The hierarchy of authority in the C&S, TCLA, and CCC emanates from the spiritual leader down the ranks and offices to the ordinary members who are yet to be inducted into the faith traditions of the church. Within the hierarchy, there is provision for checks and balances of power. The C&S general conference, TCLA general assembly, and CCC general committee serve as checks against unilateral decisions of the respective spiritual leaders. In each local church, elders-in-council or parochial committee as they are differently called in the C&S, TCLA, and CCC serves as check to the authority of the local church leader.
150 Interview with Emmanuel Adegoke, 06 April, 2013.
151 2012 CCC Lesson and Parishes. Lagos: Office of the Pastor, CCC Worldwide, 2012. p. 27-103.
Provinces
Circuits
Districts
Parishes World HQ
Arch-Diocese HQ National HQ International HQ
-Pastor-in-Council -Board of Trustees -World Committee
Parochial Committee General Committee -Councils
-Departments -Ministries
103 3.2.1 C&S
The organizational structure of C&S is designed to create orderliness that is required for harnessing the collective contributions of members who differ in age, ability, and functions.
According to Max Weber, certain factors necessitate the establishment of hierarchy; that the increase in the size of an organization, the complexity that is associated with its change in size, internal and external conflicts, class struggle, and the dare need for the management of human and material resources require that each actor in the organization identifies to whom he/she is accountable. Weber refers to this as bureaucracy. He emphasizes that bureaucracy requires formal hierarchy in which everyone is assigned functions and rules of operations up and down the hierarchical structure for the realization of organizational goal (Weber 1947).
A common feature in the hierarchy of authority across various strands of the C&S is the General Conference (GC) which is the supreme organ of the church. It is the highest organ of authority. At the General conference, collective decisions are taken on spiritual and secular matters. Such decisions are held superior to any other individual and sub-collective decisions, and are binding on the spiritual leader down the ladder of authority in the church.
Below the GC is the spiritual leader who wields a considerable degree of authority but is being checked by the General Conference. Although he assents to collective decisions made at the General Conference, the General Conference approves what he holds and appropriates as substance of authority. The nomenclatures of various lower strata of authority vary among strands of the C&S. In the ESOCS, the strata of authority below the spiritual leader, in descending order, are board of trustees, secretary, central management council, provincial chairmen, zonal/district chairmen, and branch elders-in-charge152. In the CSMC, below the GC is the spiritual father. Below the spiritual father is the spiritual father-in-council, followed by the General Secretary, district chairman, and the branch leader who holds the highest rank in the local church. The hierarchy of authority descends further to the choir leader, band leader, sideman (ashona), registered members, and probationary members or visitors.
152 Interview with Micheal Oyeneye, 02 June, 2012, Lagos.
104 Figure 9. CSMC Hierarchy of Authority
3.2.2 TCLA
At the formative stage, authority in TCLA was concentrated in the primate founder Josiah Ositelu. He was the leader, overseer, minister, healer, director and worker. The primate was and still the highest spiritual and administrative head of TCLAW. Below the primate was the deputy primate. Growth and expansion of the church over time required more administrative initiatives and strategies. Therefore creation of administrative offices, functions, hierarchy of authority became imperative153. At the apex of authority is the primate and below him is the Board of Trustees. Below the board of trustees is the International General Assembly (IGA).
Below the IGA are the provincial head, arch-diocesan head, Provost, Zonal superintendent, local church minister, Disciple, Part-time Reverends, Pastor, Evangelist, Deacon and Deaconess, Worker, and Full member.
153 Interview conducted with Tunde Gbogboade, 24/05/2012, Ogere.
General Conference
Spiritual Father
Spiritual Father-in-Council
General Secretary
District Chairman
Local Church Leader
Band/Cell Leader
Choir Leader
Youth Leader
Sidesman (Ashona)
Member
Probationary/Visitor
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Figure 10. TCLA Hierarchy of Authority 3.2.3 CCC
At the apex of the hierarchy of authority in the CCC is the Pastor, the general overseer of the church. The Pastor has the “sole ultimate and unchallengeable authority on all matters affecting church life” be they spiritual or secular affairs such as doctrinal standards, evangelism, education, legal and disciplinary matters, planning and organization of programs and activities of the church world-wide (CCC Constitution 1980:36). In spite of the fact that the church is in factions, Pastor Mobiyina Oschoffa is more visibly seen and accorded the CCC pastoral authority. He appropriates administrative and spiritual authority from the international headquarters, Ketu which was the abode of the previous pastors of the church.
