Local Churches and ACOP

[Sarah]

The role of the ACOP and the Regional Director in a self-governing church is to help train leaders (EPIC, Eston College, etc.), provide resources and assistance when needed, provide help with international mission programs, and overall support the church. They may also step in if a church asks for input in particular situations or may need help finding leadership. I think this is a vital role for churches and helps create and sustain healthy church.

[Rachel]

The role of the ACOP and the regional director in a self-governing church is to provide help when asked. It kinda reminds me of the Holy Spirit. Knock and the door will be opened to you, ask and you will receive it. ACOP also is given the opportunity to build relationship with others in the fellowship and this is important when building the up the body of Christ.

[Caleb]

ACOP and the Regional Director are the counsellors to a self-governing church. They initially ensure that the leadership is prepared for ministry. since the pastor is the link between the self governing church and ACOP, all dealings are done through them and the pastor speaks on behalf of his congregation to ACOP. Although ACOP has very little authority in the self governing church, they are a support for difficult times in the church and are present when asked to be by the pastor and congregation.

Although I am not familiar with the specifics of other partnership agreements, I do know that communication is key between the congregation and the leadership above it. if the congregation does not back the decisions you make or does not feel that you are going in the direction God wants, they will not be happy.

[Karlena]

ACOP and regional director is available to provide spiritual covering and to facilitate ministry through the provision of counsel, guidance, resources, and expertise. The lead pastor is the critical channel of communication from ACOP and a self-governing church. I am familiar with some partnership agreements with other contexts (e.g. denominations or mission organizations) and I would say that the distinctives of ACOP's Partnership agreement that most stand out to me are: 1) it is a relational agreement and not legally binding; 2) it is based on relational authority, not titles or hierarchal authority; 3) it encourages and empowers local churches to take an active part in every aspect of the governing, decision-making, and administrative process. It is item 3 that is most significant to me because making the local church responsible for self-governing is a catalyst for producing mature, responsible, involved and engaged members. If churches have less involvement in the decision-making and ministries of their church, it can produce members who take a passive stance to disciple-making and missions (for example).