The Wesleyan Church Accredited by ECFA

Press release today found here on the Christian News Wire website.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., June 12, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — The Wesleyan Church has demonstrated its commitment to faithful stewardship, financial accountability and transparency by receiving accreditation from ECFA, the national financial accountability organization announced today.

“We are pleased to include in our membership a denomination committed to offering the good news that faith in Jesus Christ makes possible a wonderful personal relationship with God, a holy life empowered by His Holy Spirit for witness and service, and assurance of eternal life in heaven,” said Dan Busby, president of ECFA.

The announcement came as church leaders met in Lexington, Ky., recently to set policy, approve legislation and elect a new general superintendent, The Rev. Dr. Jo Anne Lyon.

“As part of The Wesleyan Church’s responsibility to all people, we pledge our commitment to following faithful stewardship practices by seeking and obtaining accreditation through ECFA,” Lyon said. “The standards ECFA sets for accountability are centered in biblical teachings and Christian faith, and will help us equip and empower our churches in their mission and ministry to make disciples for Christ.”

A member of the ECFA board, Lyon, who was elected as one of three General Superintendents in 2008, is the first woman in the history of the denomination to serve in the position. Following the denomination’s vote to restructure the board, reducing the number of superintendents to one, Lyons was elected the sole General Superintendent.

ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship(tm), including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising.
The Wesleyan Church joins a growing number of Christ-centered churches and ministries across America, supported by more than 20 million donors, which have earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.

The ECFA = The Evangelical Counsel for Financial Accountability. I’ll be interested to see the down-hill effect this accreditation will have on our local churches. More on the ECFA here.