Board of Trustees Primate
International General Assembley
Provincial Head
Archdiocesan Head/Ecclesiastical Provincial Head
Provost/Diocesan Head
Zonal/Superintendent
Local Church Minister
Disciple/Seminarian
Part Time Rev. Canon, Rev., Pastor, Evangelist, Deacon/Deaconess
Worker
Full Member
Probationary Member/Visitor
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Below the Pastor is the general committee, which is the overall organ of the church that directs all the affairs of the CCC world-wide, yet is under the ultimate authority of the pastor.
The general committee can be regarded as the parliamentary body of the CCC, which deliberates on all matters relating to the dioceses such as the constitution, doctrines, disciplines, and all publications. Its final deliberations are subject to the ultimate authority and approval of the Pastor.
The head of the diocese is the representative of the Pastor at the diocesan level. He oversees all affairs of the diocese and reports matters of his diocese to the council for further deliberations and consequent approval. The diocesan head may give approval for the establishment of a new parish and any religious or secular programmes that are instrumental to the growth and progress of members and the church. But this is subject to ratification by the Pastor.
Below the diocesan head is the provincial head. Originally, the constitution does not make provision for office of the provincial head. This is an innovation taken by the church to make church administration more participatory and efficient in the face of increasing number of members and parishes. The provincial head is the representative of the Pastor and oversees all affairs of the churches within his jurisdiction. As head of the province, he does not act arbitrarily. His decisions over all matters of the province are subject to further advice by the head of the diocese and final directive by the council that is headed by the Pastor.
Below the provincial head is the circuit head. Also, the church created circuits, though not supported by the church constitution, to further break administration of the church into units for productivity and efficient management. The head of the circuit supervises the affairs of the churches in all districts within his domain. He submits reports of events and issues concerning churches within his jurisdiction to higher authorities for further deliberations. Next is the head of the district who takes into consideration both spiritual and secular matters arising in all the churches within his jurisdiction and recommends for further deliberations, matters that require the attention of higher authorities.
The shepherd heads the local church, which is generally referred to as Parish. Just as a shepherd watches over his flock, the Parish shepherd oversees the spiritual and secular welfare of members under his domain. In conjunction with the parochial committee, he initiates programmes and events towards the progress of the church, and also looks into matters of discipline. Other members of the church in order of authority include the choir
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head, band leader, full members of various ranks. The lowest are the visitors and solution seekers who are yet to be fully enrolled as members.
Figure 11. CCC Hierarchy of Authority 3.3. Workers
The structure in the C&S, TCLA, and CCC provides for both spiritual and administrative roles. They all have some commonality in major administrative offices, but are divergent in the setup of spiritual workers. The involvement of the females in both administrative and spiritual work in the three churches is at variance. In the structure of the spiritual workers in the C&S and CCC, less provision is made for female participation, unlike in TCLA where females are integrated in the spiritual and ministerial work throughout the hierarchy of the church. However, their menstrual days in the month obstruct their respective role. Females who have attained the menopausal age are not restricted in their participation in church activities and in the discharge of their ministerial work. In TCLA, most of the spiritual work assigned to females is ministerial. This is because females are ordained ministers and they
Pastor
Head of Diocese
Head of Province
Head of Circuit
Head of District
Head of Parish
Head of Choir
Band Leader General Committee
Full members
Visitors/Non-members Sidesmen
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perform ministerial functions like their male counterparts and also hold administrative headship of the church that may be assigned to them. Non-ministerial female prophets in TCLA are actively involved in both substantive and ad-hoc spiritual work in the church. In the C&S and CCC, much of the spiritual work of the females is ad-hoc; they are not ordained to be ministers who, by virtue of that ordination function both spiritually and administratively.
