Statement of Purpose
Christian Missions in the Philippines (CMPI) is not a sect, denomination or religion but a service organization that is incorporated according to the laws of the Philippines to assist assembly missionaries and churches in the Philippine Islands. CMPI is not a federation of local churches, nor does it act as the headquarters or have control over a group of local churches.
Board Membership
According to the Articles of Incorporation and the by-laws of CMPI the board has to have a total of eleven members. Five of the members are to be recognized elders from brethren assemblies. Three members are to be commended Filipino missionaries and three foreign commended assembly missionaries. No board member can stay on the board for more than three consecutive years after which he must be off the board for at least one year before being eligible to be reelected to the board. Every year all board members must be reelected and are required to sign the CMPI Statement of Faith. New board members must be nominated and elected to the board to replace those who have resigned, been removed or have been on the board for three years. Consideration will be given to have representation from major ministries working under the umbrella of CMPI. (e.g. ECPM., GLO. etc.) Board members can be removed from the board by if they no longer fulfill the role in which they were originally elected or for immorality or any other reason that the majority of the board might deem as possible grounds for removal. If a board member does not attend three consecutive meetings for legitimate reasons, he then is automatically considered no longer a board member and someone else will be elected by the board to fill the duration of said members term.
Filipino Missionaries
CMPI does not hire or appoint Filipino missionaries but does recognized commended Filipino full-time workers once a letter of commendation is received from the commending assembly. CMPI does not pay commended workers and is not responsible for the financial requirements of a commended worker. However, CMPI will allocate any finances that the corporation receives that is designated for Filipino missionaries directly to the worker in full. If funds are received designated in general for workers then from time to time CMPI will disburse said according to board authorization. A committee appointed by the board usually oversees this project. Said committee usually consists of at least two elders and one foreign missionary.
An ID card will be given to all commended workers based on the letter of commendation from the commending assembly. The ID card does not imply that the missionary is employed by CMPI or that CMPI is responsible for the needs of said worker. The ID card can be used to show that a worker is associated with a religious corporation that is recognized by the government and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although CMPI is not directly responsible for a worker, it will try to help and or assist any commended worker wherever and whenever possible. The CMPI ID card is valid for one year at a time and has to be replaced by the end of January every year.
CMPI will not direct the activities of a commended worker but if the activities and or teachings of a worker is inconsistent with the general purposes and beliefs of the corporation then recognition of a worker can be withdrawn. All assembly commended workers are directly responsible to the Lord and their commending assemblies.
Foreign Missionaries
In order to obtain visas to stay in the Philippines, foreign missionaries need to be sponsored by an organization registered or incorporated as a religious corporation under Philippine laws. CMPI serves this purpose on behalf of missionaries working with assemblies. This sponsorship assures the Philippine government that such missionaries will not become a public liability here and in case of necessity they will be repatriated to their home countries. Any expense involved in such repatriation would be borne by the groups in the missionary’s homeland, such as CMML and by the assemblies that have commended the missionary. The expense involved in obtaining visas, visa renewals, annual alien registration, is borne by the individual missionaries and not by CMPI. All foreign missionaries must renew their alien certificate of registration every year.
The same general principles that apply to Filipino commended workers apply to foreign commended missionaries. Although CMPI does not exercise control or authority over missionaries it does reserve the right to withdraw sponsorship of an individual’s visa. These would be: (a) significant departure from basic New Testament doctrine based on the Word of God; immorality or conduct, which brings dishonor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (c) political affiliation or activities which the government would deem as subversive.
Churches
CMPI is a service organization to local assemblies known as Christian Brethren churches. CMPI has no control over, nor will it meddle in the internal affairs of any assembly. Generally speaking CMPI will assist and or give advice to a local assembly if requested to by the elders and or full time worker of the assembly. Local churches that practice the teachings and doctrines of the New Testament, generally recognized as New Testament assemblies by CMPI can affiliate with CMPI to give them some sort of legal standing before the government. In order to be affiliated with CMPI, an assembly should request affiliation in writing signed by at least three leaders in the church (better still by the whole congregation). It is strongly recommended that the local assembly be in general agreement with the Statement of Faith of CMPI.
CMPI will hold in trust properties (land and or chapels) for local assemblies, which are not registered with Securities and Exchange Commission. It is recognized that said properties are owned by the local congregation and that CMPI is holding said properties only in trust as a service. If an assembly were to disband or cease to function then CMPI would be free to dispose of the property in a way that would be honoring to God and that would benefit other assembly activities in the Philippines. If an assembly were to spilt due to differences in doctrine, then CMPI would generally recognize the group that has remained faithful to the Word of God as presented in the CMPI Statement of Faith.
