Obedience in CFC  

In CFC there is a pastoral-organizational structure composed of leaders at various levels. The basic purpose of the structure is for peace, unity and order in the body. In order for the organization to work well, leaders are vested with authority. However, there is no such thing in CFC as blind obedience. Rather, what we promote is active submission. This means that subordinates do not blindly follow their leaders, but may raise questions for greater understanding of directions, may have contrary views and respectfully bring these forth, may enter into discussions, and may request for the inputs or intervention of higher-ups if need be. 

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Anointing of Leaders in CFC

Leaders in CFC, if chosen with prayerful discernment according to our criteria for various stages of leadership, with qualifications discussed with other elders when needed, will be anointed by God for the task He has called them to, because this is His work. Thus their anointing will be the foundation for their leadership, including their decisions and directions for those under them. However, such anointing should not be a cause for pride, nor claims to infallibility, nor for a demand of blind obedience from subordinates, nor for insisting on doing everything oneself. In fact, we will make mistakes sometimes in choosing leaders. Anointing is something which proves itself in the ordinary course of a leader’s continuing service.

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Household Meetings 

Households meet weekly, three times as a small cell group and once in a larger prayer assembly. Households are never canceled, except in extreme external emergencies (e.g., calamity, armed conflict), which threaten the well-being of members. Household leaders who may have a good reason for not being able to attend a household meeting should not cancel the meeting, but simply assign someone else to run the meeting.

Ordinarily there are always three ingredients to a household meeting: a time of worship, a time of sharing/discussion, and a time of fellowship/socializing. The length of time for each ingredient should not go to extremes (either too short or too long). Thus worship, with singing, praising and individual prayers, should be about 30-40 minutes. Sharing and /or discussion should be about an hour (most of the time with husbands meeting separately from the wives). Fellowship would be from 30 to 60 minutes.

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Acknowledgement of Contributions 

Tithes (or contributions if less than 10%) of individual members are acknowledged by official receipts (except in countries where CFC is not incorporated), and are recorded by the CFC office. It is not our pastoral policy to just have anonymous tithing (though there might be cases where anonymous donations are given). We want to keep track of members' contributions for pastoral purposes.

Heads are given a monthly copy of the record of their members' tithes. Household heads get the tithe record of their household members, Unit Heads get the tithe record of all the members of the unit, and Chapter Heads get the tithe record of all members of the chapter. This enables these leaders to support the spiritual formation of members. Just as we would ask every once in a while how is one's prayer time or dialogue with the spouse, so we should ask how one is growing in financial stewardship.

This individual recording does not apply to instances when the collection basket is passed, like during Mass or when soliciting alms (contribution to help those in need) for members.

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Hosting 

It is part of our culture in CFC to open up our homes to guests, especially CFC brethren. It is not necessary to give up the master's bedroom for such guests. Many times these would be brethren on mission and as missionaries would be appreciative of even sparse accommodations.

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Closing Prayer  

There are different ways of closing a prayer, whether individual, group or communal. It can be a simple "Amen," or "In Jesus' name, Amen," or "Through Christ our Lord, Amen," or with all or either of the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be. It is not our culture to pray three Glory Be's. 

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