Utawala wa Kanisa kwa Usharika na Mfumo wa Kibaptisti — Sehemu ya 10: Mikutano ya Biashara, Katiba, Sheria Ndogo, Mali, na SheriaCongregational Church Government and Baptist Polity — Unit 10: Business Meetings, Constitutions, Bylaws, Property, and the Law

Mstari MkuuKey Verse

"Lakini yote na yatendeke kwa uzuri na kwa utaratibu." (1 Wakorintho 14:40, SUV)"Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40, NKJV)

Malengo ya KujifunzaLearning Objectives

Utakapomaliza kipindi hiki, unapaswa kuweza:When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Kueleza kwa nini kanisa la Kibaptisti hufanya maamuzi pamoja katika mkutano wa kanisa, na kutoa mifano ya kibiblia ya kanisa zima likitenda.1. Explain why a Baptist church makes decisions together in a church meeting, and give biblical examples of the whole church acting.

2. Kueleza jinsi mkutano mzuri wa biashara wa kanisa unavyoitwa, kuongozwa na kurekodiwa, na jinsi Wabaptisti wanavyosawazisha umoja na kupiga kura.2. Describe how a sound church business meeting is called, led and recorded, and how Baptists balance unity with voting.

3. Kutofautisha agano la kanisa, tamko la imani, katiba na sheria ndogo, na kutaja kile ambacho katiba nzuri inakijumuisha.3. Distinguish a church covenant, a statement of faith, a constitution and bylaws, and name what a good constitution contains.

4. Kueleza jinsi kanisa linavyopaswa kushikilia mali yake na kwa nini ardhi na majengo kamwe visiwe kwa jina la mtu binafsi.4. Explain how a church should hold its property and why land and buildings must never rest in one person's private name.

5. Kueleza mtazamo wa hekima wa Kikristo kwa sheria za nchi, hasa katika mazingira ya Amerika ya Kusini na Afrika, na kujibu pingamizi za kawaida dhidi ya kanuni zilizoandikwa.5. Describe a wise Christian approach to the laws of the country, especially in Latin American and African settings, and answer common objections to written rules.

Kwa Nini Wabaptisti Hukutana KuamuaWhy Baptists Meet to Decide

Kipindi hiki cha mwisho kinauliza jinsi kanisa linaloshikilia Ukichwa wa Kristo, mamlaka ya kusanyiko na uhuru wa mahali pamoja linavyofanya kazi kwa vitendo wiki hadi wiki. Linaamuaje? Linapaswa kuandika nini? Nani ana ardhi yake? Linadaiwa nini na serikali?This last unit asks how a church that holds to Christ's headship, congregational authority and local autonomy actually works from week to week. How does it decide? What should it write down? Who holds its land? What does it owe the government?

Wabaptisti hawakutani kupiga kura kwa sababu wanapenda demokrasia. Wanakutana kwa sababu Agano Jipya linaonyesha kanisa zima likitenda chini ya Kristo. Katika Matendo 6 mitume walileta jambo la wajane kwa "mkutano wa wanafunzi," na "neno hilo likawapendeza mkutano wote" (Matendo 6:2, 5). Katika Matendo 15 mitume na wazee walilitafakari swali gumu, na uamuzi ukalipendeza "kanisa lote" (Matendo 15:22). Katika Mathayo 18:17 mkosaji asiyetubu anaambiwa "kanisa." Katika 1 Wakorintho 5 Paulo anaandika kwa kusanyiko zima juu ya kesi ya dhambi, na katika 2 Wakorintho 2:6 anataja adhabu "iliyotolewa na walio wengi." Wabaptisti husoma vifungu hivi kama vinavyoonyesha kwamba kusanyiko, si kiongozi mmoja, ndilo mwili unaotenda.Baptists do not meet to vote because they love democracy. They meet because the New Testament shows the whole church acting under Christ. In Acts 6 the apostles brought the matter of the widows to "the multitude of the disciples," and "the saying pleased the whole multitude" (Acts 6:2, 5). In Acts 15 the apostles and elders considered a hard question, and the decision pleased "the whole church" (Acts 15:22). In Matthew 18:17 an unrepentant offender is told "to the church." In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul writes to the whole assembly about a case of sin, and in 2 Corinthians 2:6 he refers to a punishment "inflicted by the majority." Baptists read these passages as showing that the congregation, not a single leader, is the body that acts.

