A Trappist Monastery just outside of Atlanta was the setting for the Charismatic Episcopal Church Working Group on Catechism and Christian Education.
The Working Group was led by Bishop Michael Davidson from the Central Province. Fr. Peter Donatelli will serve as the Chairman of the Group. Other members of the group are: Dr. Virginia Sharpe, Dr. Jean Marsh, Fr. Donald Rossiter, Fr. Jeff Welch, Fr. Phil Chapman, Fr. Jon Jackson, Dn. Steve Phelps, and Dn. Herb Purick. Fr. Randall Allen, the previous Chairman of the group, will serve as an advisor.
Under the direction of the Patriarch, Archbishop Craig Bates, the group was given the challenge to use the format of the 1979 BCP Catechism, and develop what can best be described as a “convergence” Catechism geared to presenting the theological identity of the CEC.
With a specific focus on our current Identity Statement (see below), the process for developing Christian Education materials will involve three phases:
1. Develop a statement on a Christian Philosophy of Education. This is critical in providing direction for all that is developed.
2. Provide a draft of a Catechism that expresses our identity. Currently we are seeking international involvement in this effort. We need individuals from other countries to be part of the group since the Catechism is a unifying statement for the ICCEC worldwide.
3. Develop educational materials for use by local parishes. This will flow out of the first two phases.
Preliminary drafts of the Philosophy of Education and Catechism will be presented to the Patriarch for review at the International Convocation on July 31, 2008. With his approval the materials will then be presented to the Theological Working Group for review. The Patriarch’s Council will then review the materials along with the House of Bishop’s.
We are thankful to God for gathering us together at this time in the history of our Communion. We are all moving forward, forging the future with great excitement.
Our Identity Statement:
We are men and women of faith gathered from diverse backgrounds seeking an expression of the church that is fully sacramental-liturgical, evangelical, and charismatic.
We are a church that is submitted to the authority of scripture, as interpreted by the continuing witness of the ancient church and governed by consensus.
Our worship is Biblical, liturgical and Spirit filled, ancient and contemporary, holy and joyful. We are committed to advancing God’s kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel to the least, the lost and the lonely.
A Church fully Sacramental/Liturgical: At the center of worship is the sacrament of Holy Eucharist (The Lord’s Supper) in which we believe is the Real Presence of Christ. We celebrate the living historic forms of the liturgies of the Church, and the seven Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper), Reconciliation (Confession), Healing, Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony.
A Church fully Evangelical: We are a church holding to a high view of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, believing them to contain all things necessary for salvation; nothing can be taught as necessary for salvation that is not contained in the scriptures. We are committed to the preaching of the Gospel to fulfill the great commission. We believe that we are saved by grace alone and justified by faith in Christ who is calling us to a personal relationship with Him.
A Church fully Charismatic: We are a church open to the historic working of the Holy Spirit. We believe that through the baptism of the Holy Spirit all believers are empowered to participate in the fullness of ministry. The baptism of the Holy Spirit releases in the believer both the fruit and gifts of the Spirit for the building up of the church and the advancement of
the Kingdom.Consensus Government: We are a church governed by Bishops in apostolic succession who are humbly submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to each other. We are a house of prayer at all levels of government, desiring to hear the voice of God. Decisions are made in council upon coming to consensus. The church is administered by the orders of Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Laity. All Baptized Christians are ministers of the church.