3.3.1 C&S
The hierarchy of authority among spiritual workers in the C&S is dominated by men. The highest authority among spiritual workers is the spiritual father (Baba Aladura). By virtue of his office, he is both spiritual and administrative head. Through his induction, like any other member of the church, from the rank of Aladura to the highest rank, he has acquired adequate knowledge and training in the church doctrine, especially on how to conduct services, recitation of creed and special psalms, and how to carry out other liturgical assignments in the church. This is a common phenomenon among the strands of C&S.
Next to him is the conference supervisor of prophets. Though designated as supervisory prophet, his supervisory role extends to those yet to be anointed as prophets, namely visioners, dreamers, and members gifted with the power of trance. Below the supervisory prophet, down the hierarchy of authority, the nomenclatures vary among strands of the C&S due to size and structural arrangement. In the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (CSMC), the next level of authority below the supervisory prophet are the zonal supervisory prophet, district supervisory prophet, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, teachers and Aladura prayer warriors. Although the females are integrated in activities geared towards the spiritual progress of the church, the restrictions placed on them in the C&S seemingly put them on the edge of the church hierarchy. However, among the female folk, the most senior mother-in-Israel is ranked the highest authority. Next below her are the prophetesses and the female prayer warrior.
The spiritual father is the spiritual and administrative head of the church. He convenes and presides over all meetings of the general conference, oversees the affairs of the church such as spiritual salvation, ordination or anointing of members and foundation stone laying matters.
He also functions as the arbiter between the church and other religious bodies, including government officials. In conjunction with relevant councils, boards and leaders, he confirms the appointment, ordination, promotion, demotion or removal of anointed members of the church. His appointment as the spiritual leader, though by seniority, depends on the general conference which is the highest legislative and authoritative body of the church. By this, the
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general conference serves as checks and balances to the powers of the spiritual father. Hence he cannot take decision or initiate change arbitrarily.
The district chairman oversees both spiritual and secular affairs of all church branches under his control. He enjoys a considerable degree of autonomy and power. Yet, he is answerable to the spiritual father and the general conference respectively. Within the autonomy, he is expected to demonstrate some qualities, which include a great desire to lead, show some commitment to the mission and vision of the church as an organization, and must have integrity. As the representative of the spiritual father in his district, the chairman in conjunction with relevant councils and committees wades into matters arising from indiscipline, social and legal disputes, appointment and promotion of spiritual and administrative workers within his jurisdiction. Where a matter is unresolved or requires the attention and deliberation of higher body, he (district chairman) so recommends. He convenes district meetings at which spiritual and secular matters affecting every church under his control are being deliberated on or referred to the general conference for further deliberation.
However, he does not preside over a district meeting where a matter in which he is directly involved is being discussed.
The church branch leader is the highest ranked member of the local church and presides over all the meetings of the elders-in-council. He oversees all the affairs of the local church, and with the support of other church workers, ensures its spiritual progress and administrative efficiency. He wades into matters concerning property acquisition and investments, social and legal disputes affecting the church and members, and makes appropriate recommendations to the district for necessary action. Where a matter requires the attention of the spiritual father, he shall, in consultation with the district chairman, act in that regard.
The conference supervisory prophet coordinates all the activities of the anointed prophets, streamlines their training, anointment and appointment. In conjunction with the council of prophets and coordination by the district supervisory prophet and head of Prophets in the local church, he (the conference supervisory prophet) ensures training and re-training of all prophets, prophetesses and other spiritually gifted individuals who are yet to be anointed;
conducts revival services; provides spiritual guidance and counseling services to the church worldwide; and wades into minor misunderstanding among church workers under his domain.
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Figure 12. CSMC Hierarchy of Administrative Workers
However, he recommends all unresolved matters to the spiritual father and general conference for further deliberations. There is not much difference in the criteria for the position of supervisory Prophet among major strands of the C&S. Basically, individual conference supervisory Prophet is above forty years of age, with a minimum of secondary school education. However, holders of higher certificates have added advantage and his membership of the church should span twenty-five years or more. In addition, he must be married in Christian way acceptable to the church.154 However, the office of the supervisory prophet at international, district and local church levels has been an exclusive preserve of prophets while Prophetesses operate under the shadow of their male counterparts.