Si kila Mkristo anakubaliana. Makanisa yanayotawaliwa na maaskofu au mabaraza ya wazee huweka mamlaka zaidi nje ya kusanyiko la mahali pamoja. Baadhi ya makanisa ya Kibaptisti huongozwa na kundi la wazee na hushikilia kwamba wazee huamua mambo mengi. Tunajibu kwamba hata katika Matendo 15 wazee na mitume waliongoza, na hata hivyo kanisa lilishiriki katika uamuzi. Uongozi na ushiriki wa kusanyiko vinakwenda pamoja. Wazee wanapoongoza, mazoea mazuri zaidi ya Kibaptisti ni kwamba kusanyiko huthibitisha maamuzi makuu: kumwita mchungaji, kuwakubali na kuwaondoa washiriki, kupitisha katiba, kuidhinisha bajeti, kununua au kuuza mali. Wabaptisti pia wanasema wazi kwamba mkutano haupo kuhesabu mapendeleo ya washiriki. Upo kutafuta nia ya Kristo. Mkutano wa kanisa si mashindano ya kisiasa bali ni tendo la ibada ambalo mwili wa waumini unauliza, "Bwana, unataka tufanye nini?"Not every Christian agrees. Churches that are governed by bishops or by presbyteries place more authority outside the local congregation. Some Baptist churches are led by a body of elders and hold that the elders decide most matters. We answer that even in Acts 15 the elders and apostles led, and yet the church shared in the decision. Leadership and congregational involvement belong together. Where elders lead, the better Baptist practice is that the congregation affirms the major decisions: calling a pastor, admitting and removing members, adopting the constitution, approving the budget, buying or selling property. Baptists also say clearly that the meeting does not exist to count the preferences of members. It exists to seek the mind of Christ. A church meeting is not a political contest but an act of worship in which a body of believers asks, "Lord, what do You want us to do?"

Mkutano wa Biashara wa KanisaThe Church Business Meeting

Nani anashirikiWho takes part

Kupiga kura ni kwa washiriki: waumini waliobatizwa na kupokelewa katika kanisa na wanaoishi chini ya agano lake (Kipindi cha 5). Wageni, watoto na watu walio chini ya urekebishaji hawapigi kura.Voting belongs to members: believers who have been baptized and received into the church and who live under its covenant (Unit 5). Visitors, children and persons under discipline do not vote.

Jinsi unavyoendeshwaHow it is conducted

Mkutano mzuri wa biashara hufuata kanuni rahisi na za uaminifu:A sound business meeting follows simple, honest rules:

• Taarifa. Washiriki huambiwa mapema wakati, mahali na kusudi. Mambo makuu kama kumwita mchungaji, kubadilisha katiba au kuuza mali yanapaswa kutangazwa muda mrefu kabla, ili hakuna anayeshangaa.• Notice. Members are told in advance the time, place and purpose. Major matters such as calling a pastor, changing the constitution or selling property should be announced well ahead of time, so that no one is surprised.

• Akidi. Katiba inasema washiriki wangapi lazima wawepo ili uamuzi uhesabiwe.• Quorum. The constitution states how many members must be present for a decision to count.

• Mwenyekiti wa mkutano (moderator). Mtu mmoja huongoza mkutano kwa haki. Mara nyingi huyu ni shemasi au mshiriki mwingine anayeheshimika. Mahali ambapo mshiriki wa kawaida (layman) anaongoza, mchungaji anaweza kusema kama mshiriki yeyote.• A moderator. One person leads the meeting fairly. Often this is a deacon or another respected member. Where a layman moderates, the pastor can speak like any member.

• Karani (clerk). Mtu mmoja huandika kumbukumbu: kilichoamuliwa, na nani na lini. Kumbukumbu husomwa katika mkutano unaofuata, hurekebishwa ikihitajika, na huhifadhiwa salama.• A clerk. One person writes the minutes: what was decided, by whom and when. Minutes are read at the next meeting, corrected if needed, and kept safely.

