8 Steps to Becoming a Mission Parish

1. Any community where Armenians live where no Armenian Apostolic Orthodox parish exists and who wish to organize themselves as a "church community" may do so with a request made to the Diocesan Primate.
2. In response to this appeal, the Primate will assign the coordinator of the Mission Parish Programs to investigate and assess the request as presented.  The coordinator will invite a group of interested persons from these locations and explain to them the fundamental attributes and characteristics of a religious community by providing an educational forum for dialogue wherein the Armenian Church, her basic tenets of faith, her history, and her government are described.
3. Upon a full report of his investigation, the coordinator may present to the Primate of Diocese a list of names of people he feels will be qualified in leading the mission community.
4. The Primate can then designate these recommended individuals as the mission parish council for a period of two years.
5. After this formation period, the coordinator may permit elections of new people to the mission parish council with the permission of the Primate, thus developing the leadership of the council and community.  These elections will follow the electoral procedures of the established parishes of the Diocese.
6. A copy of the Manual for Mission Parishes as well as the Diocesan Bylaws will serve as the guides for the development and growth of the mission parish for the purpose of maintaining the propriety of Church order.
7. At the conclusion of each year, an annual report of the mission parish will be submitted to the Diocesan Primate for review.
8. The mission parish may send a representative to the annual Diocesan Assembly in order to introduce the mission parish to the Assembly delegates.