THE CEEC UK

We are part of the World Wide Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches and come under the direct authority of the College of Archbishops of the CEEC. 

I. WE ARE A COMMUNION, NOT A DENOMINATION

A communion reflects the unanimity and singularity of the Apostolic and Patristic Church , while encompassing both Protestant and catholic traditions as well as embracing a multiplicity of expressions of worship and practice. In contrast to a denomination, a communion expresses the organic unity Jesus Christ originally established in His Body, the Church. Rather than emerging from divisions created by historic differences over doctrine and practice, a communion represents a return to unity based on the recovery of the essential oneness of the ancient, medieval, and contemporary church.

Standing within the Celtic and Anglican spiritual traditions, The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches was created by a convergence of the great historical expressions of faith and practice: the Evangelical, the Charismatic, and the Liturgical/Sacramental traditions. The fundamental principals defining inclusion in the Communion are detailed in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886 and 1888 Resolution II.

The four basic statements are:

1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary for salvation" and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.

2. The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of faith.

3. The two Sacraments ordained by 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.

4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.

This definition establishes guidelines for the CEEC and is understood as the essence of the Apostolic Tradition as we seek to express it in the Convergence Movement.

II. CEEC IDENTITY STATEMENT

1. The CEEC defines Anglicanism as English Orthodoxy, developing from the very beginning of the Christian faith in the British Isles and enduring to the present age. Therefore, in our usage, Anglicanism is inclusive of its Celtic origins, Patristic roots, the Medieval Church , the Protestant Reformation, the Wesleyan Evangelical Revival, the Oxford Movement, and the modem Charismatic movement.

We measure Anglican history not only from Thomas Cranmer forward, but also from the Reformation backward. Anglicanism in the CEEC is not shaped by its connection to the See of Canterbury, but by its relationship to history.

2. The elements of Anglicanism are:

1. The priority and authority of Holy Scripture as the source of our knowledge of God.

2. The doctrinal guidance of the Catholic Creeds; Apostle's, Nicene, and Athanasian.

3. The truth that salvation is in the final analysis, the gift of God and by grace alone.

4. The use of liturgy which is faithful to Scripture and embodies the experience of the church in worship over the centuries.

5. The historic episcopate, or the order of bishops, as a sign of the unity of the one Church of God . The English (Anglican) reformers insisted on the retention of the historic order of bishops.

6. The threefold ministry of bishop, presbyter (priest), and deacon as that ministry which God has led the Church to adopt since primitive times.

7. The two Gospel sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion ordained by Christ for regular use in the Church.

8. The unity of the ministry of the Word and Sacrament in the Service of Holy Communion.

9. The need for regular preaching and teaching from the Holy Scriptures.

10. The recognition that the visible unity of the Church on earth is God's will.

11. The need for a regularly reviewed Canon Law, to respond to the unfolding needs of the people and the church.

12. The priesthood of the whole church as a worshiping and praying society.

13. The recognition of the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit and the impartation of gifts and ministries in our time.

14. A commitment to fulfill The Great Commission to winning the world to Jesus Christ into the Third Millenium.

3. The Communion's approach to liturgy and worship is not based on legislative but normative practice as defined by the Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, the historic practice of the Church.

4. We anticipate liturgical practice to be expressed in three broad categories; low or Evangelical Church, broad Church, high or Anglo-Catholic Church. The practice of a local congregation is recognized and determined by its relationship to its bishop.

PARADIGM OF MINISTRY

Liturgical/Sacramental Evangelical Charismatic

Theology Biblical Foundation Five-fold Ministry and Government

Orthodoxy Personal Conversion Power of the Spirit

Universality Evangelism & Mission Spiritual Gifts

Liturgical Worship Pulpit-Centered Worship Charismatic Worship

Social Action Personal Holiness Kingdom

Incarnational understanding of the Church (based on theology, history, and sacramental elements of thought) Biblical and Reformational understanding of the Church (pragmatic and rational) Spiritual, Organic, and functional understanding of the Church (dynamic and informal)

III. DEFINING THE BASIS FOR OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CEEC

The following descriptions define the character of the various levels of connection and participation in ministry with the CEEC:

The context for all relationship is Catholicity.

A) FULL COMMUNION

Includes reciprocity of ministry and full participation in all levels of worship, mission, and practice, and anticipates the following practice and posture:

1. Orthodoxy as defined in the five-fold dictum: One Bible, Two Testaments, Three Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian), Four Councils, Five Centuries,

2. Catholicity arising from the Apostolic and Patristic Era defined by that faith "believed everywhere, always, by everyone",

3. Affirmation of the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, which affirms the authority of Scripture,

4. Embracing the meaning and participation in Apostolic Succession,

5. Pursuit of Convergence practice and ministry,

DEFINITION OF CONVERGENCE IN TERMS OF PRACTICE:

1. The EVANGELICAL stream includes: a high view of scripture, commitment to evangelistic outreach, necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the practice of discipleship.

