Operational Guidelines For Running Home And Urban Missions (HUM)

Overview

Owing to the Vision 2023 agenda of “Possessing the Nations,” the Executive Council devised a mission outreach programme to look at specific neglected areas of the church’s ministry life to be known as Home and Urban Missions (HUM). These neglected areas include but are not limited to reaching out to foreigners or expatriates, the neglected poor, migrants from Northern Ghana to the South, drug addicts and street children. The others are the homeless, Fulani or Fula people, Chinese and the like.

Establishment

The Pentecost Home and Urban Missions (HUM) shall be established as a ministry intervention of The Church, focusing on Urban Missions and Home Missions.

Membership

1. HUM membership shall be open to all members of The Church.
2. A prayer group known as “Nation Possessors” shall be formed in all Assemblies and at all levels to support the ministry.

Functions

The following shall be the functions of the Ministry:

1. Reach out to foreign nationals in the vicinity, including those on business trips, tourism, or education, for both short and long-term stays, with the gospel.
2. Intentionally evangelise, win, and establish indigenous churches for Africans residing in Ghana for business, education, tourism, or seeking greener pastures.   
3. Evangelise and establish indigenous churches for ethnic groups from northern Ghana residing in southern Ghana, ensuring worship in their language and culture.
4. Reach Unreached and Unengaged People Groups (UPGs) with the gospel.
5. Evangelise and minister to the urban poor and marginalised.
6. Organise specialised evangelistic ministries.
7. Undertake additional assignments as directed by the General or Executive Council.

National Executive Committee

The HUM National Executive Committee shall consist of nine (9) members:

1. Four (4) Ministers
2. Three (3) Elders
3. One (1) Deaconess
4. One (1) Minister’s wife

Appointment

The Executive Council, with the General Council’s approval, shall appoint the National HUM Executive Committee as follows:

1. An Apostle, Prophet, or experienced Minister as Patron.
   1. A Minister as full-time HUM Coordinator.
   1. A Minister or Elder as Secretary.
   1. Two (2) additional Ministers.
   1. Three (3) Elders.
   1. One (1) Deaconess.
   1. One (1) Minister’s wife.
   1. If the Coordinator is an Apostle, Prophet, or Evangelist, a Patron shall not be appointed, and an additional Minister will be included.

Functions of the National Executive Committee

1. Develop strategic plans and oversee HUM activities.
2. Implement decisions from the Executive and General Councils.

Functions of the Patron

1. Serve as Chairman of the Ministry.
2. Advise the Coordinator and Ministry Officers.
3. Chair National Executive Committee meetings; in his absence, the Coordinator shall preside.

Functions of the Coordinator

The functions of the Coordinator shall include the following:

1. Oversee daily operations of HUM nationwide.
2. Implement ministry programmes and decisions of the General and Executive Councils.
3. Supervise and train HUM Ministers, Area Coordinators, and other stakeholders.
4. Receive and review reports from Area Coordinators.
5. Provide study materials and ensure the Ministry’s growth.
6. Perform duties assigned by the Chairman of the Church or his representative.

Functions of the Secretary

1. Assist the Coordinator except in ministerial functions if the Secretary is an Elder.
2. Perform duties assigned by the Coordinator or the National Executive Committee.

Term of Office

The Patron, Coordinator, Secretary, and other Executive members shall hold office for four (4) years, subject to renewal.

Sector Working Team       

Sector Working Teams shall be established in the RCC Blocs to oversee the working committees for the ministry, formed by the RCC in consultation with the Coordinator, with the HUM Minister in the Sector proposing names for consideration.

Appointment      

A nine-member team shall oversee each Sector, including:        

1. The HUM Minister (as Sector Leader)
2. A Secretary (an Officer)
3. A Professional such as Lawyer, Educationist, or Businessperson
4. A Medical or Social Work professional
5. An Area Women’s Ministry Leader
6. A Minister’s wife
7. Nation Possessors Coordinator
8. Two (2) HUM workers or enthusiasts

Functions of the Sector Working Team

The Sector Working Team shall undertake the following:

1. Manage HUM work within the sectors or regions.
   1. Coordinate, assess, and report on Area HUM activities.
   1. Organise training for District stakeholders.
   1. Implement decisions from the National Executive Committee.
   1. Undertake additional assignments as directed by the Coordinator or his representative.

The HUM Minister

In addition to the appointment of a Coordinator, the Executive Council shall appoint HUM Ministers who shall spearhead the HUM activities in sectors/regions to be determined by the Executive Council.

Functions of the HUM Minister

The HUM Ministers shall undertake the following:

• They shall be fully available for Home and Urban Missions activities within the sectors or regions appointed.
• They shall carry out their activities within the strategic framework of the Home and Urban Mission Strategic Vision under the supervision of the Coordinator.
• They shall report on their work to the Home and Urban Missions Coordinator, with copies to their respective Area Heads and RCC Coordinators.
• Undertake additional assignments as directed by the Coordinator or RCC Coordinator.

The following shall serve as guidelines for these Ministers:

• They shall not be resident pastors for Worship Centres.
• They may be attached to an assembly within a district where they will fellowship with their families as and when necessary (just as some principal officers of the church do), but will not be involved with the administration of such districts.
• The Area Heads shall select an Assembly within a district in their Areas where the HUM Minister and his family may fellowship.
• An assessment form that gives room for both the host Area Head and the Coordinator to make input shall be developed for their ministerial appraisal.
• Accommodation and vehicle for the Home and Urban Ministers shall be provided by the Head Office.
• Fuel shall be provided by the Head Office and this shall amount to 80 gallons per month.
• Since the HUM Ministers shall not be responsible for any district, the Head Office shall pay an all-inclusive welfare allowance to them on a monthly basis.
• The RCC shall be responsible for the vehicle maintenance of the HUM Minister
• Annual budgets for his activities shall be sent to the RCC, with copies to the Chairman. The headquarters shall support the RCC based on the strength of the Region.

Term of Office

The Sector Working Team members shall serve four (4) years, with possible renewal.

Area Executive Committee

Appointment

A seven-member committee appointed by the Area Presbytery shall administer the Area HUM.

Membership

Membership shall be made up of:

• Area Leader and Assistant (Ministers)
• Three (3) Elders (one as Secretary, another as Nation Possessors’ Leader)
• Two (2) Deaconesses

Functions of the Area Leader

The functions of the Area Leader shall include the following:

• Develop strategic and annual action plans for the Area.
• Mobilise stakeholders for HUM ministry activities.
• Report to the Area Head and Coordinator.

Term of Office

Area leaders and committee members shall hold office for three (3) years, subject to renewal.

District Executive Committee    

Appointment      

A five-member team, including the District HUM Leader, shall oversee District HUM activities.

Functions of the District HUM Leader      

1. Manage District HUM programmes and mobilise for intentional evangelism.
   1. Conduct training and submit periodic reports to the District Minister.
   1. Report to the District Minister and Area Leader.

Term of Office    

District leaders shall serve three (3) years, with possible renewal.

Local Executive Committee

Appointment      

A five-member team appointed by the Local Presbytery shall manage HUM activities locally.

Functions of the Local HUM Leader

1. Oversee local HUM activities and prepare strategic plans in consultation with the Presiding Elder.
   1. Mobilise members for intentional evangelism.
   1. Report activities to the District Leader.

Term of Office       

Local leaders shall serve two (2) years, subject to renewal.