These Catholics would be working to deliberately include more, We believe that the Holy Scriptures found in the Old and New Testament are divinely inspired. Convergence provides a mentorship program for school age children in partnership with Dekalb County schools and partners with Pastor Paige Smith to educate school age children through Thrive Schools, a multisite play school in Stone Mountain, GA. Every month Convergence does food drives in partnership with other local churches in the Atlanta metro area, feeding thousands of families and helping with food rescue in the city. Like Christ, we seek to serve rather than to be served. A small element exists within Eastern Orthodoxy. March 2, 2023. A GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF SIGN AND SYMBOL IN WORSHIP THROUGH BANNERS, CROSSES, CHRISTIAN ART AND CLERICAL VESTMENTS, 7. Although we are not Roman Catholic, our Communion is unapologetically and consistently catholic and we make this assertion because we embrace the sacramental and liturgical life of the historic Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Convergence Movement: "A Cross Denominational Kingdom Builders Alliance & Leadership Empowerment Zone" . The key to attaining membership in our Communion is found in building meaningful relationships with our members and leaders. What is the process for those wishing to join the C.CC.? Decatur, GA 30033, Faithful Futures for Fragile Congregations. In June of 2021, our governing Councils approved a transition to an affinity-based model. Unlike in more traditional Diocesan and Eparchial models found in mainline and canonical churches our Communion does not assign episcopal oversight through geographic means. Ecumenism | Definition, Christianity, History, Importance, Examples [8], The pioneers of the Convergence Movement were seeking to restore a primitive form of Christianity different from what the Restoration Movement taught. Characteristics of Convergence Christianity - Darkwood Brew Our Communion embraces the creeds, sacraments, and historic episcopate in apostolic succession of the Church Catholic. During this consideration period, our Bishops review their findings and make a decision for membership. All applicants must submit an application and pass a background check prior to being considered for membership. [47][5], Since the advent of Convergence Christianity, numerous denominations and organizations have sought or claimed apostolic succession through excommunicated Roman Catholic bishops and wandering bishops of Anglican and Orthodox traditions including Carlos Duarte Costa, Arnold Mathew, Joseph Vilatte, Aftimios Ofiesh, and others in order to preserve doctrinal and apostolic continuity and establish sacramental legitimacy. ecumenism, movement or tendency toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation. Convergence supports the reshaping of organizations, congregations and leaders engaged in an age of movement from "organized religion" to "organizing religion" driven by the values of an inclusive, progressive theological vision for a more just world for all. The clergy within expression would lead services would befully vested. 2 0 obj For those who are not doing ministry in a local church it is important to maintain a spiritual home and faith community. The modern English words Priest is descended from the Greek root. Charismatic Movement (Greek charismata,spiritual gifts), international, interdenominational Christian revivalistic movement, also referred to as Neo-Pentecostalism. As a Convergence communion, the CEEC 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. Each of these questions have been gleaned from the numerous social media and in-person interactions that our members and leaders have participated in over the past few years. You can learn more about our leaders, our polity and review our Constitution and Canon by clicking the below. We encourage everyone to participate in whatever way you feel comfortable. All rights reserved. An informative article about this form of Christianity can be found. Learn more Watch Church planting Start a new church, campus or multiply your church Strengthen your church Lead you and your church to long-term health Global missions Reach people with the gospel in key areas of the world Beginning with the 25-person Costa Mesa congregation in 1965, Smith's influence now extends to "more than 1,000 churches nationwide and hundreds more overseas", some of which are among the largest churches in the United States.He has been called "one of the most . Due to the dispersed nature of our Communion, establishing meaningful relationships can be challenging. Helping you discern your call as a missionary. Our clerics are organized through the lens of Church history in which Deacons, Elders and Bishops supported the community. , we mean that we are an open, affirming, and grace-filled Communion believing that Christs love and ministry are open to all - regardless of anyones denominational background, political party, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, or age. Scholars estimate that there are over 2600 groups today who lay claim to being the Church, or at least the direct descendants of the Church described in the New . 