Main Structure

The main structure of the United African Apostolic Church (UAAC) filters down from the Arch Bishop who oversees the Bishops of South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, as well as UAAC National Church Council.

The Bishops of Zambia and Zimbabwe manage their respective Districts which are made up of branches.

Structure and Functioning

The UAAC functions in the following manner:

A branch
UAAC members’ gathering in a specific church building or chapel forms a branch that is led by a branch president, pastor and other elders.

District
A group of branches in a specific territory form a district. It is led by a district councilor who is officially installed by the Arch-Bishop in a special function.

Province
This is a group of districts in a specific Province. It is led by a provincial chairperson who reports to the National executive committee in the church headquarters.

The UAAC is governed under the following structures:

Committees Structures

The nature of the church is such that the elected leadership is obligated to lead others to follow by example whilst performing duties and trust bestowed upon them. It is through leadership that people know their responsibilities and how best they can perform those duties with diligence and dedication. Performance of such duties should be rooted in the love for God and an unquestionable willingness to serve him responsibly, and with loyalty, which should be demonstrated in the way the entire leadership attends to tasks. This expectation demands a lot of sacrifice and dedication at all times.

Office of the Arch Bishop

The Arch-Bishop is the Spiritual and overall leader of the Church ◦His office is comprised of: Bishops, Superintendents, Personal Assistant, General Secretary, Spokesperson and 1 additional member in charge of finances.

General Church Council

  • Performs executive powers of the Church.
  • Consists of all structures and elder members and it assembles during the General Conference or upon instructions of the Arch-Bishop.
  • The Council sanctions new policy amendments.

National Church Council

  • Also known as the National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Church Council has legislative powers in line with the Constitution of the church, Christian values and principles.
  • Is responsible for the day to day running of the Church and is in charge of all the church projects.
  • It consists of National Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer General, General Secretary, Spokesperson, Executive Secretary, Provincial Chairpersons, Chief Inspector, Senior Inspector, Youth President and other additional members.
  • All the other committees (Women, Youth, Provincial, etc), both within RSA and other  countries report to the NCC.

Senate

  • Has an advisory power within the church.
  • It is responsible for imparting knowledge and wisdom to the church.

National Women Council

  • Has executive power over the affairs of the women, both in RSA and other countries.
  • Consists of Provincial Women Committee members and elderly women appointed by the church ‘s Executive.
  • The National Women Council is chaired by the Chief Inspector who is appointed by the church ‘s Executive Committee.

National Youth Council

  • Has executive powers over the affairs of the youth, both in RSA and other countries.
  • Consists of Provincial Youth Committees.
  • The Youth Council is chaired by Youth President who is appointed by the National Church Council.

Provincial Council

  • The Provincial Councils are basically an extension of the NCC at the Provincial levels.
  • They consist of District Councillors, chairpersons, Women Committee members, Youth Committee members and other co-opted representatives from Districts.
  • Provincial Council are chaired by elected Councillors who report to the National Church Council.

District Council

  • Is in charge of the district that comprises of branch representatives (check the Provinces’ section for Districts’ names and their leadership details).
  • The districts are led by District Councilors who are appointed by the Office of the Archbishop.
  • The District Council members elect the district Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Organizer and additional members.
  • The Women and Youth Committees at district level report to the District Committee.

Branch Council

  • Is in charge of the affairs of the branch.
  • It is chaired by a Branch Pastor.

Positions and Responsibilities

Arch-Bishop

The overall leader of the church

Bishop

Due to the size of the church, the Arch-Bishop and his committee of elders appoint Bishops to assist him in his leadership roles in different areas. Bishops play a major role in running different regions.

Senior Superintendent

Assists the Bishops in the running of the Church. His role is not confined to a specific area or Province.

Brigadier

Leader in a Province who oversees the functioning of the entire Province.

Senior Councillors

Elders who are not confined to a specific district. They assist district councilors and other members in the running of districts and also assist in performing duties such as conducting Holly Communions with district councilors.

Councillors

These are appointed administrators who are in charge of districts. They are specially installed by the Arch-bishop and they have to see to it that districts are running smoothly.

Branch presidents (Vhaingameli)

They are in charge of branches and their duties may be extended beyond their branch but limited within their respective district.

Pastors

They take instructions from branch presidents and assist in the running of branches. They perform functions such as baptism, welcoming and blessing of new children.

Evangelists and deacons

They assist in all pastoral duties.

Phutheo

Young men who participate in church choirs and other youth related activities.

Vha-Jevrou

Female elders, whose duties are equivalent to those branch presidents, depending on seniority.

Inspectors

Middle-aged women who act as ushers and uniform examiners during conferences and other church gatherings.

Vhakhokheli

Middle-aged women who take instructions from Vha-Jevrou and guide young women with appropriate conduct as Christians. Their duties are equivalent to those of pastors.

Vharabeli

Assist Vhakhokheli in performing their duties. Also form the core of catering teams during church functions. Murabeli could either be a male or female as both males and females are eligible to perfom the duties of Murabeli. Moreover, Murabeli is a position of special nature which includes among other things; praying for the sick and prophecy.

Phutheo

Young ladies who participate in youth activities such as conferences and church choirs. They also assist Vharabeli in catering duties.