• Maombi na Maandiko. Mkutano hufunguliwa kwa maombi na Neno, na hufungwa vivyo hivyo.• Prayer and Scripture. The meeting opens in prayer and the Word, and it closes the same way.

• Kusikilizwa kwa haki. Jambo hutambulishwa, hujadiliwa kisha huwekwa kwa kura. Wote wanaotaka kusema wanaweza kufanya hivyo, kwa ufupi na kwa heshima, na hakuna anayeaibishwa kwa maoni tofauti.• A fair hearing. A matter is introduced, discussed and then put to a vote. All who wish to speak may do so, briefly and respectfully, and no one is shamed for a different opinion.

• Kura iliyo wazi. Matokeo huhesabiwa na kurekodiwa.• A clear vote. The result is counted and recorded.

Makanisa mengi hutumia kitabu cha utaratibu wa bunge, kama Robert's Rules of Order. Hivi vinaweza kusaidia katika kanisa kubwa, lakini kanisa dogo halihitaji. Kanuni fupi iliyoandikwa katika sheria ndogo inatosha: hoja hutolewa na kuungwa mkono, majadiliano ni ya utaratibu, mmoja husema kwa wakati, na mwenyekiti wa mkutano hutiiwa. Kanuni lazima zisiwe kamwe silaha ya werevu dhidi ya wasio na ujuzi.Many churches use a book of parliamentary procedure, such as Robert's Rules of Order. These can help in a large church, but a small church does not need them. A short rule written in the bylaws is enough: motions are made and seconded, discussion is orderly, one speaks at a time, and the moderator is obeyed. Rules must never become a weapon for the clever against the simple.

Umoja na kupiga kuraUnity and voting

Wabaptisti hutofautiana kuhusu kama kanisa linapaswa kuamua kwa makubaliano ya wote au kwa wengi. Baadhi husema kwamba kanisa lazima lingoje hadi wote wawe na nia moja, kwa sababu Roho hagawanyiki. Wengine husema kwamba kanisa haliwezi kungoja milele, na kwamba Maandiko yenyewe yanasema juu ya wengi kutenda (2 Wakorintho 2:6). Jibu la kawaida la Kibaptisti ni vyote viwili. Kanisa hutafuta umoja kwanza, kwa maombi, uvumilivu na mjadala wa wazi, na hushika "umoja wa Roho katika kifungo cha amani" (Waefeso 4:3). Pale umoja haujakamilika, huamua kwa kura iliyokubaliwa, na walio wachache hukubali kuunga mkono uamuzi isipokuwa dhamiri inavunjwa kweli. Kwa mambo mazito, makanisa mengi huhitaji zaidi ya walio wengi tu, kwa mfano theluthi mbili, ili kanisa lisonge mbele tu wakati wito uko wazi. Katiba inapaswa kusema hivyo.Baptists differ over whether a church should decide by consensus or by majority. Some say that a church must wait until all are of one mind, because the Spirit is not divided. Others say that a church cannot wait forever, and that Scripture itself speaks of a majority acting (2 Corinthians 2:6). The common Baptist answer is both. A church seeks unity first, with prayer, patience and open discussion, and it keeps "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). Where unity is not complete, it decides by an agreed vote, and the minority agrees to support the decision unless conscience is truly violated. For weighty matters, many churches require more than a bare majority, for example two-thirds, so that the church moves only when the call is clear. The constitution should state this.

Nyaraka za KanisaThe Documents of the Church

Aina nne za nyaraka hufanya kazi nne tofauti. Zihifadhi tofauti.Four kinds of document do four different jobs. Keep them distinct.

Agano la kanisa. Ahadi fupi na ya joto inayofanywa na washiriki kwa Mungu na kwa kila mmoja, kuishi kama Wakristo, kupendana, kuombeana, kutoa, kuwa waaminifu na kurejeshana. Kipindi cha 5 kilishughulikia hili.The church covenant. A short, warm promise made by members to God and to one another, to live as Christians, to love, to pray, to give, to be faithful and to restore one another. Unit 5 treated this.

