JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
ORILLIA AND DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES
CONSTITUTION

(Adopted September 26, 2005; Upgraded January 27, 2014)

1. Who We Are

The Orillia And District Association of Churches (OADAC) is a fellowship of Christian churches and para-church ministries, representing the whole body of Christ, serving God in the city of Orillia and surrounding townships.

2. What We Believe

The official creed of OADAC is the Apostles' Creed, a basic confession of the faith common to all Christians. We say:

I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. Our Mission Statement

a) Slogan:-- Jesus Christ is Lord! --Philippians 2:11 (KJV)

b) Theme Verse:-- For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. --Ephesians 4:12 (KJV)

c) Mission:-- Based on our belief in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our purpose is to serve God as the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit direct us. Our goal is to strive toward unity among all believers in our community, by providing leadership in mutual caring, support and encouragement-- through worship, prayer, service and fellowship.

d) The Great Commission:-- The Lord Jesus Christ commissions His Church to a universal mission. Some key Scriptures are: John 20:21-23; Luke 24:45-49; Acts 1:4-5,8; Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:18-20.

4. Our Fellowship Principles

Among us are many theological positions, worship traditions and ecclesiastical structures. Yet the Lord Jesus calls us to love one another and to work together. Four principles guide our fellowship:

a) We focus on Jesus Christ as Lord, as head of the Church;

b) We offer all our services to the whole body of Christ, to all Christian churches and para-church ministries in Orillia and district, whether they are paid-up members of OADAC or not;

c) We sponsor official OADAC activities, events, and projects which build community;

d) We support, if requested and approved, other events and activities initiated from within the Christian community.

5. OADAC Membership

To join OADAC as a member, a congregation or para-church ministry must have a statement of faith which either incorporates the Apostles' Creed or includes the same doctrines. To be a delegate to OADAC, to serve as a member of the executive or of an OADAC committee, or to represent OADAC in public, every person must profess this basic confession of faith..

Delegates: A congregation appoints one pastor, and two lay members; and a para-church ministry appoints one representative. These delegates attend OADAC meetings, and share information back and forth between their parishes/ministries and OADAC. They also take part in various short/long-term committees.

6. OADAC Executive

There shall be an executive committee, nominated from the OADAC community, to facilitate its leadership.

Executive members represent and serve the whole body of Christ, not their particular traditions.

A term of office is three years.