The Free Episcopal Church USA (TIFPECUSA)
"A new mission...a new day...pursuing Jesus."
There's really nothing new about the mission of The Free Episcopal Church USA, Inc. (TIFPECUSA)...it is the same message that God has been trying to get across to mankind since the dawn of time, it is the same mission that all of nature conveys, it is the same mission as taught in all the sacred writings of all who have loved God throughout all time...it is the message of God's unconditional love!
What is different is the radically progressive and ecumenical nature of this Free Church, for example:
- The liturgical and spiritual freedom of our clergy.
- The "down-to-earth" ministries we celebrate.
- The annointing of the Spirit of God that rests upon our ministries.
As St. Andrew once said: "Come and see."
The Free Episcopal Church USA, Inc. (TIFPECUSA) is an "independent" church ministry stemming from a broad evangelical and Anglican heritage.
Anglicanism is one of the largest associations of Christian churches in the world. It's heritage derives from the historic Church of England and the ministry of the early Apostles that evangelized Great Britain. Within this venerable heritage we are known for holding to the unique authority of the Holy Bible, the heritage of the church-catholic, and the value of reason. We uphold the classic teachings of Christianity and the Ecumenical Creeds, however, from a post-modern and theologically progressive perspective. We are also confessional with regards to upholding the spirit and intent of the Thirty-Nine Articles in a progressive, contemporary and ecumenical fashion. We are liturigical, just as the early church was...for Anglican Christians, this liturgical heritage has developed over time into the Book of Common Prayer, The English Missal, and other liturgical rites and expressions. It should be noted, however, that historical text, rites, and liturgies are not to be valued over and above the freedom of the Holy Spirit's leading.
We embrace much of the recent scholarship and archeology that serves to liberate us from a "fundamentalistic" perspective on the classical teachings of the historic catholic (universal) church and feel empowered to apply timeless truths to a post-modern society.
We are also a missions-minded group of community-based chaplains serving in parish ministry, military settings, along with national and international missionary endeavors. We serve all of God's children, wherever they may be, and for us, this is often times outside the traditional church building.
Love. Grace. Life.
We all need love. We seek from our parents, our freinds, our teachers, and others even turn to drugs or other dangerous obsessions in an effort to get love, feel love, and be unconditionally loved. The truth is that the only one that loves us unconditionally is God. God "demonstrated" that love to us through Jesus Christ. Come to Christ, and journey into love.
Grace is given to us by God to walk on our path in this life with an inner recognition of His love. Grace enables us to serve others. Grace enables us to not only sense the forgiveness God offers to us, but to plant the seeds of forgiveness with every step we take.
Life is complete when we personally know the unconditional love of God, and actually live within the ocean of His grace.
The Free Episcopal Church USA seeks to bring love, grace, and life to our homes, neighborhoods and communities through contemporary and deeply meaningful expressions of the historic sacramental life of the Anglican-Catholic faith tradition.
"That which binds us will indeed seem far more than that which separates and divides us."