Tamko la imani. Muhtasari wa kanisa wa kile linachoamini. Makanisa mengi ya Kibaptisti hupitisha ungamo la kihistoria la Kibaptisti, kama New Hampshire Confession (1833) (Ungamo la New Hampshire) au Baptist Faith and Message (Imani na Ujumbe wa Kibaptisti), au huandika fupi zaidi. Linapaswa kuwa wazi, fupi, na chini ya mamlaka ya Maandiko.The statement of faith. The church's summary of what it believes. Many Baptist churches adopt a historic Baptist confession, such as the New Hampshire Confession (1833) or the Baptist Faith and Message, or write a shorter one. It should be clear, brief, and under the authority of Scripture.

Katiba. Kanuni za msingi za kanisa. Katiba nzuri ni fupi na rahisi. Kwa kawaida inasema:The constitution. The church's basic rules. A good constitution is short and simple. It usually states:

• jina na kusudi la kanisa;• the name and purpose of the church;

• tamko la imani na agano linalolipitisha;• the statement of faith and the covenant it adopts;

• nani anaweza kuwa mshiriki, na jinsi washiriki wanavyopokelewa na kuondolewa;• who may be a member, and how members are received and removed;

• nafasi za mchungaji na shemasi, sifa zao, jinsi wanavyochaguliwa, muda wanaotumikia, na jinsi wanavyoweza kuondolewa;• the offices of pastor and deacon, their qualifications, how they are chosen, how long they serve, and how they may be removed;

• viongozi kama mwenyekiti wa mkutano, karani na mhazini;• the officers such as moderator, clerk and treasurer;

• mikutano ya kawaida na maalum, taarifa, akidi na kupiga kura;• the regular and special meetings, notice, quorum and voting;

• jinsi kanisa linavyoshughulikia fedha;• how the church handles money;

• jinsi kanisa linavyohusiana na chama au mkutano mkuu, likifafanua kuwa kanisa la mahali pamoja lina uhuru wa kujiongoza;• how the church relates to the association or convention, making clear that the local church is autonomous;

• jinsi katiba inavyorekebishwa, kwa kawaida kwa taarifa na kura kubwa zaidi;• how the constitution is amended, usually with notice and a larger vote;

• kinachotokea kwa mali ya kanisa kama kanisa litakwisha.• what happens to the church's property if the church ends.

Sheria ndogo (bylaws). Maelezo ya vitendo yanayoweza kubadilika kwa urahisi zaidi: kamati, tarehe, taratibu za mchakato wa uteuzi, kanuni za kutumia jengo, na kadhalika. Katiba yenye maelezo mengi mno itahitaji marekebisho ya mara kwa mara.The bylaws. The practical details that can change more easily: committees, dates, procedures for the nominating process, rules for the use of the building, and the like. A constitution that contains too much detail will need constant amendment.

Zote hizi zinapaswa kuwa katika lugha ya watu, zimeandikwa waziwazi, na kushirikiwa na kila mshiriki. Pale washiriki wengi husoma kidogo, soma sehemu kuu kwa sauti na uzifundishe.All of these should be in the language of the people, written plainly, and shared with every member. Where many members read little, read the key parts aloud and teach them.

Mali: Ardhi, Majengo na FedhaProperty: Land, Buildings and Funds

Ugomvi mwingi wa kanisa huanza hapa, kwa hiyo makanisa yenye hekima huamua mapema.Many church quarrels arise here, so wise churches decide early.

Shikilia mali kwa jina la kanisa, si la mtu. Ardhi na majengo yanapaswa kuwa ya kanisa kama kanisa, au kushikiliwa na wadhamini kwa amana kwa ajili ya kanisa, kama sheria ya nchi inavyoruhusu. Havipaswi kamwe kushikiliwa kwa jina la binafsi la mchungaji, mmisionari mwanzilishi, mfadhili tajiri au familia inayoongoza. Mali ikiwa kwa jina la mtu mmoja, basi anapokufa, anapoondoka, anapoanguka dhambini, au anapogombana na kanisa, familia yake au wadai wake wanaweza kuidai, na kanisa linaweza kupoteza kile washiriki walichotoa kwa dhabihu.Hold property in the name of the church, not of a person. Land and buildings should belong to the church as the church, or be held by trustees in trust for the church, as the law of the country allows. They must never be held in the private name of the pastor, a founding missionary, a wealthy donor or a leading family. If the property is in one man's name, then when he dies, leaves, falls into sin, or quarrels with the church, his family or creditors may claim it, and the church can lose what the members gave in sacrifice.

