Governance

In the local churches of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the highest decision making body is the Board of Elders. All  ministries, staff, and volunteers are amenable to the Board of  Elders. While individual Elders carry no authority, collectively as a board they speak for the church. At HRAC, these elders are   selected through a nomination process prior to our Annual General Meeting held in June. These men are selected by a  Nominating Committee (made of  elders, elected members, and led by the Lead Pastor). Through a prayerful process these Elders are nominated and then elected by the membership to serve a two year term. After two consecutive two-year terms, an elder must take one year off before being re-elected.

Our governance model is not based on power or control, but on  the authority to serve. It is the responsibility of leaders in the church to empower and equip the church to do the work of the ministry.

The membership sets our bylaws (see link below) and selects the eldership which in turn is responsible for the staff. The staff oversee the work of the ministry, equipping and training the body as necessary so that the goals set prayerfully by the elders can be accomplished.

As churches of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, districts (ours is called the Western District) are overseen by a superintendent and several coaches, and ultimately through the President of the C&MA through the National Ministry Centre in Toronto. The highest governing body in the C&MA is General Assembly, made of delegates from every C&MA church in Canada that meets biennially. This body is responsible for our national and local church constitutions (see link below).

• The Christian and Missionary Alliance In Canada - Click here for some information about our denominational membership

• The Western District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada – Click here for information on our district authority

• Manual of the Christian And Missionary Alliance Church in Canada – Click here for a comprehensive manual that includes all the governance policies that pertain to our denomination (national, district, and local church) constitution

• High River Alliance Church Bylaws – Click here for a list of local church bylaws that govern HRAC, where the Manual of the C&MA permits and requests us to do so