God's House is a place to be reverenced and respected at all times. When the body is assembled, there should be no walking or talking during prayer or the reading of the Holy Scriptures (Eccl. 5:1). Walking is expected to be limited, especially during the preaching of the Gospel, and the alter call. Ushers are encouraged to remind our members and visitors of this observation. Moreover, God has blessed us with a beautiful church, and we can keep it that way by not eating or chewing gum in the sanctuary, and removing all litter when we leave.
Testimony service is a special time allotted for personal expressions of God's goodness and victories. Every testimony should glorify God and edify the body of Christ (Rev 12:11). Consideration should be given to your brothers and sisters in Christ by keeping your testimony short and to the point. Testimony is not a time to preach a sermonette or give a concert. Please obey the instruction of the testimony leader. They will usually indicate when the time is up, and no more should stand.
When the Lord calls for prayer at the altar this is a time of renewal, spiritual breakthrough and deliverance. Because of this, we do not allow everyone to come up and pray for others. GNST has trained altar workers who will provide spiritual covering during altar call. If your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter come up for prayer you are welcome to accompany them. However, you should heed to the prayer intercessors and altar workers who are praying for them. All other members are asked to pray at their seats and be watchful for those who would cause confusion during this time. Ushers are asked to hold the doors and not let anyone out except for emergent situations.
Communion is a holy and sacred time for us at GNST. During this service there should be no walking or talking. All hearts should be centered on what Jesus did for us through the shedding of His blood and dying on the cross. Please refrain from using the restroom or letting your children pass notes or talk excessively. Ushers are encouraged to hold the doors at the start of the communion service
It is the responsibility of every member to call for the Elders of the church and let them pray over them and anoint them with oil (James 5:13-15). The pastor should be notified when you are unable to attend church services for an extended period of time. Your name will be placed on the prayer list so the body of Christ can lift you up in prayer. When hospitalized, please call or have someone to call the church so that you may receive a visit from the ministerial team. The ministerial team of GNST includes the Mothers and Missionaries.
Anointing with blessed oil is a Bible based practice at GNST. (James 5:13, Matthew 6:17, Psalms 23:5) Bottles of oil may be brought to the church to be blessed.
The pastor should be notified immediately when a member of the church is deceased. Sorrow and grief can be a very heavy load to bear, and your church family wants to be available to support you in your time of need. There is a Hospitality Committee of the church, which is very helpful in assisting you and your family at this time. The Pastor and ministerial staff will be available to assist in the planning of services. You are also encouraged to notify the church of the death of any family member, even if they are not a member of the GNST COGIC. Your church family wants to support you through prayers and acts of kindness.
Child dedication is not a mere formality, but a genuine act of the parents who vow to dedicate their child to the Lord. (I Samuel 1:24-28) They must commit to raising that child in a Christian home and exposing that child to the various teaching and training agencies of the church. Parents must profess salvation in order to make and keep the vows of child dedication. Dedications for infants are held on designated Sundays throughout the year. Parents must counsel with the pastor prior to child dedication.
The GNST COGIC is committed to maintaining a worship and work environment free from sexual misconduct and/or harassment practices as repulsive and adverse to the general well-being of its members, membership, employees, officials and guest. Sexual misconduct is not only immoral, but diametrically opposed to the biblical principles espoused by GNST COGIC. Moreover, sexual harassment, as a form of sexual misconduct, is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related State Statutes addressing prohibitions of the same. GNST COGIC adheres to Federal and State laws prohibiting sexual harassment and will take appropriate action to eliminate such behavior from within all of its components. Therefore, GNST COGIC prohibits any of its members, officials, employees, agents or representatives from engaging in the above prohibited activity. Moreover, every elder, minister, and youth worker must complete sexual harassment/misconduct training and undergo a background check through our national church (COGIC Inc.).