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. You can learn more about our leaders, our polity and review our Constitution and Canon by clicking the below. Indeed, many leaders in the fledgling movement describe their experience as a compelling journey or pilgrimage. Many times, in very unsought-after ways, sovereign events, relationships, books or insights gave rise to an understanding of the church that was quite different from their previous perspectives and backgrounds. More About Us Strategic Planning PDF What is the convergent church movement? - Van Anne.com "Schism in the Order". Haywood-Larsen, the General Council appointed Rev. For Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, holy orders rank among the seven sacraments. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: xYn1DG]o%x3t5*+|hvh( ` vC@DboCh3G#{>Zn2ldJn5uIG;G/h!NZ|55vt6o($"LM}MIV(L2G1)qb]k%8i vuHwu`Eq$=C$3Dtb}tO8.p4 " Those who are being drawn by the Lord into this convergence of streams are characterized by several common elements. [10][11][12][13], Peter Guillquist and the Evangelical Orthodox Church, The Chicago Call and Three Streams, One River, Transitions to Roman Catholicism and the ACNA, Transitions from the Anglican realignment, Convergence Christianity and Eastern Orthodoxy, were calling Christians back to what they saw as their roots. See also Holiness Churches. Are you interested in joining Convergence Church or Convergence Movement? Convergence also equips future pastors through a 2 year multifaceted program to prepare aspiring pastors/church planters for the work of ministry. These men, along with theologians, scripture scholars, and pastors in a number of Protestant denominational traditions, were calling Christians back to what they saw as their roots in the early Church prior to the Great Schism and rise of the state church of the Roman Empire. The River | Charlotte | Convergence 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Once we become members, what is required of us? The Pentecostal churches had their origin in a similar movement in the early 20th century, as small groups of believers withdrew from Protestant denominations in order to pray, study the Bible, and practice their gifts. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; von Folmar laid the foundation for what is today the Convergent Catholic Communion. In 2022, Archbishop Sterling Lands II of the Evangelical Episcopal Communion (once part of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches),[41][42] and Archbishop Deng Dau Deng, a former archbishop-elect of the Anglican Church of South Sudan,[43] joined The African Episcopal Church, a province of the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches. Our Communion was borne out of the vision of two ministers - the Reverend Drew Haywood-Larsen, our late founder, and the Most Reverend Kenneth von Folmar, our current Presiding Bishop. Most charismatics, however, are orthodox in doctrine, and emphasize activity. We are the founders and leaders of Convergence Movement. ThetermEvangelicalism has been a source of controversy, and the precise relationship or distinction between Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism has been disputed. Largely a result of the ecumenical movement and its foundation primarily attributed to Robert E. Webber, the Convergence Movement developed as an effort among evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic, and . Ends of the Earth. A LOVE AND EMBRACE FOR THE WHOLE CHURCH, AND A DESIRE TO SEE THE CHURCH AS ONE, 4. The convergence model, which draws from a variety of traditions, exists in nearly every denomination. An increasing number of local congregations and leaders from many backgrounds are finding treasures old and new in the spiritual heritage of the church universal. They emphasize strict orthodoxy (following of established rules or traditions) on cardinal doctrines, morals, and especially on the authority of the Bible. THE CONVERGENCE MOVEMENT [Click to download PDF] WRITTEN IN 1992 BY BISHOP WAYNE BOOSAHDA AND RANDY SLY FOR THE COMPLETE LIBRARY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP, ROBERT WEBBER, ED. Most convergence churches have a dominant base one particular expression of' the church that regulates the others. Hopkins, Joseph (April 21, 1978). MultiChurch: Exploring the Future of Multisite Liturgical/ Sacramental Evangelical Charismatic the Convergence Movement If you are interested in being a member of our ministry, Convergence Church or a church/ministry in Convergence Network of Churches and Ministries (CNET) then please see this link to begin the application process. They feel most at home going to a service that is some iteration of the classical non-liturgical experience. According to the Code of Canon Law within the Roman Catholic Church, all Catholic bishops are able to ordain in holy orders, yet ordinations without authorization are deemed illicit and result in automatic excommunication (and for some, laicization, i.e., Emmanuel Milingo).[49][50]. Church planting, strengthening and global missions | Converge Starting and strengthening churches together worldwide. New Years Resolutions for Digital Ministry.