Most convergence churches have a dominant base one particular expression of' the church that regulates the others. Followers of Jesus continue to receive the gifts of the Spirit (charismata). 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. Wayne Boosahda and Randy Sly of Hosanna Church of the King, one of the key Churches in the Kansas City area reflecting the impact of the movement, have expressed the conviction that, out of the days of the Reformation, we see Gods heart now moving in a kind of reverse reformation or restoration, of His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (catholic, here being used to refer to the wider universal Church of Jesus Christ). The Convergence Movement, also known as the Ancient-Future Faith movement,[1] is a Protestant Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (19601980) in the United States. One characteristic of the movement was the focus given to unity. To converge, according to Webster, simply means to move towards one point, to come together or to meet. Convergence Movement 2020 (c) All right reserved. All rights reserved. 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. The declared aim of the original reformers was to restore the Christian faith as it had been at its beginning, while keeping what they thought valuable from the Roman Catholic tradition that had developed during the intervening centuries. All traditions contribute in some way to convergence worship. The convergence movement seems to have strong antecedents in two major areas of spiritual and worship renewal affecting the Church in this century: the contemporary Charismatic worship renewal and the Liturgical Renewal Movement, both Catholic and mainline Protestant. 3 0 obj Holiness Churches, are fundamentalist Protestant bodies that developed from Methodism and hold as their distinguishing feature the doctrine that holiness, or sanctification of the individual, occurs by a second act of grace that follows justification and is supplementary to it. xYn1DG]o%x3t5*+|hvh( ` vC@DboCh3G#{>Zn2ldJn5uIG;G/h!NZ|55vt6o($"LM}MIV(L2G1)qb]k%8i vuHwu`Eq$=C$3Dtb}tO8.p4 M bExjJlu6A4 SLeF_(9 B^w0ilqV4fn\4]0J;>np&jPE+Ve#V,qDWm6g Ngu~$Sf1H#]wh1&U$u==2Q/2$y#`QS=1|..`9!JF2R*r+|gRS7z//26?M4!C?fWhEPI[E_,bx.~_jzRBk1 It should be noted that the Convergence Movement is not synonymous with Convergence Christianity (commonly championed by Brian Mclaren, Phyllis Tickle, etc.). c. changes in insolation due to seasonal changes on the Sun. [10][11][12][13], In 1973, Campus Crusade for Christ missionary Peter E. Gillquist (19382012) of Chicago established a network of house churches throughout the United States of America, aiming to restore a primitive form of Christianity, which was called the New Covenant Apostolic Order. The convergence model, which draws from a variety of traditions, exists in nearly every denomination. The Convergence Movement (also known as the Paleo-orthodox Movement or less commonly the Ancient-Future Faith movement) is a Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (1960-1980) in the United States. The movement sought to make the liturgy both more attuned to early Christian traditions and more relevant to modern Christian life. General Assembly being held in August of that year. Holy Orders,theseveraldifferent degrees of ordained ministries recognized by the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican churches. ThefourmainProtestant traditions that emerged from the Reformation were the Lutheran (known in continental Europe as Evangelical), the Calvinist (Reformed), the Anabaptist, and the Anglican. elements of each of the three streams. endobj Chances are, you have never heard of Convergent Catholicism and you have found yourself on these pages trying to figure out just what we mean by that. During this consideration period, our Bishops review their findings and make a decision for membership. [18] Led by Robert E. Webber (Assoc. 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. Largely a result of the ecumenical movement and its foundation primarily attributed to Robert E. Webber, the Convergence Movement developed as an effort among evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic, and . <> The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches also include penance (or confession & repentance), confirmation (completion of training for adult hood), holy orders, matrimony, and the anointing of the sick. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Your congregation and community deserve a long-term vision and plan. #336 The Convergence Movement is unidirectional in that it is one wing of the Church looking at the others, but the Charismatic Movement tackles things from the other side - with catholic churches (Roman, Anglican, etc.) Converge is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. (See list below for summary). During deliberations, a decision is made in light of the, The key to attaining membership in our Communion is found in building meaningful relationships with our members and leaders. % 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. Once we become members, what is required of us? The blending in the practices of all three streams is evident, yet each church approaches convergence from different bases of emphasis. AN INCREASED APPETITE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EARLY CHURCH, 3. A GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF SIGN AND SYMBOL IN WORSHIP THROUGH BANNERS, CROSSES, CHRISTIAN ART AND CLERICAL VESTMENTS, 7. As such, this book offers an overview of the movement and advances a model they label as "multichurch" that . The clergy within expression would lead services would befully vested. Father, that they maybe one even as we are one, was the prayer of our Lord. