Constitution and By-laws- Rays of Healing Church, Inc.
(A Metaphysical Church of Loving Service)

 Preamble

Whereas, it is the purpose of God and Spirit that humanity shall grow and understand our own divine nature so as to manifest physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wholeness, health and well being.

Whereas, it is the purpose of humanity to express divine truth, love, peace and wisdom through service to Spirit and to all our fellow beings.  Through so doing, we achieve oneness of spirit, unity, balance, harmony, and enlightenment.

Whereas we are called by spirit to provide service to God and humanity and to assemble ourselves in fellowship and love to give that service. Through service, we provide divine healing energies to those in need, spiritual education, development, and guidance and minister to the spiritual needs of those who seek truth and divine healing.

Be it Resolved:  That we recognize ourselves to be a body of spiritual believers working together to minister to those in need of divine healing, to offer unconditional spiritual love to all beings, and to further spiritual understanding on earth.

Be it Further Resolved:  That we recognize the right of all beings to choose his/her own path to wholeness in spirit and are a non-denominational, metaphysical church.  As such, we organize under the laws of the State of Virginia so that we may exercise all the rights and privileges granted to religious bodies.

Article I - Name

The name of this corporation shall be Rays of Healing Church, Inc.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of this corporation shall be to provide:

1. Service to Spirit through humanity and service to humanity through spirit ,
2. Divine healing services to as many beings as possible,
3. Opportunity, education and training for spiritual growth and development,
4. Ordination and licensing of ministers in support of their ministerial duties for the church,
5. To establish and oversee places of assembly, fellowship, and  “Services to Spirit” under the guidance of Spirit,
6. To create departments and branches as may be necessary to support our service,
7. To have the right to own, hold in trust, use, possess, sell, convey, mortgage, lease or dispose of property, be it real or chattel, as may be needed for completion of the work.

Article III - Tenants of Faith

We believe as follows:

1.  GOD AND SERVICE

All paths lead to God.  God is all that is, and God is good.  We believe that all who tread their path will ultimately come to a greater understanding of the Divine Nature, of the one that is many and the many that is one. We are inspired and guided by God to provide loving service to Spirit and humanity.   

2.  GOD AND CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS

Within God consciousness lies the consciousness of all "Be"-ingness. The path to this understanding is found through Christ consciousness. Christ consciousness is the grid, the template, of loving perfection which encompasses the Earth and which all humanity is striving to become.  Christ consciousness is the peace, unconditional love, absolute compassion, and the ultimate teacher of humanity.

3.  SEPARATION FROM GOD AND THE PATH

In individuating, humanity experiences itself as separated from God.  This experience allows humanity to learn, grow, develop and create on the physical plane through free will.  All humanity is on a path of realization that there is no true separation from God, that separation is an illusion that dissipates with the development and refinement of the soul.  As the soul develops, the personality of each individual aligns with divine will and love and grace.  Spirit, soul, mind, heart and matter integrate and harmonize with divine will.      

4.  DIVINE HEALING

Healing is the full integration of Spirit into matter.  Healing occurs in stages that lead to this integration. Each stage further develops the spirit of humanity. Individuals are in various stages of Spiritual development. Healing of individuals leads to the healing of humanity.  As one individual heals, so do we all.

5.  INITIATIONS

All believers should ardently expect and earnestly seek the Promise of God, which is the initiation into the power and light of Holy Spirit. Initiation into the Light of Spirit brings the power of God for life and service, and the bestowment of the gifts of Spirit as administered by the ascended beings.  The gifts of spirit are given to individuals to use in their ministry and service.   The initiations into light include initiation into the Rays of Healing.

A separate type of initiation comes through Spirit in recognition of the attainment, understanding of, and attunement to divine truths.  Understanding and attunement are the result of unconditional love for all beings that leads to clarity of vision through divine truth and awareness of purpose under the divine plan.

Clarity of vision includes the ability to connect with other beings and understand their path.  It includes being able to intuit the needs of others and clearly see how to be of service to them in their path of growth and development.   Intuition comes through the unity of our spirits that allows the flow of healing energy and information.  

