Servants of The Church
Servants of the Church are also called Officers. They are the Morehu (members) who hold offices in the church and movement which include the spiritual and physical aspects of the Faith. The Servants of the Church are called in Maori, Te Pou o Te Haahi. The following is the hierarchical system from Top to Bottom of all offices of the church and movement.
PRESIDENT: The President is the head of the church on earth and is known as the Tumuaki. He/She is both Servant of Man and Servant of God. The spiritual title attributed to the Tumuaki is the Defender of the Faith. It is common that a member of the Ratana Family be chosen Tumuaki of the Church.
SYNOD: The Synod is the policy-making body of the Church and Movement and is known as Hui Whakapumau. Synod shall convene during the annual 25 January Celebrations each year. The Synod is responsible for deciding on various issues concerning the church in local and regional areas.
COUNCIL OF TWELVE APOSTLES: The Council of Twelves Apostles is the highest council authority in the church and is also known as Te Runanga. Members are chosen from the Ratana community itself.
CHURCH EXECUTIVE: The Executive Committee of Ratana Pa. shall be recognised as the Head, or CHURCH COMMITTEE of the Church, or Spiritual Works, and shall be called the "RATANA CHURCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE".
TE WHETU MARAMA O TE KOTAHITANGA: Te Whetu Marama is the chief newspaper and publishing arm of the Church and Movement.
DISTRICT APOSTLE: The District Apostle (Apotoro Takiwa) is a Registered Apostle (see below) in charge of presiding over various parishes in His district.
REGISTERED APOSTLE: The Registered Apostle (Apotoro Rehita) is a registered minister with the power to marry people and preside over a parish. The Registered Apostle wears a purple bib, a purple cassock, a white surplice, a purple stole with pink tassels, and a degree hood. All Apostles meet in July at Ratana Pa for the Apostles Annual Convention.
SPIRITUAL APOSTLE: The Spiritual Apostle (Apotoro Wairua) is a lay-councillor in the church. He assists the Registered Apostle in Parish Life. The Spiritual Apostle wears a blue bib, a blue gown and red stole.
DISCIPLE: The Disciple (Akonga) is a male member of the church training to become an Apostle later. The Disciple wears a white gown, yellow stole and blue bib.
SISTER OF MERCY: A Sister of Mercy (Awhina) is a lay-woman of the church who assists the Apostle in Parish Life. She is also known as a Deaconess. A Sister of Mercy wears a purple cassock and white habit.
PSALMIST: A Psalmist (Roopu Raupo Waiata) is a lay-woman of the church who leads the Devotional Prayers in the Worship Service. The Psalmists wear an orange cassock and orange habit.
PARISH CHURCH COMMITTEE: The Parish Church Committee (Komiti Haahi) is responsible for the needs of the local parish.
BANDS: The Bands (Nga Reo) are important to the church. There are seven bands: - Te Reo o Te Arepa - Te Reo o Te Omeka Ratana Manuao - Te Reo o Piri-Wiri-Tua - Te Reo o Hamuera - Te Reo Te Ratana Tua-Toru - Te Reo o Nga Tuahine - Te Reo o Te Whaea o Katoa
The Bands are responsible for leading the Morehu to the Worship Service and Temple at Ratana Pa.
CHOIRS: The Choirs (Nga Koea) are important in the church. The Choirs are responsible for leading the Morehu in Congregational Singing in the Worship Service.
CHURCH WARDENS: The Church Wardens (Kaitiaki-Whakamoemiti) are responsible for keeping peace and order in the Worship Service and recording attendance during the Worship Service (Whakamoemiti).
Read more about this topic: Te Haahi Ratana
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“The best servants of the people, like the best valets, must whisper unpleasant truths in the master’s ear. It is the court fool, not the foolish courtier, whom the king can least afford to lose.”
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)
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