Basic Beliefs

Practices and Behavioral Standards

Organizational Structure

Role of Ministers

Worship

Other Considerations

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There are no restrictions placed on the decision of members to serve in the Armed Forces. We believe that to be a matter of personal conscience for the member in prayerful communion with God. Equally there are no restrictions placed on holding public office, serving in law enforcement, or engaging in public trade or interest. We do, however, strongly discourage membership in secret societies or organizations and restrict such membership for ordained clergy. We balance our public life with the knowledge that while we are in the world we are not "of the world" (John 17:15-16).

Concerning the general move of many churches and denominations toward ecumenism, the following must be mentioned:

The ICCEC does not ordain women to the diaconate or priesthood. We believe such practices to be contrary to both Scripture and tradition as the early church knew nothing of a Christian priestess. However, women in the ICCEC do serve the church in a variety of ministry roles as "commissioned ministers."

Our clergy are not permitted to concelebrate the Eucharist with an ordained female minister or priest, nor with any clergy who deny the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Bread and Cup or who are not ordained in Apostolic Succession.

We hold to a high view of the Eucharist in that we believe the Real Presence of Christ is made manifest in the Bread and Wine through the power of the Holy Spirit. In short, the Eucharist is NOT a memorial meal.

The Eucharist is intrinsic to our worship services. Indeed, biblical worship must include sacrifice. However, this does not preclude our clergy (e.g., ICCEC priests serving as military chaplains) from conducting a "Protestant" service in interdenominational settings. Such a service would be charismatic in nature and generally include singing, general confession, Scripture, a sermon, the Creed, and prayers. While this "ante communion" service is permissible in a setting that necessitates its requirement, all ICCEC clergy are still expected to offer the sacrifice of the Eucharist at least once a week as their chief and principal labor before God.

Our clergy and laity may enter into joint/ecumenical worship services or Bible study groups where the Eucharist is not served. In joint services where the Eucharist is served (e.g., ecumenical community Thanksgiving services), notice must first be made to the celebrant to determine whether the sacrament is offered as the "Real Presence" of Christ.

We practice a limited "open communion" in our worship services and offer the Eucharist to all baptized believers who were brought into faith through the Trinitarian formula of baptism, who accept the shed blood of Christ as the payment for their sins, and who acknowledge the Real Presence of Christ in the elements of the Eucharist.