Weka kwa maandishi, na utunze kumbukumbu. Pata hati sahihi iliyoandikwa ya umiliki, isajili pale sheria inapohitaji, na uhifadhi nakala mahali zaidi ya pamoja salama. Andika zawadi za ardhi na majengo katika kumbukumbu za mikutano. Pale mfadhili au mshirika wa kigeni anapotoa fedha kwa jengo, makubaliano yaliyoandikwa yanapaswa kusema nani anamiliki jengo na kinachotokea kama kanisa litakwisha.Put it in writing, and keep records. Obtain a proper written title or deed, register it where the law requires, and keep copies in more than one safe place. Record gifts of land and buildings in the minutes. Where a donor or a foreign partner gives money for a building, a written agreement should say who owns the building and what happens if the church ends.

Kuwa wazi kuhusu dhehebu. Mafundisho ya Kibaptisti husema kila kanisa lina uhuru wa kujiongoza (Kipindi cha 3), na chama au mkutano mkuu haumiliki mali ya kanisa la mahali pamoja isipokuwa kanisa limekubali kwa hiari. Baadhi ya mikutano mikuu ina mpango wa kusaidia makanisa kushikilia mali, na baadhi huyaomba makanisa yajumuishe kifungu. Kanisa linapaswa kusoma makubaliano hayo kwa makini na kuamua katika mkutano wa kanisa, si kwa mchungaji peke yake.Be clear about the denomination. Baptist teaching says each church is autonomous (Unit 3), and the association or convention does not own the local church's property unless the church has freely agreed. Some conventions have a plan to help churches hold property, and some ask churches to include a clause. The church should read such agreements carefully and decide in a church meeting, not by the pastor alone.

Amua mapema kinachotokea katika mgawanyiko. Makanisa wakati mwingine hugawanyika. Katiba inapaswa kusema nani anamiliki mali wakati huo, kwa kawaida washiriki wanaobaki waaminifu kwa agano la kanisa na tamko la imani, kama inavyoamuliwa na mchakato ulio katika katiba. Ni bora zaidi kutatua hili kwa amani kuliko kuliacha kwa hasira.Decide in advance what happens in a division. Churches sometimes split. The constitution should say who owns the property then, usually the members who remain faithful to the church's covenant and statement of faith, as determined by the process in the constitution. It is far better to settle this in peace than to leave it to anger.

Sema kinachotokea wakati wa kuvunjwa. Katiba nyingi husema kwamba kanisa likikwisha, mali yake huenda kwa kanisa lingine la Kibaptisti lenye imani ileile, au kwa chombo kinachoshirikiana, na kamwe kwa watu binafsi. Hii inalinda zawadi za watu wa Mungu.Say what happens at dissolution. Many constitutions say that if the church ends, its property goes to another Baptist church of the same faith, or to a cooperating body, and never to individuals. This protects the gifts of God's people.

Kanisa na SheriaThe Church and the Law

Wakristo wanapaswa kuwa raia wema. Paulo aliandika kwamba waumini wawe chini ya mamlaka zinazotawala (Warumi 13:1-7), na Petro aliandika vivyo hivyo (1 Petro 2:13-17). Hata hivyo mamlaka zinapoamuru kile Mungu anachokataza, mitume walijibu, "Imetupasa kumtii Mungu kuliko wanadamu" (Matendo 5:29). Kwa hiyo Wabaptisti wametii sheria kwa uangalifu na pia wametetea uhuru wa kidini (tazama Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 6, na Kozi ya 1). Yote mawili yanaendana: kanisa hushika kila sheria ya uaminifu, na hukataa tu pale utii ungehitaji kutomtii Mungu.Christians are to be good citizens. Paul wrote that believers are to be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7), and Peter wrote the same (1 Peter 2:13-17). Yet when the authorities command what God forbids, the apostles answered, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Baptists have therefore both obeyed the law carefully and defended religious liberty (see Course 2, Unit 6, and Course 1). The two fit together: a church keeps every honest law, and it refuses only where obedience would require disobedience to God.

