†

How to start a Chapter

of the

Society of the Cross

 

 

This page will be a brief introduction to how to start a local chapter or association of the Society of the Cross.

 

What is a Chapter

 

A chapter is a local meeting of Professed and/or Associate Members that meet on a regular basis for mutual support, edification, prayer and social outreaches within their local communities and/or churches.

 

How to Start a Chapter

 

A minimum of at least three Professed Members may start a local Chapter. Please remember that the Society of the Cross is not a replacement for the local church but a compliment to it. We expect our members to be a solid support for their local Pastors and to be a vital part of the church’s life and mission.

 

To start a Chapter will involve work and prayer. Chapters may meet in homes, churches, or other available places that are appropriate for a Christian Society. If meetings are held in a local church please remember that the Society Chapter meeting is a guest of that church and is to show due respect to it as such. The work and prayer takes place in the growth of the Chapter. The Chapter will only truly grow if its members are living the way of the Cross. That way is the way of love, self-denial and service. The two Great Commandments dealt with love. First, to love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength, the second like unto it is, to love thy neighbor as thyself. But, the Lord Jesus Christ left us a new commandment which was to love one another as He loved us, and how can we fulfill the two Great Commandments if we who are brothers and sisters in Christ cannot love one another.

 

The local members may advertise the Chapter meeting by such methods as posting a flyer on local bulletin boards, church bulletins (with the church’s consent), word of mouth (invite friends, family or others that maybe interested). All of these are ways to get the word out and are relatively inexpensive to do.

 

Chapter Activities and Meetings

 

We are a Society, thus we are a community within the greater Christian community and should strive to develop into a spiritual family, though we are already part of a greater family, the family of God.

 

Meetings should focus on the following areas in keeping with the Society of the Cross emphases, missions, evangelism, discipleship and teaching, as well as ministry to the poor, needy and ill. We realize that our members will come from many various church traditions and denominations that cover the spectrum of theological and biblical interpretation, but this need not be a hindrance to the life and growth of the local Chapter.  Each member whether Professed or Associate has received and made the Lord Jesus Christ his or her Lord and Saviour and asked Him to forgive their sins and has been baptized, and as such they are your brother or sister in Christ Jesus and are to be loved and respected as such, regardless if they are Baptist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran or Non-denominational. What we emphasize is the day-in and day-out, nitty-gritty life of following the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the common factor we all have as Christians regardless of our church tradition or denomination. We are all called to support missions, through our giving and/or prayers, we are all called to evangelize, giving witness of what the Lord Jesus has done in our life, we are all called to discipleship, both in our own lives and in discipling those we lead to the Lord, we are all called to teach in that we can share the Word with others that has influenced and made a difference in our own lives. We are about Practical Theology, which is living the way of the Cross as a disciple of the Lord Jesus, and that is where we have our commonality, at the foot of the Cross and in bearing our own daily cross as His disciple.

 

The other practical aspects of the Chapter are also ministry to the poor, needy and ill. As the Chapter grows you may reach out in many various ways. Such ways can include, special offerings to be given to a local ministry that helps the poor, food collections, sponsoring a family at Christmas, making and giving out meals to the homeless, all these and many more could be done. Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord as a Chapter endeavor. Remember you are a community and a family.

 

A Sample Meeting Outline

 

Welcoming comments

Opening Prayer

Corporate singing and worship

Discussion and Sharing, with emphasis on practical application

Sharing of prayer requests and group prayer

Closing Prayer

 

The above is only an outline and each Chapter may do things in differing manners.

 

Chapter Organization

 

As the Chapter grows you may decide to become more organized. When that happens the Chapter shall elect from among its members a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Each shall be elected for either a one-year term or a two-year term, depending on the consensus of the Chapter as a whole. Each Chapter should meet at least once a month and have at least once every three months an outreach project to in someway be of service within their local communities. Such election results should be sent to the Society of the Cross International Headquarters. Also each Chapter should send in a financial report every six months, due dates of such reports to be June 10 and December 10 of each year. We only ask for such to see how each Chapter is doing. Each Chapter is autonomous and responsible for its own activities and finances. If such a Chapter would for some reason dissolve said Chapter’s finances shall be disposed of either by #1. Donating said finances to an International Christian Relief Agency or #2. Sent to the Society of the Cross International Headquarters.

 

Other Suggestions

 

We feel it wise and godly counsel to suggest that at times Chapters have as a guest speaker a local member of the clergy to come in as a volunteer speaker. Remember we are part of the greater Church universal and not a replacement of the local church.  

 

Associations

 

Any Associate or Professed Member may start an Association. Associations are much like a Chapter but not as organized and made up of both Associate and Professed Members. Associations are usually started before Chapters, the Association leading to the formation of a Chapter. Associations are ideal for regional meetings where Professed and Associate Members may have to drive and meet in a more centralized location, as they may be spread out within a region.

 

Much of the above information on Chapters can also be applied to Associations.

 

Cyber Chapter

 

Since we are a new and young Society, it may take awhile before Chapters or Associations appear in various regions. To help with community and to minister to our various members we have what we call a “Cyber Chapter”.

 

The Cyber Chapter is an e-mail list which serves as a forum to discuss issues of missions, evangelism, discipleship and Scripture studies, the Cyber Chapter also serves as a connection for those who find themselves to far away from a regular chapter or association for active participation. Moderated by; Bishop Robert Conley, S.C.

 

To join the Cyber Chapter, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/societyofthecross and click on "Join this Group."

 

While the Cyber Chapter does serve as a sort of "virtual chapter," Society of the Cross membership is not a prerequisite.