I have had a truly incredible five months. From February through July, I attended the selection of the new Patriarch in Madrid, the Installation of the Patriarch in Paris, 3SI: The River conference, and the Patriarch’s Council in San Clemente, CA. I will borrow a phrase from Bishop Jason Epps to describe each experience, “It’s the same as before, only more.” At each of these amazing experiences, I have, mostly, been an observer and supporter. The proper word is witness. I have been a witness to that which God is doing in the CEC.
In Madrid, the Patriarch’s Council that met was the one that Abp. Bates had assembled. The unity among those members was remarkable. The first ballot, completely unanimous consensus decision to select Abp. Jones as Patriarch was a statement that God is leading our Church. The joy of the installation in Paris brought confirmation of the new thing that God was doing to revitalize our movement and our unity. It was a tremendous trip that included a healing conference led by Abp. Jones. As God does, the healing and the commissioning were happening in the same moment. Symbolic of the activity of God in the whole communion, we are in a season of healing and sending forth.
3SI: The River brought another moment of unity, commissioning and direction for our communion and, specifically, our young adults. God is raising up leaders from among this generation. While the rest of the mainline denominations are worried about greying out, the CEC is looking to the move of God among our young people with faith and expectation. The purpose of God was furthered as well in the first recording of the Three Streams Collective band that played the conference. Made up of worship leaders from around the country, they played and recorded six original songs during the conference that will be released on their first EP in the coming months.
This all led straight into the Patriarch’s Council. The way had been prepared. The meetings were full of unity and encouragement.
What is the Patriarch’s Council? The Patriarch’s Council is the highest governing body of the ICCEC. The Patriarch selects his own council and they join in the governing of the ICCEC through consensus. To summarize consensus, the men on the council seek God’s will, not their own agenda. They share what they believe God is speaking and the first among equals, the Patriarch, then declares that consensus has been reached on a decision, or else they continue to pray and seek guidance. Sometimes issues are even put off due to a lack of consensus. As Bishop Jones often says, “I don’t have time to be in a hurry.”
The symbol of what the Patriarch’s Council does for our communion is illustrated most clearly in the consecration of the oils. The bishops all participate in blessing the Chrism Oil. This oil represents the anointing that is referenced in Psalm 133.2: “It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!” The anointing flows from the Patriarch and his council to each bishop in each diocese to each priest in each parish to every member of the ICCEC. This is the oil that anoints every baptized member, every person confirmed in the communion, and every bishop, priest and deacon in their ordination. Not only a symbol of the proper ordering of God’s Church, we believe the oil is an effective element in the Sacraments where it is bestowed.
Just like the oil, we all participate in the Spirit that flows out from the Patriarch’s Council as God leads through these men. I take such encouragement knowing that I can trust that God is leading the ICCEC.
The members of the new Patriarch’s Council are Archbishop Charles Jones, Patriarch; Bishop Elmer Belmonte, General Secretary; Bishop Gregory Ortiz, Auxiliary to the Patriarch; Canon James House, Patriarchal Nuncio; Archbishop Ariel Santos, Primate of Asia; Bishop Michael Davidson; Bishop Prakash Yuhanna; Bishop Raymundo Abogatal; Bishop Brett Crompton; Archbishop Joshua Koyo of Kenya; and Bishop Francis Gogo of Uganda. Abp. Jones has selected Bishop Belmonte to be his General Secretary. This position is an esteemed and necessary help to the Patriarch. Bishop Douglas Kessler was the first General Secretary to the Patriarch and he had an amazing impact on the formation of the ICCEC. During the sessions, Bishop Jones, in consensus with the Council, named Fr. Jim House his Nuncio. The Nuncio means that Fr. Jim carries the authority to be the voice of the Patriarch. In particular, he is like a diplomat on behalf of the Patriarch as he speaks to his many connections inside the CEC and outside the CEC around the world. One additional role was defined as I was made the Global Director of Communications for the ICCEC. This continues and globalizes Three Streams United. This article is a direct result of the initiative to bring unified and clear communication of the message that God is speaking to the ICCEC and the ways God is moving in our midst.
Another significant decision was a clarification of the process of consensus for the Patriarch’s Council. Decisions made at the Patriarch’s Council will be taken by representative bishops to their own councils for their territories. These councils will be able to give feedback on the decisions. The following Patriarch’s Council meeting will consider any feedback and, barring any changes needed, confirm the decision. As such, the decisions made in this meeting that need to go through that process will only be announced as final following the next Patriarch’s Council gathering in March of 2027. This continues to allow our church to be woven together in unity around the consensus government we have been given.
It was increasingly obvious throughout the three days of the Patriarch’s Council that God was leading as the decisions were all made with an easy unity and the conversation was effective and constructive. Discussions that tend towards tedium or controversy were conducted with peace and clarity.
The prophetic gifts were on display as well with many sharing words that God had spoken to our patriarch’s council and for our communion.
Ultimately, the fellowship, the unity, and the prophetic Spirit of the gathering told the story of how God is moving far more than any particular decision. I look forward to my new role and being witness to the work God is doing in our Communion worldwide. I will continue to share from my experiences and hope that you are encouraged and connected through these articles to the revival we are experiencing day by day.