The International Churches of Christ continue to seek God’s will for their cooperation as a movement of churches with the passion to love God, each other and the lost world around us. A crucial element for God’s mission is for leaders to work together in unity from 150 countries around the world. Through much prayer and discussion, the leadership has decided to cooperate through a group of Delegates from the various areas of the world. Their roles and responsibilities are published here.

These will continually be examined and modified to accomplish God’s purpose. In October 2018 such a moment took place when the ICOC global organization went through some modifications as outlined in the Forward by Faith – 2018 ICOC Delegates Conference Update, Formation of the ICOC Catalyst Team – Update and the ICOC Catalyst Team Update – March 31, 2019. In place of the ICOC Evangelists Service Team (EST) and ICOC Chairmen’s Service Team (CST), an ICOC Catalyst Team was formed and the Regional Family Chairmen’s group tasked with more consistent meetings (twice per year in person) and more intentional interaction and cooperative efforts in discipleship and training.

Selection, Roles and Responsibilities

  1. ICOC Delegates
  2. ICOC Catalyst Team (CT)
  3. ICOC Congress of Regional Family Chairmen
  4. ICOC Service Team Members

1. ICOC Delegates Roles and Responsibilities

Click here to see the current ICOC Delegates

PURPOSE:

To glorify God by creating and maintaining unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace among churches, leaders and members

ROLE:

  • Keep the leaders in your region of the world connected to leaders in the other regions of the world
  • Help churches in your region stay connected and united with each other
  • Give input to and cooperate with the Service Teams
  • Create proposals for change and for action to build unity and increase mission effectiveness
  • Help see that struggling churches receive attention and that resources are distributed fairly

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • For reasons of broader representation, the first “three” delegates of any Regional Family of Churches needs to be one man, one woman, and one next generation leader.
  • Spiritual leader: personally qualified
  • Commended and selected by the lead brothers in your region
  • Singles can be included
  • Broad range of relationships; spirit of cooperation
  • Commitment to global and local unity
  • Heart for God, unity and mission

EXPECTATIONS:

  • Must attend the annual Delegates Meetings and read all pertinent communications
  • Must pass on information to Regional Family of Churches as well as provide input and feedback from Regional Family of Churches
  • Must be responsive and timely: emails, phone calls, requests for information, etc.
  • Help facilitate at least one Regional meeting before the annual Delegates to discuss relevant issues
  • All bids to host future International Leadership Conferences must be submitted at least one month before the annual Delegates Meeting.

SELECTION:

  • Selected by Regional Family Leadership
  • 1 Delegate per 1,000 disciples per region rounding up from 500. Minimum of 3 Delegates per region.
  • The first “three” delegates of any Regional Family of Churches needs to be one man, one woman, and one next generation leader.
  • Regions should be about 1,000 minimum.
  • The mandates of Global Service Teams should be understood, modified (if needed), and ratified by the Delegates.
  • Chairmen of Service Team committees only vote if they also serve as Delegates. Committee members may not vote unless they are Delegates.
  • Annual Meetings: Invited observers are welcome. No voting.

DECISIONS:

Key decisions will be made by:

  • Prayer
  • Approval of proposals by the Delegates
  • Consulting the Delegates and the Chairman Service Teams and others as necessary
  • Finalized by the Regional Family Chairmen and Elders Service Team as well as consulting Teachers Service Team on doctrinal issues.
  • Composed of representatives from all continents.
  • Work together to decide issues of doctrine, conflict resolution, etc.

2) ICOC Catalyst Team (CT):

SELECTION:

Initial selection:

  • 13-Member Catalyst Team:
    • Two elders chosen by Elders Service Team
    • Two teachers chosen by Teachers Service Team
    • Two womens’ ministry leaders chosen by Womens Service Team
    • One representative from the Global Missions Service Team
    • One representative from the Evangelist Service Team
    • Seven representatives selected from among the Regional Family Chairmen.
  • The Catalyst Team selects their own coordinator.

Future selection:

  • With the newness of the CT, further clarifications and possible amendments will be discussed at future Delegates Meetings.
  • The term of service for CT members will be three years with limit of two consecutive terms.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Same qualifications as Delegates
  • Proven experience building churches and raising up leaders in a geographic region
  • Fluent in English and whatever language spoken in their geographic area so they can participate in the bi‐annual meetings
  • Good relationships within the geographic area. Commended by the brothers.

PURPOSE:

To direct and focus delegates to action on items of importance (church health, growth, unity, etc.) to produce action and change (prepared to devote 10% of their work time).

  • The Catalyst Team will work together with the RFCs to develop the agenda/program for the Spring Meetings and Delegates Meetings.

EXPECTATIONS:

  • Meet in person twice per year (Spring Meeting and Delegates Meeting), monthly phone meetings and agree to devote up to 10% of ministry time to CT responsibilities. Home church must agree to support this service.
  • The Catalyst Team will work together with the RFC and Service Teams to plan the annual International Leadership Conferences (ILC):
    • The Regional Family Chairmen (RFC) and Service Teams are recognized as the first stage of our global fellowship’s policy makers and developers, and the role of the delegates is to review, further comment and finalize those proposals (i.e., affirm or reject).
    • The planning for future ILCs will focus primarily on Church Health and Growth, Region Building and Ministry Training.

3) ICOC Congress of Regional Family Chairmen (RFC):

SELECTION:

  • Commended and selected by the lead brothers in each region
  • Spiritual leader: personally qualified
  • Singles can be included
  • Broad range of relationships; spirit of cooperation
  • Commitment to global and local unity
  • Heart for God, unity and mission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Same qualifications as Delegates
  • Proven experience building churches and raising up leaders in a geographic region
  • Fluent in English and whatever language spoken in their geographic area so they can participate in the bi‐annual meetings
  • Good relationships within the geographic area. Commended by the brothers.

PURPOSE:

  • Help build and maintain unity among churches globally
  • Coordinate the Service Teams
  • Temporarily granted the ability to amend processes to facilitate implementation as needed, all changes will need to be brought before the delegates for ratification

EXPECTATIONS:

  • Represent their particular regions in all discussions
  • Coordinate implementation of “approved” proposals
  • Must communicate with the CT: emails, phone calls, requests for information, etc.
  • Build mutually beneficial discipleship relationships with other Regional Family Chairmen.

4) ICOC Service Team Members:

SELECTION:

  • ICOC Delegates select the Chairmen of the Service Teams
  • The selected Chairman selects others willing to serve on his Team
  • Ultimately, the prime objective of the Global Service Teams is to facilitate the formation and development of Continental and/or Regional Service Teams.

PURPOSE:

  • Help build and maintain unity among churches globally
  • Address needs of churches and disciples according to their specific service area.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Spiritual leader: personally qualified as at least a deacon
  • Commended by the lead brothers in your region
  • Singles may be included
  • Broad range of relationships
  • Commitment to global and local unity
  • Personal commitment to service area
  • Maximum of 25% of members may be from non‐coop churches

EXPECTATIONS:

  • Must consistently participate in the Service Team Meetings
  • Must contribute to the tasks of the Service Team
  • Must communicate with the Service Team: emails, phone calls, requests for information, etc.
  • At least three Service Team meetings per year in person or by phone, internet, etc.
  • Each Service Team publishes at least three times per year.

ICOC SERVICE TEAMS:

Click here to see current Teams

  • Administration
  • Campus
  • Communication
  • Elders
  • Evangelists
  • Singles
  • Teachers
  • Women’s
  • Youth & Family