BY-LAWS OF THE
FLORIDA ECCLESIASTICAL
DIOCESE AND DISTRICT
(Adopted March 22, 2008)
HISTORY
At the close of the 87th "Holy Year" Convocation, July 18 – 22, 2007 in Columbia, SC, in accordance with Chapter 9, Article I of the Discipline Book of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (COOLJC), the Board of Apostles appointed District Elder Cleo James Jenkins, Sr., to the office of "Bishop" in absentia and Elder Marcus R. McCoy, Sr., to the office of District Elder.
At the Florida Diocese annual Harvest / Ambassadors for Christ Meeting, September 2007, in Jacksonville, FL, the Convocation known as the Florida Diocese was restructured into six dioceses.
One of the sub-state Convocations named and designated by Apostle Gentle L. Groover, Sr. was the "FLORIDA ECCLESIASTICAL DIOCESE" with Bishop Cleo James Jenkins, Sr. appointed as its 1st Diocesan Bishop and District Elder Marcus R. McCoy, Sr. its 1st District Elder.
The initial Churches and Pastors appointed to serve with Bishop Jenkins in the Ecclesiastical Diocese are:
CHURCH/LOCATION PASTOR
Refuge Church, Sorrento, FL Bishop C. J. Jenkins, Sr.
Refuge Church, Gainesville, FL Elder Frasier Williams
Refuge Church, Sanford, FL Elder Nathaniel Hillery
Greater Refuge Memorial Church, Orlando, FL District Elder M. R. McCoy, Sr.
City of Refuge Mission, Daytona Beach, FL District Elder M. R. McCoy, Sr.
OBJECTIVE
The object of this Diocese and District convocation, as defined in Chapter 9, Article 2 of the Discipline Book shall be to govern the work of the churches, to establish new churches, and to support the International efforts of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (COOLJC)
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Florida Ecclesiastical Diocese and District shall be
1. To provide the opportunity for the clergy of the Diocese and District to come together on a regular basis, and to address the mutual concerns that grow out of their life and work; and
2. To provide a convocation where professional standards can be formulated and discussed for the purpose of upgrading the work of ministry; and
3. To provide opportunity for mutual fellowship, support, and exchange of ideas.
MEMBERSHIP
The Florida Ecclesiastical Diocese and District shall be composed of, and limited to, those clergy and members of its representing churches in good standing with the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic faith, Inc. (COOLJC)
Voting rights and privileges will be reserved to churches and members paying dues and whose life and harmony are in accordance with the word of God and the laws of this convocation.