Harris Institute Partners with ICCC
The Harris Institute is a community of life-long learning that is interested in both scholarship and practice. Theological education does not exist for itself; it exists to support the practice of ministry. In keeping with our philosophy of engaging the practice of ministry, Harris Institute encourages the ordination of creative ministry leaders.
We partner with the International Community of Christian Churches (ICCC) hosts an annual ordination during the colloquies. Harris Institute provides opportunities for global ministry and education missions.
A COMMUNITY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES
A Community is a body of Christians sharing a common faith and discipline. The International Community of Christian Churches is a family of churches, ministries and ministers joined together in common faith and discipline in the apostolic order and historic Episcopal structure. The formation of this new Community is in reaction to no one, and to no doctrinal issue. It is our belief that there is a multitude of valid expressions of Christ's Church. We are simply following God's call to us to provide an expression of His Church that holds certain core beliefs and distinctives centered around the convergence of the primary historical streams of Evangelicalism, Sacramentalism and Pentecostalism.
Furthermore, we portend a church which is in continuity with the apostolic tradition and succession of the Primitive Church, and which holds as its highest priority the cooperative fulfillment of the Great Commission. We gladly confess our need for the whole Body of Christ in all of its splendid diversity, and seek to be in cooperative fellowship with all segments of the Church and all individual believers in all places.
Since we each carry certain values forward from our church backgrounds, when it comes to building unity in the Church, we must often downplay our own preferences for the sake of cooperation. If we allow one another differences of emphasis within their sphere of ministry, yet work hard to find points of agreement, then we have the basis of true unity and cooperation in the Body of Christ. Respect of differences and belief that God is the author of these differences is central to our mutual success.
HISTORY
ICCC was conceived in early 2000 by Bishop Van Gayton and birthed in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002. We feel it is of great significance that the ICCC is conceived by African-American’s and birthed in Africa. Our founding Bishop Van Gayton was officially consecrated into apostolic succession on November 3, 1996 by the Most Reverend Michael Owens, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Episcopal Churches, along with the Right Reverends Wayne Boosahda and Russell McClanahan.
CONVERGENCE OF MAJOR THEOLOGICAL STREAMS
We are Evangelical, stressing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority and inerrancy of the Bible, the necessity of evangelism at home and abroad, the priesthood of the believer, and the importance of Spirit-anointed preaching as contrasted with mere ritual.
We are Sacramental, practicing the historically recognized rites which are vital to worship and have been preserved and practiced throughout the ages. We therefore highly value the sacraments and sacramentalism, utilize the primary ancient Creeds, and encourage the use of a liturgy based on biblical and historic traditions along with historical ceremony and Christian symbolism.
We are Pentecostal, emphasizing the free expression of the gifts and Person of the Holy Spirit, especially in expressive praise and in signs and wonders, an in-filling of the Holy Spirit, personal spiritual growth and holiness, and every individual’s call to ministry.
Pray whether the Spirit is leading you to join the ICCC community.
Submit your info to be considered for ordination at the next colloquy.