ECA International

It is the policy of the Evangelical Church Alliance that ECA licensed and ordained ministers practice total abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and illegal and/or intoxicating drugs so as not to be a stumbling block to a weaker Brother. (1 Cor. 8:9-12; Romans 14:21)

The use of fermented wine in communion, as practiced by some denominations, is acceptable to the ECA and does not violate this policy.

The definition of “intoxicate” is, “To cause stupefaction, stimulation, or excitement by or as if by use of a chemical substance.”  (The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary.)

Whereas Article VI, 2. G of the Constitution of the Evangelical Church Alliance specifically states that we believe in the water baptism of believers and

Whereas the word “believers” clearly implies a person who has attained an age of intellectual understanding; it is the policy of the International Board of Directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance that we will not accept into membership anyone who believes in or practices baptismal regeneration.

It is the further policy that a member who practices Infant Baptism should make it clear to the parents that the baptism is an act of dedication and not salvation.

As ECA Ministers are to be committed to the highest ethical standards, any communications to them are to be used exclusively for the purposes for which they were intended.

All communications made to a licensed or ordained minister of the ECA while acting as a spiritual advisor shall be considered privileged provided there is no presence of a third person.  However, a third person may be present if one is requiredegally, or to be in compliance with the policies of the minister’s employer or immediate governing authority.

The ECA Clergy Penitent Privilege Policy does not excuse ministers from appearing in court.  Rather, it exempts them from disclosing a privileged communication in court against their will.

It is imperative that ECA members maintain familiarity with their own government’s clergy-penitent privilege laws; particularly in the areas of child, elder or domestic abuse, and seek legal counsel prior to agreement or refusal to divulge any information given under the circumstances considered to be Clergy Penitent privilege.

In the case of ECA members holding multiple ministerial credentials, this policy shall take precedence.

According to Paul in 1 Tim. 4:12 the minister is called to be an example to believers in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith and in purity.  The minister is also to have a good testimony among those who are outside, (the Church) lest he fall into reproach. 1 Tim. 3:7.  Accordingly the Evangelical Church Alliance has adopted the following policy on “Divorce in the Ministry.”


1. A minister should not divorce his/her spouse except for the two reasons given in Scripture as interpreted by the Board of Directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance.

A. Sexual immorality on the part of a spouse. (Matthew 19:9)

B. An unbelieving spouse leaves the marriage.  (1 Cor. 7: 10-13)

If a spouse commits sexual immorality or departs the marriage as an unbeliever, theminister is free to divorce and remarry.  However the minister should submit to godlycounsel before making that decision.

When such a divorce/separation takes place it is the responsibility of the ECA Member to notify headquarters and supply a detailed report of the circumstances and cause of the divorce/separation.  Each occurrence will be judged on its own merit.


When the minister is divorced for reasons other that the two reasons listed above the following policies will apply:

1. If the divorce/separation took place before the person, applying for membership, accepted Christ the divorce will not be considered in the application process.
2. If the minister is involved in a marriage that has become impossible, according to godly counsel, the minister may separate from the spouse (under 1 Cor. 7:10-11). The minister must submit to counsel (approved by ECA Headquarters) and make a genuine attempt to reconcile the marriage.  To retain Credentials this minister must remain single and not date. There are many circumstances in marriage that become almost intolerable.  However the minister must always bear in mind the teaching of Scripture and the vows and commitments made during the marriage ceremony.  There are times when a minister must remain in a difficult situation and experience the “fellowship of His suffering.”
3. If an believing spouse initiates the divorce/separation, through no fault of the minister, the minister should submit to godly counsel and carefully follow the advice of the counselor. The minister must notify the ECA Headquarters of the situation as soon as possible and supply a detailed explanation of the circumstance. Unless and until the spouse who departed commits adultery or remarries the minister should remain single and not date.

If a member divorces or separates from their spouse for non-Biblical reasons the following process will be followed:

1. The President/CEO will request a detailed explanation of the circumstances of the divorce/separation to be submitted in typewritten form.
2. The President/CEO will review the submitted information and forward recommendations to the Chairman of the Board.
3. The Chairman of the Board will review the information along with the ECA Staff’s recommendations and determine the proper course of action.  The Chairman will correspond with the Member informing him/her of his decision offering an opportunity for further input. If the Chairman decides to remove the minister from membership the member will have the opportunity (under ECA Constitution) to appear at a regular ECA Board meeting to appeal the Chairman’s decision.

A member who violates this policy and refuses to submit to correction will be subject to Discipline, as outlined in the Evangelical Church Alliance Constitution.  Any applicant or candidate for membership must also meet the above criteria.