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), A coming together from different directions, especially a uniting or merging of groups or tendencies. Modern day visionaries, however, have discerned the times and are declaring that the right time has arrived for Gods church to be one. Additionally, it means that we have a strong appreciation for restoration, renewal, and revival within the Church. This scripture summarizes the insight and discovery which has led to a fresh stream of thought and renewal throughout the wider Body of Christ. The Convergent Catholic Communion does not offer wages or salaries to our ministers; we are missionaries in the sense that we act on faith in trying to establish church plants, missions, ministries and faith communities wherever we can gather the people. Many Evangelicals follow a traditional, interpretation of the Bible and insist on its inerrancy (freedom from error in history as well as in faith and morals). 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. the world through church planting and multiplication, leadership training and coaching and global missions. Find another location >, Start a new church, campus or multiply your church, Lead you and your church to long-term health, Reach people with the gospel in key areas of the world, Inspirational stories and news of God's work throughout the Converge movement. 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. An increasing number of local congregations and leaders from many backgrounds are finding treasures old and new in the spiritual heritage of the church universal. For those who are not doing ministry in a local church it is important to maintain a spiritual home and faith community. Liturgical churches that incorporate praise music can be regarded as convergence models. [20][21] In 2011, Bishop Derek Jones of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churchesfounded in 1995was received by the Convocations of Anglicans in North America into the Anglican Church in North America. It also means that from the Evangelical movements within the Church, we take a strong appreciation for Gods grace, faith, and Scripture. Convergence also aids single and teen moms, providing monthly care packages to assist in their prosperity. Therefore these sacraments can never be repeated. 1 0 obj In June of 2021, our governing Councils approved a transition to an affinity-based model. , we mean that we are an open, affirming, and grace-filled Communion believing that Christs love and ministry are open to all - regardless of anyones denominational background, political party, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, or age. I see that you mention you are affirming, evangelical, charismatic and sacramental, in light of what I have learned so far - what does that really mean? Although young, we have continued to grow and mature as a vibrant expression of Christian faith and spirituality. Are you interested in joining Convergence Church or Convergence Movement? von Folmar as the Presiding Minister of the Anthem Network. This original association was called The Anthem Network, and was a small network of inclusive church plants within the Southwest United States. It is largely a result of the ecumenical movement. This growth and maturity resulted in the unique sacramental role of the Bishop being the successor of the Apostles. f*1D+FlxMveozM8$6N)Ik{o Y|D. Publication of this book stirred up a great deal of interest in the evangelical Protestant press, generating numerous reviews in Christianity Today and other widely read evangelical publications. We also provide care packages for the unhoused and those in human trafficking. 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. (See list below for summary). endobj This Expression recognizes the ancient church as a legitimate voice, but mostly in their insistence on a celebrating weekly Eucharist. In this way Reformed Worship has come alongside of the contemporary movement and has encouraged an ecumenical spirit among the churches. They feel most at home going to a service that is some iteration of the classical non-liturgical experience. Decatur, GA 30033, Faithful Futures for Fragile Congregations. The National Holiness Movement came into being shortly. <>>> Our Communion embraces the creeds, sacraments, and historic episcopate in apostolic succession of the Church Catholic. These Catholics embrace the sacraments in a way that is fully in-step, with tradition. Inner Cities. The governance of our Communion is vested in our members gathered at General Assembly (held every 2 years). 2014-2023 Convergent Catholic Communion. While not associated with the official Ecumenical Movement of the World Council of Churches, those involved in CM seem broadly gripped by the hunger and desire to learn from traditions of worship and spirituality other than their own and to integrate these discoveries into their own practice and experience in the journey of faith. , we mean that we believe in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the world today. Most charismatics, however, are orthodox in doctrine, and emphasize activity. Join church leaders and congregants from around the Heartland District March 6-8 to pray and sing in worship to our great God! The Convergence Movement: A Cross Denominational Kingdom Builders Alliance & Leadership Empowerment Zone. 0 Selecting your location helps us connect you to your local Converge team. Researching the historical basis of the Christian faith, Gillquist and his colleagues found sources for this restoration in the writings of the early Church Fathers. An informative article about this form of Christianity can be found here. Its members introduced laity from other denominations to their practices. Due to the dispersed nature of our Communion, establishing meaningful relationships can be challenging. You can learn more about our leaders, our polity and review our Constitution and Canon by clicking the below. John 17:17-23 (KJV) In Christianity, a rite that is considered to have been established by Jesus Christ to bring grace to those participating in or receiving it. Therefore, . Typically, when a person says are you Catholic they are asking if we are Roman Catholic and we can definitively say we are not Roman Catholic. Diversity is divine. Those in the Renewal saw a blending of Charismatic or Pentecostal elements, such as healing, prophecy and spontaneous worship and praise, with the more traditional elements of mainline (and, eventually, Roman Catholic) liturgical and reformed practices. [52] In Roman Catholicism, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992), 1121 expresses: The three sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders confer, in addition to grace, a sacramental character or seal by which the Christian shares in Christ's priesthood and is made a member of the Church according to different states and functions. Each applicant will be interviewed by at least one of our Bishops. Haywood-Larsen and Rev. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. "Sound of Rushing Waters", by Daniel W. Williams, ACW Press/DQuest Publications, 2005. Like Christ, we seek to serve rather than to be served. stream Some of our clergy are married or partnered and some are not; some may choose celibacy and others do not. An Affirming, Charismatic, Evangelical, and Sacramental Body of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, In early 2014, Rev. 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. The clergy within expression would lead services would be, fully vested. Eric Elnes wrote: As far as I can tell, the " onvergence 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 The Anthem Network was officially launched on June 15th, 2014, with the firstGeneral Assembly being held in August of that year. We believe the Holy Scriptures are composed of the Old and New Testaments along with the Deuterocanonical Book. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. What IS Digital Ministry? A Modern Charismatic Movement Within the Presbyterian Church Nicholas Edward Pearce Florida International University, [email protected] Does God Still Give Revelation? The Convergence Movement, also known as the Ancient-Future Faith movement, is a Protestant Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (1960-1980) in the United States.. We take chances and we commit our time, talents, and treasures to the building up of the body of Christ. The Convergence Movement is a coming together of the three major historic branches of the church: the Sacramental, the Evangelical, and the Charismatic. COREY & JADE LEE CEO & FOUNDERS Hello there! The discoveries and enrichment of the theology and practice of worship and ministry from that fertile era overflowed into the mainline Protestant churches and began to have major impact upon them, as well, from the 1950s on. The process involved simplifying rites, developing new texts . A church does not necessarily have to change its identity when it becomes a part of a convergence movement. [1] In the following years, Webber wrote several additional books that had great influence on evangelical churches seeking to incorporate liturgy and traditional practices into their worship, and numbers of evangelical Protestants and Charismatics continued to migrate to the historic liturgical denominations. Your application will not be considered until this item is completed. The Convergence Movement, also known as the Ancient-Future Faith movement,[1] is a Protestant Christian movement that began during the Fourth Great Awakening (19601980) in the United States. A Bishop is an overseer of the flock and as such is called to propagate, to teach, and to uphold and defend the faith and order of the Church willingly and as God leads. embrace what many would describe as the high church paradigm. embrace what many would describe as the high church paradigm. Thomas Reese. In saying that we areaffirming, we mean that we are an open, affirming, and grace-filled Communion believing that Christs love and ministry are open to all - regardless of anyones denominational background, political party, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, or age. ]wL 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. Deacons assist elders in administering the Sacraments and may perform baptisms without the presence of an Elder. They can still look very Episcopal an, Orthodox, Baptist, Nazarene, independent Charismatic, etc. Between meetings of the General Assembly, the administrative authority of the Communion shallreside in the Bishops Council and the General Council. In 2018, our Communion continued to mature as we elected to adopt the historic episcopate in apostolic succession common to all Catholic and Apostolic churches and our first two bishops were consecrated. What do you mean by affirming, evangelical, charismatic and sacramental? Doing ministry is not the same as being in a worshiping community; thus, it is vital that a minister serving in parachurch ministries regularly attend worship services. The Convergent Church Movement seeks to depart from traditional religious practices. Our Communion embraces the creeds, sacraments, and historic episcopate in apostolic succession of the Church Catholic. For far too long the church has been divided and separated from one . In the late 1990s the world had about 400 million Protestants (including some 64 million Anglicans), constituting about one-fifth of all affiliated Christians. We curate important resources that your congregation shouldn't live without. [8], The pioneers of the Convergence Movement were seeking to restore a primitive form of Christianity different from what the Restoration Movement taught. The Third Wave has been described by some as an epilogue to the Charismatic Renewal, bringing together Charismatic elements of worship, experience and practice with the Evangelical tradition. This led the group to practice a more liturgical form of worship than in their previous evangelical background.[14]. 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. Upon adopting an affinity-based model, three Connexons were created to represent those relationships; a fourth being recently created for the Eastern Rite. Unlike in more traditional Diocesan and Eparchial models found in mainline and canonical churches our Communion does not assign episcopal oversight through geographic means. The Priests are celebrants of Holy Communion; they may offer all the sacraments except Ordination to Holy Orders. The additional Anglican argument of "once a bishop, always a bishop" gains prominence among those in the Convergence Movement;[51] there is also an understanding through Roman Catholic teaching on sacramental character. Community Convergence is dedicated to assisting local and national Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) by providing consultation to HBCU leaders, Biblical education for students, and . 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. 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. It emphasized as absolutely basic to Christianity the following beliefs: the. The modern English words Priest is descended from the Greek root. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). A common component in the current CM, which came from these earlier movements, is a strong sense of and concern for unity in the whole of Christs Body, the Church. (If I'm wrong, please correct me.) The Pentecostal churches had their origin in a similar movement in the early 20th century, as small groups of believers withdrew from Protestant denominations in order to pray, study the Bible, and practice their gifts. In 1977, "The Chicago Call" was issued by the National Conference of Evangelicals for Historic Christianity, meeting in Warrenville, Illinois. Although evident in the earliest forms of the Church, the role of Bishop has evolved as the Church has grown and matured. ", Convergence Movement, Association of Religion Data Archives, Website of the Apostolic Pastoral Congress, Website of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Website of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, Website of the Holy Communion of Churches, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Convergence_Movement&oldid=1142357754, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. von Folmar was elected as our first Presiding Bishop. Our clerics are organized through the lens of Church history in which Deacons, Elders and Bishops supported the community. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; In short, it's complicated. 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. This configuration to Christ and to the Church, brought about by the Spirit, is indelible; it remains for ever in the Christian as a positive disposition for grace, a promise and guarantee of divine protection, and as a vocation to divine worship and to the service of the Church. In 2022, Archbishop Sterling Lands II of the Evangelical Episcopal Communion (once part of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches),[41][42] and Archbishop Deng Dau Deng, a former archbishop-elect of the Anglican Church of South Sudan,[43] joined The African Episcopal Church, a province of the Apostolic Communion of Anglican Churches. John 17:6-10 & 17-23 "Schism in the Order". Convergence Church equips and empowers individuals through discipleship . TIME LINE OF CHURCH HISTORY . In June of 2021, our governing Councils approved a transition to an affinity-based model. Though the Jesus People Movement had effectively ended by the mid-1970s, there were still a host of churches, parachurch organizations, apologetics ministries, converts, Jesus musicians, independent evangelists, and missionary workers that had been funneled into Protestant and Catholic denominations of all theological skews. Arising out of a common desire and hunger to experience the fullness of Christian worship and spirituality, the Convergence Movement (also referred to in the remainder of this article as CM) seeks to blend or merge the essential elements in the Christian faith represented historically in three major streams of thought and practice; the Charismatic, Evangelical/Reformed and Liturgical/Sacramental. The two movements complement each other very well. 4 0 obj Followers of Jesus continue to receive the gifts of the Spirit (charismata). During this consideration period, our Bishops review their findings and make a decision for membership. Peter Wagner and others from Fuller Theological Seminary formalized the movement through their writings and acted as a filter and focal point. In this form of governance, the fullness of the church (both lay and ordained) work in concert to achieve the work of Christ. Current, topical writings to benefit you in leadership and community engagement. Authorized: authorized by a local community/ministry, the Communion, or Bishops Council for service as a pastor, staff clergy, evangelist, pastoral therapist, chaplain, Communion staff, or as the director of an educational or service ministry. The movement was inspired by the spiritual pilgrimages of modern evangelical writers like Thomas Howard, Robert E. Webber, Peter E. Gillquist, and ancient Christian writers such . Convergence Movement is a ministry launching generational influencers from campuses, inner cities and the ends of the earth. More About Us Strategic Planning We chose to use Connexion because it was an organizing form not historically tied to geography (like those listed above). Learn more Watch Church planting Start a new church, campus or multiply your church Strengthen your church Lead you and your church to long-term health Global missions Reach people with the gospel in key areas of the world In saying that we arecharismatic, we mean that we believe in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the world today. We believe that the Holy Scriptures found in the Old and New Testament are divinely inspired. ), Therefore, every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. Mat. 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. The Resurgence; Church History. The convergence movement seems to have strong antecedents in two major areas of spiritual and worship renewal affecting the Church in this century: the contemporary Charismatic worship renewal and the Liturgical Renewal Movement, both Catholic and mainline Protestant. There are about 25 other Holiness denominations, among them the rapidly growing Christian and Missionary Alliance with 346,000 U.S. members in the late 1990s.
