Leadership Agreement
This document will apply to staff, elders, ministry leaders and other leadership roles where curriculum decisions and teaching decisions are being made. Examples may include worship leader, service host, small group leader, children/youth/young adult ministry leaders.
We believe that there is a place at ECC for all who desire to serve and participate. We also recognize that some roles within the church are entrusted with influence and authority. People pay attention to church leaders and how leaders serve and live inside and outside the church. We replicate who we are. Therefore, the most important quality for our leaders is that they should model lives of Spirit empowered, faithful obedience to Jesus Christ.
We do not expect leaders to be perfect but rather that they would seek to model lives that reflect a growing faithfulness to God's will in all areas, including our relationships, our emotions, our speech, our actions and our habits. As Jesus reminds us, we strive for the great commandment to love God and each other (Matt. 22:37-38). We all fall short of this. Therefore, an ongoing honest reflection of one’s journey with Jesus is crucial. Where needed, repentance and turning away from sin are fundamental to our formation in Christ and an expectation for those in leadership.
At ECC, we unashamedly hold the tension between our call to follow Christ and His Word while recognizing that we are broken people, ministering to a broken world. At times, this involves confronting sin in our own lives and in the lives of others, but only after we’ve removed our own “plank.” We do not believe our role is to judge someone’s thought life but on occasion, certain issues or behaviours should be addressed (e.g. Doctrinal heresy, divisiveness, public immorality) in the spirit of Galatians 6:1.
You are asked to read “Profile 2022” where the ECC core beliefs, traditions and practices are stated. Within the Profile, is our Statement of Faith/Beliefs (which is reproduced below).
In order to foster the integrity of our community, we ask that leaders carefully and prayerfully consider the statements in the bullet points below as well as our Statement of Faith and agree to them. We recognize there are always exceptions, seasons when we struggle and that no one will always keep these disciplines perfectly. Any time a statement such as this is presented, the tendency is to hear/see “legalism.” That is not the spirit in which this is presented. We are simply asking that leaders recognize the importance of these things and with God’s help, endeavors to keep them.
I will seek to engage wholeheartedly in my relationship with God:
By regularly seeking to grow in my relationship with Jesus
By living a lifestyle that seeks to show a transformed life in Christ as emphasized in Colossians 3 and Romans 12:1-2.
I have been attending ECC and will share in the ministry of ECC:
By acting and speaking in love and respect towards others who attend ECC and those who serve in leadership.
By maintaining a teachable attitude.
By attending worship services (live or online).
By regularly attending leadership meetings of my teams.
By protecting the unity of ECC and the dignity of the people to whom we minister.
Statement of Faith
All Scripture is inspired by God and, in its entirety, the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice.
God exists in three distinct persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and these three possess the same nature, attributes, and glory.
Jesus Christ, God's Son, is fully God and fully man. We affirm his virgin birth, his sinless humanity, his divine miracles, his death upon the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, his bodily resurrection, his appearance to many, his ascension, his current work with the Father in heaven, and his personal return.
We are created in the image of God. Our sin has separated us from God and we cannot save ourselves, therefore we are liable to eternal separation from God. Salvation is the gift of God's love offered to all and received through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. As believers, we are forgiven, made new, and given eternal life.
We need to be ready for the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Church at any time. The eternal blessing of Heaven is reserved for those who have trusted in the Lord for salvation.
God the Holy Spirit unites every believer to Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in us to glorify Jesus and to empower us to live a holy life. Through the Holy Spirit, God gifts his church to carry out his purposes in the home, the church and the world.
The Church is composed of all true believers. Jesus Christ is the only Head of His Church.
The local church is under the authority of the Lord. In obedience to his Word, we practice believer's baptism and the Lord’s Supper and affirm the priesthood of all believers. Elders are called by Christ to shepherd God's people.
Believers live under Christ's call in the Great Commission to share our faith through word, acts of mercy, and lifestyle.
Check one of the following boxes below
I have read and agree with this “Leadership Agreement” and “ECC’s Statement of Faith.” I sign this recognizing that no one is perfect. We all live by God’s grace, walk in faith and strive to serve God in unity.
I have read the “Leadership Agreement” and “ECC’s Statement of Faith”. I’d like to proceed but first I have some questions and/or a divergent view. My question/divergent view is listed below.
Printed Name _________________________________________
Date ______________________
Signature _________________________________________________________________________
Question/Divergent view: