Christian Communion International
Encyclopedia
The Christian Communion International is a family of Christian churches and worship communities around the world - formed largely as a result of the Convergence Movement
- with church networks in Africa, South America, Asia, North America and Europe. There are approximately 200,000 members. More than 2,000 ministers are serving in local worship communities and chaplaincies. The International Ceremonial Seat of the Primate is Jerusalem. The administrative offices of CCI, Province USA, are located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
.
(CEEC) and the International Communion of Christian Churches (ICCC). In October 2007, the name Christian Communion International was chosen by the House of Bishops
as the universal identity of the communion. The Christian Communion International is a constituent part of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches and functions as a "communion within a communion," sharing the same doctrine and commitment to unity and mission as the CEEC, with each retaining their own liturgy, theology, spirituality, discipline and hierarchy of jurisdiction.
and The Apostles' Creed
. Their beliefs are stated in the Preamble and Constitution of Book I of the CCI Canons and the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral
1886, 1888.
The CCI acknowledges and blends the three main streams of Christian worship in church history: evangelical
, sacramental and charisma
tic. The leadership of CCI has integrated the inspiration from Christian theologians such as Lesslie Newbigin
and Robert Webber
. CCI follows the practices, beliefs and life of the early Celtic church and early Methodism, which they feel became a signpost for the Convergence Movement.
s. The House of Bishops, who govern collegially, provide the general oversight of the communion. At each level of the communion structure, leadership is elected and appointed to serve the dioceses, parish churches and other areas of service and ministry. The CCI Canons govern the way mission is accomplished and the manner in which communion organizations are regulated.
Provinces are generally made up of dioceses that exist (a) within a country's borders or (b) within a clearly defined ethno-linguistic group that may spill across international boundaries. We also provisionally recognize several bishop directed families of churches and affiliated ministries that are non-geographic/non-ethno-linguististic networks. Church networks in several nations are currently functioning under the jurisdiction of the Apostolate for the Nations until such time that a Province is warranted for the specific regions.
The Most Reverend Quintin Moore is the Presiding Bishop of the CCI.
Convergence Movement
The Convergence Movement refers to a move among evangelical and charismatic churches in the United States to blend charismatic worship with liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer and other liturgical sources. The Movement was inspired by the spiritual pilgrimages of modern Evangelical writers...
- with church networks in Africa, South America, Asia, North America and Europe. There are approximately 200,000 members. More than 2,000 ministers are serving in local worship communities and chaplaincies. The International Ceremonial Seat of the Primate is Jerusalem. The administrative offices of CCI, Province USA, are located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach is an unincorporated seaside community in St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Located eighteen miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville and north of St. Augustine, it is part of the Jacksonville Beaches area. It is an upmarket tourist resort area best known for its...
.
History
CCI was established in September 2005 as the result of a merger of Province USA of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal ChurchesCommunion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches
The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches is an Anglican Christian Communion, formed in 1995 largely as a result of the Convergence Movement...
(CEEC) and the International Communion of Christian Churches (ICCC). In October 2007, the name Christian Communion International was chosen by the House of Bishops
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops is the third House in a General Synod of some Anglican churches and the second house in the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.-Composition of Houses of Bishops:...
as the universal identity of the communion. The Christian Communion International is a constituent part of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches and functions as a "communion within a communion," sharing the same doctrine and commitment to unity and mission as the CEEC, with each retaining their own liturgy, theology, spirituality, discipline and hierarchy of jurisdiction.
Beliefs
The Bible is their all-sufficient rule for faith and practice and is summarized in the Nicene CreedNicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
and The Apostles' Creed
Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed , sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol"...
. Their beliefs are stated in the Preamble and Constitution of Book I of the CCI Canons and the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral
Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral
The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, frequently referred to as the Lambeth Quadrilateral or the Lambeth-Chicago Quadrilateral, is a four-point articulation of Anglican identity, often cited as encapsulating the fundamentals of the Communion's doctrine and as a reference-point for ecumenical...
