Edification
Administering a global Church—with its wide-ranging concerns such as propagation of the faith, edification of its members, selection and training of Church officers, construction of worship buildings and Church offices, among many others—is a great challenge and an enormous task; it is no ordinary undertaking.
Church Administration
Rising up to the challenge, the Executive Minister does not cease laboring for the sake of the brethren but responds with an inspired and dynamic leadership—always trusting in God—the welfare of the Church always in his heart and mind. In fact, love for the Church is what motivates him to share even his life for the brethren, as what Apostle Paul said: “Because of our love for you we were ready to share with you not only the Good News from God but even our own lives. You were so dear to us!” (I Thess. 2:8, Today’s English Version).
In addition, God bestowed on the Church Administration the authority to preach God’s commandments: “I have become its minister, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known” (Col. 1:25, Holman Christian Standard Bible). Thus, the Church Administration, through the help of ministers and ministerial workers, thoroughly teach and counsel the members—primarily through worship service lessons—in order to present each one perfect before the Lord Jesus on His Second Advent (Col. 1:28-29).
The Church Administration has also constructed buildings to serve as offices for the effective and efficient supervision of the members in their services to God. Foremost of these are the Church’s Central Office and other administrative buildings within its vast complex in Quezon City, Philippines. It has two main offices for its ecclesiastical districts in the Americas, one in England for Europe, and one in Japan for Northeast Asia.
Christian Family Organizations
The CFOs aim to strengthen the brotherhood within the Church and make every Iglesia Ni Cristo household worthy of salvation by promoting among its members a vibrant spiritual life. Through various worthwhile activities, the CFOs help instill Christian values to strengthen family relations toward a peaceful, secure, and happy life together.
Buklod (“bond”), the organization for married members envisions a strong husband-and-wife relationship leading to a family that is steadfast in faith and active in serving God. For this, it conducts activities for the strengthening of the bond of the husband and wife. It also assists them to learn and engage in noble and gainful livelihoods and encourages them to help in Church activities.
KADIWA or Kabataang may Diwang Wagas (Youth with Noble Intent), the organization for single members 18 years old and above, aims to prepare them for a bright future as well as for a married life under God’s blessing. It encourages them to participate in the multifarious activities of the Church, especially in disseminating and edifying the faith.
Binhi (seedling), the organization for baptized members 12 to 17 years old, instills in the youth the importance of knowledge and education while guiding them in right living and proper conduct. It also assists in tapping and honing their talents and skills in various disciplines such as literature, music, and arts.
Pagsamba ng Kabataan (PNK) or Children’s Worship Service (CWS) caters to the members’ children, 4 to 11 years old. Through the guidance of CWS officers, the Church Administration trains the children the proper worship of God and teaches them His words using age-appropriate methods to make it easier for them to understand the biblical lessons. The organization also carries out activities that edify their faith.
Christian Brotherhood International. The CBI caters to the youth of the Church who are studying. Activities are geared toward assisting them in their studies, helping them face life’s challenges, become responsible citizens, and most importantly, become strong and faithful Church members who never depart from the commands of God.
Christian Employees Association. CEA aims to promote harmonious relationship among employees and laborers and raise their level of efficiency in their respective work, based upon the tenets of the Bible.
Christian Medical Dental and Paramedical Society. CMDPS aims to create a network of Church members from the allied health professions for organizing free medical-dental and other health missions in every ecclesiastical district as part of the Church’s Aid to Humanity project.
Christian Society for the Deaf. Through the CSD, the Church provides a safe environment for the deaf and other differently-abled persons, embracing them with brotherly love and acceptance for their spiritual growth and self-development.
Society of Communicators and Networkers International. SCAN consists of licensed radio communicators advocating the responsible use of amateur radio communication in helping save people’s lives by, among others, assisting in emergency response and rescue operations during disasters and the like.
Sports
The Church holds sports activities through the INC Unity Games. Promoting not only health awareness and physical fitness, this multi-district, multi-sport event nurtures the love of brotherhood and further solidifies their Christian unity, inspiring them to a heightened fervor in serving God. The EVM Cup caters to ministers, ministerial workers, and volunteer workers with the INC Central Office and in the ecclesiastical districts.
Arts and Music
The Church Of Christ helps its members polish their creative talents in music and the arts and encourages them to use their gifts in giving praise to God. The Church conducts competitions and presentations to showcase its members’ creative works that highlight the true Christian way of living such as the following:
INCinema, where brethren in the districts hone their cinematic talents by producing original low-budget but quality films and stage plays that promote genuine Christian values. In recognition of such efforts and talents, the Excellence in Visual Media Awards (EVM Awards) are given to participants who excelled in different aspects of filmmaking and stage play production.
INConcert, musical presentations highlighting the brethren’s strong faith in the Lord God and the Lord Jesus Christ through original and inspirational song compositions.
INC Life, an exhibit of photographs that show the history of the Church and depict its continued success.
Essay and Poetry Writing Contest, wherein the brethren are able to express in writing their firm conviction as members of the Church.
Oratorio, a musical narrative about the Church Of Christ in these last days told purely through overtures, solos, recitatives, and choruses.
EVM Art, a contest in painting, drawing, and sculpture expressing the vision and mission of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
INC International Piano Competition, launched for brethren who love classical piano music and where compositions of some of the world’s greatest composers are interpreted.
INC Voice Competition, aims to advance and promote excellence in the art of singing arias and art songs by world-renowned composers.
Songs of Faith, Love, and Hope, a singing competition for the various family organizations in the Church that highlights contemporary Christian Music.
From its first local congregation in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, the Church quickly spread not only throughout the metropolis but also to the neighboring provinces in Luzon and across the islands of Visayas and Mindanao.
When Brother Felix Manalo passed away on April 12, 1963, the Church had already established ecclesiastical districts in more than half of all the provinces in the country.
On July 21, 2014, the Iglesia Ni Cristo inaugurated the Philippine Arena, currently the world’s “largest mixed-use indoor theatre.” This megastructure that sits in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan was the venue of the Church’s centennial celebration held on July 27, 2014, which was attended by millions of its members from all over the world.