2. The CHARISMATIC stream affirms: the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit, including the five-fold ministry of the spirit, in addition, the work of the person of the Holy Spirit is held at the highest level of esteem and pursuit, the fullness of the Spirit is sought because the quest for the reality of the Holy Spirit is fully anticipated and practiced.

3. The SACRAMENTAL/LITURGICAL stream practices the two sacraments and expects weekly participation in Holy Communion - historical practice generally anticipates the Common Cup and sacramental wine as the norm, although some cultural settings may require unique adaptation of these practices; affirms Books of Common Prayer from various nations; observes the liturgical years and four great Holy Days (Christmas, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost); and affirms the use of vestments.

4. Identity and self-understanding defined by the Anglican context,

5. Participation in the sacramental principle, implying weekly observance of Holy Communion through Consecration of the obligations, entering into the Real Presence of Christ in the elements. Entry into the Church through baptism,

6. Submission to Episcopal Authority,

7. Embracing catholic practice,

8. Compliance with Canonical standards,

9. Acceptance of basic biblical principles of social action and witness, involving such stands as a pro-life posture, opposition to racism and sexism, and opposition to ordination of practicing homosexual and heterosexuals engaging in sexual behavior outside of marriage.

B) INTER-COMMUNION

Involves full acceptance of each Communions orders of ministry and complete participation in mutual worship services and events, with other specifics defined by agreement:

1. Acceptance of catholicity, as stated above in 1 and 2,

2. Embracing the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral

3. Common acceptance of Convergence and parallel forms of practice

C) NETWORKING

Does not imply reciprocity of ministers and holy orders but suggests a compatibility of mission and common cause, often involving joint and unified effort:

1. Acceptance of Convergence

2. Catholic faith

3. Common vision

IV. CEEC VISION

1. The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC) is a communion of the holy catholic church whose identity and self-understanding is rooted in the Anglican spiritual tradition of being Catholic, Evangelical, Protestant and Reformed. We attempt to maintain and practice the faith as given to us by the Apostles through the mother Church of the worldwide Anglican family - the Church of England.

2. The CEEC envisions a communion whose parishes are fully evangelical, fully charismatic, as well as fully liturgical and sacramental.

3. We believe, as Evangelicals, that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, and that they contain all things necessary for salvation and godly living. We are committed to the faithful reading, studying, teaching, and preaching from the Scriptures; as well as believing that the Holy Scriptures are a wellspring for spiritual maturity. We also embrace the Evangelical distinctiveness that underlines the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a holy life, and a commitment to evangelism and mission.

4. We believe, as Charismatics, that we are to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit. That God's people have always been a spiritually gifted people. From the Apostles to the modern church, Christians have been endowed with a power beyond themselves; a power from the Holy Spirit. This means we encourage our parishes to allow and anticipate His presence and working through spiritual gifts in both our worship and daily acts of service, in a personal relationship with Him.

5. The CEEC is in unity with the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church. This means that at the very center of our worship we are historically liturgical and sacramental. We also retain the historic creeds, episcopacy and three-fold ministry. We believe, as in the Anglicans Spiritual Tradition, that our worship is to be liturgical, and for us that is best expressed and informed through the Book of Common Prayer. It draws its worship practices and liturgy from different points of time - from the ever evolving, rich and comprehensive traditions of catholic faith and practice, to the influences of the Protestant Reformation.

6. The CEEC is Protestant and Reformed--in its use of the Holy Bible as its guide, justification by faith, and following the Word and Works of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

7. The CEEC vision is to be a contemporary Church where there is a Convergence of ministry, rooted in the ancient and historical truths of the Church Universal, with contemporary worship, while reaching to the future in relevant ways, meeting the needs of unchurched and churched people. It is a via media, accepting both Catholics and Protestants as "one in Christ."

V. DOCTRINAL POSITION: DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

It is by grace through the creation by God the Father, faith in Christ Jesus by the witness of the Holy Spirit, trusting in the inspiration and supremacy of the Holy Scriptures and with confirming hearts and minds that we affirm the Doctrinal Essentials of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. The primary role of the Church is the expansion of the Kingdom of God . The people, clergy and bishops of the CEEC extend open membership and communion to denominations, churches, synods, clergy and individuals who accept freely and willingly conformity to these essential principles of the doctrine of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches.

