who signed the request for change of pastor. If certain officials of the church are
involved in signing the request, the pastor shall have the right to replace those
officials.
g. After any pastor is duly notified that the church desires to change pastor, or the pastor
notifies the church that he desires to change pastorate, there shall be no changes
made in the By-Laws, membership rolls, or church officials.
The support of the pastor shall be such as he and the assembly shall agree upon, bearing in
mind that tithes and offerings are God’s plan for the support of the ministry (Luke 10:7-14).
Section 12-The Duties of the Pastor
1. To preach and teach God’s Word as God give him ability
2. To visit and pray for sick
3. To encourage the weak
4. To reprove and warn the unruly (I Thessalonians 5:14; II Thessalonians 4:1,2)
5. To give advice as needed and be ready to every good work
The pastor’s authority shall be as follows:
1. He shall have the oversight and superintendency of all interests of the church and of
all departments of its work, both spiritual and temporal, not as lord over God’s
heritage, but as feeder of the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof, not by
constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind (I Peter 5:2,3),
inasmuch as he is responsible for the guardianship and watch-care of all who are
committed to his trust.
2. He shall be consulted in regard to all business of any importance pertaining to the
spiritual, moral, and material affairs of the church.
3. He shall call for preside over regular business and church board meeting, and shall,
with the approval of the assembly, appoint committees.
Section 13-Assistant Pastor- The assistant pastor shall be chosen by the pastor and
endorsed by the congregation subject to the approval of the District Presbyter and/or
Sectional Presbyter. His duties shall be to assist the pastor in all matters as directed by the
pastor.
Section 14-Church Board- The members of the church board (elders) shall be appointed by
the pastor and endorsed by the church for a term of one year. They, together with the pastor,
shall care for business affairs of the assembly, submitting all the transactions to the assembly
for its approval of disapproval. In case of resignation or dismissal of the pastor, the church
board shall be authorized to carry out the business affairs of the church under the direction
of the Sectional Presbyter, until such time as a new pastor is installed.
Section 15-Secretary/Treasurer- The secretary-treasurer may be one or two persons and
shall be appointed by the pastor and endorsed by the church for a term of one year. The
duties of the secretary shall be to take minutes and preserve records of business proceedings
and all other papers belongings to the assembly. The duties of the treasurer shall be to
receive and care for all funds of the assembly, and make all disbursements, keeping an
accurate record of all transactions, and to hold the books open for inspection by the member
of the assembly. The assembly may call for monthly, quarterly, or annual reports from the
treasurer and may audit the books once a year.
Section 16-Dismissalof officials- Any officer manifesting a lack of interest and failing to
attend services on a reasonable amount of time may be remove from the office.
Section 17-Departmentals Offices
1. Sunday school Superintendent- The Sunday School Superintendent shall be
appointed by the pastor and endorsed by the church for a term of one year. He/ she
shall work under the supervision and guidance of the pastor, coordinating all
activities of his department with the same
2. Youth President- The youth president shall be appointed by the pastor and endorsed
by the church for a term of one year. He shall work under the supervision and
guidance of the pastor, coordinating all activities of his department with the same.
3. Ladies Auxiliary President- The Ladies Auxiliary President shall be appointed by
the pastor and endorsed by the church for a term of one year. She shall work under
the supervision by the pastor and guidance of the pastor, coordinating all activities of
her department with the same.
4. World Missions Director- the World Missions Director shall be appointed by the
pastor and endorsed by the church for a term of one year. He shall work under the
supervision and guidance by the pastor, coordinating all activities of his department
with the same.
5. Apostolic Men’s President- The Apostolic Men’s President shall be appointed by
the pastor and endorsed by the church for a term of one year. He shall work under
the supervision and guidance by the pastor, coordinating all activities of his
department with the same.
Section 18-Property- All assemblies where the land or the church building is purchased or
built with funds provided by the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc., shall be
automatically affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc., and must be
titled to the same.
Any United Pentecostal Church having a majority of members who refuse to abide by
the Articles of Faith and/or Constitution and By-Laws of the United Pentecostals Church,
Philippines Inc., shall vacate the property on which they are worshipping, without damage
to movable or immovable property.
Inasmuch as the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc. is one church, all local
and national church property shall be held in the name of the United Pentecostal Church,
Philippines, Inc., a non-profit, religious organization incorporated under the laws of the
Republic of the Philippines.
SECTION 19-Affiliation- Any assembly to be affiliated with and under the protection of the
general body must publicly announce a specifically called meeting for the purpose of
considering whether or not they desire to be affiliated with the United Pentecostal church,
Philippines, Inc. Should a majority of the recognized members of the assembly, who are
present at the meeting, vote their approval for acceptance of the articles of faith and
constitution and By-Laws and affiliate with us, the said church shall be considered affiliated
with the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc. Copies of the minutes of the meeting of
consideration of affiliation shall be sent to the National Headquarters Office of the United
Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc.
Any assembly voting to affiliate with the United Pentecostal Church, and operating
under any other form of local church government other than that set forth in the Constitution
and By-Laws of the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines Inc. must present their local
church government by-laws to the District Board for their consideration. If acceptable to the
district board, then affiliation shall be recommended.
Any church established by a minister of the United Pentecostal Church shall be considered
automatically affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines Inc. A certificate of
affiliation will be issued to all local churches affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church,
Philippines Inc.
All church congregations pastored by a licensed minister of the United Pentecostal Church
shall be automatically affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church, Philippines Inc.,
regardless of whether local church properties are owned by the organization.
Any church desiring to withdraw its affiliation with the United Pentecostal Church,
Philippines Inc. must abide the following procedure:
1. they must arrange for and announce a business meeting for said purpose at least 10
days in advance of the meeting. The same shall be announced in at least three regular
public church services.
2. The church must advise and invite the General Superintendent and/or his
representative to be present to represent the organization at the said meeting.
3. In the event a church decides to take steps to withdraw its affiliation in the United
Pentecostal Church, Philippines, Inc., no words derogatory to the United Pentecostal
Church shall be spoken by the pastor, and no words derogatory to the church and
pastor shall be spoken by the representatives of the United Pentecostal Church.
4. After a fair representation of both the church and the organization is heard, then a
majority vote of legal members of the church, present and voting shall be the deciding
factor.
5. Any church desiring to disaffiliate shall send a letter to the General Superintendent
giving reasons for the desire to disaffiliate, and inviting him to attend the special
called meeting to consider the matter.
Section 23- Business Meeting- A business meeting of the church must be announced
publicly in at least three regular services, the first announcement being at least 10 days
previous to the meeting date. A majority vote of the members present and voting at any
session shall be the deciding factor, except for pastoral elections, which requires 2/3
majority. The minimum age of a member voting in a local church business meeting shall be
18 years of age.