The official Constitution of thr Ecumenical Community Church+Catholic.

After many months and Spirit fuelled input, the constitution was formally adopted on January 25th - the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle. We are proud to call ourselves a part of the ever growing world-wide communion of ecumenical and universal reformed catholics and take our place as a member body within the International Ecumenical and Universal Church of God, overseen by our College of Bishops. We operate a democracy within a theocracy. Unlike the centralized and hierarchal style of Church governance that was founded in Rome, we have discovered a more relational, relevant and accessible style of Church governance that works better within our post-modern world. Ours is a spiritual community united through a communion of friendships and alliances between each other and those to whom we minister. We have bishops who listen first and govern second. We are not political but faithful. Our spirituality is unique in that we have within our community, men and women from differing denominations. This makes us rich in the traditions of the early church mothers and fathers. Bishops and priests of these times were spiritual friends to one another who did not 'lord it' over people. Some of our primary characteristics include a dedication to simplicity, a great devotion to learning, equality regarding women’s membership and leadership, an appreciation of the marginalized but without politics, a love of beauty within God's Kingdom and understanding for and of the reality of human fragility and sin which can be healed by Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Many non-conformist churches successfully create and found new parish communities with a clear vision of serving God's Kingdom. Sadly throughout history, the non-mainstream sacramental churches have struggled to do the same. As a group of like-minds, we believed we could found a new church with an ecumenical ethos, free from politics, ego and dogma if the Holy Spirit and the spiritual needs of people were listened to.

We have inherited a rich catholic tradition, but in the true meaning of the word, catholic. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.