1886, 1888.
The CCI acknowledges and blends the three main streams of Christian worship in church history: evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
, sacramental and charisma
Charisma
The term charisma has two senses: 1) compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others, 2) a divinely conferred power or talent. For some theological usages the term is rendered charism, with a meaning the same as sense 2...
tic. The leadership of CCI has integrated the inspiration from Christian theologians such as Lesslie Newbigin
Lesslie Newbigin
Bishop James Edward Lesslie Newbigin was a Church of Scotland missionary serving in the former Madras State , India, who became a Christian theologian and bishop involved in missiology, ecumenism, and the Gospel and Our Culture Movement.-Biography:Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Newbigin's schooling...
and Robert Webber
Robert Webber
Robert L. Webber was an American actor who starred as Juror #12 in the 1957 film 12 Angry Men.Webber was born in Santa Ana, California, the son of Alice and Robert Webber, who was a merchant seaman. He was a U.S. Marine during World War II serving on Guam and Okinawa...
. CCI follows the practices, beliefs and life of the early Celtic church and early Methodism, which they feel became a signpost for the Convergence Movement.
Structure
CCI functions in an episcopal structure overseen by bishopBishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s. The House of Bishops, who govern collegially, provide the general oversight of the communion. At each level of the communion structure, leadership is elected and appointed to serve the dioceses, parish churches and other areas of service and ministry. The CCI Canons govern the way mission is accomplished and the manner in which communion organizations are regulated.
Provinces are generally made up of dioceses that exist (a) within a country's borders or (b) within a clearly defined ethno-linguistic group that may spill across international boundaries. We also provisionally recognize several bishop directed families of churches and affiliated ministries that are non-geographic/non-ethno-linguististic networks. Church networks in several nations are currently functioning under the jurisdiction of the Apostolate for the Nations until such time that a Province is warranted for the specific regions.
The Most Reverend Quintin Moore is the Presiding Bishop of the CCI.
Further reading
- "The Convergence Movement" written by Wayne Boosahda and Randy Sly for "Twenty Centuries of Christian Worship", by Robert WebberRobert WebberRobert L. Webber was an American actor who starred as Juror #12 in the 1957 film 12 Angry Men.Webber was born in Santa Ana, California, the son of Alice and Robert Webber, who was a merchant seaman. He was a U.S. Marine during World War II serving on Guam and Okinawa...
, ISBN 1562330128, Publisher: Star Song Pub Co, 1994. (Also referenced at Convergence MovementConvergence MovementThe Convergence Movement refers to a move among evangelical and charismatic churches in the United States to blend charismatic worship with liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer and other liturgical sources. The Movement was inspired by the spiritual pilgrimages of modern Evangelical writers...
) - "Forgotten Power", William L. DeArteaga, 2002 Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids Michigan, 49530 (Ch. 15 focuses on Daniel * Williams, pgs 248-260), ISBN 10-0310245672, ISBN 13-978-0310245674
- "911 Promise" by Daniel Williams, 2002 Creation House Press (Strang Communications Co.) 600 Rinehart Rd., Lake Mary Fl. ISBN 10-0884199274, ISBN 13-978-0884199274
- Charisma Magazine, March 1996 issue, interview with Daniel Williams.
- "Sound of Rushing Waters", by Daniel Williams, ACW Press/DQuest Publications, 2005. ISBN 10-1932124667, ISBN 13-978-1932124668
- "Saint Cuthbert Prayer Book", by the Diocese of Saint Cuthbert, 2007, ISBN 978-0-615-17489-1
- "Prayers and Blessings" by Robert H. Hoyt, Jr. and Michael F. Lee, Published by Fultus Corporation (April 30, 2005), ISBN 10-1596820489, ISBN 13-978-1596820487
- "Talking Circle Journal, The Potlatch Speeches", by Ray Levesque, Healing Land Publishing, 2005
- "Talking Circle Journal, Questions and Answers on Native Ministry", Ray Levesque, Healing Land Publishing, 2005