Article IX. Establishing Branch Churches

Section 1. Our church may establish branch churches within or outside the United States.

Section 2. Any church in the United States or outside the United States that shares our faith as listed in our Articles of Faith and wishes to become our branch church may submit a written application. After a two-thirds approval of the Board and Elders and a two-thirds approval of the membership meeting, the applying church will be accepted as our branch church.

Section 3. Any church that becomes our branch church shall abide by our constitution and shall accept directions from our Board of Elders and Deacons.

Section 4. Our church has the obligation to help nurture the spiritual growth of the branch church and to assist the establishment of a Board of Elders and Deacons for the branch church.

Section 5. All branch churches shall include their locality in their names and shall be named "XXX Chinese Christian Church".

Section 6. Each branch church shall employ its own pastors. However, our church should be informed prior to extending the call.

Section 7. Branch churches shall be financially independent and shall apply for their own Employer Identification Number.

Section 8. Each branch church shall present to our church an annual report of its ministries and an annual financial statement.

Section 9. The purchase, sale or transfer of any real property by the branch church shall follow Article VIII. In addition, it shall require a two-thirds approval of the Board of Elders and Deacons of our church and a written approval from the Board.

Section 10. If any branch church wishes to sever the relationship with our church, it shall require a two-thirds approval of the membership meeting of the branch church and a two-thirds approval of the Board of Elders and Deacons of our church and a written approval from the Board.