Evangelical Christian Church in Canada

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) as a mainstream religion in Canada ^[1] can be traced 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 of Thomas Campbell (1772-1854) and his son Alexander 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 (Christian Disciples) as a new group within the Restoration tradition was reorganized in 2001.^[2] The ECC's national office in Canada is in Waterloo, Ontario.^[3][4]

The Evangelical Christian Church, also known as "Christian Disciples" became the Stone-Campbell Movement, also called the American Restoration Movement, which arose on the frontiers of early nineteenth-century America. Like minded Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians abandoned denominational labels in order to be "Christians only" from the Stone group, and "Disciples" from the Campbell group. ^[5] They called followers from both groups to join in Christian unity and restore the ideals of the primitive New Testament church, holding only the Bible as authoritative. ^{[6] [7]}

After the Second World War, a collaboration between an All-Canadian and American ECC Movement began as a way to coordinate and unite the various churches of the Restoration Movement. In the beginning of the early 1940s, this movement organized a Great Western revival meeting, causing an increase in religious interest and excitement in the Canadian ECC, unifying Christians based on their interpretations of New Testament principles.^[8][9]

During the early twentieth century, many Restorationist churches not affiliated with the three larger Restoration bodies existed under such names as Canadian Evangelical Christian Churches, Evangelical Christian Churches, Christian Churches of North America, Christian Missionary Churches, Bible Evangelical Churches, Community Churches and Evangelical Congregationals Churches. Some of these united in 1966 as the Evangelical Christian Churches, Farmland, Indiana. The majority of these congregations that have not been otherwise absorbed, continue as the Evangelical Christian Churches, Albany, Indiana.^[10][11]

Restoration Movement history

The Second Great Awakening at Cane Ridge, Kentucky helped advance the liberation of black slaves and women's rights within American-Canadian society. Several African American Christians who were born into slavery went on to become prominent figures in society, marked as a "central and defining" moment in the development of Afro-Christianity. In Laura, Ohio, in 1854, many African American ministers were welcomed to preach in the pulpits of various Evangelical Christian Churches, while many of the white Evangelical Christian Church's clergy continued to minister to mixed congregations, which was unprecedented.^[12][13]

In the midst of shifts in theology and church polity, the ECC became the first institution where both women and blacks made an important contribution in leadership roles within many Evangelical Christian Churches in North America.^[14] The Evangelical Christian Church exercised its independence under God by becoming one of many Restoration Movement denominations to recognize the ordination of women. Women in many black Evangelical Christian Churches became, to an even greater degree than in white churches, the backbone of church life; many became preachers. Black women so reared, upon joining integrated churches, found it difficult to accept less crucial roles where men dominated.^{[15] [16]}

Organization and structure

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) is non-denominational, and its member churches are self-governing in the tradition of congregational polity. Ministers are held accountable only to the scriptures, and guaranteed freedom of thought and conscience to practice their faith without man-made doctrinal restrictions. The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada has divided the country into 10 districts that are assigned to District Superintendents for liaison with the congregations and ministers in the appointed province. A hierarchical leadership is in place nationally, including the Provincial Superintendents, the General Superintendent, the Board of Directors or General Council, and Regional Field Representatives. The General Superintendent or Bishop constitute the executive staff. Ordinations are approved by the Credentials Standing Committee, and ministerial credentials come from Central Office.Ordained or licensed ministers, both male and female, provide leadership for the church and preside over the ordinances.^{[17][18] [19]}

Ministries

The early participants in the Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) consisted, instead, 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 room to exercise their spiritual gifts ^[20] and authority in the church of Jesus Christ.^[21]

Sacraments

The Evangelical Christian Church teaches that Jesus Christ instituted two ordinances as instruments of His grace, 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 performed weekly, at which time all members partake of the emblems.

• The washing of feet is also practiced by members, and clergy.^[22]

Doctrine

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada has eleven Articles of Faith that are considered to be their definitive doctrinal statement:^{[23] [24]}

• The Bible as the written Word of God
• The virgin birth of Jesus
• The deity of Jesus Christ
• The Person and work of the Holy Spirit
• The Trinity
• Salvation through the atonement
• The guidance of our life through prayer
• The death and resurrection of Christ
• The return of the Saviour
• The resurrection of the redeemed and the lost
• The Establishment of the Millennial Kingdom

Colleges & universities

• Dayspring Christian Universirty
• Canada Chinese Reform Evangelical Seminary
• Waterloo Bible College ^[25][26]
• Beyond the Walls Life Coach Institute
• Caribbean Divinity University & Seminary
• Collegio de Formacian Theologica Ministerial, Inc.
• Crossroads Bible College & Seminary
• Escuela Apostolica de Desarrolla Ministerial
• Forerunners Theological Institute
• H.O.P.E. Bible Institute
• Praise Bible College
• Saint James The Elder Theological Seminary
• Saint Jude's Seminary
• The Institute of Theology & Christian Therapy
• The Palm Tree Institute
• Zoe Life Theological College

Board of directors

• Dr. David Lavigne (Bishop)
• Rev. Douglas Anderson (Assistant Superintendent)
• Rev. Gord Horsley (General Secretary)
• Dr. Dave Hunter (Director)
• Dr. Gary Barkman (Director, Archbishop ECC)
• Dr. Steven Smethers (Director)
• Rev. Cynthia Lavigne (Assistant Director)

Memberships

• Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

• Interfaith Commission of Chaplaincy

Key figures

• Barton Stone (1772-1844) Texts

• Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) Texts

• Thomas Campbell (clergyman) (1763-1854) Texts

References

External links

• Official ECCC website