ECCI Expansion Handbook

Empowering people to change the world

VISION, MISSION, + values

OUR VISION

“We are a multi-ethnic, relevant, united community of true worshippers filled with the character and the power of the Spirit of God.”

OUR MISSION

“To empower believers to establish God’s kingdom in the earth.”

OUR VALUES Celebration, Education, Excellence, Faith, Family, Fruitfulness, Governance, Integrity, Justice, Service

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

OUR Church

WELCOME TO EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INTERNATIONAL.

Pastor Letha and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Embassy Covenant Church International (ECCI) family of campus churches!

Your unique anointing, gifts, talents and dynamic presence will enrich the Embassy legacy and further advance the vision God has given this part of the Kingdom. We have established an outstanding reputation for quality by God’s grace. Credit for this goes to everyone on the team. As a member of the Embassy Covenant International family of campus churches you will be blessed by your contribution to the work of this House as well as the impartation that comes with being a spiritual son and daughter to Apostle Hugh and Pastor Letha Smith.

ONE CHURH IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS WHO WE ARE

Embassy Covenant Church International is a Kingdom-centered church with a ministry focus of restoring men and women back to their original glory and establishing the kingdom of God in the earth through just rule. This embodies every aspect of the ministry from our motto of “Empowering people to change the world” to the use of the five-fold ministry in edifying the body of Christ.

Embassy Covenant Church International (ECCI) is one church in multiple locations. This means, we have a flagship church and a headquarter office. All of our campuses are governed by one executive board and one presbytery. The executive board oversee, directs, and executes all operations for ECCI and its campuses. The presbytery is comprised of leaders from all ECCI churches and provides oversight and vision to all ECCI churches and ministries.

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

Handbook overview

As we begin this journey to plant our new Embassy Covenant Church International campus, we thought it would be helpful to offer you an overview of you can expect during this journey. This page will serve as your onboarding summary. Each of these phases will be executed by varied teams, which will be determined by the Lead Apostle, Bishop Hugh Daniel Smith. Please Note: while the onboarding summary is being presented in a chronological fashion, some elements may be completed at different points in the journey based on various needs and requirements. But, don’t fret our team will guide you along the way. As we progress down this path, there will be intermittent down time.

ONBOARDING SUMMARY.

DISCOVERY | getting to know you with the lead apostle PHASEs 1, 2

Phases one and two will be facilitated by our Lead Apostle Hugh Daniel Smith. During these one-on-one, intimate meetings, Bishop Smith will create an enviornment where new campus pastors can learn about Embassy Covenant Church International, while Bishop Smith learns more about you and your leaders.

Whether we are planting a new campus or bringing your existing congregation into the ECCI family of campuses, it is important that you know the “scent” or the spirit of this House. During this phase, Bishop Smith will teach campus pastors and their teams (if applicable) these foundational courses:

• Church Builder Program

• Family Builder Program

• 21st Church Model + Opening Regions

• Covenant Relationship

• Spiritual Growth & Becoming

• Ministerial Intensive Training

Also, this phase, which typically happens simultaneously with phase one, Bishop Smith will take time to fulfill the responsibility of “due diligence.” Here he will request insight or request your support in fulfilling;

The Intake Process where he will request you to:

• Complete The Intake Form

• Review Your Resume and Bio

• Complete a background check

• Any other info needed to complete the “Discovery Phase.”

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

ONBOARDING SUMMARY continued.

learn about your new community | education PHASE 3

During phase three campus pastors and campus teams will have an opportunity to learn about the community they are joining. Here the Chief Operating Officer provided you with detailed insight into our structures and the Embassy Way. During this time, you can expect to cover these areas:

• The Embassy Map

• Embassy Covenant Church International Multisite Structures

• Embassy Covenant Church International Presbytery Orientation

MEET THE TEAM| education PHASE 4

Here campus pastors and leaders will continue to learn more about their new Embassy Covenant Church International community. During phase four leaders will take a more indepth look into the functionality and operation while meeting with the members of the executive board, individually. Pastors and leaders can expect to meet with:

• The Chief Operating Officer to cover campus day-to-day operations

• The Chief Financial Officer to cover campus budgets, financial tiers, and financial growth

• The Chief Communications and Marketing Officer to discuss brand identity and campus branding, and awareness building strategies

• The Lead Apostle’s Personal Assistant to offer support and how to access Bishop Smith’s calendar and more

LET’S GET TO WORK | getting your workspace + tools PHASE 5

During phase five you will be equipped with tools you need to function as an Embassy campus. CHANGE: Build Ascension Gifts Team... While your campus isn’t quite ready for a hard launch, you will be empowered to get the word out about your campus. Partnering with marketing you will be able to start the work of the Kingdom! Here we will also establish a regular cadence of meetings with the executive board officers individually to prepare for your launch and after.