We celebrate and affirm biblical and anointed spiritual ministry throughout the world to everyone. There is only "one faith, one hope, and one baptism, one God, and Father of us all" (Eph. 4: 5-6). Therefore, one head Jesus Christ, and one pure body of Christ, the Church. We share a ministry of faith, unity and reconciliation in a church that recognizes apostolic succession, authority, and shared ministry oversight in local independent churches and clergy, the fullness of Christian worship and spirituality in the convergence of streams in the body of Christ: Evangelical, Spirit-filled, and Liturgical and Sacramental.

1. The CEEC holding to "the faith once delivered unto the saints" declares its belief in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, and the sole rule of faith and practice as interpreted by tradition, reason and experience, in the creeds, commonly called the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Creed of Saint Athanasius, and we affirm the doctrines as substantially set forth in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, the Baltimore Declaration, and the Chicago Call: An Appeal to Evangelicals.

This Communion recognizes and adheres to the historic episcopacy; not as a divine right, but as a very ancient and desirable form of church polity; adapted to the varying needs of the peoples called of God into the unity of His Church.

2. This Communion, retaining Liturgy which shall not be imperative or repressive of freedom in prayer, accepts The Book of Common Prayer, as it was revised, proposed, and recommended for use by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, A.D. 1785, and subsequent editions of 1928 and 1979, preserving the right of each congregation to select the form it so desires. The Communion reserving full liberty to alter, abridge, enlarge, and amend the same, as may seem most conducive to the edification of the people, "provided that the substance of the faith be kept entire."

VI. THE CEEC DOCTRINAL ESSENTIALS

A) We affirm decision-making based on Scripture, tradition, and Godly wisdom. The Holy Scriptures are self-attesting and the essence of Truth which require our unreserved submission in all areas of our lives. The infallible and trustworthy written Word of God is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts, which culminated in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority in matters of faith and life.

B) The Word of God, Incarnate and written, provides the foundation for the following which doctrines we affirm along with Apostles' and Nicene Creeds:

1. We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator, sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and worship forever!

2. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the Living Word become flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His birth of the Virgin Mary. He who is true God became true man. His two natures are united in one person forever. He lived a sinless life and died on a cross, a perfect sacrifice for our sins, according to the Scriptures. On the third day He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, seated at the right hand of the Almighty Majesty on High, He mediates as our High Priest and Head of the Church. Jesus Christ is the exclusive Messiah. The only Way to salvation, the only Truth and the only Life in whom people may put their trust and obtain eternal life.

3. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to the hearts of sinful, repentant people. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Jesus baptizes His disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit and empowers them through multiple infillings to do the supernatural work of ministry in His Name. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Holy Scriptures, instructs the hearts of believers, and corporately and consensually guides us into all truth.

4. Being estranged from God and condemned by our falleness our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God's unmerited favor and graciousness. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifying them in His Holy Presence. Only those who are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ, in word and obedient action, as Savior and Lord, become children of God, members of the Body of Christ and heirs of eternal life.

5. The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church , the true Church, is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, are united together in the Body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the Sacraments are administered in their integrity, scriptural discipline is practiced, and loving fellowship is maintained to nurture the believers in the life of Christ. For her perfecting, the Church awaits the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth--suddenly, personally, visibly, and bodily--to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. We seek to faithfully serve Christ in the world as His ambassadors as we joyfully anticipate His appearing.

7. The Christian's mission is to follow the Messiah's first and principal command, the Great Commandment: "Hear, 0 Israel , the Lord our God is one." We, individually and corporately, are commanded and therefore choose of our own God-given will, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength. Our mission is to demonstrate that we are Christians by certifying our Holy Spirit inspired and empowered nature, demonstrating Almighty God's gracious love through us, individually and corporately, in word and action, by pursuing the highest and best interests of our neighbors, showing the same concern we have for ourselves.

8. As we endeavor to meet the standards of God's love, we are to fulfill the Risen Jesus of Nazareth's Great Commission: "Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in The Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you."

9. Human beings are not God but were created in His likeness and image. The creation serves and is sustained by the Creator. We were created for communion with God and one another in purity and in accordance with the Holy Scriptures. Communion with God and the believers is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Self-control includes fidelity in heterosexual marriage, abstinence from any homosexual contact, and continence outside the bonds of marriage. Self-control includes moderation in all matters that could jeopardize the health, safety, and legal standing of the individual created in God's image. In matters where human law, custom, or reason conflict, or appear to conflict, with the God's commandments, as revealed in Scripture, the disciples' loyalty to Scripture takes precedence.

10. We affirm the Author of Life, the stewardship of creation, through environmental preservation, and the protection and validation of the irrevocable and inherent sanctity and dignity of all forms of human life, from conception to the grave. We affirm peaceful resolution and reconciliation of conflicts between persons, groups and nations, where possible.

11. This Communion recognizes the divine institution of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of institution, and the elements ordained by Him.