6.  DIVINE CALL TO SERVICE

Many individuals are called by God to express unconditional love through Divine Service.  Divine Service is the giving of one’s gifts from God to all humanity - to all beings - out of love.  It is incumbent upon all who hear this call to give service.  We are not called to be servants of humanity, but to provide loving service by using our gifts. 

7.  MINISTERIAL SERVICE

Individuals are called by God into the Spiritual ministry.  Spiritual ministry practices include spiritual healing, spiritual teaching and spiritual mentoring and/or counseling.   Healing may be provided through a variety of energy balancing modalities, such as Reiki, Healing Touch, or Intuitive Healing, or through other natural means for enhancing the function and integration of body, emotions, mind and soul.  Spiritual teaching includes knowledge of spiritual concepts and skill building in spiritual or ministerial practices.  Spiritual mentoring is providing knowledge, guidance and support for spiritual growth and development.  Spiritual counseling may include intuitive counseling based on the tenants of faith, psychological counseling combined with spiritually based tenants for those with appropriate education and licenses, or counseling in healthy practices.  

 Ordination into the Rays of Healing Church ministry is reserved for those: 

·        whose faith and belief in God and his Spirit are unwavering, 

·        whose knowledge of spiritual concepts is extensive and measurable,

·        whose gifts for spiritual healing, teaching, mentoring or counseling have been honed and are backed with learning and skill,

·        who have completely and demonstrably dedicated their lives to God and their “Service to Spirit”, and

·        who have committed their lives to serving the greater good of humanity 

8.  CHURCH ASSEMBLY AND FELLOWSHIP

We gather together as a group on a regularly scheduled basis to express the joy and unconditional love of the Divine and to provide “Service to Spirit”, healing services and other assemblies. We believe that the spiritual power of a group exceeds that of any individual.  As ministers or members in individual service, we provide fellowship, healing, teaching, mentoring or counseling as requested.

9.  HEALING AND EDUCATIONAL CENTERS

As a group, we believe it is our mission to establish healing and educational centers for providing healing, opportunities for spiritual growth and development, education, mentoring and counseling through ministerial services for the benefit of humanity.

Article IV – Membership

The members of this corporation shall consist of any mature individual who is called by God to be of service and who expresses the desire and displays the wiliness to regularly contribute time, money and service to the purpose for which this corporation was formed. Individuals must request to be admitted to membership, approved by the Board of Directors, designated administrative committee, or lead minister and must make a pledge of service.  Children are required to have the approval of a parent or legal guardian to request membership.  Membership is accepted by the Church without regard to age, race, creed, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.

A. Requirements

1. Regular attendance to “Service to Spirit” fellowship, teaching and healing services.
2. Completion of the introductory courses.
3. Taking the pledge of service to Spirit and humanity.
4. Providing time, talent, goods, services or financial support in the form of an annual pledge and love offerings to further the goals of the church and ensure healing services for those in need.

B. Voting rights:

Each member shall be entitled to one vote as a member of the corporation.  Votes of branch church members carry authority for the operations of the branch church within the existing constitution and by-laws of the central church (corporate headquarters).  Votes on matters concerning church policy are given through representation.  These votes carry no authority for governing the internal affairs of the corporation and do not constitute decision making authority over church policy.

On matters of branch church operations, the lead minister of the branch church will call for a voters meeting.  Branch churches may perform administrative duties as delegated by the Board and within delegated authority.

On matters of Church policy,  individual votes serve as advice to be given to the senior ministry, Board of Directors, or governing committees as designated by the board.  The Board of Directors will determine when a full “voters meeting”  is required.  Advance notice as to when, where, and the reason for the voters meeting will be given.  In the instance of branch churches in distance locations,  local  members will give their votes to a branch representative.   Branch representatives will advise the Branch Council of the vote of the branch church.  

Article V -Branch Council

A branch council consists of no less than three and no more than seven lead ministers.  It will be established on a rotating basis to advise the Board of the vote, needs and concerns  of the branch churches.  The Branch Council will report to the Vice President of Branch Church Affairs.

