Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches

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The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches is an Anglican Christian denomination, formed in 1994 largely as a result of the Convergence Movement. The CEEC converges the evangelical, charismatic, liturgical, and sacramental traditions of the Christian faith.

[edit] Beliefs

The fundamental principles defining inclusion in the Communion are detailed in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886.

The four basic statements are:

  • The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all the things necessary for salvation" and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
  • The Apostle's Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of faith.
  • The two Sacraments ordained by the Christ Himself - Baptism and the Supper of the Lord - ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of institution, and the elements ordained by Him.
  • The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God in the Unity of His Church.

[edit] Organization

The CEEC International College of Archbishops now numbers 4 (as of 2007), together with 34 bishops representing provincial families around the world. Rather than jurisdictional lines built upon geographic areas, the CEEC establishes dioceses and provinces relationally.

The CEEC ordains women to the diaconate and priesthood.

Most parishes in the U.S. use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of The Episcopal Church. The CEEC's practice here is contrast to most of the Continuing Anglican churches which use the 1928 edition or earlier versions of the BCP.

[edit] History

In early 1994 members of a charismatic renewal parish in the Episcopal Church USA, together with their rector, began to conceptualize a vision of a new communion of churches that would be tied to the historic Anglican spiritual tradition, while experiencing "convergence" of the streams of the Church. Archbishop John Kivuva was connected with and agreed to serve as transitional Presiding Bishop for the new body, tentatively called the Evangelical Episcopal Church. (Bishop Kivuva at that time was a bishop with the Africa Inland Mission movement and had oversight over a number of churches in Kenya.)

In October 1995 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, approximately 300 people gathered, representing a wide variety of denominational backgrounds and 25 independent congregations who had come into relationship with the new group. Bishop Michael Owen, Archdeacon Beth Owen and two other bishops in apostolic succession from Eastern Orthodox and Old Catholic jurisdictions were present to help in the consecrating of their first two bishops and the ordination of 25 pastors and 7 deacons. The first two bishops consecrated included Vincent McCall (who later seceeded from the EEC) Russell McClanahan, currently archbishop of the CEEC Province of St. Peter. [1] Initially, five congregations fully affiliated with the new communion.

In November 1995 Bishop Owen was asked unanimously by the new bishops of the Evangelical Episcopal Church to serve as their first Presiding Bishop. Two small ads had been placed in Christianity Today magazine, one in 1994 and one in mid 1995, which brought in an overwhelming response of interest across the U.S. from leaders of differing backgrounds showing interest in the vision of the convergence of the streams in this new communion. The total number of responses neared 1600 and inundated the new communion. As growth began to take place through pastors and congregations affiliating, international interest began to emerge, and by the fall of 1996 interest from 5 other nations besides the USA was being seriously expressed. New missionary bishops were consecrated and new missionary dioceses were established.

In January 1997 the 6 bishops meeting in synod voted to reconstitute and reincorporate the Evangelical Episcopal Church as "The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches" to reflect the international growth and the needs for eventual provincial structuring. Six nations were now represented in affiliation, and strong interest in affiliation was expressed by a group in the Philippines comprising close to 3,000 congregations under their independent Pentecostal/charismatic overseers and founders.

In 1997 the Rev. Duraisingh James, a priest and church planter with the Church of South India for 17 years at that time and long-time head of Christian Education for the Church Union of South India, traveled to meet with the USA founding House of Bishops and indicated his desire to affiliate with the CEEC, together with the 30 churches under his oversight. Shortly thereafter, Fr. Duraisingh was consecrated as Missionary Bishop for India, and later as Archbishop for the CEEC Province of India. His ministry and the number of churches in India have continued to flourish. Since 1999 two new bishops have been consecrated/received into the Province of India with three dioceses numbering over 75 congregations, along with a seminary founded by Archbishop James.

In 2005 the CEEC USA province joined with the International Communion of Christian Churches to form the Communion of Convergence Churches, USA. In 2006 this relationship was strengthened as the international CEEC organization entered into "co-communion" with the CCCUSA.[2]