Adopted by the Board November 16, 2004

ECA members, churches and affiliate organizations may use the corporate logo and trademark provided they are members of the ECA in good standing.  The following rules of use will apply:

1. User must agree with ECA Tenets of Faith and Ministerial Ethics as outlined in ECA Constitution and By-Laws.

1. Churches and affiliate organizations must immediately notify the ECA of any changes in their constitution or by-laws.
2. The ECA trademark must be used in its entirety, with the "®" symbol next to the trademark along with the text; "Member of the Evangelical Church Alliance.”
3. ECA reserves the right to withdraw permission for use of the ECA logo and trademark at any time.

Any members desiring artwork of the ECA logo and trademark may contact our office.

ECA endorsed Military Chaplains may facilitate meetings or activities that violate the ECA Tenents of Faith, ECA Policies and Standards, their religious convictions or conscience, however, they are restricted from participating in such meetings or activities.

It is the policy of the International oBoard of Directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance that:

• Only ordained ministers may solemnize marriages.
• Before solemnizing any marriage, the minister should be acquainted with the state and local laws where the marriage will be performed.
• If the minister performs a marriage without legal authority, the marriage is valid, but the minister may be subject to fine or imprisonment.
• The minister must perform a marriage ceremony within the legal requirements of local and state statutes, and according to the Scripture as interpreted by the International Board of Directors of the Evangelical Church Alliance.
• The minister must complete and return all documents to the local and state authorities as required by law.
• In addition the minister should keep an accurate personal record of all weddings and provide a certificate of marriage to the bride and groom.God’s Word sets forth the design for the happiness, well being, protection and stability in the life of every person, and that sexual relations are reserved for marriage and that the covenant of marriage is sanctioned only for a man and a woman, according to the standards of Biblical scriptures, including Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4; Exodus 20:14; Romans 1:24; and 1Timothy 1:8-10, as interpreted by the International Board of the Evangelical Church Alliance.
• No ECA minister shall perform any type of marriage, or covenant ceremony for persons who are of the same sex or who have attempted to alter their gender surgically.  Such a ceremony would endorse homosexuality, which is a sin and strictly forbidden in God’s Word.
• Any ECA minister, who performs a ceremony for these types of disapproved relations, unless innocently deceived into doing so, shall be dismissed from the Evangelical Church Alliance.
• No ECA minister is required to officiate a wedding that violates his/her conscience.
• The minister shall require premarital counseling as outlined in the ECA Minister’s Manual, pages 58 and 59 before solemnizing a marriage.

Adopted by the International Board of Directors, November 17, 2009.

The membership directory is published annually and is restricted for the purpose of providing an ECA membership list to members of the Evangelical Church Alliance.

Members are encouraged to use the directory for networking with other ECA members in their area or around the world.

Members are prohibited from using this directory for personal gain or solicitation of any kind.

The directory is not to be sold or distributed in part, or in full to any other organization or individual.

The directory is not to be reproduced electronically or in any other way without the prior written permission of the Evangelical Church Alliance.

The Evangelical Church Alliance requires that members abstain from Immoral Practices such as those listed in: 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 18:22 and Rom. 1:24-29 as interpreted by the Evangelical Church Alliance International Board of Directors.

Such Immoral Practices include the production and use of obscene material and pornography.

Lev. 18:17 makes it clear that it is wickedness to uncover the nakedness of a woman.

Accordingly, it is the policy of the Evangelical Church Alliance:

• To refute the practice,  production, acceptance and promotion of pornography and obscenity.
• That no person who produces, promotes or uses obscene material or pornography may hold credentials with the Evangelical Church Alliance.
• Pornography and obscenity are defined as "Sexually explicit materials that expose the nakedness of a male of female with the obvious intent to stimulate a sexual response." This material may take any form, such as videos, pictures, written or verbal descriptions of a human body or a sexual act designed to stimulate a sexual response.

The International Board of Directors will determine the question of what is pornographic or obscene if this policy is challenged.

1. If a person has been out of membership less than two (2) years, we require an update on their ministry and payment of the proper fees.

1.  If a person has been out of membership more than two (2) years but less than five (5) years they must complete the Reinstatement Application and pay the proper fees.  No references are required.
2.  If a person has been out of membership more than five (5) years, they must complete the Reinstatement Application, submit new references and pay the required fees.  After the file has been reviewed, an interview will be scheduled.
3. If a person has been out of membership more than seven (7) years their file will be discarded and they must complete the standard new member application process when seeking reinstatement.  Any outstanding balances must be paid before being reinstated.

Approved: November 7, 2006