A little more about us...
"Ecumenical in mission, Apostolic in origin, Relevant in ministry."
What is the mission of The Free Episcopal Church USA, Inc. (TIFPECUSA)? It is the same message that God has been speaking to all peoples 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, grace and compassion!
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 us.
As St. Andrew once said about the work of Christ: "Come and see."
The Free Episcopal Church USA, Inc., (stemming from an ecumenical church ministry founded in 1897 AD) is an "independent" ecclesiastical ministry stemming from a broad evangelical and Anglican heritage.
First od all, while Anglicanism is indeed one of the largest associations of Christian churches in the world, we are independent ("free") of that particular official Communion. Yet we are truly and universally an Anglican-based mission and ministry. The Anglican-catholic heritage is historically and sacramentally derived from the ministry of the early apostles and missionaries that evangelized Great Britain circa 156 A.D. We are liturigical, just as the early church became, over time. For Anglican Christians, this liturgical heritage has developed over time into the various jurisdictions and communions that utilize the various editions of the Book of Common Prayer, The English Missal, and the Methodist Discipline, as well as other liturgical rites and expressions. It should be noted, however, that historical texts, rites, and liturgies are not to be valued over and above the charisma of the Holy Spirit's leading. Our liturgical freedom and expression does not mandate a particular rite or liturgy that is not meaningful to the people "doing the work" of worship and praise! Worship may indeed occur within liturgy, however, liturgy should not be automatically confused with worship!
Additionally, we embrace and celebrate much of the recent scholarly and archeological discoveries that serve to liberate us from the more "fundamentalistic" perspectives of the Bible, as well as some of these "baser" understandings of the classical teachings of the historic catholic church. Thus, we are empowered to apply the timeless truths of the scriptures to a post-modern and progressive society. We hold that this was given by the example of Christ when dealing with the "Old Testament" and the religion of His day. Thus, we are free to apply and interpret the many traditions of historic christianity from a post-modern and theologically progressive perspective.
Finally, we are a missions-minded group of community-based chaplains and clergy serving in neighborhoods, parish ministries, as well as national and international missionary endeavors. We serve all of God's children, wherever they may be, and for us, this is most often outside of the traditional church building (St. Matthew 22:9).
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, Inc. (TIFPECUSA) 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 our historic faith traditions.
"That which binds us will indeed seem far more than that which separates and divides us."
