Bylaws of the International Order of Sacred Healing Arts

1. Offices

IOSHA maintains a principal office in the State of Florida. The Council of Elders may relocate or add offices as needed, and IOSHA maintains a registered agent where required by law.

2. The Council of Elders

IOSHA is governed by a Council of Elders, which oversees the spiritual, legal, and property affairs of the order. The Council has between three and nine members, each an Ordained Minister of IOSHA in good standing, committed to the Statement of Fundamental Truths, and free from disqualifying conflicts of interest.

• Elders serve staggered three-year terms and may be re-elected without limit.
• Officers include the Presiding Minister (spiritual head and chief executive), the Scribe (records and minutes), and the Steward (finances and assets).
• The Council meets at least quarterly, holds an annual meeting each January, and may hold special meetings on notice. A majority of serving Elders constitutes a quorum, and Elders may participate remotely.
• An Elder may be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote after written notice and an opportunity to respond. Vacancies are filled by the Presiding Minister, subject to confirmation by the remaining Elders.

3. Credentialing and ordination

IOSHA reserves the exclusive ecclesiastical right to ordain, commission, and credential ministers. IOSHA offers multiple ordination pathways (described on our ordainment page), each conferring Ordained Minister (OM) status, a Letter of Direction, and a Certificate of Ordination with a credential number. Credentials are renewed annually, subject to continuing education, good standing, and the absence of unresolved complaints, and may be revoked for cause under the Ecclesiastical Code of Conduct.

IOSHA also recognizes ordinations and ministerial training from other legitimate religious bodies through a credit-transfer and recognition policy, so already-ordained ministers can join IOSHA without unnecessary duplication of training. Transfer pathways are evaluated case by case, and IOSHA does not guarantee that any applicant will qualify for a particular pathway.

4. Integrated auxiliaries

IOSHA may charter subordinate ministries, known as Integrated Auxiliaries, to extend its mission. A chartered auxiliary adopts the Statement of Fundamental Truths, is led by an Ordained Minister of IOSHA, and agrees to spiritual oversight and reporting terms in its charter. Auxiliaries are spiritually affiliated with IOSHA but remain legally and financially responsible for their own operations, debts, and contracts. The Sacred Ministry Council (SMC) is recognized as a permanent Integrated Auxiliary of IOSHA.

5. Ecclesiastical privilege and confidentiality

Communications between a minister and a member or seeker during spiritual counseling, confession, or healing sessions are treated as privileged, clergy-penitent communications. Ministers do not disclose these communications except with written consent, where there is an imminent danger of serious harm, where mandatory reporting law requires it (such as child or elder abuse), or by court order after all privilege claims are exhausted.

6. Private Faith Assembly

IOSHA operates as a Private Faith Assembly (PFA): a gathering conducted within the private, faith-based domain among consenting members, seekers, and congregants. Anyone receiving ministry services acknowledges the private, faith-based nature of the assembly, agrees to IOSHA's ecclesiastical dispute-resolution process, and understands that the services offered are spiritual and educational in nature, not medical or legal services.

7. Finances

IOSHA is supported by tithes, offerings, gifts, and honorariums, and does not operate for commercial profit. All funds are held in accounts designated by the Council, no part of net earnings benefits any private individual, and ministers or staff may receive only reasonable, documented compensation approved by disinterested parties. The Council conducts an annual financial review.

8. Ecclesiastical Court

Disputes involving IOSHA, its ministers, members, or auxiliaries are addressed through the Ecclesiastical Court of IOSHA, composed of three Elders with no personal interest in the matter. The Court hears disciplinary matters, member and auxiliary disputes, and questions about the meaning of IOSHA's governing documents, following a written-complaint, investigation, hearing, and appeal process described in the full Bylaws.

9. Indemnification

Council members, ministers, officers, and volunteers serve in a spiritual and religious capacity. Consistent with applicable volunteer-protection law and IOSHA's own indemnification provisions, IOSHA may defend and hold harmless covered persons who act in good faith and within the scope of their spiritual duties. This is a description of IOSHA's internal governance and is not a promise of legal protection to any individual; see our Disclaimer.

10. Records, amendments, and miscellaneous

IOSHA maintains records including its Constitution and Bylaws, Council minutes, financial records, membership rolls, and ordination records. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Council of Elders on notice, but no amendment may conflict with the Constitution or Statement of Fundamental Truths. IOSHA's fiscal year is the calendar year, and matters not addressed here are governed by Robert's Rules of Order where consistent with ecclesiastical tradition.

This page is a condensed summary for the public. Read our full Disclaimer for important context on what IOSHA does and does not promise.