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{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada
[[Image:Logo ECCC web 2008.jpg|thumb|200px|center]] |
subtopics =
}}
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church, also known as Christian Disciples, is a mainstream fellowship of churches, ministries and clergy in Canada.
===History===
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) traces its beginnings to the formal organization of the [[Christian Church]] in 1804, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, under the leadership of [[Barton Warren Stone]] (1772-1844). The Stone movement later merged with the efforts of [[Thomas Campbell]] (1763-1844), and his son [[Alexander Campbell]] (1788-1866), to become the Restoration Movement that gave birth to the [[Churches of Christ]] (Non-Instrumental), the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and the [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ]]). The Evangelical Christian Church, as a new group within the Restoration tradition was reorganisied in 2001.
During the early twentieth century, many Restorationist churches not affiliated with the three larger Restoration bodies existed under such names as Canadian Evangelical Christian Churches, Evangelical Christian Churches, Christian Churches of North America, Christian Missionary Churches, Bible Evangelical Churches, Community Churches, Evangelical Congregational Churches,[[ Congregation Christian Churches]], and the Evangelical Protestant Churches which traces its historic roots to various [[Lutheran]] and Reformed churches from Germany in 1720. The Congregational Christian Church itself was a product of a merger in 1931, between the Congregational Church and a number of Christian Churches. The Congregational Church was formed in Germany before migrating to the United States and Canada. Some of these congregations that have not been otherwise absorbed, continue as the Evangelical Christian Churches, Albany, Indiana.
===Purpose===
The church is named "The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada - Christian Disciples" in the light of Paul's message in the gospel of [[Matthew]] 28:19:
: "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada has a commitment to restore the church to the New Testament pattern.
===Organization and Structure===
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada is headed by the Bishop (General Superintendent). Provincial District Superintendents report to the General Superintendent and oversee the various activities that take place in their districts or regions.
=== Ministries ===
The early participants in the Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) consisted of those who came away from a variety of [[fundamental]], evangelical denominations, not in an attempt to [[reform]] any particular [[denomination]], but rather in an effort to [["restore"]] the "original" church according to the [[New Testament]] pattern. They believed that [[history]] was moving toward a spiritual climax where God's power will be poured out on the church. [[Restorationist]] promoters understood that this supernatural move could be the Lord's final move where the church will be endued with power to Christianize the world before Jesus returns. In order for this dominion pursuit to be realized, the [[Five-fold ministry]] expounded in [[Ephesians 4:11]] ([[apostles,]] [[prophets]], [[evangelists]], [[pastors]] and [[teachers]]) needed to be [[commissioned]] by the Church and given to exercise their spiritual [[gifts]] and authority in the church of Jesus Christ.
=== Sacraments ===
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) believes that Jesus Christ instituted two sacraments as instruments of His grace:
* [[Baptism]] is limited to those old enough to make a profession of faith, and is commonly administered by immersion
* [[The Lord's Supper]] is a weekly ordinance which is given to all believers in Christ.
===Doctrine===
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada (Christian Disciples) does not advocate [[extremism]] or fanaticism but does consider the [[Bible]] as authoritative.
The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada eleven Articles of Faith are considered to be their definitive doctrinal statement:
# The [[Bible]] as the written Word of God
===Training ===
In 1997, The Canadian Evangelical Christian Church in Canada started their ministerial training centre which was named the "School of Christian Ministry". In 2007, the school was renamed to '''Waterloo Bible College'''. The school operates in areas of Christian counselling, house churches, and church planting. The campus is in Waterloo, Ontario, the technology capital of [[Canada]].
==Colleges & universities==