Sheria zinazogusa makanisa hutofautiana sana kati ya nchi moja na nyingine, na hubadilika. Baadhi ya nchi huyapa makanisa njia rahisi ya kusajili. Kwa mfano, huko Mexico kanisa linaweza kutafuta kutambuliwa kisheria kama chama cha kidini chini ya sheria ya shirikisho inayosimamia vyama vya kidini na ibada ya hadharani. Huko Nigeria, makanisa kwa kawaida husajili wadhamini wao kama chombo kilichoandikishwa. Katika nchi nyingine usajili ni mgumu, hauko wazi au umewekewa vikwazo, na makanisa huishi chini ya shinikizo. Hatuwezi kutoa ushauri wa kisheria kwa kila nchi, kwa hiyo mchungaji lazima atafute ushauri wa mahali. Kanuni chache ni za kawaida:The laws that touch churches differ greatly from one country to another, and they change. Some countries give churches a simple way to register. For example, in Mexico a church may seek legal recognition as a religious association under the federal law that governs religious associations and public worship. In Nigeria, churches commonly register their trustees as an incorporated body. In other countries registration is difficult, unclear or restricted, and churches live under pressure. We cannot give legal advice for every country, so a pastor must seek local advice. Some principles are common:

• Uliza watu sahihi. Tafuta ushauri kutoka kwa wakili wa mahali anayeaminika, kutoka kwa mkutano wako mkuu wa Kibaptisti wa kitaifa au kutoka kwa mchungaji ambaye tayari amepitia mchakato. Usitegemee uvumi.• Ask the right people. Seek advice from a trustworthy local lawyer, from your national Baptist convention or from a pastor who has already been through the process. Do not rely on rumors.

• Sajili pale unapoweza. Usajili kwa kawaida husaidia kanisa kushikilia mali, kufungua akaunti ya benki na kupokea zawadi waziwazi. Pale haiwezekani, tunza kumbukumbu kwa uangalifu na utende kwa amani.• Register where you can. Registration usually helps the church to hold property, open a bank account and receive gifts openly. Where it is not possible, keep careful records and act peaceably.

• Tunza kumbukumbu safi. Weka kumbukumbu za mikutano, kumbukumbu za fedha, orodha za washiriki na karatasi za mali.• Keep clean records. Keep minutes, financial records, membership lists and property papers.

• Lipa kinachodaiwa. Tii sheria kuhusu kodi, ajira ya wafanyakazi na matumizi ya zawadi za kigeni pale zinapohusika. Usifiche fedha.• Pay what is due. Obey the laws about taxes, employment of workers and the use of foreign gifts where they apply. Do not hide money.

• Walinde walio hatarini. Fuata sheria kuhusu kuripoti unyanyasaji (Kipindi cha 9), na upitishe sera iliyoandikwa ya kuwalinda watoto na wengine walio chini ya uangalizi wa kanisa. Hakuna kiongozi wa Kikristo anayepaswa kupinga ulinzi huo.• Protect the vulnerable. Follow the law about reporting abuse (Unit 9), and adopt a written policy for the protection of children and others in the church's care. No Christian leader should resist such protection.

• Kuwa mwaminifu kuhusu msaada wa nje. Makanisa au wamisionari wa kigeni wanapotoa fedha au majengo, andika nani anamiliki nini, nani anaamua, na nani anawajibika. Kutoelewana hapa kumeharibu kazi nyingi nzuri.• Be honest about outside help. When foreign churches or missionaries give money or buildings, write down who owns what, who decides, and who is accountable. Misunderstanding here has harmed many good works.

Pingamizi na MajibuObjections and Answers

"Kanuni zilizoandikwa si za kiroho. Roho hahitaji katiba." Pingamizi linamchukulia Roho kwa uzito, na hatulikatai. Lakini Roho aliyepuliza Maandiko huamuru utaratibu (1 Wakorintho 14:40), na mitume na wazee katika Matendo 15 hawakukataa kuamua. Katiba haibadilishi Roho; inaandika kile kanisa limekubaliana chini ya uongozi wake ili kanisa lisitegemee kumbukumbu au hisia za sauti yenye nguvu zaidi."Written rules are unspiritual. The Spirit needs no constitution." The objection takes the Spirit seriously, and we do not dismiss it. But the Spirit who inspired Scripture commands order (1 Corinthians 14:40), and the apostles and elders in Acts 15 did not refuse to decide. A constitution does not replace the Spirit; it records what a church has agreed under His guidance so that a church does not depend on the memory or moods of the strongest voice.

