Church Unity and Registration Initiative

Christian unity does not require every church to surrender its identity or adopt identical administrative practices. It calls for mutual respect, meaningful relationships and a willingness to cooperate in the shared mission of the Gospel.

CURI seeks to bring Ethiopian Gospel-believing churches throughout the United Kingdom into a connected and responsible fellowship.

Its purpose is to help churches recognise one another as partners, strengthen communication and contribute collectively to spiritual and community life.

Through the programme, the Mikir Bet seeks to:

• Encourage unity, fellowship and cooperation among churches.
• Establish a clear and accountable membership framework.
• Maintain reliable records of participating churches.
• Promote responsible recognition and transparent membership decisions.
• Support constructive communication between church leaders.
• Provide verifiable evidence of Council membership.
• Encourage participation in common ministry and community programmes.
• Preserve a meaningful history of member churches and their relationship with the Mikir Bet.

The programme respects the diversity of congregation sizes, local circumstances and ministry arrangements.

It does not seek to merge participating churches into a single congregation or transfer their property, leadership authority or internal governance to the Mikir Bet.

Instead, it aims to establish a recognised network of independent churches connected through shared Christian fellowship and responsible cooperation.

The guiding principle of CURI is that churches can remain individually strong while becoming more connected and effective together.

A meaningful network begins with understanding where churches are located, whom they serve and how they can communicate with one another.

Ethiopian Gospel-believing churches operate in different towns, cities and regions throughout the United Kingdom. Some have established organisational structures and long-standing congregations, while others are developing their administration and community presence.

CURI seeks to support the identification and appropriate mapping of churches that may wish to engage with the Mikir Bet.

This work may involve:

• Identifying churches and their geographical locations.
• Recording verified organisational names and relevant public information.
• Establishing contact with authorised church representatives.
• Understanding each church's general ministry and community activities.
• Helping church leaders become aware of the Mikir Bet's mission and programmes.
• Encouraging regional communication and suitable opportunities for fellowship.
• Supporting accurate and up-to-date organisational records.

The purpose of church mapping is to improve communication, visibility and coordination.

Identification or inclusion in an internal mapping exercise does not automatically establish Council membership or recognition.

Churches should be accurately represented, and private contact details must not be published without an appropriate lawful basis and publication authorisation.

As relationships develop, the programme seeks to encourage churches to explore the benefits and responsibilities of participating in a wider fellowship.

CURI provides a structured route through which churches interested in joining the Mikir Bet may apply for membership and formal recognition.

The purpose of the application process is to establish the identity of the applicant church, understand its relevant organisational circumstances and determine whether it satisfies the applicable membership requirements.

Applications are intended to be submitted through authorised church representatives rather than individuals acting without the church's permission.

Depending on the approved membership policy and the applicant's circumstances, the process may request information concerning:

• The church's official name and established identity.
• Its principal location and relevant contact details.
• Authorised leadership and organisational representatives.
• Its governing documents and applicable administrative arrangements.
• Its Christian mission, activities and relationship to the Mikir Bet's purposes.
• Relevant external legal or charity-registration information, where applicable.
• Applicable safeguarding and organisational policies.
• Supporting declarations, confirmations or other evidence reasonably required for review.

Information requested should be relevant, proportionate and handled securely.

The application process may involve submission, completeness checks, requests for clarification, documentary review and consideration by appropriately authorised Council representatives.

Churches should receive clear guidance about the information required, applicable fees if any, the review process and relevant terms of membership.

Submitting an application does not automatically establish recognition or membership.

Decisions must be made through the Mikir Bet's approved governance arrangements, with an appropriate record of the decision and its supporting reasons.

An applicant church should have a fair opportunity to respond to requests for clarification or correct inaccurate information.

Formal recognition establishes an authorised membership relationship between a church and the Mikir Bet.

Where a church's application has been approved under the applicable governance arrangements, the Mikir Bet may issue an official membership certificate confirming the recognised relationship.

The certificate is intended to provide a clear and verifiable record of the church's membership.

An official certificate may include:

• The recognised name of the church.
• A unique membership or certificate reference.
• The issuing organisation's official identity.
• The effective date of recognition.
• Any applicable validity or renewal details.
• Authorised signatures or other approved authentication features.
• A digital verification reference or other suitable means of confirming authenticity.

Through Project Nehemiah, certificates can be generated and maintained within a controlled digital process, supporting consistent records, verification and historical traceability.

What Council recognition means

Recognition confirms that a church has been admitted into the Mikir Bet's membership framework in accordance with the relevant decision and recorded status.

It can provide evidence of the church's recognised relationship with the Mikir Bet and its participation within the Council's fellowship.

What recognition does not mean

Council membership does not itself establish the church as a company, register it as a charity, grant immigration-related authority or provide UK government accreditation.

Where a church has separate legal or regulatory registration, that status remains governed by the relevant authority.

Recognition also does not constitute a blanket guarantee concerning every activity, leader, policy or operation of the church.

Certificates must only be issued after appropriate approval. Their validity is subject to the recorded membership status and applicable Council procedures.

Reliable information helps congregations, visitors and members of the public identify churches that have an established relationship with the Mikir Bet.

CURI supports the development and maintenance of a verified public directory of recognised churches.

Subject to appropriate verification, consent or another suitable lawful basis, and publication approval, a church's public profile may include:

• Its recognised church name.
• Town, city or general geographical location.
• Approved address and public contact information.
• Relevant worship or service information.
• A suitable description of the congregation and its activities.
• Council membership reference and recorded status.
• Recognition and renewal information where applicable.
• Appropriate links to the church's own official website or communication channels.

