SUBJECT:    Host, Local Contact, Key Computer Contact

QUESTION:   What is a host?  What is a Local Contact?  What is a Key Computer Contact?  What are the duties and responsibilities of these positions?

ANSWER:

HOST and LOCAL CONTACT

A host is a baptized person (male or female) who opens their home for Sabbath Services for a fellowship group of the Intercontinental Church of God (ICG).  A “fellowship group” is any group of ICG members who have not yet applied for chartered church status.  A fellowship group may apply for chartered church status when they have 12 people in regular attendance (baptized or not, children or adults).

Technically, a host is a host if there is a home involved.  Generally, however, we label the appointed person, “host” as long as the Fellowship Group exists.  If the group begins renting a conference room or meeting in a library or some such situation it is assumed they are doing so because the group has grown in numbers to warrant such a move from a home to a larger space.  It is also assumed that if the group is growing it will eventually move toward wanting and seeking a full church charter.  Once a Fellowship Group has moved out of the home AND is seeking chartered status, the host now becomes a Local Contact.  There is no position of “host” in a chartered church.

All hosts are selected by the Area Coordinator who is over that part of the country in which the Fellowship Group is forming. They generally select the man or woman who is desirous of opening their home to the Fellowship group.  It is generally just that simple.  The selection of the Local Contact is very much the same.  This minister will also assign the Minister of Record for the group.  Occasionally that minister will visit the Fellowship group (if at all possible) and conduct services in a rented hall of some kind.

In our Letter Answering Department we keep on file an official definition of Host and Local Contact.  They will give you some insight to their duties and function:

Host:  This is not an office of the church.  A host is a man or woman who serves a fellowship group by possibly providing his or her home for the fellowship group to meet.  A male host may or may not be a Credentialed speaker.  An uncredentialed male speaker may give local church announcements or lead the group as a song leader.  He or she is responsible for providing the congregation with documents originating from the Headquarters office which are designed by them for the members of the church.  The host holds no authority and may not offer counsel to any member of the local group.  They may not act in the capacity of any type or office of the ministry.

Local Contact:  This is not an office of the church.  A local contact person may be a man, a woman or a married couple who act as a host for either a fellowship group or a charted church (see the Field Church Guidelines) of the ICG.  The local contact may serve whether there is a local minister present or not.   A male local contact may or may not also hold a speaking credential.  A local contact holds no authority over the local group or congregation. 

Authority vs. Responsibility

Neither a host nor a local contact person have any authority at all.  This is the most important fact and church policy to keep in mind when dealing with this subject.  Many disasters have taken place when a host or local contact have taken upon themselves some sort of authority.  A host, local contact person and even the minister are SERVANTS of the congregation.  None of these positions have Biblical basis or justification for “Lording it” over the congregation.

The host and local contact DO have responsibilities.  As a host in the home, the responsibilities are to provide a place and a means for the taped sermons from Tyler to be played and viewed by the group.  The only other responsibilities are those which would be present for any person opening their home to guests.

If the group is meeting in a rented space or at some location outside of anyone’s home, the host or local contact should insure that the facilities are open and set up for services.  This would include making sure any needed items or equipment are present.  This would include a television and VCR as well as the tape to be shown.

Field Church Guidelines

Hosts and Local Contact must have a good understanding of the Field Church Guidelines for the Intercontinental Church of God.  These Guidelines are posted at the church web site at

http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/fieldchurchguidelines.php

 

…or you may contact us and we will send you a copy.   The host or local contact are responsible to insure that the directives in the Guidelines are being carried out.  The Field Church guidelines have one primary purpose and that is to protect the flock.  One can easily see this fact by just reading them.  Should something happen contrary to the Guidelines or if anything develops in which there is a question, the minister of record or Headquarters should be contacted immediately.  Every measure should be taken to avoid any action or confrontation at the local level until the minister of record or Headquarters directs you to do so.  Keeping peace and harmony in the group is of utmost importance. 

Speaking Credentials

Being a host or local contact, in and of itself, does not give the man permission to present sermons, sermonettes or to conduct official Bible Studies.  It does not give this man any kind of permission to present any kind of teaching or instruction.  For a man to speak in the church, he must have a Speaking Credential.  They are issued specifically for sermonettes, for sermons and for Bible Studies.  Anyone who desires to speak need only begin a dialog/relationship with the minister of record.  He generally will want to listen to the man speak a couple of times before issuing the credential.

The Speaking Credential also does not imply any kind of authority whether the man in question is the host or not.  It does add the high responsibility of delivering messages which are in close adherence to scripture and to the doctrines and policies of the church (Matthew 7:15-20).

General Considerations

A host or local contact needs to be the example of service, love, encouragement, integrity, honesty, and hospitality.  They must be a friend to everyone and show no favoritism or bias.  They should be the voice of reason and do all they can to avoid any kind of division in the congregation.  They should not be easily offended.  They should be slow to speak, quick to forgive and always repentant.  They should be a good example of a Christian actively involved in the Salvation Process which includes repentance, keeping the Law and commandments, the invoking of Godly principles (Gal. 5:22-23), overcoming sin, ever moving toward perfection (Hebrews 6) and becoming like Christ. 

KEY COMPUTER CONTACT

Key Computer Contact:  This is not an office of the church.  The Key Computer Contact is defined as a member of the fellowship group or chartered church who has a computer, an e-mail account and access to the Internet.  Any member of the ministry, host or local contact may act as a Key Computer Contact.  His or her only duties are to act as a conduit to communication within the ICG between that group and either the Web Site Office or the Headquarters office in Tyler.  His or her duties include but are not necessarily limited to providing the GTA Report from Mr. Armstrong and the Web Site Office Report from the Web Site Office, providing printouts of information from the church web sites and passing along any messages from Mr. Armstrong or the Headquarters office.  A Key Computer Contact holds no authority over the local group or congregation.