Doctrinal Constitution

1. Preamble

Introduction

Dove Gospel is a multinational Christian network dedicated to empowering churches, leaders, and communities worldwide. Founded upon the principles of Fundamental Pentecostalism, it seeks to equip, disciple, and expand the Kingdom of God through collaboration, outreach, and leadership development. This Doctrinal Constitution sets forth Dove Gospel’s mission, purpose, and theological vision, providing a foundation for governance and unity across all affiliated churches and ministries.

Mission & Vision

Dove Gospel’s mission is to foster global unity under a shared vision of faith, develop servant leaders, disciple believers, and reach communities through the Gospel. We affirm Jesus Christ’s Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) as our guiding mandate.

In pursuit of this mission, we emphasize Spirit-led ministry, biblical teaching, and practical service, believing that spiritual revival can transform individuals and societies. Our vision is to see a worldwide Church empowered by the Holy Spirit, operating in love, holiness, and the miraculous, while remaining anchored in sound doctrine and accountable governance.

Purpose of this Constitution

This Constitution codifies our core doctrines, governance structure, and operational policies. It is designed for legal clarity and theological integrity, suitable for public presentation and for guiding our leaders and members. By formally articulating our beliefs and organizational framework, we ensure transparency to partners and other Christian institutions, and we provide a basis for accountability and unity within Dove Gospel.

All members and leadership bodies of Dove Gospel are bound by the provisions of this Constitution as we work together to glorify God and serve humanity.

2. Doctrinal Authority

Supremacy of Scripture

Dove Gospel affirms that the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and conduct. No doctrinal teaching or practice shall contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. We acknowledge the historic creeds and councils of the early Church insofar as they faithfully reflect biblical truth, but the Bible itself remains our supreme doctrinal standard.

Core Doctrine and Councils

The core doctrines enumerated in this Constitution (see Statement of Faith below) are considered essential and unchangeable tenets of Dove Gospel’s faith. These include the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the means of salvation, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Dove Gospel’s leadership, through the Global Leaders Council, is charged with guarding these doctrines and providing authoritative interpretation when necessary.

Role of Leadership in Doctrine

A designated Doctrinal Council (under the Global Leaders) may convene to address significant theological questions or new issues facing the Church. This council, guided by the Holy Spirit and Scripture, can recommend clarifications or refinements to non-essential teachings or policies. Any such doctrinal guidance or revision must be reviewed and approved by the Global Leaders to take effect, ensuring unity in teaching across the Dove Gospel network.

This mechanism reflects the model of the early Church, where the apostles and elders met in council (e.g., Acts 15) to discern the Holy Spirit’s direction for doctrine and practice. All doctrinal decisions are made with humility, prayer, and a commitment to the historic Christian faith.

Continuity and Reform

While core truths do not change, we recognize that the Church may gain deeper understanding over time. Therefore, Dove Gospel allows for measured adaptation in non-essentials: cultural practices, ministry methods, and secondary theological emphases may be refined by leadership as the Spirit leads, provided they do not undermine biblical truth.

Any future refinements will be documented as amendments to this Constitution and communicated to all regional and local bodies for implementation.

This balance of firm foundation and prudent flexibility ensures that Dove Gospel remains rooted in “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) while effectively ministering in a changing world.

3. Statement of Faith

We profess the following core theological beliefs, which unite all members of Dove Gospel:

The Holy Scriptures

The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the final authority for truth and moral guidance, “profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

The Godhead (Trinity)

There is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal in deity, power, and glory, forming the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:19). God is the Creator of all, holy and loving, sovereign and just.

The Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became fully human while remaining fully divine. We affirm His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death on the cross, bodily resurrection, and ascension to heaven.

Jesus is the only Savior of humanity: salvation is found through faith in Christ alone (Acts 4:12). He now sits at the right hand of the Father and will return in power and glory.

Salvation by Grace

All people have sinned and are in need of redemption. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, received by repentance and personal faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10).

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, those who believe are justified (declared righteous before God by faith alone), born again by the Holy Spirit, and adopted into the family of God (John 3:3-5).

Good works and a holy life are the fruits of salvation but not the basis of it.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

We believe in the baptism with the Holy Spirit as an experience distinct from and subsequent to the new birth. This empowerment was promised by Jesus (Acts 1:8) and first experienced by believers on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).

The initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism is speaking in tongues (new spiritual languages) as the Spirit gives utterance.

Through this baptism, believers receive power for Christian service, boldness in testimony, and the manifestation of spiritual gifts.

The Church

The universal Church is the Body of Christ, composed of all true believers, with Jesus Himself as the Head (Colossians 1:18).

Dove Gospel, as a part of this Body, acknowledges the importance of the local church as an expression of the universal Church. God calls the Church to be a holy community, devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42).

We recognize a structured ecclesiastical leadership within the Church for order and pastoral care – including offices such as Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, and Ministers in our context – while affirming the priesthood of all believers in service and prayer.

4. Ecclesiastical Governance

Biblical Model of Governance

Dove Gospel follows a biblical model of church governance rooted in the New Testament example. We affirm that Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd and Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 1 Peter 5:4).

Under His ultimate authority, Dove Gospel has adopted a servant-leadership structure inspired by the early Church, where apostles, prophets, elders, and deacons served the community under God’s direction.

Our governance balances spiritual authority with humility, ensuring that leadership is exercised as service, not domination (Mark 10:42-45).

