The AIC Leadership Structure

By: ICT Team

The Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Kenya is organized into a hierarchical structure of administrative councils designed to facilitate governance, coordination, and spiritual oversight from the local congregation to the national level.

Summary of Administrative Councils (Post-2008 Constitution):
Following constitutional amendments ratified by the Central Church Council on October 8, 2008, the current administrative structure consists of:

Central Church Council
Regional Church Council
District Church Council
Area Church Council (newly formed)
Local Church Council

(The Branch Church Council level was removed.)

Detailed Council Roles and Composition

1. Local Church Council (LCC)
This is the foundational council at the individual congregation level.

Composition: Chaired by the Pastor in charge, alongside several church elders. Elders are democratically elected by the congregation every five years by eligible members.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Evangelism and outreach to the community.
- Maintaining discipline within the church membership.
- Overseeing all local congregational affairs and property management.

2. Area Church Council (ACC)
A geographically defined council coordinating multiple local congregations.

Composition: Includes the Area Bishop and other appointed officials.
Primary Responsibility: To coordinate ministerial activities and provide oversight for the Local Church Councils within its area.

3. District Church Council (DCC)
A pivotal and largely autonomous council within the AIC structure, as defined by the constitution.

Composition: Formed by elected representatives from various congregations within the district. The chairman is typically an ordained pastor.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Planning, implementing, and supervising all church work within the district.
- Authorizing the establishment of new Local Church Councils.
- Appointing pastors and preachers and arranging for their financial support.

4. Regional Church Council (RCC)
Provides oversight across multiple District Church Councils.

Composition: Members are drawn from each District Church Council within the region, with an ordained pastor serving as chairman.
Primary Responsibility: To give strategic oversight and coordination to the ministerial activities of its constituent districts.

5. Central Church Council (CCC)
The highest administrative body for AIC Kenya.

Composition: Includes the Presiding Bishop, Deputy Presiding Bishop, Administrative Secretary, the chairmen, secretaries, and treasurers of all Regional Church Councils, plus all national departmental heads.
Primary Responsibility: To supervise the entire work of the AIC in Kenya. It serves as the ultimate authority on all matters of faith, practice, and administration for the church nationwide.

Key Constitutional Changes (2008 Amendments)

The reforms enacted on October 8, 2008, introduced significant changes to church leadership and structure:

Leadership Titles: The office of the Bishop was redesignated as the Presiding Bishop, and the Assistant Bishop became the Deputy Presiding Bishop.
Structural Changes: The new Area Church Council tier was created, while the Branch Church Council (BCC) level was removed from the hierarchy.

This updated structure ensures a clear line of authority and responsibility, supporting the church’s mission from the local to the national level.