Article III. Objects and Duties

Article III. Objects And Duties

Sec. 1. In accordance with the Confession of faith get forth in Article Il, this CHurch recognizes that all power in the Church belongs to out Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church; that He has committed duties and powers to her for the furtherance of the Gospel through the word and scraments; and that these duties and powers are normally exercised through congregations and ministers. '

Sec. 2. THEREFORE THIS CHURCH IS ORGANIZED: '!

a. to safeguard- and extend the pure preaching of the Gospel and the right administration of the sacraments.

b. to gather into the fellowship of its congregations those who respond In faith to the call of the Gospel and nurture them in the faith through that fellowship. -

c. % make manifest the unity which exists among all believers in the true faith.

d. to give particular diligence to fostering and expressing unity with Evangelical Churches in India and throughout the World that share the faith and mission of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, especially with the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India and the Lutheran World Federation,

e. To seek union among Churches of various denominations in India and to that end" to promote and work for, and establish union with other Churches in India.

f. To seek to accomplish thess purposes by:

1. training of ministers and teachers to be witnesses of the Word, and maintaining discipline among them.

2. establishing Christian congregations.

3. supporting home. inner and world missions and diaspora work,

4. fostering and guiding practices of worship which are N editying. d 5. preparing, publishing and distributing such literature as thjs Church may deem good for its edification and for the spread of the Gospel.

6. having genera; oversight and control of ali evangelistic, congregational, medical, educational. industrial, agricul-tural, rag welfare and other types of work within the pRdfie #, of this Church.

7. acting in and through the synods for the proper administration of its work entrusted to them.

8. establishing an executive council, boards and such other agencies as are deamad appropriate to carry out assigned responsibilities.

9. estimating financial needs for the support of approvea work of this Church, as well as soliciting, receiving and disbursing tunds for such work,

10. deciding all questions of doctrine and life on the basis of the Holy Scriptures in accordance with the Confession of Faith of this Church. '

11. entering into relations with other Lutheran church bodies and with other evangelical churches for the furtherance of the Gospel of our Lord,

12. participating in co-operative organizations among Christian Churches in India, such as the Bible Society, the Christian Literature Society, the National Missionury Society, the National Christian Council and the Andhra Pradesh Christian Council.

13. entering into negotiations for Church union with other Christian churches in India.