Congregational

Affiliation

We have congregations centuries old, student ministries, and outreaches to new Canadians. We have congregations shared with other denominations and congregations from Pentecostal, Baptist, independent Christian Church, and Congregationalist backgrounds.

We strive to be a movement for wholeness, welcoming all as Jesus welcomes us, so we are incomplete with you.

A Cooperating Congregation

A cooperating congregation is a worshipping Christian community that communicates with our wider community, sharing its events, sorrows, and joys, and we share ours with them.

We work together where we have common goals. Cooperating congregations may share similar histories or passions to us, while remaining distinct in their practices and theology.

To the extent mutually desired by the local congregation and the national church:

  • We will share one another’s news and events.

  • Members of cooperating congregations may choose to identify as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as individuals for the purposes of discerning commissioning and ordination in ministry.

  • Ordained clergy in such congregations are eligible for consideration of standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

  • These congregations may send attendees to national church meetings, including the Annual General Meeting, but do not have voting delegates.

  • This relationship is open-ended. It may remain as cooperating or develop into a covenant, as all parties prayerfully discern.

A Covenant Congregation

A covenant congregation is fully, and intends remain, a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and ideally strive to represent our movement faithfully by:

  • Worshipping regularly in services that teach the Bible, pray together, and celebrate baptism and Communion.

  • Offering baptism by immersion for believers (but may offer other modes if also affiliated with other traditions).

  • Sharing Communion regularly, ideally at least weekly (or each service if meeting less frequently), with an Open Table, that is, not restricting who may participate.

  • Selecting leaders in consultation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and while open to candidates of other traditions, expecting pastoral leaders to maintain relationship and standing with us.

  • Sending voting delegates to national and general church assemblies.

  • The relationship is intended to be lasting, and both congregation and the national church commit to a spirit of staying at the Table together, even in times of tension.

Both kinds of congregations

  • Ought to be communities of proclaiming the good news and loving our neighbours.

  • Are expected to hold leadership accountable to other clergy and to ethical behaviour.

  • Are free to define their beliefs and practices and to select their own leadership.

  • Are encouraged to give, as they are able, to the national church’s shared ministry. We do not charge an assessment as some other denominations do, but encourage congregations to give to the national body in a similar spirit to how individuals give to their congregations, as they are able to benefit a wider community.

  • May call upon the national church for help in times of challenge, pastoral transition, or financial need. We are supported by our participating congregations, so joining communion with us in either way does not usually lead to receiving fiscal aid, but it also comes at no set fiscal cost.

Questions about affiliation

What do we have to believe?

As a movement, we have no creed but Christ, that is we have no statement of faith from outside of the Bible beyond our shared desire to follow Jesus! This does not mean individuals and congregations do not have more specific beliefs, though, just that we choose to cooperate and fellowship with other Christians who do not agree with us on every point and detail.

Nonetheless you will generally find some common trends between our congregations, including Bible-based preaching, frequent Communion open to all, and allowing all Christians, not just clergy, substantial leadership in the congregation and worship.

At the national level of the church, we do not discriminate in leadership selection or ordination based on gender or sexual orientation. We strive to be an anti-racist and pro-reconciliation church.

So are you liberal or conservative?
Yes. We have a wide spectrum of views on Biblical interpretation, worship style, and the controversial topics that divide many churches. We are community of people who wilfully choose to stay at the table, acknowledging Jesus invited others to walk with us as we follow him. Some of our congregations may identify with such labels and many also have this diversity within a single congregation.

What if we are already affiliated with another denomination or church network?
A relationship with us is not exclusive. We have congregations that are shared ministries with multiple other denominations. A congregation affiliating with more than one community can be a way to share resources, access more connection, or let more kinds of people feel at home in a local congregation.

How much does affiliating cost? How much financial support will we get?
We do not charge any membership fee or assessment. We also do not guarantee financial support. We encourage congregations to give to our shared ministry as they can, and our national church discerns how to spend the resources we have together. Cost should not dissuade a community from affiliation nor should desire for financial assistance motivate it.

How big does a community have to be to be affiliated?

Our fellowship includes two or three families gathering in a home for a house church through large churches in historic buildings. Being in community and covenant with other Christians can be a blessing to all sizes of church.

What benefits come from being part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)?

  • We offer connection and mutual support, while affirming that local leaders are best suited to meet local needs. We offer consulting without controlling.

  • We provide pastoral care to pastors.

  • We offer congregations support in background checks, searching for pastors, negotiating salaries, and in holding pastors accountable for ethical behaviour.

  • We can connect local congregations with international networks of colleagues and support, including cultural and linguistic connections for Spanish-speaking, Asian and Pacific Islander, historically Black, French-speaking, and Indigenous ministries.

  • We can connect local congregations with consulting and assistance in building and renovations, religious education curriculum, and proclaiming the good news.

  • We host events across Canada to amplify and support local ministries, including youth and young adult programming, retreats, and training sessions.

What does my congregation do next?