The International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC) is one of the fastest growing churches in the world, having started with only one bishop and three parishes in 1992 and now reporting close to 1000 churches with over 200,000 ?communicant? members in 20 countries. (Attendance is much higher than ?communicant? membership.)
HISTORICAL ORIGIN
While the ICCEC is a relatively young communion, it occupies a position within the crucible of historic faith through both Anglican and Catholic [i.e., Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil] lines; receiving its apostolic succession through pure lines of undisputed orthodox Christianity. While rooted in the ancient we also believe that the ICCEC has been raised by God to be a new jurisdiction with pillars in the historic, apostolic churches as well as the charismatic and evangelical movements of our own generation. In this respect the ICCEC exists as a "convergence of streams" -- a unifier of the liturgical/sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic tributaries of the Church Universal, which flow into the one ?river, whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy Place where the Most High dwells" (Psalm 46:4).
The seeds of this ?convergence movement? were planted in May, 1977, when a group of evangelical leaders came together to issue a powerful call to all evangelicals to rediscover their roots in historic Christianity. "The Chicago Call," as it came to be known, was signed by such people as Peter Gilquist, Thomas Howard, Robert Webber, and Jon Braun. Their message--a recovery of our common and apostolic roots for the faithful transmission of the Gospel--became the catalyst and heartbeat for our church.
Uniquely, the ICCEC is not a schism or splinter group from another denomination. The International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church is not, and has never been, affiliated with the Episcopal Church USA or the Anglican Communion.
It was a unique work of God borne into the hearts of dedicated and faithful clergy from a number of denominations (Pentecostals, Baptists, Anglicans, Lutherans, Independent Charismatics, Wesleyans, etc.) who studied, prayed over, and witnessed this need for a house of convergence. They were burdened for a church that not only exercised apostolic authority within a liturgical framework but operated under the inspiration and anointing of the Holy Spirit. On June 26, 1992, Father Randolph Adler was consecrated as the church's first Bishop and Primate.
Today, clergy and laymen of the ICCEC, traveling from their heritage in Evangelical, Pentecostal/Charismatic, Anglican, Roman, and Eastern Orthodox expressions, now have the common vision of making the Kingdom of God visible to the nations of the world. The founding vision of the ICCEC states: ?We seek to bring the rich sacramental and liturgical life of the early church to searching evangelicals and charismatics as well as carrying the power of Pentecost to our brothers and sisters in the historical churches, all the while providing a home for all Christians who seek an expression of faith that is equally liturgical/sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic.?
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