Crossroads Foursquare Church is currently a Charter Church of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG). As a charter church we are a subordinate entity of ICFG. We would like to talk with the church about some necessary changes at the request of ICFG, which affect our church’s corporate structure and relationship to the corporate denomination. This change would be to transition from a Charter Church to a Covenant Church. A Covenant Church of Foursquare incorporates as its own entity operating in agreement with Foursquare to operate under the Foursquare bylaws. Crossroads Church Leadership is asking you to attend the Crossroads Corporate Restructure meeting on Wednesday, July 9th from 7:00-8:00pm.
The Birth of The Covenant Church
The idea of a Covenant church has been in the heart of Foursquare leadership for many years as one option for churches to be part of the Foursquare family through something called the Foursquare Association. The concept of Covenant church was totally recast in 2016 to fulfill a longtime goal of creating new options for local Foursquare churches to own and manage real property, which is a contrast to our historical model for property ownership where title to real property has been jointly owned by all Foursquare churches via our corporate structure.
The Covenant Agreement Adopted
In June 2016, the Foursquare convention body adopted a bylaw revision to provide for a Covenant church to be a local Foursquare church, but with its own corporate existence. The unique feature is the existence of a written covenant agreement, voluntarily entered into by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG) and the local Covenant church. In the covenant agreement, the local Covenant church pledges itself to adhere to the bylaws of ICFG and to operate fully as a local Foursquare church. In turn, ICFG pledges itself to provide the same covering and care to a local Covenant church that would be given to a Foursquare Charter church.
This new provision is an important step intended to remove barriers for existing churches in order to maintain direct responsibility for decisions to buy, sell, improve, encumber or lease property.
The Impact of Charter to Covenant
This is a organizational change between Crossroads and ICFG. It doesn't cause any changes to our staff, services or events here at Crossroads.
The change does allow for us to make more timely decisions regarding property, finances and ministry operations. As an incorporated nonprofit, Crossroads has protection from recent changes to banking practices that have resulted in various religious organization losing access to their bank accounts. We are able to to ensure control and stability in our financial relationships. Crossroads will be be able to own and manage property while still benefiting and participating in the larger Foursquare Church.
Next Steps
At our meeting on July 9th we will discuss this change and process as well as provide opportunities for questions and answers before asking for a vote of the congregation. We ask that you review the information provided here and begin to prayerfully seek the Lord regarding this change before the meeting. We will only move forward if the church votes 3/4 majority in favor.
For more information visit the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel website here: https://www.foursquare.org/get-involved/church/join/charter-to-covenant/
Or contact Pastor Rachel Guddat at rachel@crossroads.life