The Congregational Christian Churches in Canada (or 4Cs) is an evangelical, Protestant, Christian denomination, headquartered in Brantford, Ont., and a member of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship

World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship

The World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship is a global association of evangelical christian Congregational Churches, from various national associations around the world, including: Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, India, Macedonia, Micronesia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, The...

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Organization and leadership

The name "congregational" generally describes its preferred organizational style, which promotes local church autonomy and ownership, while fostering fellowship and accountability between churches at the National level.

Currently, the 4Cs is led by a National Board of Directors, representing different areas of the country and coordinated by the Chairman and the National Pastor who give spiritual oversight to the broader Church. The denomination meets annually at a National Conference, which confirms a new location (West, Maritimes or Central Canada) for the following year.

Historical roots

The roots of Congregational Christianity can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation in England. Congregational Churches were established in the New World by non-Conformist Christians, some of these arriving (in what would become Canada) out of roots in New England. The revivals of the Great Awakening

Great Awakening

The term Great Awakening is used to refer to a period of religious revival in American religious history. Historians and theologians identify three or four waves of increased religious enthusiasm occurring between the early 18th century and the late 19th century...

 significantly contributed to the spread of congregational style and ministry all over the North American continent. Globally, Congregational ministry and missionaries spread to places like Hawaii, and much of the south Pacific, as well.

Canadian Hiatus

As a name and evangelical movement in Canada, Congregationalism was probably better known (and understood) in the 19th Century, but many Congregational churches voted to join with Methodists and a majority of Presbyterians to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. As a direct consequence, the term "Congregational Church" fell into disuse, and virtually disappeared in Canada. A remnant of churches still congregational in polity were concentrated in Southern Ontario, and were known as the "Ontario Christian Churches". Officially, these churches affiliated with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

The Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, colloquially known as the CCCC or 4C's, is a Protestant Christian denomination operating in the United States. The denomination maintains headquarters in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Paul...

 in the United States in 1965, but retained their independence as a separate Conference.

Recent History and Opposition to Theological liberalism

In response to the growing theological liberalism of the United Church of Canada, and following (in particular) its 1988 decision to ordain openly practicing homosexual individuals to the ministry, a group of conscientious objectors left the denomination and began looking for ways in which to cultivate their evangelical Christian faith, and to affiliate with others of like mind. This group became aware of the Ontario Christian Churches, and began the process of joining with them. Out of these discussions, a new organization was formed: The Congregational Christian Churches in Canada (or, as it became known colloquially, "the 4Cs").

Current situation

Today, the 4Cs represent a family of about 60 evangelical churches across Canada, each one committed to living out the Biblical witness of Jesus Christ— His Great Commands and Great Commission— in the power of the Holy Spirit. The 4Cs is a member of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is a national parachurch association of over . All affiliated groups identify themselves as part of the evangelical movement in Canada....

. Its congregations have a strong desire to present and represent Jesus to willing listeners, to pray for revival, to foster caring in both global and local mission projects, and to work hand-in-hand with committed Christians of other denominations.

The 4Cs are willing to incorporate community churches who may be looking for affiliation, and can provide both a national network and healthy accountability for member churches. Our congregations are varied in worship style, and in local focus, but all share a common commitment to Biblical faith and creed, and a commitment to fostering interdependence in fellowship with one another.

The 4C's present vision statement is: "Proclaiming Jesus Christ. Making Disciples. Building Healthy Churches".