The directory is intended to help the public locate relevant churches and verify their formal membership relationship.

Individual churches should have suitable opportunities to review information submitted for their public profiles.

Private contact details, personal records and internal governance information must remain protected unless there is an appropriate lawful basis and authorisation to disclose them.

Certificate verification

The digital verification service allows a person to check the recorded status of a Council-issued certificate using its recognised verification details.

Verification should distinguish genuine and currently valid records from those that have expired, been replaced, revoked or otherwise ceased to be valid.

A certificate's authenticity does not replace due diligence concerning other legal or regulatory matters.

The purpose of public verification is to reduce confusion, discourage misrepresentation and provide trustworthy information about the church's recorded relationship with the Mikir Bet.

Recognition is the beginning of a continuing organisational relationship rather than the end of an application process.

CURI seeks to provide a consistent framework for maintaining accurate membership information and managing the responsibilities associated with recognised status.

Depending on approved policies, membership administration may involve:

• Maintaining current church and representative information.
• Recording authorised changes to organisational details.
• Updating leadership and contact information.
• Submitting required reports or membership declarations.
• Managing applicable membership contributions.
• Participating in relevant governance reviews.
• Responding to requests for clarification or supporting evidence.
• Completing renewal procedures where required.
• Maintaining accurate certificate and membership records.

Formal membership reviews should rely on defined standards, relevant evidence and appropriate procedures.

Where a church identifies a need for additional organisational support, the Council Improvement Programme (CIP) may provide a suitable framework for mentoring, training and agreed improvements.

Changes to membership status

Under the applicable governance arrangements, membership records may reflect an application in progress, recognised or active membership, a review, suspension, reinstatement, withdrawal or another formally determined change.

Any adverse decision should be made by an appropriately authorised person, with suitable notice, reasons, opportunities to respond and review or appeal rights where applicable.

Membership changes should be recorded accurately and communicated through the appropriate channels.

The purpose of these processes is to preserve fairness, consistency and the integrity of the relationship between the Mikir Bet and its participating churches.

Trustworthy recognition requires fair procedures, reliable information and appropriate accountability.

CURI seeks to maintain a membership framework that respects both the independence of participating churches and the Mikir Bet's responsibilities towards its members and the wider public.

Each member church remains responsible for its own spiritual leadership, local administration, finances, safeguarding arrangements and legal obligations.

Membership in the Mikir Bet does not transfer these responsibilities to the Council.

Responsible membership decisions

Recognition, renewal, suspension, reinstatement and revocation decisions should follow approved governance procedures and be supported by appropriate evidence.

Decision-makers should act within their authorised responsibilities and identify conflicts of interest.

Where a church disputes an adverse membership decision, the relevant review or appeal arrangements must provide appropriate procedural fairness.

Public accountability

The Mikir Bet's public accountability framework distinguishes membership status from specific compliance requirements, transparency information and confidential internal risk assessments.

These matters must not be combined into a single unexplained judgement about a church.

Public statements must rely on verified facts, relevant standards, authorised human decisions and proportionate disclosure.

Unverified allegations should never be automatically published as established findings.

Sensitive complaint information, confidential governance records and personal information must be protected.

Serious safeguarding or legal concerns must be directed through appropriate protective, statutory or regulatory procedures and must not be delayed by ordinary membership administration.

Through these principles, CURI aims to encourage trustworthy recognition while protecting the dignity, independence and legitimate interests of churches, congregations and the wider community.

The Church Unity and Registration Initiative seeks to build a lasting fellowship of churches that recognise the value of cooperation, responsible leadership and shared Christian service.

Churches interested in joining the Mikir Bet are encouraged to become familiar with its mission, membership requirements and governance principles.

How a church can begin

An authorised church representative may access the official membership application route or contact the Mikir Bet for appropriate information.

The general membership journey consists of:

1. Learning about the Mikir Bet and its membership framework.
2. Reviewing the applicable eligibility requirements.
3. Preparing relevant church and leadership information.
4. Submitting an application and required supporting documents.
5. Responding to appropriate review questions.
6. Receiving a formal decision from the authorised Council body.
7. Where approved, receiving the relevant recognition and membership record.
8. Maintaining an ongoing relationship through applicable reporting, renewal and participation requirements.

The timing and requirements of an application depend on the applicable procedures and circumstances of the applicant church.

Membership is intended to support participation in the wider mission and activities of the Mikir Bet.

Subject to applicable arrangements, recognised churches may explore opportunities to cooperate through:

• Prayer and Worship Coordination Programme (PWCP).
• Youth Empowerment and Leadership Network (YELN).
• Community Outreach and Support Programme (COSP).
• Community Hardship and Relief Fund (CHRF).
• Council Improvement Programme (CIP).
• Council communications, meetings and relevant fellowship activities.

Participation in individual programmes remains subject to their respective arrangements and available resources.

Through CURI, the Mikir Bet seeks to establish an accurate and sustainable network of recognised Ethiopian Gospel-believing churches throughout the United Kingdom.

Its success will be reflected in stronger relationships, reliable membership records, fair recognition procedures, effective communication, verifiable certificates and responsible participation.

The programme aims to preserve the institutional history of participating churches while creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders and congregations to work together.

Our long-term commitment is to encourage a fellowship in which churches remain independent in their ministry, connected in their common mission and accountable in their responsibilities.

##### Together, we seek to strengthen Christian unity, recognise faithful fellowship and build a lasting foundation for cooperation among Ethiopian Gospel-believing churches throughout the United Kingdom.