4.1 Why Is ACOP Called a Fellowship?

[Rachel]

ACOP can be classified as a movement. The many organizations connected with ACOP add to the fellowship. Programs like United Youth Outreach and Street Invaders. It is a culture that runs through many different generations. As a student at Eston College, I get the privilege of meeting other people who have also attended FGBI and FGBC in the past years. When I meet people in ACOP circles I feel I have family regardless if we know each other or not.

[Caleb]

I would consider ACOP a movement because as a fellowship each governing body has more freedom in personal everyday choices, but also have the same mission and direction. Mission is important to a movement because if there is no unifying mission then the fellowship will go nowhere. freedom in decision making is also important to a movement because everyone in the fellowship can have their say and nobody feels the need to leave the fellowship for lack of freedom. if people were leaving, there would be no movement in the movement either.

[Nicole]

<font face=”inherit”>Yes, I would say by the definition that ACOP is a movement as we meet each criteria given. While we are a fellowship, ACOP’s central organization does provide resources, train and network, and have shared goals. While not every single goal might be shared by every church, we have many shared goals that we are </font>pursuing.

[Chris]

I think I would consider ACOP to be a movement, as they seem to meet the various components of the definition. I also believe the ACOP to be on the cusp of exponential growth. With initiatives such as NewChurch and ECO, I believe that barriers are coming down that once stood between the people and ministry.