As far as I can tell, the "Convergence Movement" was a term used a few years ago by a handful evangelical and charismatic Christian leaders as part of a call churches back to their roots in early Christianity that did not take hold. 2 0 obj
As you read about Convergence Christianity you will find a some overlap but at the same time some clear distinctions; therefore it should be understood these movements are not synonymous. Selecting your location helps us connect you to your local Converge team. Second Expression Convergent Catholics find a deeper connection to fully sacramental spirituality, and. During the first three centuries of the Christian era, the rite of the church was comparatively fluid (or very likely changing), based on various accounts of the Last Supper. Your application will not be considered until this item is completed. CONVERGENCE MOVEMENT The Convergence Movement: A coming together of the three major historic branches of the Church; John 17:6-10 & 17-23 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. As has Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement has produced a myriad of groups, independent preachers and healers, and a few near-cultic offshoots. We offer these definitions as a way of starting conversation but we wish to stress these are oversimplifications and really do not capture the nuances that are present. [] An informative article about this form of Christianity can be found. As outlined in the New Testament, the office of deacon is a historic ministry of service and aid within the local Christian Church. [6][7] Denominations in this movement have also been referred as some form of broader, or new Anglicanism or Episcopalianism. For 170 years weve helped churches bring life change to communities in the U.S. and around Peter Wagner and others from Fuller Theological Seminary formalized the movement through their writings and acted as a filter and focal point. All traditions contribute in some way to convergence worship. In the last couple decades Convergence Christianity - borne from Emergent Christianity - has become a phenomenon primarily among post-evangelical and post-liberal Christians who have or are on the path of deconstructing their belief system in an effort to reconstruct what they see as a more authentic and open approach to faith and spirituality. James Robison, Jim Hylton, Ray Robinson and other Southern Baptist leaders witnessed a Third Wave explosion in the Fullness Movement, primarily impacting the SBC. Additionally, it means that we have a strong appreciation for restoration, renewal, and revival within the Church. In this form of governance, the fullness of the church (both lay and ordained) work in concert to achieve the work of Christ. THE CONVERGENCE MOVEMENT [Click to download PDF] WRITTEN IN 1992 BY BISHOP WAYNE BOOSAHDA AND RANDY SLY FOR THE COMPLETE LIBRARY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP, ROBERT WEBBER, ED. We take chances and we commit our time, talents, and treasures to the building up of the body of Christ. This divine inspiration was the process in which Gods concepts were clothed with the words of humankind. They would be drawn to congregations whose spiritual life and worship services are fully evangelical, fully charismatic and fully sacramental. Our Communion embraces the creeds, sacraments, and historic episcopate in apostolic succession of the Church Catholic. The experience of holiness is also referred to as the second blessing. Their church services would be a liturgical experience frombeginning to end; likely including formal prayers of the people, congregational prayers of penitence, professing a Creed aloud together, and sharing thepeace. Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us that, a cord of the three strands is not easily broken. When the three strands of Gods Church are braided together there will be a new strength and unity in the church as hasnt been seen since the apostolic age. Our Communion does not place any gender requirement for Ordination. Convergence Church equips and empowers individuals through discipleship . In Christianity, a rite that is considered to have been established by Jesus Christ to bring grace to those participating in or receiving it. From 2008 to 2014, the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churchesfounded in 1995 . Modern day visionaries, however, have discerned the times and are declaring that the right time has arrived for Gods church to be one. Described as the Convergence Movement, or Convergence of the Streams, this emerging movement appears to many, both observers and participants, to be another contemporary evidence of Gods continuing activity in history to renew, replenish and unify His people in one heart and purpose in Christ. The Resurgence; Church History. [16][17] Others later joined the Orthodox Church in America or Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The following graph, developed by the leadership of Hosanna Church of the King located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, illustrates the essential elements and ingredients being drawn upon by the majority of those participating in the movement at this point: The blending or converging of these traditions is seen by those involved as the work of God the Holy Spirit imparting a spiritual operation of grace best captured in the vision of Psalm 46:5,6: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy Place where the Most High dwells. Thus, the city of God is seen as the Church, the river as the action and flow of Gods Presence through His Church and the many streams as expressions of the one rivers life that have developed or broken off from the main river through history, all of which are necessary to enrich and make glad the city with the fullness of Gods life, power, purpose and Presence. One by one congregations and leaders have found one another, underlining the sense that God is doing something on a grass root level similar to an underground river about to break to the surface. 13:52. For those located outside of the United States, your application will only be consider if there are independent methods for verifying the information submitted. The convergence movement is a coming together of the three major historic branches of the Church, i.e., the Liturgical/Sacramental, the Evangelical, and the Charismatic. An Affirming, Charismatic, Evangelical, and Sacramental Body of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, In early 2014, Rev. The Sacred Commons is an Ancient-Future church of Youngstown, Ohio. * Only organizations with Wikipedia articles will be listed. A CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL SALVATION, BIBLICAL TEACHING, AND TO THE WORK AND MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. stream
In 1979, the Evangelical Orthodox Church was organized. Therefore these sacraments can never be repeated. Anglican minister David Watson once remarked that, This break with Rome (the Reformation), although probably inevitable due to the corruption of the time, unfortunately led to split after split with the Body of Christ, with the result that the mission of the Church is today seriously handicapped by the bewildering plethora of endless denominationsa torn and divided Christianity is, nevertheless, a scandal for which all Christians need deeply to repent (David Watson, I Believe in the Church). In this way Reformed Worship has come alongside of the contemporary movement and has encouraged an ecumenical spirit among the churches. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. During this consideration period, our Bishops review their findings and make a decision for membership. Convergent Christianity is currently expressed in three ways in our Communion. [35][36] In December 2022, his churchMessiah Anglican Church[37]affiliated with Lumanog's diocese were publicly disowned by the Church of Nigeria in the Anglican Communion to prevent alleged misrepresentation.[38][39][40]. [3][4] Christian denominations stemming from the Convergence Movement typically identify as Convergence, Ancient-Future Faith, Ancient Faith, Ancient Church, Ancient-Future Church, paleo-orthodox, Pentecostal Catholic or Orthodox,[5] or evangelical Episcopal. ThetermEvangelicalism has been a source of controversy, and the precise relationship or distinction between Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism has been disputed. (Sept 1984). As you read about Convergence Christianity you will find a some overlap but at the same time some clear distinctions; therefore it should be understood these movements are not synonymous. If you are interested in being a member of our ministry, Convergence Church or a church/ministry in Convergence Network of Churches and Ministries (CNET) then please see this link to begin the application process. The Convergence Movement: A Cross Denominational Kingdom Builders Alliance & Leadership Empowerment Zone. What some have called the Third Wave or Signs and Wonders Movement began about 1978 with the emergence of the ministry of John Wimber and the Vineyard Churches that arose through his influence. Particular focus was given to the apostolic and Ante-Nicene Fathers of the ancient, undivided Church up until about 390 A.D. In 2016, upon the death of Rev. Evangelicalism,is amovementinmodern Anglo-American (citizens originating from Great Bitain) Protestantism that emphasizes personal commitment to Christ and the authority of the Bible. In June of 2021, our governing Councils approved a transition to an affinity-based model. They may serve the church in the following areas: Communications, Christian Education; serving as a Counselor or Chaplain or; leading a music, campus, prison, charity, justice and advocacy ministry. Copyright 2023 Converge. Current, topical writings to benefit you in leadership and community engagement. (See list below for summary). The Bishops of the Church are collectively called the Episcopacy. The clergy within expression would lead services would be, fully vested. The term, of recent origin, emphasizes what is viewed as the universality of the Christian faith and unity among churches. Between meetings of the General Assembly, the administrative authority of the Communion shall. endobj
[19] Lovelace approvingly noted the trend of Catholics, Evangelicals, and Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians moving closer together. We are entrepreneurial. While advocates and critics have written much on the subject of the multisite church as it has risen in prominence over the past 20 years, Brad House and Gregg Allison believe that we are now able to see the intended and unintended consequences of the movement and thus evaluate it. iJNF8zy,s%Op- In saying that we arecharismatic, we mean that we believe in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the world today. They can still look very Episcopal an, Orthodox, Baptist, Nazarene, independent Charismatic, etc. Fundamentalism,conservativemovement among Protestants in the United States, which began in the late 19th century. Hopkins, Joseph (April 21, 1978). Your application will not be considered until this item is completed. The conference and intended renewal were direct precursors to the Convergence of Streams concept. Holy Orders,theseveraldifferent degrees of ordained ministries recognized by