Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

g senior presbyters,/ presbyters, / dea- cons,/ preachers and choral directors through Bible and choral courses, / conferences for spiritual edification/ and seminars. (f) Publishing / Bibles,/ journals, and other spiritual literature necessary for ECB churches; ; (g) Maintaining a list of churches,‘ presbyters and the number of members belonging to the Union; (h) Representing the interests of the churches (congregations and groups) belonging to the Union before state organs. In correspondence with Holy Scripture (Mt. 22:21; Rom. 18:1-5; Titus: 3:1, 2} the AUCECB and the churches belonging to the Union respect and observe the laws of the country in those activities not concerned with the in- ner spiritual life of the believers. § 10. The financial means of the ECB Union consist of freewill: offer- ings and income for carrying out the activities of the AUCECB in accor- dance with budget estimates. The financial resources of the Union are kept on current account in the state bank. § 11. The auditing of finances, documents and financial reports of the AUCECB [and the senior presbyters] is carried out by an auditing com- mission elected in open voting / with no less than a two thirds majority of the delegates/ of the All-Union Congress and consists of seven> members. The auditing cornmission. reports the results of its audits to the regular All- Union ECB Congress, and also at plenary sessions of the AUCECB: § 12. The AUCECB has a seal and a stamp: § 13. The AUCECB has an office under the presidium in the city of Moscow. Only church members may be office workers. / A working contract must be concluded with each of them./ Constitution of the ECB Church in the USSR 483 III. Senior Presbyters, Presbyter Councils and Conferences of Workers® — Oblast (Regional), Inter-Oblast, Republican Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. | —1 Peter 5:2, 8 § 14. (a) Senior presbyters, / their deputies/ and assistants are recom- mended by the AUCECB / presidium/ with the approval of the churches in which they are members: / Republican ‘and inter-republican (senior presbyters) through. their election at republican and inter-republican conferences of church workers; or the approval of senior presbyters at oblast, inter-oblast, regional, or inter- regional conferences by recommendation of republican senior presbyters following the election of these senior presbyters at oblast, inter-oblast, re- gional and inter-regional coriferences of church workers. /7 In the case of irresponsible service of senior presbyters, their deputies or assistants, the AUCECB presidium examines the question of their further service (1 Tim. 5:19) and presents the matter of their reelection at the corresponding conference of workers. / (c) To help senior presbyters, a council of