Evangelical Christian Church in Canada

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada
RELATED TOPICS	Evangelical Chrisitan Church Canada
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada, as a religion in Canada, is a fellowship of churches, ministries and clergy.

History

The Evangelical Christian Church traces its beginnings to the formal organization of the Christian Church in 1804, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, under the leadership of Barton Warren Stone (1772-1844), The Stone movement later merged with the efforts ofThomas Campbell (1763-1844), and his sonAlexander Campbell (1788-1866), to become the Restoration Movement that gave birth to the Churches of Christ (Non-Instrumental), the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Evangelical Christian Church, as a new group within the Restoration tradition was reorganizied in 2001.

Central Office

The Central Office of The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is: 125 Lincoln Rd. #410, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2N9.

Leadership

The Bishop is:

• Dr. David Lavigne

:Other leaders include:

• Rev. Douglas Anderson,

• Rev. Gord Horsley,

• Dr. Dave Hunter,

• Dr. Gary Barkman,

• Dr. Steve Smethers

• Rev. Cythnia Lavigne

Purpose

The church is named the "The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada - Christian Disciples" in the light of Paul's message in Ephesians 4:11-12:

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;

The Canadian ECC has a commitment to restore the church to the New Testament pattern.

Organization and Structure

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is headed by the General Superintendent. Provincial District Superintendents report to the General Superintendent and oversee the various activities that take place in their districts or regions.

Ministries

The early participants in the Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) consisted, of those who came away from a variety of fundamental, evangelical denominations, not in an attempt to reform any particular denomination, but rather in an effort to "restore" the "original" church according to the New Testament pattern. They believed that history was moving toward a spiritual climax where God's power will be poured out on the church.Restorationist promoters understood that this supernatural move could be the Lord's final move where the church will be endued with power to Christianize the world before Jesus returns. In order for this dominion pursuit to be realized, the Five-fold ministry expounded in Eph. 4:11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) needed to be commissioned by the Church at large and given to excercise their spiritualgifts and authority in the church of Jesus Christ.

Sacraments

The Evangelical Christian Church believes that Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments as instruments of His grace, and they are found in baptism, which is limited to those old enough to make a profession of faith, and is commonly administered by immersion. The Lord's Supper is a weekly performed ordinance which is given to all believers in Christ. The washing of feet is also an ordinance that is practiced by all Christians in obedience to Christ commands found in the scriptures.

Doctrine

The Canadian ECC does not advocate extremism or fanaticism but does consider the Bible as authoritative.

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada's Ten Articles of Faith are considered to be their definitive doctrinal statement:

1. The Bible as the written Word of God
2. The virgin birth of Jesus
3. The Deity of Chirst
4. The Person and work of the Holy Spirit
5. The Trinity
6. Salvation through the Atonement
7. The guidance of our life through prayer
8. The death and resurrection of Christ
9. The return of the Saviour
10. The millennial Reign of Christ

The church do not advocate any other doctrine unless it "lines up and is consistent with the whole counsel of God's Word and does not engender fear or confusion." CECC ministers and clergy may hold other personal opinions or other Christian doctrinal beliefs, for example, pertaining to dress code, hair length or observations of days, and informal or formal worship.

Training

In 1997, The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada started their ministerial training centre which was named the School of Christian Ministry. In 2007, the school was renamed to Waterloo Bible College. The school operates in areas of Christian counselling, house churches, and church planting. The campus is in Waterloo, Ontario, the technology capital of Canada.

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Links

• [CECC Online]

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