the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican churches. Convergence also equips future pastors through a 2 year multifaceted program to prepare aspiring pastors/church planters for the work of ministry. Our Communion was borne out of the vision of two ministers - the Reverend Drew Haywood-Larsen, our late founder, and the Most Reverend Kenneth von Folmar, our current Presiding Bishop. COREY & JADE LEE CEO & FOUNDERS Hello there! Additionally, the term Connexion further stresses the interconnectedness of the various parts of our Communion. Deacons assist elders in administering the Sacraments and may perform baptisms without the presence of an Elder. Its members introduced laity from other denominations to their practices. As in early Methodism, our Connexions reflect an charism-based model (i.e., when Methodism was still part of the Church of England), with a key differentiation in our use of the historic episcopacy. It was at this moment that we fully embraced the sacramental vision of our founders, and entered into what is known as the Independent Sacramental Movement. The Priests of the Church are collectively called the Presbyterate. In saying that we areevangelical, we mean that we are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (euangelion) and believe in living it within the world. Converge president asks churches to unite to make a collective physical and spiritual impact during tragic circumstances. A movement of churches working to help people meet, know and follow Jesus. Our clerics are tent-makers in the tradition of St. Paul. [22], From 2008 to 2014, the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches held informal ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church through Bishop Tony Palmer until his death, befriending Pope Francis. while expressing . We consider this type as first expression due to the belief that in the first few centuries of the Church it was fully evangelical, fully charismatic and fully sacramental. c. changes in insolation due to seasonal changes on the Sun. First Expression Convergent Catholics would, in many respects, exhibit a more fully-formed convergence experience for their church communities. Distinct charismatic networks and organizations soon arose within the Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and other Protestant denominations. Diversity is divine. von Folmar as the Presiding Minister of the Anthem Network. Largely a result of the ecumenical movement and its foundation primarily attributed to Robert E. Webber,[2] the Convergence Movement developed as an effort among evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic, and liturgical Christians of varying denominational backgrounds to blend charismatic worship with liturgies from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer; they also made use of other liturgical sources common to Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Roman Catholicism. Like St. Paul, we continue to live and work in the world while at the same time we seek to build up the body of Christ on earth. For far too long the church has been divided and separated from one . Convergence provides a mentorship program for school age children in partnership with Dekalb County schools and partners with Pastor Paige Smith to educate school age children through Thrive Schools, a multisite play school in Stone Mountain, GA. Every month Convergence does food drives in partnership with other local churches in the Atlanta metro area, feeding thousands of families and helping with food rescue in the city. b. the angle of Earth relative to the Sun. The Anthem Network was officially launched on June 15th, 2014, with the firstGeneral Assembly being held in August of that year. Convergence Movement 2020 (c) All right reserved. It is largely a result of the ecumenical movement. Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens of Belgium, a progressive at the Second Vatican Council, became the movements sponsor within the Roman hierarchy, but many important leaders were laypeople. Once we become members, what is required of us? 3 0 obj
Church planting, strengthening and global missions | Converge Starting and strengthening churches together worldwide. endobj
The modern English words Priest is descended from the Greek root. Third Expression Convergent Catholics would embrace what many describe as the low church dominant paradigm; that which is commonly experienced in the typical Protestant congregation. Liturgical churches that incorporate praise music can be regarded as convergence models. These Deuterocanonical Books for those following western traditions are Tobit, Judith, Additions to the Book of Esther, the Wisdom of Solomon, Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Children, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, the Prayer of Manasseh, and 2 Esdras. It is represented in most Protestant denominations. TIME LINE OF CHURCH HISTORY . "Sound of Rushing Waters", by Daniel W. Williams, ACW Press/DQuest Publications, 2005. It is therefore encouraged that members remain engaged in virtual connection opportunities offered by the Communion; as well as plan to attend the Biennial meeting of the General Assembly. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. What is the process for those wishing to join the C.CC.? 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. Professor of Theology at Wheaton College), along with Peter Gillquist, Thomas Howard, Richard Holt, Donald Bloesch, Jan Dennis, Lane Dennis, and Victor Oliver, the conference discussed the need for evangelical Protestants to rediscover and re-attach to the Christian Church's historic roots.