Leadership Tiers

Dove Gospel’s governance consists of several leadership tiers with defined responsibilities:

Global Apostolic Council (Global Leaders)

The highest governing body of Dove Gospel, providing spiritual oversight, doctrinal guardianship, and strategic vision.
Composed of senior faith leaders, including the chief apostolic leader (often referred to as a Patriarch in our Fundamental Pentecostal tradition), Archbishops/Regional Overseers, and other governance advisors.
Responsible for ensuring doctrinal purity, making constitutional amendments, and setting international policies.
Meets annually or as needed to review global ministry progress and theological alignment.

Regional Leadership

Dove Gospel is organized into seven global regions:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Middle East
- North America
- Oceania
- South America
Each region is led by a Regional Leader, functioning similarly to an Archbishop or overseer.
Regional Leaders implement the global vision in culturally appropriate ways, providing pastoral care and ensuring doctrinal unity.
They coordinate regional missions, discipleship efforts, and church planting initiatives.

National and Local Leadership

National Coordinators (or Bishops) oversee churches within a country or region, mentoring pastors and coordinating large-scale ministries.
Local church leadership (Pastors, Elders, Deacons) carry out preaching, discipleship, and community service.
Local churches operate with autonomy but adhere to the doctrinal and governance framework of Dove Gospel.

Ecclesiastical Offices

Dove Gospel acknowledges the following ecclesiastical titles and roles within its governance structure:

Patriarch – The highest spiritual leader of Dove Gospel, providing fatherly oversight over the movement.
Archbishops / Regional Overseers – Senior leaders responsible for regional networks and doctrinal oversight.
Bishops / National Elders – Oversee multiple churches within a country or state, mentoring pastors and strengthening church networks.
Pastors / Ministers – Lead local congregations, preaching, teaching, counseling, and administering ordinances.
Deacons / Ministry Servants – Support the practical and administrative needs of churches.

These offices do not exist for status but for service. Dove Gospel affirms that true leadership is marked by humility, character, and a heart for people (Matthew 20:26-28).

Accountability and Oversight

Dove Gospel maintains a system of mutual accountability to ensure ethical leadership and doctrinal consistency:

Regular Reporting: Leaders submit monthly and annual ministry reports through DG:Reach, detailing growth, discipleship, and outreach.
Audits & Reviews: Regional overseers conduct site visits to ensure compliance with doctrine and policies.
Conflict Resolution: Disputes are resolved biblically (Matthew 18:15-17) with mediation when necessary.
Discipline & Restoration: Leaders in moral or doctrinal failure are subject to counseling, correction, or removal if unrepentant.

Core Principles of Governance

Dove Gospel is governed by the following core principles:

Accountability – Leadership is held to biblical and ethical standards.
Transparency – Financial and policy decisions are openly documented.
Unity & Subsidiarity – Local churches operate independently but within a unified framework.
Servant Leadership – Authority is exercised with humility and service.

5. Institutional Policies

Financial Stewardship & Transparency

All financial resources within Dove Gospel are to be handled with integrity and transparency.

Budgeting & Reporting – Every church must submit an annual budget for oversight.
Audit & Compliance – Periodic audits are required to ensure ethical financial management.
Donations & Fundraising – Dove Gospel prohibits manipulative giving appeals and ensures funds are used as designated.
Compensation & Benefits – Salaries for clergy are modest and publicly known, preventing financial exploitation.

Membership & Church Affiliation

Local Church Membership – Members publicly profess faith in Christ, are baptized, and commit to discipleship.
Affiliated Churches & Ministers – Churches that wish to affiliate must affirm the Doctrinal Constitution and enter into an official memorandum of affiliation.
Conflict Resolution – Churches and leaders are expected to resolve disputes biblically with regional oversight when necessary.

Ethical Conduct & Discipline

All leaders and members must uphold Christian integrity and moral conduct:

Personal integrity, honesty, and purity (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
Respect for all people, regardless of background.
Disciplinary action for leaders engaging in financial misconduct, false teaching, or moral failure.

6. Mission & Outreach

Global Evangelism Mandate

Dove Gospel is committed to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Church Planting & Expansion – Establishing new churches in urban centers, villages, and unreached regions.
Discipleship & Spiritual Growth – Training believers to mature in faith and become disciple-makers.
Humanitarian Outreach – Providing food, healthcare, education, and disaster relief.
Digital Evangelism & Media Outreach – Using radio, social media, and online discipleship to spread the Gospel.

Mission Partnerships

Dove Gospel collaborates with other churches and ministries to:

Provide missionary training and resources.
Support indigenous churches in remote areas.
Coordinate global prayer and evangelism efforts.

7. Doctrinal Comparison Appendix

This section compares Dove Gospel’s beliefs with other Christian traditions:

Roman Catholicism

✅ Agreement: Trinity, Christ’s divinity, resurrection.
❌ Differences: Papal authority, additional sacraments, veneration of saints.

Eastern Orthodoxy

✅ Agreement: Creeds, apostolic succession, sacraments.
❌ Differences: Liturgical emphasis, church governance model.

Protestantism

✅ Agreement: Sola Scriptura, salvation by grace through faith.
❌ Differences: Dove Gospel maintains a structured apostolic network.

Pentecostalism

✅ Agreement: Spirit baptism, healing, prophecy, revival culture.
❌ Differences: Dove Gospel has a global hierarchical structure not found in most Pentecostal groups.

Conclusion

Dove Gospel stands at the intersection of Pentecostal renewal and historic Christian governance, blending charismatic fire with structured leadership.

This Constitution serves as a doctrinal and governance framework to preserve unity, integrity, and mission effectiveness for future generations.

🚀 May the Lord bless and guide this movement as we seek to fulfill His Great Commission!