-
Local Churches and ACOP
Respond in paragraph format to the following prompt(s):
- What is the role of the ACOP and the regional director in a self-governing church?
- Are you familiar with partnership agreements in other contexts besides ACOP? Do some comparison/contrast work using what you are already familiar with and consulting the ACOP Partnership Agreement document.
-
17 Replies
-
The role of the ACOP in a self governing church is to support the local church by providing spiritual covering. The ACOP is a fellowship of believers who pool together their resources to help the local church fulfill the mission of going to make disciples. The regional directors operate with relational authority meaning that the more they show up, the more they can get involved and help the local church where needed. Regional directors combine expertise, calling, and opportunity to equip leaders in their callings in the body of Christ.
-
In a self-governing church the role of the ACOP and Regional Directors is to provide spiritual covering and support. I like what Jordan said about helping the ministry leaders at the churches to know and engage in the call of God and help equip and serve in that way. The Partnership Agreement, as opposed to shared policy in a more centralized organization that I have been familiar with, seems to not only be necessary but freeing. I think that when relationships built and sustained through legally binding documentation and shared policy, in a centralized way across vast geography, that can lead to relational and operational difficulties. However, a Partnership Agreement that starts off with recognized shared values and convictions, that helps define relationship and bring clarity to expectation and roles. This clarity and recognition is freeing, but also guiding and restraining. The restraints seem though to be those of vision, in what looks like the restraints of a mutually chosen relationship and not binding legal documentation. This done well and in the right spirit seems very healthy.
-
The duties of the ACOP and the Regional Directors are to help the self-governing churches in leadership trainings, provision of resources and assist wherever needed, they can help with international mission programs, and overall support of the partner churches. They may also step in if a church is in need of finding a lead pastor and more.
-
.
Log in to reply.