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1.
As members of the Province and
Jurisdiction for On Call Ministry, we acknowledge our faith in One
God, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit: we
believe and trust in God the Father who made all things good. We
believe and trust in His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who brought
forgiveness to all who accept him as saviour. We believe and trust in
the Holy Spirit who empowers the people of God. We believe and trust
in the transforming power of prayer and faith. We believe and trust
that God welcomes all who seek Him, without exception. We believe
Holy Scripture contains the Word of God.
2.
We recognise and acknowledge that
there is only One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and
although it is expressed in great diversity and form, Christ is its
one head, who we serve as called by the Holy Spirit.
3.
We believe that God calls each one
of us to serve Him in some unique way. We believe that
none should be denied their ministry, but freely receive support,
help and encouragement where ministry is discerned. We believe that
all ministries are essential, however small or great they may seem,
and carry equal importance.
4.
We believe that all people are equal
before God. We actively seek to end all forms and
expressions of injustice, intolerance and prejudice that are contrary
to scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit.
5.
We acknowledge our responsibilities
to those who express their faith in a different way. We
rejoice in our shared experiences and our differences, accepting both
equally and wholeheartedly, sharing what is just and good because of
our genuine and Godly love for one another, always giving support and
encouragement without favour and upholding what is good and true
without prejudice.
6.
We accept that what is right for
some may not be right for others. Our journeys with God
take us in different directions, along different paths and in
different ways. We shall not pass judgement on others for they are in
God's hands as we are. God unconditionally accepts us as we are, and
we will accept others likewise.
7.
We believe it is our duty as
Christians to learn to accept to the love that God bestows upon us,
to learn to love ourselves as God loves us, accepting what we are,
just as God accepts us. to learn to love others as we ourselves are
loved, to become the people God created us to be through learning to
love God,
8.
We believe it is also our joy to
learn to live in the fullness of life which God gave us, to
find God in all things and to do His bidding . We will seek to do
those things God asks of us and to faithfully serve in whatever
capacity we are called, each according to the gifts and ministries
they have been given.
9.
We will always keep in mind that no
person or circumstance can take God's love away from us, whatever we
have done, and we can rest assured, knowing God's love for
us is firm and unshakeable, that we cannot ever be separated from His love.
10.
We seek to minister to all those who
need help in a truly non-denominational way, regardless
of the barriers that society (and sometimes the church) erects. We
do not seek to compromise the teachings of Christ in any way but to
put them into effect.
11.
We seek to follow the pattern of
servant leadership modelled by Christ as the pattern for all ministry.
Our focus is on ministry where it is needed, not in maintaining
buildings or organisational structures.
12.
The Province and Jurisdiction has the power to ordain and to
consecrate within the traditions of the One Holy Catholic and
Apostolic Church.
Governance:
1. The
Province and Jurisdiction for On Call Ministry is not a church or
denomination, but is an independent Province and Jurisdiction whose
members are specifically called to work non-denominationally where
ever they are needed, particularly with those people and groups who
have been disenfranchised, excluded or rejected
2. The
Province and Jurisdiction is subject to the overall Episcopal
oversight of its bishop who is advised by an Ecclesiatical Executive
made up of members of the Province and Jurisdiction. Other than this,
no further organisational structure is felt to be necessary and
individual roles within the Province and Jurisdiction are delegated
according to gifts and without title, rank or privilege.
3. The
Province and Jurisdiction may, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
and at such times as are necessary, maintain the right to canonically
consecrate (a small number of assistant) Bishops within the Province
and Jurisdiction whose purpose will be to continue independent
Episcopal oversight of the Province and Jurisdiction and to maintain
the line of apostolic succession already held within the Province and
Jurisdiction so that the ordination of priests may continue within
the canons of the catholic traditions of the world wide church if so
desired. Such bishops will have no special privileges or rights over
or above any other member of the Province and Jurisdiction by virtue
of their title or office.
4. Members of
the Province and Jurisdiction can be drawn from any tradition within
the world wide church but accept that within the Province and
Jurisdiction all are considered equal in Christ and that entitlement
to special privilege by virtue of existing office or title is forgone.
5. Members
remain wholly under the jurisdiction and authority of their own
particular tradition at all times and should act at all times and in
all circumstances in a way which neither compromises their conscience
or obligations to either their tradition or the Order.
6. The
Province and Jurisdiction has the power to ordain where ministry is
recognised and vocation is discerned. Evidence of vocation, a working
knowledge of scripture, a practical faith based on sound theology and
existing ministry are primary requirements and are considered of more
value than formal educational qualifications.
7. Members who
have been ordained by the Province and Jurisdiction for On Call
Ministry fall wholly under the jurisdiction and authority of the
Province and Jurisdiction and remain subject to it at all times.
8. All members
of the Province and Jurisdiction are encouraged to discover and
develop their own ministries as God calls.
9. There is
great wealth of experience and spirituality within the Province and
Jurisdiction and members are encouraged to share this with one
another as part of their stewardship of the gifts they have received
from God
10. As the
Province and Jurisdiction’s financial resources are limited,
members are encouraged under guidance to take substantial
responsibility for their own continued formation and spiritual
development. However, some courses and material will be made
available by On Call from time to time.
11. All
members of Province and Jurisdiction will be financially self supporting
12. New
members of the Province and Jurisdiction will be required to produce
a recent CRB check. An enhanced CRB is required if working with
children and young adults.
13. The
Province and Jurisdiction’s Child Protection policy applies to
all its members except where adequate child protection policies
already exist and apply within the incorporated and associated organisations.
14. As in any
profession, breach of trust or any form of professional misconduct
may/will result in suspension or release from the Province and Jurisdiction.
Priestly
life:
Being led by
the Holy Spirit, On Call priests are required to be faithful in daily
prayer and be mindful of their priestly calling, continued formation,
duties and responsibilities at all times. They shall not bring their
calling and vocation into disrepute but live in constant and genuine
humility, seeking God in all things and being His faithful and
willing servants.
In the
outworking of priestly vocation, two principles shall continuously apply:-
(a) treat all
as if they were Christ himself and respond accordingly,
(b) respond to
need as Christ himself would respond.
In these, all
further requirements are fulfilled.
The
role of On Call Priests
within
the Province and Jurisdiction:
1.
The role of On Call priests is:-
to minister to
the needs of anyone who is unable to receive or is excluded from any
of the sacraments, services or support of main stream churches or groups,
to work with
groups who are often ignored by the main stream churches who have
little time or resources to work with them,
to work
supportively with other churches, organisations, groups and
individuals wherever possible,
to be ‘on
call’ to any one in need regardless of faith background,
personal history or social circumstances.
2.
On Call Clergy priests are authorised to draw from a great many
sources and liturgical traditions in order to minister in a way that
is appropriate to each individual need.
3. On
Call priests may pass work on to other members of the Order if they
feel that they cannot give 100% support to any requests made.
The
over-riding principle is to take the church of Christ out to the
people and minister to the needs they have. |
