10/08/2026
PAJASPA: A CALL FOR DOCTRINAL CLARITY, PROPER USE AND RESPECT FOR CCC ORDINANCES
The question of the proper use and appearance of Pajaspa in the Celestial Church of Christ deserves renewed attention, particularly at a time when different forms of collection receptacles are increasingly being introduced into church worship.
According to the position being advanced by proponents of the historical fact about Pajaspa, the object was not introduced only as an ordinary container for collecting offerings. Rather, it was described as a specific sacred object associated with the collection of quests during church worship. Reference has been made to Article 82 of the CCC Constitution, alongside the traditional account that Mawugnon gave the Church a description of the object to be used for this purpose and referred to it as Pajaspa.
The central question, therefore, is not simply whether a particular object can physically collect an offering. The more important question is: What does the established doctrine and constitution of Celestial Church of Christ prescribe concerning the object to be used for quest collection?
If the Church’s founding ordinances prescribe a particular instrument for an aspect of worship, then the matter deserves to be treated with seriousness rather than being regarded as a question of fashion, convenience or modern innovation.
The argument presented by advocates of the traditional Pajaspa is that if a particular model and name were given for the collection of quests, the Church should preserve that model unless a competent ecclesiastical authority formally establishes otherwise.
This raises an important principle for the Church: innovations should not automatically replace established ordinances merely because they appear more convenient or commercially attractive. At the same time, every doctrinal claim concerning Pajaspa including the assertion that its specifications were divinely revealed should be carefully established from authoritative CCC records, the Constitution, historical documents and recognized ecclesiastical authorities. This is important because matters of doctrine should not rest solely on individual interpretation or oral assertions.
The traditional description being circulated identifies several features that distinguish Pajaspa from an ordinary collection basket or receptacle. According to this description, the Pajaspa should have:
A circular metallic frame supporting the receptacle.
A handle that makes it convenient for the person conducting the quest.
A provision for a candle, consistent with the traditional use associated with the quest.
A bowl or pouch-like receptacle, rather than a rigid box.
A preferred blue colour, traditionally associated with Celestial Church of Christ, with a white cross as part of its identification.
A construction that allows the quester to carry the Pajaspa without having to hold the candle separately in another hand.
These features are presented as the traditional model that proponents believe should be maintained within the Church.
However, because these specifications are being presented as doctrinal requirements, it is essential that the appropriate Church authorities clarify which of these features are explicitly prescribed by the Constitution and which belong to established tradition or historical practice. One of the most significant concerns raised is the increasing use of collection receptacles without an integrated provision for the candle.
According to the understanding presented in this advocacy, the Pajaspa should enable the candle to be positioned within the object during the quest. Consequently, a design that requires the quester to carry the candle separately is regarded by proponents as inconsistent with the traditional model. This issue deserves a clear and authoritative explanation from the Church.
If the candle holder is an essential part of the prescribed Pajaspa, then manufacturers, sellers, parishes and members should be properly informed so that different interpretations do not continue to spread. Conversely, if the Church’s competent authority determines that alternative designs are permissible, that position should also be communicated clearly to the entire Church.
Across many religious institutions, modernization has changed the appearance of objects traditionally used during worship. While innovation can sometimes improve convenience and functionality, the Church must be careful that modernization does not gradually erase distinctive ecclesiastical practices. The introduction of ordinary collection baskets, modern receptacles and what some members describe as “pseudo-Pajaspa” raises a broader question:
At what point does modernization become a departure from tradition?
The concern is not necessarily that every modern-looking object is inherently wrong. Rather, the concern is whether the Church is knowingly replacing a prescribed or historically established object without a corresponding doctrinal decision. The Pajaspa, if properly established as part of CCC worship, should retain its identity and purpose.
Perhaps the most important recommendation arising from this discussion is the need for official clarification from the competent authorities of the Celestial Church of Christ. If Article 82 of the Constitution addresses Pajaspa, the relevant provision should be made widely available and explained to members. If there is an approved model, the Church should publish or circulate an official description or image. If there are permissible variations, those variations should equally be identified. And if certain practices have changed over time, the authority responsible for the change should be clearly established.
Such clarification would prevent endless arguments among members and reduce the possibility of individuals presenting personal interpretations as established doctrine because Celestial Church of Christ has a distinctive liturgical heritage. Its vestments, worship practices, symbols, colours, ordinances and methods of conducting services form part of the identity inherited by subsequent generations.
