Convergence of Streams
 
The CEEC blends theEvangelical, Charismatic & Catholic Streams into One!

The CEEC is a "Convergence" Communion. That is, the CEEC, is evangelical (the Bible is clearly the Word of God and is taught & preached as such), pentecostal (we embrace the move and empowering of the Holy Spirit as first experienced at Pentecost and throughout church history), and we are sacramental / liturgical (we Worship in the style and formula established by the Apostles and Early Church Fathers, and we recognize the two Sacraments established by Christ and instituted by the early church). The government of Diocese of Saint Paul is based on the Historic and Apostolic Scriptural model instituted by God, and consists of Bishops and Presbiters ordained in Apostolic Succession, with Deacons being ordained for Christian ministry and service in the "Real" world.

We follow the Worship of the Apostles and Early Church Fathers

Worship is the heartbeat of the CEEC as it blends together "treasures old and new" (Matthew 13:52) through a "convergence" of the three main streams of faith. This historic tradition can allow for a simple order of worship as well as worship resplendent with pageantry, processions, incense, and chant.
Two vital keys to worship in the CEEC are that local congregations be open to the Holy Spirit's activity and that they follow the "shape of the liturgy" that has been received from both Holy Scripture and the first centuries of the Church.

The Shape of the Liturgy: Our liturgy is grounded in the ancient church of the apostles and predates the canonization of the New Testament. Its roots are in the Judaic worship of the "temple and synagogue" combined with the eucharistic services ("the Upper Room") of the early Christians. Through our liturgy we not only join in the eternal shape of worship in heaven, but we enter into the historic worship of the ages. Through a full and authentic liturgy we can express religious truth, denounce heresy, and offer a complete expression of worship to the Trinity.
Tthe CEEC observe the Church Year, follow the Lectionary cycle of Scripture readings, and follow the ancient shape of worship in their principal Sunday services. The following elements are prescribed for our worship: THE WORD OF GOD (An Opening Hymn or Chorus, Short Prayer, A Time of Worship and Praise, Scripture Lessons, The Sermon, The Nicene Creed, The Prayers of the People, Confession of Sin, The Peace), THE TABLE OF THE LORD (The Offertory (presenting our tithes and offerings to the Lord), "Lift up your hearts," "Holy, Holy, Holy," Words of Institution (Repeating the story of the Last Supper), Epiclesis (inviting the Holy Spirit to infuse and minister through the sacraments), The Lord's Prayer, The Fraction (breaking of the bread), Distribution of the Bread and Wine, A Prayer of Thanksgiving, The Blessing and Dismissal).

Sacrament, any of several liturgical actions of the Christian church (Baptism, and Eucharist), believed to have been instituted by Christ and to communicate the grace or power of God. In the 4th-century theologian St. Augustine's definition, the sacraments are an "outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace."
The CEEC officially recognizes two sacraments. The CEEC, however, does not limit the means by which God may dispense His grace on the Church, the people of God.

We Believe in the Word of God and the New Life

“These words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

“From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation.”(2 Timothy 3:15)

“Renouncing the error of your fathers, you should read the prophecies of the sacred writers…Learn from them what will give you everlasting life.” (Justin Martyr – 160 A.D.)

The CEEC’s view of the Bible is stated in the Doctrinal Essentials , which states:    “The Holy Scriptures are self-attesting and the essence of Truth which require our unreserved submission in all areas of our lives. The infallible and trustworthy written Word of God is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts which culminated in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority in matters of faith and life. The Word of God, Incarnate and written, provides the foundation for the following which doctrines we affirm along with Apostles' and Nicene Creeds”

Believing that the Bible is the Written Word of God, it is preached and taught as such. Sermon's are clearly evangelical in nature (both in expository preaching and topically). All congregants in the CEEC are encouraged to daily study of God's Word and to participation in weekly group bible studies.

We believe with the Holy Spirit's gifts and the fruits of the Spirit

“…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…”(Exodus 31:3).

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions…”(Joel 2:28)

OPENNESS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT (Pentecostal/Charismatic):
A distinguishing mark of the CEEC is its openness to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is given latitude to "have His way" in worship. Accordingly, our worship is more than liturgical, it is also very sensitive to what God seeks to accomplish in the midst of His people. We not only "allow" but eagerly "anticipate" the Holy Spirit to manifest His presence to us through the biblical gifts and ministries of the Spirit. These gifts are listed in Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:3-7, and 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 & 28, and are generally assigned to one of three categories, as listed below:

Ministry gifts: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.

Motivational gifts: Service, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Helps and Administration.

Charismatic gifts: Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment, Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation, Faith, Healing and Miracles.”

The CEEC believes that God gifts all baptized Christians, through the work of the Holy Spirit, with gifts for ministry to be exercised in the church for the building up of others in the faith and for the advance of the Kingdom of God here on earth. As such, the Diocese of Saint Paul seeks to help all believers to identify their particular gifts and assist them in the further developing of those gifts for use in ministry.