Altar Elders Ministry

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“Standing in Holiness, Serving in Reverence”

The Altar Elders Ministry at CCC Harton Street Parish is a sacred office rooted in deep spiritual responsibility, discipline, and reverence before God. Altar Elders are consecrated vessels, chosen and anointed to uphold the sanctity of the Lord’s altar and ensure that all activities within the sanctuary align with divine order.

As the spiritual custodians of the altar, the ministry operates under strict obedience to the instructions of the Holy Spirit as revealed through the doctrines of the Celestial Church of Christ, as laid down by our founding shepherd, Rev. Samuel Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa.

Our Role and Responsibilities

The Altar Elders serve as guardians of holy order within the sanctuary. Their duties include:

  • Maintaining purity and holiness within the altar space.
  • Assisting shepherds and prophets during spiritual services.
  • Upholding altar discipline, ensuring orderliness during worship.
  • Preparing the altar for weekly services, sacraments, and special programs.
  • Providing spiritual mentorship to younger members and officers.
  • Leading intercessory prayers and offering spiritual support to church leadership.

Altar Elders are also entrusted with guiding younger spiritual workers—ensuring they understand and respect the divine protocols that govern sacred spaces.

Our Calling

This ministry is not based on age or status, but on divine calling, spiritual maturity, and faithfulness. Elders are selected through prophecy, and their consecration is followed by intense spiritual preparation and training.

They embody the qualities of:

  • Holiness
  • Wisdom
  • Discipline
  • Reverence for the things of God

Their presence on the altar is not just ceremonial—it is deeply spiritual and symbolic, reflecting the heavenly elders around the throne of God (Revelation 4:4).

Fellowship and Unity

The Altar Elders Ministry is more than a service role—it is a fellowship of spiritual fathers, working in harmony to build a holy and disciplined church. At CCC Harton Street, our elders meet regularly to:

  • Pray and intercede for the church and community.
  • Study and reflect on scripture and Celestial doctrine.
  • Provide counsel to other church departments and leaders.
  • Participate in national and diocesan altar retreats, workshops, and spiritual revival programs.

Join Us in Reverence

Becoming an Altar Elder is a journey of spiritual growth, humility, and total dedication to God. If you believe you are being called to serve in this sacred ministry, we invite you to speak with the Parish Shepherd for spiritual guidance and direction.

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” — 1 Timothy 5:17

For more information about the Altar Elders Ministry at CCC Harton Street Parish, or to request elder support for spiritual matters, please contact the church office or ministry coordinator.

Celestial Church of Christ – Harton Street Parish
UK & NI National Headquarters
Serving the Lord with Discipline, Wisdom, and Holiness

Our Core Doctrine

We are bible based AFRICAN Instituted Church.

Our Doctrine

 

THE CHURCH IS UNDER THE ABSOLUTE DICTATE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
It is hereby emphasized for note that:

The name of the Church, The tenets and mode of worship of the Church, and The service hymns of the Church, which formed the doctrine of the church were all revealed through the Holy Spirit as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ (see John 14:25,26) thus: “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”.

Our Tenets

 

It is ordained by the Holy Spirit that:

Members of Celestial Church of Christ are forbidden to engage or participate in:

  1. Any form of idolatry, fetish ceremony or cults, black magic and charms.
  2. Cigarette or tobacco smoking or snuffing or any type of weed smoking or snuffing is forbidden to members of the Celestial Church of Christ.
  3. Consumption of any form of alcohol, wine or any strong drink that can intoxicate is forbidden to members of Celestial Church of Christ as the odour of all these – cigarettes, tobacco, alcohol, etc. – are repugnant to the presence of the Holy Spirit.
  4. Consumption of pork or any food offered as sacrifice to idols or other powers of darkness is forbidden to members of Celestial Church of Christ; Members are forbidden to wear apparels made of black or red materials except for professional reasons.
  5. Members should not wear shoes when wearing their sutana or within the premises of the Church.
  6. Male and female members are forbidden to sit together side by side within the Church and its premises.
  7. Female members cannot enter the Sanctuary without appropriately covering their heads.
  8. Female members during menstruation are not allowed to come within the precincts of the Church until after their sanctification after seven clear days; and where the menstruation extends beyond seven days, two clear days should be allowed for after stoppage before sanctification.
  9. Female members are forbidden from entering the altar area or leading the congregation in worship.
  10. In Celestial Church of Christ, only white candles are to be used. Coloured candles are strictly forbidden.
  11. Fornication and adultery are forbidden in the Celestial Church of Christ.
  12. Holy is the Celestial Church of Christ and all who worship in her should endeavour to be clean in body and in soul.

Our Mode of Worship

Mode of worship includes the setting of the Altar, and the seat therein, the number of candles used for various types of services and the seating arrangement in particular, it should be noted that the seating arrangements was revealed through a Prophetess who under the influence of the Holy Spirit in the wilderness on Friday 5th of October, 1947, sketched the seating arrangement using oranges.

Holy Rights or Sacraments

There are a number of Holy Rites or Sacrament within the form of worship in Celestial Church of Christ utmost importance.  Members shall avail themselves of the opportunity to partake in these rites or sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Annual Washing of Feet, Annual Pilgrimage to Imeko, Ogun State, Nigeria at Christmas Eve, Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service, and Holy Mary’s Day.

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