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

ONBOARDING SUMMARY continued.

campus soft launch | finding your team PHASE

6

During phase six your campus is now ready to find its leaders! Here you will need to begin thinking about your niche, what services you can offer your community. During this time of serving your community your team will emerge. This phase is your soft launch. Your soft launch can last as long it’s needed. Here is what will need to be in place before your campus can fully open its doors in a hard launch:

Rubric To Release You To Phase Seven

• Leadership Team (This is called the Ascension Gifts Team),

• Operations structure in place,

• Functioning Church Administrator,

• Functioning Business Manager,

• Functioning Marketing Manager

• Procured basic resources to run a service

• Music Team + Sound Engineer

• Guest Service,

• School of the Spiritually Gifted and Called Leaders,

• Kingdom Kids

• CREW

campus HARD launch | OPENING YOUR DOORS PHASE 7

You have completed all that is required in phase six. In phase seven you will work with the Executive Board, your team, and specialty teams to execute your launch service or events!

PHASE ONE and two

During phases one and two a new campus plant, and an existing church that is in process of becoming an Embassy Covenant Church International campus, will spend one-onone time with the Lead Apostle, Bishop Hugh Daniel Smith to complete four vital courses. These sessions can be limited to just the pastors or can include key leadership members. Bishop Smith will provide materials as you go through each training.

CHURCH BUILDER PROGRAM

The Church Builder Program was designed to offer Embassy Covenant Church International (ECCI) campuses, and any other religious organization, with a roadmap to creating solvency, longevity, and trustworthiness as they establish God’s Kingdom in the earth. This course will look at ten guiding principles for every ECCI campus. Leaders can expect to discuss these principles:

Creating A Vision Statement

Creating A Mission Statment

Establishing Core Values

Church Language

Church Roles

Church Systems

The Church Name Church Traditions

Church Genogram Church Succession Plan

FAMILY BUILDER PROGRAM

The Family Builder Program is a natural continuation of the “Church Builder Program.” Any family leader who have decided to “put their hand to the plough,” a strong family life is critical to the health of those leaders and their the campus they lead.

Bishop Smith will work with leaders to establish these ten guiding principles:

Creating A Vision Statement

Creating A Mission Statment

Establishing Core Values

The Family Name

Family Genogram

Family Language

Family Roles

Family Systems

Family Traditions

Family Succession Plan

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

21st church model + ruling regions

As time continues, so do the needs of a generation. During this course you will glean from spiritual cutting-edge revelation as the Holy Spirit gave it to Bishop Smith.

“I strongly recommend that all local pastors consider shifting from a church overseer model to a regional governmental model. It is my firm belief that the current trend in pastoring has focused the pastor’s attention predominately on church operations and its membership. Although this model has served us moderately for several generations, I seriously doubt its ability to effectively facilitate the current move of God. On the other hand, the governmental model may initially feel challenging; however, it is biblical and may be the only way to thrive in the days and years ahead.” – Bishop

Hugh Daniel Smith

4 5

Covenant relationship

Embassy Covenant Church International is a covenant ministry. During this course Bishop Smith will cover our beliefs concerning covenant and its importance as we embark upon new frontiers together.

spiritual growth + Becoming

Here Bishop Smith will cover the tools of the trade for Kingdom transformation. These tools will be useful to every pastor, minister, and believer in your congregation. When used in faith they can transform lives, communities, neighbourhoods, and regions.

Ministerial intensive training 6

This training is packed with practical application and wisdom that every minister of the gospel should know to successfully operate effectlvely in ministry. During this training Bishop Smith will offer campus pastors and their leaders unique insights and personalized training for your campus and its leaders.

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

Phase one and two

Taking a closer look.

As we take a closer look in phases one and two it is important to ensure we are all working from the same base of information. As you progress we will begin to take a closer look at your existing churches structures and leaders, or if you are a new campus plant, we will take a closer look at your leadership. In a process called “Due Diligence.” Here Bishop Smith will begin asking for infomation to fulfill the mandate of due diligence. Here you can expect to complete:

INTAKE FORM

1 2 3

This form will take an in-depth look at your existing church, i.e., do you have bylaws, legal entities associated with you church, and your leadership. This intake form will be given to leaders of new campus plants, if deemed necessary. Bishop Smith will also ask you to agree to a background check and any other items required to complete our mandate of due diligence.