"Kupiga kura ni demokrasia ya kidunia. Viongozi wanapaswa kuamua tu." Pingamizi ni sahihi kwa sehemu: kanisa si demokrasia, kwa sababu Kristo ni Bwana na kanisa hutafuta mapenzi yake, si upendeleo wake. Lakini Agano Jipya halimwachii kiongozi jambo lote. Kanisa zima hutenda chini ya Kristo, likiongozwa na wachungaji wake. Kanisa linaloruhusu mtu mmoja kuamua kila kitu halina dawa anapokosea."Voting is worldly democracy. Leaders should simply decide." The objection is partly right: a church is not a democracy, because Christ is Lord and the church seeks His will, not its own preference. But the New Testament does not leave the whole matter to the leaders. The whole church acts under Christ, led by its pastors. A church that lets one man decide all things has no remedy when he errs.

"Watu wetu ni maskini na jambo hili ni gumu mno." Haja ni kubwa zaidi, si ndogo, pale watu ni maskini, kwa maana ardhi na jengo la kanisa vinaweza kuwa ndivyo pekee walivyo navyo. Katiba inaweza kuwa ukurasa mmoja. Hati inaweza kuwa karatasi rahisi. Anza na ulichonacho, na uboreshe."Our people are poor and the matter is too complicated." The need is greater, not less, where people are poor, for the church's land and building may be all it has. A constitution can be one page. A deed can be a simple paper. Begin with what you can, and improve.

Matumizi ya KichungajiPastoral Application

Wewe ni mchungaji wa kanisa dogo la kijijini lililoanzishwa na mchungaji mwanzilishi miaka mingi iliyopita. Alijenga kanisa la kwanza pamoja na watu, na ardhi ilinunuliwa kwa jina lake. Sasa amekufa. Mwanawe anakuja kwako na kusema, "Ardhi ni yetu. Baba yangu aliinunua." Washiriki wamekasirika. Baadhi wanataka kuikabili familia. Wengine wanataka kuondoka na kuanzisha kanisa jipya.You pastor a small church in a rural area that was started by a founding pastor many years ago. He built the first church with the people, and the land was bought in his name. He has now died. His son comes to you and says, "The land is ours. My father bought it." The members are upset. Some want to confront the family. Others want to leave and start a new church.

Mchungaji mwenye hekima hubaki mtulivu. Analiita kanisa kuomba kisha anakusanya washiriki wazee wanaokumbuka jinsi ardhi ilivyonunuliwa, na karatasi au risiti zozote. Anamtembelea mwana kwa upole, anaheshimu kazi ya baba yake, na kuomba kuona karatasi pamoja. Hashtaki. Anapata ushauri kutoka kwa mkutano mkuu wa kitaifa na kutoka kwa wakili wa mahali anayeaminika, na anaita mkutano wa kanisa kwa taarifa inayofaa. Katika mkutano huo kanisa linakubali kutafuta suluhisho la haki, na, mwana akikubali, kuhamishia hati kwa jina la kanisa. Pia anaongoza kanisa kupitisha katiba fupi yenye kifungu kwamba mali itashikiliwa daima kwa jina la kanisa, na kifungu cha kuvunjwa. Anafundisha kanisa kwamba hii si shtaka dhidi ya mtu yeyote bali ni zawadi kwa kizazi kijacho. Anakubali kwamba kanisa linaweza kulazimika kulipa au kukubali hasara kwa ajili ya amani. Paulo aliwakemea Wakorintho kwa kushtakiana mbele ya wasioamini na kuuliza, "Mbona hamdhulumiwi afadhali?" (1 Wakorintho 6:7).A wise pastor remains calm. He calls the church to pray and then gathers the older members who remember how the land was bought, and any papers or receipts. He visits the son gently, honors his father's work, and asks to see the papers together. He does not accuse. He gets advice from the national convention and from a trustworthy local lawyer, and he calls a church meeting with proper notice. In that meeting the church agrees to seek a fair settlement, and, if the son agrees, to transfer the title into the church's name. He also leads the church to adopt a short constitution with a clause that property will always be held in the church's name, and a dissolution clause. He teaches the church that this is not a charge against any man but a gift to the next generation. He accepts that the church may have to pay or accept a loss for peace. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for suing each other before unbelievers and asked, "Why do you not rather accept wrong?" (1 Corinthians 6:7).