Camps
Properties purchased by CMPI (such as Emmaus Bible Camp in Malolos, Bulacan) for campsites are to remain the property of and under the control of CMPI. A committee of five members known as the CMPI Camps & Conferences Coordinating Committee (C4) has been appointed by the CMPI board to coordinate and supervise Camps and Conferences sponsored by CMPI held on any CMPI camp property. The CMPI board retains the right to remove members from C4 for activities inconsistent with the practices and doctrines recognized by CMPI. All members C4 of the committee must sign the CMPI Statement of Faith. Other camp and conference committees will be recognized by C4 to develop the camp sites (e.g. Development & Facilities Committee), to plan and conduct camps (e.g. Camp curriculum Committee), and conferences (e.g. Men’s and Women’s Conference Committees). Committees recognized by C4 are expected to submit copies of their minutes of meetings to C4 for final approval.
All reservations for the use of Emmaus Bible Camp must be made through San Juan Gospel Chapel. Maintenance fees for the use of each camp will be set by the respective Development and Facilities Committees. Camp properties can be used by other groups upon fulfilling the requirements established by the C4 committee, so long as they do not bring dishonor to the name of Christ nor do their activities result in a bad testimony for the camp &/or CMPI.
Finances
As a non-stock, non-profit religious organization, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, CMPI believes in meeting government obligations and fiscal accountability and transparency. The financial records of CMPI are audited yearly by an outside CPA registered auditor. Financial reports are regularly prepared and presented to the board of CMPI and the government. These reports can be made available to assembly Christians who might desire to inquire as to the financial situation of CMPI.
CMPI is not a fund raising organization nor does it guarantee funds for workers and or churches other than stated above. Funds channeled through CMPI and that are designated will be passed on in full (except for bank fees) to the designated recipient. The board of trustees or a committee established by the board for such purpose will disburse undesignated gifts received by CMPI.
CMPI has established the following accounts in its book of records; Binhi; BSA; Camp - building, agriculture, general, equipment; Churches; Emmaus Bible School, FEBC, Hymnbooks; Lydians; Miscellaneous; Relief and Workers. CMPI does not have unallocated funds on hand, but generally maintains a credit balance in each account. Funds for various assembly activities can be sent from overseas to CMPI via organizations such as among others, CMML in the US, Missionary Service Committee in Canada, Tidings in Australia, and New Zealand Missionary Services, provided that the said funds are for assembly work. Local funds can be sent or given to CMPI at the Bible School of the Air office in San Juan, Metro Manila. All gifts and funds received will be officially receipted and forwarded to designated churches or individuals without any deductions. Signed vouchers are also required for all disbursements by CMPI.
Church Loan Assistance Fund
A fund of approximately 800,000.00 pesos has been established to help local assemblies for either the purchase of land or the building of chapels. An assembly can apply for an interest free loan from this fund but all money loaned to the assembly must be repaid. To apply for a loan an assembly must apply in writing stating the purpose of the loan, the amount required, and how the loan is going to be repaid. This application must be signed by at least three leaders in the assembly (better still by the whole assembly). Upon receiving the application, the board of CMPI will decide based on the merits of the application and the availability of funds, etc. if, when, and how much an assembly can borrow from the CLAF. If no funds are available at the time of the request and the board of CMPI agrees that the project is viable then the name of the assembly will be added to a waiting list. Assemblies who are granted a loan are expected to make regular payments to the fund until the total is repaid. All assemblies must repay in full the amount borrowed as soon as possible. Each assembly that borrows from the fund is also encouraged to make a love offering to the fund once their debt has been paid so as to help increase the funds that are available for other assemblies.
Emmaus Bible School
In 1982 Emmaus Bible School was commenced as a teaching and training program for assembly workers, elders, young people and others who desired to better equip themselves for the Lord’s work either full-time or as members of a local assembly. A committee of five members was appointed to oversee the development of the program, curriculum and the actual running of the Bible School. A short term (nine week) course with a three year curriculum has been developed and is now operational. The EBS committee is responsible and accountable to CMPI. The committee serves at the pleasure of the board of CMPI and can be replaced or changed at any time. All committee members and teachers of EBS must sign the CMPI Statement of Faith.
Bible School of the Air (BSA)
Although Bible school of the Air was originally one of the reasons why CMPI was formed, BSA is now a separate legal identity incorporated as a Corporation Sole (officially known as The Bible School of the Apostolate, Inc.). Recognizing that BSA is an assembly orientated ministry the members of the “apostolate” (i.e. the BSA Committee) shall continue to be approved by CMPI. The committee comprises five members who must sign the CMPI Statement of Faith.
Administrator
In 1994 CMPI appointed an administrator to oversee the daily running of CMPI and to act as business manager for the corporation. The administrator is appointed only for one year at a time. It is the duty of the administrator to carry out the directions of the board of CMPI. He is not to implement his own program or to act beyond the duties assigned to him. The administrator has authority to sign documents for and on behalf of CMPI as may be required as he carries out his assigned duties and responsibilities. An assistant administrator is also appointed by the board of CMPI to assist in the duties and responsibilities of the administrator. Both administrator and assistant administrator are expected to attend all CMPI board meetings. The administrator or assistant administrator can be concurrently serving as board members.
Pastoral Care
CMPI recognizes the need for pastoral care and guidance for all Filipino commended workers and foreign missionaries. A committee of four couples have been appointed for this ministry.
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