1. Conferences And Fellowship Meetings
Annual International Conference. This U.S./Canada event in the spring normally rotates among sites in Midwestern, Western, and Eastern U.S.A. and Canada on a four-year cycle. The conference is held at convention centers or larger host churches. Conference planning committees (with a majority from each host site area) and locations are selected by the annual conference.
These events focus on theological and practical guidance, fellowship and mutual support, and general inspiration. A Fellowship matters session deals with practical matters related to our inter-ministerial and inter-church efforts. The conference process is described in detail in the FCA Annual Conference Manual.
Fellowship Concerns Conference. This smaller gathering in the fall probes items of theological and practical interest and concern in greater depth than is possible in our annual general conventions. This is an open process, available to all. The agenda for FCC discussions is formed from recommendations of area ministerial gatherings. Summaries of FCC considerations are intended to be catalytic toward further grassroots discussion in the Fellowship, followed by appropriate discussion and action in the annual conference.
Regional Conferences and Fellowship Meetings. These are sponsored periodically by local churches. Largely inspirational and supportive in nature, these events provide newcomers an opportunity for insights to the FCA process.
2. Home and Foreign Missions
Basic Concepts. Cooperative effort in new-church planting and other home missions ministry is generally on a regional or area basis, although appeals might be circulated more widely. Church-planting by mother-churches is also common.
Foreign missionaries, in common with all gospel workers, are ordained or commissioned by their home churches and are accountable to them. They maintain direct communications with their home churches, while working toward the mutual goals that may be set by field conferences and other inter-church consultations.
Assemblies unable to undertake full support of a missionary enlist assistance from other churches.
Processes for making our inter-church home and foreign mission work more cooperative, intentional, and effective are continuously being pursued.
3. Fellowship Press
A number of Fellowship churches are members of a separate corporation for publishing, Fellowship Press, which serves all the assemblies.
The main function of this corporation is publication of material to assist Fellowship member churches and individuals. This is accomplished primarily through an interactive web site called FCAEquip.net and an Internet e-mail list serve called FCANet.
Ministerial credential forms and other items related to Fellowship functions are also available through the Fellowship Press office.
Editors and directors are confirmed and new member churches are accepted at the annual meeting, held in conjunction with the annual general conference.
4. Entry to FCA
Ministerial Listing. Ministers who have established a working relationship and confidence with active FCA ministers, particularly on the area and regional level, are accorded a natural and informal recognition through ministerial gatherings, letters of recommendation, or other means.
To seek formal recognition and listing in the Fellowship Directory, new ministers must have the sponsorship of two active FCA ministers. Forms for this purpose are available online at www.FCAequip.net or may be secured through the Fellowship Secretary or any FCA pastor.
Each minister seeking listing and recognition is required to be a member of a local church, preferably one that is active within the FCA. Ministerial listing is renewed annually.
Church Listing. Churches desiring to be listed in the annual Fellowship Directory may make application through their official boards. Church listing is renewed annually. Forms for this purpose are available online at click here or through the Fellowship Secretary.
Member Benefits. Both individual and church members can participate in the life and mission of the Fellowship, gaining inspiration and challenge for fulfilling the Great Commission while maintaining the autonomy of the local assembly. Other advantages for members include (1) listing in the Fellowship Directory; (2) an accountability structure (see next section); (3) recognition and relationships with other members; (4) networking for a mutual exchange of information and resources; (5) various services of Fellowship Press (see previous section); (6) research results from the various Fellowship Commissions (see Section 6, “Leadership and Special Ministries”).
5. Accountability and Credentialing
The New Testament illustrates the importance of inter-ministerial and inter-church fellowship, mutual support and care. Ministers are accountable to encourage and enhance each other and to be redemptive in disciplinary concerns. This whole process begins with the accountability of each minister to a local church.
Ministerial preparation varies from informal local-church experience and self-study to formal seminary-level study. Bible college education is very common. Whatever formal educational discipline is pursued, we view seasoning and indoctrination in the local-church environment as invaluable preparation for ministerial candidates.
Several Bible colleges, sponsored by local assemblies or groups of churches, are located in various parts of the U.S. and Canada.
All ministers are licensed or ordained by their home churches. At least two years of service as a licensed minister is a fairly typical requirement for ordination.
Each ordaining or licensing church should assume responsibility for the nurture, encouragement and discipline of those whom they set apart for special ministry. The concept of accountability is growing among us and is the subject of theological and practical discussions. We anticipate that further intentional processes will result from these reflections.
Certificates of ordination, ministerial license and recognition of transfer-ordination are available from Fellowship Press.
6. Leadership and Special Ministries
The Fellowship historically has valued non-appointive spiritual leadership in both individuals and churches. Such leadership has the ministry of modeling, inspiration and counsel within the Fellowship.
Appointive ministries are also recognized and valued. Individuals, committees, or task forces are selected regionally or nationally to carry out specific tasks as needs arise. These task-force type ministries are limited in term and are non-authoritative. Current standing committees and special ministries under assignment by the annual conference include:
a. National Board and Regional Committees. The Fellowship selects representatives on a bi-annual basis to spark vision and coordinate inter-church cooperative ministry and mission projects. Six at-large representatives are chosen at the national convention to serve on the National Board. Others are selected in regional clusters of ministers and churches to serve on regional committees. Some of these also serve on the National Board. Though the Board serves as a catalyst for Fellowship-wide efforts, churches participate voluntarily and only at their own discretion.
b. Commissions. The Commission on Congregational Life exists to encourage and promote congregational health in the FCA.
The Commission on Ministry exists to help those in ministry, assisting in the development of ministry from its infancy to its full and prosperous maturity so that FCA ministers may reach their greatest potential in equipping the church and fulfilling God’s call upon their lives.
The Commission on Mission exists to encourage and promote the work of missions and strategic partnerships at home and abroad.
c. Fellowship Coordinator. The Fellowship benefits from the ministry of a veteran pastor who works to connect individuals and churches to the Fellowship. This person is appointed by the National Convention to serve for a two-year term.
d. Secretary, Fellowship Directory. The Secretary is responsible for compilation of the annual directory of ministers and churches. The Secretary also maintains a current registry of member individuals and churches who may participate in the Business Meeting of the National Convention even though they are not yet listed in the directory. The Secretary is a member of a three-person Fellowship Directory Committee.
e. Conference Planning Committee. Each annual general conference is planned by a new specific committee, composed largely of members from the conference-site region, with suggestions for the conference offered by the National Board.
f. Fellowship Matters Committee. A committee composed of a Chairperson, Recording Secretary, and Parliamentarian, selected by the annual conference, is assigned to arrange the agenda and moderate a special annual session devoted to practical concerns.
g. Heritage Committee. Assigned with preserving historical materials and serving as resource for historical study of the FCA, this committee is composed of three U.S. members and one from Canada. It also selects nominees for veteran ministry honors.
7. Area Fellowship Projects
Camps, retreats and other events are sponsored by local churches or groups of churches. Various camp facilities are owned cooperatively or by local assemblies.
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