Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

experienced church workers is sara at conferences; the senior presbyter being the chairman of the council. § 15. Senior presbyters together with presbyter councils carry out: (a) The tasks of the Union, stated in Paragraph 3 of this constitituion; (b) Spiritual help to churches located in the territory which they serve; / help in singing and musical matters by attracting experienced choir direc- tors; ; participate in worship services and in the education of believers in proper relations to their Christian duties; (c) Participate where possible / in the recommendation/ and election of presbyters and other church workers and in their ordination/ after a pro- bation period of no less than one year from their election by the church, similarly for their dismissal; / (d) Keep a list of congregations, workers, and the number of church members. ‘ § 16. Senior presbyters report on their activities to the / corresponding/ conference of church workers® and to the AUCECB. § 17. The senior presbyter has a seal and a stamp. § 18. For deciding questions that arise, as deemed necessary, / the senior presbyter together with/ the presbyter council calls a conference of ou workers, in the territory served by him, / but not less than once a year. 484 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War Il IV. Local ECB Churches I will build my church.—Matthew 16:18 And the churches were strengthened in the faith.—Acts 16:5 § 19.Local ECB churches are an association of believers of the Evan- elical-Baptist faith, voluntarily united for mutual service to the Lord and or the satisfaction of their spiritual needs. The tasks of the local ECB churches are: (a) To preach the gospel (Acts 20:24); (b) To educate belies to attain holiness, Christian piety, and to ob- serve all that Christ commanded (Mt. 28:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-4); (c) Develop and strengthen Christian love and unity of believers, in agreement with the high priestly prayer of our Lord (Jn. 17:21-23). § 20. For carrying out the tasks specified, the local ECB churches meet for divine worship with preaching of the gospel, prayers, and baptism, communion, marriage, funerals, and other church practices. The worship service is carried out with congregational and choral singing, with musical accompaniment, / declamation,/ etc. § 21.The ECB churches meet for worship on Sundays, and also on weekdays at the discretion of the church and on the Christian festivals: Christmas, New Year, Epiphany, Circumcision, Annunication, Easter, As- cension, Trinity, Transfiguration, Harvest Festival, Unity Day / and other church holidays, / § 22. Communion in local ECB churches (congregations and groups) is ete at the discretion of the church, usually on the first Sunday of each month. § 23. ECB churches conduct their worship services in special buildings, provided by the state for their free use, or in properties leased from loca