- A. PATRIARCH
- a) The holder of The Office of Patriarch shall be the Sovereign Head of the church after God our Father. He will be the General Overseer and Supreme head and maintain the full responsibility of the church.
- i) He shall hold office as long as his life adorns the Word of Almighty God.
- ii) the Ordination and Consecration Committee shall prepare all documents and instruments for such ceremony to be final and sealed with the SEAL of the Church.
iii) The Patriarch shall maintained his title and respect of office after his retirement and shall function as the adviser to the Mystical ORDER and Mystical COURT. He shall take the name PATRIARCH EMERITUS.
- iv) He shall be the Chief Grand Commander of the Mystical Court which shall comprise all ranks of Bishop, Abbess and above and shall include qualified members of lesser rank.
- v) He shall have an assistant (Bishop) and a chaplain (Reverend) appointed from among the ranks of the Church to assist him in his duties and for ceremonial functions.
- b) Succession of Patriarch shall be from the Executive of The Church, in chronological order.
- c) There shall be a Bishop appointed by the Patriarch on the advice of the Archbishop from among all Bishops and shall be an Administrator and Assistant to the Archbishop.
- d) He shall serve the Archbishop at his pleasure
- e) Whenever the Patriarch sees the need to appoint and expand the ranks of the Executive, he shall consult with the Ordination and Consecration Committee and The Mystical Court and seek the approval before any appointments are made. (it will need five votes from the Mystical Court for the appointment to be made and binding)
- f) Nothing in the foregoing subsection shall hinder the vision of the Patriarch.
- g) The Patriarch is acknowledged to be first among equals – that is, first among his brother bishops.
- h) Whenever the Archbishop becomes overextended with work the Patriarch may appoint him an assistant (Article 3 [13])
- i) The Provost shall act in the office of Patriarch whenever the Patriarch is disabled, resigns, retires, or dies, he temporarily serves in that capacity until the successor takes office (Article 3-12{4})
- j) Patriarch and Divisional Patriarch are “equals among equals” — pares inter pares — in status and dignity within the Standing Rules of The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist.
- k) The Patriarch of the Church shall be the overall head of the The Mystical Order.
- l) Shall have the responsibility to seek legal recognition for the The Mystical Order from appropriate civil authorities
- m) Provide guidance to ordained clergy and Bishops within the Mystical Order as necessary
- n) Approve clergy for ordination as Bishops within the The Mystical Order
- o) Shall provide emotional support and psychological care to the members of the church and others who require assistance
(1) A 2 Election as Patriarch
Unlike other levels, neither the rank nor the position as Patriarch are necessarily for life.
The appointment to an office may be revoked by the Executive Council of the Church or by majority vote of the Congregation voting by secret ballot. Normally, this sanction will be imposed for an extended period of no apparent performance of responsibilities. It may also be imposed for actions against the interests of the Church.
The Election to the rank of Patriarch may be reversed by a two thirds majority in the Executive Council. This rare action would result from actions bringing dishonor upon the Church.
(1) A 3 THE ROLE OF THE PATRIARCH
Spiritual Leader
The Patriarch serves as chief guide and priest for the whole The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist and its clergy, who in turn function as guides and facilitators for the whole of the membership of The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist.
Chief Steward
The Patriarch serves as the chief steward of the traditions, rites, authority and disciplines of the The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist, and also serves as the guarantor of the same. The Patriarch, in this role, assists the The Executive Council in the governance of the Church by ensuring that the same aspects are maintained with purpose, dignity and integrity.
Chief Administrator
The Patriarch governs and enacts the will of the Church on behalf of the Church, and does so always in consultation with and approved by, in whole or in part, the Executive Council, saving situation or circumstance which the Patriarch may deem to be a matter in conjunction with his role as Chief Steward
Chief Representative
The Patriarch serves as the primary Representative of The Mystical Order of Spiritual Baptist to other Churches and religious groups, and as such is the sole individual responsible for determination and establishment of relationships with the above in an official manner, though in the past, the dialogue process has been invested, based on circumstance, in the office of the Sister churches, Bishops and select clergy.
CHURCH VISITS
Whenever the Patriarch is present his flag must be flown above the roof of the church.
If both Patriarch and Divisional Patriarch are present
- the Patriarch’s flag is flown above roof of the church
- the Divisional Patriarch flag is flown at the right of the main entrance
Whenever the Patriarch is present:
- If the service is in progress, whenever he arrives the flag must be hoisted
- The ringing of two bell at the main entrance must be rung seven times for a duration of five seconds each.
- The Patriarch candles will be lit (two sets seven candles seven candles behind the throne) before his entrance
- The Patriarch will enter the church with his crozier (left hand always)
- His flag leading the procession
- Processional cross
- Candle bearers
- Bell
- Armour bearers
The congregation will stand until the Patriarch is seated.
The flag is placed to the right of the Patriarch’s throne.
The recession will follow same pattern with all ministers behind the candle bearers and the Patriarch last.
The congregation remains standing until the Patriarch exits the church.
After the Patriarch departs the church the candles will be put out.