MuhtasariSummary

Wabaptisti hufanya maamuzi katika mikutano ya kanisa kwa sababu Agano Jipya linaonyesha kanisa zima likitenda chini ya Kristo, likiongozwa na wachungaji wake na kuhudumiwa na mashemasi wake. Mkutano mzuri una taarifa, akidi, mwenyekiti wa haki, karani anayeweka kumbukumbu, maombi na kura iliyo wazi. Wabaptisti hutafuta umoja kwanza na huamua kwa wengi waliokubaliwa pale inapohitajika, na mambo mazito mara nyingi huhitaji zaidi ya walio wengi tu. Kanisa huweka nyaraka nne tofauti: agano, tamko la imani, katiba na sheria ndogo, na huziandika waziwazi. Mali lazima ishikiliwe kwa jina la kanisa au kwa amana kwa ajili yake, kamwe si kwa jina la binafsi la mtu mmoja, kukiwa na hati zilizoandikwa, makubaliano wazi, na kifungu cha mgawanyiko na kuvunjwa. Wakristo hutii sheria ya nchi, hutafuta ushauri wa mahali, husajili pale wanapoweza, hutunza kumbukumbu safi na kuwalinda walio hatarini, na humtii Mungu kuliko wanadamu tu pale mawili yanapogongana. Utaratibu ulioandikwa hauchukui nafasi ya Roho; unamtumikia na kulinda kizazi kijacho.Baptists make decisions in church meetings because the New Testament shows the whole church acting under Christ, led by its pastors and served by its deacons. A sound meeting has notice, a quorum, a fair moderator, a clerk who keeps minutes, prayer and a clear vote. Baptists seek unity first and decide by an agreed majority where needed, and weighty matters often require more than a bare majority. A church keeps four documents distinct: the covenant, the statement of faith, the constitution and the bylaws, and it writes them plainly. Property must be held in the church's name or in trust for it, never in one person's private name, with written deeds, clear agreements, and a clause for division and dissolution. Christians obey the law of the country, seek local advice, register where they can, keep clean records and protect the vulnerable, and they obey God rather than men only where the two conflict. Written order does not replace the Spirit; it serves Him and protects the next generation.

Usomaji ZaidiFurther Reading

• J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual (1867) (Mwongozo wa Kanisa), chanzo cha msingi cha Kibaptisti kuhusu mikutano ya kanisa na urekebishaji.• J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual (1867), a Baptist primary source on church meetings and discipline.

• R. B. C. Howell, The Deaconship (1846) (Ushemasi), katika marekebisho ya CTS, kuhusu ushirikiano na uwajibikaji wa kifedha (kitabu cha lazima cha kozi hii).• R. B. C. Howell, The Deaconship (1846), in the CTS adaptation, on cooperation and financial accountability (required textbook for this course).

• The New Hampshire Confession (1833) (Ungamo la New Hampshire) na The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) (Imani na Ujumbe wa Kibaptisti), kama mifano ya matamko ya imani.• The New Hampshire Confession (1833) and the Baptist Faith and Message (2000), as examples of statements of faith.

• Dkt. Wayne Cook, "Deacon Family Ministry Plan" (Mpango wa Huduma ya Familia ya Shemasi) (CTS), kozi ya mwandani inayopendekezwa.• Dr. Wayne Cook, "Deacon Family Ministry Plan" (CTS), recommended companion course.

• Kwa historia ya Kibaptisti ya uhuru wa kidini, tazama Kozi ya 1, Vipindi vya 3 na 5, na Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 6.• For the Baptist history of religious liberty, see Course 1, Units 3 and 5, and Course 2, Unit 6.

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