Our Structure
We are an independent “episcopal” church; meaning our form of Church governance is in accordance with that established in the New Testament Scriptures. (With Bishops, Presbyters (Priests), and Deacons). While maintaining the traditional New Testament episcopate we do so in the same spirit of corporate love and mutual care that is evident within the Church of the apostolic era. Our leadership is but a part of the “Eldership” of the Body that cares for, edifies, encourages and preserves the Church.
A Different Way.
We function in a very different way compared to most churches, as you can discern by what you will have read so far. In each small group church are elders who guide the church and often will share in teaching the group during meetings. They also make themselves available to help members at other times during the week as needed. Generally one of the elders will be an ordained deacon, but the deacon does not “rule” over the others.
The Parishes.
From there, churches are organized into parishes, usually in groups of two to five, and generally by location. They are cared for by a Presbyter or Priest. They can also be referred to as “pastor”, although each member of the church body does have a pastoral ministry.
The Diocese.
Finally, there is the Bishop, whose primary ministry is to assist, train and guide all of the elders of the Diocese, and to represent the fellowship to the world around them.
Our Effectiveness.
What make us so effective though, are our people. People who are willing to share their time, talent and love with others unselfishly. Knowing that if a member of the church community or the community around us needs support, they will get it. From something as simple as helping a single mom get her car started to providing essential transportation for those who cannot afford it. Watching children during an emergency or simply to give mom and dad a break they otherwise could not afford. Helping a member of the church family with making an important social or business connection or with a project by sharing their computer access. It could even be sharing food, or donating a couch or some clothes to a family in trouble. Whatever it is, our people stand ready to care!
Our Vision.
It is our vision to provide care and service to those in our churches and the community at large, to show true and genuine Christian love to them and to provide programming that can help them heal from the wounds that life inevitably inflicts on them and which also can enrich them so that they will know that God is real and he loves each and every one of them.
Proper Training.
We also understand how important is to provide proper training and guidance for our leadership, so that what has been started will grow and continue with excellence.
Our Offerings.
Since our churches do not have the same overhead of regular institutional churches we can put our offerings toward uses other than building and maintenance costs. We use our resources to provide benevolence, evangelism and support for those who need it.
Community Buildings.
A diocese may choose to have a headquarters church/community center to faciliate in meeting the needs and provide for a gathering place for group that require it.
Sacramental.
We are a “sacramental” church. We hold that the sacraments are visible signs of God’s grace and are powerful aids to the spiritual growth of the individual believer and the Community of Christ. The Primary Sacraments of the church are; Baptism and Communion (the Lord’s Supper).
About Using Liturgies.
We encourage the “form of worship” instructed to the Ante-Nicene Church by the Apostles. We utilize various liturgical expressions as adapted throughout history, by the broader Church. Individual churches have flexibility in how exactly they conduct their services with the approval of their local bishop.
Open Communion.
We hold that a chief purpose of the church is to perpetuate the historical sacramental tradition as instituted by Jesus Christ and preserved through the Apostles and the church. We maintain that the sacraments are channels for the evidence of God’s grace. Therefore we make the sacraments available to all. At our gatherings all reverent, penitent, and faithful Christians are welcomed to receive Communion.
Contemporary.
We are a contemporary embodiment of the eternal Body of Christ. We maintain that the Holy Spirit reveals God’s Truth in means appropriate to the age and that the outward forms of the Apostolic Tradition of Christ’s Church does, indeed, keep pace with human development while maintaining the ageless truths of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We strive to embody the truth of all ages in both our corporate and individual worship as lead by the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Holy Scriptures.
What does it mean to be an Ante-Nicene Christian?
In short, it means you have a deep desire to “Live your faith in Christ as He commanded all who believe in him to do.” Rejecting the precepts of man in favor of adhering to God’s Will for us as given in Scripture and exemplified by the Ante-Nicene Fathers.