Article VI- Finances

The corporation will be financed by the pledges, offerings and donations of members, friends of the corporation, by established places of fellowship and “Service to Spirit” meetings, through grants and funds raisers approved by the Board of Directors, ministerial fees and any other sources that are in harmony with the principles of the church.

Article VII- Government

1. Officers

 There shall be:

1.      One Senior Lead Minister-President

2.      One Senior Minister-Vice President and Assistant Senior Lead Minister

3.      One Senior Minister – Vice President of Education and Outreach

4.      One Senior Minister – Vice President at Large

5.      One Senior Minister - Secretary

6.      One Senior Minister – Treasurer

7.      One Senior Minister – Vice President of Branch Church Affairs

8.      Other officers added and removed by the Board as needed 

2. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of  5 Officers from the above list, with the President serving as Chairman of the Board, and of any of the original incorporators who do not currently serve as an officer. 

3. Administrative Committees

The Administrative Committee(s) will be composed of officers and directors appointed by the Chairman of the Board – President.  These will be operating committees to expedite the work of the Church.

4. Lead Ministers for local branch churches

Each local branch church will have a Lead Minister to guide Church operations and lead “Service to Spirit”.   The original Lead Minister of a Branch fellowship will be appointed by the Board of Directors.  Upon resignation or retirement, subsequent Lead Ministers may be selected by the local membership.  

5. Assistant Lead Ministers for local branch churches

Each Lead Minister may designate an Assistant Lead Minister to act as assistant to the Lead Minister and perform Lead Minister duties as needed in the absence of the Lead Minister.  

6. Local Branch Church Administrative Committees elected by branch church members 

Each Local Church may designate an administrative committee to assist with operational functions as needed. 

7.  Ministers

Ministers will be ordained to carry on the mission of the Church.  Ministers will be ordained in established categories with specific titles, as defined in the by-laws, to perform a variety of duties.      

8. Branch Council

The Branch Council will consist of 3-7 local branch church lead ministers.  Lead ministers will serve on the Council through assigned rotations to advise the board on the needs of the branch churches.   The Branch Council reports through the Vice President of Branch Church Affairs.  

Article VIII - Meetings 

1. Church Meetings

In any established place of “Service to Spirit”,  the appointed lead minister will be responsible for regular church services. 

2. Corporation Meetings

A.  The corporation year shall coincide with the calendar year, beginning January 1^st     and running through December 31^st.  Official Corporation Board Meetings will be called the Chairman of the Board/ President. 

B.  The Official Board Meeting is held for discussion of the direction of the corporation.  The Chairman shall set dates and times for the Board Meetings, which be held at least annually.  At least three Board members, including the Chairman, shall be present for the meeting to be official. The Board may invite guests to any meeting.

C.  The Secretary shall keep an accurate account of the minutes of each Board meeting.  The Secretary will submit the minutes of the previous Board meeting at the next Board meeting for discussion and approval.  Upon approval by the Board of Directors, the minutes will be adopted and all policy and procedures in them will be enforced.   

Article IX – Quorum 

Three Board members, including the Chairman/President, shall constitute a quorum for an official Board meeting.

 Article X – Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution may be made by an 80% vote of the Board (4 members), including the Chairman/President.  No amendments may be made without the Chairman/President’s approval.    

Article XI – Removal of Directors and Officers – Special Advisory Council 

Occasions may arise when an Officer or Director may be asked to relinquish their responsibilities due to incompetence, malfeasance or failure to adhere to the principles of the Church.  Officers who do not serve on the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors may be removed through the following process:  

*        Nomination for removal by another Board member and a member of the Branch council.

*        Formal notification to Board of Director and Branch Council Members that a Special Advisory Council meeting is being called. 

*        Formal notification to the party nominated for removal.

*        Thorough consideration and subsequent unanimous vote of the Special Advisory Council.

       The Special Advisory Council will consist of the following individuals: 

*        All Board of Directors members except for the director nominated for removal.

*        All Branch Council members.

*        Two trusted advisors who are not members of Rays of Healing Church who agree to serve as council members.   Trusted advisors to be agreed to by all parties except in the instance of medical incompetence.