Two types of workers have been found among the strands of the C&S, namely spiritual and administrative categories with differing emoluments (Omoyajowo 1982:213). Aside employed prophets who are posted to various local churches and some administrative professional workers employed by the leadership of each strand of the C&S by virtue of their acquired knowledge and skill, other workers are voluntary or anointed to various offices by their upward mobility in the hierarchy of the church, but are given some remunerations to encourage their spirit of selfless service delivery to the progress of the church.
154 Interview with Michael Oyeneye, 02 June, 2012, Lagos.
Secretary
Financial Secretary
Treasurer
Auditor
Head Education Spiritual Leader
P.R.O.
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Figure 13. CSMC Hierarchy of Spiritual Workers 3.3.2 TCLA
The constitution of TCLAW confers the title of “His Eminence, The Most Reverend Apostle, The Primate” or the general overseer of TCLAW (constitution of TCLAW 2011:16). As the overall authority of TCLAW, he presides over all meetings and functions of the International Churches Executive Council and the International General Assembly of TCLAW (IGATCLAW). The IGATCLAW is the highest legislative body of TCLAW155. The primate does not take decisions arbitrarily; the supreme council of prelates156 and the primate-in-council157 guide him on doctrinal and administrative matters respectively.
As entrenched in the constitution, it is obligatory on the part of the primate to see to the spiritual and temporal welfare of ministers and officers of TCLAW (TCLAW constitution (2011:20-22) and also in diverse ways promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the
155 The IGATCLAW is the legislative body of TCLAW and its enactments are binding on the primate and all the churches of the organization. See details in TCLAW constitution 2011:41-44.
156 It elects the primate, gives spiritual guidance on matters referred to it by the general assembly, including doctrinal issues and other matters. See details on TCLAW constitution 2011:36-47.
157 It is a working committee that assists the Primate on matters of general administration. See details in TCLAW constitution 2011:50.
District Supervisory Prophet
Prophet
Apostle
Evangelist
Teacher
Prayer Warrior Aladura Zonal Supervisory
Prophet
Conference Supervisory Prophet
Spiritual Leader
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objects158 of TCLAW. The Primate is not by ascription. He is elected by the supreme council of prelates which is constitutionally empowered to do so after the demise of a primate. Such election is based on spiritual guidance after which the candidate who the lot falls on is proclaimed as the new primate. Although TCLAW is considerably gender-sensitive as in the integration of females into the ministerial and administrative duties, in the church, the post of the primate is exclusively the preserve of the males. There is no constitutional provision that stipulates the gender of the primate, but the trajectory of succession to the office indicates that men are highly favoured for the highest office.
The Provincial head is the overall spiritual and administrative head of the province which comprises a number of dioceses. Under the authority and supervision of the primate, the provincial head oversees the affairs of all the dioceses under his jurisdiction, recommends the promotion of officers in the vineyard, takes charge of the affairs of new converts, and heads the general conference of the province and provincial executive council. The position of the provincial head is by promotion of a minister to the rank of arch-bishop having met the requirements for the rank. The Arch-Bishop or Apostle, Arch-Bishop Mrs or Rev. Mother Superior have both administrative and spiritual functions of consecrating and anointing all lower ranks below the Apostle but subject to the approval of the primate, baptizing members to-be, solemnizing holy matrimonies, spreading the gospel, establishing new local branches, and demonstrating a considerable gift of the Holy Spirit through laying of hands for healing
The Provincial head is the overall spiritual and administrative head of the province which comprises a number of dioceses. Under the authority and supervision of the primate, the provincial head oversees the affairs of all the dioceses under his jurisdiction, recommends the promotion of officers in the vineyard, takes charge of the affairs of new converts, and heads the general conference of the province and provincial executive council. The position of the provincial head is by promotion of a minister to the rank of arch-bishop having met the requirements for the rank. The Arch-Bishop or Apostle, Arch-Bishop Mrs or Rev. Mother Superior have both administrative and spiritual functions of consecrating and anointing all lower ranks below the Apostle but subject to the approval of the primate, baptizing members to-be, solemnizing holy matrimonies, spreading the gospel, establishing new local branches, and demonstrating a considerable gift of the Holy Spirit through laying of hands for healing