Evangelical Christian Church in Canada Facts for Kids

Logo of the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) is a Christian church in Canada. It is part of the Protestant faith and focuses on evangelical teachings. The main office for the Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is located in Waterloo, Ontario.

History of the Church
How the Church is Organized
Church Activities and Goals
Church Membership
Important Ceremonies
Church Beliefs
Colleges and Universities
Church Connections
Key Figures
See also

History of the Church

The Evangelical Christian Church started formally in 1804 in Bourbon County, Kentucky in the United States. A leader named Barton Warren Stone helped to organize it.

This church, also known as "Christian Disciples," became part of a larger movement called the Restoration Movement. This movement began in the early 1800s in America. People from different Christian groups like Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians decided to drop their old labels. They wanted to be "Christians only" and follow the Bible as their main guide. They hoped to bring Christians together and return to the simple ways of the early church described in the New Testament.

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) first started in Canada in 1810 in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. The oldest Christian Disciples Church in Canada was founded by John R. Stewart, who came from Scotland. Their first meeting place, a log cabin, was built in 1813.

After Second World War, the Evangelical Christian Churches in Canada and North America began to work together more closely. In the early 1940s, a big spiritual movement called the Great Western Revival swept across North America. This event sparked a strong interest in God and helped unite Christians based on the teachings of the New Testament. Leaders of this movement wanted to make the church more open and focused on sharing the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) was reorganized as a separate group in 2001. Its leaders believed that all Christians should be united.

How the Church is Organized

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) in Canada is not tied to one main denomination. Its member churches are self-governing, meaning they make their own decisions. Ministers, who are also called Elders, follow the scriptures and have the freedom to practice their faith without strict rules.

The church strongly believes in religious freedom and Christian unity. It teaches that all believers are important in the body of Christ. The church follows practices that it believes are found in the New Testament and the early church.

Canada is divided into 10 districts, each with a superintendent. These superintendents connect with the churches and ministers in their assigned province. There is also a national leadership team, including the general minister and a board of directors. Ministers, both men and women, lead the church and perform important ceremonies.

Church Activities and Goals

Early members of the Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) came from various Christian backgrounds. They wanted to "restore" the "original" church based on the New Testament pattern. Their main goal was to follow the Great Commission found in the gospel of Matthew, which is about spreading the Christian message.

They believed that God's power would be poured out on the church without the need for human-made rules. They also believed that certain roles, like apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, were important for the church to grow and share its message.

Church Membership

In the mid-1990s, the Canadian region of the Evangelical Christian Church had 30 churches and about 3500 members. In Canada, all Christian faiths were free to build places of worship, train their leaders, and share their beliefs.

Important Ceremonies

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) teaches that Jesus Christ set up two special ceremonies:

Baptism: This is for people old enough to declare their faith. It is usually done by full immersion in water.
The Lord's Supper: This ceremony is held weekly, and all members share in the bread and cup.

Church Beliefs

The Evangelical Christian Church (Christian Disciples) in Canada has eleven "Articles of Faith." These articles explain their main beliefs.

Colleges and Universities

Waterloo Bible College

Church Connections

The Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is a member of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. This connection allows the ECCC to work and network with other Christian groups. They discuss important ministry issues and public topics that affect all evangelical Christians. The ECCC and other member groups take part in meetings and discussions hosted by the EFC to encourage teamwork and partnerships.

Key Figures

Barton Stone (1772–1844)
Alexander Campbell (1788–1866)
Thomas Campbell (clergyman) (1763–1854)

Evangelical Christian Church in Canada facts for kids

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