RESUME + BIO

As you spend time with Bishop Smith during your specialized trainings, time getting to know one another, we want to learn about your background. He will ask you for your resume and biographies.

OTHER INFO + REVIEW

After these areas of information gathering have been complete, Bishop will share his findings with the ECCI Executive Board. The board will review and may ask for additional information. If that information is needed, Bishop Smith will request it.

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

PHASE THREE

learn about your new community | education

In phase three the Chief Operating Officer will provide campus pastors and their leaders a lay of the land! You and your leaders will walk through the Embassy Covenant Church International structures by walking through the Embassy Map. Additionally, you will go through two vital orientations: ECCI Structures and ECCI Presbytery, as well as the Standard Operating Procedure Manual. The orientation content is shared in this handbook for your convenience.

1. Embassy Map + Structures

On the next page, please take a moment to review the ECCI Map. This map offers you a high-level view of what our organization looks like. From there we will share visuals of organization charts and provide access to the current Standard Operating Procedures manual.

2. ECCI Presbytery

From there we will also share the content for our Presbytery orientation. Please take a moment to read over everything. This orientation and the structures orientation will be conducted with you and your identified liaison.

3. ECCI STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Having an understanding how Embassy Covenant Church International functions is pivotal to your success. The Chief Operating Officer will cover this material with you and answer any questions you may have.

PHASE THREE CONTINUED

It’s important to note, after a campus is initially established, the Executive team will continue to have standing meetings with your campus to ensure your campus is supported.

AREAS ON THE MAP

Embassy Covenant Church Int’l Campuses

Sheepfolds and Growth Track

Departments and Ministries

Embassy Covenant Records

Missions and Outreach

Diamond Leadership Academy

Embassy Community Development Corporation

ECCI Government

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

PHASE THREE CONTINUED

We encourage you to take some time with the visuals provided here. A link will be available with each presentation, if you have any challenges viewing the presentation through the link, please email mwalker@embassycovenant.org.

PRESBYTERY ORIENTATION | see digital presentation here

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

PHASE THREE CONTINUED

ECCI STRUCTURES ORIENTATION | SEE DIGITAL PRESENTATION HERE

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

PHASE FOUR MEET THE TEAM | education

1. GETTING TO BUSINESS

Once you have completed your orientations, the Chief Operating Officer will continue to work with in establishing your day-to-day operations and training your Church Administrator in managing your daily operations.

3. YOUR PRESENCE

Here you will meet with the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer to get an understanding of your branding standards, along with marketing and communications standards. We will work to get your photos, bios, and online presence together. The Chief Marketing and Communications Officer will help you identify your Marketing Manager and train that person in daily marketing operations.

PHASE Five

2. LET’S TALK STEWARDSHIP

The Chief Financial Officer will connect with you and your leadership to establish financial policies and procedures. Helping you identify your Business Manager and training that person to manage financial day-to-day operation.

let’s get to work| getting your workspace + tools

Working with the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer you and your team will get your ECCI workspace all set up, i.e. establish your email address, phone extensions, communication tools, access to Church Community Builder, the Diamond Leadership Academy and everything else needed to function as a ministry. Here you will receive training on how to use the tools provided.

PHASEs six and seven

CAMPUS SOFT AND HARD LAUNCH

Phases six and seven are based on several factors as described in the overview. Phase six requires you to fulfill the rubric as listed below:

Rubric To Release You To Phase Seven

• Leadership Team (This is called the Ascension Gifts Team),

• Operations structure in place,

• Functioning Church Administrator,

• Functioning Business Manager,

• Functioning Marketing Manager

• Procured basic resources to run a service

• Music Team + Sound Engineer

• Guest Service,

• School of the Spiritually Gifted and Called Leaders,

• Kingdom Kids

• CREW

During this time you will continue to work with your leaders and the executive board on a regular basis and after your hard launch.

EMBASSY COVENANT CHURCH INT’L CAMPUS PLANT ONBOARDING HANDBOOK

195 Ladd Road

Walled Lake, MI 48390

1 947 777 0797

embassy@embassycovenant.org

WWW.EMBASSYCOVENANT.CHURCH