"Ecumenical in Mission, Apostolic in Origin, Relevant in Ministry"
We hold to the truth that all people are created by God, are the children of God, that all people are entirely loved by God, and are absolutely accepted by God (Micah 6:8). The universal church - the entire Body of Christ - belongs to Him and Him alone. However, within an historical context, TIFPECUSA is an independent association of clergy and religious. Some of our ecumenical roots began with a group of bishops in Europe in 1897 that had a vision for Christian sacramental unity. Additional roots of our current ministry also includes historical ties to the Eastern, Old and other Catholic jurisdictions. Today, we stand within a universal Anglican-Catholic tradition that includes aspects of our independent heritage: Eastern Catholic, Old Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist and Franciscan expressions of our historical yet progressive faith in Christ.
Within our ecumenical and diverse jurisdiction, we strive to:
"...walk in newness of life...". - Romans 6:4
Please note: The International Free Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA, 1897 AD, uses their truncated name: The Free Episcopal Church USA for convenience of reference.
The historical "Free Protestant Episcopal Church" was originally founded by four ecumenically-minded Catholic-Christian Bishops in Europe in 1897 A.D. Over the years, it has been known to embrace several divergent faith traditions and sacramental expressions, all the while, holding dear the unity that we all share in Christ! Theses bishops were consecrated with Apostolic Succession and authorized to begin their ecumenical ministry from within the combined heritage of Eastern Catholic and Anglican-Catholic churches. This church body has typically been a small, yet dynamic and ecumenical one. Currently, The Free Episcopal Church USA, Inc. (TIFPECUSA) stands as one of the remaining branches of that same "Free Protestant Episcopal Church" that begun in 1897. We celebrate our ecumenical roots and welcome those from a variety of backgrounds to find their ministerial home with us!
With over 110 years of global ministry and history behind this jurisdiction, our religious and missionary church organization is now known in the United States and in the Americas as: The Free Episcopal Church USA (TIFPECUSA). Within our particular organization we have members from Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical, Methodist and Episcopal backgrounds.
The Order of Servant Franciscans (OSF), a canonical Third Order, and our diversity of Chaplain Ministries are noteworthy.
TFECUSA is an "independent" or "free" ecclesiastical association.
While we retain a great degree of respect for the historical church bodies within Christianity, our only "official" association with them is via our ecumenical membership in the International Council of Community Churches. As members of the ICCC-USA, we value the "community church movement" and its role to reach out to the many dispersed faithful throughout our own highways and hedges (St. Luke 14:23). May our Lord hasten the day that we are all more clearly united in Spirit and truth (Ephesians 4:4-6; St. John 10:16 & 17:23). Of course, in Christ Jesus, we are all one body.
The Free Episcopal Church USA, Glendale, AZ
+Ken, OSF
Servant-Protector
As a point of respectful clarity, The Free Episcopal Church USA (TIFPECUSA) is not in intercommunion with The Episcopal Church (TEC) or the worldwide Anglican Communion.
