What is Convergence?

Archbishop Charles Travis gives a short introduction into what the CEEC.CHURCH means when we use the term CONVERGENCE

The Short Answer

The CEEC.CHURCH envisions a communion whose life, ministry, and local churches are fully evangelical, fully charismatic, and fully sacramental in their worship expression.

We value all three historic streams of the faith “converging” into one mighty river of the powerful presence of Jesus Christ in his living word, his powerful spirit and his sacramental gifts of enabling grace.

The CEEC.CHURCH is Biblical & Evangelical

The CEEC.CHURCH holds to the truth that the Holy Scriptures are the authoritative Kingdom documents and words of the Covenant, and therefore the Word of God. The Scriptures are inspired and contain all things necessary for salvation and godly living. The CEEC.CHURCH commends the faithful reading, study, and teaching and preaching of the Word of God. The CEEC.CHURCH also embraces the evangelical insistence on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a holy life, and a commitment to evangelism and mission.

The CEEC.CHURCH is Sacramental & Liturgical

The CEEC.CHURCH retains the historic creeds, the episcopacy, and the three-fold nature of ordained ministry. As a Convergence communion, the CEEC.CHURCH embraces the Anglican precedent and seeks to be a true expression of the Ancient/Future Church, making visible the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the Great Commission, and manifesting fully the beauty, glory and power of the One Church and its Lord.

The CEEC.CHURCH is Pentecostal & Charismatic

The CEEC.CHURCH believes in receiving Christ’s mandate to be “clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)  Spiritual gifts are normative in life, worship, and ministry. The presence, power, and working of the Holy Spirit are anticipated in worship, daily acts of service, and in our personal relationship with the Savior.

The CEEC.CHURCH Embraces Biblical Diversity

The Church is universal, comprised of “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language” (Rev. 7:9). The Apostle Paul made clear that the Church is unitary, “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20), holding to catholic (universal) and apostolic faith and order. Although we are “one body”, in its expression the Church is varied and multiform, depending on place, time, nationality and culture. A church in Pakistan may have distinctions and traditions quite different from a church in England. Yet, both are in essence equally authentic and catholic if they are faithful to the pattern of faith and order.

The CEEC.CHURCH is committed to discipling the nations, not exporting a Western expression of the Church. CEEC.CHURCH churches in Africa are encouraged to be African. Chinese churches are encouraged to be Chinese. European churches are encouraged to be western. And yes, African churches in England to be African; so that the Church of God worldwide may reflect the Glory of God with the myriad beauty and variety of all the peoples of the earth.

Furthermore, the CEEC.CHURCH is committed to local church diversity of expression, with communities ranging in experience across the spectrum of our varying rites of worship. As such, the member churches of the CEEC.CHURCH maintain their autonomy of expression and liturgy.

For more information regarding the Rites as experienced in the CEEC.CHURCH see here.

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