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About FCMA
What is Freedom Christian Ministries Association and why
do we need it? Since before the Protestant Reformation, since before
the split between the Roman and Greek Orthodox churches, there have been
divisions among Christians. Leadership issues were more often the
cause of the divisions than doctrinal issues in early times, and perhaps
such issues have continued in various degrees even into modern times.
However, in the early church, decisions of doctrine, such as whether Christians
must be circumcised, were made which were followed by the whole church and
did not cause factions to be formed. Christians supported Christians,
regardless of their doctrinal views.
I am not suggesting that all Christians
must believe the same things. I believe there is one truth and there is one
answer to each of the questions. However, I will follow my heart in
determining what I believe and I hope each of you will do the same.
We may, and indeed probably will have, different beliefs on at least one issue,
but does that need to split us into a thousand separate islands of faith?
I don't think so, and that is the core of FCMA.
Diverse Christian Beliefs
Embraced and Understood; that is the goal of Freedom Christian Ministries
Association. I hope to find Episcopalians and Baptists in discussion
on their differences and their similarities, and then going to share fellowship
afterwards. I hope to find Pentecostals and Lutherans doing the same.
Is that such an impossible dream? Christianity teaches love, we all
share that belief. From that basic shared basis, I pray we can find
common ground and begin to grow together.
Therefore, if you wish to learn more
about FCMA for your church or ministry, please contact us. If you believe
that Christians need not war with each other and feel your group shares that
ideal, join with us so that we can see it become reality.
Why Freedom Christian
Ministries Association?
The
Freedom family doesn't see associate or member churches as independent entities
left on their own to struggle against the odds. We purpose to accomplish
the task of sharing the Gospel with a lost and dying world. Rather than
an institution, FCMA, an outreach of Concepts
of Freedom Ministries, Inc., is a living organism; an integral part
of the Body of Christ as a whole, looking forward to the Final Day.
As a philosophy, we support our ministers through conferences, fellowship,
and prayer, ensuring that each and every one of those whom God has placed
in our sphere of influence is having his or her spiritual needs met and are
given the tools necessary to succeed in ministry.
Those individuals involved with FCMA either through FCMA
itself or through Freedom Bible College & Seminary,
are men and women of vision with a desire to cast off the stereotypes of
Christian fellowship and desire a return to first-century, apostolic fellowship
models. The church planting and organization are a natural development
of outpouring of the fulfillment of the mandate to "make disciples of all
nations" - regardless of economic, doctrinal or demographical influence.
We firmly believe that this is a process that God himself has put into motion.
Churches throughout the world are experiencing a decline in membership.
The reason? It is difficult to determine with accuracy, however, we
can see that one of the contributing factors is the church's collective inability
to answer the difficult questions of our place in God's plan. Churches
have dedicated far too much of their time concerned with issues that are not
essential to the Great Commission and the Christian community as a whole has
grown tired. To be certain, the Holy Spirit is present and active where
the Word is rightly preached, however, we need more churches that are serious
about their preaching and teaching ministries.
Our prayer is that yours will be a church that people can turn to as a true
sanctuary - a place where worship and fellowship are not pretentious but
are Christ-centered and unified under the banner of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our goal is to offer churches
that honor and glorify Christ and do not give license to the non-believing
world's ridicule or scorn. It is also important that the reputation
of, FBCS or any other outreach ministry of CFM not be defamed in any way.
Association with FCMA is an
asset:
Freedom Christian Ministries Association has
within its ranks some of the most gifted and talented individuals in the
Christian community. We have published authors, recognized speakers,
other pastors, professors, counselors, and Christians whose undying commitment
to seeing the Gospel of Christ furthered is quite unique. These men
and women have dedicated their lives to Christian service and we encourage
you to take advantage of their knowledge and experience.
Although FCMA
is not a denomination, we make no apologies that our ministry and outlook
is sincerely denominational (not doctrinal) in nature. We provide many of
the services that denominations do such as; continuing education, counseling,
ministry seminars, annual pastoral conferences, and pastoral placement.
The primary difference is that we accept differing eschatological, soteriological,
and worship practices within our family. One Freedom Fellowship may
be extremely liturgical in worship, another may be contemporary in worship.
We are flexible in the non-essential issues and believe very strongly in the
saying of Augustine, "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty.
In all things, charity."
