Accountability Process
Each church affiliated with Great Commission Churches is an independent church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, cooperating within the association with other like-minded churches in conferences, mission efforts and for Biblical accountability. In our association, final authority rests in the local church. Great Commission Churches does not dictate how a particular local church carries out its affairs. However, by being part of our association a church is voluntarily agreeing to live by the doctrines, values and moral standards taught in the Scriptures.
As for the pastors, our association has a high commitment to humility (click here). Jesus said, "Let him who is the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant."(Luke 22:26). Pastors are to be the most teachable men in the church. Therefore, we encourage every pastor to humbly listen to concerns expressed by a church member.
If an individual believes that his or her church is not complying with Biblical standards, what is that individual to do? Our policy is that a church member should work through the Matthew 18:15-17 process, presenting his or her concerns to a pastor in the church and then, if not satisfied, to the board of that church. If still not satisfied, that individual has the option to contact a regional or national office of Great Commission Churches. Also, at any time in the process, a person has the option of contacting our office directly about any concerns related to a church in our association. Our commitment is to address concerns with confidentiality, impartiality and sensitivity, with the goal of restoration and reconciliation.
Our appeal is that if you have a concern with a church in our association that you will pursue this God-honoring process. In addition, if you hear of a concern, or you know someone who has a concern, we ask that you encourage that individual to follow this process. Our confidence is that if we are committed to this Biblical process, the church will be strengthened, the gospel of Jesus Christ will spread, and God will be glorified. (For resources that help Christians pursue a Biblical reconciliation process, see Peacemaker Ministries.)
Changing Lives
River Ridge Teays Valley- West Virginia by Chad Cobb
With approximately 30 families, River Ridge Church
planted a second campus in Teays Valley, WV in the fall of
2008. The church decided on a model of "one church in two
locations." While each of the five pastors concentrate their
ministry efforts on
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The Rock IUPUI by Ray Harmon
Who would have thought that two fathers would be
involved with their college age children in starting a new
campus ministry? It was an answer to prayer. We had been
praying that the Lord would provide an opportunity to continue
laboring in the gospel
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