Services
Provided by Freedom Christian Ministries Association:
Pastoral Conferences
Freedom
Christian Ministries Association will host pastoral conferences centered
around specific topics such as; homiletics, missions, evangelism, exegetical
studies, hermeneutics, society and culture, pastoral counseling, financial
security in the church, and many others. The goal is to equip FCMA
pastors and non-FCMA pastors with the tools necessary to fulfill their
ministry objectives in a manner that is biblical and lends itself to increased
ministerial productivity. Presently, these conferences
and workshops are included in our annual spring retreat which is held in
the Rogers, AR area.
Continuing Education
Through
Freedom Bible College & Seminary, over 400 hundred
courses are available for FCMA pastors at discounted rates.
All these courses are designed to equip the pastorate in intense theological
studies which will increase preaching and teaching capabilities resulting
in a more prepared congregation. Guest Speakers
The
staff and faculty of Freedom Bible College & Seminary is available to
visit your church to speak on any range of topics. Whether it be a
revival service, or in-depth discussion on contemporary theological issues
or even evangelical media, our faculty are professionals and highly gifted
in these areas of expertise. Pastoral Placement
In the
event of pastoral dismissal or pastoral retirement, FCMA will assist you
if you need help in filling vacancies by attempting to send a fill-in for
short term service or for permanent placement.
What form of leadership does
Freedom Christian Ministries Association expect?
Theological leadership
Colossians
1:18: "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."
Christ is the head of the body, the church. Regardless of how we may
toil and strive for excellence, the moment we take our eyes off of the Magnificent,
we stumble and will fall. CFM/FCMA has a leadership hierarchy, but the
primary focus must be on the glorification of Christ and His principles.
Local leadership
1. We
expect that as a minister of the Gospel you will, to the best of your ability,
meet the biblical requirements of leadership as found in 1 & 2 Timothy,
Titus, and Romans 12:6-7.
2. We
expect you to guide your staff and leaders to conduct themselves in a manner
fitting the call of the ministry and to maintain positive relations within
your community. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:7, "He must also
have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace
and into the devil's trap." With the recent revelations of impropriety
within the Church, it is even more important that your leadership maintain
only the highest level of Christian accountability.
As a part
of the FCMA family, it is our recommendation that you
hold quarterly accountability meetings with the elders and deacons of your
fellowship. This serves a twofold purpose: First it ensures that
you, as pastor, are exegetically sound and meeting the needs of those entrusted
to your care. Secondly, it ensures that you are keeping a close watch
over those who are also in leadership within your fellowship. There
is much work to be done within the ministry parameters of the local church
and it can only be accomplished when there are open and candid lines of
communication and accountability. International leadership:
Freedom member churches are unique in a number of ways, but one
way that stands
out above others is the accountability systems that have been established.
Freedom member church
pastors will have not only their local systems of accountability, but they also have
the leadership of FCMA to rely on for accountability as well. Our goal is to ensure
that you are empowered to do what God has called you to do, and we're here
to ensure that you are faithful to such a calling. You are important to God,
you are important to your flock, and you are important to Concepts of Freedom
Ministries and Freedom Christian Ministries Association.
Summary of leadership:
Leadership is an important role in the vitality of a
congregation. So as the head travels, thus follows the rest of the
body. We at FCMA will always strive to maintain high ethical
standards of conduct and will do everything within our power to ensure that
our members are empowered to do the same. We require high standards
because Christ himself requires high standards - to do anything less is to
belittle the efficacious calling of our Lord.
The local church and FBCS
We offer a highly effective way to increase the
name recognition of your fellowship as well as increase the individual and
collective theological knowledge of your members is to establish a Freedom Bible College & Seminary Resident Campus.
This will provide you with ample teaching experience as well as increase
your level of academic excellence. Though the tuition costs are minimal,
it is an excellent opportunity to assist in financing your ministry.
If you are interested
in establishing a branch of FBCS we will provide you with additional information.
Local Constitution and bylaws:
A copy of your constitution
and bylaws are to on file at the FCMA offices. You must including
any changes and addendums that are added at later dates. This ensures
an understanding of the operation of your church in the event that FCMA
is requested or required to take part in pastoral replacement or disciplinary
actions.
Local Membership Requirements:
FCMA affords
you autonomy in your decision making process of church doctrine and belief
systems as long as they include the fundamental elements of the Christian
faith as published in our Statement of Faith.
No matter what your doctrinal tenets include, your ministry model should
include some form of membership requirements. The choice is completely
yours.
In closing:
Concepts of Freedom
Ministries is not be right for everyone, but if it seems right for you fill
out the the Information Profile return it to FCMA.
If your application package is in order, a representative from FCMA
will contact you.
We pray that you
prosper in your ministry.
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